India fight hard as Prior errors hurt England LONDON—India battled to be 149 for in a weaker position had not England by Prior, diving to his right, off Stuart seven at lunch on the first day of the second Test against England at Lord’s on Thursday after being sent into bat on a seaming pitch. Ajinkya Rahane was 28 not out and Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4 not out. However, India would have been
SCOREBOARD India 1st innings: Vijay c Ballance b Plunkett .......... 24 Dhawan c Ballance b Anderson ... 7 Pujara b Stokes .............................. 28 Kohli c Prior b Anderson ............. 25 Rahane not out .............................. 28 Dhoni c Prior b Broad ..................... 1 Jadeja lbw b Ali ............................... 3 Binny lbw b Anderson ................... 9 Extras: (b 8, lb 11, nb 1) ................ 20 Total: (7 wickets) ......................... 145 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-48, 3-86, 4-113, 5-123, 6-128, 7-145 Bowling: ........................... O-M-R-W Anderson ........................ 15.2-7-21-3 Broad .................................. 14-5-35-1 Plunkett .............................. 10-4-26-1 Stokes ................................. 10-2-24-1 Ali .......................................... 8-2-20-1
Talansky quits Tour despite brave ride BOURG-EN-BRESSE (France)—American Andrew Talansky quit the Tour de France before Thursday’s 12th stage due to the cumulative effects of several crashes, his Garmin-Sharp team said. Talansky crashed heavily on Friday’s seventh stage before also coming off his bike the next day. The 25-year-old had suffered badly on Monday’s tough mountainous stage in which he lost 10 minutes and saw his overall hopes go up in smoke. But following Tuesday’s rest day, the Criterium du Dauphine winner woke up with a bad back and suffered terribly on Wednesday’s 11th stage, coming home alone and more than 32 minutes behind winner Tony Gallopin. “I’m absolutely heartbroken to leave the Tour de France.I built my season around the Tour,” said Talansky in a team statement. “I had hoped the rest day would allow some time to recover from my crashes. I was hopeful that I could get through yesterday (Wednesday)... but it proved to be too much.”Talansky was visibly in trouble from early on in Wednesday’s 187.5km run from Besancon to Oyonnax and even at one point climbed off his bike, seemingly giving up. But he continued with tears running down his cheeks and fought on for more than 100km totally alone to beat the cut-off time limit.—AFP
IDPs Relief cricket T20 match now after SL tour: Afridi KARACHI—Relief Twenty20 cricket match to raise funds for IDPs affected by Zarb-e-Azb will be held after the Sri Lanka tour, chief organiser and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said on Thursday. “We wanted to hold the match just after Eid-ulFitr.But due to lack of preparation of pitches it will now be held after the Sri Lankan tour,” Afridi told APP. He said he recently approached Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for staging the match but was informed by the board officials that since the pitches are being prepared for the new domestic season, grounds are not immediately available. Afridi said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and former Pakistan captain Imran Khan have already agreed to support this cause. Funds generated through this match will be spent on the welfare of the IDPs. Shahid Afridi said this match was being shifted as Pakistan cricket is due to leave for Colombo just after Eid-ul-Fitr for the test and one-day series.First test starts in Galle from September 6.—APP
wicketkeeper Matt Prior dropped two catches. He put down opener Murali Vijay on nought and then, off the last ball before lunch, dropped Kohli after parttime off-spinner Moeen Ali found the outside edge. After England captain Alastair Cook called for a pitch with more pace and bounce following an excessively docile surface in the drawn first Test at Trent Bridge, it was no surprise he opted to field after winning the toss when confronted with a light-green strip at Lord’s. James Anderson struck in the third over of the match when he left-hander Shikhar Dhawan well caught low down at third slip by Gary Ballance after the ball pitched outside the leg stump and cut away sharply to take the outside edge. Dhawan’s exit saw Anderson become the most successful bowler in Tests in England, his 230th wicket surpassing the record of England fastbowling great Fred Trueman. India’s 11 for one should have become 11 for two when Vijay—who made a hundred at Trent Bridge—was dropped
Broad. Anderson didn’t concede a run until his 32nd delivery, with Vijay edging the Lancashire seamer unconvincingly through the slips for four. England, though, were generally bowling too short in the conditions. However, first-change Liam Plunkett was rewarded for pitching up when he dismissed Vijay, aiming legside, for 20 with the aid of another fine catch by Ballance to leave India 48 for two. Prior, who has struggled with Achilles and thigh injuries this season, then reprieved Kohli—a far easier chance than the one he dropped off Vijay. Both teams were unchanged for the second of this five-match series. That meant England included Anderson and India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja after both players were charged by the opposition side for offences under the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct following a flare-up at lunch on the second day of the first Test. They each now risk being banned from matches during the remainder of the series should an ICC judicial commissioner, at a date to be announced, uphold the charges.—AFP
Golf: Howell off to flyer start in British Open H OYLAKE (United Kingdom)—First man out David Howell made a storming start to the British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on Thursday. The English former Ryder Cup star, who is working his way back after several years of injuries and poor form, opened with a bogey, but rebounded with three birdies in a row from the third to take the early lead at two under. Italy’s Edoardo Molinari got going with a brace of birdies and was level wth Howell at two under after three holes. W i t h playing conditions picture perfect all eyes early on were set to be rivetted on a “fit-again” Tiger Woods. The player who has dominated world golf over the last 17 years with 14 major wins comes into Hoylake at a crucial juncture in his stupendous career. The latest in a succession of swing-stress related injuries over the last few years saw him revert to back surgery in late March to relieve a pain that left him at times unable even to get out of bed. Woods, 18 months shy of his 40th birthday, says that for the first time in years he is pain free and ready to go as
ENGLAND: US golfer Tiger Woods works with his coach Sean Foley during practice at Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake ahead of The British Open Golf Championship. he once again hones in on his lifelong obsession of matching and finally surpassing the
all-time major record of 18 wins held by Jack Nicklaus since 1986.—AFP
Lancashire not planning to replace Junaid Khan L ONDON —Lancashire are have been integral to the haven’t completely closed still considering whether to replace departing star Junaid Khan for the latter stages of the NatWest T20 Blast, although cricket director Mike Watkinson says the prospect is unlikely. The Pakistani left-arm fast bowler, an expert in bowling at the death, plays his last match of the campaign today (Friday) when Derbyshire Falcons visit Emirates Old Trafford for the Lightning’s penultimate North Division fixture. Junaid Khan’s 17 wickets from nine matches, making him the joint most prolific bowler in the competition,
county’s march to the quarter-finals. He will hope to sign off before international duty by contributing to a ninth group win, to help Lancashire secure a home tie in the last eight. Although the 24-yearold will be a major miss for the quarter-finals and, hopefully, Finals Day, Watkinson is confident that the existing Red Rose squad has enough quality to cope without him. Particularly now that former England captain Andrew Flintoff has stepped up with two impressive performances. “We
that door, but probably not,” said Watkinson, regarding the chances of a new recruit. As for Flintoff, Watkinson said “Fred is loving it” ahead of a potential second home debut.—INP
LONDON: Gary Ballance gets down to the low catch to remove Shikhar Dhawan during England vs India, 2nd Investec Test at Lord’s on Thursday.
Touchme CC stuns Advance Telecom K A R A C H I — To u c h m e Cricket Club pulled off a shock and recorded a thrilling two runs victory over Advance Telecom to storm in the last four grade of 19th M.A.Shah Night Trophy Cricket Tournament at Asghar Ali Shah Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday night. Southpaw Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan hit an awesome 84 off 45 balls with ten powerful boundaries and four huge sixes. But after his departure, Advance Telecom failed to maintain rhythm. Inserted to bat first, Touchme Cricket Club collected 159 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Haris Ali Khan hit three fours and pair of sixes in his 46 while Waqas Ahmed hit two fours and two sixes in his 30. Offspinner Shahid Khan took three wickets for 27 runs. Advance Telecom after a flying start wad bowled out for 157 with three balls to spare. After Sharjeel’s blitz, Mukhtar Ahmed made 36 with three sixes and three fours. But rest of the batting crumbled. Pakistan reject Soahil Khan claimed three wickets for 32 runs and offbreak bowler Shahid Khan took three wickets for 33 runs. Summarized scores: Touchme Cricket Club 159/ 8 in 20 overs (Haris Ali Khan 46, Waqas Ahmed 30, Omar Khan 29, Shahid Khan 3/27) Advance Telecom 157 all out in 19.3 overs Sharjeel Khan 84, Mukhtar Ahmed 36, Babad Ragha 17, Babar Azam 13, Sohail Khan 3/32, Shahid Khan 3/33). Friday semi-final: Omar Associates vs Touchme Cricket Club.— APP
K ARACHI —Fiery paceman Maroof Aziz Ground. snapped-up four wickets to bowl Pak Korangi CC into the semi-finals of RLCA T20 Ramazan Cricket Tournament with they beat Nazimabad Gymkhana by 32 runs in low-scoring tie on Wednesday night. Youthful medium pacer Maroof Aziz snapped-up four wickets 26 runs in a lively spell and proved the architect in his team’s win at Korangi Stadium. Awesome Maroof proved too got to handle as he dismissed Nazimabad Gymkhana for 99 in the 19th over as they were a chasing a modest score 132 for victory. Mansoor Khan hit a defiant 28 in 33 balls with three fours and two sixes. Earlier batting first, Pak Korangi CC scored 131-7 in their 20 overs. Ashraf Ali made 30 with two sixes and one four. Junaid Naeem captured three wickets for 15 runs. Veteran first class all-rounder Imran Javed hit a spectacular 49 off 26 balls with seven sizzling boundaries and brace of sixes as MHCC thrashed Al-Noor Gymkhana by seven wickets at the Gulburg
Al-Noor Gymkhana batting first, scored 116 for seven wickets in 20 overs, Daniyal Mansoor top-scored with 28 off 33 balls with two boundaries. Farrukh Rizvi hit two fours and one six in his 25. Test fast bowler Muhammad Sami and Aqeel Sharif took two wickets apiece. MHCC in reply raced to victory for the loss of just three wickets in 14.5 overs. Owais Pasta gave good supports to Imran Javed by scoring an enterprising 37 in 23 balls studded five boundaries. Summarized scores: Pak Korangi CC bt Nazimabad Gymkhana by 32 runs. Pak Korangi CC 131/7 in 20 overs (Ashraf Ali 30, Naveed Talib 28, Junaid Naeem 3/15) Nazimabad Gym 99 all out in 18.4 (Mansoor Khan 28, Owais Rehmani 21, Maroof Aziz 4/ 26, Jafar Qureshi 2/12, Tariq Murad 2/19). M.Hussain CC bt Al-Noor Gymkhana by 7 wickets Al-Noor Gymkhana 116/7 in 20 overs (Daniyal Mansoor 28, Farrukh Rizvi 25, Aqeel Sharif 2/16, M.Sami 2/19) M.Hussain CC 120/3 in 14.5 overs (Imran Javed 49, Owais Pasta 37).—APP
Hockey team may embark on foreign tour ahead of Asian Games ISLAMABAD—Head coach national hockey coaching team had been trying hard to make team, Shahnaz Shaikh said on Thursday that he had suggested Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to arrange a tour of the national outfit to a foreign country to gauge strengths and weaknesses of players ahead of the Asian Games. “Our team has not featured in any international event for the last nine months, while our rivals in Asian Games have played the World Cup and will now appear in Commonwealth Games. They will get a lot of practice and exposure before the Asian Games,” Shaikh told APP on Thursday. Pakistan will take on their four toughest rivals, Malaysia, Germany, hosts South Korea and arch-rivals India in the Asian Games. The Games scheduled to be held in Incheon, South Korea in September, will also serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Pakistan players are currently going through a tough training at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in the second phase of the camp for Asian Games. Thirty-seven probable players for had been getting training in the camp that would conclude on Friday. Shahnaz Shaikh said the members of his
the camp really productive. “Like the first phase of the camp, the second phase has been very productive. In the first phase we tried hard to improve our player’s game through fitness and skill-enhancing drills. While in the second phase we’ve given them a lot of practice”, he said. “We will resume training for the third phase on August 3, while the trials for team selection will be held on August 13 and 14,” Shaikh added. He said he had suggested the PHF to either arrange fixtures with Asian teams such as Korea and Malaysia or organize a series with any of the strong European sides. “I have even proposed that we can play against top European clubs as playing against them too can benefit us a lot,” he said. The head coach said he was trying his best to revive Pakistan hockey adding that his first target was to defend the Asian title. He also appealed Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to honour the national team by meeting them before their departure for Asian Games. “The meeting with Prime Minister will help boost the morale of the Green- shirts”, he said.—APP
Top cricketers to feature in IDP’s fund raising match
YRS camp begins I SLAMABAD —The first phase of the training camp of Young Rising Star Club (YRS), Rawalpindi for the preparation of National Women Football Championship began here at OPF College Ground, H-8 Islamabad. Talking to APP, President, Young Rising Star Club, Haji Ghias Uddin Baloch, said that top 18 players are will be participating in the camp including Asmara Kiyani, Faiza Mahmood, Sahar Zaman, Nadia Bhatti, Yasmeen Tahira, Zara Sohail, Zara Iqbal, Fatima Ansari, Aman Kiyani, Ayza Waheed, Sonam Kamal, Iman Hussain, Anorina, Ayla Jannan, Dinah Waheed, Numrika, Laila and Zoha Shoaib. He said that the National Women Football Championship will kick off from August 11. A total of sixteen teams from all over the country will take part in the extravaganza. The teams include Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, Islamabad, FATA, AJK, Gilgit Baltistan, Young Rising Star Rawalpindi, Diya Club Karachi, Model Town Club Lahore, Frontier College Peshawar, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Wapda and Higher Educiation Commission. The matches of the event will be played at four different venues of Islamabad, Rawlpindi, Lahore and Karachi. Baloch said that Young Rising Star Club will defend the title in the championship. “YRS had won the National Championship five times and have also got a silver medal,” he said.—APP
Fiery Maroof bowls Pak Korangi CC in RLCA T20 Ramazan cricket semis
RAWALPINDI: Coordinator IDPs Fun Rising Committee, Hanif Abbasi addressing press conference regarding charity T20 match fot he IDPs of NWA between Pakistan’s A side and Hamza Shahbaz XI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
LAHORE—All the top players of the country are likely to represent national cricket team in an exhibition T20 cricket series being staged from July 19 to support the thousands of Internally Displaced Person (IDPs). Star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul etc have expressed their keenness to be a part of Pakistan A in the fund-raising matches being played from July 19 to 26 in four different centres of the country. People from all walks of life especially the young generation, are taking keen interest in the 4-match cricket series being organised under the aegis of Sports Board Punjab (SBP). A large number of top actors, actresses, sports stars, politicians and other personalities will attend the cricket matches to make the fundraising campaign a success. Leading pop singers will also perform during the matches to offer maximum entertain to spectators and donors.A spokesman of Sports Board Punjab told that hundreds of male and female youth have contacted the SBP offices to gain complete information regarding the upcoming series. “The eagerness of the youth and other segments of the society shows that Pakistan
will tackle the IDPs crisis quite successfully. The history reflects that our nation has extended every kind of assistance whenever the need arises,” he said. The ‘A’ cricket team has already been announced for the fund-raising rubber. Following are the members of Pakistan ‘A’ team: Sharjeel Khan, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Nasir Jamshed, Faisal Iqbal, Haris Sohail, Sohaib Maqsood, Fawad Alam, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Raza Hassan, M Sami, Ehsan Adil, Yasir Shah and Imran Khan. The selected ‘A’ team will play four exhibition matches at Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore on July 19, 21, 24 and 26 respectively. Meanwhile, In order to raise funds for the help of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), an exhibition of floodlit Twenty-20 match would be organized between Pakistan-A Cricket team and Faisalabad-XI on 24th of July at Iqbal Stadium for which necessary arrangements are being finalized. This was informed by Commissioner Faisalabad Division Sardar Akram Javed here on Thursday while presiding over a meeting to review the arrangements of T-20 match.—APP