SPORT

Sunday 12 March 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 T hree-set matches not Herath leads Sri Lanka Dovizioso sees solution for Davis Cup,up, to crushing victory Ducati on top says Rafael Nadal over Bangladesh in Qatar Sadeq named Al Gharafa

Habib coach as Caixinha departs Sadeq

Rizwan Rehmat today, have roped in players coming in "I think he could be very The Peninsula Under-20s coach through the ranks," he good," Stubbs told BBC Graeme Murty as a said. Scotland. l Gharafa have stop-gap arrangement Two days ago, Al "It is a left-field choice named Habib Sadeq He gave his best since Wartburton's Gharafa confirmed the because I don't think anyone as the team's new effort and departure. news on Caixinha's would have thought of this in coach following the In a report posted departure for the first place, but that doesn't departure of Pedro performed with yesterday on Al Kass Rangers. mean he's not a right fit for the Caixinha,A it emerged great responsibility website, Ghazal thanked "Al Gharafa got to club. yesterday. Caixinha for his 'services' agreement with The "He could come and do fan- Mahmoud Ghazal, Head of with Al Gharafa. to Al Gharafa. Scottish Club Rangers tastically well and the board Football at Qatar Stars League We wish all the best "He gave his best F.C. about transfer of would be judged to have made (QSL) giants Al Gharafa, named effort and performed the Head Coach Pedro a great signing - only time will Sadeq as the man to replace at his new club: with great responsibility Caixinha," a club tell. Ciaxinha who has signed off to Mahmoud Ghazal with Al Gharafa. We wish Tweet said. "But he's got the right tools join Scottish football power- of Al Gharafa him all the best at his "Our Club Consid- to do a very good job at Rang- house Rangers, reports showed new club," Ghazal was ered the Financial ers and that's the most yesterday. quoted as saying. benefits of Al Gharafa important thing," Stubbs was Caixinha's departure has "I wish Habib Sadeq especially when we quoted as saying in a BBC come with mutual consent, the the best in his next mis- know the Coach's con- report. club said in a Twitter post. sion," Ghazal said. tract ends in 45 days," Former QSL champions Al "The coach's desire to invest "He is no stranger to another Tweet said. Gharafa are in fifth spot behind the offer of the Scottish club Portuguese tactician was heav- this great club. He has Retired football points leaders Lekhwiya, Al was stronger than our desire to ily favoured to replace Mark created a name for himself about our players. He has star Alan Stubbs has praised Sadd, Al Rayyan and El Jaish. keep him with us," Al Gharafa Warburton who left Rangers when it comes to dedication helped us create a good bunch Caixinha's move to Rangers, Also known as The Pan- said on Twitter. last month. and hard work," he added. of young players," Ghazal said. saying he has the "right tools" thers, Al Gharafa have 37 points The 46-year-old Rangers, who play Celtic "He has good knowledge "He has managed the younger to succeed at the SPL giants. from 23 games. Al Attiyah begins title defence with convincing victory in Dubai

The Peninsula

atar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and French Qnavigator Matthieu Baumel began the defence of their FIA World Cup for Qatari driver Adel Abdulla of Nissan drives over a sand dune in the Cross-Country Rallies title in Al Qudra desert during the Dubai International Baja. perfect style with a convinc- ing victory in the inaugural Dubai International Baja. The potent duo domi- Abdulla eyes FIA T2 World nated last year’s championship in their Over- drive Racing Toyota Hilux and Qatar's Nasser Championship title followed up five successive Saleh Al Attiyah in victories in 2016 with their action during the first win of the new season on inaugural Dubai International The Peninsula Adel began the day 7min 17sec the challenging two-day Baja with his French navigator behind the leading Emirati and his desert event laid on across the Matthieu Baumel on their issan’s Adel Abdulla began the renowned special stage co-driver Al-Qudra Desert by the Auto- Toyota Hilux in Dubai. defence of his FIA T2 World Chris Patterson and went on to the mobile and Touring Club of N Championship title by finish- finish the stage in third place to con- the United Arab Emirates. ing third overall in his Nissan Patrol solidate his position. He was able to Al Attiyah won all three month. They crossed the fin- cruised to the fastest time Qassimi. Chabot and Domzala at the inaugural Dubai International climb to an unofficial second place in selective sections to finish ish ramp in sixth overall and through the opening section were sixth and seventh, but Baja, round two of the prestigious the FIA T2 rankings after two rounds. 14min 57sec in front of Abu maintain their lead over Al to snatch a 4min 14sec advan- Van Loon suffered transmis- championship for Series Production Adel Abdulla’s attention now turns Dhabi-based runner-up Attiyah in the FIA World Cup tage over his old rallying sion issues at the start and Cross-Country vehicles, in Dubai to a pair of back-to-back cross-coun- Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi. standings. adversary Sheikh Khalid Al was sidelined. yesterday. try rallies in Abu Dhabi and Qatar in “It’s great to get the sea- First stage transmission There was no respite for The two-day Nissan-backed event April. son off to a winning start and problems ruined Erik Van DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BAJA his rivals through the shorter was organised by the Automobile and especially sweet to record a Loon’s and Wouter Rosegaar‘s FINAL RESULTS: TOP 5 second section and Al Attiyah Touring Club of the United Arab Emir- DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BAJA victory in this event,” said the chances of reaching the 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) reached the night halt with a ates ran through the Al Qudra Desert T2 FINAL POSITIONS (UNOFFICIAL): two-time Dakar Rally podium, but the Dutch crew Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 3hr 55min 46sec lead of 6min 12sec after set- for the first time in conjunction with 1. Mansoor Al Helai (ARE)/Chris Patterson (GBR) winner. pressed on with their repaired 2. Khalid Al-Qassimi (ARE)/Khalid Al-Kendi (ARE) ting another fastest time in his the FIA World Cup for Cross-Coun- Toyota Land Cruiser: 5hr 12min 01sec Capping another success- Toyota over the final day and Peugeot 2008 DKR: 4hr 10min 43sec Toyota Hilux. try Rallies. 2. Emil Khneisser (LEB)/Manie Kruis (ARE) ful weekend for were rewarded with the 3. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Chabot and Domzala pro- Running with support from Nis- Nissan Patrol: 5hr 15min 35sec Belgium-based Overdrive fourth quickest time in the Mini All4 Racing: 4hr 18min 53sec duced two consistent san Middle East, Saleh Al Hamad Al 3. Adel Hussein Abdulla (QAT)/Sébastian Delaunay (FRA) Racing, the French pairing of final selective section. 4. Ronan Chabot (FRA)/Gilles Pillot (FRA) performances to hold fifth Mana Co. and the Qatar Motor and Ronan Chabot and Gilles Pil- The inaugural Dubai and seventh, as Overdrive Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), Adel Nissan Patrol: 5hr 24min 29sec Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 4hr 26min 57sec lot completed the event in International Baja was based Racing technicians repaired and his French navigator Sébastien 4. Yasir Saeidan (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) 5. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SLO) fourth overall after overtak- at the Bab Al Shams Arena Van Loon’s transmission to Delaunay held third position after the Toyota Land Cruiser: 5hr 28min 15sec Hummer H3 Evo VII: 4hr 29min 09sec ing Czech driver Miroslav and featured three special enable the Dutchman to start opening two stages of 91.66km and 5. Ahmed Al-Malki (SAU)/Omar Allahim (SAU)

Zapletal in the final stage. stages over two days in the Al FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES the third and final stage of 82.24km on Friday, after losing time Isuzu D-Max: 6hr 06min 51sec Aron Domzala and fellow Qudra desert. Friday’s action 174.20km. with electrical differential locking STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 2 (UNOFFICIAL): Polish navigator Szymon Gos- consisted of stages of 91.66km Al Attiyah stayed out of issues. FIA T2 CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY WORLD CUP 1. Aron Domzala (POL): 41pts podarczyk arrived in the and 82.24km in length, with trouble to record a time of 1hr With the minor fault rectified by POSITIONS AFTER ROUND 2 (UNOFFICIAL): 2. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT): 30pts Middle East with the early the event drawing to a con- 57min 19sec through the final his TOK Sport mechanics, the Qatari 1. Yasir Saeidan (SAU): 37pts 3. Viktor Khoroshavtsev (RUS): 21pts lead in the FIA World Cup clusion the following day after kilometres to secure the vic- was able to press on over the third 2. Adel Hussein Abdulla (QAT): 27pts 3. Khalid Al-Qassimi (ARE): 21pts points’ standings, following a longer timed section of tory with ease and a crucial 174.2km stage on Saturday in a bid to 3. Ahmed Al Malki (SAU): 25pts 5. Vladimir Frolov (RUS): 16pts their victory in an Overdrive 174.20km. haul of 30 championship catch and pass local driver Mansoor 4. Mansoor Al Helai (ARE): 25pts 5. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT): 16pts Racing Toyota in the Repub- Al Attiyah restarted where points as he bids to retain his Al Helai and fellow Nissan Patrol 5. Marat Abykayev (KAZ): 18pts lic of Karelia in Russia last he left off last season and FIA World Cup crown. driver Emil Khneisser. SPORT SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2017 25

ATP INDIANA WELLS MASTERS Lee and Lin Men's singles (first round) Pliskova rallies past Taylor Fritz (USA) bt Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-3, 6-2 Malek Jaziri (TUN) bt Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 6-3, 6-2 on course Henri Laaksonen (SUI) bt Borna Coric (CRO) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 6-4, 6-4 for one final Puig to avoid upset Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6-3, 6-4 Donald Young (USA) bt Stefan Kozlov (USA) 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) Jiri Vesely (CZE) bt Renzo Olivo (ARG) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 showdown Indiana Wells Daniel Evans (GBR) bt Dustin Brown (GER) 6-1, 6-1 Reuters Guido Pella (ARG) bt Guillermo García-López (ESP) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 Birmingham Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Thomaz Belluci (BRA) 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 AFP arolina Pliskova Kevin Anderson (RSA) bt Federico Gaio (ITA) 6-1, 6-4 roared back from a in Dan and Lee Chong Stephane Robert (FRA) bt Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-4, 6-4 set down to outlast Wei, the two outstand- Horacio Zeballos (ARG) bt Marius Copil (ROM) 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 Olympic gold medal- ing male players of the Facundo Bagnis (ARG) bt Julien Benneteau (FRA) 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 L ist Monica Puig 1-6 21st century, closed in on an K6-4, 6-4 as the Czech third seed Federico Del Bonis (ARG) bt Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 6-3, 6-4 unexpected showdown when avoided a major upset at the BNP Kyle Edmund (GBR) bt Gastao Elias (POR) 6-1, 6-3 they reached the semi-finals Paribas Open in California on Women (second round) of the All-England Open on Friday. Karolina Pliskova (CZE x3) bt Monica Puig (PUR) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 Friday. Pliskova, after falling behind Irina Begu (ROM x29) bt Louisa Chirico (USA) 6-1, 7-5 Lee, three times the All- 3-0 in the third set, fought Kiki Bertens (NED x18) bt Belinda Bencic (SUI) 6-2, 6-2 England Open champion, through a long sixth game to help Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x15) bt Monica Niculescu (ROM) 7-5, 6-2 produced a light-footed per- turn the tide and won six of the Elina Svitolina (UKR x10) bt Qiang Wang (CHN) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) formance belying the fact a last seven games to advance to Daria Gavrilova (AUS x24) bt Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) knee injury almost prevented the third round. Kayla Day (USA) bt Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO x32) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 the 34-year-old Malaysian "I'm definitely happy I had my Garbine Muguruza (ESP x7) bt Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 6-2, 6-3 from making his final appear- serve today; it was working with ance here, and outplayed Tian Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x5) bt Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 me, especially in the third set Houwei, the seventh-seeded Kristyna Plískova (CZE) bt Darya Kasatkina (RUS x33) 6-0, 6-3 when I was 0-3 down," she said Karolina Pliskova during her match against Monica Puig (not Chinese player, 21-12, 21-15. in a courtside interview. pictured) at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x19) bt Anett Kontaveit (EST) 6-4, 6-4 China's Lin, the 33-year- "She was playing really well, Garden in Indian Wells on Friday. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE x17) bt Sara Errani (ITA) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 old three time Olympic hitting the balls really fast and Johanna Konta (GBR x11) bt Heather Watson (GBR) 6-4, 6-4 champion, recovered from a deep, making it tough for me to Spaniard survived some nervous very talented and she can hit Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) bt Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) 6-3, 6-3 woeful first game to generate

play my game." moments before defeating Bel- some critical shots and she can Roberta Vinci (ITA x26) bt Madison Brengle (USA) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 rallies of patience, accuracy

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x8) bt Johanna Larsson (SWE) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 Puig, from Puerto Rico, had gian Kirsten Flipkens 6-2 6-3 in be tricky." and beauty, to oust Viktor never taken a set from Pliskova, her opening round match. The Spaniard won her third Axelsen, the World Super but broke her Czech rival four The win set up a meeting with straight match against her rival Series champion from Den- times to sweep the opening set. U.S. teenager Kayla Day, who sur- on a hard surface after splitting "It was still a really tough Cibulkova outlasted Latvian mark, by 8-21, 21-14, 21-15. Pliskova used several service prised Australian Open their first four meetings, losing game, because I was a little bit Jelena Ostapenko 6-4 3-6 6-3 Both men played almost breaks of her own and served out semi-finalist Mirjana Lucic- twice on grass. tight to close it out. But my and the 10th seeded Svitolina as well as in there prime, and the second set to level the match. Baroni of Croatia in three sets 6-4 "It's always difficult to close out serve had been giving her a lot needed three sets to defeat often with more subtlety -- The Czech had 19 winners to 5-7 7-5. your first match," Muguruza said. of problems, so I knew if I stuck Wang Qiang of China 3-6 6-3 to their evident pleasure as 34 unforced errors and converted After taking the first set and "She's a very talented player, unbe- to my game it might work out," 7-6(3). well as that of the organisers five of her seven break point grabbing a 5-0 lead in the second lievable, with a very different game. she added. Russian Svetlana Kuznets- who would love to see the opportunities in the match. before Flipkens rallied, Muguruza I got nervous!" Day, 17, won the final Among other top-seeded ova, the eighth seed, defeated two old gladiators clash on Puig's 37 unforced errors can- broke through for the sixth and four games of her match with the players, Dominika Cibulkova Johanna Larsson of Sweden Sunday for what would be the celed out her 32 winners. final time in the match, striking 32nd-seeded Lucic-Baroni to claim of Slovakia and Ukrainian Elina 7-6(3) 6-4, and 11th seeded 28th and quite likely the last French Open champion Gar- 24 winners to 28 unforced errors. victory. Svitolina had the toughest Johanna Konta prevailed 6-4 time. bine Muguruza, the seventh seed, "It was a difficult match," "I started to really believe I could assignments. 6-4 over Heather Watson in a Lee felt that Friday was had slightly easier time as the Muguruza said post-match. "She's win at 6-5 in the third," said Day. Fifth seeded meeting of British players. the best he had moved since slipping on a mat a month ago in Kuala Lumpur, while Lin thought he had delivered a performance worthy "not T hree-set matches no solution for Davis Cup: Nadal only of me going on court, but on an All-England court." Asked why he had been Indian Wells picture" and was too satisfied to "You know, you finish Davis able to beat Axelsen when he AFP have a Davis Cup final featuring Cup, last tournament of the year, had lost to him in the bronze a big name even if top players December, and then in January medal play-off at last year's he introduction of best-of- shied away from earlier rounds you start again. And it's tough." Olympics, Lin pointed out the three set matches in the because they didn't dovetail with Nadal had seemed to indi- previous day in Rio he had TDavis Cup won't be enough their tour schedules. cate earlier this month that he had a hard match with Lee. to halt the drain of top talent "Davis Cup is a beautiful would not play Davis Cup against Lin's performance sug- from the 117-year-old world ten- competition, a very emotional Serbia April 7-9, preferring to gests that there is nothing nis tournament, Rafael Nadal competition," he said. rest and prepare for the all- wrong with either his form or said on Friday. "To maintain that level of important clay-court season motivation in defending the Nadal, who helped Spain to emotion, that level of quality of after hard court Masters events title -- which if successful Davis Cup titles in 2004, 2008, tennis, you need to do the things in Indian Wells and Miami. would be a seventh All Eng- 2009 and 2011, said he had long for the best players. And the best But on Friday, as he prepared land -- and with both playing urged the International Tennis players need to feel comfortable to launch his Indian Wells cam- unseeded players in the semi- Federation to consider sweep- playing every time that Davis paign at the weekend, he seemed finals the chances are good ing reforms to the venerable Cup is going." to leave the door open for an the organisers and the spec- event. Nadal thinks a Davis Cup appearance in the quarter-final tators will get their dream But plans announced this champion should be crowned tie, which could feature world final. week to reduce rubbers from Rafael Nadal of Spain and Bernard Tomic of Australia talk every three years. number two Novak Djokovic Earlier Ratchanok Intanon, best-of-five to best-of-three and before play in the men's doubles at Indian Wells Tennis Garden "I don't mean one year Davis leading hosts Serbia. the former world champion possibly shorten ties from three in Indian Wells, California on Friday. . Cup, one year no Davis Cup," he "I cannot say if I will be there from Thailand who only just to two days don't go far enough. said. "I mean, for example, two or not, but it's obvious that the won a fitness race to be ready "In my opinion it is not about cannot have a Davis Cup cham- playing very, very often, then you ties per year." moment of the season is not a for the women's singles, made best-of-three or best-of-five," he pion every year," Nadal said. are making something not good." He recalled the grind he felt good one for me, because I need a startling recovery to destroy said. "That devalues the competi- Nadal said that the ITF has when Spain won four titles in the to prepare myself for clay," Olympic champion Carolina "In my opinion, it's about we tion. If the top players are not too often focused on the "small space of eight years. Nadal said. Marin's hopes. Atlanta Hawks down Toronto Raptors for 'big' win

Atlanta Paul Millsap had 21 points. advantage of a turnover by AP NBA RESULTS Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20 for Hawks rookie Taurean Price to Washington 130 Sacramento 122 Atlanta. Toronto's Serge Ibaka, regain the lead at 83-82 on a tip- Denver 1 19 Boston 99 who had 18 points, scored to in by Norman Powell. ennis Schroder and the Dallas 105 Brooklyn 96 make it 86-all, the 17th tie of the Toronto: DeRozan needed Atlanta Hawks salvaged Houston 115 Chicago 94 game. Schroder then took over only five points to reach 11,000. D a strong finish to an oth- Milwaukee 99 Indiana 85 the game, scoring back-to-back He made one of two free throws erwise disappointing Minnesota 103 Golden State 102 baskets and eight of Atlanta's with 4:37 remaining in the first

homestand. Atlanta 105 Toronto 99 next 10 points in a stretch that half to reach the milestone. ... Schroder scored 26 points, Charlotte 121 Orlando 81 gave the Hawks a 96-88 lead. After missing one game with a including 13 in the final period, Toronto coach Dwane Casey left ankle sprain, F DeMarre Car- and the Hawks beat the Toronto us confidence," said Thabo said the inability to contain roll started and had 11 points in Raptors 105-99 on Friday night Sefolosha. Schroder was part of a "tough his return to his former NBA to pull closer in the race for the DeMar DeRozan led Toronto stretch defensively." home. ... Ibaka drew his sixth foul fourth seed in the Eastern with 28 points. He became the "I thought, other than that, with 1:38 remaining. ... Jonas Val- Conference. first player to score 11,000 points we were competing," Casey said. anciunas had 11 points and 12 The Hawks finished a 3-3 with the Raptors. Schroder's run was capped rebounds. homestand with two straight Atlanta won the season series by a reverse layup after he drove Atlanta: Dwight Howard had wins over Brooklyn and the Rap- 2-1 and would win a head-to- the baseline. 16 points and 10 rebounds. ... The tors. Beating Toronto, the team head tiebreaker if needed to The Raptors led 75-74 enter- Hawks led 49-48 at halftime Atlanta is chasing in the Eastern determine a playoff position. ing the final period but a despite having no bench scoring. Conference, was especially Toronto is two games ahead of 3-pointer by Hardaway gave Backups scored 15 points in the Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (right) shoots the ball important. the Hawks in the race for home- Atlanta an 81-77 lead. second half. ... Atlanta had 21 against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter of their NBA "It's big. We needed those court advantage in the first Toronto quickly regained the turnovers — 10 more than after three tough losses. It gives round. lead. The Raptors took Toronto. ... game at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Friday. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2017 Herath leads SL to crushing

victory over Bangladesh Pat Cummins

Galle AFP

angana Herath grabbed six wickets in the second innings to become Test crick- Cummins called up to et's most successful Rleft-arm spinner as Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 259 runs replace pacer Starc in their first Test at Galle yesterday. Herath finished with 6-59, Melbourne the youngest Australian crick- his 23rd five or more wicket Reuters eter to earn a national contract haul, which took his tally in Tests in 2011-12 but has been beset to 366 wickets, going past New at Cummins is in sight of by injuries since his brilliant Zealand's Daniel Vettori, who a long-awaited second Test debut at the Wanderers. has 362 wickets to his name. PTest after being rushed Selectors have been loath His exploits helped Sri Lanka into the Australia squad to to risk the tall seamer in long- dismiss Bangladesh for 197 runs replace injured pace spearhead form cricket, easing him back in the second innings in less than Mitchell Starc (pictured) for the through the shorter formats two sessions on the fifth day remainder of the series in India. until his return for New South after the visitors resumed play Cummins has not played a Wales this week. promisingly on 67-0. Test since his stunning seven- He underlined his huge "I would say kind of a big wicket debut against South potential with an eight-wicket achievement, but I must thank Africa as an 18-year-old in 2011 haul to fire the state side to a every single person who has Sri Lankan cricketer Rangana Herath (left) celebrates with his team-mates after he dismissed but he made a successful return comfortable home win over supported me - the support staff, Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed during the final day of their opening Test in Galle yesterday. to first class cricket for the first South Australia yesterday. my family - I want to say thank time in six years this week with His return to red-ball you to all of them," Herath said "Everybody chipped in and his off stump to dismiss the left- Mushfiqur fell to Sandakan a man-of-the-match perform- cricket was seen as confirma- about his record. I must congratulate everyone hander with his overnight score for 34 runs before Herath ance for New South Wales in tion of his availability for the because it is a team effort," he of 53. removed Liton for 35 runs to the domestic Sheffield Shield. Ashes series against England SCOREBOARD said about the victory. Perera then struck in succes- expedite the win. Jackson Bird is the back-up in the coming home Herath claimed four of the sive overs, trapping Mominul Mushfiqur refused to blame paceman in the touring squad, summer. Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 494 last five wickets that fell in the Haque leg-before for five before the pitch for their defeat. but 23-year-old Cummins is However, Starc's series- Bangladesh (I innings): ...... 312 post-lunch session as Bangla- forcing a catch from Tamim "I thought the wicket is still likely to be selected for the third ending stress fracture injury Sri Lanka (II innings): ...... 274/6 decl desh were folded in 60.2 overs Iqbal to Gunaratne at slip for 19. pretty good to bat, it does not Test in Ranchi starting next changed the landscape and Bangladesh (IIinnings): T Iqbal c Gunaratne b Perera ...... 19 to hand Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in Herath delivered further look like a day five wicket," he week, with the tense four- Steve Smith's side is desperate S Sarka b Gunaratne...... 53 the two-Test series. blows when he removed Shakib said. match series poised at 1-1. to rebound in Ranchi after their M Haque lbw Perera ...... 5 Off-spinner Dilruwan Per- Al Hasan for eight and handed "It came down to how we "In selecting Pat, we were fourth innings collapse in Ban- M Rahim c Dickewella b Sandakan ...... 34 era claimed two wickets in the a second-ball batted on the final day and the looking for a strike bowling galore squared the series. S Al Hasan c Karunaratne b Herath ...... 8 morning to trigger the collapse duck in a space of three balls in first session was going to be cru- replacement option (for Starc)," Mahmudullah lbw Herath ...... 0 in Bangladesh innings before one over. cial, but we unfortunately lost selector Trevor Hohns said in a L Das c Tharanga b Herath ...... 35 Herath took charge of Sri Lan- Shakib gloved a catch to wickets." media release on Saturday. M Hasan c Kumara b Herath ...... 28 T Ahmed c Mendis b Herath ...... 5 ka's bowling unit. Bangladesh Dimuth Karunaratne at leg slip Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis "Pat has impressed in his M Rahman b Herath...... 0 lost unbeaten-overnight bats- while Mahmudullah was deceived was named man of the match return to cricket this summer Subashis Roy (not out) ...... 0 man Soumya Sarkar in the by an arm ball, which hit his back for his heroic 194 runs in the first with consistent performances Extras (B-1, LB-4, W-1 NB-4) ...... 10 second ball of the morning and foot, to be adjudged lbw. innings. in his ODI, Interna- Total (all out) ...... 197 failed to regroup as they lost Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim "I am extremely happy about tional and Big Bash matches. Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-80, 3- 83, 4-104, 5- wickets at regular intervals. and wicketkeeper-batsman the achievement and thank Ran- "He has also had a very 104, 6-158, 7-166, 8-180, 9-194, 10-197. Soumya got a leading edge Liton Das put 54 runs for the gana Herath and rest of the team good Sheffield Shield return for Bowling: Lakmal 7-3-12-0; Perera 15-0-66- 2; Herath 20.2-5-59-6; Gunaratne 6-1-16-1 off the first ball, which somehow sixth wicket but Sri Lanka for the support," he said. New South Wales."

(nb1); Sandakan 9-0-29-1 (nb3); Kumara 3-0- missed a fielder. However, the wrapped the innings quickly The second Test, Bangladesh's Long touted as a future 10-0 (w1). next ball of medium pace Asela once left-arm spinner Lakshan 100th, will be held in Colombo leader of the pace attack, the Gunaratne clipped the bails of Sandakan broke the stand. between March 15 to 19. Sydney-born right-armer was Herath eyes 400 Dunedin Test poised for intriguing final day

Wellington overturned a caught behind SCOREBOARD hampered with opening bowler Test wickets Reuters decision during his innings. Trent Boult trudging off the South Africa (I innings): ...... 308 The 29-year-old had been New Zealand (I innings): ...... 341 field from midway through the ean Elgar failed to join a seeking to become the sixth South Africa (II innings): middle session with a groin Galle celebrate his 39th birthday select group of South South Africa batsman to score S Cook c Watling b Boult...... 0 strain. AFP next week, said he would like D Africa batsman while a century in both innings of a D Elgar c Williamson b Patel ...... 89 It is also debatable whether to finish his career with 400 New Zealand took three late Test but fell short when he was H Amla c sub b Wagner ...... 24 batsman Ross Taylor would bat ri Lankan spinner Ran- wickets. wickets to leave the first Test at caught by Kane Williamson for J Duminy lbw Wagner ...... 39 in the second innings after he gana Herath said he is "I have already played 79 University Oval delicately poised 89 from offspinner Jeetan Patel. F du Plessis (batting)...... 56 suffered a torn calf muscle in the T Bavuma b Santner ...... 6 Saiming for a career total Tests and I am happy with at the end of the fourth day He scored 140 in the first Q de Kock b Patel ...... 4 first. of 400 Test wickets after whatever I have achieved so yesterday. innings. V Philander (batting) ...... 1 South Africa lost just two leading his side to a 259-run far," Herath said after the South Africa were 224 for six Temba Bavuma was then Extras (B-1, LB-3, W-1) ...... 5 wickets in the first two sessions win over Bangladesh in the Bangladesh win. at the close of play in a chilly bowled by Mitchell Santner for Total (for 6 wkts) ...... 224 when Duminy was trapped in first Test in Galle yesterday. "I don't know how long I Dunedin with a lead of 191 runs six and Quinton de Kock also Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-39, 3-113, 4-193, front by Neil Wagner for 39 after Herath claimed 6-59 runs will go on and how long I will entering the final day on a pitch bowled by Patel for four in 5-206, 6-218. lunch, while Hashim Amla was

in the second innings as hosts have my form. But I would that is turning but offering little gloomy conditions, with players Bowling: T Boult 15-4-34-1; N Wagner 27-7- dismissed for 24 early in a dis-

57-2 (w-1); M Santner 19-6-37-1; J Patel 36-15- Sri Lanka dismissed Bangla- like to get to 400 wickets," assistance for the pace bowlers leaving the field with nine overs 72-2; J Neesham 5-0-20-0. rupted first session. desh for 197 runs in less than he said. and is proving difficult to score remaining. Play had been due to begin two sessions to claim a crush- "Only a few legends of from. South Africa had begun the 10 minutes earlier than the ing win, giving them a 1-0 the game have taken 400 Faf du Plessis was day with a five-run lead and nine cheaply. New Zealand, however, scheduled start of 1100 (2200 lead in the two-Test series. Test wickets. So that will be on 56 at the close of play, with wickets in hand and with rain only had themselves to blame GMT) after a fire alarm in the His 23rd five or more great. I don't know if I will Vernon Philander on one after forecast for the final day on Sun- for not being in a better position main stand forced the evacua- wicket haul in an innings have this form always. I am New Zealand had taken three day, the hosts needed to make having dropped Elgar twice and tion of the entire venue and held took his Tests tally to 366 looking forward to do my job wickets after tea, including Elgar, the most of their opportunities JP Duminy once. up play for about 30 minutes on wickets, allowing him to for the team." who was dropped twice and to try to dismiss the visitors The hosts were also further Friday. leapfrog New Zealand's Herath has maintained Daniel Vettori, who has 362 his 100 per cent record as Arthur meets wickets to his name, to captain after stepping in for become 's most Angelo Mathews. domestic players successful left-arm He led Sri Lanka to two spinner. wins against Zimbabwe last Lahore Only Herath's compatriot year and was made captain Agencies Muttiah Muralitharan (67), again for the Bangladesh Australia's Shane Warne (37), series in Mathews' absence. akistan coach Mickey New Zealand's Richard The Sri Lankan cricket Arthur yesterday met Hadlee (36) and India's Anil board has not said why Math- Pcountry's best domestic Kumble (35), have taken ews was dropped, but he players during a camp in more five-wicket hauls in returned home last month Lahore. Tests. halfway through the South It was the first time in 10 Herath took the record- African tour after twisting his months that the coach met breaking wicket haul in just ankle. the budding players since he 79 Tests, compared to Vet- Herath said he was unsure was appointed as the coach. tori's 113 Tests. if he would lead Sri Lanka The development came Among all left-arm bowl- beyond the Bangladesh series. on instruction from the Paki- ers, only Pakistani fast "It depends on what the stan board chairman Shahar bowler Wasim Akram is selectors think and how yar Khan as he wanted Arthur ahead of Herath, with 414 Angelo shapes up and we need to become familiar with play- wickets. to have a chat and then New Zealand's James Neesham (right) attempts to catch South Africa's Dean Elgar ers who are well in domestic Herath, who will decide," he said. during day four of their first Test in Dunedin yesterday. cricket, , according to a report yesterday. SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2017 SPORT 27 Dovizioso sees Ducati on top in Qatar Day 1 at Losail Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati in action Rossi aiming Italian tops the during the first day of the final MotoGP timesheets on the pre-season test at Losail on Friday. for perfection opening day of the three-day final The Peninsula MotoGP pre-season test at Losail. alentino Rossi says he is not happy after the Vfirst evening of testing The Peninsula in the final preseason test at Losail International Circuit on ndrea Dovizioso put Friday. Ducati on top of the Rossi has played second- timesheets during fiddle to Yamaha's new the first day of the recruit Maverick Vinales dur- final MotoGP pre- ing 2017's winter running, seasonA test at Losail on Friday. finishing sixth at Sepang and The Italian bounced back then 12th at Phillip Island, from a difficult Phillip Island test while Jorge Lorenzo's to hold off Maverick Vinales - replacement topped both who has been fastest overall at tests. all previous tests since joining The Italian had a low-key Yamaha - by 0.360s. start to the final test in Qatar. Cal Crutchlow of Honda After setting the seventh- completed the top three. fastest time on the first day of Dovizioso was the only man the three-day testing, Rossi to get under the 1m55s mark and said he did not feel as strong he ended up by setting the quick- on corner entry on the est time of the day in 1’54.819 on years and set a best lap of Teammate and nine-time when first trying a new “aero- sive performance from both. Yamaha as he did in 2016. his 26th lap. 1:54.819 to get under the race lap World Champion Valentino fairing” for his Repsol Honda ‘Maniac’ Andrea Iannone "The bike is not so bad," Team-mate Jorge Lorenzo record of 1:54.927. Rossi, who left Phillip Island out- machine. completed the top ten despite he said. also put in a positive perform- The Italian put in 36 laps as side the top ten on combined The superstar of the first day crashing; a 1:55.751 after 41 laps "But I still need find the ance, with the Spanish rider work continues on the Desmo- times, had an improved position was Karel Abraham (Pull&Bear putting the Italian just ahead of right feeling, especially for the completing a total of 45 laps and sedici GP17, with no big visible after the first day in the desert - Aspar Team), who took a stun- compatriot Danilo Petrucci entry, so I'm still not very fast. setting a best time of 1’55.616 on aero updates for the Borgo Pan- finishing up seventh with a ning fourth place with a 1:55.613. (Octo Pramac Racing) in place We have to work. lap 27. igale factory in Qatar - yet. timing of 1:55.679. The Czech rider is returning from eleven. "I'm not able to be strong There were a number of high Dovizioso’s teammate, five- Crutchlow was the fastest WorldSBK and got up to speed Behind Marquez in twelfth, like last year, so we need to profile crashers – including time World Champion Lorenzo, Honda out of the blocks, as the quickly on his Desmosedici GP15 Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing find a better balance. reigning Champion Marc Mar- continued his steady progress of two-time GP winner put LCR in Qatar. Team Gresini), Jack Miller "We are not at 100% quez (Repsol Honda Team), Pol adaptation, ending an solid first Honda in third position with a Jonas Folger was again the (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) because I don't have enough Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Fac- day under the floodlights in fifth 1:55.420. fastest rookie, as in Phillip Island, and Scott Redding (Octo Pramac of a feeling to push the front tory Racing) and Andrea Iannone position with a best of 1:55.616. The next Honda on the and the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Racing) completed the top end." (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – and a Viñales (Movistar Yamaha timesheets was Repsol Honda rider lined up just behind fifteen. Vinales continued his Red Flag late in the session fol- MotoGP) had another impressive Team’s Dani Pedrosa in position Lorenzo on the timesheets in Action continues at Losail impressive start with Yamaha lowing a number of falls in day in the office at Losail, as the eight on a 1:55.692 – with reign- sixth place, with a best of International Circuit, with two on Friday by setting the sec- succession at Turn 2. fastest man in preseason so far ing Champion Marquez in P12 on 1:55.640. official days of testing now left ond-fastest time at the Losail At the front was ‘Desmo- ended Day 1 in second. A timing Day 1 with a 1:55.899. French fellow rookie team- until the lights go out for the circuit, which will host Dovi’, who has been on the of 1:55.179 was the 2013 Moto3 Marquez crashed twice on mate Johann Zarco ended Day 1 opening race of the season at the MotoGP's 2017 season opener podium at Losail for the last two World Champion’s best lap. the first day, including a fall in ninth place in another impres- same venue on March 26. in a fortnight.

Caixinha all set Volleyball: GCC Clubs Championship to take over as Rangers coach

Glasgow AFP

cottish giants Rangers confirmed the appoint- Sment of Pedro Caixinha as their new manager yesterday. Caixinha arrived at Glas- gow Airport on a flight from Dubai at midday yesterday and his move to Ibrox was Qatar national team players take part in a training session under the watchful eyes of coach officially announced just Jorge Fossati in Doha yesterday. Qatar is preparing for the upcoming two matches of the hours later. The 46-year-old Portu- 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Uzbekistan. Qatar will take on Iran in Doha guese coach has agreed a on March 23 before meeting Uzbekistan on March 28 in Tashkent. Iran lead Group A with 11 three-year contract and will points from five matches followed by South Korea and Uzbekistan with 10 and 9, respectively. be tasked with ending Celt- Qatar are in fifth spot with four points from five matches and will have to win maximum ic's long reign as Scotland's points from their remaining five matches to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia. preeminent force. Rangers agreed a deal with Al Gharafa on Thursday for the release of Caixinha, Action from the match between Al Ain club of UAE who moved to Qatar in 2015 and Oman's Al Salam at the 36th GCC Clubs Volleyball PSG coach Emery gets 'full after a successful spell with Championship at Ali bin Hamad SC Al Attiyah Arena Santos Laguna, a Mexican yesterday. Al Salam won 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19. club with close links to Celtic. The former goalkeeper support' despite Barca loss managed Uniao de Leiria and Nacional in his homeland after spells on the coaching Paris French capital. "We staff at the likes of Sporting AFP still enjoy a magnifi- Lisbon, Panathinaikos, Rapid cent stadium with an Bucharest and Saudi Arabia. aris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery increasingly beauti- Graeme Murty will received the "full and entire support" of the ful atmosphere," he remain in the dugout for Pclub's demanding Qatari owners on Friday added. Rangers' derby with bitter despite presiding over their 6-1 Champions League "We have the rivals Celtic on Sunday, but humiliation at Barcelona. ambition to build the Caixinha will watch from the "Unai has the qualities in which we believe. best training centre stands and take his first train- He has my full and entire support," PSG president in the world in the ing session on Monday. Nasser Al Khelaïfi (pictured) told Le Parisien next few years." Rangers are currently newspaper. The pain of third in the Scottish Premier- "With him, we will discuss the changes that defeat to Barcelona was still burning on Friday ship table and trail leaders are needed in the close season. We are going to with the PSG chief believing that his team had Celtic by 33 points. work to send the strongest signals that will show been let down by the referee who awarded the "It is a great honour to our ambitions are great." Spaniards two key second-half penalties. join Rangers Football Club. Barcelona overturned a 4-0 Champions "The outcome of the match could have been This club has a great history League first leg deficit to win 6-5 on aggregate at different with more clear-sighted officiating," said and tradition and I am proud the Nou Camp on Wednesday to reach the quar- Al Khelaifi. to follow in the footsteps of ter-finals in the greatest comeback in the history "Everyone saw that Angel Di Maria should have legendary Rangers managers of the tournament. had a penalty that would have made the score 2-3 like Walter Smith, Graeme Action from the match between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal Despite the morale-shattering defeat in Spain, and kill any suspense. Not to mention that there Souness and Jock Wallace," KSA and Dar Kulaib club of Bahrain. Dar Kulaib won Al Khelaïfi insisted that PSG will still be able to was no penalty on Suarez late in the game (which Caixinha told the club's 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 24-26, 15-10. attract some of the world's best players to the was awarded)." website.