WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017 SPORTS Bangladesh ban bowler for conceding 92 off four balls

DHAKA: Bangladesh yesterday imposed a coach, and manager punished ary and cost his side 80 runs. Batsmen can club Fear Fighters after they threw a sepa- tion of their respective clubs.” Lalmatia 10-year ban on a bowler who deliberately with five-year bans from the Dhaka score off such illegal deliveries but they do rate match in similar fashion. Club secretary Adnan Rahman had admit- lost a match by conceding 92 runs off just Second Division League. not count as part of a bowler’s regular six- “We have found in our investigations ted Sujon bowled the wides and no-balls four legal deliveries in protest at umpiring In a 50-over match last month, Lalmatia ball over. Axiom opener Mustafizur that the bowlers bowled wides and no- as a protest against poor umpiring. The decisions. Sujon Mahmud from Lalmatia Club were dismissed for just 88 off 14 overs Rahman smashed three fours off Sujon’s balls deliberately to damage the image of secretary alleged the umpires did not even Club was found guilty by the Bangladesh before opponents Axiom Cricketers four legitimate balls to take his side home our ,” the board’s disciplinary com- allow his team captain to see the coin after Cricket Board of bringing the game into reached 92-0 off four legal balls. Sujon in just 0.4 overs in Dhaka. The cricket board mittee chief Sheikh Sohel told a press brief- the toss. The BCB also suspended for six disrepute. Lalmatia Club were barred bowled 13 wides and three no-balls in the also imposed a ten-year ban on another ing. “In neither case would a win or loss months the umpires overseeing both the indefinitely from competition, with their first over, all of which reached the bound- bowler, Tasnim Hasan, and blacklisted his have mattered for the promotion or relega- discredited matches. — AFP Nike’s African trio target sub-two hour marathon LONDON: This weekend, aided by a host of LELISA DESISA technological and environmental advances, The 26-year-old Ethiopian has a marathon three carefully-selected elite African athletes best of 2:04.45 and is another athlete whose will attempt to run the first sub-two hour numbers in the area of VO2 max, which meas- marathon. The ‘Breaking2’ project is the latest ures the maximum rate of oxygen consumption, enterprise of American sportswear giant Nike lactate profile, which provides an indicator of and has split opinion in the world of athletics, fatigue during exercise, and running economy not to mention physiology. were second to none. In one camp are the ‘purists’, who claim that the host of benefits being bestowed on the run- THE SHOES ners, including revolutionary shoes, a pack of The 200 gram Zoom Vaporfly Elite are cen- interchangeable pacemakers and a non-tradi- tral to the whole project. Nike says the combi- tional course, mean the attempt is a marketing nation of a new foam and curved carbon insert, gimmick. In some ways this is possibly the worst which also helps change the angle of the foot, time to start shouting about fast marathon means runners require four percent less energy times with Kenya’s Rio Olympic and London to go at the same speed in comparison with marathon champion Jemima Sumgong’s recent their previous best shoe. positive doping test landing a body blow to the The shoes have been further custom-fitted event. Nike, and others, however, insist projects for the three athletes - which should help pre- like ‘Breaking 2’ show that a combination of tal- vent a repeat of the blisters that scarpered ent, training and technology can produce Ethiopian Keninisa Bekele’s London Marathon astounding results without the need for chemi- bid in similar Vaporfly 4% shoes. A recent meet- cal assistance. Many people are intrigued to ing of the IAAF technical committee ruled the see just how much difference such a collec- shoes and their technology to be within their, tion of ‘marginal gains’ can make and suggest admittedly vague, rules - though the Elite ver- that, at a time when athletics is reeling from sion will not be available for the public to buy. relentless bad news, such a quantum leap in human endurance, arguably the greatest in THE KIT the sport’s history, is something to be wel- Nike is also kitting their intrepid trio out in comed and celebrated. Below we look at the new socks, shorts and singlet, all of which are key aspects of the project. claimed to offer an advantage in terms of aero- dynamics and/or ventilation and support. THE CURRENT RECORD Again, many scoff at the idea but they also did BRIDGETOWN: Misbah ul Haq (R) of Pakistan about to hit the ball during the 3rd day of the 2nd Test match between West Indies and Pakistan at Kenyan Dennis Kimetto set the current that nearly 50 years ago when Briton Ron Hill Kensington Oval. — AP record of two hours, two minutes, 57 seconds broke the marathon record aided by a self- in Berlin in 2014, which is about four minutes designed ‘cooling’ string vest. faster than it was in 1988. Kimetto’s time works Windies claim late out to 4:41.5 minutes per mile; a sub-two THE COURSE would require less than 4:35 per mile - an The sub-2 attempt will be run on about 17 improvement of about seven seconds per mile, laps of a 1.5 mile (2.4km)) loop that forms part or around 2.5 percent. On the face of it, that of the Monza F1 track in northern Italy. After as Pakistan close on 172-3 appears an impossible leap. extensive research it was selected due to a In 2014 the respected Runners World maga- combination of environmental factors, includ- zine published a data-driven analysis of more ing average temperature, air pressure and wind BRIDGETOWN: West Indies hit back with three than 10,000 top marathon performances over levels. The surface, with no kerbs or cambers, wickets in the final hour after a 155-run opening SCOREBOARD 50 years that predicted a sub-two under nor- was also considered optimal. stand as Pakistan reached stumps at 172 for three in reply to the home side’s first innings mal race conditions would not happen until The course satisfies the rules on elevation BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Scoreboard at stumps on the second day of the second Test between total of 312 on the second day of the second 2075. The key to this attempt is that Nike are that, for example, rule out records set on the the West Indies and Pakistan at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Monday trying to ensure all the other variables make overall downhill route of the Boston Marathon. Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Monday. such an impact that, in theory, the athletes will One area where the Monza track could give a Azhar Ali held firm at one end for an unbeaten West Indies 1st Innings Bowling: M. Amir 26-5-65-3, M. Abbas 23-6-56-4 produce effort levels that equate to a 2.03 time tangible advantage is that the athletes will run 81 in a five-hour vigil after opening partner (overnight 286 for 6) (2w), Y. Shah 25.5-2-83-2, but, boosted by all the extra help, will actually exactly the marathon distance. Ahmed Shehzad rode outrageous moments of K. Brathwaite c wkpr Ahmed b Amir 9 S. Khan 23-3-90-1, A. Ali 1-0-4-0 produce sub-2. Even on the fastest road courses, the fact luck to contribute 70 in the first- partner- K. Powell lbw Amir 38 that the ‘blue line’ has to follow curves and is ship. He resumes on the third morning alongside S. Hetmyer c Ali b Abbas 1 Pakistan 1st Innings WHO IS RUNNING? marked a minimum distance from the kerb captain Misbah ul Haq. S. Hope c wkpr Ahmed b Shah 5 A. Ali 81 After extensive physiological research, Nike means that runners often actually cover Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo eventually R. Chase c Younis Khan b Amir 131 A. Shehzad c Hope b Bishoo 70 put together a team of three. Eliud Kipchoge. many more meters than the 26 miles, 385 broke through for the home side by having V. Singh c Younis Khan b Abbas 3 B. Azam c and b Gabriel 0 The 32-year-old Kenyan is the stand-out per- yards that has been the standard since the Shehzad caught at slip before adding the prized S. Dowrich c Younis Khan b 29 Y. Khan c Gabriel b Bishoo 0 former. Last year’s Olympic marathon gold 1908 Olympics. scalp of Younis Khan for a “duck” when the veter- J. Holder c wkpr Ahmed b Abbas 58 Misbah ul Haq not out 7 medallist and former 5,000 meters world cham- an pulled a long-hop to Shannon Gabriel at mid- D. Bishoo c Shah b Abbas 14 Extras (b-2, lb-3, nb-9) 14 pion has won seven of his eight marathons. His PACEMAKERS/DRAFTING wicket. In between those dismissals, Gabriel A. Joseph b Shah 8 Total (3 wkts, 69 overs) 172 best of 2:03:05 is the third-fastest in history. This is another area where quantifiable ben- removed Babar Azam, also without scoring, to a S. Gabriel not out 0 Fall of wickets: 1-155 (Shehzad), 2-156 (Azam), 3- Zersenay Tadese, the Eritrean is the half- efits can be seen and is the one that seems to catch off his own bowling. It was no more than Extras (b-4, lb-10, w-2) 16 161 (Younis) marathon world record holder with 58:23 min- have turned many people against the attempt. the burly fast bowler deserved although his ear- Total (all out, 98.5 overs) 312 To bat: A. Shafiq, S. Ahmed, M. Amir, S. Khan, Y. utes and, although he has nothing much in his The three runners will be sheltered throughout lier misfortune was compounded by chronic no- Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Brathwaite), 2-13 (Hetmyer), Shah, M. Abbas locker over the full distance, Nike’s scientists the attempt by a group of pacemakers, who ball problems. 3-37 (Hope), 4-102 Bowling: S. Gabriel 16-3-45-1 (8nb), A. Joseph 11- identified him as having the potential to go will dip in and out at various times to ensure Dropped at mid-on by Vishaul Singh just as (Powell), 5-107 (Singh), 6-154 (Dowrich), 7-286 3-24-0, R. Chase much faster. they maintain the demanded pace. — Reuters Pakistan started their reply in the morning ses- (Holder), 8-286 (Chase), 9-312 11-1-37-0 (1nb), J. Holder 10-6-8-0, D. Bishoo 21- sion, Shehzad was then ruled LBW off Gabriel (Bishoo), 10-312 (Joseph) 8-53-2. when on 21 in the post-lunch period only for the decision to be overturned after television LUCKY MOMENTS Holder was the first to go, his late decision to replays determined the to be a no-ball. Those lucky moments consolidated what had pull away from an Abbas delivery resulting in an Lightning then struck twice for the same man been Pakistan’s day until the final hour after they inside-edge to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. after he was stranded down the pitch and wrapped up the West Indies first innings within Mohammad Amir then removed Chase, whose to the bowling of off-spinner Roston an hour of the start. Mohammad Abbas led the 131 was the first Test century by a Barbadian on Chase on 32, the batsman almost reaching the visiting bowlers’ effort with two more wickets to home soil for 18 years. Drawn forward by a full- pavilion when he was summoned by the finish with four for 56, the best figures by a length delivery, his indeterminate prod resulted umpires to return to the crease as the replays Pakistan fast bowler in Test innings at the venue, in a thick outside edge for Younis Khan to snare again showed the bowler to have transgressed bettering Wasim Akram’s four for 73 in 1988, as his third catch of the innings at second slip. the front crease. the home team lost their last four wickets for the Bishoo played in his usual pugnacious “There was variable bounce out there so it addition of 26 more runs. manner but Abbas’ request of his captain for was really difficult to get going, but I have to West Indies’ hopes of pushing towards a another over reaped immediate rewards admit that I had more than my fair share of luck,” total closer to the 400-run mark were dashed when Bishoo lifted an on-drive to Yasir Shah said Shehzad. “I can’t give enough credit to within the first nine deliveries of the morning at mid-on. Shah then wrapped up the innings Azhar for the way he has played and if he can as their first-day heroes, Chase and Jason when Alzarri Joseph was bowled missing a continue on the third day and help give us a Holder, were dismissed without any addition to heave at a full-toss in the leg-spinner’s first lead, then we have a good chance to win this the overnight total of 286 for six. over of the morning. — AFP match and the series.” Selby joins elite in retaining world title

SHEFFIELD: England’s Mark Selby successfully PUNE: Rising Pune Supergiants cricketer Ben Stokes (L) watched by Gujarat Lions defended his world snooker championship on cricketer Dinesh Karthik plays a shot during the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) Monday, beating four-time champion John Twenty20 cricket match between Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions at The Higgins 18 frames to 15 in a thrilling contest. The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. — AFP 33-year-old Englishman had trailed 10-4 at one stage but just as he did against Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2014 he fought back to win, Million-dollar Stokes becoming only the fourth player in the past 40 years to retain the title. It was also the third world title in the last four editions for the player hits first T20 century fondly known as “The Jester from Leicester”. “I can’t believe it, I am still pinching myself NEW DELHI: Rising Pune Supergiant’s who made 26. Supergiant chased down now,” Selby told the BBC. “From 10-4 to get to record-breaking investment in Ben Stokes their 162-run target with a ball to spare to 10-7 yesterday, I was over the moon as I had has paid dividends, with the England all- keep in the top half of the league’s eight- nothing left. He outplayed me yesterday. Today I rounder delivering a blistering maiden team ranking. came back fresh and was a lot better. “When I Twenty20 century to secure his Indian Stokes, who has won three man-of-the- was 10-4 down I was missing everything. I said Premier League team a crucial victory. match awards in eight IPL matches this sea- ‘pull something together’. If you lose, you want SHEFFIELD: England’s Mark Selby kisses the trophy after beating Scotland’s John Higgins in Stokes-whose $2.16 million contract broke son, smashed seven fours and six sixes in to at least go down fighting. “To have three the World Championship Snooker final at The Crucible. — AFP the IPL signing record for a foreign player- front of a raucous home crowd. “All world titles is unbelievable and to be one of only hit an unbeaten 63-ball 103 during the rounders are so valuable in T20 cricket and four players to defend it is something I could thought it touched, Jan (Verhaas) said it didn’t final came in 2011 — it was a case of at 41 com- Supergiant’s five-wicket win over the he bats, bowls and fields well. He’s a perfect only dream of.” and I trust him,” said Selby later of the referee. ing frustratingly close to being the oldest winner Gujarat Lions on Monday. fit for our team, particularly after Mitchell Selby showed character and grit in the final Although Higgins briefly had the upper hand since Ray Reardon won the sixth and last of his “He’s done a terrific job for us. We paid a Marsh was ruled out as well,” said Smith. session when leading 16-14 and ahead in the in the next frame all it needed was one error and crowns aged 45 in 1978. “Mark is granite, just big amount to get him. We know he’s a “We were very excited to get him. I had said frame he was judged to have fouled when trying Selby took full advantage to seal victory with a granite,” the Scot said. “In the second session I quality player. (He) certainly earned his before the auction to the guys (owners) just to pull off a snooker behind the black. Selby con- break of 75. Both players sportingly hugged with had my chances, I missed a pink into the middle cash tonight,” Supergiant captain Steve do what you have to get him.” In another tested the foul but after a brief moment of doubt Selby paying a warm tribute to his rival. “Big con- bag and I could have gone 9-3 ahead. “That was Smith said of their star performer after the match Monday a star-studded Royal the match official stuck to his original decision gratulations to John, he is a great guy, and one a big, big frame. Mark cleared up under extreme win. The left-handed batsman, who came Challengers Bangalore, led by captain and Higgins went on to win it to close the gap to of the all-time greats and it is so great to play pressure. He is a fantastic champion. “It has been into bat with Pune precariously placed at Virat Kohli, became the first team to crash 16-15. Selby shrugged off what could have been him in another final,” said Selby, who lost to an unbelievable tournament, I gave everything. I 10 for three, put on a 76-run fifth-wicket out of the play-off race after suffering a five- a setback at a pivotal moment in the match to Higgins in the 2007 final. came up short to a great champion. I’m proud of partnership with Mahendra Singh Dhoni wicket loss to Mumbai Indians. — AFP rattle in a break of 131 in the next frame. “I For Higgins-whose fourth and last win in the myself but he was too good on the day.” — AFP