Page 475 - Sports
Peshawar Zalmi reach third successive PSL final
Peshawar Zalmi reached their third successive Pakistan Super League (PSL) final after beating defending champions Islamabad United by 48 runs in the second eliminator on Friday. Kamran Akmal and Imam-ul-Haq, the opening batsmen for Peshawar, stitched together a partnership of 135 runs for the first wicket, thus allowing the team to post 214 runs on the board.Akmal played a knock of 74 runs while Imam scored 58 runs off just 33 deliveries.Chasing a target of 215, Islamabad never got into their stride. Luke Ronchi and Cameron Delport started off with some big shots, but Hasan Ali and Chris Jordon provided Peshawar with breakthroughs.Things started to go downhill for Islamabad once Delport departed. The team kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the team was able to post just 166 runs, resulting in their loss by 48 runs.Ali and Jordon picked up three wickets each for Peshawar.Peshawar Zalmi will now take on Lahore Qalandars in the PSL final on Sunday.
Canada names Monty Desai as head coach
Canada have named Monty Desai as their new head coach for the upcoming World Cricket League Division 2 qualifiers.Desai has had previous coaching experience with Afghanistan, Nepal, and IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions, apart from other regional squads in India and Canada.He was Afghanistan's batting coach when they won the World Cup 2019 qualifiers last year in Zimbabwe. In all, he has twelve years of coaching experience at the national and international levels."Monty is a great addition to any team and Cricket Canada will benefit from the rich experience he brings to the table. Monty's expertise would be the much-needed strategic support to the senior men's team as Cricket Canada embarks on a hectic schedule this month onwards, I have known Monty for many years and seen him grow as a successful coach. His willingness to support Cricket Canada is much appreciated. This is the best it can get and we are all excited," Ranjit Saini, President of Cricket Canada said in his ..
It was straight out of movie scene: Bangladesh's team manager on New Zealand mosque attack
The Bangladesh team members were just a few yards away from the mosque which was the site of one of two terror attacks in Christchurch on Friday. Khaled Mashud, the team manager, recalled what he and his team saw shortly after the shootout. "I would say we were really lucky. Had we reached even three or four minutes earlier, we probably would have been inside the mosque. This could then have been a massive incident. We are very thankful that we were not caught in the crossfire, but what we saw was straight out of a movie scene. We could see bloodstained people staggering out of the mosque. Maybe for about eight-ten minutes, we were all inside the bus and were sitting with our heads bowed, just in case someone fires at us," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Mashud as saying.At least 49 people were killed and dozens seriously injured, in a terror attack targeting two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.The shooter has been identified as 28-year-old Australian citizen Brenton Harrison ...
Kerber defeats Bencic, reaches finals of Paribas Open
The number eight seed Angelique Kerber ended the twelve match winning streak of Belinda Bencic on Friday (local time) to advance to the Paribas Open's finals. Kerber defeated Bencic in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. It is the first time in two months that Bencic lost a match at the hands of a top ten player at the Paribas Open."It is always tough to play against Belinda. She played so great in the past few weeks," Women's Tennis Association (WTA) quoted Kerber as saying."I was trying to focus only on my side of the court. I was trying to play concentrated, and going for it when I had the chance. I really enjoy the semifinals here - it was already twice here, and I am really happy to be in the final for the first time now," she added.The 31-year-old was 2-4 down in the first set, but the number eight seed came back strongly winning the last four games to take the first set 6-4.Bencic was unable to bring her ace game to the court and she was regularly bogged down by Kerber's aggressive style ..
Bigger challenge lies ahead: AIFF chief on getting U-17 Women's World Cup
All India Football Federation president Praful Patel Saturday expressed his delight at winning the bid for hosting the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2020, but said the bigger challenge lies ahead. "I would like to thank FIFA for keeping their trust in us and granting us the rights to host the tournament. I am also grateful to the Government of India and the State Governments for their support and providing us the necessary assurances which made winning this bid a reality," he said. This is going to be the second time India will be hosting a FIFA World Cup, three years after organising the U-17 World Cup for boys. "We felt the football evolution which India attained in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 needed to continue, and as part of AIFF's commitment towards development of women's football, we decided to bid for the U-17 women's World Cup," Patel stated. "The tournament will be massive as this time it will also galvanise the girls of the country, making it more popular," he ...
After close shave, Bangladesh cricket team leaves traumatised New Zealand
The Bangladesh cricket team Saturday left New Zealand, hours after escaping death by a whisker in the deadliest terror attack in the country's history. Leaving behind Friday's scary experience in Christchurch, the Bangladesh cricketers were relieved to be boarding the flight back home. The Bangladesh team, which was scheduled to play in the third and final Test against New Zealand starting here on Saturday, was on its way to the Masjid Al Noor Mosque mosque, one of two sites of the shooting attack that killed at least 49 people. The tour was immediately called off. Bangladesh players and management departed Christchurch on Saturday, travelling from their central city hotel to Christchurch Airport in the team bus under police escort, according to stuff.co.nz. Bangladesh's support staff were scheduled for a later flight. On Friday, the bus carried 17 members of the team with Liton Das, Nayeem Hasam and spin bowling coach and former India spinner Sunil Joshi staying back at the ...
Halonix ushers in revolution with a new series of futuristic inverter fans
Halonix Technologies Pvt. Ltd, one of the country's most progressive and environment-friendly lighting companies is all set to rock the world of innovation through a new series of futuristic fans including Inverter Fans with ten hours of back-up. Just after introducing its revolutionary inverter LED light, Halonix has now ensured that Indian consumers are well equipped to handle powercuts."We are bringing a unique range of inverter fans across the pedestal fans, table fans, wall fans and personal fans categories which provide a back-up of 10 hours. These fans are an integrated solution for power cuts as they also have an in-built LED light. Some of these also have a USB port to charge your mobiles as well as solar charging," said Rakesh Zutshi, Managing Director, Halonix Technologies Private Limited.Major USPs of Halonix Inverter Fans:Equipped with futuristic technologyBack up Time - 10 hoursIntegrated LED LightHigh air deliveryAll Function remoteUSB Port (in some models)Solar ...
Christchurch attack will change fabric of international sports hosting: New Zealand Cricket CEO
The Christchurch mass shootings will have far-reaching implications for hosting sporting events in New Zealand and elsewhere, according to New Zealand Cricket CEO David White, who said the impression of the country being a "safe haven is gone". Attacks on two Christchurch mosques left at least 49 dead Friday, with one gunman -- identified as an Australian -- livestreaming the attack. The Bangladesh cricket team escaped unhurt despite being in close vicinity of a shooting attack on a mosque but its tour of New Zealand was called off. "This is shocking. This will change the entire fabric of international sports hosting. I think everything changes now," White was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. "We'll certainly be having to look at our security in depth. I think the idea of New Zealand being a safe haven is gone now. "We now have to be very, very vigilant - all the authorities and sporting organisations, absolutely." The Bangladesh team's tour was called off after the players had a ...
FIFA mulls expanding 2022 World Cup to 48 teams
The 2022 football Qatar World Cup may see an expansion from 32 to 48 teams, the FIFA President Giovanni Infantino, has said.
Pant perfect for being Dhoni's deputy: Ponting
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Rishabh Pant is perfect for playing the role of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's deputy in the upcoming World Cup, slated to begin on May 30 in England and Wales.
Isco, Marcelo ready to compete: Zidane
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said that Spain midfielder Isco Alarcon and Brazil left-back Marcelo are ready to play against Celta Vigo.
Atletico's Champions League exit: Coach takes blame
Atletico Madrid Argentine head coach Diego Simeone has said he was to blame for the early exit from the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at the hands of Juventus.
Lahiri crosses first hurdle amid European dominance
India's Anirban Lahiri made his first cut at the PLAYERS Championship on his fourth attempt and was placed tied 39th at the midway stage of the flagship event of the PGA Tour here. Lahiri added a one-under 71 to his first round 70, getting to three-under 141. He had missed the cut on three previous attempts, so it was a relief after making it to the weekend. A year earlier, he seemed all set for the weekend action before a disastrous back nine dashed those hopes. He will play his third round with Patton Kizzire (71-70). Lahiri said, "It was a kind of a weird day. I came in for that final four-footer and there were no accidents. So, that sealed a two-under 70 and I was Tied-35th for the round. In the second round, my play was definitely better in the second round, as I hit the ball better than yesterday but I didn't convert the opportunities that I got. "I think I didn't play that well on the par 5s. I birdied two of the four Par-5s on the first day and I managed only one today. Worse,
Diksha Dagar lying second, two shots behind leader
Promising Indian golfer Diksha Dagar made amends for her poor first round with a six-under 66 to move into second place after 36 holes at the Investec South African Women's Open. Dagar, who was tied fifth at NSW Open a week earlier, carded 76 in the first round in difficult conditions, but her six-under took her to two-under. Dagar was two shots behind seasoned Lee-Anne Pace at the tight, tree-lined layout. If Dagar can pull off a win, she will become only the second Indian woman to win a Ladies European Tour event after Aditi Ashok, who has won three times and now plays on the LPGA. Pace, a nine-time Ladies European Tour winner mixed five birdies with a solitary bogey for a four-under-par 68. She has previously lifted the SA Open title in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Pace will play the final group on Saturday with Dagar and German Esther Henseleit, whose five-under 67 lifted her to one-under. After strong winds blowing up to 50 km per hour played havoc with the afternoon field in the first ..
If I do well in IPL, WC spot will follow: Rahane
There has been a lot of talks about Indias No.4 slot, as the team is one stop away from the 2019 World Cup. With all international fixtures done with, only the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains for the team of skipper Virat Kohli, coach Ravi Shastri and the selectors to decide on who they wish to pick for the position. And one man who is definitely in the running is Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane.
Bhullar lying fourth in Kenya Open, Shubhankar misses cut
Gaganjeet Bhullar was the best-placed Indian at fourth, adding a one-under 70 to get to seven-under 135, in the Magical Kenya Open here. Winner of the Fiji International last year, Bhullar trailed the leader, South African Louis de Jager, who opened up a commanding four-shot lead at the halfway stage. De Jaeger carded a second round of 66. Other Indians making the cut were S Chikkarangappa (70-69) in tied 15th and Khalin Joshi (72-69) in tied 33rd place, while Shubhankar Sharma's lean patch continued with a missed cut after rounds of 74 and 71. The South African shared the overnight lead with England's Jack Singh Brar going into day two, but after seven birdies in the second round he opened up a big lead. Four shots off the pace in a share of second place were Brar and Spaniard Adri Arnaus, both of whom are European Challenge Tour graduates. Also, in contention again was South African Justin Harding, who was five behind his countryman de Jager. The world number 52, who triumphed in ...
Higuain under pressure to deliver as Giroud eyes starting berth
Olivier Giroud's hat-trick at Dynamo Kiev moved Chelsea one step closer towards Europa League success and posed a test of Maurizio Sarri's conviction that Gonzalo Higuain is the best man to lead his attack. Giroud voiced his frustration after the comprehensive 5-0 victory over Dynamo at his lack of involvement in the Premier League where he remains Higuain's understudy. The France World Cup winner's midweek contribution means Sarri now faces a decision over whether to reward Giroud for his treble and include the striker in his line-up for Sunday's visit to Everton, or recall Higuain, who missed the trip to Ukraine because of illness. In Europe, Giroud has been a central figure in Chelsea's passage to a quarter-final meeting with Slavia Prague, having scored nine goals in nine appearances. His role in the Premier League, though, has been much more peripheral with the former Arsenal striker having failed to start in 2019. Sarri has placed his faith in Higuain since he arrived on loan ...
China officially bids for 2023 Asian Cup
China has formally submitted a bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup, state media said, another sign of the country's determination to eventually stage a football World Cup. China has hosted the Asian Cup once before, in 2004, but its latest attempt is significant because of President Xi Jinping's stated desire for the country to hold a World Cup. The World Cup tournaments for 2030 or 2034 have regularly been mooted as the most likely that China will go for. Staging the 2023 Asian Cup would help prepare China for a World Cup, but it faces stiff competition from South Korea. Having the Asian Cup again on Chinese soil will "promote the popularisation and development of football" in the country, Xinhua news agency said. China reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in the UAE at the start of this year, before going down 3-0 to Iran. Fabio Cannavaro was named Marcello Lippi's successor as coach of the national team on Friday.
Lowly Fulham offer Liverpool chance to usurp Man City
Fresh from a momentous Champions League night, Liverpool can continue their feel-good factor into the international break by retaking top spot in the Premier League from Manchester City at Championship-bound Fulham on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp's men delighted their manager with a 3-1 win at Bayern Munich on Wednesday and will be heavy favourites to make the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second straight season after drawing Porto in the quarters on Friday. But the Reds' immediate focus must be on Craven Cottage to keep their challenge for a first league title in 29 years on track. Liverpool trail the champions by a single point with just eight games remaining, but with City in FA Cup action at Swansea this weekend, they can put the pressure back on Pep Guardiola's side and take a psychological boost into the two-week break before the title battle resumes. "That we can beat Bayern, about how we did it, I'm not surprised but I'm really happy we could prove something like that," .
Federer, Nadal set up semi-final showdown at Indian Wells
Rafael Nadal withstood the challenge of Russian Karen Khachanov to set up a blockbuster semi-final with Roger Federer at the ATP Indian Wells Masters Friday despite a flare-up of right knee trouble that required mid-match treatment. World number two Nadal, the highest seed left in the draw after the early ouster of No. 1 Novak Djokovic, dominated both tiebreakers to beat the towering Russian 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2). He booked a 39th career meeting with Federer, a five-time champion at Indian Wells who breezed past 67th-ranked Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4, 6-4. "Hopefully I will be ready for it," said Nadal, who recovered an early break in the opening set and powered through the tiebreaker, but called for the trainer to have supportive tape applied below his right knee three games into the second. "Of course my goal and my idea is to be ready for tomorrow," he said. Although he wasn't moving as well, Nadal gained the first break of the second set to lead 3-2, but was immediately broken ..