Pakistan's pace-cum-spin attack caught world number one Test team South Africa napping on the third day of the first Test here today.
     South Africa lost four top-order batsmen against a spirited Pakistan and now need another 121 runs to avoid an innings defeat at Sheikh Zayed Stadium and concede the lead in the two-Test series.
     AB de Villiers was unbeaten on 11 and with him nightwatchman Dale Steyn on nought on a day when Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq scored his fourth Test hundred and then sent his rivals into submission.
     Pakistan removed Alviro Petersen (17), Graeme Smith (32) and Jacques Kallis (nought) by the 19th over and then first innings centurion Hashim Amla for ten to move closer to a big victory when bad light curtailed play seven overs early.
     Paceman Mohammad Irfan started aggressively, trapping Smith in front off the very first ball of the innings but Pakistan's referral was unsuccessful after the umpire initially ruled it not out.
     But Irfan ...

Pakistan sense victory after South Africa slump

PTI Automatic

Indian football team's Technical Director Rob Baan, whose two-year contract with the All India Football Federation ends this month, is set to extend his term for another year.
     The 70-year-old Dutchman was appointed in October 2011, when he signed a two-year contract and there has been speculation that Baan would be leaving his post at the end of his term.
     Baan told PTI from Goa, where he is undergoing a coaching course, that the discussions on his contract extension has been going on with the AIFF and the outcome could be "positive".
     "The discussion on extension of my contract is going on now and it's not yet finalised. It will be done soon," he said.
     Asked if he was inclined to continue for one more year as Technical Director, Baan said, "It looks the outcome is positive. The formalities is likely to be done in a few days."
     The former Netherlands and Australia Technical Director suffered a stroke in July while conducting a coaching course in Mumbai and there .

Baan set to continue as Technical Director for another year

Asian champion Mandeep Jangra (69kg) rounded off a second successive winning day for India at the World Boxing Championships as he eased past Tanzania's Selemani Kidunda to enter the second round of the event here today.
     The lone Indian boxer to step into the ring today, Mandeep out-punched his rival 3-0 in a one-sided contest.
     The 20-year-old, who is a protege of former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Akhil Kumar, was dominant from the word go as he clinched the opening round 30-26.
     The perfect-10 performance continued in the next two rounds as well with Mandeep clinching them 30-27 30-27 to sail into the round of 32.
     Next up, Mandeep will fight it out against Serdar Hudayberdiyev of Turkmenistan on October 20.
     Yesterday, Vikash Malik (60kg) notched up India's first win when he beat Kyrgyzstan's Meder Mamakeev to enter the second round. The reigning national champion will be up against Poland's Dawid Michelus on October 20.
     Tomorrow, Vijender Singh ...

Mandeep enters Round 2 at World Boxing Championships

Manipur today emerged as the champions in both men and women's team event in the 24th National Sepaktakraw Championship held at Indira Gandhi Stadium here.
     In the final of the men's team event, Manipur defeated Delhi in two straight sets to emerge victorious, while Manipur women's team thrashed Nagaland by same margin to register victory.
     Nagaland and Uttar Pradesh had lost to Manipur and Delhi, respectively in the men's team semi-finals to be declared joint third-place winners.
     In the women's section, Odissa and Assam emerged as joint third after losing their respective semifinal matches to Manipur and Nagaland, respectively.
     The championship is being hosted by Nagaland Sepaktakraw Association (NASTA) under the aegis of Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI) and Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland.

Manipur emerges champion in National Sepaktakraw championship

United Sports Club will miss the services of U-23 recruit Mohammed Rafique for their fifth round I-League away fixture against Shillong Lajong FC slated on October 19.
     "He is out due to his office commitments. Hasan, the fourth foreigner, will travel with the squad to practice and get accustomed to the conditions," a club statement said ahead of their departure to Shillong tomorrow morning.
     After notching up back to back wins in the first two matches, United have secured only one point in their last two away matches as the purple brigade would be looking for a comeback against a side that was beaten 0-4 by East Bengal.
     United SC now have seven points from their four matches, occupying fourth position in the league table.

United to miss Rafique vs Shillong

Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar today retired from all forms of cricket, bringing down curtains on a 16-year first class career during which he played in 26 Tests and 191 ODIs besides leading Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy title last season.
     "Ajit Agarkar has announced his retirement though I wanted him to continue. He said he did not want to block any youngster's place in the Mumbai team and wanted to announce it at the start of the season and allow someone else to settle down in the team," said MCA president Ravi Savant today.
     "Agarkar is among the last of Mumbai players to have played for India consistently and also led Mumbai team to the national championship title last year. We appreciate his contribution," Savant added.
     The 35-year-old Agarkar started his career as a capable batsman by scoring a triple hundred in junior cricket before shifting his focus to pace bowling.
     Though wiry in structure, he had a very whippy action with which he generated bounce ...

Agarkar announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Ace India cueist Aditya Mehta rode on his safety play to beat England's Hammad Miah 4-1 and enter the pre-quarterfinals of the Indian Open world snooker ranking tournament, here today.
     Cali World Games gold medallist Mehta, who had beaten former World champion Peter Ebdon in the previous round, was better at safety play that marked the contest and it helped him especially in the fifth frame when he made up a 40-point deficit before clearing the table after Miah missed the yellow.
     Although Mehta's victory was expected, the 27-year-old from Mumbai, ranked 72nd, was made to fight in every frame by the World No.107 Miah, who is playing in his first season on the pro tour.
    The 20-year-old Miah had his chances when he constructed a break of 97 in the first frame that underlined his potential but his inexperience on the pro circuit cost him dear.
     Mehta took the second frame on runs of 28 and 42 after conceding the first frame 20-97 to Miah, who had lost against the Indian .

Aditya Mehta enters Round of 16 at Indian Open

Top seeds India A suffered an upset defeat at the hands of third seeds China, 0-3 in a Group I Junior Girls tie in the USD 8000 Reliance India Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis championships at the NSCI-Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium here today.
     Little known Chinese girls Yanmei Yang and Li Anqi were the underdogs but they ignored the reputations of the host players to snatch a sensational win.
     Yang overcame world No. 60 Suthirtha Mukherjee 3-1 in the opening singles, while Anqi rallied from 1-2 down to prevail over world No. 30 Manika Batra in a 3-2 thriller.
     Yang and Anqi later combined to win the doubles 3-0 to complete the rout.
     India A made amends later to keep their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive when they beat India C 3-0.
     Meanwhile, India B junior girls qualified for the semi-finals from Group II, following victories over India D and India-China.
     Joining the girls in the last four were India A and B junior boys.
     In the cadet 

China junior girls upset India A, India B qualify for semis

Australian batsmen, who made a mincemeat of the listless Indian bowling attack at Jaipur in the second ODI to post a massive 359 for 5 today, also set a new world record in the process with their top five compiling individual half centuries.
     For the first time in ODIs, the top five Australian batsmen -- Aaron Finch (50), Phil Hughes (83), Shane Watson (59), captain George Bailey (92 not out) and Glen Maxwell (53) -- scored fifties which is a world record, according to statistician H R Gopalakrishna.
     It's also only the second occasion of five batsmen scoring fifties in an ODI game.
     Pakistan's Nasir Jamshed (61), Younis Khan (79), Mohammad Yousuf (72), Shoaib Malik (63) and Misbah-ul-Haq (55) -- batting at positions two to six - had scored fifties against Zimbabwe in an ODI at Karachi on January 21, 2008.

Australian batsmen set new ODI record in Jaipur

The Mahalaxmi Race Course authorities have decided to open up its ground for sports activities of schoolchildren.
	"We have a vast area in the centre of the race course which is not used for racing and we can have any sporting activity like cricket or football matches or training camps," said K N Dhunjeeboy, Chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), which is in-charge of the race course.
	"Schools and colleges in the city are welcome to conduct their activities here and we will ensure that they will go smoothly, without interfering with the racing calendar," he said, adding that the RWITC is already working on a plan to set up a zoo and amphitheatre on the premises.

Mahalaxmi Race Course opened up for children's sports

Top seeds in men's and women's singles Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash and Shweta Rana today advanced to the quarter-finals of the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship here.
     Second seed Prerna Bhambri and Sharmada Balu, seeded fourth, also joined Shweta in the last-eight stage of the women's singles.
     Mohit was leading 4-0 when his opponent Saurabh Patil conceded the match due to a lower-back problem, while Arjun Kadhe continued his impressive run with a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Andhra boy Rishab Agarwal.
     Vignesh notched up a 7-5, 6-3 win against Shaikh Abdullah, who is the top seed in the boys under-18. Nitten Kirrtane also made it to the quarter-finals of the men's singles with a 6-1, 6-0 verdict against Vilaser Khate.
     Seventh seed Kunal Sukul, however, fell by the wayside and had to withdraw against Punjab boy Gurinder Singh. Saurabh Singh also advanced into the next round after a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win against Ajay Yadav.
     In the women's singles, top seed ...

Top seeds Mohit and Shweta enter Tennis Nationals quarters

Ridhima Dilawari of Delhi Golf Club reaped the rewards of two days of percentage golf, collecting a mere two bogeys over 36 holes, to grab the lead at the end of Day two of the 4th Usha DGC Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship here today.
     On a day which saw overnight leader Gauri Monga slip to third place with a couple of double bogeys and even a triple bogey, Ridhima carded a sublime one under 71 for a combined total of 144, four shots clear of second placed Seher Atwal (148).
     Seher, in fact, had the best start of the day sinking a birdie at the very outset and grabbing another on the par three 5th hole. She would have another birdie on the par four 11th, but a double bogey on the day's last hole (18th) put paid to any aspirations she might have had of gaining the lead.
     Seher eventually finished the day with a score of one over 73. Gauri Monga had a forgettable day carding a seven over 79 but stayed in contention to lie sole third on the back of her strong showing on .

Ridhima on top after Day Two of Usha Ladies Open

KPH Dream Cricket Pvt Ltd, the owners and promoter of the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab, has filed a criminal complaint against its title sponsor, NVD Solar Ltd and its officials, for "cheating and duping" them of around Rs 14 crore which they were supposed to pay it as per the contract.
	The KXIP has also issued a legal notice to the company, one of India's leading solar equipment makers, for bouncing of four cheques of Rs 25 lakh each tendered by NVD India to KPH.
     Kings XI Punjab's co-owner and noted industrialist Ness Wadia told PTI that they have been left with no other option but to take a legal recourse against NVD Solar Ltd and its Managing Director Saibal Hazra.
     "It's a full blown scam. They cheated us of our hard-earned money. They gave us fake accounts of Deutsche Bank London, Wells Fargo Bank New York, Common Suisse Bank Limited, fake swift message, fake names of officials, even sent us mails from fake IP addresses. It's crazy. They always said we will pay you on .

KXIP duped of 14 crore by title sponsor; takes legal action

Top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap along with two other Indians sailed into the second round of the Denmark Super Series Premier with contrasting wins in the opening round, but it was curtains for P V Sindhu here today.
     Defending champion Saina brushed aside Bulgaria's Stefani Stoeva 21-16 21-12 but world number 10 Sindhu failed to clear the first-round hurdle in the women's singles competition.
     World championship bronze medallist, Sindhu played her heart out before losing 19-21 20-22 to Japan's Eriko Hirose in a 50-minute contest.
     In the men's singles, Kashyap reached the second round after his opponent Daren Liew of Malaysia retired midway at 11-4.
     Ajay Jayaram beat eight seed Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand 21-11 21-14, while RMV Gurusaidutt notched up a 21-17 21-14 victory over Hong Kong's Yun Hu in other men's singles opening round matches.
     However, women's singles player Arundhati Pantawane bowed out of the first round after suffering a 17-21 ..

Saina, Kashyap reach second round, Sindhu crashes out

A decision on the appeal filed by BJP leader Gopinath Munde against rejection of his application to contest for the presidentship of the Mumbai Cricket Association at its biennial polls on October 18 would be taken tomorrow, according to his lawyer Nitin Pradhan.
     The former Maharashtra deputy CM, whose application to contest the polls was rejected by the election officer on the basis of his residential criteria, has also decided to move the court if he is not given "natural justice" over his appeal.
     Munde came to MCA office today, along with his lawyer, to appeal against the rejection of his candidature to MCA president Ravi Savant after filing a formal, written appeal yesterday.
    He also cited a bye-law by which only another candidate can raise an objection against other candidate.
     Pradhan said the decision on the appeal is expected around 11 AM tomorrow.
    "I filed my nomination for the presidentship of MCA. But it was cancelled by the election officer. I ...

Decision on Munde's appeal by MCA tomorrow

All India Football Federation Director Anil Kamat, who is also a technical delegate for the Lusofonia Games, has expressed displeasure over the condition of training grounds for the multi-sport event in Goa.
     Kamat inspected the four training grounds for the Goa event along with Lusofonia Games Organizing Committee (LUGOC) and found only the Cuncolim ground in good shape.
	 A lot of work is needed in order to have training for I-League teams and visiting teams of other countries taking part for the Lusofonia Games, he said.
	"For an international tournament like the Lusofonia Games, it is important to have equally good training facilities. We don't want teams to be put off," said Kamat.
	Lusofonia Games CEO Keshav Chandra admitted that the training venues were not in the best of condition at the moment but is hopeful that all the work will be completed by the end of this month.

AIFF unhappy over training grounds in Goa for Lusofonia Games

Australian batsmen yet again took the Indian bowling attack to the cleaners as they scored a massive 359 for five, equaling their highest ever total against India, in the second cricket ODI here today.
     Led from the front by their skipper George Bailey (92 not out), the Australian batsmen made merry of a listless Indian attack on a good Sawai Man Singh Stadium track with as many as five of them notching up 50-plus scores.
     This incidentally is Australia's highest total on Indian soil surpassing their previous best of 350 for four in Hyderabad in 2009. This total also equalled their highest ever total of 359 for two against India made during 2003 World Cup final in South Africa as well as 359 for four in a VB Series match in Sydney back in 2004.
     Phil Hughes (83), Aaron Finch (50), Shane Watson (59) set up the platform for skipper Bailey and Glenn Maxwell (53) to finish the innings with a flourish.
     Indian bowlers conceded 122 runs in the last 10 overs of the innings as 

Australia pile up massive 359/5, equals highest against India

Misbah-ul Haq notched his fourth hundred to further Pakistan's charge on the third day of the first Test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium today.
     Pakistan skipper scored exactly 100 for his first hundred against South Africa to take Pakistan to 429-8 at tea in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 249.
     Zulfiqar Babar was run out for two in the last over before tea. Adnan Akmal was unbeaten on 22 as Pakistan stretched their lead to 180 with two wickets intact.
     Misbah was finally trapped leg-before by paceman Dale Steyn who was wicketless until after 23rd over.
     Steyn's pace partner Vernon Philander was the pick of the bowlers with 3-75.
     Misbah ensured Pakistan increase the lead after opener Khurram Manzoor departed in the first hour of the day for 146, adding an invaluable 82 for the fifth wicket with Asad Shafiq who made 54.
     At 39 years and 141 days, Misbah became the oldest Pakistani batsman to score a Test hundred. He is also the oldest to notch a Test ...

Misbah hits hundred as Pakistan firm grip

Subhash Bhowmick, who guided Churchill Brothers to their second I-League title last season as Technical Director, is back in the team fold after Sukhwinder Singh announced his resignation.
     Bhowmick was with the team training at Chowgule ground yesterday and he has left for Pune today along with the team for the I-League game against Pune FC.
     He will be formally appointed as Technical Director of the team next week after he is relieved by the IFA from the post of Technical Director of Bengal state team for the Santosh Trophy, official sources said.
	Churchill Brothers started the season with a bang remaining unbeaten in the ongoing Goa Professional League until they lost their opening match of the the I-League against Salgaocar.
	They are without a win from their last four encounters in the I-League with two losses and two draws, which forced Sukhwinder Singh to resign.
	Bhowmick joining the team will help it do better as he knows most of the players, who are hoping for their 

Bhowmick returns to Churchill as Technical Director

Electing to bat, Australia scored a massive 359 for five against India in the second one-dayer of the seven-match series here today.
     Brief scores:
     Australia: 359 for five in 50 overs (George Bailey not out 92, Phil Hughes 83; R Vinay Kumar 2/73).

Australia set 360-run target for India

Top English Premier League side Liverpool today announced the launch of a residential football academy here in partnerships with city-based DSK Shivajians FC.
     The full-time coaching academy, named LFC International Football Academy DSK, will be a world class purpose-built residential complex, featuring full-size pitches, practice areas, classrooms, changing rooms, a gym, canteen, lecture theatre, residential and medical facilities.
     The academy will officially open in January next year and will be a market-leading development center for young players in India, servicing DSK Shivajians, a release said.
     The programme, which will support aspiring young footballers up to the age of 18, will provide the players with the opportunity to develop their game in a professional academy environment, said the release from Libero Sports, a consultancy firm which facilitated the initiative.
     "At the Academy in Liverpool we aim to develop outstanding players and good human beings. ...

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