Sports Highlights

The following are the top/expected stories at 2200 hours: EXPECTED STORIES: *Report of day 1 of Davis Cup tie between India and Finland in Espoo, Finland.

STORIES ON THE WIRE: SPO-CRI-NZ-PAK-4THLD CANCELLED New Zealand abandon tour of Pakistan citing security threat; PCB calls it unilateral Rawalpindi, Sep 17 (PTI) The New Zealand cricket team on Friday abandoned its ongoing tour of Pakistan before the start of the first ODI here, citing a security threat which the host board insisted did not exist while declaring the pull-out a unilateral move.

SPO-CRI-ENG-PAK-TOUR England to assess ground situation in Pakistan, to decide on tour in next 48 hours London, Sep 17 (PTI) Hours after New Zealand cancelled its cricket tour of Pakistan, England's scheduled tour to the Asian nation was thrown into doubt with the ECB saying that it will assess the ground situation in the strife-torn country and make a decision on the series in the next 48 hours.

SPO-CRI-IPL-DC-NORTJE Looking to repeat our 2020 performance in upcoming IPL in UAE: DC pacer Nortje Dubai, Sep 17 (PTI) South African pacer Anrich Nortje wants to replicate his last year's IPL performance in the upcoming second half of the T20 league to help Delhi Capitals win their maiden title, here.

SPO-CRI-NZ-PAK-PCB-RAJA NZ took an unilateral approach, they will hear us at ICC: PCB chief Raja Karachi, Sep 17 (PTI) Furious with New Zealand's decision to abandon their ongoing tour of Pakistan citing a security threat, PCB chairman Ramiz Raja on Friday threatened to drag the matter to ICC, which, interestingly, is headed by a New Zealander at the moment.

SPO-CRI-NZ-PAK-CANCELLED-REAX Extremely disappointed with abrupt postponement of series: Babar Azam on NZ pullout Rawalpindi, Sep 17 (PTI) Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam said he was extremely disappointed, while former pacer Shoaib Akhtar accused New Zealand of killing the game in his country after the Black Caps abandoned their ongoing tour without a ball being bowled due to a ''security threat''.

SPO-BOX-2NDLD NATIONALS Shiva Thapa sails into last-16, Gaurav Bidhuri bows out of National Championships Bellary, Sep 17 (PTI) Five-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) stormed into the pre-quarterfinals with a knockout victory but former world championship bronze-winner Gaurav Bidhuri (57kg) exited after an opening loss in the men's National Boxing Championships here on Friday.

SPO-CRI-HEMLATA Shafali Verma's role will be crucial in Pink Ball Test, says Hemlata Kala Mumbai, Sep 17 (PTI) Former India all-rounder Hemlata Kala believes that the role of aggressive opener Shafali Verma would be crucial in the upcoming one-off Pink Ball test against Australia Women as she plays ''unique cricket'' and there won't be any challenge for the teenager.

SPO-ATH-SWAPNA Fed up with injuries, Swapna mulling retirement Kolkata, Sep 17 (PTI) Battling depression due to a nagging back injury, Asian Games gold medal winning athlete Swapna Barman has decided to call it quits, a formal announcement of which will be made in a few days.

SPO-CRI-IPL-PIETERSEN MI can't afford trademark slow start to IPL, CSK have fantastic shot at title: Pietersen London, Sep 17 (PTI) Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen says defending champions Mumbai Indians can ill-afford a typical slow start when the IPL resumes and MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have a ''fantastic shot'' at regaining the title after a poor 2020 season.

SPO-CRI-BCCI-SELECTORS-JUNIOR Former Tamil Nadu captain S Sharath named chairman of BCCI's junior selection committee New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) Former Tamil Nadu left-hander Sridharan Sharath was on Friday named the chairman of the junior national selection committee just over a week before the commencement of the domestic season with the U-19 tournaments.

SPO-CRI-WOM-IND-AUS-PERRY Perry set to spearhead depleted Australian bowling attack against India Brisbane, Sep 17 (PTI) Star Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who is set to lead the home side's depleted bowling attack in the upcoming ODI series against India, sees this as an ''opportunity'' with the new ball in the absence of regular pacer Megan Schutt.

SPO-CRI-IPL-ROYALS What you do in second half of IPL matters, says Royals spinner Shamsi Dubai, Sep 17 (PTI) Rajasthan Royals are currently not in the top four of the IPL points table but their world No.1 T20 spinner Tabraiz Shamsi believes it won't matter when the COVID-hit league resumes on Sunday as it would be a fresh start for all the teams.

SPO-SHOOT-NRAI-ELECTIONS Ministry directs NRAI to initiate fresh election process New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) Just a day before the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) elections in Mohali, the Sports Ministry has directed the shooting body to initiate the process afresh after presidential candidate Shyam Singh Yadav cited ''perceptible conflict of interest'' in the appointment of the Returning Officer for the polls.

SPO-HOCK-JR-WC-AUS-WITHDRAWAL Australia pulls out of junior men's hockey WC in India, Pro League due to COVID-19 Sydney, Sep 17 (PTI) Australia on Friday pulled out of several upcoming FIH tournaments, including the junior men's hockey World Cup slated to be held in India later this year, citing COVID-19 related government travel restrictions.

SPO-GOLF-ADITI Disappointing start for Aditi in Portland Classic West Linn, Sept 17 (PTI) Returning to the United States after playing in Europe, Indian golfer Aditi Ashok endured a tough start as she carded a disappointing five-over 77 in the first round of the Cambia Portland Classic.

SPO-GOLF-IND-WOM-LAVAUX Ridhima and Gaurika T-13 at Lavaux Ladies Open in France Puidox, Sept 17 (PTI) Ridhima Dilawari staged a fine comeback from an early double bogey to shoot three-under 69 and get into top-15 at the Lavaux Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS).