Page 449 - Sports
Hand of God? Bangladeshi's Messi drawing comes alive
A young Bangladeshi architect has earned fame after his digital drawing of footballer Lionel Messi was matched in real life six years later. Suhas Nahian's 2013 artwork shows Messi dribbling past a group of players in green and white, leaning his head forward as one of the defenders grabs his red-and-blue Barcelona jersey. Photos of Messi shot during a recent match against Real Betis show him in an almost identical pose, complete with one defender on the ground as the Argentinian charges through. "I painted something 6 years ago, and football gods made the image come true," Suhas, 29, said on Instagram. He told AFP that he watched the La Liga match, which saw Messi score a hat-trick as Barcelona won 4-1, but noticed nothing exceptional until a friend phoned him and excitedly pointed out the striking similarities. "I looked back and found those are actually very similar." he said. "It was fascinating. I was surprised." Suhas, who now owns an architecture firm, said the digital painting
New-look Germany face first big test against Holland
Marco Reus has called on Germany to win back the trust of their fans when they launch their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against old rivals the Netherlands on Sunday. Germany were booed by fans in Wolfsburg during their 1-1 friendly draw against Serbia last Wednesday, and Reus has said that it is up to the players to change the mood. "We need patience from the fans, but it is our job to make sure the atmosphere improves," he said on Friday. Germany have not won a competitive game since they beat Sweden at the World Cup last summer. They crashed out of the World Cup shortly after that game, and were relegated from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League in the autumn. Coach Joachim Loew declared the beginning of a "new era" last week, having brought in several young players and made the controversial call to drop three experienced stars in Thomas Mueller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. Yet Reus warned that the new-look Germany would take time to reach their full potential. "We are ..
Pakistan fans exploring options to watch IPL after government bans its telecast
Pakistani cricket fans are exploring options on social media to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches after the government banned the telecast of the Twenty20 league in the country. In a tit for tat response to an Indian company withdrawing its production team midway through the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in UAE last month, the Pakistan government stopped IPL telecast. Even though Pakistani players have not been invited to play in the IPL since 2008, the IPL has been widely watched in the country every year either on a Private Pakistani sports channel or on Indian channels. But since diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India deteriorated after the Pulwama incident on February 14, the Pakistan government has banned the airing of Indian content on television and also screening of Indian films in cinema halls. Pakistani cable operators and other companies, in line with government directives, have also blocked all Indian sports channels in the country. "I don't know
Madappa, Chikka best Indians at 22nd, Sharma slips to 30th in Malaysia
Young guns Viraj Madappa (70) and S Chikkarangappa (68) were the best-placed Indians at tied 22nd after three rounds of the Maybank Championship here Saturday. Chikka leapfrogged 33 places, while Madappa, who won his maiden Asian Tour title last year, went up eight spots. Defending champion, Shubhankar Sharma (74) had a rough day after rising up to fifth place. The 22-year-old was pushed back by bogeys on fifth and sixth and then 13th and 14th. His birdies were on first and 18th. At the end of the third day, he was lying T-30 alongside SSP Chawrasia (70). Ajeetesh Sandhu (72) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (75) were Tied-51 was Tied-67 respectively. Spain's Elvira Nacho reclaimed his place atop the leader board by posting a six-under-par 66 to snatch the outright third round lead. The 32-year-old had earlier taken a share of the opening round lead but slipped a spot down after carding a 72 on Friday. The Spaniard however, responded well by compiling a three-day total of 13-under-par 203 to ...
Lahiri Tied-23rd at halfway stage in Valspar Championships
Anirban Lahiri made a superb birdie-birdie start but was unable to keep the momentum going, finishing Tied 23rd in the second round of the Valspar Championship here. After consecutive birdies on 10th and 11th, Lahiri gave away shots on 16th and 18th. On his second nine, he birdied second and eighth but bogeyed fourth and seventh to finish the day at even par 71 at Innisbrook. With the scoring being low, Lahiri looks set for a good finish with his two-day total of one-under 141. He is five shots behind the leader. The cut fell at one-over 143. Paul Casey (70-66), the defending champion, played wonderfully on Friday for a round of 66 that puts him at six-under 136, the same as Austin Cook (69-67). Casey holed a 30-foot eagle putt on the 599-yard fifth hole and made short birdie putts on the other three par 5s on his way to a 5-under 66. He is trying to win back-to-back titles at the Valspar Championship, something no one has done since it became a PGA TOUR event in 2000. Scott Stallings
Stay in present, focus to do well in IPL: Ponting's advice to India players
With no more international matches scheduled ahead of the World Cup, Indian players can just look to perform for their respective IPL teams to salvage any hope of securing a ticket to England, said Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting. "I was really happy to hear what Shreyas (Iyer) had to say there, that we have to make sure we stay in the present - with IPL," Ponting said referring to a comment made by Delhi captain Shreyas Iyer during the press conference. "These Indian players can have a great IPL - that's all they can do to push for selection in the Indian World Cup team. "If they score a lot of runs - that's all they can do with no more international games left. That's what I expect him (Shreyas) to do - score a lot of runs for the team." Iyer, who had a good outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, said he needs to stay at the present rather than look at the World Cup selection. "For me the focus obvious will be playing match by match. IPL is really important, currently, ...
Warner still a leader within setup: SRH coach Moody
He may not be captain, but David Warner continues to have leadership role at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), head coach Tom Moody said ahead of their opening tie against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Warner skips training but Moody says he's available against KKR
David Warner sat out of Sunrisers Hyderabad's training session on Saturday, fuelling speculation that he may not be available against Kolkata Knight Riders but coach Tom Moody said the Australian opener will play on Sunday in his first match after the ball tampering scandal. "Warner is available. He is jumping out of his skin to start his campaign," Moody said. As for who would partner Warner at the top, Moody dropped hints that his side may use Englishman Jonny Bairstow who also gives the wicket-keeping option. "Picking Johnny Bairstow up in the auction was an important strategy for us because we wanted an overseas player who could give us the option to keep wickets," said Moody. "Having an impact player like Johnny Bairstow in the similar mould of Jos Buttler gives that option and flexibility to have that keeping role nailed down and have an impact player at the same time." It's at the same venue the Sunrisers had eliminated KKR en route to the final in 2018 with Rashid Khan ...
Milne likely to miss IPL, uncertainty over Malinga's participation too: Mahela
Mumbai Indians will most certainly miss the services of injured New Zealand pacer Adam Milne in the 12th edition of the IPL and a cloud doubt is also hanging over Lasith Malinga's participation, said head coach Mahela Jayawardene. The former Sri Lanka batsman, ahead of their season-opener against Delhi Capitals, said that Milne has not yet recovered from an ankle injury. "We were waiting for his (Milne's) fitness report. He had an injury four weeks back while playing a game, so we needed to wait for his recovery and his progress, said Jayawardane. "We had a report two days back saying that he is not 100 per cent (fit) and he might not be able to be part of the extended IPL, so we have realised that we need a replacement. We are considering that. But we have got enough resources (for now), added the former Sri Lanka captain. Malinga too, due to his commitment with the Sri Lankan team which is currently engaged in a bilateral Twenty20 series in South Africa, is unlikely to join the team
IPL: Not thinking about WC selection, says Karthik
Not putting emphasis on this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for personal reasons, Dinesh Karthik said here on Saturday the lesser he ponders over World Cup selection, the better it will be for him.
IPL 2019 opener: Chennai opt to field vs Bangalore
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opted to bowl against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 opener at the M.A. Chidamabram Stadium, here on Saturday.
It's better not to think about World Cup selection: Karthik
A good outing in the Indian Premier League may help him grab a spot in India's World Cup team but Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik Saturday said he was not thinking much about the 50-over showpiece but rather focussing on the T20 tournament. The veteran from Tamil Nadu found himself out of favour as the national selectors preferred a much younger Rishabh Pant for the reserve wicketkeeper's slot in the final five ODIs, played against Australia at home, before the World Cup. Pant, however, failed to deliver in the series against Australia which India lost 2-3 and that brought Karthik back into the contention for the World Cup which begins on May 30 with his rich experience and the ability to play the finisher's role in crunch situations. "The lesser I think about the World Cup, the better for me. Every IPL is important for a player like me. This year's IPL is also important like every year's," Karthik told reporters on the eve of KKR's opening IPL fixture against Sunrisers ..
Rajasthan CA-Sports Council politics: Royals captain Rahane made to wait outside stadium
In an embarrassing situation, India's Test vice-captain and Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane was made to wait outside a locked Sawai Man Singh Stadium due to an alleged feud between Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) and the State Sports Council. Rahane and a few Rajatshan Royals players, who had come for training found the SMS gates locked by the sports council employees for close to half an hour before they could enter after the intervention from franchise officials. The Sawai Man Singh Stadium is under Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) and normally it is the RCA that has pay for its upkeep. "There has always been an issue of pending payments between RCA and RSSC since the time Lalit Modi was in charge of state cricket. However during the time of IPL, all payments are done by the franchise," a senior RCA official told PTI. The official further said that it was more about state sports council officials trying to put pressure for freebies like complimentary passes for the .
28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019: India won the opening match against Japan
India registered a 2-0 win against 18th Asian games gold medallist Japan in the opener of 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 on Saturday.India remained dominant throughout the match because of their resilient attack, structured defence and solid efforts in the midfield.Match witnessed a goalless first quarter but India took 1-0 lead in the second quarter which mounted pressure on Japan.Japan won their first penalty corner in the third quarter but PR Sreejesh did well to save and clear the ball ensuring India remained in the lead.As the game approached its final stages, Japan made desperate attempts for an opening but India stayed cautious. Japan removed their goalkeeper to add an extra man in the 55th minute but the tactic backfired with India making use of the opportunity as their fine attack led to a second goal, giving India a 2-0 lead.India's Varun Kumar was entitled with the Man of the Match title.India will now face Korea on Sunday.
Kane doubtful for KKR tie, Warner skips training
There were two major developments in the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) camp on Saturday. While captain Kane Williamson is doubtful for their opening game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), opening batsman David Warner skipped training.
Ramsey absence "a blow" admits Giggs
Wales manager Ryan Giggs said midfielder Aaron Ramsey missing his country's opening Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday due to injury is a "blow". The 28-year-old Arsenal star -- who is to join defending Serie A champions Juventus next season -- has returned to his club having failed to recover from a thigh injury that prevented him playing in Wednesday's 1-0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago. "We hoped Aaron would make it but he has gone back to Arsenal. It's a blow," Giggs said at his eve of match press conference on Saturday. However, brighter news for Giggs is that their star player Gareth Bale -- instrumental like Ramsey in their surprising run to the 2016 semi-finals which included a 2-1 group stage win over the Slovakians -- will return to the starting line-up having sat out the friendly. "I'm looking forward to this qualifying campaign for Wales," said Bale. "We're ready to give everything for the jersey. "We want to be playing in the major tournaments and ...
Even if Smith and Warner have bad IPL, they won't be dropped for WC: Hayden
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden firmly reckons that Steve Smith and David Warner's Indian Premier League form will not be a factor for their World Cup selection as they will certainly "walk into the side". Having all but completed their one-year ban (set to end on March 28) from international cricket on ball tampering charges, Smith and Warner's IPL performance is expected to be closely monitored by Cricket Australia. "It's an opportunity for Warner and Smith to play some cricket. Otherwise, they were not playing any cricket," Hayden told PTI during an interaction. Irrespective of Australia's impressive show in India, Hayden believes that the duo is certain to make the World Cup-bound Australia squad. "They are going to walk into the side. Even if they have a bad IPL, they are not going to be dropped from that World Cup side. They are in the WC squad," said Hayden, a member of the 2003 and 2007 World Cup winning Australian team. Since this is the only game time the duo will be .
Williamson a doubtful starter for SRH's IPL opener: Moody
Nursing a shoulder injury, skipper Kane Williamson will be a doubtful starter for Sunrisers Hyderabad's opening IPL game against Kolkata Knight Riders, coach Tom Moody said Saturday. Williamson had suffered the injury during New Zealand's second Test against Bangladesh but he joined the Hyderabad side along with Martin Guptill on Friday night. "It's not a long term injury, whether he plays, we will take a call tomorrow," Moody said on the even of the match. "We have got quite a few days before our next home game. If he's not available I don't see any issues. Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) will lead our side since he's is our vice-captain." SRH play their second match at home against Rajasthan Royals on March 29. Williamson had guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a runners-up finish after being appointed skipper last season following David Warner's withdrawal due to the ball-tampering scandal. Warner has returned to the franchise this season but SRH have retained Williamson as the skipper. "Kane .
Azlan Shah: India beat Japan 2-0 in opener
The Indian men's hockey team started their 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign on a positive note as they defeated Asian Games champions Japan 2-0 here on Saturday.
Warner gears up for innings 2.0 amidst much fanfare
Sunrisers Hyderabad's star opener David Warner is back in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League after missing the last edition due to the ban imposed on him by Cricket Australia for his involvement in Sandpaper Gate.