SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORTSPORT 22

TENNIS FOOTBALL The young player is normally also a player Australian Open Premier League that, when they have quality and the right Men's Singles Burnley vs Arsenal personality, don't feel the pressure. They have Final in Tottenham vs Man ACTION no fears: Mourinho on signing young players. TODAY’S Melbourne Park City recall Ashraf, Bilal for Test AFP — LAHORE

Pakistan yesterday recalled all- Bangladesh axe Mustafizur rounder Faheem Ashraf and off-spinner Bilal Asif for the first Test against Bangladesh for first Test in Rawalpindi starting in Rawalpindi next week. AFP — DHAKA Ashraf, 26, showed a lot of white-ball performances are promise in his debut Test Bangladesh yesterday dropped not satisfactory,” said chief against Ireland in 2018 when pace bowler Mustafizur selector Minhajul Abedin. he scored 83 but then faced Rahman (pictured) and Opening batsmen Imrul injury problems and was dis- recalled Rubel Hossain for the Kayes, Shadman Islam and carded after the South Africa first Test of the two-match off-spinner Mehidy Hasan tour in January last year. Faheem Ashraf (centre right) celebrates the dismissal of South series against Pakistan which were also left out for injury Bilal, 34, played the last of African batsman Aiden Markram (not in picture) during the first day begins in Rawalpindi next while wicketkeeper-batsman his five Tests against New of the third Test at Wanderers Stadium in this file picture. week. opted out Zealand in December 2018 and Mustafizur was in the two- due to security concerns. was not selected last year. Test series against India in Opening batsman Tamim Senior batsman allrounder against Bangladesh beating Bangladesh 2-0 in the November but was not picked Iqbal returned to the Test side will lead the team. and Ashraf took five in three-match Twenty20 series, for any of the matches due to after skipping the India series Head coach and chief the Quaid-e-Azam trophy final with one match rained off. his poor form and fitness. for family reason while Bang- February 7-11. The second Test selector Misbah-ul-Haq said so we have selected him,” said “There is no guarantee that “Mustafiz was dropped for ladesh also recalled batsmen will be played April 5-9 in Ashraf did well in the domestic Misbah. if a team doesn’t do well in one his poor performance. He is in Najmul Hossain and Soumya Karachi, after a one-day inter- tournament final two months The first Test starts in format then it will not do better and out of the team for quite Sarkar. national on April 3. Bangladesh ago. Rawalpindi from February 7. in the other format as well,” some time and doesn’t play “Soumya has been picked visited Pakistan earlier in “We have this option of Bangladesh had agreed to said Misbah. longer-format matches regu- as a backup player. Our first January amid tight security for playing a pace bowling tour Pakistan in three phases “They are a gritty team and larly. His choice openers are Saif Hasan a three-match Twenty20 and after playing three will be under no pressure.” Both and Tamim. We have picked international series in Lahore, Pakistan Squad Twenty20 internationals the Tests are part of the ongoing Bangladesh Squad Soumya in the squad if coach which they lost 2-0. Azhar Ali (), , returned home earlier this World Test championship con- Mominul Haque (Capt), Tamim makes plan to play him at Asad Shafiq, , week. tested by the top nine teams. Iqbal, Saif Hasan, Najmul seven as an all-rounder as they president Nazmul Hassan last Faheem Ashraf, Bilal Asif, Fawad They will play the first Test India currently lead the Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad, (Pakistan) have good number week expressed his satis- Alam, , Imam-ul- and then return again for the championship with 360 points Mohammad Mithun, Liton of quality fast bowlers,” said faction over the security pro- Haq, Imran Khan, Mohammad sole one-day international followed by Australia (296), Das, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Minhajul. vided to the visitors during the Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, (April 3) and second Test (April England (146) and Pakistan (80). Hasan, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Bangladesh are due to Twenty20 series adding that Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah 7-11) -- both in Karachi. The top two teams in the Jayed, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel depart for Pakistan on Tuesday “there was no reason not to go Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah. Misbah said Pakistan would table will play the June 2021 Hossain, Soumya Sarkar. for the first Test scheduled for again for the Test series.” have to play at their best despite final in England. Hardik Pandya out of Test series against NZ

AFP — NEW DELHI Hardik Pandya has been September 2018 and made his a slow over-rate during their of Conduct for Players and ruled out of the upcoming last appearance in the T20 fourth T20 win over New Player Support Personnel, Flamboyant Indian all-rounder Test series against New format against South Africa in Zealand, the International which relates to minimum Hardik Pandya (pictured) has Zealand,” the board said in a September 2019. Cricket Council (ICC) said on over-rate offences, players been ruled out of the upcoming statement. India are currently touring Saturday. are fined 20% of their match Test series against New Zealand Following a review by a New Zealand to play two Tests, Match referee Chris Broad fees for every over their side over fitness concerns, the Board specialist in London, Pandya three one day internationals imposed the sanctions after fails to bowl in the allotted of Control for Cricket in India was advised to remain under and five Virat Kohli’s side were found time,” the ICC said in a said yesterday. rehabilitation at the National matches. two overs short of the target statement. The 26-year-old underwent Cricket Academy until he The visitors are leading 4-0 after time allowances were Kohli has accepted the successful surgery for a lower- regains full match fitness, it in the T20 series. taken into consideration during sanction. back injury in October but has said. The first Test begins in Wel- the game in Wellington on India prevailed in the Super remained off the field since He has not played Test lington on February 21. Friday. Over for the second successive then. cricket since the Southampton Meanwhile, India have been “In accordance with match to take a 4-0 lead in the “Team India all-rounder match against England in fined 40% of their match fee for Article 2.22 of the ICC Code five-match series. Striker Cavani Holmes holds halfway staying at PSG this season lead at Phoenix Open AFP — LOS ANGELES closed with an 87. His last win AP — PARIS came at the 2019 Genesis Open JB Holmes shot a blistering six- last February. Edinson Cavani is staying at under 65 on Friday to seize a Holmes teed off on the 10th French league leader Paris one-shot lead over first-round and it wasn’t long before he got Saint-Germain for the rest of leader Wyndham Clark at the his putter going. He birdied three the season, after which he will halfway stage of the USPGA holes in a four hole stretch be available on a free transfer. Tour’s Phoenix Open. beginning at No. 13 then eagled Cavani wanted to leave Holmes posted six birdies, the par-four 17 with a nice because of his lack of game one eagle and two bogeys to approach and a six foot putt to time since the arrival of emerge with a 13-under total grab a share of the lead. striker Mauro Icardi, but a 129 at the TPC Scottsdale “I was just worried about it move to Atlético Madrid fell Stadium course in the Arizona maybe going too far left,” through. desert. Holmes said of his approach on PSG reportedly rejected an “Hit it really good in the 17. “But when I hit it, I thought offer of $16.5m for Cavani, middle of the round,” said I hit it about right and hopefully who turns 33 on February 14. Holmes, who won at Scottsdale it would hit into that bank or The hard-working Uruguay in 2006 and 2008 for the first bounce just up and it did.” forward is PSG’s record scorer two of his five Tour titles. Holmes, who suffers from Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger scores their first goal against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, with 198 goals, and his con- “Didn’t hit it quite as good vertigo, underwent two brain Leicester, Britain, yesterday. tract runs out in June. toward the end, but putted surgeries in 2011 before “We couldn’t reach an really well and was able to returning to the Tour the next agreement with anyone,” PSG make some birdies.” year. sporting director Leonardo Liverpool move 22 points clear Holmes is still looking for He enjoys the raucous said on Friday. his first win since his final- atmosphere in the Phoenix LEICESTER “At one point we started AFP — the European champions lead English Premier League round collapse at the British event and says he is in a good negotiations but we couldn’t with a smart finish on the hour Open six months ago when he frame of mind. English Premier League reach an agreement.” Liverpool surged a massive 22 mark. results yesterday: Leonardo also said points clear at the top of the Salah then produced two Bournemouth 2 (Billing 37, Ake Juventus changed its mind Premier League with a 4-0 win cool finishes in the final 20 Qatar Olympic Shooting Archery Cup 2020 44) Aston Villa 1 (Samatta 70) about signing left back over Southampton as Leicester minutes as Jurgen Klopp's men Crystal Palace 0 Sheffield Layvin Kurzawa, who was and Chelsea consolidated their took their tally of points to a United 1 (Guaita 58-og) close to joining the Italian place in the top four in a remarkable 100 from the last Leicester 2 (Barnes 54, champion. thrilling 2-2 draw at the King possible 102. PSG coach Thomas Tuchel Power. Chelsea stretched their Chilwell 64) Chelsea 2 said Cavani can challenge Mohamed Salah scored advantage over Manchester (Rudiger 46, 71); Liverpool Icardi - who has 17 goals in 24 twice as the champions-elect United, Wolves and Tottenham 4 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 47, games since joining on a equalled a Premier League to seven points, but offered Henderson 60, Salah 72, 90) season loan from Inter Milan record with a 20th straight further hope to the chasing Southampton 0; Newcastle 0 - for a place in the team. home win at Anfield. pack in the battle for a Cham- Norwich 0; Watford 2 (Masina “Competition for places is Southampton believed they pions League place. 10, Pereyra 42) Everton 3 a good thing. It’s good in a club should have had a penalty early Frank Lampard's men have (Mina 45, 45+4, Walcott like PSG,” Tuchel said on in the second half when Danny now won just four of their last 90); West Ham 3 (Diop 30, Friday ahead of the home Ings went down in the box 13 league games and the Blues' Snodgrass 45, 57) Brighton game against Montpellier. against his old club, but no boss's frustration at not being 3 (Ogbonna 47-og, Gross 75, “There are worse situa- spot-kick was given and Liv- able to add to his forward Murray 79) tions in life than staying at erpool went straight up the options in the January transfer Today's matches The podium winners at the Qatar Olympic Shooting Archery Cup PSG. He will start feeling well other end to take the lead window was exacerbated as the Burnley vs Arsenal (1400 GMT), 2020 pose for a picture at the Losail Shooting Range yesterday. soon. He needs to get his through Alex visitors needed two goals from Tottenham vs Manchester City Ahmed Al Shammari won gold in the 25m pistol competition, while rhythm and confidence Oxlade-Chamberlain. centre-back Antonio Rudiger (1630 GMT) back.” Jordan Henderson doubled just to claim a point. Ali Murshid came second, and Muhammad Al Tamimi finished third. SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORT 23 Djokovic, the ‘King of Australia,’ faces Thiem in Melbourne final AP — MELBOURNE in the clutch. Think of Djoko- Austria’s Dominic Thiem celebrates after vic’s two championship points Dominic Thiem knows what victory against Germany’s Alexander saved against Federer at Wim- it’s like to make it all the way Zverev during their semi-final match bledon last year. Consider through the rigours of a half- on Friday. Thiem’s performance in heart- dozen best-of-five-set in-the-throat tiebreakers in matches across two weeks in his last two matches: 3 for 3 order to reach a Grand Slam against Nadal in the quarter- final - only to run into that finals, then 2 for 2 against particular tournament’s Zverev. greatest champion. “Definitely one of the best It’s happening to Thiem at players in the world. Deserves the Australian Open, where he to be where he is,” Djokovic will face defending champion said. Novak Djokovic for the title “It seems like he’s today. improved his game a lot on Just like it happened to hard courts, because his game Thiem at the French Open, is more suitable to the slower where he was the runner- surfaces. The clay, of course, up to Rafael Nadal each of being his favorite surface.” the past two years. Nadal is known as the finals,” Djokovic said. As if he It’s true that Thiem never Djokovic already owns “King of Clay,” so Thiem joked needs the help. had been past the fourth round a record seven trophies after beating No. 7 seed Alex- Aside from his track record in Melbourne until now. And from the hard courts of ander Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), over the years in Australia, he’s only once been as far as a Melbourne Park. So far, 7-6 (4) in the semi-finals on Djokovic also can point to his quarterfinal, at the US Open. he is a combined 15-0 in Friday night that Djokovic is more recent success: 16 con- But he has been getting semi-finals and finals in the “King of Australia,” then secutive sets have gone his better and better on outdoor Rod Laver Arena. added: “I’m always facing the way. hard courts, including confi- “It’s absolutely his kings of a certain Grand Slam Expect lots of lengthy dence-boosting titles at Beijing comfort zone here,” in the final.” points between the No. and Indian Wells (beating Thiem said. Also at stake for Djokovic 2-seeded Djokovic and No. Federer in the final) in 2019. Nadal has been today will be a 17th Grand 5-seeded Thiem. “He definitely has the even more prolific on Slam trophy overall, which Both are baseline bashers game. He has the experience the red clay of Roland would push him closer to the and tireless ball-retrievers. now. He has the strength. He Garros, going 24-0 in two men he is chasing: Nadal Djokovic’s return is superior. has all the means to really be the last two rounds en with 19, and record-holder Thiem is better at the net. there,” said the 32-year-old route to his 12 Roger Federer with 20. Djokovic leads the head- Djokovic, who is 6 years older champion- In addition to his haul from to-head series 6-4, but Thiem than Thiem. ships here, Djokovic’s major cham- has won four of their past five This can be viewed as a there. pionship collection already meetings, including the most matchup between a member includes five from Wimbledon, recent, at the ATP Finals in of the old guard - The Big three at the US Open and one November. Three of Federer, Nadal and from the French Open. “I have to risk a lot. I have Djokovic have won 12 majors Djokovic won his semi- to go for many shots. At the in a row, and 55 of the past 66 final against Federer in same time, of course, not too - and one of the group of straight sets Thursday night, much. That’s a very thin line,” 20-somethings trying to finally so he gets an extra day of rest Thiem said. get a bite at the apple. before facing Thiem. “In the last match against If Thiem wins, he would be Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts as he plays “It gives me more time to him, I hit that line perfectly.” the first Grand Slam male against Switzerland’s Roger Federer during recuperate and gather all the Both seem to have a preter- singles champion born in the their semi-final match on Wednesday. necessary energy for the natural ability to come through 1990s.

ITF chief Haggerty hopes for Davis Krejcikova, Mektik claim mixed doubles title at Australian Open Cup-ATP Cup agreement by June AP — MELBOURNE

REUTERS — MELBOURNE timing. A lot will depend on Barbora Krejcikova paid an what it would look like, but I emotional tribute to a passed Tennis chiefs are committed to think that if the parties are open compatriot when she success- merging the Davis Cup and ATP to looking at various possibil- fully defended her Australian Cup into a single men’s world It would make sense ities, anything is possible. I’m Open mixed doubles title. team event and concrete plans to have one event an optimist by nature. Krejcikova and Nikola could be in place by June, Inter- that could be the “We just have to have those Mektic beat Jamie Murray and national Tennis Federation conversations and how we Bethanie Mattek-Sands 5-7, 6-4 (ITF) President David Haggerty team event for the work together. A lot of times, (10-1) in a fluctuating final said. men: ITF President it’s not just about the money, under the closed roof at Rod The newly revamped Davis it’s about the schedule for the Laver Arena. Cup, the ITF’s flagship men’s David Haggerty players, it’s about having more The last woman to win con- event, took place at the end of of an off-season." secutive Australian Open mixed last year and was followed just “We’re having discussions “Tennis is committed to doubles titles was Krejcikova’s six weeks later by the inaugural and we’ll see what happens. The having these conversations and former mentor and fellow ATP Cup, run by the men’s tour. vision to me seems to be having trying to come up with the best Czech, the late Jana Novotna, But there was near con- one strong event and we’re very formula.” in 1988-89. sensus among leading players open to that conversation.” The new Davis Cup format “It’s still very hard for me to Croatia’s Nikola Mektic (right) and Czech Republic’s Barbora that it made little sense to have Haggerty said meetings had was bankrolled by a $3bn, talk about it because she was Krejcikova pose with the trophy. two men’s team competitions already taken place and the 25-year partnership with really close to me,” Krajcikova on the calendar. new ATP leadership was “very Kosmos, the Barcelona-based said. when she died in 2017 after a experienced duo with multiple “We are talking to the ATP, definitely” open about having investment company owned “She was kind of like my battle against cancer. Grand Slam titles. we’ve heard the players’ com- a single annual men’s team by football player Gerard mentor and my hero. Every “When we started together, Mektic, a doubles specialist ments, we know that the ATP event. Pique. time I play, I’m playing singles, she was doing everything with in Croatia’s winning Davis Cup has as well,” Haggerty said in “Our goal is over the next Both Pique and Novak doubles, mixed, I always try to me. She was even hitting and campaign in 2018, was playing an interview at the Australian few months that we have some Djokovic, the multiple Grand think what she would think, like doing the fitness and stuff. She only his second Grand Slam final Open in Melbourne. serious discussions and see if Slam champion and president what she would help me or was really fit,” Krejcikova said. after finishing runner-up in the “It would make sense to there’s some alignment,” Hag- of the ATP’s Player Council, advise me - I just love to think This was the debut tour- 2018 US Open mixed doubles have one event that could be gerty said. have been united in saying that of her any time I can.” nament for Mektic and Kra- with Polish partner Alicja the team event for the men,” he “I’d say by Roland Garros, the two events cannot Former Wimbledon jcikova, a daunting assignment Rosolska - losing that time to said. Wimbledon, yeah, that sort of co-exist. champion Novotna was 49 in the final against an Murray and Mattek-Sands.

Casal Des Forets, La Corona 10 grab titles at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi on Casal Des Forets after a winning performance in Big Tour during Round 7 of Hathab Series at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, yesterday. CENTRE: Al Rumaihi guiding Casal Des Forets during the event. RIGHT: The podium winners of Open Class pose for a group picture with officials. Abdullah Ali Al Ajeil rode La Corona 10 to victory in the competition. SPORT SPORTSPO | 22 SPORT | 22 LiverpoolL Pakistan recall mmove 22 Ashraf, Bilal for points Bangladesh clear Test

SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2020 H E Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Trophies Day at QREC

The Blue Eye, winner at Tayf, winner of H E Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani the H E Sheikh Joaan Bin trophy Gr3 PA, gallops to the finish line at the Qatar Hamad Al Thani Trophies Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Day, in action at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.

Real Madrid stay Surprise package Kenin stuns ahead in Spain with win over Atlético in derby

Muguruza to win Australian Open AP — MADRID

AFP — MELBOURNE “My dream officially came Real Madrid extended its true, I can’t describe this Sofia Kenin of winning run and increased its America’s Sofia Kenin stunned feeling,” said Moscow-born the US kisses the Spanish league lead by two-time Major champion Kenin. Daphne Akhurst defeating Atlético Madrid 1-0 Garbine Muguruza to win the “It’s amazing, dreams come Memorial Cup after in the Spanish capital derby Australian Open yesterday, true. If you have dreams, go for winning against yesterday. completing a surprise run it, it’s going to come true.” Spain’s Garbine Karim Benzema scored a where she has come from Spain’s Muguruza, 26, was Muguruza in their second-half winner to give nowhere to win her first Grand unseeded for the first time at a women’s singles Madrid its eighth straight Slam title. Slam since 2014 having suffered final match at the victory this year and a six- Despite making her debut a marked loss of form in the last Australian Open point lead over second-placed in a Major final Kenin, 21, 18 months. in Melbourne, Barcelona, which hosts showed all her trademark She was resurgent in Mel- yesterday. Levante on Sunday. aggression as she fought back bourne over the past fortnight, The loss virtually ended from a set down to win 4-6, 6-2, but after grabbing the first-set Atlético’s title hopes, as it 6-2 in 2hrs 3mins against the lead, her serve failed her stayed 13 points off the lead shellshocked Spaniard. spectacularly. and was in danger of dropping The 14th seed, who will She totted up eight double- to seventh place by the end of now jump as high as seventh faults in all, three of them in the the weekend. in the world and usurp Serena final game -- including one on Madrid was unbeaten Williams as America’s number the second championship point, against Atlético in the league one, was in tears at the end handing the title to her younger in seven consecutive matches, and headed straight for her opponent. but it hadn’t defeated its rival father Alexander, who is her Muguruza drew first blood at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium coach. at Rod Laver Arena, where the in six straight games. It was the final twist in a roof was closed for rain in Mel- The win extended Madrid’s tournament of upsets, after Wil- bourne, getting the first break American stars-and-stripes Muguruza took the first set in upped the ante in the second unbeaten streak in all compe- liams went out in the third of serve. Moscow-born Kenin, racquet on the hardcourt in 52 minutes when the young set, breaking her more experi- titions to 21 matches. One of round and Kenin upset Aus- who ended the fairytale run of irritation. American planted her forehand enced opponent in the fourth its victories came against tralia’s world number one Ash- 15-year-old Coco Gauff on her The 2016 French Open and out. game and easily holding to Atlético in a penalty shootout leigh Barty in the semi-finals. way to the final, bounced her 2017 Wimbledon winner But the aggressive Kenin sprint into a 4-1 lead. in the Spanish Super Cup final this month in Saudi Arabia. Atlético’s winless streak has reached five matches in all QSL: Afif fires hat-trick as Al Sadd crush Al Sailiya; competitions, one of its worst stints since coach Diego Simeone arrived nearly a decade ago. The latest defeat Al Rayyan end Al Duhail’s unbeaten streak has limited its main challenge to trying to make it back to the FAWAD HUSSAIN Xavi’s men lead with a strike in Al Sadd striker Akram Afif (left) scores a goal past Al Sailiya goalkeeper in the QNB Stars League Champions League. THE PENINSULA the third minute when he was match at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. Pic: Anvar Sadath It was an even match in the reached right on the spot to first half but Atlético had some Akram Afif fired a hat-trick to grab a rebound after Al Sailiya of the most significant help Al Sadd thrash Al Sailiya goalkeeper Khalifa Abubakar chances, including a close- 3-0 as Al Rayyan handed Al blocked Baghdad Bounedjah’s range shot by Ángel Correa Duhail their first defeat at the attempt. Afif made no mistake that hit the post. QNB Stars League with a 1-0 in scoring the opener for the Madrid coach Zinedine win yesterday. Wolves. Zidane changed the team’s Al Duhail, who parted ways In the 25th minute, Al Sadd formation in the second half with manager Rui Faria last thought they had doubled the and the game quickly turned month, saw their 13-match lead, when Ali Asad, the captain in Madrid’s favor, with sub- unbeaten streak ending after for the game, converted past the stitute Vinícius Júnior starting Yohan Alexander Boli’s strike keeper. the play that led to Benzema’s in the second half gave Al However, the effort was winner from close range in the Rayyan victory in a crucial tie. ruled out as Abdelkarim Hassan 56th minute. Despite the defeat, Al Duhail was deemed to be in an offside Benzema hit a one-timer continue to lead the points position before crossing the ball. from just outside the six-yard standings with 33 points, but The Wolves continued to box after a low cross from they now lead Al Rayyan by just dominate their opponents, who the second half – on a penalty played a great pass to send Afif attempts from both the sides in Ferland Mendy, whose run two points. Al Sadd are third were lucky to avoid further kick after Afif was fouled in the through, before the Qatari inter- the first half. inside the area met a well- with 28 points. damage till the half-time Al Sailiya penalty box by national deftly dinked the ball Al Duhail made several placed through ball by Vinícius In yesterday’s first game at whistle despite several fiery Mohammed Mudather. Afif con- over and past Abubakar from a attempts but Al Rayyan dis- Júnior. Al Sadd Stadium, Afif – the attacks. verted the penalty comfortably. very acute angle. played a solid defense to refrain Zidane started the match Asian Player of the Year - was The defending champions The 23-year-old completed Meanwhile, Boli scored the them from scoring the equaliser with five midfielders, with at his best giving the hosts were more aggressive in the his hat-trick just five minutes goal for Al Rayyan in the 64th as the Red Knights walked away Benzema as the lone striker up coveted three points. second half and finally doubled later after an assist by minute, breaking the deadlock with their 11th victory at the front. The formation was first The feared striker gave their lead – three minutes into Bounedjah. The Algerian star after exchange of several QSL. used in the Spanish Super Cup.