MUMBAI: This year’s Twenty20 World Cup is set to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation in India, Indian cricket board sources said on Saturday. The pandemic swept the world’s second-most populous nation last year, resulting in a lengthy shutdown. Infections have rocketed again in another wave this year as the country scrambles …

THEY may not have the charm or the glitz generally championed by world-beating teams. They do not seem bellicose on the field either. But they do possess the capability to fight with confidence and wisdom against the very best in business. Kane Williamson and his well-drilled troops gloriously demonstrated this when it mattered the most at Southampton last Wednesday. New …

MOSCOW: The Russian Grand Prix will move from Sochi’s Olympic Park to a new purpose-built circuit outside St Petersburg from 2023, Formula One announced on Saturday. The race, first held in 2014 after the Black Sea resort hosted the Winter Olympics, will switch to the Igora Drive circuit located 54km from the Baltic Sea port city of St Petersburg. “We …

LONDON: Top-ranked Belgium and their golden generation face an early reckoning at the European Championship against determined holders Portugal, who clawed their way into the last 16 to set up what is surely the blockbuster tie of the round in Seville on Sunday. The contrast in progress could not have been greater with Belgium masterfully overcoming adversity to win all …

LONDON: Roger Federer says he is ‘excited’ and ‘pumped up’ as he targets a ninth Wimbledon title — a far cry from the disgruntled figure who exited Halle in the second round earlier this month. The 39-year-old Swiss accepted the manner of his 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat by Felix Auger-Aliassime both on and off the court had fallen short of …

KARACHI: Pakistan borrowed over $12 billion during the 11 months of the current fiscal year (11MFY21) – an increase of about 63 per cent compared to the same period in FY20 – reflecting the growing need for foreign exchange despite record remittances and higher exports. During July-May FY21, the government borrowed $12.13bn compared to $7.44bn in the same period in …

ISLAMABAD: As the government has proposed an increase in tax on mobile phone calls, prepaid customers mainly those belonging to the low-income segments of society will be hardest hit by the move. The finance minister has announced levy of additional Federal Excise Duty (FED) at the rate of Rs0.75 “after every five minutes” of mobile phone calls. The industry has …

KARACHI: The Sindh Industrial Liaison Committee (SILC) meeting on Saturday noted that the suspension of gas supply by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to the industries has resulted in a gas crisis which was intensifying and affecting production activities. The SILC meeting, chaired by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, discussed in detail issues faced by the industry including gas supply …

KARACHI: The stock market remained under pressure for all of the outgoing week particularly the negative developments in the last two trading days that exacerbated the fall. The KSE-100 index dropped by 635 points, or 1.32 per cent, and closed at 47,603. Too many concerns came to occupy investors’ mind, beginning with the roll-over week and ending with the FATF …