10 July 2019
Serena Williams beats Alison Riske to reach semi-finals of Wimbledon 2019
The 23-time Grand Slam champion beat Riske 6-4 4-6 6-3 to set up a last four meetings with Czech Barbora Strycova, who defeated Britain’s Johanna Konta.
Williams is chasing her eighth Wimbledon title and her first Grand Slam title since January 2017. “It was really satisfying,” the 37-year-old told the BBC.
“I wouldn’t have won that match a couple of weeks ago.
“I’m glad I was able to come through. She was honestly playing amazing, she beat so many great players. “I was really pumped, it was for a place in the semis at Wimbledon and that doesn’t happen every day. It’s a long, arduous road.”
Imam-Ul-Haq regrets letting Pakistan down during the World Cup match against Australia
Opener Imam-ul-Haq on Tuesday acknowledged that the Pakistan team should have won their World Cup match against Australia and regretted that his dismal performance in that game contributed to the Green Shirts’ loss.
“That match was very much going in our favour and I was set [on the pitch]. But then I got out and Pakistan was let down because of me,” Imam said while addressing a press conference in Lahore.
Sitting alongside him was star batsman Babar Azam, who too said he should not have gotten out in the match against Australia. “It was my mistake that I played a bad shot. If I hadn’t been dismissed maybe there would have been good results.”
Imam regretted that his maiden World Cup century hadn’t come in his team’s earlier matches. “At the same time, this is cricket. You have to learn from your mistakes. Not everything can go the way you want it to,” he said.
World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and India postponed to today after no let up in rain
The Black Caps were 211 for the loss of five wickets after 46 overs, when play was stopped.
ESPNcricinfo reported that the “weather forecast for tomorrow is apparently worse”.
According to ESPNcricinfo, it was raining heavily at first in Manchester which later reduced to a drizzle, but again picked up after a while.
The commentators reported at 5pm (9pm PST) that “if the match fails to start by 6:35pm (10:35pm PST), for a 20-over game, then it will be deferred to tomorrow. And for that to happen the rain has to ideally stop by 5:30pm (9:30pm PST).” This is in accordance with the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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9 July 2019
Virat Kohli happy for Rohit Sharma to take the spotlight
Virat Kohli admits Rohit Sharma’s blistering form has made him alter his own role in the top-order as India gear up for Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
Sharma has smashed a record five centuries in a single World Cup to lead the tournament batting charts with 647 runs from eight innings.
Kohli has hit five fifties but a hundred has so far eluded the world’s top ODI and Test batsman, who is happy to let Sharma play the more aggressive role once again when they face New Zealand at Old Trafford.
“It’s been a different kind of role that I have had to play in this World Cup. As the captain of the team I have been open to play any role that the team wants me to,” Kohli told reporters yesterday.
Imad Wasim has dismissed rumours of groupings within the Pakistani cricket team
Wasim was addressing a press conference in Islamabad along with teammate Shadab Khan a day after skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed spoke to the media in Karachi.
The players returned to the country from the United Kingdom after Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals due to net run-rate difference with New Zealand after both the teams earned 11 points each from nine league matches. The all-rounder, in the press conference today, said that had there been any grouping within the team, he would not have played.
“All of us play for Pakistan,” he declared and added: “I’ve known Sarfaraz for 15 years, he is not that type of a person. There have never been any disagreements or disputes. On field, if there are minor disagreements or if the captain says something, we should take it as a player.”
Leicester have signed Youri Tielemans from Monaco on a four-year deal for a club record £40m
Tielemans, 22, scored three goals and provided four assists in 13 Premier League appearances on loan at the Foxes last season.
He is Leicester’s third summer signing after Ayoze Perez joined from Newcastle and James Justin arrived from Luton.
“I really can’t wait to get started again with this club,” said Tielemans.”I believe that we have the talent in our squad to achieve something special and for any player, that’s an exciting thing to be a part of.”
Tielemans became Claude Puel’s final signing as Leicester boss when he joined on loan in January. Puel was sacked the following month and replaced by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. “I’m delighted that Youri has chosen to be part of Leicester City’s journey,” said Rodgers. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for this football club and to be able to bring players of Youri’s quality here is an indication of the hunger for success we have here.
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8 July 2019
Jasprit Bumrah says India is in top shape ahead of semi-finals
Pace bowler Bumrah claimed three wickets in India’s win over Sri Lanka on Saturday at Headingley, with Virat Kohli’s side taking top spot in the final group table.
Australia’s loss to South Africa on Saturday means India face New Zealand in the first semi-final in Manchester, while Aaron Finch’s side take on hosts England in Birmingham on Thursday.
Opening batsman Rohit Sharma scored his record fifth century in a single World Cup on Saturday and lead the tournament’s batting charts with 647 runs.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said that he took responsibility for failing to reach the World Cup final four
“We are definitely disappointed. If some results had gone our way maybe we could have reached the semi-final,” Mashrafe told reporters after the team’s return to Dhaka.
“Overall, the way we played was very positive… but we couldn’t fulfill our expectations,” he said.
“If we had won the last match, we could have finished fifth. But I’m sure all spectators and players wanted the team to finish in the top four,” he said.
Bangladesh dropped down to eighth place at the end of the league phase of the World Cup after South Africa defeated Australia in the last match before the semi-finals, at Old Trafford.
Egypt have sacked head coach Javier Aguirre after the hosts suffered a shock defeat by South Africa
The Pharaohs were the pre-tournament favourites but lost 1-0 in Cairo after Thembinkosi Lorch’s 85th minute winner. Egypt Football Association president Hany Abo Rida has also resigned, saying it was a “moral obligation”. Mexican Aguirre, 60, was appointed in August 2018, succeeding Hector Cuper, who left after their World Cup exit.
Speaking after Saturday’s defeat, Aguirre, who still had three years left on his contract, said: “Of course I am responsible. “I think the game was open and there were chances for both teams. The only difference was the goal for South Africa.”
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5 July 2019
Chris Gayle strikes as West Indies see off Afghanistan in World Cup
Chris Gayle removed Afghanistan top-scorer Ikram Alikhil with his tame off-breaks as the West Indies secured just their second win of a chastening World Cup campaign on Thursday.
The Caribbean side scored 311 for six in their 50 overs in Leeds and although the Afghans put up a brave fight, they ultimately went down by 23 runs.
Gayle, almost certainly playing in his final World Cup match at the age of 39, failed with the bat but struck with the ball, trapping Alikhil lbw for 86 in the 36th over to put a huge dent in Afghanistan´s slim hopes of victory. Despite the victory, two-time former champions West Indies remain second-bottom of the 10-team table and will slink home with just two wins from nine matches.
Afghanistan have flickered in spells during only their second World Cup — going close against India and Pakistan — but head home with a dispiriting nine defeats out of nine.
Serena Williams recovered from being a set down to beat teenage qualifier Kaja Juvan
Williams was surprised by the 18-year-old world number 133 from Slovenia, who twice broke serve to win the first set.
The 11th seed, 37, responded to take control in the second and eventually closed out the decider for a 2-6 6-2 6-4 victory in one hour 36 minutes. “She played well and I started out a little slow,” said the American. “I like the pressure. I would rather be in this position than any other and I play best when I am down sometimes. I am a fighter.”
Williams, who last won Wimbledon in 2016, will face German 18th seed Julia Gorges in the third round.
Frank Lampard says that Chelsea’s managing job will be the biggest challenge of his career
The 41-year-old ex-England midfielder was appointed on Thursday by the club where he spent 13 years as a player. Lampard had been in charge of Championship side Derby – his first job in management – for 14 months. “I am not naive. I understand fans want success. I don’t see this as a risk. I am not fearful of the downsides,” he said.
When asked if taking charge at Stamford Bridge, where he has legendary status and is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, will be the biggest challenge he has faced, Lampard replied: “Yes.” He added: “Coming here 19 years ago was a challenge. I had the radio on and some people were questioning whether I should be here for £11m.
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4 July 2019
Andy Murray can’t wait to play with Serena Williams in Wimbledon 2019 mixed doubles
Andy Murray says playing with Serena Williams in the Wimbledon mixed doubles is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which he could not miss. Britain’s Murray, 32, will play with the American great as he continues his recovery from major hip surgery.
“The chance to play with her is brilliant and not something I expected to happen,” the Scot said.
The decorated pair will play Germany’s Andreas Mies and Chile’s Alexa Guarachi in the first round. Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou contacted Murray’s Jamie Delgado to see if the Scot was available and the blockbuster partnership between two of the sport’s most high profile players, who have 26 Grand Slam titles between them, was confirmed on Tuesday.
England crushes New Zealand with 119-run victory
England scored a comprehensive 119-run victory in their must-win match against New Zealand at Chester-le-Street yesterday. Eoin Morgan’s side scored 305-8 in their 50 overs as Jonny Bairstow, player of the match, top-scored with 106 and Jason Roy hit 60.
The tournament hosts then bowled out New Zealand for 186 to guarantee a top-four finish in the 10-team group stage. England, who have never won the competition, are into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1992.
As soon as the match was over, the commentators at ESPN Cricinfo began speculating what the semi final composition could look like given today’s win, whether Pakistan have a chance, and considering the fact that Australia and India are already through.
“Pakistan will need to beat Bangladesh by 316 runs at Lord’s on Friday to oust New Zealand. That is, if they score 400, they need to keep Bangladesh to 84 or less. The exact margin will change depending on scores. It’s not over yet!” they said.
Imamul Haq says Pakistan will go all out against Bangladesh even if they can’t reach the World Cup semi-finals
Victory for New Zealand against England on Wednesday would have left the door open for Pakistan to seal a place in the last four if they win their final group match. But a win for the tournament hosts has all but ended the 1992 champions’ chances of reaching the last four — England would be out of reach on 12 points while New Zealand have a far-superior net run rate to Pakistan so would likely progress even if the two teams finished level on 11 points.
Imam said there was no despondency in the Pakistan camp despite the difficult situation.
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3 July 2019
Mickey Arthur says “Now all we want is to get to Friday with a real opportunity and our destiny in our own hands.”
England’s victory over India on Sunday made it harder for Pakistan to reach the semi-finals and another win for the host nation against New Zealand on Wednesday would effectively end Pakistan’s chances of qualifying from the round-robin stage.
“How they (India) played, again that’s the issue which we can’t control,” said Arthur. “Obviously, I was following the game intently and was disappointed that India did not get up because that would have opened the door for us.
India defeated Bangladesh by 28 runs, dashing its hopes of making it through to the semifinals
India defeated Bangladesh by 28 runs, dashing its hopes of making it through to the semifinals as the two sides met at Edgbaston on Tuesday. Bangladesh were given a target of 315 runs by India to pursue.
‘The Tigers’, as they are otherwise known, had needed to win both of their remaining matches and hope New Zealand beat England if they were to go through to the semifinals.
Tottenham have signed France midfielder Tanguy Ndombele for a club record 60m euros
The 22-year-old has signed a deal until 2025 and the fee could rise to 70m euros (£62.8m) with incentives. Tottenham’s previous transfer record was the £42m paid to sign defender Davinson Sanchez from Ajax in August 2017.
Ndombele joined Lyon in 2017 and helped them finish third in the French top-flight last season. He also twice played against Manchester City in Champions League group games. In total Ndombele, who has six caps for France, made 96 appearances for Lyon and registered 16 assists.
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2 July 2019
Sri Lanka beats West Indies by 23 runs at the ICC World Cup
Avishka Fernando scored 104 from 103 balls to guide Sri Lanka to 338-6, its highest total of the tournament, and Lasith Malinga took two early wickets to stymie the start of the run chase before adding another one late to all but finish it off. West Indies, with some star power support from Rihanna on a blustery, slightly overcast day no need for shade, or shelter from the rain made a chase of it but ran out of time and finished 315-9.
Rihanna’s reaction when Chris Gayle got out, head back in disbelief, summed up the overall feeling of the game over at 71-3.
Fifteen-year-old American qualifier Cori Gauff caused a stunning upset by defeating five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams
World number 313 Gauff beat Williams – 24 years her senior at 39 – 6-4 6-4.
Fellow American Williams had won four Grand Slam titles – including two at Wimbledon – before Gauff was born. “It’s the first time I have ever cried after winning a match,” said Gauff, who previously said Venus and sister Serena were her “idols”.
“I don’t know how to explain how I feel.I definitely had to tell myself to stay calm, I had to remind myself that the lines are the same lines, the courts are the same size and after every point I told myself ‘stay calm’.”
Arsenal has submitted an opening bid of about £40m for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha
No players have been offered as part of the proposed deal, and the bid will be rejected by Palace. The 26-year-old is keen to leave the club this summer and favours a move to Arsenal, but the Eagles value the Ivory Coast international at up to £80m.
The Gunners will have to hope a compromise can be reached on a lower fee and staggered payments.
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1 July 2019
Sarfraz Ahmed has hailed Pakistan’s 3-wicket vitory over afghanistan as “a great win” despite close match
“It is a great win for us on not an easy pitch,” said Sarfraz. “We know it was not an easy target. Their bowlers used the conditions very well. Everyone chipped in, it was good team work.” After a terrible start with just one win from their opening five matches, Pakistan have now won three in matches in succession to leapfrog hosts England into fourth place.
A semi-final place is still in England’s hands, but they face the daunting task of having to beat at least one and most likely both of India and New Zealand in their final two fixtures.
Allan Border has said Australia may win the World Cup as the holders head towards the semi-finals in fine form
“After a gentle start, Australia now look the real deal and the win against New Zealand has brought back that old familiar feeling that often leads to a World Cup trophy,” Border said in an ICC Media column. “This was a very impressive win because they did it the hard way.
“In this tournament, they have relied on Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith at the top of the order to get runs but all of a sudden, they had to dig deep, and to come through that is a very good sign.
England deal India bruising 31-run defeat in must-win World Cup clash
England dealt India a bruising 31-run defeat — and in the process ended the unbeaten streak of the Men in Blue — in the World Cup clash between the two sides at Edgbaston on Sunday.
England, who came into this match on the back of successive defeats by Sri Lanka and Australia, will be assured of a place in the last four if they beat New Zealand in their last group match on Wednesday.
India can reach the knockout phase by beating Bangladesh when they return to Edgbaston on Tuesday.
England’s bid to win a first World Cup title is based on aggressive top-order batting but the runs had dried up lately.
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28 June 2019
England looks at India and New Zealand matches as quarter-finals
England’s 64-run loss to Australia at Lord’s on Tuesday left their qualification hopes in the balance with Bangladesh, Pakistan (both one point behind) and Sri Lanka (two points behind with a game in hand) breathing down their necks.
England have not beaten India or New Zealand in seven attempts at the World Cup since 1992 but Root is confident they can still reach the knockout stages.
“We’ll see these two games as quarter-finals… which in a way when it comes round to the knockout stage should serve you well,” Root told reporters.
Sri Lanka hopes to beat South Africa to stay afloat in World Cup
Just when it appeared to be shaping up as a bit square the top four teams progressing relatively untroubled to the semi-finals the tournament got a lot more interesting. Suddenly, it was no foregone conclusion that the semi-finals would comprise No. 1 England, No. 2 India and 2015 finalists Australia and New Zealand.
A day after Sri Lanka’s 20-run win at Leeds, India only just avoided one of the biggest upsets in tournament history by holding off Afghanistan. New Zealand just fended off West Indies by five runs one catch on the boundary the difference between winning and losing that game in Manchester and then lost to Pakistan at Edgbaston. The Pakistanis were following up on a win over South Africa and, along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, were genuinely back in contention.
David Warner says the fans have a right to boo during the matches if they want
The left-handed batsman shared an opening stand of 123 with his captain Aaron Finch as the defending champions beat hosts and pre-tournament favourites England at Lord’s on Tuesday to book a place in the semi-finals.
It was Warner’s seventh match for Australia after returning from the ban for his part in the Newlands Test scandal and his innings of 53 runs took his tournament tally to 500 at an average of 83.33. There were boos for Warner and his former captain Steve Smith when they took the field but the 32-year-old from the tough southeastern Sydney suburbs was not letting it bother him.
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27 June 2019
Chris Gayle is refusing to set a definite date for his retirement
The swashbuckling opener is still hoping the West Indies can sneak into the World Cup semi-finals, with India next in line at Old Trafford on Thursday, but the odds are stacked heavily against them. Self-styled ‘Universe Boss’ Gayle, who hit 87 in his team’s heartbreaking five-run loss to New Zealand on Saturday, said he would always cherish his two decades playing for the West Indies.
“I’m definitely up there with the greats, without a doubt. Like I say, I enjoy each and every moment playing for West Indies,” Gayle said on Wednesday. “It’s still not the end. I still have a few games to go. Maybe another series to go. Who knows? We’ll see what happens.”
Jimmy Neesham says New Zealand will bounce back from loss to Pakistan
The 2015 runners-up lost by six wickets to a resurgent Pakistan, on the back of a brilliant unbeaten 101 by Babar Azam and three wickets from teenage paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Neesham led New Zealand’s fightback with a career-best undefeated 97 to lift them from a precarious 83-5 to 237-6 in their 50 overs at Edgbaston but they went down to their first defeat of the tournament.
Victory would have seen Kane Williamson’s team become the second team to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals after defending champions Australia.
Babar Azam says Pakistan have the belief they can win their remaining games to complete a dramatic turnaround
Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed hit the winning runs in the final over as they finished on 241-4 to win by six wickets. “Belief has been the key,” said Babar, who reached his 10th one-day international hundred off 124 balls with 11 fours, following the match. “We have the belief that we will win our next two games and then look ahead.”
Babar, 24, said even when the team were struggling earlier in the tournament, they were confident they could turn their fortunes around.
“We were not winning matches but we talked to each other and had the belief that we could do it and now our focus is on the next game,” he said.
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26 June 2019
Pakistan Cricket Board has put national women’s team captain Bismah Maroof in ‘B’ category
A PCB spokesman said that the contracts were offered purely on basis of performances and Bismah’s performance wasn’t up to par. “Since our women cricket structure sees captains not appointed for a long period and the captaincy changes series to series, every player has to perform to get a higher category contract,” said the spokesman.
Asked if this step was an indirect message to Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed who has struggled to perform lately, the spokesman said; “The message of performing is for everyone as the policy should be for all and everyone has to give extra effort to earn extra.”
Mitchell Santner says, “Unbeaten Kiwis thriving on true team effort”
The Kiwis are currently at the top of the table with 11 points from six matches, with captain Kane Williamson winning plaudits for racking up 373 runs at an average of 186.50.
But with only West Indies scoring more than 250 against New Zealand, and fast bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult combining to take 22 wickets, Santner feels it has been an all-round effort with each member playing their part. “You want everyone to step up at different times throughout the tournament, and I think that’s what we’ve found so far,” Santner told a news conference on Tuesday.
Italy beat China to reach the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals
The Italians are back on the biggest stage after a 20-year absence and victory over the Netherlands in the last eight on Saturday in Valenciennes will represent their best performance at international level.
“We really believe this side has allowed the women’s game to break new ground back home,” said Bertolini after the Italians scored a goal in each half to eliminate China, who had made the quarter-finals in three of the past five World Cups.
“We can see that from the viewing figures, what we see in the press and from the messages we receive from back home.
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25 June 2019
Sarfaraz reveals why Haris Sohail was dropped from the lineup after West Indies game
Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed revealed that the criticism following his team’s sub-par performance against India had prompted the team to sit together, analyse their performance, talk through their mistakes and express determination not to repeat them.
Sarfaraz, in a post-match reflection, was effusive in his praise for Haris Sohail who had scored 81 runs from 68 balls in Pakistan’s crucial fixture against South Africa on Sunday night. Sohail had not been the first pick for the team and had been made to sit out every World Cup game except the one against the West Indies.
England captain insists it is not his job to tell supporters how to react to shamed Australia stars David Warner and Steve Smith
Warner and Smith have found themselves booed by some fans in England after returning to international cricket following year-long bans for ball-tampering. Australia coach Justin Langer has called for the taunts to stop, with India captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed also telling their supporters to lay off the duo.
But, although the Australia clash is being played at Lord’s ─ the ‘home of cricket’ where crowds are traditionally polite ─ Morgan refused to issue a plea to respect Warner and Smith.
Winter Olympics & Paralympics will be held in Italy’s Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo during the 2026 Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted for Italy’s joint bid ahead of Stockholm, Sweden.
Skating sports and ice hockey will be held in Milan, while most alpine skiing events will take place in the resort of Cortina.
Other snow sports will be held in other venues in the Italian Alps, including Bormio and Livigno. The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from 6 to 22 February and the 2026 Winter Paralympics will be held from 6 to 15 March.
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24 June 2019
Pakistan makes a comeback with 49-run win against South Africa
A resurgent Pakistan made an emphatic comeback from their dismal performance against India last week with a 47-run victory over South Africa in the 30th match of the World Cup at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday.
The Greenshirts won the toss and batted first, setting a hefty 309-run target for the Proteas that they struggled valiantly to meet, ultimately crashing out of the tournament.
Haris Sohail was named Man of the Match. “It was very difficult to sit out of the games, but I knew I would get the opportunity and I was backing myself to do well. When I went in there, the plan was to build a partnership with Babar. It was not easy, but we did well,” he said at the end of the game.
Archer has put Smith friendship on hold for England-Australia World Cup match
England fast bowler Jofra Archer has told his Australian Indian Premier League teammate Steve Smith there will be “nothing friendly” when the teams meet in the World Cup on Tuesday.
Archer, together with England colleagues Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, played in the same Rajasthan Royals side as Smith during this year’s IPL.
But the England trio and Smith will be on opposite sides for the rest of the season, starting at Lord’s this week — a fixture that takes place ahead of an Ashes series.
India captain Virat Kohli has been fined 25% of his match fee for “excessive appealing” in the match against Afghanistan
The star batsman has also had one demerit point added to his disciplinary record after he was ruled to have approached experienced Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar in an aggressive manner when appealing an lbw decision during the 29th over of India’s nailbiting 11-run win over rank outsiders Afghanistan at Southampton on Saturday.
Kohli was found to have breached Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct, with his offence relating to the clause concerning “excessive appealing during an international match”.
The India skipper admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Chris Broad, the former England batsman.
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23 June 2019
Mohammed Shami secured India’s close victory over Afghanistan
Afghanistan, appearing at only their second World Cup, lost the toss but restricted India to 224 for eight in their 50 overs, giving themselves a genuine chance for a huge upset.
They were well set at 106-2 in the 29th over, even though the run-rate was starting to edge up, but two wickets in one over from paceman Jasprit Bumrah removed Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran batted sensibly to keep their side in the hunt, but when Zadran was caught by Yuzvendra Chahal off Hardik Pandya, Afghanistan were 166-6 in the 42nd over.
Atthaya Thitikul, 16, has broken course record for lowest round
Teenager Atthaya Thitikul broke the Ladies European Thailand Championship course record on her way to building an eight-shot lead heading into the final round in Pattaya.
The 16-year-old, who won the event two years ago, carded a nine-under 63 – one stroke better than the previous lowest round.
She made seven birdies as well as an eagle on the seventh hole.
“I put the ball where I wanted it to go and it was near the pin,” she said.
“I gave myself easy putts and made them. On the back nine, I played easy golf and it made me feel more confident.I don’t want to talk about the future because anything can happen but I will play my game and do my best.”
Thailand’s Thitikul – who won the leading amateur prize at the 2018 Women’s British Open – held a two-shot lead at the end of the second round.
Andy Ruiz Jr says Anthony Joshua lacks boxing skills and vows to win again
Unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr has claimed Anthony Joshua is “not good at boxing” and vowed to land another victory when they fight again.
Ruiz, 29, stunned Joshua to win the IBF, WBA and WBO titles on 1 June and is under contract to take a rematch.
The rematch has been mooted for later this year, with a return to New York’s Madison Square Garden a possibility. “The rematch is going to be the same. I am going to be more prepared and more ready,” Ruiz said. “I know his flaws. I can do a lot better. The only thing that he can do is just run around, he’s not good at boxing.”
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22 June 2019
India’s Jasprit Bumrah says England the ‘most difficult place’ for bowlers
The world number one bowler has taken five wickets in India’s three completed matches at the World Cup. “England has the flattest wickets,” Bumrah said. “I feel England is the most difficult place for a bowler. There is usually no help.
“You feel that the ball will swing in cloudy conditions, but it doesn’t swing or seam so you rely on your accuracy.” “We’re just focusing on our strengths. When I’m bowling with Bhuvneshwar, we’re discussing that,” he said. “I’ve played with Shami before, the three of us have played before too. We’re just focusing on what we have to do, it doesn’t affect us.”
Two-time World Cup-winning captain Clive Lloyd has said the West Indies should learn the art of adaptability from New Zealand
Jason Holder’s side has managed only one win from five matches ahead of Friday’s game against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester.
The Black Caps, unbeaten in the round-robin competition so far, are fresh from their four-wicket win over South Africa on Wednesday when Williamson made an unbeaten 106 to anchor a tense chase at Edgbaston.
With their hopes of reaching the semi-finals fading fast, Lloyd, the leader of the West Indies side that won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979, believes his country should take a leaf out of Williamson’s ‘masterful’ knock.
Hosts Egypt made the ideal start to the Africa Cup of Nations by beating Zimbabwe in the opening game
This year’s tournament is the biggest Africa Cup of Nations ever with 24 teams, and the first to be played in Europe’s summer.
It got off to a spectacular start, with the fans inside the 75,000 capacity Cairo International Stadium treated to an eye-catching opening ceremony that featured giant pyramids on the pitch, elegant dancers forming the shape of a pharaoh’s face and culminating in a huge fireworks display.
But the game itself failed to match that level of sparkle, with Egypt dominating for large periods without troubling Sibanda in the Zimbabwe goal often.
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21 June 2019
Najam Sethi criticised the PCB for not supporting the team and its management ‘the way it should be”
While speaking to Geo News in London, said, “Everyone is disappointed at the way the team has performed in the World Cup but one shouldn’t press the panic button.”
“The PCB isn’t supporting the team and management the way it should be. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, coach Mickey Arthur and at least two other players are insecure about their future,” he said, pointing out that it is the job of the board to keep the team united, Geo News reported.
Lost revenue from the games cancelled due to the rain at the ICC Cricket World Cup may cost millions of pounds in insurance money
Broadcasters, organisers, venues, advertising sponsors and catering establishments are among firms to have missed out after four matches were called off in an exceptionally rainy June.
Due to the hectic nature of the tournament, which features 48 one-day matches between May and July, finishing on July 14, there is no opportunity to reschedule, except for the semi-finals and final.
Companies typically buy contingency, or cancellation, insurance for sporting events, which covers everything from rain stopping play to terror attacks.
Naomi Osaka lost to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva at the Birmingham Nature Valley Classic
Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty, 23, may soon replace Osaka at the top after reaching the quarter-finals.
In Mallorca, 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber beat Maria Sharapova, who missed the clay-court season after having shoulder surgery. The German 31-year-old defeated Sharapova, who has dropped to 85th in the world rankings, 6-2 6-3.
The Mallorca Open was 32-year-old Russian Sharapova’s first tournament since she withdrew from a second-round match at the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy in January.
Barty beat American Jennifer Brady 6-3 6-1 and is now close to taking the world number one ranking from US Open and Australian Open champion Osaka, who was beaten by unseeded Czech player Katerina Siniakova in the French Open third round.
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20 June 2019
Former England and Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been fined £8,000 after admitting to breaking the Football Association betting rules
Scholes was charged after it was alleged that he placed 140 bets on football matches between 17 August 2015 and 12 January 2019. The FA also warned him as to his future conduct.
“I would like to apologise and I understand and fully accept the fine imposed by the FA,” said Scholes. “It was a genuine mistake and was not done with any deliberate intention to flout the rules.I wrongly believed that as long as there was no personal connection between me and any of the matches that I bet upon, then there would be no issue.”
Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup because of a fractured finger
The in-form batsman suffered the break while facing Australia’s Pat Cummins in India’s second match of the tournament at the Oval on June 9. Dhawan carried on batting and scored a century to earn the man-of-the-match award as India beat the reigning champions by 36 runs.
But the 33-year-old left-hander did not field and has not featured in the World Cup since his century at Surrey’s headquarters in south London. Rishabh Pant, a dynamic batsman and wicketkeeper, is set to replace Dhawan in India’s squad ahead of their match against Afghanistan at Southampton on Saturday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to conduct a review of the performances of the players and team support personnel over the last three years
The Pakistan cricket team has so far played four group stage matches in the World Cup tournament, out of which it has won just one. A match against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to rain.
The team’s disappointing performance against India on Sunday prompted criticism from various quarters, including former cricketers, with questions raised over the side’s preparation and the structure of cricket in the country. The findings and recommendations of the review will be submitted to PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani and the BoG for their consideration, a press release issued by the PCB stated.
