Short Corner — Chandigarh

Abdulla holds Thien HaiGrandmaster Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam may have an exceptionally good rating of 2,580 but Abdulla Al Rakib of Banglades...

Abdulla holds Thien Hai
Grandmaster Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam may have an exceptionally good rating of 2,580 but Abdulla Al Rakib of Bangladesh showed scant respect for his opponent’s reputation and held the top seed to a draw in the second round of the NTPC-Triveni World Junior Chess Championship in Kozhikode on Wednesday. Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman was required to convert a slight edge against Jovanka Houska to earn a point in the girls section.

BP XI 252-7
Board President’s XI, electing to bat first, were 252 for 7 in 90 overs in their first innings at close of play on the opening day of their three-day match against the touring West Indies A’ team in Mumbai. Board President’s XI 252 for 7 (H Kanitkar 68, A Khurasia 65, Harbhajan Singh batting 27, R Sanghvi batting 3; N McGarell 2 for 72, R Lewis 3 for 70).

Atherton cleared
England opener Michael Atherton has been cleared to play in Friday’s opening Ashes cricket Test against Australia after passing a fitness test. The former England captain was in doubt for the opening match after aggravating an old back injury but was given the all-clear after completing today’s training session without any difficulties.

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Asia Cup
Leander Paes has given it a miss, but indications are that his doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi will arrive in time to lead India’s campaign in the second edition of the ATF-Asia Cup tennis tournament beginning in New Delhi on November 23.

India beat Maldives
India moved into the final of the four-nation Bristol Freedom Cup Football Tournament defeating Maldives 2-1 in their second league match in Colombo. India led 2-0 at half-time.

PSEB held
Cv Sunny’s match-winner for State Bank of Travancore (SBT) against Bank of India (BoI), Mumbai, momentarily illuminated a dull opening day of the 98th Bristol Rovers Cup Football Tournament in Mumbai. Punjab State Electricity Board and Chennai Customs had earlier kicked-off the tournament with a goalless draw.