Sri Lanka post daunting chase for Proteas



CENTURION // Tillakaratne Dilshan scored his third one-day international century to spearhead Sri Lanka to 319-8 against South Africa in the opening match of the Champions Trophy. Dilshan hit 106 which included 16 boundaries and one six in his 92-ball innings. After Steyn had trapped Sanath Jayasuriya lbw for 10 with the total on 16, Dilshan and the Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara shared a 158-run partnership.

Sangakkara was caught and bowled for 54 by the part-time spinner JP Duminy to make it 174-2 in the 28th over. Dilshan was out to Steyn a few balls later, caught at third man after cutting a short delivery outside off stump. Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera then restored Sri Lanka's momentum with a partnership of 116 for the fourth wicket. Jayawardene fell for 77 off the bowling of Wayne Parnell. On the next delivery, Samaraweera top-edged Parnell to third man to be dismissed for 37 off 47 balls.

The rest of the innings tailed off as three wickets fell in the final seven balls of the innings. The South African bowlers battled, with Steyn's 3-47 the best return. Parnell also took three wickets, but at a cost of 79 runs. Roelof van der Merwe was the most economical, his spinners went for just 42 runs in 10 overs as Sri Lanka were as ever rampant with the bat. The South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to bowl first in the opening Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka today. Both teams name two front line spinners, Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe for South Africa and Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis for Sri Lanka. South Africa are without experienced opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs and have called up Hashim Amla in his place.

South Africa: Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn. Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis. *Agencies

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Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
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COMPANY PROFILE
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Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

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Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

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Produced: Panorama Studios International

Directed: Abhishek Pathak

Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla

Rating: 3.5 /5 stars

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg

Ajax v Real Madrid, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

German intelligence warnings
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  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
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Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press 

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  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
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Fifa Club World Cup:

When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid