Asif: Have served my time

Karachi: Banned Pakistan pacer Mohammed Asif believes that with the completion of his jail sentence for spot-fixing, one of the most difficult phases of his life has hopefully come to an end.

“I was punished and I have served my time and now this chapter is closed for me,” Asif said.

Asif also insisted that there was no evidence on the basis of which he was jailed by a crown court in London last year in October.

Asif said he would only decide on his future plans after consulting his legal advisors. Asif said he had spent the last six months in most difficult circumstances maintaining it was difficult because he was jailed without evidence.

“But despite the difficulties, I am fit and I am thankful to my fans and family for supporting me during this difficult phase,” he said.

Indians advance to semis

New Delhi: The Indian team put up a dominant show in both the men’s and women’s categories as they blanked their respective opponents to sail into the semi-finals of the Asian Team Squash Championship, in Kuwait. While the women’s team registered a 2-0 victory over the higher ranked Malaysians to top the pool, the men’s team blanked Japan 3-0.

Del Potro wins

Oeiras: Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro continued his impressive form at the clay-court Estoril Open with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over seventh-seeded Albert Montanes to reach the semis. Del Potro is 25-6 this year as he prepares for the French Open. He will play third-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka on Saturday for a place in Sunday’s final. Meanwhile, Sania Mirza and her partner Anastasia Rodionova crashed out losing to Kazakh pair of Yaroslava Shvedova and Galina Voskobo 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the women’s doubles semis.

Big victory

Malacca: Satbir Singh struck four goals as Indian colts opened their campaign at the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in style, defeating neighbours Sri Lanka 11-0 here on Friday. Satbir struck twice in each half, while Akashdeep Singh, Lokesh Thimmaiah, Amit Rohidas, Malak Singh and Prithdeep Singh were the other scorers for India.

Mixed day

New Delhi: Vikas Krishan made a surprise exit from the President’s Cup, in Kazakhstan, after losing to local player Kojabekov Bakhitjan in the quarter finals of the welterweight division, on Friday. In the super heavyweight, rookie boxer Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg) beat Demmene Nadir of Algeria 11-4 to make it to the semis.

Chelsea bid

London: Chelsea has submitted an offer to buy London’s Battersea Power Station with a view to building a new stadium on the site of the landmark that looms over the River Thames. The Premier League club has developed plans for a 60,000-seat stadium on the site of the derelict plant to preserve the four white, 300-foot chimneys that famously feature on the cover of a Pink Floyd album.

Academy coach

Calcutta: East Bengal on Friday announced the appointment of Uefa pro licence coach Amir Alagic of Australia as the head of their training school. The Aussie, who will be assisted by former East Bengal players Bikash Panji and Tushar Rakshit, will design the modules for different age groups of the East Bengal Football School of Excellence (EBFSE).

Naik quits

Panaji: India defender Samir Naik announced his retirement from international football on Friday. He will, however, continue to play for his club Dempo SC for some more years.

Staff Reporter & Agencies