Punjab CM offers help to international boxer Simranjit

Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said that international boxer Simranjit Kaur, who is jobless and finding it hard to feed her family, should not worry and focus on the Olympics. “Don’t worry about anything, just focus on the upcoming Olympics,” Amarinder Singh tweeted. “I have directed Secretary, Sports, to immediately look into what needs to be done. Also I would like to thank all on Social Media & the media who highlighted the issue,” he added. The World Championship medalist has qualified for Tokyo Games. Simranjit, 24, hails from Ludhiana’s Chakar village. Her father, who worked at a grocery store, died in 2018 due to a heart failure.

London

UK HC hears wanted bookie Chawla’s appeal

The UK High Court today began hearing an application for permission to appeal filed by alleged bookie Sanjeev Chawla against his extradition to India to face charges of match-fixing. Chawla is wanted in India to face charges of cricket match-fixing dating back to 2000 and has been fighting against his extradition on human rights grounds. Former UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid had signed off on a District Judge’s order in favour of extradition in February last year, giving the 50-year-old time to seek an appeal against the decision.

New Delhi

Shreya, Shivani replace Richa, Nuzhat for series

Goa’s Shreya Parab and Maharashtra’s Shivani Shinde were named as replacements for Richa Ghosh and Nuzhat Parween in the India A and B squads for the upcoming Quadrangular T20 series, which also features Bangladesh and Thailand.

New Delhi

Bhuvi undergoes surgery, Prithivi leaves for NZ

Injury-plagued Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has undergone a sports hernia surgery in London and will begin his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after returning to the country. He was not named in the T20 squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Prithvi Shaw has left for New Zealand to join the India A team after completing his rehabilitation for a shoulder injury.

Dhaka
Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur declines to visit Pakistan

Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has declined to visit Pakistan for the forthcoming series. “Mushfiqur rang me today to inform that he will not go to Pakistan. We are now waiting for his formal letter. Once he does that, we will leave him out of the series,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin said. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20Is, two Tests and one ODI in Pakistan between January and April.

PORT ELIZABETH
Pope-Stokes partnership takes England to 224/4

Ben Stokes survived several scares but featured in a 76-run partnership with Ollie Pope as England reached 224/4 at close on the opening day of the third Test against South Africa. Brief Scores: England: 224/4 ( Z Crawley 44, O Pope 39, B Stokes 38*; K Rabada 2/48). Agencies

Adelaide

Barty wins, Halep shocked at Adelaide International

Ashleigh Barty maintained her mastery over Marketa Vondrousova but Aryna Sabalenka jolted Simona Halep’s Australian Open build-up in the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International on Thursday.

Barty prevailed with a 6-3 6-3 score, while Sabalenka stunned Halep 6-4 6-2 to set up a semifinals clash with Dayana Yastremska, who beat Donna Vekic 6-4 6-3. Danielle Collins knocked out Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-1.

Auckland

Denis Shapovalov falls to Humbert in Auckland

Denis Shapovalov crashed out of the ATP Auckland Classic on Thursday, beaten 7-5 6-4 by French qualifier Ugo Humbert today. Humbert will now meet John Isner in the semifinals after his 7-6(7) 7-6(7) win over Kyle Edmund.

New York

NBA: Magic put a spell on Lakers’ 9-game win streak

Markelle Fultz amassed 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and the visiting Orlando Magic ended the Los Angeles Lakers’ nine-game winning streak with a 119-118 victory on Wednesday night. Elsewhere, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 49 points as Portland controlled the tempo throughout its 117-107 victory over host Houston Rockets. — Agencies