Bits and Pieces

‘Green-shirts World Cup berth prospects brighter this time’

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh has said that the Green-shirts would find it easier this time to secure a place in World Cup since the number of participating teams has been increased to 16.

Next month, 13th-ranked Pakistan will be featuring in Hockey World League Round 2 in England, which offers a chance to teams to qualify for World Cup 2018.

“In the 2014 edition, the number of teams in the marquee event was 12. And Pakistan failed to make the cut. This time chances are bright and I am hopeful that Pakistan will qualify for the World Cup 2018,” Shahnaz, also a former coach, told PPI.

Five continental tournament champions, hosts India and top ten ranked teams from Hockey World League Round 2 will qualify for the World Cup.

Twenty teams will be seen in action in the two legs of HWL Round 2, one next month in London and the second in Johannesburg in July.

“I think continental champions and India will also be among top five teams in each leg. So, most probably top eight teams from each of the ten-team HWL Round 2 will qualify for the World Cup,” he added.

He further said that Asia Cup later this year would also offer a chance but for Pakistan that would be difficult. “India have become Asian power house, both on and off the field. So, we should not depend on Asia Cup and must seek World Cup berth through Hockey World League.”

I almost destroyed wrist at French Open, says Nadal

PARIS: Rafael Nadal admitted on Thursday that he almost “destroyed” his wrist at last year’s French Open, as he relived the pain which forced him to abandon his pursuit of a 10th Roland Garros title.

The Spanish star withdrew from the 2016 tournament with a left wrist injury on the eve of his third round match, going on to miss Wimbledon before returning for the Rio Olympics.

“It was not a decision — it was an obligation. I almost destroyed my wrist at Roland Garros,” Nadal told Eurosport on Thursday.

“What seemed doable on Monday was more difficult on Friday. I was playing well and pushed further until my wrist said ‘no’. After that, the rest of the year was complicated.”

Nadal is bidding to win the French Open for a 10th time and is considered the leading favourite after clinching clay court titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid already this year.

He also reached his first Grand Slam final in three years in Australia in January where he lost in three sets to old rival Roger Federer who is skipping Roland Garros.

“My forehand is getting better and better. The rest of my game is working well and there aren’t too many ups and downs at the moment,” said the 30-year-old Nadal whose record in Paris reads nine titles, 72 match wins and just two defeats.

Al-Hamza CC cruise into Edhi Memorial Cricket final

KARACHI: Al-Hamza Cricket Club advanced into the summit clash of the inaugural Abdul Sattar Edhi Memorial Twenty20 Cricket Tournament as they thrashed Northern Gymkhana by nine wickets in the second semi-final here at the Nazeer Hussain Gulberg Gymkhana Ground.

Northern Gymkhana batted first and were all out for 119 in 19.4 overs. Nadeem Javed (27 off 18 balls) and Usman Javed (24 off 20 balls) batted well. Babar Hussain Agha, Moazzam Malik, Shoaib Khan and Waseem Ali picked two wickets each.

Al-Hamza CC reached the target easily with nine wickets in hand in only seven overs. Zakir Malik scored unbeaten 85 off only 29 balls with the help of eight boundaries and nine sixes. Al Hamza CC will take on Innovators CC in the final.

Pakistan CC win Fazal Mahmood Championship

KARACHI: Babar Hussain Agha scored 179 with the help of 25 boundaries and four sixes off only 118 balls to help Pakistan Cricket Club bulldoze Taimuria Sports by 296 runs in the final of Fazal Mahmood National Club Cricket Championship here at KCCA Stadium.

Batting first, Pakistan CC put on board 382-5 in 50 overs. Saud Shakil contributed 74.

In reply, Taimuria Sports batting-line crumpled under pressure and were all out for only 86 in 26.2 overs. Meer Saeed top scored for the side with 18 runs. Spinner Faraz Ahmed Khan captured four wickets, while skipper Adnan Kalim, Junaid Ilyas and Fawad Khan picked two wickets each.

Ahsan in Welsh Squash Open quarters

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines’ player Ahsan Ayaz moved into the quarter-finals of $10,000 Welsh Squash Open at Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Wales, on Friday.

Unseeded Ahsan upset fifth seed Kristian Frost from Denmark 7-11, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 in 66 minutes in the first round. He will face top seed Joshua Masters of England.

Nazimabad Gymkhana thrash GMH CC

KARACHI: Nazimabad Gymkhana trounced GMH Cricket Club by nine wickets in the first match of the inaugural Omar Associates Trophy Floodlit Cricket Tournament here at Annu Bhai Park.

Batting first, GMH Cricket Club were bundled out for 86 runs in 18.1 overs. Imran Ali and Fouz picked three wickets each.

Nazimabad Gymkhana reached the target of 87 runs for the loss of one wicket in 10.2 overs. Hamza Ghanchi scored 42 not out. Owais Rehmani remained unbeaten on 30.