SPORT 16 FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017 Tae-hee fires Lekhwiya into semis

Chinthana Wasala Tae-hee shattered Al Khor The Peninsula hopes by scoring his second maintain goal in the fourth minute of outh Korean star Nam injury time and seal Lekhwi- Tae-hee scored twice ya’s place in the semi-finals. It FIFA rankings in the second half as was 16th goal of the season for Qatar Stars League the Lekhwiya star. (QSL) champions Earlier in the first half, both SLekhwiya stormed into the teams missed a few close calls QNA semi-finals of the Emir Cup, but no one could penetrate the with a 3-1 victory over Al Khor defenses, on either side. atar's football national team main- at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. Al Khor’s Hamad Mohsin tained its 89th position in the world Tae-hee opened up the Al Harbi missed a golden Qon the new FIFA ranking released scoring for Lekhwiya with a opportunity to open the scor- by the world football governing body close-range kick in the 47th ing in the 16th minute when yesterday. minute, after the first half he shot just inches away from , who climbed to the top of the ended without any goal. the goal. Lekhwiya’s Edgear rankings for the first time in seven years Lekhwiya doubled their lead in Bruno Da Silva failed to direct last month, stayed at the head of the pack, the 52th minute when Youssef the ball after picking the same followed by Argentina and 2014 FIFA Msakni found the target to add from a corner kick in the 36th World Cup champions Germany. more woes to the opposition. minute. Chile and Colombia complete the top Trailing by two goals, Al Khor Lekhwiya will meet rivals five, ahead of France, Belgium and 2016 fought back hard and launched Al Rayyan in the semi-finals on UEFA European Championship winners several attacks in search of an May 13 at Al Sadd Stadium. Al Portugal. opportunity to score. Their Rayyan booked their semi-final Switzerland and Spain make up the defender Sultan Al Enezi finally spot with a fighting 2-1 win over final two sides in the top 10, while tradi- succeeded in the 76th minute Al Gharafa on Wednesday. tional powerhouses such as Italy (12) and when he beat Lekhwiya goal- Today, Al Kharaitiyat take England (14) find themselves outside the keeper Qasem Burhan to on Al Sadd at Lekhwiya Sta- 10 highest ranked nations. reduced the lead for his side. Al dium while El Jaish and Umm CAF's best representatives Egypt sit in Lekhwiya players celebrate after Nam Tae-hee (second right) scored their third goal during Khor continued to push for an Salal will square off in the last 19th place, while 2010 FIFA World Cup equaliser but the QSL champi- quarter-final of the tournament the quarter-final of the Emir Cup against Al Khor yesterday. Tae-hee scored twice as runners-up Netherlands have fallen to ons did well to retain the 2-1 lead. tomorrow. Lekhwiya stormed into the semi-finals, with a 3-1 victory over Al Khor at Al Sadd Stadium. 32nd spot.

West Indies Al Attiyah cruises into Jordan Rally lead beat Pakistan Dead Sea, Jordan great,” said Al-Attiyah. “I need protective roll cage padding, as The Peninsula to finish this rally. The champi- per 2017 FIA appendix J of the by 106 runs onship is short and the problems technical regulations. There atar’s Nasser Saleh Al Atti- in Qatar mean that maximum were three other minor issues Bridgetown yah and his French points are important here. I have (tinted windows, no external AP Qnavigator Matthieu been driving Fords for many trigger and no external circuit Baumel cruised into a lead of 11.3 years, so I know the cars well. breaker) that contravened he West Indies beat seconds at the FIA Jordan Rally This car has a little more power.” appendix J, but all nine cars were Pakistan by 106 runs for after the opening two-kilome- The best of the rest and the permitted to start by rally Ta series-levelling vic- tre Samarah super special stage leader in MERC 2 was Jordanian stewards. tory as Shannon Gabriel took on the shores of the Dead Sea driver Marouf Abu Samra at the Ziad Miqdad dropped down 5-11 on the last day of the sec- yesterday evening. wheel of his Mitsubishi Lancer into the National Rally to join ond Test yesterday. The late arrival of his sup- Evolution IX. Khaled Juma fin- Ahmad Shaban, Salamah Al- Pakistan was all out for 81 port truck meant that the ished third, 3.1 seconds behind, Gammaz and Nasser Khanfar in its second innings in 34.4 10-time winner of the Hashemite and Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri – all four are driving Mitsubishi overs, unable to cope with the Kingdom’s premier motor sport- and Saudi Arabia’s Rakan Al- Lancers. pace of Gabriel, who finished ing event had been unable to test Rashed rounded off the top five. The event is running thanks with match figures of 9-92. his new Ford Fiesta R5 Evo 2 Asem Aref was given the to a huge national effort sup- Pakistan's collapse was Prince Feisal Al Hussein flags off Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah from until after scrutineering on honour of running first on the ported by the Jordanian sudden but not surprising. It Thursday morning. It was, there- road in his little Renault Clio and start of Jordan Rally yesterday. Government and its security and went to lunch at 35-5 then fore, a cautious Qatari who he and navigator Musa Djiyerian safety services. quickly dropped to 36-7. carded the fastest time of 1min carded the target time of 3min Championship in Brazil. He has competing in a Mitsubishi Lancer Today, teams will tackle two Sarfraz Ahmed was the 51.5sec over a stage that was held 05.7sec. Cars were flagged away co-driven for numerous drivers, Evolution and younger brother loops of five stages in the Dead final man out in the afternoon in near darkness adjacent to the from the start ramp by Prince including Abu Samra, Michel Khaled has replaced Emad in the Sea and Jordan Valley areas. Runs session, top scorer on 23 in a ceremonial start. Feisal Al Hussein, chairman of Saleh, Amjad Farrah and Bashar driving seat. through Panorama, Syagha, familiar second-innings col- “We made a little test today, Jordan Motorsport. Al-Bustami, and is trying to piece Seven of the nine cars in the Rama, Bahath and Suwayma start lapse by the tourists. maybe 35km, with the car on a Abu Samra’s navigator Malek together an exciting deal to FIA event were permitted to start at 09.09hrs and will be repeated Earlier, West Indies lost section of gravel track that was Hariri in a commercial pilot with tackle the Dakar Rally for the with advisory messages issued in the afternoon from 13.03hrs its 10th wicket in the morn- used in the WRC from the old Royal Jordanian and won the first time in January 2018. by rally officials in connection after a return to the Dead Sea ing after only five balls to be Turki stage and the car felt 2014 World Masters Jujitsu Khaled and Emad Juma are with the lack of suitable Service Park at midday. all out for 268, a lead of 187.

SCOREBOARD AVC Beach Tour Qatar Master West Indies (I innings): ...... 312 Qatar to take part in 'Baku 2017' Pakistan (I innings):...... 393 West Indies (II innings): K Brathwaite c Y Khan b Shah ...... 43 K Powell c S Ahmed b Abbas ...... 6 Islamic Solidarity Games S Hetmyer b Amir ...... 22 S Hope c Az Ali b Shah ...... 90 R Chase c&b Shah ...... 23 Doha V Singh b Abbas ...... 32 QNA S Dowrich c Shafiq b Shah ...... 2 J Holder c Y Khan b Shah ...... 1 atar will participate in the D Bishoo c Az Ali b Shah...... 20 fourth Islamic Solidarity A Joseph c Amir b Shah ...... 7 S Gabriel (not out) ...... 0 QGames (Baku 2017), which Extras (B-16, LB-2, NB-1, W-3) ...... 22 will be held in Azerbaijan from Total (all out) ...... 268 May 12 to 22. Qatar will take part Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-41, 3-97, 4-155, in 15 group and individual games 5-235, 6-235, 7-236, 8-252, 9-261, 10-268. and will be represented by 75 Bowling: Mohammad Amir 21-8-44-1 (w-1); athletes. Mohammad Abbas 25-6-57-2 (w-2); Yasir Secretary General of the participating Qatari teams are great opportunity for the feder- Shah 39.5-12-94-7; Shadab Khan 17-0-55-0 (nb-1). Qatar Olympic Committee Dr. ready to compete in the fourth ations to prepare players for the Pakistan (II innings): Thani bin Abdulrahman Al round of Islamic Solidarity upcoming tournaments", Al Azhar Ali c Hetmyer b Gabriel ...... 10 Kuwari will head the Qatar Games, which will be attended Masnad. Ahmed Shehzad lbw Joseph ...... 14 mission. by more than 5000 athletes rep- He went on saying that the Babar Azam c Dowrich b Joseph ...... 0 Director of the administra- resenting 57 countries from 4 selection of players and unions Younis Khan lbw Holder ...... 5 tive delegation Mohammed continents who will compete in participating in the tournament Misbah-ul-Haq c Hope b Gabriel...... 0 Saeed Al Masnad said in a press 23 games over 10 days. was according to the criteria and Asad Shafiq c K Powell b Gabriel ...... 0 Sarfraz Ahmed c Chase b Holder ...... 23 conference yesterday that Qatari He added that there is a great the possibility of winning Shadab Khan c Dowrich b Holder ...... 1 Athletes will participate in vol- hope for many medals, especially medals. Action from the AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Beach Mohammad Amir c Singh b Gabriel ...... 20 leyball, basketball (3x3), athletics, in athletics, archery, weightlift- He also pointed out that in Tour Qatar Master match between Thailand and Japan (2) Yasir Shah b Gabriel ...... 0 Mohammad Abbas (not out) ...... 0 swimming, archery, tennis, table ing, basketball (3x3), table tennis, the last edition of the tournament at Aspire Zone yesterday. Top players from Indonesia, Iran, tennis, weightlifting, taekwondo, boxing, taekwondo and karate, held in Indonesia in 2013 Qatari Extras (B-4, LB-1, NB-3) ...... 8 Australia, Kazakhstan and Qatar are competing in the event. judo, karate, athletics 'for per- as well as volleyball and athletes won 5 medals, one gold, Total (all out) ...... 81 sons with special needs', swimming. two silver and two bronze, Twenty four teams from 13 Asian countries are divided Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-11, 3-27, 4-30, 5-30,

into eight pools in the four-day event. The event is being 6-35, 7-36, 8-78, 9-81, 10-81.

wrestling, boxing and "The participation in (Baku expressing hope for a better Bowling: S Gabriel 11-4-11-5 (nb-1); A Joseph jointly organised by Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA), Qatar gymnastics. 2017) is of great importance to achievement and a bigger 12-1-42-2; J Holder 11.4-4-23-3 (nb-2). He stressed that the our teams, especially as it is a number of medals in Baku (2017). Olympic Committee (QOC) and Aspire Zone. FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017 SPORT 17 Upbeat Barshim eager to fly high in opener

Rizwan Rehmat briefing held at City Centre muscle around that area liked it. I had one made for BARSHIM'S RECORD The Peninsula shopping mall yesterday. and I have to keep moving. myself. I thought that would "It's a big year for me. Since I am feeling better, I act as a motivation for me. Olympic Games ith his eyes firmly The big event (World know what I need to do. That's how it started. It Silver medal in , 2016 set on this year's Championships) comes in "My coach has special worked out great. I teamed WIAAF World August. I am ready. I have programmes for me for my up with my sponsors Nike Bronze medal in London, 2012 Championships, Qatar's already won a competition," lower back. I am not going and they made it for me," high jump star Mutaz Barshim said before adding to do too much as too much he said. World Championships Barshim can barely wait for that he was well prepared is not good. I have to do it Barshim had special Silver medal in Moscow, 2013 the start of the season's for the home event. as much as I have to," he advice for the Aspire Acad- competition on home soil "I am comfortable with explained. emy athletes who will be World Indoor Championships today. the way I have jumped so "I don't think I am going seen in action today during Gold medal in Sopot, 2014 The 25-year-old won far. The coach is happy with to change my schedule. I try the opening round of the the silver medal at last it. I am ready to go. I will do and keep things simple. I Diamond League leg. Asian Athletics C'ships year's Olympic Games in my best. Hopefully it will be changed the run-ups a lit- "I just want to tell Rio de Janeiro and the a good start to the 2017 tle. You see I run half a the young kids at Gold medal in , 2011 lanky athlete recently campaign," he added. course. It's too much pres- Aspire Academy to Bronze medal in , 2015 announced his desire to go "There are familiar sure when I jump full enjoy, try to learn for the world mark set by faces for the first round. course. I think I am back. I and everything Asian Indoor C'ships Javier Sotomayor when the Over here I have support of am ready for full course," will be fine. Gold medal in Tehran, 2010 2017 World Champion- my family and friends. They he said. "They should Gold medal in , 2012 ships are held in London motivate me," the star When asked about his motivate them- Gold medal in Hangzhou, 2014 in August. Olympian added. specially-made designer selves. I was A good start at the Dia- Barshim said he had hat, a boyish-looking there 5-6 years mond League opener at recovered '95 percent' from Barshim said the idea ago. This is my Suheim Bin Hamad Sta- his lower back stress popped up when he was team. They have to Gold medal in , 2010 dium should set the ball fracture. wandering the Times just focus on their Gold medal in , 2014 rolling for the Qatari track "I can't say I have 100 Square in New York in 2014. job, on their pro- and field star. percent recovered from that "It came to my mind fession. That "I have been waiting for back injury I had. It's a that I need to motivate matters the most," Gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, 2011 this week for so long. I can't stress back in my lower myself. I was walking Barshim said. stay away from the circuit. back. Once that happens, around the Times Square in "You've got to do your I can't wait for the season you have to be careful. I New York in 2014. I couldn't best and earn your stripes. Gold medal in Doha, 2011 to begin. 'When will it start' think I am 95 percent sleep so I was up and just I think there will be more is what I have been telling recovered," he said. having fun," Barshim excitement this year my team," Barshim said "I just have to practice recalled. because of these kids," he Continental Cup during a special media more and build more "I saw this design. I said. Bronze medal in Marrakech, 2014

Usain Bolt Stars ready as Doha set to kick off new-look Diamond League

Fawad Hussain NEW DIAMOND The Peninsula LEAGUE STRUCTURE

oha is set to kick off $In its biggest restructure since the se- the prestigious IAAF ries began in 2010, this year’s IAAF Dia- Diamond League for mond League will adopt a championship- the eighth consecu- style model whereby athletes earn points tive year, with as at the first 12 meetings to qualify for the Dmany as 16 reigning Olympic and two finals. World champions itching for a $ successful start to the season at In previous seasons, athletes accumu- Bolt fears Qatar Sports Club today. lated points throughout the IAAF Dia- Almost 50 global medallists mond League season with the overall including the top performers in winner of each of the 32 disciplines being 'belly', but Rio Games last year are ready to the athlete with the most points, irre- showcase their skills at the spective of whether they won the final. 15000-capacity venue. $This year, the winners of each disci- rules out With IAAF World Champi- pline in the finals will be crowned as IAAF onships London 2017 scheduled Diamond League champions, earning a U-turn in August, the Doha event prom- $50,000 bonus and the Diamond Trophy. ises much more spice this time. Olympic and world champion Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands (left) and Jamaican star $The scoring system has also changed Scintillating battles are on Elaine Thompson speak to the reporters ahead of season-opening Diamond League meeting for 2017. Whereas previously only the top London the cards in all the events with in Doha yesterday. six finishers in each discipline earned AFP men’s 100m and women’s 200m points, the top eight will now be reward- contests being dubbed as the fea- “ My preparation has been star-studded line-up with rivals Qatar’s two-time Olympic ed. sain Bolt's coaches ture battles. great. I am ready for the event Elaine Thompson and Dafne medallist Barshim is hoping to $ have joked that he will This year Diamond League and looking to start the season Schippers, the event’s Olympic get the crowd on their feet as he Eight points will go to the winner, Udevelop "a belly" has made several structural on a good note,” Powell told and world champions gearing up returns to compete on home soil. seven points to second place and so on, within two years of retire- changes. reporters on the eve of the meet- for a nail-biting battle as both In the men’s 100m, two-time with one point going to the athlete in ment, but he says he has no The men’s 100m today will ing yesterday. have shown a good form ahead Asian champion Femi Ogunode eighth place. doubts about hanging up his be a battle between two gener- De Grasse, whom Powell of the season. will be joined by his younger $Each discipline will be staged six or running spikes. ations, with Canada’s triple said could be next Usain Bolt The women's competitions brother Tosin Ogunode, who four times before the finals. At the end of Bolt, 30, will retire after Olympic medallist Andre de during the chat, was also upbeat today will also have the highly- made his debut in the 2014 sea- the 12 qualification meetings, the top the World Championships in Grasse and South African Akani ahead of the competition. anticipated 800m race in the list, son and immediately made his seven, eight or 12 athletes (depending on London in August after a sen- Simbine, 22 and 23 respectively, “ Definitely, I am looking to which will see the all the podium mark by setting a blistering Asian the discipline) will be invited to compete sational career in which he taking on Olympic silver med- a good start and I am ready for finishers of the last August's Rio indoor record of 6.50 seconds – in the final. has amassed eight Olympic allist Justin Gatlin and former the challenge,” he said. Games – South Africa's Olympic shattering a 20-year-old record $In case of a tie, the best legal perform- gold medals, 11 world titles world record-holder Asafa Not just the men’s 100m, the champion Caster Semenya, Fran- set by fellow Qatari Talal ance of the qualification phase wins. and three world records. Powell. women’s 200m also features cine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Mansour. "Everybody wants me to Kenyan Margaret Nyambui. The 400m hurdles event, continue, but it's not as sim- DIAMOND LEAGUE 2017 CALENDAR There will be much to cheer meanwhile, will see Qatar’s up- ple as it is. I've done what I for home spectators also as Qatar’s and-coming track sensation and Said Aden go up against wanted to do. I've done great MEETING COUNTRY DATE Olympians and rising stars are also Abdulrahman Samba, together world champions as they aim to in the sport," Bolt told the BBC Doha QAT 05th May 2017 competing in the first meeting. with team-mate Mohamed Shaib get a leg-up at the start of this in a television interview to be Led by Olympic silver med- compete against some of the year’s season. broadcast tomorrow. Shanghai CHN 13th May 2017 allist, Mutaz Barshim, 13 Qatari fastest athletes in the world. The seasoned Driouch, 23, "People just want to see Eugene USA 27th May 2017 athletes are taking part today, Twenty-two year-old will look to build on his World more and more, but you as a Rome ITA 08th June 2017 including fellow Olympians Samba, another Aspire Academy Junior and Asian Junior titles, person have to decide that Oslo NOR 15th June 2017 Ahmed Bedeer competing in the graduate, cruised to victory in whilst Aden, 24, will be hoping this is it. I don't want to con- javelin and the fastest man in the Sasol-NWU International to build on his 2016 season that tinue and then start losing, Stockholm SWE 18th June 2017 , Femi Ogunode in the 100m. athletics meeting earlier in saw him win two bronze med- because I hate losing." Paris FRA 01st July 2017 The javelin competition is set March in South Africa with 48.31 als in the Doha Asian Indoor Though famously fond of Lausanne SUI 06th July 2017 to be a thriller, with Qatar’s seconds. Championships in the 1500m the high life, Bolt says he does London GBR 09th July 2017 young Olympian and Aspire In the 400m, former Asian and 3000m events. not intend to lose control of Academy graduate, 21-year-old Youth Champion, Mohamed Nasir Qatar’s rising athlete Yaser his waistline once he stops Rabat MAR 16th July 2017 Ahmed Bedeer looking to con- Abbas, 21, will aim to build on his Salem Bagharab will go up competing. Monaco MON 21st July 2017 tinue his solid progress in the impressive senior record after against stiff competition in the "I have a bet with my Birmingham GBR 20th Aug 2017 sport in a competition that fea- snatching the gold medal in the 3000m event. Completing the managers. They've given me tures the Rio 2016 Olympic gold 4x400m event at the 2016 Asian Qatari line up will be Mohamat two years before I get a belly," Zurich SUI 24th Aug 2017 and silver medallists, Thomas Indoor Championship in Doha. Hamdi in high jump and Rashid he said with a chuckle. Brussels BEL 01st Sept 2017 Rohler and current World Cham- Meanwhile the 1500m event Ahmed Al-Mannai in the triple "I can't let that happen." pion Julius Yego. will see Qataris Hamza Driouch jump event. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017 uncertainty unsettling advertisers, Star tells ICC PCB claims

Mumbai a new revenue model which broadcaster had paid $1.9bn for World Cups and a similar discuss the issue at a special Reuters considerably slashes their the ICC rights. number of Champions Trophy general meeting on Sunday. $60m from financial share from global "There has been no official events. The operations of the BCCI tar Sports have raised con- events in the 2015-2023 cycle. communication from the ICC India's huge market is a are currently being supervised cerns with cricket's Unimpressed by the $293m or the BCCI on India's partici- major draw for sponsors and by four court-appointed admin- Sgoverning body that forecast, down from the $570m pation. We have sent an email advertisers, who often plan istrators (COA), who has said it India in lost advertisers might steer clear of it would have received under to the ICC asking how they plan product launches around major would intervene if the board the Champions Trophy if India a 2014 arrangement, the BCCI to compensate us if our busi- cricket tournaments and book took any drastic measures opted against competing at the responded by refusing to name ness is impacted due to India's advertising slots in advance. which might hurt Indian cricket. revenues tournament in England, an offi- a squad for the June 1-18 one- pullout." The option of pulling out of The top eight sides in the cial from the broadcaster has day international competition Rupert Murdoch's Star the Champions Trophy by world rankings compete in the told Reuters. by the April 25 cutoff date. group owns broadcast rights for revoking the Members Partic- Champions Trophy and it Karachi At last week's International "There is concern in the 18 ICC global events to be held ipation Agreement (MPA) remains unclear who would AFP Cricket Council (ICC) meetings, market," said the Star India during an eight-year cycle from between the ICC and the BCCI replace India, who won the last the Indian board (BCCI) was official, who wished to remain 2015, including two 50-over has been gaining traction edition in 2013, if they decide he Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) outvoted 13-1 in its bid to stall anonymous, adding that the World Cups, two Twenty20 within the India board, who will to withdraw. on Wednesday sent a legal Tnotice to its Indian counterpart for failing to honour an agreement to play a bilateral series, saying this had Morgan cost them $60m. The Board of Control for Cricket promises no in India (BCCI) signed a Memoran- BCCI asked to pick squad dum of Understanding with PCB in let-up against 2014 under which they were due to play six series -- four to be hosted by Ireland Pakistan -- between 2015 and 2023. But New Delhi denied clearance for Champions Trophy for the series following strained dip- Bristol lomatic relations between India and AFP Pakistan owing to ceasefire violations Mumbai in the disputed Himalayan state of ngland one-day captain Reuters Kashmir. Eoin Morgan has insisted PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan E the absence of three first- ndia's chances of par- said legal measures were being choice players due to Indian ticipating in the sought as Pakistan was suffering lost Premier League duty is not a Champions Trophy revenues. sign they are taking this week's brightened yesterday "We have initiated the legal proc- matches against Ireland less when a court-appointed ess by sending BCCI a Notice of than seriously. Ipanel of administrators asked Dispute under the Dispute Resolu- Dublin-born Morgan is set the cricket board (BCCI) to tion Committee Terms of reference to captain against his native pick the squad for the June 1 of the International Cricket Council," country in a two-match series, to 18 tournament. Khan said. with Friday's fixture in Bristol Holders India did not "PCB has claimed the losses and and Sunday's clash at Lord's submit its squad for the one- damage suffered by it, which comes the first occasions Ireland have day international tournament to around $60m, as a result of BCCI's played England in England. in England and Wales by the breaches of the agreement." For England, the matches April 25 deadline after BCCI Under the agreement India were mark the start of their build- failed to halt a new revenue due to take on Pakistan in Novem- up to next month's Champions model to be accepted by the ber-December 2015, but they refused Trophy on home soil, with International Cricket Coun- to play in the neutral venues of United Morgan eager to lead his cil (ICC). Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka. adopted country to their first The option of pulling out Pakistan is due to tour India in global 50-over title. November-December of this year but "It's something with huge that is also highly unlikely as New potential and which we've ICC Champions Delhi continues a boycott of bilateral been building towards for 18 series which started in the wake of months now," Morgan told Trophy the 2008 Mumbai attacks. reporters in Bristol yesterday. The attacks, blamed on militants Defending "We've marked it as the from Pakistan, left 166 people dead champions India did halfway stage to the 2019 including foreign tourists and brought World Cup ... we're not taking not submit its squad the two nations close to another war. this game for granted. The for Champions Pakistan did tour India for a short strength of the side we're Trophy Tournament limited-over series in December 2012 Indian team celebrates after winning the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in at Edgbaston putting out reflects that, and in England and but the arch-rivals have not played a it's a really important summer Wales by the April in this June 23, 2013 file photo. A court-appointed panel of administrators asked the full bilateral series since 2007. for us -- so we're taking it as 25 deadline after BCCI to pick the squad for the upcoming 2017 Champions Trophy tournament which The government of Indian Prime seriously as any other BCCI failed to halt a will be held in England from June 1 to 18. Minister Narendra Modi has also fixture." new revenue model refused visas to Pakistan's junior England, however, will be to be accepted by of the Champions Trophy by preparations to defend their be submitted to the ICC with- hockey team, wrestling team and without all-rounders Ben the International revoking the Members Par- title. out prejudice to BCCI's legal squash players in the last 12 months. Stokes and Chris Woakes, as Cricket Council (ICC). ticipation Agreement (MPA) "You are aware that the rights." Khan said if the BCCI did not reply well as wicket-keeper Jos But- between the ICC and the BCCI squad representing India at The BCCI was outvoted in seven days the matter would be tler, because of the trio's IPL has been gaining traction the ICC Champions Trophy 13-1 last week at the ICC taken to the International Cricket commitments. The BCCI was within the India board, which 2017 was to be submitted by meetings in its bid to stall the Council's Dispute Committee. By contrast, Morgan has outvoted 13-1 last will discuss the issue at a spe- 25th April 2017 but the squad new deal which considera- Cricket matches between Paki- interrupted his IPL stint. But week at the ICC cial general meeting on has not even been selected as bly slashes India's share from stan and India attract millions of with Stokes making a maiden meetings in its bid to Sunday. yet," the administrators told global events in the 2015- viewers around the world and gen- Twenty20 hundred in the fran- stall the new deal The four court-appointed BCCI joint secretary Amitabh 2023 cycle. erate huge revenues. chise competition on Sunday, which considerably administrators, who cur- Choudhary in an email. India is now expected to Despite the bilateral boycott the Morgan was in no doubt the trio slashes India's share rently supervise BCCI "Please convene a meet- receive $293m, down from teams have faced each other in ICC would gain more from playing from global events in operations, have instructed ing of the selection committee the $570m it would have events and are due to meet in a in the IPL at this time than com- the 2015-2023 cycle. the board to ensure that the for selecting the squad imme- received under the 2014 Champions Trophy match in Birming- ing back to face Ireland. team continued their diately. The squad can then arrangement. ham on June 4 this year. Alonso quickly up to speed at the Brickyard

Indianapolis Canada's James Hinchcliffe McLaren will enter the During the private test have notnot won a Reuters claimed pole position for last 101st edition of the Indy with Alonso ran 110 laps but it will race sincence 2012 year's race with a four-lap a Honda-engined Indy car run be a much different situation and arere expe- ernando Alonso was average speed of 230.760 by Andretti Autosport, owned on May 28 when he will have riencingng new quickly up to speed at mph. by former McLaren driver to contend with a 33-car field. lows every Fthe famed Brickyard on "It felt new to me, it felt a Michael Andretti, in the old "Today was just running weekendend with the Wednesday, blazing through little bit strange driving anti- papaya orange livery of the alone learning the circuit and enginee lackinglacking powerpower his IndyCar rookie orientation clockwise at those speeds," 1970s. all the things that are involved and reliability.eliability. to close in on earning a spot Alonso told reporters. Alonso looked right at with this technique," said Thehe cchangehange ooff scenery on the Indianapolis 500 start- "What I felt in the car was home at the Brickyard as he Alonso, who had a run-in with and a competitive car put a ing grid. more-or-less what I expected. slipped into the number 29 two birds near the end of his broad smile on Alonso's face Alonso, who has com- What is different now is my car and was quickly turning session. "I am not driving the as he seemedseemed to enjoy every peted in 276 Formula One excitement of the race itself." laps of more than 200 mph car, the car is driving myself momentent of his first IndyCar races and is a double world Alonso set the motor rac- around the 2.5 mile oval. around at the moment." experience.ience. champion, is an IndyCar deb- ing world buzzing when he The rookie orientation The Spaniard, who is hav- "Too be ableable to feelfeel thethe utant and arrived at in announced last month that he program was the first on- ing a difficult F1 season with respectct of the place, the Indianapolis needing to pass had been granted clearance track step for Alonso towards uncompetitive McLaren, has respectct ofof car, thethe respect ofof a rookie test which he did by his McLaren F1 team to skip securing a place in the 33 car set his sights on joining Briton the speedeed is somethisomethingng or ananyy with flying colours by record- the Monaco Grand Prix and field. All first-year competi- Graham Hill as the only driv- racingg ddriverriver is just pure ing a top speed of 222.548 race in the Indy 500 on May tors in the Indianapolis 500 ers to achieve the Triple adrenaline,"aline," bbeamedeamed AAlonso.lonso. mph (358.156 kph). 28 in pursuit of the sport's must complete a gradual Crown. "It wass a good day." It was an impressive famed Triple Crown - a For- introduction to the speeds and McLaren, the second most debut by the 35-year-old mula One title and Indy 500 unique nature of the sprawl- successful team in Formula Spanish Formula One racing driver Spaniard considering that and Le Mans wins. ing track. One history in terms of wins, Fernando Alonso