AFP, PARIS: The last burst of qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup allows some nations a chance to dream, but for football aristocrats Italy, the next few days are a potential nightmare. The last nine places in Russia will be settled in seven frantic days starting on Thursday. There are four berths…

AFP, SYDNEY: England paceman Stuart Broad has pinpointed David Warner as Australia's danger man in the Ashes series, while admitting a begrudging respect for his aggressive mentality. The pugnacious opener fired up the tourists last month by comparing playing against England to “war”…

In an astonishing achievement, a 15- year-old left-arm medium pacer from Rajasthan bagged all 10 wickets without conceding a run in a domestic T20 game…

AFP, LAHORE: An appeal by fast-rising Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan against a five-year ban over spot-fixing was rejected this week with his lawyer Thursday vowing to challenge the decision in a higher court. Sharjeel, 28, was banned for five years, two-and-a-half of them suspended, in August following…

AFP, ADELAIDE: Jake Ball added to England's pace bowling woes with an ankle injury as the tourists took a lead over a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide on Thursday. The CA XI declared their first innings 60 runs adrift to get in five overs at the tourists under the lights at Adelaide Oval, but England…

AFP, BUENOS AIRES: Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi says the worst possible draw for his Argentina side at next year's World Cup would be Spain in…