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Tuesday, March 27, 2018 CRICKET Rajab 10, 1439 AH Stunned Australia GULF TIMES digests cheating shame in S Africa SPORT Page 2 Barshim gears up for long season ahead

and Brussels on consecutive days, high jump in all competitions he By Joey Aguilar Doha $100,000 will be at stake in each of took part in, and in August etched the 32 Diamond disciplines, includ- his name in history by becoming the ing $50,000 for each winner. first Qatari to win the gold at the out- fter making 2017 all his own “We have a long and hard season door IAAF World Championships in with his trailblazing exploits, ahead starting with the Diamond London with a jump of 2.35 metres. Qatar’s world-beating high League meeting in Doha and I am With the 2019 IAAF World Cham- Ajumper Mutaz Barshim is preparing hard for it,” Barshim told pionships to be hosted by Qatar, gearing up for another year of domi- Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Barshim is quite enthusiastic about nance when the prestigious Dia- mond League series kicks off in Doha Esrar Race 2018 held at Aspire Park retaining his world title. on May 4. over the weekend. “We are working towards it. After The 14-leg series will take elite track Barshim took part in the race as an this season is done with we will put and field athletes across Asia, Eu- honorary ambassador as he encour- together a plan for 2019,” he added. rope, the US and Africa over a four- aged participants to support the Barshim’s best is 2.43 metres, which month period culminating with the event and lead a physically active is the second-highest leap in history final event in Brussels on August 31. life. after after Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s This being a non-Olympic and “Starting the season with a win in 2.45m set 25 years. non-World Championships year, the front of the home fans is always Barshim has also won the world planet’s best athletes will turn their a great feeling and I hope to do it indoor title and a bronze and silver at entire focus to the Diamond League again this year,” the reigning world the Olympics besides several medals competitions with the ultimate goal champion added. at the Asian level. of winning the season-ending IAAF Last year, Barshim kick-started the The 2018 Diamond League meetings Diamond League Champions prize. season with a winning leap of 2.36 will be staged in Doha, Shanghai, Eu- Athletes earn points in the first 12 metres, which he cleared with his gene, Rome, Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, meetings in the road to the final. At first attempt. Lausanne, Rabat, Monaco, London, the two final meetings, held in Zurich He then went on to win sweep the Birmingham, Zurich and Brussels.

RALLYING SPOTLIGHT Bancroft might have got away had Qatar’s Adel takes T2 he not panicked, says broadcaster

Reuters it in his pants, we knew that this was Cape Town a major incident. Until then, we were not sure what we were looking at.” victory on 2nd stage Naicker adds they had not been By Sports reporter ustralian cricketer Cam- tracking Bancroft specifi cally, but it Abu Dhabi eron Bancroft may have is standard for the broadcaster to fol- got away with his now in- low the ball from player to player, even famous attempt to alter the when it is not in play. atar’s Adel Abdulla claimed Acondition of the ball in the third Test “We have seven cameras that stay the fastest time in the T2 against South Africa at Newlands had with the ball always, whether it is in category on the 287.92km he not panicked and stuff ed the evi- play or not,” he revealed. “But there second selective section dence down his trousers. are a lot more cameras, we had 30 at ofQ the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge That is the belief of Alvin Naicker, the ground.” Naicker says they broad- through the deserts of Liwa yesterday. the head of production at host broad- cast the footage of him rubbing the The Qatari began the day 30min caster SuperSport and the man in ball with the then unknown object al- 33sec behind Saudi rival Ahmed the director’s chair who broke one of most immediately after the incident. Shegawi in his rented Nissan Safari cricket’s greatest scandals. “He (Bancroft) probably saw it two Y61 and he and navigator Nasser al- 15 minutes getting the car out. The start and the Russian incurring time Bancroft was caught on camera minutes after it happened and very Kuwari reduced that gap to 29min leader then came and passed us. penalties after the previous stage. placing sticky yellow tape, which he smartly our cameraman focused on 24.9sec after crossing the dunes of “We got going again and he stopped Competitors will tackle the third used to pick up rough granules off the the coaching staff and we saw the the Rub Al-Khali in a time of 5hrs again and we pushed and passed desert special and the second of three pitch, into the front of his pants when coach (Darren Lehmann) get on the 35min 43sec, despite losing over 10 him again. We managed to take one loops stages through the UAE deserts he believed his cheat had been spotted walkie-talkie to the player down on minutes stuck at the top of a sand minute from him and we will now be today. The timed section will run for by the umpires. the fi eld (Peter Handscomb), who ran dune near the fi nish. in front of him in the stage for tomor- 281.27km. The fall-out from the incident has on to speak with Bancroft. It was then Adel said: “Today we decided to row. This is a good thing. There are cost captain Steve Smith and his dep- he panicked.” push more than yesterday. This car still three days to go and I am sure the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge uty David Warner their positions, for the big screen at the ground, umpires The ‘follow the ball’ policy is some- is completely diff erent to my car. I next one will be very hard. I hope to – T2 positions after SS2: the remainder of the match at least, Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth thing Naicker says is done in every learned a lot about this car yesterday. close the gap soon.” 1. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU)/Laurent and thrown both players’ future in the called the player over. test and they were neither asked to do We caught the leader (Ahmed Shega- Adel Abdulla is running his T2 Lichtleuchter (FRA) Toyota Land baggy green cap into doubt, leaving a He produced a black piece of cloth it, nor were driven by any other previ- wi) and we passed him and we pushed programme with the crucial support Cruiser 10hrs 00min 23.7sec nation seething. used to clean sunglasses from his ous suspicious behaviour. more and more. But this stage is un- of the Qatar government, the Qatar 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser al- “We initially just saw that he had pocket and the umpires were, at the “We don’t want it to seem like we believably diffi cult for our cars, as a Motor and Motorcycle Federation Kuwari (QAT) Nissan Patrol 10hrs something in his hand and he put it in time, satisfi ed. are going after the Australian team,” T2. We passed many diffi cult places, (QMMF) and Ooredoo Qatar. 29min 48.6sec his pocket, but we didn’t know what it Naicker believes that had Bancroft he said. “If that was a South African, you cannot believe. Both Russia’s Yuliya Khegay-Mi- 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS)/ was,” Naicker told Reuters yesterday. kept the piece of yellow tape in his we would have broadcast the footage “We were, perhaps, leading by 15 gunova and Romania’s Claudia Lau- Aldis Vilcans (LVA) Toyota LC 200 “It was only when he later panicked pocket and still produced the black for sure. minutes but, in the last 30km, I got rentiu Barbu lost considerable time 20hrs 21min 44.5sec and put it in his underpants that we cloth for the umpires, giving him the “We have a responsibility to enter- stuck in the top of a sand dune. It in the sand dunes and slipped behind 4. Laurentiu-Claudiu Barbu (ROU)/ got sight of the yellow tape.” opportunity to dispose of the tape lat- tain, but just like journalists we have a was my mistake. I did not take the further behind their T2 rivals, with Paul-Nicusor Spirodon (ROU) Nissan After the images of Bancroft putting er, nobody would be the wiser. moral obligation to provide unbiased right gear and we spent maybe 10 or the latter stopping close to the stage Navara 239hrs 01min 34.0sec something in his pocket appeared on “The moment he tried to dispose of editorial.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, March 27, 2018 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Sponsors put Aussie cricket Stunned Australia digests on notice

Sydney: Australia’s major cricket sponsors, including Qantas Airways, breakfast cereal maker Sanitarium ball-tampering shame and brewer Lion, said yesterday they were as- sessing their relationship with the country’s favourite Rajasthan Royals announced Smith had agreed to step aside as captain, to be replaced by Rahane pastime as the fallout from a ball-tampering scandal es- Reuters calates. The incident, which Sydney / Cape Town Australian captain Steve Smith said involved senior players hatching a plan to ban for captain Steve Smith tamper with the ball during in no way eased the fury di- a game against rival South rected at the leadership of the Africa, also threatens to Australia cricket team as the upset current negotiations sports-madA nation returned to work over broadcast rights. yesterday still digesting the ball-tam- Weetbix-maker Sani- pering scandal which broke in Cape tarium, which counts Smith Town over the weekend. as a brand ambassador, The story led the front pages of all said it was reviewing its of the country’s major newspapers, the sponsorship pending the headlines mostly working around the outcome of an investigation single word “Shame”, and on radio talk by governing body Cricket shows and social media the off enders Australia. “Certainly it’s were lambasted with a vehemence unu- under review as the actions sual for even those forums. taken by the team in South “As this disreputable tour descend- Africa don’t align with our ed from the gutter into the sewer, the own values — Sanitarium mythical line the Australians use as the does not condone cheating yardstick for their behaviour has not in sport,” Sanitarium said in only become blurred but disappeared a statement. altogether,” Andrew Wu wrote in the The sentiment was mir- Sydney Morning Herald. rored by almost all of the “The disconnect from what Steve sport’s commercial partners Smith’s men deem as acceptable be- in Australia, including haviour compared to what the majority Qantas, apparel sponsor of the public back home has become as ASICS, Commonwealth Bank wide as the Indian Ocean which sepa- of Australia, insurer Bupa, rates them.” Specsavers, Toyota, and There is no hyperbole involved when brewer Lion, which owns Australians describe the cricket cap- beer sponsor XXXX. taincy as the country’s second most im- “Like the rest of Australia, portant job behind that of prime min- we’re deeply concerned,” ister and the concept of playing “hard, a Lion spokesman said in a but fair” has always been integral to the statement. “This is not what national identity. you’d expect from anyone in For Smith, therefore, to have delib- Australian captain Steve Smith was on the front pages of the major newspapers in Sydney. The local press blasted Australia’s cricketers for having heaped disgrace and sport at any level.” erately conspired to cheat by getting a humiliation on the country, later Smith admitted cheating by hatching a plot to tamper with the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. (AFP) Singapore Telecom- junior member of his team to tamper munications’ Optus, which with the ball during the third test integrity Iain Roy arrived in South Afri- son Gillespie wrote for Guardian. the other supposed members of the “If an athlete had been representing is a commercial partner against South Africa cuts to the very ca to begin an investigation that will de- “It is impossible to envisage a sce- group, pace bowlers Mitchell Starc and Australia in an Olympic Games and they and broadcasts cricket on quick of the Australian psyche. cide the international future of all three. nario where he stays in the job. This is Josh Hazlewood, have moved swiftly to had brought the country and the team its mobile network, said it The players remained in their Cape In the space of two days, top batsman a train wreck. This was pre-planned distance themselves from the incident. into disrepute, that’s what would have would not comment on the Town hotel yesterday in preparation for Smith has gone from Australia’s crick- cheating. It may have been implement- Coach Darren Lehmann will also happened to them.” incident as it was a matter the transfer to Johannesburg for Friday’s eting golden boy to national pariah and ed by a junior player in Cameron Ban- have questions to answer after clearly The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), for Cricket Australia. fourth and fi nal Test, though for many it looks likely that he has played his last croft but it came with the backing and trying to cover up the incident once he the sole authority on the laws of crick- The camera vision of their minds must surely be already on Test as captain. It has also cost him the knowledge of ‘the leadership group’, realised the TV pictures had exposed et since it was founded in 1787, called Australian player Cameron home. There were few smiles as they captaincy of Indian Premier League side a core of senior guys in the Australian Bancroft’s cheating, even if Smith in- for better leadership across the global Bancroft hiding a piece of chatted quietly among themselves, Rajasthan Royals, who announced yes- set-up.” sisted the coach had not been part of game. yellow tape that was used some enjoying family time by the pool terday he had agreed to step aside, to be The identity of the leadership group the conspiracy. Cricket Australia, com- “The time has come for a major shift to try and rough up the ball on what would have been the fi fth day replaced by Ajinkya Rahane. that Smith admitted was responsible ing off a highly damaging labour dispute in attitude and culture of all those with to benefit the bowler has of the third Test had South Africa not Some of the most vehement reactions for Bancroft attempting to scuff up one last year, have also come under fi re for responsibility for leadership within the stunned a sports-loving ripped through their batting on Sunday to the incident have come from his pred- side of the ball with a piece of tape was the temerity of their initial response. game, to give young players the kind of nation where “back-yard” to infl ict a crushing 322-run defeat and ecessors in the coveted baggy green cap, the subject of some conjecture, with “Frankly, we believe that Steve Smith role models who will uphold standards, and “beach” cricket are a take a 2-1 lead in the series. which each player is awarded on his Test Warner the only name defi nitely in the and Cameron Bancroft should have preserve cricket and, vitally, the Spirit national hobby. Smith, David Warner and Cam- debut. “Steve Smith’s time as Australia’s frame. been on the fi rst plane home yesterday,” of Cricket for future generations,” John Roughing up one side of eron Bancroft were nowhere to be seen captain is surely up,” former fast bowler Several of the Australian correspond- Australian Sports Commission chair- Stephenson, MCC Assistant Secretary a ball can help it to swing though, as Cricket Australia’s head of and possible future Australia coach Ja- ents in Cape Town report that some of man John Wylie said yesterday. (Cricket), said in a statement. through the air, making it more diff icult for the bats- man to hit. The position of OPINION FOCUS Australian cricket captain is even locally referred to as the second most important position behind the Prime Minister. Indeed, Australia’s Lehmann has questions Former skipper Clarke says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull intervened on Sun- day to demand quick action from Cricket Australia. to answer, says Hussain Smith needs forgiveness The sport’s past heroes, including the late Sir Donald AFP Bradman, are revered for Sydney their conduct as much as their victories, helping cre- ate a clean, attractive brand ormer captain Michael to attract corporate spon- Clarke urged a furious sors. That’s now tarnished. sporting public yes- “This is deeply disap- terday to forgive Steve pointing and certainly not SmithF over the cheating scan- what anyone expects from dal that has plunged Austral- our national cricket team,” ian cricket into crisis. He said Qantas said in a statement. Australia needed to move on “We are in discussions with from the anger over Smith’s Cricket Australia as this is- ball-tampering plot in the third sue unfolds.” Test against South Africa and Cricket Australia earned work on restoring the sport’s A$338.4mn ($261mn) in me- battered reputation. But Clarke Australia’s captain Steve Smith (right) and teammate Cameron dia, sponsorship and specta- acknowledged many fans would Bancroft admitted to ball-tampering against South Africa. (AFP) tor fees in the financial struggle to fi nd sympathy for year ended June 30, 2017, Australia’s vice-captain David Warner (left) and coach Darren Lehmann. Smith over his role in a plan to ally stood in my mind — this he added, saying he did not re- according to its most recent have batsman Cameron Ban- can never happen again,” the member tampering with the annual report. The value of AFP been defi ned but Hussain, who captained Eng- croft change the condition of 115-Test veteran said. “I think ball in an international match. its individual sponsorships London land between 1999 and 2003, would also like to the ball by illegally rubbing it that has to be Cricket Austral- Richardson said the extreme are not disclosed. hear from other senior players. “The silence has with sticky yellow paper. ia’s focus, this can never, ever reaction was because Austral- The ball-tampering been deafening actually, not just from Lehmann “I do feel for Steve Smith. happen again in this great game ians in the past were quick to incident has struck at the ormer England captain Nasser Hussain and (David) Saker, the bowling coach, but also 100% he has made a major mis- of cricket. “We have so much make cheating accusations climax of talks about a five- said yesterday that Australia coach Dar- from David Warner,” said Hussain. “David Warn- take and he and a lot of other work to do to get cricket back to while casting themselves as year broadcast rights deal ren Lehmann has questions to answer er seems to have a lot to say on a cricket fi eld — in people I think are going to have where it belongs.” paragons. Ex-England captain with Australian television about the ball-tampering scandal engulf- the last 48 hours the silence from David Warner to suff er the consequences,” Clarke has likened the ball- Michael Atherton, while criti- networks. Long-term cricket ingF his team. Australia captain Steve Smith was has been deafening.” Clarke said. “That’s fair enough. tampering aff air to “a bad cising Smith, has also ques- broadcaster Nine Entertain- banned for one Test and docked his entire match In a column for Britain’s Daily Mail newspa- But I think it’s important that dream” and cricketing greats tioned whether ball-tampering ment did not immediately fee by the International Cricket Council for his per, Hussain said the premeditated nature of the we do over time forgive as well.” have slammed Smith and his deserved its reputation as a ma- respond to questions. role in a plot that saw teammate Cameron Ban- cheating was notable, adding Smith must shoul- Australian cricket fans have teammates for bringing the jor sin. “It has gone on since the Cricket players and croft tamper with the ball during the third Test der lots of the blame. Former Australia coach John long regarded the national game into disrepute. However, year dot,” said the former open- the governing body have against South Africa. Smith referred to the team’s Buchanan said it was not common for a coach not team’s style as hard but fair, even there have been some calls for er, who faced tampering allega- also recently come out “leadership group” as being behind the plan, not to know what plans his players have on the fi eld. though many take issue with perspective, including former tions himself in 1994 when he of a bruising pay dispute. the coaches, but Hussain wants to hear an expla- “Generally it will be the coach and captain, in the boorish behaviour of some New Zealand batsman Mark Ri- rubbed dirt from his pocket on Independent media analyst nation from Lehmann. “It doesn’t look good on the last couple of minutes before they go to the players in recent years. The ad- chardson, who said interference the ball during a Test against Peter Cox said the ball-tam- Lehmann either way, really,” he said. “If he did fi eld, who will be saying, ‘these are the sort of mission that an Australian Test to make the ball reverse swing South Africa at Lord’s. “If the pering scandal could prove know then he’s in a whole heap of trouble and will things we want to do and put in place when we get captain helped hatch a pre- was common in his playing days. condition of the ball is changed, disastrous for cricket’s not be able to hold his job down if he is condon- out on the fi eld’,” he told BBC radio. meditated plan to cheat, and the “It’s very, very diffi cult to you get a fi ve-run penalty and reputation and negotiating ing cheating and (the) scratching of a cricket ball,” Former England all-rounder Ian Botham also clumsy cover-up attempt that go to a former cricketer and change the ball. That hardly clout in Australia. Hussain told Sky Sports. wants to hear explanations. “What on earth pos- followed, has prompted genuine get him to be totally outraged sends the message that this is a “It could not have pos- “If he didn’t know, then questions will be asked sesses you to do something so stupid is beyond shock among cricket lovers. about ball-tampering because heinous crime.” sibly come at a worse time,” as to why senior players are going round not tell- me,” said Botham. “There’s so much talk about Clarke, who handed over it would quickly make people He said that ball-tampering Cox said. “The individual ing the coach exactly what is going on. In the it — how far does it go, how deep does it go? The the captaincy to Smith in 2015, hypocrites,” the player turned was rated a level two off ence incident will eventually blow dressing rooms I’ve played in, it is inconceivable players are saying that the management weren’t said changes needed to be im- television host. under current laws but authori- over but they will lose a seg- that the coach wouldn’t know something like this involved, which I hope is true. I don’t think this plemented for the good of the “There was a time there ties should make it a top-of- ment of the viewing market was being dreamt up.” decision was made by (just) Smith and (vice-cap- game. “When I woke up this where we were all trying to work the-scale level four if they felt it because of this.” The make-up of the “leadership group” has not tain David) Warner, so who else was involved?” morning a couple of things re- out how the heck you do this,” was so serious. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 27, 2018 3 CRICKET

FIRST TEST Wagner bowls New Zealand to innings win over England New Zealand have now won seven and drawn two of their past 10 home matches

AFP whether any changes were likely in Auckland the line-up. “There’s a lot of emotion knocking around now, it’s still very raw,” he said when asked if changes eil Wagner bounced New Zea- were likely. “I think it’s important we land to a comprehensive vic- have some rational thinking behind that tory against England in the and we sit down and I’m sure we will go fi rst Test in Auckland yester- into that Test match with the Eleven we day,N taking the key wicket of Ben Stokes think is going to win the game.” as he fought for a draw. The hosts now It was only the 10th time New Zea- head to the second and fi nal Test start- land have beaten England in the 102- ing in Christchurch on Friday in buoy- Test history between the two sides. The ant mood, confi dent that they are tough fi nal session started with New Zealand to beat on home pitches. just three wickets short of victory, New Zealand have now won seven while England needed a further 69 runs and drawn two of their past 10 home to make New Zealand bat again. matches, while England’s disappoint- Chris Woakes, who featured in an ing away record has stretched to 12 83-run stand with Stokes, made 52 matches without a win. before falling to Wagner — and Mark There were times on the fi nal day Stoneman scored 55 earlier in the in- of this Test when Stokes threatened nings along with Root’s 51 — but there to repeat the heroic performance of was little else for the tourists to enthuse Matt Prior, whose century on the same over. Wagner, Todd Astle and Trent ground on the same day fi ve years ago Boult each fi nished with three wickets. salvaged a draw for England. But after facing 188 deliveries for a SCOREBOARD patient 66, Stokes lost his composure ENGLAND I INNINGS 58 in the midst of a Wagner barrage and NEW ZEALAND I INNINGS 427-8 DEC clipped a bouncer to Tim Southee at ENGLAND II INNINGS point. Stokes’s dismissal, after his fi rst A. Cook c Watling b Boult 2 substantial innings since his return M. Stoneman c Boult b Wagner 55 from exile, ended what little hope Eng- J. Root c Watling b Boult 51 land had of saving the Test after they D. Malan c Latham b Southee 23 were rolled for 58 in their fi rst innings. B. Stokes c Southee b Wagner 66 They started their second innings J. Bairstow c Williamson b Astle 26 369 in arrears after New Zealand had M. Ali lbw Boult 28 declared on 427 for eight. C. Woakes c Nicholls b Wagner 52 “We were confi dent, but we knew C. Overton lbw Astle 3 it would be hard work,” skipper Kane S. Broad not out 1 Williamson said after New Zealand J. Anderson c Boult b Astle 1 completed the rout with under 19 overs Extras: (b8, lb2, w1, nb1) 12 to spare in a Test where almost two full Total: (for 10 wickets; 126.1 overs) 320 days were lost to rain. Fall of Wickets: 1-6 (Cook), 2-94 (Stone- “Stokes was a big wicket. He was man), 3-132 (Root), 4-142 (Malan), 5-181 playing very, very well, an innings that England’s Stuart Broad dives to make his ground as New Zealand’s Neil Wagner tries to field the ball during the fifth day of the first Test in Auckland. (Reuters) (Bairstow), 6-217 (Ali), 7-300 (Stokes), perhaps wasn’t to his true nature in 8-304 (Overton), 9-319 (Woakes), 10-320 terms of the stroke player that he is and the boys built those partnerships with three England batsmen dismissed in depicted them as part of the diff erence “Obviously it was a massive task (Anderson) he knuckled down and batted a long pe- the bat was very pleasing.” the last over before a break. between the sides. coming back from the start we had in Bowling: Boult 27-9-67-3, Southee 26-4- riod of time and kept us out for a long New Zealand’s innings featured an Joe Root was out on the last ball be- “We stood up and showed some re- that fi rst innings, which was bitterly 86-1, de Grandhomme 24-10-40-0 (1nb), time,” Williamson said. unbeaten 145 by Henry Nicholl and 102 fore stumps on Sunday and Moeen solve (in the second innings) and they disappointing, and we were always Wagner 32-11-77-3 (1w), Astle 16.1-5-39-3, “It was a brilliant match for our team from Williamson. Ali was removed in the last over of the continued to put us under pressure and fi ghting our way back in the game. Williamson 1-0-1-0 in all departments. The fi rst innings But Stokes’s 66 was the best Eng- fi rst session yesterday. Williamson de- you have to give them credit. It is very We need to be better when we get to Result: New Zealand won by innings and was the perfect storm. The boys put the land could produce in two turns at bat. scribed the three wickets as “big mo- disappointing and it’s another thing we Christchurch.” 49 runs ball in the perfect area... and the way Stokes, out just on dinner, was one of ments” while England captain Root need to start improving on,” Root said. But Root would not be drawn on Next Test: At Christchurch from March 30

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Pak touts PSL fi nal in pitch to host foreign teams Warriors Club Reuters crush Qatari Diar Karachi By Sports Reporter Omran grabbed two wickets for Doha 62. he trouble-free Pakistan Super In another match, Awais Malik League (PSL) cricket fi nal, held in and Zubair blasted 183 runs for Karachi on Sunday amid a festival magnifi cent centu- the fi rst wicket to set up a crush- atmosphere, has reignited calls ry by opener Nafees ing nine-wicket victory for HBK Tfor foreign national teams to look past se- failed to inspire Qatari against Royal Stars, who folded curity concerns and play regular cricket Diar as they suff ered up at 188 in 43.2 overs. Zibran in Pakistan. Aa fi ve-wicket loss at the hands (four for 30) and Malik took six The South Asian nation has largely of Warriors Club during a Qatar wickets between them to skittle been starved of international cricket Airways Cricket Tournament for out the rivals for a small total. since the 2009 attack on a bus ferrying the Premier Division teams at the Malik then joined Zubair to Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore which West Bay Grounds. launch the brisk pursuit, clinch- killed eight Pakistanis as well as wound- Qatari Diar piled up 312 for ing the win in just 21.5 overs. ing six players and a British coach. eight in 50 overs. Nafees and Amir While Man-of-the-Match Malik Pakistan’s biggest city ground to a laid a solid base with an opening hammered a dozen fours in his halt for several hours on Sunday as fans stand of 126 runs. Amir hit 55 off 70-ball 95, Zubair was unbeaten packed restaurants and cafes to watch Is- 59 balls with nine boundaries. on 78. His 61-ball knock had a six lamabad United defeat defending cham- This alliance was followed by an- and 11 fours. pion Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets other good partnership of 87 runs after being set a 148-9 target. “This is a for the second wicket, shared by BRIEF SCORES very big historic occasion,” Najam Sethi, centurian Nafees and Yousef, Warriors Club beat Qatari Diar by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman told who contributed 41 with two six- five wickets fans in the stadium just before the cul- es and as many fours. Qatari Diar: 312 for eight in 50 overs mination of the Twenty20 league started. However, Umar and Murad (Nafees 135 not out, Amir 55, Yousef “You have fi lled this stadium and shown picked three wickets each, which 41, Uzair 20, Umar 3/46, Murad 3/41) the world that we are ready for the return enabled Warriors Club to rally Warriors Club: 316 for five in 44.3 of the international cricket.” back and apply brakes on the ri- overs (Praveeth 62, Assad 54 not In its third year, the PSL has become a vals. Nafees fi nished unbeaten out, Murad 38, Imraz 35, Omran phenomenal success in the cricket-ob- on 135. His 139-ball hundred was 2/50) sessed nation of 208mn but security con- Islamabad United players celebrate after their win over Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League final in Karachi. (AFP) studded with seven sixes and 13 Man of the Match: Nafees (Qatari cerns mean many of the group games and boundaries. Warriors strung to- Diar) for 135 (139 balls) Pakistan’s international test matches are the stadium early to catch a glimpse of the kept away from Karachi for so long. Such team for limited overs matches, all at La- gether two healthy partnerships HBK beat Royal Stars by 9 wickets played in the Middle East. local and foreign players whose popular- matches could be held here much before.” hore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Pak also received to fuel the chase, wrapping up Royal Stars: 188 in 43.2 overs (Awais Ahead of Sunday’s fi nal, the fi rst ma- ity has soared in the run up to the fi nal. Pakistani offi cials are keen to repair the a further boost earlier this month when the fi ve-wicket victory with 33 45, Noor 37, Jibran 4/30, Awais jor cricket event in Karachi since the Sri “We are happy on return of interna- country’s image and reassure sceptical West Indies agreed to play a three-match balls to spare. Malik 2/33) Lanka bus attack, key roads leading to tional cricket to Karachi,” said Ahmed foreign nations, especially the more re- Twenty20 series in Karachi in the fi rst Imraz (35) and Adnan (27) add- HBK: 189 for one in 21.5 overs the stadium were closed and checkpoints Alam, 20, an engineering university stu- luctant Western countries, that security week of April. “I am looking forward to ed 80 runs for the opening wick- (Awais Malik 95, Zubair 78 not out, erected amid tight security. Despite tem- dent on his way to the stadium clutch- is now good enough host major events. playing more cricket here, I have enjoyed et. Assad and Faizal combined for Noor 1/24) peratures soaring to 38 degrees Celsius, ing bottles of chilled water and packets Since the bus attack, Pakistan has host- it,” Darren Sammy, a West Indies cricketer an unbroken sixth-wicket stand Man of the Match: Awais Malik many fans queued for hours to get into of potato snacks. “Cricket was unjustly ed Zimbabwe, a World XI, and a Sri Lanka and Peshawar Zalmi captain, said. of 59 runs. Qatari Diar captain (HBK) for 2/33 and 95 runs (70b) Pakistan ignore Kamran Akmal in T20 squad for West Indies series

Karachi: Pakistan yesterday ignored out despite notching 425 runs in 13 in the squad — Asif Ali and Hussain and impressed with his power hitting years he will be a star,” said Arthur of visitors were attacked by gunmen in in-form opener Kamran Akmal but Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, Talat. Lahore Qalandars’ teenage pace- throughout the PSL. Shaheen, who hails from the north- Lahore. It hosted several international included three uncapped players in the including a century and four half- man Shaheen Shah Afridi also received Talat, 22, is an exciting allrounder western tribal district of Khyber bor- players for the PSL final on Sunday. squad for next month’s three-match centuries for Peshawar Zalmi. But the a call-up. “We have included Talat, Asif who bats left-handed. Shaheen, a tall dering Afghanistan, where Taliban and Twenty20 series against the West In- selection committee led by former cap- and Shaheen in the squad primarily for left-arm paceman, took 5-4 against Islamist groups had been active. PAKISTAN SQUAD dies in Karachi. Sarfraz Ahmed will cap- tain Inzamam-ul-Haq and head coach their performances in the PSL,” said Multan Sultan in one PSL match. Head The 29-year-old Rahat Ali stages Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Ahmed Sheh- tain the hosts in the matches played Mickey Arthur did not include him due Inzamam. “Imad Wasim and Rumman coach Mickey Arthur said the 17-year- a comeback after last playing for zad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib in Karachi on April 1, 2 and 3 — the first to his age and poor fielding. Raees are still recovering from injuries old can become an important asset for Pakistan in January 2016. The last in- Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Faheem ties between international sides to take Two players from Islamabad United, so were not included.” the national team. ternational match Karachi hosted was Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, place in the port city since 2009. who won the PSL by beating Peshawar Asif, 26, smashed three sixes in one “Shaheen is an exciting and amaz- a Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Us- The 36-year-old Kamran misses Zalmi in Sunday’s final, were included over to help Islamabad win the final ing talent and I am sure after a few in February 2009, a week before the man Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, March 27, 2018 SPORT

FORMULA ONE Mercedes vow to bounce back aft er ‘one that got away’

Second-placed Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium in Melbourne on Sunday.

AFP “Lewis was in control through Melbourne the opening stint, then after the pit stop as well, and looked on course for a strong victory but it ercedes have vowed wasn’t to be,” he said. to bounce back in “Congratulations to Ferrari Bahrain next month on their win. For us, it’s a tough after throwing away one to take, but there are lots of MSunday’s season-opening Aus- lessons to be learned so we can tralian Grand Prix to Ferrari, with come back stronger next time.” team boss Toto Wolff admitting Mercedes have already set it was tough to take. their sights on the second race of Sebastian Vettel got the jump the season in Bahrain on April 8. on world champion Lewis Ham- Hamilton said he was bewil- ilton as Mercedes blundered dered to fi nd himself behind as Bubba Watson of the United States celebrates with Michael Dell after defeating Kevin Kisner of the United States 7&6 to win the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at their calculations on the Ferrari Vettel emerged from the pits to Austin Country Club on Sunday in Austin, Texas. ace’s pit stop under Virtual Safe- hold on to the lead around the ty Car (VSC) conditions. notoriously-restrictive Albert GOLF Vettel went on to keep Hamil- Park street circuit. ton at bay for his second straight “I did everything I could, but win in Melbourne and third it’s not what anyone expected to overall. happen,” said the Briton. It’s a defeat that sticks in the “I’m still in a little bit of dis- craw of Mercedes and team prin- belief as I don’t really under- cipal Wolff , who is determined stand what happened yet. the champion team will not re- “At least in my heart I know peat the same error again. that I gave everything this week- Watson takes WGC “This was one that got away end. I’m sure the team is feeling and it’s a bitter pill for us all to pain right now but we will re- swallow,” Wolff said. group and we’ll work on it.” “Following Lewis’s pit stop, For his part Vettel believes we believed that we had the sce- Ferrari’s 2018 car is not currently narios of both the safety car and “a true match” for Mercedes, de- the virtual safety car covered, spite having won the fi rst race. so that Sebastian could not pit Vettel and teammate Kimi Match-Play crown and come out ahead of Lewis on Raikkonen had been unable to track. challenge Hamilton in Mel- Watson, the 35th seed, won the first five holes of the final and never looked back in “We should have been several bourne qualifying, both fi nishing seconds safe, then suddenly saw almost seven-tenths of a second taking his 11th US PGA title and second of the year after winning last month at Riviera on the TV screens that we were off the defending champion. not. The German conceded he was “Of course, under the VSC “a bit lucky” to win, and admit- AFP “It might be a good thing going into sometimes you benefi t and ted Ferrari was not yet where it Austin Thomas says he could not stop Augusta not to deal with all that and let sometimes you lose out — but it wanted to be. DJ have all that pressure,” Thomas said. was clearly a problem on our side “If you look at the gaps the thinking about number one ranking Watson sank a 12-foot birdie to win and we need to analyse that to whole weekend, we are not yet wo-time Masters champion the fi rst hole against Kisner. At the sec- understand what happened and a true match (for Mercedes),” he Bubba Watson won the WGC ustin Thomas admitted to ond, Kisner missed a nine-footer for par, correct it.” said. Match-Play Championship becoming consumed with falling 2-down for the fi rst time all week. Wolff said what was particu- “Therefore at this point we on Sunday, routing Kevin Kis- thoughts of taking over the Bogeys by Kisner at the par-5 third larly frustrating was that Mer- know that we are not yet where Tner 7&6 in the fi nal after denying Justin world number one ranking be- and par-3 fourth staked Watson a 4-up cedes had the pace to win the we want to be, because we want Thomas the world number one ranking foreJ losing his semi-fi nal at the WGC- lead and a concession birdie by bogey- Melbourne race. to be fastest.” in the semi-fi nals. Dell Match Play yesterday bound Kisner followed at fi ve. The 39-year-old American joined Thomas would have overtaken fellow Kisner sank a 12-foot par putt to avoid Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mick- American Dustin Johnson to become losing the par-5 sixth but took three to SPOTLIGHT elson and Ernie Els as the only players top dog in the rankings for the first time reach the green at the par-3 seventh to with multiple major and WGC wins, his had he made the final at Austin Country fall 6-down. other WGC crown coming in China at Club in Texas. Watson sank an 11-foot birdie putt the 2014 HSBC Champions. Instead, Thomas lost 3&2 to Bubba at 10 but Kisner, on the brink of defeat, Woods at Ryder Watson, the 35th seed, won the fi rst Watson and remained number two. rolled in a 34-foot birdie at the par-3 fi ve holes of the fi nal and never looked It was a case of lesson learned, he said. 11th to win his fi rst hole. back in taking his 11th US PGA title and “Too much, honestly,” Thomas told Golf But that only delayed his fate, Watson Cup would be second of the year after winning last Channel, when asked how much he had capturing the crown with a seven-foot month at Riviera. been thinking of the ranking. birdie putt at the par-5 12th. “I got off to a good start, really got it “I couldn’t stop thinking about it last “I’m pretty tired,” Thomas said. “It’s so “It’s just one of those deals. Every unbelievable: Bjorn going,” Watson said. “There were only night. It would have been a good night hard to keep it going this afternoon time I looked up, there was nowhere to about four or fi ve shots over the whole to put my phone away and not read when you know you don’t have a look,” Kisner said. “I guess I need to fi g- AFP top 1,000 just last year. week where I lost my focus, where I anything. chance to win. ure out what happened this afternoon Val-d’Isère, France The 42-year-old, a veteran of didn’t have my concentration.” “It’s just a learning experience. I need to “I definitely wasn’t very hard to beat this and work on that.” seven Ryder Cups, has only been His win came with the start of the handle it better.” afternoon.” Kisner was chasing the biggest title part of one winning American Masters, the year’s fi rst major event Thomas had little left in the tank after Perhaps not having the world top of his career, having won PGA crowns at uropean Ryder Cup cap- side — back in 1999. which he won in 2012 and 2014, loom- his clash with Watson, who went on to ranking on his shoulders would ease the Colonial last year and Sea Island in 2015. tain Thomas Bjorn has But Bjorn warned against un- ing on April 5 and Watson confi dent as beat Kevin Kisner 7&6 in the final, and pressure there, he thought. Kisner showed grit in the semi-fi nal, said that having a rejuve- derestimating “the best that’s he heads for Augusta National. his match for third place against Alex “In the end it might be a good thing to making an eagle at 12 to square with nated Tiger Woods play- ever played”. “It comes from knowing I’ve got Noren, then matched him with six bird- Eing in September for the Ameri- “Now that he’s back on the golf Noren was something of an anti climax go into Augusta without that and let D.J. strength to hit the shots again,” Watson with the Swede winning 5&3. have all that pressure,” he said. ied in a row before sinking a fi ve-foot cans against his team in Paris course and playing well, once he said. “Physical strength, being healthy, birdie putt on the fi rst extra hole, the would be a “massive bonus” for starts getting confi dent he’s the is going to create the mind — you’re go- 12th, to dispatch Noren. golf. best that’s ever played and he can ing to have confi dence.” “I didn’t really make any mistakes,” pionship, was chasing his fi fth title in “That was a tough match,” Kisner Fourteen-time major cham- do incredible things,” he added. In the semi-fi nals, Watson defeated Watson said. “And then I made some eight months and would have over- said. “He kept hitting it in there close. I pion Woods has impressed since “It will be interesting to second-seeded compatriot Thomas 3&2 putts early. You have a chance to get taken American Dustin Johnson atop hung in there and made putts and got it returning to the PGA Tour after a see how the next three or four and 32nd-seeded American Kisner beat the lead. I played solid and he didn’t Monday’s world rankings by winning, done in the playoff .” series of injury problems, notch- months develop in Tiger Woods’ Sweden’s Alex Noren in 19 holes at Aus- make any putts.” Thomas, who won his Johnson having crashed out in the group Noren beat Thomas 5&3 for third ing back-to-back top-fi ve fi n- golf life, because there seems to tin Country Club. fi rst major at last year’s PGA Cham- stage. place. ishes for the fi rst time since 2013. be the thing about him that’s a Bjorn insisted that he wouldn’t bit more humble. be disappointed if his play- “I think he’s really happy with BOTTOMLINE ers have to face up against the the way things have developed former world number one, say- and I think he’ll go and do really ing a fi t and fi ring Tiger at the good things.” Ryder Cup would be “unbeliev- Woods, who will be hoping to Hole-in-one helps South Korea’s Ji win in California able for the game”. claim an 80th PGA Tour title in “Tiger Woods’ involvement the coming months, has already Reuters kyung and Ji shared the lead af- drought followed before she won for the game of golf is hugely im- been appointed as a vice-captain Carlsbad, California ter the third round. Kim fi nished the Swinging Skirts LPGA Tai- portant,” Dane Bjorn told AFP. to US skipper Jim Furyk for the with a 2-under round to tie for wan Championship last Octo- “He is the ultimate superstar matches in France. fourth place at 13 under with ber. “I hit it pretty well,” Ji said in sport and that’s very impor- But Bjorn knows that having outh Korea’s Ji Eun-hee Jane Park (5 under on Sunday) of her fi nal round. “I drove the tant for the game that he’s in- an in-form Woods playing in- won two cars on Sunday, and Kris Tamulis (4 under). ball very well and putted great.” volved. stead of on the sidelines would be one thanks to a hole-in- Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist Ji pulled away with a strong “I think it’ll be great for the anything but a boost for Europe’s Sone, the other for earn- (3 under), South Korea’s Lee start Sunday, making fi ve birdies game if he (Woods) plays and a chances of regaining the trophy. ing a victory in the Kia Classic at Jeong-eun (3 under) and Tai- and fi ve pars on her fi rst 10 holes, massive bonus for the Ryder Cup “He can play himself into the Carlsbad, California. wan’s Hsu Wei-ling (2 under) all including a stretch of three con- in France. If he got back to a place team and then the vice-captain- Ji aced the 14th hole during a wound up at 12 under, tied for secutive birdies at Nos. 6-8. where he was among the best 12 cy disappears a little bit because 5-under-par 67, and she wound seventh. Ji, a 31-year-old veteran Following her eighth lifetime players in America... I think for he has to focus on his playing,” up at 16-under 272 at Aviara Golf who took the $270,000 winner’s hole-in-one, Ji bogeyed two of the game of golf that would be said Bjorn. Club. check in addition to the cars, the fi nal four holes, but she had unbelievable.” “But America have a very good Cristie Kerr posted a 4-under posted her fourth career victory. enough of a lead to hang on. Woods will head into the Mas- set-up now with Jim (Furyk) be- round to tie for second at 14 un- Her fi rst win came in her second The most memorable shot of ters next month as one of the ing captain and guys like Davis der with Lizette Salas, who shot year on tour, 2008, and the fol- the day came when Ji swung her favourites for the green jacket, Love and Steve Stricker. They’ve 3-under. Eun-Hee Ji of Korea celebrates with the winner’s trophy in Carlsbad, lowing year she captured the US 7-iron from 166 yards at the 14th a remarkable situation given he been around a long time and they Salas, South Korea’s Kim In- California. Women’s Open. An eight-year hole. was ranked outside of the world’s know each other very well.” Gulf Times Tuesday, March 27, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Kerr says ‘no way’ Curry plays fi rst Pacers top Heat in round of playoff s

AFP his spirits high and look at the Los Angeles positive side of the injury that occurred in his fi rst game back on Friday night after missing six olden State Warri- contests with an ankle injury. overtime, clinch ors coach Steve Kerr “It could be worse,” he said. “I says there’s “no way” count that as a blessing. injured star guard “Our team has been through a GStephen Curry will be available lot in the injury department. We to play until the second round of all go through individual things the NBA post-season. but at the end of the day none of The playoff s begin on April 14 this is going to shake us from our and Kerr said Sunday that Curry ultimate goal of a championship.” playoff berth will need more time to complete The revolving door on the rehab on his sprained knee and Warriors’ infi rmary is spinning. ‘We’re just going to continue to play and try to win as many games as possible’ get back into game shape once The ailments also extend to he resumes practising with the All-Stars such as Draymond AFP reigning NBA champions. Green (fl u), Kevin Durant (ribs) Los Angeles “There’s no way he’s playing and Klay Thompson (right in the fi rst round,” Kerr said. thumb). The Warriors said Saturday Kerr said the others will all re- arren Collison nailed that they would re-evaluate turn “within the next week or 10 a couple of clutch Curry in three weeks after an days.” late three pointers as MRI showed a grade two medial Curry hopes the others can get the Indiana Pacers collateral ligament sprain in his back on the fl oor as quickly as clinchedD a postseason spot on left knee. possible. Sunday with a 113-107 overtime Curry also spoke to reporters “We’ve got four all-stars sit- win over the Miami Heat. prior to Golden State’s 110-91 ting in the back and one is at Victor Oladipo tallied 23 loss on Sunday to the Utah Jazz home. I will have some company points and fi ve assists for the and said his hopes to prove the but eventually I will be the lone Pacers who earned their sev- coach wrong and be ready sooner solider out there and that is not a enth playoff appearance in the than the second round. bad thing,” he said. last eight seasons. “I am not going to let it be a Curry also missed a half a doz- Collison sank the go ahead defeating situation,” he said. “I en games during the 2016 play- three pointer with 2:49 left in treat it with a sense of humour. off s with a right knee injury. overtime to give Indiana a 101- “It is a tough turn of events “We have to be ready to play 100 lead. Collison fi nished with but I will have an opportunity to without him and see how he’s 12 points as the Pacers scored 11 play in games that matter in the coming along,” Kerr said. “The unanswered points to seal the playoff s and that is the focus.” good thing is we’ve been through victory. Curry said he is trying to keep this.” Thaddeus Young had 22 points, nine rebounds and fi ve steals, and Bojan Bogdanovic added 18 points and eight re- bounds in the win. “Our (job) is still not done,” Young said. “We want to get as high of a seed as possible and we’re just going to continue to play and try to win as many games as possible. “But the monkey is off our back now that we’re actually in.” Tyler Johnson fi nished with 19 points, James Johnson had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Bam Adebayo added 14 points for the Heat, who won two of Phillies sign prospect Kingery to record deal the four-game season series. The Heat were missing coach The Phillies signed infield prospect Scott Kingery to a reported Erik Spoelstra who was back in record contract, ensuring he makes the major league roster for Florida for the birth of his son. Opening Day. The 23-year-old, primarily a second baseman in his Spoelstra, who was replaced by minor-league career, inked a six-year contract through 2023, the assistant coach Dan Craig, is team announced Sunday. expected to return for Miami’s Indiana Pacers guard Darren Collison (left) dribbles the ball against Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic in the second-half of their NBA game at The deal includes club options covering Kingery’s first three free- home game against the Cleve- Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports agent years in 2024-26, according to Fanrag’s Jon Heyman. land Cavaliers on Tuesday. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports the contract guarantees $24 million In losing for the 11th time Brooklyn Nets 121-114. liers. Jordan Clarkson added The Spurs stormed back to the season. James Harden had for Kingery, and a source told Phillies.com’s Todd Zolecki that it in their last 12 road games, the The Nets cut a 10-point Cavs 18 points for Cleveland while get within three points, with a triple-double with 18 points, ensures Kingery will start the 2018 season in the majors. Heat fell to No. 8 in the Eastern lead in half only to have James George Hill had 17 and Rodney less than a minute left on the 15 assists and 10 rebounds in Kingery is just the second player ever to receive a long-term MLB Conference. sink a stepback 30-foot three- Hood netted 16 off the bench for clock, but couldn’t get any clos- three quarters and the Houston contract despite never having played in the big leagues. The Hou- The Pacers win and the Heat pointer – his only three-point Cleveland. er in front of a crowd of 18,700 Rockets rolled to their 60th vic- ston Astros gave Jon Singleton a five-year, $10 million guarantee in loss had a domino eff ect on the hoop of the game – with 39 sec- in Milwaukee. tory, beating the Atlanta Hawks 2014, although the prospect has never panned out in the majors. postseason race as the Philadel- onds remaining to put a dagger Playoff boost The Bucks are in seventh spot 118-99. Kingery was expected to start this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley phia 76ers clinched even though in Brooklyn’s upset bid. Also, the Milwaukee Bucks in the East with nine games re- since per MLB free-agency rules if the Phillies promoted Kingery they didn’t play Sunday. James credited aggressive de- gave their NBA playoff push an- maining in the regular season. RESULTS to the majors before April 13, the team would lose a potential year The Sixers last made the fensive work by the Cavaliers in other boost, fi ghting off a furi- LaMarcus Aldridge scored Houston ...... 118 Atlanta ...... 99 of control down the road. But the Phillies seemingly believe that playoff s in the 2011-12 season, the fourth quarter, when they ous fourth-quarter San Antonio a game-high 34 points for the Toronto ...... 106 LA Clippers .. 117 Kingery could not be held back after starring in the minors and light- which was shortened to 66 held the Nets to 25 points. Spurs’ rally to hold on for a 106- Spurs, who had their six-game Washington 97 New York ..... 101 ing it up in spring training. Following a dominant 2017 when he hit a games by a lockout. “You’ve got to have your mind 103 win. winning streak halted. Oklahoma ... 105 Portland ...... 108 combined.304 with 26 home runs and 29 steals at the Double-A and Elsewhere, LeBron James ready defensively and have our Giannis Antetokounmpo re- Greece’s Antetokounmpo Golden State91 Utah ...... 110 Triple-A levels, Kingery has hit.392 this spring with three doubles, scored 37 points, pulled down stance ready when they get the turned from missing one game looked impressive in his return Indiana ...... 113 Miami ...... 107 four homers, four stolen bases and a 1.140 OPS. To make room on the 10 rebounds and passed out ball,” James said. to score 25 points for the Bucks, from a sprained right ankle as Sacramento 93 Boston...... 104 team’s 40-man roster, the Phillies designated right-hander Ricardo a game-high eight assists to Kevin Love added 20 points who almost blew a 15-point lead he added 10 rebounds to pick Milwaukee .. 106 San Antonio103 Pinto for assignment, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. lead the Cavaliers over the host and 15 rebounds for the Cava- with eight minutes to go. up his 37th double-double of Brooklyn ...... 114 Cleveland .....121

NHL Ducks erase defi cit, dump Oilers in overtime

Reuters increasing his season points total in the middle period. Edmonton Edmonton to 99. He is four points ahead of took a two-goal lead with less Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov for than two minutes left in the sec- the league lead. Ty Rattie, Leon ond when Draisaitl lifted a one- efenseman Hampus Draisaitl and Ethan Bear also timer from the right side over Lindholm scored the scored for Edmonton. The Oilers Gibson’s glove. game-winning goal are 8-2-2 in their past 11 games, Anaheim tied the game in the 1:21 into overtime as but they already were eliminated fi rst 5:51 of the third. theD Anaheim Ducks overcame a from playoff contention. Henrique tipped in Marcus big night from Connor McDavid Talbot, who was scheduled to Pettersson’s shot 1:55 into the and posted a 5-4 victory over the get the game off , made 33 saves third, and Perry backhanded the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. after Al Montoya was scratched. rebound of Cam Fowler’s wrapa- The Ducks gained a point in their Ducks goaltender John Gibson round attempt by Talbot nearly sixth straight game by controlling stopped 28 shots. The Ducks tied four minutes later. possession in the extra session. it at 4-4 when Henrique tipped Bear restored Edmonton’s lead They won the opening faceoff and in Brandon Montour’s shot that by fi nishing off McDavid’s pass constantly skated around in their appeared to defl ect off Edmon- through the slot with a wrist own defensive zone before moving ton’s Darnell Nurse. shot over Gibson with 7:18 to the puck up the ice. McDavid scored his latest play. It was the rookie’s fi rst goal Lindholm won it by snap- goal 1:46 into the second period. in 13 career NHL games, while ping a shot from the middle of After Ryan Kesler coughed the McDavid registered his 60th as- the slot over goalie Cam Talbot. puck up in the neutral zone, Mc- sist of the season. Lindholm’s eighth career game- David fi red a wrist shot from the Mark Scheifele scored in a winning goal occurred after the right circle by Manson and past shootout and Connor Hellebuy- Ducks dominated the third pe- Gibson’s stick side for a 1-0 Ed- ck made it stand up by stopping riod by scoring three times and monton lead. all three attempts as the Winni- outshooting Edmonton 22-6. The Ducks tied it 19 seconds peg Jets clinched a playoff berth Adam Henrique netted the later when Manson completed with a 5-4 victory over the visit- tying goal with 89 seconds left a three-on-two by lifting a slap ing Nashville Predators on Sun- in regulation on his second tip- shot from the left circle into the day night. in of the night. He also scored top of the net. Anaheim’s fi rst goal of the third The Oilers regained a one- RESULTS period. Corey Perry also scored goal lead when McDavid made Pittsburgh 5 Philadelphia .4 (OT) in the third. Josh Manson netted a pass from the right corner to Vancouver 4 Dallas ...... 1 Anaheim’s fi rst goal. Matt Benning, whose one-timer Winnipeg ..5 Nashville ...... 4 (SO) McDavid scored Edmonton’s from the high slot was tipped in Boston ...... 2 Minnesota .....1 (OT) Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (No 47) scores the game winning goal against Edmonton Oilers during the overtime period of fi rst goal and set up two others, by Rattie with 12:16 remaining Anaheim ....5 Edmonton .....4 (OT) their NHL game at Rogers Place in Edmonton. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, March 27, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS Qatar Volleyball League Cilic, Del Potro in 4th round, Dimitrov out ‘It was a relief at the end. I saved the best for last and I’m really pleased with the victory’

Reuters Miami

roatian second seed Marin Cilic survived a tough examination by Canadian Vasek Pospisil toC reach the fourth round of the Miami Open with a 7-5 7-6(4) victory after nearly two hours on Sunday. But the tournament, with world number one Roger Fed- erer already ousted, lost another highly-ranked player when Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the third seed, was taken down Al Arbi and Police players in action during their Qatar Volleyball 6-4 6-4 by Frenchman Jeremy League match at the Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. Police won 3-2 Chardy. (16-25, 25-17, 27-25, 23-25, 15-12). PICTURES: Jayaram Indian Wells champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, the fi fth seed, was more fortu- nate, winning his 13th consecu- tive match by defeating Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-2. The big-hitting Cilic fi red six aces and saved all three break points he faced against Pospisil, but the 77th-ranked Canadian made it more diffi cult than the Croat probably expected. Trailing 5-6 0-40 in the sec- ond set, the Canadian saved three consecutive match points and hit a running forehand pass to cap a 33-shot rally be- fore Cilic claimed victory in the tiebreak. Al Rayyan (in red and black) defeated Qatar Sports Club 3-0 “It was a relief at the end,” (25-19, 25-17, 21-25, 20-25, 15-6) in their Qatar Volleyball League Cilic told reporters. match yesterday. “I had those three match Marin Cilic of Croatia plays a shot against Vasek Pospisil of Canada during day six of the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Centre in points at 6-5 and there was that Key Biscayne, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) great rally at deuce. I was play- ing really well in the tie-break, returning really well and serving Venus outlasts Bertens to book Konta clash Rising concussions give rugby really good. Three-time winner Venus Williams saved Williams sealed the win with an emphatic Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig. chiefs major headache “I saved the best for last and three match points in a three-set victory forehand winner, giving a little leap of ela- Ukraine’s Svitolina beat Daria Gavrilova 4-6, I’m really pleased with the vic- over Kiki Bertens on Sunday, lining up a tion. “It didn’t look good sometimes, that’s 6-0, 6-1, her fourth straight win over the Aus- English Rugby chiefs yesterday announced an action plan alongside tory.” fourth-round clash with reigning champion why you keep playing until the last point,” tralian. In a match of tense rallies Svitolina a report showing a rising number of injuries during matches, with Del Potro fi red 17 winners, Johanna Konta at the Miami Open. said Williams, who lifted the trophy in Miami finished with 28 winners and won 70 percent concussion making up nearly a quarter of the total. The Professional claiming all fi ve points when Williams, ranked eighth in the world, in 1998, 1999 and 2001. “And that’s why I love of her first-serve points. Svitolina will battle Rugby Injury Surveillance Project, covering the 2016-17 season, said crashing the net and turned back laboured nearly three hours to beat 29th- this game.” for a quarter-final berth against another the incidence of match concussions rose for the seventh consecu- Nishikori’s lone break chance to ranked Bertens 5-7, 6-3, 7-5. Konta, whose victory here last year pro- Australian, 21st-seeded Ashleigh Barty, who tive season. And it suggested a World Rugby directive to increase take the match in 72 minutes. The 37-year-old American was cruising with pelled her into the top 10 in the world rank- beat Croatia’s Petra Martic 6-4, 6-3. sanctions on tackles and take a zero-tolerance approach to contact “I think I’m playing good,” Del a 5-0 lead in the opening set, but she squan- ings, advanced with relative ease, beating Latvian Ostapenko defeated Brazilian Beat- with the head made “no diff erence” to the incidence of all injuries Potro told reporters. dered three set points as Bertens reeled off Belgian Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1. riz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (7/2). She led by a and concussion. “We would like World Rugby to give consideration “I can play even better, but seven straight games to snatch it. Konta exchanged early breaks with Mertens, set and a break before Haddad Maia battled to thinking about reducing the legal height for the tackle,” said I need to get confi dence play- The second set was another streaky aff air, but gained the upper hand with a break for back to level the set. Rugby Football Union (RFU) medical services director Simon Kemp. ing on this court, trying to keep but Williams gained a decisive break for a 5-3 3-2 when the Belgian double faulted four Ostapenko twice served to avoid a third set. “There’s very little margin for error with the permitted height of the winning matches. But it is not lead and fought off a break point in the next times in one game. She fell behind 0-2 in the tiebreaker before tackle at the line of the shoulders. It’s for World Rugby to consider easy. My body is starting to feel game to force the decider. It launched a streak of four straight games winning seven straight points for the victory. and we know they’re doing that at the moment.” In the 2016-17 tight because of all my success.” The seven-time Grand Slam champion would for Konta that gave the Briton the opening “In the tie-break, I showed my great tennis, Premiership season there were 3.8 injuries per match (1.9 per team) The fi fth seeded Argentine have to dig deep when she fell 1-4 down to set. She powered through the second to and I won the match,” Ostapenko said. “I’m on average. The average severity of match injuries - the time taken will face Filip Krajinovic in the her Dutch opponent in the third. reach the fourth round, where the 26-year- really glad it happened that way.” to return to play - was 32 days. The report showed 47 per cent of all fourth round on Tuesday after Bertens served for the match at 5-3 but was old will try to get past the last 16 of a tourna- She next faces ninth-seeded Czech Petra match injuries are associated with the tackle, with an almost equal the Serbian defeated Frenchman unable to convert two match points as Wil- ment for the first time this season. Kvitova, who rallied for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory split between tackler and the ball carrier. Nigel Melville, the RFU’s Benoit Paire 6-3 6-3. liams broke to put the match back on serve. over American qualifier Sofia Kenin. director of professional Rugby, said the legal height for a tackle had Meanwhile, South Korean Williams would face one more match point Svitolina, Ostapenko advance Puerto Rico’s Puig followed up her upset of become a “grey area” that was interpreted diff erently by referees. Chung Hyeon, the 19th seed, against her own serve in the next game, but Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina and sixth-seed- second-seeded Australian Open champion “We want to work with the players, the professional clubs and World needed just 62 minutes to she held on as Bertens appeared to struggle ed Jelena Ostapenko, the reigning French Caroline Wozniacki with a 6-3, 7-5 victory Rugby to build a much better body of knowledge about this, so we dispatch American qualifi er with cramps in the final games. Open champion, also advanced, as did 2016 over Greece’s Maria Sakkari. make better, more informed decisions,” he said. Michael Mmoh 6-1 6-1.

SPOTLIGHT Checkmate or knockout: Chess boxing lands a punch AFP of boxing. “Combined, the two sports Boxing Organisation was set up Berlin The winner has to earn either are the amalgamation of the there in 2004. a boxing knockout or a check- most beautiful capacities of hu- mate on the chessboard, but ei- man beings to create a type of Man versus robot? ith his dental guard ther chess boxer can be disquali- supreme being,” he said. Regular exhibition games are still in his mouth fi ed for taking too long to make The author of the graphic nov- organised, pitting players of all and a slightly quea- a chess move or by breaking the el, Bilal, told AFP that he found nationalities. sy feeling in his gut, boxing rules. it “rather amusing that the idea “Our aim this year is to create Wa shirtless Thomas Cazeneuve that was potentially absurd had a professional league fi nanced was exuberant after checkmat- ‘We were sober’ become reality”. by investors and partners,” said ing his opponent during a chess “You need to be good in both Rubingh, who is pushing for the boxing bout in Berlin, the world disciplines, which can be quite ‘More Kasparov than Tyson’ sport to be included in the Ol- capital of the unusual sport. complicated. But it’s true that While it was considered more ympic Games in Paris in 2024. Just as deft in the movement one mustn’t be afraid of being a curiosity than a real sport in To gain publicity for the sport, of his rooks as with his fi sts, Ca- punched,” said Rubingh. the beginning, chess boxing Rubingh has another seemingly zeneuve claimed victory against The biggest diffi culty may has gained a strong following, space-aged idea up his sleeve. his Ukrainian challenger after be staying lucid to pull off the including chess fans who have This time, he is turning to sci- seven alternating rounds of box- winning chess move despite the crossed over to the more physi- ence fi ction guru Isaac Asimov ing and chess. physical demands of boxing. cal realm of boxing. Alina Rath, for inspiration. The match played out before “It was my toughest fi ght with a 29-year-old German, has been Taking a leaf from Asimov’s a crowd of curious onlookers a rival who is a total all-rounder, a member of a chess club for series depicting man’s fi ght drawn to the spectacle of the so- and who has left me exhausted, 20 years but only began adding against the machine, Rub- called “Intellectual Fight Club”. especially in boxing,” said Ca- boxing to the mix in August. ingh wants robotic companies Chess boxing was born 16 zeneuve, 24, a recruitment con- “Chess boxing breaks down to partner him in organising a years ago when its founder Iepe sultant. cliches of the rough guy who series of matches pitting men Rubingh brought to life a seem- “I held on thanks to my mental only knows how to beat up the against robots. ingly far-fetched idea from a strength,” he added. weak intellectual,” said the ac- “I would fi ght against a robot French graphic novel, “Cold In fact, “60 percent of the countant. with artifi cial intelligence and Equator” by Enki Bilal. winning moves are made on Although Rath says she feels which is much stronger than us Today, Rubingh has set his the chessboards and 40 per- “more like Kasparov than Ty- in chess but also weaker in terms sights on introducing chess box- cent in boxing,” said Rubingh, a son”, she said she was tempted to of refl exes,” he said. ing to the Olympics and even 43-year-old Dutchman. sign up for the dual discipline af- “Every year, I would chal- looking at sending robots into Recalling the sport’s gesta- ter fi ve years of practice in mixed lenge the best of the robots and battle, as the multidisciplinary tion, chess-lover Rubingh said martial arts. it would become increasingly sport gains popularity. that it began in 2002, when, af- Some 3,500 people are card- diffi cult for me to win as they The rules of chess boxing are ter a round of chess that ended carrying members of 11 fed- improve. The day that I lose, simple. Three minutes of gentle- in stalemate, he suggested to a erations in countries including the machine will have over- manly chess played on a board in friend that they go for a boxing Britain, Iran and Russia. taken mankind,” said Rubingh, the ring is alternated with three- bout at a bar in Amsterdam. And it is Berlin that is the un- who is dreaming of a million- minute bouts of intense boxing “The idea was born, but we disputed headquarters of the dollar fi ght in New York’s Times Daniel Biman (left) and Mohamad Kadija during a chessboxing amateur fight event at the Intellectual over 11 rounds - six of chess, fi ve were sober,” he said. sport after the World Chess Square. Fight Club IX in Berlin on December 15, 2017. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 27, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Cavani strike topples Wales and clinches Below strength China Cup for Uruguay

AFP box, and at the other end Wales Nanning, China midfi elder Andy King also had a long-range eff ort saved, this time by Uruguay keeper Fern- aris Saint-Germain ando Muslera. Germany serious striker Edinson Cavani Wales’ best chance of the fi rst scored the only goal of 45 minutes came just before half the game as Uruguay time when Gareth Bale fl icked defeatedP Wales 1-0 to win the Harry Wilson’s freekick just past China Cup. Muslera’s post. The South Americans had The breakthrough came in the the better of the match as Ryan 49th minute when a long ball Giggs’ side struggled to replicate over the top of the Welsh defence for Brazil: Boateng the form shown in their demo- found Cristian Rodriguez who lition of hosts China 0-6 last squared to Cavani who tapped in ‘Both games are high-level test matches for us. You can see that from the extremely Thursday in the semi-fi nal. his 100th goal for his country to An open and attacking match put Uruguay 1-0 up. high pass quota - over 90 percent - from Spain, we expect the same against Brazil’ in Nanning got off to a bright Minutes later the former Na- start as Luis Suarez hit the post poli striker missed a golden from inside the box following a chance to score his second when low cross after just two minutes. he mis-kicked a low cross from The Barcelona forward again the right with only Hennesey to struck the woodwork in the beat. 31st minute after latching onto Both coaches made a raft of a sloppy Wales back-pass and substitutions as the game wore rounding goalkeeper Wayne on, and Uruguay held their lead Hennessey. However the former to lift the trophy. Liverpool man hit the post with Earlier today at the same sta- an open goal at his mercy. dium, the Czech Republic beat Cavani stung Hennessey’s hosts China 4-1 in the third- palms in the 36th minute with place playoff of the four-team a rasping shot from outside the tournament.

Uruguay players pose with the trophy and medals after winning the China Cup in Nanning, China. yesterday. (Reuters)

Wenger bemoans ‘age discrimination’ amid uncertainty Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to accept the consequences of poor results but believes increasing speculation over his future at Germany players in action during a training session on the eve of their friendly match against Brazil in Berlin. (Reuters) the club is due to “age discrimination”. Although Arsenal are set to finish their 14th straight season without AFP ants. Hertha Berlin’s Marvin this season and they shouldn’t start with just a handful of play- “There might be three or four winning the Premier League title, 68-year-old Wenger claims the Berlin Plattenhardt will also make only be over-played. ers who were involved in the re- players in the starting line-ups demands for him to leave have grown in recent years because of his sixth international appear- “Those involved don’t always markable Belo Horizonte clash from 2014,” he said. prejudice against older managers. ance at left-back. Mesut Ozil play for the national team, but in 2014. “I do not think that, for ex- “You focus on doing well for your club and ignore all the rest,” he erome Boateng insists and Thomas Mueller have been in games like this you can test After Germany drew 1-1 with ample, Marcelo, who played at told BeIN Sport. “Overall the older you get the more it becomes a Germany see today’s released by Loew to rest while things, the Brazilians are also Spain last Friday, Loew insists the time and has shown up re- little bit age discrimination. friendly against Brazil Manchester City pair Leroy missing players.” the Brazil showdown is another ally well at Real Madrid, as have “I can accept that if the results are not good enough... but overall in Berlin as an impor- Sane and Ilkay Gundogan are This will be the fi rst time demanding challenge for the other Brazilians in top teams, that perpetual thing of a link with how long you’ve been at the club, tantJ test despite coach Joachim expected to face Brazil. Germany face Brazil at senior world champions. will be afraid against us or will how old you are, I find that a bit diff icult to take.” Loew planning a string of Boateng, who was born in international level since the Se- “Both games are high-level fear another 7-1 defeat. Since taking charge of Arsenal in 1996, Wenger has led the club to changes. Berlin, will captain Germany in lecao were hammered 7-1 in the test matches for us,” said Loew. “Of course, the Brazilians three league titles and seven FA Cups wins but has failed to deliver Loew revealed that Barce- his home city if Juventus mid- semi-fi nals of the 2014 World “You can see that from the probably have a bit of desire for success in European competitions. lona goalkeeper Marc-Andre fi elder Sami Khedira fails to re- Cup. extremely high pass quota -over revenge, but you can’t turn the The Frenchman said finishing the season with a Europa League win, ter Stegen will be rested with a cover from a back problem. Brazil coach Tite has included 90 percent - from Spain, we ex- clock back. and subsequent qualification for the Champions League as a result, slight knee strain, leaving Kevin The Bayern Munich defend- four survivors - Marcelo, Fern- pect the same against Brazil. “The 7-1 is the past.” would not change his opinion on what he has given to the club over Trapp and Bernd Leno to play er played down the resting of andinho, Willian and Paulinho “Against top teams like this The fi ve-times world cham- the years. a half each at Berlin’s Olympic World Cup winners Ozil and - from the squad mauled by the you can learn a lot of things to pions kick off their World Cup “I am naive enough to believe that with the time going on, the Stadium. Mueller. Germans four years ago. take away for the 2018 World campaign against Switzerland perspective, the emotional context going, it will stand out what I’ve As fi rst-choice Manuel Neu- “Despite that, it is still an Fernandinho is expected to Cup.” on June 17 before facing Costa done for my club, not so much the last result or the last game I won er is recovering from a frac- important game and there are replace Douglas Costa in the Brazil coach Tite has spoken Rica and Serbia. or how much I’ve been applauded,” Wenger added. tured foot, it eff ectively means other reasons Mueller and Ozil only change from the team about the “ghost” of the 7-1 de- The Germans have been “I’m a little bit fed up with all that modern thing of completely taking Germany will fi eld their third aren’t here anymore,” said which beat Russia 3-0 in Mos- feat still haunting the Selecao, drawn in Group F of the tourna- care of your image. I’ve always worked my whole life with the idea and fourth choice goalkeepers Boateng. cow on Friday without the in- but Loew said it’s time to move ment, along with Mexico, South it’s more important who you are than how you look.” against the South American gi- “They have both played a lot jured Neymar. Loew is likely to on. Korea and Sweden.

FRIENDLY Butland to play in goal for England against Italy Reuters against Italy in 2012 but has earned Belotti not interested in London only fi ve caps since. He was ruled out of Euro 2016 after fracturing his ankle warming bench at ‘big club’ in March of that year. Italy and Torino forward Andrea Belotti toke City’s Jack Butland will The 25-year-old has made 28 ap- will only move to a bigger club if he can start in goal for England in their pearances in the Premier League this be sure he plays regularly. “They tell me friendly match against Italy to- season for relegation-threatened I should go and play in a big club which day as manager Gareth South- Stoke, keeping fi ve clean sheets and plays in the big cup competitions, but I gateS continues the audition process for conceding 51 goals. will decide what is best for me,” Belotti this year’s World Cup in Russia. Pickford has let in 50 for Ever- told state broadcaster Rai. “I’m not in- Southgate announced his latest ton this season, keeping seven clean terested in moving to a big club if I don’t choice during his news conference sheets in 31 Premier League games, play or get stuck on the bench. If I move, yesterday ahead of the Wembley clash yet both he and Butland appear to be it’s to be a regular in the first team.” with the Azzuri. edging ahead of Hart, out of favour at The 24-year-old attracted attention from Joe Hart remains England’s most West Ham United, in the race to get the around Europe after he scored 26 goals experienced goalkeeping option but goalie jersey in Russia. for Torino in Serie A last season and also Everton’s Jordan Pickford was selected While the 101 goals Pickford and became a regular for Italy. in the 1-0 win against the Netherlands Butland have conceded will be a worry However, Torino president Urbano Cairo in Amsterdam on Friday and now But- for those questioning the quality at insisted he did not want to sell the player land will get his chance to stake his Southgate’s disposal, they both stack and inserted a 100 million euro ($123.78 claim. Burnley’s uncapped Nick Pope up well in the ‘saves made’ charts. Ac- million) buyout clause into Belotti’s con- is also in the squad. cording to Premier League statistics, tract, which runs until 2021. This season “No (Pickford) didn’t (do anything Butland leads the way this season with has been less successful for Belotti, wrong against the Netherlands on 112 to third-placed Pickford’s 103. who has suff ered two injuries, scored a Friday),” Southgate said. “At the be- However, Southgate did not rule modest six league goals and was part ginning of the week we decided that’s Hart out of starting against Tunisia in of an Italy team which failed to qualify what we were going to do, give them England’s fi rst match in Russia on June for the World Cup. “I don’t want to see both a game for the experience. 18. pictures of the game at San Siro again,” “We have stuck with the plan right “Joe’s professionalism has been he said, referring to the 0-0 playoff draw the way through and there is no reason brilliant, he has always performed well against Sweden in November which cost to come away from that. for us and we had the best defensive Italy a place in Russia. “Personally, after “Lots of positions of the fi eld we record in Europe in qualifying,” South- the two injuries, I’m well, both physically have really good options. It’s impor- gate said. “Even though he knew he and mentally. Fortunately, there are lots tant we have competition for places all wouldn’t be playing in the games this of games coming up so I can bounce over the pitch. That breeds good per- week he has been a fantastic infl uence back.” Italy play England in a friendly at formance.” to the rest of the players and the other Wembley today. Butland made his England debut keepers.” England’s Jordan Pickford, Joe Hart, Jack Butland and Nick Pope during a training session in London yesterday. (Reuters)

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOOTBALL Mali win African Embassies Qatar poised for title Cup title Doha: Mali community football team were crowned champions of the second African Embassies Cup after beating Burkina Faso 2-1 last week at Al Arabi Stadium training field. Sudan secured as Syria and Iraq clash third place in the tournament after thrashing Ethiopia 4-1 a few days prior to the final match. Syria face an uphill task as they have to win by a 2-0 margin at least against hosts Iraq today to Organised by the African embassies in collabora- top the standings on goal diff erence and beat Qatar to the title tion with the QFA, the draw ceremony took place in early By Sports Reporter February at the Algerian Doha Qatar, who have four points from embassy in Doha and tour- two matches, have scored five goals nament kick-off was on 15 and conceded four, while Syria have February. atar are waiting in anticipa- scored two and conceded as many. This year, the tournament tion as Syria take on Iraq in the featured the participation last match of the International of 10 African community Friendship Championship in football teams divided into BasraQ today. Syria face an uphill task as two groups of five teams they have to win by a 2-0 margin at least including Group A teams to top the standings on goal diff erence and which includes South Africa, beat Qatar to the title. Algeria, Eretria, Mali, and Qatar, who have four points from two Ethiopia and Group B teams matches, have scored fi ve goals and con- which includes Tanzania, ceded four, while Syria have scored two Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, and and conceded as many. Iraq, who lost to Burkina Faso. Qatar 3-2 in the opening match, are out of Khalid al-Kuwari, QFA’s Di- title contention. rector of Marketing and Com- A festive atmosphere is expected at the munications and Algerian Basra International Stadium which has ambassador Abdelaziz Sebaa seen crowds exceeding 60,000 for the awarded Mali as champions match between Qatar and Iraq. during the closing ceremony. A big delegation from Qatar will be Sudan and Burkina Faso present in Basra today in anticipation of were awarded their prizes the title victory. Qatari players Akram Afi f at the closing ceremony by and Bassem al-Rawi are also in contention Fatah Elrahman Ali Moham- for the best player award. med Omer, ambassador of Meanwhile, Ali Jabbar, the deputy the Republic of Sudan, Faizal chief of the Iraq Football Association, has Moosa, ambassador of the praised Qatar for its eff orts in getting the Republic of South Africa, FIFA ban on Iraq lifted. “We have not for- Metasebia Tadesse Wolde- gotten how hard Qatar worked to get the giorgis, ambassador of the ban lifted,” Jabbar told the media. Federal Republic of Ethio- “We received limitless support from pia, Cheick Ahmed Tldiany Qatar in not only getting the ban lifted but Diakite, ambassador of the also organising this tournament. We thank Republic of Mali, and Adama our Qatari brothers for their continued Compaore, ambassador of support. Qatar Football Association Presi- the Republic of Burkina Faso. dent was kind to visit Iraq twice as part of Al-Kuwari said: “The QFA his eff orts.” is pleased to support the Jabbar also thanked the Iraqi public for African Embassies Cup as supporting the International Friendship we are constantly aiming Championship. “The public are the real to strengthen the role of stars of the tournament. They are very ma- football within the local com- ture and knowledgeable about the game.” munity, and instil a culture of Jabbar was confi dent Iraqis will turn practising more football by out in large numbers for the match against creating a suitable environ- Syria even though Iraq have no chance of ment for the teams.” winning the title. “Iraqis simply love foot- The first edition of the ball. It’s in their blood and I am sure they tournament was held back in will be present in large numbers to cheer December 2016. their team.’

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Gharafa crowned Arab Handball Cup champs Tala Abu Jabara

QNA Sfax, Tunisia wins fi rst-ever l Gharafa won the 14th Arab Hand- ball Cup championship after de- feating Libya’s Al Ittihad Club 29- indoor rowing 27 in the fi nal, which was held on SundayA in Sfax, Tunisia. Gharafa were able to overcome the 14-15 fi rst-half defi cit, and ral- lied in the second half to win the title. gold for Qatar This is Gharafa’s fi rst Arab trophy and the third for a Qatari team. Al Rayyan had won romising Tala Abu (QVA) announced on Sunday the 21st edition of the Arab Championship Jabara made Qatar that it will organise the fi rst held in Sharjah, while Al Arabi had captured proud by winning the edition of HH The Emir Beach the Arab Super Cup title. fi rst-ever gold medal in Volleyball Cup at Al Gharafa Also, Al Gharafa had won the 37th GCC country’sP rowing history during Arena. The event will begin Handball Championship last year for the fi rst the recently-concluded Arab from tomorrow and will bring time in their history. Indoor Rowing Championship in together 10 teams including; Al Gharafa qualifi ed for the quarter-fi nals Kuwait. A total of 8 countries Qatar 1, Qatar 2, Al Shamal 1, Al after topping Group A In the quarter-fi nals, took part in the 2000 paddling Shamal 2, Al Sadd 1, Al Sadd 2, Al Gharafa defeated Qatar SC 31-30. event in which Tala gave her per- Al Gharafa, Al Khor 1, Al Wakrah The Qatari side beat Tunisian side CS sonal record of 7.02.7 minutes to 1 and QVA Academy. Sakiet Ezzit 26-23 in the semi-fi nal, before clinch gold medal. UAE’s Amana Meanwhile, QVA President Ali defeating Libya’s Al Ittihad Club in the fi nal. Khalfan took silver medal in the Ghanim al-Kuwari and Assistant Meanwhile, Qatar’s Al Arabi won the Arab contest. Secretary Yusuf Ahmed Kano Super Cup title after defeating Tunisian side The Qatari player showed top honoured the Qatari duo Cherif Al Gharafa players celebrate after winning the 14th Arab Handball Cup championship in Sfax, Tunisia. CS Sakiet Ezzit 30-24. performance during the tourna- Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, ment to win the contest. Algeria, who won bronze medal at the Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Katara Beach Volleyball Cup in GOLF Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE are the fi rst week of Katara. the other countries which took part in the contest. QATAR EQUESTRIAN TEAM This achievement is a con- CLINCH SIXTH PLACE IN Cockburn edges former Indian cricket captain Kapil tinuation of Qatar’s improving GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR performance in rowing, as this Qatar’s Equestrian team, Doha cotland’s Fraser Cockburn edged out former is Tala’s second medal after her Fursan Qatar secured the sixth Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev to win bronze at the 12th Arab Rowing place in the opening round of the third edition of the Qatar Senior Open, Championship 2017, which was the prestigious Longines Global which was held at the Doha Golf Club on hosted by Tunisia last October. Champions Tour 2018 held in FridayS and Saturday. The third edition of the tour- The Qatar Sailing and Kayak- Mexico City. nament is the fi rst of its’ kind in the region for the ing Federation is taking several The duo of Bassem Has- Seniors Golfers and was attended by 143 players eff orts to prepare it’s upcom- san Mohammed (Gunder) and from Qatar and abroad. ing rowers for top international Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid al-Thani Cockburn was able to score plus four after two competitions. The body has also (First Devision) combined to days, just one point behind the Kapil Dev, who came been hosting various interna- score 135.54 points and fi nish a in second place with a total score of plus fi ve over tional events which is also help- creditable sixth in the opening the two days. Sweden’s Claes Byberg came in third ing the local rowers. round of the championship. place, with a total of plus six for the two days. The Qatar Sailing and Kayak- Miami Celtics kick-started The competition was very strong and there were ing Federation also hosted the their 2018 season with a breath- several players competing for the championship ti- Asian Indoor Rowing Champi- taking win in Mexico City, dra- tle. Fahad bin Nasser al-Naimi, General Secretary onship in March 2014 with the matically snatching victory from of the Qatar Golf Association, said that the tourna- participation of as many as 13 overnight leaders Paris Panthers. ment is being held for the third year in a row, with countries. Brilliant double clears from players from outside the country coming from Denis Lynch and young talent Asian, Arab and European countries. HH THE EMIR BEACH Michael Duff y propelled them to Al-Naimi said that the championship is unique VOLLEYBALL CUP TO BEGIN the top of the podium with the and is popular among golf championships in the Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev (centre) poses with Fahad bin Nasser al-Naimi, General Secretary of the Qatar FROM TOMORROW Panthers in second and Valken- region, where golfers over the age of 45 participate. Golf Association (second right) after finishing second in the third edition of the Qatar Senior Open at the Doha Golf Club. The Qatar Volleyball Association swaard United in third place.