New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Ahead of India’s Asia Cup clash against their arch rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup, former wicketkeeper-batter Surinder Khanna believes the Men in Blue enter the contest as the more balanced and well-rounded side which will give them an edge over the neighbours.India and Pakistan are set to renew their iconic rivalry as they face off in a Group A clash of the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai this Sunday. Both teams head into the high-stakes encounter with dominant wins in their…

Charlotte, Sep 14 (IANS) Lionel Messi’s rare penalty miss proved pivotal as Charlotte FC clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season, defeating Inter Miami CF 3-0 on Saturday. The match turned in the 31st minute when Messi, brought down inside the box, attempted a Panenka penalty. But Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina read it perfectly, standing tall to catch the effort and deny Miami what could have been a crucial opening goal. Moments later, Charlotte seized…

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Reece James expressed his frustration at Chelsea’s failure to secure all three points after conceding a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. After a stop-start first half that saw the Blues trail at the break, second-half goals from Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo turned the game in their favour heading into stoppage time. But the hosts struck late to level, leaving James frustrated that Chelsea had not claimed victory in west Lo…

Abu Dhabi, Sep 14 (IANS) Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali admitted that the team’s defeat to Sri Lanka in their second Asia Cup group match was largely due to the failure of their top-order, which left them struggling to post a competitive total. Sri Lanka secured a commanding six-wicket victory, chasing down a modest 140-run target in just 14.4 overs, highlighting Bangladesh’s struggles with the bat.Bangladesh had a nightmare start to their innings, losing both openers without scoring – a first in…

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Former spinner Danish Kaneria has attributed the lack of hype surrounding the Asia Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan to the declining standard of Pakistan cricket. For the first-time in many years there isn’t much of a buzz for the cricket match between the neighbours who always been a fierce rivals on the field. It all started after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. India veterans boycotted…

Bengaluru, Sep 14 (IANS) Former India goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan was full of joy while speaking of the India women’s senior national team’s recent qualification for the AFC Asia Cup 2026 in Australia.Their qualification for the Continental Cup marked the first time the Women in Blue have qualified for the tournament through the qualifiers route, with their last appearance in the tournament coming in 2003. Alongside, the India U20 women’s national team secured qualification for the AFC U20 Wo…

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Ruben Amorim is considering handing Benjamin Sesko his first Premier League start in Sunday’s Manchester derby against City.The centre-forward joined from RB Leipzig during the transfer window and appeared off the bench in each of Manchester United’s three league games so far.He played the full match against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, and scored his penalty in the shootout, but has been eased into action at his new club.After gaining more minutes for Slovenia dur…

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) As India prepares to face Pakistan in one of the most anticipated matches of the Asia Cup 2025, the political heat back home is intensifying. Several opposition leaders have strongly criticized the decision to go ahead with the match, calling it disrespectful to the memories of the soldiers who lost their lives in recent terror attacks.Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade condemned the match in strong terms, linking it directly to national honour.“I would like to say t…

Liverpool, Sep 14 (IANS) India’s Jasmine Lamboria clinched her first gold medal in 57kg weight category at the World Boxing Championships after a stunning win over Paris Olympics silver medallist Paris Szeremeta of Poland.After a cautious start, Jasmine stormed back in Round 2 & 3 to beat number one seed Szeremeta 4-1 and clinch her maiden World Championships medal. Moreover, this India’s first gold at this edition of the World Championships.Speaking in the mixed zone, after becoming the fir…

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Ahead of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 encounter on Sunday, devotees in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, held special prayers at the Rajendra Prasad Ghat, seeking divine blessings for Team India’s victory.The banks of the Ganga turned into a site of patriotic and spiritual fervour, with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” echoing across the ghats.Devotees performed the Ganga Aarti, offered prayers while standing in the river, and held up pictures of Indian …