Cheteshwar Pujara’s debut for English county Sussex has been delayed by visa problems. Sussex had hoped to have Pujara available for their opening County Championship match at home to Nottinghamshire starting on Thursday. But delays in issuing the 34-year-old with a visa mean he won’t be available to the south coast club until next week at the earliest. “Securing overseas players has been tremendously difficult in the current climate," said Sussex performance director Keith Greenfield in a statement. We renegotiated the initial Pujara contract so he could return for more County Championship and Royal London 50-over matches, and this subsequently changed the visa requirements,” he said.
Rahul Mankad, son of legendary Vinoo, dies
Rahul Mankad, a former Mumbai cricketer and son of legendary cricketer Vinoo Mankad, passed away in London after a brief illness at the age of 66. Rahul played 47 first class matches for Mumbai between 1972 and 1985. He was a part of the team’s Ranji Trophy triumphs multiple times. He also played 10 List A matches, in which he scored 66 runs. He’s survived by his wife and two daughters. Having taken severe exception to the term ‘Mankaded’ every time a bowler ran out a non striker who was backing up unfairly, as he felt it insulted his father, Mankad finally won a long battle earlier this month when the Marylebone Cricket Club finally decided that it should no longer be treated as an unfair means of dismissal, and be considered as a run out. Sadly, he was in no condition to celebrate it after having suffered multiple heart attacks while on a visit to London from Dubai, where he was based out of.
Two para athletes from Gujarat win medals
Two athletes from Gujarat, Bhavina Patel and Sonal Patel, won medals at the para global meet in Egypt. Para table tennis player Bhavina clinched the ITTF Fa40 Egypt Para Open 2022 singles crown in Ismailia in classes 4-5 category to win her first title since bagging the silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in July-August last year. Her fellow doubles partner Sonal Patel too was crowned the singles champion in the classes 2-3 category. In the summit clash, Bhavina held off the challenge of Iraq’s Rusual Al Waeli to win 11-6, 13-11, 13-11 at the El Qanah Stadium Hall 1 in the north African country. She lost only one game, in the semis, en route to being crowned champion. Sonal too stamped her authority in the women’s singles classes 2-3. In the final, she thumped Iraq’s Hadeel Al Waeli 11-7, 11-7, 11-2.
Sindhu, Sen to lead Indian challenge
India’s latest badminton sensation Lakshya Sen and double Olympic medallist P V Sindhu will lead the Indian campaign at the Korea Open Super 500 tournament. With back-to-back finals at German Open and All England Championships, Sen is in the form of his life and will look to be third time lucky as he opens his campaign against world No 25 Lu Guang Zu of China. It will not, however, be an easy outing for Sen as the men’s singles draw boasts of some tough competitors. Sen, the world championships bronze medallist, had scooped his maiden Super 500 crown at the India Open in January before making two final appearances and he will be keen to lift the second title of the season. Sindhu, on the other hand, claimed two Super 300 titles this season at Syed Modi International and Swiss Open and the third seeded Indian will look to continue her fine run when she begins against USA’s Lauren Lam.
Pak clinch ODI series against Oz
Pakistan romped to a nine-wicket win over depleted Australia in the third ODI on Saturday and clinched the series 2-1. Captain Babar Azam made his second successive century in an unbeaten 105 off 115 balls and Imam-ul-Haq continued his dream run of form with an unbeaten 89 as Pakistan cruised to 214-1 in 37. 5 overs. Australia, after posting 300-plus scores in the last two ODIs, crashed against P akistan’s pace and were all out for 210 in 41.5 overs after Babar won his third consecutive toss and opted to bowl. Haris Rauf (3-39) and Shaheen Afridi (2-40) jolted the top order with their pace and young fast bowler Mohammad Wasim polished off the lower order to take 3-40. Brief scores: Pakistan 214 for 1 (Babar 105*, Imam 89*) beat Australia 210 (Carey 56, Abbott 49, Rauf 3-39, Wasim 3-40) by nine wickets
Injured Marsh to join DC
Injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will link up with his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals and continue his recovery in India after being ruled out of Australia’s remaining limited overs series against Pakistan. The 30-year-old, who was bought for £650,000 by the Capitals in the IPL auction last month, had injured his hip flexor during a high-intensity fielding drill on Sunday. He had subsequently missed the first ODI, which Australia won by 88 runs in Lahore. Marsh will now manage his recovery under the guidance of physiotherapist Patrick Farhart, who has been with the Capitals since the 2020 IPL season.
Maharaj spins SA to victory in first test
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took seven wickets as South Africa made light work of bowling Bangladesh out for 53 in 19 overs in their second innings to claim a 220-run victory in the first Test at Kingsmead on Monday. It was the lowest Test innings total at Kingsmead, less than the 66 India managed in 1996. Bangladesh had been set a target of 274 for the win but resumed on 11 for three and were bowled out inside 55 minutes. Maharaj took 7-32 and fellow spinner Simon Harmer 3-21 to complete a dominant performance for the home side, who were missing five first team regulars that have opted to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), including their entire frontline pace attack.
Williamson fined Rs 12,00,000
Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson has been fined Rs 12,00,000 after his side maintained a slow over-rate during its 61-run loss to Rajasthan Royals. Sunrisers went down to Rajasthan Royals by 61 runs in a one-sided game played at the MCA stadium. “As it was the team’s first offence of the season, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson was fined Rs 12,00,000,” the IPL statement added.
