Babar Azam  India played Pakistan in an ODI fixture in Dubai in 2018, beating them by nine wickets  India have played a total of six ODIs (no T20Is) in Dubai chennai l sunday l October 24, 2021 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l vellore EDITION India-Pak: Old charm, new challenge This is perhaps one of the greatest rivalries in sports. As expected, the excitement is palpable, so is the anticipation. India open their World Cup campaign in Group 2 against rivals, Pakistan, in Dubai. Here’s a look at the match-up... can’t miss the action First meeting in over two years With an impasse over the two countries’ bilateral sporting relations, the two cricketing sides play each other only in ICC events. The last time they played was in 50-over World Cup in 2019 (India won). India have never lost to Pakistan at any World Cup. Premier League: Liverpool vs Manchester United | 9.30 pm, Star Sports Network Well, it’s not just cricket in the desert. Fans across the globe would be eagerly waiting for some of world’s intriguing and fascinating contests in various sporting disciplines on Sunday Virat Kohli Spotlight on Kohli Having announced that he would step down as T20 captain after this edition, Kohli will be under pressure. For all their bilateral prowess, India are yet to win an ICC event under him. This could well be his last opportunity. MS Dhoni as mentor could help him. La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 7.45 pm, Voot Serie A: Juventus vs Inter Milan | 12.15 am, Voot watch out India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Jaspreet Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja Pakistan: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Imad Waseem, Shaheen Shah In T20 WC: India 5 Pakistan 0 Other match Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (3.30 pm in Sharjah) Formula1: US Grand Prix (final) | 12.30 am, SSN Badminton: Denmark Open | SSN CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ WARANGAL ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Shah asks agencies to crush militancy Says J&K statehood will be restored after elections Jab-o-meter Take your shot Oct 22 62,58,092 doses Oct 23 70,71,127 doses Total doses 102,03,34,409 NATIONWIDE Oct 22 Oct 23 Faya z Wa n i @ Srinagar ON his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370’s revocation, Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday talked tough while reviewing the security situation after the recent targeted killings. He asked security agencies to devise a strategy to end militant recruitment and militancy and prevent civilian killings. Shah, who is on a three-day visit, sought inputs from security officials on measures taken to prevent radicalisation of youth and local militant recruitment. “The security agencies must devise a strategy to end militant recruitment and militancy in J&K,” he told the officials. According to sources, Shah was upset over the recent civilian killings, including that of five migrant workers and three minority community members. He asked security officials to ensure the safety of civilians. Sources said J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, senior army commanders, J&K police chief, director-general of the CRPF and BSF, and top officials of intelligence agencies apprised the home minister about the prevailing security situation. Addressing youth clubs in Srinagar, Shah asserted that those who wanted to derail J&K’s peace would be dealt with sternly “Nobody will be . Theatres in TN can run housefull from Nov 1 Fresh cases 15,786 16,326 Recoveries 18,641 17,677 Deaths 231 666 tamil nadu Oct 22 Oct 23 Fresh cases Recoveries Deaths Amit Shah visits the family of martyred J&K police officer Parvez Ahmed, in Nowgam | PTI allowed to obstruct J&K’s path of development.” Shah said the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A and the bifurcation of J&K indeed blunted terrorism. “From 2004-2014, 2,081 civilians were killed. Every year, 208 civilians were killed. After 2014, 30 civilians were killed per year,” he said. Highlighting that the youth can play a major in ending militancy, he said, “Militancy and development cannot go together. Development needs peace. The government can make efforts to end militancy but it is the responsibility of the youth to act as ambassadors of peace and development and tell people that violence can never be the path of development.” Spelling out the Centre’s roadmap on J&K, the home minister said after the completion of delimitation, elections would be held and then statehood would be restored.  p8 1,152 1,392 19 1,140 1,374 17 Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday extended the lockdown for 15 days from Nov 1, and introduced some new relaxations. Here’s what you need to know 1-8 100% Classes to function on rotation basis occupancy permitted for intradistrict, inter-district, and interState public transport (except to and from Kerala) 100% occupancy allowed in theatres Film shootings with a sufficient number of workers permitted Indoor cultural programmes permitted express read IAF rape case to be probed by Kovai cops Coimbatore: A trial court has allowed the Coimbatore city police to investigate the rape case against an Indian Air Force (IAF) flight lieutenant. While the police will be allowed to question the suspect, they won’t be permitted to take him into custody. Earlier, the case was handed over to the IAF for court-martial proceedings | P5 Bar on festivals and political events remains Tamil film Koozhangal is India’s pick for Oscars Chennai: Director PS Vinothraj’s Tamil feature Koozhangal (Pebbles) is India’s official entry in the International Feature Film category at the 94th Academy Awards. The announcement was made on Saturday by Shaji N Karun, who is the chairperson of the 15-member selection committee W I T H T H I S I SSU E Star Dust and Drug Busts PLUS 12 PAGES All standalone liquor bars may function Anna Institute of Management, SIRD, Civil Service Training Institute, Bhavanisagar, and other government training institutes can function with all trainees What changes immediately  Shops, restaurants, bakeries may function even after 11 pm  Sports to be allowed at all stadia  Swimming pools may be used for therapeutic purposes Following requests from the public, relaxations have been made for the festive season. People should avoid gathering in large numbers and should wear face masks and maintain physical distance in public places. Those eligible should get vaccinated - Chief Minister MK Stalin State government to launch new cement brand in 2 weeks E XPR E SS N E WS S E RVIC E @ Chennai With the construction sector suffering from a spurt in prices of raw materials, the State government on Saturday vowed to help by introducing a new brand of cement — Valimai — within a week or two. The new product will be launched by the Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation Limited (TANCEM). Rejecting reports that the cost of cement has shot up by 33 per cent in Tamil Nadu, Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu said the State government has been monitoring the price, and claimed it has increased by only `20 per bag since April. The minister’s statement came after TNIE reported how the rising cost of raw materials (which doubled over the past week) has slowed construction activity in TN, leaving developers, builders, and contractors seeking intervention from the State and Union governments. “In the first phase, 30,000 metric tonnes of Valimai cement will be sold in the open market to reduce the cement price. TANCEM has already been selling 90,000 metric tonnes of its Arasu brand,” the minister said. P5 2024 polls Kerala CPM wants no truck with Congress E x p r e ss N e ws Se r v i c e @ T’Puram Differences within the CPM over joining hands with the Congress at the national level sharpened further with Kerala Left leaders opposing the stance of the party’s Bengal unit that there can’t be a strong Opposition alliance without the Grand Old Party . The ongoing CPM central committee meeting in Delhi on Saturday saw Kerala CPM reiterating its stiff opposition towards any truck with Congress. The issue is important for the CPM, which is finalising its tactical line for the 2024 polls. The tussle between Kerala and Bengal units could also mar the chances of general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who supports the Bengal line, getting a third term. According to Kerala CPM, the Congress is not sincere in fighting communalism. Also, it is struggling to survive even in states where it is in power. Having such a party as the leading partner would only backfire, Kerala CPM leaders feel. Left leaders from Andhra and Telangana are also against a Congress-led Opposition, sources said.