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Defending champion Janakpur Bolts registered their first victory in the second edition of the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL)  at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Tuesday. Janakpur defeated Chitwan Rhinos by six wickets. 

Janakpur, which had lost four matches in a row, added two points today. 

Chitwan, on the other hand, have won only two out of five matches. 

Janakpur achieved the victory target of 177 runs in 17.3 overs at the loss of four wickets.

Maz Sadaqat scored 63 runs while Anil Shah contributed 61 runs.

On the bowling side, Kamal Singh Airee, Sahil Tanveer, and Amar Singh Rautela from Chitwan took one wicket each.

Earlier, Chitwan won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring 176 runs for the loss of four wickets in the allotted 20 overs. 

The opening pair Dawid Malan and Arjun Saud scored half-centuries. 

Malan contributed 80 and Arjun 52 runs. 

There was also a century partnership of 112 runs between these two batsmen.

Anil Shah, Rupesh Singh, Maaz Sadaqat and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton from Janakpur each took a wicket each. 

Senior sports journalist Bishnu Thapa from Annapurna Post, sister publication of The Annapurna Express has been honored by Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters. The recognition was awarded on the recommendation of the Nepal Taekwondo Association for Thapa’s long-term contribution to the development and promotion of taekwondo in Nepal through journalism.

Thapa was felicitated by Deepraj Gurung, President of the Nepal Taekwondo Association, during the opening ceremony of the 13th Korean Ambassador Taekwondo Championship, which began on Monday.

Active in sports journalism for more than two decades, Thapa has reported on national and international sporting events, including major global tournaments. His book “Kheladi: Sangharsh Dekhi Safaltasamma” was recently published, featuring stories of the struggles and achievements of around five dozen athletes who have made significant marks in Nepali sports.

Barcelona defender and captain Ronald Araujo has been granted an indefinite leave of absence by the Spanish club upon his request, according to reports, Reuters reported. 

The Uruguayan was not part of its matchday squad during Saturday’s 3-1 La Liga home win against Alaves, with manager Hansi Flick saying he is absent due to a “stomach virus”.

Araujo’s last appearance was during Barca’s 3-0 Champions League loss against Chelsea on Tuesday last week, when he was sent off for a second yellow after a clumsy trip on Marc Cucurella a minute before the break, according to Reuters. 

FIFA said it will reveal the updated match schedule for the 2026 World Cup in a live global broadcast from Washington on Saturday, nearly 24 hours after the final draw determines the tournament’s unprecedented 12 groups of four, Reuters reported.

The show, set for 12:00 p.m. EST (1700 GMT), will confirm venues and kick-off times for all 104 matches of the expanded 48-team tournament to be staged across the U.S., Canada and Mexico next June and July, the governing body said in a statement on Monday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will lead the presentation alongside former players, with representatives from the 42 teams already qualified — and those still in contention — expected to be in attendance, according to Reuters.