Lanka need to pull up their socksIt's more Sachin Tendulkar, rather the news that he is unlikely to play the entire Pepsi Triangular tournament, that has grabbed the attention of the cricket aficionados, than the series opener between Pakistan and Sri Lanka which will be held on Friday. Fresh from their crushing win in the Asian Test Championship, followed by a massive 152-run victory over Bangladesh in a limited over match, the Wasim Akram brigade is raring to go.Kiwis safeA gutsy stand of 145 between unheralded Gary Stead and Chris Harris helped New Zealand to 211 for six at the close of play on the first day of the third Test against South Africa at the Basin Reserve today. The home side had been 58 for four before the fifth-wicket pairing ground South Africa's bowlers down with long periods of stubborn defence.Rlys throughDefending champions Railways peaked at the right time and played near-flawless game to end Border Security Force's march in the PSB & SBI 59th National Hockey Championship today. In the first quarterfinal of the current championship, Railways knocked out BSF 4-1. Railways with an impressive line-up seemed to struggle at the league stage, but on the day they produced champion stuff to shut out the pacy and stubborn BSF.TN top poolTamil Nadu pipped holders Bihar and Railways to emerge Pool A leaders on quotient after a three-way tie in the men's Super League of the National Basketball Championship this evening. The teams were tied with three victories and one defeat each in the five-team league programme. Tamil Nadu scored 116 points and 109 against; Bihar got 129 points and had 122 against while Railways totalled 112 points and conceded 126 points.
