Britain take Davis Cup lead
Ghent (Belgium): Britain is one point away from lifting the Davis Cup title for the first time in 79 years after winning Saturday’s doubles against Belgium. Brothers Andy and Jamie Murray beat David Goffin and Steve Darcis 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to give Britain a 2-1 lead in the final going into Sunday’s decisive reverse singles. Andy Murray could seal Britain’s victory in Sunday’s first match against Goffin. The brothers fought off seven break points in the fourth game of the fourth set to stay one break up and rode that advantage to clinch the match as the Belgians’ spirit collapsed. The two teams were split 1-1 after the opening singles.
Daljeet inspects Kotla track
New Delhi: The chairman of BCCI’s pitches and grounds committee Daljeet Singh on Saturday came for his first inspection of the Feroz Shah Kotla track where India will be playing South Africa in the inconsequential fourth cricket Test from December 3-7. According to sources, there has been no instructions as such from the Indian team management demanding any specific sort of wicket. With the series already in pocket, the curators at the DDCA might just be able to breathe easy while preparing the Kotla strip. Daljeet dropped in at the Kotla in the afternoon and then spoke to the DDCA curator Ankit Datta before leaving the stadium premises. While chief curator refused to speak anything about the kind of track that will be dished out for the fourth Test, it has beeen learnt that a final decision on the way forward will be taken on Sunday.
Aditi to face deportation
london: Indian woman footballer Aditi Chauhan, who plays as a goalkeeper for English side West Ham United ladies, is facing deportation as she cannot renew her visa due to rules and regulations of the Football Association. The 22-year-old made history by becoming the first woman from the Indian national team to play in the English league four months ago. But now she is likely to return to India due to visa problems, ‘The Telegraph’ has reported. Aditi’s student visa is about to expire and even though the team had planned to sponsor her for a work visa, she cannot apply for a work visa through the club as West Ham are in the third tier and classed as semi-professional. “There is nothing to do but laugh at it,” Aditi told The Telegraph. “I was not allowed to play in the first or second division at first, but now I’m not allowed to play in any divisions but those. It’s just ridiculous and stupid,” she added.
England wins 2nd T20 by 3 runs
DUBAI: England won the second Twenty20 international by three runs Friday to clinch the three-match series 2-0 despite a brilliant all-round effort from Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. In front of a sold-out Dubai International Stadium, Afridi first took three wickets for 15 runs in his four overs to help restrict England to 172-8. He smashed 24 runs from eight balls, with three sixes, to take his side to within 25 runs of victory in the last two overs. Sarfraz Ahmed (19) took 14 runs in the 19th over bowled by David Willey, but with 11 needed in last over, he was bowled by Chris Woakes of the first ball as Pakistan could only score 169-8.