Bangla board lashes out at players over strike

DHAKA

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has lashed out at the players who hatched a “conspiracy to destabilise the game in the country by striking”, but an international federation of players' associations came out in support of the action. The country's top players led by national captain Shakib Al Hasan went on strike yesterday, demanding better pay and conditions, putting the team's planned tour of India from Nov. 3 in doubt. BCB president Nazmul Hassan said the board was open to discussions, but he criticised the players and said the administrators would try to find out who instigated the strike. “This is shocking. I can't even imagine that our players can do something like this,” Hassan said. “We'll find who is behind this conspiracy,” he said.

Ranchi

This SA Test team a real concern for cricket: Vaughan

Following South Africa's whitewash in the three-Test series against India, former England skipper Michael Vaughan has expressed his disappointment at the results and called on former Proteas players like Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith to join the management in some capacity in order to change the fortunes of the team. Vaughan said: “This South African Test team is a real concern for the game... The game needs South Africa to be strong ... Time for Mark Boucher to take over. Also why wouldn't you use Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis in some capacity?” South Africa will now host England for a four-match Test series, starting Dec. 26 in Centurion. 

New Delhi

Gunasekaran wins 2 gold at World Military Games

Para-athlete Anandan Gunasekaran (in pic) scooped two golds in the disabled men's 100m and 400m IT1 events to open India's medal account at the 7th CISM World Military Games. Gunasekaran clocked 12.00s to win the 100m event, India's first medal in the ongoing Games. Peru's Casas Jose was second with a timing of 12.65s while of Fajardo Pardo Teodicelo of Colombia took the bronze with 12.72s. Later, the 32-year-old Indian clinched his second gold by clocking 53.35s in the disabled men's 400m IT1 event. Colombia's Teodicelo (58.95s) and Ranchin Mickael (1:00.31s) took the silver and bronze, respectively. National record holder shot putter Tejinderpal Singh Toor finished sixth with a best throw of 20.36m. Toor was in search for Tokyo Olympics mark of 21.10m but failed to touch it. Romani Darlan of Brazil won the gold with a best throw of 22.36m.

Panaji

ISL: FC Goa favourites against Chennaiyin FC

FC Goa will look to go one better and win the title this time as they begin their 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. — AGENCIES

paris

Messi faces Ronaldo but 

no Neymar for Ballon d’Or 

Lionel Messi will have Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk as rivals for the 2019 Ballon d’Or award, but not Neymar. When the long list of 30 candidates was announced yesterday, the Brazil star’s name was missing from the nominations by a global voting panel of journalists. Luka Modric is also absent one year after he swept the Ballon d’Or and FIFA best player awards. 

Shanghai

AFC Cup final moved from North Korea to China

Next week’s AFC Cup final between North Korea’s 4.25 SC and Lebanon’s Al Ahed will be played in Shanghai instead of Pyongyang due to sanctions affecting the North, the Asian Football Confederation said today. Last week, North and South Korea played their first football match in the North in 30 years but no fans or media were allowed in the stands, and Pyongyang refused to broadcast the game live. 

Zhuhai (China)

Bertens, Sabalenka off 

the mark, Keys stunned

Dutch top seed Kiki Bertens beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic for the third consecutive time this year with a 7-6(5) 6-2 victory in their round robin match at the WTA Elite Trophy here today. In the other group, fourth seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame Greek ninth seed Maria Sakkari 6-3 6-4. China’s Zheng Saisai, beat American third seed Madison Keys 6-4 6-2. 

Basel

Nice to see Murray healthy again, says Federer

Roger Federer praised Andy Murray’s weekend Antwerp title just 10 months after the former No. 1 underwent a hip resurfacing. “Andy’s achievement was great,” Federer said. “It was a great way for him to come back. It’s nice to see Andy healthy again.” 

Sydney

Kyrgios, Murray named in Davis Cup squads

Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt says he has been willing to overlook Nick Kyrgios’s recent outbursts on the ATP Tour to select the talented but wayward star in his team for the revamped Davis Cup finals. Meanwhile, Andy Murray has been named in Britain’s team.

RIO DE JANEIRO

Police arrest 16 planning to invade Maracana stadium

At least 16 Flamengo fans were arrested here today after police targeted groups they said were planning to invade the Maracana stadium to watch the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal between the Rio club and rivals Gremio. Flamengo aim to reach the final for the first time since 1981. The first leg was drawn 1-1.

Paris

Judo federation bans Iran over refusal to face Israelis 

The International Judo Federation said today it had banned Iran from competition indefinitely over the country’s refusal to face Israeli competitors. Agencies