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Monday, March 26, 2018 FORMULA 1 Rajab 9, 1438 AH Opportunistic GULF TIMES Vettel steals victory from Hamilton SPORT Page 4 SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Australia SC names Xavi Hernández as fi rst mulling global ambassador of 2022 W Cup life bans for Smith, ootball legend Xavi Hernán- In 2016, Xavi’s fi rst act as a Genera- dez has been named as the fi rst tion Amazing ambassador was to pro- global ambassador for the Su- mote football for girls at a pitch built Warner preme Committee for Deliv- by Generation Amazing at Al Baqa’a ery&F Legacy (SC) – the organisation refugee camp in Jordan. Since then he responsible for delivering the infra- has attended numerous activations structure required for the 2022 FIFA in Qatar, including events involving World Cup. schoolchildren and workers engaged A World Cup winner with Spain in with Generation Amazing. 2010, Xavi has been an ambassador In 2017 Xavi also supported Gener- for the SC’s Generation Amazing pro- ation Amazing during the 2017 World gramme – a key legacy project – for the Innovation Summit for Education and past two years. He will continue sup- was involved in the reading of Genera- porting Generation Amazing, which is tion Amazing books to young children the SC’s fl agship corporate social re- in Qatar. sponsibility (CSR) programme. It uses Hassan al-Thawadi, SC Secretary- the opportunity created by Qatar’s General, described Xavi as an iconic File photo of Smith and Warner. hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup player who’s committed to harnessing to empower and educate people across the power of football. Agencies Qatar, the region and the globe. “We are honoured that Xavi is going Cape Town The iconic midfi elder, who has won to continue working closely alongside more than 30 major honours during the SC and support the delivery of our his glittering career, will help the SC to legacy programmes,” said al-Thawadi. ustralia could ban Steven promote various projects that harness “It has been a pleasure to collabo- Smith and David Warner for the power of football to bring about rate with Xavi in recent years. He is life as the fallout over the positive social change. an iconic footballer and a player syn- ball-tampering aff air contin- Xavi, currently the captain of QNB onymous with success and fair play. Aues, reports said yesterday. Stars League side Al Sadd, told www. Hassan al-Thawadi, SC Secretary-General, with Xavi Hernández. Having a player of his magnitude sup- Although both were stood down sc.qa he was delighted to continue his porting our initiatives can only help from their leadership roles after Smith journey with the SC. with Generation Amazing and the SC football can achieve in communities in “The SC is determined to leave a them to grow and leave the impact we confessed that the Cape Town episode “I have thoroughly enjoyed sup- during the lead-up to the 2022 World Qatar and across the region. Football lasting legacy, long after the 2022 desire long after the last ball is kicked was part of an elaborate plan, Cricket porting the Generation Amazing pro- Cup,” said Xavi. has the power to unite people, dispel World Cup is over, and I look forward in 2022. We truly believe Xavi will help Australia (CA), the country’s governing gramme since 2016 and look forward “Through my work with Generation stereotypes and break down social to helping the organisation deliver its us build bridges across cultures and body for the game, is looking at harsher to maintaining a strong relationship Amazing I have seen fi rst-hand what barriers.” objectives,” added Xavi. throughout the region.” (Sc.qa) punishments for the duo. Smith, Warner and Cameron Ban- croft – the three protagonists of the CRICKET sordid saga – fell cheaply as South Af- rica thrashed Australia by 322 runs in the third Test in Cape Town. The Australian players were booed as they walked to the crease and also on their way back to the pavilion, with fans rushing to vantage points to hurl abuses at them from close range. CA’s head of integrity Iain Roy and Aussies’ day of shame performance manager Pat Howard have reached Cape Town to begin investiga- tions after pressure from the Australian Sports Commission and the Prime Min- ister Malcolm Turnbull for stricter ac- tion. The International Cricket Council suspended captain Smith for one match and docked his entire match fee for the ends in 322-run rout Cape Town Test. Opener Cameron Bancroft, 25, was AFP hit by three demerit points, fi ned 75 Cape Town CAPE TOWN SCORECARD percent of his match fee and warned for his part in attempting to “change the South Africa, first innings, 311 D. Warner c De Villiers b Rabada ...... 32 condition of the ball in order to gain an Australia, first innings, 255 U. Khawaja c De Villiers b Maharaj ...... 1 unfair advantage” on Saturday, the In- SMITH STOOD South Africa, second innings S. Smith c Elgar b Morkel ...... 7 ternational cricket Council (ICC) said in (Overnight 238-5) S. Marsh c Markram b Maharaj ...... 0 a statement yesterday. DOWN, BANNED A. Markram c Cummins b Starc ...... 84 M. Marsh c De Villiers b Morkel ...... 16 “The decision made by the leadership D. Elgar c Smith b Cummins ...... 14 T. Paine not out ...... 9 group of the Australian team to act in FOR ONE MATCH H. Amla c Bancroft b Cummins ...... 31 P. Cummins c Elgar b Morkel ...... 0 this way is clearly contrary to the spirit A. de Villiers c S. Marsh b Hazlewood ...... 63 M. Starc c Markram b Morkel ...... 7 of the game, risks causing signifi cant ustralian cricket’s day of F. du Plessis lbw b Lyon ...... 20 N. Lyon run out (Bavuma) ...... 0 damage to the integrity of the match, shame ended in a crushing T. Bavuma c sub (Handscomb) b J. Hazlewood c Philander b Morkel ...... 5 the players and the sport itself and is 322-run defeat by South Af- Hazlewood ...... 5 Extras (b4) ...... 4 therefore ‘serious’ in nature,” said ICC rica on the fourth day of the Q. de Kock c Paine b Cummins ...... 65 Total (39.4 overs) ...... 107 chief executive David Richardson. Athe third Test at Newlands yesterday. V. Philander not out ...... 52 Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Bancroft), 2-59 “As captain, Steve Smith must take Set an unlikely 430 to win, Australia K. Rabada st Paine b Lyon ...... 20 (Warner), 3-59 (Khawaja), 4-59 (S. Marsh), full responsibility for the actions of his were bowled out for a paltry 107, with K. Maharaj c Cummins b Lyon ...... 5 5-75 (Smith), 6-86 (M. Marsh), 7-86 (Cum- players and it is appropriate that he be fast bowler Morne Morkel taking fi ve M. Morkel c Khawaja b Hazlewood ...... 6 mins), 8-94 (Starc) suspended.” for 23. Extras (b4, lb1, nb1, w2) ...... 8 Bowling: Rabada 12-6-31-1, Philander 6-2-17- The ICC statement said Smith had It was a fi ttingly dismal end to the Total (112.2 overs) ...... 373 0, Morkel 9.4-3-23-5, Maharaj 12-2-32-2 “accepted the charge” and a “sanc- match for Australia after they were Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Elgar), 2-104 (Amla), Result: South Africa won by 322 runs tion of two suspension points which caught up in a ball-tampering scandal 3-151 (Markram), 4-196 (Du Plessis), 5-201 Series: South Africa lead the four-match equates to a ban for the next Test match on Saturday which sent shockwaves (Bavuma), 6-269 (De Villiers), 7-324 (De series 2-1 and which will see four demerit points through the sport. Kock), 8-354 (Rabada), 9-362 (Maharaj), Toss: South Africa added to his record”. Skipper Steve Smith was subse- 10-373 (Morkel) Umpires: Richard Illingworth, Nigel Llong Smith, 28, had admitted to planning quently banned for one match by the Bowling: Starc 23-5-98-1 (1nb), Hazlewood (both ENG) the ball tampering during lunch on ICC, just hours after he and vice- 25.2-5-69-3, Cummins 27-5-67-2 (2w), Lyon TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) the third day of the fourth Test against captain David Warner had stood down 31-2-102-3, Smith 1-0-6-0, M. Marsh 5-0-26-0 Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM) South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday. from their positions for the remainder Australia, second innings Remaining match: Bancroft was caught on television, fi rst of the match. C. Bancroft run out (Du Plessis) ...... 26 March 30-April 3, Johannesburg rubbing a piece of yellow sticky tape on “It’s been a horrible 24 hours — I South African bowler the ball and then trying to hide the evi- want apologise to our fans and those Morne Morkel celebrates dence down his trousers. back home,” said stand-in skipper Tim the dismissal of there were more boos after he was short leg. The collapse continued when The plan was to attach a sticky sub- Paine. Australian batsman Pat caught at gully off Morkel for seven. Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins fell stance to the ball that would pick up The Australians had already woken Cummins yesterday. It was Smith’s last appearance in the to successive short-pitched balls from abrasive dirt from the pitch. to bruising criticism from their own series after being banned for one match Morkel. Australia were bowling at the time chief executive and prime minister, as stop South Africa from taking their wicket by South African captain Faf du for his role in the scandal, which means Mitchell Starc was hit on the helmet and the move was likely aimed at get- well as condemnation from around the second innings total to 373. Plessis after being called for a risky sin- he will miss the fourth and fi nal Test in by another bouncer from Morkel. Two ting a more unpredictable bounce when cricket world. Embattled opening batsmen Ban- gle by Warner. Johannesburg, starting on Friday. balls after a lengthy delay he gloved an- the ball was bowled at the South Africa It followed the admission by Smith croft and Warner weathered a chal- Three overs later Warner edged Ka- During Smith’s short stay at the other lifter to short leg. batsmen. “To carry a foreign object on and young batsman Cameron Ban- lenging 70 minutes before tea at the giso Rabada to AB de Villiers at third wicket, two wickets fell off successive Nathan Lyon was run out without to the fi eld of play with the intention croft that they had deliberately tried start of their second innings before the slip. balls from left-arm spinner Keshav facing a ball as Paine tried to keep the of changing the condition of the ball to to change the condition of the ball on run-out of Bancroft sparked a collapse Both Bancroft and Warner were Maharaj, with Usman Khawaja caught strike and Josh Hazlewood was caught gain an unfair advantage over your op- Saturday. in which all ten wickets fell for just 50 booed as they left the wicket but the at slip off a ball that went straight on at third man to end one of the most hu- ponent is against not only the laws, but The day seldom got any better. runs in 19.3 overs and 99 minutes. near-capacity crowd’s jeers grew in and Shaun Marsh prodding one which miliating episodes in Australia’s crick- the spirit of the game as well,” said ICC Tim Paine and his bowlers could not Bancroft fell to a direct hit from mid- volume when Smith walked out — and turned and bounced out of the rough to et history. refereeing chief Andy Pycroft. Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 26, 2018 CRICKET

CONDEMNATION SPOTLIGHT Aussie media lashes out at Australians of out-of-touch cricketers hypocrites, AFP ey, tape and pitch litter, determined to to by the team and how, not unapologetic, some point,” he told New Zealand’s Radio Melbourne stretch the game’s rules and etiquette but sort of oblivious to the consequenc- Sport. “Cricket Australia will more than until there is nothing left to do but cheat,” es Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft likely have to make some very big deci- wrote Patrick Smith in The Australian. seemed to be at the press conference,” sions about the leadership in the team. ball-tampering scandal envel- “They came to a point where ‘the line’ cricket writer Gideon Haigh told national “If the leadership of Australian cricket says Broad oping Australia’s cricket team could no longer be pushed any further broadcaster ABC. can even think of doing something like was described as a dark day for validly and without a serious breach of “I think over the last year or so, I’ve this then they need to be ostracised and the sport yesterday, as crit- rules. So senior players schemed to take sensed a real disconnect between this I’ve a feeling that Steve Smith is probably icsA slammed the players for being out of action that did more than bring the game team and the public, and this administra- going to lose the captaincy over this.” touch with a furious public. into disrepute, it has shamed our nation.” tion and the public,” he said. Russell Gould in the Herald Sun also The premeditated plan to alter the con- Cricketers are among the most scruti- “It’s almost as though both organi- echoed calls from former players, fans dition of the ball during Saturday’s third nised athletes in the sporting-mad nation sations, the team and (governing body) and commentators for Smith’s head to day of the third Test against South Africa and there was dismay at their perceived Cricket Australia, are in a bit of a bubble roll. at Newlands dominated news headlines lack of awareness of how serious their ac- — bubbles of their own making.” “When your fi rst option, if things and captain Steve Smith and his team- tions were. ABC senior commentator Jim Maxwell, aren’t going your way, is to cheat, then mates were widely condemned. Smith has insisted he would not quit, regarded by many as voice of Australian you don’t have the right stuff to lead a Smith has admitted he was the master- saying he still thought “I’m the right per- cricket, said he was “more and more of- team,” he wrote. mind of the premeditated plan hatched son for the job” after teammate Cameron fended by the arrogance of some of the “Forget that the whole leadership group during the lunch break, adding that the Bancroft was caught using a yellow object players in the way they behave”. was in on it. The buck stops with the cap- team’s “leadership group knew about it”. to alter the condition of the ball. “The fact that so much of this has been tain, what he says goes. The minute he “We now fi nd we have sent a squad of “What is extraordinary, I think, is how condoned in recent years, you sensed said ‘go’ for cheating, was the minute he cricketers, pockets stuff ed with mon- it was done and how easily it was agreed that there was going to be a blow-up at signed off as a real captain.”

PROFILE

AFP this one game.” ‘Brain fade’ Smith: Broad said he had to take Auckland Smith’s word that they had not used that tactic before. ngland pace bowler Stu- “Steve said it’s the fi rst time art Broad branded the they’ve tried it and there’s no evi- Australians hypocrites dence that they were doing this in Eyesterday as the ball- the Ashes series from what I’ve tampering scandal erupted in seen.” prolifi c but fl awed South Africa amid continuing The Australia-South Africa tension there over verbal abuse series has also been marred by involving players and spectators. confl ict over abuse involving both Broad also questioned why players and fans. Broad said he Australia would want to tamper found it amusing that Australian with the ball when they managed coach Darren Lehmann could be to generate reverse swing in the critical of the abuse his players recent Ashes series in conditions had received from some South Aussie captain that “you wouldn’t expect the ball African spectators. to reverse”. “Any England players who’ve The hyperactive and unorthodox right-hander has drawn regular comparisons with “It’s a shame,” Broad said when toured Australia can laugh at questioned about the scandal in those comments because some of the legendary Donald Bradman as his batting has gone from strength to strength South Africa, at the end of the the things we hear on the pitch by fourth day’s play in the fi rst Test Australian supporters, known as AFP and Kagiso Rabada. between England and New Zea- banter, well having toured South Sydney “I need to be better as a leader. For me land in Auckland. Africa I know it’s worse than it’s about trying to learn from my mis- Television footage has shown South Africa.” takes and improve,” Smith said after his Australian fi elder Cameron Ban- Asked if he felt there was an teve Smith has established him- fi ne in New Zealand. croft taking an object out of his element of hypocrisy in the Aus- self as the world’s premier Test But with vice-captain David Warner pocket and appearing to rub it on tralian complaint, Broad said: batsman but serious lapses of also fi ned for an ugly confrontation with the ball in the third Test in Cape “That’s your word, not mine but I judgement have tarnished his Quinton de Kock during the current se- Town on Saturday. would agree with you.” achievementsS on the fi eld. ries, some see a pattern of bad behaviour There have been growing calls Broad referred to the 2013 Eng- The hyperactive and unorthodox in Smith’s team. for him to be sacked as captain af- land tour of Australia when Leh- right-hander has drawn regular com- “I’ve started to become more and more ter his admission. mann “basically asked the coun- parisons with the legendary Donald off ended by the arrogance of some of Broad said he found it diffi cult try to send an opposition player Bradman as his batting has gone from the players in the way they behave,” Jim to understand why Smith would home crying. We lost the series, strength to strength. Maxwell, senior cricket commentator for authorise the illegal scuffi ng of but it didn’t make me cry, I quite But Smith has also been slammed as a Australia’s ABC, told New Zealand’s Ra- the ball. enjoyed the series and the banter. cheat after he owned up to a ball-tamper- dio Sport. “Look at the Ashes series “I then can’t understand why ing conspiracy in South Africa, prompt- Born in Sydney in 1989, Smith made that we’ve just played. In vir- he’s then come out and moaned ing a clamour for him to be stripped of his fi rst-class debut for New South Wales tually all of those Test matches about a diff erent country and the Australian captaincy. in 2008, graduating to the Test team as they reverse-swung the ball in, what they’re saying to (the Aus- Originally selected as a leg spinner frontline spinner and number eight bats- sometimes, conditions that you tralian) players. who batted down the order, Smith devel- man two years later. wouldn’t expect the ball to re- “Just from the outside, it looks oped his unusual technique to the extent He was dropped during the 2010-2011 verse,” he said. like Australia have started a lot of that he was unbreakable at times during Ashes but reappeared as a batting force “So I don’t understand why fi ghts but then moan when some- the recent Ashes series against England. when he returned to the Test team in they’ve changed their method for one comes back.” Smith hit a career-best 239 in the se- 2013, scoring 92 against India in Mohali. ries-clinching third Test in Perth, pass- Smith scored his maiden Test cen- ing 1,000 Test runs for 2017 along the tury with 138 not out against England at FOCUS way — the fourth year in a row he has The Oval, and then starred in Australia’s reached the milestone. 5-0 home Ashes whitewash with tons in Accolades poured in for the 28-year- Perth and Sydney. old, who sits top of the Test rankings and Smith became Australia’s captain-in- whose batting has seemed unburdened waiting when, while fi lling in for injured by the demands of captaincy. skipper Clarke on the 2014-2015 tour Yet critics will point to fl ashes of of India, he scored centuries in all four Rajasthan petulance and poor decision-making by Tests. Smith, who succeeded Michael Clarke as Smith has long prided himself in what full-time Test skipper in 2015, when he he calls Australia’s “hard, aggressive was just 26. cricket” without crossing an indefi nable Even before Saturday’s stunning ball- “line”. Royals wait tampering revelation, Smith was badly “There’s a line. We’ll head-butt the caught out a year ago during the tour of line but we won’t go over it,” spinner India. Nathan Lyon said ahead of the Ashes se- Smith frankly admitted to a “brain ently hoping for guidance. Smith also has a history of on-fi eld ries. fade” after he looked up at the Bangalore The rules of the game stipulate that a fl are-ups, including a fi ne for dissent in However, with the clamour growing on BCCI for players’ balcony while deciding whether player cannot seek off -fi eld guidance in the 2016 Christchurch Test and hostile for Smith to be sacked, perhaps the line to review an umpire’s decision, appar- such circumstances. exchanges with bowlers James Anderson has fi nally been crossed. direction BOTTOMLINE

Reuters “We have been made aware Cape Town of the controversy of ball tam- Aussie fans in Cape Town dismayed at team’s actions pering in the ongoing Australia — South Africa series and await Reuters Clarke open to return as Australia captain aft er ball scandal is not what Australian sport is about. The ndian Premier League side further instructions from BCCI, Cape Town tough but fair (style) is something that Rajasthan Royals are wait- before we make any announce- Melbourne: Michael Clarke kept open again if asked: “If I was asked by the we share with South Africa in the way we ing for instructions from ment,” Barthakur said in a state- the possibility he could return as Aus- right people, then I would think about like to play our sport.” Ithe Indian cricket board ment. undreds of Australian cricket tralia captain yesterday, after a massive my answer.” Keeley thought Smith had no option (BCCI) before deciding on the “We at Rajasthan Royals will supporters have travelled a ball-tampering scandal in the third Test The 36-year-old said he was emotional but to resign and said many in his size- future of their captain Steve not tolerate any actions that are vast distance at great expense against South Africa plagued his succes- about the scandal, expressing sympathy able tour party had decided to shun the Smith, offi cials from the team unfair by defi nition and bring Hto follow their side on the tour sor Steve Smith. for Smith and his teammates but also cricket yesterday. said. disrepute to the game of cricket. of South Africa and many have been left Clarke, 36, retired in 2015 after his 115th slamming the incident as “blatant cheat- “It feels like a token gesture, though, Smith was stripped of the Our zero tolerance policy applies disillusioned and angry by the ball-tam- and final Test of the Ashes series against ing”. “In my heart, I believe (Smith) has because I see him out there. But I think Australian captaincy yesterday to everyone in our team. Please pering scandal that has erupted around England and comments on cricket for just made a really, really bad mistake. the worst is still to come for Steve Smith,” and suspended for one test by bear with us.” the side. Australia’s Nine Network. You know, I hope there can be a way he said. the International Cricket Coun- Smith re-joined Royals for this Australia captain Steve Smith and his He told the broadcaster when quizzed around this, that he can continue to “In our tour group, I know there are cil after admitting a team plot to year’s competition having previ- deputy David Warner stood down yes- whether he would assume the captaincy captain Australia,” Clarke said. a lot of people who didn’t come today. tamper with the ball in the on- ously played for them between terday morning, the fourth day of the The yellow T-shirts are nowhere near as going third Test against South 2014-15, with the side having on-going third test against South Africa prevalent. The vibe amongst the group Africa at Newlands. paid $1.07mn for his services. at Newlands, after admitting a pre-med- with a deep sense of displeasure. ing at a funeral. It was very sombre. is very much one of disgust and disap- He was due to captain Royals Smith confessed on Satur- itated attempt to tamper with the ball on “It is amazingly disappointing. It’s “Some of the players not involved in pointment.” in this year’s IPL but that is now day that he and the “leadership the third day. disgraceful actually,” Scott Keeley from this match were going about their busi- A member of another tour group, Chris in doubt with executive chair- group” of the Australian team It is a scandal that has sent shock- Adelaide told Reuters at Newlands. ness as usual, but the ones involved in McIntyre from Brisbane, agreed that man Ranjit Barthakur saying the had hatched a plan at lunch time waves through Australian sport and for “We are staying in the same hotel as the game where harder to spot, which is a Smith’s position was no longer tenable. team had a “zero tolerance pol- on the third day of the Test at those who spend money following the the players and walking through there change from the previous days. “You have got to maintain the credibil- icy” against actions that bring Newlands to alter the condition team around the world, has left them last night and this morning, it is like be- “It has left us in absolute shock. This ity of the game,” he said. the game into disrepute. of the ball. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Islamabad win PSL with Karachi back on cricket map

AFP Karachi

he stands of Karachi’s Na- tional Stadium roared with chants from a packed holiday crowd as international cricket Treturned to the Pakistani metropolis after a nine year break with the fi nal of country’s Twenty20 league yesterday. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) fi nal — in which Islamabad United beat title holders Peshawar Zalmi by three wick- ets — is seen as a major step towards reviving international cricket in the country, suspended since 2009 attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. The attacks left Pakistan cricket forced into exile, with international teams refusing to tour the terror-hit country over security fears and the na- tional team left to play its home match- es in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The fi rst 31 matches of the PSL were again played in Dubai and Sharjah before the Islamabad United, who won the title in the inaugural year in 2016, rode on a brisk two play-off s in Lahore, highlighting 26-ball 52 by Luke Ronchi, to reach the 149-run target in 16.5 overs. (AFP) the improvement in security situation after military operations in the troubled praised Pakistan’s eff orts. “Sethi is very and paramilitary staff guarding the north-west of the country. courageous in his decision making,” venue and the various check posts in Islamabad, who won the title in the Islamabad United players celebrate after their win over Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League final in Karachi. (AFP) said Clarke, also the head of Pakistan and around the stadium. The last match inaugural year in 2016, rode on a brisk Task Team formed to help revive inter- Karachi hosted was a Test between Pa- 26-ball 52 by Luke Ronchi spiced with top scorer of the league Kamran Akmal after Lahore hosted fi ve international Twenty20 internationals against reign- national cricket in Pakistan. kistan and Sri Lanka in February 2009, fi ve sixes and four boundaries which managed just one off nine balls. matches against Zimbabwe in 2015, as ing World Twenty20 champions the “Let this fi nal be successful and we a week before the visitors were attacked anchored his team’s successful chase of Chris Jordan topscored with 36 while well as the PSL fi nal in March last year, West Indies on April 1, 2 and 3 — all in look forward to more matches. It’s in Lahore. 149-run target in 16.5 overs. Andre Fletcher scored 33 and Wahab three World XI matches in September Karachi. PCB chairman Najam Sethi great that West Indies are coming here Ronchi also fi nished as top run-get- Riaz made 28 not out. Spinners Shad- and one against Sri Lanka a month later. said more cricket will follow. “It’s a his- and that was important and I look for- BRIEF SCORES ter with 435 runs in 11 matches. Asif ab Khan took three and Samit Patel Sunday’s fi nal was watched by a toric occasion as Karachi is hosting a ward to more teams coming and more Peshawar Zalmi 148 for 9 (Jordan 36, Ali smashed three sixes in his 26 not chipped in with two wickets. packed 33,000 crowd, including Paki- match after a nine year gap,” said Sethi grounds hosting matches in Pakistan.” Dawson 33, Shadab 3-25) lost to Islamabad out. Peshawar Zalmi faltered in their Karachi became the second major stan’s prime minister Shahid Khaqan before the fi nal Giles Clarke, director Fans weathered suff ocating security United 154 for 7 (Ronchi 52, Farhan 44, batting after winning the toss as their venue to host international matches Abassi. It will be followed by three of International Cricket Council (ICC), arrangements, with 8,000 policemen Asif 26)

FIRST TEST FOCUS We believe we can New Zealand tighten win World Cup, grip over England says Afghanistan skipper Stanikzai England go into final day with seven wickets available to avoid an innings defeat AFP to you to decide where we can be Harare in the next 10 years.” AFP Leg-spin sensation Rashid Auckland Khan became the fastest bowler fghanistan captain As- ever to reach 100 one-day inter- ghar Stanikzai said his national wickets as the Windies he fall of Joe Root’s wicket on the side will head into next were bowled out for 204, be- last ball of day four yesterday year’s World Cup aim- fore big-hitting opener Shah- left England calling for a hero to ingA to lift the trophy, after cap- zad smashed 84 as Afghanistan salvage a draw in the fi rst Test ping a remarkable recovery in knocked off the runs with 9.2 Tagainst New Zealand in Auckland. Eng- qualifying by thrashing the West overs to spare. land’s position at 132 for three, 237 in ar- Indies in yesterday’s fi nal. “I’m proud of my boys. We rears, revived memories of the cliff hanger Both Afghanistan and West came here to achieve a target, and Test the last time the sides clashed here in Indies had already made sure of various boys put their hands up,” Auckland fi ve years ago, when the match their places in the 2019 World said Windies skipper Jason Hold- went down to the fi nal ball. Cup by topping the 10-team er. “We had a quick turnaround On that day in 2013 at Eden Park Eng- qualifying tournament in Zimba- between games, but I’m proud of land started 390 behind with only six bwe. Mohamed Shahzad starred them for sticking in. Obviously wickets remaining, but batted the whole as the Afghans laid down a mark- disappointed not to win this fi - day and survived the fi nal three overs er ahead of the tournament in nal but we had some great per- with nine wickets down to claim a nail- England and Wales by romping to formances throughout. I want to biting draw. a seven-wicket win. thank my team for their support.” With Root out to a fi red up Trent Boult “This victory will give us the West Indies star Chris Gayle late Sunday, England go into this fi nal required boost to work extremely capped a poor personal tourna- day with seven wickets available to avoid hard over the next 14 months and ment as he was dismissed for only an innings defeat. At stumps England like the other nine sides, will ar- 10 by 16-year-old leg-spinner were 132 for three after Root departed rive in England and Wales fi rmly Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who fi nished for 51 and Mark Stoneman was out for 55. believing we can win the World with 4-43. Rovman Powell hit 44 Alastair Cook went early for two while Cup,” said Stanikzai. as the two-time World Cup win- Dawid Malan was not out 19. Afghanistan had looked set ners recovered to at least pass “We’ll need a hero,” fast bowler Stu- to miss out on a second straight 200. art Broad said at close of play. “Five years World Cup appearance after Rashid, 19, dismissed Shai ago Matt Prior was the hero with 100 and slumping to three straight defeats Hope to take his 100th ODI wick- someone’s got that chance tomorrow. It in the group stage of qualifying, et in only his 44th game, beating was a real shame to lose Joe on the last ball but yesterday’s fi nal win made the previous record held by Aus- of the day, we all felt that after he played it fi ve straight victories as they tralia’s Mitchell Starc by eight so brilliantly for his 50. But it proves qualifi ed with help from results matches. Shahzad played some there’s runs to be had out there.” elsewhere. “This is nothing but remarkable shots in his 93-ball Root had just suff ered a painful blow a miracle that we have won this innings, clubbing 11 fours and to the index fi nger of his right hand, and tournament,” added Stanikzai, two sixes before holing out to the on the next ball edged Boult to be caught whose team will also play their part-time spin of Gayle. Rah- behind. Broad had sympathy for his skip- maiden Test match against India mat Shah struck an assured 11th per, but as a bowler who took three for 78 in Bangalore in June. ODI half-century as Afghanistan when New Zealand batted, he also ex- “This is by far Afghanistan’s cruised to victory. pressed respect for Boult’s skill. greatest victory. Beating the “You’ve got to credit the bowler some- mighty Windies in the fi nal of a BRIEF SCORES times. A good bouncer to wrap a batter tournament which is no less than West Indies 204 all out in 46.5 on the fi nger then a good follow-up, well a mini-World Cup, is something overs (Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4-43) v bowled,” he said, but added that England like a dream come true for all of Afghanistan 206-3 in 40.4 overs were still in the match. “If we get a bit of us. The boys have shown what (Mohamead Shahzad 84, Rahmat luck tomorrow and we’re disciplined we they are capable of. If we have Shah 51) Afghanistan won by seven can see out this day.” come this far in 10 years, I leave it wickets New Zealand begged to diff er, with their top-scorer Henry Nicholls saying the Black Caps had the momentum going into the fi nal day. “Root is obviously a quality player and it was certainly a nice way to New Zealand’s fast bowler Trent Boult celebrates after taking the wicket of England’s Joe Root in Auckland yesterday. (AFP) end the day,” said Nicholls, who fi nished his own innings on an unbeaten 145. “It’s swing started to fade Neil Wagner used ended with three for 78 and James An- Did not bat: Trent Boult going to be a nice day fi ve, bowling (for) his bouncers in the fi nal session to re- derson took three for 87. Bowling: Anderson 29-10-87-3, Broad 34-9- seven wickets to win a Test match.” move Stoneman to reduce England to 94 SCOREBOARD 78-3, Overton 25-7-70-1 (1w), Woakes 33-9- England were in immediate strife in for two. Nicholls had shown when he was ENGLAND I INNINGS 58 107-0 (1w), Ali 17-1-59-0, Root 3-0-13-1 their second innings with Cook out in at the crease that there were no demons NEW ZEALAND I INNINGS (OVERNIGHT 233-4) the third over to Boult, who fi nished the in the wicket. H. Nicholls not out ...... 145 ENGLAND II INNINGS day with two for 24. New Zealand had de- He and Kane Williamson, who scored B. Watling c Bairstow b Broad ...... 31 A. Cook c Watling b Boult...... 2 clared their fi rst innings on 427 for eight, 102, laid the foundations for New Zea- C. de Grandhomme c Bairstow b Overton .29 M. Stoneman c Boult b Wagner ...... 55 setting England a target of 369 to avoid an land’s crushing lead despite rain inter- T. Astle b Broad ...... 18 J. Root c Watling b Boult ...... 51 innings defeat. ruptions which reduced days two and T. Southee c and b Root ...... 25 D. Malan not out ...... 19 The timing of the declaration gave the three to a total of 25 overs. After resuming N. Wagner not out ...... 9 Extras: (b4, lb1) ...... 5 hosts 50 minutes to bowl at England be- Sunday on 233 for four in sunshine, New Extras: (b4, lb9, w6) ...... 19 Total: (for 3 wickets, 46.5 overs) ...... 132 fore dinner in the day-night Test and Zealand added 194 for the loss of four Total: (8 wkts dec; 141 overs) ...... 427 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Cook), 2-94 (Stoneman), then have another crack in the fi nal, twi- more wickets. Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Raval), 2-92 (Latham), 3-132 (root) light-to-dark period. Watling went for 31, Todd Astle for 18, 3-123 (Taylor), 4-206 (Williamson), 5-260 Bowling: Boult 13.5-6-24-2, Southee 13-1- The innings was only into its third over Colin de Grandhomme made a quick 29 (Watling), 6-309 (de Grandhomme), 7-341 40-0, de Grandhomme 10-1-31-0, Wagner Afghanistan team celebrate after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup when Cook was dismissed, and when the and Tim Southee was out for 25. Broad (Astle), 8-413 (Southee) 10-2-32-1 Qualifier at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. (ICC) Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 26, 2018 MOTORSPORT

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX Opportunistic Vettel steals victory from Hamilton In another bonus for Ferrari, Raikkonen finishes third, denying Red Bull’s Ricciardo his first podium at his home race

Reuters Melbourne

ebastian Vettel made full use of the vir- tual safety car to sneak in front of Lewis Hamilton and hold off the frustrated champion to win Formula One’s season- openingS Australian Grand Prix yesterday. The Mercedes engine’s infamous ‘party mode’ that delivered Hamilton a blistering pole lap on Sat- urday could do little once Ferrari’s Vettel nosed ahead when re-entering from pit-lane midway through the race at Albert Park. Pole-sitter Hamilton had appeared set to coast to victory with a clear pace advantage but the race turned on its head with the safety car, which was called after Romain Grosjean’s Haas failed and rolled to a stop at turn two. In anoth- er bonus for Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen fi nished third, fending off Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and leaving the unlucky Australian still search- ing for a fi rst podium in his home race. Four-times world champion Vettel claimed a 48th overall win and his third in Melbourne fol- lowing his victories at Albert Park last year and in 2011. “It was needless to say we got a bit lucky with the timing of the safety car,” the German, who had started from third place and inherited the lead when Hamilton and Raikkonen had pit- ted earlier in the race, told reporters. “It’s not Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel (front) leads the easiest track to pass.” Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during the For Hamilton, the result was a bitter pill to Formula One Australian Grand Prix in swallow and had echoes of last year’s race. Vet- Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) tel also managed to re-enter in front of him from pit-lane in 2017 before burning away to victory while the pole-sitting Briton was blocked by traffi c. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said his team had miscalculated the margin between the cars during the safety car period. “We thought we had enough margin,” he said. “It must have been a software bug in the system that caused us to get it wrong. We are digging deep now to under- stand where we had a problem.” ished fi fth for McLaren in the team’s fi rst race cession before the halfway mark. 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) +7.069 17. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 23 laps Hamilton, who cockily spoke of “wiping with Renault power, equalling their best result The team was fi ned 10,000 euros ($12,000) 5. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) +27.886 18. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) 14 laps the smile off ” Vettel’s face with his pole lap in three dreary years with previous engine sup- by stewards after it emerged they had failed 6. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) +28.945 19. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 6 laps on Saturday, battled to keep positive. “Even pliers Honda. Red Bull’s Dutch wunderkind Max to secure wheels properly on both cars during 7. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) +32.671 20. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) 5 laps now I don’t understand what’s happened,” the Verstappen fi nished sixth after suff ering a full botched tyre-changes when pitted. They were 8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) +34.339 33-year-old told reporters. “I did everything I 360-degree spin on the 10th lap that put him among fi ve cars that failed to fi nish the event- 9. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) +34.921 DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP believe I was supposed to do.” out of the running. ful opener, including Williams’ Russian debu- 10. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) +45.722 1. Vettel 25 pts; 2. Hamilton 18; 3. Raikkonen 15; After the pit-lane setback, Hamilton drove Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas fi nished tant Sergey Sirotkin who blamed a rogue plastic 11. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) +46.817 4. Ricciardo 12; 5. Alonso 10; 6. Verstappen 8; hard to reel in Vettel and battled back after tak- eighth after starting 15th, having taken a fi ve- sandwich bag for destroying the car’s brakes. 12. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) +1:00.278 7. Hulkenberg 6; 8. Bottas 4; 9. Vandoorne 2; ing a slide at a corner that blew out the lead to place grid penalty for a gearbox change after a 13. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) +1:15.759 10. Sainz Jr 1 nearly three seconds. But he fi nally waved the heavy crash during qualifying. A weekend that RESULTS (58 LAPS) 14. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) +1:18.288 white fl ag in the closing laps to preserve the car begun brightly for Haas with a strong qualifying 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:29.33.283sec 15. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso) +1 lap CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP for future races. turned sour during the race when Grosjean and 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) +5.036 sec Did not finish: 1. Ferrari 40 points; 2. Mercedes 22; 3. Red Bull 20; Twice world champion Fernando Alonso fi n- Kevin Magnussen ground to a halt in quick suc- 3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) +6.309 16. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) retired after 25 laps 4. McLaren 12; 5. Renault 7

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Qatar’s Abdulla safely McLaren gunning for Red Bull: Alonso

Reuters qualifying,” said Alonso, who has Melbourne not had a podium since his fi nal through opening stage year at Ferrari in 2014. “We capitalised on some of cLaren have Red Bull the problems that the others Adel Abdulla in action during the in their sights after had today and we had an attack Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. twice world champi- from Verstappen on the last 20 on Fernando Alonso laps and we were able to defend. Mfi nished fi fth yesterday’s season- I’m happy, it was great work by opening Australian Grand Prix. the team. Defi nitely it’s going The Spaniard, his car now pow- to be better and better,” added ered by the same Renault engine the 36-year-old, who fi nished as Red Bull, started 10th on the a place ahead of Verstappen and grid but ended up matching the one behind Red Bull’s Australian team’s best result in their previ- Daniel Ricciardo. ous three depressing years with “I think there is a lot of poten- Honda. tial in the car still to be unlocked. The retirements of both Haas It’s the fi rst race with this com- cars, which started on the third bination, McLaren and Renault row, helped McLaren’s cause by doorne were also each gifted a qualify in the top 10, also ended power unit, so a lot more to come bringing out the safety car, as higher place on the starting grid in the points with a ninth place and hopefully from Bahrain we did an early spin which pushed when Mercedes driver Valtteri fi nish. see another step forward and Red Red Bull’s Max Verstappen back Bottas was demoted fi ve places “I think it was more or less Bull will be the next target.” Bah- down the order. Alonso and for needing a gearbox change. expected. We knew that we had rain is the next race on the calen- Belgian team mate Stoff el Van- Vandoorne, who had failed to a strong race pace, better than dar on April 8.

By Sports Reporter suppose this can be expected. Qasr Al Sarab, UAE “Until PC2, I think we were leading and then we heard something wrong with the exhaust. When Haas shows class, then farce in Australia we drove fast, we could see some smoke coming atar’s Adel Abdulla completed the inside the car and we thought there could be a fi re, Melbourne: A weekend that began with tightened and it wasn’t.” PLASTIC BAG BRINGS SIROTKIN’S opening 276.01km desert selective sec- so we stopped to check several times to check the back-slapping and high-fives for Haas after The stewards imposed fines of 5,000 DEBUT TO AN EARLY END tion of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge car. On the last part of the stage, before PC3, we their best ever Formula One qualifying fin- euros ($6000 approx) for each incident, A discarded plastic bag was blamed as the in second position in the T2 standings start to hear the exhaust knocking on the car and ished with ‘heartbreak’ and fines after both adding another sting to the drivers’ huge likely culprit for causing Russian rookie afterQ a measured drive in diffi cult conditions. we stopped after the PC for a time and lost a lot of the team’s cars retired before the halfway disappointment at the season-opening race Sergey Sirotkin to retire four laps into his With the later morning start, the car drivers time. Still, we have four days to go and 30 minutes mark of the Australian Grand Prix. won by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. “It’s a very Formula One debut with Williams in Aus- had to endure the worst of the midday heat in the on the Desert Challenge is nothing. Tomorrow, we Danish driver Kevin Magnussen started tough one to swallow for the whole team,” tralia. The 22-year-old had lined up on the UAE desert and that made the sand even softer will try to push again.” yesterday’s race at Albert Park in fifth place said Magnussen. back row of the starting grid, 19th of the and more treacherous than usual. Adel Abdulla is running his T2 programme with with French teammate Romain Grosjean “To have both cars not finishing — having 20 drivers, and any hopes of progressing Adel’s rented and near-standard Nissan Safari the crucial support of the Qatar government, the lining up in sixth after Red Bull’s Daniel Ric- been in such good positions and with so up through the field disappeared when he Y61 is not ideally suited to these conditions, but Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) ciardo took a three place drop. much anticipation — it’s just heartbreaking became the first retirement of the season. the Qatar and navigator Nasser Al-Kuwari main- and Ooredoo Qatar. Competitors will remain at They were running fourth and fifth to finish like that.” Williams technical head Paddy Lowe said tained their composure and conserved the vehicle the Qasr Al-Sarab bivouac for the next four nights prior to their first pitstops where it all went Steiner said it was “almost unbelievable” the Mercedes-powered car’s rear brakes without taking risks to complete the stage in 4hrs and tackle the longest special of the entire event wrong. There was obvious alarm from the for both cars to suff er the same fate in one had failed. “Our provisional analysis is that a 52min 37sec. A niggling exhaust issue forced them – a loop of 287.92km through the towering sand mechanics as the cars were released, and race but put the blame down to a lack of plastic bag has been collected on the circuit, to stop on several occasions and cost valuable dunes of the Liwa Desert — on Monday. they each rolled to a halt before completing pitstop practice and shortage of spare tyres. completely blocking the brake cooling, so minutes. That dropped them to second position another lap. “This weekend was very intense for us, we that the right rear corner caught fire and — 30min 33sec behind Saudi Arabian rival Ahmed T2 POSITIONS AFTER SS1: The team revealed later that it had com- had issues in FP1 and FP2,” said Steiner of eventually failed the hydraulics circuit,” he Shegawi — but there are four long stages remain- 1. Ahmed Al-Shegawi (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter mitted the same mistake twice, failing to Friday’s free practice sessions. said. “His brake pedal went to the floor and ing before the fi nish on Thursday afternoon at Yas (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser 4hrs 23min 31.7sec properly fasten wheels on each car after “When we get to Bahrain (we need) to he had to go down the escape lane.” Marina. Both Russia’s Yuliya Khegay-Migunova 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Nissan changing their tyres. “It was just a bad pit start as quickly as possible to practice there. Williams have the youngest line-up in For- and Romania’s Claudia Laurentiu Barbu hit trou- Patrol 4hrs 54min 05.6sec stop,” said team principal Guenther Steiner. A lot of people who are part of the pit crew mula One, with 19-year-old Canadian Lance ble on the stage. 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS)/Aldis Vilcans (LVA) “The wheelnut was on but it was cross- are leaving early to set up out there so you Stroll — who is in his second season — in Adel said: “Today was a good day for us because Toyota LC 200 6hrs 08min 41.5sec threaded. That doesn’t tighten the wheel never have a full crew. If you train with a half the other car. The former world champions we did not get stuck. But, unfortunately, we had 4. Laurentiu-Claudiu Barbu (ROU)/Paul-Nicusor up but for the mechanic, it feels like it is crew, it can be even worse.” finished fifth overall last year. some problems with the car. It’s a rental car and I Spirodon (ROU) Nissan Navara Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA Rockets beat Pelicans to notch franchise-record 59th victory The Rockets have won 15 consecutive home games, the second-longest streak in team history

Reuters contributed 18 points and 23 rebounds Houston to help Charlotte defeat host Dallas. Jeremy Lamb added 14 points and Ma- lik Monk scored 11 for the Hornets, who ames Harden paired a game-high won their third straight game. 27 points with eight assists and Charlotte posted a 62-52 rebound- Clint Capela produced a monster ing edge and hit 12 of 25 from 3-point eff ort on both ends as the Hou- range despite shooting just 38% overall. stonJ Rockets extended their winning Dennis Smith Jr. scored 21 points and streak to eight games with a 114-91 vic- Harrison Barnes added 18 but couldn’t tory over the New Orleans Pelicans on prevent Dallas from dropping its fi fth Saturday in Houston. straight game. Houston set a new franchise record with its 59th win, besting the mark set PISTONS 117, BULLS 95 by the 1993-94 NBA champions. The Anthony Tolliver scored a season-high Rockets have won 15 consecutive home 25 points, including a career-best six games, the second-longest streak in 3-pointers, and Detroit had eight play- team history, and claimed the season ers in double fi gures while rolling past series from the Pelicans by winning depleted Chicago in Detroit. Tolliver, a three of four games. reserve forward, had not scored more Harden surpassed 2,000 points on than 20 points this season prior to his the season, the fi rst player in the league outburst. Andre Drummond posted to do so this season. He has hit that pla- 15 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, teau in four consecutive campaigns and four steals and four blocks for Detroit, fi ve times in six seasons with Houston. which has won three of its last four Capela posted 18 points, 16 rebounds games. Blake Griffi n had 10 points and and a career-high-tying six blocks in nine assists while sitting out the fourth an entertaining battle with Pelicans quarter in the lopsided win. All-Star Anthony Davis, who totalled 25 points, eight boards and four blocks. MAGIC 105, SUNS 99 Aaron Gordon enjoyed a solid all- 76ERS 120, TIMBERWOLVES 108 around game with 29 points, 11 re- Rookie Ben Simmons recorded his 10th bounds, a career-best eight assists and triple-double with 15 points, 13 assists three steals to lead host Orlando past and 12 rebounds as Philadelphia domi- Phoenix. Nikola Vucevic recorded 24 nated the third quarter and defeated points and 11 rebounds for Orlando, visiting Minnesota. The 76ers won which won for just the fourth time in their sixth straight by outscoring Min- the past 19 games. nesota 39-19 in the third quarter. DJ Augustin had 15 points, 10 assists They shot 55.6% in the period while and nine rebounds, Mario Hezonja reg- getting 13 assists and holding Minne- Houston Rockets' James Harden (right) attempts to drive the ball past New Orleans Pelicans' Cheick Diallo during the NBA match in Houston. (USA TODAY Sports) istered 14 points, eight rebounds and sota to 15.8%. Simmons had 10 points matched his season high of four steals and fi ve assists in the third as Philadel- game this season with at least 30 assists. ing Los Angeles beat Memphis. Kuzma minutes and 9-of-21 overall while add- for the 23rd time in 24 games. and Shelvin Mack scored 12 points. phia totalled 33 assists. It was the Sixers’ helped the Lakers halt a four-game los- ing 10 rebounds. Josh Jackson scored 18 points and Alex 24th straight game with at least 20 as- LAKERS 100, GRIZZLIES 93 ing streak by posting his 21st game with Andrew Harrison had 20 points and HORNETS 102, MAVERICKS 98 Len added 15 points and nine rebounds sists, equalling the team record set dur- Rookie Kyle Kuzma scored 15 of his 25 at least 20 points, including his third Marc Gasol scored 18 for the Grizzlies, Kemba Walker scored 24 points and for Phoenix, which has lost 11 straight ing the 1992-93 season, and their 20th points in the fourth quarter as visit- straight. He shot 5-of-6 in the fi nal 12 who lost their fourth straight game and made a pivotal steal and Dwight Howard games and 26 of its last 28.

NHL Warriors’ Curry out for Seventh straight win for streaking Sharks at least three weeks Los Angeles: Golden State Steph back at some point.” Reuters Warriors star Stephen Curry Curry missed 15 days during San Jose, California will miss at least three weeks the 2016 playoff s with a Grade after suff ering a sprain of the 1 MCL sprain, with the team medial collateral ligament in his going 4-2 in the six games he vander Kane scored twice and left knee Friday night against sat out. goalie Martin Jones stopped 37 the Atlanta Hawks. An MRI shots as the San Jose Sharks (43- revealed that Curry suff ered a CELTICS IRVING 23-9, 95 points) tightened their Grade 2 MCL sprain, according UNDERGOES SURGERY holdE on second place in the Pacifi c Divi- to the team. He will be re- Boston Celtics star guard Kyrie sion with a 5-1 victory over the Calgary evaluated in three weeks, right Irving will miss the rest of the Flames on Saturday afternoon in San around when the NBA playoff s regular season and perhaps Jose, California. are scheduled to begin on April part of the postseason after Kane netted four goals the last time the 14. The 30-year-old was playing undergoing surgery on his left Sharks met the Flames, his fi rst career in his first game since missing knee on Saturday. The Celtics hat trick, and the Sharks are now riding six contests with an aggrava- said Irving underwent a pro- a seven-game winning streak. A pair of tion of a previous injury to his cedure in which a tension wire goals 74 seconds apart by Brenden Dillon troublesome right ankle. was removed from the trouble- and Jannik Hansen staked the Sharks to a He appeared to have fully some knee. 2-0 lead before the midway point of the recovered from that injury, The wire was initially placed opening frame. scoring 29 points in 25 minutes in the knee as part of the Dillon opened the scoring at the 7:52 against the Hawks before surgery after Irving suff ered a mark when he was set up by Chris Tier- teammate JaVale McGee fell fractured kneecap during the ney for a one-timer from the high slot back onto his left leg. “Kind of 2015 NBA Finals. The team said and unloaded a shot that beat Flames a strange, cruel twist of fate,” Irving is expected to resume goalie David Rittich. Hansen doubled the head coach Steve Kerr said basketball activities in three to lead with a slick defl ection. He held off after the game. six weeks. a check from Calgary’s Mark Jankowski “He rehabs his ankle for the “While removal of the wire when he redirected Brent Burns’ shot- last couple weeks, he gets that should relieve irritation it was pass into the cage. strong and then the knee goes. causing in Irving’s patellar ten- So we’ll see what happens and don, the fractured patella has BLUES 2, BLUE JACKETS 1 we’ll keep our fingers crossed.” fully healed and Irving’s knee Jake Allen had 33 saves as St. Louis Kerr was asked about the has been found to be com- snapped Columbus’ 10-game win streak team’s health problems, as pletely structurally sound,” the with a victory at Columbus, Ohio. Al- three Warriors All-Stars were Celtics said in a statement. exander Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko sidelined Friday even before Irving, who turned 26 on scored goals for the Blues (42-28-5, 89), Curry got injured. Friday, received a second who won their fi fth straight game and Kevin Durant has fractured opinion on the knee on Thurs- moved ahead of idle Anaheim (38-24-13, right rib cartilage, Klay Thomp- day and the team announced 89) for the second wild-card spot in the son has a broken right thumb Friday that he would undergo Western Conference. Calgary Flames goalie David Rittich (left) and defenseman Travis Harmonic attempt to stop San Jose Sharks' Tomas Hertl (right) and Draymond Green is nursing surgery. Irving hasn’t played Although both teams have 89 points, from scoring in the NHL game at SAP Center in San Jose on Saturday night. (USA TODAY Sports) a pelvic contusion. “I definitely since departing at halftime of the Blues own the tiebreaker by virtue do not have an ominous feel- a March 11 game against the of total wins. Cam Atkinson scored for AVALANCHE 2, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1 in Newark. The Devils won their second MAPLE LEAFS 4, RED WINGS 3 ing,” Kerr said. “I definitely feel Indiana Pacers. Irving, a five- Columbus (42-29-5, 89), which also had Gabriel Landeskog scored the lone goal straight game and for the fi fth time in Nazem Kadri scored the game-winning like I’m disappointed for Steph, time All-Star, leads the Celtics in an eight-game home win streak bro- in the shootout and goaltender Semyon seven games. Nico Hischier beat Light- goal with 7:26 remaining to give Toronto mostly, tonight. We’ll see how scoring (24.4 points per game) ken. Sergei Bobrovsky fi nished with 26 Varlamov stopped 39 shots through over- ning goalie Alexei Vasilevskiy for his a late win over visiting Detroit. All but long he has to be out. We’ll and assists (5.1).He has played saves but had a personal seven-game win time plus all three shootout contestants 18th goal of the season at the 17:51 mark locked into the third position in the At- have guys coming back in the in 60 games. Boston (48-23) streak snapped. as host Colorado momentarily stopped of the fi rst period to give the Devils the lantic Division for the playoff s, Toronto next couple weeks, and we’ve stands 4 1/2 games behind the Vegas from clinching a playoff spot. early advantage. The Lightning had their (45-23-7, 97) has now won six of its last got enough and we can push Eastern Conference-leading OILERS 3, KINGS 2 Varlamov denied David Perron, Eric three-game winning streak snapped and seven games. On the other side, the Red forward and we can win a lot Toronto Raptors with 11 games Connor McDavid scored two goals to take Haula and Jonathan Marchessault in the lost for just the fourth time in 16 games. Wings have now lost 12 of their last 13 as of games and hopefully we get remaining. over the NHL scoring lead as host Ed- shootout as the Avalanche (41-26-8, 90) Vasilevskiy had 29 saves but lost for the they continue to amass ping pong balls monton handed Los Angeles a potentially kept hold of a wild-card spot in the West- third time in fi ve games after starting the for the draft lottery. damaging loss. McDavid’s 38th goal and ern Conference playoff race. It’s a matter season 40-11-3. 96th point at 4:08 of the second period of time before the Golden Knights (47-21- CAPITALS 6, CANADIENS 4 on a partial breakaway which saw him 7, 101) become the fi rst expansion team PANTHERS 4, COYOTES 2 Tom Wilson and Evgeny Kuznetsov each split defenders and slot a wrister between to make the playoff s since the Edmonton Down two goals in the third period, Flor- scored two goals, and Nicklas Backstrom Jonathan Quick’s pads enabled him to Oilers and Hartford Whalers joined the ida rallied to defeat Arizona in Sunrise, added four assists as Washington defeat- pass Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, who league from the World Hockey Associa- Florida. Denis Malgin pounced on a loose ed Montreal. The Capitals now are 7-1-0 has 95 points. tion in 1979-80, but they couldn’t cel- puck and roofed a shot for the go-ahead in their past eight games and improved The Oilers’ third straight win came at ebrate with just a single point. goal with 3:45 left in the third period. their lead in the Metropolitan Division the expense of a team fi ghting for its play- It was his fi rst goal in exactly one to fi ve points over idle Pittsburgh and six off lives. Los Angeles (41-28-7) remains DEVILS 2, LIGHTNING 1 month and his 11th of the season. Vincent over Columbus. Wilson had not scored a at 89 points, tied with Anaheim and St. Keith Kinkaid fi nished with 35 saves and Trocheck scored Florida’s fi rst two goals, goal in his last 10 games but got two in a Louis for the last two spots in the West- won for the sixth time in his last eight tying the score 2-2 when it appeared the three-goal fi rst period. Kuznetsov scored ern Conference. What’s more, both the starts to lift New Jersey (39-28-8, 86) to Panthers (38-28-7, 83) were lifeless. He a goal in the fi rst and another early in Ducks and Blues have a game in hand on a surprising win over Eastern Confer- has 30 goals this season, which leads his the third. Backstrom assisted on each of the Kings. ence-leading Tampa Bay (51-20-4, 106) team and is a career best. Washington’s three fi rst-period goals. Gulf Times 6 Monday, March 26, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS GOLF South Korea’s Ji grabs share of Kia Classic Federer’s stunning lead as Kerr collapses

AFP my game a little bit.” Los Angeles On a tightly bunched leader- board, another four players were tied on 207. outh Korea’s Ji Eun-hee Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist loss leaves Miami fi red fi ve birdies in a fi ve- joined that group with a six-un- under par 67 on Saturday der 66 that included seven bird- to share the LPGA Kia ies. She was level with Spain’s ClassicS third-round lead with Carlota Ciganda (69), South compatriot Kim In-kyung and Korean Lee Jeong-eun (70) and American Lizette Salas. American Kris Tamulis (67). The trio’s 11-under total of 205 Another fi ve players were tied put them one stroke in front of a on 208. Open wide open group of four players headed by American Cristie Kerr – who start- Leading third round scores World number one decides to skip clay-court season after loss to Kokkinakis ed the day with a fi ve-shot lead but 205 - Ji Eun-hee (KOR) 70-68-67, carded a three-over par 75. Lizette Salas 69-67-69, Kim In- Reuters “The conditions were rough kyung (KOR) 67-69-69 Miami so I just tried to keep the ball on 206 - Hsu Wei-Ling (TPE) 72-66- the fairway,” Ji said. “It (course) 68, Cindy LaCrosse 69-69-68, is a challenge. I keep trying to Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 66-70- oger Federer suff ered a change my swing. I am starting 70, Cristie Kerr 67-64-75 shock 3-6 6-3 7-6(4) to feel more comfortable with 207 - Anna Nordqvist (SWE) defeat to Austral- my new swing.” 71-70-66, Kris Tamulis 70-70-67, ian wildcard Thanasi Kerr was tied on 206 with Tai- Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 70-68-69, KokkinakisR on Saturday that wan’s Hsu Wei-Ling (68), Swe- Lee Jeong-eun (KOR) 68-69-70 will cost the Swiss his world den’s Caroline Hedwall (70) and 208 - Choi Hye-jin (KOR) 72-70- number one ranking and leaves fellow American Cindy LaCrosse 66, Kim Jin-young (KOR) 70-72- the Miami men’s tournament (68). A day after a sparkling 66, Jane Park 71-69-68, Caroline wide open. 64, Kerr had three bogeys and Masson (GER) 70-70-68, Park With defending champion a double-bogey six at the par- Hee-young (KOR) 66-70-72 Federer and six-times Miami four 15th – where she hooked her 209 - Brittany Lincicome 72- Open winner Novak Djokovic drive into the trees. 72-65, Perrine Delacour (FRA) exiting early, the likes of second Kerr, 40, had just two birdies 70-72-67, Bronte Law (ENG) seed Maric Cilic, Grigor Dim- on the Aviara Golf Club course 69-72-68, Feng Shanshan (CHN) itrov (3), and Indian Wells win- where she won in 2015. 72-68-69, Lydia Ko (NZL) 68-71- ner Juan Martin del Potro (5) “I just didn’t have it,” Kerr said 70, Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) will all fancy their chances over Saturday. “I’ve got to go work on 69-69-71 the coming week. Alexander Zverev will also be in the mix but the German fourth seed had a close shave on Saturday, needing three sets to advance past Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4 1-6 7-6(5), while Denis Shapovalov also moved on by defeating Bosnian Damir Dzumhur. Kokkinakis had trained with Federer but had never played the Swiss previously. With his vicious forehand dialled in, the Australian was able to wear down Federer, who announced after the match that Eun-Hee Ji of Korea in action during round three of the LPGA Kia he was again skipping the Euro- Thanasi Kokkinakis (left) of Australia with Roger Federer of Switzerland after his three set victory in their second round match of the Miami Classic at the Park Hyatt Aviara golf course in Carlsbad, California, on pean clay court season. Open in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) Saturday. (Getty Images/AFP) A disappointed Federer, who loses his number one ranking to after the Spaniard rallied from match. wrapping up the match 6-4 1-6 while the former world number Rafa Nadal with the loss, said he a set down to beat countryman Japanese left-hander Yoshi- 7-6(4). one said she was not fi ring on just could not raise his game. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 4-6 hito Nishioka, coming back af- After former world number all cylinders she was happy to Garnett leads Conners by two strokes “Sometimes you have these 6-0 6-2. ter a year out due to major knee one Pliskova won a close fi rst grind out a result. American Brice Garnett stumbled late but still opened up a two- matches,” he said. Zverev needed more than injury, went down 6-1 6-4 to set, doubles specialist Hsieh “I don’t feel like I played my stroke lead over Canadian Corey Conners after the third round at “Sometimes you fi nd a way two hours to prevail over Rus- 10th seed Tomas Berdych. dominated the second as her best Tennis, but those kind of the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic on through. I just couldn’t get it sian Medvedev, taking his ninth Britain’s Kyle Edmund also opponent made 12 errors. matches are super important Saturday. Garnett tamed strong winds through the first 12 holes on done today.” consecutive deciding-set tie- lost, falling 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(5) The Czech broke at 5-3 in for me right now,” Azarenka the oceanside Corales Golf Club, but ran up three bogeys coming His mood contrasted sharply break victory, and will next face to American Frances Tiafoe, the third set before Hsieh saved told reporters after her 3-6 6-4 home to card three-under-par 69. He posted a 16-under 200 total with an ecstatic Kokkinakis. David Ferrer. who frittered away four match three match points to break 6-1 win over the 20th seed. with one round left as he seeks his maiden PGA Tour win in his 88th “When I feel like I am play- Canadian 18-year-old points in the tiebreak before fi - back. Pliskova came close again In other matches, 10th seed start. Conners shot 67 to move into second place at 14-under, with ing on my terms, I don’t think Shapovalov breezed through nally winning. to winning the match but Hsieh Angelique Kerber took down American Tyler McCumber next at 12-under. there’s too many people who the fi rst set in 24 minutes In the women’s section, the held serve to set up a tiebreak Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 “It was playing really diff icult. The wind made things challenging but can go with me,” the 21-year- against Dzumhur and led by a fi fth seed Karolina Pliskova had where the Czech closed it out 6-4 and Sloane Stephens came I hit the ball solidly all day,” said Conners, who will play in the last old told reporters. break twice in the second be- a tough time before battling on her seventh match point. back from a set down to beat group out on the final day for the second time this month. Federer then announced he fore breaking for the fi fth time past Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei Third seed Garbine Mugu- Monica Niculescu. The Ro- He led after three rounds at the Valspar Championship two weeks will be skipping the whole of at 5-5 and serving out the 6-1 and three-time Miami cham- ruza is still in it though and the manian retired with Stephens ago before fading with a closing 77 to plunge to equal 16th. the clay-court season. 7-5 victory. pion Victoria Azarenka needed reigning Wimbledon champion leading 6-7(1) 6-3 4-0. Conners hopes the experience will help. “I know it’s important to “I decided not to play the clay He will next face Borna Coric three sets to get past Anastasija brushed aside American Chris- Zarina Diyas defeated Ca- stay relaxed, slow things down a little bit, make good decisions and season,” said Federer. of Croatia, who turned back Ar- Sevastova of Latvia. tina McHale 6-2 6-1. rina Witthoeft 4-6 7-5 6-0 and just trust my game,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence right now Fernando Verdasco will be gentine Leonardo Mayer 6-7(5) Czech Pliskova was pushed Azarenka also went the dis- Wang Yafan beat Alison Riske and been playing well for quite a while.” Kokkinakis’s next opponent 6-3 6-4 in a nearly three-hour all the way by Hsieh before tance against Sevastova, and 4-6 6-3 7-6(4).

WGC MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP Thomas to face Watson in semis with No. 1 at stake AFP a 2011 loss to Germany’s Mar- to play my opponent too much.” Austin tin Kaymer. Top-ranked Dus- Noren led Smith, the only tin Johnson crashed out in group debutant in the last eight, after play to give the number-one op- every hole. Smith was 2-down ustin Thomas won twice portunity to Thomas, who along when he missed a six-foot birdie on Saturday to move one with Noren were the only group putt at the par-5 12th, hurling triumph from the world top seeds to advance. his ball in frustration at missing number one ranking and With the start of the Masters a chance to close the gap. intoJ a semi-fi nal against two- looming on April 5 at Augusta “I played good in the begin- time Masters champion Bubba National, Thomas could join ning,” Noren said. “In the middle Watson at the WGC Match-Play Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth of the round I had a few hiccups. Championship. in reaching world number one I was fortunate a few times. He Second seed Thomas, who before the age of 25. Thomas is burned the edges. It could have won his fi rst major title at last seeking his ninth career PGA ti- gone either way and I stepped it August’s PGA Championship, tle and fourth in seven months up at the end.” routed South Korean Kim Si- after wins at TPC Boston last woo 6&5 in the round of 16 and September, the CJ Cup in South Poulter fails in Masters bid saw off fellow American Kyle Korea last October and the Hon- Poulter needed to reach the Stanley 2&1 in the quarter-fi nals da Classic last month. semi-fi nals to crack Monday’s at Austin Country Club. Kisner thrashed Ian Poulter top 50 in the world rankings and If he beats Watson on Sunday, 8&6 in the quarter-fi nals, the book a spot at the Masters in Thomas will play in the after- most lopsided win ever so deep two weeks. But Kisner won fi ve noon for the crown against the into the event, after edging com- consecutive holes to go 5-up winner of the other semi-fi nal patriot Matt Kuchar 1 up. after seven and Poulter’s misery between Swede Alex Noren and Noren, seeking his fi rst US ended at 12. American Kevin Kisner. PGA victory, eliminated Patrick “I didn’t mess up and I threw “All I can do is go play the best Reed 5&3 in the round of 16 and a few birdies in there and that’s I can,” Thomas said. “(Bubba) downed Australian Cameron how it got that way,” Kisner said. has been showing some really Smith 4&2 in the quarter-fi nals. I hadn’t been playing well but good form. He’s a really great Thomas and Stanley were all put in some prep this week and player. I have to hope he doesn’t square after nine but Thomas started to see some results.” have a hot day.” won the next three holes. Stanley Kisner is looking for the big- Watson, seeded 35th, edged answered by winning 13 on an 11- gest title of his career, hav- Brian Harman 2&1 in the round foot birdie putt but they halved ing won PGA titles at Colonial of 16 and ousted Thailand’s the next four holes as Thomas last year and Sea Island in 2015, Kiradech Aphibarnrat 5&3 in the advanced. “I played well today while Poulter must now win next quarter-fi nals. “We were just but didn’t get off to the same week’s Houston Open to qualify trying to put the ball in position, start I had been getting,” Thomas for the Masters. Kiradech, un- trying to give us the best birdie said. “I made a lot of key putts, beaten entering the quarter-fi - chances. The pin placements par savers, to keep me running nals, was level with Watson after are in some tough spots around smoother on the back nine. nine holes, but lost four straight here,” said Watson, whose only “I’ve just been trying to play holes to gift the big-hitting left- Justin Thomas of the United States blows on his ball on the 13th hole during the quarter-final round of the World Golf Championships-Dell other semi-fi nal run ended in my game. I haven’t been trying hander a semi-fi nal spot. Match Play at Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

FRIENDLY QNB STARS LEAGUE Khalfan back from injury to boost Arabi England’s Alli has April 1. By Sports Reporter Doha Al Rayyan are currently sec- ond in Group D with six points behind Esteghlal, so The Lions l Arabi midfi elder will be keen to win the game and Khalfan Ibrahim, who thus go top of the group. missed their 3-1 win Al Ain are third with four over Al Gharafa in points, followed by Saudi Ara- chance to state his WeekA 21 of the QNB Stars League bia’s Al Hilal on two. due to an injury, has returned to Al Rayyan and Esteghlal had training as they gear up for their played out a 2-2 draw in Doha in Week 22 match against Al Khor. the fi rst round. After a break, Al Arabi start- Elsewhere, striker Abdulkader ed their preparations under Ilyas Elias has joined Al Markhi- Croatian coach Luka Bonacic. ya’s training ahead of their QNB The Dream Team are seeking Stars League Week 22 game case against Italy their fi fth consecutive victory against Umm Salal as he has re- to fi nish the season on a strong covered from an injury that kept ‘It’s been confirmed that injured Gomez has returned to Liverpool for further assessment’ note. him out of the last two matches. Al Arabi are seventh in the Al Markhiya had lost 2-4 to Reuters short of creativity with Liv- standings with 24 points. new champions Al Duhail in London erpool’s Adam Lallana strug- The squad is training without Week 21, resulting in their rel- gling for games and fi tness af- Saad Nateq and Ahmed Fathi, egation, even though they had ter impressing for England last who are representing hosts Iraq beaten Al Ahli 2-0 in Week 20. ngland approach to- season. and Qatar respectively in the on- Al Markhiya returned to morrow’s friendly There is further uncertainty going international friendly tour- the Second Division after Al against Italy grappling over the goalkeeper, an area of nament also featuring Syria. The Kharaitiyat defeated Qatar SC with a familiar set of re- traditional English strength. duo will join the sessions soon. 3-2 to earn a play-off berth with curringE problems that seem to With little more than two Al Arabi had beaten Al Khor Al Wakrah. resurface whenever major soc- months remaining, Southgate 3-0 in the fi rst phase. Al Markhiya stayed on 12 cer tournaments approach. has yet to settle on a fi rst choice Meanwhile, Al Rayyan are points, while Al Kharaitiyat An injury to Harry Kane will and Stoke City’s Jack Butland preparing in earnest for their moved to 16 to be the 11th-placed deny them their most potent is likely to be given a chance AFC Champions League match side in the QNB Stars League weapon at Wembley with con- to stake his claim on Tuesday against Iran’s Esteghlal, to be that plays off with the Second cerns over the Tottenham Hot- ahead of Everton’s Jordan Pick- played in Tehran on Monday, 2nd Division runners-up. spur striker’s availability for the ford, who kept a clean sheet in April. Despite relegation, Al Markhi- World Cup mirroring storylines Amsterdam. Al Rayyan players, except Mo- ya are eagerly preparing for the from other build-ups when Liverpool defender Joe hammed Alaaeldin and Ibrahim last-round action and also for former linchpins Bryan Robson, Gomez has also withdrawn Masood who are representing the Emir’s Cup. David Beckham, Wayne Rooney from the squad due to an ankle Qatar in the tri-nation interna- The squad, under Tunisian and Ashley Cole all struggled injury and has returned to his tional friendly tournament also coach Adel Sellimi, is training for fi tness. Premier League club for treat- featuring hosts Iraq and Syria, without Rebin Solaqa, who is ment, the Football Association are going ahead with their train- doing duty for Iraq in the ongo- Liverpool defender Joe (FA) said yesterday. ing under the watchful eyes of ing international friendly tour- Gomez has also withdrawn Gomez, 20, was substituted Danish coach Michael Laudrup. nament also featuring Qatar and from the squad due to off in the opening 10 minutes of Laudrup is to fi nalise the Syria, as well as Anas Mubarak, an ankle injury and has England’s 1-0 win over Nether- squad for the Esteghlal match who recently underwent a sur- returned to his Premier lands and will undergo further before they leave for Tehran on gery at Aspetar. League club for treatment assessment at Liverpool’s Mel- wood training ground. Kane is expected to return to “It’s been confi rmed that Joe Khalfan Ibrahim action next month and, if the Gomez has returned to Liver- 24-year-old then stays fi t, will pool for further assessment on be one of only a handful of play- the injury he picked up against ers guaranteed a start in Eng- the Netherlands,” the national land’s World Cup opener against team said on their offi cial Twit- Tunisia in June, as manager Ga- ter account. reth Southgate struggles with Observers cautiously praised issues throughout the team. England’s performance against Kane’s club mate Dele Alli has a Dutch side who showed long seemed a shoo-in as sup- why they were not good enough port striker but he has strug- to qualify for the World Cup fi - gled to live up to the praise from nals. Tottenham manager Mauricio Few, though, are tipping Pochettino, who this month England to progress far in Rus- Wales captain plays down Suarez comments referred to him as the best sia despite a favourable group 21-year-old in the world. draw that has placed them Wales captain Ashley Williams says his previous comments about Alli again looked ineff ectual alongside Belgium, Tunisia and Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, where the Everton defender said he when he came on as a substitute Panama. disliked the Barcelona forward more than any other player, were in England’s 1-0 victory over Off the fi eld, there were blown out of proportion. the Netherlands in Amsterdam more echoes from the past as Williams battled Suarez in the Premier League when the striker was on Friday and goalscorer Jesse the Football Association (FA) at Liverpool and the 33-year-old wrote in his 2012 book, My Premier Lingard made a strong case for condemned the “unacceptable League Diary, that he had “no respect” for the Uruguayan, who inclusion in Southgate’s World scenes” which led to 100 Eng- “dived more than any other player”. Cup starting line-up. land supporters being arrested The two will face off again when Wales play Uruguay in the China Alli’s chances may be fur- England’s Dele Alli in action against the in Amsterdam. Cup final today. ther restricted if England go Netherlands during their friendly in While England’s hooligan “That (comments in his book) was nothing really was it. It obviously into the tournament with the Amsterdam on March 23. (Reuters) problem is not on the same got blown up a lot bigger than it was. He’s always a tough oppo- 3-5-2 formation employed in scale as in the past, police have nent,” Williams told a news conference. Amsterdam as Southgate might raised concerns over supporters “I said at the time, he’s the hardest striker to play against in the opt for Raheem Sterling along- clashing with Russian counter- Premier League. I’m expecting a diff icult game, as always. side Kane on the back of the parts in June and July. “We feel confident about the game and we concentrate on our- 23-year-old’s fi ne club season Other tune-up games on a selves... At the same time, with regards to Suarez, I think that he’s with Manchester City. busy day include Switzerland vs one of the best strikers in the world, and he’s definitely one of the With time running out, Alli Panama, Romania vs Sweden, best I’ve played against.” has the chance to make his case and prolifi c goal-scoring record be said about Arsenal’s Jack once again absent injured and Belgium vs Saudi Arabia, Po- While Wales failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup finals, Uru- against Italy when Southgate is make him a certainty for the Wilshere who, although long appears to be too brittle for a land v sSouth Korea, Colombia guay have been pooled with hosts Russia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia expected to name him up front squad. touted as the answer to Eng- major tournament. vs Australia, Tunisia vs Costa in Group A. with Jamie Vardy, whose pace The same can no longer land’s problems in midfi eld, is That leaves Southgate Rica and Nigeria vs Serbia.

SPOTLIGHT ‘Brazil are better but will still miss Neymar’ AFP niki stadium, which hosts the World Berlin Cup fi nal on July 15. Colombia defeat a reminder of high-level Germany warmed up with a 1-1 requirements, says France coach draw with Spain in Duesseldorf as razil are one of the favourites Rodrigo Moreno’s early goal for the France coach Didier Des- about what I really didn’t like. for the 2018 World Cup, but visitors was cancelled out by Thomas champs said that Friday’s 3-2 My squad listen to me but injury to superstar Neymar Mueller’s fi rst-half strike. home defeat by Colombia in sometimes they can slip like it still weakens the ‘Selecao’, Germany head coach Joachim Loew a friendly game served as a happened against Colombia. BGermany winger Leroy Sane said yes- has said the 7-1 rout will remain a sub- timely warning for Les Bleus, “This defeat should act as a terday. ject “for the next 10, 20 or 30 years” less than three months before reminder.” “Brazil aren’t as dependent on Ney- whenever the teams meet. the World Cup in Russia. France have the opportunity mar as they were in 2014,” said Man- “Football is almost something spir- France appeared to have the to recover from that disap- chester City winger Sane. “They are itual for Brazilians, so I can under- match under control as they pointment when they meet better positioned and have a few new stand that the 7-1 still has an eff ect,” opened up a 2-0 lead inside 26 World Cup hosts Russia in St stars, but it still makes a big diff erence said Sane. minutes at the Stade de France Petersburg tomorrow. They whether Neymar plays or not.” “They live for football, but they will but then completely lost their might be without fullback Lucas Germany host Brazil in a mouth- live their ‘joie de vivre’ again at the way as they conceded three Digne, who picked up an injury watering friendly at Berlin’s Olympic 2018 World Cup. goals to lose the match. on Friday. “He has a muscle Stadium tomorrow as part of both “They are a great team with a good Deschamps said that he ad- problem but nothing serious. teams’ build-up to June’s World Cup mix of old and young players, they are dressed his players after the We have to check it today,” said in Russia. technically strong, but they also have game in the dressing room. Deschamps. It will be their fi rst meeting since tough players in defence. “I felt the players did not meet Midfielders Corentin Tolisso, the Germans stunned Brazil with fi ve “They can’t be underestimated, the requirements of high level Paul Pogba and forward An- goals inside half an hour in a 7-1 romp because they are clearly among the football,” he told French TV thony Martial, who had minor in the semi-fi nals of the 2014 World World Cup favourites.” channel TF1 yesterday. knocks, took part in Saturday’s Cup. Sane is expected to take Julian Drax- “I said what I had to say. I spoke training session. Just as back then, Brazil forward ler’s place on the wing against Brazil Neymar is sidelined by injury. This while his Man City team-mate Ilkay time the world’s most expensive play- Gundogan could replace Sami Khedira er is recovering from foot surgery. in the defensive midfi eld. He is expected to be fi t in time for Loew has said he expects to make up the World Cup, which kicks off on to fi ve changes from the team which June 14. drew with Spain. Brazil beat Russia 3-0 on Friday Mueller and Mesut Ozil have been with three goals in 13 minutes by released by Loew to rest, while Liver- Miranda, Paulinho and a Philippe pool midfi elder Emre Can has dropped German midfielder Leroy Sane (left) and German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan address a press Countinho penalty at Moscow’s Luzh- out with a back injury. conference in Berlin ahead of their friendly match against Brazil. (AFP)

Monday, March 26, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT We would do anything to help players: IBSF president ‘We don’t have any problem with the WSF if they are only looking at individual players. But they have a condition that only those players whose countries are members can participate. And that can’t be happening because you can’t have two governing bodies for one sport’

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

s an impasse between the two snooker world bodies continues, the AInternational Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF), presided by Qatar’s Mubarak al- Khayarin, has ramped up its ac- tivities and tournaments this year. One of the fi rst additions to the tournament calendar was the recently-concluded IBSF- ACBS World Snooker Team Cup in Doha, which was won by the Indian team of Manan Chandra and Pankaj Advani, who took home the winners’ cheque of USD15,000. The runners-up, Pakistan’s Mohamed Asif and Babar Masih earned USD7,000 for their ef- forts. The $60,000 tournament was the fi rst of the three more tournaments that are in the pipe- line this year. These three tour- naments – for individual players – will be held in Qatar, China and India. The idea, al-Khayarin told Gulf Times, was to off er “more tournaments, prize money, me- dia coverage to the players”. The World Professional Bil- liards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), as the name suggests, governs the professional side of snooker, while IBSF is the gov- erning federation for the amateur side of the game. World Confederation of Bil- liards Sport (WCBS) is the um- brella body for all cue sports with Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB) for carom/carambole and World Pool-Billiards Association (WPA) for pocket billiards, and IBSF and WPBSA. WCBS’ goal is In this March 2, 2018, picture, International Billiards and Snooker Federation president Mubarak al-Khayarin (second from right) and Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation president Mohamed Mubarak al-Ramzani to lead cue sports into the Olym- (left) with the IBSF-ACBS World Snooker Team Cup winning team of Manan Chandra (second from left) and Pankaj Advani of India at the QBSF Hall in Doha. pic Games in future. Last year, WPBSA cancelled an “WPBSA is (registered as) a After one of the fi rst meetings eration, with countries as mem- “In Summer (of) 2017, the the IBSF solution? is their choice,” he said. “Even MoU with IBSF. The 2013 MoU, company and WSF (registered with WCBS, IBSF and WPBSA bers,” he said. board of the WCBS was informed “What we have discussed now when players get a chance to according to a statement released in Lausanne) is under that com- held in January this year, WCBS For its part, WCBS released a that the Agreement between IBSF is that the champion of IBSF, play in the WPBSA tournaments, by the latter in August 2017, was pany. So how does a sports fed- in a statement said, “WCBS con- statement earlier this month, ex- and WPBSA never materialised. we will give support to play in it’s too expensive for them. We “to co-operate and establish eration come under a company?” fi rmed that the snooker members plaining the presence of “WSF” Due to the short timeframe, the QSchool, and the qualifi cation have often asked WPBSA to of- World Snooker Federation (WSF) al-Khayarin asked. remain as WPBSA and IBSF. The in its constitution adopted in name remains in our Constitu- can happen for the professional fer apartments for the player who as a representative of snooker in The newly-formed body of- WCBS does not recognise the 2013. tion as the snooker member be- tour from there,” al-Khayarin ex- is participating, at least for six the World Confederation of Bil- fers a passage to the professional newly formed World Snooker “The WSF was introduced in ing the WSF. The only WSF that plained. months. Let him not have to wor- liard Sports (WCBS)”. tour run by its parent company Federation (WSF) as an offi cial the WCBS Constitution in or- the WCBS was to recognise was “QSchool is joined by the play- ry about lodging, food, etc. when The IBSF statement added: WPBSA to players. However, entity within the WCBS struc- der to represent snooker and re- the one that was being formulat- er. We can pay the fees for the he is only trying to settle down. It “After almost four years, WSF only those players who are from ture.” place the International Billiard ed in 2013 between the IBSF and player to play there, maybe for is not easy for the players.” could not form a legal status for member federations of the WSF Al-Khayarin added: “There are & Snooker Federation (IBSF). WPBSA, not any other. three qualifying tournaments, Shedding light on the eff orts of snooker. We were expecting will be allowed to play. some people who want to change This was agreed to at the 2013 “Regarding the decision taken and semi-fi nalists for each tour- WCBS on getting cue sport into WSF to be a legal world con- “We don’t have any problem a company into a federation, General Assembly in the UK. It in 2013 and the current dispute nament qualify for the profes- the Olympic Games, al-Khayarin federation.” with the WSF if they are only by just using the name World was promised at the time by the between IBSF and WPBSA, the sional tour.” said, “A fi le from WCBS has been The severing of ties meant that looking at individual players. But Snooker Federation and putting IBSF and WPBSA that an Agree- WCBS has no other choice to fi nd Besides, with the number of sent to the French for inclusion in WPBSA would no longer off er they have a condition that only it against us. We must save our ment to create a new organisa- that the WSF as it was intended in tournaments and the prize mon- the 2024 Paris Olympics.” tour cards to the IBSF champions those players whose countries federations and our members. tion was imminent. On this basis, 2013 doesn’t exist, which means ey going up, it will benefi t the As far as the impasse goes, he for the professional game. are members can participate. We would do anything to help the the WCBS accepted the word of the only snooker groups that the players too, al-Khayarin said. said, “We want it to be fair. We In October last year then, And that can’t be happening players.” those two snooker groups and WCBS is able to acknowledge are “We have asked the players are the governing body of the WPBSA formed the World because you can’t have two gov- “WPBSA is a company and a made the name change in the the IBSF and WPBSA.” if they want to join them and game. WSF is under WPBSA, Snooker Federation (WSF) on its erning bodies for one sport,” al- player can go and play with them Constitution from IBSF to WSF,” So if there are no professional leave so many ranking tourna- which is a company. That’s not own. Khayarin said. individually, but IBSF is a fed- the statement explained. tour cards on off er now, what’s ments that we are hosting, it happening.”

EMIR CUP SHOOTING AND ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIP

Ahmed al-Shammari celebrates on the podium with the four gold medals he won at the Emir Shooting and Archery Championship. Al-Shammari defeated Mohamed al-Tamimi to win the centrefire pistol title at the Losail Ranges on Saturday. Ali Morshed claimed the bronze medal of the event. Angelo Scalzone won the men’s trap gold ahead of Saeed Abusharib. Rashid came third. Amna al-Abdullah claimed the women’s trap title as she beat Bin Ali. Noura al-Ali clinched the bronze medal on the last day of the championship. In the archery competition Farhan al-Saadi won the gold and Ahmad al-Abadi claimed silver. More than 100 shooters and archers contested in the annual event.