MONDAY 3 JUNE 2019 SPORT 20 It’s fabulous that I can spend this time in Paris. I was Roger Federer TENNIS prepared for the worst scenario, after reaching the last French Open ICC World Cup losing in the first round in three eight stage of the Men’s and Women’s England vs Pakistan sets. But I am super happy with French Open. ACTION round 16 matches in Nottingham my performance. TODAY’S

NHL: Bergeron Ruiz shocks Joshua to clinch powers Bruins to 2-1 victory over Blues

three heavyweight world titles AFP LOS ANGELES AFP NEW YORK Patrice Bergeron tallied a goal and two assists as the Boston Anthony Joshua’s bid to make a Bruins won their fifth straight splash in his US debut ended in road playoff game by beating misery for the three belt heavy- the St. Louis Blues 7-2 in game weight world champion with a three of the Stanley Cup finals. stunning loss to underdog Andy Bergeron, Torey Krug and Ruiz at Madison Square Garden David Pastrnak all scored on the on Saturday. powerplay and Tuukka Rask Ruiz recorded a monster made 27 saves for Boston, who upset, by knocking down Brit- lead the best-of-seven NHL ain’s Joshua four times to take championship series two games the World Boxing Association, to one. International Boxing Federation Heading into Saturday’s and World Boxing Organization contest, the Bruins hadn’t been titles. getting much production in The 29-year-old Ruiz came the series from their top line into the fight as a massive 32-1 or their powerplay. But that underdog. But he won it by TKO all changed in game three. in the middle of the seventh Game four is Monday in St. when the referee stopped it at Louis, where the Blues will try 1:26 of the round after the fourth to avoid sinking into a 1-3 knockdown. hole. Ruiz, sent to the canvas once Since 1939, when the finals himself, knocked Joshua down went to the best-of-seven twice in the third round and format, the team that wins twice more in the seventh. game three for a 2-1 lead has “I still can’t believe it. I am gone on to win the Stanley Cup still pinching myself to see if this 79 percent of the time. is real,” Ruiz said. The Blues evened the Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) had a series by winning game two massive height and reach at the Boston Garden 3-2 on advantage as he weighed in at a defenceman Carl Gunnars- chiselled 247 pounds (112.4 kilos) son’s goal at 3:21 of overtime. USA’s Andy Ruiz celebrates after knocking down England’s Anthony Joshua (off frame) in the 7th round to win by TKO during their alongside the portly Ruiz, who The Bruins won game one 4-2. 12-round IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship fight at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday. beefed up to 268 pounds com- Sean Kuraly, Noel Acciari, pared to 250 for his most recent Marcus Johansson and Charlie fight. -- never seemed to recover from He was a late replacement and got the second knockdown knockdowns in the seventh but Coyle also scored for the Bruins Ruiz, who has won four fights the first knockdown early in the for Jarrell Miller, who withdrew by connecting on a straight he spat out his mouthguard and who chased Blues rookie goal- in a row, looked third. from the bout with Joshua after right. the referee waived it off while tender Jordan Binnington from fearless and poised “Riuz won fair and square but I failing three drug tests in April. Joshua got up at the count of he leaned on the ropes. the net halfway through the while Joshua -- who know Anthony Joshua’s work ethic. “Everything is possible man. eight but it was late in the round Joshua needed medical second period with their fifth delivered 21 knockouts Great fighters come back and Look at me, I just made history,” and he was saved by the bell. attention after the bout and did goal of the game. in his 22 victories improve,” said Joshua’s promoter Ruiz said. “The speed got him,” said not attend the post fight news Binnington, who allowed I still can’t believe Eddie Hearn. Joshua was knocked down Ruiz. Ruiz was the first to go to conference. Joshua, who won three goals on four shots at one Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) has been for the first time in the third the mat when he got hit by a left a gold medal at the 2012 stage and looked shaky from it. I am still pinching underestimated because of his phy- when Ruiz hit him with a left hook from Joshua earlier in the Olympics, was coming off a the opening puck drop, was myself to see if this is sique, but he knew what was at hook to the temple. Realizing third. nine-month layoff since replaced by Jake Allen who real: Ruiz stake and how fortunate he was to he had the champ in trouble, Joshua got up after the third knocking out Alexander Pov- made his first appearance of the get a second chance at a world title. Ruiz then charged forward knockdown and fourth etkin in September. play-offs. Kaymer builds two-shot lead Liu, Boutier joint leaders at Memorial Tournament at US Women’s Open

AFP years, had seven birdies in his 66, birdies in the first five holes. But AFP WASHINGTON using a spectacular approach at the he bogeyed four of five from the MIAMI tough 18th hole to set up a three- seventh through the 11th to fade to Former world number one Martin foot finishing birdie. six off the lead. China’s Liu Yu fired a five-under par 66 on Kaymer closed in on his first title Scott’s 54-hole total of 203 put Kaymer, meanwhile, drained Saturday to seize a share of the third-round in almost five years on Saturday, him two shots in front of a trio of a 14-foot birdie putt at the third, lead in the US Women’s Open alongside good firing a six-under par 66 to take a players headed by three-time and stuck it close for birdies at the friend Celine Boutier of France. two-shot lead over Adam Scott in major winner Jordan Spieth and ninth and 11th before rolling in a Boutier, who played the last four holes of the US PGA Tour’s Memorial Tour- including Japan’s Hideki Mat- long birdie bomb at the 13th. a second-round 70 on Saturday morning, nament. suyama and American Patrick Birdies at 15 and 16 stretched returned to post a two-under par 69 in the third Germany’s Kaymer hasn’t won Cantlay. his lead, and he said he’d try to round at the Country Club of Charleston in since his 2014 US Open triumph at Matsuyama produced the best take the same approach today. South Carolina. Pinehurst, battling shoulder and score of the day, capping his 64 She and Liu, who forged their friendship wrist injuries along with a loss of with a chip-in for birdie from when both played on the Duke University golf focus and confidence as he slipped dense rough at 18. Cantlay carded US PGA Memorial team that won the 2014 US collegiate title, were to his current 186th in the world. a 68 and Spieth a 69. Tournament tied on seven-under 206, one stroke in front But Kaymer didn’t put a foot Kaymer, who shared the over- Leading third-round scores on of Americans Lexi Thompson and Jaye Marie wrong on the Muirfield Village night lead with South Korean Saturday (USA unless noted, Green and 36-hole leader Mamiko Higa of Celine Boutier waves to the gallery on the 1st course in Dublin, Ohio, nabbing six rookie Lee Kyoung-hoon and par 72): Japan. hole during the final round of the US Women’s birdies without a bogey for a American Troy Merritt, pulled 201 - Martin Kaymer (GER) Boutier, who won her first LPGA title at the 15-under par total of 201. away methodically as Lee’s hot 67-68-66 Vic Open in Australia in February, was alone Open golf tournament at Country Club of Australia’s Scott, another start gave way to a tough back nine 203 - Adam Scott (AUS) in front on eight-under until her lone bogey of Charleston on Saturday. former major champion who and Merritt failed to fire. 71-66-66 the round at the 16th. 205 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) hasn’t won in more than three Lee pulled away with four US Women’s Open Liu, seeking her first tour title, started the 71-70-64, Patrick Cantlay day four adrift but bounced back from a three- Leading third-round scores on Saturday 68-69-68, Jordan Spieth putt bogey at the third with three birdies on (USA unless noted, a-denotes amateur, 66-70-69 each side. That included a rare birdie at the dif- par-71): 207 - Marc Leishman (AUS) ficult par-three 11th, that helped position her 206 - Liu Yu (CHN) 69-71-66, Celine Boutier 67-71-69, Bud Cauley 67-70- for a bid to become just the second player from (FRA) 67-70-69 70, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) the Republic of China to win on the LPGA tour, 207 - Lexi Thompson 70-69-68, Jaye Marie 68-67-72 along with nine-time winner Feng Shanshan. Green 71-68-68, Mamiko Higa (JPN) 65-71-71 208 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) She would be the first golfer from China, male 69-68-71 208 - Lee6 Jeong-eun (KOR) 70-69-69 or female, to win a major championship. 209 - Jason Dufner 72-69-68, 209 - Gaby Lopez (MEX) 72-70-67, Jessica “I think this is something that’s really out Kevin Streelman 72-68-69, Korda 69-68-72 of my expectations because it’s only my first Justin Rose (ENG) 75-63-71, 210 - Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN) 73-71- ever US Open,” Liu said. “I was just happy to Martin Kaymer of Germany hits his tee shot on Rickie Fowler 69-68-72, Troy 66, Minjee Lee (AUS) 71-69-70, Ryu So-yeon make the cut and being able to play the the second hole during the final round of The Merritt 69-66-74 (KOR) 71-68-71 weekend. Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, yesterday, 210 - Luke Donald (ENG) 72-73- 211 - Ally McDonald 72-72-67, Ai Suzuki (JPN) “But now it’s something that I didn’t really 65, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 73-70-68, Ko Jin-young (KOR) 72-70-69, expect,” added Liu, who played in the final 72-70-68, Danny Willett (ENG) Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 71-69-71, Kim Sei- group in the last round of the 2019 Founders 69-69-72 young (KOR) 68-71-72, a-Gina Kim 66-72-73 Cup, where she bogeyed the final hole to drop out of a potential play-off. MONDAY 3 JUNE 2019 SPORT 21 Liverpool turns red for home party AFP Supporters grabbed their FROM LEFT: Liverpool players LIVERPOOL spots yesterday lunchtime under leaden skies, waving flags and James Milner, Alex Oxlade- Liverpool’s celebrations moved blowing horns. Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, to their home city yesterday as “We left home at quarter to Daniel Sturridge and Trent tens of thousands of bleary-eyed six and we’re not moving now,” Alexander-Arnold cheer their fans greeted the team who beat said Mark Jeffrey, 47, in a prime fans during an open-top bus Tottenham to win the Champions position with his 12-year-old son, parade around Liverpool, north- League final in Madrid the night who live around 115 miles away west England, yesterday after before. in central England. winning the UEFA Champions Mohamed Salah’s second- “I missed it in 2005 because League final against Tottenham. minute penalty and Divock they did the parade on a Monday Liverpool’s celebrations stretched Origi’s late strike secured a 2-0 so I wasn’t going to miss this long into the night after they win in the sweltering Metropol- year,” he added of Liverpool’s became six-time European itano Stadium in Madrid to make last European cup triumph 14 champions with goals from Liverpool European champions years ago. Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi for a sixth time. The Hodgetts family -- dad to beat Tottenham. The 2-0 win It was a first trophy in seven Mark, 47, son Shane and in the sweltering Metropolitano years for the club and banished daughter Keira, 16 -- from Stadium delivered a first trophy the memories of last year’s bitter central England were also in in seven years for Liverpool, and defeat to Real Madrid in the final place with special edition flags -- finally -- a first win in seven in Kiev. at the ready. finals for coach Jurgen Klopp. The win also represented a “We wanted to get tickets for personal triumph for coach Madrid, but obviously this is the Jurgen Klopp, who finally next best thing,” said Mark snapped his run of six straight Hodgetts. losses in cup finals. “We just wanted to feel the “We were all pretty much atmosphere. we’ve been waiting crying on the pitch, because it so long - my daughter was only was so emotional, it was so big, two when we last won it,” he year, turning an all-out attacking he trudged off in tears with a of the Premier League, made rich Dhabi-backed City, despite it means so much to us,” Klopp added. team that often leaked goals into shoulder injury. by TV contracts that dwarf other losing just once all season. “We said. The team returned to tabloid European champions. “Before the game, I looked at European leagues. Dutch central promised each other already that Celebrations ran late into headlines declaring the “Joy of “Game management is the a picture of last year and we defender Virgil van Dijk, signed we will kick our butts next year Saturday night in the Spanish Six”, in the Mail and “Six biggest item Jurgen Klopp added were so disappointed to lose the for £75m ($95m), and Brazil goal- again,” Klopp said of his conver- capital and in Liverpool city Machines”, in the Sunday Mirror. to the armoury since desolation final,” Salah said. keeper Alisson Becker, a £65m sation with Guardiola. “We will centre, as ecstatic supporters Liverpool’s sixth success in in last year’s final in Kiev,” “I was very disappointed recruit from Roma, both played go for everything and we’ll see danced in the streets singing a Europe’s top club trophy came Northcroft said. after that injury, I went off after crucial roles in Liverpool’s if we get something.” repertoire of the club’s fan after wins in 1977, 1978, 1981, Egyptian forward Mohamed 30 minutes and we lost the game. success. Tottenham coach Mauricio anthems. 1984 and the memorable come- Salah, who scored a penalty It motivated me to win today. Klopp revealed he had Pochettino said he was proud of By lunchtime fans began from-behind victory against AC awarded in the first minute for When you know how it feels to received a congratulatory call his team, who defied the odds to streaming back onto the streets Milan in Istanbul in 2005. a disputed handball from Moussa lose, you say to yourself ‘Let’s go from Manchester City manager reach the final: “When you live ahead of the team’s trophy The Sunday Times hailed Sissiko, said he had drawn moti- and win that’.” Pep Guardiola. Three weeks ago, this experience you want to do parade that worked its way Klopp for introducing steely dis- vation from the disappointment Liverpool’s success also Liverpool were denied a first it again. I hope we can do it again towards the city centre. cipline into Liverpool’s play this of last year’s final match in which underlined the financial muscle league title in 30 years by Abu in the future.”

My Paris French Open Results Petrucci posts record could Fourth Round ** Stan Wawrinka (24), Switzerland, def. be broken, Stefanos Tsitsipas (6), Greece, 7-6 (6), first MotoGP 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 8-6. says Nadal ** Roger Federer (3), Switzerland, def. Leonardo Mayer, Argentina, 6-2, 6-3, win at Mugello REUTERS 6-3. PARIS ** Rafael Nadal (2), Spain, def. Juan AFP Ignacio Londero, Argentina, 6-2, 6-3, MUGELLO Rafael Nadal stands three 6-3. victories away from winning Fourth Round Danilo Petrucci, an Italian riding for local team Ducati, held off a jaw-dropping 12th French ** Sloane Stephens (7), United States, defending world champion Marc Marquez to gain a first ever MotoGP Open title after reaching the def. Garbine Muguruza (19), Spain, 6-4, victory yesterday in the Italian Grand Prix. quarter-finals yesterday but 6-3. The second place allowed Spaniard Marquez to increase his lead says his haul could one day be ** Johanna Konta (26), Britain, def. in the world championship ahead of another Italian on a Ducati, beaten. Donna Vekic (23), Croatia, 6-2, 6-4. Andrea Dovizioso, who finished third yesterday after a prolonged The Spaniard beat Argen- ** Marketa Vondrousova, Czech three-way battle. tina’s Juan Ignacio Londero Republic, def. Anastasija Sevastova (12), Five-time MotoGP champion Marquez on a Honda briefly took 6-2 6-3 6-3 with another Latvia, 6-2, 6-0. the lead in the last lap but Petrucci recaptured first place and won. masterful display of claycourt “It’s amazing, I’m thrilled,” said 28-year-old Petrucci, who fin- tennis, although the match ished eighth in the 2017 and 2018 world championships. was more competitive than “On front of my home crowd and in my town, it’s incredible, I Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka (left) hugs Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas at the end of their fourth- the scoreline suggests. can’t describe how I feel. round match on day eight of the French Open in Paris yesterday. Second seed Nadal has “I’ve achieved my aim for this year which was to win a race, dropped just one set and is now we have to win the championship with Ducati.” Marquez -- playing arguably as well as he winner of three out of six races this season -- started on pole but has ever done on the Parisian had to battle with the Ducati riders and Suzuki’s Alex Rins, who clay since his domination Wawrinka beats Tsitsipas, challenged hard despite starting back on the grid. began in 2005. The four riders overtook each other several times but Petrucci Nadal turns 33 today, but found the power to pull clear in the closing stages of the final lap of the intensity and hunger that faces Federer in last eight the fast Mugello circuit. earned him the first of his 17 The Italian finished 0.043sec ahead of Marquez with Dovizioso Grand Slam titles that year at 0.338. remain undiminished. AFP after an incredible passing shot on the slide by the Dovizioso had on Saturday established a new outright speed Should he win the trophy PARIS youngster. But he slipped up at the wrong moment, record in MotoGP, clocking 356.7km/h in the third practice, to again next Sunday he would double faulting on set point in a tie-break, having overtake the mark of 356.5 km/h also achieved at Mugello last year. become the first player to win Former champion Stan Wawrinka downed Greek missed a set point himself just seconds before when Marquez, who has won the MotoGP category race just once on 12 titles at the same Grand star Stefanos Tsitsipas in the longest match of this Wawrinka unleashed a trademark backhand the circuit north of Florence, leads Dovizioso by 12 points after six Slam and there is nothing to year’s French Open yesterday to set up a quarter- winner. rounds this season. suggest his collection would final clash with Roger Federer. Both players’ serves suddenly became vul- In the constructors championship Honda have 121 points fol- stop there. Wawrinka sealed a stunning 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 6-4, nerable after the 12 successive holds in the first lowed by Ducati (115), Suzuki and Yamaha (88), KTM (38) and Aprilia It is a superhuman effort 3-6, 8-6 fourth-round victory with a magnificent set, as the pair shared five breaks in the second, (31). from an incredible athlete and winner from yards behind the baseline after five with Tsitsipas broken when serving for the set as “When I saw at the start that I couldn’t pull clear I said to myself it’s difficult to imagine it ever hours and nine minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen. his opponent nailed another cross-court backhand. ‘today isn’t the day’,” said Marquez. “I decided to ride defensively being emulated. He has a 23-3 losing head-to-head record Tsitsipas saw five set points come and go in a and I’m happy with the 20 points.” Dovizioso added: “It was really Nadal disagrees. against close friend and fellow Swiss Federer. dramatic 10th game, but took his sixth in the 12th hot and I wanted to be ahead in the final lap but Dani overtook us. “What happened here, it’s “It’s incredible, lots of emotions. Thanks to all as a barrage of massive forehands proved too hot “The grip was not enough to try something desperate and Rins something really unbe- the fans for staying and (the) support,” said the for Wawrinka to handle. almost passed me. In the championship we lose some points but lievable,” he told reporters. “I 34-year-old Wawrinka after the third longest Another high-quality set, which featured both I’m really happy for Petrucci because Mugello is the best race for don’t know what can happen match in the last 20 years at the French Open. players applauding each other’s shot-making, saw us to win.” in the future or not. But yeah, “It’s for these kind of emotions that I live for Wawrinka move one set from victory just after the 11 here already is something after coming back from injury.” match passed the three-hour mark, with the Swiss really unbelievable. I always It is the first time Wawrinka has reached a making only four unforced errors. say the same. Grand Slam quarter-final since losing to Rafael Tsitsipas was left sprawled on the clay after “It looks, for the most of Nadal in the 2017 Roland Garros final, and com- tripping while attempting a diving volley in the you, and even for me, looks pletes an amazing turnaround from 12 months ago. fourth set. The Greek was down, but of the so difficult to increase that Last year, the three-time Grand Slam match, though, as he promptly saved two break number for anyone in the champion, following injury struggles, lost in the points en route to a 3-0 advantage. future. first round to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and dropped Wawrinka broke back but failed to consolidate “But if I did it, and I con- out of the world’s top 250. that effort, and Tsitsipas ensured that the match sider myself a normal person, The 20-year-old Tsitsipas missed out on the of the tournament so far would go the distance. probably someone else is chance for a rematch with Federer, having beaten The drama only increased in the final set, as gonna do it.” the 20-time major title winner in the Australian Tsitsipas saw Wawrinka dig deep to save break “It was a very difficult day. Open fourth round earlier this year. points in the first, fifth and 11th games, with the Very windy out there. So not Wawrinka saved 22 of the 27 break points he players still locked at 6-6 as the tussle hit five easy to find the feelings. But faced in the longest match of both players’ careers, hours. But Wawrinka had the final say in stunning with that conditions, I think I including all eight in the final set as sixth seed Tsit- fashion, with Tsitsipas looking sure to save a second Italy’s Danilo Petrucci holds his trophy as he celebrates on the did a lot of things well,” Nadal sipas pushed for victory to no avail. match point, by scooping a backhand onto the podium after winning the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello race said. The tone was set early on, with Wawrinka outside of the line, despite Tsitsipas contesting the giving Tsitsipas the first of many ‘thumbs up’ signs call. track in Scarperia e San Piero yesterday. 22 SPORT MONDAY 3 JUNE 2019

Upgraded Gabba England, India favourites to to host opening 2021 Ashes Test win the World Cup: Misbah AFP BRISBANE RIZWAN REHMAT Former Pakistan Q: Do you back a format like we THE PENINSULA Misbah Ul Haq speaks to see at the current World Cup? The Gabba has been locked in to host the media during his short A: I personally favour this format. Australia’s opening Test of the 2021-22 Former Pakistan captain Misbah Ul visit to the Qatari capital. I like it. This allows a good team to Ashes series against England after a major Haq has said white ball giants England reach the last four. If you have two upgrade to the stadium was announced. and India under captain Virat Kohli bad games and your top team is out The ground, where Australia haven’t are favourites to win the 2019 World of the tournament is not good. lost a Test since 1988, the longest active Cup. Playing against each other will streak in world cricket, was overlooked Misbah, who retired from the ensure there is a chance for coming for the first Test against India last summer. game two years ago, played 75 Test back into the event and reaching the It was instead played in Adelaide, and matches for his country and captained semis. The best four will compete in Australia lost, with players urging a return the side at the 2015 World Cup where the semi-finals. I like this format. to Brisbane to kick off future home series. Pakistan lost in the quarter-finals Whoever becomes the world cham- With a Aus$35m ($24m) upgrade to stage. pions, we should know where they public, corporate and media facilities “England are the favourites. The stand. This minimises the chance of a announced on Saturday, Cricket Australia most important thing is the way fluke run by a team. confirmed the Ashes opener would be at England have been playing cricket in Q: What does the future look like the Gabba. home conditions,” Misbah, 45, said for Misbah? “Nothing excites Australian cricket fans during his short stay in Doha. A: I don’t want to take up a PCB like an Ashes series on home soil,” said CA “Second favourites are India. They job now. They (PCB officials) have chief Kevin Roberts. have a powerful team. Their recent been after me. I need to spend time “The upgrades to the Gabba will ensure performances are good. Their bowling with my family. I haven’t done that that in hosting the first Test... fans in is making the difference,” he added. since the time I was busy playing. I Queensland will get the first opportunity Excerpts from a detailed Q&A with have missed so many years of their to enjoy world-class cricket while expe- Misbah: lives. At the moment, I am not thinking riencing the upgraded facilities.” Q: Who do you think are the top about taking up a coaching job. I am, During the last Ashes in Australia, more three favourites at the World Cup? however, doing a coaching course. I than 130,000 fans flocked to the Gabba to A: England are the favourites. The am learning that playing and knowing witness the home team thrash England by most important thing is the way a game is completely different from 10 across four days. England have been playing cricket in teaching a game. I know how to go for They went on to win the series 4-0. home conditions. The last few series a late cut. But I need to know how to England host the next series against they have played at home, they have impart that to youngsters. That’s a dif- their arch-rivals later this year. hammered sides on their home soil. ferent set of skill. That’s what I am The way they have batted is great. doing. The former cricketers should Their batting depth is greater than not show ego that they are beyond this other sides. They have top batters and kind of learning. Hashim Amla the batting range from these guys is solid. Then they have as a Misbah Ul Haq was in Doha finisher. They also have Moeen Ali at bowling is also good. All these things mistakes, then they can do well. But to raise awareness about number 9. Guys like him contribute give them the edge over their rivals. the good thing is batting has done well the need to support children to the batting these days. There was They understand the ground condi- in the last two months. If Pakistan with congenital heart one deficiency in the English ranks tions well. They read the pitches well. improves well in bowling and fielding, disease as he is the Director and that was how to play spin with They can also handle pressure though then we can go far. Hassan Ali and of the Pakistan Children’s command. Now look at them - they handling the pressure of never having Shadab Khan should take wickets in have players who tackle spin with won the World Cup is big enough. the middle overs. Fakhar Zaman will Heart Foundation (PCHF). ease. Now they have spinners also - Q: Who are the second favourites? be key in high scoring games, espe- The PCHF, which is based Moeen and Adil Rashid who have per- A: Second favourites are India. cially when we don’t have power in Lahore, treats children formed well. Now England have Jofra They have a powerful team. Their hitters down in the batting order. Also afflicted with congenital Archer and Mark Wood so their pace recent performances are good. Their Pakistan needs Babar Azam to fire. heart disease for free. bowling is making the difference. They The rest will have to bat around him. For details, please go to: have rich resources in the bowling The team with disciplined bowling will department. They were not like this do well. https://www.pchf.org.pk/ before, especially in seam bowling. They have the world’s number one England are the bowler in Jasprit Bumrah. Then they have Bhuvneshwar Kumar who bowls Passion biggest factor behind favourites. The most beautifully with a new ball. He does important thing is the well in death overs. Then there is Kohli’s success, says Misbah way England have Mohammed Shami who is a different been playing cricket bowler. In the spin department, they THE PENINSULA have wrist spinners Kuldip Yadav and DOHA in home conditions. Ravindra Jadeja. I would call them The last few series -taking spinners. They have this Former Pakistan captain Misbah Ul Haq praised Virat Kohli saying the they have played mystery about themselves. India have Indian captain’s passion on the pitch is hard to beat. a balanced side. They know how to When asked what separates Kohli from the rest of the payers, Misbah at home, they have win the big events. They know how said: “I think his success is a combination of many things. Number one: Ngidi ruled out for hammered sides on to play the knockout stages. They have Passion. That’s the biggest factor. You can see how passionate Virat is their home soil. The a huge advantage like this. about his game. He works so hard in the nets, he works so hard on his up to 10 days, Amla way they have batted Q: And the third favourite side? skills training. When he is in the ground, he is competitive. On the ground, A: Then there is Australia. They he wants to win every time. That passion gives him everything. That’s why likely to return for is great. Their batting are always a force. A team that has he is disciplined. That’s why he is more hard working. That’s why he wants depth is greater than won five World Cup titles can’t be to be there till the last ball is bowled. That’s why he wants to score big in clash against India other sides. They ignored. They have playing members every game.” have top batters and from the 2015 World Cup title in this “I think that’s something that is basically behind Virat Kohli’s success AFP side also. Steve Smith and David and after scoring so many runs, so many centuries, still the hunger and LONDON the batting range Warner are back. They beat India in passion is there. He wants to do better. That’s why he is performing so well from these guys is India. They beat Pakistan (in the UAE) and he goes on and on and on. His fighting spirit is helping him. He sets South Africa pace bowler Lungi Ngidi will be solid. and then they did well in warm-ups higher standards for himself in every series in which he plays. There is sidelined for up to 10 days after suffering a also. That has taken their confidence another component why he is successful - his base is very good. If the base hamstring strain in yesterday’s World Cup level high. They are a dangerous side. is good, you can build so many stories even if it is a tall building. He believes defeat against Bangladesh, but Hashim Amla They handle the pressure well in big in his basics. He trusts his technique and he plays normal cricket shots. is expected to face India on Wednesday. events no team does this better than Another example of that is Babar Azam. He plays all three formats in the Ngidi limped off the Oval pitch after bowling them. These are the points that makes same fashion. Technically very sound. Hunger is there. He always wants just four overs in Bangladesh’s innings and these three countries the favourites. to score runs,” he added. Proteas team doctor Mohammed Moosajee Q: What about Pakistan’s chances? revealed he won’t be back for seven to 10 days. A: At the moment, Pakistan is very That rules him out of the must-win clash downn mentally. Pakistan needs thethe with India in Southampton. Second favourites are spark like theythey did in the ChampChampionsions “Ngidi sustained sharp discomfort in his India. They have a Trophyhy (in(in 2017).2017). When theythey won a left hamstring. We decided he had a hamstring matchh (then),(then), suddenlysuddenly youyou gotgot thethe strain. He will be out for week to 10 days,” powerful team. Their belief anandd allall your components startstarteded Moosajee told reporters. recent performances to fire.e. AnAndd tthenhen you beatbeat allall teams.teams. “He will have a scan tomorrow (Monday). are good. Their The playersplayers became veryvery efficienefficient.t. A Misbah Ul Haq’s We hope he can be ready for the West Indies file photo during his bowling is making the Pakistantan neeneedsds tthosehose kkindind ooff googoods,ds, match.” especiallyially in the first two matches. IIff captaincy days. There was better news on star batsman difference. They have they winwin thethe firstfirst fewfew matches,matches, then Amla, who missed the 21-run defeat against rich resources in the their coconfidencenfidence willwill be rrevived.evived. Oth-Oth- Bangladesh after being hit on the helmet by bowling department. erwise,e, if thetheyy plaplayy like thetheyy have been England’s in Thursday’s loss to the They were not like doing so ffar,ar, tthenhen it wiwillll bbee ddifficultifficult for hosts. them to do well. Pakistan plaplayedyed the Amla returned to bat against England after this before, especially numberber one sideside EnglandEngland in theirtheir initially retiring hurt with concussion-like in seam bowling. homee conditions.conditions. PakistanPakistan symptoms. They have the world’s did notot lose bbyy bibigg marmargins.gins. He was ruled out of the Bangladesh game number one bowler Pakistantan were closeclose or as a precaution after waking up feeling unwell, behindnd in those gamesgames but should recover in time to play against India. in Jasprit Bumrah. becausese ooff ttheirheir own mimis-s- “The concussion assessments were done Then they have takes.. PPakistanakistan did not on Thursday and initially the results were Bhuvneshwar Kumar executeute our bowlbowlinging inconclusive. Then the next test showed he who bowls beautifully plans well.well. Pakistan’sPakistan’s could bat,” Moosajee said. fieldingng was so poor “Subsequent to the match, the next day he with a new ball. that even U-13s felt some symptoms, so as a precaution we don’t fifieldeld like thathat.t. decided to rest him for this game. If Pakistanakistan can “The plan is to have him ready for the game minimisemise thosethose against India in Southampton.” MONDAY 3 JUNE 2019 SPORT 23 Rampant Bangladesh add to South Africa’s misery

AFP disastrous blunder sent them LONDON spiralling towards defeat. De Kock was run out for 23 Bangladesh made the perfect after being rashly called for a start to their World Cup single by Markram, whose part- campaign as their highest ner’s edge was fumbled by one-day international score Mushfiqur before the wicket- inspired a 21-run win over a keeper recovered to throw out beleaguered South Africa, the opener. yesterday. That brought Du Plessis to Mashrafe Mortaza’s side the crease and together with posted 330 for six as Mushfiqur Markram he put on 53 in 60 Rahim (78) and balls. (75) laid the foundations of their But Shakib curtailed that New Zealand’s Lockie impressive display at the Oval. partnership when his perfectly- Ferguson celebrates after Mahmudullah’s boisterous flighted bowled 46 not out from 33 balls pushed Markham for 45 to leave South taking the wicket of Sri Bangladesh past their previous Africa 102 for two in the 20th Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva highest one-day international over. during their ICC World Cup total of 329 for six against That made Shakib just the match in Cardiff on Saturday. Pakistan in 2015. fifth player to score 5,000 runs Attempting to become the and take 250 wickets in ODIs. first team to successfully chase Du Plessis completed a more than 330 to win a World 45-ball fifty with a six off Cup match, South Africa fell Mosaddek Hossain. short 309 for eight. But that blast got du Plessis’ is an Proteas skipper Faf du adrenaline flowing too fast and Plessis scored 62 from 53 balls, a charge at Mehidy saw him ‘X-factor’, says Kiwi but Bangladesh seamer Mus- bowled after he misjudged the tafizur Rahman took three flight. wickets and economical spinners The required run-rate was speedster Ferguson Shakib and Mehidy Hasan at 10 an over by the time Rassie wrapped up a memorable van der Dussen’s agricultural AFP victory. swipe saw him bowled by CARDIFF to see other fast bowlers After reaching the World Cup Mohammad Saifuddin for 41 bowling quick,” Ferguson told quarter-finals in 2015, Bang- runs. New Zealand speedster Lockie reporters. ladesh again look capable of Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim (right) acknowledges the crowd Saifuddin removed Andile Ferguson believes fast bowling, “Of course it’s a little bit of shaking up cricket’s established as he celebrates after scoring a half-century with team-mate Phehlukwayo and when JP like leg-spin, is an “X-factor” in rivalry in parts, but it’s not like order, to the delight of their army Shakib Al Hasan during the 2019 World Cup group stage match Duminy was bowled by Mus- one-day cricket and will play a I am watching every ball and of vociferous supporters who against South Africa at the Oval in London, yesterday. tafizur for a defiant 45, Bangla- crucial role in the World Cup. comparing myself,” he said packed the Oval. desh’s jubilant fans could get the Ferguson combined with with a laugh. “It will be one of our top party started. fellow paceman Matt Henry to Express bowlers have wins,” said Shakib. “We have of the 10-team round-robin help New Zealand thrash Sri already turned on the heat on done some upsets at World Cups group stage. SCOREBOARD Lanka by 10 wickets in their English pitches, with West but we want to prove something It won’t get any easier for the Bangladesh A. Markram b Shakib ...... 45 opening game of the 50-over Indies’ Oshane Thomas helping at this tournament.” Proteas in their next match when Tamim Iqbal c De Kock b Phehlukwayo ...... 16 F. du Plessis b Mehidy ...... 62 showpiece event on Saturday dismantle Pakistan for just 105 Meanwhile an elated they face title contenders India Soumya Sarkar c De Kock b Morris ...... 42 D. Miller c Mehidy b Mustafizur ...... 38 in Cardiff. with his four wickets in the Mortaza added: “Mushy always on Wednesday. Shakib Al Hasan b Tahir ...... 75 R. van der Dussen b Saifuddin ...... 41 While Henry rattled Sri second game. plays that kind of innings, and With Dale Steyn once again M’ Rahim c Der Dussen b Phehlukwayo ...... 78 JP Duminy b Mustafizur ...... 45 Lanka’s top order with his “I think there are going to Shakib batted so well. sidelined by a shoulder injury, Mohammad Mithun b Tahir ...... 21 A. Phehlukwayo c Shakib b Saifuddin ...... 8 opening spell, it was Ferguson be games where there are big Mahmudullah not out ...... 46 C. Morris c Soumya b Mustafizur ...... 10 who took key wickets in the runs scored and going to be In contrast, South Africa are South Africa suffered a fresh M’ Hossain c Phehlukwayo b Morris ...... 26 K. Rabada not out ...... 13 in turmoil after Du Plessis’ blow when fellow paceman Mehedi Hasan not out ...... 5 I. Tahir not out ...... 10 middle with his express pace some games where you know decision to bowl first backfired Lungi Ngidi limped off with a Extras (lb9, w12) ...... 21 Extras (b4, nb1, w9) ...... 14 to bowl out Sri Lanka for 136. bowlers will have a bit of dom- despite two wickets from veteran reported hamstring problem after Total (six wickets, 50 overs) ...... 330 Total (eight wickets, 50 overs) ...... 309 But remind the 27-year- inance,” he said. spinner Imran Tahir in his 100th bowling just four overs yesterday. Did not bat: Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mor- Did not bat: L Ngidi old Ferguson of his ability to “Which is great, because ODI appearance. “I’m not sure how serious Ngidi’s taza, Fall of wickets: 1-49 (De Kock), 2-102 (Markram), clock speeds up to 96 mph it keeps the competition level- With the World Cup just four injury is but it could be days or Fall of wickets: 1-60 (Iqbal), 2-75 (Sarkar), 3-217 3-147 (Du Plessis), 4-202 (Miller), 5-228 (Van der (154 kph) and being among the headed, especially for us (Shakib), 4-242 (Mithun), 5-250 (Mushfiqur), 6-316 Dussen), 6-252 (Phehlukwayo), 7-275 (Morris), top quick guns around the bowlers,” he added. days old, they have already lost weeks out,” said Du Plessis. (Mossadek) 8-287 (Duminy) twice in south London -- this dis- “Dale Steyn is bowling in the Bowling: Ngidi 4-0-34-0; Rabada 10-0-57-0 (3w); Bowling: Mustafizur 10-0-67-3 (2w); Mehidy 10-0- world, the Auckland-born The Black Caps boast an appointing performance fol- middle now so hopefully he’s Phehlukwayo 10-1-52-2 (3w); Morris 10-0-73-2 44-1; Saifuddin 8-1-57-2 (1nb, 2w); Shakib 10-0-50- bowler turns humble. impressive pace attack that lowing their 104-run thrashing close.” (2w); Markram 5-0-38-0; Tahir 10-0-57-2; Duminy 1; Mortaza 6-0-49-0; Mossadek 6-0-38-0 (1w); “Just like leg-spin bowlers proved their worth against Sri by hosts England. Quinton de Kock and Aiden 1-0-10-0; Result: Bangladesh won by 21 runs they (fast bowlers) can turn it Lanka in the absence of senior South Africa, who have never Markram needed to get South South Africa Toss: South Africa both ways. It’s an X-factor part quick Tim Southee who is won the World Cup, are left with Africa’s chase off to a fast start Q. de Kock run out (Mushfiqur) ...... 23 Umpires: Joel Wilson (WIS), Paul Reiffel (AUS) of the game, of course it’s nice recovering from a calf strain. little margin for error in the rest and they reached 49 before a Morgan hints at pace barrage against Pakistan

AFP NOTTINGHAM Pakistan confident of ending long England captain Eoin Morgan played a straight bat when asked losing streak in clash against hosts about the chances of bolstering his pace attack for the side’s second World Cup match against REUTERS Pakistan at Trent Bridge today. NOTTINGHAM The way Pakistan’s batsmen were undone by a barrage of Pakistan may have lost their bouncers from the West Indies in last 11 one-day Internationals their opening defeat has led to but bowling coach Azhar suggestions England could recall Mahmood (pictured) says fast bowler Mark Wood. England must not forget his But given World Cup hosts team’s resilient performance and favourites England started in the Champions Trophy two their campaign with a 104-run years ago as the sides prepare thrashing of South Africa at the to meet at the World Cup today. Oval on Thursday, they may Pakistan were thrashed by decide to stick with a winning the West Indies in their tour- formula rather, than bring Wood nament opener on Friday but in alongside fellow 90 mph plus England’s Eoin Morgan during a press conference yesterday. Mahmood is backing them to paceman Jofra Archer. come good at Trent Bridge, “I think there’s a good case one-day international at Notting- suffered their 11th straight loss in even though favourites and for playing any of our bowlers,” hamshire’s headquarters -- a completed ODI against on hosts England made an victory over India in the final. not far away. We just didn’t win Morgan told reporters at Trent posting 444 for three against Friday against the West Indies. impressive start by crushing Their recent form, those crucial moments. Bridge yesterday. Pakistan in 2016 before closing But having seen his England South Africa. however, has been poor, “They’ve played in “We’ll have to adapt to any- in on the 500 barrier with 481 for side beaten by eventual tour- “We are one win away including a 4-0 series defeat England, so they have enough thing the wicket throws up. six against world champions Aus- nament winners Pakistan in the from coming back, and that’s by England. experience and motivation to “If there is anything to exploit, tralia last year. semi-finals of the 2017 Cham- what happened in Champions “We’ve lost 11 games in a go and win the game for hopefully we’ll select the right “To get something near that pions Trophy in Cardiff, captain Trophy,” Mahmood said. row but in the five games we Pakistan. team.” you need to play unbelievably Morgan was taking nothing for “We lost in Champions lost against Australia, we rested Mahmood dismissed sug- But Morgan was well aware well,” said Morgan. granted. Trophy and then we come back eight to nine players,” gestions that if Pakistan win, of the attraction of an Archer- “It starts with the very basics “We’re preparing for Pakistan hard. So whenever we have lost Mahmood told a news con- for the first time since beating Wood partnership. with getting yourself into an at their best,” the Dubliner and we come back stronger, ference yesterday. South Africa in Johannesburg “It is exciting. It’s like saying innings and each batter starting insisted. and we have the ability to “So it was young team and in January, it would be a major can you add a Jason Roy 180 to a and trying to establish a “Only two years ago they bounce back,” he added. we were trying different upset. Jos Buttler 150 off 70 or 80 balls partnership.” were the best side in the Cham- Pakistan beat England by players, different “We can beat them,” he -- it might happen and if it does England’s final series before pions Trophy, they turned us eight wickets in the Champions combinations. said. that would be awesome.” the World Cup saw them over, they turned India over. We’ll Trophy semi-final in 2017 “Yes, against England we “It’s not an upset. We have England have twice set world whitewash Pakistan 4-0. The be preparing as best we can for before a comprehensive lost four games. But we were the ability to beat them.” records for the highest score in a 1992 Word Cup champions then their A-game.” SPORT Monday 3 June 2019 PAGE | 20 PAGE | 22 Ruiz shocks England, India Joshua for three favourities to win heavyweight the World Cup: world titles Misbah

Former Qatar Qatar gets AFC coaching award international

THE PENINSULA East Asian Football Federation Soufi dies PARIS and West Asian Football Feder- ation will be decided at a later THE PENINSULA Qatar and two other Asian coun- date. The term of office for all the DOHA tries yesterday were presented co-opted Executive Committee with AFC Coaching Convention members from the Regional Former Qatar international Awards. Associations is from 2019 until Mahmoud Soufi, (pictured) who China and Japan were the the 30th AFC Ordinary Congress, was a member of the country’s other two countries to receive the which will be held in 2020. Gulf Cup winning team in 1992, awards from Shaikh Salman bin Shaikh Salman, the AFC Pres- passed away at the age of 48 on Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC ident, said yesterday: “The AFC Saturday. President. is only as strong as its Members Soufi, who represented Al The awards were handed and to increase that strength and Sadd, Al Gharafa and Al Arabi over to Qatar, China and Japan to develop an even tighter bond at the domestic level, also took to recognise the progress of the with those Member Associations, part in the Barcelona Olympics coaching standards in these we today make another bold step. in 1992. countries. We endorse the nominations of Hassan The AFC Coaching Con- the AFC’s three Regional Associ- Al Thawadi, vention Pro Level Certificates ations to join our Executive Com- Secretary were presented to Saoud A. Aziz mittee. This will be General, M A Al Mohannadi , the Vice Pres- another important Supreme Saoud A Aziz M A Al Mohannadi, the Vice President of the Qatar Football Association poses for a ident of the Qatar Football Ass- link between the AFC Committee picture along with Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation President, ciation (QFA), Du Zhaocai, the and its Members.” for Delivery Acting President of the Chinese Du Zhaocai, the Acting President of the Chinese FA and Kohzo Tashima, the President of the Japan and Legacy FA after receiving the AFC Coaching Convention Pro Level Certificates yesterday. FA, and Kohzo Tashima, the Pres- These awards show (SC), tweeted yesterday: “Very sad- ident of the Japan FA. dened to hear of the passing of one AFC Technical Director Andy be attained and they have set the coaching in the AFC Member the appointment of Kanatbek the progress of of Qatar’s true footballing legends Roxburgh said in a post on www. benchmark for the other 33 MAs Associations.” Mamatov (Kyrgyz Republic) from the three Member - Mahmoud Soufi. The memories the-afc.com: “These awards show who are already in the process. Also yesterday, the AFC’s the Central Asian Football Asso- Associations in he left with us from his career will the progress of the three Member “When an equivalent award Executive Committee approved ciation. Anura De Silva (Sri coaching and they are remain long in our hearts and Associations in coaching and they was introduced in Europe some the appointment of representa- Lanka) will represent the South minds. May he Rest In Peace.” are setting the standards across years ago, four of the first six tives from Asia’s three Regional Asian Football Federation with setting the standards He is also Qatar’s top scorer Asia. I am sure that others will went on to win the FIFA World Associations as co-opted Pol. Gen. Somyot Poompan- across Asia. I am sure in World Cup qualifiers with 12 now follow their lead. Cup and one was a runners-up. members on the AFC Executive moung (Thailand) assuming the that others will now goals to his credit during his “These are the first MAs who So, this shows the importance of Committee. co-opted seat for the ASEAN follow their lead: AFC career with the national team have been endorsed at the Pro the awards – they are a vital Meeting in Paris, the AFC Football Federation. which spanned from 1988 to Level – the highest level that can ingredient in the development of Executive Committee, approved The representatives from the Technical Director 1999.