SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016 SPORTS Azhar’s journey from sub to triple centurion

DUBAI: Fourteen years ago Azhar Ali “I still remember I was sent to the Bridgetown in 1958 and Younis Khan Ali of Younis who is Pakistan’s highest their minds clear and not let them affect came on as a substitute fielder to see ground as a substitute fielder on the day made 313 against Sri Lanka in Karachi in Test run-getter with 9456 in 108 match- when we don’t do well.” Inzamam-ul-Haq score an epic triple when Inzamam scored that epic triple 2009. Ali said he had also watched es. Since his arrival on the international Ali believed the pink ball-used in the hundred in Lahore and wished he could century,” said Ali of Inzamam’s 329 Younis’s triple and missed the senior scene, Ali has impressed with his res- day-night Test instead of the traditional emulate the legendary Pakistan batsman against New Zealand in Lahore in May batsman who had to withdraw from olute batting and is likely to anchor red-did not cause any difficulties. in future. 2002. “Now I have my own and it’s a Dubai Test as he was still recovering Pakistan’s batting once Younis and skip- “The pink ball did not cause any On Friday Ali notched his own with great achievement for which I am proud from dengue fever. per Misbah-ul-Haq leave the stage. problems, we sighted it well and that’s an unbeaten 302 against West Indies in and can’t explain my feelings. It is some- “Of course, I missed Younis in this He has already replaced Misbah as why scored runs so I am okay with it,” the second ever day-night Test in Dubai thing which I will remember my whole match,” said Ali. “He has always been my captain of the one-day team. Ali dedicat- said Ali. to join a select league of batsmen. life,” said Ali whose innings guided role model and I was sitting on his seat ed his triple hundred to his parents and Manufacturers of the pink ball modi- But what distinguishes the 31-year- Pakistan to an imperious 579-3 declared. in the dressing room so I had to keep the also to the people of his nation. fied its seam from green and white after old from the rest of the triple centurions His was the fourth triple hundred by a honour of that seat as well. “First, I want to dedicate my achieve- players had complained sighting prob- is that he became the first batsman in Pakistani batsman. Apart from him and “I am proud that I have matched him ment to my parents who have always lems in the first-ever day-night Test day-night Test cricket to achieve the Inzamam, late Hanif Mohammad because whenever he scores a hundred guided me in my life and next to the between Australia and New Zealand in landmark. knocked 337 against West Indies at he takes it to double or big scores,” said people of my country who must keep Adelaide last year. —AFP

English Premier League results/standings

Arsenal 3, Swansea City 2; Bournemouth 6, Hull City 1; Chelsea 3, Leicester City 0; Manchester City 1, Everton 1; Stoke City 2, Sunderland 0; West Bromwich Albion 1, Tottenham Hotspur 1.

P W D L F A Pts Southampton 7 2 3 2 7 6 9 Man City 8 6 1 1 19 8 19 Watford 7 2 2 3 12 13 8 Arsenal 8 6 1 1 19 9 19 Leicester 8 2 2 4 8 14 8 Tottenham 8 5 3 0 13 4 18 Burnley 7 2 1 4 5 9 7 Liverpool 7 5 1 1 18 10 16 Hull City 8 2 1 5 8 20 7 Chelsea 8 5 1 2 15 9 16 M’brough 7 1 3 3 7 10 6 Everton 8 4 3 1 12 6 15 MUnited 7 4 1 2 13 8 13 Stoke City 8 1 3 4 7 16 6 Crystal 7 3 2 2 11 8 11 Swansea 8 1 1 6 8 15 4 Bournemouth 8 3 2 3 12 12 11 West Ham 7 1 1 5 8 17 4 W Bromwich 8 2 4 2 9 8 10 Sunderland 8 0 2 6 6 15 2 In-form Dembele seals 2-0 win for Celtic

GLASGOW: Moussa Dembele’s hot-streak McGhee felt his side had matched up better continued as his late penalty sealed a 2-0 win to Celtic than on previous visits. for Celtic over Motherwell in the Premiership “Tactically we tried to come up with some- yesterday the perfect boost for their thing different and it worked to an extent as it Champions League clash with Borussia made us hard to beat,” said McGhee. A sus- Monchengladbach. tained period of pressure saw Dembele test Dembele-who scored a double for the Samson before the ‘keeper tipped over a France Under-21 side in the international header from Erik Sviatchenko as Celtic break-and another goal by the equally prolific probed for an opener. It came through Scott Sinclair ensured Celtic maintained their Sinclair. The Motherwell defence backed away four point lead at the top of the table. Sinclair from the advancing James Forrest whose opened the scoring in the 19th minute as he square pass along the edge of the box was produced a fine finish to slam home James missed by Dembele before Sinclair buried the Forrest’s cross. ball past Samson with a fine first time finish. Motherwell had conceded 12 in their last Dembele came close to adding a second for LONDON: Chelsea’s Diego Costa, centre, vies for the ball with Leicester City’s Wes Morgan, right, during the English Premier League soccer two visits to Celtic Park and the visitors had Celtic before the break. Scott Brown made a match between Chelsea and Leicester City, at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, yesterday. —AP Craig Samson to thank for keeping the score- surging run forward from his own half and line down as he made a string of saves to found Dembele lurking just inside the box, deny Celtic. but his curling effort came crashing off the However, he was at fault for fouling base of the upright before the danger was Dembele to concede an 88th minute penalty cleared. Celtic began the second half as they Chelsea give Conte which he converted for his 13th goal of the ended the first and only a superb double save season. It extends Celtic’s unbeaten run to six from Samson kept them at bay when the since their 7-0 mauling by Barcelona ahead of ‘keeper got down low to deny Brown’s low a week where they host Monchengladbach strike before getting back on his feet to before facing Old Firm rivals Rangers, who smother the follow-up effort from Dembele. vote of confidence moved up to fourth following their 1-0 away The keeper blotted his copy book late on to Inverness on Friday, for a place in the when he brought down Dembele in the box League Cup final today. “I thought some of with the French striker sending the ‘keeper underlined how much the France internation- of three central defenders, Leicester were so our intricate play was good and some of the the wrong way with his spot kick. al’s presence has been missed by Leicester poor that the Brazilian was able to contribute quality of our football was outstanding and Aberdeen maintained their grip on second Chelsea 3 since he moved to the Blues in the close-sea- most often in attack and Schmeichel had to we created chances but we could have creat- place with a 4-0 win over Ross County while son. Lacking the relentless tempo that carried push away another of his powerful free-kicks. ed more,” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers Hearts remain third following their 2-0 win them to the title, Leicester were bereft of any Schmeichel was called into action again soon said. His Motherwell counterpart Mark over Dundee. —AFP menace and it was no surprise when Chelsea after the interval, plunging to his right to claw Leicester City 0 punished them with a second goal in the 33rd away a Moses strike from Kante’s pass. A rare minute. incisive Leicester move ended with Luiz turn- Miller gives Rangers Once again, Chelsea took advantage of ing Marc Albrighton’s cross against his own LONDON: Chelsea gave Antonio Conte a woeful defending as Matic’s pass drew pan- post as he tried to clear. edge over Inverness well-timed vote of confidence as Diego Costa icked and mistimed attempts to clear from But Leicester remained second best all over and Eden Hazard inspired a 3-0 win against Robert Huth and Luis Hernandez. Pedro, lying the pitch and Moses capped Chelsea’s stylish GLASGOW: Kenny Miller scored a stunning when Greg Tansey swung in a free-kick from spluttering champions Leicester yesterday. on the turf after slipping, poked a pass to show with a fine goal in the 80th minute. 100th goal for Rangers to give them a 1-0 win out on the left, but Lonsana Doumbouya, Conte had to endure speculation he was in Hazard, who scampered clear as the ball Exchanging passes with substitute over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the unmarked on the six-yard line, somehow sent danger of being sacked just three months into bounced fortuitously off his shoulder before Nathaniel Chalobah, Nigeria winger Moses Scottish Premiership on Friday. his header over the bar under no pressure. The his Chelsea reign after bookmakers suspend- rounding Schmeichel and slotting into the ran clear into the penalty area and planted a The 36-year-old striker, in his third spell at visitors quickly recovered from the scare to ed betting on his dismissal on Thursday. unguarded net for his first Chelsea goal since low shot past Schmeichel before celebrating the club, got on the end of Lee Wallace’s cross dominate possession and an ambitious 30- While Conte laughed off the story, the August. Although Conte was using Luiz as one with an extravagant back-flip. — AFP to send a sensational strike fizzing past Owain yard effort from Martyn Waghorn wasn’t far Italian-under fire after disappointing defeats Fon Williams for the only goal of the game in away before Barrie McKay sent a wayward against Liverpool and Arsenal-is well aware of the 22nd minute. The win moves Rangers up shot over. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s ruthless into third place in the table four points Rangers took the lead in the 22nd minute nature when it comes to firing managers. If Bruce starts Villa behind bitter rivals Celtic-although Rangers with a superb strike from Miller. Wallace gal- there was any doubt in Abramovich’s mind have played two more matches-who host loped down the wing and swung in a cross about Conte, this confident performance, Motherwell yesterday. which Miller met with a vicious volley that which gave Chelsea a second successive reign with draw Rangers manager Mark Warburton was skipped past Fon Williams for his 100th goal Premier League victory, gave a glimpse of the delighted to secure back-to-back victories for for Rangers. The Inverness keeper then came potential force the former Italy coach is trying only the second time this season. to the rescue for his side as he first denied to build. Costa’s seventh league goal of the LONDON: Steve Bruce began life as Aston Both Bruce and McClaren, though, have a “It’s a tough place to come. They’re a very another Miller effort before producing a campaign put Chelsea ahead and Hazard Villa boss with a fortunate 1-1 draw at whole load of ground to make up on the good team and their results lately have superb save on the line to keep out home to Wolves in their Championship leaders. shown that,” Warburton said. “I thought in the Waghorn’s cushioned volley from close range. added the second before Victor Moses sealed the rout. The last time Leicester walked out clash yesterday. Norwich went top by a point over fellow first half we were very good and I think the Miller came close to adding to his tally sec- Bruce, who is Villa’s fourth full-time man- relegated Premier League side Newcastle players were brave on the ball. There is no onds after the break when he nearly caught onto the Stamford Bridge pitch, they were lack of desire in this team.” His Inverness the unsighted Fon Williams out with a curling given a guard of honour by Chelsea’s players ager since Paul Lambert was shown the and Huddersfield-who play Sheffield counterpart Richie Foran said he was pleased effort but the Welshman got down late to to mark the culmination of their astonishing door in January 2015, at least saw his side Wednesday yesterday-with a 3-1 win over with his players despite their five-match push it round the post. Inverness improved title triumph. climb out of the relegation places but bottom side Rotherham. unbeaten run coming to an end. “We had and Aaron Doran’s miss-hit shot found its way But Claudio Ranieri’s side still seem to be Wolves will be kicking themselves for not Goals from Republic of Ireland interna- chances to at least get a draw out of the game past Wes Foderingham but Kiernan was on suffering a hangover from those celebrations. taking a hatful of chances. tional Wes Hoolahan, Cameron Jerome and but Rangers had that bit of quality up top and the goal-line to hook the ball clear. They have made a dismal defence of the title Villa have won just once in 12 veteran Scotland international Steven it was a great finish,” said Foran. Rangers Substitute Alex Fisher then missed a late so far and are the first reigning English cham- Championship matches since being rele- Naismith sealed a comfortable victory. “I made two changes in the centre of defence as opportunity to haul his side level when he pions to lose their opening four away games gated, but the hosts made a great start as think we are where we deserve to be (at Clint Hill and Rob Kiernan were handed starts sent his free header from close range harm- since Blackburn in 1995-96. Ivory Coast international Jonathan Kodjia the top of the table) because you don’t get and the pair were posted missing early on lessly wide. —AFP Having vowed to rotate his team more stroked home a penalty on the quarter- there by chance,” said Canaries boss Alex often to cope with their hectic schedule, hour mark. However, Wolves, Chinese- Neil. “The lads have done really well so far Ranieri left Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and owned like Villa, levelled before the break and it was good to get another win with Danny Simpson on the bench ahead of through a penalty of their own, Helder both Robbie Brady and Jonny Howson on Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Costa converting it. Villa owner Tony Xia, the sidelines. “But as I keep saying there is Copenhagen. Yet the changes did little to put though, will hope Bruce can work his magic a long way to go yet.” Newcastle manager a spring in Leicester’s step and they were on at this level having been promoted in his Rafael Benitez, who like Neil stayed put the back foot when Moses smashed over a last four seasons managing in the despite relegation, was delighted with his low cross that almost crept in at the near post. Championship. side’s impressive 3-1 win over Brentford Kasper Schmeichel had repelled that effort Former England manager Steve played out in front of a staggering crowd of at the expense of a corner, but the Leicester McClaren got off to a winning start on his 51,185. Goals by former Villa defender goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Costa return to the Derby County dugout, eking putting Chelsea ahead from the seventh Ciaran Clark and a double by the in-form minute set-piece. out a nervy 1-0 victory over Leeds United. Dwight Gayle-taking his total to nine in 10 For the fifth time this season, poor defend- Johnny Russell got the only goal in a apperances for Newcastle-saw them com- ing from a corner was Leicester’s downfall as game where Leeds struck the woodwork fortably home. Nemanja Matic was given space to backheel twice but County held on for just their third “I’m pleased because after the interna- the cross and, with Foxes captain Wes Morgan win of the campaign. “I think you could see tional break it’s not easy,” said Benitez, reacting too slowly, Costa was left unmarked the nervousness of the players but they whose side have won eight of their last 10 to finish clinically at the far post. showed fight and the attitude was great,” league games. “We did everything we said McClaren. wanted to do-we controlled the game and PANICKED had good chances. David Luiz came within a whisker of dou- NORWICH, NEWCASTLE ROLL ON “I’m not watching the table because it’s GUINGAMP: Guingamp’s Brazilian defender Fernando Marcal de Oliveira (R) vies with bling Chelsea’s lead midway through the half “I saw certain aspects I like and potential too soon. I said the other day I was con- Lille’s Malian defender Youssouf Kone during the French L1 football match between with a 25-yard free-kick that rebounded off in the team but there is a lot of work and a vinced we could improve; I’m pleased but EA Guingamp and Lille (LOSC) yesterday at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp, the woodwork. Watching the influential long way to go,” added the 55-year-old. we can still improve.” — AFP western France.— AFP N’Golo Kante at work in Chelsea’s midfield