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Sameer Rizvi gave ample display of his talent, coming in as an 'Impact Substitute', as Delhi Capitals cantered home by six wickets against Lucknow Super Giants despite initial stutters to make a winning start in the IPL on Wednesday. Chasing a lowly target of 142, DC were reduced to 26 for 4 within first five overs but Rizvi (70 not out off 47 balls), substituting T Natarajan, conjured an unbroken 119-run stand for the fifth wicket with the seasoned Tristan Stubbs (39 not out off 32 balls) to ensure full points in just 17.1 overs. Rizvi showed exemplary maturity as he first saw off a spell from Mohammed Shami (1/28 in 4 overs), Mohsin Khan (1/19 in 4 overs) and Prince Yadav (2/20 in 3 overs). In all, he hit five fours and four sixes to make a chase look ridiculously easy on a seamer-friendly track.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

Jalen Duren put on a masterclass with 31 points and nine rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 127-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors. The win was historic, as Detroit officially clinched the Central Division title for the first time in 18 years. Despite missing star Cade Cunningham, the Pistons played with remarkable poise, supported by Daniss Jenkins' 21 points. Toronto fought back through RJ Barrett’s 24 points, but Detroit’s dominance in the paint and efficient fourth-quarter execution secured the celebration. It marks a monumental milestone for a young Pistons core that has finally come of age. See best photos from the match here.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

The Milwaukee Bucks dismantled the Dallas Mavericks in a 123-99 blowout at Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee showcased their championship-caliber depth, overwhelming Dallas with a balanced scoring attack and elite rim protection. The Mavericks, missing the necessary defensive intensity to match the Bucks' size, fell behind early and couldn't recover. Despite flashes of individual brilliance from their backcourt, Dallas was stifled by Milwaukee's cohesive defensive rotations. The win keeps the Bucks near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, while the Mavericks face mounting pressure after another lopsided defeat during this late-season stretch. See best photos from the match here.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

Find today's news in pics from India and around the world for April 01, 2026

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

Portugal wrapped up their international window with a professional 2-0 win over the USA in front of 72,000 fans in Atlanta. Mauricio Pochettino’s side started brightly, with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie forcing early openings, but they were punished for their profligacy. Francisco Trincao opened the scoring following a slick Bruno Fernandes assist, before half-time substitute Joao Felix doubled the lead with a thunderous half-volley from a corner. The defeat marks the eighth consecutive loss for the USMNT against European opposition, leaving the co-hosts searching for answers with their World Cup roster announcement looming in May.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

Spain was held to a frustrating goalless draw by a resilient Egypt at the RCDE Stadium. Despite registering 26 attempts and enjoying overwhelming spells of possession, the European champions could not find a way past Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. The Al Ahly shot-stopper produced six vital saves, including a stunning late fingertip effort to divert Alex Grimaldo’s free-kick onto the crossbar. Egypt played the final minutes with ten men after Hamdi Fathi received a second yellow card, but their disciplined low block held firm. For Spain, it was a night of missed opportunities and tactical dominance without the finishing touch.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

England’s World Cup preparations hit a stumbling block as Japan secured a historic 1-0 victory at Wembley. In Thomas Tuchel’s final home experiment before naming his squad, the Three Lions dominated possession but lacked any clinical edge. The breakthrough came via Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, who spearheaded a lethal counter-attack to silence the home crowd. Despite flashes of promise from an experimental lineup, England was booed off at the whistle. Japan’s disciplined defense and clinical transition play proved the difference, leaving Tuchel with significant selection headaches ahead of the summer tournament in North America.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

Viktor Gyokeres has sent Sweden back to the World Cup. The Arsenal striker scored in the 88th minute to earn the Swedes a 3-2 win over Poland, five days after netting a hat trick in the playoff semifinal victory over Ukraine. Poland great Robert Lewandowski, at age 37, was hoping to qualify for what would likely have been his final World Cup. Sweden reached the quarterfinals in its last World Cup appearance, in 2018.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

Turkey will be in the United States’ group at the World Cup after winning 1-0 at Kosovo to reach soccer’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002. The hosts were hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, fewer than 10 years since the national team was out of the international soccer family. It was in May 2016 that Kosovo and Gibraltar were voted into FIFA as its 210th and 211th member federations. That was eight years after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026

One of soccer’s historic powers has reached a once-unfathomable low. Four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup after getting beat in a penalty shootout with 10 men at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday. Moise Kean scored early on for Italy but then Azzurri center back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card before the break and Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th to send the game into extra time.

BY Photo Webdesk 1 April 2026