Konta, Kvitova into Elite Trophy semis
BEIJING - Britain's Johanna Konta and Czech Petra Kvitova secured the last two semi-final slots in the $2.2 million WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China, on Friday. Top seed Konta disposed of France's Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour. The 25-year-old, who won her first WTA title at the Stanford Classic earlier this year and reached the China Open final in Beijing last month, only lost 10 points on her own serve. In an all-Czech showdown, third seed Kvitova beat compatriot Barbora Strycova -- with whom she will team up in next week's Fed Cup -- 6-1, 6-4 to qualify for the next stage. Russian Elena Vesnina and Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands were facing off later in the final match of the round-robin section of the tournament, but neither could reach the semi-finals.–AFP
Challenge Belt bout pushed forward to 12th
LAHORE – The 5th-November National Challenge Belt bout in super bantamweight category has been pushed forward to November 12, but the venue remains the same. PBC secretary Rasheed Baloch said national champion M Waqas Khan from Quetta had challenged Nadir Baloch for the prestigious belt in 56kgs super bantamweight category, which would now be held on November 12. He said PBC’s Balochistan vice president Hameed Baloch and Durra Khan were now being helped out by Javed Ashiq from Punjab, who would look after all the arrangements in Gawadar. The council is facing problem in assembling boxing ring at Gawader. "The amount being spent in transporting the ring from Quetta is going beyond the limits of arranging a new ring at the venue, due to which the organisers has pushed forward the event.”–Staff Reporter
Inter-School Chess Tournament
LAHORE - The 5th Little Master Inter-School Chess Tournament will take place here from November 26 while last date for getting registered is November 7. The tournament is being organised by Laurelbank School System (LSS), which has divided the registration process into two groups i.e. under-13 and under-17. Speaking about the tournament, LSS Director Imran Mian has said Laurelbank School System has been organising the Inter-School Chess Championships for many years. “This year too, we are hopeful of organising this tournament in a trend-setting manner. The cash prizes worth Rs 100,000 will be distributed among the winners. “Besides curricular activities, we have been focusing on healthy co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Besides chess, we also organise other sports events,” he added.–Staff Reporter
CDA cricket team beat Islamabad Gymkhana
ISLAMABAD – Capital Development Authority (CDA) cricket team beat Islamabad Gymkhana by 11 runs in a friendly cricket match played here at National Cricket Ground F-7 on Friday. CDA Assistant Director Sports Ch Shahzad was the chief guest on the occasion, while CDA team manager Zakaullah introduced the chief guest with both the teams and officials prior to start of the match. CDA, batting first, scored 231 all out in 35 overs. Umer Shoaib hit 43 and Shoaib Khaliq 41. Fahad was wrecker-in-chief as he grabbed 5-37. Gymkhana got off to worst possible start and lost 6 wickets for 87, but then bounced back in style and scored 152 runs for seventh-wicket stand through Zunain (77) and Atif (60) but after their departure, Gymkhana were all out for 220 in 32.3 overs. Nofil clinched 3-25 and Basit 2-42.–Staff Reporter
Bhutto Academy score another victory
ISLAMABAD – Bhutto Cricket Academy continued their winning streak as they hammered visiting Stars Academy by 7 wickets in a friendly fixture played here at Bhutto Cricket Ground on Friday. Stars, batting first, were bundled out for 126 in 30 overs. Naseer hit 22 and Fahad 18. Skipper Naseer Ullah ripped through Stars batting as he grabbed 3-23 while Sajawal took 3-29 and Haris captured 2-31. Chasing a modest total, Bhutto Academy reached home in 18th over losing 3 wickets in the process. Hammad slammed unbeaten 54 while Waleed contributed 35. Shahrukh got 2-28. CDA Assistant Director Sports Ch Shahzad graced the occasion as chief guest, while CDA cricket team manager Zakaullah, Bhutto Academy chairman Ch Ajmal Sabir, CDA ground in-charge Wasif Bajwa and others were also present there.–Staff Reporter