KARACHI: Thousands of spectators endured long queues and navigated stringent security checkpoints hours ahead of a high profile cricket match on Sunday in Pakistan’s biggest city, the first time in nine years that it has hosted a game of such stature.
At least 8,000 security personnel that also included armed soldiers guarded the 27,000 capacity National Stadium where Peshawar Zalmi will take on Islamabad United in the third PSL final.
“It’s (the PSL final) giving a message to the world that Pakistan is a peaceful country and Pakistan will play role in sports,” said 24-year-old spectator Hamza Yousuf Shah, who was waiting in one of several long queues to get into the stadium.
The five main roads leading to the stadium became a no-go zone for anyone without a ticket starting at noon local time (3 a.m. ET). The final is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. local time.
Spectators had to use a shuttle service before walking the best part of a mile to go through two security checkpoints.
Karachi, which has a population of 15 million, last hosted a major game featuring international players in February 2009 — a test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Later on that tour terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus. On March 3, 2009, the bus taking the visiting cricketers to play the third day of the second test was fired upon by 12 gunmen near Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed, while six members of the Sri Lanka team were injured.
The incident resulted in a halting of international cricket in the country, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board to play abroad with the United Arab Emirates as its “home” for hosting international teams.
However, the PCB has been trying to convince foreign nations to begin touring Pakistan again. Lahore first hosted the PSL final last year as well as three international Twenty20 matches against a World XI and one against Sri Lanka.
But some international PSL players remain reluctant to play in Pakistan. Preliminary PSL matches were played at Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Australian Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators) and Englishmen Eoin Morgan (Karachi) and Kevin Pietersen (Quetta) all refused to accompany their respective franchises to Lahore earlier this week for two PSL elimination matches.
“Pakistan is full of cricket fans and it’s a great thing that cricket is back in Pakistan, hopefully it will be a success,” said 16-year-old cricket enthusiast Ria Martin.
Love of the game also brought 14-year-old Maaz Ahmed, who uses a wheelchair, to the ground.
“I had always wanted to see star players live in action and today my dream will be fulfilled,” he said. “I simply can’t describe my excitement in words, I just want the final to begin.”
Other spectators carried placards proclaiming “No Fear, play here” in support of Pakistan’s bid to regain the confidence of foreign teams that the country is ready to stage international matches again.
Peshawar Zalmi is led by West Indian Darren Sammy who is joined by fellow international players Chris Jordan of England and Liam Dawson of South Africa. Islamabad United features JP Duminy of South Africa and Luke Ronchi of New Zealand.
Local Pakistani singers, led by Ali Zafar and Shahzad Roy, headlined an hour-long musical show before the toss.
Sammy joined the musicians on stage where he showcased his dancing skills with teammate and fellow West Indian Andre Fletcher and fast bowler Hasan Ali to the delight of the spectators.
A clearly delighted PCB chairman Najam Sethi told the Karachi crowd that he hoped they would return when the West Indies play three Twenty20 internationals there on April 1-3.
“You have to come back again, fill the stadium and show the world that we are again ready for international matches,” Sethi told the crowd.
Stringent security in place for PSL final in Karachi
Stringent security in place for PSL final in Karachi
Philippines’ Alexandra Eala stuns Iga Swiatek to make the Miami Open semifinals
- The 19-year-old left-hander is the only player representing the Philippines on the women’s professional tour
- During her history-making run, Eala reached her first WTA semifinals by beating her third major champion
The 19-year-old left-hander, who received a wild card into the WTA 1000 event, is the only player representing the Philippines on the women’s professional tour and entered the tournament ranked 140th.
During her history-making run, Eala reached her first WTA semifinals by beating her third major champion, this time in 1 hour, 37 minutes.
“I’m in complete disbelief right now, I’m on cloud nine,” Eala said in her on-court interview.
Along the way, she defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who is ranked No. 5. That was Eala’s first win over a top-10 player.
She hadn’t even beaten a top-40 player until Miami. After Swiatek hit long on match point, Eala seemed teary-eyed as she looked up.
“I really tried to soak it all in, because this has never happened to me before, and that’s why I was looking at the screen,’’ Eala said. “I really wanted to keep that moment in my mind.’’
In the fourth round, Eala won on a walkover over injured Paula Badosa, giving her added rest.
Though Eala represents the Philippines, she has lived the last six years in Mallorca, training at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy.
“I would love to think that I make a difference,’’ Eala said. “That’s the only thing I can do to give back to my country is to help inspire, to inspire change and positive change, to inspire people to pick up a racket, to watch more tennis, watch more women’s tennis.’’
Swiatek broke Eala in the first game, but the teenager broke right back. The first two games took 15 minutes to play and she never lost her poise.
“I don’t have a lot of experience on the WTA Tour, that’s for sure, but I do have experience with compartmentalizing,’’ Eala said. ” I have experience with being professional. I have no hesitation to bring that part of me out when I’m on court.’’
Swiatek held serve just twice in the match, with Eala pounding service returns with her big forehand. It marked Swiatek’s third loss to a player ranked outside the top 100 in a WTA main draw.
“Her being a lefty didn’t surprise me, but for sure, like, she went all in,’’ Swiatek said. “She made these returns in and pretty long, and so it wasn’t easy to hit it back. She was pretty loosened up and just went for it.’’
On set point, Swiatek rapped a forehand long, ending the set in 42 minutes.
Eala advances to Thursday’s semifinals, where she will face either Jessica Pegula of the US or Emma Raducanu of Britain, who play Wednesday night.
Scheffler, McIlroy focus on Houston while preparing for Masters
- McIlroy is making his first Houston trip in 11 years and playing the course for the first time
- Scheffler was the runner-up in Houston last year, a season in which he won nine titles include Olympic gold and his second Masters title
HOUSTON: Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy play their final tuneups for the Masters at this week’s PGA Houston Open, seeking a title while preparing for Augusta National.
McIlroy, who won the Players two weeks ago after taking the Pebble Beach crown last month, is making his first Houston trip in 11 years and playing the course for the first time.
“It has been a great start to the season for me and I want to continue it,” McIlroy said.
But the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland visited Augusta National this week to start preparations for the Masters, the only major title he needs to complete a career Grand Slam.
“I use those trips just to refamiliarize myself with the place, clubs off tees, looking to see if they changed any greens,” McIlroy said.
“There are four greens that are new this year that they’ve redone. You have a look at those and see if there’s any new hole positions they give you, stuff like that.
“Honestly for me, it’s nice to play a practice round without people around and it sort of takes the pressure off the start of the (Masters) week for me.”
His time in Houston, however, is about competing and trying to add another title to his season before his quest for a green jacket resumes.
“I just want to get a card in my hand and shoot scores and hopefully get myself in contention and try to win another golf tournament,” McIlroy said. “It’s not as if I’m playing here this week and thinking about two weeks’ time. I’m here, I’m in the present, I’m trying to do my best this week and trying to win this golf tournament.”
Repeated shotmaking under tournament pressure is on McIlroy’s mind.
“I want to keep playing well, so I think every round you play where you see good things you’re filling up that confidence bucket a little bit, so I want to see that,” he said.
“It was great to get a win a couple weeks ago but I still feel I could have played a lot better. I tried to poke holes in a lot of my game last week and think about things I could do better, and there were definitely things that I could work on.
“It’s a good opportunity to go out and see if some of the work I did at home and I’m continuing to do here... is all going in the right direction.”
Scheffler was the runner-up in Houston last year, a season in which he won nine titles include Olympic gold and his second Masters title.
But Scheffler missed the first month of this season with a hand injury and is only now getting back to normal form.
“Feeling pretty good. Excited about the stuff we’re working on right now and game feels like it’s in a good spot. Definitely excited to get the season going this week,” he said.
He finds Houston’s Memorial Park course a worthy place to prepare for the challenge of winning a third Masters in four seasons.
“With it being rye grass in the fairways now I think definitely improves the prep for the Masters, it’s a similar grass to what we see at Augusta,” Scheffler said.
“It’s also a big golf course. You’ve got to hit it far out here, so there is definitely some similarities and good preparation between here and Augusta.”
Like McIlroy, however, Scheffler is concentrating on winning this week before trying for another major win.
“I try to focus as much as I can on the tournament at hand,” he said.
“I think in the back of your mind at all times the majors are always kind of there... so when you’re here with the Masters being only two weeks away, it’s very easy for us to look ahead. But I’m trying to do my best to focus on this week.”
Arsenal stage 3-goal comeback against Real Madrid, set up Women’s Champions League semifinal against Lyon
- The England star might have had a hat trick only to be denied by a VAR call for offside, then by Madrid goalkeeper Misa in a one-on-one, then by another offside call
- Arsenal will face last season’s beaten finalist Lyon as they seek to win the trophy for the second time after success in 2007
LONDON: Alessia Russo scored twice and Arsenal staged a remarkable comeback to reach the Women’s Champions League semifinals with a 3-0 win over Real Madrid.
Mariona Caldentey scored the other as Arsenal grabbed three goals in 13 minutes to overturn the team’s 2-0 loss in the first leg of the quarterfinal in the Spanish capital last week.
Caldentey, who used to torment Madrid while playing for Barcelona, wheeled away in delight after leveling the tie three minutes after Russo pulled a goal back as Arsenal couldn’t have had a better start to the second half.
Russo fired Arsenal in front for the first time in the tie with an acrobatic finish in the 59th. It proved to be the winner in the 3-2 victory on aggregate.
The England star might have had a hat trick only to be denied by a VAR call for offside, then by Madrid goalkeeper Misa in a one-on-one, then by another offside call.
Arsenal needed a save from goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar in stoppage time to prevent Madrid star Linda Caicedo from sending the match to extra time.
Arsenal will face last season’s beaten finalist Lyon as they seek to win the trophy for the second time after success in 2007.
Lyon advance
Kadidiatou Diani scored one goal and set up two more as Lyon outclassed Bayern Munich 4-1 in the second leg of their quarterfinal earlier.
The French powerhouse needed a wake-up call before reaching the semifinals for the 13th time. Klara Bühl opened the scoring in the 33rd minute off the far post to claw a goal back for Bayern after losing the first leg 2-0 in Munich.
Lyon, the eight-time champion, emerged reinvigorated after the break and went on to wrap up a 6-1 victory on aggregate with Diani scoring and setting up goals for Melchie Dumornay and Tabitha Chawinga, who both scored in Munich last week.
Dumornay played in Ada Hegerberg to seal the rout with a flourish by shooting the ball through Bayern goalkeeper Maria-Luisa “Mala” Grohs ‘ legs in stoppage time.
Bayern will be left to rue defensive blunders for undermining its comeback hopes.
The other quarterfinal second legs are scheduled for Thursday, with defending champion Barcelona in a comfortable position after a 4-1 win over Wolfsburg in Germany, and Chelsea needing goals as it host Manchester City after losing the first leg 2-0.
Barcelona defeated Lyon in last year’s final.
Lyon outclass Bayern with 4-1 win to reach Women’s Champions League semifinals
- Lyon, the eight-time champion, emerged reinvigorated after the break and went on to wrap up a 6-1 victory on aggregate
- Bayern will be left to rue defensive blunders for undermining their comeback hopes
LYON: Kadidiatou Diani scored one goal and set up two more as Lyon outclassed Bayern Munich 4-1 in the second leg of their Women’s Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.
The French powerhouse needed a wake-up call before reaching the semifinals for the 13th time. Klara Bühl opened the scoring in the 33rd minute off the far post to claw a goal back for Bayern after losing the first leg 2-0 in Munich.
Lyon, the eight-time champion, emerged reinvigorated after the break and went on to wrap up a 6-1 victory on aggregate with Diani scoring and setting up goals for Melchie Dumornay and Tabitha Chawinga, who both scored in Munich last week.
Dumornay played in Ada Hegerberg to seal the rout with a flourish by shooting the ball between Bayern goalkeeper Maria-Luisa “Mala” Grohs’ legs in stoppage time.
Bayern will be left to rue defensive blunders for undermining their comeback hopes.
Diani was given two opportunities to cross the ball for Dumornay to equalize on the night, then Bayern star Giulia Gwinn inadvertently set up Diani to score in the 54th.
It was the third blow for Bayern in quick succession with forward Jovana Damnjanovic going off with an apparent rib injury.
The fourth blow came shortly afterward with Diana crossing for Chawinga to score Lyon’s third goal on the hour-mark. The French league champion missed further chances to score before Hegerberg made the last one count.
Lyon will face either Real Madrid or Arsenal in the semifinals. They were contesting the second leg of their quarterfinal in London later, with the Spanish team 2-0 up from the first leg in Madrid last week.
Arsenal made a promising start without scoring while Madrid began threatening toward the end of the first half in the second leg.
The other quarterfinal second legs are scheduled for Thursday, with defending champion Barcelona in a comfortable position after a 4-1 win over Wolfsburg in Germany, and Chelsea needing goals as they host Manchester City after losing the first leg 2-0.
Barcelona defeated Lyon in last year’s final.
Tour de France champion Pogacar targets Paris-Roubaix’s cobbled ‘hell’
- “It was initially planned for Tadej Pogacar to participate in both the E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem,” read UAE’s statement
- Mauro Gianetti, UAE team manager, highlighted their concerns for the best paid member of the peloton
PARIS: Three-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar will race the notorious Paris-Roubaix, known as the ‘Hell of the North’ for its treacherous cobbled mining roads, for the first time, his team UAE announced on Wednesday.
Of the five big one-day races known as ‘Monuments’, Paris-Roubaix is the least suited to the Slovenian’s slender frame and adding that title would confirm his growing status as one of the all-time greats.
He will be the first reigning Tour de France champion to tackle what is often a mudfest since Greg Lemond in 1991 — the American finished 55th.
Cycling legends Bernard Hinault and Eddy Merckx also tried to win the one-day race in 1982 and 1975 respectively, a year after winning the Tour de France.
Neither was successful although Merckx finished second, edged out on the line by Roger De Vlaeminck. However, they both achieved perhaps an even greater feat in landing the two races in the same year, with Merckx doing the double in 1970 and Hinault in 1981.
Victory on April 13 would set Pogacar up nicely to join that elite duo.
He already has seven Monument victories to his credit, including the 2023 Tour of Flanders.
Pogacar has also won Il Lombardia each of the last four years and Liege-Bastogne-Liege twice.
“It was initially planned for Tadej Pogacar to participate in both the E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem,” read UAE’s statement.
“However, after discussions with the team, it has been decided that he will adjust his calendar to focus on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix instead, aiming for peak form in those iconic races.”
The change of plan is a victory for Pogacar, who has said he prefers the one-day races to multi-stage ones, as he had argued to compete in the Paris-Roubaix, against the wishes of the team directors who were concerned about the possibility of injury.
Paris-Roubaix is considered the most dangerous race of them all owing to its six million cobble stones, many of them uneven, which has resulted in serious injuries to the riders.
Mauro Gianetti, UAE team manager, highlighted their concerns for the best paid member of the peloton — he is believed to earn 8 million euros ($8.6 million) a year — in the one-day races after he had fallen in the Strade Bianche before getting back up to win it.
“A bad fall could put a question mark over his competing in the Tour de France and maybe the rest of the season,” said Gianetti.
“He has enough time in his career to ride in the Paris-Roubaix.”
However, his decision, after finishing third in the Milan-San Remo, delighted Paris-Roubaix race director Thierry Gouvenou.
“It is a huge moment for cycling,” said Gouvenou.
“It has been a long time since we had a Tour de France winner who is a genuine contender to win the Paris-Roubaix.
“He is going to face a challenge suited to his talent.”
Gouvenou, though, believes Pogacar is up against it with rivals like Milan-San Remo winner Mathieu van der Poel, Belgian Wout Van Aert and Italy’s Filippo Ganna.
“If Van der Poel is at the top of his game, it will be very difficult for Pogacar,” said Gouvenou.
“He is going to race on a route that is not suited to him.
“If ever he wins Paris-Roubaix it will be against the odds. But that is what we all expect: to see champions up against it.
“This race could make him even greater than he is now.”
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said Pogacar’s bid was a bold move.
“That he dares take this risk in a year he wants to win the Tour is a bold move. It’ll be a hell of a fight. I can’t wait to see it.”
