Youth Cricket Club in final

BIRATNAGAR: Man of the match Nirjal Chhetri scored a half century as Youth Cricket Club defeated Agro-veterinary Cricket Club by four wickets and entered the final of the Rani Cup Open Cricket Tournament, today. Batting first, Youth Club scored 165/6 in 30 overs. In reply, Agro-vet were packed off for 140 runs in 28.4 overs. For Youth Club, Sushil Chaudhari claimed three wickets, whereas Sagar Rana, Nirjal Chhetri and Manoj Mandal took two wickets apiece. — HNS

Japan to play Iran

HONG KONG: Asian football heavyweights Japan and Iran square off in Tehran on Friday while South Korea will face Saudi Arabia in the latest round of Asian qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup. Much will be expected when Japan and Iran meet for the first time since their goalless draw in the Asian Cup last July. For Iran, the home match presents an opportunity to climb a point ahead of leaders Japan in Group B in the second round of the final qualifying stage. — AFP

Marshall twins push order

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Marshall brothers were named as the first identical twins to ever play Test cricket after Black Caps selectors lost patience with the struggling opening partnership of captain Stephen Fleming and Craig McMillan. Fleming was moved down the order to bat at number four for the third Test against Australia, while McMillan was dropped in favour of debutant batsman James Marshall. James will join his twin Hamish, already an established Test batsman, in a first for the five-day game. — AFP