SPORT

Wednesday 15 March 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Kerber rallies India, Australia head UAE riders shine to reach for Ranchi Test amid on opening day fourth round simmering tensions in Al Rayyan win, Lekhwiya pick a point

Armstrong Vas The Peninsula

brace from helped Qatar's Al Rayyan to register an emphatic 3-1 win over Persep- olisA at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium while Lekhwiya playing away from home earned a point in the one draw against Iran's Estegh- lal Khouzestan in the AFC Champions league matches yesterday. In , Tabata bagged a brace and set up another as Al Rayyan moved to the top of Group D. opened the scoring for Persepolis on six min- utes with his third goal in two games after being played in by a delightful Mohsen Mosalman pass, only for the hosts to level Persepolis' Vahid Amiri (front) fights for the ball during the Asian Champions League football match against Qatar's Al Rayyan at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium after 19 minutes when Tabata in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Ricardo Goulart (LEFT) of China's Evergrande fights for the ball with Noborizato Kyohei of Japan's Kawasaki Frontale found space for himself in the during their AFC Champions League group stage fmatch in Guangzhou, China yesterday. box and fired low into the back of the net for his second of the In Ahwaz, Esteghlal Khouz- earn Djemal Belmadi’s team a three Champions League outings. his left and then his right arm. first Champions League cam- continental campaign. estan dropped their first points draw that sees the Qatari side Frontale were denied time and Qatari referee Abdulrahman paign. Brazilian Johnathan And the same player then put of their campaign as Ismaeel maintain the two-point gap again after half-time by a series Al Jassim had no choice but to popping up with the headed win- his side 2-1 up as the hour Mohammed’s goal earned between the teams at the top of of saves using hands, feet and point to the spot, despite the pro- ner from Yeom Ki-Hun's cross approached by confidently dis- Qatar’s Lekhwiya a 1-1 draw with Group B. body by goalkeeper Zeng Cheng. tests of the Evergrande players 12 minutes from time at the Mon- patching from the spot after Jalal the Iranian champions. Meanwhile, Kawasaki Fron- And Kobayashi must have and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari gkok Stadium. Another Japanese Hosseini upended Sebastian Hasan Beytsaeid put Sirous tale captain Yu Kobayashi coolly thought it was destined not to be who believed that the contact side, Kashima Antlers, took pole Soria in the box, before the Al Pourmousavi’s side in front after chipped home a penalty in the his night when he finally beat had occurred outside the box. position at the top of AFC Cham- Rayyan captain then delivered a seven minutes when he picked fifth minute of stoppage time to Zeng with a 71st-minute snap- Kobayashi's last-gasp level- pions League Group E with a pinpoint free-kick for Sergio himself off the floor to convert secure a richly deserved draw shot across goal after a sweet ler leaves Group G wide open comfortable 3-0 home win over Garcia to volley home a third two from the penalty spot as Estegh- against Guangzhou Evergrande turn, only to see the ball cannon with Kawasaki closing to two Brisbane Roar. South Korean side minutes from time. lal Khouzestan sought to yesterday. back off the foot of the post. points behind Guangzhou and Ulsan Hyundai's lacklustre 0-0 The win sees Al Rayyan leap- maintain their perfect start to the The Japanese side laid siege But deep into injury time Suwon Bluewings, who both draw with Muangthong United frog their opponents and Al Hilal campaign. to the two-time Asian champi- Frontale's persistence paid off have five points after the South allowed the reigning J-League to the top of the standings after But Mohammed latched on ons goalmouth after the prolific when Evergrande's Yu Hanchao Korean side beat Hong Kong champions to leapfrog the unde- the Saudi Arabian side drew 2-2 to Chico Flores’ header across Brazilian striker Alan put the made a hash of a clearance near minnow Eastern 1-0. feated Thai side in the Group E with Al Wahda in other Group D the Iranian side’s goal in the 11th home side ahead in the 26th the edge of his penalty area Suwon left it late against the standings with six points from encounter. minute to level the scores and minute with his third goal in resulting in the ball striking first Hong Kong side who are in their three matches. Special Olympics: Qatar to take part in World Winter Games in Austria

Doha Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Executive Director of Qatar Spe- QNA Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, cial Olympics Amir Al Mulla along Morocco and Syria. with Sarah Al Dosari. It includes he Qatar team will partici- The Qatar delegation will head four players: Abdullah Nasser Al pate in the 11th Special to the Austrian city of Graz today Mannai, Saud Al Sulaiti along with TOlympics World Winter to participate in the games, which their coach Ali Hdaib, and Khalifa Games in Austria, which will kick will be held in four Austrian cities: Al Dosari and Mohammed Jaber Al off on Friday and continue until Graz, Schladming, Ramsau, and Bahih with their coach Hatem March 25. Rohrmoos. Bedier . Qatar is participating in The competitions will see the Qatar will take part in speed the Special Olympics World Win- participation of 3,000 athletes skating competitions in the city of ter Games for the fourth time in a from 110 countries, including 15 Graz, and snowboarding in row after taking part in the games Qatar handball team, winners of the gold medal at the GCC Women’s Games, pose for Arab countries, namely Qatar, Ramsau. that were held in Japan, the United Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, The delegation is headed by States and South Korea. a picture.

Dortmund's defender Matthias Ginter, Qatar win handball gold Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Buerki (right) and Lottes Bernd Rosinger vie for the ball during the German Cup in GCC Women’s Games DFB Pokal quarter-final football match in Osnabruck, northern Germany, yesterday. The Peninsula Bahrain, who are in the second place. Meanwhile a physical education workshop for atar handball team claimed the gold people with special needs kicked off in Doha medal at the ongoing GCC Women’s yesterday. QGames which end in Doha on Friday. Titled 'Modern international applications to In the closing match on Monday, Qatar integrate people with special needs into the phys- recorded a 32-12 victory over Oman to finish ical education program' the workshop is on top in the event with 12 points. organized by the Qatar Olympic Academy (QOA) United Arab Emirates finished second while and held at QOA Headquarters. Bahrain settled in the third place. On the other The four day long workshop is targeting hand, the Qatar table tennis team clinched the 25 teachers (male and female) in the public gold medal in the team event of the Games. In and private schools beside Al Shafalah Center the closing match, Qatar edged past Bahrain to for people with special needs and coaches from secure the gold medal. Qatar Paralympic Committee. Elsewhere, the Qatari basketball team con- The workshop will help the teachers to tinued their winning streak beating UAE 39-38 get more knowledge and experience about in a thriller on Monday. the methods required to integrate the peo- The victory took the Qatari team to lead ple with special needs into the physical basketball standings, three points more than lessons. SPORT WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH 2017 25 Birmingham, Liverpool keen to host 2022 CW Games

London in close contact with the Gov- Anticipating trouble with facilities and they can quickly get leaving the South African city has been an enthusiastic partic- Reuters ernment about the developing Durban, the CGF recently the money together to make a the sole bidder. ipant in the Commonwealth situation." acquired the power to choose a commitment to do that." “This raises the some inter- Games, which take place every he English cities of Bir- Birmingham had already new host city without a formal New Zealand, which last esting possibilities ... but the city four years and bring together mingham and Liverpool expressed an interest in staging bid process. hosted the Commonwealth could not undertake this alone,” athletes from the 52 members T have expressed interest in the 2026 Games, as had Liver- Its executive vice president Games in Auckland in 1990, said the Edmonton Journal quoted of the Commonwealth, most of hosting the 2022 Common- pool. The BBC quoted a Kereyn Smith, also the head of it had no interest in hosting the city's mayor Don Iveson as which were at one time colo- wealth Games after Durban was spokesperson for Liverpool City the New Zealand Olympic Com- 2022. saying. nies of Britain. stripped of the right on Council as saying they had mittee, confirmed the CGF "We have no intention of The 2018 Games will be held Melbourne (2006), Brisbane Monday. "already indicated to the gov- would invite cities seen as will- taking over the 2022 Common- on Australia's Gold Coast. (1982) and Perth (1962) have all "Here in Birmingham we are ernment that we are very willing ing and capable of holding the wealth Games," sports minister Smith held out the possibil- hosted the Games before. already in the advanced stages to host them (the 2022 Games) Games to step in, and said the Jonathan Coleman told local ity of the Gold Coast holding Commonwealth Games of producing a detailed feasibil- instead." next host needed to be settled media. back-to-back Games to host Australia (CGA) said it would ity study on what would be The Commonwealth Games quickly. "There is a lot of infrastruc- 2022 but city officials poured "support the CGF in any way needed for a truly memorable Federation (CGF) said Durban, "I think the time frame is a ture that needs to be built across cold water on the idea. required" to ensure 2022 went games in the city," said Ian which had hoped to be the first matter of months, certainly not the country and this ranks well "Council will not consider ahead. Ward, the deputy leader of Bir- African city to host the Games, longer than that," she told New down our list of priorities." hosting the 2022 games as we "Commonwealth Games mingham City Council in a had failed to meet the promises Zealand radio. Canadian media said Durban's will be working tirelessly on our Australia has not been statement. contained in its bid and the "The President (of the CGF) withdrawal might revive inter- legacy outcomes from the 2018 approached by the CGF regard- "That is due to be completed search for a replacement host Louise Martin is working with cit- est in Edmonton which pulled Games experience," Gold Coast ing an alternate host city for in the coming weeks and we are was now on. ies that have the ability and the out of the 2022 bid in 2015, mayor Tom Tate said. Australia 2022," it said in a statement.

Flames edge Usain Bolt Kerber rallies to out Penguins in shootout reach fourth round New York Agencies Indian Wells, AFP ris Versteeg scored the shootout winner as the ngelique Kerber KCalgary Flames edged might yet celebrate the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 her return to for their franchise record- number one with an tying 10th consecutive win. Indian Wells title Versteeg flipped a back- afterA battling past Pauline Par- hand shot past Pittsburgh mentier 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to reach goalie Marc-Andre Fleury for the fourth round on Monday. the lone goal of the shootout, Parmentier, the world much to the delight of the number 62 from France, had the 19,289 fans at the Scotiabank two-time Grand Slam champion Saddledome. from Germany on the ropes with The Atlanta Flames set Bolt to skip World Relays a break and a 4-1 lead in the the franchise record of 10 third set. wins in a row thanks to a 2-0 Kingston, Jamaica But Kerber fought back with victory over the Penguins at AFP a break in the seventh game and home on November 3, 1978, another in a marathon 11th game before relocating to Calgary sain Bolt is poised to skip next month's IAAF World Relays that gave her a 6-5 lead and a two seasons later. Versteeg in the Bahamas as he prepares to retire from the sport later chance to serve for the match. had two assists in regulation, Uthis year. "I think I was starting to and Flames goalie Brian Elli- The reigning Olympic 100m and 200m champion told report- believe in myself again and try- ott made 32 saves. Fleury ers at a track meeting in Kingston on Saturday that he was unlikely ing to take this challenge and stopped 27 shots. to feature in the Jamaica squad for the two-day championship set trying to play point by point," In other match, Jaccob for April 22 to 23. Kerber said of her mindset after Slavin collected the first hat- "My coach hasn't said anything about it (World Relays), so I going down a break in the trick of his NHL career as doubt that I will be competing there this year. I am just trying to deciding set. Carolina routed New York. stay injury free," said Bolt, who is looking forward to his final race Angelique Kerber of Germany plays a backhand shot against "I was not thinking about Slavin entered the game on Jamaican soil, the Racers Track Club Grand Prix set for June what has happened before, just Pauline Parmentier of France in their third round match with just two goals this sea- 10. going for it and trying to move during day eight of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells son and four goals in his "It's just going to be exciting and emotional, I think it might be in good, bring a lot of balls back, Tennis Garden on Monday. two-year career but scored a little bit emotional, but I am looking forward to it, it's my coach's and going for it when I have the once in each period as the meet, so I am excited to be a part of it." chance." winner over Hungarian Timea worked pretty well today." Hurricanes snapped out of an As the reigning world champion over 100m and 200m, Bolt Kerber, who rose to number Babos. Halep, the 2015 Indian Wells offensive slump in a big way. qualifies automatically for the World Championships in London one in the world with her US Fourth-seeded Romanian champion, wasn't too discour- and will not take part at the Jamaican Championships qualifying Open triumph last year, is set to Simona Halep, yet to regain aged, saying the knee trouble NHL RESULTS event in June. regain the summit no matter peak form in the wake of a nag- that forced her to pull out of St. Boston 6 Vancouver 3 The 30-year-old said he was happy with his training for the how far she goes this week ging knee injury, was dispatched Petersburg before her quarter- Arizona 1 Colorado 0 final few months of his career, which will end with his retirement thanks to the injury withdrawal by in-form Kristina Mladenovic final in February had since St. Louis 3 Los Angeles 1 after the World Championships. of Serena Williams. 6-3, 6-3. limited her training. Calgary 4 Pittsburgh 3 "Everything is going smooth, so the key thing is to stay injury She needed two hours and France's Mladenovic, who "After the first set my legs Nashville 5 Winnipeg 4 free. I am just going to continue pushing myself and pushing my 33 minutes in the baking sun on has already lifted one trophy were gone," Halep said. "My ten- Carolina 8 NY Islanders 4 body and I hope it will work out," he said. Stadium Court to get past Par- and reached another WTA final nis legs were not here yet." Tampa Bay 3 NY Rangers 2 Bolt, the world record holder, successfully defended his Olym- mentier, who until this year had in 2017, had no trouble notch- Seven-time Grand Slam Columbus 5 Philadelphia 3 pic 100m, 200m and 4x100m crowns at last year's Rio de Janeiro never won a match at Indian ing another top-five win. champion Venus Williams Games. Wells in five prior "I perfectly played the game booked a fourth-round berth appearances. plan I had," Mladenovic said. with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Kerber sealed it on her third "Solid at times, make her Lucie Safarova. match point – but not before play balls and making her take Williams, seeded 12th in her Parmentier had one last chance some risk. Sometimes when I second tournament since a run- Leonard inspires Spurs to win to break in the final game. had the shorter (ball) stepping ner-up finish to her sister Serena Kerber next faces Russian in, playing my heavy shots with in the Australian Open in Janu- Elena Vesnina, a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 the forehand. I think that ary, had saved three match Los Angeles San Antonio Spurs' points en route to a second- AFP Kawhi Leonard (right) BNP PARIBAS OPEN RESULTS round victory over Jelena in action against Jankovic, but needed no hero- awhi Leonard shrugged Atlanta Hawks on ics against the 40th-ranked off the after-effects of a Men's Third Round Monday. Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 7-5 Czech. Krecent concussion to Pablo Carreno-Busta (ESP x21) bt Roberto Bautista (ESP x16) walkover "It's never easy to play a score 31 points as the San Anto- lefty because you feel the ball nio Spurs downed Atlanta to go David Goffin (BEL x11) bt Albert Ramos (ESP x22) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 coming from all different direc- level with Golden State at the Pablo Cuevas (URU x27) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-1, 6-4 tions. You feel unbalanced, but top of the Western Conference Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x3) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER x28) 7-5, 6-3 my focus was so laser that it felt on Monday. Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x13) 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 good to compete in these con- Leonard, who had been con- Gael Monfils (FRA x10) bt John Isner (USA x20) 6-2, 6-4 ditions," said Williams who cussed after a clash with Dominic Thiem (AUT x8) bt Mischa Zverev (GER x29) 6-1, 6-4 belted 15 winners with just nine Oklahoma City Thunder guard Women's Third Round unforced errors, breaking Safa- Madison Keys (USA x9) bt Naomi Osaka (JPN) 6-1, 6-4 rova four times." NBA RESULTS Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x13) bt Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-3, 6-1 The American next faces Sacramento 120 Orlando 115 Victor Oladipo last Thursday, Leonard was backed by an Lauren Davis (USA) bt Julia Goerges (GER) 6-1, 6-4 China's Peng Shuai, who ousted Denver 129 LA Lakers 101 showed no sign of the knock as all-round scoring display from Kristina Mladenovic (FRA x28) bt Simona Halep (ROM x4) 6-3, 6-3 sixth-seeded Agnieszka Rad- Utah 114 LA Clippers 108 he led the Spurs to a 107-99 vic- his Spurs team-mates with Peng Shuai (CHN) bt Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x6) 6-4, 6-4 wanska of Poland 6-4, 6-4. Memphis 113 Milwaukee 93 tory over the Hawks. David Lee, Danny Green, Patty Venus Williams (USA x12) bt Lucie Safarova (CZE) 6-4, 6-2 American Madison Keys, San Antonio 107 Atlanta 99 The win gave San Antonio Mills and Pau Gasol all posting Elena Vesnina (RUS x14) bt Tímea Babos (HUN x25) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 playing her first event of the Minnesota 119 Washington 104 an identical 52-14 record to double figure points tallies.

Angelique Kerber (GER x2) bt Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 year after surgery on her left Toronto 100 Dallas 78 Western Conference pace-set- Leonard also chipped in wrist, eased past Japan's Naomi Chicago 115 Charlotte 109 ters Golden State, who host with five rebounds and four Osaka 6-1, 6-4. Philadelphia on Tuesday. assists. 26 SPORT WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH 2017

South Africa India and Australia head for draft in extra spinner for Ranchi amid simmering tensions New Zealand Johannesburg Ranchi But Australia have been AFP AFP playing their own mind games, with their leading spinner outh Africa yesterday itter rivals India and Nathan Lyon saying all the pres- called up off-spinner Australia resume their sure is on the hosts. SDane Piedt to join their battle for Test "Everyone said that we are squad for the third and final supremacy tomorrow going to lose 4-0. It's 1-1, we're Test against New Zealand in in Ranchi at the start one win away from regaining the Hamilton, starting on March Bof the third match in a series that trophy and that's what we are 25. has already dragged relations here to do," said Lyon, who took The South African selec- close to breaking point. a career-best 8-50 in tion committee packed their India won the second Test in Bangalore. original touring squad with Bangalore to leave the series tan- "The pressure is right on seam bowlers and only talisingly poised at 1-1 but India – there is no pressure on selected one specialist spin- simmering tensions boiled over us." ner in left-armer Keshav when the hosts' captain accused India, just ahead of Australia Maharaj. his opposite number of abusing at the top of the world rankings, The drawn first Test in the decision review system had been firm favourites at the Dunedin was played on a (DRS). start of the series but were slow, turning pitch and New The International Cricket soundly beaten in the first match Zealand picked two spinners, Council, which decided not to and struggled in Bangalore who bowled a combined 106 punish either Virat Kohli or Steve before sensationally dismissing overs out of a total of 224.4 Smith over the flare-up, has the tourists for 112 in their sec- during South Africa's two called the two skippers together ond innings. innings. for clear-the-air talks ahead of While India should be The final day of the Test the match. unchanged, Australia are was washed out. expected to call up Pat Cummins Maharaj bowled a total of for Starc and Glenn Maxwell or 28.3 overs in New Zealand's Marcus Stoinis will replace only innings, which lasted Indian captain Virat Kohli gestures in this file photo. Inset: Aussie skipper Steve Smith's file Marsh. With India still struggling 114.3 overs, and took five for Everyone said that photo. Both team head for the third Test in Ranchi with the series tied at 1-1. to find an effective opening com- 94. we are going to bination, the hosts need Kohli to Piedt will not arrive in But former players on both respective boards amid warn- been allowed to fester. rediscover his form. New Zealand in time for the lose 4-0. It's 1-1, sides have again been stirring ings the series risked "It's been allowed to escalate Former Australia fast bowler second Test, which starts in we're one win things up ahead of Ranchi, a degenerating into anarchy. over the years, and nobody is Mitchell Johnson has suggested Wellington tomorrow, how- away from match in which India must avoid India were furious when stepping in to stop it. It's going Kohli's outburst against Smith ever, the spinner could be defeat if they want to win back Smith was spotted looking up at to cause a huge problem one day was due to frustration at his low drafted into the line-up for regaining the the Border-Gavaskar trophy. his dressing-room for guidance on the field," he wrote on the scores. the third Test if the Hamilton trophy and that's Australia's hopes suffered a on whether to seek a review of website of Australia's Channel But Indian batting great VVS pitch is similar to the spin- what we are here double blow last week when all- the umpire's decision after being Nine network. Laxman said it was only a mat- friendly surface that was used rounder Mitchell Marsh and pace given out lbw -- a clear breach "It already causes a bit of ter of time before Kohli came for two one-day to do. The pressure spearhead Mitchell Starc were of the DRS rules. animosity from time to time, but good. internationals. is right on India – ruled out of the last two Test with While Smith called it a one- from the evidence so far this "If I was an Australian, I Piedt, 27, took 24 wickets there is no injuries. off "brain fade", Kohli said it was series it will go beyond that at would be wary of a backlash, at an average of 36.04 in India's concerns are centred not an isolated incident -- a some stage." maybe in Ranchi, maybe in seven Tests before he was pressure on us, on the form of Kohli who has claim the Australia board The sniping has continued Dharamsala, maybe in both dropped from the squad that says Nathan Lyon totalled just 40 runs in the series branded "outrageous". since Bangalore with Indian places," he wrote on the crick- won a Test series in Australia after scoring double centuries in Former Australian skipper spinner Ravichandran Ashwin etcountry website. in November when two pre- the last four Test series. Ian Chappell has been among the accusing Australia of resorting After Ranchi, the final Test viously uncapped left-armers, The meeting between Smith critics of the ICC's softly-softly to tactics reminiscent of an begins in Dharamsala on March Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi and Kohli was agreed to by their approach, saying things had under-10 team. 25. were selected. Given a chance, UAE's Pakistan suspends paceman Chirag Suri would swap shirts for India Irfan in PSL spot-fixing case Karachi investigation would continue. In this photograph taken on Kolkata introduced to cricket by his AFP Irfan, 34, appeared before IANS father Bobby Suri, who still March 13, 2016, Pakistan's the anti-corruption unit of the plays the game in the Dubai akistan yesterday charged Mohammad Irfan delivers PCB on Monday and confessed elhi-born Chirag Suri, Cricket Council's Mammoths and suspended giant fast a ball as he takes part in a to being approached by a book- the only United Arab League. Suri does not feature Pbowler Mohammad Irfan training session ahead of the maker about fixing matches in DEmirates (UAE) crick- among the eight contracted over allegations of spot-fixing World T20 cricket tournament the past six months. eter to bag an Indian Premier players in the UAE national during a recent Twenty20 match at The Eden Gardens He admitted he failed to League (IPL) contract last team. Suri's name is not there league, in a case that has so far Cricket Stadium in Kolkata. report the incidents because of month, does not rule out as he juggles between obtain- ensnared three other current or the death of his father in Sep- playing for his home nation ing a degree in business former national stars. tember followed by his mother's some day and believes the management at Heriot-Watt The widening scandal passing in January. cash-rich league is his gate- University and cricket. threatens to take some of the The tall fast bowler made way to fame. "Making a name for one- sheen off the recently completed headlines for his extraordinary At the outset, it might self is difficult here," said Pakistan Super League (PSL), height – seven feet and one inch sound improbable, but after Suri, who scored heavily for which was hailed as a step or 216 centimetres – when he the 22-year old opener – who his school and college teams, towards restoring international made his international debut in is yet to play an ODI or T20 winning best batsman awards cricket in the terror-hit country 2010 and stands as the tallest- for his country and was even numerous times. after the final in Lahore passed ever player to feature in world dropped for the first two "But associate players without incident with Peshawar cricket. 50-over engagements against getting picked in big leagues Zalmi winning the title. He has so far played four Afghanistan -- was picked by is a huge boost," the right- A guilty verdict for the play- Tests and 20 Twenty20 inter- Gujarat Lions, he feels noth- hander said, citing the ers would prove disastrous for nationals, but has achieved ing is impossible. example of Afghanistan leg- Pakistan cricket, which was last most success in his 60 one-day "Of course, why not? It's spinner Rashid Khan who rocked by a match-fixing scan- internationals where he has my country of birth," Suri, was picked by defending dal in 2010 that deprived it of taken 83 wickets at an average who was roped in by Suresh champions Sunrisers three top players including pace- of 30.71. Raina-led Gujarat Lions for Hyderabad for a whopping man Mohammad Amir, who has His stature makes him a his base price of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 4 crore -- eight times his since made a comeback. dangerous bowler as each ball told IANS during a chat from base price. "The Pakistan Cricket Board is released from a height rarely Dubai. But to make his India cap (PCB) in furtherance to its inves- experienced by batsmen. "(Eoin) Morgan did that. I a fairytale-come-true -- just tigation issued a Notice of Born as a farmer's son in the mean it (India) is an amazing like the IPL call-up -- Suri Charge and provisionally sus- small village of Gaggu Mandi, place for cricket. And every- certainly has to better his pended Irfan under the PCB Irfan said that in his younger body loves it, the crowds, the performances to cement his Anti-Corruption Code," the body days he was mocked by class- noise, the atmosphere. I would place in the UAE team. Suri said in a statement. Sharjeel Khan and Khalid provisionally suspended on mates and strangers because of love to play for India in the last played in a List A game It added: "Irfan has been Latif, fellow members of the charges of being a "go between" his height. future, but I have no regrets," against England Lions in charged with two violations of Islamabad United team that took in the spot-fixing incident. Jam- Unable to make a break- said Suri, who caught Lions' December 2016. the anti-corruption code and part in the tournament, were shed and another unnamed through in the sport, he once coach Brad Hodge's eye dur- "Look, this is up to the now has 14 days to respond to also provisionally suspended person were arrested in Britain made ends meet by working in ing the Master Champions selectors," Suri, who aver- the Notice of Charge," without and charged last month over last month but were bailed until a pipe factory, earning just 300 League 2016. aged just seven in his three giving further details. meeting a man suspected of April. rupees ($3) a week, before being Having moved to the UAE List A games so far, said when "He has also been provision- being linked to an international The PCB, which has formed spotted by former first-class at the age of six, the Virat asked about his omission ally suspended with immediate betting syndicate. a three-member tribunal under cricketer Nadeem Iqbal in a club Kohli admirer was from the UAE squad." effect from participating in all Former Pakistan opener retired judge Asghar Haider to match, and went on to make his forms of cricket." Nasir Jamshed was also probe the allegations, said the first-class debut in 2009. WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH 2017 SPORT 27

Qatar training for World Cup qualifiers

Qatar's Rodrigo Tabata (left) shares a lighter moment with team-mates during a training session in Doha yesterday. Coach Jorge ossatiF (right) side is preparing for the two key 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches at the end of March. Qatar face Iran on March 23 and Uzbekistan on March 28. Qatar have 4 points in Group A of the Asian Zone qualifying campaign. Iran are leading the group with 11 points. South Korea are in second spot with 10 points while Uzbekistan have 9. Syria are in fifth spot with 5 points. China are below Qatar. UAE riders shine on opening day in Qatar

The Peninsula Kuwait finished the event on Team Trial third spot followed by hosts AE riders stole lime- The UAE team Qatar. light on the opening Earlier, UAE earned their first comprising Badr Mirza day of the 19th GCC title of the day when Umar Al Hamadi, Road Cycling Cham- Abdurrazzaq, Umar Salim, pionship as they Muhammad Hasan Al Rashid Ahmed and Khalil Essa Ureigned supreme in all the three Marwi, Jabir Al partnered to win the 23km Cadet Team Trial events at the Losail Mansuri and Ahmed Al class race. International Circuit yesterday. Mansuri win the 46km They took 33 minutes 49 sec- The event kicked off with an Elite class onds with a speed of 41.20km per impressive opening ceremony, competition. hour to reach the milestone. The while the riders competed in Saudi Arabian team featuring Cadet and Junior classes along and 46 seconds as they acceler- Abdur Rehman, Al Hasan Al with the Elite competition which ated with a speed of 47.21km per Momin, Nasir Al Ahmad and was dubbed as the feature race hour. Mehdi Al Safaar finished second on the inaugural day. Bahrain team including Syed with a time of 34 minutes and 40 The UAE team comprising Ahmed Khalil Ibrahim, Mansur seconds. Oman and Bahrain fin- Badr Mirza Al Hamadi, Muham- Muhammad Mansur, Ali Hasan ished on third and fourth mad Hasan Al Marwi, Jabir Al Jawad and Saad Talal Saad fin- positions respectively. Mansuri and Ahmed Al Mansuri ished runners-up after The 34.5km Junior class tri- prevailed over their opponents completing the stretch in 1 hour, umph was lent to the UAE by The podium winners in the Team Trial event at the 19th GCC Road Cycling Championship pose to win the 46km Elite class com- 1 minute and 23 seconds with a Rashid Abdullah, Abdullah Abdul petition in a time of 58 minutes speed of 45.23km per hour. Karim, Mohammad Farooq and for a picture with officials at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. BOTTOM: Qatar team in Hamd Abdullah who took 46 action in the championship. Pictures: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula minutes 12 second to finish the job. The Saudi team comprising Yusuf Al Yusuf, Hasan Ibrahim, Hasan Al Habib and Ahmed Al Hasan secured second position with a time of 48 minutes and 58 seconds. Bahrain and Oman completed the race in third and fourth positions respectively. Today’s events include Indi- vidual Time Trial in all three classes while the road competi- tion will be held tomorrow, again in all the three classes. Friday is reserved for the big- gest contest of the event - when The UAE cycling team members celebrate their victory after the Elite Class will compete crossing the finish line at Losail International Circuit yesterday. against each other.

Torres returns Monaco turn to Falcao to knock City out as Atletico eye

Paris how to score goals," Falcao same offensive approach at "I think we can reach the we beat them we are through to quarters Reuters added. Louis II. final, but of course the other the quarter-finals, after which Monaco, who geared up for "We're not going to change,” teams will think the same. And the final is not that far away." Madrid onaco owe most of their the game with a 2-1 victory over said full back Pablo Zabaleta. that doesn't make it easier," the De Bruyne also felt that City AFP recent success to their Girondins de Bordeaux on Sat- "This is the way we've been 25-year-old told British media. must improve their perform- Myoung guns, but when urday, will need to show more playing until now and I think it "It will be very tough against ances in high-pressure games if ernando Torres is they face Manchester City look- focus if they are to go through. would be a big mistake if we Monaco, they are doing they hope to be fighting for some expected to return just ing to overturn a two-goal deficit "We're at a crucial stage in went to Monaco to defend. extremely well at the moment, of the most prestigious trophies Ftwo weeks after losing in their Champions League last- the season. In the Champions However, defensive but we are very positive and if on a regular basis. consciousness in a sickening 16 tie today, they will turn to a League, one mistake in a game improvement is needed. head clash as Atletico Madrid more experienced player in Rad- can be fatal," said Falcao, who "We have to attack in the look to seal their place in the amel Falcao. has scored16 goals in Ligue 1 this same way that we did here at the Champions League quarter- The Colombia striker, who season and six in the Champions Etihad and if we do we’ll create finals today. endured two dismal injury- League. chances and score goals," goal- Atletico are strong plagued seasons in the Premier "We need to raise our level keeper Willy Caballero said. favourites to reach the last League, has been near his best of concentration to make up for “But the most important eight for a fourth straight year since he returned this season our lack of experience in this thing is to defend better than we as Torres was on target in a from a season-long loan at competition." did in the first leg.” 4-2 first leg win against Beyer Chelsea. Falcao, who has recovered Manchester City midfielder Leverkusen in Germany to get "This season, I've been play- from a hip injury, is expected to Kevin De Bruyne believes the a commanding lead. ing consistently. The club has full start in a 4-4-2 formation along- Premier League side can reach Torres returned to full confidence in me, the staff and side prodigy Kylian Mbappe with this season's Champions League training for the first time since my team mates make me feel Bernardo Silva, another young final as they head into Wednes- losing consciousness in a important," said Falcao, who gem in the squad, expected to day's last-16 second leg at AS challenge with Deportivo la scored two but missed a poten- provide them with scoring Monaco with a 5-3 lead. Coruna's Alex Bergantinos tially decisive penalty in opportunities. City, who have struggled to that provoked consternation Monaco's 5-3 defeat in the first Monaco's only concern is the translate their domestic success among those on the field and leg in Manchester. absence of centre back Kamil on to the European stage in watching around the world. "With confidence, the rest Glick, who will be replaced by recent years, were eliminated in However, thankfully the Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe Lottin controls the ball during comes naturally. I don't think Jemerson. the semi-finals by Real Madrid 32-year-old was released players forget how to play foot- City, who warmed up with a last year but De Bruyne is hop- a training session on the eve of their UEFA Champions League from hospital less than 24 ball. I just needed playing time 2-0 FA Cup win at Middles- ing to go at least one step further match against Manchester City at the Louis II Stadium in hours later having suffered no and continuity. You don't forget brough, have vowed to take the this term Monaco, yesterday. serious injuries.