 |
|
|
Bangladesh win maiden one-day series
BCCI to finalise Pak tour on Feb 16
Shoaib doubtful for India tour?
PCB team visits Kotla; to have re-look
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Safin eyes more grand slam success
Hingis set to return
Navratilova confirms participation
Anand loses title to Leko
Raman, Poulomi TT champions
Gursharan is Punjab’s Asst
Director, Sports
|
Bangladesh
win maiden one-day series
Dhaka, January 31 Bangladesh, who have won only nine of their 106 matches since making their one-day debut in 1986, rode on explosive half-centuries from Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Rafique to surpass Zimbabwe’s total of 198 with 17 overs to spare to win the series 3-2. The hosts completed a grand double with this win, having clinched their maiden Test series against Zimbabwe earlier this month. Ahmed (81 not out) and pinch-hitter Rafique (72) were involved in a record 150-run stand for the second wicket to cap a remarkable comeback by Bangladesh, who had lost the first two matches. “Yes, our morale was down after losing the first two matches but we knew we could come back and win the series,” said Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar. “We worked hard and tried to rectify our mistakes after two defeats. I am happy to have won the match chasing a target, which was not easy.” The rollicking partnership between man of the match Rafique and Ahmed came off just 21.4 overs. Rafique smashed four sixes and seven fours in his 66-ball knock and Ahmed had two sixes and 10 fours in his 87-ball innings to the delight of a capacity crowd at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Their stand was Bangladesh’s second-highest for any wicket in one-dayers after 170 between Shahriar Hossain and Mehrab Hossain against the same opponents at the same venue in 1999. Rafique (2-34) had earlier led a pack of disciplined Bangladeshi spinners to help his team restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total despite a career-best 84 from left-handed opener Barney Rogers. “It was so near and yet so far for us,” said Zimbabwe skipper Tatenda Taibu. “I think we did not play spin well enough and lost wickets at crucial stages. They played well, but I think our boys did a good job. We worked hard and fought it out.” Bangladesh’s decision to go into the decisive game with three left-arm spinners paid handsome dividends as Rafique, Enamul Haque and Manjural Rana conceded just 94 runs in their 30 overs to make Zimbabwe struggle for runs on a slow pitch. Left-handed Rogers kept alive Zimbabwe’s hopes of posting a competitive total with his third half-century in four matches, but his dismissal sparked a collapse which saw the tourists lose their last seven wickets for 37 runs. Electing to bat, Zimbabwe were well-placed at 161-3 before Rogers was stumped off Haque after hitting one six and seven fours in his fifth half-century in 12 matches. Rogers, who had made 66, 51, 49 in his last three matches, put on 95 for the third wicket with Brendan Taylor (36), but Zimbabwe failed to build on their partnership as they lost wickets at regular intervals against the Bangladeshi spinners. Scoreboard Zimbabwe Matsikenyeri lbw Hossain 5 Rogers st Mashud b Haque 84 Masakadza c and b Rana 23 Taylor lbw Rafique 36 Taibu b Mortaza 31 Chigumbura c and b Haque 1 Sibanda lbw Rafique 1 Nkala c Haque b Hossain 8 Panyangara run out 1 Utseya run out 1 Mpofu not out 1 Extras
(lb-2, nb-1, w-3) 6 Total (all out in 49 overs) 198 Fall of wickets:
1-12, 2-44, 3-139, 4-161, 5-165, 6-168, 7-184, 8-187, 9-191. Bowling:
Mortaza 9-1-42-1, Hossain 9-1-51-2, Rana 10-2-21-1, Rafique 10-1-34-2, Haque 10-0-39-2, Kapali 1-0-9-0. Bangladesh Rafique c Utseya b Chigumbura 72 Iqbal b Panyangara 9 Ahmed not out 81 Bashar not out 34 Extras:
(lb-1, nb-2, w-3) 6 Total: (2 wkts, 33 overs) 202 Fall of wickets:
1-11, 2-161. Bowling: Panyangara 8-0-49-1, Mpofu 3-0-24-0, Chigumbura 6-1-49-1, Nkala 3-0-22-0, Utseya 9-1-29-0, Rogers 3-0-24-0, Masakadza 1-0-4-0.
— AFP
|
|
BCCI to finalise Pak tour on Feb 16
Kochi, January 31 BCCI Secretary S K Nair hinted today the Australian John Gloster would take over as Indian team’s new physiotherapist in the first week of February. Before leaving for Melbourne to attend the ICC meeting, he said, the two-member Pak team, currently on a trip to India to assess the venues and security, was expected to conclude the inspections in a few days. “Once they submit the report to the Pakistan Cricket Board, we are expecting official response and details from the Pak Board on the tour and we will finalise the tour accordingly at the meeting on February 16,’’ he said. Pakistan team is scheduled to play three tests and five one-dayers during their visit, tentatively scheduled from February 25 to April 10. The BCCI had already announced the venues for the matches. On master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who is recovering from a tennis elbow, the BCCI Secretary said the final decision to play was fully left to the maestro and the doctor attending on him.
— UNI |
|
Shoaib doubtful for India tour?
Islamabad, January 31 Shoaib Akhtar, currently in the news for his hamstring injury and alleged nightouts in Australia, has once again rubbed the cricket establishment the wrong way, said a report in local daily The News today. The speedster, who had to return home midway from the Australian tour because of the injury, should consider himself lucky if he makes it to the touring squad for the next month’s high-profile tour of India, it said. “The circumstances in which Shoaib has returned home do not augur well for him. Another breakdown due to fitness problems, his failure to come through in Australia as a match winner and question marks over his personal conduct are all issues which are presently being looked at seriously by the authority in the context of the Indian tour,” the report quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board source as saying. Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, coach Bob Woolmer and manager Haroon Rasheed have already conveyed their “negative feelings” about the fast bowler’s form and conduct to PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan. “They have narrated several instances where Shoaib had insisted on doing his own thing and not going along with the team policy. For example he chose to drive to the practice sessions when the others walked it to the ground,” the source said. “There is every possibility that with Mohammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed expected to be fit for the Indian tour, Inzamam (if he stays on as captain) and Woolmer might not push for Shoaib’s selection for the Indian tour,” the source said. Although Shaharyar had publicly tried to defend Shoaib’s conduct in Australia concerning his alleged visits to nightclubs during the matches, yet privately he was neither happy with his behaviour nor with his role as a team man. Shoaib did not help his ‘reputation’ of not lasting out any full series by bowling just 15 overs in the third Test at Sydney and struggling with a hamstring strain. He limped off after sending down just 2.5 overs in a tri-series game against the West Indies at Brisbane after which the decision to cut his tour short was taken. Shoaib’s tour of Australia took a turn for the worse when a section of the media splashed his photographs, believed to have taken during the third Test, partying at a nightclub and bar. ‘The Sydney Herald kickstarted this controversy by carrying a story about how the Pakistani bowler was seen at some nightspots during the third Test when he was said to be carrying a hamstring injury. Shoaib, who has taken 144 Test and 186 one-day international wickets, has defended himself by claiming the pictures were all ‘fakes’ and computer generated. The 29-year-old said he only visited a restaurant during the Test. He has also defended his form and fitness by insisting he had been bowling without any support from the other end and that the batting was equally to blame for letting the team down time and again. Meanwhile, Shoaib told The Nation that certain lobbies were trying to run him down but he was improving his fitness level in view of the forthcoming Indian tour. “Instead of helping me out and backing in difficult times... the lobbies of my own country work against me and try to run me down,” Shoaib told the daily. On the Indian tour, he said he was hoping to perform as well as he had done in the past in the neighbouring country. “Bowling with the fastest pace in the world and hitting on the right target is not an easy task, especially when you know that you are alone to deliver and no one will help you. Even your batting will not gather the defendable runs,” he said.
— PTI |
|
PCB team visits Kotla; to have re-look
New Delhi, January 31 The fact-finding team decided to have a re-look at the venue three weeks later before giving a definitive opinion. Officials of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) assured the Pakistan team that the ground and stands would be ready for the ODI by the end of March, though the visitors preferred to wait and watch. “If the Board of Control for Cricket in India guarantees that the ground will be ready for the match well in time, then we will have to believe it”, noted Zakir Khan. A DDCA official said work on planting of grass on the turf would begin on February 10, and the job was expected to be completed by March 10. The stadium is likely to be ready for hosting the match by March 20, though Delhi is scheduled to host the ODI in the first week of April. The official said work on a portion of the stands would also be completed in time though the corporate boxes would take time to be fully finished. The old dressing and changing rooms are well in place, and only the pitch needs to be firmed up, which may take some time as the grass requires bright sunshine to take root. The Pakistan cricket team, who will arrive in India on February 25, will play three Tests and five ODIs, besides a three-day tie at Mandi (Himachal Pradesh).
|
|
Hewitt to marry TV actress
Sydney, January 31 ‘’Lleyton and Bec met five years ago at a Starlight Foundation charity tennis day and rekindled their relationship late last year,’’ the statement said. ‘’The couple were instantly committed to each other. ‘’Bec proudly revealed the ring presented to her by Lleyton...to overjoyed family and friends at the post-tennis final celebrations.’’ Hewitt, 23, had been due to marry Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters next month but she called the wedding off three months ago following a four-year relationship.
Clijsters lost the women’s singles final at the 2004 Australian Open but withdrew from this year’s tournament because of injury.
Cartwright was also involved in a long-term relationship before splitting with actor Beau Brady late last year. The 21-year-old features in ‘’Home and Away’’, an Australian television soap opera. She was a regular fixture in the Hewitt family supporters box during the Australian Open. Hewitt publicly thanked her for supporting him after his loss to Safin but there was no indication of his pending proposal. According to local media reports, Cartwright had no advance warning but Hewitt was prepared with a ‘’big diamond’’.
— Reuters |
|
Safin eyes more grand slam success
Sydney, January 31 Safin made a brief appearance in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda to show off his new trophy then took a tram ride through the city streets before packing his bags for the long trip back to Europe. Having seemed destined for greatness when he stunned Pete Sampras to win the U.S. Open, the wait for a second major seemed to last an eternity. He was beaten in the 2002 and 2004 Australian Open finals and had begun to doubt he would ever win another grand slam until rediscovering his self-belief in Melbourne this past fortnight. His march to the final included an epic five-set win over the seemingly invincible Roger Federer in the semi-finals and the big Russian says he now believes he can win more grand slam titles. “Basically, I would love to win a couple more. I think I have a chance if I continue this way,” he said. “If (coach) Peter Lundgren will stick around with me and wants to work with me for a bit longer, I think I can make it.” Despite winning the title, Safin remained in fourth place on the world rankings behind Federer, Hewitt and Andy Roddick. Safin briefly held the top spot in 2000 and while he said he would like to regain it one day it wasn’t his top priority. “Of course, if I have the opportunity to become number one in the world, I would love to achieve it,” he said. “But I already have and I want to concentrate a little bit more on the grand slams.” Safin made the French Open semi-finals in 2002 and fancies his chances on the red clay of Paris more than on the green grass of Wimbledon. Despite possessing a booming serve and excellent volley, Safin has only made it past the second round once in five attempts and has little hope of ever winning Wimbledon. “I cannot play on that surface and I feel like I can’t waste my time, my energy,” he said. Some people can’t play on clay, some people can’t play on hard court. It’s psychological, of course, but I just don’t feel comfortable on that surface. “I will play (Wimbledon) but not with many expectations.”
— Reuters |
|
Sania’s ranking rises to 132
New Delhi, January 31 Mirza, 18, put up a brave fight before going down to eventual winner Serena Williams in the third round of the season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Before the championship, Sania was ranked 166.
But her compatriots have a lot of catching up to do with Rushmi Chakravarthi dropping to 349 from her previous ranking of 339. Sisters Ankita and Saana Bhambri have also fared no better. While Ankita slided to 432 from 416, Saana did marginally better to move to 548 from 568. The top honours among the women went to Lindsay Davenport who retained her number one position despite losing to Serena in the Australian open final. Serena herself moved up five places from No. 7 to be perched on the second spot. Roger Federer retained the No. 1 position in the men’s rankings, a loss in the semifinals of the Australian Open notwithstanding, while Lleyton Hewitt overtook Andy Roddick for second place after reaching the final. Russia’s newest Grand Slam champion, Marat
Safin, retained the fourth place in the men’s rankings after beating Hewitt in yesterday’s championship match.
— PTI |
|
|
Hingis set to return
Pattaya (Thailand), January 31 Kept away from tennis with a severe ankle injury since 2002, Hingis launches her comeback campaign on Tuesday against German Marlene Weingartner in the first round of the tournament. Hingis last appeared on the circuit in October, 2002, at Filderstadt, Germany, where she lost to Russia’s Elena Dementieva 3-6, 1-6. The Swiss national said despite her long lay-off, she would be playing the Pattaya competition to win. “As a competitor and athlete, I always want to win. But I hope my body will last and hold up and help me to come through,” Hingis said on Sunday.
— AP |
|
Navratilova confirms participation
Hyderabad, January 31 This is the first time Navratilova would be visiting India, State Tourism Minister Dr Geeta Reddy said at a press conference. Winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 women doubles titles and nine mixed doubles titles, she would be the biggest attraction, the minister said.
— UNI |
|
|
Anand loses title to Leko
Wijk Aan Zee, January 31 The Indian Grandmaster, who won the last two editions on the trot, was forced to split the point with Dutchman Ivan Sokolov and finished on eight points, half a point adrift of Leko. It was the maiden title for Leko, who drew his final round game with compatriot Judit Polgar. Four-time winner Anand was the favourite for winning an unprecedented five Corus titles but his early defeat against Leko put the brakes on his progress. A hat-trick of wins in the middle, against Russian Alexander Morozevich, Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine and Lazaro Bruzon of Cuba, brought him back into title contention, but a draw against local challenge Loek van Wely in a winning position spoiled Anand’s party so much that even a fine effort against big fish Michael Adams of England in the penultimate round did not prove enough for him to catch up with Leko. Eventually, it was a dogged fight by Sokolov, who seldom loses with white, that saw the Indian miss the crown by just a whisker. Leko’s four wins and nine draws gave him the coveted title and a grand start to the year. His win against Anand with black pieces in the second round held him in good stead right through. Leko’s other wins came against Nigel Short, Bruzon and Peter Svidler of Russia. Leko also was the only undefeated player in this year’s first Super Grandmaster tournament. In Group C, 12-year-old Parimarjan Negi went down against Grandmaster Vladimir Georgiev of Macedonia, who emerged the winner of the tournament on 10.5 points. Negi finished with a tally of 5.5. Anand, playing with black pieces, gave it all against tail-ender Sokolov. Early in the Slav game, Anand gained a pawn and but had a backward bishop. Trying to eke out a win in the queen, rook and bishop ending in the final stages of the game, Anand was in a spot of bother as the white queen and rook invaded his back rank. Forseeing a danger, Anand took a draw giving back the pawn. Leko, who needed a draw in the final round for at least a shared first place, got just that playing against the strongest woman player in the world — Polgar.
— PTI |
|
Panvel (Maharashtra), January 31 In a well-contested battle for top honours between Petroleum Sports Promotion Board employees, eighth seed Raman used his lethal forehand loop drives and fine positional play to outsmart a fighting third seed Arup Basak 4-2 to lift the Maharaja Pithapram Cup and the winner’s prize money of Rs 1.4 lakh. Left-hander Raman, who knocked out top-seeded defending champion Achanta Sharath Kamal (Petroleum) and fifth seed Sourav Charaborty in the quarterfinal and the semifinal, won the 40-minute clash of seasoned campaigners against 32-year-old former champion Basak 9-11, 11-1, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 in the Reliance Industries-sponsored event held at its township in Lodhivali. The victory helped the Chennai-based Indian Oil senior manager regain the crown which he last won in 2002 in Pune. Raman, who had beaten Kamal in that title clash, had earlier won the men’s singles titles in 1992 and 1999. He had lost five other finals since making his mark at the national level in the late 1980s. Earlier, second seed Mouma Das staged a grand rally against her PSPB rival and top seed Poulomi, the defending champion, from 0-3 down to draw level at 3-all before losing the deciding game narrowly and the emotion-charged match 3-4. Poulomi, who could not control her emotions after her win for the Travancore Cup and top prize of Rs 90,000, clinched the 50-minute battle for supremacy against former title winner Mouma 11-4, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 3-11, 12-10. It was the 24-year-old Kolkata-based Poulomi’s fourth title and her third one in the past four years.
—PTI |
|
Gursharan is Punjab’s Asst
Director, Sports
Chandigarh, January 31 Mr Gursharan Singh joined the Sports Department in 1977 as Sports Officer (Badminton). He is the only officer of the department who has represented the country as international referee/umpire/official in various international badminton competitions. He also represented the country as a badminton umpire in the Olympic Games at Athens in 2004. He has written a book Indian Hockey and Montreal Olympics. |
|
|
Sports official
retires Patiala, January 31 Mr Khosla, who had joined the Punjab Sports Department in 1971 as a cricket coach, was given a warm send off by coaches of the department.
|
| 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 | |
