TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014 SPORTS B’desh seek revival after first Test flop

CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh are look- Sangakkara expected another match- ing for an all-round improvement as winning performance by his team, but they try to bounce back from a mas- refused to take victory for granted. sive defeat in the first Test against Sri “We’re pretty much used to Lanka when the second and final Bangladesh putting up a good fight,” match starts today. said Sangakkara. “They pushed us in The hosts were annihilated by an the series in Sri Lanka and we walked innings and 248 runs inside four days away with a one-all draw in the one- in Dhaka last week, having been dayers. GulfRun 9 winners honored bowled out for 232 and 250 in good “We won’t expect anything less batting conditions in which Sri Lanka than that from them here. The earlier KUWAIT: GulfRun hosted a ceremony to Ebrahim Al Abdullah and Sami Haidar, suc- piled up 730-6. Mahela Jayawardene game may have been easier than we award the winners of the GulfRun 9 race ceeded in reaching first place in the Circuit led the way with an unbeaten double- thought it would be, but we expect it that took place at the Bahrain International Champion Category whilst Fahad Al century and two others scored hun- to be different here.” Circuit on January 23-24, 2014. At the cere- Shammari, Manaf Al Otaibi and Nawaf dreds as Bangladesh conceded their Sri Lanka have won 14 of their 15 mony held on February 2nd, 2014, GulfRun Salman drove their cars to the limit and highest Test total in another morale- Tests against Bangladesh, eight of trophies were presented to the winners in ranked first in the Quartermile category. sapping loss. them by an innings margin, and the presence of the title sponsor Wataniya Moreover, Anas Kanawati, with his Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al drawn the other. On their previous Telecom in addition to other GulfRun spon- Mitsubishi EVO was declared winner of the Hasan said his team-mates had put tour in 2008-09, Sri Lanka won the first sors. Autocross category. the setback behind them and looked Test in Dhaka by 107 runs and the sec- Ahmed Al Mudhaf, GulfRun Co-Founder Furthermore, Al Mudhaf also stated “We forward to playing a good Test on a ond in Chittagong by 465 runs. said: “GulfRun 9 was an exceptional race due are looking forward to celebrating GulfRun’s good pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Bangladesh, who languish at the to the returning drivers being a lot more 10th year next year which would not have Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong. bottom of the Test rankings at num- experienced and skilled than in previous been possible without the support of our “Everyone was a bit down and sad ber 10 — lower than unfancied years, plus several exquisite new cars joined sponsors and we would like to extend our after the loss in Dhaka, but they are Zimbabwe-have lost 68 of their 82 this year, and impressive new racers.” gratitude towards Kuwait’s private sector, fine now and focused on the next Tests since gaining full status in 2000. Al Mudhaf also added, “We have ensured which acknowledges the important role match,” Shakib said. “Matches can go They have won four Tests, two each that all participating drivers experienced the sports plays amongst Kuwait’s youth.” bad, but coming back is very impor- against Zimbabwe and the West thrills of speeding while being in a safe and Title Sponsor is Wataniya Telecom; tant. “We have come back from situa- Indies. secure environment with the help of quali- Platinum Sponsors are Algida, Transcrate, tions like these before, so we have Bangladesh (from)- Mushfiqur fied trainers and instructors from the Jashanmal, Hydrotek Engineering Co, and that experience. But we have to Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Marshall Bahrain International Circuit.” Arabian Construction Co. Gold Sponsors are improve in all aspects, especially the Ayub, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, The top three participants of each car Slider Station, Al Sawan Co, Bayan Dental, fielding.” CHITTAGONG: Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene Mominul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, class Street, Super and Unlimited were Seven Friday and Moto Care. Supporting Shakib said each of the high-scor- stretches during a training session at The Zahur Ahmed Mohammad Mahmudullah, Imrul awarded with the GulfRun trophy as they sponsors are Sirbb Circuit and 360 Mall. ing Sri Lankan batsmen, including Chowdhury Stadium. —AFP Kayes, Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi, achieved the best lap times in the different Dealer Sponsors are Fouad Alghanim & Sons Jayawardene, were let off in the field Robiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Al-Amin competitions (Quartermile, Circuit Automotive Co, and Abdul Rahman Bisher & through dropped catches or missed Mahmudullah to back up Shakib and injury and seamer Shaminda Eranga Hossain. Champion and Autocross). Ahmed Al-Fahed, Zaid Alkazemi. stumpings. Sohag Gazi on a wicket that could take picked up a thigh injury during the Sri Lanka (from) - Angelo Mathews “Had we grasped those opportuni- turn as the match progresses. first Test. (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth ties, they may not have scored more Sri Lanka were dealt a blow as two A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Final Race Standing: than 500 runs,” he said. “And there is key bowlers were ruled out of the Test said the duo will be replaced by Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Circuit Champion in plenty of difference between 500 and due to injuries and ordered to return Thisara Perera and Kusal Perera, who Kithuruwan Vithanage, Kusal Perera, Street Class 700.” Bangladesh could play an addition- home to recuperate. are expected to arrive before the toss Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, 1. Ahmad Fahed Al Fahad Mercedes C63 Black series 30 Points al slow bowler in either left-armer Abdur Frontline left-arm spinner Rangana today. Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Vishwa 2. Bader Al Sarraf BMW M3 17points Razzaq or off-spinner Mohammad Herath suffered a recurring knee Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Fernando, Ajantha Mendis. —AFP 3. Azzam Al Otaibi Caterham 16 points Super Class Warne to ‘think about’ England coaching job 1. Ebraheem Al Abdulla Porsche GT3RS 30 Points 2. Munther Al Wagayan Porsche GT3RS 16 Points SYDNEY: Australian bowling great Shane Warne, so record 708 Test wickets, tormented England during his without a second thought,” it said on its website. 3. Azzam Al Otaibi Caterham 14 Points often the cause of England’s demise, offered yesterday celebrated career, including a 1994 hat-trick, but was “Surely you wouldn’t coach the Poms mate??” tweeted to think about reviving the old enemy as the country’s also well-known for his off-field antics. Melbourne’s former batsman and colleague Michael Slater. Unlimited Class 1. Sami Haidar Chevrolet Z06 30 Points next coach. Herald Sun urged Warne to think again about his offer. England’s one-day coach Ashley Giles is among the 2. Ahmed Al Kandari Mitsubishi Evo 24 Points As England players flew home in the early hours “You should be dismissing hare-brained ideas like that favourites to take over from Flower. —AFP 3. Tamer Al Shawa Nissan GTR 17 Points following a final defeat in Sydney, Warne took to Twitter in answer to calls for him to apply for the role. Zimbabwe cricketers agree to end strike Quarter mile “To my English followers, I’m flattered that you Street Class would like me to consider the England job,” Warne HARARE: Zimbabwe’s cricketers have agreed to “Obviously I’m relieved that at least we can get 1. Fahad Al Shammari BMW M5 tweeted.”All I can say is-I will think about it!!!” end their boycott over unpaid wages and are on with the core business. We are starting training 2. Mahmoud Al Ghanim Audi RS6 The comment could of course be a wind-up from returning to training after being promised money tomorrow (Tuesday) as a squad,” Waller said. 3. Ahmad Al Sabah Audi S7 the 44-year-old who, at the end of January, was named by next week, coach Andy Waller said yesterday. Zimbabwe is due to compete at the World Super Class as spin consultant ahead of Australia’s World Twenty20 Waller told The Associated Press that the Twenty20 next month, with its first game against 1. Manaf Al Otaibi Audi R8-V10 campaign starting in Bangladesh in March. Cricket national squad will gather on Tuesday for fielding Ireland on March 17. “We lost quite a substantial 2. Zaid Al Sager Audi R8 V10 Australia said Warne would support head coach Darren practice and fitness tests after striking for two amount of time that we could have used to work 3. Hussain Thiyab Mitsubishi Evo Lehmann, providing specialist training for the squad’s months over unpaid wages and bonuses and on a few areas, but we’ve still got six weeks, spinners. refusing to play domestic games. which can give us plenty of time to prepare,” Unlimited Class And Warne later made it clear Australia remained The Zimbabwe cricket board’s financial prob- Waller said. 1. Nawaf Salman Porsche 997 turbo his number one concern. lems also resulted in recent tours by Sri Lanka Zimbabwe cricket has been troubled by off- 2. Tamer Al Shawa Nissan GTr “Re Eng job, I know it’s created a bit of interest and Afghanistan being canceled, but the board field issues for at least a decade, partly because of 3. Bader Al Rayes Porsche turbo hahaha,” he wrote. “I’m flattered to be considered, but has reportedly secured a $3-million loan from the the southern African country’s economic melt- Autocross my priorities, as always, are with the Aussies.” International Cricket Council. Waller said the play- down. Players also threatened to strike ahead of a 1. Anas Kanawati Mitsubishi Evo The England job has been vacant since Andy ers were guaranteed payment by next Monday. home series against Pakistan last year before 2. Mohammed Al Awadhi Honda S200 Flower quit a week ago after losing the Ashes 5-0 on a Zimbabwe Cricket’s leadership met with senior deciding to play and beating Pakistan in a test for 3. Hussain Thiyab Mistubishi Evo disastrous tour Down Under. players and a players’ representative on Friday. the first time in 15 years. —AP Warne, who retired in 2007 with a then world- OSN Cricket Cup inaugurated in style Sulaibiya ground launched with soothing facelift KUWAIT: Kuwait Cricket (KC), the sole official cricket controlling body of Kuwait managing the cricket affairs locally and internationally and operating under the auspices of Kuwait Olympic Committee, relaunched their Sulaibiya’s turf cricket ground, following a dra- matic and beautiful facelift, with lush green outfield. This was followed by the inauguration of the OSN Cricket Cup. The event was attended by cricket loving luminaries, particularly the Ambassador of Great Britain, HE Frank Baker as the chief guest together with the Ambassadors of Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Malta, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Dy. Chief of Mission of India to Kuwait. HE Syed Abrar Hussain of Pakistan could not attend as he was preparing to leave Kuwait but sent his best wishes along with Arif Butt, President Pakistan Business Council, Hafiz Mohammed Shabbier, Member Overseas Pakistanis Advisory Council - OPAC etc. Added to this for the comfort of the players Frank Baker and Haider Farman gave the win- (by Govt of Pakistan), Anjum Masood, Principal and the spectators are player’s dugouts and ners’ cup to captain of Future Stars, Irfan, and International School of Pakistan and Mrs. seating arrangements. Runners Up cup to captain of Petrofac, Nadeem Zareena Ghulam Principle, Pakistan School and Iqbal Vanoo, the Director of Senior Malik. Emad Jassam gave Player of the Final College, Salmiya. Domestic Cricket conducted then invited the award to Faizan and Player of the Tournament Jeff de Lange, Chairman KC Council wel- guests to the cricket pitch for the official award to Irfan of Future Stars. comed the guests. Haider Farman, the Gen. inauguration of the ground. Ambassador Major General Syed Mubarak gave winner Secretary of the KC Board appraised the audi- Frank Baker firmly struck the ball bowled by trophy to Future Stars captain, Mohd. Waseef ence about the major activities of KC and the Ambassador Maj. Gen. Mohd. Ashab Uddin and M/S. Malabar Gold and Diamonds, the role played by KC in promoting cricket of Bangladesh, amidst applause from the sponsor gave runners up cup to International amongst Kuwaitis and expatriates alike. spectators. School of Pakistan captain, Farooq Shehzad. He thanked the KC President, Sheikh Dhari All the ambassadors took turns in bowling To conclude the ceremony, Jeff De Lange Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah for always motivat- or batting applauded by the spectators for gave the vote of thanks, thanking the ambas- ing and encouraging the Board and the their sportsmanship. Following this, sadors, the VIP guests, the sponsors, OSN GM, Council at all levels. Farman further said that it Ambassador Frank Baker, in his inauguration Local Media, KTV 2 and KTV Sports, Radio was a great achievement for Kuwait Cricket, speech recounted the number of KC events Kuwait, Al-Hafiz-Media Partners, VOOC, which was established in 1996, to have been that he has attended and enjoyed being there. Indians in Kuwait, Kuwait Up2date, Hala given status of full member by ACC and He said that he was delighted to see the member of the World Cup winning Pakistan Uddin, Ambassador of Bangladesh, HE Patrick Pakistan, Foto Nine, Nawa-e-Waqt, Radio Associate Member by ICC in 2005. progress made by Kuwait under Kuwait Cricket team under Imran Khan in 1992. Jeff de Lange Cole, Ambassador of Malta, HE Madhuban Kuwait, Paigham Risala, Hasan Photographer, Since then Kuwait has organised 12 interna- and wished KC all success in future growth of gave a brief introduction of Iqbal Sikander and Paudel, Ambassador of Nepal, HE Delarey Van Board & Council Members especially Tahir tional tournaments successfully so far. He the game in Kuwait. thanked him for his dedicated services and Tonder, Ambassador of South Africa, HE CAHM Khan, Amanullah Palekar, Riaz Choudhry, added that KC would soon have another turf The OSN Cricket Cup-2014 was then inau- support to Kuwait Cricket. Haider Farman then Wijayratne, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Murali Kutticode, Mehboob Khan, Iqbal cricket ground of their own at Sabahiya, amidst gurated with the traditional cake cutting by presented him a memento in appreciation of Subhashis Goldar, Deputy Chief Of Mission- Rajporker, Naeem Jan, Arjuna Amaratunga, cheers from the cricketers. Asad Baig, Director Ambassador Frank Baker and Mahdi Al-Juma, his long association and services to Kuwait Embassy of India. Hafiz Shabbir collected the and all the volunteers Mahmoud Ayub, Sheikh General of KC briefed the guests about the GM of OSN, who were joined by all other Cricket. memento on behalf of Pakistan. Haider also Aejaz, DG Karunathilaka, Shoeb Syed, Jerald major changes made to the Sulaibiya grounds, ambassadors and VIP guests. Haider Farman presented mementoes to presented a memento to Mahdi Al-Juma, Pinto, Umesh Roy, who worked day and night which included laying of the turf pitch, carpet This occasion was made memorable by commemorate this multi-event occasion, to HE General Manager of OSN as Kuwait Cricket’s to make the event successful. He specially grassing of the field and surrounding area, felicitating Iqbal Sikander, ACC’s Development Frank Baker, British Ambassador to Kuwait, HE formal thanks for sponsoring the tournament. thanked Kuwait Olympic Committee, Asian landscaping, boring of a dedicated water well, Officer who had been assigned to Kuwait from Dr. Assadullah Hanif Balkhi, Ambassador of To complete the celebration, the KCS Cricket Council and International Cricket construction of water storage tank, pumping 2002 till date. Iqbal is a well known internation- Afghanistan, HE Robert Tyson, Australian League and Under-16 Schoolboys tournament Council for their patronage and support to station with fully automated irrigation system al cricketer, who had the honor of being a Ambassador, HE Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ashab final presentations were also held. Ambassador Kuwait Cricket.