SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017 SPORTS

It’s not just : Indo-Pak rivalry transcends sport LONDON: An intense love of cricket is between the countries since Prime tournaments. , meanwhile, has ing to accept that,” said Mohammad tea stall to watch the semifinal shared by these nuclear-armed neigh- Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu- not hosted a major international match - Shabbir, a 16-year-old student. “We want between and on a bors, as profoundly as their deep and nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came barring a short limited-overs series to see Sarfraz lift the trophy today.” small TV set up on the counter next to mutual mistrust. The players from India to power in India three years ago. against Zimbabwe - at home since a ter- Television and TEN Sports said an esti- stacks of plastic candy jars. He’s expect- and Pakistan will be cordial before and The scene is set. Broadcasters in both rorist attack on ’s team bus at mated 50 million people in Pakistan ing more customers on Sunday, because after the Champions Trophy final in countries are tipping television audience Lahore in 2009. That has eroded the tuned for the match against India on of the rivalry. “It doesn’t mean an London today - for that is customary in records - more than 300 million across strength of the national past-time, with a June 4. “We expect the viewership will be increase in sales, necessarily, but those cricket’s conventions - but there’ll be both countries - and social media is generation of fans unable to see their easily doubled yesterday,” Niaz said. are the matches which are the most fun tension for hundreds of millions of peo- buzzing with jingoistic banter. stars playing on grounds in Karachi, That’s more than half the Pakistan popu- to watch,” Kumar said. He’s hoping for a ple tuning in across South Asia, where Syed Talat Hussain, political analyst at Lahore or Rawalpindi. But many analysts lation watching a game. nail-biter, too, because “the last match this rivalry transcends sport. Cricket, Pakistan’s Geo Television, told The believe if Pakistan can upset India, it will There’ll be more people watching in was too easy. bequeathed to India and Pakistan by Associated Press that the Pakistan-India spark a renewal. “Cricket’s culture in India, although a lower proportion of the We have to defeat them but they their British colonial rulers, is usually one final is a “is a softer version of a war.” Pakistan is dying since the new genera- population. Star India said the June 4 shouldn’t make it easy for us.” Former of the few things the countries can agree “Going purely by the commentary on tion hasn’t seen international cricket match drew a record 201 million viewers, Pakistan Ramiz Raja said upon. Matches have previously been social media, this is going to be brutal,” being played in Pakistan,” Dr. Nauman a mark likely to be eclipsed for the final. Pakistan’s comeback after the early loss opportunities for diplomacy and to Hussain said, adding that while the win- Niaz, direct of sports and syndication at “Cricket ... is like a national way to boded well for the underdogs. defuse tensions with rare high-level ner could triumphantly hold the trophy Pakistan Television Corp., told the AP. Not pass time,” said Priya Gupta, a 17-year- “It’s a fantastic turnaround after the meetings or to swap friendly remarks. aloft “the runner-up will take the defeat only would a win for Pakistan generate old student in New Delhi, “and it is the Indian loss and hammers the point that That appears unlikely this weekend, as an everlasting wound in the heart. more interest at home, Niaz said, it could best watched when our boys are playing nothing is impossible,” he said. “Such a amid escalating tensions as India accus- This won’t promote peace.” have another significant spinoff. against Pakistan.” Delhi Police are plan- feat will encourage youth to take to the es Pakistan of supporting terrorism and The intense rivalry has been lopsided “It could bring them to a position of ning to be on alert following the match game and this feel good factor that backing separatist rebels in the disputed recently, though. India has won all of strength and pressurize the International for revelry or violence. cricket is able to create will have a posi- region of Kashmir - charges Pakistan their meetings in global tournaments for Cricket Council to bring back interna- Bars across the capital are planning tive impact on the psyche of the society. denies. The countries have fought two of the last five years, including a 124-run tional cricket to Pakistan,” he said. special happy hours and public screen- “It will also act as a wake-up call for their three wars over rival claims to thrashing in the tournament opener two Despite its poor recent record against ings, and small stores and kiosks will set the entire cricket fraternity that Pakistan Kashmir, and regularly exchange fire weeks ago that had critics writing off India, the people of Pakistan have high up televisions for crowds to gather cannot be side stepped as a cricket force over a de facto border that divides the Pakistan’s prospects for success. hopes for their unpredictable team. around on the streets. On Thursday night and cries to relaunch international crick- territory between them. The final is defending champion “We know India is a better team on in central New Delhi, a group of 10 hud- et in Pakistan may grow stronger after There has been no official dialogue India’s fourth in the last eight global paper than us, but our heart is not will- dled around Vijay Kumar’s open-air this performance.” —AP

CRICKET World game’s biggest match to decide Champions Trophy title

LONDON: The game that always ‘stops two of and helped knock off ment at the ground. “History can change, and I nations’ comes again to a third when title-hold- the runs in dashing style? hope we can (change it).” The Oval was where, ers India face Pakistan in the Champions Trophy When it comes to assessing most teams, the back in 1882, ’s defeat by led to final at London’s Oval ground today. temptation is to look at their most recent result a mock obituary in a newspaper referring to the And the question millions of cricket fans as a form guide. But not only have Pakistan, the “ashes” of English cricket and hence the name around the world, possibly even a billion, are all lowest ranked team in a tournament featuring for all future Anglo-Australian Test series. asking is ‘which Pakistan will turn up?’. the world’s top eight one-day international But few would dispute that India-Pakistan is Will it be the team of their opening group sides, long been regarded as world cricket’s now the world game’s premier contest-certainly match at Edgbaston on June 4, a 124-run thrash- most “unpredictable” outfit, they have lost all not the ICC who, by their own admission, now fix ing by arch-rivals India, where some often three of their previous knockout matches the draw at their events to ensure the Asian thoughtless and timid batting were against India at International Cricket Council giants meet in the group phase. only outdone only in their ineptitude by woeful tournaments. “It is massive,” insisted Azhar. “It is bigger than fielding during an all-round performance -and expectation is high from both labelled “shambolic” by Pakistan coach Mickey ‘HISTORY CAN CHANGE’ nations, crazy about cricket.” Pakistan could Arthur? “We’ve got nothing to lose-the pressure is make one change if , who LONDON: India’s captain Virat Kohli, right, runs with India’s Ajinkya Rahane during a Or will it be the slick, skilled side who ham- more on them (India),” Pakistan bowling coach missed the semi-final with a back spasm, is fit. training session at the Oval cricket ground in London, yesterday. India are due to mered England by eight in the semi- Azhar Mahmood told reporters at the Oval on Yet such was the form of replacement left- play Pakistan in the ICC Trophy final cricket match at the Oval today. —AP finals, with , the competition’s leading Friday. “But I can tell you one thing-we have arm quick , who marked his ODI -taker, spearheading a brilliant bowling come to win,” the former all-rounder, who spent debut with two wickets, it is by no means cer- Captain Kohli simply the effort as the previously unbeaten tournament several seasons with Oval-based Surrey, added tain even a fully fit Amir will come straight hosts were dismissed for just 211 before the likes ahead of Pakistan’s first match of the tourna- back into a side that has been well-led by Sarfraz Ahmed, in fine form as both wicket- best, says De Villiers keeper and batsman. India, with skipper and star batsman Virat LONDON: India captain Virat Kohli his first golden duck in ODI cricket in a loss Kohli heading the tournament batting averages leads his team into today’s Champions to Pakistan last week. “If you drive into with a stratospheric 253, are a formidable outfit. Trophy final against bitter rivals almost any city in India, you will see his face As well as Kohli, their batting line-up boasts Pakistan with South African star AB de appear on every other billboard. “Being the the likes of dynamic opening pair of Rohit Villiers labelling him “the outstanding most marketable and possibly the most Sharma, fresh from a hundred against cricketer in the world”. popular personality in a nation of 1.3bn Bangladesh, and Shikhar Dhawan with Yuvraj Kohli, 28, moved to the top of the One people brings its own pressures: he sim- Singh, former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni Day International batting rankings this ply cannot move without being begged and Hardik Pandya to come in if needed. week as three half-centuries in the tourna- for a ‘selfie’ and his every move, word and They also have a well-balanced attack, with ment have taken his total runs in the 50- even gesture is relentlessly reported in new-ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and over format to 8,008 at an average of print, electronic and social media. Jasprit Bumrah supported by contrasting spin- 54.07. De Villiers characterised Kohli, “ whirred when he stuck out his ners in Ravichandran Ashwin and left-armer who struck an unbeaten 76 in last tongue to celebrate a wicket against Sunday’s eight-wicket win over South Bangladesh. “Virat has learned to live Ravindra Jadeja, with the like of Kedar Jadhav, as Africa, as “being a consummate surgeon with these realities.” he showed against Bangladesh, also able to chip at the crease”. De Villiers, who has befriended Kohli in with useful wickets. “He has been blessed with wonderful through playing in the same Royal Yet it was at the Oval where India suffered natural talent but, as ever among high Challengers Bangalore team in the Indian their only defeat of this tournament so far when achievers, his talent is underpinned by a Premier League, says the India skipper has Sri Lanka chased down a target of 322 to win by willingness to work hard,” wrote De Villiers mellowed down the years and the anger seven wickets-and Pakistan’s preference is to bat in his column for the BBC yesterday. that sometimes surfaced has been replaced second. “The turnaround has been magnificent,” De Villiers, who endured a disappointing by a more jocular personality. said Kohli of Pakistan’s march to the final. tournament in charge of the number one “Intense and serious in matches and at “They’ve beaten sides that looked really strong ranked side, says Kohli is also able to cope practice, he retains the invaluable ability to against them.” But Kohli, understandably confi- with the extreme pressure that comes with switch off from the game, relaxing, laugh- dent in his own team added: “I don’t know being captain of the Indian cricket team. ing and joking at every opportunity,” said there’s much that we need to change. “If we “Beyond the golden talent and the iron 33-year-old De Villiers. LONDON: India’s captain Virat Kohli (left) and Pakistan’s captain Sarfraz Ahmed, hold the tro- focus on our skills and our abilities and believe determination, Virat has learned how to “He enjoys calling people by playful phy as they pose for a photgraph at The Oval in London yesterday, on the eve of the ICC in ourselves, we’ll give ourselves a chance to do cope with the pressures of his exalted posi- nicknames and he can find humour in Champions Trophy Final cricket match between India and Pakistan. — AFP some good things for the team.” — AFP tion,” said De Villiers, who was dismissed for almost every situation.” — AFP Five of the best Pakistan’s Hasan living Pakistan-India ODIs Champions Trophy ‘dream’

LONDON: Pakistan goes into the Champions Trophy final today with a supe- LONDON: Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali Wednesday against an England side pre- rior record in one-day internationals to India. India, though, has far more tro- hopes the Champions Trophy final with viously unbeaten in the tournament. phies. Here’s five of their best ODIs. arch-rivals India will see him continue Unafraid to go round the wicket, Hasan to live the dream he had before the took three for 35 — all top-order wick- 1985 Four Nations Cup, Sharjah. India won by 38 runs. competition started. ets-against a powerful batting line-up Imran Khan trapped opener Ravi Shastri for a golden duck and took The 23-year-old has been central to as England slumped to 211 all out. The career-best figures of 6-14 as world champion India was dismissed for 125. Pakistan’s progress since a woeful 124- pick of his dismissals was when Ben With time to spare, India napped in its dressing room rather than dwell on run defeat by India in their tournament Stokes, fresh from his ODI best 102 not being humbled, and woke up refreshed. It worked. , Ashraf Ali opener at Edgbaston on June 4 and out in Australia in the group stage, was and Imran fell for three consecutive ducks, Pakistan slumped to 41-5 and did- heads into today’s final at the Oval as completely deceived by a slower ball n’t recover. They were all out, incredibly, for 87. the 2017 edition’s leading wicket-taker that landed on a near yorker length and with 10 at an average of just 17.20 spooned a catch to mid-off. 1986 Austral-Asia Cup, Sharjah. Pakistan won by 1 wicket. apiece. Given that Bhuvneshwar Made to bat first in the final, India posted 245, led by Sunil Gavaskar’s 92. Kumar, India’s most successful bowler, ‘RHYTHM’ Pakistan’s chase was held together by Javed Miandad, who was on 110 off 113 balls when he needed a four to win off the last ball from Chetan Sharma. has taken six wickets so far, it will take Hasan paid tribute to the influence Miandad anticipated a yorker so stood in front of the crease. The came something special to stop Hasan from of Pakistan bowling coach Azhar LONDON: Pakistan’s Hasan Ali (L) talks with Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur as a full toss, and Miandad hit it over the deep square leg boundary for six. finishing as the leading wicket-taker in Mahmood, himself a vastly experi- (R) during a nets practice session at The Oval in London yesteday, on the eve a tournament featuring the world’s top enced former international seam- of the ICC Champions Trophy Final cricket match between India and 2010 Asia Cup, Dambulla. India won by 3 wickets. eight one-day international sides. bowling all-rounder who also spent Pakistan. — AFP Chasing 268 to win, India hopes looked over when Mahendra Singh Dhoni Hasan’s achievement is all the more several seasons in English county crick- left in the 43rd over. But the last over came down to six off five balls. Then impressive given he only made his ODI et, notably with Oval-based Surrey. Suresh Raina was run out. Harbhajan Singh whiffed at the next two balls and debut in August last year. “I will give the credit for my Zimbabwe to tour Sri was better at exchanging verbals with fielder . Three runs to “It’s like a dream,” Hasan told AFP on improvement to Azhar Mahmood, who get off two balls. Harbhajan sent the penultimate ball sailing over midwicket Friday. “I set a goal for myself during has been working very hard with us and India into the final. the West Indies series (in Guyana in bowlers,” said Hasan, adding: “I have Lanka after 15 years April) and it was to become the best the much needed rhythm, so I will do bowler in the Champions Trophy. my best to continue that.” COLOMBO: Zimbabwe will embark on their first tour of Sri Lanka in 15 years 2012 Asia Cup, Mirpur. India won by 6 wickets. this month, playing five one-day internationals and a Test match, Sri Lanka’s A record stand between openers (112) and Mohammad “I want to achieve that goal,” added Pakistan’s resurgence since their Hasan, whose 20 career ODIs have opening defeat by India has been cricket board said yesterday. The tour will start on June 30 with the first ODI Hafeez (105) set up Pakistan’s 329, then all of it was overshadowed by Virat at the Galle International Stadium, which will host its first limited-overs Kohli. First with Sachin Tendulkar (52) then with Rohit Sharma (68), Kohli bat- yielded a haul of 39 wickets at an aver- something to see even allowing for age of 23.92 — impressive figures in a their reputation as world cricket’s most match in 17 years. The last ODI at Galle was in June 2000, when Sri Lanka beat ted for almost 47 overs to score 183 off 148 balls, including 22 boundaries. He by 37 runs. form of the game where, with fielding “unpredictable” team and Hasan insist- demolished Pakistan, and India completed its highest successful ODI chase The first two ODIs with Zimbabwe will be at Galle and the remaining three restrictions and increasingly short ed the pressure of playing India, the with 17 balls to spare. 50-over games will be at the refurbished Hambantota Stadium. The only Test boundaries, the odds are often all in title-holders, in a final would not cause match will be at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo starting July 14. 2014 Asia Cup, Dhaka. Pakistan won by 1 wicket. favour of batsmen making big scores. his side to retreat back into their shells. Schedule: India posted 245. Pakistan reached the last over eight down and 10 runs “Now when I knew that the best “I am very positive about the final,” June 30 - 1st ODI at Galle needed to win. Saeed Ajmal was bowled first ball, and new man bowler will get a ‘golden ball’, I am said Hasan, who took one for 70 when July 2 - 2nd ODI at Galle got off the mark with a single, giving the strike against offspin- determined to get that souvenir as it the teams net in the group phase. July 6 - 3rd ODI at Hambantota ner Ravichandran Ashwin. He slogged the next ball over the deep extra cover will be my first in my career.” “The mistakes we committed in the July 8 - 4th ODI at Hambantota boundary, and the next ball over the long on boundary. Two consecutive six- Hasan’s impressive array of skills were first game will not be repeated and we July 10 - 5th ODI at Hambantota es won the match, and he kissed Khan on the cheek. —AP on show during Pakistan’s dominant will try to execute the plans given by July 14 - 1st Test at Colombo. — AFP eight-wicket semi-final win in Cardiff on coaches,” he added. — AFP