India beat Belarus 2-1
Bhopal: The Indian eves defeated a spirited Belarus side 2-1 to register their fourth consecutive victory in the five-match Test series here on Monday. led by captain Rani, the Indian women were quick to start off the blocks with Renuka Yadav scoring a field goal in the 6th minute of the match. The first quarter turned out to be an eventful one for the Indians as Gurjit Kaur successfully converted a Penalty Corner in the 12th minute to give the team a 2-0 lead. The visitors responded in the second quarter as Nastassia Syrayezhka scored a field goal in the 21st minute to bridge the deficit. However, the Indian defence held strong thereafter, denying Belarus any opportunity to score in the two goal-less quarters after half time. India eventually posted a 2-1 victory.
Chennaiyin release Materazzi
Chennai: ISl franchise Chennaiyin FC on Monday parted ways with their World Cup winning Italian coach Marco Materazzi. Materazzi, who was the head coach of Chennaiyin FC in the first three seasons of the Hero Indian Super league, left by mutual consent. He was player-manager in the first season, making seven appearances as a player, with Chennaiyin finishing top of the league standings before narrowly losing in the semifinals against Kerala Blasters. Materazzi guided Chennaiyin to the title in the second season as they dramatically came from behind to beat hosts FC Goa 3-2 in the final. A record-breaking five-game winning run was instrumental in that triumph as Materazzi inspired the players to success from the brink of elimination. The former World Cup winner remains the most successful coach in ISl history with maximum wins. Chennaiyin FC is already on the lookout for a new coach.
Misbah to continue as captain
Karachi: Misbah-ul-Haq will lead Pakistan in next month's Test tour of West Indies, ending speculation about his immediate future as captain of the side. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the 42-year-old Misbah will continue to lead Pakistan in the three-match Test series scheduled from April 22. The Tests will be preceded by a limited-overs series of four Twenty20s and three one-dayers. The PCB said in a statement that Misbah has conveyed his availability for the tour to Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan. "Accordingly the Chairman has approved his appointment as captain of the Pakistan test team for the upcoming Test series in West Indies," the statement said. "The Chairman has also approved the appointment of Sarfaraz Ahmad as vice-captain of the Pakistan Test side," it added. Sarfaraz is already the captain of the ODI and T20 national sides after Azhar Ali stepped down as captain of the one-day team at the start of the Pakistan Super league last month. Misbah was the captain of the Pakistani side that got whitewashed in New Zealand and Australia.