Dilshan back for ODIs

Colombo: Sri Lanka recalled middle order batsman Tillekeratne Dilshan into the one-day squad on Friday for a three-match series against Pakistan later this month. He was not included for the tri-series in Bangladesh starting on Saturday. Zimbabwe are the third team.

The squad

Mahela Jayawardene (Capt.), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Jehan Mubarak, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Thilina Kandamby, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thilina Thushara Mirando, Angelo Mathews.

ICL meet

Calcutta: The Indian Cricket League (ICL) Friday joined hands with South Eastern Railway Men's Congress (SERMC) for a week-long Madhav Rao Scindia Memorial fifty overs cricket meet to be held at Engineering grounds Adra from January 19.

Safina loses

Melbourne: Dominika Cibulkova unexpectedly beat Dinara Safina 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 to give unfancied Slovakia a 1-0 lead in the Hopman Cup final in Perth on Friday. World No.3 Safina had been expected to hand Russia the early advantage as she had easily won her two previous meetings against Cibulkova.

Kovac retires

Zagreb: Croatia captain Niko Kovac has announced his retirement from international football, saying that his lack of playing time with his club meant that he would only be a burden to the national team.

Limba coach

Calcutta: Limba Ram, has been named national coach by the Archery Association of India (AAI) for the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile, the 29th Senior National archery meet (recurve & compound) for men and women will be held at Balewadi near Pune from January 19 to 24.

MotoGP pullout

Tokyo: Kawasaki have pulled out of motorcycling’s MotoGP world championship as part of the company’s efforts to cut spending amid the global financial crisis.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd on Friday became Japan’s latest motorsport casualty after a trio of the country’s carmakers announced similar plans last month.

CWG move

New Delhi: Renowned Italian coach Massimo Constantini will groom Indian paddlers for the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled in the capital.

Venus wins

Hong Kong: Venus Williams defeated Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 at the women’s team exhibition tournament in Hong Kong Friday.

Mauresmo out

Melbourne: Former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo had to forfeit her Brisbane International semi-final against compatriot Marion Bartoli on Friday after receiving treatment on her lower back and left leg.

Staff reporter & Agencies