Nepal’s Sher Malla, second right, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Mumbai: After Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Nepal seems to be the latest South Asian country bitten by the cricket bug. Matching two-time world champions England shot for shot and ball for ball, Nepal came just four runs short while chasing 185 on Sunday in their T20 World Cup opener against England at the Wankhede Stadium.

In fact, they were always in the hunt till the very last ball, with skipper Dipendra Singh Airee (44), Rohit Paudel (39), Bam (39) and Kushal Bhurtel (29) going hammer and tongs on a pitch that India’s batters, minus skipper Suryakumar Yadav, had found tricky the night before. Relishing Nepal’s laudable show at the Wankhede was their former head coach (from 2023 to Feb 2025 — a phase in which they qualified for the Asia Cup that year and the 2024 T20 World Cup), Monty Desai, who will follow his ‘boys’ for all their T20 World Cup matches in Mumbai. Desai, also the former batting coach of West Indies, has a fair idea about the emerging talent in Nepal cricket, which he feels needs “well-designed programmes and better infrastructure.” “Nepal has a lot of raw talent that needs polishing through well-designed programmes and better infrastructure. Not many would have expected Nepal to put up such a batting show against a formidable side like England yesterday. But these are Asian conditions, and Nepali batters play spin very well. From a batter’s perspective, it seems they’ve also worked hard to compete against bowlers with significantly higher pace,” Desai told TOI. One thing impressive about Nepal’s spirited chase was their batsmen’s ability to launch the big hits against England’s world-class bowlers with ridiculous ease. “They may not always look traditionally attractive on the eye, with classical cover drives as an example, but they are effective — they know when to find boundaries and clear the ropes. There is raw power and belief in this group. What they need is constant exposure, something they’ve been able to achieve consistently over the last three years, including through hard-fought World Cup qualification campaigns,” Desai explained. Not only was their performance, which gave England a mighty scare, extraordinary, their numerous fans, who have arrived in Mumbai to cheer for their team from all over the world and not just Kathmandu, have added a refreshingly new colour and flair to the tournament. The 17,000-strong crowd at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday was dominated by their fans, clad in blue jerseys with a dash of red. Hailing their fans who backed their team to get over the line, seamer Nandan Yadav, who bowled impressively to take two for 25, said, “That’s the love of our crowd. They always support us. Wherever we go, it feels like a home ground for us. I’m really thankful for that — to all the supporters. I want to say sorry for the result, but we will improve. The crowd is amazing. They love cricket and the atmosphere,” he said. An associate nation, Nepal is clearly a rising star in world cricket. With the desire of playing Test cricket, CAN have also launched a three-day domestic tournament and have asked the ICC to give it first-class status. However, Nandan admitted that their domestic red-ball setup has to improve. “We need to improve our domestic circuit, red-ball cricket and everything which we don’t have right now. So it’s a dream for me as well to become a Test nation. But yeah, it’s a tough job to do now, I think,” Nandan said. Nandan said the fact that Nepal gave a reputed side like England a run for their money is a matter of pride and that the side will improve from this experience. “There is regret because we came very close and couldn’t get over the line, but at the same time there is pride because we are competing against very strong teams like England. Being that close shows we are improving, so overall it’s a mix of pride and regret,” he said. Nepal were left regretting the fact that they conceded 45 runs in the last three overs, as Will Jacks (39 off 21 balls) went berserk. Nandan confessed Nepal need to improve their death-overs bowling. “For me personally, there is a lot of talk about my wide balls, so that’s something I need to work on. As a bowling unit, we need to focus more on death overs,” he said. Nandan said that despite the defeat, Nepal were still hopeful of a Super 8 berth. “We’ve only played our first game so far and it was very close, so we are not really behind in the Super 8 race. I think we still have a good chance of making the Super 8.”

However, Games organisers say they have had no complaints from athletes or teams.

Pierre Ducrey, International Olympic Committee sports director, said: “When you prepare a broadcast, you take a lot of time to test things, including with high-level athletes, to make sure there is minimum level of disturbance. That is something we have worked at a lot.

“You saw the action at the weekend. We have to make sure it does not come in way of performance.

“It is an evolution. The integration seems to be something we can manage, so we are very happy.”

Games sports director Anna Riccardi said: “We tested drones before competitions.

“We have listened to the athletes’ community so that the impact would not affect their performances – would not bother them in any way.

“Each athlete has a different level of sensitivity, awareness and capability for tackling innovation.

“So far we have not received any complaints that might lead to the non-use of drones in the future.”

While drone pilots have been heaped with praise for their ability to control the tiny, flying cameras at such speeds, things have not been completely perfect.

One of the drones crash-landed in the first downhill training, leaving debris on the course.

The drones are controlled on site. For the sliding events, the pilot and their assistant sit in a tiny tent near the course and fly it from there.

They follow the athletes from the top of the track to the third corner, then fly back to the tent.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced a sweeping overhaul of the sport’s global calendar from 2027, confirming an expanded World Tour structure, a significantly increased prize pool, and new competition formats designed to drive badminton’s long-term global growth. The reforms form part of BWF’s wider commercial and broadcast strategy following the extension of its partnership with Infront through to 2034.

World Tour expanded to 36 tournaments

The five Super 1000 tournaments will be staged across Asia and Europe and will adopt an expanded format. Singles events will feature 48 players competing in a group stage followed by knockout rounds, while doubles competitions will consist of 32-pair knockout draws. Each Super 1000 event will be played over 11 days across two weekends, with all matches broadcast globally.

Major boost to broadcast output

As part of the revamped calendar, the number of TV-produced badminton matches will double from 1,410 to around 3,000 across all BWF tournaments. The governing body believes the expanded broadcast footprint will enhance the sport’s visibility and provide greater value to broadcasters, sponsors, and fans worldwide.

Prize money set for significant increase

BWF confirmed that the total annual prize pool on the World Tour will rise to approximately $26.9 million. Under the new structure, Super 1000 tournaments will offer $2 million in prize money, while Super 750 events will carry $1.1 million. Super 500 tournaments will distribute $560,000, Super 300 events $290,000, and Super 100 tournaments $140,000.

The federation said the revised prize money model is aimed at ensuring fairer rewards for players while supporting sustainable careers at the highest level of the sport.

Changes to World Championships and team events

From 2027, the BWF World Championships will introduce a group-stage phase before the knockout rounds, guaranteeing every player at least two matches. In addition, the Sudirman Cup Finals and the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals will be expanded to include more teams, increasing global representation in the sport’s flagship team competitions.

Hosts confirmed for 2027–2030 cycle

BWF has confirmed the hosts for the revamped World Tour from 2027 to 2030, although the venue for the World Tour Finals will be announced at a later date. The federation said the long-term planning provides greater stability for players, organisers, and commercial partners.

BWF officials said the reforms are aimed at building a future-ready competition framework, with a stronger focus on players, enhanced broadcast storytelling, and a more globally competitive product that reflects badminton’s ambitions in the modern sports landscape.

David Lloyd is back in the market with a new concept, the Real David Lloyd’s Sports Gardens.

In a message on social media, Lloyd said he is trademarking the name Real David Lloyd, and that he has big plans for his new concept which is “light years in front” of other concepts in the market.

Real David Lloyd’s Sports Gardens will be an indoor playground for all ages, blending sport, technology and discovery. Pickleball, padel, volleyball and basketball will be mixed with simulators, climbing walls, zipwires and a tag arena, as well as food and beverage offerings.

Sites are planned in Boca Raton Florida, as well as a number in the UK – Aberdeen, Ebbsfleet, Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Guildford, Colchester, Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Norwich, Bicester.

In a statement, Lloyd said he is being sued by David Lloyd Leisure for passing off and trademark infringement, however, HCM can confirm that no legal action has been taken by David Lloyd Leisure.

Lloyd developed his original emponymous health and racquets chain in 1982 and sold it in its entirety to Whitbread in 1995, for £182 million when there were 18 sites. 

Whitbread grew the chain to more than 60 clubs in the UK and Europe and sold the business in 2007 to London and Regional Properties for £925 million.

In 2013 it was sold to TDR Capital for £750 million.

TDR created a new fund for the company last September, valuing it at £2 billion. The operator now has 139 clubs across the UK and Europe.

The move may leave David Lloyd Leisure with a case for passing off it the new launch confuses consumers.

The company URL is davidlloydssportsgardens.com

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is thriving at Barcelona

Michael Carrick reportedly wants Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United but faces several obstacles to keep the forward. The United boss has made a perfect start without the England star at his disposal, winning his first four games in charge.

United have been rejuvenated since Carrick took the reins at his old club. Victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur have propelled the team into the top four and restored confidence throughout the squad.

Rashford fell out of favour under ex-United boss Ruben Amorim, leading him to join Aston Villa on loan last season. The 28-year-old then sealed a move to Barcelona during the summer in a deal that includes a £26million buy option.

Rashford has thrived at his new club, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists in 34 appearances. Despite seeming destined to continue his career away from Old Trafford, it has been claimed that Carrick would prefer to keep his former teammate at United.

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Spanish publication Sport reports that Carrick wants Rashford at United next season. However, Barcelona are said to be fully committed to meeting his buyout clause.

Rashford has also been vocal about wanting to remain with the Catalan club beyond his loan spell. Discussing his future in December, the United loanee said: “What I want is to stay at Barca.

“That’s the ultimate goal, but it’s not the reason I train hard and give my all. The purpose is to win. From the moment I arrived, I felt very welcome. For me, the reason I’m here is to help the team win trophies.”

Rashford has shared history with the new interim boss, having previously been teammates for three years. Carrick also worked with Rashford as part of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff, as well as his first spell as temporary manager.

The 44-year-old’s reported desire to keep Rashford at United would only become a potential factor in the summer if he were appointed manager permanently. Carrick has 13 games remaining to convince the club hierarchy he is the right person for the job, with his side already out of both domestic cup competitions.

Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has praised Rashford’s contributions for his parent club. The coach lauded the forward’s commitment but admitted that the decision to finalise a permanent deal would rest with the club’s sporting director in the summer.

In January, Flick said of Rashford: “Marcus’ performances have been really good until now, so we have to manage it, but it’s Deco’s job to do things for next season. We have to wait.

“We have months to go. For me, of course, with Marcus we have a player on the top level, but also with our situation, and what I appreciate a lot from him [is his desire to be here].”

The Sandbach teenager pulled off two big runs under pressure to book her place in the final

Top British Olympic hope Mia Brookes went big — and very nearly went home.

Snowboarders are used to shredding it, but the only thing shredded last night were the nerves of those watching in minus-six temperatures.

Sandbach teenager Brookes has two big medal shots here in the Big Air and Slopestyle competitions.

The latter is considered her strongest event, but she still advanced to Monday’s Big Air final as the third-best qualifier — though she took the scenic route.

Qualifying is never good for the nerves. Only the top 12 of 29 advance to the final, with the best two scores from three runs counting.

Brookes, just 19, hit the deck with her first effort, leaving no margin for error in her final two runs.

She nailed her second, producing one of the best scores of qualifying, and then secured her place with her third.

Snowboarding has a confusing lexicon of its own, but when Brookes showed her steeze, didn’t bonk and stomped her landing, be assured — that’s a very good thing.

“That was insane, I loved it. Every minute was awesome, but it was definitely scary,” said Brookes, who is aiming to become the first British woman snowboarder to win an Olympic medal since Jenny Jones in 2014.

“After that first run, I was so nervous, but you just have to take your time at the top and not rush into anything.

“It really came out of me in an athlete way — keeping cool under pressure, not making rash decisions or rushing anything. It was nice to see that come from inside myself.

“You are definitely in the air thinking about it in the back of your mind… ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to land this.’

“The build-up to the Olympics was quite big in my mind, but when I got here it was chill.

“I never came here for gold — I came to have fun — but I’d have been upset not to make that final.”

Brookes’ parents are Vicky and Nigel Brookes, avid snowboarding enthusiasts who lived in Chamonix for five seasons.

They have loyally supported her early and unconventional career, which included training at Chill Factore in Manchester and travelling across Europe in a motorhome.

“They are staying down the road in the van — it means so much to have them here,” she added. “My gran will be cheering on at home too. She loves the Olympics.

“As much as I hate it in the moment, it is pressure moments like that that I just love. When you land, it is the best feeling on the planet. Everyone is cheering at you and it’s insane.”

Brookes will go for gold on Monday evening, with her best mate, freestyle skier Kirsty Muir, in action earlier in the day after also qualifying third for the women’s Slopestyle final.

“I have grown up with Kirsty — we have known each other since we were young — so to go into an Olympic final on the same day as her for Great Britain is really special,” she said.

TNT Sports on discovery+ will be the go-to destination in the U.K to watch everything of Milano Cortina 2026 live all in one place, with over 850 hours of action from every sport, venue, and medal event.