SPORT Thursday 22 February 2018

PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 36 ChelseaChe performance Sammy eyes second PSL India’s Sharmaa almost perfect T20 title as McCullum targets World for coach Conte promises ‘fearless ’ No.1 Rank

Manchester United’s David De Gea makes a save during their Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville, Spain yesterday.

De Gea heroics earn Man United draw

AFP to take to England for next the tie wide open ahead of the past the last 16 of the Champions ‘keeper displayed all his class as relying on Sevilla’s indecision in month’s return. second leg, with United looking League after falling in their three he kept out headed attempts from the final third. SEVILLE: David de Gea Sevilla were the more likely to reach the quarter-finals in their previous appearances at this stage N’Zonzi and Muriel from point- They were also aided by deflected the attention away side, with United offering little first appearance in the knockout over the last decade, could and blank range, both saves requiring Pablo Sarabia’s inability to find from Paul Pogba with another going forward despite the pres- stage of the Champions League should have had a goal to show breathtaking reactions. the target from an inviting Muriel spectacular display of goal- ence of Alexis Sanchez, Romelu since 2014. for their performance. De Gea The importance to United of cross in the 73rd minute, before keeping as Manchester United Lukaku and Juan Mata in their The United manager chose to made one good early save low not letting in a goal was clear -- Lukaku’s goal was ruled out by came away from their Cham- attack. select 21-year-old Scott McTom- down to deny Colombian Muriel, they had kept eight clean sheets French referee Clement Turpin pions League last 16, first leg Lukaku had a late goal disal- inay ahead of Pogba in a midfield while Jesus Navas, impressive at in their 10 matches before head- for a handball as he controlled against Sevilla in Spain with a lowed, but United’s was the kind three. right-back, fired just wide after ing to Andalusia, with their only before shooting. 0-0 draw yesterday. of cautious approach seen time However, an untimely injury latching onto Ever Banega’s defeats in that time coming in the Elsewhere, Shakhtar Donetsk De Gea made two breathtak- and again in such games by to Ander Herrera meant Pogba cross-field pass. two games in which they had fought back from a goal down as ing saves to deny Steven N’Zonzi Mourinho’s teams down the was thrown on after just 17 min- Stepping up the pressure just conceded. And they seemed con- Fred’s free-kick gave the Ukrain- and Luis Muriel at the end of the years. utes of a first half dominated by before half-time, Joaquin Correa’s tent enough to leave Spain with ians a 2-1 victory over Roma in first half at the Ramon Sanchez Their inability, unwillingness the Spanish side. shot from a good position was too a 0-0 draw, continuing to soak their Champions League last 16, Pizjuan, denying Sevilla a lead even, to get an away goal leaves Sevilla, looking to make it easy for De Gea, but the Spain up pressure in the second half and first leg yesterday.

Shakhtar Donetsk’s players celebrate after Fred scored their second goal against AS Roma yesterday. Shakhtar Donetsk fought back from a goal down as Fred’s free-kick gave the Ukrainians a 2-1 victory.

Duminy, Klaasen propel South Africa to series-levelling win AFP SCOREBOARD India South Africa PRETORIA: For the second time R Sharma lbw b Dala ...... 0 R Hendricks c Pandya b Thakur ...... 26 in his short career, Heinrich S Dhawan c Behardien b Duminy ...... 24 J Smuts c Raina b Unadkat ...... 2 Klaasen halted India’s cricket- S Raina lbw b Phehlukwayo ...... 30 J Duminy () ...... 64 ing juggernaut as South Africa V Kohli c Klaasen b Dala ...... 1 H Klaasen c Dhoni b Unadkat ...... 69 won the second inter- M Pandey (not out) ...... 79 D Miller c Thakur b Pandya ...... 5 national by six at M Dhoni (not out) ...... 52 F Behardien (not out) ...... 16 SuperSport Park yesterday. Extras (LB1, W1) ...... 2 Extras (LB2, W5) ...... 7 Total (4 wkts)...... 188 Total (4 wkts) ...... 189 Klaasen slammed seven Did not bat: H Pandya, B Kumar, S Thakur, J Unadkat, Y Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-38, 3-131, 4-141 sixes in hitting 69 off 30 balls as Chahal : Kumar 3-0-19-0, Thakur 4-0-31-1 (1w), Unad- South Africa chased down a tar- Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-44, 3-45, 4-90 kat 3.4-0-42-2 (2w), Pandya 4-0-31-1 (1w), Chahal 4-0- get of 189 with eight balls to Bowling: Morris 4-1-42-0, Dala 4-1-28-2, Paterson 64-0 (1w) spare. 4-0-51-0, Duminy 2-0-13-1 (1w), Shamsi 2-0-24-0, Pheh- Result: South Africa won by six wickets The win squared the three- lukwayo 2-0-15-1, Smuts 2-0-15-0 Series: The three-match series is tied at 1-1 match series, taking it to a decider in Cape Town on Satur- Klaasen, who was man of India to 188 for four after they day. Both teams had to contend the match when South Africa had been struggling at 45 for with a wet ball, with drizzle fall- gained their only win in the three. ing during both innings. one-day series, opened his India paid the penalty for a The wicketkeeper-bats- score with two sixes and didn’t lack of bowling options. Leg- man, who only got his look back. spinner Yuzvendra Chahal international debut after Quin- Duminy played an anchor struggled to control the wet ball ton de Kock was injured during role before finishing the match and was hit for 64 runs in four the second of six one-day with two sixes in an innings of overs. Pandey made his career- internationals, was moved up 64 not out off 40 balls. best 79 not out off 48 balls while the order when it Kohli praised Manish Pan- Dhoni thrashed his 52 off 28 seemed possible rain would dey and MS Dhoni, who hit 79 balls. Pandey came to the cause the match to be decided not out and 52 not out respec- after a rare failure by Kohli, who on a Duckworth/Lewis/Stern tively in an unbeaten fifth wicket was caught behind for one off calculation. stand of 98 off 56 balls to get fast bowler Junior Dala. 30 SPORT THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 Riders ready for Emir’s Sword action

THE PENINSULA

DOHA: More than 50 Qatar riders, minus the defending champion, will be seen in action battling for top honours over the course of the three-day Emir’s Sword Festival at the Outdoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF). This was announced by QEF President Hamad bin Abdulrah- man Al Attiyah. Last year’s winner Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani and compa- triot Bassem Hassan will not be seen in action this week as the two are busy competing in FEI championships in Europe, Al Attiyah said during a pre-event press conference. The three-day event - which starts today - carries an overall prize bag of QR1m. competition among the young competing at top international “I would like to take this for several years now. We value success this week. This champi- Three competitions - the riders as this is the Emir’s Sword events. These two riders are bat- opportunity to thank our spon- their support and hope this spon- onship has seen some Small Tour (100/115cm), the Festival week,” the QEF Presi- tling for FEI Classification points sors for their support and sorship of this immensely memorable performances and Medium Tour (125/135cm) and dent said. and are out of the country.” contribution towards making this popular championship grows we expect something similar the Big Tour (140/150cm)- will He added: “However, this Al Attiyah announced that championship a success. We see further,” Al Attiyah said. from Qatari riders this week.” be held today. The first compe- year’s edition will not feature the Qatar National Bank (QNB) are this championship growing over Ali Al Rumaihi, Qatar’s Olym- QEF Secretary General Badr tition starts at 4:00pm with the defending champion Sheikh Ali the main sponsors of the event the years,” Al Attiyah told report- pic Games rider, said: “The Al Darwish said: “Without the second commences at 6:30pm. bin Khalid Al Thani, who won the whereas Abdullah Abdulghani & ers at a pre-event press championship this year will see support of the sponsors, it would The third and final competition Emir’s Sword last year. Sheikh Brothers (Lexus) are the gold conference on Tuesday. a large participation from the not have been possible to raise starts at 8:30pm. Ali and Qatar’s top rider Bassem sponsor with Al Hazm Mall being “Qatar National Bank has as national riders in all the three the standard of the champion- “We expect a stiff Hassan are away in Europe the silver sponsor. been in partnership with the QEF categories. I wish them all the ship to where it is today.”

Pictures (below also) show the draw ceremony of the Emir’s Sword Festival held in Doha yesterday. The three-day horse racing gala starts at Qatar Racing and World Schools Equestrian Club today. Handball Championships start today ARMSTRONG VAZ THE PENINSULA

DOHA: The opening ceremony of the 24th ISF World Schools Handball Championships will be held today evening at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Stadium in Al Sadd while the match, in both the boys and girls section will klick off at three different venues in the morning session. A glittering opening ceremony has been lined up by the organ- isers of the nine-day event which ends with the closing ceremony at the same venue on February 28. A total of 18 countries are taking part in the boy’s section while 19 girls teams will be seen in action in the tournament which will be played on a league-cum-knock out basis. Horse racing: Emir’s Sword Hosts Qatar face Morocco in the first match of Group A, and will subsequently take on Denmark, Austria and Poland and Morocco in the tournament organised by Qatar School Sports Asso- ciation (QSSA), in technical collaboration with Qatar Handball Festival kicks off at QREC Federation. The draw ceremony was held here in December, with defend- ing champions Turkey clubbed with Brazil, Greece and Belgium THE PENINSULA Pietsch - is also in good in Group C. France, the tournament’s most successful sides with form. six titles and runners-up in the 2016 edition, are with Croatia, Ser- DOHA: Umm Qarn-owned The top prize is worth bia and Bulgaria in Group C while Germany, Czech Republic, Majeed will be one of the favour- $114,000 while the sec- Romania and Georgia complete Group D. ites to nail the Al Zubara Trophy, ond-placed rider gets In the girls’ tournament, which will be its 23rd edition, defend- the feature race on the first day $44,000. A prize of ing champions Denmark, France, Croatia, Belgium and Georgia of the three-day Emir’s Sword $22,000 will be won by are in Group D. Festival at the Qatar Racing and the third-fastest entry. Group A has Turkey, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria while Equestrian Club (QREC). The three-day horse Group B consists of Hungary, Austria, Serbia and Czech Republic. With a staggering $150,000 racing gala will end with Slovenia, Brazil, Sweden and Greece complete Group C. in prize money in the nine-entry four key races on Satur- The event will be held at three venues namely: Aspire Acad- field, O Peslier will ride out day - H H The Emir’s emy of Sports Excellence, Qatar Women’s Sports Committee and Majed hoping to bag the top Shalfa (sponsored by Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Stadium in Al Sadd. prize of $85,500 against a field Manateq, 2000m), H H Meanwhile, all matches from Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Sta- that also includes Julian Smart- The Emir’s Silver Sword dium (Central Court) will be live on ISF handball FB page today, trained six-year-old Reda (sponsored by Al Hazm, International School Sports Federation (ISF) has announced on owned by H.H Sheikh Moham- 1850m), H H The Emir’s their facebook page. med Bin Khalifa Al Thani. Trophy (GR , presented by The matches can be watched live on facebook at facebook. The 2000-metere turf race Longines, 2400m) and H com/ISFSports. - for purebred Arabians - will feature race is $33,000 followed which offers $200,000 in total H The Emir’s Sword (GR1 PA, Live streaming will also be done by the Olympic Channel on also feature Al Marboush to be by a purse of $16,500 for the prize money. sponsored by Total, 2400m). their website www.olympicchabnnel.com from the semi-final and ridden by popular Briton Harry third-placed rider. The fourth- The 1600-meter turf will see The total prize money in the final stage on February 27 and 28. Bentley. Al Marboush is owned placed rider will get $9,000 Gordon Lord Byron as one of the H H The Emir’s Sword race is by Jassim Mohammed Ghazali. while a bag of $6,000 is reserved favourites for a win tomorrow. $1m with the winning rider win- Another top entry is Mekh- for the fifth-fastest rider. The 10-year-old gelding - ning $570,000. The batt who will have Pierantonio Tomorrow the riders will eye trained by Tom Hogan - will be second-placed rider gets Convertino in the saddle. the top honours in the Irish ridden by Billy Lee. Diplomat - $220,000 while $110,000 awaits The second prize in today’s Thoroughbred Marketing Cup to be ridden by Alexander the third-fastest entry.

Qatar’s basketball team is seen during a training session in Tehran, Iran, yesterday. Qatar arrived Iran to take on Iraq in the Asian Zone qualifications for 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in China. The match will be played today. After today’s game, Qatar will fly to Kazakhstan for their next clash. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 31

FIFA lifts Chelsea performance almost ban on 2026 WC voters publicly perfect for team coach Conte backing bid

REUTERS on target and scored with the touchline, gesticulating wildly AP second, when Iniesta cut the at his players to push forward LONDON: Chelsea coach Anto- ball back to Messi in the 75th in an attempt to wrest posses- LONDON: A ban on voters nio Conte said his side played minute with the Chelsea sion from the Catalan side. publicly endorsing a 2026 almost the perfect game against defence out of position. The statistics, 68 percent World Cup bid has been lifted Champions League favourites “It’s a pity and we are dis- possession for the visitors by FIFA in the face of criti- Barcelona on Tuesday, but he appointed with the final result against 32 for the home side, cism from soccer officials. was still disappointed with the but at the same time I think this disguised an absorbing, bal- The governing body last Chelsea’s Danish defender Andreas 1-1 home leg result. game must give us a lot of con- anced match in which Chelsea month ordered officials not Christensen (left), Barcelona’s The Italian’s Premier fidence to trust the second leg. enjoyed the better chances. to openly discuss the merits Argentinian striker Lionel Messi League champions have strug- The qualification is open,” Willian hit the post twice in of either the joint Northern and Chelsea’s French midfielder gled to impose themselves in Conte said. the first half before putting the American bid, featuring the N’Golo Kante (right) vie during the domestic football this season “It won’t be easy but tonight ball away into the bottom cor- United States, Canada and first leg of the UEFA Champions but soaked up Barcelona pres- we showed that if we are ready ner set up by Eden Hazard. Mexico, or the rival Morocco League round of 16 match at sure before Willian scored in to work very hard together “We gave too much space contender. Stamford Bridge stadium in London the 62nd minute of their last- defensively, to continue to have to Willian to shoot. The pass to It led to Confederation of on Tuesday. 16 first leg tie. the right feeling when you are him was perfect, the control African Football President “I think we were very close with the ball to have the chance was perfect,” Barcelona coach Ahmad, who goes by just one to playing a perfect game,” to score then we have the Ernesto Valverde said. name, expressing frustration Conte said. chance to do something incred- “They might be happy with at being restricted from back- “We made one mistake but ible at the Nou Camp.” the result... they pressed us high ing his continent’s bid. against these opponents like Chelsea travel to Barce- and made it difficult for us but But FIFA Secretary Gen- (Lionel) Messi, (Andres) Iniesta lona for the second leg on anything can change in the Nou eral Fatma Samoura informed and (Luis) Suarez, if you make March 14. Conte had spent Camp. The away goal isn’t members this week of an a mistake you pay.” much of the first half hopping definitive but it is important,” about-turn in a letter to mem- Barca had two shots and skipping along the Valverde added. ber associations offering new guidance on the bid rules of conduct. “All public statements by Chelsea must attack at football officials in support of one bidder are admissible provided that they meet the underlying principles of eth- Nou Camp, says Willian ical behavior,” Samoura said in the letter. “They shall be REUTERS suicide mission. We have to play Chelsea would have taken a limited to genuine support for our game.” slender lead into the second leg. the preferred bidder and con- LONDON: Chelsea goalscorer Chelsea have knocked Bar- Manager Antonio Conte tain no statements against the Willian said they must go on the celona out twice in the knockout defended the 21-year-old Dane competitive bidder or attack against Barcelona at the stages -- most recently in the though. requests for bloc voting. Nou Camp next month to have semi-final in 2012 when they “Christensen’s performance “Officials shall consider any chance of reaching the won 1-0 at home before draw- was a great performance. An whether, from a common Champions League quarter- ing 2-2 in Spain. incredible performance,” Conte sense perspective, the nature finals. A similar result in the return told reporters. and form of a statement can The Brazilian’s fine goal was leg would put them through and “He’s only 21. It’s great that be considered as ‘fair’ and not enough for victory in a com- Eden Hazard said they must be he’s able to play this game with ‘not unduly influencing the pelling last 16, first leg at positive. this maturity, this personality. I bidding process.’” Stamford Bridge as Lionel Messi “At least we won’t be able to repeat: Christensen for me, he Samoura acknowledged pounced after a defensive mis- think defensively about the sec- was one of the best players that the previous rules were take by Chelsea to earn Barca a ond leg because if we think tonight. “It’s very difficult to tell “questioned by members of 1-1 draw which has left the fas- defensively over there we would one or another player, but I the football community.” The cinating tie evenly poised. be in a lot of danger,” Hazard think Christensen played a top entire FIFA Congress, which “It is still open and we have said. game.” features 211 soccer nations, is showed that we can compete “We will go there trying to Barca striker Luis Suarez, due to vote on June 13 on the and we will need another excel- win because we have to score kept quiet for most of the night, 2026 host. lent performance at the Nou and we will try to pull off the said that moment could prove Samoura told member Camp to go through,” said perfect game as we did today crucial. nations that they cannot livewire Willian, who was twice except for the small mistake that “The goal will give us a huge invite a single bid to present denied by the woodwork in the we made,” the Belgian said advantage in the second leg and to them at any meeting, first half. yesterday. allow us to have more space in including regional confeder- “You have to have a lot of “It’s not over. We can still the Nou Camp,” he said. ation congresses, ahead of the personality to play against this dream. Qualification is still “Our virtue is that we are vote in Moscow to ensure the team which has 70 percent of possible.” stronger at home. That’s why it “principles of fairness and the ball. We have to go there to But for Andreas Chris- was so important to score today. transparency are respected.” attack and score because 90 tensen’s rash pass across his Now they are obliged to go look- The World Cup will minutes defending at the Nou area in the 75th minute, ruth- ing for a goal at the Nou Camp expand from 32 to 48 teams Camp is an eternity, it is a lessly punished by Messi, and we’ll have more space.” in 2026. Ungainly but hugely effective Mueller is back to his best

REUTERS pops up for any of the plethora of awards on the football calendar, but he has an uncanny BERLIN: After flirting with the substitutes’ notion of space and is always in the right bench under Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern Munich place. forward Thomas Mueller (pictured right) is In terms of titles, Mueller is one of the back to his ungainly and hugely effective sport’s most successful players with one FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former soccer player Didier best as Besiktas discovered on Tuesday. World Cup, one Champions League, one Club Drogba pose as they arrive for a lunch with French President There was nothing spectacular about World Cup, six Bundesliga and four German either of Mueller’s two goals in Bayern’s 5-0 Cup titles to his name. Emmanuel Macron and Liberian President George Weah at the Champions League win over the Turkish The last two seasons, however, have not Elysee Palace in Paris, France, yesterday. champions, and the first was downright been his best. scrappy, but the 28-year-old has never been He failed to get on the scoresheet dur- Barcelona set to beat sales noted for his elegance. ing Euro 2016 and scored a modest nine goals “The first goal was typical Mueller,” said in all competitions last season - the first time goal on broadcast rights Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who has been in his career he has failed to reach double credited with Mueller’s revival since return- figures in a full campaign. ing for a fourth stint at the club in October. Then, in August, Ancelotti did the BLOOMBERG: “It’s interesting how players prepare for unthinkable and dropped him for a match these sort of games. Thomas takes it to at Werder Bremen. BARCELONA: Spanish soccer team FC Barcelona is likely to reach another level, he knows that a special per- Predictably, that sparked a huge debate its goal of €1bn ($1.2bn) in sales ahead of schedule as income from formance is needed in the Champions and Mueller himself had a dig. broadcast rights and tickets surges, President Josep Bartomeu said. League. “I don’t know exactly which qualities the The world’s third-largest soccer team may reach €900m euros “Had he not got injured, he would have coach wants to see,” he said. “But mine seem in revenue this season, a jump of more than 20 percent on the a lot more goals. not to be 100 percent in demand.” previous 12 months, Bartomeu said in a television interview in “He is performing well and he motivates There was even talk of a transfer. London. the others. He’s important for our system Ancelotti was fired in September, how- Barcelona ranks third in accountant Deloitte’s annual list of and not just because of the goals. He’s also ever, and replaced by Heynckes who has soccer finances, with revenue of €648m for the 2016-17 season, important for the vertical game,” Heynckes once again brought out the best in the enig- trailing its Spanish rival Real Madrid and Manchester United. The added. matic forward, as he did back in Bayern’s British club topped the table with sales of €676m, according to Mueller, joint top-scorer at the 2010 treble winning season in 2012-13. Deloitte, which makes some adjustments so the figures are World Cup, does not conform to the foot- “He can score goals out of nothing - like comparable. baller’s stereotype. skinny legs and he eschews tattoos. His wife the 1-0,” said Heynckes. “With his speed and Bartomeu reiterated the club would not sell 30-year-old He stumbles rather than glides past is an amateur dressage rider rather than a reactions, he’s often in the right place and Lionel Messi at any price after inserting a €700m-euro buy-out opponents, his ungroomed floppy hair has model or actress. that makes him unique. That’s the real clause in his contract last November. Bartomeu said he expects not changed in years, he has unusually A one-club player, Mueller’s name rarely Mueller.” Messi to renew his current four-year deal when it expires. 32 SPORT THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 33

PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES

(DATE, TIME, MATCH, VENUE) Feb 22 (17:00 GMT) Sammy eyes second PSL T20 title as 1st Match- Zalmi v International Cricket Stadium

Feb 23 (11:30 GMT) 2nd Match- Kings v Gladiators McCullum promises ‘fearless cricket’ Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Feb 23 (16:00 GMT) RIZWAN REHMAT 3rd Match - Multan Sultans v Qalandars United skipper Misbah Dubai International Cricket Stadium THE PENINSULA Ul Haq said at the trophy unveiling cer- emony: “We have a great bunch of Feb 24 (11:30 GMT) players who have international experi- 4th Match - v DUBAI: Darren Sammy is confi- ence and they know how to take the Dubai International Cricket Stadium dent defending champions Peshawar young players with them. We won the Feb 24 (16:00 GMT) Zalmi will be a genuine title contender first tournament and it was an honour 5th Match - v at the third edition of the Super to be part of that team. We have enjoyed Dubai International Cricket Stadium League (PSL) that kicks off today. the competition for the last two years In the opening clash of the six-team and with experience all the teams are Feb 25 (11:30 GMT) franchised-based tournament, Zalmi improving. The competition is getting 6th Match -Multan Sultans v Islamabad United will take on new side Multan Sultans tougher.” Dubai International Cricket Stadium captained by Pakistan’s One-day spe- , the bowling coach cialist . of Islamabad United, said: “Islamabad Feb 25 (16:00 GMT) Sammy, who guided Zalmi to the United did really great over the last two 7th Match - v Peshawar Zalmi Dubai International Cricket Stadium title win in an exciting final at the Qadd- years, winning the inaugural edition. afi Stadium in Lahore last year, Bringing on the younger lot and work- Feb 26 (16:00 GMT) yesterday said his team could be ing with them has been a great process. 8th Match - Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars ‘unstoppable’. Players like and Ruman Dubai International Cricket Stadium “I always tell the guys that if we play Raees, they have gone on to play for the brand of cricket Peshawar Zalmi are Pakistan. These two have been improv- Feb 28 (16:00 GMT) capable of, we will be unstoppable,” ing every day. They provided so much 9th Match - Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators Sammy, a two-time T20 World Cup energy to the team and that’s why I Cricket Stadium champion, said ahead of his team’s wanted to be part of this team. These Mar 1 (16:00 GMT) opening clash. two will play for long.” Australian cricketers celebrate after 10th Match - Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi “It is something that I am looking Younis added: “We have great bal- forward to this time also in Karachi on ance in the squad. We want to win plus winning the final of the Twenty20 the 25th. Peshawar Zalmi could be lift- we want to get young players for the Tri-Series against New Zealand at Mar 2 (11:30 GMT) ing the trophy for the second time. national squad. and JP Eden Park in Auckland yesterday. 11th Match -Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings Hopefully we have more reason to cel- Duminy are excited to be with us. Hales Sharjah Cricket Stadium FROM LEFT: Captains of the (PSL) teams, Shoaib Malik (Multan Sultans), Misbah-ul-Haq ebrate,” he added. (Islamabad United), Darren Sammy (Peshawar Zalmi), (Karachi Kings), Sarfraz Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators)is one of the top batsmen in the world. Mar 2 (16:00 GMT) “We have to control what we can and Brendon McCullum (Lahore Qalandars) pose for a selfie following the official trophy unveiling ceremony at theThey know how to play on these kind 12th Match - Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United address on the pitch. We have to make Dubai Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. of pitches. Duminy will stabilise the mid- Sharjah Cricket Stadium sure we prepare right and we go out an dle order. execute right. We are not afraid of any- “These are good signs for Islama- Australia clinch Tri-series title Mar 3 (11:30 GMT) body but we respect every single team back. My role is to continue to enter- stand up and really show the skills we bad United. We can clearly make a “To top it up with the (PSL) trophy 13th Match - Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators in the tournament but once Peshawar was an amazing experience. You see the tain. We have to make sure we play a have and the talent that we possess. We balanced outfit for the PSL games. We Sharjah Cricket Stadium steps on the pitch, you will see the yel- pictures from the final going around. brand of cricket that will make the fans have to try and put it all together on the have also signed up and low army coming at you,” the tall West You saw how exciting and how happy us follow and love us more,” Sammy field for the people pf Lahore and those then we will have . We Mar 3 (16:00 GMT) Indies all-rounder said in a team video. everyone was,” Sammy said. said. who support us around the world. have a good team. This a brand of cricket to regain number one status 14th Match - Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars Sharjah Cricket Stadium Sammy said going to Lahore last Sammy said he cherishes his rela- Captain Brendon McCullum said “I am very, very pleased to be lead- for young legs and we have plenty of year for the PSL final was a memorable tionship with fans in Pakistan. Lahore Qalandars would be no pusho- ing the team again. I’ve got a trusted ally young players.” AFP Australia’s bowlers avenged SCOREBOARD control, as skipper Kane Wil- Mar 4 (16:00 GMT) experience that showed him how much “There is no secret about it. Paki- vers in the third edition of the PSL. In next to me in Fakhar (Zaman) which is Malik, skipper of Multan Sultans, that pasting as they tore through liamson and Mark Chapman both 15th Match - Islamabad United v Karachi Kings cricket is loved in Pakistan. stani people love me and I love them the last two seasons, Qalandars could fantastic. He is young. He will do great endorsed Younis’ viewpoint when he AUCKLAND: Australia cruised New Zealand’s middle order, led New Zealand: Bowling: Stanlake 4-0-37-1 (3w), Richardson 4-0-30-2,failed to reach double figures. M Guptill c Warner b Stanlake ...... 21 Tye 4-0-30-2, Agar 4-0-27-3, Stoinis 4-0-23-1 Sharjah Cricket Stadium “I feel gpgreat to be part of a set-up p to not qualify for the play-offs of the hugely things. He is a leader as well. It is fan- said: “When PSL happens we see a lot to a 19- victory in a rain- by spinner Ashton Agar’s career- C Munro c Agar b Richardson ...... 29 Australia: Agar was not done, tempting bringbring cricket back to Pakistan. I will popularp T20 tournament. tastic to have him alongside. We work of young players knocking on the doors affected T20 tri-series final with best T20 figures for three for 27. K Williamson b Agar ...... 9 D Warner b Sodhi ...... 25a rash shot from Colin de Grand- Mar 6 (16:00 GMT) cherishcherish it. ItIt shoshowedwed whwhatat I I s stressedtressed on on “I am looking forward to it and closely together. of international cricket. That is a great New Zealand yesterday to claim Ross Taylor’s 43 of 38 balls M Chapman lbw Agar ...... 8 D Short c Chapman b Munro ...... 50homme to send the big-hitting R Taylor (not out) ...... 43 A Agar Siefert b Santner ...... 2 16th Match - Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans earlierearlier that PPeshawareshawar ZZalmialmi iiss aa fafam-m- hopefullyh we will play well and we will “ the head coach has sign. “ the world number one ranking was the highlight of a poor New dangerman back to the pavilion Dubai International Cricket Stadium C de Grandhomme c Maxwell b Agar ...... 10 G Maxwell (not out) ...... 20 ily,”ily,” Sammy saisaid.d. dod our absolute best. We will play self- also worked a lot with the boys. He has Pakistan’s national team wicket- in the shortest form of the game Zealand batting display that M Santner c Carey b Tye ...... 0 A Finch (not out) ...... 18for 10. “To see ChrisChris JJordan,ordan, MarMarlonlon Sam Samu-u- lessl cricket. We will play fearless cricket. been very prominent with the Qalandar keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who will lead for the first time. included just five sixes, despite T Siefert b Stoinis ...... 3 Extras (B4, LB1, NB1) ...... 6 Taylor and com- Mar 7 (16:00 GMT) T Southee c Maxwell b Richardson ...... 5 Total (4 wkts) ...... 121 17th Match - Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators elsels anandd DaviDavidd MaMalanlan aappearppear inin tthehe PSL PSL WeW hope we can make our fans proud brand from the get-go of PSL. He does Quetta Gladiators, said: “I hope we will New Zealand struggled to Eden Park’s notoriously short I Sodhi b Tye...... 13 Fall of wickets: 1-72, 2-78, 3-84 bined for a 38-run partnership Dubai International Cricket Stadium finalfinal waswas great.great. MaMalan,lan, a afterfter th thee PSL, PSL, went went tthis year,” McCullum said in an official wonderful things 12 months a year. To play better than the last two editions. 150 for nine after electing to bat boundaries. T Boult (not out) ...... 1 Bowling: Boult 3-0-27-0, Sodhi 4-0-21-1, Southeebut it was too late to revive the on to playplay for EnEnglandgland in the ((recent)recent) tteam video. have him at the helm is great along with We have played two finals and we hope first at Auckland’s Eden Park but Australia never looked in Extras (LB3, W5) ...... 8 2-0-21-0, Santner 3.4-0-29-1, Munro 2-0-18-1 innings. Mar 8 (11:30 GMT) Total (9 wkts) ...... 150 Did not bat: C Lynn, M Stoinis, A Carey, A Tye, K Richard- Ashes.Ashes. TThat’shat’s somet somethinghing to to c hcherish.erish. We We “It’s great to back in the PSL. It’s my the other support staff is also awesome. we reach the third one as well.” failing to repeat the pyrotechnics danger of missing the 151-run Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-59, 3-72, 4-73, 5-91, 6-93, son, B Stanlake The only negative for Aus- 18th Match - Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars were at the ((lastlast ssecond time here but obviously it is the It is going to be a really cool year for New skipper of Karachi Kings Imad that saw them score 243 against target but the manner in which 7-101, 8-110, 9-148 Result: Australia won by 19 runs under Duckworth-Lewistralia was when left Dubai International Cricket Stadium March)March) and it was an amazinamazingg atmo atmos-s- thirdt edition. It’s great to be back with all us. Wasim, who is Pakistan’s premier left- Australia at the same ground last the victory came was the field after dislocating his Mar 8 (16:00 GMT) phere. The people thet Qalandar boys. I think we have made “Your country is always amazing. arm spinner, said: “PSL is allowing us Friday. anti-climatic. troublesome shoulder. Australia 19th Match - Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators embracedembraced us. us. I It’st’s been beenn somes very, very good signings in the off- The development and emergence of to showcase our young talent. I hope we The players were off the made a solid start, with D’Arcy Dubai International Cricket Stadium anan amazinamazingg jjour-our- season.s I am incredibly comfortable with young talent is why we have PSL. We get to see some more young players.” T20I TEAM RANKINGS pitch when officials decided to rankings were introduced in 2011. backed his attack to take early Short beginning to lift the run ney,”ney,” Sammymyy thet team we’ve got,” the former New have made changes during the off-sea- The final will be held on March 25 abandon the match due to per- “I’m over the moon, right wickets, constantly switching rate before a 20-minute rain Rank/Team Matches Points Rating Mar 9 (11:30 GMT) recalled.recalled. ZealandZ opening batsman said. son. We have some superstars in the in Karachi where the National Stadium sistent rain, awarding Australia from the get-go we played bowlers so the batters could not delay. It slowed Short’s momen- 20th Match - Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars “We’ve had a couple of disappoint- making. We will play an attractive brand has undergone large-scale 1: Pakistan 26 3,272 126 a 19-run win under the Duck- superb cricket,” Warner said, settle. tum and he was dismissed Dubai International Cricket Stadium ingi years but this is the year we can of cricket,” McCullum said. renovation. 2: Australia 20 2,513 126 worth-Lewis system. crediting the series win to the Lanky paceman Billy Stan- shortly after bringing up his 3: India 29 3,547 122 The result means David skills his players learned in Aus- lake made the breakthrough in 28-ball half . Mar 9 (16:00 GMT) 4: New Zealand 26 3,013 116 Warner’s men complete the tri- tralia’s domestic Big Bash the fourth over when Guptill Warner soon followed on 25 21st Match -Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United Dubai International Cricket Stadium 5: West Indies 22 2,538 115 series undefeated, notching League. departed for 21 after sending his and Agar’s stumping had the 6: England 21 2,402 114 convincing wins in all their five New Zealand openers Mar- shot straight to Warner. tourists looking vulnerable on 83 Mar 10 (11:30 GMT) 7: South Africa 21 2,309 110 matches against New Zealand tin Guptill and made Munro followed for 29 in the for three. 22nd Match - and England. It also means Aus- their intentions clear with a next over leaving the New Zea- But Aaron Finch and Glenn Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings 8: Sri Lanka 29 2,635 91 Dubai International Cricket Stadium tralia leapfrog Pakistan to flurry of boundaries in the early landers at 59 for two. Maxwell had Australia cruising 9: Afghanistan 27 2,385 88 become the top-rated T20 overs. An Agar double strike in the and the win was not in doubt Mar 10 (16:00 GMT) 10: Bangladesh 19 1,367 72 team, the first time they have They raced to 48 without loss seventh over then sent the Black before the final rain shower 23rd Match - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators held the number one spot since but Warner held his nerve and Caps’ innings spinning out of ended the match. Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Mar 11 (16:00 GMT) 24th Match - Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars Dubai International Cricket Stadium Captain of the defending champions Peshawar Zalmi, Darren Sammy enjoys a light moment during the trophy unveiling ceremony. RIGHT: Mar 13 (16:00 GMT) Special awards on offer for the player of the tournament, best player 25th Match -Multan Sultans v Islamabad United Three home games for growing on the field, best bowler of the tournament, spirit of cricket, safest Sharjah Cricket Stadium hands and best batsman of the tournament on display during the Mar 14 (16:00 GMT) trophy unveiling ceremony. 26th Match - Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars Sharjah Cricket Stadium PSL lift hopes for 2019 return Mar 15 (11:30 GMT) ISLAMABAD UNITED KARACHI KINGSNGS LAHORELAHORE QQALANDARSALANDARS MULTAN SULTANS PESHAWAR ZALMI QUETTA GLADIATORS AFP Peshawar Zalmi in the opening match in Irshad, who is set to become the first 27th Match - Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings Dubai today, after a rousing opening cere- player from Pakistan-administered Sharjah Cricket Stadium KARACHI: The Pakistan Super League mony set to include a performance by US Kashmir. Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain) Imad Wasim (Captain)aptain) BrendonBrendon McCullum (Captain) ShoaibShoaib Malik(Capta (Captain)CaptCapt in) DarrenDaD SSammyam (Captain) Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain) AamAamerer YaminYaminaminminmin AbdullAbdullahah SShafiquehafiquequequqeue DwDwaDwaynew BBravor launches its third edition in Dubai today, rapper Jason Derulo. Another fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Mar 15 (16:00 GMT) BilBilaBilaliill AsAsiAsifAsisi AAhmedhmed SShehzadhehzad Liama Daws adding a sixth team, more international Pakistan has staged its international , and batsman Sahibzada Farhan -- 28th Match - Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United BilawaBilawalawaw l BBhattBhattii DDarrenarren BravoBravovoo Andrendredre Flet stars and with hopes that the Twenty20 fixtures in the in both from troubled areas of northwestern Sharjah Cricket Stadium IImranmran TTahirahirr Hammadmmmm A tournament can be staged entirely on recent years as it grapples with militant province -- will also Jean-Paul Duminy Cameromerom on Delport Asad Shafiq Mar 16 (11:30 GMT) Anton Devcich Irfan Khan Hariss Soha home soil from 2019. violence. But a dramatic improvement in be on the radar. Also on a trial will be Faheem Ashraf AntonAntonton o Devevevcevcicevvc h Irfan Khan Azam Khan 29th Match - Hasanann Ali The new Multan Sultans and the con- security saw officials stage the PSL final Karachi, the sprawling, chaotic port meg- Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars FakharF arr ZZaman Junaid Khanann Ibtisam Sheikh Ghulam Mudassar Ibtisamsamaam Sh Sharjah Cricket Stadium Khurram Manzooroor Ghulam Mudasudassarsaarar Kashif Bhattiattittitt firmation of a slew of international greats in Lahore last year, its biggest match in acity set to host the final. Alex Hales Gulraiz Sadaf Mohammad Abbas Chrisrisiss Jorda Hassan Khan Mohammad Gulraiz Sadaf Mohammad AAbAbbas such as and Brendon nearly a decade, a move which boosted Busy schedules mean top foreign play- With normality returning after dec- Mar 16 (16:00 GMT) Kamranamm Ak Imrann Khan Mohammmmmmad Irfanrfarrff Khalid Usman McCullum has given a lift to fans eager to hopes the cricket-obsessed country could ers such as England’s , Alex ades of ethnic violence, Karachi is rolling 30th Match - Islamabad United v Karachi Kings Mohammad Hasan mir Chris Lynn Khalid Usm Mohammad Rizwan Chriss Lynnyny ThisarraaP PPerera forget last-year’s spot-fixing scandal. become an international venue once more. Hales and are only available for out head-of-state level security to stage Sharjah Cricket Stadium wanwawan Mitchell McClenaghan Khushdil S Mohammad Nawaz Mitchehehelll McMcC M lenaghlenaglenenaenaga an KiKieroni PPollard Mohammad Arif And the decision to stage the three This year two of the three play-offs part of the tournament as are Bangladesh’s its first high profile match in nine years. Mohammad Taha Mustafizur Rahman Mohamma ha Nicholas Poorann Mohammad Asghar final matches of the PSL at home, in are planned for Lahore, with the final due , and Mah- The last international fixture played Mar 18 (16:00 GMT) Eoin Morgan SunilMusta Narinefizurzuurr Rahman Saif Badar Mohamma Saifif BBadadard Lahore and Karachi, could pave the way at the National Stadium in Karachi on muddullah Riyadh. at the National Stadium was between Qualifier -TBC v TBC - Dubai International Cricket Stadium Saifullah Bangash DeneshSuniluniunilil Narinea rineRamdinne Mohammma KumarKumaKumamarmam r Sangakkararar Saad Nasim for the entire tournament to be staged in March 25. But the presence of stars like Austral- Pakistan and Sri Lanka in February 2009, ashshh RazaDDenesDenesh Hasan RdRRdiRamdid n Saad Nasimsisi Shan Masood Sameen Gul Pakistan next year. (PCB) chair- ia’s Watson and Chris Lynn, the West just one week before a fateful match in Mar 20 SalmanRaza Ha sIrshadan ShakibSameenn Al GGu Hasan Eliminator 1- TBC v TBC - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Andre Russell Sohaib Maqsood Jason Roy ShaheenSalman Ir sAfridihad TaimoorShakibb AAl Sultan H The Sultans, bought by the Schon man Najam Sethi said he hopes that in Indies’ , Andre Russell, Sam- Lahore, where militants attacked the Sri Sahibzada Farhan Tabish Khan SohailShahee Akhtarn Afridi UmarSohail GulTanvir TamimTaimoomoomomoooo rIqbal Su Group for $5.2m - twice the price tag of 2019 the entire tournament will be played uel Badree, and Kieron Lankan team bus. Mar 21 Shadab Khan SohailSohail AkhtarKhan UmarUmar GSiddiqul TamimUmaidamimamiammi IAsifqb the previous most expensive team in the at home. Pollard, and New Zealand’s McCullum and But four Twenty20 internationals -- Eliminator 2 - TBC v TBC - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Chadwick Walton UmarSohail AkmalKhan UHardusmarm Si ddViljoeniq UWahabmmaid A Riazsif franchise, the Karachi Kings -- are “That will pave the way for a full series Luke Ronchi will lift interest. three against a World XI comprising of HRossarduardusardar Whiteley Viljoen Shane Watson Mar 25 UYasirmar Shah Akmal WWahabRiki Wessels Ria coached by legendary Pakistani paceman in Pakistan by a top team,” Sethi said. Wasim stressed that officials are also players from seven countries, and one RossssW Whitelehititteletel y Final - TBC v TBC - National Stadium, Karachi Riki Wesse and skippered by Shoaib “We are very satisfied that PSL has eager to seek new talent from Pakistan. against Sri Lanka -- held following the PSL Malik. become an international brand in two One of the most exciting new players final last year have helped restore They will take on defending champions years.” on show will be lanky fast bowler Salman confidence. 34 SPORT THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 Lightning hold on to beat Capitals REUTERS Barrie led Colorado with a goal Andersen (30-16-4) is five wins and four assists, while MacKinnon short of his career high, set in MIAMI: Brayden Point set the tone also furnished three assists. All of 2014-15. James van Riemsdyk with two goals in the opening Colorado’s goals came on the scored late in the first period, help- period, and the Tampa Bay Light- power play as the Avs went 5-for-6 ing the Leafs improve to 11-2-0 in ning beat the host Washington in man-advantage situations. their past 13 games. Capitals 4-2 in a battle of Eastern Blue Jackets 2, Devils 1 Predators 3, Red Wings 2 Conference division leaders on Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 Viktor Arvidsson scored his third Tuesday night. saves as Columbus held on for a goal in two nights as Nashville Nikita Kucherov, who leads the victory over New Jersey in Newark, squeaked past host Detroit. league with 78 points, and Chris NJ. Bobrovsky beat the Devils for Arvidsson notched two goals Kunitz also scored for Tampa Bay, the third time this season by with- in a 5-2 home victory over the which snapped a three-game los- standing a late flurry in the final Ottawa Senators on Monday. Scott ing streak on the road. The minutes moments before and after Hartnell and Kyle Turris had the Lightning also won for just the sec- New Jersey pulled goaltender Keith other goals against the Red Wings ond time in the past 12 matchups Kinkaid for the extra attacker. in the second meeting between the in Washington. Columbus’ Boone Jenner clubs in four nights. Roman Josi Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasi- scored in the first period and Scott and Ryan Ellis supplied two assists levskiy came up huge again, Harrington netted the tiebreaking apiece, and Juuse Saros made 34 finishing with 35 saves to help his tally in the second. New Jersey’s saves for the Predators. team maintain the early lead. Taylor Hall collected his 25th goal Sharks 3, Blues 2 Washington’s Alex Ovechkin of the season. Logan Couture and Mikkel pulled his team to within 3-2 with Flyers 3, Canadiens 2 ( Boedker each scored a goal and just under nine minutes left in the Jake Voracek scored two goals, added an assist in San Jose’s three- game. He leads the league with 36 including the game-winner in goal second period during a win at goals. However, Kucherov overtime, as Philadelphia defeated St. Louis. responded for Tampa Bay just over visiting Montreal. Joonas Donskoi snapped a 1-1 a minute later. Voracek, who also tied the tie in the middle of the second Avalanche 5, Canucks 4 game with 1:25 left in regulation, period, and Boedker scored less Nathan MacKinnon’s power- has now scored nine career over- than four minutes later as San Jose play goal in overtime gave visiting time goals. He registered the started a four-game road trip with Colorado a come-from-behind vic- game-winner with 3:34 left in the its third straight win. Ivan Barba- tory over Vancouver. extra session. shev and Vladimir Tarasenko MacKinnon posted his 100th Nolan Patrick added a goal for scored second-period goals for St. career NHL goal as he one-timed the Flyers while Shayne Gostisbe- Louis, which dropped its fourth Tyson Barrie’s shot over Vancou- here had two assists. straight game. ver goaltender Anders Nilsson’s Maple Leafs 1, Panthers 0 Fre- Kings 4, Jets 3 Vancouver Canucks defenceman Troy Stecher (51) collides shoulder on the short side. The derik Andersen made 40 saves for Darcy Kuemper had 30 saves with Colorado Avalanche forward Tyson Jost (17) in front Avalanche completed a rally from his career-high fifth shutout of the and Dustin Brown scored what of the net of Vancouver Canucks during the third period at a 4-1 deficit in the final five min- season as Toronto defeated visit- proved to be the game-winning Rogers Arena on Monday. utes of the second period. ing Florida. goal. Raptors hope to change play-off fortunes

AFP the NBA finals for the fourth con- conference finals the year before. “What I try to emphasize to secutive season as they appear In 2015 and 2014 they didn’t get (teammates) is embracing the LOS ANGELES: Toronto is trying to have resurrected following a past the first round. now,” centre Horford said. “So I to rewrite their history, Cleve- mid-February roster overhaul “It’s an evolution of growth just think it’s embracing and tak- land has re-tooled through through trades. and making us a better team,” ing advantage and doing the best trades and Boston’s cooling off “Championships is what I said Toronto’s DeMar you can with the group that you as the NBA enters the final seven play for,” said James, who is DeRozan. have.” In the West, Houston has weeks of the season following looking for his eighth straight “So I love it. Obviously it’s the best record in the league but the annual all-star break. finals appearance. showing, and we’ve been win- sit just a half game ahead of the The Toronto Raptors lead the “We just added four new ning at a high level this year.” defending NBA champion Golden Boston Celtics in the Eastern guys before the break, and we DeRozan said another reason for State . Conference by two games while have a lot of work to do. their success is the play of their “We set a goal,” said Rockets the Houston Rockets sit atop the “Winning championships is younger guys coming off the star guard James Harden. “We West with the best record in the what it’s all about. That’s what bench. wanted to be the best team and league at 44-13. this league is all about and hope- “Our bench is everything,” he come out this year with the The NBA regular season fully at the end of the road then said. “Our bench gives us older championship. resumes on Thursday after Sun- I have the Cavs there to be in a guys an opportunity to not play “We got the right group day’s entertaining all-star game finals representing the East. in the fourth quarter and to rest. around us. You can’t guard us.” which saw LeBron James score “So that’s my goal. Getting “It’s great to be able to sit The Rockets went into the all- 29 points, including the go-ahead back,” he said at the all-star back and cheer those guys on star break on a 10-game winning layup with 34 seconds left, as his game in Los Angeles on the while they go out there and pull streak and this marks the first hand-picked team rallied to beat weekend. “I’m looking forward out victories.” The Celtics are time in franchise history Hou- Team Stephen 148-145. to getting back to our guys. I 18-15 in their last 33 games after ston is on top at the break. James’ Cleveland Cavaliers know they’re excited, and that’s starting the season 22-4. “We got a long way to go but San Antonio Spurs square off against the Washing- going to be my mindset.” The Veteran Al Horford, 31, said we are going to continue to try in action in this file ton Wizards in one of six games Raptors were eliminated in the Saturday in Los Angeles, that the to get better and continue to picture. today. second round of the playoffs last Celtics can’t afford to get ahead grow and make a run in the play- The Cavs are seeking to make season after making it to the of themselves. offs,” Harden said. Russell stays in unchanged Scotland XV against England

AFP changes on the bench with prop WP France’s head coach Jacques Brunel gives Nel, a renowned scrummager, and lock a press conference at the Maurice David EDINBURGH: Scotland fly-half Finn Tim Swinson among the replacements, Russell kept his place as coach Gregor where they have been joined by Nick stadium in Aix-en-Provence yesterday Townsend named an unchanged start- Grigg following the Glasgow centre’s ahead of the Six Nations rugby match ing side on Wednesday for this man-of-the-match performance against Italy, weekend’s Six Nations international against the Cheetahs in the Pro 14 last against England at Murrayfield. Friday. Russell was taken off by Townsend Scotland had to twice overturn in the 65th minute of Scotland’s 32-26 10-point deficits against France before win at home to France last time out, winning a match where they scored 12 with experienced scrum-half Greig unanswered points in the final quar- Laidlaw moving across to fly-half. Ali ter, having suffered an embarrassing Price, Russell’s house-mate, came off 34-7 loss away to Wales in their tour- the bench to take over from Laidlaw nament opener. at scrum-half. “The players put a huge amount of But Townsend, a bold playmaker effort into our win over France,” said in his time as a Scotland international, Townsend. “They found a way to win has retained the mercurial Russell in and kept attacking the opposition up his XV for Saturday’s match against Six until the final whistle. Nations champions England, who “England are the number two side remain on course for a Grand Slam in the world and have shown a very after wins over Italy and Wales. good level of consistency in the past Five members of Scotland’s back couple of seasons.” He added: “They division are all British and Irish Lions have a very good defence, an excellent -- Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Sean set-piece and like to get 10 (fly-half) Maitland, Russell and Laidlaw. and 12 (inside centre) on the ball as Townsend has, however, made much as possible in attack. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 35

Cursed? Elise Zagitova, 15, smashes skate record Christie, ‘Britain’s unluckiest as Bjoergen makes history Olympian’ AFP when you skate you are alone,” added the double world AFP PYEONGCHANG: The 15-year- champion. old Alina Zagitova stole the show America’s Vonn, 33, was PYEONGCHANG: In her last in figure skating yesterday as aiming for a second downhill six Olympic races, short-track American skier Lindsey Vonn title in her final Olympics, but it speed skater Elise Christie has took bronze in her final Olym- was not to be as she finished crashed out or been disqual- pic downhill and Norway’s Marit third behind Italy’s Sofia Goggia ified six times -- no wonder Bjoergen became the most and Ragnhild Mowinckel of she’s been dubbed “cursed” successful athlete in Winter Norway. and “Britain’s unluckiest Games history. But the 2010 winner was Olympian”. Zagitova was breathtaking delighted to reach the podium, Christie is a world-record in the Russian-dominated short becoming alpine skiing’s oldest holder and triple world programme, breaking the world female medallist after a series of champion who came to the record set just minutes earlier by injuries which threatened to Pyeongchang Winter Games her team-mate, 18-year-old wreck her career and ruled her as one of Britain’s few real Evgenia Medvedeva. out of Sochi 2014. hopes for gold. It put the Russian starlets top “If you think what’s hap- Russia’s Alina Zagitova competes in the But the 27-year-old’s of the standings ahead of Fri- pened over the last eight years women’s single skating short programme Olympics ended in tears once day’s free skate, where Zagitova and what I’ve been through to of the figure skating event during the more after she was disquali- will attempt to become the get here, I gave it all and to come 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the fied from the 1,000m on youngest women’s singles figure away with a medal is a dream Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung Tuesday, her third failure in skating champion since Tara come true,” said Vonn. yesterday. Pyeongchang. Lipinski in 1998. “You’ve got to put things into Christie’s ill-fated cam- They also look set to win the perspective. Of course, I would paign comes four years after first gold of the Games for the have loved a gold medal but, Games, trailing only Soviet gym- NHL players after a row over his run, coming in behind the she was disqualified from all Olympic Athletes from Russia, honestly, this is amazing and I’m nast Larisa Latynina with 18 money, crashed out 3-2 in the front two as Canada’s Kevin three of her races at Sochi who are competing as neutrals so proud.” medals. quarter-finals against the Czech Drury failed to finish. 2014. after Russia’s national team was Bjoergen reached 14 Olym- “It’s hard to understand, Republic. The competition, where four The Scot’s travails have banned over a major doping pic medals when she took bronze actually,” Bjoergen said. In other action, Russian skier skiers race each other down a been followed closely in Brit- scandal. in cross-country skiing’s wom- “I think I’ll need to have time Sergey Ridzik recovered from a twisting track featuring a ain -- and met mostly with “We are friends, we are en’s team sprint free, to myself and look behind me crash in the ski cross final to take number of jumps, was marred sympathy. young girls, we can talk about outstripping compatriot Ole and look how I’ve been able to bronze, behind Canada’s Bredy by a series of heavy falls. The Sun, the best-selling anything with each other,” said Einar Bjoerndalen, who has 13 do this. It’s still hard to under- Leman and Marc Bischofberger France’s Terence Tchikna- tabloid newspaper, branded Medvedeva, who like Zagitova in biathlon. stand it when I’m standing here.” of Switzerland. vorian broke his leg and her “cursed”. is making her Olympic debut. Bjoergen, 37, is also the sec- There was disappointment Ridzik went down early in Canadian racer Chris Del Bosco In her native Scotland, “But on the ice, we must ond most successful woman at for the United States when their the race but he got up, clambered was also taken to hospital after The Herald called her “Brit- fight, I feel like it’s a little war, either the Summer or Winter men’s ice hockey team, missing to the top of a slope and restarted a sickening wipe-out. ain’s unluckiest Olympian”. As Christie’s Pyeongchang Games came to a dismal end, penalised for a rule infraction, she left the rink in tears. Czechs knock frustrated US out of She also departed the arena in tears on Saturday -- in pain and on a stretcher -- after being wiped out in a Olympic men’s hockey competition collision with a Chinese rival in the 1,500m. AFP Ilya Kovalchuk, like Datsyuk a Christie also crashed out fifth-time Olympian. “They beat in the final of the 500m, in GANGNEUNG: Goaltender Pavel the Americans so we need to be which she is the world-record Francouz blanked five US sharp- prepared.” holder. shooters as American dreams of Czechs and Russians haven’t At Sochi 2014, she was Olympic men’s hockey gold for met so deep in the Olympic play- disqualified from the 500m, the first time since 1980 were offs with a title at stake since the 1,000m and 1,500m. Christie shattered by the undefeated Czechs won 1-0 in the 1998 final. also competed at Vancouver Czech Republic yesterday. “We know we have a tough 2010, where her best result The Czechs ousted the game in front of us,” Czech cap- was 11th in the 500m. United States 3-2 in a tension- tain Martin Erat said. “We have However, it hasn’t packed shootout thriller and to play our own style and focus deterred Christie, who said advanced to a semi-final show- on ourselves.” she will make another tilt at down against the Russians, who In the shootout, Koukal an Olympic medal at Beijing easily dispatched Norway 6-1. faked and when US goaltender 2022. “Our dream is still on,” Rus- Ryan Zapolski moved, flipped “In terms of me as a per- sian captain Pavel Datsyuk said. the puck past him on the deci- son, I didn’t see this as, ‘This “We have been called favourites. sive shot. is the Olympics and that’s Team Czech Republic celebrates after winning We have to prove it.” “I’m so happy it was a goal,” why it happened’,” she said the men’s quarter-finals play-offs ice hockey Czech Petr Koukal scored the Koukal said. “It’s a big moment yesterday. only goal in the penalty shoot- match against the United States during the for me. I know the Czech people “I guess with Sochi that’s out and the hero Francouz said: 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung are so happy.” how I had seen it, like I wasn’t “It was our dream before the Hockey Centre in Gangneung yesterday. While the NHL’s top stars are supposed to be an Olympic tournament to go this far, but I absent for the first time since medallist, it wasn’t in me. really hope it’s not the end. 1994 over money and injury “I don’t see that now, I “We can go farther if we goal equalised for the Americans, homeland. They are competing “At this point, it doesn’t really issues, no drama was lacking on just see it as three races that keep playing really good as a leading to the over-time and as “Olympic Athletes from Rus- bother us. We’re just doing our a day when four teams ensure went rubbish in the last four team. We haven’t had any easy shootout, was dismayed. sia” because the Russians are own thing,” said Grigorenko. playing for a medal and four are years.” games... that has made us “Disappointed, frustrated. I formally banned from the Olym- “We try not to think about things sent home empty-handed. Short track is a notorious stronger.” feel pretty empty right now,” pic Games over state-sponsored outside our locker room. We play “It’s tough to go out that for its crashes and penalties. The sudden ending left the Slater said. “To lose at the Olym- doping. for each other.” way,” Zapolski said. “We com- In the women’s 1,000m heats Americans stunned after battling pics that way is pretty tough. We “It would be huge,” said for- Grigorenko, Nikita Gusev peted as hard as we could. We on Tuesday, six skaters were through the game and a thought we were good enough ward Mikhail Grigorenko. “But and Vyacheslav Voinov all battled to the end.” Later quar- disqualified. 10-minute scoreless over-time. to challenge for a gold medal.” for now we’ve got to go out there scored in the first period, when ter-finals will match two-time And in the women’s “It’s a huge disappointment The Russians, whose last title and win our semi-final.” Norway was outshot 19-2, and defending champion Canada 3,000m relay A final, only because we were right there,” US 26 years ago came as the Uni- No Russian had won gold at the all-star squad from Russia’s against Finland, a medallist in two of the four teams finished captain Brian Gionta said. fied Team, began pondering Pyeongchang as the team skated two top clubs cruised from there. four of the past five Olympics, the race. Former NHLer Jim Slater, what Olympic gold would mean off the ice, but that has not res- “We played well and we’re and undefeated Sweden against One reason is that the whose shorthanded breakaway for themselves and their onated with the players. into the semis,” said Germany. skaters race in such close proximity to one another, often bumping and tripping while whizzing round the rink McFlurries for breakfast for at speeds of up to 50 kilome- tres (30 miles) per hour. But not everyone is con- North Korean Olympians! vinced it is merely bad luck that is plaguing Christie. Britain’s Daily Telegraph, AFP American of Korean heritage drafted in to bolster reporting from Pyeongchang, the Korean side. The team was hastily assembled said hard questions must be GANGNEUNG: North Korea’s women hockey after a landmark deal between the two Koreas, asked. players are not averse to enjoying a McDonald’s forcing the South’s team to add a dozen North “In a sport of such fine fast-foot breakfast, according to their South Koreans only two weeks ahead of the Olympics. margins, the gap between Korean teammates. It was a surprise for the South Korean play- success and failure is minus- The North Koreans are part of a unified Korean ers, but one that was quickly accepted after they cule and unforgiving,” the team playing at the Winter Olympic Games and met their new teammates. newspaper said. are staying in the Athletes Village. “As a player, it is true that I was taken aback “Perhaps Christie’s atti- “Two days ago, I saw the North Koreans in at first,” the South’s goalie Shin So-jung said. “But tude that ‘it’s just unlucky it’s line at McDonald’s (in the Athletes Village dining we bonded over sports and now we don’t feel the happened at both Olympics’ hall) and I was also in line at McDonald’s,” said difference between the North and South.” is a healthy outlook from a Randi Griffin, one of the unified Korean team The unified team has had little success on the sanity perspective. players. ice, shipping 28 goals and scoring only twice in “But, equally, it is worth Maxim Noreau of Canada celebrates his goal with Christian Thomas “They were getting Oreo McFlurries for break- five defeats. But they were a crowd favourite and asking the difficult questions and Chay Genoway during their ice hockey game against Finland at fast and so we all laughed about that and had hailed as a potent symbol of the “Peace Olympics” as well, because talent is not McFlurries together,” chuckled Griffin, an in Pyeongchang. Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea. the problem.” THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 36 I always tell the guys that if we play the brand 7.30am 10.00AM of cricket Peshawar Darren Sammy Golf Handball Zalmi are capable of, we Two-time T20 World Cup Qatar Masters World Schools Handball champion and Peshawar Live on European Tour event will be unstoppable. Zalmi captain Championships TUBE Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Live on Facebook

Wang eyes Qatar Sharma Masters glory targets ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA DOHA: Young Korean sensation World Jeunghun Wang is back to defend his title in the Commer- cial Bank Qatar Masters but he will face strong competition No.1 rank from a field that includes last week’s runner-up in Oman , two-time winner on this year’s European Tour Shubhankar Sharma, the ever- consistent Andy Sullivan and the talented Dane Thorbjorn Olesen. ARMSTRONG VAS tough. It’s a new course (Doha The 22-year-old Wang THE PENINSULA Golf Course) for me, but a fan- claimed his third European Tour tastic one. I think greens are win in eight months last season DOHA: India’s Shubhankar firm, but it will be difficult to put Defending I hope I will achieve in Qatar to reach a career-high champion Sharma currently having a big spin as fairways are narrow,” ranking of 39th and earn him- Jeunghun dream run on the European my dream to crack he said, who is playing in Qatar self access to golf’s biggest Wang. Tour is aiming to crack into the into world top for the first time. events. top-50 and one day reach the 50 and probably On his future plans he said: Wang made just four of his summit ranking. “Right now I am focusing on the next 15 cuts over the summer Already a two-time winner become world No Qatar Masters and after that, I but has missed just one since the on the Tour, the 21-year-old will 1, a dream of every have to play in my biggest tour- US PGA Championship, with have a crack at the Commercial golfer,” he said. nament, the World Golf Cham- four top 30s in the desert, and Bank Qatar Masters which tees pionship in Mexico. I’m really is confident he can start moving off today at the Doha Golf Club. excited as it was a goal of mine up from his current position of Sharma is currently sitting all four days and even pushed it to get into one WGC event this World Number 123. pretty as the European Tour’s into a Monday finish. I was really year.” Sharma said he is an “I’m so happy to be back in I feel really good coming into feelings that you want – there’s number one player after win- calm throughout and it was fan- eager learner on the tour and Qatar,” he said. this week. no doubt it’s given me a big bit ning twice in just six appear- tastic. I’m just trying to enjoy it trying to get himself acquainted “I love playing this course so “I like windy courses and I of confidence heading into the ances this season, and only 13 as much as possible. On the with different courses. I’m very excited to get back out like this course too. I also have rest of the year,” Wood said. career appearances on the tour. other hand, in Malaysia I was “All the courses on which I there and I think my game is good memories so I love playing “I really struggled with my The 21 year old Indian is not expecting to win on the last will play this year are new to me, ready to go too. here and it should be fun.” swing, feeling like I’ve not really looking forward to making his day, I just had a crazy final apart from India of course and “This was my biggest win in Major champions Darren been getting much out of the ball debut in Qatar. round and got it done,” he said maybe Malaysia too because I terms of the field and the prize Clarke and Paul Lawrie are flight, it’s been quite weak and The Indian consistent show while recollecting his two wins played there last year just fan- money so this is a big tourna- among the star names on the I’ve just been a bit confused with has caught the attention of the on the Tour. tastic, it just adds to my experi- ment for me. It got me into entry list as are 2018 Ryder Cup where I was at with it. It was a golf fraternity. He opened up by Sharma dreams of making ence,” he said. Majors and WGC events,” he captain Thomas Bjorn and his tough decision to change coach, winning the Joburg Open and the World No. 1 rank his own in Sharma said he is enjoying said. vice-captain Robert Karlsson. changing back to my old coach two months later on clinched the coming years. life on the tour. “They were incredible expe- Wood is a past winner of this back in Bristol,” he added. the Maybank Championship. “I am young, but I am very “I’m just meeting new riences for me. I learned a lot tournament, back in 2013. He “I had a good couple of “Enjoying being at the top comfortable playing against top people, going to new places, from watching the best players also comes into the event on the weeks at home with him so I got and I’m really happy at the players as I have some experi- trying to make many friends on in the world, and also from the back of a strong showing last a bit of clarity and I feel a lot moment, but not surprised by ence behind me as I am playing Tour and I’m pretty young so I golf courses. I really want to get week in Oman where he fin- better taking it out on the golf my victories as I was always professional golf since last six like to have as much fun as pos- back into those fields this year. ished alone in second. course. confident of winning at this years. I hope I will achieve my sible.” He said the future for “I’m hitting the ball well now “It had been rough few Another player to look out level,” Sharma told reporters dream to crack into world top Indian golf is very bright. but my putting is not very good. months for me, even going into for is Julian Suri. The American here yesterday. 50 and probably become world “Indian golf future is very I’m working on it a lot so hope- the end of last season. I hadn’t was tied second on his last Euro- “Feeling great it’s early in No 1, a dream of every golfer,” good. We are producing good fully it works this week. IT’s get- felt like I’d played well for a pean Tour start in the Hong the season it’s great to have he said. players and you will soon see ting better and I’ve made all four while so to just find some form Kong Open last November, and great start couldn’t have asked The Qatar course will have more Indian players on the cuts in my events this year and and also to contend again was he had top-10s in three of four for a better start. Joburg was its own challenges, Sharma said. European Tour and maybe on I played well in those events, so good. You get back all the starts immediately prior to that. fantastic, I just played really well “European tour is always the PGA tour,” he added. Qatari Ladies Golf Team wins Pro-Am Qatar Masters THE PENINSULA draw throws up DOHA: The Qatari Ladies Golf Team (QGA 4) of Mariam Al Sada (28), Nada Mir (9) and Yasmian Al Sharshani (22), alongside a few surprises professional Matthias Schwab (Austria), won the Pro-Am at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters THE PENINSULA at Doha Golf Club yesterday The curtain raiser for the DOHA: The draw for the 21st four-round $1.75m Commercial edition of the Commercial QATAR MASTERS Bank Qatar Masters which tees Bank Qatar Masters has TV COVERAGE off today morning thrown up some interesting A total of 20 teams competed looking groups. Today: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30am. in the tournament with a ¾ Defending champion handicap allowance for the three Jeunghun Wang will get his Tomorrow: Sky Sports Golf and Sky amateurs in the team in a second appearance at Doha Sports Main Event from 7.30am. Shamble format, with the pro- Golf Club underway at 07:20 fessional playing their own ball when the South Korean tees Saturday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky throughout and the amateurs it up alongside Thongchai Sports Main Event from 9am. playing out their own ball from Jaidee and Pablo Larrazábal,

the best tee shot position on each with that threeball, who share Sunday 25: Sky Sports Golf and Sky hole. an impressive 15 European Sports Main Event from 9am. It is the first time that a Tour titles between them, women only team has won the The winning QGA Team of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters PRO-AM RESULTS starting from the 10th tee. Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Pro-Am with professional Matthias Schwab of Austria, (second Chris Wood, another former Qatar Masters champion, Pro-Am in the 21-year history of RESULTS; will look to repeat his 2013 heroics when he starts his 2018 right), with Hussein Al Abdulla, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Chief Winners; 26 under par / 14 under back 9; QGA the tournament. Marketing Officer (right) and Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer challenge alongside the impressive Shubhankar Sharma, who Remarkably, three teams 4 Team; Matthias Schwab (Austria), Mariam Al has two European Tour wins from his last five starts, and the of the European Tour (left). Sada (28), Nada Mir (9) and Yasmian Al Sharshani finished on the same score of 26 2017 KLM Open winner, Romain Wattel. (22). under par and the top 13 teams Elsewhere, Thorbjørn Olesen will have Japan’s Hideto Runners-Up; 26 under par / 12 under back 9; were covered by just 7 shots. professional Thorbjørn Oleson well as the condition of the golf Tanihara and Julian Suri for company on days one and two, BANZ Group; Thorbjorn Oleson (Denmark) Jason Runners-up were the team (Denmark). course, especially the greens. while Olesen’s Danish compatriots Lucas Bjerregaard and Smith (9), James Finnigan (2) and Mathew representing BANZ Group losing In third place was the QIC The prizes were presented Deakin (10). European Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn, have been drawn on a back nine countback of 12 Team hosted by professional by Hussein Al Abdulla, Commer- Third; 26 under par / 9 under par back 9; QIC alongside Adrian Otaegui. under par to the winners’ 14 Bradley Neil (Scotland). cial Bank of Qatar, Chief Mar- Team; Bradley Neil (Scotland), Steve Lunden (16), Andy Sullivan will also be in action in Doha this week,

under par of Jason Smith (9), Both the professionals and keting Officer and Keith Waters, Garry Taylor (2), Scott Saunders (22). with the popular Englishman playing with Australia’s Scott James Finnigan (2), Mathew the amateurs praised the club for Chief Operating Officer of the Hend and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti today and tomorrow. Deakin (10), captained by the organisation of the day as European Tour.