GOLF
Swafford ties for Zurich lead
Hudson Swafford shot a six-under-par 66 in the second round on Friday to move into a tie for the lead as the Zurich Classic of New Orleans was suspended for the second straight day. Swafford ended 36 holes at an 11-under-par 133 at the TPC Louisiana. He was joined in the lead by first-round coleader Boo Weekley, who was three-under-par through 15 holes of round two in the PGA Tour event. Swafford is looking for his first USPGA Tour win, while Weekley is a three-time winner on the US tour. With strong storms in the area, play was called for the day. The first round was completed earlier on Friday after being stopped by darkness on Thursday. There was a 78-minute weather delay on Thursday that pushed play back.
CRICKET
Bangladesh win by seven
Pakistan’s miserable tour of Bangladesh continued as the hosts recorded their first Twenty20 win over the rivals with a seven-wicket romp in Dhaka on Friday. Debutant seamer Mustafizur Rahman took two for 20 in four overs as Pakistan, electing to bat after winning the toss, were restricted to 141 for five at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Shakib al-Hasan and Sabbir Rahman then plundered unbeaten half-centuries as Bangladesh, cheered from the stands by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, surpassed the target in the 17th over. Shakib hit an unbeaten 57 off 41 balls and Sabbir made 51 not out to build on their team’s 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan in the preceding one-day series. The pair put on 105 runs for the fourth wicket after Bangladesh appeared to be in a spot of bother at 38 for three in the sixth over. Pakistan’s debutant Mukhtar Ahmed top-scored with 37 off 30 balls and left-hander Haris Sohail made an unbeaten 30, but the tourists struggled to tame the bowling. Opener Ahmed Shehzad plodded to 17 from 31 balls and Afridi was unlucky to be given out caught behind for 12 when replays showed the ball missing the edge of the bat. Bangladesh lost three wickets cheaply, but Shakib and Sabbir hammered the Pakistan bowlers to all parts of the ground, signaling out left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz, who went for 39 runs in his four overs.
OLYMPICS
Tokyo could feature surfing
Surfing, buoyed by the International Olympic Committee’s Agenda 2020 reforms, is targeting a spot at the Tokyo Olympics in five years. The new reforms, approved in December last year, are aimed at making the Olympics more attractive, cheaper to host and allow for a more adaptable sports program to permit quicker changes to maintain relevance with younger audiences. That was music to the ears of International Surfing Association president Fernando Aguerre, with the Argentine long pushing for its inclusion during his eight terms as head of the body. “I am sure it will be one of the first Olympic venues to sell out of tickets,” he was quoted as saying by Kyodo News yesterday. “Today you go to any beach around the world and people are dressed like surfers, wearing surf brands and they all want to surf. Surfing is a young sport, it’s practiced by people of all ages, but it’s also a sport that has captivated the hearts and minds of young people around the world.” Surfing faced previous Olympic rejection over fears about a lack of waves at certain venues, but 57-year-old Aguerre said technology had been developed to create waves almost 2m high to come at regular intervals. He said outdoor wave parks were being built in Spain, Britain and the US to meet demand.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely