TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 10 11

Man City’s Guardiola not Pakistan captain Babar to miss first expecting January signings Ahli, Hidd barge into New Zealand test due to injury Bagautinov roped in for co- King’s Cup semis main event of BRAVE CF 46 Ahli send holders and arch-rivals Muharraq out of competition, while Hidd hit Russian legend Ali Bagautinov will take on Oleg Lichkovakha in a 59kg three past Manama to advance Catchweight bout in his home country

Senegalese The Russian will professional• Mamadou make• his comeback to Drame scores brace to the sport of MMA after Manchester City’s head-coach Pep Guardiola attends a training session help lift Ahli in quarter- KNOW WHAT a brief stint with boxing KNOW WHAT final win over Muharraq AFP | London TDT | Manama Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam of Pakistan warm up during nets (file photo) • Ahmed Mirza in Hidd’s win, Ahmed A two-time sambo anchester City are un- and Brazilians Erick Mirza set the tone for Reuters | Karachi RAVE CF’s first venture into world champion and Mlikely to dip into the 19 Luis Palma and Paulo his team with their Russia next month looks a winner of several transfer market in the January goals were only scored first goal in the 43rd akistan captain Babar promising and exciting af- by Manchester City in 13 Victor Costa Soares B accolades in many window, despite their issues Azam has been ruled out ter the announcement of several Premier League games on target for Hidd minute, which was P other martial arts, in attack, due to the impact of enough to give them of the first test against New 934 high-level fights. BRAVE CF 46, this season, just over half against Manama runs were scored by Imran Bagautinov is one the COVID-19 pandemic on the of the 37 they had netted the lead at the half Zealand in Mount Maunga- which takes place in association club’s finances, manager Pep nui starting Dec. 26 due to a Butt at an average of over with Krespost Selection, in So- of the most accom- at the same stage of the 62 with four centuries and Guardiola said. previous campaign TDT | Manama fractured thumb, the Pakistan chi, on January 16th, has become plished flyweights twice. Al Ahli’s Jamal Rashid, right, looks to control the ball during their quarter-final Meanwhile, in Hidd’s win, Cricket Board (PCB) said on three half-centuries in the even more of an attraction with the sport has ever 2019-20 Quaid-e-Azam City have scored 19 goals in the 20 teams. l Ahli sent holders Mu- match against Muharraq last night Ahmed Mirza set the tone for Monday. the news that MMA veteran and seen 13 Premier League games, just Ruben Dias has flourished harraq crashing out of proach play and Drame was on cross towards goal from the left his team with their first goal Babar, 26, sustained the in- Trophy one of Russia’s finest martial over half of the 37 they had since his arrival from Benfica Athe 2020/2021 His Maj- the receiving end of a low cross flank, which Abdullatif fired in the 43rd minute, which was jury during a practice session artists has found an opponent. netted at the same stage of the in September and Guardiola esty the King’s Cup last night, from the left of the penalty area. home from close range for the enough to give them the lead at in Queenstown last week and be hard on him and the team Ali Bagautinov will take on Oleg et, Talha successfully transi- previous campaign. expects the Portuguese de- while setting up a thrilling clash He was in perfect position to equaliser. the half. was ruled out of the ongoing to play him without any net Lichkovakha in a 59kg Catch- tioned to professional mixed When asked if City were fender to be an integral part with Hidd in the tournament’s receive the pass right in the Just four minutes later, Nige- Brazilian Erick Luis Palma three-match Twenty20 series. sessions,” Pakistan head coach weight bout that will mark his martial arts last month at BRAVE looking to strengthen their of the club’s future. semi-finals. face of goal, and only needed to rian Prince Obus Aggreh could then came on a substitute and Opening batsman Imam-Ul- Misbah-ul-Haq said. debut on the fastest-growing CF 45, when he submitted Va- strikeforce in the January “Ruben doesn’t make a sin- Ahli defeated Muharraq 2-1 tap the ball in as the Muharraq have given Muharraq the lead added their second in the 69th Haq will also miss the game “I remain confident and op- organization in the world and dim Litvin in the second round window, Guardiola said: “No, gle mistake and he is always thanks to a brace from Sene - back line, along with goalkeeper with a curling free kick that was minute, before countryman Pau- after fracturing his left thumb timistic that other players will will serve as the co-main event of their Light Heavyweight I don’t think so because the focused,” Guardiola said. “Our galese professional Mamadou Sayed Mohammed Jaffar, could on target, but it was punched lo Victor Costa Soares applied during a net session. rise to the occasion in Mount for the historic show. encounter. economic situation around the club bought an exceptional Drame, while Hidd, the defend- not recover to make a stop. away by the Ahli goalkeeper, the final dagger in the 89th. Both players are yet to re- Maunganui.” The Russian will make his The bout against Krivulets world is what it is. defender - especially for the ing champions of the Nasser Later in the match, Muharraq who made a number of crucial The King’s Cup final four has turn to the nets with the team’s Pakistan have included un- comeback to the sport of MMA will be at a Catchweight of 90 “All the clubs struggle - we personality. bin Hamad Bahrain Premier got back into the fight as they saves in the contest. yet to be scheduled by the Bah- medical staff closely monitor- capped batsman Imran Butt after a brief stint with boxing. kg as the two-time IMMAF world are not an exception.” “What is important when League, romped past Manama levelled the proceedings with 72 Drame then put the result rain Football Association. ing their progress, the PCB in their 15-man squad for the A two-time sambo world cham- champion looks to begin his de- While City have lacked a you buy a player is that you 3-0. minutes gone through Bahrain away with his second goal of the The other semi-final will be said. first test. pion and winner of several ac- ing knockouts and submissions. seven fights and will look for a scent to Middleweight. cutting edge up front their de- have a feeling they will be set- Both quarter-final matches international striker Ismaeel match, this time with a header a Riffa derby between Riffa and Mohammad Rizwan will The 24-year-old top-order colades in many other martial He is in for a tricky fight at career-defining victory against BRAVE CF 46 is headlined by fence has been rock solid. tled for the next years. And we were played in separate venues. Abdullatif. off a cross from the right in the East Riffa. Riffa secured their become Pakistan’s 33rd test batsman struck 934 runs at an arts, Bagautinov is one of the BRAVE CF 46 as he will face Oleg Bagautinov. a clash of titans as Super Light- Saturday’s 1-0 victory at are pretty sure Ruben will give In Ahli’s triumph, Drame gave The Ahli defence did poorly 83rd minute. The game-win- place following a 1-0 victory captain when he leads the side average of over 62 with four most accomplished flyweights Lichkovakha. The 24 year old is Another huge match-up weight world champion Eldar Southampton marked their us big moments.” his side a dream start after send- to keep Muharraq from pen- ner bounced off the pitch and over Al Najma while East Riffa in Babar’s absence. centuries and three half-cen- the sport has ever seen. coming off a first-round stop- added to BRAVE CF 46 oppos- Eldarov puts his title on the line sixth clean sheet of the season City face Arsenal in the ing home his first goal in just the etrating the box, and Waleed into the net, far from the out- earned their spot with a 2-1 tri- “Although it will be nearly turies in the 2019-20 Quaid-e- Thanks to his exciting fight- page victory against Anton Ra- es Murtaza Talha and Dmit - for the first time against top and they have conceded a total League Cup quarter-finals on third minute of action. Al Hayam made the most of stretched arm of Muharraq’s umph over Al Hala. Both games two weeks since Babar’s injury Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s do- ing style, ‘’Puncher King’’ has chkov in October. Lichkovakha ry Krivulets. One of the best striker Leonardo Mafra, from of 12 league goals, the fewest of Tuesday. Ahli had some brilliant ap - the opportunity. He sent a low Jaffar. were played on Sunday night. when the first test starts, it will mestic first-class tournament. had an array of finishes includ- has had only one loss in his last amateur fighters on the plan- Brazil.

Kallis lands batting consultant role Messi dragged ill feeling from As a fighter, Pacquiao even at 42 is for England test tour to Sri Lanka Strongest GCC Man finals to be held in February 2021 failed Barca exit into this season still a ‘freak of nature’ says Fortune Reuters | Barcelona bit,” Messi said in an interview TDT | Manila TDT | Manama with Spanish television channel ionel Messi has admitted La Sexta. Everything that H Shaikh Khalid bin Ham- Lthe ill feeling between “The truth is right now ight-division world cham- Had Al Khalifa, Supreme him and Barcelona over I’m feeling fine but in the happened before the Epion Manny Pacquiao has Council for Youth and Sports his attempt to leave the summer I had a very bad summer, how the turned 42 a few days ago, the First Deputy Chairman and club in the close season time.” season ended, then the retirement age for a profession- KNOW WHAT Bahrain Olympic Committee has affected his form this The Argentine struck burofax and everything al boxer. has instructed his media of- season, in which he has for the 643rd time for else... I dragged But the Filipino legendary fice to resume the postponed posted his lowest goal Barca on Saturday to everything into the ring warrior, who is now a sen- Strongest GCC Man Champion- and assist tallies in equal Pele’s goals ator of the republic, is no ordi- Ultimate Fighting ship in February 2021 by hold- 13 years. record for a sin- start of the season a nary boxer. Championship (UFC) ing the finals of the event in the Messi gle club. How- bit. The truth is right “Manny Pacquiao is a freak superstar Conor area opposite to the late Shaikh caused ever, he has now I’m feeling fine but of nature,” said his long-time McGregor has ex- Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa Halls conster- drastically in the summer I had a strength and conditioning coach pressed interest in fac- in Isa Sports City. nation underper- very bad time Justine Fortune Fortune. “Even The proceeds of the event, at Barca formed ing the reigning World LIONEL MESSI at 42 , he is Pacquiao and he’s which is part of HH Shaikh when he this cam- just different.” Boxing Association Khalid’s initiatives in the sports sent the paign, as has no assists in 13 league Indeed, what Pacquiao has ac- (WBA) welterweight Jacques Kallis during a South Africa cricket team training session (file photo) and humanitarian fields, will club a buro- have his games after contributing 21 last complished in his boxing career champion Pacquiao be donated to support cancer fax (official side, who season, making the start of this is extraordinary and by now, ex- after his second bout Reuters | London He performed slightly above patients. notice) that he trail leaders campaign his worst since the tremely well documented. Con- Pacquiao, right, at his best against Keith Thurman in a split decision win last with Dustin Poirier on that in Asia with eight centu- “We have instructed our wanted to leave Atletico Madrid 2007-08 season, when he was sider this: he is the only boxer year January 23 in UFC 257 ngland have included ries at an average of 55.62. media office to complete the in August, but then by eight points in 20-years-old and suffering from to win 12 major world titles in in Abu Dhabi Eformer South Africa test At this stage he has not been event after approving the or- president Josep La Liga. injuries. eight different weight divisions. pound elite. be held in Dubai. all-rounder Jacques Kallis as confirmed for subsequent tour ganisation of the competition Maria Bartomeu Messi, who fin- Barca face elections on Jan. And it boggles the mind that Fortune said that despite his Against the Irish professional a batting consultant for their of India in February. next February. This comes af- blocked the move ished top scor- 24 to pick the successor to Bar- Pacquiao at 42 years old remains age, his ward can take on anyone mixed martial artist, the fight nothing Conor McGregor can two-test tour of Sri Lanka that Kallis worked as a batting ter sensing the great desire of and the Argentine er in La Liga tomeu, who resigned in Octo- a champion in one of boxing’s — including Ultimate Fighting will be a “walk in the park” for ever bring to the table that Pac- starts on Jan. 14, officials con- consultant for South Africa the GCC’s young people who committed to stay last season and ber, and Messi remained tight- finest divisions, one that in - Championship (UFC) superstar Pacquiao, according to Fortune. quiao should worry about.” firmed yesterday. in their 3-1 test series loss to qualified for the finals before this season to avoid routinely gets lipped on where his future lay, cludes luminaries such as Ter- Conor McGregor or unified Sporting a 62-7-2 win-loss- Fortune has been in Pac - Kallis, regarded as one of the England last year, but was not the coronavirus pandemic to a legal battle. more than 40 saying he was fully focused on ence Crawford, Errol Spence welterweight world champion draw record with 39 knockouts, quiao’s camp for 18 years now, leading all-rounders to play retained. conclude the event. The finals cess achieved in the Strongest finalists the best of luck in their He has less than goals each year helping his side return to form. Jr., Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia Spence. Pacquiao can take down McGre- including the last three fights the game, is a surprise pick Assistant coach Graham will take place while taking Bahraini Championship. This endeavours to win the title. seven months left on his for his club, “Right now I’m feeling good and Danny Garcia and up-and- McGregor has expressed gor in less than two round, For- against Lucas Matthysse, Adrien for a role that has been filled Thorpe has been rested for into account the precautions has encouraged us to hold this The prizes earmarked for the contract and is able to ne- has only scored and looking forward to fighting comers like Vergil Ortiz, Jaron interest in facing the reign - tune added. Broner and Keith Thurman, by Jonathan Trott and Mar- the Sri Lanka tour, with Paul that are meant to protect the event in support of the sports- event are worth $130,000, with gotiate with other clubs nine times for every competition we have Ennis and Rashidi Ellis. ing World Boxing Association “If this is just for a ridicu - who all yielded to the amaz - cus Trescothick in the last 12 Collingwood filling the role, health and the wellbeing of the people in the GCC region. This the winner receiving $100,000. from January. Lionel in all com - ahead,” he added. Crawford, regarded by many (WBA) welterweight champion lous amount of money, then ab- ing speed and strength of months. while Jon Lewis (fast-bowl- participants and the Organis- will allow us to discover new The runner-up will get $20,000 “Everything that hap- Messi petitions this “I know the club is in a dif- as boxing’s pound-for-pound Pacquiao after his second bout solutely, because you take the Pacquiao. The 45-year-old scored ing coach), Jeetan Patel (spin ing Committee members,” HH talents in this sport from across and the remaining $10,000 will pened before the summer, campaign, five ficult moment at institution- best, wants to fight him next. with Dustin Poirier on January fight and Pacquiao gets rid of Fortune said Pacquiao is fast, 13,206 test runs at an average consultant) and James Foster Shaikh Khalid said. the region and we are keen to go to the third-place winner. It’s how the season ended, then of which came al level and on the pitch and So, too, does Spence, an unbeat- 23 in UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. McGregor in just less than two skillful and strong — qualities he of 55.37 and had an excellent (wicketkeeping consultant) “The Strongest GCC Man continue organising it,” he add- worth noting that the qualifiers the burofax and everything from the pen- everything surrounding Barca en 2012 Olympian who is also Reports claim the Pac - rounds max. And that’s a great has maintained even during this reputation for his proficiency are also part of head coach Championship was organised ed took place in Bahrain, Saudi else... I dragged everything alty spot. right now is difficult, but I’m among the sport’s pound-for- quiao-McGregor fight is set to payday,” he said, “and there’s pandemic. in sub-continent conditions. Chris Silverwood’s team. following the tremendous suc- Additionally, he wished all Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Oman. into the start of the season a He also feeling excited.”