SPORT

Wednesday 13 September 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Windies look to Gaylee IOC readies to AlA Duhail, Xavi in for ODI inspiration crown and focusfo as new QSL against England Los Angeles season starts Star Barshim eyes 2018 Indoor Worlds

Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula BARSHIM: FACTFILE

orld champion Born: June 24, 1991 (age 26) Mutaz Barshim Height: 1.92 m (6ft 4in) yesterday Weight: 70 kg arrived home to a rapturous ACHIEVEMENTS AND TITLES W welcome but the Personal bests star wasted little time in Outdoor: 2.43 m (2014) announcing he has his eyes on Indoor: 2.41 m (2015) next year’s Indoor Championships in Olympic Games . Silver medal: 2016 Rio de Barshim last month grabbed Janeiro the world title in Lon- Bronze medal: 2012 don with a winning leap of 2.35 meters. At the same venue five World Championships years ago, the affable Qatari had Barshim, 26, said it was time Gold medal: 2017 London won the bronze medal at the to rest but the tall athlete added Silver medal: 2013 Moscow 2012 Olympic Games. the coming weeks will be spent In August 2016, ’s most analysing his targets for the 2018 World Indoor Championships celebrated athlete had won the track and field season Gold medal: 2014 Sopot silver medal at the Rio Olympic “I need to stay focused Games. because there are so many chal- World high jump champion Asian Athletics Championships Barshim’s historic feat in lenges coming up. Next season (second right), bronze medallist at the IAAF World Gold medal: 2011 Kobe London was followed by a series we have the World Indoors so I Championships in London, Bronze medal: 2015 Wuhan of top performances, including am looking forward to it,” (right), Ashraf Elseify and Ahmed Bedeir arrive at a world leading 2.40-metre jump Barshim said. the Hamad International Airport in yesterday. Asian Indoor Athletics at the Birmingham Muller Grand Barshim, who beat Russian LEFT: IAAF World Championships gold medallist Championships Prix just a week later. He also Danil Lysenko (silver) and Majd Mutaz Essa Barshim is welcomed by Qatar Athletics Gold medal: 2010 Tehran Gold medal: 2012 Hangzhou went on to finish as the top star Eddin Ghazal of (bronze) Federation officials upon arrival. Pictures: Abdul Basit of the 2017 sea- to the gold medal in London, said Gold medal: 2014 Hangzhou son with five wins. competing under pressure Later in Eberstadt, , brought out the best in him. did something like that. The thing “When you have the title you just want to spend time at home. Asian Games he once again cleared the 2.40m “You know there is pressure is I pressure myself. I don’t allow can focus on other things in the I have nothing until January Gold medal: 2010 Guangzhou mark for the 11th occasion in his but it is a pressure to do better,” other athletes to put pressure on coming seasons. Next summer (2018),” Barshim said. Gold medal: 2014 Incheon career. Barshim explained. me,” he added. (after the Indoor Worlds) we “I have one month off and “It was an amazing feeling. I “It is a different kind of pres- Barshim said he would get have no major championships then I start preparations for the Military World Games was so determined to win and I sure. I am not talking about the chance to better Cuban Javier so we can focus on other things next season. I think I will spend Gold medal: 2011 Rio de Janeiro am happy with my perform- pressure where I can’t perform. Sotomayor’s world best mark of (like improving the world mark),” 10-15 days here and then I may ance,” Barshim said yesterday That’s the pressure that brings 2.45. he said. travel. I will try to recover from Pan Arab Games after being welcomed home by you down. I am talking about the “It was the championship Barshim said he intends to what has been a long season. I Gold medal: 2011 Doha the Qatar Athletics Federation pressure that you can deal with season. The best thing I contested stay low for the next month or need to recover so that I don’t (QAF) officials and Qatar Olym- in a positive way. was the medal. The (world) title so before launching bid for the have any injuries and stuff for Continental Cup pic Committee (QOC) “This is the pressure that you was important,” Barshim said 2018 season. next season,” the Qatari star Bronze medal: 2014 Marrakech representatives. can take you forward. I think I about his London feat. “I have no plans for now. I added. Five-star PSG rout Celtic; Messi double inspires Barca Glasgow Reuters Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar celebrates UEFA CHAMPIONS after scoring their first goal against Celtic aris St Germain flexed during their opening Champions League LEAGUE GROUP STAGE their attacking muscles Group B match played at Celtic Park Yesterday’s results: Pwith a 5-0 victory at in Glasgow, Britain yesterday. Paris St Group A Celtic in their opening Cham- Germain won 5-0 as the world’s most At Manchester, England pions League Group B game expensive frontline produced a potent Manchester United (ENG) 3 (Fellaini yesterday as the world’s most display of force. 35, Lukaku 53, Rashford 84) Basel expensive frontline produced a (SUI) 0 potent display of force. At Lisbon Neymar, making his first Benfica (POR) 1 (Seferovic 50) CSKA European appearance for PSG Moscow (RUS) 2 (Vitinho 63-pen, after his world-record move Zhamaletdinov 71) from Barcelona, orchestrated proceedings and was joined on Group B the scoresheet by Kylian At Glasgow, Scotland Mbappe and Edinson Cavani, Celtic (SCO) 0 Paris Saint-Germain the other two members of PSG’s (FRA) 5 (Neymar 19, Mbappe 64, extravagant forward trio. Cavani 40-pen, 85, Lustig 83-og) The €222m ($265.60m) At Munich, Germany Brazilian opened the scoring in Bayern Munich (GER) 3 (Lewand- the 19th minute with an expert owski 12-pen, Alcantara 65, finish, before French striker Kimmich 90) Anderlecht (BEL) 0 Mbappe slammed home a sec- ond from close range and Group C Cavani converted from the pen- At alty spot five minutes before the Along with Cavani, a rela- after Cavani had missed his in the last 16 last year, next host elimination by the Italian Roma (ITA) 0 Atletico Madrid (ESP) break. tive snip having joined in 2013 kick. Bayern Munich in a mouthwa- champions. 0 The visitors had to wait until for €64m, they terrorised a The game was over as a con- tering clash on Sept. 27, when Chelsea enjoyed a trium- At London the 83rd minute to add to their fragile Celtic rearguard, who test before halftime when Jozo Celtic visit Anderlecht. phant return to the Champions Chelsea (ENG) 6 (Pedro 5, Zappa- lead when Mikael Lustig put were powerless as the French Simunovic pulled back Cavani, Elsewhere, in Manchester, League after a year out yester- costa 30, Azpilicueta 55, Bakayoko through his own net before side poured forward. who picked himself up to score Substitute Marouane Fellaini day, thumping the competition’s 71, Batshuayi 76, Medvedev 82-og) Uruguayan Cavani added a fifth Neymar opened the scoring from the penalty spot. proved an unlikely source of debutants Qarabag 6-0, includ- Qarabag (AZE) 0 two minutes later with an when he cut in from the left of Neymar was guilty of a glar- inspiration as Manchester ing a stunning, if miscued, strike expertly-placed header. the penalty area and lifted the ing miss in a second half that United comfortably defeated from new signing Davide Group D PSG, who crave the Cham- ball expertly over keeper Craig looked like fizzling out with no Basel 3-0 on their return to the Zappacosta. At Barcelona, pions League title, have Gordon, having been slid in by further goals until Lustig shinned Champions League. Bayern Munich got off to a Barcelona (ESP) 3 (Messi 45, 69, assembled the most expensive the excellent Adrien Rabiot. a cross into his own net and Cav- In Barcelona, a mesmeric winning start in the Champions Rakitic 56) Juventus (ITA) 0 strikeforce in history with Ney- The Qatari-owned visitors ani then stooped to angle a Lionel Messi scored twice and League for the 14th successive At Piraeus, mar and on-loan Mbappe, who doubled the lead after 34 min- superb header past Gordon. inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 win season on Tuesday with a com- Olympiakos (GRE) 2 (Pardo 90, will move permanently for utes when a cross from the right PSG, who were quarter- over Juventus as the Catalans got fortable 3-0 victory over Group 90+3) Sporting Lisbon (POR) 3 about €180m next year, joining was headed back across goal by finalists in four successive off to a flying start in Champi- B opponents Anderlecht who (Doumbia 2, Martins 13, Fernandes a heady fanfare in the close Neymar and fired into the roof seasons before falling to a ons League Group D, avenging played most of the game with 10 43) season. of the net by teenager Mbappe remarkable Barcelona comeback last season’s quarter-final men at the Allianz Arena. SPORT WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2017 21 Aussies will have advantage in : Clarke

New Delhi Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and “But this Australian team “I think this team has cer- “They are not only two AFP Pat Cummins have had success- has no excuses. They know the tainly got that aggression in modern-day captains but two ful IPL stints and Clarke said the conditions really well... and this them... they are led by an modern-day greats. In such a ormer skipper Michael team should have no excuses in is a massive series for us,” he aggressive captain. Seems to me short span of time the impact Clarke (pictured) said yes- the shorter format. said, predicting a 3-2 win for the that Virat is not scared to lose these two players have had on Fterday the Australians “It’s not just the wicket you visitors. and that’s a great advantage,” international cricket is just would likely upstage hosts India are batting on or the ground you Clarke saw a “carrot right said Clarke. amazing,” said Laxman, who in the upcoming one-day series are playing, it’s the heat, the there” for the Australians, who Indian batting great VVS made a match-winning 281 thanks to their stints with the food you eat, the hotel your are will topple from top Laxman, who was also present against in the epic Indian Premier League. staying at,” Clarke told spot in the ODI table if they beat at the event, said he did not 2001 Kolkata Test. The Steve Smith-led side, reporters. India 4-1. foresee any controversy in the “And I think when you are which lost the Test series 2-1 to “(With) these players now The cricketer turned com- ODI series. playing international cricket India earlier this year, will play being involved in the IPL, mentator also praised Virat In the Test series Kohli it’s not necessary to be five ODIs, with the first in Chen- India is like a second home Kohli’s fearless captaincy that had expressed his displeas- friendly on field... I am sure nai on Sunday. because you spend so much has helped India dominate with ure after Smith looked up to both will go all out and be Smith captained the Pune time here. their aggressive approach. his dressing room while aggressive and win the franchise in the last edition of “Yes, it’s a shame we don’t India not only regained their deciding whether to review matches for their team... They the cash-rich IPL, arguably the have Mitchell Starc or Josh number one Test spot under his lbw dismissal in the Ban- are both trendsetters accord- world’s most popular Twenty20 Hazlewood available unfortu- Kohli last year but recently galore match, and a war of ing to me,” he said. tournament. nately due to injury. Those two blanked hosts Sri Lanka 9-0 words erupted between the Laxman picked India to win Players like David Warner, will be missed. across all three formats. two captains. with a 4-1 scoreline. Windies look to Gayle for ODI Faulkner looks to inspiration against England reboot in India Melbourne suddenly indispensable in AFP India following injuries to Belfast Cup. Taylor’s last ODI was in July three-match series in England are pacemen Mitchell Starc, Josh AFP 2016. staying on for the white-ball action eing dropped from Aus- Hazlewood and James “The panel welcomes back - which also includes a one-off tralia’s Champions Pattinson. he recall of Chris Gayle Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, T20 against England on Saturday BTrophy squad then The left-armer joins Pat (pictured) to the West who will both add value to our bat- - but Roston Chase is the only missing out on a national Cummins, Nathan Coulter- Indies ODI squad, for ting and help with the nurturing player dropped from the squad contract days later may have Nile and Kane Richardson in the first time since the of the young batsmen in the team,” that lost 3-1 to India in the home felt a bit like losing a match a pace attack against India’s 2015 World Cup, has said chairman of selectors Court- series in July. after being smashed for con- formidable batting lineup. Tdominated the countdown to the ney Browne. If the weather allows -- and secutive sixes on the final two Faulkner used his time upcoming five-match series The selectors will also hope the West Indies arrived in Belfast balls for seasoned ‘death off wisely, putting in a ‘pre- against England. the experienced pair -- Samu- in rain and more is forecast for the bowler’ James Faulkner season’ to nurse a But Gayle -- one of the biggest els is 36 and Gayle celebrates next 48 hours -- they should gain (pictured). troublesome knee back to draws in the game -- is likely to his 38th birthday on the day of a morale-boosting win against the Faulkner’s double-blow health. make his first appearance against the second ODI against England newest Full Member, who have in April was a stunning “I have been battling, to Ireland today. next week -- can help West failed to win any of their last nine reversal for the all-rounder be honest, for probably the Gayle arrived with the Indies qualify for the next games. who was feted as man-of- last 18 months, so it’s been 15-man squad in Northern Ire- World Cup. It is also the beginning of the the-match in the 2015 World nice to be home in Tassie land on Monday after the West But unless they beat Ireland end of John Bracewell’s two-year Cup final when the hosts (Tasmania) with my team Indies board announced an and then win four of the five reign as Ireland coach. crushed in front mates there and hit the gym amnesty which has also seen the games against England they will The New Zealander steps of a joyous crowd of 100,000 hard,” he said. return of Marlon Samuels and find themselves in the qualifying down in December and will be at the Melbourne Cricket “My training definitely Jerome Taylor. tournament next March, along succeeded by former South Africa Ground. changed. I’ve spent a lot of Previously players had to be with Ireland, Afghanistan and and Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford, Some excited local media time on the bike, I haven’t available for the corresponding hosts Zimbabwe. who was appointed on a three- went as far to declare it the spent any time running other domestic tournament before being Only two qualifiers will join Hopefully I can play a few more year contract last week. death-knell for Faulkner’s than fielding and net sessions selected for limited-overs inter- the top eight in the rankings at the games. “I definitely want to play Ford will not be at the match international career after 67 when I’m bowling.” nationals or Test cricket. end of this month at the 2019 finals the 2019 World Cup. but the players know their per- ODIs, only weeks before his Faulkner is no stranger Samuels last played in Octo- in England. “Things are beginning to open formances will be scrutinized by 27th birthday. to conditions on the subcon- ber 2016, but was dropped for After his selection, Gayle con- up a little more now between play- the new coach and, with the like- The fast-bowling all- tinent, having played for four the tri-series against Sri Lanka firmed he wanted to play in the ers and the board. It’s looking lihood of facing West Indies in the rounder knew better, different teams in the Indian and Zimbabwe the following finals. good, and we’ve to try and build World Cup qualifiers, long-serv- however, and his spell in the Premier League and in the month, but while Gayle played “The fans were happy to see from this to get the best players ing captain William Porterfield, freezer is set to end in India 2013 limited overs tour of in the one-off T20 game against me back on the field representing out on the field.” who has a virtual full-strength this month where Australia India when he announced India in July, his next ODI will be West Indies,” said Gayle. “Hope- Only six of the Test squad that side, said: “We want to lay down play the hosts in five ODIs. himself with 230 runs and his first since the 2015 World fully, things can get better. has just completed the a marker.” “It was pretty tough,” seven wickets. Faulkner said of his axing in “At the end of the day it comments published by is up to you to bounce back Cricket Australia’s website and I am excited to be back (cricket.com.au) yesterday. in the group,” said the “I think if you ask any Tasmanian. Shakib defends decision to skip Tests player when you get left out, “I want to do as well as I it’s not great fun. So you have can and play my part in these Dhaka The 30-year-old will however “But in Test match, I have to His request for the Test break to rely on your friends and conditions, which are obvi- AFP be available for the three one-day bat and bowl and contribute in all came amid concerns over player family and your team mates ously different from back in internationals and two Twenty20 four innings. The team also expects fatigue, as well as criticism that as well. Australia.” angladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, games during his country’s first me to do that. It’s not good if I can- players are prioritising earnings “I didn’t get too much the world’s leading all- tour of South Africa since 2008. not give my hundred per cent.” over representing their feedback (from selectors), to Brounder, yesterday defended “I get surprised when people Shakib is a regular at fran- countries. be honest. his decision to play in limited- ask me why I don’t take a break chise-based Twenty20 Shakib said the break from “They said the pace has overs games while skipping Test from one-day or Twenty20 inter- tournaments around the world, Test cricket would help him dropped down a little bit, cricket, saying he needs a break nationals or from the foreign T20 and earned $712,000 from four “refresh” and prolong his career. maybe. from the longest format to extend league,” he told reporters. Twenty20 competitions in 2016, “The biggest reason is I think “But I bowl a lot of vari- his career. “When I play foreign T20 according to Bangladesh’s Daily I have still plenty of cricket left,” ations, so it’s a tough one.” Shakib will sit out two Test leagues I feel hardly any pressure. Star. Shakib said. From being surplus to matches during the upcoming tour For me they are a kind of holiday. He has played every Test for “If I want to play that requirements for Australia’s of South Africa after asking his Of course, they give me some Bangladesh since missing two amount of cricket and play it winless Champions Trophy board for a six-month break from experience. Financial side is also games against the West Indies in well, I think this break is essen- campaign in England, Tests. important. 2014 because of a suspension. tial for me. Faulkner is Kaino back with All Blacks, unlikely to play Springboks

Wellington left the team on the day of the “He came in yesterday. show us he is in the right sort of similar to Kaino, while Fifita said. “Whether it be walking Reuters first Rugby Championship match We’ve had ongoing conversa- condition to come back. impressed with a stunning per- through lineouts, or doing the against Australia in Sydney last tions with him and it’s a matter “But it’s great having him formance in New Plymouth physical stuff, it’s good to have oose forward Jerome Kaino month to deal with a personal of bringing him back in,” All back.” where he scored an try from that older, experienced guy that returned to training with issue. Blacks assistant coach Ian Fos- The 34-year-old, a virtual more than 35-metres out as he demands we compete.” Lthe All Blacks yesterday but Liam Squire played the first ter told reporters about Kaino’s constant first-choice selection outpaced the Pumas’ backline. Fifita sat out training on was unlikely to be selected for two games of the Rugby Cham- appearance at training in when available for the All Blacks Lock Sam Whitelock, how- Tuesday with a sore shoulder, their Rugby Championship pionship against Australia, while Auckland. since 2008, could face a battle ever, said Kaino’s presence with but pundits in the rugby-mad match against South Africa on Vaea Fifita made his first start “He has had one (provincial) to reclaim his test spot after the team back in Auckland had country have said they expect the Saturday. against last Saturday game, and we’re keen for him to Squire and Fifita have stamped been a welcome one given the more experienced Squire to be The two-time World Cup in New Plymouth. Kaino has have another. their own marks on the team. 81-test veteran’s experience. recalled against a physical winner, who had not been played one provincial match for “He has been out of the game Squire has a more hard- “He brings that harder edge Springboks pack at North Har- selected in the matchday squad, Auckland since he left the team. for a little while and he’s got to edged element to his game to the environment,” Whitelock bour Stadium. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2017

Russian cyclists sue IOC readies to crown WADA, investigator Paris and Los Angeles McLaren, says coach Moscow dismissed the three cyclists’ Reuters appeal against the ban. Lima “The main task is to AFP hree Russian cyclists prove that the guys are right, are suing the World that they have never doped he International Olym- T Anti-Doping Agency and that they were unfairly pic Committee will (WADA) and investigator banned from taking part in crown Paris and Los Richard McLaren (pictured the Olympic Games,” their Angeles as hosts for below) over their exclusion coach Alexander Kuznetsov the 2024 and 2028 from the Rio 2016 Olympics, said, adding the lawsuit’s TOlympics here today, delivering their coach said yesterday. objective was to “clear the a welcome feel-good factor amid The road cyclists were athletes’ names”. a gathering storm of corruption among the Russians banned “We are convinced that allegations. from competing after a the result should be in our For the first time since the WADA-commissioned report favour.” awarding of the 1984 Olympics, by Canadian lawyer McLaren, In a letter to the Interna- when only one city was in the found evidence of wide- tional Cycling Union (UCI) in race, the traditional frenzy of spread doping and August last year, the IOC said last-minute lobbying, politick- manipulation of doping tests the three cyclists “do not ing and schmoozing will be by Russian athletes and meet the criteria set by the strikingly absent in Lima. This file photo taken on July 11, 2017 shows French President Emmanuel Macron (left) officials. IOC Executive Board” to In a historic move, the IOC posing with Paris 2024 Olympic bid Co-president Tony Estanguet and Mayor of Paris Anne The cyclists - Kirill compete in Rio, according to brokered an agreement that will Hidalgo, after the Paris 2014 bid presentation before the International Olympic Committee Sveshnikov, Dmitry Strakhov the CAS ruling on their case. see Paris handed the 2024 (IOC) members in . and Dmitry Sokolov - do not The IOC said that Games with Los Angeles appear in the McLaren report, “nobody implicated” in the awarded 2028, an outcome that which said that 26 positive McLaren report could be all sides are declaring as victory satisfied with the deal which withdrew from the race citing it would award the staging rights doping tests by Russian accepted for entry or accred- in a “win-win-win” deal. means the Californian city will waning public support and con- for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics cyclists had been covered up. ited for the Games, among IOC members will ratify the have to wait 11 more years cerns over budget. at the same meeting in Lima. However, to be able to other criteria. agreement following 25-minute before it stages the Olympics for Hamburg, Rome, Budapest The drama-free conclusion compete in Rio, Russian ath- Kuznetsov said the law- presentations by Paris and Los a third time. and Boston all fell by the way- also guarantees the IOC will not letes had to fulfil a series of suit was filed on Monday by Angeles, the last two cities left The city will receive roughly side during the competition, have to confront the explosive criteria defined by the Inter- Russian lawyers working in in the race for the 2024 $100m more than Paris in IOC reflecting the political difficul- fall-out from the vote for the national Olympic , where WADA has its Olympics. funding for the games, a finan- ties in persuading voters that 2016 Olympics, which detonated Committee. headquarters, but could not “It’s a big win and we are cial sweetener that delivers “a staging the Olympics is worth the spectacularly last week when The IOC also called on confirm to which court. here to really enjoy it,” said Paris frankly much better economic multi-billion-dollar price tag. investigators in swooped international sports federa- Sveshnikov declined to 2024 bid co-chief Tony result”, according to 2028 bid IOC chief Bach first signalled on the country’s Olympics chief tions, which ultimately ruled comment when contacted, Estanguet, reflecting the trium- chief Casey Wasserman. publicly that the double-award of Carlos Nuzman. on athletes’ participation in the saying he was busy training. phant mood amongst the French “We think the result is an Olympics could be on the Nuzman stands accused of Games, to examine the Strakhov did not immediately delegation as vote neared. extraordinary,” Wasserman said. agenda in December last year, plotting to bribe IOC members McLaren report and “carry out reply to a request for reac- Los Angeles 2028 officials, “We’ll be celebrating on lamenting that the bidding proc- into awarding Rio de Janeiro the an individual analysis of each tion via social media. Sokolov meanwhile, insisted they are Wednesday (today) and through ess produced “too many losers.” 2016 Games at a 2009 vote in athlete’s anti-doping record”. could not immediately be the weekend in LA for sure.” As the bidding battle for Copenhagen. The Court of Arbitration reached for comment. Historic move for IOC chief President Thomas 2024 unfolded, and as the field Former IOC member Nuz- for Sport (CAS) last year Russia’s athletics feder- 2024, 2028 Games Bach, the driving force behind thinned to leave Los Angeles and man was taken in for questioning ation, Paralympic committee the double award, described the Paris as the last bids standing, with his passport confiscated and anti-doping agency The IOC brokered an candidacies of Paris and Los the IOC’s determination to lock and a search of his house RUSADA remain suspended agreement that will Angeles as a “golden in two high-quality cities for the unearthing around $150,000 over the doping scandals, see Paris handed the opportunity.” next two summer games became worth in cash in various which have rattled Russian 2024 Games with Los “For the IOC it would have apparent. currencies. sport in the past two years. Angeles awarded been a huge mistake not seize Los Angeles and Paris, Brazilian police later said WADA, which is set to 2028, an outcome this golden opportunity,” Bach whose bids emphasise a high- they are probing “an interna- audit RUSADA later this that all sides are said on Monday. level of venue readiness, both tional corruption scheme” aimed month, in June allowed the declaring as victory in Today’s vote marks the con- wowed the IOC’s Evaluation at “the buying of votes for the agency to plan and coordinate a “win-win-win” deal clusion of a mostly good-natured Commission during back-to- election of (Rio) by the Interna- testing under the supervision bidding campaign notable for back visits in May. tional Olympic Committee as the of international experts. the number of cities who In July, the IOC announced venue for the 2016 Olympics.” Pakistan celebrate revival with win

Lahore 2009. Long before the match International World XI players Imran Tahir (centre) and Hashim Amla AFP started at 7:00PM (left) sit in an auto-rickshaw as they acknowledge the crowd at the main (1400GMT), around 9,000 entrance of the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore, yesterday. akistan yesterday took police officers and paramil- a giant step towards itary forces were deployed Previving international to the area, cordoning off the cricket at home with a team’s hotels and stadium. 20-run victory over the But the large security World XI in a match before presence did little to temper excited crowds amid tight the enthusiasm of fans in the security. cricket-mad country. The Twenty20 match, “I came here early to ’s Kimiko Date reacts after losing a accorded international sta- watch the teams come but point against Serbian Aleksandra Krunic. tus by the International that was not possible due to Cricket Council, is only the security so I only watched second time Pakistan has them in the ground and it Japan’s Date bows hosted an international made my day,” said specta- match since militants tor Azfar Ali. attacked the bus of the visit- Pakistan, sent into bat by out with ‘double ing Sri Lankan team in March World XI skipper Faf du Plessis, notched 197-5 with game is scheduled on Friday internationals against the bagel’ defeat Pakistani Babar Azam hitting a rapid -- both in Lahore. West Indies in November. batsman Babar 52-ball 86. His career best Pakistan hopes the series Six Pakistani players -- Azam plays a Twenty20 score had ten will help end their interna- Azam, Ashraf, Zaman, Tokyo shot during the boundaries and two sixes. tional isolation, with Sri Shadab, Raees and Hasan Ali AFP Azam added 122 for the Lanka due to play a -- played their first interna- first Twenty20 second wicket with Ahmed Twenty20 in October fol- tional match on the home International apan’s Kimiko Date, the grand dame of wom- Shehzad (39) as Pakistan lowed by three Twenty20 soil. en’s tennis, bowed out of the sport after being against World XI built on the loss of opener Jthrashed 6-0, 6-0 by Aleksandra Krunic at at the Gaddafi Fakhar Zaman for eight. SCOREBOARD the Japan Women’s Open yesterday. Cricket Stadium Shoaib Malik smashed a Pakistan: World XI: The former world number four, who turns in Lahore 20-ball 38 with two sixes and Fakhar Zaman c Amla b Morkel ...... 8 Tamim Iqbal b Raees ...... 18 47 later this month, was simply no match for a yesterday. four boundaries to give the Ahmed Shehzad c Sammy b Cutting ...... 39 Hashim Amla c Wasim b Raees ...... 26 Serbian opponent who at 24 is young enough final touches to the innings. Babar Azam c Miller b Tahir ...... 86 T Paine c Raees b Khan ...... 25 to be Date’s daughter. The World XI started off Shoaib Malik b Perera ...... 38 F du Plessis c sub (Amin) b Shadab ...... 29 D Miller c Ahmed b Shadab ...... 9 Krunic took just 49 minutes to inflict the well with Tamim Iqbal hit- Sarfraz Ahmed c Paine b Perera ...... 4 Imad Wasim (not out)...... 15 G Elliott c Wasim b Khan...... 14 dreaded ‘double bagel’ on Date in a lop-sided ting 18 with three boundaries T Perera run out ...... 17 first round encounter in Tokyo. and Hashim Amla smashing Fahim Ashraf (not out) ...... 0 Extras: (LB1, W6) ...... 7 D Sammy (not out) ...... 29 B Cutting (not out) ...... 0 Date tried gamely to mix up her shots in the three boundaries and a six in Total: (for five wkts) ...... 197 Extras: (LB6, W4) ...... 10 second set but to no avail as Krunic, ranked his 17-ball 26 but left-arm Did not bat: Shadab Khan, Sohail Khan, Hasan Total: (for seven wkts) ...... 177 67th in the world, blasted winners past her at pacer Rumman Raees dis- Ali, Rumman Raees will. missed both in the same over Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-48, 3-101, 4-108, 5-123, Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-130, 3-142, 4-161, 5-182 6-145, 7-173 Krunic continued to swing away from the to put the brakes on their Bowling: Morkel 4-0-32-1, Perera 4-0-51-2, Cut- Bowling: Wasim 4-0-22-0, Khan 4-0-28-2 (1w),

baseline and put the former Wimbledon semi- innings. ting 4-0-38-1 (1w), Tahir 4-0-34-1 (1w), Elliott Hasan 4-0-44-0, Raees 3-0-37-2 (1w), Ashraf finalist out of her misery with a huge forehand The second game will be 2-0-17-0, Sammy 2-0-24-0 1-0-7-0, Shadab 4-0-33-2 (1w) which Date could only dump into the net. played today while the third WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 23 Champions League ‘a big objective’ Hamroun wants to but PSG should get close, says Emery win title for Xavi The Peninsula Paris won four of their six Ligue 1 titles since PSGPSG wowoulduld be wary of BBrendanrendan Reuters then. Rodgers’sdgers’s Celtic side, who are l Sadd attacker Jugurtha Hamroun believes They have not, however, progressed unbeatenbbeaten in 54 ddomesticomestic that his side can make a creditable title push aris St Germain manager Unai beyond the quarter-finals in Europe’s matches.tches. Aand ensure that Xavi ends his professional Emery (pictured) believes his side premier intercontinental club competi- TheThe ScottishScottish sideside failedfailed toto career lifting the QNB Stars League shield come Pface increased pressure to deliver tion since the acquisition and Emery said reachch the Champions League the end of the season. success in the Champions League fol- those results now take precedence. knockoutockout stages lastlast seasonseason “The philosophy of the club has not changed. lowing their transfer splurge ahead of “I know it is a big objective for the but pickedpicked upup twotwo drawsdraws We are looking to win everything we play in this the season. club, but we are doing and feeling well, againstinst PepPPep Guardiola’sGGuardiolla’’s Man-MMan- season, we will give our best. The league is our PSG signed Brazil’s Neymar for a the players are doing well but I know it chesterster City. major target this season,” he said. world record fee of €222m ($265.40m) will be difficult,” Emery told reporters “Preparation“Preparation is everything. Along with proven quality Al Sadd can also during the off-season and also recruited ahead of their clash with Scottish cham- We hhaveave preparprepareded wwellell all weweekek rely on some of the best youth talent in Qatar Kylian Mbappe on loan from AS . pions Celtic. but we must give Celtic the something that the Algerian attacker is not under- Mbappe is expected to make his move “I know I have a lot of responsibility respectpect they deserve,” Emery added. estimating this season. permanent in 12 months for a reported because I have a lot of good players at “We“WWe araree aiaimingming ttoo go ffar.ar. ThThee Hamroun stressed that the whole club is tar- €180m. my disposal and there are some good atmospheremosphere is incredible and they geting the league for their club captain Xavi, who PSG have never won the Champi- teams in the Champions League, and try to share the pressurpressuree is set to call time on a glittering career at the end ons League title, nor made the Celtic is one of them. together.ether. It will be of the season. semi-finals since 1995, but expectations “I don’t know (if PSG are favourites), difficulticult but “That will be fair to win the league for Xavi. have risen since they were bought by but with the players and quality we have we aarere He is our leader on the pitch, and we will give our Qatari Sports Investment in 2011 and we should get close this year.” ready.”dyy.” best to give him this present at the end of the season.” QSL season starts; Duhail, Xavi in focus

Fawad Hussain targeting the exact result on his majoritymmaajorrityy ooff theitheirr sqsquaduad for ththehe The Peninsula QSL debut. newnneew season.seasa oonn. The other match on the NadirNadiir Belhadj,Belhadj,j formallyformally of AlAl igh-octane football inaugural day will see Umm Sadd,Saadddd, hhahasas rereturnedetut rned ttoo ththee QNQQNBB action is on the Salal taking on Al Kharaitiyat. StarsSttaars LeagueLLeague aandnd wwillill be raringrara ing cards as the QNB Both the sides concluded the too ggoo to makemake a positivepositivee impactimppaca t Stars League (QSL) previous season on high notes withwith hhisis new side.side. kicks off on Friday and must be looking to continue TheThe fifinalnan l matcmatchh of tthehe ffirstirrst Hwith 12 teams itching to give with their good form. Both clubs roundroround willwill seesee AlAl KhorKhor taketake on their best on the pitch. have elected to stick with their tititlettle challengerschallengers Al Rayyan.Rayyan. With the newly-formed Al coaches for the new campaign TheThT e KnKnightsightts hahaveve turturnedned too Duhail making their debut in in Mahmoud Jaber for the FrenchFrFrennch coach LLaurentaaureennt BBanideanide too prestigious league to Barca leg- Orange Fortress and Ahmad Al guideguguide the sisidede tthishis tetermrm aandnd after end Xavi Hernandez featuring Ajalni for the Thunders. a couplecoouple ofof yearsyey ars battlingbattling rele-rele- in his last ever season as a pro Qatar Cup winners Al Sadd ggationation they wiwillll bbee hopinghoping forfor a footballer, the new season will take on newly-promoted Al positivepopositive stastartrt to the campcampaignaign promises thrilling action in the Markiya on Saturday as the sec- againstaggainst Al Rayyan.Rayyan. next eight months. ond day of QSL Round 1 will also Al RRayyan,ayyann, mmean-ean- Al Duhail will be the centre witness six teams in action. while,wwhhile, have strengthenedstrengthened of attention on the opening day Al Sadd captain Xavi Hern- significantlysiggnifi icantly in tthehe ooffff sea-sea- when they will take on Qatar SC andez will target nothing less son.son. MMoroccanoroccan stristrikerker KeyKey points ahead in their first-ever QSL match. Al than the trophy for his side to AbAbdulrazakbduulrl azzak HamdullahHamdulll ah is thethe Duhail, last season, was formed make his last ever season as a mostmmosts eeye-catchingyeye-catching signsigninging off tthehe ofof newnew seasonseason after merging two Qatar’s foot- professional footballer summerssuummmer andand willwill be charchargedged ball giants – champions memorable. wwiwithith ffiringiring Al RRayyanayyan to titletitle 1. BarcelonaBarcellona legendleegend Xavi Lekhwiya and El Jaish. Al Sadd have shown top glory.gglloory. HernandezHernandeez willwilll markmark an endend toto Head coach Djamel Belmadi, form with their 4-2 triumph hishis illustriousillustriouus professionalproofessioonal careercareer who guided Lekhwiya to QSL against Al Duhail for Sheikh Jas- inin Qatar.Qatar. Al Sadd skipper Xavi Hernandez title last season, will be eyeing sim Cup triumph and it will be a winning start for Al Duhail, a tough challenge for the Yusef in action during a Qatar Stars 2.2 AlAl Duhail,Duhail, formedformedd withwith thetthe mergermerger hoping defender Lucas Mendes Adam side to contain Wolves. League match in this file ofo giantsgiants El JaishJaish andand LekhwiyaLekkhwiya willwilll brings defensive stability for the Adam will be hoping that photo. The Barcelona spicespice upp thethe titletitle challenge.challene ge. new side. international Alain legend will mark an Qatar SC will be banking on Traore can hit the ground run- end to his illustrious 3. AlAl SaddSadd underunder XaviXavi havehave shownshoownn experienced coach Gabriel Cal- ning for his new team. professional career goldengoldeen formform in recentreecent weeksweeks andand willwilll bebe deron for a shock result in their Later, Al Arabi will take on in Qatar at the a forceforce to reckonreckon with.wwithh. opening match. Al Sailya, in what promises to be end of the The prestigious league will a interesting game for the much season. 4.4 MoroccanMoroccaan ststrikerriker AbAbdulrazakbdulrazak HHamdullahamdullahh iiss begin with a match between Al changed Arabi team. New coach thethe mostmostt eye-catchingeye-catching signingsis gning ofof the summersummmeer Gharafa and Al Ahli, also on Fri- Kais Yaakoubi will be aiming to day. Al Ahli stunned Al Gharafa start strongly, and will be putting andana d willwilll bebe chargedcharged withwwith formerformer championschampiionns in their first match last season plenty of faith in new signing RayyanRayyan to title glory.gloorry. and veteran Spanish coach Ibrahim Khalfan who is return- Joaquin Caparros, who will be ing to his ‘home’ club. 5. QatarQatar SC babanknnk on experiencedexperienced coachcooacch managing a side from outside of As for Al Sailiya they have GabrielGaG bbrrieel CalderonCalderonn forfor a successfulsuccessful season.seasoon. Europe for the first time, will be decided to stick with the Real Madrid remain hot favourites for European crown

Madrid challenge admirably last season, need to not have injuries, for your duty for a disappointing 1-1 draw season as Zidane’s rotation Real Madrid’s AFP dismissing Bayern Munich, players to be in optimum form against Levante on Saturday. policy left him far Portuguese forward Atletico Madrid and Juventus in and have luck. There are so many Real will be bolstered for the fresher and freer of Cristiano Ronaldo Such is Real Madrid’s confi- the latter stages. factors.” visit of the Cypriot champions in injuries than in in action during a dence in creating more Their quest to become the Real’s strength in depth was midweek by the return of Cris- previous years. training session at Champions League history that first side since Bayern in the mid- used intelligently by coach Zine- tiano Ronaldo. The World Player With a fit the Valdebebas Sport while others have spent hundreds seventies to win three in a row dine Zidane to win the club’s first of the Year’s absence due to a Ronaldo come the City, in Madrid on of millions trying to catch up, the starts with a more modest test in La Liga and European Cup dou- five-game domestic ban for push- knockout stages, the eve of the UEFA back-to-back European champi- the form of APOEL Nicosia at the ble for 59 years last season. ing a referee has exposed the one Real will remain the ons were happy to cash in. Santiago Bernabeu today. It is also why one of the rich- flaw in Real’s squad in a lack of team to beat as the Champions League Real made a profit of over Tougher tasks lie in wait in est clubs in the world didn’t feel back-up to Karim Benzema. rest of Europe tries to Group H football €75m ($90m) in the transfer mar- the form of Borussia Dortmund the need to go wild in a hyper- Having not replaced Morata, end their match against Apoel ket thanks to the departures of and Tottenham Hotspur in Group inflated transfer market following Bale was forced to act as an aux- hegemony. FC yesterday. Alvaro Morata, James Rodriguez H. Neymar’s world record €222m iliary striker against Levante after and Danilo. Dortmund even beat Madrid move to Paris Saint-Germain. Benzema went off injured. Yet they remain very much to top spot in the group stage last Instead, Real continued their Yet even an enforced rest for the side to beat as the Champions season. But Real have mastered policy of snapping up the best Ronaldo could ultimately work League returned yesterday, hav- the art of saving their best for young talent in Spain in Theo in Real’s favour come the end of ing ended a near three-decade when the competition really gets Hernandez and Dani Ceballos to the campaign. long wait for a team to retain the going for the contenders in the add to the likes of Isco and Marco The Portuguese trophy. knockout stages in the new year. Asensio. Despite a slow start to scored 10 goals “We are the champions so “We have a stupendous squad their campaign in La Liga, Zidane from the quar- everyone faces us with extra but this is a competition that takes already seems to be playing the ter-finals on motivation,” warned former Real you to the limit in all aspects,” long game this season. last striker Emilio Butragueno, now added Butragueno. The Frenchman rested a host the club’s director of institutional “You can have a big squad of first-team regulars including relations. with all the resources, but when Luka Modric, Isco and Gareth Bale Madrid coped with that the moment of truth arrives you on their return from international