Young Lallianzuala Shines as India Enter Semis of SAFF Cup
Chhangte Lallianzuala became the youngest goal scorer for India as the hosts bounced back from a goal down to beat Nepal 4-1 in their final group match, advancing to the semifinal of the South Asian Football Federation Cup on Sunday.
Apart from India, Sri Lanka is the other side from the Group A to qualify for the last-four stage. India remained unbeaten in their group engagements, having beaten Sri Lanka 2-0 in the opening fixture.
18-year-old Lallianzuala’s (81st, 90th minute) twin strikes came in the final 10 minutes of the match after Rowlin Borges (26th minute) and skipper Sunil Chhetri found the target for India.
Mumbai Garuda Win Inaugural PWL
Mumbai Garuda outclassed Haryana Hammers 7-2 to clinch the inaugural Pro Wrestling League title on Sunday.
Down 1-2 after the first three bouts, Mumbai Garuda won their next four bouts on the trot to claim the trophy after the seventh match itself, making the last two ties inconsequential.
Mumbai won the back-to-back bouts through captain Adeline Gray, Giorgi Sakandelidze, Odunayo Adekuoroye and Odikadze Elizbar. Last two inconsequential bouts were also win by Mumbai.
Pakistan Spinner Yasir Suspended Over Doping Charges
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday announced that Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been provisionally suspended after being charged with violating rules under the sport’s anti-doping code.
According to the ICC, the sample Yasir provided in an in-competition test, which was conducted on November 13, was found to contain the presence of chlortalidone, a Prohibited Substance which appears in Section 5 of the World Anti Doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list (in the category of specified substances).
Yasir made his Test debut for Pakistan against Australia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on October 22 last year.
Aamir Accepted by Players After Tearful Apology
Pakistan paceman Mohammad Aamir broke down during the national conditioning camp and offered to leave the game before being accepted by protesting players, who had reservations training with him.
Mohammed Hafeez and skipper Azhar Ali had refused to train with him but after Aamir spoke to players at a meeting, arranged by head coach Waqar Younis and chief selector Haroon Rasheed, the protesting cricketers finally relented.
Aamir offered to leave the camp and cricket if he said ‘others felt that he did not deserve to play for Pakistan’.
“It was a very emotional moment because Aamir was aware there was lot of tension in the camp because of him and at the meeting he broke down in tears. He said he was sorry for what had happened and again apologised to everyone at the meeting. He then said if anyone felt he didn’t deserve a second chance he would leave the camp straightaway as he didn’t want any more damage caused to the spirit and unity of Pakistan cricket,” the source narrated.
PCB Chief Raises Hopes of Indo-Pak Series
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has again raised hopes of an Indo-Pak bilateral series saying in the aftermath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit there could be “good news soon”, evoking sharp criticism here for continuing to pursue the issue.
Shaharyar, who has been pushing for a bilateral series with India in the last few months despite not getting positive response from his Indian counterpart, told the media he was hopeful that the Indian PM’s visit would create an environment to have the series and there could some good news soon.
“I don’t understand why he keeps on harping on the same old tune. It is clear the Indians don’t want to play us now and yet it seems we are desperate to play them. I appreciate the efforts made by Shaharyar to revive bilateral cricket ties with India but he has to understand you clap with two hands and the Indians are avoiding playing us now on one pretext or the other,” former PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said.
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