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TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2021 We createdcr new history for Al Sadd: Xavi WeWe createdcre a new history for Al Sadd. I am happy to win the lealeagueg title for the first time as a coach with Al Sadd, after wwinning it as a player. I am happy to be in this group of pplayers, officials, technical and medical staff. Our goal is to win all the tournaments we participate in.

Xavi Hernandez Sport |10

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES: Round of 16 - Second leg: Juventus Vs. Porto (1-2); Borussia Dortmund Vs Sevilla FC (3-2) Bautista Agut, Gasquet clear first hurdles in FAWAD HUSSAIN Ramanathan 6-4, 6-2 in 73 In a vision I see myself with the (Qatar TODAY'S ORDER OF PLAY THE PENINSULA minutes. ExxonMobil Open) trophy because I have seen Earlier yesterday, Gasquet, the pictures around here three times me CENTRE COURT: Former champions Roberto the 2013 champion in Doha, set holding up the trophy, and it feels good seeing STARTS AT 2:30PM - SINGLES R32 Bautista Agut and Richard up a second round clash with those pictures again and you get inspiration Jeremy Chardy vs Daniel Evans Gasquet advanced at the Qatar defending champion Andrey from it, and obviously I'm a winner, I'm a FOLLOWED BY - SINGLES R32 ExxonMobil Open after posting Rublev after a comfortable 6-4, player, and, you know, you want to be there. (LL) Norbert Gombos vs (WC) Malek contrasting victories at the 6-4 victory over Slovenian qual- But honestly, if I can complete a match, several Jaziri matches, what I know is once, however this Khalifa International & ifier Blaz Rola in 1 hour 15 NOT BEFORE 6:00PM - SINGLES R32 tournament will play out, I will be happy Squash Complex, yesterday. minutes. (Q) Lloyd Harris vs (7) Also on the opening day of The Frenchman said he will leaving the court because I know I played a FOLLOWED BY - SINGLES R32 ATP 250 tournament, Russia’s go with ‘nothing-to-lose- tournament again: Swiss star (6) vs Filip Krajinovic entered the approach’ against the third- second round on his return to seeded Russian, who extended COURT A the venue where he began his his winning run at ATP 500 I’m very happy to be back playing a tournament STARTS AT 2:30PM - SINGLES R32 phenomenal events to 20 matches on Sunday, again. It’s been a long time. I never thought it (Q) Christopher O'Connell vs Vasek campaign in January. defeating Marton Fucsovics for was going to take this long. I came here to Pospisil Bautista Agut, who won the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tour- Qatar I believe in 2003, at the end of ‘O2 FOLLOWED BY - DOUBLES R16 Falcon Trophy two years ago, nament title. actually in the ‘03 year. I played it for the very John Millman, David Vega Hernandez had to stretch for his 4-6, 6-3, He’s (Rublev) is playing great first time. Always enjoyed playing here. We did vs (WC) Blaz Rola, Mousa Shanan 6-4 victory over a spirited tennis. He won four 500s, so I some amazing activities over the years if I look Zayed American in Reilly Opelka. The know it will be tough for me. But back at all the pictures we have done. It’s NOT BEFORE 5:00PM - SINGLES R32 Spaniard braved 22 aces from I have nothing to lose, as I said. exciting to go back and seeing all the players Dusan Lajovic vs Marton Fucsovics the 6-feet-11-inch tall opponent, I’m sure I can do a great match again and Karim Alami, the tournament director, FOLLOWED BY - DOUBLES R16 wrapping up a hard-fought win and try to play the best I can, and as well, who I played in the Sydney Olympics. Marcelo Arevalo, Matwe Middelkoop vs in 2 hour 4 minutes. then we will see what will happen We go way back together. Yeah, looking of Spain (2) Nikola Mektic, Mate Pavic “I have a lot of good mem- on the court,” Gasquet, 34, said. forward to the start here: Federer COURT B ories in Doha from 2019 and I Earlier yesterday, Karatsev, NOT BEFORE 3:30PM - DOUBLES R16 am happy to be here. Opelka who won three qualifying In other match yesterday, QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN RESULTS , vs played amazing shots at 3-3 and matches of the Australian Open Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili Frederik Nielsen, Tim Puetz MEN’S SINGLES I just thought in that moment here two months ago before rallied from a set down to beat NOT BEFORE 5:00PM - DOUBLES R16 that I have to fight hard. I am reaching the semi-final of the John Millman of Australia 2-6, ROUND OF 32 Kevin Krawiet, Reilly Opelka vs (4) very happy that I handled the , continued his fine 6-4, 6-2 in 1 hour and 52 Aslan Karatsev, Russia, def. Mubarak Shannan Zayid, Qatar, 6-4, 6-0. Marcelo Melo, Jean-Julien Rojer pressure well. I will have to form in Doha court to beat minutes. The World No.42 will Nikoloz Basilashvili, Georgia, def. John Millman, Australia, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. recover for the next match, Qatari wild card Mubarak meet wild card Malek Jaziri of Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan, def. Ramkumar Ramanathan, , 6-4, 6-2. FOLLOWED BY - DOUBLES R16 which is also against a tough Shannan Zayid 6-4, 6-0 in 65 Tunisia or Slovakian lucky loser , United States, def. Lorenzo Sonego, Italy, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Aslan Karatsev, vs opponent,” said Bautista Agut. minutes. Norbert Gombos as the pair will , France, def. Blaz Rola, Slovenia, 6-4, 6-4. Lorenzo Sonego, The fifth seed Spaniard will The Russian blasted 24 of 27 square off today. Roberto Bautista Agut (5), Spain, def. Reilly Opelka, United States, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. COURT 1 take on wild card Alexander first-service points against the American Taylor Fritz also MEN’S DOUBLES NOT BEFORE 5:00PM / AFTER Bublik in the second round, with Qatari to book second round entered the next stage with a 7-6 ROUND OF 16 SUITABLE REST - DOUBLES R16 the Kazakhstani defeating match with top seed and World (5), 6-4 win over Italy’s Lorenzo Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal (1), Colombia, def. Malek Jaziri, Jeremy Chardy, Fabrice Martin vs Indian qualifier Ramkumar No.4 . Sonego. Tunisia, and Mubarak Shannan Zayid, Qatar, 6-3, 6-2. Jonathan Erlich, Andrei Vasilevski TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2021 SPORT 11

David Ahman scores MotoGP Test: Ducati fire warning shot against their Dutch counterparts with top speed triumph at Losail Circuit on the opening day of the MOTOGP – DOHA Johann Zarco of Katara Beach Pramac Racing Barwa title Volleyball With the first round of testing riding his Ducati Cup at Losail completed over the bike on Sunday. yesterday. weekend, the action saw the sponsor for stars of MotoGP back on track for the first time since the Grand Prix conclusion of the 2020 World 19-Year-old Championship. It was certainly a memo- of Qatar rable weekend for many, such Swedes reach as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia THE PENINSULA – DOHA Racing Team Gresini) who managed to impress on his Dorna Sports yesterday announced main draw at RS-GP, taking P1 and P3 times Barwa as the title sponsor for the 2021 after two days of testing, Grand Prix of Qatar. Katara Cup while the likes of Jorge Martin The event takes place at Losail Inter- (Pramac Racing), Enea Bas- national Circuit from the March 26 to 28 THE PENINSULA – DOHA tianini (Avintia Esponsorama and will be officially named the Barwa Racing) and Luca Marini (SKY Grand Prix of Qatar. Two rounds of tough qualifications for the men’s main VR46 Avintia Racing) won’t Founded in 2005, Barwa is the draw at the Katara Beach Volleyball Cup 4-star stop on forget the weekend any time largest listed real estate company in the 2021 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour saw eight soon, with the triumvirate of Qatar in terms of development and has duos from seven different countries snatch the available rookies debuting in the Zarco (Pramac Racing) Bologna Bullets, and even become a key contributor to the strat- spots to complete the 32-team line-up in Doha premier class. quickest of the lot over the more so for the Avintia Racing ospheric growth of the country. Barwa’s yesterday. All three will ride on the two days, hitting an pair as they were riding on commitment to the development of At their first ever 4-star tournament, 19-year-old Desmosedici in 2021 and impressive 351.7 km/h. the GP-20s with a 2019 Qatar makes the company a perfect Swedish sensations David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig they looked to have gotten In fact, the Top 5 spots of engine, meaning they out- partner for one of the country’s best won two hard-fought three-setters to progress in the to grips with the V4 engine the speed timesheets are all gunned some of the more established international sporting events tournament. The 2018 Youth Olympic champions, rather quickly, as they each occupied by Ducatis, with recent machines from the - MotoGP. seeded 24th in the qualification bracket, started off with went over the 340 km/h Martin joining his teammate other manufacturers, making Pau Serracanta, Managing Director a 2-1 (21-18, 28-30, 15-9) win over Belgium’s Dries mark on both days of the at the top with a 349.5 km/h, it all the more impressive. of Dorna Sports: “I’m very happy to Koekelkoren and Tom van Walle. In the second round, Official Test. while factory duo Jack Miller It makes for a fine start to announce that Barwa will take top billing the Swedish wild cards came back from a set down The famed power of the and Francesco Bagnaia are 2021 for Ducati, and we wait at the first Grand Prix of the season. against Dutch pair Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot Ducati machine didn’t go any- next in line with a 348.3 km/h in eager anticipation to see if Qatar is a spectacular place to race and to claim another tie-breaker victory – 2-1 (16-21, 21-19, where over the winter break, and 347.2 km/h they continue this kind of welcoming a new title partner is great 15-8). with each of their six riders respectively. form as they aim to end their news for both parties, further cementing Russia’s Alexander Likholetov and Ruslan Bykanov on track breaking the 340 It is certainly an eye- 14-year wait for Champi- MotoGP as a key international sporting also had to work hard for their spot in Tuesday’s main km/h mark, with Johann catching start to 2021 for the onship honours. event in the country and region.” draw. They won their first match of the qualifiers in straight sets, but only after taking the upper hand in the longest set of the day. In an all-Russian clash with Petr Bakhnar and Valeriy Samoday, Likholetov and Bykanov won by 2-0 (21-15, 34-32). Then, they went to three sets against Czechia’s Patrik Manas and Jiri Sedlak to take a 2-1 (21-15, 21-23, 15-12) victory and advance in the tournament. Austria was the only country to push two duos through Monday’s qualifications in Qatar, as Alexander Huber and Christoph Dressler won both their matches in straight sets, while their compatriots Robin Seidl and Philipp Waller shut out Brazil’s Saymon Barbosa Santos and Fabio Rodrigo Castro Bastos in their only qualifi- cation fixture. Top-seeded Quincy Aye and Arnaud Gauthier-Rat of France, second-seeded Jose Luis Rubio Camargo and Josue Gaston Gaxiola Leyva of Mexico, Murat Giginoglu and Volkan Gogtepe of Turkey and Jasper Bouter and Ruben Penninga of the Netherlands were the other four teams to qualify. 10 SPORT TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2021 We created new history for Al Sadd: Xavi

THE PENINSULA – DOHA of QSL, congratulated Al Sadd club after the title win. Barca great Xavi Hernandez expressed “On my own behalf and on behalf his delight after winning the maiden of all members and staff of QSL, I con- QNB Stars League title as a coach gratulate the players, technical as well following Al Sadd's 3-0 win over Umm as administrative staff and fans of the Salal in Round 18. club for its excellence and the dis- On Sunday, Al Sadd clinched the tinctive level of the team throughout prestigious Falcon Trophy for 15th time this season’s championship. That led with four games to spare after the win them to lifting the league shield well- on their home turf. The win took the deservedly after presenting wonderful Wolves to 50 points, giving them an and strong levels, achieving results and unassailableunassailable leadlead ofof 13 points over creating records en route to the title,” second-placedsecond-placed andand ddefendingefending he added. champions Al Duhail. He pointed out that the technical SpeakingSpeaking level this season was distinguished by to thethe strength and excitement among the club’sc l u b ’s teams in order to achieve the goals and wwebsite,ebsite, ambitions, and hailed the constructive XaviXavi ssaid:aid: ““WeWe co-operation and continued part- createdcreated a new nership between QSL and clubs with hhistoryistory for Al the aim of further development of pro- SSadd.add. I am fessional football in Qatar and the hhappyappy to league championship. wiwinn thethe The QSL CEO extended his thanks and appreciation to all stakeholders, lleagueeagu “I am happy to be in this group of force throughout the season and also sponsors, partners, media outlets and titletitle fofor players, officials, technical and medical in the championship match against Al Kass Sports Channels (Official the firstfirs staff. Our goal is to win all the tourna- Umm Salal, and we promise them to Broadcaster), for consistently joining timetime aass a ments we participate in,” Xavi said continue working to make them happy hands with QSL, and said, “We always coach with AAl The coach thanked all the fans, and and win more championships for the look forward to continued co-oper- Sadd,Sadd, aafterfter winnwinningin said: “Special thanks to the fans of Al club.” ation and combined efforts to achieve itit as a pplayer.”layer.” Sadd who supported the team with full Meanwhile, Hani Taleb Ballan, CEO our goals.” City march halted by has deficit to overcome AP – TURIN has some injury problems, Barcelona in the semifinals of losing 6-1 in Spain in 2017 United as including defender Pepe with a the Copa del Rey despite a 2-0 having won the home leg 4-0. The Champions League right leg ailment. first-leg win. But this Barcelona lineup is not talking points ahead of the first as strong as the 2017 squad, and Liverpool set of second-leg matches in the DO RTMUND VS. PSG VS. BARCELONA PSG is more resilient now. round of 16 today and SEVILLA (3-2) (4-1) woes deepen tomorrow: Borussia Dortmund’s 4-2 Barcelona seems like a dif- LIVERPOOL VS. LEIPZIG JUVENTUS VS. PORTO loss to Bundesliga rival Bayern ferent team to the one which (2-0) REUTERS – MANCHESTER (first leg: 1-2) Munich at the weekend could played so badly in the second The teams return to neutral Álvaro Morata is finding his leave its mark for Tuesday’s half at home to PSG. Ronald territory at the Puskas Arena in Manchester City’s relentless best form at the right time for visit from Sevilla. Star striker Koeman’s lineup is 16 games Budapest with Liverpool’s two- march towards the Premier Juventus. Morata had not scored Erling Haaland, who scored unbeaten in the league and the goal cushion perhaps not as League title was interrupted in the league since December twice in Dortmund’s 3-2 win defense appears to be consid- commanding as it seems given as their 21-match winning and was sidelined recently with over Sevilla in the first leg, was Dortmund coach Edin Terzić “it erably stronger now that he has the team’s recent problems, streak in all competitions was illness but the Juventus forward taken off early with stud marks wouldn’t be a big problem.” The ditched the ineffective 4-3-3 particularly in its injury-hit ended by a surprise 2-0 home has scored three times in his last on the back of his right ankle loss in Munich marked the end formation for a 3-5-2 system defense. defeat to rivals Manchester two matches -- including in Sat- after a nasty challenge from of Dortmund’s four-game which offers his central The pressure is on the soon- United on Sunday. urday’s 3-11 win over LazioLazio.. Jérôme Boateng.Boateng. winning run across all defenders more protection. to-be-deposed English cham- Pep Guardiola’s side could Morata has scoredscored six goagoalsls in AlAlthoughthough competitions.competitions. Veteran defender Gerard pions because winning the have few complaints as a this season’son’s CChampionshampions HaalandH aal and TheThe team was witwithouthout JaJadondon Pique is a doubtful starter for Champions League might be the second-minute penalty con- League, twotwo more thanthan totoldld Sancho,Sancho, RaRaphaëlphaël the game, however, after most likely route back into the verted by Bruno Fernandes teammate CCristianoristiano Ronaldo.Ronaldo. GuerreiroGuerreiro aandnd hurting his knee midweek. A lot competition for next season. and Luke Shaw’s fine finish The 36-year-old-year-old RonaldoRonaldo Gio Reyna.Reyna. AllAll will rest tomorrow on Barça’s Juergen Klopp’s squad currently early in the second half earned was given somesome much-neededmuch-needed threethree ffaceace a French defenders Clement sits outside the Premier United a surprise win. rest at the weekeweekendnd aandnd wentwent racerace to be fifitt Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti, with League’s top four. While City still lead the on only for tthehe final 20 minutes,minutes, for today.today. PSG is almost at full strength. Leipzig is on a six-game table by 11 points with 10 which shoulduld leaveleave himhim freshfresh Goal-scoring winger Angel Di winning run in the Bundesliga games left, second-placed for today’s matchmatch againstagainst Porto. Maria is back from injury and and briefly took over top spot United showed there are Juventusus hashas beenbeen dealingdealing Neymar is close to a return after on Saturday. chinks in the armour of with illness and ininjuries.juries. CoaCoachch getting back to training. Leipzig coach Julian Guardiola’s side as they Andrea Pirloo hopeshopes GiorgioGiorggioo PSG coach Mauricio Nagelsmann omitted ended a disappointing run Chiellini andnd MatthijsMatthijs Pochettino may see no valid Angeliño from the team that of results against the so- de Ligt will recoverrecover iinn reason to drop the 4-2-3-1 for- beat Freiburg 3-0, but called big six. time to playay Porto. mation which worked so well in dampened hopes the Spanish Victory for United put Forward PauloPaulo Spain, with Kylian Mbappe winger will return in time for them in a reasonably healthy Dybala is stillill siside-de- SevillaSevilla has helping himself to three goals Liverpool. position in their quest to lined, whilewhile bbeeneen strustrugglingggling since tthehe despite playing wide and not as Uncharacteristic defensive ensure a top-four finish as Rodrigo Bent-Bent- ffirst-legirst-leg llossoss to DortmunDortmund,d, the central striker. lapses helped Liverpool in the they are eight points ahead of ancur is alsoalso losingllosing threethree ofof its fourfour matchesmatches Even though PSG defends a first leg. The game is again fifth-placed Everton who play out after con-on- sincessince then.then. It is comingcoming offoff a big lead at Parc des Princes, taking place in the Hungarian fourth-placed Chelsea on tracting thehe losslloss to relegation-threatenedrelegation-threatened there may be some nerves about capital due to German restric- Monday at Stamford Bridge. coronavirus.us. ElcheElche in thethe SpanishSpanish league,league, facing Lionel Messi in top form tions on visitors amid the coro- Liverpool’s horrendous Porto alsoso and was eliminated bbyy once again. PSG went out after navirus pandemic. run of form continued as they lost a sixth successive home league game -- this time 1-0 against relegation battlers Fulham -- to drop to eighth. All eyes on Ronaldo to Ordinarily Fulham’s first win at Anfield since 2012, sealed by Mario Lemina’s goal on the stroke of halftime, ensure history doesn’t would have been a huge shock but such is Liverpool’s current UEFAA malaise it became just another repeat itself for Juveentus sad statistic for the crumbling champions. suspendspends Gareth Bale and Harry REUTERSREUTERS – TTURINURIN in the first leg away against Porto on Feb. 17, Kane combined in exhilarating Romanianmanian and with Pirlo’s team third in the Serie A fashion with two goals apiece Cristiano Ronaldo was broughtbr to Juventus standings, the pressure is on the young coach. in Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 withwith one goal - to win the ChampionsC League Pirlo will likely get more time than Sarri, victory over Crystal Palace to officialcial and all eyes are on the PortuguesePo great to given his elevated status at the club garnered move into sixth spot, two REUTERS – LONDONONDON ensureensure lastlast season’sseason’s heartbreakhea does not as a player, but another early Champions points behind Chelsea. Kane repeatrepeat itself. League exit will not sit well. Pirlo knows claimed assists for both of DDespiteespite winning a ninninth-straightt Serie A exactly who to rely on to ensure that does not Bale’s goals taking his total for UEFA yesterdaysterday sussuspendedpended titletitle for JJuventusuventus last seasseason,o coach Maurizio happen. the season to 13, as well as his Romanian foufourthrth officialofficial SebastSebastianian SarriSarri wwasas sacsackedked due to aanother failure in Despite his advancing years, 36-year-old 16 goals. Coltescu untilntil the end of the season EuropeEurope for the Italian side.side Ronaldo is still Juve’s talisman, as he leads Manchester United had not over his involvementvolvement in the sending Italy’sItaly’s most decorateddecorated domestic team - the way in the Serie A goalscoring charts on beaten any of the so-called off of Istanbulbul BBasaksehirasaksehir assassistantistant JuveJuve have won 36 ScudettScudettoso compared to AC 20. He has also scored 10 goals in 10 home “big six” this season until coach Pierrere Webo which sparkedsparked a MilanMilan andand InInterter MilMilan’san’s 1188 eeach - have under- games for Juve in the Champions League. Sunday, but manager Ole player walk-offk-off in the Champions performedperformed on the continent.continent Milan have seven Since he joined the club ahead of the 2018-19 Gunnar Solskjaer is starting to League. EuropeanEuropean CCups,ups, Inter three,thre while Juventus season, only Lionel Messi (14) has netted more become something of a The matchtch at PSG on Dec. 8 was havehave wonwon ttwo.wo. in home games in the competition. His worth nemesis for his City coun- halted afterr 13 minutes followinfollowingg ann TheThe club are desperatedespera to win a first was clear as Pirlo gave Ronaldo a rest at the terpart Pep Guardiola after a argument oonn the touchline over the ChChampionsampions League titletitle in a quarter of a weekend -- something the Portuguese does fourth derby victory since he red card shownhown to Webo and only ccentury,entury, especially givegiven they have the not normally welcome -- with the Juve boss took over at Old Trafford in resumed thehe followingfollowing dayday after thethe unwantedunwanted stat of beingbeing tthe team with the revealing he had to pre-arrange the decision December 2018. four Romanianian officials were replaced.replaced. mostmost EuroEuropeanpean CupCu final defeats ahead of the match against Lazio. City were stunned after 34 Webo, a formerrmer Cameroon internainterna-- - seseven.ven. “He came from eight or nine consecutive seconds when referee Anthony tional, said CColtescuoltescu had disresdisrespectedpected ThThee writing was oonn the wall for Sarri games, we made an agreement during the Taylor pointed to the spot after him by referringerring to him as “the BlacBlackk lastlast season after JuventusJuven were surpris- week, it was already planned,” Pirlo told Sky Gabriel Jesus brought down one” and ann investigation was launched inglyini gly knocked out by OlympiqueOl Lyonnais Sport Italia after Saturday’s 3-1 win. Anthony Martial just inside the by Europeann soccer’s governing body. at the last-16 stage. CurrentCurr coach Andrea “Cristiano is an added value, the boys have box and Fernandes UEFA saidaid in a statementstatement thatthat Col-Col- Pirlo is in a similar ppredicamentredi this time done what they had to do tonight without converted. tescu had beeneen sussuspendedpended for “ina“inappro-ppro- around.around. him.” Ronaldo has dug his various teams out Shaw drove home United’s priate behaviouraviour during a UEFA match Last season, Juventus lostlo the first leg 1-0 of holes on many occasions in the past and second and despite loads of for which hehe was appointed”appointed” and had awayaway from home, before eventuallyev going out will look to do so again on Tuesday to aid his possession City could not pen- been ordereded to ““attendattend aann educateducationalional onon away goals after a 2-1 wwin in Turin. quest of winning the Champions League with etrate United’s red wall. programmee before 30 June 2021.”2021.” This year, Juventus againaga lost by one goal a third club. TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2021 SPORT 09

Middle East Hub: WTT Star Contender

Paddlers in action during the second WTT Middle East Hub event of 2021, WTT Star Contender at the Lusail Sports Arena. The tournament will continue until March 13. WTT Star Contender follows the immense success of the WTT Contender, held from February 28-March 06 at the same venue. PICTURES: HUSSEIN SAYED

World Athletics New Zealand under Williamson primed makes for two tilts at elusive world glory gender REUETERS – WELLINGTON New Zealand players celebrate during the T20 series against equality New Zealand beat Australia in the Australia. Pic: Twitter/@BLACKCAPS Twenty20 series to maintain their perfect home season on Sunday in a timely boost pledges for Kane Williamson’s team who will get two opportunities this year to shed their REUTERS – LONDON status as the game’s perennial brides- maids. World Athletics has marked The Black Caps shuffled their batting International Women’s Day order, showed faith in part-time bowlers, with a series of pledges to and displayed tactical flexibility to “further advance the role of prevail 3-2 over Australia and make it girls and women” in the sport five wins from as many home series this under the campaign slogan season. “WeGrowAthletics.” The win is all the more significant The world governing body because they will be chasing their says it is focusing on three core maiden Twenty20 World Cup title in areas of the sport - empow- India later this year. New Zealand have ering women in leadership never won a major global title, losing the experience and head coach Gary Stead New Zealand Cricket is hopeful the New Zealand will return to England positions, breaking with tradi- last two 50-over World Cup finals and believes the forced rejigging will give top players can jump the queue and two years after losing the 2019 ODI tions and shining a spotlight never reaching the World Twenty20 him a better idea of their strength in receive COVID-19 vaccines before World Cup on boundary count after a on women’s stories across its final. depth ahead of the World Cup. leaving for India and later England, the Super Over in an extraordinary tied final platforms. Eight players, including Williamson, “If it works out that there will be website said. against the hosts at Lord’s. World Athletics appointed are set to miss the home Twenty20 series some players that we don’t play because Williamson’s team will also be com- A two-test series against England its first female vice president against Bangladesh to play in the Indian they’re going to the IPL, the good thing peting for the highest honour in the should be perfect preparation for the in 2019 and increased female Premier League (IPL) which begins on for us is you’re considering who might game’s longest format having reached New Zealanders before they take on Council representation to 30% April 9. be in an extended squad that goes to the the final of the inaugural World Test Virat Kohli’s India in the WTC final at and says it is committed to The team hope to benefit from their World Cup,” Stead told www.stuff.co.nz. Championship against India in June. the home of cricket starting on June 18. making that 40% by 2023 and an equal balance by 2027. The Monaco-based organ- isation has also said it is Allen cameo helps West reviewing traditions around World T20, the presentation of women’s performances and achieve- Indies clinch T20 series ments where there is currently Ashes loom for often an unconscious bias. win against Sri Lanka To mark that, the next edition of the world champi- Australia after REUTERS – ANTIGUA onships, in Oregon in the United States in 2022, will Spin all-rounder Fabian Allen smashed 21 off six balls to help conclude, for the first time, disappointing West Indies beat Sri Lanka by three wickets and complete a 2-1 with a women’s event and Twenty20 International series victory in Antigua on Sunday. results will no longer be auto- Allen had already claimed 1-13 from his four tidy overs, helping matically presented “men restrict Sri Lanka to a modest 131-4 in the third match at the first”. season Coolidge Cricket Ground. World championship and Sri Lanka elected to bat but were reduced to 47-4 at the halfway Olympic programmes have stage of their innings, raising some doubt as to whether they could usually signed off with the bat out their full quota of 20 overs. men’s 4x400m relay. Dinesh Chandimal made 54 not out and Ashen Bandara The “landing page” for the remained unbeaten on 44 to help them to a competitive total on organisation’s website will also a slow track. change so that the default is Reigning Twenty20 world champions West Indies started well no longer men’s results, Australia’s captain Aaron Finch but the Sri Lankan spinners refused to throw in the towel. Wanindu rankings or awards. Hasaranga dismissed Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons in his suc- “Gender equality should no cessive overs to put pressure on the hosts, who slumped to 105-7 longer be a theoretical dis- REUTERS – SYDNEY Many of the players most likely to take them in the 17th over. cussion in any organisation,” to a maiden title will head off overseas again Needing 20 off 12 balls, Allen smashed Akila Dananjaya for World Athletics President Australia’s international season came to a close next month to hone their T20 skills in the Indian three sixes to secure their victory with an over to spare. Sebastian Coe said in a with an emphatic loss to New Zealand in a Premier League. Dananjaya had claimed a hat-trick in the first match before statement. Twenty20 series decider in Wellington on India’s fourth Test victory over England being smacked for six sixes in an over by West Indies captain “We should all be taking Sunday, leaving many questions to be answered means Australia will not be contesting the Kieron Pollard. action by identifying barriers, over the coming months. newest global trophy in the men’s game with The teams will meet again in a three-match one-day series reviewing our policies and Unlike the home Test series loss to India Virat Kohli’s team now set to take on New from tomorrow which will be followed by two Tests. practices and creating clear around the New Year, there were mitigating cir- Zealand in the World Test Championship at pathways for women to rise, cumstances to the 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Lord’s in June. The decision not to tour South West Indies' contribute and participate at Black Caps eight months out from the T20 World Africa all but sealed Australia’s fate on that score Jason Holder all levels. Cup in India. but there is a blockbuster home Ashes series and Fabian Allen “Athletics has historically There was no question the squad was later this year to look forward to. celebrate after led the way in gender equality weakened by the absence of top players The Australians repaired some of the damage winning the third since the beginning of the including David Warner and Steve Smith, who done to their reputation by the Newlands ball- T20 against Sri professional sport era in the were selected instead for the Test tour of South tampering scandal in the manner of their Lanka on Sunday. 1980s with an equal pro- Africa which Australia subsequently aborted retaining the urn in England in 2019. PIC: Twitter/ gramme of events and prize due to health concerns. The leadership of the captain-coach com- @WINDIESCRICKET money for both women and After coming out of quarantine, Aaron bination of Tim Paine and Justin Langer that men. Finch’s side lost the first two matches but orchestrated that feat was, however, increas- “We want the strides we rebounded to level the series before Sunday’s ingly questioned during and after the humili- have made in our sport, decider. ating home Test series loss to India. thanks in most part to trail- “I was really pleased with our resilience Those questions, as well as a big one over blazing women on and off the through the series to bounce back from 2-0 Australia’s middle-order batting, will be field of play, to inspire others. down,” Finch said after Sunday’s fifth T20 loss thrashed out over the coming months and, for “We have much more to by seven wickets. Finch and his New Zealand tourists, there was do but I am confident these “Even when we lost the second game in par- just one thought as they boarded their charter pledges, together with those ticular, we were right there, probably one swing flight on Sunday. of our partners and stake- of the bat from pinching it. There was a lot of “It’s been a long summer for a lot of guys holders, will allow more character from the group.” The T20 World Cup who have been in bubbles, I know some guys women to hurdle historically is the one global cricket trophy Australia have in WA (Western Australia) haven’t been home established barriers on the never won and they will be confident of being for quite a few months,” Finch said. way to greater gender competitive with a full-strength side in October “We’re all looking forward to getting home equality.” and November. and seeing family and stuff.” Sport TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2021 08 DeChambeau clinches Bay International Women’s Day: QICC Nexans Hill title after one-shot win organises golf tourney THE PENINSULA — DOHA Nexans KSA and Nexans REUTERS — NEW YORK Dubai. Bryson DeChambeau holds QICC Nexans, a company Yasmian speaking at the the champions trophy after Bryson DeChambeau gathered manufacturing Electrical event said: “I had an amazing the crowds with his long drives, winning the Arnold Palmer Cables, on the International experience with QICC while using his putter to seal a Invitational golf tournament Women’s Day, organised an Nexans, in coordination with one-shot victory in the Arnold at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. event at Doha Golf Club with Doha Golf Club. We shared Palmer Invitational near Yasmian Al Sharshani and with them the experience Orlando, Fla. Reem Al Sharshani, respec- and what is the chosen chal- DeChambeau made a 5-foot tively representing Qatar in lenge. It’s not about playing par putt at 18 to win it, finishing the Golf National Team and golf, it’s about the challenge at 11-under-par 277 in front of Skeet Shooting National to achieve the goal. a limited crowd at the Bay Hill team. Reem said: “ I was hon- Club and Lodge, just in front of Qatar International oured to be a speaker for the England’s Lee Westwood, while Cables Company was estab- international women’s day Canada’s Corey Conners fin- lished in Qatar in June of event organised by QICC ished alone in third place at 8 2008 as a joint venture Nexans. A great experience under. between Nexans and Al indeed. It was to my surprise DeChambeau’s 1-under 71 Mirqab Capital and fully that the audience were dis- in the final round matched the managed by Nexans. In a first cussing and making connec- low round of the day with move towards diversity, tions between sports, women, Andrew Putnam and England’s women in Nexans or WIN and real-life situations. I per- Matt Wallace. They were the group was launched. The sonally believe that it is only three in the field to break Women Network is com- important for organisations to par during a sunny but windy posed of women in all coun- create a suitable platform for final round. tries of Nexans plant. Here in women on such a day to share The victory was DeCham- GCC it is composed of ladies thoughts and experiences and beau’s first since a dominating before the final round began. a breeze mostly in his favour. approach shot to the center of of QICC/Nexans Qatar, to empower other women.” run to the US Open title in Sep- “I got a text from Tiger this His 376-yard drive found a the green and again putted past tember. And it was inspired by morning and he had obviously bunker 88 yards from the pin, the hole. He then drained Yasmian Al Sharshani and Reem Al a text from Tiger Woods done really well here and was changing the dynamics of what another pressure-packed putt, Sharshani attend the golf event. very instrumental in Mr. is regularly a 565-yard hole. His this one from 5 feet to earn the Palmer’s life as Mr. Palmer was second shot missed the green, but victory. to Tiger,” DeChambeau said, he scrambled for a birdie 4 to The 47-year-old Westwood referencing the eight Arnold reach 11 under and found himself was unable to gain any I got a text from Tiger this Palmer Invitational titles won alone in the lead when Westwood momentum, shooting a 1-over morning and he had by Woods, who was involved bogeyed the seventh hole. 73 on Sunday after taking a obviously done really well in a serious car crash on Feb. Westwood tied one-shot lead through three here and was very 23. DeChambeau again at 11 under rounds. Conners shot a 2-over “We just talked about keep with a birdie at No. 12, but fell 74 in the final round. instrumental in Mr. fighting no matter what out of the top spot with a three- Putnam, Jordan Spieth and Palmer’s life as Mr. Palmer happens and play boldly like putt bogey at No. 14. Richy Werenski finished in a tie was to Tiger. We just Mr. Palmer said.” DeChambeau made a for fourth place 6 under. Spieth talked about keep fighting While low scores were hard 37-foot putt for a birdie at No. shot a 3-over 75 on Sunday to come by, the conditions did 4, a 49-foot putt for par at No. after starting the day two shots no matter what happens allow for DeChambeau to take 11 and a knee-knocking 4-foot off the lead. and play boldly like Mr. a gamble with his tee shot at No. par putt at 17 with the pressure The breezy conditions Palmer said. 6 for the second consecutive on after he blasted his birdie proved difficult for a few final- day. Instead of following the putt past the hole. round contenders. Northern Bryson DeChambeau fairway along a lake on the On the par-4 18th hole, Ireland’s Rory McIlroy shot a par-5 hole, DeChambeau took DeChambeau hit his drive to the 4-over 76 and finished in a tie a short cut over the water with center of the fairway, hit his for 10th place at 3-under 285. Antetokounmpo shines as Team LeBron wins NBA All-Star Game

AP — ATLANTA into prime courtside seats, this Team LeBron showed off its high-flying and long-range skills during a game was attended by a smat- Even in the strangest NBA dominating run to close out the first half, setting up a 170-150 romp tering of hand-picked guests. All-Star Game of them all, over Team Durant. They had plenty of room to Team LeBron LeBron James was still the spread out in a 17,000-seat forward Giannis perfect captain. venue that was essentially Antetokounmpo Team LeBron showed off its Antetokounmpo was the game MVP after shooting 16 of 16 for 35 transformed into a giant tele- of the Milwaukee high-flying and long-range skills points. Curry chipped in with 28 points. vision studio, with socially dis- Bucks (left) dunks during a dominating run to close tanced spectators kept far from the ball against out the first half, setting up a the court. Team Durant 170-150 romp over Team Durant He’s now 4-0, having first to reach the final target Towering video screens forward Jayson in the league’s 70th midseason defeated Stephen Curry’s squad score, earning a total of were set up behind the benches. Tatum of the showcase Sunday night. in 2018 and teams selected by $750,000 for its charity, the Vegas-style lights flashed Boston Celtics This one sure was different Milwaukee’s two-time reigning Thurgood Marshall College around the arena. Recorded during the 2021 than the previous 69 All-Star MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo Fund. crowd noise blared over the NBA All-Star Game contests. the last two years. The game got out of hand sound system. The enter- at State Farm Determined to pull off an This time, James drafted his late in the second quarter. tainment was provided by the Arena. exhibition that is huge for TV two former adversaries to With scant defense being host Atlanta Hawks, who didn’t revenue and the league’s assemble a dominant squad that played, Team LeBron took turns have any players in the game worldwide brand, the NBA blew away Kevin Durant’s team. dunking off alley-oop passes. but were represented by their staged the game in a mostly Antetokounmpo was the Chris Paul delivered back-to- cheerleaders, drum line and DJ. empty arena in downtown game MVP after shooting 16 of back lobs that Lillard and Curry To address fears that one of Atlanta, a made-for-TV extrav- 16 for 35 points. Curry chipped slammed through. Then, it was its biggest events would become aganza that was symbolic of the in with 28 points, while Damian Paul on the receiving end of a a super-spreader for a virus that coronavirus era. Lillard had 32. James spent most payback pass from Curry. has killed more than a half- Even with intense safety of the night admiring his After showing they could million Americans, the NBA protocols in place, two players drafting skill, playing less than handle shots up close, Team pared down its usual weekend- didn’t even make it to tipoff. 13 minutes and finishing with LeBron headed outside in the long ritual of extravagant Philadelphia stars Joel Embiid four points. final seconds of the half. parties, gridlocked streets and and Ben Simmons were ruled The only good thing for Lillard pulled up for a people watching out because they got haircuts Durant: He didn’t have to par- 3-pointer from the half-court This All-Star Game was a from a barber who tested pos- ticipate in this shellacking, line. Not to be outdone, Curry one-night-only event, with a itive for COVID-19. sitting out the game with an knocked down one from vir- pair of skill competitions held But once the game began, it ailing hamstring. tually the same spot. shortly before the game and the fell right in line with the three Bradley Beal led Team The atmosphere at State Dunk Contest squeezed into the previous All-Star outings with Durant with 26 points. Farm Arena was downright halftime break. The players flew the captain format. The top On a night highlighting His- eerie compared to a normal All- in Saturday afternoon and were vote-getters in each conference torically Black Colleges and Uni- Star Game. largely confined to a nearby pick the teams, a duty that James versities, Team LeBron swept Instead of a packed house, hotel except for their time on the has earned all four years. the first three quarters and was with A-list celebrities crammed court. NHL: Penguins thrash Rangers 5-1

REUTERS — NEW YORK NHL RESULTS Pekka Rinne made 35 saves and Capitals 3, Flyers 1 a huge stick stop on Dallas’ Joe Pav- Kasperi Kapanen had a goal and two Penguins 5, Rangers 1 elski in the shootout to help the Pred- assists Sunday and the Pittsburgh ators snap a three-game losing streak. Penguins scored three times in a Devils 1, Bruins 0 M. Granlund, C. Jarnkrok and Eeli 61-second span of the first period Islanders 5, Sabres 2 Tolvanen each had a regulation goal.

en route to a 5-1 win over the visiting Lightning 6, Blackhawks 3 Down 3-0, the Stars not only New York Rangers. Senators 4, Flames 3 ruined Rinne’s 60th-career shutout Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an bid when Radek Faksa scored for a assist, and John Marino, Sidney second straight contest with 7:30 left Crosby and Zach Aston-Reese also over their previous two games and in regulation, but opened the door scored for Pittsburgh, which 15 over a three-game winning streak for an impressive comeback. improved to 10-2-0 at home. entering Sunday. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin, Goaltender Casey DeSmith, Predators 4, Stars 3 (SO) Roman Dmitry Orlov and Nick Jensen each playing for the second time since Feb. Josi scored the decisive shootout scored one goal to lift Washington Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Kasperi Kapanen (left) scores a 11, stopped 23 of 24 New York shots. goal, and visiting Nashville past Philadelphia, which was goal against New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev Mika Zibanejad scored for the overcame blowing a three-goal, playing in front of fans at home for during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Rangers, who had scored 12 goals third-period lead to beat Dallas. the first time this season.