We’re ready. Everyone QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune is eager to take the QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune field. The fact that we’re making our debut in this tournament gives us the motivation to present our best. Al Duhail striker THURSday, FEBRUARY 4, 2021 Debutants Al Duhail determined as they take on tonight Vinay Nayudu Doha

Reigning QNB Stars League champions Al Duhail will be aiming to make a memorable FIFA Club World Cup debut at the Education City Stadium on Thursday. The Red Knights face Af- rican champions Al Ahly of Egypt, who will be making their sixth appearance in the tournament. But the Qatar side are determined, have self be- lief, and are focused on putting up their best on home turf. Duhail will be sporting their traditional red jerseys while Al Ahly would be in grey and white. Top clubs from five of foot- ball’s six continental confeder- ations join the host nation rep- Qatar’s Al Duhail during a training session ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2020 debut. Egypt’s Africa champions Al Ahly players warmiing up for a training session in Qatar. resentatives Al Duhail in the tournament, to be held at two matches, but that does not with third and fourth places in our opponents. Our goal is to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Today’s Matches mean we have been found the other appearances. make our fans happy.” venues Ahmad bin Ali Stadium wanting. I hope everyone will In 12 matches, Ahly could Given the presen of Kenyan and Education City Stadium. 5pm: Tigers UANL vs Ulsan Hyundai be in their best condition, not even average a goal a game, players in the Al Duhail team, This is the second time Qa- (At Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium) physically, technically and scoring 11 while conceding 22, the Kenyan diaspora would tar is hosting the tournament, 8.30pm: psychologically.” including five against Monter- add to the local support for after 2019. It was scheduled to Al Duhail vs Al Ahly While Al Duhail are aware rey and four against another them while Al Ahly would look start on 1st February when Al (At Education City Stadium) of the challenge that lies ahead, Mexican club, Pachuca. forward to their Egyptian fan Duhail were to play Oceania Al Ahly would be seeking a Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosi- base in Qatar to root for them. representative Auckland City Club World Cup redemption. mane said they respect Al Du- While Thursday’s winners FC, but the latter withdrew ious tournament. tian club Al Ahly, who are the strongest teams in Africa. They haven’t had the suc- hail. “Happy to return to the will face Bayern Munich in the from the competition because “Our preparations have champions of Africa. The fact We’ve to work hard, as the cess not normally associated Club World Cup and play at the semis on Monday, the losers of COVID-19 quarantine meas- been normal. We consider it that we’re making our debut match won’t be easy.” with the most successful club 2022 World Cup stadiums, and will play in the fifth-place game. ures required by authorities in as an honor to participate in in this tournament gives us the Al Duhail defender Bassam on the continent with 20 Con- we respect the Duhail team,” That play-off will be against New Zealand. As a result, The this wonderful tournament,” motivation to present ourselves Al Rawi, said, “Participation federation of African Football he said. the losers of the other quar- Red Knights received a walko- he said, but added, “Facing Al in the best way. All participat- means a lot to us because we’re titles. That’s something the The coach had earlier re- ter-final betweenN orth and ver into the second round with Ahly won’t be easy. We’ll have ing clubs will be at a high level, representing the State of Qatar Red Devils take into a marked, “Duhail have good de- Central American champions a 3-0 verdict. to take advantage of all our op- so we must also be at the same and donning the logo of Al Du- quarter-final againstAl Duhail. fenders like Moroccan Medhi UANL of Mexico and Asian South American champions portunities. For that, our ranks level. Against Al Ahly, we’ll do hail club in a global champion- It will be the sixth appear- Benatia, who once played for champions Ulsan Hyundai of Palmeiras of Brazil, European must be complete without any our best to win and reach the ship and we have to present a ance by Ahly in the annual Juventus, and some sharp Bra- South Korea. champions Bayern Munich of injuries. Al Ahly have experi- semifinals.” good level and appear in an ex- competition and they desper- zilian forwards. Germany, Asian champions ence in big tournaments, be it Al Duhail’s new Kenyan cellent way. We are fully ready ately want to improve on hav- “A lot of our supporters are Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea the Champions League or Club striker Michael Olunga said, for the tournament and all ing won just three matches of already talking about Bayern and CONCACAF champions World Cup. On our side, we “Al Duhail are a special team players are excited since it’s a 12, losing the rest. and their stars, but we can play Tigres UANL of Mexico are the must believe in ourselves and and one of the biggest clubs in big opportunity. We must play The low point came at the them only if we get past Duhail, AFC President other participating clubs. stay focused.” Qatar. The Club World Cup is to our full potential.” 2013 Club World Cup in Mo- who are just as ambitious as Al Duhail’s French coach Al Duhail’s striker Al- a good opportunity for me and Al Duhail player Ismail rocco as they were humiliated us.” praises Qatar’s said his team moez Ali said, “We’re ready to my teammates. It’s a challenge Mohammed said, “The team 5-1 by Monterrey of Mexico in Al Ahly goalkeeper, Mo- has been preparing their usual compete. Certainly, everyone for everyone and we’re ready is moving in the right direc- the fifth-place playoff. hamed El-Shenawy, said, “Any efforts in way and consider it as an hon- is eager to take the field, espe- for it. We know the strengths tion even though we didn’t That was the third time Ahly player would wish to be in the our to playing in the prestig- cially since we’re facing Egyp- of Al Ahly, they’re one of the have luck on our side in many finished sixth of seven clubs, Club World Cup. We respect hosting FIFA Club World Cup AFC Champions League champions Ulsan Hyundai brace to meet CONCACAF winners Tigres UANL

Tribune News Network Doha Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President, Asian Football In what would be a return to Confederation. winning ground, Ulsan Hyun- QNA dai – who won the AFC Champi- Kuala Lumpur ons League in Qatar in Decem- ber – will take on CONCACAF President of Asian Football champions Tigres in their open- Confederation (AFC) Sheikh ing FIFA Club World Cup 2020 Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa meeting at the Ahmad Bin Ali on Wednesday praised the State Stadium on Thursday. of Qatar’s efforts in hosting the The South Korean side is FIFA Club World Cup for a sec- however sans their two main ond year running, following the architects of that triumph. successful and safe staging of the Ulsan won their first Asian AFC Champions League 2020 Continental since 2012, when from September to December they beat Iran’s Persepolis 2-1 “We will do our best to represent Asia the best”, said Ulsan Hyundai 2020, which was held at three in the final in Doha with Yoon coach Hong Myung-bo on the match against Tigres UNAL. FIFA World Cup 2022 venues – Bit-garam named the tourna- the Al Janoub Stadium, Khalifa ment’s most valuable player. year, with Ricardo Ferretti’s spect,” he said. International Stadium and Edu- But since then, their Brazilian side having the best possible “We are going to face Ulsan cation City Stadium. striker Junior Negrao – who preparation for their clash with great seriousness, humil- The AFC President, said, scored both of his side’s goals against Ulsan. ity and eager to do things well “The Qatar FA and the Supreme in the final – and coach Kim New arrival Carlos Gonza- to move on to the next stage. Committee for Delivery and Do-hoon have left the club. Supporters of Mexico’s Tigres UANL at an event for fans outside Education City Stadium. (AFP) lez has made a strong start to My team is going to play the Legacy have proven their world- Adding to the difficulty is life at the club with two goals way it likes, and taking into class hosting capabilities and the fact that they haven’t been “Our team hasn’t been train- pressure on new arrival Kim giving its best. coming from his first three ap- account the team that we are the success of the AFC Champi- in action since the conclusion ing together for long since we Ji-Hyeon to make an instant “We respect Tigres, but pearances, but had to sit out of going to face, adapting to cer- ons League in 2020 exemplified of the AFC Champions League won the Champions League. impression for the Tigers, they we will be the representatives the last league match due to in- tain things and seeking to im- their incredible organizational in December. But we want to go in with con- will rely on AFC Champions of Asia. We will do everything jury. Ferretti said Gonzalez will pose what we want,” the Tigres excellence and meticulous at- South Korean football leg- fidence. This championship will League MVP Yoon to be the possible because we also rep- have to make do with a place coach added. tention to detail under the most end Hong Myung-bo, who has motivate us to do well. Tigres fulcrum in attack. resent South Korea,” he said. on the substitutes’ bench for Tigres captain and mid- challenging of circumstances. replaced Kim Do-hoon in the have very good players, like Centre-back Kim Kee-hee Meanwhile, Tigres have today’s match, but said he will fielderG uido Pizarro said: “In less than two years, managerial role, has had lim- Carioca, Andre-Pierre Gignac. and defensive midfielder Won emerged as a force on the do- start with French star Andre- “We are facing a difficult and Qatar will welcome the world ited time to prepare the team. We have to think about how to Du-jae will be key in stifling mestic scene in recent years. The Pierre Gignac, who also had dynamic rival. Being here is of football and we have eve- Myung-bo, who played in four defend against them,” he said. the goalscoring threat posed Mexican side’s triumph over Los missed the last league fixture. very important, but when- ry confidence in their abil- FIFA World Cups for South That Ulsan allowed only by Tigres’ all-time leading Angeles FC in the CONCACAF While Tigres will no doubt ever you are here you want ity to stage the best-ever FIFA Korea and captained them to seven goals in 10 matches goalscorer Andre-Pierre Gig- final came a year after their de- start as favourites, Ferretti the best and this is no excep- World Cup, one that will a historic fourth-place finish throughout their 2020 AFC nac. Goalkeeper in Jo Hyeon- feat in the 2019 final. was keen to remind his play- tion. We have arrived in very showcase the highest organi- at 2002 World Cup, admit- Champions League campaign, woo, who has experience being The Tigres have already ers not to take any match or good shape, since the Mexican zational standards as well as ted Uslan will be underdogs will please Myung-bo. successful on the international played four competitive fix- opponent lightly. “There is no championship started. The the warm and most generous against Mexican side Tigres. While there will be the stage, was hopeful of the team tures since the start of the rival that does not deserve re- boys are eager to do well. hospitality,” he added. Sports Thursday, February 4, 2021 13 SC Ambassadors reveal their FIFA Club World Cup memories he FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 is “After the match, I went to their dress- winning it twice. In 2009, I remember the fi- all set to kick off on Thursday. The 17th ing room, I stayed a while, and I shared the nal being a really tough game against Estudi- edition of the tournament will be hosted moment with the players from TP Mazembe. antes. The game went to extra-time after we in Qatar from February 4-11. Every year, These are great memories for me, especially equalised in the 90th minute before Messi Tthe FIFA Club World Cup offers a unique oppor- as I also won the Golden Ball as the best play- went on to score the winning goal for us late tunity for fans to watch the best clubs compete er of the tournament. Winning this honour was in the game. to be crowned as world champions. The 2020 a surprise for me, but made me very happy. It “In 2011, we outclassed Santos in the edition will be contested by Al Duhail (host was the first time an African player won this final, beating them 4-0. I have really good nation representatives), Al Ahly (CAF), Bayern distinction at the competition, so it was a great memories of that match, not just because of Munich (UEFA), [Palmeiras or Santos] (CON- honour for me. the goal I scored and the result, but for how MEBOL), Tigres UANL (CONCACAF) and Ulsan “From my role as an SC Ambassador, I we played as a team – it was a really strong Hyundai (AFC). know Qatar is ready and very much excited performance. Santos had a really good team This will be the second time the tourna- to host the FIFA Club World Cup. I know from with players like Ganso and Neymar, but we ment has been played in Qatar, following the my experience as a player that this will be a had a fantastic generation of players in that country’s successful hosting of the 2019 edi- and managed to win 4-2 in an exciting game. privileged moment for the players competing at We ended up finishing in sixth place, but we Barcelona team led by Pep Guardiola. It was tion, where Liverpool were crowned champions. “I know that Qatar is looking forward to the tournament and it will create many happy learned many positive lessons that helped us special to play in that final and a great memo- This year’s tournament will be played in two once again hosting this fantastic competition. memories for them to look back on.” in our second participation in 2006, where ry to look back on. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ venues: Educa- The players will be arriving to a country that we were very close to reaching the final until tion City Stadium and the recently-launched is super prepared to host the event and has Wael Gomaa Brazilian club Internacional capitalised on a Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. all the protocols in place to make sure it runs Appearances: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, mistake from our side to win the semi-final. With only a few days until the latest edi- smoothly and safely. I’m lucky to have seen 2013 (Al Ahly) We went on to finish in third place after beat- tion of the competition kicks off, we spoke to many of the amazing stadiums, so I’m sure it Best finish: Third place (2006) ing Club America in the play-off. This was my footballing legends and Supreme Committee will be an honour for the players to play in Ah- “The FIFA Club World Cup is a very impor- best memory from the tournament, especially for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Ambassadors Cafu, mad Bin Ali Stadium and Education City Stadi- tant tournament, and in my opinion, the most as we were so close to qualifying for the final. Samuel Eto’o, Wael Gomaa and Hernan- um in advance of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.” prestigious competition at club level due to This match was so special to all of us and it’s dez about their memories of competing in the the participation of the champions of engraved in all Al Ahly fans’ minds. tournament during their playing days. Samuel Eto’o the six continents. It is an opportunity “I am excited to watch Al Ahly’s Appearances: 2010 () that enables players to crown their participation at this year’s FIFA Club Cafu Best finish: Champions (2010) efforts from the previous season World Cup in Qatar. It will be a very Appearances: 2007 (A.C. Milan) Personal honours: Golden Ball (2010) at their respective clubs. The CAF special and unique opportunity for Best finish: Champions (2007) “My memories of the FIFA Club World Cup Champions League within the Af- the players to compete in such a big “One of the most important club competi- could not be better, because I won the final rican continent is always a difficult international event that is being host- tions I won as a player was the UEFA Champi- with Inter Milan in 2010. For the first time, I tournament to win, especially due to ed in an Arab homeland. I hope that ons League with Milan in 2007, which meant I had the pleasure of playing in a final against a the amount of travel from one country Al Ahly performs strongly in the tourna- also got the opportunity to compete at the FIFA very beautiful African team, TP Mazembe. to another to play games. ment for the club’s fans in Egypt, as well Club World Cup. It was a great honour for me “I had a lot of emotions for this match for “Therefore, the FIFA Club World Cup as the many Al Ahly fans living in Qatar. I “I have also had the privilege of coaching to win the Club World Cup as a player, as not my continent, Africa, and my duty to ensure vic- is a great reward to the players who put wish all of the teams the best of luck and in a FIFA Club World Cup with my current club many get this opportunity. At Milan, we had an tory for Inter Milan. It was an honour to win the in a tremendous effort to reach the tour- to enjoy the moment playing at such a big Al Sadd when Qatar hosted the 2019 edition impressive team at that time with lots of great competition with Inter for the first time in the nament, as it provides an opportunity to tournament and hopefully one that will live of the tournament. We were proud to repre- players such as Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and club’s history and to share this victory with my play at a very distinguished level in a long in the memories of fans.” sent Qatari football and showcase the country Andrea Pirlo. brothers from TP Mazembe. new environment. during this prestigious event. We also per- “Competing at the FIFA Club World Cup “I am proud to have played in 11 Xavi Hernandez formed well in the tournament. We won the provides further recognition and merit for the matches in five editions of the FIFA Appearances: 2006, 2009 & 2011 firstgame against Hienghene Sport before job you have done during the previous season Club World Cup with Al Ahly and such (Barcelona) pushing Monterrey close in the second round. and is another opportunity to compete against experiences are full of unforgettable Best finish: Champions (2009, It was a great experience for the players to other great teams and win some additional sil- and happy memories. 2011) compete in a global competition. verware. “I first played in the tourna- Personal honours: Bronze Ball “I know Qatar is really looking forward “In the finalin 2007, we played against an ment in Japan in 2005. It was (2009), Silver Ball (2011) to staging the FIFA Club World Cup again extremely difficult opponent in Boca Juniors. It a hard experience for us, as we “I had the honour of playing and providing another preview of what fans is never easy to play against Boca, but at Mi- had to play in unusual circum- at the FIFA Club World Cup on can expect when the FIFA World Cup takes place lan, we were very well prepared for the match stances and lost both games. three occasions for Barcelona, in the country in less than two years’ time.” (SC)

Libertadores Cup champions Palmeiras arrive Man City restore three-point lead; Leicester go third

DPA for Kelechi Iheanacho to head London the opener on 17 minutes and then James Justin for the sec- Manchester City restored ond just before half-time. their three-point lead at the Leicester also had three top of the Premier League goals ruled out and manager with a 2-0 win at Burnley on Brendan Rodgers was delight- Wednesday. ed with the performance after Gabriel Jesus and Raheem losing to Leeds in their previ- Sterling scored the goals to lift ous game. City back above Manchester “I thought we were excel- United, who had joined them lent, two outstanding goals,” following their 9-0 thrashing he said. “Showed real mo- of Southampton on Tuesday. ments of quality, second half “It’s good to get another win we controlled the game with- and keep a clean sheet,” said out the ball and managed the Sterling, who finished things game really well. off after a good pass from Ilkay The result left Fulham Guendogan. Jesus opened the third-bottom, still seven scoring for City after three min- points from Burnely in safety. utes and Sterling’s second ex- “The cold hard fact is that tended their winning streak in we’ve lost a football match all competitions to 13 matches, today and we know what we leaving Burnley 17th. need to do - we need to win,” “We’ve been on a good run he said. “We huffed and and we need to continue that. puffed at times and the main (It’s about) togetherness. It’s focus for us is the next game, about grinding results out West Ham and a run of games week by week. The more that we need to win. Libertadores Cup winners Palmeiras arrived in Doha to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 on Wednesday. The Brazilian club will be making their first appearance in you win, the better you feel.” “This group of players the tournament in the semi-final stage at Education City Stadium on February 7. Leicester moved third, for a know what we need to do couple of hours at least, after and we will come out fighting their 2-0 win at Fulham lifted they were clinical the quality them two points above Liver- was there. We are where we pool, who play Brighton later are.” Leeds United host Ever- on Wednesday. ton and Aston Villa play West Players to quarantine after positive test, play James Maddison set up Ham in Wednesday’s other suspended in Melbourne for Thursday both goals, first with a cross matches.

DPA Andrews said “we have to Berlin assume that this person has infected others” as a thorough Up to 600 players, officials contact tracing process was and staff for the Australian started and Victoria re-intro- Open must quarantine until duced strict measures includ- they provide a negative coro- ing mandatory masks indoors navirus test after a worker and no more than 15 people in one of the tournament’s meeting in one household af- quarantine hotels submitted ter what was reportedly the a positive test for the Sars- first local case in the state in CoV-2 virus. four weeks. In order to facilitate swift All players and their en- testing on Thursday all match- tourage had to quarantine for es at the six tune-up events for two weeks upon their arrival the Grand Slam in Melbourne A file photo taken on January 15, 2021, shows tennis players and officials arriving at the Grand Hyatt in Australia, a period that end- were cancelled for that day, hotel for a two-week quarantine period ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne. (AFP) ed on the weekend. the Australian Open tweeted. Many were allowed to train The government of the A government statement (and) must immediately iso- immediately which players for a few hours each day but a state of Victoria said that the said that “all Australian Open late and get tested.” Looking were affected and it is also un- group of more than 70 were man last worked in the hotel players, officials and support at the Australian Open, Vic- clear how the build-up events not permitted to leave their on Friday, January, 29 and staff who were staying at the toria premier Daniel Andrews which are all to end on Satur- hotel rooms in the period be- Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (left) congratu- submitted a negative test on Grand Hyatt” between Janu- was quoted as saying: “at this day will be completed. Organ- cause other passengers aboard lates Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodrigo after the English that day. He then tested posi- ary 29 and February 2 “are stage, there’s no impact to the izers planned an update for their charter flights to Mel- Premier League match against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley, Eng- tive on Tuesday, February 2. considered casual contacts tournament.” It was not clear later Wednesday. bourne had tested positive. land, on Wednesday. (AFP) 14 Thursday, February 4, 2021 Sports Shakib helps Al Gharafa hoopsters lift Bangladesh Qatar Cup a fourth time recover from League winners Warrican strikes Agencies defeat Al Shamal Chittagong

86-77 in an It was a steven-evens open- absorbing final ing day of the firstT est at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Sta- dium, Bangladesh posted 242 Tribune News Network for 5 even as Jomel Warrican Doha took three for West In- dies to stiffle the hosts. Al Gharafa hoopsters once Bangladesh opted to bat again stamped their class on and had opener Shadman Is- the Qatar Cup as they lifted lam scoring a half-century, the trophy a fourth time at but the rest of the line-up the Al Gharafa Sports Club on struggled to convert starts Wednesday. before Shakib Al Hasan and Al Gharafa claimed the Liton Das took them through 2020/2021 Qatar Basketball to stumps with an unbroken Cup with an absorbing 86- stand of 49. 77 victory over Al Shamal in On an opening day pitch the final. that didn’t have much for the This was their fourth title bowlers, Warrican would be having emerged champions on pleased with his 3/58 that three earlier occasions as well. took the sting out of the Bang- In 2014, Al Gharafa beat Al ladesh batsmen, particularly Rayyan 91-88 to capture their in the second session. How- first title.T hey beat El Jaish 65- ever, the partnership between 57 to win the 2015 Qatar Basket- Shakib and Liton means Bang- ball Cup, and in 2017, Al Ghara- ladesh will be confident on the fa defeated Al Rayyan 104-91 to second morning. West Indies’ Jomel Warrican capture their third title. The Bangladesh batsmen (right) and teammate Jermaine Al Gharafa won the played attritional for Blackwood celebrate the dismiss- 2020/2021 Qatar Basketball most of the day, making for a al of Bangladesh’s Shadman Is- Cup after a fantastic cam- low scoring rate. That perhaps lam (not pictured) during the first paign, where they beat Al had something to do with the day of their first Test at the Zohur Wkarah 112-81 in the quarter- early of senior bats- Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in finals and defeated Qatar SC Al Gharafa players with the Qatar Cup basketball trophy and their medals after the final at the Al Gharafa Sports Club on Wednesday. man Tamim Iqbal, who was Chittagong on Wednesday. (AFP) 83-71 in the semi-final. cleaned up by pacer Kemar Speaking to the victory, They have us on the ropes for tiring game. We have played better basketball today and are have won two trophies this Roach in just the fifth over had brought up his half-centu- Al Gharafa’s Franklin Ses- a while, but we stayed together three games in five days. Con- the deserving winners.” season. The credit goes to the of the morning. The delivery ry meanwhile, was undone by sion, said, “It is an amazing as a team and win the title.” trary to the league final this Al Gharafa’s coach Kosay players as they played like a was on a length, but moved in Warrican shortly thereafter, win. Hats off to Shamal as Al Gharafa captain Abdul- time, Shamal have their full Hatem was equally delighted. unit throughout the season,” enough to go through Tamim, trapped in front attempting a they played very well today. rahman Saad, said: “It was a team, but I think we played “It is a big win for us. Now we he said. and Bangladesh were 23/1. sweep, and Bangladesh were Shadman and Najmul suddenly in deeper trouble at Hossain Shanto then carefully 134/4. They went into tea at a navigated the best part of 19 precarious 140/4, their patient overs, putting on an assidu- undone. ous 43, but all the hard work The final session was Eng. Osama Al Dafea-owned & trained was undone when Shanto was therefore crucial for the home disastrously run out. Shadman side. They needed runs while had worked one to fine leg, also keeping wickets intact, and wanted to run two, but but in the duo of Mushfiqur Taxiwala tops for Al Shaqab Trophy Shanto was late to respond, Rahim and Shakib, they had and was stranded on 25 as the experienced campaigners to Tribune News Network bails were whipped off. help navigate the tough waters. Doha It meant Bangladesh were Shakib put on important, 69/2 at lunch. With captain sizeable partnerships with Eng. Osama Omer Al Dafea- Mominul Haque partnering Mushfiqur first and then with owned & trained Taxiwala Shadman after the break, the Liton. Mushfiqur scored a (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor hosts went about slowly add- 69-ball 38 – a knock compris- x It’s True) claimed the Al ing to the total. It was a session ing six fours – helping revive Shaqab Racing Trophy win- of defensive, patient batting, Bangladesh, but just when it ning on turf at QREC’s 30th and with West Indies adopting seemed the hosts were getting Race Meeting at Al Rayyan a defensive approach as well, away, Warrican struck again, Park on Wednesday. run-scoring was slow. Haque, drawing an edge that was well Alberto Sanna rode the bay however, couldn’t keep at it. taken by Cornwall at slips. gelding to a 1¾-length win in the He attempted to take on the Bangladesh bat deep, how- 6f run for 4YO Thoroughbreds. spinners, skipping down the ever, and Liton came in to Al Shaqab Racing’s Gen- track against Rahkeem Corn- ensure there were no further eral Manager Khalifa Bin Mo- wall at one point, and was slip-ups for the rest of the day. hammed Al Attiyah presented fortunate his miscued shot He scored a relatively the Al Shaqab Racing trophy landed safely. quick 58-ball 34* while Shakib to Eng. Osama Omer Al Dafea He tried it again, against continued knocking it about at following Taxiwala’s victory. Warrican, and this time, the other end, and by the time Earlier, Al Jeryan Stud’s against a dipping ball, he stumps were drawn, Bangla- homebred AJS Berline (QA) could only pick out the fielder desh had added 102 runs in (AF AlBahar x Dormaline) at mid-wicket. Shadman, who the final session. won the Al Shaqab Racing Eng. Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned & trained Taxiwala with the trophy and prizes at QREC’s Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. Purebred Arabian Cup. Mar- co Casamento rode the Hadi Mansoor Ebrahim Al P/A Handicap (0-80). Fahad Rashid Al Hajri’s the Alban de Mieulle-trained Scoreboard Al Ramzani -trained filly to a Mahmoud’s Burano Boy (IRE) Tomas Lukasek rode the Doha Incanto (NZ) (Per In- 4YO colt to a ¾-length win in Bangladesh (1st Innings) Fall of wkts: 1-23, 2-66, 3-119, 4-134, 5-193. 2½-length win in the 6f run (Footstepsinthesand) com- Julian Smart-trained 4YO canto) emerged best in the the 2000m run. Shadman islam lbw b Warrican 59 Bowling: Kemar Roach 16-5-44-1, Shannaon for 4YOs. pleted a double winning a TB filly to a 1½-length win in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0- Kicking off the day’s pro- Tamim Iqbal b Roach 9 Gabriel 17-3-51-0 (1w), Rahkeem Cornwall Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad Handicap (0-85). 2100m run. 75) (Div.1). Meteb Ali Al Saaq ceedings was Al Shahania Najmul Hossain Shanto run out 25 22-1-56-0, Kyle Mayers 7-2-16-0, Jomel bin Jassim Al Thani’s home- Soufiane Saadi rode the Eng. Hassan Ali Alabdul- rode the Owaida Salem Al Stud’s homebred Zaman (QA) Mominul Haque c Campbell b Warrican 26 Warrican 24-5-58-3 (3nb), Kraigg Brathwaite Mushfiqur Rahim c Cornwall b Wattican 38 4-0-13-0. bred Arandas (QA) (Namid) Jassim Ghazali-trained 4YO malik’s Hot Affair (GB) (Iva- Hajri-trained 7YO horse to a (Aziz ASF x Mansourah ASF) Shakib Al Hasan 39 Toss: Bangladesh claimed the Al Shaqab Rac- gelding to a length win in the wood x Romp) claimed the 3¾-length win in the 6f run. winning the Local Purebred Liton Das not out 34 West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John ing Local Thoroughbred Cup 2200m run. Thoroughbred Handicap (0- Patrice Alexandre Nico- Arabian Maiden Plate on turf. Extras: (b2, lb2, nb3, w5) 12 Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood, Shayne with Ronan Thomas riding HH Sheikh Mohammed 75) (Div.2) with Faleh Bugha- let’s Wukair (QA) (Lancelot x Francois Herholdt rode the Total: (For 5 wkts, 90 overs) 242 Moseley, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva (wk), the Ibrahim Al Malki-trained bin Khalifa Al Thani’s home- naim guiding the Debbie Yamamah) was the winner in Julian Smart-trained 4YO colt Yet to bat: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Rakeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon colt to a 3¼-length win in the bred Jamaiel (FR) (Dahess) Mountain-trained 4YO filly to the Local Thoroughbred Maid- to a head win in the 2000m Taijul islam, Mustafizur Rahman. Gabriel, Jomel Warrican, Kyle Mayers. 1100m run for 4YOs. completed a double winning a a neck win in the 6f run. en Plate. Carlos Henrique rode run for 4-6YOs. SA seek end to six years of subcontinental struggles as Pak eye series win

It’s a result that would im- ball to have Pakistan in trouble Having had to wait until he 2nd Test at Rawalpindi from today mediately lift the pressure off at 27/4, only for the hosts to was 34 to play his first Test for new skipper Babar Azam, who rally to make 378 and claim a Pakistan, it was left-arm finger- Agencies pindi or they could be waiting a captained the Test team for the 158-run first-innings lead. spinner Nauman who led the Rawalpindi while longer for their first win first time in the series opener. The South Africans looked charge with the ball in South in Asia since mid-2014, when It would also maintain their set to make a real game of it as Africa’s second innings, claim- South Africa are out to end a tons from Dean Elgar and JP 100 per cent series record in they marched to 175/1 in their ing figures of 5/35 as veteran run of eight straight Test defeats Duminy and a nine-wicket Pakistan since re- second innings, erasing the teammate Yasir Shah (4/79) in Asia as they go into the second match haul from Dale Steyn turned to the nation in 2019. deficit with plenty of wickets ran riot from the other end. match against Pakistan needing helped them to a 153-run win. The South Africans were in hand. Instead, they were un- With the bat, it was Fawad to win to draw the series. Elgar, Faf du Plessis and left to rue several lapses in done by another flurry of wick- who breathed life into Paki- Quinton de Kock’s team de Kock are the only mem- the firstT est, letting Pakistan ets and were bowled out for stan’s first innings. PlayingT est sunk to a seven-wicket defeat bers of the current squad that off the hook with bat and ball 245, setting Pakistan a target cricket on home soil for the in the firstT est in Karachi, played in that match, while more than once. of 88 to win. first time, after going nearly 11 failing to make the most of de Kock was still four months Having won the toss, A calm 31 not out from years without a Test after be- several opportunities to take away from making his Test de- South Africa were in a solid Azhar Ali and a dashing 30 from ing dropped from the team in control of the match. but the last time South Africa enough position at 108/2 only Azam ensured the hosts got 2009, the uniquely styled left- Meanwhile, hosts Pakistan beat Pakistan in Asia. to lose their final eight wickets the job done. On the flipside to hander scored 109. He put on will be looking to end their The three veterans of the for 112 to be all out for 220 as South Africa let the game slip key stands with Azhar (51) and 17-year wait for a series win batting order will need to step South Africa’s captain Quinton de Kock waits to bat as team head the veteran trio of du Plessis, repeatedly, Pakistan took every Faheem Ashraf (64) to take the against South Africa. up if South Africa are going to coach Mark Boucher walks past during a practice session at the Elgar and de Kock all fell in a opportunity presented – some- hosts from in trouble to in con- The South Africans cannot end a six-year stretch with no Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi ahead of their second Test 10-over window. thing perfectly embodied by trol. Fittingly, he was the man afford to be so loose in Rawal- Test victories in Asia. match against Pakistan. (AFP) They bounced back with the Nauman Ali and Fawad Alam. to hit the winning runs.