Assam beat Tripura by an innings
Agartala: An improved batting performance from Tripura was not enough to save their Ranji Trophy Group C match against Assam as they crashed to an innings and 55-run defeat on the final day here on Sunday. Tripura, who had conceded a huge 389-run first innings lead to Assam, had a bad start after resuming the day at 156 for three as they lost overnight batsmen Abbas Ali (12) and Samrat Singha (79) to pacer Abu Nechim. Yogesh Takawale scored 68 off 109 balls and was well supported by Timir Chanda as the pair added 72 for the seventh wicket. However, once Takawale fell, Nechim and Jamaluddin Syed Mohammed combined to take regular wickets and dismiss Tripura for 334. Nechim finished with 4/78 to add to his three-wicket haul in the first innings. Arup Das, Pritam Das and J Syed Mohammad took two wickets each. Assam secured seven points for winning the match by an innings while Tripura got none. Brief scores: Assam: 525/5 dec; Tripura 136 and 334 all out in 120.5 overs (Samrat Singha 79, Yogesh Takawale 68; Abu Nechim 4/78). (PTI)
Ireland, Afghanistan qualify for World T20
Dubai: Ireland and Afghanistan qualified for next year’s ICC World Twenty20 after winning their respective matches in the Qualifiers on Sunday. Ireland downed Hong Kong by 85 runs for its seventh successive victory while Afghanistan defeated Kenya by 34 runs that gave the Asia side its sixth win in seven matches. Sunday’s results mean Ireland and Afghanistan have topped their respective groups and, as such, have qualified automatically for the event proper. This is Ireland’s fourth successive qualification for the World Twenty20 having played in the 2009, 2010 and 2012 tournaments, whereas for Afghanistan, it will be the third time when it will feature in the event after appearing in the West Indies and Sri Lanka editions. With four places still up for grabs, Hong Kong will now face Nepal and the United Arab Emirates will square off against the Netherlands on Wednesday with the two winners also qualifying for the Bangladesh event that will be staged from 16 March to 6 April. (AFP)
Debutants spur Pak to victory over SA
CAPE TOWN: Debutants Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali spurred Pakistan to victory after their team had been in deep trouble in the first ODI against South Africa at Newlands on Sunday. The newcomers shared an eighth wicket stand of 74 to rescue Pakistan from a precarious 131 for seven, then shared five wickets as Pakistan won by 23 runs. Pakistan made 218 for nine in their 50 overs after winning the toss. Despite a half-century from returning veteran Jacques Kallis, South Africa were bowled out for 195. Bhatti (39) and Ali (43 not out) prospered after Pakistan’s recognised batsmen struggled against a strong South African pace attack. Dale Steyn took three for 33 and Morne Morkel three for 39, while Vernon Philander claimed one for 37. For Pakistan, Bhatti finished with three for 37, while Ali took two for 24. (AFP)
Give Ratna to Dhyan Chand: Madan Lal
Agra: Former India cricketer Madan Lal feels it is an opportune time to award the nation’s highest civilian honour – the Bharat Ratna – to hockey legend Dhyan Chand. The government announced last week that batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who retired from all forms of cricket, will become the first sportsperson and the youngest to receive the Bharat Ratna. Since then, there has been some clamour that Dhyan Chand, who won three Olympic hockey golds, should have been given the award first among sportspersons. “I think this is the right time to give the Bharat Ratna to Dhyan Chand,” Lal said while addressing reporters here Saturday evening after the annual sports meet of the 168-year-old St Peter’s College. The 62-year-old also had a word of praise for Tendulkar, saying that the batting maestro has been a great role model for all and no one can replace him. “These days players after scoring a century or taking a wicket express their intensity or emotions on the pitch. They should take lessons from Sachin.” (IANS)