Australia and England locked horns in a three-match T20I series, in Australia, last week. It was an important bilateral series with the main draw of the T20 World Cup set to kick off on October 22. In the series opener, Jos Buttler-led England won by eight runs and achieved a win in the following game, courtesy of an identical margin, to take the series 2-0 before the final encounter was abandoned due to rain.&nbsp;

In the first T20I, in Perth, Buttler's 68 and Alex Hales' 84 propelled England to 208 for 6. In reply, David Warner's 44-ball 73 went in vain as the hosts managed 200 for 9. During the run-chase, a controversy emerged out in the 17th over, bowled by pacer Mark Wood. Matthew Wade was batting alongside Warner and got a top-edge off Woods' delivery and was found blocking the speedster's way from completing a return catch. As a result, the English side was miffed with Wade's antics.&nbsp;

With many slamming Wade, the veteran keeper-batter has finally reacted to all the criticism and accepted his mistake. "That looked horrible when I saw it after the game. It was one of those things that just happened so fast. I think Kane Richardson said to me when I got off the ground, 'You pushed him, basically'. I was like, 'No, I didn't'. And then I saw the replay and I was like, 'Well, yeah, I did'," Wade was quoted as saying to cricket.com.au's The Unplayable Podcast.

"(Wood bowling at) 150 (kph), decent crowd – at first I didn't know if I hit it. It hit me in the head hard, it rung my bell a little bit, (I) went to run down the wicket, Davey (Warner) sent me back, I turned and saw point running in," he mentioned.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/throwback-when-kohli-slammed-reporter-who-questioned-rohits-spot-after-indias-t20-wc-loss-to-pak-526153">THROWBACK: When Kohli slammed reporter who questioned Rohit's spot after India's T20 WC loss to Pak</a>

"Then I wasn't sure if I was going to get run out or where the actual ball was. It all just happened literally like that. And then the next minute, I was on the ground, looked up and the ball was like coming down," Wade added.

At the post-match presentation, Buttler had made heads turn by saying, "I was looking at the ball the whole time, so I wasn't sure what happened. They asked if I wanted to appeal, but I thought we are here for a long time in Australia so would be a risky one to go for so early in the trip." On being asked if he would&nbsp;look&nbsp;at such an incident in a different manner during the&nbsp;World Cup, he said, 'Maybe, yeah.'

Both England and Australia are set to lock horns in the T20 WC with the two heavyweights part of Pool A, along with New Zealand and Afghanistan. The other group comprises India, Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh whereas two more teams will join both groups&nbsp;post the qualifiers.&nbsp;

Australia and England locked horns in a three-match T20I series, in Australia, last week. It was an important bilateral series with the main draw of the T20 World Cup set to kick off on October 22.

Australia and England locked horns in a three-match T20I series, in Australia, last week. It was an important bilateral series with the main draw of the T20 World Cup set to kick off on October 22. In the series opener, Jos Buttler-led England won by eight runs and achieved a win in the following game, courtesy of an identical margin, to take the series 2-0 before the final encounter was abandoned due to rain. In the first T20I, in Perth, Buttler's 68 and Alex Hales' 84 propelled England to 208 for 6. In reply, David Warner's 44-ball 73 went in vain as the hosts managed 200 for 9. During the run-chase, a controversy emerged out in the 17th over, bowled by pacer Mark Wood. Matthew Wade was batting alongside Warner and got a top-edge off Woods' delivery and was found blocking the speedster's way from completing a return catch. As a result, the English side was miffed with Wade's antics. With many slamming Wade, the veteran keeper-batter has finally reacted to all the criticism and accepted his mistake. "That looked horrible when I saw it after the game. It was one of those things that just happened so fast. I think Kane Richardson said to me when I got off the ground, 'You pushed him, basically'. I was like, 'No, I didn't'. And then I saw the replay and I was like, 'Well, yeah, I did'," Wade was quoted as saying to cricket.com.au's The Unplayable Podcast. "(Wood bowling at) 150 (kph), decent crowd – at first I didn't know if I hit it. It hit me in the head hard, it rung my bell a little bit, (I) went to run down the wicket, Davey (Warner) sent me back, I turned and saw point running in," he mentioned. ALSO READ | THROWBACK: When Kohli slammed reporter who questioned Rohit's spot after India's T20 WC loss to Pak "Then I wasn't sure if I was going to get run out or where the actual ball was. It all just happened literally like that. And then the next minute, I was on the ground, looked up and the ball was like coming down," Wade added. At the post-match presentation, Buttler had made heads turn by saying, "I was looking at the ball the whole time, so I wasn't sure what happened. They asked if I wanted to appeal, but I thought we are here for a long time in Australia so would be a risky one to go for so early in the trip." On being asked if he would look at such an incident in a different manner during the World Cup, he said, 'Maybe, yeah.' Both England and Australia are set to lock horns in the T20 WC with the two heavyweights part of Pool A, along with New Zealand and Afghanistan. The other group comprises India, Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh whereas two more teams will join both groups post the qualifiers.

'Well, yeah, I did': Matthew Wade accepts blame for obstructing play during Australia-England T20I

In the run-up to the T20 World Cup in Australia, which commences on October 16, England and Aaron Finch &amp; Co. locked horns in the first of the three-match T20I series at Perth on Sunday (October 9). With Jos Buttler's return, who missed the entire Pakistan series, England aimed for a 1-0 lead and eventually attained it in a high-scoring thriller.

Being asked to bat first, England rode on openers Buttler (68) and Alex Hales' (84) 132-run first-wicket stand to post 208 for 6. In reply, Australia was in the hunt courtesy of David Warner's 44-ball 73 but fell short;&nbsp;being restricted to 200 for 9. During the run-chase, Matthew Wade made heads turn for blocking pacer Mark Wood's way in the Englishman's bid to complete a catch.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sa-2nd-odi-shreyas-iyer-joins-virat-kohli-in-unique-list-after-113-not-out-in-ranchi-523923">Ind vs SA, 2nd ODI: Shreyas Iyer joins Virat Kohli in unique list after 113 not out in Ranchi</a>

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He's still playing btw <a href="https://t.co/EhQLqYbIwn">pic.twitter.com/EhQLqYbIwn</a>
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The incident took place during the 17th over of the run-chase. Wade top-edged a delivery from Wood, who was set to take the catch but was blocked by Wade. Although the keeper-batter's actions were illegal and he was clearly 'obstructing play', England captain Buttler refrained from appealing.

"I was looking at the ball the whole time, so I wasn't sure what happened. They asked if I wanted to appeal, but I thought we are here for a long time in Australia so would be a risky one to go for so early in the trip," Buttler explained&nbsp;at&nbsp;the post-match presentation. On being asked if he would&nbsp;look&nbsp;at such an incident differently during a World Cup game, he replied 'Maybe, yeah.'

In the run-up to the T20 World Cup in Australia, which commences on October 16, England and Aaron Finch & Co. locked horns in the first of the three-match T20I series at Perth on Sunday (October 9).

In the run-up to the T20 World Cup in Australia, which commences on October 16, England and Aaron Finch & Co. locked horns in the first of the three-match T20I series at Perth on Sunday (October 9). With Jos Buttler's return, who missed the entire Pakistan series, England aimed for a 1-0 lead and eventually attained it in a high-scoring thriller. Being asked to bat first, England rode on openers Buttler (68) and Alex Hales' (84) 132-run first-wicket stand to post 208 for 6. In reply, Australia was in the hunt courtesy of David Warner's 44-ball 73 but fell short; being restricted to 200 for 9. During the run-chase, Matthew Wade made heads turn for blocking pacer Mark Wood's way in the Englishman's bid to complete a catch. ALSO READ | Ind vs SA, 2nd ODI: Shreyas Iyer joins Virat Kohli in unique list after 113 not out in Ranchi He's still playing btw pic.twitter.com/EhQLqYbIwn — Jazib (@JazibChaudry) October 9, 2022 × The incident took place during the 17th over of the run-chase. Wade top-edged a delivery from Wood, who was set to take the catch but was blocked by Wade. Although the keeper-batter's actions were illegal and he was clearly 'obstructing play', England captain Buttler refrained from appealing. "I was looking at the ball the whole time, so I wasn't sure what happened. They asked if I wanted to appeal, but I thought we are here for a long time in Australia so would be a risky one to go for so early in the trip," Buttler explained at the post-match presentation. On being asked if he would look at such an incident differently during a World Cup game, he replied 'Maybe, yeah.'

Matthew Wade blocks Mark Wood from taking a catch in Perth T20I, Buttler explains why he didn't appeal

India and Pakistan are set to lock horns with each other in the main draw of the T20 World Cup, which commences on October 22. The Asian giants will square off on October 23 (Sunday) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne. The clash is expected to go down to the wire especially after both sides produced two thrilling contests in the Asia Cup 2022 edition.

In the 2021 T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan were placed in the same group as well (i.e. Pool B). Both sides played each other in their respective opening games in the Super 12 round, where Babar Azam-led Men in Green produced a clinical performance to thrash India by ten wickets. Opting to bowl first, Pakistan rode on Shaheen Afridi's 3 for 31 and Haris Rauf's two-fer to restrict Virat Kohli-led India to 151 for 7 in 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan openers Mohammed Rizwan (79 not out) and skipper Babar (68 not out) stitched a memorable 152-run first-wicket stand as the one-time winners chased down the total with ten wickets and 13 balls to spare, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.&nbsp;

After the match, skipper Virat was left baffled by a question from a reporter, who suggested him to have played Ishan Kishan for Rohit Sharma. Ishan had a good run in the warm-up encounter, versus England (scoring a 46-ball 70), but there was no question on Rohit's spot whatsoever. Hence, Kohli was left speechless for a while before he reacted calmly.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-shikhar-dhawan-to-jasprit-bumrah-star-players-who-are-not-part-of-indias-t20-world-cup-squad-526133">From Shikhar Dhawan to Jasprit Bumrah: Star players who are not part of India's T20 World Cup squad</a>

Question:&nbsp;Regarding the selection of the team, many people were talking. Ishan Kishan played pretty well in the warm-up match. Do you think that it's a mistake if Ishan Kishan, could play and he could do better than Rohit Sharma?

Virat Kohli:&nbsp;That's a very brave question. What do you think, sir? I played the team that I thought was the best. What is your opinion? Will you drop Rohit Sharma from T20 international? Will you drop Rohit Sharma? Do you know what he did in the last game we played? Unbelievable (laughs). Sir, if you want controversy, please tell me before so I can answer accordingly," he added.

Rohit was dismissed by Shaheen for a golden duck in the India-Pakistan encounter in the 2021 T20 WC. India went onto lose to New Zealand in their next game, where Ishan was roped in and played as an opener with Rohit at No. 3, before winning their last three encounters. Eventually, India bowed out of the showpiece event in the Super 12 round.

This time around, Rohit-led India will enter the T20 WC 2022 edition as the No. 1 ranked side and are expected to reach the semi-finals.

India and Pakistan are set to lock horns with each other in the main draw of the T20 World Cup, which commences on October 22. The Asian giants will square off on October 23 (Sunday) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne.

India and Pakistan are set to lock horns with each other in the main draw of the T20 World Cup, which commences on October 22. The Asian giants will square off on October 23 (Sunday) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne. The clash is expected to go down to the wire especially after both sides produced two thrilling contests in the Asia Cup 2022 edition. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan were placed in the same group as well (i.e. Pool B). Both sides played each other in their respective opening games in the Super 12 round, where Babar Azam-led Men in Green produced a clinical performance to thrash India by ten wickets. Opting to bowl first, Pakistan rode on Shaheen Afridi's 3 for 31 and Haris Rauf's two-fer to restrict Virat Kohli-led India to 151 for 7 in 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan openers Mohammed Rizwan (79 not out) and skipper Babar (68 not out) stitched a memorable 152-run first-wicket stand as the one-time winners chased down the total with ten wickets and 13 balls to spare, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. After the match, skipper Virat was left baffled by a question from a reporter, who suggested him to have played Ishan Kishan for Rohit Sharma. Ishan had a good run in the warm-up encounter, versus England (scoring a 46-ball 70), but there was no question on Rohit's spot whatsoever. Hence, Kohli was left speechless for a while before he reacted calmly. ALSO READ | From Shikhar Dhawan to Jasprit Bumrah: Star players who are not part of India's T20 World Cup squad Question: Regarding the selection of the team, many people were talking. Ishan Kishan played pretty well in the warm-up match. Do you think that it's a mistake if Ishan Kishan, could play and he could do better than Rohit Sharma? Virat Kohli: That's a very brave question. What do you think, sir? I played the team that I thought was the best. What is your opinion? Will you drop Rohit Sharma from T20 international? Will you drop Rohit Sharma? Do you know what he did in the last game we played? Unbelievable (laughs). Sir, if you want controversy, please tell me before so I can answer accordingly," he added. Rohit was dismissed by Shaheen for a golden duck in the India-Pakistan encounter in the 2021 T20 WC. India went onto lose to New Zealand in their next game, where Ishan was roped in and played as an opener with Rohit at No. 3, before winning their last three encounters. Eventually, India bowed out of the showpiece event in the Super 12 round. This time around, Rohit-led India will enter the T20 WC 2022 edition as the No. 1 ranked side and are expected to reach the semi-finals.

THROWBACK: When Kohli slammed reporter who questioned Rohit's spot after India's T20 WC loss to Pak

Rohit Sharma-led India is set to kick off their campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022 edition with their first game versus arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at the iconic MCG, Melbourne. Team India reached Australia for the showpiece event early this month and have already played three warm-up games, with two against Western Australia XI.&nbsp;

Winning two of their three warm-up games, so far, India will meet New Zealand on October 19 (Wednesday) at Brisbane in their last practice game before their opening fixture in the main draw of the tournament. For India, they enter the ICC event as the No. 1 ranked side and have been in form in T20Is since their debacle in last year's edition. The likes of Rohit, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Suryakumar Yadav, etc. will be crucial to India's chances Down Under.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-virat-kohli-pulls-off-one-handed-screamer-on-boundary-rope-in-warm-up-game-against-australia-526072">WATCH: Virat Kohli pulls off one-handed screamer on boundary rope in warm-up game against Australia</a>

India's final 15-man squad for T20 World Cup 2022:

Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, R&nbsp;Ashwin, Yuzvendra&nbsp;Chahal, Axar Patel, Md Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh

Standby players -&nbsp;Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur, Md Siraj

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mohammed-shamis-last-over-heroics-help-india-beat-australia-by-6-runs-in-warm-up-match-526057">Mohammed Shami's last-over heroics help India beat Australia by 6 runs in warm-up match</a>

While the 15-man main squad and reserve list have plenty of match-winners for Team India, here's looking at Men in Blue's star-studded XI featuring players who are not part of the showpiece event Down Under:

India's missed-out XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Venketesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja, Umran Malik, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

The above XI shows the depth of India's squad and the abundance of talent in the Indian camp. The experienced trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah missed out with the latter two being injured whereas Dhawan has been sidelined from T20Is. The younger lot such as Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan are destined to take over from the likes of KL Rahul, Rohit and Kohli but for now, they didn't find a spot.&nbsp;

Chahar missed out again due to back issues after being named in the reserves. Meanwhile, Samson and Kuldeep are part of the second-stringed white-ball Indian team but weren't considered for the T20 WC. Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer went down the pecking order as soon as Hardik Pandya was deemed fully fit in early 2022.

Lastly, Umran has featured in only a handful of T20Is, indicating that he still needs to learn a lot and more exposure to be considered for such a marquee event.

Rohit Sharma-led India is set to kick off their campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022 edition with their first game versus arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at the iconic MCG, Melbourne.

Rohit Sharma-led India is set to kick off their campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022 edition with their first game versus arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at the iconic MCG, Melbourne. Team India reached Australia for the showpiece event early this month and have already played three warm-up games, with two against Western Australia XI. Winning two of their three warm-up games, so far, India will meet New Zealand on October 19 (Wednesday) at Brisbane in their last practice game before their opening fixture in the main draw of the tournament. For India, they enter the ICC event as the No. 1 ranked side and have been in form in T20Is since their debacle in last year's edition. The likes of Rohit, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Suryakumar Yadav, etc. will be crucial to India's chances Down Under. ALSO READ | WATCH: Virat Kohli pulls off one-handed screamer on boundary rope in warm-up game against Australia India's final 15-man squad for T20 World Cup 2022: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Md Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh Standby players - Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur, Md Siraj ALSO READ | Mohammed Shami's last-over heroics help India beat Australia by 6 runs in warm-up match While the 15-man main squad and reserve list have plenty of match-winners for Team India, here's looking at Men in Blue's star-studded XI featuring players who are not part of the showpiece event Down Under: India's missed-out XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Venketesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja, Umran Malik, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah The above XI shows the depth of India's squad and the abundance of talent in the Indian camp. The experienced trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah missed out with the latter two being injured whereas Dhawan has been sidelined from T20Is. The younger lot such as Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan are destined to take over from the likes of KL Rahul, Rohit and Kohli but for now, they didn't find a spot. Chahar missed out again due to back issues after being named in the reserves. Meanwhile, Samson and Kuldeep are part of the second-stringed white-ball Indian team but weren't considered for the T20 WC. Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer went down the pecking order as soon as Hardik Pandya was deemed fully fit in early 2022. Lastly, Umran has featured in only a handful of T20Is, indicating that he still needs to learn a lot and more exposure to be considered for such a marquee event.

From Shikhar Dhawan to Jasprit Bumrah: Star players who are not part of India's T20 World Cup squad

World number one Iga Swiatek captured her 11th career WTA title and her eighth of the year on Sunday by outlasting 77th-ranked Donna Vekic in the San Diego Open final. Three-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek defeated the 26-year-old Croatian 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 for her WTA-best 64th match victory of 2022.

"It was a really tight match and pretty long," Swiatek said. "We felt the intensity for sure. At the end I wanted to be the one who played the last ball in." Swiatek took her prior titles this year at the US and French Opens as well as&nbsp;Qatar, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Rome.

The 21-year-old Polish star bounced back in her ninth championship match of the year after losing last week's final at Ostrava to Czech Barbora Krejcikova. In a rain-halted semi-final delayed to Sunday afternoon, Vekic rallied from 4-2 down in the third set when showers struck to defeat 19th-ranked American Danielle Collins, this year's Australian Open runner-up, by 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2).

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/keegan-bradley-staves-off-rickie-fowler-andrew-putnam-to-win-zozo-golf-championship-525884">Keegan Bradley staves off Rickie Fowler, Andrew Putnam to win Zozo golf Championship</a>

That left her only a short rest break before facing Swiatek for the title, but she tested the top-ranked star through two sets. Swiatek broke in the sixth game and held twice to capture the first set after 40 minutes when Vekic netted a backhand.

In the second set, Vekic broke on a forehand crosscourt winner for a 4-2 lead and held twice to force a third set. It caused Swiatek to step up her form. "I wanted to give it all, and knowing how Donna can serve, I wanted to be more loosened up on my return games -- not think, just relax and let my instincts take over," Swiatek said. She broke on a forehand winner to seize a 2-0 edge in the decider, broke again in the fourth game and captured the match after one hour and 47 minutes when Vekic double faulted away a last break. Vekic was in her first WTA final since she won her third career title last October at Courmayeur, Italy.

World number one Iga Swiatek captured her 11th career WTA title and her eighth of the year on Sunday by outlasting 77th-ranked Donna Vekic in the San Diego Open final.

World number one Iga Swiatek captured her 11th career WTA title and her eighth of the year on Sunday by outlasting 77th-ranked Donna Vekic in the San Diego Open final. Three-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek defeated the 26-year-old Croatian 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 for her WTA-best 64th match victory of 2022. "It was a really tight match and pretty long," Swiatek said. "We felt the intensity for sure. At the end I wanted to be the one who played the last ball in." Swiatek took her prior titles this year at the US and French Opens as well as Qatar, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Rome. The 21-year-old Polish star bounced back in her ninth championship match of the year after losing last week's final at Ostrava to Czech Barbora Krejcikova. In a rain-halted semi-final delayed to Sunday afternoon, Vekic rallied from 4-2 down in the third set when showers struck to defeat 19th-ranked American Danielle Collins, this year's Australian Open runner-up, by 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2). ALSO READ | Keegan Bradley staves off Rickie Fowler, Andrew Putnam to win Zozo golf Championship That left her only a short rest break before facing Swiatek for the title, but she tested the top-ranked star through two sets. Swiatek broke in the sixth game and held twice to capture the first set after 40 minutes when Vekic netted a backhand. In the second set, Vekic broke on a forehand crosscourt winner for a 4-2 lead and held twice to force a third set. It caused Swiatek to step up her form. "I wanted to give it all, and knowing how Donna can serve, I wanted to be more loosened up on my return games -- not think, just relax and let my instincts take over," Swiatek said. She broke on a forehand winner to seize a 2-0 edge in the decider, broke again in the fourth game and captured the match after one hour and 47 minutes when Vekic double faulted away a last break. Vekic was in her first WTA final since she won her third career title last October at Courmayeur, Italy.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek beats Donna Vekic to clinch WTA San Diego title

World Cup hosts Qatar will stage the 2023 Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation said on Monday, after China withdrew earlier this year because of Covid. "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee has today confirmed the Qatar Football Association (QFA) as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023," the Malaysia-based body said in a statement.

China in June 2019 won the bid to host the event but withdrew in May this year because of its "zero-Covid" policy, leaving the AFC scrambling to find a new host for its flagship men's 24-team football tournament.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brazil-star-neymar-arrives-at-barcelona-court-to-face-trial-on-fraud-and-corruption-charges-over-2013-transfer-526086">Brazil star Neymar arrives at Barcelona court to face trial on fraud and corruption charges over 2013 transfer</a>

The tournament had been due to be held in 10 Chinese cities from June 16 to July 16 next year. China is the last major economy still trying to stamp out Covid-19 within its borders, through a series of harsh measures involving snap lockdowns, mass testing and travel restrictions.

The Asian Cup is staged every four years. Qatar won the tournament’s last edition, in 2019, which was hosted by the United Arab Emirates. South Korea and Indonesia were the other two countries that participated in the bidding to host after China’s withdrawal. Qatar will host the World Cup starting next month.

World Cup hosts Qatar will stage the 2023 Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation said on Monday, after China withdrew earlier this year because of Covid. "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee has today confirmed the Qatar Football Association (QFA) as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023," the Malaysia-based body said in a statement.

World Cup hosts Qatar will stage the 2023 Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation said on Monday, after China withdrew earlier this year because of Covid. "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee has today confirmed the Qatar Football Association (QFA) as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023," the Malaysia-based body said in a statement. China in June 2019 won the bid to host the event but withdrew in May this year because of its "zero-Covid" policy, leaving the AFC scrambling to find a new host for its flagship men's 24-team football tournament. ALSO READ | Brazil star Neymar arrives at Barcelona court to face trial on fraud and corruption charges over 2013 transfer The tournament had been due to be held in 10 Chinese cities from June 16 to July 16 next year. China is the last major economy still trying to stamp out Covid-19 within its borders, through a series of harsh measures involving snap lockdowns, mass testing and travel restrictions. The Asian Cup is staged every four years. Qatar won the tournament’s last edition, in 2019, which was hosted by the United Arab Emirates. South Korea and Indonesia were the other two countries that participated in the bidding to host after China’s withdrawal. Qatar will host the World Cup starting next month.

After FIFA World Cup, Qatar to stage 2023 Asian Cup, confirms AFC

The stage is set for the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022 edition clash, which will take place on October 23 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne. The main draw of the tournament starts on October 22 whereas the qualifiers will get underway on October 16.

Hence, India and Pakistan will square off on the second day of the main draw and the clash is expected to go down to the wire. Both sides met in the 2021 T20 World Cup, in the UAE, where Babar Azam &amp; Co. thrashed India by ten wickets as Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals in a World Cup match for the first time ever. After that, they met twice in the Asia Cup 2022 edition, with both teams getting a win each.

Prior to the T20 WC face-off, former Indian opener-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra made a bold claim. He believes only one between India and Pakistan will make it to the semi-finals, along with South Africa from Pool B.

"Two teams out of India, Pakistan, and South Africa will go ahead. They (Pakistan) should reach the semi-finals, but it will not be easy. I am saying only one out of India and Pakistan will make it. Whoever wins the India-Pakistan match will make it. I feel South Africa will make it," Chopra&nbsp;said on his Youtube channel.

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It is to be noted that Pool A comprises defending champions and hosts Australia, England, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. Pool B has India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh whereas both groups will have two teams, each, joining them from the qualifiers.

The top two from both groups will head to the semi-finals and Chopra believes it will be India or Pakistan along with Temba Bavuma-led Proteas from Pool B.

The stage is set for the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022 edition clash, which will take place on October 23 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne.

The stage is set for the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022 edition clash, which will take place on October 23 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne. The main draw of the tournament starts on October 22 whereas the qualifiers will get underway on October 16. Hence, India and Pakistan will square off on the second day of the main draw and the clash is expected to go down to the wire. Both sides met in the 2021 T20 World Cup, in the UAE, where Babar Azam & Co. thrashed India by ten wickets as Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals in a World Cup match for the first time ever. After that, they met twice in the Asia Cup 2022 edition, with both teams getting a win each. Prior to the T20 WC face-off, former Indian opener-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra made a bold claim. He believes only one between India and Pakistan will make it to the semi-finals, along with South Africa from Pool B. "Two teams out of India, Pakistan, and South Africa will go ahead. They (Pakistan) should reach the semi-finals, but it will not be easy. I am saying only one out of India and Pakistan will make it. Whoever wins the India-Pakistan match will make it. I feel South Africa will make it," Chopra said on his Youtube channel. ALSO READ | T20 World Cup: Beware Team India! PCB chief Ramiz Raja reveals Shaheen Afridi is '90 per cent' fit It is to be noted that Pool A comprises defending champions and hosts Australia, England, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. Pool B has India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh whereas both groups will have two teams, each, joining them from the qualifiers. The top two from both groups will head to the semi-finals and Chopra believes it will be India or Pakistan along with Temba Bavuma-led Proteas from Pool B.

Whoever wins India-Pakistan match will enter T20 World Cup semi-finals, predicts Aakash Chopra

The ball that Diego Maradona used to score his infamous "Hand of God" World Cup goal for Argentina against England in 1986 will go under the hammer next month and could fetch up to £3 million. Bidding will start on November 16 but prospective buyers can register online from October 28, London-based Graham Budd Auctions said, adding it anticipates the ball to sell for £2.5-£3 million (up to $3.4 million).

"With the history surrounding the ball, we are expecting this lot to be hugely popular when it comes up for auction," Graham Budd, chair of the auction house, said in a statement. The 1986 quarter-final between Argentina and England saw a heated build-up because of political tensions following the Falklands war and came to be defined by two contrasting goals scored by the late Maradona.&nbsp;

For the first one, Maradona ran into the box, rose with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. He later said the goal had been scored "a little with the head of Maradona, a little with the hand of God".

The second came just four minutes later as Maradona sped past five English defenders and Shilton to score the "Goal of the Century", according to a 2002 FIFA poll. Argentina won the grudge match 2-1 after referee Ali Bin Nasser let Maradona's controversial first goal stand, and the team went on to win the World Cup.&nbsp;

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"This ball is part of international football history, it feels like the right time to be sharing it with the world," said Bin Nasser, the owner of the ball.&nbsp; In May, the jersey Maradona wore in the quarter-final sold at auction for nearly $9.3 million, more than twice the value predicted by Sotheby's.

But the record-setting sale for sports memorabilia worn on the field was surpassed in September when basketball legend Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA finals jersey sold for $10.1 million.

Maradona died aged 60 of heart failure in November 2020.

The ball that Diego Maradona used to score his infamous "Hand of God" World Cup goal for Argentina against England in 1986 will go under the hammer next month and could fetch up to £3 million.

The ball that Diego Maradona used to score his infamous "Hand of God" World Cup goal for Argentina against England in 1986 will go under the hammer next month and could fetch up to £3 million. Bidding will start on November 16 but prospective buyers can register online from October 28, London-based Graham Budd Auctions said, adding it anticipates the ball to sell for £2.5-£3 million (up to $3.4 million). "With the history surrounding the ball, we are expecting this lot to be hugely popular when it comes up for auction," Graham Budd, chair of the auction house, said in a statement. The 1986 quarter-final between Argentina and England saw a heated build-up because of political tensions following the Falklands war and came to be defined by two contrasting goals scored by the late Maradona. For the first one, Maradona ran into the box, rose with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. He later said the goal had been scored "a little with the head of Maradona, a little with the hand of God". The second came just four minutes later as Maradona sped past five English defenders and Shilton to score the "Goal of the Century", according to a 2002 FIFA poll. Argentina won the grudge match 2-1 after referee Ali Bin Nasser let Maradona's controversial first goal stand, and the team went on to win the World Cup. ALSO READ | Neymar faces five-year jail-term request in corruption and fraud trial "This ball is part of international football history, it feels like the right time to be sharing it with the world," said Bin Nasser, the owner of the ball. In May, the jersey Maradona wore in the quarter-final sold at auction for nearly $9.3 million, more than twice the value predicted by Sotheby's. But the record-setting sale for sports memorabilia worn on the field was surpassed in September when basketball legend Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA finals jersey sold for $10.1 million. Maradona died aged 60 of heart failure in November 2020.

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball to go up for auction

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and world soccer governing body FIFA will form a joint taskforce in a bid to improve crowd control and safety measures after a deadly soccer stampede earlier this month, officials said on Thursday (October 13).

The joint taskforce will also include members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as well as the police and the ministries of sport, home affairs, health and public works. Under the plan, Indonesian police would ensure their standard operating procedures are synchronised with FIFA regulations, PSSI head, Mochamad Iriawan, told reporters after a meeting with FIFA officials.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indonesia-stadium-stampede-death-toll-rises-to-131-as-six-more-succumb-to-injuries-522280">Indonesia stadium stampede death toll rises to 131 as six more succumb to injuries</a>

Indonesian authorities were under pressure to take swift steps to overhaul soccer safety standards after more than 130 people died during a crowd crush at a match at the Kanjuruhan stadium in East Java on October 1, in one of the world's worst stadium disasters.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and world soccer governing body FIFA will form a joint taskforce in a bid to improve crowd control and safety measures after a deadly soccer stampede earlier this month, officials said on Thursday (October 13).

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and world soccer governing body FIFA will form a joint taskforce in a bid to improve crowd control and safety measures after a deadly soccer stampede earlier this month, officials said on Thursday (October 13). The joint taskforce will also include members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as well as the police and the ministries of sport, home affairs, health and public works. Under the plan, Indonesian police would ensure their standard operating procedures are synchronised with FIFA regulations, PSSI head, Mochamad Iriawan, told reporters after a meeting with FIFA officials. ALSO READ | Indonesia stadium stampede death toll rises to 131 as six more succumb to injuries Indonesian authorities were under pressure to take swift steps to overhaul soccer safety standards after more than 130 people died during a crowd crush at a match at the Kanjuruhan stadium in East Java on October 1, in one of the world's worst stadium disasters.

FIFA, Indonesian football body set up taskforce after stadium stampede tragedy

Indian teenager Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, created history in the Egyptian capital Cairo, pulling off a dramatic 17-15 victory over Italy`s Danilo Dennis Sollazzo in the gold medal match and has been crowned World Champion in the Men`s 10m Air Rifle, an Olympic event. The 18-year-old also emulated Abhinav Bindra, India`s first individual Olympic gold medallist, as a world champion in Men`s Air Rifle. Bindra had won the crown in the same event in Zagreb in 2006. A National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) release said the Thane boy shot astoundingly well throughout competition day two of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship Rifle/Pistol at the Egypt International Olympic City (EIOC) shooting range, to not only win the biggest prize of his life till date but also a Paris 2024 Olympics quota for his country.

It was India`s second Paris quota in the sport of Shooting after Bhowneesh Mendiratta had won the first in the Men`s Trap at the Shotgun World Championships in Osijek, Croatia, which preceded the Cairo World Championships for Rifle and Pistol. Silver medallist at the Junior World Championships in Lima last year and a gold medallist at the Junior World Cup in Suhl earlier this year, this was Rudrankksh`s first medal at the senior level. He had broken through to the senior squad in the beginning of the year and had registered seventh and 11th-place finishes in the Baku and Cairo World Cups earlier.

Rudrankksh was detailed in the second qualification relay on the day and when he took his start, teammate Kiran Ankush Jadhav of the Indian Navy had already logged an impressive 630.6 in the first relay to lie third. With the top eight making it to the next ranking round, Rudrankksh sizzled with a 633.9 to top the high-quality field of 114 shooters. Among those whom he left behind on the day were legends like Yang Haoran (double Olympic gold and double world champion) of China, reigning Olympic champion William Shanner of the USA, Chinese teenager and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Lihao Sheng of China and Olympic medallists SerhiyKulhish of Ukraine and Alexis Raynaud of France. Also left behind was teammate Arjun Babuta, who shot 625.3 to finish in 22nd place.In the 25-shot ranking round broken down into five series of five shots each, Rudrankksh had a steady start moving up to fourth place after 10 shots with a score of 104.2. Compatriot Kiran Jadhav, who had also made it to the top eight with a sixth-place finish overall in qualification, bowed out at this stage in eighth place along with Raynaud, who finished seventh.He shot into the lead after the third series of shots logging 157 to be 0.1 ahead of Italian Sollazzo and 0.7 ahead of Yang Haoran as the fifth and sixth-place shooters bowed out, assuring India of a Paris quota place.

Patil continued to shine and a 10.8 for his 19th and a 10.3 for the 10th meant that he kept the lead after the fourth series as well. It was now 0.3 over the Italian and a full point ahead of Lihao Sheng who had caught up on countryman Haoran. The Italian however had a strong final series and wrested the lead from the Indian at the end of it, but Rudrankksh still made it to the gold round, finishing 0.1 ahead of Lihao, who settled for bronze. Rudrankksh finished with 261.9 to Sollazzo`s 262.7. The gold medal match then turned out to be a dogfight. The two shooters shoot a single shot each and the winner is awarded two points while an equal score means they split a point each. The first to 16 points wins.

Rudrankksh and Danilo split points thrice in the shoot-out including in the first two rounds. Then at one point, the Italian was 8-4 ahead, then 10-6 and then 13-9, but Rudrankksh was never letting him go out of sight. After winning a close round to narrow the gap to 11-13, Rudrankksh shot a 10.8 in the next to Danilo`s 10.7 and the scores were level 13-13. There was no stopping Rudrankksh on the day as he fired 10.7 and 10.5 in the next two to Danilo`s 10.4 and 10.2 and climb to the top of the Men`s 10m Air Rifle world at the age of 18. India`s juniors continued to impress as Udhayveer Sidhu and Esha Singh finished on top of the pile after the first qualification round of their 25m Pistol Men and Women Junior events. Udhayveer shot 290 in the first Precision round while Esha shot 294.

In the Junior Men`s 25m Pistol, among the other Indians, UnishHolinder was lying 13th with 282 while Sameer logged 280 to lie 19th. Also in the Junior Women`s competition, Naamya Kapoor shot 283 to be in 18th spot, Vibhuti Bhatia 280 to be 21st, Khushi Kapoor 279 to be 24th and Divanshi shot 278 to lie in 25th position. In the 50m Rifle Prone Mixed Team Junior competition, the pair of Nishchaland Surya Pratap Singh went down 6-16 in a bronze medal match to USA`s Katie Zaun and Rylan Kissell.

They had on Thursday earned qualification to the match, by virtue of finishing fourth in stage two of qualification, with a score of 411.2. The second Indian pair of Nupur Kumrawat and Pankaj Mukheja bowed out in eighth place at that stage after coming through stage one along with their compatriots.In the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Junior, India`s Sartaj Tiwana finished seventh with a score of 580 to qualify for the ranking round. Pankaj Mukheja and Surya Pratap Singh were 13th and 28th with scores of 577 and 570 respectively.

Indian teenager Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, created history in the Egyptian capital Cairo, pulling off a dramatic 17-15 victory over Italy`s Danilo Dennis Sollazzo in the gold medal match and has been crowned World Champion in the Men`s 10m Air Rifle, an Olympic event.

Indian teenager Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, created history in the Egyptian capital Cairo, pulling off a dramatic 17-15 victory over Italy`s Danilo Dennis Sollazzo in the gold medal match and has been crowned World Champion in the Men`s 10m Air Rifle, an Olympic event. The 18-year-old also emulated Abhinav Bindra, India`s first individual Olympic gold medallist, as a world champion in Men`s Air Rifle. Bindra had won the crown in the same event in Zagreb in 2006. A National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) release said the Thane boy shot astoundingly well throughout competition day two of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship Rifle/Pistol at the Egypt International Olympic City (EIOC) shooting range, to not only win the biggest prize of his life till date but also a Paris 2024 Olympics quota for his country. It was India`s second Paris quota in the sport of Shooting after Bhowneesh Mendiratta had won the first in the Men`s Trap at the Shotgun World Championships in Osijek, Croatia, which preceded the Cairo World Championships for Rifle and Pistol. Silver medallist at the Junior World Championships in Lima last year and a gold medallist at the Junior World Cup in Suhl earlier this year, this was Rudrankksh`s first medal at the senior level. He had broken through to the senior squad in the beginning of the year and had registered seventh and 11th-place finishes in the Baku and Cairo World Cups earlier. Rudrankksh was detailed in the second qualification relay on the day and when he took his start, teammate Kiran Ankush Jadhav of the Indian Navy had already logged an impressive 630.6 in the first relay to lie third. With the top eight making it to the next ranking round, Rudrankksh sizzled with a 633.9 to top the high-quality field of 114 shooters. Among those whom he left behind on the day were legends like Yang Haoran (double Olympic gold and double world champion) of China, reigning Olympic champion William Shanner of the USA, Chinese teenager and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Lihao Sheng of China and Olympic medallists SerhiyKulhish of Ukraine and Alexis Raynaud of France. Also left behind was teammate Arjun Babuta, who shot 625.3 to finish in 22nd place.In the 25-shot ranking round broken down into five series of five shots each, Rudrankksh had a steady start moving up to fourth place after 10 shots with a score of 104.2. Compatriot Kiran Jadhav, who had also made it to the top eight with a sixth-place finish overall in qualification, bowed out at this stage in eighth place along with Raynaud, who finished seventh.He shot into the lead after the third series of shots logging 157 to be 0.1 ahead of Italian Sollazzo and 0.7 ahead of Yang Haoran as the fifth and sixth-place shooters bowed out, assuring India of a Paris quota place. Patil continued to shine and a 10.8 for his 19th and a 10.3 for the 10th meant that he kept the lead after the fourth series as well. It was now 0.3 over the Italian and a full point ahead of Lihao Sheng who had caught up on countryman Haoran. The Italian however had a strong final series and wrested the lead from the Indian at the end of it, but Rudrankksh still made it to the gold round, finishing 0.1 ahead of Lihao, who settled for bronze. Rudrankksh finished with 261.9 to Sollazzo`s 262.7. The gold medal match then turned out to be a dogfight. The two shooters shoot a single shot each and the winner is awarded two points while an equal score means they split a point each. The first to 16 points wins. Rudrankksh and Danilo split points thrice in the shoot-out including in the first two rounds. Then at one point, the Italian was 8-4 ahead, then 10-6 and then 13-9, but Rudrankksh was never letting him go out of sight. After winning a close round to narrow the gap to 11-13, Rudrankksh shot a 10.8 in the next to Danilo`s 10.7 and the scores were level 13-13. There was no stopping Rudrankksh on the day as he fired 10.7 and 10.5 in the next two to Danilo`s 10.4 and 10.2 and climb to the top of the Men`s 10m Air Rifle world at the age of 18. India`s juniors continued to impress as Udhayveer Sidhu and Esha Singh finished on top of the pile after the first qualification round of their 25m Pistol Men and Women Junior events. Udhayveer shot 290 in the first Precision round while Esha shot 294. In the Junior Men`s 25m Pistol, among the other Indians, UnishHolinder was lying 13th with 282 while Sameer logged 280 to lie 19th. Also in the Junior Women`s competition, Naamya Kapoor shot 283 to be in 18th spot, Vibhuti Bhatia 280 to be 21st, Khushi Kapoor 279 to be 24th and Divanshi shot 278 to lie in 25th position. In the 50m Rifle Prone Mixed Team Junior competition, the pair of Nishchaland Surya Pratap Singh went down 6-16 in a bronze medal match to USA`s Katie Zaun and Rylan Kissell. They had on Thursday earned qualification to the match, by virtue of finishing fourth in stage two of qualification, with a score of 411.2. The second Indian pair of Nupur Kumrawat and Pankaj Mukheja bowed out in eighth place at that stage after coming through stage one along with their compatriots.In the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Junior, India`s Sartaj Tiwana finished seventh with a score of 580 to qualify for the ranking round. Pankaj Mukheja and Surya Pratap Singh were 13th and 28th with scores of 577 and 570 respectively.

ISSF World C'ship: Indian teenager Rudrankksh Patil wins 10m air rifle gold, books quota for Paris Olympics

Last year's Boston marathon winner Diana Chemtai Kipyokei and her Kenyan teammate Betty Wilson Lempus have been provisionally suspended over anti-doping rule violations, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced Friday.

The two athletes are accused of tampering with evidence, "including obstructing or delaying the AIU's investigation through the provision of false information or documentation". The pair tested positive in 2021 for triamcinolone, a substance still allowed in some forms that year before being subject to a total ban in January.

Kipyokei, 28, had tested positive after winning the 2021 Boston marathon while Lempus, 31, was initially cleared by French anti-doping authorities after winning the 2021 Paris half-marathon before the AIU conducted a further investigation into the explanation offered by the runner.

The two suspensions come just three days after that of trail runner and compatriot Mark Kangogo, winner of the Sierre-Zinal in August and also returning a positive test for&nbsp;triamcinolone. Kipyokei and Lempus are the 22nd and 23rd Kenyan athletes suspended in 2022.

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Kenya&nbsp;has since 2016 been listed as a category A country by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). "The cases announced today are part of a recent trend in Kenyan athletics regarding triamcinolone acetonide, with 10 Kenyan athletes testing positive for that prohibited substance between 2021 and 2022," the AIU said.

"Within the same time period in athletics globally, there have been just two positive triamcinolone acetonide AAFs (Adverse Analytical Findings) for athletes from all other countries. In the four years from 2017 to 2020, there were only three Kenyan AAFs for triamcinolone acetonide."

Last year's Boston marathon winner Diana Chemtai Kipyokei and her Kenyan teammate Betty Wilson Lempus have been provisionally suspended over anti-doping rule violations, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced Friday.

Last year's Boston marathon winner Diana Chemtai Kipyokei and her Kenyan teammate Betty Wilson Lempus have been provisionally suspended over anti-doping rule violations, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced Friday. The two athletes are accused of tampering with evidence, "including obstructing or delaying the AIU's investigation through the provision of false information or documentation". The pair tested positive in 2021 for triamcinolone, a substance still allowed in some forms that year before being subject to a total ban in January. Kipyokei, 28, had tested positive after winning the 2021 Boston marathon while Lempus, 31, was initially cleared by French anti-doping authorities after winning the 2021 Paris half-marathon before the AIU conducted a further investigation into the explanation offered by the runner. The two suspensions come just three days after that of trail runner and compatriot Mark Kangogo, winner of the Sierre-Zinal in August and also returning a positive test for triamcinolone. Kipyokei and Lempus are the 22nd and 23rd Kenyan athletes suspended in 2022. ALSO READ | Azeem Rafiq to 'leave Britain' to protect family from abuse following racism scandal Kenya has since 2016 been listed as a category A country by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). "The cases announced today are part of a recent trend in Kenyan athletics regarding triamcinolone acetonide, with 10 Kenyan athletes testing positive for that prohibited substance between 2021 and 2022," the AIU said. "Within the same time period in athletics globally, there have been just two positive triamcinolone acetonide AAFs (Adverse Analytical Findings) for athletes from all other countries. In the four years from 2017 to 2020, there were only three Kenyan AAFs for triamcinolone acetonide."

Boston Marathon winner and her Kenyan teammate provisionally suspended for doping

Cricket Australia (CA)'s board requested an amendment to their integrity code be drawn up on Friday in another step towards David&nbsp;Warner's lifetime ban from leadership positions being lifted. The opening batsman was banned from the elite game for 12 months and from leadership positions for life by CA after they adjudged he played the leading role in the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal.

There have been calls this year from players, including test skipper Pat Cummins, for the leadership ban to be dropped to allow&nbsp;Warner&nbsp;to be considered for the vacancy as Australia's one-day international captain. Any player who accepts a sanction under the current code, as&nbsp;Warner&nbsp;did, forgoes the right to a later review of the punishment but the CA board on Friday asked the body's head of integrity to propose an amendment to it.

"The amendment would allow a person to request a penalty that they had accepted be reviewed after an appropriate period of time," CA said in a statement. "The onus would be on the applicant to prove they had undergone genuine reform relevant to the offence they were sanctioned for. "Any review would not revisit the original sanction, other than suspension of a penalty in recognition of genuine reform."

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Should the amendment be adopted, CA said, the review of the penalty would be heard by an independent commission. CA chairman Lachlan Henderson and chief executive Nick Hockley signalled the move after CA's annual general meeting on Thursday.

Henderson said the review would be undertaken as quickly as possible to allow&nbsp;Warner&nbsp;to be considered in discussions about future leadership positions. Warner, a former test vice-captain, has said he would regard the offer of a leadership role for his country as a "privilege".

Cricket Australia (CA)'s board requested an amendment to their integrity code be drawn up on Friday in another step towards David Warner's lifetime ban from leadership positions being lifted.

Cricket Australia (CA)'s board requested an amendment to their integrity code be drawn up on Friday in another step towards David Warner's lifetime ban from leadership positions being lifted. The opening batsman was banned from the elite game for 12 months and from leadership positions for life by CA after they adjudged he played the leading role in the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal. There have been calls this year from players, including test skipper Pat Cummins, for the leadership ban to be dropped to allow Warner to be considered for the vacancy as Australia's one-day international captain. Any player who accepts a sanction under the current code, as Warner did, forgoes the right to a later review of the punishment but the CA board on Friday asked the body's head of integrity to propose an amendment to it. "The amendment would allow a person to request a penalty that they had accepted be reviewed after an appropriate period of time," CA said in a statement. "The onus would be on the applicant to prove they had undergone genuine reform relevant to the offence they were sanctioned for. "Any review would not revisit the original sanction, other than suspension of a penalty in recognition of genuine reform." ALSO READ | David Warner to Virat Kohli: Top contenders to finish as highest run-getter at T20 World Cup 2022 Should the amendment be adopted, CA said, the review of the penalty would be heard by an independent commission. CA chairman Lachlan Henderson and chief executive Nick Hockley signalled the move after CA's annual general meeting on Thursday. Henderson said the review would be undertaken as quickly as possible to allow Warner to be considered in discussions about future leadership positions. Warner, a former test vice-captain, has said he would regard the offer of a leadership role for his country as a "privilege".

Cricket Australia paves way for opener David Warner's lifetime ban to be lifted

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