SPORTS BRIEFS

CRICKET

Third ODI rains out

The third one-day international (ODI) between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was abandoned because of rain in Colombo on Wednesday. Pakistan were 12 for 2 off 6.2 overs after electing to bat when play was called off, with Asad Shafiq unbeaten on five and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq yet to open his account. Pacemen Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara each bagged one wicket for Sri Lanka. Malinga struck with his fourth delivery when he had Mohammad Hafeez caught by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara for no score, while Kulasekara trapped Azhar Ali LBW in his third over. Azhar, who made 96 in the previous match, scored only seven. The five-match series is tied 1-1, with Pakistan winning the opening ODI by six wickets and Sri Lanka winning the second game by 76 runs in Pallekele. The fourth ODI is scheduled to be played in Colombo tomorrow.

CYCLING

Schleck pulls out of Tour

Tour de France contender Andy Schleck has pulled out of the three-week race because he has a fracture in his pelvis, the Luxembourg rider said on Wednesday. Schleck, who was handed the 2010 title after winner Alberto Contador failed a dope test during the Tour, finished second overall last year and had been expected to challenge Cadel Evans of Australia and Briton Bradley Wiggins. His doctor, Torsten Gerich, said the type of injury suffered by Schleck usually needed four to six weeks to heal and cycling was not possible. The RadioShack-Nissan rider suffered the injury in a crash during an individual time trial in the Criterium du Dauphine earlier this month. Schleck, 27 added that he was still looking forward to the Olympics. His older brother, Frank, is now expected to be the team?s leader on the Tour, which starts on June 30 in Liege, Belgium.

CYCLING

Isaychev wins fifth stage

Vladimir Isaychev, riding for the Katusha team, won the fifth stage of the Tour of Switzerland on Wednesday. The Russian crossed the line at the end of the 192.7km run from Trimbach/Olten clear of Spaniard Ruben Perez, with Italy?s Salvatore Puccio in third place. Movistar rider Rui Costa of Portugal retained the leader?s yellow jersey with an 8 second advantage over Luxembourg?s Frank Schleck (RadioShack). Isaychev prevailed when getting the better of a six-strong breakaway group in a dash for the finish after a day?s race staged in continuous rain. This was the 26-year-old?s first stage victory in his fifth season. He was part of a group that broke away from the peloton after 8km. They quickly pushed clear with a 10 minute cushion and remained clear for the entire stage. Yesterday?s seventh stage was a 198.5km ride from Wittnau to Bischofszell.

SOCCER

Corinthians get first-leg win

Corinthians picked up an important 1-0 away victory against defending champion Santos in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final on Wednesday. The Brazilian champions need only a draw in the second leg next week to reach the final for the first time in their history. Striker Emerson scored the sole goal with a well-placed shot from just inside the area in the 28th minute, finding the right upper corner of the net, beyond the outstretched arms of Santos goalkeeper Rafael. Emerson was sent off in the 77th after a hard foul on Santos striker Neymar, who was mostly ineffective. The match was interrupted near the end because of a power outage.

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