HH the Amir Sword Festival: Top Europeans for Qatar’S Best Races

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WEDNESday, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 HH The Amir Sword Festival: Top Europeans for Qatar’s best races

Invaluable Festival celebrating stature of Social & Sport Contribution Fund Qatar’s horseracing: QREC Chairman Issa ‘Daam’ main supporter for Al Mohannadi Tribune News Network Amir Sword Festival Doha

The final declarations for the international races of the HH The Amir Sword Festival have been issued featuring quality runners. The US$4.34 million Festival takes place at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Al Rayyan Park in Doha from Thursday (Feb- ruary 18) to Saturday (Feb 20) with the HH The Amir Sword and the HH The Amir Trophy as the key clashes among its international section. US$250,000 (£187,870) QREC Chairman Issa bin Dukhan Sprint (Sponsored by Mohammed Al Mohannadi Breeders’ Cup) over six fur- stressed the magnificence of longs (1200m), in the shape Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Abdulrahman Bin Abdulatif Al Mannai, CEO, the Festival and lauded the of Air de Valse. Owner/train- Chairman, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club. The Social & Sport Contribution Fund ‘Daam’. role of the sponsors. “The HH er/breeder Corine Barande- The Amir Sword Festival is the Barbe has booked Thomas to Tribune News Network “We have maximised our efforts to most prestigious and glam- partner her mare, winner of a Doha produce a remarkable renewal of the H.H. orous equestrian event, not Group 3 at ParisLongchamp The Amir Sword Festival and present a bright only in QREC, but in Qatar in last September and beaten As the 2021 renewal of the HH The Amir image of Qatar’s equestrian sport in line with general as well”, he said. “The little more than two lengths Sword Festival is fast approaching, the Qatar its high stature, especially in this prestigious value and the nature of Festi- when sixth in the Group 1 Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) has an- occasion, which we all look forward to every val do voice the attention paid Prix de l’Abbaye at the same nounced that The Social & Sport Contribution year. We expect top quality racing contests to Qatar’s horseracing and venue three weeks later. She Fund (Daam) as the main supporter of the as all horse owners, trainers and jockeys the standing it has reached will have Ronan Thomas in Festival to be held from February 18-20 at have completed their preparations and look in terms of both organisation the saddle. the QREC Al Rayyan Park. forward to the most valuable prizes and titles and competitions thanks to Air de Valse will face International runners will be lining up in of the season”, he added. the support from the coun- It has attracted a field $1 million showpiece, the HH eight Qatari opponents, led the Festival races, reflecting the stature of On this occasion, Daam CEO, Abdulrah- try’s wise leadership support of ten including Berkshire The Amir Sword (Sponsored by Taxiwala (Sanna), Think horseracing in Qatar. man bin Abdulatif Al Mannai, said, “For the and their endless efforts to Rocco, trained in England by by Al Hazm). Big (Tomas Lukasek) and X The support is part of the ongoing fifth straight year, the Social & Sport Contribu- promote Qatar’s equestrian Andrew Balding, second last Ebraz has landed the last Force (Auge), first, second partnership between QREC and Daam. This tion Support Fund is a main supporter of the sport in general and horserac- year at both Royal Ascot (in two renewals of this prestig- and fourth in the Al Shaqab support covers several of QREC’s activities HH The Amir Sword Festival as well as the ing in particular.” the Group 2 Queen’s Vase) ious event, getting the better Racing Trophy over this and is aimed to realise the aim behind the activities and events of QREC. “QREC would like to and Doncaster (in the Group of Tayf on both occasions, but course and distance on Feb- partnership extended over the years and “This support is part of Daam’s belief thank the sponsors who part- 1 St Leger). Tayf took revenge in October ruary 3rd. achieve success for both parties. in the stature of this remarkable sports and ner QREC in sponsoring the The son of Sir Percy will when beating his old rival into The size of the inter- QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al cultural event. The Festival is of paramount HH The Amir Sword Festival be ridden by Jason Watson third in the Group 1 Qatar national contingent at the Mohannadi lauded Daam’s support. “First importance for the community in Qatar given and the various activities and as he faces up to the cream of Arabian World Cup in France. HH The Amir Sword Festi- of all, we would like to thank Daam for their its effective role in promoting the long-estab- events of QREC. I seize this the local equine population, They may not have things val has been reduced by the keenness to be with us in the major events at lished cultural heritage of Qatar both region- opportunity to thank Daam, spearheaded by the Group all their own way in this mile recent imposition of addi- QREC”, he said. “Daam are a main supporter ally and internationally. QNB, Al Emadi Enterprises/ 1 scorer, Aspetar (Maxime and a half (2400m) event as a tional Covid-19 quarantine of our most valuable event, the HH The Amir “The equestrian sport has always been Al Hazm, Longines and Qa- Guyon), having his first start 14-strong field features three regulations and Saturday’s Sword Festival, this year. The partnership a source of pride in our society being the tar Airways for their valuable for Qatari trainer Julian runners from the stable of top three-year-old event, between QREC and Daam has been moving sport of our forefathers and predecessors. collaboration. We wish all Smart since leaving Roger French handler Thomas Four- the US$250,000 (£187,870) from strength to strength for five years now. Daam’s support for the Festival over succes- stakeholders all success and Charlton’s British-based cy. Pick of the triumvirate is one mile (1600m) Al Biddah As a supporter of youth and sports activi- sive years is but a demonstration of the value look forward to a remarkable string; Hellenistique (Ronan Julien Auge’s mount, Lady Mile will be an all-domestic ties, Daam have supported the QREC Riding and standing of this prestigious event and its renewal of the invaluable Fes- Thomas), winner of Decem- Princess, who has notched six 12-runner affair. Soldierpoy, School from the very beginning with the aim role in preserving the customs and traditions tival”, added Al Mohannadi. ber’s Qatar Derby; and the victories and two second plac- winner of all four of his Doha of supporting Qatari jockeys. The outcome handed down from one generation to another. In the finale, British raid- evergreen 2016 Qatar Derby es from eight career starts, starts including against nine has been very fruitful both in terms of the We look forward to the expected success this er Berkshire Rocco taking hero, Noor Al Hawa (Alberto most recently triumphing in of these rivals on his latest training camps organised form the young lo- year and to continued cooperation between on top locals Aspetar, Noor Sanna), already twice run- December’s Qatar Derby. outing, will be hard to beat if cal talents and the number of Qatari jockeys Daam and QREC in the upcoming pro- Al Hawa and Hellenistique ner-up in this contest and Fourcy’s other repre- lasting out this extra furlong. riding regularly in the races run at QREC. grammes and events”, added Al Mannai. in the HH The Amir Trophy successful in four times out sentatives are the three-time Saturday’s final interna- and a French trio squaring up of four this season, most re- Group 1 runner-up, Melabi tional event, the Qatar In- against the crack Qatari pair, cently beating Hellenistique (Jerome Cabre), and Faleh ternational Cup (Sponsored (Soufiane Saadi), lenger, Bowerman, the mount effective at this trip and may Tayf and Ebraz, in the HH in the HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Bughanaim’s mount, Kair by Daam), is a US$250,000 The US$200,000 of Ronan Whelan, go up have most to fear from De- The Amir Sword. Hamad Al Thani Rifle. Al Cham, lightly-raced since (£187,870) one mile (1600m) (£150,376) Irish Thorough- against 13 locals. cember’s Group 3 Barzan Cup Presented by Lon- Two of the very best pure- landing a Group 3 in Holland race for purebred Arabians. bred Marketing Cup takes Trained by Ado McGuin- second, Dominus (Sanna). gines, Saturday’s mile and bred Arabians in the world, in 2019. Amaar, a visitor from Oman, place 24 hours before the Fes- ness, Bowerman has not been A full list of runners a half (2400m) $1 million Smart’s Ebraz (Guyon) and the There is also French in- is the only foreigner among a tival’s other five international on a racecourse since landing and riders for Al Rayyan on (£729,927) HH The Amir Alban de Mieulle-trained Tayf volvement in Satur- 15-runner field headed by the contests on Friday (February a Group 3 over an extended Friday and Saturday can be Trophy is the thoroughbred (Ronan Thomas), go head-today’s big speed three-time Group 2 19th). This one mile (1600m) mile and a quarter at Dundalk accessed at: https://qrec.gov. highlight of the Festival. head again in Saturday’s other test, the scorer, Al Naama affair will see an Irish chal- in September. He is equally qa/racing/race-calendar

The US$4.34 million Festival takes place at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Al Rayyan Park in Doha from Thursday (February 18) to Saturday (February 20) with the HH The Amir Sword and the HH The Amir Trophy as the key clashes among its international section. Sports Wednesday, February 17, 2021 13 QF’s Al Shaqab gears up to host two world-class equestrian events

Tribune News Network Doha

Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, is gearing up for a feast of breathtaking equestrian sport, with two world-class international events taking place on consecutive week- ends at the iconic Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. The first, from February 25-27, is Al Shaqab’s signature equestrian event – Commer- cial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines 2021. The premier international equestrian competition, which will be organized and hosted by Al Shaqab for the eighth time since it was created in 2013, has evolved to become one of the highlights on the global equestrian calendar. The prestige associated with CHI Al SHAQAB, and its exemplary organization, has The iconic Longines Arena at Al Shaqab will host Al Shaqab’s signature equestrian event – Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines also attracted the finest local and global sponsors and part- 2021 from February 25-27. This will be followed by the 2021 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) from March 4-6. The world’s leading five-star ners: The Social & Sport Con- showjumping competition, which will take horses, riders and spectators to 15 major cities worldwide, kicks off the new LGCT season in Doha. tribution Fund (Daam) has been named this year as the Supporter of the event; Com- Champions Tour (LGCT), hoping for a repeat of last In line with the Ministry Khalifa Al Attiya, Ex- tar, as these popular global “Ultimately, the health and mercial Bank is the Title Spon- from March 4-6, also at the year’s thrilling competi- of Public Health’s COVID-19 ecutive Director, Al Shaqab, equestrian events showcase Al safety of spectators and par- sor; Longines is the Presenting Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. tions, which saw Germany’s health and safety guidelines, and Vice Chairman, Su- Shaqab as a premier competi- ticipants remains Al Shaqab’s Partner; and ExxonMobil is The world’s leading five-star Daniel Deusser ride Killer the venue capacity will be re- preme Organizing Commit- tion venue bar none. They also highest priority, and MoPH the Main Sponsor. showjumping competition, Queen to a magnificent stricted to 10 percent. Tick- tee, Commercial Bank CHI bear testament to Qatar’s posi- COVID-19 precautionary Commercial Bank CHI which will take horses, rid- double victory, winning the ets can be purchased at the AL SHAQAB Presented by tion as an international sports measures will be strictly en- AL SHAQAB Presented by ers and spectators to 15 major Grand Prix at both Commer- venue on events days. As a Longines, said: “Al Shaqab is destination, and its ability to forced to ensure the safety and Longines 2021 will be fol- cities worldwide, kicks off the cial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB further precautionary meas- proud and delighted that CHI organize world-class events well-being of riders, equestri- lowed by the first competition new LGCT season in Doha. Presented by Longines and ure, there will not be a Festi- AL SHAQAB and LGCT will despite the challenges posed an fans, and all those who are of the 2021 Longines Global Equestrian fans will be the LGCT first leg. val Area this year. once again take place in Qa- by the COVID-19 pandemic. involved with the events.”

Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums nominated

Hassan Al Thawadi, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22) Chairman and Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and Nasser Al Khater, CEO of Q22, during the Q22 General Assembly and Board Of Directors Meeting held at the Education City Stadium prior to the FIFA Club Wor,d Cup final on February 11. Road to World Cup: Qatar 2022 board meeting reviews achievements, milestones SC and the FIFA Arab Cup, which year as we edge ever closer to “With an exciting year ahead, closer to kick-off in November Doha will be held in Qatar towards the biggest sporting event in 2021 will culminate in De- 2022, the progress that Qa- the end of 2021. our region’s history.” cember with the FIFA Arab tar continues to show despite The FIFA World Cup Qatar Hassan Al Thawadi, Q22 Nasser Al Khater, CEO Cup, which promises to be an the unprecedented challenges 2022 LLC (Q22) Board of Direc- Chairman and Secretary-Gen- of Q22, said: “With less than amazing event. It will unite the faced over the last year is tors discussed the most promi- eral of the Supreme Commit- two years to go until the FIFA entire region and provide the nothing short of remarkable. nent achievements and impor- tee for Delivery & Legacy, said: World Cup, we are working world with a real sense of what The project is well on track tant milestones on the road “It was a pleasure to engage hard to ensure we deliver an Qatar has to offer visitors, and 2021 promises to be an- to World Cup Qatar 2022 at a with colleagues during the extraordinary fan experience players and fans in 2022.” other groundbreaking year of Two of Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums – Ahmad Bin Ali meeting held prior to the FIFA FIFA Club World Cup – the for all in 2022. This last week, Colin Smith, Managing Di- developing hosting capabili- Stadium and the Education City Stadium – have been nominated for Club World Cup Qatar 2020 fi- latest top-level football event we have witnessed an excel- rector of Q22, said: “The FIFA ties and testing infrastructure, the ‘2020 Stadium Of The Year’ award by StadiumDB (one of world’s nal between Bayern Munich and to take place in Qatar during lent edition of the FIFA Club Club World Cup was the first with events including a num- leading websites dedicated to football stadiums). Tigres UANL at Education City the pandemic. Considering World Cup. The tournament FIFA competition to take place ber of stadium launches and Stadium on February 11. the unprecedented challenges provided another welcome since the outbreak of the COV- the FIFA Arab Cup.” It was held via videocon- facing the world at present, opportunity to test our opera- ID-19 pandemic. The tourna- Leading 16 Arab nations ference due to the ongoing we are proud of the excellent tional readiness, while also en- ment was a confirmation of will take part in the FIFA Arab COVID-19 pandemic. progress we have made in suring the health and safety of the joint efforts that FIFA and Cup in December – during Musab Adam joins Al Adaam The board reviewed key preparation for the first FIFA everyone involved through our the local organisers are mak- the same time frame as Qatar achievements and looked World Cup in the Middle East innovative bubble-to-bubble ing to deliver to the highest 2022. The final being held on champions for Tokyo 2020 ahead to upcoming events and and Arab world – and look system, and other stringent standards despite challenging 18 December – Qatar National milestones, including the final forward to celebrating more health and safety protocols.” circumstances.” Day – exactly a year before the QNA four stadium inaugurations milestones during the next Al Khater continued: Smith added: “As we get Qatar 2022 final takes place. Doha

Qatari athlete Musab Adam officially qualified for the -To kyo Olympics 2020, in the Bayern Munich rally for 3-3 draw with Arminia Bielefeld 1500-meter race, after achiev- ing a time of 3.32.41 minutes DPA Douglas Costa, while Joshua in the first-half to clear snow off line in the 88th minute saved there anymore it became dif- during the qualifying race that Berlin Kimmich started on the bench. the pitch and switch balls from the visitors from defeat. ficult for us. If we can play like was held on Sunday in cooper- “After the long trip and all white to orange ones. “Generally a difficultthat here, we can definitely ation with the Qatar Athletics Bayern Munich had to come the games I see things in a posi- Bayern showed a fast re- game. But we fought back. We play like that against other Federation, Aspire Academy, from behind to secure a 3-3 tive way. Today we must be hap- action in the second-half with had the flight (from Qatar to opponents,” Klos said already and Aspetar. draw with a strong Arminia py with the point, but we must a volley goal from Robert Le- Germany) so the 3-3 is ok,” thinking about the tough chal- The Summer Olympic Bielefeld in a thrilling Bundes- defend better,” Flick told broad- wandowski in the 48th min- Mueller stand-in Eric Maxim lenge against fourth-placed Games are scheduled to be liga match at the Allianz Arena caster DAZN after the game. ute but celebrations didn’t Choupo-Moting said. Wolfsburg on Friday. held in Tokyo, Japan, from on Monday. Promoted Bielefeld got the last long as Christian Gebauer “(We’re) not happy but Bayern lead now dropped July 30 to August 8 this year. Following their FIFA Club early lead on nine minutes after scored Arminia’s third just one we’ve showed good mentality. from seven to five points over Musab Adam, Jamal Hay- Qatari athlete Musab Adam. World Cup title in warm Qa- Michel Vlap had plenty of space minute later. But a goal from We fought back and had chanc- RB Leipzig, who beat Augs- ran, Ismail Noureddine, and tar, Bayern found a very dif- on the edge of the box to control Corentin Tolisso and a strong es until the end,” he added. burg 2-1 on Friday. Bielefeld Abdulrahman Hassan par- who had previously quali- ferent weather as a snowfall the ball and shoot it past goal- strike from outside of the box Klos said Bielefeld lost remained 16th in the relegation ticipated in the qualifying race fied for the Tokyo Olympics, blanketed the pitch in Munich. keeper Manuel Neuer. from Alphonso Davies saved a steam after the break but that play-off spot. The Bavarians will today, and Musab succeeded namely Mutaz Barshim in Coach Hansi Flick side Thanks to another defensive point for the home team. he was “incredibly proud of have a week off as their Cham- in finishing the race at the top the high jump, Abderrahman missed key players Leon Gore- attention lapse from Bayern, Bielefeld managed to hit the the team,” and Pieper added pions League clash at Lazio is to successfully achieve the re- Samba in the 400m hurdles, tzka and Thomas Mueller, and Amos Pieper headed in Bielefeld net again but Sergio Cordova’s “Bayern have showed who next week. On Saturday they quired qualification number. Ashraf Al Saifi in the hammer also Serge Gnabry, Jerome second goal before the break as goal was ruled offside, while Bayern Munich are.” resume Bundesliga action at in- Musab Adam joined the throw and Abu Bakr Haidar in Boateng, Javi Martinez and play had to be interrupted twice Fabia Klos clearance over the “Once the snow was not form Eintracht Frankfurt. list of “Al Adaam” champions the 800m. 14 Wednesday, February 17, 2021 Sports Djokovic outlasts Zverev, to play in semis against Grand Slam debutant Karatsev Serena sets up last four clash It’s an unbelievable feeling. with Osaka Of course, it’s first time. DPA First time in main draw; first Sydney time semis. It’s incredible. World number one Novak Aslan Karatsev, first man in Djokovic remained on course towards a record-extending Open Era to make a Grand ninth title at the Australian Slam semi-final on debut. Open as he advanced into a semi-final againstR ussian sensation Aslan Karatsev. Djokovic came from behind for a 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) triumph over Al- exander Zverev on Tuesday night, showing little signs of an abdominal injury he suf- fered in the third round. The 114th-ranked Karatsev earlier became the first man in the Open Era to make a Grand Russia’s Aslan Karatsev hits a return against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov during the men’s singles quarter- Serena Williams hits a return against Romania’s Simona Halep during their women’s singles quarter-final Slam semi-final on his debut final at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday. The 114th-ranked Karatsev became the first man in on Tuesday. Williams beat the world number two Halep 6-3, 6-3. (AFP) when he rallied to beat an in- the Open Era to make a Grand Slam semi-final on his debut.( AFP) jured Grigor Dimitrov 2-6, Former world number her 10th win in the 12th meet- netted stroke point put her 4-3 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. 12th game with an ace en route anybodies match until the last Grand Slam quarter finals after three Dimitrov looked like ing with Halep in 1 hour 21 up. Williams wrapped up mat- On the women’s side, Sere- to victory in 3 hours 30 min- shot, a very close encounter,” Daniil Medvedev and Andrey stopping after losing the third minutes and was happy with ters two games later on second na Williams beat world number utes, on second match point Djokovic told Eurosport. “At Rublev qualified along with set but continued on after re- her performance as she reached match point with a crushing two Simona Halep 6-3, 6-3. with his 23rd ace shortly after the end of the day I am really Karatsev. ceiving treatment for a back the last four of a Grand Slam for forehand winner. Chasing a record-equalling midnight. proud with this win. I feel emo- Medvedev plays Rublev issue, and limped off the court the 40th time. She now plays Osaka for the 24th title at the majors, she Sixth seed Zverev failed to tionally and physically drained. on Wednesday which means after the match. “This is definitely the best firsttime since their US Open now faces third seed Naomi capitalise on his good start in “I had to adapt my game that Russia will have two semi- He had trouble serving and match I’ve played in this tour- final in 2018 which Osaka won. Osaka who stopped Taiwan’s the sets and also blew an early due to the injury. It helped me finalists. won only three games in the nament so far and I had to do “It’s good to see someone Hsieh Su-Wei 6-2, 6-2. advantage in the opening set he release a little bit of pressure. Karatsev thwarted top-20- third and fourth set, saying lat- that going up against the num- who is so inspiring and I’ve Djokovic got through a ma- eventually took in the first tie- I felt best today since injury ranked players Felix Auger-Ali- er the back problems started on ber two in the world, so that’s been watching her and I’m sure jor catch-up effort against the break. happened.” Looking ahead at assime and Diego Schwartzman Monday “out of the blue.” what I did and I’m excited,” the she has been watching me. It’s sixth-seed Zverev. Djokovic then squared the the semi-finalagainst Karat- to reach the quarters where the Karatsev said: “It’s an un- American veteran said. an opportunity to do my best,” The eight-time Melbourne sets after racing off to a 4-0 lead sev, he said: “Credit to him ... 18th-seeded Dimitrov won the believable feeling. Of course, Williams rallied from 3-1 Williams said. champion rallied from 4-1 by allowing Zverev a mere three He has a lot of firepower and opening set but then wasted it’s first time.First time in down in the second set and Osaka fired 7 aces as she down in the third set and from points in the period. nothing to lose.” several break points early in the main draw; first time semis. paved the way to victory in downed unseeded Hsieh in 66 3-0 behind in the fourth. “It was a rollercoaster in For the first time at the ma- second to allow Karatsev into It’s incredible.” the seventh game when a con- minutes but had plenty of praise He saved a set point in the every sense of the word. It was jors, Russia had three men in a the match. Williams meanwhile got verted sixth break from Halep’s for her Taiwanese opponent.

Bandar Al Shafi elected Al Ahli make winning start in QVA Qatar Cup to ABF executive office QNA Kuwait

Bandar Mubarak Al Shafi, Secretary-General of the Qatar Bowling Fed- eration, has been elected for a second time to the Executive Office of the Asian Bowling Federation Yazeed Al Rajhi in action during the 2019 Sharqiya Baja. (ABF) for a four-year term. Bandar Al Shafi. He was chosen during the meeting of the ABF Saudi Arabia set to General Assembly, which was held on Mon- day via videoconferencing in Kuwait, during which Sheikh Talal Al Mohammed Al Sabah, host 3rd round of President of the Kuwait Bowling Federation and the ABF, won the presidency of the ABF for a new term. FIA Baja Series In a statement on the occasion, Bandar Mubarak Al Shafi said that winning mem- Tribune News Network bership of the continental federation is a Riyadh great honour, adding that he will try to con- Al Ahli SC scored a narrow 3-2 win over Al Arabi SC on the opening day of the Main Round action of Qatar Cup volleyball at the tinue Qatar’s approach in supporting the Qatar Volleyball Association Hall on Tuesday. Al Ahli lost the opening set but bounced back to win the thrilling encounter 17-25, The Saudi Automobile continental and international sport. 25-21, 23-25, 33-31, 18-16. (TNN) and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) will host the Sharqi- yah International Baja Toyota, round three of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas from March 3-6. India wrap up 2nd England Test Following hot on the heels of the opening round held The SAMF held the first through the frozen Russian ever Sharqiyah Baja through wastelands in early February the Eastern deserts in Decem- and this week’s second round ber 2019. This event was won quickly as WTC race heats up in the UAE’s Al-Qudra desert, by local driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi Saudi Arabia’s round of the se- and ran as an FIA candidate Scoreboard ries will take place in the East- event as well as being the fifth Five-wkt haul for ern Province. round of the Saudi Desert Ral- India 1st innings (329, R. Sharma 161; M. Ali M. Ali st Pant b Yadav ��43 It will be organised by a ly Championship. Axar; Series 4-128) O. Stone lbw b Patel ��0 team working under HRH Spanish legend Carlos England 1st innings (134, B. Foakes 42 not S. Broad not out ��5 Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Sainz also took part and fin- squared 1-1 out; R. Ashwin 5-43) Extras: (b6, lb1) ��7 Abdullah Al Faisal, SAMF ished second overall as he India 2nd innings (286, R. Ashwin 106; M. Ali Total: (All Out, 54.2 overs) ��164 President and Chairman of the made his final preparations 4-98, J. Leach 4-100) Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Sibley), 2-49 (Burns), Agencies England 2nd innings (target 482 - overnight 3-50 (Leach), 4-66 (Lawrence), 5-90 (Stokes, Organising Committee and is for the first Dakar Rally to run Chennai 53-3, Lawrence 19, Root 2) 6-110 (Pope), 7-116 (Foakes), 8-116 (Root), also the opening round of the through the Kingdom in Janu- R. Burns c Kohli b Ashwin ��25 9-126 (Stone), 10-164 (Ali) 2021 Saudi Toyota Desert Ral- ary 2020. It took India just over a ses- D. Sibley lbw b Patel ��3 Bowling: Sharma 6-3-13-0, Patel 21-5-60-5, ly Championship. The area also hosted a sion to wrap up proceedings in D. Lawrence st Pant b Ashwin ��26 Ashwin 18-5-53-3, Siraj 3-1-6-0, Yadav 6.2-1- Based at the Holiday Inn candidate event and a round the second Test and seal a huge Teammates celebrate with India spinner Axar Patel (2nd left) after one J. Leach c R. Sharma b Patel ��0 25-2. Resort on Half Moon Bay, of the FIA Middle East Rally 317-run win against England at of his wickets on the fourth day of the second Test against England at J. Root c Rahane b Patel ��33 Toss: India. Sharqiyah International Baja Championship in 2008 and the MA Chidambaram Stadium the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Patel returned B. Stokes c Kohli b Ashwin ��8 Result: India won by 317 runs. Toyota will be held over three 2010. Both events were won O. Pope c I. Sharma b Patel ��12 Man of the Match: Ravichandran Ashwin. (Pic: BCCI) on Tuesday. It was a victory figures of 21-5-60-5 on his Test debut. B. Foakes c Patel b Yadav ��2 Series: Four-Test series level at 1-1. days of off-road competition. by Al Rajhi and French co- that boosted their chances of Following administration driver Matthieu Baumel. making it to the ICC World Test land, who were leading the ta- to tackle the spinners – Law- had their first of the day. the wicket, and England were and scrutineering checks on The closing date for entries Championship (WTC) final. ble, slipped all the way down rence used his feet to get to the Ben Stokes came in there- reduced to 116/7 by lunch. Wednesday, March 3rd, the is Wednesday, February 24th. England were bowled out to fourth in the standings. pitch of the ball, while Root, after, and resisted India along- It didn’t take India long af- timed action gets underway Full details, visa application for 164 in their second innings, They have only one avenue an excellent sweeper of the side Root. They put on 24 for ter the restart to nip England with a qualifying stage of ap- forms, Covid-19 protocols and with Axar Patel taking a five- left to make it to the final – ball, repeatedly employed the the fifth wicket, in what was out. Axar had Root dismissed, proximately 11km on Thurs- requirements for foreigners wicket haul on debut. There they have the daunting task of stroke to find runs. England’s longest partnership prompting the England cap- day, March 4th. planning to attend the event was brief resistance from Joe needing to win the remaining Unfortunately for Eng- of the day, but Ashwin was tain forward to one that leapt The first selective section are available on www.sharqi- Root and Moeen Ali, but by two Tests in Ahmedabad, and land, it didn’t take long for the again at it, dismissing Stokes a off the surface, enough to of around 220km enters the yahbaja.com and large, the Indian spinners take the series 3-1. opening wicket. Six overs into second time in the match as the catch his glove and pop to slip. spotlight on Friday, March Further entry and visa in- ran riot, bringing up a much- The visitors resumed the the day, Lawrence stepped batsman inside-edged one onto He quickly followed that up 5th in the sandy deserts to the formation is also available from needed victory to draw level fourth morning 53/3, facing out to Ashwin, but was con- his pads, gifting a catch to Virat with the scalp of Olly Stone, west of the commercial centre the SAMF, P.O. Box 26095, Ri- 1-1 in the series, and move the improbable task of chasing founded by an off-break that Kohli at second slip. Ollie Pope and with just one wicket re- of Khobar and a second com- yadh 11486, Saudi Arabia, Tel: up to No.2 in the World Test down 482. Dan Lawrence and nutmegged him. Pant was ex- and Ben Foakes fell within a maining, Moeen adopted a petitive leg of approximately + 966 11 880 4614, Fax: + 966 Championship standings. Root, the overnight batsmen, cellent to gather down leg and few overs of each other, Axar carefree approach and went 210km rounds off the action 11 880 4661, E-mail: saudiral- The defeat meant Eng- employed different methods break the stumps, and India and Kuldeep Yadav claiming after the spinners. on Saturday, March 6th. [email protected].