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Sri Lanka, Pakistan clash today ahead of world T20

Hambantota (Sri Lanka)—Sri Lanka and Pakistan will test each other’s strengths ahead of the World Twenty20 tournament later this year when they clash in a two-match series starting on Friday. The Twenty20 games in southern Hambantota on Friday and Sunday are a prelude to the fourth edition of the world event that will be played in Sri Lanka in September-October. “With the World T20 coming up in a few months, this series against Pakistan is very important for us,” Sri Lanka’s veteran captain Mahela Jayawardene said on Thursday. “We’re using these two games to find the right combination so we will mix and match. We need to make a statement in this series.”

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Pakistan lose to India in Azlan Shah Hockey Cup

Malaysia—Pakistan, who are already out of the tournament, squandered several chances as they fell to their fourth defeat in the tournament in which they were the losing finalists against Australia last year. India opened the scoring through a penalty corner scored by Sandeep Singh in the 30th minute but could not sustain their lead as Pakistan’s captain Sohail Abbas equalised through a penalty corner in the 60th minute. However, India fought back and Sunil scored the winner just before full time, making the score 2-1.

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Murray advances despite back spasm

Petra Kvitova reaches 3rd round at French Open

Paris—Grimacing in pain with almost every step, Andy Murray nearly had to call it quits Thursday because of a back spasm at the French Open. Instead, the fourth-seeded Brit rebounded from an awful first set to beat Jarkko Nieminen 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 and reach the third round. ‘’I was few points probably from stopping,’’ Murray said. ‘’I just didn’t really want to stop the match. Then at the end of the second set I started standing up at the change of ends, and my back started to loosen up a little bit.’’

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India unlikely to host Pak home series against Australia

Bipin Dani from Mumbai

India is almost ruled out to host the Pakistan Cricket Board’s “home” series against Australia, according Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman. Speaking exclusively from Delhi, he said, “at present, we are not considering India as our neutral venue for the forthcoming series against Australia”. According to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), the PCB is scheduled to host 4 ODI’s, 3 T20’s in August, September this year. Pakistan has been forced to play all its “home” series abroad mainly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since March, 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

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Pietersen retires from ODI, T20 cricket

London—Kevin Pietersen has retired from all international limited overs cricket with immediate effect. He will remain available for consideration as a specialist Test match player only. The news comes four months before England defend their World T20 title in Sri Lanka. “With the intensity of the international schedule and the increasing demands on my body, I think it is the right time to step aside and let the next generation of players come through to gain experience for the World Cup in 2015,” Pietersen said. “I am immensely proud of my achievements in the one-day game but still wish to be considered for selection for England in Test cricket.

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