Two spinners likely for Pakistan; Strauss stays mum

DUBAI: Rival captains Misbah-ul Haq and Andrew Strauss believe batsmen will be under pressure to perform as Pakistan take on England in the first Test, which starts here on Tuesday. The pitch for the opening encounter of the three-Test series at Dubai stadium is likely to assist spin bowlers and although Pakistan were certain to play Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman, Strauss gave little hints at England’s combination. “It will depend on the state of the wicket, you always pick your team which you think gives you the right balance to win a Test and if the wicket turns a lot then obviously two spinners become an option,” he said. England, who rose to the top of the world Test rankings in August last year, last played two spinners in a Test...

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Barcelona battle to cut Real lead to five points

MADRID: Barcelona squandered a two-goal lead before seeing off 10-man Real Betis 4-2 to cut Real Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga back to five points on Sunday. Two goals from Lionel Messi and a goal apiece from Xavi and Alexis Sanchez fired them to the victory after Ruben Castro and Roque Santa Cruz had levelled. Betis had Mario Vazquez sent off with the score at 2-2 with 20 minutes remaining and Barca never looked back. Now the focus is turned to the Spanish Cup on Wednesday when the two giants face each other in the first leg of a quarter-final tie. Real Madrid had came from behind on Saturday to win 2-1 at Mallorca with late goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon. “The cup is a different competition so we have...

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