Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade)

Nepal batter Kushal Bhurtel continued his extraordinary run of form at the Asian Games men’s cricket qualifiers, matching a rare world record with back-to-back T20I centuries just days after hammering six sixes in a single over.The explosive opener produced another breathtaking innings on Thursday as Nepal thrashed Malaysia by 167 runs to strengthen their push for a place in the tournament final.After Malaysia elected to field first, Bhurtel and wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh launched a ferocious assault at the top of the order. The pair added 134 runs for the opening wicket and raced to three figures before the completion of the seventh over. Nepal’s scoring rate barely slowed thereafter, with the side reaching a staggering 230 for 2 by the end of the 16th over.Aasif provided the early fireworks, smashing 68 from only 24 deliveries before Virandeep Singh eventually ended his innings. However, the spotlight soon belonged entirely to Bhurtel.The left-hander raced to his half-century in just 25 balls and required only another 19 deliveries to convert it into a hundred. He eventually walked back after a sensational knock of 126 from 54 balls, peppered with 14 boundaries and eight sixes.Powered by Bhurtel’s brilliance, Nepal piled up 275 runs before completing a dominant victory. Malaysia never threatened the target and were bowled out for just 108.The century carried added significance for Bhurtel. Having already struck a hundred against China in Nepal’s opening group fixture, he became only the 10th male cricketer in T20I history to register centuries in successive innings.The achievement places him alongside an exclusive group featuring players such as Rilee Rossouw, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Phil Salt.Bhurtel’s remarkable streak began in the tournament opener against China, where he produced one of the most destructive overs seen in international cricket. After reaching his fifty inside eight overs, he targeted left-arm spinner Chen Zhou Yue in the following over and launched all six deliveries for six, with most of the blows sailing straight back over the bowler’s head.Despite the heavy defeat, Malaysia had already secured qualification for the 2026 Asian Games after defeating China earlier in the competition. They will now face Hong Kong, the winners of Group B, in the semi-finals. Nepal, meanwhile, will take on Oman as they continue their quest for gold.For now, though, the tournament belongs to Bhurtel. In the space of four days, he has smashed six sixes in an over, scored consecutive T20I centuries and etched his name into the record books with one of the most explosive batting displays seen in associate cricket.

Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid have won their seventh successive French Open wheelchair doubles title.

The top seeds claimed a 6-2 6-3 victory over Spain’s Martin de la Puente and France’s Stephane Houdet to win their 24th Grand Slam title together.

“This was one of the toughest tournaments we faced when we first started playing doubles with each other and it took us a fair few years to get our hands on this trophy,” Hewett said during the trophy presentation.

“To win seven in a row is some achievement and I just want to say it’s an absolute pleasure to be your doubles partner.”

With the crowd cheering against them, in favour of home hope Houdet, Hewett and Reid produced a clinical performance – hitting 29 winners to their opponents’ 14 and winning 55% of points on the French-Spanish duo’s first serve.

“Big thanks to Alfie, we’ve been a team for a long time now but we are finding new ways to play and new ways to enjoy it,” Reid said.

“It’s a big year in wheelchair tennis. It’s 50 years of the sport and when we see interviews of the people, the guys who created this sport, everyone says they are amazed by where we are now and how far the sport has come.”

Hewett added: “Tennis wins – 50 years of wheelchair tennis, to be on a court like this, having this sort of atmosphere, it’s an absolute pleasure and long may it continue.”

Alex Eala in action during the WTA 125 Birmingham Open. –BIRMINGHAM OPEN PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala ousted Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand, 6-3, 6-2, to secure a spot in the semifinals of the Birmingham Open on Saturday.

Eala overcame a tough challenge from Sawangkaew but found her stride in both sets to arrange a semifinal duel with Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova.

After Sawangkaew took a 2-1 lead in the second set, Eala strung together five straight games to seal the match in one hour and 21 minutes.

It was a similar story in the first set as the tournament’s top seed broke away from a 1-1 deadlock by winning four straight games for a commanding 5-1 advantage.

“I’ll take the experience that I got from this match,” said Eala, who moved within two wins of her second WTA 125 title after capturing the Guadalajara crown last year.

The Filipino tennis star said she took pride in facing a fellow Southeast Asian on the court.

Eala scored a repeat victory over Sawangkaew, whom she defeated in the women’s tennis singles final of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

Eala and Masarova, ranked 132 in the WTA,  will square off for a place in the final later Saturday.

Floyd Mayweather is hailed as a great of both the modern era and in the history of boxing, but four-division world champion and eternal fan-favourite Roberto Duran thinks that ‘TBE’ does not warrant such appreciation, nor his fabled 50-0 professional record.

Mayweather is one of few pound-for-pound talents to hang up the gloves without a loss to his name, praised as one of the most skilled defensive fighters of all time, with his supreme boxing mind outfoxing a host of other elite operators over the course of his career.

However, in the eyes of the aggressive, hard-hitting and fan-friendly Duran, that style doesn’t wash. In an interview with One On One Boxing, ‘Hands of Stone’ labelled Mayweather as ‘weak’, declaring that he would have been able to give the Michigander his first taste of defeat.  

“Mayweather, for me, is a boxer that is weak. He doesn’t like being hit to the body and as soon as he gets hit there, he turns into Road Runner and I have much more experience than him, [so, I would beat him].”

Continuing, Duran went on to state that he believes Mayweather has truly been beaten on three occasions during his career; insinuating that José Luis Castillo, Oscar De La Hoya and Marcos Maidana should each have been awarded a victory in their controversial bouts with the American.

“He fought a Mexican, the Mexican beat him, but they gave it to Mayweather. Then he fought another, he lost but he got the decision. I believe that he has lost three fights, but they have gifted him those wins.” 

Mayweather may still lose his beloved unbeaten record, which is expected to be on the line in a professional rematch with Manny Pacquiao this September, when he ends a nine-year run of inactivity. 

On Monday, the NFL had one of its wilder days in recent memory, as the Los Angeles Rams acquired superstar defender Myles Garrett and receiver A.J. Brown was shipped to the New England Patriots.

Unsurprisingly, those deals dominate the NFL conversation this week, with training camp still more than a month away.

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report compiled a list of blockbuster trade ideas. Those included Maxx Crosby, Sam LaPorta, Jonathan Taylor, and Brian Thomas Jr., as well as one Vikings standout. Kay proposed a deal that would send Justin Jefferson to the Buffalo Bills to unite him with Josh Allen, the MVP of the 2024 season.

His proposal: “Minnesota Vikings receive: 2027 first-, second- and fourth-round picks, 2028 third- and fifth-round picks”

That’s a lot of draft capital. In fact, it’s almost an entire draft in exchange for Jefferson.

Kay explained, “A team all-in on winning a Super Bowl this coming season would be the ideal suitor for Jefferson. The Buffalo Bills would be an intriguing choice after they came up painfully short last season. While they did trade for DJ Moore to bolster an undermanned receiving corps, they failed to land a true needle-mover to pair with star QB Josh Allen.”

“An Allen-Jefferson battery could put up historic numbers akin to what Randy Moss and Tom Brady accomplished with the 2007 New England Patriots. It would cost the Bills a haul of future picks to bring the tandem together, but doing so would give the club perhaps its best shot yet at a championship.”

Moss set the still-standing NFL record for receiving touchdowns with 23 in 2007, in one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history. Jefferson has been among the premier players in football since entering the league, while Josh Allen is an elite passer.

From a Bills perspective, pairing the two greats makes sense. For the Vikings, one could argue either way.

Why the Vikings Should Hang Up

The case against a Jefferson trade is simple. He’s great and the goal is to have great players.

Jefferson has accumulated 8,480 receiving yards in six seasons, the most a player has ever had through his first six campaigns. Furthermore, he still holds the records for the most yards in the first two, three, four, and five seasons.

He’s a true nightmare for defenses, who have to build their entire game plan around his presence. Just as valuable an asset is his team-first mindset. There haven’t even been glimpses of the so-called diva-mentality.

Jefferson is the franchise player and one of the brightest stars in the league. The Vikings should support him, not send him elsewhere.

Why the Vikings Should Listen

Now, it should be said that while all of that is true, the team’s success hasn’t been there. Kay even noted, “The Minnesota Vikings have built their offense around Justin Jefferson, but they haven’t found much playoff success even with the superstar receiver making some herculean efforts. During his six years in the Twin Cities, the Vikings have made the playoffs just twice and failed to win a game during either trip.”

Having an elite wideout hasn’t translated to playoff success throughout the years. Strong trenches appear to always trump strong perimeter players in January.

The next aspect is the salary. Jefferson signed a then-massive four-year deal in 2024, paying him $35 million per year. With the rising salary cap, that mark has been passed several times, including recently by Drake London. There’s a decent chance Jefferson will seek a raise sooner rather than later, and his cap hits in 2027 and 2028 are already scheduled to be roughly $50 million per year.

The final piece is the added draft capital. This version of the operation hasn’t even sniffed a Super Bowl and the top players aren’t getting any younger. Reloading with five extra picks in 2027 and 2028 could help the Vikings reinforce the roster to an extent that could turn them into contenders.

Bottom Line

At first glance, five draft picks for a wide receiver sounds tempting. In reality, the Vikings would be trading away one of the few players in the NFL who is virtually impossible to replace. Draft picks are lottery tickets. Justin Jefferson is a proven superstar in his prime.

The Vikings can debate roster-building philosophies all they want, but teams spend years searching for players like Jefferson and usually come up empty-handed. Unless the organization decides a full rebuild is necessary, this is the type of phone call that should end with a polite “thanks, but no thanks.”

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt

Germany’s Alexander Zverev (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Alexander Zverev moved within touching distance of a long-awaited Grand Slam breakthrough after defeating Czech youngster Jakub Mensik in four sets to reach the French Open final on Friday.The German second seed prevailed 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, keeping alive his quest for a maiden major title and setting up a championship clash against either Flavio Cobolli or Matteo Arnaldi.With several of the tournament’s biggest names no longer in contention, Zverev has emerged as the overwhelming favourite in Paris. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s campaign unravelled in the second round when he squandered a two-set and 5-1 lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, while Carlos Alcaraz never made it to the draw after withdrawing with a right wrist injury.Even so, Zverev faced a stern examination from Mensik, who had enjoyed a breakthrough fortnight in Paris. The 20-year-old arrived in the semifinals after producing impressive victories over Andrey Rublev and Brazilian rising star João Fonseca, continuing a memorable run despite battling physical issues earlier in the tournament.“He beat so many unbelievable players. I knew it was going to be the toughest challenge that I had so far. And I managed. I won. I’m happy,” Zverev said.The contest began under difficult conditions, with gusty winds causing problems for both players. Mistimed shots were common in the opening stages as they adjusted to the swirling conditions with the roof remaining open.Mensik attempted to disrupt Zverev’s rhythm by frequently moving forward and employing serve-and-volley tactics, but the German’s consistency from the back of the court gradually tilted the match in his favour.The opening set turned on a pair of costly double faults from Mensik, allowing Zverev to secure the decisive break. The second seed tightened his grip on the contest in the following set, breaking early and capitalising on another double fault to move further ahead.The momentum shifted briefly in the third set. After receiving treatment for a neck issue and taking a medical timeout, Mensik returned with renewed aggression. He found greater success with his drop shots and varied his tactics effectively, earning a break of serve and eventually claiming the set to spark hopes of a comeback.The Paris crowd responded enthusiastically, encouraging the young Czech as he attempted to drag the match into a fifth set. It was a rare setback for Zverev, who had surrendered only one set previously during the tournament.“He started playing amazing the third set,” Zverev said. “This is best-of-five-set matches: You know things (are) going to happen. Opponents are going to play better. You have to deal with it. You have to manage it. I did. And I hope to play another great match on Sunday.”However, the German quickly regained control in the fourth set. His superior movement and defensive skills repeatedly frustrated Mensik, who found himself forced into increasingly difficult positions. One exchange summed up the match perfectly when Zverev tracked down a net approach and produced a delicate cross-court return that left the Czech smiling in admiration.The victory sends Zverev into the fourth Grand Slam final of his career and offers another chance to erase the disappointment of previous near misses.His closest opportunity at Roland Garros came in 2024 when he led Carlos Alcaraz by two sets to one before eventually falling short. Four years earlier, he had squandered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the US Open final. More recently, he was beaten in straight sets by Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final.Now, with the title within reach and many of the pre-tournament favourites already eliminated, Zverev has perhaps his best opportunity yet to secure the major trophy that has remained just beyond his grasp throughout his career.Away from the court, Zverev’s most recent Grand Slam final appearance in Australia also attracted attention because of allegations made by former partners. Following that match, a spectator shouted the names of two ex-girlfriends who had accused him of physical abuse. One matter was resolved through an agreement involving German prosecutors and legal representatives, while an ATP investigation into a separate allegation concluded there was insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action.

Mytime Active is focusing efforts on reducing loneliness in its local population

In the UK, half a million people over the age of 65 go at least five days without seeing or speaking to anyone

Mytime’s Primetime programme won local funding to offer 200 older people free access to exercise a

Almost 70 per cent of participants said the programme it reduced feelings of isolation

Shocked by the UK loneliness statistics, charitable trust Mytime Active has been doubling down on its community outreach projects.

Research by the Marmalade Trust, which spearheads Loneliness Awareness Week (15-21 June), shows that half a million people over the age of 65 go at least five days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone. The number of over-50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by the end of this year and even young people aren’t immune – 16 to 29-year-olds are reported to be twice as likely as those over 70 to experience loneliness.

Mytime Active’s Primetime Community and Outreach Project received funding from Bromley Council’s Innovation Fund which allowed more than 200 older people to gain free access to eight-week Primetime memberships, offering community-based exercise classes as well as access to the Primetime programme at the leisure centres.

Almost 70 per cent of those who took part said it had increased their contact with other people and helped them feel less isolated and lonely.

For younger people, Mytime Active delivers ArtsTrain, a creative music programme funded by the Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation. Of the 188 young people who took part in ArtsTrain between August 2024 and August 2025, 79 per cent agreed their social skills had increased, while 77 per cent felt more confident. 

“We were shocked to discover that across England almost half (45 per cent) of adults say they feel lonely,” says Steve May, CEO at Mytime Active. “Long-term loneliness is linked to health risks and a 26 per cent higher risk of death, so it’s great to see from these results that the work we’re doing is having a really positive impact locally.”