Category: Sports

–IANS

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Bengaluru/Shillong, Nov 5 (IANS) A double-header featuring a historic home debut in Karnataka for Bengaluru United followed by an all-Northeast showdown in Meghalaya between Shillong Lajong FC and Chanmari FC will start Match Week 2 of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season on Friday.

In the afternoon fixture at the Bangalore Football Stadium, IFL debutants FC Bengaluru United will play their first-ever home match in the competition against two-time I-League champions Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Later in the evening, last season’s runners-up Shillong Lajong FC will welcome Mizoram outfit Chanmari FC to the SSA Stadium in Shillong.

The afternoon encounter sees two sides looking to get off the mark in the 2026-27 standings after suffering narrow 1-0 defeats via late goals on the opening weekend.

Hosts FC Bengaluru United, who earned promotion to the IFL for the first time in club history as runners-up in the 2025-26 I-League 2 season, currently sit ninth in the table following a hard-fought 0-1 loss away to Dempo Sports Club in Fatorda.

In their season opener in Goa, FC Bengaluru United fielded a disciplined defensive unit marshalled by Daniel, Abdul Hannan, and goalkeeper Manjunath Hirekurbar, with Ribhav Sardesai and Lalramdinsanga Ralte anchoring the midfield behind Russian forward Marat Tarek.

Hirekurbar, Daniel, and Hannan stood out at the back to frustrate Dempo for 97 minutes, while Sardesai and Ralte worked tirelessly in the engine room and Tarek threatened with his runs in behind the opposition backline.

Guided by head coach and former India international Nallappan Mohanraj, the Karnataka side will look to turn their resilient away display into points in front of their home supporters at the Bangalore Football Stadium.

“Definitely it was a disappointing end for us in Goa because a fair result would have been a point, especially after we dominated the game without the ball for 96 minutes before losing concentration on a set-piece,” FC Bengaluru United head coach Nallappan Mohanraj said.

“That was a great learning experience for us, and now we have to pick ourselves up for our very first IFL home game, which this club has dreamt of for years. Mohammedan is a very good, historic club coming back from the ISL, and playing them at home is a great opportunity for us to bounce back. The boys are motivated and prepared to go out there and give more than 100 per cent for the three points,” he added.

FC Bengaluru United defender Abdul Hannan expressed his excitement ahead of stepping out in front of the home faithful in Bengaluru.

“It is everyone’s dream to play in the IFL, and having been to the Bangalore Football Stadium so many times over the years, getting the chance to finally play here in front of our home fans is a special feeling,” Abdul Hannan said. “We worked very hard last year to qualify for this stage, and tomorrow is our chance to prove ourselves, give everything on the pitch, and win for our supporters.”

Visitors Mohammedan Sporting Club, returning to the IFL following their stint in the Indian Super League, currently occupy eighth place in the standings after going down 1-0 at home to Shillong Lajong FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday, October 31.

Fielding an all-Indian squad, the Black and White Brigade defended doggedly throughout the afternoon before substitute Nelson Rymbai broke the deadlock in the 90th minute to hand the visitors victory.

Skipper Mahitosh Roy, Tangva Ragui, and Thokchom Adison Singh operated in midfield, supporting an attacking trio of Lalremsanga Fanai, Israfil Dewan, and Mohammad Fardin Ali Molla. Goalkeeper Deka was the standout performer for the Kolkata side, pulling off a string of eight saves, including a crucial stop in the 69th minute—to keep his team in the contest until the closing stages.

Led by head coach Saheed Ramon, Mohammedan SC will aim to build on their defensive grit while finding greater fluency in the final third, even as they manage the absence of Thokchom Adison Singh and Israfil Dewan for the trip to Bengaluru. “Both teams lost their opening match, so this is a big challenge and an important game for both sides, but we have prepared well, and our boys are ready to fight,” Mohammedan SC head coach Saheed Ramon said.

“In our first match, the boys were very compact and did well defensively, but we missed clear chances that we should have converted. We are working to improve in the final third and cut out the late mistakes that cost us last time. Even though we will be without Adison and Israfil for this match, I have complete trust in every player in our squad.”

Mohammedan SC senior defender Hira Mondal, who confirmed he has fully recovered from minor cramps suffered earlier in the week, highlighted how the extra training days have helped the squad settle.

“As a senior player, I stayed in touch with all the boys even before we assembled so that everyone maintained their fitness levels,” Hira Mondal said. “The first match was difficult because we had very little time together, but having these last three to four days of training has helped us adjust to the coach’s plan, which we already know well from the Calcutta Football League. I am completely fit now, and we are confident of putting in a strong performance tomorrow.”

Friday’s encounter marks the first-ever meeting between FC Bengaluru United and Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Indian Football League. The two sides previously met in the group stage of the 2021 Durand Cup in Kalyani on September 14, 2021, where FC Bengaluru United recorded a 2-0 victory over Mohammedan SC.

Shillong welcome Chanmari in Northeast derby

Under the floodlights at the SSA Stadium in Shillong, an exciting Northeast derby takes centre stage as Shillong Lajong FC play their first home match of the season against a Chanmari FC side kicking off their 2026-27 campaign after serving a Matchweek 1 bye.

Hosts Shillong Lajong FC, who finished as runners-up in the 2025/26 IFL Championship Round with 28 points from 14 matches (just one point behind champions Diamond Harbour FC), sit fifth in the early standings after opening their campaign with a 1-0 away triumph over Mohammedan SC in Kolkata last Saturday.

Dominating possession and chance creation for large spells, Lajong sealed all three points in the 90th minute when second-half substitute Nelson Rymbai struck the decisive winner.

Substitute forward Nelson Rymbai made the decisive impact off the bench alongside Treimiki Lamurong and Abelson Jachi, while Jota and Damaitphang Lyngdoh orchestrated a relentless attacking display that kept the opposition pinned back.

Returning to their fortress in Shillong, Thapa will look for his side to carry their away momentum into their home opener in front of their passionate supporters.

“It is very important that we carry the momentum from our away win in Kolkata into our first home match tomorrow, as winning at home will give the boys a great boost for the matches ahead,” Shillong Lajong FC head coach Birendra Thapa said.

“Playing in front of our home crowd is a huge motivation because our fans act as the 12th man and give the players extra energy right until the final whistle. With the addition of quality foreign signings like Jota, Joedson, and Arthur this season, fans can expect the same exciting and entertaining brand of football. I have been following Chanmari closely—they did very well last year, recently won the MPL title, and have signed three foreigners, so we expect a very good contest,” he added.

For Shillong Lajong FC’s Brazilian playmaker João Vitor De Paula Morais (Jota), Friday’s clash carries added personal significance as he lines up against the club he represented last season.

“While I am playing against my former club, for me it is another professional game, and my full focus is on giving everything to help Shillong Lajong,” Jota said. “My target tomorrow is to contribute with goals and assists and help the team secure all three points at home.”

Visitors Chanmari FC enter the fray for their first match of the 2026-27 season after sitting out the opening weekend of the 11-team competition. In their debut IFL campaign in 2025-26, the Mizo club impressed by qualifying for the top-six Championship Round and finishing fifth overall on 15 points from 14 matches, before also capturing the 2025-26 Mizoram Premier League title.

Ahead of the new season, Chanmari FC appointed former India international winger Steven Dias as Head Coach in September 2026. Captained by experienced goalkeeper Zothanmawia, the Aizawl outfit have bolstered their roster with foreign trio Denilson, Gabriel Paz, and Seila Toure to complement a dynamic domestic core.

Statistically, Shillong Lajong FC produced the most dominant attacking metrics of Matchweek 1, recording 66 per cent ball possession, 32 total shots (nine on target), and 14 corner kicks in their 1-0 win over Mohammedan SC. Friday’s encounter sets up an intriguing reunion on the flanks involving Brazilian attacker Jota (João Vitor De Paula Morais), who now lines up for Shillong Lajong after featuring for Chanmari FC last term.

Shillong Lajong FC and Chanmari FC met twice during the 2025-26 Indian Football League season, with Shillong Lajong winning both encounters. In their Stage I meeting at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on March 19, 2026, Shillong Lajong came from behind to defeat Chanmari FC 2-1 following a late injury-time winner.

In the Championship Round return fixture at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on May 2, 2026, Shillong Lajong registered a comprehensive 4-0 victory, with Treimiki Lamurong opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time (45+1′).

With FC Bengaluru United and Mohammedan SC both determined to secure their first points of the campaign, Shillong Lajong FC aiming to build on their opening-day win at home, and Chanmari FC eager to make a statement in their season curtain-raiser, Friday’s double-header promises an absorbing day of action.

–IANS

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St. John’s (Antigua), Nov 5 (IANS) Opener John Campbell has won back a West Indies central contract for the first time since 2019, while Matthew Forde, Amir Jangoo and Mandy Mangru have been handed their maiden international retainers, as Cricket West Indies (CWI) unveiled its contracted players for the 2026/27 season on Thursday.

Campbell’s return follows a memorable 2025/26 season. He hit his first Test hundred — 115 against India in New Delhi — and returned to the ODI side after a six-year gap. He marked that return by hitting 101 off 68 balls against India in Guwahati in September this year.

He is joined on the list by three first-timers. Seamer Forde has taken more powerplay wickets than any other West Indies bowler in both white-ball formats over the past year — 10 scalps in T20Is and six wickets in ODIs.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jangoo struck 233 against Sri Lanka in Antigua in June. His 401-run partnership with Roston Chase in that innings is a world record for the sixth-wicket partnership in Tests.

Interestingly, on the day CWI chose to announce its central contracts, Jangoo remained unbeaten on 111 on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet, including sharing a 131-run fourth-wicket stand with Kevin Wickham (61).

On the women’s side, Mandy, a member of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, gets her first international contract. CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said every deal was tied to a clear goal.

“Every one of these contracts is tied to a job in front of us. For the men, the first job is the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in February, and we go there with every intention of making it through.

“For the women, it is the Pakistan ODIs in December, which give us the chance to earn automatic qualification for the next ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Matthew, Amir and Mandy have earned their places in that work, and John has earned his way back,” he said in a statement.

In all, 15 men and 15 women have received senior retainers, and three more men have been given development contracts. All the deals run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. The three captains, Shai Hope (ODI and T20I), Chase (Test) and Hayley Matthews, remain at the heart of the group.

Keacy Carty, Chase, Justin Greaves and Jomel Warrican are entering the final year of two-year deals, as are Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry among the women. Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste and Vitel Lawes have been handed development contracts.

All three have already represented the West Indies, and the deals are also the first international contracts for Auguste and Lawes. CWI, though, hasn’t mentioned the exact retainer amount slabs, though it did say in September about implementing a 25 percent pay cut for international players as part of financial restructuring.

“Development contracts bring players into the international set-up, where we can support them most closely and guide their progress. They are in contention for selection now. This gives them the best environment to keep growing while they compete for places,” added Bascombe.

The women’s team will take on Pakistan in December under interim head coach Andre Coley. CWI added that players without international contracts remain eligible for selection across all West Indies teams. The Men’s Academy cohort and regional women’s contracts for 2026-27 will be announced separately.

Contracted players:

Senior men: John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase (Test captain), Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (ODI and T20I captain), Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican.

Men’s development: Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste, Vitel Lawes.

Senior women: Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Hayley Matthews (captain), Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor.

–IANS

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Berlin, Nov 5 (IANS) Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp recalled striker Niclas Fullkrug and handed teenager Wael Mohya his first senior call-up on Thursday, naming a 24-man squad for the decisive UEFA Nations League fixtures against Serbia and the Netherlands.

The 59-year-old reduced his selection considerably after calling up 44 players for September and October’s four-match international window, with Germany seeking to improve their position in Group A2.

Fullkrug, 33, returns to the national team for the first time since September 2025 after scoring nine goals in eight Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen this season. The 24-cap international currently leads the league’s scoring charts.

Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder Mohya, who turns 18 in December, earns his maiden senior invitation after making 23 Bundesliga appearances and scoring four goals, reports Xinhua.

Klopp welcomed the competition for places following his expanded selection earlier in the campaign. “I’m really looking forward to the next two games. We have a colourful mix of very young and quite experienced players in the squad,” said Klopp. “The more quality you have, the more difficult, in a positive sense, the decisions you have to make become,” he added.

Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch and Leipzig midfielder Brajan Gruda remain in contention for their senior debuts after receiving previous invitations without making an appearance.

Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, Said El Mala, Philipp Treu, Derry Scherhant and Younes Ebnoutalib retain their places after making their international debuts under Klopp.

However, injured Bayern Munich pair Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala are unavailable, while Leipzig defender David Raum, Nick Woltemade and Karim Adeyemi have been omitted.

Germany sit third in League A Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League with five points from four matches, three behind leaders Netherlands and second-placed Greece, who both have eight. Serbia remain bottom without a point.

With only the top two advancing to the quarterfinals, Klopp’s side face a difficult task after recording just one victory in their opening four fixtures.

Germany drew 1-1 with the Netherlands, suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Greece and beat Serbia 2-0 before being held to a goalless draw in Thessaloniki.

The squad assembles in Herzogenaurach on Monday before facing Serbia in Belgrade on November 13 and the Netherlands at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium three days later.

Even two victories would not guarantee Germany a quarterfinal place, with the outcome also depending on results elsewhere in the group.

Germany squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Alexander Nubel (Besiktas), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Ajax Amsterdam), Jonas Urbig (Bayern Munich).

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Bayern Munich), Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United), Philipp Treu (Freiburg).

Midfielders: Tom Bischof (Bayern Munich), Said El Mala (Cologne), Brajan Gruda (RB Leipzig), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Wael Mohya (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Derry Scherhant (Freiburg), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool).

Forwards: Younes Ebnoutalib (Eintracht Frankfurt), Niclas FFüllkrug(Werder Bremen), Kai Havertz (Arsenal).

–IANS

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Margao (Goa), Nov 5 (IANS) NorthEast United FC extended their unbeaten run to five matches in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026/27 season after registering a 2-0 victory over Churchill Brothers at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, near Margao on Thursday.

Ethyan González opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Antonio Moyano struck in the third minute of stoppage time (90+3’) to help the Highlanders secure all three points.

The victory provisionally consolidated NorthEast United’s position at the top of the standings, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant scheduled to face Odisha FC in the second match of the day.

NorthEast United made a positive start and broke the deadlock through González in the 16th minute. The forward produced a fine finish with the outside of his boot after a swift counter-attacking move, with Jithin MS providing the assist.

The goal came after Churchill Brothers failed to deal with NorthEast’s quick transition, allowing the Highlanders to capitalise on the defensive lapse and take an early advantage.

Churchill Brothers looked more purposeful after the restart and stepped up their attacking efforts in search of an equaliser. They pushed forward with greater intent and managed to put the NorthEast defence under sustained pressure.

However, the Highlanders maintained their composure and defensive discipline to keep Churchill at bay. Despite the increased pressure, NorthEast United held on to their slender advantage and continued to frustrate their opponents.

Churchill’s hopes of finding a late equaliser were eventually dealt a blow when NorthEast United doubled their lead in the third minute of stoppage time.

Abdul Rabeeh set up Moyano, who made no mistake with a right-footed effort. The shot took a deflection on its way into the net, making it 2-0 and putting the result beyond doubt.

The late goal ensured NorthEast United finished the contest with a comfortable two-goal cushion after showing resilience against Churchill’s second-half fightback.

The result extended the Highlanders’ unbeaten streak to five matches and strengthened their position at the top of the ISL standings, although the day’s remaining fixture could bring a change in the standings.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya believes captain Ayush Badoni is destined for bigger things, but feels the batting all-rounder sells himself short by not setting high enough standards.

Badoni has been on a mission to bounce back from being dropped by India A by making big runs in the Ranji Trophy. He was a regular in the India A setup and had even led the side, apart from being in the senior team for the ODI series against New Zealand in January as a replacement for injured Washington Sundar.

But after a poor IPL 2026 for Lucknow Super Giants, Badoni was left out of the India ‘A’ series against Sri Lanka, Australia and the ongoing tour of New Zealand. With the first phase of the Ranji Trophy ending, Badoni sits as the second-highest run-scorer with 559 runs in four games coming at an average of 111.8, including hitting 210 not out and 217 against Gujarat and Jharkhand respectively.

But Badoni managed only 7 and 17 in the drawn game against Services at Palam, with Delhi taking three points due to taking the first innings lead. “He’s meant for bigger things, but he sells himself very cheap. He doesn’t set the standard high enough for himself.

“That’s what I see in him, and I’ve seen this in a lot of people who have gone on to achieve big things. He’s got all those traits too. When you’re in an environment where your 100 becomes a daddy hundred, you need people to push you,” Dahiya told reporters at the conclusion of the game on Thursday.

Dahiya, who worked closely with Badoni at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), also felt the batting all-rounder tends to get caught up in battles with bowlers, which in turn leads to him being unsettled when facing good balls.

“Sometimes, he gets affected when somebody bowls a couple of good deliveries. He needs to understand that he has to give the bowler respect as well. The bowler is doing his job. If somebody challenges you and says, ‘I’ll keep you tight,’ you have to respond. It’s almost like a boxer. If somebody punches you once, you punch back twice.”

Dahiya’s advice to Badoni is very simple: stay at the crease longer and see out the tough spells before going after the bowlers. “I told him that he needs to spend time in the middle. You can only score runs when you’re in the middle. That’s where he needs to bite the bullet and say, ‘For the next half an hour, maybe for a session, I’ll stay there. Then I’ll score’.”

“It should hurt when you’ve captained India A, and then you’re not even being talked about. But on two difficult wickets, he has scored back-to-back hundreds and a double hundred. So he’s on the right path,” he added.

India A’s next assignment is three white-ball games against Nepal in December, and it remains to be seen if Badoni makes the cut for it. For now, Badoni’s focus will be to make a truckload of runs for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which starts on November 14.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted India’s remarkable progress at the Asian Para Games, saying the country’s journey from 14 medals in 2010 to 114 in the 2026 edition reflected not just its rise in the medal tally but also the immense potential and talent of the country’s athletes.

In a post on X following his interaction with India’s Para Asian Games contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, PM Modi highlighted the achievements of the athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Games in Japan and said no dream was too big and no challenge too great when backed by determination. “On one hand, this is a number…a statistic of India’s rise in the Asian Para Games. But, importantly, this meteoric rise suggests something else…the immense potential and talent of our athletes,” PM Modi wrote.

India registered its best-ever performance at the continental event, with 97 para-athletes winning 114 medals, comprising 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze. The country finished fourth in the overall medal standings.

Highlighting the contingent’s achievements, PM Modi pointed out that India won 30 gold medals and also registered five world records and nine Asian records. Indian athletes also swept all three podium positions in four events.

PM Modi further highlighted two statistics from India’s campaign, noting that 36 of the 61 athletes making their Asian Para Games debut returned with medals, while 34 of the 56 women athletes in the contingent emerged as medal winners. “Of the 61 athletes making their Asian Para Games debut, 36 came back home with medals. There are 34 medal winners among 56 women athletes!” PM Modi wrote.

The prime minister said the performances demonstrated that determination could help athletes overcome challenges and achieve their dreams. “Our athletes have shown that no dream is too big and no challenge too great when there is determination,” he added.

PM Modi also spoke about the changing perception of society towards youngsters aspiring to pursue sports, saying athletes with talent would now receive support and encouragement in the country.

“Those days are long over when society frowned upon youngsters who wanted to pursue sports. Now, if you have the talent, India will support you and cheer for you. Come, play and shine!” PM Modi wrote.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi interacted with the Indian contingent, congratulating the athletes, coaches and support staff for their record-breaking campaign. During the interaction, sprinter Simran Sharma presented a pair of shoes to PM Modi, while shot put gold medallist Sachin Sarjerao gifted him a shot put ball.

India’s 114-medal haul surpassed its previous best of 108 medals, including 27 gold, achieved at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, underlining the country’s progress in para-sports.

–IANS

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Dhaka, Nov 5 (IANS) Defending champions India began their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign with a 3-2 victory over Pakistan in their Group B opener at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday.

Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice in the first half before Manglenthang Kipgen added a third to give India a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. Pakistan scored twice in stoppage time through Najeeb Ullah and Alamgir Ghazi, but the Indian side held on to secure all three points.

India began cautiously, building patiently from the back and looking to establish control through the midfield, with Abhishek Suryavanshi operating in a deep role. Bhat thought he had opened the scoring in the 12th minute after getting on the end of an aerial ball from Kipgen, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The forward was not to be denied for long. A minute later, Muhammad Suhail collected the ball from a throw-in on the left and drove forward before delivering an inch-perfect ball into the penalty area. Bhat arrived at the six-yard box to turn it home and give India the lead.

India doubled their advantage in the 19th minute, with Suryavanshi providing the assist. As Pakistan dropped deeper, the midfielder found himself further up the pitch and played a precise, line-breaking pass through the defence. Bhat timed his run to perfection, got clear of the backline and calmly slotted a first-time finish into the far corner past goalkeeper Yousuf Butt.

The Blue Tigers continued to find space behind the Pakistan defence and made it 3-0 in the 31st minute. Noufal PN carried the ball forward through the middle before releasing Kipgen with a pass in behind. The midfielder ran onto it and finished past the advancing Butt to extend India’s lead.

Pakistan had an opportunity to reduce the deficit when Suryavanshi brought down Hayyaan Khattak from behind inside the penalty area. However, Shayak Dost sent the resulting spot-kick over the crossbar, allowing India to preserve their three-goal advantage.

Bhat came close to completing his hat-trick just before half-time. Cutting in from the right in the 45th minute, he unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the box, but his shot went narrowly wide, with Butt rooted to the spot.

India continued to control proceedings after the restart and created opportunities to extend their lead. Adison Singh Thokchom was denied by Butt in a one-on-one situation, while Kipgen and Farukh also had attempts that failed to find the target. However, Naushad Moosa’s side were unable to add to their first-half tally as the second period progressed.

Pakistan found a way back into the contest in stoppage time. Junaid Shah delivered a cross from the left in the 91st minute, and Najeeb Ullah rose highest to head the ball past Arsh Anwer Shaikh, who had little to do during most of the match.

Pakistan scored again three minutes later, with McKeal Abdullah providing the cross from the right side of the penalty area. Alamgir Ghazi controlled the delivery before finishing with an acrobatic effort to make it 3-2.

Indian team will next face Maldives in their final Group B fixture on November 11 at the same venue. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Tripura pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the 2026/27 Ranji Trophy by defeating former champions Saurashtra by 133 runs on the final day of their Elite Group B clash. Set 342 to win, Saurashtra were undone once again by off-spinner Sandip Sarkar.

He followed his first-innings figures of 4-48 with 4-81, and finished with eight wickets in the match. Arpit Vasavada made 89, the only half-century of the second innings for Saurashtra, and was the last man to be dismissed after he was run out by Manisankar Murasingh to seal a famous win for Tripura in Agartala. Sridam Paul was named Player of the Match for scores of 86 and 50.

At the Brabourne Stadium, 42-time champions Mumbai beat Railways by 106 runs to get their fourth straight outright win of the season. Mumbai had to wait until the final session to clinch the victory.

Railways were 250/5 at the last drinks break and seemed set to escape with a draw. Eshaan Goyal and Zubair Ali had rebuilt the innings from 83/5 in the 31st over with a 167-run sixth-wicket stand.

But on the very first ball after drinks, Goyal attempted a paddle sweep off Musheer Khan, and Musheer’s brother Sarfaraz, anticipating the shot from first slip, moved swiftly towards leg slip to take the catch.

A couple of overs later, Musheer had Ali caught at long-off. Raj Choudhary and Himanshu Sangwan dug in for a while in an attempt to take Railways to a draw. But Tanush Kotian removed Choudhary, and Musheer came back to dismiss Sangwan and wrap up the win for Mumbai, as Railways lost their last five wickets for 15 runs.

Elsewhere, Hyderabad scraped home by one wicket against Chhattisgarh in a nail-biting chase of 259 at the Gymkhana Ground. At 220/9, Hyderabad looked beaten, but a 39-run last-wicket stand off 104 balls turned the game, and Rakshann Readdi finished it with a six over long-off. The win also took Hyderabad to the top of the Group B table with 20 points.

At the Eden Gardens, Maharashtra thrashed Bengal by 10 wickets in an Elite Group C clash. Bad light had cut into play on three days, but Maharashtra still had time to secure a bonus point. Pradeep Dhade and Hitesh Walunj took four wickets each on day for as Bengal were bowled out for 186 in their second innings, leaving Maharashtra a target of 112 to chase.

Openers Sachin Dhas and Prithvi Shaw knocked it off in just 19.4 overs. While Dhas was unbeaten on 61 off 68 balls with 10 fours, and reached his fifty in 43 deliveries, Shaw made an unbeaten 53 off 50 balls, laced with three fours and four sixes, and got his half-century in 47 balls.

It was Maharashtra’s biggest win of the season and their second outright victory. The seven points took them to 19, past previous leaders Bengal, who suffered their first defeat of the season.

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat crushed Kerala by an innings and 58 runs to get a bonus-point victory. Urvil Patel’s unbeaten 210 set up the win, while Arzan Nagwaswalla finished with match figures of 8-83, including 4-24 on the last day, as Kerala were bowled out for 197 after being made to follow on.

Tamil Nadu needed three wickets on the final day, and Ajith Ram took them all, finishing with 7-48 to seal the win over Chandigarh. At the Air Force Complex Ground in Palam, Yash Dhull’s first hundred of the season helped Delhi hold on for a draw against Services and take three points due to taking a first-innings lead.

Chasing 320, Delhi slipped to 119/4 just before tea when Nitin Tanwar removed Ayush Doseja for 14. But Dhull stood firm and finished unbeaten on 104 off 104 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes. He reached his century off 102 deliveries, shortly before the teams shook hands with Delhi, ending on 168/4 after 38 overs.

Services captain Rajat Paliwal completed a century in each innings, while ex-Delhi player Mohit Ahlawat made 142 as Services declared their second innings at 397/9. Elsewhere, several games ended in draws. Uttar Pradesh made 492, built on Adarsh Singh’s 162 and Madhav Kaushik’s 137, and Prashant Veer took 3-42, but they could not get a win over Baroda in Kanpur.

Jammu and Kashmir piled up 555/6 and took a 170-run first-innings lead over Pondicherry, who batted out the game thanks to Ankit Sharma’s 62 in Srinagar. Andhra replied to Punjab’s 592/9 with 505/8 to secure a draw. Shaik Rasheed made 176, while Karan Shinde fell four runs short of a hundred.

Rain cost Jharkhand plenty of overs against Odisha, who reached 280/7 on the final day as the match was drawn. Pukhraj Mann’s unbeaten 153 on the final day saved the game for Himachal Pradesh against Rajasthan.

All three Plate Group matches produced results. Satyajeet Bachhav followed his first-innings 6-50 with figures of 7-33 as Sikkim beat Manipur by 201 runs. Nagaland bowled out Meghalaya for 172 in the second innings to win by 122 runs.

Mizoram beat Arunachal Pradesh by an innings and 29 runs, with Chinmay Sutar making 175 and Bobby Zothansanga taking five wickets in the second innings. The Ranji Trophy will now take a break for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and resume in January.

–IANS

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Paris, Nov 5 (IANS) Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has received a walkover in the Paris Masters round of 16 after Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the third-round match due to lingering pain in his arm, the tournament organisers confirmed on Thursday.

Alcaraz, who made it to the round of 16 after defeating America’s Alex Michelsen in the round of 32, is now through to the quarterfinals, where he will be facing either home favourite Arthur Fils or Taylor Fritz.

“Matteo Berrettini has to withdraw from the Rolex Paris Masters. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Matteo. Carlos Alcaraz is qualified for the quarter-finals,” an official statement from the tournament read.

Berrettini also put an Instagram story on his withdrawal. The English version of his Italian statement reads, “Hi all, unfortunately the pain in my arm that I’ve had for a few days won’t allow me to take the court tonight.

“In the next few days, I will have all the necessary tests to better understand what this is. Thank you all for the support and affection you show me every day on and off the court. Mat.”

Meanwhile, Alcaraz is hunting for his fifth tour-level title of the year. He won the Australian Open and the Qatar Open before being sidelined for months due to a wrist injury he picked up during the Barcelona Open.

He returned at the US Open, where he made it to the quarterfinals before losing to Ben Shelton. Alcaraz won the Japan Open in Tokyo last month and also added the Erste Bank Open title earlier this month.

Meanwhile, he gears up to face either Fils or Fritz next. Fils recently confirmed his place in the ATP Finals, becoming the first Frenchman to qualify for the year-end tournament since Gael Monfils in 2016.

Fritz stands 11th in the Race to Turin and needs to reach the semifinals to keep his hopes alive in the eight-man final; a top-nine finish will do it for him, as Jannik Sinner, second in the Race to Turin, is missing the rest of the season due to his injury.

–IANS

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