22 Tuesday, April 25, 2017 SPORTS SPORTS Tuesday, April 25, 2017 23 Asian cricket: Bahrain face Saudi Aidan Payne/DTNN and getting acclimatised and will be staged in September Barcelona’s players celebrate Five things [email protected] gettiing used to turf wickets. 2017. Five regional qualifiers ahrain are set to take on Under head coach Rexie will play alongside two teams we learned Bone of the favourites Saudi Arunvasagam and manager relegated from Division 4 and Messi Fifth place Arabia this morning in the Syed Rizwan Shah, the squad one team from Division 5. third round of round-robin comprises the captain, Azeem This round of matches for from El Clasico matches of the International Ul Haq, Tahir Dar, Babar Asia sees the seven teams play Madrid Cricket Council (ICC) 2017 Ali, Junaid Niazi, Gamini each other in a league with Lionel Messi struck his 500th Barcelona goal deep World Cricket League (WCL) Perrera, Imran Butt, Janaka matches played on three into stoppage time to earn the Catalans a 3-2 win Asia Region Division One in Chathuranga, Mohammed grounds in the city of Chiang over Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday. Chiang Mai, Thailand. Ismail, Amir Gondal, Mai in Northern Thailand. turns Here, we looks at five things we learned from the for Merida’s The national team opened Mohammed Sameer Fayaz, Each team will play a total five-goal thriller. its campaign with a convincing Mohammed Iqbal, Awad of six matches spread over a 138-run win over Thailand on Khan, Bilal Mansoor and 10 day period concluding on Sunday, while the Saudis also Jabbar Amjad. May 1 at Prem Tinsulanonda Title race back on won its opener on Saturday The teams competing International School, Victory for Madrid would have all but sealed their with a crushing 390-run victory in the tournament are hosts Chiangmai Gymkhana and tables on first La Liga title in five years. over China. Thailand, Bhutan, Bahrain, Royal Chiangmai Golf Club. Instead, Barca are very much back in the hunt Izaguirre Bahrain prepared for this China, Kuwait, Qatar and Today’s schedule: to win it for a third straight year under outgoing championship with five Saudi Arabia, with the winner 1) Bahrain vs Saudi coach Luis Enrique. DT News Network including the uphill finale, with friendly matches in Sri Lanka, of the qualifier progressing to 2) Bhutan vs China Messi’s late intervention moves Barca top with Manama the closing trio of the Côte de La winning three and losing two the ICC WCL Division 5 which 3) Thailand vs Qatar both sides locked on 75 points. n the last of the Ardennes Redoute, Côte de La Roche-aux- However, Madrid still have the advantage as they IClassics, Bahrain Faucons and Côte de Saint-Nicolas Madrid have a game in hand. Merida Pro Cycling Team typically putting paid to all but the Madrid The timing of Messi’s strike also road to victory when Ivan Rakitic’s member Ion Izaguirre strongest riders on the day. Bapco bowling: Retirees win arcelona coach Luis saw Barca gain revenge for Sergio stunning effort put the visitors 2-1 finished fifth in the Liège- Recent editions of the race Enrique revelled Ramos’s stoppage time equaliser in in front before Madrid captain Bastogne-Liège race in have been decided in the closing B Messi still the best in turning the tables a 1-1 draw when the sides last met Sergio Ramos was sent off for a On a pitch decorated with most of the biggest Belgium which was kilometres, with attacks getting Barcelona’s coach on bitter rivals Real back in December. wild lunge on Messi. stars in world football, the diminutive Argentine the grand finale of clear in the run-up to or sprints Luis Enrique cel- Madrid as Lionel “It is marvellous for us to However, Madrid rallied when still shone as the best player on the park by a the series and the won on the slopes of the final drag ebrates their third Messi struck deep into win in the 92nd minute. It is a man down as substitute James distance. last major spring to the line. And this year was no goal stoppage time to edge something that is normally more a Rodriguez fired home an equaliser As well as his late winner, Messi had brought Barca Classic and also different as top sprinters fought in a thrilling El Clasico characteristic of our rivals, but we four minutes from time. level with a stunning solo effort in the first-half. the oldest and the last 500 metres and Alejandro 3-2 on Sunday. like to do it too,” added Enrique. “Drawing the game with 10 The five-time World Player of the Year also lured the hardest of Valverde from Movistar Team Messi’s second goal Barca lead at the top of the table men, to press high up the field is Sergio Ramos into a wild challenge that saw the cycling’s five was the strongest, Izaguirre was of the night was his thanks to their better head-to-head dangerous and we paid for that,” Madrid captain sent-off and Casemiro was also monumental in front of the peloton the whole 500th for Barcelona record. Madrid, though, still have said Zidane. lucky to avoid a red card for two fouls on Messi races. race and in the final sprint took and took the the advantage as they have a game “I can’t criticise the players for before half-time. A gruelling trek fifth place. Catalans in hand. anything though. We gave our all, over an up-and- “Valverde is now on another to the “To score in the 92nd minute but we didn’t manage to get the down parcours planet but I am very happy. I was all top is a huge confidence boost,” said three points. “We didn’t deserve to Ter Stegen’s coming of in Wallonia, the the time in the heat of the race and of La Enrique, who will leave the club at lose, but that is football.” race favours the now I am looking forward to the the end of the season. Madrid now need to take at least age more vertically Tour of Romandie,” said a satisfied However, he and Barca captain 16 points from their final six La That Barca were still in the game for Messi to make inclined in Izaguirre. The Human Resources team Andres Iniesta called on Messi, Liga games to be guaranteed the the telling impact, though, was thanks in large the peloton, “It was not easy to start this Manama series. Refining were easy 212, 589) 2,378-2,098). whose contract expires at the end title. part to the brilliance of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in but requires morning, thinking of Michele etirees narrowly defeated 2,299-2,098 winners over the 2) Information of next season, not to follow him in “There will be much more of a goal. serious Classics Scarponi. I had a very hard week RHuman Resources 2,213- Ladies team with the top scorer Technology (Waleed leaving the Camp Nou. title race, but it is still in our own The German hasn’t always shone in his first season grit to boot, thanks and I did what I could. See you 2,206 in the first week of the for Refining being Khaled Othman 233, 639) bt Gas Liga. “Barca is an incredible club with hands,” added Zidane. as Barca’s undoubted number one. to its length. next year, Liège,” said a sad Enrico Bapco Interdepartmental Abdulla (239) game and (676) Team (FarooqMohammed “He many years of history, but without Madrid were also dealt a fresh However, he is still just 24 and on this evidence The 2017 edition of the race Gasparotto after the race. Bowling Knockout series and for the Ladies its Saleh, 182, 480) 2,172-1,453. is the doubt an important part of that injury blow for the remainder of can go onto become one of the best ‘keepers in was 258 km long. It started Sports director of the team at the Tournament 2017 at the Ozone captain Nazeeha Ahmad (205) Marketing w/o Production. best player history is Leo Messi,” Enrique said. their league season and upcoming the world. in Liège and headed south to race Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Alberto Centre in Sitra Mall. game and (584) series. 3) Security w/o for me Champions League semi-finals Bastogne, before making a Volpi commented: “We did the best Top scoring for Retirees Other scores (player, high Tatweer. in history ‘A blessing’ against Atletico Madrid as Gareth wide loop back to the finish we could at the toughest classic was Talal Yousif (218) high game, high series): This week schedule: and I have “I think the great thing about Leo Bale faces another spell on the James can still make a in the town of Ans in the race in the world. Everybody made game and (592) high series and 1) Projects (Essa 1) Information seen a lot of is that he continues to surprise,” sidelines. Liège suburbs. The journey brilliant performances and this fifth for Human Resources Yousif Akbar,275, 652) bt Technology vs Retirees. football,” said said Iniesta. The Welshman lasted just 38 big impact included 10 climbs officially, not place is a great achievement.” Falah (214) game and (609) Engineering (Ebrahim Taher, 2) Security vs Projects. Enrique. “After so many years he is still minutes on his return after missing James Rodriguez has endured a hugely frustrating “In decisive. It is an honour and a Madrid’s last two outings with two seasons since Zinedine Zidane took charge of modern blessing for the club to have him.” persistent ankle problems. Madrid. football By contrast, Real Madrid boss “I don’t regret anything,” said The Colombian, who moved to Madrid for 80 mil- when everyone Zinedine Zidane was left to lament Zidane over his decision to start lion euros ($85.7 million) after launching himself Diamond League: Pak Panthers beat Kerala XI Barcelona’s Argentinian is tactically and his side’s over adventurous nature Bale. as a global icon by top scoring at the 2014 World forward Lionel Messi physically better he still after conceding in stoppage time “I am disappointed for him. He Cup, has fallen well down the pecking order at the Manama 3/24, Sagar 3/27) by 14 runs. celebrates makes the difference. after being reduced to 10 men. started the game well and then the Bernabeu. ak Panthers defeated 3) Pristine 152/8 in “The fact he has scored Messi had cancelled out injuries we can’t control. However, in need of a goal, Zidane called on PKerala XI by four wickets 20 (Asim 76 , Shakeel. A 43, his 500th goal shows all of us Casemiro’s opener before half- “We will see what exactly the Rodriguez in the final stages and was rewarded in the latest matches of the Abdulla 2/26) bt Pak Blues as Barca fans are lucky to have time. injury is and hope it is as little as just three minutes after his introduction with a BCL 25 overs Diamond League 133/10 (Wadood Butt 27, him identified with the club.” But Barca looked well on the possible.” (AFP) wonderful finish that looked to have delivered at the Busaiteen Grounds in Rayed 3/5, Shakeel A 3/35) by Real a point at 2-2. Muharraq. 19 runs. Batting first, Kerala XI 4) Asma CC scored 172 for nine with Sajeer 161/6 in 20 (Sohaib 47, Waqas Ramos as reckless as ever (56) and Justin (40) top scoring 2/32) bt Shahzad Zafar 155/6 Ramos left the field pointing accusingly at Spanish with Naqeeb (two for 20) the (Shoaib 46, Umar 3/19) by 6 international teammate and Barca defender Asim - Pristine Bilal - Pak Panthers Shukla - Awali Obaid - BOC Rizwan - Firelink ‘Important step’ best of the bowlers. runs. Gerard Pique after being shown the 22nd red card In reply, Pak Panthers against LuLu as the latter were (55) and Rizwan (52) leading League: Bahrain Indians T-20 Diamond League BCL Premier League: Madrid Madrid on Sunday. “There is still a long way to go, but we left of his career. reached the target in 21 overs dismissed for 154 with the the way despite a fine bowling 192/8 in 25 (Xavier 36, Rashid (Quarter finals): 1) BDS 95/10 ionel Messi yesterday hailed Victory takes Barca top of the table thanks with the joy of having taken an important Pique has been outspoken in his belief that Madrid after making 173 for four main scorers being Nishad (56) effort by Nijo (two for 15). 23, Arjun 3/38) bt Falcon CC 1) Indian Rising Star (Hamed 20, Sameer 4/23) bt Barcelona’s dramatic 3-2 to their better head-to-head record with step,” added Messi, the top scorer in La Liga get more than their fair share of favourable refer- thanks to fine knocks by Bilal and Sajith (31), while Jabar was Other scores: Pak CC 159/5 151/10 (Javed 35, Jamsheed 85/1 in 11.1 (Bijumon 51, Strikers 84/10 (Shyju 17, Rafi ClasicoL victory over arch-rivals Real both sides locked on 75 points, but Madrid with 31 goals, alongside a photo of himself eeing calls. Ashraf (73) and Ibrahim the pick of the bowlers with in 23.3 (Waqas 36, Zubair 3/11, Shaheen 2/33, Jaseer Sreejesh 28) bt Karnataka 4/11, Asif 3/15) by 11 runs. Madrid as an “important step” in have a game in hand. celebrating one of his goals. However, Ramos could have few complaints as he (39) with Sham (two for 35) a remarkable spell of bowling 23, Zeeshan Ali 2/24) bt 2/35) by 41 runs. Awali Camel Royals 84/10 (Raghu 19, 2) Urban the race for the La Liga title. “We went to the Bernabeu to win and to Barcelona are bidding for a third lunged in two-footed on Messi to crucially leave returning the best bowling (eight for 22). Kaleidoscope Spartan 154/9 175/3 in 23 (Vishal 63, Ishit Karthik 3/14) by 9 wickets. Slice BOC 181/5 in 25 (Obaid Messi’s last-gasp goal marked his continue to fight for La Liga,” the five-time straight La Liga and Spanish Cup double. his side a man down for the final 13 minutes. figures. Fire Link reached the target (Zeeshan Khan 18, Rashid 34) bt NDC Bahrain 174/7 in 2) Zayani Motors 136/9 72, Waleed 42, Rizwan 2/26) 500th for Barcelona and blew the Ballon d’Or winner said on his Facebook They play Alaves in the Cup final on It is the fifth time Ramos has been sent-off against In another match, Fire with a delivery to spare in 2/15) by 5 wickets. 25 (Balaji 108, Shukla 5/19) by in 20 (Sagar 30, Waziq 21) bt bt Eagle Eye 143/10 (Yasir 31, La Liga title race wide open at Real page. May 27. Barca. Link also won by four wickets scoring 157 for six with Asitha BCL 25 overs Diamond 7 wickets. Lanterns 122/10 (Asif 29, Ibrar Rizwan 4/18) by 38 runs.