JEDDAH: ICAD and Pepsi Deccan Knights recorded big wins over Multan Tigers and Peeran XI respectively in the sixth week of the Ace Travel Saudi Cup organized by the Jeddah Cricket Association.
Elsewhere, MB Stars, Hyderabad Sharks and Banswada Ball Burners continued their upward march with resounding wins.
Kashif Shafique continued his form with a scintillating knock of 180 (73 balls 21 fours, 11 sixes) as he massacred Peeran XI bowlers with support from Waqas (44) as PDK raced to 280 for 3. They then returned to bundled out Peeran XI for a paltry 99 runs. Only Imran (39) waged a lone battle. The brothers’ pair of Ather (3 for 0) and Akbar (3 for 21) mesmerized the batsmen with their tempting flight to give PDK a huge 199-run win.
ICAD, led by Mohsin’s unbeaten 81 (45 balls 12, fours 2 sixes), scored a seven-wicket win over Multan Tigers. MB Stars made short work of Jeddah Royal Challengers with a five-wicket win. Moazzam was the man of the match as he took 3 for 18 and later scored 31 runs.
Hyderabad Shark’s pair of Shehzad 86 runs (14 fours, 2 sixes) and Saddam (47) teamed up to take their team past 200 mark but struggled before overcoming Saudi German Hospital who chased but for Mubashir’s (4 for 35) of Sharks who bit them hard at the end to win by 16 runs.
Qaiser of BBB scored 119 (49 balls 13 fours, 2 sixes) and scalped 2 for 19 and with Salman 87 (10 fours 5 sixes) put on 221 run opening partnership to carve out a 119-run win over Rawalpindi Stars.
Brief scores:
PDK 280 for 3: (Kashif Shafeeq 180 n.o, Waqas 44; Ashfaq 2-43) beat Peeran XI 81: (Imran 39; Akbar 3-21, Ather 3-0, Israr 2-16, Wahid 2-24) by 199 runs.
Multan Tigers 190: (Mohammed Ilyas 73, Waqas 58; Usman 3-26, Qaiser 2-19, Awais 2-14) beat ICAD 191 for 3: (Mohsin 81, Shakeel 66 n.o) by 7 wkts.
Jeddah Royal Challengers 120: (Asif 24, Sharoz 25; Akhtar Mehmood 3-4, Moazzam 3-18, Usman 2-33) lost to MB. Stars 121 for 5: (Moazzam 31, Zia Hafiz 25, Ateeq Mansha 26 n.o; Shahrukh 4-38) by 5 wkts.
Hyderabad Sharks 218 for 8: (Shehzad 86, Saddam 47, Sohail 20; Irshad 3-29, Bilal 3-40) beat Saudi German Hospital 202: (Qadir 58, Bilal 31, Shan 23, Talha Ansari 22; Mubashir 4-35, Arif Hashmy 2-46) by 16 runs.
BBB 309 for 4: (Qaiser 115, Salman 87, Zameer 37; Jameel 2-37) beat Rawalpindi Stars 190: (Mukhtar 73, Faiz 58; Usman 3-26, Qaiser 2-19, Awais 2-14) by 119 runs.
Pepsi Deccan Knights, ICAD Record Huge wins in Ace Travel Saudi Cup
Pepsi Deccan Knights, ICAD Record Huge wins in Ace Travel Saudi Cup
Wild Padel shines light on sporting community in Qatif
- Established in 2023, the club went on to win the inaugural edition of the Barn’s Saudi Padel League for men a year later
RIYADH: Wild Padel, a family-owned club in Qatif, is doing more than just riding the wave of a fast-growing sport but rather redefining the essence of community in it.
Established in 2023, Wild Padel is led by the Al-Bayat family members of Ahmed Muneer, Hassan Ali, Abdullah Jamal, and Abdullah Muneer.
Ali told Arab News that although Wild Padel is not the first padel club in Qatif, it has quickly distinguished itself through its high-quality facilities, engaging community events, and strong commitment to promoting padel in the region.
“Despite not being the pioneer, it has become one of the most recognized and active clubs in the area,” he said. “Much of this success is thanks to the dedicated Wild Padel team and the supportive Wild Padel family who continue to train and play at the club.”
In December 2024, Wild Padel won the inaugural edition of the Barn’s Saudi Padel League for men against the highly competitive and respected team Padel X.
“While the challenge was intense, the strength, unity, and determination of our players brought home the title,” Ali said.
A sign of the community and camaraderie established at the club is the list of colorful nicknames that the members have developed.
The victorious team featured Captain Hassan Al-Abdullah, Abdullah “Mystro” Al-Faraj, Abdulaziz “The Engineer” Al-Abdullah, Abdullah “GOAT” Al-Abdullah, Qassim “The Golden Boy” Al-Obaidan, Ali “MVP” Dawani, Jose “Fighter” Arcos, Ali “The Talented” Hassan, Kumail “Leader” Al-Abbas, and Ali “Team Spirit” Al-Nasir.
Ali highlighted that the idea to set up Wild Padel was inspired by the rapid growth of the sport and its strong potential for future expansion in the Kingdom.
“The club was established to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting active lifestyles, supporting community engagement, and building a strong base of local talent. One of Wild Padel’s key goals is to develop skilled players through its academy, ultimately contributing to the Kingdom’s sporting success on both national and international levels,” he said.
Ali notes that with a growing number of passionate players and rising young talents, the Kingdom is well-positioned to become a regional and global hub for padel in the coming years.
“Padel has a promising future in the Kingdom, driven by strong support from the Ministry of Sports under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal. The efforts of the Saudi Padel Committee, led by Mugren Al-Mugren, alongside contributions from both governmental and private clubs, are accelerating the sport’s development.”
Pakistan drop stars Shaheen, Azam and Rizwan for Bangladesh T20s
- Batsmen Azam and Rizwan were omitted for the second consecutive T20 series after being criticized for slow scoring
- Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan as they look to next year’s Twenty20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka
KARACHI: Pakistan dropped stars Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan on Wednesday as they named a new-look squad for three home Twenty20 internationals against Bangladesh.
Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson will take charge for the first time after being appointed last week, replacing Aaqib Javed.
Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan as they look toward next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Fast bowler Shaheen had played in Pakistan’s last T20 series in New Zealand in March, but batsmen Azam and Rizwan were omitted for the second consecutive T20 series after being criticized for slow scoring.
“The squad has been selected based on players’ performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, which concludes on May 25,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.
Shaheen has taken 12 wickets for Lahore Qalandars in 10 PSL matches at an economy rate of 8.20.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan earned a recall after topping the PSL batting charts with 394 runs.
Batsmen Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman return after missing the New Zealand tour with injuries.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali is back after being sidelined with multiple injuries since May last year.
The PCB said that the series match schedule, which has been affected by a 10-day delay to the PSL caused by the deadly India-Pakistan conflict, will be announced soon with all three matches to be held in Lahore.
Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub.
Brad Pitt’s ‘F1 The Movie’ to premiere in Abu Dhabi this June
ABU DHABI: Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film will return to Abu Dhabi for its regional premiere on June 25, ahead of its official Middle East release on June 26.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, “F1 The Movie” was partly shot at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year.
The Apple Original Films production follows fictional former driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) as he returns to Formula 1 decades after a career-ending crash, teaming up with a struggling race team and a hotshot rookie played by Damson Idris.
The cast and crew will return to Abu Dhabi for the red-carpet premiere after filming 29 days across the emirate, including at Yas Marina Circuit and Zayed International Airport. The production involved 284 local crew members and 15 interns, supported by local partner Epic Films and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s rebate scheme.
Mohamed Dobay, of the Creative Media Authority, called the return “a fitting closing moment” to a project that has made a significant impact on Abu Dhabi’s creative economy. The film is one of 180 major productions supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission since 2013.
Coach Edwards set to introduce minimum fitness standard for England players
- Former batter Edwards, who captained England in more than 200 matches, replaced coach Jon Lewis last month amid England’s efforts to revive their form ahead of this year’s 50-over World Cup in India
England coach Charlotte Edwards is rolling out a “minimum fitness standard” and calling for more accountability in the area from players after a 16-0 whitewash in the multi-format Women’s Ashes earlier this year.
Former batter Edwards, who captained England in more than 200 matches, replaced coach Jon Lewis last month amid England’s efforts to revive their form ahead of this year’s 50-over World Cup in India.
“The players are very aware there will be minimum fitness standards come this time next year... there has to be more accountability in the area,” Edwards said on Tuesday, a day before her first match as England coach.
“Before the World Cup it is about individuals improving as much as they can in that time... I am not going to set fitness standards (now) because there haven’t been any standards in place.”
Edwards said the players had spent the last few weeks working hard to improve their fielding, an aspect of the game that came under heavy criticism during their dismal Ashes campaign.
“Physically they are in a really good place as well and we have some great fielders within our T20 squad. It’s a big part of the game and we know that,” Edwards added.
England host West Indies in three T20 matches and three One-Day Internationals between May 21-June 7, with India visiting for a limited-overs tour later next month.
Djokovic to carry on without a coach after parting ways with Murray
- The high-profile partnership with three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray lasted only six months
- Djokovic is winless on clay this year after exiting the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open with straight-sets losses
Novak Djokovic said he would carry on without a coach for now after parting ways with Andy Murray last week, as the Serbian prepares for his latest bid to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open.
The high-profile partnership with three-time Grand Slam champion Murray lasted only six months but Djokovic said his respect for the Scot had only grown in that time.
“At the moment, I’m not in need of a coach. I don’t need to rush in any context. I feel comfortable with the people around me,” Djokovic told reporters on Tuesday, a day before facing Marton Fucsovics at the Geneva Open.
“In the next few tournaments, we’ll see what happens.”
Djokovic, 38, is winless on clay this year after exiting the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open with straight-sets losses last month, and his form is a concern heading into Roland Garros, which kicks off on Sunday.
He had appointed fellow former world number one Murray ahead of this year’s Australian Open and said in February he would continue working with him for an indefinite period.
“We felt like we couldn’t get more out of that partnership on the court, and that’s all there is to it,” added Djokovic.
“My respect toward Andy remains the same, even more actually, I got to know him as a person.”
