Sports

KARACHI: South Africa head coach Mark Boucher was in no doubt on Monday when he said that the playing conditions confronting his charges in the first Test against Pakistan are somewhat contrast to those he played on previous three Test tours here. The 44-year-old Boucher — Test cricket’s most prolific wicket-keeper with 555 dismissals from 147 matches — was candid …

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took two wickets for just eight runs as he led a South African fightback against Pakistan in their first Test in Karachi on Tuesday. Pakistan were in trouble at 33 for four at the close of play, having bowled out the visitors for 220 — their second-lowest total in the country. Fourteen wickets fell on the …

KARACHI: Ahmed Baig tried his best but there was simply just no stopping Shabbir Iqbal. The defending champion had a look of resignation on his face as he birdied the final hole here at the Arabian Sea Country Club on Sunday, about to relinquish his Sindh Open Golf Championship crown to Shabbir. Moments later, Shabbir sealed a record-extending sixth title …

KARACHI: Sindh were guaranteed No.1 slot in the Pakistan Cup after a high-scoring successful chase against Southern Punjab, who despite losing are still in the hunt for the semi-finals along with Northern. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, meanwhile, booked their last-four spot after completing a fifth triumph against Central Punjab, who also are in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout round, …

KARACHI: Embattled Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq appealed on Sunday for calm after recent upheavals over his future with the national side as his charges prepare for the forthcoming first Test against South Africa. Addressing a virtual media conference following a team practice session at the National Stadium, Misbah appeared unruffled and refused to speculate on his immediate future after Pakistan …

SWAT: Swiss player Victor Rojer clinched first position in the giant slalom category on the final day of Pakistan International Snowboarding Championship at the scenic Malam Jabba ski resort in Swat. More than 44 national and international players, four women among them, and fans of snowboarding from different countries including Switzerland, Belgium, France and Afghanistan participated in the event. Senator …

KARACHI: About half an hour past sunrise, Shabbir Iqbal strode out to the Arabian Sea Country Club course with a share of the lead at the start of the second round of the Sindh Open Golf Championship. On a day when his grey jacket glistened in the winter sunshine, Pakistan’s top golfer shone brightly to open up a four-shot advantage …

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday yet again stumped experts and knowledgeable broadcasting circles when it named Messrs Blitz Advertising among the consortium that has been awarded the broadcasting right for the South Africa cricket series. It has been a well-known fact that the PCB and Blitz Advertising have been embroiled in a nasty court battle for several …

SOUTHAMPTON: Holders Arsenal bowed out of the FA Cup in the fourth round in disappointing fashion as Gabriel’s first-half own goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at Southampton on Saturday. The Gunners’ defence of the trophy they won by beating Chelsea last August ended with something of a whimper as Mikel Arteta’s side struggled with repeatedly sloppy defending. Southampton …

KARACHI: Considering South Africa boast of a formidable pace artillery at their disposal, Pakistan are almost certain to put the tourists trial by spin when the first match of the two-Test series starts here at the National Stadium on Tuesday. At cursory glance on the centre of the square at the iconic cricket venue amply suggests that South Africa are …