ODI rankings: Kohli attains rare landmark, surpasses Lara

Dubai: India skipper Virat Kohli achieved a rare feat on Tuesday when he crossed the 900-point mark concurrently in Tests and ODIs in the latest ICC ODI Rankings. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan and India pacer Jasprit Bumrah took joint-top position among bowlers in the rankings released today. Kohli’s purple patch with the bat saw him become only the second batsman after South Africa’s AB de Villiers to attain the 900-point mark concurrently in both forms of the game. He is among only the five batsmen to have crossed 900 points in both forms of the game as he consolidated his top position with 558 runs in the 5-1 series win over South Africa, during which he notched up three tons. The 28-year-old moved ahead of West Indian great Brian Lara in the all-time list, having also overtaken him in the all-time Test list last month.  

Bengaluru
AFC Cup: Bengaluru crush TCSC 5-0, enter group stage    

Bengaluru FC stormed into the AFC Cup group stage with a 5-0 thrashing of Maldives' TC Sports Club, a splendid hat-trick by Toni Dovale laying the foundation for the rout in the second leg playoff here today.  The hat-trick goal came after Dovale tapped in a cross from Udanta Singh in the 48th minute, sealing the match with an aggregate of 8-2.  

Karachi
Under-19 cricketer in Pakistan commits suicide    

An U-19 cricketer from Karachi committed suicide today morning, apparently due to depression after selection snubs and problems with his coaches. Aamir Hanif, who played five ODIs for Pakistan in the early 90s, said his son, Muhammad Zaryab, was found hanging from a ceiling in his room at their home in Malir.  

Karachi
Pakistan chases former India hockey coach Oltmans    

The Pakistan Hockey Federation is targeting celebrated Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans to take charge of the national team before the Commonwealth Games. A reliable source in the federation said that Oltmans, who has coached Pakistan in 2003-2004 as well, was in Oman, where Pakistan are playing a triangular tournament with Japan and the hosts. “Oltmans is in Oman to have talks with the PHF president and the secretary. If he agrees to take up the new assignment, he will be given charge of the team ahead of the Commonwealth Games in April,” the source said.  

Karachi 
Pietersen to end cricket career after PSL   

England’s Kevin Pietersen will end his professional cricket career after the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) third edition, which begins in Dubai on Thursday. Pietersen will represent Quetta Gladiators in PSL. The dashing batsman posted a photo of himself on Instagram, hugging his son before leaving to join Gladiators in Dubai. “Countless goodbyes to Jessica Taylor and my kids as a cricket player and this one this evening is the last one I’ll ever have to do. I’ve hated every goodbye but also known it’s work, so just gotten on with it,” Pietersen said, hinting the end is near.    

New Delhi
Top Indian runners for New Delhi marathon     

Top Indian marathoners such as Kheta Ram, Gopi T and Jitendra Singh Rawat will be seen in action as more than 15,000 runners are expected to compete at the IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon on Sunday. — Agencies