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Home , Kaja Juvan, Mayar Sherif, Sharjeel Khan, Victoria Azarenka

QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Brilliant Bale QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune at the double in Tottenham’s big win over Burnley in Premier League MONday, MARCH 1, 2021 page 14 Bertens ready for return to big action at Qatar Total Open 2021 Muguruza to take on Kudermetova in opening day clash at Khalifa International Complex

Vinay Nayudu

World number 11 will be one of the stars in action on the show courts at the Qatar Total Open 2021 which will swing into action at the Khalifa International & Squash Complex on Monday afternoon. The 29-year-old, who World number 11 Kiki Bertens will be one of the stars in action at the Qatar Total Open 2021 at the Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, who made the final of Qatar Total Open in 2016, during a training session at became the highest-ranked Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Monday. the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Sunday. Dutch female player in 2019 as world number four, will be returning to the WTA Tour for the first time since 2020R o- land Garros after undergoing achilles surgery in October. Bertens will be up against wild card entrant and 2016 fi- nalist in Doha – Jelena Ostap- enko from Latvia. “I’m feeling good. It’s been Ooredoo is Silver Sponsor QTO 2021 a while of course... I’ve had lots of rehab and recovery – ready Qatar’s leading telecommunications operator has announced it and hungry to play,” said is to reprise its role as Silver Sponsor of the Qatar Total Open Bertens adding that preparing We are delighted to witness (QTO) at this year’s event. Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director PR for the tournament amid the the start of another week of at Ooredoo, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Qatar pandemic “been tough”. fantastic tennis from some Total Open for another year, as we’re committed to supporting “I had some exceptions so of the world’s best players events that promote a healthy, active lifestyle as part our corpo- I could at least practice. Of at the Qatar Total Open rate social responsibility strategy, and delighted that yet again course, everything for me was we can be a part of shining the spotlight on Qatar as the ideal indoors because it was winter 2021. This year’s venue for major sporting events. After the challenges of the in the Netherlands. For me to tournament is unique pandemic lockdowns, it’s great to be seeing live sporting events play outdoors again it’s a big due to the global pandemic, starting up again and we look forward to enjoying some awe- difference. I am feeling good. I but we look forward some tennis from some of the best female players in the world.” am pain free, I am ready and to a hitch-free and hungry to play some matches exciting event. in Doha,” she added. Monday Order of Play On how challenging it Tariq Zainal, Qatar Tennis Centre Court (Starts 2:30pm) Court B (Starts 2:30pm) would be coming off a lay-off, Federation Secretary-General (7) J. Brady (USA) vs A. Kontaveit (EST) Qualifier: (2) L. Siegemund (GER) vs L. Tsurenko (UKR) she said, “I certainly think I V. Kudermetova (RUS) vs G. Muguruza (ESP) Doubles (Starts 5pm) NB 6:00 PM [5] K. Bertens (NED) vs [WC] J. Ostapenko (1) B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) vs S. Zheng still have the level, otherwise (LAT) (CHN) / L. Zhu (CHN) I wouldn’t be here at the mo- interest will be the battle be- S. Kuznetsova (RUS) vs (WC) [8] V. Azarenka (BLR) A. Klepac (SLO) / S. Mirza (IND) vs L. Kichenok (UKR) / ment, but I have to put the tween Egyptian and fast rising Court A (Starts 2:30pm) N. Kichenok (UKR) things in perspective. For me, Former world numner one and twice Qatar Total Open champion in 2011 and 2012 of Mayar Sherif against Greek Qualifer: (1) J. Pegula (USA) vs (8) M. Doi (JPN) Court 1 (Starts 2:30pm) 5pm: A. Kerber (GER) vs (WC) C. Buyukakcay (TUR) C. Bucsa (ESP) vs (7) Kr. Pliskova (CZE) it’s tough to have any predic- during a training session at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha. Maria Sakkari. M. Sakkari (GRE) vs (WC) M. Sherif (EGY) B. Mattek-Sands (USA) vs (6) A. Blinkova (RUS). tions because it’s my first tour- nament in a long time.” talked about what makes her Twice cham- will be up against twice Doha India’s Sania in doubles Bertens also revealed her click in Doha including the pion, Spaniard Muguruza is champion (2012 and 2013) In the doubles action, In- the 19th edition of Qatar Total demic, but we look forward to liking of the Doha tourna- sun, good weather and food. world ranked 15 while the Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, dia’s , another Open, Tariq Zainal, Qatar Ten- a hitch-free and exciting event. ment. “I love Doha to be hon- Given the comfort levels, 23-year-old Russian Kuderme- who is seeded eight. big local favourite here, will nis Federation Secretary-Gen- “I believe the fans will en- est. We got here early because the two players can be ex- tova is ranked 24 and arrives Three-time Grand Slam be teaming up with Slovakian eral, said, “We are delighted joy themselves as the players I have to play outdoors again, pected to produce their best in having made her first-ever champion Andreja Klepac. to witness the start of another showcase their stuff at the which is a huge difference as their opening clash here. WTA singles final in Abu Dhabi will aim for a good start in her The duo play Ukranians week of fantastic tennis from tournament. I admonish all I practiced only indoors with Preceding this match will recently where she lost to Aryna opening match against wild Lyudmyla Kichenok and Na- some of the world’s best play- participants to please adhere my coach Elise (Tamaela) the be the contest between 2018 Sabalenka in the final. card entrant Carla Buyukak- diia Kichenok in the evening ers at the Qatar Total Open to all the safety measures put last few weeks.” finalistGarbine Muguruza and In a clash of veterans, cay of Turkey. on Court B. 2021. This year’s tournament in place as they have fun and Ostapenko too has often Veronika Kudermetova. Russian Attracting a lot of local Welcoming the start of is unique due to the global pan- enjoy their beloved sport.” Returns & Reunions: 10 Things to know about Doha WTA event

fter more than a month in ed 470 points. Keep an eye on in the Middle East and Victoria Azarenka aims to AAustralia, the tour turns to Four wildcards were awarded: and Mayar Sherif maybe North Africa.” rekindle her Doha success the Middle East swing, which two-time champion Victoria The tour’s highest-ranked play- Last fall, Sherif became the first A champion in Doha in 2012 kicks off with next week’s Qatar Azarenka, 2016 finalist Jelena ers from the Arab world would Egyptian woman to qualify for and 2013, Victoria Azarenka Total Open. WTA Insider breaks Ostapenko, Egypt’s Mayar Sherif love nothing more than to make the main draw at a Slam, doing returns for the first time since down the draw and storylines and Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay. a splash over the next two so at Roland Garros. Earlier this 2015 after taking a wildcard for the 19th staging in Doha. , 19, is the weeks. Jabeur comes into Doha month, she became the first to into the event. Azarenka has The tour bids farewell to a pro- youngest player in the draw. off a third-round exit to Osaka in win a main draw Grand Slam enjoyed great success in ductive start of the season in Melbourne, while Sherif lost a match, at the . Doha, posting a 14-2 record Australia and has arrived to the Clear your schedule for tough three-setter to The 24-year-old comes in ranked over her career. She has made Middle East, where the Qatar a Saturday final in the second round. at a career-high No.114 and is the final or won the title in Total Open kicks off Monday. Main draw play begins on The 31st-ranked Jabeur landed in the top half of the draw. She three of her four main-draw Here’s what you need to know Monday, March 1, and the sin- in the bottom half of the draw opens against Maria Sakkari. appearances. about this week’s event in gles final will be played at and opens her tournament A successful fortnight in the Seeded No.8 this year, Azaren- Doha: 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. against a qualifier. She could Middle East could put her into ka faces Svetlana Kuznetsova The doubles final will be played face No.2 seed Pliskova in the the Top 100 for the first time. in the first round. The Russian The Qatar Total Open is a WTA at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 5. Defending champ of Belarus with the Falcon Trophy. second round. That milestone would result in has played the most matches 500 event this year “Honestly, I want to aim big in more history for the region’s cur- of anyone in Doha over her The Qatar Total Open and Dubai Aryna Sabalenka aims for a Victoria Azarenka to become in Doha. No.5 Elina Svito- these two tournaments,” Jabeur rent trailblazers, as there have career, posting a 19-11 record. Duty Free Championships alter- rare Doha title defense just the second woman to lina tops the field, followed told reporters ahead of the tour- never been two women from Both women are coming off nate between WTA 1000 and Last year’s final, which would successfully defend the title in by No.6 Karolina Pliskova, nament. “I think it’s a big deal the Middle East/North Africa early exits from the Australian WTA 500 levels each year. With turn out to be the last WTA Doha. Azarenka accomplished defending champion and No.8 for an Arab man or woman to region simultaneously ranked Open. Azarenka bowed out in Doha holding the WTA 1000 1000 tournament before the the feat in 2012 and 2013. Aryna Sabalenka and No.10 win one of these tournaments. inside the Top 100. Should the first round to eventual quar- designation last season, this shutdown, saw Aryna Sabalenka Petra Kvitova. If I were to win a title, I want it Sherif make her Top 100 debut terfinalist - who year it is a WTA 500. defeat Petra Kvitova, 6-3, 6-3 Four Top 10 players are Sabalenka, Kvitova and to be in either Doha or Dubai. she would join and is the top seed in qualifying The field is a 28 player singles in the final. Now ranked No.8, in action Pliskova have been crowned “I love it here. It doesn’t stress Jabeur as the third woman from - while Kuznetsova lost a tough draw and a 16 team doubles Sabalenka is hoping to follow in Ten of the Top 20, including the champions in three of the me to play in Arab countries. I the Arab world to do so and the three-setter to draw. Champions will be award- the footsteps of her compatriot four of the Top 10 are entered past four years. want to see more tournaments first from Egypt. in the second round. (WTA) 14 Monday, March 1, 2021 Sports PREMIER LEAGUE QNB Stars League schedule amended after AFC CL dates announced for April

QSL schedule will witness a neces- Doha sary period of suspension in March and April. The Qatar Stars League “It’ll be an ideal prepara- (QSL) has amended the sched- tory time for the players of our ule for the remaining rounds first national team before they of 2020-21 season QNB Stars play in the European qualifiers League. for the 2022 FIFA World Cup The following decisions Qatar in addition to the partic- have been taken: The Week 18 ipation of our clubs in the AFC matches were rescheduled, to Champions League after the be held over three days (6th, AFC announced its new dates, 7th and 8th March, 2021), which’ll be held during the pe- taking into account the clubs’ riod from 14th to 30th April. participation in the 2021 Amir “If the AFC Champions Cup quarter-finals. League matches are not held as Al Wakrah’s match scheduled in April, as the AFC against Al Gharafa has announced, then in Week 21 has been the 2020-21 football preponed to 16th season will end on March, 2021, due 30th April, as we an- to Al Gharafa’s AFC nounced previously.” Champions League Abbassi ex- play-off against Uz- plained, “Co-ordina- bek club FC AGMK tion and consulta- on 7th April. tions are presently Dates of match- under way with all es in the last three parties concerned in rounds (Weeks order to organize a 20, 21 and 22) of QNB Stars tournament, where QNB Stars League have been revised after League and Second Division the AFC confirmed the dates clubs will compete during the Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh striker Gareth Bale (right) celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal, his second ,during the English Premier League against Burnley at Tottenham for the group stage of 2021 league’s break in April, but Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday. (AFP) AFC Champions League (14th without the Qatari clubs com- to 30th April). The dates and peting in the AFC Champi- venues of QNB Stars League ons League. This tournament games will be finalised later, will be planned in such a way taking into account the teams’ that the players and clubs are Brilliant Bale at the double in positions in the standings and not adversely affected by the in line with the QSL’s policy of duration of the break, which giving equal opportunities to will last around a month, and all clubs. with the aim of making play- Tottenham’s 4-0 over Burnley Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, ers remain fully prepared for Vice-Chairman of Qatar Foot- the resumption of QNB Stars ball Association’s Competi- League. The interest of clubs DPA Tottenham’s recent run of lection by stealing in behind and rifled home an emphatic ing drive from the England tions Committee and Execu- and players remains our pri- Berlin five defeats in their past six Pre- a sleeping Burnley defence finish. before getting down tive Director of Competitions mary concern, especially since mier League matches became to convert Son Heung Min’s Any lingering doubt over sharply to deny Son. and Football Development we’re all moving in one direc- Gareth Bale marked his a fast fading memory as Bale cross - Nick Pope having char- the result was put to bed Spurs are six points shy of at the QSL, said, “The recent tion of taking Qatar football return to a Premier League notched after 68 seconds and itably stayed on his line. when Sergio Reguilon’s cross fourth-placed West Ham with amendments to the league’s further forward.” starting line-up with a brace in set up Harry Kane’s second. There was fleeting defiance clipped off James Tarkowski a game in hand. The likes of Tottenham’s 4-0 thumping of It was 3-0 after the half from the visitors, with Davin- and Lucas pounced. Bale and Alli returning to form Burnley on Thursday. hour thanks to Lucas Moura, son Sanchez forced to make Burnley’s misery deepened means they might be coming Bale had only been named who kept Dele Alli on the a last-ditch challenge on Jay nine minutes into the second out of a mid-season slump at from kick-off twice in the top bench despite the England Rodriguez. half with Bale allowed room the perfect time. flight since re-joining Spurs midfielder’s similarly im- Pope denied Lucas at close for a touch and a clinical finish Burnley are five points from Real Madrid last Sep- pressive European form, and quarters before Bale was given after Son played the provider clear of the bottom three but tember, but a goal in each leg Bale’s eighth goal of his sec- time and space to send a rak- once more. should take nothing for grant- of the Europa League win over ond Tottenham spell came in ing ball into Kane’s path in the Lucas and Bale made way ed with regards to their Pre- Wolfsberger AC persuaded the 55th minute. 15th minute. but Kane and Son remained a mier League future, given the Jose Mourinho to give the Bale wasted little time in The England captain ad- nuisance for the Clarets. wretched ineptitude of what Wales international a chance. making the most of his se- vanced infield from the left Pope pushed over a swerv- they served up here. Pepe completes Chelsea 0-0 Man United: impressive Gunners Blues benefit from comeback SC Freiburg’s Ermedin Demirovic (left) celebrates scoring their first goal with Jonathan Schmid during the German first division DPA tracted by Jamie Vardy. controversial penalty call Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Freiburg in Berlin It was the fourth time the Leverkusen, Germany, on Sunday. (AFP) Gunners had conceded in DPA Arsenal ended a run of two the opening six minutes of a Berlin consecutive away Premier league game in 2021, but it Free-scoring Serie A leaders League defeats with an impres- seemed to spark them into life, Manchester United lost sive 3-1 victory over high-flying with Pepe winning a penalty further ground at the top of Inter beat Genoa 3-0 Leicester City on Sunday. only for VAR to determine he the Premier League table as Mikel Arteta’s men fought was fouled outside the box. they drew 0-0 at Chelsea on DPA linovskyi and Robin Gosens. back from an early Youri Tiele- David Luiz deservedly Sunday, Thomas Tuchel’s men Rome Sampdoria’s Jakub Jankto mans goal to score through equalised six minutes before benefitingfrom a contentious and Mikkel Damsgaard forced David Luiz, Alexandre Laca- the break, steering a fine head- call relating to a potential pen- Inter Milan beat Genoa 3-0 early saves but it was Ma- zette and Nicolas Pepe, ending er past Kasper Schmeichel from alty against them. Sunday and opened a seven- linovskyi to open the scoring a three-game losing streak at Willian’s free-kick, and the visi- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s point lead at the top of Italy’s into the top left corner on 40 the King Power Stadium in the tors were ahead in injury time. side came into the weekend Serie A. minutes. Gosens then volleyed top flight. The result means Pepe’s shot was blocked 10 points adrift of paceset- Romelu Lukaku stormed under the bar from close range Arsenal closed to within three by the raised arm of Wilfred ters Manchester City, but to strike clinically into the left after the break. points of sixth-place Liver- Ndidi and this time VAR ruled this draw coupled with the corner for the first-minute The Bergamo side, who pool, having played a game in favour of a penalty, allowing leaders’ 2-1 win at West Ham lead and was denied by Mattia had coach Gian Piero Gasper- more, while Leicester stay Lacazette to smash home from on Saturday saw the gap in- Perin after his team-mate Ni- ini suspended, moved level on third and 13 points behind the spot. crease to 12 as Pep Guardiola colo Barella hit the bar. points with third-place cham- leaders Manchester City. Injury problems struck closes in on another Premier Genoa’s Gianluca Scama- pions Juventus, who have Tielemans gave Leicester each team either side of the League title. cca fired at Inter keeperS amir a game in hand. Sampdoria the lead with a precise finish break, with Emile Smith-Rowe While a win for United at Handanovic after a scramble stayed 10th. after being allowed to run un- limping off for the Gunners be- Stamford Bridge would not and Perin saved two efforts “It was an important to checked into the Arsenal box, fore Leicester’s Harvey Barnes have changed a great deal, from Lautaro Martinez in the win,” Gasperini said. “We im- with Kieran Tierney out of was taken off on a stretcher, they will likely feel hard done first half. proved during the game and position and Pablo Mari dis- his left leg in a brace. by, as Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (left) congratulates players After the break the in-form won against a tough team. It escaped unpunished when on the pitch after their English Premier League goalless draw against Lukaku set up full back Matteo is a very balanced league and handling the ball in his own Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on Sunday. (AFP) Darmian to again stun Perin everyone is having problems area during the first period. on his right and also had his against teams like [Sampdo- Both sides had their chanc- ouard Mendy before dropping Luke Shaw vitally blocked the say on the Nerazzurri’s third ria]. We are now in a good es after the interval but neither between Hudson-Odoi and rebound from Reece James - in- when his saved deflection was position.” Udinese beat managed to apply the finish- Mason Greenwood, with the troduced at the interval for the nodded in by substitute Alexis Fiorentina 1-0 and Cagliari ing touch, meaning for the ball clearly hitting the hand injured Hudson-Odoi. Sanchez. had Charalampos Lykogiannis first time in the five meetings of the Chelsea wing-back, yet But United soon woke up Inter are the league’s dead- dismissed after securing a 2-0 between Tuchel and Solskjaer, referee Stuart Attwell refused again, with Greenwood shoot- liest scorers on 60 goals, with win at bottom side Crotone. the away manager could not to award a penalty even after ing agonisingly wide of the Lukaku one behind 19-goal Cagliari are still in the three leave with the spoils. going to the pitchside monitor. top-left corner and Scott Mc- top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, team drop zone as third last, as A fast and furious first half Hudson-Odoi had a more Tominay testing Mendy after who struck for Juventus in new coach Leonardo Semplici saw the two teams largely can- positive impact just after the a well-placed cut-back from Saturday’s 1-1 at Verona. enjoyed a win on his debut. cel each other out with their half-hour mark when Olivier Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Second-place AC Milan Napoli and Benevento comparable high-pressing Giroud nearly met his early Timo Werner was denied hope to reduce the gap when meet later for a regional derby. setups and solid defensive cross, though chances at either a tap-in by Victor Lindelof they close matchday 24 late at Spezia and Parma drew 2-2 work, but United were contro- end were a rarity otherwise. and McTominay squandered fifth-placeR oma. and Bologna beat Lazio 2-0 on versially denied the chance to Chelsea were straight on the a counter-attacking opportu- Atalanta sit fourth, 10 off Saturday. A coronavirus clus- Arsenal’s French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (left) vies with take an early lead. front foot after the break, with nity in the latter stages, with the top, after winning 2-0 at ter at Torino caused their Fri- Leicester City’s Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira at King Power Marcus Rashford’s free- David de Gea forced into a reflex the game ultimately destined Sampdoria thanks to smash- day home game to Sassuolo to Stadium in Leicester, England, on Sunday. (AFP) kick stung the hands of Ed- save by Hakim Ziyech before to end goalless. ing drives from Ruslan Ma- be moved to March 17. Sports Monday, March 1, 2021 15 Qualifiers for World TT Middle East Hub begin

QTTA President Khalil Al Mohannadi and Mehrdad Ali Gardashi, President of the Iranian Table Tennis Federation. QTTA signs cooperation agreement with Iran TT federation Tribune News network points that will benefit the Doha game of table tennis in Qatar and Iran. We have a very good The Qatar Table Tennis As- relations with the Iranian Table Qatar’s Mohamed Abdelwahab in action against Belgian Florent Lampet in The World Table Tennis Middle East Hub qualifiers at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall on Sunday. sociation (QTTA) signed a Tennis Federation for a long cooperation agreement with time,” Al Mohannadi said. Tribune News Network contested from the round of 16 put on a tough fight but eventu- was beaten by Belarusian Pavel in the tournament to limit the its Iranian counterpart on the For his part, Gardashi ex- Doha across mixed doubles, men’s ally succumbed to higher rated Platonov 0-3 spread of the coronavirus. The sidelines of the WTT Middle pressed his happiness at sign- doubles and women’s doubles opponents. Saudi’s Ali al-Khadra- fans are not allowed to watch East Hub on Sunday. ing the cooperation agreement The World Table Tennis formats. Al Mohannadi lost to Cana- wi narrowly lost to Russian the games since it’s an indoor The agreement was signed with the QTTA. “We have (WTT) Middle East Hub got The Middle East Hub fea- dian Jeremy Hazen 0-3, while Vladimir Sidorin 3-2. As for tournament. by QTTA president Khalil al- friendly relations with the State off to a start at the Lusail Mul- tures two tiers of the new WTT Muthanna went to Cheng Ting his compatriot Abdulaziz Boch- Meanwhile, 13-year-old Mohannadi and Mehrdad Ali of Qatar and the Qatar Table tipurpose Hall on Sunday with event structure, with players Liao of Chinese Taipei in the libi, he lost to Singapore’s Xiao Hana Goda of Egypt stole the Gardashi, President of the Ira- Tennis Federation,” he said. a three-day qualifying draw for competing in a WTT Contend- same score. Abdel Wahab won Ziyu Clarence 3-0, and Algerian spotlight yesterday despite nar- nian Table Tennis Federation. Gardashi praised the ef- the Contender series. er event before moving on to a game against Belgian Florent Arab Buryah lost to Russian Al- rowly losing her match to Bel- Al Mohannadi expressed forts made by Al Mohannadi As many as 91 players in a WTT Star Contender event, Lampet but lost 1-3. exander Shebaev 3-0. gium’s Lisa Leung 2-3. Hana is his happiness at the presence to develop Asian and interna- the men’s singles draw and 76 which will be held from March The Qatari women paddlers In the women’s singles one of Egypt’s youngest stars, a of Gardashi and the Iran team tional table tennis. “Khalil Al in the women’s singles have 6 to 13. Maha Flamerzi, Maryam Ali, competitions, German Chan- fast-rising talent with many tip- for the WTT Middle East Hub Mohannadi has provided great entered the qualifiers of which The WTT Contender Series Aya Majdi and Maha also ex- tal Mantz defeated the Slovak ping her as the next big thing in and the Olympic qualifiers. services for Asian and interna- eight will progress into the has been designed to provide ited the competition. Maryam Emma Labusova 3-0 in the African table tennis. The teen “I think that the Iranian tional table tennis for 25 years, main draw. the perfect setting for some of Ali lost to Anastasia Lafar of round of 36 match. Russian sensation made her senior in- team has a high level in table and we aspire to further devel- Adding spice to the pro- the world’s leading stars to be Uzbekisnan 0-3, while Maha Olga Fora Piva defeated Mexi- ternational debut yesterday. tennis at the Asian level, and op Qatari and Asian table ten- ceedings, these eight players challenged by the best up-and- lost to Belgium’s Daniela Mon- can Yadrera Silva 3-1, and Ko- Hana lost the opening this agreement includes many nis,” the Iranian official said. will be selected at random into coming athletes in table tennis. terrey by the same score. Maha rean Kim Haoyoung beat Slo- game 8-11, but she bounced the main draw of the Contend- A total of 298 players are taking Framerzi lost to India’s Archa- vak Tatiana 3-1 as well. The back quickly to take the next er series, that is held between part at the events, representing na Girish 0-3 as well, while Aya competition continues today, one 11-7. The Egyptian could March 3-6, starting with a 66 countries. Majdi lost to France’s Brechika with 81 second-round matches not carry the momentum to round of 32 in both men’s and Yesterday, Qatar’s chal- Pavadi by the same score. scheduled in the men’s and the third game as Leung took Rohit wondering about what women’s singles events. lenge came to an end in the The other Arab players too women’s singles and mixed a 2-1 lead before Hana made The qualifying draw also qualifying rounds itself. Qatari bowed out of the competition. doubles. it 2-2 by pocketing the fourth pitch would be like in 4th Test features 32 mixed doubles men’s trio – Ahmed Khalil Al Egyptian Omar Asr lost Ger- The Qatar Table Tennis game. In the decisive fifth pairs, who are vying for 8 spots Mohannadi, Ahmed Muthanna many Walter Ricardo, while his Federation has implemented game, Hana heartbreakingly ANI “It was a nice pitch to bat in the main draw, which will be and Mohamed Abdel Wahab – compatriot Mohamed al-Bayli strict precautionary measures went down 6-11. Ahmedabad on, once you are in, you can score runs as you saw. You India batsman Rohit Shar- just need to apply yourself and ma on Sunday took a cheeky keep concentrating in order to Super League dig at the pitch critics, saying score runs. If you look at the he is also wondering about Chennai Test match, the sec- what the 22 yards would be ond Test, it was turning hell Qalandars edge Kings in last-over thriller like in the upcoming fourth of a lot than it did here. A lot Test against England. of the batters got runs there in Agencies four) and (0 off Rohit posted a photo of the second Test, in this Test, Karachi one) were next to follow Ba- himself on Instagram in which we need to be honest to our- bar with scoreboard reading he is lying on the ground and selves and accept that we did Late onslaught from Da- at 37 for three at the end of he captioned the post as: not bat well,” Rohit had said vid Wiese and half-centuries fifth over. “Wondering what the pitch during a virtual press confer- from and Ben Sharjeel, who got a life would be like for 4th Test.” ence after the third Test came Dunk guided last year’s run- in the first over of the match, India had managed to to an end. ners-up Lahore Qalandars to made full use of his dropped defeat England by ten wick- “In Chennai, it had a lot an emphatic six- win catch, as he punished Qaland- ets within two days in the more to offer than this, we over defending champions ars bowlers all around the pink-ball Test. The match batted well on that wicket. in the 11th fix- ground, and struck five fours saw both India and England We learn from our mistakes, ture of the HBL PSL 6 at Ka- and six towering sixes in his batsmen failing to shine and guys applied themselves, rachi’s National Stadium on innings of 64. He was equally getting out to balls that did Ashwin got 100 in the second Sunday evening. supported by Afghanistan’s not turn and skidded through innings of the second Test, Qatar’s Rashid Hamad Saleh. Chasing 187 to win, Qa- , who scored from the spinners. Ajinkya got 50, Virat got 60- landars found themselves in his first half-century in the But critics have looked odd. If you apply yourselves, Qatari shooters a spot of bother losing two HBL PSL 6. He contributed 57 to blame the pitch for the you can score runs. We ac- for no run in the first off 35 balls, hitting four fours failure of the batsmen. After cept as a unit, that we gear up for World over. Mohammad Hafeez (15 and three sixes. Both batsmen the match, Rohit had clari- did not bat as well we would off nine, one four, one six) was knitted 76 runs for the fourth fied that he did not think the have liked to in this Test. We Cup Shotgun the next batsman to go as Qa- wicket partnership. pitch had any demons. Even just need to take it to our- landars were reeling at 33 for After the departure of skipper Virat Kohli was vo- selves and we need to get QNA three in the fifth over. Nabi, Kings managed to add cal about the dreadful batting back to the drawing board,” Cairo Left-handed Fakhar was only 24 runs in the last four display from the two teams. he added. joined by another left-hander overs, and ended up scoring Qatari shooters Moham- Dunk. Both contributed a 119- Lahore Qalandars’ Shaheen Shah Afridi (right) celebrates after 186 for nine. med Al Rumaihi and Saeed run partnership for the fourth bowling Karachi Kings’ Muhammad Amir during the Pakistan Super For Qalandars, Shaheen Abu Sharb will participate wicket. Fakhar top-scored League match at the National Stadium in Karachi on Sunday. (AFP) was the most successful bowl- on Monday in the trap com- with a 54-ball 83. He slammed er, taking three wickets for 27. petition of the World Cup eight fours and four sixes. tive sixes off Daniel Christian from Sharjeel Khan and Mo- Shotgun which is being held Requiring 30 runs from first two balls to help Qaland- hammad Nabi helped Kings Scores: Karachi Kings 186-9, in Egypt until March 5. two overs, the right handed ars over the line with four post 186 for nine. After be- 20 overs (Sharjeel Khan 64, The Qatari shooting team Wiese got two fours off Mo- balls spare. ing put into bat, Kings had Mohammad Nabi 57, Daniel is participating in the Skeet hammad Amir before he Dunk (57 not out off 43, five a wobbly start, as they lost Christian 27; Shaheen Shah and Trap events with wide smashed a six in the penulti- fours, two sixes) and Wiese (31 their premier batsman Ba- Afridi 3-27) lost to Lahore participation of teams repre- mate over, as Qalandars col- not out off nine, three fours, bar Azam –the top run get- Qalandars 189-4, 19.2 overs senting 33 countries. lected 20 runs and brought three sixes) contributed an ter in HBL PSL –for five, to (Fakhar Zaman 83, Ben Dunk The mission is headed down the equation to 10 re- unbeaten 47-run partnership a scorching in-swinging de- 57 not out, David Wiese 31 not by Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, quired off the final over. for the fifth wicket. livery from Shaheen Afridi. out). MOM: Shaheen Shah Afridi Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma during the practice session in a member of the shooting Wiese hit two consecu- Earlier, half-centuries (four off six, one (Lahore Qalandars). Ahmedabad. teams committee. The Qa- tari national team is repre- sented in the championship by Nasser Al Attiyah and Rashid Saleh in the Skeet Women’s combined skiers hope for more after successful worlds debut competition, and Moham- med Al Rumaihi and Saeed Women’s Nordic combined at the Olympics from 2026 on- Mari Leinan Lund 21. Nordic combined is one of the Abu Sharb in the Trap event. wards. The 312-strong field ea- last steps towards full gender Mohammed Al Rumaihi skiing has made its world “I hope this is only the tured 16-year-old German equality in Nordic skiing at the and Saeed Abu Sharb are championship debut, and beginning and you will see a Cindy Haasch but there was Oberstdorf worlds which will seeking to achieve a positive lot more of us,” Norwegian also the 27-year-old American also see women ski-jump from result in the trap competi- skiers now hope for Olympic bronze medallist Marte Lein- Tara Geraghty-Moats, one of a large hill for the first time. tion and to be crowned. They an Lund said. the pioneers in the sport and Junior world champion finished the official training inclusion in 2026. “I hope we can inspire the winner of the maiden World Westvold Hansen spoke of “a of the competition on Sun- younger girls and show them Cup trophy who however had dream come true” as the wom- day in which more than fifty DPA you can do anything you want to settle for fifth Saturday. en’s combined athletes had athletes are taking part from Oberstdorf, Germany if you fight for it. In my point “I came in fifth place in the their firstevent at the worlds seventeen teams. of view Nordic combined is world today. Maybe it wasn’t 96 years after the men’s debut Monday will be the start The first-ever Nordic com- the most incredible sport in my best day but there’s no way in 1925. of the competition which bined event for woman at the the world.” The Norwegian I can’t be happy about that. “You could see that we can will continue for two days. (L-R) Second placed Norway’s Mari Leinan Lund, winner Norway’s world championships had podium sweepers themselves It was the first ever World do as well,” German Svenja Three rounds will be held Gyda Westvold Hansen and third placed Norway’s Marte Leinan Lund barely ended when the skiers were young, with gold medal- Championships for women Wuerth said while Germany’s tomorrow, while two rounds celebrate during the medal ceremony of the women’s 5 km Nordic vowed there would be more list Gyda Westvold Hansen and many more chances to Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Sun- and the final will be organ- Combined individual event at the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships to come. just 18, Leinan Lund 19, and fight for the medals,” she said. day spoke of “The magic of the ized in the second day. in Oberstdorf, Germany, on Saturday. (AFP) The ultimate goal is a place her silver medal winning sister The inclusion of women’s first moment.”