Injured thumb could sideline Shikhar Dhawan for weeks PAGE 15

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

Lasith Malinga takes World Cup leave CRICKET WORLD CUP to attend mother-in-law’s funeral PAGE 15 AUSTRALIA VS PAKISTAN Copa is anyone’s but fans worry tournament emulating Europe

REUTERS teams, although they are gen- SAO PAULO erally from elsewhere in the Americas. THIS month’s Copa America Whatever the reason – will be the third in four years CONMEBOL officials did not but for those suffering from an How much respond to interview requests overdose of South American – administrators and fans will soccer there is an end in sight. is too much! hope that soccer takes the cen- Only not just yet. The tournament that kicks tre stage in a welcoming na- The tournament that kicks tion with facilities that were off in Sao Paulo on June 14 will off in Sao Paulo on June 14 built or renovated for the 2014 be followed next year by yet an- will be followed next year by World Cup. other Copa America – although yet another Copa America Although has it will be jointly held thousands – although it will be jointly dropped out because of injury, of kilometres apart in both Co- held thousands of kilometres players such as , lombia and Argentina. apart in both Colombia and Sergio Aguero and Uruguayan After that, however, or- Argentina. After that, pair Edinson Cavani and Luis ganisers have said enough is however, organisers have said Suarez are among the best in enough and the tournament enough is enough and the the world. will thereafter be held every tournament will thereafter be They arrive in Brazil to four years. held every four years. compete in one of the most The decision is open tournaments in years. part of a widespread Brazil have not won the revamp designed by of corruption and chaotic or- Copa America since 2007 the South American ganisation behind them. and coach needs a good Football Confedera- The last three presidents of performance after a disap- tion (CONMEBOL) the confederation were indicted pointing World Cup in Rus- to bring all their in the FIFA corruption scandal sia, where the five-times world tournaments more and last year’s Libertadores fi- champions were eliminated in into line with the Eu- nal was moved to Madrid after the quarter-finals. ropean model. River Plate fans attacked the Argentina, too, are des- The Copa will be team bus. perate to win their first major held every four years in the All have dealt harmful silverware since the 1993 Copa same year as the European blows to the organisation’s and finally give Messi an in- Championship. Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani (centre) takes part in a training session of the national team at the Complejo Celeste sports complex in Barros credibility. ternational title to go with the At club level, gone are Blancos, near Montevideo, Uruguay, on Tuesday, ahead of the Copa America to be held in Brazil. Although Brazil’s Neymar has dropped out of A decision to include Ja- dozens of club ones. the home and away finals of the tournament because of injury, players such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Uruguayan pair Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez are among pan and Qatar as the invited Chile are not as strong as the and the best in the world who would be on show in the South American football extravaganza from June 14 to July 7. (AFP) sides to this year’s Copa has they sides that won the last Copa Sudamericana, to be also done little to generate two editions of the tourna- replaced by one off games in say it is unfair to ask support- Likewise, decisions to grant equivalent of the Champions net streams that break up or faith in the new leadership, ment in 2015 and 2016 but neutral venues. ers in one of the world’s poorest Facebook the television rights League – have been met with regularly drop out. with the tournament usually they, along with Colombia, The changes have been met regions to travel thousands of for some games in the Liber- frustration as fans across the The changes come as featuring the 10 South Ameri- Uruguay, Peru and , with resistance by fans, who kilometres to see big matches. tadores – the South American continent struggle with Inter- CONMEBOL tries to put years can nations plus two invited cannot be counted out.

GUIDE TO THE 12 TEAMS TAKING PART IN COPA 2019

GROUP A QATAR Brazil: Tournament record - Won eight Tournament record - first appearance times, most recently in 2007. Coach - Felix Sanchez Key player - Almoez Eleven times runners up. Ali Prospects - Qatar have made stunning Coach: Tite progress under former Barcelona youth Key player: Philippe Coutinho coach Sanchez and after sweeping to vic- Prospects: With nine wins in their last 10 tory at the Asian Cup, they will be keen to games and a squad brimming with talent further demonstrate they will be no pusho- and experience, spurred on by a fervent vers when they host the 2022 World Cup. home crowd, Brazil are clear favourites, even without the injured Neymar. GROUP C Chile: Tournament record - winners in Exhibition in Sao Paulo to showcase Bolivia: Tournament record - winners 2015 and 2016, runners-up four times. 1963, runners-up 1997. Coach: Coach: Eduardo Villegas Key player: Arturo Vidal Qatar’s FIFA World Cup preparations Key player: Marcelo Moreno Prospects: Prospects: After euphoric back-to-back Bolivia routinely fail to get out of the Copa triumphs, Chile’s dream became ATAR will host a public World Cup Qatar LLC Chief group and are not expected to progress a nightmare when they failed to qualify Qexhibition at JK Iguatemi Executive Officer, said Qatar’s this time around, but they will guarantee for the last World Cup. Coach Rueda has mall in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from participation in the Copa Amer- opponents an uncomfortable physical struggled to restore confidence, earning 14-24 June to highlight the ica provided the perfect oppor- battle. only five wins in 13 games. country’s preparations for the tunity to engage with fans from FIFA World Cup. across Latin America. Venezuela: Tournament record - their Uruguay: Tournament record - champions The Journey to 2022 ex- “We know that passion best performance came when they 15 times, most recently in 2011. hibition will be held on the for football runs deep across reached the semi-finals in 2011. Coach: Oscar Tabarez 3rd floor of the mall, which Arabian flair South America and we are con- Coach: Rafael Dudamel Key player: Luis Suarez is located in the Vila Olimpia For billions of people, 2022 fident that thousands of fans Key player: Salomon Rondon Prospects: Few countries can match district of Sao Paulo. It will from the region will travel to Prospects: Encouraging results, a talis- Uruguay’s competitive spirit, especially in feature FIFA World Cup™ will be the first time they Qatar to enjoy the next instal- manic figure in Rondon plus a kind draw Qatar players train ahead of Copa America the tournament they consider their own, memorabilia, crowdsourced engage with the Arab world. ment of the FIFA World Cup,” mean Venezuela should be aiming to 2019 at their base camp in Portobello near and if their prolific front two of Suarez and photographs which highlight For us, it’s a golden said Al Khater. reach the quarter-finals at least. Rio de Janeiro. Edinson Cavani remain fit they stand a football culture in Qatar, mod- opportunity to shape people’s “The exhibition at JK Igu- great chance of making the final. els of the eight Qatar 2022 perceptions about our atemi mall is an opportunity Peru: Tournament record - winners 1939, Paraguay: Tournament record - Champions stadiums and details about to share details of our prepara- 1975. Coach: in 1953, 1979; six times runners up. Japan: Tournament record - invited once Qatar’s Asian Cup victory. country and region. Football tions and give people a flavour Key player: Coach: before in 1999, when they fell at the group Much of the memorabilia is will bring us all together. of what they can expect in just Prospects: Peru’s unpredictability was Key player: Miguel Almiron stage. Coach: Key player: Prospects: Prospects: the property of Qatari collec- Nasser al Khater, FIFA over three years’ time. We hope summed up by Gareca saying recently Still finding their feet after Shoya Nakajima With coach tor Mohammed Abdulatif and that people will enjoy the acti- his team could beat anyone or lose to Berizzo took charge in February following Moriyasu picking an young and inexperi- includes match-worn shirts, World Cup Qatar LLC CEO vation and take the opportunity anyone. Hurdling the quarter-final stage ’s surprise resigna- enced squad, Japan look set to use the footballs, tickets and more. to find out more about the first should be their aim. tion, reaching the last eight would be a Copa as a testing ground for next year’s Around 30 Brazil-based preme Committee for Delivery World Cup in the Arab world huge achievement given the circumstanc- Olympic Games, but getting out of the volunteers will support the & Legacy (SC), Qatar Football and only the second in Asia.” GROUP B es and the quality of the group. group is still a realistic goal. delivery of the exhibition after Association, Al Khater said hosting the Argentina: Tournament record - 14 times signing up to support Qatar and the Josoor Institute. The World Cup was an opportunity champions, but not since 1993. They have Colombia: Tournament record - winners Ecuador: Tournament record - their best 2022-related events. The ex- delegation will be based in Rio, for Qatar to build bridges be- also finished runners-up 14 times, including in 2001, runners-up in 1975. performances were reaching the semi- hibition has been organised to Morumbi and Corinthians. tween East and West and break in the last two editions. Coach: Carlos Queiroz finals in 1959 and 1993. coincide with Qatar’s debut in The SC, the organisation down cultural stereotypes. Coach: . Key player: James Rodriguez Coach: Hernan Gomez the Copa America. responsible for delivering the “For billions of people, 2022 Key player: Lionel Messi Prospects: Colombia have under-achieved Key player: Antonio Valencia Prospects: In addition to the exhibition, infrastructure required for will be the first time they engage Prospects: Have a weaker squad than in in their recent Copa outings but after Ecuador have been on a downward curve Qatar is sending a delegation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar with the Arab world. For us, it’s recent years but lowered expectations warming up with big victories over Pan- since coming eighth out of 10 in World ten people to shadow the 2019 2022™, is running the exhibi- a golden opportunity to shape could work in their favour. The return of ama and Peru they look determined to Cup qualifying and with no wins in their Copa America Local Organising tion, which will be open every people’s perceptions about our Sergio Aguero also gives Messi a world do better this year, especially under the last four games, they will struggle to get Committee. The delegation in- day from 10am to 10pm. country and region. Football will class strike partner. orders of the highly-experienced Queiroz. out of their group. (REUTERS) cludes employees from the Su- Nasser al Khater, FIFA bring us all together.” (SC.qa) 14 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Sports Durant injured as Warriors edge Raptors 106-105 to keep NBA title hopes alive Curry, Thompson combine for 57 points as Warriors pull within 3-2 in the best-of-seven championship series AFP TORONTO, CANADA Kevin Durant holds his leg after sustaining an injury during the second CLUTCH 3-pointers by Ste- quarter against the Toronto Raptors on Monday. (AFP) phen Curry and Klay Thomp- son enabled the defending the same time.” Golden State answered champion Golden State War- The Warriors seek their with Thompson and Cur- riors to edge Toronto 106-105 fourth title in five seasons ry sinking 3-pointers and on Monday and sustain their while the Raptors suffered an Thompson nailing another hopes of winning a third con- agonizing near-miss in their that put Golden State ahead secutive NBA Finals. bid for the first title in their to stay at 106-103 with 57 sec- But any joy from the vic- 24-season history. onds to play. tory was dimmed by a right History remains on the Kyle Lowry cut the lead Achilles injury to Kevin Du- Raptors’ side. Only once in 34 to the final margin with 30 rant only 12 minutes into his prior situations has a team led seconds remaining and, af- first game after being side- the NBA Finals 3-1 and lost the ter Golden State’s DeMarcus lined for a month by a right title, that being in 2016 when Cousins was whistled for a calf injury. LeBron James-led Cleveland foul trying to set a screen, the Curry scored 31 points rallied to defeat Golden State. Raptors had one last chance to while Thompson added 26 as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after game five of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Kawhi Leonard, who led swipe the title. the Warriors pulled within 3-2 Arena in Toronto, Ontario on Monday. (USA TODAY SPORTS) Toronto with 26 points, sank But the Warriors double- in the best-of-seven champi- a back-to-back 3-pointer and teamed Leonard and Green onship series, forcing a sixth “You could kind of just feel NBA Finals Most valuable soul right now. I can’t lie, but playoff scorer with 34.2 points jumper to give the Raptors, blocked a Lowry corner game Thursday at Oakland, the life just go right out of us,” Player, departed the arena on seeing my brothers get this a game, will have an MRI on who trailed by 14 points in 3-point shot at the buzzer. California, with game seven if Warriors forward Draymond crutches but became an inspi- win was like taking a shot of Tuesday. the third quarter, their larg- “It has got to be the great- needed in Toronto on Sunday. Green said. “But to Steph’s ration to his teammates. tequila. I got new life.” “On the one hand I’m so est lead at 103-97 with 3:28 est,” Green said when asked to “Do or die,” Curry said. credit, he rallied the troops. “We do it for Kevin,” He also breathed life into proud of them, just the amaz- remaining. compare the win to others in “It wasn’t pretty in the sec- “He talked to everybody, Thompson said. “He wants us Golden State’s title quest, Cur- ing heart and grit they showed, “In this day and age, up Golden State’s history. ond half but we just made went around the huddle and to compete at the highest level ry said. and on the other I’m just dev- six with three minutes to go, “Down six with a couple the shots.” just told everybody to stay and we’ll think of him every “We understand the mo- astated for Kevin,” Warriors doesn’t mean a whole lot,” minutes to go in an elimina- Durant’s long-awaited re- locked in and do this for Kevin. time we step on the hard- ment and I think we can rally, coach Steve Kerr said. Raptors coach Nick Nurse tion for these guys to win a turn ended with the All-Star And I think we did a good job wood.” considering how the second “So it’s a bizarre feeling we said. “I felt good at that point. championship, we could have forward being helped off the of coming together.” Durant posted on Insta- half went,” Curry said. all have right now, an incred- Just needed to make a couple thrown in the towel. We could court. Durant, the 2017 and 2018 gram: “I’m hurting deep in my Durant, Golden State’s top ible win and a horrible loss at more plays.” have folded, but we didn’t.” Messi is sports world’s highest earner: Forbes

AFP THE TOP TEN DAZN worth $365 million. NEW YORK Evergreen tennis star Rog- Rank Name Pay Salary/Winnings Endorsements Sport er Federer was fifth on the list LIONEL Messi was the world’s #1 Lionel Messi $127mn $92mn $35mn Soccer with total earnings of $93.4 highest paid athlete over the #2 Cristiano Ronaldo $109mn $65mn $44mn Soccer million. The bulk of Federer’s past year, Forbes reported on #3 Neymar $105mn $75mn $30mn Soccer earnings came through lucra- Tuesday in its annual sporting #4 Canelo Alvarez $94mn $92mn $2mn Boxing tive endorsement deals, with rich list. Barcelona and Argenti- #5 Roger Federer $93.4mn $7.4mn $86mn Tennis the 20-time Grand Slam sin- na star Messi dethroned retired gles champion pocketing $86 Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero celebrate with AFA president #6 Russell Wilson $89.5mn $80.5mn $9mn Football boxer Floyd Mayweather as the million. Stars from the NFL Claudio Tapia after the match against Nicaragua, recently. (REUTERS) sports world’s highest earner, #7 Aaron Rodgers $89.3mn $80.3mn $9mn Football and NBA rounded out the raking in $127 million via salary #8 LeBron James $89mn $36mn $53mn Basketball top 10 on the list, with Seattle and endorsement deals. #9 Stephen Curry $79.8mn $37.8mn $42mn Basketball Seahawks quarterback Russell Aguero’s return lifts That put Messi ahead of Lionel Messi. #10 Kevin Durant $65.4mn $30.4mn $35mn Basketball Wilson sixth on $89.5 million, long-time rival Cristiano Ron- just ahead of Green Bay Pack- aldo, the Juventus and Portu- completed a sweep of the top Mexico’s middleweight box- to become the unified middle- ers signal-caller Aaron Rodg- Lionel’s hopes gal star who was second with three positions by footballers, ing star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez weight champion, inked the ers ($89.3 million). earnings of $109 million. coming in third with earnings with $94 million. richest deal in boxing history, Former world number one Brazil and Paris Saint- of $105 million. The fourth Alvarez, who defeated Gen- signing a five-year 11-fight con- Tiger Woods was 11th on the Germain striker Neymar highest earner on the list was nady Golovkin last September tract with streaming network list with $69.3 million. of Copa glory with Argentina Al Rayyan sign defender Mercado Al Arabi trio to camp with Iceland’s Breidablik REUTERS phies with Barcelona on the SAO PAULO international stage, Aguero also TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK showed a desire to balance his DOHA LIONEL Messi has long craved considerable success at City a suitable strike partner so that with a prize with Argentina after QNB Stars League side Al Arabi he can win a major trophy with winning a domestic treble. announced that the trio of Ab- Argentina and the return of his “I’m feeling fit and I finished dulla Marafi, Fahd Shnein and friend Sergio Aguero has given the season well, I have no inju- Mahmoud Abu Nada would the nation renewed hope of win- ries and I want to do the same have a special camp with top ning the Copa America. for Argentina as I do with City,” Icelandic team Breidablik from Even though he is third on he added. June 13 to July 15, as part of Argentina’s list of all-time top Argentina face a daunt- their preparations for the 2019- scorers and has a prolific record ing opening game in Group B 20 football season. with Manchester City, Aguero against Colombia but should be The three players will go Al Arabi players Abdulla Marafi, Fahd Shnein and Mahmoud Abu Nada. has started only 14 games in confident of beating Paraguay through their paces under the major tournaments since mak- and Qatar to progress to the supervision of Al Arabi’s Icelan- The players will then join Spain from mid-July until the ing his World Cup debut in quarter-finals. dic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. the Al Arabi camp, to be held in end of that month. 2010. But with Gonzalo Higuain Coach Lionel Scaloni was retired, he is set to play a central not the most glamorous of role in Brazil. choices to succeed Jorge Sam- Sultan al Brake out for two months after surgery Aguero played his part in paoli after their woeful World memorable triumphs for his Cup campaign. However, the country at youth level, twice former defender, who was an as- winning the under-20 World sistant to Sampaoli, has earned Cup as well as claiming an six wins in nine friendly games Olympic gold medal alongside with the team. Messi in Beijing. He has picked a side largely But he is desperate to win lacking in experience but con- a major international trophy, taining exciting young players above all for Messi, who has such as Real Betis midfielder lost four finals with the national and Inter Mi- team, missing out on the last lan forward Lauturo Martinez. two Copa America finals with Messi has admitted that painful penalty shootout defeats unlike previous Copa America to Chile. tournaments, his side are no “I’m more excited about longer the favourites, but that winning for Leo than for my- should not affect their ambition. self because he has played for “We go there with the same so long and he has suffered so excitement and hope as always much,” Aguero told Fox Sports. but the reality is we are in a pe- Al Rayyan have signed Argentine international Gabriel Mercado, “Whenever I talk with Leo, riod of transition and are not the club announced on Twitter. The former Sevilla defender will be we always say ‘Pray that one day candidates,” Messi said. one of the Lions’ foreign players in the coming season. Al Duhail and Qatar star Sultan al Brake successfully underwent a surgery on his injured right leg at it happens for us’. It’s what he “There are many new play- Mercado joined Spanish team Sevilla, where he made 70 appear- the Aspetar Hospital in Doha on Monday, the club said on its website. The defender was first injured wants and it’s what we all want. ers with few games but we’re go- ances on a three-year deal from River Plate in 2016. The 32-year- during an AFC Champions League match against Al Ain. He was included in the initial Qatar national I put myself in his shoes and I ing to try and win it as we always old also made his debut for Argentina in 2010, playing in the 2016 team for the Copa America but was dropped due to the same injury. The 23-year-old will be out for two want to do the best.” have done. A Copa America is so Copa America as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. months according to his club. Just as Messi has been un- important. It’s been a long time able to replicate his glut of tro- since Argentina won it.” Sports Wednesday, June 12, 2019 15 Wash-out woes: Men on MINISTER OF CULTURE AND SPORTS MEETS the moon so why no MINISTERS OF SPORTS AND TOURISM OF POLAND group-stage reserve days?

have been difficult,” he added Bangladesh-Sri of a World Cup that features 48 matches in 46 days. Lanka match “But we have got quite a lot washed out of time in between games, and if we have got to travel a day AFP later, then so be it,” said Rho- BRISTOL des, whose Bangladesh team next play the West Indies in BANGLADESH coach Steve Taunton on June 17. Rhodes said that if men could “We put men on the moon, land on the moon, the World Rain & fury so why can’t we have a reserve Cup could include reserve If you know the English day, when actually this tour- days for group matches after nament is a long tournament? the Tigers’ fixture against Sri weather, sadly, we’re going “It’s disappointing for the Lanka in Bristol was washed to get a lot of rain. crowd, as well. They have got out completely on Tuesday. Logistically, it would have tickets to see a game of cricket The umpires’ decision left been a big headache for the and it would be up to them if tournament chiefs with the tournament organisers. But they can get there the day after.” unwanted record for the most we have got quite a lot of Sri Lanka captain Dimuth number of abandoned games Karunaratne endorsed Rho- at a World Cup, surpassing time in between games, and des’s comments by saying: “It HE Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem al Ali met separately on Tuesday with Polish First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister the two each at the 1992 and if we have got to travel a is not easy, but I feel if they of Culture and National Heritage Piotr Glinski and Polish Minister of Sport and Tourism Witold Banka in Warsaw. The meeting took place 2003 editions. day later, then so be it. can have a reserve day, it will during the official visit of HE the Minister of Culture and Sports to Poland to promote cultural and sports relations between both countries. It was also the second suc- be good for everyone.” During the meetings they discussed cultural and sports relations between the Qatar and Poland and the means to boost them. (QNA) cessive World Cup match at Former England wicket-keeper Heavy overnight and early Bristol abandoned without a and now Bangladesh morning rain delayed Tues- ball bowled after Sri Lanka’s coach Steve Rhodes. day’s scheduled 10:30 am local game against Pakistan at time (0930 GMT) start, with southwest county Gloucester- further rain seeing the game shire’s headquarters on Friday qualify for the last four. eventually called off at 1:57 pm Oval and out? Dhawan’s went the same way. (1257 GMT). Both Bangladesh and Sri ‘Headache’ Rain has also been forecast Lanka took a point each a day Former England wicket-keep- for Wednesday’s match be- after rain saw only 7.3 overs play er Rhodes, asked if he would tween Australia and Pakistan in the match between South have included reserve days in Taunton. injury upsets India plans Africa and the West Indies in in the 10-team round-robin Australia failed to qualify Southampton on Monday. phase, replied: “Yeah, I would. for the semi-finals of the 2017 REUTERS India a left-right combina- Although the International “If you know the English Champions Trophy in Eng- NOTTINGHAM (ENGLAND) tion at the top of the order Cricket Council have sched- weather, sadly, we’re going to land following their rained-off and also leaves them without uled reserve days for both get a lot of rain. matches against New Zea- A hand injury suffered in the any left-hander in their bat- semi-finals and the July 14 “I know logistically, it land and Bangladesh, before match against Australia has ting line-up. final at Lord’s, there are now would have been a big head- they lost to England on the thrown Shikhar Dhawan’s fur- Dhawan and Rohit have concerns rain could have a ache for the tournament or- Duckworth/Lewis method for ther World Cup participation forged a formidable opening major bearing on which sides ganisers, and I know it would weather-interrupted fixtures. into doubt but the in-form partnership with 16 century opener will remain with the stands in ODIs, behind only team, the Indian cricket board compatriots Sachin Tendulkar (BCCI) said on Tuesday. and Sourav Ganguly who Dhawan was batting on 24 shared 21. when a Pat Cummins bouncer India’s Shikhar Dhawan (2L) receives medical treatment after being Australians Matthew hit him on the back of his left hit on the hand during the match against Australia on Sunday. (AFP) Hayden and Adam Gilchrist hand in the region between also shared 16 century stands the index finger and thumb ahead of Thursday’s match and he exhibited his fondness in one-day internationals. during the game at The Oval against New Zealand. for English conditions with an- Former test spinner Harb- on Sunday. “The team management has other century on Sunday. hajan Singh said India should The left-hander braved the decided that Mr Dhawan will In his absence, back- consider flying in wicketkeep- pain and made a match-win- continue to be in England and up opener KL Rahul, who er Rishabh Pant in case Dha- ning 117 as India beat the de- his progress will be monitored.” was picked to bat at number wan had to be replaced. fending champions by 36 runs. The board did not elaborate four though he came at sixth “This is a big blow...If any- Dhawan did not field when how many matches Dhawan against Australia, is set to thing goes wrong with Shikhar Australia were chasing and was would miss but his absence is partner Rohit Sharma at the Dhawan for more than three seen with his hand in an ice a serious jolt after a smooth top of the order. weeks, I’d want to pick Pant,” pack in the dressing-room. start to India’s bid for a third It would then be a toss-up he told India Today channel. “Shikhar Dhawan is pres- 50-overs World Cup title. between wicketkeeper Dinesh Former England batsman ently under the observation Dhawan was the top scorer Karthik and all-rounder Vijay Kevin Pietersen also backed the Groundkeepers brush water from the covers in a failed bid to prepare the ground for the Bangladesh vs Sri of the BCCI medical team,” in both the 2013 and 2017 edi- Shankar to fill the No. 4 spot. selection of Pant, who is known Lanka match during the ICC Cricket World Cup in Bristol on Tuesday. (AFP) the BCCI said in a statement tions of the Champions Trophy Dhawan’s absence denies for his six-hitting prowess.

Pakistan fans Preview: Australia vs Pakistan will not boo Smith Pakistan not still hurting from Australia AFP rout suffered in March, says Sarfaraz TAUNTON REUTERS Marsh has been flown over to SARFARAZ Ahmed insists Pa- TAUNTON (ENGLAND) England as back-up, but the kistan fans won’t boo shamed Australians will wait to make Australia star Steven Smith PAKISTAN captain Sarfaraz a call on whether he perma- during their World Cup match Ahmed denied his team carry nently replaces Stoinis in their in Taunton on Wednesday. any scars from their 5-0 rout by 15-man squad. Pakistan fans are expected Australia in March and is confi- “Marcus Stoinis has a bit Malinga takes to make up a large chunk of dent of victory in Wednesday’s of a side strain. He won’t be the crowd in the west country World Cup contest against the available for tomorrow,” Finch and there are fears they might reigning champions. told a news conference ahead World Cup leave after follow the example of the India Australia thrashed a de- of Wednesday’s match against supporters who jeered Smith pleted Pakistan in the United Pakistan in Taunton. at the Oval on Sunday. Arab Emirates follow their “We’ve got Mitch Marsh fly- mother-in-law’s death But Pakistan captain Sar- thrilling 3-2 series victory in ing over just as a bit of a precau- faraz says his compatriots will India to signal their prepara- tion. He was meant to fly over AFP Sri Lanka captain Dimuth not resort to such tactics. tion for a successful title de- with the Australia A side on Fri- BRISTOL Karunaratne, speaking after “I don’t think Pakistani fence in the World Cup. day. “He’s just coming a couple the washout, said: “Malinga is people will do that,” Sarfaraz “I think that thing is past,” days early as a bit of precaution, SRI Lanka’s Lasith Malinga will going to Colombo today and told reporters on Tuesday. Sarfaraz told reporters. if Stoinis doesn’t recover quick leave the World Cup to attend he has said he will be back be- “Pakistani people love “We’re not thinking about enough or doesn’t respond to his mother-in-law’s funeral, fore the Australian game. cricket, they love to support that. We’re actually thinking treatment well enough over the but the pace bowler plans to be “We are hopeful he will and they love the players.” about tomorrow’s game. next few days.” back for the team’s next World come. By some chance if he is A large number of Indian “Our morale is very high, Pakistan’s captain Sarfaraz Ahmed attends an indoor nets trainnig Stoinis bowled seven overs Cup match against Australia. unable to come, we will have fans chanted “cheater” at Smith, we got a momentum. So hope- session at The County Ground in Taunton, England, on Tuesday, ahead for 62 runs against India, pick- The 1996 champions were to play with what we have.” who back in action following fully we’ll do very good against of their 2019 World Cup match against Australia. (AFP) ing up the wickets of Virat Kohli awaiting the start of their Sri Lanka turned up at Bris- a year-long ball for his role in them tomorrow.” and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. game against Bangladesh, tol on Tuesday already knowing the ball-tampering scandal that The 1992 champions have Australia’s Marcus Stoinis for them and hopefully we will But he was dismissed for a which was eventually washed they would be without Nuwan rocked Australia during their looked characteristically un- has been ruled out of the do well as a team.” duck and Australia fell 36 runs out without a ball bowled in Pradeep after the paceman tour of South Africa in 2018. predictable in the tournament match with a side strain and short of India’s total of 352 to Bristol on Tuesday, when suffered a finger injury during India captain Virat Kohli as they began their campaign fellow all-rounder Mitchell Stoinis to miss game, lose the match. news broke that Malinga was training on Sunday. gestured in an effort to quiet with a defeat by West Indies Marsh has been flown over to Mitchell Marsh flown The absence of Stoinis scheduled to fly back home af- “The physio says he needs the crowd and later apolo- but bounced back in style England as back-up. in as cover could open up a spot for seam- ter the match. about a week to recover,” add- gised to Smith. shocking hosts England. The five-time champions Australia all-rounder Marcus ers Kane Richardson and Ja- “Lasith Malinga will leave ed Karunaratne. Pakistan were left frustrat- They split points with Sri went down to India in Sun- Stoinis has been ruled out of son Behrendorff, off-spinner the team following Sri Lan- “We need to see how ed after their match against Sri Lanka after the match in Bris- day’s match at the Oval where their next World Cup match Nathan Lyon or middle-order ka’s World Cup game against match-fit he is after the injury Lanka was washed out at Bris- tol was abandoned because Stoinis sustained the injury. against Pakistan with a side batsman Shaun Marsh against Bangladesh, which will be before the Australia match.” tol on Friday, leaving them of rain and the prospect of Asked if he thought Aus- strain, captain Aaron Finch Pakistan, who lost all five played today, as his mother- Sri Lanka have now earned to share a point. Before that, another washout looms large tralia were vulnerable after the said on Tuesday. ODIs against Australia earlier in-law has passed away,” said four points from their four Pakistan had brought their over their next outing. loss and injury to Stoinis, Sar- Stoinis, who has played in this year. “It’s just about try- a Sri Lanka Cricket release. games in the World Cup to far. campaign back on track with “Firstly, we can’t control faraz said: “I’m not thinking all three games for Australia ing to weigh up whether we “The player is expected to They lost to New Zealand a surprise 14-run win against the weather, you know... But about them, or what they are in the tournament, picked up go with (Shaun) Marsh to- join the team, before the team’s in their opening match, then tournament favourites Eng- definitely if the match is short- thinking at the moment... the injury in the match against morrow, or we go with a extra next World Cup game, which beat Afghanistan before a land, after a poor defeat at the ened, definitely plan changes,” “I’m thinking about my India at The Oval on Sunday. bowler and play Alex Carey at will be played against Australia rain-abandoned game against hands of the West Indies. Sarfaraz added. team. We’ll make a good plan All-rounder Mitchell six,” Finch added. on the 15th June, 2019.” Pakistan in Bristol on June 7.