’s Chaudhry collects 15 to set T20I bowling milestone page 15

sunday, january 5, 2020

Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2020 draw Top seed Wawrinka, Raonic in likely semis showdown youngest American to ranked Verdasco in in the top-50 with a career-high ranking of 29. all-Spanish “I really like it so far. The courts are really nice, the sta- opening round dium is also pretty nice, pretty big,” he said soon after the with Andujar draw. On the road ahead, he said, Vinay Nayudu “I’ve been on the tour for five Doha years now and it’s time I start to decide to do the right things The last New Year when Stan- everyday and play good tennis islas Wawrinka arrived in Doha each time I play, give out my he was recovering from a knee best. surgery that had kept him away “I’m pretty excited with the for almost six months in 2018. draw. There are some good guys This time though the Swissman in the mix, some young guys. I ‘Stan the Man’ is all excited, fit am just looking to get out there and raring to go at the USD1.4 and compete and hopefully get million Qatar ExxonMobil some wins.” Open 2020 tournament which Qatar Tennis Federation begins at the Khalifa Interna- Secretary-General Tariq Dar- tional Tennis & Squash Com- wish Zainal, who graced the plex on Monday. draw ceremony along with QTF “Can’t wait for the tourna- Executive Director Saad al Mo- ment to start”, was what the hannadi, Tournament Director three-time cham- Karim Alami, and Mohammed pion had tweeted soon after al Yousuf of ExxonMobil Qatar, his arrival with a picture of him welcomed the challenging draw training at the gym two days and predicted a Rublev-Waw- ago. rinka final. The draw for the tourna- Frances Tiafoe of the US, of , Jeremy Chardy of and Jaziri Malek of with Qatar Tennis Federation Executive Director Saad al Mohannadi, QTF “Maybe Rublev and Waw- ment, which was held at the Secretary-General Tariq Darwish Zainal, Tournament Director Karim Alami, and Mohammed al Yousuf of ExxonMobil Qatar soon after the draw ceremony at Marsa Malaz Kempinski rinka would be in the final... Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel at The Pearl-Qatar on Saturday. We also have the 2012 winner on Saturday evening, may have in Tsonga,” he said hoping for also made Wawrinka smile a American or American and 8th seed Frances Pavic/Soares lead doubles field a thrilling finale to the tourna- bit more. Top-seeded, the Swiss a qualifier in the second round, Tiafoe occupy the two seeded ment. has a bye in the opening round while sixth seed Filip Kra- positions in the third quarter of Mate Pavic (Croatia) and Brazilian Bruno Soares will face wild cards Marton Fucsovics (Hungary) Welcoming all the play- and could meet Frenchman jinovic () will meet Kyle the draw. and Fernando Verdasco of Spain in their first doubles match of the season at the QatarE xxonMobil ers, he said, “We also gave wild Jeremy Chardy or a qualifier in Edmund, who replaced injured Tsonga will begin his quest Open 2020. cards to Malek Jaziri of Tunisia, the second round and his open- Frenchman for a second trophy in Qatar The top seeds will be aiming to lift their second title as a team after reaching two champion- Turkish player Cem Ilkel, Ital- ing match of the 2020 ATP (winner in 2013), in his season against Miomir Kecmanovic ship matches in 2019. Pavic and Soares picked up their maiden team trophy at the Rolex Shanghai ian Marco Cecchinato (world Tour season, as he bids to lift opener. (Serbia) or Thompson Masters. ranked 70), and also to our na- the Falcon trophy for the first The bottom half of the draw (). Former champions Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin (France) will also be bidding to claim a tional player Rashed Nawaf (in time. is headed by 2018 finalist An- Doha-resident Fernando second crown in Doha. The 2017 titlists share the top half of the draw with Pavic and Soares and doubles).” Wawrinka had lost in the drey Rublev of . The Verdasco had a tough luck of will open their campaign against Indian and Artem Sitak of Russia. He expected a great week of final in 2008 to Britain’s Andy 22-year-old Russian returns for draw as he meets compatriot Second seeds Henri Kontinen (Finland) and Croatian Franko Skugor will meet wild cards Malek tennis ahead. “The weather is Murray, and since then has the third straight year, having Pablo Andujar also feature in Jaziri (Tunisia) and Rashed Nawaf (Qatar) in their first-round match. good at this time compared to been having a roller coaster won five of seven matches in an all-Spanish first-round en- The Finnish-Croatian tandem are joined in the bottom half of the draw by Rohan Bopanna of Europe. We hope the spectators ride in Doha including having his previous two tournament counter. and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof. will enjoy the tournament as we to pull out once following in- appearances. But the pro that he is, Ver- have seen brisk ticket sales. jury. Rublev, who is joined in the dasco said, “These things hap- “Organizing committee is The currently world-ranked bottom quarter by fifth seed pen. I have to stay focused and draw from Spain. Will just try are it’s still going to be tough.” to have a better 2020 and put in all set. We are proud of having No. 16 will surely be looking to Laslo Djere, awaits the winner make a good start. It’s never to do my best and play as best Despite pushing 30s, Ver- some better performances and won the best ATP tournament make amends. The 34-year- of wild card Malek Jaziri (Tu- nice to play a Spanish player. as possible. dasco is now injury free and fight for a big title,” he said. prize last year as well for a third old, who has a 6-5 win-loss re- nisia) and ’s We’ve known each other for “It’s a tough draw for eve- hopes for a good run. “Last Frances Tiafoe, who made time in five years. We will con- cord here, is also likely to meet () first-round clash. many years and he’s a good rybody. It’s a really good draw. year I had knee injury which the quarter- tinue to make our best efforts to the 4th seeded of Former champion (2012) friend on court. But you can’t No matter who you gonna play affected me for a few months. final in 2019, is playing his first provide the best at the tourna- Canada in the semi-finals. and 3rd seed Jo-Wilfried Tson- choose your opponent. Also, it’s going to be tough or no mat- It was hard period to play with tournament in Qatar. Seeded ment to the players and fans,” For Raonic, it could be ga of France and promising he’s the only other player in the ter which side of the draw you that pain in the knee. So I hope 8th, the 21-year-old is the he added. Nadal and Djokovic off to winning starts at ATP Cup AFP the year that the vice-like hold Yoshihito Nishioka routed Sydney of Djokovic, Nadal and Roger higher-ranked Pablo Cuevas Federer on Grand Slam titles 6-0, 6-1 and veteran Rafael Nadal and Novak would come to an end. thrashed Martin Cuevas, Pa- Djokovic kickstarted their He is tipped as one of blo’s younger brother, 6-1, 6-3 build-up to the Australian those who could make the before a tighter doubles en- Open with straight sets wins breakthrough, along with Al- counter. at the ATP Cup Saturday, but exander Zverev and Stefanos French duo Gael Monfils world number four Dominic Tsitsipas. But all three have and Benoit Paire, both in the Thiem slumped to defeat. been beaten in their opening top 25, led their country to a Top-ranked Nadal had ATP Cup clashes. 2-1 Group A win over , little trouble with Georgia’s Thiem, who won five titles while scraped past , racing to last year, had six break points by the same score. a 6-3, 7-5 victory, while long- in the third set against Croa- But it was a struggle for time rival Djokovic was given tia’s Borna Coric, but failed to the South Americans with more of a test by South Af- convert any of them. Polish number one Hubert rica’s before “It’s really nice to beat him Hurkacz upsetting world overcoming him 7-6 (7/5), because at the end of last sea- number 14 Diego Schwartz- 7-6 (8/6). son I was not playing well and man in three sets. Their wins ensured Spain celebrates his victory against Kevin Anderson during this will give me a lot of confi- Guido Pella won the other and Serbia clinched their their men’s singles match on day two of the ATP Cup on Saturday. (afp) dence,” said Coric, ranked 28 singles before Maximo Gon- ties at the inaugural 24-na- and who suffered six losses in zalez and Andres Molteni tion team event, where the and Australia. vic needed to produce some a row in late 2019. teamed to down Hurkacz and countries are split into six “I’m super, super happy of his best tennis to see off the Fellow Croat Marin Cilic, a two-time Grand Slam winner groups across Sydney, Bris- to be here in Perth for first big-serving Anderson, admit- finalist at the 2018 Australian Lukasz Kubot in the deciding bane and Perth. time in my life. It’s an amaz- ting it was a testing encounter. Open, used his experience to doubles. The top eight from the ing arena and a great crowd,” “What a way to start the down ’s Dennis Novak Some US$15 million in round robin go onto the said Nadal. year,” he said. “He was on fire 6-7 (7/4), 6-4, 6-4, and ensure prize money is at stake in the knockout phase in Sydney “It was tough first match tonight -- I think the quality of Croatia won the tie in Sydney. tournament, with up to 750 before one is eventually of the season, not an easy tennis was quite high. “I was The most dominant win singles and 250 doubles ATP crowned the winner. start. But I think I played a very pleased with the way I of the day came courtesy of rankings points up for grabs. France, Argentina, Croa- great game.” kind of weathered the storm.” , who are without the Under the innovative tia and Japan also began Earlier, his teammate His teammate Dusan La- injured Kei Nishikori but tournament rules, on-court their tournament in style, jovic outlasted crushed 3-0 in Perth, coaching is allowed and team Rafael Nadal Spain hits a return against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Geor- winning their ties to join day crushed a hapless Aleksan- 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. dropping just 15 games across zones are in the corners of gia during their men’s singles match on day two of the ATP Cup in one victors , Bulgar- dre Metreveli 6-0, 6-0. Austria’s Thiem forecast their two singles and one dou- the court, rather than on the Perth on Saturday. (afp) ia, Canada, , Russia Serbian superstar Djoko- this week that 2020 would be bles rubbers. sidelines by the umpire. Sports Sunday, January 5, 2020 13 Al Khor stun Al Sailiya 2-1; Al Duhail held as Mandzukic makes QSL bow Al Duhail top QSL Standings (Top 5) Club MP W D L GF GA GD Pts table with 30 1. Al Duhail 12 9 3 0 24 10 14 30 points after 12 2. Al Rayyan 12 8 4 0 28 9 19 28 3. Al Gharafa 12 6 2 4 22 18 4 20 matches 4. Al Arabi 11 5 3 3 22 13 9 18 Tribune News Network 5. Al Sadd 10 6 0 4 27 19 8 18 Doha before two quickfire attempts Al Khor beat Al Sailiya 2-1 in from Yousef Msakni failed to the QNB Stars League at the challenge the scoreboard. Al Khor Stadium on Saturday. In spite of the lack of goals, The win moves Khor to 10th it was certainly a feisty match place, one point above the rel- as both teams were made to egation places. work hard for the few opportu- Meanwhile in the late nities that were created. Paulo game, Croatian star and Cham- Edmilson and Mandzukic both pions League winner Mario went close for Al Duhail in the Mandzukic made his Qatar Al Duhail’s Mario Mandzukic second half, but were unable to Stars League debut as Al Du- makes his QSL debut against make the pressure count. hail struggled to a barren draw Qatar Sports Club on Saturday. The clearest opportunity against Qatar Sports Club. for a match winner came from Karim Ansari put Al Sailiya was unlucky to have an early Kayke when he found himself ahead in the 18th minute, only goal chalked off for a marginal free in the area and, from an to see Helal Mohammed equal- offside decision. acute angle, executed a glori- ise for Al Khor in the 29th min- Qatar SC took confidence ous chipped shot over the goal- ute. However, Ibrahim Amada from that call and they too keeper which drifted agonis- struck the winning goal in the had a goal disallowed midway ingly wide of the upright. 83rd minute as The Knights through the first half when A draw was a fair result moved on to nine points with Sardor Rashidov’s clinical fin- between the teams and Qatar their second victory. Al Khor players celebrate scoring the winner against Al Sailiya during their QNB Stars League match on Saturday. ish was ruled out by the lines- SC will be the most content Al Sailiya, who are keen to man for offside. as they now have 14 points. Al be in the top four like they did points as they suffered their Al Gharafa Stadium on Satur- into the starting line-up, Qa- warded as they restricted the The away side went close Duhail climb to 30 points and last season when they ended fifth defeat. day. tar SC set out to deny any clear rivals throughout. again when Kayke Rodrigues marginally extended their lead up third for their best-ever fin- Qatar SC held the leaders With Al Duhail’s new star opening from the off and their The former Juventus man forced Amine Lecomte into an over second-placed Al Rayyan ish in the league, stood on 17 Al Duhail to a 0-0 draw at the attraction Mandzukic straight resolute defending was re- made a big impression and excellent save from distance, to two points.

Aspire Zone attracts top Man Utd draw at Wolves in FA Cup; teams for training camps Tribune News Network its world class training, accom- Man City, Leicester cruise through Doha modation and entertainment facilities. Aspire Zone Foundation Bayern Munich are sched- with 16 minutes left. (AZF) is gearing up to host com- uled to visit from January 4– Premier League Midfielder Arter had only prehensive football training 10, Holland’s PSV Eindhoven sides Aston Villa, been on the pitch for one min- camps for a number of world- from Jan 4-12, Belgium’s Club ute and 45 seconds before class teams this January. Time Brugge from Jan 4-12, AFC Ajax Brighton knocked scoring his first goal since No- and again, these teams return to from Jan 4-12, Kas Eupen from out in third round vember 2017. AZF during the northern hemi- Jan 7-14, FC Zenit from Jan 13- “The game was won by two sphere’s winter to benefit from 25, and Red Bull Salzburg from wonder-goals,” Smith said. “I Qatar’s perfect outdoor training Jan 16-26. AFP don’t like losing in any compe- weather at this time of the year Aspire training camps at- London tition, but everyone could see and prepare for a range of inter- tract athletes from the Middle this wasn’t top of our priority national and continental tour- East, Asia, the Americas, Eu- Spluttering Manchester list, because we have had inju- naments in ideal settings. rope and beyond, helping to United were forced to settle ries to three key players.” During this year’s train- demonstrate sport’s ability to for a dour 0-0 draw at Wolves Brighton endured the ing camp season, AZF has an- bridge cultures. This year, AZF in the FA Cup third round, same fate as Villa as Albion nounced that it will host 10 in- has high hopes for further suc- while holders Manchester boss Graham Potter made ternational football teams, all of cess in using sport to bring peo- City started their bid to retain seven changes from their New whom are eager to benefit from ple together. the trophy with a 4-1 victory Year’s Day draw against Chel- against Port Vale on Saturday. sea and second tier Sheffield Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Wednesday took advantage troubled side didn’t manage with a 1-0 win at the Amex a single shot on target in the Stadium. Real dismantle gutsy Getafe latest in a growing list of un- Adam Reach blasted derwhelming displays. Wednesday into the fourth AFP one point above Barcelona, who Easily beaten by Arse- round with a deflected long- Madrid play later on Saturday against nal in the Premier League range strike in the 65th min- Catalan rivals Espanyol. on Wednesday, United once ute. Real Madrid made an impres- Getafe remain seventh again struggled to find any Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal “Credit to Sheffieldsive start to the year as they and very much in the race for momentum and now face an of the English FA Cup third round football match against Port Vale at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday, they deserve to picked apart a robust Getafe Champions League qualifica- unwanted replay at Old Traf- Saturday. (AFP) go through. We huffed and side to win 3-0 in La Liga on tion. Another excellent season ford later in January. puffed but our second-half Saturday. under coach Jose Bordalas is Solskjaer made seven won it in the closing moments ing for City after a month team changes. performance was disappoint- Raphael Varane was the in- proving last year’s remarkable changes at Molineux with the as Raul Jimenez smashed out with a hamstring injury, Villa are languishing just ing. We need to do better,” stigator of two goals at the Coli- top-four challenge was far from League Cup semi-final first against a post, leaving Solsk- the 34-year-old Pope backed above the relegation zone Potter said. seum Alfonso Perez, first pres- a fluke. leg against Manchester City jaer’s men with just two wins up his social media taunts after a difficult first season Watford blew a three-goal suring Getafe David Soria into a But their usually stubborn looming on Tuesday. from their last five matches. by equalising with a glancing back in the top-flight and lead in a dramatic 3-3 draw missed punch and an own-goal defence was overly-generous as Knocked out by Wolves At the Etihad Stadium, header in the 35th minute. boss Dean Smith prioritised against third tier strugglers before himself heading home a Soria’s mistake and then a free in the FA Cup quarter-finals City boss Pep Guardiola made Sergio Aguero restored or- that survival battle with nine Tranmere, while Newcastle cross from Toni Kroos. header put Madrid in charge last season, disjointed United seven changes, but Oleksandr der when he fired City back in changes against second tier were held to a 1-1 draw by “I’m happy with his perfor- before Modric completed what nearly fell behind when Matt Zinchenko got the scoring front with his 15th goal of the Fulham. League One minnows Roch- mance but it’s especially impor- was, in the end, a comfortable Doherty’s volley was superbly started against fourth-tier season three minutes before Anthony Knockaert gave dale. tant when Sergio Ramos isn’t win. turned away by Sergio Romero. Vale after 20 minutes. half-time. Fulham the lead at Craven Leicester advanced with a there, to have another leader,” “We did it and we did it by Brandon Williams had a Port Vale striker Tom Pope Harwood-Bellis sealed the Cottage with a 54th minute 2-0 win against Wigan thanks said Madrid coach Zinedine Zi- fighting,” Zidane said. strong penalty appeal reject- had memorably mocked John win from Stones’ flick in the curler as the former Brighton to Tom Pearce’s own goal and dane. Without either Ramos, who ed by VAR after the United Stones last year, claiming he 58th minute and Phil Foden forward grabbed his first goal Harvey Barnes’ strike at the Luka Modric then added was suspended, or Eden Haz- left-back tumbled following a would love to play against him got the fourth in the 76th min- since September. King Power Stadium. a third deep into injury-time ard, who continues to nurse challenge with Leander Den- after being underwhelmed ute. Anwar El Ghazi equalised The pick of Sunday’s ties after a brilliant first-time pass an ankle injury, this looked an doncker. by the City defender’s per- Aston Villa and Brighton for Villa in the 63rd minute, sees Liverpool face Mersey- by Gareth Bale had set Madrid awkward fixture for Zidane’s United substitute Marcus formance during an England suffered embarrassing exits as but the understudies couldn’t side rivals Everton at Anfield, away on the counter-attack. team on the back of a two-week Rashford hit the bar with his match. the Premier League clubs paid hold on as Harry Arter won while Arsenal host Leeds on Victory sends Zidane’s side winter break. Instead, they keep first touch, but Wolves nearly And with Stones return- the price for making a raft of it with a 30-yard thunderbolt Monday. top of the table briefly at least, the pressure on Barcelona. Ibrahimovic vows to kick-start Milan as Conte’s Inter seek rare win at Napoli

AFP “I’m ready and I really hope By contrast Inter are chal- with Gennaro Gattuso replacing six points behind in third with Zlatan Ibrahimovic poses with Milan I can play,” said the 38-year- lenging champions Juventus’ Carlo Ancelotti last month. a game in hand, are looking in- his new jersey during his old Ibrahimovic as he returned hegemony at the top of Serie “Inter have been strong in creasingly dangerous. official presentation at Zlatan Ibrahimovic has to Milan nine years after his A, with both sides level on 42 previous years but they have Simone Inzaghi’s side, who AC Milan club’s headquarters vowed to kick-start struggling departure for Paris Saint-Ger- points after 17 games. improved even more under have not lost since their 1-0 de- Casa Milan in Milan on Friday. AC Milan’s Serie A season as main. Antonio Conte’s Inter Conte,” said Napoli defender feat to Inter in late September, (AFP) their local rivals Inter Milan “Things need to be im- travel to Napoli, while Juve are Mario Rui. can push their league winning recommence a title battle with proved on the pitch and that’s at home against sixth-placed “They will make us suffer, streak to nine games against Juventus this weekend after the why I’m here. I know what I Cagliari, this season’s surprise but we are ready.” relegation-threatened Brescia. end of the winter break. have to do, Zlatan is still here.” package who are well in the Juventus return to action The Roman side have scored Milan play host to Sampdo- Seven-time European hunt for Champions League after their Italian Super Cup de- two goals or more in each of ria on Monday, their first game champions Milan are 11th in the football. feat to Lazio against a Cagliari their last 11 league games since since the humiliating 5-0 goal table, 14 points off the Cham- Inter Milan have not won at side that had been in impres- that Inter defeat, the first team defeat to Atalanta last month pions League places and just Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo since sive form before back-to-back to achieve that feat since the which sparked Ibrahimovic’s seven points clear of the relega- October 1997 but last season’s losses. legendary ‘Grande Torino’ side return. tion zone. runners-up are eighth this term, Meanwhile red-hot Lazio, back in 1948. 14 Sunday, January 5, 2020 Sports Longines Qatar Equestrian Hathab Kiwis on the chase after Labuschagne’s double ton

AFP Sydney

New Zealand made a se- cure start after a Marnus La- buschagne double century lift- ed Australia to a massive 454 first innings totalin the third Test on Saturday. The rock-solid number three reached his highest Test score of 215 in Sydney with the Australians dismissed just be- fore tea on the second day. In reply, the Blackcaps grittily batted through the fi- nal session without losing a , leaving skipper Tom Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne walks off after being dismissed for Latham on 26 and Melbourne 213 during the second day of the third Test match against Test centurion Tom Blundell New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday. (AFP) at 34 in their team’s total of 63. There were a couple of close calls -- notably a leg be- Scoreboard fore wicket appeal off Nathan Australia (1st innings, overnight 283-3): (Smith), 4-288 (Wade), 5-331 (Head), 6-410 (Paine), Lyon and a possible edge off D. Warner c de Grandhomme b Wagner 45 7-416 (Labuschagne), 8-426 (Pattinson), 9-430 J. Burns c Taylor b de Grandhomme 18 (Cummins), 10-454 (Starc) Pat Cummins -- but the Kiwis M. Labuschagne c & b Astle 215 Bowling: Henry 32-3-94-1 (1w), de Grandhomme showed plenty of fight after S. Smith c Taylor b de Grandhomme 63 24-1-78-3 (1nb), Wagner 33.1-9-66-3, Somerville enduring five tough sessions in M. Wade b Somerville 22 29-2-99-1, Astle 32-0-111-2. the field in sapping heat. T. Head c Watling b Henry 10 T. Paine b de Grandhomme 35 New Zealand (1st innings): The day belonged to La- J. Pattinson b Wagner 2 T. Latham 26 buschagne, who sweated on P. Cummins c Phillips b Astle 8 T. Blundell not out 34 The Big Tour podium finishers Kamil Sabitov, Saeed Nasser al Qadi and Nasser al Ghazali with Organising Committee Member, Longines Hathab, 199 for 20 minutes before he M. Starc b Wagner 22 Extras (b1, lb2) 3 Bader al Darwish, Abdullah al Merri, Sport Coordinator, Longines Hathab, and Hamad al Azaba, Media Head, QEF, at Al Shaqab on Saturday. thick edged Colin de Grand- N. Lyon not out 6 Total (0 wkt, 29 overs) 63 Extras (lb6, nb1, w1) 8 Bowling: Starc 7-0-18-0, Cummins 9-3-18-0, homme through the vacant Total (all out; 150.1 overs) 454 Pattinson 4-1-10-0, Lyon 8-3-13-0, Labuschagne 1-0- slips to the ropes to bring up Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Burns), 2-95 (Warner), 3-251 1-0 his double ton. The milestone came off 363 our guns there and hopefully and he has now leapfrogged balls with 19 fours and a six the rewards will come tomor- the great Neil Harvey (834) Sabitov pips Saeed and eclipsed his previous Test row. for most runs scored by an record of 185 against Pakistan “It’s always a privilege to Australian during a five-Test in Brisbane last November. play for Australia and it was summer. “They batted really well to nice to get some runs today He was also ’s finish the day off. I thought and when you’re well leading run-getter last year al Qadi for Hathab we bowled really well,” La- it’s nice if you can make them with 1,104 runs. buschagne said. count.” The Kiwis finally dis- “The wicket looks like it’s Labuschagne’s prodigious patched him after he was going to go a little up and down form has notched him a total caught and bowled by leg- Big Tour victory and spin a bit but we stuck to of 837 runs since November spinner Todd Astle. Tribune News Network Doha Broad, Anderson give England Kamil Sabitov of Horse Sport School, Krygyzstan, stood out edge in second Test match in the Big Tour feature class of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Hathab on the second and final AFP day of the fifth leg of the pres- Cape Town Scoreboard tigious national showjumping England (1st innings, overnight 262-9): Pretorius 11-5-26-2. series at Al Shaqab on Saturday. Sam Curran hailed the col- Z. Crawley c De Kock b Philander ...... 4 (1st innings): Sabitov, riding 14-year lective effort of the England D. Sibley c De Kock b Rabada ...... 34 D. Elgar c Root b Bess ...... 88 J. Denly b Maharaj ...... 38 P. Malan c Root b Broad ...... 5 grey gelding Quintendro, bowlers after the tourists J. Root c De Kock b Nortje ...... 35 Z. Hamza c Stokes b Broad...... 5 pipped seasoned rider Saeed gained a significant advantage B. Stokes c Elgar b Nortje ...... 47 F. du Plessis c Stokes b Anderson ...... 1 Nasser al Qadi by 0.40secs on the second day of the sec- O. Pope not out ...... 61 H. van der Dussen c Stokes b Curran ...... 68 in the Table A, One round ond Test against South Africa J. Buttler c De Kock b Pretorius ...... 29 Q. de Kock c Anderson b Curran ...... 20 S. Curran b Pretorius ...... 9 V. Philander not out ...... 13 against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 at Newlands on Saturday. D. Bess c De Kock b Philander ...... 0 D. Pretorius c Stokes b Anderson ...... 4 | 130/145cm event. Veterans Stuart Broad and S. Broad b Rabada ...... 1 K. Maharaj c Sibley b Anderson ...... 4 Sabitov, on the same James Anderson were out- J. Anderson c Van der Dussen b Rabada ...... 4 Extras (b4, lb2, nb1) ...... 7 Extras (b4, lb1, nb1, w1) ...... 7 Total (8 wkts, 84.4 overs) ...... 215 mount, had also won the Me- standing as South Africa were Total (91.5 overs) ...... 269 To bat: K. Rabada, A. Nortje dium Tour title on Friday. reduced to 215 for eight at the Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Crawley), 2-63 (Sibley), 3-105 Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Malan), 2-38 (Hamza), 3-40 (Du On a day when no rider close. (Root), 4-127 (Denly), 5-185 (Stokes), 6-221 (Buttler), Plessis), 4-157 (Elgar), 5-191 (De Kock), 6-200 (Van made any faults during their The hosts were still 54 runs 7-231 (Curran), 8-231 (Bess), 9-234 (Broad), 10-269 der Dussen), 7-207 (Pretorius), 8-214 (Maharaj) (Anderson) Bowling: Anderson 16.4-6-34-3, Broad 16-6-36-2 routines, Sabitov ensured he behind England’s first innings Bowling: Philander 16-3-46-2, Rabada 19.5-3-68-3 (1nb), Curran 13-3-39-2, Bess 27-3-62-1, Stokes 9-0- and his horse had the best speed total of 269 on a dry pitch (1nb), Nortje 18-2-56-2 (1w), Maharaj 27-6-68-1, 34-0, Root 3-1-4-0. as they clocked 71.16 secs. which is likely to get more dif- Al Qadi, on his trusted ficult for batsmen later in the mount Daydreamer EC, fin- match. with Elgar eventually falling to Test World Championship Se- ished in 72.56secs. Nasser al Big Tour winner Kamil Sabitov in action astride Quintendro at the Al Sahqab equestrian centre outdoor Anderson, 37, took three a lofted drive when he tried to ries at Centurion by 107 runs. Ghazali on Quel Homme was arena on Saturday. for 34, while 33-year-old lift the scoring rate. Off-spinner Dom Bess third in 73.10secs. Broad and Sam Curran took “Controlling the run rate also played an important The Open Class tour of the Results two wickets apiece. was massive,” said Curran, role, bowling accurately from fifth leg of Hathab was won by Ben Stokes held four catch- who credited the effort of his the northern end while Eng- Nasser Faisal al Zahem, riding Results 3. Alqaqa Adel Nassar; Dubaii; 0; 41.46; 0; 28.73; QR2,250 es at second slip, three of them fellow bowlers for two im- land captain Joe Root rotated Femke EC. He won the two Big Tour | Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 | 130/145cm | Prize- athletic diving efforts. portant wickets that he took his faster bowlers from the Money QR35,000 Future Riders | Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 | 85/100cm phases event clocking 36.62 1. Rider: Kamil Sabitov; Horse: Quintendro; Faults: 0; Time: 71.16secs; Prize:QR8,750 1 Mutlaq Ali al Hajri; Super Girl; 0; 42.65. More than half of South shortly before the second new more helpful southern, Wyn- and 27.48secs respectively. 2. Saeed Nasser al Qadi; Daydreamer EC; 0; 72.56; QR7,000 2. Saoud Abdulla al Kubaisi; Selest; 0; 45.71. Africa’s runs came in a 117- ball was due. “I got my wick- berg end. In the Future Riders’ class, 3. Nasser al Ghazali; Quel Homme; 0; 73.10; QR5,250 3. Lolwa Ali Atat; Animo’s Boy Van De Dennehoeve; 0; 46.96. run fourth wicket partnership ets through the pressure they Bess had spells of nine and Mutlaq al Hajri on Super Girl, between Dean Elgar (88) and built,” he said. 14 overs and finished the day Open Class | Table A, Two phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 110/115cm | Prize-Money Future Riders | Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 | 70/85cm and Fahad Abdulkarim Abed, QR15,000 1. Fahad Abdulkarim Abed; Kashmir; 0; 30.58. Rassie van der Dussen (68). Curran said England had with one for 62 off 27 overs. riding Kashmir, emerged on 1.Nasser Faisal al Zahem; Femke EC; 0; 36.62secs; 0; 27.48secs; QR3,750 2. Abdulhadi Salah Alyafei; Friedrichshof Dark Dream; 0; 38.03. But Elgar and Van der Dus- resolved to bowl with more Anderson took two wickets top in the 85/100cm, and 2. Saeed Nasser al Qadi; Best of Des Forets; 0 43.36; 0; 28.12; QR3,000 3. Haya Khalid al Hitmi; Sita; 0; 39.08. sen were unable to dominate discipline after South Africa with the second new ball, bowl- 75/85cm class respectively. as England dried up the runs, won the first match in the four- ing from the northern end.

Al Wakrah edge Al Rayyan in thriller; India’s World Kohli opposes 4-day Tests T20 hero Al Gharafa move to second spot AFP cricket started.” Guwahati (India) “Day-night tests are an- Pathan retires Tribune News Network hind by a point with the final on the top with 14 points from other step on commercializing DOHA buzzer just 1:53 minutes away. six wins in eight matches. Al India captain Virat Kohli on Test cricket and creating ex- AFP Hits and misses followed and Rayyan moved to the third Saturday hit out at proposals citement around it, but it can’t New Delhi Swingman Erfan Ali Saeed when only 24 seconds were re- spot with 13 from five wins and to cut Test matches from five be tinkered with too much.” had just two baskets in the maining, Saeed pulled off the three losses behind second- days to four as the world body Day-night Test were also India all-rounder Irfan Pa- match against Al Rayyan Club go-ahead layup. placed Al Gharafa, who out- battles with the crowded crick- initially resisted by players, than on Saturday retired from but the second one proved Captain Ahmad al Darwish classed Al Ahli 86-71 for their et calendar. but have become gradually ac- international cricket more priceless as it lifted Al Wakrah caused a turn-over by steal- fifth victory in eight matches. Reports that the Interna- cepted. than seven years after playing to a thrilling 63-62 victory in ing the ball from Eric Lockett tional Cricket Council could The ICC allowed four- his last match for the national the last game of the first phase to deny Al Rayyan a potential decide to cut the length of Test day Tests in 2017 and they cricket team. in the QBF League on Satur- scoring chance. With only two results matches from 2023 have di- India’s captain Virat Kohli have been tried in one-off The 35-year-old Pathan, day. seconds left, a foul by Abdel- Al Gharafa Club beat Al Ahli Club 86-71 (HT 44-30) vided players and nations. games between South Africa who played a key role in In- Al Wakrah, who were 14 rahman Abdelhaleem on Ju- Main performers – Al Gharafa: Aaron Jovan Nelson Kohli, who leads the world are purely only talking about and and England dia’s inaugural points clear at the interval (44- lius Coles earned Al Wakrah 31 pts & 15 rebounds, Joshua Caldwell 23 pts, Test batting rankings as well getting numbers in and en- against Ireland. World Cup triumph in 2007, Theron Bussey 16 pts 30) with their biggest lead, two free throws. However the Al Ahli: Louis Munks 24 pts, Jeffery Newberry 20 pts as being captain of the number tertainment, and I think the But they are not allowed in played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and were surprised by an inspired shooting guard could not use & 12 rebounds, Aaron Rountree 6 pts & 13 rebounds one Test side, said the format intent will not be right,” said the Test world championship 24 T20 matches. comeback by Al Rayyan. The them. should not be altered. Kohli. which is led by Kohli’s India. “I am announcing retire- Lions, in a low-scoring fourth But there was not enough Al Wakrah Club beat Al Rayyan Club 63-63 (HT 44-30) “Day-Night Tests is the “Then you will speak of The English, Australian ment from all forms of cricket. Main performers – Al Wakrah: Musa Muhajareen quarter, trailing by three time left after Farmer grabbed Abdul Aleem 21 pts, Julius Coles 16 pts, Oumar Seck most that should be changed three-day Tests. I mean, where and New Zealand national as- I have been fortunate to share points after Tony Farmer the rebound and attempted a 15 pts & 10 rebounds about Test cricket, according do you end,” he added. sociations have indicated they the dressing room with greats dunked the ball with 2:41 left. distant three-pointer. The ball Al Rayyan: Abdelrahman Abdelhaleem 18 pts & 11 to me,” Kohli said in Guwaha- “I don’t endorse that are ready to change. Some of the game like (Sourav) Gan- Al Wakrah Club responded failed to hit the target, leaving rebounds, Tony Farmer 15 pts & 14 rebounds, Eric ti, ahead of India’s T20 game (change) at all. I don’t think players like England captain guly, (Rahul) Dravid, and (VVS) Lockett 13 pts & 14 rebounds, Mohamed Hassan with a fade-away shot from Al Wakrah an excited winner. Mohamed 10 pts on Sunday against Sri Lanka. that that is fair to the purest Joe Root have also said the Laxman. I am calling time on centre Oumar Seck to fall be- This win put Al Wakrah With four-day Tests “you format of the game -- how plan should be considered. my career,” said Pathan. Sports Sunday, January 5, 2020 15 Attiyah completes technical check-up, ready to defend crown Alonso realistic over ‘crazy’ Dakar Rally challenge

AFP ()

Two-time Formula One world champion embarks on his first Dakar Rally on Sunday deter- mined to “enjoy the adven- ture”. “It’s a bit crazy for the first time out of tarmac, out of as- phalt, to go to the toughest race in the world but I love the challenge,” the 38-year-old Spaniard said. (From left) Toyota’s team manager Jean Marc Fortin speaks with his team’s driver and defending champion The 2005 and 2006 F1 Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah of Qatar and Mini’s driver of Spain during a technical check-up in champion is one of 351 start- Jeddah on Saturday, ahead of the 2020 Dakar Rally, which this year will take place in Saudi Arabia from South African-Swiss explorer and adventurer Mike Horn (left) jokes with Toyota’s driver Nasser bin Saleh al ers in the gruelling 7,500 January 5 to 17. (AFP) Attiyah in Jeddah, on Saturday, ahead of the 2020 Dakar Rally, which will be held in Saudi Arabia. (AFP) kilometre marathon that has moved to Saudi Arabia from . He is driving the , also used by defending champoin Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah of Qatar. Attiyah and 2009 win- Qatar’s Chaudhry sets T20I ner make up Toyota’s three-car assault on motorsport’s ‘Everest’. Despite the expertise of five-time bike champion navigating, Alonso bowling milestone downplayed his hopes of cre- ating history by becoming the prise of our rival teams. first F1 champion to lift the The national team “We are again going to play Dakar. the second stage of the same “Toyota drivers are racing captain collects 26 tournament in Malaysia in for the victory, for me it will be wickets in 15 March and Inshallah, we will a little different, enjoy the ad- produce better results, making venture,” he told a press con- matches in 2019, Qatar proud of us,” Chaudhry ference on Friday. added with conviction. finishes 10th on ICC The QCA management un- all-time high list der President Yousef Jeham Despite the expertise of al Kuwari is quite supportive five-time bike champion to us. He is always keen to Marc Coma navigating, Tribune News Network provided us with the best be Alonso downplayed his DOHA it facilities, opportunities or hopes of creating history platform. He is ready to do by becoming the first F1 Qatar national team skipper anything that can improve the and all-rounder Iqbal Hussain standard of the team. champion to lift the Chaudhry grabbed headlines “The coaching staff is Dakar. as he collected a third rich- sweating and getting us ready est haul in the 2019 calendar for the hectic first quarter of “We are very realistic year to finish among the top- the year. We also feel highly about our hopes. We are tak- 10 all-time T20 International motivated and are trying to use ing it step by step. I’m perfect- bowlers. each training session as well ly aware of my lack of experi- The 30-year-old Chaudhry as we can so we can do Qatar ence and perfectly aware of my figured in 15T 20I matches last proud. lack of pace.” year and picked 26 wickets for “It is a big honour for Alonso is hoping to make 426 runs - only the sixth bowl- (Left) Qatar’s Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry delivers a ball during a match. (Right) Chaudhry celebrates getting a wicket with a teammate. me lead the Qatar team. We it to the second week “with a er in the world to deliver this all wish to Qatar rise high little better chance to be in the kind of performance in 2019. An excited Chaudhry, who we were preparing for a tour, in the international cricket. top places”. His exploits helped him take was the best bowler in the ICC Most T20I wickets in a calendar year the captain (Inam-Ul-Haq) There was a time when we He is not the first F1 driver the 10th spot on the ICC list, T20 WC Asia qualifiers re- The following players are among the top-10 in the world, according to ICC rankings list: stepped back at the last mo- were ranked 80th in the to take up the Dakar challenge. released recently. gional finals with 12 and led ment due to personal reasons. world in T20I. But now we Belgian , a winner of Australian knuckle ball ex- Falcon Hunters to the inau- Player Year Mat Overs Mdns Runs Wkts BBI And even worse came as five have jumped to 22nd among eight grand prix and six-time pert Andrew James Tye tops gural Qatar T10 League crown AJ Tye (AUS) 2018 19 68.3 1 587 31 4/23 of the playing eleven were not 109 cricket playing nations. winner of Le Mans, won Dakar the list with 31 scalps. He is last month, commented on his S Lamichhane () 2019 16 59.0 0 384 28 4/20 granted leave by their offices We will keep making efforts in 1983 and came second in followed by five bowlers who achievement: “The bowling BD Glover (NL) 2019 19 65.0 0 448 28 4/12 for the tour. to improve our ranking,” 1986 and 1989. And French- managed 28 dismissals in one figures in the year 2019 alto- Karan KC (NEPAL) 2019 19 65.5 0 476 28 4/17 “I was already vice-cap- Chaudhry said. man Patrick Tambay, who had year. Then there are three gether came as a shock to me. Shadab Khan (PAK) 2018 19 73.4 0 488 28 3/19 tain of the team and then QCA President Yousef two wins in his 114 grand prix, bowlers with 27 scalps to their I was unaware that I made it to JJ Bumrah (INDIA) 2016 21 79.3 4 527 28 3/11 I was elevated to the cap- Jeham al Kuwari expressed came third in 1988 and 1989. credit before Chaudhry occu- the top charts. DP Nannes (AUS) 2010 14 53.0 2 403 27 4/18 taincy last year. There was a proud at Chaudhry’s feat by The 42nd Dakar gets un- pies his place. “Definitely it is a big boost MR Adair (IRE) 2019 17 62.5 2 413 27 4/40 big struggle to find a proper saying: “The QCA feels proud derway in Jeddah on Sunday, A unique feature about for me. I feel proud and satis- PA van Meekeren (NL) 2019 18 68.1 0 495 27 4/38 team. It was a massive chal- at the achievement by Iqbal, concluding on January 17 in Chaudhry’s feat is that only fied how the year ended on a Iqbal Hussain (QAT) 2019 15 52.1 0 426 26 4/33 lenge to lead a side without who is the captain of the na- Qiddiya. Australian Dirk Nannes, who high note for me. Looking back much experience. However, I tional team as well. He is very snared 27 wickets in 14 match- at my performance and find- took up the challenge. So did talented player and we are all es in 2010, played one match ing my name among the top just the start i needed to ex- and smashed a six off the very the teammates. very excited that his record less than the Qatar’s player - 14. players in the world give me press myself. I am the captain first ball I faced. “When we toured Malay- bowling figures have attracted In the 2019 year, Sandeep not only just satisfaction but of Falcon Hunters who ended “Now that franchise leagues sia in September for the ICC the global attention. Lamichhane (Nepal), Bran- also a big boost to my career up as the champions of the in- have taken over almost every Men’s CWC Challenge League “The Qatar national don Glover (New Zealand), and future as an international augural edition. part of the world, I would love to Group A, nobody had any ex- team will be involved in a Karan KC (Nepal) came up player,” he added. “Lifting that trophy and be- explore for opportunities to play pectations of winning matches. lot of events early this year. with the best haul of 28 wick- People will undoubtedly ing the Man of the Final were in different leagues and prove “During the training ses- Chaudhry will hopefully con- ets. Mark Adair (Ireland), Paul take notice of my bowling and really big moments for me. Off myself,” Chaudhry added. sions, I felt that we may be in- tinue to excel as he did last van Meekeren (The Nether- progress. It will, in a way, mo- the finaltwo balls, five runs He says that the captaincy experienced but we had a great year and motivate other play- lands) bagged 27 apiece before tivate me to play better cricket were needed and I had to go to of Qatar has made him even hunger to excel. That feeling ers to put in their best to bring Chaudhry turned out to be the at the world stage and I feel the the middle. I just went in and more determined. “It came fired us and we won three out more glory to the country,” Toyota driver Fernando Alonso sixth best. recent Qatar T10 League was completed the business in style to me all of sudden. While of five matches, much to sur- Kuwari added. of Spain

Bayern Munich arrive in Doha for annual winter camp

German champions Bayern Munich arrived in Doha on Saturday for their annual winter camp at the Aspire Zone. The Bavarians are scheduled to train in Doha until January 10. With the German Bundesliga on break until January 17, the reigning champions are currently third in the league standings, four points behind leaders RB Leipzig and two points behind second-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.