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UEFA Champions League Draw to Unveil New Format for 2024-25 Season

UEFA Champions League Draw to Unveil New Format for 2024-25 Season

By August 29, 2024 0

The UEFA Champions League, the pinnacle of European club football, is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of a new format for the 2024-25 season. The draw for the revamped competition will take place in Monaco on Thursday, August 24th, and it promises to be a captivating event.

The most notable change is the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 36 teams. This will provide an additional berth for the fifth-ranked European league, as determined by UEFA’s coefficient rankings. As a result, Ligue 1 will now have three automatic qualifiers, joining the likes of the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.

The new format will see the 36 clubs divided into one single league, known as the “Swiss system.” Each team will play eight matches, one against each of their eight opponents. This will result in a total of 114 group stage games, up from 96 in the previous format.

To ensure fairness, the teams will be seeded into four pots of nine based on their UEFA coefficients. Each team will face two opponents from each pot, one at home and one away. Additionally, no team will be drawn against another club from the same domestic league, and each club can only face a maximum of two teams from any one country.

The top 16 teams in the league phase will automatically qualify for the round of 16. The remaining eight teams, finishing from ninth to 24th, will enter a playoff round. These teams will be paired off in two-legged knockout ties, with the winners advancing to the round of 16.

The playoff ties will also be seeded, with the higher-ranked teams facing the lower-ranked teams. This will ensure that the most competitive matches are played in the later stages of the competition.

The new format is designed to increase the number of high-quality matches and provide more opportunities for teams from smaller leagues to compete at the highest level. It is also expected to generate additional revenue for UEFA and the participating clubs.

Categories: Football
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Shaheen Afridi Dropped from Pakistan Test Team for Second Bangladesh Test

Shaheen Afridi Dropped from Pakistan Test Team for Second Bangladesh Test

By August 29, 2024 0

Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi has been omitted from the team for the second Test against Bangladesh, raising concerns about his form and effectiveness. Head coach Jason Gillespie confirmed that Afridi is “working on some things” to improve his bowling, hinting at a potential drop rather than a rest.

Afridi’s recent performances have been underwhelming, particularly in Test cricket. In Australia, he averaged over 41 in pace-friendly conditions, and in the first Test against Bangladesh, he took only two lower-order wickets for 96 runs. His pace, once consistently in the mid-140 kph range, has also declined since his injury last year.

Gillespie acknowledged that Afridi has been given feedback and is working with bowling coach Azhar Mahmood to address his technical issues. “We want to see Shaheen at his best because we’ve got a lot of cricket in all formats and Shaheen’s going to play a really big role in that,” Gillespie said.

While Afridi’s absence from the team is a significant blow, Pakistan has named a 12-man squad for the second Test, including legspinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Mir Hamza. The inclusion of Abrar is likely, as Pakistan’s decision to field an all-pace attack in the first Test backfired.

Gillespie emphasized that the team’s selection is based on weather conditions in Rawalpindi, which have been unfavorable for the past three days. “We’re looking at what our best combination is this game,” Gillespie said. “We’ll look at conditions and decide what the best makeup of our bowling attack looks like.”

Pakistan must win the second Test to draw the series, after suffering their first-ever Test defeat to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The team will be hoping to bounce back with a strong performance, but Afridi’s absence will be a major challenge.

Categories: Cricket
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Lakshya Sen's Behind-the-Back Flick Shot Stuns Badminton World

Lakshya Sen’s Behind-the-Back Flick Shot Stuns Badminton World

By August 29, 2024 0

In a thrilling encounter at the Paris Olympics 2024, India’s Lakshya Sen stunned the badminton world with an extraordinary behind-the-back flick shot that has become an instant viral sensation.

Trailing 19-18 in the first game against medal favorite Jonatan Christie, Sen faced a seemingly impossible task. However, in a moment of desperation, he reached behind his head with his racket and somehow managed to connect with the shuttle, winning the rally and eventually taking the first game.

The jaw-dropping shot sent shockwaves through the badminton community and quickly became a viral sensation on social media. Comparisons were drawn to Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli’s iconic six over long-on against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

In an interview, Sen expressed his admiration for Kohli and his aspirations to emulate his success in badminton. “Why not!” he said when asked about the comparison. “I mean, at the same time he (Kohli) has done a lot for Indian cricket and yes, I want to be the Virat Kohli of Indian badminton in the coming years.”

Sen revealed that he had practiced the behind-the-back shot in training but had never attempted it in a match situation. “I was just looking to retrieve, thinking I will play an attacking shot when I get a chance. I played that shot with the same mindset. Because at 19-18, I didn’t want to let the shuttle go,” he explained.

Sen’s incredible shot propelled him to victory over Christie and into the quarterfinals, where he defeated Chou Tien-Chen to become the first Indian to reach the semi-finals of the badminton men’s singles event at the Games.

Unfortunately, Sen’s Olympic journey ended in the semi-finals with a loss to defending champion Viktor Axelsen. He also lost the bronze medal match to Malaysia’s Lee Zia Jia.

Despite the disappointing finish, Sen’s behind-the-back flick shot will be remembered as one of the most iconic moments in Indian sports history. It showcased his exceptional skill, determination, and the indomitable spirit that drives him to achieve greatness.

Categories: Badminton
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Sri Lanka Triumph at Lord's, Leveling Test Series Against England

Sri Lanka Triumph at Lord’s, Leveling Test Series Against England

By August 29, 2024 0

Sri Lanka, seeking redemption after their five-wicket defeat in the first Test at Manchester, made two changes to their lineup for the second Test at Lord’s. Batter Pathum Nissanka and pace bowler Lahiru Kumara replaced Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando, respectively.

England, on the other hand, made only one change, with Olly Stone coming in for fellow fast bowler Mark Wood, who was ruled out with a thigh injury. Ollie Pope, filling in as captain for the injured Ben Stokes, opted to bat first if he had won the toss.

Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first proved to be a wise one as they restricted England to a modest 290 all out in their first innings. Prabath Jayasuriya was the star performer for the visitors, claiming 6 for 118, while Asitha Fernando chipped in with 3 for 75.

In reply, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 320, thanks to a century from Angelo Mathews (110) and a half-century from Dhananjaya de Silva (61). England’s bowlers toiled hard, with Olly Stone taking 4 for 85 and Matthew Potts claiming 3 for 72.

England’s second innings was a more challenging affair, as they were bowled out for 246, setting Sri Lanka a target of 164 to win. Jayasuriya once again impressed with the ball, taking 4 for 60, while Kumara and Fernando picked up two wickets each.

Sri Lanka chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 165 for 4 in just 36.4 overs. Nissanka led the way with an unbeaten 61, while Mathews contributed 49.

The victory gives Sri Lanka a 1-1 draw in the two-match series, a significant improvement over their 3-0 whitewash in the previous series against England.

Categories: Cricket
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Australia Favored in Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Says Former Coach Buchanan

Australia Favored in Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Says Former Coach Buchanan

By August 29, 2024 0

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is set to commence on November 22 in Perth, marking the first five-Test series between the cricketing giants since 1991-92.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan has tipped the home team as favorites, citing the lack of warm-up games for touring teams as a significant factor. India will play a two-day pink-ball match against the Prime Minister’s XI before the day-night Test in Adelaide, but Buchanan believes it may not be sufficient preparation for the fast and bouncy conditions in Perth.

Buchanan emphasized the importance of touring sides playing practice matches to adjust to local conditions, a trend that has declined in recent years due to the proliferation of lucrative T20 and T10 leagues. He believes this has contributed to the dominance of home teams in major series.

The fate of India in the series could hinge on the performance of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has impressed in domestic cricket but has yet to face the challenges of Australian wickets. Buchanan sees Jaiswal’s ability to adapt to the pace and bounce as a potential barometer for India’s overall success.

The five-Test series will test the endurance of both teams, with Buchanan predicting a classic encounter. He also expressed his preference for Steve Smith to continue batting at No. 4, despite the opener’s recent success at the top of the order.

Categories: Cricket
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Maxwell's Leg Injury Continues to Hinder Cricket Return

Maxwell’s Leg Injury Continues to Hinder Cricket Return

By August 29, 2024 0

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s recovery from a devastating leg injury in 2022 continues to pose challenges, affecting his ability to play cricket without discomfort. Maxwell sustained a fractured fibula, chipped tibia, and torn ankle ligaments during a celebration, forcing him to miss the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of India.

Despite making the ODI World Cup squad, Maxwell’s leg injury remains a concern, especially in light of Australia’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. “It’s still my leg. It’s what is giving me the most grief since breaking it, so it’s still a work in progress,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell’s recovery requires extensive rehabilitation and gym work to strengthen his body and prevent setbacks. He has only played two first-class matches since 2019 and hasn’t featured in a Test match since 2017.

However, Maxwell has received assurances from selectors that an “outside the box” lineup will be considered for the Sri Lanka series. “They’ve been pretty open to selecting outside the box for players who do well in those conditions,” he said.

Maxwell acknowledges that Shield form may not be a significant factor in player selection for the Sri Lanka tour. “It’s just completely different conditions, you’ve got to have a really solid game plan against spin and a really good idea of how you’re going to tackle them in those conditions,” he explained.

Whether Maxwell’s body will be ready for the Sri Lanka tour remains uncertain. “It would be great if I could get my body into a position where I can play over (in Sri Lanka). But as far as Shield cricket, I’m not sure how much they’ll take that into consideration,” he said.

Maxwell’s recovery journey highlights the challenges faced by athletes returning from serious injuries. His determination to overcome these obstacles and return to the highest level of cricket is a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport.

Categories: Cricket
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Bangladesh's Historic Test Win Overshadowed by Shakib Al Hasan Controversy

Bangladesh’s Historic Test Win Overshadowed by Shakib Al Hasan Controversy

By August 29, 2024 0

Bangladesh’s historic 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test of the two-match series in Rawalpindi marked a significant milestone for the team. This triumph was Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win against Pakistan, a testament to their growing prowess in the international cricket arena.

Amidst the series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) faced a legal challenge regarding star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib was accused of involvement in a murder case, prompting a legal notice demanding his recall and ban from the team.

The BCB initially stated that a decision on Shakib’s status would be made after the first Test. However, recent reports from Cricbuzz indicate that the BCB has allowed Shakib to continue playing in the series.

“He [Shakib] will continue playing. We received a legal notice regarding bringing him back and we replied them saying this [that he will continue to play],” BCB president Faruque Ahmed told Prothom Alo, a leading Bengali daily.

Ahmed emphasized that Shakib’s guilt has not been established and that he will continue to play until proven otherwise. The BCB also expressed its intention to provide Shakib with legal assistance if necessary.

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Shakib will not return home after the Pakistan series. He is scheduled to travel to England to participate in a four-day match for Surrey. The BCB has granted him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for this purpose.

“He [Shakib] has not played red-ball cricket for a while and that is why we have given him an NOC to play for Surrey as it will help him to adjust with red-ball cricket more than anything else,” a BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz.

Following his stint with Surrey, Shakib will join the Bangladesh team for the two-match Test series against India, commencing on September 19.

Categories: Cricket
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Pakistan Hockey Players Banned for Life for Seeking Asylum

Pakistan Hockey Players Banned for Life for Seeking Asylum

By August 29, 2024 0

Pakistan Hockey Players Banned for Life for Seeking Asylum

Three Pakistani hockey players and a physiotherapist have been banned for life after attempting to seek asylum in Europe. The players, Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam, and Abdur Rahman, along with physiotherapist Waqas, disappeared during the Nations Cup in the Netherlands and Poland last month.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary-general Rana Mujahid confirmed the incident, stating that the players had informed the federation of their inability to attend a training camp due to domestic issues. However, it was later discovered that they had flown to the Netherlands again and sought political asylum.

Mujahid expressed disappointment over the incident, noting that it would make it difficult for the PHF to obtain visas for international competitions in European countries. The PHF Congress has approved the lifetime ban and has requested the PHF president to work with the Pakistan consulate to bring the players back for disciplinary action.

The PHF has also notified the interior and foreign ministries for further action. Mujahid acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the PHF, but emphasized that these issues did not justify abandoning the national team and damaging the country’s reputation.

The incident has raised concerns about the welfare of Pakistani athletes and the challenges they face in representing their country. The PHF is working to address these issues and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

Categories: Others
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Lou Vincent Receives Commemorative Cap for 100th ODI, 17 Years Later

Lou Vincent Receives Commemorative Cap for 100th ODI, 17 Years Later

By August 29, 2024 0

Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand cricketer, has finally received his commemorative cap for playing 100 ODIs, nearly 17 years after reaching the milestone in 2007. The cap was presented to Vincent by Sir Richard Hadlee in Auckland at a small ceremony attended by his family and former teammates.

Vincent, who finished his ODI career with 2413 runs in 102 matches, also played 23 Tests and nine T20Is for New Zealand between 2001 and 2007. After his international career, he played in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and on the domestic circuit until 2014, when he was banned for life by the ECB for corrupt activities.

In December 2023, the ECB revised the punishment, allowing Vincent to return to working in domestic cricket. Vincent expressed gratitude for the support he received during his ban appeal and acknowledged the work he has done to educate young players about match-fixing.

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink stated that the board had been holding onto Vincent’s commemorative cap for over a decade. While acknowledging Vincent’s past actions, Weenink praised his efforts to combat match-fixing and said that presenting him with the cap was the least they could do.

According to Vincent, Hadlee, who had first selected him for New Zealand, was emotional while presenting the cap. Vincent expressed his admiration for Hadlee and thanked him for taking the time to honor him.

Vincent’s 100th ODI appearance came in Cape Town in December 2007, where he scored 18 runs and took his only ODI wicket by dismissing Jacques Kallis. Now 45 years old, Vincent is slowly returning to cricket and recently played in a five-day match to raise awareness on men’s mental health.

Vincent reflected on his life after cricket, expressing gratitude for his family and his current lifestyle. He emphasized that he is focused on the present and enjoying the simple things in life.

Categories: Cricket
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Karun Nair's Resurgence: Focused on the Present, Aiming for India Return

Karun Nair’s Resurgence: Focused on the Present, Aiming for India Return

By August 29, 2024 0

Karun Nair, the Indian batter who has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, is currently engaged in a rigorous rebuilding process. However, he remains focused on the present, recognizing that dwelling on the future can hinder his progress.

Despite not playing for India in seven years, Nair has demonstrated glimpses of his former brilliance in recent times. He has amassed runs for Vidarbha in domestic cricket and Northamptonshire in English county cricket. “It’s about preparing for the grind and focusing on the next game. I’m not looking too far ahead because it can lead to overthinking,” Nair explained.

Nair’s resurgence began with his stint at Northamptonshire in early 2023, where he scored 249 runs in three matches, including a century against Surrey. This year, he has accumulated 487 runs in seven matches, including a century against Glamorgan. While these numbers may not be extraordinary, they have instilled confidence in a batsman who had been struggling to find his purpose.

“Playing in England with a different ball has taught me a lot about myself as a batsman. I’ve learned to find ways to score runs and believe in myself,” Nair said.

His move to Vidarbha from Karnataka during the last domestic season proved to be a turning point. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities in his home state, Nair found a new lease of life in Vidarbha. He scored 690 runs in 10 matches, including two centuries, helping his team reach the Ranji Trophy semifinals.

“I’m grateful to Vidarbha for giving me the opportunity to play first-class cricket. My aim is to improve on last year and go one step further,” Nair stated.

Despite missing a full season of first-class cricket, Nair has found a positive in the adversity. “It taught me to value each game and practice harder. That non-playing season has made me stronger and more determined,” he said.

Nair’s recent performances have rekindled his dream of representing India again. “Everyone plays this game to represent their country. My only aim now is to play Test cricket again. I know I’m good enough,” he asserted.

Currently, Nair is focused on winning the ongoing KSCA Maharaja T20 with the Mysore Warriors. “We’ve qualified for the semis, which was our goal from the start,” he said.

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