Modi drops suit against Cairns
WEllINGTON: Former IPl Commissioner lalit Modi has decided to drop a $3.3 million civil law suit against Chris Cairns in the match-fixing scandal, a major reprieve for the New Zealand all-rounder who was recently cleared of any wrongdoing in a perjury trial. “He’s decided to bring the civil matter to a close and draw a line under it,” Modi’s lawyer Rajesh Vyakarnam told the ‘New Zealand Herald’. Modi had lost to Cairns in a 2012 court battle after the flamboyant administrator was sued by the Kiwi player for claiming that he was involved in match-fixing in the now- defunct Indian Cricket league. Cairns was later accused of lying under oath in this trial but was cleared of the charge in a perjury case in the UK last year. Modi had in 2010 tweeted that Cairns had been left out from the IPl auction due to his “past record of match-fixing”.
Chawrasia wins, lahiri loses
Shah Alam (Malaysia): SSP Chawrasia registered his first-ever point in an international Team event, while Anirban lahiri lost for the second successive day as Team Europe doubled their overnight lead to six points and went up 9-3 after two days of the EurAsia Cup. The two teams will play 12 singles on Sunday. Asia can take courage form the fact that two years ago, they hit back from a four-point deficit to tie the match 10-10 on final day.
Moeen withdraws from IPl
johannesburg: England all-rounder Moeen Ali has withdrawn his name from next month’s Indian Premier league auction after discussions with former captain and ECB’s Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss. According to an ESPN Cricinfo report, Strauss got in touch with Moeen and his representatives yesterday to discuss his involvement in the tournament as January 21 is the last date for entry into the auctions. Strauss reportedly told Moeen that while the final decision was his, he should also be aware of hectic schedule of the tournament for more than month and half. It was learnt that after speaking to Strauss, Moeen decided to withdraw his name from the auctions of the cash-rich league as he is seen to play a big part in 17 Tests that England play this year apart from ICC World T20 in India.
Boss banned for kicking coach
london: The Italian owner of English fourth-tier club leyton Orient has been banned from attending six games for kicking the assistant manager.The English Football Association found Francesco Becchetti guilty of violent conduct over the incident immediately after a match last month. Becchetti admitted his conduct was improper but denied being violent toward coach Andy Hessenthaler on the pitch after the 2-2 draw against Portsmouth.An independent FA regulatory commission hearing also decided to fine Becchetti 40,000 pounds ($57,000).
PCB still hopeful of series
karachi: Unwilling to give up on a seemingly jinxed series against India, Pakistan Cricket Board’s Executive Committee Chairman Najam Sethi said the PCB can spare a fortnight for the matches should the Indian government give its go ahead. Asked about the recent statement from the BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur that there was no chance of an Indo-Pak series in 2016 due to the choked calendar of the Indian team, PCB’s Najam Sethi said it can be done.
Spurs,city win; chelsea draw
london: Christian Eriksen inspired Tottenham’s recovery against Sunderland on Saturday, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory that consolidated the london club’s spot in the Champions league qualification places. Fourth-place Tottenham fell behind five minutes before the interval but Patrick van Aanholt’s goal was immediately wiped out by Eriksen scoring 91 seconds later. Mousa Dembele put Tottenham in front approaching the hour-mark at White Hart lane and Eriksen’s shot then took a big deflection off Jan Kirchhoff to beat goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on his league debut. Harry Kane netted the fourth from the penalty spot in 79th. John Terry scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to prevent Chelsea losing for the first time under Guus Hiddink on Saturday, recovering a 3-3 draw against Everton to complete an engrossing second half. The captain saved the ailing Premier league champions, having scored an own goal at the start of a second half that produced all six goals. Manchester City dispatched Crystal Palace 4-0 and Sergio Aguero passed up a chance at a hat trick. Agencies