Injured Anwar Ali misses cut in Asian Cup probables

New Delhi

India will be missing their key central defender Anwar Ali in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup in Qatar starting from January 12. Owing to a fracture sustained in his right ankle, the 23-year-old central defender has been excluded from the 50-member India probables named today.

New Delhi

Mirabai set to miss Asian Championships

Mirabai Chanu’s return to the weightlifting arena has been further delayed as the Olympics silver medallist is set to miss the Asian Championships in February next year. Chanu, who competes in the 49kg weight class, is still recovering from the hip tendinitis injury she sustained in October while competing at the Asian Games.

ISTANBUL

Turkish club president arrested for punching referee

A Turkish court today ordered the arrest of Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca for punching a referee in the face at the end of a Super Lig match, and also remanded in custody two other suspects over the violence, the justice minister said. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said it had suspended all leagues after the “shameful” incident when Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler, who was in charge of Ankaragucu’s home match against Rizespor on Monday.

Mirpur

Pitch for Bangladesh-NZ 2nd Test ‘unsatisfactory’

The Mirpur pitch, which hosted the second and final Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand, has received a demerit point after the International Cricket Council rated it as unsatisfactory.ICC match referee David Boon said that “the pitch may have been underprepared”. — Agencies