Middlesex bowled out twice in a day
LONDON, Aug 16 — The Australian coach of Middlesex, John Buchanan, was nudged closer to resigning yesterday as the county were bowled out twice in a day and stumbled to a humiliating defeat by Sussex.
PCB officials fail to reach consensus
ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) executive council meeting scheduled here tomorrow is expected to be stormy with the preliminary report into match-fixing and betting charges one of the major issues for the rift between chairman Khalid Mahmood and chief executive Majid Khan.
Unbeaten ton by Sanjay Raul
AMSTERDAM, Aug 16 — Sanjay Raul notched up the second century of the innings as India ‘A’ batsmen made merry to pile up a mammoth 505 for five in the first innings even as the second and final three-day match against the hosts ended in a tame draw here yesterday.
Rahul named skipper
BANGALORE, Aug 16 — Rahul Singh of Central Excise was yesterday named as the captain of the Indian squad bound for Hamburg in Germany to take part in the Four-Nation Hockey Tournament for the Panasonic Cup to be held later this month.
Sanjay clinches carrom title
CHANDIGARH, Aug 16 — Sanjay Negi outclassed Gagandeep in a nail-biting final (2-25, 25-21, 25-19) to clinch the boys' junior singles title in the inaugural St. Stephen's Trophy Carrom Tournament which concluded at St. Stephen's School here today.
Seeded players advance
JALANDHAR, Aug 16 — All seeded players advanced into the next round in the District Badmintion Championship which was inaugurated here at Raizada Hans Raj Statium today.
Azhar XI score 2nd successive win
DOHA, Aug 16 — An Indian eleven led by Mohammed Azharuddin beat a Pakistani team captained by Rashid Latif by 16 runs here last night for their second straight win in a series of three exhibition matches in the Gulf.
Hendrawan bags title
SINGAPORE, Aug 16 — Indonesia’s H Hendrawan toppled world champion Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark in straight sets to lift the men’s singles title in the $ 170,000 Singapore Open Badminton Championship today.
Hingis advances to final
MANHATTAN BEACH, California, Aug 16 — Martina Hingis booked a long-awaited return to a tournament final by beating Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in straight sets at the Acura Classic here yesterday.

Irina, Sheena win golf title

Milkha Singh to be honoured

Kannan, Uzma emerge victors

Snooker results

Parnita, Irina Brar selected

Bagan humbled

Confident India start favourites

BANGALORE, Aug 16 (UNI) — A confident-looking India start as favourites while Kyrgystan is the darkhorse in the 31st Asian youth (under 19) qualifying football championships (group 6) beginning at the Sree Kenteerava Stadium here tomorrow.

Strong contenders Maldives and newcomers Bhutan and Pakistan are the other teams in the group from which one would qualify for the 31st Asian Youth Football Championship to be held in Thailand in October. While Maldives and Bhutan teams had arrived, Pakistan and Kyrgystan teams are expected to land tomorrow.

Indian camp is in a positive frame of mind and is confident of making to the main tournament. India is scheduled to take on Maldives in the opener, while Kyrgystan and Bhutan will lock horns in the other encounter.

India wants to kick off its campaign on a winning note against Maldives, who arrived here a fortnight ago to get acclimatised to the conditions here.

Indian camp is aware that Maldives is also a good side and a win here will make its way to the top easier. "We have a well-knit team. Nine of the players are from Tata Football Academy and they have been playing together for nearly four years. Now they continue to play for FC Kochi and have a perfect understanding. We have a few good players," a senior coach observed.

But the Indian team's bane continues to be poor finishing like seniors. But the team management is confident that the players will do well in the match tomorrow.

The senior coach pointed out that Md Habeen continued to train the team ensuring the continuity. The team should live up to the reputation, he added.

Pakistan will be the side to watch out as its under-16 team had put up a creditable show in the qualifying rounds in Hyderabad a few weeks ago. However, Bhutan is a minnow as it is fielding a team for the first time.

But the strengths and weaknesses of the Kyrgystan is not known. None of the coaches has watched them in action.

All the three teams, which had already arrived, fear that Kyrgystan will be the side to watch out. The team’s confidence is evident as it has decided to arrive here on the match day.

According to the organisers, the team has said that it needed "just three hours rest" before the match. The team is expected to arrive here tomorrow morning after a long journey from Delhi by train. Fortunately, Kyrgystan is pitted against Bhutan in its opener.

Meanwhile, the arrangements for the successful conduct of the first international football tournament in the city have almost been completed. The multi-purpose Kanteerava Stadium, which was the venue of state games last week, had been readied for the occasion. Though there were apprehensions on the conditions of the turf, the coaches expressed satisfaction today.

As incessant rains had been lashing the city for the last few days, the authorities had summoned for super sopper to ensure that the matches are held even if there were showers.

All-India Football Federation coordinator Alberto Colaco said the matches in other eight groups had already been completed. Thailand being hosts would get direct entry into the Asian championship. The qualifiers to the main tournament included Iraq and Bangladesh.

He said four teams from the Asian championship would get berths for the World Cup youth football to be held in Nigeria next year.

In the event of a tie, first goal difference would be applied and then greater number of goals scored, he added.

Briefing newsmen on the tournament, organising committee chairman and Karnataka Minister of State for Prisons V. Somanna said all arrangements for the successful conduct of the event had been completed. Players have been accommodated in good hotels.

He said Karnataka Governor Khursheed Alam Khan would be inaugurate the tournament and Chief Minister J.H. Patel would be the chief guest.

The following is the match schedule.

August 17: India vs Maldives Bhutan vs Kyrgystan

August 19: India vs Kyrgystan, Pakistan vs Maldives

August 21: Bhutan vs Pakistan, Maldives vs Kyrgystan

August 23: Pakistan vs India, Bhutan vs Maldives

August 25: India vs Bhutan Kyrgytsan vs Pakistan.

Sampras, Rafter in ATP finals

MASON, (US), Aug 16 (AP) — Pete Sampras overcame a determined attack by Sweden's Magnus Larsson last night to reach the ATP championship finals for the second consecutive year.

Sampras celebrated a hard-fought 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory in the 1-hour, 34-minute match by raising his arms to the cheers of the crowd. This victory took almost twice as long as Sampras 48-minute defeat of Vince Spadea on Friday.

Sampras, the tournament's top seed, will defend his ATP title today against Patrick Rafter, who earlier yesterday beat Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7-5, 6-0. Rafter, coming off a victory last week in Toronto, is the first Australian to reach the ATP final since the tournament began in 1979.

Sampras can regain the No. 1 world ranking if he wins the final in the $ 2.45 million tournament.

Larsson, who had won his three previous matches against Sampras, seized the momentum in the second set with his 190-plus kph serve and powerful forehand returns.

But Sampras put aside his frustration and seized the match in the third set with fiery serves and precise returns as Larsson tired and faded. Larsson's, frustration showed at one point when he kicked a missed serve by Sampras into the seats.

"Pete has such a great serve. When he gets confident, it's tough to catch up," Larsson said.

Sampras made adjustments in the third set to disrupt Larsson's searing serve and forehand returns.

"I wanted to keep the ball low on Magnus. He's a big guy," Sampras said. His serve was kicking up. It was giving me problems.

"He had the momentum. It switched over to me," Sampras said.

Rafter has reached the finals of four ATP tournaments this season, and he won the first three.

Rafter's win was his first in four matches against Kafelnikov, who was ranked 10th in the world.

"My whole game is coming together," Rafter said. "I'm serving well, I'm volleying well, I'm moving well, I've been returning well. That's been the biggest thing that's stood out. Usually I don't return this great."

Rafter, ranked No. 3 in the world and seeded fifth in the tournament, won 24-of-29 second-set points and 26 of the last 31 points against Kafelnikov.

"I couldn't read which side Patrick was going to serve. (That) just shows that I was a little bit tired," Kafelnikov said.

The semifinalists were on serve through the first two games before Kafelnikov poked a forehand volley into the net to lose his serve. Rafter set up the set point with a 105-mph ace and Kafelnikov followed by backhanding Rafter's second serve into the net to close out the set.

Rafter won the next 11 points.

Middlesex bowled out twice in a day

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) — The Australian coach of Middlesex, John Buchanan, was nudged closer to resigning yesterday as the county were bowled out twice in a day and stumbled to a humiliating defeat by Sussex.

Buchanan had previously admitted he was unhappy with the team’s performance and attitude as they slumped to 17th place in the 18-team county championship.

He said he wanted more time to be spent in preparing for matches and in practice, adding: "I’m not achieving what I set out to achieve."

Buchanan, who is in his first season with Middlesex, was a successful coach for Queensland, whom he twice led to the Sheffield Shield title.

At Hove, his team lasted for 48 over in their first innings, being dismissed for 142.

Then, following on 250 runs behind, they made 90 all out in just 27 overs, losing by an innings and 160 runs.

Left-arm paceman Jason Lewry did most of the damage with match figures of eight for 63.

The two-day defeat was the seventh for Middlesex without a victory and left them dangerously close to the bottom again.

Victory with a maximum 24 points lifted Sussex, last season’s bottom team, into fourth place.

The only consolation for Middlesex was that the teams nearest them also struggled on the second day of their four-day games.

Essex conceded a huge first innings lead of 349 to Hampshire, for whom former England Batsman Robin Smith made 138 in a total of 490.

Batting again, Essex lost two early wickets and were 50 for two at the close.

Northamptonshire, also having a bad season, managed no more than 205 all out in a low-scoring game at Taunton, leaving Somerset requiring 214 to win. They closed at 29 for one.

Worcestershire were left needing 345 to beat Derbyshire after their captain, Australian Tom Moody, took five for 64, but they quickly lost three wickets in their second innings.

Third-placed Lancashire, hoping to make up ground on the top two, who are not playing, were frustrated by Yorkshire’s determined batting at Headingley.

David Byas scored 101 and Australian Darren Lehmann a quick 71 in their 264 for four.

Scores at the close of play on the second day of four-day English county championship cricket matches yesterday:

At Hove: Sussex beat Middlesex by an innings and 160 runs. Sussex 392 (C. Adams 170, R. Rao 54: J. Hewitt 6-71). Middlesex 142 (J. Lerry 5-43) and 90 (J. Kirtley 4-29, J. Lewry 3-20, R. Martin-Jenkins 3-22). Sussex 24 points. Middlesex 4.

At Headingley: Lancashire 484 (J. Crawley 180, G. Lloyd 56). Yorkshire 264-4 (D. Byas 101, D. Lehmann 71).

At Derby: Derbyshire 280 (R. Weston 84: S. Lampitt 5-33) and 168 (T. Moody 5-64, P. Newport 4-44). Worcestershire 104 (K. Dean 4-52: P. Defreitas 3-10) and 53-3.

At Riverside: Durhan 396 (D. Boon 106 N. Speak 59: D. Thomas 5-107), Glamorgan 259-4 (M. Maynard 79, A. Cottey 68 not out).

At Bristol: Gloucestershire 142 (M. Alleyne 55: M. Mccague 4-41, J. Thompson 4-52) and 212-3 (T. Hancock 63). Kent 163 (S. Marsh 60: C.Walsh 4-77, M. Alleyne 3-16).

At Portsmouth: Essex 141 (N. Mclean 5-37) and 50-2. Hampshire 490 (R. Smith 138, M. Keech 61, G. White 58, D. Mascarenhas 53, A. Morris 51).

At Taunton: Northamptonshire 187 (F. Rose 5-57, A. Caddick 5-70) and 205 (D. Ripley 54 not out, A. Penberthy 53: A. Caddick 4-45). Somerset 179 (P. Bowler 78: J. Brown 5-49) and 29-1.

Vikas, Vaneet in TT final
From Our Sports Reporter

KHANNA, (Ludhiana) Aug 16 — Vikas Mahajan of Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala, and Vaneet Chopra of State Bank of Patiala will clash in the final of the men's section of the first Punjab State Ranking Nand Lal Memorial Table Tennis Tournament being played here at Narottam Hall.

In the first semifinal, Vikas won a battle of nerves against Yadvinder Saini also of PSEB. In the first game, Vikas defeated Yadvinder 21-15 but lost the second game 18-21. The third game witnessed a see-saw battle in which Vikas ultimately emerged winner 21-19 and he went on to clinch the fourth game 21-16. In the second semifinal after some hiccups in the first two sets, Vaneet Chopra outwitted Pankah Sharma of PSEB 21-19, 21-18 and 21-13.

In the women's section, Shikha Ghai and Rajni Gupta, both of Amritsar, won their respective encounters to sail into the final. Shikha prevailed over Shally Dhawan 21-10, 15-21, 18-21, 21-17 and 21-19 while Rajni Gupta feat Kuldeep Kaur from Jalandhar 21-17, 21-15 and 21-19.

Results:

Boys singles (semifinals)

Bakul (Jal) B Vikas (Khanna) 21-19, 23-21

Disney (Ldh) B Sumit Bahri (Jal) 21-19, 21-17.

Girls singles (semifinals) Tejinder Kaur (Jal) B Rishu (Jal) 21-17, 21-14 Mitika (Kh) B Parminder (Asr) 21-18, 21-17.

Women's singles (quarterfinals) Shikha Ghai (Asr) B Sneh (Jal) 21-18, 21-11, Shally Dhawan (Asr) B Seema (Jal) 21-15, 21-19, Kuldeep Kaur (Jal) B Sneh (Asr) 21-18, 20-22, 21-13, Rajni Gupta (Asr) B Parminder Kaur (Asr) 21-17, 21-15.

Semifinals: Shikha (Asr) B Shally (Asr) 21-10, 15-21, 18-21, 21-17, 21-19, Rajni Gupta (Asr) B Kuldeep Kaur (Jal) 21-17, 21-15, 21-19.

Men's singles (quarterfinals): Vikas Mahajan (PSEB) B Munish Joshi (Jal) 21-18, 21-15, 21-11, Yadvinder Saini (PSEB) B Bakul (Jal) 19-21, 21-15, 21-16, Pankaj Sharma (PSEB) B Ramandeep (Customs) 21-15, 21-13, 21-19, Vaneet Chopra (SBOP) B Vikas (Asr) 21-15, 21-14, 21-17.

Semifinals: Vikas Mahajann (PSEB) B Yadvinder Saini (PSEB) 21-15, 18-21, 21-19, 21-16, Vaneet Chopra (SBOP) B Pankaj Sharma (PSEB) 21-19, 21-18, 21-13.

PCB officials fail to reach consensus

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (PTI) — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) executive council meeting scheduled here tomorrow is expected to be stormy with the preliminary report into match-fixing and betting charges one of the major issues for the rift between chairman Khalid Mahmood and chief executive Majid Khan.

If the standoff continues and PCB chief Majid Khan has his way, top players including Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmed and Salim Malik, will not find place in the side for the coming Sahara Cup against India or the home series against Australia.

Differences within the PCB have filtered down to PCB’s probe committee, which is due to submit a preliminary report on its investigations into allegations of match-fixing and betting by some Pakistan cricketers, PCB sources said.

Committee chairman Justice Ejaz Yousaf and member Mian Munir seem determined to at least submit the report and call for further in-depth probe, but Nusrat Azeem, the influential third member, feels the report should not contain anything that gives credence to allegations and suspicions.

Yousaf and Munir are fully backed by Majid Khan while Nusrat, senior PCB member and Karachi unit president, is towing the line of Khalid Mahmood, the sources said.

If the report gives any credibility to the allegations, Majid Khan would try to convince council members not to consider for selection, at any level, all those players accused of involvement so far, they added.

Majid Khan’s stand would rule out players like Salim Malik, Wasim Akram and Ejaz Ahmed, whose names figure prominently in the match-fixing allegations.

Mahmood and Majid Khan are also divided over the issue of captaincy and the senior team coach, PCB sources say.

Mahmood wants left-hander Aamir Sohail as captain and former opener Mohsin Khan as coach, but Majid is for Rashid Latif to continue and seeks to appoint former star Javed Miandad as coach to the chairman’s vehement opposition.

Mahmood firmly believes the future of Pakistan cricket would be safe with the appointment of Sohail as captain up to the 1999 World Cup. But Majid Khan feels he (Sohail) is too temperamental and unpredictable to be considered for the post.

Majid Khan is pointing out to the councillors many incidents involving Sohail during the tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe, though there is no mention of incidents quoted by Majid Khan in the official report on the African tour.

Rashid and Sohail, as his deputy, worked well together on the African Safari till Wasim Akram’s arrival in Port Elizabeth for the third Test, when things reportedly began to go awry between Rashid and Sohail.

Sohail has reportedly blamed Latif for falling prey to the machinations of Wasim and some other players and going against him, while Latif blames Sohail for failing to support him in his efforts to enforce discipline in the touring side.

The councillors’ decisions are likely to be dictated by who prevails and influences them most before the crucial meeting, the sources added.

Unbeaten ton by Sanjay Raul

AMSTERDAM, Aug 16 (PTI) — Sanjay Raul notched up the second century of the innings as India ‘A’ batsmen made merry to pile up a mammoth 505 for five in the first innings even as the second and final three-day match against the hosts ended in a tame draw here yesterday.

Replying to Holland’s score of 268, the visitors who won the first three-day tie, handed the hosts a lesson in batting with Rohan Gavaskar (138), Sanjay Raul (103 n.o.) scoring superb centuries and Jyoti Yadav (87) narrowly missing one.

Earlier, Gavaskar and Rajiv Kumar resuming on the overnight score of 258 for two added 33 runs before Kumar (58) was out. Their third-wicket stand which realised 185 runs was broken by Soebebur when he had Kumar caught behind by Houber after the hosts took the second new ball on the rain-marred third and final day.

Gavaskar, who had the distinction of remaining unconquered on the tour thus far, finally fell to Ravi Singh who got him to hole one to midwicket after resuming on his overnight 106. His knock was studded with 18 boundaries and a six.

Coach Krishnamachari Srikkanth had a special word of praise for the legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s son and Jyoti Yadav as batsmen "with a very good future".

The coach was also happy that the visitors had finally got a "good opposition" in the last match of the tour as the earlier matches turned out to be one-sided affairs which India ‘A’ won by thumping margins.

Brief scores: Holland 268 all out. (Sinclair 53, Bouten 57. S. Bahatule 6/76)

India ‘A’ 505 for five (R. Gavaskar 138, S. Raul 103 n.o., J. Yadav 87, V. Rathore 55).

Rahul named skipper

BANGALORE, Aug 16 (UNI) — Rahul Singh of Central Excise was yesterday named as the captain of the Indian squad bound for Hamburg in Germany to take part in the Four-Nation Hockey Tournament for the Panasonic Cup to be held later this month.

Besides India, the Netherlands, Germany and South Korea will vie for the top honour.

The Indian Hockey Federration (IHF), which met here under the chairmanship of secretary general K. Jyotikumaran, also named G. Satyanarayana, joint secretary of the IHF as manager of the team.

The meeting also appointed Mr M.S. Balakrishnan, vice-president of the IHF as the manager of the Indian hockey team for the Commonwealth Games to be held at Kuala Lumpur in September.

The 16-member team selected for the Hamburg tournament underwent a two-week conditioning camp at the Sports Authority of India, southern centre here under the watchful eyes of the newly appointed physiologist J. Sebastian.

The Indian team will play two matches against two German premier league teams before beginning their campaign at the four-nation tournament.

Recalling the dismal performance in the World Cup at Utrecht, Netherlands, recently Mr Jyotikumaran urged the players to rise to the challenge and prove themselves in the tough Commonwealth games.

Sanjay clinches carrom title
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 16 — Sanjay Negi outclassed Gagandeep in a nail-biting final (2-25, 25-21, 25-19) to clinch the boys' junior singles title in the inaugural St. Stephen's Trophy Carrom Tournament which concluded at St. Stephen's School here today.

After losing the first game Sanjay recovered to take the next two to beat his rival Gagandeep.

In the boys' subjunior singles final Ramanpreet Pahwa thrashed Hasneet in straight games (25-13, 25-22).

Nabhi Sahini and Bhavneet clinched the girls' junior singles and girls subjunior singles titles, respectively, beating their rivals Harneet Chahal and Eveleen, respectively.

The detailed results of the final day along with the final ranking are enclosed.

Mr Sarabjit Singh, Additional Director-General of Police, Punjab, gave away the prizes. M. Kithan, Administrator, HUDA, was also present.

The result:

Boys' junior singles: semi-finals - Sanjay Negi b Charrukh Goyal 25-18, 25-7, Gagandeep b Ramanpreet Pahwa 25-11, 21-25, 25-10. Final: Sanjay Negi b Gagandeep 2-25, 25-21, 25-19.

Boys' subjunior singles: Quarter-finals - Ramanpreet Pahwa b Lovneet Singh 25-0, 25-0, Aita Ram b Deepak Bishnoi 25-4, 25-4, Hasneet b Gurinder Singh 25-9, 25-9, Baninder b Anu Kumar 25-14, 25-18. Semi-finals: Ramanpreet Pahwa b Aita Ram 25-7, 25-8, Hasneet b Baninder 25-24, 25-23. Final: Ramanpreet Pahwa b Hasneet 25-13, 25-22.

Girls junior singles: Final - Nabhi Sahini b Harneet Chahal 24-2, 25-0.

Girls subjunior singles: Final - Bhavneet b Eveleen 25-0, 25-0.

Seeded players advance
From Our Sports Reporters

JALANDHAR, Aug 16 — All seeded players advanced into the next round in the District Badmintion Championship which was inaugurated here at Raizada Hans Raj Statium today.

In the boys singles (under-16) top seed Rohit Kapoor thrashed Jashanpreet 15-1, 15-1 whereas second seed Ramnik Singh defeated Sanchit 15-4, 15-0.

Top seed Sahil Arora and second seed Varun Arora received byes in boys singles (under-13). Third seed Harsimran Singh faced little resistance as he defeated Jaspreet Singh 15-11, 15-11 whereas fourth Seevrohio Thakur outplayed Parmod Yadav 15-5, 15-0.

Top seed Rohan Kapoor, Punjab champion, defeated rival A.R. Sharma in the boys singles (under-19).

Earlier Mr Som Parkash, IAS, president, district Badminton Association inaugurated the meet.

Results:

Boys singles under-13: Shiraj Mishra B Samir Verma 15-0, 15-0. Vipul Arora B Kamaldeep 15-6, 15-5. Sahil Mishra B Sumeet Verma 15-1, 15-3. Rohit Thakur B Parmod Yadav 15-5, 15-0. Nikhil Yadav B Rahul Puri 15-11, 15-12.

Boys singles (under-16): Rohit Kapoor B Jashanpreet 15-1, 15-1. Amit Sharma B Karan Shur 15-1, 15-1. Harjot Singh w/o Robin. Raj Kumar B Harpreet 15-3, 15-1. Suresh Kumar B Jasrobin 15-2, 15-1. Sahil Arora B Raghav 15-2, 15-5. Jas Karan B Jasraj 15-1, 15-5. Ramnik Singh B Sanchit 15-4, 15-0.

Boys singles (under-19): Rohan Kapur B Rakesh Sharma 15-2, 15-7. Gagandeep Singh got w/o Pankma. Karandeep Kohli got w/o Bikramjit. Ashish B Rakesh Kumar 15-4, 15-4. Amit Sharma B Rajnish 15-15.

Azhar XI score 2nd successive win

DOHA, Aug 16 (UNI) — An Indian eleven led by Mohammed Azharuddin beat a Pakistani team captained by Rashid Latif by 16 runs here last night for their second straight win in a series of three exhibition matches in the Gulf.

Put in to bat first, the Indians made 197 for six from their 40 overs and then managed to restrict the Pakistanis to 181 for eight in yet another close encounter between the two sides.

Rahul Dravid, who made 66 for the Indians, was adjudged Man of the Match.

Other Indian batsmen who shone in the match were Ajay Jadeja (58) and opener Saurav Ganguly (33).

Dravid and Jadeja, who came together when the Indians were reeling at 58 for four, put on 109 for the fifth wicket.

Azhar Mahmood was the most successful Pakistani bowler with three for 34 while Mohammed Hussein got two for 44.

For the Pakistanis, Ijaz Ahmed topscored with 56 while opener Shahid Afridi made 37 and Mohammed Hussain 28.

Spinner Noel David took three for 38 while Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh got one wicket each.

The Indians had won the first match in Dubai on Friday by 14 runs. The last engagement will be played here tomorrow.

In hot and humid conditions, the match began 75 minutes late because the two sides arrived late from Dubai. Consequently, the number of overs was reduced to 40 per side instead of 50.

The Indians again lost their star batsman Sachin Tendulkar early, with just 12 on the board. He hit one superb shot to the fence off Mahmood before being snapped up by wicket-keeper Latif off one of the bowler’s quicker ones.

The left-handed Ganguly was once again in his element, batting with a very good sense of timing. He pulled Mahmood for four and hit Afridi for a six. He finally holed out to Afridi off Mohammed Hussein.

At the other end, Robin Singh was run out before he could make any runs and Azharuddin fell to Mehmood after making only four.

It was at that stage that Dravid and Jadeja got together and steadied the innings. Finding the outfield rather slow, the two batsmen decided to take the aerial route in their bid for quick runs.

Dravid hit Aamir Sohail for a four and then sent Afridi for two sixes, one over covers and the other straight over the bowler’s head. His 66 was compiled off 82 balls before Mahmood had him caught by Mohammed Zahid.

Jadeja, who played second fiddle initially, soon had the crowds roaring as he cut Zahid for two fours and a six. He was finally claimed by Mohammed Hussein, who bowled him.

Javagal Srinath, who led the Indian bowling attack, though at half-pace and from a shorter run-up, made no impression on Afridi, who sent him soaring for a six.

The opener also picked out David for some special treatment, hitting him for a six and a four in one over. The Pakistani star was finally stumped by wicket-keeper Saba Karim while stepping out to David yet again.

After a cameo knock of 28 by Mohammed Hussein, it fell upon Ijaz Ahmed to try and swing the match the Pakistanis’ way with some lusty hitting. His effort ended when Hrishikesh Kanitkar caught him off Robin Singh near the fence.

A spate of run-outs — Moin Khan (14), Rashid Latif (0) and Mahmood (0) — finally put paid to the Pakistanis’ hopes of a win.

Scoreboard:

Azharuddin XI: Tendulkar c Khan b Mahmood 8, Ganguly c Afridi b Hussein 33, Robin Singh run out 0, Azharuddin b Mahmood 4, Dravid c Zahid b Mahmood 66, Jadeja b Hussein 58, Kanitkar not out 9, Karim not out 3.
Extras: (4lb, 10w, 2nb) 16
Total: (for 6 wkts in 40 overs) 197
Fall of wkts: 1/12, 2/15, 3/24, 4/58, 5/167, 6/187.
Bowling: Aaqib Javed 8-0-30-0, Azhar Mahmood 8-1-34-3, Mohammed Hussein 8-0-44-2, Shahid Afridi 6-0-38-0, Aamir Sohail 7-0-26-0, Mohammed Zahid 3-0-21-0.
Rashid Latif XI: Sohail c Karim b Prasad 18, Afridi st Karim b David 37, Hussein c Laxman b David 28, Inzamum st Karim b David 4, Moin Khan run out 14, Ijaz c Azharuddin b Singh 56, Latif run out 0, Basit Ali not out 5, Mahmood run out 0, Aaqib not out 5.
Extras: (6lb, 7w, 1nb) 14
Total: (for 7 wkts in 40 overs) 181
Fall of wkts: 1/44, 2/77, 3/92, 4/103, 5/151, 6/151, 7/170, 8/173.
Bowling: Javagal Srinath 8-0-40-0, Venkatesh Prasad 8-1-20-1, Robin Singh 8-1-37-1, Noel David 8-1-38-3, Hrishikesh Kanitkar 5-0-19-0, Sachin Tendulkar 3-0-21-0.

Hendrawan bags title

SINGAPORE, Aug 16 (AFP) — Indonesia’s H Hendrawan toppled world champion Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark in straight sets to lift the men’s singles title in the $ 170,000 Singapore Open Badminton Championship today.

The 26-year-old Indonesian world number eight’s easy 15-10, 15-8 victory made sure that all titles went to Asian contestants.

The women’s title was more closely contested as China’s Ye Zhaoying, the fourth seed, repelled the comeback bid of Indonesian shuttle queen Susi Susanti, the sixth seed, 11-5, 6-11, 11-2.

Christensen was the only non-Asian in the final after his compatriot, world number one Camilla Martin, crashed out of the women’s semifinals yesterday.

Christensen, 21, who seemed to run out of steam after being taken the full distance in his previous three matches, was never allowed to settle down by Hendrawan, who collected the first prize of $ 11,050.

In both games, he led 8-1 before the Dane began closing the gap but on each occasion he had a mountain to climb.

The men’s doubles was an all-Indonesian affair, with the seventh seeded pair of Chandra Wijaya and Budiarto Sigit showing great finesse in overcoming the power play of third seeded combine of Rickay Subagja and Rexy Mainaky 15-5, 15-5.

The women’s doubles was an all-Chinese affair, with Ge Fei and Gu Jun, the top seeds, outwitting the number two pair of Qin Yiyuan and Tang Hetian 15-8, 15-13.

Hingis advances to final

MANHATTAN BEACH, California, Aug 16 (Reuters) — Martina Hingis booked a long-awaited return to a tournament final by beating Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in straight sets at the Acura Classic here yesterday.

World number one and top-seed Hingis beat the third-seeded Spaniard 6-4 6-4 to lift the Swiss teenager into her first championship tilt since she won the Italian Open in May.

Hingis, looking for her fifth title of 1998, will take on second-seeded Lindsay Davenport, who beat error-prone defending champion Monica Seles 6-4 6-2 in the other semifinal.

"I didn’t do anything totally spectacular to win tonight," Davenport said after notching her 11th consecutive match victory with the help of 34 unforced errors from Seles. "She was just missing more than she normally does."

Davenport will be aiming for her fourth title of the year and third in as many weeks on the California hardcourts when she opposes Hingis in a matchup of the world’s top ranked players.

Hingis holds a 6-4 career edge but the two have split finals this year, with Davenport winning the Pan Pacific and Hingis taking the Indian Wells event.

Kannan, Uzma emerge victors

CHENNAI, Aug 16 (PTI) — Vijay Kannan of Delhi and Uzma Khan of Andhra Pradesh bid farewell to the junior section in tennis in triumphant style, retaining the boy’s and girl’s under-18 titles, respectively in the IOB National Junior Hard Court Tennis Championship which concluded here this evening.

Both finals were one-sided affairs with the top seeds triumphing in just one hour. While Vijay Kannan, with a variety of shots in his armour, defeated Sanzaruz Zaman (West Bengal), 6-2 6-2, Uzma Khan scored a 6-2 6-1 win over Maharashtra’s Radhika Tulpule.

It was the third successive title for Uzma Khan and second in a row for Kannan. Both have played their last nationals in the under-18 category.

Kannan, a DHAITA Academy boy from Delhi, and leaving for USA next month to play in the US Open, carried too many guns for Zaman. He covered the court swiftly and won most of his service games at love and had six aces in the first set itself.

Kannan led 3-0 and then 4-2 before winning the set with a break in the eighth game.

In the second, the rivals shared one game each before Kannan went on to win four games in a row. Zaman, however, refused to give up. He broke Kannan while the latter was serving for the match in the seventh. But Kannan took the eighth and the match when Zaman, serving 15-40, double faulted.

Alpine lads in last four
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Aug 16 — Fine batting by Onkar (50 n.o.), Sameer (25) and penetrating bowling by Rishu (3 for 19) and Rubal (3 for 22) helped Alpine Public School, Ludhiana, to beat Star Club, Doraha, by three wickets and enter the last four of the inaugural A.K. Timber Trophy Cricket Tournament (U-14) at the S.D. Government College grounds here today.

Alpine Public School restricted Star Club to 149 in the allotted 25 overs and then made the required runs after losing seven wickets.

Brief scores — Star Club, Doraha 149 all out in 25 overs. (Love 53, Sonu 25, Prince 15, Sunny 11, Babbu 3 for 22, Rishu 3 for 19, Rubal 2 for 17).

Alpine Public School — 150 for 7 in 24.2 overs (Onkar 50 n.o. Sameer 25, Babbu 16, Sonu 3 for 12, Prince 1 for 23).

Irina, Sheena win golf title
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 16 — Fourteen-year-old Irina Brar, a Class IX student of Vivek High School, retained the Independence Cup in partnership with Sheena Sekhon at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

They defeated Dimple Minocha and Giatri Singh in the finals. In the semi-finals the winning team had defeated Madhu Brar and Pippa Singh and in the quarter-finals Jasmeet and Neelam.

This is the second year of the Independence Cup organised by the ladies section of the club.

Football academy likely at Kurali
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 16 — The Master Mehar Singh Memorial Football Tournament organised at Kurali every year will henceforth be split into two sections.

According to Mr A.K. Kaushal, an NRI and president, Master Mehar Singh Memorial Football Club, while teams like JCT, Punjab Police, Border Security Force, PSEB, Rail Coach Factory, HSB Nawanshahr and a few other clubs will play in the senior section, the junior sides will participate in the district-level league. Both the tournaments will be held simultaneously.

Mr Kaushal, in a press note, further stated that a football academy is also proposed to be set up at Kurali.

Children from class VI to VIII of local schools will be admitted to this academy. According to Mr Kaushal, the academy is expected to start functioning shortly and talks with an NIS-trained coach are already underway.

Children admitted to this academy will be provided free kit and subsidised
diet.

Snooker results
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 16 — Prominent players from north India are facing tougher challenges after their initial matches in the Jaswant Singh Bhullar Memorial Prize Money Snooker Tournament here today.

The players are taking this tourney as a challenge.

Tarun Kumar stole the hearts today through exhibition of superb control and outshone Sameer Bhalla 2-0. A much more fancied player than him, Tarun Kumar turned all odds in his favour and set the green baize ablaze.

Other results are: Sunny Bhalla b V.K. Sachdeva (2-0), Rajan Sharma b S.K. Kakkar (2-0), Manan Nagpal b Vikram Singh (2-1), Rajiv Bhardwaj b Bhupinder (2-0), Dinesh Kukreja b Rajesh Jain (2-0), Tarun Kumar b Sanjeev Sharma (2-0), Manan Nagpal b Atul Sharma (2-0).

Parnita, Irina Brar selected
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 16 — Indian junior national amateur No 1 golfer Parnita Grewal and young and budding golfer Irina Brar will represent the Chandigarh Golf Association in the Southern India Ladies Golf Championship scheduled to begin in Chennai from August 19 to 22, according to Mr CSR Reddy, General Secretary of the Chandigarh Golf Association.

The selection of these girls had been made on the basis of their performance in the first state junior and sub-junior championship in the month of April, Mr Reddy added.

Milkha Singh to be honoured
By our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 16 — Flying Sikh Milkha Singh who finished fourth in 400 m in 1960 Rome Olympics, clocking 45.6 second and whose national record is still intact, will be honoured with "Legend of Sports" Award by the publishers of a sports magazine at Chennai on August 23. Besides a citation, he will also receive an award of Rs 1 lakh.

Bagan humbled

CALCUTTA, Aug 16 (PTI) — Underdogs Mohammedan Sporting today shocked star-studded Mohun Bagan 1-0 in a Calcutta Super Division Football League encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium here.

Mojes Owino exhibited fine opportunism to strike the only goal of the match in the 76th minute enabling Sporting add three invaluable points to their kitty.

Receiving a sudden long ball from medio Joy Kabui, the unmarked Owino found himself in the clear, and as Bagan custodian Hemanta Dora rushed out of his charge in desperation, Owino calmly lobbed the ball over Dora’s head into the net from 35 yards.

Bagan, who thus suffered their first loss in this year’s league, still lead the table with 18 points from seven matches, while Sporting have 14 from six.