ICC to hold World T20 every two years

Dubai

The T20 World Cup will be held every two years during the next eight-year Futures Tours & Programme (FTP) cycle, while the 50-over event will be a 14-team affair from the 2027 edition, the game’s governing body ICC said today. Also, the World Test Championship will have four editions in the next cycle apart from two Champions Trophy. “The ICC Board today confirmed the schedule of ICC events from 2024-2031 with both the men’s Cricket World Cup and men’s T20 World Cup to be expanded and a men’s Champions Trophy to be re-introduced,” the ICC said.

Osijek (Croatia)

Manu, Rahi produce strong show at European C’ship

Tokyo-bound Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat finished 1-2 in the Minimum Qualification Score (MQS) section of the women’s 25m pistol event at the European Shooting Championships here today. The duo shot well above the regulars’ final qualification mark. While Manu shot 587, the fourth best overall score among the regulars and MQS combined, Rahi’s 584 matched the sixth best regulars score.

New Delhi

Indian players’ families allowed for UK trip

The families of players and support staff of both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams will be allowed to accompany them during their lengthy tour of England this month, a senior BCCI source revealed today. The BCCI had put in a request that the players be allowed the company of their loved ones given that they have to spend a considerable amount of time in a bio-secure bubble because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is learnt that none of the BCCI office-bearers, including president Sourav Ganguly, will be present for the World Test Championship final between Indian and New Zealand in Southampton due to the strict quarantine rules of the country.

Madrid

Badminton champion Marin withdraws from Tokyo

Spain’s Olympics women’s singles badminton champion Carolina Marin confirmed today that she is unable to defend her crown in Tokyo due to a knee injury. Marin, a five-time European and three-time world champion who beat PV Sindhu to claim gold at the Rio Games in 2016, said she has torn her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and both meniscus in her left knee.

Jaipur

Tennis coach booked for raping teen

A lawn tennis coach at a sports training centre in Jaipur allegedly raped a 17-year-old player on the pretext of selecting her for a domestic tournament, police said today. According to a complaint filed by the girl, coach Gaurang Nalwaya would call her to the Sawai Man Singh Stadium for training and sexually assault her. In the latest instance, the coach allegedly raped her on the pretext of selecting her for a tournament in Udaipur, the police said.

“A case has been registered against the coach. An Investigation has been initiated and a search is on for the accused,” Jyoti Nagar police station SHO Saroj Dhayal said.

New Delhi

Three-week training camp abroad for Indian boxers

India’s nine Olympics-bound boxers will travel abroad for a three-week training stint after getting a few days’ break following a record-shattering medal haul at the Asian Championships in Dubai. — Agencies