* Manu Sawhney leaves ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) last evening announced that Chief Executive Manu Sawhney would leave the ICC with immediate effect. Geoff Allardice will continue as Acting CEO supported by the Leadership Team working closely with the ICC Board, it added. The Morning Sports on 10 March 2021 (see photo) exclusively revealed “a top official of the present ICC has been suspended from work” adding that he “was vociferous in airing his views recently against the Big Three countries --Australia, England, and India-- when there was difference of opinion in the world governing body over whether the ICC needs to give emphasis to annual bilateral series, or its annual competitions, such as limited-over World Cups. The ‘smaller countries’ of the ICC have talked in favour of having more annual competitions.”
* Pakistan skittled out for 141 in ODI
Pakistan were skittled out for 141 in their first ODI against England in Cardiff last night. Only Fakhar Zaman (47) and Shadab Khan (30) hit 30-run mark as Saqib Mahboob took 4/42 for England. The home team were 56/1 and cruising for win when went to press. The series consists of three ODIs and three T20Is.
* Zims in bold reply over Bangladesh
Zimbabwe replied boldly with 114/1 against Bangladesh who made 468 at stumps on day two of their one-off cricket Test at Harare yesterday (8). Mahmudullah scored 150 n.o. while Liton Das (95) and Mominul Haq (70) scored the most for the Bangladeshis.
* Tour de France: van Aert wins stage 11, Pogacar retains lead
Belgium’s Wout van Aert claimed a fine solo win on stage 11 of the Tour de France on Wednesday (7) as leader Tadej Pogacar showed a first glimpse of vulnerability. Van Aert dominated the double ascent of Mont Ventoux to finish one minute 14 seconds ahead of Kenny Elissonde and Bauke Mollema in Malaucene. Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard distanced Pogacar on the second climb of Ventoux. But the defending champion recovered to catch Vingegaard on the descent, and retains a significant overall lead.
Top-seed Ashley Barty beat Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in women’s singles semi-finals of Wimbledon yesterday (8). In the other semi, Karolina Pliskova led Aryna Sabalenka at 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 at the time we went to press.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic had too much quality for Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics as he reached the Wimbledon semi-finals with a focused display on Wednesday. Djokovic, 34, was far from his best, but still won 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 against 29-year-old Fucsovics, who was contesting his first Grand Slam quarter-final. The Serb will play 10th seed Denis Shapovalov today, Friday after the Canadian beat Russian 25th seed Karen Khachanov. Djokovic is now two wins from a record-equalling 20th men’s major.
* NBA Finals: Phoenix Suns beat Milwaukee Bucks in game one
Chris Paul scored 32 points and made nine assists as he inspired the Phoenix Suns to a 118-105 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first NBA Finals appearance of his 16-year-career. The 36-year-old point guard made the crucial difference in game one, shooting 12 of 19 from the floor. Devin Booker scored 27 points, while DeAndre Ayton added 22 points and 19 rebounds. It is the Suns’ first Finals appearance since 1993 as they hunt a first title.