Sl defeat bangla in tri-nation series final
dhaka: Shehan Madushanka became the fourth bowler in history to claim a hat-trick on debut as Sri lanka crushed Bangladesh by 79 runs to win the tri-nation one-day international tournament on Saturday. The 22-year-old pacer claimed Bangladesh's last three wickets before finishing with 3-26 as Sri lanka defended their modest score of 221 runs by bowling out Bangladesh for 142 in 41.1 overs. Madushanka took the wickets of Rubel Hossain and Mashrafe Mortaza in the last two balls of his sixth over before he removed Mahmudullah Riyad in the next over to complete his hat-trick. He joined South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, Bangladesh's Taijul Islam and team-mate Wanidu Hasaranga who have also achieved the rare feat.
SA beat NZ in U-19 classification
Christchurch: Captain Raynard van Tonder and opener Matthew Breetzke notched superb hundreds and were part a record double-century stand as South Africa scored a comfortable 73-run win over New Zealand in the Super league play-off semifinal for fifth place at the ICC U-19 World Cup. Van Tonder (117, 129b, 10x4, 1x6) and Breetzke (115, 132b, 8x4, 1x6) put paid to the host side's hopes of bouncing back from a 202-run loss to Afghanistan in the quarter-finals as they added 231 runs for the second wicket in 37.3 overs, South Africa's highest partnership in the tournament history. The result of the match between the two losing quarter-finalists gives South Africa a chance to play the winner of Sunday's match between Bangladesh and England on January 31, to decide the fifth place.
Saina enters final of Indonesia Masters
jakarta: Saina Nehwal made a perfect start to the new season, reaching the women's singles final of the USD 350,000 Indonesia Masters with a thrilling straight-game win over world no 4 Ratchanok Inthanon of Thailand here on Saturday. The former world no 1, who has won thrice in Indonesia, dished out a spirited performance to overcome a fighting Ratchanok 21-19, 21-19 in the semifinal lasting 48 minutes. Saina, who had a 8-5 head-to-head record against the 2013 World Champion Ratchanok, displayed tremendous fighting spirit as she erased a 6-10 deficit in the opening game and held on to the fort despite a late charge by the Thai shuttler in the second game.
Gokulam have uphill task against lajong
kozhikode: languishing at the bottom, Gokulam Kerala FC will have their task cut out when they face a rejuvenated Shillong lajong FC in an I-league match at the EMS Corporation Stadium here on Sunday. After succumbing to five consecutive defeats, the Yellow outfit finally found some respite having clinched a crucial victory against Chennai City FC in their last away fixture. Bino Geroge's boys haven't gone through a merrier ride at their home until now where they've earned only a point in six outings. "Win is very important for us in next match against lajong to increase our chances of finishing in top four," Coach Bino George said.