bits and pieces

Iqbal Sikandar shines in Karachi Gymkhana win

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Former international Iqbal Sikandar claimed a hat-trick to guide Karachi Gymkhana to a 32-run win over Mattar Cricket Club in their Twenty20 friendly held at the Skyline University Ground in Sharjah (UAE) on Monday.

Iqbal Sikandar, who played four One-day Internationals during the 1992 World Cup, took 4-22, including a hat-trick, to help Karachi Gymkhana bowl Mataar Cricket Club for 87 in their chase of a target of 120. Zeeshan Essa captured 2-7.

Earlier, Karachi Gymkhana posted 119 with Mohammad Hussain scoring 26 and Umair Khan making 15.

In an earlier match at the same venue Karachi Gymkhana defeated Young Talent Cricket Academy by 55 runs.

Karachi Gymkhana posted 168 with Azhar Khan blasting 31-ball 82 with ten fours and four sixes. In reply, Young Talent Cricket Academy perished for only 113. Ali Anjum took 3-16.

Britain’s Robson crashes out in Shenzhen

BEIJING: British teenage tennis sensation Laura Robson crashed out of the Shenzhen Open in straight sets on Tuesday, a disappointing start to a year in which she is seeking to break into the world top 50.

The 18-year-old, currently ranked 53rd in the world, lost her second-round match against Romania’s Monica Niculescu 2-6 3-6 in one hour and 16 minutes.

She was seeded seventh in the hard court tournament, and came into the contest ranked five places above her opponent.

Meanwhile, Chinese number one Li Na defeated Luxembourger Mandy Minella 6-4 6-0 in her first round match.

The 2011 French Open singles title winner and top seed will face American Julia Cohen in the next phase of the competition.

The Shenzhen Open — carrying total prize money of $500,000 — is being played for the first time as tennis expands in China on the back of Li’s huge popularity.

Khizer beats Neha in SSB series

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Khizer Imran beat Neha Khan 7-6 (7), 6-2 in the category of juniors under-17 singles in the 20th SSB Development Series Ranking Tennis Championship at Union Club here on Tuesday.

The tournament is being organised by Sindh Tennis Association.

In the boys & girls under-15 singles first round, Zubair Raja defeated Umer Admani 6-1, 6-0; Shabbir Muhammad beat Saeed Hussain 6-2, 2-6, 10-3, Saad Muhammad smashed Khizer Imran 6-1, 6-2; Hania Naveed defeated Muhammad Ahmed 7-6( 4), 6-4; and Dawood Admani beat Muhammad Fahad 6-4, 6-4. In the first round of boys & girls under-13 singles, Amin Shafi beat Saad Suhail 6-0, 4-6, 11-9.

Sana to lead Pakistan in Women World Cup

KARACHI: All-rounder Sana Mir has been retained as skipper of the national team for the ICC Women’s World Cup to be held in Mumbai from January 26 to February 17.

Bismah Maroof will be the vice-captain for the all-important tournament.

Squad: Sana Mir (Captain), Syeda Nain Fatima Abidi, Bismah Maroof (Vice-Captain), Nida Rashid, Javeria Wadood, Sidra Amin, Rabia Shah, Syeda Batool Fatima Naqvi (Wicket-Keeper), Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sumaiya Siddiqui, Sadia Yousaf, Elizebath Barkat, Nahida Bibi, Diana Baig.

Taiwan’s Lu out of Chennai Open

CHENNAI: Seventh seed Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan began the new year on the wrong foot as he crashed to a first-round defeat in the $430,000 ATP Chennai Open on Tuesday.

Lu, the 29-year-old veteran ranked 59th in the world, failed to shrug off the rustiness of the off-season to lose to number 123 Matthias Bachinger of Germany 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

German qualifier Cedrik-Marcel Stebe beat the 68th-ranked Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-4 to qualify for a second-round match against fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Swizerland.

 

Posted in: Sports