Rato Bangala in final

KATHMANDU: Defending champions Rato Bangala and Valley Public entered the final of the Franklin Cup second Inter-school Girls’ Basketball Tournament, organised by Mahendra Bhawan School, here on Monday. In the first semi-final, Rato Bangala defeated hosts Mahendra Bhawan 21-14. Seema Karki of Mahendra Bhawan top-scored with 12 points, while Niharika Panta netted 10 for Rato Bangala. In the other semi-final, the last year’s runners-up Valley Public beat Prithvi School 20-13. Sujata Rai of Valley Public netted nine, while Nami of Prithvi scored six points. The final and the third-place matches are slated for Tuesday. — HNS

Ashraf resigns

Karachi: Pakistan cricket chief Nasim Ashraf today resigned, a few hours after the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf. “Yes, I have resigned from the post and it is now the prerogative of the new president to appoint a new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB),” Ashraf said. He said his resignation would not harm Pakistan’s chances of hosting Champions Trophy. However, Ashraf refused to link his resignation to Musharraf’s decision. “As happens when a new government takes charge, the sitting ministers resign, and I have done the same so that the new president of the country appoints the new chairman of the PCB.” The Champions Trophy starts from September 12. — AFP