sports 33 - The Latremie Post

Costly Free Agents Help Yankees And Dodgers Reach Playoffs Again

**Follow the Money: The 2025 Baseball Season Recap**

The time-tested philosophy of **“Follow the money”** perfectly bookended the 2025 baseball season. It began with a pair of record-breaking free-agent signings and ended with two of the three top-paid teams making deep playoff runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees—last year’s World Series opponents—invested heavily in the open market and reaped big rewards as a result. Meanwhile, the New York Mets, another big-spending team, weren’t so fortunate.

—

### Soto’s Windfall

After a wild winter bidding war, the Mets successfully lured slugging outfielder **Juan Soto** from the Yankees with a record contract worth $765 million. The deal spans 15 years, paying Soto an average of $51 million per year, all up-front.

Not to be outdone, the crosstown Yankees redirected some of the funds earmarked for Soto to sign star starting pitcher **Max Fried** to an eight-year, $218 million contract—the largest and longest ever awarded to a left-handed pitcher.

Playing between Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso in a potent Mets lineup, Soto delivered a career-best 43 home runs and narrowly missed joining the rare 40/40 club by finishing with a league-leading 38 stolen bases.

On the Yankees’ side, Fried stepped up as the team ace following **Gerrit Cole’s** Tommy John surgery. He dominated the mound with a career-best 19 wins—the most in the majors—and a 2.86 earned run average, propelling the Yankees into the playoffs.

—

### Payroll Powerhouses and Playoff Results

The season reaffirmed the adage that teams who pay well usually perform well. According to Roster Resource, the Dodgers topped payroll charts with a record $394 million, followed by the Mets at $339 million and the Yankees at $294 million.

Yet, dreams of the first Subway Series since 2000 were dashed when the Mets missed the playoffs on the season’s final day, despite having the best record in baseball as recently as June 12.

—

### Detroit’s Disaster and Cleveland’s Comeback

The Detroit Tigers suffered a crushing collapse after leading the American League Central by double digits as late as Labor Day. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians mounted a historic comeback, clawing back from 15½ games behind Detroit on July 8 to clinch their second consecutive division title.

Both Cleveland and the Milwaukee Brewers reached the playoffs without exorbitant payrolls. The Brewers, with a $123 million payroll, won home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by posting 97 wins—the most in the majors and just shy of a .600 winning percentage. Cleveland’s $102 million payroll ranked 25th according to Roster Resource.

—

### Playoff Picture and Division Titles

Entering the final day of the 162-game season, three playoff spots remained undecided: the winners of both the AL East and Central Divisions as well as the third and final National League wild-card spot.

The AL East champion earned the top seed, securing a playoff bye starting September 30 and home-field advantage through the Championship Series. The **Toronto Blue Jays** finished with the same record as the Yankees at 94-68 but claimed the division crown by winning the season series against New York. This marked Toronto’s sixth AL East title and their first since 2015.

The other American League playoff bye went to the **Seattle Mariners**, who earned their first divisional title in 24 years. Seattle’s success was powered by switch-hitting catcher **Cal Raleigh**, who produced the seventh 60-homer season in baseball history. Mid-season trade acquisitions **Eugenio Suarez** and **Josh Naylor** also bolstered the Mariners’ roster.

—

### Home Run Highlights and MVP Contenders

Suarez, while still with Arizona, hit four home runs in a single game—a feat later matched by rookie **Nick Kurtz** of the Athletics and veteran **Kyle Schwarber** of the Phillies. Philadelphia clinched their second straight National League East crown.

Schwarber emerged as a strong candidate for NL MVP but could face stiff competition from **Shohei Ohtani**, the only two-way player in the majors. Ohtani led the majors in several categories, including on-base percentage and runs scored, while topping 50 home runs for the second consecutive season.

Other players to reach the 50-home run milestone included Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, and defending AL MVP **Aaron Judge**. Suarez finished just one home run short.

—

### The 30/30 Club and Notable Performances

The 30/30 club—the group of players with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases—saw record membership this season with seven players joining the elite group. Leading the pack were Mets teammates **Francisco Lindor** and Juan Soto. Other members included **Corbin Carroll**, **Jazz Chisholm Jr.**, **Jose Ramirez**, **Pete Crow-Armstrong**, and **Julio Rodriguez**.

Red Sox-Giants slugger **Rafael Devers** combined to hit 34 home runs after playing 163 games—the only player to exceed the regular schedule since **Justin Morneau** in 2008.

—

### Pitching Stars and Rookies

Though no no-hitters were recorded in 2025, several pitchers shined. Detroit’s **Tarik Skubal**, the defending American League Cy Young Award winner, made a strong bid to retain his title. Pittsburgh’s **Paul Skenes** was the overwhelming favorite for the National League Cy Young Award.

Rookies who reached stardom included **Nick Kurtz**, who hit 35 home runs for the Athletics after his April 23 promotion, and catcher **Drake Baldwin**, who took over for the Braves during Sean Murphy’s struggles and injuries.

—

### Strange Ending to the All-Star Game

For the first time in history, the All-Star Game concluded without a winning pitcher. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after nine innings. The winner was decided with an in-game Home Run Derby, won by Kyle Schwarber, representing the National League.

The regular Home Run Derby, held the previous night, was won by Cal Raleigh, offering a compelling preview of the season ahead.

—

### Minor League Parks and Team Future Concerns

Two teams played their home games in minor-league ballparks this season: the Tampa Bay Rays at **George M. Steinbrenner Field**—borrowed from the Yankees—and the Oakland Athletics at **Sutter Health Field** in West Sacramento, awaiting the completion of their new stadium in Las Vegas.

Tampa Bay’s future remains uncertain after new ownership took over. The costly restoration of the Tropicana Field roof, damaged by Hurricane Milton, is in jeopardy even on a temporary basis. Without a stable home park, discussions about expanding Major League Baseball to 32 teams have been put on hold, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

—

### Innovations and Labor Concerns

Manfred announced that next season MLB will implement **ABS (Automated Balls and Strikes)** technology to aid umpires with home plate decisions, aiming to improve accuracy.

However, the bigger concern looming over the league is maintaining labor peace between players and owners. The current Basic Agreement expires after the 2026 season and could trigger a serious work stoppage, with financial issues at the core.

Many teams advocate for a salary cap or at least a payroll cap, an idea firmly opposed by the Players Association. In 2025, the average player salary topped $5 million for the first time, reaching $5.2 million—a 3.6% increase from roughly $4.7 million the previous year, according to The Associated Press.

—

The 2025 baseball season demonstrated once again that while money often paves the way to success, the game remains unpredictable—full of historic comebacks, rising stars, and dramatic finishes that keep fans eagerly watching year after year.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/costly-free-agents-help-yankees-and-dodgers-reach-playoffs-again/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=costly-free-agents-help-yankees-and-dodgers-reach-playoffs-again

IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025 Final: Salman Ali Agha Casually Tosses Cheque Of $75000 Before Speaking To Simon Doull After 3rd Consecutive Loss To Team India; Video

**Pakistan Captain Salman Ali Agha Caught Tossing Aside $75,000 Runners-Up Cheque After Asia Cup 2025 Final**

In a surprising moment following the Asia Cup 2025 final, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha appeared to casually toss aside the $75,000 runners-up cheque presented to his team. The incident occurred shortly after Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi handed over the cheque. A video of the moment has since gone viral on social media, drawing considerable attention.

Pakistan faced India in the final, suffering their third consecutive loss to their arch-rivals in the multi-nation tournament. The Men in Green experienced a dramatic collapse, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs and setting a modest total of 147 to defend. Despite a valiant effort with the ball and a thrilling contest, India emerged victorious.

Tilak Varma played a crucial role for India, scoring a masterful 69 off 53 balls, supported by valuable contributions from Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson. India chased down the target comfortably, winning by five wickets with two balls to spare.

### Salman Ali Agha Reflects on Pakistan’s Collapse

After the match, Salman Ali Agha addressed Pakistan’s surprising batting collapse, explaining what went wrong. The team went from a strong position at 113/1 to being all out for 146 in just 19.1 overs. Only three Pakistani batters—Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman—managed to reach double figures.

Agha commented during the post-game presentation,
“Yeah, it is a tough pill to swallow right now. But I think we did not finish well with the bat. And bowling, I think we were outstanding. We gave everything. But yeah, if we could have finished well, it could have been a different story.”

He added,
“I think we couldn’t rotate the strike properly. And then we, I think, lost too many wickets at times. So I think that was the reason we couldn’t score what we wanted. But yeah, we’re going to sort out our batting very, very soon.”

### Final Thoughts

While Pakistan’s bowlers put in a commendable effort, the batting failure ultimately cost them the title. With lessons learned from this defeat, the Men in Green will be looking to bounce back stronger in upcoming tournaments.

—

*Watch the moment Salman Ali Agha seemingly disrespected the runners-up cheque and hear his full post-match comments below:*
[Embed video or provide link]
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ind-vs-pak-asia-cup-2025-final-salman-ali-agha-throws-away-75-million-cheque-before-speaking-to-simon-doull-after-3rd-consecutive-loss-to-team-india-video

Feats of Strength: DK’s big play, Kenny G’s TDs key Steelers win in Ireland

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https://triblive.com/sports/feats-of-strength-dks-big-play-kenny-gs-tds-key-steelers-win-in-ireland/

How starter Mal stayed calm before Cathy Freeman’s winning race

Who could forget the moment 25 years ago when Cathy Freeman crossed the line into history, winning Olympic gold in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics? For many Australians, that memory remains vivid — but for some, it is even sharper.

Canberra man Mal Davies, now 92, had one of the most important jobs on the track that day. He fired the starting gun, effectively pressing “go” on a nation’s hopes.

“I recall standing near the tunnel where we marched on, just near the finish line,” Mr Davies said. “I can remember looking at my watch and saying, ‘Well, I suppose we had better go and do this then,’ and I was not nervous at all.”

### A False Start Before Glory

Mr Davies got the role after applying to the Olympic organisers. “My allocation was all the women’s events from 400m and up, with the exception of the women’s 10,000m. I got the women’s marathon, which of course started outside the stadium,” he explained.

However, the Olympics didn’t start smoothly for Mr Davies. The very first race he was involved in was delayed.

Originally, starters had two guns — one to start the race and another to fire if there was a false start. By 2000, though, technology had advanced. Starter guns were linked to computers for precise timing, but the protocols remained largely the same.

In the first race, things went awry. “As part of the procedure, when the announcers finished, we blew a whistle to warn everybody it was about to happen. On this occasion, I turned to take the starting gun from the technician, and he was all waving,” said Mr Davies.

“What had happened was a whistle blast had disrupted the computers, so everything had to stop.”

### A Career Made in Australia

Mr Davies reflects that Cathy Freeman’s race was the highlight of his long career as a starter and sports official, following years spent as a teacher and then serving in the Air Force.

“I bought my first starter guns in the 1960s,” he said. But it took many years before he achieved a grade one rating, which cleared the way for his place at the Olympics.

That milestone became possible only after he moved to Australia, where he developed his coaching and sporting official career.

In that capacity, he met Cathy Freeman — the woman who would create his career highlight. They were on the track together for many races over the years, but in the end, there was only one race that truly mattered: Freeman’s Olympic 400m final.

“I can remember standing there and watching the girls come down the final bend, thinking, ‘Goodness gracious me, you are not winning, come on!’ And of course, it all happened.”

Despite sharing that incredible moment, the pair have never spoken. “Didn’t get a chance even after the race,” Mr Davies said.

Nevertheless, he still savours the memory. “It’s probably the greatest race ever, as far as I am concerned.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-29/olympic-starter-cathy-freemans-historic-win/105827956

Steelers survive late Vikings comeback to claim historic win in Dublin

It has been 27 years since the Pittsburgh Steelers played a pre-season game in Croke Park against the Chicago Bears. Back in 1997, Kerry were the All-Ireland Football champions under Paidi O Sé, and Clare were the All-Ireland Hurling champions, captained by the great Anthony Daly.

All these years later, there was certainly a lot of yellow around GAA HQ on Sunday, but instead of the green and yellow of Kerry, it was the iconic black and gold of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over 30,000 fans travelled from the United States to see the first-ever regular-season NFL game to take place in Ireland, all part of the NFL’s mission to grow the game internationally.

This year is bigger than ever, with games in Brazil, three games in London, as well as matches in Berlin and Madrid.

The Steelers’ opponents in Dublin were the Minnesota Vikings, who came into the game with the same record as Pittsburgh—two wins and one loss. Despite losing their young quarterback JJ McCarthy to injury two weeks ago, veteran Carson Wentz stepped in last week, leading the team to a win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

### Game Overview

The game started poorly for the Steelers as quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked on the very first play. After a quick three-and-out, the Vikings began to march down the field. Things took a complicated turn when the Steelers appeared to score a touchdown off a fumble recovery. However, the referees ruled the player out of bounds when he fumbled, allowing the Vikings to retain possession. They managed only a field goal, leaving the score 3-0 in favor of Minnesota.

The Steelers responded sharply with a great drive led by Rodgers, ending in a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Kenneth Gainwell.

### Terrible Towels Take Over

The Vikings couldn’t mount a response, and once again Rodgers took the field. He found his best receiver, DK Metcalf, who broke free down the middle for a spectacular 30-yard touchdown run, sending the Steelers fans into a frenzy.

Whether at Acrisure Stadium or Croke Park, the sight of the yellow “Terrible Towels” is enough to unnerve opposing teams. That pressure soon told as Wentz was constantly hounded by the Steelers’ defense, forcing him into a tipped pass that was intercepted by safety DeShon Elliott.

### Celebrity Sightings and Unique Fans

During stoppages—a hallmark of American sports—several celebrities appeared on the big screen, including Steelers superfan and Kerry footballer Paudie Clifford. Connacht and Ireland rugby player Bundee Aki participated in the official coin toss, and legendary Hollywood actor Bill Murray was even spotted in the crowd.

Fans also showed their enthusiasm with unique outfits: one Steelers fan dressed in black armor like a Roman centurion, while a Vikings supporter wore a Mandalorian helmet with Baby Yoda perched on his shoulder.

### Steely Defence and Croke Park Atmosphere

As the first half wore on, the game slowed down with just a Vikings field goal to note, making the halftime score 14-6 to the Steelers.

The sun began to break through the clouds as the second half started, illuminating the beautiful Croke Park field. Fans on Hill 16 were able to soak up the rays from the famed terrace, which was converted into a seating-only section for the game—a clear indication of how far the GAA has come to accommodate an event of this magnitude.

While the State contributed €10 million to help host the game, the expected economic benefit is estimated to reach close to €65 million.

### A Game in the Making for Years

This game did not happen overnight—it has been years in the making. The Steelers were founded by Art Rooney back in 1933, who traced his roots back to Newry in Co Down. With the team still under the stewardship of Art Rooney Jr. and Art Rooney II, it is clear why this game was so important to the franchise.

As the second half progressed, the Rooney brothers must have been pleased with their team’s performance. The Steelers’ defense began to dominate. Midway through the third quarter, star pass rusher T.J. Watt intercepted a pass, setting up the offense in prime position. Kenneth Gainwell capitalized with another touchdown, widening the lead to 21-6.

During one of the many breaks in play, the stadium announcer revealed attendance was close to 75,000—not quite an All-Ireland final day, but still an impressive crowd.

The Steelers continued to control the clock and added a field goal, extending their lead to 24-6 with just over ten minutes remaining.

### Vikings Rally Late

The Vikings fought back, scoring a late touchdown by running back Zavier Scott, followed by a successful two-point conversion with seven minutes to go.

With three minutes remaining, the game burst to life again when Wentz connected with Jordan Addison for an electrifying 81-yard gain. Now just yards from the goal line, the Vikings went for it on fourth down, converting with a short pass to Jalen Nailor, narrowing the score to 24-21.

Despite their efforts, the Vikings could not tie the score, and the Steelers ran out the clock for the victory.

### Final Thoughts

What seemed like a potential blowout transformed into a highly competitive game. Overall, Dublin and Croke Park were excellent hosts. The city centre buzzed with excitement, and Merrion Square was transformed into a Steelers’ tailgate for the weekend. Families enjoyed activities such as trying out field goal kicking and target practice.

There are areas to improve, though. Some food stalls ran out of items by halftime, and the “loaded” nachos served seemed to have only a small squeeze of cheese. These minor kinks can certainly be ironed out for future events.

For its first NFL game, Croke Park proved to be the perfect cauldron for American football—a thrilling showcase of sport and culture coming together on Irish soil.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/steelers-survive-late-vikings-comeback-to-win-in-dublin-1812133.html

PM Modi Takes Dig At Pakistan Over Team India’s Win In Asia Cup 2025 Finals; Compares Victory To Operation Sindoor

New Delhi, September 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a veiled jab at Pakistan following Team India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2025 Final held at the Dubai International Stadium. Drawing a comparison to Operation Sindoor, PM Modi highlighted that the outcome remained the same – “India Wins.”

Congratulating the players for their spectacular performance in the high-voltage clash, PM Modi took to his official social media account late Sunday night and tweeted,
“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also extended his congratulations to Team India, saying,
“A billion hearts beat as one tonight! Team India defeats Pakistan to lift the #AsiaCup2025. From the first ball to the final roar, this journey has been about courage, unity & unmatched brilliance. This victory is Bharat’s pride, Bharat’s joy, Bharat’s inspiration.”

**Team India’s Performance**

India clinched the Asia Cup 2025 title with a confident five-wicket victory in the final. Chasing a target of 147, the Men in Blue faced early setbacks but were steadied by an unbeaten 69 from Tilak Varma. Crucial contributions from Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube further guided the team to a memorable win.

This triumph marked India’s third Asia Cup title against Pakistan and added another prestigious trophy to their already decorated cabinet.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/pm-modi-takes-dig-at-pakistan-over-team-indias-win-in-asia-cup-2025-finals-compares-victory-to-operation-sindoor

Buccaneers news: Chase McLaughlin’s 65-yarder a silver lining from awful half vs. Eagles

As the third quarter of their Week 4 clash gets underway, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have largely struggled against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. At the moment, the Eagles hold a 24-6 lead, as the Buccaneers’ offense has been kept in check for the most part. However, a pair of field goals from veteran kicker Chase McLaughlin have put the Bucs on the board.

Most notable was McLaughlin’s 65-yard field goal as the first half ended. The sports site enthusiastically reported, *“Chase McLaughlin DRILLS the 65-yard FG”* — the second-longest field goal in NFL history!

McLaughlin’s 65-yarder surpassed former Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant’s 62-yard make against the Eagles back in 2006, making it the longest field goal in franchise history. With Tampa Bay’s offense sputtering for most of the first half, the kick provided a much-needed jolt of life to the unit.

However, that momentum might have already worn off. Following an excellent punt return by Kam Johnson, the Bucs turned the ball over on downs, halting any potential drive.

The question remains: can McLaughlin’s strong leg keep the Buccaneers in this high-stakes clash, or will it not be enough against a potent Eagles offense? Fans will be watching closely as the second half unfolds.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chase-mclaughlins-historic-65-yarder-silver-lining-from-awful-half-vs-eagles

Ryder Cup crowd announcer steps down over expletive-filled Rory McIlroy chant

A crowd announcer at the Ryder Cup has stepped down after leading an expletive-filled chant directed at Rory McIlroy. Heather McMahan urged fans at the first tee to shout, “f*** you Rory” together after players were introduced to the crowd before the start of the afternoon session at Bethpage Black on Saturday.

This incident was one of several unsavoury moments on a fractious and fraught day of action, overshadowed by crowd problems. It set the tone for the kind of treatment McIlroy subsequently received during the event.

McMahan, who was not the main announcer but was entertaining the crowd, has since issued an apology. A statement from the PGA of America, the event organisers, read: “Heather McMahan has extended an apology to Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup.”

European captain Luke Donald accused American fans of crossing the line after his players, most notably McIlroy, were subjected to relentless heckling. Comments and insults were repeatedly aimed at the Northern Irishman as he prepared to play shots.

At one point during the morning session, McIlroy shouted at a fan, and his afternoon match was delayed multiple times as appeals for calm were made, including by his opponent Justin Thomas.

Donald said, “It was loud, it was raucous. What I consider crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they are trying to hit on their backswings or very close to when they are trying to go into their routines. That did happen a little bit.”

The PGA of America declined to comment when asked by the PA news agency about reports of further disturbances, including fighting, in the crowd.

Much attention had been focused on the hostile reception Europe was expected to receive from a boisterous, partisan New York crowd. McIlroy and partner Shane Lowry bore the brunt of much of the abuse aimed at the European team, repeatedly clashing with fans on their way to a win against Thomas and Cameron Young.

McIlroy described the day as “really challenging,” while Lowry seemed to embrace the atmosphere.

“It was intense. It was like something I’ve never experienced,” Lowry said. “But this is what I live for. This is it. This is, like, honestly, the reason I get up in the morning, for stuff like this.”

Reflecting on the crowd’s behaviour, McIlroy stated, “People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”

The tension wasn’t limited to interactions with the crowd. On the course, Bryson DeChambeau screamed in the face of Tommy Fleetwood following a complaint from Fleetwood’s partner Justin Rose. Rose had objected to DeChambeau’s caddy, Greg Bodine, walking across the line of his putt, sparking a spat involving players and caddies.

“I was ready to hit my putt,” Rose explained. “I didn’t feel like that space was being honoured. I made my feelings known. Asked him to move. Maybe not as politely as I could have done, but in the scenario, it’s coming down the stretch, we both have a lot on our minds and it’s intense out there.”

Despite the disruptions and heated exchanges, Europe managed to ignore the noise and tension to win both sessions convincingly on Saturday, taking a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/ryder-cup-crowd-announcer-steps-down-over-expletive-filled-rory-mcilroy-chant-1812147.html

24 Pawsome Pictures of Furry Felines Fired Up for Football Sunday

Football season is here, and the cattos are ready to trade their scratching posts for goalposts. Picture a living room full of furry NFL fans, tails flicking like pompoms every time their team scores.

With their laser-focused eyes, they’d make the purrfect referees—though their calls would likely involve penalizing hoomans for snack delays.

Of course, cats don’t just watch the game; they’re active pawticipants. The football itself? Clearly designed as the ultimate toy for batting across the floor. Touchdowns? More like tail-downs, as they proudly flop in front of the TV at the most dramatic moments.

And when the crowd roars on screen, you can bet your kitty will meow right back, convinced they’re part of the team.

Halftime shows? That’s when the real entertainment begins. Zoomies down the hallway, surprise interceptions of chips, and dramatic leaps onto couches to block the view.

Win or lose, your feline fan will celebrate with victory naps, demanding extra belly rubs for “team spirit.”
https://cheezburger.com/42551813/24-pawsome-pictures-of-furry-felines-fired-up-for-football-sunday

‘We Can Give Little Bit Of Happiness…’: Nepal Skipper Rohit Paudel Dedicates Player Of The Match Award To Martyrs Of Gen Z Protest

**Nepal Captain Rohit Paudel Dedicates Historic Victory Over West Indies to Martyrs of Gen Z Protest**

Nepal made cricket history on Saturday by stunning the world with a remarkable 19-run victory over the West Indies. This win marked Nepal’s first-ever triumph against a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), a milestone achievement for the Asian minnows.

During the post-match presentation, Nepal captain Rohit Paudel dedicated the victory to the martyrs of the recent Gen Z protests. “I want to dedicate this award to the martyrs back home who participated in the protest,” Paudel said. “The last month has not been great for us, so if we can give a little bit of happiness to the people of Nepal, I think that would be great.”

### Context Behind the Gen Z Protests in Nepal

Earlier this month, Nepal witnessed large-scale protests and demonstrations following a nationwide ban on numerous social media platforms. The protests escalated into violent clashes, with public officials targeted and government and political buildings vandalized.

These upheavals eventually led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli along with several other government ministers. Following his resignation, Sushila Karki was appointed as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal. The protests gradually subsided by September 13.

### Nepal Stuns West Indies at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

In the highly-anticipated match held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, West Indies won the toss and elected to field first against Nepal, an Associate Member team. The West Indies bowlers managed to restrict Nepal to a modest total of 148/8.

Nepal’s innings, anchored by middle-order contributions, saw early setbacks as West Indies pacer Akeal Hosain dismissed Kushal Bhurtel for 5 runs, and Jason Holder removed Aasif Sheikh for 3 runs, reducing Nepal to 12/2 in the fourth over.

However, captain Rohit Paudel (38 off 35 balls), Kusal Malla (30 off 21 balls), and Gulsan Jha (22 off 16 balls) steadied the innings to help Nepal reach a competitive score. Holder finished with impressive bowling figures of 4-20, while Bidaisee took 3-29.

Chasing 149 runs for victory, West Indies had a disastrous start when Kushal Bhurtel ran out opener Kyle Mayers early for just 5 runs off eight balls. Nepal’s bowlers continued to apply relentless pressure on the former T20 World Champions, making it difficult for them to build partnerships.

Nepal’s disciplined bowling restricted the West Indies to 129/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Kushal Bhurtel took two wickets, while Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Rohit Paudel each claimed one wicket.

This historic victory not only boosted Nepal’s standing in international cricket but also brought a sense of pride and joy to a nation recently weathering political turmoil.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/we-can-give-little-bit-of-happiness-nepal-skipper-rohit-paudel-dedicates-win-over-west-indies-to-martyrs-of-gen-z-protest