Perera faces 4-year ban
Colombo: Sri lankan wicketkeeper Kusal Perera is facing the prospect of a four-year ban after his B sample tested positive for a banned substance. "The ICC has informed that he faces a four-year ban," Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said. "We are hoping to appeal," he added. Perera's urine sample was tested in Qatar after the ICC had originally found it contained banned substance. Consequently Perera had to drop out of Sri lanka's current tour of New Zealand. Sri lanka lost the series 0-2. Perera is Sri lanka's second player to flunk a dope test. left-hander batsman Upul Tharanga was suspended for three months after testing positive for a banned substance during the 2011 World Cup.
Malinga to miss two ODIs
Wellington: leading Sri lanka bowler lasith Malinga will miss the first two ODIs against New Zealand and may not be available for the entire series, team officials said Friday. Malinga is still recovering from a knee injury sustained during the West Indies tour of Sri lanka in October and November. "He has not come for the ODIs. He's feeling some discomfort in his knee. Whether he will come between the ODIs and T20s — no-one knows," team manager Jerry Woutersz said. Thisara Perera has joined the squad in Malinga's place ahead of the first ODI in Christchurch. New Zealand also have injury concerns with Kane Williamson, the newly crowned number one Test batsman in the world, suffering discomfort in right knee.
Tiger talks more Majors
Miami: Tiger Woods, the 14-time Major Champion sidelined by back surgery, says he expects more major titles and top-level golf despite having no timetable for returning to the sport. Earlier this week, Woods said on his website that despite being idled by the latest in a series of injury setbacks, he sees himself back at the top level as he moves through his 40s. "Where do I see myself in the next five to 10 yearsIJ I am still playing golf at the highest level and winning tournaments and major championships," Woods said. Woods says his feelings change about turning 40. "Mentally, people who know me know I'm like a five-year-old. Physically, sometimes I feel old and sometimes I feel like a teenager," Woods said.
FIFA ex-VP Figueredo jailed
Montevideo: Fallen FIFA vice president Eugenio Figueredo was jailed pending trial in his native Uruguay on Thursday after being extradited from Switzerland to answer charges in the massive corruption scandal roiling international football. Figueredo, the former president of South American confederation CONMEBOl, arrived Thursday morning and was taken directly to an initial court appearance, where he was remanded in custody, court sources told AFP. But Judge Adriana de los Santos may still grant him house arrest, as his lawyer has requested, the sources said. Figueredo faces two to 15 years in prison if convicted. The 83-year-old ex-football boss was one of seven top FIFA officials arrested at a Zurich luxury hotel in May, a raid that kicked off an unprecedented crisis at world football's governing body.
‘Will sort Amir’s matter’
Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan has tried to diffuse the crisis by talking to senior players Muhammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali over their refusal to attend the national camp in lahore with tainted left arm pacer Muhammad Aamir. "I have already had discussions with some players on Aamir's issues and we have tried to address concerns. I will again talk to Hafeez and Azhar and sort out this matter," Khan said.
Pakistan's national one-day captain Azhar Ali told Geo News channel that they don't want to take part in a camp which includes Aamir. "But we are willing to discuss the matter with only the PCB Chairman," he said. Hafeez also made his feelings clear he didn't want to return to the camp till the tainted bowler was there.
Sanjita, Ramana win gold
Patiala: Sanjita Chanu and Korada Ramana bagged gold medals in the women's 48kg and men's 56kg categories,respectively on the first day of the Women Senior National Weightlifting Championships at the SAI centre, here on Friday. In Women's 48kg, Sanjita lifted 78kg in snatch and 95kg in clean and jerk for a total of 173kg to emerge on top while Mirabai Chanu and Chandrika Tarafdar finished with silver and bronze, respectively.