22 Saturday, June 17, 2017 SPORTS SPORTS Saturday, June 17, 2017 23 Messi’s

Shanghai Openers Diego Vallejos ome of football’s biggest names remain linked with a move to China but a 100 percent tax on transfer fees Slooks likely to hit spending when the country’s transfer window opens on Monday. hometown Wayne Rooney, Diego Costa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are among the stars rumoured to be considering big-money moves to the (CSL), which has been smashing spending records in recent seasons. inspire Kohli Brazilian international Oscar moved to Shanghai Birmingham to spare by hitting a four off with a 124-run rout of Pakistan SIPG for 60 million euros ($67 million) as Chinese ndia captain Virat Kohli heads Sabbir Rahman. at Edgbaston. clubs splashed an unprecedentd 388 million euros the into a Champions Trophy But Rohit Sharma was 123 Yet even by their own brace for January-February window. finalI against arch-rivals Pakistan not out at the other end, having “unpredictable” standards, Argentine striker also arrived on huge back on top of the one-day shared an unbroken stand of 178 Pakistan’s transformation since wages to instantly become among the best-paid players international batting rankings. with his skipper. that reverse has been remarkable in world football. But the star batsman insists it By the time Kohli came in, and on Wednesday they But in May the Chinese Football Association (CFA) is the form of the title-holders’ however, India were well on their knocked previously unbeaten stepped in to limit the largesse, effectively slapping a 100 opening duo that is giving him way to chasing down a modest tournament hosts England percent tax on transfers for loss-making clubs, with the confidence in the lead up to victory target of 265 thanks to a out of the competition with wedding proceeds going to a government-run fund. Sunday’s clash between the sub- brisk opening partnership of 87 a comprehensive eight-wicket In each game next year, clubs will have to field as continent cricket giants at the between Sharma and left-hander win in Cardiff. many Chinese under-23 players as foreigners, who are Oval. Shikhar Dhawan, who made 46. Pakistan have yet to play already capped at three maximum. The 28-year-old Kohli is also a match at the Oval this Rosario Local wedding planners Farina-Pavia “They are the love of each other’s lives,” And this week, the CFA also proposed amendments top of the tournament batting Ready to change history tournament but in bowling iego Vallejos is wondering what to wear confirmed they had been hired to organise says Vallejos. to its previous rules to stop clubs finding inventive ways averages with a scarcely credible Pakistan are ready to change Azhar Mahmood, for his friend’s wedding. He must look the event, but said they had signed a “I am eager to share this moment to skirt the rules. mark of 253 -- a figure that owes the course of history in a clash who spent several seasons at Dthe part among the celebrities coming to confidentiality agreement not to talk about it. with him. He was Chinese football experts say the result is that clubs will much to the fact that three of his that’s “bigger than the Ashes” his “second home” playing town -- for the groom is football superstar Messi has reportedly requested that the humble enough to trim spend and revert to looking at players at the end of four innings so far have been when they face arch-rivals India for Surrey, they . wedding feast be made up of local specialities invite me, one their careers -- like Rooney. not outs. in the Champions Trophy final. have someone “I am letting my hair grow so that I can get such as “empanada” pasties, “locro” stew and of his oldest “What I think you are going to Kohli was undefeated again Some estimates suggest familiar with a haircut like a star,” the chuckling Vallejos, typical Argentina roast meat. friends from see is a lot more of the likes of -- as India crushed Bangladesh by Sunday’s match between the all the vagaries a waiter by profession, said in Rosario, the Authorities insist that security will not be a an ordinary and I think this is the one most nine wickets in a commanding sub-continental cricket giants at of the London northern Argentine city where he and Messi problem, even though Rosario is considered family.” likely to happen -- Wayne semi-final victory at Edgbaston the Oval in south London could ground. grew up. one of the most dangerous cities in Argentina. (AFP) Rooney coming to China,” -- the venue where they won the attract a worldwide television And the former Messi marries his childhood sweetheart The City Centre complex is next to one of said Andy Strong, sports client 2013 Champions Trophy title audience of more than a billion Pakistan all-rounder Antonella Roccuzzo, 29, on June 30, a week the city’s roughest districts. manager at the sports marketing -- on Wednesday. viewers. insisted all the burden of after the player’s 30th birthday, in Latin A local government source said the Messi and investment company His 96 not out saw Kohli end It was only on June 4 that expectation was now on India’s America’s celebrity wedding of the decade. family had asked that “the wedding not affect Mailman in Shanghai. the match with nearly 10 overs India launched their title defence shoulders. Vallejos is one of 250 people on the guest the daily life of the city or the traffic.” “Fabio Capello “We’ve got nothing to lose -- list -- others include Barcelona stars such as Argentina media reported that Messi’s has just pitched up the pressure is more on them,” Gerard Pique and his popstar wife Shakira, own security team will take care of his at Jiangsu Suning, Azhar told reporters at the Oval according to Argentina media. security. Rooney will be on Friday. “Most of all I just want to be with Lionel. Rosario newspaper La Capital said available on a free Pakistan v India “They are ranked higher But I am going to mingle a bit with the other the bride would wear a dress by June 18, The Oval, and he has that London than us - so everyone is guests” at the bash in the City Center hotel Spanish designer Rosa Clara. huge international talking about India, India. and casino, Vallejos said. As wedding gifts, the couple draw and prestige HEAD-TO-HEAD But I can tell you one have asked that guests make of his name. (One Day Int. only) thing -- we have come Football city donations to Messi’s charity “So the Pakistan 72 India 52 to win.” Vallejos spoke near the primary school which foundation for children. transfers are “India have the he and the future soccer star attended. They “That is for the VIPs,” says going to shift upper hand in ICC would play football together in the humble Vallejos. “I’m going to give back more tournaments,” he southern district of Las Heras where they something more symbolic. Maybe towards that end- Coach: Coach admitted before grew up. a pair off those cufflinks you wear of-career type Mickey Arthur Anil Kumble adding: “But Captain: Captain Messi is widely considered the world’s on your sleeves.” player.” Sarfraz Ahmed Virat Kohli things can change, best footballer. But he is far from being the RECENT MEETINGS Strong said Best finish Best finish and this is the time first soccer star to come from this city of 1.2 Love and happiness that, conversely, Final 2017 Among fiercest rivalries in international Winner 2002, 13 for us to change sport. India have beaten Pakistan in million people. Messi and the brunette Roccuzzo a spin-off of the Trophy record four of last five ODI contests, including Trophy record the tag that we “Rosario lives and breathes football. That live in Barcelona where he plays, but new rules could be W10 D0 L12 124-run victory in group stage W17 D3 L7 don’t perform is another reason Lionel feels so comfortable still return regularly to Rosario on that Chinese clubs TOURNAMENT STATISTICS well at ICC here,” the city’s mayor, Monica Fein, said. holiday. have to improve their 685 Runs scored 1074 events. “All his life he has been linked to Rosario. “It’s no surprise that he is coming scouting systems to 0 Centuries 2 “History I think he is excited that through his wedding back here to get married,” Vallejos snare better-value 5 Fifties 9 can change, his friends (from abroad) will be able to get to says. talent, rather than 118 Highest partnership 178 and I hope know the city he loves so much.” “He has always been the same. He merely shelling out for 28 Wickets taken 23 we can As well as Ernesto “Che” Guevara, one of is an ordinary person who just wants stellar names. 19 Catches 16 (change the leaders of the Cuban revolution, Rosario to be near his family and friends. But he added that it).” Azhar Ali Shikhar Dhawan has spawned some of the biggest names in He is a humble person. Money has such is the cash in Argentine soccer. not changed his personality.” 4 Innings played 4 the Chinese game, one They include the coach of the 1978 World The couple had their two 169 Runs scored 276 or two clubs might be Cup-winning Argentina side, Cesar Luis children baptized there last year: prepared to pay the new 42.3 Average 92.0 Menotti, and current players such as Angel Thiago, 4 and one-year-old tax to snap up a big-name 0 Centuries 0 Di Maria and Javier Mascherano. Mateo, both born in Barcelona. foreign player in his prime. 2 Fifties 3 Messi and Roccuzzo met as “I would not be 14 Fours 26 Wedding rumours children. He moved to Spain surprised if one or two 2 Sixes 6 Rumours have swirled about the details of when he was 13 to join FC Pictures: 76 High score 95 clubs were prepared to take Getty the wedding, and there have been numerous Barcelona. But they kept in Images Sources: ICC, Cricinfo © GRAPHIC NEWS Antonella Roccuzzo with Messi and their son Thiago during a match (file) Wayne Rooney a hit (financially),” he said. India’s captain Virat Kohli reported changes to the arrangements. touch.