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Mint
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
WCL 2025: Pakistan Champions refuse to share points with Yuvraj Singh's side, says 'India backed out'
World Championship of Legends on Monday informed the England and Wales Cricket Board that they were unable to conduct the match between India and Pakistan and that the Indian team was not at fault, according to an ANI report. Reports suggest players including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan decided to pull out following public backlash over the Pahalgam attacks and heightened hostilities in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. While these players did not officially confirm their withdrawal, former India batter Shikhar Dhawan posted a statement on social media sharing an email he had sent to the organisers, informing them of his decision not to participate in the clash against Pakistan. Ahead of the clash on Sunday, WCL released a statement confirming that the IND-PAK fixture had been scrapped and apologised to the Indian public and legends. The ANI report, citing WCL sources, noted that the Pakistan Champions are not willing to share points with their arch-rivals given that the match was called off due to Indian players' unwillingness to participate. 'WCL have conveyed to the England and Wales Cricket Board that they, as organisers, were not able to conduct this match. The India Champions team are not at fault. The Pakistan Champions team are not willing to share points because they are saying that it is India who backed out, not them,' a WCL source was quoted by the agency as saying. Meanwhile, Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan recently stated that his team deserves the two points for the clash. 'All the remaining matches are taking place. The tournament is going on as per schedule, and there are no changes. As for the semifinals and final, we're currently saying that if we make it to the semifinals, there will be four teams, and we will avoid matches between the two teams,' he told the media. 'If we reach the final, then the decisions regarding that will be made then. And as for this match, the two points will be awarded to us, and we deserve those points as per the rules,' Khan added.
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First Post
29-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Asia Cup likely to begin on 10 September, final decision expected soon: Report
The Asia Cup 2025 is likely to take place in September, with the schedule expected in early July. As per a latest report, the UAE is being tipped to host the tournament amid political tensions following the Pahalgam attack. read more The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is likely to take a final call on the next week. According to Cricbuzz, the official schedule for the tournament could be released in the first week of July if everything goes well. The tournament is expected to start in the second week of September, most likely on 10 September. UAE frontrunner to host Asia Cup 2025 This year's Asia Cup is supposed to be played in the T20 format. The six teams expected to participate are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional work for the tournament has reportedly begun, even though an official announcement is still awaited. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently the favourite to host the tournament. However, there are also talks about having a hybrid model. India is the official host this time. The Asia Cup is usually moved to a neutral venue when India or Pakistan are slated to host due to political tensions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read: Shreyas Iyer would have never made it to England… but his time will come: Ex-India opener History of hybrid models in IND-PAK events The 2023 Asia Cup, which was played in the ODI format ahead of the Cricket World Cup, was also conducted in a hybrid model as Pakistan was the official host at the time. India refused to travel to Pakistan and their matches were exclusively held in Sri Lanka. The final was also moved to the island nation after India qualified. Earlier this year, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and the organisers were forced to conduct the tournament in a hybrid model. India's matches were held in the UAE, and later the final was also shifted there after the Men in Blue qualified for the summit clash. This was the first time an International Cricket Council (ICC) event was held in such a format. Following that, Pakistan announced that they would not travel to India for any event in the future, at least until the next Future Tours Program (FTP) cycle ends in 2027. Meanwhile, the future of this year's Asia Cup came under a cloud after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April, and later India's Operation Sindoor in May made the situation even more tense between India and Pakistan. Many people in India called for a boycott of Pakistan in all multilateral cricket events. Also Read: Jaiswal receives ex-India fielding coach's backing despite dropped catches at Headingley: 'He's had just two bad games' The ICC recently announced the schedule for two major global tournaments – the Women's ODI World Cup (to be played in India and Sri Lanka) and the Women's T20 World Cup (to be held in England). Even though India and Pakistan are set to clash in both tournaments, their matches will be played at neutral venues. The T20 World Cup is already being hosted in a neutral country, so there's no problem there. However, the ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka. Due to Pakistan's refusal to travel to India, the India vs Pakistan game will be played in Colombo. This suggests that India vs Pakistan matches will continue to take place in ICC events despite the ongoing rhetoric by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Mint
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Neeraj Chopra after breaking 90m barrier, says ‘Just the beginning... ready to…'
It was a 'bitter-sweet' day for Neeraj Chopra at the Doha Diamond League, where the Indian javelin star finally broke through the elusive 90-metre barrier but was forced to settle for second place. The 27-year-old, who has battled a persistent groin injury in recent years, looked in top form as he launched the spear to a career-best 90.23m on his third attempt. With this throw, Chopra became only the third Asian and 25th athlete overall to surpass the 90m mark — a prestigious group led by his current coach, Czech legend Jan Železný. However, Germany's Julian Weber had the final word in Doha. Weber secured victory with a last-round effort of 91.06m, eclipsing Chopra's mark and pushing the Indian Olympic gold medallist into second place, despite Chopra leading until the final round. Having finally cleared the 90m milestone - a target he had chased for five years - Chopra said there was more to come, especially now that he feels close to full fitness. The focus, he added, is on refining his technique under Železný, with whom he has been training since February, although their partnership officially began in November. Also read | Neeraj Chopra on friendship with Arshad Nadeem after IND-PAK conflict: 'We were never really close friends, but if…' 'I am very happy with the 90m mark but it's a little bit of a bitter-sweet experience actually. But never mind, I and my coach are still working on some aspects of my throw. We started working together only in February this year. I am still learning things,' Chopra was quoted as saying by TOI. 'I was always feeling something in my groin in the last few years. I did not give my best because of that. This year I feel much better, we will also work on some aspects and so I believe I can throw more than 90m in the upcoming events this year till the World Championships.' The World Championships are scheduled in Tokyo from 13 to 21 September. Asked about his next target now that the 90m barrier had been crossed, Chopra said, 'My next goal is just 90m. I believe I am ready to throw farther. It's just the beginning of a long season.' He added, 'I am very happy that Jan Železný is my coach and we worked very hard in South Africa. We are still working on some aspects.' Chopra credited the favourable conditions in Doha for aiding his big throw and revealed that Železný had predicted a 90m effort even before the competition. 'When I was having warm-up throws my coach said today is the day when I can throw 90m. After my 90m throw also, he told me I can throw 2-3m farther.' Read | Shame, we won't have Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem at Neeraj Chopra Classic: Julius Yego | Exclusive 'The wind helps for sure and the weather is a little warm and that helps. It's the first competition of the year, so everyone came with a fresh mindset after a long time and has hunger inside for the throwing part.' 'I also told Julian (Weber) that we can throw 90m. I am also happy for him. We have tried very hard for 90m for so many years, and so we are happy. It's like a good push between us and in the next competition we will push each other again and will throw farther,' he added. This was not the first time Chopra had finished second after a record-breaking throw. 'It had happened earlier also. When I threw an NR with over 89m in Turku, I finished second. In Stockholm DL, when I threw 89.94m, I was second again, so also here,' he said. Meanwhile, Weber, who also crossed the 90m mark for the first time, expressed delight over the competition and Chopra's breakthrough. 'I did not know how it happened. I had a very good massage thanks to my physiotherapist. It was fun today. Neeraj threw his first 90m plus and I went past the mark in my last throw and that was just perfect.' 'I was very happy for him. We have been fighting for the 90m throw for a long time and we both achieved that today. So, it was very special for us.' Weber's 91.06m effort — the best in the world this season so far - made him the 26th athlete to breach the coveted distance. Two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada finished third with a best of 84.65m, recorded on his opening attempt.
India Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
IPL 2025: Bomb threat at Arun Jaitley stadium declared hoax, security increased
The bomb threat at the Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi has turned out to be a hoax, but the security at the venue has been stepped up. Teams of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and dog squad, along with the Delhi Police teams rushed to the iconic venue after the the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) received a bomb threat on Friday, May 8. advertisementHowever, an official confirmed that it was just a hoax. The DDCA secretary, Ashok Sharma, said that they received the threat via email, and they immediately forwarded it to the police. Mr. Sharma said that the Delhi Police bomb squad came and inspected the whole venue and nothing was found. Also Read: Cricketers support IPL 2025 suspension amid IND-PAK tensions "We received a bomb threat via email on the address of DDCA. We immediately forwarded it to Delhi Police. The Delhi Police bomb squad came and inspected the whole venue. Nothing was found," DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.A source in the Delhi police told PTI that multiple teams rushed to the venue and they had done a thorough check. The source also said that the security in and around the stadium has been stepped up. advertisement"Nothing suspicious was found. Further, we have stepped up security in and around the stadium," said the suspended for a weekThe BCCI on Friday announced that the ongoing IPL season will be suspended for a week due to rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. The development follows the PBKS vs DC clash being cancelled mid-way through the game due to air raid alerts in nearby areas. The BCCI have assured that the new schedule and venues will be announced in due course. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 with immediate effect for one week. Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders," read the statement from the IPL. Inputs from PTI IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
Mint
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Shikhar Dhawan's relationship news with Sophie Shine sparks 'Gabbar' memes
Ever since former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan confirmed his relationship with Sophie Shine – an Irish product consultant – the announcement has sent fans into a frenzy, with netizens using hashtags like "Gabbar is back". This is Dhawan's first ever confirmed relationship after his divorce from his ex-wife Aesha Mukherji in 2023. Reportedly, Dhawan and Shine first crossed paths during a cricket match in Dubai. While their initial interactions were kept private, their bond is said to have strengthened over time. The two have since been seen together frequently at public events, particularly at sporting venues, fuelling speculation and curiosity among fans about the nature of their relationship. The couple's photograph went viral on social media (Instagram) on Thursday, sparking curiosity among people. Is this him making things official? Shikhar Dhawan made a public confirmation after captioning the Instagram post as "My Love" with a red-heart emoji. During his illustrious career that spanned over a decade, Dhawan has played some truly fascinating innings that have made his special nickname 'Gabbar' famous across the cricketing circuit. In a conversation with SportsTak, Dhawan revealed the story behind how he came to be known globally as 'Gabbar'. Read | 'Aao tumhey chae pilata hun'; Shahid Afridi's sarcastic dig at Shikhar Dhawan after IND-PAK debate over Pahalgam issue "I was playing in the Ranji Trophy and was sitting at silly point. When the other team has a big partnership then the players tend to get down. When I was sitting, I used to shout, 'Bahut yaarana hai suar ke bacchon' and everyone used to burst out laughing. Our coach (Vijay) kept my name Gabbar from there only. From there, the name became so famous that cricket fans all over the world now call me Gabbar only," he had said. First Published: 2 May 2025, 11:02 AM IST
