ISL Clubs Breathe Easy as AFC Waives 24-Match Rule
ISL clubs have received major relief. As the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) approved the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) request to relax its regulations for the current season. Under the revised provision, ISL teams will not be required to meet the mandatory 24-match criterion to qualify for AFC competitions this year. However, this exemption will apply only for this season. As per the decision, this season’s Super Cup winners FC Goa and the eventual ISL champions will be eligible to compete in the ACL 2. The AFC officially communicated this development to the AIFF on Thursday. This was one of the key demands put forward by the ISL clubs, and it has now been accepted. On the hind side, ISL is set to be played in a single-leg format this season, the total number of matches will be significantly reduced. This was the primary reason why clubs had sought special permission to remain eligible for continental competitions. Following the announcement of the revised league format, the AIFF wrote to the AFC explaining the situation, and within two weeks, the continental body granted its approval. This effectively clears the path for the ISL champions to participate in the ACL Two without any hurdles. The federation is now expected to announce the league schedule soon. However, one issue remains unresolved. The clubs have raised objections to another clause in the federation’s framework, questioning the governing council’s veto power. Talks on this matter are ongoing, and once resolved, the schedule is likely to be released.
The Bangladesh Cricket Fall Into Chaos
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) seems to be put into halt. A mammoth controversy arose on Thursday as the match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express saw the match referee standing alone at the ground without the captains. In Mirpur the match was delayed due to none of the team’s captains appearing at the field before the toss. Shipar Ahmed stood alone on the ground. He told ESPNcricinfo that, “We are standing in the middle of the ground. We don’t know what’s happening. The BPL technical committee can tell you better,” The toss that was supposed to take place at 12:30 PM local time, rescheduled for 30 minutes later. This comes after the cancellation of matches in the Dhaka Cricket League earlier in the day chased after a threat by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) to halt domestic cricket. The boycott was triggered by “objectionable comments” made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam. He reportedly referred to former captain Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian agent.” The BCB has issued a show-cause notice to Nazmul, but the CWAB, led by president Mohammad Mithun, has called for a nationwide boycott of all forms of cricket. An emergency meeting between officials from both sides was held on Wednesday to ease tensions. Mithun, who also leads the BPL franchise Sylhet Stallions, is expected to address the media later today. Mithun is likely to demand Nazmul’s resignation on behalf of the CWAB. However, this move could lead to legal complications. According to BCB officials, their constitution makes it very difficult to remove a director unless they resign on their own. This means that if Nazmul refuses to step down, the boycott may continue for some time. The CWAB, meanwhile, is not expected to settle for anything less than his complete resignation.
‘I Didn’t Expect That Defeat’: Yui Susaki Opens Up About Her Defeat Against Vinesh Phogat
Every Indian vividly remembers the picture of the Paris Olympics 2024, with Vinesh Phogat crying tears of joy while donning her blue jersey. But do we remember the four-time world champion and the defending Olympic champion opposite her? Yes, the Japanese wrestler, Yui Susaki, came to India, and shrugging off her heavy memories, she light-heartedly exclaimed, “I am a challenger now.” She discussed her defeat two years ago. Susaki, in her “not-so-good” English, stated, “I respect her. I heard she had a baby, no?” the Japanese remember. “I don’t know if I will meet her here. Tell her many hellos. I wish her health and a happy family. I am happy for her. If I meet Vinesh, I want to wrestle her again,” she says to TOI. Susaki is one of those rare athletes whose greatness isn’t immediately obvious. Among the spectators, few would guess that she is a four-time world champion, a reigning Olympic gold medallist, and someone who entered the Paris Olympics 50 kg category. That is until she came up against Vinesh. However, in contrast to her looking like a stunned, tearful figure the world saw after that defeat two years ago. She appears calm and unburdened, almost like a newly arrived Japanese tourist. She looks ready for a stroll through Delhi without a mask, untouched by the city’s haze and pollution. When asked about her plans in her free time, she merely shakes her head. “No. Only wrestle, wrestle, wrestle,” she laughingly stated. While asked about her defeat, she stated, “I didn’t expect that defeat,” she began somberly. “That day, I couldn’t believe it happened. It was really disappointing for me.” She added, “It was a shocking experience, but that experience was important to me.” Yui was awarded gold in Tokyo without dropping a single point. Her record was cemented by not losing to a foreign player, with an astonishing 82–0 record. But that day she was 2-0 against Vinesh. However, the defeat couldn’t touch her sportsperson spree. “Maybe that experience made me realise what I was lacking,” she claimed. “That defeat prompted me to confront myself even more and allowed me to grow in all aspects. It was a frustrating experience, but I see it as a necessary experience for me.” “Because I want to win gold at the Los Angeles Olympics and Brisbane, I will use the defeat to Vinesh to my advantage,” she nods sagely. Much like in heavyweight boxing, a crushing defeat can plunge even the greatest athletes into a phase of deep darkness and self-doubt. The question is: how does a champion come to terms with such a moment? “This was the most painful and demoralising experience of my life,” she said. “But I want to rise again. I want to prove—to myself and to everyone else—that I can be a Japanese champion, a world champion, and an Olympic champion. More than that, I want my journey to give others courage and hope.”
Pakistani Batter Under Fire After Picking Ahmed Over Sachin
A recent video of Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has been widely capturing public attention on social media. In the viral clip, the batter, while choosing from a list of cricketers like Saeed Anwar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar, picked Ahmed Shehzad over them. Recently, in a YouTube interaction, former Pakistan players Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal mocked Sahibzada for his choice. While Basit seemed distressed watching the video, Kamran could not stop laughing. The laughing spree ended with them apologising for his ‘mistake’. Reacting to the video, Basit claimed, “(Yeh fake hai) This is fake. Hundred per cent fake. Sahibzada Farhan has not gone mad so far that he picks Ahmed Shehzad over Sachin Tendulkar. I plead with you to stop this topic.” On the other hand, Kamran couldn’t hold back his laughter, saying, “He (Sahibzada) is a cricketer; he should think. He revealed his idol, but to say that Ahmed Shehzad is better than the likes of Saeed Anwar and Sachin Tendulkar is not right. It’s okay if he thinks like this, but he should answer in a better manner.” Basit further stated, “I promise you all, whenever I meet Sahibzada, I will ask him, ‘Were you in your senses that day?’ I promise.” “Whoever asks you a question regarding Sahibzada’s pick, tell them that Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal apologise for it,” he added. Kamran concluded, “We ask for forgiveness over Sahibzada’s mistake.” Sahibzada has secured his place as a T20 opener in the Pakistan cricket team. He has also made 37 T20I appearances, scoring an overall 917 runs. The player is yet to make his debut in ODIs and Tests for Pakistan. The batter has been named in Pakistan’s provisional squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The names in the provisional squad are permitted to be changed before 31st January without awaiting the green light from the ICC.
