• The Women's Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on Wednesday, November 20. Getty
    The Women's Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on Wednesday, November 20. Getty
  • Japan's Takayuki Kishi pitches during the WBSC Premier 12 Super Round baseball match against South Korea, at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday, November 16. AFP
    Japan's Takayuki Kishi pitches during the WBSC Premier 12 Super Round baseball match against South Korea, at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday, November 16. AFP
  • Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world No 1 at the ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena on Friday, November 15. Getty
    Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with his trophy after being announced as ATP Tour end of year world No 1 at the ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena on Friday, November 15. Getty
  • Finland players and fans players celebrate on the pitch following their Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Liechtenstein on Friday November 15, which meant they sealed a spot in a major finals for the first time. AFP
    Finland players and fans players celebrate on the pitch following their Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Liechtenstein on Friday November 15, which meant they sealed a spot in a major finals for the first time. AFP
  • China's Wang Manyu in action against her compatriot Zhu Yuling during their Women's Round of 16 match of the T2 Diamond Table Tennis tournament in Singapore, on November 21. EPA
    China's Wang Manyu in action against her compatriot Zhu Yuling during their Women's Round of 16 match of the T2 Diamond Table Tennis tournament in Singapore, on November 21. EPA
  • Danny Willett of England tees off during a practice for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Getty
    Danny Willett of England tees off during a practice for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Getty
  • Matthew Williamson driving Spirit Of St Louis, right, wins Race 3 during the Show Day Races at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty
    Matthew Williamson driving Spirit Of St Louis, right, wins Race 3 during the Show Day Races at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty
  • Sri Lankan spinner Kevin Koththiigoda in action for Bangla Tigers against Karnataka Tuskers in the Abu Dhabi T10 league on Sunday, November 17. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sri Lankan spinner Kevin Koththiigoda in action for Bangla Tigers against Karnataka Tuskers in the Abu Dhabi T10 league on Sunday, November 17. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Action from the Gent Six Day race at the Kuipke cycling arena in Belgium, on Sunday, November 17. AFP
    Action from the Gent Six Day race at the Kuipke cycling arena in Belgium, on Sunday, November 17. AFP
  • The 'Cursa de la Dona' race, to raise funds for breast cancer research in Barcelona, on Sunday November 17. EPA
    The 'Cursa de la Dona' race, to raise funds for breast cancer research in Barcelona, on Sunday November 17. EPA
  • Fans walk past a mural near Tranmere Rovers' ground Prenton Park in Birkenhead, England, ahead of their League One football match against Wycombe Wanderers on Sunday, November 17.
    Fans walk past a mural near Tranmere Rovers' ground Prenton Park in Birkenhead, England, ahead of their League One football match against Wycombe Wanderers on Sunday, November 17.
  • Luke Jones of Barbarians wins a lineout during match against Brazil Rugyb at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday, November 20. Getty
    Luke Jones of Barbarians wins a lineout during match against Brazil Rugyb at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday, November 20. Getty
  • Moto3 riders crash during the Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit on Sunday, November 17. AP
    Moto3 riders crash during the Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit on Sunday, November 17. AP
  • Gareth Bale celebrates with his Wales teammates on Tuesday, November 19, after they had sealed a place in the Euro 2020 finals. Bale found himself in hot water with fans of his club side Real Madrid after parading with a flag in Cardiff that mocked claims that the Spanish were third on his list of priorities. Getty
    Gareth Bale celebrates with his Wales teammates on Tuesday, November 19, after they had sealed a place in the Euro 2020 finals. Bale found himself in hot water with fans of his club side Real Madrid after parading with a flag in Cardiff that mocked claims that the Spanish were third on his list of priorities. Getty
  • Matt Poole during Round 2 of the Nutri-Grain Ironman Series at Burleigh Heads, Australia, on Sunday, November 17. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
    Matt Poole during Round 2 of the Nutri-Grain Ironman Series at Burleigh Heads, Australia, on Sunday, November 17. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
  • Naseem Shah batting for Pakistan on his debut during the first day of the opening Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday, November 21. AFP
    Naseem Shah batting for Pakistan on his debut during the first day of the opening Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday, November 21. AFP
  • The Olympic Aquatics Centre, which is nearing completion ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games, on Thursday, November 21. The venue will seat 15,000 fans for the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year. AFP
    The Olympic Aquatics Centre, which is nearing completion ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games, on Thursday, November 21. The venue will seat 15,000 fans for the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year. AFP
  • Rory McIlroy plays his third shot out of a bunker on the 12th hole during Day 1 of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday, November 21. Getty
    Rory McIlroy plays his third shot out of a bunker on the 12th hole during Day 1 of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday, November 21. Getty
  • A Boise State Broncos fan during the second half of the college football team's game against New Mexico Lobos in Idaho, in the NCAA Division I, on Saturday November 16, 2019. AFP
    A Boise State Broncos fan during the second half of the college football team's game against New Mexico Lobos in Idaho, in the NCAA Division I, on Saturday November 16, 2019. AFP
  • American surfer Griffin Colapinto competes during Day 4 of the Hawaiian Pro tournament on Thursday, November 21. AFP
    American surfer Griffin Colapinto competes during Day 4 of the Hawaiian Pro tournament on Thursday, November 21. AFP
  • Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel during qualifying for the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday, November 16. Getty
    Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel during qualifying for the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday, November 16. Getty
  • Australian cricketers Joe Burns, left, and David Warner on the pitch at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday, November 20, ahead of the first Test against Pakistan. Getty
    Australian cricketers Joe Burns, left, and David Warner on the pitch at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday, November 20, ahead of the first Test against Pakistan. Getty
  • Great Britain's Andy Murray serves the ball during the Davis Cup tie against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in Madrid on Wednesday, November 20. AFP
    Great Britain's Andy Murray serves the ball during the Davis Cup tie against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in Madrid on Wednesday, November 20. AFP
  • England's Jofra Archer during a nets session at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday, November 19. Getty
    England's Jofra Archer during a nets session at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday, November 19. Getty
  • Republic of Ireland players slump to the floor as Denmark players celebrate after their 1-1 Euro 2020 qualifying draw in Dublin on Tuesday, November 18. The Dane's have qualified for next year's finals while Ireland now enter the play-offs. PA
    Republic of Ireland players slump to the floor as Denmark players celebrate after their 1-1 Euro 2020 qualifying draw in Dublin on Tuesday, November 18. The Dane's have qualified for next year's finals while Ireland now enter the play-offs. PA
  • Toscana cycling team competes in the first stage of the Vuelta a Ecuador on Monday, November 18. EPA
    Toscana cycling team competes in the first stage of the Vuelta a Ecuador on Monday, November 18. EPA
  • Competitors at the start during the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday, November 17. AFP
    Competitors at the start during the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday, November 17. AFP
  • Pianissimo, right, ridden by William Carson wins the Get Switched On With Matchbook Handicap at Kempton Park on Tuesday, November 19. Getty
    Pianissimo, right, ridden by William Carson wins the Get Switched On With Matchbook Handicap at Kempton Park on Tuesday, November 19. Getty
  • Fans of Brazilian football club Flamengo see their team off to the Rio de Janeiro-Galeao International Airport on Wednesday, November 20, with a party called the "Aerofla" ahead of the Copa Libertadores Final final against Argentine side River Plate. Getty
    Fans of Brazilian football club Flamengo see their team off to the Rio de Janeiro-Galeao International Airport on Wednesday, November 20, with a party called the "Aerofla" ahead of the Copa Libertadores Final final against Argentine side River Plate. Getty
  • England batsmen Ben Stokes, left, and Ollie Pope at the end of the first day of the opening Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on Thursday, November 21. Getty
    England batsmen Ben Stokes, left, and Ollie Pope at the end of the first day of the opening Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on Thursday, November 21. Getty

The sporting week in pictures including Naseem Shah, Rafael Nadal and Gareth Bale


  • English
  • Arabic

It has been a hectic week in the cricket world with a host of top nations and players in action.

In Australia, Pakistan's 16-year-old pace bowler Naseem Shah saw his batting skills under the microscope in the first Test at the Gabba.

The debutant came in to bat with Mitchell Starc on a hat-trick and managed to dig out his first ball to deny the Australian quickie a treble.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes produced a typically aggressive batting display to finish the first day of the opening Test in New Zealand unbeaten on 67. He would go on to finish

A new social media sensation emerged out of the Abu Dhabi T10 in the unique form of Bangla Tigers' spinner Kevin Koththiigoda.

The 21-year-old is the latest Sri Lankan bowler with an quirky action, following on from the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis and Kamindu Mendis.

In tennis, Rafael Nadal ended the year as world No 1, as Novak Djokovic failed to overthrow him at the top.

Neither of those big guns – or Roger Federer, to complete the Big Three – were able to triumph at the season-ending ATP Finals in London, though, as Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Dominic Thiem 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 to claim the title.

You can see a selection of the best images from the action in the photo gallery above.

To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.