The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Pakistan shine on the pitch with series win Posted: 07 Nov 2011 07:28 AM PST  The Pakistan team poses with their trophy after winning the test series against Sri Lanka in Sharjah November 7, 2011. – Reuters pic Having been set a target of 255 runs for victory on the rain-hit fifth day, Pakistan opted for safety and were led largely by Taufeeq Umar's watchful 39 from 121 balls to finish on 87 for four from 57 overs. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten at the end on nine, the innings typical of his team's dogged approach on an uneventful last day as he batted for nearly 100 minutes and face 86 balls. Pakistan, who won the second match of the series by nine wickets after the drawn first test, were playing "home" tests in the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns in their own country. The series win follows former captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir being handed jail sentences in London last week for their role in a gambling-inspired plot to bowl deliberate no-balls against England last year. However, the victory and the fine performances of spinner Saeed Ajmal, which made him joint player of the series with Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, will give Pakistani cricket supporters some cheer. DRAB DRAW After the first session was washed out today, a Sri Lanka win to force a series draw became even more unlikely. Resuming on their overnight 164 for five, Sri Lanka batted 4.2 overs to declare their second innings on 181 for six wickets with opener Tharanga Paranavitana (76) and Rangana Herath (one) unbeaten at the crease. Pakistan wobbled early on, losing Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali to be 30 for two before first innings centurion Younis Khan was dismissed during the 29 overs they faced until tea. Taufeeq carved the ball to Sangakkara at backward point off Randiv, briefly raising Sri Lanka's hopes of an unlikely win, though Asad Shafiq (seven) repelled the depleted attack alongside Misbah until bad light forced the close. Sri Lanka lost paceman Dhammika Prasad for the rest of the game with a thigh strain early in the match and the remaining bowlers never really threatened Pakistan. Ajmal, the series-leading wicket taker, picked up 18 victims and his 5-68 turned the second test on its head as Sri Lanka collapsed and gifted Pakistan victory. Sangakkara piled up 516 runs at an average of 86, scoring a vital 211 in the first test to salvage a draw. The two countries will now contest a five-match one-day series starting on Friday in Dubai before a one-off Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 25. – Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Williams talking to Raikkonen, says shareholder Posted: 07 Nov 2011 06:40 AM PST
Austrian Christian 'Toto' Wolff told the Kronen Zeitung that the Finn (picture), who won his title with Ferrari, was one of several names on their list of possible drivers for next season. "We are in conversation with Raikkonen," he said. "But he is only one of several options." Former champions Williams, enduring their worst season in Formula One with five points from 17 races, have said nothing officially about any contacts with the 32-year-old 'Iceman' despite mounting media speculation. Asked at the recent Indian Grand Prix whether Raikkonen might return to race for Williams next year, team chairman Adam Parr refused to be drawn. "Our race drivers are Pastor Maldonado and Rubens Barrichello and if, and when, that changes we will make an appropriate announcement," he said. Raikkonen, still hugely popular with F1 fans despite leaving the sport for rallying at the end of 2009, told the latest edition of F1 Racing magazine that anything was possible but nothing had been decided. "There are many different options and of course a lot of speculation," he said. "Until something is certain, there is no point in speculating because it could go any way. To be honest, I don't know myself yet." Barrichello, who has started more races than any driver in the history of Formula One, has said he wants to keep racing and is expecting a decision on his future before his home season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Nov. 27. "The fans need to know. Williams told me they would like to make a decision before Brazil, so I hope at least that is a positive. I would like that to happen," the 39-year-old told reporters last month. Rookie Maldonado brings substantial sponsorship to the team from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA and is sure to stay. BIG DECISION Adrian Sutil is likely to be another strong option for Williams if the experienced German is not retained by Force India. Force India principal Vijay Mallya said in India that he hoped to announce his 2012 line-up before this weekend's race in Abu Dhabi but that looked less likely today. "All the drivers have asked me to make an early decision, and I respect that. I have a big decision to make," he said in a team preview. "But it's not made yet." Britain's Paul Di Resta is expected to stay at the team, with Germany's Nico Hulkenberg, who raced for Williams last year and took pole position in Brazil, widely tipped to join him at Sutil's expense. The other big question mark in the driver market hangs over Renault, with Robert Kubica's return still up in the air. The Pole has yet to step into a Formula One car since his near-fatal pre-season rally crash and Renault will be trying out Frenchman Romain Grosjean in Friday practice this week to assess his potential. Brazilian Bruno Senna, who has a contract to stand in until the end of the season, is also hoping to stay on if Kubica cannot return. The top four teams – Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes – are all set to be unchanged for 2012. – Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
LONDON, Nov 7 – Rubens Barrichello's Formula One future looks increasingly uncertain after a major Williams shareholder said the team were talking to 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen about a possible comeback.| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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