Other sports news in brief

Akmal gives Pakistan the edge

CRICKET:Umar Akmal blazed the highest Twenty20 score of his promising career as Pakistan ended their losing streak against Australia with a 23-run win at Edgbaston.

Umar, still in his first year as an international player, underlined his potential as one of the game’s brightest talents as he struck 64 from 31 balls to help his side post 167 for eight batting first.

It was a remarkable show of belligerence after he had been thrust into a potentially nervy situation with his side 47 for four, but his fearlessness ultimately proved match-winning as Australia failed to maintain their recent hold over their sub-continental rivals and were bowled out for 144 in reply.

Rogge visits London stadium

OLYMPICS GAMES:International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge visited the Olympic Park in London yesterday and told London 2012 that their three priorities from now to the Games must be to "work hard, work hard, work hard". He was not worried about the austerity measures, including €32 million in cuts demanded by Britain's new government, saying the budget for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) which is in charge of building is "lean" but "sound". He was impressed that work on the stadium was "so far advanced".

“This is the last straight and everyone knows that the last straight is often the hardest one,” Rogge added.

Fulham to meet candidates for job

SOCCER:Fulham are meeting candidates to replace Roy Hodgson as the club's manager this week, with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Alan Curbishley thought to be among the favourites.

Fulham embark on a pre-season tour to Sweden in two weeks’ time and are intent on finding a new manager before leaving for Scandinavia. Alistair Mackintosh, the chief executive, is hoping to complete the process by the end of this week.

It is understood that no formal approach has yet been made to Eriksson, although the former England and Manchester City manager – who left his post as Ivory Coast head coach following their elimination from the World Cup at the group stage – would be interested in taking over at Craven Cottage.

Mackintosh worked with Eriksson at Eastlands when he was City’s chief executive.

Guardian Service

Torres's agent denies saying striker could leave

JOSE ANTONIO Martin, one of Fernando Torres’s representatives, has denied saying that the striker could leave Liverpool this summer for another Premier League club.

“Now is not the moment to speak about this issue because Torres is focused completely on his work for Spain,” Martin said. “After the World Cup Bahia Internacional [the company which represents Torres] will possibly meet with the player but the truth is that Fernando has signed a deal with Liverpool which is for the present and the future.”

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson telephoned Torres last week in an attempt to get him to stay. Martin was earlier quoted as saying: “It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool.”

Guardian Service