Cricket

After a three-week delay, a massive logistical mission and a handful of health scares, a very different Australian Open gets underway today with pandemic protocols providing a backdrop of caution to the action on court.Serena Williams begins her latest campaign to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on Day One while Novak Djokovic is also in action, the Serb seeking a record-extending ninth Australian Open crown. Once dubbed the ‘Happy Slam’ by Roger Federer, this year’s edition might be...

AFP, Melbourne :Novak Djokovic likened his relationship with the Australian Open to “a love affair” Sunday, admitting he still gets nervous walking on court despite his years at the top.The 33-year-old opens his campaign for an unprecedented ninth title at Melbourne Park, and 18th Grand Slam crown, on Monday against France’s Jeremy Chardy, and he is already feeling jittery.“Every match, every match. Every single match,” he said when asked he still got nervous despite being in his 17th Australian Open.“I...

Fakhar Zaman and Wahab Riaz have been dropped while Mohammad Hafeez has been excluded from Pakistan’s 20-man squad for the three-match T20I series against South Africa. Other notable omissions also include Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim. Shadab had led the side in their T20I series against New Zealand last month, which they lost 2-1. There are also four uncapped players in the side – left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar, all-rounder Danish Aziz, leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood and bowling all-rounder Amad Butt....