Sporting News

Zimbabwe strengthened their grip on the second Test against Afghanistan after Brendan Taylor's 119 helped them reach 339 in the first innings, before their bowlers struck repeatedly to leave the hosts struggling at 159 for 6 at the end of Day Two in Sharjah, trailing by 180 runs. Taylor began the day on 96, with Zimbabwe placed at 250 for 5, and wasted little time in completing his century. He reached the landmark off 171 deliveries, having struck 12 boundaries and a six, b

HARARE – Three senior players have been sensationally dropped from Zimbabwe’s line-up for Saturday’s World Rugby Nations Cup clash with Uruguay in London, as coach Piet Benade opts for new combinations in pursuit of an elusive win in the second-tier global competition. Seasoned scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, the double Africa Cup-winning Sables captain, has been excluded from the match-day 23 entirely with 20-year-old Tyrone Gombe taking his place. It is a first Test start fo

Craig Ervine worked his way to a maiden double century, cashing in on the final day of a tepid game in Sharjah that predictably ended in a tame draw. For the first time in the history of Test cricket, there were 500-plus scores in three different team innings. In the final session, Ervine edged past his career-best Test score, set way back in 2017, and marched along to convert it into his maiden Test double. It marked his first Test ton since 2024, which also came against t

Samoa produced a clinical display to defeat Zimbabwe 43-7 and open their World Rugby Nations Cup campaign in style, running in seven tries in the sides’ first-ever Test meeting at Wakefield’s DIY Kitchens Stadium. The Tusi Pisi-coached outfit were in control from the outset and never looked back after winger Latrell Ah Kiong crossed for the first of his three tries in the seventh minute. Ah Kiong’s powerful finish in the corner gave Samoa an early foothold and the winger