Iraq coach calls for delay to World Cup playoff amid travel shutdown
Iraq coach Graham Arnold has called for the team's inter-confederation World Cup playoff in Mexico later this month to be postponed amidst the travel chaos triggered by the conflict in neighbouring Iran, Reuters reported.
The Iraqis are concerned they might not be able to get their players and ‌staff over to Mexico for their scheduled clash with either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on March 31 because of the travel lockdown in the Middle East.
Arnold said putting together a team solely with players based outside Iraq would hinder the country's chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, according to Reuters.
Milan edge Inter in derby to keep distant title chase alive
AC Milan claimed a vital 1-0 home victory over city rivals Inter Milan on Sunday with Pervis Estupinan's late first-half strike offering a glimmer of hope in the Serie A title race, Reuters reported.
Inter are top with 67 points and a seven-point gap over Milan. But Milan's hard-fought win at the San Siro stadium has sparked hope for their fans as the season enters its final phase with 10 games left for each team.
The clash - known as the "Derby della Madonnina" after a statue of the Virgin Mary on top of Milan Cathedral - has been contested since 1909, according to Reuters.
Samson and Bumrah star as India beat NZ to retain T20 World Cup title
India became the first team to retain the men's Twenty20 World Cup title after handing out a 96-run demolition of New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium ‌on Sunday, Reuters reported.
India also became the first team to lift the title three times, while New Zealand's wait for a maiden white-ball World Cup continues.
The victory will taste particularly sweet for India since it came at a venue where they were beaten by Australia in the final of the 50-overs World Cup three years ago, according to Reuters.
India fend off Bethell onslaught to keep T20 World Cup title defence alive
India survived a brilliant hundred from Jacob Bethell and moved within one win of becoming the first nation to claim back-to-back men's Twenty20 World Cup titles after beating England by seven runs in a nail-biting semi-final on ‌Thursday, Reuters reported.
India will also be chasing a record third T20 title when they take on New Zealand in Sunday's final in Ahmedabad.
Put in to bat in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium awash in blue, the hosts racked up an imposing 253-7 as Sanju Samson struck a commanding 89, supported by fluent contributions from Shivam Dube and Ishan Kishan, according to Reuters.
