News Headline
Sky Sports bags England – Bangladesh 2016 cricket telecast rights
MUMBAI: Strengthening its position as the home of cricket, Sky Sports has secured the rights to England’s 2016 tour of Bangladesh.
The deal for two Tests and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) means that all of England’s matches for the next two years will be exclusively live on Sky Sports, following the recent agreement to show England’s tour against Pakistan in the UAE next month.
Sky Sports viewers can enjoy over 50 England Tests and more than 360 days of scheduled live England cricket over the next five years, as well as every ICC competition until 2023.
A packed upcoming England schedule features a winter tour to South Africa, the ICC World Twenty20 in India, and two home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
England’s Bangladesh tour is immediately followed by a five Test series in India, and England host the West Indies and South Africa in 2017, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy.
This is the latest in a series of rights deals announced by Sky Sports over the last 18 months. Major additions have included the Barclays Premier League for another four years, Open Championship golf from 2017, Matchroom boxing until 2021, La Liga, Major League Soccer, and most recently the Heavyweight World title clash between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury next month.
Sky Sports MD Barney Francis said, “Sky Sports will offer the complete England story – home and away – over the next two years. It’s exciting times for English cricket and thanks to this agreement our viewers can follow the team’s progress in all formats of the game, including ICC events. There’s a real sense of excitement building around English cricket after a thrilling Ashes summer and Sky will be with the team every step of the way.”
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.
