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ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters eyes first home win of season against NorthEast United  The atmosphere was electric inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi a fortnight ago, when India secured a splendid victory over Hong Kong China in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier. It may have been a dead rubber as neither had any chance of qualification, but the match was an exciting affair, and it provided great joy to a crowd of more than 22,000.Kerala Blasters FC will hope its fans, too, will come in large numbers for its Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 match against NorthEast United on Wednesday. Those passionate supporters had stayed away in the previous games this season, and the Blasters team had justified their disinterest with some insipid football.But, things are changing.The franchise got a new coach – Ashley Westwood – and he seems to be turning things around. The Englishman, who achieved much with Bengaluru FC on his first assignment in India a few years ago, guided Blasters to their first win of the season. Ironically, that victory came against his old team, at Bengaluru.ALSO READ | ISL: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters“Of course, it is always nice to get the first win,” Westwood said.“We don’t have many games left, so the motivation for the players is to play well, to impress me, to impress the management, and to keep your place, your part in this club,” he added.Like the Blasters, NorthEast too has struggled this season. Similar to its opponent, it has managed just a win, but has two points more.Westwood’s boys will be hoping to overtake NorthEast with its maiden win at home, ideally in front of a good crowd.Published on Apr 14, 2026  #ISL #Kerala #Blasters #eyes #home #win #season #NorthEast #United

ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters eyes first home win of season against NorthEast United

The atmosphere was electric inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi a fortnight ago, when India secured a splendid victory over Hong Kong China in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier. It may have been a dead rubber as neither had any chance of qualification, but the match was an exciting affair, and it provided great joy to a crowd of more than 22,000.

Kerala Blasters FC will hope its fans, too, will come in large numbers for its Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 match against NorthEast United on Wednesday. Those passionate supporters had stayed away in the previous games this season, and the Blasters team had justified their disinterest with some insipid football.

But, things are changing.

The franchise got a new coach – Ashley Westwood – and he seems to be turning things around. The Englishman, who achieved much with Bengaluru FC on his first assignment in India a few years ago, guided Blasters to their first win of the season. Ironically, that victory came against his old team, at Bengaluru.

ALSO READ | ISL: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters

“Of course, it is always nice to get the first win,” Westwood said.

“We don’t have many games left, so the motivation for the players is to play well, to impress me, to impress the management, and to keep your place, your part in this club,” he added.

Like the Blasters, NorthEast too has struggled this season. Similar to its opponent, it has managed just a win, but has two points more.

Westwood’s boys will be hoping to overtake NorthEast with its maiden win at home, ideally in front of a good crowd.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #eyes #home #win #season #NorthEast #United

The atmosphere was electric inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi a fortnight ago, when India secured a splendid victory over Hong Kong China in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier. It may have been a dead rubber as neither had any chance of qualification, but the match was an exciting affair, and it provided great joy to a crowd of more than 22,000.

Kerala Blasters FC will hope its fans, too, will come in large numbers for its Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 match against NorthEast United on Wednesday. Those passionate supporters had stayed away in the previous games this season, and the Blasters team had justified their disinterest with some insipid football.

But, things are changing.

The franchise got a new coach – Ashley Westwood – and he seems to be turning things around. The Englishman, who achieved much with Bengaluru FC on his first assignment in India a few years ago, guided Blasters to their first win of the season. Ironically, that victory came against his old team, at Bengaluru.

ALSO READ | ISL: Ashley Westwood, the wizard of Bengaluru FC, eyes similar magic at Kerala Blasters

“Of course, it is always nice to get the first win,” Westwood said.

“We don’t have many games left, so the motivation for the players is to play well, to impress me, to impress the management, and to keep your place, your part in this club,” he added.

Like the Blasters, NorthEast too has struggled this season. Similar to its opponent, it has managed just a win, but has two points more.

Westwood’s boys will be hoping to overtake NorthEast with its maiden win at home, ideally in front of a good crowd.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

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#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #eyes #home #win #season #NorthEast #United

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Live Updates: Iran war continues with U.S. blockade of ports; Lebanon and Israel hold direct talks<div> <p>Tracking data appears to show a number of Iran-linked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the hours after the U.S. blockade of the waterway began on Monday.</p><p>The U.S. military <a href="https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4457255/us-to-blockade-ships-entering-or-exiting-iranian-ports/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> its blockade would apply to “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” but that it would “not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”</p><p>One ship that crossed the strait after the blockade began on Monday – the Christianna – had previously been stopped at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data shows.</p><p>Another ship, the Ladonna, had been at Bandar Imam Khomeini for a week before turning on its transponder Tuesday and journeying into the Persian Gulf.</p><p>The Murlikishan, which is under U.S. sanctions over its connections to Iran, journeyed west through the strait overnight, tracking data shows, along with another tanker, the Peace Gulf, which is not sanctioned by the U.S. but made a port call in Iran in December 2025.</p><p>The Rich Starry, a tanker that is sanctioned by the United States under a different name, sailed through the strait overnight Monday, while the Elpis, another sanctioned tanker, sailed through the strait after the blockade began, having apparently come from the Iranian port of Bushehr, according to tracking data.</p><p>CBS News cannot confirm that the ships have not been broadcasting false location reports – called spoofing – to conceal their true whereabouts.</p> </div>#Live #Updates #Iran #war #continues #U.S #blockade #ports #Lebanon #Israel #hold #direct #talksIran

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Delimitation: ‘परिसीमन से पहले दलों और राज्यों से परामर्श करें’, शशि थरूर ने प्रधानमंत्री मोदी से की अपील

Deadspin | Tall order as White Sox add LHP Noah Schultz to roster  Feb 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz (76) throws the first pitches of his major league career during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images    The Chicago White Sox made it official Tuesday, selecting the contract of top pitching prospect Noah Schultz from Triple-A Charlotte in advance of his major league debut against the Tampa Bay Rays.  The White Sox also reinstated outfielder Everson Pereira from the injured list and placed right-hander Jonathan Cannon on the IL with right hip inflammation.  Rated by Baseball America as their No. 1 overall prospect, and No. 21 in MLB, Schultz was Chicago’s first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2022 draft. In 14 innings this season at Triple-A, the left-hander has a 3-0 record and a 1.29 ERA with 19 strikeouts and two walks.  At 6-foot-10, Schultz will become one of the tallest left-handed pitchers in major league history, joining Randy Johnson and Eric Hillman. Former White Sox right-hander Jon Rauch was 6-foot-11.  Schultz threw just 73 total innings across Double-A and Triple-A last season due to a patella injury. He has yet to throw more than 88 1/3 innings in a season since being drafted, after dealing with shoulder and hand injuries.   Over five seasons across five levels of minor league competition, Schultz has a career 2.76 ERA in 59 appearances (58 starts) spanning 221 2/3 innings. He has 285 strikeouts against 84 walks.  Pereira, 25, has been out since April 3 with a left ankle sprain. He was 4-for-16 with a home run in five games this season after he was acquired from the Rays in a November trade.  Cannon, 25, was making his season debut when he was injured in the third inning of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. He is 9-20 with a 5.13 ERA in 46 appearances (38 starts) for Chicago over the past three seasons.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Tall #order #White #Sox #add #LHP #Noah #Schultz #rosterFeb 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz (76) throws the first pitches of his major league career during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images

The Chicago White Sox made it official Tuesday, selecting the contract of top pitching prospect Noah Schultz from Triple-A Charlotte in advance of his major league debut against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The White Sox also reinstated outfielder Everson Pereira from the injured list and placed right-hander Jonathan Cannon on the IL with right hip inflammation.

Rated by Baseball America as their No. 1 overall prospect, and No. 21 in MLB, Schultz was Chicago’s first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2022 draft. In 14 innings this season at Triple-A, the left-hander has a 3-0 record and a 1.29 ERA with 19 strikeouts and two walks.

At 6-foot-10, Schultz will become one of the tallest left-handed pitchers in major league history, joining Randy Johnson and Eric Hillman. Former White Sox right-hander Jon Rauch was 6-foot-11.


Schultz threw just 73 total innings across Double-A and Triple-A last season due to a patella injury. He has yet to throw more than 88 1/3 innings in a season since being drafted, after dealing with shoulder and hand injuries.

Over five seasons across five levels of minor league competition, Schultz has a career 2.76 ERA in 59 appearances (58 starts) spanning 221 2/3 innings. He has 285 strikeouts against 84 walks.

Pereira, 25, has been out since April 3 with a left ankle sprain. He was 4-for-16 with a home run in five games this season after he was acquired from the Rays in a November trade.

Cannon, 25, was making his season debut when he was injured in the third inning of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. He is 9-20 with a 5.13 ERA in 46 appearances (38 starts) for Chicago over the past three seasons.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Tall #order #White #Sox #add #LHP #Noah #Schultz #roster">Deadspin | Tall order as White Sox add LHP Noah Schultz to roster  Feb 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz (76) throws the first pitches of his major league career during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images    The Chicago White Sox made it official Tuesday, selecting the contract of top pitching prospect Noah Schultz from Triple-A Charlotte in advance of his major league debut against the Tampa Bay Rays.  The White Sox also reinstated outfielder Everson Pereira from the injured list and placed right-hander Jonathan Cannon on the IL with right hip inflammation.  Rated by Baseball America as their No. 1 overall prospect, and No. 21 in MLB, Schultz was Chicago’s first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2022 draft. In 14 innings this season at Triple-A, the left-hander has a 3-0 record and a 1.29 ERA with 19 strikeouts and two walks.  At 6-foot-10, Schultz will become one of the tallest left-handed pitchers in major league history, joining Randy Johnson and Eric Hillman. Former White Sox right-hander Jon Rauch was 6-foot-11.  Schultz threw just 73 total innings across Double-A and Triple-A last season due to a patella injury. He has yet to throw more than 88 1/3 innings in a season since being drafted, after dealing with shoulder and hand injuries.   Over five seasons across five levels of minor league competition, Schultz has a career 2.76 ERA in 59 appearances (58 starts) spanning 221 2/3 innings. He has 285 strikeouts against 84 walks.  Pereira, 25, has been out since April 3 with a left ankle sprain. He was 4-for-16 with a home run in five games this season after he was acquired from the Rays in a November trade.  Cannon, 25, was making his season debut when he was injured in the third inning of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. He is 9-20 with a 5.13 ERA in 46 appearances (38 starts) for Chicago over the past three seasons.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Tall #order #White #Sox #add #LHP #Noah #Schultz #roster

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday imposed a two-year ban on Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Muzarabani, who had signed a deal with Islamabad United for the 2026 season, later pulled out of the PSL to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The lanky pacer was roped in by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the ongoing season.

“Following a thorough disciplinary review, the PCB has announced that Zimbabwean cricketer Blessing Muzarabani is declared ineligible to participate in the next two (2) editions of the HBL PSL, effective immediately. This decision stems from a fundamental failure to honor agreed-upon commitments, an action that undermines the professional framework of the league,” the PCB said in a statement.

“The PCB maintains that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favor of a conflicting arrangement,” it added.

The 29-year-old picked four for 41 in his second IPL match, against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#Blessing #Muzarabani #banned #PSL #years #signing #IPL #contract">Blessing Muzarabani banned from PSL for two years after signing IPL contract  The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday imposed a two-year ban on Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).Muzarabani, who had signed a deal with Islamabad United for the 2026 season, later pulled out of the PSL to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The lanky pacer was roped in by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the ongoing season.“Following a thorough disciplinary review, the PCB has announced that Zimbabwean cricketer Blessing Muzarabani is declared ineligible to participate in the next two (2) editions of the HBL PSL, effective immediately. This decision stems from a fundamental failure to honor agreed-upon commitments, an action that undermines the professional framework of the league,” the PCB said in a statement.“The PCB maintains that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favor of a conflicting arrangement,” it added.The 29-year-old picked four for 41 in his second IPL match, against Sunrisers Hyderabad.Published on Apr 14, 2026  #Blessing #Muzarabani #banned #PSL #years #signing #IPL #contract

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