Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath yesterday returned with five wickets, but a half century from Haris Sohail on his debut saw Pakistan take a three-run lead on the fourth day in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
The wily left-armer finished with 5-93 in a marathon 40 overs, but left-hander Sohail fought through his 76-run knock to take Pakistan to 422 all-out in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 419.
The slow turn on a flat wicket means the Test heads for a draw unless Sri Lanka flop in the second innings.
Photo: AFP
Sohail added an invaluable 50 for the ninth wicket with tail-ender Hasan Ali to lift Pakistan from 340-8 and deprived Sri Lanka of a healthy lead.
Sohail hit seven fours and two sixes before holing out to paceman Nuwan Pradeep who finished with 2-77.
Herath gave his team the much-needed wicket of a resolute Ali, luring him into an uppish drive that was brilliantly caught at short mid-wicket by a diving Kusal Mendis.
Azhar’s defiant knock lasted more than five hours and included four boundaries, but with his dismissal, Pakistan’s hopes of building a lead faded.
SA vS BANGLADESH
AFP, POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa
South African captain Faf du Plessis yesterday made an attacking half-century as South Africa stretched their lead on the fourth day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Senwes Park.
Du Plessis made 77 not out off 92 balls as South Africa reached 203 for three in their second innings at lunch, an overall lead of 379.
In the fastest scoring of the match, Du Plessis and Temba Bavuma (64 not out) added 133 runs off 149 balls in an unbeaten fourth wicket partnership.
South Africa scored 149 runs for the loss of Hashim Amla’s wicket in 29.1 overs during the morning.
Du Plessis showed aggressive intent from the start of his innings. He easily reached the fastest half-century of the match off 55 balls.
Bavuma made a slow start to the day and survived a chance on eight when Imrul Kayes dropped a fierce square cut at point off Shafiul Islam, but he lifted his tempo as he and Du Plessis mixed boundaries with good running between the wickets. Bavuma had faced 85 balls by the interval.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and