Shaheen Afridi Ball Tampering Controversy: A stalwart of Pakistan cricket and skipper of the PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen Afridi found himself under the spotlight for a major controversy in the final phase of the match against Karachi Kings on Sunday. The incident unfolded just before Lahore pacer Haris Rauf was set to bowl the final over. In a video that surfaced on social media, the trio of Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Fakhar Zaman appeared to be doing something with the ball while engaged in discussion.

The umpires concluded that the ball had been tampered with and imposed a five-run penalty on the Lahore franchise. Karachi Kings capitalised on the situation and wrapped up the chase within the first three balls of the 20th over.

During the post-match presentation, Pakistan legend Ramiz Raja pressed Shaheen, the Lahore skipper, about what had transpired before the final over. The pacer fumbled multiple times while attempting to answer and claimed he was unaware of what had happened.

“I don’t know about this, and we’ll see if it’s there in the camera and discuss what it is. Actually, five runs were taken and we can’t do anything,” Shaheen said at the presentation.

Ramiz Raja to Shaheen Afridi:

“The ball was taken from you at the end because of the ball tempering so what are your thoughts on that?”

Shaheen Afridi:

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“I don’t know about this. We will see that in cameras. We will discuss who did that.” pic.twitter.com/j2f8ofri3y

— Harshita Sharma (@GarvitUttam) March 29, 2026

READ | PSL Rocked By Ball-Tampering Controversy, PCB Reacts As Incident Caught On Camera

Ramiz, however, refused to let the matter slide and continued to probe Shaheen on the ball-tampering allegations.

“You have to ask the umpires why they changed the ball. When we asked them why they changed the ball, they told us to go away. When they were making the decision, the umpires requested us, even the captain, to return to our fielding positions,” Ramiz explained.

In a statement after the match, Lahore star Sikandar Raza said: “I can only speak for myself. There was never any attempt on my part to change the condition of the ball, or even to try. All I remember is that when I was trying to dry the ball and make it shine, the umpires asked us not to dry it under the shirt. Who they are accusing, unless we see the proof, I think it’s a big decision. I have not been called for an enquiry.”

The Miami Marlins turned back the clock on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies and presented fans with a throwback uniform to kick start Teal Sundays.

The nostalgic look of the uniform may have been the lucky charm they needed to get a win over the Rockies. Owen Caissie came up to the plate with one on and two outs. He took a Victor Vodnik pitch deep to right field for the walk-off home run.

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Miami Marlins’ Owen Caissie, second from right, poses with his teammates after hitting a walk-off two run home run to defeat the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Miami.  (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami defeated Colorado, 4-3.

The Marlins announced the organization would be hosting Teal Sundays for their home games during the season. The jersey featured the old teal uniforms with the original Florida Marlins logo stitched in.

“This jersey is so much more than just a uniform,” a message on their website read. “It’s an ode to those moments where fans fell in love with the team. It honors the Fightin’ Fish who started it all and the players who carry that legacy into the next era of Marlins baseball.”

MEET ALABAMA’S CHASE UTLEY, THE TEEN WHO MIRRORS THE PHILLIES LEGEND IN STRIKING WAYS

Miami Marlins pitcher Max Meyer (23) meets on the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Marlins were established as an MLB franchise with the Rockies in 1993. While Miami has had their share of teardowns and rebuilds, the team won World Series titles in 1997 and 2003.

Miami will look to get back to the playoffs this season under second-year manager Clayton McCullough. The Marlins haven’t made the postseason since 2023.

Miami Marlins’ Owen Caissie runs after hitting a walk-off two run home run during the ninth inning to defeat the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Miami.  (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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With the win over Colorado, the Marlins moved to 3-0 to start the season. The team is back in action on Monday against the Chicago White Sox.

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Successfully completing the first pair of objectives in a three-phase roadmap, rising star colt Southend now aims to cap it off with a tilt at the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.

Securing the Paul Perry (1300m) at Newcastle on his first start, Southend then ventured to Rosehill on Saturday where he lifted the Group 3 Baillieu (1400m) to qualify for the Championships.

“That has always been the plan. To go to Newcastle, here today, then if he looks as though he’s had enough we’ll stop him, and if not he’ll go to the Champagne in three weeks,” co-trainer Gerald Ryan said.

“He’s a very good horse, I think.”

Southend descends from the accomplished former English miler-sprinter Palace Pier, taker of five Group 1 victories, via a So You Think three-quarter sister of Ryan’s previous sharp galloper Peltzer.

Nevertheless, that family connection did not sway Ryan and partner trainer Sterling Alexiou when selecting Southend at the yearling sales.

“That wasn’t the reason I bought him,” Ryan said.

“The week before the sales, Sterling had gone home for a few days and when he came back I said, ‘I reckon I found one for you’. I took him down to Mill Park (Stud’s barn), there were five horses there we looked at, and I never told him which one it was.

“This horse came out and Sterling, goes, ‘he’s a classic’ and I said, ‘I know. This is the one I want you to like’.”

Under Dylan Gibbons, Southend ($7.50) accelerated from the midway point of the straight and stormed home to pip Persian Wonder ($2.90 fav) by 1-1/4 lengths, while Nomadic ($81) was a nose behind in third place.

Gibbons remarked that Southend’s win came via innate ability and he will improve markedly with seasoning.

“The thing I loved most is that last furlong, he was just looking for some challengers. God help him when he learns what his job is,” Gibbons said.

“I’m sure he will eat up and bounce out of the run, and we’ll have a crack at the big one (Champagne Stakes). If he can take any natural improvement again, it’s scary to see where he can get to.”

Head to betting sites for racing betting markets on the Champagne Stakes showdown.

Bayern Munich are wary of Saudi Pro League clubs targeting Harry Kane, Bernardo Silva is set to leave Manchester City and Inter Miami start talks with Manchester United‘s Casemiro.

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness is wary of the Saudi Pro League trying to tempt England striker Harry Kane as the German club continue talks with the 32-year-old over a new deal beyond summer 2027. (Kicker – in German), external

Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, 31, has told Manchester City that he will be leaving the club when his contract runs out in the summer. (Caught Offside), external

Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool are monitoring Crystal Palace‘s 25-year-old French defender Maxence Lacroix. (Teamtalk), external

Liverpool and Newcastle United are interested in Portuguese club Sporting’s 28-year-old Colombia striker Luis Suarez. (Correio da Manha – in Portuguese), external

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay is not talking to Saudi Pro League clubs as the 29-year-old’s focus remains in Italy with Napoli. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Barcelona will offer 37-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, whose contract at the club runs out in the summer, a new one-year deal which includes a significant pay cut and more performance-related bonuses. (Sport – in Spanish), external

Juventus are looking at the prospect of adding Lewandowski and 27-year-old France forward Randal Kolo Muani, who is on loan at Tottenham from Paris St-Germain, to their ranks. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Chelsea and France defender Malo Gusto, 22, says Liam Rosenior is a “top manager” despite criticism following their recent poor form. (ESPN), external

Inter Miami have started talks with Brazil midfielder Casemiro’s camp about signing the 34-year-old, who will leave Manchester United in the summer, but the Major League soccer side face competition from other teams in Europe and Saudi Arabia. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Riyan Parag and Ruturaj Gaikwad

GUWAHATI: With Rajasthan Royals hosting a few Indian Premier League matches in their adopted home of Guwahati over the past seasons, top-flight cricket is no novelty to the Assam capital. But with an additional fixture scheduled at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium this year — amid the buzz of the April 9 state assembly elections — the excitement has risen quite a few notches.As fans gear up for the Royals’ clash with Super Kings on Monday, weather remains the only concern. Intermittent drizzle over the past week and forecasts of rain and thunderstorms on match day threaten to disrupt proceedings.On the field, both teams are desperate for a reset after disappointing IPL 2025 campaigns. Chennai Super Kings finished at the bottom of the table for the first time in their history, while Rajasthan Royals ended just above them.

Samson swaps pink for yellowSanju Samson will be the biggest attraction, arriving in Guwahati on the back of a stellar T20 World Cup-winning campaign with India. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter will now turn out for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals — a franchise he represented and led for over a decade.Young India U19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre adds firepower to the top-order for CSK, while Shivam Dube will look to carry his T20 World Cup form into the IPL and add muscle to the middle. Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad form the bowling core.Riyan Parag begins his first full season as Rajasthan Royals captain after handling leadership duties briefly last year during Samson’s injury-forced absence. The Assam all-rounder now shoulders the responsibility of leading a franchise seeking a fresh identity.Ravindra Jadeja, part of the Samson swap deal, will don pink this season and spearhead the spin attack alongside Ravi Bishnoi, while Jofra Archer leads the pace unit. With Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel forming the batting core, Royals will hope for a more consistent showing.NUMBERS GAME6 – Rajasthan Royals have won six out of the last seven games against Chennai Super Kings between Oct 2021 and May 2025. Their only defeat was by five wickets at Chepauk on May 12, 2024.

Leading rider Tommy Berry stepped up to offer payment of the $44,000 late entry charge to lock in Storm Leopard’s place in the ATC Australian Derby after the gelding’s impressive staying performance in Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

“I’ll offer to pay the late entry if they want,” Berry said.

“He’s so clean winded, he’s a real stayer. The team has done a great job with him, bringing him here in such great order.

“I only got on for the first time today so thanks to the Hayes boys for the opportunity and looking forward to hopefully riding him in the Derby.”

According to trainer Ben Hayes, Storm Leopard featured in the early nominations for next Saturday’s Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick, but they skipped the primary acceptance fee in the gelding’s prep.

“We took him out of the ‘noms’ and were looking at the South Australian Derby but we changed plans (again) because he started to go so well,” Hayes said.”It will be a discussion we need about next week but if he pulls up well, it’s definitely something that will be considered. It is a good problem to have.”

Storm Leopard ($4.20) took full advantage of the quick early speed, powering to the front mid-straight and winning by almost two lengths in decisive fashion.

Eureka Rebel at $81 shaped nicely as a Derby prospect, rallying late for second, with $5 elect Shangri La Boy third after dictating early.

The race was soured by favourite Arcora ($2.40) suffering a devastating near-foreleg injury mid-race.

Racing NSW officials quizzed jockey Nash Rawiller and trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young on Arcora before the colt was humanely put down.

Rawiller praised the colt’s stride which “felt amazing” prior to the incident, showing excellent control in withdrawing him.

“He got into a lovely rhythm during the race – this came out of nowhere,” Rawiller said.

Busuttin assured stewards Arcora was the “soundest horse you could ever find” entering the Tulloch Stakes.

Ben Hayes led with empathy in his immediate post-win interview.

“I feel for the connections of Arcora,” was Hayes’s first comment. “You never want to see that happen.”

Berry revealed his initial thoughts turned to Rawiller and Arcora amid the breakdown.

“My mind was on Nash (Rawiller – on retired runner Arcora) to make sure he was alright,” Berry said.”But then you’ve got to make sure you focus up again.”

Berry highlighted how Storm Leopard triumphed with a “lot of authority” notwithstanding some straight drifting.

“Storm Leopard got to the leader very quickly and was left in front a long way from home,” Berry said.

“I would’ve loved to have something challenge him halfway down the straight because he felt like he was floating where he was.

“I had enough looks to make it as soft as I could late just in case he had to back up. He’s trained by a bunch of gentlemen that send their horses to Sydney in such great order so if they decided to go that way it wouldn’t be an issue.”

Storm Leopard could now become the 10th to land the Tulloch Stakes-ATC Australian Derby double, matching Quick Thinker (2020), Angel Of Truth (2019), Levendi (2018), Jon Snow (2017), Starcraft (2004), Ivory’s Irish (1995), Mahogany (1994), Durbridge (1991) and Prolific (1984).

Without prior nomination, Storm Leopard was absent from TAB Fixed Odds Derby betting pre-Tulloch, but they quoted him at $4.50 afterwards, behind $3.50 joint faves Observer and Green Spaces.

Owner-trainer Matthew Smith was thrilled by Eureka Rebel’s second and Dezignation’s fifth as Derby trials. “Both horses are strong, young stayers and as long as they pull up well, I would like them to back up in the Derby,” Smith said.

Eureka Rebel’s jockey Kerrin McEvoy expects no trouble at the Derby distance next week.

“He ran really well,” McEvoy said. “I didn’t jump like we thought but he got a nice trip around and he goes to Randwick to enjoy the 2400m,” McEvoy said.

Third-place finisher Shangri La Boy improved per rider Adam Hyeronimus, but requires refinement.

“That is not the best version of him,” Hyeronimus said. “The best version of him is jump and relax in front then show his sharp turn of foot.”

For the best prices on the ATC Australian Derby, visit trusted racing betting markets.

There were plenty of goals in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday as Rivers United returned to the top of the table with an impressive 4-2 win over Kun Khalifat.

Coached by Finidi George, Rivers United had been away from home in recent weeks, allowing Rangers International to go top. However, their strong comeback victory helped them reclaim first place.

Aniekeme Okon opened the scoring before Kun Khalifat responded through Abdulrafiu Omolabi and Sunday Adehi. Iyowuna Douglas scored twice, while Handsome Surveyor also found the net to seal the win.

Elsewhere, Shooting Stars defeated Rangers 3-1 in Ibadan. Sodiq Ibrahim gave the home side the lead before Chidiebere Nwobodo equalised. Late goals from Desmond Ojietefian and Mustapha Adams secured the victory.

In Lagos, Ikorodu City beat Warri Wolves 4-3 in an exciting match. Abayomi Ayodeji scored his first goal for Ikorodu City, while Tosin Oyedokun and Joseph Arumala also scored. Chisom Ogbuu scored an own goal but later got on the scoresheet for Warri Wolves, while Igbunu Evwierhurhoma netted twice.

Barau FC and Katsina United played out a goalless draw in Kano. Remo Stars, reduced to ten men, earned a 1-1 draw against El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri, their first away point under Usman Abd’Allah.

On Saturday, Bendel Insurance drew 2-2 with Plateau United.

In the Abia derby, Enyimba beat Abia Warriors 2-1 in Aba. Chidera Michael scored twice, while Emeka Obioma scored for Abia Warriors.

There were also home wins for Kwara United, Bayelsa United and Niger Tornadoes against Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars and Wikki Tourists respectively.

Rivers United now lead the table with 55 points, one point above Rangers after 32 matches.

Moses Itauma has already started plotting his future following his victory over Jermaine Franklin.

Itauma extended his unbeaten record to 14-0 with a fifth round knockout win over Franklin at Co-Op Live in Manchester, doing something that Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte were unable to do by stopping the American inside the distance.

It was a dominant performance from the Brit, first knocking down Franklin in round three before securing the win two rounds later with a massive uppercut that sent his rival face flat onto the canvas.

Attention has already turned to who Itauma could face next, but the 21-year-old has admitted that his ideal opponent isn’t achievable.

Speaking in his post-fight interview, Itauma revealed that he would have liked to face Filip Hrgovic next, but will now be unable to do so after the Croatian instead agreed to take on British rival Dave Allen.

“If I’m completely honest I wanted the Hrgovic fight but he’s boxing Dave Allen. We’ll go back to the drawing board and see who’s available and we’ll be back out soon.”

Hrgovic has claimed wins over Joe Joyce and David Adeleye in his last two contests, and will look to make it three straight wins over British opponents when he meets Allen at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster on May 16.

While a fight with Hrgovic seemingly won’t be next, Itauma’s promoter Frank Warren insisted it will be a noteworthy bout.

“He’ll be out again probably in July. He’s number one in the WBO and number one in the WBA. There’s a lot of fights happening in the next few months and don’t worry we’ll sort something out. It will be a big fight. He’s a big name and he’s a big fighter.”

A solid option for Itauma’s next bout is instead WBA Regular champion Murat Gassiev, who earned the belt with a win over Kubrat Pulev back in December.