India to launch U-19 WC defence vs Pak
Dubai: Defending champions India will open their ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup campaign against arch-rivals and two-time winners Pakistan here on February 15. The tournament will be staged across seven venues in the UAE from February 14 to March 1 and will also see the participation of Afghanistan, Canada, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), besides the 10 full members. India, who also won the tournament under Mohammad Kaif and Virat Kohli in 2000 and 2008, respectively, defeated Pakistan by one-wicket in an enthralling semifinal before going on to beat Australia by six wickets in the 2012 final in Townsville, Australia. (PTI)
SL beat Pak, preserve No. 1 ranking
Dubai: Sri Lanka retained their status as the world’s top Twenty20 team by beating Pakistan by 24 runs in a thrilling finish to the second game in Dubai on Friday. The win also levelled the two-match series 1-1 after Pakistan won the first match by three wickets on Wednesday. Kusal Perera hit a career best 59-ball 84 and spinner Sachitra Senanayake took three wickets in a match with full of runs and records. The series draw kept Sri Lanka at number one in the T20 rankings, shattering Pakistan’s hopes of claiming the top spot in any form of the game for the first time. Chasing a daunting 212-run target, Pakistan finished at 187 in 19.2 overs with Sharjeel Khan scoring 50 and Sohail Tanvir making 41. (AFP)
International Assam footballer dies
Guwahati: Former international footballer Babul Phukan, from Assam, died here on Saturday at a private nursing home following a prolonged illness, his family said. An employee of the State Bank of India, Phukan was 49. He had represented the state nine times in the Santosh Trophy and had also played several international matches in Germany, England and Italy. He played for Mohammeddan Sporting and also represented Maharana Club, one of the oldest clubs in the North East. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the state has lost a player who brought great laurels to the country and his stylish footwork, skill and sportsmanship would remain an example for the next generation of footballers. His death was also condoled by ULFA-Independent leader Paresh Barua. (PTI)
Lahiri moves to tied 2nd as Garcia opens four-shot lead in Bangkok
Bangkok: Anriban Lahiri continued his great run this season, playing a sharp round of five-under 67 to move to tied second at the end of day three at the Thailand Golf Championships here. With one more round to go, Spaniard Sergio Garcia (65) seemed to run away from the field, opening a four-shot lead over Henrik Stenson (65) and Lahiri (67). The trio will go out in the lead group on Sunday. “I am looking forward to that,” said Lahiri. “Those two guys are great players and it should be fun playing with them.” Gaganjeet Bhullar (69) and Sujjan Singh (71) ensured they were in the neighbourhood, even if some distance away at eight-under 208 in the crowded 11th place. (PTI)
Brawn to take six months off from F1
London: Outgoing Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn will take a six-month sabbatical before deciding whether to return to the sport, the Briton said on Friday. Brawn has been involved with team management in Formula One for over 35 years but will leave his current team at the end of the year and take time to decide where his future lies. “I am refusing to discuss any possible future positions until at least next summer,” Brawn told the BBC. “I want to clear my mind, take a rest and then decide if I want to return to F1, subject of course to any opportunities existing.” The 59-year-old is widely credited as a key figure behind Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles at Benetton and Ferrari and also found success with his self-titled team in 2009, when Jenson Button won the world championship. Brawn has already been linked in the media with roles at returning engine supplier Honda, the FIA, Williams and McLaren. (Reuters)