Cricketer dies on field
london: Twenty-four-year-old Bavalan Pathmanathan died after being hit in the chest while batting in a local league match in Surrey. Air ambulance was called but the club cricketer died of his injuries on Sunday. He had turned up for Manipay Parish Sports Club in the British Tamil league at long Ditton recreation ground. The unfortunate incident has taken place after Australia batsman Phillip Hughes died two days after receiving a blow on the neck during a domestic game in Sydney in November. Pathmanathan’s teammate, who was batting at the other end, said he initially looked alright after being hit before collapsing on the field.
Mayweather stripped of title
Washington: Floyd Mayweather was on Monday stripped by the World Boxing Organization of the welterweight world title he won by beating Manny Pacquiao two months ago. Mayweather had failed to meet the deadline last Friday for paying the $200,000 sanctioning fee required by the WBO after he took the belt from Pacquiao on May 2 in las Vegas in the richest fight of all time, earning a reported $220 million in the process. WBO rules require boxers to pay 3 percent of their purse to fight for a world title up to a maximum of $200,000. The rules also prohibit WBO champions to hold any belts in any other weight divisions. Mayweather is currently also the WBC and WBA champion at junior middleweight (154lb), as well as at welterweight (147lb). A statement on the Puerto Rico-based sanctioning body’s website confirmed that Mayweather, regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, was no longer the WBO champion.
Mo Farah to race in 3,000m
london: British Athletics says Mo Farah will compete in the 3,000 meters at the Diamond league meeting at london’s Olympic Stadium. The event, scheduled for July 24-25, will see Farah running on the track where he won two gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games as he steps up preparations for the World Championships in Beijing next month.
FC Goa aims to clinch ISl title
Panaji: After failing to win the inaugural season of the Indian Super league (ISl), FC Goa expects to put up a better performance in the second edition and win the football title. “It is good to see people’s support even during hardest time for the team that we had during the last season. I have been optimistic about my work, my knowledge and my team. We could have won the title last time,” FC Goa’s Chief coach Zico said at a press conference here. “I hope we will have the same support during the season two like last year. I am encouraged to do the good work this year and win the title,” he said.
Pak leapfrog Ind in test rankings
Dubai: Registering a series win against Sri lanka after a historic run-chase, Pakistan on Tuesday leapfrogged India and New Zealand to be placed third in the ICC Test rankings. The Misbah-ul-Haq-led side rode on Younis Khan’s unbeaten 171 to script a seven-wicket win, chasing 378 at Pallekele on Tuesday. The 2-1 triupmh in the three-match series also got the visitors necessary points to be placed behind leaders Australia and South Africa in the rankings table. New Zealand and India are placed fourth and fifth respectively. Sri lanka, in contrast, have dropped four points.
Wishes galore as MSD turns 34
New Delhi: India ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 34 on Tuesday and wishes poured in on the social media from the cricket fraternity all over the world. A veteran of 90 Tests and 265 ODIs, Dhoni has been one of the most successful Indian ODI captains. He retired from Test cricket in December last year. leading India to two World Cup triumphs in 2007 (T20) and 2011 (50-over showpiece event), Dhoni was once termed as the man with the ‘midas touch’. BCCI was early to wish its captain a happy birthday. “Here’s wishing @msdhoni a very happy birthday! Have a #Royal one MS!,” tweeted BCCI.
12 teams book places in rio oly
laussane: The International Hockey Federation has confirmed 12 teams which qualified for the 2016 Olympic tournaments in Rio de Janeiro. Six men’s and six women’s teams earned places in the 12-nation Olympic events at Hockey World league semifinals played over the past month in Argentina, Spain and Belgium. The FIH says teams confirmed in the men’s competition are: Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, Belgium and Britain. Women’s teams going to Rio are: Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and Argentina. Two Asian champions, India’s men and South Korea’s women, already qualified last year.
Vettori signs up for MCl
Dubai: Daniel Vettori has signed up as one of the players for the upcoming Masters Champions league (MCl) scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates. Vettori, considered New Zealand’s greatest spinner, retired from international cricket at the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in March this year. Vettori now joins a celebrated list of legends like Adam Gilchrist, Brian lara, Jacques Kallis and Wasim Akram who have signed up to play in the inaugural MCl.