Mirza to return in time for Asian Games (Photo: Creative Commons)

Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board Chair, Najam Sethi, is confident international cricket will be fully restored in Pakistan within a maximum of two years.

Sethi expressed hope that in view of the improving security situation in the country and the successfully-hosted T20 matches in Lahore, the time is not far when Pakistan is able to host complete ODI and Test series. “If we prepare our stadiums, we will be able to host matches with time. I believe international cricket will be fully restored in Pakistan within two years, at most,” he said.

Sethi pointed out that Pakistan has already successfully hosted international cricketers [in the ICC World XI team], Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. “And West Indies will be touring in March,” he added

Football

Henrikh Mkhitaryan believes Arsenal playmaker Mesut Özil is the best in the world in his position. Arsene Wenger remodelled Arsenal’s attack in January by sending Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United in a swap deal for Mkhitaryan and bringing in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £60 million.

Mkhitaryan has been particularly impressed by Özil since joining the Gunners. Mkhitaryan told Arsenal Player: “Everyone knows that Mesut is one of the best players in the world. It’s only happiness and joy to play next to him because he understands very well the football game, he has great vision, he has amazing technique and he’s the best in his position.”

Transfer: Besiktas are preparing a summer swoop for Man United midfielder Marouane Fellaini. The Turkish club were trying to strike a deal for the Belgian during the January transfer window however, negotiations broke down before a formal offer could be made for the midfielder.

But, according to Fotomac, Besiktas will return for Fellaini this summer and they have made his signing a top priority. The 30-year-old’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, meaning he can leave for free in July.

World Cup: More than half of France fans want Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko to be included in this summer’s World Cup squad, according to a poll by RMC Sport.

The former Newcastle man has struggled to establish himself in North London, starting 12 of his side’s 26 Premier League games this season. Sissoko has struggled for consistency and has not been part of most people’s potential France squads. But France fans clearly value what the 28-year-old could bring to France in Russia.

Much has been made of the quality at Deschamps’ disposal – the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Corentin Tolisso and Adrien Rabiot are all available – so Sissoko’s inclusion would be somewhat surprising. There were some other unexpected calls in the poll, 55% want Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho to be picked.

Squash

Swedish Squash Open, Linköping (Feb 8-11): Egyptian Ali Farag has won the UCS Swedish Open. Farag ranked the third internationally beat Germany’s Simon Rösner ranked the sixth in the final by 3-1 (11-7/6-11/11-3/11-5).

Tennis

Sania Mirza is confident of continuing her Asian Games record with another medal in this year’s event – if she recovers from injury in time. Sania, regarded as India’s best-ever women’s tennis player, has achieved at least one medal at every Asiad meet since 2006 and hopes this year’s games in Indonesia will be no different.

But the 31-year-old has been sidelined since October with a knee injury, and her former number one doubles ranking – the first ever for an Indian in the women’s event – has slipped to 14. Sania said she has every intention of competing in the Games starting August if her knee had recovered.