Sports

MELBOURNE: The Australian Open will begin as scheduled on Monday even though a worker at one of the Melbourne hotels used to quarantine players and their entourages tested positive for Covid-19, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Thursday. The day’s warm-ups at Melbourne Park were called off after the case was annou­nced late on Wednesday, and those who underwent quarantine …

CHENNAI: Rishabh Pant’s batting heroics in Australia were rewarded on Thursday when skipper Virat Kohli confirmed the 23-year-old will keep wicket in the opening Test against England in Chennai, beginning on Friday. India have been torn between Pant and Wriddhiman Saha, who is widely considered the better keeper but was dropped after managing only 13 runs in the opening Test …

RAWALPINDI: The anti-corruption unit of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hauled up a young man on Thursday for allegedly involvement in corrupt practices during the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. According to reliable sources, the man presumably in his early 20s, was being monitored by the authorities for a while but on …

Pakistan, resuming at 145-3, were bowled out for 272 in their first innings in the second Test against South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Pakistan lost overnight batsman Babar Azam off the second ball of the day, without adding to his 77, while Fawad Alam scored another three before falling for 45. Faheem Ashraf scored a brilliant 78 …

MELBOURNE: Up to 600 players and support staff connected to the Australian Open will have to isolate until they have been tested for Covid-19 after a hotel quarantine worker in Melbourne returned a positive result for the virus on Wednesday. Play at the six warm-up events for the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park is likely to be heavily disrupted on …

CHITTAGONG: Opener Shadman Islam struck a patient half-century and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claimed three wickets for 58 as Bangladesh and the West Indies shared the honours on the opening day of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts ended the day on 242-5, with Shadman leading the way with 59 off 154 balls …

LAHORE: Former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has suggested Pakistan to play with three spinners and also decide to bat first on winning the toss in the second Test against South Africa starting in Rawalpindi on Thursday. The Babar Azam-captained Pakistan lead the two-game rubber after winning the first Test by seven wickets at the National Stadium, Karachi last Friday. …

RAWALPINDI: The first impression which depicts the setting for the final Test of the two-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium is the contrasting atmosphere as Pakistan and South Africa prepare to resume their battle from Thursday in the garrison town. Unlike the conditions during last week’s opening Test at Karachi — where the Babar Azam-led home side sealed a …

Heavy rain delayed the resumption of play in the post-tea session on the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa on Thursday. As players walked off the field at the tea break, it began to pour, with rain lashing the Rawalpindi stadium as groundsmen placed the covers on the pitch and adjoining area. Play was due …

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has allowed 20 per cent audiences to attend the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021, which will be played in Karachi and Lahore from February 20 to March 22, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday. The decision means around 7,500 ticketed spectators will be allowed to watch matches at Karachi’s National Stadium …