Category: SPORTS

Paul Pogba made an immediate impact on his return from surgery, earning a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes that recovered for Manchester United a 1-1 draw at Tottenham in the English Premier League. While the teams have endured three months without games in the pandemic, Pogba hasn’t played since December. And he entered only in the 63rd minute at an empty Tottenham Stadium on Friday with the hosts leading from Steven Bergwijn’s first-half strike through goalkeeper David de Gea. But Pogba, whose United future has been mired in uncertainty, helped…

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Karim Benzema scored twice and Marco Asensio added another on his return from a 10-month injury layoff as Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 to keep pace with leader Barcelona in the Spanish league. The home win on Thursday left Madrid two points behind Barcelona, which defeated Legan s 2-0 on Tuesday for its second straight win after the pandemic break. Madrid took control of the match after a lackluster first half in which Valencia had the most significant scoring chances and a goal disallowed by video review. Benzema opened the…

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India’s leading sportspersons, including cricket captain Virat Kohli and former football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, have paid tributes to the 20 Army personnel killed during a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. The clash at the Galwan valley was the biggest Indo-China military confrontation in over five decades and escalated the volatile border standoff in the region. “Salute and deepest respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our country in the Galwan Valley. NO one is more selfless and brave than a soldier. Sincere condolences to the…

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Senior all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez has hit back at former captain Ramiz Raza for questioning his selection for the upcoming England tour and for advising him to retire from all forms of cricket. While criticising head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq for picking senior players in the pool of 29 players for the England tour, cricketer-turned-commentator Raja has said Hafeez should leave international cricket gracefully. But the 39-year-old Hafeez said he would not leave cricket on anyone’s advice. “I don’t play cricket on anyone’s saying, neither will I leave cricket on…

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Former Australia captain Mark Taylor on Sunday warned that ban on the usage of saliva, to combat the COVID-19 threat, runs the risk of upsetting balance between bat and ball in Test cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned the use of saliva on ball as an interim health safety measure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic — a move that has raised concerns about the game becoming even more batsmen friendly. “I think it is a bit of a concern because I like, particularly in Test matches,…

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It’s not just the pacers who will be at a disadvantage due to the ban on use of saliva but spinners too will suffer as they won’t get the required drift during middle overs, feels India’s top wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The ICC has banned the use of saliva on ball as an interim health safety measure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic — a move that has raised concerns about the game becoming even more batting friendly. “When you use a natural element like saliva, it helps pacers…

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Spin consultant and mentor of the Pakistan team, Mushtaq Ahmed says more than the skills, the players’ mental strength will matter when top-level cricket resumes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in England.   Ahmed, who recently joined the national set-up, said the series between England and the West Indies will provide lessons as the game is set to resume with that series, starting July 8. “I think we are going to learn a lot from the West Indies and England series and in the Covid-19 conditions. More than the skills, the…

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Australia wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade on Tuesday said he might stay away from sledging during this year’s home Test series against India as he feels Virat Kohli and Co thrive on verbal duels and use it to their advantage.   Wade has used sharp words to get into the skin of his opponents in the past, especially in the 2017 India ODI series and also during last year’s Ashes. However, the 32-year-old said he would not want to engage in verbal confrontations with Indian players as it might only spur…

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West Indies cricket great Michael Holding believes regulations against racism in sports will remain “just a plaster on the sore” as long as the society does not unite to tackle the menace. Asked about his views on the worldwide campaign against racism after the killing of African-American George Floyd in the US and numerous athletes taking a stand against it, Holding said racism in sports cannot be stopped by merely having tough rules. “You will get racism, people will shout things at cricket grounds, football grounds, wherever, you can’t stamp…

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