Sports

KARACHI: West Indies have assembled a “dangerous” batting line-up and just need to assign specific roles for their bowlers to be fully prepared for this year’s T20 World Cup at home in June, head coach Daren Sammy said. Cricket’s shortest format remains a strong suit for West Indies, who won both their T20 World Cup titles in 2012 and 2016 …

CHITTAGONG: Sri Lanka are fired up to fight against rivals Bangladesh in their strongest format when their One-day International series begins this week, coach Chris Silverwood said on Tuesday. The current tour has seen both teams needling each other over the first timed-out dismissal in the 146-year history of international cricket during their World Cup clash in India last year. …

MADRID: Struggling Atle­tico Madrid will look to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they host Champions League runners-up Inter Milan in the second leg on Wednesday boosted by key player Antoine Griezmann’s likely return from injury. In the other last-16 second-leg clash on Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund host PSV Eindhoven with the tie evenly poised after a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands. …

KARACHI: Babar Azam managed to keep a low profile after stepping down as Pakistan captain following the team’s dismal show in the World Cup and the Asia Cup. The right-handed batter also couldn’t meet expectations during Pakistan’s three-match Test series against Australia in Dec-Jan. Against New Zealand in the five-match Twenty20 International series on away turf, he was pushed down …

Star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant says that doctors raised the prospect of amputating his leg after the serious car crash that threatened to end his cricket career. The 26-year-old is set to play for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League starting this month after a 14-month absence following the accident. He is also in contention for the T20 World Cup in the …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced the schedule of New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan comprising five T20 internationals (T20I) matches in April, the cricket board said in a press release. According to the press release, the Blackcaps will arrive in Islamabad on April 14 and will play the first three games of the tour on in Pindi Cricket Stadium in …

Bitcoin raced to an all-time peak close to $72,000 on Monday as the world’s most popular cryptocurrency won further support on greater trading accessibility and dollar weakness. The virtual unit struck $71,829 as dealers also eyed an upcoming industry event that will tighten bitcoin supplies. Monday’s spurt extended last week’s record-breaking run when the currency bulldozed its way past the previous November …

LONDON: England head coach Brendon McCullum said they will have to do some deep thinking about their approach after being “exposed” in the final four Test matches in India but is convinced their first series defeat under his watch will make them a better side. The five-match series was billed as the biggest test of England’s swashbuckling approach to Test …

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 second leg tie at home to Napoli will be their most important game of the season, manager Xavi Hernandez said on Monday. The first leg was 1-1 and Barca on Tuesday have a chance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2020 after failing to get past the group stage in the past …

CHRISTCHURCH: Alex Carey scored a magnificent unbeaten 98 to drive Australia to victory over New Zealand by three wickets in a tense conclusion to the second Test in Christchurch on Monday, sealing a 2-0 series sweep for the visitors. Wicket-keeper Carey combined with Mitchell Marsh in a match-winning partnership of 140 for the sixth wicket and then teamed up with …