Two-year T20 WC cycle important for growth: ICC

Dubai: The ICC today asserted that a two-year T20 Word Cup cycle is important for the growth of the game as it is the format that is contested by all the members. The global governing body last week announced the schedule of ICC events from 2024-2031 with a tournament slated to be played every year.

Colombo

Sri Lanka on top against West Indies in first Test

Sri Lanka spinners Ramesh Mendis and Praveen Jayawickrama shared five wickets to leave West Indies struggling on 113/6 in reply to the home team’s first-innings 386 on the second day of the first Test. Off-spinner Mendis finished the day with figures of 3/23.

Dhaka

Pakistan seal T20 sweep over Bangladesh in thriller

Pakistan completed a clean sweep over Bangladesh in their T20 series, winning the third and final game by five wickets after a thrilling last-over finish. Bangladesh totalled a mediocre 124/7 but a slow approach meant Pakistan needed eight runs off the final six balls.

Bali

Japan’s Momota wins first title since car crash

Two-time world champion Kento Momota won his first BWF title since a road accident last year after the Japanese beat Denmark’s Anders Antonsen in the final of the Indonesia Masters on Sunday. Momota was ruled out of competition for some time as he fractured his nose and right eye socket, and sustained multiple lacerations to his face after the van he was travelling in, in Malaysia, crashed into a truck in last year. The world No. 1 ended his long wait for a title with a 21-17 21-11 win. agencies