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FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2020 Babar aims to sweep Zimbabwe ODI series We will try to whitewash them (Zimbabwe) by playing according to our strength. In T20Is, you always try to play aggressively. You need to make quick decisions. On the flip side, players get some time in ODIs. This will be my first series and I will try to apply my experience leading in T20Is to ODIs. Pakistan Sport | 15 : beat by six in Dubai.

Amir Cup 2020: Stage set for thrilling first semi-final today Upbeat Al Markhiya eye dream final as Al Arabi vow top show

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

Al Markhiya started the Amir Cup campaign as underdogs but the second division side 2027 AFC has now become one of the contenders for the prestigious title after a series of top-notch Asian Cup: performances. They had a dream run in QFA submits this year’s edition of the Amir Cup as they recorded stunning second part victories against top sides including Al Gharafa and six- time champions Al Rayyan on of bid file their way to the semi-finals. Today, they will face Al THE PENINSULA — Arabi in what will be the first semi-final of ’s most The Qatar Football Association popular tournament at the (QFA) yesterday handed over the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Al Markhiya coach Omar Naji (left) and Al Arabi coach Heimir Hallgrimson are seen during press conferences ahead of their Amir second part of the bid to host the with kick off set for 6:00pm. Cup semi-final, yesterday. AFC Asian Cup 2027 covering all On paper, Al Arabi are a legal formalities required by the better side and will enter history by reaching the final. us to make history,” Al our place in the final,” he said. cency against the second continental confederation. today’s game as favourites but “All the players are very Markhiya coach Omar Naji, We respect Al Markhiya: division side. The move comes as part of the Al Markhiya believe they have enthusiastic about reaching the who replaced coach Yunus Ali, Hallgrimson “Al Markhiya produced QFA’s commitment to fulfilling all a good chance of making final. It’s a golden chance for said on the eve of the first Meanwhile, Al Arabi coach good results to reach the semi- hosting requirements according to semi-final during a press con- Heimir Hallgrimson said lack finals. They have a very good the approved schedule, and in line ferenceence at Al Sports of knowledge about Al attack,a which can punish us if with its aspirations to host the 2027 Club.b. MarkhiyaMarkhiya poses a challenchallengege for wew underestimate them,” he AFC Asian Cup as per the highest “Reaching“Reaching the semi-final ofof his side in today’s warned.w international standards, in addition this toutoughgh competition is a semi-final.semi-final. The Icelander vowed his to providing a football experience greatat achievement and “We areare teteam will make all efforts to that not only meets the ambitions playersyers are confident dealingdealing thisthis reachr the final to delight their of the Asian audience but also of doingdoing well in the matchmatch likelike fans.fa fosters social change and rap- semi-finalmi-final also,”also,” hhee any otherother “We will play with full prochement between societies. saidd before termintermingg Al matchmatch andand forcefo and will give our best to The Qatar Football Association, Arabiabi as toughtough ourour prepa-prepa- reachr the final and keep our represented by H E Fahad bin opponents.ponents. rationsrations areare hopesh alive for the Amir Cup Mohammed, the Ambassador of the “Al“Al ArArabiabi areare a no dif-dif- trophy.tr It is possible to win the State of Qatar to Malaysia, had pre- goodod team in ananyy circir-- ferent,”f erent,” titleti and make our fans happy. viously handed over the first part cumstances.mstances. TheyThey havehave HallgrimsonHallgrimson WeW will do our best,” he said. of the file on August 26 earlier this veryy ggoodood plaplayersyers but at saidsaid duringduring a Meanwhile, Al Arabi star year. The submitted file fulfilled the the same time we alsoalso ppre-matchre-match AAron Gunnarsson, also from necessities of hosting requirements havee good players and can Iceland,Ic said his team expects in addition to highlighting Qatar’s do wwellell against them,” said pressference con-con- a tough challenge from Al rich history and legacy in organ- Naji,i, who also coached Al yesterday.yesterday. MMarkhiya, who defeated a izing continental and international Khor.or. “The“The only teamte like Al Rayyan. tournaments and sporting events. AlAl Markhiya’s Omani star differencedifference iiss tthathat “We are well prepared for The dossier presented by him Ahmedmed Kanu,Kanu, who scored the wewe do nnotot knowknow theth challenge and look forward also included the local federation’s Al Markhiya's winningnning goal against Al muchmuch about Al to advance in this important vision for the country’s sports facil- players in Rayyanyyan in the quarter-finquarter-final,al, Markhiya,” the tournament,”to he said. ities and associated infrastructure action during saidd his team was ready to seasonedseasoned coaccoachh The second semi-final of that will be ready to host events of a training takee onon Al Arabi.Arabi. “Al ArabiArabi added beforebefore ttheh Amir Cup will be played any scale such as the 2022 FIFA session, are a big club but we are warningwarning his betweenb defending champions World Cup Qatar, the first mega- yesterday. readydy for the contest. We teamteam about AlA Duhail and at the sporting event of its kind in the willl givegive ourour best to sealseal compla-com pl a - sames venue tomorrow. Middle East.

Japan's gymnast LOSAIL CUP Sanna guides RB Kindle to Losail Cup glory Winners (Horse, Trainer, Jockey) Uchimura tests LOSAIL CUP Alberto Sanna guiding RB Kindle during the RB Kindle (USA), Gassim Mohammad Losail Cup, yesterday's feature race at QREC's positive for virus Ghazali, Alberto Sanna Al Rayyan Park. The Jassim Ghazali-trained mare claimed a 2¼-length win in the race for REUTERS — TOKYO THOROUGHBREDS (Class 2) Noor Al Hawa (FR), Georges Mikhalides, Purebred Arabians to clinch the coveted title. Alberto Sanna Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura has tested positive LOCAL THOROUGHBREDS for COVID-19 ten days before he was due to take Al Lusail (QA), Hadi Nasser Rashid Al part in an international meet seen as a major test of Ramzani, Ronan Thomas Tokyo’s capacity to hold events ahead of next year’s Olympics, organisers announced yesterday. PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP Organisers said it was unclear whether Uchimura, Ebraz (GB), Julian Colin Smart, Tomas who is a three-time Olympic gold medallist, will be Lukasek pulling out of the Nov. 8 meet that will also feature PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP athletes from China, Russia and the United States. Maghamir Des Forges (FR), Gassim Despite a lengthy recent injury record, 31-year- Mohammad Ghazali, Saleh Salem old Uchimura was set to be the main attraction for Al Marri the 2,000 fans allowed to watch the event at Yoyogi THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP National Gymnasium. Al Fayz (IRE), Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair The president of the Federation Internationale de Maki, JP Guillambert Gymnastique, Morinari Watanabe, told reporters during LOCAL THOROUGHBRED PLATE an online news conference yesterday that Uchimura Arandas (QA), Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim was asymptomatic. Watanabe added that all the other Al Malki, Francois Herholdt members of the Japanese team have so far tested THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE negative but would be having further tests now. Perfect Empire (GB), Gassim He also said that the event, the Friendship and Mohammad Ghazali, Alberto Sanna THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE Solidarity Competition at the Yoyogi National Gym- Kuwaity (GB), Mohamed Khaled nasium, would go ahead even if the Japanese team Elahmed, Eduardo Pedroza had to withdraw and that all the international ath- letes had so far tested negative. Sport FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2020 15 QMMF completes preparations to Mercedes set for 7th host Round 4 of Qatar National Baja team title and F1 first THE PENINSULA - DOHA

Preparations to host the Fourth Round at Imola of the Qatar National Baja have been REUTERS - IMOLA completed, the Qatar Motor and Motor- cycle Federation (QMMF) said yesterday. This will be the resumption of the Lewis Hamilton is closing incomplete 2020 season after motor in on a seventh Formula sport activities were halted due to the One championship but his COVID-19 pandemic started sweeping dominant Mercedes team the globe in March. should get there first at The scrutineering session of bikes Imola on Sunday. was held yesterday with riders going No team has ever won through the paces in Al Khor. seven constructors’ titles in The total distance of the fourth round a row but Mercedes may not is 142kms which will be divided into two need another point to make stages, QMMF has confirmed. history at an Italian circuit The scrutineering of cars will be held making its return to the cal- today at QMMF headquarters in Lusail endar for the first time since Sports Arena. 2006. The start lists of cars and bikes will “There has been great interest from Mercedes currently also be issued today after the scruti- drivers and riders to resume competi- share the record streak with neering session, according to the official tions after so many months. This shows Ferrari, who won six in a program released by QMMF. that QMMF’s keen interest in promoting row between 1999 and The hugely popular two-day affair local talent has been widely appreciated 2004 in a golden era for the is being staged under MOPH guidelines by racing fans in Qatar,” Al Sulaiti said Italian team when seven issued to tackle any possible threat of yesterday. times champion Michael COVID-19. Al Sulaiti added: “The QMMF has also Schumacher was at his A total of 13 drivers and 26 riders will organized a theoretical navigation peak. participate in the fourth round. training course for the riders to educate Mercedes are a hefty Yesterday, QMMF organised a theo- the participants on route difficulties. This 209 points clear of second- retical navigation training course for was done in Al Khor so that riders know placed Red Bull in the riders featuring in the 4th round of the how to use the road book as a guide for standings and after Sun- Qatar National Baja. navigation purposes.” day’s 13th round of the Tracking devices have been installed The QMMF official said the partici- season there will be four on all motorcycles participating in the pants have been well drilled about the with the event whether as participants is in second place with 47 points. races, and a total of 176 fourth round. safety procedures implemented to ward or as members of the local organising Mubarak Al Hajri is in third spot with points, remaining to be Top QMMF official Rashid Al Sulaiti off potential COVID-19 threats during body. 40 points. Mohammed Al Meer (22 won. said the racing fraternity is happy to the competition. Ahmed Fahad Al Kuwari leads the points), world champion in the T2 cat- That means Hamilton, resume off-road competitions after a He said every effort is being made championship with 48 points, one point egory, will also be seen in action winner of a record 92 races long break. to ensure the safety of all those linked ahead of Khaled Al Muhannadi, who tomorrow. with eight victories so far this season, or team mate TOP: Participants in the Valtteri Bottas need finish Fourth Round of Qatar only fourth for Mercedes to National Baja are seen add another title to the during a scrutineering sequence even if Red Bull session ahead of the event finish one-two. to be held tomorrow. Red Bull must score 34 QMMF is hosting the event. points more than Mercedes LEFT: QMMF yesterday to spin things out to the fol- organised a theoretical lowing race in Turkey, navigation training course where Hamilton could wrap for riders featuring in the up his own championship 4th round of the Qatar battle if things go his way National Baja. on Sunday. The Briton is 77 points clear of Bottas going to a circuit, named after Ferrari founder Enzo and his son Cricket: Pakistan's captain Babar KKR lose to CSK, Dino, where neither have raced previously in F1. chances of Imola will also always aims to sweep Zimbabwe ODI series be remembered for the dark weekend of 1994 when Bra- qualifying for zilian triple champion AP - RAWALPINDI Ayrton Senna and Austrian Pakistan's captain Babar play-offs recede Roland Ratzenberger died Pakistan captain Babar Azam has set Azam attends a practice after crashes. their sights on sweeping Zimbabwe in session at the Rawalpindi “It’s a track with lots of the one-day international series that Cricket Stadium in IANS - DUBAI history but one that the opens their World Cup Super League Rawalpindi ahead of their Mercedes works team has campaigns from today. three-match one-day series Ruturaj Gaikwad’s scintillating 53-ball 72 and never raced on before, so The International Cricket Council against Zimbabwe. by ’s unbeaten 31 off 11 handed there are quite a few has introduced the league to bring Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a six- win unknowns heading into the context to ODI cricket. over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a nail- race weekend,” said team The seven leading teams in the biting finish in the Indian Premier League (IPL) boss Toto Wolff. league will directly qualify for the 2023 yesterday. The third race this year Cricket World Cup in India. The win helped CSK take their points tally in Italy, another first, will be The league features 13 countries to 10, but the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side behind closed doors after playing four home and away three- remains at the bottom of the eight-team the COVID-19 pandemic match ODI series. competition. forced promoters to scrap “We will try to whitewash them KKR, despite the loss, hold the fifth spot plans to allow 13,000 spec- (Zimbabwe) by playing according to with slim chances of making to the playoffs. tators a day. our strength,” Babar said by video yes- Chasing the 173-run target, CSK, who suf- The race weekend will terday at Pindi Cricket Stadium. fered a mini middle-order collapse, were 143/4 run to a two-day format, Pakistan boasts just one ODI loss wickets at the end of the 18th over during their with no Friday practice but against Zimbabwe in the last 19 games. reply. an extended session on Sat- The streak includes a 2-0 win at However, Jadeja’s heroics ensured his side urday before qualifying. home in 2015 when Zimbabwe became a morale boosting win. The novelty of that was the first full ICC member to tour team’s perspective, the bubble was CSK started the proceedings cautiously slightly diminished by this Pakistan since the 2009 terrorist giving them an opportunity to bond. CA braced for $85m with opener (14) and Ruturaj month’s Eifel Grand Prix at attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore. “The bubble is not all just negative Gaikwad, adding 44 runs in the initial six overs. the Nuerburgring also Pakistan suffered a setback when and frustrating,” he said. revenue dip due to Just when they touched the 50-run mark, effectively becoming a Babar’s deputy, Shadab Khan, was “I know we’re separated from our Varun Chakravarthy (2/20) dismissed Watson. two-day event when bad ruled out of today’s opening match families, but it kind of bonds us COVID-19 pandemic (38) and Ruturaj steadied weather ruled out any because of a leg injury the allrounder together … most of the time we cele- the ship with a 68-run partnership, helping running on the Friday. sustained during an intra-squad match brate birthdays, get into the team room REUTERS - MELBOURNE CSK cross the first three-digit mark in 12 overs. Kimi Raikkonen, the in Lahore last week. and play games.” (2/31) finally came with some most experienced driver in Uncapped Usman Qadir was in the Chibhabha has played 104 ODIs Cricket Australia (CA) said yesterday relief for his side as the Aussie quick sent back Formula One history, was 15-man squad for the first ODI as cover without a hundred. His top score of 99 it posted a A$45.9m deficit in the last a good looking Rayudu in the 14th over. around last time Imola was for Khan, and Babar hopes the leg- came during the last series in Pakistan financial year and could see a A$120m Chakravarthy further jolted CSK when he on the F1 calendar but spinning son of the great Abdul Qadir in 2015. ($85.55m) dip its projected revenue castled Dhoni (1) in the next over before Cum- others have raced there in will play up to his domestic standards. The captain hoped they will be for the 2021 period due to the impact mins’s sent back a well-settled Ruturaj to help junior series. Young fast bowler Musa Khan was more than competitive against of the COVID-19 pandemic. KKR make a comeback in the contest. Ruturaj’s McLaren’s Lando Norris, also in the squad as backup to frontline Pakistan. CA, which saved around A$40m knock contained six boundaries and couple who was only six years old pacemen Wahab Riaz and Shaheen “We’ve been a team that doesn’t during the pandemic through a range of sixes. when Raikkonen finished Afridi. really quite get over the line,” Chib- of cost-cutting measures including the KKRs joy, however, didn’t last long as fifth for the same team in As part of the coronavirus pro- habha said. axing of 40 jobs, said the deficit for the Jadeja and (13 ) amassed 2006, raced at Imola in tocols, the games will be without spec- “There’s a lot more desperation to year ending June 30 was in line with 20 runs of the second last over, thanks to the Italian Formula Four. tators and the teams are in a bio- win … and considering its super league budgetary expectations. former who scored bulk of the runs. “It was an amazing secure bubble in Rawalpindi and con- games, each game that we play is going “There is no doubt this year has With 10 needed of the final over, the duo track, so I’m looking fined to their hotel. to be very crucial for us, so we’re not been difficult on a number of fronts managed only three runs in the first four deliv- forward to seeing what it’s They are allowed outside the hotel just going out there to compete, we across Australian cricket and we have eries, putting another twist in the tale. like in a Formula One car,” only for scheduled practices and want to win games.” had to work together to navigate our However, Jadeja ensured the night remains said the Briton. “With it only matches. Zimbabwe has the experienced way forward,” CA Chairman Earl with CSK as he smacked being a two-day race “Personally, for me, being in a bio , Sikander Raza and Eddings said in a statement after the (0/34) for two consecutive sixes off the final weekend, it’ll definitely bubble has been one of the toughest to bolster their body’s annual general meeting. two balls to finish things off in style. make things interesting by things I’ve ever had to go through,” batting. “The decisions at times have been IPL: BRIEF SCORES missing out on two free Zimbabwe captain Chamu Chibhabha Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani difficult however critical to ensuring practice sessions. Hopefully said. is also appearing for the first time since our ongoing financial sustainability.” Chennai Super Kings 178/4 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 72, my previous experience “But it’s COVID-19 time, so we have the 2018 home series against Pakistan. Australia was scheduled to host the Ambati Rayudu 38; Varun Chakravarthy 2/20) beats Kolkata there will give me a helping

to do what we have to do to get some The three ODIs will be followed by World Cup this year but the Knight Riders 172/5 in 20 overs ( 87, hand on Saturday and cricket.” three also at Rawalpindi event was postponed to 2022 because 26; 2/34) by 6 wickets Sunday.” Chibhabha said that from the from Nov. 7-10. of the pandemic.