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SPORT

Thursday 9 February 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 Tough test awaits T20 frenzy as PSL cyclists at Al Adaid juggernaut rolls into Desert Challenge action in Dubai New format for Qatar Cross-Country Rally

The Peninsula announced that the revised five- Sealine event, based on feedback underway on April 19 and is fol- Course for the FIA event, with FIA and FIM World Champion- day event would take place from and our intuition,” said QMMF lowed by three further sections on Rashed Al Sulaiti acting as his dep- ships. Al Attiyah claimed further fficials at the Qatar April 17 to 22. President Abdulrahman Al April 20, April 21 and April 22 - uty and Frenchman Franck wins in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Motor and Motorcy- Traditionally one of the most Mannai. each of around 350km. Vayssié appointed as the new Rally in Toyotas and Minis and two-time cle Federation demanding rounds of both cross- “We have reduced the number The fourth stage on April 21 Director. The former Sealine event Dakar winner Jean-Louis Sch- (QMMF) are cur- country championships, in terms of long selective sections from five will take place entirely in the north developed from the Qatar Inter- lesser was victorious in 2013. rently finalising the of tricky navigation and intricate to four and reduced the actual of the country for the first time, national Baja that ran as a Five-time Dakar winner Marc Oroute for this year’s renamed tracks and sand trails, this year’s competitive distance to around while two of the stages will finish candidate event for the FIA World Coma dominated the motorcycle Qatar Cross-Country Rally, event has been shortened from 1,380km from 1,635km. The rally in the dunes around the former Cup in 2011 and was won by category with his KTM in 2012, round four of the FIA Cross- five selective sections to four and will also cover a larger geograph- bivouac location at Sealine, south Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah at 2013 and 2015, with Spaniard Country Rally World Cup and features a number of exciting ical area on this occasion and we of Doha. The fourth stage will start the wheel of a SAM Mercedes Joan-Barreda Bort winning in 2014 round two of the FIM Cross- innovations. will have less stony sections.” in the same area. 35CC. . and recent Dakar winner Sam Country Rallies World “We have fine tuned the The first of four selective sec- Portugal’s Pedro Almeida will The event is now entering its Sunderland claiming another win Championship. They also route and the format for the tions through the desert gets continue to work as Clerk of the sixth season as a round of both the for KTM last year.

We have fine tuned the route and the format for the Sealine event. We have reduced the number of long selective sections from five to four and cut down on the actual competitive distance to around Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is the defending champion in the car category at the Qatar Ignacio Casele celebrates his quad win in Qatar in this file picture 1,380km from 1,635km, says Cross-Country Rally, round four of the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup and round two of the of 2016. QMMF President Al Mannai. FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, which will take place in April. SPORT THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2017 25

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Tough test awaits cyclists at FIXTURES Today Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Sailiyah, at Al Khor Stadium, 4:40pm Al Arabi vs Al Gharafa at Al Arabi Stadium, 6:50pm Al Adaid Desert Challenge Tomorrow Umm Salal vs Al Ahli at Qatar Stadium, 4:40pm Rizwan Rehmat Al Khor vs Muaither SC at Al The Peninsula AL ADAID DESERT CHALLENGE Khor Stadium, 4:40pm Al Rayyan vs Lekhwiya at Al he hugely popular Al Event schedule Sadd Club Stadium, 6:50pm Adaid Desert Chal- 6:00 - 7:30 am Race Number Collection February 11 lenge will be held on 8:00 am Race begins Al Shahaniya vs El Jaish at Al March 3, organisers 9:30 am First riders expected to finish Arabi Club Stadium, 4:40pm said yesterday. 11:30 am Kids’ event at Finish Area Al Sadd vs Al Wakrah at Al

TTo be held over a distance of 12:30 pm Prize Distribution Sadd Club Stadium. 6:50pm Total prize money: $50,000 40kms, the gruelling off-road event is expected to draw more than 250 entries, top officials confirmed yesterday. top-class riding and running on Struggling Al Known as the Gulf’s tough- the day of the event. est one-day cycling event, the The organisers said registra- Kharaitiyat and Qatar leg has been officially tion for the race is open now. added to the UCI calendar of "I would encourage fans to Al Sailiyah eye events, Dr Jamal Al Khanji, Man- get going. They must enter now aging Director of Al Adaid Desert as most of the participants will full points Challenge, said during a press compete with hours of training conference yesterday. behind them," Al Khanji said. The Peninsula The action on March 3, will "The last day of registration is unfold from Sealine to Khor Al February 28," he added. truggling Qatar Stars Adaid, with riders encountering Marked as a UCI C3 Cross Sleague (QSL) outfits Al 6 dunes along the race route, Al Country point-to-point race, it Kharaitiyat and Al Sailiyah Khanji added. will cover 40km of desert track will looking to gather full A total of $50,000 is up for - that will also include 'sinking Dr Jamal Al Khanji (left), Managing Director of Al Adaid Desert Challenge, poses for a picture points when they meet in grabs. sand' along the way - from Sea- along with Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwari (second left), President Cycling Federation, Dr. Abdulaziz Round 20 match at Al Khor The event is organized by the line to one of Qatar’s most Al Kuwari (second right), Director, Qatar Cyclist Centre and Colin Smith, CEO, Rayyan Mineral Stadium today. Qatar Cyclists Centre (Qatar impressive natural wonders, the Water Company, after a press conference in Doha yesterday. Both the relegation- Cyclists) under the patronage of ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid. Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah/The Peninsula threatened sides are the Ministry of Culture & Sport, "The one-day desert chal- separated by four points in and is supported by Qatar Tour- lenge provides off-road cyclists It is a spectator-friendly event of this annual event which has with great memories and stories the league, and Al Kharaiti- ism Authority (QTA). a good combination of fun and and riders are encouraged to steadily grown over the years, to tell,” he added. yat know that only a victory Last year, 179 riders - includ- hard work among the partici- invite their friends and families and promises to contribute to the Besides the gruelling sand can put pressure on the ing 52 Qatari entries - took part pants," Al Khanji said. to join them for the day in the country’s efforts to develop the dunes, there are several sandy sides above them. in the event. A total of 48 Filipino "It's also a way of simply desert," he added. sports tourism sub-sector in patches on the flat Last time out Al riders also provided fans with enjoying the outdoors on a bike. Spectators are allowed to Qatar,” Rashed Al Qurese, Chief surfaces,which makes the race Kharaitiyat managed to drive along the route (except Marketing and Promotion Officer even more challenging. The stop the rot of three straight prohibited areas such as the race at QTA, said in a statement. length of the race might not be defeats in the league by sand dunes) and welcome the "It is a great honour that our extreme, but every sand dune, drawing 0-0 with Umm riders at the finish line, after event is recognized by the gov- each patch of sand demands Salal. which they can enjoy the after- ernment as one of the most something new from the riders. Three points will be noon together. The event also compelling events with poten- To be competitive, riders need much needed for the Thun- offers a fun non-competitive tial for tourism. Our goal is to be extremely fit, have an opti- ders who could be cut off kids’ race at the finish area which attract international participants mally set-up bike, choose the from safety by six points if also promotes family and we will direct even more best path and sometimes also be results don’t go their way. engagement. energy in achieving this," Al lucky. Al Kharaitiyat will be “The Al Adaid Desert Chal- Khanji said. The event has the sponsor- hoping for a big perform- lenge attracts visitors and "One of the steps towards ship backing of QNB, Ethicon, ance from Uzbek winger residents to one of Qatar’s most this goal was done by placing our Ooredoo, Rayyan Natural Water Sanzhar Tursunov who has impressive natural wonders by event in the UCI calendar. We and partners: Qatar Cycling Fed- been one of the sides lead- offering a unique challenge, are preparing packages that will eration, Rassen Adventure Shop, ing players in recent weeks. exciting sports and fun activities ease travel and accommodation Mawater, GMC, Carbon Wheels, Ahmed Al Ajlani, the A file picture of cyclists taking part in last year's Al Adaid for families. QTA is proud to be for riders coming to Qatar. I am Royal Riviera Hotel, Qatar head coach of Kharaitiyat, Desert Challenge. supporting the seventh edition positive they will return home Airways. believes that all the remain- ing matches are like cup finals. “We are now in the twentieth week and all the games are seen as cup final World Cup winner Lahm matches. We will play for victory, we will not accept to end the match without any points. to retire at end of season “We only scored two goals in six games which means that there is trouble Berlin it's not the right time for me to and through to the Cup quarter- in attack. If you compare AFP step up with FC Bayern," he said. finals, Lahm is well set to go out missed opportunities and "I'll be a private person on a high and add to his seven goals scored there is a big ermany's World Cup win- again in the summer, then I'll league titles and six Cup difference,” added the ning Philipp have time to take care of other victories. Tunisian tactician. GLahm yesterday con- things and to have a few With Lahm now out of the As for Al Sailiyah they firmed he will retire at the end conversations." running, Borussia Moencheng- know that a win will settle of the season and leave Bayern The 33-year-old made his ladbach's Max Eberl is now any relegation fears that the Munich, having rejected a role 500th appearance for Bayern favourite to take over as Bay- Peregrines squad may as sports director. last Saturday and will hang up ern's director of sport after have. Sami Trabelsi’s boys Referee Jochen Drees (centre) checks Bayern Munich's "I have decided to stop play- his boots in June despite having Matthias Sammer quit last year. managed a creditable 1-1 ing football at the end of the a year left on his contract. "We talked to Philipp Lahm, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski (ground) beside team- draw with an out of sorts El season," Lahm said after Bay- Lahm retired from interna- but there is no plan A, B or C," mates Philipp Lahm (left) and Arjen Robben (second left), Jaish side last time out. ern's 1-0 win over Wolfsburg in tional football after captaining Bayern's president Uli Hoeness Xabi Alonso (second right) and Thiago Alcantara (right) look Al Sailiyah are cur- the third round of the German Germany to the 2014 World Cup told broadcaster ARD. on during the German Cup match against VFL Wolfburg in rently on a three game Cup. title in Brazil and making 113 "We have not talked to any- Munich, southern Germany on Tuesday. undefeated streak in the "I am sure I can keep putting appearances for die Mannschaft. one else, but there will be a league, and will be target- in the performances until the He joined Bayern as an sports director starting on July ing to maintain their form. end of the season, but not after 11-year-old in 1995 and, apart 1. “It’s an important game that," added the Bayern captain, from a two-year loan spell at "It is not about the power Oscar shows golden for the two teams and both confirming an earlier press VfB Stuttgart, he has spent his you have in that position, but teams are on a similar level. report. entire career at the Bavarian about the responsibility." They got reinforcements "I first thought about the giants. Lahm caught team-mates touch for Shanghai and are stronger now. They decision over a year ago and He became club captain and club bosses by surprise are missing a lot of chances have been constantly checking after Dutch hardman midfielder when he not only announced he but they are creating it. Mark van Bommel stood down will retire in June but also that Shanghai Thailand's Sukhothai FC. Fel- opportunities,” Sami "I love football and it has in January 2011. he will spurn an offer to fill the AFP low Brazilian Elkeson also got Trabelsi, the head coach of given me a lot, but everything Lahm then skippered the vacant sports director role at on the scoresheet as SIPG took Al Sailiyah said. has to eventually come to an end Bayern to their 2013 Champi- Bayern. egabucks import Oscar their place in Group F along- Speaking about the and I wanted to decide that ons League victory at Wembley Chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- began repaying some of side FC Seoul, Urawa Red changes in his team, myself." when they beat Borussia Dort- menigge put out a statement on Mhis hefty price tag when Diamonds and Western Sydney Trabelsi added: “Our team Lahm explained why he has mund 2-1 in the final. Wednesday saying the club is he scored on his competitive Wanderers. is 60% changed as we have turned down the vacant sports That season, they became "surprised by Philipp Lahm and debut for Shanghai SIPG, help- It means that SIPG, coached some new players coming director role, which would not the first German club to com- his advisor" and he had ing them seal a spot in the AFC by ex-Chelsea and Tottenham in from Al Arabi and some have included a place on Bay- plete the treble of Champions "assumed a joint statement Champions League group stage. Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas, players left. We have ern's board following recent League, Bundesliga and German would be made". The Brazil midfielder, who get a shot at Asia's club crown, important games coming restructuring at the club. Cup. Rummenigge stressed "the quit Chelsea in a $64m deal, won twice by Chinese rivals up and we need to be "There were discussions and With Bayern currently four door will always be open for rolled in SIPG's opener in Tues- Evergrande in concentrated.'' at the end of those I decided that points clear in the Bundesliga Philipp at FC Bayern. day's 3-0 play-off victory over recent seasons. 26 SPORT THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2017

PSL's second edition trophy.

T20 frenzy as PSL juggernaut Botha joins United rolls into action in Dubai today as fielding coach Fawad Hussain The Peninsula The Peninsula currently playing for the in he Super League ohan Botha, the the Big Bash League. (PSL), only in it's second former Regarding his replace- year, has become a big Jcaptain, will be ment name in the world of United's said: "For personal rea- , luring fielding coach for the sons and commitments Tthe headliners in the format. HBL PSL 2017. back home I will unfor- The inaugural PSL was a block- This announce- tunately not be able to buster and the organisers are ment was made join the PSL this year. promising that the second edition - yesterday by the fran- However, in Johan which rolls into action in Dubai today chise management. Botha, United has a - will eclipse the success of first sea- Botha will replace former international son of the lucrative league. Darren Berry for the captain and someone “The second edition of the PSL post. This is the only whom I've worked players will be a greater success. It will be change in the team with for years. I am bigger and better,” said PSL Chair- train in this last year's staff for Islamabad sure that he will be the man Najam Sethi yesterday. file photo. Zalmi will take United from season 1 to perfect replacement “We are better prepared and on defending champions season 2 of the PSL. and will add to an out- have gained more confidence of the in the Darren Berry, who standing coaching staff. stakeholders after the successful opening match of PSL 2 in is currently serving as I wish him and the rest start last year,” Sethi added. Dubai today. the coach of the South of the Islamabad Islamabad United, who became team, had United guys every suc- the first PSL champions after defeat- requested unavailabil- cess in PSL 2." ing Gladiators in the final, will ity for the second season Botha will join take on Peshawar Zalmi, led by will be more fireworks this month,” the second edition," Gayle, 37, said. security arrangements we made at of the PSL due to family , Tauseef World T20 winning West Indian cap- said Jayawardene who is represent- “ We ( Kings) are aiming the stadium and the National Cricket commitments. Ahmed, Dean Wood- tain Darren Sammy, in the opening ing , one of the five for a better show this time and title Academy (NCA),” Sethi said on Tues- Botha, who has ford and match which will follow a colourful franchises in the fold. is our target,” said the left-handed day during the ‘Meet and Greet’ event previously been the as part of the Islama- opening ceremony. “The PSL is a good edition to the batsman. to welcome the foreign players and captain of the South bad United coaching The stellar line-up in the five- format and it will help Pakistan in The competition starts off in coaches in Dubai. Australia team, is staff. team competition includes T20 producing world class cricketers,” round-robin format, with teams “The government has also made superstar of Eng- he added. playing each other twice before the a huge investment in securing the land, New Zealand’s maestro Karachi King's new recruit Gayle, top four progress to the play-offs. city and rest assured, we will pro- PSL FIXTURES Brendon McCullum, big-hitting West known for his six-hitting prowess, The top two sides play in a qual- vide foolproof security to the players Feb 9 Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United Dubai Indian and Sri Lankan is itching for the event to commence. ifying final, with the winner going who will travel for the PSL final,” he Feb 10 Qalandars vs Dubai cricket legend Mahela Jayawardene. “I was happy to be a part of the event through to the decider while the loser told the foreign players. Feb 10 Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi Dubai “The first PSL was a big hit and there last year and I am very excited about is given a second chance. Legendary cricketer and brand Feb 11 Islamabad United vs Dubai The third and fourth-ranked ambassador of PSL Wasim Akram Feb 11 Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings Dubai teams play in an eliminator, with the spoke about the importance of the Feb 12 Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars Dubai loser knocked out of the return of international SUPER LEAGUE SQUADS Feb 15 Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators Sharjah competition. Pakistan. Feb 16 Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Sharjah Islamabad United: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), , , , , Samuel The winner of the eliminator “Pakistanis are passionate about faces the loser of the qualifier for a the game. My wife who is an Aus- Feb 17 Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Sharjah Badree, , , , , , , , Ben Duck- spot in the March 5 final. tralian is staying in Karachi for the Feb 17 Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United Sharjah kett, , Zohaib Khan, , Imran Khalid, Asif Ali, , Syed Muzammil Shah This year the Pakistan organis- last four years and she is having a Feb 18 Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars Sharjah Karachi Kings: (captain), , Chris Gayle, , , , Moham- ers have scheduled the final in great time. Let me also remind you Feb 18 Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi Sharjah mad Amir, Safiullah Bangash, Shazaib Hasan, , , Ryan McLaren, , Kashif Lahore eyeing a breakthrough in all that the government will do eve- Feb 19 Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings Sharjah Bhatti, Abrar Ahmed, Abdul Hameed/, Mahela Jayawardene, , , Amad Alam ending the drought of top-notch rything possible to ensure the safety Feb 20 Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United Sharjah Peshawar Zalmi: Darren Sammy (captain), , , , , Tilakaratne action in the country. of the players,” said the former great Feb 23 Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators Dubai Dilshan, , , , , Iftikhar Ahmed, Harris Sohail, , Moham- Sethi has been active in convinc- fast bowler. Feb 24 Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars Dubai mad Asghar, Marlon Samuels, , , , , Imran Khan (jr), , ing the players and it is understood Another brand ambassador Feb 24 Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Dubai M. Irfan Khan that most of the foreign players are Ramiz Raja also spoke to the Feb 25 Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Dubai Quetta Gladiators: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), , , , Mohammad Nawaz, Kevin Pie- looking forward to playing in Paki- audience. Feb 25 Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Dubai tersen, , , Riyad, , , Hassan Khan, Nathan McCullum, Thisara stan provided their teams reach the “Lahore is a beautiful city, the Feb 26 Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United Dubai title-deciding game at Gaddafi perceptions about the place might Perera, Bismillah Khan, , , Saad Nasim, , Noor Wali Feb 28 Playoff 1: Team 1 vs Team 2 Sharjah Stadium. be muddled, but I can assure you that Lahore Qalandars: Brendon McCullum (captain), , , , , , Ja- March 1 Play-off 2: Team 3 vs Team 4 Sharjah son Roy, , James Franklin, Mohammad Rizwan, , , , Ghulam Mu- “Giles Clarke (Chairman England the players who will travel will be

Cricket Board) and his team visited making a priceless contribution to March 3 Play-off 3: Winner Play-off 2 vs Runner Up Playoff 1 Dubai

dassar, , Grant Elliot, , Saif Badar, Mohammad Irfan (Jr.), March 7 Final Lahore

Lahore last month and were hugely Pakistan cricket,” said the former impressed by the Pakistan captain. Islamabad United ready to defend title, says Wasim

Rizwan Rehmat work. Let's hope the best team wins," take a big serving of rice followed by The Peninsula Akram said during a TV chat show lots of fried meat on top. broadcast yesterday. "I told them 'son, is this a time for owling great Wasim Akram (pic- "Look, there are five teams and our your meal or just a snack?. The game tured) said defending champions first goal is to be part of the four sides starts in two hours and how will you BIslamabad United have arrived for that qualify for the play-offs," Akram play if you eat so heavy?'. But that's all the second edition of the Pakistan Super said. they knew. They did not know the League (PSL) 'well prepared'. "Obviously there is a long way to go importance of a good diet for a top Akram, the Director Cricket of before we could think of the play-offs. athlete. Islamabad United, last year saw his side There will be a lot of intense battles "He's also teaching them to eat early; race to a memorable title win under the before we start thinking of the last-four for example, dinner by 8:30," he said. captaincy of Misbah Ul Haq at the five- stage," Akram, 50, said. "And that's where Dean has been very team franchise-based event held in the Akram said PSL was a major hit with training camp for the squad for a little helpful," Akram said. Pakistan United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pakistan cricket fans. over a week," he said about Watford. Watford said Misbah would be one opening Australia's all-rounder Shane "This is an exciting time for Pakistan But Akram said he was shocked to of the fittest guys around the squad batsman Watson, England's T20 specialist Sam cricket. It's Pakistan's own tournament see the players showed scant respect along with Akram. Sharjeel Khan Billings and West Indian hard-hitting with a global appeal," Akram said. for the quality diet. "We have quite a few fit players. I is one of the opener Dwayne Smith are part of the "Last year, it was great to see that "I was shocked to see the diet of the would say Akram is the fittest guy still key players strong United squad that also includes the entire country owned the event as some young players in the squad last though he doesn't play the sport any for Islamabad Pakistan batting Sharjeel Khan and their own. The response from the fans year. We were playing the first game longer," Watford said. "Misbah is cer- United. spin wizard Saeed Ajmal. was awesome and I am sure the teams and Dean has just joined the team. Nor- tainly one of the fittest guys going Former Australian World Cup hero will fight for top honours this year as mally you enter the ground around around. Dean Jones is the team coach of Islam- well," Akram said. 6:00pm and the game would start a cou- "Unfortunately, the traditional Paki- abad United. Akram said Islamabad United's team ple of hours later at 8:00pm," he said. stan food is not conducive for high The second edition of PSL starts in physio and dietitian Dean Watford was "What happens is there is a buffet in performance sports.We are trying to Dubai today. signed up to ensure players arrive at the every dressing room. In walks Dean and steer them away from the more tradi- "I have tasted the Pakistani food . I "There will be close games, I am sure pitch and fit every single time. grabs a piece of grill chicken and walks tional Pakistan foods. When they eat like Biryani, but I stay away from most but Islamabad United has arrived well "He is our trainer. He is one of the off. Shane Watson had a little bit of right, it will give them lots of energy of the stuff as I want to stay in shape," prepared. They have put in the hard fittest guys around the team. We had a pasta. Our boys from Sialkot, they would when they play. he quipped. THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2017 SPORT 27 India snub triple centurion 39 sixes as Indian batter scores T20 triple century

New as his team finished on 416 for Test against Bangladesh AFP for two. Friends XI only man- aged 200 in reply. Hyderabad Hyderabad which starts on little-known batsman Sanjay Bhardwaj, Ahla- AFP Thursday. made headlines across wat's coach at the LB Shastri "We have been able to win AIndia yesterday after Cricket Academy in Delhi, ndia captain games because of persistence by scoring an unbeaten triple said he was not surprised by insisted yesterday that his the bowlers, application by the century in a Twenty20 his protege's heroics. record-breaking side batsmen, coming back from match, a knock which "This doesn't surprise me. weren't taking their debut tough situations," he added. included a staggering 39 He is an aggressive batsman home Test against Bangla- Kohli did not reveal his line- sixes. who hits it long but also has Idesh lightly – despite dropping up, but made clear that fit-again Mohit Ahlawat also a clear sense of the game," a batsman who scored a triple Ajinkya Rahane would return in smashed 14 fours in his said Bhardwaj. century on his last outing. place of Nair who has a Test 72-ball 300 – thought to be Bhardwaj, who has After going unbeaten in the average of 160 after scoring an the first T20 triple century – coached several Indian play- last 18 Tests, Kohli's number one unbeaten 303 against England which has earned him a trial ers including the opener ranked team is widely expected in December. with the Delhi Daredevils for Gautam Gambhir, said news to swat aside a Bangladeshi out- "One game doesn't over- next month's glitzy Indian of Ahlawat's barnstorming fit that has never beaten shadow two years of hard work Premier League (IPL). knock had spread so quickly top-notch opposition on their from another player. You need Ahlawat, who hails from that he had already been travels. to understand what 'Jinks' a family of farmers, ham- tapped up by the Delhi And after a 4-0 win over (Rahane) has done for the team mered the hapless bowlers Daredevils. England in their last series, over the past two years," Kohli from a team called Friends "You won't be able to India's confidence is so high they said. XI to all corners of the ground reach him on the phone even feel they can drop rookie "He averages almost fifty in in east Delhi on Tuesday. today as the Daredevils called batsman Karun Nair, who scored this format and he is probably The 21-year-old was him for a trial after they 303 in the final Test in the most solid batsman in the playing for the Maavi XI, a heard of his knock," Bhard- Chennai. Test team. He deserved to walk semi-professional team waj said. Indian captain But Kohli, who has himself back into the team whenever he which had invited him to join It is the first time that Virat Kohli during scored three Test double centu- got fit. them for a league match at anyone is believed to have hit ries since July, said there was no "Karun was stepping into his team's practice the last moment. a triple century in a T20 danger of the world's top-ranked shoes and what he did was session on the eve "They invited me to play game, although it was not Test team becoming remarkable, but sealing his spot of Test against and I simply went. It's good classified as a first class complacent. as far as the squad was con- Bangladesh that something like that has match. "No team is invincible, no cerned is what Karun did." in Hyderabad happened," Ahlawat told The The highest score team is unbeatable," he said, Kohli is well aware of the yesterday. Inset: Times of India newspaper. recorded in a first-class T20 ahead of the one-off match in dangers of India getting carried Karun Nair "When I reached 150, I was the West Indian batsman away after the home favourites told myself 250 was there for Chris Gayle's 175 while play- were knocked out of last year's the taking. So I told my part- ing for the Royal Challengers World Twenty20 at the semi- ner at the other end that I was Bangalore in the 2013 IPL. final stage by the unfancied West in 2000. While Bangladesh did individually we played well going to take most of the Australia's One game doesn't Indies. manage to beat England for the against New Zealand... Although strike." holds the record for the high- overshadow two During the same tourna- first time in in Dhaka we lost the last two Tests (there His last 50 runs came off est score in a T20 ment, India only just scraped last year, their struggles away were a) lot of positives coming the final two overs, leaving international after hitting 156 years of hard work home in their match against from home were once again from those two games." him unbeaten on exactly 300 against England in 2013. from another Bangladesh in the last ball of the underlined by two subsequent Although Bangladesh are player. You need game. defeats in New Zealand. ninth out of 10 in the Test rank- India also lost a one-day Bangladeshi skipper Mush- ings, Kohli said India would not to understand series in 2015 on a tour of Bang- fiqur Rahim said the tourists underestimate their opponents what 'Jinks' ladesh, while a one-off Test was were excited by the prospect of whom he said deserved to be NZ tour: Proteas stick (Rahane) has done drawn after being disrupted by taking on the best in the world given more chances to improve rain. in an historic match. as a team. for the team over "We are wary of their abil- "It is a great opportunity to "They have the skill, it's just the past two years: ity and the talent that they bring show some character and show that they don't play that many to winning formula to the table," Kohli told our ability and hopefully we can Test matches to gain confidence Virat Kohli reporters. match up with the top side," said as a squad," he said. injury during the Twenty20 This week's match marks the the wicketkeeping batsman India enjoy an unbeaten AFP series against Sri Lanka, has not first time that Bangladesh have ahead of the match. record against Bangladesh with recovered. been invited to play a Test in "We played really well six wins and two draws in their outh Africa yesterday The squad will do duty for India since they won Test status against England and eight encounters. retained the squad that has the and Soutplayed Sri Lanka in a five one-day internationals. A one-day series for the limited- squad for three Test matches overs section of a tour of New will be announced later. C aptaincy could propel Root to new level: Cook Zealand starting next week. selec- The same 14 players lead Sri tion convener Linda Zondi said: Lanka 4-0 in a five-match "We are very happy with the London This August because of that," Cook said. "I home series. The final match is way the squad has jelled over Reuters 2016 file think he'll be an outstanding in Centurion tomorrow and the the past six months and con- photo shows candidate. squad will leave for New Zea- sistency in selection is very oe Root's prodigious batting England’s "It's a valid argument (that land the next day. important as we continue our could reach a new level if he his form could suffer) in one Fast bowler Dane Paterson build-up towards the ICC J is made England captain, sense but it has driven the bat- was added as cover for all- Champions Trophy tournament and Alastair Alastair Cook said after stepping ting of others to another level. rounder , who (in England in June)." Cook (right) down from the role following "Virat Kohli for example has will miss the only Twenty20 4-1/2 years in charge. during Test flourished, (Australia's) Steve international in Auckland on Squad The 26-year-old Root, the against Smith has flourished, (New Zea- February 17 and the first one- world's third-ranked batsman, Pakistan at land's) Kane Williamson as well." dayer in Hamilton on February South African squad: AB de Villiers is favourite to be named as the Oval. Cook, 32, was made perma- 19 because his wife is expect- (one-day international captain), Faf Cook's successor, raising some nent captain in 2012 and while ing their first child. du Plessis (T20 international cap- concerns that the extra respon- he scored 10 of his record 30 Paterson will return home tain), , Farhaan Behar- sibility could affect his form. Test centuries in the role, he has when Pretorius joins the tour. dien, (wkt), JP Du- Cook, who captained Eng- only reached three figures five Batsman David Miller, ruled miny, , David Miller, Chris land for a record 59 Test, sees times in his last 48 Test. out of the last three matches of Morris, , Dane Pater- no reason why the Yorkshire- A decision on who will the Sri Lanka series because of son, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine man woud not thrive -- pointing Kohli. "He (Root) has got a very, cricketers and he's a bloody replace Cook as Test captain is a finger injury, is fit to travel to to the impact captaincy has had very good cricket brain, he's a good cricketer who demands expected within the next two New Zealand but fast bowler Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz on India's -machine Virat part of the newer generation of respect in the dressing room weeks. Lungi Ngidi, who suffered a hip Shamsi. Rugby: The Coffee Brewer becomes sponsor for ARST, QR7s

The Peninsula be worn by the national team in something very special. There is can extend beyond our agree- QRF President Yousef Doha for the first time at the a bond there between the offi- ment and we looked forward to Al Kuwari he Qatar Rugby Federation ARST championship carrying the cials, players, clubs, teams and making The Coffee Brewer the (QRF) and Strategic Part- new sponsors brand name. the supporters from Qatar and sole partner of all Qatar rugby Tner Alliance (SPA) Over the coming 12 months, beyond which epitomizes the events and tournaments". yesterday announced a new one- The Coffee Brewer will use both very essence of rugby and our The Asia Rugby Sevens Tro- year sponsorship of the Qatar new and existing technology to company”. phy is an annual series of Rugby National Sevens team and develop and create events, acti- QRF President Yousef Al regional rugby seven’s tourna- the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy - vations and content that will Kuwari said: " "The new Qatar ments run by Asia Rugby and Doha 2017 (ARST) benefit all rugby fans in Qatar. rugby jersey is packed with tech- host nation the QRF. The com- Championship. Speaking at the sponsorship nology and features designed to petition has attracted 11 teams The agreement, which com- announcement, managing direc- withstand regular pounding and including; India, Jordan, Paki- menced on January 10 ahead of tor Omran Al Sherawi said: "We meet the specific needs of the stan, Philippines, Qatar, the ARST and Qatar national at SPA are very proud to partner Asia Rugby Sevens.” Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Bang- team selection, will see SPA's - with the QRF and the Asia Rugby "In addition, I welcome The ladesh, Iran and Nepal. The Coffee Brewer becoming the Sevens Trophy Championship for Coffee Brewer to the Rugby fold The ARST will be the biggest official partner to the QRF and what promises to be an and appreciate their tremendous rugby event in Qatar and will be the ARST. extremely exciting support and partnership at a time played on March 3 and 4 at the The new manufactured partnership”. of fragile economic downturn. Aspire Warm and Rugby Qatar rugby sevens jersey will “The QRF has built We hope that our partnership Stadium.