Polish K2 climber breaks arm

Rafał Fronia, one of the Polish team of climbers attempting to be the first to conquer K2 in winter, has been airlifted to a hospital in Skardu, Pakistan after a falling rock broke his arm.

Fronia's arm was broken two days ago. He received first aid at camp and needed to wait for better weather conditions so that a helicopter could take him for treatment.

He is the second climber in the expedition to be injured by falling rocks after Adam Bielecki's nose was broken a few days ago.

The Polish expedition has decided to try a different route to the top of the world's second tallest mountain, located on the Chinese-Pakistani border.

Janusz Majer, head of the Polish winter mountaineering programme, said the rocks falling from the face of the mountain rendered the shorter south-southeast spur too dangerous in winter.

The expedition's managers said that the Polish climbers would attempt to reach the summit via the Abruzzi Spur located on the Pakistani side of the mountain and taken by 75 percent of expeditions.

Both routes have been successfully used by Polish teams to reach K2's 8611-metre altitude summit in summer.



source: news agency

Guinness World Record attempted for playing Ice Hockey at highest altitude

Leh: Attempting a Guinness Book of World record for playing ice hockey at the highest altitude, a two-day tournament was organised at Chibra Kargyam in Ladakh's Changthang region.

As many as six teams, including five international teams from Canada, Germany, Russia, the USA and India, participated in the tournament.

The tournament, which was started yesterday, was jointly organised by Ladakh Winter Sports Club (LWSC), Hockey Foundation and Lalok Winter Sports Association.

Reflecting on the same, Lundup, the secretary of Lalok Winter Sports Association, told ANI, "Guinness world record matches are going on here. There are 16 representatives in this tournament from a different part of the country. They are players from Canada, Germany, India, Russia and USA. This tournament is organized by the Ladakh Winter Sports Club (LWSC) in collaboration with the Lalok Winter Sport Association and with the help of the Hockey Foundation. Here the altitude is 14,050 feet of ice hockey ring. So, it's the highest world hockey rink in this world."

Tundup, a member of Ladakh Winter Sports Club (LWSC), echoed similar views and said that it is a proud moment for the entire country to host such kind of event.

"I am very happy that here the matches are being played for the Guinness World record. Here five overseas teams have come and there is one team from Ladakh. It is a big achievement for us to organize such kind of event in Ladakh. It is an honour for the entire Singey Lalok area of Leh district to have such event. It is a proud moment for our state and for our country because I believe such kind of event has never happened in India. I want to thank all the ministers of the state for supporting us," he told.

Meanwhile, Anthon, who has been coaching ice hockey in India for five years now, revealed that they were planning the Guinness World record match for almost two years now and hoped to see many more events like this in future.

"I am from Canada. I have been coaching in India for five years. We have been organizing and planning this Guinness World record for almost two years now.It is such an amazing day for Canadians here those have been involved in the ice hockey in Ladakh. And all the Ladhaki people here, I am happy that they are joining and that they can enjoy this beautiful moment in the history of ice hockey in India. I hope in the coming years there will be more tournaments like this," Anthon said.

Located at a distance of 160 km from Leh, the natural ice hockey rink is at the altitude of 14050 feet above sea level.


source: news agency

Sachin Tendulkar, his wife launch book on child health care

Mumbai: Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali Tendulkar launched a book on child health care titled 'Even When There Is A Doctor'.

The book was launched on February 8 in Mumbai.

Penned down by Dr Yashwant Amdekar along with Dr Rajesh Chokhani and Krishnan Sivaramakrishnan, the book describes the role of an individual or parents in improving their child's health.

Speaking at the event, Sachin said, "The book tells us how important first 1,000 days are in a child's life. I always followed my teacher's advice of 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' until I met a doctor (referring to wife Anjali) and felt like going back to my teacher and telling her, 'An apple along with a doctor is a better option'."

He added that he was a naughty child, who was tough to manage.

"It's good to be naughty but respecting elders is equally important," the cricket icon said.

Meanwhile, Anjali emphasised on the message the book conveys saying, "The book is a manual we have all been looking for. Nowadays, parents are busy and their routines leave them with no time to devote to their kids".

She added that the book will help parents identify simple problems and rectify them. 


source: news agency

U.S. Olympic swimmer accuses ex-coach of sexual abuse when she was 16

A former U.S. Olympic swimmer accused a former coach of the national team of sexually abusing her when she was 16, joining a chorus of young athletes in gymnastics and other sports who have come forward with similar allegations involving team officials.

Ariana Kukors, who represented the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games, said Sean Hutchison, then a coach for USA Swimming’s national team, began “grooming” her for a sexual relationship when she was 13.

“I’ve realized that stories like my own are too important to go unwritten,” Kukors, 28, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Hutchison, 46, could not be reached for comment.

His swimming club, the King Aquatic Club in Washington state, said in a statement that the news “broke our collective hearts.” Hutchison remained a club executive but had no “direct interaction with our swimmers for a very long time,” the statement said.

Kukors, whom the club described as “part of the King Aquatic family,” said she first met Hutchison through the club.

Investigators from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have searched Hutchison’s Seattle home, a department spokeswoman said, describing it as an investigation into “alleged online child exploitation,” without giving further details.

Athletes have denounced U.S. Olympic officials in recent weeks as reacting too slowly to reports of sexual abuse. The criticism grew from the emotionally charged sentencing hearings for Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse last year.

Kukors echoed this complaint.

“Much like the USOC knew about Larry Nassar years before his arrest and did nothing, USA Swimming had notice in 2010 that Sean Hutchison was involved in an inappropriate coach-athlete relationship with Ariana and took no actions to protect her or other swimmers,” her lawyer Robert Allard said in a statement.

USA Swimming said in a statement it investigated in 2010 a report that Hutchison and Kukors had a sexual relationship in breach of the organization’s code of conduct. Both denied a relationship at the time, and the case was closed.

The governing body said it first learned of the allegations of sexual abuse while Kukors was a minor for the first time when she went public this week. The group supported Kukors and was helping the investigation.

“We stand by her, and all other victims, in their quest to break their silence and confront their horrific experiences,” the statement said.

source: news agency

Gisele Bundchen wants Tom Brady to retire

London: Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen is apparently keen that Tom Brady should retire from professional sports.

The 37-year-old has been married to the American football star since 2009, and according to Brady's former college teammate Jay Feely, he been urged to speak to her husband about ending his playing days, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

He told Sports Illustrated: "(She was) trying to get me to convince (Tom Brady) to stop playing."

Brady, 40, who has son Benjamin, 8, and daughter Vivian, 5, with Bundchen, is still one of the top-earning stars in the NFL.

But the Brazilian beauty is keen for him to call it quits.

Bundchen added: "She was dead serious."

Source: News Agency

USA Gymnastics quiet on board resignation call after abuse scandal

Michigan: The leadership of USA Gymnastics remained silent on Friday in the face of pressure from U.S. Olympic officials and others to resign en masse two days after the team doctor was sentenced for abusing female athletes.

As of Friday morning, USA Gymnastics had not issued an official comment on the call for its 18 listed directors to step down after long-time team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced on Wednesday to up to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting young female gymnasts.

Nassar, 54, was jailed for carrying out the attacks on young girls under the guise of medical treatment following a week-long hearing in which more than 150 accusers recounted their stories in a Michigan courtroom.

One of those 18 directors, Kevin Martinez, an ESPN executive, told Reuters on Thursday he had cut ties with the gymnastics federation, after the U.S. Olympic Committee’s chief executive threatened to decertify USA Gymnastics unless all board members were removed.

The U.S. Olympic Committee’s CEO, Scott Blackmun, joined the chorus calling for resignations, CNN reported early on Friday.

The board will lose its status as a sports governing body unless all of its current members resign by Wednesday and an interim board is in place by February 28, the network reported.

None of the remaining listed directors was immediately available for comment.

As of Friday morning, USA Gymnastics had not issued an official comment on the call for its 18 listed directors to step down after long-time team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced on Wednesday to up to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting young female gymnasts.

Nassar, 54, was jailed for carrying out the attacks on young girls under the guise of medical treatment following a week-long hearing in which more than 150 accusers recounted their stories in a Michigan courtroom.

One of those 18 directors, Kevin Martinez, an ESPN executive, told Reuters on Thursday he had cut ties with the gymnastics federation, after the U.S. Olympic Committee’s chief executive threatened to decertify USA Gymnastics unless all board members were removed.

The U.S. Olympic Committee’s CEO, Scott Blackmun, joined the chorus calling for resignations, CNN reported early on Friday.

The board will lose its status as a sports governing body unless all of its current members resign by Wednesday and an interim board is in place by February 28, the network reported.

None of the remaining listed directors was immediately available for comment.

“According to my knowledge, Larry Nassar did not have a medical license in Texas where we trained for the Olympics. How could you allow this?,” she wrote.

Martinez’s departure comes after three other members, who held the USAG board’s leadership positions, stepped down on Monday. The scandal has already cost USAG sponsors and heavily damaged its reputation.

The group said in a statement on Wednesday in response to the resignation demand by the U.S. Olympic Committee that there should be “meaningful change within our organization,” and has not commented beyond that.

Lou Anna Simon, the president of Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked, stepped down on Wednesday after facing a barrage of criticism for not doing enough to halt the abuse.

Source: News Agency

Everest climb chronicler Elizabeth Hawley dies in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Elizabeth Hawley, a leading chronicler of expeditions on Himalayan peaks in Nepal, died on Friday at a private hospital in Kathmandu, her doctor said. She was 94.

Born in the United States, former journalist Hawley had lived alone in Nepal since 1960 and had become an unofficial arbiter of climbing-related disputes.

Over the years, she became a highly-respected chronicler of mountain climbing in the Himalayan nation, which is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest.

Hawley, who was admitted last week to the CIWEC Hospital and Travel Medicine Centre in the Nepali capital, died early on Friday of complications arising from pneumonia, said Prathiva Pandey, a doctor at the hospital.

The global climbing community has lost a “great friend”, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, a former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

“But her memory will live on in the form of her life’s work,” Sherpa told Reuters.

Born in Chicago in 1923, Hawley began reporting for Reuters in 1962, nine years after the pioneering climb of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay opened the gates to global tourism in the mountainous nation.

Hawley managed the “Himalayan Database”, a record of major climbs of the Nepali mountains, and a necessary endorsement for climbers to gain global fame by validating their achievements. The database is unofficial, but widely respected by climbers.

Source: News Agency

5 wrestlers, among 6 killed in Maharashtra road accident

Mumbai: Five wrestlers and a driver were killed in a major road accident in Sangli district of Maharahstra early on Saturday, police said.

The accident took place around 1 a.m. when an SUV carrying the grapplers rammed headlong into an oncoming tractor carrying sugarcane.

Five others, including wrestlers, were injured in the accident and they were admitted in hospitals.

The wrestlers belonged to the institute, Kranti Kushti Sankul. "It is very sad and shocking, for us," said Sharad Lad, the institution's secretary.

They were all returning after a wrestling contest in Satara.

More details were awaited.

Source: News Agency

Australia recall Cameron White to replace Chris Lynn for England ODIs

Cameron White will fancy playing his first one-day international in three years after replacing the injured Chris Lynn in the Australia squad for the five-match series against England beginning on Sunday.

A calf injury to explosive batsman Lynn opened an unlikely door for 34-year-old White, who played the last of his 88 ODIs in 2015 and has since been critical of a pro-youth policy he felt did not reward the performance of senior players.

“Cameron’s in very good form, as his figures demonstrate. He’s playing very well,” selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement on Thursday, referring to White’s impressive displays for Melbourne Renegades in this year’s Big Bash League.

“He’s one of the leading run-scorers in this season’s BBL, he’s experienced, he’s a very smart cricketer and he’s a good fielder. He ticks all the boxes for what we need at this stage.”

White’s unexpected selection ahead of Glenn Maxwell follows Tim Paine’s shock and inspired inclusion in Australia’s Ashes-winning team despite the wicketkeeper not even being Tasmania’s number one choice.

Melbourne hosts the first one-dayer between the Ashes rivals, before the series moves on to Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Source: News Agencies

French cycling hero retires - at 106

PARIS: French cyclist Robert Marchand is retiring at the age of 106, a friend of the bike-mad centenarian has announced.

The decision to quit comes a year after the tenacious sportsman set what was widely billed as a world record for the over-105s category: he completed 22.528 km (14.08 miles) in one hour.

The feat, at an indoor track near Paris, drew intense media coverage and a moment of international celebrity for Marchand, an amateur who has been in the saddle for well over 90 years.

His retirement, at not far off twice the average retirement age in France and three or four times the age at which top-notch athletes usually bow out, was announced to AFP news agency by a neighbour and friend.

Source: News Agencies

VAR will become ever-present in English football, says FA chief

London: Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn believes the video assistant referee (VAR) system will become a permanent fixture in English football after it was successfully trialled for the first time in Monday’s FA Cup tie between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.

Brighton beat Palace 2-1 to advance to the fourth round, with the VAR Neil Swarbrick reviewing and allowing Brighton striker Glenn Murray’s late winner to stand, after the ball initially appeared to brush off the player’s hand.

After the collaboration between match referee Andre Marriner and Swarbrick was deemed a success, Glenn was confident that the system will assist English officials for years to come.

”The FA generally thinks that in a few years’ time we will wonder how we ever lived without it,“ Glenn told reporters on Tuesday. ”We were a big supporter of VAR being embraced in football after years of it being challenged by Sepp Blatter and FIFA.

”I was pleased as it seemed to work the right way... The good news is that the game did not stop once and there appeared to be good teamwork between (referee) Andre Marriner and (VAR) Neil Swarbrick.

“... The big question now is: should we put it into the World Cup?”

VAR involves a fifth match official along with an assistant watching the on-pitch action remotely and then drawing the match referee’s attention to officiating mistakes.

The system, which has already been implemented in Italy’s Serie A and Germany’s Bundesliga, will also be used in the League Cup semi-final clash between Chelsea and Arsenal on Wednesday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously backed the use of the technology at the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a final decision on it’s implementation yet to be made.

Source: News Agencies

Pakistan recall Shehzad, ignore Kamran for New Zealand T20s

KARACHI: Pakistan Wednesday recalled Ahmed Shehzad for their three-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand later this month, but selectors ignored Kamran Akmal despite his recent form in domestic matches.

The 26-year-old Shehzad was dropped for the third and final Twenty20 against Sri Lanka in Lahore late last November, but his recent form and youth helped him regain his place.

But Kamran, 35, was not so lucky, despite being the highest run scorer in National Twenty20 with 432 runs last November. He smashed a double century in a domestic One-Day Cup match last week.

All-rounder Imad Wasim, who missed the current one-day international (ODI) series against New Zealand, will also miss the T20s due to a knee injury, said chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.

"Wasim has yet to recover from his knee injury, and was told to continue his rehabilitation at the academy in Lahore. Sohaib Maqsood was not considered for selection due to a back injury and will undergo rehabilitation," said Inzamam.

Pakistan are currently two down in the five-match ODI series in New Zealand, with the third match in Dunedin on Saturday.

Sarfraz Ahmed will lead the T20 side. The first match is in Wellington on January 22, followed by Auckland on January 25 and Mount Maunganui on January 28.

Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Harris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Umar 

Source: News Agencies

BCCI should support cricket in Olympics: MCC Committee

Melbourne: The prestigious MCC World Cricket Committee today strongly urged the BCCI to support cricket's inclusion in the Olympics.

The World Cricket committee, comprising legends such as Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara along with current Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan believe that the richest cricket board should not act as a barrier in getting the sport inducted in the quadrennial extravaganza.

"The game's application to become an Olympic sport is gathering momentum and that the only remaining barrier is India's reluctance to proceed," an MCC release stated.

"The committee has long been a supporter of Twenty20 cricket being included in the Olympic Games, believing it the single biggest step the game could take to unlock worldwide government funding and aid its global development," it further stated.

The MCC wants cricket to be included in the Paris edition of 2024 and if not then at least in the 2028 Los Angeles edition.
"For men's and women's cricket to thrive in future generations, new countries must be introduced to the sport; playing cricket in the Olympics is the best way to achieve this objective.

"With plans for the 2024 Paris Games well advanced, the committee urges India to unite with the rest of the world game and lobby the International Olympic Committee for the inclusion of Twenty20 cricket in the Olympic Games, ideally in Paris but if not at Los Angeles in 2028," the committee said.

The committee, during its meeting, also discussed how a proper wage structure, together with the provision of more longer-term national central contracts, would entice more players to commit to international cricket, rather than opting out to play in domestic T20 leagues.

"There is concern that players in the poorer or developing nations are not being paid sufficiently, and there needs to be transparency and accountability of where ICC funds are being spent by some member boards," it said.

Shakib Al Hasan, the first player from Bangladesh to sit on the group, and who was attending his first meeting, addressed the World Cricket committee by giving his view on a range of issues affecting the modern player.

Shakib's experiences contrasted with those of Jonny Bairstow, who spoke to the committee at the July 2017 meeting, and highlighted that the choices facing a modern professional vary greatly from country to country.

Shakib described how his greatest honour is representing his country, but the financial incentives do not match those available in global domestic T20 tournaments.

He was concerned that many younger players, who don't share his view of wishing to play Test cricket for a long period, will prefer the shorter format of the game that is more readily available and offers more financial security than playing longer-form cricket.
It is a hard choice for players in some countries to make, and the committee feels it has created an imbalance in the international game. 


Source: News Agencies

Minerva Punjab FC beat Mohun Bagan to go top of I-League

Kolkata: Minerva Punjab FC rode on Bhutanese striker Chencho Gyeltshen's first-half brace to jump to the top of the table with a 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan in an I-League encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Wednesday.

Chencho (23rd minute, 30th) wreaked havoc during a spell of uncertainty for the hosts' defence to help his side continue their dream run and pip East Bengal to the top of the tree by one point and with a game in hand.
Mohun Bagan's Liberian attacking midfielder Ansumana Kromah missed a penalty in the first essay.

For the home team, Nigerian centre-back Kingsley Eze (90+4) scored a peach of a goal from 40 yards out before their new-signing Cameron Watson blew away a glorious chance to equalise in second-half stoppage time.

The Ludhiana-based side now have 19 points from eight games while second-placed East Bengal are on 18 points after playing nine matches.

Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, stay in fifth position with 13 points from nine games.

The Mariners got off to a positive start winning three corners in the first nine minutes.

But as the half wore on, the visitors settled in and turned the tables on the hosts in style.

In the 16th minute, Kamalpreet Singh was teed up by Kassim Aidara but the latter dragged his effort wide.

Minutes later, Chencho scored, making the most of the time he was afforded on the ball to first dodge a defender and then shoot on the turn.

The strike took a slight deflection off a Arijit Bagui who initially lost the ball to the Bhutanese striker with goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil also at fault, coming out of his line needlessly.

Chencho should have doubled the lead moments later, after being one on one with keeper but his shot was saved.

The highly-rated forward did not have to rue his miss for too long though, scoring again at the half-hour mark, this time William Asiedu splitting open the sleepy rival defence with relative ease to find Chencho who placed the ball at the far post with a calm finish.

Sensing the need for an urgent response, home team coach Shankarlal Chakraborty took off former Bengaluru FC midfielder Beingaichho Beikhokhei forSk.faiaz in the hope of a goal.

The Green and Maroons came close to pulling one back when their Cameroonian striker Dipanda Dicka was felled inside the box by visiting keeper Rakshit Dagar to concede a penalty. Kromah stepped up to take the spot kick but a tame effort saw Dagar pull off an easy save.

Two minutes to half time, Asiedu back-heeled neatly for Kamalpreet who once again put his attempt wide of target.

A frenetic first half ended on a sour note when experienced Mohun Bagan defender Kinshuk Debnath had an ugly altercation with Asiedu.

In the second half, substitute Naro Hari Shrestha, who replaced the ineffective Kromah in the 77th minute, came close on two occasions while Dicka also had a chance but was off target.


Tags: Minerva Punjab FC , Mohun Bagan , I-League, Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan


Source: News Agencies

Andre Villas-Boas withdraws from Dakar Rally after crash

Lima: Portuguese football coach Andre Villas-Boas has withdrawn from the Dakar Rally after suffering a back injury on the fourth day of the event in southern Peru.

The 40-year-old's maiden appearance in the annual race ended when his Toyota crashed midway through the 330km stage around San Juan de Marcona, reports Xinhua news agency.
He was taken to hospital for checks before being discharged late on Tuesday night. His co-driver, Ruben Faria, was unscathed in the incident.

"Just to tell everyone that both me and Ruben are safe and well and back in the bivouac," Villas-Boas wrote on Instagram.

"We jumped off a dune and crashed the car nose first.

The Dakar unfortunately is finished for us. Better luck next time! Thank you all for your kind messages of support."

Villas-Boas only began preparing for the race in November after quitting as manager of Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.

The former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham manager said last week that he hopes to return to coaching in June.

More than 50 competitors have already withdrawn from this year's Dakar Rally, which is widely regarded as the world's most gruelling off-road endurance race.


Source: News Agencies

Bagan look to extending winning run against Minerva Punjab

Hot on the heels of registering their first victory in over a month, Mohun Bagan will hope to continue the momentum when they host Minerva Punjab FC in their penultimate I-League home game at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan here on Wednesday.

The Green and Maroons are high on confidence after finally winning and scoring in a game from open play after four matches.
Head coach Sankar Lal Chakraborty, who is only a game old in his new position as full-time chief coach will be looking to lift his side from mid-table incongruity.

"We are trying hard to do well but unfortunately that's not happening. No one wants to lose or draw but it happens. The big teams, who are title contenders, will never want this bad patch to continue. We have promised to come back soon. Last match we had won but we have to improve", Chakraborty said on the eve of the game.

Fifth on the league table, Mohun Bagan will be the first outfit to play their ninth game of the season and will be wary of the fact that breaking into the top three is bare minimum, given they now play six games away from the city after this.

East Bengal dropped points the other night, and thus Mohun Bagan can ill-afford to take any chances against Minerva Punjab FC, who themselves looked like runaway favourites for the title when the season began.

Haitian star Sony Norde is still nursing his injury but the focus will be on Cameron Watson who played the full ninety minutes on Sunday against Aizawl FC in a 2-0 win but looked well short of full match fitness.

"In the last game, the second half was more open. After the first 20 minutes of the first half all the boys started to play better.

I have just joined the side, slowly getting along with the other players.

"We got the result last game and we have to continue that result. We have to get three points every week. It's nothing to get excited about," Watson said.

On the other hand, Minerva replied well with a slender 1-0 victory over at Gokulam Kerala FC over the weekend after they lost their first game of the season at the home of the defending champions Aizawl FC prior.

Having played a game less and three points ahead, the outfit from Ludhiana will be hoping for a repeat of the 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture - coincidentally the season opener, if not for a win at least.

"We have immense respect for Mohun Bagan. They are an old club and at home, they are a good side.

They have a very good attack and we have to be cautious. Our target is to win the league. We want to be champions. It is a long journey. We have to avoid bad results," said their head coach Khogen Singh.

Source: News Agency

Guptill guides New Zealand to easy win over Pakistan

Riding on Martin Guptill's brisk half-century, New Zealand gained a 2-0 lead in their five-match ODI series against Pakistan notching a comfortable eight-wicket win on the DLS Method in a rain-interrupted second encounter here on Tuesday.

In the rain-affected match, New Zealand were set a revised target of 151 in 25 overs after Pakistan posted 246/9 in 50 overs -- thanks to half-centuries from Mohammad Hafeez (60 off 71), Shadab Khan (52 off 68) and Hasan Ali (51 off 31).
However, there was a two-hour delay caused by rain after 14 overs, when New Zealand were 64/2.

The chase was a tricky one, with the home side needing 87 runs in 11 overs.

Guptill shifted gears after play resumed, ending unbeaten on a 71-ball 86, to help New Zealand past the target with seven balls remaining.

Guptill was batting on 31 off 40 balls when rain intervened, but on resumption, he accumulated 56 runs off just 32 balls, ending with five sixes and as many fours.

New Zealand didn't get off to the best of starts though, as Colin Munro, the in-form big-hitter, was caught early dismissed by Mohammed Amir.

Skipper Kane Williamson didn't last long either, sent back for 19, as the home side managed just 47/2 by the 10th over.

However, Guptill and Ross Taylor turned things around, the senior statesmen combining for an unbroken 104-run stand to take New Zealand past their target.

They were particularly belligerent after the rain-break -- Guptill picked Hasan Ali for consecutive sixes in the 16th over. He followed that up with another six and a four in the next over off Shadab Khan.

Taylor joined in at the other end, picking runs off Rumman Raees in the next over, and with the frequency of boundaries as high as it was, the match soon slipped away from Pakistan.

Earlier, Pakistan recovered well from a precarious 39/3 by the 11th over to 246/9 at the end of their stipulated 50 overs.

Hafeez and Shoaib Malik added a 45-run partnership to steady the innings, but they were in trouble once again when the stand was broken.

Malik succumbed to dot-ball pressure and holed out off Astle for a 46-ball 27, prompting a mini-slide -- Sarfraz Ahmed (3), Hafeez and Faheem Ashraf (7) all followed suit in quick succession, as Pakistan fell to 141/7.

However, Shadab and Hasan Ali then added a 70-run stand to once again steady the innings, taking them closer to the 250-mark, with the latter scoring his maiden half-century in the format.

Southee returned in the death-breakthrough with the wicket of Hasan Ali, while Lockie Ferguson had Shadab sent back in the final over to end with figures of 3/39.

The home side had earlier won the opening ODI in Wellington by 61 runs and will now face the Pakistanis on Saturday at Dunedin.

Source: News Agency

Kohli, Pujara slip in ICC Test rankings

Mumbai: The 72-run loss in the opening Test to South Africa has cost India skipper Virat Kohli a drop to the No.3 spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batsmen rankings, which were released here on Tuesday.

Besides Kohli, India's batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara also dropped a couple of places to No.5 in the list headed by Australia skipper Steve Smith and followed by his England counterpart Joe Root.

India's Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have also lost ground. Vijay is now 30th after dropping five places, Dhawan has slipped three places to 33rd, while Sharma has ended up 44th after falling three places.

Among others, South Africa's Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar have slipped three places apiece to finish in 10th and 16th positions, respectively, but former skipper AB de Villiers has risen five places to 13th with a slot in the top-10 firmly within his sights.

De Villiers struck 65 and 35 to stabilise the Proteas after their batting line-up faltered in both the innings.

South Africa opener Aiden Markram, who was declared Player of the Tournament in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2014, and India all-rounder Hardik Pandya are the other big movers from the Newlands Test. Markram has moved up six places to 48th, while Pandya is now ranked 49th after rocketing 24 places.

Among the bowlers, South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada has grabbed the numero uno spot in the ICC Test bowler's rankings, displacing Englishman James Anderson.

Rabada starred with the red cherry, picking 3 for 34 and 2 for 41 in the opening Test at Newlands. Rabada, 22, earned five points for that performance, taking him past Anderson's tally of 887 by one point.

Anderson's tally reduced by five points after the final Ashes Test in Sydney, where he took 1 for 56 in Australia's only innings.

Vernon Philander, who was Man of the Match for his nine wickets against India at Newlands, jumped from 12th place to sixth.

Philander now trails Australia's sixth-ranked Josh Hazlewood by eight points and has an opportunity to break into the top-five following the Centurion Test, which begins on Saturday.

Outside the top-20, India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins of Australia have achieved career-high rankings.

Kumar has vaulted eight places to 22nd following figures of four for 87 and two for 33, while Cummins has leaped eight places and is now in 28th position after match figures of eight for 119, which also earned him the player of the match award.

There is no change in the top-five of the all-rounders' list, which is still headed by Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in second and third place, respectively.

Source: News Agency

Rejuvenated Blasters’ hope for a show in Lion’s den

Ian Hume with coach David James

Delhi Dynamos started the season with a bang, beating FC Pune City 3-2 in their opening match. But that was way back on 22nd November. In the seven matches played since then, they have lost six and drawn one - and find themselves rock bottom in the Hero Indian Super League table. Another club that wasn't expected to be caught in the quagmire of the bottom three is Kerala Blasters, but they are in 8th - a disappointing start has seen them recall David James as head coach. His first job will be to secure a victory after a run of three matches without one.  

The Dynamos continue to hog possession and stitch up good passing play - but their failure to win has left fans exasperated. Whether the excuse of good performances with nothing to show for it will stand the test of time will be interesting. 

"Kerala are strong in defence and very experienced. They are compact and difficult to break down. But it is also difficult for them against us," Dynamos’ head coach Miguel Angel Portugal said.  

"At home it is most important that we win. I think we have an opportunity to win. A point is important for confidence though," he added before mentioning that he realised a new coach was in the mix with James coming in.

"I know about David James as a goalkeeper for England. I don't know about him as a manager," he added with a chuckle. 

James meanwhile, sounded confident and praised the depth of the Kerala Blasters side. He did mention that there will be late fitness tests for some, but at the same time, said that all the players were available as far as he was concerned. 

"My first job it to familiarise myself with the players. There could be a tendency to watch differently than as a fan. I would be disappointed if we didn't get the results. We have to get results as quickly as possible. I'm confident, players are confident and that is good for me and it is a challenge," he said.

Kerala have traditionally been late bloomers in the league and have even managed to make it to the playoffs with a negative goal difference in the past. In James' first game last week against Pune City, a more direct approach was seen and he even took off Dimitar Berbatov to suit his style of play.  

This will be a battle of huge consequences with both teams struggling as the League is approaching its half way mark. The pressure will certainly be on - as after the 90 minutes of game on Wednesday, both sides could get into panic situation.

C S Santosh 13th after 1st stage at Dakar Rally

Pisco: India's C S Santosh was placed at a creditable 13th among the bikers at the end of the first stage of the gruelling Dakar Rally while his Hero MotoSports Rally teammate Joaquim Rodrigues met with a spectacular crash to end his race here.

Santosh clocked 24 minute 11 seconds to cover the first stage of 30 km. The first stage covered from Lima to Pisco.

Another 13 stages are remaining in the world's toughest off- road rally which will end on January 20 in Cordoba of Argentina via Bolivia.

"First day of a race is usually nervous. Today was just 30 km and tomorrow more than 200km. It is a log way to go and anything can happen at any stage in such a long rally," he said after the first day's race.

"This year, there is a big change in the bike from last year and so much easier to ride. I am enjoying my time." 

Riding on a vastly improved and new look Hero RR 450 bike with the Indian tri-colour imprint on it, Santosh set off from the starting line here in Bib No 49 yesterday.

His Hero MotoSports Team Rally teammate Joaquim Rodrigues met with a crash midway into the 1st stage. The rider from Portugal, who finished 12th last year, suffered injuries at his hand and back and will not take part in the remaining stages.

"It is unfortunate that Rodrigues' race ended early. He met with a crash and suffered injuries in his hand and back.

He is all right now but will not further take part in the race," a team official said.

Rodrigues overshot a sand dune for nearly 10m and his bike landed on top of another dune. He was thrown out of his bike and had to be evacuated from the course. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

"X-rays were taken and he was examined by doctors. He was all right and his condition was not that serious. But he is out of the race," the team spokesperson said.

Hero MotoSports Rally's third rider Oriol Mena Valdearcos of Spain was placed at 22nd after first stage.

Another Indian in the bikers' category, Prabhakar Arvind of TVS Racing was at 30th.

Earlier yesterday, Santosh set off for the fourth time at the gruelling Dakar Rally with an aim of recording his best ever show at world's toughest off-road rally.

"I believe I am having my best preparation ever and I hope to do well. I am mentally and physically prepared," Santosh said, even as he rode his bike towards the starting line in Lima.

"The weather is also almost similar with that in India and so I am confident I can do well. Let us see," he added.

Asked if he is expecting the best ever finish this time, he said, "Everytime I take part in a race I want to do my best. The same this time in this race also, I want to have the best ever finish." 

Santosh is taking part for the fourth year in the Dakar Rally. But this is his second year with Hero MotoSports Team Rally. He finished 36th in his debut year in 2015 but failed to complete the race in his next two attempts due to problems in his bike.

Head of Hero MotoSports and Hero MotoCorp Chief Technology Officer Markus Braunsperger said the team's main target was to have a top 10 finish.

"If there is no major issues or an accident, we hope all our riders to complete the race and then a top 10 finish is our aim and it can happen. At least we can do better then last year. If that is done we will be happy," he said.

"Our CMD Mr Munjal had sent us good wishes. He is very happy about taking part in world's toughest off-road race and India flag flying. He is in constant touch with us," he added.

The new 'Hero RR 450' rally bike made its debut at the Dakar this year. The new bike is an upgrade of the well-proven rally bike from last year, with new design and styling of tank, body parts and front section to improve mass centralization, handling and riding ergonomics.

The new 'Hero 450 RR' proved its capabilities at the OiLibya Rally in Morocco this year. The key learning from the Teams rookie year and last year's Dakar experience have been implemented in the bike.

There are several improvements in the bike, which have affected an increase in riders confidence.

The biggest and toughest rally-raid in the world, Dakar, in its 40th edition will cross three countries, starting with Peru today and travelling through Bolivia before concluding in Argentina on January 20.

This edition will witness participation of 500 competitors from 60 countries who will cover a grueling stretch of almost 9,000 km.

Out of the overall 14 stages, seven will include 100 percent dunes/off-piste, 1 marathon stage for all categories and 1 marathon stage for bikes and quads only.

Source: News Agencies