MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020 15

Pakistan skipper Azam fractures thumb, out of NZ T20 series IMMAF recognises Bahrain as best host nation The organization lauded Bahrain’s hosting abilities with an award for Best Host Nation

• Bahrain is the first nation to receive Bahrain’s capability the honour of hosting and welcoming people TDT | Manama from all around Babar Azam reacts after scoring a century (file photo) the world and all he IMMAF (Internation- walks of life has Reuters | Auckland al Mixed Martial Arts been highlighted. TFederation) has recog- Year after another, akistan’s hopes suffered a nized Bahrain’s generosity and the people have Pbig blow yesterday when I have spoken with hosting abilities by recognizing continued to prove Babar Azam was Babar and he is the country during their end- their desire to provide ruled out of the three-match sad to miss the of-year awards ceremony with series against New a special award for Best Host a welcoming place for Zealand after fracturing his T20I series, as he Nation, a recognition which no visitors from around right thumb during a practice was fully focused other nation has ever received the world and having session. and keenly looking before from the international that generosity The batting mainstay will forward to the T20Is. organization. rewarded is a great not be able to attend practice We have a long The announcement was made moment for Bahrain for at least 12 days, the Paki- season of cricket this Friday, December 11th, dur- stan Cricket Board said, and he ahead and we now ing the IMMAF Awards, a virtual MOHAMMED SHAHID faces a race against time to be event that honored the biggest PRESIDENT OF BRAVE CF fit for the opening match of the hope that he regains figures in amateur mixed mar- two-test series from Dec. 26. complete fitness as tial arts today, including some of BRAVE CF ensured the pres- “I have spoken with Babar early as possible so Bahrain’s finest athletes. ervation and growth of young and he is sad to miss the T20I that he can return to The award is a testament to athletes from the MENA region, series, as he was fully focused competitive cricket the hard work and dedication and kept youth fighters occu- and keenly looking forward MISBAH-UL-HAQ of the people of Bahrain and an pied by giving them a chance to to the T20Is,” Pakistan head attestation to their welcoming fight in during their events, thus coach Misbah-ul-Haq said the nature, a trait that has made the that Bahrain is ready to host and having that generosity re- providing amateur athletes with second-ranked T20 batsman in country a must-visit destination some of the biggest events in the warded is a great moment for extra exposure and experience. the world. after top-order batsman for sports fans around the globe. world,” Shahid says. “Bahrain’s Bahrain.” This has allowed the fight- “We have a long season of Imam-ul-Haq fractured his Mohammed Shahid, presi- capability of hosting and wel- Despite there being very few ers from the region to maintain cricket ahead and we now left thumb, also during a prac- dent of BRAVE Combat Federa- coming people from all around amateur competitions held in their learning curve intact, and hope that he regains complete tice session. Pakistan’s T20 tion and CEO of KHK Sports, was the world and all walks of life 2020, Team Bahrain continued has extended the leadership fitness as early as possible so vice-captain was ecstatic after receiving the news has been highlighted. Year after to achieve new heights during a role that BRAVE CF enjoys in the that he can return to compet- also carrying a groin niggle, the and described what this award another, the people have con- difficult year for mixed martial Middle East as the leading or- itive cricket,” Misbah said in a cricket board said. means to Bahrain as a nation. tinued to prove their desire to arts with the help of the fast- ganization in the region as well statement. The first T20 will be played ‘’This is a great achievement provide a welcoming place for est growing mixed martial arts as the provider of the biggest Babar’s injury came a day in Auckland on Friday. for the entire country. It shows visitors from around the world promotion. opportunities for local talents.

BRX tested to extremes ahead of Dakar rally Super Lightweight contenders Mafra, TDT | Manama Santiago, Isakov confirmed for BRAVE CF 46 ahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) Bhas been undertaking a gru- elling test program of the BRX T1 4x4 in the Dubai desert as the team and drivers undergo final preparations ahead of the Dakar Rally 2021. The team spared no time in putting their combined expe- rience into practice, pushing the BRX vehicle to the limits in advance of taking on one of motorsport’s biggest challeng- es. The period of testing has been vital in preparing the car and team for the Dakar Rally in January; fine tuning all areas of performance to ensure BRX TDT | Manama of the most decorated Belgian arrives at the start line ready to BRX car during testing in Dubai amateur Mixed Martial Art- compete. month in Dubai testing the BRX RAVE CF 46 will mark the ists, Isakov holds a pro record The bespoke BRX vehicle – T1 4x4, and each day we are Bvery first trip of the truly of 8 wins and two losses and which will compete in the top pushing the limits even more. global MMA promotion to Rus- has won his two last BRAVE CF level T1 class – was tested to ex- As a team, we have done many sia. The event, to be held in So- 15 fights, against Rami Hamed and tremes across uncompromising kilometres and are really excit- chi, will be headlined by the professional bouts have Djamil Chan. desert conditions that included ed with how the car is reacting first title defense of the Super been won by Leonardo Despite confirming the pres- steep dunes, thick camel grass KNOW WHAT to the dunes. The whole team Lightweight world champion “Macarrão” Mafra against ence of the three Super Light- and barren, rocky terrain. The have been working hard and Eldar Eldarov. The organiza- only 5 losses weight stars in the card, BRAVE Dakar Rally 2021 route was re- are all highly motivated. It has tion confirmed that three of CF officials haven’t disclosed cently announced, featuring The Dakar Rally 2021 been great working with Se - the most prominent contend- if they are facing each other almost 5,000 kilometres of bastien, he is an experienced ers in the division will also be or one of them is challenging competitive driving across the route was recently an- driver and we understand each featured in the card: Leonardo Also from Brazil comes Luan Eldar Eldarov for the belt. Fur- 12 stages through the Kingdom nounced, featuring al- other well.” Mafra, Luan Santiago, and Issa “Miau” Santiago. The former ther information is expected to of Saudi Arabia. most 5,000 kilometres BRX’s bespoke Dakar Rally Isakov. BRAVE CF Lightweight champi- be released in the next coming BRX Driver, Sebastien Loeb, of competitive driving T1 car is a four-wheel drive Leonardo “Macarrão” Mafra on of the world is a well-known days. commented: “Dubai has given across the 12 stages car, powered by a 3.5 litre tur- holds a professional record of name within the promotion’s BRAVE CF 46 takes place in us the opportunity to test the through the Kingdom bo-charged petrol V6. The ve- 15 wins and 5 losses. The Bra- rankings and a fan-favorite. beautiful Sochi, Russia, on Jan- car in similar terrain to that we of Saudi Arabia hicle builds on Prodrive’s expe- zilian star is coming off one of With a pro record of 15 wins uary 16th, in partnership with can expect at the Dakar, in Sau- rience competing at the highest the biggest wins of his career, and only four losses, Miau re- Krepost Selection. In addition di Arabia. I am happy with the levels of world motorsport for over Djamil Chan in his home cently decided to move to the to the above mentioned names, car’s performance and balance, to a new team and new car. We over three decades and has country. The victory was also an Super Lightweight division, some of the top Russian fight- but having already competed are looking forward to getting been styled by Ian Callum, one important moment in Mafra’s where he beat Gadzhimusa ers have been confirmed for in Dakar four times, we don’t underway in just three weeks.” of the world’s leading automo- career, as he was returning to Gadzhiev. action, such as Roman Bogatov, underestimate the challenge BRX Driver, Nani Roma, com- tive designers, and his team at action after an year-long ab- The third confirmed athlete Konstantin Erokhin, and Ali the Dakar presents, especially mented: “I have spent almost a CALLUM. sence due to a knee injury. is Belgium’s Issa Isakov. One Bagautinov.