Paire and Karlovic set for Tata Open Maharashtra return

Pune

Stylish Frenchman and world No. 24 Benoit Paire will headline the field at the Tata Open Maharashtra but South African Kevin Anderson will not return to defend his title at India’s only ATP 250 event, starting February 3. Last edition’s runner-up Ivo Karlovic will return for the third edition of the tournament, which has now been shifted to the first week of February instead of being a season-opener. With the ATP reshuffling the calendar to accommodate the ATP Cup, which is happening for the first time, the tournament will now be held after the Australian Open. Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist with a career-high ranking of 16, will make his debut at the event.

Lahore
Naseem shouldn’t be sent for U-19 World Cup: Hafeez  

Out-of-favour Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez feels pace sensation Naseem Shah (in pic) shouldn’t be sent to next month’s Under-19 World Cup and the 16-year-old should rather work on getting “technically and physically better” at the highest level. 

London
Hafeez banned from bowling in ECB meets   

Pakistan’s Mohammed Hafeez was today suspended from bowling in English cricket’s domestic competitions after his action was again found illegal following an independent assessment. Agencies

London
Reds’ Oxlade-Chamberlain sidelined with ankle injury

Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle ligament injury in Saturday’s Club World Cup final, manager Juergen Klopp said on Tuesday. He is set to miss the rest of the season.

WELLINGTON
Injury forces Andreescu out of season opener in NZ 

Bianca Andreescu on Tuesday pulled out of her Australian Open warm-up tournament, the Auckland WTA Classic, as she continues to battle a knee injury.

New york
Rockets rule Sacramento Kings, Heat burn down Jazz    

James Harden scored 34 points and Russell Westbrook added 28 to help Houston post a victory at Sacramento on Monday night. Clint Capela registered 15 points and 14 rebounds as Houston won its fourth straight game. Elsewhere, Bam Adebayo had 18 points and 12 rebounds, as host Miami Heat ran its home record to 13-1 by defeating Utah Jazz.

KAMPALA
Eritrean soccer players go missing in Uganda again 

Seven players from Eritrea’s national soccer team have gone missing after playing at a tournament in Uganda, an official said, the second time in two months its footballers have disappeared while touring the country. agencies