Page 1717 - Sports
Afridi, Malik and Perera to play for ICC World XI against WI
Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera will be part of the World XI in the T20 International against West Indies to be played at Lord's on May 31, the ICC announced today. The match is being staged to raise funds to rebuild and restore five major cricket venues at the heart of Caribbean communities that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year. Afridi and Malik were part of the Pakistan squad that won the ICC World T20 World Cup in 2009, while Perera was a member of the Sri Lanka side that lifted the silverware in Dhaka in 2014. "I am humbled to have been selected for such a noble cause. Cricket is one big family and no matter how hard and tough we play against each other, there is tremendous comradery within the group. As such, it is our moral and professional obligation to stand up and support whenever and wherever we can, to assist our members, colleagues and cricket fans," Afridi said. The three World T20 winners will lend a lot of weight to the ICC World XI ...
Defeating Singapore has raised confidence level: Madhurika
The confidence level of the Indian women paddlers has gone up a notch following the team's stunning triumph in the Commonwealth Games gold medal contest against Singapore at Gold Coast, Australia, team member Madhurika Patkar said today. Madhurika, who was part of the Indian table tennis squad led by Delhi's Manika Batra, also expressed optimism that the team would try to perform extremely well in the Asian Games scheduled in Jakarta, Indonesia, from August 18 in which powerhouses like China, Japan and Korea will be competing. "There are big teams like China, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong and North Korea who participate in the Asian Games. By defeating Singapore (in the CWG), our confidence level has increased. And we will try to play a similar game or raise our game for the Asian Games and perform in the same way," Madhurika told PTI here. The experienced pair of Madhurika and Mouma Das played the supporting role to perfection by winning the crucial
Super Cup: We need to play our own game, says East Bengal coach
East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil stressed on the fact that his team needs to play their own game and not fret too much about their opponents, Bengaluru FC, in the final of the Super Cup slated to be held at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.
Amit eyes Asiad medal after silver at CWG
Not satisfied with a silver at the 21st Commonwealth Games, fast-rising Indian boxer Amit Panghal has set his sights on the Asian Games, saying it will be his big test and he would look to improve his speed. The 22-year-old from Rohtak settled for a silver medal after losing to England's Galal Yafai in the men's light flyweight (49kg) final at Gold Coast. "I had a good CWG. I worked hard and I got a medal. Of course I had hoped for a gold but got silver and I am not satisfied by that, I will have to work on my speed. My next target is Asian Games," Amit told PTI. "But Asian games will be very tough and it would be a big test for me. I will prepare for that accordingly. We'll have to watch the videos of our opponents and work on our weaknesses and prepare under our coaches. "Also there would be invitational tours. We are going to US under TOP scheme for a 20-day training which will help us," added the 2017 Asian Championships bronze medallist. Amit, who had won the gold medal in his ...
Aaditya asks CWG winner Chirag to guide BMC school students
Shiv Sena youth wing chief Aaditya Thackeray today asked badminton player Chirag Shetty, who won a gold medal in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games, to guide students of the schools run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Shetty, who won a gold in the mixed team event and a silver medal in the mens' doubles badminton tournament at the CWG in Australia, called on Thackeray today. "I congratulate him for making our nation proud at the international level. Our country was in the third place in the CWG games. I have asked Chirag to guide students studying in BMC schools," Thackeray told reporters at his residence 'Matoshree' after meeting Shetty. The Yuva Sena chief also said that six new sports will be introduced in the BMC schools in the coming academic year.
Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik confirm participation for ICC World XI against Windies
ICC World T20I winners Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera are the first set of players to confirm their participation for the ICC World XI side in a one-off T20I match against the West Indies to be played at Lord's on May 31.The match is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean that were badly damaged following Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year.Afridi and Malik were part of the Pakistan squad that won the ICC World T20 2009 at Lord's, while Perera was a member of the Sri Lanka side that lifted the silverware in Dhaka in 2014.The three World T20 winners will lend a lot of weight to the ICC World XI side which will see more names being added in what is expected to be a star-studded line-up led by England's white-ball captain Eoin Morgan, who has already been confirmed to lead the side.Shahid Afridi said, "I am humbled to have been selected for such a noble cause. Cricket is one big family and no matter how hard and tough we play against each other, there .
New Zealand's Michael Papps calls time on first-class career
Veteran New Zealand opener Michael Papps, who was the first man to notch 10,000 runs in the Plunket Shield, has bid adieu to his 19-year long illustrious first-class cricket.The 38-year-old, who made his international debut for West Indies during the ODI series against South Africa in 2004, calls time after playing 20 seasons in domestic cricket, representing Canterbury and later Wellington.Confirming the news, Papps said," The personal and collective triumphs, the runs scored, the days in the dirt, and the games won and lost are all memories I will take away, but most of all it will be the people, the teams I've played for, both here and overseas, and the great friends I have made that I will cherish the most."Papps, who has played a total of eight Tests and six ODIs for New Zealand, begun his career with Canterbury in the 1998-99 season and went on to score 6,663 runs for them.In 2010-11, he switched to Wellington, where he added another 4,837 runs to his tally and scored 13 ...
Federation Cup junior national athletics meet from tomorrow
Over 800 athletes from 32 states across the country will take part in the 16th Federation Cup Junior National athletics championship, beginning here tomorrow. The meet will serve as the selections trials for the 18th Asian Junior Athletic Meet to be held at Gifu, Japan, in June. The three-day event will see 440 boys and 352 girls in the age group of 16 to 20 years take part in 44 events, Tamil Nadu Athletic Association secretary C Latha told reporters here today. Besides, selection for the Asian junior meet in Japan, athletes will be picked for the World Junior Athletic championship to be held later this year, she added. Stating that 72 athletes will represent Tamil Nadu in the meet, Latha said the state team, which emerged fourth in the previous event held in Lucknow, is expected to perform well. The meet is jointly conducted by the state athletic association, Coimbatore District Athletic Association and Sri Krishna Educational Institutions, she said. Sri Krishna ...
Daniel Ricciardo uncertain about Red Bull future
Once again casting doubt over his future with Red Bull, Daniel Riccardo has said his victory at the last Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix is just not enough to convince him to stay with the team next season.Riccardo's current contract with Red Bull is set to expire at the end of this season, with the 28-year-old Australian has also been linked to a potential move to Ferrari or Formula One champions Mercedes.And despite grabbing victory at the Shanghai International Circuit, Riccardo seemed to be aware that the win was simply an opportunistic one as he said that Red Bull must pick up more wins this season before he could decide on his future."I want to be with the best car. I think the weekend proved if I got the opportunity I can pull it off. If we can win a few more now with Red Bull, that looks very attractive. If not, there's probably other options," Sport24 quoted the Australian driver, as saying.He, however, said that if Red Bull continue to make a disappointing finish in every single
CWG done, Neeraj to take part in Diamond League series next month
Fresh from his Commonwealth Games triumph, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will compete in the season-opening leg of the Diamond League series in Doha on May 4. Neeraj, who won a gold in the Gold Coast CWG with a throw of 86.47m, will be in the midst of a star-studded field with the reigning Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany and his country-mate and world champion Johannes Vetter taking part at the Qatar Sports Club. 2017 World Championship silver medallist and reigning Diamond League champion Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic and world bronze medallist and team-mate Petr Frydrych will also compete in Doha. Also in the mix will be Rio Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego of Kenya. Last year, Rohler had wowed the crowds in Doha as he threw an incredible 93.90m to move to second on the world all-time list behind world-record holder Jan Zelezny. However, just two months later, 2017 European Athlete of the Year, Vetter overtook Rohler to claim the second world all-time ...
I need to work more on my fitness, say TT sensation Manika Batra
Till recently an emerging table-tennis star, Manika Batra has turned into an overnight sensation after her impressive run in the just-concluded Commonwealth Games, where she bagged medals in all four events on offer, including an unprecedented gold in the women's singles and team championship.
Bangladesh cricket drop six, freeze pay after poor year
Bangladesh axed six players from national contracts after a year of poor performances with players who escaped the chop being denied a pay rise, an official said Thursday. Opening batsmen Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes were among the six to miss out on a contract as Bangladesh cricket warned players to shape up, selector Habibul Bashar said. The Bangladesh Cricket Board late Wednesday decided to retain just 10 players on contract, with three others to be added at a later time. "For contracts, we mostly preferred players who would perform regularly over the next one year," Bashar told AFP. "Some players have lost their regular spot in the team. They needed to be sent a message. Getting dropped does not mean the door is closed for them. Everyone will get a fair chance in future." Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Kamrul Islam Rabbi were the four others whose contracts were not renewed. Sabbir was already excluded from a contract on disciplinary grounds. Shakib Al Hasan, ..
I will continue boxing till my body allows, says CWG gold medallist Mary Kom (IANS Interview)
After clinching her maiden Commonwealth Games medal, five-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom says she took the Gold Coast Games as a challenge and has urged other athletes to "flush out" the age factor.
CSK, RR look to get back to winning ways
Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, the two franchises that returned to the IPL after serving bans in the aftermath of the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, will come face to face for the first time in the ongoing edition, keen to regain lost momentum here tomorrow. A loss in their last outing has hurt both the former champions and they will look to get back to winning ways when they face off. With two wins and two defeats, Rajasthan Royals are fifth with four points, while Chennai have also gathered an equal number of points with two victories from three matches. They are placed fourth because of better net run rate. Both the teams were missing in action owing to a two-year ban for corruption. Rajasthan, under new captain Ajinkya Rahane, had a bad start to the campaign but they have done well with two back-to-back wins before Kolkata Knight Riders outclassed them by seven wickets. On a slow wicket, Rahane and Co. failed to stitch partnerships and ended up with a below-par total of ...
New style, new era: Australia captain promises to rebuild trust
Australia Test captain Tim Paine pledged Today to embark on a new era of "respectful" cricket and rebuild public trust after the ball-tampering scandal that rocked the sport. The newly appointed leader said the fallout from the tampering episode was greater than players had anticipated and promised a different style of cricket in the future. "Going forward we have a clean slate. We can rewrite the way we play a little bit," the 33-year-old told reporters in Tasmania's capital Hobart. "The main thing for us is to bring the fans back to Australian cricket and make sure they like the way we are going about it, they want to come and watch and be proud of the Australian cricket team," he added. The ball-tampering scandal during the third Test in South Africa last month stunned the sport and sparked reviews into the culture within Australian cricket. Then captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner have been banned from international and domestic cricket for a year, while Cameron ...
Fakhar can put pressure on oppositions like Warner, Sehwag: Akram
Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has backed opener Fakhar Zaman to make an impact in the longest format of the game after the uncapped player was named in the Test squad for the upcoming series against England and Ireland.Besides Zaman, current chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq's nephew Imam-ul-Haq, batsmen Usman Salahuddin and Saad Ali, and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf are the other four uncapped members to have received maiden Test call-ups.And Akram believes inclusion of Zaman in the Test squad is a big thing as he hopes the aggressive opener could put pressure on their opposition like Australia's David Warner and former Indian opener Virender Sehwag."Fakhar Zaman in the Test squad is a big thing. Maybe like Warner and Sehwag, he can put pressure on the opposition. In England, the Dukes ball makes it ideal conditions for the bowlers," Sport24 quoted Akram, as saying.Meanwhile, Akram backed chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq's decision to exclude Pakistan Super League's (PSL) top performer ..
Cilic advances at Monte-Carlo Masters
Second-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia advanced to the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament after defeating Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-6 (4).
Eibar beat Espanyol to snap winless streak
Eibar prevailed 1-0 over RCD Espanyol to post their first victory in seven matches in the top division of Spanish football.
Sharapova to feature in Birmingham tourney
Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova said that she planned to play in the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham, England, to prepare for the grass courts of Wimbledon.
Russell set for Windies return at Lord's
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is all set to make an international return after serving a 12-month doping-related ban.The right-handed batsman, who has enjoyed a great start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Kolkata Knight Riders, has been named in the 13-man West Indies squad for a lone Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge match against an ICC Rest of the World XI on May 31.He is now in line to play his first match for the West Indies since August 2016.Russell had earlier made his successful competitive cricket comeback in the the Regional Super50 tournament in the Caribbean before headed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for his brief spell at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Islamabad United.The right-handed batsman was handed a year ban from playing all forms of cricket for a doping whereabouts rule violation.Russell did not file his whereabouts on three occasions in 2015 as required, which also included a failed drugs test under the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping ..