14 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Sports

Hashim Hashim Amla to lead stars in Amla Qatar T10 League Six teams to compete in the inaugural edition, hosted by QCA and promoted by International Pro Event

Tribune News Network DOHA

A rich and dazzling assembly of stars is waiting to thrill fans as the ambitious Qatar T10 Cricket League starts at the Asian Town Cricket Sta- dium in Industrial Area from December 7. The League, fielding six QCA President Yousef Jeham al Kuwari and International Pro Event CEO Sajjad Chaudhry with franchise owners, local players and officials dur- franchise teams, has been a ing the launch of the Qatar T10 Cricket League in Doha. The league is scheduled to begin December 7 and end on December 16. long-cherished dream by the Qatar Cricket Association un- big crowd to the venue include terms of players and follow- der the presidency of Yousef Salman Butt, Sohail Tanveer, “The league will also showcase Qatar’s passion for ers. This league will help us Jeham Al Kuwari. The QCA is Kamran Akmal, Khurram sports and its capacity as a big hub of international establish this fact further and hosting event, fully recognised Manzoor, Hussain Talat, Mo- sporting events. Everything is well set and we’re keen to enable us to elevate the stand- by the International Cricket hammad Shahzad, Moham- get going now” ard of the sport in the country. Council, with the assistance of med Sami, Sharjeel Khan, Im- — QCA President Yousef Jeham al Kuwari We’ll try our best to leave an International Pro Event. ran Nazir (all from ), enduring impression on the The 10-day razzmatazz, to Luke Wright (England), John- players and fans all over the conclude on December 16, will son Charles, Andre Fletcher, a very big occasion for Qatar we’ll host a feast of cricket for world through this league. feature Falcon Hunters, De- Krishmar Santokie, Kennar cricket in particular. We’re its fans all over the world.” “The QCA will like to thank sert Riders, Flying Oryx, Swift Lewis (all from West Indies), fully prepared to start the Qa- Kuwari also highlighted the ICC, promoters, franchise Gallopers, Heat Stormers and Shahadat Hussain, Moham- tar T10 Cricket League at the Qatar’s credentials as a big owners and players to make Pearl Gladiators. South African med Naeem Islam (from Asian Town Cricket Stadium organiser of international this event possible for us,” Ku- near future, the world will see of us,” Chaudhry added. batting star Hashim Amla of Bangladesh), Aftab Alam (Af- on December 7. sports. “The league will also wari concluded. and admire our cricket host- Also present at the launch Falcon Hunters leads the star- ghanistan), Manpreet Singh “It was a big task for us to showcase Qatar’s passion Sajjad Chaudhry of Inter- ing capabilities. were team owners, QCA of- studded list, which has also (India) and Ajantha Mendis find the suitable time for this for sports and its capacity national Pro Event comment- “We’ve also planned a ficial Eissa al Yacoub, QCA players from Pakistan, India, (Sri Lanka). league between the Arabian as a big hub of international ed: “We planned and executed dazzling opening ceremony. Operations Manager Manzoor South Africa, the West Indies, QCA President Yousef Je- Gulf Cup and the FIFA Clubs sporting events. Everything is everything within 20 days. I don’t wish to disclose any- Ahmad, QCA Domestic Crick- Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghan- ham Al Kuwari, feeling proud World Cup. We’ll now have well set and we’re keen to get This year, we’re treating it as thing right now but there are et Head Gul Khan Jadoon, lo- istan and England, besides re- at the launch of the league, the opening on December 7, going now.” the stepping stone. There have lots of celebrities coming to cal senior and junior players, gional and local cricketers. said: “Today is a big day for a day before the Arabian Gulf He also added, “Cricket been many challenges but we take part and make the occa- who have been drafted into Other faces that will draw Qatar sports in general and Cup final and then for 10 days, is a major sport in Qatar in worked our way through. In sion truly memorable for all the six teams.

Zainal elected as member in Williamson, Taylor save second Test Five teams to battle ATF Board for the Kiwis, win series vs England for last two Ooredoo Tribune News Network afp Scoreboard lie Pope and then Denly spilled DOHA Hamilton (New Zealand) simple chances from William- Cup QF berths New Zealand (1st innings): 375 Total (for two wkts, 75 overs) 241 son. Qatar’s Centuries from Kane Wil- England (1st innings): 476 Fall of : 1-2 (Raval), 2-28 (Latham) The New Zealand skipper Tennis, liamson and Ross Taylor en- New Zealand (2nd innings, overnight Bowling: Broad 9-0-28-0, Curran 16-2-56-1 was on 39 when wicketkeeper Squash and sured New Zealand drew the 96-2): (2w), Archer 12-1-27-0, Woakes 11-4-12-1, Pope put down a regulation of- Badminton rain-hit second Test against T. Latham c Root b Woakes 18 Stokes 14-1-58-0 (1w, 1nb), Denly 9-1-27-0, fering off the gloves, much to J. Raval lbw b Curran 0 Root 4-1-23-0. Federation England in Hamilton on Tues- K. Williamson 104 Toss: England bowler Ben Stokes annoyance, (QTSBF) day, sealing a 1-0 series win. R. Taylor not out 105 Result: Match drawn and on 62 Denly inexplicably Secretary- New Zealand batted the fi- Extras (b2, lb3, w3, nb1, pen5) 14 Series: New Zealand win 1-0 dropped an even easier chance. General nal day needing a substantial Williamson gently chipped Tareq Zain- innings to avoid defeat and way “we still couldn’t have 21st Test century with a four off a slower from Jo- al has been elected as one of were helped by sloppy England forced a result.” Joe Root in the third over after fra Archer straight to Denly at the 14 members in the Board fielding. Heavy rain arrived soon lunch, while Taylor reached short midwicket and, as the of Directors of the Asian Ten- Williamson, who had three after lunch to end play on the century number 19 with a flour- bowler leapt in celebration and nis Federation during the An- lives including a howler of a fifth day when New Zealand ish in Root’s next over when he Williamson made an apolo- nual General Assembly meet- dropped catch by Joe Denly, were 241 for two in their sec- smacked a four and two sixes in getic gesture to Taylor, the ball ing held in Bangalore, India described it as a “good effort” ond innings, 140 ahead with consecutive balls. popped out of Denly’s hands. on Monday. to end up with a draw. Taylor on 105 and Williamson Two balls after Taylor had “It was a one-off goober,” Tribune News Network Zainal secured 39 votes. Kit- “A lot of hard work had to on 104. raised his bat and poked his said Root using cricketing DOHA Al Khor (10 points), Qatar sombat Euammongkol of Thai- go into saving the match when It ensured the spoils went tongue out in his signature slang for a shocking error. SC (10 points) and Al land became the ATF President time didn’t allow us an oppor- to New Zealand after their in- celebration, the rain arrived There were comparisons The fifth and final round of for the 2020 to 2024 term. tunity to win it,” he said. nings victory in the firstT est, to wash out England’s faint drawn on social media to the group matches in the 2019- Arabi (six points) have Zainal pointed out that his However, England and improved their record to hopes. widely regarded worst dropped 20 Ooredoo Cup is expected also progressed to the election has proved the signifi- Joe Root felt the Test was al- eight wins, a draw and one loss New Zealand resumed the catch in Test history when Eng- provide plenty of fireworks as quarter-finals from Group cant confidence that Qatar en- ways heading for a draw, say- to South Africa in their past 10 day at 96 for two with England land’s Mike Gatting put down five teams chase the remain- B after the fourth round. joy in both international and ing even if the weather and Test series. hunting early wickets but their a sitter off the gloves of India ing two spots in the quarter- Al Gharafa (two points), Al continental sport arenas. fielding had goneE ngland’s Williamson brought up his plans went off track when Ol- batsman Kiran More in 1993. finals. Duhail (two points) and Al The Round 5 fixtures will Sailiya (one point) are all be played on Friday (Decem- ber 6) and Saturday (Decem- in contention for the ber 7) with each group having remaining slot. three clashes, scheduled to Obaidli wins GCC 6-Red gold medal start at 18.10. Rayyan 1-0 and Al Sadd played Al Ahli face Al Wakrah at out a 2-2 draw with Umm Salal to win. The audience sat spell- the Al Shamal Stadium, Umm in Round 4 action. Al Annabi finish runners-up in 8-ball bound to witness the players Salal are pitted against Al Al Khor (10 points), Qa- bring out their best techniques Shahania at the Al Khor Sta- tar SC (10 points) and Al team event in Muscat as both players had equal dium and Al Rayyan will take Arabi (six points) have also chances to win. on Al Sadd at the Al Wakrah progressed to the quarter- Tribune News Network counts. It was not my best but “Whatever the game, the Stadium in Group A. Al Saili- finals from Group B after the DOHA I am grateful that at the end I important factors are to be a ya and Al Gharafa will play at fourth round. Al Gharafa (two got it. Everything was okay but good potter, break the build- the Al Wakrah Stadium, Qatar points), Al Duhail (two points) Ali al Obaidli did not play his just to finish the match was er and a good safety player,” SC visit Al Khor and Al Arabi and Al Sailiya (one point) are best but still the Qatari snook- difficult.” said Subah. will tackle Al Duhail at the Al all in contention for the re- er player clinched the GCC Talking about his tourna- The 6-red is considered Shamal Stadium in Group B maining slot. Men’s 6-Red title after beat- ment experience, he said, “It tougher because there is less games. Al Khor beat Al Sailiya ing Bahrain’s Habib Subah in is my first time in Oman and chance for recovery and at Al Ahli (nine points), Al 2-1 and Qatar SC defeated Al a best of 11 frames at Levatio I love it! Everything is well times never a chance to re- Wakrah (eight points) and Al Duhail 1-0, while Al Gharafa Hotel, Muscat on Sunday. organised and I would like to cover, explained Shoaib Khan, Rayyan (seven points) have played out a 1-1 draw with In GCC Men’s 8-Ball Team express my gratitude to the Tournament Director. Ref- already booked their berths Al Arabi in Round 4 Group B Championship held from No- Oman Billiard and Snooker eree Mohammed Motaz from in the quarter-finals from matches, recently. vember 30 to December 1, Committee.” Oman supervised the match. Group A. The fight is between The Ooredoo Cup, former- Kuwait won the gold medal The 6-Red final match The GCC Men’s 8-Ball Al Sadd (four points) and ly QSL Cup, provides young and Qatar claimed the silver lasted nearly three hours and Team 2019 in Billiards saw Ku- Umm Salal (three points) players with more playing medal, while the United Arab Obaidli beat Subah by 6-4 wait take the top honours ahead for the remaining last eight time and exposure. The tour- Emirates and Bahrain secured frames to emerge the cham- Qatar’s Ali al Obaidli in action. of Qatar (2nd) and the United berth from this group. Al nament, which has a league- the bronze medals. pion. He was the only player Arab Emirates (3rd). Bahrain Shahania (one point) are out cum-knockout format, offers After winning the event in the championship to have Subah, a regular at GCC of 6-Red, said: “Ali is a very got the fourth spot, while Saudi of contention. new opportunities for spon- Obaidli said, “There was a lot stayed unbeaten and got the Championship tournaments talented player. I have played Arabia finished fifth and hosts Al Ahli defeated Al Sha- sors, partners and supporters of pressure and every shot highest break of 75. and the defending champion him many times taking turns Oman were sixth. hania 2-1, Al Wakrah beat Al to highlight their brands.