First test: Pakistan beat England in compelling victory

DUBAI: Mercurial Pakistan have done it once again. In what can be called a historic win against top-ranked England, Pakistan cruised to a compelling victory when England collapsed for 160. Pakistan were left with just 15 runs to chase to seal the match on the third day of the first test. England were struggling at 75-5 at tea on the third day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan at Dubai Stadium here on Thursday, needing another 71 runs to avoid an innings defeat. At the break Jonathan Trott was unbeaten on 42 and with him Matt Prior who has yet to score. Pakistan scored 338 in their first innings to take a 146-run lead. At the break Alastair Cook was batting on two and Jonathan Trott was eight not out. England...

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Gul strike leaves England on back foot

DUBAI: England lost the key wicket of their skipper Andrew Strauss early in their second innings to leave them hard pressed in their bids to save the first Test against Pakistan at Dubai Stadium Thursday. Strauss was adjudged caught behind off paceman Umar Gul for six in the fifth over of their second knock. The wicket fell before England reached 16-1 at lunch on the third day of the match, after Pakistan were dismissed for 338 in their first innings. Strauss instantly challenged the verdict but was left to trudge off the field after television umpire Steve Davis of Australia upheld the original decision, leaving England in a spot of bother. At the break Alastair Cook was batting on two and Jonathan Trott was eight not out....

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Kvitova scare as Djokovic, Williams stroll

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams made it look easy at the Australian Open Thursday as Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova flirted with disaster. Defending champion Djokovic thumped Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo and Williams brought up her 500th career win, against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, to reach the third round. Former champion Maria Sharapova made it two wins for the loss of just two games, and 2008 French Open winner Ana Ivanovic also strolled through to the weekend fixtures. Second seed Kvitova had a trickier assignment against battle-hardened Carla Suarez Navarro, but she survived a mid-match meltdown to progress in three sets —and stay on course for the top world ranking. Djokovic has been in commanding...

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