Briefly: Anahat wins British Junior Open squash title
India’s rising squash star Anahat Singh won the U-17 title in the British Junior Open with a fighting win over Egypt’s Malika El Karaksy. The 16-year-old Indian, seeded first, came from behind to beat her second-seeded opponent 4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11,5, 11-3. Anahat has won the tournament previously in the U-11 and U-15 categories. She lost the U-17 final last year.
New Delhi
Sriram and Reyes-Varela advance, Nagal exits
N Sriram Balaji and Miguel Reyes-Varela advanced to the Adelaide International pre-quarterfinals while Sumit Nagal fought hard before making an early exit at the Auckland ASB Classic. The Indo-Mexican pair of Balaji and Reyes-Varela staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Rohan Bopanna and his new Colombian partner Nicolas Barrientos 4-6 6-2 10-7. India’s top singles player Nagal put up a spirited fight before falling to his USA rival Alex Michelsen 7-6(8) 4-6 2-6 in a gruelling two-hour, 40-minute battle.
Rourkela
HIL: Soorma clinch shootout win over Delhi Pipers
Soorma Hockey Club secured a thrilling 3-1 shootout victory over Delhi SG Pipers after a late brace by Harmanpreet Singh in the final quarter levelled the match in regulation time. After a quiet first half, Tomas Domene (43rd minute) and Manjeet Singh (45th) scored to grant Delhi a two-goal lead. However, Harmanpreet (48th, 57th) found the back of the net twice with his drag-flicks to get Soorma back on level terms.
Kolkata
Mumbai score late winner to overcome East Bengal in ISL
Mumbai City FC held off a late scare from East Bengal FC to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Indian Super League. Lallianzuala Chhangte (39th minute) and Nikos Karelis (43rd, 87th) scored for Mumbai, while East Bengal got their goals from a Sahil Panwar (66th) own goal and a David Lalhlansanga (83rd) strike.
Karachi
Windies arrive for first Test series in Pakistan in 18 years
West Indies arrived in Islamabad for their first Test series in Pakistan in 18 years. West Indies last toured Pakistan for a Test series in 2006 though they have been to the country for two white-ball rubbers in between. The first Test is in Multan from January 17. The second Test is scheduled from January 25 at the same venue.
BULAWAYO
Afghanistan wrap up Test win over Zimbabwe
Afghanistan took only 15 balls to wrap up victory on the last day of the second Test against Zimbabwe, winning by 72 runs to take the two-match series. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 205, failing to add to their overnight score but losing their last two wickets in only 13 minutes.
