Pjanic extends Juve contract
rome: Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has extended his contract and will remain with the Serie A reigning champion until 2023, the Italian club has confirmed. The 28-year-old Bosnian started his third season at Juventus on Saturday with a 3-2 Serie A win over Chievo Verona. "Pjanic has become an increasingly integral part of the Bianconeri midfield, providing pin-point passes across the pitch while firing free kicks into the back of the net with outstanding consistency," Juventus said in a statement on Tuesday. "(He) displays class, intelligence and talent on the pitch, both with and without the ball, though his offensive punch from midfield is certainly what stands out most," the club added. The midfielder has played 92 games and scored 15 goals with Juventus, claiming two Serie A titles and two Italian Cup trophies.
Kiwi allrounder Elliott bids goodbye
wellington: South Africa-born New Zealand allrounder Grant Elliott has announced his retirement from all cricket. Elliott, 39, announced his decision on social media after captaining the Birmingham Bears to sixth place in the North Group of England's Twenty20 Blast. An aggressive lower-order batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, Elliott played five tests, 83 one-day internationals and 17 Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand. His last T20 international appearance was for a World XI against Pakistan last year. Elliott is best remembered for hitting a six from the bowling of Dale Steyn to clinch New Zealand's win over South Africa in a semifinal of the 2015 World Cup. In an Instagram post, Elliott says "Started in Johannesburg, finished in Birmingham. I remember being 12 and writing down my life goals. To play in a World Cup, play international cricket and play country cricket. 27 years on and I have loved every minute of it."
3 boxers advance in youth c'ship
budapest: Asian Bronze-medallist Bhavesh Kattimani (52kg) and debutant Akash Kumar (56kg) advanced to the second round of the world youth boxing championships with comfortable opening wins here. Akash, competing in his maiden World Championship, claimed a unanimous 5-0 win over Ireland's Brandon McCarthy on Wednesday. Kattimani (52kg) defeated Ukraine's Yurii Tomiuk 5-0 last night and will compete against Iran's Mobin Alaee in the next round. Advancing in the women's draw was lalita (69kg), who got a walkover from Thailand's Baison Manikon. India were assured of two medals after two women pugilists got direct entry into the semifinals owing to the small size of the draw. Sakshi Gaidhani (81kg) and Neha Yadav (+81kg) made the last-four stage to put India on the medal table without exchanging a single blow.
messi unsure about argentina future
Buenos Aires: Argentina's interim coach lionel Scaloni refused to be drawn on lionel Messi's international future after leaving the five-time World Player of the Year out of his squad for upcoming friendlies next month. local media had claimed the Barcelona star asked to be excused from international duty for Argentina's four remaining friendlies in 2018, starting with a trip to the United States in September to play Guatemala and Colombia. "I've spoken with Messi and from that conversation I picked my squad," said Scaloni, who took over from the sacked Jorge Sampaoli after Argentina's underwhelming World Cup last-16 elimination to eventual champions France. "We didn't speak about what could happen in the future. We know what Messi represents for us and we'll see for the future." Argentina play Guatemala on September 7 in los Angeles.