Sports

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Pakistan’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is not losing sleep over the possible backlash, specifically comments from former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar, on his signing by an Indian-owned franchise, Sunrisers Leeds, in the auction for the upcoming edition of The Hundred, a news report said on Tuesday.

Abrar, ranked as high as number two in the ICC rankings until last month and now third, was signed by Sunrisers Leeds, which owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, for 190k Pounds Sterling last week. The franchise owners are facing severe backlash in India over the signing, but Abrar is not worried by comments over the move, Telecom Asia Sport said in a report.

Gavaskar called the signing an indirect way to fund the Pakistan military, which, in turn, kills Indian soldiers.

While the Pakistan Cricket Board and Abrar are tight-lipped on the backlash, sources said there are no concerns as the matter is between England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the franchise.

“The noise on Abrar’s signing is not unexpected, but he is not losing sleep over the uproar,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources told www.telecomasia.net.

“Abrar registered for The Hundred as he is ready to ply his trade in the leagues around the world and was signed as one of the top three bowlers in T20I rankings, which is well deserved,” the report said, quoting sources.

“The coach of Sunrisers Leeds, Daniel Vettori, conveyed the signing to Abrar and advised him to be in touch and prepared to give his best,” the sources said.

Vettori, himself a spinner of repute who played 442 internationals for New Zealand across formats, backed the signing.

“Once we missed out on Adil Rashid [to Southern Brave], who was a priority early on, then we obviously jumped into the overseas spinner. There were four or five guys that we were looking at, and Abrar was one of them. Very pleased to get him,” Daniel Vettori said after the conclusion of the auction.

Abrar’s signing comes after the ECB threatened that The Hundred sides could face disciplinary action if there is evidence that Pakistan players are overlooked in the auction based on nationality, the Telecom Asia Sport report said on Tuesday.

The warning followed after the BBC reported that the four Indian-owned teams - Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds - will not consider Pakistan cricketers over a blanket ban on them due to strained relations between the two countries.

The relations between the two countries hit their lowest point after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April last year.

New Delhi accused the attacks of having the backing of Islamabad, a claim Pakistan denied. A four-day military conflict followed, with both sides claiming victory.

Former Pakistan Under-19 skipper and a Yorkshire player based in Leeds, Azeem Rafiq, criticised Gavaskar for his unacceptable comments.

“This is absolutely ridiculous & should be condemned. How are these comments acceptable? I don’t care how many runs you have scored. Vile stuff from Gavaskar,” Rafiq wrote on social media platform X.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan honoured India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who played a pivotal role in India’s triumphant campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this month.

Vijayan hosted the World Cup champion at his official residence, Cliff House, on Monday (March 16), to acknowledge his achievements.

The 31-year-old Samson came dressed in traditional attire for the ceremony, during which Vijayan handed him a commemorative memento bearing the message, “We salute Sanju Viswanath Samson.”

The keepsake also highlighted his crucial contributions during the tournament’s knockout phase, including a 97 off 50 balls against the West Indies in the Super 8 stage, an 89 off 42 in the semifinal against England, and another 89 off 46 in the final versus New Zealand.

Sharing the moment on X, Vijayan wrote, “Had the pleasure of hosting India's pride and Kerala's own, Sanju Samson, at Cliff House yesterday. Conveyed the profound love and joy of the people of Kerala. May he draw strength from his recent achievements and continue to scale new heights. Wishing him the very best!

Samson’s journey in the tournament was not without challenges. He had initially been left out of India’s playing XI for their opening match, with the team management opting for Ishan Kishan as the wicketkeeper alongside opener Abhishek Sharma. His place in the squad had also come under scrutiny after he managed only 46 runs across five matches in a home T20I series against New Zealand ahead of the global event.

Despite the early doubts, Samson turned the narrative around with a string of match-winning performances, emerging as one of the standout players in India’s successful campaign.

Following the celebrations, the Kerala batter has now turned his attention to the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, where Samson will make his debut with Chennai Super Kings, five-time champions of the tournament.

They will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Samson’s former franchise, the Rajasthan Royals, to whom they traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, in Guwahati on March 30. The side will then face Punjab Kings at home on April 3, travel to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 5, and return home to play Delhi Capitals on April 11.

Chennai will be looking to bounce back strongly this season after finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025 with just four wins from 14 matches.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, March 17 (IANS) The National Basketball Association (NBA) is reportedly set to take a significant step toward expansion, with team owners expected to vote next week on whether the league should formally explore adding two new franchises.

"It's not a secret, we're looking at this market in Las Vegas. We are looking at Seattle," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told the press last December. Since then, expansion has remained a focal topic, with multiple local media outlets reporting that the issue will be discussed by the league's Board of Governors.

If approved, the process would begin immediately, with the league targeting the 2028-29 season for the debut of both new teams, reports Xinhua.

The vote is scheduled to take place during the NBA's Board of Governors meetings from March 24 to 25. Sources familiar with the discussions said support among owners has been growing, potentially paving the way for the league to solicit and evaluate ownership bids in both cities.

While the initial vote would not formally award franchises, it would represent the first concrete step toward expanding the league to 32 teams. Any such decision requires approval from 23 of the NBA's 30 owners.

Industry executives expect the bidding process to draw strong interest from wealthy investors and ownership groups. Early projections suggest expansion franchises could sell for between 7 billion U.S. dollars and 10 billion U.S. dollars each, potentially placing both teams among the most valuable in the league.

The appeal of the two markets, combined with the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement designed to promote competitive balance, is expected to fuel an aggressive bidding environment. Meanwhile, expansion has become increasingly attractive to owners, driven in part by the league's rapidly rising franchise valuations.

In 2022, Mat Ishbia purchased the Phoenix Suns for 4 billion U.S. dollars, setting a record at the time. That mark was quickly surpassed. In 2025, the Boston Celtics were sold to Bill Chisholm for 6.1 billion U.S. dollars, before the Los Angeles Lakers were acquired by Mark Walter in a deal valued at 10 billion U.S. dollars, the highest price ever paid for a U.S. professional sports franchise. The Portland Trail Blazers also changed ownership in 2025, when Tom Dundon purchased the team for 4.25 billion U.S. dollars.

Despite strong financial incentives, some owners remain cautious. Expansion would dilute existing ownership stakes by increasing the number of teams from 30 to 32, reducing each franchise's share of league equity. As a result, some owners are seeking clarity on final bid valuations and franchise fees before committing to the plan.

Nevertheless, momentum appears to be building within the league office and among team governors. Both Las Vegas and Seattle are widely viewed as attractive markets capable of generating substantial revenue, with Seattle long considered one of the most viable candidates for NBA expansion.

Seattle lost the SuperSonics in 2008 when the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder following a dispute over arena funding. The SuperSonics had been part of the NBA since 1967 and maintained a strong fan base in the region.

If franchises are ultimately awarded to Seattle and Las Vegas, both teams would likely be placed in the Western Conference, creating a potential imbalance between the two conferences. To maintain parity, one existing team would need to shift to the Eastern Conference, with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies viewed as the most likely candidates.

Beyond geography and ownership considerations, expansion would also involve a series of logistical steps. The league would conduct an expansion draft, allowing the new franchises to build initial rosters by selecting players from existing teams. Current NBA clubs would be permitted to protect at least eight players. Each expansion team would be required to draft a minimum of 14 players and could select no more than one player from any single franchise. They would also receive picks in the annual NBA Draft.

The addition of two new franchises would create dozens of roster spots, as well as coaching and front-office opportunities across the league. It could also lead to the establishment of new developmental teams in the NBA's minor-league system.

The league typically allows roughly a year and a half between awarding a franchise and the team's inaugural season. Based on that timeline, expansion teams would need to be formally approved by spring 2027 to meet the NBA's target launch date of the 2028-29 season.

--IANS

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Hamilton, March 17 (IANS) A disciplined all-round performance helped New Zealand register a convincing win over South Africa in the second T20I and level the five-game series 1-1 at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Asked to bat first, New Zealand built their innings around a steady knock from Devon Conway (60 off 49), who anchored the top order and ensured the hosts had a solid platform. The opener rotated the strike well and found timely boundaries, allowing New Zealand to recover whenever South Africa’s bowlers struck.

South Africa managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals through their pace attack and spin options, preventing the hosts from running away with the innings in the middle overs. However, New Zealand’s batters ensured the run rate never dipped significantly, thanks to a 12-ball 21 and a 14-ball 20 by Nick Kelly and skipper Mitchell Santner, respectively.

The hosts then accelerated in the closing stages of the innings, capitalising on a few loose deliveries to add valuable runs in the death overs and post a competitive total. The late flourish from Cole McConchie (18 off 12) and Josh Clarkson (26 not out off nine balls) proved crucial in pushing the score to a level that kept the pressure firmly on the visitors heading into the chase.

Chasing a modest total, South Africa began cautiously with Wiaan Mulder and Connor Esterhuizen at the top. Mulder provided the early highlight with a powerful six off Kyle Jamieson, while Esterhuizen also cleared the ropes against Lockie Ferguson. Despite the occasional boundaries, New Zealand’s bowlers kept things tight and denied the visitors a strong start.

The breakthrough came when Ben Sears had Esterhuizen caught at backward point, after which the hosts began to tighten their grip on the contest. Captain Santner struck to remove Mulder, who sliced a cut straight to Conway in the ring.

Rubin Hermann briefly counter-attacked, striking Santner for a six and a four, but his promising stay ended when James Neesham had him caught by Ferguson in the deep. Santner continued to make an impact, dismissing Jason Smith to leave South Africa struggling in the middle overs.

With wickets falling regularly, the visitors found it difficult to build partnerships. Cole McConchie and Sears chipped in with crucial strikes as New Zealand’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure.

George Linde offered late resistance with a quickfire cameo, smashing multiple sixes to momentarily revive South Africa’s hopes. But his entertaining knock of 33 off just 12 balls ended when Ferguson forced a mistimed pull that was safely caught by McConchie at long-on, sealing the win.

With that, New Zealand completed a comprehensive victory to level the series ahead of the third T20I of the five-match series.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 175/6 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 60, Josh Clarkson 26*; Wiaan Mulder 2-14, Gerald Coetzee 1-28) beat South Africa 107/10 in 15.3 overs (George Linde 33, Rubin Hermann 19; Ben Sears 3-14, Lockie Ferguson 3-16) by 68 runs.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) The second edition of the Indian Open begins tomorrow at Mumbai's iconic Brabourne Stadium, promising five days of intense squash. The tournament features a strong lineup of India’s top players alongside international competitors, with 30 matches scheduled in both men’s and women’s categories. Players will compete for PSA ranking points and the prestigious title.

The Indian Open, sanctioned by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and organised by the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), is a PSA Copper event with equal prize money for men and women. It serves as a vital platform for Indian players to face top international opponents at home and acquire essential competitive experience.

Much of the focus will be on top seed and defending champion Anahat Singh, returning after a breakthrough year on the PSA Tour. She will be accompanied by top Indian players Ramit Tandon, Veer Chotrani, Abhay Singh, and veteran Joshna Chinappa, all aiming to make a significant impression in front of the home crowd.

The tournament also boasts a competitive international lineup, including Yahya Elnawasnay, Nadien Elhammam, and Enora Villard. This creates several exciting matchups in both the men’s and women’s draws throughout the week.

Before the tournament, players Anahat Singh and Ramit Tandon expressed their views on the upcoming event and the increasing chances for Indian squash players to compete domestically.

Speaking on the magnitude of the tournament, Ramit Tandon said, “Players really enjoy coming to India because of the culture and hospitality, and last year many players on the PSA Tour told me this was one of the best events of the year. The facilities provided at the tournament are exceptional and playing at home also brings a different kind of pressure with friends, family and Indian fans watching the action. The Indian Open gives Indian players the chance to compete against the best and allows younger athletes to watch and learn from them.”

Looking forward to the tournament, Anahat Singh added, “I had a strong training period in the build-up to the tournament, which has helped me focus on improving different areas of my game. Coming into this tournament, the idea is to stay consistent with what I have been working on in practice and approach every match with the same mindset. Playing at home in front of Indian fans is always special, and I am really looking forward to competing at the Indian Open and giving it my best throughout the week. With squash set to be part of the next Olympic Games, tournaments like this are an important step as we continue working towards the bigger goal.”

As squash prepares to debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, tournaments like the Indian Open are becoming more vital in bolstering the sport’s competitive landscape in India. They offer players essential chances to earn ranking points and gain international visibility.

The action starts on March 18 with the first-round matches for both the men’s and women’s draws. The second round and quarter-finals are scheduled for March 19 and March 20, respectively, followed by the semifinals on March 21. The tournament will conclude with the finals on Sunday, March 22.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has officially declared its rankings for the FEI World Dressage Challenge (WDC) 2025, with India’s young equestrian talent, Inaara Mehta Luthria, delivering an exceptional performance on the global stage.

Representing the Amateur Riders’ Club, Mumbai, the 15-year-old rider competed astride her horse, Dasha Deluxe, achieving an impressive score of 69.875% in the Youth Category (12–16 years). Inaara secured the No.1 rank in India, No.1 in FEI Zone 9 (comprising India, Singapore, Philippines, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and China), and an outstanding No.6 rank in the world.

Inaara was also selected to represent Team India alongside Gaurav Pundir, Miraya R. Dadabhoy, and Samanna Everaa T. The team delivered a commendable performance, securing the No.1 position in FEI Zone 9 and ranking No.7 globally.

The FEI World Dressage Challenge is a unique global initiative designed to promote dressage worldwide.

Under this format, international judges travel across participating countries throughout the year to evaluate riders locally, ensuring a fair and consistent standard of judging while eliminating the need for horses and riders to travel internationally. In 2024, India was judged by Natalia Rubashko from Belarus.

Inaara Mehta Luthria is a student of Hillspring International School. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, “I am extremely grateful to my parents and my coach, Hriday Chheda, who have continuously supported me and helped me through this journey. My horse, Dasha Deluxe and I have formed a strong bond which truly enriched my experience and made it successful.”

This remarkable achievement highlights the growing prominence of Indian equestrian talent on the global stage and underscores the country’s continued progress in the sport.

Established in 1942, The Amateur Riders’ Club (ARC) is one of the oldest and largest private civilian horse-riding clubs in Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai, India, offering riding throughout the year to members as well as non-members. The club provides professional training in all disciplines of equestrian sport like Polo, Show Jumping and Dressage as well as houses about 150 horses. It has been the driving force for the growth of equestrian sport for over 84 years.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Ahead of the 19th IPL season starting on March 28, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer and Director of Cricket Tom Moody presented jerseys to the groundsmen at their home ground, the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, on Tuesday.

LSG will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign at home on April 1 against the Delhi Capitals before heading to Hyderabad for the second fixture against the Sunrisers on April 5. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced only part of the schedule, in which LSG are slated to play a total of four games. The Rishabh Pant-led side will also face the Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Edemn Gardens on April 9, before returning home to play the Gujarat Titans on April 12.

With preparations already underway and players now joining camp and starting training, Langer and Moody demonstrated a kind gesture towards the ground staff by presenting them with the franchise’s newest jersey.

Sharing pictures of the moment, the franchise wrote on X, “For our groundsmen, straight from our heart.”

LSG began their training camp on Monday, with the franchise stating that Pant and veteran pacer Mohammed Shami are expected to join the squad on Tuesday, having arrived in the city late on Monday.

During Monday's session, batters Akshat Raghuvanshi, Abdul Samad, and Himmat Singh, along with all-rounders Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Arshin Kulkarni, impressed in the nets. The pace attack of Arjun Tendulkar, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and wrist-spinner Digvesh Rathi earned praise from the coaching staff for their speed and accuracy.

Moody and Langer also provided technical guidance throughout the sessions, with assistant coaches Lance Klusener and Bharat Arun also working diligently with the players.

Since their first appearance in 2022, LSG have reached the playoffs twice, in 2022 and 2023, and finished seventh in the points table in 2024 and 2025. Currently, LSG is the only active team to have never reached an IPL final.

--IANS

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Hamilton, March 17 (IANS) South Africa Women delivered a clinical all-round performance to beat New Zealand Women by 18 runs in the second T20I of the five-match series, relying on a strong batting display from the top-order batters and disciplined bowling by Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba to gain control of the match.

Asked to bat first, South Africa got off to a brisk start through Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits, who stitched together a fluent 62-run opening stand. Luus was the early aggressor, striking 31 off 21 balls with five boundaries and a six before falling to Amelia Kerr. Brits then took charge, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 53 off 43 deliveries, laced with five fours and three sixes.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt provided stability in the middle overs with a composed 41 off 33 balls, ensuring the innings did not lose momentum despite regular wickets. South Africa crossed the 100-run mark in the 11th over, but a brief slowdown followed as New Zealand’s spinners applied the brakes.

However, a late flourish turned the tide decisively. Kayla Reyneke provided the finishing kick with a blistering unbeaten 28 off just nine balls, smashing three consecutive sixes in the final over off Sophie Devine. Her late onslaught propelled South Africa to a formidable 177/5 in their 20 overs.

In response, New Zealand began on a positive note despite losing a couple of early wickets. Amelia Kerr counterattacked with a quickfire 32 off 18 balls, striking six boundaries, while Sophie Devine added 25 off 18 as the hosts raced to 71/3 inside seven overs.

Just as New Zealand looked well-placed, South Africa’s bowlers triggered a collapse. Ayabonga Khaka led the charge with a superb spell, finishing with 4-27, removing key batters including Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday in quick succession. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba complemented her brilliantly, claiming 3-27 and breaking the crucial partnership by dismissing both Amelia Kerr and, later, Suzie Bates.

The middle overs proved decisive as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from a promising position to 111/7. Despite a late effort from Izzy Sharp, who top-scored with 29, and a brief cameo from Jess Kerr (14), the required rate kept climbing.

South Africa maintained composure in the death overs, with Khaka returning to pick up another wicket and seal the game. A run-out in the final over ended New Zealand’s innings at 159/9, falling 18 runs short.

With this comprehensive effort, South Africa not only sealed the match but also leveled the five-game series 1-1.

Brief scores: South Africa Women 177/5 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 53, Laura Wolvaardt 41; Amelia Kerr 2-29, Jess Kerr 2-34) beat New Zealand Women 159/10 in 19.1 overs (Amelia Kerr 32, Izzy Sharp 29; Ayabonga Khaka 4-27, Nonkululeko Mlaba 3-27) by 18 runs.

--IANS

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Hamilton, March 17 (IANS) South Africa batter Jordan Hermann has been ruled out of the remaining matches in the five-game T20I series against New Zealand due to a right hamstring injury.

In what was his maiden T20I for South Africa, Hermann injured himself while fielding during Sunday's series opener at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, preventing him from continuing in the match. Scans confirmed a grade two tear. The Proteas, however, are yet to name a replacement for Hermann.

“Jordan Hermann has been ruled out of the remainder of the five-match T20 International (T20I) series against New Zealand with a right hamstring injury. The left-hander sustained the injury while fielding in his debut match on Sunday at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and subsequently left the field without returning to open the batting. Scans later confirmed a grade two tear. A replacement has not been named,” Cricket South Africa said while confirming the development via X.

The visitors are currently leading the five-match series 1-2, having clinched a dominating victory against the T20 World Cup finalists in the series opener. South Africa produced a clinical all-round display to defeat New Zealand by seven wickets in the opening T20I.

After opting to bat, the BlackCaps suffered an early collapse as Gerald Coetzee struck twice in the opening overs, removing Devon Conway and Tom Latham. Ottneil Baartman added further damage with two quick wickets, while a run-out left the hosts struggling at 35/5 in the powerplay. Mitchell Santner (15) and James Neesham (26) offered brief resistance, but debutant Nqobani Mokoena impressed with three wickets as New Zealand were bowled out for just 91 in 14.3 overs.

Chasing 92, South Africa lost a couple of early wickets, but Connor Esterhuizen anchored the innings with a steady 35* off 44 balls. Despite some tight bowling from Santner and Cole McConchie, the target was never threatening. Esterhuizen, supported by Dian Forrester (15), guided the chase calmly before sealing victory with a six, as South Africa reached 92/3 in 16.4 overs.

The second T20I will take place at Seddon Park on Tuesday.

--IANS

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Hamilton, March 17 (IANS) Dane van Niekerk’s long-awaited return to international cricket has faced an obstacle. The all-rounder will not join the South Africa women's national team on their ongoing tour of New Zealand due to a calf injury.

The former captain reversed her international retirement last year but already missed the opening match and will take no further part in the series.

Cricket South Africa confirmed the news in an official update.

“Proteas Women all-rounder Dané van Niekerk will miss the rest of the tour to New Zealand due to a right calf injury. Van Niekerk felt discomfort the day before the first T20 International (T20I). A scan showed the injury's extent, which will need rehabilitation. Fidelity Titans’ Anneke Bosch has been called up as her replacement,” the Proteas Women posted on X.

In her absence, Anneke Bosch rejoins the T20I setup, marking her first appearance in the format since November 2024. This injury is a significant setback for van Niekerk, who has been striving for a spot in South Africa’s squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 after missing the last two editions.

Her journey back has not been easy. A veteran of 110 ODIs and 91 T20Is, van Niekerk was dropped in 2022 for not meeting fitness standards and announced her retirement in March 2023. Since then, she has worked hard to return through domestic cricket, playing for Western Province and earning a call-up to the national team in late 2025 during a home series against Ireland.

Senior all-rounder Marizanne Kapp is still recovering from illness and is not part of the squad.

Meanwhile, the multi-format series in New Zealand, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs as part of the Women’s Championship, has posed additional challenges for the visitors. Men’s batter Jordan Hermann is also out due to a hamstring injury.

--IANS

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