Mbappe handed 3-match ban
paris: Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe has been suspended for three matches after being sent off during a French league game last weekend. The 19-year-old striker, a member of the France squad which won the World Cup in July, received a red card in stoppage time during PSG's 4-2 win over Nimes. Mbappe scored in the victory but was later sent off for reacting to a late challenge from Teji Savanier, shoving the Nimes midfielder to the ground. Savanier was handed a five-match ban by the French league's disciplinary commission on Wednesday. He misses the league matches against Saint-Etienne, four days before PSG starts its Champions League campaign at Liverpool, against Rennes on Sept 23 and Reims on Sept 26.
Pak appoint Bradburn as fielding coach
karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board's search for a top fielding coach has finally ended with New Zealand's Grant Bradburn slated to join the national team in the UAE for the Asia Cup tournament this month. The Pakistan board said on Thursday it had appointed Bradburn on a three-year contract. The New Zealander replaces Australian Steve Rixon who didn't extend his contract with the Pakistan team after it ended this year with the tour of England in June. In a statement issued by the PCB, Bradburn said, "It is a great honour to be joining Pakistan Cricket Team and their high-quality coaching staff. I have seen the progress that has been made under Mickey Arthur and the opportunity to work with a leading full member team on the rise in world cricket, is a real privilege."
Tamil Thalaivas hope for winning start
chennai: After an unimpressive home run in the previous season of Pro-Kabaddi League, Tamil Thalaivas head coach Edachery Bhaskaran is confident of the team doing well in the 2018 edition beginning here on October 5. The aim was to win the maximum number of games, Bhaskaran said. "We have a balanced squad for the forthcoming season. If we can get some wins under our belt early, it will help us inch closer to the Super Playoffs," Bhaskaran said at an event to launch the team jersey here. The players were optimistic of winning all the home matches, he said. About the difficulties a franchise faces when its home leg is scheduled in the final half of the tournament, Baskaran said, "by the time we had our home leg last year, teams had worked out our strategies. Few players succumbed to injuries as well. These factors could dent a teams chances. Its good that we have it early this time."