SPORT Wednesday 6 February 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 06 Pistons bounce back Sarfraz to as Harden fuels Pakistan at World Rockets victory Cup, says PCB Chief

World No. 1 Osaka pulls Women’s World Cup: 75 refs out of Qatar Total Open get VAR training in Doha due to injury

QNA Arbitration Department Naji Al THE PENINSULA DOHA Juwaini, said that he is proud that DOHA Qatar is hosting FIFA’s seminars Women’s World Cup 2019 for Women’s World Cup 2019 World No.1 and 2019 referees are undergoing training from February to March, and this Australian Open champion with VARs in Doha at a seminar affirms the confidence of the Naomi Osaka has been forced hosted by Qatar Football Associ- FIFA Referees Committee in the to pull out of the Qatar Total ation which will last till February country’s preparations capacities, Open 2019 due to back injury, 15, with the participation of 75 especially as it is the fourth time the event organizers referees, including 27 referees, that Qatar organizes such sem- announced yesterday. 48 assistant referees, 13 VARs inars, pointing out that it has The Premier WTA Tour referees, including Qatari inter- already become a source of hap- tournament will be held at the national referee Abdulrahman Al piness and pride for all, and at Khalifa International Tennis Jassim. the same time is a big Complex in Doha from Feb- The seminar will be followed responsibility. ruary 11 to 16. by three other referees’ confer- Al Juwaini added that we “I am sorry to have to ences, to be held in the coming thank FIFA for its continued withdraw from Doha this year period under the supervision of support and confidence in Qatar, as I was looking forward to Chairman of FIFA’s Referees and we are honored to have playing and seeing my fans Committee Pierluigi Collina and hosted other successful seminars there. I wish everyone a great Swiss Head of FIFA Refereeing in the past that have been highly week and hope to see eve- Massimo Busacca, with the par- acclaimed and praised by FIFA, ryone next year,” Osaka said. ticipation of the Chairman of the and we will be happy to host suc- The Japanese superstar Qatar Referees Committee and cessfully these seminars as well. made her debut in Doha at the Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Ref- He stressed that Qatar’s 2018 edition where she entered erees Committee Hani Balan, and organization and hosting of these the main draw after success- Women FIFA referees pose for a picture with captains the Executive Director of Qatar seminars reinforces its interna- fully navigating the qualifiers. of Aspire Academy and Raja Casablanca of Morocco Football Federation’s Arbitration tional standing on the sport She, however, suffered a 6-4, Department Naji Al Juwaini. sector, especially before hosting before the Al Kass Cup match at Aspire Academy on 6-1 second round loss to Anas- The Executive Director of the World Cup in 2022 and also Monday. RIGHT: A referee takes the assistance of VAR tasija Sevastova of Latvia. Qatar Football Federation’s establishes strong ties with FIFA. during the Al Kass Cup in Doha. With her withdrawal, World No. 3 and 2014 champion Simona Halep of Romania is now the top seeded player. The former Al Kass Cup: Tunisia’s Sahel World No.1 will be joined by other superstars including Angelique Kerber, a three- overpower Bayern Munich time Grand Slam champion and 2014 finalist and Karolina THE PENINSULA face-saving goals in added little danger when a free is surely destined for Pliskova, the 2017 champion DOHA time to prevent a three nil kick was swung in from greatness. It soon became among others. thumping. wide on the left, and the clear why he is team “Osaka will surely be Étoile Sportive du Sahel ESS set the tone for a Bayern number one rose captain, as he showed great missed at this year’s tour- (ESS) recorded a memo- dominant display from the highest to claim a routine fortitude just minutes after nament. Tennis fans in Doha rable victory over an out- kick-off, and almost took catch, only for the ball to his bizarre blunder to were definitely looking of-sorts Bayern Munich on the lead inside two minutes somehow slip through his prevent the Tunisians from forward to see the newly- Day 2 of Al Kass, Cup with when the ball fell to fingers. doubling their advantage. crowned Australian Open a powerful and authori- Oussama Abid, whose weak Tunisian defender A corner swung in from champion in action at the tative display that served shot could not trouble Koussay Rejeb gleefully the right was met firmly by regional home of tennis but notice of the Tunisians’ Bayern keeper Manuel accepted the unexpected ESS midfielder Nassim we understand that her health tournament-winning Kainz. gift, slotting into an empty Khadher, who planted a and fitness comes first. We potential. Unfortunately, Kainz net from all of three yards. firm header that looked wish her the best as she The 3-2 scoreline flat- was deeply troubled 20 It is often said that the destined for the bottom recovers from the injury A player of Étoile Sportive du Sahel receiving the tered the Germans, who minutes later, when his mark of a top-class keeper corner, only for the German while we hope to welcome Man-of-the-match award after their match against were second best astonishing gaffe gifted the is the ability to recover keeper to get down bril- her next year,” said Tour- Bayern Munich during the Al Kass Cup at Aspire throughout, and were opener to Sahel. rapidly from adversity. If liantly and keep the effort nament Director Saad Saleh Academy yesterday. reliant upon two There appeared to be this is the case, then Kainz out. Al Mohannadi. Qatar gets ready to host Doha Open Water Challenge

THE PENINSULA Rachele Bruni (ITA) and Arianna DOHA Bridi (ITA), the 2018 European Aquatics Championships Gold Qatar Swimming Association Medalist in the 25 km open water. (QSA) is preparing for another Overall FINA/HOSA series spectacular edition of Doha Open winner in 2016 and in the fol- Water Challenge to be held on lowing year, Simone Ruffini (ITA), Doha’s iconic Corniche, near Orry Gregorio Paltrinieri, who has the Oryx Statue on February 15. several world and European The Doha Open Water Chal- records, and Kazan 2015 gold lenge, open to the public, will be medalist, Jordan Matthew Wili- organised on the sidelines of a movsky (USA) will be competing high-profile FINA/HOSA Mar- in the men’s race alongside other athon Swim World Series Doha big names. (QAT) 2019. A thrilling race is guaranteed Doha is the first of the eight as swimmers will look to give stops in the prestigious series their best in the year’s first race, which will see top long-distance A file picture of last year’s Doha Open Water Challenge held eyeing an early lead in the FINA/ swimmers competing on Feb- on the Corniche. HOSA Marathon Swim World ruary 16. Series 2019. In the Doha Open Water Both the Doha Open Water Challenge, all Qatar residents Marathon, inviting the amateur statement. The Organising Com- swimmers. Preparations are in swimmers and officials from 24 Challenge and the FINA/HOSA above 11 years old can participate. swimmers of the host country; of mittee is making all-out efforts full swing for the FINA/HOSA countries already confirming Marathon Swim World Series The competition is aimed at all ages (11 and older) to race, to ensure maximum participation Marathon Swim World Series their participation for the spec- Doha (QAT) 2019 will be free for giving the public an opportunity experience, interact with the best and best arrangements for the Doha (QAT) 2019 tacular event. the public to view from the Doha to experience what it is like to be swimmers of the sport and be event. Meanwhile, preparations are The top-ranked swimmers in Corniche promenade. an elite athlete. inspired. A true legacy for the The number of participants in full swing for the FINA/HOSA women’s line-up include 2016 Further information “The Open Water Challenge sport development,” said Khaleel in this year’s competition is Marathon Swim World Series Rio Olympic gold medalist, regarding the events can be is a FINA competition organised Al Jabir, President of QSA, and expected to go higher due to an Doha (QAT) 2019. Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED), obtained from the QSA website one day earlier from the member of FINA Bureau in a overwhelming response by the There are over 200 Rio Olympic Silver Medalist qatarswimming.com 06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2019 Sarfraz to captain Pakistan at World Cup: PCB Chief

AP Sarfraz has led Pakistan to LAHORE 21 victories in 35 ODIs, including winning the Sarfraz Ahmed will continue Champions Trophy in 2017 as captain of Pakistan to the in England. Under Sarfraz’s World Cup despite It is the dream of leadership, Pakistan has being banned for a racial any international risen in the ODI rankings taunt last month. cricketer to play in from ninth to fifth. The Pakistan Cricket Sarfraz said he was Pakistan’s Sarfraz Board has a policy of a World Cup. But delighted the PCB showed Ahmed looks on during appointing captains series by to be appointed its faith in him again. the second Test match series, but took the unusual captain in the “It is the dream of any step on Tuesday of backing against South Africa at international cricketer to Sarfraz to at least July as the PPC Newlands, Cape biggest cricket play in a World Cup,” Sarfraz Sri Lanka’s captain batting during captain of the test, one-day Town, South Africa in this spectacle on the said. “But to be appointed the fifth ODI match against England in Colombo, Sri international, and January 6 file picture. planet is something captain in the biggest cricket Lanka in this October 23, 2018 file photo. teams. that is extremely spectacle on the planet is “I was always clear in special: Safraz something that is extremely my mind that Sarfraz would special.” Sri Lanka sacks be the captain (for the After being banned, Cricket World Cup),” PCB Sarfraz returned home and chairman Ehsan Mani said was named as Chandimal after beside Sarfraz at a news the stand-in captain for the conference in Lahore. last two one-dayers and the “I was keen to speak three-match T20 series. Test debacles with him on the team’s Pakistan lost the ODI series recent performances... about Africa allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo, and publicly. nothing like that we wanted 3-2, and has lost the T20 AFP his own future plans as we Phehlukwayo in an ODI two Sarfraz added he won’t stop to send some sort of a series 2-0. The third and last COLOMBO all know he has undergone weeks ago in Durban. talking behind the , message.” match is today. some tough times as a pro- Sarfraz, playing - and Mani criticized the ICC Mani added: “Sarfraz has Pakistan has limited- Sri Lanka’s skipper Dinesh Chandimal has been fessional cricketer in the keeper, was heard on a for banning him, believing been an integral part of the overs series against Australia sacked and removed from the Test squad for the past few weeks.” stump microphone saying in the apologies were enough. Pakistan cricket team’s and England in the lead-up upcoming two-match series against South Africa, There was speculation in Urdu: “Hey black man, When Mani was asked World Cup preparations and to the Cricket World Cup in cricket authorities said yesterday. the local media about where is your mother sitting whether he was sending a has proved to be a good May in England and Wales. Chandimal, 29, was replaced by Dimuth Karu- keeping Sarfraz as the today? What (prayer) have message to the ICC by reap- strategist, leader and Pakistan last won the naratne, said, listing a 17-member captain after he was banned you got her to say for you pointing Sarfraz as captain, performer.” Cricket World Cup in 1992 squad that did not include the right-handed batsman. for four matches by the ICC today?” the chairman said: “I don’t Since being made under Imran Khan, now the National selectors said in a statement Chandimal for racially taunting South He apologized to want to go into politics, it’s captain two years ago, country’s prime minister. was dismissed to help him “regain his form and be ready for future international tours.” His sudden sacking came a day after he insisted his team could lift their game during their upcoming tour against Brathwaite to captain South Africa, following a thrashing by Australia. Under Chandimal, Sri Lanka lost the opening Windies in third Test day-night Test in Brisbane by an innings and 40 runs inside three days and followed it up with a 366-run thrashing in the Canberra Test. REUTERS heroics in the test were out- It extended a dire run of results for troubled Sri ST LUCIA standing and shows a player of Lanka who have been hit by injuries and off-field great character,” Browne scandals. West Indies opener Kraigg added. Besides the defeats in Australia, Sri Lanka also Brathwaite (pictured) will “We also welcome Keemo recently lost a home Test series to England 3-0 and captain the team in place of the Paul back to the squad. He’s suffered a 1-0 loss against New Zealand in an away suspended when having a good showing in the series. they face England in the third West Indies first-class The first Test in South Africa starts on February and final Test starting in St championship.” 13, with the squad flying straight there from Aus- Lucia on Saturday, Cricket West Meanwhile, Bangladesh tralia this week in a gruelling overseas schedule. Indies said. yesterday called up uncapped “We are a young team and we are always Holder was banned by the pace bowler Ebadot Hossain for learning how to play, especially in these tough con- International Cricket Council this month’s Test series against ditions. We will bounce back in South Africa,” Chan- because of his team’s slow over New Zealand, replacing the dimal said in Australia. rate during the second match injured . “South Africa is similar to these conditions and in Antigua, which the hosts won For the three-match with very good bowlers. We know that as a team by 10 wickets to take an unas- one-day international series we have to play in tough conditions and we need sailable 2-0 lead in the series. that starts in Napier on Feb- to adjust to those conditions and step up as a team.” Brathwaite previously skip- ruary 13, Taskin will be replaced Sri Lanka Test squad: pered West Indies in their series by the experienced Safiul Islam. (stand-in captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice captain), defeat by Bangladesh in Taskin has been ruled out , Kaushal Silva, , November when Holder was of the tour with a torn ligament Kusal Janith Perera, , injured. after he was recalled into both , Oshada Fernando, Angelo “With Jason Holder missing the ODI and Test squads fol- Perera, , , Vishwa England’s Mark Wood and Keaton Kennings during nets at the Sir Vivian Richards out on the last test, Kraigg lowing an impressive show in Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Stadium, North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda on Monday. Brathwaite will take the reins the ongoing Bangladesh and Lasith Embuldeniya. of captaincy,” chairman of Premier League (BPL) selectors, Courtney Browne Twenty20 tournament. said. He was the competition’s The selectors added pace leading wicket-taker with 22 bowler Keemo Paul to the scalps until he was hit by injury 14-member squad while Alzarri on Friday. Paine counts Ashes gains Joseph, whose mother died “We’ve chosen Ebadot for during the second Test, was also Test because he bowls hitting included. the seam. Shafiul will come into “Our heartfelt condolences the ODI side as he is in fine form to Alzarri and his family on the in BPL and he is also experi- as Australia tick boxes passing of his mother. His enced,” said chief selector Min- hajul Abedin. REUTERS and Kurtis Patterson. It was then Paine anointment was in dif- Newly called-up Ebadot CANBERRA left to Starc and Khawaja and the ficult circumstances when was a finding of a talent hunt duo did not disappoint either. captain Steve Smith and his programme in 2017. The had a few wishes The fast bowler picked up a deputy were 25-year-old has claimed 59 coming into the final test of the 10-wicket match haul while the handed year-long bans for their wickets in 19 first-class home summer against Sri Lanka left-handed batsman remained roles in the ball-tampering matches. ahead of this year’s Ashes and unbeaten after completing his scandal in South Africa last Bangladesh will play three the Australia captain left eighth test hundred. March. ODIs and three Test matches in Canberra with a fair idea of what With their Ashes rivals The scandal had wide- New Zealand between February the team should look like in getting thumped in West Indies ranging ramifications as several 13 and March 20. England in August. who have clinched the three-test sponsors withdrew, Cricket Aus- This will be Bangladesh’s The 34-year-old wanted series with a match to spare, tralia heads rolled, and critics first Test series abroad in 12 pace spearhead Mitchell Starc Paine could not wait to get to flayed the team culture. years, after their 2007 three- and batting mainstay Usman England for the five-match “We spoke at the start of the Test series in Sri Lanka when Khawaja to find form, his series beginning on Aug. 1. summer about our main priority they lost all three matches. batsmen to end Australia’s “I’ve been dreaming about was to win back the respect of Bangladesh also failed to century drought and also change it actually. I’m happy now that the Australian public and our win any matches during their his own luck with the coin toss we’ve got this out of the way I cricket fans,” Paine said. Australia’s captain Tim Paine last New Zealand tour in at Manuka Oval. can put everything into it,” Paine “Sitting here now we’ve celebrates with the trophy after 2017-18. He wasted precious little told reporters after his first series gone a long way toward doing West Indies Squad: Kraigg time to tick one of the boxes and win. defeating Sri Lanka in the second that. Brathwaite (captain), Darren won only his second toss as Aus- “Every Australian cricketer Test match at the Manuka Oval “It’s in difficult times you see Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John tralia’s captain, by flipping the can’t wait to go and play an Cricket Ground in Canberra, on the characters you’ve got in your West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane coin with his left hand. Ashes series and particularly in Monday. group and it’s confirmed to us in action during the second Dowrich, , Joe Burns then scored the England, it’s something that I’ve we’ve got some good characters, Test against England at the Sir , , first century since Khawaja’s 141 certainly dreamed of as a kid, I been thinking about it, I’ve been some strong characters and Vivian Richards Stadium, North Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, in the drawn Dubai test against didn’t think I’d be going over as watching England, keeping a some people we can build a Sound, Antigua and Barbuda , , Pakistan last October and was the captain. really close eye on them, I can’t really strong Australian cricket in this February 1 file picture. Jomel Warrican. soon matched by Travis Head “In the back of my mind I’ve wait to get over there.” future on.” WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 07 Qatar’s Fahad gears up for Spain fight, eyes 10th consecutive win

RIZWAN REHMAT Fahad, who is unbeaten in 9 professional bouts so couldn’t used his skills the same THE PENINSULA far in just a matter of three years, will fight on March way as before,” he said. 3. The 31-year-old Qatari beat Romania’s Dumitru “In boxing, the brain tells you Qatari boxer Fahad Al Thani is Nicu Manea in his last fight in October. see the left hook is there but as preparing for his 10th profes- you get older, you don’t see the sional bout in Spain early next left hook and you get knocked month, the country’s only pro The Qatari boxer, who trains and fights on his out. When you are a skilful fighter fighter announced yesterday. own, says he has specific goals in mind. “I have a likes Flloyd Mayeather, Bernard Fahad, who is unbeaten in 9 long-term goal. It’s to be a champion at a world Hopkins, they could fight till late professional bouts so far in just level. I want to have a world level belt.” (in their careers). They are a matter of three years, will fight extremely skilful. They know the on March 3. The 31-year-old game inside out. They know Qatari beat Romania’s Dumitru added. “I feel very fast,” said ‘I will do this’. Once I beat my when to breathe. They know Nicu Manea in his last fight in Fahad, who will fight in super opponent, I will plan my next when to punch. They know when October. welterweight category. fight,” Fahad said. to take you off your game. They “I don’t know my next Fahad said he is already in “The number of fights is know when to take your best opponent yet but my fight is ‘fight mode’. about six fights. Not more than punch,” Fahad said. going to be in Leon, Spain,” “I am there already but that. Six fights is a good number. Fahad said his exploits in Fahad told The Peninsula usually a week before the fight, It is a high number,” Fahad said. recent times have been well yesterday. I switch off completely. I switch “Still I am not on TV so I can appreciated at home in Qatar. “I am fully geared up for the off social media, no going out. I go up to eight. Once you are a TV “The recognition in Qatar is fight,” he added. just have dinner and relax. I don’t fighter, it changes everything like very positive. It is something that “Soon I’d be switching off watch TV. I have my own what time I walk into the ring. gives me hope and pride. It completely from my every-day routine,” Fahad said. Now I want to build on my expe- shows a sportsman from Qatar routine and focus solely on “I am not a superstitious rience, improving my skills, doing can be on the world stage,” the fight. I am in a much person. I can deal with change. I what I do in the gym and adding Fahad said before praising com- better place from where I don’t like to talk a lot. I like to things to my arsenal. If you don’t patriots track and field star was in the summer of focus. I just get the points from train for it, you can’t do it. Mutaza Barshim and rallying icon 2017. my coach. My family knows when “Maybe you could but it Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah. “I feel much they see me training. I don’t have would tire you out. Champion “We saw that with Mutaz stronger physically. to tell my family anything. They boxers have told me there is high Barshim. We saw that with My training has can see me changing the way I importance on the element of Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah recently improved eat or sleep,” he added. surprise. So I use my intelligence in their sports. I look up to them immensely,” he Fahad, who trains and fights inside the ring. I change things and I see myself following in the on his own, said he has specific up,” he explained. same paths or footsteps,” Fahad goals in mind. Fahad said it is important to said. “I have a long-term goal. It’s fight smart in the ring. “So that gives me sometimes to be a champion at a world level. “I’d like to see myself as an the motivation to keep going. I want to have a world level belt,” intelligent fighter. As you get Sometimes I receive a message Fahad said. older, you get stronger,” he said. on social media ‘Fahad, I want to “I believe in short-term goals “What actually decreases is be a boxer’ and that adds to my also. And my short-term goal is your speed and reflexes but your will to win. I now not only fight my next fight, next opponent. I strength and power increases. In for myself, I fight for Qatar. I fight will never look past my next boxing, it is the norm. Look at for amazing development for opponent. Evander Holyfield. It depends on Qatar sports. I love the way how “Unless I beat the next your style of fighting style. Let Aspire Academy teach young ath- opponent, I cannot plan for the me give you another example - letes how to go about their life, Qatari boxer Fahad Al Thani next fight. In boxing you can’t Roy Jones Jr - he was an amazing how to eat, how to rest, how to PIC: RICHARD BENTLEY really plan far ahead. You just athlete. He had unbelievable deal with nerves. We had to do can’t take out a calendar and say reflexes but as he got older he it the hard way,” he said.

Stage set for spectacular Lucrative prizes up for grabs at H H Sheikh edition of Doha Triathlon Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Camel Race

THE PENINSULA The Qatar National Championship DOHA will be the first race to start in the THE PENINSULA other Gulf nations. Around with the golden sword and the QR500,000 for the winner of morning at 6:00am with the standard/ DOHA 220 cars will be distributed as Mercedes S560, the second the second place, and QR1m The third edition of Doha Triathlon is sprint distance 750m swim, 20km prizes for the annual and pres- place finisher will get QR and QR500,000. set to take place on Friday, with cycling and 5km run. It is a drafting The Organising Committee of tigious festival, the organising 500,000, the third place is For the winner of the third athletes eyeing to give their best at race while all the other races in the the H H Sheikh Hamad bin committee informed. QR400, 000 and the fourth place is QR1m for the winner of MIA Park. morning are non-drafting. Khalifa Al Thani 2019 Camel The event will be held place is QR300,000. The fifth the fourth place, while the fifth The details of the event were The event also comprises sprint, Race has announced a host of from Al Haqiq to Al Hail and place gets QR200 000. place receives half a million. revealed at a press conference which Olympic and super sprint distances prizes for the upcoming event Al Zamul. The prizes are the biggest The Organising Com- was held recently at Movenpick Hotel. as well as a Kids Fun Duathlon. which will be held at Al On the concluding day, in the Gulf, amounting to mittee of the Camel Race In attendance were Professor The swimming will be in the bay Shahaniya from March 2 to 13. participants will be vying for QR10m and QR500, 000, dis- organises a traditional race, Nasser Al Mohanadi, Qatar Triathlon of the Museum of Islamic Park, with The 12-day event will see the golden sword with the tributed as follows: QR5m for to encourage the owners and Federation Vice President; Jamal Al- cycling alongside the Corniche, before the participation of camels races dedicated to tricks. the winner of the first place, to revive the traditional sport Kuwari, Qatar Triathlon Federation returning to the park for the final run from Qatar and also from The winner will walk away silver sword, QR2m and of Qatar. General Secretary, Thani Al Zaraa, in the park’s green spaces. The prize Qatar Triathlon Federation Deputy ceremony will be near Richard Serra General Secretary; Marouf Mahmoud, sculpture at the end of the Bay at CEO, Tasama Sports Development and 8.15am and the public is invited to Nasser Al-Ansari, representative from come and cheer the participants as Qatar National Tourism Council. they race and receive their medals at Handball: Point leaders Al Wakrah The Federation has invited the the prize ceremony. Qatari nationals to join the Qatar One side of the Corniche road National Championship event to form from the Museum of Islamic Art to take on Al Ahli as QHL resumes a stronger team and encouraging indi- Sheraton will be closed due to the viduals to compete abroad. races between 4:00 am and 10:30 am. THE PENINSULA Duhail face Al Arabi and Al DOHA Gharafa will clash with Al Al Wakrah will look to register Khor while a tie between Al their seventh straight victory Al Wakrah will look to Rayyan and Al Sadd is also tomorrow. continue their domination at scheduled. the Qatar Handball League In the 8th round (QHL), which resumes in scheduled on February 11, Doha tomorrow after a long leaders Al Wakrah will break. square off with Al Arabi. The break in the Qatar The eighth round also Handball League was include matches including Al enforced due to last month’s Gharafa vs Qatar SC, and Al World handball Champion- Ahli vs Al Shamal. ships which took place in On February 14, Al Sadd France and Denmark. will take on Qatar SC while Qatar finished 13th in the Al Rayyan will be up against 24-team competition. Al Khor. Amir Cup champions Al An interesting clash Wakrah , who have won six between Al Wakrah and Al consecutive matches to accu- Du hail besides matches mulate 18 points, will meet between Al Arabi and Al A file photo of the second Al Ahli in their 7th round Shamal, and Al Ahli and Al edition of Doha Triathlon. match. Also tomorrow, Qatar Gharafa are also scheduled SC will meet Al Shamal, Al on the day. WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 05 The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me as a Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed CRICKET on PCB’s announcement FOOTBALL person and professional, but I to keep him captain for South Africa vs Pakistan, am delighted that the PCB has EPL: Everton vs World Cup in May. third Twenty20 reassured its confidence and Manchester City ACTION

faith in me. TODAY’S Halep appoints NBA: Pistons bounce back as Van Cleemput Harden fuels Rockets victory as new coach LONDON REUTERS AFP LOS ANGELES Former world number one Simona Halep has appointed Andre Drummond scored a Andre Drummond (left) of the Detroit Pistons Thierry Van Cleemput as her season-high 27 points as the gets a first half shot off past Mason Plumlee new coach and will officially Detroit Pistons rebounded from (second right) of the Denver Nuggets during begin working with the Belgian a crushing defeat with a their NBA game in Detroit, Michigan on at next week’s Qatar Open. 129-103 victory over the Monday. Halep had planned to fly solo Denver Nuggets. for the first few months of 2019 The Pistons were coming after former coach Darren Cahill off a devastating loss to the Los left to spend more time with his Angeles Clippers on Saturday family in Australia. in which Detroit surrendered French Open champion a 23-point third-quarter lead. Halep began speaking with Van There was no sign of a late- Cleemput at last month’s Aus- game let-down on Monday as tralian Open after he split with the Pistons turned a 14-point world number 21 David Goffin lead going into the fourth midway through the tour- quarter into a 26--point win. nament, according to a report They never trailed in the on the WTA website. second half, leading by as many Van Cleemput had worked as 29 points. with his compatriot for the last Drummond’s sparkling five years, overseeing Goffin’s effort included 12 rebounds, rise to the top-10. three assists and three blocked World number three Halep, shots. Stanley Johnson scored whose pre-season was 21 points and Blake Griffin shortened due to a back issue, added 17. made the fourth round at Mel- The Pistons reserves, out- bourne Park where she lost to scored 80-17 in the loss to the American Serena Williams in Clippers, came through with 60 three sets. points against the Nuggets, James Harden scored 14 of his NBA RESULTS points, pulled down 15 scored 15 for the Bucks, who Halep will represent Detroit’s bench players 44 points in the fourth quarter rebounds and handed out nine have won 10 of their last 11 Romania in their Fed Cup tie expanding the lead to start both -- notching his 20th 40-point Brooklyn 94, Milwaukee 113 assists for Milwaukee, who won games. against Czech Republic in the second and fourth quarters. game of the season in the Sacramento 127, San Antonio 112 their fourth straight. The injury-depleted Nets Ostrava this weekend before They helped make the dif- Houston Rockets’ 118-110 victory Phoenix 110, Houston 118 The crowd at the Barclays offered little resistance, con- tournaments in Doha and Dubai. ference on a night when all five over the lowly Phoenix Suns. New Orleans 107, Indiana 109 Center included former US necting on just 32.4 percent of

Denver starters scored in Harden, who pulled down Detroit 129, Denver 103 President Bill Clinton and their shots from the field -- double figures, led by Monte eight rebounds and handed out Washington 129, Atlanta 137 three-time major golf including making just five of 37 Morris’s 18 points. Never- six assists, extended his streak champion Brooks Koepka. attempted three-pointers. theless, Denver saw their six- of games with 30 or more Clinton and his wife, Indiana guard Darren Col- Wawrinka game win streak snapped and points to 27. lead to 15 points with 3:06 Hillary, have a home in sub- lison starred in the Pacers’ dropped out of a tie with the The Suns, who dropped remaining -- as Houston sealed urban New York and he said he 109-107 victory over the Pel- suffers early Golden State Warriors for first their 11th straight, trailed by as the win. tries to take on a couple of icans in New Orleans. place in the Western many as 20 in the third quarter The Milwaukee Bucks games in Brooklyn each season. Collison scored 11 of his Conference. but cut the deficit to single pushed their league-leading But he was invited to the team-high 22 points in the exit in Sofia “I like the way our guys digits in the fourth. record to 39-13 with a 113-94 game by Bucks co-owner Marc fourth quarter, draining a REUTERS responded,” Pistons coach Harden produced 11 points victory over the Nets in Lasry and enjoyed the chance three-pointer, a jump shot and SOFIA Dwane Casey said. “Enthu- in a four-minute span -- Brooklyn. to watch Antetokounmpo. a free throw in the last two siasm and togetherness.” including a 31-foot three- Bucks star Giannis Malcolm Brogdon added minutes as the Pacers held on Three-time Grand Slam NBA Most Valuable Player pointer that pushed the Rockets Antetokounmpo scored 30 16 points and Eric Bledsoe for the win. champion Stan Wawrinka fell at the first hurdle in the Sofia Open on Monday, beaten 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 by Romanian Marius Copil. The Swiss, who has fallen to Azerbaijan GP NHL: Flyers seal 8th 57 in the rankings, strolled to the first set in just 23 minutes after breaking Copil in the sixth game, extends Formula but the Romanian became more consecutive victory and more comfortable as the match went on and bagged the One deal to 2023 REUTERS second set after a tiebreak. PHILADELPHIA Copil, who reached the tour- nament’s final last year, put up LONDON The renewal is Jakub Voracek and Sean stubborn resistance from the REUTERS the first to be signed Couturier each scored a goal baseline in the third set, in 2019, with the to lift host Philadelphia past wrapping up his first career The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Azerbaijan Grand the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 victory over the 33-year-old Baku will continue at least Prix following the on Monday, the Flyers’ Wawrinka, whose trademark until 2023 after the organ- Belgian, Chinese, season-best eighth win in a backhand failed to fire. isers of the event renewed row. “It’s great to start with a win their contract, Formula One German, Japanese Philadelphia’s Carter Hart against Wawrinka,” said world management said yesterday. and Singapore races made 41 saves while number 56 Copil. The renewal is the first to extending their deals becoming the first goaltender “I made a few mistakes at be signed in 2019, with the over the previous two in franchise history to win his Shayne Gostisbehere (left) of the Philadelphia Flyers and the beginning. I had to change Azerbaijan Grand Prix fol- years. seventh straight start before Jake Virtanen of the Vancouver Canucks race for the puck things, I knew I had to stay in lowing the Belgian, Chinese, turning 21 years old. during their NHL game in Philadelphia on Monday. the game after losing the first German, Japanese and Sin- The Flyers registered their set. I served well today,” added gapore races extending their promoter Arif Rahimov had 2,000th regular season win the Romanian. deals over the previous two said last May. in franchise history. thinking the puck had gone Seguin’s game-winning goal, “The serve has always been years. “This new agreement will Brock Boeser scored the in. Instead, the puck caromed when he took a pass from my main weapon.” “We are very pleased to allow our race to maximise lone goal for the Canucks, close to center ice, where behind the net from Jamie Next up for Copil is the have renewed this agreement its commercial revenues who got 28 saves from Jacob Toffoli picked it up and raced Benn and beat Arizona goal- winner of the first-round clash which will see the Azerbaijan through increased fan- Markstrom. into the Rangers’ zone. tender Darcy Kuemper high between sixth seed Fernando Grand Prix feature on the FIA engagement activities and a Kings 4, Rangers 3 Stars 5, Coyotes 4 to the stick side. Verdasco of Spain and Bulgarian Formula One world champi- new sponsorship approach,” Tyler Toffoli scored 25 Tyler Seguin scored with Maple Leafs 6, Ducks 1 qualifier Alexandar Lazarov, onship calendar for many Azerbaijan’s sports minister seconds into overtime 7:32 remaining in a wild third Andreas Johnsson pro- who defeated Italy’s Luca Vanni years to come,” F1 Chairman Azad Rahimov added. Monday night to cap a frantic period to lift Dallas to a win duced two goals and two 7-6(6) 3-6 7-5 on Monday. and CEO Chase Carey said in “With these exciting comeback by Los Angeles, over visiting Arizona for its assists, Jake Muzzin added Top seed Karen Khachanov a statement confirming the opportunities in mind, which edged host New York. season-high fifth consecutive one goal and two assists, and of Russia will kick off his cam- three-year extension. extending our contract was The Kings, who never led win. Toronto defeated visiting paign in the second round “In just a short space of never in question and we are in regulation, forced overtime The Coyotes led 2-1 Anaheim. against the winner of the match time, this race has become delighted to stay in this won- when Adrian Kempe scored entering the third period, but William Nylander and between Uzbekistan’s Denis one of the most popular of derful sport for another five his second goal with 59.6 the first eight minutes were John Tavares each chipped in Istomin and Italian Matteo the season, always producing years at least.” seconds left in the third an offensive spectacle, with with a goal and an assist for Berrettini. closely fought and spec- Briton Lewis Hamilton period. Dallas scoring three times in the Maple Leafs, who have Greek second seed Stefanos tacular racing.” Azerbaijan triumphed in Baku last year The Rangers nearly won the first 3:39 to take a 4-2 lead won two in a row and three Tsitsipas, who reached the Aus- was keen to renegotiate its before the Mercedes driver on their first possession of before Arizona responded of four. tralian Open semi-finals last deal post-2020 to pay less in capped the season with his overtime, when Mika Zibane- with a pair of scores over a Connor Brown also month, will play against Ger- race-hosting fees and gain fifth world championship jad’s shot rang off the right 1:01 span to square things at scored a goal for Toronto many’s Jan-Lennard Struff or more commercial benefits, title. post. Zibanejad actually 4-4. while Zach Hyman added two Italy’s Stefano Travaglia. raised his arms for a moment That scoring set up assists.