2nd Test: Younus, Misbah keep Pakistan afloat

DUBAI: 

Seasoned batsmen Younus Khan and Misbahul Haq hit resolute half-centuries to take the fight to Sri Lanka in the second Test in Dubai on Friday.

Younus was unbeaten on 62 and Misbah scored 52 not out to help Pakistan reach 132 for three at close on the third day at the Dubai stadium pitch which is likely to help spinners on the last two days.

Pakistan still need another 91 runs to avoid an innings defeat and going down 0-1 in the three Test series after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.

Younus and Misbah came together with Pakistan in dire straits at 19 for three in the second innings.

Sri Lanka earlier gained a big 223-run lead by scoring 388 in their first knock.

Younus said the fight back will continue.

“It’s nice to fight back,” said Younus. “I had a good partnership with Misbah when the team needed it and our first target on Saturday will be to erase the lead and then bat on.”

It was pace man Nuwan Pradeep (two for 28) who gave Pakistan early wobbles.

Pradeep had Mohammad Hafeez caught behind in his second over and in his fourth swung one across Manzoor for wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene to catch a simple offer.

Pakistan had lost opener Ahmed Shehzad in the last over before lunch, caught behind for nine off spinner Rangana Herath.

It was left to Younus and Misbah to fight one more time for Pakistan.

Younus reached his 28th half-century with a single off Herath and continued to bat solidly, hitting four boundaries. Misbah completed his 3,000th Test run when on 10, becoming Pakistan’s 15th batsmen to achieve the milestone. 

PPFL: Mehmood leads WAPDA to 2-0 victory

KARACHI: 

Wapda consolidated their second position in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) after defeating PIA 2-0 at the Model Town Ground on Friday.

PIA defied Wapda in the first-half, but their defence fell short when Arif Mehmood scored the opening goal in the first minute of injury-time as Wapda led 1-0 at the interval.

Mehmood went on to seal victory for his team in the 63rd minute. So far, Wapda have 45 points and are in second position after their 12th win of the season.

In another match, KPT thrashed Pak-Afghan Clearing Agency (Paca) 7-2.

KPT striker Mohammad scored the first goal in the sixth minute and doubled the lead in the 16th. Junaid Qadir also netted two goals, while Zafar Majeed, Obaidullah and Naveed Ahmed contributed with one goal each.

Paca only managed to restore some semblance of pride with goals from Abdul Salam and Muhammad Yasir.

KPT replaced HBL in ninth position with 30 points while Paca remain on the 14th spot.

Meanwhile, NBP were held by PAF in a goalless draw.

English Premier League: Fading United plot swift Swansea payback

LONDON: 

Manchester United will look for immediate revenge against Swansea City on Saturday, a week after the Welsh club pulled off a shock victory at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.

Having lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the league and Sunderland in the League Cup – either side of last Sunday’s defeat by Swansea – United have lost their first three games of the year for the first time since 1932.

The New Year’s Day defeat by Spurs left David Moyes’ side 11 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League and striker Danny Welbeck has admitted that the defending champions face a struggle even to finish in the top four.

“Being a Manchester lad and being a United fan, there is extra passion inside me and it does hurt me when I see the team losing,” said Welbeck. “It hurts a lot to see United not winning.

 photo 2_zps58671c88.jpg

“I can understand why fans are concerned. We are not around the Champions League spots at the moment. We need to get our form back and just win the next matches.”

Chelsea eye top spot in Premier League

With leaders Arsenal not in action until Monday when they visit Aston Villa, third-placed Chelsea can take over at the top of the standings by winning at Hull City in Saturday’s early fixture.

Last season’s Europa League winners are yet to capture the imagination in this campaign, but midfielder John Mikel Obi believes that manager Jose Mourinho’s exacting methods are beginning to bear fruit.

“He always wants us to play in a certain way and give 110%,” said Mikel. “If you don’t, you’re out.

“You can see by the way we press up the pitch. That is important for the team and we’re doing well.”

Meanwhile, West Ham, who have conceded 11 goals in two games, having previously lost 5-0 at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, will find themselves second from bottom in the league table ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City.

In another fixture, Sunderland will hope to bridge the four-point gap that separates them from safety when they visit fifth-bottom Fulham.

On the other hand, third-bottom Crystal Palace, meanwhile, face Tottenham, who have climbed to sixth on the back of a four-game unbeaten run under rookie manager Tim Sherwood.

And another club with a new boss are West Bromwich Albion, who have appointed Spaniard Pepe Mel as head coach, although caretaker Keith Downing will remain in charge for Saturday’s trip to Southampton.

Nadal to battle local hope Tomic in first round

MELBOURNE:
World number one Rafael Nadal will battle the bad boy of Australian tennis Bernard Tomic in the first round at Melbourne Park as he bids for a 14th grand slam title.
The Spaniard dumped Tomic from the 2011 tournament but will be wary of the opponent, who raises his game in front of home fans and has returned to form by making the semi-finals in this week’s Sydney International warm-up.
“I think it’s safe to say that’s a night match,” said Boris Becker, now coaching men’s title-holder Novak Djokovic.
“Obviously it’s [one of] the toughest first rounds … [Tomic’s] playing well in Australia.”

The local hope’s horror draw with Nadal drew groans and rueful laughs from Australian media and fans.
Fifth seed and 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, the only player to break the stranglehold of the ‘Big Four’ over the grand slams in recent years, looms as a quarter-final opponent.
Second seed Djokovic has been drawn in the much kinder lower half of the draw and will face Slovakia’s 90th-ranked Lukas Lacko first up.
Djokovic’s first major test is likely to be in the quarter-finals with the eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka, who pushed him in a five-set marathon in last year’s tournament.
Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been given no favours as he battles back from a back injury, drawn in the same quarter as 17-times grand slam champion Roger Federer.
The Briton will play 112th-ranked Japanese Go Soeda in the first round but big-serving American John Isner, seeded 13th, shapes as fourth round clash ahead of a quarter-final blockbuster with former world number one Federer.
Meanwhile, Swiss Federer faces Australian wildcard James Duckworth first with 10th seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga a likely tough fourth-round encounter.
Further groans in women’s draws
The women’s draw elicited further groans for local fans, with world number one Serena Williams drawing rising Australian talent Ashleigh Barty in the first round as the American bids for her 18th grand slam title.
Serena’s draw lines her up for a potential fourth-round clash with Australia’s Sam Stosur, who beat her in the final of the US Open in 2011.
Double defending champion Victoria Azarenka, seeded second, will take on Swede Johanna Larsson with the prospect of a fourth round match against rising American Sloane Stephens, seeded 13th.
Third seed Maria Sharapova kicks off her bid for a fifth grand slam title against American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
The Russian enjoys a relatively smooth run to the quarter-finals where eighth seed and former world number one Jelena Jankovic may wait.
Fourth seed Li Na, runner-up at Melbourne Park last year, will play a qualifier ahead of a possible quarter-final clash with former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

Aisam-Bopanna sail into final round

KARACHI:
Aisamul Haq Qureshi and India’s Rohan Bopanna will play their first final of the year on Saturday against Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic at the doubles event of the Sydney International.

Aisam and Bopanna, who reunited after two year at the beginning of this year, defeated Czech republic’s Lukas Rosol and Portugal’s Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-2 in the semi-final on Friday.
On the other hand, the Indo-Pak Express’ final-round opponents Nestor and Zimonjic defeated Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 in their last-four match.
It will be a big opportunity for Aisam and Bopanna to set the tone before the Australian Open that will begin on January 13.
“The Australian Open will be the biggest event for us this month of course,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “That is why we are taking these tournaments as warm-ups for the big thing.
“We are sharing one coach this year, Scott Davidoff so this will help us improve.”
Aisam currently occupies 15th place in the ATP doubles individual rankings while Bopanna holds 13th position.
“We would need to work from the scratch when it comes to team ranking,” said Aisam, who finished last year on the fifth position with Jean-Julien Rojer in the doubles team rankings.
“But right now time we’ll be focusing on more practice and winning the events.”
Meanwhile, Bopanna said that an American coach will bring new ideas to the training, which will help both the players.
“It’s going to be beneficial for us because it will give us an outsider’s perspective,” said Bopanna.
The duo practiced for a couple of days with their new coach before competing in the ongoing tournament.
Earlier, Aisam and Bopanna played the Chennai Open where they lost in the quarter-finals.

Goals galore for Rasool in PPFL

RSSToday's Paper Subscribe BETA 2.1

 The Express Tribune

HOME
PAKISTAN
BUSINESS
WORLD
SPORTS
LIFE & STYLE
MULTIMEDIA
OPINION

MAGAZINE
BLOGS
URDU NEWS
S ALERTS
 The story that moved even the cynics... 4:02 PM PST
<  >
Goals galore for Rasool in PPFL
By Our CorrespondentPublished: January 4, 2014
 Share this articlePrint this page Email

Muhammad Rasool stole the show as he scored five goals for KESC in the second-half. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
KESC crushed Pak-Afghan Clearing Agency (Paca) 6-2 in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) at the Faisal Town Ground on Saturday in Lahore.
Kesc took the lead with Muhammad Riaz’s goal in the 17th minute of the match.
However, striker Muhammad Rasool stole the show as he scored five goals for KESC in the second-half. Paca only managed to reply with goals from Muhammad Moaz and Muhammad Walid.
Kesc regained their top spot with a slim margin away from Wapda. Both teams have 42 points and have the same goal-difference on the table.
However, this was KESC’s 20th match. They have won 12 matches, lost two and drawn six so far. Meanwhile, Wapda have recorded 11 wins, drawn nine and lost one out of the 21 matches played
In another match, PIA defeated Baloch FC 2-0. Zeeshan Ali scored in the first minute of injury-time in the second-half and Shakir Lashari sealed the win three minutes later.
With the win, PIA replaced Muslim FC in fourth position with 39 points.

Moyes vows to end United’s barren FA Cup run

MANCHESTER:
David Moyes heads into Sunday’s Football Association (FA) Cup third-round clash against Swansea desperate to end Manchester United’s 10-year wait for FA Cup glory.

United have been struggling in the Premier League and Wednesday’s defeat against Tottenham left them 11 points behind leaders Arsenal.
With their hopes of defending the title looking all but over, the FA Cup is a potential opportunity for Moyes to win his first major silverware as a manager and also ensure he does not end his first season at United without a trophy.
But after a heavy fixture schedule over Christmas left United with a mounting injury list, boss Moyes admits it is a difficult time for his side to be facing another Premier League club in the third round at Old Traffford this weekend.
“I’m sure there is frustration among the players because if you’re at a club like Manchester United you want to be involved in trophy winning opportunities,” said Moyes.
“To not win an FA Cup for 10 years is something which is a bit of a surprise, but it is something we will try and do. As far as I’m concerned, we will do everything we possibly can to get through.”
I will not go easy on my son: Rodgers
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will come up against his own son, Anton, on Sunday when his side host third-tier Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup third round.
However, with Oldham having stunned Liverpool 3-2 in the fourth round last season, Brendan Rodgers says he will not allow his players to go easy on his son.
“I have to get the team to keep an eye on him because he’s a good player,” said Rogers.
“He’s got quality, he has a great view of the game. So I can’t skip over it because it’s Anton. This is business.”

5th Test: Rampaging Australia on brink of Ashes whitewash

 The Express Tribune

HOME
PAKISTAN
BUSINESS
WORLD
SPORTS
LIFE & STYLE
MULTIMEDIA
OPINION
MAGAZINE
BLOGS
URDU NEWS
S ALERTS
 Robbery: Man shot dead 1:3
<  >

5th Test: Rampaging Australia on brink of Ashes whitewash
By AFP Published: January 4, 2014
 Share this articlePrint this page Email

Australia set to claim only the third 5-0 series whitewash in Ashes history. PHOTO: AFP
SYDNEY:
Australia were closing in on a 5-0 Ashes sweep after demolishing England’s batting and pushing their lead to 311 runs after just two days of the final Sydney Ashes Test on Saturday.
The relentless Australians blasted out the hapless tourists for 155 – the fifth time England had been dismissed for less than 200 in the series – and set their sights on batting them out of the game with three days to play.
At second day stumps Australia were 140 for four with Chris Rogers compiling his fourth half-century in five innings on 73 and George Bailey not out at 20.
“Day two, 300 plus lead’s a pretty good position to be in,” said Australia paceman Ryan Harris.
“I don’t think the wicket’s getting any easier. If we bowl like we did today [Saturday], I think we’ll go alright.”
Australia’s pace trio of Harris, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle earlier took three wickets apiece as England narrowly avoided the follow-on in response to Australia’s first innings score of 326.
The tourists never recovered from a disastrous morning session when they crashed to 23 for five despite the efforts of Ben Stokes, Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow to repel the hostile home attack.
“It was pretty disappointing, but 326 is way over par on this pitch in my opinion,” said England batting coach Graham Gooch.
“So once that score’s on the board it’s always going to be difficult and once we lost those early wickets it’s going to be tough from this position.”
The tourists have failed to fight with the bat through out with Ben Stokes scoring their only century of the series in the third Test in Perth.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2014.

Brisbane International: Serena Williams begins new season on a high

BRISBANE:
World number one Serena Williams won the season-opening Brisbane International tennis tournament when she beat second seed Victoria Azarenka on Saturday.
Serena won a close first set then edged Azarenka in the second to win a tense final 6-4, 7-5 in 98 minutes.

The defending champion just shaded Azarenka throughout, with her powerful serve proving the main difference between the world’s top two players.
Serena broke Azarenka once in the first set. Although she lost her serve twice in the second, she broke Azarenka three times to seal victory.
The win was Serena’s 14th over Azarenka in 17 meetings, and stamps her as the player to beat for the Australian Open later this month.
“I want to congratulate Azarenka for being a great player and a great champion, and just someone I enjoy playing against and seeing around,” said Serena, according to ESPN.
“Brisbane is a wonderful city, which is why I have been here for three years in a row, and I enjoy being here every day.”
Serena, who also beat world number four Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals, did not drop a set on the way to the final.
The American lost only four matches in 2011 on her way to winning 11 titles.
She regained her number one ranking eight weeks into 2013 in a year that also included a winning streak of 34 consecutive matches.
 photo 4_zps4994e5a3.jpg
Federer survives scare to reach final
Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer survived a massive scare from Frenchman Jeremy Chardy Saturday to reach the final of the Brisbane International.
Federer was outplayed for large parts of the match but lifted when it mattered to beat the eighth seeded Chardy in three sets 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3.
The one hour, 55 minute win puts Federer into Sunday’s final against Lleyton Hewitt, who took 35 minutes longer to beat Japan’s second seeded Kei Nishikori 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Federer, who at 32 is the same age as Hewitt, admitted he found it difficult to like the Australian at the start of their careers but said they had both mellowed as they grew older, and now they sometimes practised together.
“We go back 17 years, our coaches back in the day were best friends,” said Federer.
“It’s amazing we have a chance to play in Australia.”
Federer and Hewitt have played 26 times in their senior careers, with Federer leading 18-8.
“It will be good (to play against him),” said Hewitt.
“You want to play against the best players, and obviously Roger and I have a good history and a lot of tough matches in the past in Slams and Davis Cups and everything.”

Asia Cup future hangs in balance

COLOMBO:
Asia Cup’s future hangs in the balance as conflicting reports about holding the event in Bangladesh emerged on Saturday.

The Chief Executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Ashraful Haq claimed that violence-plagued Bangladesh would remain the venue for next month’s Asia Cup and added Afghanistan as the fifth team in the regional one-day tournament.
“The tournament will go ahead as scheduled in Bangladesh from February 25,” said Huq after an executive board meeting in Colombo.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a press release later in the day stating that no final decision has been made in this regard.
“The matter of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh was discussed at length with emphasis on the current security situation,” said the PCB in a statement.
 photo 3_zps9d0af884.jpg
“The matter will be further deliberated on 9th January in Dubai after some members have consulted their governments.”
Huq, on the other hand, had claimed that all arrangements were in place for the event.
“Everything is in place for the tournament, no one raised any issue about safety,” said Huq, adding the Bangladesh Cricket Board had made a detailed security presentation at the meeting.
Huq also claimed that Pakistan did not raise any security concerns at the meeting either.
However, a Pakistan board source said that it will seek further clarification during a meeting of the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, an ACC release said 11 matches will be played in the tournament with the final on March 8. Afghanistan will also join Asia’s four Test nations – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The Afghanistan team, which has qualified for their maiden appearance in the 50-over World Cup, have also made it to their third successive World Twenty20.

Zol, Samson lead India to U19 Asia Cup title

Sparking centuries by Vijay Zol and Sanju Samson led India to the Asian Cricket Council U19 Asia Cup title as they edged out arch-rivals Pakistan in the final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Batting first, the winners amassed a total of 314 for eight in the allotted 50 overs, as Zol and Samson added 180 runs for the third wicket to ensure a big score.

Zol hit seven fours and two sixes in his 100-run knock, while Samson struck eight fours and four sixes in his 87 balls 100 run knock.

In reply, the Pakistan batsmen fought hard with prolific opener and captain Sami Aslam breaking Quinton de Kock’s record for the most runs in international U19 cricket during his 87-run innings.

Kamran Ghulam batted tenaciously in the lower order, scoring 102 off only 89 balls. However, his century went in vain as Pakistan ended their 50 overs at 274 for nine, falling 40 runs short of the target.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2014.

First Test: Misbah praises match-turner Mathews

ABU DHABI: Pakistan national Test team captain Misbahul Haq praised his counterpart Angelo Mathews for his fightback which earned Sri Lanka a respectable draw in the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Mathews hit a career-best 157 not out following his 91 in the first knock to help Sri Lanka avert a probable defeat after Pakistan dominated the first three days.

Pakistan had gained a valuable 179-run lead over Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 204 and had their rivals in a spot of bother at 186-4 on day three.
But Mathews put on 138 for the fifth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (89) and unbroken 156 for the sixth wicket with Prasanna Jayawardene (63 not out) to pull Sri Lanka out of trouble.
Set a challenging 302 in 67 overs on the last day, Pakistan finished on 158-2.
Misbah said Mathews turned the match on its head.
“Test cricket is all about this. In getting somebody out in the first innings, you can’t just think you’ve won the match,” said Misbah.
“This is how teams fight back, they fought hard and batted well and I think this Test ends up even-Stevens and both did really well. Mathews batted very well and turned the match.”
Misbah refused to agree his team did not try to achieve the target.
“No I don’t think so .. with first three wickets we were just trying to build partnership, that was our plan that if we can reach around of 170 – 180 with eight or nine wicekts in hand then we can push onward but when Ahmed Shahzad got out then we thought we should go for the draw,” said Misbah, who hoped the pitch would assist spinners more in the second Test starting in Dubai on Wednesday.
“Dubai must be different and the ball started to spin on the third day so there must be an important role of the spinner there,” said Misbah.
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took 18 wickets in Pakistan’s 1-0 series win here in 2011, went wicket-less in his 49 overs on a Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch which eased out for batsmen after first day.
Mathews said he went for safety-first on the fifth day.
“First of all we had to make sure that we didn’t get into a losing position,” said Mathews, who batted for an hour and 30 minutes before declaring at 420-5.
“It was a see-saw game and they dominated for the first three days and it was remarkable to stage a comeback and I am happy that we did that through our batting,” said Mathews.
“This was the best I have batted for Sri Lanka and I am proud to have justified my place in the team,” he said.

Sri Lanka suffers Kulasekara injury setback

ABU DHABI: Sri Lanka suffered a big blow when experienced fast bolwer Nuwan Kulasekara was ruled out of the ongoing Test series against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury, skipper Angelo Mathews said on Saturday.

The 31-year-old paceman was rested for the first Test against Pakistan which ended in a draw on the fifth and final day on Saturday.
“Kulasekara suffered a hamstring injury which was discovered recently and will be returning home,” said Mathews.
However, Mathews ruled out an emergency replacement. There will be no replacement for Kulasekara as Sri Lanka have enough fast bowlers in the squad, he said.
Kulasekara has so far played 20 Tests, 146 one-days and 32 Twenty20s for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka have pacemen Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep and uncapped Vishwa Fernando in their squad.
The second of three Tests starts in Dubai on Wednesday.
Pakistan too have suffered from injuries with paceman Umar Gul released from the squad after not recovering fully from a knee operation and wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal forced to return home after fracturing his finger during the first Test.

New Zealand win rain-hit fourth ODI

RSSToday's Paper Subscribe BETA 2.1

 The Express Tribune

HOME
PAKISTAN
BUSINESS
WORLD
SPORTS
LIFE & STYLE
MULTIMEDIA
OPINION
MAGAZINE
BLOGS
URDU NEWS
S ALERTS
 Book review: Language speaks 2:57 PM PST
<  >
New Zealand win rain-hit fourth ODI
By AFP Published: January 4, 2014
 Share this articlePrint this page Email

Cory Anderson (R) of New Zealand congratulates teammate Martin Guptill for catching out Lendl Simmons of the West Indies during the fourth international one day cricket match between New Zealand and the West Indies at Saxton Oval in Nelson on January 4, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
NELSON:

New Zealand won a rain-affected fourth One-Day International (ODI) by 58 runs on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead over the West Indies in their five-match series.
The game in Nelson was decided under the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method after wet weather set in with the West Indies apparently heading for their second consecutive heavy defeat.
A timely return to form for opener Martin Guptill, who made 81, saw New Zealand make 285 for six in their 50 overs and the West Indies were 134 for five after 33.4 overs when the rain sent the players from the field.
New Zealand, who won the Test series 2-0, now lead the ODI series 2-1 with one match to play in Hamilton next Wednesday.
“It was probably a 250 wicket,” said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.
“Obviously Martin, with his innings and the guys being able to bat around him, allowed us to get 30 runs over par.”
Frontline bowler Ravi Rampaul was ruled out with a broken finger, becoming the sixth injured first-choice ODI player in the West Indies squad.
With their bowling weakened, the West Indies needed their batsmen to compensate but were again let down.
“Losing early wickets, two run outs, batters getting starts but not making full use of it, we have only ourselves to blame,” said West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo. “We can’t blame the weather.”
Chadwick Walton (0) was run out in the first over and Johnson Charles was also removed for a duck in the fourth over to leave the West Indies two for two.
Lendl Simmons and Kirk Edwards managed to put on 60 for the third wicket before another run out when Edwards gambled on out-running Brendon McCullum’s throw.
Simmons departed for 43, caught by Guptill at midwicket off Kane Williamson, as the rain was starting to fall.
When the umpires eventually took the players from the field, Bravo was unbeaten on 43, with Ramdin on 17.