Sports

DOHA: Qatar’s World Cup organisers on Thursday hit back at criticism of the Gulf state’s rights record by the Australian football team, insisting that “no country is perfect”. In response to the Australian call for better treatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ community, a World Cup spokesperson said imposing “robust” labour laws had also been a “challenge” for Australia. …

MELBOURNE: Once promising a clash of favourites, the Super 12 showdown between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday now appears more of a desperate battle for survival for two humbled teams. Australia, thrashed by New Zealand in their opener, have looked a shadow of the side that triumphed in the United Arab Emirates last year, with captain Aaron …

Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe in their T20 World Cup match on Thursday by a single run — and might we say that the activation of the curse of Pak Bean was at play? What was considered to be an otherwise easy win, especially compared to the blood rush of a match with India on Sunday, turned into another loss. Zimbabweans had warned us of …

Captain Babar Azam defended his decision to play an extra fast bowler in Thursday’s shock Twenty20 World Cup defeat by Zimbabwe but said the 2009 champions were not up to the mark in all departments after their campaign was left in tatters. Paceman Mohammad Wasim’s inclusion at the expense of batter Asif Ali looked to have paid off initially after he claimed …

Where cricket is concerned, emotions run very high but sometimes people forget that players are take defeat to heart just as much as their fans. Supporters are quick to console when they see a player negatively affected though, which is what happened after a video of Shadab Khan allegedly crying started circulating on social media. On Thursday, Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe, a …

SYDNEY: India are able to breathe a bit easier after getting their T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan out of the way but bowling coach Paras Mhambrey says there is no danger of letting the intensity drop for their Super 12 match against the Netherlands. The tournament’s most anticipated match-up between arch-rivals India and Pakistan lived up to its billing on Sun­day, …

SYDNEY: India’s cricket players have complained about getting cold sandwiches after practice at the Twenty20 World Cup with some ordering food online instead, a source told AFP on Wednesday. The team went through an optional training session on Tuesday ahead of their match against the Netherlands. They were unhappy with the fare on offer afterwards. “The team told the ground authorities about …

PERTH: Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood says his team have what it takes to emerge from a tough group at the Twenty20 World Cup despite their loss to holders Australia. The Asian champions went down to the hosts by seven wickets in a Super 12 match which looked competitive until Marcus Stoinis smashed an unbeaten 59 off 18 balls in Perth …

While Pakistan and Zimbabwe were gearing up for their T20 World Cup match on Thursday, Zimbabweans were ready to unleash a fire they had been nursing for six years — a fire that goes by the name of Pak Bean revenge. In 2016, Pakistani comedian Asif Mohammad, a Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) look-alike, arrived in Zimbabwe for a comedy night held at …

PERTH: Pakistan seek to revive their T20 World Cup campaign here on Thursday when they play their second group match against Zimbabwe. After losing the blockbuster against arch-rivals India on the very last ball of an extraordinarily thrilling match at a roaring Melbourne Cricket Ground last Sunday as Virat Kohli played a masterpiece knock, Babar Azam and his men would be looking …