Korean schoolgirl stuns badminton No.1 at Sudirman Cup
?She?s tall, powerful and has very good footwork,? the Taiwanese said of her young opponent, who only turned 17 in February. Saina Nehwal, India?s 2015 world silver-medallist, was well beaten by Chen Yufei, the third-ranked Chinese winning 21-12, 21-17 in 33 minutes. ?I have had some trouble with my wrist and ankle and didn?t want to push too hard,? ...
South Africa confront World Cup demons
?People will highlight the baggage ? it?s like a big mirror that is always in front of you,? said South African captain Faf du Plessis before departing for England. Du Plessis said this quartet were a crucial part of his team?s ?Plan A?, even though it means South Africa could have a long tail as none of the specialist bowlers are reliable batsmen.
Bangladesh aim to break new ground at World Cup
Bangladesh showed they could compete with cricket?s elite nations when they advanced to the Champions Trophy semi-finals two years ago from a strong group featuring England, Australia and New Zealand. Bangladesh?s group stage win against England four years ago proved to be a catalyst for the side, boosting their belief and triggering a sustained spell of success. Between April ...
Veteran sports journalist Agha Akbar laid to rest
Akbar, who served as sports editor of English dailies ? The Nation and Pakistan Today ? passed away on Sunday (May 19) at his residence. The senior journalist also headed the media department of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a while under then PCB chairman Najam Sethi, who forced him to resign after developing differences with him. He ...
South Africa defeat Pakistan by four wickets to level T20I series
South Africa women beat Pakistan women by four wickets in the fourth T20I to level the five-match series at two-all at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Wednesday. Nida also added 106 runs for the third wicket with Bismah Maroof, who scored run-a-ball 37 with six fours. For South Africa women, Shabnim Ismail finished with figures of two for 22 ...
Security beefed up for Indo-Pakistan World Cup encounter
Armed officers will be a part of one of the biggest security operations at Old Trafford for the Cricket World Cup encounter between Pakistan and India on June 16. The rising political issues between the two countries have not resulted in an increase in hate-crimes between local Indian and Pakistani communities residing in the United Kingdom.
Saqlain to give tips to England bowlers during World Cup
England have sought the services of former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq to help their bowling department in the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) 2019 World Cup. Whenever I receive a call from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) I will be available to help Pakistan Cricket in any capacity that I can,? said Saqlain.
Sri Lanka defeat Scotland by 35 runs via D/L method to win series
Sri Lankan openers Avishka Fernando and new captain Dimuth Karunaratne got the team off to a positive start, and by the end of 10 overs had taken the score to 53 for 0. Michael Leask got the breakthrough for Scotland, dismissing Fernando for 74, after the Sri Lankan opening pair had added 123. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Karunaratne reached ...
Shahzad century fires Afghanistan to World Cup warm-up win
Najibullah Zadran added a rapid-fire 60 not out from 33 balls as Afghanistan amassed 305-7 in their 50 overs, a total that set a record for internationals at Stormont?s Civil Service Cricket Club. Naib took 6-43 to record the third-best figures by an Afghanistan bowler in ODI cricket, including the key wickets of Stirling and Gary Wilson, who was ...
Armed personnel to be deployed during Pak-India World Cup clash: British media
British authorities have decided to deploy armed security personnel for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup clash between Pakistan and India, in Manchester, UK, British media reported.
Djokovic concedes he has mountain to climb at French Open
World number one Novak Djokovic has enjoyed two good weeks on red clay but admitted that winning a second French Open title would be a tall order after a crushing defeat by Rafael Nadal in last week?s Italian Open final. ?Everybody is trying to peak for Roland Garros and I am really looking forward to it.? Djokovic?s exploits on ...
Cameroonian girls defy prejudice to pursue soccer dreams
When Gaelle Asheri first started playing soccer in the dirt streets near her home in Cameroon?s capital, she was the only girl on the informal neighborhood teams which used stones for goal posts and kept score by chalking results on a wall. Asheri, 17, and her teammate Ida Pouadjeu, 16, are now among the first wave of girls being ...
Tributes planned for Lauda at Monaco Grand Prix
Formula One will honour Niki Lauda at this weekend?s showcase Monaco Grand Prix, with teams and drivers on Wednesday still coming to terms with the triple world champion?s death. A team spokesman said they had asked for Hamilton to be excused on the grounds that he had ?lost a very close friend in Niki.? Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas ...
Korean schoolgirl stuns badminton No 1 at Sudirman Cup
?She?s tall, powerful and has very good footwork,? the Taiwanese said of her young opponent, who only turned 17 in February. Saina Nehwal, India?s 2015 world silver-medallist, was well beaten by Chen Yufei, the third-ranked Chinese winning 21-12, 21-17 in 33 minutes. ?I have had some trouble with my wrist and ankle and didn?t want to push too hard,? ...
Olympic swim champion Meilutyte retires at 22
Lithuanian swimmer Ruta Meilutyte announced her retirement on Wednesday at the age of 22 after missing three doping tests, ending a career in which she became Olympic and world champion. Lithuania?s swimming federation said earlier this month that Meilutyte faced a suspension of up to two years for missing three drug tests, meaning she would be ruled out ...
Dortmund signs Gladbach’s Hazard, Leverkusen’s Brandt
?He is an experienced Bundesliga player and Belgium international who can help us with his speed and finishing,? said Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc. Dortmund have also agreed to sign Bayer Leverkusen?s talented and versatile 23-year-old attacking midfielder Brandt on a five-year deal, pending some final details. I want to further develop here.? Dortmund finished two points behind champions ...
Olympic marathon silver medallist Kirwa suspended for doping
Bahrain’s Olympic women’s marathon silver medallist Eunice Kirwa has been provisionally suspended after failing a doping test, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said in a statement. Kenyan-born Kirwa, who switched allegiance to Bahrain in 2013 and finished second at the Rio Olympics in 2016, tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a banned blood-boosting hormone that improves endurance. “The AIU confirms ...
Belgium´s Wilmots signs on as Iran coach
"The contract was signed at the residence of the (Iran) ambassador between Mr. Wilmots and Mehdi Taj (the president of the Iranian football federation)," a diplomat at the embassy told AFP by telephone. The former Belgian striker had travelled to Iran earlier this month and was expected to sign a $1.2 million (1 million euros) a year deal in ...
Hughton ‘disappointed and surprised’ by Brighton exit
?I was hugely disappointed and surprised, by the decision that was made to end my time with Brighton and Hove Albion FC,? Hughton said in a statement from the League Manager?s Association on Wednesday. I would like to put on record my gratitude to my coaching staff, the players, fans, everyone connected to the club and the wider community ...
Joaquin Caparros to step down as Sevilla coach
Sevilla?s Joaquin Caparros is stepping down as manager but will stay on as part of the technical staff, the Liga club said in a statement on Wednesday. The 64-year-old, appointed for a third spell in March following Pablo Machin?s sacking, met club President Jose Castro and Sporting Director Monchi during Sevilla?s post-season tour of Tanzania where the decision ...
