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SATURDAY 24 JULY 2021 AmericanAm Pole vaulter Kendricks hopes toto raiser game to beat rival Duplantis WhenWhe I go to Tokyo, I want to be well-competed and well rested.reste So, hopefully will give Mondo Duplantis, the world recordreco holder, a run for his money.

Sam Kendricks Sport | 11

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Tokyo 2020: Sheikh Joaan attends opening ceremony

THE PENINSULA – DOHA “It feels amazing. When I woke up this morning, I was just really excited, more excited Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H E than nervous. And yeah, I raced at the Olympics,” Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended the Tala said yesterday. opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics “It’s been a dream of mine for many years now. as flag bearers Tala Abujbara and Mohammed Al So I have nothing but kind of positive energy.” Rumaihi led the national contingent during the About the conditions during her event, Tala athletes parade at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, said: “The weather was the best we’ve had since yesterday. we arrived over our training days. Not too many H E Sheikh Joaan was accompanied by the waves today, a bit of cross headwind at the end, QOC Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al but I can’t complain too much.” Buenain as the opening ceremony was also She said becoming a joint flag bearer with Al attended many other dignitaries including the Rumaihi for Qatar was a proud moment for her. Emperor of Japan Naruhito. “I’m extremely proud. It’s a huge honour. I Team Qatar, which includes a total of 15 ath- never thought it would be possible. I’m very letes, also started their campaign at the Games humbled by the opportunity,” she added. yesterday with rower Tala participating in women’s single sculls, clocking 8:06.29 for a fifth Cherif and Tijan to begin campaign place. She will get a second chance to display her tomorrow skills today. Meanwhile, Qatar’s beach volleyball duo of By participating at the Sea Forest Waterway, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan are gearing Tala made history becoming the first Qatari rower up to open their Olympic campaign tomorrow. to compete at Olympics. They will play against Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson of Switzerland in the opening match. A huge honour to represent Qatar: The pair continued their training session at Tala the Shiokaze Park. H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President, and QOC Secretary- The 29-year-old said representing Qatar at Qatar’s judoka Ayoub Al Idrisi will also be seen General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain attending the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the Olympic Games is a big honour. in action tomorrow at Nippon Budokan Complex. at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, yesterday.

Team Qatar athletes parade during the Osaka lights flame as opening ceremony Tokyo Olympics open yesterday.

REUTERS – TOKYO Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka after Japan’s global superstar Naomi lighting the Olympic Osaka yesterday lit the Olympic cauldron during the cauldron to mark the start of opening ceremony at Tokyo 2020, in an opening the Olympic Stadium, in ceremony shorn of glitz and Tokyo, Japan, Yesterday. overshadowed by a pandemic but defined by hope, tradition and gestures of diversity. Postponed by a year due to the coronavirus, the Games are being held without spectators in a city under a COVID-induced state of emergency, as many other parts of the globe also still struggle with a resurgence of cases. Nostalgic nods to 1964 at In its journey through the Today is a moment of hope. Yes, stadium, the torch was passed it is very different from what all from Olympic champions to of us imagined. But finally we Tokyo’s second Games baseball legends - one born in Taiwan - a doctor and a nurse, are all here together: Thomas REUTERS – TOKYO economic growth and tech- a Paralympian, and children Bach, President of the nological innovation. from parts of Japan hit badly by International Olympic Committee Drones and other high-tech About half an hour into the the earthquake and tsunami of marvels were on parade at the ceremony, giant wooden rings March 2011. Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony and paper lanterns traditional at It was finally handed to With the world in a tough yesterday, but some of the most Japanese summer festivals were Osaka, the 23-year-old four- situation because of the heartfelt moments were a look carried out into the stadium. The time tennis grand slam coronavirus pandemic, I would back to the past - 1964, when the rings were made of timber from champion whose background like to pay my respect and Japanese capital became the first trees that grew from the seeds as the daughter of a Haitian place in Asia to host the Games. borne by athletes from nations man and Japanese woman express my gratitude to medical Those Olympics have participating in the 1964 Games. reflects the changes and slowly workers and all those who are long been a touchstone of Emperor Naruhito, who growing diversity coming to a working hard every day to national pride, marking opened the Games as his grand- once ethnically homogeneous overcome the difficulties: Seiko Japan’s return to the global father Hirohito did in 1964, has country. stage fewer than 20 years spoken with pleasure of his own “The lesson we learned is we Hashimoto, Local Organising after its devastating defeat memories of watching the mar- need more solidarity - more sol- Committee President in World War Two and ush- athon and other events as a idarity among societies, and sol- ering in a period of robust four-year-old. idarity within societies,” said Thomas Bach, the president of an Olympic first, but not eve- It feels amazing. When the International Olympic rybody stuck to pandemic pro- Rowing: Qatar's Tala competes in Single Sculls I woke up this morning, Committee. tocols. In an awkward contrast I was just really excited, But the shift towards greater to most other athletes, teams more excited than nervous. inclusiveness has not come from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan without stumbles. Tokyo 2020 and Pakistan’s flagbearers And yeah, I raced at the has been hit by a string of paraded maskless. Olympics. It’s been a scandals, including the exit of The opening also featured dream of mine for many senior officials over derogatory fireworks in indigo and white, years now. So I have comments about women, Hol- the colours of the Tokyo 2020 nothing but kind of ocaust jokes and bullying. emblem, and gave a nod to Jap- Normally a star-studded anese tradition represented by positive energy. display teeming with celebrities, giant wooden Olympic rings The weather is the best the ceremony was low-key, with linked to the 1964 Games, which we’ve had since we arrived fewer than 1,000 people in the city also hosted. over our training days. Not attendance, strict social dis- Unlike his grandfather who tancing rules and signs calling opened the 1964 Games with a too many waves today, a on spectators to “be quiet Japanese word that means “con- bit of cross headwind at around the venue.” gratulations,” Japanese Emperor the end, but I can’t At the parade, most coun- Naruhito opted for a more complain too much: Qatari tries were represented by both neutral word in Japanese that is Qatar's Tala Abujbara in action during the Women’s Single Sculls heats, yesterday. rower Tala Abujbara male and female flagbearers in closer to “commemorate”. SATURDAY 24 JULY 2021 SPORT 11

IN BRIEF Twigg, Borch blaze through field Tokyo Olympic flame is the first powered by hydrogen as rowing competitions kick off AP – TOKYO

REUTERS – TOKYO Inspired by the sun, the Tokyo Olympic cauldron is Emma Twigg of New Zealand in designed to be better for the planet. action during the Women’s Single Four-time Olympian Emma The flame at Tokyo’s National Stadium and Twigg’s latest battle for the podium Sculls heats at the Sea Forest another cauldron burning along the waterfront near got off to a roaring start yesterday, Waterway in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Tokyo Bay throughout the games will be sustained as compelling match-ups in the in part by hydrogen, the first time the fuel source men’s and women’s single sculls will be used to power an Olympic fire. began to take shape on the first day Previous flames have usually run on propane, of Olympic rowing at the Sea although magnesium, gunpowder, resin and olive Forest Waterway in Tokyo. oil have also been used since the first modern The 34-year-old New Zea- cauldron was lit for the Amsterdam Games in 1928. lander posted the fastest overall The torch relay was introduced eight years later for time of the women’s opening heats Berlin. in her first race since 2019, Unlike propane, hydrogen does not produce cruising through to a 7:35.22 finish carbon dioxide when combusted. The Tokyo cauldron at the fan-free venue after two is fuelled by hydrogen produced by a factory in the heartbreaking fourth-place fin- Fukushima prefecture that runs on renewable ishes at the London and Rio energy. Games. up silver in the double sculls Qatar's Tala best, scorching their opening Organizers for the London Games in 2012 touted “It’s definitely a lung-buster. A in 2016, also advanced. Abujbara in heat in 6:08.38 and upending plans for a low-carbon torch but couldn’t get the few nerves going into it, but that’s On the men’s side, a action during an Olympic best set minutes design right in time. They instead used a mix of to be expected in an Olympic rematch of the 2019 World the Women’s earlier by 2018 World Cham- propane and butane. Brazilian officials commissioned Games. It’s good to get underway,” Championship final was Single Sculls pions Hugo Boucheron and a smaller cauldron for Rio in 2016 to reduce the she said. shaping up, after Norwegian heats, yesterday. Matthieu Androdias of amount of fuel needed. She faces a stacked field ahead, Kjetil Borch posted the fastest France. The Tokyo cauldron was designed by Canadian as American Kara Kohler, 30, overall time in 6:54.46, and Their female counter- architect Oki Sato. His sun-inspired orb unfolds like clinched her heat in her return to 24-year-old German Oliver parts, Roos de Jong and Lisa petals from a flower, which organizers say “embody Olympic rowing, and Ireland’s Zeidler and Sverri Nielsen, 27, Scheenaard, clinched a spot in vitality and hope.” Sanita Puspure, 39, proved she was of Denmark also clinched their Zealand’s Mahe Drysdale, the the semifinal after winning their Tennis player Naomi Osaka lit the torch at 11:48 worth the hype, winning her round rounds. winner of back-to-back gold in heat in 6:49:90, as the Dutch p.m., with performers from throughout the night’s by more than eight seconds after Croatia’s Damir Martin, who 2012 and 2016. women’s single and quad, and ceremony holding sunflowers - famous for blooming bringing home World Champi- won silver in Rio, also advanced to The Netherlands dominated men’s quad, moved on as well. toward the sun. onship titles in 2018 and 2019. the quarter-finals, as he aims to across the board as men’s double Olympic rowing continue today Another clear contender, Brit- fight his way to the top of the sculls pair Melvin Twellaar and with the men’s and women’s pairs, ain’s Victoria Thornley, who picked podium after the retirement of New Stef Broenink set a new Olympic lightweight double sculls, and fours. German cyclist Gescheke tests positive for COVID-19 IN BRIEF Pole vaulter Kendricks hopes to REUTERS – TOKYO Organisers German cyclist Simon Geschke has withdrawn from Saturday’s Tokyo Olympics road race after testing grappling with raise game to beat rival Duplantis positive for COVID-19, his team said yesterday. Geschke was staying with the entire road race REUTERS – TOKYO team at a hotel with team mates outside the Olympic testing kit village. American pole All 12 other German cyclists and team officials, shortfall: Report vaulter Sam Kend- who are also staying there during the Games, had ricks said yesterday previously tested negative and will undergo further REUTERS – TOKYO he was looking tests. forward to elevate Team-mates Niklas Arndt and Maximilian Sch- Olympics organisers are grap- his game and chal- achmann are eligible to start, the team said. pling with a shortage of lenge world record This would have been Geschke’s second Olympic COVID-19 testing kits needed holder Sweden’s Games after Rio de Janeiro, where he finished 13th for their daily testing Armand “Mondo” in the time trial but did not finish the road race. programme, with competitors Duplantis for medals staying at the athletes’ village at the Olympics in in Tokyo not tested as Tokyo. scheduled due to the shortfall, Kendricks, 28, broadcaster NHK reported. who beat Duplantis Athletes who arrived at the in 2019 in Doha to Sam Kendricks of the US, Sweden’s Armand Duplantis and Poland’s Piotr Lisek, the podium village on Monday were not retain his world title winners of the men's pole event, at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha during the World tested as planned, NHK and won bronze at Athletics Championships in this October 1, 2019 file photo. reported yesterday citing the Rio Olympics five unnamed sources. years ago, told The broadcaster quoted reporters that he used events in at the Gateshead Diamond League heading to Tokyo that the main goal organisers as saying that Europe following the US Olympic meet. Mississippi native Kendricks for him at the Olympics is to come more testing kits have since trials in June to hone his jump and spoke on the Zoom call in his car home with a gold medal than just arrived and are being will rest before flying to Tokyo for outside his old high school, as he was simply throwing the furthest distance distributed. the games. getting ready for his last practice and possible. The organisers did not “When I go to Tokyo, I want to said he invited his hometown to “The biggest thing going to the immediately respond to a be well-competed and well rested,” watch from the bleachers before he Olympics is doing what I can to win,” Reuters request for comment. he said. departed on Monday for Tokyo. he told reporters. “On that day I am “So, hopefully will give Mondo He is aware he will need to be at trying to throw the best that I pos- Duplantis, the world record holder, his best to overcome the challenge sibly can.” Kyrgyzstan and a run for his money.” Kendricks and of Duplantis. Keni Harrison, who broke the Duplantis have battled for years and “When it comes to the tools that 100m hurdles world record days Tajikistan teams are heading to the tournament as I have at my disposal, when it comes after failing to make the team for the contenders for medals. to going toe to toe with Mondo, I 2016 Rio Olympics, was happy to be go maskless Duplantis, 21, has been in terrific realize that they may be different able to compete at her first Olympics, form over the last year, clocking the than it was going towards world even though there will not be fans at at opening world record after he cleared 6.17 championships in the past,” Kend- the stadium. metres at a World Athletics Indoor ricks said. “Being able to line up next to the ceremony Tour meet in Poland in February of “I have got to really elevate the best in the world, I think that’s going 2020 and bettered it by one centi- way I am thinking,” he added. “I have to bring enough intensity,” she said. metre in Glasgow the same month. got to contend with him, just like all “It is heartbreaking that my REUTERS – TOKYO He also boasts the highest of us, at a higher bar than the family won’t be there, (but) just the outdoor pole vault when he soared Olympics has ever seen before.” fact that the Olympics are happening, Kyrgyzstan’s Olympic team 6.15m to win gold at the Rome Ryan Crouser, the reigning I am happy for that,” she added. paraded maskless into Tokyo’s Diamond League meeting in Sep- Olympic champion who broke the “The goal is to win and when I go Olympic Stadium at yesterday's tember last year. men’s shot put world record at the with that mindset, it kind of prepares Games opening ceremony, But Kendricks inflicted a rare U.S. trials in June, said at the same me just visualizing a perfect race for A general view of a firework display during the marking an awkward contrast defeat on his Swedish buddy in May briefing of Team USA athletes me, from start to finish.” opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020 Olympics, yesterday. with all the national teams who had preceded them in maskssks - and in accordance wwithith COVID-19 protocols. 'Different kind of challenge': Sweden’s Just one of the central AAsiansian country’s athletes coveredd his face, with the other membersbers Sjostrom gets ready for fourth Olympics of the small delegation,ion, including its two flag bearers,rers, REUTERSREUTERS – TTOKYOOKYO This is my fourth Olympics and I have just begun swimming butterfly again, waving and smiling as theythey had very different kind of preparations prompting speculation as to whether she walked in. Sweden’sSweden’s Olympic 100100mm butterfly champion than I had for my last three. It’s a would scratch the race in Tokyo. A short while later thethe Sarah SjostromSjostrom is hahappypp with her last few While she holds the world record for the Tajikistan team marchedd in weeksweeks of preparation ahead of the Tokyo different kind of challenge. I’m going to 100m butterfly with a time of 55.48 which similarly maskless, while Paki-aki- GamesGames despite wishinwishingg she had a few more do everything I can to do my best, and she set in Rio, she will be up against stiff stan’s two flagbearers alsoo weeksweeks of trainintraining,g she said on Friday. we’ll see how it goes: Sarah Sjostrom competition including American Torri chose not to cover their Sjostrom,Sjostrom, who will be com- Huske, Australia’s Emma McKeon, China’s faces, unlike the vast petingpeting at hher fourth Olympics, Zhang Yufei and Canadian Maggie MacNeil majority of the other par- had susurgeryr for a broken improving all the way from February until who are all top contenders for the podium. ticipants at the ceremony. elbow sshe suffered falling on now, so I’m super happy with that,” she told “This is my fourth Olympics and I have Tokyo 2020 organisersers ice in FFebruary, leaving her a press conference. had very different kind of preparations than did not immediately respondond out ooff the water for months. The 27-year-old is due to swim the 50m I had for my last three. It’s a different kind to a request for commentent “I“ don’t feel pain in and 100m freestyle as well as the 100m but- of challenge,” she said. about the delegations withoutout mymy elbow anymore and terfly which starts today. Sjostrom had told “I’m going to do everything I can to do masks. Sarah Sjostrom yeah,ye I’ve been Swedish media in mid-May that she had only my best, and we’ll see how it goes.” Sport SATURDAY 24 JULY 2021 10 Spinners, top Gold Cup: Confident Qatar set for order help avoid last 8 clash against El Salvador whitewash Abdelkarim THE PENINSULA — PHOENIX, Hassan Qatar striker against India ARIZONA (left) with Akram Afif at team-mate REUTERS – Asian champions Qatar are the airport after Mohammed brimming with confidence as reaching Phoenix Waad. Sri Lanka avoided a series they meet El Salvador in the from Houston. whitewash against a second-string first quarter-final of the 2021 India side after half-centuries by Concacaf Gold Cup tomorrow, Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka eyeing a place in the semi- Rajapaksa led them to a three- finals. victory in the rain-hit third Qatar, who are making and final one-day international their debut at the event, yesterday. showed impressive per- Opener Fernando made a formance in the group stage, patient 76 and number three qualifying for the knockout batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa made phase unbeaten following wins a breezy 65 as Sri Lanka prevailed over Grenada (4-0) and Hon- with eight overs to spare via Duck- duras (2-0) besides playing a worth-Lewis method after the thrilling 3-3 draw against match had been reduced to Panama in their opening game. 47-overs-a-side contest. The FIFA World Cup 2022 Shikhar Dhawan is leading a hosts, who are coached by depleted India team with several Felix Sanchez, are yet to be of their frontline players in England defeated this year which preparing for a five-test series makes them favourites against against Joe Root’s men starting on El Salvador, who they beat in Aug. 4 in Nottingham. a friendly 1-0 during their Having taken an unassailable training camp in Croatia on 2-0 lead going into the final match, July 4. The quarter-final will India made six changes to their be played at State Farm playing XI, blooding five debutants Stadium in Glendale, Arizona against them before the tour- which is featuring formidable group stage,” said Hatim. goal in the group stage versus at the R Premadasa Stadium. with kick off set for 2:30am nament during our camp in sides. “We were able to beat the Trinidad and Tobago. Electing to bat, the tourists lost Qatar time. Croatia, and it was a friendly “We are satisfied with what same opponent in a friendly Qatar are also capable of Dhawan early but Prithvi Shaw “We had previously played match. So we know our oppo- we have done so far as we have match before the tournament setting off fireworks in the (49) and Sanju Samson (46) nents, and they also know us,” displayed good performances when we were in Croatia for a attacking third. No team scored chipped in with run-a-ball knocks Sanchez said ahead of the match. in this event, and we hope to training camp, but we will not more goals than the reigning to prop up the innings. “The friendly matches are continue our progress in the be misled into thinking that the Asian champions in the group Suryakumar Yadav contributed We are satisfied with just a test only, although, tournament. We are lucky to game will be the same as the stage, with nine goals as they 40 but India lost five for what we have done so through that contest, we be present and play in this friendly was. It’s a new day took the top spot in Group D. 38 runs and were eventually learned a lot about them. El tournament,” said Sanchez. with different circumstances,” Almoez Ali already has two bowled out for 225 in 43.1 overs. far as we have Salvador at the current tour- Meanwhile, Abdelaziz he added. goals in the tournament and Spinners displayed good nament have played good Hatim, Qatar’s experienced Under new Head Coach was the man that provided that (3-44) and Praveen Jayawickrama performances in this matches. Even in their last con- midfielder, said his team is Hugo Perez, El Salvador have winning score in the friendly (3-59) were the pick of the Sri event, and we hope to frontation with Mexico, they expecting a tough clash against found their attacking stride versus El Salvador last month. Lankan bowlers. continue our progress were good. For this match, they El Salvador in the and players like Jairo Hen- Meanwhile, Akram Afif has The teams will now clash in a will be strong, and we have to quarterfinals. riquez and Joaquin Rivas have two goals and two assists and three-match series in in the tournament. prepare well for it.” “We will face a solid team each found a goal thus far in Pedro Miguel has a pair of Colombo beginning tomorrow. Felix Sanchez The Qatar coach said his that plays smartly, and our task the tournament, while Walmer assists as well, in addition to team is gaining good expe- will not be as easy compared Martinez has provided a spark leading the team with most SCOREBOARD rience from the Gold Cup to matches we played in the off the bench, including with a fouls received (8). INDIA (47 overs maximum) P. Shaw lbw b Shanaka ...... 49 S. Dhawan c Bhanuka b Chameera ...... 13 S. Samson c Fernando b Jayawickrama ...... 46 M. Pandey c Bhanuka b Jayawickrama ...... 11 S. Yadav lbw b Dananjaya ...... 40 Qatar backed by vociferous fan support H. Pandya lbw b Jayawickrama ...... 19 N. Rana c Bhanuka b Dananjaya ...... 7 K. Gowtham lbw b Dananjaya ...... 2 THE PENINSULA — HOUSTON, team merchandise at QFA’s R. Chahar c and b Karunaratne ...... 13 TEXAS kiosks installed around the Qatar fans cheer N. Saini c Fernando b Chameera ...... 15 stadium. during a Gold Cup C. Sakariya ...... 0 Fans travelling from Wash- “The wonderful atmos- match. Extras (lb1, w9) ...... 10 ington, New York and Cali- phere created by Qatar fans Total (all out, 43.1 overs) ...... 225 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-102, 3-118, 4-157, 5-179, fornia were a picture of was an opportunity for various 6-190, 7-194, 8-195, 9-224, 10-225 consistency at Qatar’s matches CONCACAF media to witness : Chameera 8.1-0-55-2 (w5), Dananjaya 10-0- at the Gold Cup group stage. the kind of fan adulation Qatar 44-3, Karunaratne 6-0-25-1 (w2), Jayawickrama 10-0- Hundreds of flag-waving team enjoys wherever it plays,” 59-3 (w2), Shanaka 8-0-33-1, Mendis 1-0-8-0 fans have been seen at Qatar’s a fan said after Qatar beat SRI LANKA (target 227 from 47 overs) matches against Panama, Hon- Honduras 2-0 on Tuesday. A. Fernando c Shaw b Chahar ...... 76 duras and Grenada. The Asian “The tournament is being M. Bhanuka c Sakariya b Gowtham ...... 7 B. Rajapaksa c Gowtham b Sakariya ...... 65 champions have qualified for staged in the United States, and D. de Silva c and b Sakariya ...... 2 the quarter-finals, where they when you go out in the streets, C. Asalanka lbw b Pandya ...... 24 take on El Salvador on you can see why this sport is D. Shanaka c Pandey b Chahar ...... 0 Saturday. the fastest growing game in the R. Mendis not out ...... 15 Before entering the match country,” another fan added. C. Karunaratne st Samson b Chahar ...... 3 venue in Houston last week, “It has been a pleasure to see A. Dananjaya not out ...... 5 fans were also seen purchasing Arab communities come out Extras (b4, lb6, nb5, w15) ...... 30 Total (7 wickets, 39 overs) ...... 227 Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-144, 3-151, 4-194, 5-195, 6-214, 7-220 Fans during Qatar's Gold Cup match. Did not bat: D. Chameera, P. Jayawickrama Bowling: Saini 5-0-27-0 (w1, nb1), Sakariya 8-0-34-2 (w1, nb2), Chahar 10-0-54-3 (nb2), Gowtham 8-0-49-1 (w6), Pandya 5-0-43-1 (w7), Rana 3-0-10-0 and support Qatar,” the fan a more significant number of social media platforms to said. fans in the city of Houston garner support for the national It is worth mentioning that through the various events team. Qatar is participating in the held at venues where Arab In addition to the keenness Zimbabwe beat tournament for the first time. communities and locals visit of the Marketing and Commu- The overwhelming fan often. nications The QFA has also met Bangladesh by support for the Qatar national “As soon as you arrive at with members of the Arab team on the tour to the US has the George W. Bush Interna- communities present in 23 runs to level been a success story because tional Airport in Houston, you Houston and distributed flyers of diligent efforts by the Mar- will find a large sign indicating among fans. T20 series keting and Communications Qatar national team’s matches Before the start of each Department of QFA. in the Gold Cup,” another Qatar match in the event, REUTERS — The Marketing and Com- Qatari fan said. fans have been handed over munications Department The Qatar Football Associ- Qatar national team jerseys Wellington Masakadza took three planned in advance to attract ation has also been active on and flags also. wickets and three catches to steer Zimbabwe to a 23-run win over Bangladesh in their second at the QSL champions Al Sadd United complete Harare Sports Club yesterday. It was Zimbabwe’s first success sign Ghana's Andre Ayew Sancho signing over the tourists after losing the one-off test, three ODIs and the Andre Ayew poses with Al Sadd General Manager from Dortmund first of the three match T20 series Turki Al Ali during his unveiling. Al Sadd have signed on Thursday and sets up a decider the Ghanaian international on a contract lasting two REUTERS — LONDON tomorrow. seasons, with an option to extend for an additional Zimbabwe, who won the toss year. Ayew will be the fifth foreign player in the Manchester United have completed and chose to bat, scored 166-6 with squad, alongside Bagdhad Bounedjah (Algeria), Jung the transfer of England winger Jadon Wesley Madhevere contributing Woo-young (South Korea), Santi Cazorla (Spain), and Sancho from Bundesliga team 73, to which Bangladesh replied Guilherme Torres (Brazil). Al Sadd are the reigning Borussia Dortmund, the Premier with 143 in 19.5 overs. QNB Stars League (QSL) champions. Ayew said: “ League club announced yesterday. Madhevere provided the foun- I am very happy and proud to play at Al Sadd. My The two clubs had reached an dation with his knock, with pow- goal is to win titles, make the fans happy, strive hard agreement for the transfer earlier this erful hitter Ryan Burl adding 34 not and try to win the Asian Champions League.” Ayew month, with Dortmund saying United out while Shoriful Islam took 3-33. played 43 matches for Swansea in the league last would pay €85m ($100m) for the Bangladesh, dominant with the season, scoring 16 goals in the process. He made 21-year-old. bat across all formats of the tour, his name playing for Marseille in Ligue 1, where he “I’ll always be grateful to this time failed to get the better of scored 60 goals in 209 matches. He was part of the Dortmund for giving me the oppor- the home bowlers as first Blessing Ghana national team that reached the quarter-finals tunity to play first team football, Muzarabani and then Masakadza of the World Cup in 2010. although I always knew that I would got among the wickets. return to England one day,” said Masakadza took 3-20 and Sancho. Muzarabani 2-21.