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THURSDAY 29 JULY 2021 WorldW champion Barshim begins gold questq as upbeat Samba looks to excel CompetingC in Olympics is a big challenge but I am confident ofo doing well. My target is to clinch a medal for Qatar which willw be a huge honour for me.

Abderrahman Samba Sport | 15

OLYMPICS: FOOTBALL France 0-4 Japan, South Africa 0-3 Mexico, South Korea 6-0 Honduras, Australia 0-2 Egypt, Spain 1-1 Argentina

World No.1 beach volleyball pair clinches second straight win in Tokyo Qatar's Cherif, Tijan storm into knockout stage

THE PENINSULA – TOKYO Qatar's Cherif Younousse shoots to score M E D A L S against Italy's Carambula and Rossi during the Qatar’s beach volleyball duo The match was great! It was men's beach volleyball Pool C match played at of Cherif Younousse and a little bit tough in the first Shiokaze Park in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Ahmed Tijan celebrated their set and we almost lost it. 1 Japan 13 4 5 22 World No.1 ranking by defeating Italy’s Adrian Cara- But we kept on fighting until 2 China 12 6 9 27 mbula and Enrico Rossi the end, until we were able 3 USA 11 11 9 31 24-22, 21-13 to record second to take over. The second set 4 ROC 7 10 6 23 straight win in Group C at the was normal and the victory 5 Australia 6 1 9 16 Shiokaze Park in Tokyo, came to us: Ahmed Tijan yesterday. 6 Great Britain 5 6 5 16 With the victory, Qatar’s 7 South Korea 4 2 5 11 Cherif and Tijan secured their spots in the knockout stage to take over. The second set 8 Germany 3 2 5 10 of the men’s Olympic beach was normal and the victory 9 France 3 2 3 8 volleyball tournament. came to us,” said Ahmed. The new men’s FIVB “Now we will focus on fin- 10 Netherlands 2 6 3 11 World Ranking leaders, Cherif ishing top of the pool and then 11 Canada 2 3 4 9 and Ahmed began their the real fight starts,” said 12 Hungary 2 1 2 5 Olympic campaign with a Cherif. 21-17, 21-16 victory over Earlier yesterday, the 13 Slovenia 2 1 1 4 Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Americans claimed a hard- 14 Kosovo 2 0 0 2 Gerson of Switzerland on fought 2-0 (21-19, 23-21) Sunday. victory over Switzerland’s 15 Italy 1 6 8 15 To finish on top of the Adrian Heidrich and Mirco pool, the Qatari pair will have Gerson. The Swiss and the finished the first day of the Cherif and Ahmed Tijan celebrate after Twenty athletes to overcome Jacob Gibb and Italians will have to fight it out men’s trap shooting quali- defeating Italy's Carambula and Rossi. Tri Bourne of USA tomorrow. for the third place in the pool. fying rounds in the 16th place banned under “The match was great! It with 72 points. was a little bit tough in the Al Rumaihi begins The top six qualify for the testing rules first set and we almost lost it. campaign final with the field being led But we kept on fighting until For his part, Qatar’s by Kuwait’s Abdulrahman Al AP – TOKYO the end, until we were able Mohamed Al Rumaihi Faihan with 74 points. The last two qualifying rounds Twenty athletes, including 10 from Qatar's Mohamed Al Rumaihi in action will be held today. Nigeria, will not be allowed to participate during the opening day of the men’s in track and field at the Olympics because trap shooting qualifying round. Fares aims high they did not meet anti-doping testing Meanwhile, star weight- requirements in the lead-up to the lifter Fares Ibrahim con- Games. tinued his preparations for The Athletics Integrity Unit, which his men’s 96kg event to be runs the anti-doping program for the held on July 31. sport, requires athletes from countries Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim categorized as “high risk” because of defi- Hassouna earned his ticket ciencies in their testing programs to be to Tokyo 2020 Olympics given three no-notice, out-of-compe- when he bagged two gold Rio 2016 Olympics but his first Meanwhile, rower Tala tition tests in the 10 months leading to a medals at 2019 Qatar Inter- international appearance with Abujbara will be back in major event. national Cup Weightlifting Team Qatar was in 2014 edition action tomorrow, competing Each of the seven so-called “Category Championships. of Qatar International Cup in the women’s single sculls A” countries had at least one athlete Fares also participated in Weightlifting Championships. Final E. banned from the Games. Gold Cup: Qatar target history in semi-final against USA

FAWAD HUSSAIN the tournament with four goals. THE PENINSULA Abdulaziz Hatem and Akram Afif follow him with three and two goals Asian champions Qatar went to the respectively. United States of America with a target Qatar have scored a total of 12 of making the semi-finals of the goals at an average of three goals per Concacaf Gold Cup on their debut match. appearance, and the in-form team has But they are facing a side in the already achieved the task. semi-final, which have relatively done Al Annabi, now, are just a victory well in the Gold Cup. Eyeing their away from making history in the tour- seventh Gold Cup title, USA will meet nament. A win against the USA Qatar in tomorrow’s semi-final after tomorrow in the first semi-final will claiming four consecutive wins. make them the first Asian side to reach The hosts have scored nine goals the Gold Cup final. in the event and have conceded just South Korea, an invited side from one goal as goalkeeper Matt Turner Asia, also reached the semi-final of the posted three clean sheets. tournament back in 2002. "Without a doubt it'll be difficult," Playing as a guest team, Felix US coach Gregg Berhalter said. Sanchez-coached Qatar have shown "Qatar has looked great in this brilliant performance and are unbeaten tournament. They are already in the in the event so far. They topped their semi-finals. That gives you a warning." group claiming wins over Grenada and US midfielder Cristian Roldan Honduras besides a draw against said:"Qatar is going to be really dif- Panama in their opening match. In the ficult. They play in a 5-3-2, they're quarter-final, Qatar defeated El Sal- really difficult to break down and vador 3-2 in a thrilling clash. Qatar players during a training session ahead of the semi-final against USA. they're a transition team, so we have Qatar’s schedule has been hectic to be smart." in the Gold Cup but the coach hoped it The semi-final between USA and would not affect the team’s that we are participating for the first World Cup 2022 as the host nation – “We achieved our goal, which was Qatar will mark the first match at the performance. time in the Gold Cup.” have been in phenomenal form as they to reach the semi-finals of the tour- Gold Cup and it will also be the first “The team is very excited for the Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham are unbeaten in 10 international nament. It was the important thing game of the tournament to be played semi-final against the US,” Sanchez said it would be a tough match. matches, winning eight of them for us when we got to the venue,” he at Q2 Stadium in Texas capital of said ahead of the match yesterday. “The host team is in very good form besides playing two draws. They have said. Austin. “All the players want to play a final and it is going to be tough challenge. But featured in Asian and European FIFA Al Annabi have also enjoyed out- The 20,500 seat stadium was and are looking forward to a strong we are aiming to win the match and play World Cup 2022 qualifiers besides standing individual performances in opened on June 16, 2021, hosting an performance against a tough side.” the final. The experience of playing the playing a few friendlies in the process. the Gold Cup with Almoez Ali – the international women’s friendly Earlier he said: "We have played Gold Cup is great,” said Barsham. Qatar’s Pedro Correia also top scorer of AFC Asian Cup 2019 – between the United States and Nigeria. the championship since the first round Not just in the Gold Cup, Al Annabi expressed his confidence ahead of the again rising at a big stage. The feared The match will kick off at 2:30am, to be competitive without considering – a year before they enter the FIFA semi-final against a tough side. striker is currently the top scorer in Qatar time early tomorrow morning. THURSDAY 29 JULY 2020 SPORT 15

Qatar's track and field stars ready for the Games Biles out of next Tokyo event as surging pandemic adds to drama

REUTERS – TOKYO

Simone Biles withdrew from the individual all- around compe- tition at the Tokyo Team Qatar athletes Olympics and officials pose for a yesterday, a day photograph after arriving after she shocked in Tokyo from Takasaki, the world by yesterday. pulling out of the team event, while Simone Biles COVID-19 infec- tions surged to a record 3,177 in the host city. Barshim begins gold quest as American Biles will be evaluated to see if she can take part in the individual apparatus competitions, USA Gym- nastics said in a statement on Twitter. Biles made the decision so she “can focus on her mental health,” the organisation said, adding that it supported her upbeat Samba looks to excel “wholeheartedly”. Athletes such as tennis superstar Naomi Osaka and CHINTHANA WASALA now Biles have highlighted the immense pressures on THE PENINSULA them, raising questions about whether global sporting figures get enough support for mental health. Qatar’s world champion athlete Osaka lost in her Olympic singles event on Tuesday, Mutaz Barshim will begin his her first tournament since pulling out of the French Open quest for the country’s maiden in May, when she said she had been suffering from Olympic gold when the men’s depression for nearly three years. high jump competition starts The 24-year-old Biles first sent shockwaves through tomorrow. the Games on Tuesday when she dropped out of the team The London 2021 Games competition after receiving a low mark in her opening bronze winner and silver med- vault. allist in Rio four years later, She had said the pressure of living up to expectations 30-year-old Qatari superstar will and her quest for a record gold medal haul had left her be looking to clinch a gold when no choice. he goes up against the world’s But for Japan - in the midst of medal surge itself, best in Tokyo. bagging 11 gold medals already, second only to China - Barshim has cleared the bar Volunteers display a banner in support of Team Qatar yesterday. the surge in coronavirus cases threatened to overshadow at 2.40m on 11 occasions since the joy of victory. 2013, and that includes a 2.43m, The host city recorded 3,177 new cases yesterday, a the second best mark in the former World Indoor champion huge honour for me,” Samba said American Rai Benjamin. daily record high for a second straight day as a spike in history of Men’s high jump since - Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi upon his arrival in Tokyo Samba, Warholm and Ben- infections puts pressure on hospitals, and a new state of world record holder Javier yesterday. jamin are also the three fastest emergency was expected in three prefectures neigh- Sotomayor. Qatari athletes arrive at the “Since I won a bronze medal 400m hurdlers of all-time. bouring the capital city. Sotomayor’s mark of 2.45m Olympic Village at the 2019 World Championships Regarding preparations, Organisers have reported 169 COVID-19 cases related remains the best since 1993. Barshim and the rest of Team in Doha, I was aiming for Samba said: “I’ve worked hard in to the Games, a miniscule number given the tens of thou- Barshim, regarded as the most Qatar athletes who were based in Olympics and the time has come. all aspects. The training camps in sands of people visiting for the event. outstanding high jumper in the Takasaki, some 100 kilometres I am ready for tough challenge in South Africa and Turkey have Elsewhere in Tokyo, champion women made a splash past decade, almost re-wrote off Tokyo, yesterday arrived at the presence of best athletes. I feel been beneficial in my prepara- as Australian Ariarne Titmus, American Katie Ledecky history when he tried to clear a Olympic Village ahead of today’s Tokyo Olympics is a great oppor- tions for the Games and now I am and Japan’s Yui Ohashi clinched gold medals in swimming. would-be world record of 2.46m qualifying rounds. tunity for me to claim honours for looking forward to give my best.” Their powerful showing underscored how women in 2014 but the luck was not with Also joining the star-sudded the country. Shining in Olympics Female sprinter Bashir Al have emerged as the most commanding figures of the him in Bruxelles during the squad was One Lap hurdles spe- is a dream of every athlete.” Manwari also hits the track first week of the Tokyo Olympics. Diamond League Meet. cialist, World Championship The 25-year-old star hits the tomorrow at 9.00am when she In the pool, Titmus won a second gold medal at her However, Barshim has not bronze winner Abderrahman track at 5.25am Qatar time makes her debut appearance at first Olympics in the 200 metres freestyle. cleared the 2.40 mark since 2018. Samba. Samba is also part of an tomorrow and will go up against the Olympics in the first heat of “I’m just from a small town in Tasmania and it just With three in-form jumpers elite group in men's 400 metre Brazil’s Pan American champion the 100 metres. goes to show if you believe you can do something, you in the caliber of Russian Ilya hurdles, having joined the sub-47 Alison dos Santos in the first heat. The athletics team which can 100% do it if you work for it,” Titmus told Australia’s Ivanyuk, Belarusian Maskim club with a sensational 46.98 Despite arriving in Tokyo with arrived in Tokyo yesterday also ABC News. Nedasekau and American victory at the Paris leg of the a season’s best of 48.26 secs, includes Femi Ogunode, Ashraf Ledecky took gold in the 1500m freestyle, the first JaVaughn Harrison also looking Diamond League in 2018. Samba will be chasing the medals El Seify, Abubaker Haydar time the event has been held for women. Diversity is a to impress ahead of the reigning “Competing in Olympics is a in the presence of in-form Abdalla, Musab Adam and Abder- focus for the Tokyo Olympics with women’s events being world champion Barshim, the TV big challenge but I am confident runners, World champion and rahman Saeed. added in other sports, including boxing. viewers around the world will be of doing well. My target is to clinch world record holder Karsten Secretary-General of the Titmus and Ledecky are expected to meet again in in for a treat when the qualifi- a medal for Qatar which will be a Warholm of Norway, and Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) the 800m freestyle on Saturday, in which the American cation round begins at the Mohammed Issa Al Fadala said is heavily favoured, and they will be on opposite sides in Olympic Stadium tomorrow at athletes are all set for the the 4x200m relay. 3.15am Qatar time. QATARI ATHLETES IN ACTION competition. Japan’s Ohashi also claimed her second gold medal Barshim has competed just TIME EVENT COMPETITOR “Our camp in Takasaki in the 200m medley after victory in the 400m medley on four times this season, but TODAY went well as planned by the Sunday. showed his class by easily QAF under the guidance of our In Rugby Sevens, Fiji maintained their dominance topping 2.30m on three occa- 3:50 Shotgun, Trap Men's Qualification - Day 2 Mohammed Al Rumaihi president Dr. Thani Al Kuwari. with a comprehensive 27-12 gold medal win over New sions. The Aspire Academy TOMORROW All the athletes are in best Zealand at the Tokyo Stadium, retaining the title they graduate is well-known for his 2:15 Rowing - Women's Single Sculls, Final E Tala Abujbara shape and are ready for their won in Rio five years ago. fierce fighting spirit and will 3:00 Women's 100m Preliminary Round - Heat 1 Bashair Al Manwari events. be a clear threat to the entire “The training went well starting line-up, which also 3:15 Men's High Jump Qualification - Group A Mutaz Essa Barshim despite strict COVID-19 restric- includes neutral athlete 5:25 Men's 400m Hurdles Round 1 - Heat 1 Abderrahman Samba tions and I am satisfied with Mikhail Akimenko, the Doha 16:00 Beach Volleyball - Men's Preliminary - Pool C Cherif/Ahmed (QAT) vs athletes preparations. They are Worlds silver medallist, Aus- Gibb/Bourne (USA) confident of doing well,” he tralian Brandon Starc, and said.

Fiji players celebrate after beating New Zealand in the men's rugby sevens gold medal match yesterday.

Fiji clinch back-to-back rugby 7s golds AP - TOKYO Jerry Tuwai was in the squad five years ago Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates and he led Fiji in its title defence in Tokyo, where after winning her tennis women's singles Fiji beat New Zealand 27-12 to successfully defend they continued their unbeaten streak in Olympic quarter-final match against Anastasia the title they won when rugby sevens made its games. The silver medal was a vast improvement Pavlyuchenkova of the Russian Olympic Olympic debut at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. for New Zealand, which missed the podium in 2016 Kathleen Ledecky of the United States Committee at the Ariake Tennis Park in The gold in Rio was Fiji’s first Olympic medal in after an upset loss to Japan in its opening game and on her way to win the 1500m freestyle Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. any sport. Now the Pacific island nation has two. a quarterfinal loss to Fiji. final yesterday. Sport THURSDAY 29 JULY 2021 14 Qatar Goodwood Festival: Armor takes Markel Molecomb Stakes Lady Princess wins Qatar International Stakes

THE PENINSULA — GOODWOOD

The second day of the QREC- sponsored Qatar Goodwood Festival came with a massive Qatari victory when the Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned Lady Princess (General x Nacree Al Maury) took her Group 1 PA tally to four when winning the Qatar International Stakes (Gr.1 PA) yesterday. Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, QREC Board Member and Al Shaqab Executive Director, presented the trophies to the winners after the race. Trained in France by Thomas Fourcy and ridden to success by Oisin Murphy, Lady Princess was having her first start in Britain and was able to QREC Board Member and Al Shaqab Executive Director Khalifa bin Mohamed Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Vice-Chairman and President retain the title for Qatari owners Al Attiyah presented the trophies to the winners of the Qatar International of the Asian and Qatar Equestrian Federations Hamad bin for the third straight year as Stakes (Group 1 PA) after Lady Princess won yesterday. Abdulrahman Al Attiyah presented the trophies to the winners Ebraz won it in 2019 and 2020. of Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group Held up towards the rear In 1) after Alcohol Free won the the early stages of the 1,600m race yesterday. contest, Lady Princess travelled well in the hands of Murphy and had fellow Group 1PA winner Ebraz (Amer) for company. The two remained towards World Cup, like last year,” and took a keen hold for the the rear as the leaders set a Fourcy added. first few furlongs. decent pace throughout the Bred by Earl du Champ On the turn for home the opening furlongs of the race. Ginioux and Mrs. Elodie Bellaud, filly was angled towards the On the downhill run for Lady Princess is by multiple Gr.1 outside and began to make home Lady Princess took closer PA winner and sire General headway on the leaders inside order and looked menacing on (Amer), who stands under the the final two furlongs. entering the home straight. With Umm Qarn banner. She is out As race leader Century the early leaders tiring, Ebraz of the Group 3 PA winner Nacre Dream (Cape Cross) dropped began to make a move through Al Maury(Kesberoy), who also away, Alcohol Free was left to the middle of the pack whilst produced Group 1 PA winner duel out the finish with Irish Murphy sat patiently on Lady and stallion Mister Ginoux, an raider and favourite Poetic Princess. Al Shaqab Purebred Arabian Flare (Dawn Approach) who Just outside the furlong sire. proved difficult to pass. marker, Lady Princess was Armor shines in style Inside the final furlong angled out for a run and closed Meanwhile, the 2-year-old Alcohol Free began to get the down the fading colt Armor (No Nay Never x Oisin Murphy rides upper hand and pulled away to Deryan(Mahabb) with a devas- Hestia) stormed clear to win the Lady Princess to Qatar a two-length success. Poetic tating turn of foot and went on Group 3 Markel Molecomb International Stakes Flare took second with the to score by three lengths from Stakes for his owners Al Shaqab (Group 1 PA) victory at exceptionally well-bred Snow Ebraz, who battled on gamely Racing in the third race in the Qatar Goodwood Festival Lantern (Frankel) staying on to claim second. Tayf(Amer) card at the Qatar Goodwood yesterday. PICS: TOBY well for third. ADAMSON, DOMINIC JAMES who is also trained by Fourcy, Festival. AND RACINGFOTOS Winning trainer Andrew ran on well to take third late on. The colt is trained by Balding said after the race: "It Winning trainer Thomas Richard Hannon and was part- is a privilege to have a filly like Fourcy said after the race: “Lady nered to victory by jockey Ryan her. She wouldn’t be the easiest Princess was well tucked in Moore. said after the race: “He ran very at home and is always on her behind Deryan by Oisin Murphy Armortravelled well on the well at Royal Ascot on the last toes. She’s very talented and we and when he pulled her out for heels of the leaders over the first day. Nicolas de Watrigant keep having to change lead a challenge, she did it extremely few furlongs and was always bought him and we have horse at home because we have easily. She is getting more well placed throughout the always thought a lot of him. We nothing fast enough to go with mature and is certainly not as 1,000-meter contest. The colt might have a look at the Morny her." free as before, even if she can was asked to close once inside with him going forward. It’s "It’s not easy for a filly to get a bit excited in the stalls. She the two furlong and produced great for his owners who are take on older colts but she is has lots of character but that’s a strong effort against the sponsoring this meeting. very tough. It’s great for her what makes her so good.” standside rail. Drawing clear Bred by Christopher owner Jeff Smith who is a big “We will have a look at inside the final furlong Armor Stedman, Armor is a son of No supporter of the game. We may taking in the Qatar Arabian went on to win impressively by Nay Never who stands at have a look at the Juddmonte World Cup before going off to three and a quarter lengths at Coolmore and is out of Hestia with her, although the trip may run in Saudi Arabia and then the line. (High Chapparal) a winner over stretch her.” Balding added. hopefully Qatar for the H H The Race favourite Feraby a mile and was placed fourth Bred by Churchtown House Amir Sword. We will decide (Havana Gold) finished second in a listed race. Ryan Moore rides Armor to victory in Stud, Alcohol Free is by later on if she runs in the World and was unlucky when leaving Alcohol Free claims third the Markel Molecomb Stakes at Qatar Coolmore stallion No Nay Cup or not. As forTayf, I would the stalls. He could never really Group One with Sussex Goodwood Festival yesterday. Never. Her dam Plying (Hard have preferred if he had a land a blow. Boonie (Brazen success Spun) was a dual winner in clearer run in the straight. He Beau) battled on gamely to take Relishing the soft ground France and is also the dam of was checked and then had to third. conditions, the Jeff Smith- Chairman and President of the Coronation Stakes, the three- Alexander James (Camelot) a go again. He is not one for a Khalifa bin Mohammed Al owned Alcohol Free (No Nay Asian and the Qatar Equestrian year-old is trained by Andrew Listed winner at Chantilly. sprint finish. I think he could Attiyah, QREC Board Member Never x Plying) stormed clear Federations crowned the Balding and was ridden to The second dam Nasaieb have battled it out with Ebraz and Al Shaqab Executive to take the Qatar Sussex Stakes winners. success by Oisin Murphy. (Fairy King) was listed placed for second. He was in great con- Director, presented the trophies (Group One) in race 5. Now a triple Group one In a steady run race, Alcohol and is the dam of Kissing Lights dition coming into this and will to the winners after the race. Hamad bin Abdulrahman winner following success in Free was placed in mid-division (Machiavellan) who was Group go straight to the Qatar Arabian Trainer Richard Hannon Al Attiyah, QREC Vice both the Cheveley Park and the by Murphy in the early stages two placed. SL hold nerve to sink India in thriller Rain washes out first T20 between West REUTERS — COLOMBO an underwhelming total of 132-5. Dhananjaya de Silva shone with was the Indies and Pakistan the bat as Sri Lanka beat India most impressive among the Sri by four wickets in the second Lankan bowlers (2-29), while AP — BRIDGETOWN, Fast bowler Hasan Ali in Dushmantha Chameera, BARBADOS (2-11) had caught Colombo yesterday to level the Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun at mid on off his first delivery three-match series. Shanaka picked up a wicket Rain forced an early end to and Nicholas Pooran (13) Chasing a modest 133, Sri apiece. West Indies’ first Twenty20 smashed Mohammad Hafeez Lanka found themselves in The Sri Lankan chase was against Pakistan with no for two sixes before bal- Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de trouble at 105-6, but de Silva rocked early, with India leaving result yesterday despite the looning an easy catch to Silva plays a shot during the dug deep to score a gutsy 40 off them at 66-4 at one point, game being reduced to nine point off the off-spinner. 34 deliveries to guide his team second T20 against India at before de Silva’s heroics were overs per side. Russell smashed leg- home with two balls to spare. the R.Premadasa Stadium in enough to save the day. West Indies had reached spinner Usman Qadir for a PIC: SLC “I am very happy to con- Colombo, yesterday. The series decider will be 85-5 off their nine overs six over extra cover in the tribute. In my mind, I wanted played in Colombo on before umpires abandoned sixth over before getting a to bat till the 20th over. I Thursday. India won the the game with rain persist- thick edge to wicketkeeper thought this was my oppor- opening match by 38 runs. ently falling at the Ken- Mohammad Rizwan in the tunity. When you play against Earlier yesterday, India’s sington Oval. same over. India, it’s very tough,” said de board (BCCI) announced West Indies, loaded with Wasim had a memorable Silva. that it had added , power-hitters, couldn’t get debut to his T20 interna- India had eight players una- Sandeep Warrier, Arshdeep the tempo after the game was tional when Gayle holed out vailable for selection after they Singh, Sai Kishore and Sima- shortened as Pakistan won in the deep for a run-a-ball came into contact with Krunal rjeet Singh -- all in Sri Lanka as the toss and elected to field seven before Kieron Pandya, whose positive net bowlers -- to the regular first. Pollard lifted the total in the COVID-19 test on Tuesday squad as backup for the players Lendl Simmons (9) had to last over. pushed the match back by a ruled out. retire hurt in only the second Top scorer Pollard (22 day. precaution. Playing with only ample turn. Skipper Shikhar Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 133 over of the innings after not out) hit Shaheen Afridi India’s cricket board (BCCI) five frontline batsmen and put Dhawan top scored for India for 6 (de Silva 40*, Bhanuka 36, being hit on the left side of for a boundary and then said that the eight players in into bat, India struggled to get with 40 off 42 balls, while con- Yadav 2-30) beat India 132 for the neck by debutant fast ended the innings with a six question had tested negative on going, with the Sri Lanka tributions from Ruturaj 5 (Dhawan 40, Padikkal 29, bowler Mohammad Wasim’s over mid-wicket before rain Wednesday afternoon, but were spinners taking advantage of a Gaikwad (21) and Devdutt Pad- Dananjaya 2-29) by four short pitched delivery. ruined the series opener. being asked to isolate as a slow wicket that was offering dikal (29) steered the visitors to wickets