Indian arrows coach steps down

New Delhi: Former Portuguese footballer Luis Norton de Matos today stepped down as head coach of Indian Arrows, the developmental team of All India Football Federation (AIFF), citing personal reasons. In a letter to AIFF, Matos, who had coached India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, expressed his inability to continue owing to a combination of exigencies on the personal front and an aggravated knee injury. Matos wrote: “Certain personal reasons, chiefly the health-related issues of my parents have made it difficult for me to continue in the position of Head Coach, Indian Arrows and stay far away from Europe for the entire season. Hence, with deep regret, I have decided to step down as the Head Coach of the Indian Arrows, India’s U-19 national team.” 

Tendulkar, Middlesex launch academy 

mumbai: Retired India batting great Sachin Tendulkar has joined forces with Middlesex Cricket to launch an academy for budding male and female cricketers. The academy will provide training for children between the ages of nine and 14 through a curriculum developed by the coaches at the county and Tendulkar. “I am delighted to be partnering with Middlesex Cricket on this new venture,” Tendulkar said in a press statement. 

Praneeth out; Subhankar, Ruthvika progress  

singapore: Defending champion B Sai Praneeth crashed out of the Singapore Open after suffering a narrow 21-16 16-21 18-21 defeat  against Japan’s Yu Igarashi in the opening round of the competition here today. Meanwhile, Subhankar Dey, Ruthvika Shivani Gadde and former national champion Rituparna Das advanced to the second round. 

Pak beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets, clinch series    

Bulawayo: Pakistan sealed the series after strolling to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third ODI here today. Pakistan seamer Faheem Ashraf took a career best 5/22 as the hosts were skittled for just 67 runs. The total was the home side’s lowest ever against Pakistan. In reply, opener Fakhar Zaman hit an undefeated 43 as Pakistan needed just 10 overs to seal the victory and take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-game series. 

England Lions in driver’s seat against India A    

worcester: England Lions tightened the screws on India A as they dismissed the visitors for 197 and were going strong at 159/4 in their second innings on the third day of the only four-day unofficial Test here. Resuming at 144/4, Ajinkya Rahane (49) and Rishab Pant (58) added another 45 runs to take India A to 189 before the latter was dismissed in the 62nd over by Chris Woakes after he completed his half-century. Rahane too was sent packing in the next over by Sam Curran as India A slumped to 189/6. Brief scores: England Lions: 423 & 159/4 (D Malan 56; Siraj 48/3); India A: 197 all out (P Shaw 62, R Pant 58; S Curran 5/43). — Agencies