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Butt, bad light take Pak to victory
Sachin, Haq face disciplinary action
Indian colts drub Namibia
I have no plans to retire: Lara
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JCT have the edge on Dempo in NFL today
Mahindra down East Bengal
Non-accreditation of SAI lab ‘encouraging’ doping
Indian boxer upsets Olympic medallist
Sania back at 32nd spot
Rohan, Prakash must deliver, says Ramesh
Popat pulls out of Uber Cup
FA Hoshiarpur, RCF record wins
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Butt, bad light take Pak to victory
Peshawar, February 6 India probably had to pay the price for a slow over rate and their inability to bat out the 50 overs as their seemingly big total of 328 in 48.4 proved inadequate in the end. With the Pakistani duo of Younis Khan and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan complaining of bad light as play spilled over beyond the scheduled close, the umpires decided to stop play, the hosts being 311 for seven in 47 overs at that stage. The Duckworth/Lewis system was applied and Pakistan were declared winners by seven runs, giving them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The match could have gone either way with the home team needing 18 runs in as many balls with three wickets in hand before the game came to an abrupt end. The result put paid to India’s aspirations to start off their one-day campaign on a positive note after Sachin Tendulkar had hit a fine 100 off 113 balls to return to form and steer India to a challenging score on a batting-friendly track at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. Young opener Salman Butt notched up his second ODI century and Shoaib Malik hit 90 to lay the platform for Pakistan’s run chase before a few quick dismissals threw the game wide open. Pakistan were set a stiff asking rate of 6.58, thanks to Tendulkar’s 39th century and aggressive knocks by Mahendra Singh Dhoni (68 off 53 balls) and Irfan Pathan (65 off 65). But the hosts seemed to make a mockery of the target, with the Indian bowlers being carted around by man-of-match Butt and Malik after the two joined forces at 50 for one. The partnership of 151 in 23.4 overs between Butt and Malik paved the way for Pakistan’s victory despite losing a cluster of three wickets in 32 balls later on. There was enough in the tank for the visitors to pull through even after the duo’s departure in the space of 17 balls followed by the quick dismissals of Shahid Afridi, Mohammed Yousuf, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq between the 37th and 45th overs. The Pakistan captain was declared out in a rare manner — for obstructing the field as he stopped with his bat a throw from mid-off fielder Suresh Raina to the non-striker’s end while trying to reach the crease, when only 40 were needed in as many balls. The hosts began their run chase briskly with left-hander Butt stroking the ball superbly to notch up his third century (101 in 111 balls with 15 fours). Earlier, Tendulkar roared back to form with a sheet-anchor innings. Under severe pressure for a form slump that saw him make only 63 runs in his last three Test innings, played himself in and then stroked his way to the fifth century against Pakistan in his 359th match. . He fell leg before to Arshad Khan, trying a reverse sweep, off the very next ball after reaching his century. He faced 113 balls and hit ten fours and a swing over mid-wicket off Arshad Khan for a six. Scoreboard
India Sehwag c Akmal b Asif 5 Tendulkar lbw Arshad 100 Pathan c sub (Farhat) b Naved 65 Dhoni c Malik b Asif 68 Yuvraj c Arshad b Razzaq 39 Dravid lbw Naved 18 Kaif c Butt b Asif 8 Agarkar run out 3 Zaheer c Yousuf b Naved 5 Kartik lbw Naved 1 Sreesanth not out 0 Extras (b-5, lb-2, w-3, nb-6) 16 Total (all out, 49.4 overs) 328 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-99, 3-225, 4-285, 5-305, 6-309, 7-315, 8-321, 9-324. Bowling: Naved 10-0-62-4, Asif 9.4-2-30-3, Gul 3-0-35-0, Razzaq 10-0-70-1, Afridi 10-0-68-0, Arshad 5-0-35-1, Malik 2-0-21-0. Pakistan Butt c Dravid b Kartik 101 Akmal c sub b Sreesanth 25 Malik c Dravid b Zaheer 90 Afridi run out 17 Yousuf c Zaheer b Agarkar 17 Inzamam out obstructing field 16 Younis not out 18 Razzaq c Dhoni b Agarkar 4 Naved not out 11 Extras (lb-1, nb-2, w-9) 12 Total (7 wickets, 47 overs) 311 Fall of wickets:
1-50, 2-201, 3-232, 4-244, 5-265, 6-289, 7-299. Bowling: Pathan 10-0-52-0, Sreesanth 10-0-75-1, Zaheer 8-0-50-1, Agarkar 9-0-58-2, Kartik 9-0-64-1, Sehwag 1-0-11-0.
— PTI |
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Sachin, Haq face disciplinary action
Peshawar, February 6 Insiders said the hearing would take place tomorrow in Islamabad, venue of the second one-dayer to be held on February 11. Tendulkar and Inzamam could be either reprimanded or fined or both if the match referee finds them guilty. Tendulkar, who scored 100 but still ended up on the losing side, showed dissent against umpire Aleem Dar’s decision who adjudged him leg before. Television replays confirmed that Tendulkar’s gestures were justified as the ball had hit the back leg after brushing the gloves while attempting a reverse sweep. However, according to the laws of the game, the players cannot object or show gestures against umpires decisions. Inzamam, after being adjudged obstructing the field, argued with the umpires against the decision. The home captain, along with coach Bob Woolmer, after the prize distribution ceremony, stormed into the match officials’ room where the two stayed for about 10 minutes. As regards the Indian team, they were two overs short and faced a minimum fine to 10 per cent of the match fee. “The field umpires have reported the incidents to the match referee and now the match officials will watch the replays of the incidents before calling a hearing in Islamabad tomorrow,” insiders said.
— PTI |
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Colombo, February 6 Ravikant Shukla’s team bowled the Africans out for 170 and then knocked off the required runs for the loss of just opener Gaurav Dhiman, who hammered 90 off just 70 balls. It was left to Cheteshwar Pujara (66 not out) and Rohit Sharma (10 not out) to seal the win, which came with 22.5 overs in hand. Chawla arrived for the tournament on Saturday after helping Uttar Pradesh to their first domestic championship title and he soon showed why he had been held back to play in that match before joining the squad in Sri Lanka. Chawla dismissed opener Keady Strauss, caught and bowled for seven and then had Pieter Grove (3) caught at slip by captain Shukla. He finished as India’s most successful bowler with 3-38 but seamer Abu Nechim Ahmed could be pleased with his effort after conceding only 22 runs from 10 overs and also taking the wicket of Botha. — PTI
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I have no plans to retire: Lara
Bridgetown, February 6 “People are always asking me when? when?” the 36-year-old Lara said yesterday. “I say to them ‘You tell me’.” “Lara’s comments to reporters came at the Carlton Ground outside Bridgetown, where Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados earlier in the day to win the regional title. Trinidad won the match by 264 runs for its first regional four-day title since 1985. The Trinidadian made cricket history in November, breaking the sport’s Test-run record with 11,204 runs in 121 matches. The West Indies team were due to leave for New Zealand on Tuesday, without Lara. He said he had opted out of the one-day matches, but would fly in early next month for the three Test. The player said he would take advantage of his holiday to take part in Trinidad’s carnival, which lasts through February and is one of the biggest in the world. “It’s part of my country’s culture and we look forward to it every year. I will have a chance to jump up and down and enjoy myself,” he said.
— AP |
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Dilip Tirkey ties the knot
Rourkela, February 6 Bishop Alphonse Bilung solemnised the marriage as the ace defender and his fiancee exchanged vows. The wedding ceremony, conducted in a solemn atmosphere, took about two hours. Tirkey, clad in a smart suit, came to the church in a procession accompanied by tribal drummers and young dancers. The newly married couple then went to the residence of the bride in Jagada area where her father Ishodore Tirkey, himself a hockey player, hosted a reception for around 5,000 guests. Orissa’s Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Debasis Nayak, besides Indian hockey stars Lazrus Barla, Prabodh Tirkey, William Xalxo and Bimal Lakra were present at the wedding. The wedding of one of Orissa’s top sports stars was somewhat mired in controversy when some family members and a section of the tribal community expressed resentment over the match. The hockey star had, however, dismissed the controversy as “trivial” saying that the wedding would take place as planned. “My mother was misled by some people, but now everything is fine,” he told newspersons here on Saturday night. “The church and the community have cleared the marriage and hence there is no problem,” he said. Tirkey said he knew Meera for the past three years and they had planned to marry. “But some people raised a hue and cry and tried to create confusion.” Emerging out of the church after the wedding, Tirkey said now he would have to get ready for the upcoming Indo-Pak six-Test series.
— PTI |
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JCT have the edge on Dempo in NFL today
Chandigarh, February 6 Beset with injury problems since the onset, the Goan outfit is now struggling to put up a fighting combination. While Riston Rodrigues, Jose Colaco, Valeriano Rebello and Lazarus Fernandes were ruled out even before the start of the NFL, the sidlining of AIFF ‘footballer of the year’ Climax Lawrence for two months came as a big blow to the defending champions. To add to their woes, international Sameer Naik has also been ruled out due to ligament injury. And on the eve of the tie against JCT, star Brazilian striker Roberto Mendes da Silva, who played for Mohun Bagan last season, was hospitalised due to food poisoning. “ I wonder how we are going to cope with the situation,” said coach Armando Colaco while speaking to The Tribune from Ludhiana where Dempo went through their paces this morning.
With six points from six matches, Dempo are slightly better placed as compared to JCT who have five points from as many matches. Both have won one match each. While JCT beat Mohun Bagan 2-0 in their away match at Kolkata on January 25, Dempo’s only victory came against Mohammedan Sporting at Kolkata on February 3. Having launched their campaign with a goal-less draw against Sporting Clube de Goa at Margao on January 10, Dempo subsequently split points with Fransa Pax FC after a goal-less draw. In the third round, Dempo went down fighting to Mahindra United 3-4 and later lost to Air-India 0-2. After playing a 1-1 draw with Mohun Bagan 1-1, Dempo registered their first victory against Mohammedan Sporting in the sixth round. The absence of key players nothwithstanding, one player has stood out for Dempo in the current NFL. He is dashing Nigerian striker Ranti Martins, who incidentally scored the first hat-trick in this edition. In Dempo’s 3-4 defeat at the hands of Mahindra United, all three goals for the Goan outfit were scored by Ranti Martins. The Nigerian was also the hero in Dempo’s only victory when he scored both the goals against Mohammedan Sporting at Kolkata on February 3. Of the six goals scored by Dempo so far, Martins alone has accounted for five. In the drawn match against Mohun Bagan, compatriot Bolaji Majek was Dempo’s scorer. In Abhijit Mondal, Dempo have a highly reliable goalkeeper. Incidentally, his heroics in the first match against Sporting Clube de Goa fetched him the ‘man-of-the-match’ award in the NFL opener at Margao on January 10. In the defence, Stanley Colaco has been playing a pivotal role while Clifford Miranda, Jules Alberto, Joaquim Abranches, and Johny D’Cruz are likely to bolster the midfield and attack spearheaded by Ranti Martins and Bolaji Majek. Brazilian striker Roberto Mendis da Silva is a doubtful starter after a bout of food poisoning. JCT Mills, who have suffered three defeats so far, are no pushovers. The setbacks at Mumbai, Kolkata and Ludhiana have, no doubt, rattled the Punjab outfit but for tomorrow's tie they appear confident. The return of promising striker Parveen Kumar, who missed the previous match against East Bengal due to two yellow-card bookings, has boosted their morale. Parveen has struck a fine combination with the diminutive Sunil Chhetri, Rennedy Singh, Marcos Pereira and Johnson Banner. He is the team's leading scorer with three goals to his credit. However, in his absence, the attack lacked the finishing touch against East Bengal, a fact corroborated by JCT coach Parminder Singh. In six matches played so far, JCT have won one and drawn two. After drawing goal-less with Fransa, the mill men split points with Sporting Clube de Goa through a 1-1 draw. It was at Kolkata on January 25 that JCT notched up their first win, defeating Mohun Bagan 2-0. But three subsequent defeats at the hands of Mahindras (1-2), Mohammedan Sporting (1-2) and East Bengal (0-1) have caused considerable consternation and the Phagwara outfit appear keen to get back to their winning ways. With goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey doing duty under the bars, JCT's defence will be manned by Nigerian Julius Akpele and Daljit Singh. Medios Sukhjinder and Sukhwinder may also have an important role to play as feeders to the forward line comprising Marcos Pereira, Rennedy Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Parveen Kumar and Johnson. The kick-off is at 2 pm. |
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Mahindra down East Bengal
Kolkata, February 6 The Brazilian struck it rich in the 68th minute to break the deadlock in the game that saw the Mumbai side steamrolling the locals, more so in the second half, on their home turf, Salt Lake Stadium. Barreto, as impressive as always, displayed classic opportunism and reflex as he latched on to a nice through from substitute Surajit Bose on the top of the box, took a quick turn, saw rival goalkeeper Nassem Akhtar narrowing the angle and fired an instep shot that sneaked in through the first post. The former Mohun Bagan striker scored his fifth goal in the tournament to remain the top scorer, while table toppers Mahindra marched forward on their way to the title hunt. Mahindra boosted their tally to 16 points from six outings, while East Bengal remained with 12 points from seven matches. The hosts, despite being at the receiving end for most part, came across a couple of easy chances that were squandered by Rahim Nabi and substitute Sasthi Duley in the second session. Mahindra medio James Singh, who played a pivotal role in the midfield, bagged the man-of-the-match award. East Bengal, who were busy defending their forte although the second half, lost a golden opportunity to restore parity in the injury time, when Sasthi Duley wasted a chance. Seconds later, Shylo Malswamtluanga’s shot was brilliantly fisted out by Roychowdhury to seal the fate of the locals.
— PTI |
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Non-accreditation of SAI lab ‘encouraging’ doping
Patiala, February 6 The three reasons are: lack of authenticity of the New Delhi-based SAI laboratory — the country’s lone dope control centre, questionable testing procedures and increased prize money at the international level. Senior coaches at the NIS aver that the SAI lab has yet to receive a certificate of authenticity from WADA which is one reason why its results can not be relied upon. The reason is that despite the laboratory having been awarded two ISO certificates it is still not full equipped as per WADA rules so as to satisfy the International Olympic Committee (IOC). While all the other mandatory equipment has been procured, installed and commissioned, one important element — the Isotope Ration Mass
Spectrometer (IRMS) — is still missing. Experts opine that in the absence of IRMS and certain other parameters required for dope testing, the results of tests may satisfy the SAI, IOA and the respective National Sports Federations (NSFs) but not the IOC or the WADA. The fact that the results of the SAI lab can not be relied upon was demonstrated by the doping fiasco women weightlifters Sanamacha Chanu and Pratima Kumari were involved in at the Athens Olympics in 2004. The samples of these two lifters had been tested at the SAI lab just prior to the Olympics and both were found to be negative but at Athens, a couple of days later,
these very lifters tested positive. The manner of testing is also being questioned by many in the know of things at the NIS. Raising doubts about the procedures adopted to transport samples to the SAI lab at New Delhi, a senior coach remarked, “When athletes are attending national camps, mostly at the NIS or at the SAI southern centre at Bangalore, their urine samples are sent through a messenger leaving enough scope for manipulation. Who
knows whether the samples dispatched from Patiala or Bangalore to New Delhi are the same when they are tested at the SAI lab.” However, lack of transparency of the testing procedure and inadequate equipment is just one aspect of the dope mess. Experts say the huge amount of cash prizes on offer by the Sports Ministry has also changed the attitude of sportspersons and coaches alike who in their endeavour to make a fast buck get on to the dope bandwagon. The gold, silver and bronze medal winners — and their coaches — at the Asian, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, stand to gain anything between Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh for one medal. “When so much of moolah is involved everyone tries to win, by hook or by crook,” remarked a Dronacharya awardee. |
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Indian boxer upsets Olympic medallist
New Delhi, February 6 In the plus-91 kg category of the just-concluded event, Johnson went on to win the silver medal. Apart from that, the 11-member Indian contingent returned with two bronze medals, won by Paramjeet Singh in 48 kg and Vijender in 69 kg categories. About 130 boxers from 18 countries took part in the tournament. Johnson was the most impressive boxer in the Indian squad as he defeated Fazekhs Otto of Hungary 23:8 in the preliminary round and Steven Rudic of Australia 23:13 in the quarterfinals. His semifinal bout against Ahmed Wattar was an opportunity to avenge his quarterfinal defeat by the same opponent at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan. This time Johnson was mentally prepared to settle a score and he did it convincingly. In the 48 kg category, Paramjeet Singh, another Army man, was very impressive in his run-up to the semifinals as he beat Farhat Felivan of Turkey 12:9 and Romesh Fernando of Australia 20:15. However, Bedak Pal of Hungary — a silver medallist at the World Championship — was too strong for him in the semifinals and defeated him 31:07. Railway man Vijender had a dream run as he knocked out Borna Katalinic of Croatia in the preliminary round and outscored his opponent Szilistvan. He, however, lost to local favourite David Kubicek 9:24 in the semifinals. This information was given by the Secretary of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, Col P.K. Muralidharan Raja, in a press note here today.
— UNI |
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Sania back at 32nd spot
New Delhi, February 6 Sania had earlier dropped to 34 following her disastrous Australian Open campaign where she was knocked out in the second round of the singles competition. However, the Hyderabadi teen has regained the 32nd spot this week with 592.75 ranking points, above 37th ranked Serena (537). Belgian Kim Clijsters continues to top the list with 3478 points followed by Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo (3377) of France. Martina Hingis of Switzerland making a comeback after a long injury layoff, has leapfrogged from last week’s 117th position to be at 48th this week with 440 points. US-based Shikha Uberoi is the next Indian in the list after Sania, dropping two places to 160th with 171.75 ranking points. The Bhambri sisters, Ankita and Sanaa, are at 361st and 457th positions, respectively. Rushmi Chakravarthi is on 370 climbing five places with 50.25 points.
— UNI |
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Rohan, Prakash must deliver, says Ramesh
Chennai, February 6 Krishnan said the onus of fetching the singles wins rested on Bopanna and Amritraj in the Asia-Oceania Group 1 first-round tie in Changwon, Korea, from February 10 to 12. “This is the time for them to deliver,” Krishnan, a member of the Indian team that reached the 1987 final, told PTI. “We can count the doubles in favour of us. We need two other singles rubbers. “Obviously, Hyung Taik Lee will be favoured for the two singles matches but we need the two singles points, whichever way we win. “Therefore, it is up to Prakash (Amritraj) and Rohan (Bopanna) to deliver,” he said. Bopanna and Amritraj made a sensational start to the season when they reached the doubles final at the Chennai Open ATP Tour event in January. But Krishnan felt that performance would not matter when it came to playing Korea. “Both had a good Chennai Open which was one month ago. In the Australian Open, neither of them came through the qualifying,” he pointed out. “One needs to keep the momentum going. One month is a long time. What you played last week counts this week. Consistency is the most vital aspect in tennis.” The Indian team, including captain Leander Paes and reserve player Karan Rastogi, have assembled in Changwon, near Busan. Doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi was yet to join them though. India lost to Sweden at home in the World Group playoff last year. It was the fifth time in six years the team had reached that far but failed to break into the elite division. The last time India were in the World Group was in 1998 when they lost to Italy in Italy in the first round. Krishnan, who was the non-playing captain from 1999 to 2003, said a combination of factors, including Paes’ ageing, had made things difficult for the team. “For the last few years, we have been realising that the Asian teams are getting tougher... the problem comes when you have to travel. And the sign of any good team is that how well it travels,” Krishnan said. “For many years, we have been depending on Leander (Paes) and he was getting three points for us in each match. “Now he is able to play only doubles. All these problems have surfaced now.”
— PTI |
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Popat pulls out of Uber Cup
Jaipur, February 6 Popat, the 37th ranked player in the world, yesterday informed the Badminton Association of India (BAI) about her withdrawal from the prestigious tournament on account of a wrist injury, BAI general secretary L.C. Gupta said. Earlier, the injury had also prevented nine-time national champion Popat from participating in the ongoing national coaching camp at Jalandhar which commenced on January 20. As she was undergoing treatment, Popat had first requested to join the camp a week later but then sought an extension of 10 more days before eventually withdrawing. The Indian team is scheduled to arrive here on February 9.
— UNI |
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FA Hoshiarpur, RCF record wins
Chandigarh, February 6 The first goal was scored by Khalsa College Jalandhar in the 6th minute through Taranjit. Football Academy fought back and equalised through Samir Kumar in the 20th minute. Football Academy Hoshiarpur found the match winner in the 53rd minute through Parminder and sailed into the semifinal in the college category. In the second match, played between JCT Football Academy and Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, the latter emerged triumphant 3-2 in tie breaker after the two teams were tied goal-less in regulation time. |
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