Connect with us

Sports

Sri Lanka boosts T20 World Cup security with eye on India-Pakistan games

Published

on

Sri Lanka boosts T20 World Cup security with eye on India-Pakistan games


Pakistan’s Mohammad Haris and India’s Abhishek Sharma in action during the Asia Cup Group Stage clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 14, 2025. — Reuters

Sri Lanka will deploy elite armed units to protect teams at next month’s T20 World Cup, part of enhanced security measures with a special emphasis on matches between perennial rivals India and Pakistan, officials have told AFP.

The island is co-hosting the biennial cricket tournament with India and will hold 20 games between February 7 and March 8.

The Indian and Pakistani teams will play each other at least once, in their Group A clash in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on February 15.

Cricket matches have long been a stage for expressing political tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which fought a four-day border conflict last year.

Sri Lanka has given the “highest priority” to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly and is “paying special attention to the India-Pakistan matches”, sports minister Sunil Kumara Gamage told AFP late on Wednesday.

Elite commando units, usually assigned to guard visiting heads of state, will be deployed to protect all participating teams, police and security officials said.

“From the time they step out of the airport till they return to their aircraft, they will be protected by armed guards,” an official said, asking not to be named.

Pakistan refused to play their fixtures in India due to political hostilities, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches to neutral Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh also tried to have their matches moved out of India due to security fears, but the ICC rejected the request. Following this, the cricket-governing body drafted Scotland as Bangladesh’s replacement.

Pakistan has indicated that it may yet boycott the event in solidarity with Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka maintained a studious silence throughout the India-Bangladesh row.

Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake told AFP Colombo wanted to avoid being drawn into regional disputes.

“In these disputes among India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, we are remaining neutral, all of these are friendly nations,” he said.

But he added that Sri Lanka would be willing to host future tournaments for any of the countries if asked.

Sri Lanka has also used the T20 World Cup as an opportunity to upgrade its international venues.

It has commissioned new floodlights at the Singhalese Sports Club, one of two stadiums in Colombo.

The Pallekele Stadium in Kandy was unaffected by a deadly cyclone that damaged buildings in the region in November, and will host a T20 international between Sri Lanka and England from Friday.





Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Florida judge rules prosecutors can access Tiger Woods’ prescription drug history after DUI arrest: report

Published

on

Florida judge rules prosecutors can access Tiger Woods’ prescription drug history after DUI arrest: report


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A Florida judge reportedly ruled that prosecutors will have access to Tiger Woods‘ recent prescription drug history.

An April court filing showed that a subpoena was to be issued for Woods’ prescription drug records following his DUI arrest in March, but his attorneys fought it. But according to the TC Palm, the records will be released to prosecutors only and not made available to the public.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Tiger Woods was handcuffed after a sobriety test. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

Woods was arrested for driving under the influence after taking field sobriety tests following a two-vehicle crash in which his Range Rover turned onto its driver’s side.

The aforementioned court filing showed that a subpoena will be issued to “seek copies of any and all prescription medication on file” for Woods from Jan. 1 through March 27, the date of his car crash and arrest.

Woods’ attorney, Douglas Duncan, wrote in a motion that the subpoena goes against Woods’ constitutional rights to privacy, requesting Tuesday’s hearing to determine whether prosecutors should be allowed to obtain the records.

Woods told law enforcement that “I take a few” prescription medications amid seven back surgeries and “over 20 operations” on his leg. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year.

Tiger Woods sobriety tesr

Tiger Woods went through several exercises before getting handcuffed. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

USGA SHARES TIGER WOODS STATUS UPDATE WITH US OPEN FAST APPROACHING

He also mentioned that his ankle was fused, and he walks with a limp due to the injuries. Due to the nature of his injuries, authorities made him do a field sobriety test while sitting down. He blew “triple-zeroes,” authorities said, but “lethargic” movements warranted exercises anyway.

Woods participated in four exercises before a deputy placed him in handcuffs. The deputy stated she believed Woods was under an “unknown substance.”

Deputies found two white pills on Woods, which were later identified as hydrocodone, an opioid used to treat pain.

Woods has pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge but announced several days after the wreck he would “seek treatment.” At the scene of the crash, he said he was “hoping to” play in the Masters, but his treatment put his eventual return to the course on hold.

Tiger Woods in cop car

Tiger Woods sits in the back of a cop car after getting arrested on March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Woods was granted permission on April 1 to travel out of the country “to enter into comprehensive inpatient treatment.”

Woods was charged with driving under the influence, property damage, refusal to submit to testing and careless driving. He pleaded not guilty and waived his arraignment, demanding a trial with a jury.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder, Spurs Favored; Knicks Rising

Published

on

2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder, Spurs Favored; Knicks Rising


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

It’s NBA playoff time.

Let’s take a look at the latest NBA title futures at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 12. 

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

NBA Finals winner 2025-26 season

Oklahoma City Thunder: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total)
New York Knicks: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Detroit Pistons: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)

Here is what to know about the NBA title oddsboard:

West Update: The two teams favored to win the title both reside in the Western Conference: OKC and San Antonio. The Thunder swept the Suns in Round 1 and swept the Lakers in Round 2, while the Spurs gave up just a single game to Portland in the first round and are tied 2-2 with Minnesota in the second round. While the Thunder pulled off a second straight sweep, the Spurs are in a dogfight. 

East Update: The Knicks have become the class of the conference, having won seven consecutive playoff games. They finished off a sweep of Philly in the second round, and apparently can’t be stopped. As for the East’s top seed, the Pistons, they are tied with the Cavs 2-2. Neither team has been able to get a win in the others’ home arena in that series.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Noman Ali becomes oldest player to complete 100 Test wickets

Published

on

Noman Ali becomes oldest player to complete 100 Test wickets


Pakistan’s Noman Ali celeberate after taking a wicket during first Test against South Afica at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 14, 2025. — AFP

Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali completed 100 Test wickets, becoming the oldest player in history to reach the milestone during the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

He claimed the milestone by dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, joining an elite group of Pakistan bowlers and becoming the ninth spinner and 20th overall to achieve the feat.

The left-arm spinner also picked up the crucial wickets of Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Taijul Islam.

At 39 years and 217 days, Noman became the oldest player in Test history to reach the 100-wicket milestone. He surpassed former England spinner Bobby Peel, who reached the mark in 1896 at the age of 39 years and 180 days.

The 39-year-old also reached another landmark by becoming the joint fourth-fastest Pakistan bowler to claim 100 Test wickets, achieving the feat in his 22nd Test match.

England great George Lohmann holds the world record for the fastest to 100 Test wickets, having reached the milestone in just 16 matches, while several Pakistan bowlers also feature among the quickest to the landmark.

Oldest players to reach 100 Test wickets

  • Noman Ali (Pakistan) – 39y 217d
  • Bobby Peel (England) – 39y 180d
  • Ray Illingworth (England) – 39y 30d
  • Clarrie Grimmett (Australia) – 39y 22d
  • Sydney Barnes (England) – 38y 310d

Fastest Pakistani bowlers to 100 Test wickets

  • Yasir Shah – 17 matches
  • Saeed Ajmal – 19 matches
  • Waqar Younis – 20 matches
  • Mohammad Asif – 20 matches
  • Noman Ali – 22 matches*
  • Fazal Mahmood – 22 matches
  • Saqlain Mushtaq – 23 matches





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending