Salah’s brilliance has propelled Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table [TNA/Getty]
From Mohamed Salah breaking Premier League records to Oleksandr Usyk solidifying his legacy as an undisputed heavyweight champion, this week was a thrilling showcase of sports on a global stage.
Salah’s brilliance has propelled Liverpool to the top of the table, Usyk’s victory in Riyadh underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in sports, and the International Cricket Council’s hybrid model highlighted cricket’s enduring rivalries as Pakistan confirmed the UAE as a neutral venue for India’s games in the Champions Trophy.
Salah breaks another Premier League record as Liverpool enter Christmas top of the table
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah made history over the weekend, becoming the first player to achieve double-digit statistics for both goals and assists before Christmas in the Premier League.
Salah managed to score two goals and provide two assists on Sunday’s nine-goal thriller between the Reds and Tottenham, which saw Liverpool win the game 6-3.
The Egyptian’s efforts on Sunday culminated in 13 goals and 10 assists during the season so far, which has seen Salah on top form amid speculations he may leave the club.
Following the record, the Egyptian captain said: “I didn’t think about it before the game but I am glad to have done it, something that makes me proud. I’ll keep working hard.”
Liverpool are also finding themselves top of the table during the Christmas period, and are now seen as the top contenders for the Premier League this season.
The player’s stellar performance on Sunday, which won him Man of the Match, also saw him move to fourth place in Liverpool’s all-time goal scorers.
Fans and pundits are expecting the winger to break more records should his form continue.
Usyk beats Fury in Riyadh championship rematch
Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury by unanimous decision overnight in a historic fight in Riyadh on Saturday evening.
Usyk’s win takes him to 23-0 with 14 knockouts and extends one of the all-time best careers, including Olympic gold and undisputed champion at cruiserweight.
This was the first time in 25 years that a chance to become the undisputed heavyweight champion existed and the first time in the four-belt era.
By beating Fury seven months ago, “The Cat” had already joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweights and the first of the four-belt era.
Fury announced his retirement in 2022 but changed his mind and returned to the ring. The “Gypsy King” was unbeaten with over 35 fights until he lost their four-belt unification fight in May.
Saudi Arabia hosted the historic heavyweight clash at the Kingdom Arena, underscoring the nation’s growing investment in sports and its ambition to position itself as a global hub for major athletic events, including high-profile boxing matches.
Champions Trophy host Pakistan confirms UAE as neutral venue for India’s games at cricket tournament
The Pakistan Cricket Board has chosen the UAE as a neutral venue to host India’s games at next year’s Champions Trophy following a standoff between the two rivals.
India had refused to travel to tournament host Pakistan for the eight-team, 50-over Champions Trophy, amid security concerns.
Under a hybrid model, the International Cricket Council confirmed that all of India’s games will be at a neutral venue, including if the team reaches the semifinals and final.
“UAE was finalised as the venue after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with the Emirates Cricket Board chairman Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan,” PCB spokesman Amir Mir said in a statement on Sunday.
The PCB statement did not confirm where the games would take place in the UAE, with Dubai considered the likeliest venue.
Pakistan will not play in India in ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle. Pakistan will also go to a neutral venue when India hosts the 2025 Women’s World Cup and co-hosts the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka.
India has three group-stage games in the 2025 Champions Trophy, including one against Pakistan. Depending on India’s progress at the tournament, the UAE will also host one of the semifinals and the final.
The latest statement paves the way for the ICC to announce the schedule of the February-March tournament.
