Sarfaraz Khan scores maiden Test hundred as India inches closer to mounting NZ’s lead
Bengaluru: Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan brought up his maiden Test hundred during the second innings of the ongoing first of three Test matches against New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
After getting bundled out for 46 in the first innings of the Test, India are chasing to cut down the deficit of 356-run lead New Zealand has bagged after scoring 402.
Earlier, Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli had together brought down the lead to 125 at the end of the Day 3, before the latter was dismissed on the ball of the day’s play on 70. Sarfaraz had remained unbeaten on 70.
He was joined by Rishabh Pant on Day 4. India was trailing by 82 runs when Sarfaraz reached his first three-figure mark in international cricket.
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Air India pilot detained in Vancouver over suspected alcohol use; Delhi flight delayed
New Delhi: An Air India pilot was detained by Canadian authorities at Vancouver International Airport after concerns were raised about his fitness to operate a flight due to a suspected smell of alcohol, leading to a delay of a Delhi-bound flight last week.
The incident occurred on December 23, just ahead of Christmas, when the pilot was scheduled to operate Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi. According to reports, a staff member at the airport’s duty-free store alerted authorities after either seeing the pilot consume alcohol or noticing the smell while he was purchasing it, NDTV reported.
The authorities subjected the pilot to a breath analyser test, which he failed, and he was subsequently detained, the reports said.
In a statement, Air India said the delay was caused after authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot’s fitness for duty.
“Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on December 23 experienced a last-minute delay after one of the cockpit crew members was offloaded prior to departure. Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot's fitness for duty, following which the crew member was taken for further inquiry,” the airline said.
"Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers and is fully cooperating with the local authorities. The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of the enquiry. The airline maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards violations of applicable rules and regulations. Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy." he statement said, adding that passenger safety remains its highest priority.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to an Air India cockpit crew for operating multiple flights between Delhi and Tokyo despite being aware of serious compliance lapses. The pilots have been asked to submit their explanation within two weeks.
