CK Updates
Morocco get off to winning start after Comoros collapse – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Brahim Diaz of Morocco celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Morocco and Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 21 December 2025 ©BackpagePix
Sunday Dec 21, 2025. 23:12
Morocco emerged as a 2-0 winners over Comoros in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night.
As a result, the tournament hosts got off to a winning start and they will face Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on December 26. Comoros, on the other hand, will be keen to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Zambia at the Mohamed V Stadium on December 26.
The Atlas Lions took charge of the match from the first minute, with Brahim Diaz being a thorn in the Coelacanths’ defence. Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute after Diaz was fouled in the opposition’s box, but Soufiane Rahimi was superbly denied by goalkeeper Yannick Pandor from the spot-kick.
Diaz continued to create problems for the Comoros backline after the restart. The Real Madrid playmaker went down in the opposition’s box again in the 42nd minute, but referee Jean-Jacques Ndala indicated that he would not award another penalty after a VAR check and the score was 0-0 at half-time.
Pressure continued to mount on Comoros after the restart and they finally conceded 10 minutes into the second-half. Diaz got a well-deserved goal when he beat Pandor from close range to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead, much to the delight of the Moroccan fans inside the stadium, with Noussair Mazraoui providing the assist.
Morocco’s 2-0 victory over Comoros was sealed by Ayoub El Kaabi, who proved to be an inspired substitute. The Olympiacos striker scored with a sublime acrobatic finish after connecting well with Anass Salah-Eddine’s cross in the 74th minute and the North African giants deservedly emerged victorious on the night.
Morocco 2 (Diaz 55′, El Kaabi 74′)
Comoros 0
Morocco: Bono; Salah-Eddine, Aguerd, Saiss (El Yamiq 19′), Mazraoui; Ounahi (Ezzalzouli 64′), Amrabat, Diaz (En Nesyri 76′); El Aynaoui, Rahimi (El Kaabi 65′), Saibari (Masina 76′)
Comoros: Pandor; Kari (Abdallah 67′), Soilhi, Toibibou (M’Dahoma 79′), Boura; Z. Youssouf (Bourhane 79′), B. Youssouf (Bakari 67′), Mohamed, Selemani; Said, M’Changama (Maolida 82′).
CK Updates
Commonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales
Gymnast Ruby Evans has won Wales’ first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow with victory in the floor final.
Evans, 19, performed the final routine of the women’s programme and defeated England’s Abigail Martin into silver, with her team-mate Shantae-Eve Amankwaah securing bronze.
Evans left the arena in tears on Sunday after her disappointing sixth in the all-round individual competition, that after Wales finished fourth in the team event.
Now, after Welsh identical twins Abigail and Emily Roper won bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other on Monday, Evans has delivered gold.
It was the first victory for Team Wales in Scotland and a ninth medal alongside two silver and six bronze.
There is also a guaranteed podium position for boxer Connor Williams after he reached the semi-finals.
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Saltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating
An amateur cricket match has made global headlines after a fielder was accused of cheating by clicking his fingers to get a wicket.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has started an investigation into a second XI Division 2 game between Saltburn and Norton.
A viral video on social media appears to show a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Saltburn appeal and the umpire gives Shabir out.
It has been suggested that the finger-clicking was designed to trick the umpire into thinking the batter edged the ball.
Saltburn won by 159 runs and are top of Division 2 by 17 points.
“The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday,” the league said in a statement on X.
“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”
Last week Bowes took eight catches in Saltburn’s 22-run win over Shildon Railway. The men’s Test record for catches by a keeper in an innings is seven.
Bowes leads the league standings with 31 catches, 10 more than any other player.
Rory Cotterill, who captained Middlesbrough second XI during a 29-run defeat by Saltburn last month, responded to a social media post containing the video and alleged two further incidents of cheating by Saltburn in that match.
The original video of the incident has had more than three million views on X, with publications in Australia and New Zealand among those to report it.
The BBC has contacted the league and Saltburn. Norton declined to comment.
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West Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell
First Test, Tarouba (day three of five)
West Indies 311 (Hope 92; Ali 4-50) & 126-7 (Chanderpaul 35, Abbas 3-14)
Pakistan 282 (Masood 109; Greaves 5-27)
West Indies lead by 155 runs
West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves took five wickets without conceding a run in an incredible spell of bowling on day three of the first Test against Pakistan.
Greaves, who is playing in his 17th Test, claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help dismiss Pakistan for 282 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311.
The 32-year-old Barbadian’s spell – five consecutive wicket maidens – was all the more remarkable given he had bowled six overs earlier in the day for 27 runs without taking a wicket.
“When I came on captain Roston Chase just said ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,” Greaves said.
“The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations.
“To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I’m really happy, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game.”
Pakistan captain Shan Masood was Greaves’ first wicket at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad when he was bowled for 109 in the 64th over following a superb set-up.
Greaves had pushed the ball wide to the left-hander from over the wicket before he tailed a delivery back into Masood who played down the wrong line and inside edged on to his stumps.
Aamer Jamal had his middle stump uprooted in Greaves’ next over as the seamer speared one through his defences.
Greaves then trapped Ali Usman lbw before he had Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas both caught behind as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.
West Indies reached stumps on day three on 126-7 in their second innings – a lead of 155 runs – to leave the match finely poised.
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CK Updates22 hours agoCommonwealth Games 2026: Scotland’s Archie Goodburn on battling brain cancer
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CK Updates10 hours agoSaltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating
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CK Updates16 hours agoWest Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell
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CK Updates4 hours agoCommonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales

