Sports

CHRISTCHURCH: Captain Kane Williamson had no trouble on Wednesday pinpointing the moment that laid the foundation for New Zealand to become the world’s number one ranked Test cricket team for the first time. The Black Caps were confirmed in the top spot after a comprehensive victory over Pakistan by an innings and 176 runs in the second Test in Christchurch …

AS Pakistan stared down the barrel at Christchurch, with yet another series loss looming large, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq sat comfortably in the cosy environs of the team’s dressing room sipping hot coffee. The bearded two-in-one official along with bowling coach Waqar Younis — who is taking a break from the challenging tour to have a family outing — knew well …

LAHORE: Former Test medium-fast bowler turned coach Aaqib Javed has lambasted the performance of the Pakistan men’s team and termed the incumbent head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and fast bowling coach Waqar Younis as “not coaches”. In a Meet the Press programme organised by the Sports Journalists Association of Lahore (SJAL) here on Tuesday, Aaqib, who is also the head coach of …

JOHANNESBURG: Despite a fighting century from Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne, South Africa completed a sweep of their two match series as they strolled to a 10-wicket win on the third day of the second Test at the Wanderers on Tuesday. South Africa knocked off a target of 67 runs without loss as openers Dean Elgar (31 not out) and …

KARACHI: History was created on Tuesday at the National Stadium when the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final provided the first-ever tie across the cricketing globe in any first-class tournament’s decider as a sensational century from Central Punjab captain Hasan Ali forced Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to share the title. Hasan, by his own admission, drew inspiration from England talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes, who stroked …

Towering paceman Kyle Jamieson completed an 11-wicket match haul on Wednesday as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan in the second Test to become the world’s top-ranked team. Jamieson was near unplayable in Pakistan’s second innings in Christchurch, finishing with six for 48 to go with his five for 69 in the first innings, as Pakistan were all out for 186 during …

The England cricket team all passed coronavirus tests after all-rounder Moeen Ali was found to have Covid-19 and have been cleared to start restricted training in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, a spokesman said. Moeen was found to have the coronavirus shortly after the squad arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday and has been put in isolation in a hotel away from the …

HAMBANTOTA: England all-rounder Moeen Ali tested positive for Covid-19 in Sri Lanka after the team’s arrival on the island, the country’s cricket board said on Monday. “Moeen will now observe a period of 10 days self-isolation, in accordance with the Sri Lanka Government’s protocol on quarantine,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement. “[All-rounder] Chris Woakes has …

HAMBANTOTA: Begin­ning a Test tour with hazmat suits, disinfection spray and isolation would knock many athletes for six, but England’s cricketers are grateful for the cautious welcome laid on by their Sri Lankan hosts, fast bowler James Anderson said on Monday. The veteran England stalwart remarked he is excited by the challenge of tours to Sri Lanka and India even …

JOHANNESBURG: Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne ensured his team would avoid an innings defeat but the tourists were in a precarious position at the end of the second day of the second and final Test against South Africa at the Wanderers on Monday. The tourists were 150 for four at the close, a lead of five runs with six wickets …