Tuesday 15 March 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Nadal topples Verdasco to advance at Indian Wells

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INDIAN WELLS (AFP) - Rafael Nadal saved five set points to finish off a two-set victory over Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 7-6 (11-9) on Tuesday in the third round at Indian Wells.Nadal, the nine-time French Open champion who turns 30 in June, avenged his first-round loss to fellow Spaniard Verdasco at the Australian Open in January.He moved a step closer to a fourth trophy in the California desert, where he took the title of the hardcourt ATP and WTA event in 2013, 2009 and 2007. The fourth seeded Spaniard next faces German Alexander Zverev who defeated Gilles Simon in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.Nadal roared through the first set without dropping a game, but Verdasco came to life in the second, eventually forcing it to a tiebreaker.Nadal fought off five set points before clinching it when Verdasco hit a backhand long to end the one hour, 41 minute third round match.It was a tough match, but I resisted, Nadal said. I lost a few matches this year that I had a chance to win so I need to play more matches like this.Nadal improved to 15-3 overall against Verdasco but they have had some memorable contests since their first encounter in 2005 in Doha.They played a brilliant three tiebreaker match at Cincinnati in 2011, went five sets in the semis of the 2009 Australian Open and earlier this year they played another five setter in Melbourne with Verdasco handing Nadal just his second ever first-round defeat in a Grand Slam.Japans Kei Nishikori won his third round match Tuesday defeating Steve Johnson 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5).World number six Nishikori next faces ninth seeded American John Isner who beat Frances Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).Nishikori needed two tiebreakers and almost two hours to eliminate a stubborn Johnson.I thought I was patient today, Nishikori said. Obviously, its not easy. But I played some good tennis. So Im looking forward to my next match.Spains Feliciano Lopez defeated Roberto Bautista 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (10/12), 6-4.On the womens side, defending Indian Wells champ Simona Halep moved on to the quarter-finals when her opponent Barbora Strycova retired in the second set with a respiratory problem, third seed Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 6-3, and eighth seed Petra Kvitova defeated Nicole Gibbs 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

UN suspends Sharapova as goodwill ambassador

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United Nations has suspended Maria Sharapova as a goodwill ambassador after she failed a drug test at the Australian Open, the latest fall from grace for the Russian tennis star. Sharapova had been a goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Programme for the past nine years, and had been active in helping recovery efforts after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.The United Nations Development Programme remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery, said a spokesperson.However, in light of Ms. Sharapovas recent announcement, we last week suspended her role as a Goodwill Ambassador and any planned activities while the investigation continues.We wish Ms. Sharapova the best, she added.Former world number one Sharapova announced last week that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January.Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agencys banned list on January 1.US sportswear giant Nike, German luxury car maker Porsche and Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer have all halted their relationship with the former world number one.Sharapova has made visits to Belarus as goodwill ambassador and donated $100,000 to support youth projects in rural areas that suffer from the after-affects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.Sharapovas family fled the city of Gomel in Belarus in 1987 after the Chernobyl disaster, moving to Siberia where the tennis star was born.The family lived in Nyagan, Siberia for two years and then moved to Sochi on the Black Sea where Sharapova took her first tennis lessons.

Football: Man City qualify for Champions League quarter-finals

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Injuries to centre-backs Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi overshadowed proceedings as Manchester City reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time by drawing 0-0 with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.Leading 3-1 from last months away leg, Manuel Pellegrinis side completed the job in forgettable fashion, with Jesus Navass shot against the post for City the nearest either side came to breaking the deadlock.But first-half injuries to captain Kompany and Otamendi cast a pall over the evening at a hushed Etihad Stadium, leaving City vulnerable in defence ahead of Sundays derby with Manchester United in the Premier League.While progress in the Champions League represents a historic achievement for Pellegrini, who will hand over to Pep Guardiola at the seasons end, the injuries could have a costly impact on Citys attempt to resurrect their domestic title challenge.The League Cup winners have fallen 12 points below leaders Leicester City, although they retain a game in hand, and face challenges from both United and in-form West Ham United for their top-four place.Pellegrini welcomed Yaya Toure back from the heel problem that had caused him to miss Saturdays frustrating 0-0 draw at Norwich City, but within seven minutes he was counting the cost of another injury.After misjudging a bounce on the City right, Kompany slipped as he tried to recover the situation and immediately realised that he had done himself damage, passing the ball out of play and signalling to the bench before limping off with a look of disgust etched on his face.The Belgium international, who has suffered 13 calf injuries since 2008, was soon joined in the home changing room by Otamendi, who came off second-best in a collision with Vitaliy Buyalskiy.The Argentine attempted to play on, before admitting defeat, leaving City with reserve centre-backs Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis in the heart of their defence.It was not a combination that will have inspired great confidence among the home support and there were early nerves as Mangalas missed kick from Demicheliss pass almost let Lukasz Teodorczyk in on goal.With the atmosphere affected by the double injury blow, City struggled to get going and when Navas managed to pick Sergio Aguero out with a right-wing cut-back, the Argentine miscued.Visiting goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy was not tested until early in the first half, when he showed a neat touch to control the ball on his thigh after a defender had inadvertently prodded it towards his own goal.City began to show signs of life, Toure curling a free-kick over and Aguero dragging a shot wide, before Navas collected a pass from Toure and drilled a low shot against the left-hand upright.Moments later, City goalkeeper Joe Hart made his first save of the night, comfortably fielding an effort from Andriy Yarmolenko after the Ukraine winger robbed Gael Clichy.Toure continued to drive the home team forward and he threatened to make the breakthrough from Navass cut-back, only for Shovkovskiy to save.There were two late scares in the hosts box when first Buyalskiy and then substitute Olexandr Yakovenko took aim, but Hart blocked alertly on both occasions, giving City a clean sheet for only the second time in their 18 Champions League home games.

Football: Atletico edge out PSV in penalty thriller

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MADRID (AFP) - Juanfrans winning penalty sent Atletico Madrid into the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, clinching an agonising 8-7 penalty shoot-out win over PSV Eindhoven after neither side could manage a goal in 210 minutes across the two legs of the tie.The first 14 spot-kicks of the shootout were then converted in clinical fashion before PSVs Luciano Narsingh smashed his effort against the bar.Juanfran then stepped up to convert the winning penalty and send Atletico into the last eight for the third consecutive year.It was a heart-stopping tie, said Juanfran.I am very happy to see how the crowd got behind the side. We believe, our coach makes us believe and we have a lot of hunger and heart.It is the second consecutive season that Diego Simeones men have progressed to the quarter-finals on penalties after seeing off Bayer Leverkusen in similar fashion a year ago.It was a classic Cup tie with plenty of tension, said Simeone.Neither team committed any errors and in the end penalties went our way.PSV were left to lament Jan Oblaks brilliant save to tip Jurgen Locadias effort onto the post in the second-half of normal time as the Dutch champions came so close to causing a huge upset.There are mixed emotions, said PSV coach Phillip Cocu.On the one hand I am very proud. We played well in the two games, but especially here. Tactically we played very well with a lot of discipline.We were close to the quarter-finals in the penalties, so there is also great disappointment.Despite being roared on by a full house at the Vicente Calderon, Atletico struggled early on as Cocus 5-3-2 set-up allowed PSV to dominate midfield.However, Atletico did enjoy the best chance of the first-half when Kokes low cross found Antoine Griezmann unmarked just six yards out, but Jeroen Zoet got down to deny the French international his 24th goal of the season.PSV had captain and top scorer Luuk de Jong back after he missed the first-leg through suspension and the former Newcastle United striker was a constant menace to the usually unflappable Diego Godin.De Jong was unlucky when the ball fell just behind him after Oblak cut out dangerous cross from the right.Atletico settled into their stride at the start of the second-half, but still relied on a set-piece to carve out an opportunity as Jose Maria Gimenez rose highest at the back post only to head Kokes corner inches wide.As the hosts opened up, though, PSV became even more of a threat on the counter-attack.The visitors were somehow denied the vital away goal on the hour mark when Locadias shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Oblak and De Jongs follow-up header from point-black range was blocked on the line by Filipe Luis.Atletico suffered a huge blow just before the end of normal time when Godin limped off to be replaced by 20-year-old Lucas Hernandez.However, the young Frenchman had a great chance to make himself a hero early in extra time when he headed over from a corner.Griezmanns range was off again when he shot straight at Zoet after great work by Saul Niguez as Atletico dominated during the first period of extra time.Yet, it was PSV who came closest after the break, but Andres Guardado curled just wide to send the game to penalties.

Golf: Palmer won't hit ceremonial tee shot at Masters

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MIAMI (AFP) - Four-time Masters champion Arnold Palmer will not hit the ceremonial opening tee shot at Augusta National this year for the first time since 2007.Palmer, 86, said from the US PGA Tour event named for him at Bay Hill in Orlando Tuesday that he had told Augusta National officials of his decision.Am I disappointed by that? Well sure, but time moves on, Palmer said in comments posted on the PGA Tour website.I would love to go on doing it forever, but I dont have the physical capability to hit the shot the way I would want to hit it, Palmer said. So Ill have to be content to watch.In a statement Tuesday, tournament chairman Billy Payne said he had spoken to Palmer on Monday.It makes no difference whether he hits a drive, Payne said. He is a true legend in golf and will be welcomed as usual on the first tee with the other Masters honorary starters. It will be a great day.Palmer has made few appearances this week at the Florida tournament he founded, and opted out of his usual pre-tournament press conference.Although Palmers presence around the game is less regular these days, todays young stars are well aware of the iconic players impact on the game.Palmer, who played in 50 Masters tournaments from 1955-2004, was golfs first television superstar, with charisma that inspired a legion of fans that came to be known as Arnies Army.Lets be honest, its kind of a nerdy sport, Australias Jason Day said Tuesday. Arnold Palmer made golf sexy.

Big Trump, Clinton wins bring US election showdown closer

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CLEVELAND (AFP) - Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump romped to victory in the Florida primary Tuesday, thwarting party efforts to stop his march to the White House nomination and knocking Marco Rubio out of the race.Hillary Clinton meanwhile earned three more big wins in her quest to become the Democratic partys nominee, sweeping to victory in Florida, Ohio and North Carolina on Super Tuesday 2.The Sunshine States Republicans almost guaranteed Trump a plurality of delegates heading into the July convention -- but John Kasich scored a do-or-die victory in his home state of Ohio, throwing up an obstacle to Trumps ascent.With five states -- Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio -- voting on Tuesday, both Clinton and Trump hope Tuesdays polls can make a November general election showdown near inevitable.Trump claimed victory in Floridas winner-takes-all contest even before the polls had fully closed.Word is that, despite a record amount spent on negative and phony ads, I had a massive victory in Florida. Numbers out soon Trump tweeted.Trumps victory will shock the Republican establishment as much as it will raise hopes they can challenge in the one-time swing state come the general election in November.President Barack Obama carried the state in both the 2008 and 2012 elections.After the Florida race was called in Trumps favor, Rubio bowed out.While it is not Gods plan that I be president in 2016 or maybe ever, and while today my campaign is suspended, the fact that Ive even come this far is evidence of how special America truly is, Rubio told supporters in Florida.In Ohio, another general election battle ground state, Kasich -- the states governor -- defeated Trump, US networks projected.The grand prize is Ohio, because Ohio is critical for a Republican to win the White House, said Republican strategist and Kasich supporter Mike Gonidakis.He predicted a large turnout: We believe... that theyre coming out to draw a line in the sand against Donald Trump.Ted Cruz, an arch-conservative from Texas, is now the main threat to the Trump juggernaut.Early projections by US media showed Cruz coming in second in Missouri, Illinois and North Carolina.Hillarys advanceDemocratic contests in the racially diverse, industrial Midwest delivered further evidence of Clintons advantage over her rival Bernie Sanders, especially with the win in Ohio.Her rival, a US senator from Vermont, has denounced her support of free-trade pacts in a part of the country that has seen manufacturing jobs disappear as entire industries have moved offshore.Sanders failure to win in any state on Tuesday would make his nomination bid near impossible.Tough rhetoricTrumps incendiary attacks on immigrants, threats of mass deportations and a proposal for a wall on the border with Mexico have ignited the campaign trail and drawn condemnation in some quarters -- the latest being from President Barack Obama.Without pointing the finger directly at Trump, Obama professed to being dismayed at some of the comments during campaigning.We have heard vulgar and divisive rhetoric aimed at women and minorities -- at Americans who dont look like us, or pray like us, or vote like we do, said the president, who along with First Lady Michelle cast absentee ballots in their home state of Illinois.But Trumps populist message has resonated -- even with some Democrats like 69-year-old Katharine Berry.We dont need all these illegals, she told AFP outside a polling station at the Zion Lutheran Church in Canton. Theyre taking our jobs, theyve got all these rights, Americans dont have rights.I voted Democrat today. But if Trump wins, then Im going to vote for him in the general election.Campaigning in Ohio, Trump pitched his candidacy not to the core Republican electorate but to blue-collar workers, attacking free-trade deals and the loss of jobs to foreign competitors.Ive been with the people of Ohio. They hate the fact their coal and steel industries are gone. I think were going to do well in Ohio, he told NBCs Today show on Tuesday.He will hope to put Americas vast rust belt in play in November.

Karachi: Police recover 13 year old during action, 4 arrested

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police late Tuesday night recovered 13 year old Abdullah during targeted action in Sharafi Goth area of Karachi. Police also arrested 4 kidnappers during the raid.According to the police, suspects had abducted the 13 year old earlier.On the other hand, apprehended abductees stated that Abdullah had came to them on his own. They stated that they had contacted the family of the child themselves for handing him over.Police say that the concerned suspects had been arrested in the past as well. Police further added that the kidnappers had kept sexually assaulting the 13 year old.Police have further said that a remand of the suspects will also be demanded after presenting them in court.

Islamabad: Operation against illegal foreigners, F-7 entrance blocked

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – A major operation was started Tuesday against foreigners residing illegally in the Federal Capital. The entry and exit routes of 303 foreigner’s homes were blocked while entrance routes to F-7 area have also been blocked. Licenses of 27 private security companies were also suspended. Meanwhile 25 international NGOs have been allowed to work in Pakistan.According to the details, the decision for the operation was taken during a high level meeting presided by Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar pertaining to the security situation. The decision for blocking entry and exit routes of the homes came after 303 illegal foreign residents failed to provide identification documents despite prior two notices.The Federal Interior Minister had advised that in light of the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision, offices established in residential areas are to be immediately evacuated. He stated that every decision of SC will be completely implemented.

French woman, 91, gets PhD after 30-year thesis

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BESANCON (AFP) - A woman aged 91 has become one of the oldest women in France to gain a PhD after she completed a thesis that she had begun three decades earlier.Colette Bourlier was awarded the mark of high distinction for her work, which she successfully defended on Tuesday before a jury of the University of Franche-Comte in Besancon, eastern France.It took a bit of time to write because I took breaks, Bourlier said, explaining the exceptional time for her opus.The thesis was entitled Immigrant workers in Besancon in the second half of the 20th century.It drew on her own experience as a teacher in literacy programmes for immigrants in the eastern French city.She became interested in a PhD after she retired in 1983. Normally, a PhD in France is written in three years, but Bourlier was an extremely atypical student, said her professor, Serge Ormaux.She is probably the only person who knew all the aspects in such detail and who was able to weave everything together. She backed it up with statistical analyses.

Oil extends losses as output freeze hopes fade

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NEW YORK (AFP) - World oil prices sank for a second straight day Tuesday as hopes faded that major crude producers would freeze output levels to ease a world surplus.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in April fell 84 cents to $36.34 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.Brent North Sea crude for May delivery slid 79 cents to $38.74 a barrel in London.Crude prices pulled up from their January lows helped by talk of an output freeze led by Russia and Saudi Arabia. But this week those hopes have turned to skepticism.And Singapore trade minister S. Iswaran told a gas conference Tuesday that crude prices are likely to remain between $30 and $50 per barrel this year due to oversupply, a slowing Chinese economy and Japan restarting nuclear power plants.The price of Brent crude has fallen four of the last six days, its worst run in three weeks as chances become more remote of a joint output freeze amongst OPEC and non-OPEC producers while Iranian production ramped up significantly last month, said CMC Markets analyst Jasper Lawler.A meeting proposed by Russia and Saudi Arabia to discuss output limits has been pushed back to April from March 20.Tim Evans of Citi Futures said the downturn in the market reflects wider recognition that the proposed output freeze for OPEC and major non-OPEC producers represents more of a status quo than a supportive change. A meeting may yet take place in April, but we wouldnt be surprised if the campaign for the meeting doesnt soon shift to a lobbying effort targeting OPECs scheduled June 2 summit instead, Evans said.Investors also were awaiting the official US weekly report on petroleum inventories on Wednesday, with expectations there will be an increase in already soaring commercial crude stockpiles.

Pound slumps as British poll renews 'Brexit' fears

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The pound slumped Tuesday after a newspaper poll showed an edge for voters who want Britain to leave the European Union.The Telegraph said its new poll found 52 percent of the people planning to vote in the June referendum support Brexit. The pound shed 1.1 percent against the dollar, trading at $1.4151 around 2100 GMT. The fact that the Brexit issue effectively remains a toss-up in UK politics is worry enough for the market to keep cable under pressure for the time being, said Boris Schlossberg of BK Asset Management.The dollar was little changed against the euro at $1.1110 per euro.The yen strengthened after the Bank of Japan stood pat on monetary policy, as expected. It climbed 0.6 percent on the greenback and 0.5 percent on the euro.Attention focused on the Feds policy arm, the Federal Open Market Committee, as it opened a two-day meeting that concludes Wednesday with a policy statement and a news conference with Fed Chair Janet Yellen.Markets expect the FOMC will leave the benchmark federal funds rate at 0.25-0.50 percent after lifting it in December for the first time in nine years.The Fed also will release new forecasts for growth, inflation, employment, and interest rates.While we do not anticipate a rate hike at this meeting, we do expect the Fed to signal three 25 basis point increases for this year, which is more than priced in by financial markets, said Harm Bandholz of UniCredit.Fundamentally, the US economy is currently certainly not in a weaker position than it was three months ago.

Ecuador army plane crash kills all 22 aboard: president

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QUITO (AFP) - An Ecuadoran army plane crashed in the Amazon rainforest Tuesday, killing all 22 people on board, President Rafael Correa said.There are no survivors, Correa wrote on Twitter, several minutes after first posting news of the crash. This is a tragedy.He said the plane was carrying 19 paratroopers, two pilots and a mechanic.The plane went down in the eastern province of Pastaza, near the border with Peru.Defense Minister Ricardo Patino said he was on his way to the scene.The army said the plane was carrying soldiers for a parachuting master class when it crashed.

Karachi: Law Enforcement Agencies shoot dead 2 suspects, arrest 18

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Rangers and police Tuesday shot dead 2 suspects and arrested 18 including target killers and terrorists during action in several areas of the city.According to the details, Police raided a drug den in Purani Sabzimandi area of Karachi. 2 suspects were killed in the exchange of fire while 3 were arrested.Rangers arrested 2 suspects from Ranchor Line during raids in 2 separate locations of the area.According to the Rangers Spokesperson, arrested target killer was part of the target killing team of Shahnawaz militant wing. The apprehended felon is also a Unit In-charge of a political party.Meanwhile Rangers arrested 10 including a target killer and recovered ammunition during action in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Saudabad and Shah Faisal area.In a raid in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Defence area, Rangers apprehended 3 kidnappers. According to the Rangers Spokesperson, state of the art weapons and cash was recovered from the perpetrators.On the other hand, unidentified terrorists attacked Mominabad police station with a ball bomb and then fled the scene. The ball bomb explosion caused damage to one of the rooms of the police station.

Karachi: Law Enforcement Agencies shoot dead two suspects, arrest 18

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Rangers and police Tuesday shot dead 2 suspects and arrested 18 including target killers and terrorists during action in several areas of the city.According to the details, Police raided a drug den in Purani Sabzimandi area of Karachi. 2 suspects were killed in the exchange of fire while 3 were arrested.Rangers arrested 2 suspects from Ranchor Line during raids in 2 separate locations of the area.According to the Rangers Spokesperson, arrested target killer was part of the target killing team of Shahnawaz militant wing. The apprehended felon is also a Unit In-charge of a political party.Meanwhile Rangers arrested 10 including a target killer and recovered ammunition during action in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Saudabad and Shah Faisal area.In a raid in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Defence area, Rangers apprehended 3 kidnappers. According to the Rangers Spokesperson, state of the art weapons and cash was recovered from the perpetrators.On the other hand, unidentified terrorists attacked Mominabad police station with a ball bomb and then fled the scene. The ball bomb explosion caused damage to one of the rooms of the police station.

Kiwi gamble put India in a spin: pundits

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - New Zealand media on Wednesday hailed as a masterstroke the bold selection behind the Black Caps stunning win over India in the World Twenty20 opener.What a twist, trumpeted Fairfax NZs stuff.co.nz website after New Zealands unheralded spinners tweaked the Black Caps to a 47-run victory over the hosts in Nagpur.Selection masterstroke turns the cricket world on its head, as NZ spinners slay India, it added, referring to coach Mike Hessons decision to opt for a three-pronged spin attack and omit seamers Trent Boult and Tim Southee.The gambit paid off spectacularly as the slow bowlers took nine wickets on a dustbowl, including four for 11 from man-of-the match Mitchell Santner.India, the world number one ranked T20 side and tournament favourites, were undone at their own game in their own conditions, the site said, pointing out New Zealand had now won their past five T20 matches against India.The New Zealand Herald declared it the best possible start to the tournament for the Black Caps, who face Australia on Friday.Former Australia captain Ian Chappell said the tactic was reminiscent of the recently deceased New Zealand great Martin Crowes decision to open with spin at the 1992 World Cup, when the Black Caps made the semi-finals. Martin Crowe was way ahead of himself back in 1992 when he introduced it with Dipak Patel, Chappell told Cricinfo.(He) had a lot of success... after what we have seen tonight there will be more teams adapting that tactic.Former New Zealand paceman Simon Doull said India came unstuck by using home advantage to prepare a spin-friendly wicket, rather than trusting in the quality of their batsmen.It doesnt happen very often like that, that India get spun out, he told Radio Sport.I think India have a terrific side, they just need to play on good surfaces because their batting is so good. They dont need to make pitches like this.West Indies legend Brian Lara said defeat meant the hosts were unlikely to prepare such a disappointing wicket again, adding: This could be the early lesson India needed to go all the way.England all-rounder Ben Stokes joked that he had not seen such a poor quality deck since he was a schoolboy growing up in his native New Zealand.The astro-turf pitch with cigarette burns on a length at my old school was a better than that wicket, he tweeted.
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