HP vs Andhra Ranji match ends in draw

Dharamsala
Himachal Pradesh batsmen Rishi Dhawan and Rashmi Parida hit half-centuries as their rain-affected Ranji Trophy Group C match against Andhra ended in a draw. A dogged stand of 59 from 36.4 overs between Dhawan (55 not out) and Parida (52) ensured the home side did not get bowled out as they ended at 186/7 in 88 overs on the fourth and final day at HPCA Stadium. Since the first innings for both sides remained unfinished due to the weather, each team got a point each. Andhra extended their overnight score from 301 for 6 to 336/8 declared, before Himachal’s top order was rocked by seamer Paidikalva Vijaykumar (3/47). Brief Scores: AP: 336/8 decl in 97 overs (Sriram 105); HP: 186/7 in 88 overs (Rishi 55 not out, Parida 52).

Kolkata
I’m not sure of our bowling attack, says Kirti Azad
Former cricketer Kirti Azad hoped India would defend their World Cup title but at the same time expressed concern about the current team’s weak bowling attack. “As an Indian I would always hope that we win the World Cup but I’m not sure of our bowling attack. Our bowling may suffer in the overseas conditions,” he said. Critical of the T20 cricket, the former India batsman said: “It’s damaging cricket. T20 is like two-minute noodles — no doubt it’s tasty but never nutritious. The IPL is like a honeycomb, there’s a lot of money in cricket now and everybody is lured by it,” the 56-year-old said.
 
London
Blackmail attempt hasn’t distracted me: Morgan
England skipper Eoin Morgan said that the recent blackmailing attempt by an Australian man over an alleged affair with a woman hasn’t distracted him ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Morgan said that it hadn’t been distracting at all, adding that he was very comfortable with ECB looking after the situation.

Jamshedpur
National Games may be Talukdar’s last for Jharkhand
Olympian archer Jayanta Talukdar is likely to represent Jharkhand for the last time in the National Games. Talukdar has to take a decision whether to continue to represent the state, which he has been representing for last the 15 years, due to a government policy. As per the policy framed by the previous Hemant Soren government, only the medal winning sportspersons who are natives of Jharkhand, will be entitled for cash awards. The 28-year-old Talukdar was born in Assam but began his career in archery in Jharkhand after the state was created in 2000. — Agencies

Chennai
Ajmal, Gazi undergo bowling test in Chennai
Suspended Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was today put through an official ICC bowling test at the apex cricket body’s accredited laboratory here under the supervision of two technical experts from Dubai. Apart from Ajmal, Bangladeshi right-arm off-break bowler Sohag Gazi, 23, also reported for testing today as per instructions of the International Cricket Council. The 37-year-old Ajmal, who was suspended from bowling in international cricket last September, will be missing the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup because of suspension for illegal bowling action.

Kolkata
ITF Juniors: Karman wins  singles under-18 title
Top seed Karman Kaur Thandi lifted the women’s singles under-18 trophy at the ITF Juniors after edging past Thailand’s Y Jittakoat 6-4 7-5. Thandi, from 1-3 down in the first set, grabbed it 6-4. She went down again in the second set as the score board displayed 5-2 in favour of Jittakoat. From there, the 16-year-old Indian made a stunning comeback as she won five consecutive games to win the championship in one hour 50 minutes.  

Milan
Samuel Eto’o set to join Sampdoria
Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said on Saturday that Samuel Eto’o is set to join the club and told his players not to be distracted by the former Cameroon forward’s arrival. Television pictures showed Eto’o, currently at Everton, arriving at a clinic in Rome for a medical. He was due to be presented to the crowd before Sunday’s Serie A match at home to Palermo.

New York
Gloves from Ali-Liston rematch going to auction
Just months before the 50th anniversary of the heavyweight rematch between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston, boxing fans are getting a chance to own a piece of one of the most hotly debated title fights of all time. Both pairs of gloves from the May 25, 1965, bout in Lewiston, Maine — won by Ali with a first-round knockout from what some saw as a “phantom punch” — go up for auction on 21 February in New York. They are expected to fetch more than $1 million. Footage of the fight does not make it clear whether Ali’s quick right hand actually connected. Even the most famous photos show an enraged Ali standing over Liston, gesturing and yelling at him to get up and fight. The boxers’ gloves were seized by George Russo, the boxing commissioner for Maine. The gloves remained in the Russo family until they were purchased several years ago by a California collector who is now selling them. — Agencies

Melbourne
Aus player hit on head, survives
Bringing back memories of the tragic death of Philip Hughes, an Australian cricketer Daniel Hughes was left unconscious briefly after being hit by an almost identical bouncer on his neck during a first grade match but fortunately escaped unscathed. Batting for Northern Districts against Blacktown at Mark Taylor Oval in Sydney, Daniel attempted a hook shot off a bouncer from Cameron Nupier but the delivery hit him on the back of his neck and he was rushed to the Hornsby hospital. — PTI