Sports

Lionel Messi found the net just two minutes after entering as a second-half substitute, helping Inter Miami secure a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Union at home. The 37-year-old Argentine star, who had been sidelined with an adductor strain that caused him to miss Argentina's recent World Cup qualifiers, made an immediate impact upon his return. Messi had sustained the injury during Miami's previous MLS match, a 2-1 victory at Atlanta on March 16. Miami had taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Finnish winger Robert Taylor converted a low pass from Benjamin Cremaschi following Jordi Alba's run down the left side. Coach Javier Mascherano introduced Messi in the 55th minute, and the impact was instantaneous. Former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez found Messi on the right side of the field, where he created space with a clever move before […]

Former Australia batter Stuart Law has been appointed as the new coach of Nepal's men's cricket team on a two-year contract. The 56-year-old succeeds Monty Desai, whose tenure concluded after the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) opted not to extend his contract. Law, who was part of Australia's 1996 Cricket World Cup runner-up squad, most recently coached the United States national team. During his brief six-month stint with the Americans, he achieved remarkable success by guiding them to the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup last year in their first-ever World Cup appearance. His leadership produced one of cricket's greatest upsets when the United States defeated Pakistan. The former right-handed batter brings extensive international coaching experience, having previously led West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan national teams. Nepal's upcoming schedule includes crucial World Cup League 2 matches […]

Oleksandr Usyk must begin negotiations to defend his WBO heavyweight championship against Joseph Parker, according to an official order from the boxing organization. This directive potentially derails British fighter Daniel Dubois's hopes for a rematch with the Ukrainian champion. The WBO announced Thursday that Usyk, who currently holds the WBC and WBA titles as well, has 30 days to reach an agreement with New Zealand's Parker for a mandatory defense or face a purse bid situation. Parker successfully defended his WBO interim title in Riyadh recently, stopping Martin Bakole in the second round after Dubois withdrew due to illness. Instead of rescheduling against Parker, IBF champion Dubois had been pursuing another bout with Usyk, who knocked him out in the ninth round in August 2023. The 27-year-old Dubois was reportedly in discussions for a fight with Usyk that would unify […]

Mark Wood is expected to miss England's complete home Test schedule this summer after surgery on his left knee. The 35-year-old fast bowler will be unavailable until late July, approximately when the five-Test India series concludes. This means Wood's next potential Test appearance would be during the Ashes tour in Australia starting in November. The Durham paceman's absence represents a significant setback for England during a year featuring two premier Test series. Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, who favor express pace in their bowling attack, have now lost their quickest bowler for the summer home fixtures, raising questions about Wood's availability for the Australian tour. With Wood considered England's premier Test seamer, his injury further questions the decision to play him in the Champions Trophy. Fellow pacers face their challenges: Jofra Archer hasn't played Test cricket since 2021 […]