Sri lanka beat Pakistan
Dubai: Sri lanka retained their status as the world’s top Twenty20 team by beating Pakistan by 24 runs in a thrilling finish to the second game in Dubai on Saturday. The win also levelled the two-match series at 1-1. Kusal Perera hit a career best 59-ball 84 and spinner Sachitra Senanayake took three wickets in a match with full of runs and records. The series draw kept Sri lanka at number one in the Twenty20 rankings, shattering Pakistan’s hopes of claiming the top spot in any form of the game for the first time. Chasing a daunting 212-run target, Pakistan finished at 187 in 19.2 overs with Sharjeel Khan scoring 50 and Sohail Tanvir making 41. Perera had been ably supported by Tillakaratne Dilshan (48) and Kumar Sangakkara (44 not out) as Sri lanka posted an imperious 211-3 in 20 overs.
India 2nd in ICC T20 rankings
Dubai: India remained static at second in the latest ICC Twenty20 Rankings, which continued to be headed by Sri lanka. “Sri lanka has retained its number-one ranking on the Reliance ICC T20I Team Rankings table after it beat Pakistan in the second and final Twenty20 International in Dubai on Friday by 24 runs to level the series 1-1,” the ICC said.
‘No lifting of ban until clarity’
New Delhi: Not completely happy with the Indian Olympic Association leaving room for interpretations in its recent constitutional amendments, the IOC on Saturday indicated that it may not proceed to lift the ban on the country until IOA ensures clarity regarding barring of charge-framed persons from contesting elections. The IOA amended its constitution on December 8 by barring charge-framed persons like Abhey Singh Chautala and lalit Bhanot from elections set for February 9, but the sticking point has been the provision to refer the matter to its internal Ethics Commission.
shiv Kapur makes cut
Durban: Shiv Kapur knocked in three birdies over the last seven holes to haul himself to tied 28th at the end of the second round which ended tis morning at the rain-hit The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa. Kapur, who was on the cut-line at one-under, when play stopped due to darkness last evening, birdied the 12th, 15th and 18th to compile a five-under 65 in second round for a total of four-under 136. In the second round, Kapur had three birdies on third, seventh and eighth and a bogey on ninth and then added birdies on 12th, 15th and 18th.
Judokas shine at Asian C’ships
New Delhi: Indian Judokas won a Silver and four bronze medals in the Asian Youth and Junior Championships held from December 11 to 13 in Hainan, China. According to the Team Manager Man Mohan Jaiswal, Indian Youth Team, comprising seven boys and seven girls) won a Silver, two bronze medals. The junior team of seven boys and an equal number of girls won two bronze medals.
India to play U-19 WC opener vs Pak
Dubai: India will open their ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on February 15. The tournament will be staged across seven venues in the UAE from February 14 to March 1 and will also be participated in by Afghanistan, Canada, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), besides the 10 Full Members. According to the format, 16 teams have been divided into four groups, with the top two teams progressing to the Super league quarter-finals, while the two bottom teams from each group qualify for the Plate Championship quarter-finals. India have been clubbed with Pakistan, Scotland and PNG in Group A.
Anand in london Classic QF
london: After making it to the knockout stage, former world champion Viswanathan Anand settled for a draw against co-leader Michael Adams of England in the sixth and final preliminary game of london Chess Classic here on Saturday. Anand and Adams are tied for the top spot in the prelims on 12 points each under the soccer-like scoring system that gives three points for a win and one for a draw. Both Anand and Adams scored three victories and three draws apiece to make it to the knockout stage of this 150000 Euros prize money tournament.