Sports

NEW DELHI: In what comes as an encouraging development for India ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, India’s dependable batter in T20Is, Tilak Varma, is close to being cleared by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.Tilak is expected to be cleared after taking part in a simulation match on Friday. The left-handed…

GREATER NOIDA: India made a strong start to the five-match mixed disability T20 series against England with a seven-wicket victory here on Thursday.Put in, England put up a competitive 173 for five in their allotted 20 overs. In response, India chased down the target in 18.5 overs. ‘Indian cricket no less than Bollywood abroad’ |…

Pakistan’s Saim Ayub plays a shot during the first T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo) LAHORE: All-rounder Saim Ayub starred in Pakistan’s spin-assisted 22-run win over Australia in the first Twenty20 international in Lahore on Thursday.Ayub top-scored in Pakistan’s 168-8 with a 22-ball 40 that…

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s captain Smriti Mandhana and teammate Richa Ghosh celebrate their victory (PTI Photo) Former champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a commanding all-round display to thrash UP Warriorz by eight wickets, sealing their spot in the WPL final and all but ending the opposition’s playoff hopes here on Thursday. After opting to bowl, RCB…

Serena Williams (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) MELBOURNE: There is growing excitement in the tennis world about the possibility of American legend Serena Williams returning to the WTA Tour later this year. The 44-year-old has not played a competitive match since her third-round loss to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open in September 2022, after…

Irfan Pathan celebrate with team-mates (X-ICC) On this day, 20 years ago, Karachi witnessed one of the strangest and most unforgettable opening days in the long, combustible history of India vs Pakistan Test cricket.It began in disbelief. The very first over of the match, on the opening morning of a series decider, and Irfan Pathan…

MUMBAI: In recent years, the Mumbai Cricket Association’s ground at Bandra-Kurla Complex has been the preferred venue for Mumbai’s home Ranji Trophy matches. On Thursday, however, pollution and dust from a construction site near the ground disrupted play and raised concerns among players.During the final session of the day one play, Mumbai players Sarfaraz Khan,…

Michael Nobbs. (Photo credit: X/@HockeyAustralia) MELBOURNE: Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men’s team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness. He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women’s international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos…

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the short turnaround from the Big Bash League (BBL) final to the T20I series against Pakistan will not affect his team’s readiness.Marsh and seven other players in the squad featured in the BBL final on Sunday and arrived in Lahore around 24 hours before the first T20I, which begins on…

Pakistan cricket team (PTI Photo) Pakistan’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has been thrown into doubt following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament, with the Pakistan Cricket Board issuing a strong warning that it could pull out in protest. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the final decision would rest with the government,…