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India go down fighting to Pak
Sachin fancies chance to play first Test
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Punjab Police, PSB storm into semifinal
India bow out of football tourney
Dhanoa Academy, PSB win titles
NIS DG delegates powers to RD
Paes-Bhupathi in second round
Chandigarh
clinch trophy
Ritwik, Navneet move up
Haryana jr chess from Oct 2
Cycling trials
Jat College pugilists win
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Peshawar, September 29 Trailing by two goals going into the second half, India did well to bounce back with goals in the 48th and 60th minutes through Hari Prasad and Arjun Halappa, respectively. But a Sohail Abbas strike just three minutes before the close did them in. Pakistan, who won the first Test at Karachi before losing in Quetta, now lead the series 2-1 with the fourth and final match of the Pakistan leg of the series to be held at Lahore on Friday. After a dismal performance in Quetta, Pakistan pulled their socks up to emerge victorious here after Mudassar Ali Khan (15th) and Shakeel Abbasi (25th) gave them a fine start. India, who struggled for ball possession in the first half, looked a completely different side after the break as they made a number of attacks on the opposition post. Besides the two goals, which were the outcome of some beautifully executed moves by the young forwards, the side was unlucky for missing out on a number of occasions. They failed to score even once from four penalty corners they got against their formidable rivals. On one occasion, Adam Sinclair, following a wonderful move by Vikram Pillay and Sandeep Michael, hit the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Salman Haider only to see it coming back to play after hitting the post. Earlier, India had a fine start to the Test as they earned a penalty corner quite early but failed to capitalise on it, thus losing a great opportunity to take the lead. That was all the Indians could do in the earlier part of the match as their opponents slowly and steadily took control of the proceedings. Pakistan played a much better game with their forwards making several dangerous moves. Their hard work almost paid off when they earned the first penalty corner in the 10th minute. The fans cheered for Sohail Abbas when the penalty corner expert got ready to take the shot, but Dilawar Hussain erred in stopping the Rehan Butt push properly denying the ace drag flicker a chance to get closer to highest goal scorer Paul Litjens’ 268-goal mark. The next three minutes saw the home side coming close to scoring on two occasions but some poor finishing by the forwards prevented them from finding the target. In the 15th minute, Pakistan took the lead after Mudassar Ali Khan scored an opportunistic goal. After getting a pass from a counter move, Mudassar rolled the ball inside the circle before hitting a rasping shot that caught goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza off-guard. D’Souza, who was impressive in the first two matches, failed to make the proper judgement as the hit went through his legs much to the delight of the home supporters, who had thronged the stadium in large numbers. Ten minutes later, Shakeel Abbasi made the scoreline 2-0 with yet another field goal that gave the home side a stronghold over the match. In between, India earned two more penalty corners but failed to score on both occasions. Sandeep Singh, hero in India’s win in Quetta, was off target in the first of the two setpieces in the 24th minute before Arjun Halapa hit dangerously three minutes later as the side employed a variation hoping to reduce the margin. India played with a lot more aggression in the second half that forced the Pakistanis to go on the defensive and it helped the visitors’ cause. Hari Prasad’s goal added more fire to their attack as they pressed hard for the equaliser which came at the hour mark. — PTI
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Sachin fancies chance to play
first Test
Mumbai, September 29 Tendulkar, whose absence was sorely missed by the Indian team, which performed poorly in the recent ICC Champions Trophy, turned up at the Brabourne Stadium here this morning wearing a two-inch brace on his left elbow. He was there to cheer his Mumbai team-mates who take on the Australians in a three-dayer here tomorrow. “I feel much better. There’s tremendous improvement,” Tendulkar told reporters but added that there had been a muscle loss in his elbow which would have to be built up gradually. Asked about his chances of playing the first Test, he said, “I am not ruling myself out. I am waiting for the doctors to give the green signal and let them know how I feel. “Obviously there’s not enough strength (on the affected part). I have not played or practised for six weeks on the doctors’ advice. I have to go step by step,” the master batsman said. Asked how much net practice would be required to get match fit, he replied, “As much as possible, but only if circumstances permit it. Basically I have been advised rest. I have to take gradual steps. Initially I would be using a lighter bat to practise with,” Tendulkar said. On whether he would be mentally prepared to take on the Aussies if certified fit at the eleventh hour, Tendulkar said, “I have no option. I would very much like to play as early as possible.” Asked whether the Indian team would be as competitive without his presence against the all-conquering Australians, Tendulkar said there were other big players in the team. “The team still has big names. We just have to pull ourselves from the slump. Every team goes through such a rough path. “All we need to do is turn it around and play some good cricket,” the champion batsman said. Tendulkar also thanked all his fans for giving encouragement to him through the difficult phase in his glittering career. “Plenty of people have called up and I have been given plenty of advice and support. I am really grateful. I wish to thank them all,” he said.
— PTI |
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Embarrassment for India Seniors
Bangalore, September 29 Preparing to take on the likes of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne, the India Seniors batting line-up found India ‘A’ bowlers Amit Bhandari, Joginder Sharma and Murali Kartik too hot to handle, crumbling to 213 all-out in reply to the India ‘A’ first innings score of 302. A measure of the performance of the India Seniors batting was the fact that the highest partnership of the innings (58 runs) was posted by the last-wicket pair of Harbhajan Singh (35) and Anil Kumble (20 not out) to lend a modicum of respectability to the team total. India ‘A’ closed the day at 47 for one in their second essay, with a lead of 136 runs and nine wickets still in hand. Dheeraj Jadhav (27) and skipper Dinesh Mongia (19) were at the crease at stumps. Captain Sourav Ganguly was the only top-order batsman to acquit himself with honour intact. Eschewing lofted shots and mixing caution with aggression, he made 65 runs from 104 deliveries, including nine boundary hits. After wrapping up the India ‘A’ first innings for the addition of just 20 runs from the overnight score of 282 for 7, the seniors squandered the opportunity for much-needed batting practice. Opener Sehwag continued his poor run of judgment and form, lasting just 13 balls to make six runs. He fell caught by Mohammed Kaif at short cover playing an uppish shot to the bowling of Amit Bhandari. Chopra seemed to be progressing steadily for his 18 runs, but a moment of weakness saw him edge Bhandari to wicket-keeper M.S. Dhoni, who pouched an easy offering. Dravid, who took two overs to open his account, followed up with five boundaries off Bhandari — drives off the front and back foot to the point and cover regions, a straight drive and a hook to the deep square-leg boundary. The India vice-captain then played an uncharacteristically indiscreet shot, slashing the ball to backward point where it was grabbed low to the left by Dheeraj Jadhav. With the batsmen unable to resist the temptation outside the off-stump, Dhoni was kept busy. He took the catches that got rid of V.V. S. Laxman (14), Yuvraj Singh (14) and Parthiv Patel (4). For India A, overnight batsman Ashish Nehra did not take the field because of a swollen ankle resulting from an injury sustained during practice last evening. Coach John Wright said Nehra was expected to bowl in the second innings and Haryana seamer Joginder Sharma had been drafted in as his replacement. The seniors decided to play medium-pacer Siddharth Trivedi instead of Yuvraj Singh in the second innings. Sharma, in fact, was the best bowler of the day, claiming the wickets of Dravid, Laxman and Yuvraj for just 42 runs. Bhandari and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik contributed with three wickets each. |
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Pawar ‘a victim of foul play’ Kolkata, September 29 Mr Pawar lost the electoral battle for the coveted post of president to Ranbir Singh Mahendra by 15-16 votes with Jagmohan Dalmiya exercising the casting vote of the president in Mr Mahendra’s favour. Talking to reporters under chaotic circumstances, Mr Pawar showed his maturity keeping a calm demeanor when he said, “I would have got a clean majority if Maharashtra Cricket Association representative D.C. Agashe was allowed to vote. The result would have been 16-15 in my favour which is a clear-cut victory.” “The AGM was repeatedly adjourned though no official certified communication was made to Justice S. Mohan. The meeting was adjourned till 1700 hrs after which Justice Mohan left and the entire control went to Mr Dalmiya.” “Mr Agashe has been a member of the Maharashtra Cricket Association for the last 20 years and he was not allowed to vote on extremely flimsy grounds, which cannot be accepted,” he said. “When the voting was tied at 15-15, the casting vote went to the other side which exposed the total game plan why Mr Agashe was sent out of the meeting hall.” Asked if he would go to the court, he said, “I am the last person to go to the court against this. But we will surely try to fight these elements so that the board is run democratically and extend all possible help to the newly-elected president to manage the affairs of the board,” he said. Asked if he had some reservation regarding the way the election was conducted, he said: “I have reservation about the entire constitution itself where one person is at the centre of the entire power. He presides over the meeting, decides the voter list and takes the final decision on who can vote and who cannot. This is not the ideal example of a democratic election. In Mumbai Cricket Association, we declare the voters list 30 days in advance and leave 15 days for objection. Therefore, we have to try and take corrective actions to make necessary changes in BCCI constitution. Asked if Justice Mohan was responsible to some extent for what has happened, he said: “I do not want to comment on the representative of the judiciary but no judge delays or postpones a poll process repeatedly without proper evidence.” — UNI
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Ranbir refutes Pawar charge Kolkata, September 29 “I have always been confident that I will win. I am happy that I have the confidence of majority of members. However, I had expected to win by 4-5 votes. So definitely there was some cross-voting from our group,’’ Mahendra, who defeated Maharashtra strongman and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar by a slender margin of one vote, said. Mahendra, whose victory was ensured by a casting vote by outgoing president Jagmohan Dalmiya, claimed there was no foul play in the elections as alleged by Pawar. “The election was completely fair. There was no foul play,’’ the former vice-president said. Asked about Pawar’s allegation that Maharashtra’s D Agashe, a board member for 20 years, was deliberately not allowed to vote, Mahendra said “I disagree with him.’’ “There was nothing wrong in the election process. Everything was done as it was done during the past elections,’’ the new president said as his attention was drawn to Pawar’s remark that Dalmiya played the role of both the bowler and the umpire in the election. Asked if there was too much politics in the BCCI election process, Mahendra said “I don’t think so.’’ About his job in hand, the veteran Board member said “all the past presidents and secretaries of the board had done good work. It is a moral responsibility for me to carry on the good work.’’ He, however, refused to comment on the controversy centering the appointment of Dalmiya as the Patron-in-Chief of the board. “I can’t comment on this as the matter is subjudice.’’ S.K. Nair was re-elected BCCI secretary defeating Niranjan Shah by 17-13 votes. Joti Bajpai was re-elected uncontested as treasurer. Gautam Dasgupta was elected joint secretary defeating Prof Ratnakar Shetty by 16-14 votes.
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Stay on Dalmiya as Patron-in-Chief
Chennai, September 29 Seventh Assistant City Civil Court Judge Mohideen Pitchai granted the interim injunction on a petition filed by a fourth division league team Bharati Cricket Club. The judge also ordered notice, returnable by October 11, to the BCCI, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and Mr Dalmiya. In the petition, club secretary Kadiresan submitted that Mr Dalmiya’s nomination was made by a resolution before he demitted office. One of the items on the agenda at the two-day BCCI AGM at Kolkata, today was confirmation of the resolution passed at the Chennai AGM. The petitioner contended that the very purpose of nominating Mr Dalmiya as the Patron-in-Chief was to exercise power over the new President even after he demitted the office. He also contended that bye-law eight of the BCCI Constitution stipulated that the board could invite, using its discretion, a distinguished person to be the Patron-in-Chief or Patron. But it did not say what were the powers of the Patron-in-Chief and the term of office. Hence, the BCCI must be restrained from confirming the Chennai meeting resolution. Then BCCI senior Vice-President Kamal Morarka, while announcing Mr Dalmiya’s nomination as the first Patron-in-Chief of the country’s richest sporting body, also clarified that the powers of the BCCI President would not be undermined by the new post. Mr Dalmiya would hold the position for three years, he had added. — UNI |
Contempt
notice to Dalmiya
Patna, September 29 |
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Hunger strike at Board AGM venue
Kolkata, September 29 Carrying banners demanding that BCCI ‘Stop step-motherly treatment and injustice’ to Bihar, the association said although the BCCI had granted affiliation to a new state like Jharkhand on September 12, it did not restore Bihar’s status as its member. Consequently, “the players of our state are facing a dark future. Bihar has no dearth of talented players but now they are all shaky about their cricketing future,” Mrityunjay Tewari, president of the association, said. Demanding that the Board immediately grant affiliation to the association, Tewari, a former Ranji Trophy player, said “If no decision is taken at the AGM today, we will continue our agitation and hold a fast unto death outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on October 2”. The BCCI had extended full membership to Cricket Association of Jharkhand in place of dissolved Bihar Cricket Association at a special meeting in Chennai on September 12. — PTI
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Punjab Police, PSB storm into semifinal
Chandigarh, September 29 In the semifinals to be played tomorrow, Punjab Police will take on Namdhari XI while Punjab and Sind Bank will clash with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. Both Namdhari XI and BPCL had qualified for the last four yesterday. In the last two quarterfinals played today, Punjab Police rallied superbly to down Mumbai League champions Western Railway 4-2 after trailing by two goals in the first quarter. Earlier, Punjab and Sind Bank edged out Army XI by a solitary goal which came early in the first half. Taking the field under the captaincy of world cupper Daljit Singh Dhillon, Punjab Police, who also had in their ranks Olympian Baljit Singh Dhillon and star forward Gagan Ajit Singh, received an early setback as Western Railway forged ahead in the 13th minute when Sunil Singh’s direct hit off a penalty corner brooked no resistance (1-0). Two minutes later, Western Railway provided another shock when off another short corner, Sunil left a dummy for skipper Gursewak Singh who found the roof of the net with his well-executed drag flick (2-0). Undeterred by the setback, Punjab Police maintained the pace of their attack and their efforts were duly rewarded five minutes later when Baljit Singh Dhillon scooped the ball home after team-mate Tejbir had done the spadework (1-2). Immediately thereafter, a long hit by skipper Daljit was sought to be deflected into the goalmouth by Gagan Ajit but he failed to hold the ball. Punjab Police had a few more good opportunities shortly before the interval but the equaliser remained elusive. On one occasion, Jasbir Singh’s deflection off Daljit’s hit nearly beat the Western Railway goalkeeper who just about managed to ward off danger in the nick of time. Tension mounted in the second half when umpires Satinder Sharma and Varinder Bahadur flashed the yellow card thrice. First Rajnish Chaturvedi of Western Railway was given marching orders by umpire Varinder Bahadur following an unfair tackle and then Avtar Singh of Punjab Police was dealt with in similar fashion by umpire Satinder Sharma. Later Chandrakesh of Western Railway also earned a yellow card for a similar offence in the 53rd minute. Punjab Police’s failure to score off short corners was evident as all seven penalty corners proved abortive. It was in the 56th minute that the Punjab cops eventually restored parity. Following a free hit by Tejbir, Baljit Singh deflected the ball home to make it 2-2. With hardly 10 minutes to go for the long hooter, Baljit Dhillon’s back pass to Sarbjeet saw the latter finding the target without much difficulty (3-2). A hard hit by Gabbar Singh two minutes later from the top of the ‘D’ made it 4-2 in favour of Punjab Police who hung on to the lead till the end. Baljit Singh Dhillon of Punjab Police was declared man of the match. Earlier, Punjab and Sind Bank, under the captaincy of Olympian Baljit Singh Saini faced stiff resistance from Army XI but their rich experience ultimately enabled them to carry the day and keep alive their hopes of winning the title. It was in the 15th minute that Punjab and Sind Bank took the lead when they were awarded a penalty corner. Following the push by Ajit Pal Singh, Navpreet Singh dispatched the ball into the goalmouth through a well-taken drag flick (1-0). Army XI displayed urgency in the second half and soon after resumption, Suresh Kumar (Sr) dribbled down the middle before giving a quick pass to Sunil Ekka whose instant hit, though well-directed, was blocked by the alert Teja Singh under the bank men’s bar. E.Lakra of Army XI also had a good chance when he intercepted a through pass but in a hurry he shot wide. With the minutes ticking away, the Army men appeared desperate to come back into the game. In a span of 13 minutes, they forced as many as seven penalty corners which all failed to yield the desired result. A counter-attack by Punjab and Sind Bank in the fag end brought out the best in the Army XI goalkeeper PJ Rao, who effected a good save. Teja Singh of Punjab and Sind Bank was declared man of the match. Thursday’s fixtures: (semifinals) : Punjab Police v Namdhari XI (2pm); Punjab and Sind Bank v BPCL (3.30 pm).
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India bow out of football tourney
New Delhi, September 29 The Indians, who lost to Syria 1-2 in their opening match, went down again by the same score yesterday to the Uzbeks, who scored an injury-time winner after being locked 1-1 during the regulation time, according to information received here. India, last-minute replacements for Turkmenistan in this competition, were down by a 28th-minute goal by Aleksandr Kletskov at the end of the first half. After changing ends, the Indians fought back and equalised in the 67th minute through Manjit Singh. But the Indian defence came apart seconds before the final whistle when Sadriddin Abdullayev scored his second goal of the tournament with a stunning long ranger to shatter the Indians. Uzbekistan, along with Syria, who trounced Laos 4-1 in another match yesterday, booked their places in the quarterfinals with maximum points from two games.
— PTI |
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Dhanoa Academy, PSB win titles
Amritsar, September 29 In a pulsating girls’ final, Dhanoa Academy edged out local fancied BBK DAV College 2-1. After a keen fight Jalandhar girls drew the first blood in the 29th minutes. Full-back Anubala scored through a penalty corner to give lead her team (1-0). After five minutes, Amandeep of BBK DAV scored the equaliser through a solid hit after being awarded the penalty corner. The second half saw a seesaw battle with both sides tried hard to get a breakthrough but Dhanoa girls forced a penalty corner in the 56th minute to clinch the title. Punjab & Sind Bank earned a hard-fought victory beating Sukhchain Academy, Faridkot, 2-1. Jalandhar got first success in the 17th minute when Harjit Singh converted a penalty. Jalandhar maintained lead in the first half with 1-0. Faridkot scored the equalizer in the 51st minute through a penalty corner. However, it proved short-lived as full-back Tasawoorjit Singh Hundal capitalized on a penalty corner just after five minutes of the earlier goal.
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NIS DG delegates powers to RD
Patiala, September 29 Things had virtually come to a standstill at the country’s premier sports institute with every file pertaining to either financial or administrative matters being sent to New Delhi for the ED, Mr B.K. Sinha’s approval. This had not only set discontent among the institute’s staff but had also rendered the RD, Mr L.S. Ranawat, virtually ineffective. However, now things seem to be looking up with the ED (Finance) Mr M.K. Mishra sending a fax to the NIS informing the RD that he can now exercise financial and administrative powers subject to the conditions laid down in SAI financial by laws. |
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Paes-Bhupathi in second round
New Delhi, September 29 According to information received here, the Americans frustrated Russian Marat Safin, fresh from his ATP singles title in Beijing, and his Swede partner Robin Soderling, who crashed out in the first round with a 5-7 3-6 defeat. Paes and Bhupathi tamed Czech veteran Jiri Novak and his Hungarian partner Attila Savolt 6-2, 6-1 to move into the second round.
— UNI |
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Chandigarh
clinch trophy Chandigarh, September 29 Ashish set the trend by defeating Manmeet in straight games. But Delhi came back with Tanveer Gill defeating Chandigarh’s Vikas in the second singles. But that was as far as Delhi could get. Ashish and Deepak Sidhu clinched the doubles match and Vivek won the next singles to clinch the title with a 3-1 margin. The Narang Cup for boys was won by Haryana, who defeated Chandigarh by two matches to nil. Haryana also won the Chadha Cup for women completing a double with a 2-0 win over Delhi. Delhi bagged the Qureshi Cup for girls defeating Haryana 2-1. Mr D.S. Dhesi, Commissioner and Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare, Haryana, gave away the prizes. The results: Rahimtoola Cup (Men): Chandigarh b Delhi: 3-1. Ashish b Manmeet, (15-12,15-4). Vikas lost to Tanveer Gill (13-15, 9-15), Ashish and Deepak Sidhu b Kanwar and Rajiv Bajaj (15-4, 15-5); Vivek b Himanshu (15-4, 15-8). Narang Cup (Boys ): Haryana b Chandigarh 2-0 Sumit Dahiya b Mandeep Singh (15-4, 15-1), Saurabh Kapoor and Sachin Garg b Mandeep Singh and Adhiraj Niyogi (15-3, 15-4) Chadha Cup (Women): Haryana b Delhi 2-0. Kannu b Gayatri (1-11, 11-6, 11-5), Kannu and Gauri b Mohita and Meenakshi 15-9, 12-15, 15-8 ). Shafi Qureshi Cup (Girls): Delhi b Haryana 2-1. Chitralekha lost to Kannu Aggarwal (11-6, 1-11, 6-11); Mohita and Meenakshi b Kannu and Pallavi (15-3, 15-9); Mohita b Meenu (11-6, 11-5).
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Ritwik, Navneet move up
New Delhi, September 29 In other matches, Vikas Jangra defeated Amjad Khan 9-7, 9-7, 9-3, Dhiraj Singh beat Shakti Singh 9-5, 5-9, 0-9, 9-6, 9-0, Vikas beat Anil kumar 9-0, 9-4, 9-1 and Supreet beat Aavneet Singh 9-0, 9-0, 9-0. In the women’s first round, Lydia Jhon beat Gayatri Mathur 9-4, 9-4, 9-0 and Mekhla Srivastava beat Shubra 9-0, 9-2, 9-4.
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Haryana jr chess from Oct 2
Chandigarh, September 29 According to Mr Vijay Godara, Organising Secretary of the association, about 200 participants would take part in this championship. The competitions will be held in the age group of Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 18 as per guidelines of All India Chess Federation.
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Cycling trials
Patiala, September 29 |
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Jat College pugilists win
Rohtak, September 29
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