Sports

PERTH: Novak Djokovic insisted Tuesday a sore right wrist which required on-court treatment was “not a major concern” as he led Serbia into the quarter-finals of the United Cup. The world number one dro­pped a set in grinding past the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1 and required several visits from the trainer. He did not take part …

MADRID: Spanish World Cup-winning star Jenni Hermoso told a judge on Tuesday that the kiss forced on her by former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales was “at no point consensual” and that she had come under pressure to defend his actions. After arriving at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid just before 10:00 am (0900 GMT), the 33-year-old went to testify …

KABUL: Former England batter Jonathan Trott has signed a contract extension as Afghanistan head coach following their remarkable World Cup campaign in India. Afghanistan finished sixth of 10 teams at the 50-overs World Cup where they registered upset wins over former winners Eng­land, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and came close to humbling eventual champions Australia. The 42-year-old, who has signed …

Gritty Pakistan clawed back from looming disaster to finish with 313 on the back of fighting half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal on the first day of the third Test against Australia on Wednesday. The tourists, staring down a meagre innings total at 96 for five after winning the toss, counter-attacked to frustrate the Australians at the Sydney Cricket …

LAHORE: Underlining that the national Test team have the talent and ability to perform well in Australia, former Pakis­tan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood insists that poor preparations for the tough tour is preventing the players from giving their best. “Now [Pakistan team director] Mohammad Haf­eez is saying that the national Test squad should have reached Australia some six …

SYDNEY: Australian Olympic track cyclist and former world champion Melissa Hoskins has died after a car accident in the country’s south, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said on Monday. Australian media has widely reported that Hoskins’ husband and twice world individual time trial champion Rohan Dennis has been arrested and charged over her death. “The AOC has expressed the utmost …

LAHORE: While Pakistan Olympic Association’s executive committee in an emergent meeting late on Sunday elected Mohammad Abid Qadri Gillani as its new president, the Audit General of Pakistan (AGP) said that its team is coming to the POA offices in Lahore on Jan 5 to start the audit of the national Olympic body. Abid, who is currently the chairman of …

LAHORE: Dashing Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman on Monday said he will drop to number three or four in the upcoming T20 International series in New Zealand. “I have received a message from the team management to be ready to bat at one or two-down position as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are doing well as openers in T20 format,” left-handed …

SYDNEY: After 16 straight losses to Australia since 1995, including two this time around to lose the series, Pakistan are expected to ring the changes in their bid to end that run when the third and final Test begins in Sydney on Wednesday. Reports suggest the uncapped Saim Ayub will be drafted into the side in place of faltering opener …

Australia opted on Tuesday against playing a second spinner in the final Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground, naming an unchanged line-up for David Warner’s farewell match. Skipper Pat Cummins confirmed Australia’s fast-bowling trio had all recovered well from the second Test in Melbourne four days ago after clinching the three-match series with a tense 79-run win. Pakistan have made …