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Thursday 16 March 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Happy returns fforor Gritty Chandimal Dragulescu and Little birthday boy as lifts head Warriors win in second Test star cast Emir awards winners of annual camel race festival

Doha Misnad, owner of Shahalel, for win- QNA ning the race of Al Hail category. The Emir then honoured the com- mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin panies that sponsored this year's event. Hamad Al Thani yesterday Crown Prince of Dubai H E Sheikh Eawarded the winners of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al annual festival of Arabian Thorough- Maktoum took part in awarding the bred Camel Race for the Sword of HH winners. Also present yesterday was the Emir, which took place at Al Sha- Personal Representative of the Emir, hania camel racetrack. H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, The Emir awarded the winners of President of Olympic Committee the four main races with golden tro- H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, phies. Al Shahania camels won three Adviser to the UAE President and Pres- of the four races, with "Khoud" win- ident of the Emirates Camel Racing ning the golden sword. The other two Federation H E Sheikh Sultan bin Ham- camels Mesyan and Tashar won golden dan Al Nahyan, along with a number of daggers. The winner of the fourth race their excellencies sheikhs, ranking offi- was Al Wathba from UAE. cials, and followers of the sport. The Emir also awarded the silver The Emir attended the final races Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani awards the Sword of H H the Emir to the winners of the annual festival sword for Nasser Abdullah Nasser Al of this year's festival. of Arabian Thoroughbred Camel Race, held at Al Shahania camel racetrack yesterday. Mirza tops Elite class as UAE riders continue to dominate

Rizwan Rehmat Khalil of Bahrain finished in second while 's Al In today's action, riders will The Peninsula a time of 47.19 seconds. Hassan Al Momin (17.37 sec- compete in the Cadets Class 's Jafar Al Ali (47.46 onds) claimed the third spot. (road race) covering a distance AE riding giant seconds), Bahrain's Mansoor Abdulrehman Al Sultan of 46kms. Yousif Mirza yes- Mohammed (48.24 seconds) and (Saudi Arabia, 17.43 seconds), In the Junior Class, the rid- terday eased to a Saudi Arabia's Sultan Al Aseeri Ali Hameed (UAE, 17.50 sec- ers will complete a distance of commanding win (50.40 seconds) completed the onds), Ali Nasser (Bahrain, 18.07 92 kms. in the Elite Individ- top six of the day. seconds) and Manzar Abdullah Tomorrow is the last day of Uual Time Trial, beating Also yesterday, UAE's (19.12 seconds) completed the action when the Elite Class compatriot and brother Badar Abdullah Abdulkareem topped top 7 riders who managed a dis- completes a distance of 138kms Mirza to the top spot on day two the Junior Class with a time of tance of 11.5kms. in the Road Race. of the GCC Road Cycling 31.43 seconds. Abdulkareem's Championships. compatriot Rashid Abdullah GCC ROAD CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS: Bahraini cyclist Sayed (31.58 seconds) finished second. Ahmed Khalil finished in the Bahrain's Mohammed Ibrahim RESULTS OF DAY TWO third spot as a total of six riders (33.15 seconds) emerged as the completed the 34.6km distance third fastest rider in a group of ELITE INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL around Losail International Cir- six that contested in the Junior 1: Yousif Mirza, UAE, 45.21 seconds cuit and Qatar Shooting Range Class. 2: Badar Mirza, UAE, 46.11 seconds facility. Ahmed Naser (Bahrain, 3: Sayed Ahmed Khalil, Bahrain, 47.19 seconds UAE's Yousif Mirza The 28-year-old Mirza, who 33.24 seconds), Yusuf Al Yusuf JUNIORS INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL competes during the became first Emirati cyclist to (Saudi Arabia, 33.49 seconds) 1: Abdullah Abdulkareem, UAE, 31.43 seconds Elite Individual Time compete in Olympics last year and Hassan Ibrahim (34.11 sec- 2: Rashid Abdullah, UAE, 31.58 seconds Trial of GCC Road at Rio Games, clocked a time of onds) completed the top six. 3: Mohammed Ibrahim, Bahrain, 33.15 seconds Cycling Championships 45.21 seconds while Badar fin- UAE's Abdullah Jassim won CADETS INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL at Losail yesterday. ished with his top time of 46.11 the Cadets Class with a time of 1: Abdullah Jassim, UAE, 16.09 seconds Picture by: Salim

seconds as UAE riders domi- 16.09 seconds. 2: Jassim Mohammed, Bahrain, 16.54 seconds

Matramkot/The Peninsula nated proceedings for the Bahrain's Jassim Moham- 3: Al Hassan Al Momin, Saudi Arabia, 17.37 seconds. second day running. med (16.54 seconds) finished Al Sadd begin preparation for 'Qatar Clasico'

Fawad Hussain against Umm Salal in the last One player already con- side’s 2-1 victory over Muaither, The Peninsula round. firmed to be out for the Qatar and now is free to be selected With just three matches left Clasico is defender Mohammed for the game against their local ith just three rounds to in the season, Al Sadd - coached Kasola who is set for a one game rivals. go in the season, Doha by Jesualdo Ferreira - will look suspension, after picking up his El Jaish also revealed that Wfootball giants Al Sadd to win all their remaining games fourth yellow card of the season midfielder Khalid Abdulraouf will have to exhibit a steely including the one against mighty in the Wolves last league game. is continuing his rehabilitation resolve in all fixtures to nail the third-placed Al Rayyan to keep Al Sadd will have to display from a knee injury he suffered (QSL) title their title-hopes alive. their best show against Al Rayyan at the beginning of the cam- once again. Knowing the huge challenge who have shown excellent form paign. Club officials confirmed For Al Sadd to lift the QSL ahead of them, Ferreira’s side in recent weeks. that Abdulraouf will now slowly Shield, they must overcome Al has already kicked off their prep- On Tuesday, the Michael return to first team training, Rayyan - the other powerhouse arations for the crucial stage of Laudrup’s side registered a 3-1 and start to get back to full of football in Qatar - in next the QSL with the Xavi Hernan- victory over Persepolis at Al Sadd Al Sadd players fitness. month's eagerly-anticipated bat- dez-led side hitting the training Stadium, moving to the top of celebrate after With the QSL making way tle dubbed as the 'Qatar pitch following 11-day rest. Group D in the 2017 AFC Cham- scoring a goal for international football, El Clasico'. The former QSL champions, pions League. against Umm Jaish has also organized a In an absorbing campaign so however, had a number of nota- Al Rayyan who returned to Salal in their friendly match to maintain fit- far, second-placed Al Sadd and ble absentees in training sessions the QSL in 2015-16 after a one- Qatar Stars ness during the three week points leaders Lekhwiya have who are all currently represent- year hiatus with a title triumph League Round break in action. Sabri Lam- spent the season neck and neck ing Qatar including Hassan are currently on third position in 11 match in this ouchi’s side is set to take on in race to win the Shield with the Haydoos, Ibrahim Majid and the standing and are aiming to file photo. Qatar Gas League side Al Shamal latter side enjoying a two-point goalkeeper Saad Al Dosari. retain their position till the end on March 21. edge. Apart from the group, Iranian of the season. The friendly will be seen as Lekhwiya have 56 points international defender Morteza Meanwhile, El Jaish will wel- round 24 matches against lead- in first team contention after a vital preparation for their match from 23 games so far with Al Pouraliganji has joined up with come back key defender to the ers Lekhwiya. one game domestic ban for against Lekhwiya, which is set Sadd falling two points short in his country ahead of the Russia squad as the soldiers start their The club confirmed that picking up four yellow cards this to take place over the first as many games after a draw 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. preparations for their crunch defender Yusef Muftah is back season. Muftah sat out of his weekend in April. SPORT 16 MARCH 2017 THURSDAY 25

FORMULA ONE TAKES ON A NEW-LOOK FOR 2017 Formula One maps out LAP TIMES Cars are expected to lap between three and five seconds faster due to revised aerodynamics and the tyre changes. The fastest lap in Barcelona testing was quicker than any pole position there since 2007. The gain is coming through the corners, with many taken flat out thanks to improved downforce and grip. That means higher G-forces on drivers. Straight post-Ecclestone future line speeds will be slower but drivers can stay on the throttle for longer. "It's quite unreal. It's amazing. I'm coming through some of these corners...and I'm like a kid on a roller-coaster ride because it's so much better than it was London Lewis Hamilton (left) before," says Mercedes' triple world champion Lewis Hamilton. Reuters and Valtteri Bottas pose TYRES during the launch of new Tyres are fatter. The width of the rears has expanded from 325mm to 405. The he old ringmaster has Mercedes F1 car in this last fronts are 305mm compared to a previous 245mm. The wheel rims remain gone, pushed aside by month's photo. Hamilton Formula One's new unchanged. has given thumbs up to Pirelli expects the tyres to offer about 25 percent more grip and last longer, American owners, and changes for 2017 season. the marketing men which is likely to mean fewer pitstops. Thave moved in with a mission to "I think the strategy elements that we've seen in the last seasons will be greatly overhaul the circus and give spec- reduced," says Pirelli motorsport head Paul Hembery. "I'm quite sure we'll see a tators something more modern lot more one-stop races." for their money. AERODYNAMICS If an era ended in January Front wings are wider, stretching out to 1,800mm from a previous 1,650. Rear with the exit of Bernie Ecclestone, wings are also wider but lower, helping give the cars a more aggressive look. following Liberty Media's takeo- Cars are wider, longer and heavier. The total width has been expanded to ver, the Formula One season 2,000mm, up from 1,800mm - a return to pre-1988 dimensions. starting in on March 26 The cars are 20kg heavier at 722kg and "Shark fins" have appeared on most of marks a bright new dawn. them, leading off the airbox behind the driver's head. The revised aero could The cars are faster, wider and make it harder to overtake, however. more aggressive-looking with Now the turbulence is easily twice as powerful from the car, coming out of the fatter tyres and revised aerody- namics but, behind the scenes, back," says Hamilton. more far-reaching changes are FUEL being mapped out to drive The fuel allowance has been raised by five kg to 105kg to compensate for in- expansion. creased consumption due to the extra grip, but there are concerns that is not Sean Bratches and Ross "There will be a point in the plan on the sporting side. It has to what does it offer Formula One, enough. That could lead to evident fuel saving at the end of some races. Brawn have been appointed man- season...where we start to effec- be slow burn because of contracts what opportunities? "Do we CHAMPIONS aging directors for the commercial tuate change," said Bratches. that run to 2020 but he is looking become partners in promoting the For the first time since 1994, the season after Alain Prost won his fourth title and sporting sides respectively, "We are going to be very at everything from the format of races? Because up until now most and then retired, Formula One will have no reigning champion on the starting under chairman Chase Carey, and aggressive. We are going to try races to how the sport should look of the consideration has been how grid with Nico Rosberg quitting in December. sponsorship and research exec- new things, all in the spirit of bet- and sound. much they can pay. And we want Jenson Button, the 2009 champion, has also departed but four previous title- utives recruited. ter serving Formula One fans." "In the five-year programme to change that balance a bit." holders remain - Hamilton, four-times champion Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), The sport is set to accelerate In the short-term that means we’ve got to identify what sort of "Where the race is, and how 2007 winner Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) and double champion Fernando Alonso further away from the Ecclestone building up the race weekend, add- engine we want in the future, it’s held are going to be vital for (McLaren). era, one in which the 86-year-old ing in entertainment and events because that’s the sort of times- the future," said the Briton. TEAMS controlled everything with a along the lines of SuperBowl week, cale it takes, and list the things Ensuring the 20 drivers were The grid has shrunk to 10 teams, and 20 drivers, following the demise of Manor. famous reluctance to delegate. exploiting digital platforms and that are important," he told an the best in the world, free of com- building fan engagement through audience at a talk in Oxford this mercial considerations, is another Toro Rosso have switched from Ferrari to Renault power. RACES Overhauling F1 social media. month. box yet to be ticked and one Longer term, expect new "In the near term, he is putting linked to the thorny subject of a The season has 20 races, one fewer than 2016, due to Germany's absence for The sport is set to races - with Las Vegas and other together a group of engineers to fairer distribution of revenues. financial reasons and no new additions. accelerate further US destination cities high on the try and come up with "a more Brawn said that only truly NEW FACES away from the wish list - closer ties to promot- intelligent design of car". applied to the top half of the grid Button, Rosberg, Brazilian Felipe Nasr and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez have left. Ecclestone era, one in ers and a push to maximise Levelling the playing field, at present. In come Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne at McLaren and 18-year-old Canadian Lance which the 86-year-old revenue. allowing smaller teams a chance "We should have a true mer- Stroll with Williams. controlled everything "We are not yet really even a to compete against wealthy man- itocracy in Formula One. But you Other paddock moves are Finland's Valtteri Bottas to Mercedes, France's Este- with a famous player in the digital media land- ufacturers, and keeping can’t do that because some of the ban Ocon to Force India, Germany's Pascal Wehrlein to Sauber, Denmark's Kevin reluctance to delegate scape, so that's an opportunity for traditional races on the calendar teams rely on the commercial Magnussen to Haas and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg to Renault. us to add some digital dimension are high on the agenda. input of their drivers, else they FAREWELLS to our traditional broadcast "I think for sure the philoso- wouldn’t survive," he said. Following Liberty Ecclestone is no longer in charge, but has an undefined "Emeritus" role. media," Carey said in January. phy of Liberty and the "So you have to create a plat- Media's takeover, the Renault have split with team principal Frederic Vasseur and not replaced him. Formula One season Brawn, the former Honda and management now in FOM is to form where the small teams can Mercedes boss who won titles look at things in a more complete survive and then you can start to Technical head Paddy Lowe has left Mercedes and former Ferrari man James

starting in Australia on Allison has taken his place. Engineering head Pat Symonds is gone from Wil-

March 26 marks a with his own BrawnGP team and way," Brawn said. insist that they pick drivers on liams. bright new dawn was previously Ferrari technical "Not just the amount of merit and not on what money director, has a three and five-year money we can get from a race but they bring with them."

Quintana secures Tirreno-Adriatico Happy returns for birthday title, eyes more boy Curry as Warriors win glory Oakland Milan AFP Stephen Curry AFP tephen Curry scored 29 olombian Nairo Quintana points on his 29th birthday secured his second Tirreno- Sas the Golden State Warri- CAdriatico title on Tuesday ors staged a fourth quarter rally after defending his overnight lead to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers – and then targeted Tour de and halt their three-game los- France glory. ing streak on Tuesday. The Movistar team rider, who The Warriors looked to be last won Italy's "Race of the Two heading for a shock defeat at the Seas" 2015, is also expected to Oracle Arena after the hapless challenge for his second Giro Sixers led by 12 points at the end d'Italia in May and underlined his of the third quarter. credentials by racing to victory But a defiant defensive per- on Saturday's hilly fourth stage to formance from Warriors take command of the race. stalwart Draymond Green and Nairo Quintana "It was more difficult to win some merciless shooting from two years ago when I had more Curry saw the Dubs home in a rivals who were more experi- I can pursue my preparation for the stage podium after finishing nail-biting 106-104 victory that enced than I was. Now I'm my goals -- the Giro d'Italia and with the same deficit. After two saw them improve to 53-14. stronger and smarter and I had a the Tour de France -- as I'm stages in which he defended his As well as his 29-point haul, better team this time around," said happy with my condition," he lead, Quintana took a 50sec lead Curry had six rebounds and four Quintana, the diminutive climb- said. over Frenchman Thibaut Pinot assists. top score with 25 points while Curry also praised Green's ing specialist. The seventh and final stage into the race decider on Green meanwhile scored 20 Jahlil Okafor added 22 points. fourth quarter performance "I expected to finish the week was won by the Australian Tuesday. points and snared eight Curry was relieved to have which helped the Warriors get of racing in better shape than I Rohan Dennis, who in the end Pinot, however, suffered on rebounds and eight assists in a drawn a line under the Warri- over the line. "Fourth quarter had at the start and that's the case. came closest to upsetting Quin- the time-trial bike to finish out crucial performance that also ors recent run of poor form. what Draymond did was amaz- tana's victory plans. of contention. included six blocks. "It's been a rough week ing," Curry said. OVERALL RESULTS Dennis, of the BMC team, Dennis finished 25sec The Sixers, who fell to 24-43 obviously. Every NBA team goes "We've just gotta fight 1. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 25hr 56min 27sec, 2. hit an average speed of just over behind in second place. Pinot with the defeat, saw Dario Saric through it at some point, we just through. Tonight we battled Rohan Dennis (AUS/BMC) at 25sec, 3. Thibaut Pinot 53 kph to complete a flat 10km was third overall at 0:36. gotta keep fighting," Curry said. through it," added Curry, brush- (FRA/FDJ) 0:36, 4. Primoz Roglic (SLO/LNL) 0:45, 5. time-trial around San Bene- Slovakia's Peter Sagan, who NBA RESULTS "Draymond said something ing off talk about his own recent Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) 0:58, 6. Tom Dumoulin detto del Tronto in a winning won two stages on the race, Golden State 106 Philadelphia 104 in a timeout in the first quarter dip in form. I don't pay attention (NED/GIA) 1:01, 7. Jonathan Castroviejo (ESP/MOV) time of 11min 18sec. came close to disaster after New Orleans 100 Portland 77 that we needed to get our flow to slump talk," he said. "I know

1:18, 8. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 1:36, 9. Bauke Dutchman Jan Van Emden swerving into a bike lane to Oklahoma 122 Brooklyn 104 back. And it might not be pretty that the shots haven't been fall-

Mollema (NED/TRE) 1:38, 10. Domenico Pozzovivo (Team Lotto) was second at 3sec avoid a woman and her dog Ny Knicks 87 Indiana 81 but that was accurate to say the ing. You've just got to fight

(ITA/ALM) 1:59 while Michael Hepburn (Orica), casually walking across a zebra Cleveland 128 Detroit 96 least how the game went through it and shoot your way also from Australia, completed crossing. tonight." back to the level I'm used to." 26 SPORT THURSDAY 16 MARCH 2017

Shashank Manohar Sri Lankan cricketer Dinesh Chandimal watches the ball as he Vesnina upsets plays a shot during the first day of the second and final Test match against Bangladesh at The P. Sara Oval Cricket Stadium in Kerber to set up Colombo, yesterday. Venus quarter-final Indian Wells Reuters

ussia's Elena Vesnina ousted German second Rseed Angelique Kerber India's 6-3 6-3 to reach the quarter- finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California on Manohar Tuesday. The victory was the 14th- quits as ICC seeded Vesnina's first against a top-three player and put the doubles specialist into a last- Chairman eight showdown against Venus Gritty Chandimal lifts Williams. Vesnina blasted 28 New Delhi winners to 21 unforced errors Elena AFP and broke Kerber's serve five Vesnina times to forge ahead before ndia's Shashank Mano- holding off a late rally by the har resigned yesterday Sri Lanka in second Test German, who will return to Bacsinszky of Switzerland Ias chairman of the Inter- number one in the world rank- retired from their match while national Cricket Council Colombo SCOREBOARD Bangladesh, sent into bowl ings next week despite her early trailing 5-1 in the first set. after a fallout with his own AFP first by Herath, had taken the exit in California. The Czech will face reigning Sri Lanka (I innings): board over efforts to reform D Karunaratne c Mehedi b Mustafizur ...... 7 honours in the opening session Williams, the 12th seed, French Open champion Garbiñe the game's world govern- inesh Chandimal rode his U Tharanga c Soumya b Mehedi ...... 11 as off-spinner Mehedi struck recovered from a slow start to Muguruza of Spain, a 7-6(5) 1-6 ing body. luck to score an unbeaten K Mendis st Mushfiqur b Mehedi ...... 5 twice and fast bowlers Mustafi- grind down China's Peng Shuai. 6-0 winner over in-form Manohar took over last Dhalf-century for Sri Lanka D Chandimal () ...... 86 zur Rahman and Subashis Roy After battling back from Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. year as the first independ- against Bangladesh in Colombo A Gunaratne lbw Roy ...... 13 took one apiece. match-point down earlier in the Caroline Wozniacki, the 13th ent ICC chairman for a yesterday after the tourists made D de Silva b Taijul ...... 34 Mustafizur put the visitors in week against Jelena Jankovic, seed and 2011 champion, two-year term and had a dream start to their 100th Test N Dickwella b Shakib ...... 34 good heart in their milestone Test Williams executed another turn- reached the quarters with a 6-4 D Perera c Soumya b Mustafizur ...... 9 been trying to bring in match. R Herath (batting) ...... 18 when he forced an edge from around against Peng to win 3-6 6-4 victory over ninth-seeded changes to the ICC's govern- The home side reached Extras (B-1, LB-12, W-6, NB-2) ...... 21 opener Dimuth Karunaratne, 6-1 6-3. American Madison Keys. The ance designed to reduce the 238-7 before bad light stopped Total (for 7 wkts) ...... 238 having cranked up the pressure Vesnina leads their head-to- Dane will meet Kristina Mlade- power of cricket's most the opening day's play, recover- Fall of : 1-13, 2-24, 3-35, 4-70, 5-136, by bowling three successive head 3-2 and won their most novic of France, who beat powerful nations -- India, ing from 70-4 on a turning pitch 6-180, 7-195. maidens. recent match at last year's Miami American Lauren Davis 6-3 6-3. Australia and England. at the P. Sara Oval, owing mainly Bowling: Mustafizur 15-5-32-2 (w5); Roy 15-2-47- Mehedi took a brilliant catch Open. Eighth-seeded Svetlana But the organisation to Chandimal's patient 86 not 1 (nb2, w1); Mehedi 15-2-58-2; Taijul 14-2-34-1; at gully as Karunaratne departed World number three Karo- Kuznetsova, 31, was the first to Shakib 20.1-3-43-1; Mosaddek 4-0-11-0. now faces a fresh bout of out. Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, after making just seven runs. lina Pliskova advanced to the advance with a 6-1 6-4 win over turmoil after the divisions Chandimal shared a 66-run Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Mehedi then struck in his last eight after 15th seed Timea Caroline Garcia of France.

between the powerful stand with Dhananjaya de Silva Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Mus- third over, enticing Kusal Mendis Indian board and most of and then added 44 and 43 runs tafizur Rahman, , Subashis Roy. out of his crease before Mush- INDIAN WELLS ATP MASTERS AND WTA RESULTS the rest of the game erupted with Niroshan Dickwella and fiqur Rahim completed a into the open. Rangana Herath to halt Coming into the side for stumping. M E N "The ICC has confirmed what had been a quick proces- Lahiru Kumara as Sri Lanka's Mendis was the man-of-the- THIRD-ROUND it has received an email sion of wickets. only change from their 259-run match in the first Test in Galle Malek Jaziri (TUN) bt Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 from Chairman Shashank Chandimal, who faced 210 win in the first Test in Galle, de after scoring 194 but he departed Jack Sock (USA x17) bt Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x12) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) Manohar tendering his res- balls and hit four fours in his Silva gave Chandimal good sup- this time having scored just five. Donald Young (USA) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA x14) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 ignation," the organisation knock, was given out lbw on 38 port before he was bowled by Sri Lanka's troubles deep- Kei Nishikori (JPN x4) bt Gilles Muller (LUX x25) 6-2, 6-2 said in a brief statement off the bowling of left-arm spin- Taijul for 34. ened when Upul Tharanga edged Rafael Nadal (ESP x5) bt Fernando Verdasco (ESP x26) 6-3, 7-5 after news of the resigna- ner Shakib Al Hasan but the Wicketkeeper Niroshan Mehedi to Soumya Sarkar at slip Roger Federer (SUI x9) bt Steve Johnson (USA x24) 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) tion had been leaked. decision was overturned follow- Dickwella chipped in with 34 for 15 after earlier being given a Nick Kyrgios (AUS x15) bt Alexander Zverev (GER x18) 6-3, 6-4 "The ICC Board will ing a review. after de Silva's departure before reprieve by a television replay Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 assess the situation and next He then top-edged another Herath joined Chandimal in his when he was given out lbw off WOMEN steps before making a fur- left-arm spinner Taijul Islam to effort to give Sri Lanka innings a Mustafizur for six. FOURTH-ROUND ther announcement." fine leg on 46 but was given a decent look. Chandimal and Asela Manohar, the 59-year- benefit of the doubt by the third Herath, unbeaten on 18 at the Gunaratne tried to revive the Karolína Plískova (CZE x3) bt Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x15) 5-1 retired old former head of the umpire as TV replays on whether close of play, also had his share innings but Subashis struck on Garbine Muguruza (ESP) bt Elina Svitolina (UKR) 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 6-0 Indian board, cited personal Mehedi Hasan had caught him of luck as he had an lbw decision the stroke of lunchtime when he Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x19) bt Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x5) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 reasons in his letter to ICC cleanly were inconclusive. overturned off Shakib. trapped Gunaratne lbw for 13. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x8) bt Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) 6-1, 6-4 chief executive David Rich- Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x13) bt Madison Keys (USA X9) 6-4, 6-4 ardson, according to the Kristina Mladenovic (FRA x28) bt Lauren Davis (USA) 6-3, 6-3

cricinfo website. Venus Williams (USA x12) bt Peng Shuai (CHN) 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 India last month voted recall Shehzad and Elena Vesnina (RUS x14) bt Angelique Kerber (GER x2) 6-3, 6-3 against a proposed shake- up of the ICC, fearing a curb of its earnings and clout as a result of the changes to Kamran in limited-overs squads Federer, Nadal in 4th the organisation's financial and governance structure. AFP Manohar had argued round blockbuster, that the reforms would akistan yesterday recalled ensure "a more equitable opener Ahmed Shehzad distribution of revenues" Pand in sep- Djokovic advances and greater equality within arate squads for the four-match the game by attaching equal and three-match one- Indian Wells broken to love himself, then weight to each member day series in the West Indies AFP Verdasco held with a love game. nation's vote in board starting later this month. But Nadal gained the break meetings. Both batsmen earned their afael Nadal and Roger he needed for a 6-5 lead in a Since India's emergence recalls on the back of solid per- Federer booked a mouth- game Verdasco book-ended as the most powerful coun- formances in the recently held Rwatering fourth-round with double faults, and served try in world cricket, the ICC (PSL) Kamran Akmal Ahmed Shehzad clash at the ATP Indian Wells it out without a hitch. has often been accused of where they played for opposing Masters on Tuesday, where five- Federer edged American failing to exert its independ- sides in the final. The limited 30, April 1 and 2. The one-day Twenty20 series but was time champion Novak Djokovic Steve Johnson 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) ence on key issues of overs squads will be led by Sar- matches are scheduled for April included in the ODI squad. How- also advanced from the "group in a match in which neither governance. fraz Ahmed, who will also keep 7, 9 and 11 - all in Guyana. ever there was no room in either of death". player was able to break. Many of the game's wicket, with the first Twenty20 Shehzad was dropped from squad for , who stepped With the three superstars Federer failed to convert his smaller Test-playing in Barbados on March 26. The the Twenty20 and one-day down as ODI captain after los- drawn in the same quarter, only four break chances, but was nations have been accused remaining three matches will be squad after former head coach ing a series 4-1 in Australia in one - at most - can make it to pleased enough at not facing a of bending to India's played in Port of Spain on March described him as January. Giant fast-bowler the semi-finals. break point himself. demands in the ICC, desper- "undisciplined" following Paki- and batsmen The weeding out will start Djokovic made it past dan- ate to attract tours by India stan's World Twenty20 failure Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif in earnest on Wednesday, when gerous Argentine Juan Martin which can ensure their Pakistan Squads in India last year. were all excluded from both Federer meets Nadal in the del Potro, who shocked the Serb financial security by selling TWENTY20: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain) But he has since shown good squads because they are sus- round of 16 in a reprise of the star in the first round of the Rio TV rights. Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Mo- domestic form, scoring 653 and pended pending an investigation Australian Open final in Janu- de Janeiro Olympics last year en Proposals by the ICC to 286 in two one-day into alleged spot-fixing that took ary that saw the Swiss star claim route to singles silver. hammad Hafeez, , Shoaib create a two-tier Test sys- tournaments. place in the PSL. an 18th Grand Slam crown. Djokovic eked out the first Malik, , , tem were scrapped last The 35-year-old Akmal last Leg-spinning all-rounder Three-time Indian Wells set despite going down an early year after the Indian board , Mohammad Nawaz, Has- played for Pakistan in the 2014 Shadab Khan, only 18, impressed champion Nadal was the first break, but couldn't do the same came out in opposition to an Ali, , , Rum- World Twenty20 in Bangladesh selectors with his performances through, defeating fellow Span- in the second. the plan. man Raees, and has also shown remarkable in the PSL to get a berth in both iard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, In the third, however, he Manohar, who is a law- ONE-DAY: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), form to regain his place, finish- squads. Left-handed batsman 7-5. Despite two "horrible" raced away with it, winning the yer by profession, took over Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Mo- ing as top scorer in PSL with 353 Fakhar Zaman, 26, was also games, Nadal was pleased with last five games with what he as president of the BCCI in hammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib runs. The limited over series will rewarded for his domestic per- his overall effort against Ver- called "probably the best tennis October 2015 for a second Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Zakir, Imad be followed by three Tests for formances, while 23-year-old dasco, a left-hander like himself I've played this year". stint after the death of vet- Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad As- which a squad will be announced all-rounder Fahim Ashraf, the who has pushed him in the past. Kyrgios defeated Germany's eran administrator ghar, , , Wa- later. best player in last year's National The blip came after Nadal Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 in a Jagmohan Dalmiya. hab Riaz, Fahim Ashraf, Fast bowler Mohammad One-Day Cup, was included in had broken for a 2-1 lead in the battle of two of the ATP Tour's Amir was rested for the the 50-over squad. second set. He was promptly most exciting young talents. THURSDAY 16 MARCH 2017 SPORT 27 Dragulescu, Little head Doha star cast

FIG ART World Cup More than 240 gymnasts will feature at next week's FIG ART World Cup at Aspire Academy.

Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula

omanian giant Mar- ian Dragulescu, winner of more than two dozen Olympic Marian medals, and Austral- Dragulescu of Rian 2010 CW Games delight Romania, one of Emily Little will headline the the top gymnast Doha cast at next week's FIG Ali Al Hitmi, President of Local Organising Committee oforr next next who will be taking Artistic World Cup leg to be held at Aspire Academy. week's FIG Artistic World Cup leg and President of Qatar Gymnasticsymnastics part in next week's Hungary’s 2012 Olympic Federation (QGF) addressing a press conference in Doha in the presence of Mohamed AlAl Maraghi,Maraghi, FIG Artistic World champion Krisztian Berki, the QGF board member and Anis Saoud, Venue Manager at QGF. Pic: Abdul Basit/Thehe PeninsulPeninsulaa Cup in Doha. pommel horse powerhouse, and Romanian veteran Catalina Ponor, who has featured in three Krisztian Berki Emily Little also in the region. It’ll help us pating delegations next week. Olympic Games, will also be part of Hungary. of Australia gain further mileage for next "The distinct change in this of the competitions at the March year’s World Championships. year's edition will be the partic- 22-25 event, organisers con- Our experience in hosting the ipation of gymnasts from five firmed yesterday. annual World Cup in March will Arab nations including Qatar, More than 240 gymnasts will motivate us to stage one of the Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Jordan and feature at next week's FIG ART best events,” Al Hitmi added. Morocco," Al Hitmi said. World Cup, the highest number When asked about medal "We are looking forward to of entries in the event's 10-year prospects from the three home next event's championships. We history. gymnasts, Al Hitmi said: "This feel the gymnasts would also be Qatar will field three gym- will be a great championship for feeling the same way. Ours a top nasts Ahmed Al Dayani, Ahmed our gymnasts to learn from. event on the FIG calendar. We Mosa and Jana Elkeky, President Qatari gymnasts have been pre- have been handling this popular of Qatar Gymnastics Federation paring well. They even had event for the last nine years and (QGF) Ali Al Hitmi said training sessions with a British we have done well," Al Hitmi yesterday. delegation last month." said. Little will lead a four-mem- "We will be hosting the 10th "I can tell you with confi- ber Australian women’s team edition of the event and every dence that this tournament acts that also includes Georgia-Rose year we have been fielding our like a magnet for the world's best Brown, Rianna Mizzen and own gymnasts so that they learn gymnasts. It is an event that often Emma Nedov. and improve. We have made sig- sets the tone for the gymnasts for Last month Little claimed nificant progress over the years," the rest of the season," he said. gold in floor, silver in vault and Al Hitmi said. Abeer Ali, competition man- a bronze medal in balance at the another successful event like the helped us in a big way to under- and various sports federation "Our gymnasts know they ager, said gymnasts from 30 Melbourne leg of the FIG World previous nine editions," Al Hitmi stand the intricacies involved in heads. The infrastructure and will be up against the best in the countries are certain for the Cup. said during a press conference hosting a major event. We’re organisation is one of the best. world but we feel this is a great four-day event. Armenia's Harutyun Medin- yesterday. confident to deliver the best,” Al We look forward to produce yet way to learn," he said. She said Turkey (17) and Aus- yan and Artur Davtyan, who had "It’s a major competition Hitmi, who is also one of the another top-class event," Al "At the same time, we will tralia (15) will have the two competed at the Rio Games last which has been held also in Cot- seven FIG Executive Committee Hitmi said. wait for good results from our largest delegations in Doha next year, are also headed to Doha for tbus (Germany), Melbourne (AUS) members, said. "The World Cup will be a gymnasts," he said last week. week. Delegations from Croatia the hugely popular FIG event. and Baku (Azerbaijan). “Doha is praised for its excel- good opportunity to develop the Al Hitmi said Arab gymnasts (12) and China (11) are also “The QGF wants to produce "The past tournaments have lent hospitality by the athletes sport not only in the country, but will also be part of the partici- expected to do well. Juve must improve in quarter-finals: Allegri

Turin, Italy average than other sides with Bayern Munich. The Germans AFP respect to the number of were the last team to beat chances we create," said the Juventus at home in European coring more goals and 49-year-old Italian, who has competition, ending their cam- shoring up in defence will reportedly held talks with Pre- paign in 2013 when the Turin Sbe key if Juventus are to mier League giants Arsenal. giants were under the helm of avoid another Champions "In defence, we also have to current Chelsea manager Anto- League quarter-final exit after improve. In the second half, nio Conte. cruising past Porto and into the despite our numerical advan- Allegri has already sur- last eight, said coach Massimil- tage, we did the opposite of what passed Conte's feats with the iano Allegri. we did in Porto. Italian champions in Europe, but Beaten 2015 finalists Juven- "In these situations you he says improving on the pitch tus put one foot into the last either up the rhythm and pres- might not be enough. Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare celebrates with Christian Fuchs after the UEFA eight of Europe's premier club sure and attack, or you sit back "We have to be very good competition last month with a and pass the ball around till it over our next two games if we're Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match against Sevilla at the King Power Stadium, 2-0 win away to 10-man Porto. gets boring for everybody. to make it all the way to the Leicester, England on Tuesday. And the Turin giants were "We didn't do either. We final. Although a little bit of luck impervious on Tuesday on their were very good in the first half, would help as well," he said. way to stretching their unbeaten but less so in the second. Thank- When asked his preference, run in European competition to fully, we had our last eight ticket Dybala was unequivocal -- Leicester's Shakespeare eyes 21 games despite failing to build practically assured, but we'll although the Argentine starlet on their numerical superiority have to work on this for the was looking further ahead to the after Porto, as they did in the future." final. first leg, lost a man before the Although Juventus remain "With the squad we have, Champions League surprise half-time interval. on course for a third consecu- and for how well we're doing in Nuno Espirito Santo's visi- tive league and Cup double, their all three competitions, how can tors failed to pose any real real focus this season is on mak- we not think about winning the Leicester Ranieri's dismissal, feels the feat there on merit, make no mis- threat, and any hope of an upset ing amends for a 3-1 final defeat Champions League?" said AFP stands "right up there" with last take about that. We might just was ended on 40 minutes when to Barcelona in 2015. Dybala, who began his career in season's fairytale Premier be the surprise team. Paulo Dybala drilled past Iker And with Barcelona, Italy with Serie A strugglers eicester City manager Craig League title win and said there "But we know the quality of Casillas from the penalty spot 11-times champions Real Madrid Palermo. Shakespeare believes his could be more miracles still to teams in there is getting down after Maxi Pereira's expulsion and Bayern Munich all possible "For the final, I'd like to Lteam could become the come. to the real serious business for handball. future opponents following Fri- replay the one from two years Champions League's surprise "We know there's going to now." Juventus cruised through day's quarter-final draw, Allegri ago, even though I wasn't there." package after they eliminated be some terrific teams, as in the Barcelona, Real Madrid, 3-0 on aggregate, but Allegri has reason for concern. As Nuno looks ahead to an Sevilla to reach the previous round," said Shake- Bayern Munich and Juventus are was less than satisfied after the Juventus beat Real on aggre- improved campaign with Porto quarter-finals. speare, who was taking charge among the teams who have hosts failed to make their gate in the last four to reach the next time around, the Portu- Toiling domestically and of only his fourth game as a already reached the quarter- advantage pay in a listless sec- 2015 final, although the Span- guese coach gave Allegri, and beaten 2-1 in the first leg of the manager. finals, but Shakespeare said he ond half that saw Gonzalo iards recently showed their class Juventus, his backing when he last 16 tie, Leicester roared back "We have to be delighted had no preference regarding Higuain and Mark Pjaca fire with a 6-2 aggregate win over said: "Allegri has done a great to win 2-0 in Tuesday's return with the performance in knock- Leicester's next opponents. wide of the target. Napoli. job, Juventus are one of the best leg, sending them into Friday's ing Seville out, because their Asked if there was a team he "In the Champions League Allegri's men have fared less sides in Europe. For me they're last-eight draw. Shakespeare, record in Europe is there for was hoping to come up against, he we are scoring less goals on well against Barcelona and among the top four or five." promoted following Claudio everyone to see. "But we're in smiled and replied simply: "No."