SPORT Monday 4 February 2019 PAGE | 09 PAGE | 11 Khawaja hits Messi fitness century as Aussies in doubt ahead set massive target of Real Madrid for Sri Lanka encounter QOC celebrates Al Annabi victory The President of Olympic Committee (QOC), H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and QOC officials cutting a cake to celebrate Qatar’s AFC Asian Cup victory at the QOC headquarters in , yesterday. QOC Vice-President Sheikh Saoud bin Ali Al Thani, Secretary General of the QOC, Jassim Al Buainain and Vice-President of the IAAF Dahlan Al Hamad are also seen. Sanchez thrilled to see ‘trusted aides’ deliver the goods for Qatar

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA encouragedencouraged hhimim toto gigivevee hhisis bbest.est. AsianAsia Cup in numbers AlmoezAlmoez ffiredireed a rrecord-breakingecoordd-brreaeaking nine goalsgoalss ffromrom jujustst sseveneve enn Qatar’s Asian Cup winning coachach matchesmatches to ppowerowwerer hhisiis ssideidde ttoo sseveneveven 1 Felix Sanchez yesterday said hehe successivesuccessive wwins.inns. QatarQaQ tatar ccacameme within 21 minutes of keeping an entire was thrilled to see his trustedted “There“There wwereerere twottwwo playersppllaayyeerrs frffromromo tournamenttotoururnnament worth of clean sheets, but their final players deliver the goods in crunchnch thethe natinationaloonnall tteameeaam wwhwhoo tatallyalllly ooff oonene ggoaloal conceconcededd still meant the champions situations at the 24-team tour-ur- encouragedencouraged mmee aalallll thtthehe ttitimemme aandnd hadhhaad thethe most misemiserlyr defence in the tournament. nament. they are AAlili AAfiffif anandnd HaHHassan,”sssanan,” Sanchez was speaking as oonene AlmoezAlmoeezz ssaid.aiid.d 609 of the guests on the popularr AlAl Majlis talk show broadcast byy Al Itt tooktooook 6096609 minutes forfor goalkeeper to Kass Sports Channel after the vic-vic- TheThe coach said bbee beaten,beeaatten, as QatarQatar becameb the first team to reach torious squad landed in Doha ttoo a QatarQatar went into the Asian tththehe finalfifinnal by keepingkeepin six successive clean sheets. rapturous welcome. Cup knowingknowing toughtough hurdles laylay On Friday, Qatar capped theirheir in their path to gglory.lory. 9 dream run at the Asian Cup byby “We were optimistic but we PPotentiallyot the one statistic of this beating four-time championsons knewknew it was a difficult competition tournatournamentm that will become assumed Japan 3-1 in the final playedd at sincesince we had toughtough teams to beat. kknowledgeno for Asian football fans Zayed Sports City Stadium. But I am pproudroud to see the team evereverywhere;ywh tournament MVP Almoez It was the seventh successivesive beat toptop sides and that’s whwhyy we Ali brobrokek Ali Daei’s 23-year-old record win for Sanchez’s boys who hadhad areare backback in Qatar as champions,”champions,” for goals in a single a tournament beaten Lebanon, North Korea,rea, SanchezSanchez said.said. wwithith nine strikes in seven matches. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Korea Republicblic QatarQatar played a long series of and hosts UAE in matches priorr to internationalinternational ffriendliesriendlies in the lead the title clash on Friday. upup to thethe 24-team Asian Cup.Cup. TheThe 10 “In the summer, we playedd a QatarQatar Stars League Management IIff AAlmoezl was the revelation of the number of matches and had manyany even launched the regularregular football ttournament,ou Akram Afif was surely training sessions. During that timeme season in AugustAugust to givegive the “Ali a closec second. Afif earned Player Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez waves to the I saw the boys were very com-m- nnationalational team playersplayers and the was tetellinglling me ‘‘II wawwantnnt ooff the Match honours in the final, crowd as the national team is being escorted mitted and I had complete trustst in coachcoach thethe time neededneeded to prepare you to playplay wwithith tthehe nnationalaattioionanal teamteeamm and lit up the tournament as a in a parade on Sunday upon their arrival from them to do well in Asian Cup. Theyhey wellwell for Asia’s biggest event.event. differentlydifferently ttoo hhowow youyouu pplaylalay wiwwithithh whole with 10 assists, the most Abu Dhabi after winning the AFC Asian Cup. showed their top performance aandnd “During“During our preparations we your club bbecauseecause I do nnotott llikeikke in recorded history. commitment throughout theth playedl d many matches.t h WeW playedl d your llevell att ththe club’,” l b’ ” Al Almoez event,” Sanchez said during the against different teams. We played said as his team-mates burst out program telecast live on Al Kass. against teams with different styles. laughing. “Also the motivation they had We were ready to face these kind “When I came to the national during the Asian Cup was also very of opponents. My players are now team, Hassan began to encourage high,” the Barcelona native added. used to playing against them,” me all the time and gave me words “They were ready to play the Sanchez said. of advice on how to become better. seven matches. That was the case “The good thing was my “He would tell me ‘play with eventually,” Sanchez added. players had a lot of respect for the your strength and this is your opponents but we were always chance to be a star. You are now ready to try and win the games. the main striker of Qatar national This happened because they were team. You have to forget what confident in the possibilities they they are offering you at the club, had in front of them,” he added. the national team is not your We were optimistic Before arriving for the Al club’,” Amloez said with Al Haydos but we knew it was a Majlis appearance, Sanchez said sitting nearby. difficult competition at the Doha International Airport: “When I scored any goal (at “I am very happy to see the people the Asian Cup), I always remem- since we had tough celebrating with us. We realise bered Hassan and Ali and their teams to beat. But I how big what we did is. When you motivational words,” the 21-year- am proud to see the win a trophy like that you feel very old Aspire Academy student team beat top sides proud, to see that the hard work added. Hours earlier, Almoez told sometimes gives you the reward.” international media: “I am proud and that’s why we During the same show, feared to make these people happy. I am are back in Qatar Qatar striker - winner proud of this thing and all the as champions: of the Most Valuable Player and players are. For 40 years Qatari Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Abdulrahman Al Mannai and other officials Felix Sanchez the Highest Goal Scorer awards - people did not celebrate, now we said team-mates Ali Afif and will celebrate for the next four join racing drivers to cut a cake to celebrate Qatar’s Asian Cup victory during the Manateq Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos always years and not stop.” National Sprint Championship round held yesterday. 10 SPORT MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2019

H E Sheikh Joaan crowns winners at the Racing and Equestrian Club

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), poses for a photograph with the winners in the eighth to 10th rounds in the 26th race in the current season of H H the Amir Trophy, and the trial race for the festival of H H Amir’s Sword, on Sunday. The event included 10 runs on the grass track of the Racing and Equestrian Club in Al Rayyan.

CHI Al Shaqab and LGCT 2019 to wow fans in Qatar Yastremska clinches Thailand Open title

AFP HUA HIN, THAILAND

Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska won the Thailand Open yesterday with a hard-fought victory, battling past Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/3). The overtime thriller in the seaside city of Hua Hin gave the 18-year-old her second WTA title. After dominating the first set, eighth seed Yastremska faced some strong returns from the 25-year-old Toml- janovic, who took the second set to level the match. A fierce rally in the final moments of the third set pushed the final into a tie-breaker. Yastremska sealed her win with a searing forehand after a tense two hours and 22 minutes. The Ukrainian teen burst into tears and collapsed on the floor, and then put her hands together in a traditional Thai greeting to acknowledge the cheering crowd. “I was always trying to play the same as you,” she said to Tomljanovic in the post-match interview. A general view of the Al Shaqab Arena during CHI Al Shaqab in this file photo. The 47th-ranked Yastremska dedicated her win to her mother, who had to return to Ukraine for an operation. The victory capped an impressive run in the inaugural $250,000 tournament for Yastremska, who dispatched top seed Garbine Muguruza in the quarter-finals. Double delight as Al Shaqab gears up Both finalists -- who first faced each other in the China Open qualifiers last year -- were in top form in Thailand, to host world-class equestrian events not dropping a set until the final. Fowler stretches THE PENINSULA Spectators enjoy DOHA showjumping action during CHI Al Shaqab lead to four strokes Doha is gearing up for an equestrian extrav- at the state-of-the-art aganza with two major back-to-back events main arena, in this file at Phoenix Open taking place at Al Shaqab, member of Qatar photo. Foundation. AFP The first, from February 28-March 2, is the LOS ANGELES opening leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) 2019. The second, and the jewel Rickie Fowler fired eight birdies in a seven-under par 64 Young kids in Qatar and Al Shaqab’s equestrian crown, is on Saturday to stretch his lead to four strokes heading into enjoy rides on CHI Al Shaqab 2019, which will be held from the final round of the Phoenix Open. March 7-9. In addition, during the entire period horses on the Fowler, in search of his fifth PGA Tour title and his first of February 28 – March 9, Al Shaqab will have sidelines of the since the 2017 Honda Classic, had a 20-under par total of a festival area to provide a variety of fun-filled Longines Global 193 at TPC Scottsdale, where he held the 54-hole lead last activities and entertainment that will cater to Champions Tour year but finished tied for 11th. all children and adults alike. in this file photo. “We’ve led for three rounds, now why not make it Additionally, Al Shaqab will also be the four,” said Fowler, who has converted just one of his six venue for the Qatar International Sports and Khalifa al Attiya, President of CHI Al prior 54-hole leads to a victory. Fitness Exhibition (QISFE) from April 2-6, Shaqab and Al Shaqab’s Executive Director, He has some breathing room, with a four-shot lead under the patronage of Sheikh Joaan bin said: “The Arab world has a very rich equine over US veteran Matt Kuchar, who had six birdies in a Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar heritage, and through events such as this, Al sparkling six-under 65 that put him on 197. Olympic Committee. Exhibitors across the Shaqab preserves and perpetuates that aspect Kuchar, 40, is in search of his third win of the season, areas of Sports and Fitness Facilities; Health of Qatari culture. CHI Al Shaqab significantly after victories in the Mayakoba Classic and the Sony Open. and Wellness; Nutrition; and Sportswear will contributes to the international equestrian and “Good, steady golf again,” Kuchar said. “I’ve been be present at the event. business community, highlighting Qatar’s role playing some nice golf. I’m excited to be in the final group Unlike previous years where Al Shaqab as a global sporting destination.” tomorrow.” was the host venue of the LGCT finals, this year “Al Shaqab is also proud that CHI Al Shaqab Justin Thomas, who started the day one stroke off will see the spectacular venue providing the always serves as an important event for the Fowler’s lead, nabbed four of his five birdies on the back perfect backdrop to kick off this thrilling local community as well. The Festival Area is nine in a 68 that put him alone in third on 198. competition. extremely popular and this year there will truly He was two strokes in front of South Korean An CHI stands for Concours Hippique Inter- be something for everyone in terms of enter- Byeong-hun (66) and South African Branden Grace (69). national or “Equestrian International Compe- tainment and fun activities. I would like to Fowler separated himself from his pursuers with four tition”, and is Al Shaqab’s signature event. With encourage everyone in Qatar to attend CHI Al birdies in his first six holes -- including a 37-footer at the ExxonMobil as the main sponsor, the compe- Shaqab 2019, the first leg of the Longines fifth. tition will see top riders compete in three Global Champions Tour 2019, and the Qatar Fowler called the long birdie putts -- including his Olympic equestrian disciplines of Show- International Sports and Fitness Exhibition, 18-footer at the first -- a bonus. jumping; Dressage; and Para Dressage. as I’m confident they will leave Al Shaqab with “Took advantage of some opportunities,” he said. “It CHI Al Shaqab is the first equestrian com- unforgettable memories.” was fun.” petition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia Tickets for both the first leg of the Longines After his lone bogey of the day, from a greenside bunker region to be sanctioned by the International Global Champions Tour 2019 and CHI Al at the seventh, Fowler picked up three more birdies coming Equestrian Federation. Attracting the best ath- Shaqab went on sale yesterday, and are in at the ninth, 11th and 13th. letes and horses from around the world since available on the Al Shaqab website (www. Thomas, playing in the last group alongside Fowler its inception in 2013, it is one of only five inter- alshaqab.com). Children under the age of 6 and Grace, took a while to find his groove. He bounced national equestrian events to showcase three will enjoy free entry to public areas of both back from a bogey at the second with a birdie at the third, or more equestrian disciplines. competitions. For the first time, exclusive VIP but bogeyed the ninth to make the turn one-over for the Capturing the excitement and spirit of top- tables and boxes have been introduced this day. class sport, CHI Al Shaqab further strengthens year to enable corporate organisations to Thomas warmed up on the back nine, where his four Qatar’s status as a hub for international entertain their highly valued clients and special birdies included a chip-in at the 11th and a 16-footer at 17. sporting competition, while paying tribute to guests to witness and enjoy two world-class Fowler was looking forward to playing alongside his Qatar’s rich equestrian heritage. equestrian competitions in Qatar. good friend Thomas and Kuchar. MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 11 World’s best clubs ready for Al Kass Cup

THE PENINSULA PAST WINNERS to be used to review decisions DOHA made by the head referee with 2012: Paris Saint-Germain the use of video footage and a World’s best U-17 teams from 12 2013: Fluminense headset for communication. countries are set to compete in 2014: Aspire Football Dreams For the first time, the tour- the 2019 Al Kass International 2015: Paris Saint-Germain nament will star female referees Cup, starting today at Doha’s 2016: Aspire Football Dreams from all over the world. They are

Aspire Academy. 2017: Real Madrid sent by FIFA to prepare them for The event, which will con- 2018: Paris Saint-Germain 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup tinue till February 15 on the that takes place from June 7 to pitches of Aspire Academy, gives July 7, 2019 in . fans a chance to the best talent Other participating teams Ward Abdallah, Member of in the world. include Real Madrid (Spain), the Organising Committee of the Yesterday, the technical Kashiwa Reysol (Japan), Rangers Al Kass International Cup, said: meeting with officials from all 12 FC (Scotland), Raja Club Athletic “We are honoured to welcome teams was held at The Torch (Morocco), AS Roma (Italy), FC some of the world’s top youth Hotel, one of the two official Bayern München (Germany), teams to Qatar to compete in the accommodation hotels for the Altinordu FK (Turkey), Étoile eighth Al Kass International Cup tournament with the other being Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia), FC – a tournament that grants Al Aziziya Boutique Hotel. Spartak Moscow (Russia) and young players an opportunity to Qatar’s Aspire Academy will Suwon Samsung Bluewings showcase and enhance their Officials during the technical meeting on the eve of Al Kass International Cup at The Torch Hotel in add local flavour to the tour- (South Korea). football skills.” Doha, yesterday. nament, which was last year won The 2019 edition of the tour- The first day of the tour- competition starts with the game 1, Qatar’s Aspire Academy is games live with both Arabic and by Paris St. Germain (France), nament has a couple of new nament already offers many between last year’s finalists Paris facing Raja Club Athletic from English commentaries. who now hold the record of features. highlights: After the opening cer- Saint-Germain and Kashiwa Morocco at 6:45pm. Live streaming of all the being the only team to win three For the first time the video emony, taking place on Pitch 5 Reysol at 4:35pm. Official tournament sponsor matches will available on http:// titles. assistant referee (VAR) is going of Aspire Academy, the In the second match of Day Al Kass TV will broadcast all the internationalcup.alkass.net. Aguero scores hat-trick Messi fitness in doubt ahead of as City down Arsenal Real Madrid clash

AFP AFP you more but I don’t know MANCHESTER BARCELONA exactly. “He had a little problem, Manchester City closed to within Barcelona coach Ernesto as some of the others will two points of Premier League Valverde remains hopeful have too. We will wait to see leaders Liverpool thanks to Lionel Messi (pictured) will what the doctors tell us when Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick in a 3-1 be fit to face Real Madrid on they do the tests and we will win over Arsenal yesterday. Wednesday, despite the look at it. I cannot guess any- For the second time in a striker feeling a “small thing but we imagine that it week, Aguero scored inside the problem” during Saturday’s can’t be too bad.” first minute to give City the 2-2 draw with Valencia. Messi’s absence at the perfect start. Barca face Madrid in the Camp Nou would be a blow However, just like in a shock first leg of the Copa del Rey to Barcelona, particularly defeat at Newcastle on Tuesday, semi-finals and Valverde said with the Argentinian in such the champions failed to press Messi had felt some dis- blistering form. home their advantage as Laurent comfort against Valencia, His double against Koscielny profited from some after scoring twice to salvage Valencia means he has now slack defending to head home his team a point. scored in nine consecutive an equaliser just 10 minutes “We have to wait until matches, while registering a later. tomorrow to do the tests to total of 12 goals in that period. Pep Guardiola’s men were see how he is, like the other Barca might also be cau- knocked out of their stride for players,”p aye s, Valverde Va ve de said. sa d. tious, given they have a most of the remainder of the first “I“I don’tdon’t knowknow testingtesting monthmonth ofof fixturesfixtures half, but retook the lead in style too muchmuch more.more. ahead.ahead. Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (centre) watches the ball cross the line to score just a minute before the break WeWe hopehope hehe can TheyThey playplay their third goal and complete his hat-trick as Arsenal’s German goalkeeper Bernd Leno (second right) when Ilkay Gundogan’s recover,recover, jusjustt MadridMadrid tthreehree times delightful lofted pass teed up tries to save during their Premier League match in Manchester, yesterday. llikei k e theth e inin tthehe next fourfour Raheem Sterling to cross for others.”others.” weeks,weeks, twice in the Aguero to tap home. Having missed a simple United since Ryan Giggs in away by David de Gea, and AAskedsked cupcup and once in La The same two players com- header early on, Rashford made December 1993. Rachid Ghezzal’s 77th minute whatwhat thethe Liga. ThereThere wiwillll alsoalso bined for the Argentine to secure up for it in the eighth minute He and Pogba have been in free kick was flying in before the problemp roblem bebe two llegsegs agagainstainst his 10th Premier League hat- when he latched onto a lovely superb form since former Man- Spanish goalkeeper tipped it wwas,as, Val-Val- LyonLyon to nenegotiategotiate in tthehe trick in controversial fashion as dink from Paul Pogba over the chester United favourite Sol- over. “It was a great finish,” said verdeverde said:said: “I last 1616 ooff thethe the ball came back off Aguero’s Leicester defence to smash the skjaer took over at Old Trafford Solskjaer. don’tdon’t knowknow,, I ChampionsChampions arm before rolling over the line ball past Kasper Schmeichel from the sacked Jose Mourinho “Against a Schmeichel wouldw ould League.League. just after the hour mark. from close range. in December, guiding the club (Leicester goalkeeper Kasper) likelike to Earlier yesterday, Man- The victory moved United to nine wins and a draw in all you would think you might want tellt e ll chester United striker Marcus onto 48 points, two adrift of competitions. to try through his legs but it was Rashford scored on his 100th Chelsea in fourth place, while After being second best in a great finish and the kid is Premier League appearance to Leicester stayed 11th on 32. the first half, Leicester came improving and improving. secure a 1-0 win over Leicester Twenty-one-year-old roaring back in the second, and “Good players make each City that kept interim manager Rashford is the youngest player should have equalised. other better, don’t they, and I can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dream to reach a century of top-flight Jamie Vardy’s 61st minute only explain goals like this with start going at his old club. appearances for Manchester overhead volley was clawed quality.” Rooney suffers Hazard backs Higuain to succeed in England leg injury in REUTERS New signing Gonzalo striker... he can hold the ball, preseason win LONDON Higuain scored twice he can play one touch, he’s in Chelsea’s win over intelligent. In the box he’s AFP Chelsea playmaker Eden unbelievable, so he will score MIAMI Hazard described new signing Huddersfield Town. more goals, I think,” he Gonzalo Higuain as ‘unbe- added. English star striker Wayne Rooney played lievable’ in the box after the Next up for Chelsea is an only 18 minutes on Saturday after Argentina international scored “It was hard but I think the away game against Man- suffering a lower right leg injury in DC twice in Saturday’s 5-0 manager wanted us to chester City. United’s 1-0 preseason victory over Beth- thrashing of the Premier respond and we did,” said Hazard believes his team lehem Steel at Clearwater, Florida. League’s bottom side Hazard. have a good chance of beating Rooney, whose mid-season arrival Huddersfield Town. Higuain worked under defending champions City for last year helped lift United from the Major Chelsea signed Higuain in Chelsea manager Maurizio the second time this season. League Soccer basement into a play-off January and bounced back Sarri at Napoli, scoring 38 Chelsea won the reverse spot, was removed as a precaution and is from a disappointing 4-0 times in their final season fixture at Stamford Bridge 2-0 listed as day-to-day, according to the club defeat at Bournemouth in together at the Italian side in at the start of December. in a league website posting. midweek with a rampant per- 2015-16. “We need to be focused,” Rooney said the knock he received on formance against Town, with Hazard said he had ben- Hazard added. his lower right shin similar to a few both Hazard and Higuain efited from training with “It’s going to be a different injuries he had suffered before, the Wash- netting two goals each. Higuain for the past 10 days game than two or three ington Post reported. “We all needed that,” and backed his new team- months ago. I think they will Rooney is expected to be fit in time for Belgium international Hazard mate to be a success in have the ball, because it’s City, Thursday’s preseason match-up against told Chelsea’s TV channel. England. they have these sort of players new MLS expansion club FC Cincinnati, “We did well, so just happy ”We’ve improved to play together. Chelsea’s Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain waves at the according to DC United, which dubbed the with the result, the way we together,” he said. “But we will defend well end of the English Premier League match against Huddersfield setback a minor knock and said the former played today, especially after “We’ve trained together and then we will score one star was removed as a precaution. Town at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday. the game on Wednesday. now for 10 days. He’s a great goal or two.” MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 09 There was pressure last year, a lot of pressure when we played FOOTBALL FOOTBALL Manchester City away in the Juergen Klopp Liverpool vs Spanish Le liga quarter-finals of the Champions Liverpool manager dismisses West Ham United Rayo Vallecano talks of his team crumbling League, and we dealt with it. under pressure. ACTION Kickoff: 11 pm vs Leganés, 11 pm TODAY’S

Manateq Qatar National Sprint Championship 2019 West Indies crush England again for series victory

AFP NORTHSOUND, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Kemar Roach and captain Jason Holder led another rout of the England batting line-up as the West Indies completed a crushing series-clinching 10-wicket victory after tea on The podium winners at the Manateq Qatar National Sprint Championship 2019 pose for a picture at Losail International Circuit yesterday. RIGHT: The prize winners at the the third day of the second Manateq Qatar National Sprint Championship are seen along with Qatar Motor and Motorcycle President Abdul Rahman Al Mannai at Losail International Circuit yesterday. Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday. Trailing by 119 runs at the start of the second innings after Darren Bravo’s ultra-patient half-century Sri Lanka chase massive total extended the West Indies first innings total to 306 in AFP SCOREBOARD “It made it tougher to try and the morning, England were CANBERRA concentrate and go out and demolished for 132 with Australia (I innings) ...... 534-5 decl. execute my skills,” he said, Roach and Holder claiming Usman Khawaja finally found Sri Lanka (I innings) ...... 215 adding that it had been “very four wickets each. Australia (II innings) ...... 196-3 decl. form again to stroke a fine Sri Lanka (II innings) taxing mentally”. Openers Kraigg century yesterday and steer D Karunaratne (not out) ...... 8 It was Australia’s fourth Brathwaite and John Australia into a massive lead L Thirimanne (not out) ...... 8 century of the match after Joe Campbell then enjoyed the over Sri Lanka as the tourists Extras (LB1) ...... 1 Burns, Travis Head and Kurtis formality of knocking off the battle to stay in the second Test Total: (no wickets; six overs) ...... 17 Patterson reached the milestone 14 runs required for victory at Canberra. Did not bat: Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, in the first innings. in 2.1 overs, Campbell sealing At stumps, the visitors were Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Paine declared with Khawaja the result in style by hoisting 17 without loss, chasing a huge Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Chamika Karu- on 101 and Head not out 59, fol- James Anderson for six over naratne, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha 516 to win with two days lowing his first innings 161. midwicket. Bowling: Starc 3-1-6-0, Richardson 2-0-9-0, remaining after Tim Paine Lyon 1-0-1-0 But it was far from plain Following on a 381-run declared Australia’s second sailing. Marcus Harris again failed, hammering of the visitors in innings at 196 for three. out for 14 with Kusal Mendis the first Test in Barbados a Dimuth Karunaratne and taking a superb diving catch at slip week earlier, the result gave Lahiru Thirimanne were both off Kasun Rajitha, throwing his the West Indies the series 2-0 unbeaten on eight, weathering Ashes place into question. Mendis with the final match of the some 30 minutes before bad held another catch to dismiss rubber starting next Saturday Australia’s Usman Khawaja celebrates light stopped play slightly early. Burns for nine, this time off in St Lucia. reaching his century during day three of Sri Lanka had resumed the Vishwa Fernando, and Rajitha West Indies have also the second Test match against Sri Lanka third day at 123 for three and in struck again to remove Marnus reclaimed the Wisden at the Manuka Oval Cricket Ground in a hostile morning session lost Labuschagne for four. Trophy, symbol of supremacy Canberra, yesterday. four wickets and Kusal Perera, In an incident-packed in Test series between the who retired after being hit on the morning, Jhye Richardson and two teams, after almost 10 head by a bouncer. follow-on in Australia’s last Test in a lacklustre summer. He for myself,” said Khawaja, who Pat Cummins opened with a slew years in England hands. Their resistence folded in the batting opportunity before the responded in emphatic fashion, admitted it had been a tough few of bouncers. Both Perera, who These two compre- second over after lunch, with Ashes tour to England later this smashing his eighth Test ton off months on and off the field. resumed on 11, and Dhananjaya hensive victories also mark Mitchell Starc taking five wickets year. 134 balls. His brother was charged in de Silva, on one overnight, took the first occasion since the to leave them trailing by 319 after Khawaja padded up knowing “Obviously getting a hundred December with trying to blows to the head in the opening 1994 tour of the Caribbean Australia’s first innings 534 for his place in that squad was in and setting up another game that influence a witness over a case two overs. Perera was then hit that the West Indies have five declared. doubt after managing a high- we can hopefully win, that’s the where he allegedly framed a love flush on the helmet ducking into beaten England in successive Paine opted against the score of just 72 across six Tests ultimate feeling for the team and rival with a fake terror plot. a Richardson ball on 27. Tests. India win fifth ODI, clinch series 4-1 AFP SCOREBOARD WELLINGTON India New Zealand R Sharma b Henry ...... 2 C Munro b Shami ...... 24 A commanding knock of 90 by S Dhawan c Henry b Boult ...... 6 H Nicholls c Jadhav b Shami ...... 8 Ambati Rayudu rescued India S Gill c Santner b Henry ...... 7 K Williamson c Dhawan b Jadhav ...... 39 SCOREBOARD from deep trouble and saw them A Rayudu c Munro b Henry ...... 90 R Taylor lbw Pandya ...... 1 beat New Zealand by 35 runs in M Dhoni b Boult ...... 1 T Latham lbw Chahal ...... 37 South Africa the fifth one-day international V Shankar run out (Neesham/Munro) ...... 45 J Neesham run out (Dhoni) ...... 44 R Hendricks run out (Shadab Khan) ...... 28 J Malan st M Rizwan b Imad Wasim ...... 33 in Wellington yesterday to wrap K Jadhav b Henry ...... 34 C de Grandhomme lbw Chahal ...... 11 South Africa’s David Miller H van der Dussen c I Wasim b S Shah Afridi 45 up the series 4-1. H Pandya c Boult b Neesham ...... 45 M Santner c Shami b Pandya ...... 22 B Kumar c Taylor b Boult ...... 6 T Astle lbw Chahal ...... 10 plays a shot during the D Miller (not out) ...... 65 Captain Rohit Sharma M Shami run out (Boult) ...... 1 M Henry (not out) ...... 17 second T20 match against H Klaasen (not out) ...... 5 admitted he took a gamble -- Y Chahal (not out) ...... 0 T Boult c Shami b Kumar ...... 1 Pakistan at The Wanderers Extras (LB4, NB1, W7) ...... 12 and Rayudu made sure it paid Total (3 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 188 Extras (B 5, LB 7, WD 2 NB1) ...... 15 Extras: (WD 3) ...... 3 Cricket Stadium in off -- when he opted to bat first Total (for all out) ...... 252 Total (all outs) ...... 217 Fall of wickets: 1-58, 2-90, 3-126 Johannesburg, yesterday. instead of playing to India’s run- Fall: 1-8, 2-12, 3-17, 4-18, 5-116, 6-190, 7-203, Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-37, 3-38, 4-105, 5-119, Bowling: Imad Wasim 4-1-9-1, Shaheen Shah chasing strength. 8-248, 9-252, 10-252 6-135, 7-176, 8-194, 9-204, 10-217 Afridi 4-0-27-1 (5w), Usman Shinwari 4-0-63-0, They made a disastrous start Bowling: Henry 10-1-35-4 (1nb), Boult 9.5-2- Bowling: Kumar 7.1-0-38-1, Shami 8-0-35-2 Hasan Ali 4-0-48-0 (1w), Shadab Khan 3-0-25-0, Fakhar Zaman 1-0-12-0 and were four for 18 before 39-3 (2w), Neesham 5-0-33-1, de Grandhomme (1w), Pandya 8-1-50-2 (1w), Shankar 4-0-19-0, 7-0-33-0, Munro 10-0-47-0, Santner 3-0-18-0, Chahal 10-0-41-3, Jadhav 7-0-34-1 (1w) Did not bat: A Phehlukwayo, C Morris, L Sipamla, Rayudu, with help from Vijay Astle 5-0-35-0 Result: India won by 35 runs SA halt Pakistan’s T20 B Hendricks, J Dala, T Shamsi Shankar, steered the side to 252 Pakistan and New Zealand in reply were Babar Azam c Dala b B Hendricks ...... 90 all out for 217. wanted to test ourselves, how the attack, putting on 98 for the series winning streak Fakhar Zaman c Malan b B Hendricks ...... 14 “That partnership was we bat,” Sharma said. fifth wicket before Shankar was Hussain Talat b Morris ...... 55 crucial,” Sharma said. “We required guys to show run out at 45. AFP in India in March 2016.Pakistan Asif Ali c R Hendricks b Phehlukwayo ...... 2 “It was not easy after losing character and they came out and Rayudu, who faced 84 deliv- JOHANNESBURG were on track to overhaul South Shoaib Malik c Van der Dussen b Phehlukwayo 6 Imad Wasim b Morris...... 6 four wickets at the start and then showed a lot of character today.” eries to reach 44, needed only Africa’s 188 for three until Azam Hasan Ali b Phehlukwayo ...... 1 to build that partnership and get Four months out from the World 27 more for his remaining 46 Babar Azam hit a majestic 90 was out off the first ball of the Mohammad Rizwan not out ...... 0 to a decent total, I thought 250 Cup the series highlighted the runs in an innings that included but Pakistan’s long streak of 17th over. It started a collapse Shadab Khan (not out) ...... 1 was a really good score on that gulf between second-ranked eight fours and four sixes. series wins came to an end in in which six wickets fell for 34 Extras (NB1, W5) ...... 6 pitch.” India and third-ranked New He had a life on 60 when the second Twenty20 interna- runs in four overs. Total (7 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 181 India went into the match Zealand. dropped by Boult and was even- tional against South Africa at The contrast between the Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-147, 3-158, 4-168, with an unbeatable 3-1 lead in It did look as if India were tually removed when Henry, the Wanderers Stadium two innings was stark. South 5-174, 6-180, 7-180 the series and looking to atone heading for another defeat when New Zealand’s most successful yesterday. Africa started slowly but stand- Bowling: B Hendricks 3-0-30-2 (1nb, 1w), Morris 3-0-36-2 (1w), Sipamla 4-0-23-0 (1w), Dala 2-0- for their sole loss, an eight- Matt Henry and Trent Boult bowler, came back for his South Africa took a winning in captain David Miller plun- 25-0 (1w), Shamsi 4-0-31-0, Phehlukwayo 4-0- wicket defeat in the previous ripped out the first four wickets second spell. 2-0 lead in the three-match dered an unbeaten 65 off 29 36-3 (1w) match. in under 10 overs. Hardik Pandya provided late series with a dramatic seven- balls as the hosts scored 127 Did not bat: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Shin- “If the series was on the line But when the swing bowlers fireworks for India with 45 off run win. Pakistan had not lost runs off the last ten overs, wari. I would have batted second, it’s were taken out of the equation, 22 deliveries, while Henry fin- a T20 series since they were including 29 off the final over Result: South Africa won by seven runs our strength to chase but we Rayudu and Shankar toyed with ished with four for 35. eliminated from the World T20 bowled by Usman Shinwari.