TNCA Prez XI beat Kerala in Buchi Babu
chennai: Off-spinner Malolan Rangarajan starred with a six-wicket haul as TNCA President's XI opened its campaign in the All-India Buchi Babu invitation cricket with a win over Kerala here on Saturday. Opting to bat first, Kerala was bundled out for 102 in 42 overs as Rangarajan took six wickets, conceding only 17 runs. Chasing 103 for a win, TNCA President's XI secured a win in 36.4 overs on day one of the two-day match. In the Uttar Pradesh CA vs Chhattisgarh match, all eyes were on India discard Suresh Raina. He lasted just 14 balls and made 16 before falling to left-arm spinner Sumit Ruikar, who finished with five wickets. A superb, unbeaten 124 off 126 balls by Akshdeep Nath enabled UP make 293. Chhattisgarh was 9 for 1 after when rain stopped play.
Nigeria set to qualify, Ghana, SA in trouble
jo’burg: Nigeria hammered African champions Cameroon to virtually seal a 2018 World Cup place, but Ghana drew and South Africa lost to suffer serious qualifying setbacks. Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel scored one goal and created another as Nigeria overwhelmed Cameroon 4-0 in southeast city Uyo. A late strike from Thomas Partey on Thursday salvaged a 1-1 home draw for lacklustre Ghana against Congo Brazzaville in Kumasi. Nuno Rocha broke the hearts of confident South Africa by scoring twice as Cape Verde came from behind to triumph 2-1 in Praia. The return of Moses and Mikel to the "Super Eagles" line-up coincided with the best Nigerian performance for years as they crushed the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winners.
Haryana ends Gujarat's winning run
Kolkata: Haryana Steelers snapped leaders Gujarat Fortunegiants' seven-match unbeaten run with a dominating 42-36 win in the Pro-Kabaddi league at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, here on Saturday. In the second match of the day, home favourites Bengal Warriors choked in dying seconds to settle for a 26-all tie against UP Yoddha. Trailing 11-14 at the break, Bengal Warriors did well to bounce back for a slender 25-24 lead but had to settle for only a tie. Earlier, Gujarat had a solid seven-point lead at half time but faltered in last eight minutes with a fine all-out by Wazir Singh (9 points). Gujarat, however, held on to their Zone A lead with 42 points from 11 matches. Haryana now have 28 points from eight outings.
Aizawl's lalhruaizela books his ticket to Spain
coimbatore: Mizoram's lalhruaizela virtually grabbed his ticket to Road to MotoGP in Spain by finishing second in Round 3 of the 20th JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship 2017 here on Saturday. The 15-year-old biker collected the maximum possible 10 points on Day 1 of the weekend to take his tally to 48 points, a full 12 points more than his statemate lalnunsanga. The blue riband event of the championship, the Euro JK 17, was, meanwhile, flung open with defending champion Anindith Reddy storming to the top of the table.
‘expecting historic numbers from IPl media rights’
new delhi: The BCCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Johri says the revenue generation from the upcoming IPl media rights auction could be "historic", considering the huge interest shown by various stakeholders. "Monday's auction could produce historic numbers," Johri told PTI during an interaction ahead of the auction. "While I am not in a position to predict numbers, our primary focus is to deliver a transparent and robust bidding process for each and every stakeholder. "We are extremely grateful to the Honourable Supreme Court and the Committee of Administrators (COA) for having faith in our existing system."