SPORT

Wednesday 24 May 2017

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Nicky Stars Bounedjah and Boualem Hayden sign Al Sadd deals in new move Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula Nicky was my mir Cup champions Al Sadd yesterday signed feared Alge- best friend in rian striker Baghdad Bounedjah to a new the paddocks, Efour-year deal, just hours after the football giants convinced defender Khoukhi Boualem to says Rossi finalise a fresh contract. Bounedjah, 26, was instru- Agencies mental in Al Sadd winning two trophies in the 2016-17 season ine-time World Champion that ended last Friday. Valentino Rossi yesterday The Algerian star will stay Npaid tribute to former at Al Sadd until the 2021 sea- MotoGP rider Nicky Hayden who son. In a post on the club died on Monday after injuries sus- Qatari international defender Khoukhi Boualem (third left) poses for a photograph, website, Bounedjah was seen tained in a cycling crash in Italy a signing the new deal in the holding the Al Sadd jersey with club officials after signing a two-year deal with the few days ago. presence of Al Sadd football Emir Cup champions on Monday. LEFT: Al Sadd's Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah The popular American rider officials. signs a new four-year deal at the club premises on Monday. died at a clinic in northern Italy In a spectacular perform- from injuries sustained when he ance, Bounedjah scored Al the football season, Bounedjah national team defender Al Sadd officials, General "It is a huge honour for was run over by a car in the Sadd's four goals in their 4-0 has speed and stamina that Boualem to a new two-year Manager Turki Al Ali and head any player to don the white coastal city of Rimini. quarter-final win over Al makes him stand out against contract. of football Mohammed Ghanem jersey of the Wolves and I am The 2006 MotoGP champion Kharaitiyat in the Emir Cup his peers in the Qatar Stars The contract was signed at Al Ali were present when happy with this deal," was in an intensive care unit at earlier this month. Bounedjah League (QSL). Al Sadd headquarters on Mon- Boualem, 26, signed the deal. Boualem said. Maurizio Bufalini hospital with also played a key role in Al The feisty forward scored day evening, just two days after Boualem, who was with Al "I am very happy to play multiple traumas for five days Sadd's Qatar Cup victory late 23 goals for Al Sadd this coach Ferreira hinted at major Arabi in the past season, was a at Al Sadd. I hope I can impress before he died. last month. season. signings as his side mounts a key figure in Qatar coach Djamel the management and the fans "Nicky is one of the best A key performer for coach Earlier on Monday, Al Sadd challenge to win the QSL title Belmadi's side that won the 2014 in the upcoming period," he friends I have had in the paddock. Jesualdo Ferreira throughout confirmed the signing of Qatar next season. Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia. added. We were teammates in his rookie year in 2003, when he was a young guy making his debut in his first European experience," Rossi said in a post on motogp.com. Lekhwiya and Persepolis share spoils in Tehran "That season ended with the World Championship for me and with his first visit to the podium, Armstrong Vas at Phillip Island. After a few years The Peninsula we fought for the title down to the last race in Valencia and, unfor- atar Stars League cham- tunately for me, he won and pions Lekhwiya held became MotoGP World Q Persepolis to a goalless Champion." draw in their first leg of the "After the race we shook Round 16 away match of the hands and hugged. Later we were AFC Champions League at again teammates during the dif- Azadi Stadium, Tehran ficult years at Ducati, when yesterday. sometimes we would fight right The Iranian club, playing down to the wire, maybe to get the at home behind closed doors, last place in the top five," Rossi wasted a spot kick in the 83rd added. minute as Mehdi Taremi’s pen- "Nicky often came to the alty found an alert Qasem Ranch, where it was always spec- Burhan blocking the right tacular to watch him and try to footed effort much to the steal some of his secrets when we delight of the Lekhwiya bench. were battling, because he's one of The two teams will clash in the fastest flattrackers in the world the return match at Jassim Bin and before moving onto asphalt Hamad Stadium in Doha on he won some of the biggest Amer- May 30. ican flat track races like the Peoria Persepolis FC tested the Lekhwiya's Ahmed TT. visitors with a threatening Yasser (left) vies for the "But the best memory I have move in the fourth miss as Far- ball possession against of him is when he came to shake shad Ahmadzadeh left footed Persepolis' Mehdi Taremi my hand after the unfortunate shot from outside the box went during their AFC Champions race in Valencia in 2015, on the high and wide off a move League match played at lap of honour. started by Vahid Amiri. the Azadi Stadium in Tehran "For him it was a goodbye to Two minutes later, the yesterday. MotoGP, and I had just lost the hosts again got their attacking World Championship. His look of act together with Mehdi Tare- support from inside his helmet is mi’s header from the centre of Persepolis earned a number of time with Vahid Amiri's Persepolis kept the marauding later Vahid Amiri's left footed one of the few positive memories the box missing the mark of a free kicks but nothing came out defense splitting the rival Lekhwiya pack away. shot from very close range I have from that day. Forza Nicky, cross from Hossein Mahini. of them. defense with a through ball but Karim Boudiaf's right found an alert Burhan. we're all with you," Rossi recalled. Lekhwiya did not lag Lekhwiya continued to Taremi was caught offside. footed shot from the centre of At the other end Luiz’s right behind and almost struck a press for the midfield suprem- Persepolis started the sec- the box was saved in the cen- footed shot from outside the quarter into the match, but Luiz acy and were able to make ond session in the same way tre of the goal off a move box found an alert Persepolis Martin Carlos Junior hit the left deep inroads in the rival they did earlier, testing started by Tae-hee. keeper who deflected it away post off a move started by Nam defence. Lekhwiya with a couple of Thereafter, both the teams to safety. Tae-hee. A minute later, Luiz Lekhwiya midfielder Tae- threatening moves. created a number of openings The match tended to get out set up Youssef Msakni with a hee, who worked tirelessly Two minutes into the sec- but failed to get one past the of hand and the referee reached through, but the later was for the visitors, unleashed a ond session, Mohsen goalkeeper. out to show the yellow cards to caught off side. right footed shot from the Mosalman's left footed shot In the last five minutes, two Lekhwiya players within a Ten minutes later, Msakni centre of the box, after being from outside the box missed Persepolis went all out in search span of four minutes, Ismail was again in the thick of action set up by Ali Hassan Afif, but the target. of the match winner and during Mohammad in the 58th minute as his right footed shot from ended up shooting over the Two minutes later, Mosal- this period Lekhwiya defense and in the 62nd minute for outside the box found an alert cross bar. man again tested the rival stood the test with aplomb. Mohammed Musa. Persepolis keeper blocking the Persepolis pressed the defense but luck was not on his First, Farshad Ahmadzadeh Seyed Jalal Hosseini of Valentino effort. panic buttons in the Lekhwiya side. header from the right side of Persepolis was also shown the Rossi Both Lekhwiya and defense at the stroke of half In the 57th minute, the six-yard box went high and yellow card in injury time. SPORT WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2017 25 Predators down Ducks Al Shaqab Racing’s Almaa 6-3 to book a place wins Prix Nefta in Toulouse in Stanley Cup finals Miami Nashville will play either the Toulouse, France Reuters Ottawa Senators or the Pitts- The Peninsula burgh Penguins in the finals, olton Sissons' third goal starting May 29 in the Eastern l Shaqab Racing’s Almaa of the game at 14:00 of Conference venue. (Amer) won the Prix Cthe third period broke a The defending NHL cham- ANefta (Gr2 PA), her sec- tie and led the Predators to a pion Penguins lead that ond Group success, at 6-3 win over the Anaheim best-of-seven series 3-2. It is the Toulouse, France on Monday. Ducks on Monday as Nashville third different team Nashville The Thomas Fourcy- clinched their first trip to the coach Peter Laviolette will take trained filly cantered in third Stanley Cup finals. to the Cup finals. He won the title position, behind Diva du Paon With the score ties at 3-3, with the Carolina Hurricanes in (Munjiz), in the lead, and Naziq Sissons ripped home a one- 2006 and lost with the Philadel- (Mahabb). Almaa attacked and timer from the left circle that phia Flyers in 2010. easily passed Diva du Paon in was set up by Calle Jarnkrok, "It probably means I got the middle of the home three seconds after the Preda- fired a lot," Laviolette joked straight. tors killed off a power-play about his accomplishment. Two hundred meters from following a delay-of-game call Goalie Pekka Rinne made the post, Almaa had to fight on Roman Josi. 38 saves for Nashville, which against Naziq in order to ensure "There was a turnover and was outshot 41-18 as Anaheim the success and eventually I got lost on the back side," he controlled most of the last 50 Al Shaqab Racing’s Almaa in action during the Prix Nefta (Gr2 PA) at Toulouse, France on imposed herself by half a length. said of his tie-breaking goal. minutes of action. “She surprises me and Monday. "Calle made a beautiful pass, Despite the constant bar- progresses day after day”, said and fortunately I put it away." rage of attacks, Rinne never trainer Thomas Fourcy, “She However, she does a real thing not a problem. She is easy to Almaa has now secured Filip Forsberg and Austin cracked and the league's low- confronted older mares today, today because she cantered ride and a sweetheart. She three consecutive wins after Watson iced the win at 17:38 and est playoff seed -- Nashville's who for most of them were several lengths behind Naziq should now go for a rest before starting her career in October 18:26, respectively, with empty- 94 points were the fewest of all making their seasonal debut, who led at a good pace and she the two races for 4yos and then 2016 with a second place in her net goals to seal the Western 16 post-season participants -- maybe that helped her today. reaccelerated. The distance is the one on the day of the Arc.” debut. Conference finals series by a 4-2 completed its improbable run margin. to franchise history.

Whiteley Warriors sweep into NBA Finals named Bok captain for Los Angeles understanding following the watching," Durant said. "An AFP mid-season injury that sidelined amazing competitor. I got noth- him for around 20 games. ing but love and respect for France series tephen Curry and Kevin "Our chemistry is getting him." Durant led the way as better and better and we're Spurs coach Gregg Popov- Johannesburg the Golden State War- going to need it even more who- ich meanwhile spoke admiringly AFP riors sealed a clean ever we play in the finals," of the Warriors. sweep of the San Anto- Durant told an interviewer. "They were fantastic. To all olden Lions No. 8 War- Snio Spurs to reach their third "It's great to be one of the of them. From ownership, to the ren Whiteley was consecutive NBA Finals berth on last two teams standing -- we'll coaches, the players. They play Gnamed the new captain Monday. see what happens," he said. a great brand of basketball. Hats of yesterday Curry scored 36 points and Curry meanwhile admitted off to them. Great job," said Pop- ahead of a three-Test series Durant weighed in with 29 as he was relishing his partnership ovich, who also saluted Ginobili against France in June that the Warriors powered to a 129- with Durant. in what might have been his coach Allister Coetzee dare 115 win to complete a 4-0 "It makes the game fun," final game. not lose. victory in the best-of-seven Durant said. "The way we play Popovich said Ginobili had The 15-cap forward won Western Conference finals the game and move the ball. been handed a starting berth what was effectively a two- series. Watching him do what he does. "out of respect." man race with another No. 8, It was the third consecutive It's a fun way to play and we "This is a hall of fame player Duane Vermeulen from series sweep of the 2017 posts- want to keep that up. I'm hav- who allowed me to play him off French outfit Toulon, to suc- eason for the Warriors, who are ing fun, enjoying what I do. the bench for the last decade or ceed retired Adriaan Strauss. now 12-0 in the playoffs head- "Things are flowing. It's a something because it would "I am honoured and ing into the finals. part of our identity to get that make us a better team overall," excited," said Whiteley after Durant, who attracted con- mojo going. I think we're pre- Popovich said. "He's a big rea- a 31-man squad was named troversy after his blockbuster pared for pretty much anything. son for our success. He deserved by South African Rugby pres- move from Oklahoma City We're going to be confident and to have that night of respect so ident Mark Alexander at a Thunder last year to the Warri- ready to go." that he really feels that we Johannesburg TV studio. The ors, was delighted to be back in Spurs fans meanwhile bade appreciate everything he's done under-pressure Coetzee the NBA Finals once again. what looked like a farewell to for us over the years. Kevin Durant (35) of the Golden State Warriors shoots the hailed his new skipper: "War- The 28-year-old forward, 39-year-old Argentinian legend "If he decides he's going to ball in the second half against Danny Green (14) of the ren has been one of the who also pulled down 12 Manu Ginobili, who was given play again that's up to him," said San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the 2017 NBA outstanding leaders in South rebounds and contributed four a rousing ovation as he left the Popovich. "Manu is a grown Western Conference Finals at AT&T Center in San Antonio, African rugby for many years. assists, admitted he and Curry court. man. He'll figure out what is best Texas, on Monday. "He is respected by his had rediscovered their "He's somebody I grew up for him and his family." team-mates and opposition alike and has a lot of experi- ence when it comes to captaincy. "Warren has led the Lions with great authority for many Report says Rio venues are 'white elephants' seasons. He is resilient, copes well under pressure and Rio De Janeiro games. The second largest clus- be repaired. makes good decisions." AP ter, in the northern area of Former Rio de Janeiro Mayor Northern hooker Deodoro, is closed despite plans Eduardo Paes, the moving force Strauss quit following a federal prosecutor look- to open it as a public park with with the International Olympic calamitous 2016 season in ing into last year's Rio de swimming facilities for the Committee behind organizing which the Springboks lost AJaneiro Olympics says that mostly poor who live in the area. last year's Olympics, is being eight of 12 Tests -- a calender many of the venues "are white Patricia Amorim, the under- investigated for allegedly accept- year record for the team. A elephants" that were built with secretary for sports in the city of ing at least $5m in payments to nightmare first season in "no planning." Rio, said highly publicized plans facilitate construction projects charge for Coetzee included The scathing report offered were on hold to dismantle one tied to the games. conceding 57 points at home Monday at a public hearing con- arena and turn the remains into He denies any wrongdoing. to New Zealand and a first firms what The Associated Press four schools. The arena was the Organizing committee loss to Italy. reported several months after venue for handball. spokesman Mario Andrada said Amid media speculation the games ended. Many of the "It will be dismantled," she more than 100 medals awarded that Coetzee will be fired if venues are empty, boarded up, said. "We are just waiting to at the Olympics showed signs of South Africa lose the France and have no tenants or income know whether we will actually rusting. He said many were series at home, he chose four with the maintenance costs have resources to build these bronze medals, and said many foreign-based and eight dumped on the federal An aerial view of the playing area of Maracana Stadium, which schools on other sites, or of the tarnished medals had been uncapped players. government. was used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 whether we will dismantle it and awarded to Americans. Vermeulen, Bordeaux "There was no planning," , in Rio de Janeiro in this 2017 file picture. wait for the resources to come. "Most of the problems were prop Steven Kitshoff, federal prosecutor Leandro Miti- Our schools need to be reformed due to handling, poor handling," Montpellier centre Francois dieri told the public hearing on and that's our priority, not new Andrada said. Steyn and Worcester scrum- the Olympics. "There was no to how to turn this into some- linked to the building of some schools." "Either they fell on the floor half Francois Hougaard are planning when they put out the thing usable." Olympic-related facilities. Nine months after the Rio or they were touching each other the South Africans playing bid to host the Games. No Rio de Janeiro spend about The Olympic Park in subur- Olympics ended, the local organ- so, it was a problem of handling. abroad. Steyn last played for planning. $12bn to organize the games, ban Barra da Tijuca, which was izing committee still owes Whatever was the problem with the green and gold in 2012 "They are white elephants which were plagued by cost-cut- the largest cluster of venues, is creditors about $30m, and 137 the poor handling, it took the and Coastal Sharks hooker today," Mitidieri added. "What ting, poor attendance, and an expanse of empty arenas with medals awarded during the gloss off the medal and then you returns we are trying to look at here is reports of bribes and corruption clutter still remaining from the games are rusting and need to see rusting." after a three-year absence. 26 SPORT WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2017

Muddled Murray looks to regain form FOOTBALL:

London tirelessly to make more of a BITS AND PIECES Reuters weapon. That vulnerability seems to have returned as in his last two Chelsea's Conte named best hen the ATP Race defeats he managed to win 37 standings were and 35 percent respectively. manager at LMA ceremony updated this week And his forehand, another W Chelsea's Antonio Conte (pictured) was named Andy Murray, the world number Andy Murray shot that became far more one, languished down at 13th. potent under Lendl, seems to Manager of the Year at a League Managers It is not a statistical anomaly have lost some fizz. Association (LMA) awards ceremony on Monday either. Murray insists the number after leading his side to the Premier League title Unlike the actual world one ranking has not weighed and FA Cup final. ranking that is a rolling him down and the fact that he The 47-year-old Italian, whose team finished 12-month points total, the Race has reached 30 should not be seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham standings are a gauge of form significant -- as these days 30 Hotspur, will lead Chelsea out against Arsenal in since January when everybody appears to be the new 20. the Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. starts on zero. The bout of shingles he suf- Chelsea's 93 points was the second highest total On current form 13th is fered after the Australian Open since the Premier League began in 1992 and they probably generous. Thiem but in Madrid, where he Djokovic in last year's final after and elbow problem that flared became the first Premier League team to register With the French Open start- went down with a whimper his best claycourt season, he up during a first-round defeat 30 victories in one season. ing on Sunday, Murray has against Borna Coric, and in needs a solution fast. to Vasek Pospisil at Indian accrued 1,210 to the 4,915 of Rome where he was defending "There is no reason for it Wells have been contributory Rafael Nadal and looks a pale champion he was outclassed by from my end," Murray said. factors while there are sugges- imitation of the player who won Fabio Fognini. "I'm just not playing good tions his pre-season training his last 24 matches of 2016 to Last year, when Murray won tennis and I need to try and work block left him jaded for the bat- knock Novak Djokovic off his nine titles including a second out how to turn that around. Last tles ahead. pedestal and seize power in Wimbledon, a second Olympic couple of weeks have been a It could all turn round at men's tennis. Not since Pete title and the ATP Tour Finals in struggle and a long way from Roland Garros, where Lendl will Sampras in 1999 has a world London, he suffered nine losses where I'd like to be." be a reassuring presence back number one had a worse start all season. A closer look at the data in his box after leaving match- to a year with Murray's win per- This time his win-loss record offers some clues on Murray's day coaching duties to Jamie centage at a fairly modest 70.8 reads 16-7 and it's only May. woes. Last year he won 85 per- Delgado for most of this year. percent -- a figure that actually Murray seems muddled and cent of his service games But with vulnerability hav- disguises just how bad the slump at a loss to explain his struggles. compared to 79 percent this ing replaced the sense of has become of late. But with a huge haul of ranking year. invincibility Murray worked so There was an encouraging points to defend in the next cou- In 2016 he won 54 percent hard to build, the vultures will run to the semi-finals in Barce- ple of months, starting at Roland of points on second serve -- an be circling above him on the red lona where he lost to Dominic Garros where he lost to area of weakness he worked Parisian clay.

Wozniacki Moyes resigns as Sunderland Star Kvitova set for drops out of manager after relegation David Moyes (pictured) has resigned as Sunderland Strasbourg manager following their relegation from the Premier League, the club announced on Monday. Scot was Wimbledon return London appointed last July and oversaw a desperate season Reuters that saw Sunderland finish 16 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table. London ormer world number Reuters one Caroline Wozni- F acki's (pictured below) wice champion Petra preparation for next week's Kvitova is set to play French Open suffered a huge at Wimbledon this blow after she retired injured summer, less than from her opening-round seven months after match against American Tshe was stabbed by an intruder Shelby Rogers at Strasbourg in her home, a member of her International on Monday. support team said yesterday. Top-seed Wozniacki, who The Czech, who required started the match with a 4-3 four hours of surgery to her left, win-loss record on clay this playing, hand after the Decem- year, failed to see off the first ber attack at home in her home set as Rogers saved three set city of Prostejov, has made a points to win 7-6. faster than expected recovery The Dane was trailing 0-1 Sign Arsenal's Sanchez, seasoned and could even be ready to play in the second set when she in the French Open, which called for a medical timeout, Vidal tells Bayern Munich begins in Paris on Sunday. and later served a pair of dou- "She is on track for Wimble- ble faults before deciding to Bayern's midfielder Arturo don," Katie Spellman, Kvitova's withdraw. Vidal has urged his side to publicity manager, said. World number 55 Rogers, sign his Chile international "She will make a last minute who reached the quarter- team-mate Alexis Sanchez decision this week about Roland finals at Roland Garros last (pictured) from Arsenal Garros." year, will face China's Wang after the Gunners missed Kvitova, who won Wimble- Qiang in the round of 16 on Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova poses with her trophy after out on a Champions don in 2011 and 2014, will be Tuesday. League place next season. beating Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova in their final match at included on the official entry list Wang defeated Risa Ozaki Sanchez scored 24 league for this year’s Championships, the Madrid Open tournament in Madrid, Spain, in this May of Japan 6-4 3-6 6-3 in her goals for the Gunners which will be released on 2015 file photo. opening round match on in 2016/17, but it was Wednesday. tendons in all four fingers and Earlier this month, she Sunday. not enough to secure "The AELTC is always the thumb on her left hand. She posted a photo of herself prac- Champions League pleased to welcome former said she was "shaken, but for- tising in Monte Carlo. qualification as Arsene champions back to Wimbledon, tunate to be alive". The draw for the French Wenger's Arsenal finished and would be delighted if Petra Doctors had said at the time Open is due to be made at fifth in the Premier League. Kvitova is able to compete in the “best-case scenario” was Roland Garros on Friday. The Championships this year," that Kvitova could be playing Given the physicality Wimbledon said in a statement tennis again within six months. required to play on clay, and the to Reuters. Throughout her recovery, stress of a grand slam, it would "We wish her well with her the 27-year-old has amazed still be a surprise if she does take ongoing preparations to return everyone in her team with her her place in the draw at Roland FA wants betting information on to competition." positivity and belief that she Garros. STRASBOURG RESULTS Kvitova was attacked at would be back on Tour, and If she decides not to play, Terry withdrawal: Reports Second round around 8.30am on December sooner rather than later. Kvitova is likely to look to play Carla Suárez (ESP x4) bt Christina McHale 20 by a man who gained access Last month, Kvitova said she a warm-up event on grass The English Football (USA) 6-4, 6-1 to her apartment block by pos- had left her name on the entry before Wimbledon, the venue Association (FA) have

Samantha Stosur (AUS x6) bt Madison ing as a utilities man, before list for the French Open, in part where she has achieved most asked betting companies Brengle (USA) 6-0, 6-1 holding a knife to her throat. to ensure she had a positive success. to provide information on In pulling the knife away, mind-set as she continued her One of the cleanest ball- wagers placed on John Kvitova sustained injuries to recovery. strikers on the Tour, she won Terry's (pictured) stage- her first grand slam title there LYON OPEN managed substitution in 2011, when she upset Maria Round 2 during Chelsea's 5-1 win Sharapova in the final. In 2014, she won the title Nikoloz Basilashvili (Georgia) beat Andreas over Sunderland last again with a crushing 6-3 6-0 Seppi (Italy) 6-4, 6-4 weekend, British media She is on track for Wimbledon. She will victory over Eugenie Bouchard Round 1 reported. Terry, who will make a last minute decision this week in what is remembered as one 6-Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) beat leave champions Chelsea of the best performances ever Quentin Halys (France) 7-5, 6-4 at the end of the season, about Roland Garros: Katie Spellman, produced in the final. Kyle Edmund (Britain) beat Thiago Montei- was given a guard of Kvitova's publicity manager Her return would also be a ro (Brazil) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 honour as he left the pitch welcome boost for the women’s Carlos Berlocq (Argentina) beat Tennys in the 26th minute of his Tour, especially with Serena Sandgren (US) 6-2 6-4 final Premier League game

Williams on maternity leave. Karen Khachanov (Russia) beat Renzo Ol- at Stamford Bridge. Kvitova, who last played in ivo (Argentina) 6-2, 6-4 the Fed Cup final against France WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2017 SPORT 27 Al Rajhi wins stage while Al Attiyah extends lead

Kenderly, Kazakhstan Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi in action during the third while Yasir Saiedan is a distant The Peninsula stage of Rally Kazakhstan. eighth overall and well clear of any of his rivals in the T2 cate- audi Arabia’s Yazeed Al gory for series production Rajhi led from the start cross-country vehicles. of yesterday’s third Qatar’s Mohammed Abu Issa stage around the remote took the decision to withdraw deserts of the Mangys- from ninth position after a third Stau oblast to record a second day with minor niggling issues. successive quickest time at what “We had some electrical is turning out to be a tough test problems. It was just a fuse. Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his navigator Matthieu of man and machine at Rally Nothing big. We thought it might Baumel of Toyota Hilux Overdrive team in action during the Kazakhstan. be bigger than that and didn’t third stage of Rally Kazakhstan yesterday. The Mini John Cooper Works want to break the engine. It’s bet- Rally driver carded a time of 4hrs ter to happen now than in Dakar. 12min 10sec to beat Qatar’s I decided to stop now. We had 2017 RALLY KAZAKHSTAN - POSITIONS ON SS3 Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah by 5min some small technical issues 05sec, but it mattered little to Al every day. We bent the jack on 1. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) Mini John Cooper Works Rally: 4hrs Attiyah after the Saudi’s substan- day one, the fuel was dirty and 12min 40sec tial time penalties after day one. valuable minutes after a minor I am really surprised about these it blocked our fuel filter and we 2. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 4hrs The second quickest time on the navigational mistake, but retains stages. It is not easy!” cannot test anything because the 17min 49sec demanding section enabled the second place. Poland’s Aron Domzala was stages are too long. I know kilo- 3. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Mini All4 Racing: 4hrs 23min 03sec Qatari to extend his outright lead At 421km, the day’s selective in good form in the second of the metres are important but, at this 4. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 4hrs 23min 28sec over Jakub Przygonski to 8min section was the longest of the Toyotas. He and navigator Maciej point, I’m going home to refocus 5. Yuriy Sazonov (KAZ)/Vitalyi Yevtyekhov (KAZ) Hummer H3 Evo VIII: 4hrs 28min 00sec

53sec. event and ran inland, south of Marton tightened their grip on for Italy.” 6. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SLO) Hummer H3 Evo VII: 4hrs 28min 31sec "We had another good day Zhanaozen, and then deep into third overall with the fourth Delays in the sand dunes cost 7. Yerden Shagirov (KAZ)/Dmitro Tsyro (UKR) Toyota Hilux: 4hrs 36min 33sec and we enjoyed it a lot. We the heart of the Mangystau quickest time, despite one punc- Qatar’s Adel Abdulla a lot of time 8. Antanas Juknevicius (LTU)/Darius Vaiciulis (LTU) Toyota Hilux: 5hrs 01min 43sec pushed hard from the start and oblast. It finished a short distance ture and the driver commenting on the day’s special, although the we had a good rhythm to the fin- from Kenderly via a winding trail about the bumpy nature of one Nissan Patrol driver retains sec- OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER SS3 ish,” said Al Rajhi. that ran close to the small town section of dunes. Czech driver ond in T2 after mechanical issues “The dunes today were even of Senek. Miroslav Zapletal maintains a for AMFK President Marat 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 10hrs more difficult, very slow with Al Attiyah, driving an Over- solid fourth in his Hummer H3 Abykayev and previous time 51min 52sec bushes and some bumps. drive Racing Toyota Hilux, said: and Yuriy Sazonov remains on penalties for the likes of Kirill 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Mini All4 Racing: 11hrs 00min 45sec Between the bushes was where “It was a good day for us. We try course for a top five finish for the Chernenkov and Pavel 3. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 11hrs 05min 23sec we could have problems.” to control our pace. Yazeed was host nation in a second Loginov. 4. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SLO) Hummer H3 Evo VII: 11hrs 14min 06sec Pole Przygonski remains Al pushing because he doesn’t have Hummer. Frenchman Claude Fournier 5. Yuriy Sazonov (KAZ)/Vitalyi Yevtyekhov (KAZ) Hummer H3 Evo VIII: 11hrs 49min 10sec

Attiyah’s closest challenger in the anything to lose. I am happy with Kazakh Yerden Shagirov and continues to run near the rear of 6. Yerden Shagirov (KAZ)/Dmitro Tsyro (UKR) Toyota Hilux: 12hrs 00min 47sec second of the X-raid Minis, but the car. Everything is working Lithuania’s Antanas Juknevicius the field in his T3 Polaris RR 7. Antanas Juknevicius (LTU)/Darius Vaiciulis (LTU) Toyota Hilux: 12hrs 29min 56sec the Orlen Team driver dropped very well. We enjoyed the stage. are sixth and seventh overall, 1000. Ben Stokes Sohail replaces unfit Umar Akmal in Sangakkara to retire Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad from first

Lahore tour of West Indies in March series against Zimbabwe in class cricket AFP for being overweight. Lahore in May 2015, after The four-yearly eight-team which he suffered a knee injury London akistan all-rounder tournament hosted by which required surgery. Reuters Haris Sohail (pictured) starts on June 1. The left-handed batsman, Pwill replace middle- May 25 is the deadline for who also bowls left-arm spin, ormer Sri Lanka captain Stokes credits order batsman Umar Akmal, changes to squads, apart from has played 22 one-day inter- Kumar Sangakkara will who was unceremoniously replacements for injury nationals and four T20 Fretire from first-class withdrawn from the Cham- reasons. internationals. cricket in September at the Smith, IPL stint pions Trophy squad over Akmal has a history of dis- Pakistan open their Pool B end of England's county fitness concerns a week ciplinary issues, and was fined campaign with a high-voltage championship season. before the competition, it last week for a verbal dispute game against arch-rivals India The Surrey batsman, who for improving was announced yesterday. with fellow player Junaid Khan in Birmingham on June 4. They quit test cricket in 2015 with The 27-year-old Akmal, in the Pakistan Cup held last World Cup campaign in also play South Africa (in Bir- 12,400 runs, is fifth on the all- known for his chequered dis- month. Australia. mingham on June 7) and Sri time list of test run scorers, his game ciplinary record, failed two Former Pakistan head He was also jailed for a day Lanka (in Cardiff on June 12). averaging 57.40 in 134 tests. fitness tests after joining the coach Waqar Younis termed after beating a traffic police Hosts England, Australia, "You try to fight the inev- London squad in Birmingham last him a negative influence and official in Lahore five years Bangladesh and New Zealand itable but you need to get out Reuters week. recommended he be kept far ago. form Pool A. The top two teams while you're ahead," the He was left out of the away from the time following Sohail has not played for from each pool will qualify for 39-year-old told the BBC on ngland all-rounder Ben Stokes limited-over squads for the the team's disastrous 2015 Pakistan since the limited-over the semi-finals. Monday. says batting tips from Australia "It's the last time I'll play Ecaptain and IPL team mate a four-day game here. I'll be Steve Smith was key to helping him 40 in a few months, this is improve as a player following a about the end of my time in hugely successful debut season in the Australia's cricket board gambled county cricket." lucrative Indian Twenty20 As well as his test exploits, tournament. Sangakkara has been one of Stokes was named the league's on players' greed and lost: Chappell the game's great limited overs Most Valuable Player after the tour- batsmen and was part of the nament ended on Sunday with his 12 Sri Lanka team that reached wickets and 316 runs in 12 games Melbourne raised tensions earlier this the 2007 and 2011 World Cup helping the Rising Pune Supergiant Reuters month when he told players to finals, although they lost to to reach the final before he returned agree to terms by the June 30 Australia and India to England for international duty. ustralia's cricket board deadline or risk being respectively. "I felt like my game has got a lot gambled that greed unemployed. His Twenty20 commit- better, from being able to work with Awould motivate top It elicited a heated response ments will take him through the best players around the world and players into accepting a pay from the Australian Cricketers' to 2018, but his time in the specialist coaches in that format," offer and while that bet has Association, the players' union, longer format is almost over. Stokes told British media as he con- backfired the parties are likely Former and opening batsman David "My career might have a tinues preparations for next month's to thrash out a deal in time to Australian Warner warned the board it few more months (left) but Champions Trophy. avert an Ashes boycott, former captain might not have a team for the that's about it," he added. "My bowling has gone up another captain Ian Chappell has said. Ian Chappell five-test Ashes series starting in Having joined Surrey for level, working with Eric Simons, from Players have rejected November. CA have declined to the 2015 season, Sangakkara South Africa (Pune's bowling coach). Cricket Australia's (CA) offer comment further on the pay is still in good form. He scored Being able to work on those skills for that would end a 20-year-old Chappell was a leading figure though the board are trying to dispute. over 1,000 first-class runs last six weeks was a really good thing." revenue-sharing model when in Australian cricket's most bit- splinter the players, which I find Chappell said Australia's top term and hit two centuries Stokes, however, singled out Pune the next collective bargaining ter pay dispute in the 1970s, a rather strange tactic. players could easily "do a Chris against Middlesex at the captain Smith, who he will line up agreement starts in July. which paved the way for the “Maybe the board thought, Gayle" and play as free agents weekend but felt it was still against in the Ashes later this year, The proposal offers more breakaway World Series 'You know what the players are in the world's lucrative domes- time to walk away. for praise after the pair practiced money than the current five- Cricket. like'. They were working on the tic Twenty20 competitions like "The biggest mistake that together. year CBA but allows only “I’m delighted the players theory of greed, that you keep the former West Indies test cap- sometimes you can make is "The guy I'll actually be playing international players to share are sticking together and stay- the top blokes happy with tain did. that you think you're better against in the Ashes was helping me, in surplus revenues, while ing strong on it,” Chappell said money and they won’t care But he doubted it would than you really are," he said. something you'd never fathom when domestic cricketers would in comments published by Syd- about the rest. come to that. "Cricketers, or any sort of we're playing against each other. The have to settle for fixed ney newspaper the Daily "It looks like they’ve picked “There will be more postur- sportsperson, have an expiry IPL is probably the only place where amounts. Telegraph yesterday. the wrong target." ing and eventually they’ll come date and you need to walk you would get that." Former Test skipper "From afar it looks as CA CEO James Sutherland to their senses,” he said. away," Sagakkara said.