Sports

Bhubaneswar, Dec 25 (IANS) Hockey Haryana, Uttar Pradesh Hockey and Hockey Punjab registered crucial wins on the penultimate day of the Group Stage of the qualifiers of Khelo India Youth Games 2022 (Womens Under 18), here on Saturday.

The first match in Pool A saw Hockey Haryana beat Hockey Maharashtra 7-2. Pinki (14', 15', 31', 45') starred for Hockey Haryana, scoring four goals in the match. Manisha (30'), Bhateri (41'), and Gurmail Kaur (46') also scored a goal each to help their team extend their lead and win the match.

For Hockey Maharashtra, Utkarsha Nana Kale (4') and Sanika Mane (24') scored the two goals.

The second Pool A encounter of the day between Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Hockey Association of Odisha ended in a 2-2 draw. While Puja Sahoo (10', 49') scored a brace for Hockey Association of Odisha, Soniya Kumre (2') and Bhumiksha Sahu (48') scored the goals for Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the match.

The final Pool A match of the day between Hockey Mizoram and Hockey Karnataka also ended in a 2-2 draw. Hockey Mizoram's Vanlalhriatpuii (13', 44') scored a brace to hand her team the advantage but Gedela Gayatri (53') and Dechamma Ganapathi (57') scored two late goals for Hockey Karnataka to recuse a point from the game.

The first Pool B game of the day saw Uttar Pradesh Hockey take on Manipur Hockey. Ruchika Upadhyay (5'), Vandana Patel (17'), Peetambari Kumari (33'), and Sakshi Shukla (56') scored a goal each for Uttar Pradesh Hockey to help their team pick up a 4-1 win.

Keisam Devi (39') converted a penalty stroke to score the sole goal for Manipur Hockey in the match.

The second Pool B match of the day saw Hockey Punjab beat Hockey Bihar after a thrilling contest. Sukhveer Kaur (3', 41', 53', 60') starred in the match for Hockey Punjab scoring four goals while Jaisikdeep Kaur (24', 49', 51') also scored a hattrick. Daljeet Kaur (6', 10') and Namneet Kaur (28', 38') also contributed by scoring a brace each while Gurjeet Kaur (44') scored a goal as Hockey Punjab won the match 12-0.

The Pool B clash between Hockey Chandigarh and Hockey Jharkhand was forfeited in the favour of Hockey Jharkhand.

--IANS

ak/

New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) Australia's T20 World Cup winning captain Aaron Finch feels that England all-rounder Sam Currans ability to bowl in the last five overs separate him from the rest.

Curran on Friday became the most expensive buy as well as player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history after Punjab Kings bought him for a whopping Rs 18.50 crore at the IPL 2023 mini player-auction in Kochi.

There was intense bidding between MI, CSK, RR, LSG, and PBKS for Curran, who was Player of the Tournament at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. However, PBKS eventually got the England all-rounder.

The Australian opener spoke on the value that Curran will bring into Punjab.

"Oh, absolutely, I think Chennai have a history of going after experienced players, knowing what they want. And when you compliment that with the rest of the squad, it's so balanced when you throw that world class all-rounder in there. I think the only separation between Sam Curran, Ben Stokes and Cameron Green is Sam Curran's ability to bowl in the last five overs," Finch said on Star Sports show 'Cricket Live – Auction Special'.

"His record has been unbelievable. So, that probably gives him the nod if you're going down the road of a bowling all-rounder. But Ben Stokes, he structures out any side tremendously well because he can bat in the top four, he can bat in the top six, and you can almost bank on him to bowl four overs as well. So, that's a huge asset and I'm not surprised that all three of those guys have been paid what they have been paid there," he added.

--IANS  

cs/ak

Bhubaneswar, Dec 24 (IANS) Hockey Haryana, Hockey Punjab, Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Madhya Pradesh registered wins in their respective matches on Day 4 of the qualifiers of the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 (Mens Under 18), here on Saturday

In the opening match of the day, Uttar Pradesh Hockey played out a 4-4 tie against Hockey Chandigarh in Pool A.

Mohammad Haris (7'), Manoj Yadav (10'), Rahul Rajbhar (29') and Chandan Yadav (52') netted the goals for Uttar Pradesh Hockey. On the other hand, Surinder Singh (12', 50', 58', 59') led the charge for Hockey Chandigarh.

Hockey Haryana defeated Hockey Andhra Pradesh by a big margin of 17-0 in the second Pool A match of the day. Lovepreet Singh (11', 12', 18', 48', 50', 54') was on top of his game, scoring six goals.

Toshant (14', 32', 37') added three more, while Prikshit Panchal (2', 34') scored a brace. Amit Khasa (26'), Rohit Khatri (30'), Roshan (33'), Agyapal (44'), Gurnoor Grewal (45') and Amandeep (46') also added a goal each in the handsome win.

In the third Pool A match of the day, Hockey Punjab registered a 5-2 win over Manipur Hockey. Manmeet Singh (13', 56') and Dilraj Singh (50', 54') struck a brace each for the winning team, while Ujwal Singh (33') also found the back of the net.

For Manipur Hockey, it was Thounaojam Luwang (9') and Silheiba Lisham (47') who made it to the scoresheet.

Hockey Jharkhand defeated Hockey Bihar 5-0 in the first Pool B match of the day. Bishal Lakra (20') scored the first goal of the match in the second quarter and Hockey Jharkhand picked up the pace after that to find the back of the net four more times.

Amardeep Kujur (31'), Ghuran Lohra (35'), Joseph Topno (40') and Abhishek Guria (45') netted a goal each to contribute to the win.

In the second Pool B match of the day, Hockey Madhya Pradesh defeated Hockey Association Of Odisha 7-2. Mohammad Zaid Khan (26', 27') struck a brace for the winning team, while Zameer Mohammad (20'), Ali Ahmad (34'), Shreyas Dhupe (36'), Kashif Khan (51') and Saddam Ahmad (56') scored a goal each.

Paulus Lakra (5') and Yumkham Bidyananda Singh (38') were the scorers for the Hockey Association Of Odisha.

The third Pool B match between Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey and Hockey Arunachal was forfeited as both teams failed to arrive at the venue.

--IANS

ak/

Sydney, Dec 23 (IANS) Australia's national women's cricket selectors have brought back captain Meg Lanning from an extended period of leave for the three One-Day Internationals (ODI) against Pakistan Women from January 16-21 in Brisbane and Sydney.

The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel on Friday announced a 13-player squad for the three-match series.

While captain Meg Lanning returns from a five-month hiatus, Australia will be missing the services of vice-captain Alyssa Healy, who has suffered a right calf strain during Australia's T20 series in India and thus has been ruled out of the series.

All-rounder Tahlia McGrath will act as Lanning's deputy throughout the series against Pakistan.

The selectors have dropped Heather Graham, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Grace Harris after the India series, Cricket Australia informed in a release on Friday.

Jess Jonassen has been selected subject to fitness and will need to prove her fitness after suffering a hamstring injury during the five-match T20I series in India. But the selectors are hopeful she'll be fit in time for the series.

The rest of the squad is

Speaking on the squad, National Selector, Shawn Flegler said, "The squad is very similar to the one that travelled to India recently, with the addition of Meg who returns from an extended break.

"Meg brings so much to the side both on and off the field, and it's pleasing to welcome her back at such an important time with the T20 World Cup just over a month away," Flegler said.

"The Indian series allowed us to blood some new talent and it's pleasing to be able to retain Kim and Phoebe for this series. Heather Graham, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Grace Harris, unfortunately, miss out; however, they all remain in contention for selection for the T20 leg of the tour and T20 World Cup," Flegler was quoted by cricket Australia as saying in the release.

"While we welcome Meg back, Alyssa won't have recovered from her calf injury in time, so that presents an opportunity for Beth to take the gloves in her absence."

Australia will play Pakistan in three ODIs at Allan Border Field on January 16 and 18 and at North Sydney Oval on January 21.

Meanwhile, the squad for the following three T20Is against Pakistan and the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa will be announced in due course.

Australia Women's squad for Pakistan ODIs:

Meg Lanning (captain), Tahlia McGrath (vice-captain), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen (subject to fitness), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland.

--IANS

bsk

Colombo, Dec 20 (IANS) Pakistan cricket legend and former ODI World Champion Wasim Akram will be in attendance during the final of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), set to be held on December 23.

Akram, nicknamed Sultan of Swing, is one of the most renowned figures in the cricket world. The brand ambassador of the Lanka Premier League, is one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, having picked up 916 international wickets.

"My association with the Lanka Premier League has been terrific. I am excited to see the final. I have been following the league and have seen some superb performances from young domestic players. Congratulations to IPG and Sri Lanka Cricket for successfully hosting the tournament in a short span of time," Akram was quoted as saying in a release on Tuesday.

Anil Mohan, Founder and CEO of IPG, the official promoter of LPL said, "We are excited about Wasim Akram confirming his presence for the final match. He has been a role model for several youngsters and I am sure that these young players will get an opportunity to interact with him and learn from his experience."

Speaking on how the LPL is helping in boosting the country's economy, he said, "This tournament is a great addition to the domestic cricket calendar and has found some great talents. It gives us an ideal platform to find and nurture the best cricketing talent. I am sure we will see several players from the LPL playing for the national cricket team in the coming years."

Tournament director, Samantha, said,"We are looking forward to Wasim Akram gracing us with his presence for the final. The league has seen some exciting young players and I wish them the best for their future."

--IANS

bsk/ak

Mumbai, Dec 20 (IANS) Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and pacer Navdeep Saini have been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh following their respective injuries.

Rohit is under the care of the BCCI Medical Team following his left thumb injury, which he sustained during the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

"The Medical Team is of the opinion that the injury needs some more time to heal completely before the Indian captain can bat and field with full intensity. He will continue his rehab and will not be available for the second and final Test against Bangladesh.

"Navdeep Saini is also ruled out of the second Test owing to an abdominal muscle strain. The fast bowler will now report to the NCA for further management of his injury," the BCCI said in statement on Tuesday.

India's updated squad for 2nd Test against Bangladesh: KL Rahul (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Saurabh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat

--IANS
cs

By Armstrong Vaz
Doha, Dec 19 (IANS) FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi, who had said the tournament in Qatar would be his last World Cup, but has now shown a change of heart over his possible retirement from international football.


On Sunday, the 35-year-old guided his country to its third title and his one following a 4-2 shootout win over France.

"I want to play a few more games as a world champion. I was lucky to clinch every title in my career; this was the only one missing. I want to take this one there (to Argentina) and enjoy it with everybody else," said Messi, who won the Golden boot, becoming the first man to do so twice.

Messi opened the scoring for Argentina with a 23rd-minute penalty and also found the net in extra-time for the 3-2 in the 108th. Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick to take the game to a shootout, where Messi also scored.

Messi, having been named the Golden Ball winner eight years ago at Brazil 2014, when Argentina were edged 1-0 by Germany in the final, the 35-year-old twice looked poised for heartbreak again after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick.

But after Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman's spot-kick, Gonzalo Montiel's decisive penalty ensured he claimed the greatest prize of all in his last World Cup game.

It means Messi emulates countryman Diego Maradona once more, too, with Maradona the player of the tournament in Argentina's previous triumph 36 years ago.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner departs World Cup football after one of the most influential tournament performances of all time on a match-to-match basis, taking his total of Player of the Match wins to 11 across five tournaments.

He was named the Player of the Match in five games, including all of their prior knockout fixtures and the final, besting the record of four he previously jointly shared with the Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder after his performances in 2014.

--IANS
armstrong/khz/

By Armstrong Vaz
Doha, Dec 19 (IANS) They cried, shouted, danced, broke into a song, waved to the camera and at times they went into a shell, shocked by what was happening on the football field. Those were some of the spontaneous emotions and reactions of a number of fans who were seated beside me in the media box during the FIFA World Cup final match.


The same pattern of behaviour, feelings and emotions prevailed among the majority of fans as nearly 90,000 of them took part in the thrilling action and try to be part of it.

The most vociferous and more extrovert of the mediapersons were the Argentinians compared to the Europeans, and it was the South Americans who had the last laugh when the fourth penalty kick was scored to give their nation the third title.

The anxiety and uncertainty over the final outcome finally led to euphoria with La Albiceleste winning the title adding to the one they won in 1986 and one previous to it in 1978.

Some cried, others hugged fellow countrymen while others went live from the media box and connected themselves with fans back in Argentina through their channels and social media pages.

High on passion, the emotions just followed as the match progressed. The fortunate-fluctuating match saw Lionel Messi of Argentina beat France 4-2 in penalties after the teams were tied 3-3 all at the end of extra time. Every goal gave them a glimmer of hope only to fade away every time an equalizer was scored.

"We were thrilled and celebrated each of the goals and were down when the game came to level terms, even going into penalties we were a little bit nervous, as you know penalty shootouts are always unpredictable and a lottery," said Daniela, a print media journalist from Argentina.

A young media professional, who is taking his baby steps in journalism, was also one of them who cried bitterly after France lost in the penalty shootout.

The twist and turns the six-goal thriller took brought out the sadness, joy and finally the euphoria of winning the trophy for the third time among the Argentinian mediapersons.

The media box was full of them, from the print to television and from social media to website journalists, all trying to catch the eyeballs back home with their coverage.

Having travelled so far and having spent nearly a month to be part of the global showpiece event, the journey was worth the sacrifices of being away from home.

The Argentinians fans in the stands outnumbered the French supporters in the stands and in the media box it was the same case. The entire media contingent having links to La Albiceleste rose in unison and pumped their fist in the air, every time Lionel Messi scored and they were over the moon when Angel Di Maria gave the second goal to put them 2-0.

They were utterly pleased with the first half display by their team and were hoping that they would coast to an emphatic win going by the opening half show but the late goals took them into a pensive mood, with doubts hovering overhead whether they will fall at the finish or emerge triumphant.

During the 29-day football journey many a football fan will agree that the passion for the game is high among the South Americans and the Argentinean media, men and women and the fans displayed it not on their sleeves with their emotions in the stands during the match and after the final whistle had been blown.

It was not only the journalists, who for a large part left their unbiased nature behind them to back their home country, but a large legion of Blue and White supporters who made many sacrifices to make the trip to Qatar for the football showpiece event.

They sang Muchachos, the unofficial World Cup anthem, the lyrics which has references to Diego Maradona, Messi, World Cup heartbreaks, Copa America triumph, and hopes of a third World Cup, which finally happened on Sunday.

"Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar" (Boys, we have our hopes up again) has been sung by Argentine fans and players alike in the dressing room.

The song is an adapted version of the 2003 tune Muchachos by the Buenos Aires punk band -- La Mosca.

The lyrics have been rewritten by Argentina supporter Fernando Ramos. Translated into English, the song goes something like this:

I was born in Argentina

land of Diego and Lionel,

of the kids of Malvinas,

that I will never forget.

I can't explain it to you

because you won't understand

the finals we lost,

How many years have I mourned them

But that's over

because in the Maracana,

the final with the brazucas,

dad beat them again.

Boys, now we got excited again,

I want to win the third

I want to be world champion

and Diego, in the sky we can see him,

with Don Diego and with la Tota,

encouraging Lionel.

--IANS
armstrong/khz/

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Lionel Messi finally laid his hands on the greatest prize in football after Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 final in dramatic manner in Qatar on Sunday.

In a thrilling summit clash, which went into penalties, Messi scored twice but it was Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick that kept France in the match.

However, Argentina managed to score all of their penalties to emerge as World champions.

Here are a few reactions:
Robin Uthappa took to the social media platform Koo App and wrote a note for Messi, "Could a FIFA World Cup final be more incredible than this?!! What a match!! Heart goes out to Mbappe and France..And destiny smiles on Messi!! Unreal!! Congratulations Argentina!! #FIFAWorldCup??? #Messi."

Former Indian batter Pragyan Ojha also posted on Koo, "What a game……. Tinaaaaaaaa! #ArgentinaFrancia #WorldCupFinal #EmilianoMartínez."

--IANS

cs/bsk

Karachi, Dec 18 (IANS) Harry Brook struck his third century to continue his remarkable series and helped rebuild England's innings after Pakistan had managed to pin down the visitors at 145 for five on the second day of the third and final Test here on Sunday.

England, who lead the three-match series 2-0 after a 74-run win in Rawalpindi and a close-fought 26-run victory in Multan, took a crucial 50-run lead on the back of Brook's innings before they were bowled out for 354 and Pakistan cut the deficit to 29 at the close of play at the National Stadium here.

Pakistan's openers Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood were batting on 14 and 3, respectively with the home side ending the day on 21 for no loss.

Brook's 111 revived England's chances of becoming the first team ever to clinch a 3-0 series sweep in Pakistan after the visitors were teetering at 145-5. The middle-order batter rescued the visitors with a superb innings.

After Pakistan's spinners knocked over the English top-order, Brook and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes amassed 117 for the sixth wicket and brought England within touching distance of Pakistan's first innings total of 304.

The 23-year-old Brook drove spinner Abrar Ahmed for his eighth boundary to reach his third career hundred following up his 153 in the first Test and 108 in the next.

In all Brook struck eight fours and three sixes before he was trapped leg before becoming debutant pacer Mohammad Wasim's first Test wicket.

Brook has now scored 468 runs -- beating David Gower's 449 in 1984 -- for the highest series total by an England batter in Pakistan.

He also equalled Mohammad Yousuf's record of three centuries in successive matches in an overseas series -- in Test matches between England and Pakistan. Yousuf hit three centuries in England in 2006.

Pakistan's spinners, Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed had England in a tight spot after the first session. The duo finished with 4-126 and 4-150, respectively.

England were struggling at 145/5 soon after lunch after Ben Stokes (26) attempted a third run which Brook turned down only to see his skipper stranded.

After Brook fell, Foakes added another 51 alongside Mark Wood for the seventh wicket.

Noman then dismissed Foakes and Rehan Ahmed (one) while Abrar Ahmed accounted for Wood and Ollie Robinson for 29.

In the morning session, Noman removed Ben Duckett and Joe Root off successive deliveries.

With the pitch offering turn, left-armer Noman trapped Duckett (26) leg before and had the experienced Root caught low in the slip by Salman Ali Agha for nought.

Pope stood firm amidst the dual wicket fall, reaching his 11th fifty before he was bowled for 51 by Ahmed, who added to the wicket he took on Saturday.

Pakistan 304 & 21 for no loss in 9 overs (Abdullah Shafique 14, Shah Masood 3) trail England 354 in 81.4 overs (Harry Brook 111, Ben Foakes 64, Mark Wood 35; Abrar Ahmed 4-150, Nauman Ali 4-126) by 29 runs.

--IANS

bsk