WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016 SPORTS Misbah-ul-Haq keen to leave Pakistan legacy

LONDON: Pakistan Misbah-ul- given the captaincy following the fall-out against the West Indies, New Zealand and Azam never abandoned the hard work,” against a team of quality players is a big Haq has vowed to leave a Test legacy from Pakistan’s infamous tour of England Australia,” added the top-order batsman, said Misbah, using the Urdu term of achievement.” after a series-leveling win against in 2010. That saw then Pakistan captain who made a hundred in Pakistan’s win ‘Great Leader’ for the founder of modern Misbah said he told the players before England at The Oval. Pakistan marked the Salman Butt and pace bowlers over England in the first Test of this year’s Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Misbah the Oval match how important it would nation’s Independence Day on Sunday Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir series at Lord’s. said he had told the young players in his be for them to mark Independence Day with a 10- victory over England in given five-year bans and jail terms for But after that match, Pakistan suffered squad never to lose hope. with a win. “I told the players that we will the fourth Test at The Oval in south deliberately bowling no-balls as a part of heavy defeats-by 330 and 141 runs in the achieve more than one thing if we win London that saw them end the four- a spot-fixing sting in the 2010 Lord’s Test next two Tests at Old Trafford and ‘Gift for the nation’ and level the series, we will also give a match series all square at 2-2. “The Oval against England. But the past six years Edgbaston respectively. Misbah said “When you play cricket, you have a lot gift to the whole nation.” Pakistan have win is not only pleasing as it is achieved have not only seen Misbah unite the Pakistan had shown remarkable resilience of difficulties and face a lot of challenges, not played a Test in their own country on the Independence Day but it will also team but also keep it scandal-free. “It has to then level the series in convincing style but through hard work you can achieve since an armed attack on Sri Lanka’s team help us form a legacy for our future Test been important for me to unite the team at The Oval. the toughest of things. bus in Lahore in 2009 and Misbah said: teams,” Misbah said. “When I took over as and unity always brings good results, “I kept telling the team that we have “I remember that when we were “Our people love cricket but they are not captain that was my aim, so this win will even in challenging situations like in to follow the example of great teams coming here (to England) no one was able to watch us at home. “So it is impor- help me leave a legacy for future Test England,” said Misbah. who never look behind and keep work- ready to give us any chance but I and tant that we keep winning and give teams,” the 42-year-old veteran skipper “This series-levelling win will go a long ing hard and that’s what we did,” he said. my players had the belief. “With a bit of youngsters and up and coming players added. way in establishing this team because in “It was like the Pakistan Movement that luck, we could have won this Test series the encouragement to take up the game Misbah was recalled to the side and the next six months we have series even in the time of adversity Quaid-e- but even drawing a series in England and make their names.”— AFP Some athletes find grass is greener far from home

RIO DE JANEIRO: For Sale: One elite ath- But only one of them, Angel Popov - lete, lightly used. Will swap citizenship, renamed Said Saif Assad just in time for the move to your country and even marry to Sydney Games - returned to his new home compete for your Olympic team if the price with a bronze medal. That left some Qataris is right. (Note: All marriage proposals must wondering whether the money would have include a photo.) When it comes to the been better spent making sure Bulgaria’s Olympics, a lot more mercenaries - er, ath- notorious doping program was included in letes - change allegiances than you’d think. the deal. Undaunted, the Qataris bought Here at the Rio Games, Bahrain’s delegation Kenyan long-distance runners Stephen of 30 athletes includes exactly four Bahraini Cherono and Albert Chepkurui three years natives. Twenty-three of Qatar’s 39 athletes later. That didn’t work out much better. were born somewhere else. Its handball “Nation shopping,” yet another name for team of 14 players includes 11 foreign- the practice, has become prevalent enough borns, including Marko Bagaric, who in track and field competitions that when helped lead the Qataris to an upset win the International Association of Athletics over Croatia, the land of his birth. Federations (IAAF) convenes Saturday, find- He felt bad for Croatia but got over it ing a way to tighten up the eligibility for soon enough. “The worst feeling was dur- the movement of athletes is near the top of ing the national anthem,” Bagaric said. “Ah, their agenda. but what can I do?” While oil-rich, Gulf Soccer’s worldwide governing body, states game the system most often, they’re FIFA, may be the most corrupt outfit in hardly the only nations that seek to flip ath- sports, but their rules on “nation shopping” letes like used-car dealers. The 550-plus are both simple and effective: Once an ath- strong US delegation includes 46 athletes - lete has played for a country in an interna- about 8 percent - born elsewhere. China is tionally sanctioned tournament at the sen- so dominant in table tennis that one in five ior level, he’s bound to that country for life. of the 140 competitors spread across 55 No exceptions. Both Wallechinsky and Bill teams were born in the world’s most popu- Mallon, a historian and statistician with the lous nation. US Olympic Committee, would like to see COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Kaushal Silva (left) plays a shot as Australia’s wicketkeeper Peter Nevill (right) and fielder David Warnerreact during the The reasons for what noted Olympic his- the IOC adopt a similar measure. fourth day of the third and final match between Sri Lanka and Australia at The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground esterday.y — AFP torian David Wallechinsky calls a “braun Wallechinsky also thinks a limit on foreign- drain” and others a “passport swap” or born athletes on each national team, or the “transfer of allegiance” are varied. In some number allowed to compete in any given Silva vows no let-up for Australia cases, like China’s table-tennis players, sport, might work as well. American basketball and baseball athletes, Mallon also said removing the exception COLOMBO: Centurion Kaushal Silva said yesterday reached his century with a boundary off Adam “They swept well, they used their feet well, so a or Kenya’s long-distance runners, the talent allowing the national Olympic committees Sri Lanka were determined not to let Australia off Voges. “It was tough initially, because I had a split lot of credit should go to their batsmen.” Lyon pool at home is so deep that reserves with involved to override the rule already on the the hook after they took a commanding 288-run webbing also,” he said. struck in the first hour of play to get opener Dimuth no chance to make the first team are still IOC books might turn the trick. It currently lead in the third and final Test in Colombo. Silva, “But I think that in a way helped me because I Karunaratne for 22, as Nevill clipped the better than any other country’s best. states athletes can switch countries “pro- who batted with six stitches in the webbing of his lit- knew it wasn’t easy for me to drive the ball. So I bails off when the batsman’s foot was raised for a Some athletes take advantage of their vided at least three years have passed since tle finger after injuring himself while fielding on thought, let’s focus on the balls that are coming split-second. Australia also benefited from a review ancestry and others gain citizenship the competitor last represented his former Monday, scored a composed 115 to dim Australia’s into me and leave the away-going deliveries,” said after Holland had Kusal Perera caught off a top through marriage or relocation. But the country.” “I think you could make very spe- hopes of a consolation win. Sri Lanka, who are push- Silva. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed four edge which took the pads and went into the gloves International Olympic Committee rules cific exceptions, for examples, like mar- ing for a rare series whitewash after winning the first , trapped Chandimal lbw for 43 in the final of the wicketkeeper. Perera, who scored 24, was governing such moves are so laughably lax riages,” he said. But a moment later, Mallon two Tests, were 312 for eight in their second innings session to break the stand. Silva, who survived an undone by a side angle replay after a front-on view that mercenaries in the games are every bit pulls up a file on his computer screen and at stumps on the fourth day at the Sinhalese Sports lbw appeal against Lyon after a successful umpire had been inconclusive. as prominent as in other big-time, big- notes that of the 952 married couples that Club. First innings centurion Dhananjaya de Silva review in the first session, finally fell to the left- Kusal Mendis hit a quickfire 18 off 14 balls money sports like soccer. All such moves have competed in the games over the was unbeaten on 44, with Suranga Lakmal yet to arm spin of Jon Holland in the 87th over. with two sixes and a four. But his counter-attack require is agreement by both nations’ years, 190 have involved a couple where get off the mark at close of play. was halted when he was trapped lbw by Mitchell Olympic committees, some of that consen- the husband or wife hails from a different Silva said the hosts did not want to declare but Spin rules Starc, who has taken two wickets. Centuries from sus no doubt influenced by cash. Qatar, for country. He had no idea what the divorce to score as much as possible. “If we have a really Australia made further inroads into the Sri skipper Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh had given example, bought the entire Bulgarian rate for the group might be. But it seems good target like 350 or more then we put them Lankan line-up late in the day, but de Silva Australia hope of a big first-innings lead on weightlifting team in 2000 for a reported someone who would walk away from his or out of the game, so that’s what we need to do,” he ensured that the hosts maintained their domina- Monday, but their departure saw the visitors lose $1 million, awarding citizenship and new her country wouldn’t find it much harder to told reporters. tion of the match heading into day five. Australian their last seven wickets for 104 runs. Veteran names to all eight athletes involved. walk out on a spouse. — AP The 30-year-old, mixing dogged defense and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill praised the Sri Lankan spinner led the Sri Lankan controlled aggression, put together a crucial 90- batsmen for their ability to play spin on turning attack, snaring six wickets, with Australia all out run partnership with the other first innings centu- tracks. “Our spinners have done their best to for 379 in response to Sri Lanka’s 355. Sri Lanka ry-maker Dinesh Chandimal to thwart the adapt, but I suppose their batsmen have played now have the chance to register their first white- Australian attack. Silva, who regularly received spin exceptionally well and made it very hard for wash against a major team since gaining Test sta- treatment for his injured left finger during breaks, a spinner to settle,” he said. tus in 1981. — AFP The golden oldie athletes show how to win medals

RIO DE JANEIRO: At 54, Argentinean Olympic sailor Santiago Lange is tired and in pain. And on the cusp of winning gold. The Olympics may resemble a cel- ebration of youthful perfection, but sprinkled across a surprising variety of sports are veterans like Lange. There are over-40s in gymnastics and row- ing, while equestrian events feature several over-50 year olds, topped by the oldest competitor in the Olympics, New Zealand rider Julie Brougham, 62.Lange has already been in five Olympics and RIO DE JANEIRO: Tiffany Chan of Hong Kong hits onto the fourth green during a prac- won two bronze medals. tice round for the women’s golf event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Now his Nacra 17 catamaran, crewed by 29-year- Janeiro, Brazil yesterday. — AP old Cecilia Carranza Saroli, heads the fleet ahead of Tuesday’s medal race, meaning he has an excellent chance of boosting that haul. Sailing has not the Rio Games shine light on lack same physical demands as running or gymnastics, but the fast Nacra catamaran requires agility, wits of sports for Brazilian girls and the toughness to spend days bouncing around in the waves and weather. RIO DE JANEIRO: Every Friday after night- judo - Brazil’s first gold medal of this “I’m hurting. It takes it out of me,” Lange said at fall, teenage girls and young women make Olympics - major newspapers splashed her the Olympic sailing base Marina da Gloria, admit- their way through a middle-class apartment photo on front pages. “All the love we are ting to exhaustion after his latest victorious race. complex and take over a field of emerald getting during the Olympics, we hope that “It’s painful just to pull the boat out of the water.” It green grass. They put on their cleats, tie it doesn’t go away,” Brazil’s most famous isn’t just creaky joints he has to worry about. Lange their hair into ponytails and test their speed female soccer player, Marta, said to underwent lung cancer surgery last year and spent with agility drills. The Friday night practice is reporters Monday ahead Tuesday’s semifi- months out of the sport. Adding to the weight of the only time of the week when you will find nal against Sweden. “We hope that it lives these Games, Lange has two sons on the Argentine women playing soccer here. on, and with that much-needed support, team, sailing a 49er. “This has been a very emotional RIO DE JANEIRO: Competitors sail during the 49er Men Race on Guanabara Bay at the 2016 Rio “Every day you see teams and teams of women’s soccer can grow and the love is Olympics,” he said. “I’ve been to many other Olympic Games. — AFP only men, and on top of it, we also had to not just a fleeting thing.” Olympics but I never got to cry so much in the Olympic trials in Oregon last month. “If you believe more forgiving sport than some others. “I have a fight for this slot,” said Bruna Cavaliere, a Cavaliere, like most girls interested in opening ceremony or after the opening ceremony you’re old, you’re going to run like an old man. young lady who pulls all the ropes for me,” he joked. 16-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a soccer in Brazil, grew up playing with boys. the next morning alone.” These young guys push me every single day.”The Carranza said that Lange is no slouch on the physi- professional player. In a country where At 4, she chased her older brother and his most age defying athlete must be Uzbekistan’s cal side of things. “What I admire from him is that men’s soccer is ingrained in people’s psy- friends down the street with a ball. Later, she Old dogs, new tricks Oksana Chusovitina, who at 41 is taking part in her we are always the first ones to go in the water in the che, women have found it difficult to find attended after-school practice where she Brazil’s Robert Scheidt, 43, is looking to add to seventh Olympics as a gymnast-a sport dominated training. We are always the ones who sail the most their place in sports because of the lack of was the only girl among the boys training his haul of five medals to become the most decorat- by teenagers. But for senior friendliness, maybe in the day,” she said. Lange says he fights to stay fit athletic programs, funding shortfalls and with a 90s soccer star. While boys could try ed Olympic sailor ever. And 40-year-old rower nothing beats equestrian events, where the horse because strength may be less important than expe- what they call unfair marketing decisions out for dozens of under-17 clubs in soccer- Katherine Grainger became Britain’s most decorat- takes much of the physical load and experience rience in sailing, but it’s still vital. “It’s a very mental that promote men. But Brazilian female mad Rio de Janeiro, she found only two ed female Olympian in Rio. Among other golden counts. Brougham’s New Zealander team mate sport and your being healthy and powerful helps a athletes are shining at the Rio Olympics - places. At 14, she was chosen for the female oldies are Kristin Armstrong, the US winner of the Mark Todd, 60, made his Olympic debut 32 years lot,” he said. More than anything, though, staying at and people here are paying attention, youth squad of a famous Rio soccer club. cycling time trial, who is 43, and Argentina and NBA ago in Los Angeles, where he won the first of his the top of the game comes from hunger to achieve some for the first time. After practices, her teammates passed basketball’s Manu Ginobili, 39. Even athletics fea- two golds. “I’m actually riding against children of more. “What I see with Santi is that when you have a Each victory of Brazil women’s soccer around a tin to collect money in the dressing tures over-40-year-olds. my contemporaries,” the legendary rider said cheer- passion and you love doing something, you can do team is savored with more enthusiasm, and room. “It was so sad to watch. That money Bernard Lagat is running for the United States in fully. Well, they’re not all so green. The Kiwis’ rivals it all day long,” Carranza said. For him, even going female athletes in other sports are being was for the bus fare or a bologna sandwich. 5,000m at the age of 41. His first Olympics was back include Great Britain’s John Whitaker, 60, and his on to the Tokyo Games in four years remains “a celebrated in ways rarely seen in Brazil. Some girls had to choose between food and in Sydney in 2000. “I train with young guys and I brother Michael just four years younger. dream.” “If my knees survive and my back, I will do When Rafaela Silva won gold in women’s transportation,” Cavaliere said. — AP don’t believe I’m old,” Lagat told AFP after the Asked for his secret, Lange notes that sailing is a it,” he said. — AFP