Page 2241 - Sports
Yeray to return to action six months after cancer relapse
Athletic Club Bilbao defender Yeray Alavarez will return to action after six months fighting against cancer when he plays in an Under-23 game against Swansea in the English Premier League Cup on Wednesday, his football club have confirmed.
Babar Azam quashes comparison with 'big player' Kohli
Pakistan middle-order batsman Babar Azam has played down his comparison with Indian skipper Virat Kohli, saying he should not be likened with such a 'big player'.Describing Kohli as 'the No.1 batsman in the world', the 23-year-old said that he took wants to perform like the Indian skipper for Pakistan."He compared me with a very big player. I think it shouldn't be done. But that is the coach's thinking. Maybe the stats at the start of our careers are similar, but he is the No.1 batsman in the world. I want to perform at a high level for Pakistan too," ESPNcricinfo quoted Azam, as saying.Last year, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur had likened Azam with Kohli, saying the 22-year-old is an exceptional player and could perform as good as the Indian swashbuckling batsman.Meanwhile, the Pakistan batsman further revealed that he used to draw inspiration from South African star batsman AB de Villiers in the early days before, adding that nowadays he also looks at Kohli, Hashim Amla and ...
Flamengo interested in Fernando Torres: Reports
Rio de Janeiro football giants Flamengo could make an offer to sign Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres next year, according to reports in the Brazilian media.
India-Pak series not happening in near future: Shaharyar Khan
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has said he could not see bilateral series against India happening anytime soon as the political turmoil between the two countries continues.The 83-year-old stressed that though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not against the series, they require its government's approval to play against Pakistan anywhere outside International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.In 2014, both - BCCI and PCB - signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which stated that the two arch-rivals would play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.According to the 2014 agreement, India was scheduled to play six series against Pakistan, four of them were going to be Pakistan's home series.While the BCCI has repeatedly snubbed Pakistan's request for resumption of ties, the PCB wants its Indian counterpart to honour its commitment under the MoU signed, which is subjected to clearance from the Government of India.And Shaharyar ...
Tevez keen to remain at Shanghai Shenhua: Agent
Argentine striker Carlos Tevez is committed to seeing out his contract with Chinese football club Shanghai Shenhua, according to his agent Adrian Ruocco.
Another year, another set of titles; Advani rules cue sports
Rarely does a sport become synonymous with an individual but Pankaj Advani has been just that to cue sports in India for a long time and this year was no different as he claimed a couple of more world titles to add to his legend. The 32-year-old has been juggling billiards and snooker quite efficiently for over a decade now. His performance, in fact, has come to define Indian cue sports and he lived upto expectations in 2017 as well, taking his world title count to 18. In July, Advani led India A to a gold in the finals of the Asian Team Snooker Championship, held in Kyrgyzstan. The winning team comprising Advani, Laxman Rawat, and Malkeet Singh demolished Pakistan 3-0 in an exciting final. Asked how it felt to outclass arch-rivals Pakistan, Advani brushed aside India's fiercest foe as any other opponent and focused on his first ever team trophy. "Every opponent is equal for us. But the pressure and expectation of the people are a lot higher with Pakistan. If we are ...
Taapsee to shoot final schedule of 'Soorma' in Serbia
Taapsee Pannu cant wait to shoot the "final leg" of her upcoming film "Soorma" in Serbia. The actress says that she is excited to visit a new country.
Dominant India eye another triumph in T20s against Sri Lanka
The bench strength is expected to be tested but India are unlikely to lower the intensity when they take on Sri Lanka in a three-match Twenty20 series starting here tomorrow, aiming to extend their dominance in the shortest format as well. The Test series in pocket, India, without inspirational skipper Virat Kohli, hardly broke a sweat to clinch the one- day series 2-1 and Rohit Sharma and Co. will look to polish off the T20I series on a perfect note. Sri Lanka have been no match to India barring their one- off spectacular bowling effort in Dharmasala in the opening ODI. After India bounced back in Mohali, Sri Lanka had their best chance in Visakhapatnam but they collapsed from 136/1 to be bundled out for 215. A resilient India quickly got into the act after an inspirational stumping by MS Dhoni. This was followed by the spin twin of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal running through the Lankan batting to claim three wickets each. However, Twenty20 is a different ball ...
SAFF U-15 C'ship: Indian eves to take on Nepal today
After a thumping victory over Bhutan in the opening match, India will aim to carry on the momentum when they take on Nepal in their second round-robin match of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-15 Women Championship at Dhaka on Tuesday.The India U-15 women side completely outplayed Bhutan 3-0 in the opening encounter with a 20-minutes blitz in the start accounting for all the Indian goals.In a completely one-sided encounter, Kritina, Priyanka and Pratiksha scored in the 4th, 11th and 19th minute of the game respectively to thrash Bhutan's hopes of securing a win.Meanwhile, hosts Bangladesh had also won their opening win by clinching a 6-0 thrashing of Nepal. They are now ahead of India in the 4-team table, thanks to a better goal difference.A win for India today will consolidate their chances of making it to the finals, which will be played on Sunday.
The new Bradman? Quirky Smith rises to exalted heights
Steve Smith has broken English hearts and smashed records with his phenomenal Ashes batting and is being acclaimed as the best Australian batsman since the greatest of all, Don Bradman. That is rarefied company for the quirky 28-year-old skipper, who led Australia to reclaiming the Ashes with an imperious 239 -- his highest Test score -- in Australia's mammoth first innings 662 for nine declared in the third Perth Test victory yesterday. Ashes-winning skipper Smith has almost single-handedly batted Joe Root's team out of the series, accumulating 426 runs in just four innings at an average of 142, which allowed his bowlers to do the rest. Smith, whose idiosyncratic style -- moving across his stumps as the bowler delivers -- flies in the face of cricket's purists, has a career average of 62.32 from 59 Tests. That places him second only in Test history to Bradman, whose average of 99.94 at the pinnacle was forged from 1928- 48. Records have tumbled for the ...
Gleeful Aussies look to 5-0 Ashes rout over England
A 5-0 series whitewash and the playing futures of England veterans Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad were focal among Australia's reaction to winning back the Ashes today. Steve Smith's team reclaimed the Ashes after bowling England out for an innings and 41-run victory in the third Test in Perth yesterday. The Australians now look to sweeping the five-Test series with victories in the final two Tests in Melbourne starting on Boxing Day and in Sydney early in the new year. "Cricket is getting shorter, and not just in the ways intended. It has taken Australia 15 days to regain the Ashes that they lost in 14 days just over two years ago," The Australian's Gideon Haigh wrote. "Kudos to the Australians. They have played substantially the better cricket for significantly longer phases, and again yesterday, with Mitchell Starc, Patrick Cummins and especially Josh Hazlewood at their marauding best." Haigh added: "But 3-0 so soon? It leaves the summer's showpiece Tests, Boxing Day .
Leaders Minerva beat Arrows by solitary goal
Chencho Gyeltshen struck late into the game as Minerva Punjab beat an inexperienced Indian Arrows by a solitary goal to extended their lead at the top of the table in the I-League, here today. The defeat is Arrows second against Minerva this season having lost 0-2 against the same opponents a few weeks ago in Goa. Gyeltshen's 80th minute strike turned out to be the difference between the two sides in the hard-fought battle at the Guru Nanak Stadium. Khogen Singh made three changes from their 2-1 win over Chennai City FC. Rakshit Dagar made his way into the lineup for Arshdeep Saini in goal. Sukhdev Singh and Amandeep Singh also came in as Lago Bei was relegated to the bench. After a break of 13 days, Arrows' coach Luis Norton de Matos made two alterations to his side. Abhijit Sarkar and Aniket Anil Jadhav were relegated to the bench, while West Bengal duo Rahim Ali and Abhishek Halder were ushered into the first eleven. The Portuguese chose to go with four men at the ...
CAS bans soccer player for 4 years in cocaine case
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has banned Ecuadorean soccer player Jose Angulo for four years after he tested positive for cocaine in the 2016 Copa Libertadores final. CAS upheld FIFA's appeal for a longer sentence after Angulo received a one-year suspension from South American soccer body CONMEBOL. The 22-year-old Angulo is banned until July 19, 2020. CAS said its judging panel found the "facts submitted by the player did not match with the evidence produced by the scientific experts." A detailed verdict will be published at a later date. Angulo played in both legs of the continental championship final for Ecuador's Independiente del Valle, which lost 2-1 on aggregate to Atletico Nacional of Colombia. He tested positive on the day of the first game in July 2016.
Villar pins World Cup threat on Spanish government
Suspended president of the Spanish football federation Angel Maria Villar blamed Spain's government for a FIFA threat that could lead to the country being thrown out of next year's World Cup in Russia. Villar, 67, was suspended from the post he has occupied since 1988 in September for a year after being arrested as part of a corruption investigation. He was detained in July on allegations of collusion, embezzlement and falsifying documents and spent two weeks in custody before being released on bail. However, the Spanish Sports Council's insistence that new elections be called for the presidency of the football federation has attracted FIFA's interest for political interference. "Those responsible for the fact the national team might not be able to be at the World Cup are this government," said Villar at a tense press conference in Madrid on Monday, where he repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. "All member federations have to administer their affairs in an independent ...
Aryaman, Akarshi crowned champions in Junior National C'ships
Aryaman Tandon of Air India and Akarshi Kashyap of Chattisgarh registered comprehensive wins to run away with top honours in the U-19 boys' and girls' singles competition respectively in the 42nd Junior National Badminton Championships here today. Arindam, seeded second, took on his Air India teammate Rahul Bhardhvaj in the summit clash and it was pulsating affair from the word go. Rahul seized the early initiative taking the opening game 21-10. Arindam launched a comeback to win the second game 21- 18. With the match tied 1-1, it was poised for an exciting finish. Both the players were on top of their game and fighting it out in the middle for every point with Arindam eventually prevailing 21-19. Taking on Vaidehi Choudhari of Maharashtra, Akarshi found it rather easy and after an initial fight, she went to win 22 -20, 21-11 to be crowned the champion. She also annexed the under-17 girls' championship after she beat second seeded Malvika Bansod 21-23, 21-17, 21-12 in a
Gender sensitive ISSF brings in new rules
With an aim to bring gender equality in shooting, the ISSF Administrative Council has decided to increase the numbers of shots in all women's events, starting next month. The just-approved rules changes, which will govern all ISSF Championships for 2018 and through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will come into effect from January 1 next year. "One significant rule change adopted by the Council is an increase in the numbers of shots in women's shooting events so they will now be the same as the men's events," ISSF said in a release. "This decision reflects the ISSF's commitment to the IOC Agenda 2020 goal of gender equality in sports." According to the rule changes, women's 10m Air Rifle and Air Pistol events will increase from 40 shots to 60 shots, women's 50m and 300m Rifle 3 Positions events will increase from 3x20 shots to 3x40 shots (60 to 120 shots). "Women's Trap and Skeet events will increase from 75 targets to 125 targets, women's Running Target event will increase ...
U23 Col C K Nayudu tourney: Mumbai take 75-run overall lead
Delhi declared their first innings at 260/9 on day two of their four-day final of the U23 C K Nayudu tournament before restricting Mumbai to 105/4 in their second innings. Mumbai, who were bundled out for 230 in their first innings, thus have an overall lead of 75 runs with six wickets remaining in the second innings when the play resumes tomorrow at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex ground. On the opening day, Delhi pacer Simarjeet Singh had picked a six-wicket haul to skittle out Mumbai for a paltry 230 in their first innings. Delhi, who resumed their first innings at 140/1, had a middle order collapse and could manage only 260/9 declared on the board. For the visitors, while keeper Anuj Rawat (87) top scored, another notable contribution came from opener Hiten Dalal (67). Shivank Vashisth (44 not out) frustrated the Mumbai bowlers to take his side post the 250-run-mark. But all other batsmen, one-down Yash Sehrawat (16), Jonty Sidhu (13), Rajesh ..
An University cricketer: Chandela is chip off old block
There was a time in 1970s when Vizzy Trophy (Inter-Zone University) was considered as a stepping stone towards getting a look in for the state team and even national side. From Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar of Bombay and West Zone University to Bishan Bedi of North Zone, college cricket was in vogue in late 60's till 80's. In Delhi, the Hindu vs Stephens game was a prestigious battle with all top Delhi cricketers appearing for their respective colleges but college cricket took a backseat in the 90s. Kunal Chandela is a refreshing change of what has been the template of a Delhi cricketer. "I have benefited a lot from University cricket. I have heard how past greats of Delhi cricket have emerged from University cricket. My selection in Delhi Ranji Trophy has been on basis of back to back Vizzy Trophy triple tons. You learn to play day's game from Vizzy Trophy," 23-year-old Chandela said after the match. With three half centuries and now his maiden hundred in Ranji Trophy ..
Aizawl suffers defeat against Shillong Lajong FC in I-League
Khasi winger Redeem Tlang scored the solitary goal as Shillong Lajong snapped the unbeaten run of Aizawl with a 1-0 win in the first Northeast Derby of the I- League season here today. In a hard-fought encounter, Redeem Tlang scored in the 60 minute to help Shillong Lajong FC secure their third win of the season. The win gives Lajong the much needed three points and with this win they move to the second position in the league table. They are equal on points with leaders Minerva Punjab FC but have played one game more than the league leaders. Aizawl, who had managed to garner 25 points from the possible 27 points at home last season, made only one change to the team that faced Churchill Brother with Lalbiak Thanga filling the gap left by injured David Rinmuana. Lajong's coach Nongbet made two changes, replacing captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia and Alen Deory in the starting XI with Shaibor Karpan and Kynsailang Khongsit respectively. Rajiv Gandhi Stadium -- also known as the ...
Junior boxers claim half a dozen gold medals at German tourney
Indian junior boxers packed quite a punch at the fifth International Sven Lange Memorial Tournament, clinching six gold, four silver and a bronze medal to finish as overall champions in the German city of Schwerin. To top it all, Bhavesh Kattamani (52kg) picked up the best boxer trophy along with his gold medal. The other gold-medallists for India were Vijeydeep (63kg), Akshay (60kg), Ish Pannu (70kg), Lakshay Chahar (80kg) and Vinit (75kg). The silver-winners were Anil (48kg), Swapnil Shinde (50kg), Aman (54kg) and Satender, while the lone bronze- medallist for the country was Aakash (66kg).