Perth Scorchers recorded a comprehensive 30-run victory over Melbourne Renegades in Match 33 of WBBL|11 on Tuesday at the WACA, riding on a high-impact performance from captain Sophie Devine.

Perth Scorchers batting unit posts a massive total

Sent in to bat after the Renegades won the toss, the Scorchers produced a commanding 184/5. Katie Mack provided early impetus with a brisk 18 off 13, while Beth Mooney anchored from the other end with 21 off 18, helping the Scorchers race to 43 in the powerplay.

The stand-out knock came from skipper Sophie Devine, who smashed a blistering 40 off just 28 balls, striking two fours and three sixes. Partnering with Maddy Darke (36 off 32), Devine added a crucial 69-run stand for the third wicket, laying the perfect foundation for a late flourish.

In the final overs, teenager Freya Kemp (28 off 13) and Paige Scholfield (10 not out off 9) boosted the total, with Alana King applying the finishing touches with 8-ball 22*.

Sophie Devine bruise Melbourne Renegades in the chase

Chasing 185, the Renegades faltered early and never fully recovered. Opener Deandra Dottin fell for 2 off 5 in the opening over, caught by Freya Kemp off Chloe Ainsworth.

Captain Devine then turned the game decisively with the ball, dismantling the Renegades’ top order. She removed Courtney Webb (0), Sophie Molineux (17), and the dangerous Alice Capsey (12), returning sharp figures of 4/25. Her double-strike in the powerplay left the Renegades reeling at 34/4.

A brief rebuild came through Nicole Faltum (28 off 22) and Georgia Wareham (43 off 32), who added 65 for the fifth wicket, but the required rate ballooned quickly as the Scorchers’ spinners tightened control.

Alana King, who earlier impressed with the bat, delivered an equally impactful spell, picking up 2/29, dismissing both Faltum and Wareham to break the Renegades’ last meaningful partnership.

With overs running out, lower-order contributions from Tess Flintoff (19 off 10) and Naomi Stalenberg (16 off 17) were not enough. Renegades eventually closed on 154/9, 30 short of the target.

Also READ: ST-W vs BH-W, WBBL|11 Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game between Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat?

Perth Scorchers won by 30 runs 👋#WBBL2025 pic.twitter.com/NZy48NpWmt

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 2, 2025

Player of the Match

With 40 runs, 4 wickets, and sharp fielding, Sophie Devine deservedly claimed Player of the Match, reminding the fans once again why she remains one of the most influential figures in women’s  cricket.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Analysts believe that In the near term, major resistance for the Nifty is placed at 26,325. (AI image)

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened flat in trade on Wednesday on weak global cues. While Nifty50 was above 26,000, BSE Sensex was near 85,100. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 26,010.65, down 22 points or 0.083%. BSE Sensex was at 85,116.06, down 22 points or 0.026%.Analysts believe that In the near term, major resistance for the Nifty is placed at 26,325. Until the index persists below this level, any bounce should be used for profit booking, they say.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “Nifty’s correction of about 300 points from the record high can be seen as a correction driven by technical factors like rejig in the Bank Nifty and the concerns arising from the continued depreciation of the rupee. Rejig in the Bank Nifty and the consequent reduction in the weight of HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are pure technical factors that have nothing to do with the fundamentals of these stocks. With improving credit growth in the economy and strong fundamentals of these banking majors, they will bounce back in due course. A real concern now, which has contributed to the slow drifting down of the market, is the continued depreciation in the rupee and fears of further depreciation since the RBI is not intervening to support the rupee. This concern is forcing the FIIs to sell despite the improving fundamentals of rising corporate earnings and strong rebound in GDP growth.” “The rupee depreciation will halt and even reverse when the India-US trade deal materialises. This is likely this month. A lot, however, will depend on the details of the tariffs to be imposed on India as part of the deal. The ideal strategy for investors in this period of uncertainty is to remain invested in high quality growth stocks in the large and midcap segments. Smallcaps, as a segment, continue to be overvalued and are, therefore, best avoided.”US equities finished higher, marking their sixth positive close in seven sessions during quiet trading on Tuesday. Technology shares led the advance amid strong expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts next week.Asian stocks were flat on Wednesday, reflecting similar patterns on Wall Street, as investors sought new market drivers whilst cryptocurrency recovery lost momentum.Gold prices stayed flat following a 1% decline in the previous session, as rising equities and stable Treasury yields continued to affect the metal whilst traders awaited crucial US economic indicators for insights on potential rate reductions later this week.Foreign portfolio investors recorded net sales of Rs 3,642 crore on Tuesday. Domestic institutional investors registered net purchases of Rs 4,646 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

The RBI’s three-day monetary policy committee meeting opens in Mumbai on Wednesday, marking the start of the central bank’s latest policy review. Over the course of the discussions, members of the six-member panel is set to hold discussions on how the central bank should navigate policy, in accordance with the newest growth and inflation readings. The meeting will be conducted from December 3 to 5 and the results of the monetary discussions will be announced by RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra at 10 AM on Friday. The review is taking place during a phase in which the economy is showing considerable resilience while prices are cooling at an unprecedented pace.

Another rate cut? Here’s what experts say

As the Reserve Bank of India prepares to announce its decision this week, the latest economic data has presented a contrasting backdrop — rapid economic expansion on one hand, and historically low inflation on the other. India’s GDP expanded by 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, a pace of growth that has encouraged expectations of stability in policy action. Economists say the momentum may have extended into the October–December period as well, supported by firm rural demand and improving urban consumption patterns. At the same time, inflation has fallen sharply. Consumer price inflation dropped to a series low of 0.25% in October, driven largely by a decline in food prices. Forecasts suggest this softness could persist and even settle below the Reserve Bank’s own earlier projections. Commenting on the conflicting economic signals, Mehul Pandya, MD and Group CEO of CareEdge Ratings, highlighted how they complicate rate decisions. “Both these developments (of a continued strong GDP growth and multi-year low inflationary levels) are mutually opposing forces from an interest rate perspective. Central banks usually do not tend to cut interest rates during the periods of strong economic activity, represented by GDP growth. At the same time, the central banks usually respond to a low inflationary environment by cutting interest rates,” ANI quoted Pandya as saying. Some industry voices believe the data now gives the central bank enough headroom to ease policy. Taking an optimistic view, Mayur Modi, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Moneyboxx Finance Limited, argued that robust growth has widened the RBI’s scope for action. He said, “With inflation easing to multi-year lows and remaining comfortably within the RBI’s tolerance band, the probability of a repo rate cut has strengthened meaningfully. Softening price pressures give the MPC more room to prioritise growth without risking macroeconomic stability.” Modi added that a well-timed reduction could help lift consumption cycles and stimulate credit demand across key segments. Despite growing speculation of a cut, an assessment by Bank of Baroda suggests that the central bank will keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.50% and maintain its neutral stance. The report pointed out that economic performance has continued to beat expectations, with urban spending and a resilient rural economy expected to sustain momentum into the third quarter. It also flagged signs of recovery in private investment, supported by a rise in credit demand.

In a shocking incident, a 30-year-old Russian fitness trainer Dmitry Nuyanzin, died from heart failure after consuming 10,000 calories per day for multiple weeks, during his weight gain challenge. The trainer planned to gain 25 kgs through eating junk food, including cakes, dumplings, pizzas and burgers, before starting his weight loss program. A couple of weeks into the challenge, he stopped his training sessions, because of exhaustion, and soon died during his sleep which demonstrated the dangerous nature of extreme eating dangers.The fatal challenge unfoldsThe social media posts of Nuyanzin showed his daily consumption of high-calorie foods, which included breakfast pastries with ice cream, large meals with mayonnaise-covered dumplings, and fast food dinner. His body reached critical levels of metabolic stress, which probably caused cardiac arrest because of his excessive food consumption. The death of the influencer received widespread grief from his friends and social media followers, who described it as a preventable tragedy caused by dangerous stunts. People who participate in such challenges fail to recognize warning signs which include shortness of breath and chest pain. because these symptoms indicate an impending disaster.

What happens to the heart when one “suddenly” gains weightResearch indicates that middle-aged people who gain 5% of their body weight, develop thicker heart muscles which reduce their heart function, and increase their risk of developing heart failure. In young adults, obesity links to enlarged hearts and poor function by age 60, with effects accumulating from early overfeeding. The risk of heart disease increases independently of other factors, when people become overweight because they develop 22% higher stroke risk and obese individuals face 64% higher stroke risk.The consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods leads to elevated triglycerides and decreased good cholesterol, which results in artery hardening and blood pressure elevation. Research showed that people who received 800-1000 extra calories per day through overfeeding, developed fast increases in their blood pressure and cardiac output. The development of sudden cardiac arrest in people with obesity occurs because of their associated medical conditions including high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. The increase of systolic blood pressure by 3 mm Hg occurs with each 22-pound weight gain, which results in a 24% higher stroke risk. The worldwide death toll from heart disease and its related conditions reached 3.7 million in 2021 because of higher BMI levels.Pressure on the digestive systemThe stomach expands to abnormal sizes when people eat too much, which results in stomach discomfort and prolonged acid exposure, that damages the esophagus. The stomach experiences increased pressure from abdominal fat, which leads to worse acid reflux symptoms, and increases the risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The stomach retains food for longer periods, when people eat quickly, which leads to stomach lining irritation and increases their risk of developing gastritis and ulcers. People who are overweight face elevated risks of developing gallstones and fatty liver disease and pancreatic disorders because their bodies experience continuous overload.

The additional weight creates digestive problems, which lead to gallbladder issues, diverticula and inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease. The abnormal eating patterns from these challenges, create digestive problems which produce chronic inflammation, that increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer in the long run.Why it can turn deadlyThe heart experiences fatal failure when obesity develops rapidly because of inflammation, fibrosis and systolic dysfunction. The hearts of young obese victims who died suddenly, were found to be twice as heavy as normal hearts, which indicated fatal heart remodeling according to autopsy results. The practice of binge eating creates an independent risk factor for developing metabolic syndrome, which leads to heart-related medical events. The risk of death increases by 44% for people with mild obesity, but reaches 250% for those with severe obesity.Though some heart failure patients with obesity survive longer in an “obesity paradox,” this does not apply to people who experience sudden weight gain without pre-existing medical conditions. The fatal cardiac arrest occurred because Nuyanzin failed to recognize his fatigue symptoms. The fast weight gain period creates a 20-fold increase in diabetes development, which adds to the existing cardiac problems.Safe ways to avoid these risksExercise together with controlled calorie intake, helps people stay healthy without causing heart or digestive problems, that result from eating junk food. Medical professionals advise patients to track their BMI, blood pressure readings, and reflux symptoms whenever they experience weight changes. People who want to stay healthy should adopt portion control, and eat fiber-rich foods while getting regular medical check-ups instead of trying dangerous weight gain methods. People should stay away from viral weight gain challenges because they need to consult fitness experts for proper weight gain training.Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice

Representative image (Source: X/@MoHFW_INDIA)

NEW DELHI: The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which provides healthcare services to lakhs of government employees, pensioners and their families, is operating with a significant shortage of staff across its allopathic and AYUSH dispensaries, the Union Health Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. In a written reply, the government revealed that more than 2,000 posts in allopathic dispensaries and over 100 posts in AYUSH units remain vacant, raising concerns over service delivery in one of the country’s largest healthcare networks.According to the ministry, CGHS allopathic dispensaries have a sanctioned strength of 6,630 posts, but only 4,590 are currently filled, leaving 2,040 posts vacant. The situation is similar in AYUSH facilities, where 107 of the 425 sanctioned posts remain unfilled. The data shows gaps across all levels of staffing. In the crucial Group A category, which includes doctors, 402 allopathy posts and 33 AYUSH posts are lying vacant. Group B non-gazetted positions also show shortages, with 276 allopathic posts vacant. The most acute gaps are in Group C—the largest workforce segment comprising paramedical and support staff—where 1,362 allopathic posts and 74 AYUSH posts are unfilled.The government said that recruitment of doctors is carried out through the Union Public Service Commission’s Combined Medical Services Examination based on vacancies reported by CGHS. Recruitment for Group B and Group C positions is handled by the Staff Selection Commission. However, the reply did not indicate the timeframe within which the pending vacancies would be filled or whether special measures are being planned to speed up hiring.The disclosure comes at a time when CGHS dispensaries in major cities frequently struggle with long queues, limited manpower and rising patient load. The persistent vacancies, especially in frontline and paramedical roles, are expected to intensify pressure on the system unless addressed promptly. For thousands of beneficiaries dependent on CGHS for essential outpatient care and medicines, staffing shortages continue to translate into longer waits and uneven access to services.

NEW DELHI: Authorities at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Tuesday allowed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khanum, to meet him, breaking weeks of restricted access that had prompted protests by PTI supporters and family members. According to Pakistan news website Dawn, Uzma entered the prison in the afternoon as several PTI workers gathered outside the jail premises demanding transparency about Imran’s condition.

The meeting came on a day when PTI had already planned demonstrations outside the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail to protest what it called unjustified curbs on Imran Khan’s visitation rights. The family and party members had been denied meetings for several weeks despite an earlier Islamabad High Court order permitting twice-weekly visits.Earlier, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan had filed a contempt petition against the Adiala Jail superintendent and senior officials for allegedly defying the court’s directions. The petition said authorities had repeatedly blocked visits by family, lawyers and PTI leaders since March. Jail officials have maintained that Imran remains in Adiala Jail in good health.The confrontation escalated after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi was barred from meeting Imran for the eighth consecutive time, prompting him to lead a sit-in outside the prison. PTI continues to demand clarity on Imran’s health and direct access for his family.Also read: Pakistan: Can Imran Khan meet visitors in jail? What rules say on ‘political prisoner’ accessConcerns had intensified last week after Imran’s sisters were allegedly assaulted by Punjab police while staging a peaceful demonstration outside Adiala Jail. Noreen Niazi said, “We peacefully protested over concerns for his health condition. We neither blocked roads nor obstructed public movement, nor engaged in any unlawful conduct. Yet, without warning or provocation, the streetlights in the area were abruptly switched off, deliberately casting the scene into darkness. What followed was a brutal and orchestrated assault by Punjab police personnel.”Noreen added, “At the age of 71, I was seized by my hair, thrown violently to the ground, and dragged across the road, sustaining visible injuries.” She accused police of slapping and dragging other women, calling it “part of a broader and troubling pattern of indiscriminate force used against peacefully protesting citizens over three years.”Rumours around Imran’s well-being surged after unverified Afghan media reports claimed he had died in custody. His son, Kasim Khan, demanded proof of his father’s safety, saying on X that Imran has now spent 845 days in prison and the last six weeks in a death cell without any family contact.Imran Khan has been jailed since August 2023 in multiple cases, and authorities have enforced strict access restrictions for more than a month. PTI alleges these restrictions are being imposed under the influence of an army officer, a claim that authorities have denied. The party says the latest permission granted to Uzma Khanum is only the first step and has demanded regular, unhindered access as ordered by the court.Also read: Where is Imran Khan? Son says ‘something irreversible’ is being hidden; jail officials claim ex-PM ‘safe’

The fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20) kicks off on December 2, 2025, and runs till January 4, 2026. Featuring six teams—Gulf Giants, Sharjah Warriors, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, and Desert Vipers—the tournament will have 30 league-stage matches across three UAE venues: Dubai International Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The playoffs will follow with Qualifier 1 on December 30, the Eliminator on January 1, Qualifier 2 on January 2, and the final scheduled for January 4 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

ILT20 Season 4: Format

The league phase follows a double round-robin format where each team faces every other twice, producing 30 matches that determine the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The playoffs comprise Qualifier 1, where the top two teams vie for a direct final spot. The Eliminator features the third and fourth-placed teams, with the winner progressing to Qualifier 2 against the loser of Qualifier 1. The victor of Qualifier 2 earns the second place in the final. The final showdown on January 4 will crown the ILT20 2025-26 champions. The league matches and the knockout stages will be played at iconic cricket grounds across the UAE, providing a thrilling cricket festival for fans.​

This season promises competitive cricket action with star-studded squads vying for supremacy amidst passionate support from cricket followers in the region and around the world. The ILT20 continues to solidify its standing as a premier T20 league, blending international and local talent in one of the most cricket-growing regions globally. Fans can look forward to exciting contests, high-octane cricket, and emerging talents showcasing their skills on these emirate stadia.

Also READ: IPL 2026: 5 franchises that can target Abhimanyu Easwaran in the mini-auction

ILT20 Season 4: Squads

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Alishan Sharafu, Charith Asalanka, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone, Sherfane Rutherford, Usman Tariq, Michael Pepper, George Garton, Brandon McMullen, Ibrar Ahmed, Ajay Kumar, Adnan Idrees Muhammad, Abdul Manan Ali, Mayank Chowdary, Khary Pierre, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Unmukt Chand

Desert Vipers

Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Andries Gous, Shimron Hetmyer, Vriitya Aravind, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Qais Ahmad, Sanjay Pahal, Bilal Tahir, Faisal Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Tom Bruce, Matiullah Khan, Tawanda Muyeye, Faridoon Dawoodzai

Dubai Capitals

Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Rovman Powell and Shai Hope, Luke Wood, Waqar Salamkheil and Muhammad Jawadullah, David Willey, Leus de Plooy, Muhammad Farooq, Tymal Mills, Scott Currie, Mohammad Nabi, Farhan Khan, Anudeep Chenthamara, Usman Najeeb, Ritesh Mallikarjuna Grandhi, Shayan Jahangir, Rushil Ugarkar, Naveen Bidiasee, Toby Albert, Akshay Wakhare

Gulf Giants

Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, Mark Adair, James Vince, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Moeen Ali, Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Asif Khan, Zuhaib Zubair, Sean Dickson, Tabraiz Shamsi, Liam Dawson, Fred Klaassen, Haider Razzaq, Meet Bhavsar, Ishtiaq Ahmad, Lorcan Tucker, Chris Wood, Tom Moores, Ramon Simmonds

MI Emirates

AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Waseem, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Chris Woakes, Kamindu Mendis, Muhammad Rohid, Jordan Thompson, Naveen-ul-Haq, Andre Fletcher, Nosthush Kenjige, Mohamed Shafeeq, Zain Ul Abidin, Usman Khan, Ackeem Auguste, Arab Gul, Tajinder Dhillon, Zahoor Khan, Shakib Al Hasan

Sharjah Warriorz

Johnson Charles, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tim Southee, Sikandar Raza, Maheesh Theekshana, Saurabh Netravalkar, Tim David, Dinesh Karthik (in for Kusal Mendis), Tom Abell, Adil Rashid, Junaid Siddique, James Rew, Nathan Sowter, Dwaine Pretorius, Jayden Seales, Harmeet Singh, Wasim Akram, Mohamed Nawfer Mohamed Aslam, Raees Ahmad, Richard Ngarava, Shubham Ranjane, Ethan D’Souza, Taskin Ahmed, Abdul Salman Khan

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