ATP roundup: Jiri Lehecka, Alejandro Tabilo win first tour titles
Czech Jiri Lehecka rebounded from a set down to defeat Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and claim his first ATP Tour title on Saturday at the Adelaide International in Australia.
New Zealand Sport News
6,4,4,4, 6 - Finn Allen Smashes Shaheen Afridi For 24 Runs In 5 Balls. Watch
New Zealand opener Finn Allen had gone berserk against Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi during the first T20I match at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday. After taking a wicket in his first over, Shaheen returned for his second with great energy but Allen through his sensational batting got better of the left-arm pacer. He trashed him for 24 runs in the third over of the New Zealand innings. It all started with a six over deep mid-wicket off a slower first ball. Allen then smashed three fours in a row before hitting a six over long-on. The final delivery was a dot ball but the damage was already done.
England prop Mako Vunipola announces international retirement
England prop Mako Vunipola has announced his retirement from international rugby.
Will Young Replaces Josh Clarkson In New Zealand Squad For 3rd T20I Against Pakistan
Josh Clarkson was omitted from the New Zealand squad for the third T20I against Pakistan due to a shoulder injury. The batter, uncapped at T20I level, was originally supposed to replace New Zealand captain Kane Williamson for the third T20I. The third T20I of the series will take place on January 17. Williamson will miss the third T20I of the series to manage the knee issue that has affected him for most of the last 12 months, before returning for the final two games. Now in Clarkson's stead, Will Young has been added to the Black Caps' squad.
Indian Women's Hockey Team Eye 3rd Consecutive Olympic Appearance
The battle to earn a berth for the Paris Olympics begins tomorrow, with the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 kicking off in Ranchi, Jharkhand at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf on Saturday in Ranchi. The eight teams in the fray include Germany, Japan, Chile and Czech Republic in Pool A while hosts India are clubbed in Pool B with New Zealand, United States and Italy. Only the top 3 teams in the tournament will make the qualification cut.
Shaheen Afridi "Afraid, Tensed...": Journalist's Viral Rant, Wonders If "Pakistan Team Has "Mental Problem"
The start of Shaheen Afridi's Pakistan cricket team T20I captaincy did not start on the right note at all. On Friday, Pakistan slumped to a 46-run loss to New Zealand. Tim Southee became the first player to 150 wickets in Twenty20 internationals, leading New Zealand's "nasty fasties" to a 46-run win over Pakistan in their series opener in Auckland. Veteran seam bowler Southee claimed four wickets to pass the milestone and help dismiss the tourists for 180 in the 18th over in response to New Zealand's imposing 226-8, handing them first blood in the five-match series.
First Time In History! Rohit Sharma On Verge Of Sensational T20I Achievement
India skipper Rohit Sharma is all set to register a big T20I record. The star batter is only one game away from becoming the first player in international cricket to feature in 150 T20Is. Rohit has been picked as captain for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan which will also see him return to the format after a gap of 14 months. It is worth noting that India veterans Rohit and Virat Kohli both had been out of the T20I team ever since the side's exit in the T20 World Cup semi-final in November.
"Some Guys Are Disappointed": South Africa Great On Weakened Team For New Zealand Tests
Taking the SA20 to India in future could be "great" despite the logistical challenges such a move may involve, feels former South Africa cricketer Mark Boucher. Like the 2009 edition of the IPL was held in South Africa due to general elections in India, Boucher admitted the SA20 could be organised in the cricket-crazy Asian nation in the near future. "I think it's a great idea; I'm not against it. The IPL happened in South Africa, and we can do the same, as both cricketing nations share a great relationship," Boucher said during a virtual media interaction on Friday.