Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took seven wickets in an innings for the second time in his career to restrict Zimbabwe's first innings lead on the third day of the first Test at the Harare Sports Club today.
     Ajmal took seven for 95, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 327 -- a first innings lead of 78.
     Pakistan were 21 for one in their second innings at lunch, still trailing by 57 runs.
     Khurram Manzoor was leg before wicket for the second time in the match, padding up to a ball from Tendai Chatara which cut back at him after he had scored five.
     Ajmal took all three wickets that fell yesterday as the host nation added 46 runs to their overnight 281 for seven.
     Elton Chigumbura became the third Zimbabwe batsmen to score a half- century, making 69 before he was ninth man out, caught off bat and pad at short leg by Azhar Ali after a 129-ball innings which included eight boundaries.
     Last man Chatara was out first ball, caught at gully by Younis Khan.
     ...

Ajmal captures seven to restrict Zimbabwe lead

PTI Automatic

After a splendid run in the Indian Badminton League (IBL), star shuttler Saina Nehwal is now hoping to do well in the upcoming Super Series events and next year's Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
     "My focus will be on doing well in the Super Series. Next year, it is going to be very tough with Commonwealth Games, Asian games etc," Saina told PTI here.
     "I hope to stay fit for that," added the world number four who will next play in the Japan Super Series to be held from September 17 to 22 at Tokyo.
     Expressing happiness about her performance in the IBL, where she remained unbeaten, she said the new tournament has helped the young and senior players as well.
     "IBL would really help all the youngsters, players like us to play with most of the top players and I think it will really help Indian players to improve a lot. Overall, money-wise every player in the world would get lot more money than playing any other tournaments," Saina said.
     With her unbeaten run, ...

After IBL, Saina gearing up for Super Series, CWG and Asiad

Hockey India today inducted newly-formed Hockey Gangpur (Odisha), a body set up by former international players, as an associate member.
     HI now has 17 associate members, 27 affiliated members and two state Olympic association members.
     With this inclusion, Hockey Gangpur (Odisha) can take part in all the National Championships to be conducted by HI in future.
     Gangpur and its surrounding areas have produced numerous Olympians and international players and now with the entry of Hockey Gangpur (Odisha) in the mainstream, it will help in the further development of sport in the tribal areas.
     "Many players including Dilip Tirkey, Ignace Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey, Michael Kindo, Lazarus Barla and Subhadra Pradhan have played at international level from the Gangpur region and the entry of Hockey Gangpur (Odisha) would play a major role in promoting and developing hockey in the tribal areas of Gangpur," HI secretary general Narinder Batra said in a statement.
     "We are ...

HI inducts Hockey Gangpur (Odisha) as associate member

India's wait to get back to Olympic fold will be delayed further after the International Olympic Committee stuck to its stand on the chargesheet clause, clearly stating that the IOA has to adopt it in order to ensure good governance.
     In its Special General Body Meeting last month, the IOA had proposed a compromise formula to IOC's directive asking it to bar chargesheeted persons from contesting elections.
     According to the IOA proposal, the sanction will apply only to those officials who are convicted and sentenced to a jail term of more than two years.
     But the IOC stood firm on its stand during its Executive Board (EB) meeting yesterday ahead of the 125th IOC Session here and asked IOA to accept all demands in full before conducting elections.
     "Since the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in December 2012, the IOC has been working towards finding a solution to improve good governance within the National Olympic Committee (NOC)," the IOC said in a ...

IOC rejects IOA's compromise formula on chargesheet clause

India's Sania Mirza and her Chinese partner Jie Zheng stormed into the semi-finals of the women's doubles with a straight sets victory over fourth seeds Su-Wei Hsieh and Shuai Peng here.
     The 10th seeded Sania-Zheng pair had little trouble in defeating the current Wimbledon champions Su-Wei Hsieh of Taipei and Peng Shuai of China 6-4 7-6 in exactly an hour and 50 minutes to advance to the last four stage.
     Sania and Zheng will meet eighth seeds -- Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua -- in the semi-final.
     Sania and Zheng were quick to seize the initiative and a single break was enough to give them the opening set.
     The second set went on serve before the Indo-Chinese combination secured a mini-break and held their serve thereafter to pocket the match.
     For records, it will Sania's first semi-final appearance in the US Open and her fourth overall in a major tournament. The Indian tennis ace has now reached the last four stage in the women's doubles at all the four ...

Sania-Zheng in semis of US Open

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has backed the decision of the sport's governing body to persist with the Decision Review System (DRS), which according to him has helped in reducing the mistakes of umpires.
     "I think they are only minor issues now related to the technology use in the DRS but they are not serious enough to warrant suspending the use of the UDRS," Mani told PTI.
     Mani has been visiting Pakistan to supervise the bidding process by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the sale of broadcasting rights of the upcoming home series against South Africa and Sri Lanka in the UAE.
     Mani, a Pakistani who is settled in the United Kingdom, said he had no doubt that DRS would only get better with time.
     "Overall you look at the results produced by using the DRS it has improved the accuracy of umpiring decisions by around 95 per cent which is a huge step forward," he said.
     India has been forthright in its opposition to the use of DRS in any series involving them, ...

Ex-ICC president Ehsan Mani backs DRS

Former Pakistan spinner and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has slammed the national team players for lacking "personal pride" and "hunger for success".
     "In Imran's time and even after that we played with aggression and flair. Today our team lacks these things and that is hurting progress of players," said Qasim, who resigned as chief selector two months back after handpicking the squad for the West Indies tour.
     "What I have noticed is that in the past we had a formidable side because most of the players were hungry for individual records and success and took pride in their own performances. I saw these in players like Imran, Miandad, Wasim, Inzamam, Saeed Anwar, Moin, Rashid, Malik, Yousuf and many others," he said.
     "Today this very thing is lacking in our players. They don't play for personal pride nor they are hungry for individual success. Many of them are just content on making the squad and being part of the touring side," the former left-arm spinner said told Geo ...

Present Pak players lack hunger for success: Qasim

Merciless Rafael Nadal crushed Spanish compatriot Tommy Robredo, the shock conqueror of Roger Federer, 6-0 6-2 6-2 to reach a fifth US Open semi-final.
     The 12-time Grand Slam title winner will face Richard Gasquet for a place in Monday's final after the French eighth seed clinched a rollercoaster 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3 win over David Ferrer, the Spanish fourth seed.
     World number two Nadal, the 2010 champion, took his hardcourt streak this year to 20-0 and his match record to an astonishing 58-3 with nine titles since his return in February after a seven-month injury layoff.
     In a ruthless one hour, 40 minute demolition of Robredo, who had knocked out five-time champion Federer in the fourth round, the 27-year-old French Open champion took his perfect run of unbroken service games to 67 at the tournament yesterday.
     He romped through the first set in just 22 minutes, allowing Robredo only five points, and was 2-0 up in the second before the 31-year-old got on the board.
 

Nadal crushes Robredo, meets Gasquet in US Open semi

Half centuries from middle-order batsmen Malcolm Waller and Sikandar Raza lifted Zimbabwe to 281-7 and a 32-run lead over Pakistan on the second day of the first test today.
     Waller struck 70 off 100 balls with 14 fours and Raza made 60 off 118 with 10 fours at Harare Sports Club. At the close, Elton Chigumbura was on 40 with Shingi Masakadza on 2.
     Waller, who got off the mark straight away with a four from offspinner Saeed Ajmal early in second session, kept the initiative and dominated both pace and spin bowlers with ease.
     Waller completed his third half century in seven tests with a four through the point region off part-time seamer Younis Khan and continued in the same vein even as debutant Raza slowly got into his groove.
     They added 127 runs for fourth wicket in taking the total to 195 when Waller edged to Mohammad Hafeez at slip driving a well-flighted delivery from Ajmal, who finished with 4-77.
     Pakistan-born Raza was also claimed by Ajmal as he struck ..

Waller, Raza help Zimbabwe overtake Pakistan total

Jamaican track star Usain Bolt is considering retiring after the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he said today.
     But any plans for going out to grass at the age of 30 would come after three more years of domination that might include a pop at the Commonwealth Games next year and another shot at bettering his own 200m world record.
     Bolt has dominated the competitive world of sprinting since claiming three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games but hinted ahead of Friday's season-ending Diamond League meet in Brussels that Rio would be his third and last.
     "After the 2016 Olympics: that seems to be a good idea, retiring when I'm still on top of my career," said the six-time Olympic gold medallist.
     "But again, if I want to continue to dominate on the track I can't afford an off season, that is a lesson that I have learned. This wasn't a perfect season for me. I won but it was not in a 'Usain Bolt fashion'."
     'Usain Bolt fashion' or not, the 27-year-old Jamaican ...

Bolt mulls retirement after 2016 Olympics

Noting that there was no dearth of talent in the country, eminent sportspersons today said that the right kind of support and hard work by the players would help India win more medals at the Olympics.
     Speaking at a panel discussion at the Olympic Gold Quest conclave at the Indian School of Business here, ace shooter Gagan Narang said proper mentoring and appropriate support were important.
     The support should be financial as well as psychological, he said.
     Observing that it was easy to criticise a player for not winning a medal, he said everyone should think of their own contribution in the process.
     Star shuttler Saina Nehwal said many young sportspersons were doing well in recent times, but more support and efforts were needed for India to make giant strides.
     The Indian Badminton League (IBL) has been helpful to the young players and in popularising the game, she said.
     OGQ is headed by the former Indian hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, who is an ISB ...

'Support system needed for players'

BCCI interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya today said it would be nice if Cricket South Africa's new CEO Haroon Lorgat apologises to the Indian Board to iron out differences between the two Boards.
     The BCCI, which had clashed with Lorgat on a number of issues during the latter's tenure as ICC Chief Executive, was apparently not keen on a full South Africa tour by its team after Lorgat took over the reins in CSA.
     "Lorgat is a nice gentleman but it would be nice of him if he apologises," Dalmiya said, reacting to reports that Lorgat would not mind apologising if need be to sort out issues with the BCCI.
     Dalmiya, however, said that there was no speculation of Indian team's tour of South Africa later in the year, as was reiterated by the Board's president-in-exile N Srinivasan, after the working committee meeting here on September 1.
     "The tour is on," Dalmiya said, even as the Board had announced a West Indies series ahead of the proposed South Africa tour.
     The BCCI, at .

Nice if Lorgat apologises: Dalmiya

Pune girl Soumya Swaminathan continued her winning run to hold on to her sole lead, even as local favourite Mary Ann Gomes, eyeing a hat-trick of titles, kept herself in the hunt after the penultimate round of 40th National Women Premier Chess Championship here today.
     Soumya (7.5 points) is just half-a-point ahead of Mary Ann after the 10th round as the leader faces Padmini Rout with black in a tough final round tomorrow.
     Two-time defending champion Mary Ann, on the other hand, is paired against National junior girl's champion, 14-year-old Ivana Furtado of Goa.
     In case both of them finish on equal points tomorrow, Mary Ann is better placed in the tie-break than Soumya.
     Playing white, Soumya exploited the weakness of Bodda Pratyusha's position to win two pawns in a French defence before the Andhra girl resigned.
     Mary Ann outsmarted Swati Ghate with black in a Sicilian defence as the former was in total control of the position from the beginning.
     Swati ...

Soumya eyeing title, Mary Ann also in hunt

Usain Bolt plans to retire after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
     Bolt said today he wants to win more gold in Rio, set another world record in the 200 meters next year, and perhaps win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
     "So far, (it) is after the Olympics in Rio," Bolt said of his retirement plans. "I think if I am in great shape, I'll go there and do what I have to do. I think it will be a good time to retire, on top."
     Winning another three golds in Moscow last month made him the most decorated athlete in world championship history with eight gold and two silvers. He has six gold medals from the Olympics.
     "If I want to be among the greats of (Muhammad) Ali and Pele and all these guys I have to continue dominating until I retire," Bolt said ahead of his final race this season in the 100 at Friday's Van Damme Memorial.
     Bolt won the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and at last year's London Games. He won the same triple at the 2009 ...

Usain Bolt to retire after Rio Olympics

A cream of young upcoming and veteran tennis players will try to lay claim to the 3rd All India Prize Money Championship scheduled to be held in the city from September 9 to 14.
     "As in the past, a cream of Indian players including rising stars like Mohit Mayur, P C Vignesh, Ashwin Vijayaraghavan besides veterans like Nitin Kirtane and Vijay Kanannan, will vie against each other in the competition," Tournament Director Niranjan Ramesh told reporters here.
     In the women's section, the top draw will be the local lass Sharmada Balu, besides a pool of young talents like Sai Samhita, Nupur Kaul and Manya Nagpal.
     Organised by Stalwart Sports, the tournament will be conducted under the auspices of All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) and Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) and will be sponsored by DS Max Group.
     In the Rs 3.5 lakhs tournament, the individual men's and women's champions will receive Rs 27,300 and Rs 18,200 respectively, while the purse for the ...

Mayur, Vignesh to vie for honours at All India Tennis C'ship

Malcolm Waller's stroke-filled 64 not out lifted Zimbabwe to 163-3 in reply to Pakistan's first innings of 249 at tea on the second day of the first Test here today.
     Waller has struck 13 fours off 88 deliveries, with Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza giving him company on 29 off 79 deliveries with four fours.
     They have added 95 runs in their unbroken fourth-wicket stand at Harare Sports Club.
     Opener Vusi Sibanda (31) and captain Hamilton Masakadza (19) earlier steadied Zimbabwe with a 48-run, second-wicket partnership after the early loss of Tino Mawoyo but their dismissals off successive deliveries undid the good work.
     Sibanda was caught by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off pace bowler Junaid Khan in much the same way opener Mawoyo was dismissed, playing tentatively and edging an outgoing delivery.
     Sibanda was out off the last ball of a Khan over and Masakadza was bowled off the first ball of a new over from offspinner Saeed Ajmal as the batsman played inside the line ..

Zimbabwe 163-3 at tea in reply to Pakistan's 249

Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar will be riding high on confidence as he returns to the Omega European Masters at the Euro 2.1 million showpiece event here tomorrow.
     The four-time Asian Tour winner received a timely confidence boost ahead of his Swiss campaign when he was conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award, India's second highest sporting honour only last week.
     The 25-year-old is now determined to repay the faith bestowed on him by putting up a worthy performance befitting of his status as one of India's finest golfers.
     Only three Indian golfers have won an European Tour title -- this is a jointly sanctioned event between European and Asian Tours -- and Bhullar will bid to join that league.
     Arjun Atwal, Jeev Milkha Singh and SSP Chowrasia have won European Tour titles, though only Jeev has won it in Europe.
     Jeev, Chowrasia, Shiv Kapur, Anirban Lahiri, Himmat Rai, Digvijay Singh and C Muniyappa are the other Indians in the field.
     "I've been feeling good 

Bhullar, Jeev lead Indian challenge at European Masters

The Cricket Board's one-time benefit for players who had turned out for a specific number of domestic and international games before 2003-04 and retired is likely to be extended to a few more players who had played beyond the cut-off date, sources said today.
     "The one-time benefit was limited to only those who had played a specific number of domestic or international matches by 2003-04 and retired. But it was announced and given away only in 2012. It was suggested at the working committee that it could be extended so that a few more players who had not retired by the cut-off date could also benefit from the scheme," BCCI sources said.
     Though no specific names were mentioned at the working committee meeting in Kolkata, news reports have said that five players - Sairaj Bahutule, Wasim Jaffer, Amol Muzumdar, Sanjay Bangar and S Sriram - are the new beneficiaries of the BCCI's largesse.
     The one-time payment cost the Board Rs 100 crore and benefited 160 cricketers.
     ...

BCCI's one time benefit likely for more players

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today laid the foundation stone of the state's first football academy at Ushkara near here.
     The building complex for the football academy at Ushkara in Baramulla, 55 kms from here, will be built in two phases by Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) at a cost of Rs 10 crore under its corporate social responsibility scheme.
     Omar described the setting up of the academy as a path-breaking event in the development of sports, particularly of football which has remained the most popular sports in the Valley for a long time.
     The Chief Minister said sports talent in Jammu and Kashmir was second to none and his government has taken necessary measures to provide opportunity to youth to prove their ability at the national and international levels.
     Omar said that the establishment of the football academy would increase football activity in the state, particularly in Baramulla district where people are fond 

Foundation stone laid for J&K's first football academy

In a major upset, top seed and world Under-10 champion Priyanka Nuttakki of Andhra Pradesh suffered a shock defeat at the hands of seventh seed Samriddhaa Ghosh of West Begal in the fourth round of the National Under-11 Girl's Chess Championship here today.
     Samriddhaa was a class act at Ludlow Castle Sports Complex today with her black pieces against Priyanka in a queen pawn open game as she put enormous pressure on the King side of her top seed rival in the middle game to post an emphatic victory in 44 moves.
     Samriddhaa along with second seed Vantika Agrawal of Delhi, C Lakshmi of Tamil Nadu, Odisha duo Anwesha Mishra and Salonika Saina now shared the lead with four points in the girl's category.
     Vantika has shown her end game supremacy to overpower teammate Palkin Kaur while Lakshmi got better off Sanskriti Goyal of Uttar Pradesh in the fourth round encounter. Anwesha and Salonika beat Pracheta Agarwal of Jharkhand and Anannya Menkudle of Maharashtra respectively to ..

World champion Priyanka shocked in National U-11 Chess

Young Gujarat batsman Manprit Juneja showed perfect temperament for longer format, scoring a patient unbeaten 178 in India A's first innings score of 408 for seven against New Zealand A at stumps on third day of the second unofficial 'Test' here today.
     A week short of his 23rd birthday, Juneja batted throughout the entire third day adding 135 runs to his overnight tally of 43. He also put on a huge 197-run third wicket stand with Vasudevan Jagadeesh (91), who missed out on a ton by just nine runs.
     Juneja then let his skipper Abhishek Nayar (58) dominate in a quickfire 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
     For New Zealand, pacer Doug Bracewell was the most successful bowler picking up three for 78.
     The Indians, who trail New Zealand A by just 29 runs with three wickets remaining, will be hoping that Juneja scores a double century before the bowlers get another shot at the Kiwi line-up on the final day tomorrow.
     Juneja made the headlines couple of seasons ...

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