The news of the suspension of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), earlier this week, robbed fans of a major source of distraction from all the gloom surrounding us. It’s now the first weekend since, and unfortunately there’ll be no double-headers or photo finishes from enthralling T20 games anymore.
The silver lining though, is that there’s still a lot of other live action that sports enthusiasts can enjoy over the weekend, in the IPL’s stead. Here’s the lowdown:
Zimbabwe v Pakistan: Visitors aim for series win
The only international cricket series going on at present is in Zimbabwe, against a touring Pakistan outfit. The visitors grabbed the T20 series 2-1 and are leading the ongoing Test series 1-0.
Pakistan are batting first in the second Test which will enter its second day on Saturday. Centuries from Abid Ali and Azhar Ali mean that they are comfortably placed at 268 for 4 at stumps on Day 1.
The match can be streamed live in India on the FanCode app or website.
English Premier League: City may seal the title this weekend
Fans of English football will be aware of league leaders Manchester City closing in on the PL title. But they face Chelsea this weekend, in a build-up to the two sides’ UEFA Champions’ League final clash later this month.
If Aston Villa beat second-placed Manchester United, City will clinch the title this weekend. United, on the other hand, need only three more points to seal the second place this season. They are 13 points behind their local rivals and realistically would not be thinking about winning the league anymore.
The race to finish in the top four is approaching a more dramatic climax, with Leicester City, West Ham and Liverpool offering tough competition to an in-form Chelsea, for the third and fourth spot.
All matches can be streamed live on Hotstar, and will be telecast on the Star Sports network.
La Liga: Photo finish in Spain
The top of the Spanish Premiera Division is witnessing its closest finish in many years. Leaders Atletico Madrid and the chasing pack of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Sevilla are separated by only six points with four games to go.
Atletico face Barca on Saturday while Real clash with Sevilla on Sunday. The outcomes of these two games could make or break the season for these Spanish outfits, who have all crashed out of the Champions League already.
All games can be watched live through the La Liga Facebook page.
Formula 1: Mercedes looking to fend off early Red Bull challenge
Constructors leaders Mercedes and chasers Red Bull will face off at the Spanish Grand Prix over the weekend, in the fourth race of the season.
Championship favourite Lewis Hamilton sits atop the drivers table with chief title rival Max Verstappen seven points behind.
The former set pace in the second practice ahead of the Grand Prix. Only a tenth separated him from second-placed Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in the practice results.
The race can be streamed live on Hotstar, and will be telecast on the Star Sports network.
Image source: Twitter/PCB, Twitter/premierleague, Twitter/laligaenglish, Twitter/F1
