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Football brings officials, players and fans together in

Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino pose for a photograph with participating players and officials following a friendly football tournament which took place at the Al Duhail Stadium on Wednesday. Football officials who were in Doha to attend the FIFA Executive Football Summit, joined former Dutch international and Al Gharafa midfielder Wesley Sneijder and SC’s Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o at the event. ‘Amazing work’ - FIFA chief says Qatar’s 2022 World Cup preparations on track

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

FIFA President Gianni Infatino yesterday announced Qatar’s 2022 World Cup preparations are The stadstadiumsiu will be ready by running ahead of schedule. Infantino was addressing 2020, which means two years home and international media at ahead of the World Cup. I have the end of the three-day FIFA never seen this at any World Executive Football Summit held Cup in the past: Infantino in Doha. “As far as I could see, the progress is going according to plan,” Infantino said yesterday. “The stadiums will be ready by 2020, which means two years ahead of the World Cup. I have never seen this at any World Cup in the past. “I have seen World Cups and European Championships and we FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a press conference in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar have never had all stadiums ready Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and the FIFA chief pose before an event. It has never hap- for a photograph ahead of a friendly football tournament at the Al Duhail Stadium on Wednesday. pened. Here it will happen. I am very, very confident on that,” he added. will be playing the semi-finals “So we will, of course, come The FIFA President on around this time. The weather up with concrete initiatives for our Wednesday met the Prime Min- right now is absolutely beautiful. Qatari friends on how to make this ister and Interior Minister H E I am sure everything will be fan- In four years time, we a unique World Cup. But I don’t Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin tastic in four years time when we want to spoil the fun by Khalifa Al Thani, QFA President come back in 2022. But we will be will be playing the announcing what we will be doing Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin coming here often in the next four semi-finals around together in the next four years Ahmed Al Thani and Hassan Al years,” Infantino said. this time. The weather (smiles). There are few plans that World Cup will be) fantastic even implementing reforms, of bringing Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Infantino said the World Cup have already started. The sta- then.” new ideas and discussion which Supreme Committee for Delivery in Qatar will provide football fans right now is absolutely diums are absolutely amazing,” When asked about the illegal is good for football,” Infantino and Legacy. around the globe the chance to beautiful. I am sure the Swiss-Italian said. blockade on Qatar could impact said. “I have had the chance to meet discover the country and its everything will be When asked about the pos- the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, “As I said before if we could the Prime Minister yesterday to people fantastic in four years sibility of having an expanded Infantino said: “Will it (the all have the same feeling that it is discuss with him Qatar’s prepa- “There is no secret as to how World Cup involving 48 teams, blockade) have an impact on the good for football then we will have rations for the World Cup. I was FIFA can help. What I can say is we time when we come Infantino said: “We are not World Cup? No! What I want to a fantastic World Cup like we did here a few weeks ago as well. All will work hard, work together, back in 2022: Infantino speaking anything dangerous. We say as a citizen of the world is that in Russia. the signs are positive,” Infantino work jointly with Qatar. It is the are speaking something nice. We this gets stopped and that some “I am very happy with the said. first World Cup which will be will take decisions together. We agreements can be found for the debates (in Doha). We had debates “The Metro is moving towards played in the Middle East,” “It was the same story when will not impose decisions on people in the region, for the on how to make football grow in completion. The stadium work is Infantino said. World Cup was held in Russia. Qatar and they won’t impose people in the world.” Asia, Africa and the Americas also going on. “It has to be an occasion for There were many people with decisions on us. We will work Infantino said FIFA, under his because it is where it is needed “Amazing work! It is the same the world to come and meet new prejudices and when they went hand in hand for Qatar and we leadership, had become a trans- the most. The teams (in those con- word (used by Qatar) in their people here. I think it is to Russia, they had a great time. will take decisions that are best parent organisation that believed tinents) can invest in their football. World Cup slogan. It will be an important for the people to come Similarly people shouldn’t have for football.” in equality and opportunity for all. FIFA has financial stability in amazing World Cup,” he said. to this part of the world and dis- prejudices about this part of the He added: “We are having dis- “People had legitimate doubts terms of revenue, income and “Their preparations are in cover the country, to discover world. The World Cup will be a cussion with the authorities in on FIFA in the past but this is a dif- reserves. It is important that we advanced stages,” he added. the passion for football people celebration and that is the Qatar. I don’t want to share the ferent story. This is a new FIFA, a can share this information with “Today is the 13th of have here. There will be sur- message we want to give to the discussion with you right now. If FIFA which is not afraid of having our members and the media,” the December. In four years time, we prises for many. world. possible, yes, and if not, then (the a debate, having a discussion of 48-year-old said with a smile. FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 QFA President meets Sudanese counterpart Lyon reach last 16 QNA DOHA as Bayern top group The President of Qatar Football Asso- ciation (QFA), Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa AFP LEADING SCORERS bin Ahmed Al Thani, met with his PARIS UEFA Champions League leading scorers Sudanese counterpart Dr. Kamal Hamed after Wednesday’s group phase matches: Shaddad to discuss several issues of Lyon clinched the final Cham- common interest. pions League last-16 place as 8 The meeting was held yesterday, on Nabil Fekir’s second-half strike Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) the sidelines of the FIFA summit, hosted grabbed a 1-1 draw against by Doha. Shakhtar Donetsk in a snowy Sheikh Hamad stressed the impor- Kiev on Wednesday, while 6 tance of continued cooperation between Bayern Munich pipped Ajax to Messi (Barcelona) the two Association and the importance top spot in Group E. of developing these relations. Bruno Genesio’s Lyon For his part, the Sudanese FA Pres- needed to avoid defeat against 5 Dybala (Juventus), Dzeko (Roma), ident praised great attention to the Shakhtar to progress from Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Neymar (Paris affairs of the QFA in matters related to Group F with Manchester City, Saint-Germain), Marega (Porto), Tadic the game in the two countries, looking The President of Qatar Football Association (QFA), Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin and a fifth successive draw in (Ajax) forward to further fruitful and con- Ahmed Al Thani (second, left), with his Sudanese counterpart Dr. Kamal Hamed the competition achieved that structive cooperation in the coming aim. Shaddad during a meeting held in Doha, yesterday. period. Shakhtar forged ahead 4 midway through the opening Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Guerreiro period with what proved their (Borussia Dortmund), Icardi (Inter), Kane Manchester City’s Leroy Sane (second, left) only shot of the first half, just (Tottenham) scores their first goal from a free kick, during seconds after Lyon forward Champions League - Group F match against Bertrand Traore had been TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at the Etihad Stadium in denied by Andriy Pyatov when Ajax briefly moved top of Manchester, Britain, on Wednesday. clean through one-on-one with the live standings when Jerome the goalkeeper. Boateng carelessly conceded a The Burkina Faso interna- penalty, which was dispatched tional was made to pay for his emphatically into the roof of the profligacy, as Junior Moraes net by Tadic. slotted home after being picked But Tagliafico brought out by Ismaily. down Thiago Alcantara, with Lyon continued to dom- Lewandowski slotting in the inate, though, and finally spot-kick, before Kingsley equalised in the 65th minute as Coman looked to have settled Nabil Fekir hammered a left- matters with a wonderful 90th- footed strike into the top corner minute strike. following excellent play by Tagliafico went up the other Memphis Depay. end to equalise again, but Ajax Bayern Munich went into failed to find a winner as their game at Ajax just needing Bayern just about held on. a point to beat their opponents Juventus finished at the to first place in Group E, and Group H summit ahead of Man- Niko Kovac’s men did just that chester United despite slumping in a thrilling 3-3 draw. to a 2-1 defeat by Young Boys The game burst into life in in Bern, as Jose Mourinho’s the second half when Dusan Premier League giants lost at Tadic equalised Robert Valencia. Lewandowski’s early opener United had to beat Sane double seals Champions just after the hour mark, with Valencia and hope Juve failed Ajax defender Maximilian to win in Switzerland, but Woeber sent off in the 67th Carlos Soler and a comical minute for a dangerous lunge Phil Jones own goal did the on Leon Goretzka. damage for the visitors, with League top spot for Man City But Bayern were also Marcus Rashford scoring a late reduced to 10 men only eight consolation. minutes later, as Thomas Guillaume Hoarau netted AFP team is so demanding in terms UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE But the hosts were finally Mueller was given his marching twice to help Young Boys end MANCHESTER of how they attack the space, WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS level in spectacular fashion orders for planting his studs into their European campaign on a their physicality, they are when Sane curled a free-kick the head of Nicolas Tagliafico. high note. Manchester City survived a stronger than us,” said GROUP E into the top corner from 30 sloppy start to secure top spot in Guardiola. Ajax 3-3 Bayern Munich yards out. Champions League Group F by “After that we created an Benfica 1-0 AEK Athens Hoffenheim needed to win coming from behind to beat incredible amount of chances, GROUP F just to have a chance of quali- Hoffenheim 2-1 thanks to Leroy but the result is good. Manchester City 2-1 1899 Hoffenheim fying for the Europa League Sane’s double on Wednesday. “We are in the best 16, now Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Lyon knockout stage in third, but in Andrej Kramaric’s penalty we are going to see the draw and GROUP G their desperation to chase a put the Germans deservedly in especially try to arrive in the Real Madrid 0-3 CSKA Moscow winner left themselves hope- front on 16 minutes as another right moment.” Viktoria Plzen 2-1 Roma lessly exposed to the pace of much-changed City side City made life difficult for GROUP H Sane and Sterling after the struggled to get up to speed. themselves in the group with a Valencia 2-1 Manchester United break. However, Pep Guardiola’s flat performance in losing at Young Boys 2-1 Juventus Sane was guilty of over- men found their feet as the first home to Lyon in their opening playing as City incredibly half wore on and were level just group game and were similarly spurned a three-against-one before the break courtesy of a caught cold having already was in third time round from the when Sterling fed the German, brilliant Sane free-kick. secured their place in the last 16. penalty spot after Aymeric who tried to tee up the surprised Guardiola was frustrated by Kramaric had fired a Laporte was punished for Bernardo Silva rather than going his side’s wastefulness in front warning shot inches over before hauling down Benjamin Hubner. for goal himself and Baumann of goal in the second period, but Ederson produced an incredible All of City’s best efforts saved the Portuguese’s shot. Sane did at least secure victory finger-tip stop to turn another before the break came from set- Next up the competition Young Boys’ Guillaume Hoarau celebrates after scoring their first by converting Raheem Sterling’s curling effort from the Croatian pieces as Gabriel Jesus and favourites will face one of goal with team-mates during their Champions League - Group pass on the hour mark. behind. Nicolas Otamendi struck the Atletico Madrid, Schalke, Ajax or H match against Juventus, in Bern, Switzerland, on Wednesday. “We started flat because this However, Kramaric’s luck woodwork. Roma in Monday’s draw. Global football officials visit QFA pavilion at Darb Al Saai

THE PENINSULA experienced during our visit to DOHA the event area of the Qatar National Day celebrations in The Presidents of Asian football Darb Al Saai.” bodies attending the FIFA Exec- Gil added: “The Qatar utive Football Summit, yesterday Football Association is very visited the Qatar Football Asso- proactive with its contributions ciation (QFA) pavilion at Darb Al towards community programs. Saai. I am amazed to see the The visiting officials toured involvement of the football other pavilions as well and loving communities in Qatar.” attended Qatar National Day Earlier, on Wednesday, programs at Darb Al Saai. Gianni Infantino, the FIFA Pres- The football officials repre- ident, featured in a friendly senting AFC member associa- football tournament at the Al tions expressed their delight at Young kids play football at the Qatar Football Duhail Stadium that also seeing the huge participation of Association (QFA) pavilion at Darb Al Saai. involved football officials who children with their families at were attending the FIFA Exec- Darb Al Saai. The officials also utive Football Summit. visited the pavilion of Koora with the communities living in level and that is very nice to see,” be here. It feels good to see how Valentino San Gil, President The match also attracted Time Initiative and saw a big the country,” Mariano Araneta, Araneta said. “The activities are Qatar celebrates its National Day of Guam Football Federation, retired Dutch star Wesley Sne- crowd of children present there. President of the Philippines FA, highly entertaining at Darb Al by engaging young sports fans. said: “Enjoying football and pro- ijder who plays for Al Gharafa. “What I have seen at Darb Al said yesterday. Saai.” That’s a very noble gesture by viding an ideal environment for Cameroon player Samuel Eto’o Saai is no surprise because QFA “QFA takes upon itself to AFC Vice President Winston QFA to have their pavilion at children and families is very of Qatar Sports Club was also does a good job of interacting engage fans at the grassroots Lee said: “I am very pleased to Darb Al Saai.” important. This is what we present. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER 2018

Celebrating Qatar National Day: Al Adaam Flag Relay 2018 a huge success

Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Vice President Sheikh Saoud bin Ali and QOC Secretary General Jassim Rashid Al Buenain along with other officials receive the national flag outside the QOC headquarters during the second edition of Al Adaam Flag Relay 2018, which was held yesterday. RIGHT: Dutch football star and Al Gharafa playmaker Wesley Sneijder (left) participates during the Flag Relay at Corniche. Thousands of participants toured various parts of the country including Sealine, Al Shaqab and Hamad International Airport during the event, which is a part of Qatar National Day celebrations.

Sanchez names preliminary Nadal to join Federer FINA fights back with Qatar squad new elite Swim Series THE PENINSULA at Laver Cup in Geneva DOHA AP anti competitive practices. LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND It was filed on behalf of Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez LONDON rivals, the sport has ever seen Hungarian great Katinka has announced a 27-player REUTERS together on one team is very Under pressure from a Hosszu and two Americans, training squad for the AFC Asian exciting for our sport -- and will privately run rival compe- Olympic gold medalist Tom Cup UAE 2019. Spaniard Rafael Nadal will team give us the best possible chance tition and a class action suit Shields and world champion The squad will be trimmed up with perennial rival Roger to win the Laver Cup three years The team event by Olympic and world Michael Andrew after FINA to a final 23 after the Al Annabi Federer for the third edition of in a row.” featuring the best champion swimmers, FINA threatened to ban swimmers camp and friendlies in December. the Laver Cup in Geneva next Federer and Nadal, first and of Europe against a has pledged to start a new who compete in events Qatar will play Jordan and year. second in the all-time list of World team will be elite race series. linked to the proposed Kyrgyz Republic on December 23 The team event featuring the men’s Grand Slam winners with The three meetings next International Swimming and 25 and will face Algeria and best of Europe against a World 20 and 16 respec- taking place for the March to May will invite League. Islamic Republic of Iran on team willwill bbee tatakingking pplacelace fforor thethe tively,tively, won a third time, with Nadal Olympic and world champs, The privately owned December 27 and 31 in Doha third time,time, with Nadal and doublesdoubles and Federer also world record-holders, and league, backed by Moscow- before they leave for the United Federer also team-mates in the matchmatch team-mates in the top-ranked swimmers in based businessman Kon- Arab Emirates for the Continental inauguralinaugural match in 20172017.. four-lane races, FINA said stantin Grigorishin, aims to showpiece. Team EuropeEurope non-non-playingplaying inaugural match in yesterday. operate outside FINA’s Qatar are in Group E of the captain Bjorn Borg said having 2017. The “FINA Champions control, involve athletes in competition alongside Lebanon, NadalNadal anandd FeFedererderer wawass a boosboostt Swim Series” will pay $3.9m decision making, and pay DPR Korea, and Saudi Arabia. The forfor the September in total prize money - almost higher prize money. Maroons will face Lebanon in competition.competition. togethertogeth at the Laver Cup in double the prize fund for the “ISL takes swimmers their first match on January 9. “It“It doesn’t get much PPraguerague in 2017. 25-meter pool world cham- seriously, not like FINA,” betterbetter forfor a captain thanthan “I“I thinkt we all underesti- pionships currently being Hosszu said last Friday. QATAR SQUAD namingnaming both Roger Federer matematedd how powerful it would staged in China. In a FINA statement yes- and Rafael Nadal for the LaverLaver bbee toto ssee them sitting side by “By creating this addi- terday, another Olympic gold Goalkeepers: , Youssef CupCup in Geneva,” former world sside,ide, coachingc each other and tional elite competition, FINA medalist who chairs its ath- Hassan, Mohammed Al Bakri, Jassim Al number one Borg said in a ccheeringheeri each other on,” Borg will generate a true letes commission praised the Hail, Yazen Naim. statement.statement. sasaid.id. swimming show, where sport new competition. Defenders: Bassam Hisham, Sultan Al “Bringing“Bringing SwissSw Federer, one of the presentation and stars’ pro- “We will present Brake, Hamed Ismail, , togethertogether two ofof thethe instigatorsinstiga of the event, said motion are key concepts for swimming under a new per- Tariq Salman, Abdelkareem Al Ali, Pedro greatestg reat est havihavingng Nadal in the team again a successful meet,” its pres- spective,” said Penny Heyns, Miguel, Mohammed Alaa, Abdul Karim players,players, andd afafterter he missed this year’s ident, Julio Maglione, said in a double Olympic champion Hassan, , Mohammed Musa. ededitionition in Chicago due to injury a statement. for South Africa at the 1996 Midfielders: Salim Al Hajri, Assem Mad- wwasas an exciting prospect. FINA announced the plan Atlanta Games. bo, , Ali Awad, Ahmed “We“W had a lot of fun in days after three top “Finally, with this Fathy, Abdulrahman Fahmy, Abdulaziz PragPPrague and it will be very swimmers filed an antitrust unprecedented level of prize Hatem. Rafael Nadal spespecial for me to team up suit in a Californian court money, our swimming stars

Forwards: Hassan Al Haydous, Akram withwit him again in Swit- against the Switzerland- will definitively be attracted Afif, , Ahmed Alaa. zerlandzerl to try and defend our based swim body’s alleged by this circuit.” title,”title Federer said. Russian biathletes questioned in Austria for doping

AP have previously said they could “angry and furious about the In this file photo SALZBURG, AUSTRIA consider prize money won by witch-hunt that is going on” and taken on February doped athletes to be fraudulent has never doped. 13, 2014, bronze Austrian authorities are investi- earnings. The offenses were Alexander Loginov wrote on medalist Russia’s gating 10 members of Russia’s allegedly committed around the Instagram he was accused of Evgeniy Garanichev biathlon team for doping and 2017 world championships in “some machinations with blood celebrates during the fraud offenses. Austria, prosecutors said, adding transfusions and something else” Men’s Biathlon 20km Police visited the Russian that “accused persons” have supposedly committed as Individual Flower team’s accommodation in been given a formal notification recently as February 2017. Ceremony during Austria on Wednesday ahead of they are under investigation. In Moscow, Russian Foreign the Sochi Winter a World Cup event and spoke No Russian athletes in any Ministry spokeswoman Maria Olympics in Rosa with athletes and staff. sport have yet faced criminal Zakharova said the overnight Khutor near Sochi. The case is connected to a prosecution for a series of doping visit to Russian athletes ahead of wide-ranging bribery and doping scandals which led to the coun- a major competition looked Garanichev said: investigation involving the Inter- try’s team being suspended from “wild.” “I am on the list of national Biathlon Union, whose this year’s Winter Olympics. She added that the Russian people suspected of then-president stepped down in A lawyer for Russian doping Embassy has turned to Austrian breaking anti-doping April following a police raid of whistleblower Grigory Rod- authorities for explanation, rules!! Another the governing body’s offices. chenkov said this year he pro- adding that Moscow will respond scandal!!! We are Austrian prosecutors said in vided information which led to if it feels the case has political clean...” a statement that five Russian bia- the Austrian police action. undertones. thletes are suspected of “severe The Russian team is in Austrian police raided the fraud in connection with Austria for a World Cup event, IBU headquarters in April, with doping,” and five team officials and the Russian Biathlon Union prosecutors saying up to are suspected of “the use of pro- said it will “continue to compete.” $300,000 had been paid to cover hibited substances and/or Olympic champion Anton up Russian doping cases from IBU’s history, and general sec- Russia’s team, authorities in the Kazakhstan biathlon team. methods for the purpose of Shipulin, who won gold at the 2012-17. Anders Besseberg, until retary Nicole Resch stepped Austria and Italy have also inves- Nine Kazakh athletes were sus- doping.” Austrian authorities 2014 Sochi Games, said he is then the only president in the down soon after. Besides tigated alleged mass doping in pended last month by the IBU. FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 19 Kohli undaunted in absence of Ashwin and Sharma

AFP win in Australia, suffered a setback INDIA SQUAD Perth, which probably offers you PERTH when Ashwin and the experienced more than most other pitches in Sharma were declared unavailable Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, KL Australia. But we have an equal India skipper Virat Kohli was for the second Test in Perth, Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, chance.” undaunted yesterday despite starting today. Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Ashwin took six wickets in the losing prolific spinner Ravi- Ashwin is receiving treatment Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, first Test, while Sharma hit scores chandran Ashwin and batsman for a left-sided abdominal strain, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed of 37 and one. Rohit Sharma to injury as while Sharma jarred his back while Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuv- They were the notable absences he looks to twist the knife fielding in Adelaide, the Board of neshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav in India’s initial 13-man squad. All- in the second Test against Control for Cricket in India said. rounder Hanuma Vihari is expected Australia. Also missing, as expected, will to slot in for Sharma, with the final The visitors be exciting young opener Prithvi city’s venerable WACA Ground as spot a toss-up between pacemen went 1-0 in Shaw, who suffering ligament its premier cricket venue. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh the four-Test damage in a warm-up match ahead “We are definitely confident of Yadav or Ravindra Jadeja, who has series after a of the Adelaide Test. the percentage of chances we have taken 185 Test wickets with his left- tense, 31-run The BCCI said Shaw, 19, was and we want to build on that,” said arm spin and also averages 32.44 win in Adelaide earlier “recovering well” but was still Kohli at a pre-match press con- with the bat. this week -- their first undergoing treatment. ference before the injury problems Despite Kohli’s confidence, he victory in Australia in a However, Kohli was bullish were announced. cautioned his team not be com- decade. about India’s prospects in the inau- “Obviously Australia is going placent, noting that “we need to Indian captain Virat Kohli takes a catch during a training But India, who are gural Test at the new Perth to be a strong team in their home keep repeating good things to win session in Perth on Wednesday. searching for their first series Stadium, which has replaced the conditions and on a wicket like series”.

SL get Lewis Southee hails in coaching India, Australia brace for fiery green grass revamp for ahead of first World Cup 2nd Test at new Perth venue Sri Lanka Test REUTERS The 60,000-seat arena will host its first Test after Travis Head were the only home AFP PERTH a rich 47-year run at the nearby WACA, located on the batsmen to hit fifties. REUTERS COLOMBO WELLINGTON opposite bank of the Swan River. Australia’s woes extend to The shiny new Perth Stadium is spearhead Mitchell Starc, who Jonathan Lewis was yesterday expected to conjure up has been under the microscope A green Basin Reserve wicket named Sri Lanka’s new nostalgia-tinged memories of its India’s famous 72-run victory in 2008 was their having taken just 12 wickets in was welcomed by New batting coach, with the former fiery predecessor, offering sole triumph at the WACA, halting a Ricky Ponting-led his past five tests, and his major Zealand’s Tim Southee after England player to be tasked conditions a desperate Australia Australia’s world-record equaling 16-match winning control issues in India’s second his recent exertions against with preparing the national hope will spur a series-leveling innings would not have Pakistan on dry, low and slow team for next year’s World victory over India in the second streak. improved his confidence. pitches in the United Arab Cup. Test starting today. Paine, on a positive note, is Emirates, but the paceman His appointment by Sri The 60,000-seat arena will The tourists were humiliated by an innings and 37 fit to play after he appeared to was quick to point out that Lanka Cricket comes just days host its first Test after a rich runs four years later, the last time India played a Test in injure his troubled right index looks can often be deceiving. after Australia’s Steve Rixon 47-year run at the nearby WACA, Perth. finger on the final day in New Zealand open their was brought on as fielding located on the opposite bank of Adelaide. He said his team was domestic Test season against coach. the Swan River, and the grassy wary of India’s momentum after Sri Lanka tomorrow and were Lewis, 43, was head coach drop-in wicket unveiled yes- the past two decades. Three of After falling short by 31 runs the visitors won their first ever greeted by a verdant strip at of the Durham County Cricket terday has fueled anticipation of those defeats were to South in Adelaide, captain Tim Paine series-opener in Australia. the country’s most historic Club before accepting the a pace bowler’s paradise. Africa, who relished the pace- still has plenty of concerns about “They have a bit of a sniff of ground, where sides that win post. Recent results suggest that friendly conditions similar to an inexperienced lineup, something special,” Paine told the toss tend to try and exploit He played 13 ODIs for will be the case as ball has thor- their homeland. although Australia named an reporters. the seamer-friendly England and one Test, the oughly dominated matches at India’s famous 72-run unchanged side for the Test with “We know it’s going to be a conditions. latter against Sri Lanka in the Burswood stadium this victory in 2008 was their sole struggling opener Aaron Finch highly competitive Test and a However, Neil Wagner 2006 in which he scored 27 season, including Australia’s triumph at the WACA, halting a retaining his place. huge challenge for our whole used a short-pitched barrage runs. tame dismissal for 152 in a heavy Ricky Ponting-led Australia’s The absence of the sus- group.” A confident India have to set up the hosts’ victory Lewis will join Rixon, 64, one-day international defeat to world-record equaling 16-match pended Steve Smith and David been dealt a double injury blow, against West Indies last later this month for Sri South Africa last month. winning streak. Warner was exposed in however, with batsman Rohit December, while South Lanka’s tour of New Zealand, Australia had enjoyed a The tourists were humiliated Adelaide, where Australia made Sharma and spin spearhead African spinners JP Duminy where the visitors will play stranglehold over opponents on by an innings and 37 runs four modest scores of 235 and 291 Ravichandran Ashwin, who took and Keshav Maharaj ran two Tests, three ODIs and one the fast and bouncy WACA years later, the last time India against a disciplined Indian 6-149 in Adelaide, ruled out on through New Zealand in the Twenty20 match. wicket, losing just four Tests in played a Test in Perth. attack as Shaun Marsh and the eve of the Perth Test. first innings in March 2017. They are also scheduled In-form pace trio Two months earlier for two Tests in Australia, fol- Mohammed Shami, Jasprit against Bangladesh, New lowing New Zealand tour, Bumrah and Ishant Sharma Zealand captain Kane Wil- from January 24. remain available as India strive liamson won the toss and Sri Lanka Cricket chief for a maiden Test series triumph opted to field, but watched his executive Ashley de Silva in Australia. bowlers toil for almost two said both Lewis and Rixon “I was pretty happy to see days before Mushfiqur Rahim will coach the national team the pitch the way it is,” India declared his side’s innings until the end of the World captain Virat Kohli said. closed at 595 for eight. Cup, which wraps up in July “I hope that no more grass is “It’s nice to be back in 2019. taken off the pitch because that conditions we’re used to,” Sri Lanka have struggled will mean the first three days Southee told reporters. for form in their recent chal- will be, obviously, very lively and “We’ve come from a place lenges, losing the home ODI we, as a team, are happy with that wasn’t easy for pace and Test series to England, that.” bowlers, so there was a bit of and have been plagued by Even though the four-Test a spring in the step of the fast crisis off-field. series started in nail-biting bowlers anyway. Bowling coach Nuwan fashion, ticket sales have “It’s nice to see some grass Zoysa was suspended by the reportedly been sluggish with on the wicket but... we don’t International Cricket Council just 20,000 spectators expected know what it’s going to play in October after he was on a scorching opening day with like until we get out there. You accused of match-fixing and Australia’s Aaron Finch (right) takes a catch during a training session in Perth, yesterday. temperatures set to hit 38 can get in and it can be a other “corrupt conduct”. degrees Celsius. batting paradise as well.” Sarfraz wants fearless show from Pakistanakistan in SA S

AFP and 2007, having lost nine with “Amir is back after a good per- Due to strainedstrained popoliticallitical rerela-la- KARACHI just one draw. formance at the domestic level so tionsns betbetweenween PPakistanakistan aandnd On their last tour in 2013, we hope he gets us key wickets in India,dia, United Arab Emirates Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed Pakistan were routed 3-0 and Tests,” said Sarfraz of Amir, who (UAE)AE) could once again host yesterday urged his fellow team- We need big innings from bowled out for their lowest Test was dropped from the series thee eeventvent — ssimilarimilar to whwhatat mates to play “without fear” both Azhar and Shafiq and score of 49 in the first Test in against Australia and New Zealand happenedppened lastlast time whenwhen during their tour of South Africa they are capable of doing Johannesburg, with both senior due to poor form. Indiadia werewere the hosts. -- a country where they have won that, so if we put good batsmen Younis Khan and Pakistan open the tour with a TheThe toutournamentrnament will only two Tests during their past totals on board we have a Misbah-ul-Haq in the line-up. three-day game against Cricket switchwitch bbackack to T20 fformatormat five tours. Now without the two stal- South Africa Invitation XI at Benoni bearingaring in mind the next good bowling attack to win The Pakistani side is en route warts, Pakistan will look to Azhar from December 19. Worldorld T20T20 in Australia.Australia. The to South Africa to play three Tests, the match: Sarfraz Ahmed Ali and Asad Shafiq to help guide The second Test is in Cape previousevious event was heldheld in thethe five one-day internationals and the squad. Town from January 3-7 and the third ODIDI format considerinconsideringg the three Twenty20 internationals, “We need big innings from in Johannesburg from January 11-15. upcomingcoming 2019 WorldWorld with the first Test starting in Cen- against the Proteas. “Conditions both Azhar and Shafiq and they Meanwhile, Pakistan have Cupup in EnglandEngland and turion on December 26. in South Africa are tough with are capable of doing that, so if we earned the rights to host the next Wales.ales. Pakistan head into the series bouncy and seaming pitches so put good totals on board we have Asia Cup, which is scheduled to after losing 2-1 to New Zealand in anyone who plays without fear a good bowling attack to win the take place in September 2020. the United Arab Emirates last and with a big heart will succeed,” match,” said Sarfraz, who also According to a report in ESP- week. In the wake of the tough said Sarfraz. singled out recalled paceman NCricinfo — despite Pakistan being loss, Sarfraz said he still had high Pakistan’s two wins out of 12 Mohammad Amir as key to any the hosts — the venue for the event hopes of earning a good result Tests in South Africa came in 1998 success. is yet to be confirmed. Sarfraz Ahmed