Sport TUESday 24 August 2021 Western & Southern Open: Barty and Zverev clinch title wins in Cincinnati It’s been an awesome week. I felt like, each match, I got better and better in most parts of my game. I was just excited to get some matches under my belt in some tough conditions, and I think it put us in good stead going to New York. Ashleigh Barty Sport | 15 Cricket: At lunch on Day 4: West Indies 123 for 8 (Afridi 4-40) trail Pakistan 302 for 9 dec (Alam 124 n.o., Babar 75) by 179 runs Doha to host Iraq's joint qualifiers

QNA/The Peninsula – Doha COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to Iraq's matches, Qatar will also Doha will host Iraq's joint qual- host China’s qualifier against ifiers for the FIFA World Cup Japan on Sept. 7. Qatar 2022 and the 2023 AFC The Asian Football Confed- Asian Cup, the Qatar Football eration announced on Friday Association (QFA) has that the decision to host the announced. Group B match between China The QFA has approved the and Japan at a neutral venue was request made by the Iraq made due to the challenges Football Association (IFA) to host faced by the Chinese Football their Group A matches, it was Association (CFA) in organising announced yesterday. its home matches in light of the The IFA had earlier posted travel restrictions caused by the on their official twitter handle COVID-19 pandemic. Qatar gear up for European qualifiers that Al Gharafa Stadium will be The AFC is now working in the host venue for the upcoming close partnership with the CFA, Qatar football players in action during their training camp in Austria matches. Japan Football Association as yesterday, ahead of the European qualifiers for the FIFA World The Group A teams which well as the QFA to ensure the Cup Qatar 2022. In the European qualifying games, the 2019 AFC will play against Iraq are South safe passage and wellbeing of Asian Cup champions will take on Serbia on September 1 before Korea, Syria, Iran, the United all stakeholders, the Asian meeting Christiano Ronaldo-led Portugal three days later. On Arab Emirates and Lebanon. Iraqi players in action during a training session ahead of the football governing body September 7, Al Annabi will take on Luxembourg. Iraq's first match will be Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup joint announced. against the South Korean team qualifiers. Pic: Twitter/ @IRAQFA In addition to the World Cup in Seoul on Sept. 2. Its second qualifiers, Qatar will also host match will be against Iran in Iraq had earned 17 points to accordance with the cooperation the AFC Asian Champions Doha on Sept. 7. finish second and make it to the agreements signed between the League Round of 16 match The Iraqi team qualified for decisive third round of the qual- two sides. The move also reflects between Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr the third round after finishing ifiers. The decision to host the Qatar’s ability in successfully and Iran's Tractor SC. second in the third group which matches comes in light of the hosting major international The match will be played at was led by the Iranians with 18 strong brotherly relations events in the past amidst the Khalifa International Stadium points. between QFA and IFA, and in challenges posed by the on Sept. 14. Qatar 2022: Dybala recalled for Argentina qualifiers

AP – BUENOS AIRES World Cup qualifiers in Sep- Angel Di María, the scorer of with 12 points from six tember, with veteran Sergio the winning goal against host matches. Striker Paulo Dybala was Aguero out injured. Brazil in the final, were all The team has away games called up to the Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni called up. against Venezuela and leader squad for the first time in included most of the players Dybala was part of the 2019 Brazil before hosting Bolivia in almost two years yesterday who won the Copa America in Copa America squad and has Buenos Aires. after an impressive start to the July, Argentina’s first major played 29 games in total for Defender Cristian Romero season with Juventus. title in almost 30 years. Argentina. and midfielder Leandro Dybala was included in the Lionel Messi, goalkeeper Argentina is second in Paredes are suspended for the squad for three upcoming Emiliano Martínez and striker South American qualifying first game. Qatar SC clinch silver at Arab Club Championships Afghanistan’s Qatar SC players and officials during the ODI series against Arab Club Table Tennis Championships which concluded in Amman, Pakistan postponed Jordan, yesterday. Qatar SC went down AP – ISLAMABAD 1-3 to Egypt's Al Ahly in yesterday's final. Qatar Afghanistan’s three-match ODI series against SC reached the final after Pakistan has been postponed, the Pakistan Cricket recording a thrilling Board said yesterday. 3-2 win over Egypt's The series was scheduled to be played in Sri Zamalek in the Lanka in early September, but the PCB said the semi-final onS unday. Afghanistan Cricket Board requested the post- During the same ponement following the collapse of the country’s Championships. Qatar SC government and the takeover by the Taliban. women's team bagged the The PCB cited both the difficulties in travelling bronze medal. They lost to from Afghanistan, an increase in COVID-19 cases Al Ahly women 0-3 in the in Sri Lanka and the “players’ mental health issues” semi-final on Friday. as reasons for the postponement.

Kamil Grzybowski rides Sheikh Faisal Hamad Cephale De Ghazal seals Jassim Al Thani-owned Al Faisal to victory. Pic: Służewiec impressive win in Spain Racecourse The Peninsula – Lasarte- Alexandre Oria, Spain Gavilan guides Cephale de Qatar owned horses have an Ghazal to win at impressive strike rate on the San Sebastian magnificent Spanish racetrack Racetrack in of San Sebastian. Lasarte-Oria, On Sunday, Al Shaqab Spain. Racing’s filly Cephale De Pic: Hipódromo Ghazal (FR) (Munjiz x San Sebastián Chamade De Ghazal) landed a second victory in the Wathba Stallions Cup, a conditions race for Purebred Arabian fillies over ten furlongs. Al Faisal lands Polish Group One win Ridden by Alexandre Gavilan, Cephale De Ghazal The Peninsula – Sluzewiec Drawn in stall nine, Al Faisal of the field. Inside the final 200m chased the highly strung was forced wide through the Al Faisal began to pull clear of his Havane De L’ardus, who set The Sheikh Faisal Hamad Jassim early stages on the 1,600m. A rivals and went on to score by the pace and was very green Al Thani-owned Al Faisal (Al very steady pace was set by Han half a length. Maeali Muscat took throughout the race. Elisabeth Bernard, Cephale De France. Her dam Chamade De Albahar x Sakina De Faust) Rastaban (Assy) through the first second, while early leader Han In the straight, Cephale De Ghazal began her career with Ghazal is a Gr3 PA winning toughed out a narrow success in half of the race and Al Faisal sat Rastaban faded towards the end Ghazal proved to be too strong a victory in December on the daughter of leading the Emaela Stakes (Group 1 Wathba just off the leaders. With the field and finished a further two lengths and won the race even though Pau all-weather track. For her broodmare sire Dormane. She Stallions Cup) at Sluzewiec Race- tightly packed on the turn for back in third. she had to battle with Fow- second start, she finished sixth also produced Chaval De course in Poland on Sunday. home, Al Faisal took closer order Bred by his owner, Al Faisal airet (FR) (TM Fred Texas x in the Sheikh Mansoor Festival Ghazal, winner of a claiming Trained by Maciej Kacprzyk, and challenged Han Rastaban is by Af Albahar (Amer), who Balica De Faust), another Al - Prix Nefta (Gr2 PA). race in Qatar. Cephale De Al Faisal won a Group Two over 400m from home. Maeali Muscat stands at Haras De Thouars and Shaqab Racing filly, who fin- Cephale De Ghazal was Ghazal comes one of the finest course and distance in July and was (Nieshan) also challenged Han is out of Sakina De Faust (Al ished runner-up under Julien bred by Jean Cambon and his French maternal lines, her ridden by jockey Kamil Grzy- Rastaban for the lead in the home Sakbe) a winner over 2,000m in Grosjeanfor trainer Charles daughter Rose at Haras de ancestor being the renowned bowski on both occasions. straight and the three drew clear Germany. Gourdain. Trained by Ghazal in the Southwestof Nevada II. Sport TUESday 24 August 2021 15 Barty, Zverev clinch title wins in Cincinnati

AP – MASON, Ohio welcome result for Zverev after a “You played exceptional tennis this grueling three-set semifinal win over week.” Ash Barty bounced back from a disap- Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday. Barty, of Australia, broke Teich- pointing loss at the Tokyo Olympics. “It’s been an awesome week,” mann’s serve to take a 5-3 lead in the Gold medallist Alexander Zverev Zverev said. first set, then won the next six games. carried over his momentum from “This is an incredible feeling going In the second set, the Swiss player Tokyo. into New York.” received medical attention during a Both are in fine form heading into Barty, who won her first Wim- changeover for blisters on her heavily the US Open, which begins next week bledon title in July before getting upset taped right foot. in New York. in the first round at the Olympics, didn’t “I was very happy with my week,” The top-ranked Barty won her fifth drop a set in four Cincinnati matches Teichmann said. title of the season, taking eight of the and was pushed just once to a “Obviously, today, I wanted to win, last nine games from wild card Jil tiebreaker. but Ash was just too good. I felt like I Teichmann for a 6-3, 6-1 victory in the “It’s been an awesome week,” Barty was there in the first set, but then she Western & Southern Open final on said. “I felt like, each match, I got better Ashleigh Barty and Alexander Zverev pose with Rookwood Cups after winning got a little break and it was gone. She Sunday. and better in most parts of my game. I their Western and Southern Open finals. played some good points. Then, in the Zverev, too, had a relatively easy was just excited to get some matches second set, she stepped up her level. time in the Cincinnati final, winning under my belt in some tough condi- the US Open site at Flushing Meadows Belinda Bencic and fourth-ranked Ash was just too good.” the first four games en route to a 6-2, tions, and I think it put us in good stead because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Karolina Pliskova. Zverev committed just five 6-3 victory over seventh-ranked going to New York.” Teichmann had a surprising run to “This is where you belong,” Barty unforced errors while improving to 5-0 Andrey Rublev. Last year’s Western & Southern the final, upsetting second-ranked said to Teichmann during the post- in his career against Rublev - all The match lasted 58 minutes, a Open was moved from Cincinnati to Naomi Osaka, Olympic gold medallist match ceremony. straight-set wins.

Xherdan Shaqiri Liverpool refuse to Alam, Afridi put Pakistan release Salah for on top against West Indies World Cup qualifiers REUTERS – KINGSTON Fawad Alam struck a century before AP – CAIRO Pakistan declared on 302 for nine in their first innings and had West Indies strug- Liverpool has refused to gling at 39-3 in reply before bad light release Mohamed Salah brought a premature end to the third day (pictured) for Egypt’s upcoming of the second Test at Sabina Park on Liverpool’s World Cup qualifying matches Sunday. because of coronavirus restrictions, The hosts are 263 runs behind, having Swiss winger the country’s football association lost openers Kieran Powell and Kraigg said yesterday. Brathwaite cheaply, after being put in to Egypt is on Britain’s red bat in the evening session of another day Shaqiri list, so Salah would be hampered by the weather. required to quarantine upon Nkrumah Bonner (18 not out) and joins Lyon his return from Cairo and nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph will miss two Premier League resume on Monday with Pakistan needing Reuters – LIVERPOOL games. to make more inroads in a battle against Egypt is scheduled to time as they fight to square the two-Test Liverpool’s Switzerland play Angola in Cairo on series. winger Xherdan Shaqiri has Sept. 1 before traveling to Alam had retired hurt on the opening signed a three-year contract face Gabon four days later day on 76 suffering with heat exhaustion with Ligue 1 side Olympique in Franceville. and, after rain ruled out play on the second Lyonnais, the two clubs The association said it day, had to wait to return to the crease announced yesterday. “continues its contacts with before going on to bring up a fifth Test Lyon added that the deal the FIFA .... to have interna- century as he steered Pakistan past the for the 29-year-old was worth tional players be exempted from travel 300-run mark, scoring 124 not out. Fawad Alam an initial €6m ($7.04m), with restrictions imposed on them in coun- Pakistan had resumed day three on a maximum of €5m in tries where they play due to 212-4 but only eight balls were bowled add-ons. coronavirus.” before play was suspended because of a wet patch on the bowling crease that West Shaqiri joined Liverpool The Egyptian federation also wanted Indies felt was dangerous. from Stoke City in July 2018, Salah to play for the national team at the Scoreboard Play eventually got making 63 appearances in all Tokyo Olympics, but it said Liverpool Pakistan 1st Innings (overnight 212-4) 4-31-3, A. Joseph 18-1-75-0, J. Holder 23-9-46-2, underway after lunch with competitions for Juergen denied the request. Clubs are not obli- Abid Ali c Blackwood b Roach ...... 1 K. Mayers 17-5-34-0 (2nb), R. Chase 8-0-32-0, N. Jason Holder making Klopp’s side, winning the gated to release players for the men’s Imran Butt c da Silva b Seales ...... 1 Bonner 1-0-6-0 (2nb), K. Brathwaite 1-1-0-0 inroads for Windies with Premier League, Champions Olympic tournament. Azhar Ali c da Silva b Roach ...... 0 two wickets in successive League, Club World Cup and Salah, who has twice won the Premier Babar Azam c Holder b Roach ...... 75 West Indies 1st Innings balls but Fawad keeping the Super Cup in his time at League’s Golden Boot award, tested pos- Fawad Alam not out ...... 124 K. Brathwaite b Shaheen Shah Afridi ...... 4 score ticking over at the Anfield. itive for the virus during a visit to Cairo Mohammad Rizwan lbw b Holder ...... 31 K. Powell lbw b Shaheen Shah Afridi ...... 5 other end. However, the Swiss in November, where he attended his Faheem Ashraf lbw b Seales ...... 26 N. Bonner not out ...... 18 After Pakistan abruptly Nauman Ali c da Silva b Holder ...... 0 R. Chase b Faheem Ashraf ...... 10 forward was relegated to the brother’s wedding. Hasan Ali run out ...... 9 A. Joseph not out ...... 0 declared, Shaheen Shah bench in recent seasons, with At the time, he was to join the national Shaheen Shah Afridi c Powell b Seales ...... 19 Extras (nb1, w1) ...... 2 Afridi removed Powell and injuries and stiff competition team for its game against Togo. Mohammad Abbas not out ...... 0 Total (18 overs, 3 wkts) ...... 39 Brathwaite as West Indies for attacking places at Liv- The 29-year-old Salah was the first Extras (b1, lb9, nb6) ...... 16 To bat: K. Mayers, J. Blackwood, J. Holder, J. da fell to 9-2 and Roston Chase erpool limiting his game time. Egyptian player to become a Premier Total (110 overs, 9 wkts declared) .....302 Silva, K. Roach, J. Seales was then bowled by Lyon, who have two points League champion after joining Liverpool Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Abid Ali), 2-2 (Azhar Ali), Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Powell), 2-9 (Brathwaite), Faheem Ashraf for 10. from their opening three in 2018 from Roma. Liverpool is seeking 3-2 (Imran Butt), 4-168 (Babar Azam), 5-218 3-34 (Chase) West Indies beat games in Ligue 1, travel to to strike a new deal to keep Salah with (Faheem Ashraf), 6-231 (Mohammad Rizwan), Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 6-1-17-0, Shaheen Pakistan by one wicket in 7-231 (Nauman Ali), 8-267 (Hasan Ali), 9-302 Shah Afridi 6-4-13-2 (1w), Hasan Ali 3-1-8-0, Nantes on Saturday. the club. (Shaheen Shah Afridi) Faheem Ashraf 2-2-0-1, Nauman Ali 1-0-1-0 the first test, which was also Bowling: K. Roach 27-9-68-3 (2nb), J. Seales 15- (1nb) played behind closed doors at Sabina Park. Levante’s Rober Pier celebrates with team-mates after scoring their third goal as Real Madrid look dejected. ICC prefers T20 for Olympics but open to other formats: Marathe

REUTERs – LONDON Twenty20 cricket - which lasts about three hours as opposed to as long as five Cricket’s short Twenty20 format is tailor- days for Tests - has proved immensely suc- made for Olympics but the sport’s admin- cessful, illustrated best by the sustained istrators will consider any format which popularity of the cash-rich Indian Premier would ensure the game’s inclusion in the League (IPL). 2028 Los Angeles Games, USA Cricket chief The success of inaugural Hundred com- Paraag Marathe has said. petition in England, which used a 100-ball The International Cricket Council (ICC) format, has provided another alternative is preparing a bid for the game’s return to to the International Olympic Committee the Olympics having last featured in the (IOC). 1900 Paris Games. Marathe is part of the “I think the T20 format is one that is ICC Olympic Working Group, which is easily digestible and works. It certainly chaired by English board chief Ian works from a timing perspective. It fits the Watmore and includes, among others, format of American sports, roughly three former PepsiCo Inc CEO Indra Nooyi. hours,” Marathe explained. “I am hopeful that it is very likely. For “It’s an understood format because of the first time ever 106 member nations of the success of the IPL...but of course we the ICC are supportive of getting cricket will work with the IOC and if there is a dif- La Liga: Real Madrid draw into the Olympics,” Marathe told the Sport ferent format they prefer then we are open Unlocked podcast. to it." 3-3 at Levante in epic clash REUTERS – VALENCIA Levante striker Roger Marti beat the 79th though Roger Pier fol- Afghan board gets new chairman Thibaut Courtois to level in the first lowing a free kick but Vinicius again Gareth Bale scored his first goal minute after the interval before Jose came to Real’s rescue, levelling in REUTERS – KABUL Taliban members met ACB officials on in almost two years for Real Campana put the hosts in front with the 85th minute with an audacious Sunday after which Fazli returned to the Madrid in La Liga on Sunday but a sensational volley in the 57th. shot in off the post from a tight Azizullah Fazli has been re-named post he had vacated after Afghanistan came substitute Vinicius Jr stole the Ancelotti took off Bale, Eden angle. chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board last in the 2019 World Cup in England. show with two late strikes to grab Hazard and Isco moments after the More chaos was to come as (ACB) in the first major development in the Farhan Yusefzai has held the post since a 3-3 draw at Levante in a game goal and substitute Vinicius had a Levante keeper Aitor Fernandez game’s national governing body since the then. that had it all. prompt impact, levelling in the 73rd was sent off for flying out of his area Taliban took control of the nation. The Taliban have said they would not Bale got Real off to a fine start minute with a coolly taken finish and handling the ball to stop a Real “He will oversee ACB’s leadership and interfere with men’s cricket in the in the fifth minute and Carlo Ance- following a defence-splitting counter, leaving defender Ruben course of action for the upcoming compe- country, Afghanistan’s biggest sporting lotti’s side dominated the rest of the through ball from deep by Vezo to don the gloves and protect titions,” the ACB said in a post on Twitter success of recent years. The fate of first half but found themselves 2-1 Casemiro. the goal for the remaining few on Sunday. women’s programme, however, remains down early in the second period. Levante restored their lead in minutes. According to ESPNCricinfo website, unclear.