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Warner helps Australia to Pakistan series sweep – ARN News Centre
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David Warner was denied the chance to score the match-winning runs in his final test but contributed 57 as Australia reached their victory target of 130 runs to beat Pakistan by eight wickets and sweep the series 3-0.
Pakistan, looking to end a run of 16 successive losses in Australia since 1995, had added 47 runs to their overnight tally at the cost of their final three wickets, to be dismissed for 115 an hour before lunch.
Playing his 112th match before retiring from the format, Warner shared a hug with opening partner and childhood friend Usman Khawaja at the boundary rope and was given a guard of honour by the tourists as he came to the crease.
Khawaja departed lbw for a duck in the opening over, but Warner played like a man on a mission and was soon cutting the ball through the covers in trademark style for his first four.
He brought up his 37th test half century with a single to square leg, and Australia went to lunch with the win all but in the bag on 91-1, 39 runs from their target.
Although not quite the pyrotechnics that featured in the early part of Warner’s career, there were seven boundaries in his 75-ball innings before spinner Sajid Khan trapped him in front with Australia 11 runs from victory.
A crowd of more than 24,000 at his home Sydney Cricket Ground rose for a final ovation as Warner left the field, his part in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that earned him a one-year ban from international cricket forgiven.
“It meant the world to me. I’ve given absolutely everything to play this game and to sacrifice a lot of things to be in the position that I am,” Warner said of the ovation.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs through my career. I’ve had to come back and overcome adversity. I’ve done that, I think, very, very well. I think today just showed to me that I do have a lot of support, and I’m very, very grateful for that.”
Warner’s innings gave him a career tally of 8,786 test runs at an average of 44.59, making him the fifth most prolific Australian batsman of all time, behind Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, Mark Waugh and Steve Smith.
Marnus Labuschagne (62 not out) got the world test champions across the line with a single shortly after Warner’s departure.
“HIGH CLASS BATTER”
“It’s gonna be hard to replace Davy,” said Australia captain Pat Cummins, who was named Player of the Series for a 10-wicket haul in Melbourne and 5-61 in the first innings in Sydney.
“He’s been such an integral part of every team that Australia has put out over the last decade. (Today) was a good reminder of what a high class batter he is and how hard it’s going to be to replace him. We’re gonna miss him.”
As in the second test in Melbourne, Pakistan had only their own batting frailties to blame for missing out on the chance to snap their long losing streak in Australia.
They were looking good to set their hosts a far more imposing target on a deteriorating pitch before Josh Hazlewood (4-16) took three wickets in the penultimate over of the day on Friday.
On Saturday morning, Mohammad Rizwan scored 28 before he was caught by Warner off the bowling of Nathan Lyon with Aamer Jamal holing out for 18 three balls later. Hasan Ali was bowled by Lyon for five to end the innings.
Seamer Jamal, who took a six-wicket haul on debut in the first test in Perth and another in the first innings in Sydney, was not brought on to bowl until after lunch in a baffling decision by captain Shan Masood.
Jamal was named Player of the Match for his bowling as well as his brilliant knock of 82 in the battling rearguard in the first innings that gave Pakistan a sniff of victory.
“We’re learning the hard way,” said Masood. “We have to take a lot of positives but we made a few mistakes that left the door open and Australia took full advantage of them.”
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Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu produced a brilliant final-round victory to win Norway Chess 2026, capping a dramatic finish to one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
Entering the final day half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew only a win would give him a realistic chance of claiming the title. The 19-year-old delivered under pressure, defeating Vincent Keymer with the white pieces to secure the full three points and surge to first place.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, enough to overtake Wesley So and clinch the Norway Chess crown in Oslo.
So, who had led the standings heading into the final round, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja before winning the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the extra points were not enough to keep him ahead of the charging Indian grandmaster.
Firouzja completed a strong campaign to finish third overall.
Elsewhere, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen signed off in style with a classical victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, delighting home fans with a final-round win.
Final Standings
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 18 points
- Wesley So – 17 points
- Alireza Firouzja – 15.5 points
Assaubayeva dominates women’s event
In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva completed a dominant campaign to secure the title after having already wrapped up first place with a round to spare.
The final day featured three decisive classical games, eliminating the need for Armageddon tiebreaks.
Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun handed Assaubayeva her first classical defeat of the tournament, while Zhu Jiner defeated Humpy Koneru to secure second place overall. Anna Muzychuk also ended her campaign on a high note with a victory over Divya Deshmukh to finish third.
Norway Chess women’s final standings
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – 16.5 points
- Zhu Jiner – 16 points
- Anna Muzychuk – 15 points
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph marks another major milestone in the young Indian grandmaster’s rapidly rising career and further strengthens India’s growing influence at the highest level of world chess.
The battle for the Norway Chess 2026 title is set for a thrilling finish after a dramatic Round 9 left three players firmly in contention heading into the final day in Oslo.
Tournament leader Wesley So maintained his narrow advantage after drawing his classical game against Magnus Carlsen before winning the Armageddon tiebreak to secure valuable extra points.
The standout result of the day came from Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who defeated reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju with the black pieces. The victory earned Praggnanandhaa three points and moved him to within half a point of the tournament lead.
Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja kept his championship hopes alive by overcoming Vincent Keymer in Armageddon after their classical game ended in a draw.
With one round remaining, Wesley So leads the standings on 15.5 points, followed by Praggnanandhaa on 15 points and Firouzja on 14.5 points, setting up a nail-biting conclusion to the tournament.
Assaubayeva seals women’s title
In the women’s competition, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with a round to spare.
Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk, who later claimed the Armageddon win. However, the result was enough to guarantee Assaubayeva an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
The only decisive classical result in the women’s event came from Zhu Jiner, who defeated Divya Deshmukh to move into second place.
Elsewhere, Humpy Koneru and Ju Wenjun drew their classical encounter before Ju Wenjun claimed the Armageddon victory.
After Round 9, Assaubayeva tops the women’s standings with 16.5 points, ahead of Zhu Jiner on 13 points and Anna Muzychuk on 12 points.
Praggnanandhaa wins Norway Chess 2026 title after stunning comeback
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