Babar, Wasim propel Pakistan to big win
Abu Dhabi: Opener Babar Azam struck an unbeaten 68 while spinner Imad Wasim capped a return to international cricket with three wickets as Pakistan crushed Australia by 66 runs in their opening T20 match in Abu Dhabi. Azam hit five fours and a six in his 55-ball innings as Pakistan made 155-8 before Wasim (3-20) ripped apart Australia's top order as they slumped to 89 all out — their joint-third lowest T20 score — at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday. The win gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and also their biggest T20 victory over Australia, improving upon the 45-run win they achieved in Harare in July. Only twice have Australia scored fewer runs in a T20 international, making just 79 against England at Southampton in 2005 and 86 in a defeat by India at Dhaka four years ago.
DJ Bravo signs off from international cricket
Port of Spain: A big-hitter on the field and a hit DJ off it, West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo on Thursday retired from international cricket to prolong his career as a professional player available for Twenty20 franchise events all over the world. The 35-year-old Bravo, who is not a part of the team which is currently engaged in a series in India, played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs and 66 T20Is since making his debut back in 2004. His last appearance for the West Indies was more than two years ago. "Today I want to confirm to the cricket world that I have officially retired from international cricket in all formats of the game...I will continue my professional career as a cricketer and entertainer living as a true champion," Bravo, who has competed for Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in the IPL, said in a statement.
Bangladesh call uncapped pacer for Zimbabwe Test
Chittagong: Bangladesh on Thursday included uncapped fast bowler Khaled Ahmed in their 15-man squad for the two-Test series against Zimbabwe starting November 3 in Sylhet. The hosts, who were thrashed in their last Test series in the West Indies in July, made five changes in the absence of injured all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and batsman Tamim Iqbal. Khaled, 26, was selected along with batsman Mohammad Mithun, spinner Nazmul Islam and all-rounder Ariful Haque, who is yet to make his Test debut. Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman also returned to the Test team after missing out on the West Indies series due to an ankle injury. Fast bowlers Rubel Hossain, Kamrul Islam and wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan made way for the newcomers. "We have selected the best available squad because this series is important for us," chief selector Minhajul Abedin told reporters in Chittagong.
India A look to complete clean sweep
Mumbai: Having already won the series, India A women will aim to complete a clean sweep when they take on their Australian counterparts in the third and final T20 match here on Friday. Holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, the women's team will again go with all guns blazing at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex facility before they head to the Carribean for the all-important ICC T20 World Cup. The match, only of academic interest, also provides an opportunity for the other batters like Jemimah Rodrigues, Anuja Patil, D Hemalatha, who haven't fired yet, to get runs under their belt. Smriti Mandhana, who notched up a half-century in the first match before a rare failure in the next, will be eager to continue her form before heading to the World T20 competition. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and veteran Mithali Raj are two others who would also like to continue their good form.
Abhijeet crushes Gujrathi to jump in joint lead
Isle of Man : Grandmaster and former world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta crashed through the solid defenses of higher-rated compatriot Vidit Gujrathi in the fifth round of Isle of Man International Chess tournament here. Having drawn with Boris Gelfand of Israel in the third round and beating Le Quang Liem of Vietnam in the fourth, Gupta continued his good form, outplaying Gujrathi. Playing the white side of a topical Ragozin defense, Gupta outwitted Gujrathi, a consistent top fifty player in the world these days. Getting a balanced position out of the opening, Gujrathi fumbled in defense and lost a pawn while going for mass exchanges and the resulting endgame was child's play for the 29-year-old Gupta. With 4.5 points out of a possible five in the toughest open of the world, Gupta shares the lead with Arkadij Naiditsch of Azerbaijan, Jeffery Xiong of United States and Wang Hao of China.
Indian U-15 team lose 1-2 to Pakistan
New Delhi: Defending champions India began their SAFF U-15 Championship with a shocking 1-2 loss against Pakistan at the ANFA Complex in Kathmandu on Thursday. A late goal by Pakistan in the 85th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides in a tightly contested match. Pakistan took the lead in the first half with India equalising in the 53rd. India started the match on an attacking note and dominated possession. Chances were created but failed to see the light of day as Pakistan flooded bodies in defence. In the second half, India wasted little time and got attacking. India equalised in the 53rd minute when Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela broke free from the Pakistani defence and latched on to a through ball, bundling it home with ease to make the scoreline read 1-1. But Pakistan had other plans, a goal in the 85th minute gave them the lead. Pakistan held onto the lead to register the win. The Indian U-15 national team will lock horns with Bhutan in their last group stage match of the Championship on October 27.
Robin van Persie to retire at the end of the season
Amsterdam: Ace Dutch striker Robin van Persie on Thursday said he will retire from football at the end of the season. "That is probably at the end of this season," he told AD in response to being asked when he plans to retire. "I will be 36 years old and will have been a professional for 18 years. From the age of five, I've only been involved in football." The former Manchester United and Arsenal star returned to Feyenoord following a two-and-a-half-year spell in Turkey with Fenerbahce. Van Persie joined Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004 and spent eight seasons with the Gunners in the English Premier League. He won the FA Cup with Arsenal before moving to Manchester United in 2012, helping the club win the Premier League title and also finishing the campaign as the leading goal scorer with 26 goals to his name. For the Netherlands, Van Persie is the highest scorer with 50 goals from 102 games.
