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Monday, June 1, 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Election celebrations: 12 killed in firing, grenade attack

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – At least 12 people were killed in firing incidents and grenade attack on rallies taken out by supporters of various candidates to celebrate their victory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local bodies election on Sunday.According to details, firing and grenade attack on rally taken out to celebrate victory of an independent candidate in Kary Hayder area of Tank killed at least six people and injured 12 others. Police and rescue teams shifted the dead and injured to District Hospital Tank.In another incident, firing on supporters of newly-elected councilor Zabih Ullah in Gambit Barati area of Kohat killed at least three people while four other sustained injuries. Police conducted a search operation in the area after the incident and arrested two suspects.In Nowshera, some unidentified persons opened firing on councilor Shaukat, killing three passersby including two minor children.

Abbottabad: Three killed as van plunges into ravine

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ABBOTTABAD (Dunya News) – According to details, a police mobile carrying three arrested persons fell into a ravine in Ghaldok area near Muzaffarabad on Sunday, killing three arrested persons and injuring two police officials.Police had arrested three persons from Union Council Bagnotar and were taking them to police station. The dead and injured were shifted the District Headquarters Hospital.

Blast in Neelum Jhelum Hydro-Power Project tunnel kills three

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MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) – According to details, three labourers were killed and 16 other were injured in blast in a Neelum Jhelum Hydro-Power Project tunnel on early Monday morning. Police sources said that the blast was caused by the leakage of gas. Those who were injured also included three Chinese workers.

Tennis: Federer-Monfils match suspended

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PARIS (AFP) - The French Open fourth round tie between Roger Federer and Gael Monfils was suspended due to poor light late Sunday with the contest level at one set all.It will resume on Monday with the winner set to take on Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals.Federer had beaten Monfils three times previously at Roland Garros and each time he went on to reach the final.But he had lost their last two matches, both on clay, in the Davis Cup final last November and in Monte Carlo in April.Both men looked up anxiously at the dark clouds overheard as they came out for their 13th career matchup and it was Federer who looked the sharper as the tie got underway, Monfils clearly perturbed by the cold, windy conditions.The second seed, whose only title at Roland Garros came in 2009, took the first set on a single break of serve in 29 minutes.Monfils though started to settle in the second and he broke serve to take a 4-1 lead.Federer broke back with some superb shot-making but he was unable to draw level as Monfils staggered him with a series of haymakers.The match referee then called both men to the net and they all agreed that the light was too poor to continue.

Tennis: Ivanovic, Svitolina into last-eight, Sharapova rained off

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PARIS (AFP) - Ana Ivanovic made the French Open quarter-finals for the first time since her 2008 title run Sunday where shell face Elina Svitolina, the first Ukrainian to make the last eight.But defending champion Maria Sharapovas scheduled last-16 clash against Lucie Safarova was pushed back until Monday after rain caused a lengthy stoppage at a chilly Roland Garros.The Russian second seed now faces the prospect of playing matches on two successive days with the first two womens quarter-finals already programmed for Tuesday.Seventh-seeded Serb Ivanovic defeated Russian ninth seed Ekaterina Makarova, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open in January, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to book her eighth career Grand Slam quarter-final.Watched again by German World Cup winning football star Bastian Schweinsteiger, the 27-year-old Ivanovic shrugged off a two and a half hour rain stoppage to secure her third three-set win in four rounds in Paris.The 20-year-old Svitolina beat fellow former Roland Garros junior champion Alize Cornet on a windy, chilly Court Philippe Chatrier 6-2, 7-6 (11/9).Its amazing to be in the quarter-finals again. To be honest, coming into the tournament I didnt really expect that at all, said Ivanovic.But I really worked hard for each match. I worked hard even before the tournament to reach the quarter-final again.Svitolina, seeded 19, is only the second Ukrainian woman to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final after Kateryna Bondarenko made the last eight at the 2009 US Open.It was Svitolinas first win over Cornet in three meetings and the result ended French hopes in the womens singles for another year.She displayed nerves of steel to achieve victory, failing to serve out the tie in the 10th game of the second set and then allowing five match points to slip through her fingers.However, she secured victory on her sixth match point when Cornet went long with a backhand, her 42nd unforced error of the windswept tie.Svitolina will take a 6-0 losing record into her clash with Ivanovic, a run that includes a second round loss in Paris last year and again on clay in Madrid earlier this month.I hope I can serve better, of course, because I was serving not so good against her in Madrid, said Svitolina.With four mens last-16 ties still to be played on Court Philippe Chatrier and Court Suzanne Lenglen, it was decided that Sharapova and Safarova will play their fourth round on Monday instead.Sundays other fourth round clash between 33-year-old Italian Flavia Pennetta, who has never played in the French Open quarter-finals, and Garbine Muguruza, the Spanish 21st seed, was also shelved.Muguruza, the 2010 junior champion, had a breakthrough Roland Garros in 2014 when she defeated Serena Williams on her way to the last-eight.The scheduled 4R matches between Sharapova-Safarova & Muguruza-Pennetta have been cancelled for today, tweeted the organisers.

Tennis: Tsonga shines on gloomy day at French Open

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PARIS (AFP) - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat fourth seed Tomas Berdych at a weather-hit Roland Garros on Sunday, winning their fourth round tie 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 on a day of mixed fortunes for French hopes.The 14th seeds emphatic win was followed by a loss for Gilles Simon, who went down 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to eighth seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka.Then Gael Monfils saw his contest with Roger Federer suspended due to poor light with the score level at one set all. It will resume Monday afternoon with the winner going up against Wawrinka.In the other match completed, Japans fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori comfortably saw off the challenge of Russias Teymuraz Gabashvili and he will be the next opponent for Tsonga.Berdych looked out of sorts from the start against Tsonga in the cold, damp conditions that marked the tournaments second Sunday, allowing the French favourite to dominate rally after rally with his powerful serve and shot-making.The Czech player rallied briefly in the third set as Tsongas level dropped, but after a brief scare at the start of the fourth set, Tsonga won five games in a row to move through.The 14th seeded Frenchman will take on Nishikori with the prospect of reaching what would be just his second appearance in a French Open semi-final.It was not easy because I played really well during three sets. And when it was time to finish I played a little bit differently and because hes a good player, he came back in the match, Tsonga said.Then I started to miss a little bit more. But I had a good reaction in the fourth, and finally I won it. So its good for me. Im happy to beat a guy like this -- one of the best at the moment.Tsonga was one of five French players into the last 16, equalling the best home showing at Roland Garros in the Open-era since 1968. But on the two previous occasions that happened, only one man reached the quarter-finals.His win briefly raised French hopes, but they were soon let down when current French number one Simon was thrashed by Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open winner who is perfectly at home on clay, having grown up playing on the surface in Lausanne.It was perfect and I am happy to have won the match. I had been expecting a tough match against Gilles, but I played very well, aggressive, as the conditions were slow, Wawrinka said.The Monfils-Federer match always looked likely to be unfinished at the end of the day as darkness started to fall to add to the gloomy conditions as they took to the court.Second seed and 2009 champion Federer dominated the opening set, with Monfils looking exasperated at times with the wind and the cold.But as ever, the French showman dug deep and found some fresh reserves to level the set scores before the match referee called both men to the net and they all agreed to sleep on it.The two other Frenchmen into the last 16 -- Richard Gasquet and Jeremy Chardy -- were down to play their ties on Monday with Gasquet against top see Novak Djokovic and Chardy facing third seed Andy Murray.No Frenchman has won at Roland Garros since Yannick Noah in 1983 and prior to that it was Marcel Bernard in 1946.Nishikoris win made him the first Japanese man in 82 years to reach the French Open quarter-finals.Jiro Satoh was the last Japanese man to enjoy such a run in Paris when he went on to the semi-finals in 1931 and 1933.Nishikori hadnt played since Wednesday after scheduled third round opponent Benjamin Becker withdrew with an injury.Asked about his thoughts about taking on Tsonga in the last eight, Asias top player, who reached the final of the US Open last September, said he expected it to be a fun match.We havent played for a long time, maybe couple of years, he said.But, you know, he was injured and he came back now and hes coming back very strong. You know, he has a big serve, big forehand. Hes always a dangerous player.

Golf: Wedding bells turn to victory bell for Bowditch

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IRVING (AFP) - Steven Bowditch cruised to a four-shot win at the Byron Nelson Championship Sunday by closing with a 64 at Las Colinas, the same resort where he celebrated his wedding in 2011.The 31-year-old Aussie distanced himself from the rest of the field by posting four birdies on the back nine in the final round to go wire-to-wire and finish at 18-under 259 overall.This was his second win on the USPGA Tour, and his second victory in the state of Texas after claiming the Texas Open in San Antonio in 2014.We took some wedding pictures here at TPC so it is a special place and I get to take some more pictures here, said Bowditch, who was married at the Dallas area golf resort in 2011.Americans Charley Hoffman (65), Jimmy Walker (66) and Scott Pinckney (66) shared second place at 14-under. Both Hoffman and Walker tried to catch Bowditch but Walker posted two bogeys early on the back nine and Hoffman simply ran out of steam.Bowditch started the day with a two-stroke lead. He birdied the first hole and parred the last to seal the win.It was great to be patient out there and wait for my time. I had to go shot-for-shot, he said.Bowditchs struggles over the years with severe depression has been well documented. The Newcastle native is an avid spokesman for beyondblue, an Australian non-profit group that promotes awareness of mental illness and depression.But two of his happiest moments have taken place on the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas grounds where he posed for wedding pictures with his wife, Amanda, in September 2011.Its such a special place to me and I just wanted to stay patient out there, Bowditch said.Zach Johnson fired a six-under 63 to seize fifth place at 13-under-par 264. Brandt Snedeker (64) and Jon Curran (68) tied for sixth at 12-under.Dustin Johnson grabbed a share of the lead with a pair of early birdies, but he stumbled to a quadruple-bogey at the sixth which dropped him four back.Johnson closed with an even-par 69 to end in a share of eighth at 11-under-par 266. He was joined there by 2012 champion Jason Dufner (66).

Motorcycling: Jorge Lorenzo wins Italian MotoGP

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MUGELLO (AFP) - Spains Jorge Lorenzo won his third successive MotoGP on Sunday as he coasted home to take the Italian race on a Yamaha at Mugello.The 28-year-old two-time world champion -- who was winning three in a row for the fourth time in his career -- beat home pole sitter Andrea Iannone of Italy on a Ducati with Italian legend Valentino Rossi third on another Yamaha claiming his 10th successive podium finish.Rossi leads the world championship standings, but by only six points from Lorenzo.Two-time defending world champion Marc Marquez failed to finish, crashing out on his Honda with six laps remaining.Lorenzo, world champion in 2010 and 2012, said that it was hard to judge if he was in the best form of his life.Ive been in this sort of form in the past, said Lorenzo puffing out his cheeks.But the bike is in great shape.I took control of the race with a brave overtaking of Dovizioso and even though I lacked some pace I had enough to win.Ive won three races in a row before but now I want to make it four (Catalunya in a fortnight), added Lorenzo, who was winning his fourth Italian MotoGP in the last five editions.Iannone -- who adopted the nickname maniac Joe -- was delighted to have secured second spot especially as he is recovering still from a dislocated shoulder, although the first win in this category still eludes him.My head is strong, that is why I can ride like I do, said Iannone.Victory was too difficult because Jorge was so strong but I never give up and I pushed a lot.For Rossi, who is seeking his 10th world title in all categories, it was a better than expected result as he had started from eighth place on the grid.Im happy because I made the podium which is a good result, said the 36-year-old, who won two of the first three races this season.During the race I suffered and it has been a difficult weekend but ultimately I am satisfied with retaining the lead in the title race. The race got off to a blistering start as Iannone looked to have got a jump start but he was overtaken by team-mate Dovizioso and then Lorenzo, who then assumed the lead on the first lap while Marquez scorched through the field from 13th to be fourth.Rossi, though, had an awful start dropping to 11th though he repaired the damage slightly by finishing the first lap in ninth.Marquez moved into third on the opening half of the second lap of the 23 lap race passing Iannone with nonchalant ease and then ate up Dovizioso to go second.The Italian fought back to regain second spot with 17 laps remaining while Marquez team-mate Dani Pedrosa started to creep up on the leading quartet.It developed into a thrilling battle between the Ducatis and the Yamahas with Marquez being demoted to fourth by Iannone to rapturous cheers from the 80,000 spectators packing the stands before the Spaniard struck back and regained second.As they exchanged positions regularly it was Rossi who edged closer to joining their party and going out into the country with 11 laps to go The Doctor was on the shoulder of Dovizioso whom he took care of soon afterwards to stupendous roars from his devoted following.Doviziosos race seemed to be run and two laps later he steered his bike into the pits with mechanical trouble.Disaster was to strike for Marquez with six laps remaining as he went low on the ground to try and overtake Iannone only to come to grief and slide into the sand -- the Spaniard walking away shaking his head in frustration while cheers rang out from the stands.The decibel level went even higher if that was imaginable later on the lap as Rossi got the better of Pedrosa to move into third.

Cycling: Contador wins Giro to keep double dream alive

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MILAN (AFP) - Spains Alberto Contador kept his hopes of a rare cycling double alive by securing his seventh Grand Tour title with overall victory in the Giro dItalia on Sunday.Former track rider Iljo Keisse, a Belgian who rides for Etixx-QuickStep, won the final stage from Torino to Milan after outsprinting fellow breakaway rider Luke Durbridge of Australia.Its the biggest win of my career Its amazing, said a visibly shaken Keisse after finishing a tough 98th edition in the best way possible.But all eyes were on Tinkoff team leader Contador as he maintained his bid to achieve the rare feat of emulating deceased Italian Marco Pantani, the last cyclist to win the Giro and Tour de France in the same year, in 1998.After three dramatic weeks of racing which saw the retirement of Australian contender Richie Porte (Team Sky), Contador deflected challenges late in the race from Astana pair Fabio Aru and Mikel Landra to finish with a comfortable winning margin.I knew it would be a very demanding Giro, but I didnt think it would be so complicated, said Contador, who took the race leaders jersey on stage five before suffering a crash and a dislocated shoulder.After holding up three fingers on the podium on Saturday, Contador admitted he considers still to be the 2011 champion - a title he was stripped of, along with his 2010 Tour de France crown, after testing positive for clenbuterol.People watching on TV, the riders, the fans... everyone knows its my third victory, said Contador.The Spaniard may have failed to win a stage throughout, but the former two-time Tour de France winner and three-time Tour of Spain champion finished comfortably ahead of Aru to clinched his second pink jersey after his maiden Giro win in 2008.Astana team leader Aru, the winner of two key mountain stages, was second overall at 1min 53sec while teammate Landa, also a two-time stage winner, was third at 3:05Astanas stage successes and podium places will help soothe the pain of the intense doping scrutiny, following a string of positive results last year, that threatened their existance at the top echelons of the sport.But despite a strong performance in the second half of the race, Astana ultimately failed to deflect Contador from his goal of emulating Pantani, the man he called earlier in the race his childhood inspiration.Nevertheless, Contador can count himself lucky to finish the race at all given mid-race drama which almost derailed his dream of a rare double.Contador first took the race lead on stage fives summit finish to Abetone, where Jan Polanc took the win, but dislocated his shoulder the next day after crashing on the home straight.Remarkably, Contador finished the stage but dislocated his shoulder again before the podium presentation, forcing the Spaniard into a painful defence of his lead over the following days before giving it up to Aru in the wake of another spill.On what appeared an easy day of racing, Contador was involved in a crash outside the 3km safety zone at each race finish on stage 13, finishing sufficiently in arrears to give the lead to Aru.Contador took the pink jersey back in defiant fashion the following day with a solid, third-place finish in the stage 14 time-trial to leave Aru trailing by several minutes.It would prove a key performance ahead of ensuing mountain stages in which Contador, at times, was left isolated and under threat from Astana pair Aru and Landa as they set out to destabilise the Spaniard.Despite a few shaky moments, Contador affirmed his superiority with a stunning performance on the climb to the Passol del Mortirolo on stage 16 when Aru lost another two minutes and Landa, momentarily, became Contadors biggest danger.Arus wins on stages 19 and 20 made slight amends for his lack of bite at key moments, notably the time-trial, but the Italians efforts were too little too late.

Tennis: Nishikori ends Japan's 82-year French Open wait

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PARIS (AFP) - Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese man in 82 years to reach the French Open quarter-finals on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Russias Teymuraz Gabashvili.Fifth seed Nishikori goes on to face either Czech fourth seed Tomas Berdych or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 14th seeded Czech, for a place in the semi-finals.Jiro Satoh was the last Japanese man to enjoy such a run in Paris when he went on to the semi-finals in 1931 and 1933.Nishikori hadnt played since Wednesday after scheduled third round opponent Benjamin Becker withdrew with an injury.The 25-year-old looked the fresher of the two out on a damp, chilly Court Suzanne Lenglen dominating the first set and racing to a 5-1 lead in the second before 74th-ranked Gabashvili briefly rallied with a face-saving break in the eighth game.The third set followed a similar path of domination with Nishikori again stretching to a 5-1 lead.Gabashvili saved two match points but the Japanese, who had beaten the Russian in Barcelona in April on his way to a successful defence of his claycourt title, won through.Nishikori finished with 40 winners, more than three times his opponents and took his clay record this year to 13-2.

Watling century leaves England with record chase for victory

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LEEDS (AFP) - BJ Watling became the first New Zealand batsman to score a Test century at Headingley as the tourists eyed a series-levelling victory over England on Sunday.Watlings 100 not out took New Zealand to 338 for six in their second innings at stumps on the third day, with their lead also 338 after both sides made first innings totals of exactly 350.It meant England would have to rewrite the record books were they to win this match and take the series 2-0 after their 124-run victory in the first Test at Lords.The most any England side have made to win in the fourth innings of a Test is the 332 for seven they posted against Australia at Melbourne back in 1928/29.And only two sides have scored more than 300 to win in the fourth innings of a Test at Headingley.Australia, thanks to brilliant centuries by Arthur Morris (182) and Don Bradman (173 not out) made 404 for three for a celebrated seven-wicket victory over England at Yorkshires headquarters in 1948.And England themselves scored 315 for four, with Mark Butcher making an unbeaten 173, to beat Australia by six wickets in 2001.Stuart Broad proved a thorn in the side of New Zealand with both bat and ball early on the third day.Broad ensured first innings parity and then reduced New Zealand to 23 for two in their second innings.But in what is now typical New Zealand style, Martin Guptill (70) and Ross Taylor (48) added 99 in 87 balls for the third wicket.That was the first of several fine stands in the innings, with Watling adding 121 with New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (55) and 53 with Luke Ronchi (31).South Africa-born Watling, playing as a batsman only in this match after he injured his knee keeping wicket at Lords, went to his hundred in just under three hours off 136 balls, including 13 fours and a six, when he hooked James Anderson down to long leg for a single.It was the 29-year-old Watlings fifth hundred in just 31 Tests and his first against England. Guptill paid tribute to Watling by telling Sky Sports: He is a gritty little character, he can bat anywhere in the order.When Watling gets going he can really get big scores.Looking ahead, Guptill said New Zealand were already well-placed with two days left in the match.There is still a bit of up and down movement. It can only be a good sign for us as we have to bowl last.Broads 46 helped England make 350.He then took two wickets for four runs in 12 balls, with Tom Latham and Kane Williamson both caught behind.England bowling coach Ottis Gibson said New Zealand had hit the home sides attack of their length. The New Zealand batsmen have been attacking...They havent allowed us to control our lengths, Gibson explained.You cant have six slips if you arent bowling enough balls in the right area, the former West Indies paceman added. Guptill and Ross Taylor (48) got New Zealand going again after Broads early double strike. But the pendulum swung back in Englands favour when Taylor chipped Durham quick Mark Wood to Ben Stokes at extra-cover.Wood was again rewarded for pitching the ball up when Guptills intended drive flew quickly to Joe Root, who held a sharp catch at third slip.But runs continued to come quickly as both Watling and McCullum made 79-ball fifties.England needed to hold every chance but wicket-keeper Jos Buttler dropped a tough, rising catch when Watling gloved Ali on 50.Next ball, Watling slog-swept Ali for six.McCullum became only the second New Zealand player, after retired former captain Stephen Fleming, to score 6,000 Test runs when a drive off Root beat the diving Wood at mid-off and went for four.He was eventually lbw to Wood.England resumed on Sunday on 253 for five only to see their middle order collapse as Tim Southee took three wickets for six runs in 17 balls.But Broad led a revival that saw Englands final two wickets add 83 runs before he was last man out.

Zimbabwe happy to contribute to Pakistan revival

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LAHORE (AFP) - A top Zimbabwe cricket official Sunday expressed delight in contributing to the revival of international cricket in Pakistan after a six-year hiatus, hoping it will open more doors for their hosts.Zimbabwe became the first Test team to tour Pakistan since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009, suspending all international cricket in the country. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) managing director Alistair Campbell said his country decided to play two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals after their intelligence work. I am glad that we have been able to make a small part in trying to get Pakistan cricket back on track, Campbell told media on the sidelines of third and final one-day international in Lahore.We did our due intelligence work, there were guys who said that how can you go? and that you are putting lives of the players at risk but we assessed the security and we were sure it will be a successful and safe tour. Pakistan deployed 6,000 policemen, beefed up to 10,000 after Tuesdays explosion of a gas cylinder, with thorough check-ups of the fans at various points. Campbell, 42, said perceptions about Pakistan will change after the successful series.I am sure this tour will open more doors and change the perceptions about Pakistan, said Campbell who played 60 Tests and 188 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe besides leading them.Campbell admitted it was a tough decision to travel to Pakistan after a deadly bus attack which left 45 people killed a week before the teams arrival. It was a tough and topsy turvy thing. Pakistan invited us in good faith and they have done and taken all the necessary security precautions, beefed up the security better than they provided before. We were told that this is better than given to a state head and I think when there was a bus shooting in Karachi then it put a spanner in the work because it wasnt an ideal situation to tour, said Campbell.After the Karachi killings, ZC initially suspended the tour before rescinding their decision.At that time we were in discussions on whether to tour or not but obviously credit to the ZC president Wilson Manase and Shaharyar Khan of Pakistan Cricket Board who took the matter to the highest level and made sure that we tour and security given is perfect.The players were also in an ebb and flow, whether to go or not but in the end we made a commitment and were happy with the security plan and that we will be well looked after.Campbell said the excitement of fans in Pakistan was exemplary as they packed the 27,000 capacity Gaddafi Stadium in the two Twenty20 and one-day matches.Its heart warming and more than anybody expected, to be honest. People embraced the Zimbabwean players and the hospitality is outstanding and its the first time that in the sub-continent that people were chanting for the opposition.The players have felt welcome and the hospitality is outstanding. From the moment the Zimbabweans touched down to when they leave tonight there were utmost precaution taken without compromising too much on their freedom.Campbell said the series will strengthen relations between Pakistan and Zimbabwe.This series will strengthen our bilateral relations with Pakistan and they are due to tour us in August this year and this tour will go a long way in our relationship.

Rain denies Pakistan chance of Zimbabwe whitewash

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LAHORE (AFP) - The third and final day-night international between Pakistan and Zimbabwe ended as a no result in Lahore on Sunday after play was ended by a sandstorm followed by rain.Zimbabwe, chasing a target of 297 to win, were 60-0 before a power failure in a floodlight tower and a heavy sandstorm forced the players to walk off the field at Gaddafi Stadium.The teams came back for one over during which Zimbabwe, chasing a revised target of 281 in 46 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis formula, added eight more runs without losing a wicket.A heavy downpour then forced the players off once more before the umpires called off the match as rain continued to fall. Pakistan took the three-match series 2-0 having won the first game by 41 runs and the second by six wickets -- both in Lahore.Mohammad Hafeez scored a run-a-ball 80 with eight fours and a six while Babar Azam notched a 60-ball 54 to lift the home team to 296-9 after Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat on another flat Gaddafi Stadium pitch.Zimbabwe had got off to a sound start with Vusi Sibanda not out on 28 and fellow opener Chamu Chibhabha on an unbeaten 39.Security was enhanced around the stadium and team hotel after a blast on Friday night which police said was a cylinder explosion but federal information minister Pervez Rasheed described as a failed suicide attack which killed two people.Despite that, Zimbabwe, the first Test-playing nation to come to Pakistan since a terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore six years ago, decided to continue with the tour.Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali regretted rain spoiled the whitewash chance.You cant control rain but it would have ben nice had we won this match, said Ali. We were some 20-30 runs short but still it was a decent total and we could have won.Zimbabwes stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza believed his team was in a good position when rain came.We were in a good position to win, said Masakadza. Our bowlers did well to restrict them and we got a very good start but it was unfortunate that we didnt have a complete game.Earlier, Hafeez gave Pakistan a sound start with a partnership of 115 with Ali, who made 46, before Babar and Anwer (38 not out) gave the score a significant boost in the final overs with some sublime batting.Ali was run out in the 20th over as he failed to complete a single. He hit four boundaries and a six during his 59-ball knock.Raza then came into his own, trapping Hafeez with a sharp delivery before dismissing Asad Shafiq (16) and Sarfraz Ahmed (25) to improve on his 2-25 against Afghanistan at Bulawayo last year.In between Shoaib Malik, who scored a hundred in the first match, was run out while taking a second run for three.Babar kept his cool, reaching his maiden fifty off 54 balls with four boundaries before being bowled but he and Anwar helped Pakistan add 54 in the last five overs.SCORECARDPakistanMohammad Hafeez lbw b Raza 80Azhar Ali run out 46Asad Shafiq c Williams b Raza 16 Babar Azam b Mpofu 54Shoaib Malik run out 3 Sarfraz Ahmed c Williams b Raza 25Hammad Azam b Cremer 4Anwer Ali not out 38Wahab Riaz c Mutumbami b Mpofu 13Yasir Shah run out 0Junaid Khan not out 5Extras: (lb4, nb 1, w7) 12Total: (for nine wkts; 50 overs) 296Fall of wickets: 1-115 (Ali), 2-134 (Hafeez), 3-151 (Shafiq), 4-158 (Malik), 5-196 (Ahmed), 6-211 (Azam), 7-256 (Babar), 8-284 (Riaz), 9-288 (Shah)Bowling: Mpofu 6-0-50-2 (1w), Panyangara 8-0-47-0 (1nb), Chibhabha 4-0-23-0 (1w), Cremer 10-0-56-1, Masakadza 2-0-15-0, Williams 10-0-42-0 (1w), Raza 10-0-59-3 (4w)ZimbabweC. Chibhabha not out 39V. Sibanda not out 28Extras: (lb1) 1Total: (for no wkt; 9 overs) 68Bowling: Junaid 3-0-23-0, Anwer 2-0-21-0, Riaz 2-0-13-0, Hafeez 2-0-10-0 Result: No result after rain stopped play.Toss: PakistanUmpires: Ahsan Raza (PAK) and Russell Tiffin (ZIM).Tv umpire: Ahmed Shahab (PAK).Match referee: Azhar Khan (PAK).

Gayle century not enough for Somerset

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LONDON (AFP) - Chris Gayle ended up on the losing side despite marking his home debut for county side Somerset with a remarkable hundred in their Twenty20 Blast match against Kent on Sunday.The 35-year-old West Indies left-hander, renowned as one of the most dynamic batsmen in world cricket today, struck 10 fours and 15 sixes as he made a stunning 151 not out off just 62 balls at Tauntons County Ground.Yet Kent still came away with a three-run win after they defended a total of 227 for seven that featured Sam Northeasts 114.Gayle could only watch as Somerset slumped to 22 for two before the powerful Jamaican smashed three sixes in eight balls.The big hits kept coming, three balls disappearing out of the ground landing in the nearby River Tone.But Australian seamer Mitchell Claydon starred with the ball, the seamer doing well at both ends of the innings on his way to two for 23 in his maximum four overs.Somerset coach Matthew Maynard, an aggressive batsman in his playing days, said: I thought Sam Northeast played a sensational innings, but then the world boss came in and its different gravy.Words cant explain exactly what we have seen today. He makes it looks so easy and strikes the ball so cleanly. His knock almost brought off an incredible win today, but it just wasnt to be, former England international Maynard added.Gayle kept Somerset in sight of victory until the penultimate ball and disbelieving Kent skipper Northeast said: I dont know where to start. It was an incredible game and Chriss innings was one of the best things I have ever seen. But special credit has to go to our bowlers, who stuck to their plan and kept believing.We were trying to get the other batters on strike, but you miss your length against him and it goes out of the park.He added: When the opposition needs 15 an over, you kind of think its game over. But when Chris is out there and it went up to 20 needed off each over, you still know that he can do it. He is an incredible player.

Pak Vs Zim: Actress Meera entered Gaddafi Stadium without ticket

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Prominent Lollywood celebrity Meera arrived at Gaddafi Stadium to watch the final One Day International (ODI) match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe without ticket but was admitted on a special pass, Dunya News reported.Meera said she has arrived to support the revival of international cricket in Pakistan and that she has come to support Zimbabwe while her brother accompanying her supported Pakistan.Meera was wearing Zimbabwean flag themed bangles and makeup.“I’m very happy over revival of international cricket in Pakistan”, she said while talking exclusively to Dunya News.According to details, Meera reached the stadium and realized she had forgotten the ticket at home. Expecting to be greeted with glitters, she met with disappointment as security guards stopped them.After a heated argument with security staff, Meera was about to go back when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials came to know about her arrival and they issued a special pass.

Posted by IMRAN ALI SOOMRO (DARVESH) at 6/01/2015 07:53:00 AM

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