
BPL season 10 to begin on 19 January 


Bangladesh U-19 seal semifinals spot as they crush Japan in Youth Asia Cup 


Teams fume as Big Bash match abandoned due to dangerous pitch 


'Campaign to discredit the club': Laporta denies any crime in refereeing scandal 

It’s crunch time for World Cup preparations, as the first games begin on November 20, and fans need to ensure they’re ready. The World Cup stadiums and the country require all ticketholders to apply for and carry a Hayya card. Let us explain what a Hayya card is for World Cup 2022 and why it is needed.

What isHayya’sa card for World Cup 2022?

For those who have purchased tickets, the Hayya card serves as a Fan ID, granting them access to all public transit in Qatar, including the metro and buses, as well as admittance into the stadiums, for free on game days.
Who needs a Hayya card?
All fans wishing to enter Qatar and watch the games must first get a Hayya card. Young people under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian apply for their Hayya card on their behalf.
Does the Hayya card serve as a visa?
With a valid Hayya card, international visitors to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup do not require a visa to enter the country. To remain in Qatar, Hayya cardholders must do so until January 23, 2023.

What is Hayya card for World Cup 2022?

New Zealand A have named a strong squad for the upcoming four-day matches against Australia A next month, including six players with international experience, as well as five who will have the chance to represent the A team for the first time.

Tom Bruce will lead the side in both games, having last captained the team during the tour of India last year. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel and bowling allrounders Doug Bracewell and Scott Kuggeleijn are also in the squad. Kuggeleijn, however, will be available for only the second match as a replacement for Jacob Duffy, who is getting married. Allrounder Cole McConchie returns to the side after missing out on the India tour, while there were also places for opener Henry Cooper and wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher.

The new names in the squad include Dean Foxcroft (Otago), Adithya Ashok (Auckland), Will O'Rourke (Canterbury), Mitch Hay (Canterbury) and Brett Randell (Central Stags).

Ashok, the former New Zealand Under-19 legspinner, impressed in his first season of domestic red-ball cricket, having taken 15 wickets from three first-class matches so far. O'Rourke has been one of Canterbury's standout bowlers in their Plunket Shield campaign, taking 19 first-class wickets.

The South African-born Foxcroft is currently not eligible to represent New Zealand, but can play for the A team as national 'A' cricket is not subject to the ICC Eligibility Regulations. Foxcroft topped the run charts in the recent Super Smash, scoring 424 runs. He also recently scored his maiden hundred in first-class cricket, making 159 against Wellington.

"This will be a big challenge against a very good Australia A team, and we look forward to a couple of really tough matches against quality opponents," New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said. "This is a well-balanced squad and I'm sure that they'll enjoy the experience. We certainly look forward to seeing who puts their hand up across the two matches."

NZC high-performance coaches Graeme Aldridge, Paul Wiseman and Bob Carter will be part of the team management for the games. Australia A arrive in New Zealand on March 29 ahead of the first match on April 1. Both matches will be held at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, marking the first tour of New Zealand by an Australia A side.

New Zealand A squad: Tom Bruce (c), Adithya Ashok, Doug Bracewell, Henry Cooper, Jacob Duffy (Game 1 only), Dean Foxcroft, Cam Fletcher, Mitch Hay, Scott Kuggeleijn (Game 2 only), Cole McConchie, Robbie O'Donnell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Brett Randell, Sean Solia

Bruce, Bracewell, Ajaz in NZ A squad for four-day matches against Australia A

Argentina's World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios struck twice from the spot as Bayer Leverkusen blew the Bundesliga title race wide open with a shock 2-1 win over Bayern Munich on Sunday. With a little help from VAR, Leverkusen came from behind to hand coach Xabi Alonso a famous win on his first reunion with former club Bayern and keep the champions from regaining top spot. "It's an unbelievable feeling. I'm so proud of the way we played today," said Alonso, who played for Bayern from 2014 to 2017.

Bayern are a point behind leaders Borussia Dortmund and the two sides set to meet in the next round of games on April 1.

"That is now a must-win game for us, because it will be very difficult to win the title otherwise," said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann.

"It was a deserved defeat today. Apart from the last 10 minutes, they were the better team," he added.

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was scathing in his criticism of the performance.

"We let ourselves be overrun by a team who played in midweek. That's not what it means to be Bayern Munich," he said.

Bayern survived an early chance from Jeremie Frimpong before taking the lead themselves when Odilon Kossounou deflected a Joshua Kimmich shot into his own net.

The hosts continued to cause Bayern problems, however, and fully deserved their equaliser from the penalty spot on 55 minutes.

Amine Adli was initially booked for diving after he was clipped by Benjamin Pavard, but the decision was reversed by VAR and Palacios converted from the spot.

The scene repeated itself 20 minutes later as Adli was brought down by Dayot Upamecano just inside the penalty area.

Once again, he was booked for diving, and once again, Palacios smashed the ball into the bottom corner after the intervention of VAR.

"VAR was a lifesaver today and it was a perfect example of how the system should work," said referee Tobias Stieler.

The win also kept Leverkusen afloat in the race for Europe, with Alonso's side now just three points adrift of sixth.

- Union bounce back -

Elsewhere, Union Berlin gave their Champions League hopes a boost as a rare goal from Rani Khedira helped them to a 2-0 win over Bundesliga top-six rivals Eintracht Frankfurt.

Khedira - the brother of 2014 World Cup winner Sami - stabbed in the opener to score only his seventh goal in 194 Bundesliga appearances and lift Union back into third place.

"It's also my first goal for Union so I am very happy," Khedira told Dazn. "Today was much more about mentality than about tactics."

Both sides came into the game on five-game winless runs and trying to bounce back after being dumped out of European competition in midweek.

Frankfurt had the lion's share of the chances in the first half, with both Randal Kolo Muani and Daichi Kamada coming close.

Yet the hosts took the lead just after the break when Khedira prodded the ball home from close range after Frankfurt failed to clear a corner.

Sheraldo Becker nutmegged Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp to find the net again for Union on 69 minutes, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

Trapp was left blushing when he again let the ball through his legs a few minutes later to allow Kevin Behrens to double the lead.

Union -- unbeaten in 18 home games in the league -- are now two points ahead of Freiburg, who climbed to fourth with a 1-1 draw away to Mainz.

Freiburg looked set for victory after a mistake from Mainz keeper Robin Zentner allowed Japan international Ritsu Doan to steal in and score his second goal in two games.

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Yet a late, smash and grab equaliser from Karim Onisiwo snatched two points away from them in injury time.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

 'Unbelievable' Leverkusen Shock Bayern To Keep Dortmund Top

The Asia Cup saga is showing signs of a resolution. While the Pakistan Cricket Board is determined to host the tournament in its own country, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unwilling to send the Indian team to the neighbouring country over 'security issues'. As the chatter around the topic continues, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi made a big claim, suggesting his team was threatened by an Indian over a tour of India in the past, but they still decided to come.

"Who is saying no to Asia Cup? India is saying no," the former Pakistan captain said in a chat with media on the sidelines of Legends League Cricket.

Afridi further said that Pakistan will take great care of the Indian team if they decide to visit the country for the Asia Cup.

"Aap Indian team ko bheje toh sahi, humlog sar aankhon par rakhenge (You just send the Indian team to Pakistan and we will welcome them with great pleasure). Before this, an Indian from Mumbai, won't take his name, had threatened Pakistan that they won't be allowed in India. But we kept all aside and our government had taken it up as a responsibility and the Pakistan team did go to India. So threats should not ruin our relationship. Threats will remain," he said.

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Speaking of old tales of Indo-Pakistan cricketing ties, the retired cricketer shared memorable anecdotes from India's tour of Pakistan in 2005.

"It would have been really nice if India had come. It would have been a step towards cricket and Pakistan for India. This is not a generation of wars and fights, we want relationships to get better. We have played against India with a lot of love and affection. I remember when we came to India, we got an outstanding response. If you remember the 2005 series, Harbhajan and Yuvraj used to go shopping and to restaurants, and no one used to charge them money. This is the beauty of the two nations," he said.

"An Indian Threatened Pakistan Team": Shahid Afridi's Big Claim Amid Asia Cup Row


In the high-stakes, globalized world of the Premier League, where talent is scouted from every corner of the earth, the story of a local lad making good on his home turf is a special one. Hamza Choudhury, the tenacious midfielder with the distinctive afro, is precisely that for Leicester City—a symbol of homegrown passion and grit.

Roots and Rise: From Leicester to the King Power
Born on October 1, 1997, in Loughborough, Hamza Choudhury's football journey is deeply intertwined with the city of Leicester. Of Grenadian and Bengali descent, he represents the vibrant, modern face of England. His talent was evident early on, and he joined Leicester City's esteemed academy at the age of just 11.

His dedication paid off, and after successful loan spells at Burton Albion, he made his first-team debut for the Foxes in 2017. It wasn't long before he became a fan favourite, known for his relentless energy and fearless tackles in the heart of midfield.

A Career-Defining Triumph
While every professional debut is a milestone, Choudhury was part of something truly historic. Although he did not play in the final itself, he was a member of the Leicester City squad that sensationally won the FA Cup in 2021. It was the club's first-ever FA Cup triumph, a landmark achievement that cemented his place in Foxes folklore.

Proud Heritage, Bright Future
Choudhury's identity is a point of great pride. He is one of the most prominent British footballers of Bengali descent, a role model for a community that is passionately embracing the beautiful game. On the international stage, he has represented England at various youth levels and made the significant decision to play for the Grenada national team in 2022, honouring his heritage.

More Than a Destroyer
While often praised for his defensive work-rate and tough-tackling, those who watch closely see a player with underrated technical ability. His composure on the ball and ability to break up opposition play have made him a crucial squad player for Leicester. After a successful loan at Watford in the 2023-24 season, he returned to his boyhood club, ready to fight for his place and continue living the dream he first had as a local schoolboy.

Hamza Choudhury’s story is more than just a list of appearances and stats. It is a testament to loyalty, hard work, and the unique bond between a player and the club that raised him. In an era of constant change, he remains Leicester's homegrown heartbeat.

Hamza Choudhury: Leicester's Homegrown Heartbeat

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Unusual Opening Match: Typically, a World Cup opener features the host nation. By pitting India against the USA, the ICC is making a strategic move to capture the massive cricket audience in India from day one and to boost the sport's profile in the lucrative American market.

Early Calendar Slot: A February start is much earlier than the usual mid-year slot for T20 World Cups. This is likely to avoid clashing with other major sporting events and to find a suitable weather window for the host countries.

Expanded Format: The confirmation of a 20-team tournament continues the ICC's push to globalize cricket, giving more associate nations a chance to compete on the world stage.

Strategic Hosting: While India is the primary commercial driver, having Sri Lanka as a co-host maintains a strong subcontinental flavor for the event.