Friday 3 March 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Rangers, police detain 47 during operation across Punjab

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Rangers and police crackdown against terrorists and criminal elements continues in Punjab as 47 accused were apprehended during operations in Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Attock, Dunya News reported. The operation was also carried in the federal capital Islamabad.Those who were taken into custody from different cities of Punjab also included activists of banned organizations. Arms and banned literature was also seized from the arrested persons.On the other hand, police also carried out search operation in Naulakha, Ravi Road and New Anarkali areas and checked the identity documents of the residents during house-to-house search.Biometric device was also used during the search operation. Police detained at least 17 suspects who failed to produce any identity document.

Football: Champions League places in focus for Chelsea's weary pursuers

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LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Arsenals long serving boss Arsene Wenger have both seen promising title challenges turn to dust making Saturdays match between their clubs potentially crucial to hopes of securing a Champions League spot.An Arsenal win at Anfield would see them move four points clear of Liverpool, and with a game in hand, would consolidate their hold on what is at the moment the fourth and last Champions League place.Second-placed Tottenham -- who trail leaders Chelsea by 10 points and have a three point advantage over their north London rivals -- have a tricky home game with Everton on Sunday.Third-placed Manchester City, who are a point behind Spurs, should pick up another three points when they travel to bottom side Sunderland also on Sunday.A much-improved and in-form Manchester United -- two points in arrears of Arsenal -- are also in the mix and could move into the top four temporarily at least if they beat a slumping Bournemouth in Saturdays early game.Chelsea face the short journey across London to West Ham on Monday.Question marks have yet to be raised about Klopps future.However, with just two wins in 12 matches in 2017 -- their most recent performance a limpid 3-1 defeat by struggling champions Leicester last Monday -- the heady days of topping the league in November are a distant memory.Klopps urbane and charismatic image has been seen as one of his strengths but he has now been reduced to having to defend himself against accusations of taking Liverpools slump lightly.I am not a clown -- even though a few people think I am, said the 49-year-old German.I am not always laughing like crazy, I am a normal person.It is not about laughing the whole week and ignoring the problems you have.We cannot ignore the things that happen around us but I am 100% optimistic again when I think about the Arsenal game -- but I cannot say I am in exactly the same mood as the start of the season (when they beat the Gunners 4-3 on the opening day).Wenger for his part could never be accused of being a clown with his earnest professorial aura although this week he claimed being a football coach is the equivalent of entering the priesthood.The 67-year-old Frenchman is not looking for divine intervention but for his present flock of Arsenal players to deliver an uplifting performance.They owe themselves a performance, he said.For us, this kind of game like Liverpool is of course an opportunity that we want to take. We have to go and take it and not wait for the result.Leicester host Hull in the pivotal game regarding relegation battlers on Saturday with the Foxes seeking to prove the dynamic performance in the win over Liverpool was not a one-off.Second from bottom Hull, who are just three points adrift of Leicester, are a more resilient side under Portuguese handler Marco Silva and could prove a more obdurate foe than Klopps players did.

Football: Ibrahimovic to usher in new golden era for United - Mourinho

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MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks set to remain as Manchester Uniteds talisman for another year and launch the next glory era, according to manager Jose Mourinho.The 35-year-old Swedish strikers two goals in last Sundays League Cup final against Southampton took his tally to 26 goals this season -- and his personal trophy haul to a staggering 31 in his career.United have an option to extend Ibrahimovics one-year contract for another 12 months.I think Zlatan will be fundamental in the second year of this team and I think hes willing to stay, said Mourinho.Its been an amazingly successful year for him. The number of goals hes scored, the trophy he won, the impact hes had, the two times he played in the cathedral (Wembley) is more than enough to consider him a success at Man United.Mourinho believes Ibrahimovic is integral to Uniteds chances of success as he looks to strengthen his squad this summer.This team has a lot to grow up. The next transfer window will bring the team to a different level because were going to try to bring in a few players, he said.We need to improve for the next step. My feelings are hes really proud of himself, hes happy with the success, so I see him staying, said Mourinho.Meanwhile, Mourinho believes United have the best right back in the world in Ecuador veteran Antonio Valencia.- To be the best you need to work hard -==========================================But the Portuguese reckons they could also have the best left back in Luke Shaw if he continues to work hard.The 21-year-old has struggled to win Mourinho over but the England international was in his plans for Saturdays visit of Bournemouth.I think I have the best right-back in the world -- Antonio Valencia is absolutely phenomenal but this season Ive played Valencia, Matteo Darmian, Ashley Young, Eric Bailly, Timo Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe there, he said.We have lots of left backs. Daley Blind, Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Darmian can all play left back.But the one that should be the best of all in a couple of years -- because potentially he should have all the attributes -- is Luke Shaw.By age, physicality, intensity, being aggressive going forward, he should be the best.But to be the best you need to work hard. Its what hes trying to do.While Mourinho is convinced Ibrahimovic will stay at Old Trafford, he can offer no guarantees about the future of Wayne Rooney beyond the summer.The United boss refused to stand in the way of Rooney moving to the Chinese Super League after being linked recently.And the Old Trafford manager has no problem with Everton manager Ronald Koeman speaking openly about his admiration for the United captain, who started his career at Goodison.In the (League Cup) final at 2-2 with the team in difficulties and possibly going to play 40 more minutes, Rooney was ready to go on the pitch, said Mourinho.Since he decided to stay and fight for Manchester United, hes an important player for us.I think by giving these two big details Im telling you all the talk about Everton for me makes nonsense.Next season 100 per cent Id like him to be with us but I dont give you 100 per cent (assurances).I like the players to be happy and not just to be with me because I want them with me.

Nadal brushes aside Marin Cilic to reach Acapulco final

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ACAPULCO (Web Desk) - Former World No.1, 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal reached the final of theAbierto Mexicano Telcel tournament in Acapulco, as he defeated Marin Cilic in straight sets.It was fifth meeting between Nadal and Cilic, as the Spaniard led the head to head record 3-1 and Cilic had won the first meeting, before losing the next three matches.Once again Nadal was in impressive form as he gave the Croatian no chance and booked his place in the final in just 1 hour and 24 minutes. This is his 103th ATP tournament final.Nadal will be looking for his 70th ATP title of the career and first of this season. He will face the winner of Australias Nick Kyrgios or USAs Sam Querrey to win his first ATP title since Barcelona last year.

13 terrorists among 77 arrested in Peshawar, Khyber Agency

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - Frontier Constabulary (FC) arrested 77 persons including 13 terrorists during two separate operations as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad in Peshawar and Khyber Agency on Friday, Dunya News reported.The FC personnel conducted an operation in Machni area on the border of Pashawar and Mohmand Agency and apprehended seven terrorists and 42 suspects. A large quantity of weapons, including 24 Kalashnikovs, eight hand grenades and one rocket launcher, was also recovered from the arrested persons.Separately, six terrorists and 29 Afghan nationals were taken into custody during operation in Shakas area of Khyber Agency and recovered huge cache of arms from their possession.According to a FC spokesman, the operation in the area will continue till the elimination of last terrorist.

Peshawar Zalmi players on their way to Lahore for final

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - The finalists of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017, Peshawar Zalmi were on their way to Lahore to play the final match, reported Dunya News.The photo was shared by owner of the team Javed Afridi, in which Muhammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Asghar, Hassan Ali, Imran Khan Junior and Waqar Younis were seen boarding the plane.Peshawar defeated Karachi Kings by 24 runs in the playoffs match to book their spot for the final. They will take on Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on 5 March.Although Javed Afridi was hopeful that foreigner players will join them in Pakistan for the final and none of them could be seen in the photo.

Peace talks produce 'clear agenda' for war-scarred Syria

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GENEVA (AFP) - The Syrian regime and opposition have agreed a clear agenda to seek to end the countrys six-year-old war, the UN mediator said Friday at the end of sometimes fractious and slow-moving talks in Geneva.Veteran envoy Staffan de Mistura said he hopes to invite both sides back to Geneva later this month for a new round of talks, which will include the issue of counter-terrorism at the request of Damascus.The train is ready, it is in the station, it is warming up the engine. Everything is ready, it just needs an accelerator, he said at the end of nine days of talks in the Swiss city. I believe that we have a clear agenda now in front of us, he told reporters, adding: We did discuss procedure, .. but we also discussed substance.The Geneva negotiations, the first since last April, were the latest effort to seek to end a conflict that began in March 2011 with protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Its seventh year begins on March 15.Since then more than 310,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled the country, fuelling instability in neighbouring countries and creating Europes biggest migrant crisis since World War II.The warring Syrian sides have been joined in Geneva by envoys of key parties including notably Russia, a major ally of Damascus.But as in previous talks the focus was almost exclusively on the agenda.Under UN Security Council Resolution 2254 they should be framed in three baskets or areas of discussion: governance, constitution and elections.But Damascus pushed hard for counter-terrorism strategy to be added to the agenda, against fierce resistance from the opposition who said the Syrian regime was stalling the talks to avoid engaging with political transition.The Geneva peace talks are running in parallel with negotiations in Astana, Kazakhstan, which are focussed on maintaining a fragile ceasefire brokered in December. A new Astana meeting is expected to take place before the next Geneva talks. Astana and Geneva are complementing themselves, and reinforcing each other, said the UN envoy.The main opposition High Negotiating Committee (HNC) said the latest Geneva talks were more positive than previous rounds.We are closing this round without (a) clear result... but I can say this time was more positive, HNC delegation chief Nasr al-Hariri told reporters.It was first time we discussed in an acceptable depth the issues of the future of Syria and political transition, he added after the talks, the fourth mediated by de Mistura.The antagonism has been clear in briefings after each session of talks with de Mistura, with the Syrian regime delegation chief Bashar al-Jaafari lashing out at terrorists in the HNC.The HNC meanwhile lamented the lack of a genuine partner for peace.The talks had hardly begun last weekend when they were rocked by a suicide assault which killed dozens in Syrias third city Homs, triggerig a demand from al-Jaafari that terrorism be made a priority in Geneva. Speaking at the end of the talks, the UN mediator conceded that for the moment face-to-face talks are unlikely. We will pursue that when we feel the moment is right, he said.But he held up a photograph of the opening ceremony of the talks last Thursday, when both sides gathered in the same room, albeit only to hear a welcome address by de Mistura.This picture is much more than iconic. It is highly symbolic. This was a very special moment, he said, adding: A psychological barrier was broken.And he added: I know there are still people in Syria who still believe that there is a military option or a military solution. That is fantasy, he said, adding that only a political solution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people would ultimately prevail.

Russian, Syrian regime convoys enter northern Syria city

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Russia and Syrian regime forces are moving humanitarian convoys carrying military equipment into the former Islamic State groups bastion of Manbij in northern Syria, the US Defense Department said Friday.The move would likely make it more difficult for Turkish troops to strike Syrian Kurdish forces if they did not withdraw from Manbij.We have noticed and observed and are aware of the fact that these humanitarian convoys sponsored by the regime (of President Bashar al-Assad) and Russia have been moving into Manbij and that they have some armored equipment with them, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said.He said the military equipment included up-armored vehicles and another defense official said the materiel appeared to be for force protection.Manbij has become the center of geopolitical intrigue extending beyond the fight against the Islamic State, as multiple international powers with competing goals home in on the area.The United States is backing a Kurdish-Arab alliance called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to fight IS, and these fighters pushed the jihadists from Manbij last year.Around the same time, Turkey crossed into northern Syria and joined the anti-IS fight, while also working to keep in check the Kurdish fighters, which it views as terrorists.Turkey threatened Thursday to strike the Syrian Kurdish militia forces if they did not withdraw from Manbij.Russian and Syrian regime troops entering Manbij might be beneficial for the United States, as it could stop Turkey and Kurdish forces -- both of whom are US allies -- from fighting there.All I would say is we just continue to want to see all parties on the ground continue to focus (on IS), Davis said.He added that Russia had informed the United States about the convoys ahead of time through a special hotline.

US kills 8 Qaeda in new day of raids: Yemeni officials

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ADEN (AFP) - US warplanes pounded Al-Qaeda targets in Yemen for a second straight day Friday, killing eight militants, security and tribal sources said as Washington boosts its air war against the jihadists.A defence official in Washington told AFP that American forces conducted about 10 strikes in Yemen on Friday.The attacks hit similar targets as on Thursday -- weapons caches, fighters and military equipment, the official said.The Pentagon said on Thursday it had carried out more than 20 strikes against Al-Qaeda in the southern provinces of Shabwa and Abyan and the central province of Baida.Yemeni officials said at least 12 suspected militants were killed in those strikes, which came barely a month after a botched American raid against the group left multiple civilians and a US Navy SEAL dead.On Friday, US warplanes hit three houses in the Yashbam Valley before dawn, one of them the home of Al-Qaedas Shabwa province commander Saad Atef, the tribal sources said.Security officials in the area said eight jihadists were killed, and tribal sources said that women and children were wounded.The valley is a jihadist stronghold and was also one of the targets of the previous days strikes.Jihadists retaliated with anti-aircraft fire, security officials and tribal sources said, adding that US helicopters took part in the operation.One resident said it had been a terrifying night.US President Donald Trump faced broad criticism at home after he authorised the January 29 commando raid during which Navy SEAL Ryan Owens and many civilians were killed.As many as eight women and eight children were killed, a Baida provincial official said, drawing condemnation of the raid from human rights groups.The US official said on Friday the latest targets had been acquired long before the January 29 raid, but that some intelligence gathered then corroborated what was already known about the new targets.What we already knew about these sites was reconfirmed, the official said.Al-Qaeda has exploited a power vacuum created by two years of war between Yemens government and Shiite rebels who control the capital to consolidate its presence, particularly in the south and east.Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said on Thursday that Al-Qaeda had taken advantage of ungoverned spaces in Yemen to plot, direct, and inspire terror attacks against America and its allies.He said Thursdays strikes targeted Al-Qaeda militants, equipment and infrastructure. Another US official said they had involved both fighter jets and drones.Successive American administrations have kept up a drone war against Al-Qaeda in Yemen since soon after the September 11, 2001 attacks.Washington regards the Yemen branch to be the jihadists most dangerous, and holds it responsible for several plots to carry out attacks in the West.

India to host Dalai Lama in disputed territory, defying China

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NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian federal government representatives will meet the Dalai Lama when he visits a sensitive border region controlled by India but claimed by China, officials said, despite a warning from Beijing that it would damage ties.India says the Tibetan spiritual leader will make a religious trip to Arunachal Pradesh next month, and as a secular democracy it would not stop him from traveling to any part of the country.China claims the state in the eastern Himalayas as South Tibet, and has denounced foreign and even Indian leaders visits to the region as attempts to bolster New Delhis territorial claims.A trip by the Dalai Lama, whom the Chinese regard as a dangerous separatist, would ratchet up tensions at a time when New Delhi is at odds with China on strategic and security issues and unnerved by Beijings growing ties with arch-rival Pakistan.Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration is raising its public engagement with the Tibetan leader, a change from earlier governments reluctance to anger Beijing by sharing a public platform with him.Its a behavioral change you are seeing. India is more assertive, junior home minister Kiren Rijiju told Reuters in an interview.Rijiju, who is from Arunachal and is Modis point man on Tibetan issues, said he would meet the Dalai Lama, who is visiting the Buddhist Tawang monastery after an eight-year interval.He is going there as a religious leader, there is no reason to stop him. His devotees are demanding he should come, what harm can he do? He is a lama.The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday the Dalai Lamas trip would cause serious damage to India-China ties, and warned New Delhi not to provide him a platform for anti-China activities.The Dalai clique has for a long time carried out anti-China separatist activities and on the issue of the China-India border has a history of disgraceful performances, spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing.Visits of the Dalai Lama are initiated months, if not years in advance, and approval for the April 4-13 trip predates recent disagreements between the neighbors.But the decision to go ahead at a time of strained relations signals Modis readiness to use diplomatic tools at a time when Chinas economic and political clout across South Asia is growing.China is helping to fund a new trade corridor across Indias neighbor and arch-foe Pakistan, and has also invested in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, raising fears of strategic encirclement.Last month a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation visited Delhi, angering Beijing, which regards Taiwan as an integral part of China.In December, President Pranab Mukherjee hosted the Dalai Lama at his official residence with other Nobel prize winners, the first public meeting with an Indian head of state in 60 years.Some officials said Indias approach to the Tibetan issue remained cautious, reflecting a gradual evolution in policy rather than a sudden shift, and Modi appears reluctant to go too far for fear of upsetting its large northern neighbor.Indias foreign secretary, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, was in Beijing last week on a visit that analysts said was aimed at stabilizing relations between the worlds most populous countries. (For graphic on India-China border, click tmsnrt.rs/2mhBcGD)That said, Modis desire to pursue a more assertive foreign policy since his election in 2014 was quickly felt in contacts with China.At one bilateral meeting early in his tenure, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj asked her Chinese counterpart whether Beijing had a one India policy, according to a source familiar with India-China talks, a pointed reference to Beijings demand that countries recognize its one China policy.One India would imply that China recognize Indias claims to Kashmir, contested by Pakistan, as well as border regions like Arunachal Pradesh.Indias hosting of the Dalai Lama since he fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule has long irritated Beijing. But government ministers often shied away from regular public meetings with the Buddhist monk.These meetings were happening before. Now it is public, Lobsang Sangay, head of the Tibetan government-in-exile based in the Indian town of Dharamsala, said in an interview.I notice a tangible shift. With all the Chinese investments in all the neighboring countries, that has generated debate within India, he said.The chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, a member of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party, met the Dalai Lama in New Delhi in October and officially invited him to visit the state.On the Dalai Lamas last visit in 2009, the states chief minister met him. This time he will be joined by federal minister Rijiju, a move the Chinese may see as giving the trip an official imprimatur.New Delhi has been hurt by Chinas refusal to let it join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the global cartel that controls nuclear commerce.India has also criticized Beijing for stonewalling its request to add the head of a banned Pakistani militant group to a U.N. Security Council blacklist.Rory Medcalf, Head of the National Security College at the Australian National University, said New Delhi appeared to have been surprised by Chinas inflexibility since Modi came to power, fuelling distrust in the Indian security establishment.India does feel that the cards are stacked against it and that it should retain and play the cards that it does have, he said. The Dalai Lama and Tibetan exile community is clearly one of those cards.

Shahid Afridi ruled out of PSL final due to injury

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DUBAI (Dunya News) - Pakistan’s superstar cricketer Shahid Afridi would not be able to play Pakistan Super League (PSL) final against Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore due to hand injury.Afridi confirmed that he would not play, in a video which he posted on his Facebook page. He said that he has been advised by doctors to take a rest for at least 10 days.Afridi received 12 stitches on his hand, after he got injured while attempting to take Kieron Pollard’s catch in the match against Karachi Kings.Afridi said sorry to his fans and told that he wanted to perform well in the final after not showing satisfactory performance in World T20.WATCH AFRIDI’S STATEMENT:Shahid Afridi message for all his fans will miss you Boom Boom in final GetWellSoon pic.twitter.com/tSPAQrZDCy— Mohammad Usman (@usmansatti93) March 3, 2017 Earlier on Friday night, Kamran Akmal fired Peshawar Zalmi into the Pakistan Super League final but left his foreign teammates facing a dilemma over whether or not to travel to Lahore for Sunday’s title match. ALSO READ:PSL: Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings by 24 runs to reach finalEngland trio Chris Jordan, Samit Patel and Dawid Malan as well as West Indies stars Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels are all part of the Peshawar squad. However, their opponents on Sunday, the Quetta Gladiators have already seen their five-strong foreign legion opt out of the trip to Lahore after two bomb blasts last week killed 22 people and left over 100 injured in the city.Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Tymal Mills, Nathan McCullum and Rilee Rossouw all pulled out over security fears.Peshawar Zalmi’s owner Javed Afridi has claimed that Jordan, Patel, Malan, Sammy and Samuels are ready to make the trip after the Pakistan government promised strict security arrangements.

Lahore: Woman among two injured in road accident

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – At least two people were wounded when a speeding car collided with a jeep in Bank Stop area at the Wahdat Road in Lahore on Friday, Dunya News reported.According to details, a speeding car hit a traffic signal poll and then collided with a jeep at the Wahdat Road, injuring two people including a woman.Police and rescue teams reached the spot after the accident and shifted the injured to Services Hospital.

England beat West Indies by 45 runs in first ODI

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ST. JOHNS (AFP) - Eoin Morgans 10th one-day international century provided the batting foundation while seamers Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes took four wickets each as England defeated the West Indies by 45 runs in the series opener on Friday.Extending an excellent run of form from the previous ODI series in India in January, the England captain stroked a polished 107 to pace the tourists to a competitive 296 for six. Plunkett and Woakes then claimed four wickets each to thwart the home sides effort for an upset victory.Half-centuries by Jason Mohammed and Jonathan Carter were not enough as the West Indies were dismissed for 251 in the 48th over, Plunkett taking the final wicket to finish with his best ODI figures of four for 40. Woakes, who did the early damage to the Caribbean sides batting, returned with four for 47.It was tough at the start out there but the rewards eventually came by sticking it out, said Morgan.I thought it was a dominant performance overall by us and weve set a high standard for the remaining two matches. Accelerating from a painstaking start, Morgan timed the innings to perfection in lifting his team to a competitive total after they were put in to bat on a rain-interrupted morning at North Sound.He faced 116 deliveries and struck 11 fours and two sixes after coming to the crease with his side in early trouble after fast bowler Shannon Gabriel removed opening batsman Jason Roy and new Test skipper Joe Root in successive overs.Sam Billings contributed 52 at the top of the order, but his demise to Ashley Nurse was compounded when the off-spinner also accounted for Jos Buttler via an excellent slip catch by Carter.That dismissal brought in Ben Stokes and the aggressive all-rounder did not disappoint, belting 55 off 61 deliveries with three sixes and seizing the initiative from the West Indies with a 110-run fifth-wicket partnership, ended by a catch at long-on off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.Morgan reached three figures in fine style, hoisting Carlos Brathwaite for a huge six over midwicket in the 48th over before the bowler had the last laugh, running out the left-hander in the final over of the innings.Woakes and Plunkett reduced the West Indies to 39 for three in reply before Mohammed featured in successive half-century partnerships with Shai Hope and Carter to keep the hosts in with a fighting chance heading into the final ten overs.However, Englands perseverance paid off and when Mohammed was run out for a top score of 72 in the 42nd over, the die was cast for the West Indies despite a few bold hits by Carlos Brathwaite and Ashley Nurse.I thought we competed well throughout the match but just too many wickets to soft dismissals, said West Indies captain Jason Holder. This is no time to drop our heads because we are encouraged by this effort and need to come back even stronger on Sunday.

Tennis: Murray eases into Verdasco showdown in Dubai

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DUBAI (AFP) - World number one Andy Murray showed no signs of weariness to ease into the Dubai Tennis Championships final where he will be chasing his 45th career title.The top seed defeated seventh-seeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-1 and will face veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco who broke three times in the deciding set to defeat Robin Haase 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-1 in the other semi-final.Verdasco, 33 and ranked 35th, has managed just one win from 13 meetings with Murray, who will be playing his second final of the season after losing to Novak Djokovic in Doha at the start of January.It was tough, it wasnt the best match, Murray said. A lot of mistakes. But there was some good stuff in there, neither of us served well at the beginning.I think potentially the match yesterday had something to do with that - sometimes if your legs are a little bit tired, the serve is one of the first things that goes.As the match went on, I started serving a bit better and that helped me. The first set was very important to win after how the matches went yesterday.For Murray, a leisurely first set took 67 minutes to complete on Friday, with Pouille coming from a break down but losing serve for 4-4 on a double-fault. Murray broke in the final game to secure the match lead. The Scot then shifted up a gear, and ran out the winner with a 27-minute second set.Murrays win improved his 2017 record to 11-2 as he seeks a 45th career title -- he lost the 2012 final in Dubai to Roger Federer, his best performance at the event.The Wimbledon champion returned to the court just 24 hours after his epic quarter-final win over Philipp Kohlschreiber which saw the world number one save seven match points in a 31-minute, 38-point second set tiebreak.Verdasco won his last trophy 11 months ago on clay in Bucharest and was a Doha semi-finalist at the start of the season.It was a really tough match, I needed to be there till the last point, Verdasco said. Im really happy to be in the final, to win this match.Ill just will try to recover and to be as ready as possible for tomorrow.The Spaniard improved his career record over Haase to 4-3 thanks to Fridays victory which was sealed in two and a quarter hours.Verdasco recovered from a break in the opening game of the match, winning the first set in a tiebreaker before his Dutch opponent levelled at a set each.However, Verdasco ran off with the win in the decider, overcoming eight aces while producing just two himself for his eighth victory of the season.

Tennis: Sharapova to plead case for French Open wild card

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PARIS (AFP) - Maria Sharapova will meet with French Tennis Federation (FFT) chief Bernard Giudicelli to plead her case for a wild card at Roland Garros as the two-time champion makes her return from a doping ban.Giudicelli told AFP on Friday that he had agreed to meet the Russian superstar despite his initial reservations after her agent wrote to the FFT requesting discussions.Were going to meet her (Sharapova), listen to her arguments and then talk it over with Guy (Forget, tournament director) and well make a decision, said Giudicelli, who was only elected to the FFT hotseat on February 18.The former world number one will return to the tour on April 26 in Stuttgart, the day that her 15-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium ends.But Giudicelli said Thursday they would face a moral dilemma if they handed Sharapova a wild card into this years Grand Slam event which she would need as her world ranking has disappeared during her absence.Its complicated. We prefer that she returns completely rehabilitated, said Giudicelli.Integrity is one of our strong points. We cannot decide, on the one hand, to increase the amount of funds we dedicate to the anti-doping battle and, on the other, invite her, he added.Giudicellis reservations echoed those of mens world number one Andy Murray. I think you should really have to work your way back, Murray told The Times.Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova, the winner at Roland Garros in 2012 and 2014, has already been handed wild cards into the Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome tournaments with organisers fully aware of the former world number ones immense pulling power.Should the 29-year-old fail to win over Roland Garros organisers, she would have to take her chances in the qualifying tournament held at the Paris venue in the week preceding the main draw.However, to even make the qualifying event, Sharapova would still need to build up her ranking points -- and that can only be done by winning the Stuttgart title.The cut-off for French Open qualifying falls just after the Stuttgart tournament but before Madrid (May 7-13) and Rome (May 15-21).This years French Open runs from May 28 until June 11.
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