Pak to play jr hockey WC in India
Karachi: Pakistan Hockey Federation has finally got clearance from the government to send its national junior team to lucknow, India for the FIH Junior World Cup next month. A reliable source in the PHF said that the ministry of inter-provincial coordination has informed the federation that the government has given the NOC for participating in the December 8-18 Junior World Cup. "The PHF officials were anxious about getting the NOC to send its team to India next month as the FIH event is scheduled from December 8 to 18th and it is an important event for the future of Pakistan hockey. But now the ministry has informed the PHF that the government has given the clearance," the source said. He said given the current tension between the two countries, the PHF had genuine concerns whether they would get clearance to play in India.
Mumbai trounce Kerala Blasters
Mumbai: World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan struck a brilliant hat-trick, the first of the season, to power Mumbai City FC to the top of the Indian Super league table with a 5-0 demolition of Kerala Blasters here on Saturday. Riding on the triple strike from the Uruguayan legend, who combined beautifully with fellow-South Americans Brito Alves, better known as Cafu, and Matias Frederico, Mumbai outplayed Blasters to leapfrog Delhi Dynamos and occupy the top of the table with 19 points from 12 games. The massive defeat left Blasters in fourth place with 15 points from 11 games. The Uruguayan striker, also the team's skipper, scored in the 5th, 14th and 63rd minute to the delight of the home team supporters at the Mumbai Football Arena in suburban Andheri before going off the field. The fourth goal, a left-footed effort from just outside the box from the very impressive Brazilian medio Cafu "killed" the game effectively as a contest with 22 minutes remaining.
Anindith, Vishnu closer to title
Greater Noida: Hyderabad's Anindith Reddy and Chennai's Vishnu Prasad streaked ahead to come within striking distance of the Euro JK 16 and lGB 4 titles on the first day of the season finale of 19th JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship here on Saturday. Anindith and Vishnu won both their two races on an action-packed day to collect 20 points each to jump ahead on the championship table at the majestic Budh International Circuit. Anindith is on 96 points now, a handy 9 points ahead of the racer on his tail, while Vishnu of Meco Racing is sitting pretty on 86 points, with the trophy almost in his pocket. The JK Touring Cars saw a minor upset with Deepak Paul Chinnapa of Race Concept winning his only race of the day. Championship leader Ashish Ramaswamy did not classify but he is not going to lose any sleep over it as he has already won the title.
Zimbabwe salvage tie in thriller
Bulawayo: Shai Hope hit his maiden one-day international century but the West Indies could only stutter to a dramatic tie in a triangular series clash with Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Saturday. With Hope scoring 101 in just his second ODI the West Indies were well on track to overhaul the hosts' 257 all out, until his dismissal sparked a late collapse. The tourists went into the final over needing just four runs to win off seamer Donald Tiripano, but lost three wickets — two of them to run-outs — to finish on 257 for eight. The game was set up by two dominant partnerships for the third wicket, with Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza Butt putting on 144 for Zimbabwe before Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite's 162-run stand for the West Indies. Holder only needed a single off the final delivery, but could not make contact and saw his partner Jonathan Carter run out as he tried to steal a bye.