As Pakistan fought to make a comeback in the New Year's Test against South Africa, tensions ran high when seamer Wiaan Mulder and batsman Babar Azam came face to face on the field. In a heated moment, Mulder threw the ball at Babar, who was out of his crease, causing a dispute between the players and umpires. Despite the confrontation, Babar went on to score his second half-century of the match and helped Pakistan reduce their deficit against the Proteas.
Wiaan Mulder's Heated Altercation with Babar Azam: Insights and Background
During the recently concluded New Year's Test between Pakistan and South Africa, emotions flared high when seamer Wiaan Mulder and batsman Babar Azam engaged in a heated confrontation on the field. This incident, which occurred amidst Pakistan's valiant comeback attempt, revealed underlying tensions between the players and raised questions about the nature of sportsmanship.
Background:
Babar Azam is Pakistan's star batsman and captain, known for his exceptional talent and leadership. Wiaan Mulder, on the other hand, is a rising pacer for South Africa, making his Test debut in the ongoing series.
The Incident:
In the second innings of the match, Babar Azam was batting cautiously, trying to consolidate Pakistan's innings. However, he was caught out of his crease by Mulder, who swiftly threw the ball at him. The ball hit Azam's bat, causing a brief standoff between the players.
Umpires intervened to quell the situation, but the incident sparked a heated verbal exchange and led to further tension on the field. Both players received official warnings from the umpires.
Aftermath:
Despite the confrontation, Babar Azam went on to score a resilient half-century, helping Pakistan reduce their deficit against the Proteas. However, the incident left lingering doubts about the spirit of the game.
FAQs:
Why did Wiaan Mulder throw the ball at Babar Azam?
Was Babar Azam's reaction justified?
What were the consequences of the incident?
Has there been a history of similar incidents between the two players?
What lessons can be learned from this incident?
In a major upset, 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca defeated 9th seed Andrey Rublev in his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open. Fonseca, cheered on by Brazilian fans, will now face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in the second round. Meanwhile, 5th seed Daniil Medvedev narrowly avoided the same fate, coming back from a two-set deficit to defeat Thailand's Kasidit Samrej.
PUMA India has signed a multi-year collaboration with PV Sindhu, making her the first Indian face of the brand in badminton. To celebrate this partnership, PUMA changed its brand signage to 'PVMA' at several of its stores across the country for close to a week, garnering attention and buzz on the internet. PUMA will also be launching a new badminton range, featuring specialized footwear, apparel, and accessories in collaboration with Sindhu. This partnership places her alongside other elite athletes and iconic personalities under the PUMA brand.
In a thrilling Big Bash League match, 21-year-old Jacob Bethell put on an impressive all-round display for Melbourne Renegades, scoring 87 runs and taking a wicket, but it was not enough to save his team from a four-wicket defeat against Hobart Hurricanes. With this win, Hurricanes have secured a top spot in the league and a chance to reach the final. Meanwhile, Premier League clubs have avoided potential charges for breaching the Profit and Sustainability Rules for the 2023-24 season.
In an electrifying first round match at the Australian Open, 18-year-old Brazilian tennis sensation Joao Fonseca made his mark on the world stage with an impressive upset over ninth-seeded Andrey Rublev. Fonseca, who recently won the ATP Challenger event in Canberra and the Next Gen ATP Finals, entered the main draw on a 13-match winning streak. He dominated Rublev with his powerful forehand and secured a straight-sets victory, leaving fans and players alike in awe of his talent. Fonseca's victory has solidified his status as a rising star in the world of tennis, and many are already predicting a bright future for the young player.
After a slow start and a wasteful first half, Kerala Blasters showed perseverance and determination to secure a crucial win over Odisha FC. Despite falling behind early on, the home team continued to attack, getting a breakthrough in the 60th minute with Kwame Peprah's equalizer. With limited options on the bench for Odisha, Kerala's late substitution Jesus Jiminez made the difference, helping them secure a much-needed victory in front of their home crowd.
Anamika Sharma, a skydiver from Uttar Pradesh, achieved a remarkable feat by hoisting the Mahakumbh flag at 13,000 feet in Bangkok, days before the world's biggest religious event, Mahakumbh, began in Prayagraj. The video of her adventure has gone viral, garnering over 8 million views and praise from social media users. Sharma's act is a testament to the endurance and determination of Indian women, and has brought attention to the ancient Hindu festival that dates back thousands of years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the start of Mahakumbh, recognizing it as a celebration of India's spiritual heritage and promoting unity and devotion among people.
Jacob Bethell, from the Melbourne Renegades, scored his first ever T20 fifty during the match against Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval. Despite losing three early wickets, Bethell's steady partnership with Tim Sifert and skipper Will Sutherland helped their team recover and put up a competitive total. This was a promising performance by the youngster and fans will be eagerly waiting to see more of him in the future.
After an early lead from Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé, Barcelona was reeling until the arrival of Lamine Yamal turned the tide. With a skillful feint and nimble footwork, Yamal effortlessly disorientated defenders before expertly placing the ball in the back of the net. His performance was lauded by fans and experts alike, cementing his position as one of the most exceptional young talents in the world.
During the 2025 Women's Ashes Series, a fan at the cricket match achieved internet fame with his stunning one-handed catch while also managing not to spill a single drop of beer in his other hand. The catch has been deemed the best crowd catch ever seen, with many praising the fan's commitment and skill. Don't miss out on this viral moment in the world of sports!
In a thrilling second one-day international, Australia's women team successfully defended a low score of 180 to secure a 21-run victory over England and take a 4-0 lead in the Women's Ashes. Despite England's strong fielding performance to bowl out Australia under 200, they fell short in the chase and lost the match by 21 runs, with Amy Jones scoring 47 runs and falling just short of leading her team to victory. The win puts Australia in a commanding position in the multi-format series, while England now need to win at least three of the remaining four white-ball matches to keep their Ashes hopes alive.