‘Pick Umran for the T20 World Cup’
MUMBAI: Former India captain and chief of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar said that pace sensation Umran Malik should be picked for this year’s T20 World Cup squad.
“He did well in the IPL and he deserves a chance as he looked the best bowler in the format. I hope he is in the plane and I am sure he will do well if given an opportunity,” Vengsarkar on the sidelines of an event here on Saturday.
The World Cup is slated in Australia in October-november. “You must give an opportunity to someone who is in form. He is young, keen to play and hungry for success,” he said.
The batting stalwart also lavished praise on the leadership of Hardik Pandya for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
“The way he (Hardik) came back from injury is great. He must have worked very hard on his fitness. He did very well in the IPL and as a captain he did well. He led from the front. He guided the team in his first major tournament as captain. An all-rounder plays an important role in any team,” Vengsarkar said.
Bangladesh fight back against West Indies
GROS-ISLET: West Indies lost three wickets for one run just before lunch to stumble to 137 for four in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 234 on the second day of the second Test in St Lucia on Saturday. Seamer Khaled Ahmed claimed two wickets in the space of two overs and spinner Mehidy Hasan snared the allimportant wicket of captain Kraigg Brathwaite to trigger the slide. Starting the day at 67 without loss, Brathwaite and opening partner John Campbell extended their stand to 100.
ATKMB sign Pogba’s elder brother Florentin
KOLKATA: Indian Super League side ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday signed centre-back Florentin Pogba, the elder brother of 2018 World Cup-winning French midfielder Paul.
“It feels exciting to have joined a club as big as ATK Mohun Bagan. It makes me very proud. This legacy of the club is its jersey -- I’m looking forward to the day I turn up in gree-and-maroon,” the 31-yearold said in a statement.
Indian women’s team goes down to USA 1-4
NEW DELHI: The Indian women’s football team lost 1-4 to the USA in its last match of the three-nation U-23 tournament in Sweden on Saturday.
India took the lead in the eighth minute through Pyari Xaxa, but USA drew level in the first half before scoring three more in the second.