Sports Bulletin of November 6: From ICC Champions Trophy Dates Announcement Getting Closer to UEFA Champions League Upsets

The world of sports saw some new stories develop on Wednesday (November 6). The dates for the ICC Champions Trophy came close to being confirmed. Plus, there were a couple of upsets in the Champions League as Australia named a stand-in captain for their series against Pakistan.

Here are some of the biggest developments in the World of Sports today.

1. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule to be revealed next week

An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is scheduled to visit Lahore from November 10 to 12 to inspect arrangements for the upcoming ICC tournament, which will be hosted in Pakistan. During the visit, the schedule and other key details are likely to be announced.

2. Man City, Real Madrid Suffer Upset Defeats in Champions League

European heavyweights Real Madrid and Manchester City both suffered big defeats in the Champions League, losing to Sporting Lisbon and AC Milan respectively. Defending champion Real Madrid was humbled 3-1 at home by Milan, while Erling Haaland missed a penalty and City squandered a fourth-minute lead as it lost 4-1 at Sporting Lisbon.

3. ICC Test Rankings: Rishabh Pant returns to top 10 among batters

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is back in the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings after fine performances in the third match of their ICC World Test Championship series played in Mumbai. Pant, who scored 60 in the first innings and a doughty 64 in the second during a failed chase of 147, has advanced five slots to sixth, which is one off his career-best fifth position attained in July 2022.

4. Australia name new stand-in captain for 3rd ODI & T20I Series vs Pakistan

Wicketkeeper-bater Josh Inglis is set to lead Australia in the third and final ODI as well as in the three-match T20I series against Pakistan which will be between 14-18 November in Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart respectively.

The in-form wicket-keeper-batter won the nod ahead of experienced white-ball campaigners Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis and will even skipper the side during the final match of the three-game ODI series against Pakistan as Australia's Test stars prioritise their preparations for the upcoming series with India.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo Powers Al-Nassr To Dominant 5-1 Victory Against Al-Ain in AFC Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr inflicted a crushing 5-1 defeat on Al Ain in the Asian Champions League Elite in Riyadh that leaves the title-holder’s hopes of advancing to the last 16 in jeopardy.

The win was Al Nassr’s third in four matches in the league phase of the continental championship and moved Stefano Pioli’s side up to third and within two points of compatriot Al Hilal and Al Ahli, who lead the standings at the halfway point.

6. Mohammad Kaif urges Rohit & Kohli to play in Ranji Trophy before BGT

Ex-India batter Mohammad Kaif wants Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and other Indian batters to play domestic cricket in order to regain form ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025 Test series against Australia. Rohit and Kohli had a series to forget against New Zealand, and will be key to India’s chances in the BGT.

7. David Warner returns to captaincy after ban lifted

David Warner has officially been announced as Sydney Thunder captain as they head into the 14th season of the Big Bash League (BBL). Sydney Thunder's decision came after the Cricket Australia Conduct Commission lifted Warner's leadership ban, which was reviewed and cleared by an independent Review Panel, deeming the 38-year-old batter eligible for future leadership roles.