3 more Pak players test +ve, total 10
Christchurch: Three more members of the 54-member Pakistan squad in New Zealand have tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of infected cases to nine. An official source in the Pakistan Cricket Board said the New Zealand health authorities confirmed that three people have returned positive while one result is pending. “But the main thing is these three positive results are under investigation to find out whether they are historical cases or new infections,” the source said. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and pacer Mohammad Abbas are understood to be among the historical cases.
Federer announces return of RF logo
London: Tennis star Roger Federer made a rare appearance in 2020 as he announced the return of his ‘RF' logo in a cheerful video posted on his social media account. The 39-year-old seemed to be in a good mood as he revealed the new RF caps, which also have the newer ‘ROGER' logo at the back. The popular logo with his initials had remained with Nike, his old apparel sponsor, when the Swiss star switched to Japanese brand Uniqlo two years ago.
Barcelona rests Messi again in CL
Barcelona: Barcelona will be without Lionel Messi, Marc-André ter Stegen and Philippe Coutinho for the Champions League match at Ferencváros on Wednesday. The players will be rested by coach Ronald Koeman. Barcelona secured a spot in the last 16 after winning its first four matches in Group G. Messi had already been rested for the match against Dynamo Kyiv in the previous round.
Holder joins Sydney Sixers for BBL-10
Sydney: Sydney Sixers have signed West Indies Test captain Jason Holder on a three-game deal for the upcoming edition of the Big Bash League. Holder, who is currently in New Zealand preparing to lead the West Indies in a two-match Test series, will join the Sixers in Hobart later this month. The 29-year-old will be available for the Sixers for their December 20 clash with the Adelaide Strikers in Hobart, before moving to the Gold Coast with the men in magenta for a December 26 fixture against the Melbourne Stars and the December 29 matchup with the Melbourne Renegades.
black caps add Conway as Watling cover
Hamilton: New Zealand have added Devon Conway in their squad as an injury cover for regular wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling, who has picked up a hamstring niggle ahead of the two-match Test series against West Indies team which begins Thursday at the Seddon Park. Watling picked up the injury in the opening round of the Ford Trophy, New Zealand Cricket informed on Tuesday.
Bach only candidate for IOA presidency
Lausanne: IOA says Thomas Bach will have no opponents for his re-election as president in a vote scheduled in March. More than 100 IOC members were told Bach is the only candidate for the presidential poll at their meeting due to be staged in Athens. Bach is eligible for four more years in office after winning an eight-year term in 2013. His final term begins officially after the Tokyo Olympics close on Aug 8.