Friday 45 Sports Friday, July 26, 2019 Bangladesh will not be distracted by Malinga’s farewell, says skipper

COLOMBO: Stand-in Bangladesh Malinga — known for his trademark blond- yesterday paid tribute to retiring highlighted mop and piercings — called on Sri Lankan star Lasith Malinga but said the fast administrators to be patient with up-and- bowler’s farewell match would not distract his coming stars and let them develop ahead of the team from winning. Malinga will play his final next ODI World Cup. one-day international in Colombo Friday in the “The young players need to believe that first of three one-day internationals against they can deliver. They need to be dedicated Bangladesh, although he hopes to continue play- and develop to a level that they can decide for ing in the shorter T20 format. themselves when they go to the middle,” Ma- “I think he is a great ambassador of this linga said. game,” Tamim told reporters Thursday in Malinga — who is leaving as ’s Colombo, adding that Malinga’s achievements third-highest -taker in ODI cricket — has were “extraordinary”. “Tomorrow is a special said he was sidelined by selectors two years ago game for him. But one thing is for sure — when but was able to prove his value at the recent we play against him we will not keep it in our World Cup, where he took four for 43 in Sri head that it will be his last match and will try to Lanka’s group-stage win over eventual champi- play as hard as possible. “We will try to win the ons England. game for Bangladesh.” The match also holds special meaning for Malinga said yesterday he was “very happy” Tamim, who will make his debut as 14th ODI to make way for younger players after calling captain for Bangladesh with time on his illustrious 15-year career in the 50- out injured. over format. “I am very happy to leave at this He will lead a new-look team that will also COLOMBO: Sri Lankan cricketer Lasith Malinga (C) attends a practice session at R Premadasa Stadium in time. This is an opportunity for new players to miss the services of star all-rounder Shakib Al Colombo yesterday, ahead of their first (ODI) match of a three-match ODI series against prove themselves and prepare for the next Hasan, wicketkeeper-batsman and all- Bangladesh. —AFP World Cup,” Malinga, 35, told reporters at the rounder Mohammad Saifuddin. team’s final training session. Shakib, who made 606 runs and grabbed 11 “We may have had some setbacks, but we , has been rested alongside Liton while we travelled. But whatever the opportunity I get, were expecting from them... when we go to play have the capability to win another World Cup,” Saifuddin was ruled out with a back injury. I always try to make the best use of it,” Tamim we will try to execute the plan.” he added, pointing to Sri Lanka’s success at the “My captaincy was a last-minute call because said. “I already spoke to the players and ex- The second and third matches will be held at 1996 World Cup and 2014 T20 World Cup. our regular captain got injured the night before plained them their role in the team and what we the same venue on July 28 and 31. —AFP PAS director meets with “All out for 85 against Ireland is probably Boxing Federation Chairman Vaughan slams the lowest of the low out of those,” said Vaughan after England came back down By Abdellatif Sharaa The Acting PAS Director General was to earth with a bump following their briefed on the ongoing preparations for the ‘embarrassing’ World Cup triumph at Lord’s 10 days KUWAIT: Acting Director General of Public championship and expressed PAS’s readiness Authority for Sports (PAS) Dr Saqer Al-Mulla to present all forms of support to ensure the England collapse earlier. recently received the Chairman of the Board of success of this continental championship. He The Ireland match is England’s last Test before they attempt to regain the Kuwait Boxing Federation Mohammad Mansi also expressed confidence in the ability of LONDON: Former captain Michael Ashes from Australia, starting on August Al-Enezi. During the meeting, Mansi handed Kuwaitis to organize and host the champi- Vaughan labeled England an “embarrass- 1 at Edgbaston. “England have so much Al-Mulla an invitation to the opening ceremony onship in a civilized manner that suites ment” after they were dismissed for 85 be- talent, they have got the game to be suc- of the first Asian Championship on August 3, Kuwaiti’s sport stellar reputation. Dr Al-Mulla fore lunch on the first day of their one-off 2019 under the patronage of Kuwait Olympic wished KBA every success in this their partic- cessful, but you worry about the mental- Test against Ireland. England won the toss Committee President Sheikh Fahad Nasser ipation at the international level after lifting the ity of the team when it becomes tricky Sabah Al-Ahmad. suspension on Kuwait sports. yet were unable to cope with the early movement as Tim Murtagh took 5-13 at and the ball moves around,” said Lord’s, where the seamer has long been a Vaughan. “Unless they change their men- mainstay for county side Middlesex. tality when playing the moving ball, there Ireland, in just their third Test, were are going to be many more days like this dismissed for 207, with England ending over the coming weeks. “You wouldn’t Wednesday’s opening day on 0-0, a want to have third-day Test tickets for deficit of 122 runs. “When the ball does the Ashes.” But another former England anything you shut your eyes and hope captain, Alastair Cook, said all was not England get through it,” Vaughan told lost for Joe Root’s side against the Irish. Test Match Special. “There were some “If Ireland get a few early wickets in good balls but there was also some timid England’s second innings the pressure will play and poor strokes.” “Let’s be honest, be really on them because then they really it’s an embarrassment — you’re at ‘the should win this Test,” said Cook, still home of cricket’, in a Test against Ireland opening for Essex after retiring from Eng- and you’re all out for 85, there is no other land duty last year. “England are still in word to describe it,” the former York- this game, which is remarkable after get- shire batsman added. ting out for 85 batting first. “They England have now lost all 10 wickets will have to bat very well now but any- in a single session four times since 2016, thing over 160-170 will be incredibly hard having previously not done so since 1938. for this Ireland side to chase.” —AFP