SPORT WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2017 21

Kokkinakis was Wawrinka stunned at Queen's close to quitting before London manicured lawns of London. QUEEN'S CLUB RESULTS 's Thanasi AFP Having recently hired 'biggest win' Results from the ATP tournament at Queen's Club former doubles Kokkinakis celebrates ilos Raonic's Wim- in London yesterday (x denotes seeding): champion Mark Knowles as his beating 's London bledon First Round coach, Raonic was looking to during AFP preparations suf- Stefan Kozlov (USA) bt Steve Johnson (USA) 3-6, make a statement of intent at their men's singles fered a major 6-1, 6-1 Queen's. Instead, it was Kokki- first round match njury-plagued Thanasi setback yesterday Julien Benneteau (FRA) bt James Ward (GBR) 6-2, nakis who announced his own at the ATP Aegon Kokkinakis revealed he Mas the world number six crashed 6-2 credentials as a future grass- Championships at was closing to quitting ten- Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x3) I to a shock Queen's Club first- court force in memorable Queen's Club in west nis before enjoying the round defeat against Australian 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) fashion. "I was just a little too biggest win of his career

Feliciano Lopez (ESP) bt Stan Wawrinka (SUI x2) London, yesterday.

wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis. passive. I was letting him dic- against Milos Raonic at 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 Raonic came agonisingly tate too much," Raonic said. Queen's Club yesterday. close to a golden summer on "Obviously the disappoint- Kokkinakis needed a wild grass last year when he reached plunged to 698 following an ment is high right now, but card from the tournament the Queen's and Wimbledon abdominal strain that sidelined whatever the result was this organisers to make the finals, only to lose to Andy Mur- him for 18 weeks. week, I don't think that's really Queen's main draw after his ray on both occasions. Finally fit again, the 21-year- going to change my chances at ranking plunged to 698 fol- But the Canadian's hopes of old secured his first Tour level Wimbledon." lowing a variety of ailments warming up for Wimbledon match win for 21 months at Back on court for the first that sidelined him for 18 with another strong showing at 's-Hertogenbosch last week, but time since his straight-sets weeks. Queen's were wrecked by Kok- even so he surely wouldn't have defeat against Nadal in Paris, "I can give you a whole kinakis's stunning 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 expected to clinch the best win second seed Wawrinka was rundown, but it's just absurd," (10/8) triumph. of his promising career just days hoping to erase that painful he said. Raonic wasn't the only lead- later. memory with a rare good run at "Obviously the shoulder ing seed embarrassed on a "You don't want to know Queen's. was the big one. I tore my baking hot afternoon in west about the extensive list of injures But the 32-year-old had lost oblique, I had osteitis pubis, London as world number three I've had. That was 22 months out four of his eight previous I tore my pec. Stan Wawrinka was beaten 7-6 of the game," Kokkinakis said. Queen's matches and once again "I had an elbow issue, and (7/4) 7-5 by Spain's Feliciano "I can't wait to play in the he was destined for disappoint- I'm still dealing with my groin Lopez in the Swiss star's first next round." ment. Lopez is only ranked 32nd and shoulder issues, and my match since being thrashed by Kokkinakis faces Nicolas but the canny left-hander back is stiff. in the French Open Mahut or Daniil Medvedev in the reached the Queen's final three "I've got a lot of things. I final. last 16. years ago and he out-smarted don't know how I'm going to Kokkinakis needed a wild Raonic only reached the last Wawrinka with a grass-court feel when I'm over 30, but this card from the tournament 16 at the recent French Open, masterclass that left the three- is interesting." organisers to make the Queen's but clay doesn't suit his big- time Grand Slam champion The 21-year-old was so main draw after his ranking serving game as well as the unable to respond. frustrated by his fitness prob- lems that he was on the verge of walking away from the sport for good before the recent French Open. "I was being serious. I'm usually not a hot head, but in Kvitova raises hopes of comeback success practice a couple weeks lead- ing into it, I was just like Birmingham, UK inflammation," she said of BIRMINGHAM RESULTS breaking racquets every day AFP the injuries which apparently in practice and that's not me," included damage to all five Results from the WTA tournament in Birmingham he said. wo-time Wimbledon fingers and two tendons. yesterday (x denotes seeding): "I was just hating it. Win- champion Petra Kvitova "I came here early to First Round ning and playing well in Tmade a winning return to practise and try to do the Katerina Siniaková (CZE) bt Nao Hibino (JPN) 7-5, practice was good, but then I grass with a 6-2, 6-3 victory right things. 7-5 wasn't translating. over her fellow Czech Tereza "I've missed the fight and Daria Gavrilova (AUS) bt Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) 6-4, "I just didn't feel that con- Smitkova to move into the sec- the adrenaline. I don't miss 6-4 fident. I felt like some of those ond round of the WTA the nerves - I am always very Petra Kvitova (CZE x7) bt Tereza Smitková (CZE) 6-2, issues I was having a long tournament in Birmingham nervous." 6-3 time were still there, and I just yesterday. This may well account for Johanna Konta (GBR x4) bt Lesya Tsurenko (UKR) wasn't feeling great with my But Kvitova will not con- an indifferent start which 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) game." sider this a step towards an saw her go 3-1 up when she Ashleigh Barty (AUS) bt Markéta Vondrousová (CZE) Kokkinakis was talked attempt on a third Wimble- might have gone 3-1 down. 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) out of his gloom by his fam- Camila Giorgi (ITA) bt Natalia Vikhlyantseva (RUS)

don title just yet. She saved a break point ily and coach and opted to

6-3, 7-6 (7/4) Far more importantly it in the third game with a bril- give it another shot. continued to raise hopes that, 's Petra Kvitova celebrates victory over liant but risky drop shot, and Finally fit, although still after the injuries inflicted compatriot Tereza Smitkova in the first round of the Aegon saw Smitkova three times less than 100 percent, Kok- upon her left hand by an Classic at the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, yesterday. have points to hold her next round of Wimbledon, showed kinakis secured his first Tour intruder in her home with a service game only to lose it that she too prefers this sur- level match win for 21 months knife, she might yet regain less worrying the longer the allowed to continue so long with a second serve which face more than any other, at 's-Hertogenbosch last many of her impressive match went on. Kvitova had that it delayed the second set leapt off the net cord and out hitting some rousing ground week. attacking qualities. come away from her come- by a minute. of court. strokes and finding some But he lost in the second At the age of 27, and after back tournament, the French "I love to be playing on That seemed to change good angles as the second set round and when he was six months on the side-lines, Open where she won only grass, I have to be glad I am everything. Kvitova played went on. paired with Raonic, who this was only her third come- one match, with an empty playing the game I love again, three great points to go 4-1 But by now Kvitova was made the final at Queen's and back match, but there were feeling. Now she was happy, and yes, I am happy with the up and then produced three playing with a better rhythm Wimbledon last year, his moments when Kvitova she said, an emotion she way I am playing," she said. brilliant forehand drive win- and more confidence and expectations weren't high. struck the ball as well as apparently generated in oth- "I hope my coaches are too. ners to break serve again. coming to the net more often. So his 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) ever. ers, particularly when the "Of course I still have to Smitkova, only a lucky She ended, suitably, with upset of the Canadian world There were also mistakes, music which signalled her be careful about things. I loser from qualifying but who an , and plenty of number six was a well-timed but these became fewer and capture of the first set was don't want to get once reached the fourth applause. and richly-deserved reward for his perseverance. Champions Trophy could face Top West Indians will continue axe for more T20 World Cups international snub, says Sammy

London the 2019 event in England. consideration has been given to Mumbai Radio Five Live. West Indies AFP are due to stage the next changing to two T20s in a four- Reuters have had little success outside Champions Trophy in 2021 but year cycle which would mean the shortest format and missed he Champions Trophy Richardson warned Monday it swapping the Champions Tro- eading West Indian crick- out on qualification for the could be scrapped in was by no means certain the phy for a World T20." eters will prefer to play in recent Champions Trophy, Tfavour of staging the event would go ahead, with the He added: "The fact is that Llucrative Twenty20 tour- played among the top eight World Twenty20 every two former wicket- World T20s do attract a lot of naments around the world 50-over sides of the world. years, according to International keeper saying future World interest, they generate signifi- instead of representing the Car- They are ranked ninth in Cricket Council (ICC) chief exec- Twenty20s could feature up to cant revenue for the television ibbean side under the current one-day internationals and one utive David Richardson. 20 teams. companies, but most impor- administration, former captain place higher in the test format. thrashed India by "What we want to do is dif- tantly from our point of view Darren Sammy (pictured) has Sammy tore into his home 180 runs to win this year's edi- ferentiate our global events from they provide us with an oppor- said. governing body immediately tion of the Champions Trophy each other so that they can be tunity to give more opportunities Players such as Chris Gayle, sides if they feature in domes- after guiding the side to their at The Oval on Sunday, with a standalone and create maxi- to more teams. Kieron Pollard and Dwayne tic competitions, leading to second World T20 title in India worldwide television audience mum interest every time the "A 16-team World T20 -- Bravo have long been embroiled many high-profile absentees last year, saying the players "felt of millions watching the stun- event happens," Richardson told even a 20-team World T20 in contractual disputes with the who ply their trade in overseas disrespected by the board com- ning final. reporters via telephone on the -- down the line is something board and the team even aban- Twenty20 leagues. ing into the tournament". But some officials believe eve of the ICC's annual confer- that we would like to look at. doned a tour of India midway "I can't tell a player not to The 33-year-old has since the eight-team event is now ence in London. "With a 10-team World Cup through the 2014 series over a play in a league when it could missed out on selection for the too similar to the World Cup "At this stage, the next we're hoping to increase the payment structure row. make them financially stable to West Indies. "The way we struc- which the ICC, controversially, Champions Trophy is still sched- competitiveness of matches and Cricket West Indies (CWI) look after their family," Sammy, ture our cricket, we're not going has decided should be con- uled for India in 2021. Whether the standard of the tournament only select players for their who led West Indies to two anywhere," said Sammy, who has tested by just 10 teams from that gets changed, the as a whole. international World Twenty20 titles, told BBC played 38 tests and 126 ODIs. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2017 Loew has faith in ‘young’ German side

Rizwan Rehmat Moscow

oung goalkeeper Bernd Leno gave world champions the fright in their opening Con- federationsY Cup match against Australia but coach Joachim Loew is anything but panicky after a scrappy 3-2 win. Leno’s two goalkeeping gaffes against Australia in their Group B clash on Monday nearly saw Germany - who landed in with an inexperienced side - starting off on the wrong foot. Loew, who fielded only two members of the 2014 World Cup winning side on Monday, was delighted to see his team pick up three points. “I am satisfied that we got the three points. In the first half, we Germany's coach Joachim Loew gives a press conference during the Russia 2017 Confederations showed a good combination with Cup tournament in Sochi on Monday. Right: Germany's goalkeeper Bernd Leno comes out of a lot of quick attacks,” his charge to tackle Australia forward Tomi Juric during their 2017 Confederations Cup match Loew said with help from a translator. at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on Monday.

We are far from in the second we lacked stabil- empty. When asked about Leno’s our toughest test. Let’s see how captain Julian Daxler, the man the Australian national team, said: being perfect. We ity. Somehow we lost the thread sluggish show under the German we will adapt against a top side. of the match against Australia, “We are disappointed because we in our attacks and things got tan- crossbar, Loew said: “This hap- We must sustain our momen- won praise from Loew. did not come here for the defeats. need a lot of work gled up,” the veteran coach said. pens in football. In the case of tum,” he said. Daxler was an unused sub- In the first half, we allowed the since this is a team Loew has said there is much the second (Australian) goal, he Germany’s star player and stitute in the 2014 World Cup opponent to dominate. Apparently, that never played more to come from his young tried to stop the ball quickly. For final win over Argentina. we treated them with respect.” squad. me he is still a strong Past record “He is the new generation He added: “Also we conceded together. But in “We are far from being per- goalkeeper.” player despite his young age. He an early goal and the guys for general, I am fect. We need a lot of work since Germany take on Chile in Germany crushed Australia in a 4-0 at has enough experience already,” some time had their heads down. this is a team that never played their second game and Loew has the 2010 FIFA World Cup in 2010. But in Loew said. “He has been with us Germany squad felt free (as) they satisfied with the together. But in general, I am sat- the utmost respect for the South 2011, Holger Osieck guided Australia to a in and in . I am very had easy approach to our goal. result: Loew isfied with the result,” he added. American giants. surprise 2-1 friendly win. In their most satisfied with his performance “But in the second half it was “This is a new team and “Chile is one of the strongest recent meeting, the 2015 Asian Cup win- and progress,” he said. different. My guys played well things have worked very well,” teams in the world. They produce ners managed to draw 2-2 in their first “The main thing is we got the and we had many attacks. In “We should Loew said at the media confer- quality performances and play game after winning their continental three points. Now we will pre- general, the German national have scored more ence inside Fisht Stadium, where with tactical plans,” Loew said. crown. pare for Chile,” Loew said. team players were better,” he than three goals. But around 20,000 seats were “I think we are waiting for Ange Postecoglou, coach of said. Confed Cup: Russia tackle Ronaldo won't quit Real: Perez

Portugal in key group tie Madrid AFP Moscow said Russian midfielder Alexey AFP Miranchuk. ristiano Ronaldo will be staying at Spanish giants Real "It only matters after three Madrid and no offer has been received to tempt him ristiano Ronaldo's games. Caway, club president Florentino Perez insisted Portugal take on Con- "We saw how dangerous yesterday. federations Cup hosts Portuguese counter-attacks can Unhappy Ronaldo has been linked to Manchester United and Group A leaders be against . We must be and other top clubs after reportedly threatening to leave Real Russia today with the ready for them." and quit Spain after running into problems with tax Ctax storm scandal clouding Ron- The hosts will have vocal authorities. aldo's Real Madrid future. home support as their captain "Ronaldo is a Real player and will continue to be so as far Having opened their Confed and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is as we are concerned," Perez told Marca sports daily Tues- Cup campaign with a 2-0 win set to make his 100th appear- day. "No offer has been received for him." over , Russia face ance for Russia. According to media reports Ronaldo is unsettled at Madrid a step up against Euro 2016 win- Portugal's coach Fernando because he believes Real did not back him as fully as he had ners Portugal and their troubled Santos has said he will rotate hoped in his dispute with the taxman. superstar captain. his team through the Confed And he has also complained on multiple occasions in the Spanish authorities accuse Cup. past at his treatment at the hands of Real supporters, who Ronaldo of evading 14.7m euro Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo during a training After Portugal's defensive have resorted to jeering and booing his performance on the ($16.5m) in tax and he has been session in Moscow, yesterday, on the eve of the 2017 FIFA frailties were exposed against pitch. In an earlier report Marca said Ronaldo has told his summoned to appear in court Confederations Cup group A match against Russia. Mexico, Santos could inject some teammates he was leaving and "there is no turning back". next month in Madrid. pace in midfield by starting with Portuguese sports daily A Bola had also claimed that Perez The four-time world player world's highest paid athlete restore Portugal's lead late on Gelson Martins, Nelson Semedo had already been informed of the 32-year-old's decision. of the year has protested his according to Forbes magazine. before Mexico equalised with a and Andre Silva. However, Perez said that he had not spoken to Ronaldo, innocence and has threatened Despite the off-field dis- header by Hector Moreno from Strangely, Portugal have who is on duty for Portugal at the Confederations Cup in Rus- to leave Real over the matter. ruption, Ronaldo picked up the final corner. never won in Moscow, losing all sia, which ends on July 2. President Florentino Perez the man-of-the-match award "I was happy to have scored, three of their previous games Even so, Perez said he was convinced Ronaldo would has said Champions League win- in Portugal's opening 2-2 but sad about the result," said there. stay and affirmed that his Real contract was protected by a ners Real have so far received draw with Mexico on Quaresma. The Soviet Union beat Por- one billion euro release clause. "I have not spoken with him. no offers for Ronaldo, the Sunday. "We had enough chances to tugal 5-0 in a European We don't want to disturb his concentration with the national Having rattled the crossbar, win the game." championships qualifying match team," said Perez. CONFEDERATIONS CUP Ronaldo's deft pass in the area And Russia know the key to in the Russian capital in 1983. "But something really bizarre would have to happen if found Ricardo Quaresma derailing Portugal is ensuring Then in 2012 Russia won a he were to leave this club." Perez said he could understood Group A matches today (Qatar time) unmarked to open the scoring Ronaldo has a quiet match at World Cup qualifier 1-0 against why the four-times world player of the year had been upset

Russia vs Portugal (6.00pm) in Kazan. Moscow's Spartak Stadium. Portugal and ran out winners by after he was accused last week of evading 14.7m euros in tax

Mexico vs New Zealand (9.00pm, Javier Hernandez then "The first place in group after the same slender scoreline in a through offshore companies. equalised, only for Cedric to the first game means nothing," friendly in 2015. All Whites must be brave against Mexico: Hudson

Sochi, Russia Russia in Saturday's opening up-beat and favourites to win the goal-drought to have a chance Euro 2016 winners Portugal to to progress," said Hudson said. AFP Group A match means Oceania showdown in Sochi. against Mexico. follow in St Petersburg on Sat- "We need to be positive, we champions New Zealand have "We went toe-to-toe with the After friendly 1-0 defeats to urday in their final group match. need to be brave. ew Zealand coach now gone a record ten games European champions and we both Northern Ireland and Bela- New Zealand lost 2-1 to Mex- "Mexico are a world-class Anthony Hudson says the without a win at the Confedera- managed to keep Cristiano Ron- rus en route to Russia, the All ico in a friendly last October and side and we're the smallest team NAll Whites must be brave tions Cup having left the 1999, aldo in check," beamed Mexico Whites have now played three Hudson, 36, expects a spirited in the competition. against Mexico, knowing defeat 2003 and 2009 editions coach Juan Carlos Osorio after matches in the last two weeks showing from his side. "But we played them in Octo- today will effectively end their empty-handed. Sunday's draw in Kazan. without scoring. "We're determined to ber in front of 40,000 fans, it was Confederations Cup hopes. Following Saturday's 2-2 In contrast, underdogs New They badly need a good approach his game with the right a close game and we caused Their 2-0 loss to hosts draw with Portugal, Mexico are Zealand must break their result against the Mexicans with mind-set and we definitely want them problems. WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2017 SPORT 23 Qatar 2022 to be ‘unique experience’

Rizwan Rehmat countries (like Russia and Qatar). to winter. I had heard that Qatar The Peninsula/Moscow It is not only good for these coun- was (also) ready to stage the tries but for the entire world event in summer. I have heard because the popularity of the It will be an interesting experience for they can have climate control- atar’s FIFA World game will rise further,” he said. led stadiums. But if the players Cup in winter “I want to see World Cup going the world football family. We have been and teams are okay with winter will be nothing to different countries,” he added. witnessing the World Cups in summer World Cup, then why not? short of a Another seasoned journalist, “Maybe other countries can Q‘unique experi- Gian Amato of Brazil's O Globo and I think the FIFA has taken the right follow Qatar’s lead in the future, ence’, journalists covering newspaper expressed excitement decision to award the World Cup to even a country like Morocco the Confederations Cup in over the winter World Cup. where we have had the FIFA Russia have said. “Wow, a winter World Cup! Qatar: Veteran journalist Kirill Snastin Club World Cup,” Keita said. Qatar, set to stage the I am looking forward to going to Siberian football photogra- region’s first FIFA World Cup, Qatar. I have already covered pher Sergei Ivanov, who works has pledged to deliver a mem- two World Cups. Russia 2018 will for Kuznetsky Rabochy newspa- orable edition in 29 days, when be my third World Cup.” per, said: “The World Cup will be the event will be held in Amato added: “I was there at held in winter. The temperature, December 2022. the 2010 World Cup in South a journalist like me a great amazing. It is a great opportu- I am told, is amazing in winter. Russia will stage the next Africa. That was also a winter chance to see how well Qatar will nity for the fans from different It is interesting to see the World year’s edition of the FIFA World World Cup. It was great fun to be do (in 2022),” said Keita. countries to mix with each Cup in winter.” Cup. there. I think Qatar World Cup The Frenchman said FIFA other.” A purist at heart, Ivanov said Veteran Russian football will also be exciting.” World Cup editions must be “Sports in general has the football was moving away from reporter Kirill Snastin of the French journalist Aly Keita, staged in countries who are first- power to bring people together. its roots by tilting heavily into Sport den za dnem newspaper covering Confederations Cup for time hosts like Russia and Qatar. And I feel this will be reflected commercialism radio channel LCI was keen to “It was great to see Qatar when the World Cup comes to “I am looking at the game for report on the World Cup in Rus- and Russia winning the hosting Qatar. The journalists can try to last two years and you can see sia next year followed by the rights for the mega tournament,” bring the fans together even in there is a lot of money involved. game’s showpiece event in Qatar he said. Qatar, like how they do else- I am not a great fan of that,” in 2022. “It is good to see the World where. Their stories (in Qatar) Ivanov said. When asked about “I have heard many things Cups going to new countries. I will show the world how well Russia’s chances at the home about Qatar. It will be the first agree with FIFA’s decision (to they can do to host the event in Confed Cup, he said: “Russia is World Cup to be held in the Mid- give World Cups to Russia and 2022,” he said. okay. I would say 50-50 when it dle East. I am looking forward to Qatar). I saw the game yesterday “It was a surprise to see the comes to European countries. I seeing the event there. It will give and the fans from Chile were just decision to move the World Cup have seen their game.”

lauded FIFA’s decision to not be a problem. “It will be endorse the gulf nation as the interesting (to see the World Cup World Cup hosts. in winter). It will require changes “I think it will be a unique in some championships in World Cup. It will be an interest- Europe. But I think it will be ing experience for the world managed. It will be interesting football family. We have been for me to be there. Who knows witnessing the World Cups in if I will be there since we have summer and I think the FIFA has five years to go,” he said with a taken the right decision to award smile. the World Cup to Qatar,” Snas- Snastin, who has covered tin told The Peninsula at Spartak several World Cups during his Moscow Stadium yesterday. 25 years of football journalism, “I would love to cover the backed the FIFA’s decision to World Cup in Qatar,” said the award hosting of the quadren- veteran before adding that man- nial event to new countries. aging schedule of other leagues “Yes, I agree that World Cup Aly Keita Gian Amato Kirill Snastin Sergei Ivanov for the World Cup in winter will was rightly awarded to new Federer records Triumphant Pakistan captain gets 1100th tour win hero's welcome upon return Stuttgart last week. But the AFP world number five was back to his imperious best on Karachi ighteen-time major Tuesday, as he broke in the AFP champion Roger Fed- fourth game en route to the Eerer picked up his first opening set. undreds of fans gave win of the grass-court sea- The 66th-ranked Sugita Pakistan captain Sarfraz son by thrashing Japan's was no match for his illustri- HAhmed a hero's welcome Yuichi Sugita in the first ous opponent, although he as he arrived home carrying the round at Halle yesterday. did avoid a second-set bagel Champions Trophy early The Swiss top seed, who by breaking when Federer yesterday. skipped the entire clay-court served for the match. Men, women and children schedule in order to be fully fit Federer, 35, will be one packed Karachi airport as Sar- for Wimbledon, brushed aside of the favourites as he looks fraz returned from England, lucky loser Sugita 6-3, 6-1 in to land an eighth title at where Pakistan thrashed arch- just 51 minutes, to bring up his Wimbledon, which runs from rivals India to be crowned 1100th win on the ATP Tour. July 3 to July 16. surprise winners. "I had never played him. For now though the Sarfraz held up the trophy to And playing against me, all world number five will focus loud cheers and chants of "Long are always very motivated," on winning the warm-up live Sarfraz!" as a police band Federer told the event in Halle for a ninth played patriotic songs nearby. website. time, and he will face in-form "(We won) thanks to Allah "That doesn't make it home hope in and the prayers of the whole easy, but I'm very satisfied. the last 16. nation," Ahmed said in brief That was a very good start Earlier yesterday, Mischa comments as he jostled his way into the Gerry Weber Open." Zverev's brother and fourth through the crowd of Federer, who won his seed Alexander eased to a well-wishers. first Grand Slam title since 6-3, 6-2 win over Paolo Pakistan's victory by 180 2012 at the Australian Open Lorenzi, while runs on Sunday has sparked in January, lost the first fought back from a set down widespread celebrations in the Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed gestures to cricket fans as he celebrates winning the ICC Champions match of his return to Ger- to defeat country, where cricket is the man veteran in 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-4. number one sport. Trophy upon his arrival at his house in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday. The win has been a long overdue boost after a several and Pakistan flags, where fans Pakistan went on to outplay playing an ICC event for the first years of poor results, particularly climbed on rooftops and balco- hosts and trophy favourites Eng- time and four to five boys were in the limited-overs formats. nies to watch him return. land in an eight-wicket semi-final in the team for the first time, so Sarfraz was showered with Sarfraz came out on the bal- win before their epic final triumph I think it is a very good sign for bouquets and given a traditional cony with the trophy and against the Indians. the youngsters. skull cap and an 'ajrak' shawl, showed it off to fans, waving and "All the boys worked very "Fakhar Zaman, Rumman which is usually presented as a making the victory sign with two hard, after losing that first Raees, Shadab Khan, Fahim mark of honour. fingers as the crowds outside match, the way the boys made Ashraf -- all new boys and it is Senior local officials also threw rose petals. the comeback is remarkable," very good sign for Pakistan 's Roger turned up to greet the captain "First of all I would like to said Sarfraz. Pundits have cred- cricket the way Hasan Ali Federer reacts during before he was whisked away thank God, I think this is a big ited the Pakistan Super League played," he continued. "This was the ATP match under escort by police comman- victory for the whole Pakistani -- the country's Twenty20 fran- the whole team's effort." dos along with team-mate public," he told reporters." chise tournament, for unearthing Then he sang a victory jin- against Japan's Yuichi Rumman Raees. The Pakistan team enjoyed new talent such as explosive gle about Pakistan's breathtaking Sugita in Halle, eastern The celebrations did not end a remarkable turnaround after opener Fakhar Zaman and man win and prompted the crowd Germany, yesterday. once he reached his residential widespread criticism followed of the tournament Hasan Ali. with chants of "Long live Paki- block in central Karachi, a 124-run drubbing by India in "This was a young team," stan" before finally retiring back adorned with colourful lights the opening group match. Sarfraz said. "Nine boys were inside. 24 SPORT WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2017