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If Rio medal happens it will be dream come true: Sania Mirza

November 3, 2015

Mumbai, Nov 3: Winning a medal in next year's Rio Olympics would be a dream come true, but if it did not happen it won't be the end of the world, said India's woman tennis star Sania Mirza today.

sania copy"It's just a hope, right. If we (she and Leander Paes) win (a medal in mixed doubles), it will be a dream come true. If we don't, life goes on. It's not the end of the world," said the joint world no.1 in women's doubles at a promotional event here.

The Hyderabad-based star was responding to a question about former Davis Cup star Ramesh Krishnan's recent statement that mixed doubles provided veteran Paes, winner of a singles bronze medal in the 1996 Games at Atlanta, his best chance to win his second Olympic medal (with Sania as partner) in Rio.

Krishnan felt India have a good chance to win a medal at Rio in mixed doubles but it would be a great challenge for an ageing Paes to win his second medal at the Olympics.

"He's (Paes) talking about one more Olympics but with each passing day it is getting difficult. I am sure he is hoping and we are also hoping for one last push. The only thing is you can prepare yourself well. You never know what will happen. Mixed doubles is the best option," he said.

Sania, who returned last night from Singapore after winning the women's doubles title with her Swiss partner and joint world no. 1 Martina Hingis in the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, and India football captain Sunil Chhetri were launched as brand ambassadors by pain reliever brand, 'Volini'.

Sania was also very pleased about tennis legend Martina Navrotilova's description in a tweet about her performance in Singapore after presenting the winner's trophy to top seeds Sania and Martina Hingis.

"It's a great honour and I am humbled. She told me I am seeing the ball like a football," said India's best-ever female tennis player about the all-time great's comments after she and the other star Martina won their ninth title of the season with their 22nd consecutive match win.

"@WTA @mhingis @MirzaSania what a dominating performance from the world #1 team but particularly Sania-just awesome!" Navratilova had tweeted.

The Indo-Swiss pair beat the Spanish pair of Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro in straight sets in the summit clash to clinch the WTA Finals women's doubles crown on Sunday last in Singapore.

Before the WTA crown, Sania and Martina had won eight titles - Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Wimbledon, US Open, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Beijing - and finished runner-up just once (Rome).

Meanwhile, Chhetri expressed optimism that India would do better than what they have done so far in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Guam in Bengaluru on November 12.

"We will try our best against Guam at Bengaluru," said the diminutive striker.

India had lost 1-2 to the tiny country in the Western Pacific, in the away first leg clash.

A winless India are already out of reckoning for a final round berth as they have lost all the five matches they have played so far in Group D.

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Agencies
August 9,2020

Manchester, Aug 9: Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler played knocks of 84 and 75 respectively as England gained an improbable three-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Test of the three-match series here at the Emirates Old Trafford.

England chased down a total of 277 on the fourth day of the first Test.

Chasing 277, England openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley put on 22 runs for the first wicket, but Mohammad Abbas finally provided the breakthrough to Pakistan as he had Burns (10) adjudged leg-before wicket in the 12th over.

Skipper Joe Root came to the crease next, and he along with Sibley ensured that the side does not lose any more wickets before the lunch break, and England went into the lunch break at 55/1.

Sibley and Root eventually put up a 64-run stand, but their partnership was finally brought to an end by Yasir Shah as he dismissed Sibley (36) in the 36th over. Soon after, skipper Root (42) was also sent back to the pavilion by Naseem Shah, reducing England to 96/3 in the 39th over.

All eyes were on all-rounder Ben Stokes (9), but Pakistan's Yasir Shah sent him back to the pavilion in the 42nd over, and England was left in a spot of bother. Shaheen Shah Afridi, then also got among the wicket-taking charts as he scalped the wicket of Ollie Pope (7), reducing England to 117/5 in the 45th over.

Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler then got together at the crease, and the duo played in an aggressive manner to retrieve the innings for England. The hosts went into the tea break at 167/5, still, 110 runs away from the target with five wickets in hand.

Buttler and Woakes continued their march to frustrate the Pakistan bowling attack and the duo brought the target within the grasp of England. Both batsmen put up a stand of 139 runs, however, with just 21 runs away from the target, England lost the key wicket of Buttler (75) as Yasir Shah had him trapped in front of the wicket.

With England just needing four more runs for the win, Yasir Shah dismissed Stuart Broad (4), but in the end, Woakes and Dom Bess ensured England's win by three wickets.

For Pakistan, Yasir Shah was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped four wickets.

Earlier, resuming day four at 137/8, Yasir Shah (33) along with Mohammad Abbas (3*) and Naseem Shah (4) added 32 more runs to the overnight score to give England a target of 277 to win the first Test.

Stuart Broad was the pick of England bowlers as he scalped three wickets.

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News Network
May 11,2020

Karachi, May 11: Pakistan might play more Test matches during their tour of England if it goes ahead as scheduled in July after the West Indies pulled out of an assignment there in June owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and the England and Wales Cricket Board officials are due to have a video conference on May 18 to discuss how they should proceed with the tour given the situation because of the pandemic.

"At present we have to play three Tests and three T20 internationals but the number of Tests could be increased and the tour could start a bit early in July," a PCB source said.

The source said that the ECB could offer to organise a four or five Test series against Pakistan if the West Indies tour didn’t go ahead.

Issues that are likely to be discussed in the May 18 meet are a quarantine period for Pakistani players when they arrive in England in July and limiting the venues for the matches and playing before empty stadiums.

PCB CEO Wasim Khan confirmed the video conference but said so far, the ECB has not spoken to them on increasing the number of matches on the tour which is scheduled between July and September.

"Things will be clear after the meeting but whatever decision we take we will consult our captains and head coaches before giving any confirmation," Khan said.

The PCB has so far kept mum on the chances of the series taking place in England because of the COVID-19 situation.

But with the British government due to announce measures to ease the lockdown in the country, it appears Pakistan could be touring on schedule.

Some former players have, however, asked the PCB to tread on the side of caution.

"If the West Indies have decided to postpone their series in June because of safety reasons and because of the situation then the PCB should also be very careful before taking up any offer from the ECB," a former captain said.

The West Indies Cricket Board said its players have to be convinced of their safety for it to commit to the assignment, which "is not possible in June."

"...we will continue our discussions with the ECB and other Internationals Boards on trying to find new dates," it said in a recent press release.

"We will only travel to England to play the series if our players can be assured that it is safe to do so," it added.

Pakistan is also scheduled to play an ODI series against Ireland while in UK but that series could be rescheduled and also be held in England.

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Agencies
June 9,2020

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed interim changes to its playing regulations, which include the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball and allowing home umpires in international series as per a release issued by the international body.

The ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) ratified recommendations from the Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee, aimed at mitigating the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus and protect the safety of players and match officials when cricket resumes.

COVID-19 Replacements

Teams will be allowed to replace players displaying symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match. In line with concussion replacements, the Match Referee will approve the nearest like-for-like replacement.

However, the regulation for COVID-19 replacements will not be applicable in ODIs and T20Is.

Ban on Saliva on Ball

Players will not be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball. If a player does apply saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency during an initial period of adjustment for the players, but subsequent instances will result in the team receiving a warning.

Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences.

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