James Pattinson took six wickets in the match at Hagley Oval against New Zealand in the second Test match. (Source: AP)

Australia pace bowler James Pattinson has suffered a recurrence of shin soreness that kept him on the sidelines for much of January and been ordered to rest for the remainder of the season.

The right-arm quick, who missed Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition in January, returned to the international field in the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch where he impressed with his pace and bristling aggression.

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The 25-year-old took six wickets in the match at Hagley Oval, including 4-77 in New Zealand’s second innings that helped reduce the target Australia needed to chase to seal the seven-wicket victory.

“James had a recurrence of his left shin soreness following the second Test in Christchurch and had follow-up scans in Melbourne yesterday,” Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement on Tuesday.

“These scans have shown some inflammation around the shin consistent with bone stress.

“James will now require some time off to allow this injury to resolve and will not be available for the remainder of the domestic cricket season.”

Pattinson was not in Australia’s squad for their short limited overs tour of South Africa before the World Twenty20 in India, which begins next week.

MELBOURNE, March 1 (Reuters) - Australia's bowling coach Craig McDermott will leave after the upcoming World Twenty20 tournament in India, joining batting coach Michael Di Venuto in departing the top-ranked test nation.

India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2016 Live: India take on Sri Lanka in Mirpur. (Source: AP)

India play their third match of the Asia Cup 2016 and their opponents are Sri Lanka. While India have won both their previous matches, Sri Lanka have suffered a defeat at the hands of Bangladesh. With a win on Tuesday, India will qualify for the final but if Sri Lanka win, they keep their hopes alive. Catch the live cricket updates from India vs Sri Lanka here

 

#MONDAY

# MS Dhoni hits one over and out

Can you hear the thunder? Captain @msdhoni ahead of #IndvSL #AsiaCuphttp://t.co/NKbXvmCylB

— BCCI (@BCCI) 29 February 2016

# Raina at the nets

Howzat for a straight bat shot – @ImRaina#IndvSL#AsiaCuphttp://t.co/XW4jy4NvLR

— BCCI (@BCCI) 29 February 2016

#Injured Dhawan practicing 

The Gabbar is BACK!!! @SDhawan25 sweating out in the nets ahead of #IndvSL#AsiaCuphttp://t.co/Mv6z4Jx72N

— BCCI (@BCCI) 29 February 2016

# Bumrah during the nets

Checkout Jasprit Bumrah bowling in ultra slow motion #IndvSL#AsiaCup#TeamIndiahttp://t.co/jzH0gDcrym

— BCCI (@BCCI) 29 February 2016

# Shikhar Dhawan with a heavily strapped foot

Shikhar Dhawan at SBNCS academy grround in Dhaka…#AsiaCuppic.twitter.com/Pkjayogywt

— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) 29 February 2016

# Dahwan with Harbhajan

Shikhar Dhawan, left ankle strapped, chats with Bhajji. #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/m71F9VBzgR

— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) 29 February 2016

Toe, ankle allow elbow room for trial

Shikhar Dhawan didn’t play against Pakistan owing to an ankle injury, while Rohit Sharma hurt his toe during that match. (Source: AP)

A piece of black cloth served as the ‘iron curtain’. Cameras were intruding into ‘dressing room’ privacy and the Indian cricketers must have felt a little uncomfortable.

‘Where there is a window to attack, I will’

R Ashwin said that Virat Kohli’s batting against Mohammad Amir was one of guts and courage. (Source: AP)

Towards the end of India’s net session on Monday, R Ashwin became intent on practicing his leg-breaks and googlies. A conventional off-spinner, he uses these variations occasionally to out think batsmen. The Tamil Nadu offie has been magnificent of late, contributing immensely to India’s recent run of T20 victories.

Dhoni loses his peace over ear piece

At the WACA last month, MS Dhoni had spoken about 50-50 decisions not going in India’s favour. (Source:AP)

At the post-match press conference on Saturday, MS Dhoni raised an interesting point related to umpires wearing earpieces. The on field officials would be better off without their gadgets, he felt. Dhoni had reasons to be irritated.

MELBOURNE, March 1 (Reuters) - Australia pace bowler James Pattinson has suffered a recurrence of shin soreness that kept him on the sidelines for much of January and been ordered to rest for the remainder of the season.

A couple of months ago, India’s rifle coach Stanislas Lapidus was staring down the barrel. The Kazakh was accused of sexual harassment by a few national shooters, forcing the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to order a probe. With the athletes’ commission yet to submit its final report, Lapidus decided to resign so ‘his family did not suffer’. Consequently, the year’s first World Cup in Bangkok, starting Wednesday, will be his last assignment with the national team.

Lapidus, however, is likely to continue with three top shooters and even be a part of the Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics later this year. It is learnt that Gagan Narang, Apurvi Chandela and Chain Singh, all of whom have won Olympic quotas, have expressed desire to hire him as their personal coach under the sport’s ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Intriguingly, though, if the 64-year-old is allowed to stay on as a personal coach, he might end up getting paid more than his current salary. At present, the government pays him $7,000 a month. Under TOPS, he is likely to be paid around 700 euros per day collectively by the three shooters.
A senior Sports Authority of India (SAI) official said they are considering the trio’s request. However, to avoid any embarrassment, the SAI may take a final decision only after the athletes’ commission submits its report in a couple of weeks.

No evidence

The official, however, said since there is no concrete evidence against him at the moment, they have no problem with him being appointed as a personal coach. “We have received a request from the shooters and we do not have any problem with that. In the end, it’s up to the athletes to choose who their personal coach should be. Moreover, we cannot stop him from coaching at the moment since the charges against him are not proved. If there’s any change in the status quo, then we will take a decision accordingly,” the SAI official said.

Lapidus has been the personal coach of Narang for close to five years and has been training and designing programmes for Apurvi and Chain for quite some time as well and has formed a close working relationship with them. During the 2012 Olympics, Lapidus, who was admitted to a London hospital with high fever, got himself an early discharge against the doctor’s wishes to be present for Narang’s event, eventually playing a crucial role in the marksman winning the bronze medal.

Wanting continuity

The shooters, it is learnt, are not too keen to make changes to their routine so close to the Olympics and hence decided to continue with Lapidus in a personal capacity. NRAI president Raninder Singh said they won’t have any problems with Lapidus accompanying them to the Olympics. “He has resigned and the athletes’ commission is yet to submit its report. It is up to SAI to decide whether to retain him as a personal coach and we really can’t stop a shooter if he wants him as a personal coach. We want the best for our guys, that is our priority,” Raninder said.

He added that the national team might not find Lapidus’ replacement right now. “We have very little time for the Olympics and it’s tough for us to find a suitable replacement in such a short notice. Moreover, all the top coaches are already employed with other teams so we don’t have many options,” Raninder said.

THE INDIAN cricket team’s media manager, Nishant Arora, has received a clean chit from BCCI ombudsman Justice AP Shah over conflict of interest allegations levelled against him. Shah has also dismissed charges against Arora’s wife, who was alleged to be the director of a company having commercial interests with the Indian cricket board.
In his complaint filed on January 19, Niraj Gunde had charged Arora with conflict citing his previous association with national cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh — presently with the Indian team for the Asia Cup in Bangladesh — as their ‘agent’. But the ombudsman has found that the charges against the media manager “cannot be an issue of consideration”.

“The applicant alleges that Mr Arora was formerly an agent/manager of cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh. The ombudsman notes that first allegation, of Mr Arora’s former associations with cricketers, cannot be an issue of consideration, and is therefore dismissed outright,” the ombudsman writes in his order that has been accessed by The Indian Express.

Gunde had also brought up the alleged commercial links between Arora’s wife, who he claimed to be a director of Final Score Management Pvt. Ltd. This company was allegedly associated with cricket academies linked to Harbhajan and Yuvraj and had also opened a centre on the grounds of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, which is an ‘affiliated unit of the BCCI’. But the ombudsman has cited the replies sent by Arora to be convinced that his wife is not a director with Final Score.

“On the second allegation of Mr Arora’s wife’s commercial relationship with Final Score, from Mr Arora’s reply, received on 11 February, 2016, it is clear that Mr Arora’s wife does not hold any directorial post at Final Score. Mr Arora also informs the Ombudsman that his mother is no longer a director in that company, although the applicant had made no allegations in this regard. It also appears that all shares owned by Mr Arora, his wife and his mother, in Final Score, were liquidated in December 2015, before this application was made by the Ombudsman,” Shah writes.
While ‘disposing’ of the complaint and clearing the media manager of all ‘conflict’ allegations, the ombudsman writes about ‘offering an opportunity’ to the complainant to counter Arora’s ‘claims’. “The applicant, Mr Gunde, was offered an opportunity to respond to Mr Arora’s reply, but no further response was received. It is evident that Mr Arora’s claims are not contradicted stands, and is therefore, disposed of,” the order reads.

Selector Rathour cleared

NATIONAL SELECTOR Vikram Rathour has been cleared of conflict of interest allegations that were levied against him citing his UK citizenship as being in ‘conflict’ with his role of selecting players for the Indian cricket team. In his order passed on Monday, ombudsman AP Shah writes that he does not agree with complainant Niraj Gunde’s ‘contentions’ and finds ‘no rule pertaining to conflict of interest’ being attracted in this case.

“Mr Rathour, in his response, admits to being an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). He also points out that there is no bar under law, being an OCI card-holder, from working with or for any organisation other than the government of India. He also draws attention to there being nothing in BCCI’s constitution that requires a person to be an Indian passport holder to work as a selector for a BCCI team,” he writes.

Shah then brings up Gunde’s response, in which the complainant claimed that the ‘selector’s position demands that it be filled by a person who has only national interest at heart’ and that since the ‘conflict is apparent’, there was no requirement to have any rules to prescribe a bar on the selector’s nationality. But the ombudsman dismisses these claims.

“The Ombudsman does not agree with the applicant’s contentions. There is no bar, in law or in the memorandum of association of the BCCI, to Mr Rathour’s association with the BCCI as a selector, by virtue of his holding an OCI card. The Ombudsman also does not accept the argument that conflict of interest is apparent in such a case. In sum, no rule pertaining to conflict of interest is attracted, nor is any case of conflict of interest demonstrated. The application is therefore disposed of,” he writes. – ENS

Shikhar Dhawan didn’t play against Pakistan owing to an ankle injury, while Rohit Sharma hurt his toe during that match. (Source: AP)

A piece of black cloth served as the ‘iron curtain’. Cameras were intruding into ‘dressing room’ privacy and the Indian cricketers must have felt a little uncomfortable.

The Sher-e-Bangla academy ground has two concrete structures that double up as makeshift locker rooms during practice. Shikhar Dhawan’s left ankle was getting tended to by physio Patrick Farhart and lenses zoomed. There was enough time to capture a heavily strapped left foot of the Indian opener before the curtain dropped. Dhawan missed the last game against Pakistan because of the injury. Maybe it’s a little premature to say he is ruled out of India’s next match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday as well.

But the sequence of events during India’s nets today didn’t inspire confidence.

With his team mates sweating it out in the middle, the left-hander decided to take his time before Farhart took him to the other end of the ground, ostensibly for a fitness test. Only a few paces, a pat on the back from the physio and Dhawan gingerly walked across the field to do some tennis ball knocking. Some catching practice followed before Dhawan eventually put his pads on and took throw-downs.

ASHWIN: I will attack irrespective of the wicket

His regular opening partner didn’t even turn up, still bearing the brunt of a Mohammad Amir toe-crusher. News from the Indian camp is that Rohit Sharma is recovering from the bruise. However, a question mark remains over his availability.

Dhawan and Rohit have forged a strong association upfront which contributed immensely to their team’s recent winning streak in the shortest format. In the three T20 internationals in Australia, they had opening partnerships of 40, 97 and 46 as India achieved a clean sweep. In the home series against Sri Lanka, they posted 0, 75 and 29. The only time both openers failed — against Sri Lanka — in Pune, India lost.

With World T20 round the corner, the team management, however, is expected to be judicious in picking the playing XI against Sri Lanka and the way Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina were put through their paces during today’s practice suggested a backup plan.

READ: Team enjoys night at High Commission of India

Raina was first to hit the nets, taking throw-downs from batting coach Sanjay Bangar. Negotiating bounce from back of a length was the brief. Even after over a decade of international cricket, the Uttar Pradesh batsman struggles against the short ball. He looked uncomfortable in Pune, was softened up by the Bangladesh seamers before off-spinner Mahmudullah breached his defence in the first match here and then hopped against Mohammad Amir’s pace in the last game. India have to tweak if both their regular openers are unavailable. The injured players, however, have one full day for recovery and will have the allowance to decide late.

Ajinkya Rahane won’t mind another opportunity though. Not an automatic pick in this format, he has failed to make an impact in the four matches – three against Sri Lanka at home and one against Pakistan here – he played. A tally of 51 runs against the Islanders, batting at No.3, was below par by his standards. Against Pakistan, however, he might have been a tad unlucky to get a beauty from Amir so early in his innings. Rahane, trained alongside Raina and then, team director Ravi Shastri took him near the centre square to have a one-on-one with the Mumbai batsman. The conversation apparently centred around some technical issues. Rahane was seen doing some adjustments to his elbow positioning. Rahane is too good a batsman not to score runs for long. He has the technique and skill to change his game according to situations and conditions. Maybe, he needs to relax a bit and shouldn’t look over his shoulder.

Parthiv Patel provides another option up the order. But as per the tournament rules, he can only play if someone is out injured. His peripheral presence in the nets dropped a hint that his services would probably not be required.
In the mid of a T20 golden run, India have retained almost an unchanged side for the last eight matches. Ahead of the Asia Cup, Dhoni, however, had spoken about giving everyone an opportunity in the lead-up to the World T20.

India have all but sealed a spot in the final in this tournament, thanks to their back-to-back wins in the first two matches. Now, with Dhawan and Rohit facing fitness issues, it would be interesting to see what the team management decides.

Malinga doubtful

Lasith Malinga has been walking wounded. He played through pain in the first match against UAE but missed the next one against Bangladesh. A loss to the hosts has complicated the matter a little. Sri Lanka would be playing a must win game tomorrow but it is a big call for their captain whether to fit in or opt out. “We will assess his fitness about an hour before the game. He hasn’t fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him out for three months. He played against UAE but he wasn’t 100 per cent. The main focus is the World T20 and he will decide accordingly,” a Sri Lanka team source said.

Gianni Infantino appeared keen to get the ball rolling to pick a host for the 2026 World Cup. (Source: Reuters)

Gianni Infantino began his new job as the boss of soccer’s governing body FIFA with a friendly football match on Monday, leaving matters such as his own salary for another day.

“I know you can’t believe it, but it’s not (for the) money that I was candidate to become FIFA president,” he told reporters after a match with employees and guests.

The Swiss said he expected the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup, delayed by the wide-reaching corruption scandal that engulfed the organisation last year, to begin before FIFA holds its next congress in Mexico City in May.

The 2018 and 2022 tournaments to be staged in Russia and Qatar must be the “best in history”, he said.
Monday’s kickabout, played in freezing mist at FIFA headquarters, featured two seven-a-side matches involving employees and former professionals.

“Team Infantino” included former Portugal forward Luis Figo and former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro.

Infantino, 45, wearing a No. 9 shirt, ran around enthusiastically, but barely touched the ball.

“The hard work starts now, but I wanted to organise a football match with those who make the game what it is,” Infantino said.

He said he had not discussed his salary following his election on Friday. The pay of his predecessor Sepp Blatter, suspended from soccer for six years, has never been made public.

The reforms voted in by FIFA last week to help it put the corruption scandal behind it included one on salaries being open to scrutiny.

Infantino appeared keen to get the ball rolling to pick a host for the 2026 World Cup. The process was supposed to have begun last year with a decision due in Kuala Lumpur next year.

“Definitely I think we need to launch the bidding process in the next couple of months, probably before the next Congress in May,” Infantino said.

Under FIFA statutes that prevent the same continent from hosting the tournament twice in a row, it will not be staged in Asia.

“Concerning Qatar and Russia, the decisions were taken in 2010 by the executive committee, but since 2010 there has been speculation and allegations and noise.

“It’s now necessary to organise the best World Cup in history in Russia in 2018 and in 2022 in Qatar,” he said.

FIFA has been forced to investigate the decisions on the two tournaments, and an investigation is also under way by the Swiss attorney general’s office.

The reforms passed on Friday include a separation of powers at FIFA, with a new Council due to replace the old executive committee and decide solely on strategic matters.

A separate general secretariat will run day-to-day operations and, crucially, make commercial decisions.

Infantino rejected the suggestion that he would enjoy less power than his predecessor, however.

“I wouldn’t say I have limited powers,” he said. “I was elected on Friday to be the leader of FIFA. The leader is setting the tone, the leader will have to do some convincing work of course. It’s not a dictatorship – it’s a democracy, it’s a participation.”

Karim Benzema will miss Spanish League’s match and Roma game in the Champions League.(Source: Reuters)

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is expected to be sidelined for up to a month because of a right leg muscle injury.

The Frenchman will miss upcoming Spanish league games and next week’s return match against Roma in the Champions League. Madrid won the first leg 2-0 in Rome.

Benzema should be fit again in time for the Spanish league match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou on April 2.

Madrid did not say exactly how long the player is expected to be sidelined, noting that “his recovery will continue to be assessed.”

Benzema had missed the game against Malaga a week ago because of a back problem. He was substituted at halftime in Madrid’s 1-0 home loss to Atletico Madrid because of the muscle injury.

Mustafizur Rahman suffered a side strain during Bangladesh’s win over Sri Lanka. (Source: AP)

Hosts Bangladesh were dealt a telling blow as their strike bowler Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a Grade I side strain sustained during the home team’s win against Sri Lanka.

“Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman has suffered a side strain and will not play any further part in the Micromax Asia Cup T20,” a BCB release stated.

A Grade I side strain can also make him a doubtful starter for Bangladesh’s World T20 qualifying round matches against the Netherlands and the Ireland in Dharamsala.

Team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan: “Mustafiz complained of discomfort after Sunday’s match against Sri Lanka. An MRI scan was done and the report from the radiologist confirmed a Grade-1 side strain on the right. He is under conservative treatment and rest for next 48 hours. Following that the rehab will begin. We are expecting that he will make a quick recovery and resume bowling soon.”

Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal will replace Mustafizur in the Asia Cup squad. Tamim was not in the original squad as he took leave because of the birth of his first child.

Pakistan lost their top-order cheaply in the 130-run chase. (Source: AP)

After surviving early jolts in Monday’s chase against UAE, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said his team must cut down on mistakes to have any chance of beating the bigger teams in the Asia Cup.

“Today’s game showed that you just can’t relax in this format, you can’t relax in the dressing room. We are making some mistakes and you can’t afford that against the bigger teams,” Afridi said after Pakistan picked up a seven wicket win over UAE.

Pakistan allowed UAE to score 129 after reducing the minnows to 3/12 before surviving nervous moments at the start of the chase.

“I told my batsmen just play normal cricket, don’t go for big runs. We thought after we took three wickets we thought we would get them out for 90-100 but they played well and some shots went off for them ..(off the edges). They played well in the end. We would have like to have a match like this before playing India,” added Afridi.

Man of the Match Shoaib Malik, who bailed his team out of trouble alongside Umar Akmal, said batting was tough in the middle.

“Tough conditions, we all know the first six overs has been crucial, if you survive then you can play shots and that is what we did. We lost early wickets but then we decided to forget about the run rate and focus on playing out the first six overs. We bowled well in the first six overs but then we were a bit all over the place,” said Malik.

UAE captain Amjad Javed said the game was a good learning experience for his side.

“We wanted about 120 but we got 10 runs extra, we knew it would be difficult to chase, we got some early wickets but we could not capitalise on that. We are still learning, Malik and Akmal took the game away from us. The team is really doing well, I did my best to contribute and try and bring the game back, and make Pakistan work hard. Our coach Aaqib Javed was sure we could give them a fight if we scored 100,” said Javed.

Umar Akmal (L) and Shoaib Malik (R) combined for a T20 record fourth-wicket partnership of 114. (Source: AP)

Shoaib Malik smashed 63 not out as Pakistan survived an early stumble in its run chase to beat United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in the Asia Cup on Monday.

UAE made 129-6 in its 20 overs after opting to bat first before Pakistan reached the winning total with 131-3 in 18.4 overs.

Malik was aided by Umar Akmal, who hit an unbeaten 50. The duo combined for a T20 record fourth-wicket partnership of 114 after Pakistan was reduced to 17-3. The previous record was held by Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan who shared an unbeaten 112 for England against Pakistan in 2010.

UAE medium-fast bowler Amjad Javed claimed 3-36 after scoring a fluent 27 not out to pace the UAE innings.

Swinging the ball at considerable pace against the over-casual Pakistan top order, Javed struck twice in his first over — dismissing Sharjeel Khan (4) and Khurram Manzoor (0). He then raised the prospect of an upset victory by removing Mohammad Hafeez for 11 in his next over.

Malik, aided by Akmal, steered the side through a torrid period, playing sensible shots.

The outcome could have been different had Usman Mushtaq not dropped Malik off Mohammad Shahzad when he was on 41. Malik then smacked a consecutive four and six to reach his fifth T20 half-century.

Malik clobbered seven fours and three sixes in his 63 runs off 49 balls, while Umar Akmal had two fours and hit three sixes in the 46 balls he faced during his 8th T20 half century.

Earlier, Shaiman Anwar steadied the UAE innings after it was reduced to 12-3. All three Pakistani pacers — Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami — shared the wickets in triggering UAE’s collapse.

Anwar hit five fours and two sixes in his 42-ball 46.

Amir finished with 2-6 and Irfan 2-30.

Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi are the senior most players in Pakistan squad.(Source:AP)

Pakistan’s chief selector Haroon Rasheed has had a pep talk with the national team members and is confident that they can still qualify for the final in the ongoing Asia Cup.

“I wouldn’t rule out Pakistan despite the loss to India. We have a good strong side and our bowling is our strength. I spoke to the players and I have tried my best to encourage them and raise their morale,” Rasheed told PTI.

“I told them they have the capability of winning their remaining matches in the Asia Cup and setting up another encounter with India in the final where they can make amends for the defeat in the group match,” he said.

“The prospect of playing India again in the Asia Cup should spur our players on to improve their performances in the tournament,” he said.

He said the players were disappointed and downcast after the manner in which they lost a low scoring match to India.

“But they realize they batted very poorly and they need to play according to the conditions.”

The chief selector, also a former Test player, said the selectors had picked the best possible squad for the Asia Cup and World T20 that will follow in India.

“I think Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi as the senior most players in the side need to lead by example and they must perform and the rest of the players will then also chip in.”

Haroon made it clear that Pakistani selectors were seriously thinking about the post World T20 scenario and if the team didn’t do well in both events some wholesome changes would be on the cards.

“Our policy is clear anyone who doesn’t perform including the captain will have to make way for others.”

Pakistan has to win its remaining matches against UAE, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to qualify for the final and set up another possible clash with India.

Haroon also said the selectors in the past few months had done their best to give the domestic cricket performers chances but none had capitalised on them.

Pakistan lost their first match against India on Saturday. (Source: BCCI)

Pakistan’s experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik has said that he and his teammates are keen to set up a rematch with India in the final of the Asia Cup tournament in Bangladesh.

Malik told the Pakistani media in Mirpur that they had lost to India in the group match on Saturday since the team had failed to adapt to the conditions at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

“I think we failed to read the pitch and conditions properly against India and instead of adapting ourselves we committed hari kari by trying to play overly attacking shots,” he said.

The former Pakistan captain said everyone in the team was disappointed by the defeat but were now also more intent on winning matches to qualify for the final.

“We want to play India in the final again and we know we can do well against them. It is all a matter of just adapting to the different conditions here,” Malik added.

He said that all the seniors in the side realised how important it was for them to fire on all cylinders now in the Asia Cup.

“We all know just how disappointing the defeat to India must have been to our supporters back home. We know how much emotions are involved in a match with India and we would like to make amends.”

Malik said Pakistan’s biggest strength was it had good pace and spin bowlers and the batsmen just needed to put their heads down and manage a fighting total.

“I thought we also fought hard against India and Aamir’s spell was magnificent. The rest of the pace bowlers are also in good form so we are looking at a comeback in this tournament.”

Malik refused to criticise the pitches insisting that as professional cricketers teams had to learn to adapt to different conditions.

Lorenzo Insigne was driving with his wife and two friends late on Saturday.(Source:AP)

Napoli striker Lorenzo Insigne was held up at gunpoint and robbed as he was driving through crime-plagued Naples over the weekend, his agent said on Monday.

Insigne was driving with his wife and two friends late on Saturday when he stopped at a traffic light. A gunman on the back of a motorbike pulled level with the car and forced the four occupants to hand over their valuables.

As he drove away, the thief asked Insigne, who comes from Naples, to dedicate a goal to him at Monday night’s Serie A clash with Fiorentina, local media reported.

Italian media said the masked robber got away with a Rolex watch, jewels and 800 euros ($872.48) in cash.

“Lorenzo suffered a terrible experience and told me that it was a really bad moment,” said his agent, Antonio Ottaiano.

Despite being shaken up by the robbery, Insigne joined his teammates at a training session on Sunday and is expected to play on Monday. He has scored 11 goals in the Serie A so far this season, with his team lying second in the table.

The Italian government announced earlier this month it was sending additional troops to
Naples to help fight an upsurge of violence in the city, with 12 people reported killed this year in murders linked to a mob turf war.

Manchester City visit ninth-placed Liverpool on Wednesday. (Source: Reuters)

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he would rather fail to win a trophy than lose the trust of his players after his decision to field second-choice keeper Willy Caballero paid off in Sunday’s League Cup final win over Liverpool.

Despite pressure from the media to start with England international Joe Hart in goal, Pellegrini stuck with Caballero who has made just four Premier League starts since moving from Spanish side Malaga in July 2014.

The 34-year-old Argentine was the hero as he saved three penalties to help City secure a 3-1 shootout win after the game had finished 1-1 after extra time at Wembley Stadium.

“I would prefer to lose a title than lose my word. My word is more important than football…I’m happy to win it that way with Willy as a great hero,” Pellegrini told British media.

“Maybe most of the media were waiting for him to make a mistake and criticise my decision but I promised he would play both cups… But I never lost trust in him because I know how good a player he is.”

City, who are fourth in the league nine points adrift of leaders Leicester City with a game in hand, visit ninth-placed Liverpool on Wednesday.

The Great Khali celebrates after defeating Canadian wrestler Brody Steel in Dehradun on Sunday.(Source:PTI)

‘The Great Khali’, who was admitted in a hospital four days ago after sustaining “serious” head injuries, bounced back in style to beat three foreigners in Dehradun.

Khali, 43, trounced three foreign wrestlers — Brody Steel, Mike Knox and Apollo Leon — on Sunday night during the second show of ‘The Great Khali Returns Series’.

On Wednesday night, Khali suffered head and chest injuries during the opening show of the Continental Wrestling Entertainment at Haldwani and was subsequently airlifted the next morning to a specialty hospital in Dehradun.

WATCH: Khali’s ‘revenge’ fight[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g2tWHB9NmQ&w=640&h=390]

The fight had to be stopped mid way after his opponents — Mike Knox and Brody Steel — beat up Khali with chairs.

Khali received seven stitches on his head before being flown to the Uttarakhand capital, where he was kept under observation in the ICU and underwent many tests to know the severity and exact nature of his injuries.

After the tests, he was discharged from the hospital, although the doctors had advised him against fighting on Sunday.

But he still took the ring, vowing to take revenge and he fulfilled his promise in front of his home crowd last night.

Live Cricket Score, Pakistan vs UAE, Asia Cup 2016: Pakistan take on UAE in Mirpur on Monday. (Source: AP)

Pakistan, after losing their Asia Cup 2016 opener against India, would like to return to winning ways when they take on UAE in Mirpur on Monday. UAE’s batting will be tested against the likes of Mohammad Amir who impressed all with his fiery opening spell. Catch live cricket scores and live cricket updates from the match here.

Live Cricket Scorecard: Pakistan vs UAE, Asia Cup 2016

Live Cricket Updates: Pakistan vs UAE, Asia Cup 2016

The build-up

We had no idea about Mirpur conditions: Shoaib Malik

Live Cricket Score, Pakistan vs UAE, Asia Cup 2016: Shoaib Malik, however, declared that Pakistan’s pace attack is the best among the five teams in the tournament. (Source: AP)

Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik on Sunday conceded that Pakistan had “no idea” about the nature of the Sher-e-Bangla strip and they have learnt from their mistakes committed against arch-rivals India.

WATCH: What went wrong for Pakistan against India (App users click here)

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Amir was outstanding against India, feels Pakistan coach

Live Cricket Score, Pakistan vs UAE, Asia Cup 2016: Mohammad Amir bagged 3 wickets in his allotted 4 overs against India. (Source: AP)

MS Dhoni, too, lavished praise on Mohammad Amir, terming his length as key during Pakistan’s modest defence.