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Shakib leads Bangladesh to win after ‘time out’ drama

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ARUN SANKAR/ AFP

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan triggered a debate on the spirit of cricket before smashing a rapid 82 in their three-wicket victory against 1996 champions Sri Lanka, who were eliminated from the 50-overs World Cup.

The all-rounder collaborated in a 169-run stand with Najmul Hossain Shanto (90) to help Bangladesh chase down a 280-run victory target in 41.1 overs.

Charith Asalanka’s 108 underpinned Sri Lanka’s 279 all out after they were put into bat by Shakib, who was in the eye of a storm on an eventful day.

It was Shakib’s appeal that led to Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews becoming the first player to be ‘timed out’ in an international match.

Put into bat, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera in the first over when Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiquir Rahim flew to his left to grab a one-handed blinder in front of the first slip.

Pathum Nissanka (41) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (41) could not convert the starts but Asalanka smashed five sixes and six fours in his second ODI century to help Sri Lanka post a competitive total.

Nearly 20,000 spectators witnessed drama at the halfway stage of the Sri Lankan innings when Mathews walked out to bat after Samarawickrama’s exit.

After the chinstrap of his helmet broke, Mathews waited for a new helmet to arrive before facing Shakib, but was adjudged ‘timed out’ after failing to take strike within the stipulated two minutes.

Bangladesh lost both openers inside seven overs but Shakib and Shanto put their chase back on track.

Mathews denied Shakib a hundred, and tapped his wrist in a send-off as if to tell the Bangladesh captain it was his time to go.

Shanto missed out on a hundred too but Sri Lanka still succumbed to their sixth defeat in eight matches.

Following the team’s poor performance in the tournament, the entire Sri Lankan board was sacked and replaced with an interim committee earlier on Monday.

The prevailing poor air quality in New Delhi was the talking point ahead of the match between the Asian sides.

The air quality index (AQI) near the Arun Jaitley Stadium read close to 400 on Monday noon triggering speculation that the match might get delayed if not cancelled altogether.

An AQI of 0-50 is considered good while anything between 400-500 affects healthy people and is considered a danger to those with existing diseases.

Both teams had cancelled a training session in the buildup, and on Sunday, asthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors while Sri Lankan players wore masks.

Organisers installed air purifiers in the players’ dressing rooms while water sprinklers were used to reduce pollutants in the air.

New Delhi has stood on top of a real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities compiled by Swiss group, forcing the local government to extend the closure of primary schools until November 10.

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DP World ILT20 Season 4 shatters records with 397 million viewers and 2.5 billion video views

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The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has officially cemented its status as a global cricket powerhouse. Following the conclusion of Season 4, new data reveals the league has tightened its grip as the second-most watched cricket league in the world, reaching a staggering 397 million unique viewers across TV and OTT platforms.

This represents a 7.49% increase over Season 3, fuelled by expansive broadcast syndication and the maiden title victory of the Desert Vipers on January 4, 2026.

Digital dominance: 2.5 billion views

While the TV numbers are impressive, the league’s digital footprint saw an even more explosive surge. DP World ILT20 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, amassed over 2.5 billion video views during the season.

“This season we have further strengthened our position… with significant gains across all platforms,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.

“Our digital content, focusing on both high-stakes action and off-field fan engagement, has truly resonated with a global audience.”

Season 4 statistical highlights

  • Global Reach: 397 million unique viewers (7.49% YoY growth).
  • Viral Content: Over 350 social media posts surpassed the 1 million views mark.
  • Star Power: Features elite talent including Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament), Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, and Shakib Al Hasan.

Joseph Eapen, Managing Partner at GSIQ, noted that for such a young tournament, achieving this level of international relevance is a “highly credible and noteworthy achievement.”

With Season 4 in the books, the league is already looking toward the future. Officials have confirmed that dates for Season 5 will be unveiled in the coming days, promising an even larger spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.

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Dubai airport welcomes travellers with special Dubai World Cup passport stamp

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Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.

The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.

A grand sporting celebration

The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.

This year’s event promises high-stakes action:

  • 100 horses from top international stables
  • Nine races across the evening
  • Total prize pool of $30.5 million

Spotlight on the main race

The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:

  • “Hit Show” – last year’s winner
  • “Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
  • “Imperial Emperor”
  • “Meidan” – Super Saturday winner

A memorable arrival experience

The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.

With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.

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Football superstar Erling Haaland invests in Norway Chess to launch global ‘Total Chess’ Championship Tour

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Soccer superstar Erling Haaland has announced a major investment in Norway Chess, backing the launch of a new global competition format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.

The initiative, unveiled in Oslo, aims to transform chess into a more spectator-friendly and widely accessible sport. Haaland has partnered with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge to establish a new company, Chess Mates, which will become a significant stakeholder in Norway Chess.

Haaland said his investment reflects a strong belief in chess as both a mental discipline and a global spectator sport.

“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead,” he said.

The newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to feature four tournaments annually across different cities, bringing together the world’s top players. The competition will crown an overall world champion based on combined performance in three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

The tour has been approved by the International Chess Federation for a minimum of 16 years, underscoring its long-term ambition and significance within the global chess calendar.

A pilot tournament is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the first full season expected in 2027. Each season will include four events and offer a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomed Haaland’s involvement, describing it as a major step forward for the sport.

He said Haaland’s global influence and appeal would help attract new audiences and elevate the profile of chess worldwide, adding that preparations are now in the final stages to secure host cities for the inaugural tour.

With millions of fans worldwide, Haaland’s move into chess investment signals a growing crossover between elite sport and strategic mind games, potentially reshaping how chess is consumed and followed globally.

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