SPORT Sunday 17 February 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 06 Guptill century Al Sadd trounce seals ODI Al Khor; series for Al Duhail edge New Zealand Al Sailiya

Qatar Total Open 2019 champion Belgium’s poses with the trophy alongside H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Federation (QTF) President Nasser Al Khelaifi, QTF Executive Director Saad Al Mohannadi and runners-up Romania’s at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, yesterday. PICTURES: VADAKKEMURIYIL RAJAN

Mertens stuns Halep to win Qatar Total Open RIZWAN REHMAT MERTENS’ PATH TO draw level at 2-all. Mertens broke Halep SINGLES CHAMPIONS IN DOHA THE PENINSULA TITLE GLORY: in game nine to race ahead to 5-4. A 2019: Elise Mertens, Belgium crushing backhand gave Mertens the 2018: Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic Unseeded Elise Mertens of Belgium second set at 6-4. It was all or nothing for FINAL: Beat Simona Halep 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 2017: Karolina Pliskova, Czech Republic yesterday capped her dream run in Doha SEMI-FINAL: Beat 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 both the players. by beating former champion Simona QUARTER-FINAL: Beat 6-4, 6-3 Mertens, enjoying a bit of fine rhythm 2016: Navarro Suárez, Spain Halep in three sets to lift the Qatar Total SECOND ROUND: Beat Kristyna Pliskova6-2, 7-6 (3) in her movement, broke Halep in 2015: Lucie Safarova, Czech Republic Open trophy. FIRST ROUND: Beat Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-2 game 1 of the deciding set. The former 2014: Simona Halep, Romania Playing just her sixth career final, Doha champion again broke Mertens 2013: , Belarus Mertens rallied from a set down to beat in game four to draw level at 2-2 but 2012: Victoria Azarenka, Belarus Halep 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours 13 The winner, Elise Mertens, lost her way in the next game to hand 2011: , Russia minutes on the Center Court. yesterday got $158,895 and 470 the advantage back to the Belgian. A Mertens, who beat three-time Grand rankings points while losing finalist long backhand by Halep on match point 2008: , Russia Slam winner Angelique Kerber in the Simona Halep bagged $84,850 and handed the set and the title to Mertens. 2007: , Belgium semi-finals on Friday, even defied back 305 points. The Belgian slumped to the court in 2006: , Russia spasms in the middle of the second set disbelief before getting up to gaze 2005: Maria Sharapova, Russia to script her sensational title win. at the clear Doha night sky. The two losing semi-finalists got 2004: Anastasia Myskina, Russia It was her second successive win $45,320 each while the players who With tears streaming over a top-10 player in as many days. down her cheeks, Mertens 2003: Anastasia Myskina, Russia went out of the tournament at the 2002: Monica Seles, US Mertens won $158,895 for her efforts quarter-finals stage got richer by shook hands with Halep and over the weekend. then quickly darted $24,360 each. 2001: , Switzerland “It has been a great week. I am so towards her coach David happy. I had only the coach with me this Taylor to celebrate the  week but I know I worked really hard,” error-prone Halep to draw level at 3-all. biggest win of her young Elise Mertens, the world no.21, said. Halep returned the compliment of career. Mertens is “This is a big win. Simona is a great breaking Mertens in game seven with an Overall Mertens only the player. I saw many Belgian flags today. overhead volley. fired two aces com- second Belgian I want to thank everyone who came out A couple of forehand shots followed pared to 4 by Halep. after Justine tonight. by an ace gave Halep a 5-3 cushion in the It was Mertens’ “I would also like to commend the first set. In game nine, an unforced error first win over Henin, the 2007 organisers Qatar Tennis Federation for at set point by Mertens saw Halep com- Halep in three champion, to putting together a great event. Eve- plete a run of 12 successive points to take meetings. reach the final rybody is so helpful here,” the 23-year the set in just 34 minutes. Halep had in Doha old added. Halep broke Mertens in game two of never lost a “I hope I can come back here for the second set to race to take 2-0 lead set to First title many more years,” she added with a but the young Belgian broke the Mertens smile. Romanian in game three. prior to the of the year for Halep, playing her second final at After a medical timeout that lasted final Mertens in her the Khalifa Tennis Complex, was gra- nine minutes, Mertens broke Halep to yesterday. sixth career final cious in defeat. “I wanted to win the Falcon Trophy Sole Belgian again but Elise played a great match. She Hao-Ching Chan, Latisha doubles champions represented in Doha fully deserved to win today,” Halep, 27, said. this week (main “I had some fantastic days of tennis draw, qualifying and last week and this week. Doing well at doubles) the Fed Cup was huge. I played a great tournament here in Doha this week as  well,” the 2017 champion After successful trial towards the end of 2018, Mertens said. brought David Taylor on as full-time coach during off “I would like to thank Qatar for season hosting us. I love coming here. I play Earlier coaching history includes Belgian federation some of my best tennis in Doha and until early teens, as well as a year at the Mouratoglou that’s why I do well here,” she added. Academy The three-set battle had its share of  ups and downs but the title clash kicked Mother Liliane, teaches languages and history off with a service break. Halep broke and father, Guido, makes furniture for churches. Was Mertens in the first game that lasted nine introduced to tennis by her sister Lauren, who is six years minutes. A long return from Mertens fol- older (now airline pilot with KLM) lowed by a forehand down the line by Speaks Dutch/Flemish, French and English Halep on fourth break point saw the Was home schooled former champion get her first service break. Mertens, seemingly stung by her MERTENS’ SEASON SO FAR: opponent’s service break, wasted little Lost both singles rubbers during Belgium’s 3-1 home time in breaking Halep in game two. A defeat to France in Liege (Lost to Cornet and Garcia) couple of powerful forehand shots Made third round at (Lost to M. Keys) helped Halep to break her opponent for Chinese 's Hao-Ching Chan and pose with trophies after winning the doubles Began season by falling in first round at Brisbane (Lost the second time in just three games. final of the Qatar Total Open, yesterday. The duo defeated Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld to Bertens) and reaching Quarter-finals at Sydney (Lost to Halep rode her luck to jump to a 3-1 lead and Dutch 6-1, 3-6, 10-6 in the final. on her own serve. Barty) In game six, Mertens broke an 06 SPORT SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2019 Al Sadd trounce Al Khor; Al Duhail edge Al Sailiya

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Leaders Al Sadd scored a 6-2 win over Al Khor while Al Duhail edged Al Sailiya 1-0 in Week 16 of the QNB Stars League yesterday. AFC Wimbledon’s Andy Barcham in action with Millwall’s Mahlon At the Al Sadd Stadium, Romeo and Alex Pearce during the FA Cup Fifth Round match at Akram Afif (seventh, 10th and 64th minutes), Hamed Ismail Kingsmeadow, London, Britain, yesterday. (41st), Jung Woo-Young (55th) and Baghdad Bounedjah (57th) scored for Al Sadd as they took Ten-man Schalke their points tally to 41. Wagner Ferreira (15th minute) and Thiago Queiroz draw blank ahead (90+2 penalty) scored Al Khor’s goals as they remained on nine points. of Man City clash Al Sadd thus kept their two- Al Duhail’s Yousef El Arabi (right) point lead over Al Duhail. vies for ball possession with Akram scored his first goal a Al Sailiya player during the AFP Gondorf and Luca Waldschmidt. off a pass from Qatar national QNB Stars League match at the BERLIN League leaders Borussia team captain Hassan Al Haydous. Al Duhail Stadium yesterday. Dortmund are at bottom side He scored his second after Gabi Schalke 04 warmed-up for the Nuremberg on Monday. Fernandez did the spadework. Champions League visit of They are two points ahead Hamed Ismail found the net striker Rachid Tiberkanine, also Amine Lecomte. Al Duhail’s top Nakajima, whom Al Duhail Manchester City with a goalless of Bayern Munich, who won 3-2 with a long rising shot as Al Sadd through an injury. scorer Yousef El Arabi and Al signed recently in place of draw at home to fellow at Augsburg on Friday. went into the half-time break Both teams created oppor- Sailiya’s Nadir Belhadj too made injured South Korean playmaker Bundesliga strugglers Freiburg RB Leipzig took their chance with a 3-1 lead. tunities in the first half, reigning attempts at the goal. Nam Tae-Hee, rose to the yesterday. to stay in the title race as a 3-1 Al Sadd continued from champions Al Duhail more of Soon after the restart, there occasion on his debut. Schalke are winless in their win at Stuttgart left them fourth, where they left off. Jung, tour- them. They were unlucky not to were brisk activities at the Al It was Nakajima who set the last three Bundesliga games and just a point behind Borussia nament top scorer Bounedjah have scored despite dominating Sailiya goal as The Red Knights stage for the goal by giving a sit just above the relegation Moenchengladbach, who play and Akram again were on target possession way more than their upped the ante. through pass to Edmilson before places in 14th spot. today at Eintracht Frankfurt. in the space of 19 minutes. rivals. The Al Duhail ranks thought the latter cut the ball squarely for Next up is a huge challenge Yussuf Poulsen netted two Jung sent in a free-kick past After Al Duhail’s Paolo they were in the lead when El El Arabi to score. at home to Pep Guardiola’s goals as Leipzig took the three the defensive wall and goal- Edmilson tested goalkeeper Arabi sent a cracker of a shot Before the goal, Ilyas got Premier League giants Man City points. The Denmark striker keeper Mohammed Al Bakri. Saoud A Khater, who had a good against the bar in the 54th another chance. However, in their Champions League last opened the scoring after just six Bounedjah found the mark game overall, Al Sailiya’s minute. Lecomte showed good reflex to 16, first-leg tie on Wednesday. minutes when Leipzig’s as his shot landed in the goal off Abdulqadir Ilyas came up with a Soon, El Arabi came close off block his shot from close range. In yesterday’s bad-tempered Germany striker Timo Werner a deflection from Al Khor cracker of a shot, after he capi- a free-kick, but was thwarted Al Sailiya made desperate clash, both Schalke and Freiburg fired in a cross, which clipped a defender Khaled Radwan. talised on a defensive mistake, again. efforts for an equaliser, but in finished with ten men. defender’s knee for Poulsen to Akram completed his hat- only to be blocked by goalkeeper Japanese professional Shoya vain. The Royal Blues played for tap home. trick with an assist from nearly 50 minutes without Steven Zuber equalised from Bounedjah. Al Sadd’s Abdulkarim defensive midfielder Suat the spot for Stuttgart ten minutes Even as it looked easy for Al Hassan vies for ball Serdar, sent off for a first-half later when the video assistant Sadd came another consolation possession with an Al foul, while Freiburg defender referee spotted the ball had hit for Al Khor when Jung ‘handled’ Khor player during the Christian Guenter was dismissed Willi Orban’s arm after a Mario a free-kick taken by Thiago in QNB Stars League match late on for a second yellow card. Gomez header. stoppage time. at the Al Sadd Stadium Schalke came close to con- However, Leipzig rallied as Referee Abdulhadi Al Ruaile yesterday. ceding a penalty with 10 minutes midfielder Marcel Sabitzer pointed to the spot and Thiago ROUND 16 left when Spanish midfielder curled home a superb free-kick himself converted from it past a Omar Mascarell was suspected with 20 minutes left, then diving goalkeeper Meshaal YESTERDAY'S RESULTS of a handball, but the video Poulsen claimed his second goal Barshim to make the final Al Duhail 1 Al Sailiya 0 assistant referee (VAR) over- soon after, tapping home fol- scoreline read 6-2 in Al Sadd’s ruled the referee’s initial lowing an impressive run by US favour. Al Sadd 6 Al Khor 2 decision. Welsh teenage winger international Tyler Adams. Earlier, Yousef El Arabi Rabbi Matondo, who Schalke Wolfsburg climbed to fifth scored the all-important goal for signed last month from Man with a 3-0 win at Mainz with Al Duhail in the 70th minute of City, struggled to make an goals by midfielder Maximilian the match played at the Al Duhail impact on only his second Bun- Arnold, striker Wout Weghorst Stadium. desliga appearance, his first over and defender Robin Knoche. Al Duhail moved to 39 points 90 minutes. Hoffenheim also moved up and Al Sailiya stayed on 28. The 18-year-old had a good after Algeria forward Ishak Bel- Al Duhail missed the services chance with 16 minutes left but fodil, Brazilian striker Joelinton of Qatar’s Asian Cup-winning ballooned his shot over the bar. and Germany midfielder Kerem heroes Almoez Ali and Bassam Freiburg hit the Schalke Demirbay netted in their 3-0 Al Rawi due to injuries, while Al woodwork twice in the second win at second-from-bottom Sailiya sorely missed their ace half through substitutes Jerome Hanover 96 to go seventh. Nishikori, Wawrinka to clash in Rotterdam semis

AFP leading a set and 5-4. As the set went into a tiebreaker, ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS his resistance stiffened, with Wawrinka running out the winner on his second match point as the Canadian Kei Nishikori continued his unbeaten debut week at drove long. the Rotterdam Open with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Hungary’s “I feel relieved, happy, I was playing great,” said Marton Fucsovics on Friday to reach the semi-finals on the veteran Swiss. the back of a performance he described as “almost “I couldn’t find a way to close out the match, he perfect”. started playing better. He was more aggressive and I The Japanese top seed set up a semi-final with was giving him too much time. treble winner Stan Wawrinka, who had his “But I’m happy to be in the semi-finals. There were troubles before putting away Canadian Denis Shapo- a lot of tough and long rallies in the tiebreaker.” valov 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). ended Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s seven- Nishikori won his 11th match of the season as he match win streak when the Russian triumphed 6-4, controlled Fucsovics in their first career meeting. 6-2. Asia’s top player began the year with a 12th career Tsonga, ranked a lowly 140 after 2018 knee surgery, title in Brisbane before suffering his only 2019 loss at had been on a roll in the Dutch port city, following his the Australian Open against in an injury- title victory last week in Montpellier. hit quarter-final exit. But fifth seed Medvedev arrived in Rotterdam Fucsovics arrived in the Dutch port city after playing buoyed by a title of his own after lifting the Sofia trophy the Sofia final last weekend. five days ago. “This is one of the best that I’ve played, the second Medvedev outlasted 33-year-old Tsonga in a set was almost perfect,” Nishikori said. “I feel like I’m 90-minute struggle to reach the semi-finals and a improving with each match. meeting with Gael Monfils. “I was making almost every ball.” The French showman took 69 minutes to Wawrinka leads the series with Nishikori 5-4, advance to his second straight semi-final of the winning their last match in August at Cincinnati. season with his 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of Bosnian Damir “Stan is a very good player, I’m glad to see him Dzumhur. back from injury,” Nishikori said. Medvedev improved to 14-2 this season after “I hope we can have a good match.” “He’s got a advancing with seven aces and saving both break points Japan’s Kei Nishikori celebrates great backhand and plays very aggressive, it will be he faced against Tsonga who suffered only his third victory over Latvia’s Ernests tough.” loss of 2019. Gulbis during their men’s singles Wawrinka, the 2015 champion in Rotterdam, was “The match felt strange, I don’t think I was playing match on day four of the ABN broken while serving for the match against Shapovalov, that well,” said the beanpole Russian. AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Friday. SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 07

Al Buenain praises success of Open Water Challenge

QNA DOHA

Action from men’s race at the FINA Marathon The Secretary-General of Swim World Series Doha (QAT) 2019 on Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Jassim bin Rashid Al the Corniche, yesterday. Buenain, yesterday praised the success of the Doha Open Water Challenge, which was held on Friday on Corniche. FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2019 The Secretary-General said that Qatar has become a capital for international sporting events and competitions. Cunha, Wellbrock clinch Doha titles He noted that 2019 will see the hosting of 50 dif- ferent sporting events, the FAWAD HUSSAIN FINA MARATHON RESULTS most notable of which will THE PENINSULA be the World Champion-

Women’s Race ships in Athletics that is set Gold: Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) 2:03:51.5 Qatar, yesterday kicked off the Silver: Kareena Lee (AUS) 2:03:52.0 to take place in September. FINA Marathon Swim World Bronze: Rachele Bruni (ITA) 2:03:53.0 On the Doha Open Series for the second consecutive Water Challenge, he said Men’s Race year, with Ana Marcela Cunha Gold: Florian Wellbrock (GER) 1:52:21.6 that the current year’s and Florian Wellbrock clinching Silver: Kristof Rasovszky (HUN) 1:52:22.8 edition saw a growing

victories following thrilling races Bronze: Jordan Wilimovsky (USA) 1:52:24.4 number of participants. on the Doha’s iconic Corniche. He congratulated all The swimmers braved tough swimmers who won and conditions on a windy day at the Netherlands, the winner of last those who completed the FINA Marathon Swim World year’s race in Doha, had a disap- challenge. Series Doha (QAT) 2019, which pointing race as she finished in A total of 328 athletes opened the nine-leg marathon 12th place. participated in Doha Open series. Meanwhile, the men’s race Water Challenge, which The athletes competed over was also a closely-contested comprised of various the 10km course, which was battle, with Germany’s Well- categories. divided into four laps of 2.5km, brock overcoming his opponents The Secretary-General with the spectacular Corniche in a tight finish. also thanked the Qatar skyline forming the stunning Wellbrock, winner of last Swimming Association (QSA) backdrop. year’s Abu Dhabi meet, won the for their good organisation Close races were witnessed gold medal with a time of of the challenge they held in in both the women and men 1:52:21.6. cooperation with FINA. races as the event served as qual- Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain (centre), Qatar “The race was really tough. The Secretary-General ification for this July’s World Swimming Association (QSA) President Khaleel Al Jabir (right), and QSA General-Secretary Talal It’s my third World Cup and also of the Qatar Olympic Com- Championships for many Mubarak pose for a group photo along with the podium winners of the men’s race, yesterday. my third gold so I am really mittee (QOC) also high- swimmers. happy. The conditions were hard. lighted that Qatari sports In the women’s race yes- for the most part, winning it in the final lap, which was part series, said after her victory. I didn’t have many races like this and athletes make great terday, Brazil’s Cunha, who is eventually after clocking of my plan. It was a tough race Lee was surprised with her before so I had to change my gains from hosting such dis- defending her overall FINA mar- 2:03:51.5. and I am happy to win as there second finish, that guaranteed tactics in the middle,” said tinguished international athon title, claimed victory after “It was my plan to lead the were many swimmers, who her the national spot for World Wellbrock. events. edging Australia’s Kareena Lee race from the beginning were very close till the last Championships. Hungary’s Kristof Rasovszky He added that they by just 0.5 seconds. because last year I used to stay moment,” Cunha, also a “I am very very happy. I will was second with a time of become a perfect oppor- The 26-year-old led the race behind. I tried to be a bit faster winner of 2010, 2012 and 2014 get valuable points that will help 1:52:22.8, while Jordan Wili- tunity for Qatari players to me get selected for my country movsky (USA) claimed the gain experience by com- in the World Championships,” bronze medal after clocking peting with the best world said Lee. 1:52:24.4. champions. “It was a strong field and I Qatar’s Abdelrahman President of Qatar was hoping for a top-ten finish Mohamed and Ahmad Samara Swimming Association so finishing second is a bonus. also competed in the men’s race. Khalil Al Jaber for his part The arrangements of the event Qatar Olympic Committee praised the high level shown were amazing and the course (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim in the first round of the 10km was fantastic. I would like to bin Rashid Al Buenain, Qatar challenge, in which 136 of come back to Doha,” the Aussie Swimming Association (QSA) the best swimmers around added. President Khaleel Al Jabir, and the world competed. Rio Olympic silver medalist QSA General-Secretary Talal He said that competition Rachele Bruni (ITA) claimed the Mubarak distributed medals was very strong, evident by bronze medal after finishing the among the swimmers. the marginal differences that job in 2:03:53.0. The swimmers will now separated the top “I am happy to secure the for Seychelles for the second participants. third place because this will give meet on May 12, followed by He also expressed his me confidence in the World stops in Setubal (Portugal), Bala- delight with FINA and the Championships in South Korea,” tonfured (Hungary), Lac St. Jean participating delegations’ she said. and Lac Megantic (Canada), praise of the level of The QSA officials pose for a group photo along with the podium winners of the women’s race, Reigning Olympic champion , Ohrid (Mace- organisation. yesterday. Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the donia) and Chun’An (China). Mathiesen wins Qatar Open Amateur Championship

ARMSTRONG VAS said the amateur, who recently THE PENINSULA secured a golf scholarship in the USA and will start at Wright State Doha-based Mikkel Mathiesen University in Dublin Ohio in Sep- of Denmark emerged as winner tember this year. in the Qatar Open Amateur The 100-odd golfers included Championship here yesterday. 22 professional, three of them In the professional category, qualifying for the Qatar Masters. Poland’s Adrian Meronk topped to “I played really well from the qualify for next month European beginning and the final rounds Tour sanctioned Qatar Masters tour- were the toughest day for sure nament, which will be held at the and I tried to stay focused and Doha Golf Club (DGC) patience,” said the 24-year-old Also qualifying along with Meronk. Meronk for the Qatar Masters Qatar’s Saleh Al Kaabi fin- were Niclas Johansson of Sweden ished sixth in the amateur section and Mike Toorop of Netherlands The podium winners at the Qatar Open Amateur Championship pose for and qualified along with Ali Al along with two other amateur a picture along with officials of Qatar Golf Association at Doha Golf Club Sharshani and Jaham Al Kuwari players Jordan’s Shergo Al Kurdi yesterday. PICTURE: SYED OMAR for the Qatar Masters. and England’s William Shuck- The winners, in both the smith, besides the amateur professional and amateur cat- winner aggregated one-under 215, with different coaches at the DGC in the Qatar Masters. “The field Reflecting on his per- egory, will get air tickets from Yesterday at the DGC, Math- the next closest player, Shuck- course and had won many tour- was very strong this year as there formance on the final day of the Royal Air Moroc.. The top three iesen, the 18-year-old Dane, a smith, at six-over. nament representing the club were 22 professionals. I know so event he said: “I had a two-shot finishers in the professional student of Doha College who For Mathiesen, the DGC and yesterday the Dane took it many of these guys they are good lead to start the day and I did not section got cash awards with performed consistently over the greens has been a familiar place to another level by topping in the golfers and to beat them and to really give up. I am happy with the winner pocketing QR7000, last three days carded a score of for over a decade. amateur section. come out as No. 1 gives a me lot my win. It is a big win for me. To while the runner-up picked up 70 with a birdie and a bogey to As a junior member at DGC, The promising teenager is of confidence before the Qatar win one of the two big tourna- QR5000 and the third place fin- earn a seven-shot victory. He he got his first golf lessons under now looking forward to playing Masters,” Mathiesen said. ments in Qatar is a big thing,” isher QR3000. SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 05 I thought Perera was unbelievable. A superman South Africa captain THE FA CUP: FIFTH ROUND effort. He deserves all the Faf du Plessis Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers accolades that will come to after losing the first Doncaster Rovers vs Crystal Palace Test against Sri Lanka

him after this game. ACTION Swansea City vs Brentford TODAY’S Perera heroics lead Sri Lanka BRIEF SCORES

Match No. 3, On Friday

to record win in South Africa Peshawar Zalmi: 155/4 (Kamran Akmal 49, Misbah- AP Sri Lankan, and one of the team’s most SCOREBOARD ul-Haq 49 n.o.; Mohammad DURBAN remarkable victories. Nawaz 2/25) SOUTH AFRICA, first innings, 235 L. Embuldeniya c Markram b Olivier ...... 4 It was Perera’s career-best score, Quetta Gladiators: 161/4 SRI LANKA, first innings, 191 K. Rajitha lbw b Maharaj ...... 1 in 19.4 overs (Umar Akmal Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning against- just his second Test century, and his SOUTH AFRICA, second innings, 259 V. Fernando not out ...... 6 the-odds run chase with a record last- first in three years. 75 n.o., Sarfaraz Ahmed 37; SRI LANKA, second innings Extras (b2, lb11, w1) ...... 14 Wahab Riaz 2/18) wicket partnership of 78 to beat South Sri Lanka’s (Overnight 83-3) Total (9 wkts, 85.3 overs) ...... 304 Quetta Glad won by 6 Africa by one wicket in the first Test 304-9 was the D. Karunaratne lbw b Philander ...... 20 Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Thirimanne), 2-42 (Karunaratne), wickets (with 2 balls yesterday. third- L. Thirimanne c Du Plessis b Rabada ...... 21 3-52 (Mendis), 4-110 (O. Fernando), 5-110 (Dickwella), remaining) Kusal Perera almost single- highest O. Fernando c Du Plessis b Steyn ...... 37 6-206 (De Silva), 7-206 (Lakmal), 8-215 (Embuldeniya), handedly won the game with his 153 successful K. Mendis c De Kock b Olivier ...... 0 9-226 (Rajitha) K. Perera not out ...... 153 Bowling: Steyn 18-1-71-2, Philander 8-3-13-1, Maharaj Match No. 4, Yesterday not out, but No. 11 batsman Vishwa run chase N. Dickwella c and b Steyn ...... 0 20-1-71-3, Rabada 22.3-3-97-1 (1w), Olivier 16-3-35-2, Fernando played a crucial role as he in nearly D. de Silva lbw b Maharaj ...... 48 Markram 1-0-4-0 Islamabad United: 125/7 (L hung around for 27 balls for his 6 not 100 years of S. Lakmal c Du Plessis b Maharaj ...... 0 Ronchi 51, SR Patel 20 n.o., out to allow Perera to take Sri Lanka Test cricket Faheem Ashraf 20 n.o.; Ali home. at the Shafiq 2/11, Shahid Afridi Chasing an unlikely 304, Sri Lanka Kingsmead 2/18) was 226-9 and looked out of it at ground in Multan Sultans: 126/5 in Kingsmead with the 10th wicket an Durban and the 18.4 overs (Shan Masood 26, apparent formality. partnership Shoaib Malik 31 n.o.; Shadab But Perera and Fernando had other between Perera and Fernando a Khan 2/20) ideas and took the inexperienced record for the highest 10th-wicket Sultans won by 5 wickets tourists - written off at the start of the partnership to win a Test. The previous (with 8 balls remaining) series - to a thrilling victory on the record was 57 by Inzamam-ul-Haq and fourth day. Even Dale Steyn and top- Mushtaq Ahmed for Pakistan against ranked Test bowler Kagiso Rabada Australia 25 years ago. for the last couldn’t break their last stand. Sri Lanka’s scintillating victory also three years. Farbrace leaves Perera scored 67 of those 78 runs gave it a 1-0 lead in the short two-Test Almost nobody thought for the last wicket and won it with a series and ended South Africa’s run of victory would be possible when South Sri Lanka’s Kusal England to join late cut down to the boundary for four, seven straight home series wins in dra- Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj had Perera celebrates the prompting Sri Lankan players to sprint matic fashion. Kasun Rajitha lbw for 1 to leave Sri victory against South Warwickshire from the dressing room out onto the Sri Lanka’s lineup and recent Lanka 226-9. Africa during the pitch to congratulate their match form meant few people gave the At the time, Perera was on 86. But fourth day of the first AFP winner. Perera removed his helmet and inexperienced visiting team a chance he threw caution to the wind, crunching Test at the Kingsmead LONDON thrust both arms up in the air to cele- against South Africa, which has won all five of his sixes in that game-winning Stadium in Durban, brate one of the best innings ever by a every series it has played at home last-wicket stand. yesterday. England coach Trevor Bayliss will lose a key member of his staff ahead of the team’s home World Cup and Ashes after it was SCOREBOARDSCOREBOARD announced yesterday that Guptill century seals ODI assistant coach Paul BANGLADESHBANGGLADESESH Farbrace will leave to join T. IqbalIqqbbaal lbwlbww HenryHenry ...... 5...... 5 Warwickshire. L.L DDaDasas c FFergusonergususon b Boultult ...... 1...... 1 Farbrace, credited with series for New Zealand S.S Sa Sarkarrkarrkar c TayTayloraylolorr b dede GGrandhommerandrandhommme 222 helping kickstart England’s M. Rahim Rahimh b FergusonFerguuson ...... 24...... 244 revival in one-day cricket, M. MithunMitthun b AstleAstle ...... 57...... 57 will succeed Ashley Giles as MahmudullahMMahmuMa dullaah c LathamLatham b AstleAstle ...7...7 AP which contained moisture under butbu whenwwhhen GuptillGGuuptillll waswass outo t forffoor 1181 8 the sport director at Edg- S. RahmanRahhmanan c NeeshamNeeshamam b FergusonFergusoson ...... 4343 CHRISTCHURCH a tight-packed covering of grass. inin thet hehe 229th9thh oovoverover,r, NeNNeww ZeZealandealanalaalannd wawwasas baston after England’s tour The ball seamed a little and the 188-2188-188 2 anandnd coastingccooastiasting ttoo victory.victctorry. M. HasanHHasanan c NichollsNNichcholls b NeeshamNeeshamhamm ....16...... 16 of the West Indies ends next Opener Martin Guptill made a Bangladesh batsmen struggled to Kanene WWiWilWilliamsonliamliaiaamsons n compcomccompletedm ltleted M.M SaifuddinSSaififuddi innbn b FergusonFerFergusonn ...... 10 0 month. second consecutive century to cope. hishhiiss 33737th7th7tth one-dayoonone-daydayy internationalinternationti al hhalfalf M.MMM MortazaMMoorrtazaa c BoBoultultltt b NeesNeeshamham ...... 13...... 133 Former England MustafizurMussstat fizurur RahmRahmanann nonott out ...... 5 guide New Zealand to an eight- Bangladesh captain Mashrafe centuryccecenentturyryy aandnd wasw s 655 n notot outo ututa ata t thtthee spinner Giles left Warwick- Extras:ExtraExtras: (lbb 6, wd 17) ...... 23 3 wicket win over Bangladesh in the Mortaza hoped his batsmen could end,enden hhithittingttingng a bboundaryoououndaryy forfor tththehe shire in December to Total:Totalo l:l: (all out;out; 49.44 overs)oovers) ...... 226...... 22266 second one-day cricket interna- survive the threat of the new ball, winningwinninnnnniingngg runsrunruruns,uns, wwhwhilehilei RRoRossss TTayTayloryloro become England’s man- FallFalla l ofof wickets:wickketsets: 1-5 (Liton(Litonn Das),DaDas), 2-162-116 tional on Saturday and a 2-0 win then hit out later in their innings waswaasa 2121 notnot oout.ut.utut HeH putput ononn14 141433fo3 foforr aging director of men’s (Iqbal),(Iqba( ll),, 3-483-48 (Sarkar),(SaSarkarkar),), 4-814-81 (Rahim),(Rahimhim), 5-935-93 in the three-match series. and set New Zealand a challenging thethhe secosecssecondecocoondn wwicketiicickec t wiwithth GGuptilluptill ttoo cricket, succeeding Andrew (Mahmudullah),((Mahmahmhmmududullah), 6-1686 (Mithun),(Mithun),n) 7-1907-190 After carrying his bat for 117 total. putpuutt tththe wiwinw n beyobebeyondnd ddoubt.oubtou . Strauss. Bayliss had already (Hasan),(Ha(Hasaasasaan)n), 8-2068-206-20 (Rahman),(Rahmahman),),) 9-2119-21 (Saifud-(Sai( fudd- in the first match which New While Bangladesh was announced he was ddin),di 10-226110-2266 (Mortaza)((MMortortaza)) Zealand won by eight wickets, reduced to 5-93 in the 21st over standing down as England NewNew Zealand’sZealanannd’d’s’’s Bowling:Bowling:: HenryHe 10-2-30-110-22-30-1 (1w),(1w)(1 , BoultBoult 10-101 - Guptill made 118 as New Zealand after a slow beginning, it began to head coach when his con- MartinMartin GuptillGuptitilill plays 1-49-1,1-49-1, ded GrandhommeGranndhomdhomme 4-0-25-14-04 -25-5-1 (8w),(8ww), - at 229-2 - surpassed Bangla- hit out strongly in the second half tract ends in December, a shotshot duringdururrining thethe FergusonFerguusonn 110-0-43-30-0-43-33 ((2w),2w), AAstle 10-10-010-0-52-2,-52-2-2, desh’s total of 226 with almost 14 of its innings. leaving Farbrace facing an secondseconse d one-dayonone-day- NeeshamNeeshNNe hamm5 5.4-0-21-25.4-0-24 1-22 (2w)(2w)w) overs remaining. Mohammed Mithun, who top- inteiniinternationalernationanal uncertain future. Guptill’s century on Saturday scored with 57, put on 75 for the matchmmattctchh againstagaiagaainnst NENNEWW ZEALANDZEALAND Former Kent and Mid- was the 16th of his career and his sixth wicket with Sabbir Rahman BanBangBanglBangladeshladeshesh in M.MG GuptillGuGuptillt c DaDassbRs b RRahmanahmanahmaman ...... 118...... 118 dlesex wicketkeeper Far- third of the summer after his 138 (43) and at 168-5 in the 35th over, Christchurch,Christchurch,ch H.HNiHN NichollsNNicchollhollllsscD c DasDasa b RahmanRahmaRahmRahmh n ...... 14...... 14 brace, who first worked in the first one-day international Bangladesh was in a good position yesterday.yesteerday.rdada K. WilliamsonWiWilliamson notnoto oououtt ...... 65...... 65 under Bayliss when the against Sri Lanka in early January. to launch. But the lower order fal- R. TaylorTayylor not outout ...... 21...... 212 latter was Sri Lanka coach, Bangladesh was coming off tered and the last five wickets Extras:Extraas:s (b 1, wd 10)10) ...... 111 joined the England staff in an impressive series victory in the added only 58 runs, with the last TTotal:otall: (forf 2w2 wiwickets;cketscketk ; 36.1336.1 overs)overs) .. 2292 2014 after guiding Sri West Indies. But a single warm-up wicket falling with two balls to FFallalll ooff wicwickets:kets: 1-45-4 (Nicholls),(Nicholls), 2-1882-2-1888 Lanka to the World match sent them into the ODI spare. (Guptill)(Gupttill)) Twenty20 title that year. series under-prepared and they When New Zealand batted, Bowling:Bowwling: MashrafeMashrasha afeafe MortazaMortaza a 6-06-0-37-0-37-0-37-0 After England’s woeful have struggled to adapt to New Guptill and Henry Nicholls quickly (1w),1 MohammadMohammad SaifuSaSaifuddinddin 6-0-44-06-0-40 4-0-0 early exit at the 2015 World Zealand conditions. asserted the host’s dominance, (3w),w MehediMehedi HasanHaasanan MirazM irazir z 7.1-0-42-0,7.1-0-42-00, Mus-Musus- Cup, which saw Peter Sent in to bat after losing the taking 23 runs from the first three tafizurtafizur RaRahmanhman 9-0-49-09-0-42-20-42-2 ((2w),2w), SaSabbiSabbirr Moores sacked as head toss on Saturday, their top order overs. RahmRahRahmanahman 4-0-28-0,4-0404 -28-0, SoumyaSSoSoumya SarkarSarkar 1-0-- coach, Farbrace took care- struggled on a pitch at Hagley Oval Nicholls fell with the total 45 1010-0, 0, MahmudullahMahmhmudullud lah 3-0-25-0 33-0-25-0 taker charge of the side before joining forces with Bayliss again. Langfors grabs lead at World Super 6 Korda vaults into LPGA AFP six hole knockout matchplay to decide He topped Ireland’s Paul Dunne, Nor- PERTH a winner at the Lake Karrinyup Country way’s Kristoffer Reitan and Australian Australian Open lead Club. A bonus for the top eight on the Brad Kennedy by a stroke, with a group Little-known Swede Per Langfors hit a leaderboard was a bye into the second of four players including Belgian World AFP before a second place at the Tour Cham- stunning 64 to be the outright leader round on day four. Cup winner Thomas Pieters a shot further ADELAIDE pionship in Florida. after 54 holes at the European Tour’s That means the remaining 16 players back. She started her 2019 campaign in a World Super 6 in Perth yesterday. are split into eight matches, with half of Like Langfors, Reitan was a big Red-hot American Nelly Korda vaulted similar vein, finishing third at the Tour- Langfors, playing in only his fifth them getting knocked out of the tour- mover, carding a seven-under-par 65, into a three shot lead at the LPGA Tour- nament of Champions last month, also event at his level, compiled the round nament in the first round. The winners while Dunne stroked a 66. sanctioned Australian Open yesterday in Florida. of the day, sinking seven birdies and an are then paired against the eight players “The main goal today was just get into as she reinforced her credentials as the The composed Korda sunk five eagle, offset by a bogey on the 13th. who enjoyed a bye. the matchplay, so it was nice to have done form player of recent months. birdies on the back nine in Adelaide, He was 10 under for the tournament “It feels really good, I’m excited for that,” said Dunne, who won the British Ranked 16 in the world, the 20-year- including at the 18th, to card a 67 and be which under its innovative rules has the matchplay,” said Langfors, who Masters in 2017. “I like the idea of the old headed to Adelaide’s Grange Golf 12-under for the tournament. seen three days of stroke play, cutting played for four years on the Nordic format. It’s intense, which is good. I think Club on the back of a win and two other She takes a handy cushion into the the field, with only the top 24 players League in Sweden before coming I will be mentally sharp right from the top three finishes in her last four events. final day ahead of Japan’s Naru Nomura, qualifying for today. through qualifying to make his European get-go in the morning and just try and The victory -- her first -- came at the whose round was marred by a bogey on They will now go head-to-head in Tour debut last year. make as many putts as I can.” Championship last October, the 16th as she chased the American.