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Heavy rain in Guwahati delayed the start of the match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) by more than two and a half hours. And when play finally began at 10.10 pm, there was another storm awaiting MI.

RR’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ransacked 80 runs in five overs. Sooryavanshi was eventually dismissed for 39 off 14, but Jaiswal rampaged unbeaten through the 11-over innings, scoring 77 off 32 to power RR to 150-3.

In reply, MI lost three wickets inside the powerplay, which was reduced to 3.2 overs, and were eventually restricted to 123-9. Jofra Archer had provided the first breakthrough, and Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger and Ravi Bishnoi picked up two wickets apiece.

RR moved to the top of the points table with three wins in three games, while MI suffered their second successive defeat.

Twenty balls of mayhem

Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal don’t need to be told to be aggressive, and that natural instinct was heightened in a rain-shortened contest. If there was any moisture in the pitch due to the weather, there was no evidence of it in the powerplay. MI chose to give the first over not to Trent Boult but to Deepak Chahar and Jaiswal tore into him: 4, 6, 4, 0, 4, 4.

Then came the highly-anticipated battle: 15-year old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi facing Jasprit Bumrah for the first time in his fledgling career. How would he approach one of the greatest bowlers in the game?

Bumrah’s first ball was a slot ball. Sooryavanshi played the delivery and not the deliverer, and smashed it over the long-on boundary. The strike rotated back to him over the next two balls, and when Bumrah tested him with an off-pace delivery, Sooryavanshi swivelled and pulled him for another six over deep backward square leg.

Round one – 13 off five balls – to Sooryavanshi.

Boult came on for the third over and Jaiswal cleared the deep square leg boundary twice and Sooryavanshi once, and by the time the 20-ball powerplay was finished, RR were 59-0.

Jaiswal brings out his best

Jaiswal is usually boom or bust against MI. Before this match, he had two centuries and five scores of less than 15 in eight innings against them. On Tuesday, he went boom again, smashing four fours and three sixes in his first nine deliveries. He got to fifty off 23 balls by cracking Hardik Pandya through point.

Sooryavanshi fell to the golden arm of Shardul Thakur, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag fell to the mystery spin of AM Ghazanfar, but Jaiswal didn’t stop. He clobbered Bumrah for a straight six and picked three fours off Shardul in the final over to take RR to 150.

MI fail to take off

Like they had with the ball, MI suffered 20 balls of powerplay mayhem with the bat. Facing an asking rate of nearly 14, Ryan Rickelton swung Jofra Archer for six over deep midwicket but then top-edged another pull and was caught by Jurel running back.

Suryakumar Yadav paddled Nandre Burger for the flattest of sixes over fine leg but was deceived by a hard-length offcutter and caught at deep backward square a ball later. Rohit was pinned lbw for the sixth time in 13 IPL innings by Sandeep. While RR’s powerplay score was 59-0; MI responded with 29-3.

Royals control the chase

The pitch had become a little tacky as the match progressed and the RR quicks adapted by using their cutters to good effect. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi extended his lead at the top of the Purple Cap charts by dismissing Hardik and Tilak Varma in his first over, reducing MI to 46-5 after five overs.

He should have had a third in his next over, when Sherfane Rutherford miscued to long-on but Jaiswal dropped the chance.

With the required rate soaring to past 17 an over, Naman Dhir and Rutherford tried to revive the chase with a partnership of 47 in 17 balls.

But any slim hope MI may have had was extinguished when Sandeep dived forward at short third to take a low catch to end Rutherford’s innings. Burger, Sandeep and Archer closed out the innings to seal RR’s victory by 27 runs. (ESPNcricinfo)

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A man was last Thursday arrested and taken into custody following the interception of a parcel of cannabis at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle.

In a statement, the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) said its officers, acting on information received, intercepted the parcel which was destined for Kamarang, Region Seven.

“This led to the discovery of several bulky parcels containing a quantity of cannabis,” CANU said.

The suspect, Moses Ally, was escorted and taken to CANU headquarters along with narcotics, which weighed 1.08 kg (or about 2.38 pounds).

Investigations are ongoing.

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Months after he was arrested for the illegal possession of narcotics, Rajesh Mookram was sentenced to four years imprisonment and fined $27 million after he was found guilty of the crime.

The sentenced was handed down by Magistrate Taunna Hardy at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, April 2.

In a statement, the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) said that the case stemmed from a November 2025 operation during which Mookram was intercepted by its officers while riding a motorcycle at Sandaka Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.

During the operation, CANU said Mookram led officers to a location where a search uncovered two bulky salt bags containing 30 kilograms of cannabis.

 

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The Bangladesh government has appointed former captain Tamim Iqbal as the new Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president after it dissolved the BCB board of directors that was led by Aminul Islam.

The decision came following the recommendations of a five-member investigation committee that looked into various allegations against the BCB’s elections held in October last year.

Tamim, 37, is the youngest BCB president and will lead an 11-member ad hoc committee that includes former Bangladesh captain Minhajul Abedin and former cricketer and TV commentator Athar Ali Khan.

The other members of the committee are Rashna Imam, Mirza Yeasir Abbas, Syed Ibrahim Ahmed, Israfil Khasru, Tanjil Chowdhury, Salman Ispahani, Rafiqul Islam and Fahim Sinha.

When asked if he would participate in the BCB elections, which must be held within the next three months, Tamim said: “Of course, I will participate in the elections. When there is a free and fair election, I will request everyone who is interested to participate. The board’s cricketers, organisers, everyone should participate. We have to create that atmosphere where everyone can come and hold elections.

“We have been given a responsibility today. Whoever gets this job, talks about development. My team feels that we have to correct Bangladesh’s reputation. We have to fix the damaged reputation of the last year and a half. It is our most important job right now.”

The government’s investigation committee made its recommendations during a press briefing at the sports ministry, where they spoke in detail about their findings after looking into the elections.

The National Sports Council’s sports director Mohammed Aminul Ahesan said they had to dissolve the BCB’s elected body due to evidence of “irregularities in the election process”. He also said they have informed the ICC about the appointment of an ad-hoc body that will run the board for the next three months.

“The NSC reviewed the report of the investigation committee, following which it has come to the conclusion that there were significant weaknesses and irregularities in the election process for the formation of the current BCB board of directors,” Ahesan said.

“In that context, the NSC has already emailed the ICC about the decision to dissolve this committee. At the same time, the formation of an 11-member ad hoc committee has also been announced. The ad hoc committee will be obliged to present an elected committee within the next three months. At the same time, it will be empowered like an elected committee to manage the normal activities of cricket for the same period.”

Ahesan said the sports ministry was within the laws to dissolve the BCB’s board of directors. He cited Section 21 of the NSC Act 2018 in which the government has the power to appoint an ad hoc committee to dissolve an executive committee if there are necessary grounds for such a decision.

Aminul Islam had said on Sunday that he was determined to stay on as BCB president despite the turmoil in the board and that the committee investigating allegations of malpractice and abuse of power in the elections last year had submitted its report to the Bangladesh government.

The BCB was under increasing pressure from the sports ministry, which had questioned the validity of the last board election, Bangladesh’s absence from the recent men’s T20 World Cup, and allegations of political interference and favouritism within the BCB.

Four directors of the board had also resigned last week, taking the total number since January this year up to six.

Tamim is one of the greatest cricketers to have played for Bangladesh, having appeared in 391 internationals across three formats. He led Bangladesh to 21 wins in 38 matches across formats, including the 2-1 ODI series against South Africa in 2022.

After his international retirement in early 2025, Tamim continued to play domestic tournaments but a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League match that year put an abrupt end to his playing career. He became councilor of a Dhaka-based cricket club, before announcing himself as a BCB director candidate in the 2025 elections.

Tamim, however, withdrew from the polls after making allegations of abuse of power against Aminul in the electoral process. (ESPNcricinfo)

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The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation after a video circulating on social media appeared to show an off-duty Assistant Superintendent of Police involved in a confrontation with a civilian, using threatening language.

In a statement, the Force said the matter was brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, who has since directed the Office of Professional Responsibility to immediately begin a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police said the conduct seen in the video is being treated seriously, noting that all ranks are expected to uphold standards of professionalism, restraint and accountability at all times, whether on or off duty.

“Any behaviour found to be inconsistent with the standards of the Force will be addressed in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures,” the statement added.

The Force reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining public trust and said all allegations of misconduct are handled with the seriousness they warrant.

Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.

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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got their first points of IPL 2026, but without a victory against their name after their home clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) was washed out on Monday night.

Desperate for a win after starting the campaign with two losses on the bounce, KKR were reeling against the swing of Xavier Bartlett and were 25-2 in 3.4 overs when drizzle stopped the game.

It soon turned into heavy rain with gusts of wind and the entire ground went under white covers. From 7.48pm IST, when the players went off the field, the spectators waited until 11pm when play was called off.

PBKS are top the table for now as the only team with five points; three teams are on their heels with four points each.

Rain stopped at around 10.30pm, and hopes of a shortened game lingered briefly as the covers started to come off, but with plenty of water coming off the covers and accumulatitng near the boundary areas, it was not possible to get the field ready in time for a five-overs-a-side contest.

KKR’s struggles with the bat continued after their captain Ajinkya Rahane surprisingly chose to bat. They were also without their spin twins of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy; the last time KKR had played a match without either was back in 2019.

While Narine was unwell, Varun had injured his left hand while fielding in their previous game, against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Varun was seen in the dugout with strapping on his hand.

Arshdeep Singh started well for PBKS, swinging the ball both ways in the first over, before Bartlett took over with his hooping outswingers. He beat Finn Allen three times in a row with outswing at the start of the second over before extracting his outside edge to send him back for six.

Next ball, he drew a thick edge from Cameron Green that went for four, and he then pounded in another zippy outswinger that kissed Green’s outside edge for another caught-behind.

In just three balls, KKR had slipped from 12-0 to 16-2 as Rahane watched from the other end. It had drizzled a bit through that period of action, and the umpires called for the covers in the fourth over.

The only reason for the KKR faithful to cheer was when franchise co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was shown on the big screen and when he later appeared on the balcony to wave to the fans. (ESPNcricinfo)

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The father of seven-year-old Isabella Dabidyal, who was killed in a tragic incident in Berbice, has recounted the final moments leading up to the child’s death, as police continue their investigation.

Kirwayne Dabidyal told reporters that he left the home he shared with the children’s mother, 26-year-old Sarah Shivpersaud, on Thursday following a dispute. He said he went to stay at his mother’s house in Skeldon.

According to Dabidyal, Shivpersaud contacted him on Sunday morning warning that if he did not return home within 15 minutes, he would regret it. He said she later made a video call, during which he saw the children lying motionless on the ground.

“It was too late,” he said. “At this time, I am grieving a lot. If I could have done anything to save my daughter, I would have.”

The incident unfolded hours after Shivpersaud’s mother, Lalita Bridgelall of Canefield Settlement, East Canje, spoke with her daughter on Saturday night and again early Sunday morning. Bridgelall said Shivpersaud had declined her offers to visit.

Later on Sunday, Bridgelall was alerted by a relative that Shivpersaud had posted a photograph of herself with her children, captioned: “Me and my babies last pic! I’m sorry! May God forgive me.”

Alarmed, Bridgelall went to the home in Fyrish Village, where she found the door padlocked from the outside. After gaining entry with assistance, she discovered Shivpersaud and the children unresponsive.

Police later confirmed that Shivpersaud suffocated Isabella and attempted to strangle her one-year, nine-month-old son, Ethan. She also slit both her ankles and was rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where she remains under police guard. Isabella was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dabidyal said that when he returned to the home after the incident, food items were present.

Investigations are ongoing, and Shivpersaud is expected to face charges in connection with the child’s death and the attempted murder of her son.

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The mother of 26-year-old Sarah Shivpersaud says she is still coming to terms with her daughter’s actions in taking the life of her own daughter and attempting to do the same to her baby boy.

Lalita Bridgelall of Canefield Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, told reporters that she spoke with her daughter on Saturday at around 22:00 hrs. Shivpersaud complained that the father of her children had left their home since Thursday and had not returned. Bridgelall said her daughter also expressed frustration that he had collected his salary but had not given her any money.

Bridgelall said she offered to visit Shivpersaud, but her daughter declined. She called again at around 07:30 hrs on Sunday to make another offer, but Shivpersaud again refused, saying she had a meal to prepare.

Later that day, Bridgelall received a call from her niece, who revealed that Shivpersaud had posted a photograph of herself with her children, captioned: “Me and my babies last pic! I’m sorry! May God forgive me.”

Alarmed, Bridgelall went to Shivpersaud’s home in Fyrish Village, where she found the door padlocked from the outside. After pulling down a window blind on the ground floor, she saw Shivpersaud bleeding, with her granddaughter and grandson nearby. She called out to her one-year, nine-month-old grandson, Ethan, who responded.

With the assistance of a relative, Bridgelall forced open the door and entered the house. She found Shivpersaud and the children unresponsive. She raised an alarm, and neighbours and police arrived shortly after.

It was later confirmed that Shivpersaud had suffocated Isabella and attempted to strangle Ethan. She also attempted suicide. They were all rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital for medical attention. Isabella was pronounced dead on arrival.

“I can’t take it… I have to have faith. I couldn’t imagine it. Last month, two deaths – her uncle and her father,” Bridgelall said.

Shivpersaud remains hospitalised under police guard. She is expected to face charges related to the death of her daughter and the attempted murder of her son.

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The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has added a dedicated female class for its upcoming Dexterity and Auto Expo, with registration ongoing.

The event, scheduled for April 11 at the National Track and Field Centre parking lot in Leonora, is already attracting growing interest from competitors and enthusiasts.

Organisers say the addition of a female category represents a meaningful step toward ensuring that more women feel welcomed and encouraged to compete. A club spokesperson noted that fostering female participation is a key priority for the organisation.

“Motorsport has traditionally been male dominated, but we want to change that narrative. It’s important for us to create opportunities where women feel comfortable entering and competing, and the female class is one of the ways we’re doing that.”

The spokesperson added that the initiative aligns with the club’s wider vision of making motorsport more accessible to a diverse audience.

“Inclusivity is critical to the growth of the sport. We want to ensure that anyone with an interest– regardless of gender– has a pathway to get involved.”

Sponsored by ENET, GUYOIL and Castrol, the Dexterity and Auto Expo will combine competitive driving with fan engagement activities.

Registration is currently open at the club’s Thomas Lands office and online, with organisers encouraging early sign-ups as interest continues to build.

Unlike traditional racing formats that emphasise speed and engine power, the dexterity competition will focus on precision, control and technical skill. Participants will be required to navigate a series of obstacle courses designed to test maneuverability and accuracy.

Organisers indicated that six to seven course configurations are being considered, with competitors aiming to complete each in the fastest possible time.

Classes will follow a structure similar to endurance racing categories (0–1500cc, 1501cc–1600cc, 1601cc–2000cc, and unlimited) with separate divisions for cars and motorcycles, in addition to the newly introduced female class.

Beyond the dexterity competition, the event will feature a range of motorsport attractions, including racing challenges, motorcycle stunt riding, competitive go–karting, and drifting exhibitions.

An auto expo will follow the competition, providing patrons with an opportunity to interact with drivers and view a variety of vehicles up close. Admission is set at G$2,000, with gates opening at 16:00h.

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See full statement below:

The People’s Progressive Party extends warm Easter greetings to all Guyanese, especially our brothers and sisters within the Christian community.

Easter is one of the most sacred observances in Christianity, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It carries profound lessons of hope, renewal, humility, love, and respect for one another. This season reminds us that even in the face of adversity, there is always the promise of a brighter tomorrow through faith, perseverance, and unity.

Beyond its religious significance, Easter continues to be a unifying national celebration in Guyana. Families and communities across the country come together in a spirit of joy and togetherness, upholding cherished traditions such as kite flying, which symbolize freedom, hope, and aspiration.

As we celebrate, the Party encourages all citizens to practice safety, especially during outdoor activities, to ensure a joyful and incident-free holiday.

May this Easter inspire renewed faith, strengthen our bonds as a people, and guide us toward continued progress and harmony.

Happy Easter to all!

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