Page 1051 - Sports
Ton-up Hafeez helps Pakistan dominate Australia
Opener Mohammad Hafeez celebrated his recall with an impressive century as Pakistan dominated the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Dubai on Sunday. Pakistan were 255-3 at the close of play, with Haris Sohail unbeaten on 15 and nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas one not out as Australian bowlers toiled away with little success on a flat Dubai Stadium pitch. Hafeez, a late inclusion in the squad after a double hundred in a domestic match, led the run-feast with a knock of 126 -- his 10th Test hundred -- during a 278-minute stay at the crease and put on 205 runs for the opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq, who made a career best 76. Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and decided to bat, and Hafeez and Imam laid the platform for a big first innings as Australia's pace-cum-spin attack was held wicketless before tea. Hafeez, whose last of 50 Test appearances came in England two years ago, brought up his hundred by pushing spinner Jon Holland for two after hitting a pair of ..
Alcaraz's goal for Valladolid hands Huesca its fifth defeat in La Liga
Real Valladolid on Sunday claimed its third win this season in La Liga, topping visiting Huesca 1-0 at Jose Zorrilla stadium.
Jharkhand triumphs, TN loses to J&K in Vijay Hazare trophy
Jharkhand continued its winning run, defeating Gujarat while host Tamil Nadu's made its exit following its loss to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group'C' League here Sunday. In another match, Bengal trounced Team Rajasthan by six wickets. Gujarat was bundled out for 107 in 25 overs in a reduced game by Jharkhand, who overhauled the target in 21.4 overs. Tamil Nadu looked in a strong position before a collapse saw it being dismissed for 168 in 39.4 overs. J&K secured a win after early hiccups, thanks to captain Parvez Rasool's unbeaten 71. Brief scores: Team Rajasthan 177 for nine in 43 overs (Manendra Singh 31,Mahipal Lomror 79 not out (86b, 2x4, 6x6), Ishan Porel four for 30) lost to Bengal181 for four in 37.4 overs (Vivek Singh 65 (50b, 10x4, 2x6), (skipper) Manoj Tiwary 56 not out (116b, 3x4), Anustup Majumdar 36 not out). Points: Bengal 4 ; Rajasthan 0. Gujarat 107 in 25 overs (PiyushChawla 41 not out, Varun Aaron three for 21) ...
India maul New Zealand 7-1 in Sultan of Johor Cup hockey
The Indian junior men's hockey team thrashed New Zealand 7-1 to register their second consecutive win at the eighth Sultan of Johor Cup here on Sunday. On the opening day of the tournament, the Indians had registered a hard fought 2-1 win over hosts Malaysia. Prabhjot Singh (6th minute), Shilanand Lakra (15th, 43rd), Harmanjit Singh (21st), Mohd Faraz (23rd), Abhishek (50th) and skipper Mandeep Mor (60th) were the goal scorers for India. New Zealand's consolation goal came from the sticks of Sam Hiha in the 53rd minute. Last year's bronze medallist India got off to an attacking start as Prabhjot's fine goal in the sixth minute put New Zealand on the back foot. Shilanand Lakra, who had made his senior debut earlier this year at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, was in good nick as he capitalised on a good assist to put the ball past the New Zealand goalkeeper to double the scoreline. Though New Zealand tried to overcome the initial setback, India's defence did not not allowing any
Indian shuttlers win five medals in Asia Junior championship
Meghana Reddy and Tasnim Mir won the girls doubles crown as Indian shuttlers bagged five medals in the Badminton Asia Junior U-17 and U-15 championships which concluded at Mandalay, Myanmar on Sunday. Meghana and Tasnim pair defeated Korean duo of Yeo Jin Gong and Da Yeon Jeong 23-21 21-18 in the final to secure the Under-15 girls doubles title. The Indians took an early slender lead only to increase it midway through. But the Koreans caught up soon as an intense battle ensued and at 21-20, the Indians managed to go up by a point before dropping one to the Koreans. On their next chance, the Indians took the lead and capitalised on it to pocket the first game. Meghana took care of the forecourt while Tasnim complimented her from behind as they swapped positions nicely and kept their Korean rivals on the toes as the duo won the second game to wrap up the tie. Meiraba Luwang and Aditi Bhatt won a bronze medal each in the Under-17 boys singles and girls singles respectively, while S ...
Shreedhar, Deborah clinch gold at Saksham Pedal Delhi 2018 Cyclothon
Shreedhar Savanur and Deborah Herold won gold in the men and women's criterium races of 50 km and 40 km respectively in the elite race category of Saksham Pedal Delhi, Indias Premier Cyclothon.
Wozniacki beats Sevastova to claim China Open title
Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, seeded second, defeated Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday to win the China Open title, eight years after achieving it for the first time.
Hafeez hits hundred as Pakistan dominate Australia
Opener Mohammad Hafeez capped his return to Test cricket with a brilliant century as Pakistan reached 199-0 at tea on the opening day of the first match against Australia here on Sunday. Hafeez, a late inclusion in the squad after a double hundred in a domestic match, was unbeaten on 113 while fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq was 75 not out after Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat on a flat Dubai Stadium pitch. Hafeez, whose last of 50 Test appearances came in England two years ago, brought up his tenth Test century with two boundaries off Mitchell Starc before pushing spinner Jon Holland for two. He was given a life on 74 when Mitchell Marsh could not hold on to a tough chance on the boundary off the bowling of Holland after covering some 20 yards in the outfield. Imam compiled his second Test half-century with the aid of seven boundaries and two sixes as Australia's pace-cum-spin attack toiled hard in two wicketless sessions. Australia captain Tim Paine brought on off-spinner ...
Injured Naomi Osaka pulls out of Hong Kong Open
Recently-crowned US Open champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the ongoing Hong Kong Open citing a back injury.The 20-year-old had sustained the injury during her semi-final match against Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova in the recently-concluded China Open.Announcing her withdrawal, Osaka said that she is very disappointed to pull out of the tournament adding that doctors have advised her to take rest to ensure that the injury is not aggravated."I am really disappointed not to be able to compete at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open this year," WTA quoted Osaka, as saying."Unfortunately, I have been playing through pain in my back this whole week and the doctors have advised me that I need to rest to ensure the injury is not further aggravated and become more serious," she added.Earlier, Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko had also withdrawn from the tournament due to a schedule change and low back injury, respectively.
Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn to play Hero Challenge in London
Ryder Cup winning Captain Thomas Bjorn and a member of his European team Thorbjorn Olesen have confirmed as the final two names to join four others including Justin Rose for the action-packed Hero Challenge golf tournament, taking place in Londons iconic Canary Wharf on October 9.
Madappa finishes fourth in Taiwan
Young Indian golfer Viraj Madappa made a strong return to form after three missed cuts as he finished fourth in the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship here on Sunday. Yet the 20-year-old was disappointed at not being able to get off to a good start to challenge American John Catlin, who carded a flawless seven-under-par 65 to win the title. Catlin became only the fifth person to win three titles in a single season on the Asian Tour. Among other Indians, young Karandeep Kochhar (68) finished tied 14th alongside Rashid Khan (68). Shiv Kapur (72) was tied 30th, Khalin Joshi was tied 41st, while Himmat Rai (69) and S Chikkarangappa (72) were tied 52nd and SSP Chawrasia (72) was tied 57th. Madappa had six birdies against two bogeys. Madappa missed three cuts after his maiden breakthrough at home in August, shot four-under 68 and ended at 11-under 277. "I was a little disappointed I didn't get off to a good start today but I gave myself lots of opportunities in the middle of the ...
Manchester United beats Newcastle 3-2 in stunning comeback
An epic comeback crowned by a last-minute goal by substitute Alexis Sanchez gave Manchester United a 3-2 victory against Newcastle, taking some pressure off Manchester coach Jose Mourinho, who has been under scrutiny after four games without a win prior to this match.
Hamilton romps to Japan win to close on world title
A rampant Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday to move to the brink of a fifth Formula One world title. The Briton dominated at Suzuka after starting on pole, stretching his lead over Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel to 67 points with just four races left as the German's hopes were dashed by a collision with Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Valtteri Bottas held off Verstappen to take second almost 13 seconds behind Hamilton in a breathless 53-lap race at the fast-flowing Japanese circuit. "Woo-hoo! I love you guys!" Hamilton screamed over team radio after his sixth win in the last seven races. "I hope you guys are not getting bored of this -- because I'm definitely not." Vettel realistically needed to win to keep alive his fading title hopes but, despite making up four places in a frantic start after starting on the fourth row, spun off on lap eight in a shower of sparks after a risky lunge on Verstappen. The German, who began from eighth in qualifying, ...
Hamilton edges closer to F1 title after easy Japanese Grand Prix win
Lewis Hamilton cruised to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday to extend his lead at the top of the drivers championship.
Spain's Marc Marquez on way to MotoGP title after victory in Thailand
Spanish rider and current World Championship standings leader Marc Marquez was one step closer to claiming the MotoGP world title with his seventh victory in the season after beating his rivals on Sunday at the 2018 Thailand MotoGP Grand Prix.
Levante pip Getafe 1-0 in La Liga
Macedonian left winger Enis Bardhi scored to lead Levante to a 1-0 away win in La Liga Matchday 8 action over Getafe.
Pakistan openers make Australia toil in first Test
Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Imam-ul-Haq put on a solid unbroken stand of 89 by lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Australia here on Sunday. Hafeez, playing his first Test for two years, was unbeaten on 48 and Imam on 36 after Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bat on a grassless pitch. Australia captain Tim Paine brought on off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the ninth over after pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle found no assistance from the pitch. Hafeez has so far hit six boundaries in his 92-ball knock, while Imam has hit four fours and a six off left-arm spinner Jon Holland, as neither opener appeared to experience any problems batting. Starc was brought back for a second spell but had no luck even with his ferocious bouncers as Australia toiled hard for a breakthrough. Australia handed Test caps to Aaron Finch, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne while Pakistan included off-spinner Bilal Asif for his first Test at the age of 33, ...
Rayhan narrowly misses title, ends tied second
Indian teenager Rayhan Thomas came within a striking distance of creating history before finishing tied second at the elite Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships here. Thomas' tied second is the best finish ever by an Indian in the 10-year history of the Championships. The Dubai-based golfer (4-under 66) ended two shots behind the winner, Takumi Kanaya (65), who made a great charge between the 14th and 16th with three successive birdies to surge ahead to victory over Thomas and the Asian Games individual gold medallist fellow Japanese Keita Nakajima (67). The 20-year-old Kanaya, who was second individually at the World Amateur Championships last month days after being part of Japan's Asian Games gold medal winning team, totalled 13-under 267. Thomas and Nakajima were 11-under 269 as the threat of lightning stopped play for an hour and 11 minutes at the new Tanjong Golf Course. While Kanaya earned the coveted spots into the 2019 Masters and the 2019 Open Championships, both Thomas and ...
Bhaker leads Indian contingent, 'Wild Boars' welcomed as Youth Olympic Games opens on street
Shooter Manu Bhaker had the honour of leading the Indian contingent as its flag-bearer as the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games, in a first, was held on the streets with over two lakh people showing up. The innovative idea put in shade the dazzling fireworks and the glow in the Buenos Aires night sky. Invited to the one-of-its kind ceremony, the 'Wild Boars' from Thailand were hailed by the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. The 'Wild Boars' team captured the attention of the world in June when they were trapped for almost two weeks inside a flooded cave in the Chang Rai province of Thailand. Bach acknowledged their "strength and resilience". "They are truly Olympic values and that is why I have asked them to come to Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires to share their experiences with other young athletes," Bach had said as Argentina braced up for its biggest multi-sporting global event. Holding their place of importance in the culturally vibrant city that
Gayle ends List A career with century
West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has ended his List A career with Jamaica on a high note as he smashed a century in his last match against Barbados in a Regional Super 50 clash.Reflecting on the same, the 39-year-old said that it is always a pleasure scoring a ton in the last match, and thanked his teammates for electing him as the captain for his final match."It's very pleasing to get a hundred in my last 50-over game for Jamaica, it's something I will always cherish. To lead the team to a win makes it more special. It's been a pleasure representing my country, more so captaining them. I'm thankful and grateful to be standing here aged 39 and still get a century in my last game for Jamaica," ESPNcricinfo.com quoted Gayle, as saying.Reflecting on his journey so far, Gayle said playing cricket for over 25 years is a great achievement."There's a lot in the tank, to be honest, but there's life after cricket, so have to enjoy life as well. Playing cricket for over 25 years has been a great