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Home , Akila Dananjaya, Dimuth Karunaratne, Mauricio Pochettino, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Sandeep Warrier

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TUESDAY 4 MAY 2021 Sri LankaLanka clinclinchc series with win over Bangladesh AtA a time when we didn’t have anyone experienced, they ccame and bowled like experienced players, and performed theirt roles as they should. Praveen did his job perfectly well. HHe played like a bowler who had more than his 10 first-class mmatches.

Sri Lanka Dimuth Karunaratne Sport | 18

CRICKET: 2ND TEST IN PALLEKELE 493/7 dec. and 194/9 dec. beat Bangladesh 251 and 227 by 209 runs to win series 1-0 Pochettino sweating over Mbappe fitness

REUTERS – MANCHESTERSTER

Paris Saint-Germainain willwill makemake a late decision on whether forward Kylianan Mbappe (pictured) will be available to face Manchester Cityity in tthehe second leg of the Cham-ham- pions League semi-emi- PSG players take part in a practice session in final, coach Mauricioicio Manchester, England, yesterday. Pochettino saidaid yesterday. Mbappe, PSG’s top scorer this season withwith Guardiola calls for calm as City 25 goals in and eight in Europe, missedissed the 2-1 victory over Lens on Saturday due to a calf injury. face PSG in 'toughest' semi-final Video footage circulating on social media showed Mbappe limping on his arrival in Manchester AP – MANCHESTER PSG's for today’s match at the Etihad Stadium, but during a practice PSG out to reverse result Pochettino will make his final assessment after the regards the second leg of a session yesterday. first-team training session. Champions League semi-final as the AP – MANCHESTER “We need to assess Kylian, today he’s going to toughest game in football, and he has the start individual training session and see if he’ll be battle scars to prove it. MANCHESTER CITY VS PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (2-1) with the team,” Pochettino told a news It was at that decisive stage that Guar- conference. diola came up short in each of his three years A rested lineup faces a tired team with its back to the “It’s still one day, we didn’t decide and we will at Bayern Munich, from 2013-16. In one of wall after losing the first leg 2-1. Manchester City coach see tomorrow.” Having suffered a 2-1 defeat in Paris those second legs, Bayern was crushed by Pep Guardiola had the luxury of resting most of his key last week, PSG know they must score at least twice Real 4-0. players at the weekend with the almost today if they are to stand any chance of heading to Go back a further two years - to the last won. their second straight Champions League final. of his four seasons at - and Guar- PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t rotate his Pochettino said he will not tweak PSG’s for- diola suffered one of the most painful results squad too much over the weekend because PSG is still mation -- with or without Mbappe -- but empha- of his career in a semifinal second leg: A dra- second in the French league and under pressure to keep sised the importance of his team converting their matic 2-2 draw with Chelsea at , its title. But he is hopeful that star striker Kylian Mbappe counter-attacking opportunities. where Barca surrendered a two- lead will be available after he sustained a right calf injury in “Tomorrow we must be ready to suffer and then against an opponent playing with 10 men the first leg. be clinical and aggressive when we get chances,” for nearly an hour. PSG’s top scorer with 37 goals this season, Mbappe has the Argentine coach said. Indeed, it’s a decade since Guardiola has As City grew, PSG became reckless,less, shown signs of a speedy recovery. “They have an advantage and celebrated advancing from the Champions Mbappe and Neymar got frustrated, Idrissarissa Pochettino rested mid- fielder Leandro we needneed to tatakeke risrisks,ks, bbee bbrave,rave, League semifinals. So maybe there’s some Gueye got a red card, ruling PSG’s bestbest Paredes and right back Alessandro planplan thethe game kknowingnowing CiCityty apprehension - surely some nerves - as he holding midfielder out of the return gameame Florenzi on the weekend, sug- isis a team tthathat can manamanagege takes Manchester City into the second leg at Etihad Stadium. gesting both will start the semifinal. differentdifferent wawaysys to play.play. against Paris Saint-Germain, even with his City centre back John Stones willl bebe He used midfield schemer Marco “We“We neeneedd to bbee cclever,lever, team holding a 2-1 lead? tasked with keeping Mbappe and Neymarmar Verratti for only 30 minutes believebelieve aandnd shoshoww oourur Not a bit of it. quiet again, and he is embracing the against Lens on Sat- urday to keep quality on the pitch. It wilwilll “It’s the first time we are here, for most challenge. him fresh to face City. bebe a bbattleattle bbutut we wiwillll bbee of us in this club,” Guardiola said yesterday, Guardiola, who reported no new injuryjury ready.”ready.” a day before perhaps the biggest European concerns for City, attempted to take someome game in City’s history. pressure off his team by comparing the size “Of course I know what we are playing of the match to a typical English Premiermier for, but in these types of games, you don’t League game. need much emotion. “We are not going to demand anythinghing “It’s more about being calm. Knowing special,” he said. exactly what you have to do.” “We play tough, tough games in the For Guardiola, the second leg of the sem- Premier League, the same level as PPSG,SG, ifinals is as much a mental examination as because the Premier League is so demandingding a physical one. Some players have the result and tough. Even in the Champions Leagueague of the first leg in their minds, others might in the group stage.” think about the prospect of playing in a final. A 2-1 advantage could leave some teamsams So, his biggest task over the past two days caught in two minds, whether to sit on a lleadead has been to keep his City players in the or go for the kill. moment. For Stones, there’s only one optionn as PSG, Guardiola insisted, hasn’t been City looks to reach its first Champions Leagueague mentioned at all. “It’s not necessary,” Guar- final and move within one step of realizingzing diola said. “We just speak about us, us, and the long-held goals of its Abu Dhabihabi us, and what we have to do. ownership. “I didn’t speak one word about them.” “We have to attack the game like we Perhaps the confidence Guardiola dem- would every other game, to go out and win,”win,” onstrated in his pre-match news conference he said. “We have never gone into a game,ame, stemmed from the way City stymied PSG if we are in a good position, thinking we needneed and its world-class forwards Kylian Mbappe to sit there and think the job’s done or defendfend and Neymar in the second half of the first or anything like that. Manchester City coach Paris Saint-Germain coach leg, when City came from 1-0 down with a “It’s a downward spiral if we go intoo the Pep Guardiola Mauricio Pochettino display of maturity and assuredness. game like that.” Qatari champion Al Sulaiti seals podium finish in Spain

Champion Qatari rider Saeed Al Sulaiti in action during the first round of the Campeonato Interautonómico de Velocidad (CIV) at the Circuito de Navarra race track in Northern Spain, on Sunday. Al Sulaiti finished third in the Supersport 600cc class which was won by Aarón Escalera. The event was the opening race of the 2021 CIV Calendar and was 179 riders in competing under different categories. Apart from Spanish riders, 15 internationals from England, Mexico, Colombia, Qatar, South Africa or Russia also participated in the event. RIGHT: Al Sulaiti (right) celebrates with other podium winners. TUESDAY 4 MAY 2021 SPORT 19 Al Khor, Al Shahania battle for QSL spot

QNA – DOHA

Al Khor and Al Shahania are all We’re technically set for the play-off to determine who will earn the right to play and physically in the 2021-22 season of the QNB Stars League (QSL). The ready: Al Shahania encounter will take place at the coach Nabil Anwar Qatar SC Stadium today. The Play-Off pits the 11th- Al Khor are a good team regardless placed team in the QSL (Al Khor) of their ranking in the QNB Stars against runners-up (Al Shahania) League. They have presented good in the Second Division of levels and have professionals of the 2020-21 season. The losers will play in the highest level and a distinguished Second Division in the forth- coach who is German (Winfried coming season. Al Khor players take part in a training session as they gear up for Schafer) and unique. Therefore, we The match regulations stip- We’ve prepared well for Play-Off: the play-off match against Al Shahania. Pic: Twitter/@alkhor_club respect Al Khor and it is natural that ulate that in the event of a tie at the clash will be difficult. the end of regular time, an extra Al Khor coach Winfried Schafer time of 30 minutes divided into latter made it to next seasons line-up too compared to Al We are confident about achieving two halves will be used. If the I salute all fans of the club and I want to reassure them that we have done QSL. Shamal (13 wins, six draws and our goal that we set at the game is still tied, penalty shoot- well during the past few weeks so that we can appear well and win the Al Shahania finished second two defeats), who scored 33 beginning of the season, which is to out will be enforced. important match against Al Shahania. We scored five goals in the last in the eight-team Second goals and conceded 14. be among the top First Division Al Khor will be keen to stay Division with 45 points on com- The players of Al Khor and in the First Division, where they match we played against Al Ahli in the QFA Cup. This is a very good and pletion of 21 rounds of action, Al Shahania have prepared well clubs. The pressure will be there on are regulars. This is the second promising sign. We have great players. All we have to do is enter the the same as Al Shamal, but were for the Play-Off and the inau- both teams as both have the desire successive season that The match with complete focus. Our fighting spirit is our main weapon. Our placed behind on goal gural QFA Cup was a good to win this match. As I said, the Knights are featuring in the play- preparations are going on well. We have worked hard and we have done difference. opportunity for both coaches, match is difficult and will be played off. They had defeated Al all that was necessary to win the play-off. Al Shahania had won a German Winfried Schafer of Al Markhiya, who were then game more than Al Shamal, Khor and Qatari Nabil Anwar on a simple formula - a team that Second Division runners-up, last taking their total tally to 14 vic- of Al Shahania, to test their will play calmly during the 90 time by a 2-0 margin and thus this time too with 17 points (three be back in the top flight. They tories. They drew three matches wards readiness for the game minutes will be the one to achieve remained in the QSL.. victories, eight draws and 11 had lost to eventual champions and lost four, scoring 39 goals even though both teams exited victory. However, Al Khor could defeats). On the other hand, Al Al Shamal in the decisive and conceding 22. the ongoing tournament in the finish only in the 11th position Shahania will also be eager to Second Division match and the They had the best attacking first round. Italy players Lukaku steps up vaccinated another level to ahead of fire Inter’s title run A Manchester REUTERS – ROME Euro 2020 United fan holding a flare in Not long after Inter Milan’s Serie A title win was AP – MILAN protest against confirmed on Sunday, Romelu Lukaku was filmed their owners singing at the top of his voice and waving a black- Most of the Italy team received its before the and-blue shirt from the window of a car. first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine match against The Belgian striker could not resist the temp- yesterday in preparation for the Liverpool on tation to join in with the celebrations as fans European Championship, risking a Sunday. flooded the streets after the Nerazzurri had ended public backlash. an 11-year wait to be crowned Italian Italy is lagging behind schedule champions. in terms of vaccinating the general Some fans couldn’t believe their eyes as they population. Just under 20.9 million saw a jubilant Lukaku go past, the man whose people have received at least one goals, assists and leadership were the driving force dose while only 6.3 million are fully behind Inter’s 19th title. vaccinated. Lukaku has scored 21 league goals this season, Authorities assured Italians that English FA opens inquiry to while his assist against Crotone on Saturday made vaccines would be given out strictly him the first player to produce at least 20 goals by age group, starting with the and 10 assists in a single Serie A season since Opta elderly. began collecting data in 2004-05. After being given the go-ahead assess Super League sanctions Lukaku’s improvement under coach Antonio by the Italian government, 28 Conte since his club record 80 million euro move players were given their first doses AP – MANCHESTER both now and in the future” and sporting integrity. These measures from Manchester United in August 2019 has been at two hospitals in Rome and Milan. has been working with the gov- are designed to stop the threat of remarkable. Italian media reported the The English Football Association ernment in pursuit of a law to breakaway leagues in the future.” Lukaku made an immediate impact. He players were all given the Moderna has opened an inquiry into the guard against similar threats and They include making club changed diet, lost weight and gained form, scoring vaccine. Super League rebellion and sought protect the English football owners sign a charter “committing 10 goals in his first 13 Serie A games to equal Istvan Those at foreign clubs were not evidence from the six English clubs pyramid. them to the core principles of the Nyers’s 71-year-old record for the best start to a included, nor were Roma players involved in the breakaway that “Last week, we started an Premier League” with breaches debut season at Inter. ahead of their Europa League sem- could lead to punishments. official inquiry into the formation leading to “significant sanctions.” Lukaku ended his debut season with 34 goals ifinal against Manchester United on The Premier League also dis- of the European Super League and Anger over the rebellion has in all competitions, equalling the record of Bra- Thursday. closed Monday that it had prepared the involvement of the six English seen protests in recent weeks at zilian great Ronaldo at Inter in 1997-98. Italy coach Roberto Mancini measures to stop teams playing in clubs,” the FA said yesterday. Chelsea, Arsenal and, on Sunday, Lukaku made another explosive start to this prepared an extended list so that all closed competitions. Arsenal, The Super League would have at Manchester United, which campaign, scoring 11 goals in his opening 12 league potential squad members will be Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester been a largely closed competition tipped into violence and led to the games, and played a starring role during key fully vaccinated by the time the United, Manchester City and Tot- with 15 founding clubs guaranteed game against Liverpool being moments in Inter’s title run. pandemic-delayed Euro 2020 kicks tenham launched an ill-fated entry every season without having postponed. The 27-year-old was praised for his leadership off on June 11. Italy will play Turkey attempt two weeks ago to found a to qualify as is currently the case “The fans have played a vital in November, when he was left exasperated despite in Rome in the opening match. new European competition with for the UEFA-run Champions and impactful role in helping to scoring two and assisting two as Inter came from three clubs from each of Spain and League through domestic league stop the European Super League behind to beat Torino. Italy. placings. from happening, and we under- His performance in the following week’s top- The project imploded after fan The Premier League said it has stand their frustrations,” the FA of-the-table Milan Derby clash was even more AFC Cup East outrage and threats from the now “prepared a series of said. “However, we cannot memorable, as he set up Martinez for the opener British government of legislation measures to enshrine the core condone the violent and criminal before sprinting half the length of the pitch to fire Zone group being introduced to stop the Super principles of the professional behaviour that took place before home Inter’s third. League. game: an open pyramid, pro- the scheduled Manchester United “Italy has brought me to another level. I have stage games The FA said it is focused on gression through sporting merit vs Liverpool match, which the FA never felt this strong. I have reached another level, postponed “preventing it from happening, and the highest standards of is now investigating.” physically and mentally,” Lukaku said.

REUTERS – KUALA LUMPUR Messi scores twice in Barca's comeback win The second-tier AFC Cup’s group REUTERS – VALENCIA stage matches for clubs in the east zone have been postponed to June Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a quick- due to challenges caused by the fire comeback to win 3-2 at Valencia COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian on Sunday and keep the pressure on Football Confederation (AFC) said title rivals Atletico Madrid and yesterday. The Group J matches were Real Madrid. initially scheduled to be held in Hong Barca fell behind in the 50th Kong from May 14-20 but will now minute when Valencia defender be played from June 23-29. Gabriel Paulista headed into an empty “The Asian Football Confeder- net from a corner after keeper Marc- ation (AFC) has agreed to the pro- Andre ter Stegen had stumbled to the posal by the Hong Kong Football ground in his attempt to come for the Association (HKFA) to reschedule the ball. AFC Cup East Zone Group J matches,” The Catalans, who had blown the the AFC said in a statement. chance to go top of the league with a “The decision was confirmed, shock 2-1 defeat at home by Granada taking into consideration the on Thursday, reacted well to going ongoing challenges caused by the behind and soon won a penalty thanks COVID-19 pandemic and to allow to a handball from Valencia’s Toni more time to ensure the optimal Lato. of the matches.” Group J Messi saw his spot-kick saved by includes Mongolia’s Athletic 220, former team mate Jasper Cillessen but Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores their third goal from a free kick. Hong Kong’s Eastern Long Lions and Valencia failed to clear the danger and Lee Man plus Taiwan’s Tainan City. the Argentine followed up to score on The 2020 edition of the AFC Cup the second rebound in the 57th minute. while Messi looked to have clinched Soler scored with an unstoppable strike 74 points with four games remaining, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Antoine Griezmann gave Barca the the points in the 69th by firing a from long range in the 83rd and had a level with second-placed Real Madrid pandemic when quarantine regula- lead six minutes later, also netting on freekick in off the post. couple of half chances to equalise but and two behind leaders Atletico tions in many nations made inter- the rebound after Cillessen could only Valencia got back into contention Barca clung on for the win. Madrid after both sides won on national travel almost impossible. parry a header from Frenkie de Jong, out of nowhere when midfielder Carlos ’s side are third on Saturday. Sport TUESDAY 4 MAY 2021 18

New Zealand Sri Lanka clinch series with win replace England as over Bangladesh in second Test top-ranked AP — PALLEKELE ODI team took a match haul of 11 on REUTERS — DUBAI debut to help Sri Lanka clinch a series win over Bangladesh New Zealand have overhauled yesterday with a 209-run world champions England as victory in the second Test. the number one side in the Sri Lanka needed five one-day international (ODI) wickets for victory on the final rankings, the International day and Jayawickrama Cricket Council (ICC) said accounted for three of them to yesterday. finish with combined figures of England, who have 11-178. dropped to fourth in the It was the 10th-best return 50-overs format, have by a Test bowler on debut and retained top spot in the the best by a Sri Lankan, rankings. New Zealand, the World SCOREBOARD Cup runners-up who have SRI LANKA 1st innings 493-7 dec (L. Thir- won 20 of their 30 completed imanne 140, D. Karunaratne 118; T. Ahmed 4-127) ODIs over the last three years, have climbed two spots in the BANGLADESH 1st innings 251 (T. Iqbal 92, M. rankings. Haque 49; P. Jayawickrama 6-92) Australia sit second fol- lowed by India and England. SRI LANKA 2nd innings: 194-9 dec (D. Karu- Sri Lankan players celebrate with the trophy after winning the series against Bangladesh, yesterday. Pic: SLC At the start of May each naratne 66, D. de Silva 41; T. Islam 5-72) year, the ratings period is rec- improving on Akila Dananjaya’s have anyone experienced, they The two front-line spinners lead of 242, Sri Lanka did not alibrated to ensure only BANGLADESH 2nd innings (overnight 177-5) 8-44 against Bangladesh three came and bowled like experi- shared the bulk of the , enforce the follow-on, instead results from the past three T. Iqbal c Dickwella b Mendis ...... 24 years ago. He was voted player enced players, and performed sending down 60 overs in the batting again and declaring on years are taken into account. S. Hassan c Lakmal b Jayawickrama ...... 34 of the match. their roles as they should,” he second innings and claiming 194-9 to set Bangladesh a target N. Shanto b Jayawickrama ...... 26 After trapping Liton Das for said. “Praveen did his job per- nine wickets between them. of 437. LATEST ODI M. Haque b Mendis ...... 32 17 in his second over of the fectly well. He played like a Jayawickrama said the Test It was Sri Lanka’s first Test M. Rahim c de Silva b Mendis ...... 40 morning with an arm ball, the bowler who had more than his call up came as a surprise. win in more than a year, ending RANKINGS L. Das lbw Jayawickrama ...... 17 22-year-old left-arm spinner 10 first-class matches. “It was childhood dream to a run of eight Tests without a (TOP 15) M. Hasan c Nissanka b Jayawickrama ...... 39 claimed the last two Bangla- “It’s a great sign for the play for Sri Lanka one day. victory. The first Test in this 1 New Zealand 121 T. Islam c Dickwella b de Silva ...... 2 deshi wickets in the space of future of our . The Playing the Test match was a series had ended a draw. T. Ahmed c Karunaratne b Mendis ...... 7 2 Australia 118 three deliveries to finish with seniors just gave them confi- dream come true and to get 11 Bangladesh skipper S. Islam ...... 0 3 India 115 5-85 in the second innings to dence. Some players can panic wickets in the game is simply said the A. Jayed lbw Jayawickrama ...... 0 4 England 115 back up his first-innings effort at times when they come into unbelievable,” he said. “There outcome of the toss proved Extras (b3, lb2, nb1) ...... 6 5 South Africa 107 of 6-92. the Test arena (but) Praveen was a bit of pressure leading crucial. Total (10 wkts, 71 overs) ...... 227 6 Pakistan 97 Sri Lanka captain Dimuth absorbed pressure really well.” into the game but there was lot “If we had batted first, it Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Iqbal), 2-73 (Hassan), Karunaratne, who was voted Bangladesh lost its last three of support from the skipper and would have been a different 7 Bangladesh 90 3-104 (Shanto), 4-134 (Haque), 5-171 (Rahim), 8 West Indies 82 6-183 (Das), 7-206 (T. Islam), 8-227 (Ahmed), player of the series after scoring wickets within eight balls with the senior players.” story. Maybe they would have 9 Sri Lanka 79 9-227 (Hasan), 10-227 (Jayed) 428 runs including a double- the total on 227. Bangladesh’s batters been in our position, and us in 10 Afghanistan 62 Bowling: Lakmal 4-2-14-0, Mendis 28-2-103-4, century, century and a half- Off-spinner struggled, with nobody scoring theirs,” he said. “But having said Jayawickrama 32-10-86-5, de Silva 7-1-19-1 (1nb) century in three innings, finished with four wickets, a half-century. Mushfiqur that, we should have scored 11 Netherlands 50 Result: Sri Lanka won by 209 runs described the performance of complementing the orthodox Rahim top scored with 40. more than the 251 we managed 12 Ireland 45 Series: Sri Lanka won 1-0 inexperienced spinners Jayaw- spin of Jayawickrama, who Bangladesh had been in the first innings. If we could 13 Zimbabwe 39 Player of the Match: Praveen Jayawickrama (SRI) ickrama and Ramesh Mendis as flighted the ball, found drift and bowled out for 251 in its first have batted for three or four 14 Oman 34 Player of the Series: Dimuth Karunaratne (SRI) “fantastic.” lot of assistance from a crum- innings in reply to Sri Lanka’s sessions, things would have 15 Scotland 30 “At a time when we didn’t bling . 493-7. Despite a first-innings been different.” IPL game postponed after two ‘Shocked’ Warner players test positive for virus responding well to IPL axing: Hyderabad REUTERS — NEW DELHI bio-bubble for a shoulder scan bio-bubble arrangements. It’s after which the positive cases totally secure,” the member REUTERS — NEW DELHI on Sunday. Losing captaincy (IPL) were reported. Varun Chakaravarthy and said requesting anonymity. made Warner’s spot in the match yesterday had to be “... Sandeep Warrier were Cricket Australia said it has David Warner (pictured) is playing XI untenable and rescheduled after two players have now moved towards a found to be positive in the no immediate plans to bring “obviously shocked” after being Hyderabad team director Tom Tested positive for COVID-19, daily testing routine to identify third round of testing in its players back from India. removed as Sunrisers Moody said the franchise raising doubts over the fate of any other possible cases and “We’ve been in touch with Hyderabad captain and axed wanted to get the best out of this year’s edition of the treat them at the earliest,” the the last four days. All the players there and they are from the team but understands their four overseas-player slots. world’s richest Twenty20 league said. other team members have generally in good spirits,” CA what prompted the move, the “He was obviously shocked tournament. KKR’s medical team was tested negative for acting chief executive Nick struggling Indian Premier and disappointed, and we’d be The match between Royal tracing close contacts of both COVID-19. Hockley told radio station SEN League (IPL) franchise said. disappointed if he wasn’t Challengers Bangalore and the players, it added. before the Indian cricket board The Australian was stripped feeling that way,” Moody told Kolkata Knight Riders was ESPNcricinfo reported that (BCCI) made public the posi- of captaincy on Saturday and Star Sports channel. postponed hours before its three non-playing members IPL statement tives cases in the IPL. waswas droppeddropped ffromrom SunSunday’sday’s “It means ffirstlyirstly tthathat hhe’se’s scheduled start in Ahmedabad of the “The BCCI have come out match against Rajasthan RoyalsRoyay ls notnot going to be playing, purelpurelyy after two Kolkata players also tested positive on Sunday. and said they understand and whichwhich HyderabadHyderabad a decisiondecision based oonn Tested positive. Chennai officials were not stints and returned home. want to support the players in lost by 55 runrunss combination."combination." “Varun Chakaravarthy and immediately available to India yesterday reported making sure they get home underunder new “We’ve“We’ve cocomeme to a concon-- Sandeep Warrier were found confirm. more than 300,000 new coro- safely at the end.” captaincaptain Kane clclusionusion thatthat tthehe twotwo to be positive in the third A senior Indian cricket navirus cases for a 12th Australia has banned all Williamson.Willia m son . overseas batters, an allall-- round of Testing in the last board official said last week straight day. arrivals from India until May HyderabadHyderabad llostost rounderrounder aandnd RRashidashid KhanKhan four days,” the league said in that the league would continue IPL chairman Brijesh Patel 15. fivefive ofof theirtheir firstfirst isi s thethe best combination.combination. a statement. as planned, defying fierce did not respond to requests for Last year’s IPL was staged six games under We’veWe’ve llookedooked at iitt “All other team members social media criticism for comment but a member of the in the United Arab Emirates Warner, who led closely.”closely.” have tested negative for staging the tournament amid league’s governing council because of the pandemic. themthem to theirtheir maidenmaiden COVID-19.” India’s national coronavirus said there was no threat of the The UAE is also the IPL title in 2016,2016, and IPL authorities did not give crisis. tournament being called off. back-up venue for this year’s remainremain rrootedooted to more details but local media Australian players Andrew “We are investigating how Twenty20 World Cup which thethe bottombottom ooff tthehe reported that spinner Chaka- Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane the infection happened but we is scheduled to take place in pointspoints table ravarthy had left the Richardson cut short their IPL have full confidence in the India in October-November.October Novveme ber. aafterfter their seventh loss New Zealand suffer Taylor injury SL's Perera announces international retirement scare before tour of England COLOMBO REUTERSREUTERS —

REUTERS — WELLINGTON two one-day internationals innings without a hundred but the SriSri LankaLan all-rounder (pictured) has against Bangladesh in March with 37-year-old would retain his announcedannou his retirement from international cricket New Zealand’s preparation for a left hamstringgjy, injury, left the net number four battinggp position in after nearly 12 years in the sport, the country’s cricket their England tour suffered a jolt session andd went for a scan, the EnglandEngland provided he rremains fit boardboar (SLC) said yesterday. yesterday when veteran batsman www.stuff.co.nzco.nzz reported citing a anda n d availableavailab for the Perera,P 32, scored 2,338 runs and took 175 wickets Ross Taylor suffered a calf-muscle team spokesperson.sperson. tour.tour . “Ross“Ross hhas a great in one-dayon internationals. He was also part of the Sri injury on the opening day of their “You’re aalwayslways worried about test recordrecord bbehind him LankaLanka team that won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2014. training camp in Lincoln. any injuries that happen, but andand wwee want Ross “I“I take pride in the fact that I was able to represent Taylor, who missed the first someone of RRoss’soss’s standistandingng TaylorTaylor pplaying in Sri LLanka in seven cricket World Cups, and be a con- and calibrere as a ttestest ourour TestTes team,” tributingtri member of the 2014 T20 World Cup win player, you have a little Stead addeadded. againsta India in Bangladesh,” Perera said in a New Zealand have scheduled two bit of concern,”cern,” said NewNew ZealandZea have statement.s “Easily the highlight of my life,” he three-day camps before they coach Gary Stead.Stead. scheduledscheduled twtwoo three-day added.a “Fingerss crossed camps before they leave SLC said Perera decided to retire to focus on leave to play a two-Test series everything is gogood,od, toto playplay a two-Testtwo series hish family life and to make way for younger against England next month and and we’ve still gogott againstagainst EnEnglandg next playersp to come into the team. the final of the inaugural World time on our sideside,, bubutt monthmonth anandd the final of “Thisara was a brilliant all-rounder, who has Test Championship against India in we’ll wait aandnd see the inauguralinaugu World contributedc immensely as a player to Sri Lanka what the memedicaldical Test CChampionshipham CricketC and played a part in some of the glorious Ross Taylor Southampton from June 18. team say.” against IndiaIndi in South- cricketingc moments of the country,” said SLC CEO Taylor has ggone one 14 amptonampton fromfro June 18. AshleyAs De Silva.