WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021 11 Root lauds bowlers after England crush India in first test Fakhreddine eager to keep label of most lethal fighter Owner of KO record, Mohammed Fakhreddine wants to remain as most lethal fighter at BRAVE CF Fakhreddine is eyeing• the two-weight world champion tag England’s James Anderson celebrates a wicket with teammates Reuters | Chennai TDT | Manama oe Root could hardly have Jscripted his 100th test any ohammed Fakhred- better after the England cap- dine is arguably the tain led his team to a 227-run Mmost popular Middle victory over India on Tuesday 192 Eastern Mixed Martial Artist to could only be scored by before being named Man of India on the final day grace the sport and certainly one the Match at Chennai’s MA while chasing a record 420 of the biggest stars in MMA. Back Chidambaram Stadium. to win in October of last year, Fakhred- James Anderson displayed dine’s career came full circle as his reverse-swing mastery he earned his first world title with a three-wicket burst in at age 36, marking the pinnacle the morning session to effec- and to take 20 wickets in alien of a victorious career. But “The tively snuff out India’s hopes of conditions ... huge credit to the Latest” is far from done. a draw while left-arm spinner bowlers,” he added. After knocking out Dan - Leach (4-76) then ran through “That’s got to be the way we iel Gaúcho at BRAVE CF 41, the lower. have to win out there -- bat for Fakhreddine now looks to main- The hosts, who had been long periods for time in the tain another title, this one much Mohammed Fakhreddine celebrates after a bout set a daunting 420-run vic - first innings.” more subjective than the belt he tory target, got a fighting 72 England have now recorded now has strapped around his the one-night tournament, he weight contender Mohammed from captain Virat Kohli while six straight wins in away tests, waist: the most lethal fighter at was presented with the chance Said Maalem, and sees becom- opener Shubman Gill scored including triumphs in South BRAVE Combat Federation. to become the BRAVE CF Mid- ing the promotion’s first double an elegant 50 but they were Africa and Sri Lanka. With a staggering number of dleweight world champion. champion as a fair reward in bowled out for 192 in the sec- The win also boosted Eng- 11 knockouts in his professional After winning his maiden case he’s not able to put his 84kg ond session of the final day. land’s chance of reaching the career, and an 86% finish ra - world title, Fakhreddine said KNOW WHAT world title on the line. The tourists lead the four- final of the inaugural World tio, Fakhreddine has one of the immediately that he was ready It doesn’t matter in which match series 1-0, with the sec- Test Championship in June on deadliest hands in MMA and the for his first defense. But now division, it seems that is only ond test set to start on Satur- home soil. courage to take on whatever the Lebanese superstar is eyeing a matter of time until BRAVE day, again in Chennai. Root’s team need to win two challenge comes his way. And it an even bigger prize: the two- Mohammed Fakhred- CF fans around the world see Root, who smashed 218 in more tests against Kohli’s men doesn’t even have to be from his weight world champion tag. dine is the only Mohammed Fakhreddine once the first innings, said batting to book a place against New own division. The only man to have four man to have four again inside the cage and that first had been key. Zealand, while India must After almost making history knockouts in BRAVE Combat knockouts in BRAVE means only one thing: lethal “It was a crucial toss and prevail by a 2-1 margin to pip at the KHK World Champion- Federation has been calling for Combat Federation performances and entertain- we posted a very good score England. ship, as he went to the final of a fight against top Light Heavy- ment are about to begin. Perez makes San Miguel even more formidable PSG lose Di Maria for Barca TDT | Manila Champions League tie AFP | Paris ow it’s official, the prolific added. NCJ Perez is moving to San Di Maria, the 32-year-old Miguel Beer from Terrafima rgentinian forward Angel former Manchester United Dyip in a surprise off-season Di Maria will miss the first winger, has been ever-pres- KNOW WHAT A trade in the Philippine Basket- leg of Paris Saint-Germain’s ent in the PSG lineup since ball Association (PBA). Champions League last 16 Pochettino joined the club in The PBA trade committee ap- match at Barcelona, coach December, lining up alongside proved the controversial trade Perez’s transfer would Mauricio Pochettino said on Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and but modified the conditions. Be- make the Beermen Tuesday. Mauro Icardi in a high-pow- sides giving away Russel Escoto, even more formidable Di Maria suffered a thigh in- ered attack. Matt Rosser-Ganuelas and Gelo jury during the 2-0 Ligue 1 win Despite the bad news about Alolino and the Beermen’s first when they try to against Marseille on Sunday Di Maria, last year’s Cham - round pick (No. 8) in March’s regain the Philippine and “he will not be at the Camp pions League finalists hope Rookie Draft, they also have to Cup they lost in the Nou” for the game on February to be able to select first- surrender to the Dyip their first shortened PBA 45th 16, Pochettino said. choice goalkeeper Keylor round pick in 2022. season in the Clark “Angel is an important play- Navas, who is expected to Terrafirma is not new to mak- bubble late last year er for us but we have a big return from a groin injury ing controversial trades. Then squad with players who can to resume training later this known as Kia, the team in 2017 win matches for us,” the coach week. traded its No. 1 pick then, Chris- change in trading away its star tian Standhardinger, also to San player. Miguel Beer in exchange for “We reviewed our program. Jay-R Reyes, Rashawn McCa- It was a long process for the rthy and Ronald Tubid plus a management and the coaches. 2019 first-round pick. So, we came to a conclusion that That trade courted contro- we still have missing pieces and versy among the team owners we needed certain players,” said and governors and also forced Bobby Rosales, the team’s repre- Chito Narvasa to resign as com- sentative to PBA board, of their missioner. decision to move Perez. PBA Commissioner Willie “Without question, CJ Perez Perez makes a bold career move Marcial supported the trade is a good player and it would be committee’s decision to revise in the Clark bubble late last year. Von Pessumal. hard to compare him to other the original proposal that was In San Miguel, Perez will Perez was part of the Dyip for players. But the strategy was to intended to soften opposition be playing alongside multiple two years and was a stalwart for complete the team. And to get from the other teams on the deal league most valuable player the team right from the get-go. something of value, you have to seen as extremely advantageous awardee June Mar Fajardo as Unfortunately, the Dyip did give away something of value,” for the Beermen. well as veterans Arwind San- not have much success during he added. Perez’s transfer would make tos, Alex Cabagnot, and Chris that run, with the team finishing Aside from his PBA career, the Beermen even more formi- Ross. last in the lone tournament last Perez is also concentrating on dable when they try to regain Also part of the Leo Aus - year with a 1-10 record. his stint with Gilas Pilipinas the Philippine Cup they lost in tria-coached Beermen are Ter- It is something that the Ter- which is preparing for the FIBA the shortened PBA 45th season rence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, and rafirma management hopes to Asia Cup Qualifiers..