SPORT

Tuesday 14 February 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 Spieth rolls to Root replaces 44-stroke victory at Cook as England Pebble Beach Test captain Jankovic books place in main draw

Armstrong Vas The Peninsula QATAR TOTAL OPEN RESULTS THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT QATAR TOTAL OPEN ormer World No.1 Qualifying - Second round Jelena Jankovic Johanna Larsson (SWE) bt Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) 6–2, 3–6, 6-2 www.wtatennis.com booked a place in Camila Giorgi (ITA) bt Annika Beck (GER) 6–2, 4– 6, 6-3 the main draw of the Qualifying - Final round 1. The 2017 Doha winner will join an illustrious WTA Qatar Open Christina Mchale (USA) bt Johanna Larsson (SWE) 7-6 (4), 6 - 4 list of champions. Fwith a fighting 6-1, 6-7, 6-4 Lauren Davis (USA) bt Camila Giorgi (ITA) 5–7, 5 - 2 With defending champion Carla Suárez Navarro win over Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Madison Brengle (USA) bt Saisai Zheng (CHN) 6-2, 6-2 forced to withdraw due to injury, the draw guaran- Pironkova yesterday. Jelena Jankovic (SEB) bt Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul) 6-1, 6-7, 6-4 tees a new champion from the field of 28 women. At the Khalifa Interna- Starting in 2001, Qatar Total Open's honor roll boasts tional Tennis Complex, seven players who won - or went on to win - Grand Jankovic, now ranked 50, Slam titles, and five World No.1s. withstood a tough challenge from the 65th ranked player 2. Kerber begins her quest to reclaim No.1. to win in two hours 34 Kerber fell from the top spot after Serena Williams minutes. won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, The Serbian, aiming to but all is not lost for the German. Should she reach claw her way back into top the final in Doha, she could return to No.1 at the twenty, started in brilliant Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where she'd fashion to take the first set, also have to reach the final. dropping just one game on the way. Serbia's Jelena Jankovic hits a return to Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova 3. Pliskova rides Fed Cup victories into Doha. In the second, Jankovic during their WTA Qatar Open qualifier at the Khalifa International Tennis Pilskova began 2017 riding a nine-match winning could not maintain the same and Squash Complex in Doha yesterday. The Former World No.1 Jankovic streak through the Brisbane International and into level of consistency and made won 6-1, 6-7, 6-4. Pictures by Hussain Syed the quarterfinals in Melbourne. The Czech shook off many unforced errors with the surprise loss to Mirjana Lucic-Baroni with a dom- her opponent latching on to inating display over Fed Cup weekend, where she the opening to a take a runa- progressed to the final round retirement with the score at her top rank -leads the field. challenge at hand from Olym- earned wins over Lara Arruabarrena and a 60-minute way 5-1 lead. of qualifying by beating Eka- 7-5, 2-5. Kerber has made a slow start pic champion, Monica Puig of romp past reigning French Open champion Garbiñe The 29-year-old Bulgar- terina Alexandrova of Russia Caroline Garcia of France to the season, but has an Puerto Rico, who opens Muguruza. ian, who has one career title in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. will face Brengle, while Rob- opportunity to rediscover her against Germany’s Laura against her name compared Brengle brushed Zheng erta Vinci wills square to Davis form and get back into her Siegemund. 4. Can Cibulkova shake off Aussie to Jankovic’s 15, had an upper Saisai of Chins aside 6-2, 6-1 and Elena Vesnina of Russia strides. One of the interesting disappointment? hand early into the second to make it into the main faces McHale. Kerber has got a bye into clashes of the tournament Dominika Cibulkova ended 2016 on a career-high, half, but then flattered to wrap draw. In all, 32 players, five of the second round, where she could possibly be between winning the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore pre- up proceedings unable to held The American needed the world’s top 10, are com- will play the winner of today’s Agnieszka Radwanska and sented by SC Global, but the World No.5 fell before her serve twice. only an hour and four minutes peting in the singles while 16 tie been young Russian, Daria Caroline Wozniacki. the second week in Australia to an inspired Ekaterina The 31-year-old Jankiovic, to progress, picking up easy pairs are showcasing their Kasatkina or Romanian, Irina- Radwanska has got a bye Makarova. The Slovak is the No.3 seed in Doha. the 2008 Australian Open points against her opponent's skills in the doubles of the six- Camelia Begu. into the second round, but finalists, made a splendid error-strewn game. day tournament in Doha. If Kerber wins her second could crash straight into Woz- 5. Will Wozniacki renew her rivalry with Rad- recovery to tie the score at Earlier, Camila Giorgi There will be a new cham- round tie she is seeded to meet niacki when she eventually wanska in Doha? five-all. From there on, both sprang a shock on seventh pion at the Qatar Open this the winner of Swiss Timea takes to the court. The Asian Swing was dominated by the head-to-head the players held their serves seed Annika Beck, taking it to year, as last year’s winner, Bacsinszky vs Yulia Putintseva Wozniacki must first get between Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozni- and the issue was decided in a deciding set before wrap- Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain of Russia in the quarterfinals past Dutchwoman Kiki acki. The resurgent Dane upset Radwanska en route to the tie-breaker in favour of ping it up 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. withdrew on account of Bacsinszky enters the Bertens before the Radwan- the Toray Pan Pacific Open title but the Pole got the Pironkova. The Italian couldn't con- injury. tournament on a high after her ska clash. better of Wozniacki in Wuhan and Beijing. If she beat The third set also turned tinue her run against Davis in World No. 2 Angelique Fed Cup heroics for Switzer- Another seed, Dominika Kiki Bertens, she'll face the No.4 seed in the second into a close one but Jankovic, the final round of qualifying, Kerber- still searching for land. If the Swiss gets past Cibulkova has also got a bye round. earned a break point in the however, forced into form and eager to get back Putintseva, she will have a and a potential second round ninth game and then held her meeting with the dangerous 6. Muguruza aims for Fed Cup revenge. serve to win 6-4 and qualify but unpredictable Anastasia Muguruza shakes off a tough defeat against Plisk- for the main draw. Pavlyuchenkova is on the ova and has a chance to avange the loss in Doha, as Jankovic will take on cards. they're projected to meet in the quarterfinals. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of The big-hitting Czech Russia next. Karolina is a firm favourite to 7. Fed Cup heroes face off. Joining Jankovic into the move on to the semi-finals. After a long Fed Cup weekend, plenty of players will main draw were the US trio of Being one of the top four seeds aim to take that momentum into the Middle East. Christina McHale, Madison at the tournament, the world One of the must-watch first rounds includes Yulia Brengle and Lauren Davis. number three gets a bye into Putintseva, who reached her first WTA final in St. Christina McHale made it Long queue at the Khalifa International Tennis the second round, where she Petersburg and helped Kazakhstan into World Group into the main draw beating and Squash Complex as fans eagerly wait for will take one either Caroline II Play-Offs, and No.7 seed Timea Bacsinszky, who Johanna Larsson 7-6, 6-4. autographs of their favourite tennis stars. Garcia of France or a led Switzerland into the World Group I semifinals. Larsson had earlier qualifier. Al Attiyah leads star cast at Qatar Open Shotgun Championship

The Peninsula “We hope we will have a nice the other prominent shooters vying weather in the coming days and for top honours at the champion- he 2012 London Games hopefully there will not be any ship include Juan Jose Amorena bronze medallist Nasser disruption on account of rains. Aramburu of Spain, Satu Makel- TSaleh Al Attiyah will lead The Qatar Open Shotgun Cham- Nummela of Finland, Anthony Qatar challenge at the Qatar Open pionship has always been held in Teras of France, Steven Scott and Shotgun Championship which the February window and has no Amber Hill Great Britain, Marco begins today at the Losail Shoot- history of been affected by rains. Innocenti, Alessandro Chianese, ing Complex. Hopefully, the weather stays good Antonino Barilla, Daniele Di Spigno Around 300 shooters from 32 and rain has no effect on the and Sefano Ales of Italy, Abdulrah- countries - including world cham- championship,” added Al Kuwari. man Al Faihan, Talal Al Rashidi and pions and Olympic medal winners The QSAA president said the Shahad Al Hawak of Kuwait, Ray - will be seen in action during the preparation for the smooth con- Bassil of Lebanon, Tatiana Barsuk, nine-day event which will be con- duct of the championship have Elena Tkach, Alexey Alipov, Svet- tested in the Trap, Double Trap been put in place. Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) President Ali Mohamed Al Kuwari addressing lana Demina and Vasily Mosin of and Skeet categories, by both men Hosts Qatar has 49 shooters the media while QSAA and Qatar Open Shotgun Championship officials look on during a Russia, Michal Slamka, Danka Bar- and women, besides the junior taking part in the championship, press conference held in Doha yesterday. tekova, Zuzana Stefecekova Rehak events for both boys and girls, offi- which will serve as a preparation of Slovakia, Saif Bin Futais of UAE cials of Qatar Shooting and for the upcoming World Cup in and Olga Panarina of Archery Association (QSAA) India, which starts on February shooters to Qatar, while 32 will be aiming to take home the Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Kazakhstan. announced yesterday. 23 in New Delhi. marksmen will try their luck for maximum number of medals Netherlands, New Zealand, Today, the pre-event train- “Many Olympic and World The hosts along with Russia Kazakhstan. from the event. Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, ing for Trap will be held for men’s, champions will here in Qatar for will have the highest number of Azerbaijan (12), Great Britain Shooters from Algeria, Argen- Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, UAE women’s, boys and girls, while the the championship,” said Ali shooters taking part in the (10), Italy (10) and Oman (11) will tina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, and USA will also be seen in finals of the women’s trap event Mohamed Al Kuwari, President of championship. make their presence felt on the Finland, France, Germany, action. will be held tomorrow. The cham- QSAA. Kuwait is sending 32 shooting range and Greece, India, Saudi Arabia, Besides Qatari hero Al Attiyah, pionship ends on February 21. SPORT TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2017 21

WORLD GROUP RESULTS Czechs make Fed Cup: US down Germany in light of Kvitova In Ostrava (Indoor, hard) Czech Republic 3 Spain 2 absence to Sunday Karolina Pliskova (CZE) bt Garbine Muguruza reach semis clash marred by anthem gaffe (ESP) 6-2, 6-2 Barbora Strycova (CZE) bt Lara Arruabarrena London Los Angeles (ESP) 6-4, 6-4 Reuters AFP Sara Sorribes Tormo/Maria Jose Martinez Coco Sanchez (ESP) bt Katerina Siniakova/Lucie Safa- hampions, the Czech oCo Vandeweghe Vandeweghe rova (CZE) 6-3, 4-6, 10-7 Republic made light of defeated Andrea (USA) reacts In Hawaii Cthe absence of Petra Petkovic on Sunday to during her Fed United States 4 Germany 0 Kvitova as they eased into the deliver the killing Cup match Sunday Fed Cup semi-finals for a blow in a nightmare against Julia CoCo Vandeweghe (USA) bt Julia Goerges (GER) ninth year in succession with CFed Cup tie for Germany that had Goerges (GER) 6-3, 3-1, retired (match continued from Satur- a 3-2 defeat of Spain on kicked off with a first-day at the Royal day) Sunday. national anthem gaffe. Lahaina Resort CoCo Vandeweghe (USA) bt Andrea Petkovic After the opening day of Petkovic and her team- in Maui, HI, on (GER) 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 the tie in Ostrava had been mates were angered Saturday Saturday. Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Shelby Rogers (USA) bt shared 1-1, world number when an American soloist sang Laura Siegemund/Carina Witthoeft (GER) 4-1, three Karolina Pliskova pow- an old version of the German ered past French Open retired anthem that begins with a stanza champion Garbine Muguruza In Minsk considered overtly nationalist -- 6-2 6-2 before Barbora Stry- "Deutschland, Deutschland Belarus 4 Netherlands 1 cova beat Lara Arruabarrena ueber alles" -- a reference to Sunday 6-4 6-4. German supremacy. Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Kiki Bertens Strycova dedicated the Singing that version is (NED) 6-3, 6-4 win to double Wimbledon unwelcome in Germany because Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) bt Michaella Krajicek champion Kvitova who is of its strong links to the Nazi era, (NED) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 recovering from a serious with only the third stanza of the Olga Govortsova/Vera Lapko (BLR) bt Cindy hand injury sustained during old anthem now used. Burger/Arantxa Rus (NED) 6-4, 6-2 an attempted robbery at her "I have never felt so disre- home late last year. spected in my life," Petkovic said 6-4, 6-0 and put the United fall back on us," Petkovic said. In Geneva "Of course we are think- on Saturday. States into a semi-final tie in "With (time) and a little more Switzerland 4 France 1 ing about her every day and "It was an absolute effron- April with defending champions rationality, I can classify it as a Sunday we were talking to her," Stry- tery and insolence of the very the Czech Republic, who beat mistake (for) which the Ameri- Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) bt Kristina Mladenovic cova said. worst kind." I have never felt so Spain 3-2. cans apologised to us. And again "Of course this was for (FRA) 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-5 Things would get no better Petkovic, irked by an it is not the worst thing which her. We hope she comes back disrespected in my Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Pauline Parmentier (FRA) for Germany on the court in extended break allotted to happened to me in life. But it is and we will welcome her with Maui, Hawaii. life. It was an Vandeweghe at the end of the the worst thing which happened 6-3, 6-4 open arms."

Petkovic, a 12-time Fed Cup absolute second set, couldn't regain her to me in my Fed Cup life ever," Martina Hingis/Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) bt Aman- Belarus also reached the singles winner, lost to Alison effrontery and focus. she added. dine Hesse/Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-4, 6-4 semi-finals without the serv- Riske 7-6 (12/10), 6-2 in Satur- She finished with 11 double The team and a handful of ices of their top player day's only completed match. insolence of the faults, including two in the final supporters tried in vain to sing Victoria Azarenka, who has The US women took a 2-0 very worst kind: game of the match. the correct verse -- "Unity, Rights Rittner in person and promised just had a baby. lead in the best-of-five tie when Andrea Petkovic She was then left to stand and Freedom" -- but couldn't to investigate. They beat the Nether- Julia Georges, who was in tears and watch as Vandeweghe cel- make themselves heard. "The USTA extends a sincere lands 4-1 with 18-year-old after the anthem error, retired ebrated with her teammates Germany captain Barbara apology to the German Fed Cup Aryna Sabalenka securing the Sunday with a knee injury in a before belatedly shaking hands Rittner said she had even pon- team & fans 4 the outdated decisive point on her debut. rain-disrupted match with CoCo with her foe. dered snatching the microphone National Anthem," the US Ten- They will face Switzer- Vandeweghe leading 6-3, 3-1. Although Petkovic had from the singer. nis Association tweeted. land in the semis after they Georges was hurt slipping on in three of her first four service reacted angrily to the anthem "I could have cried, because "This mistake will not occur beat France 3-1. The Czechs a rain-slicked baseline on the last games to take the first set 6-3, mix-up on Saturday, on Sunday it is always a special moment, again." will face the United States, point played Saturday. and was up 4-2 in the second she took to Twitter to offer a "less which gives you goosebumps, The German tennis federa- who beat Germany 4-0 in Petkovic was up again on when the American took a med- emotional" explanation of her when you hear the anthem being tion replied tersely, "@usta we Hawaii. Sunday with the tie on the line, ical timeout for heat illness. feelings. played," Rittner said. hope so...", prompting the USTA CoCo Vandeweghe taking on shock Australian Open From there it was all "We were mainly (stunned) The president of the US Ten- to respond, "@DTB Tennis We defeated Andrea Petkovic on semi-finalist Vandeweghe. Vandeweghe – she won the next and did not know how we react. nis Association, Katrina Adams, can assure that it won't. Again, Sunday to deliver the killing Petkovic broke Vandeweghe 10 games to win the match 3-6, We feared the whole thing could immediately apologised to our sincere apologies." blow to Germany.

New York Knicks Spieth rolls forward Kristaps Porzingis (left) to 4-stroke drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs forward victory at LaMarcus Aldridge during their NBA Pebble Beach game in New York on Sunday. San Francisco AFP

wo-time major champion Jordan Spieth fired a Tbogey-free two-under par Jordan Spieth 70 on Sunday to win the Pebble poses with Beach National Pro-Am and the trophy capture his ninth career US PGA after winning Tour title. The 23-year-old American the AT&T birdied the second and second- Pebble Beach to-last holes in the final round Pro-Am golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the tournament at only course used on Sunday Pebble Beach NBA: Knicks stop the rot with win after three layouts were played on Sunday. over the tournament's first three New York NBA SCORES Kawhi Leonard paced the rounds. AFP Spurs with 36 points and LaMar- Spieth finished on 19-under at 17." In his 100th career PGA It was Spieth's first triumph Sacramento 105 New Orleans 99 cus Aldridge added 15, but par 268, having seized a six- event, Spieth birdied the par-5 since winning the Australian he New York Knicks's lat- Detroit 102 Toronto 101 veteran point guard Tony Parker stroke lead after 54 holes with second hole after reaching the Open last November. Spieth lost

est tough week ended on Minnesota 117 Chicago 89 missed all three of his field goal back-to-back 65s Friday and green in two shots and tapping in his first four attempts to win Ta high note on Sunday as NY Knicks 94 San Antonio 90 attempts and finished with zero Saturday that allowed him to in and then made 14 pars before when leading after 54 holes but Carmelo Anthony and company points and four assists in 31 min- cruise to a four-stroke triumph sinking a 30-foot birdie putt at since then has won six of seven shocked the San Antonio Spurs utes on the floor. over fellow American Kelly the par-3 17th. such opportunities, faltering only 94-90 at Madison Square Instead, Anthony said, he A jump shot from Leonard Kraft. "I kept saying, 'I don't like with an epic back-nine collapse Garden. and his teammates were focused cut New York's lead to 88-86 "It's unbelievable. We had playing boring golf,'" Spieth said. at last year's Masters. A victory over the second- on delivering the kind of con- with 1:43 to play, but Anthony just a fantastic weekend," Spi- "But that's what was needed Reigning US Open champion best team in the NBA was a sistent performance they've had responded with two straight eth said. "I hit 17 greens today. today and that's how we closed Dustin Johnson was third on 273 welcome change of fortune for trouble sustaining through four baskets that rebuilt the It was just kind of a dream it out." with fellow American Brandt the Knicks, who are languish- quarters this season. Knicks's lead to 92-86 with 33 round when you are leading by Spieth, who won the 2015 Snedeker another shot back and ing well out of playoff Anthony scored 25 points seconds remaining and the a bunch. Finally got one to go in Masters and US Open, captured world number one Jason Day of contention in the Eastern Con- and pulled down seven Spurs wouldn't get the deficit his first title of the year and Australia on 275 alongside ference amid tensions between rebounds, Derrick Rose added below four points the rest of became the first player 23-or- Spain's Jon Rahm and American Anthony and club president Phil 18 and Kristaps Porzingis con- the way. PRO-AM SCORES under to win by three or more Gary Woodland. Kraft fired a 67 Jackson. tributed 16 with seven rebounds Dolan sat Sunday next to -19 Jordan Spieth 68 65 65 70 shots five times. but never came nearer than A feud between owner and four blocked shots to help Latrell Sprewell, another ex- -15 Kelly Kraft 69 70 66 67 Only 14-time major winner three shots to Spieth in settling James Dolan and popular ex- the Knicks end a four-game Knick with whom he's feuded. -14 Dustin Johnson 70 69 66 68 Tiger Woods has won nine PGA for his best career PGA finish. Knick Charles Oakley also skid. Sprewell called the Oakley -13 Brandt Snedeker 68 69 67 70 titles at a younger age, about a "This is great," Kraft said. "My boiled over in ugly fashion on New York came up big incident "disappointing" in a -12 Gary Woodland 70 73 67 65 month quicker than Spieth, who game is really good. I haven't

Wednesday. defensively, too, holding the courtside TV interview, saying -12 Jason Day 69 64 75 67 also became the second-young- been clicking all four rounds and Anthony said he was doing Spurs to a season-low 36.3 per- it was time to "iron out" the sit- -12 Jon Rahm 73 67 67 68 est Pebble Beach champion after everything clicked here. What a his best to ignore the noise. cent shooting in the upset. uation "and get past it." compatriot John Cook in 1981. fabulous place to do it." 22 SPORT TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2017 Root replaces Cook as England Test captain

London ROOT'S FACTFILE for me it's a huge support to Reuters know that they are there to Name: Joseph Edward Root help and advise." oe Root said he felt "privi- Date of Birth: Dec 30, 1990 Root made his Test debut leged, humbled and very Place of birth: Sheffield in December, 2012 at the age Jexcited" to be named Eng- Role: Top-order batsman of 21 and has scored 11 centu- land Test cricket captain Domestic team: Yorkshire ries in the longest format of yesterday, replacing Alastair International team: England the game. Cook who resigned last week Test debut: December 13 (against In- The ECB said director of after four and a half years in dia, 2012,) England Cricket Andrew charge. Test caps: 53 Strauss and head coach Colin Graves, chairman of Test runs: 4,594 Trevor Bayliss had held con- the England and Wales Cricket versations with three players India's cricket team poses with the trophy after winning a solo Test match against Bangladesh at Test average: 52.80 Board (ECB), said in a state- before the selectors made Test 100s/50s: 11/27 the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad yesterday. ment that the Yorkshire their decision. batsman had been the perfect Top score: 254 (against Pakistan, Root did not hesitate choice. 2016) when the offer was made. "I'm delighted that he has One-day debut: Jan 11, 2013, against "Joe is the right man to be India crush Bangladesh accepted the role and will now India our next Test captain and I'm help to take the team to the One-day caps: 80 thrilled that he has accepted next level," he added. One-day runs: 3,149 the role," said Strauss. Durham's 25-year-old all- One-day average: 46.30 "He is universally rounder Ben Stokes was One-day 100s/50s: 8/19 respected by his team mates,

in warning to Australia named vice-captain, the role Top score: 125 (against South Africa, passionate about driving the previously held by Root. 2016) Test team forward and Root, 26, has scored 4,594 extremely excited about the Hyderabad SCOREBOARD 50 while young spinner Mehedi Test runs since his debut in prospect of leading his AFP Hasan made a gutsy 61-ball 23 to 2012 and will become Eng- described the new role as a country. India (I innings): ...... 687-6 decl delay the inevitable against the land's 80th Test skipper with "huge honour". "I'm also delighted that ndia issued a battle cry to Bangladesh (I innings): ...... 388 world's number Test side. his first game in charge set to "We have a very good Ben Stokes will take over from Australia yesterday after India (II innings): ...... 159-4 decl But the match ended when be against South Africa at group of players and I'm look- Joe as vice-captain of the wrapping up a comprehen- Bangladesh (II innings): Ashwin, who in his 45th Test had Lord's on July 6. ing forward to leading them team. He has real presence T Iqbal c Kohli b Ashwin ...... 3 sive 208-run victory over S Sarkar c Rahane b Jadeja ...... 42 become the fastest bowler to claim Cook, 32, resigned on Feb. out in the summer, building and influence within the team Bangladesh with a devastat- M Haque c Rahane b Ashwin...... 27 250 Test on Sunday, 6 after captaining England for on Alastair's achievements environment that serve as a Iing display of spin bowling by Mahmudullah c Kumar b Sharma...... 64 trapped Taskin Ahmed lbw to fin- a record 59 Tests. and making the most of our great source of support for Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravin- S Al Hasan c Pujara b Jadeja ...... 22 ish with figures of four for 73. Root, third in the world Test talents in the years ahead," he Joe." dra Jadeja. M Rahim c Jadeja b Ashwin ...... 23 There was some drama after batting rankings, had been the said. England face a busy year Chasing 459 for victory on the S Rahman lbw Sharma ...... 22 the umpire originally turned down standout candidate despite "The senior guys in the with a home series against final day of their first Test on M Hasan c Saha b Jadeja ...... 23 his appeal but had to change his concerns that the extra respon- changing room play a very South Africa and West Indies K Islam Rabbi (not out) ...... 3 Indian soil, Bangladesh were T Islam c Rahul b Jadeja ...... 6 mind after the decision was sibility could affect his form. influential role and whilst followed by the Ashes at the bowled out for 250 in an extended T Ahmed lbw Ashwin...... 1 reviewed by the Indian team. The Yorkshireman there's a natural progression end of 2017 in Australia. afternoon session after stubborn Extras (B-4, LB-7, NB-3) ...... 14 Ashwin also dismissed first resistance from their lower order. Total (all out) ...... 250 innings centurion Mushfiqur Ashwin and Jadeja shared eight Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-71, 3-75, 4-106, 5-162, 6-213, Rahim (23) in the morning session second innings wickets to help 7-225, 8-242, 9-249, 10-250. to scupper Bangladesh's only real

India extend their record unbeaten Bowling: Kumar 8-4-15-0; Ashwin 30.3-10-73-4; hope of saving the match, while

Sharma 13-3-40-2 (3nb); Yadav 12-2-33-0; Jadeja run to 19 Tests, leaving them in 37-15-78-4. Jadeja accounted for star batsman prime form for a series against Shakib Al Hasan (22). arch rivals Australia later this Mahmudullah then put on month. ruthless in future. "Closing off fighting partnerships with their Indian skipper Virat Kohli, man games is very important. Especially captain Rahim and Sabbir Rahman of the match for his 204 in the first in Test cricket you don't want to to resist the Indian attack on what innings, paid tribute to Bangladesh give oppositions any chance to get still seemed to be a decent batting for their fighting performance but into the game and that's something track. made clear that thoughts had we need to keep repeating," Kohli India had bowled out Bangla- already turned to Australia. told reporters. desh for 388 in their second "Everyone's minds and hearts Kohli, second only to Austral- innings and decided to build on are on that series and we are keen ian skipper Steve Smith in the their 299-run lead after not enforc- to start the first Test," said Kohli batting rankings, will go into the ing the follow-on. after seeing off Bangladesh in series in red-hot form after hitting Ninth-ranked Bangladesh Hyderabad. his fourth double century since were always left playing catch-up "Everyone is raring to go ... It's July. The Indian skipper said he after the hosts posted a mammoth a very big series for us." had been making sure that he does 687-6 declared in their first Australia, currently number "not get ahead of myself" and said innings. The result meant India two in the Test rankings, land in the team's recent run was about maintained their unbeaten record Mumbai yesterday for a four-Test more than just his batting. against the minnows and now have series against Kohli's top-ranked Monday's result had appeared seven wins and two draws in nine team. Despite the comprehensive in little doubt after Bangladesh had encounters. nature of the result, Bangladesh been set such a massive total in The Australia series begins on emerged with some credit for tak- their second innings and the tour- February 23, with the first Test This file photo taken on December 11, 2016 shows England's Joe Root as he plays a ing the one-off contest into the ists began the final day on 103-3. in Pune followed by matches in afternoon of the final day and Kohli Mahmudullah (64) shrugged off Bangalore, Ranchi and shot on the fourth day of the fourth Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in said India would need to be more poor form to register his 13th Test Dharamsala. Mumbai. Root yesterday has been named as new Test captain of England.

PCB vows strong stand in corruption probe We need Test experience, says Bangladesh captain Lahore International Cricket Council AFP informed. Hyderabad who started the day on 103 for Three other players -- AFP three. akistani cricket officials Mohammad Irfan (Islamabad "If you look at our bowling said yesterday they United), Zulfiqar Babar (Quetta angladesh skipper Mush- line-up, apart from Shakib (Al Pwould make an example Gladiators) and Shahzaib Hasan fiqur Rahim said Hasan) there is hardly a player of openers Sharjeel Khan and ( Kings) were also Byesterday his side desper- who has played more than Khalid Latif if found guilty in a investigated. ately needed more Test 10-12 Tests," Rahim said, point- corruption probe that threat- "No action will be taken experience to be competitive ing to his side's lack of ens to torpedo the Pakistan against Hasan and Babar as against top teams after their experience. Super League (PSL). they are clear. Irfan is still 208-run thumping in their first "It doesn't matter how The pair, suspended after under investigation and may be five-day game on Indian soil. many runs you score, but it's being accused of meeting a sus- served a show cause notice," Ninth-ranked Bangladesh important to restrict the oppo- picious person linked to an said Khan. have won just three of their 44 sition batting." international betting syndicate, Both Latif and Sharjeel away Tests since gaining five- Rahim also lamented the could face up to a life ban from have denied any day status in 2000, but Rahim absence of a quality batsman international and domestic involvement. believes the team is improving like Virat Kohli, the Indian skip- cricket under Pakistan Cricket think "they can do something "The whole nation takes a "I have not done anything with every passing year. per whose blazing 204 helped Board corruption rules. and play after four or five years, keen interest in the PSL, so it's wrong and my Allah knows "The more Tests we play, the home side amass a crush- PCB chief Shaharyar Khan so that no one dares to do it an important event and any that," Latif told media in the better we will become as a ing 687-6 declared in the first (pictured) said officials are again", he told media in Dubai, stigma ... is disappointing," he Karachi. unit," Rahim told reporters after innings. seeking a "deterrent" punish- where the tourna- said. Sharjeel has played one their loss. Where Kohli averages ment if the Islamabad United ment is being held due to "More so because players Test, 25 one-day and 15 "We have been playing a lit- above 50 in all the three for- players, who have been sent security fears in Pakistan. are regularly given lectures on Twenty20 internationals, and tle better than in the last five mats, Bangladesh boasts only home from the continuing PSL Shaharyar Khan also voiced how to avoid corruption." recently landed a contract to years, so hopefully we will step Shakib Al Hasan, who averages tournament in the United Arab frustration over the allegations, Khan said a tribunal would play English county cricket up and the boys will improve above 40 in just Tests. Emirates, are found guilty of which Latif and Sharjeel have be formed to hear the PSL case, later this year. with experience." Rahim said a player like spot-fixing. denied, and the effect they have after which a disciplinary com- Latif has played five one- Indian spinners Ravichan- Kohli would have prevented The PCB will take a strong had on the highly anticipated mittee would be set up. day and 13 Twenty20 dran Ashwin and Ravindra Bangladesh from needing to stand so that players no longer PSL, in only its second year. The PCB is also keeping the internationals. Jadeja claimed four wickets field seven batsmen on the final each to see off Bangladesh, day. TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2017 SPORT 23

A security personnel walks past Paris Saint- Bayern set Germain's Parc des Princes Stadium, in Paris QSL: Lekhwiya yesterday on the eve of the club's Champions sights on League match against FC Barcelona. looking to extend Arsenal dominance Berlin AFP Chinthana Wasala ayern Munich turn their The Peninsula focus on Arsenal and Bthe Champions League able toppers Lekhwiya will be looking to tomorrow, having effectively extend their dominance against Umm Salal ended the title-race in the Tin the Qatar Stars League when the action Bundesliga with a fifth resumes tomorrow at the Al Gharafa Stadium. straight-crown now theirs to Coach Djamel Belmadi’s men have enjoyed lose. an astonishing unbeaten run this season, having With a third of the Ger- won 15 games, drawing on five occasions to col- man league season still to lect 50 points. play, Bayern hold a com- On the other hand, Umm Salal had mixed for- manding seven-point lead as tunes throughout the league. The Orange Fortress all their main rivals lost at the have won five games, losing seven and they man- weekend. aged to draw on eight occasions. Their nearest challenger, Lekhwiya Coach Belmadi stressed that his side RB Leipzig, kept Bayern off were fully focused on the match. top spot for three weeks late “We are heading into the Umm Salal tie at full last year after a flying start to concentration and we are aiming as ever to pick their first Bundesliga up three points again.” season. “Umm Salal are a good side, who will be a But when the sides met in major challenge for us. They are a tough side to Munich last December, Bay- Emery and PSG look to break down, but we have no alternative to win in ern floored Red Bull-backed order to keep our lead at the top of the table” noted Leipzig with all goals coming the Algerian coach. in a commanding first-half Lekhwiya currently have a three point lead at display in a 3-0 win. the top of the standings ahead of their closest rivals Second-placed RB are get one over Barcelona Al Sadd who are at the second position, and Bel- seven points short of Bayern, madi noted that he wants his side to be in good but in the chasing pack Ein- form ahead of their AFC Champions League match Paris tracht Frankfurt, Borussia CHAMPIONS LEAGUE the recent past, claiming a UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE against Al Jazira. Dortmund and Hoffenheim AFP Round of 16 3-2 win in the group stage “Our focus now is on this league match and are at least 15 points adrift of in September 2014. Round of 16 Fixtures the need to get three points, and then we can look Munich. aris Saint-Ger- They are also a formi- forward to the AFC Champions League in good Paris Saint-Germain (All matches at 19.45GMT) On Saturday, their rivals' main host dable proposition at the spirits.” host Catalans in Today: defeats played into Bayern's Barcelona in the Parc des Princes, having However, Lekhwiya will miss the services of the first leg of hands. first leg of their lost just once there in Benfica vs Borussia Dortmund Khalid Muftah and Chico Flores for tomorrow’s But their seemingly Champions their Champions Europe in the last Paris Saint Germain vs Barcelona game due to suspension, while Mohammed Mun- unstoppable path to a fifth PLeague last-16 tie today League last-16 tie. decade. Tomorrow: tari is a long term injury concern for them. “We title in a row has turned the with their Spanish coach "It's a huge challenge. Bayern Munich vs Arsenal have a strong bench and my players will be able Bundesliga into a one-horse Unai Emery desperate to Coach Unai Emery Simply put, we will have Real Madrid vs Napoli to step up and cover for these absentees,” Bel- race. improve his awful personal desperate to to play two huge matches," madi said. It has been nearly five record against the improve his awful Brazilian left-back Max- injury suffered by right- On the other hand, Umm Salal will be head- years since Bayern's domina- Catalans. personal record well, a former Barcelona back Aleix Vidal which ing into the match, following a 1-1 draw with Al tion of German football was Emery was brought to against the strong player, told PSG's rules him out for the rest of Ahli last time out. last questioned. the French capital last year Catalans. website. the season. Orange Fortress coach Mahmoud Jaber under- Borussia Dortmund ham- as the successor to Laurent "No-one enters this Javier Mascherano and stands how tough the game will be for his side. mered them 5-2 in the Blanc in order to help take campaigns, losing in the competition hoping to cross Arda Turan are sidelined “We are playing against the league leaders, German Cup final on May 12, PSG to the next level in quarter-finals in 2013 and paths with them. Still, it's up too, although one man who who are fighting for the title. We must be at full 2012 -- a week after Borus- Europe after four consec- again in 2015 to Lionel to us to make the could feature is Rafinha, concentration for Lekhwiya.” sia were confirmed league utive quarter-final exits in Messi, Neymar and co. difference." who was named in the “We played well in the last game against Al champions with Bayern eight the Champions League. But there is a new- Emery will be unable to squad but will need a mask Ahli, and we will be looking to continue this pos- points behind. But finishing second in found confidence at the utilise veteran midfielder to protect a broken nose. itive sequence of results in the league” added the Since then, no German their group behind Arsenal Parc des Princes after a fine Thiago Motta, another ex- Barcelona are still Egyptian coach. rival has got close to the exposed PSG to a tougher start to 2017 which has seen Barcelona player, due to fighting on three fronts, Jaber also added that his side will be without Bavarians. draw in the first knockout them win 10 and draw one suspension. Meanwhile, keeping alive the prospect Captain Jawad Ahnash who will be out of the game In the 2012/13 season, round and now they must of their last 11 games in all one winger from Angel Di of another La Liga, Copa del through injury. with Jupp Heynckes as coach, beat the Spanish champi- competitions. Maria, Lucas Moura and Rey and Champions League “I have confidence in my team to play well; I they became the first German ons -- the second leg will "We believe in our- January signing Julian treble to match those believe we will need some luck if we are to defeat club to win the treble of be at the Camp Nou next selves and this game comes Draxler will have to settle achieved in 2009 and Lekhwiya.” European, league and cup month -- just to make it to at a good time for us. If it for a place on the bench. 2015. “Lekhwiya want to stay as league leaders and titles. the last eight again. had come at the start of the Barcelona travel to "It's not really some- we want to keep our form in the league, it will be Bayern won the Bundes- Emery, the former season I would have been France buoyed by a crush- thing we talk about an interesting battle for the points,” he said. liga with a 25-point gap over Sevilla boss, has come up more worried, but every- ing 6-0 win at Alaves in La amongst ourselves but all In another crunch tie, Al Sadd take on Al Arabi nearest rival Dortmund. against Barcelona 23 times thing has changed," PSG's Liga at the weekend in the players have it in at Al Sadd Stadium on Thursday. The domination contin- in his coaching career and Italian midfielder Marco which Luis Suarez scored mind," the club's former Al Sadd are brimming with confidence after ued in each of Pep Guardiola's won just once, in La Liga Verratti said after Friday's twice. PSG defender Lucas Digne registering an impressive 3-1 win over Al Wak- three years in charge, secur- last season. 3-0 win at Bordeaux in That result means Luis said. rah last time out, and simultaneously closed the ing the 2013/14 title that Paris, meanwhile, have Ligue 1, in which Edinson Enrique's side have now "As long as we are still gap on title rivals Lekhwiya to just three points March with a record seven been knocked out of the Cavani scored twice. lost just once in 22 games in every competition, it is after the league leaders drew with Al Rayyan 1-1. games left to eventually fin- Champions League by Bar- The French champions although it was overshad- very important. This club is Wolves’ star midfielder Xavi grabbed a brace ish with a 19-point gap. celona twice in recent have beaten Barcelona in owed by an awful ankle born to win trophies." in the game and is only one goal away from reg- istering his most goals in a league season, a tally of ten goals. As for Al Arabi, they picked up a shock 2-0 win over Al Gharafa. Dortmund hope for big-stage lift against Benfica Al Rayyan will meet Muaither SC at the same venue. The final fixture of the day will take place at Al Khor club when Al Kharaitiyat meet El Jaish. Berlin "In our two matches Reuters against Leipzig (league) and Hertha Berlin (German Cup) orussia Dortmund have we played two matches shown two faces this where we were in the spot- Ibra coy on Man United Bseason, with their lack- light," Tuchel said after the lustre domestic form in stark loss to Darmstadt. "That's contract extension contrast to their scintillating when we seem to be focused European run, which they best and sharp and that's Manchester hope to extend against Ben- when we reach our Reuters fica in the Champions League maximum." round of 16 today. "Against Darmstadt 98 anchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahi- With just two wins from there was nothing to win. movic has yet to commit his future to the their past seven Bundesliga The game was under the MPremier League club despite the Swede games, Thomas Tuchel's radar and everyone saying he has fulfilled the requirements needed team have long dropped out expected us to do so. It to extend his contract. of the title race and Satur- seems we have trouble being The 35-year-old has silenced critics who sug- day's shock 2-1 loss to bottom really sharp at games with- gested he may struggle to adapt to the pace and side Darmstadt 98 left them out the big stage." intensity of the English game, scoring 20 goals Benfica's Brazilian defender Jardel (centre) controls the ball past team-mates as 15 points adrift of leaders There are few bigger since moving to Old Trafford from Paris St Ger- they take part in a training session at Benfica's training grounds in Seixal yesterday. Bayern Munich. football stages than Benfica's main on a free transfer in July. But the Ruhr valley club iconic Estadio da Luz but Manager Jose Mourinho said in November that have been sensational in the Tuchel's biggest concern Frailty at the back was third time in the past six sea- while Andre Carrillo scored United planned to exercise their option to extend Champions League, thriving remains Dortmund's back- evident again on Saturday sons. They beat Arouca 3-0 for the first time since August. Ibrahimovic's contract, which runs out at the end on the big stage and scoring line which has proved shaky when Darnstadt twice out- on Friday to remain top of the They will be without sus- of the current campaign, for a second season. a record 21 goals to top their throughout the season. smarted defenders, leaving Portuguese league, ahead of pended Serbian Andrija "Something like that. I have to score 100 goals," group ahead of Real Madrid. Forwards Pierre-Emer- Dortmund to wonder how rivals Porto, and earn an Zivkovic when they host the Ibrahimovic told British media when asked if he The 1997 European ick Aubameyang and Marco they lost the game. extra day's rest over the Germans but, with four wins has triggered the extension clause with goals and champions and finalists four Reus have provided a con- Benfica's dress rehearsal Germans. in the past five matches, they appearances. years ago will be hoping they strant stream of goals but was far more successful as Greece international for- could not have wished for "The option is already fulfilled. But there's can replicate that form for keeping a clean sheet has the Portuguese look to reach ward Kostas Mitroglou made better form going into the nothing done yet. From my side. We'll wait and their first leg in Lisbon. proved far trickier. the quarter-finals for the it 12 goals in as many games game. see. Let's see what happens."