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‘Not enough guts’: AB de Villiers questions Pakistan players’ hunger after England rout | Cricket News

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'Not enough guts': AB de Villiers questions Pakistan players’ hunger after England rout
Ab de Villiers and Babar Azam (Agency Image)

Pakistan’s recent struggles have sparked plenty of criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but former South Africa captain AB de Villiers believes the players themselves must also take responsibility for the team’s alarming performances.The Babar Azam-led Pakistan side endured a miserable start to its England tour, suffering heavy defeats in the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord’s. The results prompted the PCB to make sweeping changes ahead of the third and final Test in Birmingham, including sending seven players home and replacing Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with white-ball coach Mike Hesson.However, de Villiers believes the problems extend beyond the boardroom. The former Proteas skipper questioned whether enough Pakistan players are willing to put in the hard work required to succeed in Test cricket, particularly when conditions become difficult.

De Villiers questions Pakistan’s character

Pakistan’s struggles with the bat were particularly concerning during the opening two Tests. The first match finished inside three days, while the second went into a fourth day largely because of rain.Across four innings, Pakistan failed to score 200 even once, leaving de Villiers questioning the team’s ability to withstand pressure and fight through difficult periods.“I don’t often currently see a lot of Pakistan players individually being prepared to put in those extra hard yards. Especially with the batting unit. Not enough, what’s the word, guts. Fight. It doesn’t always have to be pretty. Lots of soft wickets, and that’s what it comes down to. It’s a decision that you make,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.The former South Africa captain explained that he viewed Test cricket as an opportunity to demonstrate mental strength rather than simply focus on aesthetics or personal statistics.“It’s sometimes ugly and terribly difficult to watch. If I played for my ego, I probably would have been a different player. It was always about how much character I could show out here today. It always felt like a threat to my character from the opposition. That’s the way I decided to play the situation,” he added.De Villiers believes that quality performances in Test cricket often come down to a player’s ability to respond when circumstances are stacked against them.“I always felt that Test cricket was a test of your character. That’s maybe what Pakistan is lacking at the moment. A bit of character, a bit of fight. An individual leadership group of four or five players who decide together, you know what, let’s be the leaders here and show the guys,” said the former Proteas skipper.He added: “Let’s be the example. Show the youngsters what it takes to win Test matches, ODIs, or T20S. Maybe that is the area they’re lacking in.”

PCB instability also a major concern

While de Villiers was critical of the players, he did not absolve the PCB of responsibility.Pakistan cricket has gone through repeated changes in leadership and coaching in recent years, with several coaches and captains coming and going. Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, for instance, departed after allegedly being sidelined by the selection committee headed by Aaqib Javed.De Villiers believes this instability has played a part in Pakistan’s decline and stressed the importance of giving the current leadership greater continuity.“Also, a bit of mismanagement from the top. Lots of chopping and changing. Lots of changes in leadership. Babar is back now. So hopefully he gets an extended run, stays fit, and starts scoring runs again like we all know he can. And for his fellow teammates to start following that lead,” said de Villiers.Babar’s return to the leadership group comes at a difficult moment for Pakistan, with the team attempting to rebuild following the heavy defeats in England.

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De Villiers hopes Pakistan can recover

Despite his criticism, de Villiers remains hopeful that Pakistan can rediscover the quality that has made them competitive across formats.He believes a stronger leadership group, greater character from the players and improved stability at the administrative level could help the team turn things around.“So that’s my long and short on Pakistan cricket. Hopefully they’ll make their way back to the form and to the team that we know they can be in all formats of the game,” he concluded.Pakistan will now have one final opportunity to respond on the England tour when they face the hosts in the third and final Test in Birmingham. With major changes already made before the series has concluded, the team will be under pressure to show considerably more fight and character in the final match.

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Sleeper pitchers Week 25: Rankings, sleepers and start/sit

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Streaming pitchers isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you find yourself without enough reliable options in a given scoring period, it may be what you need to stay afloat. Scott White has 10 recommendations for the upcoming scoring period, all rostered in no more than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues. Generally, only the top two or three are full-throated endorsements, while the rest are more about making the best of a bad situation.

All information is up to date as of late Sunday.

Sleeper pitchers for Week 25 (Sept. 7-13)

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The Pros and Cons of Harrison Smith’s Return

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Vikings safety Harrison Smith in Week 18 of 2025
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) teammates greet him on the sideline against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The final lingering question of the Vikings offseason has finally been answered. After an offseason of “will he, won’t he,” Harrison Smith has finally been announced as returning to Minnesota. It’s another year in purple for the Hitman.

While sending some credit to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the NFL’s social media sent the details: “Vikings S Harrison Smith agrees to terms to come back for 15th season on a 1-year, $12.25M deal with playoff incentives worth up to $16.25M.”

The Pros and Cons of Harrison Smith’s Return

It felt like a goodbye when he left the field to a hero’s reception in the Vikings’ final game of the 2025 season. While CJ Ham and Adam Thielen officially announced their retirements, Smith never said a word, which led to ongoing talk of one more season. It became official on Saturday when the team released the news of Smith’s return and a timely boost to the Vikings safety group.

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Vikings defenders speak with Seth Rollins and Dianna Russini after a game against the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Members of the Minnesota Vikings defense, including Harrison Smith, participate in a postgame interview with WWE superstar Seth Rollins and NFL insider Dianna Russini after defeating the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Dec. 25, 2025. The nationally televised Christmas matchup featured a festive atmosphere as Minnesota celebrated the division victory in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

He agreed to terms to come back for his 15th season in the league, all of which have been as a Viking, on a 1-year, $12.25 million deal with playoff incentives. A Vikings legend is back for what seems like one last rodeo, which is exciting news for an extremely popular player as we head into opening week of the 2026 season. The return of the Hitman will be popular, but is it all good news? I take a look at the pros and cons of Harrison Smith’s return.

Pro – Leadership

Smith has been a huge figure for the Vikings for a long time now. He isn’t necessarily a big talker, but he leads by example, and his presence in the locker room will have a positive effect. You just have to look at how the team’s coaches and players spoke about him over the last few months when they were constantly questioned about his potential return.

Con – Steady Decline

the hitman
Aug 5, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no getting away from it. The Hitman isn’t the same player he was in 2017, when he was named first-team All-Pro. There has been a steady decline over the years, and questioning how much he has left in the tank is valid. He wasn’t terrible last season; he still made interceptions, sacked the quarterback, and earned a respectable Pro Football Focus grade of 68.9, but he isn’t the force he once was.

Pro – Football Intelligence

Smith has never lacked anything physically, but his football IQ has set him apart and is why he should eventually find his way into the Hall of Fame. In Brian Flores’ notoriously complicated defense, you need intelligent players to make it work. A master of the disguise that Flores wants at the line of scrimmage, Smith has no peers when it comes to fooling quarterbacks by showing pressure and then either either coming downhill or backing out. There’s great nuance needed to do it successfully, and Smith is the best.

Con – No Preseason

NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Oct 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) reacts during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Smith had a slow start to last season and got better as the year went on. Maybe sitting out the preseason is what he needed to revitalize himself and hit the ground running in 2026. However, I do have a concern about how sharp he will be on the field. Of course, he will have kept himself fit, and his football IQ will help, but it might take him a while to get up to full speed.

Pro – Mentoring the Young Vikings Safeties

Josh Metellus has probably finished his mentorship under the Hitman, which helped a late-round draft pick become a hugely valuable member of the roster. Minnesota has a couple of promising rookies this year in Jacob Thomas and Jakobe Thomas. They will now get a year sat under the learning tree with one of the best to ever do it. That will be a positive for both.

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An Overall Positive

Smith brings so much wisdom to the team that, as long as there isn’t a big decline from last season, I view his return as an overall positive. It will be interesting to see if he remains an every-down player or is used more sparingly. The price tag for his return would suggest that the Vikings will still want a lot from him. Smith should still have something to give, its just a case of how much.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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Two far-right activists go on trial in Paris over 2022 killing of Argentine rugby star Aramburu

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Two far-right activists are to go on trial in Paris on Monday over the 2022 killing of Argentine rugby international Federico Martin Aramburu after a late-night argument turned violent.

Read moreFormer Pumas star Aramburu shot and killed in Paris

Aramburu, 42, was with another player sitting at a brasserie in Paris in the early hours of March 19, 2022 when they argued with Loik Le Priol and Romain Bouvier.

After the sportsmen left, the two accused are suspected of having fired several shots at Aramburu, who died of his wounds.

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Le Priol, 32, and Bouvier, 35, have been charged with murder and attempted murder respectively in the trial to last several weeks, and risk up to life in jail if they are found guilty.

Le Priol, a former commando and member of a now dissolved ultra-right movement GUD, is suspected of having fired the shots that killed the rugbyman.

He was arrested several days later at the Hungary-Ukraine border, where he told police he was “going to Ukraine to fight” after Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Aramburu had been living in the southwestern French town of Biarritz after retiring. He played club rugby for Perpignan, Biarritz and Dax in France, as well as for the Glasgow Warriors.

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He earned 22 caps for Argentina from 2004 to 2009.

Le Priol and Bouvier were at the time of the killing already under investigation over the 2015 beating of a former GUD official. A court in 2022 sentenced them to two and three years in jail over the incident.

According to the investigation, tensions soared at the restaurant after Aramburu’s friend, fellow rugby player Shaun Hegarty, criticised Le Priol for the way he snapped at another customer. Le Priol tapped him on the head.

As the rugby players left, Aramburu grabbed him by the hood, slamming him to the ground. The ensuing exchange of blows left Le Priol with a few broken teeth, as the rugby players fled the scene.

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After catching up with them in the vehicle of Le Priol’s then girlfriend, Bouvier shot at Aramburu, before escaping. Le Priol then turned up on foot, firing again at the Argentine and killing him. 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP) 

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Is the Walker Cup golf’s greatest team event? It’s been making the case

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FFMIC 2026 Fall Knockout Week 2 Day 3: Overall standings and highlights

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Day 3 of the FFMIC 2026 Fall Knockout Week 2 was held on September 6, 2026, with the top performers progressing to the Grand Finals and the bottom 10 teams moving to Week 3. A total of six teams from Week 2 secured their spots in the Grand Finals. The remaining six finalists will be chosen from the third and final week of the Knockout.

TSG Pros was the top performer of Day 3 with 112 points and one Booyah. The team clinched 81 eliminations in six games. The lineup registered a mammoth 43-point win in the last match of the day, with Blood14 grabbing 36 eliminations.

Team GodLike claimed second place with 107 points and one Booyah. The club accumulated 72 eliminations and 35 placement points in six matches, with Marco racking up 25 eliminations.


Day 3 leaderboard of FFMIC 2026 Fall Knockout Week 2

Here is the points table of Day 3

  1. TSG Pros – 112 points
  2. Team GodLike – 107 points
  3. Revenant XSpark – 107 points
  4. NG Pros – 93 points
  5. S8UL Esports – 90 points
  6. Insane Power – 83 points
  7. Resurrection Esports – 81 points
  8. LR7 Esports – 80 points
  9. Clutza Esports – 71 points
  10. Nebula Esports – 62 points
  11. Black Flag Army – 61 points
  12. Rackers Esports – 44 points

Revenant XSpark narrowly missed out on a place in the FFMIC Finals on Day 3. The team ranked third with 107 points, including 69 eliminations. They emerged victorious in the fourth game, scoring 31 points, with Sohan notching up 24 eliminations.

NG Pros was fourth with 93 points and one Booyah. The lineup grabbed a 27-point win in the second encounter. S8UL Esports had an average run on Day 3 of the FFMIC Knockout Week 2, as the club finished fifth with 90 points, including 63 eliminations. Their pros Bunny and Troll took 20 and 19 eliminations, respectively.

Insane Power and Resurrection were sixth and seventh with 83 and 81 points, respectively. LR7 came eighth with 80 points, including 54 kills. Clutza ended up in ninth position with 71 points. Nebula was inconsistent on Day 3, as they finished 10th with 62 points despite winning one Booyah. BFA and Rackers were in the bottom two with 61 and 44 points, respectively.

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Week 3 of the FFMIC Knockout will be held from September 11 to 13, 2026. The bottom 10 teams of Day 3 and the 17th- and 18th-placed teams of Week 1 will fight over three days for six spots in the Grand Finals.