NEW DELHI: Hockey’s governing body indicated Thursday that Pakistan will take part in the men’s World Cup this year in India despite acute tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan have qualified for the World Cup to be held in the eastern Indian city of Bhubaneswar between November 18 and December 16. But fears have been raised that Pakistan could skip the 16-team event as sporting ties between the neighbours are frozen.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) told AFP however that no participating nation has indicated problems that could lead to a withdrawal, or India refusing to let any nation attend.

“We are looking forward to welcoming all 16 qualified teams. We have not received concerns from any of the participating teams nor the host about this matter,” an FIH official told AFP in an email statement.

“FIH strongly believes that hockey is an inclusive sport, aimed at celebrating diversity and promoting friendship and respect.”

India’s blind cricket team did not go to Pakistan in January for the 50-over World Cup, forcing their matches to be switched to United Arab Emirates.

India and Pakistan’s senior cricket teams have not played a bilateral series since 2013 because of the tense political climate. India accuses its neighbour of supporting militant activities, particularly in the disputed Kashmir region.

Pakistan’s kabaddi, squash, and wrestling teams also did not travel to India for marquee tournaments last year.

Pakistan — who did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup — are the most successful team in the sport’s showpiece event with title wins in 1971, 1978, 1982, and 1994.

The post appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

Dubai:-After winning their first bilateral series in South Africa, India have climbed to the top of the ODI rankings for the third time in six months. India overtook South Africa – who will finish the ongoing series ranked second – after beating them by 73 runs in the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth. India are also the top-ranked Test team.

India had become the No. 1 ODI side after taking a 2-0 lead in the series, but had to win four of six matches to retain that ranking after the series. If India win the final ODI, they will finish with 123 rankings points, and South Africa with 117. South Africa had to either tie or win the ODI series against India to stay at the top of the rankings.

India’s series win means England could move past South Africa, to No. 2, if they beat New Zealand 5-0 in the upcoming ODI series. Afghanistan, meanwhile, have also climbed past Zimbabwe to No. 10 on the ODI rankings after winning the third ODI in Sharjah on Tuesday, but will have to win the series to retain that position.

The post India rise to No. 1 in ODI rankings appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

1- This was the first time Australia had lost the first three matches of an ODI series at home. They have had five such performances away from home, the last of which was in their last series against India last year.

5- Consecutive bilateral ODI series wins for England, including this victory. The last they lost was in India at start of last year. This is their eighth win in the last nine bilateral series.

1984- The previous and only time before that Australia lost three consecutive bilateral series (2 or more matches). They had lost to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies between 1982 and 1984 then. Now, they have lost to New Zealand, India and to England.

0- England had not won their previous three bilateral one-day series against Australia down under. Their last win in any series in Australia was in 2006-07 in which New Zealand were the third team.

44- Runs scored by Australia in the final five overs when they required 60 runs for victory. In their last five overs England had made 66 after being 236 for 6. At that point Australia were six runs ahead and had one more wicket in hand, but fell short by 16 runs. Australia were ahead of England almost throughout the game but the death overs made the difference.

5- Number of century stands for the seventh wicket in ODIs after the 2015 World Cup for England. All other teams combined have managed only four such stands from the seventh wicket. Four of England’s highest seventh-wicket stands have also come in this period. Buttler and Woakes have been part of each of three of them.

83- Balls taken by Buttler to complete his century, after having reached 50 off 52 balls. This was his fifth ODI century and the slowest of all. His first four tons were completed off 46, 61, 66 and 73 balls respectively. He has 38 sixes in final five overs in ODIs since 2013, the most by any batsman. He hit three sixes in the final five overs.

3- Fifties by Chris Woakes at No. 8 position, the most among all players at eight and lower in the last two years. Among England players, Woakes’ three fifties are the most ever. No one else has made even two. He is averaging 50.66 innings at No. 8 or below in 18 innings in last two years which simply shows England’s batting depth.

The post Australia’s losing streak appeared first on Sportslinkpk.