SPORT

Wednesday 26 April 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Murray ready Four-goal Newcastletle Yasir spins Pakistan to work overtime romp back to to victory against in Barcelona Premier League West Indies Tae-hee's double takes Lekhwiya into last 16

The Peninsula , a 1-1 draw between Guangzhou Evergrande AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Esteghlal of Islamic Repub- moved back to the sum- YESTERDAY'S RESULTS ekhwiya sealed lic of Iran and Emirati side mit of Group G yesterday Group A top spot in Al Ahli saw both sides as Luiz Felipe Scolari's Esteghlal FC (Iran) 1 - Al Ahli Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 1 Group B and a move to the brink of qual- side cruised to a 6-0 win Lokomotiv Tashkent (Uzbekistan) 4 - Al Taawun (Saudi Arabia) 4 place in the 2017 ification from Group A. over Hong Kong champi- Group B AFC Champions Visitors Al Ahli took a ons Eastern SC. LLeague Round of 16 yes- 17th minute lead in the Elsewhere, a header Al Fateh (Saudi Arabia) 1 - Esteghlal Khozestan (Iran) 1 terday as Djemal clash at a packed Azadi from Portuguese defender Al Jazira (United Arab Emirates) 1 - Lekhwiya (Qatar) 3 Belmadi’s team handed Al Stadium, with Abdulaziz Ricardo Machado in the Group G Jazira of the United Arab Sanqour placing the ball second minute of injury Eastern (Hong Kong, China) 0 - Guangzhou Evergrande (China) 6 Emirates a 3-1 defeat. into the net after a neat time earned Al Taawoun Suwon (Korea) 0 - Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) 1 Mbark Boussoufa gave header from striker a point in an enthralling Group H

Al Jazira the lead from the Ahmed Khalil found him 4-4 draw with Lokomotiv Gamba Osaka (Japan) 3 - Adelaide United (Australia) 3 penalty spot in the 17th unmarked in the area. on Tuesday, ensuring both Jiangsu Suning (China) 1 - Jeju United (Korea) 2 minute before a brace by On the half hour mark, sides keep alive their Korea Republic interna- though, only a fine low hopesopes of progression. tional Nam Tae-hee save by Majed Naser in the earned Lekhwiya the Ahli net prevented a upper hand, while Youssef Yaghoub Karimi free-kick Msakni completed the win from levelling the tie. after the home side’s Fares In the 58th minute, Juma was given a straight Esteghlal’s pressure finally red card. told as a quick throw Lekhwiya move onto released Khosro Heydari the 11 points with the win, whose lobbed cross was three ahead of second- headed home by striker placed Esteghlal . Khouzestan and a further With neither side then point ahead of Al Fateh of able to find a winner, both Saudi Arabia, meaning the teams now lie on eight Qatar Stars League cham- points with one Group A pions are certain to finish game remaining - three in pole position thanks to points clear of both Saudi Lekhwiya's Spanish defender Chico Flores (left) locked in an areal battle their superior head-to- Arabia’s Al Taawoun and for supremacy with Al Jazira's Emirati forward Ahmed Al Attas during head record with Iran's Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv. Star of the day their AFC Champions League Group B match played at the Mohammed 2016 title winners. In Hong Kong, two- for Lekhwiya, Nam Bin Zayed Stadiun in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Meanwhile, , time champions Tae Hee celebrates. Iran register another impressive win in Doha

Fawad Hussain ASIA CUP INDOOR HOCKEY suffered a 11-0 hammering against The Peninsula CHAMPIONSHIP mighty Iranians in their first match. Earlier, Kazakhstan and ix-time champions Iran dis- RESULTS Uzbekistan shared a point each played a ruthless show in the Men’s event after a 4-4 draw. Both the sides Ssecond half to overshadow a Iran beat Qatar 9-3 were also even in the first session, gutsy performance from Qatar in Malaysia beat Oman 9-2 going into the final half with a the opening session, for a 9-3 vic- Thailand beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 score of 1-1. tory against the hosts at the Asia Uzbekistan draw with Kazakhstan 4-4 In the women's competition Cup Indoor Hockey Championship Women’s event which is running simultaneously at Aspire Dome yesterday. Kazakhstan beat China 11-0 with the men’s event, Uzbekistan Iran, who have won all the pre- claimed back-to-back wins to go Thailand beat Korea 4-1 vious editions of the tournament, top of the points table in the league Uzbekistan beat China 17-0

fired six goals in the second half to contest. completely dominate the Maggid Kazakhstan beat Thailand 3-0 The Kazakhs first thrashed Abu Talib-coached side in the last China 11-0 after taking a 6-0 lead session. were leading 2-1 till the eighth in the first half. They later over- Qatar were impressive in the minute. Iran leveled the score three came Thailand 3-0 to maintain first 25 minutes allowing just a nar- minutes later and took the lead just their winning streak and top the row 3-2 lead to the pre-event before the end of first half. table with 9 points from three favourites. However, Iran used all Today, Qatar will meet Malay- matches. their experience against the hosts sia who notched their first victory Thailand are occupying the and scored in short intervals in the of the tournament with a 9-2 rout second spot on the points table remaining match to take proceed- over Oman. Oman did well in the after earning an impressive 4-1 win ings beyond Qatar’s reach. The first half conceding a 3-1 lead but over Peoples Republic of Korea. Qatar and Iran players in action during their Asia Cup Indoor Hockey Championship match hosts managed to score a conso- they looked a complete mismatch In other match, Uzbekistan lation goal in the 38th minute. against their counterparts in the annihilated China 17-0 to secure played at Aspire Dome yesterday. Iran displayed a ruthless show in the second half to Earlier, Qatar stunned Iran second half, who struck six goals their first victory and third posi- overshadow a gutsy performance from Qatar in the opening session, for a 9-3 victory. with an aggressive display and to register the win. Malaysia had tion in the standings. Picture: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula SPORT WEDNESDAY 26 APRIL 2017 25

Injured Widdop Warriors sweep past Blazers to miss England Samoa Test Los Angeles NBA Play-offs AFP Sydney Golden State punch AFP he Golden State Warriors their ticket to the swept into the second second round of the areth Widdop will miss Tround of the NBA playoffs NBA playoffs in England's Test against on Monday with a crushing 128- emphatic style with GSamoa next week after 103 victory over the Portland win over the Portland. suffering a knee injury while Trail Blazers. playing for St George Illa- Stephen Curry scored 37 warra in Australia's National points with eight assists and while Serge Ibaka contributed Rugby League yesterday. seven rebounds as the Warriors 19 points, DeMar DeRozan had Stand-off Widdop, one of completed a four-game sweep 18, DeMarre Carroll added 12 and eight NRL-based players of the best-of-seven Western Cory Joseph scored 10 off the named in the England squad, Conference first-round series bench. But Bucks coach Jason came off the field during the against the Blazers. Kidd said Powell's energy had Dragons' 13-12 golden point Curry sat out the entire added another dimension for the loss to the Sydney Roosters in fourth quarter of a game the Raptors. Sydney. Widdop suffered a Warriors dominated from open- "He's playing extremely torn medial ligament in his ing tip. hard and he's knocking down left knee after being hit by Their 45 first-quarter points shots, but he's in there to play three Roosters defenders and matched an NBA playoff record defense and he's playing at a looks set for an extended stint for points in an opening quarter, very high level for those guys on the sidelines. and they were up by 24 at right now. ... He's picked them Dragons coach Paul halftime. up here in the last couple of McGregor said Widdop would "We came out on a mission," games just with his energy and not recover in time for the Curry said. "It was a great way spirit." England Test in Sydney on Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (right) is challenged by Portland Trail Blazers to put our foot on the gas pedal The winners of the series will May 6. and get a win." guard Evan Turner in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Play-offs at Moda Center face the reigning NBA champion "You'd have to say yes (he Draymond Green added 21 on Sunday. Cleveland Cavaliers, who swept will miss the Test) at this points for the Warriors. Kevin the Indiana Pacers in four games. stage, if he's coming off with Durant, who missed the last two points and Al-Farouq Aminu points the rest of the way. The produced 25 points to help the The Cavs beat the Raptors in the a knee," McGregor told games with a left calf injury, chipped in 25 for Portland, but Warriors now await either the Raptors move within one win of Eastern Conference finals last reporters. scored 10 points in just 20 min- the Trail Blazers never really Los Angeles Clippers or Utah reaching the second round, with season. "Gareth doesn't like miss- utes on the floor. threatened. Jazz, whose series was tied at game six in Milwaukee on The Atlanta Hawks defeated ing footy. Coming off and not Six Warriors players scored The Warriors scored the first two games apiece. Thursday. the Washington Wizards 111-101 being able to run, he wouldn't in double figures as Golden state six points of the third quarter to In Eastern Conference "(Powell) is a sparkplug," to knot their Eastern Conference be playing, I wouldn't think." connected on 53.5 percent of stretch their lead to 30 points. action, the Raptors forged a 3-2 Raptors coach Dwane Casey series at two games each. Meanwhile, England and their shots from the field, includ- Curry's three-pointer with series lead with a 118-93 victory said. Dennis Schroder shook off Wasps flanker James ing 17 of 29 from three-point seven minutes to play in the third over the Milwaukee Bucks in "He's the X-factor." early foul trouble and a score- Haskell's omission from the range. made it 91-58, and Portland Toronto. Norman Powell, mak- Kyle Lowry added 16 points less first half to finish with 18 British and Irish Lions squad Damian Lillard scored 34 wouldn't get closer than 23 ing his second start of the series, and 10 assists for the Raptors points for the Hawks. for their upcoming tour of New Zealand will "eat away at him", Wasps director Dai Young has said. The 32-year-old Haskell, Serena fires back at Nastase who has 75 caps for England, returned to action in January after being sidelined for nearly seven months due to for 'racist' comments toe surgery. His comeback was then interrupted after he suffered a concussion play- New York people like Ilie Nastase can she and sister Venus and her ing for Wasps in the European Reuters make such racist comments family claimed they were vic- Champions Cup. towards myself and unborn tims of racial taunts while Wasps team mate Joe erena Williams on Monday child, and sexist comments Serena played in the 2001 final. Launchbury was also left out called the alleged comments against my peers," the women's Nastase, 70, has been pro- of the Lions squad but Young Sabout her unborn child world number one wrote on her visionally banned from all said that while the 26-year- made by former world number Instagram account. International Tennis Federation old second rower might get one Ilie Nastase "racist" and "I am not afraid unlike you. (ITF) events following his ver- another opportunity, applauded the International Ten- You see, I am no coward. Does bal abuse of British players last Haskell's chance had proba- nis Federation for launching a my sassiness upset you? Why weekend in his role as Roma- bly gone. probe into the remarks. are you beset with gloom? You nian Fed Cup captain. "It's a hard pill to swallow, Former tennis bad boy Nas- may shoot me with your words Williams thanked the ITF if you’ve got 70-odd caps for tase, who won two grand slam ... you may try to kill me with and said they would have her his country and not made a titles in the 1970s, was quoted your hatefulness, but still like air full support as they investigated Lions tour," Young told Brit- by Romanian and some British I will rise." the matter. ish media. media as saying in response to It would not be the first time "(The investigation) is ongo- "Joe, if he doesn't get on William's pregnancy announce- Williams has been stung by rac- ing. At this point, one of the the place, has potentially got ment: "Let's see what colour it ism as player. principles that is important is another crack, he's young Bjorn Fratangelo celebrates his victory over France's has. Chocolate with milk?" The world number one boy- that we want a rigorous process enough. Hask probably hasn't. "It disappoints me to know cotted the Indian Wells that is fair," ITF President David Gilles Simon during their match at the Hungarian Open in "That will eat away at him we live in a society where tournament for 14 years after Haggerty said yesterday. Budapest, yesterday. Fratangelo won 6-4, 6-1. deep down."

TENNIS RESULTS Barcelona Open Results from the ATP Barcelona Open yesterday (x Murray ready to work overtime in Barcelona denotes seeding): Second Round Dominic Thiem (AUT x4) bt Kyle Edmund (GBR) 6-1, Barcelona lingering, Murray knows the pres- "The best way to adapt to new 6-4 Reuters sure is on to keep the number one surfaces playing naturally against Yuichi Sugita (JPN) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA x9) 4-6, ranking he secured in November. the best players in the world," he 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) orld number one Andy "I hope to stay there for a long said. Alexander Zverev (GER x8) bt Nicolas Almagro Murray returns to the Bar- time, but it's hard," Murray, who Meanwhile, Richard Gasquet's (ESP) 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-4 Wcelona clay courts that spent two years at the Sanchez- return to court from appendix sur- Kevin Anderson (RSA) bt David Ferrer (ESP x13) 6-3, launched his career this week as he Casal Academy in Barcelona as a gery was short-lived at the 6-4 puts in some overtime ahead of the junior, told the ATP's website. Barcelona Open as the Frenchman First Round French Open. "It took me 12 years to get there, lost 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to Japan's Bernard Tomic (AUS) bt Dustin Brown (GER) 7-5, Murray, who played and lost his and the physical and mental effort Yuichi Sugita. 4-6, 6-2 first professional match as a 17-year- it took to do it last year was enor- The world number 91 lost in Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert old at the tournament in 2005, mous. It's not easy to stay there, but qualifying and was only handed a (FRA) 7-5, 6-3 against Jan Hernych, took a late I hope I can. place in the main draw after com- Chung Hyeon (KOR) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-4, entry into the Barcelona Open after "It's always hard to maintain patriot Kei Nishikori's late 6-4 an early defeat to Spain's Albert your ranking at the top of the game. withdrawal with a wrist injury. Rogério Dutra Silva (BRA) bt Renzo Olivo (ARG) 6-1, Ramos-Vinolas in Monte Carlo last A lot of the young ones are starting But despite blowing three match 6-1 week. to play better and better, so it's going points when serving for the match Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Taro Daniel (JPN) 6-3, While giving him some crucial to be tough." at 6-5 in the third set, Sugita 6-1 match time on a surface he has Surprisingly, Murray's first ATP regained his composure to edge a Budapest ATP grown to love, it also offers the title on the red dirt did not arrive final set tie-break to make the third Results from the Budapest ATP tournament yester- 29-year-old the chance to consoli- until 2015 in Munich. round. day (x denotes seeding): date his position at the top of the He quickly followed that by Dominic Thiem is safely into the First Round ATP rankings. beating king of clay Rafael Nadal in last 16 as the third highest seed left Jirí Veselý (CZE) bt Borna Coric (CRO) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 Murray accumulated a barrel- the Madrid final. in the draw brushed aside Britain's Bjorn Fratangelo (USA) bt Gilles Simon (FRA x5) 6-4, load of ranking points during last Last year was even better, and Kyle Edmund 6-1, 6-4. 6-1 Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) bt Florian Mayer (GER) 6-4, season's claycourt swing, winning he won 18 of his 21 matches during Australia's Bernard Tomic will the Rome Masters and reaching the the European claycourt season. be Andy Murray's opponent when 3-0 retired Andy Murray of Britain hits a return to Andrey French Open final, where he lost to The transition from the hard- the world number one gets his tour-

Robin Haase (NED) bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG Kuznetsov of Russia during the men’s single second

x8) 6-1, 6-3 Novak Djokovic. courts to the clay can still be tricky nament underway tosday after round of the China Open in Beijing in this 2016 file Aljaz Bedene (GBR) bt Marius Copil (ROM) 7-5, 6-2 With those points to defend and though, even for a player now so at seeing off big-serving German Dus- the effects of an elbow injury still home on the surface. tin Brown 7-5, 4-6, 6-2. picture. 26 SPORT WEDNESDAY 26 APRIL 2017

India soccer PSG, Monaco renew battle in Cup semi-final goalkeeper Paul fails dope test Paris encounter between two very PSG eye final berth A rejuvenated Angel Di midfield. Angers were to host AFP important matches, with only Maria has been a central figure twice former winners Guin- New Delhi two days' rest each time," said PSG thrashed Monaco in their largely impressive 2017 gamp at a sold-out Stade Reuters eonardo Jardim's Monaco Monaco boss Jardim, whose side 4-1 at the start of form, the Argentine contribut- Raymond Kopa in the first hold the edge over Paris lead PSG on goal difference with April to retain the ing 17 goals in 18 matches since semi-final yesterday. ndia goalkeeper Subrata LSaint-Germain in the a game in hand in the razor tight French League Cup, the turn of the year. The home side have Paul has tested positive for French title race, but the reign- title race. and Unai Emery's side "During the League Cup reached the last four three times Ia banned substance, the ing champions haven't given up "We don't have a choice, will again fancy their final we were at 100 percent. in the past six seasons, but a 6-3 All Football Federation hope of landing a third succes- we'll have to rotate the squad chances in today's We played the perfect game, it defeat against Toulouse 60 (AIFF) said yesterday. sive sweep of the domestic and save those players who was an exceptional match," Di years ago remains Angers' lone "His sample A has tested French Cup semi-final. trophies. have played the most for Sat- Maria, who scored one goal and appearance in the final. positive," AIFF secretary PSG thrashed Monaco 4-1 urday against Toulouse. set up two more in the April 1 Guingamp striker Jimmy Kushal Das told Reuters. at the start of April to retain the Not only has Monaco's the June 3 final in Cardiff. showpiece, told the PSG Briand is still smarting over last National Anti-Doping French League Cup, and with brilliant young side fired the PSG's European dreams website. month's 3-0 league defeat to Agency chief Navin Agarwal the principality club prioritis- club to within sight of a first were shattered in stunning While Jardim is expected to Angers and vowed to use it for confirmed the former India ing Europe and Ligue 1, Unai French crown since 2000, but fashion by Barcelona, but they make wholesale changes for motivation as Antoine Komb- captain was tested by NADA Emery's side will again fancy Jardim's men are also through have reeled off eight victories Monaco, PSG will be without ouare's men bid to reach the officials in March but declined their chances in today's French to the last four of the Cham- in succession since their Camp Javier Pastore -- hurt in Satur- final for the third time in eight to elaborate further. Cup semi-final. pions League, where they'll Nou meltdown to revive their day's 2-0 win over Montpellier years -- after lifting the trophy The 30-year-old was "This semi-final is an face Juventus for a place in campaign. -- and likely Adrien Rabiot in in 2009 and 2014. India's number one choice under the bar before slipping down the pecking order, behind Norway-based Gur- preet Singh Sandhu, in recent Bale set to times. Paul did not take calls when Reuters contacted him. miss semi-final "It's now between him and NADA. He has to decide due to injury whether he wants his B sam- ple tested," Das said. Barcelona "But of course if he needs Reuters guidance, the federation is always there." areth Bale's run of injury misery contin- Gued on Tuesday as Real Griezmann agent Madrid said their record sign- ing had picked up a calf injury confirms 'concrete' that rules him out for up to move from United four league games and their Champions League semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid. London Bale was forced off Reuters injured in the 35th minute of Sunday's 3-2 defeat to arch anchester United rivals Barcelona that blew the have shown "con- La Liga title race wide open Newcastle United's Christian Atsu (right) scores their second goal against Preston during their EFL Championship match Mcrete interest" in and took the champions played at St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday. Newcastle United beat Preston 4-1 and were promoted to the signing Atletico Madrid for- ahead of Madrid in the stand- Premier League. ward Antoine Griezmann, ings due to their superior who has an exit clause of head-to-head record. £85m ($108.79m), the Real released a statement Frenchman's agent Eric on Tuesday saying Bale had Olhats has said. a grade two muscle tear in his United, who are fifth in left calf, without specifying Four-goal Newcastle romp the Premier League, have how long the Welsh interna- scored the least number of tional would spend on the goals among the top six sides sidelines. and are aiming to strengthen Radio station Cadena their attack with Griezmann, Cope said he would be out for back to Premier League who has scored 25 goals for three weeks, therefore miss- Atletico this season. ing league fixtures against "We're at the stage of Deportivo La Coruna, Valen- Newcastle upon Tyne "It's been a tough season and net for his 12th Championship gathering information from cia, Granada and Sevilla in AFP today it's paid off. The atmos- goal of the season. clubs who have a concrete addition to both games phere has been unbelievable The hosts floundered for interest," Olhats told French against Atletico. afael Benitez suc- - the fans have stuck behind us," most of the rest of the half with television programme Bale has won two Cham- ceeded in his gamble Newcastle's inspirational the massed ranks of spectators Téléfoot. pions Leagues with Real since of staying on as man- defender Jerome Lascelles told going quiet. "There is an unavoidable his then world record move ager as he steered Sky Sports. That was until Christian €100 million (about £85 mil- from Tottenham Hotspur in Newcastle United "The main aim was to get Atsu, on loan from Chelsea, lion) clause so that restricts 2013, but his fourth season in Rstraight back up to the Premier back into the Premier League." awoke them from their torpor the number of candidates. Spain has been blighted by League with a 4-1 win over A crowd of just over 50,000 as he tucked the ball home in You have United, (Manches- injuries. Preston on Monday. had endured a nervy first-half the 45th minute. ter) City, Chelsea, Barcelona He was forced to spend The former Liverpool, Chel- as the Magpies once again Doubts still lay in the back and Real Madrid. over two months out after sea and Real Madrid boss stayed looked tense - just two wins in of the fans' and players' minds "United were the first to rupturing ligaments in his on after they were relegated to their last eight games when they but they were dispelled in dra- come and see us and the most right ankle in November and the Championship at the end of had looked like cruising back to matic fashion in the 64th minute concrete in their wishes." was forced off during his last season and even though the top flight had set nerves on as Paul Gallagher handled on the United's attacking options side's Champions League Newcastle stumbled of late, the edge. line and was sent off - the reli- are limited with top goals- quarter-final first leg at Bay- victory over Preston guaranteed Things had looked on course able Matt Ritchie tucked away corer Zlatan Ibrahimovic ern Munich with an injury to a top two finish. for an easy passage when Span- the penalty and ran to the New- ruled out for the season after his right calf. The Magpies became only iard Ayoze Perez scored in the castle fans to celebrate. sustaining a serious knee Coach Zinedine Zidane the seventh team out of 18 to go sixth minute - although there For the Scottish interna- injury in their Europa League was heavily criticised in the straight back up in the past six were suspicions of the ball going tional it was a personal record tie against Anderlecht. Spanish media for fielding years. in off his arm. of 16 goals in one season and the Injured midfielder Juan Newcastle manager Rafael Bale against Barcelona 11 days They will join Brighton - However, the visitors lev- memorable night was rounded Mata is the next highest scorer after sustaining the injury, who were assured of promotion elled soon afterwards with a off when Perez added his sec- Benitez celebrates after being this season for the club with although on Tuesday the to the Premier League for the stunning goal from Jordan ond, again not very elegantly as promoted to the Premier six strikes while 19-year-old Frenchman defended his first time last Monday - in the Hugill, who nonchalantly flicked the ball went in off his League following their 4-1 win striker Marcus Rashford has decision. top tier next season. Tom Barkhuizen's cross into the shoulder. against Preston. five. "He trained normally three times before the game without any problems and things like this can't be pre- vented," Zidane told a news Arsenal must 'fight like mad' for top-four finish: Wenger conference. "It's an injury but overall it's a small thing and we hope LondonLondon seven games to go, are ing the club in 1996. Wenger, however, said he was evaluating he'll be back with us soon." Reuters seventh in the league and "The door is open but said he had heard no transfer targets for Arse- Real visit Deportivo on seven points behind it demands a consistency such thing and the nal's next campaign. Wednesday aiming to stay rsenalrsenal wwillill neneeded ttoo fourth-placed Manches- from us," Wenger said. 30-year-old France "Yes, of course. I work level on points with Barcelona showshow consistencconsistencyy ter City, who have played "It is still possible, but international signed a until the last day of the and sustain their push for a Ain their final sevenseven one more game than we need a near perfect contract in January season for the present first league title since 2012. But PremierPremier LLeagueeague them. run-in. We need to keep which keeps him at the and the future. they will also be without Ser- matchesmatches ifif theythey are toto "We have to fight like the level of desire and Emirates until 2020. "What happens with gio Ramos due to suspension qualifyqualify forfor nextnext season'sseason's mad to win our games," hunger for every game of "I have had no me is a bit secondary, after the captain was sent off ChampionsChampions League, manman-- the Frenchman told a the season." approach from Marseille, what is important is the against Barca for a two-footed agerager Arsene WengerWenger hashas news conference before The British media and we want to keep future of the club." lunge on Lionel Messi. said.said. they host 15th-placed reported on Monday that Olivier Giroud at the club." Following the Leices- The 32-times Liga cham- TheThe NoNorthrth LonLon-- Leicester City in the French club Olympique The 67-year-old ter encounter, Arsenal pions have been boosted, dondon clubclub league on Wednesday. de Marseille are looking Wenger, whose own con- travel on Sunday to their however, by the return of hhaveave Wenger has led his to sign Arsenal striker tract expires at the end of north London rivals, sec- France defender Raphael side to a top-four finish Olivier Giroud at the end the season, gave no ond-placed Tottenham Varane from a hamstring Arsene Wenger every season since join- of the season. updates on his future but Hotspur. problem. WEDNESDAY 26 APRIL 2017 SPORT 27 : Qatar go top with third straight win

Fawad Hussain Spearheaded by Awais, ICC WORLD CRICKET LEAGUE Batting is not easy on such The Peninsula Qatar’s bowling attack confined tracks but our top order batting the hosts to only 100 all out in ASIA DIVISION 1 did well. We are expecting sim- atar went top of the points 36.4 overs to ensure 60-run Results ilar batting conditions in the table at the seven-nation victory. Qatar beat Thailand by 60 runs match against Bahrain,” added QICC World Cricket League The fast bowler bowled Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain by 6 the 32-year-old. Asia Division 1 after outclass- eight overs including four Bhutan beat China by 10 wickets “Our bowling has been phe- ing hosts Thailand by 60 runs maidens for his four- Today’s fixtures nomenal in the competition so yesterday, thanks to pacer haul, after conceding just 17 Qatar vs Bahrain far.”

Awais Malik who crafted the runs. He was named Man-of- China vs Thailand Qatar’s will play their last third straight victory for the the-Match. Apart from Awais, Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait two matches against China on Gulf side in Chiang Mai, Mohammad Nadeem was the April 28 and Saudi Arabia on May Thailand. other major contributor with 1. The title winning team of the Awais grabbed four wick- the ball with figures of two for this tournament after a lot of league event will be promoted ets to enable Qatar defend a 25 from 7 overs. preparations,” Qatar vice-cap- to Division 5. small total of 160 runs, to con- Thai skipper Daniel Jacobs tain Rizlan told The Peninsula Meanwhile, in another match tinue their winning run at the was the top scorer for losing from Chiang Mai. at Royal Golf Club, Saudi Arabia also Gymkhana Club. side with an unbeaten 50 from “They are showing registered their third consecutive After electing to bat, Qatar 88 deliveries. improvement and it’s not going win by overcoming Bahrain by six managed to compile a total of Qatar, who defeated Kuwait to be very comfortable against wickets. After dismissing their oppo- 160 all out in 45.2 overs, on a (by 150 runs) and Bhutan (by them. But, we are confident to nents for 78 in 20 overs, the Saudi track which is getting tricky as 214 runs) in their first two continue our winning run in the side reached the target in 20.1 to the tournament progresses. matches, will meet neighbours tournament.” clinch victory. Tamoor Sajjad was the top Bahrain today in their fourth Speaking about Qatar’s At Prem Tinsulanonda Inter- scorer with 32 runs while match of the tournament. In meagre total against the hosts national School, Bhutan recorded Qalandar Khan (20), vice-cap- their last outing five years ago, yesterday, the top-order bats- a 10-wicket win over China to tain Mohammed Rizlan (24), Qatar were at the receiving end man said the team’s batting did earn two points. Bhutan bowled Awais Malik of Qatar poses with his Man-of-the-Match award Khurram Shahzad (26) and against Bahrain at the same well in difficult conditions. out China for 56 and reached the along with Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) Operations Nauman Sarwar (22) also venue. “The pitch is turning slow small total with comfort in only Manager Mansoor Ahmed, after the seven-nation ICC World chipped in with useful “Bahrain are a decent side as a lot of matches are being 5.1 overs to earn a huge Cricket League Asia Division 1 match against Thailand in contributions. and have come to played on the same track. victory. Thailand.

Pakistan drop Yasir spins Pakistan to victory Kamran from Champions Kingston, Jamaica SCOREBOARD Agencies Trophy squad West Indies (I innings): ...... 286 7-129, 8-151, 9-152, 10-152. asir Shah proved Pakistan (I innings):...... 407 Bowling: M Amir 14-4-20-1; M Abbas 11-1-35-2; Y Pakistan's match- West Indies (II innings): Shah 21.4-4-63-6; W Riaz 6-0-29-1. Lahore, Pakistan K Brathwaite b Shah ...... 14 Pakistan (II innings): winner as they ended K Powell c Younis Khan b Shah ...... 49 A Ali b Joseph ...... 1 AFP a six-Test losing S Hetmyer b Shah ...... 20 A Shehzad c Dowrich b Gabriel ...... 6 streak to beat West S Hope lbw Shah ...... 6 B Azam ()...... 9 akistan's selectors yes- IndiesY by seven wickets in the D Bishoo c Younis b Abbas ...... 18 Y Khan lbw Bishoo ...... 6 terday dropped opener first Test in Jamaica yesterday. V Singh b Amir ...... 9 Misbah ul Haq (not out) ...... 12 PKamran Akmal from Leg-spinner Yasir picked up R Chase (not out) ...... 16 Extras (LB-2)...... 2 the 15-man squad for the six for 63 as the West Indies were S Dowrich lbw Abbas ...... 0 Total (for 3 wkts)...... 36 Champions Trophy to be held J Holder c Ahmed b Riaz ...... 14 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-24. dismissed for just 152 in their A Joseph lbw Shah ...... 1 Did not bat: A Shafiq, S Ahmed, M Amir, W Riaz, Y in England in June but second innings after resuming S Gabriel c Abbas b Shah ...... 0 Shah, M Abbas recalled his younger brother on 93 for four on the final day at Extras (LB-5) ...... 5 Bowling: S Gabriel 3-1-7-1; A Joseph 3-1-6-1; D Bishoo Umar.

Sabina Park in Kingston. Total (all out) ...... 152 2.5-0-19-1; J Holder 2-1-2-0. 35-year-old Kamran was Needing only 32 to win in Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-72, 3-84, 4-89, 5-110, 6-129, Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets. part of Pakistan's squad their second innings, Pakistan which won a three-match made heavy weather of the for- one-day series 2-1 in the West malities, losing three quick Pakistan's bowler Mohammad Abbas (centre) celebrates with was not to be denied another the final tumble of wickets, Indies earlier this month but wickets before Misbah-ul-Haq five-wicket innings haul. He inducing an error of judgement managed scores of 47, 21 and team-mates after dismissing West Indies' batsman Shane clinched victory in style with a wrapped up the innings with the from Vishaul Singh, who was nought. Dowrich on the final day of the first Test match at the Sabina six off leg-spinner Devendra wickets of tailenders Alzarri bowled offering no shot to the The four-member Bishoo. Park in Kingston, Jamaica, yesterday. Joseph and Shannon Gabriel in left-arm fast bowler. selection committee The three-Test series contin- the space of four deliveries in his Mohammad Abbas replaced headed by former captain ues with the second match by 121 runs and resuming at the kept waiting for more success at 22nd over, finishing with the Amir and almost immediately Inzamam-ul-Haq included starting in Bridgetown, Barba- overnight position of 93 for four, the start of play on the fifth day excellent innings figures of six struck two critical blows. Night- Umar in the squad after dos on Sunday. the home side were dismissed as the visitors' faster bowlers for 63 and a match haul of eight watchman Devendra Bishoo, being dropped for the West Earlier, Shah completed a for 152 after less than two hours' continued the demolition job by for 154. who had defied the Pakistanis Indies series following six-wicket haul to spearhead a play at Sabina Park in Jamaica. taking the next four wickets. Shah was expected to pose for over an hour, flashed at a failed fitness tests. second innings rout of the West Having taken the first four However, Shah, who bowled an immediate threat at the start wide delivery to be well caught Former one-day captain Indies. wickets late on the fourth unchanged from one end of Tuesday's play but it was by Younis Khan at second slip Azhar Ali returned to the Trailing on the first innings evening, leg-spinner Shah was throughout the morning's play, Mohammad Amir who initiated for 18. squad following his absence in the Caribbean limited over series. Inzamam said the squad was selected keeping in mind Fit-again Wood handed England English conditions. "Ali is making a come- back in the team after recall for Champions Trophy looking at his good track record in English conditions, while Umar also returns London one-day caps since debuting in England squad for Champi- after considerable improve- AFP 2015, his pace and hostility mark ons Trophy and South Africa ment in his fitness," said him out as a compelling choice. series: Inzamam. ngland have called up fit- There are no real surprises Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, Sarfraz Ahmed will lead again Mark Wood for the in the squad, which will also capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), the squad after replacing Ali Eforthcoming Champions take on South Africa in a three- Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake as captain for the West Indies Trophy campaign, but his fel- match series before the Ball (Nottinghamshire), Sam Bill- tour. low pace bowler has Champions Trophy, but Finn ings (Kent), Jos Buttler Pakistan will play arch- been left out of the 15-man might have hoped to oust one (Lancashire), Alex Hales (Notting- rivals and defending squad. of Jake Ball or David Willey from hamshire), Liam Plunkett champions India in their first Wood has returned to fitness the party. (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (York- Pakistan bowler Group B match at Birming- after being sidelined for several The Middlesex man played shire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Yasir Shah ham on June 4 followed by months following a third ankle all three matches in England's Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Dur- celebrates matches against South Africa operation. last 50-over series, against the ham), David Willey (Yorkshire), dismissing West (June 7 in Birmingham) and The Durham seamer has West Indies but Willey offers Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Indies' Alzarri (June 12 in Cardiff). done enough in the opening variation as a left-armer and Mark Wood (Durham) Group A comprises of hosts Joseph on the final weeks of the season to persuade with Ball arguably a more con- England squad for Ireland England, Australia, New Zea- day of the first the England selectors he is ready sistent like-for-like option, there series: land and Bangladesh. for the tournament, which will is no place for the paceman. Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, Test at the Sabina The top two teams from be held in England and Wales in Instead, he is named in a capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Park in Kingston, each group will qualify for the June. modified 14-man squad to face Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Jamaica, yesterday. semi-finals. England regard the eight- Ireland in two one-day interna- Ball (Nottinghamshire), Sam Bill- Pakistan Squad: Sarfraz team event as a chance to land tionals in early May. ings (Kent), Ben Duckett Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, a first global 50-over trophy and "We have made encourag- (Northamptonshire), Steven Finn Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Wood is a potentially key ing progress over the past 18 (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Notting- Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib performer. months in white-ball cricket and hamshire), Liam Plunkett Malik, Umar Akmal, Fakhar The 27-year-old last played the squads selected reflect con- (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (York- Zaman, Imad Wasim, Hasan for England in September and, sistency and give options across shire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Ali, Fahim Ashraf, Wahab although injury problems have all disciplines," national selec- Roy (Surrey), David Willey (York- Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Jun- restricted him to a modest 11 tor James Whitaker said. shire), Mark Wood (Durham). aid Khan, .