Due to political pressure, India refused to grant visas to the Pakistan squad, so they could not compete in the Blind T20 World Cup. Pakistan team visas were not granted by India’s foreign ministry, according to the Pakistan Blind Cricket Association (PBCA). Pakistan, the top-ranked team in the world right now, will not be able to participate in the tournament. …

  DOHA, Dec 6 (AFP): Cristiano Ronaldo will aim to fire Portugal past Switzerland and into the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday as Morocco bid to derail Spain’s bid for a second global crown. Just two last-eight slots remain to be filled in Qatar after five-time winners Brazil swatted aside South Korea 4-1 and 2018 finalists Croatia squeezed past Japan …

  RAWALPINDI, Dec 5 (FD): England beat Pakistan by 74 runs in the opening test in Rawalpindi in fading light on Monday, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. England amassed 657 in their first innings and declared their second on 264-7, setting Pakistan an improbable victory target of 343 on a docile track. Pakistan fought gamely and …

  LAHORE, Dec 5(FD): India has not yet issued visas to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup. The Pakistan team was scheduled to travel to India’s capital New Delhi on Dec 4 (today) for the opening ceremony of the mega event on Dec 5. Pakistan’s squad comprising 33 members is waiting for Indian …

  RAWALPINDI, Dec  04 (AFP): England declared their second innings on 264-7 to set Pakistan a victory target of 343 in the first test in Rawalpindi on Sunday. Harry Brook (87), Joe Root (73) and Zak Crawley (50) scored half-centuries for England who amassed 657 in their first innings. Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali and Zahir Mahmood claimed two wickets apiece …

  TOKYO, Dec 02  (Reuters): Japan erupted in cheers and tears after the national team’s 2-1 win over Spain early on Friday, with crowds packing public viewing areas in the pre-dawn cold shrieking with joy as they stunned another global football power at the World Cup. Japan, who had also shocked Germany in their opener in Qatar, finished top of …

  On Wednesday night, the prevalent feeling inside Qatar’s Stadium 974 — a football stadium constructed from its namesake shipping containers — was that the longer the game remained goalless, the longer Poland could contain Argentina and Lionel Messi and have higher chances of getting a result that could potentially send Lionel Scaloni’s side out of the FIFA World Cup. …

  DOHA, Nov 30 (AFP): England booked a World Cup last 16 clash against Senegal as Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden inspired a 3-0 win against Wales that sent their neighbours crashing out of the tournament on Tuesday. Gareth Southgate s side sealed first place in Group B thanks to key contributions from Rashford and Foden after they were restored to …

DOHA: Bruno Fernandes scored twice to give Portugal a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Monday and send them into the knock-out stages of the World Cup alongside France and Brazil. The Manchester United midfielder scored a cross-cum-shot nine minutes into the second half and then added an injury-time penalty following a handball by Jose Maria Gimenez. The match at Doha’s …

  AL KHOR: Germany gave themselves hope of avoiding another embarrassing early World Cup exit when they snatched a 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday with Niclas Fuellkrug firing home an 83rd minute equaliser on only his third appearance for his country. The result leaves the four-time world champions facing a must-win match against Costa Rica on Thursday, and also …