Michael Olunga QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune scores a QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune hat-trick to star in Al Duhail’s thrilling win in AFC Champions THURSday, APRIL 22, 2021 League page 14 Atletico Madrid, AC and Inter Milan depart as Super League collapses

A man walks past a grafiti entitled “The failed coup” (Il Golpe Fallito) by Italian artist Laika, showing Juven- Fans carry posters reacting to the collapse of the planned creation of a European Super League, as they surround a television crew outside the Totten- tus President Andrea Agnelli puncturing a football, near the headquarters of the Italian Football Federation ham Hotspur Stadium in London on Wednesday, ahead of the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton. (AFP) in Rome on Wednesday. (AFP)

of the project’s sport, commer- just hours before the expan- from a number of political Juventus retreat cial and legal premises” and Now only Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona officially sion of the Champions League leaders,” he told a news con- “committed to pursuing the remain after Juventus also conceded on Wednesday that “at from 2024 was confirmed and ference on Wednesday when to plan further creation of long-term value for threatened to ban players from asked about his thoughts on the Company and the entire present there are limited chances that the project be international football. Clubs the Super League. DPA football industry.” completed in the form originally conceived.” also ran the risk of being kicked The European Super London Atletico said they had out of their domestic leagues. League itself said it would “re- joined “in response to circum- The 53-year-old Slovene shape the project” after the The breakaway European stances that no longer exist ball into disarray and sparking to all the fans and supporters sibility of the plan succeeding however appeared in the mood English rethink but it would Super League announced by today” while Inter said “our rage among virtually everyone ... for the disruption I caused was 100 per cent.But with clubs to move on quickly rather than continue with the new Euro- 12 elite sides on Sunday has engagement with all stake- with an interest in the game - over the last 48 hours. departing at a tremendous rate consider recriminations. pean competition as the “ex- effectively collapsed after holders to improve the football fans, governing bodies, play- “It goes without saying but this became unfeasible. “I said yesterday that it is isting system does not work.” Atletico Madrid, AC and In- industry will never change. ers, media and even British should be said, the project put Agnelli called for dia- admirable to admit a mistake With their numbers decimated ter Milan joined the six-strong “Inter believes that foot- Prime Minister Boris Johnson forward was never going to logue with ruling body FIFA and these clubs made a big that now looks impossible and English contingent in quitting ball ... must have an interest and French President Emma- stand without the support of and European confederation mistake,” Ceferin said. a retreat to the umbrella of the project. in constantly improving its nuel Macron. the fans.” Liverpool along with UEFA but they have little need “But they are back in the UEFA seems inevitable, even Now only Spanish giants competitions, to keep on excit- Seven-time European Manchesters City and United, to make major concessions with fold now and I know they have if they wish to continue to Real Madrid and Barcelona of- ing fans of all ages around the champions AC Milan were lit- Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur the Super League now stalled. a lot to offer not just to our push for change. ficially remain after Juventus world, within a framework of tle more conciliatory in admit- and Chelsea withdrew on German giants Bayern competitions but to the whole UEFA, with key figures from also conceded on Wednesday financial sustainability. ting “the voices and the con- Tuesday less than two days af- Munich and Borussia Dort- of the European game.” Bayern and PSG on their ex- that “at present there are lim- “With this vision we look cerns of fans around the world ter declaring their intention to mund, and French side Paris International Olympic ecutive committee as members ited chances that the project forward to carry on working have clearly been expressed form a new competition. Saint-Germain all rejected the Committee (IOC) president representing the European Club be completed in the form orig- together with institutions and about the Super League, and Italian record champions chance to become permanent Thomas Bach said he was “en- Association and with Champi- inally conceived.” all stakeholders for the future AC Milan must be sensitive to Juventus initially insisted they members of the league which couraged” by the support to ons League reform approved, The Turin side, in their of the sport we all love.” the voice of those who love this remained committed to the would include five more teams value-based sports organisa- are well placed to defend them- English language statement, The statements from the wonderful sport.” breakaway. “Between our clubs through unspecified qualifica- tions and competitions. selves in the short-term. did not formally say they pair were similar in language Liverpool’s main owner there is a blood pact, we will tion each year. “We also noted with great The implication from Ju- would withdraw however and to that of the English six and John W Henry eventually held continue,” Juventus chief An- UEFA president Aleksand- satisfaction the broad support ventus though suggests the insisted they remain both offered little in way of apology his hands up and said in a club drea Agnelli to La Repubblica er Ceferin reacted furiously from all corners of Europe, battle for the future of Euro- “convinced of the soundness for throwing European foot- video he wanted “to apologize on Wednesday, saying the pos- to the announcement made from the fans and, in this case, pean football is far from over.

THE EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE STORM AND AFTER Liverpool owner apologises to fans British newspapers victorious ‘Big Six’ could face sanctions

DPA DPA PA Media/DPA holding those (clubs) involved London London London to account under its rules.” Section L9 of the league’s Liverpool’s principal owner John W British newspapers were victo- English football’s ‘Big Six’ handbook states member Henry has apologized for his part in the rious on Wednesday after all of the so- clubs could still face Premier clubs shall not enter or play proposed European Super League. called big six English clubs announced League sanctions despite in extra competitions without Henry said in a video posted by the their decision to step down from the backing out of the breakaway the prior written approval of club on Twitter Wednesday that the European Super League (ESL). Super League. the league’s board. breakaway project would only have The Daily Mail described the Brighton chief executive Tuesday’s statement from worked with fans’ full support. Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry. past few days as “football’s civil war” Paul Barber called for “ap- the league followed an emer- “I want to apologize to all the fans which ended after rich club owners out of the Super League after owners propriate action” to be taken gency meeting of its other 14 and supporters of Liverpool Football fairly so. This is what hurts most. were “shamed by fans, players and do the IMPOSSIBLE and unite play- against the clubs involved on clubs in response to the crisis. Club for the disruption I caused over the “They love your club and work to politicians.” “Defeat of greed”, read ers, coaches, royalty, celebs, God’s Wednesday, even though by By Wednesday, the six had last 48 hours,” he said. “It goes without make you proud every single day. I know the Mail’s headline. best mate and, er, actually the whole then each had indicated their pulled out following a huge saying but should be said, the project the entire LFC team has the expertise The I described the falldown as bloody world, against their greed.” intention to withdraw. backlash from supporters, put forward was never going to stand and passion necessary to rebuild trust an “Own goal!” while left-wing pa- Other newspapers remained The PA news agency un- governing bodies and other without the support of the fans. and help us move forward. per The Daily Mirror chose a play matter-of-fact about the news, derstands the league’s position clubs, as well as their own “No-one ever thought differently in “More than a decade ago when we on words for its front page with the with both The Daily Express and has not altered since it issued players and managers. England. Over these 48 hours you were signed up for the challenges associated phrase “EUR not singing anymore.” The Times stating simply: “Super a statement on Tuesday, when Their withdrawals were very clear that it would not stand. We with football we dreamed of what you And The Sun emulated chants from League crumbles.” Most newspaper all six were still signatories to marked in some cases by apol- heard you. I heard you.” Liverpool and dreamed of and we’ve worked hard to fans at football matches with the front pages solely referred to Chel- the Super League. ogies - and in the case of Man- five other English sides said they would improve your club. words “Cheerio! Cheerio! Cheerio!” sea and Manchester City pulling out At the time, it said: “The chester United their executive be part of the breakaway league an- “Our work isn’t done and I hope you on its front page, describing the and Manchester United’s chief Ed Premier League is considering vice-chairman Ed Woodward nounced Sunday but they all withdrew understand that even when we make change of heart from clubs as a “huge Woodward stepping down rather all actions available to prevent announced he would leave the in the face of furious opposition by late mistakes, we’re trying to work in your victory for football fans.” than all six of the clubs pulling out it from progressing, as well as club by the end of the year. Tuesday. club’s best interests.” Henry said he took The Daily Star, which takes a due to the newspaper deadlines the Henry spoke of the “hurt” being felt full personal responsibility for “the un- tongue-in-cheek tone for its front papers have. and also apologized to manager Juergen necessary negativity” and that fans had pages, said the clubs’ owners’ “Knees The rest of the clubs, including Ar- Klopp, his staff and players “and to eve- displayed their “rightful power”. have gone all trembly,” in a play on senal, Spurs and Liverpool, announced ryone who works so hard at LFC to make “In this endeavour I’ve let you down a Tottenham Hotspur song from the they were withdrawing from the league our fans proud”. and I’m sorry and I alone am respon- 1980s. after the English papers went to press. “They have absolutely no responsi- sible for the unnecessary negativity Highlighting the united feeling However, the corresponding stories bility for this disruption,” Henry said. brought forward over the last couple of over the past few days, the paper on their websites were updated after “They were the most disrupted and un- days,” he said. added: “Chelsea and Man City pull the announcements. 14 Thursday, April 22, 2021 Sports Nasser Al Khelaifi appointed European Club Association chairman Tribune News Network Following the unprece- tion has never been more Nyon (Switzerland) dented events of recent days I am honoured and humbled to have been required than at this pivotal which has seen attempts to appointed by my fellow ECA Executive Board Members moment in European foot- The European Club Associa- undermine the entire Euro- ball. I will provide my uncon- tion (ECA) Executive Board pean football community, as chairman. The leadership, integrity and together- ditional commitment to the on Wednesday appointed ECA – representing the lead- ness of our organisation has never been more required entire football community: Nasser Al Khelaifi (Chairman ing football clubs of Europe – than at this pivotal moment in European football. I will that means to all ECA Mem- & CEO of Paris Saint-Ger- welcomes the decision from ber Clubs from every Europe- main) as the new Chairman of its former Member Clubs provide my unconditional commitment to the entire an nation, and to the fans and the ECA. not to pursue their purport- football community: that means to all ECA Member communities they represent. In addition, Michael Ger- ed “Super League” project, Clubs from every European nation, and to the fans and “I, alongside all my fel- linger (Director Legal Affairs, following the seismic and communities they represent. low ECA Board Members Human Resources and Institu- universal condemnation of and Clubs, am looking to re- tional Relations at FC Bayern the project by the entire foot- Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman, European Club Association inforce ECA in its role as the München) has been appointed ball community and across Nasser Al Khelaifi. legitimate and singular voice 1st Vice-Chairman of ECA, society as a whole. of Europe’s clubs. representing Subdivision 1; ECA firmly believes this one across the football fam- cons that mean so much to in a better place for the next am honoured and humbled “Our game, adored by alongside existing ECA Vice- project could not succeed be- ily. Football is for everybody. fans and their communities. generation; not to dismantle to have been appointed by my generations of support- Chairmen Edwin van der Sar cause football, at its core, is Recent events have been a re- ECA believes that it is the it purely for financial gain. fellow ECA Executive Board ers, will only prosper under (AFC Ajax), Dariusz Mioduski based on openness, sporting minder that club owners are responsibility of every Mem- Commenting on his ap- Members as chairman. The unity, and it is our duty as (Legia Warszawa) and Aki Rii- excellence and an inherent merely custodians of their ber Club to ensure that we pointment as ECA Chairman, leadership, integrity and to- the custodians of football to hilahti (HJK Helsinki). connection between every- clubs, which are historic bea- develop football and leave it Nasser Al Khelaifi stated: “I getherness of our organisa- fulfil this obligation.” Olunga scores hat-trick as Al Duhail win 7-goal thriller AFC Jeddah

A scintillating display of at- Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (L) celebrates with tacking talent at King Abdul- Argentinian forward Mauro Icardi (C) and German midfielder Julian lah Sport City Stadium saw Draxler after scoring the team’s third goal during the French Cup seven goals scored as ’s quarter-final against SCO Angers at the Parc des Princes stadium in Al Duhail SC emerged 4-3 win- Paris on Wednesday. PSG won 5-0. (AFP) ners over Islamic Republic of ’s Esteghlal FC on Match- day Three of the 2021 AFC Champions League Group C Icardi treble on Wednesday. Both sides went into the Matchday Three encounter fires PSG into hopeful of extending an un- beaten record, with Al Duhail having collected four points from their opening two games Cup semi-finals and Esteghlal having earned the full six points. DPA vas in goal for PSG, before the Esteghlal wasted no time, Berlin hosts doubled their advantage instantly taking the game to in fortuitous fashion. their opponents and were re- Mauro Icardi scored a hat- Full-back Colin Dagba warded with the opener within trick as Paris Saint-Germain made hay down the Angers four minutes. Seyed Ahmad swatted Angers aside 5-0 in left and his cross was clipped Mousavi’s whipped cross from the quarter-finals of the Coupe towards goal at the near post the right was converted into de France. by Neymar. the back of the net through Striker Icardi recently re- saved well but the rebound ’s pow- turned from a spell on the hit Manceau and spun into his erful header. sidelines with a thigh injury own net. Al Duhail’s response did and showed what a useful as- The Angers defender not take long as Abdullah Al set he can be to Mauricio Po- should have atoned for that Ahrak’s long ball into the box chettino with and the misfortune two minutes before was controlled by Edmilson Champions League up for half-time when he was left un- who then fired a left-footed grabs, converting a pair of marked in the PSG box, only to effort from six yards out that sharp finishes. blaze wide on the volley. was parried by goalkeeper Neymar, back in action Angers continued to probe Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri after a completing a domestic for a way back into the contest into the path of Michael Ol- suspension, also got in on the but PSG effectively made sure unga who nodded home the act midway through the sec- of their semi-final spot in the equaliser in the 10th minute. ond period, having prompted 65th minute - Butelle dart- The Kenyan striker then a 23rd-minute own goal from ing out to deny Draxler and added his second of the night, . the loose ball spinning up for pouncing on a misplaced pass Icardi then claimed the Neymar to head into an un- from Esteghlal centre-back matchball with the final act guarded net. Masoud Rigi to seize posses- Al Duhail players celebrate one of Michael Olunga’s three goals against Esteghlal FC in their Group C AFC Champions League match played at of the game, lashing home a Three minutes later, the sion inside the box and slot the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah on Wednesday. Al Duhail top the group with seven points from three matches. looping ball with an unstop- visitors were cut apart again, home Al Duhail’s second just pable volley. this time down their right before the half-hour mark. in for his third goal of the 2021 tion continued after the restart the firsthat-trick of the 2021 move to seven points, leaving Kylian Mbappe rested up flank as Angel Di Maria bril- Coach ’s AFC Champions League. with Esteghlal equalising a AFC Champions League, con- the Iranians a point behind. on the bench but PSG’s other liantly engineered space to men were determined to get Just before the referee pre- second time as Diabate’s head- trolling a cross from substitute The two sides lock horns again attacking options showed cross, with compatriot Icardi back into the game and 10 pared to blow the half-time er from the corner was blocked Ismael Mohammed and driv- in three days time. themselves to be in fine or- the beneficiary. minutes before the half time whistle, Al Ahrak found space by Benatia but fell to club cap- ing home his side’s winner on der, as Icardi slotted home to Rico denied Angers a con- break, they had restored parity inside the Esteghlal area and tain Esmaeili who sent a div- the turn to round off an enter- Scoreline: Al Duhail 4 (Michael crown a slick ninth-minute solation, pushing over when as supplied a swept home Mohammad Mu- ing header into the empty net taining battle for the top spot Olunga 10’, 27’, 85’; Abdul- move on the end of Julian fired a centre defence-splitting pass to Mota- sa’s low cross from the right to make it 3-3 with his third in the group. lah Al Ahrak 43’) bt Esteghlal Draxler’s cute throughball. from fellow substitute Lois hari who squared it across the flank to put the Qatari side in goal in as many games. With the win, Al Duhail FC 3 (Amir Arsalan Motahari tested Sergio Diony towards the roof of the face of goal for Cheick Diabate the lead again. Five minutes before the fi- topple Esteghlal off the sum- 4’, Cheick Diabte 34’, Farshid Rico, who was again deputis- net, before Icardi emphatically who was left with a simple tap- The game’s end-to-end ac- nal whistle, Olunga completed mit of Group C as the Qataris Esmaeli 74’). ing for the injured Keylor Na- had the final word.

Manchester United part-owner Joel Late Son penalty boosts Kane-less Glazer issues apology in open letter Spurs’ top-four hopes in Mason bow DPA United supporters will ted to rebuilding trust with DPA half for the first time this sea- soon after in what was one of Berlin surely argue there was never our fans and learning from the Berlin son, with Southampton - who few highlights for Spurs, who trust in the deeply unpopular message you delivered with went ahead through Danny found themselves behind at Manchester United co- Glazers in the first place, with such conviction. Son Heung-min scored a late Ings - good value for their lead. the half-hour mark. chairman and part-owner Joel the letter representing the “We continue to believe penalty to ensure Ryan Ma- Gareth Bale’s equaliser Spurs repaired the first- Glazer has issued an apology family’s first communication that European football needs son’s first match as Tottenham sparked Spurs into life and, half damage with an hour on to fans for the “unrest” caused with the fanbase since 2005. to become more sustainable caretaker manager ended in despite the disappointment of the clock, Bale picking out the by their European Super It read: “To all Manches- throughout the pyramid for a 2-1 win over Southampton, having a Son strike disallowed, top-left corner from a tight League misadventure. ter United supporters, over the long-term. However, we boosting their top four hopes the South Korean subsequently angle after Salisu had blocked United were one of 12 the past few days we have all fully accept that the Super in the absence of Harry Kane. converted an 88th-minute Lucas’ initial effort. founding clubs for the closed- Manchester United’s co-chairman witnessed the great passion League was not the right way Spurs’ build-up to spot-kick to give Mason’s men The hosts then thought they shop competition announced and part-owner Joel Glazer. (AFP) which football generates, and to go about it. Wednesday’s game was hardly a boost ahead of Sunday’s EFL had taken the lead 15 minutes on Sunday, but more than that the deep loyalty our fans have “Manchester United has a ideal given the loss of Kane to Cup final with Manchester City. from time as Son turned in they had frequently been cited confirmed his resignation, for this great club. rich heritage and we recognise injury before Jose Mourinho Any suggestions of Spurs’ Sergio Reguilon’s cutback, but as among the biggest pushers which the club claimed was “You made very clear your our responsibility to live up to was sacked amid the backdrop issues instantly vanishing with a VAR check confirmed Lucas for a new tournament to rival unrelated to the defeat of the opposition to the European its great traditions and values. of the European Super League Mourinho’s exit were compre- was interfering with play in an UEFA’s Champions League. Super League plans. Super League, and we have lis- The pandemic has thrown up controversy, but Mason - who hensively disproven in the first offside position. But another But less than 48 hours af- Criticism was directed at tened. We got it wrong, and we so many unique challenges became the Premier League’s half, with Southampton mak- review near the end went Spurs’ ter the plans were announced, United for their brief state- want to show that we can put and we are proud of the way youngest-ever manager (29 ing their intentions known in way, as Moussa Djenepo caught the proposed tournament be- ment upon withdrawal as well, things right. Manchester United and its years, 312 days) - saw his team just the third minute as Hugo Reguilon on the edge of the box gan to crumble as the English though Glazer – co-owner with “Although the wounds are fans from Manchester and recover following a rocky start. Lloris was forced into a dou- and the initial free-kick deci- clubs withdrew. his brother Avram – says he is raw and I understand that it around the world have reacted Seemingly a result of Kane’s ble save to deny Mohammed sion was upgraded to a penalty, United executive vice- “committed to rebuilding trust” will take time for the scars to to the enormous pressures absence, Spurs failed to get a Salisu and then Che Adams. which Son coolly buried in the chairman Ed Woodward also in a lengthier open letter. heal, I am personally commit- during this period.” single shot on target in the first Giovani Lo Celso shot wide absence of Kane. Sports Thursday, April 22, 2021 15

First five CSK survive Cummins scare, overs during chase didn’t clinch 18-run win over KKR go our way: ANI Morgan Mumbai ANI A late onslaught from Pat Mumbai Cummins (66*) and Andre Russell (54) went in vain as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Chennai Super Kings regis- skipper Eoin Morgan praised tered a thrilling 18-run win Pat Cummins and Andre Rus- against Kolkata Knight Rid- sell for their fighting spirit and ers in their Indian Premier said the middle and lower or- League (IPL) match here at der showed tremendous fight the Wankhede Stadium on against Chennai Super Kings. Wednesday evening. A late onslaught from Batting first, CSK posted Cummins (66*) and Russell 220/3 in their allotted 20 (54) went in vain as CSK reg- overs riding on a brilliant 95 istered a thrilling 18-run win from Faf du Plessis against KKR in their Indian and a well-compiled 64-run Premier League (IPL) match knock from Ruturaj Gaikwad. here at the Wankhede Sta- In response, knocks from dium on Wednesday evening. Cummins and Russell kept “It’s quite high at the mo- the KKR alive till the last over ment (how’s the pulse?). One of the match but the Kolkata- hell of a game. based franchise failed to cross Andre Russell and Dinesh the line. Chasing a mammoth Karthik put a partnership to- target of 221, KKR had a hor- gether and following that Pat rible start as both the openers Cummins gave us every chance Shubman Gill (0) and Nit- towards the end. Tremendous ish Rana (9) went back to the fight from the middle and dressing room inside the first lower order. You ride the emo- three overs. Deepak Chahar tions throughout the day. The bagged both the for first five overs ofbatting didn’t CSK with the new ball. go our way. We didn’t play as Skipper Eoin Morgan and Kolkata Knight Riders’ Pat Cummins (left) and Andre Russell during their mesmerising knocks of 66 not out, and 54 runs respectively against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL match well as we would’ve liked,” Rahul Tripathi also couldn’t played at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing 221 for a win, Kolkata Knight Riders were bowled out for 202 in 19.1 overs after being 31 for 5 at one stage. (BCCI/IPL) Morgan said after the game. stay long in the middle. Cha- He further said that bowl- har first removed Morgan (7) cumulated 81 runs off just 39 The match was all but gone for 202 in 19.1 overs. Cum- dismissed Gaikwad at his in- of 17 off seven balls before he ers could have done better for and then Sunil Narine (4) in balls for the sixth . The for KKR. However, Cummins mins remained unbeaten on dividual score of 64. The right- was sent back to the pavillion them in the game. the fifth over to leave KKR partnership kept KKR’s hope had other plans. He kept on 66 off 34, smashing six sixes handed batsman smashed by Russell in the 19th over. “We can be happy with reeling at 31/4. alive in the encounter but just smashing boundaries and was and four fours. four sixes and six fours. Ravindra Jadeja scored a [how we adapted to a] new Things turned from bad when things seemed to go in in no mood of giving up on the For CSK, Chahar bagged After Gaikwad’s dismissal, six off the one ball he faced as ground, different challenges. to worse very rapidly for KKR favour of Morgan and boys, total. He scored 30 runs off four wickets while Ngidi Moeen Ali joined the party and CSK’s inning came to an end at Going back to it, I don’t think as Tripathi (8) was picked by Sam Curran clean bowled Curran in the 16th over. grabbed three scalps. kept the scoring rate ticking. 220/3. For KKR, Narine, Rus- there was any margin for error Lungi Ngidi in the last over of Russell in the 12th over. In the last two overs, KKR Earlier, after being asked Moeen scored 25 off 12 and sell and Chakravarthy bagged for the bowlers. We need to be the powerplay. Pat Cummins joined needed 28 runs. to bat first, Gaikwad and du stitched a 50-run partnership one wicket each. kinder to the bowlers. You re- After Tripathi’s dismissal, Karthik in the middle and kept In the penultimate, Cur- Plessis provided a solid foun- with du Plessis. ally need to be on the money. Russell joined forces with the run-rate at par with the ran gave eight runs and took a dation to CSK. The openers The England international Scores: CSK 220/3 (Faf du I tend to stay away from Dinesh Karthik and took on required rate. The duo added wicket but Cummins kept the gave a flying start to the side became Narine’s victim in the Plessis 95*, Ruturaj Gaikwad Andre after he gets out the CSK bowlers. He scored 54 34 runs for the seventh wicket strike with him on the last ball and played their shots freely 17th over. 64; Sunil Narine 1-34); KKR (laughs). It’s great he’s in this off 22 balls with the help of 6 before Ngidi scalped the wick- of the 19th over. In the final all-around the park. CSK skipper MS Dhoni, 202/10 in 19.1 overs (Pat sort of form. Disappointing sixes and three fours. et of Karthik (40) in the 15th over, Prasidh Krishna got run They added 115 runs before who promoted himself up in the Cummins 66*, Andre Russell that the rest of us couldn’t help Russell and Karthik ac- over. out as KKR got bundled out spinner Varun Chakravarthy order, played a quickfire knock 54; Deepak Chahar 4-29). him out,” Morgan said.

Bairstow, Khaleel excel as SRH Cherif and Tijan claim silver at Cancun score easy win over Punjab Kings

ANI Chennai

Taking over from Khaleel Ahmed and Abhishek Shar- ma’s clinical display with the ball, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Jonny Bairstow smashed a gutsy fifty to steer the David Warner-led side to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Punjab Kings in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday. A dominating bowling effort from Khaleel and Ab- hishek had helped SRH restrict Punjab Kings to a paltry 120 in 19.4 overs. In response, SRH Qatar’s beach volleyball pair of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan won silver at the 4-star World Tour Cancun (121/1) chased down the target Hub Volleyball Tournament at Cancun in Mexico on Tuesday night. Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Sorum with eight balls to spare thanks claimed the gold winning the final 21-19, 22-20. Czechs Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner took bronze. to a fine batting performance by Bairstow that left Punjab Kings gasping for breath. David Warner and Rizwan, Usman guide Pak to Bairstow (63*) started off the chase in comprehensive fash- Kane Williamson of Sunrisers Hyderabad (3rd left) greets Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul after victory in ion, taking SRH to 50 in style the IPL match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday. 11-run win against Zimbabwe in six overs. In the next four overs, Warner slowed down a to take SRH over the line quite two more wickets in the next Khaleel removed Shah- ANI ed up with the match figures bit but Bairstow continued his comfortably in the 19th over. 10 balls. Deepak Hooda and rukh off the first ball of the of three for 29 in four overs. onslaught and smashed timely Earlier, after opting to bat Moises Henriques tried to 18th over to deny the Punjab Hasnain took two for 27. boundaries. first, Punjab Kings got off to revive Punjab’s innings, but Kings any chance of finishing An unbeaten 82-run knock Earlier, after being put into While Warner did try to bad start as they lost skipper without much success as Ab- the innings on a high. In the from Mohammad Rizwan and bat, Pakistan scored 149/7 in up the ante, Fabian Allen re- KL Rahul in the fourth over. hishek sent them back to see final two overs, Punjab Kings three wickets from Usman their allotted 20 overs. Despite moved the SRH skipper in Chris Gayle and Mayank Punjab lose six wickets with picked 10 runs to give SRH a Qadir guided Pakistan to an 11- losing wickets at regular inter- the 11th over to give Punjab Agarwal then stitched a part- just 82 runs on board. 121-run target. run win over Zimbabwe in the vals, wicketkeeper-batsman Ri- Kings a glimmer of hope. nership but Khaleel Ahmed Shahrukh did manage to Scores: Punjab Kings 120 (Shah- first of three-match T20I series zwan kept the scoreboard mov- But Bairstow and Kane Wil- ended Mayank’s stay in the take Punjab past the 100-run rukh Khan 22, Mayank Agarwal here at the ing as he struck his fifth T20 liamson didn’t allow Punjab seventh over. mark, but the right-handed 22; Khaleel Ahmed 3-21); SRH in Harare on Wednesday. fifty. Rizwan struck 10 fours Kings to capitalise as the duo It triggered a middle-order batsman wasn’t able to con- 121/1 (Jonny Bairstow 63*; After being set 150 to win, and a six in his 61-ball knock. stitched a 48-run partnership collapse as Punjab Kings lost vert it into the big one. Fabian Allen 1-22). Zimbabwe lost two wickets in He contributed 34 runs for the third over to right-arm fast the second-wicket with Fakhar Mohammad Hasnain with 21 Zaman (13 off 14, two fours). runs on the board. Tinashe Ka- Another 34 runs were added munhukamwe (29) and Craig for the fourth-wicket between Quick read Ervine (34) knitted 56 runs for debutant Danish Aziz (15 off IOC chief believes ‘big number’ of Olympic participants will be vaccinated the third-wicket to help hosts 11, one six) and Rizwan. stage a comeback in the run- For Zimbabwe, Luke Jong- Berlin: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach is confident that a “big number” of participants at the okyoT chase. That the hosts were able we and Wesley Madhevere Olympics this summer will be vaccinated against the coronavirus. “I think we can already say now that a big number of participants living to reach near the target was due took two wickets apiece. in the Olympic village will be vaccinated for own safety and solidarity to the Japanese population,” Bach told a news conference following to a late onslaught from Luke an IOC executive board meeting on Wednesday. Bach, however, reinforced the IOC position that it cannot make vaccination compulsory two Jongwe, who struck three fours Scores: Pakistan 149-7 in 20 months before the Games. “But we’ve been encouraging and assisting all the national Olympic committees and Olympic teams to get vac- and a six and returned unde- overs (Mohammad Rizwan 82*; Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan cinated and, in fact, we can see very good process,” he pointed out. Asked about a visit to Japan ahead of the Games, Bach said it’s “still feated on 30 off 23 balls. Wesley Madhevere 2-11, Luke (L) celebrates after his half in the planning phase, so I cannot confirm it. Once the arrangements are made they will of course be made public.” Due to the coronavi- For Pakistan, leg-spinner Jongwe 2-24); Zimbabwe 138-7 century during the first Twenty20 rus pandemic, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed to this summer and are due to start on July 23. Japan has been struggling with Usman accounted for Ervine, in 20 overs (Craig Ervine 34, International against Zimbabwe another wave of coronavirus infections and Bach said the IOC was informed about a possible new state of emergency in Tokyo. (DPA) Sean Williams (nine) and Re- Luke Jongwe 30*; Usman Qadir at the Harare Sports Club in gis Chakabva (three) and end- 3-29 Mohd Hasnain 2-27). Harare on Wednesday. (AFP)