Sports

Hambantota, September 22: South Africa topped Group C after skipper A B de Villiers led them to a 32-run victory over Sri Lanka in a rain-curtailed match of the ICC World Twenty20 here today. South Africa rode on De Villiers' 13-ball 30 to post 78 for four after the match was reduced to a seven-over-a-side affair. In reply, the Sri Lankans were restricted to 46 for five as the Protea bowlers took

Colombo, September 22: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday defended beleaguered speedster Zaheer Khan, calling him the "Sachin Tendulkar of Indian bowling" but at the same time indicated a few changes in the team line-up for the last World T20 group match against England on Sunday. "It's easier to go after a bowler when is not doing well. For me, Zaheer is the Sachin Tendulkar of the

New Delhi, September 22: Official broadcasters of the ongoing ICC World Twenty20, ESPN STAR Sports, today said it has got permanent injunction from the Delhi High Court against unauthorised broadcast of the mega-event by cable operators, hotels and websites. "The Hon'ble Delhi High Court ordered in favor of ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd (ESS), in a suit for permanent injunction filed against cable

Defending champions England started their campaign in style as they thrashed Afghanistan by 116 runs in a group league match of the ICC World Twenty20, on Friday. Riding on Luke Wright's superb unbeaten 99, England set a daunting target of 197 for the Afghans who could only manage 80 in 17.2 overs after being precariously placed at 26 for eight at one stage, and in serious danger of recording the

Colombo, September 21: Minnows Afghanistan go into their World Twenty20 clash against reigning champions England on Friday night with their morale boosted by a pep talk from two former greats of the game. India's Sunil Gavaskar and Aravinda de Silva of Sri Lanka spoke to the squad on Thursday evening after an invitation from Afghanistan's Pakistani coach Kabir Khan, media reports said. "Cricket is

New Delhi, September 21: Ajay Jayaram and P V Sindhu advanced to the second round of the men’s and women’s singles competition respectively after notching up contrasting victories in the Japan Super Series in Tokyo on Wednesday. The world number 29 Jayaram thrashed Zi Liang Derek Wong of Singapore 21-14, 21-14 while Sindhu prevailed over Kaori Imabeppu 21-18, 17-21, 21-13 after a gruelling battle

If South Africa were hoping to ease their way into the tournament, they couldn't have wished for a better surface to open their campaign on than the pitch they encountered on Thursday night in Hambantota. The South Africa seamers might have started paying attention when Dale Steyn's first delivery zipped off the surface and carried well to the keeper, but when Morne Morkel bowled Vusi Sibanda with

Barcelona, September 20: Lionel Messi came to the rescue with a late double to earn Barcelona a 3-2 victory over Group G opponents Spartak Moscow on Wednesday as the Catalans stuttered in the opening match of their Champions League campaign. Barca are aiming for their third Champions League trophy in five years but could have had their first home defeat in the competition in nearly three years

Sydney, September 20: The chief of Australia's Melbourne Renegades team will fly to the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka next week in a bid to sign estranged England batsman Kevin Pietersen for the domestic Big Bash series, reports said on Thursday. Renegades boss Stuart Coventry said he hoped to arrange a meeting with Pietersen, who is working as a television commentator at the World Twenty20. "I'd

Veteran Australian opener Matthew Hayden has called time on his glittering playing career, opting not to play in Australia's domestic Twenty20 series this year, his Brisbane Heat team said Thursday. The Heat said that after lengthy discussions, Hayden, 40, had opted not to return for a final series after signing as their marquee player for last season's inaugural T20 Big Bash League. Hayden, who