JOHANNESBURG: Opening batsman Mohammad Rizwan steered Pakistan to their highest winning run chase as they beat South Africa by four wickets in the first Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday (Apr 10). Rizwan made an unbeaten 74 as Pakistan chased down a target of 189 with one ball to spare. Their previous highest T20 chase was 188 against Australia in Harare in 2018. The match swung in the last four overs of the two innings. South Africa could score only 29 in their last four overs, while Pakistan thrashed 52 off the last 3.5 overs Brief scores: South Africa 188-6 in 20 overs (A. Markram 51, H. Klaasen 50; Mohammad Nawaz 2-21, Hasan Ali 2-28) Pakistan 189-6 in 19.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 74 not out, Faheem Ashraf 30; B. Hendricks 3-32, T. Shamsi 2-29) Result: Pakistan won by 4 wickets Series: Pakistan lead the four-match series 1-0 Toss: South Africa ... » Learn More about Cricket: Rizwan steers Pakistan to their highest-winning T20 run chase
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Cycling: Roglic overturns deficit to win Tour of Basque country
REUTERS: Primoz Roglic won his first stage race of the season when he overcame a 23-second deficit on the final day of the Tour of the Basque country on Saturday (Apr 10). The Slovenian, who had lost the overall lead in the Paris-Nice race on the final ride last month after a crash, was on the attack far from the line on a descent during the 111.9-km mountain trek from Ondarroa to Arrate. Overnight leader Brandon McNulty did not follow Roglic and never managed to get back into contention despite the help of his UAE Emirates team mate and Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar, who in the process relinquished his own title chances. Roglic was in front with Briton Hugh Carthy and Frenchman David Gaudu on the last climb and benefited from the duo's work to increase his advantage. Carthy dropped out in the middle of the ascent when Gaudu attacked, closely followed by Roglic. The Jumbo-Visma rider was happy to stay on Gaudu's wheel and both exchanged a quick fist bump, meaning ... » Learn More about Cycling: Roglic overturns deficit to win Tour of Basque country
Horse racing-Blackmore makes history with Grand National win on Minella Times
LONDON: Rachael Blackmore made Grand National history by becoming the first female jockey to win the race as she steered Minella Times across the finishing line at Aintee on Saturday. The Irishwoman, who became the first leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival last month, timed her finish to perfection as Minella Times surged ahead after the 30th and final fence. Minella Times, priced at 11-1, never looked threatened in the charge to the finish 100-1 shot Balko Des Flos coming second and Any Second Now in third place. The closest a female jockey had previously come to winning the most famous steeplechase in the world was Katiee Walsh on Seabass in 2012 when she finished third. "I cannot believe it," Blackmore said. "He was a sensational spin. I'm so lucky to be riding. It is unbelievable. "He was just incredible and jumped beautifully. I tried to wait as long as I could. When I jumped the last and asked him for a bit, he was there. "I don't feel male or female ... » Learn More about Horse racing-Blackmore makes history with Grand National win on Minella Times
Japan’s Matsuyama in control of Masters, leads by four shots
AUGUSTA, Ga.: Japan's Hideki Matsuyama stormed home in style to put himself in position to become the first Asian golfer to win the Masters as he held a four-shot lead after the rain-interrupted third round at Augusta National on Saturday. Matsuyama, who began the day three shots behind overnight leader Justin Rose, played eight holes after a 78-minute weather delay and went a sizzling six under over that stretch for a seven-under-par 65 that brought him to 11 under. "Before the horn blew I didn't hit a very good drive, but after the horn blew for the restart I hit practically every shot exactly how I wanted to," Matsuyama, whose last PGA Tour win came in 2017, said through an interpreter. "This will be a new experience for me being a leader going into the final round in a major. I guess all I can do is just relax tonight, prepare well and just do my best tomorrow." Rose (72), seeking his first Green Jacket after a pair of close calls, was in a four-way share of second ... » Learn More about Japan’s Matsuyama in control of Masters, leads by four shots
Red-hot Rizwan leads Pakistan to T20 victory over South Africa
JOHANNESBURG: Opener Mohammad Rizwan smashed an unbeaten half-century to lead Pakistan to a nail-biting four-wicket victory over inexperienced South Africa in the first Twenty20 International at The Wanderers on Saturday. South Africa, who were without seven of their leading players, either injured or released to compete in the Indian Premier League, won the toss and elected to bat, posting 188 for six in their 20 overs on an excellent wicket. Rizwan scored 74 from 50 balls in Pakistan’s reply as the visitors profited from the depleted home bowling attack and reached their target with one ball remaining. It is their highest successful run chase in T20 cricket, beating the 187 they managed in a win over Australia in 2018. The industrious Rizwan was helped over the line by Faheem Ashraf (30 from 14 balls) as the pair added 48 in 24 balls for the sixth wicket, turning the match firmly in the visitors’ favour. South Africa’s total was boosted by half-centuries for opener ... » Learn More about Red-hot Rizwan leads Pakistan to T20 victory over South Africa
Football: Pirlo calls on Juve to find top form against smaller teams
REUTERS: Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said his side need to show the same attitude and spirit against all teams and not just perform in the big matches ahead of the champions' Serie A clash with Genoa on Sunday. Juventus have fallen 12 points behind leaders Inter Milan having dropped points against lowly Torino and Benevento in recent matches and it looks increasingly unlikely they can make it 10 successive league titles this season. Juve overcame in-form Napoli in a tough midweek clash, and Pirlo wants his side to put on the same kind of showing on Sunday against another team they are expected to beat, 13th-placed Genoa. "It is much easier to find energy for the big matches," Pirlo told a news conference. "Instead we must have the same attitude and spirit against the other teams like tomorrow against Genoa. "The attitude and the will from the other night (against Napoli) must be equally done tomorrow." Argentine striker Paulo Dybala was on target for the first time since ... » Learn More about Football: Pirlo calls on Juve to find top form against smaller teams
Soccer-Chelsea demolish Palace with Pulisic double
LONDON: Chelsea roared back into fourth spot in the Premier League as Christian Pulisic scored twice in an impressive 4-1 victory at London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday. After boss Thomas Tuchel's long unbeaten run since taking charge ended abruptly against West Bromwich Albion last week, Chelsea responded in emphatic fashion. Kai Havertz punished some sloppy defending to give Chelsea an eighth-minute lead and Pulisic doubled their advantage two minutes later with a powerful finish. Chelsea totally dominated the first half and went 3-0 up on the half hour with a Kurt Zouma header. Palace did improve after the break and Christian Benteke's header gave them a lifeline but Pulisic made the points safe with a close-range finish after 78 minutes. Chelsea started the game in sixth place after Liverpool's last-gasp win against Aston Villa. Yet Chelsea's biggest win since Tuchel took charge in January moved them back above Liverpool and West Ham United into fourth ... » Learn More about Soccer-Chelsea demolish Palace with Pulisic double
Coronavirus: PSLE survival guide for parents and kids during the pandemic
SINGAPORE - Mujir Hayyan Mohammad Taufiq may be anxious about sitting the Primary School Leaving Examination this year, but his parents are even more stressed - it is their first experience with the PSLE as both were educated in madrasahs (religious schools). "As much as we reassure ourselves that it is just like any other year-end exam Hayyan will be sitting, the pressure and stresses do exist," says his mother, Ms Hurul-A'in Mohd Yusoff, 36, principal of a childcare centre. His father Mohammad Taufiq Mohamed Ismail, 40, manages a mosque. They also have a six-year-old daughter studying in a madrasah. "However, we always remind ourselves that this is not our examination, it is Hayyan's," says Ms Hurul-A'in, stressing that her 11 1/2-year-old son's mental health is more important than his grades. Her focus is not misplaced in a year that has seen educational systems across the world shattered by the pandemic, leaving families disoriented and dispirited. Compared with many ... » Learn More about Coronavirus: PSLE survival guide for parents and kids during the pandemic
Coronavirus: 7 ways to thrive under home-based learning
SINGAPORE - Tearing your hair out over home-based learning (HBL), which started on Wednesday and is set to continue till May 4? Fret not. Here are some suggestions from academic and parenting experts, who advise thinking out of the box and letting the teachers get on with their job, albeit remotely, while schools are closed. Here is how parents can keep sane while optimising this time to help their children make true learning gains. More HBL resources for parents can also be found on MOE's website . 1. HONE SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING It is a good time to help the children develop self-directed learning abilities, says Dr Tan Seng Chee, an associate professor at National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU). There are many reasons why it is not feasible for parents to take the place of teachers. Subject teachers may have specialised approaches, especially at higher grade levels, while parents working from home have other demands on their time ... » Learn More about Coronavirus: 7 ways to thrive under home-based learning
Tightened circuit breaker measures extended for another week; some activities allowed to resume from May 5
SINGAPORE - Singapore's tightened circuit breaker measures will remain in place for another week, with businesses like barbers, home-based bakers and laundry services allowed to resume operating on May 12. Some measures will also be adjusted next week. But the multi-ministry task force handling the outbreak took pains to stress that this did not mean the battle with the disease was won. "We are making good progress but we are not yet at single digits when it comes to local transmission, so it is not time to lift the tighter measures we have in place," said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (May 2). "We still need to continue for another week. But we can start making some adjustments." Mr Wong stressed, however, that the situation remains fluid and plans may need to be adjusted further, depending on how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks. "The bottom line is, this is not the time to slacken and let our guard down. We may be easing some measures ... » Learn More about Tightened circuit breaker measures extended for another week; some activities allowed to resume from May 5