Sports

(Reuters) – Shahid Afridi’s scintillating all-round display secured Pakistan a series-clinching 26-run victory against Sri Lanka in a low-scoring fourth one-day international yesterday.

Mario’s Pizza West Berbice Super Kings and Church’s Chicken Corentyne Titans are the first teams to advance to the semi-final of the Guyana Cricket Board Carib/Pepsi Twenty20 Big Smash tournament at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground yesterday.

The final round of group stage matches in the 2011 Guinness-in-the-Streets football tournament concluded last evening at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre, with Alexander Village and East Front Road progressing to the round of 16 stage of the competition.

The Georgetown Football Association (GFA) yesterday launched the Power Aid Under-13 football tournament, which according to GFA President Calvin Burnette will feature teams affiliated to the GFA.

Seanden David-Longe and Krystal Sukra were the first two title winners of the day, yesterday, respectively copping the champion titles of the boys’ and girls’ 18 and under category when play in the Pegasus Open tennis tournament continued at the courts of the Pegasus Hotel.

Local distance king Cleveland Forde is set to represent Guyana in stage two of the South American 10 kilometres road race today and is the only athlete that will run in all three stages.

Guyanese fans are still basking in the triumph of the Golden Jaguars over Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors at Providence Stadium last weekend.

“If you want to compare what our men’s rugby team has done in footballing terms, it is like winning CONCACAF.

Mahdia has the potential to produce top national players but the talent has to be harnessed, according to table tennis coach, Ray ‘Capta’ Anderson.

The 12th Annual Diamond Mineral Water 50-Mile Cycle Road Race will pedal off today to close national cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed’s events for the year 2011.

Notwithstanding the results, there are hopeful signs that the long process of building a truly competitive West Indies team is gradually taking shape.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies second choice wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin will lead Trinidad and Tobago in the upcoming first class season.

LONDON (Reuters) – A Robin van Persie double earned Arsenal a fifth consecutive Premier League victory yesterday as Arsene Wenger’s side beat Norwich City 2-1 at Carrow Road.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The fate of Trinidad and Tobago head coach Otto Pfister will be known before year end, acting Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation president Lennox Watson has said.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – International Cricket Council (ICC) President Sharad Pawar yesterday joined the Indian cricket board (BCCI) in dismissing former player Vinod Kambli’s claims of possible corruption in India’s 1996 World Cup semi-final loss to Sri Lanka.

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Left-arm quick Krishmar Santokie’s three-wicket haul was not enough to prevent West Indies A from losing their opening Twenty20 of the two-match series against Bangladesh A here Friday night.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – An unbeaten century stand between Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers put South Africa in control of the second test as they opened up a 199-run lead with seven wickets in hand after the third day yesterday.

LONDON (Reuters) – Basil D’Oliveira, the South Africa-born all-rounder whose selection in an England team to visit his native land changed the course of history, has died at the age of 80 after a long battle against Parkinson’s disease.

LONDON (Reuters) – Renault’s radical approach to the design of this year’s Formula One car has been a failure, according to technical director James Allison.

By Treiston Joseph and Emmerson Campbell Three sprint triples were recorded at the 51st edition of the National Schools Athletics, Cycling and Swimming Championships yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence amidst drama, protests and a hunger strike.