17Greater Kashmir SRINAGAR | July 5, 2016, Tuesday

Pakistan's Amir strikes on England returnTaunton, July 4: Pakistan's Muham-mad Amir marked his return to first-class cricket in England with two wickets in quick succession against Somerset at Taunton today.

At lunch on the second day of three in Pakistan's tour opener, the left-arm fast bowler had taken two wickets for 16 runs in six overs, with former Eng-land opener Marcus Trescothick his maiden senior wicket on English soil for six years.

Amir's exciting career came to a shuddering halt at Lord's in 2010 when, during a Test against England, he and new-ball partner Muhammad Asif were caught bowling no-balls to order on the instructions of captain Salman Butt as part of a tabloid newspaper sting opera-tion.

All three received five-year bans from cricket and together with sports agent Mazhar Majeed, jail terms.

Amir, who served three months in an English young offenders institute, has only featured in the game's shorter formats since his return to Pakistan duty in January.

But the 24-year-old is now back in England with the Pakistan squad and could make his Test return in the first of a four-match series at Lord's on July 14.

After Pakistan had made 359 for eight declared on the second morning of three in their tour opener against Somerset, Amir took the new ball.

Despite suggestions from England captain Alastair Cook that spectators

might jeer Amir, there was nothing but polite applause after his name was announced on the public address system.

Trescothick blocked his first ball and took two fours off Amir's opening over, a push through cover-point and another down to third man.

But Amir struck with his 14th ball back in first-class cricket on English soil.

Left-hander Trescothick, on eight, could only edge a superb outswinger that moved late and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed held an excellent diving catch.

Amir struck again when a full-length inswinger bowled first-class debutant Adam Hose (10).

Somerset were now 23 for two, with Amir having taken two wickets for six runs in 11 balls.

At lunch, Somerset were 56 for three, with Peter Trego 23 not out and James Hildreth nine not out.

Pakistan resumed on their overnight score of 324 for five, with Younis Khan 99 not out.

It took the 38-year-old Younis 12 balls Monday to complete his 53rd first-class hundred but he got there with a two to fine leg off Dutch paceman Paul van Meekeren.

Younis's century came off 173 balls, including 14 fours and his exit sparked a mini collapse that saw Pakistan lose three wickets in seven balls.

There was an ironic moment when the first delivery Amir faced was a

Davey no-ball.Next ball, Amir was caught behind

off Davey for a duck.Pakistan's innings finished with a

flourish as Yasir Shah hit a four and a six off the final two deliveries from van Meekeren.

Nevertheless van Meekeren, who only joined Somerset on Friday, fin-ished with a commendable three for 78 in 26 overs. AFP

Sami scores hole-in-oneSrinagar, July 4: Golfer Sami Naqash achieved rare feat of scoring hole-in-one while playing four ball game at Royal Springs Golf Course, here.

Also known as an ace, hole-in-one is when a ball hit from a tee shot finishes in the cup. This awards the player a score of one for the hole.

Sami achieved this feat on hole No. 16 while play-ing along with Dr Suhail Khandey, Fayaz Bhat and Farooq Ahmed.

Peddler Muneer felicitated Srinagar, July 4: Promi-nent Kayaking and Canoe-ing player of Kashmir, Muneer Malik was felici-tated at Bakhshi Stadium here for his selection in India camp.

Secretary Sports Council, Jawaid Ahmad Shah while felicitating Malik, appreciat-ed the efforts of the paddler and wished him good luck. He hoped that Malik will be part of Indian team for Inter-national competition

Muneer Malik was recently selected for the training at the national camp scheduled to be held at Maheshwar.

The shortlisted players will train in the camp under top coaches and at the end of camp players for Interna-tional duty would be chosen.

PM meets Indian contingent for Rio Olympics

New Delhi, July 4: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today met athletes and other sportspersons who will be part of Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics.

Modi met each member individually, besides inter-acting informally with them. He encouraged the athletes to perform to the best of their ability in the world’s biggest sport event.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Indepen-dent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, was also present on the occasion.

Several former Olympians including MC Mary Kom,

Anju Bobby George and P Gopichand were among those present at the gathering.

Prime Minister also responded to the request of writing autographs for sev-eral Olympian participants. He was enthusiastically followed by sports-persons seeking selfie with him.

Speaking on the sidelines of the function, Dr Jitendra Singh observed that this was the first time that Indian contingent had crossed three-digit figure of 100 and hoped that, for the first time, the India's Olympics medal tally would also cross two-digit figure. It was a great

gesture on the part of Prime Minister, he said, to have spared his valuable time to cheer these youngsters.

Renowned Sports person-ality Abhinav Bindra com-plimented in a tweet "For the first time ever, there is a send off by PM for the Olym-pic team..." Another noted former athlete Anju Bobby George said, PM sending off team is itself very motivating.

Over 100 Indian athletes from 13 different disciplines have qualified for the Rio Olympics. Their level of con-fidence is very high and they are highly motivated to give their best.

AS College wins volleyball tourney

Srinagar, July 4: Amar Singh College Volleyball team

won the tournament orga-nized by Khrew Volleyball

Association Pampore. Sixteen teams from various districts and institutions participated in the tournament.

The AS College team, cap-tained by Anus Younis, per-formed well in all matches and won the trophy after defeating Khrew Volleyball team in the final.

Dr Muhammad Aslam Baba, Principal of AS Col-lege congratulated the players for their excellent performance.

Chess event concludesSrinagar, July 4: The three-day workshop cum chess competition organized by Army in collaboration with All Jammu and Kashmir Chess Association for the students of vari-ous schools and colleges of Tang-dhar concluded today. “The event saw participation of over 1200 stu-dents of all age groups. The first two days of the workshop comprised teaching the basics of chess to the young minds and the event culmi-nated today with a tournament for various age groups,” the organizers said in a statement today.

France into Euro 2016 semisParis, July 4: Olivier Giroud scored twice to take man-of-the-match honours as France marched into the Euro 2016 semi-finals but even after a 5-2 hammer-ing, Iceland departed with pride having struck new underdog blows.

France now play Germany aiming to settle old scores from past World Cups and Euros. And having home advantage and an attack led by Giroud and Antoine Griezmann that is starting to fire gives the French growing confidence.

The semi-finals will start on Wednesday, however, with Gareth Bale's Wales taking on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Giroud hit a goal in each half of the comprehensive vic-tory at a rain-drenched Stade de France. He was joined on the scoresheet by Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Griezmann. Atletico Madrid striker

Griezman hit a brilliant chip on the stroke of half-time and now leads the tournament rankings with four goals.

French coach Didier Des-champs may have been wor-ried however by the way Kol-beinn Sigthorsson and Birkir Bjarnason exposed France's defensive frailties with two second-half goals.

Giroud was quick to pay tribute to Iceland, the revela-tion of the European Champi-onship after their 2-1 victory over England. AFP

Div Com reviews arrangements for Mughal RallySrinagar, July 4: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon today reviewed the arrangements for smooth conduct of 4-day Mughal Rally starting from 14th of this month. The rally is being organized by Tourism

Department. The Div Com was informed that the main aim behind the rally is to promote motor sport and tourism sector in general in the State.

It was informed that pre-event scrutiny and ceremo-nial flagship will be held at

RSGC Srinagar on 14th July. The rally will start from Cen-taur Srinagar with a route of Srinagar-Larnoo-Margan, Inshan-Daksum-Sinthan Pass-Srinagar. The prize distribu-tion function will be held on 17th July at SKICC here.

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