TT Asian Youth C’ships: U-19 boys assured of medal, girls exit in QF
New Delhi, June 29: India’s U-19 boys’ team on Monday defeated Hong Kong 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the Asian Youth Championships in Bangkok to assure itself of at least a bronze medal and a direct berth in the next year’s World Youth Table Tennis Championships. Hong Kong drew first blood when Li Ki Ho beat Priyanuj Bhattacharyya 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8. India quickly restored parity as PB Abhinandh overcame Wong Alvin 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 5-11, 11-4 in a hard-fought five-game encounter. MR Balamurugan then put India ahead with a commanding 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 victory over Lo Ka Kit, before Abhinandh sealed the tie, defeating Li Ki Ho 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6. The Indian boys will now take on top seeds China in the semifinal. The Indian U-19 girls, however, fell short of the medal rounds, losing 1-3 to Hong Kong in the quarterfinals. They will now have to qualify for next year’s World Youth Championships through the Asian qualification process. (PTI)
Badminton Asia Junior Team C’ship: India lose to Hong Kong
Yatsushiro (Japan), June 29: India’s campaign in the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championship came to an end following 1-2 loss against Hong Kong in the quarterfinals here on Monday. India started strong in the opening match with Dev Ruparelia and Tanvi Patri giving the team a strong start as India led 22-12 after two matches. The doubles combinations then ensured that their was no hiccups as they clinched the set 55-44. But the start of the second game turned things around for Hong Kong as Can Yee Hei beat Ruparelia 11-8 and IP Sum Yau extended their lead to 22-16. The doubles combinations could not cut down the deficit as the match went into a decider. Ruparelia once again gave India a lead by beating Chan 11-9 but Yau managed to close the gap to 22-21. The mixed doubles combination of Bjorn Jaison and Dianka Waldia kept India ahead with a 33-32 lead as the match against Cheung Sai Shing and Wing Chi Chu ended 11-11. Tanvi Reddy Andluri and Baruni Parshwal went down to Chu and Yi Kiu Yu 5-11 and India could not recover from that and lost the set 43-55. (PTI)
PCB to make PSL financially and administratively autonomous
Lahore, June 29: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to make the Pakistan Super League (PSL) financially and administratively autonomous even though it is yet to release any audited reports of the last two PSL editions. The 84th meeting of the PCB Board of Governors held on Monday under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi had unanimously approved key administrative and financial decisions, including the surplus budget for the new financial year 2026-27. The PCB did not full details of the new surplus budget but the meeting approved the budget for the 12th edition of the PSL and decided to make the league administratively and financially autonomous. Since its launch in 2016, the PSL has operated and been organised by the PCB from its headquarters. (PTI)
Pak set to drop pace stalwarts for West Indies Test tour
Lahore, June 29: Pakistan selectors have decided to go with a revamped pace attack for the two-Test series against the West Indies next month with the seasoned Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah and veteran spinner, Nauman Ali being dropped for the tour. According to a source, senior selector and former pacer Aaqib Javed on Monday showed the probable squad to the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has given a free hand to the selectors to take whatever decision they feel is best for Pakistan cricket. “Muhammad Abbas, 36, Muhammad Ali 33, Khurrum Shehzad, 27, and uncapped Ubaid Shah will be leading the pace attack in the upcoming series with Aamer Jamal, 29, included as the pace-bowling all-rounder,” the source said. The first Test will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad from July 25 followed by the second game in Port of Spain, Trinidad from August 2. (PTI)
