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TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 CoachC Lamouchi proud of Al ’s CClub World Cup adventure I am very proud of the performance of the team in this match, anda the performance in the previous match (against Al Ahly), especiallye in the second half.

Sabri Lamouchi Sport | 11

PAKISTAN VS SOUTH AFRICA: 1ST TEST Pakistan (272 and 298) beat South Africa (201 and 274 - Shaheen 4/51, Hasan 5/60) by 95 runs

German giants defeat Al Ahly 2-0 to set up CWC title clash against Tigres Lewandowski brace takes Bayern into final

FAWAD HUSSAIN Bayern THE PENINSULA Munich's Robert Robert Lewandowski yesterday fired a Lewandowski brace as German giants Bayern Munich celebrates cruised into the final of FIFA Club World after scoring Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over his team's first Al Ahly at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. goal against Seeking a staggering sixth title of the 's Al season in , Bayern dominated the Ahly during nine-time African champions to book the second Thursday’s final against Mexican giants semi-final of Tigres UANL, who stunned ’s Pal- the FIFA Club meiras 1-0 in the first semi-final on World Cup Sunday. Qatar 2020 The title clash will kick off at 9:00pm at the Ahmad at Education City Stadium. Bin Ali Stadium Best FIFA Men’s Player Lewand- yesterday. owski took the European champions Seeking a ahead in 17th minute and sealed victory staggering late into the second half, defying a good sixth title of crowd support from Al Ahly fans, with the season in FIFA President Gianni Infantino also Qatar, Bayern present among the spectators. will take on ’s Al Ahly, who edged Mexican giants Qatari champions Al Duhail to quality Tigres UANL in for the semi-final, looked off colour in Thursday's final the first half and came back as an at Education improved side in the second half but City Stadium. they were not good enough to challenge in-form Bavarians, who clinched their making his first substitute in the 27th sixth consecutive victory yesterday. minute, sending in to As the two teams met for the first replace injured Ali Maaloul. time since 2012 when the Bavarians won Eight minutes into the first half, 2-1 in friendly, coach Hansi Flick missing Lewandowski after a move with Joshua Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez - left Kimmich came close to scoring his behind in Munich after contracting coro- second goal, chipping the ball over El navirus – started with midfielder Marc Shennawi, while also missing the target Roca. He changed his formation to as Al Ahly avoided double deficit in the 4-2-3-1 from Friday’s Bundesliga win first half. against Hertha. Though the Al Ahly coach Bavarians dominated the Mosimane went opening session, they with his routine were still not at their best 4-2-3-1 formation It was a bit strange to play being sloppy in their final but fielded his elec- in front of fans again. But passing that deprived trifying forward them of more goals. Mahmoud we achieved our aim of In the second half, Al “” Abdel- reaching the final. It was a Ahly returned to the pitch Moneim instead of nice game, Al Ahly are like as a better side and Walter Bwalya in created an immediate the starting XI. the Bayern of North Africa. chance with Hussein El Living up to We should have got the Shahat leading the attack their favourites tag, second goal earlier: by beating two Bayern Munich defenders, but his shot started strongly Bayern Munich's got deflected. Al Ahly keeping most of the Thomas Müller made more attacks but ball possession and their poor final passes making formidable kept them away from attacks to keep scoring. opponents under constant pressure, Sensing danger, Bayern regained with sights on winning their second Club their dominance in the match after being World Cup trophy after their 2013 pushed back to their net. Just before an triumph. hour-mark, El Shennawi denied With Al Ahly lacking composure to Lewandowski his second goal again retain ball possession, the Bavarians with some slick defense after a flick made their first attempt in eighth minute from Muller, before the German star was when Serge Gnabry’s header from replaced by Eric Choupo-Moting. Benjami Pavard cross flew over the bar. Gnabry was also called back with Leroy Bayern continued to push for a goal with Sane coming off the bench. Thomas Muller and Gnabry making Ahly also called in three subs with more efforts keeping Al Ahly goalkeeper , and Walter Mohamed El Shennawi on his toes. Bwalya coming in 69th minute to Bayern finally got the opener, pun- replace Mohamed Afsha, El Shahat and ishing poor Al Ahly defense as an Kahraba while Flick put Corentin Tolisso unmarked Lewandowski – who missed in for Roca. a penalty against Hertha – fired the ball Bayern earned a free kick on the past El Shennawi from a close range edge of the box after Kimmich was after getting a short pass from Gnabry. fouled in 76th minute but they failed to It was the Polish striker’s 187th goal for double their lead, with Flick sending in Bayern. two more subs Jamala Musiala and Al Ahly, who were mostly busy in Niklas Süle to replace Coman and defending, made their first attempt in Jérôme Boateng. 22nd minute when Mohamed Hani With five minutes left, Lewand- crossed in the box but Best FIFA Men’s owski, finally, completed his brace Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer comfortably from a brilliant cross from Sane, saved Mohamed Taher’s header. heading the ball past keeper from a A one-goal lead didn’t look enough close range after evading his marker, for Bayern, who continued with their as Bayern walked into the final. The aggressive display. They almost doubled Germans are now 3-0 up in head-to- the lead but Roca’s shot inside the head against the Egyptians as they also 6-yard sailed just a foot wide. defeated the African champions 2-1 Such was their dominance in the in 1977. game, that the Germans kept around 75 Al Ahly will now face Palmeiras in per cent of the ball possession making the third position play-off to be played 4 shots on target from 11 attempts at on Thursday at Education City Stadium, hour-hour mark, with Mosimane with kick off set for 6:00pm. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 11

Lamouchi proud of Al Duhail’s CWC adventure

AFC.COM – Al Duhail's heads the ball as he attempts to score. Head coach was full I am satisfied with the performance of praise for his Al Duhail SC side after of the players in this match they defeated Ulsan Hyundai FC 3-1 to and thee victoryvictory finish fifth in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 on Sunday. achieved,ved, as well as In a highly-anticipated match the positionsition the against the 2020 AFC Champions team finishedfinished in League winners, Qatar Stars League the team’sam’s firstfirst champions Al Duhail were on the front foot from the start and their French participation:ipation: boss was pleased with their overall Al Duhailhail coachcoach performance in their debut Sabri appearance. Lamouchiuchi “I am very proud of the per- formance of the team in this match, and the performance in the previous match (against Al Ahly), especially in the second half,” said Lamouchi. “I am very happy, and I was hoping “We ended the previous match to participate in another match, but in with great regret, because we started the end, I am happy to leave this tour- playing well in the second half, and nament this way and with this victory. in this match, we started from the first minute to the last minute. We suc- ceeded in scoring against the Asian champions, and I am pleased with the performance of the players. “I am sat- isfied with the performance of the players in this match and Edmilson Junior was caught offside, ticipated in the tournament as repre- but the determination of my team- the victory only for the Belgian midfielder to slot sentatives of Qatar.” mates was behind this great victory. achieved, as well one home from outside the box in the Assim Madibo, meanwhile, “We must continue to improve after as the position 21st minute. attributed the win to the team’s deter- this victory and good performance, as the team fin- Junior was satisfied with his own mination, and is hoping that Al Duhail it can be a new starting point for the ished in the performance and glad that Al Duhail will continue their fine performance team ahead of our domestic and Con- team’s first gave a win to their fans. in the Qatar Stars League and the 2021 tinental matches, which we must be at Al Duhail's Mohammed Muntari celebrates with participation.” “I am very happy with this win, AFC Champions League. our highest physical and technical team-mates after scoring their second goal against Al Duhail and the team presented itself well, and “We succeeded in achieving victory levels.” Al Duhail are in Group C of the could have taken I believe I also managed to perform over the Asian champions after a good 2021 AFC Champions League, where Ulsan Hyundai during their FIFA Club World Cup the lead as early well, and I’m glad for that. match,” said Madibo. “We also suc- they have Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Qatar 2020 Fifth Place Play-off at Ahmad Bin Ali as the fourth “This victory will make all the ceeded in achieving the desired results Esteghlal of Islamic Republic of and Stadium on Sunday. PICTURES: ANVAR SADATH minute, but Qatari people happy, as Al Duhail par- after a match that was not easy for us, ’s Al Shorta for company.

Tigres UANL’s Carlos Gonzalez Espinola and team-mates Tigres have applaud fans after winning the 1st semi-final on Sunday. Al Ahly stars praise come here Qatar’s organisation for the trophy, of Club World Cup says Gonzalez THE PENINSULA – DOHA

FIFA.COM – DOHA Players from Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC have been full of praise for Qatar’s hosting abilities during the When Tigres UANL recruited FIFA Club World Cup. Carlos Gonzalez in December Ahead of their semi-final against FC Bayern 2020, the hope was that the Munich at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium yesterday, Hussein Paraguayan front man would El Shahat and praised the form an effective strike part- tournament organisers and said fans had much to nership with Andre-Pierre look forward to when Qatar hosts the FIFA World Gignac, not least at the Cup in under two years’ time. imminent FIFA Club World Cup El Shahat, who scored the winning goal in Al Qatar 2020. It is a tournament Ahly’s second-round match against Qatari cham- with no margin for error and pions Al Duhail SC, said: “In terms of organisation, which demands a step-up in everything has been world-class. The training sites quality, something the Mexican and stadiums are of the highest level. Qatar is doing side have demonstrably shown. a very good job and this is something which makes Gonzalez was unques- all Arabs very proud.” tionably one of the key figures Winger El Shahat continued: “We hope it will in the historic 1-0 triumph over be a fantastic World Cup and I wish Qatar all the Palmeiras in the semi-finals Coach Ferretti delighted best. I hope to be here with the Egyptian team in that made Tigres the first 2022. Mexican side to win a Club “I think the fans will have a lot to enjoy here in World Cup semi-final in ten 2022. Hopefully by then the pandemic is over and attempts. with Tigres’ historic march we will see full stadiums. I hope the fans will enjoy Moreover, the two previous this atmosphere.” semi-finals between teams rep- El Shahat also praised the Qatar-based Al Ahly resenting CONCACAF and CON- THE PENINSULA – DOHA Ricardo Ferretti fans, who turned out in force for the 1-0 victory MEBOL had gone the way of the over Al Duhail at Education City Stadium. South Americans, who had not Tigres UANL coach Ricardo Ferretti I feel calm and happy for the win He added: “There are many Al Ahly fans all over even conceded a goal. All those expressed his delight after his and excited as everyone. I don’t like the world. I was very happy to play in front of a sequences finally ended thanks Mexican champions shocked celebrating before time, we still large crowd here in Qatar – I love a passionate to an inspired performance by Brazilian giants Palmeiras to reach atmosphere. I hope the crowd will continue to be Los Felinos, with Gonzalez the maiden FIFA Club World Cup have to play a game, and the most with us throughout the tournament.” among their number. final, hoping his team to put another important one is the next one. Al Ahly goalkeeper El Shenawy, meanwhile, said “Here we are, with the stars strong show in the title clash on Naturally we know how capable the players had adapted well to the stringent health in the sky shining down on us. Thursday. will be the team we will face. Now, and safety protocols implemented by Qatar in order We’re very proud of what The CONCACAF Champions to protect everyone from the spread of COVID19. we’ve done, and I imagine League winners stunned the Copa we have to get ready, the players “We are all in the medical bubble but the atmos- there are a few tears among our Libertadores champions with a have to recover physically, but not phere is very good,” said El Shenawy. fans. This triumph is for them,” second-half penalty by Frenchman emotionally because they feel “We abide by the restrictions and thank the tour- the player nicknamed Charly Andre-Pierre Gignac that made them good. We will get ready these days nament organisers for their professionalism. We said at the post-match press first Mexican side to reach the final to reach the end goal: Tigres understand the circumstances we are in and realise conference. of the elite inter-continental we need to be resilient for the sake of the “The triumph was down to tournament. UANL coach Ricardo Ferretti tournament. immense effort. We achieved It was a well deserved victory for Everyone is aware of the significance of this what we set out to do and are Ferretti-coached side, which pro- event. Overall, everything is going well – the hotel thrilled to be playing in a long- duced a better show then their high- is excellent and the stadiums are world-class. The awaited final. Were it not for profile Latin American rivals. recover physically, but not emo- right and I have to say without players are happy and the atmosphere is very their keeper, the winning “The victory gave us an oppor- tionally because they feel good. We problems that they were slightly good.” margin could have been tunity to reach the final. We faced will get ready these days to reach superior and the game is solved with El Shenawy said the tournament was excellent greater,” added the striker. two great teams, and the next one the end goal,” he added. a detail by the experience of a great preparation for the World Cup, which he believes Now, as you would expect will be also a great team, and we will Meanwhile, Palmeiras head player,” he said. fans from across the globe will enjoy. from someone with his person- face them in the same way,” Ferretti coach Abel Ferreira complained that “We know we could do better “Everything is very well organised here and the ality and infectious energy, he told beIN Sports channel. the penalty decision was “dubious”, individually. We came here on our stadiums are world-class. I am sure the fans will wants to go all the way. “No “I feel calm and happy for the suggesting the tug by Luan on Carlos own merit, we have a good mix of enjoy the World Cup in Qatar. The stadiums are all other Mexican team have gone win and excited as everyone. I don’t Gonzalez was not sufficient to justify young and experienced people. But close to each other – and if fans want to watch two this far, but now we want more. like celebrating before time, we still a spot-kick. today we have to apologise to our matches a day, they can. The transport is good and We came here hoping to lift the have to play a game, and the most “It was not a clear grab although people and assume that our rival fans can easily get to and from the stadiums. trophy and now that we’re important one is the next one. Nat- it existed, but this is not basketball, was slightly superior in general I could see from our first match that everything close, we’re encouraged and urally we know how capable will be they won a penalty and from there and, I repeat, the game is resolved went smoothly. I think 2022 will be very good for motivated that we can achieve the team we will face. Now, we have they defended themselves. We had by a dubious penalty,” Ferreira fans. They will enjoy everything that Qatar has to our goal.” to get ready, the players have to some chances but we couldn’t get it added. offer.” 10 SPORT TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021

Japanese mostly opposed to Tokyo Games

REUTERS – TOKYO

A majority of Japanese remain opposed to holding the Olympics this summer amid the coronavirus pandemic but the ratio lowered significantly Nine of world’s top-10 confirmed from recent polls, a Yomiuri newspaper poll showed yesterday. Some 28% of respondents said they want the Olympics to for this year’s Qatar Total Open be cancelled and the same ratio of people think they should be held without spectators, the QNA – DOHA annual WTA Tour Premier tour- Australian to capture the WTA lived to its promise of bringing poll showed. The Yomiuri poll nament are world second- Finals crown following 1974 and World No.1 Ashleigh Barty of the best of tennis to sports lovers showed a combined 61% Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) ranked Simona Halep, the 2014 1976 champion Evonne Gool- in Doha, and we look forward wanting the Games to be post- announced that nine of the champion, and 2020 Australian agong Cawley, and the fifth Australia, will lead a star cast at the to another exciting time this year poned or cancelled altogether, World’s top-ten players have Open champion Sofia Kenin. player to win the tournament as Qatar Total Open which will include as well. We cannot wait enough around 20% points lower than confirmed their participation at Others on the cards for the a debutante, is having her second-ranked Simona Halep, the to welcome all the stars come recent opinion polls. this year’s Qatar Total Open 19th edition of the annual tour- second successive season on the 2014 champion, and 2020 March,” QTF Secretary-General Just 36% of the public are which will be held from March nament are 2019 Wimbledon top of the WTA rankings. Australian Open champion Sofia Tariq Zainal said. in favour of holding the Tokyo 1 to 6 at the Khalifa International Open semi-finalist Elina Svi- She secured the ninth title of Kenin, 2019 Wimbledon semi- Tournament Director Saad Olympics this summer, of Tennis & Squash Complex in tolina, 2017 champion Karolina her professional career on finalist Elina Svitolina, 2017 Al Mohannadi said, “Another which 28% are calling for no Doha. Pliskova, 2020 champion Aryna Sunday at the Yarra Valley round of exciting tennis is here, spectators while the remaining Except for the World No. 3 Sabalenka, 2018 champion Petra Classic after defeating Spain’s champion Karolina Pliskova, 2020 and we are happy to be hosting 8% back allowing spectators. and three-time Grand Slam Kvitova, 2019 US Open Garbine Muguruza in straight champion Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 the World’s best players in Doha The Tokyo Olympic Games winner, Naomi Osaka of Japan, champion Bianca Andreescu and sets. champion Petra Kvitova, 2019 US again. We are delighted with the were postponed last year due all the superstars in the upper Kiki Bertens, the 2016 French Since the tournament began Open champion Bianca Andreescu superstars’ interests, which is a to the COVID-19 pandemic and echelon of the Women’s Tennis Open semi-finalist. in 2001, only three players - and Kiki Bertens, the 2016 French testimony to the wonderful hos- rescheduled to take place this Association (WTA), led by World The 24-year-old Barty, who Anastasia Myskina (2003, 2004), Open semi-finalist. pitality they’ve always enjoyed year starting on July 23. No.1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia, Petra Kvitova stopped in last Maria Sharapova (2005, 2008) in Doha - the home of Some 56% expected the will be strutting their stuff in year’s semi-finals, will be hoping and Victoria Azarenka (2012, hospitality.” coronavirus pandemic to Doha - in what promises to be to lay her hands on the golden 2013) - have had the privilege of one of the strongest. Having nine In all, a total of 32 players, remain unchanged in the one of the best tournaments in falcon trophy for the first time lifting the trophy on more than out of the ten top stars con- including four qualifiers, are summer, while 37% anticipated the region so far, a QTF press with her second appearance in one occasion. firmed for this tournament indi- expected to feature in the singles improvement and 3% saw it release said. Doha. “We are very excited with cates the importance they’ve event of the WTA Premier 5 getting worse. Some 70% Joining the 2019 French Barty, a former cricketer the array of stars on parade at placed on the Qatar Total Open. tournament while 16 teams will believed the vaccination would Open champion Barty at the who became the second this year’s tournament, which is The tournament has always slug it out in the doubles. help resolve the situation.

Barcelona’s Ibrahimovic Lionel Messi Mbappe scores as PSG beat celebrates with a team-mate nets 500th after scoring their first goal. Marseille 2-0, Lille stay top club goal in

REUTERS – PARIS Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates with team-mates after scoring their first goal. Milan's win Paris St Germain claimed a clinical AP – MILAN 2-0 win at bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille on Sunday to keep Zlatan Ibrahimović took his pace with fellow Ligue 1 title tally to more than 500 club contenders Lille and Olympique goals as he scored twice to Lyonnais. help AC Milan beat Crotone Kylian Mbappe and Mauro 4-0 and move back top of Icardi found the back of the net in the Serie A standings on the first half to put third-placed PSG Sunday. on 51 points from 24 games, three The 39-year-old behind leaders Lille and one adrift Ibrahimović is in his second of Olympique Lyonnais, who also spell at Milan, where he has won their matches this weekend. now scored 83 goals. His The result left troubled Marseille, goal tallies for other clubs who have lost four of their last five are Malmö (18), Ajax (48), games and had Dimitri Payet sent Juventus (26), Inter Milan Super sub Messi sparks off in the last minute, in ninth place (66), Barcelona (22), Paris on 33 points from 22 games. Saint-Germain (156), Man- Barca to comeback win Marseille have been hit by off- chester United (29) and LA field problems, with supporters Galaxy 53. AP – BARCELONA breaking into the training centre “It means I’ve scored amid protests against president some goals in my career, but Super sub Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up Jacques-Henri Eyraud, coach Andre what’s important is to con- another to help Barcelona earn a thrilling 3-2 win at Villas-Boas being suspended after tinue and help the team in Real Betis in the Spanish league on Sunday. offering to resign and city mayor the best way possible,” Francisco Trincao clinched the win in the final Benoit Payan saying he wanted to Ibrahimović said. minutes with his first goal for the club. Coach Ronald sell their Stade Velodrome stadium. “My job is to score goals Koeman gave Messi and other regular starters some The club were, therefore, in des- and create opportunities to extra rest ahead of the Copa del Rey semifinals at Sevilla, perate need of a victory against PSG, score goals. but he sent his star on in the 57th minute with his team but the French champions made injury one minute later and was substituted for Neymar in the 65th Ibrahimović fired Milan losing after a toothless first half. sure that would not happen. replaced by Pablo Sarabia, nine minute as the Brazilian came off ahead in the 30th minute Messi only needed a few touches of the ball to cancel Mbappe put the visitors in front days before PSG travel to Barcelona the bench having been a pre-match with his 500th club goal and out Borja Iglesias’ opener with a shot just inside the area. after nine minutes, outsprinting for their Champions League last-16 doubt due to gastro-enteritis. extended that tally in the Messi helped to put Barcelona in front in the 68th after Hiroki Sakai and beating keeper first leg. Marseille finished with 10 men second half. Ante Rebić a well-orchestrated attack that ended with an own-goal Steve Mandanda with a left-footed Icardi doubled PSG’s tally on 25 when Payet was shown a straight scored two goals in less than by Betis’ Víctor Ruiz. Ruiz made up for his error by effort after being set up by Angel minutes, deflecting Alessandro red card for a reckless challenge on a minute shortly after. heading home a goal to make it 2-2 in the 75th. Di Maria for his 16th league goal of Florenzi’s cross with the back of his Marco Verratti. Milan moves two points But with Barcelona facing a setback in the title race, the season at the end of a lightning- head into the far top corner. Lille beat Nantes 2-0 away above second-place Inter, substitute Trincão recovered a ball from Ruiz and fired quick counter attack. The Argentine, who was denied earlier on Sunday with Lyon hum- which won 2-0 at Fiorentina a long strike off the goalframe and into the net for the Di Maria, however, limped off a penalty after being pulled down bling Racing Strasbourg 3-0 on on Friday. The two Milan 87th-minute winner. the pitch with a possible thigh by Sakai on the hour, was then Saturday. teams meet in two weeks. Formula 1: Hamilton signs new deal to chase 8th world title

REUTERS – LONDON things together and we look forward to “The story of Mercedes and Lewis has building on our success even further, written itself into the history books of our “I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes team-mates. Formula One world champion Lewis while continuously looking to improve, sport over the past eight seasons, and we Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to Hamilton will chase a record eighth title both on and off the track. are hungry to compete and to add more building on our success even further, while continuously with Mercedes this season after signing “I’m equally determined to continue chapters to it.” looking to improve, both on and off the track: a new deal, the team said in a statement the journey we started to make motor- Mercedes have won the last seven Hamilton yesterday that ended any uncertainty sport more diverse for future generations drivers’ and constructors’ world cham- about his immediate future. and I am grateful that Mercedes has been pionships, an unprecedented show of The 36-year-old Briton had been out extremely supportive of my call to dominance in the sport. The season of contract since the end of last year but address this issue.” starts in Bahrain on March 28. the negotiations had turned into some- Hamilton, who last year set up a com- thing of a saga, with questions raised mission to help increase the represen- about why it was taking so long. tation of Black people in British motor- Mercedes said the new agreement, sport, said he and Mercedes would be which referred only to 2021, included a launching a joint foundation dedicated joint commitment for greater diversity to diversity and inclusion in the sport. and inclusion. Mercedes team boss and co-owner Hamilton, the sport’s only Black Toto Wolff said it had always been the driver and its most successful racer, has plan to continue the relationship but the used his platform and profile increasingly COVID-19 pandemic meant it had taken to push for equal opportunities and speak some time to get everything in place. out against racial injustice. “Lewis’s competitive record stands “I am excited to be heading into my alongside the best the sports world has ninth season with my Mercedes team ever seen, and he is a valued ambassador mates,” he said. for our brand and our partners,” added “Our team has achieved incredible the Austrian. TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 09

Super Bowl Champions Brady leads Buccaneers to 2021: Tampa Bay (NFC) 31, Kansas City (AFC) 9 2020: Kansas City (AFC) 31, San Francisco (NFC) 20 2019: New England (AFC) 13, L.A. Rams (NFC) 3 2018: Philadelphia (NFC) 41, New England (AFC) 33 2017: New England (AFC) 34, Atlanta (NFC) 28, OT Super Bowl win on home field 2016: Denver (AFC) 24, Carolina (NFC) 10 2015: New England (AFC) 28, Seattle (NFC) 24 TAMPA FLA REUTERS - Tampa Bay 2014: Seattle (NFC) 43, Denver (AFC) 8 Buccaneers 2013: Baltimore (AFC) 34, San Francisco (NFC) 31 Tom Brady threw three touchdowns quarterback 2012: N.Y. Giants (NFC) 21, New England (AFC) 17 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thumped Tom Brady (12) 2011: Green Bay (NFC) 31, Pittsburgh (AFC) 25 the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to win the celebrates with the 2010: New Orleans (NFC) 31, Indianapolis (AFC) 17 Super Bowl on Sunday, giving the ever- Vince Lombardi 2009: Pittsburgh (AFC) 27, Arizona (NFC) 23 green 43-year-old quarterback a Trophy after 2008: N.Y. Giants (NFC) 17, New England (AFC) 14 record-extending seventh champi- beating the Kansas 2007: Indianapolis (AFC) 29, Chicago (NFC) 17 onship ring. City Chiefs in 2006: Pittsburgh (AFC) 21, Seattle (NFC) 10 Brady’s age-defying performance, Super Bowl LV at 2005: N England (AFC) 24, Philadelphia (NFC) 21 which earned him the Most Valuable Raymond James 2004: New England (AFC) 32, Carolina (NFC) 29 Player award, brought the curtain Stadium in Tampa, 2003: Tampa Bay (NFC) 48, Oakland (AFC) 21 down on what was perhaps the most FL, US. 2002: New England (AFC) 20, St. Louis (NFC) 17 challenging season the NFL has had to 2001: B Ravens (AFC) 34, N.Y. Giants (NFC) 7 navigate because of the COVID-19 2000: St. Louis (NFC) 23, Tennessee (AFC) 16 pandemic. 1999: Denver (AFC) 34, Atlanta (NFC) 19 The pandemic kept stadiums 1998: Denver (AFC) 31, Green Bay (NFC) 24 mostly empty throughout the season 1997: Green Bay (NFC) 35, New England (AFC) 21 and restrictions limited Super Bowl 1996: Dallas (NFC) 27, Pittsburgh (AFC) 17 attendance to 25,000 spectators, 1995: San Francisco (NFC) 49, San Diego (AFC) 26 including 7,500 healthcare workers, sprinkled among 30,000 happy-faced 1994: Dallas (NFC) 30, Buffalo (AFC) 13 cardboard cutouts. 1993: Dallas (NFC) 52, Buffalo (AFC) 17 While the pandemic reined in 1992: Washington (NFC) 37, Buffalo (AFC) 24 America’s biggest sporting party, the 1991: N.Y. Giants (NFC) 20, Buffalo (AFC) 19 show went on as scheduled and once 1990: San Francisco (NFC) 55, Denver (AFC) 10 again Brady, who joined the Bucs last 1989: San Francisco (NFC) 20, Cincinnati (AFC) 16 March after 20 seasons with the New 1988: Washington (NFC) 42, Denver (AFC) 10 England Patriots, rose to the occasion 1987: N.Y. Giants (NFC) 39, Denver (AFC) 20 in his 10th Super Bowl. 1986: Chicago (NFC) 46, New England (AFC) 10 “My father had an expression,” Bucs 1985: San Francisco (NFC) 38, Miami (AFC) 16 co-owner Joel Glazer said while he 1984: L.A. Raiders (AFC) 38, Washington (NFC) 9 accepted the Vince Lombardi Trophy FAST START Chiefs’ explosive attack could not get warnings from public health officials 1983: Washington (NFC) 27, Miami (AFC) 17 as confetti showered the on-field stage. The only team to play a Super Bowl in gear with first-half scoring limited for fans inside the stadium and across 1982: San Francisco (NFC) 26, Cincinnati (AFC) 21 “If you want to know the road on their home field, the Buccaneers to a pair of Harrison Butker field goals. the country to observe basic health and 1981: Oakland (AFC) 27, Philadelphia (NFC) 10 ahead, ask the person who’s been there. made the most of the opportunity as The Chiefs struck first in the second safety precautions, on what is widely 1980: Pittsburgh (AFC) 31, L.A. Rams (NFC) 19 Well we found that person... Tom they were crowned champions for the half as Butker booted another field goal considered an unofficial holiday for 1979: Pittsburgh (AFC) 35, Dallas (NFC) 31 Brady.” first time since January 2003. but the Buccaneers hit back with a millions of Americans. 1978: Dallas (NFC) 27, Denver (AFC) 10 The NFL’s championship game had Brady got the Bucs off to fast start Leonard Fournette 27-yard touchdown Buccaneers fans dressed as pirates 1977: Oakland (AFC) 32, Minnesota (NFC) 14 been hyped as a battle between Brady, as he found former Patriots teammate run and a Ryan Succop field goal to shuffled in between stadium staff who 1976: Pittsburgh (AFC) 21, Dallas (NFC) 17 widely recognised as the greatest quar- Rob Gronkowski, who came out of cruise into the fourth quarter with a reminded all to stand six feet (1.8m) 1975: Pittsburgh (AFC) 16, Minnesota (NFC) 6 terback of all-time, and 25-year-old retirement to join the Bucs this season, 31-9 lead. apart and keep their faces covered. 1974: Miami (AFC) 24, Minnesota (NFC) 7 Chiefs counterpart Patrick Mahomes, for a pair of touchdown strikes to build “Obviously I didn’t play the way I While fans largely observed man- 1973: Miami (AFC) 14, Washington (NFC) 7 considered the best in the game today. a 14-3 lead. wanted to play,” said Mahomes. “What dates to keep masks on while inside 1972: Dallas (NFC) 24, Miami (AFC) 3 But in the end it was no contest as He then made the Chiefs pay dearly else can you say? All you can do is leave the stadium, social distancing dete- 1971: Baltimore Colts (AFC) 16, Dallas (NFC) 13 the Bucs’ rampaging defense harassed for some undisciplined penalties that everything you have on the field and I riorated as kickoff neared, with 1970: Kansas City (AFL) 23, Minnesota (NFL) 7 Mahomes, who threw a pair of inter- set up a one-yard scoring pass to feel like the guys did that. clusters of attendees building up in 1969: N.Y. Jets (AFL) 16, Baltimore Colts (NFL) 7 ceptions, the entire night to bring the Antonio Brown with six seconds left in various parts of the stadium, including 1968: Green Bay (NFL) 33, Oakland (AFL) 14 Chiefs’ Super Bowl title defense to a the half to build a 21-6 cushion. DIRE WARNINGS concession stands and souvenir 1967: Green Bay (NFL) 35, Kansas City (AFL) 10 jarring end. Meanwhile, Mahomes and the The game unfolded amid dire shops. Brady gets 7th trophy in a season to remember AP - TAMPA, FLA health-care workers - the world’s and-death choices that now con- that took them back to their home in his speed to create something out of unsung heroes - who mingled in with fronted them on a daily basis. Tampa for the Super Bowl, coach Bruce nothing. So much of it looked familiar - from the those cardboard cutouts, and only a few The league conducted almost 1 Arians said there was an easy expla- His receivers didn’t help. Of his 21 heartfelt rendering of the national thousand live, hard-core fans? This is million COVID tests and put its 32 fran- nation for the resurgence of a franchise incompletions in 49 attempts (he also anthem, to the silvery, star-studded the way football looks as the world chises through some of the most that had been all but dormant for the threw two interceptions), more than a halftime show, to Tom Brady standing veers into the second year of a deadly stringent protocols of any industry, all past decade: “It only took one man,” he half-dozen were flat-out drops. there at the end with a mile-wide smile, global pandemic. in an effort to keep players safe while said. The most telling play of the night awash in confetti. Twelve months ago, the Chiefs stood also making the season happen. On Sunday, that man finished with came at the desperate end. Running for So much of it looked strange - from on top of the podium, a few hundred That the Chiefs waded through all a modest 201 yards passing to go with his life, Mahomes was falling to the the masked-up coaches on the sideline, miles away in South Florida, with that to make it back to the Super Bowl three touchdowns, including two to tight ground as he side-armed a pass at to the cardboard cutouts in the half- Mahomes being touted as the quar- was not all that big a surprise. This was end Rob Gronkowski, the old New around the Bucs 28-yard line. The ball empty stands, to Brady - what? - terback of the future and the virus now a team with a young quarterback and England teammate who No. 12 coaxed hit running back Darrel Williams in the wearing pewter-and-red pants and a known as COVID-19 thought by many a coach, in Andy Reid, who thinks out of retirement for a run at the title. hands near the goal line. But Williams helmet with a Buccaneer, not a Patriot, to be scary, but well bottled up, a world young. It was a sublime performance, filled couldn’t hang on, and the Chiefs’ last- on the side. away in China. They were loaded with offensive with dinks and dunks - and plenty of gasp drive ended with a turnover on History was made, just as it always As the pandemic raged across the talent, to say nothing of the discipline help from a Kansas City defense that downs. is, on a picture-perfect Sunday evening globe, and into the United States, where to navigate the ever-changing protocols imploded with eight first-half penalties, This was the first time Kansas City at the Super Bowl. Brady and his new it has now killed more than 440,000 that the pandemic brought about. all of them critical, as Tampa Bay rolled hasn’t scored a touchdown in the three team, Tampa Bay, sliced and diced their people, the world recoiled and tried to And Tampa Bay? While many teams to a 21-6 lead. seasons since Mahomes took over as way to a 31-9 thumping of Patrick contain the damage, with each country were trying to come up with an answer Brady earned his fifth Super Bowl the starter. Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to and each state enjoying varying degrees for - or clone of - Mahomes, the Buc- MVP award. Brady wasn’t much into reflecting help the NFL put the final exclamation of success. caneers went after Brady, whose long- At 25, Mahomes isn’t quite as far or dissecting or ranking where this title mark on a season that many thought The NFL used its offseason to plot running partnership with the Patriots along, but most people expect him to falls among his ever-growing list of could never happen. and plan and try to find a way to and Bill Belichick finally ran out of get there soon. championships and success. But this kind of history? Brady keep football alive. Its mission - steam. The quarterback had been to On this night, though, he didn’t have He did promise, however, that he’d adding to his record with a seventh applauded by some, derided by nine Super Bowls and won six, both much of a chance. Playing without his be back. Super Bowl title, but with the long-suf- others - was to provide a sense of records. But at 43, he wasn’t ready to starting right and left tackles, who were “We were fortunate our team stayed fering Bucs, not the front-running New normalcy, to give fans of America’s quit - certain, in fact, that there was still out with injuries, Mahomes was on the disciplined, with all the protocols in England Patriots? And with 7,500 of the most popular sport a diversion from more than a little gas left in the tank. run from beginning to end, never able place, and ended up getting the job most precious tickets in sports given to the frightening routines and life- After Brady led the Bucs to the win to dictate to opposing defenses, or use done,” he said. Djokovic starts Australian Open campaign with a win

REUTERS - MELBOURNE eight of his 17 major titles at Melbourne champion Dominic Thiem fended off Giron 6-7(8), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-2 on Margaret Park, rattled off 41 winners and did not face Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-3. Court Arena. The German made 19 Novak Djokovic got his Australian Open a single break point en route to victory. unforced errors in the opening set and lost title defence off to a rollicking start, Serena Williams kickstarted her bid for Shapovalov aeals comeback win in a tiebreak but took control later, hitting breezing past Frenchman Jeremy Chardy a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title Canadian 11th seed Denis Shapovalov 50 winners and 16 aces to reach the second 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena with a 6-1, 6-1 drubbing of Germany’s sealed a hard-fought comeback victory by round. yesterday. Laura Siegemund before rushing off the beating Italian Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, Monfils crashes out The world number one, who has won court to watch Tom Brady win his seventh 4-6, 6-4 in the opening round. Frenchman Gael Monfils was beaten Super Bowl. 3-6, 6-4,7-5, 3-6, 6-3 by little-known Finn Nick Kyrgios treated the sparse crowd Halep wins in straight sets Emil Ruusuvuori in one of the day’s biggest at the John Cain Arena to some vintage World number two Simona Halep upsets so far. Monfils, the 10th seed, hit 46 moments -- a racket thrown across the sealed a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 victory over winners but also made 64 unforced errors court, and a few choice words towards his Australian wildcard Lizette Cabrera in the as he was dumped out in the first round box and the umpire -- as he sailed to a 6-4, first round at the Rod Laver Arena. for the second time in his career, the first 6-4, 6-4 victory over qualifier Frederico Romanian Halep, a 2018 finalist, hit 14 coming in 2006. Ferreira Silva. winners compared to seven from Cabrera, Bianca Andreescu was made to work who is ranked 140. Venus beats Flipkens hard on her return to competition after 15 Venus Williams beat Belgium’s Kirsten months, but the 2019 US Open winner dug Carreno Busta downs Nishikori Flipkens 7-5, 6-2 to reach the second round deep to see off Mihaela Buzarnescu of Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in front of about 200 fans on Margaret Romania 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. advanced to the second round with a 7-5, Court Arena. Flipkens made 30 unforced Alexander Zverev overcame an 7-6(4), 6-2 win over world number 42 Kei errors compared to just 13 by Williams, Serbia’s Novak inconsistent start and a smashed Nishikori. Carreno Busta, who is seeded who also won more than 80% of her first- Djokovic racket to battle past unher- 15th, hit 39 winners and sent down 12 aces serve points. celebrates after alded American Marcos while Nishikori recorded 36 winners and winning his first Giron 6-7(8), 7-6(5), only three aces. Osaka through round match 6-3, 6-2, while Third seed Naomi Osaka was the first against France’s US Open Zverev wobbles but fights back player through to the second round after Jeremy Chardy Sixth seed Alexander Zverev recovered a 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of Anastasia yesterday. from a slow start to beat American Marcos Pavlyuchenkova. Sport TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 08

Bruce Taylor, Hasan Ali takes 10 wickets as who hit 105 and took 5-86 Pakistan sweep SA Test series on debut, REUTERS — RAWALPINDI dies at 77 Seamer Hasan Ali took a career-best 10 wickets in the match as Pakistan blitzed AP — WELLINGTON South Africa with the new ball yesterday to complete a Bruce Taylor, the only cricketer 95-run victory in the second to have scored a century and and final Test in Rawalpindi taken five wickets in an innings and claim the series 2-0. on his Test debut, has died. He Chasing a target of 370 for was 77. victory, which would have Taylor had been in poor been a Test record in Pakistan, health for some time. His death Pakistan South Africa were well placed was confirmed by New Zealand players pose for at 241 for three just after lunch Cricket which described him as on the fifth day following a a group photo “a force of nature.” century from Aiden Markram after winning Taylor had played only three (108). the Test. first class matches when he was But when the home side selected in 1965 to tour India in took the new ball, Hasan a New Zealand team which (5-60) and Shaheen Afridi included John Reid and Bert Sut- (4-51) decimated the South cliffe. He was not chosen for the first Test but in the second, at SCOREBOARD Eden Gardens in Kolkata, left- PAKISTAN 1st innings 272 hander Taylor scored 105 batting SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 201 at No. 8. He put on 163 with Sut- PAKISTAN 2nd innings 298 cliffe, who made 151 not out. Taylor then took 5-86 with SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings (overnight 127-1) his fast-medium pace to earn a A. Markram c Butt b Hasan ...... 108 African middle order with here (in Rawalpindi),” Pakistan Markram and Temba Bavuma when Shaheen removed the unique place in cricket history. D. Elgar c Rizwan b Shaheen ...... 17 expert swing bowling to captain Babar Azam said at the (61) that gave the potential for patient Bavuma as he induced He also claimed a five-wicket R. van der Dussen b Hasan ...... 48 F. du Plessis lbw b Hasan ...... 5 dismiss the visitors for 274. post-match presentation. an upset win. But when an edge to wicketkeeper bag in the next Test. T. Bavuma c Rizwan b Shaheen ...... 61 Hasan took career-best “At one stage we thought Pakistan captain Babar Azam Mohammad Rizwan. Against a strong West Indies Q. de Kock c Butt b Hasan ...... 0 figures of 10-114 in the match the game could’ve gone either took the new ball on exactly “We lost the big moments team in 1969, Taylor hit a century W. Mulder b Yasir...... 20 as South Africa lost their last way. But we knew, one wicket 80 overs, the game changed in the game and that cost us” from 83 balls - the fastest at the G. Linde c Ashraf b Hasan ...... 4 seven wickets for the addition and we can come back into the dramatically as the flat wicket De Kock said. time by a New Zealander in Tests. K. Maharaj c Butt b Shaheen ...... 0 of only 33 runs. game again. And then we did came to life, and Hasan and “When we get back home, That record stood for 36 years. K. Rabada b Shaheen ...... 0 It was yet another dismal that with the new ball.” Shaheen were able to extract we’ll have to look at our per- Taylor finished his 30-Test A. Nortje not out ...... 2 batting collapse, something The excellent Markram prodigious movement. formances and improve on the career with 111 wickets at an Extras: (lb2, nb7) ...... 9 that has been a feature of their started the final day with Markram edged Hasan to way forward.” South Africa are average 26.6, still the 12th best TOTAL (91.4 overs, all out) ...... 274 cricket home and away for the Rassie van der Dussen (48) but Imran Butt at second slip, and making a first visit to Pakistan by a New Zealander. Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Elgar), 2-127 (Dussen), last few years, but on this the latter lasted only a few the very next ball captain since a militant attack on the 3-135 (du Plessis), 4-241 (Markram), 5-241 (de occasion it was brought about balls before he was bowled by Quinton de Kock inexplicably Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore Kock), 6-253 (Bavuma), 7-258 (Linde), 8-268 by some high-class seam Hasan, who then trapped the flashed at a wide delivery and in 2009 that killed six (Maharaj), 9-268 (Rabada) Taylor finished his 30-Test career bowling. experienced Faf du Plessis (5) was caught by the same player policemen and two civilians. Bowling: Shaheen 21-6-51-4 (nb4), Hasan 16- with 111 wickets at an average 26.6, 2-60-5 (nb3), Nauman Ali 20-6-63-0, Yasir “It was outstanding from lbw shortly afterwards. for a duck. A much-changed squad still the 12th best by a New Hasan because he has South Africa turned the It became a procession will now contest a three-game 23.4-5-56-1, Ashraf 10-2-37-0, Alam 1-0-5-0 Zealander. Result: Pakistan win by 95 runs, take series 2-0 awareness and took advantage tide with a superb stand of 106 after that and the final nail in Twenty20 series that starts on of the experience of playing for the fourth wicket between the coffin for the visitors came Thursday. Shakib out of 2nd WI Cautious England set India daunting target REUTERS — CHENNAI who had smashed 218 in the the off-stump. Ishant said India, Test due to first innings of his 100th Test, having chased down 328 in A cautious England spared India made 40 before Jasprit Bumrah their previous Test against Aus- the ignominy of a follow-on but trapped him lbw. tralia in Brisbane, were opti- thigh injury set them a daunting 420-run Ashwin then ran through mistic about victory. victory target in the opening England’s batting order, dis- “It all depends how we start REUTERS — DHAKA Test at Chennai’s MA missing Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes tomorrow,” the paceman told Chidambaram Stadium and Dom Bess and finally the broadcasters. Bangladesh all-rounder yesterday. removing Jofra Archer and “If we get a good start, I’m Shakib Al Hasan will miss the England, who had posted a James Anderson in the same sure that we can chase this second and final Test against mammoth 578 in the first over. down, because we have a West Indies in Dhaka due to a innings, bowled India out for India lost opener Rohit fearless batting lineup. thigh injury he suffered in the 337 but opted against enforcing Sharma early, with Leach “So we’re obviously very first Test, the country’s cricket the follow-on at Chennai’s MA spinning one past the bat to hit positive about this.” board (BCB) said on Monday. Chidambaram Stadium. The 33-year-old picked up The tourists walked out to SCOREBOARD the injury on the second day’s bat instead and were bowled ENGLAND 1st innings 578 J. Root lbw b Bumrah ...... 40 play in Chattogram and was out for 178 an hour before INDIA 1st innings (overnight 257-6) B. Stokes c Pant b Ashwin ...... 7 unable to bat and bowl in the stumps, baffling many by their R. Sharma c Buttler b Archer ...... 6 O. Pope c R. Sharma b Nadeem ...... 28 second innings. Bangladesh refusal to declare which would J. Buttler st Pant b Nadeem ...... 24 India's Ravichandran Ashwin (second S. Gill c Anderson b Archer ...... 29 lost the series opener by three have given them more time to C. Pujara c Burns b Bess ...... 73 D. Bess lbw b Ashwin ...... 25 left) celebrates with team-mates after wickets. bowl out India. V. Kohli c Pope b Bess ...... 11 J. Archer b Ashwin ...... 5 taking his sixth wicket yesterday. A. Rahane c Root b Bess ...... 1 J. Leach not out ...... 8 “Shakib has been assessed The hosts finished the COURTESY: BCCI and monitored continuously penultimate day on 39-1, still R. Pant c Leach b Bess ...... 91 J. Anderson c and b Ashwin ...... 0 W. Sundar not out ...... 85 Extras (nb7) ...... 7 since suffering a strain on his 381 behind the target, with R. Ashwin c Buttler b Leach...... 31 Total (46.3 overs, all out)...... 178 left thigh... and after careful Shubhman Gill batting on 15 and unbeaten 85 before he ran out Shahbaz Nadeem (nought) as S. Nadeem c Stokes b Leach ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Burns), 2-32 (Sibley), 3-58 (Law- consideration it has been con- Cheteshwar Pujara on 12. of partners. well. James Anderson had also I. Sharma c Pope b Anderson ...... 4 rence), 4-71 (Stokes), 5-101 (Root), 6-130 (Pope), 7-165 firmed that he will not be “Obviously, we’re ahead in The all-rounder added 80 toiled without success on J. Bumrah c Stokes b Anderson ...... 0 (Buttler), 8-167 (Bess), 9-178 (Archer), 10-178 (Anderson) available for the second Test,” the game,” England bowling runs with Ravichandran Ashwin Sunday but claimed the last two Extras (b4, lb1, nb1) ...... 6 Bowling: Ashwin 17.3-2-61-6 (nb3), Nadeem 15-2- the BCB said in a statement. coach Jon Lewis told a video in a spirited seventh-wicket Indian wickets, leaving Sundar Total (95.5 overs, all out) ...... 337 66-2 (nb3), Sharma 7-1-24-1, Bumrah 6-0-26-1 (nb1), Fall of wickets: 1-19 (R. Sharma), 2-44 (Gill), 3-71 Sundar 1-0-1-0 The secondsecondd TestTesst starts oonn conference. stand to take India, who had stranded 15 runs from a maiden (Kohli), 4-73 (Rahane), 5-192 (Pujara), 6-225 (Pant), Thursday.ThursdThursday. “We played some really resumed on 257-6, past the Test century. 7-305 (Ashwin), 8-312 (Nadeem), 9-323 (I. Sharma), INDIA 2nd innings (target 420) good cricket in this game. We’re 300-mark. When England came out for 10-337 (Bumrah) R. Sharma b Leach ...... 12 confident that we can create Jack Leach had bled 94 runs their second innings, Ashwin Bowling: Anderson 16.5-5-46-2, Archer 21-3-75-2 S. Gill not out ...... 15 Shakib enough chances to win the in 17 wicketless overs on dismissed Rory Burns with the (nb1), Stokes 6-1-16-0, Leach 24-5-105-2, Bess 26-5- C. Pujara not out ...... 12 Al Hasan game tomorrow. Sunday when Rishabh Pant very first ball and went on to 76-4, Root 2-0-14-0 Total (13 overs, one wicket) ...... 39 “I think we’re in a really smacked him for five sixes. claim 6-61 as England batted on Fall of wicket: 1-25 (R. Sharma) ENGLAND 2nd innings To bat: V. Kohli, A. Rahane, R. Pant, W. Sundar, R. strong position.” The left-arm spinner finally with a safety-first approach. R. Burns c Rahane b Ashwin ...... 0 Ashwin, J. Bumrah, I. Sharma, S. Nadeem Earlier yesterday, Wash- tasted success when he dis- Ishant Sharma dismissed D. Sibley c Pujara b Ashwin ...... 16 Bowling: Archer 3-2-13-0, Leach 6-1-21-1, Anderson ington Sundar led India’s rear- missed Ashwin for 31 and went Dan Lawrence to claim his D. Lawrence lbw b I Sharma ...... 18 2-1-2-0, Bess 2-0-3-0 guard resistance with an on to claim the wicket of 300th Test wicket and Joe Root, England’s non-declaration in Chennai surprises pundits REUTERS — CHENNAI their bowlers. Apart from Root, “I think he is being tooo cacau-u- “It’s obviously “While you want to getge off to a who followed his 218 in the first tious and is giving India a good first game really strong start, yyou don’t England’s refusal to declare Very surprised England innings with a quick 40, none chance of getting out of thisis Test inin tthehe reallyreally want to give India a their second innings despite a haven’t declared yet & why of the batsmen could with a draw,” tweeted Vaughan.ughan. series,”series,” chancechance to win.”win.” healthy overall lead has accelerate. India chased downwn a LewisLewis sasaidid He aalsolso dismisseddismissed sugges- surprised many who believe it aren’t they trying to get “Very surprised England 328-run target against Australiastralia afterafter InIndiadia finfin-- tionstions the EnglishEnglish batsmenbats did might allow India to salvage a 400 asap? England batted haven’t declared yet & why in Brisbane last month butut will ished the pepenul-nul- not show urgency tot score draw in the opening Test in too long in the 1st innings aren’t they trying to get 400 need to pull off the highestst sucsuc-- timate dayday on quickly.quickly. “I think the guguys were Chennai. too & now letting the game asap?” tweeted former Australia cessful chase in Test cricketricket 39-1.39-1. positive in the wway they The touring side, who leg-spinner Shane Warne history to win this match.h. played,”played,” he said.s posted a mammoth 578 in their drift & showing no urgency (pictured). On Sunday, West Indiesndies “I don’tdon think first innings, bowled out India at all. “England batted too long in reached a 395-run victoryctory it’s a straight-s for 337 in the morning session the 1st innings too & now letting target in Bangladesh with KKyleyle forwardforward pitch to to claim a sizeable lead of 241. the game drift & showing no Mayers smashing an unbeatenbeaten jujustst ggo and be Instead of enforcing the Shane Warne. urgency at all.” double hundred on hiss TeTestst reckless,r e follow-on, however, England England were all out for debut. andan try and captain Joe Root decided to set 178, setting India a record England pace bowlingwling scores India a target in the first match day, England’s overall lead victory target of 420. coach Jon Lewis said theyey did runs,”ru he of the four-Test series at the MA swelled to 360 but the tourists Former England captain not want to take any chancesances added.ad Chidambaram Stadium. continued to bat on instead of Michael Vaughan was also against India’s formidabledable By tea on the penultimate declaring to buy extra time for critical of Root’s approach. batting line-up.