Sports Wednesday, May 15, 2019 19 ’s Lakshmi is first woman int’l match referee women on the panel. Doha-based ICC umpire Shivani “This is good news for lady Sheridan was the reserve umpires. Women umpires umpire for two matches in the welcomes appointment across the cricketing world Men’s Big Bash League 2018- are striving for highest 19 and umpired four matches standards and have in the Women’s Big Bash AGENCIES/TNN just after Australia’s Claire increased there area of League the same year. In Octo- DOHA Polosak became the first ber 2018, she became the first woman umpire in a men’s influence beyond bounda- woman in Australia to umpire THE International Cricket ODI last month. ries of women’s cricket. I a men’s first grade Premier Council on Tuesday named In- “To be selected in the in- congratulate Lakshmi and Cricket final. dia’s G.S. Lakshmi as the first ternational panel by the ICC hope the trend continues.” Shivani Mishra, who is woman on the international is a huge honour for me as it – Shivani Mishra based in Doha, welcomed Lak- panel of match referees, mak- opens up new avenues,” Lak- shmi’s appointment. “This is ing her eligible to take control shmi said in an ICC statement. good news for lady umpires. of men’s games. “I have had a long career as a Polosak on the ICC’s umpires Women umpires across the The 51-year-old Lakshmi, cricketer in India and also as a development panel, taking the cricketing world are striving who first officiated as a match match referee.” number of women on the body for highest standards and have referee in domestic women’s “I hope to put my experi- that provides umpires for all increased there area of influ- cricket in 2008-09, has over- ence both as a player and as a internationals to eight. ence beyond boundaries of seen three women’s One- match official to good use on Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cot- women’s cricket. Day Internationals and three the international circuit.” ton, Shivani Mishra, Sue Red- “I congratulate Lakshmi . Meanwhile, Australia’s GS Lakshmi (2nd left) with India women cricketers and Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of the fern, Mary Waldron and Jac- and hope the trend continues,” Her appointment came Eloise Sheridan has joined women’s T20 Championship final in India. queline Williams are the other she said.

Imam’s ton Sana – Women ODI’s powers Afridi blasted for Pak to huge sexist comments score at most successful Bristol in autobiography AFP AFP “His daughters, his deci- BRISTOL (UNITED KINGDOM) KARACHI sions? Really?? So the girls’ voices and choices don’t mat- PAKISTAN opener Imam-ul- FORMER Pakistani all- ter? Not even when they’re spinner from Pakistan Haq came into form ahead of rounder Shahid Afridi bat- adults? Because #FatherHas- the World Cup with a century ted away accusations of Spoken,” added Asha Bedar AFP against England in the third misogyny this week as crit- on Twitter. KARACHI “The journey started by one-day international at Bris- ics lashed out at the cricket Pakistani author Bina proving at every street, tol on Tuesday. star’s admission that he Shah also roasted Afridi, PAKISTAN showered praise where I played cricket, The left-hander watched refuses to let his daughters telling the BBC his decision this week on , the that girls could play this fall at the other end play outdoor sports. was an example of “Paki- former women’s cricket team sport. We didn’t have any as Pakistan declined to 95 for The remarks were just the stani macho culture that who rose from bowl- three after losing the toss but latest controversy stemming says I am the father, I can ing in the streets to become role models, girls taking kept his composure to com- from Afridi’s tell-all autobi- say what my daughters are the most successful spinner part in cricket was not plete a 97-ball hundred in- ography – “Game Changer” going to do and not do, and in women’s One-day interna- that common.” cluding 11 fours – released in Pakistan and there is not a thing that you tional history. – Sana Mir It was the 23-year-old’s India last week. can do to stop me.” The 33-year-old took her sixth hundred in 27 matches “It’s for social and reli- 147th in her 118th at this level and first against gious reasons that I’ve made game when she dismissed role model for our cricket, in England, the top-ranked side this decision regarding my South Africa’s Sune Luus in fact, world cricket, her hard in ODI cricket. daughters not competing the third One-Day Interna- work, dedication and humil- Imam, the nephew of Pa- in public sporting activities tional (ODI) of the ICC Wom- ity is absolutely admirable,” kistan batting great and selec- and their mother agrees with en’s Championship in Benoni said Mumtaz. tion chief Inzamam-ul-Haq, me,” wrote Afridi. “The femi- on Sunday. SPINNING SUCCESS: Sana Mir has incredibly risen from Pakistan Former Pakistani all- continued to take the attack to nists can say what they want; That took her past Anisa streets to becoming the most successful woman spin bowler in ODIs. rounder Shahid Afridi tweeted England after reaching three as a conservative Pakistani Mohammed of the West Indies his congratulations to Mir, figures, driving David Willey father, I’ve made my deci- and Australia’s been marginalised. didn’t have any role models, prompting further accusations for a straight six and next ball sion,” he added. – both at 146 wickets – to the “Kudos to you girl!” girls taking part in cricket was of hypocrisy. glancing the left-arm quick for In the book, the cricketer Shahid Afridi pride of Pakistanis, who hailed tweeted the German embassy not that common,” she was Mir took six wickets, in- four. also unleashed withering the achievement with joy on in Islamabad. quoted as saying. cluding a match-winning 4-11, His innings was a boost for criticism against old team- Others pointed to the ex- social media and in proud “Makes us all proud,” add- “From street cricket to in three one-day internation- Pakistan just weeks away from mates – including erstwhile amples set by other athletes newspaper editorials. ed Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s playing on the grounds and als against South Africa to the start of the World Cup in World Cup captain and cur- on the issue, including Egyp- “Congratulations, @mir_ ambassador to the UN. moving to stadia donning the help Pakistan square the series England. rent Prime Minister Imran tian football star at Liverpool sana05!” the ICC tweeted, as Mir recalled the obstacles Pakistan kit were moments of 1-1, with one match tied. Victory in Bristol would Khan – and admitted to be- Mohamed Salah who has Pakistan’s largest English- against her in an interview immense pride.” She is now third on the see Pakistan level this five- ing slightly older than pre- advocated for the equal treat- language newspapers – Dawn published by the Pakistan Former Pakistan captain all-time list of most suc- match series at 1-1 following viously reported, drawing ment of women in the Islamic and the Express Tribune – Cricket Board (PCB). and current chief selector cessful bowlers in women’s England’s 12-run win in the accusations he was not the world. both published editorials on “The journey started by congratulated cricket, behind fast bowlers second ODI at Southampton youngest player to set the re- Salah made headlines Tuesday celebrating the feat proving at every street, where her former colleague, calling of India on Saturday – the opening fix- cord for scoring 100 runs in over the weekend after a viral in a deeply patriarchal country I played cricket, that girls her an inspiration for women. (218) and Australia’s Cathryn ture was a no-result washout. an international. video showed him proudly where women’s sport has long could play this sport. We “Sana has been a great Fitzpatrick (180). However, his comments celebrating as his four-year- about his four daughters – old daughter scored a goal who are aged between 10 ahead of Liverpool’s last and 20 years old – may have game of the season at Anfield. proven to be the most gall- But back in Pakistan, Af- Quick read ing to the public with social ridi pushed back at the criti- media users labeling the all- cism. “I don’t judge anyone Virus-free Shadab Khan cleared for Pakistan’s World Cup 2019 stint rounder a “misogynist” and or meddle in people’s life,” KARACHI: Fast-rising Shadab Khan was on Tuesday cleared to play the World Cup later this month after latest blood tests showed he was “hypocrite”. Afridi tweeted on Sunday. clear of previously diagnosed hepatitis. The 20-year-old was last month withdrawn from Pakistan’s squad for the one-off T20 “Afridi is no better than a “I expect the same too and five-match one-day series in England after the hepatitis virus was found in his blood, also leaving him doubtful for the typical middle-aged average from others. May Allah bless World Cup. But the says he is now clear and will be part of the World Cup starting in UK from May 30. Pakistani guy, who wouldn’t my daughters and daughters/ “The leg-spinner will now leave for London on Thursday (May 16), where he will consult Dr Patrick Kennedy on Friday, before mind hanging out with some- women all over the world! Let joining the team in Bristol on May 20,” said a PCB release. Shadab will join the team but will continued to be monitored for one else’s daughters but would people be. My daughters are team’s World Cup warm-up matches, scheduled for May 24 and 26 against Afghanistan and Bangladesh respectively, are sub- balk if his own did the same,” very precious to me! My life ject to his fitness and the team management’s decision, added the release. The leg-spinner, who is also a handy batsman low down the Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq after tweeted Salman Siddiq. revolves around them.” order, is seen as key for Pakistan’s World Cup campaign which starts with a match against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31. (AFP) making 151 on Tuesday. Ras Abu Aboud Stadium... Revolutionary & Innovative Design

AS Abu Aboud Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium Doha’s dazzling West Bay sky- cilities. The coming period will one of the stadiums of Project Manager, in the Su- FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar line, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium see a significant increase in Rthe FIFA World Cup preme Committee for will be a spectacular venue work with installing the steel (Qatar 2022), is a pioneering and Legacy (CS), Mohammed for matches up to the quarter- structure and shipping con- project in the field of building al Mulla stressed that Ras Abu finals of the FIFA World Cup tainers that will form the build- stadiums and hosting major Aboud will be the first in the Qatar 2022. ing blocks of this stadium. sports events, being the first in world that will be completely Mohammed al Mulla said The project manager ex- the history of the World Cup to dismantled, adding that the that works of the stadium offi- plained that the plan for the sta- be entirely dismantled. In addi- Stadium’s parts will be repur- cially began at the end of 2017 dium is to have three roads for tion, it will have a truly unique posed, where they can be used and will be completed by the the spectators to reach the sta- design, featuring shipping con- in building two 20,000-seat end of 2020. dium, two of them are ready and tainers to create an extraordi- stadiums or even in building He revealed that more than building the third is underway. nary building block effect. non-sporting projects, such 2 million labour hours have The Ras Abu Aboud Sta- Constructed using ship- as administrative building or been completed at the stadium dium project achieves the goal ping containers, remov- multi-use hall. so far, and will reach 4.5 million of sustainability and heritage able seats and other modular In an interview with QNA, labour hours by the completion by 100% in terms of stadiums “building blocks”, not only Al Mulla said that studies and of the stadium, pointing out design revolution, the future will this innovative, 40,000- research have led to the use of that the number of workers in project and plan to dismantle seat venue have a remarkable environmentally friendly and that would revolutionise sta- Cup is that Qatar does not Stadium can make by re-pur- the project varies according to it and the area development. design, but it will be entirely at the same time easy and re- dium design for future World need eight 40,000-seat sta- posing it in another country, the construction stages. The About 100 containers and dismantled and repurposed usable components in the con- Cup hosting countries, as it is diums, in addition to the fact there will be an important current plan is based on 1,700 27 thousand tons of steel will after the FIFA World Cup Qa- struction of Ras Abu Aboud based on a new way of think- that the local league does not legacy for Qatar in the infra- workers, he added. be used in the construction of tar 2022. Its parts will be used Stadium, where concrete will ing and creativity in construc- need all these stadiums. So the structure of sewage networks, Al Mulla went on saying the stadium, Al Mulla said. in other sporting or projects in be used only in foundations, tion, that shortens construc- idea was to build the Ras Abu roads, water and power sta- that works of concrete founda- Following the tourna- in poor countries, in coordina- while the outer structure will tion time and lowers cost. Aboud Stadium, which could tion, which will create an in- tions for the stadium has been ment’s conclusion, the sta- tion with FIFA, to set a new be made of iron and shipping Al Mulla explained that the benefit other countries in the frastructure for any future de- completed, while works are dium will be dismantled and standard in sustainability and containers. reason for building a stadium future. velopment in the area. underway on the infrastruc- make way for a waterfront introduce bold new ideas in He said the Ras Abu Aboud with these specifications and He added that alongside Located on the shores of ture, especially with regard to development for local people tournament legacy planning. stadium would be a precedent dismantling it after the World the legacy that Ras Abu Aboud the Gulf, looking across to sewage networks and other fa- to enjoy. (QNA)