Rupandehi enter final

POKHARA: Rupandehi defeated Dang by six wickets in the semi-final match of the U-15 Regional Cricket Tournament here today. Elected to bat first, Dang were bowled out for a paltry 97 runs in 27.2 overs, which Rupandehi overcame in 16 overs. Rupandehi will meet Chitwan in Friday’s final. — HNS

Tasmania sign Blignaut

HOBART: Tasmania signed a three-year contract with Zimbabwean cricketer Andy Blignaut, one of 15 players no longer representing his home country due to a dispute over selection policies. Blignaut, 25, becomes the second of the rebel players stood down by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to play in Australia. Fellow allrounder Sean Irvine signed last week with Western Australia state. — AP

Rivaldo going to Bremen?

BREMEN: Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo has invited German champions Werder Bremen to take a chance on him next season. The former Barcelona midfielder has been on a downward slide since leaving AC Milan at the end of last season and wants to prove he can still do the business in the Champions League. Rivaldo is thought to want $2.4 million per annum to don the Bremen shirt. The Qatar Football Association are also keen on recruiting Rivaldo with a multi-million package on the table. —AFP