QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune ’s QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune brilliance leads to historic triumph at page 12 & 13 WEDNESday, JANUARY 20, 2021

Draw lays out QNB STARS LEAGUE path to FIFA Club World Cup glory

Tribune News Network ● Action to start on 4 Doha February with Tigres UANL vs Ulsan Hyundai FC Tuesday’s draw at the home of FIFA in Zurich mapped out ● Second match to feature the road to global glory for Al-Duhail SC vs Al Ahly SC the six clubs competing in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar ● Champions to be 2020. crowned at Education City Tigres UANL and Ulsan Stadium on 11 February Hyundai FC will face each other in the first game sched- uled for 4 February at 17:00 local time (15:00 CET) at Ah- mad Bin Ali Stadium, while Al- Duhail SC and Al Ahly SC will A Qatar Sports Club player battles for the ball with an Al Duhail player during their QNB Stars League match at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. feature in the second match at 20:30 (18:30 CET) at Educa- tion City Stadium. The draw also revealed that the CONMEBOL Lib- ertadores champions (to be crowned on 30 January) will Qatar SC hold Al Duhail to take on the winners of Tigres UANL vs Ulsan Hyundai FC on 7 February, with FC Bayern Munich facing the winners of Al-Duhail SC vs Al Ahly SC a crowned following the final day later. at Education City Stadium on The FIFA Club World 11 February, kick-off 21:00 1-1 draw in absorbing clash Cup 2020 champions will be (19:00 CET). Tribune News Network Doha

Much to their promise, Qatar Messi handed two-game Sports Club (QSC) held de- fending champions Al Duhail to a 1-1 draw in their Week 15 ban for Sunday’s red card clash of the QNB Stars League at the Qatar SC Stadium on DPA final, will hope to do likewise Tuesday. Barcelona against Cornella and will have In the other matches of to do so without the suspend- the day, Al Rayyan defeated Al Barcelona’s Lionel Messi ed Lionel Messi on Thursday. Wakrah 3-0, while Umm Salal has been handed a two-match Zidane may try to blood and Al Arabi played out a goal- ban for his sending off against some of his younger players in less draw. Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Madrid’s clash. Andryi Lunin For Qatar SC, Elmehdi The punishment was con- is likely to make his first start Barrahma scored off a pen- firmed by theS panish Foot- in goal in place of Thibaut alty in the 21st minute penalty ball Federation (RFEF) on Courtois. which was negated by Paulo Tuesday. Messi fouled Asier The 21-year-old has played Edmilson Junior, who netted Villalibre late in the Spanish on loan for Oveido, Valladolid the goal for Al Duhail in the Super Cup final which Barce- and Leganes since joining Real 51st minute. lona lost. It was the first time Madrid but never for his par- The result was another he had been sent off playing ent club. blow to second-placed Al Du- for the Catalan club. At the other end of the hail (28 points) who lag be- Players fight for the ball during the Al Rayyan vs Al Wakrah match of Aron Gunnarsson of Umm Salal tries to seize control of the ball during He will now miss Thurs- pitch Real Madrid could also hind leaders Al Sadd by 10 the at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium on Tuesday. the match against Al Arabi on Tuesday. day’s last-32 Copa del Rey try to do without their first points, as the latter play Al game away to Cornella and choice option. Khor on Wednesday. second-half action by mak- der new coach . his marker Lucas Mendes – to home from close range send- the weekend league trip to Karim Benzema has 13 Qatar SC now have 24 ing three substitutions. New Al Wakrah remained on 14 slip the low ball to the left of ing the ball into an open net play Elche. goals so far this season in all points and are placed fourth recruit and striker Michael points. goalkeeper moments before after Al Wakrah keeper had Real Madrid and Barce- competitions but the other two on the points table. Olunga, winger Ismail Mo- After a steady start, Al the end of the first half. stepped out of his own box to lona are hoping Copa del Rey centre-forwards in the squad Al Duhail dominated the hammed and defender Mo- Rayyan launched their first Al Wakrah responded well block a long-range cross. last-32 games can heal the have so far failed to fill-in ef- early exchanges, but Qatar SC hammed Moosa took the field major threat in the 10th min- with a few co-ordinated at- wounds suffered in their failed fectively when called upon. soon settled into their stride. to strengthen their ranks and ute. Khalilzadeh jumped high tacks in the first few minutes Umm Salal-Arabi in attempts at winning the Span- Mariano Diaz has just one As a result, the highlight they equalised, with Edmilson for a snap-header off a corner of the second half, but the Al goalless draw ish Super Cup. goal this season and Luca match of the week, pitting brilliantly heading in a cross kick, but the Iranian lost his Rayyan backline held firm to Umm Salal and Al Arabi Meanwhile, Zinedine Zi- Jovic has returned to Eintra- strong opponents against each from deep in the left by Sultan balance as he bumped into Al thwart any danger. played out a goalless draw at dane who saw his Real Madrid cht Frankfurt on loan having other, lived up to its billing. Al Breik. Wakrah defender Abdulghani However, Al Rayyan the Al Duhail Stadium. team beaten in the semi-final failed to score at all this cam- Qatar SC made their inten- With both teams being on Muneer. picked up momentum quickly Umm Salal and Al Arabi against Athletic Bilbao now paign. It was very much the tions clear and Anthony Ok- par in terms of score, some With a little more urgency thereafter. Close to the hour are now on 15 and 20 points needs to avoid an embarrass- same story last season with potu’s effort went out past the tense moments followed. in their attacks, Ahmed Abdel- mark, Abdelaziz Hatem curled respectively. ing slip-up against third tier Benzema weighing in with 27 outstretched hand of Al Du- Al Duhail further strength- maqsoud of Al Rayyan went in a beautiful long-range shot It was the second succes- Alcoyano on Wednesday. goals and Mariano and Jovic hail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria ened their attack line by re- solo in the 14th minute as he from outside the Al Wakrah sive draw for both teams. A Barcelona, who then also only managing two and one, in the 19th minute. placing Almoez with Moham- launched a fierce shot from the box, but Al Khater parried the flurry of exchanges were wit- lost to Athletic in Sunday’s respectively. Soon, a charging Qatar med Muntari, but the game edge of the box, but Al Wakrah ball above the crossbar. nessed, especially in the first SC player Hamed Ismail was did not see another goal, as keeper Saoud Al Khater stayed Two minutes later, Boli half, but neither side could fouled by Al Duhail defender Barrahma’s free-kick in the in the right position to block made it 2-0 for Al Rayyan. find the target. Mehdi Benatia inside the box 79th minute made its way out. the swinging shot. Boli, marked by Mendes on For Al Arabi, Aron and referee Khamis Al Marri Al Duhail had beaten Qatar Two minutes later, Boli the right and Mohamed Aiash Gunnarsson led from the front awarded a penalty, which was SC 2-1 in the first leg of 2020- also got into the thick of things on the left, picked up a long by playing the entire 90 min- converted by Barrahma. 21 season QNB Stars League. as he produced a left-footed cross from his own half. utes with his trademark ag- During the half, Barrah- drive from the edge of Al Wak- Mendes tried to clear the gressive game. ma’s volley was parried by the Al Rayyan beat rah box, but his shot narrowly dipping ball, but could not. In the fifth minute, Moham- rival goalkeeper, while Eduar- Al Wakrah 3-0 missed the goalpost. Boli showed great speed to med Salah El Neel’s snap-head- do Rodriguez (Dudu) was the (45+2 min- In the 32nd minute, Khal- reach the ball first and then er on a long throw-in lacked player who got more chances ute), Yohan Boli (62nd min- ilzadeh was beaten by the out- tap it above the head of an ad- speed as Umm Salal goalkeeper on Al Duhail side. ute) and stretched hand of Al Khater vancing goalkeeper. Baba Malick collected the ball Dudu came close to equal- (90+4 minute) scored the on an direct free-kick taken A couple of minutes later, with relative ease. ising on many occasions. He goals for Al Rayyan, who from near a corner flag. Al Abdulrahman Mohamed pro- Results was either thwarted by Qatar dominated the proceedings, Rayyan’s concerted effort bore duced a left-footed drive from Qatar SC 1 (Mehdi Berrahma SC goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail against Al Wakrah at the Qatar fruit in injury time when Kom the edge of the box, but Al 21’ (P)) drew with Al Duhail 1 or he was off-target. SC Stadium. brought a smile to coach Lau- Rayyan keeper Fahad Younis (Edmilson Junior 51’) The Al Duhail duo of Ab- With the win, their seventh rent Blanc’s face. dived to his left and parried Al Wakrah 0 lost to Al Rayyan Barcelona’s Lionel Messi checks on Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish forward dullah Al Ahrak and Edmilson overall, Al Rayyan moved on Abdelaziz Hatem curled the ball away. 3 (Frack Kom 45+2’, Yohan Boli Asier Villalibre during the Spanish Super Cup final match at La Cartuja too made attempts at the goal. to 25 points. It was Al Rayy- in a free-kick that dipped on In the dying seconds of the 62’, Shoja Khalilzadeh 90+5’) stadium in Seville on Sunday. (AFP) Al Duhail came on for the an’s third successive win un- Kom dived in front – beating match, Khalilzadeh headed Umm Salal 0 vs Al Arabi 0. 12 Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Sports INCREDIBLE (TEAM) INDIA CLIMB EVEREST OF EXPECTATIONS

t is never dismiss Australia twice. wise to Shardul and Sundar also judge a Success of India’s young, fearless side is a story featured in a record sev- day until enth stand that actu- itI is evening! ally dashed Australian hopes. Team In- of blood, sweat and tears, writes Ajay Naidu And then that ‘little dynamte’ dia’s young, Rishab Pant, who is the new passionate and fearless bunch poster boy of Indian , of cricketers proved this in made sure that India kept its back-to-back Tests at the Syd- date with destiny. ney Cricket Ground (SCG), Natrajan and Washington where they batted for their Sundar were part of the side lives, and at the Gabba in Bris- as ‘Net bowlers’ while Shardul bane, where the batters made Thakur (much like Washinton a bold and beautiful statement Sundar) played his last first of intent. In doing so, they class game a couple of years ended Australia’s aura of in- ago. Natrajan, who comes vincibility at this venue after from , is the son 32 years to script a miraculous of a loom worker for whom series triumph against World buying shoes was a luxury. No. 1 side and to rise to the top His mother cried when she of the ICC World Test Cham- watched him for In- pionship. This was as much a dia on television. His wife gave soul shattering blow to Aus- birth to a son when he was tralia as much as it is a reward playing the IPL in the UAE. for New India’s collective bril- He is yet to hold his new born. liance, self-belief and never- Similarly, Siraj is the son say-die spirit. of a poor rickshaw driver who After the horrors of Ad- passed away at the start of the elaide, where India were series. Siraj, who picked up a shot out for an embarrassing five-wicket haul in the second 36 runs to chasing a record innings, stayed on for national fourth innings total of 328 at duty instead of flying back the Gabba, ’s for the last rites. The sight of brave warriors overcame all Siraj dropping few tears, when odds to turn the series on its India’s national anthem was head. It was as thrilling as it played in the ‘Boxing Day’ Test, was unbelievable. is still fresh in everyone’s mind. India’s titanic achievement ’s fa- also showcased the silk & ther ‘Sundar’ was a talented steel, iron will & desire in their cricketer who was sponsored dressing room which also re- right through his local crick- sembled the casualty ward of a eting life by his neighbour. hospital. All along, the Indians His name was Washington. took body blows from the fiery The man passed away just Australian pacers who tar- before Sundar’s second son geted the body as much as the was born. Sundar named him . The boys summoned Washington as a tribute to his all their reserve energies to late friend. withstand all pain, not to for- ’s father get unhealthy sledging from India cricket team players with the national flag celebrate victory in the fourth Test and the four-match series against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday.( AFP) was a government driver who their opponents and few racial couldn’t afford his son’s ex- slurs from few spectators. pensive cricket gear. So he de- It was indeed a David vs Washington Sundar’s father ‘Sundar’ was a talented cricketer who was sponsored right through his local cricketing life by his neighbour. His cided to play tennis-ball crick- Goliath battle. But when it name was Washington. The man passed away just before Sundar’s second son was born. Sundar named him Washington as a tribute to his et for a mach fee of Rs 300 per mattered India showed great late friend. Navdeep Saini’s father was a government driver who couldn’t afford his son’s expensive cricket gear. So he decided to play match. self-belief, a big heart for the battled

HARD YARDS tennis-ball cricket for a match fee of Rs 300 per match. Shardul Thakur battled obesity to play for Mumbai and later in the IPL. battle and strength of mind obesity to play for Mumbai and character. When they and later in the IPL. had their backs to the wall, ball, Australian pacers bowled the Everest of expectations. Kohli had flown back after los- he was acknowledging Ra- critics who said he batted too This tour provided a life- India’s young guns gained with venom and fire. But on After losing the first Test badly ing the first Test. There is an hane man management and slowly. However, while these time opportunity to these strength from each other and this day, and in this mood, the and then suffering huge casu- understated grace in which ability to inspire the team to senior pros played their part, it cricketers who had faced played like a team possessed. Indians were not to be denied alties right through the series, Rahane conducts himself. And great heights. was the young, inexperienced adversity while growing up. And courage was rewarded, of their place under the sun. Af- this triumph has been nothing he led from the front and by Then again, let us not for- players who actually turned No wonder they batted and as it usually is! ter all, despite forecasts of bad less than a miracle. example to score a defining get the fact that Indians have the tables on Australia. bowled as if their life de- As the day wore on this weather, even the rain Gods In terms of both shock and hundred in the Boxing Day been living in a bubble for al- Come to think of it, In- pended on it. They played memorable Tuesday after- decided to stay away from the impact value, this is the big- Test to engineer India’s great most five months i.e. since a dia’s bowling line up had a bold, fearless cricket. And, noon, Shubman Gill and heat and dust of Gabba. gest comeback in India’s crick- revival in the series. fortnight ahead of the Indian collective experience of just 4 in doing so, they have writ- had played And the golden moment eting history after the 1983 His gesture to present Premier League (IPL) in late Tests and 14 wickets between ten another golden chapter their parts to a nicety. Ten- came, when Rishab Pant hit World Cup triumph. Nathan Lyon, who played his September. That really speaks themselves in the series in Indian cricket. Well, who- sion gripped everyone in In- a gorgeous off-drive to the India has now won two 100th Test, with an India T volumes about their mental decider in Gabba. ever said ‘fortune favours dia when Rishab Pant led the boundary. An entire nation consecutive series in Austral- shirt was quite remarkable. It toughness and commitment. Contrast that with a tally the brave’ must have had charge in the Final Act along came to a halt to salute, and ia. No other team has been was due respect, and acknowl- Much like Rahane, Ravi over 1,000 Test wickets in the the likes of Rishab Pant, with Washington Sundar. celebrate, the new poster boy able to do anything like that edgement, of a milestone even Ashwin, and Australian line up. Yet, a seem- Washington Sundar, Shar- Streets in India wore a desert- of Indian cricket. It brought in recent memory. for an opponent. Hanuma Vihari proved a point ingly harmless looking line-up dul Thakur and Mohammed ed look as everyone was glued a lump in the throat and tears Ajinkya Rahane, who out- When Ravi Ashwin said, or three to all and sundry. of , Navdeep Siraj in mind. to their television sets watch- to the eyes all over. Even coach side of the cricketing world re- “I have never seen so many Similarly, Chetshwar Pujara, Saini, Shardul Thakur, Wash- (The writer is a senior sports ing the nerve-wracking drama. Ravi Shastri couldn’t hold back. sembles a common man, held smiles in Indian dressing like he always does, let his ington Sundar and H. Natra- journalist covering cricket Armed with the second new Team India had climbed the team together after Virat room,” after the Sydney Test, bat do all the answering to his jan bowled their hearts out to worldwide for over two decades) Pant’s brilliance leads India to historic series win at the Gabba 430 points and a PCT of 71.7%. Scoreboard It was the highest Test The triumph It was the highest Test to- tal ever chased down by a team Australia (1st innings) 369 (M. Labuschagne Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Sharma), 2-132 (Gill), total ever chased down by Down Under lifts in a fourth innings at the Gab- 108, T. Paine 50; T. Natarajan 3-78, W. Sundar 3-167 (Rahane), 4-228 (Pujara), 5-265 a team in a fourth innings ba, and Australia’s first Test 3-89) (Agarwal), 6-318 (Sundar), 7-325 (Thakur). at the Gabba, and India to top of loss at the ground since 1988. India (1st innings) 336 (S. Thakur 67, W. Did not bat: M. Siraj, T. Natarajan. Australia’s first Test loss Pant, unbeaten on 89, and Sundar 62; J. Hazlewood 5-57) Bowling: Starc 16-0-75-0 (1nb), Hazlewood ICC World Test Australia (2nd innings) 294 (S. Smith 55; M. 22-5-74-1 (1nb), Cummins 24-10-55-4 (1nb), at the ground since 1988. Navdeep Saini (0*) were at the Siraj 5-73. S. Thakur 4-61) Green 3-1-10-0, Lyon 31-7-85-2, Labuschagne Championship other batsmen at the crease as India (2nd innings) 1-0-4-0. India finished at 329/7 to win R. Sharma c Paine b Cummins 7 Toss: Australia. had to take seven more wick- standings the series 2-1. Cheteshwar Pu- S. Gill c Smith b Lyon 91 Result: India won by three wickets. ets in the remaining 37 overs. jara’s courageous knock of 56 C. Pujara lbw Cummins 56 Man of the Match: Rishabh Pant. Paine missed a stump- ICC from 211 balls was emblematic A. Rahane c Paine b Cummins 24 Player of the Series: Pat Cummins. ing opportunity when Pant Brisbane of the grit, determination and R. Pant 89 1st Test: Australia won by 8 wkts. advanced down the pitch to M. Agarwal c Wade b Cummins 9 2nd Test: India won by 8 wkts. spirit displayed by the under- W. Sundar b Lyon 22 3rd Test: Drawn. Lyon, but Cummins rose to India withstood an all-out as- manned tourists, who lifted S. Thakur c Lyon b Hazlewood 2 Series: India 2-1. the occasion yet again. India sault by Australia to retain the the trophy despite missing a N. Saini not out 0 Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS), Paul Wilson needed 100 runs from the re- Border-Gavaskar Trophy with host of star players. Extras: (b18, lb8, nb3) 29 (AUS); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS) maining 20 overs, but Pujara’s a record-breaking run chase The No.3 was subjected to Total: (For 7 wickets, 97 overs) 329 Match referee: David Boon (AUS). brave resistance ended when in a stunning three-wicket win a barrage of punishing short Cummins trapped him in front in the fourth Test at the Gabba deliveries, particularly from It was Lyon’s 398th Test India were 83/1 at lunch as with the second with on Tuesday. Pat Cummins (4/55), but he wicket, but the coveted mile- Pujara and Gill combined for a the second new ball. Set an imposing target of remained stoic despite cop- stone of 400 eluded the mas- 114-run partnership. The tension ratcheted up 328 to win, India started day ping repeated blows to the ter spinner, who finished his Ajinkya Rahane replaced several notches when Cum- five at 4/0 and batted with head, chest, arms and fingers. 100th Test match on 399 wick- Gill and made a quick-fire 24 mins struck again to remove courage, discipline and poise, While Pujara was the rock ets with figures of 2/85. from 22 deliveries before he (9) with 63 Rishabh Pant sparking scenes for India, Shubman Gill was India showed intent to feathered a Cummins short runs needed from 13 overs. of wild jubilation when he hit the showman. The opener pursue a famous win rather ball to Tim Paine, with India Washington Sundar chimed the winning runs with just 18 belted two sixes and eight than settle for a draw right 183/3 at tea. A grandstand fin- in with 22 and Shardul Thakur balls remaining. fours on his way to 91 before from the resumption of play on ish befitting the enthralling se- departed for two, but the dam- The victory lifted India to Nathan Lyon coaxed an edge the final day. Cummins struck ries beckoned in the final ses- age had been done, Pant strok- India’s Rishabh Pant is mobbed by teammates after he led the side the top of the ICC World Test that was well taken by Steve in the first session, with Rohit sion, with India needing 145 ing a four to long-off to seal an to victory in the fourth Test against Australia at The Gabba in Championship standings, with Smith at first slip. Sharma (7) caught behind, but runs to win while Australia incredible win. Brisbane on Tuesday. (AFP) Sports Wednesday, January 20, 2021 13 ‘Greatest Test victory’: India’s Gabba heroics light up social media “We are all overjoyed at the success of the Indian cricket team in Australia,” says India PM Narendra Modi.

he social media on Tuesday were abuzz on Tuesday as India went into a climactic finalT day of the fourth cricket Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. Set in prospect was a 328-run victory target which only could dream of being possible against the fearsome hosts possessing the world’s best fast bowler. Yet, India achieved the incredible and secured a historic fourth Test and series win over Aus- tralia by three wickets. For a team from a cricket- crazy nation which was left battered and bruised in a se- ries of the Covid era, India many of their leading players left by the wayside. Yet, the young players including rook- ies and a green horn, marched on to emerge as warriors. Who’s who of India, from the cricket world to politi- cians, Bollywood stars, jour- nalists and sportsmen took to the social media to join in the celebrations. Here’s what a few said: India players and team’s support staff with the Gavaskar-Border Trophy which they retained by winning the fourth Test and the series against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. (AFP)

India PM Narendra Modi Former India captain and BCCI President Sourav Former England captain Michael Vaughan said Stuart Broad, England fast bowler, who is cur- Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted within Ganguly “Wow [...] That has to go down as one of the greatest rently on tour in Sri Lanka. minutes of India’s triumph that the country was “To go to Australia and win a test series in this way if not the greatest Test victory of all time!! Egg on my “overjoyed”. “The team’s remarkable energy and ..will be remembered in the history of indian cricket face over here in the UK [...] but I love to see charac- India’s now injured fast bowler Ishant Sharma passion was visible throughout. So was their forever,” Ganguly — recovering from a heart attack ter & skill [...] India have it in abundance.” “#TeamIndia has proved it again by team efforts, great stellar intent, remarkable grit and determination. two weeks ago — tweeted. character, courage & max determination! Despite the Congratulations to the team! Best wishes for your He announced a special bonus for the team of 50 mil- Former West Indies cricketer bruises, the team made it possible for our country. future endeavours.” lion rupees ($680,000). “You don’t just play & love for nothing. That’s why we play for the country’s flag to go high Brilliant game,” said Viv Richards, captain of the every time we perform,” he tweeted. India captain India run-scoring cricket legend West Indies team who had been the last to win at the “To everyone who doubted us after Adelaide, stand up “EVERY SESSION WE DISCOVERED A NEW HERO. Gabba in 1988. India’s off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and take notice. Exemplary performance but the grit Every time we got hit, we stayed put & stood taller. We Proud of you boys ... This is BIG take a bow @ and determination was the standout for us the whole pushed boundaries of belief to play fearless but not England fast bowler Stuart Broad RishabhPant17 well done indian team @BCCI way. Well done to all the boys and the management. careless cricket. Injuries & uncertainties were coun- “Test cricket’s heart is beating strongly! That was an Believing is achieving.. top Enjoy this historic feat lads,” he said. tered with poise & confidence.” extraordinary win @BCCI & a fantastic series to watch. @RealShubmanGill @cheteshwar1 important Top Tweets Top Aussies not lost at The Gabba since 1988. Wow,” partnership @Sundarwashi5

Coach Shastri hails India for winning ‘toughest tour ever’ Kohli, Pandya return as BCCI Agencies after the side beat Australia 2-1 coach’s job is to prepare the last game. It was important to Brisbane in the Test series. players mentally and work on keep the self belief going and names squad for first two “I had tears because this is their mindset. Don’t over com- Ajinkya did a great job, by being India cricket team coach Ravi unreal. What these guys have plicate things and it will work.” calm and taking everything in Shastri on Tuesday turned pulled off will go down in his- In fact, it was Shastri, who his stride,” the coach said. Tests against England emotional as he watched tory as one of the greatest series decided that net bowler Wash- Just like Rome wasn’t built Rishabh Pant take a lap of hon- ever played. When you look at ington Sundar will replace the in a day, this Indian team, that is Agencies our with the national flag and the COVID situation and state injured Ravindra Jadeja in regularly winning Test matches New Delhi then handing it over to a proud of injuries and then to show the Brisbane. “We were left with overseas, wasn’t built overnight. Mohammed Siraj and then to stomach for a fight, after be- no choices. We had no one left “People think it has come India skipper Virat Kohli Shardul Thakur. ing bowled out for 36 is unim- in the squad when final Test overnight, it doesn’t come over- returned to the national side “I got emotional. I am not aginable,” said the veteran of 80 started,” Shastri admitted that night. It’s a process that has as the BCCI on Tuesday an- someone who generally has Tests. “This is the toughest tour the likes of Bumrah and Ashwin taken 5-6 years. They have had nounced the Test squad to take tears in his eyes and even I got ever. Nothing comes closer to were in no condition to play. tough tours, had losses, what on England in the first two emotional,” the India head this. This surpasses all.” “If you look at the India they have learnt is never to give matches of the upcoming four- coach, still trying to soak in On the appreciation he bowling attack that beat Aus- up. The feeling of being defeat- match series. what his wards had achieved, deserves for the success, the tralia in 2018-19, there was not ed is one thing but giving up is All-rounder Hardik Pandya confessed to the media online former India captain said, “A a single bowler playing in that not in our vocabulary.” and senior fast bower Ishant Sharma, who were not part of the just-concluded Test series in Australia, have made a come- Paine admits Australia’s failures but determined to ‘soldier’ on back to the side. Ishant missed the series Down Under due to Australia’s captain Tim by consecutive day fives pened a little bit in Sydney those day fives.” an injury he suffered during Paine (pictured) has no in which he was unable to with our fielding,and then Asked whether Australia the IPL 2020, while Hardik was intention of resigning, even marshal a strong bowling at- yesterday a bit with our bat- had been too determined omitted as he hadn’t resumed Team India captain Virat Kohli. after giving a frank and un- tack to deliver victory over ting, we continually lost wick- simply to stick to their sim- bowling after undergoing a flattering assessment of how Ajinkya Rahane’s preternatu- ets when we were trying to put ple and trusted methods for back surgery. been included in the side. February 5, while the second his team found themselves rally resilient tourists, Paine the foot down and couldn’t bullying opponents with pace Leading fast bowler Jasprit In addition, the selection match of the four-match series beaten by an injury-ravaged said India had in truth won quite get a partnership togeth- bowling and fast scoring in Bumrah and off-spinner Ravi- committee also picked up five will start on February 13. India side in the battle for the majority of the key mo- er. I thought every time India Australian conditions, as op- chandran Ashwin, who missed reserve players -- KS Bharat, The last two matches of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, ments across all four Tests, needed to do that or needed posed to the more consid- the fourth Test against Aus- Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shah- the series will be played at the capped with the first victory cancelled out only by one a wicket, someone managed ered and fit-for-purpose ap- tralia due to injuries, have also baz Nadeem, Rahul Chahar largest cricket stadium in the by a visiting team at the Gab- crazy hour in Adelaide where to do it for them. I think they proaches tried in recent away been named in the squad. and Priyank Panchal, while world -- Sardar Patel Stadium ba since 1988. they had been razed won the key moments. series in India and England, Given the spin-friendly na- Ankit Rajpoot, Avesh Khan, in . At 36, Paine said he was for 36. “I just said then to JL Paine wondered whether the ture of Indian pitch, the selec- Sandeep Warrier, Krishnap- India’s squad for first two looking ahead to the forth- “Even if you (coach Justin Langer), we pitches had aided his men as tors have opted for an extra pa Gowtham and Saurabh Tests against England: Virat coming tour of South Africa went right back turned up in Sydney on day much as usual. spinner in , along Kumar were picked as the five Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane and a bid to qualify for the to Adelaide, if it five and the Gabba on day five “Everyone’s got a great side the likes of Ashwin, Kul- net bowlers. (vc), , Shubman finalof the World Test was with bat, ball in as good a position as you plan for opposition, but India deep Yadav and Washington Fast bowler Umesh Yadav Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Chetesh- Championship, but or field, every time would want to be in I reckon, just managed to play better Sundar. and all-rounder Ravindra Jade- war Pujara, would not guarantee we had a chance and couldn’t get the job done, than us,” he said. “They man- Mohammed Siraj, who ja, who were both ruled out of (wk), Hardik Pandya, KL Ra- his tenure beyond to go ahead of so there’s some things that we aged to get through our plans finishedas India’s leading the Border-Gavaskar Trophy hul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Jas- that to next sum- the game we let should’ve and could’ve done for longer than we managed wicket-taker in Australia in the middle of the series, will prit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, mer’s home Ashes it slip,” Paine better, but at the same time to get through theirs, particu- series with 13 wickets, has miss the first two Tests slated to Mohammad Siraj, Shardul series. said. I thought India, their batting larly in the key moments.” found a place, while Shardul be played at the MA Chidam- Thakur, , Clearly rocked “It hap- group were amazing on both (ESPNCricinfo.com) Thakur, who had an impres- baram Stadium in . , Washington sive overseas debut, has also The first Test will begin on Sundar, and Axar Patel. 14 Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Sports Attiyah and Meeke top entries for Qatar International Rally 2021

MERC opener in Qatar moves forward to January 29-31 Tribune News Network Losail

Defending FIA Middle East rally champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and WRC star Kris Meeke are the top seeds on an and Zakariya Al Aufi, Leba- international 18-car entry with non’s Shadi Al Fakih and Ah- competitors from nine nations mad Khaled and local drivers (subject to FIA approval) an- Rashid Al Mohannadi and nounced by the Qatar Motor Kris Meeke (GBR) seen during Mohammed Al Attiyah. and Motorcycle Federation FIA World Rally Championship Lebanon’s Henry Kahy will (QMMF) for next week’s Qatar 2018 in Porto, Portugal. again be looking to try and win International Rally. the MERC 3 title in his two- The opening round of the R5. wheel drive Skoda Fabia. 2021 FIA Middle East Rally Attiyah will be aiming for Qatar’s Khalid Al Mohan- Championship (MERC) will a record-breaking 15th win on nadi and Lebanon’s Jad Al- go ahead under the strict his home event and a stagger- Aawar have taken advantage Covid-19 protocols in force in ing 76th career MERC success. of the ruling permitting the the State of Qatar and has also A series of punctures cost the use of FIA-homologated T4 moved forward by one day in Qatari the possible chance of vehicles on regional MERC the calendar. The start cere- winning the Dakar Rally last gravel rallies and will tackle mony will now be held at Kata- week and he had to settle for the event in their respective ra on Friday evening (January second place in the overall Polaris and Can-Am Maverick 29th), followed by two days of standings. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah in his Volkswagen Polo GTi R5. X3, subject of course to FIA gravel action in the Qatar de- Meeke drove a PH Sport technical scrutineering. serts on January 30th-31st. Zephyr in the T3 category for impressive and Attiyah will be scene in November 2019 after “The terrain will be new to challenging for a podium fin- The QMMF will also run Both Al Attiyah and Meeke lightweight prototype vehicles hard pushed by the Ulsterman a season with the Toyota Ga- us and I hear that we will need ish. a national event behind the endured different fortunes at at the Dakar Rally and won over the desert special stages zoo Racing World Rally Team. to be careful to avoid punc- Eight teams will challenge main MERC rally. Qatar’s the recent Dakar Rally and the Prologue and final stage in Qatar. “After my first experience tures. But we are both looking for honours in the MERC 2 Ahmed Allouh and Ahmed Al- will both be looking to bounce during a fraught debut in the Meeke is a former winner of the Dakar, I am now look- forward to this new and excit- Championship in a range of Mohannadi are two names to back to winning ways in Qatar. dunes, where numerous nig- of five WRC rallies between ing forward to taking part in a ing challenge.” Mitsubishis and Subarus en- feature on the draft list. Attiyah teams up with French gles and technical issues cost 2015 and 2017 and also won traditional special stage rally Seven R5s grace the im- tered in the NR4 group. De- This year’s rally will be navigator Matthieu Baumel to him many hours and numer- a similar number of rounds of in the desert,“ said Meeke. pressive field for the regional fending champion Meshari held under the chairmanship drive his usual Autotek Mot- ous time penalties. He eventu- the International Rally Chal- “I’ve wanted to take part in series opener with the likes of Al Thefiri leads the field in of QMMF President Abdul- orsport-run Volkswagen Golf ally reached the finish in 41st lenge (IRC) in 2009 and 2010. one of these rallies for a long Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, his bid to retain the regional rahman Al Mannai, senior GTi R5, while Meeke and navi- overall in the SSV section. His most recent successes time and to compete against Nasser Khalifa Al Atya, Sheikh showroom category title and committee member Abdul- gator Sebastian Marshall will But Meeke’s speed and came at the contrasting WRC Nasser and the Middle East Suhaim Al Thani and Khalid faces competition from fellow razaq Al Kuwari and the QM- tackle their first ever round competitiveness in traditional rounds in Mexico and Spain drivers will be a new challenge Al Suwaidi and Oman’s Abdul- Kuwaiti Jassim Al Muqahwi, MF’s Executive Director Amro of the MERC in a Skoda Fabia special stage rallies is far more in 2017, but he left the WRC for me and Seb. lah Al Rawahi also likely to be Oman’s Zakariya Al Amri Al Hamad.

Qatar Superstock and Qatar Touring Car Championship Participants show promise in pre-season test at Losail Tribune News Network Defending QSTK 600 “The most important Doha champion Abdulla Al Qubai- thing is that we achieved si was second in the testing, our goals and we are ready. The new season of the Qa- with his experienced rival The late start to the season tar Superstock and Qatar Saeed al Sulaiti topping the would be better for us due Pakistan tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi hits a return during a Touring Car Championship time sheets. “I’m really hap- to the weather. It’s a bit hot- practice session in Melbourne on Tuesday. (AFP) was held last Friday, with py to be back in racing and ter than December, and that an official practice at the Lo- I’m looking forward to win- helps a lot on the bike. If sail Circuit. The first round ning the championship again things go well, we may race Aus Open defuse player of the championships, or- this season,” Al Qubaisi said. at night,” Al Darwish said. ganised by the Qatar Motor The R6 Yamaha bikes, and Motorcycle Federation which was acquired by QMMF Official Tests Results criticism, Azarenka plea (QMMF), will be held this ahead of the season, was test- Qatar Superstock 600 Friday and Saturday. ed by the riders in practice 1. Saeed Al Sulaiti Time: DPA World number one Novak The new season has seen sessions. “We did some tests 2:03.990 seconds; 2. Ab- Berlin Djokovic reportedly sent a list a surge in number of rid- today with the new bikes and dulla Al Qubaisi 2:04.928; 3. of demands to make quaran- ers and drivers taking part it was exciting but exhaust- Mashel Al Naimi 2:05.041; 4. Australian Open tourna- tine life easier which however in the championship com- ing,” Al Qubaisi added. Yousef Al Darwish 2:08.647; ment director Craig Tiley on was swiftly dismissed by state pared to previous years due Meshaal Al Nuaimi, who 5. Rayad Al Emadi 2:09.882 Tuesday ruled out changing authorities, with Tiley speak- to the season’s late start be- was third fastest, said the the men’s best-of-five-sets for- ing of suggestions rather than cause of the COVID-19 pan- official tests has helped the Qatar Supersport 300 mat in connection with strict demands. demic. Just like last season, riders prepare for the season 1. Yousef Al Darwish quarantine rules for a number Tiley said that some 500 there will be two categories in new bikes. 2:19.066 seconds; 2. Hamad of players. players participated in a confer- in both the championships: “We tested the new R6 Al Sahouti 2:19.471; 3. “We are a Grand Slam,” ence call, with a vast majority QSTK 600 and QSSP 300 Yamaha today and this is Alberto Moncayo 2:19.970; 4 Tiley told the Nine Network, happy to be in Australia and un- for the bikes, while QTCC 2K the first experience of this Saad al-Harqan 2:20.892; 5. saying there was no need for derstanding the situation. and M240 for the cars. season. We have not been on Alexian Macary 2:22.698 change as it stands. “The majority of the players Twenty riders from nine the bikes since April of last The statement came as three have been absolutely fantastic different countries took part year and now with these new Qatar Touring Car more people were said to have and this is a playing group that’s in a practice session for the bikes, we have to understand Championship tested positive for the corona- a little bit upset with what some QSTK 600 category for bikes, them,” he said. 1. Ahmed Al Asiri 2:25.077 virus after arriving on charter of the playing group have said, it while ten riders participated Young rider Yousef Al seconds; 2. Ahmed Shaheen flights for the grand slam due holds them in a bad light in the in the QSSP 300 category. Darwish, who topped the Qa- Al Muhani 2:26.313; to start on February 8, bringing community,” Tiley told ABC. The participating number tar Supersport 300 sessions 3. Ghanim Al Madheed their total number to nine. “This is the first time that has increased for cars, where and was fourth fastest in the 2:27.639; 4. Jabor Al Sulaiti At the moment 72 players these players have experienced 13 people drove for the offi- QSTK 600, was excited to be 2:30.224; 5. Ahmed Ismail Al are in strict isolation in their ho- anything like this and this is the cial test for the 2021 QTCC. a part of the senior class. Abbassi 2:30.629. tel rooms for a fortnight because price that our guests and any- they were on flights with people one coming into Australia needs who tested positive. to pay.” The hard-quarantined These players are not al- Azarenka meanwhile also asked lowed to train outside their for understanding in an open rooms while the others can train letter on Twitter. for several hours during their “We have a global pandem- quarantine which is mandatory ic, nobody has a clear playbook in Australia for every interna- of how to operate at full capacity tional arrival. and without a glitch, we all have The 72 include title holder seen it last year. Sometimes Sophia Kenin as well as past things happen and we need to champions Angelique Kerber accept, adapt and keep moving,” and Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka tweeted. There have been complaints “I would like to ask all my from players about the condi- colleagues for cooperation, un- tions and then having to play a derstanding and empathy for slam, with some also saying they the local community that has weren’t aware that a hard quar- been going through a lot of very antine was mandatory for every- demanding restrictions that one on a flight with people who they did not choose, but were tested positive. forced to follow.”