Tokyo hopes all but over for Saina, Srikanth

NEW DELHI: The Malaysia Open Super 750 tournament, one of badminton’s last two Olympic qualifying events, was on Friday postponed due to the Covid-19 surge in the host country, dealing a severe blow to the qualification hopes of India’s Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth.

After the postponement of the India Open (May 11-16), Saina and Srikanth’s qualification for Tokyo hinged on the Kuala Lumpur event followed

by Singapore Open (June 1-6).

Abid, Azhar centuries put Pakistan in control

HARARE: Centuries by Abid Ali and Azhar Ali put Pakistan in a strong position on the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe here on Friday.

Abid (118 not out) and Azhar (126) put on 236 for the second wicket before fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani brought Zimbabwe back by taking three wickets with the second new ball.

268/4 in 90 ov (Azhar Ali 126, Abid Ali 118

batting; B Muzarabani 3/41) v

NEW DELHI: Kane Williamson and three other New Zealanders on Friday flew to Maldives in a departure from their original plan, as they were not feeling comfortable staying in Delhi.

Williamson, Mitchell Santer, Kyle Jamison and CSK physio Tommy Simsek took a commercial flight to Maldives. They were originally supposed to stay in Delhi till May 10. Meanwhile,

CSK batting coach Mike Hussey has tested Covid negative.

Nadal stunned by Zverev in Madrid quarters

MADRID: Rafael Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Friday, casting doubts over the Spaniard’s form ahead of the French Open.

Nadal has now fallen early in two clay-court Masters events, after exiting in the Monte Carlo quarter-finals last month before winning in Barcelona while saving a match point in the final.