S P O R T S

Mathews wins it for Lanka, keeps Bangladesh winless
Mirpur, March 6
After an initial stutter while chasing 205, Sri Lanka eventually beat Bangladesh by three wickets with skipper Angelo Mathews guiding them home with a fine 74. The chase began on a bad not for Sri Lanka, losing four wickets within 15 overs with just 48 runs on the board.

Angelo Mathews struck a match-winning 74 to see Lanka home against Bangladesh in the last league game on Thursday. AFP

I’m not competing with Ashwin, says Harbhajan
New Delhi, March 6
Ravichandran Ashwin's shoddy overseas performance might have enhanced Harbhajan Singh's chances of a return to the national side but the experienced off-spinner says he is “not competing” with the Tamil Nadu tweaker for a place in the Indian team.

Yuvraj would have given us an extra edge: Bangar
Chandigarh, March 6
Kings XI and Yuvraj Singh had parted ways on less than friendly terms a few years back. Nevertheless, the Kings XI wanted the all-rounder back in their fold this season. “The team management tried its best to get Yuvraj during the auction. His presence would have given us an extra edge.

ipl mess
Don’t reveal players’ names, BCCI pleads SC
New Delhi, March 6
The Indian cricket board on Thursday pleaded before the Supreme Court not to make public the cricketers named in the report placed in a sealed envelope by its probe committee which raised suspicion on their role in the IPL betting and spot-fixing scam.

Smith wants to help Proteas after retirement

Cape Town, March 6 Graeme Smith said on Wednesday he was keen to continue to play a role in South African cricket following his retirement from the international game as a player. “I'd love to play a role with Cricket South Africa and who knows where that's going to be,” he said in his final press conference as captain after his side's 245-run defeat in the third Test against Australia. Graeme Smith and his wife, Morgan Smith, pose with their daughters on the pitch on Day 5 of the third Test in Capetown. AFP

Formula One will not return to India in 2015: Bernie

Mumbai, March 6 India's motor sports federation is optimistic the tax problems that have jeopardised the country's Formula One race will be resolved and the home Grand Prix will be back in 2016. Formula One commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Wednesday that the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi will not be hosting a race next year after being dropped from the 2014 championship. India has staged three races since 2011 at the Buddh International Circuit in Noida. File photo

Vijender joins Raja’s rebel faction in IABF
New Delhi, March 6
The rebel faction in the terminated Indian Amateur Boxing Federation today got a massive shot in the arm with Olympic and World Championships bronze-medallist Vijender Singh agreeing to be on the athletes commission proposed by the group led by former Secretary General Brig. (Retd) P K Muralidharan Raja.

All but over in England
Birmingham, March 6
Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal emerged as the lone survivor at the USD 400000 All-England Championship, thrashing Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour in straight-games to reach the second round even as compatriot Pusarla Venkata Sindhu fell by the wayside, here.

Portugal’s numero uno: Ronaldo surpasses Pauleta
London, March 6
Cristiano Ronaldo made the most of shambolic Cameroon defending by scoring twice to help his team to a 5-1 friendly win on Wednesday and become Portugal's all-time leading scorer.

Himachal beat J&K by solitary goal Lucknow, March 6 Bihar, Uttarakhand, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Himachal Pradesh made winning starts to their campaign in the fourth Hockey India Senior Men National Championship at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), in red, beat Rajasthan 2-1 on Thursday. Tribune photo

Gangjee top Indian golfer at British Open qualifiers
Chonburi, Thailand, March 6
It was a tough day for Indian hopefuls at the Open Qualifying Series-Thailand as Rahil Gangjee emerged as the best with one-under 71, here on Thursday. Gangjee, who was placed tied 15th, is three behind the leader Hiroshi Iwata (68) of Japan at the end of the first round of the 36-hole qualifier.

Polo tourney from March 7
Chandigarh, March 6
In an effort to revive the royal game of Polo in Punjab, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Polo Federation is organising the first Polo championship at the grounds of IREO Waterfront, Ludhiana from March 7 to 10.

Mathews wins it for Lanka, keeps Bangladesh winless

Mirpur, March 6
After an initial stutter while chasing 205, Sri Lanka eventually beat Bangladesh by three wickets with skipper Angelo Mathews guiding them home with a fine 74. The chase began on a bad not for Sri Lanka, losing four wickets within 15 overs with just 48 runs on the board.

But Mathews dug in his heels even as Bangladesh kept chipping away from the other end. He stayed there till the end, ensuring that Bangladesh stayed winless in the tournament.

Earlier, Bangladesh frittered away a solid start as Sri Lankan spinners triggered a middle-order collapse to restrict the hosts to 204 for nine.

Rookie off-spinner Ashan Priyanjan grabbed 2/11 from his three overs after Ajantha Mendis gave the breakthrough with two wickets in six balls. The result was that Bangladesh never had a partnership going, after the openers had put on 74 runs Shere-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Continuing his brilliant form, Anamul Haque, who struck a century in their record 326 against Pakistan, top-scored with 49 after Bangladesh opted to bat. The opener hit one six and two fours en route to his 86-ball knock, before falling to Priyanjan.

In the next over, Priyanjan took the prized scalp of Shakib-al-Hasan (20), and the pace duo of Suranga Lakmal (2/32) and Thisara Perera (2/29) tightened the noose around the Bangladeshi batsmen in the death overs.

Bangladesh had a solid start with Anamul and Shamsur Rahman going along smoothly against Sri Lank's new ball bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Thisara Perera on a pitch that stayed low and had uneven bounce.

The duo scored mainly in boundaries and put on 74 runs before a dubious lbw decision by Bruce Oxenford gave Mendis the first breakthrough in Rahman.

There was a double blow for Bangladesh as Mendis took another wicket in the same over, when he castled Mominul Haque with a low ball. — PTI

Scoreboard

I’m not competing with Ashwin, says Harbhajan

New Delhi, March 6
Ravichandran Ashwin's shoddy overseas performance might have enhanced Harbhajan Singh's chances of a return to the national side but the experienced off-spinner says he is “not competing” with the Tamil Nadu tweaker for a place in the Indian team.

“In all these years, I have only had one competitor. That's me. I have never liked competing with anyone and that's how it has been over the years. International sport is a lonely journey. You compete with your own self and try to grow as a cricketer,” Harbhajan said on Thursday.

“No point in competing with two, three or four people. Try your best and leave it for others to judge. Also I don't want to say a single word about a current India player,” Harbhajan said.

Ashwin was ineffective during India's disastrous tours of South Africa and New Zealand and received flak from former spinners Maninder Singh and Narendra Hirwani. Infact former captain Sourav Ganguly called for Harbhajan's return to the national team.

Harbhajan has been out of the India team for one year but the 33-year-old spinner as always is relishing the challenge to fight his way back into national side. Asked if he had set any time-frame, he replied, “The operative word here I believe is not age but motivation. Age is just a number. If someone can perform at 45, who will stop that fellow from playing top-level cricket?”

“For me, it's the motivation and passion to play the game at the highest level. I still want to play for India and it's important to realise how badly you want that. I will continue playing as long as I can enjoy playing for India,” Harbhajan said.

Punjab beat Himachal, finish on top

New Delhi: Gurkeerat Singh and Himanshu Chawla put up a vital 121-run partnership to lead Punjab to a close win over Himachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy here today. Gurkeerat struck a stable 83, while Chawla scored 64 off 68 balls to take their team from 63 for four to within the 248-run target. Gurvinder Singh removed both of them but Punjab were home with two overs to spare.

Earlier, Himachal Pradesh scored a competitive 247 for 6 with an unbeaten hundred from Prashant Chopra (109), and a fifty from Nikhil Gangta (63). The win took Punjab to the top of the table in North Zone. — PTI

Brief Scores

Yuvraj would have given us an extra edge: Bangar
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 6
Kings XI and Yuvraj Singh had parted ways on less than friendly terms a few years back. Nevertheless, the Kings XI wanted the all-rounder back in their fold this season.

“The team management tried its best to get Yuvraj during the auction. His presence would have given us an extra edge. Anyway, we have a good mix of young and experienced players... we’ve all our bases covered,” said Sanjay Bangar, the Kings XI newly-appointed assistant coach.

The Kings XI may not have got Yuvraj, but they managed to rope in an equally mercurial Virender Sehwag, who was sent back into the auction pool by Delhi Daredevils. Although Sehwag has been woefully out of form for some time now, Bangar doesn’t look worried. “Sehwag is a class player, his record speaks for him. Besides Don Bradman and Chris Gayle, he’s the only player to have scored two triple tons in Test cricket. It’s just a matter of time and one good knock for him get back to his best,” said Bangar.

Bangar sounded pretty happy with their foreign imports, mostly Australians. “While Mitchell Johnson will add fire power to our bowling, the likes of Shaun Marsh, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell and David Miller will make us a very strong batting unit.”

With the team looking quite strong and balanced, at least on the paper, Bangar is understandably not worried about playing in foreign venues.

“We have a good pool of players, the squad looks quite balanced. We are looking forward to playing some good cricket this year, the venues won’t matter at all,” said Bangar.

ipl mess
Don’t reveal players’ names, BCCI pleads SC

New Delhi, March 6
The Indian cricket board on Thursday pleaded before the Supreme Court not to make public the cricketers named in the report placed in a sealed envelope by its probe committee which raised suspicion on their role in the IPL betting and spot-fixing scam.

The three-member committee, headed by former Punjab and Haryana Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal, has named in its report six prominent “Indian capped” players, including one who is part of the current team whose names cropped up during its investigation. The Board, in its response to the report, said "speculative and baseless" charges against leading cricketers have been made by “unscrupulous” news channels and the apex court must pass an order to prevent any further damage to the image and reputation of “innocent” cricketers.

“It is further submitted that the probe committee has given certain confidential material in a sealed cover to this court. Since that material has not been verified to be true, it is most humbly submitted that the material contained in the sealed cover remain with the court and not to be released to the parties,” the Board said in its response to the report filed on Feb 10. — Agencies

Smith wants to help Proteas after retirement

Cape Town, March 6
Graeme Smith said on Wednesday he was keen to continue to play a role in South African cricket following his retirement from the international game as a player. “I'd love to play a role with Cricket South Africa and who knows where that's going to be,” he said in his final press conference as captain after his side's 245-run defeat in the third Test against Australia.

“I've gained a lot of experience over the years, worked with a lot of people and feel I still have a lot to offer South African cricket.”

Smith said he believed it was important to create the right environment for the national team to go forward into the future. “I think there are some important things that need to be tightened,” said the 33-year-old.

“The leadership group is going to be a crucial factor — how they galvanise these players and get them working and going in the right direction. There are a lot of wonderful players who can take it forward (but) there are certainly challenges on the exterior that need to be met.”

Smith said he started to think of retirement when Gary Kirsten stepped down as coach last year.

He also said he had planned to announce his retirement before the final Test. “It's been on my mind since before the series started. The hard part was to have the courage to make the decision. It felt like the time was right for me. I wanted to do it before the Test started.”

He added that a household accident to his 19-month-old daughter Cadence, who had been “in and out of hospital”, had distracted him. “You put things off. But I realised this was the place where I wanted to finish my career.”

Asked to list the highlights of his career, he said: “As a leader, when you start to figure out the type of players and the environment you want and you see it growing as it has, that for me is the greatest achievement. — PTI

Formula One will not return to India in 2015: Bernie

Mumbai, March 6
India's motor sports federation is optimistic the tax problems that have jeopardised the country's Formula One race will be resolved and the home Grand Prix will be back in 2016.

Formula One commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Wednesday that the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi will not be hosting a race next year after being dropped from the 2014 championship.

Problems over taxation, with Formula One classified as entertainment rather than a sport in India, as well as the considerable bureaucracy governing the import of equipment have been seen as obstacles.

The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) is waiting for a final clearance from the sports ministry for recognition as a national sports federation and hopes that will pave the way for the race's return.

“It's unfortunate but once the government gives the recognition I am very hopeful that Mr Ecclestone's concerns will be satisfied,” Akbar Ebrahim, the chairman of racing at FMSCI, said on Thursday.

“The good thing is that the International Olympic Committee has recognised the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and made it a full member. “So once we have the recognition the drivers are no longer going to be considered as entertainers but as athletes.”

Crediting race promoters Jaypee Sports International for building a stellar circuit in India, Ebrahim was hopeful that the FMSCI would be recognised after the country's general elections are over in May.

“The required paperwork that was asked for by the government of India has been already submitted a month back,” Ebrahim added. “It's a priority. This recognition is not just for F1 but it is beneficial for the grass root level of Indian motorsports, too.”

Ecclestone said in November that a deal had been done for the Indian Grand Prix to return in 2015 and for six years beyond that if tax problems could be overcome.

A Jaypee spokesman declined to comment when contacted, but a source at the promoter said the problems should be resolved and Formula One would return to India. India first hosted a Grand Prix in 2011 to positive reviews and have staged three races to date. — Reuters

Vijender joins Raja’s rebel faction in IABF

New Delhi, March 6
The rebel faction in the terminated Indian Amateur Boxing Federation today got a massive shot in the arm with Olympic and World Championships bronze-medallist Vijender Singh agreeing to be on the athletes commission proposed by the group led by former Secretary General Brig. (Retd) P K Muralidharan Raja.

The rebel group, which claims to have the backing of 23 of the 35 state units on board, is set to approach AIBA after the world body sought applications from “any group of people with passion and love for our sport to submit applications for the establishment of a new National Federation”.

“The AIBA wants a clean set-up and we can provide that. Having Vijender on board shows that we are keen to provide the transparent and credible alternative that Indian boxing needs desperately,” Raja, who is also the group's convener, said.

Vijender, on his part, said he decided to come on board as he felt the group has proven credentials. Brig. Raja was the Secretary General till 2012. West Bengal Boxing Association chief Asit Banerjee has been named chairman of the group.

“When I was approached by Brigadier Raja to be on the athletes commission of his faction, I readily agreed because I have full faith in this group's ability to lead Indian boxing out of this crisis,” Vijender said.

“Indian boxing should have grown by leaps and bounds but instead, we have touched the lowest point. Somebody has to stand up and speak for the sport. I will do whatever I can by being a part of this effort to revive Indian boxing,” he added.

“I am an active athlete but I am sure I can contribute to the cause because at the end of the day, if we want to compete under the national flag, we the boxers also have to stand up.”

Earlier, furious with the current logjam in the suspended IABF, the International Boxing Association terminated the body from its fold stating that the current set of office-bearers are “damaging the image, reputation and interest” of the sport.

In a statement, the AIBA said it is not in a position to make a “proper” judgement on how to handle India's case after receiving conflicting communications from various stakeholders.

The boxers and coaches will, however, continue to remain unaffected by the development and can participate in international events under the AIBA flag till the time the crisis is sorted out.

After provisionally suspending the IABF on December 6, 2012, AIBA has not recognised any official activities and did not support the Indian officials for almost 16 months.

However, AIBA promised to review the situation when the IOA had its suspension lifted by the IOC.

AIBA President Ching Kuo Wu said the IBF is unlikely to be re-recognised till the time a new set of officials take charge after fresh elections, the screening of candidates for which would be done by the world body.

A re-election would be followed by a provisional re-affiliation before India is formally re-inducted at the AIBA congress scheduled to be held from November 8 to 15 in Jeju Islands, South Korea. — PTI

All but over in England
Saina stays, Sindhu, Kashyap, Srikanth, Kona-Ponnappa out in opening round

Birmingham, March 6
Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal emerged as the lone survivor at the USD 400000 All-England Championship, thrashing Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour in straight-games to reach the second round even as compatriot Pusarla Venkata Sindhu fell by the wayside, here.

The 23-year-old notched up an easy 21-15 21-6 win over Gilmour in a women's singles match to bring some smiles back to the Indian camp after men's singles players Parupalli Kashyap, Kidambi Srikanth and mixed doubles pair of Tarun Kona and Ashwini Ponnappa lost in the opening round.

World No. 10, Sindhu too found the going tough and her debut at the All-England was spoilt by Sun Yu of China in another women's singles match. Sindhu, who held a 2-1 record against Sun before the match, suffered a 16-21 15-21 loss in a 47-minute match at the National Indoor Arena here.

Saina was the only bright spot on a dismal day for Indian badminton as she produced a dominating performance to sent Gilmour packing in 32 minutes. She will take on Beiwen Zhang of USA in the second round.

The seventh seeded Indian opened up a 3-1 lead early on and then kept increasing the distance even though Gilmour was breathing down her neck for most of the time but Saina eventually reeled off four straight points from 16-14 to pocket the first game.

In the second game, Saina was more dominating as she registered eight straight points to reach 10-2, then had two bursts of four straight points to move to 18-4. She didn't give any chance to Gilmour to make any comeback and closed the door on her comfortably. Saina had beaten Gilmour at the Denmark Open last year.

Sindhu, however, had a difficult time against Sun as she lagged behind 5-9 early on and though the Indian clawed back at 12-12 and then at 15-15, the Chinese reeled off five points on the trot to win the opening game.

In the second game too, Sun moved to 4-2 initially and then extended the lead to 11-7. Sindhu narrowed down the gap to 12-13 but the Chinese was successful in staving off the challenge from the 18-year-old Indian to ease into the next round. — Agencies

Portugal’s numero uno: Ronaldo surpasses Pauleta

London, March 6
Cristiano Ronaldo made the most of shambolic Cameroon defending by scoring twice to help his team to a 5-1 friendly win on Wednesday and become Portugal's all-time leading scorer.

Ronaldo took his international tally to 49, two more than the previous record set by Pauleta, as Portugal ran rings around the Indomitable Lions in a meeting of two World Cup finalists. "I don't worry about breaking records, it something that happens naturally, with lots of dedication," the 29-year-old told RTP television.

Cameroon were level at halftime but fell apart in the second half as they conceded four goals in a disastrous 18-minute spell. Portugal went ahead in the 21st minute when Joao Pereira pulled the ball back from near the byline and found Ronaldo, who shimmied past his marker and fired a low shot past Guy Rolland Ndy Assembe to set a new scoring record.

The hosts did not have it all their own way and Vincent Abubakar levelled two minutes before the break when he was given time to control the ball on his chest and score with a shot on the turn. The second half began with both teams on the attack and Assembe made an outstanding save to deny Ronaldo from close range just after the hour.

But Cameroon collapsed after a dreadful mistake by Aurelien Chedjou, who sent an attempted pass out of defence straight to Raul Meireles and the midfielder gratefully accepted the gift to put Portugal back in front in the 65th minute. Fabio Coentrao added another two minutes later after he was set up by Silvestre Varela and, with Cameroon wide open, Edinho snapped up the fourth in the 77th minute after Essembe could only touch Ronaldo's shot straight into his path.

Ronaldo completed the scoring in the 83rd minute, firing in a snap shot from 15 metres after two Cameroon defenders failed to clear the ball. — Agencies

Argentina draw with Romania

Bucharest: Argentina didn't do their tag as World Cup contenders much good on Wednesday as they laboured to a 0-0 draw against Romania in a friendly which also saw Lionel Messi struggle with illness.

Himachal beat J&K by solitary goal

Lucknow, March 6
Bihar, Uttarakhand, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Himachal Pradesh made winning starts to their campaign in the fourth Hockey India Senior Men National Championship at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium.

Himachal Pradesh beat Jammu and Kashmir by a solitary goal to make a winning start to their campaign. Himachal Pradesh took the lead dominated in the first half with the help of Sanwar Ali's field goal in the 34th minute.

But Jammu and Kashmir fought back and leveled the scores through Amrinder Singh's field goal at the 41st minute. Rajesh Kumar converted a penalty corner in the 46th minute to seal the match in HP’s favour.

Meanwhile, Bihar went all out againt Gujarat from the very beginning. However, it was Gujarat who drew the first blood through Krushsingh Zala in the ninth minute.

But Bihar came back strongly and scored through Md Reyazuddin (11th), Naveenminz (14th) and Mangra Bhengra (21st) to take a sizeable 3-1 lead in the first half. Gujarat played a defensive game in the second half but could not stop Bihar's Naveenminz from scoring another goal at 40th minute to wrap up the game. In another match, Uttarakhand thrashed Goa 4-0. Prakash Mehra scored two goals for Uttarakhand at 23rd and 49th minutes. Captain Maheshwar Negi (28th) and Kailash Jalal (56th) were the other goal-getters for the winners.

In the third match of the day, SSB had to toil hard to beat Rajasthan 2-1.

Rajasthan took the lead in the first half through Purshotam Bagdi's penalty corner conversion in the 22nd minute. — PTI

Gangjee top Indian golfer at British Open qualifiers

Chonburi, Thailand, March 6
It was a tough day for Indian hopefuls at the Open Qualifying Series-Thailand as Rahil Gangjee emerged as the best with one-under 71, here on Thursday. Gangjee, who was placed tied 15th, is three behind the leader Hiroshi Iwata (68) of Japan at the end of the first round of the 36-hole qualifier.

Chiragh Kumar (73) was the second best at tied 28th, while the better-known names Anirban Lahiri, SSP Chowrasia and Himmat Rai had a disappointing outing. Lahiri pulled out after the first round of 74, while Chowrasia carded 78 and Himmat shot 79. Gangjee started in style with back-to-back birdies but gave away a shot on fourth. A birdie on seventh followed by a bogey on eighth meant he turned in one-under. On the back nine, he bogeyed the 16th and birdied the 17th.

Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, seen as one of the challengers for the four spots available from the qualifier for the British Open, was also out of form as he carded 78. Iwata edged closer to making his return to the world's oldest Major after a first round four-under-par 68 saw him take his place atop the leaderboard. — Agencies

Polo tourney from March 7
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 6
In an effort to revive the royal game of Polo in Punjab, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Polo Federation is organising the first Polo championship at the grounds of IREO Waterfront, Ludhiana from March 7 to 10.

The championship will have three teams — English Stallion, Royal Rangers and Punjab Saddlers. The three-day competition is being organized as the first step to introduce the game in front of the youth of the region, said the organizers.