Jai Alai is one of the fastest and most visually striking sports in the world, once dominating the entertainment scene in Miami during the mid twentieth century. Originating from regions of Spain and France, the sport made its way to Miami in 1924 and quickly became a sensation. Played using a curved basket called a cesta, athletes hurl a ball at incredible speeds, often reaching up to 170 miles per hour, making it both thrilling and dangerous. During its peak in the 1940s and 1950s, Jai Alai was more than just a sport, it was a glamorous social event where thousands gathered not only to watch but also to be seen. Crowds of over ten thousand people would fill arenas, drawn by the combination of athletic skill, nightlife, and high energy atmosphere. Legendary players like Benny Bueno became icons, admired for their precision and control in a game that required both finesse and speed. The excitement was unmatched, with the sound of the ball striking the wall echoing through packed venues. However, as the years passed, the popularity of Jai Alai began to decline. Changing entertainment preferences, combined with shifting cultural interests, slowly reduced its audience. What was once a central part of Miamis identity started to fade, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates with those who experienced its golden era and remember its energy.The decline of Jai Alai was not caused by a single factor but rather a series of events that gradually weakened its foundation. One major influence was the introduction of gambling, which initially helped the sport grow but later shifted focus away from athletic performance and toward betting. Over time, venues transformed into casinos where Jai Alai became secondary to other forms of entertainment. Additionally, the sport faced serious setbacks, including the 1981 assassination of a key figure linked to organised crime, which damaged its public image. This association created lasting negative perceptions that were difficult to overcome. The situation worsened in 1988 when a lengthy player strike disrupted the sport for several years, further reducing its audience and momentum. Despite these challenges, dedicated players and enthusiasts have continued to support Jai Alai, striving to keep the tradition alive. Today, matches may attract smaller crowds, but the passion remains unchanged among those who play and follow the sport. For many, Jai Alai is more than a game, it is a cultural heritage that represents skill, history, and resilience. Its story serves as a reminder of how even the most celebrated traditions can fade, yet still endure.

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Punjab Kings continued their red-hot form this IPL season and bettered their record for the highest-ever successful run chase, defeating Delhi Capitals by six wickets in New Delhi

The third and final day of the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2026 NFL Draft is here. Which players will the franchise select to strengthen their roster for the new season?The Day 3 options are many for head coach Liam Coen, general manager James Gladstone and the front office under Jaguars owner Shad Khan. During Friday's draft, the Jags used selections on Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher in the second round and Texas A&M defensive tackle Albert Regis, Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon and Maryland defensive back Jalen Huskey in the third round. Jacksonville did not have a first-round selection this year because of the Travis Hunter trade in April 2025.Follow along with the Times-Union's Day 3 draft tracker for the latest news and updates.Ryan O'Halloran: Drafting tight end will give Jaguars coach Liam Coen more optionsIt was the only game during Liam Coens first season that theJacksonville Jaguarswere handled,a 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Ramsin London last October.TheRamsused 13 personnel (one running back, one receiver and three tight ends) on 23 snaps, part of a season-long pivot by coach Sean McVay to equal parts maximize his available talent and probe new ways at creating mismatches.It flummoxed theJaguarsand several other opponents as the Rams led the NFL with 30.5 points per game.Man, Sean started something, Coen said last month in Arizona.And during the second round of the NFL Draft on April 24, the Jaguars jumped aboard The Multi-Tight End Personnel Train. --Ryan O'HalloranHow to watch NFL Draft Day 3Day 3 of the draft begins at 12 p.m. April 25. NFL draft coverage will be available on network TV (ABC), four cable channels (ESPN, ESPNDeportesand NFL Network) and live-streamed (Fubo, Hulu, Disney+and NFL+).Coveragewill also be available on the ESPN App, ESPN Radio,and ESPN social media channels.10 options to watch for Jacksonville Jaguars on Day 3Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin (SFA)Malik Benson, WR, OregonJaeden Roberts, OG, AlabamaCyrus Allen, WR, CincinnatiMike WashingtonJr., RB, ArkansasDani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn StateLT Overton, EDGE, AlabamaDametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&MJermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeConnor Lew, C, AuburnWhat is the Jaguars' 2026 NFL Draft order?Round 4, Pick 124Round 5, Pick 164Round 5, Pick 166 via San Francisco 49ers through Philadelphia EaglesRound 6, Pick 203 via Philadelphia Eagles through Houston Texans and EaglesRound 7, Pick 233 via Detroit LionsRound 7, Pick 240Round 7, Pick 245 via Los Angeles Rams through Houston TexansWhich players have the Jaguars drafted so far?TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M (Round 2, Pick 56)DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M (Round 3, Pick 81 via Detroit Lions)G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon (Round 3, Pick 88)DB Jalen Huskey, Maryland (Round 3, Pick 100 via Detroit Lions in special compensatory selection)What's next for the Jaguars after the draft?The Jaguars can host a rookie minicamp the first or second weekend after the draft, for drafted rookies and undrafted free-agent signings.The firstOrganized Team Activitieswill be May 26, May 28-29, June 1-2 and June 4.The mandatory minicamp will be June 9-11.Which players did the Jaguars draft in 2025?Round 1: CB/WRTravis Hunter, ColoradoRound 3: SCaleb Ransaw, Tulane; OGWyatt Milum, West Virginia.Round 4: RBBhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech; LBJack Kiser, Notre Dame.Round 6: OLBJalen McLeod, Auburn; SRayuan Lane III, Navy.Round 7: CJonah Monheim, USC; RBLeQuint Allen Sr., Syracuse.This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars Day 3 NFL Draft tracker, live updates, analysis

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Dansby Swanson hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning to cap a four-RBI performance from the No. 9 spot, rallying the Chicago Cubs past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Friday night for their 10th consecutive victory. Craig Counsell reached 899th managerial victories. Swanson's 413-foot shot off Tanner Scott (0-1) landed in the left-field pavilion, scoring Pete Crow-Armstrong who singled leading off. The Cubs trailed 4-0 against Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan, who allowed one earned run over 6 1/3 innings and tied his career high with 10 strikeouts. The right-hander struck out seven of the first nine batters he faced. Then, Chicago got to the Dodgers' bullpen. The Cubs scored six consecutive runs off the erratic trio of Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen and Scott. They closed to 4-3 in the seventh off Vesia. With two outs, Swanson tripled to center for two runs and Nico Hoerner followed with an RBI single. Alex Bregman homered leading off the eighth against Treinen, tying the game 4-4. Ryan Rolison (1-0) got the win with three scoreless innings of relief. Corbin Martin retired the side in the ninth to earn his first save. The Dodgers led 4-0 on Will Smith's three-run homer with two outs in the third and Hyeseong Kim's RBI single in the fourth. The Dodgers' big hitters got shut out. Shohei Ohtani struck out three times to go with a walk, while Freddie Freeman was 0-for-4. Kyle Tucker went 0-for-3 with a walk against his former team. Up next Cubs RHP Colin Rea (3-0, 3.00 ERA) was scheduled to start Saturday against scuffling Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.11). Reporting by The Associated Press.

[Getty Images]Karachi Kings boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Pakistan Super League play-offs with a commanding nine-wicket win against Quetta Gladiators in Lahore. Chasing a target of 196, David Warner and Reeza Hendricks produced a 141-run second-wicket partnership to help the Kings finish the league stage with five wins in 10 matches. The Kings sit fourth with 10 points - two ahead of Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, who both have a game in hand. Kings lost Jason Roy early after the English opener hit 20 from 15 balls, but captain Warner led from the front on his return to the squad after missing two matches because of a back strain. The 39-year-old Australian hit 10 fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 89 from 48 balls while Hendricks struck 87 to seal the victory in 18.3 overs. Earlier, Rilee Rossouw's 54-ball 90 and captain Saud Shakeel's 57 from 34 balls had taken the Gladiators to 195-6. But with their seventh defeat of the campaign, their hopes of making it to the play-offs are over as they finish in seventh place with six points from 10 matches. PSL fixtures & resultsTable[BBC]

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KL Rahul smashed a scintillating 152 not out off just 67 balls on Saturday, but expressed that he was in mixed emotions due to an interesting reason.

In Driver's Eye with James Hinchcliffe, the six-time INDYCAR winner will bring you inside the mind of a racer while breaking down the nuts and bolts of the sport for fans. Still riding the joy from a fantastic INDYCAR trip to the West Coast last weekend. The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach delivered perfect weather, plenty of action and more fans than I can ever remember being at the 1.968-mile, 11-turn street course venue.It had an amazing vibe that makes me wish we could go back and race there again this week, which is a familiar feeling when leaving Long Beach. However, there was another familiar feeling leaving the latest INDYCAR race and one that surely hasn't left drivers feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. But it has left them with two choices as they attempt to solve the biggest predicament in the sport this season HOW DOES ANYONE STOP ALEX PALOU?! You guessed it: Alex Palou and the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing team pulled off another victory, adding to the list of tracks in their W column. And they snatched their third win of the season with their trademark combination of blinding speed and perfect execution, once again. At this point, it is genuinely tough to think of another driver that has maintained such a level of dominance over this elite competition. Its not just the wins; it's also the consistency (but more on that later!). I remember in the early 2010s, Will Power would be good for four to six wins a season, and each time, I would think, "Man, he got another one!" When he was out front, it was so tough to beat him, and it hurt to lose to him so often. But mixed in with those dominant wins were tough days at the office, so the title was still a down-to-the-wire proposition. Palou and his squad just arent having those days. At Long Beach, pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist had the edge in qualifying and in the first two-thirds of the 90-lap race. But during a pit stop under a full-course caution, Palou & Co. capitalized and emerged ahead by less than a car length. The stop for Rosenqvist and his No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing crew was marginally slower, no massive mistakes, but it was enough to make the difference. For their first pit stop of the race, Palou and Rosenqvist came in together, and it was a straight fight between the No. 10 crew and the No. 60 crew. And in that instance, the MSR team nailed it, and Rosenqvist came out in front by about 1.5 seconds. But on the second stop at Lap 59, a one-second delay in the grand scheme of a nearly two-hour race was the difference. When a driver is so thoroughly dominant for so long, one of two things happens to the rest of the competition. The first choice is accepting the inevitable. You end up thinking, "They are truly unbeatable. There is nothing I can do. I am racing for second place." When you think like that, he has already beaten you. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you see him in your mirror, you assume he is going past. If you pit with him behind you, you expect him to leave in front. And when thats your attitude, thats exactly what happens. The other choice is to get mad. Drivers hate to lose as much as they love to win. Use the feeling of getting beat as fuel to do more, push further, train harder. Study the data. Review the video of onboards to find any little thing you can do better. Whatever you have to do to beat the guy. But it cant just be the driver. This is a team sport, after all, and you need to motivate your whole crew to embrace the anger and frustration of losing to get the best out of themselves. Get so mad at losing that you refuse to let him win. It is certainly easier said than done, but the competition getting better is a lot more likely than Palou slowing down at any point in the near future. The trick is not to spiral. Getting mad should fuel what you do off track, but on track, you need to stay cool and calm. In these situations, when youre pushing yourself harder than ever, if the results dont start falling your way, the frustration can get to a point where it lingers in your head while youre racing, which can lead to going slower and making mistakes. Its a fine balance and so tough to do. So, how does someone beat Palou? Be perfect. Thats all there is to it. The confidence and momentum the No. 10 team has right now cant be topped any other way. Palou and his crew are beatable in a straight-up fight. Kyle Kirkwood proved that at the Arlington street course in Texas, but it has to be on a day when not a single mistake is made. Drivers once used to be able to have a small bobble on track or in the pits and maybe still grab the win. But Palou and CGR have raised the bar so high that overcoming a tiny misstep now can be insurmountable. SOUND LIKE AN INDYCAR EXPERT Let's dive into the championship standings, how points are earned and how they can be used to try catching up to Palou if you can't beat him outright. Always remember: Every point counts. There is a famous case illustrating this from late in the 2015 season. Scott Dixon now in his 25th season with Chip Ganassi Racing was in a title battle with Juan Pablo Montoya, and the race at Iowa Speedway was a pivotal moment. Montoya crashed out early in the race, and Dixon saw a chance to close in on the title. But he hit mechanical issues in pit lane, and it looked like his day was done. But points could be salvaged. So instead of giving up, Dixon's team worked on his car, falling dozens of laps down. Eventually, he got back on track, and if anyone else wrecked or had an issue, he and his team could pick up a single position. Sure enough, another driver crashed out, so Dixon moved up one spot on track. He finished 18th 37 laps behind the leader and dead last among cars still running by the end but earned one more point than he and his team would have had they parked the car when trouble hit. Fast-forward to the final race of the year, and Dixon and Montoya were tied on points. But Dixon was awarded the title on a tiebreaker who had more wins and that single point made the difference, giving the New Zealand driver his fourth (of six total) INDYCAR titles. Now, back to Palou and attempt to beat him on track or catch him in the championship standings. As I have said, the biggest key to his title runs is consistency. Sure, to be the champ, you have to have speed. But if youre mixing speed with a lot of mistakes and crashes, you wont be in the title conversation come the last race. Put another way, it's better to finish fourth than to crash trying to pass a guy for the last podium place and end up with a DNF (did not finish). On a day when your car isnt fast enough for a top-5 finish, settle for that eighth place and bag the points. One of the important metrics we love to look at is: Who has the best worst finish? A driver may only have one win on the season, but if 12 races in, they have nine top-10 finishes and a worst finish of 12th, that consistency will keep you in the fight. Points start at 50 for a win, then 40 for second, 35 for third. From fourth, at 32 points, it goes down in increments of two until 10th. Then, its one point per position to 24th, and 25th and lower get five points. So 50 points for a win, five points for a last-place finish. Its a big swing. You can also get a bonus point for qualifying on the pole, for leading a lap and two bonus points for leading the most laps. And, again, every point counts. At the end of the day, to be a champion in this series, you need the speed, but you also need the consistency. Alex Palou has both in spades. Its up to the rest of the field to get mad and start winning. MORE DRIVER'S EYE: