Sports Briefs

Narine warned

by IPL

MUMBAI, India (CMC):

Kolkata Knight Riders champion off-spinner Sunil Narine has been cleared by the Indian Premier League to continue bowling in another farcical twist to the saga surrounding the West Indies player's action.

The latest development comes following a third biomechanical test on Narine's remodelled action, which found the player's off-spinners to be legal.

However, Narine has been warned that if he is reported again during the IPL season, he will be banned from bowling for the remainder of the campaign.

"The committee, however, has drawn Mr Narine's attention to paragraph 4.9 of the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action Policy," the IPL said in a statement.

"Any further report for a suspected illegal bowling action during the course of this season will automatically mean that Mr Narine is banned from bowling for the rest of the season."

MADRID (AP):

Rafael Nadal reached the Madrid Open quarter-finals by easing past Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-2, 6-2 yesterday.

Nadal, the two-time defending champion, broke Bolelli four times and saved two break points.

On the women's side, two-time champion Serena Williams and defending champion Maria Sharapova reached the semi-finals.

The top-seeded Williams beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-3 and awaits Petra Kvitova, who beat Irina-Camelia Begu 7-5, 6-3.

Sharapova defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 despite seven double faults. Sharapova next faces fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who got past Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3).

Big lead for Pakistan

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP):

Pakistan left Bangladesh in a troublesome position at 107-5 at stumps on the second day of the second Test yesterday, raising the prospect of ending their win drought in the tour after Azhar Ali's maiden double century helped them declare the first innings on 557-8.

Trailing by 450 runs, Bangladesh still need 251 runs to avoid the follow-on with Shakib Al Hasan batting on 14. Imrul Kayes scored 32 while Mahmudullah made 28. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah (2-15) and fast bowler Junaid Khan (2-26) picked up two wickets each.

Pakistan rode three centuries to take command of the final Test. Azhar Ali was dismissed on 226 after his maiden double century helped the side pile up a big total. Veteran Younis Khan added 148 while Asad Shafiq made 107.