 |
|
|
Raja promises trouble-free
tour Zaheer to test himself before Pak tour
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Churchill beat Tollygunge Jones wins long jump, Bekele sets new mark
Baradari pips Sheesh Mahal Ishpal shines in college meet
|
|
Raja promises
trouble-free tour Islamabad, February 21 "While I am sad that the two centres will not be holding Tests, I am glad that they will be hosting important one-day games," he said. Raja said the one-day series will be played before the Tests because of political reasons. "The BCCI requested us for the change of format because of the expected elections in India in April. They further argued that if the one-day series was played in the second half of the series, the public will lose interest in the matches. We showed flexibility because we understand the importance of this series. "I can further say here that we were in constant touch with the concerned government departments and necessary advice and approvals have been sought from them," he said. Raja said the itinerary was delayed because of several reasons. "One of the reasons was certainly the visit of the three-men BCCI delegation that was here last week. But I must tell you that we sent two proposed itineraries according to which the tour was to start from March 5." "Now, on our request, the arrival of the Indian team has been delayed for five days so that we can get the breathing space to complete our logistical, ticketing and upgradation work in time. Also, Andy Atkinson, who will be preparing pitches for the series, will be arriving in Lahore on March 6," Raja said. "As regards to Karachi and Peshawar, who will not be hosting Test matches, I will say here that the confidence of the touring teams has not fully restored (in the two centres)," he said. Expressing faith that Pakistanis will extend "traditional respect and hospitality" to the Indians, Raja said: "I am confident that it will be a great series in which the Pakistan public will extend their traditional respect and hospitality to the visitors. "I am convinced that it would be a controversy-free and trouble-free series and at the end of the day, it will be cricket that will emerge the winner irrespective of which team wins the Test or one-day series," he said. "I once again assure everyone that best security will be in place for the Indian team but at the same time we have ensured that no inconvenience is caused to the local and visiting spectators whom we expect to be in huge numbers."
— PTI |
|
Zaheer to test himself before Pak tour
Chennai, February 21 “Unless I bowl flat out from my usual long run-up, I do not want to talk much about fitness. It is human body and no one can predict what is going to happen,” said Zaheer Khan, who pulled out mid-way through the Australian series due to a hamstring injury. The bowler said he would “test myself fully” in the Duleep Trophy match at Dharmasala next week. “It is not that I am fully fit or half fit, I want to get to my usual full flow,” the left-arm seamer told PTI at the end of his two-hour session at the MRF Pace Foundation under the watchful eyes of former Australian bowling great Dennis Lillee. “It is sort of a recovery process after my hamstring injury. I am building up slowly. Like, today I bowled with longer run-ups and I feel more comfortable than what I felt last week.” Asked as to when he would inform the cricket board about his availability, he said “Whatever is in my hand, I have spelt out.” About the wickets in Pakistan, Zaheer said “they are not going to be any different (from the wickets in India).” Former Indian pace bowler Javagal Srinath, who watched the left-arm seamer performing at the MRF Pace Foundation alongwith team-mates Ashish Nehra, Laxmipathy Balaji and Irfan Pathan, said Zaheer was under a learning process since he was trying to get back to form after a lay-off. “Fast bowling is hard. No bowler is injury free. Everyone has to go through it. How to get back to their usual form after an injury is a learning process,” Srinath said. He said “the pacers are all professionals and have a sense of commitment. They understand that they have got to be responsible. I have watched them bowl and had given few tips but I cannot say anything on their fitness, which they have to speak about.” Srinath believes a few tips from Lillee could augur well for the bowlers, who would be keen to prove themselves on the tour of Pakistan. “They are all in the right place and Dennis is the best person to teach on art of fast bowling. These four have shown great attitude all the time. Zaheer is our number one bowler and Irfan is the new find and is an extremely exciting talent. He appears to be the best amongst the available youngsters.” Srinath said. Lillee had to suggest some adjustments to Zaheer on the last day of the training session yesterday. “Zaheer has no other problem excepting that he is jumping a little higher, putting pressure on his body.” As for the other bowlers, Lillee was of the opinion that Balaji was pushing the ball while delivering it and he had “to go straight, and not turning his wrist. “Nehra has small technical problem and has been told a few things to reduce the chances of being injured. “Irfan has few problems. He has to be worked on a long term basis. We will wait and work on them. I do not want to confuse this youngster with too many things at a time.” he said. Lillee was an impressed man after the training session. “They are the cream of Indian bowlers. I find them to be good in putting the advise to good use.” On Srinath, the Australian said “we have asked him to come down here. He has been in the Foundation before even during his playing days. Srinath is a well respected great fast bowler from India. His knowledge, experience and technique, all that combined will be an asset and help groom youngsters.” With the pacers dominating the Indian bowling attack whether India was now into fast bowling era? “No. You are gaining on fast bowling, because of foundations like this. It helps you perform well on wickets overseas,” he said. — PTI
|
|
Hyderabad, February 21 The Indo-African pair upset third seed Ting Li and Tian Tian Sun of China 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 to win $ 6,500 and 95 ranking points. The runners-up went home richer by $ 3,475 and 67 points. Playing in front of a highly supportive crowd, Sania and Huber raced to a 4-1 lead against the Chinese duo in the first set before they allowed their opponents to crawl back into the match with some unforced errors. The Chinese pair levelled the score at 5-5 and then broke Sania’s serve to take the lead. However, Huber and Sania recovered very well to force the set into the tie-breaker and then rushed to a 7-1 verdict. The 17-year-old, who won the Wimbledon girls doubles championship last year, then grew in confidence and complementated the World No. 11, Huber, very well to take the second set and the title with ease. “After winning the first set, I was confident of winning the match,” Sania told reporters after winning the title. The local lass, who will be preparing for the next month’s Class XI examination before the Fed Cup, said her stint with Italian coach Bob Brett had improved her game remarkably. Commenting on the experience of playing alongside the South African, she said “Huber is a better player and joining her to win my first WTA title is a thrilling experience.” Huber was all praise for the local girl and said “she has improved a lot and can play even better.” — PTI
|
|
JCT rally to beat Indian Bank Ludhiana, February 21 Although the Punjab outfit held a clear edge over the Chennai team, struggling to find a foothold in the current league, it required a gallant effort to stamp out the stiff resistance from the visitors. After Harvinder's close miss when he only had to beat Sebastion Netto under the Indian Bank bar after cutting in from the right, the mill men suffered a shock in the 20th minute. Finding a wide gap in JCT's wall of defenders, dashing forward Mahendra Mani cut through before despatching a grounder to the right of goalie Mansuru Mohammed to put Indian Bank ahead by one goal. However, despite the setback, JCT fought back in brilliant fashion and the waves of attacks spearheaded by Nigerian Stephan Abarowei, Harvinder Singh, and Jaswinder Singh threw the Indian Bank defence into disarray time and again. JCT's consistent efforts bore fruit in the 25th minute when a throw-in by wing back Daljit Singh saw Indian Bank custodian Sebastion Netto making a vain bid to collect but Harvinder standing close by pounced on the ball to shoot home with relative ease to draw his team even (1-1). JCT sorely missed the services of attacking medio Joe Paul Ancheri, who was injured in India's World Cup qualifying match against Singapore at Margao three days back. In his absence, right winger Jaswinder fell back to bolster the midfield where Ral Pal played a dominant role. A few minutes later, JCT could have increased the tally when Stephan chested the ball inside the box following a free kick but was dispossessed. Surjit Singh's long ranger, though dangerous, saw Netto leaping high to punch the ball over the bar for a corner. At the stroke of half-time, JCT shot into the lead through a brilliant solo effort by Harvinder. Having covered substantial ground, Harvinder unleashed a power-packed long ranger with the goalkeeper having advanced out to charge. The ball dipped low and sailed into the net over the outstretched hands of Netto sending a wave of joy in the JCT camp (2-1). The second session once again witnessed JCT firing on all cylinders. However, Surjit wasted a good chance by shooting over the bar despite having a clear view in the 50th minute. However, eight minutes later JCT consolidated the lead when a brilliant cross by promising medio Ram Pal from the left saw Stephan trapping the ball and shooting home with full confidence (3-1). The Indian Bank attacks mainly orchestrated by Sri Lankan Mohamed Rawme Mohideen and Mahendra Manim met with stiff resistance from the JCT defence marshalled by stopper back KV Dhanesh and Daljit Singh. In the dying minutes JCT got a couple of chances and the easiest came when Ram Pal's cross to substitute Charanjit Kumar saw the latter muffing it as his feeble deflection sailed over the goal-line.
|
|
Churchill beat
Tollygunge Kolkata, February 21 Ghanian striker Yusif Yakubu scored a brace to draw level and Noel Wilson struck the winner for the visitors after Tollygunge took a 2-0 lead through Akeem Abolanle in the opening half at the Salt Lake stadium exchange. The Goans, who looked a pale shadow of themselves in the first session and conceded a seemingly unassailable lead, changed the colour of the game drastically in latter part and culled three points from the away match. With this, Churchill improved their tally to 21 points from 12 matches while Tollygunge still faced relegation risks with 10 only points. MARGAO:
Substitute Alvito Rodrigues’ injury time goal saved Haywards 2000 Sporting Clube from defeat as they rallied from behind to hold Vasco to a 1-1 draw and split points. After a listless performance in the first half which saw play confined to midfield for major part of the game, Vasco took the lead in the 59th minute through a free kick by Marcos Pereira after defender Louis Aniweta bought down Pereira on the top of the box. Haywards who had more of the ball possession, finally restored parity in the injury time when
substitute Rodrigues, who was unmarked inside the box, shot home a pass from Francis Andrade. With this draw, both the teams have collected 16 points from 12 matches. Haywards who has a better goal difference remained above Vasco in the seventh place.
— PTI |
|
Jones wins long jump, Bekele sets new mark
Birmingham, February 21 Jones was beaten by Belgian sprinter Kim Gevaert over 60 metres in her second comeback race. She then went on to win the long jump — her first since finishing third at the Sydney Olympics — with a final leap of 6.75 metres in a weak six-person field.
Gevaert set a Belgian record with her run of 7.13 seconds at the National Indoor Arena. Jones finished second with 7.16.
“I was pleased with my start and then when I got up, the turnover just wasn’t there today, but I’m still pleased with the race,” Jones said. “I know I ran faster than I did last week. The young lady to my left (Gevaert) just had a better race but this is a work in progress and hopefully by the time Athens comes around I’ll be ready to run.” Jones’ rival Zhanna Block, who took the world 100 metres title from her in 2001, finished fourth with 7.31 seconds. American Angela Daigle was third with 7.27. Jones was “extremely pleased” with her long jump performance. “I rushed a little bit on the runway and wasn’t composed enough in the air,” Jones said. “That was not bad. It was my first jump in four years and my first competition indoors — to start with 6.75 is OK, I’ll take that.” Back in action eight months after becoming a mother, Jones was at her second meet since she gave birth to the son of boyfriend and men’s 100 metres performance. world record holder Tim Montgomery. The 28-year-old won her comeback 60 metres race at the Millrose Games 13 days ago in a modest 7.21 seconds. Jones won gold in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x400 m in Sydney. Bekele ran 12 minutes, 49.60 seconds to beat the world indoor record of his training partner and idol, Haile Gebrselassie and win $ 30,000. Gebrselassie’s previous mark of 12:50.38 was set in the same Birmingham arena on February 14, 1999. “Today was very hard, it was a very difficult record to beat,” Bekele said. “Haile is my hero so it’s special that the record was his.” Bekele said he wouldn’t run at the World Indoor Championships in Budapest next month, but instead concentrate on the World Cross Country Championships in Brussels. It wasn’t Gebrselassie’s night. In trying to break his own two mile record, the Ethiopian was overtaken by teenage countryman Markos Geneti in the final metres. Geneti (19) ran eight minutes, 8.39 seconds to edge out Gebrselassie. The men’s 60 metres was won by American Brian Lewis in 6.58 seconds. After a false start, Briton Darren Campbell broke before the gun went off and was disqualified. Olympic 800 metres champion Maria Mutola fell on the back straight on the final lap of 1,000 metres; her heels clipped by eventual winner and training partner Kelly Holmes. The Briton shaved six seconds off the British record with her winning time of two minutes, 32.96 seconds. The men’s long jump was won by American Dwight Phillips with a first round leap of 7.91 metres — 19 centimetres ahead of second-place Briton Christopher Tomlinson. The men’s 200 metres was won by Britain’s Christian Malcolm in 20.74 seconds, the men’s 400 m was won by Chris Brown of the Bahamas in 46.48 seconds. The women’s triple jump was taken by Ashia Hansen with a leap of 14.47 metres. Meseret Defar of Ethiopia won the women’s 3,000 metres in eight minutes, 33.44 seconds. Compatriot Berhane Adere finished 18 seconds behind in fourth.
— AP
|
||
|
Baradari
pips Sheesh Mahal Patiala, February 21 Mr Aroonpal Singh scored first. Cdr Samra quickly equalised through a open cut shot. The third chakkar started with two opportunities each for both teams to increase the score. An infringement in the right of way of the Baradari team resulted in a 60-yard penality for the Baradari team. The final score was 3-2 in favour of the Baradari team. Meanwhile, the Patiala Cup Polo Tournament at New Polo Ground commenced with Qila Mubarak team battling against the Qila Bahadurgarh team. The final score was 3-2 in favour of Qila Mubarak team.
|
||
|
Ishpal shines in college meet Fatehgarh Sahib, February 21 Mr Ranjit Singh Libra, honorary secretary of the college, and Mr Kirpal Singh Libra were also present. The results (in order of merit): Girls: 800m: Ishpal Kaur, Maninder Kaur, Navjot Kaur; shot put: Ishpal Kaur, Balwinder Kaur, Divya
Softa; javelin throw: Balwinder Kaur, Ishpal Kaur, Gurdeep Kaur; high jump: Ishpal Kaur, Maninder Kaur, Ranpreet Kaur; 100m: Maninder Kaur, Ishpal Kaur, Ramandeep Kaur; discus throw: Balwinder Kaur, Harpreet Kaur, Ranapreet Kaur; 200m: Maninder Kaur, Ishpal Kaur,
Rajvansh; sack race (three-legged race): Ranapreet Kaur and Gurvinder Kaur, Harpreet Kaur and Kuljeet Kaur, Ishpal Kaur and Satvir Kaur; long jump: Maninder Kaur, Ishpal Kaur,
Rajwansh; fast cycling: Ishpal Kaur, Jagdeep Kaur, Rajwansh Kaur. Boys:
1500m: Kamaljeet Singh, Paramjeet Singh, Lakhvir Singh; 5000m: Paramjeet Singh, Gurmeet Singh; hammer throw: Sarakjeet Singh, Lakhvir Singh, Karamjit Singh; javelin throw: Lakhvir Singh, Balbir Singh, Varun Gupta; walk: Harvinder Singh, Jagjit Singh, Aneesh Kumar; 400m: Kamaljit Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Paramjit Singh; triple jump: Lakhbir Singh, Kamaljit Singh, Gurmeet Singh; 200m: Kamaljeet Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Ravinder Singh; high jump: Rajinder Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Raovarinder Singh. sack race: Gurinder Singh and Amit Khanna, Ashok and Gurjeet Singh, Inderjit Singh and Jasbir; discus throw: Karamjit Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Lakhvir Singh.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
In
video: Players hopeful of beating Pakistan in their
homeland.(
Chennai, February 21
Hyderabad, February 21
