Pakistan series not confirmed: Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka had been willing to tour Pakistan but the deteriorating security situation in the country led to a change in plans. -Photo by AFP

KARACHI: It has emerged that Sri Lanka have not agreed to play an upcoming series against Pakistan in the UAE despite several media reports confirming the series venue as Abu Dhabi & Dubai.

“We haven’t been informed of venues for the series yet. In fact the other day, I read on BBC website that series was confirmed to be played at Abu Dhabi. I learnt about it only then. We are going to discuss this matter at our Interim Committee meeting and then only we can communicate with PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and finalise the venues,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) interim committee chairman Upali Dharmadasa was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror on Saturda.

He added that SLC will try to convince the PCB again to host the series in Sri Lanka as it will also give the Sri Lankan fans the chance to watch the matches.

The PCB had previously refused to play the series in Sri Lanka and preferred the UAE because it offered better profits.

Sri Lanka had been willing to tour Pakistan but the deteriorating security situation in the country led to a change in plans.

This week, media reports quoting CEO of Emirates Cricket Board Dilawar Mani confirmed UAE as hosts for series which will be played in October.

“The tour has been confirmed. We have to sit with PCB officials in the next few days to finalize venues,” Mani had said.

The series will comprise three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 International.

Sharma demolishes England middle-order at Lord’s

LONDON: India opening bowler Ishant Sharma turned the first test against England on its head on Sunday with three wickets in the space of 16 balls on the fourth morning at Lord’s.

Bounding in from the Nursery end, Sharma accounted for Kevin Pietersen (1), Ian Bell (0) and Jonathan Trott (22).

Altogether four wickets fell in 32 balls for eight runs and at lunch England were 72 for five in their second innings, an overall lead of 260, with five sessions remaining.

Pietersen, England’s first innings hero with an unbeaten 202, edged a steepling delivery to Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps. The same combination accounted for Bell in the same over, nibbling fatally outside the off stump.

Openers Andrew Strauss (32) and Alastair Cook (1) also succumbed in the morning session after England had started the day well placed on five for no wicket after dismissing India for 286 on Saturday evening in reply to their 474 for eight declared.

Strauss, who has had a lean test run in the English summer so far, looked in good order, taking 10 runs off a Praveen Kumar over including consecutive leg-side boundaries.

But he lost Cook with the total on 23, caught by Dhoni off Kumar from a delivery moving just enough to catch the edge of the left-hander’s bat. It was only the second ball Cook had faced from Kumar and his first on Sunday in 43 minutes at the crease.

Trott hooked Sharma to the boundary and Strauss slashed Kumar for another four but there was still plenty in the pitch to interest the bowlers and both batsmen were forced on occasion to hurriedly adjust their shots.

Strauss, who had scored only 49 runs in his previous five test innings in the English summer, was dismissed lbw by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh trying to sweep a ball which would have hit middle stump.

Pietersen and Bell departed in a double wicket maiden from Sharma who then knocked Trott’s off stump back as the batsman went to drive.

Eoin Morgan, who failed to score in the first innings, and wicketkeeper Matt Prior were both on five at the interval.

Zaheer Khan, who left the field in England’s first innings with a hamstring strain, was still missing on Sunday morning while Sachin Tendulkar was also absent with a virus infection.

Scoreboard:

England first innings 474-8 declared (K. Pietersen 202 not out, M. Prior 71, J. Trott 70; Praveen Kumar 5-106)

India first innings 286 (R. Dravid 103 not out)

England second innings (overnight 5-0)

A. Strauss lbw b Harbhajan Singh 32A. Cook c Dhoni b Kumar    1J. Trott b Sharma 22K. Pietersen c Dhoni b Sharma 1I. Bell c Dhoni b Sharma 0E. Morgan not out 5

M. Prior not out 5

Extras (b-3, lb-1, w-2)    6

Total (five wickets; 31 overs)    72

Fall of wickets: 1-23 2-54 3-55 4-55 5-62

Still to bat: G. Swann, S. Broad, J. Anderson, C. Tremlett

Bowling (to date): Praveen Kumar 12-1-39-1 (1w), Ishant Sharma 13-6-15-3 (1w), Harbhajan Singh 6-0-14-1

Amir Khan knocks out Zab Judah

Amir Khan knocks out Judah to win IBF crown

LAS VEGAS: Britain’s Amir Khan knocked out Zab Judah in the fifth round to add the IBF junior welterweight title to his WBA super lightweight crown in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The end came with a bodyshot that crumpled Judah (41-7, 28 KOs) to his knees. The experienced American complained afterwards that the punch was low but replays showed it was on the belt line and legal.

“I knew he was getting hurt because he kept moving away and ducking,” said Khan (26-1, 18 KOs). “I kept hitting him in the face but the punch that dropped him was clean and on the belt.”

Khan, 24, was dominant from the first bell, punishing Judah with stiff left jabs and solid straight right hands.

Judah showed effective head movement for the first few rounds, meaning few of Khan’s punches landed cleanly, but the 33-year-old threw very few punches in return, even as Khan pursued him relentlessly.

Khan landed with just 61 of the 284 punches he threw during the fight but Judah threw only 115 punches in return, landing a mere 20, as Khan pursued him relentlessly.

Even with Judah’s evasive techniques, Khan scored with several solid flurries, backing Judah to the ropes and landing right hands that had the largely British crowd roaring with approval.

By the fifth, Judah was no longer able to escape the full force of Khan’s blows. Khan had by now found his range and was landing with increasing ease.

“If it had gone a few more rounds, I would have knocked him out with a clean shot,” said Khan. “It was just a matter of time. I think I overwhelmed him with my speed and power.

I could have gone in with a plan to knock him out sooner, but I wanted to take my time.”

Khan had won all four completed rounds on every judge’s scorecard at the time of the stoppage but Judah insisted that the coup de grace had been a foul blow.

“It was a low blow,” he said. “I was trying to get myself together. When the referee started counting, I thought he was giving me a standing eight count. I thought I would have the chance to get up. I didn’t understand.”

Dhoni’s World Cup final bat fetches $160,500

NEW DELHI: The cricket bat used by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to hit a match-winning six in the World Cup final has fetched a staggering 100,000 pounds ($160,500) at an auction, media reported Tuesday.

The auction was held in London on Monday to raise funds for his charitable foundation that was launched in India last year, the Press Trust of India news agency said.

The Indian captain, who scored an unbeaten 79-ball 91 with the bat in his team’s six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai in April, sealed the match when he smashed seamer Nuwan Kulasekara for six.

Dhoni said that the charity will work on “improving children’s accessibility to cricket by building a sports academy where children will be able to develop their talents across a whole range of disciplines.”

He is currently leading the side in England for a four-Test series starting at Lord’s on Thursday.

Top guns cruise into Aisam-ul-Haq Masters semi-finals

ISLAMABAD: All top-seeded players — Aqeel Khan, Jalil Khan, Yasir Khan and Mohammad Abid Mushtaq — qualified for the semi-finals after winning their respective matches in the inaugural Aisam-ul-Haq Masters Tennis Championship here at the PTF Tennis Complex on Tuesday.

Top seed Aqeel, who looked in excellent touch playing some impressive forehand and backhand shots, outplayed Mohammad Waqas Malik 6-2, 6-0.

In another fixture, second seed Jalil lost the first set 6-3 against Mohammad Abid mainly due to the former’s unforced errors.

Jalil, however, changed his strategy in the second set playing some tactical shots to win the remaining two sets and the match 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 in a cracking fashion.

Fourth seed Mohammad Abid Mushtaq easily won his encounter against Usman Rafiq 6-3, 6-0.

Meanwhile, in the boys’ under-18 event Hasnain Manzoor caused a major upset as he overwhelmed fourth seed Kashan-ul-Haq in a thrilling two-set match 6-4, 7-6(9). The second set decided in tiebreak which was won by Hasnain 11-9.

In the boys’ under-14 event Mohammad Mudassir, Zaid Mujahid, Hasnain Manzoor and Mohammad Muzammil reached the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, in the girls’ event top seed Saba Aziz proved too good for Javeria as the former outclassed the latter 6-0, 6-0.

In other girls’ quarter-finals, Rukhsana Fazal defeated Shagufta Mahboob 6-1, 6-0, Sara Mansoor overcame M. Darakhshan 6-2, 6-2 while Kunsha Babar got a walkover against Rubab Rahim.

Results:

Men’s singles:Quarter-finals: Aqeel Khan bt Waqas Malik 6-2, 6-0; Yasir Khan bt Shahzad PAF 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3; Mohammad Abid bt Usman Rafiq 6-3, 6-0; Jalil Khan bt Mohammad Abid Ali 3-6, 6-0, 6-0.

Girls’ singles:

Quarter-finals: Saba Aziz bt Javeria 6-0, 6-0; Rukhsana Fazal bt Shagufta Mahboob 6-1, 6-0; Sara Mansoor bt M. Darakhshan 6-2, 6-2; Kunsha bt Rubab Rahim – walkover.

Boys’ U-18 singles:

Quarter-finals:Mohammad Abid bt Fahad Mahmood 6-0, 6-1; Ahmed Chaudhry bt Syed Zohair Raza 6-2, 6-3; Hasnain Manzoor bt Kashan-ul-Haq 6-4, 7-6(9); Usman Rafiq bt Mohammad Mudassir 6-0, 6-2.

Boys’ U-14 singles:

Quarter-finals: Mohammad Mudasir bt Jibranullah Khan 6-2, 6-4; Zaid Mujahid bt Hashim Khan 6-2, 6-1; Mohammad Muzammil bt Talha Bin Asif 4-6, 6-0, 6-4; Hasnain Manzoor bt Talha Sohail 6-0, 6-2.

Pakistan likely to rope in Serbian coach for volleyball team

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) is all set to rope in a Serbian coach for the national volleyball team by the end of the month, Secretary PVF Muhammad Afzal said on Tuesday.

Talking to APP, Afzal said that the federation was on the hunt for a foreign coach for the past several months and besides holding talks with Serbian coaches it had considered China and Iran for the purpose.

“However, we have finally decided to hire the services of a Serbian coach as they (Serbians) have very high repute as volleyball trainers,” he said.

Pakistan are scheduled to take part in the 13th Al-Rashid International Volleyball tournament in Dubai slated from September 10-15. They will also be taking part in the 16th Asian Seniors Men’s Volleyball Championship to be held in Tehran from September 25 to October 3. The top two teams of the Iran event will make it to the World Championship.

“As these two events are very crucial for us we wanted to hire a quality coach well ahead of them,” Afzal said.

According to the secretary, the PVF was awaiting CVs of top Serbian coaches and expressed the optimism that it would be getting those within a week.

“As soon as we get CVs from them we will make no delay in hiring the services of the one who will be more suitable for us.”

He said that Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had agreed to provide a monthly package of $4,000 besides other facilities to the coach.

Pakistan hired Augusto Sabbatini, a Brazilian coach, in November 2009 but relieved him soon after the Asian Games in China last year as he failed to put the team on the winning track.

U.S. lose World Cup final in dramatic penalty shoot-out

The U.S. women's football team have failed to lift the Women's World Cup after they were beaten in a penalty shoot-out 3-1 by Japan after a 2-2 draw in the final today.Abby Wambach scored the second goal in the first half of extra-time, heading in a fine cross from Alex Morgan - who put the ball in the net herself in the 69th minute to give the U.S. the lead.But Japan hit back with a strike from Aya Miyama with nine minutes to go to force the game into extra time, and then equalised when Homare Sawa's dramatic late goal sent the game to penalties.

Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all failed to convert for the Americans, who squandered dozens of chances throughout the game and blew a lead just six minutes from winning their third World Cup title.'This is obviously going to hurt for a while,' said Abby Wambach, whose only hole in her glittering career is the World Cup title.

Japan had not beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings, including a pair of 2-0 losses in warm-up games a month before the World Cup.After being presented with the gold trophy, Japan's players jumped up and down on the podium, then gathered behind a sign reading 'Champions. World Champions'.The victory brings an emotio

It's been 12 years since the United States has won the World Cup, and this team was certain they were the ones to break the drought.The road to the final in Frankfurt, Germany, for the U.S. soccer team was bumpy, with them having to win a play-off eight months ago just to get to the tournament.Today the U.S. - ranked first in the world and the defending Olympic champions - wanted the ultimate finish to their improbable journey by delighting a country of new-found fans.

But it’s been a tough trek to Germany, after they had to beat Italy in a two-game playoff for the very last spot in the World Cup – and were stunned in regional qualifying last year by Mexico.

They opened the year with a loss to Sweden, fell to England for the first time in 22 years and lost to Sweden again in the tournament group stages - their first loss ever in World Cup group play.

‘In the past, we'd always won everything,’ U.S. captain and defender Christie Rampone, of Boca Raton magicJack, said. ‘Those losses made our team what it is today. ‘We need each other and you feel that, from the locker room to the time we step on the field.’

British skydivers got free fall world record-Spirit of Swat Festival 2011

 Mingora SWAT (July 16, 2011) – Spirit of Swat festival, which is currently taking place under the aegis of the Pakistan Army presented a colourful and energetic event on Saturday, which included several thrilling activities.

The event, which is the first of its kind in Swat, was witnessed by thousands of people in which hundreds of local and international players displayed their talent. Several activities such as paragliding, hang gliding, skydiving, marathon races and white river rafting were organised at the event.

During the event, a UK-based skydiver Andrew, along with two other skydivers set a world record by jumping from a height of 3,660 metres with the “largest” Pakistani flag.

“It gives me great pleasure to be here. I feel honoured to fly the biggest flag over Swat Valley, which is indeed a very memorable occasion and I am extremely thankful to the authorities for all their cooperation,” said Andrew while talking to media persons.

The event was organised with the assistance of Hawk Gliding Club. The club’s owner, Major (retd) Hamid Raza, said that the event was organised to streamline tourism in Swat and it has been a great success so far.“The festival aims to provide the younger generation of Swat with multiple opportunities. We want to involve them in healthy and positive activities to regain peace in the region,” he claimed.Captain Jamshed, the instructor of Peshawar Parachute Training Centre said, “The free fall jump was conducted 3,660 metres above sea level from a MI 17 plane, and the adventure athletes displayed various stunts during their free fall, after which their parachute opened at a height of approximately 1,220 metres.“This is the first time ever that we are having such a high profile skydiving competition. Swat is a suitable place for this activity and we have received a great response from the local people,” Syed Ajmal Hussain, the chief instructor of skydiving.The sports director of the military forces, Brigadier Iqtidar, who was also chief guest at the event, also appreciated the efforts of the participants.Speaking on the occasion, he said Pakistan possessed a lot of potential in such activities which should be utilised effectively to engage people in healthy activities. He said such events would take place in the future as well.The Spirit of Swat has been organised as part of the government’s bid to woo tourists back to the picturesque Swat valley. The 45-day event has been organised by the provincial government and the United Nations Development Programme with the assistance of the Pakistan Army.

Aisam ul haq with Faha on Mangni- Lahore

Pakistan tennis player Aisamul-Haq Qureshi has got engaged with a Britain-based Pakistani girl, Faha MakhduM.While speaking to Geo News Faha Makhdum said she was very happy about getting engagaed to Aisam and was waiting for the wedding in December.

Aisam, who made headlines in the country when he reached the US Open doubles final last year with Indian partner Rohan Bopanna, will get engaged to Faha Makhdum.
Makhdum lives in Ipswich. She has done her BSc Hons in Psychology from the University of Essex and her MSc in Therapeutic Counselling (BACP accredited). She has worked for the Pakistani High Commission in England and also practiced as a trainee counselor for Stepping Stones East in 2010.
Aisam, 31, has a huge fan following across country and has become a heartthrob of thousand of girls after his success in the tennis world.

Chitral Shindoor pass Polo Festival

Shandur Polo Tournament is an annual festival held every July at the Shandur Pass in the northern areas of Pakistan

The government of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (North West Pakistan) has invited the newly-wed British Royal couple to the famous Shandur Polo tournament.

The chief minister of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, Haider Hoti has officially confirmed the invitation to Prince William and Princess Kate to watch final of Shandur Polo tournament in Chitral on July 9th.

Shandur Polo Tournament is an annual festival held every July at the Shandur Pass in the northern areas of Pakistan where rival teams from Chitral and Gilgit play.

The tournament is held on Shandur Pass, the highest polo ground in the world at just under 4000 meters where the Hindukush, Pamir and Karakoram ranges meet.

The Shandur pass is about 3738 meter above sea level lies midway between Chitral and Gilgit.

The colorful festival also includes folk music and dancing and used to attract large number of foreigners in the past when militancy comparatively low in Pakistan.

History of Shandur festival

The polo tournament, played on Shandur Top, known as “playing on rooftop of the world”, had been a regular feature since centuries in the area.

The area has hosted this game since the past 800 years and history has it that in 1920s, King of the area has started the famous tournament for promotion of integration between different areas under his realm. He ordered the ruler of Moskuj (the Hindukush highland between Chitral and Gilgit), hold the polo tournament between the best players for the purpose.

In the past the local Mehtars , Mirs and Rajas (administrators, or rulers of states) were patrons of polo.

British link to Shandur Polo tournament:

The connection between this famous tournament dates back to 1930s when in 1936 the first polo tournament was organized by a British Political Agent, Major Cobb. He was said to be fond of playing polo under a full moon and thus had named the polo ground as "Moony Polo Ground".

In 1991 Princes Diana visited Chitral on a rainy day to much surprise of the people of the area. Later in 1997 the Duke of Edinburgh graced the tournament and gave away Duke of Edinburgh cup.

If Prince William and Princess Kate accepted the invitation it will be yet another occasion for northern Pakistan to host the Royal family besides it will also help in revising tourism in Pakistan.

- Asian Tribune -

Last-minute thriller sees Pakistan hold Netherlands 2-2

Pakistan recovered well from their 4-0 thrashing by the Netherlands in a recent four-nation event by holding the top European side to a 2-2 draw in the first of their two-match test series in Amsterdam.

Pakistan opened the scoring through Mohammad Rashid only to see the hosts level terms before half-time.

The orange team then struck again in the opening minutes of the second-half, their repeated incursions into the Pakistan half yielding a 2-1 lead.

It was Sohail Abbas again to the rescue for Pakistan as he scored through a penaly corner minutes before time.

Team manager Khwaja Junaid sounded hopeful after the match and hoped the Greenshirts would continue to build on their draw.

“It was overall a better performance by the team,” Junaid told a local paper from Amsterdam.

“The players went into the ground with a fresh approach keeping their Four-Nations loss aside. We made fewer mistakes, which is a good sign.”

“If we manage to avoid those, there’s a possibility of a series-win.”

The second match of the series will be played today.

Kulsoom Abdullah makes weightlifting history

“I'm really happy that I got this experience and that there's a lot of support, and I hope that it could encourage other women and people, whether it's weightlifting or another sport, to try competition because it's fun to meet people.” -Photo by AP

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa: Kulsoom Abdullah didn’t win, but she notched a victory for diversity at the US weightlifting championships on Friday as she competed in clothing that covered her legs, arms and head.
Abdullah was cleared to compete in clothing that met the standards for modesty of her Muslim faith after the International Weightlifting Federation ruled a fortnight ago that competitors could wear a full-body “unitard” under the customary weightlifting uniform.
IWF rules previously stated that a weightlifter’s knees and elbows had to be visible so officials could confirm a lift was properly executed.
Abdullah, a 35-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, competed before a small crowd of fellow lifters, their families and friends.
Wearing a black hijab and a black short-sleeved shirt with a tan, long-sleeved undershirt and long black socks, Abdullah cleared a snatch of 41 kilograms and a clean and jerk of 57 kilograms.
Abdullah finished fifth out of six in her 48 kilogram senior women’s weight class.
“I’m really happy that I got this experience and that there’s a lot of support, and I hope that it could encourage other women and people, whether it’s weightlifting or another sport, to try competition because it’s fun to meet people,” Abdullah said.
“I think it helps when people get along.”

Sweden beats France for 3rd in Women’s World Cup

SINSHEIM, Germany: Marie Hammarstrom scored in the 82nd minute to give 10-woman Sweden a 2-1 victory over France in the third-place game at the Women’s World Cup on Saturday.

Down a player for almost 15 minutes after Josefine Oqvist was sent off for kicking Sonia Bompastor in the chest, Sweden won a corner kick that the French managed to clear at the near post.

But the ball popped out to Hammarstrom, who faked out a defender with a small side-volley, touched the ball a second time and then let fly with a thunderous left-footed strike from the edge of the box.

It was Hammarstrom’s first-ever goal for Sweden, and it allowed the Swedes to do the hippity-hoppity dance that’s become their trademark one last time.

Lotta Schelin staked Sweden to an early lead, scoring her second goal of the tournament in the 29th. Sara Larsson booted the ball from about midfield and Schelin, running at a dead sprint, caught up to it at the edge of the box.

As France goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz rushed out, Schelin deftly flicked it into the net with the outside of her right foot.

The two then collided, and Sapowicz came down on the outside of her right ankle. She immediately fell to the ground and was soon removed from the game.

Despite losing silky smooth playmaker Louisa Necib to an injury in the 32nd, France managed to equalize in the 56th.

Blanketed by three defenders, Gaetane Thiney lost the ball but quickly managed to reclaim it and slide it to Elodie Thomas, who had replaced Necib. Thomas skipped a shot along the ground that was just beyond the outstretched hands of Hedvig Lindahl.

The teams were the top European finishers, qualifying them for next summer’s London Olympics.

PIA beat Army 3-1 in PPFL

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) registered a win while the rest of the teams played draws in the three Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) matches played at different venues on Wednesday.

At the Korangi Baloch Football Stadium in Karachi, PIA beat Army 3-1.

The goals for the winners were scored by Saddam Hussain (31st min) and Zeeshan (58th and 82nd mins).

Sharjeel (66th min) reduced the margin for Army.

KESC and Navy drew 1-1 at Karachi’s Peoples Sports Complex. KESC scored first through Mohammad (43rd min) and Navy soon equalised through Mohammad Ramzan (57th min).

PEL and PMC Athletico also played a 1-1 draw at the Sadiq Shaheed Stadium in Quetta. Ashraf (36th min) scored for PEL and Mohammad Usman (55th min) restored parity for PMC Athletico.

Thursday’s fixtures:

Police v KRL (2.30pm) at Sadiq Shaheed Stadium, Quetta; Muslim FC v Wapda (5.00pm) also at Sadiq Shaheed Stadium, Quetta; KPT v PAF (5.00pm) at KPT Football Stadium, Karachi.

PHF names probables for Egypt hockey series

LAHORE: Thirty probables, who will attend the training camp being held in Lahore from July 20 to prepare for the national junior hockey team for a series against Egypt, have been announced.

The five-match Test series will be held in Cairo from August 6 to 12.

The same team management has been retained under which Pakistan Under-18 team recently failed to defend the Under-18 Asia Cup title. Rana Mujahid will continue as manager-cum-chief coach while Danish Kaleem, Ahmed Alam and Anjum Saeed will assist him as coaches.

Probables:

Mazhar Abbas, Mohammad Safian, Wasim Abbas, Usman Tanvir, Hafiz Rizwan Ali, Asad Bashir, Arslan Qadir, Mohammad Irfan, Sultan Aamir, Mohammad Sohaib, Zohaib Ashraf, Mohammad Suleman, Bilal Qadir, Khurram Shahzad, Ali Shan, Hassan Mansoor, Rizwan Junior, Mohammad Dilber, Mohammad Adnan Anwar, Aleem Bilal, Khalid Bhatti, Mushtaq, Kashif Javed, Usman Rafique, Umar Bhutta, Ahmed Zubair, Mohammad Bilal Khan, Abdul Karim, Mohammad Umair, Abdul Zohaib Khan.

US to face Japan in women’s World Cup final

MOENCHENGLADBACH: The United States struck twice late in the second half to beat France 3-1 on Wednesday and will face Japan in the women’s World Cup final.

The Japanese, playing in their first semi-final, beat Sweden by the same score with a double from Nahomi Kawasumi, including a spectacular 35-metre lob, to book a spot in Sunday’s final.

On a rainy afternoon, the Americans, who won the title in 1991 and 1999 and have never finished below third place in a women’s World Cup, took an early lead when Lauren Cheney flicked in a Carli Lloyd cross in the ninth minute.

France levelled after the break with a Sonia Bompastor cross that bounced past US keeper Hope Solo but two goals in three minutes from Abby Wambach (79th) and Alex Morgan (82nd) secured a third World Cup final appearance for the Americans.

“This is our journey, this is our dream,” a beaming Wambach said. “France are a great team. There were moments they were outplaying us but I am so proud of this team.”

“I know we are going to pull through. I have belief in this team. Everybody is working for each other.”

In Frankfurt, captain Homare Sawa turned from villain to hero by putting Japan 2-1 up on the hour after her defensive error had given Sweden a 10th minute lead.

Josefine Oqvist pounced on Sawa’s disastrous back pass, cut into the box and fired home from a tight angle but Japan recovered quickly as Kawasumi equalised nine minutes later after scrambling the ball over the line.

Sawa added the second with a close-range header after the Japanese had rattled the bar minutes into the second half and Kawasumi completed their comeback in style, catching Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl out with a spectacular lob.

FRENCH DOMINANCE

In Moenchengladbach, the Americans, who were under pressure from the start, scored against the run of play through Cheney but immediately dropped deep and some sloppy passing allowed France to come forward repeatedly.

“We lost our legs a bit but we picked up the fight,” said US coach Pia Sundhage, whose team needed a penalty shootout to overcome Brazil in the last eight. “I think it was obvious we had heavy legs so we had to adjust.”

With Sundhage sensing danger and bellowing from her coaching area, the French dominance almost paid off on the half hour when Gaetane Thiney tested Solo with a close-range effort.

Bompastor then rattled the bar with a fierce drive seconds later as France took complete control.

Wambach, who had scored an equaliser deep into extra time against Brazil, should have put the Americans further in front before the break but headed along the goal line from a metre.

The French got their just reward after 55 minutes when Bompastor levelled after whipping in a cross from the left that deceived Solo.

With France coach Bruno Bini bringing on another striker in the speedy Elodie Thomis as they went in search of the winner, the Americans struck at just the right time with Wambach making amends and heading in at the far post.

A smooth chip over keeper Berangere Sapowicz from Morgan three minutes later put the game beyond the French.

“We had our chances and we had a lot,” Bini said.

“We were as good as we could have been. But they have a lot of experience.”

Resumption of Indo-Pak series after assessing pros and cons: BCCI

A series between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled for next year but a final decision would be made after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) makes a thorough assessment, the Indian board’s vice-president Rajeev Shukla said.

“The series is on our agenda and we will make the final decision after assessing the pros and cons in our meeting. The series is scheduled for next year and there is still a lot of time left,” Shukla said in a statment.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCCI recently held a meeting in Hong Kong on the sidelines of the ICC annual conference in which resumption of bilateral ties was discussed.

While cricket ties remain on hold the two countries will resume their football rivalry next month with a series of three international friendlies in England, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Monday.

“Playing Pakistan is always special,” AIFF president Praful Patel said in a statement.

“It’s a positive sign that we will play a bilateral football series against Pakistan. I’m sure all sporting fans are eagerly looking forward to it.”

PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad said that his board was taking heart from AIFF’s announcement and called for a similar effort between the cricket teams.

Squash Championship in Belgium were forced to withdraw from the event because of visa issues.

LONDON: The Pakistan squash team was dealt a severe blow when two of its brightest prospects for the upcoming WSF Men’s World Junior Individual Squash Championship in Belgium were forced to withdraw from the event because of visa issues.

Danish Atlas Khan and Nasir Iqbal, both 17-year-olds from Peshawar, were originally named as the third and fourth seeds. Khan is the reigning Asian Junior champion, with three PSA World Tour titles to his credit, while Iqbal, a former Asian U15 champion, already boasts two Tour titles.

“Whilst the realities of visa difficulties for players from some countries are a regular obstacle, it is very sad for the players concerned,” commented WSF CEO Andrew Shelley.

“They have spent years building up to the pinnacle of their junior career, and with Khan and Iqbal seeded in the top four, were poised to medal for themselves and Pakistan. We feel for them.”

PTF in hunt for a player to represent Davis Cup

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Wednesday said that after the defeat at the hands of South Korea in the Davis Cup they are on the lookout for a new player who can represent the country in the singles event of the Davis Cup in the coming future.

PTF, senior vice-president, Irshad Bhatti told APP on Wednesday that “we could have performed a lot better in the singles event of the tie.”

Bhatti said that there were two options available for upcoming tennis players.

“Firstly we can bring in a foreign player and provide him with a Pakistani nationality so that he can represent our country in future in Davis Cup or we could go to every part of Pakistan in search for a player who has the passion to play and can be improved, trained and polished by the PTF’s assistance in future.”

Bhatti said that the Davis Cup requires fresh thinking and, ultimately, radical overhaul.

“We are giving our players too much time and space, allowing them to play their game. The PTF provided them with a foreign professional coach training camps but still if we get these kinds of results then we are not the ones to be blamed.

“We have been having discussions after this Davis Cup tie loss in the PTF and this is the idea have come up with to win,” Bhatti concluded.

Most Powerful Athletes of Worlds for 2011

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback is more than simply the one of the best players in America’s sport. He’s also a model of class, sportsmanship and overall likability that fans (and sponsors) can’t get enough of.

2. Shaun White

White, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, combines dominance on the slopes with a friendly face and personality. All this adds up to instant marketability.

3. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods may have fallen from grace, but he hasn’t fallen far. Last year he still made $70 million in endorsements to remain America’s highest paid athlete. But guess who’s not far behind.

4. Phil Mickelson

More than just a moneymaker and an ace golfer, Mickelson provided the feel good sports story of the year when his wife, recovering from breast cancer surgery, met him at the 18th hole of his third Masters victory.

5. Tom Brady

Although he couldn’t make it past Rex Ryan’s Jets, the three-time Super Bowl champ still led his New England Patriots to a staggering 14 regular season wins.

6. Shaquille O’Neal

At 38, the four-time NBA champ has a legitimate chance to earn his fifth ring as the back-up center for the Boston Celtics. Even if the big man falls short, it’s doubtful that his extreme marketability will suffer much.

7. Drew Brees

Want to know how to win the support of fans and sponsors the world over? Try bringing a championship to an American city that’s seen more hard-luck and shown more resiliency than any other. That’s exactly what Drew Brees did for New Orleans.

8. Lance Armstrong

Although Armstrong has seen his share of controversy over the past few years, no number of doping allegations can take away from his cycling accomplishments (winning seven Tour de Frances after beating cancer) and his charity work.

9. Albert Pujols

The perfect antidote to the backlash against baseball over Performance Enhancing Drugs, Pujols is proof that you don’t have to play dirty to dominate the game.

10. Apolo Anton Ohno

Ohno? Oh yes. The Olympic speed skater has won loads of gold medals, but he really captured America’s heart as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars.

11. LeBron James

To some, LeBron is a backstabber who betrayed his hometown team on national TV. To others, he’s a phenomenal player who, like many other athletes, simply wants the best chance to win. For the time being at least, it would appear the public has embraced the first perspective; LeBron slipped a whopping nine spots this year.

12. Michael Phelps

Although it’s been over two years since winning eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, that stellar achievement is enough for him to continue raking in the advertising bucks for years to come.

13. Lindsey Vonn

The darling of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vonn is a sexy, hardworking downhill phenom whose star should only continue to burn bright into the future.

14. Kobe Bryant

In 2009, Bryant won his first NBA title without the big man Shaq down low. But that clearly wasn’t enough for him. Last year he won another title and now has a solid shot of a 2nd three-repeat, a feat that would only be rivaled by the great Michael Jordan.

15. Roger Federer

The Swiss Maestro has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other male tennis player in history. He held the ATP number one spot for 237 straight weeks until earlier this month, when the following athlete overtook him…

16. Rafael Nadal

Winner of last year’s French Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon, the dashing Spaniard’s advertising strategy is wildly varied: he’s been in a claymation viral video, but he’s also gearing up to be the new face (and body of course) of Armani underwear.

17. Eli Manning

While no match for big brother Peyton in the endorsement category, his heroics in Super Bowl XLII have made him a fan favorite pretty much everywhere outside of Foxboro.

18. Serena Williams

The accolades speak for themselves: 27 Grand Slam titles, 2 Olympic golds, and Williams shows no sign of slowing down. And with her fashion line and high-dollar endorsements, Williams’ influence is as potent as her crushing serves.

19. David Beckham

Plagued by injuries, Beckham didn’t exactly have a banner year on the field. But he’s the most recognizable face in international soccer which certainly counts for something ($40.5 million to be exact).

20. Dwayne Wade

Unlike LeBron, Wade didn’t have to betray anyone to get his own personal dream team in Miami. Nevertheless, it looks like he’s suffered from “guilt by association,” falling to number 20 after being ranked sixth in last year’s list.