2021 Wanda Doha Diamond League athletics meeting on May 28 page 14 WEDNESday, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 ‘People will experience legendary Qatari hospitality during FIFA World Cup 2022’

Tribune News Network Doha

FIFA President Gianni In- fantino visited the Lusail Sta- dium, venue for the final of FIFA World Cup 2022, on Tuesday. On the occasion, he stressed that Qatar is shaping up ahead of time to host the ‘best-ever World Cup’. While speaking to the local media after a tour of the Lusail FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday. Stadium, Infantino opining on the important role of the media during the 2022 World The media should open people’s eyes to the Cup, he said, “The people who positive aspects to help strengthen Qatar, but I will say will come to Qatar will try to explore the country and get to the entire region, and I know that there are pending know it. Here is the role of the issues, but I hope that they disappear sooner rather media in presenting an image than later. We are here for sports and not politics. of the host country. The truth is that there are unfortunately FIFA President Gianni Infantino those who have prejudices, and we must make them see things from a different angle.” from the World Cup, he said, readiness.” The FIFA chief said Qa- “The matter will be slightly Infantino praised Qatar’s tar is an open country. “The higher than the last World preparations for the 2022 security element here is very Cup in Russia, and it may World Cup, saying, “I can go special. Qatar is a safe coun- reach about six and a half bil- on vacation before a big event try. The people who will visit lion US dollars.” like the World Cup, which I the country will get to see the When asked whether this have not done in my life in the legendary Qatari hospitality,” World Cup will produce a new last 25 years, because what you Infantino said. champion, he said, “There is are doing is amazing. Things “The media should open no doubt that European teams are prepared professionally. people’s eyes to the positive winning World Cups in the And if Qatar decides to do aspects to help strengthen Qa- last 20 years was not a coinci- something, it does it best.” tar, but I will say the entire re- dence. They worked in a very The FIFA chief said, “I ex- gion, and I know that there are FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his visit to the Lusail Stadium, which will host the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, on Tuesday. big way, they have succeeded tend my thanks and gratitude pending issues, but I hope that The stadium’s design has been inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern in the shape of a bowl. It is in winning the championship on behalf of the football fam- they disappear sooner rather scheduled to be completed in 2021. during the last four editions, ily to the Qatari leadership, in than later. and as FIFA president I hope the forefront of which is His “We are here for sports ing the Gulf region, the FIFA am confident that everyone in all the 22 Arab countries. The with the efforts being made that there will be a global di- Highness the Amir of the State and not politics,” he said, add- chief said, “All people should the Gulf region will celebrate championship will be held in to facilitate public entry, visa versity for the champions.” of Qatar and all those respon- ing that “The spotlight is on be able to attend, be present the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.” the World Cup stadiums and it process, especially for the peo- He added, “In the 2022 sible and everyone who works Qatar, and the World Cup is and celebrate the largest foot- He touched on the Arab will bring together Arabs from ple of Africa. World Cup, something will on preparations for the World a way to promote the positive ball event in the world. Politics national teams’ championship Yemen to Morocco,” he said. On linking politics with be different from all previous Cup at all levels. I know that aspects, and therefore the pos- should remain as it is a policy that will be held in Qatar. The FIFA chief said, “As sport, he said, “Politics should tournaments, which is that the 2022 World Cup will be itive aspects must be focused far from sports, and I hope “A year before the 2022 president, I feel very proud not be mixed with football, and the tournament will be held the best, and I am sure that here and the world will listen that the outstanding problems World Cup, there will be a and enthusiastic about the ef- we will do everything in our in the month of November, people in Arab countries and and watch that.” in the region will be solved, new tournament that will be forts made to organise various power to keep this distinction and this means the beginning the world will feel a lot during Regarding the ability of and people should be given held for the first time. And it is tournaments. I thank Qatar aside and allow people to enjoy of a season for the players, the 2022 World Cup and this fans to come to Qatar from the opportunity to enjoy the different from the Confedera- for that.” their teams and tournaments.” not the end of it, and there- prompts us to work together to all over the world, includ- World Cup in the region and I tions Cup. I would like to thank Infantino said he is happy On the expected revenues fore players will be in great achieve that success.” FIFA president confirms 22 national teams World Cup 2022 an will take part in FIFA Arab Cup 2021 in Qatar opportunity to shed light SC.qa The Confederation of Af- across the Arab world have prepared to host the FIFA Doha rican Football nations who agreed to take part in the World Cup.” will compete in the tourna- FIFA Arab Cup 2021, and we His Excellency added: Qatar will unite millions of ment are: Algeria, Comoros, are looking forward to seeing “The tournament will give on Arab culture: SC football fans from across the Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mau- the region’s best teams battle our national team the chance Middle East and Arab world ritania, Morocco, Somalia, it out to see which nation will to enhance their preparations Doha when it hosts the FIFA Arab Sudan and Tunisia. become champion. Through ahead of the FIFA World QNA Cup 2021 next December. The tournament will be football, this tournament will Cup Qatar 2022, by going During a visit to Lusail Sta- delivered by FIFA, Qatar unite over 450 million people up against some of the best The Supreme Committee for dium on Tuesday, FIFA Presi- Football Association, the from across the region, and teams in the region.” Delivery and Legacy (SC) said dent Gianni Infantino con- Supreme Committee for De- we are confident the FIFA “Fans from across the that the main goal of organis- firmed that the national first livery & Legacy and the FIFA Arab Cup will help to build region will be treated to the ing the FIFA World Cup Qatar teams from all 22 Arab nations World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC. excitement across the region same world-class experi- 2022 was to present a real im- have signed up to take part in Seen as a vital opportunity as we edge ever nearer to ence that awaits fans from age of Qatari culture and tradi- the tournament, which will be to test operations and facili- hosting the first FIFA World around the world when they tions that changes the stereo- held from 1-18 December 2021 ties ahead of Qatar 2022, the Cup in the Middle East and flock to Qatar for the FIFA typical view of the Arab world. in the majority of FIFA World tournament will take place Arab world in 2022.” World Cup in 2022. We wel- This came in a panel dis- Cup Qatar 2022™ ️stadiums, in the same timeslot as the QFA President, H.E. come our friends from the cussion hosted by the Su- with a total of 32 matches being World Cup. The finals of both Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Middle East and the Arab preme Committee on Tuesday. held over 18 days. the FIFA Arab Cup and FIFA Bin Ahmed Al Thani, said: world to join us in what Communications Director The Asian Football Con- World Cup will take place ex- “Qatar looks forward to wel- will be an important mile- at SC Fatma Al Nuaimi said federation nations who will actly one year apart – each coming 22 Arab national stone and a final test of our that the committee is looking to compete in the tournament on 18 December, Qatar Na- teams and their fans, and preparations, only one year host an exceptional World Cup are: Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jor- tional Day, which is a public giving them the opportunity away from us hosting the edition that serves the State of dan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, holiday. to be one of the first FIFA World Cup in Qatar and its citizens, in addi- 2014. A total of three World accommodation that suits all Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, FIFA President, Gianni select teams the region,” added the tion to serving the Arab region Cup stadiums were already in- fans that will come to Qatar. United Arab Emirates and Infantino, said: “We are de- that will expe- QFA President. and the world. She added that augurated, with another three He said that the country’s Yemen. lighted that all 22 teams from rience what hosting the World Cup means waiting only for the start of geographic location will also be Qatar has more to Qatar than building operations. The Lusail and Ras a plus, in addition to the tim- stadiums, as it will help leave a Abu Aboud stadiums mean- ing of matches that will take in legacy for the country and the while will be completed in 2021. the winter, all making Qatar a Arab world. She added that the For his part, director of great tourist destination. The designs of the stadiums reflect- media relations at SC Youssef broadcasters of the event will ed different aspects of Qatari Al Hammadi said that the also benefit as they will broad- heritage and culture. World Cup 2022 in Qatar will cast the matches at a suitable She highlighted that the be the most compact in history time for viewers, he added. committee also thought about in addition to being the first He said that spectators will the legacy it will leave for the edition hosted by a country in enjoy a different footballing world, as some stadiums will the Middle-East. experience in 2022 as they will be dismantled and donated to Al Hammadi added that get to enjoy the Qatari environ- poor countries. That process Qatar will be akin to a large ment, desert, and traditions. will be done in cooperation Olympic village during the He revealed that the com- with FIFA, she added. 2022 World Cup, due to hos mittee will switch its focus in She said that the construc- close stadiums and fans will the next two years from in- FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his tion plan was moving along be to each other. He noted frastructure to operations in visit to the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday. well, noting that work on the that the committee is keen cooperation with FIFA and its World Cup facilities began in on ensuring the availability of local partners. Sports Wednesday, November 25, 2020 13 Beijing polish off rusty Melbourne as Perth caught napping

AFP conceded one goal towards the Seoul’s players celebrate their opening goal during the AFC Champi- Doha end. We need to be more seri- ons League Group E match against ’s Chiangrai United at the ous and cautious towards the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. (AFP) Beijing Guoan have one end of the game.” foot in the last-16 of the Asian Melbourne Victory, for Champions League after a whom this was their second de- Rampant Seoul convincing 3-1 win against a feat in three matches - their only rusty Melbourne Victory side win came in February against on Tuesday extended their Chiangrai United - are now third pump in five perfect record in Group E to in the standings and would need three from three. a herculean comeback to qualify Another Australian side, for the knockout phase. against Chiangrai, Perth Glory, also suffered an “For us, It’s not the result embarrassing defeat, going we wanted,” said Victory’s Steve down 2-1 to Ulsan Hyundai Kean, whose side had no match boost hopes after the South Koreans struck practice for several months be- twice in the dying minutes of fore heading to Doha. AFC ed his name to the scoresheet their Group F game. Doha in the 67th minute. He re- Also in Group F, Shang- ‘Cruel’ ceived the ball on the edge of hai Shenhua improved their “This was our very first Korea Republic’s FC Seoul the box, twisted and turned chances of qualification with match of any type, we did not cruised to a 5-0 victory over before unleashing a powerful their second win in three even play any friendlies and Thailand’s Chiangrai United low drive into the bottom cor- matches, edging past FC Tokyo came against a Beijing side in Group E of the 2020 AFC ner of Chiangrai United’s net 1-0, courtesy of a late penalty. that have played a full season. Champions League at Jas- to make it 3-0. But it was Bruno Genesio’s “We wanted to win and sim Bin Hamad Stadium on Beijing outfit who sent out a take points but we can’t feel Tuesday. strong warning to their rivals in sorry for ourselves.” Playing in their maiden AFC the tournament by following up Beijing Guoan’s forward Wang Ziming (C-L) celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions League Group E Shanghai Shenhua were Champions League campaign, on their win over FC Seoul last match and ’s Melbourne Victory at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Tuesday. (AFP) celebrating their success over Chiangrai United went into week with another impressive Tokyo FC after Yu Hanchao’s the game hoping to improve performance in Doha where successful penalty in the 74th on their two 1-0 defeats before the tournament’s eastern zone minute proved the decisive the COVID-19 stoppage, while matches are being played after moment in the match. FC Seoul needed a win to boost a nine-month break due to the “FC Tokyo is a great team their qualification chances. Covid-19 pandemic. but today we really wanted to FC Seoul had their first Beijing clearly looked a limit their opportunities,” said major chance after 13 minutes class above Melbourne Vic- Shenhua coach Choi Kang-hee. when a string of quick passes tory who were largely lacklus- “Our players really over- saw the ball fed to Kim Jin- Results tre both in attack and defence, came their difficulties of fitness seong on the edge of the box Beijing Guoan 3 (Renato Augusto 22’, Alan with even the Australian side’s and fatigue. They persisted and he took a half-volleyed ef- Carvalho 34’ Wang Ziming 74’) bt Melbourne consolation goal late in the from the first minute until the fort with his left that swerved Victory 1 (Gianluca Iannucci 78’) second half coming through end and I thank them for that.” just wide of the post. Shanghai Shenhua 1 (Yu hanchao 72’ (P)) bt a huge deflection from Kim Perth Glory meanwhile Chiangrai United respond- FC Tokyo 0 FC Seoul 5 (Han Seung-gyu 20’, Jung Han- Min-Jae after substitute Gi- thought they would finally ed a minute later through min 54’, Yun Ju-tae 67’, 71’; Lee ingyu 90+2’) anluca Ianucci’s powerful shot grab their first win after two Shinnaphat Leeaoh who col- bt Chiangrai United 0 from nearly 25 yards appeared losses after enjoying a 1-0 lead lected the ball inside the oppo- Ulsan Hyundai Motors 2 (Kim in-sung 89’, heading straight into the goal- after Daniel Stynes had scored sition box after a throw in and Junior Negrao 90+3’) bt Perth Glory 1 (Daniel keeper’s arms. in the 74th minute. drilled a shot that just missed Stynes 71’). Beijing allowed their Aus- But Kim In-sung cancelled the target. tralian rivals only 40 per- out Stynes’ goal in the 89th min- It was the Koreans who cent ball possession and that ute and Brazilian Junior Negao opened the scoring in the 20th Just three minutes later, worked hugely in their favour killed off the match in the third minute through Hang Sung- Yun doubled his personal as they created chances galore Ulsan Hyundai’s forward Junior Negrao celebrates his winning goal (90+3’) during the AFC Champions minute of stoppage time. gyu. FC Seoul’s opener was tally. Spanish midfielder Os- at the Al Sadd Sports Club. League Group F match against Australia’s Perth Glory at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday. (AFP) “I think we played a very expertly set up by former Ar- mar fired a free-kick low and But once again, it was their good game,” said Glory’s assis- senal forward Park Chu-young around the wall. His attempt Brazilian presence which played in the 74th minute to put the was not in a very celebratory pressing as we trained before tant coach Cristian Ola. who calmly controlled a cross was parried by the goalkeeper a pivotal role, with Renato Au- match out of Victory’s reach. mood despite his team’s 100 the game and were successful in “We stepped up in a num- from the right at the far post into the path of the forward gusto and A Lan on target in Frenchman Genesio, who percent win record so far. keeping control,” said Genesio. ber of areas from the first and played it back across goal who tapped in the rebound the 22nd and 34th minutes be- has been in charge at Beijing “In the first half we played “The only thing I am dis- game but the result was a bit for Hang to slot home. into the back of the net for the fore Wang Zimin’s brilliant goal Guoan for almost 16 months, really well as we tried high appointed about is that we cruel in the end.” FC Seoul came really close Korean side’s fourth goal of to doubling their lead just be- the evening. fore the half-hour mark when Another substitute, Lee Park curled a free-kick from In-gyu rounded off the scoring just outside the box towards in added time, advancing into Giroud fires Chelsea into Champions League last 16 the top corner, but goalkeeper space down the right to latch Saranon Anuin produced a onto Yun’s pass and fire home AFP Lampard’s side after Serhou Chelsea can concentrate should have been ahead as early Mount picked out his fel- fantastic reflex save to limit the fifth. Rennes (France) Guirassy had levelled Callum on domestic duties, with Pre- as the seventh minute, when low Chelsea academy graduate the deficit to one goal going The result means FC Hudson-Odoi’s opener. mier League leaders Totten- Timo Werner flashed Hudson- with a long pass. The winger into the break. Seoul remain in second place Chelsea reached the last 16 Chelsea were joined in the ham Hotspur visiting Stam- Odoi’s low cross over the bar took two touches before slot- Head coach Lee Won-jun’s in Group E but move three of the Champions League on next round by Group E rivals ford Bridge at the weekend, with the goal at his mercy. ting past Alfred Gomis. side cemented their lead with points clear of third-placed Tuesday with two matches to Sevilla after the Spanish side thanks to out-of-favour Gir- Their early dominance was England international a second goal nine minutes Melbourne Victory and within spare after a late Olivier Gir- won 2-1 at Krasnodar. oud, who has been tipped to rewarded in the 22nd minute Mount was unlucky not to dou- after the restart as Jung Han- three points of leaders Beijing oud strike gave the Blues a 2-1 Both sides are on 10 leave in January as he seeks following superb play from ble the away side’s lead eight min rounded the goalkeeper FC. Chiangrai United’s wait win over Rennes. points, nine ahead of third- more regular football ahead Mason Mount, who won the minutes later when Gomis following a quick one-two and for a first AFC Champions The France forward’s pow- placed Krasnodar and will do of next summer’s European ball near his own area before pulled off a superb save to keep applied a composed finish League goal and point contin- erful header in stoppage time battle for first place come the Championships. spotting the marauding Hud- out his close range effort follow- from a tight angle. ues as they sit bottom of the snatched the points for Frank end of the group stage. Chelsea started strongly and son-Odoi on the right. ing a Ben Chilwell pull-back. Substitute Yun Ju-tae add- group after three matches. ‘A-League has stagnated’ – the footballers leaving Australia for AFP It has made the ISL, which a sizeable Australian pres- records available. “Now you are seeing play- New Delhi previously attracted a smat- ence, alongside its numerous “Indian clubs know what ers coming who would not tering of fading stars, a more Spaniards and Brazilians and they are going to get in Aus- have come in the past.” An influx of footballers to In- attractive proposition for Aus- smattering of Brits, including tralia. It is a known market.” Paartalu has told his com- dia from Australia has high- tralia-based players. former Newcastle United de- patriots that Indian teams treat lighted changing fortunes as One of the players to head fender Steven Taylor. A-League ‘uncertain’ foreign players well, with none the flour- to India is Australian defender Australian get-togethers, There are other reasons of the payment issues that can ishes and the A-League hits Dylan Fox, 26, who left the however, will be off-limits as too. Former Liverpool and occur elsewhere in Asia. lean times during the corona- Central Coast Mariners in players are confined to their England striker Robbie Fowler He said Australian players virus pandemic. September to join Northeast team hotels in the Goa “bubble”. left his position as head coach also provide value for money. Just two Australians United in Guwahati. “It will be great to see all of Brisbane Roar in June. After “We integrate well and played in the Indian Super “With all the uncertainty these familiar faces on the taking over at East Bengal four lend a hand to try and get in- League last year, but 10 were around the A-League at the mo- pitch at least,” said Fox. months later, Fowler quickly volved. “Maybe there is a con- among the 11 teams when the ment, it was a good opportunity India’s interest in Australi- signed three players from the nection that comes from crick- competition got under way in to head overseas and test my- ans is also driven by a require- A-League. et and it helps that we speak a bio-secure “bubble” in Goa self in Asia,” Fox told AFP. ment that each team signs a Defender Erik Paartalu, English,” he said. last week. “The A-League has stag- player from the Asian Football the longest-serving Austral- “We work hard, keep fit, Non-Australian A-League nated in the last couple of Confederation. ian in India and now into his don’t complain too much and players have also made the years anyway and the other “For Indian clubs when fourth season with Bengaluru are team players.” move, including English boys probably feel the same.” looking at AFC nations, there FC, has received plenty of There could be a lot riding striker Adam Le Fondre – seems to be a preference for phone calls. on the Australian contingent last season’s second highest ‘Preference for A-League players,” said agent “India provides more sta- this season. If the majority per- goal-scorer, with FC A-League players’ Baljit Singh Rihal of Inventive bility and things in Australia form well, then there may be -- along with German defend- The ISL has in six years Sports, which specialises in are a little uncertain,” Paartalu more opportunities in the fu- er Matti Steinman and Aaron outstripped the older I-League English striker Adam Le Fondre (in the pic) -- last season’s second the ISL. said. ture as Indian football grows. Holloway from Wales. to become India’s premier highest goal-scorer, with Sydney FC -- along with German defender “Players from Iran and “It is definitely moremon - Fox’s contract is just for one Much of the change is football competition. FC Goa Matti Steinman and Aaron Holloway from Wales are all playing in the Uzbekistan are also willing to ey than the A-League – not as- season, but it could be a turning down to money, with the A- will next year become the first Indian Super League. come to India but it is harder tronomically more but if boys point for the 26-year-old. League salary cap expected Indian team to play in the for clubs to find information are being told they will only “I will see what happens as to drop by up to 30 percent Asian Champions League. drop in revenues when broad- rus shutdown, before striking and stats on these players, get 70 percent of their salary this is a big step in my career next season following a fall in Meanwhile the A-League, caster Fox Sports cancelled its a reportedly cheaper deal. whereas the A-league is open then they will want to recoup and I want to make the most of broadcasting revenue. established in 2005, suffered a contract during the coronavi- It has helped give the ISL in this regard and has all the what they are not getting. this opportunity,” he said. 14 Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Sports 2021 Doha Diamond League Pak invite Afghan athletics to be held on May 28 neighbours on first

Tribune News Network there will be a month-long Doha pause for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. official cricket tour The Qatar Athletics Federa- The series will resume in tion will once again play host Shanghai on August 14 before to the Wanda Doha Diamond a continent-spanning double- League meeting in the new bill the following weekend. season on May 28, 2021. Saturday, August 21 will see The Wanda Diamond the new Hayward Field in League on Tuesday released Eugene host its first Wanda its provisional calendar for the Diamond League meeting, 2021 season, which will see a while Sunday 22 will host the return to a full schedule of first edition of a brand new 14 meetings culminating in a Diamond League meeting in winner-takes-all season finale , details of which are to in Zurich. be announced in due course. Recently, Doha’s Qatar Athletes will return to Sports Club hosted a revised Europe for the final leg of 12-event programme for the season, with meetings in the Wanda Doha Diamond Lausanne, Paris and Brussels League 2020 on September 25 before the season finale in which concluded with some Zürich from 8-9 September. exceptional performances In the first 13 meetings, from world athletes including athletes will earn points in pole vault world record holder a bid to qualify for a place in Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis of the final, where they have the Sweden, who emerged on top. chance to win the Diamond Now in its 12th annual cy- Trophy and be crowned Wan- cle, the track and field’s pre- da Diamond League champi- mier season-long competition on in their chosen discipline. Pakistan Prime Minister and former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan talks to the Afghanistan cricket team will begin on May 23 with the he calendar is strictly pro- players during his recent visit to Kabul. Meeting International Mo- visional at this stage and re- hammed VI in Rabat, Mo- mains subject to changes de- AFP were not given first-class status. Most Afghans only became rocco. pending on the global health Karachi Pakistan premier Khan familiar with the game from The series will then head situation in 2021. visited Afghanistan on Thurs- the 1980s, when millions were to the Doha Diamond League The Wanda Diamond Pakistan have invited Af- day, where he vowed to help exiled as refugees near the Pa- five days later. League, World Athletics and ghanistan’s national cricket reduce spiralling violence and kistan city of Peshawar, just Rome will host the first meeting organisers said they team on a recognised tour for push for a ceasefire between 50 kilometres (36 miles) from European meeting of the sea- continue to monitor the situa- the first time, officials said on the Taliban and Afghan forces. their border. son on June 4, before athletes tion and remain committed to Tuesday, following a visit to Before entering politics, the The two countries have head to Oslo a week later. delivering high-quality com- Kabul by Prime Minister Im- Oxford-educated Khan was one played only a single official Following stops in Stock- petitions while prioritising the ran Khan – one of the game’s of the world’s leading cricketers one-day match and one Twen- holm, Monaco and London health and safety of athletes greatest players. – a destructive all-rounder with ty20 international -- both in in the first two weeks of July, and fans. “We’ll try to look for a pos- a devastating ability to swing the United Arab Emirates. sible window for this tour – the ball and brutally attack the Relations between the two and if not 2021, we’ll definite- opposition’s bowling. national cricket bodies are ly try to plan a series in 2022 As a member of world strong, however. Armand Duplantis of Sweden during his winning pole vault jump during season,” said Pakistan Cricket cricket’s second tier, Afghani- “A strong Afghanistan the Wanda Doha Diamond League 2019 meeting on September 25. Board (PCB) chief executive stan’s usual opponents are means a strong Asian block... Wasim Khan. teams such as Ireland, Scot- so Pakistan will continue to “A cricket series between land and Hong Kong. play its part and help Afghan 2021 Wanda Diamond League calendar Pakistan and Afghanistan But Afghanistan beat Paki- cricket,” said Wasim. 23 May - Rabat (Morocoo) 14 Aug - Shanghai (China) could be a harbinger of love stan last year in a friendly ahead Afghanistan are sched- 28 May - Doha (Qatar) 21 Aug - Eugene (United States of America) and peace between the two of the World Cup in England, uled to host Pakistan for 4 Jun - Rome (Italy) 22 Aug - tbc (China) 10 Jun - Oslo (Norway) 26 Aug - Lausanne (Switzerland) countries,” he told AFP. sparking wild scenes in Kabul three one-day internationals 4 Jul - Stockholm (Sweden) 28 Aug - Paris (France) An Afghan national side where jubilant fans fired ma- as part of World Cup 2023 9 Jul - Monaco (Monaco) 3 Sep - Brussels (Belgium) toured Pakistan in May 2011, chine guns into the night sky, Super League, most likely to 13 Jul - London (Great Britain) 8-9 Sep - Zurich (Switzerland) although they only played a triggering security lockdowns be played in the United Arab The Wanda Diamond League trophy. second-string side and matches in foreign embassies. Emirates. Storm in a tea cup? English cricket league ditches sandwiches and sausage rolls AFP voted this week to discard “Lots of clubs, and this was ing a great tea at home and a remove the “stigma of cu- “In fact, we are working on London the compulsory provision of proposed by six or seven of The decision of the curled sandwich and a packet cumber sandwiches and a lit- a new pavlova recipe.” meals, meaning sandwiches, them, came to us and said ‘we league, which of value crisps away.” tle bit of cricket”. Even former England Test Tea in the pavilion is as sausage rolls and cakes could want to propose that the obli- The decision of the But Horsted Keynes CC captain Michael Vaughan quintessentially English as be off the menu. gation to provide teas for 2021 describes itself as league, which describes it- said they were disappointed. weighed in. the sound of leather on wil- Chairman Gary Stanley is removed’. This is only for the biggest in the self as the biggest in the “We will still be providing “As if 2020 couldn’t get low, but cricketers may now told BBC Sport the corona- 2021 – it can be changed for world with 140 clubs and 335 teas for our players at home any worse .. hearing a cricket have to go hungry, with clubs virus pandemic meant eve- the following season,” he said. world with 140 clubs teams, has created a stir. games, and are happy to also league down south is getting no longer obliged to provide a rybody had to provide their “You quite frankly get and 335 teams, has Forest Row Cricket Club provide for any opposition rid of the cricket tea tops the mid-innings feast. own food in the shortened some poor teas. I’m sure some created a stir. said the move would encour- who are happy to reciprocate,” lot .. Utterly disgraceful deci- The Sussex Cricket League 2020 season. clubs are annoyed by provid- age new players and would the club tweeted. sion,” he tweeted.

INDIA’S TOUR TO AUSTRALIA Shastri backs India’s ‘fabulous five’ ‘Something clicked’: Smith quick bowlers to rule Down Under warns he’s back in top gear AFP “It gives me a lot of confi- Sydney dence.” AFP “We are prepared and let He said his problems in the New Delhi me remind you that never Australia’s Steve Smith IPL stemmed from a failure to has cricket, or a cricket team, warned India on Tuesday that play his natural game. Coach Ravi Shastri believes faced such a situation since the his game had finally “clicked” “I got caught up a little bit India’s pace attack can con- Second World War. and he was ready to justify his with trying to be too power- quer Australia “in their own “We are going through the ranking as the world’s top Test ful, that’s not quite my game,” den” in the upcoming Test drills of staying mentally tough batsman. he said. series between the world’s top and approaching the series by Smith admitted he was un- “There are players around two sides. taking one step at a time.” happy with his recent displays the world who can hit sixes India’s quick bowlers, led India, who are undergoing for Rajasthan Royals in the at will – and I am not one of by Jasprit Bumrah, will face a a two-week quarantine in Syd- Indian Premier League, saying those – for me it’s about play- powerful home batting line-up ney, are hoping senior bats- “I never really got into a good ing proper cricket shots, hit- including David Warner and man Rohit Sharma and Ishant rhythm”. ting the gaps, manipulating Steve Smith when the four-Test will be able to join them for But he believed something the field.” series begins on December 17. the Tests. changed this week as he pre- Smith, who lost the Aus- But Shastri said his team’s Rohit, who led Mumbai pared for the upcoming series Former Australia captain Steve tralian captaincy when he pace unit was the best in the Indians to their fifth Indian against India, which starts Smith. was banned for his part in the world, despite being likely to Premier League title on No- with a one-day international 2018 ball-tampering scandal, be without the injured Ishant vember 10, has a hamstring in- in Sydney on Friday. the right way, the way my hands played down his prospects of Sharma who is receiving treat- India coach Ravi Shastri. jury and will miss the limited- “Over the last few days I’ve come up on the bat,” he said. resuming leadership duties. ment India for a muscle tear. overs matches which start on sort of found my hands, which “It’s hard to explain but He said he was focused on “His absence does make a in business. Shami is raring but Virat Kohli’s men enjoyed November 27 with the first of I’m extremely excited about,” it hasn’t been right up un- supporting Test captain Tim difference to the fast-bowling to go. Siraj is an exciting pros- a historic first Test series win three one-day internationals. he told reporters on a confer- til about two days ago, then Paine and limited-overs skip- department, but then we have pect. Down Under on their last tour Shastri said that if the pair ence call. something sort of clicked in.” per Aaron Finch, but did not the capacity among the young “You put up runs on the in 2018-19. were not able to board a flight “It’s taken me about three While there is a perception completely rule out his future bowlers to deliver,” Shastri board and watch these fast Shastri is confident his within a few days then the or four months to do it but Smith is vulnerable to short- chances. told Indian magazine Sports- bowlers hunt the opposition. team can stay focused on and strict 14-day quarantine rules I’ve found them now which is pitched deliveries, he was un- “I haven’t given a great tar. They can beat Australia in off the pitch during the tour, would “make it difficult for pleasing.” fazed at the prospect of India’s deal of thought to it, it’s just Shastri dubbed Bumrah, their own den.” which requires travel bubbles them to play the first Test”. The 31-year-old said it was bowling attack peppering him about doing my job at the mo- Mohammed Shami, Moham- Australia last week over- and isolation because of the Kohli will lead the side in difficult to define what was with bouncers. ment and we’ll see what the med Siraj, Umesh Yadav and took India at the top of the pandemic. three ODIs, three Twenty20s different, but it left him “with “It’s a kind of flattery in a future holds,” he said. Navdeep Saini the “fabulous inaugural world Test cham- “You have to back your and the opening Test – a day- a big smile on my face” and ea- way, if that’s the only way peo- Australia and India will five”, adding, “Yadav has the pionship when the scoring self-belief and take the field night game in Adelaide – be- ger to hit the practice nets. ple believe they can get me out play three one-dayers, three experience. Saini is young and system was amended due to with a fearless attitude,” said fore taking on paternity leave “It’s getting that feel, the because they’ve exhausted so Twenty20 matches and four fast. Bumrah one of the best the coronavirus pandemic, the former India all-rounder. and returning home. look of the bat, getting the toe many options,” he said. Tests during the tour.