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NatWest series to be aired live on ESPN
MUMBAI: The sixth edition of the NatWest series pits the oldest rivals in the history of the game, England and Australia along with minnows Bangladesh in 10 fiercely contested One Day Internationals.
The series will be aired live on ESPN from 18 June to 2 July.
For a change, World Champions Australia are on a back foot having been humbled by England by 100 runs in the Twenty 20 encounter and then loosing to the county team Somerset. However, the Australian team with world class players like Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Mathew Hayden, Glenn McGrath & Jason Gillespie would be confident of making a quick comeback.
The schedule of the game on ESPN is as follows:
|
Team
|
Date
|
Time
|
| 2nd ODI – Australia v Bangladesh | 18 June | 15.13 to 23.00 hrs |
| 3rd ODI – England v Australia | 19 June | 15.13 to 21.00 hrs |
| 4th ODI – England v Bangladesh | 21 June | 18.58 to 00.00 hrs |
| 5th ODI – England v Australia | 23 June | 18.58 to 03.00 hrs |
| 6th ODI – Australia v Bangladesh | 25 June | 15.13 to 21.00 hrs |
| 7th ODI – England v Bangladesh | 26 June | 15.13 to 21.00 hrs |
| 8th ODI – England v Australia | 28 June | 18.58 to 03.00 hrs |
| 9th ODI – Australia v Bangladesh | 30 June | 15.13 to 23.00 hrs |
| 10th ODI – Finals | 2 July | 15.13 to 23.00 hrs |
England is riding high with recent series wins against South Africa and West Indies. Stephen Harmison, Andrew Flintoff and Marcus Trescothick under the able leadership of Micheal Vaughan have transpired England as a force to reckon with in the cricketing panorama.
Having been routed by England in the test series, Bangladesh would be looking forward for a comeback. The Asian team beat Worcestershire in a tour game last week and are capable of surprising the English or Aussies in a one-off game.
The NatWest series will serve as a build up to the Ashes Series that will follow the tournament. England would love to go in to the Ashes with their nose ahead to uproot the mighty Australians. However, Australia as always will have a different plan up there sleeve.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
