 |
|
|
Yuvraj, Dhoni star in India’s win
Yuvraj strains hamstring
Pakistan clinch U-19 World Cup
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Blackwell strikes for England
Korea on top in Uber Cup qualifiers
Kila Raipur festival concludes
Sania-Huber win WTA title
Dubai Open
Tirkey may miss entire series
India hope to bounce back
‘Missing’ athletes skip national circuit meet
Kapur, Ghei tied 18th
|
|
Yuvraj, Dhoni star in India’s win
Karachi, February 19 Chasing a stiff target of 287, Yuvraj notched up his sixth one-day ton with an unbeaten 107 while Dhoni scored another blazing knock of 77 off just 46 balls to steer India to victory with 19 balls to spare. It was yet another clinical performance by Rahul Dravid’s men as they overhauled the target without much a do although at one stage things did appear a little tight with the required run rate zooming past seven runs an over in the fifth and final one-dayer at the National Stadium. But the fact that the Indians did not lose many wickets helped them in the end, Dhoni capping the efforts of his senior teammates, Rahul Dravid (50) and Yuvraj with gusto. Pakistan paid a heavy price for sloppy fielding and at times wayward bowling to see the series end on a sorry note after the euphoria of winning the Test series 1-0. When the third-wicket pair joined forces at 141 for 2 in the 31st over, India required a hefty 146 in 19.4 overs. But Dhoni’s second blitz in three matches, after his sensational 72 not out in 46 balls at Lahore in the third ODI, made a mockery of the arithmatics involved. Yuvraj, who needed a runner towards the end after developing cramps, faced 93 balls and hit 15 fours in his unbeaten innings, while Dhoni slammed four sixes and six fours in his whirlwind innings. The Ranchi-born wicketkeeper, who smashed 28 runs in the last two overs of the match, also put on 146 runs in 99 balls, with Yuvraj, declared man of the series. The same pair had guided India to a five-wicket victory in the third ODI at Lahore with an unbroken stand of 102 runs. It was India’s fourth win on the trot in the series and second successive triumph on Pakistani soil after the 3-2 victory in 2004. Significantly, India’s emphatic win came despite the absence of key players Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan who were rested for the inconsequential tie. The Indian squad returns home later tonight to await the home series against England. India, set an asking rate of 5.74 to win the final match of their 45-day tour, responded with a calm start with openers Gautam Gambhir (38 in 50 balls with six fours) and skipper Dravid (50 in 82 balls with six fours) combining forces to put up 69 runs in 15 overs. Gambhir, who got a chance to play following the shoulder injury to Virender Sehwag, was again guilty of throwing his wicket away after getting well set. After escaping being caught when Mohammed Sami lost sight of the ball, Gambhir (38) chased a wide ball from Rao Iftikhar Anjum to be caught behind. Dravid and Yuvraj then put on 72 runs in 92 balls as the Indian 100 came up in the 23rd over. However, Dravid fell soon after completing his second successive half century of the series, driving Sami and succeeding only in putting up a catch to mid on fielder Younis Khan. It was his 67th half century in his 280th ODI. The in-form Yuvraj, who came into this match on the back of scores of 39, 82 not out, 79 not out and 37, went on to compile his 23rd half century in 52 balls to also bag the man of the match award. Dhoni waded into the Pakistan bowling, slamming Sami and Mohammed Asif for two sixes each in the 46th and 47th overs before taking a single to complete the victory. Earlier, rookie pacer S. Sreesanth took three wickets in 12 balls before Pakistan recovered through the ‘Y’ combine of Mohammed Yousuf and Yonuis Khan to post a fighting 286 for eight wickets. Sreesanth struck once each in his first three overs to apply the brakes on Pakistan who seemed to be flying off after being asked to bat first, thanks to the fine start provided by openers Kamran Akmal (25) and Imran Farhat (24). Both were sent packing in the span of 12 balls by the Kerala-born bowler who took the two wickets off his own bowling. Scoreboard Pakistan Akmal c R.P. Singh b Sreesanth 25 Farhat c and b Sreesanth 24 Malik c Raina b Sreesanth 12 Yousuf c Zaheer b Agarkar 67 Inzamam lbw Powar 21 Younis not out 74 Razzaq c Dravid b R.P. Singh 24 Arafat b Zaheer 10 Sami c Kaif b Sreesanth 2 Iftikhar not out 6 Extras
(lb5, nb2, w14) 21 Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 286 Fall of wickets:
1-62, 2-71, 3-77, 4-115, 5-210, 6-239, 7-261, 8-264. Bowling: Zaheer 10-0-64-1, Agarkar 10-1-60-1, Sreesanth 10-1-58-4, R.P. Singh 10-1-50-1, Powar 10-0-49-1. India Gambhir c Akmal b Iftikhar 38 Dravid c Malik b Sami 50 Yuvraj not out 107 Dhoni not out 77 Extras
(lb-8, w-7) 15 Total (2 wickets, 46.5 overs) 287 Fall of wickets:
1-69, 2-141. Bowling: Sami 8.5-0-65-1, Asif 9-0-48-0, Iftikhar 10-0-44-1, Arafat 8-0-51-0, Malik 3-0-22-0, Razzaq 8-0-49-0.
— PTI |
|
Yuvraj strains hamstring
Karachi: The hero of India’s one-day series triumph over Pakistan, Yuvraj Singh, today sustained a hamstring strain during his unbeaten knock of 107 in the fifth and final match here at the National Stadium.
The in-form batsman, who batted with a runner in the later part of his innings, was given ice treatment immediately after India pulled off a comprehensive eight-wicket win to seal the series 4-1 in their favour. “He has strained his hamstring. So we are a bit worried about his availability for the series against England,” captain Rahul Dravid said. England, who are already in India, are scheduled to play the first Test in Nagpur from March 1.— PTI
|
|
Pakistan clinch U-19 World Cup
Colombo, February 19 After being bundled out for 109 in 41.1 overs, Pakistan relied on pacemen Anwar Ali Khan (5/35) and Akhtar Ayub (3/9) to clinch a remarkable victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The Indians had no answer to the pace and prodigious movement generated by the opposition bowlers to fold up for a paltry 71 in just 18.5 overs. Piyush Chawla, who was India’s bowling hero with 4/8, was also the highest scorer with an unbeaten 25 as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. The Indian reply got off to the worst possible start with Gaurav Dhiman being bowled off the first ball of the innings by Jamshed Ahmed. The side had hardly recovered from the shock when Anwar Ali sent back player of the tournament Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Tehlan in the next over. Skipper Ravikant Shukla and Debabrata Das followed soon after to leave India at an scarcely believable ninefor six at the break. Chawla then tried to salvage the situation, first with Rajinder Jadeja and then through a 39-run eighth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Pinal Shah. But once that pair was separated, it did not take long for the Indian tail to cave in. Earlier, Chawla and Jadeja (3/16) gave an exemplary display of spin bowling to bundle the Pakistanis for just over the three figure mark. The two virtually ran through the opposition line up to set up what looked like an easy asking rate of 2.2 for victory. Rameez Raja was the highest scorer for Pakistan with 25. In fact, had it not been for the 19 extras conceded by the Indians, the Pakistanis would have faced the ignominy of being bowled out for less than 100. Pakistan got off to a reasonable start as Nasir Jamshed and Ali Khan put on 24 runs before V Yomahesh provided the breakthrough. Brief scores: Pakistan 109 all out in 41.1 overs (Rameez Raza 25; Chawla 4/8, Jadeja 3/18); India 71 all out in 18.5 overs (Chawla 25 not out; Anwar Ali Khan 5/35, Akhtar Ayub 3/9).
— PTI |
|
Blackwell strikes for England
Mumbai, February 19 Blackwell boosted his chances of winning a place in the team for the first Test in Nagpur starting on March 1 when he removed Vinayak Samant (53), Wilkin Mota (28), Abid Nabi (0) and Kshemal Waingankar (10). He finished with figures of four for 57 from his 13.3 overs on a helpful pitch at the Brabourne Stadium pitch. Blackwell’s fellow left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, the first Sikh to tour with England, picked up one for 45.— Reuters |
|
Korea on top in Uber Cup qualifiers
Jaipur, February 19 The finalists, along with the semifinalists Hong Kong and Singapore, reached the main draw of the Uber Cup Badminton Championship slated to be held in Tokyo in May. Chinese Taipei’s task became tougher as their top player Cheng Shao Cheih, ranked 13th in world, was indisposed and could not play. Her absence meant that they could not pose any serious resistance to Korea. Seo Yoon Yee, world number 11, took only half of an hour to beat Huang Chia Hsin 21-13, 21-13 to give a 1-0 lead to Korea. In the second singles, world number 35 Korean Lee Yun Hwa comfortably pulled off 21-8, 21-14 win against Chiu Yi Ju in 27 minutes. But the doubles pair of Lee Kyung Won and Ha Jung Eun were stretched in their 21-17 29-27 win against Chen and Yu Chin. Korean coach Jin said, “We know final round in Tokyo is more important. Here we can enjoy without exerting much. But our task was made easier by their top ranked player Cheng who did not play in the match.”
— PTI |
|
Kila Raipur festival concludes
Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 19 In the bullock cart race, Bela Singh (Lang) and Pal Singh (Uchi Mangli) shared the first prize worth Rs 1 lakh, while Naib Singh (Kalsian) and Harvinder Singh (Kauri) secured the next two positions. The labour team led by Bagga of Ware House, Raikot, pocketed a prize money of Rs 1 lakh by loading and unloading bags from a trolley. An equivalent prize was won by the kabbadi team of Jaladiwal village by defeating the team of Jhaner village. Chawa youth defeated Burj in tug-of-war. Several thrilling feats, including lifting of a heavy cart wheel by septuagenarian Baljit Singh Chawa, passing through burning rubber tyre by Gurdeep Singh, somersaulting on a bottle by handicapped Gurmel Singh Badhani and extraordinary running by a child, Chaman Singh, delighted the spectators. The senior hockey team of Punjab Police, Jalandhar, lifted the Bhagwant Memorial Gold Cup by defeating Guru Gobind Singh Club, Kukkar Pind, 2-0. In junior hockey, Surjit Academy, Jalandhar, defeated Faridkot Academy 6-4. In women’s hockey, Government College for Women, Ludhiana, defeated Amritsar girls 4-1. Other results: 3 mile cycle race : Ajit Singh (Speed Fund Academy, Ludhiana) 1, Iqbal Jeet Singh (Speed Fund Academy, Ludhiana) 2 , Uttam Chand (Mansa) 3. 100 m (Women): Rattandeep Kaur (Sunam) 1, Deepti Rani (Sangrur) 2, Sapinder Kaur (PAP) 3. 100 m tri-cycle race: Kala (Shankar) 1, Palli (Shankar) 2, Sukhvinder Singh (Kila Raipur) 3. 100 m (Veterans): Teja Singh (Phallewal) 1, Kartar Singh (Barmi) 2, Dalip Singh (Maadhpur) 3. 100 m (75-80 years) : Karnail Singh (Halwara) 1, Kesar Singh Punia (Hoshiarpur) 2, Faqir Singh (Barnala) 3. 100 (Above 85 years): Suminder Singh (Rulda) 1, Dalip Singh (Leelan) 2, Rala Singh (Leelan) 3. 400 m (Women) : Rattandeep Kaur (Sunam) 1, Deepti (Sunam) 2 , Gurjeet Kaur (Sunam) 3. 800 m (Men) : Satnam Sing (Jalandhar) 1, Kashmir Singh (PAP) 2, Jasbir Singh (PSEB) 3. 200 m (Men) : Bhagwant Singh (PP) 1, Vishal Pathak (Mastuana Sahib) 2, Amandeep Singh (Sunam) 3. Shot put (Women): Hardeep Kaur Punia 1, Narinder Kaur (PAP) 2, Kashmir Kaur 3. Shot put (Men): Amarjit Singh (PAP) 1, Baldip Singh (BSF), Lakhwinder Singh (Patiala) 3. High jump (Women): Kulwinder Kaur (PAP), Kashmir Kaur (PAP) 2, Sapinder Kaur (Baghu Majra) 3. High jump (Men): Sandeep Singh (BSF) 1, Ajaypal Singh (BSF) 2, Malkit Singh (BSF) 3. |
|
|
Sania-Huber win WTA title
Bangalore, February 19 The winning pair collected $ 8,250 and 120 points, while the Russian two-some, fourth seeded here, had to be satisfied with $ 4,350 and 85 points. Mara Santangelo of Italy won the singles title here today. Twenty-four-year old Santangelo, the world number 59, defeated Jelena Kostanic (50) of Italy 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in the final. Santangelo collected a winner’s cheque of $ 28,000 and 120 points. Kostanic, also 24, walked away with $ 14,650 and 85 points. Kostanic, who has had an impressive year so far reaching semifinals in singles at Hobart, the third round at Australian Open and second career Tour singles final at Pattaya City in Thailand last Sunday, started on a confident note and pocketed the first set easily and appeared to be cruising to a straight-set victory. However, Santangelo, winner of six ITF Women’s Circuit singles, settled down in the second set, never gave up and stayed on course waiting for her opportunities. — PTI
|
|
Sania to clash with Hingis
Dubai, February 19 Hingis is making a comeback to competitive tennis after almost three years out due to a foot injury. The 25-year old has already risen to 48th in the WTA rankings. She won the inaugural edition of this tournament in 2001. Hingis reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last month and followed it up by beating Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the semifinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Sania made headlines in Dubai last year when she beat then US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia as a wild card. The top four seeds at this year’s event, Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo, defending champion Lindsay Davenport, Sharapova and Justine Henin-Hardenne - received first round byes in the 32-player tournament. The Tier II outdoor hardcourt event has prize money of $ 1 million. — PTI
|
|
Tirkey may miss entire series
Chandigarh, February 19 Kanakamedala said he talked to Tirkey over the phone and learnt about the injury. “I talked to him. He has sprained his ankle while jogging and has developed some kind of swelling. But I have not seen it. His personal physio is taking care of him and he has been suggested some medication and exercises,” he said. Kanakamedala said he also suggested some therapies to the player and has asked for some reports on his injury. “I have asked him to keep his ankle strapped. I have also told him to undergo tests and send the reports to me.” However, he said he could not confirm for how many days Tirkey would be out of action. “Right now I cannot say anything for how long he will be out of action. He will undergo the tests and send the reports in a day or two. Only after going through the reports I would be able to say anything,” Kanakamedala said. But considering the tight schedule and the fact that the Pakistan leg starts on Tuesday, it seems unlikely that Tirkey would be available to lead the team in near future. The Rabo eight-nation tournament in August last year was the last international meet in which the defender played for the country. During the Champions Trophy in Chennai last year, he opted out at the last minute due to sinusitis and high fever. — PTI |
|
|
India hope to bounce back
Jalandhar, February 19 Later in the evening, both the teams practised at the stadium. Indian coach Rajinder Singh said his players were upbeat and he has great expectations from Kanwalpreet Singh and Tejbir Singh, who will be playing at the home ground. |
|
‘Missing’ athletes skip national circuit meet
Patiala, February 19 The 12 athletes, who are suspected to be on the “hit list” of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), have been absenting themselves ever since the WADA team came calling at the NIS, which is also the venue of the ongoing senior national athletic camp, early this month. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Secretary, Mr Lalit Bhanot, too, “excused” himself and failed to turn up at the NIS. No dope tests, which otherwise are mandatory, were conducted by the NIS doctors as, according to an AFI source, “there were no instructions from the top to conduct them.” No athlete, either on the track or on the field, came anywhere near breaking the national record. The meet is considered to be the second in the series of qualification trials for the forthcoming Melbourne Commonwealth Games. The third and last phase of the trials will be held during the Federation Cup slated to be held in New Delhi on February 28 at New Delhi. The 100m event for women saw Poonam Tomar of Delhi winning the race by clocking a none-too-impressive 12.00 seconds, which was way off the national record of 11.38 seconds standing in the name of Rachita Mistry, recorded at Trivandrum in 2000. Anuradha Biswal , who entered the event as an unattached runner, finished second with a timing of 12.11 seconds, while Deepti Jose of Railways clocked 12.16 second to be placed third. The 800m event, where Ghamanda Ram was expected to dominate and that too with ease, saw a surprise when the Services runner, who won the race in the first circuit meet held at New Delhi on February 15, had to rest content with a second-place finish. The race was won by R Rajeev of Kerala who clocked 1:50.22, while Ghamanda Ram timed 1:52.00 to be placed second. Other results: 400m men: S Srinivas (Railways)-1 (47.25s), Sarish Paul (Services)-2 (47.51), Kuldeep Singh (Punjab Police)- 3 (47.65), 1500m men: Pritam Bind (ONGC)-1 (3:45.97), Hamza C (Services)-2 (3:46.26), Ravinder (Delhi)-3 (3:52.07). 400m women: Jyothi HM (Canara Bank)-1 (54.61), Sagardeep Kaur (Punjab)-2 (55.70), Babita Singh (Railways )-3 (55.81). 800m women (Pinki Pramanik (Railways)-1 (2:03.90), Sutapa Dass (Railways)-2 (2:11.57), Sushma Devi (Delhi -3 (2:11.78). |
|
Kapur, Ghei tied 18th
Kuala Lumpur, February 19 Another Indian Gaurav Ghei (67), who was 43rd after 36 holes, joined him at the tied 18th place. Amandeep Johl and Jyoti Randhawa shot 69 each and at seven-under 209 tied for 37th place. Kapur had started his third round on the 10th on Saturday and birdied his first two holes. He played his last 12 holes today and added a birdie on the 18th to turn in three-under. He birdied the third and in a row from fifth to seventh to rise inside top-15. But he was let down by a bogey on the ninth and dropped to tied 18th. Ghei, too started on the 10th and turned in a bogey-free three-under. On the second nine, he birdied the fifth, seventh and eighth, before he also dropped a shot on ninth for a 67 that saw him finish 10-under 206 for 18th place. But up there on the top was Korea’s Charlie Wi, who produced a stunning comeback in a nail-biting final day to win the $ 1.25 prize money tournament with a third and final round of nine-under-par 63.
— PTI
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
