Bits and Pieces

 K-Electric clinch Corporate T20 Cup title

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Left-arm rookie paceman Ghulam Mudassir and Khushdil Shah enabled K-Electric to lift the title when they defeated Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) by two runs in a thrilling final of the 6th Corporate T20 Cup 2017 held at the Moin Khan Academy Ground in DHA on Friday night.

Mudassir (3-28), Khushdil (2-2) and Ammad Butt (2-12) enabled K-Electric to restrict SSGC to 100-8 in the allotted 20 overs while chasing a target of 103.

Stumper Saifullah Bangash was the only batsman who offered some resistance by scoring a 25-ball 24 with four hits to the fence.

Mohammad Waqas contributed a 21-ball 11.

Earlier, K-Electric posted 102-8 with Usman Khan top-scoring with a 21-ball 24 which had one four and two sixes.

Hassan Khan belted a 14-ball 20 not out in the end, having hammered one six and one four.

Khaushdil Shah struck a 17-ball 14 with one six and one four while Sajjad Hashmi hammered a 22-ball 13 with two fours.

Spinners Zafar Gohar (2-16), Usama Mir (2-20) and Adil Amin (2-15) bowled well.

Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Administrator DHA Brigadier Shahid Hassan Ali were also present at the presentation ceremony.

The winners were handed over a purse of Rs100,000 while the runners-up went away with Rs50,000. Khushdil was adjudged Man of the Match for his all-round show and was given a cheque of Rs50,000 and a five-day Umrah package.

Former Real Madrid defender Arbeloa retires

MADRID: Former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has decided to retire from professional football, the 34-year-old told a Spanish newspaper.

The Spain international won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two European Championships in 56 appearances for his country.

He also won multiple trophies at Spanish champions Real Madrid, including one league and two Champions League titles.

Arbeloa signed a one-year contract at West Ham after being released from Madrid last August but made just four appearances for the London side.

“It’s time to say goodbye,” Arbeloa told Marca. “Physically I was ok to keep playing.”  —Reuters

Federer advances to Halle final

HALLE, Germany: Top seed Roger Federer will challenge for a ninth Halle Open title after reaching the Wimbledon warm-up event final with a 6-4 7-6(5) victory over rising Russian talent Karen Khachanov on Saturday.

The 18-times grand slam champion skipped the entire claycourt season to improve his chances of winning a record eighth title at the All England Club.

Despite a shock exit from Stuttgart on his comeback last week, Federer has improved in Halle and has not lost a set.

He will now play the winner of the other semi-final between Frenchman Richard Gasquet and local favourite Alexander Zverev.

The pair traded breaks in the first two games but Federer made amends by grabbing a second one to restore his advantage and clinch the first set on his second set point.

Southampton name Pellegrino as new manager

LONDON: English Premier League side Southampton named Argentinian coach Mauricio Pellegrino as their new manager on Friday to replace Claude Puel, who was sacked after just one season in charge.

The 45-year-old Pellegrino, who had been in charge of Alaves in Spain, has agreed a three-year contract at St Mary’s and will officially join up with Southampton next week, the club said.

“I am really happy to become the new coach of Southampton Football Club. The club has a great reputation for having a strong and stable structure, competing in the Premier League and playing attractive football,” said Pellegrino.

He added: “I think my philosophy and the culture of the club will work well together.”