Arsenal sign Denis Suarez on loan
London: Arsenal announced the signing of Spain international Denis Suarez on loan for the rest of the season on Thursday's transfer deadline day. Suarez will link up again with Arsenal boss Unai Emery, with whom he worked during a loan spell at Sevilla in the 2014-15 season. The 25-year-old has played 71 games for Barcelona, scoring eight goals and once for Spain. "We are very happy that Denis Suarez is joining us," Emery said on Arsenal's website. "He is a player we know well and I have worked with him at Sevilla. "He brings us quality and options in many different attacking positions, so he'll be able to help the team."
real kashmir, churchill share points
Vasco: Real Kashmir FC played out a 1-1 draw with Churchill Brothers of Goa in their 15th round I-League match to remain in contention for the title on Thursday. Farhan Ganie gave Real Kashmir the lead in the 55th minute but the league's top-scorer Willis Plaza — with 16 strikes so far — equalised for Churchill in the 70th minute as the two sides grabbed a point apiece from the match. The draw, however, extended Real Kashmir's unbeaten run to 11 matches. The first leg match had also ended in a draw (0-0) in Srinagar in November last year. With Thursday's draw, both Real Kashmir and Churchill Brothers are on joint second in the I-League table with 29 points from 15 matches.
De Kock assault sinks Pak
Cape Town: Opening batsman Quinton de Kock launched an assault on Pakistan's bowlers to set up a series-clinching win for South Africa in the fifth and final one-day international at Newlands on Wednesday. De Kock slammed 83 off 58 balls as South Africa chased down a target of 241 with seven wickets and ten overs to spare to seal a 3-2 series win. While man-of-the-match De Kock sealed the win with his dazzling strokeplay, South Africa's bowlers played a significant role by restricting Pakistan to 240 for eight despite an aggressive 70 by Fakhar Zaman. Medium-paced all-rounders Dwaine Pretorius and Phehlukwayo both took two wickets in a disciplined South African bowling performance.
Ind women's team held 2-2 by Spain
Murcia: The Indian women's hockey team squandered a two-goal advantage at the half-time to allow hosts Spain stage a superb fightback and earn a 2-2 draw in the fourth and final encounter on Thursday. Deep Grace Ekka (8th) and Navneet Kaur (26th) scored for India, while Lucia Jimenez (35th) and Clara Ycart (39th) sounded the board for the hosts. With this draw, the two teams levelled the four-match series 1-1. Spain had registered a narrow 3-2 win in the opening match with the second match ending in a 2-2 draw. India won the third match 5-2. India will now face 2018 World Cup Silver medallists Ireland on February 2.
WI women spoil Pak celebration
Karachi: The visiting West Indies women's team spoiled Pakistan's 100th T20I celebrations with a convincing 71-run victory in the first match of the three-game series at the Southend club on Thursday. In a match that was played under heavy security, Deandra Dottin blasted an unbeaten 90, while Chedean Nation hit a 50 not out to share an unbroken third-wicket partnership that helped West Indies score 160 for two after electing to bat first. The visitors then bowled out the home side for 89 in 18 overs with fast bowler Shamilia Connell taking 3 for 29 in the match which is the first on Pakistan soil by the West Indian women's team since 2004.