SPORT Monday 16 April 2018 PAGE | 24 PAGE | 27 Lee eyes 2020 Red Bull’s after Games Ricciardo wins hat-trick Chinese GP City seal title after United’s shock defeat AFP Manchester would be one of the greatestg United’s Marcus achievementsments of his glitteringglittering LONDON: Manchester City Rashford (top) vies career. Manchester were crowned Premier League for the ball with He wonon tthreehree lealeaguegue titltitlesiles City coach champions yesterday as West Bromwich with Barcelonacelonna andand ttwicewice Pep Guardiola Manchester United crashed to Albion’s Jay lifted thee CChampionshampham ions celebrates in a shock 1-0 defeat against West Rodriguez during League trophyophphhy duringduring hish this file photo. Bromwich Albion. yesterday’s match Camp Nouu reign.reir gn.n. City had moved within at Old Trafford. The 4747-y47-year-old yearear-r-old alsalsoo touching distance of the title took the GerGermanmanan titltitlee with a 3-1 win at Tottenham on three timesmes withh Saturday. Bayern Munich,Munich, butbutt They clinched the sil- he believeses the uniqueuniqque verware 24 hours later thanks strength in depthdeptth andannd to Albion forward Jay Rod- physical demandsdemandss of thethhe riguez’s 73rd minute header at Premier LeagueLeaguee makesmakesakekes thisthis Old Trafford. triumph amongamong hishis veryvvery best.best. United had denied City the He alsoso concededconcncededed it wasw chance to wrap up the title last sweet to triumphriumphph in a MAJOR TROPHIES WON BY MANCHESTER CITY weekend when they came from country wherehere LEAGUE TITLES two goals down to beat their somee First Division/Premier League: 1936-37, 1967-68, bitter rivals 3-2 at the Etihad criticss 2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18 Stadium. claimed hishi Second Division: 1898-99, 1902-03, 1909-10, But Jose Mourinho’s men still purist prin-in- 1927-28, 1946-47, 1965-66, 2001-02 ended up handing the trophy to ciples couldn’tldn’t DOMESTIC CUPS City with a lacklustre display flourish. FA Cup: 1903-04, 1933-34, 1955-56, 1968-69, against bottom of the table games. Winning the title with planned a day of golf with his Guardioladiola 2010-11 Albion, who had won only three five matches to go makes City son Marius on Sunday, so the and his playersplayers League Cup: 1969-70, 1975-76, 2013-14, 2015- times in the league this season the joint earliest champions in Spaniard might have learned of will haveveeth ththee 16, 2017-18 before this weekend. the Premier League era -- his first Premier League while chance to cecelebratelebrate FA Community Shield: 1937, 1968, 1972, 2012 City are 16 points clear of matching the achievement of on the course. properlyy nextnext EUROPEAN TROPHY second placed United, who can the 2000-01 Manchester United Speaking after the win over Sunday wwhenhhen they European Cup Winners’ Cup: 1969-70 only take a maximum of 15 team. Tottenham, Guardiola admitted host Swanseasea in theirtheir points from their remaining five City boss Pep Guardiola had winning the title in England next fixture.re.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES: GROUP STAGE Confident Al Rayyan eye TODAY GROUP D Al Hilal SFC (KSA) vs Esteghlal FC (IRN) Al Rayyan SC (QAT) vs FC (UAE) Al Ain scalp in home clash At , Kick off at 6.45pm RIZWAN REHMAT Al Rayyan skipper Rodrigo tabata (right) takes part GROUP C THE PENINSULA in a training session with team-mates ahead of Al Wasl FC (UAE) vs FC Nasaf (UZB) their AFC Champions League match against Al Ain. Persepolis FC (IRN) vs Al Sadd SC (QAT) DOHA: Feared striker captain At Azadi Stadium, Tehran Rodrigo Tabata yesterday said Kick off at 6.00pm time Al Rayyan are confident of nailing a win against UAE’s Al TOMORROW Ain, claiming the Qatar giants GROUP B are in ‘battle ready mode’ for Al Duhail SC (QAT) vs Al Wahda FSCC (UAE) the mouth-watering AFC At Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha Champions League clash. Kick off at 5.00pm Third-placed Al Rayyan, GROUP A coached by Michael Laudrup, Al Jazira FSC (UAE) vs Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) are eager to leapfrog second- GROUP H placed Al Ain in Group D with (JPN) vs (KOR) a win today at Jassim bin GROUP G Hamad Stadium. “Al Ain is a great team. Guangzhou Evergrande FC (CHN) vs Cerezo Osaka (JPN) They made it to the final two GROUP B years ago but Al Rayyan has PFC Lokomotiv (UZB) vs Zobahan FC (IRN) all the ingredients to go GROUP A beyond this match,” Tabata Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN) vs Al Gharafa (QAT) said yesterday. At Yadegar Emam Stadium, Tabriz “We have trained hard and Kick off at 7.00pm the team is in battle ready The 32-year-old added: promise them that we will do Persepolis of . Al Sadd, GROUP H mode for this clash,” he added. “We have played strong our best.” coachedcoached by JJesualdoesualdo Fer-Fer- SydneySydney FCFC (AU(AUS)S) vs SShanghaihangha Shenhua FC (CHN) “We can reach round of 16 matches in the AFC Champions Laudrup, who yesterday reira,reiraha, hhaveave qualquaqualifiedified GROUPGROU G and that will be a great moti- League this season and deserve headed the team training at forfo thee rounroundnd oof 161 Jeju UnitedUniU ttede FC ((KOR)KORR)) vsv Buriram United (THA) vation for us. We are banking to go into the Round of 16. We Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, fromom GroupGroG upp C.C. on our ability and the fans in this need to win over Al Ain in order said he believe his players will Tomorrow,TTomoToo rrowrowoww, game,” the former Qatar to crown the team’s efforts with deliver a memorable QNBQN StarsStStars LeLeagueagueg national team striker said. Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup the qualification that everyone performance. championschama pioni s AlAl Tabata pointed out that the wants.” “We have to win to qualify. DuhDuhaDuDDuhailuhaill - whwwhohhoo team learned from mistakes “So I hope to see them in Moutouali said: “Al Rayyan We know that Al Ain have great hhaveave alreadyalrl eadeaadadyd from their previous clash when the stadium. I expect a huge have played some spectacular players but we have confidence secusecsecuredecuurededd thethh WeW have to be they lost to Group D leaders crowd turning up to watch the football in the last few games. in our potential. We play the roundrounround off 166 berthbertberbbee h confidentcconcoo fi on the Esteghlal two weeks ago. game at Jassim bin Hamad We have been close to winning game with a great deal off - hosthhosttA AlAllWa WahdaWahhdadaa pitpitchchh andaan play a role “We are ready for this clash. Stadium,” he added. some away games also. Having balance,” Laudrup said ooffU UUAEAEA while whileh e AlA The team was prepared well for Tabata stressed that the said that, now we are really yesterday. GhaGharGGharafaharh rafaaafffaa tktakettakakek thattththat getsge us a win. this game through hard training players have a strong desire to motivated to reach the round “The squad has prepared on Tractor Tractractor WeWe area confident before the game,” Tabata said. make the fans happy and com- of 16.” well for this match. Such SaziSazi.zii. thatthahaattw wheneverw the The 35-year-old urged Al pensate for losing the league Veteran forward Sebastian matches are settled in simple Rayyan fans to turn up in big title by qualifying for the last Soria said: “We have to be details like attack and defence. fafanfans are in the numbers. 16 of the AFC Champions confident on the pitch and We hope that the details will be stands, they “Our fans are always behind League. play a role that gets us a win. in our favour. It will be a his- are the 12th the team. The fans play the Al Rayyan’s Moroccan We are confident that toric achievement if forward to pplayer for us most prominent role in putting midfielder Mouhcine Mout- whenever the fans are in the a historic achievement for Al pressure on the opponent and ouali yesterday said: “Al stands, they are the 12th Rayyan,” the popular Dane oon the pitch: instilling the enthusiasm and Rayyan are ready for this player for us on the pitch. We added. Sebastian strength to our players,” crucial match. We need the cannot promise them the In another key clash today, Soria Tabarata said. support of our fans.” result they seek, but we Qatar giants Al Sadd visit 24 SPORT MONDAY 16 APRIL 2018 New Zealand stun Fiji to seal rugby double AFP Regan Ware weaved through a woeful Fijian GOLD COAST: New Zealand defence, slipping tackles to shut out Olympic champions score New Zealand’s second Fiji 14-0 to seal a gold medal try near the posts for a 14-0 double at the Common- advantage. wealth Games after winning Fiji lost Sevuloni Former Jamaican the inaugural women’s title Mocenacagi to a yellow card sprinter Usain Bolt in extra-time yesterday. for a high hit but had a plays the DJ desks New Zealand’s fifth let-off during his absence during the closing victory in six finals at the when Ware was over the ceremony of the Games came after their try-line but spilled the ball. Gold Coast 2018 women’s team downed Aus- The Kiwis comfortably tralia 17-12 in sudden-death. wound down the clock for at the Carrara Stadium Kelly Brazier’s sudden- victory and the gold medal. yesterday. death try from inside her England stormed back own half sealed the thrilling from 0-14 down at half-time victory for the Kiwi women. with skipper Tom Mitchell The men’s final wasn’t scoring the winning try to anywhere as exciting as the take the bronze medal 21-14 Bolt turns DJ as Commonwealth clinical New Zealanders over South Africa. killed off the game with two The women’s gold medal early converted tries against decider was a re-match of Games conclude in Gold Coast a ragged Fiji. their 2016 Rio final with “We watched the winning the first- women go into overtime and ever Olympic gold medal their win at the end really 24-17. AFP inspired us to get the The Kiwis, who double,” skipper Tim overcame a mumps scare GOLD COAST: Usain Bolt took a Mikkelsen said. before the competition, led turn as DJ as the Gold Coast said Fiji, who won last week’s 12-0 early but had to with- goodbye to the Commonwealth Hong Kong sevens, were stand a powerful comeback Games yesterday after an 11-day bidding for their first Com- from the Australians, who tournament where Australia monwealth gold after taking took the final into extra time topped the medals table by a silver behind New Zealand at 12-12. distance. in the inaugural sevens in It was Brazier’s runaway Bolt made a surprise 1998 and again in 2002. try near the end of first extra appearance on the decks as the Etene Nanai-Seturo period that broke the Games closed in a colourful cer- opened the scoring for New deadlock. emony with references to Abo- Zealand after two minutes England hung on to beat riginal culture -- although indig- and Vilimoni Koroi’s con- Canada 24-19 in the bronze enous protests continued outside. version gave them a 7-0 medal match after leading Australia finished with 80 lead. Tournament topscorer 19-5 at half-time. golds, way ahead of England’s 45 and India’s 26, in a tally that inte- grated para sports and was equally split between men and women for Callum Hawkins of Scotland pours water over himself the first time. during the men’s marathon final at Southport Broadwater “For those who delivered this Parklands in Gold Coast, Australia yesterday. event I say, ‘You beauty! You did us proud,” said premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, as the Com- However, the Games also saw after marathon runner Callum sportsmanship after a Test monwealth flag was handed to 2022 several protests from indigenous Hawkins collapsed only two kilo- cheating scandal which shocked hosts Birmingham. activists who dubbed them the metres from victory and lay prone the nation. Australia dominated in the “Stolenwealth Games”, a reference for some time before help arrived. Australia also suffered setbacks swimming pool and in track to Britain’s colonisation of Officials in turn lashed out at on the last day when their women’s cycling, while Jamaica felt the Australia. spectators who took pictures of rugby team, the Olympic cham- absence of the retired Bolt as they Yesterday, about 100 protesters Hawkins as he lay in distress. Aus- pions, lost a sudden-death thriller struggled in the sprint events. were blocked from marching to the tralia’s Michael Shelley ran past the against New Zealand in the inau- Zero failed drug tests were stadium by a heavy police presence, Scot on his way to victory and gural final. Helalia Johannes won reported during the event, although preventing a repeat of the tense Shelley finished in 2:16:46. the women’s marathon in 2:32.40, India twice fell foul of the Games’ confrontation before the opening The Games have been painted becoming Namibia’s first female New Zealand’s Regan Ware (centre) evades a tackle on ‘no needle policy’ and had two ath- ceremony. Earlier, organisers were by organisers as Australia’s chance gold medallist at the Common- his way to score a try against Fiji during the men’s rugby letes ordered home. criticised for their medical response to burnish its image for wealth Games. sevens gold medal match yesterday.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES MEDALS TABLE Australia overwhelmingly won Lee eyes 2020 after Games hat-trick the medal race, both gold (80) RANK/NATION GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL and overall (198). Second-place 1: Australia 80 59 59 198 AFP Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei hits a return against England had 45 golds, India 26 2: England 45 45 46 136 India’s Kidambi Srikanth during the men’s 3: India 26 20 20 66 and Canada and New Zealand GOLD COAST: Malaysian badminton final at the 2018 Gold Coast 4: Canada 15 40 27 82 15 each. Australia’s gold total badminton great Lee Chong Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast yesterday. 5: New Zealand 15 16 15 46 was still short of the 84 it won Wei said he hopes to wring in Melbourne in 2006. 6: South Africa 13 11 13 37 one more Olympics from his 7: Wales 10 12 14 36 creaking body after signing 8: Scotland 9 13 22 44 off from the Commonwealth Michael Shelley ran past 9: Nigeria 9 9 6 24 Games with a third singles Callum Hawkins of Scotland 10: Cyprus 8 1 5 14 gold yesterday. who was leading the marathon 11: Jamaica 7 9 11 27 The 35-year-old roared when the latter became 12: Malaysia 7 5 12 24 back from behind to beat physically distressed and 13: Singapore 5 2 2 9 India’s new world number collapsed with about two 14: Kenya 4 7 6 17 one Kidambi Srikanth -- a kilometers remaining. Shelley 15: Uganda 3 1 2 6 decade his junior -- 19-21, won win the race to defend 16: Botswana 3 1 1 5 21-14, 21-14, after Saina the title he won at Glasgow 17: Samoa 2 3 0 5 Nehwal saw off fellow Indian four years ago. 18: Trinidad and Tobago 2 1 0 3 P.V. Sindhu in the women’s 19: Namibia 2 0 0 2 20: Northern Ireland 1 7 4 12 final. Malaysian badminton great Lee 21: The Bahamas 1 3 0 4 Lee, approaching the end haul that also includes three “It was a very pressu- Chong Wei beat India’s new 22: Papua New Guinea 1 2 0 3 of one of badminton’s great Olympic silvers. rised tournament, a lot of top world number one Kidambi 23: Fiji 1 1 2 4 careers, remains without an But he predicted a bright competition from the Malay- Srikanth 19-21, 21-14, 21-14 to 24: Pakistan 1 0 4 5 Olympic gold, but he said he future for Srikanth, who only After this year sians, it was a very chal- win his third Commonwealth hoped to have one more shot reached the top ranking on lenging tournament,” said Games singles gold. 25: Grenada 1 0 1 2 finishes I will see 26: Bermuda 1 0 0 1 at Tokyo 2020. Thursday and beat Lee in the Nehwal, who had heavy He said he will not be mixed-team final to seal gold in the second year strapping on her right shin 26: Guyana 1 0 0 1 Australia finished with 73 26: British Virgin Is. 1 0 0 1 back at another Common- for India. and if I can keep and revealed afterwards she wealths, and when asked by Srikanth went some way had been playing through swimming medals - 28 gold, 26: Saint Lucia 1 0 0 1 fit, I will play in 21 silver and 24 bronze - with 30: Bangladesh 0 2 0 2 AFP if he would go for gold to justifying his lofty ranking pain throughout the in 2020, Lee replied: “I don’t as he raced ahead 21-19 in Tokyo 2020. If not, competition. Mitch Larkin winning five gold 31: Sri Lanka 0 1 5 6 medals. 32: Cameroon 0 1 2 3 know, year to year I will play the first game of the final on I think I will stop: “Much more tough (than 33: Dominica 0 1 1 2 first because now I’m very Australia’s Gold Coast. Lee Chong Wei 2010) because the pressure scared of injuries. Lee, currently ranked is always there when you 34: Isle of Man 0 1 0 1 Australia led at the athletics “After this year finishes I seventh in the world, already have gold, so there 34: Mauritius 0 1 0 1 competition with 12 gold. will see in the second year stormed back in the second higher-ranked Sindhu, the is a lot more expectation. 34: Nauru 0 1 0 1 The biggest surprise in track 37: Malta 0 0 2 2 and if I can keep fit, I will to take it 21-14, then stepped Rio 2016 silver medallist. “It’s a very emotional play in Tokyo 2020. up another gear to clinch the Nehwal, 28, a poster girl moment because I’ve been and field was that Jamaica, 37: Vanuatu 0 0 2 2 featuring the world’s fastest 39: Cook Islands 0 0 1 1 “If not, I think I will stop.” decider by the same of Indian sport, saw off her waiting for one good, big An overcome Lee col- emphatic score. In the tense, rival 21-18, 23-21 and said the victory after that disap- active sprinter and the 39: Ghana 0 0 1 1 women’s Olympic 100- and 39: Norfolk Island 0 0 1 1 lapsed on his back with his all-Indian women’s final, gold was up there with her pointing (second-round) loss 200-meter champion didn’t 39: Seychelles 0 0 1 1 hands over his face as he Delhi 2010 winner Nehwal London 2012 Olympic at Rio where I had to retire win a gold medal in the sprints. 39: Solomon Islands 0 0 1 1 made it a Commonwealth grabbed her second gold bronze and her number one because of my injury and had hat-trick to add to a trophy against the younger and world ranking in 2015. to go through surgery.” MONDAY 16 APRIL 2018 SPORT 25 No Curry, no problem as Warriors rout Spurs; Raptors and Sixers win

AFP 76ers trounced the Miami Heat 130-103. SAN FRANCISCO: The Golden New Orleans dug deep to State Warriors fired a warning defeat Portland 97-95 in the late to their rivals as the NBA play- Western Conference game. offs got under way on Saturday, Earlier, the host Warriors routing the San Antonio Spurs updated guard Curry’s left 113-92 to serve notice they will knee sprain before playing, not be dethroned easily despite saying he was making progress Stephen Curry’s knee injury. and will be re-evaluated next Klay Thompson scored a Saturday. game-high 27 points on 11-of-13 Curry, who missed Golden shooting, including 5-of-6 from State’s last 10 regular-season 3-point range, and Kevin Durant contests after the March 23 added 24 points, eight rebounds setback, will intensify his reha- and seven assists to power bilitation work in the next few Golden State. days with more running and “We played well. We played lateral movement, the team said hard. We need to do even better in a statement. next time,” Durant said before Curry averaged 26.4 points, praising Thompson’s long-range 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds for heroics. the Warriors, who have played “Klay knocked down shots. without several top players He was really good. He was pen- during the season due to etrating as well,” Durant said. injuries. “We won’t always make Despite the setbacks, Golden shots at that rate but we need to State won 58 games and are solid play good defense like that as contenders for a third title in four well.” seasons and fourth consecutive San Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes (11) is unable to gain control of a loose ball next to Golden State Warriors guard Quinn Cook (4) In Saturday’s other games, trip to the NBA Finals. in the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2018 NBA Play-offs at Oracle Arena on Saturday. Eastern Conference top seed “We’re a championship ball Toronto outlasted Washington club. We know what it takes this 114-106 while the Philadelphia time of year in order to win,” said “At the end of the season, our series opener with a devastating snapped a streak of losses in all for a 105-96 lead the Wizards Warriors forward Draymond minds weren’t on it. They were second half display. nine prior play-off openers in never overcame. NBA PLAY-OFF RESULTS Green. on the play-offs. Australian-born rookie Ben club history. Serge Ibaka led the Raptors Eastern Conference in Toronto “We’re primed for this. A lot “Today they were on the Simmons finished with 17 points, “It’s big for us. We got the job with 23 points and 12 rebounds Toronto 114 Washington 106 (Toronto lead se- of people have tended to forget present.” JaVale McGee scored 14 assists and nine rebounds done,” said Raptors star Kyle while Wright added points 18 and ries 1-0) what we’re capable of. But we 15 points and played aggressive while JJ Redick led the scoring Lowry. DeMar DeRozan netted 17. Lowry In Philadelphia know, and we intend to show defense while Green had 12 with 28 points. “Now we’re just going to try contributed 11 points and nine that.” points, 11 assists and eight Miami led 60-56 at half-time to continue to build on that.” assists. Philadelphia 130 Miami Heat 103 (Philadelphia The Warriors struggled down rebounds. but were unable to respond to a The Raptors struggled into John Wall led Washington lead series 1-0) the stretch of the regular season Reserve Rudy Gay led the second-half onslaught from the the fourth quarter against a with 23 points and 15 assists Western Conference and finished with only the third- Spurs with 15 points while in-form 76ers, who have now Wizards squad that had the most while Markieff Morris added 22 In Oakland best record in the NBA behind LaMarcus Aldridge and Bryn won 17 games straight. losses of any play-off team and points and 11 rebounds. California Golden State 113 San Antonio 92 Western Conference leader Forbes each added 14 for San The Sixers outscored the split four regular-season games In the late Western Con- (Golden State lead series 1-0) Houston and Eastern Conference Antonio. Heat 74-43 in the second half, against Toronto. ference game, Anthony Davis In Portland pace-setter Toronto. In Philadelphia, the 76ers making full use of an offensive But Raptors reserve Delon scored 35 points to lead New

Oregon Portland Trail Blazers 95 New Orleans “Everybody kept our indi- overcame a spirited first half line-up that saw five players Wright scored five points and CJ Orleans to a series-opening win Pelicans 97 (New Orleans lead series 1-0) vidual games on point,” Durant display from Miami before finish with double-figures. Miles added a 3-pointer in a 10-0 over the Trail Blazers in said. stamping their class on their At Toronto, the Raptors Toronto run in the fourth quarter Portland. MLB: Angels Pastrnak nets hat-trick as beat Kansas for 7th straight win Boston thrash Maple Leafs AGENCIES AP Kansas City’s first hit with one out and Duda wound up scoring NEW YORK: David Pastrnak KANSAS CITY: Mike Trout, on one of Richards’ three wild had his first career play-off hat Justin Upton and Luis Valbuena pitches in the inning. trick as the Boston Bruins took homered as the Los Angeles Keynan Middleton worked a 2-0 series lead with a 7-3 win Angels won their seventh the ninth for his fourth save in over the visiting Toronto Maple straight, beating the Kansas City as many chances. Drew Butera Leafs in Game 2 of the Eastern Royals 5-3 Saturday night with had an RBI single in the seventh Conference quarterfinals the final innings played with that made it 5-2, but Whit Mer- Saturday night. snow falling. rifield flied out with the bases Pastrnak also had three The Angels won their ninth full to end the inning. Mike assists, giving him a new per- consecutive road game, and will Moustakas homered to lead off sonal high for points in a game, have Shohei Ohtani as their the Kansas City eighth. regular season or Stanley Cup starting pitcher Sunday. The Merrifield started in center play-offs. Royals have lost five straight. field for the first time in his He now has four goals this Trout hit his AL-leading career. He has also started at postseason after he scored once sixth homer, a two-run drive in second, first, right and DH in the in Boston’s Game 1 victory. the fifth off Jakob Junis (2-1). first 13 Royals games. David Krejci, Jake DeBrusk, Upton homered to lead off The Angels used nine Kevan Miller and Rick Nash also the fourth. Valbuena snapped starters in their first 15 games. scored goals and Tuukka Rask Junis’ 16-inning scoreless streak “We’ll be at a six-man rotation made 30 saves for Boston, which Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (right) celebrates with defenceman Matt Grzelcyk after with a leadoff drive in the third. next week sometime,” Angels has outscored Toronto 12-4 in defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in game two of the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Play-offs Angels right-hander Garrett manager Mike Scioscia said. the series. Richards (2-0) did not allow a RHP Parker Bridwell, who Mitchell Marner, Tyler Bozak at TD Garden on Sunday. baserunner until the fifth, when made 20 starts last season and and James van Riemsdyk scored he walked Lucas Duda to start went 10-3, is the probable con- for Toronto. Nikita Kucherov recorded a Nico Hischier, Sami Vatanen the inning. Paulo Orlando got tender to join the rotation. Leafs goalie Frederik goal and two assists, leading and Blake Coleman scored for Andersen allowed three goals on Tampa Bay to a victory over vis- New Jersey. five shots before he was replaced iting New Jersey. Predators 5, Avalanche 4 in the first period by backup Pastrnak also had The Lightning own a 2-0 Five different players scored and Curtis McElhinney (19 saves). three assists, giving lead in the best-of-seven Eastern goalie Pekka Rinne recovered Sharks 3, Ducks 2 Conference first-round series. from surrendering a goal on the Logan Couture led the him a new personal Kucherov recorded his first shot he faced to make 26 offense with a goal and an assist, high for points in seventh career three-point saves as Nashville beat visiting and goalie Martin Jones a game, regular play-off game. His goal was his Colorado for a 2-0 lead in an responded from a first-minute season or Stanley Cup 24th postseason tally, tying opening-round Western Con- gaffe with a 28-save per- Vincent Lecavalier for the ference play-off series. formance as San Jose claimed play-offs. second-most in Tampa Bay’s Kevin Fiala, Viktor another road victory over play-off history. Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen, Anaheim. into the affair at Honda Center. Alex Killorn started and Austin Watson and Ryan Watson The Sharks won both games The Sharks got the next three ended Tampa Bay’s four-goal found the net for the Predators. in Southern California to take a goals, from Marcus Sorensen, flurry in the second period with Fiala added an assist while 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Couture and Tomas Hertl, before a pair of power-play tallies. Mattias Ekholm and P.K. Subban Western Conference opening- the Ducks got one back from Brayden Point recorded a had two assists apiece. round series. Hampus Lindholm in the second goal and assist and Tyler Johnson Colorado got goals from Los Angeles Angels centre fielder Mike Trout hit an RBI single Anaheim’s Jakob Silfverberg period. Neither team scored in added a goal for the Lighting, Gabriel Bourque, Nathan against the Oakland Athletics during a MLB game at opened the scoring on the the third period. who got 41 saves from Andrei MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Saturday. game’s first shot just 40 seconds Lightning 5, Devils 3 Vasilevskiy. and Alexander Kerfoot. 26 SPORT MONDAY 16 APRIL 2018 Al Sadd aim to retain THE PENINSULA A file picture of a match between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan. DOHA: Al Sadd have been a Trophy Tour makes regular presence in the Qatar Cup and also in its earlier version Heir Apparent’s Cup. They qual- stop at Qatar Rail ified this time after finishing as runners-up in the QNB Stars THE PENINSULA League. The Wolves ended up on 49 points with 16 wins, one draw DOHA: The Qatar Cup Trophy Tour started yesterday. It first and five defeats. visited the Qatar Rail. The Qatar Cup defending The tour delegation included Man- champions will take on Al agement’s Community Activities Head Abdulaziz Al Malki, Rayyan, whom they defeated 3-1 Community Relations Officer Nasser Al Kuwari, Head of Media in last year’s semifinal. Al Sadd Abdullah Saleh Al Sulaiti, Media Officer Mohammed Rashid beat erstwhile El Jaish 2-1 in the Al Khanji as well as Al Rayyan player Abdulrahman Al Karbi title clash. and his Al Sadd counterpart . The second spot changed The delegation was welcomed by Qatar Rail Marketing hands between Al Sadd and Al and Public Relations Vice-President Abdullah Al Mawlawi Rayyan, but Al Sadd occupied it and a number of officials. regularly once the second phase The delegation gave a detailed brief of the Qatar Cup and of the competition started. the four competing clubs — Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and Al Sadd were very much in Al Gharafa. the QNB Stars League title race The visit proved to be a productive one for Qatar Rail staff, till Week 19, but the 3-4 defeat who took photographs with the trophy. to Al Duhail after a thrilling game Kharaitiyat in the last round, season, with all four professional number of games (16), after Al Nasser said, “We’re highly satisfied with the visit to Qatar dashed their hopes. winning 9-1. That was the players — former Barcelona Duhail (19). At the same time, Rail. We’re proud of such institutions. The staff made several Had Al Sadd beaten Al biggest victory margin in this superstar and World Cup winner they had the best defence, con- queries about the tournament, the trophy, competition format Duhail, things might have been season’s QNB Stars League. Hernandez of Spain, Alge- ceding only 25 goals, two less and the like.” different as only two points sep- Al Sadd performed consist- rians as well than Al Duhail. The tour will visit various places such as Hamad Port, arated them going into their ently well throughout the tour- as Jugurtha Hamroun and Iran They were the second best Hamad Medical City, Aspire Park and sponsor sites in the face-off. nament, but for the occasional international Morteza in terms of the number of goals coming days. Interestingly, Al Sadd (27) slips. Mohammed — staying. scored (68) compared to Al Star players from the competing teams are expected to were two points behind Al There had been a Al Sadd recruited a number Duhail’s 86. join the tour. Duhail (29) at the end of the remarkable improvement in of players during the winter Al Sadd can still look forward The semifinals will be played on April 21 and 22, and final competition’s first phase. their game technically under transfer window, namely Hamed to many tournaments, such as on April 27. All matches will kick off at the Al Sadd Stadium Al Sadd went on to lose 1-2 much-experienced Portuguese Ismail, Ali Faridoun, Sami Sabit, the Qatar Cup, Emir’s Cup and at 19:00. to Umm Salal in Week 20 and coach Jesualdo Ferreira. Abdulkarim Hassan and Akram AFC Champions League. They Al Sadd will play Al Rayyan in the first semifinal, followed 0-1 to Al Khor in Week 21 before They made very limited Afif. are the holders of Emir’s Cup as by the encounter between Al Duhail and Al Gharafa. firing on all cylinders against Al changes to their squad this Al Sadd won the most well. Atletico ease to win over Levante REUTERS Diego Godin (centre) of Atletico Madrid in action MADRID: Atletico Madrid forwards Angel Correa, Antoine against Erick Cabaco of Griezmann and Fernando Levante during the La Torres were all on target in a Liga match at the Wanda comfortable 3-0 win at home to Metropolitano Stadium in Levante yesterday which took Madrid, Spain, yesterday. them back to within 11 points of runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona. Correa lashed in the opening goal in the 33rd minute after a bursting run into the box by Spain forward Vitolo and Qatar’s Rashid Nawaf, winner of the Qatar Asian Junior Tennis Tournament, poses for a picture Griezmann buried the ball in the with Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation General Secretary, Tariq Darwish Zainal in top corner to score three Doha yesterday. minutes after halftime and double Atletico’s lead. Torres was given a rousing Nawaf wins Qatar Asian reception when he came off the bench to replace Griezmann in the second half, making his first appearance at Junior Tennis Tournament Atletico’s Wanda Metropol- itano Stadium since announcing he will leave the THE PENINSULA held at Khalifa International Federation (QTSBF) in coop- club at the end of the season. Tennis and Squash Complex eration with Asian Tennis The veteran striker got an DOHA: Qatar’s Rashid Nawaf on Saturday. Federation. even bigger cheer when he met confidently claimed the title of In the same venue, the Qatar Asian Junior Tour- Correa’s cross on the volley to the second version of Qatar duo of Nasser Al Yafe (Qatar) nament is one of the most score the third in the 77th, his table but can climb above Lopez to ease their fears of rel- Asian Junior Tennis Tour- and Teem Al Azamah (Syria) important events on the QTSBF 100th goal in La Liga. Valencia and into third if they egation but Deportivo La nament (U-14 year) after won the double event. calendar as the federation is Atletico are second in the win at basement club Malaga. Coruna’s win over Athletic defeating Indian counterpart The tournament was keen to provide the players of standings on 71 points, 11 behind Levante had won three and Bilbao on Saturday means they Aditya Aditya Chopra in two jointly organised by Qatar this age group with the oppor- Barca and seven ahead of Real drawn one of their last four are now only five points above sets 6-3, 6-2 in the final match Tennis, Squash and Badminton tunity to develop their skills. Madrid, who are fourth in the games under new coach Paco the drop zone.

Neymar ‘recovering well’ after injury, on course for World Cup

AP “There is still a month left, Switzerland on June 17. Costa Asked whether he knew his has no vanity. I tell that to my but I am recovering well. It is all Rica and are next for the former team Barcelona had been family, to all of my friends. He SAO PAULO: Brazil star according to plan,” the Brazilian five-time world champions. upset and knocked out of the helped me a lot professionally Neymar said yeserday he is said. The 26-year-old forward Champions League by Roma, the and even more on the personal “recovering well” from a foot “I feel no pain; I am stepping was injured February 25 in a Brazilian laughingly said: “I might level,” Neymar said. injury and is on schedule to be little by little. I cannot walk French league game against have heard about that.” Neymar The Brazilian also down- ready for the World Cup. freely without the shoe, but I am Marseille. was signed by PSG for a world played his disagreements with The Paris Saint-Germain in treatment, I am working out Neymar said that he is not record $260m from Barcelona PSG teammate Edinson striker had surgery in March on at the gym too. I am preparing using his recovery time to watch last year. The Brazilian also found Cavani.“Of course we had a a cracked fifth metatarsal in his well.” potential adversaries in the time to praise Lionel Messi once certain friction, but we solved right foot.Neymar told a TV The striker is widely tournament that begins on June more for his support during his that soon afterward. Three days Globo variety show that he feels expected to be on Brazil’s final 14 in Russia. time at the Camp Nou. later we sat down and talked. no pain, but he cannot put his squad list that will be “I don’t like to watch “I was charmed by the We are both great players, but injured foot on the ground announced on May 14 in Rio de football, believe it or not. At humility of a guy that has con- we are also men and he had to without an orthopedic shoe. Janeiro by coach . home I never stop what I am quered everything, that is the sort it out at the personal level, He arrived on stage using Brazil’s first game World doing to watch. I like to play, to best of all, asking me to be without telling anyone else,” the Neymar attends a function in two walking sticks. Cup match in Group E is against be on the pitch,” he said. myself and show my best. He Brazilian said. Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. MONDAY 16 APRIL 2018 SPORT 27 Abdulla eyes win on home soil THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Qatar’s Adel Abdulla Adel Abdulla in action admits his goal is to win the T2 during the 2017 Qatar category for the first time in this week’s Manateq Qatar Cross- Cross-Country Rally. Country Rally (QCCR). The fourth round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies gets underway with a cer- emonial start at Katara on Tuesday evening and a super special stage at the Losail Inter- national Circuit the following evening, before four desert selective sections from Thursday to Sunday. Driving his own Nissan Patrol Y62 for the first time this season - after renting a car on the opening three rounds of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies - the Qatari and navigator Nasser Al-Kuwari have left nothing to chance in their metic- ulous preparations for the five- day test of man and machine in the punishing Qatar deserts. They planned to test the car on Sunday afternoon. Adel finished third in T2 in Baja Russia and second in both the International Baja and Desert Challenge in his rental cars. That enabled the former winner of the QCCR on a quad to amass 69 championship points. The QX Rally Team driver rival Ahmed Shegawi by just six to lead here and then have a positives things, but we do have lead, we will be more confident they are very tricky in some now trails series leader and arch points, as the pair prepare to lock technical problem. I want to difficult navigation here with going forward to Kazakhstan, places. We need to have a good horns again in Qatar. leave here with the champi- many tracks in the desert. I think unlike last year when we had strategy in place and keep to that CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY Adel said: “We have been onship lead and to represent we have good experience, espe- many problems in the early plan.” FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies – T2 renting three cars from the my country and my sponsors cially as I was here from 2011 to races. Adel Abdulla’s campaign to standings after round 3: beginning of the season. I had in a winning way. 2014 with the quad. I had four “All deserts demand respect. win back the FIA T2 Champi- 1. Ahmed Al-Shegawi (SAU) 75pts a Toyota Land Cruiser, then a “Navigation is difficult here, good years to look at the terrain If you think you are stronger onship title he first secured in 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 69pts Nissan Y62, then a Y61 and but both Nasser and myself are and the stages. than the terrain, then you will 2016 comes with valuable 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS) 42pts now my own car. I have never navigators. I can help Nasser if “Ahmed (Shegawi) is a good have problems. We need to keep support from the Qatar Motor

4. Alexey Titov (RUS) 25pts won here and am hoping for he needs it, if we think we are driver and a friend of mine. We the car safe. It’s not about and Motorcycle Federation a good result. I have won T2 losing the way. He is doing a very will have a good fight together. winning stages here. Our dunes (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar and in other countries, but I seem good job anyway. We look at the If we can get the championship are not so big like Abu Dhabi, but Nissan Qatar. Red Bull’s Ricciardo wins Chinese GP AP had a great chance with the brush with Red Bull’s Toro Rosso fresh rubber. And he knew he driver Pierre Gasly. Verstappen SHANGHAI: Red Bull driver got a bit lucky. “That was obvi- wound up fifth. Daniel Ricciardo yanked off his ously giving us a good little bit Ferrari’s Vettel still leads the right shoe, poured champagne of grip on the restart,” Ricciardo season standings with 54 points into it as he stood on the said. after three races. podium, and then drank up to “Once I was aware we had Hamilton, the four-time and his unlikely victory in yester- the pace, I wasn’t going to let defending champion, improved day’s Chinese Grand Prix. that slip.” Red Bull’s victory his season points total to 45. The Australian started from leaves the Formula One season Bottas has 40 points in third the third row, but took in a scramble after just three place and Ricciardo is fourth advantage when the safety car races. There’s no clear favorite with 37. came out on the 31st lap to allow and plenty of questions. “Saturday and Sunday felt him to get fresh, soft tires when Mercedes, the power of the like a disaster from my side,” Young players attend the Chelsea Foundation coaching clinic session in Doha. the other leaders were running last few seasons, has not won Hamilton said. “I just haven’t on worn rubber and couldn’t get any of the first three races with had the pace since yesterday in quickly to change. defending champion Lewis (Saturday), and I struggled with Ricciardo got quicker and Hamilton and Bottas at the the car.” Bottas acknowledged quicker and took the lead on the wheel. Hamilton finished fourth Mercedes still “has work to do.” 45th lap of the 56-lap race, over- on Sunday and was never a “It’s so close between Red Bull, QFA-Chelsea Foundation taking Valtteri Bottas with a dive factor. Ferrari and us,” he said. on the inside past the Mercedes Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari “Just depending on the con- driver. won the first two races in Aus- ditions and whoever gets the coaching clinic concludes “A lot of time you only get tralia and Bahrain, but failed to tires and the set up right. It’s THE PENINSULA one chance, so I make the most capitalize on his pole position very close depending on the General Secretary of the QFA, from Qatari clubs. While the of every opportunity,” Ricciardo in China. He led for the first 20 conditions.” Bottas said the race Mohammed Al Hashmi, Manager coaching workshops for expa- said. laps but fell back, first due to a “slipped away.” “We were going DOHA: The QFA-Chelsea Foun- and General Supervisor of the triate coaches were held on the “I don’t seem to win boring pit stop and then after a collision pretty well and we were looking dation coaching clinic concluded QFA-Chelsea Foundation opening day at the Mesaimeer races. They all are pretty fun, but with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen strong until the safety car,” he recently at Aspire’s pitches 3 and Coaching Clinic from the Sports Club, coaching workshops that was unexpected.” Bottas on the 43rd lap. Vettel finished said. 4, following the last and final Football Development for the QFA’s Professional called it a “fair” pass and fin- eighth. “It kind of felt like we club session which was Department at QFA, Nawwaf Coaches were held at Al Duhail ished second with Ferrari’s Kimi Verstappen, who initially deserved a victory, but not organised for the young players Khalil, QFA-Chelsea Coaching Sports Club and Mesaimeer Sports Raikkonen in third. finished fourth, was given a today. That is racing. These and local coaches. Clinic Operations Manager from Club, and the clubs’ sessions for Ricciardo said he knew he 10-second penalty for another things happen.” The coaching clinic was the Football Development the players took place at Aspire’s organised by the Qatar Football Department at QFA, Zak pitches. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo celebrates with the trophy after winning Association’s (QFA) Football Wooster, Head Coach at Chelsea Zak Wooster, Head Coach the Chinese Grand Prix as Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari’s Development Department in Foundation, Yusuke Tanaka, at Chelsea Foundation com- Kimi Raikkonen look in Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, collaboration with Chelsea Manager, Yokohama Tyres mented: “It’s been great to see China, yesterday. Foundation and Yokohama Middle East and Africa, Karu- the players showing their Tyres, the principal club partner. nakar Menon, Divisional passion and love for football and The coaching clinic wrapped Manager at Ali Bin Khalifa Al demonstrating the skills and up with a closing ceremony in Hitmi & Co., distributors of techniques that have been which the players and coaches Yokohama Tyres, and Nilangshu taught and developed. The level received certificates of partici- Dey President of the Indian is defiantly on the rise and pation. The QFA Football Devel- Sports Centre. camps like this will hopefully opment Department presented Chelsea foundation Coaches help that even more. Coaching coaches from Chelsea Foun- delivered coaching on the clinics give the children an dation, representatives from opening day to children from opportunity to train in a learning Yokohama Tyres Middle East more than 15 expatriate schools environment which mimics the and Africa, representatives from followed by intensive coaching Chelsea way and give players Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & Co., clinics to promising young an opportunity to be taught distributors of Yokohama Tyres players representing clubs various aspects of the game they appreciation shields for collab- under QFA and coaching work- may have not experienced orating with the QFA to organise shops to expat coaches who are before. The clinics will leave a the coaching clinic. sports teachers from various legacy with these players which The closing ceremony was schools around Qatar, as well as will hopefully promote a long attended by Mansoor Al Ansari, coaching workshops to coaches term development model.” MONDAY 16 APRIL 2018 SPORT 23

I’m working for that every single day, week, month... It’s FOOTBALL FOOTBALL ’s Marin Cilic, easier when I have that distant English Premier League: German Bundesliga: is setting sights on thing in front of me that keeps West Ham United vs LIVE ON Mainz 05 vs SC World No.1 ranking my motivation high. Stoke City TUBE Freiburg Nadal ‘ready’ to defend Upbeat Cilic eyes world number title and top ranking one ranking AFP “I’m enjoying being here in “For me mentally the second Djokovic, who has twice beaten AFP Monte Carlo in an event that one was even harder than what him in the final in the princi- loss to the Swiss great at Jan- MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal always brings me to the best happened in Australia, even if pality, is a potential quarter-final uary’s Australian Open. (pictured) said yesterday that he feelings possible. Australia was a Grand Slam and opponent. MONTE CARLO: Croatia’s “At home in my bedroom is ‘fit and ready’ to defend his “It’s hopefully going to be my was an opportunity lost. Ahead of a possible string of Marin Cilic said yesterday he I still have a small interview Monte Carlo Masters title and the first event of the year that I can “The second one was frus- physically demanding claycourt has his sights set on the top that I made when I was 13 number-one ranking this week, finish. And I’m excited about trating because I did all the matches, Nadal admitted of the world rankings after years old and the headline as he returns to the ATP Tour that.” things the right way.” another injury setback is always his recent rise to number was ‘one day I hope to be in after injury. The 16-time Grand Slam If Nadal is to extend his a possibility. three. Wimbledon’,” Cilic said. The 31-year-old made his champion is bidding for an record tally of Monte Carlo “Well it happened twice so Defending champion “When you get to that comeback from a hip injury with incredible 11th title in Monaco crowns, he will have to do it the you never know,” he said. Rafael Nadal has to win the stage you obviously change two wins in Spain’s Davis Cup and his third in a row, but knows hard way after being handed a “Being honest, I am not prac- Monte Carlo Masters this your targets and things quarter-final victory over that anything less than that difficult draw. tising thinking about if that week to retain the world change. last weekend, having would see him lose the numbernumber- Former world comes back or not. number one spot ahead of “I have achieved a lot in not played previously since Jan- oneone spot to the absent Federer.Federer. numbernumber oonene “I“I hadhad injuries in my life,life, asas Roger Federer. my career, but to be number uary’s Australian Open. NadalNadal hhadad bbeeneen ddueue to return NovakN o vak you know,know, more thanthan wwhathat I But with Federer once one I wouldn’t put it as a Nadal was forced to retire at Acapulco in February,February, but was expected,expected, but the goodgood thingthing isis again skipping the claycourt dream, I would put it as from his last-eight clash with forcedforced to withdraw before his thatthat when I came backback I was notnot season, former US Open something that I’m dedicated Marin Cilic in Melbourne, but oopeningpening match and admitted afraid about what was goinggoing on.”on.” winner Cilic believes to doing. It’s part of my job recently usurped Roger Federer tthathat it was tough to miss the TheThe 36-y36-year-oldear-old FedererFederer becoming the world’s best and part of my process to get at the top of the world rankings AmericanAmerican hardcourt season.season. ruled himself out of the wholewhole player is a realistic goal after there.” after his great rival’s early exit “I“I knew whwhenen I was ggoingoing to ofof the claycourtclaycourt season, afterafter an excellent start to the year. Cilic is seeded second in in Miami. bebe reaready.dy. TheThe problemproblem is thatthat it skippingskipping the same period lastlast “I think it (No. 1 ranking) Monte Carlo as he looks to “I feel that I’m playing well. takes time,” the Spaniard added.added. yyearear and goinggoing on to winwin is (within reach), it’s where build on a promising clay- I had some good days of practice “Australia“Australia was a tough Wimbledon. I’m aiming at, it’s my ultimate court campaign last year that here, playing some good sets,” moment, ofof course, beingbeing in thatthat DjokovicDjokovic is playingplaying forfor thethe goal,” said Cilic. saw him reach quarter-finals Nadal said ahead of the start of quarter-final, winning the match firstfirst time since splitting fromfrom “I’m working for that in Monaco, Rome and at the the claycourt season. and havinghaving that problem, havinhavingg coach Andre AAgassigassi and ggetsets hihiss every single day, week, French Open. He said that “That helps me. I love this a good chance.chance. campaigncampaign underway againstagainst month... It’s easier when I entering Monte Carlo as the event. I always feel comfortable “But I tooktook thethe rightright time to fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic today.today. have that distant thing in second seed means that his here. have the rirightght rest. I did all the TheThe two-time Monte CarloCarlo front of me that keeps my expectations are higher than thingsthings that the doctors told me. champion has struggled for formform motivation high.” in previous years. ThenThen I feltfelt great practisingpractising inin and fitness this yyear,ear, losinlosingg With injuries plaguing “(Being) seeded two Acapulco,Acapulco, playing very both of his openingopening Nadal, Novak Djokovic and straight away sets up a dif- well,well, but then matchesmatches iinn Andy Murray this season, Cilic ferent look at the tour- justjust the day IndianIndian WellsWells sees an opportunity, especially nament, different expecta- It’s hopefully going before... I felt anda n d after reaching two of the last tions as well,” Cilic added. to be my first event it again.again. So Miami.Miami. three Grand Slam finals. “Now I’m in a position of the year that I can that’sthat’s tthehe A blister hampered his when I come into any tour- finish. And I’m excited realreal chances against a red-hot nament feeling like I can go thing.thing. Federer in the Wimbledon deep, and also with my game about that: Rafael final last year, but he came at the moment that’s the feel Nadal up just short with a five-set on the court as well.”

Rajasthan defeat Pakistan pick 5 uncapped players Bangalore as for Ireland and England Test series PAKISTAN SQUAD Kings edge CSK Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Opening batsman Fakhar IANS Fakhar Zaman, Sami Aslam, Imam-ul- Zaman is likely to make wonders as both the dangerous Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris his Test debut against batsmen fell to Gopal trying to Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Saad Ali, BENGALURU: Rajasthan up the ante. Ireland next month. Royals (RR) yesterday defeated While Kohli was caught at Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mo-

Royal Challengers Bangalore deep midwicket by Short, de hammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, (RCB) by 19 runs here to register Villiers pulled Gopal into the Mohammad Abbas their second win in three hands of Unadkat at deep matches of the Indian Premier square leg in the 13th over. After League (IPL). de Villiers’ wicket, the hosts AFP Rajasthan put up a huge were at 114/4 and were left a score of 217 for 4 wickets, riding huge mountain to climb, still on Sanju Samson’s blistering 92 requiring 104 runs in 7.3 overs. LAHORE: Pakistan included five not out off 45 deliveries. RCB They needed 48 runs from uncapped players in the 16-man managed to score 198/6 as the the last two overs. Medium squad announced yesterday for southern outfit suffered its pacer Stokes conceded only 12 their Tests against Ireland and second loss in three games. runs in the penultimate over England starting next month, Samson shared crucial and removed Sundar to end the with an eye on the World Cup partnerships with Ben Stokes home side’s challenge. In the next year. (27 off 21), Jos Buttler (23 off 14) final over, Ben Laughllin gave The five include openers and Rahul Tripaathi (14 not out away only 16 runs. Fakhar Zaman, 28, and Imam- off five), as Rajasthan capi- In other match in Chan- ul-Haq, 22. Batsmen Usman talised on a strong start pro- digarh, Kings XI Punjab edged Salahuddin and Saad Ali, and all- vided by captain Ajinkya out Chennai Super Kings (CSK) rounder Faheem Ashraf are the Rahane (36 off 20). by four runs in a nail-biting other three uncapped members RCB’s reply was very strong, match. of the squad. launched by the 77-run second- Batting first Kings XI Punjab “The World Cup next year is wicket partnership between made 197-7 and then restricted in England. So we’ve decided to Virat Kohli (57 off 30) and De their opponents for 193-5 to call up several young players to “Yasir’s absence is a big loss part in all the games we won.” Fawad Alam failed to make the Kock (26 off 19). But losing the claim close win. give them exposure to those for us,” Haq said. Haq said selectors had tried squad again despite his strong pair and AB de Villiers (20 off conditions,” chief selector “If we look at his numbers strengthen the side’s batting, domestic form. 18) meant that the game tilted Brief scores Inzamam-ul-Haq said at a press for the last two years, he has which was weakened after the Mohammad Amir will lead in favour of the visitors. Rajasthan Royals: 217/4 (Sanju Samson conference. more wickets than any other retirement last year of Misbah- the pace attack, for which Rahat De Kock pulled spinner 92 not out, Ajinlya Rahane 36; Yuzvender “This is a great opportunity bowler for Pakistan. He was our ul-Haq and Younis Khan. Ali was recalled, but there was Short to Unadkat at deep Chahal 2/22, Chris Woakes 2/47) vs Royal for us, particularly our batsmen, strike bowler. He played a big The 32-year-old batsman no place for Wahab Riaz. backward square leg as challengers Bangalore: 198/6 (Virat to gain experience in this Sarfraz Ahmed, the captain, Rajasthan saw the end of a Kohli 57, Mandeep Singh 47 not out; Shre- conditions.” is the only specialist wicket- potential match-turning part- yas Gopal 2/22, D’Arcy Short 1/11, Ben Pakistan suffered a major keeper in the squad. nership. In came RCB’s big gun Stokes 1/32). setback last week when ace leg- Ireland will play their first- de Villiers but Rajasthan Kings XI Punjab 197/7 (Chris Gayle 63; spinner Yasir Shah was ruled out The World Cup next year is in England. So we’ve ever Test against Pakistan from decided to employ spinners Imran Tahir 2/34) against Chennai Super of the tour with a hip bone decided to call up several young players to give May 11-15 in Dublin. Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal fracture. Pakistan will then play two Kings) Chennai Super Kings 193/5 (AT to force Kohli and de Villiers to Shah was replaced with them exposure to those conditions: Pakistan Tests against England -- at Rayudu 49, MS Dhoni 79, Ashwin 32-1, Aj go for power. teenager Shadab Khan, who has chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq Lord’s (May 24-28) and Head- The strategy worked Tye 47-2). only played one Test. ingley (June 1-5).