VVS Laxman ‘duped’ of Rs 10 lakh
Kolkata: A court here on Saturday sent a man arrested for allegedly duping former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman to eight days police custody, police said. Izazul Sheikh, who allegedly siphoned Rs10 lakh from Laxman’s bank account in Hyderabad, was arrested on Friday from a nationalised bank’s branch in Salt Lake area here. Sheikh was brought before a court that sent him to eight days police custody, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detective Department) Arnab Ghosh. Laxman had filed a complaint with Cyberabad police after discovering that Rs 10 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account without his knowledge. According to police, bank officials had alerted them after the same amount was deposited into Sheikh’s long dormant account at the Salt Lake branch. “Following the information from the bank as well as intimation from the Cyberabad police, we laid a trap and apprehended Sheikh,” added Ghosh. (IANS)
Bale to miss Real’s visit to Bilbao
MADRID: Injury-plagued Gareth Bale will miss Real Madrid’s trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday because of a slight calf strain. The Wales winger has been in and out of the treatment room since joining the club from Tottenham Hotspur for a world record fee in September. Last weekend he was struggling in the first half against Granada following a kick in the groin and he then went off at the interval with a calf injury. “He isn’t available because he hasn’t been able to train this week,” coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference on Saturday. “He’ll return to training on Sunday and will be ready for the game on Wednesday,” added the Italian referring to the King’s Cup tie with Atletico Madrid. “He doesn’t need to do a lot of preparation as it is only a small problem. He needs to train and build up confidence.” The injuries to Bale have opened the door to youth product Jese who impressed again in the second half against Granada. Third-placed Real are one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid after a run of five straight wins but face a tough game at Athletic, who have yet to lose at San Mames this season. (AFP)
Man U’s Nani out for another month
LONDON: Manchester United winger Nani will be out for another month, manager David Moyes said. Portugal international Nani has not played since early December after sustaining a hamstring injury. “Nani has had a bad hamstring injury. He’s getting closer now but I think it will be another month until he will be about ready to play,” Moyes told the club website. United are seventh in the standings, 13 points behind leaders Manchester City. (Reuters)
Gallacher takes lead over McIlroy in Dubai
Dubai: Reigning champion Stephen Gallacher of Scotland looks well set to become the first man in 25 years to successfully defend his Dubai Desert Classic title. Gallacher began the day four behind Rory McIlroy (69) and three behind Brooks Koepka (70). He was looking out of sorts and contention for the first eight holes with seven pars and one bogey. Then something fell in place from the ninth, which he birdied to turn in even par 35. On the back stretch, he birdied seven times and eagled the par-5 13th to return a record-equalling nine-under 27 and a card of nine-under 63 to get 16-under 200. He now holds a two-shot lead over midway leader and 2009 winner Rory McIlroy (69). The only Indian left in the field, Shiv Kapur (70), is 47th after a round that had four birdies and two bogeys. At 11 shots behind the leader and lying in tied 37th place, Tiger Woods will require a never-done-before performance to win a third time, after he carded 72 which left him on five under par. The record for the biggest comeback is four shots – by Woods in 2008. The 39-year-old Gallacher has a great record in Dubai. He was 10th in 2011, second in 2012 and he won in 2013. Now in 2014, in his 14th appearance in Dubai, he is now leading by two strokes after three rounds. After finishing fourth in his maiden appearance in 2000, he has missed the cut only twice in the next 13 years. “It was quite a struggle to start with, especially the first three holes (he managed pars). Then, I hit it stiff on nine and from then on just kept hitting it close, and if I hit it to 30 feet I holed it. I was just trying to make as many birdies as I could and get a lead,” Gallacher said. (PTI)
