Nimbalkar, 41, and his driver, Samad Kazi, were on their way from Mumbai to Osmanabad (now Dharashiv) on June 3, 2006, when two hitmen intercepted their car at Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai and opened fire, killing both on the spot.

Nimbalkar's cousin and former NCP MP Padamsinh Patil, now 86, were among those who faced the murder trial.

Padamsinh Patil at the Special CBI Court in Mumbai on June 16, 2026
Photo Credit: ANI

Besides Patil, the former state home minister and stepbrother of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, other accused in the case included Latur-based businessman Satish Mandade, former BJP corporator and retired state excise inspector Mohan Shukla, Parasmal Jain, former excise inspector Shashikant Kulkarni, BSP worker Kailash Yadav and alleged shooters Dinesh Tiwari, Pintu Singh and Chote Pandey.

Jain had initially accepted the contract of Rs 30 lakh from Shukla and Mandade to kill Nimbalkar. He was later granted a pardon and turned approver against the other accused.

CBI Probe

Dissatisfied with the initial investigation by the Navi Mumbai police, Nimbalkar's family had approached the Bombay High Court seeking an independent probe. Following the court's intervention, the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In 2009, the CBI filed a chargesheet naming Padamsinh Patil as the prime accused and alleged conspirator in the murder.

According to the CBI, the conspiracy was driven by political rivalry. Investigators alleged that Patil believed Nimbalkar's growing popularity posed a threat to his political influence in Osmanabad district and that a contract worth Rs 30 lakh was arranged to eliminate him. They also stated that the motive was driven by Nimbalkar opposing the management of the Terna Sugar factory.

Patil, who has consistently denied the charge, was arrested in June 2009. A sessions court in Alibaug granted him bail in September that year.

A Long Trial

The case took more than 20 years to reach the verdict. The trial began in July 2011, during which the special court examined as many as 128 witnesses, including anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare.

Hazare's name came up in the case after Parasmal Jain confessed that Patil had simultaneously given a contract to eliminate the activist. Hazare had testified about receiving threats from Patil.

The trial was conducted before a Special CBI Court presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Satyanaryan Navandar.

The proceedings involved extensive documentary evidence, witness testimony and arguments spanning several years.

The court was originally expected to deliver its verdict last month but was deferred to June 16. However, on that day, the judge adjourned the matter to June 20, saying he will take another two to three days to complete the judgment.

Who Was Pawanraje Nimbalkar?

Pawanraje Nimbalkar was a prominent Congress leader from Osmanabad district. He had emerged as a popular political figure and was increasingly seen as a challenger to the dominance of senior NCP leader Padamsinh Patil in the region.

ALSO READ | How A 20-Year-Old Murder Became Factor In Uddhav Sena Rebellion

According to testimony recorded during the trial, Nimbalkar had initially risen politically with Patil's support and had held positions in cooperative institutions such as the Terna Sugar Factory and the Osmanabad District Central Cooperative Bank. However, relations between the two leaders reportedly deteriorated as Nimbalkar's political influence grew.

Nimbalkar's son, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, later told the court that his father had even lodged police complaints against Patil as relations between the two camps worsened.

On a positive note, skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to be selected for the England series after featuring in the first two ODIs against Afghanistan. He is expected to play in the 3rd ODI as well.

Earlier, the deliberations on India's roadmap for the 2027 World Cup are "not meant for public consumption", BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in an interview to PTI, refusing to be drawn into any discussion on individual players and their much-speculated future in the team.

Veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dominate the chatter whenever there is any talk around the Indian team's 2027 global campaign but Saikia is categorical that "strategic discussions in the board room" are best left inside.

While both former skippers are determined to play the mega-event, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have been non-committal on whether the squad will have space for the white-ball legends.

Asked if the BCCI has had any internal conversations on the matter, Saikia said all stakeholders are aligned in their views in what is essentially an ongoing process.

"We have a very well-knit team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are taken on board," Saikia told PTI during an exclusive interaction.

"Whatever decisions that are made involve the cricket committee, the selectors and all other stakeholders, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned.

"There are regular conversations taking place. For that reason, we do not need any special session of interaction. This is an ongoing process," the secretary said, keeping all his cards close to his chest.

He maintained that he would not divulge any board room information.

"I do not think I should disclose anything before the media or the public because these are strategic discussions. I am not authorised to speak about them before the media." "Secondly, these are matters that should remain within the boardroom."

(With PTI inputs)

"Gauti (Gambhir) stepped out on the first ball and flicked it because he knows my (game), he's a very good cricketer. I don't know about the coaching part, but he's a very good cricketer. So, I bowled the bouncer," Sreesanth said, narrating his experience in an interview on Lallantop.

"And you know what he said? 'I own you'. It was clear, he abused me. What he shouldn't have said, he did, he called me a 'fixer'," Sreesanth said.

"I leaned forward and asked him, 'Gauti bhai, are you okay?' Because I was huge, it looked like I would hit him. Then he was doing 'F-F' (using the F-word). Then he again said 'fixer', 'Deshdrohi'," Sreesanth further claimed.

Gambhir and Sreesanth were part of India's victorious 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup squads. However, their relationship has evidently soured after the end of their playing days.

Gambhir's comments were seemingly based on the ban that Sreesanth received after being accused of spot-fixing during IPL 2013. Initially a life ban, the BCCI later reduced it to a seven-year ban, meaning Sreesanth could resume playing in 2020.

Meanwhile, Gambhir now finds himself in the head coach hotseat of the senior India men's cricket team. Under his coaching, India have already lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.

JAJDUDKWNWWKSI GOLAZO DE GALARZA DE RIVER AL MUNDO GRACIAS DIOS

AHORA LE VAMOS A SACAR 5 PALOS pic.twitter.com/P1zQruooVX

— Carpeta Millo (@CarpetaMillo_) June 20, 2026

Earlier, Matheus Cunha scored twice as Brazil eased past Haiti 3-0 on Friday to breathe life into their FIFA World Cup campaign and close in on a spot in the last 32.

After a much-criticised display in their opening 1-1 draw with Morocco, the five-time world champions underlined the gulf in class with outsiders Haiti, who became the first country to exit this World Cup.

Cunha's scruffy goal in Philadelphia gave Brazil the lead midway through the first half, and he struck again as Carlo Ancelotti's side asserted their dominance. Vinicius Junior added a third before the break.

Brazil play Scotland in their final Group C game in Miami on June 24. 

Haiti's first World Cup appearance since 1974 will end after they play Morocco in Atlanta.

The Selecao currently have the edge over Morocco for top spot on goal difference. If they finish first, they would face the Group F runners-up -- likely to be the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden -- in the next round.

Neymar did not travel with the squad as he continues his recovery from a calf injury, prompting Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva to joke he was "working remotely".

As promised Ancelotti made changes after the insipid showing against Morocco, bringing United forward Cunha in for Brentford's Igor Thiago and replacing Roger Ibanez with Danilo at right-back.

Despite a US government ban which has prevented fans travelling from Haiti, the Caribbean nation received loud support from the sizeable Haitian diaspora, which filled roughly half of the 68,324 crowd.

Aggrieved at not coming away with a point from their 1-0 loss to Scotland last week, Haiti coach Sebastien Migne urged his players to embrace the opportunity to play Brazil at a World Cup.

With 77 places separating the nations in the FIFA rankings, Brazil quickly took control and thought they had scored when Raphinha fired home, only for the Barcelona winger to be flagged offside. 

It was a sign of what was to come though and Brazil broke the deadlock on 23 minutes.

Cunha sparked the move by winning possession in midfield and, after Vinicius's shot was parried, he reacted quickest to block Hannes Delcroix's clearance to send the ball trickling into the net.

Vinicius and Cunha combined again to double the lead, the former slipping his team-mate in behind the Haiti defence to blast in a powerful left-footed shot as he fell to the ground.  

Brazil lost Raphinha to injury but scored a third before half-time as Vinicius ran onto Lucas Paqueta's floated pass and steered through the legs of Johny Placide. 

Haiti almost bagged their first World Cup goal in 52 years when Ricardo Ade's glancing header at a corner forced Alisson Becker into a sharp stop, but it was a rare moment of hope.

The introduction of 19-year-old Endrick as Ancelotti turned to his bench triggered huge cheers from Brazil supporters, who nearly had another goal to celebrate when substitute Gabriel Martinelli rattled the crossbar. 

Haiti refused to go down without a fight as Alisson made two late saves to preserve Brazil's first clean sheet in seven outings, turning the page on an underwhelming start to the competition.

(With AFP inputs)

HISTORY MADE

Miguel Almiron becomes the 1st player to get a red card for hiding his mouth during a confrontational situationhttps://t.co/R5OazxXG16 pic.twitter.com/XGCcLO97hg

— 90 Minutes World 2026 (@jude_kenec33382) June 20, 2026

Prestianni denied racially abusing Vinicius but was later banned for six matches -- with three of those suspended -- for "homophobic conduct".

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been a prominent supporter of the new law.

"If you do not have something to hide, you don't hide your mouth when you say something. That's it, as simple as that," Infantino said in March.

The left-hander had made an unbeaten 116 against South Africa at Visakhapatnam in his previous appearance but since then the return of Ishan Kishan has added one more contender to the top-order positions.

Rohit Sharma has scored 64 runs in the first two matches, but his place in the side is under question amid speculation over BCCI's plans for India's 2027 World Cup squad. The BCCI are yet to announce the squad for the upcoming England ODI series. According to reports, it might happen in the next few days.

Kishan did no harm to his reputation with a hundred at Lucknow, and skipper Shubman Gill dropped himself to No. 3 to accommodate Jaiswal.

But once Virat Kohli returns to the side after recovering from his hamstring injury, the batting superstar is certain to occupy the No. 3 slot.

It leaves Gill with no other option but to return to opening the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. With Kishan and Shreyas Iyer occupying the No. 4 and 5 respectively, Jaiswal perforce needs to make use of the limited opportunities that come his way.

It's a tight and uncomfortable space for any batter, let alone for a hugely talented cricketer like Jaiswal but the team combination rigmarole is an all-consuming maze at this point.

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate endorsed that point.

“He is someone who is waiting in the wings because of the quality and the depth we have in that position. But I certainly get the feeling that the first priority is always to win the series and to put your best team out.

“Jaiswal does get a few chances and it is incredibly tough because there is so much quality. But he is one of those guys where he does get the right chances like this, he is going to have to score runs. That is just the nature of Indian cricket.

“There is no hiding from it. These guys every time when they get a chance to go out there, whether it is on rotation or you feel you are playing a team on a rotation basis, they get these few chances and they have to take it,” he elaborated.

It's also imperative for Jaiswal to score big because India's ODI squad to tour England for three matches will be announced soon, and another slip-up might just not be taken kindly by a ruthless and fast-moving selection panel headed by Ajit Agarkar.

So, it will not be an exaggeration to think that Jaiswal needs to make his fortune all by himself, and stay in contention for an ODI berth particularly in the case of a fitness worry to anyone in the top three.

Rahul offers a different case altogether. The return of Iyer to the India set-up after a lengthy hiatus means that the 34-year-old will now have to bat largely at No. 6, unless Kishan, the current No. 4, moves up to opening for some reason, allowing the team management the provision to automatically promote the duo higher up the order.

For long, No. 5 has been Rahul's comfort zone, evident in his glittering numbers -- 1517 runs from 38 matches at an average of 63.2 overs with three hundreds and 10 fifties.

It constitutes for nearly half of his career stats. But another claimant has come for that place, and Rahul's numbers at six — 332 runs from 15 matches at 41.5 with a solitary fifty — are good without being sparkling.

It's primarily because of the limited number of overs he will get to play from the No. 6 slot, but he needs to adapt to making those quick fifties, or find solace in extrapolating the team total with the cameos.

Rana returns, but Nitish to play

India have added Harshit Rana into the squad ahead of Chennai ODI after completing rehabilitation at BCCI Centre of Excellence, but he is unlikely to play here, as all-rounder Nitish Reddy might come in for Arshdeep Singh, who has played two matches in this series.

Nitish had missed the second ODI with a sore left thigh, but Doeschate said the all-rounder has recovered enough to feature in the eleven at Chepauk.

“Nitish, he probably could have played the last game as well. But he will be good to go for tomorrow's game,” said Doeschate.

Gurnoor Brar has also played two matches, but the bigwigs might want to take an extended look at the pacer in various conditions.

On the other hand, Afghanistan have been completely outplayed in this series in both the red and white ball formats so far.

They will be eager to sign off the series showing more fight, if not with a victory.

But for that, the tourists will need to show more gumption in batting and bowling departments.

Teams:

India: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana.

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami.

Match starts at 1.30 pm. 

With PTI inputs

With this feat, he now sits behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored at the 2006 World Cup at 21 years and 132 days, and Goncalo Ramos, who netted in 2022 at 21 years and 169 days.

Neves helped Portugal get off to a bright start, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Pedro Neto delivered a pinpoint cross, which he powered into the far corner with a fine header for his fourth international goal.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo's Portugal were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by underdogs DR Congo in their opening World Cup group match, as Yoane Wissa's equaliser cancelled out Joao Neves' early strike.

After the match, he said: "We know what Cristiano has done for us, for our national team, and for the world of football. But at this moment, he and we know that he is no different. He is just another player here to help. He is no different from the others. He is here to contribute, just like all of us. He played very well. I think the whole team played an excellent game."

PORTUGAL SE ESTÁ ROMPIENDO EN REDES 🚨💔

Las declaraciones de Joao Neves y un simple comentario de Bruno Fernandes han desatado una auténtica tormenta entre algunos aficionados portugueses.

Todo comenzó cuando Neves afirmó que Cristiano Ronaldo “es un jugador más dentro del… pic.twitter.com/Ng7NBGfkTq

— Motivaciones Fútbol (@MotivacionesF) June 19, 2026

The comment was misunderstood, and he faced social media backlash.

However, in response to a reporter's question about Neves' remarks, Spanish coach Roberto Martinez commented, "I think that statement can be easily misunderstood. Cristiano Ronaldo's status in this team cannot be diminished. We are talking about one of the greatest footballers in history. He has achieved everything. He has scored more goals for Portugal than any other player, broken countless records, and continues to fight for this country."

🚨Roberto Martínez on João Neves' comments about Cristiano Ronaldo:

🎙️ Reporter: “Coach, some people interpreted João Neves' comments as suggesting Cristiano Ronaldo is just another player on the pitch. Is João wrong to make that statement?”

🗣️ Roberto Martínez: “I think that… pic.twitter.com/Pcp9DwFXx8

— SethOfficial🇵🇹 (@UTD_Seth001) June 19, 2026

With ANI inputs

The Brazilian confederation said the 34-year-old Santos player will continue his recovery at the facilities of the team's hotel.

Neymar was back on the training field for the first time on Tuesday, doing physical conditioning exercises. He rejoined his teammates for parts of the session on Wednesday and was applauded by them after getting on the field.

Neymar has yet to train in full sessions with the rest of the team since reporting to Brazil's squad while nursing an injured right leg.

Looking to play in his fourth World Cup, Neymar underwent tests on his right calf on Monday to determine the progress of the injury that he sustained while playing with Santos on May 17.

The five-time World Cup champions began their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Morocco on Saturday in Group C.

There was widespread debate in Brazil over whether Neymar, whose first World Cup was on home soil in 2014, should have been called up for the tournament by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Brazil is chalking out a plan internally to prepare Neymar towards full fitness for the knockout stages, and he could miss all the group stage games till the match against Scotland in Miami, scheduled for June 24. To maintain such a plan for their star player, the results on the pitch would also play an important role, and a dip in performance could see them change.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti wants Neymar to be available, but does not want to compromise on the player's health, recently saying, as quoted by Goal.com, "Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible. When we called up Neymar, we did it not just because of his technical quality, which is undeniable. But also because of his experience, he could represent an example for the younger players on the team."

With AP and ANI inputs

Here are the Highlights of Neeraj Chopra at Doha Diamond League 2026, Men's Javelin Throw Score:

At a meeting in New York to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Israeli envoy, Danny Danon, demanded the resignation of Pramila Patten, who produced a report that blacklisted Israel for such alleged abuses for the first time, accusing her of bias.

"You caved to the secretary-general's obsession with targeting Israel," Danon said, referring to UN chief Antonio Guterres.

Another UN official, Vanessa Frazier, Guterres' representative for children and armed conflict and compiler of a separate report that also blacklists Israel, interjected by shouting a point of order. She demanded that Danon refrain from "personal attacks" and added that she had "verified evidence."

Danon said Frazier should be quiet.

"We are a member state, and you work for the U.N., and you will be quiet now. You will be quiet ... you and your shameful report," he said.

Danny Danon, Israel's so-called ambassador to the UN, doesn't defend his regime with facts. When the United Nations added Israel's army to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence alongside ISIS, this arrogant thug shouted “YOU WILL BE QUIET NOW!” at UN staff and… pic.twitter.com/zxp1dmsnqR

— Abilio (@ilbannay) June 19, 2026

Frazier, Malta's former UN ambassador, issued her report this week on behalf of Guterres warning that Israeli settler groups could be added to a global blacklist for violations against children as the UN chief voiced alarm at what he called a "staggering" rise in violations against Palestinian children.

Israel itself already features in that report's so-called list of shame annexes for alleged violations.

When Patten's report was issued last month, Danon called it "a new low" and Israel's foreign ministry vowed to sever all ties with Guterres, who leaves office after 10 years at the year-end.

Both reports also blacklist Israel's arch enemy Hamas.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The reported development comes just weeks after Pant requested to be relieved from captaincy of LSG, which was accepted by the franchise post its rock-bottom finish in IPL 2026.

LSG made history in the IPL 2025 mega auction when the team shelled out Rs 27 crore for Pant's services - a record fee for a single player.

That buy came after Pant's eight-year stint with Delhi Capitals ended. Pant was not retained by DC after reported disagreements over team performance and his role.

However, Pant's stint at LSG has not worked out for player and franchise, with the team failing to qualify for the playoffs in both 2025 and 2026 under his leadership.

On the other hand, Kuldeep endured a poor season at DC in IPL 2026. After a number of excellent seasons, Kuldeep managed to pick up just 10 wickets in 12 matches in the 2026 season, even being dropped from the team at one point. For the first time in his IPL career, he also went at an economy-rate of more than 10 in a single season.

Kuldeep had been retained for Rs 13.25 crore by DC ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Pant and Kuldeep's current IPL salaries total up to Rs 40.25 crore. As a result, a trade involving the two players would make it the most high-profile in IPL history, even surpassing the Sanju Samson-Ravindra Jadeja trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).

During the interaction on Lallantop, Sreesanth was shown an old photograph of him and Harbhajan dressed in boxing gear. "This same scene, do you have the guts? Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Can you sign and come? Can you? I am asking him. Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Wearing these same gloves... This is not acting, I am smiling. You are not even smiling, I don't know what you are doing. Let's see. This is an open challenge," Sreesanth said, looking at the camera.

The interview was broadcast on Thursday. On Friday evening, Harbhajan Singh posted a cryptic video on Instagram with the caption, "Khali bartaan hi to awaaz karte hain (empty vessels make the most noise)."

In the video, Harbhajan said, "Kisine bohot khub kaha hai ki karne do jo log bakwaas karte hain, hamesha khali bartaan hi to awaaz karte hain." The line loosely translates to: "Someone has rightly said, let people talk nonsense, it is always the empty vessels that make noise."

Sreesanth's name was not mentioned in the video, but it did not take social media long to connect the two statements.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Harbhajan Turbanator Singh (@harbhajan3)

In the same interview, Sreesanth did not stop, as he issued a direct challenge and asked Harbhajan to face him in the ring.

"I challenge you, Bhajji. If you have this much of a problem with the slap incident and me, and you earn this much... let me earn too. Come into the ring. I am calling you from my heart. If we have some self-respect, let's not do ads and all that. In a genuine way, for all the Malayalis and all the Sardars, please come. I am waiting," he said

Netherlands vs Sweden - Group F - Saturday, 10:30 PM (IST)

The Netherlands entered the tournament as Group F favourites and were close to securing the three points and getting a good start, but their chances were ruined by Japan's Daichi Kamada, who netted a header in the 88th minute to help the Asian side draw the match 2-2.

On the other side, Sweden sit atop Group F after a stunning 5-1 opening win over Tunisia. Three points here would all but confirm Sweden's progression and leave the Netherlands in a precarious position, needing a win against Tunisia.

Germany vs Ivory Coast - Group E - Sunday, 1:30 AM (IST)

Germany head into the contest after delivering the tournament's most emphatic performance to date. Julian Nagelsmann's men brushed aside World Cup newcomers Curacao 7-1 in Houston, recovering instantly after conceding an unexpected equaliser. Kai Havertz led the charge with two goals, while Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also found the net.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, had to work considerably harder for their opening three points. Emerse Fae's side edged Ecuador 1-0 in a tense contest where fortune favoured the Elephants, with their opponents striking the frame of the goal on three occasions. Just as the game appeared destined for a draw, substitute Amad Diallo produced a decisive late strike in the 90th minute to seal victory.

Ecuador vs Curacao - Group E - Sunday, 5:30 AM (IST)

Ecuador were unbeaten in 19 consecutive matches when it arrived at the World Cup, and it looked as if Sebastian Beccacece's team was going to keep that streak going until Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to deal La Tricolor an opening loss.

Now, with powerful Germany awaiting next week to conclude Group E play, Ecuador face what could amount to a must-win match with Curacao at Arrowhead Stadium if they want to advance to the knockout stage.

Tunisia vs Japan - Group F - Sunday, 9:30 AM (IST)

Japan had high expectations coming into this World Cup and delivered a solid performance in its opener, rallying for a draw against the Netherlands. Now, the Japanese will try to keep that momentum against Tunisia, which lost to Sweden in its opener.

Tunisia fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after the 5-1 loss and appointed Herve Renard. The Frenchman is an experienced coach who specialises in leading national teams across Africa and the Arabic-speaking world. He has won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia and Ivory Coast.

(With agency inputs)

The Indian cricket team had postponed its white-ball tour of Bangladesh last year due to unrest in the neighbouring nation.

India's eastern neighbours now have an elected government in place.

Asked if the BCCI's stance would now change, secretary Devajit Saikia replied: "The BCCI is a cricketing controlling board, and we have nothing to do with what is going on politically in other countries." "As the BCCI, we follow whatever policy the Government of India has in place regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events. Whatever regulations and policies the central government frames, we follow them, just like any other sports federation, whether it is football, athletics or any other sport," he explained.

Saikia made it clear that it doesn't concern the BCCI as to which party is running the government in Bangladesh.

"We are not concerned with who is running the government in a particular country, whether it is democratically elected, undemocratically elected or an autocratic government. That is none of our business." "Our job is to run cricket. Whenever there is a scheduled tour to a foreign country for bilateral matches, we will proceed according to our plans and schedules," Saikia said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

71 SECONDS

Ismael Saibari has just scored the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup.

He will cook in Bayern alongside Harry Kane and Olise

Moroco 1 - 0 Scotland

#SCOMAR#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/071FJBPS5c

— JACINTA(@JacentaAfc) June 19, 2026

With four points from two games, Morocco are now primed to advance to the last 32 as they aim to at least match their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022.

However, it was a sobering evening for Scotland and their army of fans who have taken over Boston during this World Cup, as their team never really tested Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

The laboured 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening game at the same stadium last weekend -- which was their first victory at a World Cup since 1990 -- gave them a platform to build on and reason to believe they can progress beyond the group stage at a World Cup for the very first time.

Another win here would have secured progress from Group C, but their chances of going further remain up in the air going into their next match against Brazil in Miami next Wednesday.

Morocco, whose captain Achraf Hakimi started hours after it was confirmed he must stand trial in France on rape charges, face Haiti in Atlanta next.

Scots lack cutting edge

Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi went with an unchanged starting line-up here following the Brazil clash, but opposite number Steve Clarke made three changes.

Clarke sought to reinforce his defence, meaning striker Lawrence Shankland dropped out as defender Kieran Tierney came into the side to make a back five.

But that was of little use as Morocco went ahead practically from kick-off.

The assist came from Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz and Grant Hanley played Saibari onside as the latter latched onto the ball over the top, controlled and rifled high into the net.

Morocco, who defeated Scotland 3-0 when the teams met at the 1998 World Cup, threatened to overrun their opponents every time they got forward but were wasteful, with Bilal El Khannouss squandering a good chance on 36 minutes.

Scotland were as stodgy in attack as they have been for a long time, and it took until first-half stoppage time for them to create anything dangerous.

That was a cross whipped in from the left by skipper Andy Robertson that John McGinn was unable to make anything of, and the opening period ended without Bounou needing to make a save.

Morocco hit the woodwork five minutes into the second half as Saibari met a cutback by El Khannouss and his attempt was deflected onto the bar by Jack Hendry.

Moments later Gunn made a fine stop to keep out an El Khannouss header from a corner taken by Hakimi, who was regularly booed by the crowd.

Morocco nevertheless seemed content to see the game out and soak up what Scotland could throw at them.

Ryan Christie fired over on 64 minutes after being teed up by Scott McTominay, who hit the side-netting late on, but a Scotland goal proved elusive.

Iran wanted to fly to the United States two days before their next match, against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday, because the match kicks off at midday local time.

Iran's Belgian opponents were flying to California on Friday, two days before the game.

But the Iranian federation said its request to follow suit was turned down.

The US administration, which has just signed an interim deal to end its conflict with Iran, has pushed back against the Iranian claims.

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Iran had been informed in advance that they would only be allowed to enter the United States on the day before its games.

"The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match," Giuliani told CBS News on Monday.

FIFA's rules for World Cups say teams should travel from their bases to the match venue on the day before a game, but can travel two days before "in exceptional cases".

Mombeyni hit out at the US organizers.

"Rules must be followed. Seems to me that (Giuliani) should have studied the rules much sooner. And people who are not capable of carrying out FIFA's rules should not be hosting, and FIFA should not select them to be hosts," he said.

"In my opinion, he should have studied the rules sooner, checked with people from Team Melli of Iran, and he shouldn't have created these problems."

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the first in history in which a host nation must host on its soil the team of a nation it is at war with.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

However, Arachchige made it clear that his squad has moved past the incident.  

"The boys are not targeting anyone or anything. We are just enjoying ourselves. In a close game like a Super Over, emotions come out. That's normal," Arachchige told Sportstar.

The Sri Lanka A skipper also expressed strong confidence ahead of the final.  "With the batting, there is no issue. And with the bowling, every fast bowler and spinner is doing very well. I think we are in good shape," he said.

Earlier, former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth said that the 15-year-old possesses a rare ability to attract audiences and should be allowed to develop naturally without being burdened by expectations.

"What I like about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is he has an appetite to score runs and an appetite to dominate. At the same time, he could stay there and play also," Srikkanth told PTI at his residence here on Thursday.

"If he progresses beyond T20 cricket to one-day cricket, and then to Test cricket, and if he clicks in Test cricket, which he will, I am sure then you will see a revival of Test cricket.

"You need that kind of cricketer today. People switch on the TV just to watch Sooryavanshi. I switch on the TV to watch Sooryavanshi. That is the aura he has created around himself. And he is something amazing."

(With PTI inputs)

The comments came after the IPL witnessed major availability issues regarding overseas players. Without taking any names, Gavaskar emphasized that it is unfair to the franchises when overseas players leave midway, as finding suitable replacements at that stage becomes an incredibly tough task.

"The BCCI's ban for two years on those who enter the auction and, after being picked, then withdraw at the last moment, not for injury but brownie points with their local media, is another good move. They should also ban those who come to the IPL and, when they find they aren't being picked regularly, feign an injury and return home and then play in their domestic cricket even while the IPL is still going on," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

"Plenty of overseas players take the IPL for granted and sometimes, in connivance with their boards, make some excuse and not play in the full tournament as they agreed before they entered the auction. The franchise cannot go running around for a replacement at this late hour, and so has no option but to wait for the Board to release the player," he added.

Gavaskar further pointed out that foreign boards receive a 10 percent commission on a player's earnings after they are secured in the auction. Consequently, he suggested that a player should be paid strictly according to the number of matches they are available to play for the franchise and that should dictate how much the boards will receive. He even took a direct dig at certain players, noting that the IPL has a habit of making millionaires out of "ordinary overseas players."

"Remember, the boards get 10% of the player fee, not from the player. This is an additional cost to the franchise, and that is why it is important for BCCI to be firm and ensure this does not happen. Cutting the player's fee according to the number of matches he is missing should also apply to the percentage that the overseas Boards get for their player," Gavaskar wrote.

"The cricketing world has been ruled by the old powers without giving anything to the other Boards. Here, BCCI is giving to the Boards too, and so should be telling them not to take the helplessness of the franchise as a weakness and to cancel the contracts of those who don't want to play the full tournament. No compromises. This is the IPL, not just the best T20 tournament in the world, but also the making of millionaires out of some really ordinary overseas players," he concluded.

The precious metal extended losses on Friday, with international prices slipping below $4,200 an ounce as a stronger US dollar and rising Treasury yields weighed on bullion demand. The decline follows the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance, with policymakers signalling support for at least one rate hike this year, raising the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold.

Gold has now fallen almost 25% from its January peak above $5,500 an ounce, while MCX August gold futures dropped over 1% to around Rs 1,47,756 per 10 grams.

ALSO READ: Goldman Sachs Lops $500 Off Gold Target On No Fed Cuts This Year

According to Sachin Sawrikar, Managing Partner at Artha Bharat Investment Managers IFSC LLP, the correction has been driven by a combination of inflation concerns linked to the oil shock, a stronger dollar, higher-for-longer interest rates and the unwinding of leveraged positions.

"These are cyclical pressures rather than signs of a structural breakdown," Sawrikar said, adding that the longer-term investment case for gold remains supported by elevated sovereign debt levels, continued central bank purchases and concerns around the durability of reserve currencies.

While analysts caution against calling a definitive bottom, they say investors with a long-term horizon may view the correction as an opportunity to reassess allocations to precious metals.

"Whether this is the entry point or there's more downside, nobody knows. But investors with a five-year horizon and no allocation to precious metals should at least be asking the question," he said.

ALSO READ: US Stock Market Holiday: Is Wall Street Shut For Trading Today?

From a technical perspective, Kotak Securities sees key support for MCX Gold August futures at Rs 1,51,792, followed by Rs 1,51,236 and Rs 1,49,438 per 10 grams. On the upside, immediate resistance is placed at Rs 1,53,590, with higher hurdles at Rs 1,54,146 and Rs 1,55,944. 

Despite the near-term pressure from a hawkish Fed and firm dollar, analysts say resilient physical demand, central bank buying and geopolitical uncertainties could help cushion further declines in gold prices.