Page 72 - Sports

Saina Nehwal knocked out of Malaysia Open, loses no. 1 ranking

New Delhi, April 05 (ANI): Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will lose her World No. 1 ranking after she lost to Olympic champion Li Xuerui in the semifinals at the $500,000 Malaysia Open Super Series Premier badminton tournament, in Kuala Lumpur. Nehwal squandered a one-game advantage as she lost 21-13, 17-21, 20-22 to World No.3 Li in a gruelling semifinal that lasted more than one hour. Nehwal, who won the India Open Super Series last week, once again failed to come good against Li, who has now beaten the Indian nine times in 11 meetings.

ICC President Mustapha Kamal resigns

New Delhi, Apr 1 (ANI): International Cricket Council (ICC) president Mustafa Kamal has announced his resignation from the post. According to reports, Kamal, who hails from Bangladesh, announced his resignation at a press conference in Dhaka, where he was openly critical about the way the ICC was functioning under the stewardship of N Srinivasan. A H M Mustafa Kamal maintained that the game's governing body had denied him the right to give the World Cup trophy at the post-match presentation ceremony of the World Cup final on Sunday, and therefore, he was resigning. The trophy was handed over by ICC chairman N Srinivasan, despite the ICC's amendment of its rules in January 2015 to mandate that ICC president is supposed to give trophies at global competitions. Kamal also warned of revealing information from within the governing body after he returns home.

Saina Nehwal clinches maiden India Open title

New Delhi/ Hyderabad, March 30 (ANI): Saina Nehwal clinched her maiden India Open Super Series title after notching up a dominating straight game victory against former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in New Delhi. Coming into the match with a 5-3 overall advantage over her rival, Saina was not tested asmuch as the Indian were prepared for Intanon's deceptive game. Saina encountered her rival with her better movements and powerful and accurate smashes to eventually wrest her second title of the season. Nehwal expressed happiness over win for which she was trying from last four years. Nehwal's proud father Harivir Singh Nehwal hoped that his daughter would perform with the same consistency in upcoming Malaysia and Singapore tournaments. Nehwal replaced Olympic champion Li Xuerui as the women's world number one badminton player on Saturday, ending China's stranglehold at the top of the rankings.

Michael Clarke bids adieu to one-day internationals 'fairy tale' style after bagging World Cup 2015

Melbourne, March 29 (ANI): After bagging the World Cup for fifth time, Australian Captain Michael Clarke on Sunday said that the victory was close to a fairy tale for him. Clarke gave credit to the discipline and hard work of the Australian players for the victory on his home land. As a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground cheered and celebrated the World Cup title, the 33-year-old batsman dedicated the historic triumph to the late Phillip Hughes, who was felled by a bouncer and died during a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney last year. Showing great confidence in his team, the captain said that they will continue to get better and such performance by the team members will remain consistent and thereby he bid adieu to the one-day international matches. Australia earlier today beat New Zealand by 7 wickets and bagged the World Cup title.

Australia beat New Zealand in final to win World Cup

Melbourne, March 29 (ANI): Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday to win the World Cup for the fifth time and send their retiring captain Michael Clarke out as a winner. Grant Elliott top scored for the Black Caps with 83 but New Zealand's hopes of winning the World Cup for the first time were dealt a savage blow when their captain Brendon McCullum was bowled for a duck in the first over of the day. Australian bowlers Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner captured three wickets each as the home side skittled New Zealand for 183 in 45 overs. Australia suffered an early setback, losing opener Aaron Finch with just two on the board. But David Warner's 45 from 46 balls got Australia back on track.

Congratulations pour for Saina Nehwal after being ranked as World No 1

Hyderabad/ New Delhi, March 28 (ANI): Badminton player Saina Nehwal has been ranked as World no 1 Badminton player. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nehwal through twitter. President Mukherjee's tweet read "Congrats Saina Nehwal on becoming World no1 in Badminton; well deserved honour; best wishes fr Indian Open Semi Final." PM Modi tweeted," The phenomenal accomplishments of at NSaina make us very proud. I congratulate her on being the World Number 1. Meanwhile, Nehwal's father and Sports Minister expressed their joy over her ranking.

Smith leading way after Australia's victory over India in World Cup semi-finals: Michael Clarke

Sydney, March 27 (ANI): Skipper Michael Clarke said that Steve Smith is leading the way after Australia beat reigning champions India in the semi-final of the cricket World Cup on Thursday. Smith scored 105 to fire Australia to 328 for seven on their way to dethroning India with a 95-run victory at Sydney Cricket Ground. Smith himself paid tribute to Aaron Finch with whom he shared a partnership of 182 to set up the victory. Unlike many of the dominant Australian World Cup sides of the past, Clarke's team have not reached the final unbeaten having already lost to New Zealand by one wicket in the pool stage.

MS Dhoni remains gracious on defeat at World Cup semi-finals, says better team won

Sydney, March 27 (ANI): Indian cricket team's inspiring captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained gracious in the team's defeat, admitting that the better team on the day had won. The pressure was just too much for India in the end. They put a spirited defence of their World Cup title but chasing more than 300 to beat Australia was a task even beyond them. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led his country to an unforgettable World Cup win four years ago, led his team from the front again. India got off to a good start in the reply at the Sydney Cricket Ground with the openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan putting on 76 in the first 13 overs but when Dhawan fell for 45, the wickets started to tumble. Dhoni quit his job as India's test captain during the series against Australia but said he had no plans of quitting the limited-overs team in the immediate future.

Cricket fans disappointed over India's defeat in semi-finals against Australia by 95 runs

New Delhi/ Hyderabad/ Ranchi/ Kanpur, March 26 (ANI): Prayers kept coming in all day long, but the aspirations of billion fans came crashing down on Thursday, after the Men in Blue ended their dream of defending the world cup trophy this year. Fans were seen disappointed as Australia defeated India by 95 runs. However, not withstanding India's performance throughout the world cup series, few irate fans in Kanpur went to the extent of breaking television sets and burning Dhoni's and other player's pictures after India lost to Australia in the semi finals. Defending champion India which had remained unbeaten so far faced Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid a packed stadium on Thursday. Despite an impressive performance by the Indian bowlers, Australia, which chose to bat first, set a mammoth target of 329 to chase. While Shikhar Dhawan got out at 45, Rohit Sharma went at 34. Virat Kohli also disappointed his fans by walking back with a single run. Skipper MS Dhoni also got run o

Sarbananda Sonowal hopeful of Team India winning World Cup

New Delhi, March 25 (ANI): Union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said that he was hopeful about Team India's victory in the cricket World Cup semi-finals being played against Australia in Sydney.Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, he also lauded Mahendra Singh Dhoni's brave leadership and said that team India will come back home with the world cup.

ICC chief Mustafa Kamal receives flak for 'controversial umpiring' claims

New Delhi, March 20 (ANI): Reactions flowed in on Friday over ICC President Mustafa Kamal's 'controversial umpiring' claims following Bangladesh's 109-run defeat against India. Talking to mediapersons, BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said that Kamal should have raised the issue on the ICC platform during the meetings. Meanwhile, former cricketer Kirti Azad said there are human errors and added that the umpires also commit errors. The ICC chief, who reportedly threatened to quit over the umpiring in his country's quarterfinal defeat to India in the World Cup, said that the umpires' decisions seemed to have been 'pre-arranged'.The ICC chief Kamal was reportedly angry that Indian opener Rohit Sharma, who top-scored with 137, had not been given not out on 90 when he was caught at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Rubel Hossain. India yesterday beat Bangladesh by 109 runs at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Rohit Sharma scoring a blistering 137 to prop the Men in Blue to a competitive

Cricket experts congratulate Team India on win against Bangladesh and on entering World Cup Semi finals

New Delhi/ Amroha/ Ghaziabad, March 20 (ANI): Cricket experts congratulated team India on their win against Bangladesh in the World Cup quarter finals and pinned hopes on the men in blue to retain the trophy. India, growing in confidence with every match, thrashed Bangladesh by 109 runs in the quarter-finals. Experts gave credit to team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his stellar leadership. India will now play either Australia or Pakistan in the semi-finals in Sydney next week and on current form, they will be hard to beat. Virat Kohli was struck out in the match as Bangladesh grabbed a second wicket in 10 balls. His coach believed Kohli would play better in the coming matches. Meanwhile, celebrations were on in full swing at cricketer Mohammad Shami's residence in Amroha.

India enter WC semifinals with 109-run win over Bangladesh in quarterfinal tie

Bengaluru /Ghaziabad/ New Delhi/ Mumbai, Mar 19 (ANI): Drums, dance and fireworks marked the celebrations for cricket enthusiasts across the nation as team India confirmed its berth in the semifinals of the World Cup. India beat Bangladesh by 109 runs at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Rohit Sharma scoring a blistering 137 to prop the Men in Blue to a competitive total of 302-6. In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 193 in 45 overs with Nasir Hossain top scoring with 35. India will play either Australia or Pakistan in the second semi-final in Sydney next week. The other semi will be played between South Africa and either New Zealand or West Indies. Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the Indian cricket team for its victory against Bangladesh.

World Cup: Congratulations pour in as India beats Ireland by 8 wickets

New Delhi, March 10 (ANI): Congratulations pour in on Tuesday after India defeated Ireland by eight wickets in a Pool B cricket World Cup match at Seddon Park, in Hamilton. In an astonishing record, India now have bowled out opposition for the fifth time in a row.

I failed to handle pressure, admits Saina for defeat

Hyderabad, March 10 (ANI): India's ace badminton player, Saina Nehwal said she couldn't handle pressure which led to her defeat in the All England Badminton Championship final. World No. 3 Nehwal lost to World No. 6 Carolina Marin 21-16, 14-21, 7-21 in the final. After making a fantastic start and wresting the first game, Nehwal faced a remarkable resurgence from the Spaniard, who won both the games. Nehwal, who has at least 16 international titles in her kitty, was satisfied with her run at the tournament and hoped for better results in the future.

Saina Nehwal loses All England Badminton Championship final

Lucknow, March 09 (ANI): Even as ace shuttler Saina Nehwal lost the All England Badminton Championship final to Carolina Marine, fans are hopeful of the 24-year-old making a comeback in the Olympics. World No. 3 Nehwal lost to World No. 6 Carolina Marin 21-16, 14-21, 7-21 the final. After making a fantastic start and wresting the first game, Saina faced a remarkable resurgence from the Spaniard, who won both the games. A former badminton player and the president of Badminton Association of India, Akhilesh Das, has high hopes from Saina, who has at least 16 international titles in her kitty. Nehwal failed to capture the coveted title for the third time as she had lost in the semifinals of the tournament in 2010 and 2013. Two Indians Pullella Gopichand (2001), also her long-time coach, and legendary Prakash Padukone (1980) had won the prestigious title in the past.

Oz post 'record' 417-run total in 275-run win over Afghanistan in CWC tie at Perth

New Delhi, March 05 (ANI): Australia recorded a whooping 275-run victory over Afghanistan in their Cricket World Cup tie at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground in Perth. Put in to bat first, Australia posted a mammoth total of 417-6 in their allotted 50 overs, breaking the record for the highest total in the World Cup that was posted by India (413) against Bermuda in 2007. David Warner was named the Player of the Match for his blitzkrieg with the bat. Australian skipper Michael Clarke was happy with the 'very good win', and claimed that their batsmen were outstanding with the bat. Australia has now won two out of their four group stage ties. They would next face Sri Lanka on Sunday for their fifth match of the tournament.

Virender Sehwag and Preity Zinta unveil Kings XI New Jersey

Mumbai, March 4 (ANI): Virender Sehwag along with Bollywood actor and co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, Preity Zinta launched its new jersey at an event held in Mumbai recently. On the occasion the Punjab franchise even announced continuation of association with Tata Motors Prima for the second season. Indian Premiere League season eight is schedule to commence on April 8.

Jagmohan Dalmiya set to return as BCCI president

Chennai/ New Delhi/ Kolkata, March 02 (ANI): Veteran administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya is set to be the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as he was the lone nominee for the elections scheduled for Monday. The Supreme Court had barred incumbent Narayanswami Srinivasan, who is also the president of International Cricket Council (ICC), from participating in BCCI affairs till charges of conflict of interest or commercial interest in cricket were clear against him. Dalmiya garnered the maximum support of the six East Zone units, whose turn it is to propose a new President, and his rival Sharad Pawar failed to get requisite backing. Dalmiya, 74, is the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), who also held the top post in the BCCI many times and also headed ICC once. Meanwhile, Indian lawmaker and former cricketer Kirti Azad took a dig at the present system in the cricket body and demanded more transparent laws.

Sangakkara blitz helps Lanka thrash England by nine wickets

New Delhi, March 01 (ANI): Sri Lanka ensured their place in the quarterfinals of the Cricket World Cup 2015 after they defeated England by nine wickets on Sunday at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara arrived on the pitch after Dilshan's dismissal and took Sri Lanka to victory over England. The former skipper was in splendid form as he knocked a blistering 117 off just 86 deliveries, which included 11 fours and two sixes. He was awarded the Player of the Match for his impressive unbeaten innings. This is Sri Lanka's third win out of four matches in the 2015 World Cup so far.