Sports

Sri Lanka's last-minute decision to bring in Kamindu Mendis paid off handsomely as the all-rounder played a match-turning cameo to set up a 20-run victory over Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Kamindu's fiery 44 off 19 balls provided Sri Lanka the late impetus which was missing when they crawled to 163. The spin trio of Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage then ripped through the Irish middle order taking seven wickets between themselves to secure

Cricket’s T20 World Cup starts Saturday under a bitter‑sour build-up marred by political turmoil, Bangladesh flung out and Pakistan refusing to play arch-rivals and co-hosts India. Ultimately, Pakistan will play the first ball of the tournament with a very disorderly lead-in when they take on Netherlands in Colombo in the opener. Holders and pre-tournament favourites India will open the tournament in the night match on day one against the United States in Mumbai with a nation of more than a billion cricket followers looking to them

Football fans from around the region will be treated to a night of drama when Iran’s Tractor SC lock horns with Qatar’s Al Sadd SC in what is expected to be an epic showdown. With two of the heavyweights of Asian football facing off, it's a match that offers intensity, atmosphere and a high level of quality under the lights in Doha. Played at one of Qatar's most famous football stadiums, the game is sure to drum up some heated support for both teams with the

Royal Challengers Bengaluru achieved the largest successful chase in the Women’s Premier League to clinch a second title in the Indian franchise-based Twenty20 league on Thursday and condemned Delhi Capitals to their fourth consecutive loss in finals. Put in to bat, Delhi reached a daunting total of 203-4 but Bengaluru overcame the target at Vadodara thanks to a 165-run second-wicket stand between captain Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll. Needing eight off the last four balls, Radha Yadav struck two straight boundaries to finish the chase with

Sports enthusiasts in the Gulf are eagerly waiting to witness what looks set to be a dramatic encounter when Qatar’s Al Duhail SC take on Sharjah FC from UAE. It's at James' Park and some of the region's top teams are competing in what should be a real clash of titans. Against the backdrop of Doha’s world-class football stadium, The upcoming clash is anticipated to attract fervent fans from both sides in what is set to be a must-see tie for local football devotees. Match Details

The Summer Olympics may grab the world’s attention with track and field, but the Olympic Winter Games conjure magic of another sort. There is something viscerally thrilling about athletes testing the boundaries of human performance on ice and snow. From the artistic grace and precision of figure skating to the down-but-dirty speed of downhill skiing, this quadrennial event captivates on a global level. Whether you're a die-hard ice hockey fan or only watch the bobsleigh for the crashes, it's all about to be topped with the

Cricket fans, mark your calendars. The countdown to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is now under way. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka looks set to be a cracker of high-voltage cricket with some of the best cricketers from across the world battling it out at some of the most iconic cricketing venues. From the very first ball to the last over, the 2026 version promises drama, rivalries and lasting memories. Whether you are cheering on the defending champions or an underestimated

Real Madrid basketball icons Rudy Fernández and Felipe Reyes are to make an exclusive visit to Real Madrid World Dubai to meet fans on Wednesday 4 February. Starting at 5pm, supporters will have the opportunity to meet the duo, snap photos and get autographs – as well as engaging in personal Q&As with two of cricket’s best. This exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity offers fans the unique chance to be up close and personal with basketball history in the making, before the momentous EuroLeague match between Real

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he is determined to see that Russia's four-year suspension from international competitions "is lifted because it has achieved nothing". Russian clubs and the national team were banned from Fifa and Uefa competitions after their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. “This ban has not produced anything positive at all; it has only created more frustration and hatred,” Infantino said. “If we could play football in other parts of Europe with Russian girls and boys, it would probably do a power of good.”

The International Cricket Council has described Pakistan’s stance of playing selected matches at the ICC T20 World Cup as “difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event”. Pakistan on Thursday said its team will not play against India on February 15 in Colombo but will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup. The ICC statement was issued hours after Pakistan made the announcement. “The tournament brings together all qualified teams who are expected to participate and compete on an

Pakistan cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that a decision will be held back for up to a week finalising whether the team would pull out of next month's Twenty20 World Cup, paving the way for a potential boycott over Bangladesh backing down. Naqvi was scheduled to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday to seek his advice but a call is expected before then with the cricket board boss posting on X: "The final decision will either be taken Friday or next

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla said India provided complete security to the Bangladesh and can't re-schedule the entire ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at last moment. The BCCI Vice President had said so after the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that Scotland replace Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The ICC decision, announced on Saturday, ends weeks of uncertainty about the future of BCB and the global governing body's relations. The withdrawal was precipitated by the Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will appeal to the country's military backed interim government in a final bid to try and have the team play next month's Twenty20 World Cup after their request for its matches on grounds that they may not be safe was rejected here on Wednesday. The International Cricket Council (ICC)'s executive board has thrown out Bangladesh's worries over the safety and security of its players and fans in India due to political problems between the South Asian neighbours. Bangladesh have been

Prepare to put on your running shoes and mark National Sport Day 2026 in rainbow colored fashion! Run 2026: Color Edition, offers a unique opportunity for runners of all ages and abilities to join in a colourful morning filled with fitness, fun, and community spirit at the iconic Education City Stadium. Whether you’re a serious runner, someone who jogs for fun, or a parent seeking a healthy extracurricular activity for your child, this event offers something for all in an energetic and enthusiastic setting. Event Details

Cricket enthusiasts in the UAE can brace themselves this January for a thrilling feast of cricket, when Afghanistan take on the West Indies in an action-packed three-match T20 International series at the Dubai‎ International Cricket Stadium. With both squads preparing for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, fans can look forward to thrilling contests and fireworks with the bat as well as match-defining moments. No matter if you are cricket fanatic or on the hunt for thrilling live sport in Dubai, this T20I lane should

Opener Abhishek Sharma hammered 84 off 35 balls to give India a thumping 48-run victory over New Zealand in the first of five T20 internationals on Wednesday. Abhishek's eight sixes set India on course for a strong start while hosts Rinku Singh contributed an unbeaten cameo of 44 to take the home side to 238-7 after they were invited to bat in Nagpur. Chasing 204 to win, New Zealand managed 190-7 in a losing effort as India's bowlers kept taking wickets for them to grab

Strutting in like a Neymar with his wing runs and Yamal with his hairstyle, Soham Bhagawati has stunned a lot of footballers in Spain where the Dubai lad plays club football. But what has further startled them is Soham’s Indian passport. “Many people don’t put India on the map in terms of this level of football. They are genuinely shocked when I tell them that I’m an Indian,” the 22-year-old recalled. “But the people here they value the fact that someone has travelled this far out of

Daryl Mitchell hit an unbeaten 131 off 117 balls to lead New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India on Wednesday in the second one-day international and level the three-match series at 1-1. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat in Rajkot, restricting hosts India to 284/7. The visitors overhauled that target with 15 deliveries to spare to set up a series decider. Mitchell, in good form in ODIs having scored 761 runs last year at an average of 54.35, walked out with New Zealand

Cricket fans in Saudi Arabia are in for a thrilling experience as the World Cricket Festival comes to Jeddah this January. Nestled in the heart of historic KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), this four-day cricket extravaganza offers a celebration that fuses the magic of cricket with festival fun, action and enjoyment. So whether you're a cricket fanatic, or just looking to enjoy a great day out with friends and colleagues, there's something for everyone at this event. Event Overview Set against the stunning

Virat Kohli scored 93 to lead India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand after chasing down 301 in the first one-day international on Sunday. On-song Kohli notched up his 77th ODI half-century but failed to make a ton as India were reduced from 234-2 to 242-5 before they got past the finish line with six balls to spare in Vadodara. Skipper Shubman Gill hit a 56 in a stand of 118 for the second wicket with Kohli, who also combined impressively with Shreyas Iyer (49). Late