Friday 10 November 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: Italy lose to Sweden in World Cup play-off first leg

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STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Sweden claimed a precious 1-0 first-leg victory over Italy in their World Cup play-off at Stockholm on Friday, leaving the four-time champions in danger of missing the tournament for the first time in 60 years.Substitute Jakob Johansson grabbed the only goal of a scrappy game in the 61st minute with a low strike that found the corner with the aid of a big deflection.Gian Piero Venturas Italy will need to respond in Mondays return leg at the San Siro in Milan to avoid becoming only the second Azzurri outfit to fail to reach the finals.The last time Italy failed to reach the World Cup was for the 1958 tournament in Sweden, but Venturas side were already under pressure going into the tie after a disappointing end to their Group G campaign that featured a 3-0 loss in Spain and a 1-1 home draw with Macedonia.We could have done better, of course, but there are still 90 minutes left to play, Ventura, who took over from Antonio Conte after Euro 2016, said.It was a tough, physical match that could have gone a different way if we scored first.The performance of the referee was good overall, but I think that he allowed the match to be physical at the expense of technique... He probably didnt have complete control of the match.Andrea Belotti shook off an injury to partner Ciro Immobile up front, but the away team struggled to pose a consistent attacking threat, as Ventura left in-form Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne sitting on the bench until the 76th minute.Both sides created early half-chances, with Torino striker Belotti heading wide when he should have done better, and Ola Toivonen firing past the post at the other end just seconds later.Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, Sweden put Italy under pressure with their direct style of play and Emil Forsberg went close with a curling effort that flew over the crossbar.Italy suffered a blow when key midfielder Marco Verratti was handed a booking that ruled him out of Mondays second leg for a lunging tackle on Marcus Berg.Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who will retire from international duty after the World Cup campaign, showed excellent pace off his line to claw the ball away from Toivonen, as neither team managed to carve out a clear-cut opportunity in a first half without an effort on target.The visitors finally produced a shot in anger shortly after the break when Antonio Candreva fired a dipping shot which was punched away by home keeper Robin Olsen.A scrappy game was never likely to be decided by a moment of brilliance, and it was a lucky break that gave Janne Anderssons men the lead just after the hour mark.Johansson latched onto Toivonens header from an Emil Krafth long throw to fire a shot that wrong-footed Buffon after spinning off Daniele de Rossi.It was the perfect time for the AEK Athens midfielder to score his first international goal, having only come off the bench four minutes earlier.Its fantastic, I put my goal down to instinct. Great timing for my first international goal, Johansson said.Italy immediately stepped up their game in search of a precious away goal and Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian rattled the post with a thunderous long-range strike.Insigne created a late opening for Immobile, but the Lazio striker summed up a poor night for Italy with a wild shot that almost went out for a throw-in, as Sweden closed out a win that gives them a real chance of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

Football: New boys impress as England hold Germany

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LONDON (AFP) - England debutants Jordan Pickford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek caught the eye as Gareth Southgates injured-ravaged side played out a 0-0 draw with world champions Germany in Fridays Wembley friendly.Everton goalkeeper Pickford, 23, made a number of smart saves, while 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder Loftus-Cheek, who is on loan at Crystal Palace, produced an assured display in the number 10 shirt.It was only the second time in seven matches that England had avoided defeat against Germany at Wembley, with the other game a draw in the semi-finals of Euro 96 that culminated in a penalty shootout loss.Gareth Southgate was the fall guy back then, but the England manager had more to smile about on this occasion, albeit despite a first-half injury to Phil Jones further limiting his options ahead of Tuesdays friendly with Brazil.In the first half there were a couple of really goods saves from Jordan. We caused our own problems with a couple of those, said Southgate.But we posed our own questions and I thought we used the ball well.On Loftus-Cheek, he added: He did everything I know he can do. He is capable of anything. He will gain huge confidence from it.Joachim Loews Germany, for whom RB Leipzig full-back Marcel Halstenberg made his debut, came closest to scoring when winger Leroy Sane rattled the crossbar midway through the first half.The Confederations Cup winners missed out on an eighth successive win, but they have now gone 20 games unbeaten ahead of their year-ending home game with France -- the last team to beat them -- on Tuesday.Both teams were very good and played well defensively. There werent many counter-attacks, said Loew.In the first half we had three or four good attacks. Our defence was well organised around Mats Hummels. In the second half the game drifted away and there werent many chances.Both coaches tried to test players and bring on substitutes, which affected the flow of play.Englands injury blight obliged Southgate to name debutants Pickford, Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham in a tender starting XI and he quickly found himself having to pitch another newcomer into the fray.In scenes that will have caused consternation to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, Jones went down gesturing to his heavily strapped left thigh and had to come off, with Liverpools Joe Gomez taking over.Germany already looked the more dangerous side by that point, with Sane showing signs of his superlative Manchester City form by crashing a shot against Pickfords bar from a position on the right.Pickford, promoted after Jack Butland broke a finger in training, twice showed textbook technique to thwart Timo Werner with one-handed saves, Jones heading Sanes follow-up off the line on the first occasion.England began to assert themselves as half-time neared, Abraham seeing a shot drift just wide via a deflection off Antonio Rudiger and Jamie Vardy lobbing Marc-Andre ter Stegen, only for Matthias Ginter to head clear.Vardy went closer early in the second half when he met Kieran Trippiers cross with a firm downward header, but Ter Stegen got down to his right to paw the ball away.Loftus-Cheek became more influential as the game wore on, drifting away from challenges and using the ball intelligently, but neither he nor anyone else could provide the spark required to break the deadlock.England should have won it at the death when Harry Maguires back-post header from Marcus Rashfords free-kick fell to substitute Jesse Lingard six yards from goal, but he wastefully skied his shot over the bar.

Tennis: Injury fears cloud Nadal-Federer dream clash at ATP Finals

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LONDON (AFP) - Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer can set up a dream climax to the 2017 season at the ATP World Tour Finals, but organisers are sweating on the Spaniards fitness and a new crop are itching to spoil the party.The two all-time greats get star billing in London after each won two Grand Slams and locked down the top two rankings spots as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray had injury-plagued seasons to forget.The eight-man field at the O2 Arena has an unbalanced look about it but 20-year-old Alexander Zverev leads a hungry chasing pack, desperate to stake a claim to membership of the games elite.World number one Nadal, who won the French Open and US Open this year, admitted on Friday that he is not training at 100 percent ahead of his tournament opener against Belgiums David Goffin on Sunday, although he said he is likely to be fit enough to play.I hope. And if I didnt believe I can be ready, for me, I wouldnt be here, said the Spaniard, who will also do battle with Dominic Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov in the Pete Sampras group.Im working every day, practising well and just trying to be ready for the action.The 31-year-old, forced to pull out of the Paris Masters last week with a knee injury, is painfully aware that the ATP Finals is the one major piece of silverware missing from his trophy cabinet and he wants to put that right.Being here is an important thing but for me the most important thing is everything that happened to me this year, the tournaments, competing almost every week with a very competitive level of tennis, being healthy until Paris, he said.And Nadal said although he welcomed the opportunity to finish the year with another high-profile clash against Federer, he was not fixated on the need to defeat the Swiss after four straight losses to his old rival in 2017.Federer, chasing his seventh Tour Finals title, is happy to be back at the end-of-season showpiece after missing out last year during a long layoff.Last year I couldnt be here so its nice to be here again because this year I had to start further back in the rankings, said the Swiss, who astonished the tennis world by winning the Australian Open after months away from the sport.Federer, at the grand old age of 36, said he felt fresh after a season that had exceeded his expectations.This year I ended up playing much less than I thought I would. Because of the great start to the season I didnt have to push it that much to be honest, which was great, he said.So can anybody smash the Federer-Nadal duopoly at the tournament featuring the seasons top players?The most likely candidate appears to be Zverev, who has rocketed up the rankings to number three after an outstanding season in which he has won five tournaments, including two Masters titles.Winning two Masters series is specal for any player in an era where the top events have been monopolised by the Big Four, said the German, who is in the Boris Becker group along with Federer, former US Open winner Marin Cilic and Jack Sock.He added that the younger generation was making a push towards the top of the game to challenge the existing powers.The singles tournament, which runs until November 19, begins with Thiem taking on Dimitrov. The top two in each group qualify for the semi-finals.

Tennis: Rublev, Chung to meet in NextGen final

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MILAN (AFP) - Top seed Andrey Rublev swept past racquet-smashing Borna Coric of Croatia 4-1, 4-3 (8-6), 4-1 to reach the Next Gen ATP finals title match on Friday.Rublev, the world number 37 who reached the US Open quarter-finals this year, needed just over an hour to see off Coric whose frustrations were summed up by his destruction of two racquets courtside.In Saturdays final, the Russian will face Hyeon Chung of South Korea who beat Russias Daniil Medvedev 4-1, 4-1, 3-4 (4/7), 1-4, 4-0.Today I played my best tennis of the week. Im really happy, 20-year-old Rublev told atpworldtour.com.Rublev finished the semi-final with 17 winners to only eight unforced errors.Coric, meanwhile, hit 12 winners but 14 unforced errors.He was just playing too good for me today. He was the better player on the court, admitted the Croat.Chung won all of his three group matches to make the semi-finals, including a 4-0, 4-1, 4-3 (7/1) victory over Rublev. He also saw off the Russian in Winston-Salem on the ATP Tour in August.I had to stay calm, Chung said after seeing off Medvedev.I was just trying to stay calm and he was playing good, so I had to play the same as I did in the first and second set.On Saturdays match, the South Korean said: I need a rest because its already midnight, so I have to do my recovery first.We know how to play each other, so I have to go sleep, only.

Saudi-led strikes hit defence ministry in Yemen capital

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SANAA (AFP) - The Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes on the defence ministry in Yemens rebel-held capital Sanaa late Friday, witnesses and rebel media said, leaving at least three civilians wounded.The Huthi rebel media outlet Al-Masirah reported two air strikes targeting the defence ministry. One of the strikes hit a residential area near the ministry, witnesses said.I was sitting at home and heard the first strike hit the ministry of defence. Everyone was afraid. Minutes later, another strike hit my neighbours house, resident Mohammed Aatif said.My entire house shook, said Aatif, who fled with his family from the neighbourhood.He said the strike destroyed his neighbours house, leaving an enormous crater, and damaged others.Witnesses said the number of casualties may rise as wounded are pulled from the rubble.The coalition has targeted the defence ministry in the past, leaving it heavily damaged, but the fresh strikes come as tensions ratchet up between Saudi Arabia and its rival Iran, which backs the Huthi rebels.Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in neighbouring Yemen in March 2015 with the stated aim of rolling back Huthi rebel gains and restoring the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to power.The conflict has left more than 8,650 people dead, including many civilians, and the Huthis continue to control the capital Sanaa and much of Yemens north.The coalition shut down Yemens borders earlier this week after Saudi forces on Saturday intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Huthis near the Riyadh airport.The rebels have threatened additional attacks on Saudi Arabia and its coalition partner the United Arab Emirates in response to the blockade.The United Nations said on Friday that the coalition is still blocking desperately needed UN aid deliveries to Yemen despite the re-opening of the Yemeni port of Aden and also a land border crossing.This week, UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned the Security Council that, unless the blockade was lifted, Yemen would face the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims.The world body has listed Yemen as the worlds number one humanitarian crisis, with 17 million people in need of food, seven million of whom are at risk of famine.More than 2,000 Yemenis have died in a cholera outbreak now affecting nearly one million people.

'Framework' agreed on Asia-Pacific trade pact without US

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DANANG (AFP) - Remaining members of a major Pacific trade deal abandoned by the United States have agreed to a new framework after days of stalled talks to revive the pact, Canadas trade minister said Saturday.Francois-Philippe Champagne welcomed the breakthrough in a tweet as big progress and shared a statement saying his government had agreed to a framework for a new Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership after holding out for strict labour and environmental clauses.Those elements were thrown into jeopardy by Americas sudden withdrawal from the deal earlier this year, which forced the remaining 11 countries involved in the pact to reconsider the merits of a deal suddenly shorn of access to the worlds largest economy.After days of talks on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Danang, the so-called TPP-11 nations made a breakthrough early Saturday, a day after Donald Trumps ladled out more America First rhetoric in an address to world leaders.The Canadian statement said there still are a number of issues that remain outstanding for Canada but welcomed a new agreement with environmental and labour protections linked to freer markets.Canada had dug in over those progressive clauses.But they are much less attractive to countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Chile and Peru now that the carrot of access to the huge US market has been pulled.Japan, the worlds third largest economy, has been particularly active in pushing for a swift consensus, fearful that delays could lead to the eventual collapse of the pact after years of negotiations.

Three Chinese students hurt in car attack near Toulouse

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TOULOUSE (AFP) - A man deliberately rammed his car into a group of pedestrians, injuring three Chinese students one of them seriously, near the French city of Toulouse on Friday, authorities said, adding that the attack was not linked to terrorism.The 28-year-old driver, who was arrested immediately afterwards in the citys Blagnac suburb, purposefully hit three people on a crosswalk, Toulouse prosecutor Pierre-Yves Couilleau said.The suspect, a single man who lives with his mother in Blagnac, had previously suffered severe psychiatric problems and was released from a court-ordered hospital stay in December 2016, the prosecutor said.What matters in this case is the psychiatric profile of the person, he added.The individual arrested immediately after the event said he had been planning this act for a month, the prosecutor said later in a statement.When asked about the possibility the man was motivated by terrorism, the prosecutor said the attack was nothing of that order.The driver has had about 10 previous convictions for non-terror related crimes, he said.The investigation is to be handled by regular judicial police rather than Pariss anti-terror unit, he added.The victims are Chinese exchange students at the ICD-Toulouse International Business School. A 23-year-old woman was the most seriously injured, and two men aged 22 and 23 were also hurt and one of them remains in hospital, the prosecutor said.The womans life is not in danger, police said.The attack occurred in front of the Blagnac campus of the Institute for Social Research, an AFP journalist said.On Friday night, Frances Interior Minister Gerard Collomb praised the polices response, saying the investigation will determine the nature of his act.The attack came days after China asked France to ensure the security of its nationals, who have been regular victims of thieves.On November 2, a group of around 40 Chinese tourists were attacked with teargas and robbed outside a three-star hotel near Pariss Orly Airport.On Friday a youth, 15 years old at the time of the attack, was sentenced in juvenile court to two years in prison for violently attacking and robbing a Chinese textile worker last year in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers. The 49-year-old man died five days of his injuries.France has also been the target of a series of vehicle attacks by extremists inspired by the Islamic State group.In July last year, a Tunisian man ploughed a 19-tonne truck into a crowd in the southern city of Nice, killing 86 people.

Thousands protest austerity measures in Brazil

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SAO PAULO (AFP) - Several thousand Brazilians demonstrated on Friday as part of a day of national mobilization against government austerity measures, including a labor law that will soon come into effect.Demonstrators were also protesting against a highly-unpopular pension reform project and the wave of privatization recently announced by President Michel Temers government.We must prevent the destruction of our country, the loss of social gains and the threats against democracy, said Telma de Barros, a 57-year-old teacher protesting in Sao Paulo, Brazils economic capital where some 10,000 had gathered to demonstrate, according to an AFP photographer.Protests also took place in other cities including Rio de Janeiro and the capital Brasilia.In Rio, thousands took to the streets, and a car was set on fire on a bridge by a group of protesters earlier in the day, causing a major traffic jam.There have been other anti-austerity protests in recent months, including a call for a general strike, but participation has been relatively low.Temers government has launched a series of austerity measures aimed at addressing a huge budget deficit and reviving the recession-hit economy.The new labor law, which was approved by the Senate in July and goes into effect on Saturday, provides for more flexible contracts, eliminates obligatory union dues and makes unions liable for legal costs in losing court challenges.The government is now trying to push through changes aimed at raising the minimum retirement age and extending the contribution period for full pensions.Theres no problem with the current system, but the government is inventing reasons to change it, to the detriment of the workers. The people still pay the bill, said 45-year-old protester Julio Telmo.

Dense fog disrupts rail, road and air traffic in Punjab

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Dense fog blanketed different cities of Punjab, including Lahore on night between Friday and Saturday, paralysing routine life and disrupting rail, road and air traffic, Dunya News reported.The thick fog has badly affected the flow of road traffic in several cities of Punjab. According to a Motorway spokesman, the Motorway section from Babu Sabu to Sheikhupura has been closed as visibility was down to zero. Similar situation exists at several places on the National Highway.The Motorway police have appealed the drivers to use GT Road for travelling. They have also urged the drivers to drive slowly and switch on fog lights. The people have been requested to stay home and avoid unnecessary travelling.The fog has also disrupted flight operations at various airports in Punjab. Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport was shut down and flight operation was cancelled as thick fog dropped visibility down to zero.Dense fog has also affected railways schedule in most cities of Punjab and trains departure was delayed for up to 10 to 12 hours.

Pakistan Rangers delegation visits Golden Temple in Amritsar

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AMRITSAR (Dunya News) - Director General (DG) Pakistan Rangers Sindh Major General Mohammad Saeed along with his delegation visited the Golden Templein Amritsar, India on Friday.A high-level delegation of Pakistan Rangers led by DG Pakistan Rangers Sindh was in India to hold talks with Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on host of issues.The talks come in the backdrop of strand ties between Pakistan and India with a number of ceasefire violations and killings of civilians and troops.A delegation of Pakistan Rangers arrived in India to hold a three-day bi-annual director general-level meeting with Border Security Force in New Delhi.

Mustafa Kamal to respond to Sattar's allegations today

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal is all set to give befitting response to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chairman Farooq Sattar’s allegations at an important press conference today (Saturday).Earlier on Thursday, while addressing a news conference outside in PIB Colony, Farooq Sattar announced to quit politics but later he retracted, saying “My mother has asked me to take back my decision to quit politics and ordered to serve the people as before.”He also apologized to all party members and the Muhajir community who had “shed tears” on merger with PSP that he and Mustafa Kamal announced during a press conference on November 9 to avoid division of vote bank in General Elections 2018.Farooq Sattar challenged his political rivals to compare his assets with those of others, describing the purchase of his property and vehicle. “I use a second hand car which is not even mine,” he added.He also invited Mustafa Kamal and his party leaders to join MQM-P and merge PSP with their roots.In an aftermath, leader of MQM-P and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ali Raza Abidi announced to resign as part of the political party in reaction to the merger announced by Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal.Former army chief and chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Pervez Musharraf welcomed the merger between the two parties and offered to lead a political alliance among them in Sindh.

MQM-P cancels Aysha Manzil to 'Yadgar-e-Shuhuda' march

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on late Friday night announced to cancel a march from Aysha Manzil to Yadgar-e-Shuhuda, Dunya News reported.According to an MQM-P statement, only MQM-P chief Dr Farooq Sattar and Rabita Committee members will now visit the martyrs’ graveyard in Azizabad today (Saturday). The statement further said that the decision to limit the number of participants has been taken due to some unavoidable circumstances.The MQM-P chief Dr Farooq Sattar had announced to take out rally from Aysha Manzil to ‘Yadgar-e-Shuhuda’ during his press conference in Karachi on Thursday.Farooq Sattar had said that he will visit the martyrs’ graveyard in Azizabad along with his party workers on Saturday to pay his respects.

Woakes saves England's blushes with inspired spell

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ADELAIDE (AFP) - Paceman Chris Woakes claimed four wickets as England roared back to the verge of victory against the Cricket Australia XI after the third day of the four day-night tour match at Adelaide Oval on Friday.The tourists scrambled to 207 in their second innings on the back of Jonny Bairstows unbeaten 61 off 66 balls leaving the CA XI 268 runs to win.But Warwickshires Woakes led a spirited England fightback, capturing four for 17 off 10 overs to leave the CA XI innings in tatters.England tried to wrap up victory, opting for an extra half hour of play on the third night under lights, but were thwarted by Matt Short (28 not out) and Gurinder Sandhu (17 not out) through to stumps at 70 for seven.Tall Somerset quick Craig Overton also pressed his Test claims with an impressive two for 10 off seven overs.Ive been very impressed with Craig. Hes a big lad, gets plenty of bounce and hes very skilful too, said Jimmy Anderson, named Friday as Englands new vice-captain.He can swing the ball, seam the ball and he brings something different to the team. Hes settled in really well.Up until Woakess superb bowling spell it looked an embarrassing day for Joe Roots tourists, stumbling to 124 for seven at one stage.England tumbled from 79 without loss to lose seven wickets for 45 in a spectacular crash before Bairstow and leg-spinner Mason Crane (18) helped boost the innings in a 70-run stand.When Anderson became Simon Milenkos fifth wicket Englands second innings was over, with injured Jake Ball unable to come to the wicket on his injured ankle.Former England captain and opener Alastair Cooks scratchy start to his Ashes tour continued, making 32 from 85 balls.Cook began his tour with a second-ball duck against a West Australian XI and made only 15 in the first innings in Adelaide.The veterans dismissal triggered Englands slide -- he was soon followed to the changeroom by his opening partner Mark Stoneman, who made 51, his third consecutive half-century on tour.Captain Joe Root (one), Dawid Malan (five), James Vince (29), Woakes (two) and Craig Overton (0) fell in rapid succession as England plummeted to 124 for seven.Bairstow hit a six to reach his half-century coming off 61 balls.Meanwhile, Ball will miss the rest of CA XI match as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.The Nottinghamshire paceman fell awkwardly while bowling his fourth over on Thursday.Ball was forced to withdraw from the day-night warm-up match and had a scan on Friday to determine the damage to his right ankle.The tourists have already lost paceman Steven Finn, who has flown home because of a knee injury and his replacement Tom Curran arrived in Adelaide on Friday.And spinning allrounder Moeen Ali is yet to feature in the warm-up matches as he struggles with a side strain.

Indian board rejects dope tests by national body

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - Indias cricket board on Friday heightened a battle with the countrys anti-doping agency over who has the right to test players for banned drugs.Although two players have failed tests carried out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in three years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has refused to allow tests by Indias National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri wrote to NADA and the sports ministry reaffirming the refusal to cooperate, which the governing body says is a threat to Indias compliance to WADAs code.It is relevant to mention here that BCCI is not a national sports federation. Accordingly, NADA does not have jurisdiction to conduct dope testing of Indian cricketers in any domestic or international event organised or under the aegis of BCCI, Johri wrote to NADA chief Navin Agarwal.Because of this there is no requirement for any BCCI official to co-ordinate with NADA for dope testing of Indian cricketers in or out of competition.The BCCI already has a robust dope testing mechanism which is employed for both during competitions and out-of-competitions, Johri wrote to the sports ministry.The International Cricket Council is a signatory to the WADA code and Johri said that as an ICC member the Indian body has implemented the ICC anti-doping code since 2011.The doping debate in Indian cricket escalated when WADA announced this year that a domestic player -- who was not named - had tested positive for a banned drug.An Indian Premier League player, Pradeep Sangwan, failed a drug test in 2013. The left-arm paceman was banned for 18 months from taking part in any BCCI-run event.NADA on Thursday appointed former opening batsman Virender Sehwag and ex-Delhi player Vinay Lamba to its appeals panel.Drug abuse in cricket was brought to the fore when Australian spin legend Shane Warne was banned for a year after testing positive on the eve of the 2003 World Cup.

India's Pandya rested for Sri Lanka Tests

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - Indias rising star Hardik Pandya on Friday pulled out of a Test series against Sri Lanka with the cricket board saying the all-rounder needs a break.The 24-year-old is to head for rehabilitation instead of being part of the 16-man squad for the first two of the three-match series which starts next Thursday in Kolkata.Considering Mr Pandyas heavy recent workload, the decision was made to negate any possibility of a major injury concern, said a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) statement.Pandya is to undergo a period of strength conditioning at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.Pandya has become a key member of the Virat Kohli-led side since making his limited-overs debut last year. He has played in 30 of Indias last 33 matches.Once shunned by selectors because of his exuberant onfield celebrations and swagger off the pitch, Pandya is now being considered a possible all-time great.The right-arm medium pace bowler injured his hand trying to stop a shot from New Zealand batsman Colin de Grandhomme in the series-deciding Twenty20 international in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.India clinched the T20s 2-1 to stay unbeaten at home in any format since losing to South Africa in one-day games in 2015.Pandya was played a big part in the teams success with his seam bowling and his hard-hitting batting.He has played just three Tests since making his debut with a half-century against Sri Lanka at Galle in June, but his 29 ODI and 24 T20 appearances speak volumes of his all-round ability.India are the top Test nation in the International Cricket Council ratings and second behind South Africa in one day matches.As well as three Tests, India and Sri Lanka will play three one day games and three T20s in December.India squad for first two Tests: Virat Kohli (capt), Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma.
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