Australia
49/2 (10.1 ov)
Sri Lanka
Australia won the toss and elected to bat
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Bangladesh VS Scotland Final Score
Scotland 318/8 (50 ov)
Bangladesh 322/4 (48.1 ov)
Bangladesh won by 6 wickets (with 11 balls remaining)
Top World Cup Scores - Bangladesh
| Player | Runs | Opposition | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamim Iqbal | 95 | v Scotland | 5 Mar 2015 |
| Mohammad Ashraful | 87 | v South Africa | 7 Apr 2007 |
| Imrul Kayes | 73* | v Netherlands | 14 Mar 2011 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | 71 | v Afghanistan | 18 Feb 2015 |
| Tamim Iqbal | 70 | v India | 19 Feb 2011 |
| Minhajul Abedin | 68* | v Scotland | 24 May 1999 |
| Mehrab Hossain | 64 | v West Indies | 21 May 1999 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 63 | v Afghanistan | 18 Feb 2015 |
| Mahmudullah | 62 | v Scotland | 5 Mar 2015 |
| Imrul Kayes | 60 | v England | 11 Mar 2011 |
Monday, June 18, 2012
Euro 2012 Germany, Portugal in quarter-finals
Cool-headed Germany extended their Euro 2012 winning streak to reach the last eight with a solid 2-1 victory over Denmark on Sunday as two goals from an inspired Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal through and sent the Dutch packing.
Lukas Podolski marked his 100th appearance for Germany with a 19th-minute goal in Lviv, before Michael Krohn-Dehli levelled for Denmark five minutes later.
Conceding an equaliser briefly threatened the Germans with a shock elimination depending on the outcome of the other Group B decider but defender Lars Bender scored a clinical late goal to set up a quarter-final clash with Greece.
"There were positive spirits out there tonight. We were focused on getting a goal. It was a bit of luck that the ball came to me but you don't think a lot about it, you just shoot it in," Bender said.
In Kharkiv, Portugal eliminated the Netherlands to the dismay of their thousands of orange-clad fans who had made their team's three group games in the city virtual home matches.
Ronaldo cancelled out Rafael van der Vaart's sweet early goal for the Dutch with a 28th-minute equaliser and the world's most expensive player lashed in the winner 16 minutes from time.
"This tournament we were just not good enough to reach the knockout phase," Van der Vaart told Dutch TV.
The Netherlands, runners-up in the 2010 World Cup, lost all three group games, the first to Denmark and the second to bitter rivals Germany.
"Our confidence was gone since the opening match and now we just have to start all over again," said Van der Vaart.
PERFECT RECORD
Germany completed the European Championship group stage with a perfect record for the first time after Joachim Loew's team had set a German record in qualifying, winning all 10 games.
Germany now face Greece, who pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament when they beat Russia 1-0 and sent Dick Advocaat's side home.
Striker Fernando Torres called Russia's surprise elimination a "wake-up call" for defending champions Spain who play their last group match against Croatia on Monday.
The Germany v Greece fixture pits two countries against each other whose ties have been stretched to breaking point during the last two years of economic turmoil.
A win for Greece over the euro-zone paymaster, which has forced a strict austerity programme on struggling Athens, would delight the economically suffering Greeks.
Thousands of broken-hearted Poles who had watched their team exit the tournament the night before after a 1-0 defeat by the Czechs turned out to applaud their team in Warsaw's giant fan zone.
"We realise we could have done more, but we thank you for the positive energy you gave us, that you came and were with us," said captain Jakub Blaszczykowski.
"Never mind, never mind," chanted the crowd.
The English FA became the latest football authority to have disciplinary proceedings launched against it by UEFA following an attempted pitch invasion by fans at the Group D match against Sweden.
Spain play Croatia in the Group C decider on Tuesday and Italy face eliminated Ireland. Italy lie third on two points and will be knocked out even if they win if Spain and Croatia play out a scoring draw of two goals each or more.
The fear that Spain and Croatia will contrive a 2-2 draw is growing among the Italian media.
With Croatia under investigation by UEFA over charges of racism, coach Slaven Bilic appealed to racist fans to stay way.
"I don't like these people, I don't want these people supporting us," he said. "We don't want them in the stadium. We are angry with these stupid fans as well. We need to stop them forever."
Injuries also began to mount on the 10th day of the tournament.
England winger Theo Walcott suffered a hamstring tweak in a practice session and is struggling to be fit for the final Group D match against Ukraine whose leading striker Andriy Shevchenko missed training with a knee problem and is also doubtful.
Lukas Podolski marked his 100th appearance for Germany with a 19th-minute goal in Lviv, before Michael Krohn-Dehli levelled for Denmark five minutes later.
Conceding an equaliser briefly threatened the Germans with a shock elimination depending on the outcome of the other Group B decider but defender Lars Bender scored a clinical late goal to set up a quarter-final clash with Greece.
"There were positive spirits out there tonight. We were focused on getting a goal. It was a bit of luck that the ball came to me but you don't think a lot about it, you just shoot it in," Bender said.
In Kharkiv, Portugal eliminated the Netherlands to the dismay of their thousands of orange-clad fans who had made their team's three group games in the city virtual home matches.
Ronaldo cancelled out Rafael van der Vaart's sweet early goal for the Dutch with a 28th-minute equaliser and the world's most expensive player lashed in the winner 16 minutes from time.
"This tournament we were just not good enough to reach the knockout phase," Van der Vaart told Dutch TV.
The Netherlands, runners-up in the 2010 World Cup, lost all three group games, the first to Denmark and the second to bitter rivals Germany.
"Our confidence was gone since the opening match and now we just have to start all over again," said Van der Vaart.
PERFECT RECORD
Germany completed the European Championship group stage with a perfect record for the first time after Joachim Loew's team had set a German record in qualifying, winning all 10 games.
Germany now face Greece, who pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament when they beat Russia 1-0 and sent Dick Advocaat's side home.
Striker Fernando Torres called Russia's surprise elimination a "wake-up call" for defending champions Spain who play their last group match against Croatia on Monday.
The Germany v Greece fixture pits two countries against each other whose ties have been stretched to breaking point during the last two years of economic turmoil.
A win for Greece over the euro-zone paymaster, which has forced a strict austerity programme on struggling Athens, would delight the economically suffering Greeks.
Thousands of broken-hearted Poles who had watched their team exit the tournament the night before after a 1-0 defeat by the Czechs turned out to applaud their team in Warsaw's giant fan zone.
"We realise we could have done more, but we thank you for the positive energy you gave us, that you came and were with us," said captain Jakub Blaszczykowski.
"Never mind, never mind," chanted the crowd.
The English FA became the latest football authority to have disciplinary proceedings launched against it by UEFA following an attempted pitch invasion by fans at the Group D match against Sweden.
Spain play Croatia in the Group C decider on Tuesday and Italy face eliminated Ireland. Italy lie third on two points and will be knocked out even if they win if Spain and Croatia play out a scoring draw of two goals each or more.
The fear that Spain and Croatia will contrive a 2-2 draw is growing among the Italian media.
With Croatia under investigation by UEFA over charges of racism, coach Slaven Bilic appealed to racist fans to stay way.
"I don't like these people, I don't want these people supporting us," he said. "We don't want them in the stadium. We are angry with these stupid fans as well. We need to stop them forever."
Injuries also began to mount on the 10th day of the tournament.
England winger Theo Walcott suffered a hamstring tweak in a practice session and is struggling to be fit for the final Group D match against Ukraine whose leading striker Andriy Shevchenko missed training with a knee problem and is also doubtful.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Rajasthan bid farewell to play-offs
Deccan Chargers knocked Rajasthan Royals out of the IPL by inflicting on them an upset five-wicket defeat in a must-win match in Hyderabad on Friday, reports ESPNstar.
Deccan overhauled their victory target of 127 with eight balls to spare, finishing on 128 for five.
Produturi Reddy hit 42 from 35 balls, including four fours and one six, while Shikhar Dhawan and JP Duminy contributed 26 and 24 respectively.
Rajasthan made 126 for eight, Rahul Dravid top-scoring with 39 and Dale Steyn the pick of the Deccan bowlers with two wickets for 16 from his four overs.
Defeat ended the Royals' hopes of making it through to the play-offs.
Deccan overhauled their victory target of 127 with eight balls to spare, finishing on 128 for five.
Produturi Reddy hit 42 from 35 balls, including four fours and one six, while Shikhar Dhawan and JP Duminy contributed 26 and 24 respectively.
Rajasthan made 126 for eight, Rahul Dravid top-scoring with 39 and Dale Steyn the pick of the Deccan bowlers with two wickets for 16 from his four overs.
Defeat ended the Royals' hopes of making it through to the play-offs.
Warner drives Daredevils home
After a disciplined bowling effort, David Warner smashed 79 to help Delhi Daredevils register a six-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab in their IPL 5 match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday, reports Times of India.
Ryan Harris ended Warner's scintillating knock of 79 off just 44 balls, smashing 10 fours and four sixes. Warner cracked 25-ball fifty to lead Daredevils chase.
Azhar Mahmood gave Kings XI first breakthrough, dismissing Unmukt Chand, who shared 82-run stand with Warner.
Warner hammered five fours and four sixes to reach his half-century. Warner and Chand started off well for Daredevils as they added 50 runs in just 37 balls.
Earlier, Kings XI bounced back strongly with late heroics by Gurkeerat Singh and Azhar Mahmood as they set the competitive 142-run target for Daredevils.
Ryan Harris and Praveen Kumar remained unbeaten on 15 and 3 respectively. Harris smacked four and a six as Umesh Yadav conceded 15 runs in the last over.
Gurkeerat played a fine cameo, smashing 26 runs off just 11 balls with the help of fours boundaries and a six to help Kings XI achieve 141/8 in 20 overs. Azhar Mahmood also played composed knock of 36, adding 45 runs in 24 balls with Gurkeerat.
Ryan Harris ended Warner's scintillating knock of 79 off just 44 balls, smashing 10 fours and four sixes. Warner cracked 25-ball fifty to lead Daredevils chase.
Azhar Mahmood gave Kings XI first breakthrough, dismissing Unmukt Chand, who shared 82-run stand with Warner.
Warner hammered five fours and four sixes to reach his half-century. Warner and Chand started off well for Daredevils as they added 50 runs in just 37 balls.
Earlier, Kings XI bounced back strongly with late heroics by Gurkeerat Singh and Azhar Mahmood as they set the competitive 142-run target for Daredevils.
Ryan Harris and Praveen Kumar remained unbeaten on 15 and 3 respectively. Harris smacked four and a six as Umesh Yadav conceded 15 runs in the last over.
Gurkeerat played a fine cameo, smashing 26 runs off just 11 balls with the help of fours boundaries and a six to help Kings XI achieve 141/8 in 20 overs. Azhar Mahmood also played composed knock of 36, adding 45 runs in 24 balls with Gurkeerat.
KKR win the match by 34 runs
- Twenty20 match | 2012 season
- Played at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
- 19 May 2012 - day/night (20-over match)
| Kolkata Knight Riders innings (20 overs maximum) | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
 | BB McCullum† | c Ryder b Parnell | 41 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 95.34 | |
| G Gambhir* | c Nehra b Parnell | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 | |
| JH Kallis | b Clarke | 13 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 72.22 | |
| Shakib Al Hasan | b Kumar | 42 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 140.00 | |
| MK Tiwary | not out | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 88.88 | ||
| YK Pathan | not out | 15 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 150.00 | ||
| Extras | (b 4, lb 1, nb 2) | 7 | ||||||
 | ||||||||
| Total | (4 wickets; 20 overs) | 136 | (6.80 runs per over) | |||||
| Did not bat DB Das, R Bhatia, Iqbal Abdulla, SP Narine, L Balaji |
| Fall of wickets 1-21 (Gambhir, 4.3 ov), 2-40 (Kallis, 8.4 ov), 3-107 (McCullum, 16.1 ov), 4-117 (Shakib Al Hasan, 17.5 ov) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |||
| A Nehra | 4 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 8.75 | |||
| AG Murtaza | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5.50 | |||
| WD Parnell | 4 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 4.50 | (1nb) | |
| B Kumar | 4 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 5.75 | ||
| MJ Clarke | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 | ||
| SC Ganguly | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 | (1nb) |
| Pune Warriors innings (target: 137 runs from 20 overs) | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
| RV Uthappa† | c Tiwary b Iqbal Abdulla | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 | |
| JD Ryder | b Pathan | 22 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 91.66 | |
| MJ Clarke | st †McCullum b Pathan | 13 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 72.22 | |
| SC Ganguly* | lbw b Shakib Al Hasan | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 62.50 | |
| AP Majumdar | st †McCullum b Shakib Al Hasan | 17 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 77.27 | |
| CJ Ferguson | c Kallis b Bhatia | 12 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 | |
| Harpreet Singh | c & b Narine | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | |
| WD Parnell | c sub (LR Shukla) b Balaji | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 | |
| B Kumar | not out | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | ||
| AG Murtaza | not out | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 | ||
| Extras | (b 1, lb 2, w 7) | 10 | ||||||
| ||||||||
| Total | (8 wickets; 20 overs) | 102 | (5.10 runs per over) | |||||
| Did not bat A Nehra |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |||
| L Balaji | 4 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 5.00 | (2w) | |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 4 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 4.50 | ||
| Iqbal Abdulla | 3 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 6.66 | (1w) | |
| SP Narine | 4 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 3.75 | ||
| YK Pathan | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 6.00 | (1w) | |
| R Bhatia | 3 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 4.66 |
| Match details |
| Toss Kolkata Knight Riders, who chose to bat Points Kolkata Knight Riders 2, Pune Warriors 0 |
Player of the match Shakib Al Hasan (Kolkata Knight Riders) |
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Rayudu, Pollard guide Mumbai home
A 122-run stand between Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard helped Mumbai Indians move level on points with Delhi after a five-wicket win over Bangalore.
Mumbai were firmly under the cosh in their pursuit of 172 after being reduced to 51 for five in the ninth over, with star man Sachin Tendulkar departing off the first ball he faced.
But Rayudu bludgeoned six fours and four sixes in his 81 not out and received support in the form of the big-hitting Pollard (52no) to lead the Indians over the line, with KP Appanna and Chris Gayle the bowlers coming under heavy fire.
Earlier, Mayank Agarwal was in supreme form, hammering six boundaries and four maximums in his unbeaten 30-ball 64 after the Challengers were put into bat.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan contributed a rather more sedate 47 to help Bangalore to 171 for six - a total that looked formidable until Rayudu and Pollard took centre stage.
Mumbai were firmly under the cosh in their pursuit of 172 after being reduced to 51 for five in the ninth over, with star man Sachin Tendulkar departing off the first ball he faced.
But Rayudu bludgeoned six fours and four sixes in his 81 not out and received support in the form of the big-hitting Pollard (52no) to lead the Indians over the line, with KP Appanna and Chris Gayle the bowlers coming under heavy fire.
Earlier, Mayank Agarwal was in supreme form, hammering six boundaries and four maximums in his unbeaten 30-ball 64 after the Challengers were put into bat.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan contributed a rather more sedate 47 to help Bangalore to 171 for six - a total that looked formidable until Rayudu and Pollard took centre stage.
Roach, Rampaul in doubt for first Test
The West Indies are sweating on the fitness of Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul ahead of the first Test against England, which gets underway at Lord's on Thursday, reports Cricket365.
The victims of a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of the England Lions in Northampton on Sunday, the tourists also endured the absence of the fast-bowling duo.
Roach twisted his ankle and was unable to bowl as Joe Root's unbeaten century and Michael Carberry's 72 not out carried the home side to a resounding triumph at Wantage Road. Rampaul, meanwhile, delivered just four overs before succumbing to a problematic neck.
"Kemar has twisted his left foot, and it was a precaution as much as anything that he didn't bowl," said coach Ottis Gibson.
"Ravi woke up with a stiff neck.
"We have to be a little bit careful with Lord's in mind. It is a bit of a disappointment the seamers have not bowled much. But we are here to play Test matches and we hope it will be all right."
Gibson drew inspiration from his side's recent showing against Australia, who were given a good fight by Roach and company in the limited-overs leg of the tour.
Held to a two-all draw in the ODIs and one-all in the T20Is, the Aussies were later given a good fight before wrapping up a two-nil victory in the Tests.
"We have just had a very tough series in the Caribbean, and they bowled a lot of balls there - especially Kemar Roach," added Gibson.
"In England it is a matter of getting used to the conditions rather than bowling a lot of balls - and you can get used to the cold without bowling."
The victims of a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of the England Lions in Northampton on Sunday, the tourists also endured the absence of the fast-bowling duo.
Roach twisted his ankle and was unable to bowl as Joe Root's unbeaten century and Michael Carberry's 72 not out carried the home side to a resounding triumph at Wantage Road. Rampaul, meanwhile, delivered just four overs before succumbing to a problematic neck.
"Kemar has twisted his left foot, and it was a precaution as much as anything that he didn't bowl," said coach Ottis Gibson.
"Ravi woke up with a stiff neck.
"We have to be a little bit careful with Lord's in mind. It is a bit of a disappointment the seamers have not bowled much. But we are here to play Test matches and we hope it will be all right."
Gibson drew inspiration from his side's recent showing against Australia, who were given a good fight by Roach and company in the limited-overs leg of the tour.
Held to a two-all draw in the ODIs and one-all in the T20Is, the Aussies were later given a good fight before wrapping up a two-nil victory in the Tests.
"We have just had a very tough series in the Caribbean, and they bowled a lot of balls there - especially Kemar Roach," added Gibson.
"In England it is a matter of getting used to the conditions rather than bowling a lot of balls - and you can get used to the cold without bowling."
SC refuses to quash Tendulkar's nomination
Refusing to quash batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to the Rajya Sabha, the Supreme Court asked petitioner Ram Gopal Singh Sisodia, a former Delhi MLA to rather approach the high court with his plea, reports Times of India.
The petitioner had challenged the nomination on the ground that Sachin was not entitled to nomination as Article 80 prescribes that only persons of eminence in the fields of art, literature and science are to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
A vacation bench of justices Deepak Verma and S J Mukhopadhya asked counsel R K Kapoor as to why he directly approached the apex court instead of invoking the jurisdiction of the Delhi high court.
"Why did you come to us directly under Article 32. You could have approached the high court? " the bench told the counsel who submitted that he had a Constitutional right to approach either courts.
The court then wondered if a writ of quo warranto would lie when a person is nominated to a particular post.
A writ of quo warranto is a plea in which an individual's right to hold an office or governmental privilege is challenged by another person.
Thereafter, the bench gave the option to the counsel to withdraw the petition with liberty to move the high court which he agreed and accordingly withdrew it.
Sisodia in his petition said Sachin does not possess any of the qualifications as prescribed under Article 80 of the Constitution of India for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
"But despite that he has been nominated as a member of Rajya Shaba. His nomination is not in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and liable to be struck down."
In his petition, the former Delhi MLA had raised several questions, including if a person can be nominated as a member of Rajya Shaba under clause 1(a) read with clause (3) of Article 80 of the Constitution of India even if he does not have a special knowledge or practical experience in the prescribed categories as enumerated under clause (3) of the Article 80 of the Constitution.
The petition also asked if a nomination made beyond the categories as specified under Article 80 (3) of the Constitution is not liable to be declared as an invalid and illegal nomination?
"That in view of these facts and circumstances, the petitioner has filed the Civil Writ Petition before this Hon?ble Court since there is a clear violation of the provisions of Article 14, (equality of law) 16(1) (equality in public employment), (51A (fundamental duties) (a), read with Article 300 A (persons not to be deprived of property except by law) and Article 80 of the Constitution of India," read the petition.
"That after nomination, a person would be entitled to certain financial rights and other privileges which cannot be conferred on a person who is not eligible to be nominated to Rajya Sabha," it said.
"Tax payers money cannot go into the pockets of those who are not eligible to be nominated as members of the Rajya Sabha. The petitioner is an income-tax payee and the money contributed by citizens must be spent for constitutional purposes only," it added.
The petitioner had challenged the nomination on the ground that Sachin was not entitled to nomination as Article 80 prescribes that only persons of eminence in the fields of art, literature and science are to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
A vacation bench of justices Deepak Verma and S J Mukhopadhya asked counsel R K Kapoor as to why he directly approached the apex court instead of invoking the jurisdiction of the Delhi high court.
"Why did you come to us directly under Article 32. You could have approached the high court? " the bench told the counsel who submitted that he had a Constitutional right to approach either courts.
The court then wondered if a writ of quo warranto would lie when a person is nominated to a particular post.
A writ of quo warranto is a plea in which an individual's right to hold an office or governmental privilege is challenged by another person.
Thereafter, the bench gave the option to the counsel to withdraw the petition with liberty to move the high court which he agreed and accordingly withdrew it.
Sisodia in his petition said Sachin does not possess any of the qualifications as prescribed under Article 80 of the Constitution of India for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
"But despite that he has been nominated as a member of Rajya Shaba. His nomination is not in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and liable to be struck down."
In his petition, the former Delhi MLA had raised several questions, including if a person can be nominated as a member of Rajya Shaba under clause 1(a) read with clause (3) of Article 80 of the Constitution of India even if he does not have a special knowledge or practical experience in the prescribed categories as enumerated under clause (3) of the Article 80 of the Constitution.
The petition also asked if a nomination made beyond the categories as specified under Article 80 (3) of the Constitution is not liable to be declared as an invalid and illegal nomination?
"That in view of these facts and circumstances, the petitioner has filed the Civil Writ Petition before this Hon?ble Court since there is a clear violation of the provisions of Article 14, (equality of law) 16(1) (equality in public employment), (51A (fundamental duties) (a), read with Article 300 A (persons not to be deprived of property except by law) and Article 80 of the Constitution of India," read the petition.
"That after nomination, a person would be entitled to certain financial rights and other privileges which cannot be conferred on a person who is not eligible to be nominated to Rajya Sabha," it said.
"Tax payers money cannot go into the pockets of those who are not eligible to be nominated as members of the Rajya Sabha. The petitioner is an income-tax payee and the money contributed by citizens must be spent for constitutional purposes only," it added.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
You are late, Tigers PCB
Bangladesh have reacted too late in trying to have the result of the Asia Cup final overturned, the Pakistan Cricket Boards chief operating officer said on Sunday.A senior official from the Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Saturday that it will ask the Asian Cricket Council to review an incident in the last over of Thursdays final against Pakistan which they believe cost them the game.Pakistan won the final by two runs but Bangladesh say Pakistani bowler Aizaz Cheema, who bowled the final over, deliberately tried to block batsman Mahmudullah and therefore, five penalty runs should be incurred.
We are a bit surprised by this late reaction from the Bangladesh board because we believe if something was wrong the match officials would have taken action on the spot, the PCBs Subhan Ahmed told Reuters.What we fail to understand is why there is this late reaction from the Bangladesh board. But even if they appeal I dont think it will affect relations between the two boards.In the final match, Pakistan had batted first and scored 236 losing 9 wickets while chasing 237 to win, Bangladesh scored 234 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs.Pakistan, who have not hosted international matches since a gun attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009, have invited Bangladesh to play a three-match one-day series next month.The PCB is still waiting for a response from the Bangladesh board, which says it will follow any decision made by its government.
We are a bit surprised by this late reaction from the Bangladesh board because we believe if something was wrong the match officials would have taken action on the spot, the PCBs Subhan Ahmed told Reuters.What we fail to understand is why there is this late reaction from the Bangladesh board. But even if they appeal I dont think it will affect relations between the two boards.In the final match, Pakistan had batted first and scored 236 losing 9 wickets while chasing 237 to win, Bangladesh scored 234 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs.Pakistan, who have not hosted international matches since a gun attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009, have invited Bangladesh to play a three-match one-day series next month.The PCB is still waiting for a response from the Bangladesh board, which says it will follow any decision made by its government.
Ronaldo strike sinks Barca
Real Madrid have one hand on a first La Liga trophy in four years after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brilliant winner in a 2-1 victory at Barcelona on Saturday that stretched their lead over their bitter rivals to seven points with four games left.
On a dramatic, rain-lashed night at the Nou Camp, the Portuguese forwards 73rd-minute strike from Mesut Ozils superb assist secured the win his coach and compatriot Jose Mourinho had sought in vain in eight previous trips to Barcas imposing arena during his otherwise glittering career.
It was Reals first success in eight La Liga Clasicos - four of them before Mourinho arrived from Inter Milan - and gives them a timely boost for Wednesdays Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Bayern Munich, when they will seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit.
We have struck a very significant blow but its not yet decisive, Real midfielder Xabi Alonso said in an interview with Spanish television.
Of course its an important step towards the title but now we have to see it home, added the Spain international.
Cristianos goal, coming straight after they levelled, broke their stride and that was fundamental.
We controlled the match perfectly. It was a great performance, a fantastic result and I am very happy. Now we have another key match on Wednesday.
Barca, by contrast, need to regroup after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in almost three years following Saturdays reverse and a 1-0 loss at Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola, whose only defeat in 14 previous Clasicos as Barca coach was in last years Kings Cup final, may also have his tactics questioned after he left Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro out of his starting line-up.
Sanchez came off the bench to snatch a 70th-minute equaliser after a rare Sami Khedira goal had given Real an early lead, while a toothless Barca could have done with Fabregas creativity and eye for goal much earlier than the 80th minute.
TITLE CONCEDED
Guardiola opened his news conference by conceding his bid to lead Barca to a fourth straight La Liga crown had failed.
I congratulate Real Madrid on their victory and on the league title, the former Barca and Spain midfielder said.
Right now the players are tired and sad and I cant say if there will be a psychological effect for the Chelsea game, he added.
We will try to find a way to attack Chelsea but now we have to rest and recover and try to forget tonights game as quickly as possible.
As the two teams walked out for a match watched by hundreds of millions around the world, close to 100,000 home fans transformed the stadium into a giant mosaic in the blue and red colours of the club and the yellow and red of Catalonia.
Som i serem (We are and we will be) was picked out in yellow on one side of the arena as the home support bellowed the club anthem El Cant del Barca.
Guardiola deployed an attacking formation with only three defenders and featuring the surprise inclusion of pacy 20-year-old B-team winger Cristian Tello.
Mourinho fielded the same starting 11 as he did on Tuesday, when Real were beaten 2-1 at Bayern Munich, with Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and the excellent Ozil looking to catch Barca on the break.
SHARP REACTION
Real, who also set a new record of 109 goals scored in a league season, were ahead when Khedira was sharpest to react after Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes could not gather the ball after a corner and the Germany midfielder bundled it over the line.
Barca had started nervously and lacked their usual fluidity, and once Real were ahead they defended solidly and rarely looked like conceding as Barca stroked the ball around on the slick surface without real penetration.
The noise volume inside the giant arena rose after substitute Sanchez finally scrambled the ball in for the equaliser but the home fans were silenced three minutes later.
Ozils superb pass released Ronaldo in space on the right and he took the ball wide before smashing it home.
The goal, extending his La Liga record tally for the season to 42, was the best response to critics who accuse the Portuguese of flopping in big games. He is now one goal ahead of Barca forward Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring chart.
Messi tried desperately to breach the Real defence but was thwarted again and again and cut a forlorn figure at the end of the game as the Real players celebrated wildly nearby.
As well as virtually wrapping up the title, Reals win ended Barcas 11-match winning streak in the league and inflicted a first defeat on the Catalans in 35 league matches at the Nou Camp and in 55 home games in all competitions.
Mourinho, who again declined to speak to the media, will now be relishing a potential crack at his old club in next months Champions League final in Munich.
On a dramatic, rain-lashed night at the Nou Camp, the Portuguese forwards 73rd-minute strike from Mesut Ozils superb assist secured the win his coach and compatriot Jose Mourinho had sought in vain in eight previous trips to Barcas imposing arena during his otherwise glittering career.
It was Reals first success in eight La Liga Clasicos - four of them before Mourinho arrived from Inter Milan - and gives them a timely boost for Wednesdays Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Bayern Munich, when they will seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit.
We have struck a very significant blow but its not yet decisive, Real midfielder Xabi Alonso said in an interview with Spanish television.
Of course its an important step towards the title but now we have to see it home, added the Spain international.
Cristianos goal, coming straight after they levelled, broke their stride and that was fundamental.
We controlled the match perfectly. It was a great performance, a fantastic result and I am very happy. Now we have another key match on Wednesday.
Barca, by contrast, need to regroup after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in almost three years following Saturdays reverse and a 1-0 loss at Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola, whose only defeat in 14 previous Clasicos as Barca coach was in last years Kings Cup final, may also have his tactics questioned after he left Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro out of his starting line-up.
Sanchez came off the bench to snatch a 70th-minute equaliser after a rare Sami Khedira goal had given Real an early lead, while a toothless Barca could have done with Fabregas creativity and eye for goal much earlier than the 80th minute.
TITLE CONCEDED
Guardiola opened his news conference by conceding his bid to lead Barca to a fourth straight La Liga crown had failed.
I congratulate Real Madrid on their victory and on the league title, the former Barca and Spain midfielder said.
Right now the players are tired and sad and I cant say if there will be a psychological effect for the Chelsea game, he added.
We will try to find a way to attack Chelsea but now we have to rest and recover and try to forget tonights game as quickly as possible.
As the two teams walked out for a match watched by hundreds of millions around the world, close to 100,000 home fans transformed the stadium into a giant mosaic in the blue and red colours of the club and the yellow and red of Catalonia.
Som i serem (We are and we will be) was picked out in yellow on one side of the arena as the home support bellowed the club anthem El Cant del Barca.
Guardiola deployed an attacking formation with only three defenders and featuring the surprise inclusion of pacy 20-year-old B-team winger Cristian Tello.
Mourinho fielded the same starting 11 as he did on Tuesday, when Real were beaten 2-1 at Bayern Munich, with Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and the excellent Ozil looking to catch Barca on the break.
SHARP REACTION
Real, who also set a new record of 109 goals scored in a league season, were ahead when Khedira was sharpest to react after Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes could not gather the ball after a corner and the Germany midfielder bundled it over the line.
Barca had started nervously and lacked their usual fluidity, and once Real were ahead they defended solidly and rarely looked like conceding as Barca stroked the ball around on the slick surface without real penetration.
The noise volume inside the giant arena rose after substitute Sanchez finally scrambled the ball in for the equaliser but the home fans were silenced three minutes later.
Ozils superb pass released Ronaldo in space on the right and he took the ball wide before smashing it home.
The goal, extending his La Liga record tally for the season to 42, was the best response to critics who accuse the Portuguese of flopping in big games. He is now one goal ahead of Barca forward Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring chart.
Messi tried desperately to breach the Real defence but was thwarted again and again and cut a forlorn figure at the end of the game as the Real players celebrated wildly nearby.
As well as virtually wrapping up the title, Reals win ended Barcas 11-match winning streak in the league and inflicted a first defeat on the Catalans in 35 league matches at the Nou Camp and in 55 home games in all competitions.
Mourinho, who again declined to speak to the media, will now be relishing a potential crack at his old club in next months Champions League final in Munich.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Jennifer Capriati elected to tennis Hall of Fame
Jennifer Capriati went from teen prodigy to off-court troubles to Grand Slam champion, and now she's headed to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Capriati's election was announced Friday, joining a 2012 class that includes Gustavo Kuerten, Manuel Orantes, Randy Snow and Mike Davies.
"Tennis has been my passion and dedication for my entire life, and to be acknowledged for this passion and dedication is truly icing on the cake," said the 36-year-old Capriati. "Finally, to all of my fans: You mean so much to me. I am, and have always been, blessed beyond words by your support both during and after my playing days. You unquestionably made this game so memorable for me and I miss you all so much."
With a power-based game and competitive fire, Capriati won the Australian Open in 2001 and 2002. She won the French Open in 2001 and a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. She also reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings.
"We are delighted to hear the news that Jennifer has been elected to the Hall of Fame. She indeed is one of our greatest players, known for her remarkable success and powerful style of play," WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement. "Jennifer worked hard and fought hard. Congratulations to her on an honor well deserved."
At 14, just out of eighth grade, Capriati reached the semifinals of the first Grand Slam tournament she played — the 1990 French Open. Another 11 years would pass before she would take the next step, reaching a major final.
Drug and other problems sidetracked her, and Capriati temporarily dropped off the tour after the 1993 U.S. Open. She was arrested that year for shoplifting at a Florida mall, and again the next year for marijuana possession. She also spent time in drug rehabilitation in 1994.
After going more than two years without playing a competitive match, Capriati came back in April 1996. Two years later, her ranking dipped to No. 267.
But she really completed her comeback — and reached heights long expected of her — in 2001, when she was selected as The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. Seeded 12th at that year's Australian Open, Capriati beat past champions Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis en route to the title and her first top-10 ranking in seven years.
She retired in 2004 with a career record of 430-176, including 14 singles titles.
Nadal admits to nerves prior to Monte Carlo start
Clay king Rafael Nadal has admitted that he is nervous about his Wednesday start at the Monte Carlo Masters, a fortnight after quitting with knee pain prior to his last match.
"I'm scared because this is the start to an important season for me," said the Spaniard, who is bidding for an unprecedented eighth straight title on the clay of the principality. "Hopefully it will work well."
Nadal, seeded second behind Novak Djokovic, will play Jarkko Nieminen in the second round after the Finn beat Radek Stepanek 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
In first-round play on Monday, all three seeds on court advanced.
Spain's number 13 seed Fernando Verdasco, a 2010 finalist against Nadal, beat Belgian Olivier Rochus 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, while 15th-ranked Austrian Jurgen Melzer defeated Lukas Kubot 6-2, 7-5.
Alexandr Dolgopolov, the number 16 seed, put out Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-2.
Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, ranked 352 in the world after a long absence with a knee injury, crushed Donald Young 6-0, 6-1 to leave the American winless in his last five events.
Australian Bernard Tomic reached the second round by beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-4, 6-3 to claim his first ATP-level victory on clay.
Tomic won a qualifying match in Moncao a year ago but lost out to Julien Benneteau for a spot in the main draw.
"I'm starting to learn how to play on clay, that's the important thing," said the 36th-ranked Australian.
"If I play my tennis, (clay specialists) struggle with my game even on clay.
"This next six weeks will be very interesting to see how I go. And I think can do pretty good."
After quitting before his Miami semi-final against Andy Murray on March 30 due to pain in his left knee, Nadal returned to Spain for injections and treatment of the tendon problem that was causing him grief.
He was unable to train for a fortnight and only got back onto the clay in the middle of last week.
"Now it's time to see how good it is," the 10-time Grand Slam-winner said.
"I need to be able to play at my top level and run without thinking about the knee. I've put all the effort in and hopefully it is well and I can train in the right conditions. That's the most important thing for me today."
The king of clay, whose last trophy came at the 2011 French Open, played down the fact that his last success came 10 months ago.
"I haven't won a title, but how many finals have I played?" asked Nadal, who has appeared in four finals since his Roland Garros triumph.
"It all depends on your calendar. If I played more on clay, like in South America or after Wimbledon, I would have better chances of winning titles.
"There are players there (at lower-profile events) who can beat you, but the chances are better. But I don't make my calendar to win titles, I want to compete at the most important events against the best players of the world.
"I'm not playing only on my best surface, but to try and win titles. That makes it more difficult. But I don't feel pressure just because I haven't won since Roland Garros."
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Pakistan to host international cricket for first time since 2009
Pakistan will host its first international matches since 2009 when Bangladesh tour at the end of April.
Lahore will host a one-day international on 29 April and a Twenty20 match 24 hours later.
"The public of Pakistan have been deprived of cricket and we felt that we needed to support them," said Bangladesh official Mustafa Kamal.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board president added: "The reception we received when we toured Lahore and Karachi on our security visit was overwhelming."
During the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team six policemen and the team coach driver were killed, while seven cricketers and an assistant coach were injuredManchester United re-established a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League but their victory over Aston Villa was aided
Ashley Young, who won a spot-kick last week against QPR, was involved again, adjudged to be tripped by Ciaran Clark.
Contact between the pair was minimal but Wayne Rooney converted before Danny Welbeck made it 2-0 at the back post.
Villa improved after the break but Rooney and Nani sealed victory.
United were the superior team, especially in the first half, and the win also cut Manchester City's goal difference advantage to four goals.
But questions will be asked of Young, after Clark appeared to pull his foot away from the winger.
Young's former team-mates failed to improve a wretched record against United, which now extends to one win in 31 games.
More importantly, they remain just six points above the relegation zone but they will look at games against Sunderland, Bolton and West Brom as a better chance of accruing points than a trip to Old Trafford.
For United, victory was a perfect response after losing at Wigan on Wednesday and they were not put under any sustained pressure, hard as Villa fought.
Before the spot-kick controversy, Andreas Weimann had tested David de Gea and Clark almost made amends for his transgression later in the half when his header whistled wide.
Stephen Ireland's curling shot also went close, but United were well on top and could have extended their lead through efforts by Welbeck, Rooney and Paul Scholes।
Visiting keeper Shay Given had to be on top form to tip one Welbeck shot over, and he was severely let down by his defence for United's second।
Patrice Evra overlapped on the left and although his low cross was delivered into a dangerous area, it was well within the reach of James Collins and Nathan Baker, who inexplicably chose to leave it allowing Welbeck to slide in at the back post।
Scholes was once again the dictator in midfield, having being left out of the defeat by Wigan.
But the 37-year-old was booked for an ugly tackle on Gabriel Agbonlahor early in the second half, as Villa attempted to impose themselves on the game.
They had some success in stemming the flow towards their goal and Emile Heskey, who replaced the injured Clark, had a header tipped over by De Gea, while Nathan Baker also headed inches wide from a corner.
McLeish may take a dim view of the first goal, but Villa can have few complaints about the result - if there were any doubts about the direction of the game, Rooney made sure when he tucked in Antonio Valencia's cutback for his 32nd goal of the season.
And Nani came on to boost United's goal total when he scored from close range.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team now host Everton before they travel to Etihad Stadium to face City, where - following this result - victory could secure them their 20th top-flight title.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Chennai stun Bangalore
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings pulled off a sensational five-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday.
Super Kings reached the improbable 206-run target. It is the second highest run chase in IPL history.
F du Plessis scored 71 and MS Dhoni 41. But Albie Morkel (28 off seven balls) and Dwayne Bravo (25 not out) changed the game's complexion.
Earlier, Bangalore scored an impressive 205-8 in 20 overs.
Chris Gayle (68 off 35 balls) and Virat Kohli (57 off 46 balls) set up Bangalore for an impressive score of 205-8 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
However, Bangalore eventually stuttered in the slog overs as they lost six wickets for 43 runs.
Super Kings reached the improbable 206-run target. It is the second highest run chase in IPL history.
F du Plessis scored 71 and MS Dhoni 41. But Albie Morkel (28 off seven balls) and Dwayne Bravo (25 not out) changed the game's complexion.
Earlier, Bangalore scored an impressive 205-8 in 20 overs.
Chris Gayle (68 off 35 balls) and Virat Kohli (57 off 46 balls) set up Bangalore for an impressive score of 205-8 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
However, Bangalore eventually stuttered in the slog overs as they lost six wickets for 43 runs.
Australia need 192 to win
Australia need 192 to win the first Test after they bowled out West Indies for 148 before lunch on the final day in Barbados on Wednesday .
Ryan Harris finished with three for 31 to follow up on Tuesday's batting heroics when he helped the tourists turn the Test around with an unbeaten 68.
Harris got the first breakthrough of the day trapping Narsingh Deonarine (21) leg before.
West Indies, needing to eat up time and add runs, really needed a strong contribution from skipper Darren Sammy but he made just 14 before he was bowled by Shane Watson.
Harris then proved his worth in the field with a catch at mid-on when Carlton Baugh (23) attempted to drive Ben Hilfenhaus (4-27).
Fidel Edwards (3) played a wild shot to sky a short delivery from Peter Siddle to Shane Watson.
Kemar Roach (25), the only tailender to produce what was needed, was bowled by Harris to end a deeply disappointing second innings from West Indies.
After making 449 for nine declared and then having Australia at 250 for seven, West Indies now face defeat unless their bowlers can produce some final day drama.
Ryan Harris finished with three for 31 to follow up on Tuesday's batting heroics when he helped the tourists turn the Test around with an unbeaten 68.
Harris got the first breakthrough of the day trapping Narsingh Deonarine (21) leg before.
West Indies, needing to eat up time and add runs, really needed a strong contribution from skipper Darren Sammy but he made just 14 before he was bowled by Shane Watson.
Harris then proved his worth in the field with a catch at mid-on when Carlton Baugh (23) attempted to drive Ben Hilfenhaus (4-27).
Fidel Edwards (3) played a wild shot to sky a short delivery from Peter Siddle to Shane Watson.
Kemar Roach (25), the only tailender to produce what was needed, was bowled by Harris to end a deeply disappointing second innings from West Indies.
After making 449 for nine declared and then having Australia at 250 for seven, West Indies now face defeat unless their bowlers can produce some final day drama.
Real restore lead over Barca
Leaders Real Madrid restored their four-point advantage over chasing Barcelona when Cristiano Ronaldo netted his seventh hat-trick of the La Liga campaign in a 4-1 drubbing of city neighbours Atletico on Wednesday.
Real had seen their lead over their arch rivals whittled down to one point after Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Valencia and Barca's 4-0 win at home to Getafe on Tuesday and needed a win to keep their bid for a first title in four years on track.
Ronaldo was the difference between the sides at the Calderon and the Portuguese international smashed in a free kick to open the scoring in the 25th minute before Radamel Falcao nodded an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.
Atletico, who have not beaten Real in almost 13 years, pressed forward in search of an unlikely winner but Ronaldo made it 2-1 in the 68th minute when he drifted in from the left and arrowed a long-range shot over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The goal incensed some of the home fans and they pelted the Real players with plastic bottles as they celebrated together in the corner of the pitch.
Atletico defender Diego Godin felled Gonzalo Higuain in the penalty area around 10 minutes from time and Ronaldo stroked the spot kick past Courtois for his 40th league goal of the campaign, equalling the La Liga record he set last season.
He is one ahead of Barca forward and World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who scored the Spanish champions' second goal on Tuesday.
BIT TENSE
Ronaldo, who sent Jose Callejon clear on the right in the 88th minute to score Real's fourth, said he and his team mates had been feeling the pressure after Barca's victory.
"We were a bit tense as we knew that Barca had won yesterday and we had to win," Ronaldo, who is the first player in the history of Europe's top four leagues to net 40 goals in consecutive seasons, said in a television interview.
"I am very pleased that the team won, that I scored and set up a goal and we have to carry on in the same way.
"There is still some way to go in the league but we are closer to the title now."
Real, who play at Barca's Nou Camp stadium on April 21, have 82 points from 32 matches, with Barca on 78. Europa League semi-finalists Atletico are ninth on 42 points and in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season.
In the earlier kickoffs, Valencia climbed above Malaga into third and an automatic qualification slot for next season's Champions League when a Jonas double helped them to a 4-1 win at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Jordi Alba and Pablo Hernandez also struck for the Europa League semi-finalists, who have 52 points.
Valencia's less illustrious city neighbours Levante missed a chance to go fourth when they surrendered the lead and lost 3-2 at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon.
They stay fifth on 48 points, two behind Malaga who play at struggling Villarreal on Thursday and can reclaim third with a win at the Madrigal.
Athletic Bilbao, who are also through to the last four of the Europa League but whose La Liga form has been erratic, had to come from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw at 10-man Granada and are seventh on 42 points.
Real had seen their lead over their arch rivals whittled down to one point after Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Valencia and Barca's 4-0 win at home to Getafe on Tuesday and needed a win to keep their bid for a first title in four years on track.
Ronaldo was the difference between the sides at the Calderon and the Portuguese international smashed in a free kick to open the scoring in the 25th minute before Radamel Falcao nodded an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.
Atletico, who have not beaten Real in almost 13 years, pressed forward in search of an unlikely winner but Ronaldo made it 2-1 in the 68th minute when he drifted in from the left and arrowed a long-range shot over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The goal incensed some of the home fans and they pelted the Real players with plastic bottles as they celebrated together in the corner of the pitch.
Atletico defender Diego Godin felled Gonzalo Higuain in the penalty area around 10 minutes from time and Ronaldo stroked the spot kick past Courtois for his 40th league goal of the campaign, equalling the La Liga record he set last season.
He is one ahead of Barca forward and World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who scored the Spanish champions' second goal on Tuesday.
BIT TENSE
Ronaldo, who sent Jose Callejon clear on the right in the 88th minute to score Real's fourth, said he and his team mates had been feeling the pressure after Barca's victory.
"We were a bit tense as we knew that Barca had won yesterday and we had to win," Ronaldo, who is the first player in the history of Europe's top four leagues to net 40 goals in consecutive seasons, said in a television interview.
"I am very pleased that the team won, that I scored and set up a goal and we have to carry on in the same way.
"There is still some way to go in the league but we are closer to the title now."
Real, who play at Barca's Nou Camp stadium on April 21, have 82 points from 32 matches, with Barca on 78. Europa League semi-finalists Atletico are ninth on 42 points and in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season.
In the earlier kickoffs, Valencia climbed above Malaga into third and an automatic qualification slot for next season's Champions League when a Jonas double helped them to a 4-1 win at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Jordi Alba and Pablo Hernandez also struck for the Europa League semi-finalists, who have 52 points.
Valencia's less illustrious city neighbours Levante missed a chance to go fourth when they surrendered the lead and lost 3-2 at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon.
They stay fifth on 48 points, two behind Malaga who play at struggling Villarreal on Thursday and can reclaim third with a win at the Madrigal.
Athletic Bilbao, who are also through to the last four of the Europa League but whose La Liga form has been erratic, had to come from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw at 10-man Granada and are seventh on 42 points.
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