YORK HAVEN, Pa. — Gerard McIntyre led all 30 laps to win Sunday night’s Salute to the Troops main event as the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 sprint cars wrapped up a four-race weekend at BAPS Motor Speedway.

The $5,000 victory, a second-ever during All Star competition for the pilot of the Northeast Foundation and Concrete/Water Treatment By Design/No. 07 sprint car, did not come without a challenge, forced with withstand nearly 20 laps of constant pressure from six-time series champion and all-time series win leader Dale Blaney.

On an even bigger note for All Star enthusiasts, the BAPS Motor Speedway triumph bumped the weekend score to 4-1 in favor of Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champions; Grandview Speedway, the first Williams Grove Speedway ‘Jack Gunn Memorial’ feature, Lincoln Speedway, and BAPS Motor Speedway all accomplished by full-time All Stars.

“The guys did a great job tonight. I just did what I needed to do to get this thing to victory lane,” said McIntrye. “A big thanks to all of those guys for running me clean. I could hear Dale (Blaney) on the outside of me a couple of times. I tried to change my line up a few times so those guys didn’t know where I was going. It all worked out and I’m glad to be here.”

A red-flag incident involving polesitter Justin Peck on the opening circuit, followed by multiple rule infractions resulting in the disqualification of Danny Dietrich, Anthony Macri, Lance Dewease, Ryan Smith and Skylar Gee, allowed McIntyre the opportunity to restart on the front row.

The opportunity played into McIntyre’s favor, jumping to an early lead with Cory Eliason, Dale Blaney, Aaron Reutzel and Tony Stewart in tow.

With G-Mac in command, it was Blaney who was making the early moves. The Hartford, Ohio, native slipped into second by lap five, next setting aim on the familiar No. 07 of McIntyre.

Lap after lap, Blaney attempted to drive by McIntyre, only to be denied at the exit of each corner. A trio of cautions, including a second red flag incident for series point leader Aaron Reutzel on lap 19 halted the feature pace and although Blaney restarted well, McIntyre survived and continued to lead the way.

In an attempt to execute a perfect last-ditch effort, Blaney chased McIntyre beyond the flag stand and drove into turn one as hard as he could, nearly pulling even as the pair reached the apex of the corner.

A drag race down the backstretch ensued, followed by McIntrye diving into turn three and Blaney returning to the topside. Despite the bold attempt, Blaney did not have enough, losing by a margin of victory equaling .0183 seconds.

“Gerard ran a really great race,” said Blaney, who regained the point lead. “The guys gave me a great car. A second the last two nights in Central PA isn’t bad. I would have liked to get one of these out here though.”

Freddie Rahmer, who won the evening’s B-main, blasted ahead 16 positions to secure a third-place finish at the final checkers, followed by Brock Zearfoss and Paul McMahan.

The finish:

Feature (30 Laps): 1. O7-Gerard McIntyre [4]; 2. 11-Dale Blaney [6]; 3. 51-Freddie Rahmer [19]; 4. 70-Brock Zearfoss [10]; 5. 13-Paul McMahan [14]; 6. 99M-Kyle Moody [15]; 7. 26-Cory Eliason [2]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [16]; 9. 21-Brian Montieth [12]; 10. 91-Kyle Reinhardt [17]; 11. 14-Tony Stewart [11]; 12. 5-Jeff Halligan [20]; 13. 73B-Brett Michalski [21]; 14. 44-Dylan Norris [22]; 15. 90-Jordan Givler [18]; 16. 87-Aaron Reutzel [9]; 17. 7K-Dan Shetler [23]; 18. 40-George Hobaugh [24]; 19. 70X-Justin Peck [1]; 20. 39M-Anthony Macri [5]; 21. 69K-Lance Dewease [7]; 22. 72-Ryan Smith [8]; 23. 99-Skylar Gee [13]; 24. 48-Danny Dietrich [3] Lap Leaders: Gerard McIntyre (1-30)

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Germain Racing has confirmed that Matt Borland, the crew chief of the No. 13 Chevrolet driven by Ty Dillon in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR.

The team said in a statement that Borland was found to have violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy following a random drug test. The statement indicated that the positive drug test was believed to have been caused by a coffee product Borland has been using.

“Matt Borland has informed me that he was notified by NASCAR that a random urinalysis showed a substance, DMAA (2-amino-5-methylhexanamine) that is impermissible under the NASCAR substance abuse policy,” said team owner Bob Germain Jr. “We reviewed the ingredients label on a coffee product that Matt had been drinking and it includes DMHA (2-amino-5-methylheptane), a derivative of DMAA. Based upon the ingredients label we do not believe that Matt had reason to know that the coffee contained a banned substance. However, we also understand and respect NASCAR’s decisions to strictly uphold their policies for each and every owner, driver and crew member in the garage. As an organization, we stand behind Matt. He has been and remains an integral part of our race team and we look forward to his return to the garage and pit box.”

Justin Alexander will serve as interim crew chief of the No. 13 Camaro until Borland is cleared by NASCAR to return. Borland must complete NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program in order to be cleared.

“This past weekend I was informed by a NASCAR doctor that I had DMAA (2-amino-5-methylhexanamine) in my system,” Borland said. “After the surprise of this and not even knowing what that was, I asked if it could have come from a diet coffee I have been drinking for the past six months. I gave the doctor all of the details of the coffee and ingredients, and after he researched it, he said he thought that this was the cause. Even after doing my due-diligence, I felt comfortable in drinking the coffee. I plan to work with NASCAR to figure out what exactly has happened and resolve this issue as quickly as we can. I will cooperate with them and do whatever is requested of me to make this situation right. I have worked in the NASCAR garage for 20 years now, and have never been a part of anything like this in my life. I take full responsibility for this incident and want to get it taken care of completely.

“I would like to sincerely apologize to my team, sponsors, associates, NASCAR and my family and I look forward to resolving this situation in an efficient manner.”

Carlos Vela scored a goal in the 53rd minute and LAFC was able to salvage a 3-3 tie against the visiting LA Galaxy on Sunday night -- although the club remains winless in two seasons against its crosstown rival.

The latest chapter of the 17-month-old El Trafico derby was played in another atmosphere of unusual passion and excitement in frequently laid-back Los Angeles. Although LAFC only came into existence last season, the teams have created an instant rivalry with their spirited supporters' groups, premier individual talents and an immediate knack for playing thrilling games.

MLS' two biggest stars love this stage: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored eight goals in just five games against LAFC, topping Vela's seven goals against the Galaxy.

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"If they don't beat us, they don't beat us," said Ibrahimovic after the game, who celebrated both of his goals in front of the LAFC supporters' section. "What can I say? I enjoy it when I play against them. I enjoy to play in this stadium."

Their supporting casts also get fired up by the rivalry. Latif Blessing had extra motivation after his friends told him about the billboards put up around Banc of California Stadium this week showing Ibrahimovic knocking him down during his club's last meeting with the LA Galaxy.

"I was mad," Blessing said. "It was so disrespectful. I felt sad. I felt like this game, I need to go all-out. I need to do my best."

Cristian Pavon scored his first MLS goal to put the Galaxy up 3-1 after just 16 minutes, but Blessing scored two first-half goals for LAFC before Vela connected for his MLS-leading 27th goal. Vela was unwillingly taken off shortly after his goal with a possible hamstring injury, but neither team could conjure a winning goal in the fifth edition of El Trafico.

The Galaxy are 2-0-3 against MLS-leading LAFC, including a win and a draw this season.

"You lead 3-1, I think we should hold the results, but then we were doing mistakes that killed ourselves," Ibrahimovic said. "It wasn't them. I mean, they punished us, but when they play their game, and we do mistakes, they punish us. At a higher level, the one that does the most mistakes is going to pay the most."

LAFC (19-3-5) is cruising toward MLS' best regular-season record and the top seed in the playoffs. LAFC had won five straight games since its 3-2 loss last month to the Galaxy (13-11-3), who are fourth in the Western Conference after their first three-game unbeaten run since April.

Although the regular-season series is over, these archrivals easily could meet in a playoff game in October, adding even more spice to an already sizzling rivalry.

Ibrahimovic still craves the big stages on which he played for nearly two decades in Europe, and this rivalry already has the closest thing to it in MLS. Unsurprisingly, Ibrahimovic has thrived on it since his Galaxy debut in March 2018, when he came on as a substitute and scored two electrifying goals during a three-goal comeback victory in these clubs' inaugural meeting.

Ibrahimovic had a hat trick against LAFC last month, overcoming two goals by Vela in a 3-2 Galaxy victory.

And Ibrahimovic needed about 100 seconds to get on the board against LAFC this time. After he scored with a left-footed strike on a sublime pass from Pavon, the Swedish superstar celebrated with his arms outstretched defiantly in front of LAFC's vociferous North End supporters. Blessing evened it with a rebound header 10 minutes later, but Ibrahimovic added his 22nd goal in 22 games and blew kisses to the LAFC fans.

Pavon made it 3-1 less than a minute afterward with the rising Argentine star's first goal for his new club, but LAFC rallied. Blessing slipped in to score again shortly before half-time, and Vela tied it with a superb piece of skill in the 53rd minute.

Vela's 27 goals are as many as FC Cincinnati's entire roster has scored this season, but the LAFC captain apparently strained his hamstring moments before coach Bob Bradley pulled him in the 61st minute. Vela threw his captain's armband on the ground in disappointment after he was replaced by Brian Rodríguez, a 19-year-old Uruguayan prospect making his MLS debut.

Both teams played more cautiously in the final minutes. Ibrahimovic nearly got another hat trick in injury time, but his wicked turnaround shot from outside the box went just outside the post.

Manchester United will wait to discover the extent of Anthony Martial's muscle injury before deciding whether to allow Alexis Sanchez to join Inter Milan, sources have told ESPN FC.

Martial is set for scans this week after suffering an injury to his left thigh during the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday.

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The Frenchman was barely able to move during the final few minutes but stayed on the pitch until the end because manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had no more substitutions available.

Martial was limping heavily as he left the stadium and the 23-year-old, who has scored twice this season, will undergo tests this week as the club's medical staff attempt to assess the damage.

It is a blow to Sanchez's hopes of joining Inter before the European transfer deadline on Sep. 2.

The Italian side are trying to negotiate a loan deal for the Chilean with an obligation to buy next summer which would see United pay a portion of his £391,000-a-week wages this season.

Sources have told ESPN FC that the two clubs are yet to find a breakthrough in talks and the injury to Martial has complicated matters further with Solskjaer becoming concerned at a lack of options up front.

Romelu Lukaku has already departed for Inter leaving the Norwegian with three recognised strikers in Martial, Marcus Rashford and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood.

Sanchez is yet to feature this season as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury but his exit would reduce Solskjaer's options even further ahead of a busy season in the Premier League and the Europa League.

Sanchez has managed just five goals in 45 games since arriving from Arsenal in January 2018.

Marcos Rojo could also leave Old Trafford before the European deadline. He is yet to make the match day squad in United's first three games of the season and sources have told ESPN FC that Marseille, Monaco and AC Milan are interested in signing the defender.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said on Monday that he expects to take a break from coaching once his time with the European champions comes to an end.

Klopp, who joined Liverpool in 2015 and is under contract until 2022, led the club to the Champions League title last season and finished second in the Premier League, one point behind Manchester City.

Asked by Germany's Kicker magazine if he would take a break after his tenure at Liverpool is up, Klopp said: "It looks like it. Who can now say if he can give it his all in three years' time?

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"If I decide for myself that I can't go on anymore, I'll take a break and in that year I'd have to make a definite decision [if he wants to continue at all].

"I have absolute energy, but I have one problem: I can't to 'a little bit.' I can only do 'all or nothing.'

"But the chances are very high that my energy levels will go up again [after a year's break], and that I can then do the job the way I want to."

Sources told ESPN FC in June that Klopp could take a year's sabbatical at the end of his Liverpool contract in 2022.

Before taking over at Liverpool Klopp enjoyed a successful time at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two league titles and a DFB Pokal trophy, also reaching the Champions League final in 2013.

Liverpool, who have not won a league title since 1990, are top of the Premier League after three games, with maximum points putting them two ahead of title rivals City.

Rivalry Week has come and gone and here we are to pick up the pieces.

We don't know about you, but we're gassed. Spent. Wasted. Ready for a week of recuperation. It turns out mutual enmity makes for some pretty intense soccer matches.

From Friday night's Cascadia Cup madness through to a wild El Trafico, Rivalry Week delivered.

A backheel winner. A four-goal blowout. Rivalry trophies lifted Portland by the visitors and Utah by the home team. Zlatan... Zlataning, then LAFC showing their quality in a comeback.

Time for a shower...

Right after we rank. Like, right after.

Previous rankings: Week 24 | Week 23 | Week 22 | Week 21 | Week 20 | Week 19 | Week 18 | Week 17 | Week 16 | Week 15 | Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1

1. LAFC (19 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses)

Previous ranking: 1

Next MLS match: Sunday, Sept. 1 vs. Minnesota United, 10 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Tip of the Power Rankings cap (it's a bowler, in case you're wondering) to Bob Bradley, who made the tough decision to pull Carlos Vela off in a tied El Trafico match. LAFC didn't win, but saving the captain and MVP leader for the future was the smart thing to do.

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2. Atlanta United (15-3-9)

Previous ranking: 2

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Five Stripes Express chugged into Orlando on Friday and departed with a boxcar full of points. The conductor, one Josef Martinez, scored in his 12th straight game. The last time Martinez didn't score for Atlanta United, trains were brand new technology. It feels true, doesn't it?

3. Philadelphia Union (14-6-8)

Previous ranking: 3

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Philly isn't going to give up first place without a fight. Okay, so technically Atlanta holds a tiebreaker on the Union, but it still sets up for a gargantuan match next weekend at Talen Energy Stadium when the Five Stripes steam into town with a free-and-clear first place on the line.

4. New York City FC (13-8-5)

Previous ranking: 6

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at Vancouver Whitecaps, 10 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Red Bulls are red, New York is blue, Heber's goal belongs in the Lou...vre.

Eh, close enough.

5. Minnesota United (12-6-9)

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: Sunday, Sept. 1 at LAFC, 10:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The margins are so small in the battle for playoff seeding in the Western Conference that the Loons' loss to Sporting Kansas City on Friday night via late, late goal dropped them from second to fourth. Adrian Heath nearly got away with leaving Darwin Quintero on the bench in KC.

6. San Jose Earthquakes (12-5-10)

Previous ranking: 5

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Orlando City, 10:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Quakes bombarded the 'Caps net on Saturday, scoring three times and forcing 16 saves by Maxime Crepau. To say they needed that would be an understatement, following a three-game losing streak and the emotional experience against LAFC in midweek.

7. New England Revolution (9-8-9)

Previous ranking: 7

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Gustavo Bou, the hero of the New England Revolution's revolution used the greatest weapon of the revolution -- his left foot -- to fire the Revolution to three more points in the quest to revolutionize the playoffs hopes of the Bruce Arena-led revolutionary program for the Revolution.

8. Seattle Sounders (12-7-8)

Previous ranking: 9

Next MLS match: Sunday, Sept. 1 vs. LA Galaxy, 6:30 p.m. ET

When the emotional grind starts to effect form, it sometimes takes a big game to provide a lift and get things back on track. That might be what happens for the Sounders, the 2019 Cascadia Cup champions after Friday's Jordan Morris-led victory over the Timbers -- on Portland's pitch.

9. LA Galaxy (13-3-11)

Previous ranking: 11

Next MLS match: Sunday, Sept. 1 at Seattle Sounders, 6:30 p.m. ET

Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed up...for the first half. Christian Pavon scored his first MLS goal and showed why LA's acquisition of the Argentine was such a coup. The Galaxy have still never lost to LAFC, a fact they'll use to their psychological advantage if, and when, the two teams meet in the playoffs.

10. Real Salt Lake (13-4-10)

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

There's no truth to the rumor that Joao Plata was showing up on the side of milk cartons in Utah before Saturday's Rocky Mountain Cup win over Colorado, but you'd be forgiven for believing it. Albert Rusnak handed the ball to Plata for the penalty kick winner, a move that might be a spark for RSL's stretch run.

11. Portland Timbers (11-4-11)

Previous ranking: 8

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Our recent polling suggests that Timbers fans would rather swear off organically grown, locally sourced, fair trade cold brew coffee and barrel-aged Imperial IPA with notes of cardamom and coriander than lose to the Seattle Sounders. It's that damn serious.

12. New York Red Bulls (11-5-10)

Previous ranking: 10

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Red Bulls are red, New York is blue, congrats to Josh Sims on his homegrown debut.

13. FC Dallas (11-7-10)

Previous ranking: 13

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. FC Cincinnati, 8:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

It's been a long wait, but finally FC Dallas is getting lethal strikes from the man they call "The Cobra." We were beginning to think the nickname was completely unwarranted, like when people call the really big guys "Tiny". FCD also got lethal strikes from lots of other players, too.

14. Orlando City (9-7-11)

Previous ranking: 12

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Eight games, no wins for the Lions against Atlanta. After losing in game in which they outshot United and created more chances, it's starting to feel like a curse. Worse, the loss means Orlando falls three points behind Toronto for the final playoff spot in the East.

15. Sporting Kansas City (8-7-11)

Previous ranking: 17

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

If Sporting somehow manages to put together an incredible late-season run and claim a playoff spot, Erik Hurtado's ferocious winner against Minnesota might be the goal we'll point back to as the spark. Must-win games need match-winners.

16. Toronto FC (10-7-10)

Previous ranking: 20

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

As far as massive wins go, TFC's victory over Montreal on Saturday was massively massive. The Reds are now in seventh place with a game-in-hand on Orlando and Montreal. A trip to New England next weekend looms and it might end up being the defining game of the season.

17. Chicago Fire (8-9-11)

Previous ranking: 14

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

So that's the reason the Embers... er, Fire... have just six points on the road in 2019. The already slim chance that Chicago could sneak into the playoffs this season took a massive hit because of a bad turnover and a Gustavo Bou goal at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.

18. D.C. United (10-9-10)

Previous ranking: 16

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at Montreal Impact, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Wayne Rooney-less United crashed and burned against the Union in Chester and are in real danger of slipping out of the playoff placed completely. Word on the street is that Rooney could get another game for last week's red card, only adding to the dread surrounding the club.

19. Columbus Crew (8-6-15)

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Hell. Unleashed. Three goals in the fist half, two of them by Gyasi Zardes, won the day for the Crew on the road in Cincinnati. Columbus planted a stake at Nippert Stadium in the first win for either side in the MLS history of "Hell Is Real."

20. Colorado Rapids (7-6-14)

Previous ranking: 18

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Rocky Mountain Cup was just about all the Rapids had left to play for this season. Losing to RSL like they did has to hurt, but there's always tomorrow -- a tomorrow that brings a new head coach and, they hope, a new era for a club still thrashing in turbulent waters for a winning approach.

21. Montreal Impact (10-4-14)

Previous ranking: 21

Next MLS match: Wednesday, Aug. 28 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 8 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

A debut goal for Bojan Krkic in Wilmer Cabrera's debut as coach wasn't enough for Montreal on the road in Toronto. If the Impact are counting on a new manager bump to push them across the playoff line, they'll have to get cracking against Vancouver on Wednesday night.

22. Vancouver Whitecaps (6-9-13)

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Montreal Impact, 8 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia that competes in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS).

23. Houston Dynamo (9-4-14)

Previous ranking: 23

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Dynamo not only didn't get up for a rivalry match in an otherwise lost season, they got stomped by FC Dallas. It sure looks like Davy Arnaud is going to struggle to keep his team interested in competing in the final month and a half of the campaign.

24. FC Cincinnati (5-3-19)

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: Saturday, Aug. 31 at FC Dallas, 8 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Hell Is Real take two brought hell to Cincinnati in the form of a 3-1 Columbus win. FCC showed some fight (literally) planting the seeds for an intense round of games in 2020. The rebuild happening with both clubs means Hell Is Real success will be a major part of whatever comes next season.

India Red 285 (Kalsi 106, Nair 99, Pathania 4-55) and 297 for 6 decl (Nair 166*, Kalsi 64, Jalaj 4-105) drew with India Blue 255 (Bawne 121, Anmolpreet 56, Avesh 4-58) Points: Red 3, Blue 1

A nearly two-year wait ended on Monday as Karun Nair scored a cathartic first-class century to lead India Red into the Duleep Trophy final. The batsman had not been able to breach the three-figure mark since December 2017 but produced a second-innings 166 not out to follow a 99 in the first and save the game.

With three points in the bag, India Red will know that only one of the other teams - Blue and Green - have any chance of going past them ahead of the day-night final at M Chinnaswamy stadium.

Himachal Pradesh's Ankit Kalsi, a 25-year old fighting to become a regular for his domestic side, assisted Nair in both innings. Having earned his place on the back of three Ranji Trophy centuries in five matches last season, the left-hander exhibited poise and composure to make scores of 106 and 64. Kalsi and Nair put on two century stands in the game to keep India Blue at bay.

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Playing with a bowler short - Basil Thampi pulled up with a back injury after sending down 11 overs in the first innings - a bulk of the team's workload fell on Diwesh Pathania, the Services fast bowler, and the two spinners Jalaj Saxena and Saurabh Kumar.

During the course of the match, Jalaj, who finished with match haul of 7 for 162, went past the double of 6000 runs and 300 wickets in first-class cricket, an elite list that features the likes of S Abid Ali, Lala Amarnath, Sanjay Bangar, Sairaj Bahutule and S Venkataraghavan to name a few.

The India A regulars had a forgettable game. Priyank Panchal and Abhimanyu Easwaran, both of whom are in frame to be the third opener for the Test team, managed 42 runs between them in four innings, while Shubman Gill was out for 9, playing across the line to a full inswinging delivery from Jaydev Unadkat, in his only innings.

India Blue were in the frame for a first-innings lead during the course of a 129-run stand between centurion Ankit Bawne and Anmolpreet Singh, but they lost 5 for 15 in the aftermath to concede the advantage. They will now have to wait for the final league game - between Red and Green - to see if there is a passage for them to the final.

Misbah-ul-Haq's interest in taking over as head coach of the Pakistan national side was made official today after he resigned from the PCB cricket committee, following it up by formally applying for the role of head coach. Misbah, who is already working as camp commander and leading a 20-man training camp ahead of the start of Pakistan's domestic season, called it "everyone's dream" to become coach of the Pakistan team.

"It has been interesting to see my name being mentioned as a future head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, but the fact is I only made the decision today," said Misbah after resigning from the cricket committee. "I am applying for the head coach's role fully aware that the competition will be tough. I envisage there will be a few more very competent and highly qualified people applying for one of the most challenging jobs in the game."

Misbah decided to step down from the PCB cricket committee in the wake of reports that he was being considered for the position of head coach. Initially wary of formally expressing his interest, Misbah had said any application for the role would be preceded by his resignation from the cricket committee, and that he was deliberating on whether to apply.

The PCB had been seeking applications to rebuild their coaching staff after having brought to an end the tenure of Mickey Arthur and his staff earlier this month. The deadline for submitting applications concluded today, with the PCB seeking someone someone who was at least a Level 2 coach "with relevant experience for at least three years" with elite cricketers. It is notable Misbah does not have three years of coaching experience - indeed, he retired less than three years ago - but with him being the only one to formally make his interest public, he is the undisputed favourite to win the role.

Ironically, one of Misbah's biggest contributions while part of the cricket committee was leading the calls to bring down the curtain on Mickey Arthur's time as head coach. With the contracts of Arthur, batting coach Grant Flower, bowling coach Azhar Mahmood and fitness and trainer Grant Luden all having been scheduled to end on August 15, the PCB considered whether to award them extensions. Arthur and Flower, at least, had expressed an eagerness to continue. Arthur was given a chance to present his report following the World Cup, which was widely seen as a chance for him to defend his record and make a case for an extension.

However, the decision not to extend contracts was arrived at following a five-hour PCB cricket committee meeting. ESPNcricinfo understands Arthur wanted two more years on the job, but the recommendations of the cricket committee, on which Misbah was an influential voice, advised against a renewal. Now, mere weeks on, Misbah appears the frontrunner to succeed the man he played under as captain for a year.