News Headline
Sky Sports bags rights to England cricket tours of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
LONDON: Sky Sports has won the rights to England’s tours of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The broadcaster will now air the tours in the UK.
In India, while ESS has the rights for Bangladesh, Ten Sports has the rights for cricket from Sri Lanka.
The tour of Bangladesh will be England’s first Test series in the country. Bangladesh plays the Poms in two Tests and three one-day internationals (ODI) from 21 October to 12 November.
Sri Lanka takes on England in three tests and three ODIs from 18 November to 22 December.
Former England captain and Sky Sports commentator since 1992, Bob Willis said, “This is great news for us at Sky Sports and for cricket. We share the English Cricket Board’s enthusiasm for the future of the game and have a proud tradition of bringing the excitement of England’s winter Tests to supporters in the UK, and ensuring that Sky Sports viewers benefit from a diet of world-class cricket throughout the year.”
This season’s winter cricket action is the culmination of yet another year of comprehensive live cricket coverage on Sky Sports.
By the time the first Test against Bangladesh commences on 21 October, Sky Sports will have shown 176 days of live cricket this year. They include the 2003 South Africa World Cup, England’s ODIs against Pakistan, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and the inaugural Twenty20 Cup.
Next year, Sky will also cover England’s tour of the West Indies. It takes place from March to May. In India, Ten Sports recently bagged the rights for West Indies cricket.
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.
