SPORTTuesday 16 October 2018

PAGE | 28 PAGE | 30Warriors seek more

glory as title-hungry rivals lurk

Djokovic closing in on Nadal’s No.1 ranking spot

Qatar will be an incredibly creative and remarkable World Cup host, says FIFATHE PENINSULA

ZURICH: FIFA is looking forward to an exciting time at the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar, a top official with the world governing body said following a series of meetings with football officials from Russia and Qatar.

Fatma Samoura, the FIFA Secretary-General, last week met with the Local Organising Com-mittee (LOC) of the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia and top officials from the Supreme Com-mittee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) in Zurich during a special debriefing session at the home of football.

“Our aim was to ensure that everything – achievements and challenges – is translated into

constructive learnings for the future, knowing that not every single aspect from Russia 2018 will be applicable to Qatar 2022,” Samoura said in an article posted yesterday on www.fifa.com.

“There are many ways to organise a fantastic FIFA World Cup: with Russia, we found one; and I have no doubt that Qatar will be an incredibly creative and remarkable host,” she added in the post.

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary -General of SC, said Qatar was moving ahead with this prepara-tions to stage a grand edition of the World Cup in 2022. Al Thawadi praised Russia for being an ‘inspiration’ for future FIFA World Cup hosts.

“The debrief session shed

further light on what made the 2018 FIFA World Cup such a fan-tastic event,” Al Thawadi said

“The lessons we learned from this session and from our partic-ipation in observation pro-grammes during the tournament will play an important role in our

preparation for 2022. Russia set a very high standard for us to follow and their success serves as inspiration for us as we prepare for and look forward to hosting the Middle East’s first FIFA World Cup in four years’ time,” he added.

FIFA’s Chief Tournament & Events Officer, Colin Smith, said: “The debriefing was a great opportunity for key colleagues from the Russian LOC and FIFA to reunite and, with the benefit of hindsight, delve into the detail of the planning and delivery of the 2018 World Cup in order to assess the relevance of key learnings for Qatar. The debriefing marked the closure of one chapter and passed the oper-ational baton to Qatar where

preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup are already in full swing.”

The report on FIFA’s official website yesterday said the two-day debriefing started with a general introductory session, followed by focus groups that highlighted best practices and lessons learnt from areas such as infrastructure, venue man-agement, volunteers, waste man-agement, security, logistics and communications.

“We are very happy that the World Cup in Russia was globally acclaimed as a huge success,” Alexey Sorokin, the CEO of the 2018 FIFA World Cup LOC, said in his remarks.

“Not only did the event leave lasting bright and joyful

memories for the fans from all around the world, but it has also already proved to be a catalyst for many positive changes in our country – in football, in terms of economics and also in the social realm,” Sorokin said.

In July FIFA President con-firmed that said the 2022 tour-nament will begin on November 21 and continue until December 18.

The representatives of the Russia 2018 and top officials from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) pose for a photograph with FIFA officials following a debriefing session on the recently concluded World Cup in Zurich on Friday.

Doha Worlds to boost Qatari gymnasts, says Al Hitmi FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

DOHA: This month’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Doha will leave a lasting legacy that could help build a strong player base in the country, the Qatar Gymnastics Feder-ation (QGF) President Ali Al Hitmi said yesterday.

Qatar will field three gymnasts - Ahmed Nabil, Ahmed Al Dayani and Jana Al Kiki – in the October 25-November 3 event, which will be held at Aspire Dome where several Olympic and World champions will compete.

The relatively inexperienced Qatari athletes, who recently took part in the Asian Games in Jakarta, face a difficult test against the world’s best gymnasts, and Al Hitmi said he was not putting pressure of expectations on them.

“It is a very tough competition as only eight gymnasts will qualify for the final from a lengthy and star-studded line-up in every event,” the QGF President said on the sidelines of a sponsorship signing ceremony at Westin Hotel in Doha yesterday.

“We will only expect from our gymnasts to give their best and avoid mistakes. These three gym-nasts will have t o show the

world where the level of gymnastics has reached. We cannot put pressure on our (budding) gymnasts because its a very tough challenge,” said Al Hitmi.

Asked if the Doha Worlds can prove to be a launching pad for Qatari ath-letes to break into the elite club of gym-nasts in the future, the answer came in affirmative.

“Yes, it can be a breakthrough for our gymnasts. This event will benefit them, and it will also help Qatar gym-nastics in many ways. It will be moti-vating for our gymnasts when they will compete alongside the likes of Simona Biles a n d K o h e i Uchimura.

“Competing at this level will defi-nitely improve their game and boost their confidence.

“The event will also attract young kids to this sport which will be a huge boost for Qatar gymnastics. We are optimistic that we will reach these goals,” Al Hitmi said.

He stressed that the young Qatari gymnasts have the qualities to shine in major events in the coming years.

“With more support and expe-rience, Qatari gymnasts have the potential to become medal winners in major championships just like out track and field stars.

Meanwhile, Al Hitmi, who is also the Executive Director of the World Championships, said his team is ready to host the long event in a befitting

manner. “It is a new challenge for us. We

are working as a team since a long time to make this happen. We are looking to make it as the best World Championships ever and want to show the world how successful we can be in hosting big events.”

He added the QGF has made efforts to ensure best

stay for the touring gymnasts.

“We have made a deal with com-panies to arrange tours to famous tourism points in Qatar so that the gym-nasts can have a good time when they are not busy with their competition,”

he said. The World

Artistic Gymnastics C h a m p i o n s h i p s Doha 2018 will see more than 700 ath-

letes representing 83 countries in action.

Our aim was to ensure that everything – achievements and challenges – is translated into constructive learnings for the future, knowing that not every single aspect from Russia 2018 will be applicable to Qatar 2022: FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura

The debrief session shed further light on what made the 2018 FIFA World Cup such a fantastic event: Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary- General of SC

Ali Al Hitmi (left), Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) and Executive Manager of the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championship and Eissa Al Hitmi, Director General of ALKASS exchanging documents during a sponsorship signing ceremony held at Westin Hotel in Doha yesterday. The Championship will be held in Doha from October 25 to November 3.

PICTURE: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULAQatar’s Ahmed Al Dayani in action during the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in this file photo.

28 TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018SPORT

Warriors seek more glory as title-hungry rivals lurkAFP

WASHINGTON: Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry (pictured) will enjoy watching the Golden State Warriors hoist another champi-onship banner today when they open the 2018-19 NBA campaign against Oklahoma City.

But the 3-point sharpshooter doesn’t need to look to the rafters to know the Warriors remain the team to beat as they begin the quest for a third consecutive NBA title and fourth crown in five seasons.

“I’m still glowing,” Curry said.

“The glow won’t wear down until you get beat.”

The Warriors boast three other All-Stars in two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant, defensive stalwart Draymond Green and Curry’s backcourt partner Klay Thompson -- plus a fifth in injured centre DeMarcus Cousins, signed in July but still sidelined after left Achilles tendon surgery in January.

Working Cousins into the lineup once he returns could add some zest to the regular season for Golden State, which has so far avoided letting repetitive d o m i n a t i o n l e a d t o complacency.

“That’s the thing I’m most proud of with our team,” Curry said.

“We’re talented and all that, but the work that goes into it, the mental approach to turn the page, has been there the last three years.

“You work so hard to earn the right to be proud of yourself at the end of the summer.”

Golden State will try to become the first team since the

2000-2002 Los Angeles Lakers to win three consecutive NBA titles and join the 1950s Minne-apolis Lakers and 1960s Boston Celtics as the only clubs to win four titles in five years.

The Celtics dynasty, with eight titles in a row and nine in all from 1957-1966, is the only NBA squad to reach five consec-utive NBA Finals -- a feat the Warriors can achieve this season.

The Houston Rockets, who pushed the Warriors to seven games in last season’s Western Conference finals, and the Boston Celtics, bringing back injured stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward to a team that was one win from last season’s Eastern Conference crown, figure to lead a pack of rivals who ache for a chance to play for the championship.

“To be honest, it’s fun,” Curry said of wearing the target for every NBA rival.

“No matter if it’s a Tuesday night at home or a back-to-back in some random East Coast city, you’re going to be tested and you can’t just sleepwalk through stuff.

“We’ve been exposed at times in terms of when we’re not extremely locked in that we can be beat. But when we are focused and in tune with each other, understanding what we’re trying to do to be successful, obviously we’re tough.” No one knows that better than the Rockets, who won a league-best 65 games last season behind NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring champion James Harden. Houston led Golden State 3-2 in the West finals before Chris Paul suffered an injured hamstring and missed the last two games, both won by the Warriors to reach the NBA Finals, where they swept Cleveland for the crown.

- ‘We’ve got an answer’ - While four-time NBA

MVP LeBron James left Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s unlikely to lift them from 35 wins to title contenders in a season, leaving the Rockets to again offer the best threat in the West to Golden State’s supremacy after adding 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony to the lineup.

“We’re trying to win a cham-pionship. The margin for error is very little,” Rockets coach Mike

D’Antoni said.

“With this team, the depth we have, I think we’ve got an answer for everything. We’ve just got to figure out what that answer is.”

The Celtics have some sorting to do as well in an East up for grabs with James gone from Cleveland.

Toronto added Kawhi Leonard and Philadelphia offers young star talent but Boston figures to be the best in the East.

All-Stars Irving and Hayward suffered season-ending injuries that allowed Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier to make an impact and nearly put the Celtics in the finals anyway.

Blending the talent into a formidable lineup over the six-month season figures to make Boston a title threat.

“This franchise is really built for the next few years of being at the top tier of teams in the league,” Irving said.

“Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? What more could you ask for from an organization to really elevate your game? I’m

looking forward to the chal-lenge this year,” he

added.

Golden State will try to become the first team since the 2000-2002 Los Angeles Lakers to win three consecutive NBA titles and join the 1950s Minneapolis Lakers and 1960s Boston Celtics as the only clubs to win four titles in five years.

The Celtics dynasty, with eight titles in a row and nine in all from 1957-1966, is the only NBA squad to reach five consecutive NBA Finals -- a feat the Warriors can achieve this season.

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Blending the talent into aformidable lineup over the six-month season figures to makeBoston a title threat.

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Patriots end Chiefs’ unbeaten startREUTERS

FOXBOROUGH: Tom Brady passed for 340 yards, and the New England Patriots got a 28-yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski as time expired on Sunday night to beat the Chiefs 43-40 at Foxborough, Massachusett, and dump the Kansas City from the unbeaten ranks.

Matched against a first-year starter , Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brady led the Patriots on a game-winning drive in the final three minutes.

The win was the 200th in the regular season for Brady as a starting quarterback.

His 39-yard strike to t i g h t e n d R o b Gronkowski gave New England (4-2) a goal-to-go situation in the final seconds.

Sony Michel added 106 yards rushing for the Patriots.

Mahomes countered with 352 yards passing, going 23 of 36 with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Chiefs (5-1) rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to go up 33-30 with 8:38 remaining.

Mahomes found Tyreek Hill for a 1-yard touchdown after rookie Tremon Smith returned a kickoff 97 yards.

Brady came right back to engineer 75-yard touchdown drive he capped with a 4-yard keeper at the 5:25 mark, putting the Patriots ahead 37-33.

The New England Patriots added a 50-yard field goal with 3:15 left by Gostkowski, but Kansas City answered in one play, a 75-yard bomb from Mahomes to Hill to tie it at 40-40.

New England scored on its last four posses-sions of the first half to establish a 24-9 lead at the break.

After starting 1-for-4 on a series that stalled, Brady connected on 10 of 11 passes the remainder of the half.

He threw for 113 yards before the break, including a 17-yard touchdown to Julian Edelman.

Palmieri makes multi-goal NHL history against SharksREUTERS

NEW YORK: Kyle Palmieri recorded his third consecutive two-goal game, Keith Kinkaid made seven crucial saves during a late power play, and the New Jersey Devils held on for a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday in Newark.

Palmieri became the fourth player in NHL history to score multiple goals in at least three straight games to start a season, joining Patrick Marleau (2012-13), Peter Stastny (1982-83) and Cy Denneny (1917-18). He scored on a five-on-three in the second period and added a goal in the first minute of the third.

Jean-Sebastien Dea got the game-winner shortly after Palmieri’s second goal, and Kinkaid did the rest, finishing with 37 saves. Joe Pavelski and Timo Meier scored the goals for the Sharks.

Ducks 3, Blues 2 Andrew Cogliano scored a

power-play goal with 5:16 remaining to break a tie, and Ryan Miller had 29 saves to lead Anaheim to a victory at St. Louis.

Cogliano swatted in a centering pass by Ryan Kesler from the left corner past St. Louis goaltender Chad Johnson’s stick side for his first goal of the season. It was his 100th goal as a member of the Ducks.

Jakob Silfverberg and Ben Street also scored goals for Anaheim. Miller got the win in his first start of the season. Alex-ander Steen and Tyler Bozak scored for the Blues.

Jets 3, Hurricanes 1 Bryan Little scored with 2:09

remaining to break a tie as host Winnipeg dealt Carolina its first regulation loss of the season.

Josh Morrissey assisted on the winning goal, which was Lit-tle’s first goal of the season. Kyle Connor added an empty-net goal with one second remaining. The outcome increased Winni-peg’s home-ice winning streak to 11 games, a stretch that extends to last season.

New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) in action during the third period against the San Jose Sharks during their NHL game in Newark, New Jersey on Sunday.

Red Sox edge Astros to level play-off seriesAFP

LOS ANGELES: Jackie Bradley Jr’s three-run double in the third inning fuelled the Boston Red Sox in a 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros that knotted their Major League Baseball play-off series at one game each on Sunday.

The Red Sox, stung by the reigning World Series champion Astros in game one on Saturday, bounced back at Fenway Park to make it 1-1 in the best-of-seven American League Cham-pionship Series, that heads to Houston for games three, four and five.

The winner of the series will take on either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers

in the World Series. The Dodgers and Brewers were tied at 1-1 in the National League Champi-onship Series heading into game three in Los Angeles.

Boston starter David Price was one out shy of his first post-season win as a starter, departing

with two outs in the fifth inning with the Red Sox up 5-4.

Rick Porcello made his second appearance as a relief pitcher of this post-season, working a perfect eighth inning before Craig Kimbrel closed it out in the ninth.

The Red Sox opened the scoring in the first inning as Mookie Betts led off with a double and Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers delivered run-scoring singles off Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole.

The Astros pulled level in the second thanks to a double from George Springer that plated two runs, and Houston took the lead in the top of the third on Marwin Gonzalez’s two-run home run off

a Price fastball. Boston responded in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with one

out. After Ian Kinsler struck out, Bradley belted an opposite field double off the Green Monster

outfield wall, the ball rattling around in the corner to elude Gonzalez and allow three runs to score.

The Red Sox added an insurance run in the seventh, when Betts led off with a walk and scored for a 6-4 lead on a wild pitch and two passed balls.

Betts put Boston up 7-4 with a run-batted-in double in the eighth.

Kimbrel retired the first two Astros batters in the ninth before Springer hit his second double of the game.

Jose Altuve’s single scored Springer, before Alex Bregman’s fly was caught by Red Sox out-fielder Benintendi to end the game.

The winner of the

series will take on

either the Los Angeles

Dodgers or Milwaukee

Brewers in the World

Series.

Boston Red Sox centre

fielder Jackie Bradley Jr

hits a three RBI double during the

third inning against the

Houston Astros in

Boston on Sunday.

29TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT

Ageless wonder Langer wins AP

CARY: Bernhard Langer ran away with the SAS Champi-onship on Sunday to take the points lead into the PGA Tour Champions’ Charles Schwab Cup play-offs Langer shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 for a six-stroke victory in the regular-season finale.

“I just played very solid all day long,” Langer said. “Putted well, hit the ball where I was looking and did everything exceptionally well.”

The 61-year-old German star has 38 victories on the 50-and-over tour, also winning this year near Houston. He has a record four victories after turning 60.

“I don’t have anything to prove, but I still have golf,” Langer said.

“I still want to improve my own game. I still want to play to the best Bernhard Langer can

play. I don’t think I need to prove anything, but I love com-peting, I love winning or being in the hunt. As long as I can do that, I think you’re going to see me out here.”

Langer finished with a tour-nament-record 22-under 194 total at Prestonwood Country Club, the tree-lined layout sof-tened by heavy rain Thursday from Hurricane Michael.

He opened with a 62 on Friday to match Gene Sauers and Tom Lehman for the lead, and had a 67 on Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard with Sauers.

“The 10 under was amazing,” Langer said. “I couldn’t believe there were two other guys who shot 10 under.”

The four-time Charles Schwab Cup winner also won at Prestonwood in 2012.

“It’s always fun to go back to where you’ve won before because you feel like you know

how to play the course and you’re somewhat comfortable and that’s certainly the case here,”

Langer said. “I’ve been probably 50, 70 times now around this golf course and I know how to play every hole.” Scott Parel was second, closing with a double bogey for a 65.

“Bernhard is just in his own world this week,” Parel said.

Jerry Kelly had a 68 to finish third at 15 under, and Lehman followed at 13 under after a 71.

Sauers shot a 75 to tie for fifth with Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) at 12 under. The top 72 players in the Schwab Cup standings qualified for the playoffs, the three-event series that begins next week with the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Richmond, Virginia. Dan Forsman tied for 56th to jump from 74th to 72nd, edging John Huston for the final spot by $932. Huston tied for 46th.

Bernhard Langer of Germany reacts to missing a putt on the 16th green during the first round play of the 2018 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, US, in this April 5, 2018 file picture.

beIN to telecastAfrica Cup of NationsTHE PENINSULA

DOHA: The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers return today live and exclusive on beIN.

The much anticipated African football tournament is getting closer and national teams are eager to book their spot in the 32nd edition, which will be hosted in Cam-eroon and broadcasted exclu-sively by beIN.

Today, Morocco take on Comoros in a heated clash between the two sides. The ‘Lions of the Atlas’ faced Comoros on Saturday in Morocco and won 1-0. They currently sit second in Group B with 6 points, behind Cam-eroon who have 7 points. Comoros are bottom of the group with just a point and no wins so far.

Today will also see the ‘Pharaohs’ Egypt take on Swaziland (eSwatini) in what should be a relatively easy game for the record holding 7 time African Champions.

Also today, Algeria are set to take on Benin in Group D. The Algerians, currently in first place, will face fierce competition as Benin look to close the gap at the top.

The first game between the two sides was played on Friday and ended 2-0 to Algeria thanks to goals from Ramy Bensebaini and Baghdad Bounedjah.

Today will also host another game from Group J, with Tunisia and Niger going head to head.

In Group A, Sudan face Senegal in a tough matchup for the ‘Falcons of Jediane’. Senegal are first in the group with 7 points whereas Sudan have failed to earn a point in their first two games.

Today will also feature two strong sides from Group E as Libya take on Nigeria. The Libyans sit in third place with 4 points and are in need of a win to push them further up the table. The Nigerians, who have a very strong squad with European experience, are second in the group with 6 points.

At beIN’s dedicated AFCON studios will be star presenters Khalid Yassine, Lakhdar Berriche, Ahmed Fouad, Moez Boulehya and guests like Wael Gomaa, Nasser Mekideche, Tarak Dhiab and many others.

Rugby: Flanker Papalii gets surprise nod for All Blacks tourAFP

WELLINGTON: The All Blacks named uncapped flanker Dalton Papalii (pictured) yesterday in a 32-man squad for a Test against Australia in Japan and their tour involving matches against England, Ireland and Italy.

Papalii, who turned 21 last week, the only newcomer in the squad, gets his chance after Sam Cane fractured a vertebra in the All Blacks’ win over South Africa earlier this month.

The young openside signed for Auckland this year and has enjoyed a strong domestic season, leading the competition tackle count with his team top of the ladder.

“He has played outstanding rugby this year and deserves his opportunity,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

The squad also included the return of a number of senior players, including hooker Dane Coles, lock Brodie Retallick, loose forward Liam Squire and prop Joe Moody.

The All Blacks will face Aus-tralia in Yokohama on October 27, England at Twickenham on November 10, Ireland in Dublin on November 17 and Italy in Rome on November 24.

Hansen also named a 19-man squad to gather ahead of the Test against Japan in Tokyo on November 3, a week after the match against the Wallabies.

“Having the extra group come to Japan will allow us to send the bulk of our main squad to London early to acclimatise,” he said.

The squad for the Japan Test includes seven uncapped players and Hansen said it was an

opportunity to build depth and knowledge of Japan ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“We’ll also be using the Jap-anese leg of our Tour to road test a few things ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup, as we will be using the same hotels and training facilities while we are there,” he said.

New Zealand squad for Australia, England, Ireland and Italy Tests: Forwards Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock, Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd.

Backs TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Wil-liams, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith.

Additional squad for the Japan Test: Forwards Asafo Aumua, Liam Coltman, Tyrel Lomax, Reuben O’Neill, Tim Perry, Angus Ta’avao, Luke Romano, Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock.

Backs Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, George Bridge, David Havili, Nehe Milner-Skudder.

Nurmagomedov challenges Mayweather to clashAFP

LOS ANGELES: Mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmago-medov has taken a page out of Conor McGregor’s playbook and issued a challenge to undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather.

Nurmagomedov’s challenge came in a video posted on Instagram by Mayweather’s promoter Leonard Ellerbe who indicated he ran into the UFC fighter at a fight card in Russia.

“Let’s go Floyd. We have to fight now: 50-0 versus 27-0,” Nurmagomedov said with

Ellerbe standing next to him smiling.

“We are two guys who never lose. In the jungle there is only one king. Of course, I am the king because he cannot drop McGregor but I drop him easily. Let’s go.”

Nurmagomedov did not say whether he wished to fight May-weather in a boxing or UFC match. Like McGregor, the Russian has no previous expe-rience as a professional boxer.

McGregor made millions last year by taking on May-weather in lopsided boxing

match. Mayweather appeared to toy with McGregor in the early rounds before stopping the Irishman in the 10th to improve to 50-0.

Last weekend, Nurmago-medov retained his UFC light-weight crown, beating McGregor by fourth-round submission.

He then climbed out of the Octagon to fight with a member of McGregor’s entourage who had been taunting him. McGregor also took some punches from members of Nur-magomedov’s team.

QCA hosts basic physio course for officialsTHE PENINSULA

DOHA: The Qatar Cricket Asso-ciation (QCA) successfully hosted a three-day basic physio course to upgrade its officials under two experts.

The course began on October 4 under the supervision of Shashi Patra and Mohammed Eliyas and was held over a period of two days.

The QCA continued its practice of enriching the knowledge and experience of its work force so that the game can be developed in Qatar roundly. The chief aim of this course was to impart tips to the QCA officials so that they can

handle common injuries well. QCA Operations Manager Manzoor Ahmad thanked the instructors and participants for the course and expressed hope that more such course would be organised to enrich the knowledge of the association’s coaches , t rainers and physiotherapists.

Ten persons working for the QCA showed interest in the course and participated. They were: Vijith Rajan, Nouman Anwar, Amjad Sandhu, Paramjeet Kaur Bhullar,Aneesh Kakkot, Muhammad Omar, Sreedevi Vimala Sasi, Qamar Sadiq Khan,Talha Undre’ Muhammad Jahangir

Officials attending the Basic Physio Course for men and women organised by Qatar Cricket Association recently.

Portraits of Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov burned on wood by cook Halil Bozkurt are seen in Turkey’s Hatay, yesterday.

30 TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018SPORT

Koreas to hold talks this month on joint Olympic bidAFP

SEOUL: North and South Korea will discuss the details for their planned joint bid for the 2032 Olympics later this month to follow up on an ambitious agreement reached between their leaders in September.

The radical concept, which would require an unprecedented level of coop-eration and mutual trust on the long-divided Korean peninsula, was included in a joint statement issued after a September summit between the North’s leader Kim Jong Un and the South’s President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang.

“The South and North agreed to... discuss the issue of South-North joint hosting of the 2032 Summer Olympics around the end of the month at the joint liaison office,” read a joint statement issued after a high-level meeting yesterday.

No further details were given.

Pyongyang boycotted the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics after it demanded co-hosting rights and negotiations fell apart over how to share the events, but its decision to par-ticipate in this year’s Pyeongchang Winter Games triggered a dramatic diplo-matic turnaround on the peninsula.

It came after tensions mounted the previous year, with the North carrying out multiple missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test to date, and Kim trading per-sonal insults and threats of war with US President Donald Trump.

The February Games saw athletes from the two Koreas march together at the opening ceremony behind a unifi-cation flag showing an undi-vided peninsula, and the first unified Olympic team, in women’s ice hockey.

Kim sent his sister Kim Yo Jong to Pyeongchang as his personal envoy, and the two leaders have since met three times as part of an ongoing diplomatic rapprochement.

The two Koreas have con-tinued their sports diplomacy, forming joint teams for the ITTF world table tennis championships and several events at the Asian Games in Indonesia as well as holding friendly basketball matches.

North Korea’s partici-pation in hosting the Summer Games, which include thou-sands of athletes from around the world and an even larger number of spectators, would be a watershed event requiring a degree of openness and financial muscle now lacking in the isolated and impoverished country. It would also force an extraordinary level of cooperation between two Cold War foes that have no formal avenues for regular contact and are still techni-cally at war.

On 31 July 2017, the IOC made a deal with Los Angeles to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, making Paris the host of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The formal announcement of the hosts for both Olympiads took place at the 131st IOC Session in Lima, Peru, on 13 Sep-tember 2017.

It was the very fact that the two candidatures embraced so fully the prin-ciples laid out in Olympic Agenda 2020 that created what IOC President Thomas Bach termed a “golden opportunity” for the Olympic Movement

Halep earns 2nd straight year-end No. 1 rankingAP

LONDON: Simona Halep is back as the year-end No. 1 for the second year in a row, despite a back injury that doctors say could lead to a long-term problem.

Halep, who won her first major title at this year’s French Open, clinched the year-end top tennis ranking yesterday but may be forced to pull out of the upcoming Kremlin Cup and the season-ending WTA Finals because of a herniated disk.

“I haven’t practiced 100 percent yet but today, tomorrow, I will do close to 100,” Halep said in a conference call.

“And I will be able to know better the next day.

“The doctor told me it’s nothing about the surgery, but if I will keep playing there is a risk of long-term injury. I don’t need that and I don’t want that, so I have to make good decisions in the next days.”

The 27-year-old Halep had her best year on tour in 2018, reaching the Australian Open final and then winning her first Grand Slam title a few months later at Roland Garros.

But she announced at the start of this month that she had an MRI exam after retiring from her first-round match at the China Open and the herniated disk problem was found.

The Kremlin Cup runs this week and the WTA Finals, which is for the top eight players in the world, begin in Singapore on Oct. 21.

“I hope first to be able to play here (in Moscow) because... I have already 3-4 days getting ready for this tournament,”

Halep said. “But if I will not be able to play here, I’m very doubtful that I will be able to play in Singapore because it’s very fast.

“So I don’t know now, but for sure I will take a decision for my health first.”

Despite the injury, Halep is still relishing in her season. She has been at the top of the rankings for nearly the entire year even though her results suf-fered as the season wore on.

Halep has played in 15 tour-naments so far in 2018, but she followed up her first major title by losing in the third round at Wimbledon. She then lost in the first round at the US Open.

Keeping her best level throughout the long season is something Halep has struggled with, even though she has qual-ified for the WTA Finals in each of the five years since its move to Singapore.

“It’s really difficult and I feel it every year, and I feel it more and more, to be honest. I give everything I have the first part of the year and then it’s difficult for me to play,” said Halep, who also reached French Open finals in 2014 and 2017 but lost both times.

“My goal for the next years is to be better in this position, if I would be able to qualify again for the Finals. I want just to be

better and ready to play the tournament.”

But before she takes the court in Singapore, or in Moscow, there’s that back injury that is still bothering her.

“It’s been very stressful, and I was worried every day because I was waiting to see how I feel every morning I wake up,” Halep said.

“So it’s pretty stressful but somehow it’s normal because injuries are pretty normal when you play at the highest level. So I try just to keep myself calm and to be positive. I know it’s not an easy injury. The back is always difficult, but I have to accept it and to look forward.”

FILE PHOTO: Romania’s Simona Halep celebrates with the French Open trophy at Roland Garros, Paris, France, in this June 9, 2018, file photo.

Knee fracture set to end Del Potro’s seasonAFP

PARIS: Injury-plagued Juan Martin del Potro is set to miss the rest of the season after it was revealed yesterday the giant Argentine had fractured his knee at the Shanghai Masters.

“It’s a very difficult moment. I feel very sad,” said the 30-year-old world number four who is walking with his leg in a splint after doctors confirmed he had fractured the patella bone in his right knee.

“It’s a hard blow which leaves me without any strength. It’s very difficult for me to think about recovery again. I did not expect this to happen.”

Del Potro, the US Open runner-up to Novak Djokovic this year, hobbled out of the Shanghai Masters last 16 against Borna Coric on Thursday after hurting his right knee in an awkward fall after losing his footing.

He had been set to com-plete his year at the elite eight-man ATP World Tour Finals in London from November 11 after qualifying for the season-ending show-piece for the first time since 2013.

Del Potro has been plagued by injuries since winning his only Grand Slam title at the 2009 US Open at the age of 20.

A series of wrist injuries required four surgeries.

By the end of 2015, his ranking was at 581, he was deeply depressed and on the verge of quitting after having to sit out 10 Grand Slam events. However, he had been rejuvenated in 2018, reaching a career-high world number three in August.

He defeated Roger Federer in this year’s Indian Wells Masters final and was a key figure when Argentina won a first Davis Cup in 2016.

Del Potro also owns 10 wins over world number one players -- the most by anyone who has never reached the top ranking themselves.

Stephens qualifies for first WTA finalsREUTERS

SINGAPORE: Former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens has qualified for her first season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, the WTA Tour said yesterday.

Stephens joins fellow Grand Slam champions Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Woz-niacki in the singles field for the October 21-28 event.

Two spots remain open for the elite eight-player field, with Elina Svitolina and Karolina Pliskova in prime position to qualify for the round-robin tournament that offers $7m in prize money.

I’m honoured to qualify for my first WTA Finals,” said Stephens, who was runner-up to Halep at Roland Garros earlier this year. “I’m looking forward to... competing against the best players of the season.”

The American also won her first Premier-level event in Miami earlier this year and rose to a career-high ranking of three in July. The 25-year-old was also a runner-up in Montreal.

Argentina’s retired tennis star Gabriela Sabatini, Mentor for Youth Olympics

Games in Buenos Aires 2018, waves to the crowd during the Men’s Doubles

Final at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, Green Park. Sabatini, 48, was one of the leading players on the women’s

circuit in the late-1980s and early-1990s. She won one women’s Grand Slam singles title at the US Open in

1990, the women’s Grand Slam doubles title at Wimbledon in 1988, two WTA Finals in 1988 and 1994, and a silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. Sabatini also won most of the highest level regular events on the

women’s tour including Miami and Rome (four times). In the late 1980s, Sabatini

launched a line of fragrances after partnering with the German perfume

company Muelhens. Her signature scent debuted in 1989.

1. Simona Halep (ROM) 7421 pts

2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6461

3. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5400

4. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 4740

5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4465 (+1)

6. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4350 (-1)

7. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4255

8. Sloane Stephens (USA) 4022

9. Julia Görges (GER) 3785

10. Kiki Bertens (NED) 3740

11. A Sevastova (LAT) 3240 (+1)

12. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 3225 (+4)

13. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 3225

14. Darya Kasatkina (RUS) 3150

15. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3145 (-4)

16. Elise Mertens (BEL) 3115 (-1)

17. Serena Williams (USA) 2976

18. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 2863

19. Madison Keys (USA) 2816

20. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2605

WTA Rankings

PARIS: Novak Djokovic is closing in on Rafael Nadal’s number one spot after winning the Shanghai Masters title, according to ATP rankings released yesterday. Nadal is struggling with a knee injury and has decided to sit out the current Asian segment of the ATP tour.

After his 6-3, 6-4 victory over Borna Coric in the Shanghai final on Sunday, Djokovic is just 215 points behind the Spaniard.

1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7660 pts2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7445 (+1)3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6260 (-1)4. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 58605. Alexander Zverev (GER) 50256. Marin Cilic (CRO) 41857. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 38258. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 37759. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 344010. John Isner (USA) 329011. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2910 (+1)12. David Goffin (BEL) 2855 (-1)13. Borna Coric (CRO) 2415 (+6)14. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2315 (-1)15. Kyle Edmund (GBR) 2125 (-1)

Djokovic closing in on Nadal’s No. 1 spot

Novak Djokovic of Serbia attends a press conference after beating Borna Coric of Croatia in their final match at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.

31TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT

2018 Super Globe: Barca face debutants Al Najma in openerTHE PENINSULA

DOHA: The 2018 IHF Super Globe begins with title holders Barca Lassa meeting Bahrain debutants Al Najma in the first quarter-final, today with the Catalan side on the hunt for their fourth trophy.

2017/18 Champions League winners Montpellier HB follow with their clash against Ham-mamet, before Brazilian club Taubate meet two-time winners Füchse Berlin and hosts Al Sadd face Oceania title holders Sydney University Handball Club.

The first match of the 2018 IHF Super Globe will see record title holders Barca Lassa open what is their fifth campaign. The Catalan side have stood on top of the podium three times, in 2013, 2014 and 2017. Now, they aim to claim their fourth trophy to extend their impressive record.

Barca are no strangers to holding and continuously smashing records, having won the most titles in every compe-tition they play regularly. In the world’s highest level regular club competition, the VELUX EHF Champions League, Barcelona have claimed nine trophies. In Spain, they have won 25 ASOBAL League titles, 22 Copa del Reys, 13 ASOBAL Cups and 21 ASOBAL Supercups.

Barca’s record reflects the strength of the squad, which boasts multiple world-class players in each position. The team on the bench is no weaker than the starting line-up, and several medal-winning national squads from recent years (Spain, France, Denmark, Slovenia and Poland) are represented in Barca

by players who helped lead their countries to big achievements.

“It’s a special competition that we’ve already won three times. When we play a compe-tition, we always try to win,” said Barca coach Xavi Pascual in the lead-up to the Super Globe.

“We know that we’ll have hard opponents. First of all, we’ll have to win against Al-Najma Club, a very hard Bahrain team who has the structure of the national team. If we win the quarter-final, we’ll probably face Montpellier, the Champions League winner. No more words about this.”

Debutants Al-Najma will certainly face a tough task when they take the court on Tuesday. The Bahrain squad have risen sharply in recent years, winning two of their three medals in the Asian Club League Champi-onship since 2015.

After taking bronze in the continental club championship in 2001, Al-Najma claimed silver in 2015 then won the title for the first time in 2017 with a dom-i n a n t , u n d e f e a t e d performance.

Al-Najma’s rise through the ranks within their own continent is evident, but Barca are another step up from that level of com-petition, so a quarter-final win for the Bahrain team would be something of a surprise.

Al-Najma can count on the international experience of their numerous Bahrain national team players – which Pascual high-lighted as their main strength.

Local challenge at the cham-pionship will be carried by Al Sadd, who face Oceania cham-pions Sydney University Handball Club is now a tradi-tional Super Globe clash.

The teams have faced each

other at every Super Globe since Sydney Uni made their debut in 2012, with Al Sadd coming out on top on each occasion apart from in 2015, when the Aus-tralian team pulled off a surprise quarter-final win and went on to reach their best position ever (fourth).

While Sydney Uni bring an almost entirely new team, with only four players who were on court in 2017 and arrivals from France, Germany, Denmark, Brazil and Iran, Al Sadd count on experience led by the likes of 2015 World Championship runners-up Danijel Saric and Rafael Capote.

In the other quarter-final line up, the injury-struck Cham-pions League title holders Montpellier HB enter the IHF Super Globe in dire need of a confidence boost. After winning their second Champions League

trophy in May 2018, the French club returned from the summer break but not to their previous form.

Five rounds of Champions League matches have been played so far this season, but Montpellier have yet to secure any points from a win or even a draw.

Elsewhere, Both Taubate and Füchse Berlin returned to the top of a podium in order to secure their 2018 Super Globe ticket.

For Taubate, that podium was at the 2018 Pan American Club Championship; for Füchse, it was the 2017/18 EHF Cup. With their title at the Pan American Championship, Taubate earned their continent’s place at the Super Globe, while Füchse Berlin were the wild card recipients thanks to their international club trophy won this spring.

Morocco’s Salon du Cheval kicks off with QREC as platinum sponsorTHE PENINSULA

EL JADIDA, MOROCCO: The 11th edition of the Salon du Cheval, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, was inaugurated at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Centre in El Jadida, Morocco yesterday.

The Qatar Racing and Eques-trian Club (QREC), the platinum sponsor of the 11th renewal of the Salon, is participating in the week-long event held under the theme ‘Equestrian Sports in Morocco’.

Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation and Al Shaqab ‘Member of Qatar Foundation’ are also partici-pating in the Salon.

Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Minister for Agriculture and Mar-itime Fisheries, officially inau-gurated the Salon. Also present with the Moroccan Minister

during the opening ceremony, Prince Abdellah Alaoui, President of the Moroccan Royal Eques-trian Federation, Officials of the Salon du Cheval, H E Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, QREC General Manager, Khalid bin Mohammed Al Ali, QREC Board Member and Abdullah Al Yami, First Secretary of Qatar Embassy in Morocco, who represented the Embassy on behalf of H E Abdullah bin Falah Al Dosari, Ambassador of Qatar to Morocco.

H E Minister Akhannouch inaugurated the Salon with a large participation and signif-icant attendance from several countries after the Salon has become a landmark in Morocco in general and in the city of El Jadida in particular every year.

The Minister toured the Salon, starting with the stand of Qatar as QREC is the platinum

sponsor of this year’s edition. H E Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, presented a memento trophy to the Minister, expressing Qatar’s pride in participating in the pres-tigious equestrian salon every year.

Following the Moroccan Minister’s tour of the Salon, a wonderful horse show was held and attended by all participants. The show included several Moroccan arts and techniques of horse riding and the equestrian sport. There was a huge turnout,

QREC is participating in this year’s renewal of the Salon with a delegation consisting of H E Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, QREC General Manager, Khalid bin Mohammed Al Ali, QREC Board Member, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, Racing Manager, Abdulrahman Mohammed Al

Naam, Head of Riding & Training Section, Hassan Al Manai, Head of Horse Show Section, and Jawaher Sultan Al Suwaidi, Head of PR and Media Section.

“We attended the opening ceremony to support Qatar’s par-ticipation in the Salon, especially as QREC is the Platinum Sponsor of this year’s edition. We do realise the significance of this participation given the nature of the strong relations between Qatar and Morocco not only on the political and economic levels, but also on the cultural and sports ones. We, therefore, were keen to be here even though HE Ambassador Abdullah bin Falah Al Dosari had a previous com-mitment to another event at the same time of the inauguration of

the Salon,” said Abdullah Al Yami, First Secretary of Qatar Embassy in Morocco, who rep-resented the Embassy in the opening ceremony, on behalf of HE Abdullah bin Falah Al Dosari, Ambassador of Qatar to Morocco.

“We are ready to provide all facilities to the Qatari dele-gation at the Salon du Cheval. We will spare no effort in pro-viding any logistic require-ments, but all other technical matters related to this partici-pation have been already per-fectly fulfilled by QREC. After all, we all work for Qatar,” he added.

H E Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Minister for Agri-culture and Maritime Fisheries, stated that Morocco pays due

attention to horses in accordance with the directions from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

“In Morocco, we pay due attention to horses as there are 100,000 horses of various breeds with 33,000 people working in this field. We are deeply com-mitted to horses and strive to ensure the integrity of horses. In addition, there are 1,800 pure Arabians in Morocco. As such, investments are large in this area. We do work towards the success of this annual event which see the participation of many countries as it reflects how Morocco is deeply connected to the equestrian sports and the desire to attract more invest-ments in this field.”

Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Minister for Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, is seen along with Qatari officials during the inauguration ceremony of the Salon du Cheval in Morocco yesterday.

A horse show during the Salon du Cheval at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Centre in El Jadida, Morocco yesterday.

Barca Lassa celebrate their win in the 2017 Super Globe competition in Doha in this file picture.

Italy leave it late to win against PolandAP

ROME: Italy is finally showing signs of emerging from its crisis, nearly a year after failing to qualify for the World Cup.

Cristiano Biraghi’s goal in stoppage time earned the Azzurri a much-needed 1-0 win in Poland on Sunday in the UEFA Nations League.

Playing in Group 3 of League A, Poland became the first team to be relegated in the new European competition.

Italy also hit the crossbar twice in the first half, first with Jorginho then with Lorenzo Insigne.

Still, the match appeared headed for a scoreless draw until Biraghi slid in to redirect a corner inside the far post two minutes into injury time.

It was the first national team goal for Biraghi, a full back at Fiorentina.

Biraghi celebrated by making a No. 13 with his fingers, a dedication to former Fiorentina captain and Italy international Davide Astori, who died from cardiac arrest in March.

Astori wore the No. 13 shirt.

“We dominated the game completely and should have scored earlier,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said.

“A 0-0 would have been an unfair result. We played very well but we can still improve a lot. In football you only need time and hard work; magicians do not exist.”

It was Italy’s first compet-itive victory in more than a year, since beating Albania 1-0 in World Cup qualifying last October.

AFP

ABU DHABI: Australian skipper Tim Paine vowed his team would do its utmost to win the second Test against Pakistan starting in Abu Dhabi from today for a first series win in Asia since 2011.

The trying conditions of the pitches and hot weather have stopped Australia from winning a series since they beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in 2011.

Since then they have lost 4-0 in India (2013), 2-0 in United Arab Emirates to Pakistan (2014), 3-0 in Sri Lanka (2016), 2-1 in India (2017) and drew 1-1 in Bangladesh last year.

But Paine’s side snatched a morale-boosting draw on the fifth and final day in the first Test in Dubai, the skipper and number 10 Nathan Lyon seeing out the final 12.2 overs after being set a daunting target of 462 runs.

“We want to win every series we are involved in,” Paine said Monday. “We are focusing on what we do and if we can do well for five days then we have a really

good chance of winning it.“We are reasonably con-

fident. After the last few days we got a little bit of relief and a little bit of mileage, so we know if we play our best cricket we have got a chance to win this Test match.

“We are coming into this Test with a bit more momentum and guys know what to expect a bit more in these conditions,” said Paine, who announced paceman Mitchell Starc will play in Abu Dhabi.

That is hint enough that Aus-tralia are likely to keep the same starting XI.

Paine admitted Pakistan were a “very good team”.

“They have some good batters, particu-larly in these

conditions. We know what we are up against and we know they are an excellent team and even better in these conditions.”

Pakistan have been forced into making two changes after opener Imam-ul-Haq fractured his finger in Dubai. He will be replaced by Fakhar Zaman for his first Test.

They also left out fast bowler Wahab Riaz, who went wick-etless in the first Test, and will pick one from uncapped pacer Mir Hamza or leg-spinner Shadab Khan.

Pakistan’s only series loss in United Arab Emirates -- their neutral venue since attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 forced them to play here -- was last year.

They lost to Sri Lanka 2-0, their first series loss in 10 attempts.

But Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed dispelled any fear of losing.

“There is nothing like that (fear) and you would see that with the way we played the first Test. Throughout we played good cricket but unfortunately we couldn’t get across the line,” Ahmed said.

“The team morale is high, batsmen have scored runs and bowlers have also taken wickets

so we are very much hopeful o f performing well

to win the series.”

SPORT 27TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018

It’s great to have a guy who is so fearless.

He is not reckless, he is very confident

about his game. He’s a rare talent. I don’t

think any of us were even 10 percent of

what he is when we were 18, 19.

Indian captain Virat Kohli on Pritvi Shaw

South Africa’s WC planstake shapeAFP

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s time for experimen-tation ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup is coming to an end, according to coach Ottis Gibson.

Speaking after rain washed out his team’s final Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe in Benoni on Sunday, Gibson said a short limited overs tour of Australia, starting later this month, would be a crucial part of the build-up to next year’s World Cup in England.

“We want to go there with an attitude of trying to win,” said Gibson. “The squad that we pick will reflect that and reflect our feeling on the formula and the way we want to play cricket.”

South Africa were seldom under pressure in three limited overs and two Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe but tried to play the kind of positive cricket that will be needed for more demanding encounters.

“There is a lot being said about being positive. The key is having the will to stick with it even when things get tough,” said Gibson.

The Barbados-born coach said leading batsman Hashim Amla would miss the tour of Australia because of a finger injury but indicated that veteran bowlers Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir would make the trip, adding to the strike power of fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.

“I know what Rabada and Ngidi can do but for me the real excitement was watching Dale Steyn bowling in the second game in Bloemfontein,” he said.

“It was fantastic to see him back to that level again, bowling quickly with that skill and accuracy. There are a lot of guys we have in our thoughts who will be in the squad to Australia,” said Gibson. “For the last 12 months we have been looking at players. In the next couple of months, the players have been told that the window is closing all the time.”

After three one-day inter-nationals in Australia, South Africa will have five-match home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“In those series we want to be focusing on a core of 17 to 18 players we will be looking at,” he said.

South Africa’s squad for Australia will be announced on Thursday.

Paine eyes Australia’s first series win in Asia since 2011

India ready to unleash ‘fearless’ Pant, Shaw on AussiesAFP

HYDERABAD: “Fearless” young batting stars Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant will be India’s special weapons during their upcoming tour of Australia, according to captain Virat Kohli.

Hailing the roles of 18-year-old Shaw and 21-year-old Pant in the two-Test victory over the West Indies, Kohli said they had been given free rein to play their natural games.

“We were looking at them playing with a lot of freedom, which they did,” Kohli said after India’s three-day, 10-wicket win on Sunday.

“Prithvi was outstanding,

Rishabh was really fearless. I am really happy that these guys have grabbed their chances.”

Shaw became the youngest Indian batsman to score a century on his Test debut, smashing 134 in the first Test against the West Indies in Rajkot.

He followed it up with a quickfire 70 in the first innings of the second Test in Hyderabad.

Left-hander Pant, who hit a century during this year’s Test tour of England, followed up with scores of 92 in both the first and second Tests against the West Indies.

“I know the conditions were not as challenging as they might

get in future, but in Test cricket, the first and the most important thing is confidence and under-standing that you can score runs at the Test level,” said Kohli.

“From that point of view, (I’m) very happy that these guys

have taken their chance so well.”

Pant, who shows an auda-cious range of strokes as a middle-order batsman, has been rewarded for his Test perform-ances with a call-up for the first

two one-day internationals against the West Indies.

But it is Shaw who has stood out, with some pundits com-paring him to the great Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 237 runs in three innings against the West Indies to get the Man of the Series award.

India coach Ravi Shastri compared Shaw to Tendulkar and the destructive Virender Sehwag and Brian Lara.

The diminutive right-hander aggressively attacked the West Indies bowlers and showed quick reflexes while fielding at forward short-leg -- a dan-gerous position close to the batsman.

Kohli said: “It’s great to have a guy who is so fearless. He is not reckless, he is very confident about his game. He’s a rare talent. I don’t think any of us were even 10 percent of what he is when we were 18, 19.”

India will play five ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals against the West Indies before starting a tour of Australia in November.

After series defeats in South Africa and England this year, India will take on Australia in three ODIs, four Tests and three T20 matches in what is being seen as a critical examination of their position as the world’s top Test side.

Zazai hits six

sixes in an over

on his way to

record 50

AFP

SHARJAH: Hazratullah Zazai smashed a blistering half-century off just 12 balls in the Afghan Premier League on Sunday to equal the all-time T20 record held by his “idol” Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh.

The 20-year-old batsman blasted left-arm spinner Abdullah Mazari for six sixes in one over on his way to tying the mark for the fastest half-century in T20 cricket.

Gayle got a close-up look at Zazai’s big-hitting as the West Indian star was in the opposing Balkh Legends team.

“It was a surreal moment for me to perform in front of my idol,” said Zazai.

“I was trying to play my natural game and wasn’t thinking of out-shining anybody.”

Left-hander Zazai, who has played for Afghanistan in both one-day and T20 internationals, was even-tually out for a 17-ball 62 as his team Kabul Zwanan fell 21 runs short of a target of 245 against Balkh.

“It’s a very proud moment for me,” said Zazai.

“It’s a very enjoyable moment for me that my name is now linked to so many big names of the game, the real legends.”

His record-equalling innings came just five days after he scored 124 against Nangarhar Leopards in the same competition.

TEAMS (FROM)AUSTRALIA:

Tim Paine (capt), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne,

Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

PAKISTAN: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar

Zaman, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail,Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza

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his finger inDubai. Hewill be replaced by FakharZaman for a a ohis first Test.

the way we played the first Test. Throughout we played good cricket but unfortunately wecouldn’t get across the line,” Ahmed said.

“The team morale is high, e tea o a e s g ,batsmen have scored runs andbowlers have also taken wickets

soso w wee araree veveryryy m mucuchh hohopepep fufull o foo foooooo pepep rfrforormimingngg w welelll

tototo ww wininin tt thehehe seseriririeseses ”..

Prithvi Shaw

Rishabh Pant

Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya

Australian skipper Tim Paine

Pakistan vs Australia2nd Test in Abu Dhabi

Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina

CRICKET YOUTH OLYMPICS

TO

DAY

’SA

CTIO

N

ICC charges Jayasuriya in anti-corruption probeAFP

DUBAI: Dashing former Sri Lankan

batsman and ex-chief selector Sanath

Jayasuriya has been charged for not

cooperating with a match-fixing

probe and concealing information, the

International Cricket Council said

yesterday.

“The International Cricket

Council (ICC) has charged Jayasuriya

on two counts of breaching the ICC

Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and have

given him 14 days to respond,” the

ICC said in a statement yesterday.

Jayasuriya, 49, was reportedly

asked to cooperate with an inquiry

from ACU chief Alex Marshall who

visited Sri Lanka last month.

“The charges include failure or

refusal, without compelling justifi-

cation, to cooperate with any inves-

tigation carried out by the ACU,

including failure to provide accu-

rately and completely any infor-

mation and/or documentation

requested by the ACU as part of

such investigation,” the ICC said.

The other count included

“obstructing or delaying any investi-

gation that may be carried out by the

ACU, including concealing, tampering

with or destroying any documentation

or other information that may be rel-

evant to that investigation and/or that

may be evidence or may lead to the

discovery of evidence of corrupt

conduct under the Anti-Corruption

Code”.

The ICC’s ACU is acting further

on their previous investigation which

in January 2016 saw Galle stadium

curator Jayananda Warnaweera

banned for three years after he failed

to cooperate with the ACU.

ACU head Marshall last month

said: “The ACU works to uphold

integrity in cricket and this includes

conducting investigations where

there are reasonable grounds to do

so.

Jayasuriya played 110 Tests, 445

one-day internationals and 31

Twenty20s for Sri Lanka and was

also a former captain during his illus-

trious career between 1989-2011.