MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 SPORT 07 I’ve always hoped -- that international will return voices CRICKET CRICKET to Pakistan. It’s a tough place to Pakistan hopes on Pakistan Super League Pakistan Super League play cricket, but it’s an anniversary of Lahore Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Karachi Kings vs Multan unbelievably passionate country attack ACTION Gladiators, 2.30pm Sultans, 7.00pm for the game of cricket. TODAY’S

NHL: Benn Park shoots stunning 64 to win leads Stars Women’s World Championship over Blues REUTERS AFP were South Korea’s Ko Jin-young NEW YORK SINGAPORE and Spain’s Zahara Munoz, who both had final rounds of 69. Jamie Benn returned from a Red hot world number two Park Park is wildly popular among brief injury absence to record Sung-hyun shot a stunning best- fans in her homeland who follow a hat-trick and help the visiting of-the-week round of eight- the her around the world in Dallas Stars beat the St. Louis under par round of 64 yesterday packs, with many this week Blues for the second time in 10 to claim a two-stroke victory at sporting the message “Shut up days, 4-1 on Saturday night. HSBC Women’s World Champi- and attack” on their shirts. Defenseman John onship. Not that Park needed any Klingberg had a goal with two The 25-year-old South advice as she stayed eerily calm assists, and Ben Bishop Korean reeled in early leader and demonstrated a steely nerve stopped 29 shots for the Stars, Australian Minjee Lee by the turn when the pressure was on. who continued their push and four birdies on a flawless “To see all these fans travel toward the Western Con- back nine saw her finish the $1.5 from so far away to watch really ference playoffs by completing million tournament at 15 under- helps me,” said Park. a 3-1-0 road trip. par with Lee back on 13-under “I am really surprised every Dallas, which ended the after a three-under 69. time I see them as it’s such a big Blues’ team-record 11-game “I’m really, really delighted group but they really give me Park Sung-hyun of South Korea poses winning streak with a 5-2 and happy with my play today, energy.” with the winner’s trophy after the final victory on February 21, snapped and I think today is one of the The 22-year-old Lee had round of the HSBC Women’s World their seven-game home best days that I am playing so far started the day a shot behind Championship at the Sentosa Golf Club winning stretch Saturday. on the LPGA Tour,” said Park. overnight leader and world in Singapore, yesterday. Though third in the Central “I didn’t think I would win number one Ariya Jutanugarn Division and three points better this fast and I’m really happy. I but a birdie on the first gave her than Dallas, St. Louis has used to have a tough beginning a share of the lead. the 16th for a birdie four. HSBC Women’s World Championship managed just nine non- (of the season) in the last years, When Ariya found the water “She’s the kind of player who Final leading scores from the $1.5m HSBC Women’s World Championship at the Sentosa shootout goals while going and this first win is so fast I think for a double bogey on the fourth, comes around once in a lifetime,” Golf Club yesterday (par 72): 2-3-1 since the 11-game run. I will play really comfortable the the Australian was out in front said Park’s Irish caddie of almost Blues rookie Jordan Binnington 273 - Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 69-71-69-64 rest of my season.” on her own -- until Park started three years David Jones of the made 17 saves during his first 275 - Minjee Lee (AUS) 68-71-67-69 World number three Lee’s her charge. A double bogey seven double major winner and former loss in eight starts at home. 277 - Ko Jin-young (KOR) 69-73-66-69, Azahara Munoz (ESP) 71-68-69-69 challenge faltered after a bogey on the 13th ended Ariya’s chal- world number one. Wild 4, Flames 2 278 - Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 70-71-67-70, Amy Olson (USA) 68-69-71-70 five on the 14th which handed lenge as the tournament settled Ariya signed for a three-over Matt Read scored the go- 279 - Ji Eun-hee (KOR) 71-71-67-70 Park a one-stroke lead which she into a shootout between Park 75 that left her tied for eighth. ahead goal early in the third 280 - Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) 69-70-68-73, Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 68-71-66-75 extended with a further birdie and Lee. Park had edged in front She, too, joined the chorus of period as visiting Minnesota 282 - Nelly Korda (USA) 74-70-69-69 on the 16th. and a sealed the victory in style approval after watching Park rip spoiled a festive night in Tied for third on 11-under with a nerveless 25-foot putt on through the field. Calgary with a victory. Prior to the contest, the Flames honored former Jarome Iginla and sent his sig- nature No. 12 to the rafters at Clark leads by one at Honda Classic Scotiabank Saddledome. Iginla, who spent 16 seasons with the Flames, is the club’s all-time REUTERS PGA Tour Honda Classic victory, got off to a sizzling start, leader in goals (525), points MIAMI Leading third-round scores on Saturday Wyndham Clark but cooled as the 25-year-old (1,095) and regular-season from the US PGA Tour Honda Classic at PGA looks over a birdie suffered bogeys on the ninth, games played (1,219). Wyndham Clark birdied five of National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida putt on the 14th 13th and 15th holes. Defenseman Ryan Suter his first seven holes and hung on (USA unless noted, par-70): green during the “It was a dream start,” Clark collected a goal and an assist, for a one-stroke lead as Fiji said. and Eric Staal and Ryan 203 - Wyndham Clark 69-67-67 third round of the veteran Vijay Singh stormed into “To pull it off was great, and Donato also tallied for the 204 - Vijay Singh (FIJ) 70-69-65, Honda Classic at PGA contention in the third round of just having that cushion makes Wild, who have won five in a Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 67-69- National Resort and the Honda Classic on Saturday. you feel a little bit relaxed row to remain one point 68, Keith Mitchell 68-66-70 205 Spa in Palm Beach American Clark carded a playing to the tough holes on the behind Dallas for the top wild- - Rickie Fowler 67-72-66 206 Gardens, Florida on second consecutive three-under back side. card spot in the Western Con- - Michael Thompson 71-69-66, Saturday. 67 to sit atop the leaderboard at Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 64-73-69, “I made some errant shots ference. Devan Dubnyk turned PGA National in south Florida at Roberto Castro 67-70-69, Adam and swings, but I knew if I just aside 35 shots. seven-under 203, one ahead of Schenk 67-71-68, Brooks Koepka got it in play and got it on the Lightning 5, Senators 1 56-year-old Singh who will bid 67-69-70, Ryan Armour 68-68-70 green, I was going to have a Four different defensemen to become the US PGA Tour’s 207 - Kramer Hickok 69-72-66, chance to make par.” scored for host Tampa Bay, oldest winner today. Matt Jones (AUS) 69-69-69, Vaughn Mitchell, the second round which beat lowly Ottawa to Sam Snead won the Greater Taylor 70-68-69, Sergio Garcia co-leader with Im, shared the match the NHL mark for fewest Greensboro Open in 1965 at the (ESP) 67-70-70, Cameron Tringale lead with Clark for a major games to 50 wins. age of 52. portion of the day, but a bogey Blue-liners Victor 69-68-70, Kang Sung (KOR) 68-68- “It would be great,” Singh, at the 16th ended his chances of Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, 71, Lucas Glover 66-69-72 208 who has not won on the tour in matching Clark. Erik Cernak and Mikhail Ser- - Gary Woodland 72-70-66, Roger 11 years, said of the record. Adam Schenk, who was gachev all had goals, and Sloan (CAN) “I’m physically quite capable among the six players three Andrei Vasilevskiy made 36 of doing it. strokes behind after a 68, was saves in his ninth straight “Mentally, I’m going to go out retroactively assessed a two- victory for the NHL-leading there and see how my mind lowest score of the round. He two shots behind Clark on 205 co-leader Im Sung-jae all but stroke penalty for a rules vio- Lightning, who rebounded works. If I just don’t let anything was eventually joined by Keith after shooting a 66, with six crashed out of contention with lation on Friday. Schenk violated after their club-record interfere, I think I can do it.” Mitchell (70) and South Korean players another stroke behind a seven-over 77 that left him the new rule designed to prevent 10-game winning streak and Three-time major winner Lee Kyoung-hoon (68) on six- including first round leader Jho- eight strokes off the pace. Clark, players from being aligned by 14-game point stretch ended Singh’s five-under 65 was the under 204. Rickie Fowler was nattan Vegas (69). Second-round seeking his first PGA Tour their caddies. at Boston on Thursday. NBA: Curry guides Warriors past 76ers

AFP two-game losing streak. “Both The Warriors had almost the fourth, the Warriors thwarted LOS ANGELES teams are trying to get ready for everybody available on Saturday the 76ers comeback bid. the playoffs so the intensity was after resting key players in their “He took over the game for Stephen Curry sank a late tie- up,” said Durant. recent losses, but the 76ers were us,” Durant said of Curry. “We breaking jump shot en route to Curry’s tie-breaking jumper without star big man Joel Embiid. need that from him.” Elsewhere, 28 points as the Golden State made it 113-111 with 2:35 to go The all-star centre has Donovan Mitchell scored a Warriors beat the Philadelphia after 76ers backup Mike Scott missed the past four games with career-high 46 points as the Utah 76ers 120-117 in a potential NBA had hit two free throws to tendinitis in his left knee and Jazz overcame Giannis Antetok- finals matchup on Saturday. produce the third and final tie of coach Brett Brown isn’t sure ounmpo’s 43 points and a Curry also added two late the fourth quarter. exactly when he will be able to 17-point fourth quarter deficit to free throws and a layup for the First place Golden State, who return. beat the Milwaukee Bucks two-time defending league went 7-4 in February, have never Embiid, averaging 27.3 points 115-111. champion Warriors, who wanted had a losing trip of four or more and 13.5 rebounds in 54 games Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo to get their March schedule off games in the coach Steve Kerr for the Sixers, said he expects to also finished with 14 rebounds to a flying start after a stagnant era. play again next week. in 32 minutes, but missed three February. Ben Simmons finished with Klay Thompson did not play free throws in the final seconds. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after a three Kevin Durant delivered a a triple double with 25 points, 15 for Golden State because of a Derrick Favors had 23 points pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter of game-high 34 points, and rebounds and 11 assists for the sore right knee. and tied a career best with 18 DeMarcus Cousins had his second place 76ers, who came Curry picked up his fourth rebounds. Joe Ingles had 14 their NBA game at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday. highest-scoring game since into the game off a two-game foul with 8:15 left in the third and points and eight assists for the Khris Middleton scored 29 blocks for the Bucks, who had joining Golden State with 25 as road sweep of New Orleans and sat the rest of the quarter. But red-hot Jazz, who won their points and Brook Lopez had 16 their seven-game winning streak the Warriors snapped a Oklahoma City. with Curry back in the lineup in fourth straight contest. points, eight rebounds and seven snapped. 08 SPORT MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 Federer: From Mr Angry to Mr Perfect AFP However, the following year, PARIS he was knocked out in the first round. From racquet-smashing enfant It took a personal tragedy for terrible with a bad attitude and Federer to press the reset button. ill-advised ponytail to univer- Just when he turned 21, his coach sally respected sporting role and close friend from his form- model and icon, ative years Peter Carter was has come a long, long way. killed in a car crash in South Eighteen years after winning Africa. From that point on, the his first title in Milan by beating multi-lingual Federer committed ROGER FEDERER long-forgotten Frenchman Julien himself to winning in style, with Boutter, Federer on Saturday grace and not engulfed by his became just the second man inner demons. Age: 37 (1981.08.08) after Jimmy Connors to win 100 Born on August 8, 1981 in career singles crowns. Basel, to Swiss father Robert and Turned Pro: 1998 Amongst that collection are South African mother Lynette, Weight: 187lbs(85kg) 20 Grand Slams, 27 Masters and Federer started playing at six World Tour Finals. eight. Height: 6’1”(185cm) It’s a success story which has He won his first ATP title in Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland brought him $120m in prize Milan in 2001 and has racked up money alone. trophies every year since with Residence: Switzerland Off court, he is the father of the exception of 2016 when he Plays: Right-Handed, two sets of twins, Myla Rose and shut down his season after a Charlene Riva and Leo and semi-final loss at Wimbledon. One-Handed Backhand Lenny with wife Mirka, a former That extended rest, to Coach: Ivan Ljubicic and Severin Luthi player he met at the 2000 recover from a knee injury, led Olympics in Sydney. to his 2017 renaissance with a Titles: 100 But his career and life wasn’t refreshed Federer winning his always so settled. 18th major at the Australian Grand Slams: 20 As a talented young player, Open. Career prize money: $120,702,428 Federer’s hair-trigger temper A record eighth Wimbledon once threatened to stunt his in 2017 was his 19th Slam title undoubted ability. with his 20th and most recent “I had a tough time getting coming back in Melbourne last winner in 2014 and a 2008 family, about my kids, is eve- Roger Federer’s 100 titles factfile my act together out on court, year. It was after the first of his Olympic doubles gold medallist rybody happy on tour, are we trying to behave properly. For six Australian Opens in 2004 that with close friend Stan Wawrinka. happy to pack up and go on tour me that was a big deal,” he once Federer claimed the world With his 38th birthday in for five, six, seven weeks. Are we PARIS: Roger Federer on Saturday became just the second man to admitted. number one ranking for the first August this year, Federer has willing to do that?,” he said after win 100 career singles titles when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas Federer announced himself time. In his career, he has been always insisted he has never set winning Wimbledon in 2017. 6-4, 6-4 in the Dubai Championships final. in the big time when he famously at the top of the pile for a total of a date for retiring. “For the time being, it seems Federer joins America’s Jimmy Connors, who ended his career defeated childhood hero Pete 310 weeks. “It’s just discussions I always like absolutely no problem, with 109 titles, in reaching the landmark. Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001. Federer was also a have with my wife about the which is wonderful.” Martina Navratilova is way out in front, however, having clinched 167 women’s singles crowns in her career. Here, we look at how Federer went from 1-100:

1st title 2001 -- Milan: bt Julien Boutter (FRA) 6-4, 6-7, 6-4

10th title 2003 -- Vienna: bt Carlos Moya (ESP) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3

20th title 2004 -- US Open: bt Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 6-0, 7-6, 6-0

30th title 2005 -- Wimbledon: bt Andy Roddick (USA) 6-2, 7-6, 6-4

40th title 2006 -- Toronto: bt Richard Gasquet (FRA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

50th title 2007 -- Cincinnati: bt James Blake (USA) 6-1, 6-4

60th title 2009 -- Wimbledon: bt Andy Roddick (USA) 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14

70th title 2011 -- ATP World Tour Finals, London: bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) Roger Federer is seen with tennis legends Pete Sampras 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 of the US (second left), Bjorn Borg of Sweden (left) and Rod Laver (right) at Wimbledon in this file photo. 80th title 2014 “Welcome to the ‘Triple Digit’ -- Cincinnati: bt David Ferrer tournament victory club @rogerfe- (ESP) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 derer - I’ve been a bit lonely - glad to have the company.” 90th title 2017 -- Indian Wells: bt Stan -- Jimmy Connors, the only Hail centurion: ‘Special, magical’ Wawrinka (SUI) 6-4, 7-5 other man to win 100 titles, ending his career on 109. 100th title 2019 Federer reaches 100-title landmark -- Dubai: bt Stefanos Tsitsipas “On a plane and a guy opened (GRE) 6-4, 6-4 the door to the bathroom. There was AFP Federer, who remains a long way back Who’s saying what DUBAI from the all-time mark of 167 titles set in the Year by year titles: a lady in there who forgot to lock “Just watched @rogerfederer win his 100th women’s game by Martina Navratilova, said 2001: 1 the door. She screamed loudly..... title and my daughter asked ‘how many did you Roger Federer described winning his 100th that his two-decade longevity was key to the 2002: 3 also congrats to @rogerfederer for win?’ ‘10’ I responded proudly. “How come you career title as a “special, magical” title . 2003: 7 winning 100 tennis tournaments.” only won 10? That’s like none.” Thanks Roger, for achievement on Saturday but the 37-year-old “It’s a deep satisfaction, an immediate 2004: 11 -- Andy Roddick, who lost making me look bad in front of my kids. insists he won’t obsess over passing Jimmy one. A lot of people always emphasise all the 2005: 11 three Wimbledon finals to Federer Congrats.” Connors’ all-time men’s record of 109. Slams, but I play on the ATP Tour. This is 2006: 12 -- Former US tour player James Blake Federer reached the landmark with a where I’ve won so many of them. Been 2007: 8 ruthless 6-4, 6-4 dismantling of Greece’s Ste- around for so long,” he added. 2008: 4 “Hi @rogerfederer, we still “Congratulations Roger, please play fanos Tsitsipas in the Dubai Championship “I don’t rest between Slams all the time, 2009: 4 remember your words when you forever.” final, his eighth trophy at the Gulf event. like people think I might be. I think this 2010: 5 came to the inauguration of the -- WTA player Shelby Rogers 2011: 4 His 100th title comes 18 years after he number proves that. I think that’s why this Academy in 2017 and you were captured his first in Milan. was a very exciting week for me.” 2012: 6 “Had a great time in Dubai, won tight Federer, the winner of a record 20 Grand The Swiss star will have little time to con- 2013: 1 injured: “Rafa, You’ve done it a matches against top players and in the end lost Slam titles, said that he’s not particularly tar- template achieving yet another record with 2014: 5 million times, so I can be inspired by to one of the greatest ever. But hey, at least I am geting the 109-mark of Connors. Indian Wells in California, next on the agenda 2015: 6 the way you made it look so easy a part of the history #RF100.” “A lot of people always ask me about, for the first Masters of the season. 2016: 0 when you came back. You came -- Borna Coric, defeated in the Dubai 2017: 7 ‘Are you going to go for 109?’”, said Federer. “I didn’t come here expecting I was going back to the world’s top 10, top five, semi-finals by Federer “To answer the question is not easy. to win, to be quite honest. I hadn’t played 2018: 4 Winning five matches in six days or five since Australia,” explained Federer who had 2019: 1 even world No. 1. That’s something “Heartiest congratulations @rogerfederer matches in five days, it takes a different type been defeated by Tsitsipas in the fourth round that I’m going to be thinking about Winning 100 titles during your unbelievable of fitness. at the in January. Highlights: when I come back to the tour in career is a truly mighty achievement. I expect “You can play a great tournament, play “I’m just happy on all fronts how my 20 Grand Slams: more to come this year and beyond! #RF100 January. a brutal semi, you get unlucky sometimes game has progressed, how well I played in Australian Open (2004, 2006, “Today you have won your 100° Rocket.” 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018); -- Aussie legend Rod Laver with the schedule, whatever it may be. the final, winning the eighth Dubai title, He added: “That’s why you have to be fit winning the 100th. (2009); ??! Amazing! Congratulations!” Wimbledon (2003, 2004, -- Rafael Nadal Academy “THE GREATEST CHAMPION EVER, @rogerfe- on many fronts: mentally, physically; you “So many magical things going on. I’m derer! Congrats to the ultimate GOAT! What an have to be able to beat different types of very, very happy right now.” 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, incredible achievement! #RF100.” players: beat them all on successive days.” On Saturday, Federer gained revenge for 2012, 2017); “Congrats to the great @roger- -- Former German tour player Nicolas Connors, who set his record during his his shock Australian Open defeat by the 11th- US Open (2004, 2005, 2006, federer...100 titles! incredible. And 2007, 2008) Kiefer glory years in the 1970s and 1980s, took to ranked Greek. Tsitsipas, who has become every single on of them, won with Twitter to congratulate the Swiss star. the first Greek to ever reach the world’s top ATP Tour Finals: 2003, 2004, class and grace. #RESPECT.” “Huge congrats to my mate, the awesome “Welcome to the ‘Triple Digit’ tour- 10 today, paid tribute to his opponent. 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 @rogerfederer.” nament victory club @rogerfederer - I’ve “100 (titles) is just completely insane -- Davis Cup: 2014 -- Former player-turned- -- Hollywood star Hugh Jackman been a bit lonely - glad to have the company,” I’d be happy with 100 wins. Seriously, I’m Masters: 27 pundit Rennae Stubbs wrote the American. trying to get there,” he said. MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 SPORT 09 Hosts NZ crush Bangladesh by innings

AFP from that point on.” SCOREBOARD HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND The match had belonged to Bangladesh (I innings) ...... 234 New Zealand long before they New Zealand (I innings) ...... 715-6 dec Defiant centuries from Soumya That plan didn’t declared their first innings at a Bangladesh (II innings) Sarkar and Mahmudullah were colossal 715 for six -- a first Tamim Iqbal c Watling b Southee ...... 74 in vain as Trent Boult’s five- work very well for innings lead of 481 -- but Shadman Islam c Boult b Wagner ...... 37 haul gave New Zealand us today and we had Soumya and Mahmudullah were Mominul Haque c Taylor b Boult ...... 8 a crushing victory over Bang- to go back to trying determined to make crossing the M. Mithun c Williamson b Boult ...... 0 ladesh in the first Test by an finish line as difficult as possible Soumya Sarkar b Boult ...... 149 Mahmudullah c Boult b Southee ...... 146 innings and 52 runs in Hamilton to stop some scoring for the hosts. for a period of time, Liton Das b Boult ...... 1 yesterday. Mahmudullah called it a Mehidy Hasan c Raval b Wagner ...... 1 After the stubborn double- because they were “gutsy innings” as they batted Abu Jayed b Boult ...... 3 century partnership took Bang- scoring quickly: together for nearly three sessions Khaled Ahmed () ...... 4 ladesh to 361 for four in their and produced the sixth best part- Ebadat Hossain c Boult b Southee ...... 0 second innings, Boult opened the Williamson nership by a Bangladesh pair. Extras (W6) ...... 6 final chapter of the Test when he When Boult finally bowled Total: (all out) ...... 429 bowled Soumya for 149. pounded the boundaries and Soumya, the 26-year-old left- Fall of : 1-88, 2-100, 3-110, 4-126, 5-361, 6-379, 7-380, 8-413, 9-429, 10-429 The crucial wicket ended a took control of the short-ball hander stood motionless for Bowling: Boult 28-3-123-5 (4w), Southee 24-4- 235-run stand with Mah- barrage that decimated their first several seconds as he realised 98-3, de Grandhomme 10-1-33-0, Wagner 24-4- mudullah (146) for the fifth innings. the significance of his wicket 104-2 (2w), Astle 15-3-58-0, Williamson 2-0-13-0 wicket and saw Bangladesh cave “That plan didn’t work very before departing the ground. Result: New Zealand won by an innings and 52 runs in with the Test all over 68 runs well for us today and we had to The remaining five wickets later, just after tea on day four. go back to trying to stop some lasted only 18 overs. possible to defy the odds in New New Zealand’s Trent Boult “The fight today was as tough scoring for a period of time, When Bangladesh resumed Zealand. celebrates the wicket of Soumya as does get,” New because they were scoring Sunday on 174 for four they faced But, Soumya could not hold Sarkar of Bangladesh during Zealand captain Kane Wil- quickly,” Williamson said. a Herculean task to score a out that long and when the new day four of the first Test match liamson said after Boult’s lethal “There was some fantastic further 307 just to make New ball was taken he lasted 14 more at Seddon Park in Hamilton, spell with the second new ball . Zealand bat again. deliveries before Boult ended his yesterday. trumped the 54-over battle by “When the breakthrough Sri Lanka’s resistance and the tenacity left Soumya and Mahmudullah. came with the second new ball, and Kusal Mendis proved with the innings. It was Soumya’s maiden which was obviously a fairly long their (rain-assisted) match- Boult finished with five for hundred and the fifth and highest time coming, it was great that we saving 274-run stand in Wel- 123 and Tim Southee took three century for Mahmudullah as they were able to open up an end lington before Christmas it is for 98. PSL games Morgan wants moved from South Africa beat Sri Lanka England to Lahore to curb attacking Karachi by eight wickets in first ODI instinct REUTERS AP AFP “He is probably my biggest Fernando (49) LONDON ISLAMABAD JOHANNESBURG weapon as a captain over the when he had the years,” Du Plessis said of Tahir. left-handed Perera Reining in their “natural” The Pakistan Cricket Board South African captain Faf du But the captain added that caught behind off attacking instincts when moved three PSL matches from Plessis hit an unbeaten century early strikes by Lungi Ngidi, a googly during a required can help England’s Lahore to Karachi yesterday after as South Africa cruised to an playing in his first international first spell of one for batsmen adapt better to political and military tension eight-wicket victory over Sri match since suffering a knee 18 in seven overs. different wickets, the team’s between India and Pakistan. Lanka in the opening one-day injury in November, had also Kusal Mendis, one-day international skipper PCB chairman Ehsan Mani international in Johannesburg. been important. who top-scored has said. says the decision was made The hosts won the toss at the “Imran bowled brilliantly in with 60, added 94 England’s batting line-up “following the delayed opening Wanderers Stadium, asked Sri the middle overs today but it is for the fifth wicket imploded on Saturday as the of the Lahore airspace for com- Lanka to bat and bowled them really important to get wickets with Dhananjaya West Indies clinched a seven- mercial flights which has out for 231, a total South Africa with the new ball,” said Du de Silva (39) before wicket win in the fifth and final created substantial operational overtook with more than 11 overs Plessis. Tahir dismissed ODI in St Lucia to ensure the and logistical challenges.” to spare. Ngidi took the first two both batsmen in series ended drawn at 2-2. The “Due to the recent and pre- Du Plessis made 112 not out wickets to reduce Sri Lanka to the first two overs visitors, who lost the test series vailing uncertainty, we felt it as South Africa cruised to victory 23 for two. of his second spell. 2-1, suffered a batting collapse critical to make a decisive and then praised veteran leg- Tahir, who turns 40 later this Sri Lankan South Africa’s Faf only three days after posting decision at this juncture,” Mani spinner Imran Tahir for ensuring month, was not included among captain Lasith du Plessis plays a 418-6 against the same attack said in a statement. South Africa chased a modest Cricket South Africa’s contracted Malinga rued the shot during the first in their previous ODI and “Ensuring all the matches total. players, announced last week. failure of his ODI match against Morgan said his team had to are played in Pakistan falls in Tahir took three for 26 in ten But he showed he remains a key batsmen to capi- Sri Lanka at the quickly address the issue. line with our vision to take all overs as Sri Lanka were bowled member of the country’s talise on good Wanderers Stadium “It is quite difficult to curb eight matches of the PSL to the out for 231 after being sent in on one-day bowling attack with an starts. in Johannesburg, what has been your natural people of Pakistan.” a good batting pitch. He twice immaculate performance. “We lost yesterday. reaction for the last couple of Lahore was due to host three broke partnerships that Tahir ended a third wicket wickets at crucial weeks. The honest answer is we matches from March 9-12 but threatened to take Sri Lanka to stand of 76 between Kusal times,” he said, need to get better at it,” Morgan these will now take place in a challenging total. Perera (33) and Oshada pointing out that on both occa- Du Plessis hit three suc- was quoted as saying by Sky Karachi, along with five other sions when a promising part- cessive fours off Sports. PSL games. Tournament matches SCOREBOARD nership was broken the other ‘in’ and had raced to 32 in the “When we come up against are also held in the UAE. The Sri Lanka 6-21, 7-211, 8-213, 9-219 batsman had been dismissed eighth over when he was different conditions it never is Pakistan leg of the PSL will now N Dickwella c and b Ngidi ...... 8 Bowling: Rabada 9-0-48-1 (2w), Ngidi 10-0- almost immediately. dropped, with Lakshan that easy for any side but you start two days earlier on March U Tharanga b Ngidi ...... 9 60-3 (1w), Nortje 7-1-33-1, Pretorius 7-0-44-0, Fernando, making his Sandakan putting down a rel- need to adapt on the day and K Perera c De Kock b Imran Tahir ...... 33 Imran Tahir 10-1-26-3, Mulder 4-0-20-0 9 with the final scheduled for O Fernando run out (Miller) ...... 49 South Africa one-day international debut was atively straightforward chance find a way of scoring runs, Karachi on March 17. K Mendis c Van der Dussen b Imran Tahir ....60 Q de Kock lbw b Dananjaya ...... 81 run out one short of a half- at short third man. occupying the crease and man- D de Silva st De Kock b Imran Tahir ...... 39 R Hendricks c Dickwella b V Fernando ...... 1 century in Tahir’s next over after De Kock and Du Plessis were aging your innings better than Sri Lanka T Perera c Miller b Rabada ...... 7 F du Plessis (not out) ...... 112 Perera’s dismissal. briefly slowed when Sri Lanka’s we did. A Dananjaya run out (Van der Dussen) ...... 0 H van der Dussen (not out) ...... 32 Reeza Hendricks was spinners came on but were soon “You have to rock up on any secures $11.5m L Malinga c Imran Tahir b Ngidi ...... 15 Extras (LB1, W5) ...... 6 caught behind off Vishwa scoring freely again in a second given day and be in a good L Sandakan c De Kock b Nortje ...... 3 Total (2 wkts) ...... 232 Fernando in the second over of wicket partnership of 136 off 129 enough head space to adapt to withheld by ICC V Fernando (not out) ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-150 South Africa’s innings but balls before De Kock was leg conditions.” England next take Extras (W7) ...... 7 Bowling: Malinga 7-0-37-0 (1w), V Fernando 5-0- Quinton de Kock and Du Plessis before wicket to off-spinner on the West Indies in three Total (47 overs) ...... 231 43-1 (1w), Dananjaya 10-0-52-1, T Perera 3-0-22-0, AFP Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-23, 3-99, 4-101, 5-195, De Silva 4-0-21-0, Sandakan 9.5-0-56-0 (2w) both batted aggressively Akila Dananjaya for 81, made off Twenty20 internationals starting COLOMBO against the new ball. 72 balls with 11 fours. in St Lucia on Tuesday.

Sri Lankan cricket’s crisis- ridden governing body announced yesterday it had secured the release of $11.5m England coaching duo bat for return of withheld by the International Cricket Council for eight months due to a row over its more international cricket in Pakistan leadership. The ICC froze the funds due to Sri Lanka after the country’s AFP England coach Bayliss and majority of their home games Pakistan,” said Farbrace. “It’s a hasn’t stopped the game of government last year appointed LONDON assistant Farbrace were both in the United Arab Emirates -- tough place to play cricket, but cricket going ahead.” an unelected official to run the carrying out similar roles with a situation that continues to this it’s an unbelievably passionate Bayliss, who said Pakistan sport following a bitter dispute and Paul Sri Lanka at the time. day. country for the game of cricket. cricket fans were “some of the between rival candidates. Farbrace hope Pakistan can “I was cleaning my sun- Minnows Zimbabwe were “The sadness for me is that best in the world”, endorsed has long regularly host international glasses, and the next thing, the the first to venture into Pakistan you’ve got players now playing former Kent and Middlesex been beset by graft allegations and cricket again, 10 years after the bus jolted,” Farbrace, who saw after the attack, playing two international cricket for wicketkeeper Farbrace’s in-fighting, with the ICC recently pair came under fire during a a piece of shrapnel draw blood Twenty20 and three one-day Pakistan -- there will be comments. labelling it the most corrupt cricket deadly attack in Lahore that left when it struck his arm, told a internationals in 2015. Under players that have played their “Hopefully cricket does get administration. Delayed elections the country a no-go zone for BBC Test Match Special podcast heavy security, Sri Lanka made entire career, international back there,” Bayliss said. were finally held late last month, sporting teams. marking the 10-year anni- an emotional return to the cricket for Pakistan -- and As for his own memory of with Shammi Silva chosen as It was on March 3, 2009 that versary of the attack. Gaddafi Stadium for a one-off never played a game in their the attack, Bayliss said: “It was president. Sri Lanka’s team bus, taking the “I just turned and looked Twenty20 international in own country. very calm. The only thing that “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes team to the Gaddafi Stadium for over my shoulder, looked out October 2017. The West Indies “For me there’s almost a bit was being said was on the bus, to announce that following high a Test against Pakistan, was hit the window -- I could see this also played three Twenty20 of unfinished business, and for and no louder than this, was ‘oh, level discussions with the ICC, by bullets and grenades in an guy moving towards us with a internationals in Karachi last me to go back there, and see I’m hit’, ‘oh, so am I’, as the the new Executive Committee attack by armed militants. gun, firing this gun.” May. international cricket played in bullets were flying through and of the SLC has successfully Eight police and bystanders It was six years until an “I honestly hope -- I’ve Lahore -- for the people that lost a bit of shrapnel. secured its due portion of were killed, with six others international team visited again, always hoped -- that interna- their lives, I think that would be, “The calmness was the thing finances from the ICC,” the gov- wounded in the incident. with Pakistan forced to play the tional cricket will return to for them, to show that terrorism that stood out for me.” erning body said. 10 SPORT MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 Excitement mounts ahead of CHI Al Shaqab 2019

CHI Al Shaqab

Britain’s Scott Brash, 2012 Olympic gold medallist and winner of CHI Al Shaqab 2017 CSI 5* Grand Prix (2017), Ben Maher, also from Britain and the runner-up of last weeks’s Global Champions Tour Grand Prix and Edwina Tops, Australia’s Olympic-level rider are some of the competitors at the three-day equestrian event.

THE PENINSULA DOHA Championship Tour (LGCT) 2019 of CHI Al Shaqab 2017 CSI 5* Proudly representing Qatar during the days leading up to the the winner to be crowned on first leg that ended on Saturday. Grand Prix (2017), Ben Maher, also will be Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al start of CHI Al Shaqab 2019. Wednesday. Several leading baristas Excitement is mounting in Qatar It’s the first time that these from Britain and the runner-up in Thani, who placed sixth in the An exciting indoor and from Qatar will show their coffee with only three days to go until two world-class equestrian events the Global Champions Tour Grand 2016 Summer Olympics, Bassem outdoor Entertainment Zone offers creations, and the competition will the start of CHI Al Shaqab 2019, are being held back-to-back in Prix that took place at Al Shaqab, Mohammed, winner of the LGCT an array of fun activities for also include a latte art demon- the signature event of Al Shaqab, Qatar, with this being the sixth and Edwina Tops, Australia’s 2017 Grand Prix of Doha, Faleh children to enjoy, including pony stration by Jibbi Little, real name member of Qatar Foundation. edition of CHI Al Shaqab, which is Olympic-level rider with several Suwead Al Ajami, Khalid Al Emadi, rides, magic and circus shows, Rawirat Techasitthanet, a latte art The three-day equestrian sponsored by ExxonMobil. records to her name. and Salmen Sultan A M Al Suwaidi. gaming areas, interactive video champion from Australia. event, which Al Shaqab is organ- Several world-renowned ath- Leading Qatari athletes who To ensure an ongoing festival and virtual reality games, and F1 VIP and regular tickets to ising, kicks off on Thursday, with letes and horses will be partici- have been making their mark in atmosphere of fun and enter- and horse simulators. attend CHI AL Shaqab 2019 from the appetites of Qatar’s horse pating in this year’s event. They the world of international eques- tainment, Al Shaqab will continue There will also be a food court March 7-9 are available on the Al enthusiasts having been whetted include Britain’s Scott Brash, 2012 trian sport have also registered to to keep the doors to its multi- and coffee corners, while a latte art Shaqab website, www.alshaqab. by the Longines Global Olympic gold medallist and winner take part in CHI AL Shaqab 2019. purpose venue open to the public competition started yesterday, with com.

Madrid were too soft against Jorginho fires Chelsea to win Barca: Mourinho

AFP Claudio Ranieri, second-bottom AFP LONDON Fulham have lost eight of their MADRID past nine league games and sit Maurizio Sarri declared the Kepa 10 points from safety. Jose Mourinho accused Real Arrizabalaga controversy was Kepa’s return almost Madrid of lacking fight and over after the Chelsea goal- started in embarrassing looking unhappy against Bar- keeper began to make amends fashion when he made a com- celona on Saturday, just as the for his Wembley mutiny with an plete hash of catching Kevin pressure cranked up on coach impressive display in yesterday’s McDonald’s cross in a swirling Santiago Solari after a second 2-1 win at Fulham. wind, the ball slipping through successive Clasico defeat. Sarri’s side took the lead his grasp as he was challenged Mourinho has been among through Gonzalo Higuain before by Ryan Babel. those mentioned as a possible Calum Chambers equalised at It would have been an open replacement for Solari, as Craven Cottage. goal for Babel, but the Fulham Madrid have been knocked out In an incident-packed first winger was slow to react and of both the Copa del Rey and, half, the much-maligned Kepa scrambled back to dive on realistically, La Liga’s title race Jorginho restored Chelsea’s lead the ball. Chelsea made the most within four days. with his first goal since the of their escape to take the lead The fact that both losses opening weekend of the season. in the 20th minute. came at the hands of Barca, and Chelsea were indebted to Willian’s pass picked out at the Santiago Bernabeu, com- Kepa for a series of superb saves Cesar Azpilicueta’s run down the pounds the misery. that preserved their lead after right and Chelsea’s captain After losing 3-0 in the cup the break, lifting the sixth-placed whipped over a cross that on Wednesday, Madrid were Blues within two points of Higuain met with an instinctive inferior again in the rematch, fourth-placed Manchester volleyed finish. as Ivan Rakitic’s delightful chip United, with a game in hand. Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga makes a late save during the English Premier League It was Higuain’s third goal earned Barcelona a 1-0 win. Sarri had dropped Kepa for match against Fulham at Craven Cottage in London, yesterday. in eight games since the “I think it was not a happy Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Tot- Argentine striker joined on loan performance,” Mourinho said tenham on Wednesday as pun- Revealing he didn’t tell another way, but I know him tighter. “We had a great oppor- from Juventus in January. as a pundit for bEIN Sports. ishment for the Spaniard’s Kepa he had been recalled until well. “He has a good mentality. tunity today. Now we are only Kepa redeemed himself “It was not the performance refusal to be substituted during a team meeting on the day of His behaviour during the week two points from the top four. We with an acrobatic save to keep of a happy team, of a team with last weekend’s League Cup final the game, Sarri said: “He played was very good. have to fight to the last minute out Aleksandar Mitrovic’s great belief and self-esteem. defeat against Manchester City. very well. It was a normal “Kepa is a man. He was able of the last match,” he said. volley from Ryan Sessegnon’s “Clearly they are now in a But Sarri had insisted Kepa decision. He made a big to react very well, as we have “We are fighting. In the last cross. zone after a few bad results, remained his “first choice” and mistake, he paid for it. Now the seen today.” four matches I think we did But from the resulting especially after the cup match, the world’s most expensive situation is closed. Sarri believes Chelsea’s well.” Despite an improved corner, Chelsea were punished where they are in a low. They keeper returned in place of Willy “I can kill him, but I don’t revival this week, coupled with display in caretaker manager for an awful piece of defending couldn’t bring to the game what Caballero after his one-game think it is right. With another Tottenham’s poor form, has Scott Parker’s first game fol- as Fulham grabbed a 28th- I used to call the temperature demotion. man I could have done it in made the top-four chase even lowing the midweek sacking of minute equaliser. of the big matches. They were passive. “I cannot speak about a bad performance, it is just a soft per- formance. Sometimes you play Mbappe grabs another like this against medium teams and in the end, you get a positive result, but against the top teams you have to do a lot more than double for PSG this if you want to win.” Former Real Madrid pres- AP in all five domestic league crossbar in the third minute ident Roman Calderon has games since PSG lost forwards and Enzo Crivelli was similarly claimed Mourinho will take Neymar and Edinson Cavani denied at the other end. over in the summer. Paris Saint-Germain forward to injury, and the 20-year-old’s Marquinhos then struck the “I’m pretty sure he has Kylian Mbappe rescued a 2-1 second-half double in Caen crossbar again for PSG, and general information about the win at Caen for the runaway took him to 53 goals in the Angel Di Maria’s effort was club of his passion,” Mourinho French league leader to avoid league since bursting on the deflected by Caen keeper Brice said. “But he knows more than embarrassment on Saturday scene with Monaco three years Samba onto the post.Ninga me because I know absolutely before Manchester United’s ago. scored in the 56th minute when nothing about it at all.” Champions League visit. He was already the he took Faycal Fajr’s free kick Mourinho also said it was Mbappe scored twice for youngest player to reach 50 on his thigh before dispatching “very flattering” to hear Spanish the second league match in league goals in French league the ball past Alphonse Areola Football Federation president succession to take his tally to history. and inside the far post with his Javier Tebas saying last month 24 goals in 21 games in the But PSG was given a fright next touch. La Liga missed coaches like him competition, his 87th-minute by plucky Caen, which is The lead only lasted three PSG forward Kylian and Pep Guardiola. winner helping PSG open a fighting relegation. The visitors minutes, Mbappe equalizing Mbappe runs with the Many will see Mourinho’s 20-point lead over Lille. were shocked when Casimir with a penalty. Di Maria had ball during the French comments as conveniently Thomas Tuchel’s side can Ninga fired the home side the next chance, again striking L1 match against Caen timed given Solari now appears now turn attention to United’s ahead early in the second half. the post, before Mbappe came at the Michel d’Ornano particularly vulnerable. When trip on Wednesday, when the The goal frames had seen to the visitors’ rescue when he Stadium in Caen, Solari took charge in November, French team will defend a 2-0 plenty of action in the first half. stabbed home the rebound northwestern France, Madrid were seven points lead from the first leg of the PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa after Samba parried Thomas on Saturday. behind Barcelona but that gap last-16 tie. Mbappe has scored set the tone when he struck the Meunier’s initial effort. now stands at 12. MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 SPORT 11 Top QOC officials attend OCA General Assembly in Bangkok

THE PENINSULA Khaleel Al Jabir. Sheikh Ahmad OCA Information and Statistics BANGKOK praised the role of Bangkok and Committee Chairman Bahram Thailand in the development of Afsharzadeh (Iran NOC), Jean The 38th General Assembly of the Olympic movement in Asia Hammam, President of Lebanon the Olympic Council of Asia and said all sports leaders appre- Olympic Committee, and Erick (OCA) began in Bangkok on ciated the hosting and organisa- Thohir, President of Indonesia Saturday. tional capability of the Kingdom. NOC and Chairman of the 18th The OCA President, Sheikh After the official speeches, Asian Games organising com- Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, wel- the OCA showed a short video of mittee INASGOC. comed the delegates to the the history of the Asian Games, The Sheikh Fahad Hiroshima Arnoma Hotel in the presence of which dates back to the First Far Asia Sports Fund award was pre- Thailand’s Minister of Tourism Eastern Championship Games in sented to the former Mayor of and Sport, Weerasak Kowsurat, 1913 in Manila before the first Hiroshima at the 1994 Asian and the Deputy Prime Minister Asian Games took place in 1951 Games, Takashi Hiraoka. and Thailand National Olympic in New Delhi. This year marks the 25th Committee President, Gen. With the next two Asian anniversary of the OCA’s 12th Prawit Wongsuwang. Games host cities already Asian Games in the Japanese city. Also, in attendance were the decided through to 2026, this Mr Hiraoka was the Mayor from QOC Secretary General Jassim Al Buenain (left) and Director of the QOC Sport Affairs Department Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) gives the movement a history of 1991 to 1999. Khaleel Al Jabir (right) along with other officials in Bangkok on Saturday. Second Vice President Dr. Thani 113 years. Eris Herryanto, who was bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, the The OCA Award of Merit was Secretary General of the 18th QOC Secretary General Jassim presented to three people who Asian Games organising com- Palembang which involved Committees, 11,000 media and had attracted 1.7 million Al Buenain and Director of the have contributed much to the mittee INASGOC, reviewed the 17,000 athletes and team offi- 13,000 volunteers. domestic visitors and 79,000 QOC Sport Affairs Department sports movement in Asia: former 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and cials from 45 National Olympic He reported that the Games international tourists. Qatar Masters to begin on March 7 Kitayama wins Oman Open Howell set for Doha return with late surge AFP THE PENINSULA MUSCAT DOHA Kurt Kitayama kept his cool as everyone else on the ‘Beware of the wind!’ is David leaderboard collapsed to win the Oman Open by Howell’s sound advice on how to one stroke yesterday. play the challenging Peter The American finished on a seven-under par Harradine-designed Doha Golf Club total of 281, one stroke ahead of Spaniard Jorge when the 22nd staging of the Campillo, Frenchman Clement Sordet, German Commercial Bank Qatar Masters gets Maximilian Kieffer and Paraguayan Fabrizio under way on March 7. Zanotti. Howell has come close to being The top five entered the event with a total of just an ever-present competitor in the three European tour victories between them - one prestigious Commercial Bank Qatar to Kitayama, who has never won on the US tour, two Masters. to Zanotti - and the pressure told in the end. Since playing in the inaugural “This one feels really good because when I won event in 1998, the current European the first one I was playing really well and it just felt Tour Tournament Committee I’m a great fan of like it was coming,” Kitayama told the European Chairman, has missed only the 2005 tour website. and 2007 editions. David Howell of England Doha Golf Club and High winds and sand storms earlier in the tour- In that time, the likeable Eng- takes his tee shot on hole the Commercial Bank nament led to a marathon final day at the at Al Mouj lishman, who is also a regular tele- four during Day Two of Qatar Masters: David course as Kitayama played 33 holes on Sunday. vision golf pundit and broadcaster, the Omega Dubai Desert In the three holes he had managed before low has had five top-10 finishes and Classic at Emirates Golf Howell light stopped the third round on Saturday, the came in fourth in 2003, just three Club in this January 25, American had dropped six shots to fall seven strokes shots off the winner, South Africa’s 2019 file photo. off the lead. Darren Fichardt. Over the last 13 holes of the third round on “I’m a great fan of Doha Golf Club Sunday, he was seven under heading into the final and the Commercial Bank Qatar round three strokes behind leader Zanotti. Masters,” says Howell, who has Howell, “but you have to make sure perfect place for a spectacular and past winners - it’s an interesting “The way we started that third round, I was, like, played more than 600 tournaments you respect the wind because it’s finish.” combination of young, rising stars ‘can we stop right now?’,” Kitayama said. in his illustrious European Tour always there. It’s a really tough test, Howell, who was on the winning competing with experienced cam- “It gave me a refresh and it was incredible career. although there are birdie and eagle team in both his appearances in The paigners which should add up to an coming back,” he added. “After the Omega Dubai Desert chances to be had. Ryder Cup, in 2004 at Oakland Hills, exciting four days.” Kitayama playing in one of the last groups, was Classic, the Qatar Masters is the The 639-yard par-5 ninth is the Michigan, USA, and in 2006 at the K The Commercial Bank Qatar still two shots back with three holes left. oldest and most well-established longest on the course, yet the par-4 Club in Kildare, Ireland, by the same Masters takes place at Doha Golf Then Sordet three-putted for a bogey on 18 to tournament in the Middle East and 16th is an eagle opportunity and if emphatic score of 18.5 to 9.5, says: Club from March 7-10. make Kieffer the sole leader. The German responded it’s a course the players love to play. you can produce a big hit on the 589- “It’s a great field as always with Entry for spectators is free of by bogeying 17. Kitayama then made birdies at 16 “It’s a driver’s layout,” says yard par-5, 18th it can provide the plenty of former Ryder Cup players charge. and 17 to move into the lead at the end. Reeves guides Australia’s Kyrgios beats Zverev Brazil to win over Chile at Americas to capture Acapulco ATP crown

AFP AFP villain in which pro-Nadal fans had LOS ANGELES ACAPULCO, MEXICO cast him, Zverev said fans should appreciate what they had seen from Brazil flyhalf Josh Reeves kicked five penalties Australian Nick Kyrgios capped a him. to lift the Tupis over visiting Chile 15-10 on scintillating run in Acapulco with a “Really, he’s the one who Saturday in the Americas Rugby Championship. 6-3, 6-4 victory over world number deserves to win it,” Zverev said. Brazil improved to 2-2 in the North and three Alexander Zverev Saturday to “He’s the real champion this week,” South American version of Europe’s Six Nations claim his first ATP title in more than and the fans, finally won over, event while the last-place Chileans fell to 0-4. a year. cheered. Unbeaten Argentina XV clinched the overall Kyrgios defeated three top-10 In women’s action China’s Wang title by winning 39-23 on Friday at Canada. players on the way to the title, saving Yafan rallied from a set and a break They captured their second title in four years three match points in a second- down to capture her first WTA title, finishing atop the standings ahead of the round victory over second-ranked defeating American Sofia Kenin 2-6, defending champion United States, who lost 32-25 Rafael Nadal -- owner of 17 Grand Australia’s Nick 6-3, 7-5. to Uruguay on Saturday night. Argentina have a Slam titles -- and beating No. 9 John Kyrgios celebrates World number 65 Wang, playing comfortable lead and Friday’s fourth straight bonus Isner in the semis. with the trophy in her first WTA singles final, out- win gave them an unassailable margin. He also beat three-time Grand after winning the lasted the 35th-ranked American to Reeves gave Brazil a 9-3 half-time edge but Slam winner Stan Wawrinka in the Acapulco Open. claim her breakthrough title after the Condores struck for a converted try to grab quarter-finals of a drama-filled two hours and 10 minutes. a 10-9 advantage. week that saw him shake off hostile The 24-year-old from Nanjing Next week’s final round-robin matches find crowds, illness, injuries and seized a 2-1 lead in the final set by Canada at the United States on Friday with Brazil moments of malaise -- not to taking advantage of her third break- at Uruguay and Argentina in Chile. mention a post-match scolding from point chance in the game. Meanwhile, Super Rugby match officials Nadal. hours on court over his four prior prompting the German to smash his Wang held on her first ace of the have apologised to the Canterbury Crusaders His win over Zverev was a matches but needed just an hour and racquet in frustration. match for a 3-1 lead, but surrendered for an error that reduced them to 14 men for the remarkably straightforward affair. a half to dispatch Zverev. Kyrgios broke again to open the a break on her fourth double fault final seven minutes of their 22-12 victory over “I just chucked in a lot of drop “You know, I lack on the physical second set, but double-faulted on to allow Kenin to equalize at 3-3. the Queensland Reds on Saturday, coach Scott shots, tried to keep him guessing, side a little bit,” Kyrgios admitted break point in the next game. After Wang held at love to 5-5, Robertson has said. that’s all you can do,” said Kyrgios, with a smile. He broke Zverev again in the she reeled off the last four points of Referee Marius van der Westhuizen sent a former world number 13 who has “But today I served well and just fifth game and held with confidence the 11th game to break Kenin and Richie Mo’unga off the field in the 73rd minute slipped to 72nd in the world. played the clutch points pretty well.” the rest of the way to capture his first then held serve for the triumph. when he was told the Crusaders had used all “He’s super-fit, so he’s going to Indeed it was Zverev whose nerves title since Brisbane in January of The 20-year-old American was eight of their replacements and the flyhalf’s grind you down so I tried to keep the were frayed after Kyrgios broke him 2018. denied her second career WTA title return for the injured Mitchell Hunt was illegal. points short when I could,” added at love in the fourth game of the While Kyrgios had come to and second crown of the year after Kyrgios, who spent more than nine opening set then held for a 4-1 lead, embrace the role of tournament taking her first at Hobart in January. SPORT Monday 4 March 2019 PAGE | 07 PAGE | 08 NBA: Curry Superstar guides Roger Federer: Warriors past From Mr Angry 76ers to Mr Perfect Dr Thani Al Kuwari wins key OCA post

QNA BANGKOK

Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, yesterday led Qatar’s delegation at the 38th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in Bangkok, Thailand. During the meeting, which was held under the chair- manship of Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahd Al Sabah, Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice-President of the QOC, was elected as Vice-President of the OCA for West Asia for the election cycle (2019-2023). Sheikh Ahmed was also re- elected as OCA chairman. In a statement, Dr Thani Al Kuwari, thanked the country’s wise leadership and H E Sheikh Joaan for the great support for Qatari athletes in all conti- nental and international forums. Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Dr Thani bin “I am aware that the victory Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice-President of the QOC and QOC Secretary General Jassim of this position puts a lot of burdens, but it is a demon- Al Buenain during the 38th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in Bangkok, stration of the full awareness of yesterday. RIGHT: The QOC President speaks to an official on the sidelines of the meeting. the youth sports leadership in Qatar, which has achieved a lot, achieve successes and win chal- Minister Timur Gulipayev of The Secretary General of the Committee for Doping Control confirmed the great harmony not only in organising competi- lenges,” he said. Central Asia, Pakistan’s General Omani Olympic Committee, Sultan Al Busaidi was elected as among its members, through the tions but also in other areas to During the meetings, Syed Arif Hassan of South Asia Taha Al Kushri, was elected as a Chairman of the Medical Com- electoral process, where the Pres- confirm that Qatar with its Shahruk Erishkaran was elected and Timothy Fook of Hong Kong member in the Executive Office mittee of the Olympic Council. ident and his deputies won promising youth is able to to South-East Asia, Kazakh from East Asia. and the Chairman of the Omani The General Assembly of OCA without any competition. AFC Champions League: Al Rayyan to begin campaign today QSL giants ready for Asian challenge

FAWAD HUSSAIN Alaaeldin and Brazilian striker Pro League. Iran’s Persepolis and 6:15pm. The UAE’s Al Ain and FACTBOX: AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THE PENINSULA Lucca Borges to deliver the goods. Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor are also Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal are the Current champions: Kashima Antlers (Japan) Meanwhile, Al Sadd and Al in Group D. other teams in the group. Prize money: Winners $4m; Runners-up $2m Three Qatari clubs will be eyeing Duhail will begin their campaigns Qatar’sQatars Al Duhail and Al Sadd When Al Duhail taktake on Most title wins (2): Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Guangzhou Evergrande a dominatingnating ddisplayisplay at tthehe 2019 tomorrow.tomorrow. ddirectlyirectly qualifiedqualified forfor thethe group Esteghlal,Esteghlal, indeedindeed two 2018 AFC Championshampions League, thethe A repeat ofof llastast year’s RounRoundd sstagetage ofof thisthis year’s tournament quarter-finalistsquarter-finalists are going (China), Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) preliminarynary stastagege ooff wwhichhich starts ofof 16 fixturefixture sees by virtue ooff hhavingaving ffinishedinished as face-to-face.face-to-face. Country with most titles: South Korea (5) today att differentdifferent venues.venues. QQatar’satar’s AAll wwinnersinners anandd runners-up ooff Al DuhailDuhail hadhad seenseen theirthe run Format: Reigninggning QNB Stars League Sadd tratravelvel 22017-18017-18 season QSLQSL.. of ninenine consecutiveconsecutive wins ended Thirty-two teams are divided into eight groups of four, with groups played (QSL) championshampions Al Duhail alongalong to JeddahJeddah to AlAl SaSadddd wiwillll bbee kkeeneen to storm by PersepoPersepolis,lis, whilewhile EstEsteghlale on a regional basis (four in the west and four in the east). with giantsnts Al Sadd and Al RaRayyanyyan playpplpla iintonto the finfinalal ooff ththisis yyear’sear’s com-com- were eleliminatediminated at the same The top two in each group advance to the Round of 16, with matches still are representingpresenting Qatar in the petipetition,tion, hahavingving lost out to stagestage byby Al SaddSadd.. played on a regional basis.

continentalental event, hhopingoping to PersepolisPersepolis on FootballFootball ggiantsiants in QaQatar,t Al Winners of the western half face off against the winners of the eastern side emulatee AlAl AnnabiAnnabi whowho wonwon the aggraggregateegate llastast DuhailDuhail hhaveave since strengthenedstrengt in a two-legged final in November. Asian Cupup lastlast month.month. time around.around. theirtheir ranksranks withwith thethe likeslik of Al RRayyanayyan wiwillll bbee seen in Al SSadd’sadd’s MehdiMehdi BenatiaBenatia and action todayoday while Al Duhail and Al Sadd’s Baghdad technicaltechnical ShoyaSh Al Duhail matched Ulsan Bassam Al Rawi, Ahmed Yasser, Al Saddd wiwillll taketake on ttheirheir Bounedjah staff,staff, ledled Nakajima,Nak Hyundai’s record of nine suc- Nakajima, Yousef El Arabi, Karim respectiveive opponents tomorrow by Por-Por- whilewh the cessive wins, from 2012, by Boudiaf, Assim Madibo, Paolo in their ffirstirst group matcmatches.hes. TehranTe defeating Persepolis 1-0 in the Edmilson, Sultan Al Breik, Murad Al RRayyan,ayyan, whowho defeateddefeated giantsg i a first leg of quarter-finals. A 3-1 Naji and Luis Martin. Iran’s Saipaaipa 3-1 in the playplay-off-off snappedsna defeat in the return meeting saw They are in great form, round onon FebruaryFebruary 19, willwill meet SSaudiaudi uupp sstrikert ‘The Red Knights’ exit. having just defeated Al Ahli by a Saudi AArabia’srabia’s ttwo-timewo-time ccham-ham- Arabia’sArabia’s GodwinGodwin MMenshaensha frfromom rivals The Qatari side has the likes 6-0 margin in the QNB Stars pions Al IttihadIttihad in JeJeddah.ddah. TThehe AlAl AAhlihli in Persepolis.Persepolis. of Amin Lecomte, Benatia, League. match willwill kickkick offoff at 8:35pm. theirtheir AFAFCC tugueset uguese The UAE’sUAE’s Al WahdaWahda aandnd ChampionsChampions coach Jesualdo Fer-Fer- Uzbekistan’sstan’s LokomotivLokomotiv are thethe League Group rreira,eira, hhasas announceannouncedd other Grouproup B teams.teams. D openeropener tomorrotomorrow.w. ththee listlist ooff playplayersers fforor ‘Thee Lions’ hope to return to TheThe kkick-offick-off is at thethe King the AAll AAhlihli match.match. Doha wwithith a positive resultresult as AbdullahAbdullah StadStadiumium at ThTheyey are: SaaSaadd AAll they seekek to reach the knockout 8:15pm.8:15pm. DDossari,ossari, Meshaal round thisthis time aroundaround aafterfter AlAl SaddSadd hadhad come BBarsham,arsham, Jihad failing toto do so in the previous awayaway from Jeddah with Mohammad,Mohammad, Boualem edition. a 2-1 win,win, wwhichhich uulti-lti- Khoukhi,Khoukhi, Yasser Abubaker,Abubaker, A victoryictory todaytoday wiwillll alsoalso matelymately hhelpedelped tthemhem HHassanassan AAll HaHaydous,ydous, SalemSalem AAll enable them to put behind the seal a 4-3 aaggregateggregate HHajri,ajri, Akram Afif, Hassan Ahmed, disappointmentintment ofof thethe 0-3 defeatdefeat resultresult anandd aadvancedvance to AbdAbdulkarimulkarim HassanHassan,, PePedrodro they sufferedffered at the hands of Al the quarter-finals.quarter-finals. MMiguel,iguel, BaBaghdadghdad BounedBounedjah,jah, Shahaniaia in QSL WeekWeek 18. AlAl Ahli,Ahli, wwhosehose HHamedamed IsmaiIsmail,l, MesMeshaalhaal IIbrahim,brahim, Al Ittihadttihad are havinghaving a leanlean best continentalcontinental TTariqariq SaSalman,lman, Jung Woo-Young, patch andnd had dismissed Croatian performance was GGabyaby Fernandez, Hussein Behzad, coach Slavenlaven BilicBilic recently.recently. reachingreaching tthehe ffinalinal AlAlii AsaAsadd anandd BaBahaahaa AAll LeitLeithi.hi. Al RRayyanayyan have the likes ofof in 2012,2012, return Earlier tomorrow,tomorrow, Al DuhailDuhail,, Rodrigoo Tabata,Tabata, SebastianSebastian Soria forfor thethe thirdthird coaccoachedhed bbyy Jose MourinMourinho’sho’s long-long- and Kohh MyonMyong-Jin,g-Jin, new recruit timetime in fourfour ttimeime assistant Rui FariaFaria,, wiwillll hhostost Al Rayyan will meet Saudi Arabia’s two-time champions Al Ittihad in Gelmin Rivas from VenezuelaVenezuela,, years,years, havinhavingg fifin-n- IIran’sran’s EsteEsteghlalghlal in their openingopening Jeddah today. The match will kick off at 8:35pm. Khalfann Ibrahim, Mohammed ished second in the Saudi match, with the kick-off kick-off is at