SPORT Friday 26 October 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 El Arabi brace Al Attiyah eyes seals 4-1 win 14th MERC title for Al Duhail in Kuwait Doha Worlds kick off with impressive ceremony THE PENINSULA we aim to forge a path for future athletes, inspire new gymnasts DOHA: The 48th edition of FIG and grow this sport in Qatar.” World Cham- Al Hitmi also thanked the pionships Doha 2018, the first people of Qatar, the members of such event to be staged in the the Organising Committee and the Middle East, was launched volunteers for their efforts and following an impressive opening commitment to the ceremony at the magnificent championship. Aspire Dome yesterday. Qatar’s female gymnast, On the occasion, the President 16-year-old Jana Al Kiki then took of Qatar Gymnastics Federation an oath on behalf of the athletes and Executive Director of the as did coach David Kikuchi of Organising Committee Ali Al Hitmi Canada and judge Han Yoon-Soo thanked The Amir H H Sheikh of South Korea. FROM LEFT: The Secretary-General of Qatar Olympic Committee, Jassim Al Buainain, International Gymnastics Federation President, Morinari Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for A Chinese acrobatic show Watanabe, Vice-President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Dr. Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari and President of Qatar Gymnastics Federation his guidance, and interest in sport, entertained the audience which, he said, is an integral part and Executive Director of the Organising Committee Ali Al Hitmi watch the opening ceremony of the 48th edition of FIG Artistic Gymnastics attending the opening of Qatar’s National Vision 2030. World Championships Doha 2018 at the Aspire Dome yesterday. RIGHT: Qatari gymnast Jana Al Kiki taking an oath on behalf of the athletes. ceremony. The opening was attended by Soon, gymnastics took over several distinguished guests and The championship was offi- Federation has made a wonderful gymnasts and officials from reach and encouraging even more with men’s sub-division qualifiers. included Dr. Thani Abdulrahman cially declared open by Interna- garden in the middle of the desert. various countries of the world and Qatari residents to become The artistic gymnastics worlds is Al Kuwari, Second Vice-President tional Gymnastics Federation For ten days from today, with the said: “Hosting this prestigious involved, whether participating flagship event of FIG and will see of the Qatar Olympic Committee, President Morinari Watanabe, power of our gymnasts, we’ll see event in Qatar has given us the or being a spectator. over 600 gymnasts from 76 coun- Jassim Al Buainain, Secretary- who was dressed in a thobe – the the beautiful and strong flowers opportunity to take gymnastics to “President Watanabe and FIG tries, including three Team Qatar General of Qatar Olympic Com- traditional Arabic dress - for the (of gymnastics) bloom at the new heights in our country and to family, thank you for the trust that gymnasts, compete over ten days mittee, and Sheikh Saud bin Abdul- occasion, and Ali Al Hitmi. Aspire Dome. I wish all gymnasts drive the passion and engagement you have placed in us. We are so at this edition that is also serving rahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Ambas- Addressing the audience, good luck.” for the sport amongst our com- grateful for the support and coop- as the first qualification event for sador to , among others. Watanabe said, “Qatar Gymnastics Al Hitmi welcomed the munities; expanding gymnastics eration that you have provided as Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Qatar’s Ahmed Al Dayani in action at the Aspire Dome Top sports events yesterday. PICTURE: SAYED OMAR in Qatar reflect trust: Sheikh Saud

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DOHA: Qatar’s Ambassador to Germany, H E Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who graced the opening of 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 at the Aspire Dome yesterday termed the successful launch of the event as a fruition of hard work and the trust of the international world in Qatar built over the years. “The trust that Qatar has from the Inter- national Gymnastics Federation hasn’t come by chance. It has come with the long expe- rience that they have with Qatar and which has built over the years with its history of sport starting from 1981 when Qatar hosted the Sesame World Cup for football and until now where we are,” said Sheikh Saud while Russian gymnasts shine on speaking to the media soon after official opening of the event. Explaining the confidence which inter- national sports bodies have in Qatar also opening day at Aspire Dome reflects the trust in the people of Qatar. “Over the last decade and a half, Qatar has organised several world championships FAWAD HUSSAIN after a consistent after collecting 14.400 points. in various sports and now we have the gym- THE PENINSULA performance. Qatar’s Al Dayani posts Croatia’s Srbic Tin (14.300) nastics Doha Worlds. Next year we will be After the opening day, and Artur (14.166) finished on hosting the IAAF World Championships for DOHA: Seeking an end to they have a lead of over 13 the following positions athletics and then we have the 2022 FIFA their medal drought in the points over the Netherlands respectable scores respectively. World Cup Qatar coming up, and we have prestigious competition, after marking 258.402, with “I hoped to score a little many more after that. So this shows and Team yesterday got the Dutchmen finishing the THE PENINSULA bit better. For the team I think explains the trust international sporting off to a flying start as the 48th qualification on 245.663 it’s a great score. For the final bodies have in Qatar and what we can edition of Artistic Gymnastics points. Switzerland (245.186) DOHA: Qatar’s promising gymnast Ahmed Al Dayani marked I don’t know if it’s enough,” deliver,” he explained. World Championships Doha and (243.651) respectable scores in the men’s qualification and accumulated a Zonderland said after topping Sheikh Saud said the FIG was confident 2018 kicked off at the Aspire occupy the next positions total of 72.632 in the Men’s All-Round competition. in the qualification on of Doha Worlds’ success well in advance. “In Dome. respectively in Team He took part in all the six disciplines with his top score coming opening day. gymnastics, we have been hosting the Word On the first day of quali- qualification. in in which he earned 13.766 points. The Qatari gymnast also “I think it should be but Cup series over the years and the FIG now fication round for men’s Meanwhile, Russia’s marked 12.333 points in . I’m not confident yet. We’ll knows the people behind the events here in events which offer eight Nagornyy Nikita ended the Al Dayani’s compatriot Mosa claimed a total of 59.966 points and have to see what the other Qatar very closely. They were confident that titles, Russian gymnasts opening day as leader in did well in vault for 13.066 points. guys will do. It might be the first gymnastics world championships of hogged the limelight by dom- Men’s All-Round event The men’s qualification round continues today with Japan, Great enough but there are so many the Middle East in Qatar would be a success inating Team qualification after accumulating 87.098, Britain and China set to compete along with other sides at Aspire guys who also able to score much before the start of the event in Doha,” round, and were also followed by compatriots Dome where a packed hall is expected. this,” he said. he said. impressive in the individual Dalaloyan Artur (84.572) Kazakhstan’s Kurbanov He credited Qatar’s growth as the capital events. and Belyavskiy David Nariman (14.466) was leading for major sports events to the vision of Qatari gymnasts Ahmed (83.332). However, his team-mate who also played a key role in the Men’s Qatar’s leaders and their belief in sports Al Dayani and Mosa Ahmed But the Rio Olympic was for Russia yesterday, topped while Ukraine’s Radivilov being an investment for future generations also received applause for medalist Nikita was not fully happy with the start. the opening day’s Men’s Igor (14.733) scored the of the nation. their commendable perform- convinced with overall per- “The team did good. We with 14.833 points followed maximum points in Men’s “Our passion and love for sport has ances by a good number of formance despite a suc- started very good on vault, by Nikita (14.800) and Yulo qualification come from the belief of our leaders that fans at Doha’s iconic venue cessful day for Russia. parallel bars, as well. We Carlos Edriel (14.766) of the yesterday. investment in sports means in investment last night. “On the pommel horse, have two finalists, Artur and Philippines. North Korea’s Ri Se in the future generations of our nation. Russian men, who last we made a few mistakes but David (Belyavskiy), so the Dutchman Zonderland Gwang (14.966) marked the Qatar looks to sport as a vehicle to achieve won a team medal at the they were silly mistakes. competition was very good,” Epke, the 2012 London highest score in Men’s Vault the vision of His Highness The Amir Sheikh World Artistic Gymnastics Pommel horse is an event he said. Olympic gold medalist lived while Ukraine’s Verniaiev Tamim bin Hamad al Thani as Qatar’s Championships back in where we should be getting Four-time European up to his top billing by leading Oleg (15.458) was ahead in National Vision for 2030.” 2006, were leading the event a lot of points,” he said. champion Dalaloyan Artur, the Men’s Men’s Parallel Bars. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER 2018 Second round of Hathab Series starts today

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DOHA: The second round of the hugely popular Hathab Series kicks off today at the Indoor Arena of Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF). The overall prize money of the event is QR 1m with lesser amounts reserved for the top riders in each competitions. Individual competitions will be followed by team contests as well in this year’s series. Today’s action will see con- tests in the 110/115cm, 120/130cm and 130/145cm. Last week, promising young Qatari rider Hamad Nasser Al Qadi produced a sublime ride with St Lucia to win the Big Tour event in the season’s opening A rider walks along with a horse at a vet check ahead of the second round of the Hathab Equestrian round of Hathab Series. Series at the Qatar Equestrian Federation arena yesterday. World No.1 ElShorbagy arrives in Doha Managing a flawless routine, World No.1 and defending Qatar Classic champion Mohamed Al Qadi looked in little trouble ElShorbagy gestures after arriving at Hamad International over a field of 13 riders to seal The 12-leg show jumping Hathab, meaning ‘Canter’ in riding among Qatari youth while his win. St Lucia, aged 15, series - worth a staggering QR Arabic, is an initiative of H E encouraging the involvement of Airport in Doha yesterday. The Egyptian star is leading the pack clocked a time of 62.60 seconds 1m in overall prize money - will Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al private stables and individual of 48 players, including most of the world’s top 20 who will be as Al Qadi won the top prize of alternate between Al Shaqab Thani, President of the Qatar horse owners to spread in action during the 16th edition of the annual premier squash QR 8,750. Arena and Qatar Equestrian Fed- Olympic Committee (QOC). awareness of horsemanship as tournament which will be held from October 27 to November 2 It was the new season’s first eration’s (QEF) Main Arena in Al The series is aimed at part of Qatar’s history and at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Big Tour win for any rider. Rayyan, organisers confirmed. improving the standard of horse tradition. Laverty fastest in Qatar practice under lights THE PENINSULA Team Milwaukee Aprilia’s Irish rider Eugene Laverty in action DOHA: Irish rider Eugene Laverty during the free practice at the WorldSSP: Mahias (Milwaukee Aprilia) last night Losail International Circuit on produced the fastest time at the flood- the opening day of the final lit Losail International Circuit (LIC) WorldSBK round yesterday. leads over Cortese beating world champion Jonathan PIC: BAHER AMIN/ Rhea to the top of the timesheets on THE PENINSULA and Krummenacher day one of the final WorldSBK round. Clocking a time of 1’57.323, THE PENINSULA Laverty supplemented his brilliant pace in the first free practice session by scorching the circuit with his top DOHA: Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP speed of 312km/h in FP3. Rea, who Team) continued to show phenomenal Free Practice form crashed in FP1, returned in style to at the Losail International Circuit, recording the fastest finish second fastest in a time of time yesterday at the Pirelli Qatar Round. 1’57.506 around the 5.38km circuit FIM Supersport World Championship leader Sandro bathed in artificial light. Cortese (Kallio Racing) followed close behind in second In what turned to be an exciting position, with both riders head and shoulders above the night of action, Laverty completed a rest of the field in Free Practice. brilliant first day at LIC taking first PIRELLI QATAR ROUND WORLDSBK - FREE PRACTICE (3RD SESSION): RESULTS The biggest news of the day arrived shortly after the position in the combined Free green lights turned on for FP1, yet it happened off track: Rank Rider (Nationality) Team Time Gap Practice timesheets. Mahias has been officially reinstated as the winner of the Underlining his intentions for and getting pipped to P1 by just 0.025 1 E. Laverty (IRL) Milwaukee Aprilia 1’57.323 - Nolan Portuguese Round following an appeal to the CAS. tomorrow’s final round of the MOTUL seconds in FP2, the Irishman seems 2 J. Rea (GBR) Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK 1’57.506 0.183 This decision comes with one huge knock-on effect: the FIM Superbike World Championship set to leave his mark on the final 3 T. Sykes (GBR) Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK 1’57.514 0.191 gap between Jules Cluzel (NRT) and Cortese has been reduced to five points, turning Saturday’s race into a in Qatar, the Irish rider showed his round of 2018. 4 L. Savadori (ITA) Milwaukee Aprilia 1’57.799 0.476 full potential by managing to beat Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official winner-takes-all affair. 5 L. Baz (FRA) GULF ALTHEA BMW Racing Team 1’57.922 0.599 both Rea and in the final minutes of WorldSBK Team) completed the front But if Free Practice is anything to go by, these new FP3. quartet, although he was unable to 6 M. Melandri (ITA) Aruba.it Racing - Ducati 1’57.924 0.601 developments have done nothing but embolden Cortese Both KRT riders had finished improve upon his best FP2 time. 7 M. Van Der Mark (NED) Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team 1’57.980 0.657 ahead of the final showdown. The German was the only outside the top two in the second Topping the second session earlier in 8 C. Davies (GBR) Aruba.it Racing - Ducati 1’58.046 0.723 rider capable of following the 2017 Champion’s pace through FP1, with Cluzel lagging nearly a full second session and returned to the track the evening, the Englishman seems 9 T. Razgatlioglu (TUR) Kawasaki Puccetti Racing 1’58.054 0.731 determined to recover their set to end his season on a high at behind in fifth position. 10 A. Lowes (GBR) Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team 1’58.166 0.843 advantage under the Qatari flood- Losail. Even as the margins tightened throughout the second lights. First it was Sykes who moved Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee session Mahias and Cortese remained one step above into the lead inside the opening ten Aprilia) was fifth fastest on Thursday, Fores (Barni Racing Team) twelfth the eighth fastest time for the day. the chasing pack for most of the second 50-minute minutes; Rea followed fifteen minutes moving inside the top spots at the end onboard the other red machine, with Closing the top ten for Free practice. Only Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan later, inching ahead by just 30 thou- of the third practice. He moves into the independent riders champion Practice was Toprak Razgatlioglu Bros. WorldSSP Team) managed to briefly topple the sandths of a second. today’s Superpole 2 ahead of Loris forced to battle his way through (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), the pair with three minutes on the clock; however, his slip- Sykes would tighten the gap Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Superpole 1 on Friday. Turkish rider extending his good stream-aided lap was quickly countered by yesterday’s further in the dying stages of FP3 to Team), sixth fastest in Qatar. Michael van der Mark (Pata momentum into the Pirelli Qatar two frontrunners, with the Swiss rider having to settle just eight thousandths of a second. In the final round of the Panigale Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) Round as the top independent rider for third. But it was Laverty who managed to R before its four-cylinder brother seemed destined for that first qual- yesterday. Leandro Mercado (Orelac Cluzel finished FP2 in fourth position, over half a steal the top spot one minute before arrives next season, Marco Melandri ifying shootout after crashing in Racing VerdNatura), however, fell just second behind his championship rival. Corentin Perolari the chequered flag came down, (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was only FP1 and struggling through FP2 and short of the Superpole 2 positions in (GMT94 YAMAHA) moved up to fifth position in the closing setting a fastest lap of 1’57.323, nearly able to finish seventh fastest, with most of FP3; however the eleventh, as did both Red Bull Honda stages of the session, followed by Raffaele De Rosa (MV two tenths of a second faster than the teammate Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Dutchman found some late form World Superbike riders (Jake Gagne Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag) in sixth, in a return to two ZX-10RRs. After also topping FP1 Racing – Ducati) in ninth and Xavi in the closing session and recorded 13th, Leon Camier 14th). form by the Italian. El Arabi’s heroics seal 4-1 Al Rayyan edge Al Sailiya 2-1

THE PENINSULA win for champions Al Duhail to block the shot by turning his back to the threat. The ball hit Dami’s back and went DOHA: Two second-half goals yesterday for a corner. A few moments later, Al THE PENINSULA Just nine minutes later, Al Duhail his snap-header was palmed over the lifted Al Rayyan to a 2-1 win over Al Sailiya Rayyan skipper Tabata - after a cross from equalised through Al Rawi off an crossbar by keeper Sofyan. at Al Ahli Stadium in their QNB Stars Ibrahim Masoud - flicked the ball towards DOHA: Al Duhail yesterday rallied in indirect corner. Al Rawi, stationed However, exactly at the hour- League round 10 clash. the net by keeper Al Khater punched the fine fashion to beat Al Kharaitiyat 4-1 close to the goal, latched on to a inad- mark, QNB Stars League giants Al Veteran strikers Sebastian Soria (71) ball away. in their QNB Stars League (QSL) 10th vertent loopy cross from El Arabi and Duhail went 2-1 up. Al Duhail and Rodrigo Tabata (82) scored the goals A minute before injury time, Qadir round clash at Abdullah Bin Khalifa flicked the ball into net before keeper defender Ali made the most of an for Al Rayyan after Al Sailiya’s Abdul Qadir scored for Al Sailiyah after picking up a Stadium. Ahmed Sofyan could effect a stop. error by Al Kharatiyat’s Abdarahamn had found the net close to the first-half cross from the centre of field. Despite being Al Kharaitiyat opened the scoring Just before the end of the first half, Abdallah who jumped high to head whistle. given chase by defender Terwari, Qadir through Romanian midfielder Val- feared Korean striker Nam Tae-hee the ball away but ended up allowing In the 15th minute, Al Rayyan’s Bra- trapped the ball close to himself before entin Lazar in the 23rd minute. But curled in a well-taken shot from the Ali to flick the ball into the open net. zilian forward Lucca Brito outran his firing it past keeper Omar Barry. thereafter it was Al Duhail all the way edge of Al Kharaitiyat box but the ball In the 74th minute, Al Kharatiyat’s marker and charged towards the Al Sailiya After numerous attempts at goal, as Bassam Al Rawi (32), Mohammed narrowly missed the far post with Hamroun Jugurtha unleashed a pow- box. Right on the edge of the box the feared former Qatar striker Soria found the net Moosa Ali (60) and Youssef El Arabi keeper Sofyan completely beaten. erful shot from the edge of the Al Brazilian striker unleashed a powerful shot for Al Rayyan in the 71st minute. Soria (77 and 85) completed the win for the When the first half ended, Al Duhail Duhail box but his low shot crashed that was smartly saved by Al Sailiya keeper headed the ball into the net on a long cross defending champions. enjoyed most of the ball possession - into the outside of the net. Saoud Al Khater. In the 24th minute, from the flank with an airborne dive to In the 23rd minute, Al Kharaitiyat’s 67 percent to 23 by Al Kharaitiyat. The In the 77th minute, El Arabi easily veteran winger Nadir Belhadj was shown meet the ball. overseas star Lazar - after a couple of defending champions also produced converted a penalty to give Al Duhail the yellow card for a reckless tackle on Al With momentum on their side, Al back-heal short passes - swivelled on seven corners to just two by their rivals. a 3-1 cushion. It was El Arabi’s eighth Rayyan’s Daniel Goumou. Rayyan scored the second goal in the 82nd his feet inside the Al Duhail box and A few minutes into the second half goal of the season. El Arabi added one In the 34th minute, Al Sailiya’s Rashid minute when Tabata tapped the ball into shot the ball past goalkeeper Khalifa and Tae-hee missed a golden oppor- more from close range in the 85th Al Rashdi fired a bullet from close range the net from close range following a cross Ndiaye with a slick finish. tunity to score from close range when minute of the one-sided clash. but Al Rayyan’s Dami Terawari was quick from Lucca standing nearby. FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 19 Al Attiyah eyes 14th MERC title in Kuwait THE PENINSULA goes to plan and they are able to wrap up the 2018 MERC 3 Rally DOHA: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Championship title at the Kuwait Attiyah will be hoping to lay his International Rally on November hands on a 14th FIA Middle East 1-3. Rally Championship (MERC) title The pair have tackled a full in 16 years at next weekend’s programme of regional MERC 3 Kuwait International Rally to events this season and three con- enable him to focus on winning sistent finishes in Jordan, Lebanon the Manateq International Rally and Cyprus have given Kahy a of Qatar for a 14th time two 49-point lead in the title race. weeks later. In his first full season of Czech driver Vojtech Stajf regional rallying, Kahy secured stands in the Qatari’s way in victory in Jordan and third places Kuwait and will be pushing hard at the other two rounds at the to try and become the first non- wheel of his Škoda Fabia 1.6, a car Arab driver in the history of the built by Škoda Motorsport and championship to seal the overall running in the RC4 class. title. The Fabia will feature the Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Since the championship’s yellow livery of SEG Qatar for the inception in 1984, only eight Arab last two rounds of the series drivers have ever won the series, where additional support comes with Saeed Al Hajri sealing the from Michelin, Total Oils, el- inaugural victory in 1984 and the Baharri and MMS Racing. likes of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Lebanon’s Rony Kanaan and Mamdouh Khayat, Sheikh Hamed Cypriot racer Panayiotis Xeno- bin Eid Al Thani, Abdullah phontos claimed their points for Bakhashab, Nasser Saleh Al respective MERC 3 successes at Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah in action during the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) in this file photo. Attiyah, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi the Rally of Lebanon and the and the late Misfer Al Marri fol- Cyprus Rally, where Kahy’s con- lowing in his wake. sistent finishing proved decisive. 3 Co-drivers’ Championship for Rally of Qatar will start and finish Entries close on Wednesday, contacting the Qatar Motor and Meanwhile, Lebanese rally Djiyerian, who acted as the the second time. He won the at Souq Waqif in Doha with the October 31. Motor Cycle Federation (QMMF) driver Henry Kahy and his Jor- Competition Liaison Officer at the series last year with close Jor- ceremonial start planned for Further information about the web site website: www.qmmf. danian navigator Musa Djiyerian recent Jordan Baja, is the nailed danian friend Asem Aref. 19.00hrs on Thursday, September 2018 QMMF Qatar International com or email [email protected]. will be hoping that everything on favourite to wrap up the MERC The Manateq International 15. Rally can be obtained by qa CAF delegation visits Education City Stadium

THE PENINSULA The visiting Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegation and Qatar Football Association officials at the Education City Stadium construction site yesterday. DOHA: The visiting high level Dwayne Bravo delegation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday witnessed the ongoing work of the Education City Windies all-rounder Stadium. The CAF delegation - headed by its President Ahmad Ahmad - was shown around the Bravo retires from 40,000-capaicity venue that is under construction for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar. internationals Placed in the heart of Edu- cation City campus, the under REUTERS construction stadium will be the that for me to preserve my lon- one of the venues to host the gevity as a professional 2022 FIFA World Cup matches TRINIDAD: West Indies all- cricketer, I must do as others up to the quarter-finals. rounder Dwayne Bravo before have done, leave the The seating capacity of the delegation praised the delegation also stressed Qatar’s Metro system which is now fast announced his retirement from international arena for the next Education City Stadium will be remarkable progress made in readiness to host the 2022 World moving towards completion. international cricket yesterday. generation of players.” reduced to half once the event Qatar’s infrastructure and Cup through what they saw prep- The delegation also toured The 35-year-old Trinidadian, Bravo, known for his big- comes to an end. The 20,000 expressed their admiration for arations relying on innovation the Aspire Academy of Sports who made his West Indies debut hitting ability and a wide range seats will be eventually shipped the construction of the venues. and creativity. The visiting dele- Excellence and the Aspetar Sports in 2004, played 40 tests, 164 of slower deliveries, ends his to help building stadiums in A FIFA World Cup in Qatar gation also praised the infra- Medicine Hospital yesterday. one-day internationals and 66 international stint with 2,200 developing countries. will be a unique opportunity for structure development taking The on-going visit of the CAF T20 internationals. His last runs at an average of 31.42 in The decrease in capacity will fans to experience a distinctive place across the country. delegation is an extension of the appearance for his country came Tests. not affect the aesthetics of the cultural experience during the Qatar has already impressed Memorandum of Understanding in the shortest format against In ODIs, he finished with stadium, the visiting delegates tournament, as members of the travellers coming into the country the African body signed with Pakistan in Sept. 2016. 2,968 runs at 25.36, while of CAF were informed. CAF delegation stated. with its state-of-the-art Hamad Qatar Football Association (QFA) “Today I want to confirm to claiming 199 wickets at an Members of the CAF Members of the CAF International Airport and the in May 2015. the cricket world that I have offi- economy rate of 5.41. cially retired from international Bravo plays for the Chennai cricket in all formats of the Super Kings franchise in the game,” he said in a statement. Indian Premier League and has Zverev seals “After 14 years when I made also represented T20 outfits in Pliskova downs Kvitova to reach semis my debut for the West Indies, I England, Australia, Pakistan, still remember that moment I Bangladesh and the Caribbean. 50th win of REUTERS movement and coughed up a received the maroon cap before “I am extremely fortunate to slew of double faults to fall 4-0 walking onto the Lords Cricket have a career that has taken me the season SINGAPORE: Karolina Pliskova down in the blink of an eye as Ground against England in July across the globe into the most became the first woman to Pliskova pounced on every 2004. The enthusiasm and prestigious dressing rooms AP advance to the last four of the opportunity. passion I felt then, I have kept sharing experiences with all the WTA Finals when the big-hitting Slowly but surely, Kvitova with me throughout my career. recent legends of this glorious BASEL: Alexander Zverev Czech put on a controlled display worked her way back into the “However, I must accept game,” he said. became the first man to to defeat compatriot Petra contest, rallying twice from 40-0 reach 50 wins on the ATP Kvitova 6-3, 6-4 in their final down to win back-to-back games Tour this season by beating round robin encounter yesterday. in the middle of the set that finally Robin Haase 6-4, 7-5 on The former world number gave Pliskova something to think Kumar, Bumrah return Wednesday in the first round one will be joined in the last four about. of the Swiss Indoors. by either Elina Svitolina (2-0) or Pliskova’s coach Rennae The second-seeded defending champion Caroline Stubbs urged her to “stay disci- to India’s ODI squad German moved to 50-16 in a Wozniacki (1-1), who complete plined” in the next changeover REUTERS season that has brought three White Group play at the Sin- and the Czech heeded the advice 81. The 28-year-old improved titles, including the Madrid gapore Indoor Stadium later on to curb her attacking instincts as in the second ODI in Visakhap- Masters. Thursday. she ended Kvitova’s tournament NEW DELHI: Indian pace atnam, taking one wicket for 59 Zverev converted all four Kvitova (0-3) had lost her by holding serve to take the bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar from 10 overs, but was unable of his break points while opening two matches and knew opener in 41 minutes. and Jasprit Bumrah are back in to hold on to his place in the saving eight of the 10 held by that only a straight sets victory The loss of the opening set the squad for the three squad. Karolina Pliskova celebrates the 47th-ranked Dutchman. would give her any chance of appeared to free up Kvitova’s remaining one-day interna- INDIA SQUAD: after defeating Petra Kvitova. Haase used a between- advancing but Pliskova (2-1) booming forehand and she tionals against the West Indies, Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit the-legs lob to force a break stayed calm and focused to feasted on Pliskova’s tentative with fellow quick Mohammed Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar in the second set that Zverev record a first win over her com- next match yet, I’ll do what I can start to the second set to race to Shami making way, selectors Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, retrieved with his own patriot in four attempts. to recover first. Before the tour- a 3-0 lead, but the world number announced yesterday. Rishabh Pant, Mahendra Singh ‘tweener into the net. “I cannot be more happy nament, I said to myself that I eight battled back brilliantly to Kumar and Bumrah were Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Third-seeded Marin Cilic right now. It was a good match want to enjoy it and I will con- book her semi-final place. rested for the first two matches Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep now has a 1-3 record in and she’s a great player. She has tinue to do just that.” In the late match, Ukraine’s of the five-match ODI series, Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, October after losing 7-5, 7-6 always beaten me in the past but Kvitova needed to make a Svitolina will advance if she wins while Shami, who did feature, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit (2) to the 93rd-ranked Marius I knew I had a chance as I have fast start to put her opponent one set against Wozniacki, who was the most expensive India Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Copil of in a been playing well,” Pliskova said. under pressure but the double needs a straight-sets triumph to bowler in the first match in Umesh Yadav, Lokesh Rahul, second-round match. “I’m not thinking about the Wimbledon champion lacked continue her title defence. Guwahati, with figures of two for Manish Pandey