timesofindia.indiatimes.com - World Cup fans to get Saudi visas as Gulf neighbours cash in

World Cup fans to get Saudi visas as Gulf neighbours cash in

World Cup, officials said on Thursday, as neighbouring Gulf countries look to reap benefits from the competition. People with a Hayya Card, which is reserved for ticket-holders and used to access Qatar during the tournament, will be able to apply for the electronic visas, the foreign ministry said. The move comes as Qatar, which has a population of 2.8 million, tries to accommodate an expected 1.2 million visitors during the November 20-December 18 World Cup, and as Saudi Arabia ramps up efforts to attract tourists.

Trent Boult retains Test hopes after declining NZ contract

Trent Boult has not given up hope of playing Test cricket again despite declining a central contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the left-arm seamer said on Thursday. Boult has negotiated a "significantly reduced role" with the Black Caps citing the need to spend time with his family though he remains open to stints in Twenty20 leagues.

Lee Zii Jia's bid for Malaysian badminton history meets surprise early end

badminton world champion ground to a halt on Thursday with a third-round loss to China's unseeded surprise-package Zhao Junpeng. Number five seed Lee was one of the main contenders for the title this week in Tokyo but he fell into an early hole that he could not dig himself out of, going down 21-19, 11-21, 21-19.

Liverpool seek lift-off against Bournemouth

Liverpool's slow start has been the most surprising theme of the new Premier League season and while there is no sense of panic at Anfield the alarm bells will start to ring if they fail to beat Bournemouth at home on Saturday. Three games in, Liverpool have managed only two points from fixtures against Fulham, Crystal Palace and supposed "crisis club" Manchester United. Monday's defeat at Old Trafford means Liverpool have suffered their worst start to a season under Juergen Klopp and have failed to win any of their opening three games for the first time since 2012-13.

Asia Cup 2022, India vs Pakistan: How the T20I numbers stack up

Despite not playing any bilateral series in the last decade, the two teams have faced each other in as many as 200 international matches (Tests, ODIs & T20Is) so far. The last clash between the Men in Blue and the Men in Green was their encounter at last year's T20 World Cup in Dubai, where Pakistan registered their first ever World Cup win against India ever, defeating their rivals by a whopping margin of 10 wickets.

South Korea play Costa Rica, Cameroon in pre-World Cup friendlies

Costa Rica and Cameroon in friendly matches next month in the run-up to the Qatar World Cup, its football governing body said on Thursday. All three countries are bound for the World Cup, which kicks off on November 20.

HS Prannoy beats Lakshya Sen to enter BWF World Championships quarters

It was a gruelling one hour and 15 minute battle between Lakshya and Prannoy who eventually eked out a 17-21, 21-16, 21-17 over his teammate. It was the fourth meeting of the year for the two Indians after Prannoy's win, their head-to-head record standing at 2-2. Prannoy will now face China's Zhao Jun Peng in the quarterfinals.

Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti to join Lecce on loan

The 28-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2018, will hope to get his career back on track after injuries restricted him to only 35 appearances in the last three seasons combined. He played only one game in the last campaign.

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Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Sport News

World Cup fans to get Saudi visas as Gulf neighbours cash in

Trent Boult retains Test hopes after declining NZ contract

Lee Zii Jia's bid for Malaysian badminton history meets surprise early end

Liverpool seek lift-off against Bournemouth

Asia Cup 2022, India vs Pakistan: How the T20I numbers stack up

South Korea play Costa Rica, Cameroon in pre-World Cup friendlies

HS Prannoy beats Lakshya Sen to enter BWF World Championships quarters

Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti to join Lecce on loan