Page 109 - Sports
We haven't played like that in a long time: Buttler after shock loss against Sri Lanka
England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler feels "poor batting" was the reason for their shock defeat against Sri Lanka in a World Cup game here. England lacked their usual intensity with the bat as they failed to chase what appeared a relatively modest target of 233 at Headingley on Friday. Defeat by 20 runs represents a second loss of the tournament for the hosts, who struggled against the full, straight line of Lasith Malinga and then the off-spin of Dhananjaya de Silva as they sought to rebuild. "We played poorly with the bat. I think we lacked energy. That doesn't mean trying to hit fours and sixes, it means showing intensity and trying to put pressure on the bowlers," said Buttler. "Early wickets can set teams back, as it did for Sri Lanka when we took early wickets, but in terms of the mindset we were not at our best. I thought we were a bit passive. We haven't been like that for a long time so that is the most frustrating part of the game." Although England were missing Jason ..
'Legend' Malinga too much for England at World Cup
Lasith Malinga insisted he had done nothing new despite being hailed as a "legend" after starring in Sri Lanka's stunning World Cup win over England. The veteran paceman took four for 43 as Sri Lanka, defending a seemingly modest total of 232-9, beat England by 20 runs to open up the race for a semi-final spot. England, bidding to win the World Cup for the first time, would have gone top of the 10-team round-robin table with a victory at Headingley. But instead they suffered their second defeat of the group phase following an equally surprising 14-run loss to Pakistan. Malinga's haul saw him become just the fourth bowler to take 50 wickets at the World Cup after Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan and Wasim Akram. And just as importantly for Sri Lanka on Friday, the 35-year-old, renowned for his unorthodox 'slingshot' action, struck telling blows. Malinga, who briefly returned home earlier in the tournament following the death of his mother-in-law, rocked England at the start of their
Qatar World Cup chief unconcerned by Platini corruption questioning
Qatar's 2022 World Cup organizing committee chief Hassan Al Thawadi insisted on Friday that the Gulf nation has nothing to worry about in relation to a French corruption investigation. Former European football president Michel Platini was questioned by French anti-corruption investigators for several hours on Wednesday in relation to the 2010 award of World Cup hosting rights to gas-rich Qatar. "From what I understood he was not arrested, he was asked for questioning and there's a very big difference between the two," Al Thawadi told reporters in Brazil, where Qatar are taking part in the Copa America as guests. "For me there's no story there, I cannot comment because there's an investigation ongoing, but I can say that we were not contacted by the authorities. "For us, we have always held ourselves to a high standard, we've been investigated by the Garcia Investigation, it exonerated us." A two-year long FIFA investigation led by American lawyer Michael Garcia cleared Qatar of buying
Sanchez sends Chile into Copa America quarter-finals
Alexis Sanchez put a miserable club season with Manchester United behind him as he sent Chile into the Copa America quarter-finals with the winning goal in their 2-1 win over Ecuador. Jose Fuenzalida gave reigning champions Chile an eighth-minute lead but Enner Valencia equalized for Ecuador from the spot. Sanchez bagged the winner, his 43rd goal for his country, but Chile finished with 10 men after Gabriel Achilier's red card a minute from time. The 30-year-old Sanchez started only nine Premier League matches, scoring just once, in an injury-interrupted season for the Red Devils in which he struggled to make an impact when he did play. But he scored for the second game running in Salvador as Chile joined Colombia as the only teams to qualify for the knock-out stages after their first two games. However, he revealed afterwards that he turned his ankle during the first half, aggravating an old injury. "I think I have a sprain, I hope it's not too serious. At half-time they strapped it .
CWC'19: Sri Lanka stun England, secure 20-run victory
Despite Ben Stokes' brilliant effort, Sri Lanka managed to vanquish England by 20 runs in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup here on Friday.Chasing a modest total of 233 runs, England faced an early blow as Jonny Bairstow was sent back to pavilion on a duck by Lasith Malinga in the first over.Opener James Vince was then joined by Joe Root but their partnership also did not last long as Malinga, continuing his brilliant form, got the wicket of Vince (14) which halted their 25-run partnership. Skipper Eoin Morgan then came out to bat along with Root.Both played steadily and added another 47 runs on the board before Isuru Udana catch and bowled Morgan, who scored 21 runs. Morgan's dismissal brought Ben Stokes out on the field.Root and Stokes played cautiously and avoided risky shots. However, Stokes came out furiously in the 28th over, bowled by Jeevan Mendis, as he smashed two sixes in the over.Root scored his half-century and along with Stokes, formed a 54-run partnership. Malinga
Advani wins Asian snooker Championship to complete career grand slam in cue sports
India's ace cueist Pankaj Advani Friday clinched the 35th men's Asian Snooker Championship to complete a career grand slam in cue sports. Advani conquered the ACBS Asian Snooker events - 6-red (short format) and 15-red (long format) - along with the IBSF World Championships in both formats too. Having already accomplished it in Billiards, Pankaj had this elusive 15-red Asian Snooker title missing from his silverware collection. Advani defeated Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon 6-3 in the final to become the only one to win the Asian and World championships in all formats. He is also the only one to do so in two sports, both Billiards and Snooker. "With this title, I've done everything I could when representing my country in both the sports. This win completes my trophy cabinet so I now know I will be sleeping well for a very long time." Advani said. "Having won all that there is, I'd like to continue competing with the objective of deriving personal growth through the medium of sport and to ...
Sanjeevani charged for failing dope test
Indian long distance runner Sanjeevani Jadhav has been issued charges by the Athletics Integrity Unit for failing a dope test. The charges were issued on Wednesday by the AIU, an independent body set up by the international athletics federation, as her dope sample was found to contain Probenecid, a prohibited substance (under Article 2.1). Probenecid is a drug that increases uric acid excretion in the urine. It is primarily used in treating gout and hyperuricemia. Jadhav had failed a dope test in November last year, along with four other Indian athletes, and it is not known whether this case was the old one or a new one. When she failed the dope test last year in the tests conducted in WADA's Montreal laboratory, she was allowed to compete as it did not attract immediate suspension and she won the 10,000m race in the Federation Cup earlier this year. She was selected in the Indian team for the Asian Championships held in April in Doha after clearance by the NADA, and she won a bronze .
SAI Eastern Centre observes International Day of Yoga
A total of 900 trainees, coaches, staff and CRPF jawans participated in the yoga session that was organised by the Sports Authority of India's Eastern Centre in Kolkata to mark the 5th International Day of Yoga on Friday. The one-hour 15 minute session was conducted by a West Bengal police officer and a Yoga diploma holder from the National Institute of Sports, Patiala. "Do yoga and you don't have to swallow any tablet. You are fit for life. There are no side effects. Sports and yoga is always inter-connected," the regional head of SAI Eastern Centre, Manmeet Singh Goindi, told PTI. "It's good that our prime minister drew the attention of the United Nations on yoga and its usefulness. With the UN declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga, it is now celebrated across the world," he said. The Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy here also celebrated IDY. "As a chess player, I personally feel that chess being a mind game, one has to do yoga regularly to ...
West Indies still in race for World Cup semis, insists Holder
Jason Holder on Friday claimed his struggling West Indies are still in the hunt to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals ahead of their game against unbeaten New Zealand in Manchester. Holder will be without injured all-rounder Andre Russell on Saturday, but the West Indies skipper is adamant his team shouldn't be counted out yet. West Indies started the tournament by beating Pakistan in their opener but soon lost momentum with defeats to Australia, England and Bangladesh. Another loss would effectively end their last four hopes, but Holder says it is just a matter of bringing their best game to the table against the Black Caps, a side who they out-played in a pre-tournament warm up last month. "I think we still have a possible chance to qualify for the semi-finals, but we've just got to take it game by game," Holder told reporters at Old Trafford. "This encounter with New Zealand is very important. We all know what's at stake and we just have to come and bring our 'A' game. It's as ..
Caught on cam: Sarfaraz gets body-shamed by Pakistani fan
Ever since losing the match against India in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, Pakistan cricket team has faced severe criticism from all quarters. And one more instance surfaced on Friday as one fan is seen shaming Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.Syed Raza Mehdi, a Pakistan journalist shared a video in which a fan can be seen asking the skipper why are you gaining so much weight and even adviced him to lose some kilos. The journalist shared the video and captioned the post as, "A shameful act by a Pakistani fan with captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, this is how we treat our National Heros. Highly condemnable".Pakistan lost against India by 89 runs on Sunday and as a result, the team faced severe backlash. The team went on to become the butt of all jokes and many fans criticised players fitness and their training regime.Several videos surfaced on the internet when Pakistan lost against India and the fans can be seen dejected with the team's performance.Various media reports also ..
Malinga, Mathews keep Sri Lanka's World Cup semifinal hopes alive
Angelo Mathews hit a patient fifty before veteran pacer Lasith Malinga returned with a sensational four-wicket haul as Sri Lanka stunned hosts England by 20 runs in a low-scoring thriller to keep their World Cup semifinal hopes alive, here Friday. Electing to bat, Sri Lanka managed a modest 232 for nine, riding on an unbeaten 115-ball 85 by Mathews. The 1996 champions then returned to dismiss England for 212 in 47 overs to register only their second win in this World Cup. Malinga (4/43) emerged as the star for Sri Lanka as he dismissed the top three -- James Vince (14), Jonny Bairstow (0) and Joe Root (57) and also accounted for Jos Buttler (10). Off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva (3/32) then moped up the tail with a quick three-wicket burst. After Root's 89-ball fifty, Ben Stokes kept England in the hunt with a 89-ball 82 but he ran out of partners. The win took Sri Lanka to fifth spot with six points from six matches, while England remained in third spot with eight points from six ...
Ganguly set to complete his World Cup broadcast commitments
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is all set to complete his broadcasting commitments for the World Cup even as Justice DK Jain's latest observation on 'Conflict of Interest' has raised quite a few eyebrows. Justice Jain has observed that players/ex-players doing commentary as well as holding management positions in IPL teams will come under the ambit of 'Conflict of Interest' as per Lodha Panel's 'One Person One Post' rule. He has ruled that Ganguly and VVS Laxman holding twin jobs of being Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) members and mentors with IPL franchises amounts to conflict of interest and the two former players will have to make a choice. It is, however, learnt that Ganguly, one of the most respected voices in international cricket, will be completing his World Cup assignment as it is an exclusive contract with the ICC and not Star Sports. "Sourav is doing commentary for the world feed. He has no contractual obligations with the Star Sports. And this is his only one-off ...
Barcelona to face Arsenal in Joan Gamper Trophy
Spanish football club FC Barcelona on Friday announced that they would be taking on English club Arsenal in a one-off match for the Joan Gamper trophy."Barca to host @Arsenal in Gamper match on August 4!," FC Barcelona tweeted."@FCBarcelona, We'll head to the Nou Camp to compete in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Sunday, August 4," Arsenal tweeted.This match will serve as a pre-season friendly for the Spanish club ahead of LA Liga.Arsenal will be making their first-ever appearance in the Gamper trophy.Barcelona will be playing two matches in Japan which will act as friendlies -- against Chelsea in Tokyo on July 23 and versus Vissel Kobe in Kobe on July 27 before the La Liga is set to open in mid-August.The La Liga will begin from August.Barcelona was able to lift the La Liga title for 2018/19 season as they had 87 points from 38 matches.The team was knocked out in the Champions League semi-final by Liverpool FC.On the other hand, Arsenal finished at the fifth position in the Premier League .
Sadio Mane deserves Ballon d'Or: Cisse
Senegal head Coach Aliou Cisse has lavishly praised Sadio Mane, saying the Liverpool winger deserves to bag the Ballon d'Or."What he has achieved this year is a result of great effort over many years and winning the AFCON will be an extension of those efforts. It will take him a step closer to the Golden Ball, which I think he deserves to win," Goal.com quoted Cisse, as saying.Cisse also hailed Mane for his 'great discipline' and 'high professionalism.'"He has worked hard not only in the last year but since 2011, where I've known him to have great discipline and high professionalism. I followed him from his time in Austria and Southampton until he arrived at Liverpool," he said.Despite performing brilliantly at club level, Mane failed to impress Senegal fans, who even booed him during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Equatorial Guinea.However, Cisse called Mane a 'world-class' player and further added that criticism motivated him."No one can dispute the abilities of Sadio .
Rashid is mentally strong and he will learn quickly: Gulbadin
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan is mentally strong and one bad game against England won't affect him, Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib said Friday as his side prepare to face the mighty Indians here. Rashid was hammered by England skipper Eoin Morgan as he went for 110 runs in nine wicketless overs during Afghanistan's previous game. Gulbadin, however, firmly stood by his strike bowler. "I know it's happened to every player, you face a day like this. Everyone knows, in cricket or life in general, you have a phase of good days and also have bad days. So that's one of the bad days of Rashid Khan, if I look at it," Gulbadin said on the eve of Saturday's India game. While he lauded England, Gulbadin had a word or two about Rashid's tough interior that will help him bounce back. "But Rashid, I think he's one of the strongest mind players now, so he learns everything very quickly. He does not think about the last day or what happened the day before. He's just focusing on the present and the ...
It's not about taking extra pressure but extra responsibility: Shankar
Vijay Shankar looks at the varying demands of international cricket as "extra responsibility" rather than "extra pressure", an approach that enables him to perform any role assigned by the team management. Shankar is unfazed by the fact that he doesn't have the skill sets of someone like Hardik Pandya, who, with his power game, has lived up to the team management's expectations on most occasions. Be it in the middle overs or towards the end, Hardik has mostly delivered. Asked if he faces problems at numbers 6 or 7 as he doesn't have the big shots like the Baroda all-rounder for those end overs, Shankar begged to differ. "That pressure will always be there to deliver whatever the situation demands. So it's not about how powerful I am because I've also played down the order. I've also got experience playing at numbers 6 or 7," he said on the eve of India's World Cup match against Afghanistan. "It's not about taking that extra pressure. It's about taking extra responsibility and ...
2nd round of MRF MMSC National car racing championship begins
The second round of the MRF MMSC FMSFI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2019 commenced at the Kari Motor Speedway here on Friday, which was reserved for Free Practice sessions. If practice timings are any definite indicators, then the competition in the Indian Touring Cars (ITC) promises to be hot and close even as Karthik Tharani (one minute, 08.672), Dhruv Shivaji Mohite (01:08.989) and Ishaan Dodhiwala (01:09. 145), all representing Volkswagen (VW) factory team, clocked the three fastest timings in Free Practice (FP). Yet, the VW camp was wary of veteran Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) who sat out FP2 with turbo issues while in FP1, no timings were recorded from the transponder of his car as it was not fitted in the designated spot. The Race Concepts camp said they were awaiting a replacement for the turbo from Bengaluru, the teams base. Coimbatores septuagenarian D Vidyaprakash (Prime Racing) topped FP2 in 01:10.700 with most other competitors opting to sit ...
Two electrocuted to death in Rajatshan's Sikar
Two labourers were electrocuted to death in Netadwas village of Rajasthan's Sikar district, police said Friday. The incident took place on Thursday night when the duo was pitching a pole for putting up lights for a day-night cricket tournament in the village, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Dhod police station Banshi Dhar said. Avadhesh (31) and Raghav (30), both from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, came in contact with a live wire and died on the spot, the ASI said.
VAR stealing headlines as women's World Cup heads into knockout phase
The real competition is only just beginning as the women's World Cup heads into the knockout phase with hosts France and holders the United States -- the two favourites -- on a collision course to meet in the quarter-finals. Progress through the group phase has been largely serene for both sides, although a knock to star striker Alex Morgan has given the USA some cause for concern before their last-16 tie against Spain on Monday. There have been plenty of positives to take from the two weeks of competition so far, but there has also been controversy stemming from the use of Video Assistant Referees. The VAR again came to the fore in the USA's 2-0 win over Sweden on Thursday, with Jonna Andersson's second-half own goal in Le Havre somehow standing despite substitute Carli Lloyd appearing to interfere with the play from an offside position in the build-up. - Law changes wreak havoc - =========================== VAR is clearly struggling to deal with the new definition of handball, but .
Bhullar lands hole in one at BMW International to win 194,000 euro car
India's Gaganjeet Bhullar landed himself a brand new BMW M8 coupe worth euros 194,000 as he aced the 17th hole in the second round of the BMW International Friday. Bhullar, who shot 3-under 69 to lie tied sixth after the first day, started from the 10th and then shot a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. Indian women golfers Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar have also got hole in ones on the ladies European tour this season, but with this car as a prize Bhullar has landed a real big one. He turned in 3-under at which point he was six under for the tournament. However he then bogeyed three in a row from first to third and came down to even for the day and three-under for the tournament. Meanwhile, SSP Chawrasia carded four-under 68 after his first round 73 to comfortably make the cut at three-under 141. Shiv Kapur with 77-73 missed the cut. Christiaan Bezuudenhout shot seven-under 65 after a first round 70 to get to nine-under 135 and lead the tournament. In the first round also, Bhullar had ...