AS IT HAPPENED: India dominate again to leave victory at Trent Bridge all but assured.

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It was all smiles for the tourists at Trent Bridge as they dominated the first session. (AFP)
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Updated 21 August 2018
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AS IT HAPPENED: India dominate again to leave victory at Trent Bridge all but assured.

  • Another horror show for England's batsmen as tourists make early inroads in Nottingham.
  • Hosts chasing unlikely 521 for victory nine down at stumps

EVENING SESSION: England 311-9 & 161, India 329 & 352-7 dec:

India came into the Test 2-0 down, knowing they had to avoid another defeat to keep the series alive. After their abject display at Lord’s last week, few gave them a chance, but at Trent Bridge they dominated from the start and tomorrow are all but assured of a vital victory. 

They needed six wickets in the final session for for the win, but only took five, meaning they have to come back on Wednesday to complete the job. 

The evening session started off in much the same way as the afternoon session had finished — with Buttler and Stokes looking at ease at the crease and untroubled by anything the India attack threw at them. 

Jos Buttler batted brilliantly for his first Test ton, which held up the India victory charge.

The pitch looked far from the minefield it had seemed when England were bowled out for 161 in the first innings and when they lost four quick wickets in the morning. 

Buttler (106) in particular looked assured and it was no surprise when he reached his maiden Test century. It was Test batting at its finest, full of poise with England on the ropes. 

But as soon as his wicket fell, LBW to Bumrah (five for 85) there was a sense that more would follow. If there is one constant about this England side it is that when one wicket falls more will come soon after, and once again Root’s side did not disappoint. 

Hardik Pandya celebrates taking the wicket of Ben Stokes.

From 251 for four the hosts slipped to 241 for eight as India took their chances after a wicketless few hours. 

Jonny Bairstow went first ball for nought, clean-bowled Bumrah, Chris Woakes (four) followed soon after for four, caught behind off the same bowler — a wicked bouncer catching the all-rounder by surprise. And then Stokes (62), who had looked as assured as Buttler, was caught behind off Hardik Pandya (one for 22). 

For the tourists the new ball and brilliant bowling had done the trick. They had remained patient all afternoon and got their rewards late on in the day. 

There was some late resistance from Stuart Broad (20) and Adil Rashid (30 not out) but, with the sun setting, Bumrah sent pace ace Broad back to the pavilion.  The tourists were not able to pick up the last wicket needed, but there is little doubt they will do so early on Wednesday morning to breath life into what is turning out to be an entertaining series. 

The result will not only keep the contest alive — England will lead 2-1 with two matches to play — but now brings into focus the hosts batting, a role reversal of the Lord’s Test after which India’s batters were widely criticised. Not only that but after this dominant victory the tourists will be only too keen to get at Joe Root and Co. once again and will doubtless back themselves for victory in the fourth clash at Southampton starting next week.

A dejected Ben Stokes walks off the pitch after scored 62 at Trent Bridge. 

 

AFTERNOON SESSION: England 173-4 & 161, India 329 & 352-7 dec: At last, some good news if you are an England fan, your team has won a session. 

Having seen four wickets fall quickly during the morning’s play the host knew they had to at least show some backbone and take the fight to India. 

They did this with some style, Jos Buttler (67 not out) and Ben Stokes (42 not out) playing with an ease and simplicity that seemed beyond their teammates this morning. Having lost all 10 wickets in the afternoon session on Sunday England lost none in the same period just two days later.

Prior to today Stokes and Buttler have had 11 partnerships in Test cricket and averaged just 15.9. This is their first hundred partnership and came in 195 balls.

Jos Buttler looked in fine touch out in the middle and frustrated the India attack. 

For India it was very much a case of from feast to famine. 

Virat Kohli and Co. will not be worrying though, they still have four sessions to get the six wickets they need for victory.

England went into tea on 173 for four and doubtless hoping for more of the same once back in the middle.

 

MORNING SESSION: England 84-4 & 161, India 329 & 352-7 dec: Chasing 521 England always knew victory was highly unlikely, this session, this day in fact was all about being positive. Positivity in defense, positivity in decision making, basically the exact opposite of what transpired over the first two hours at Trent Bridge. Having lost all 10 wickets in a single session on Sunday it was perhaps understandable that there were a few moments of indecision out in the middle. But whether that should have resulted in four wickets falling is another matter.
Keaton Jennings was the first to go. The left-hander played and missed several times on Monday evening and early on today India finally had their man — someone who with every innings looks more and more like a walking wicket — when he edged behind of the bowling of Ishant Sharma for 13. That left the hosts on 27 for one.
As sure as night follows day, the next wicket fell soon after. Alastair Cook is currently in one of his ever more-regular lulls in terms of run scoring. The former England skipper fell the same way as Jennings, caught behind off Ishant (two for 24) for 17. He has only one score of over 50 this year and the knives may well be out for him once this Test is over.
At the crease England had Joe Root and Ollie Pope — the present and the future of the side’s Test team runs. The pair fought well and hard, but never looked comfortable with the India attack, brilliantly led by Ishant, probing their techniques ball after ball.

Ollie Pope trudges off after a horror shot gifted India their fourth wicket of the morning. 


The order of the day would have been to hold out until lunch, but Jasprit Bumrah (one for 26) got Root (13) to prod at one outside his off-stump to be caught by KL Rahul in the slips.
62 for three soon became 62 for four as first ball of the next over Pope (16) tried to lay into a wide swinging delivery from Mohammed Shami (one for 28) only to edge to Virat Kohli at second slip.
It was just what England wanted to avoid and the dream session for the tourists.
It could have been worse, though, with Jos Buttler dropped on one. But there is little doubt that that will only extend England’s misery in the middle, and not effect the inevitable India victory.


High-flying Afghanistan announce Champions Trophy squad

Updated 14 sec ago
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High-flying Afghanistan announce Champions Trophy squad

  • Afghanistan finished sixth in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and reached the semifinal in last year’s Twenty20 World Cup
  • This will be the first time Afghanistan participate in the eight-nation Champions Trophy, starting in Pakistan on Feb. 19

KABUL: Afghanistan announced their squad Sunday for next month’s Champions Trophy, with prolific opener Ibrahim Zadran returning after an injury lay-off but spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman missing out.
The country’s performance in white-ball cricket has been strong recently — finishing sixth in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semifinal in last year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
This will be the first time Afghanistan participate in the eight-nation Champions Trophy, staged between February 19 and March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“Zadran, who was away from action due to an ankle injury, has returned to the squad,” said a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
“However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out on the selection, as AM Ghazanfar, a similar mystery spinner, has made the cut for the mega event.”
Rahman was left out because “he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery,” added acting ACB chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil.
But fast-rising opener Sediqullah Atal did secure a place in the squad, the ACB said.
Afghanistan beat England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.
Their Champions Trophy campaign begins with a clash against South Africa in Karachi on February 21, before they face England and Australia in Lahore.
Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.


‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

Updated 12 January 2025
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‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

  • The 26-year-old upsets Bu of China to reach Australian Open second round

DUBAI: Hady Habib admitted his historic run at the Australian Open feels like a dream from which he would rather not wake as he stormed into the second round on Sunday in front of a roaring Lebanese crowd.

Making his major debut this fortnight in Melbourne, Habib became the first Lebanese player in Open Era history to qualify for a singles main draw when he came through a tight three-setter, saving match points en route, to defeat France’s Clement Chidekh last Thursday.

Three days later, Habib further etched his name in the history books by upsetting China’s Bu Yunchaokete — who is ranked more than 150 places higher than Habib — 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) to reach the Australian Open second round and become the first Lebanese to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match in the Open Era.

One of the biggest goals Habib had set for himself entering 2025 was to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam event, now he finds himself in the second round. (Reuters)

One of the biggest goals Habib had set for himself entering 2025 was to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam event. He managed to check that target from his bucket list, and even surpass it, less than two weeks into the new tennis season.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” the Texas-born Lebanese told Arab News after his first-round triumph.

“I achieved my first goal, which was to qualify, and now I’m in the second round. It just feels like I need to wake up from a dream. Everything’s been happening so fast. And then I’m in Round 2 of the Aussie Open, and I just can’t believe it right now, I’m lost for words.”

Habib had cousins fly over from Sydney to attend his matches in Melbourne, and the stands on Court 13 on Sunday were packed with his supporters, given the large Lebanese diaspora in Australia.

“I'm so grateful for their support. I think the Lebanese community, I sort of brought everyone together, and it was really special to win in front of them. Every time I’m playing, there’s a larger and larger crowd. So yeah, it’s just been amazing,” the 26-year-old said.

The support Habib has received has not come just from the stands. With five Arab players competing in women’s singles, men’s singles and men’s doubles at the Australian Open this fortnight, support is also coming from the locker room.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur and Egyptian Mayar Sherif are representing the region on the women’s side in singles, while Tunisians Aziz Dougaz and Skander Mansouri are competing in singles and doubles, respectively.

“When I won my last match, since it was a very close one, all the players were watching in the locker room. And I walked by Ons, and she congratulated me, and I was extremely happy just to see a fellow Arab player acknowledging my win, it just means the world,” Habib said.

“Especially what she’s done for Tunisian tennis, and the Arab world in general, it’s amazing to get congratulations from her. And also seeing Aziz do well. I think he’s playing tomorrow (against Yoshihito Nishioka). I really hope he gets the win as well.

“It’s good for Arab tennis and Arab sports in general. And I hope they can do great things this week.”

Habib has produced a series of clutch performances in the past three months, clinching a maiden Challenger title, a Grand Slam debut, a first Grand Slam victory, and a new career-high ranking of at least 163 in the world.

In his final round of Australian Open qualifying against Chidekh, he saved three match points to force a decider in the third set before he secured the win and a place in the main draw.

“I think winning matches only gives you confidence, and I know when it comes to clutch moments that I’ve put in the work,” he said.

“I would like to say that I’m an extremely hard worker, and I try to do the right things every day. So when it comes to clutch moments, I just trust in myself, and the training that I’ve put in and the preparation. That’s what gives me the trust to play like that on these important points.”

Up next for Habib in Melbourne is French world No.14 Ugo Humbert.

“I actually played him once before in a Challenger in 2022. I lost in straight sets. But let’s see,” Habib said of the French lefty.

“I think he is at his best ranking right now. I want to go out there and do what I've been doing the last couple matches, just play my game and just do my best.”

Arabs at the 2025 Australian Open

Monday

First round: Aziz Dougaz v Yoshihito Nishioka

Tuesday

First round: Ons Jabeur v Anhelina Kalinina, Mayar Sherif v Dayana Yastremska

Wednesday

Second round: Hady Habib v Ugo Humbert

TBD

Doubles first round: Skander Mansouri/Ivan Dodig v Blake Ellis/Thomas Fancutt


Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy

Updated 12 January 2025
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Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy

  • The Champions Trophy tournament is set to begin on Feb. 19 in Karachi with Pakistan taking on New Zealand
  • The stadium will feature over 34,000 seats, brand-new scoreboards and laser light shows during night games

ISLAMABAD: The renovation of Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan’s eastern Lahore city will be completed this week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday, with all major structural work finished and final touches being applied ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
The PCB has been renovating stadiums in Lahore and Karachi for the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Feb. across three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This will be the first ICC tournament held in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup.
Pakistani fans have long expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s stadiums, particularly the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, citing a lack of basic facilities and a subpar viewing experience for spectators.
On Sunday, the PCB chairman paid a visit to Gaddafi Stadium and inspected the upgradation, renovation and finishing work on the ground, expressing his satisfaction over the pace of work at the iconic venue.
“Gaddafi Stadium, with all its modern facilities, will be ready this month. The work is being carried out at a swift pace,” he said.
“We are set to install brand new and comfortable seats for the fans, with an enhanced view, and work on new LED lights on the light towers is well underway.”
The stadium is set to transform into a world-class facility, featuring over 34,000 seats, brand-new scoreboards on both sides and state-of-the-art floodlights, ensuring exceptional visibility for both players and spectators after sunset.
“The fans will now be able to enjoy laser light shows during night games as well,” Naqvi said. “We are striving to make the ICC Champions Trophy a memorable event in Pakistan.”
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place from February 19 till March 9, with matches hosted across Pakistan and Dubai in a hybrid model.
The tournament’s structure follows a compromised decision after India refused to play in Pakistan, citing “security concerns.” Exercising its rights as the host nation, Pakistan designated Dubai as the neutral venue for India’s matches, ensuring all teams’ participation.
In Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host three group-stage games each. Lahore is also set to host the second semifinal. Dubai will host all three of India’s group matches and the first semifinal, should India qualify.
The tournament opener on Feb. 19 will feature Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on Feb. 20.
This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, after an eight-year hiatus. The last tournament took place in England in 2017. The event will feature top eight teams in world cricket competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.


Saudi Polo Federation names six participants for Desert Polo Championship in AlUla

Updated 12 January 2025
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Saudi Polo Federation names six participants for Desert Polo Championship in AlUla

  • The teams are AlUla, Richard Mille, Dadan, Budget, Bentley, and Ikmah
  • Pierro Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, will attend the event

RIYADH: The Saudi Polo Federation on Saturday announced the six teams to participate in the 2025 Richard Mille Desert Polo Championship, which will take place on Jan. 17-18 in AlUla.

The teams are AlUla, Richard Mille, Dadan, Budget, Bentley, and Ikmah. They will compete in the fourth edition of the championship, which is being organized in coordination with the Royal Commission for AlUla.

A media statement said Pierro Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, will attend the competition.

The matches will be held at the Village of Knights, featuring top international players, led by Adolfo Cambiaso, widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of polo.

Saudi rider Prince Sultan bin Khaled Al-Faisal, alongside Prince Abbas bin Ali and Prince Hamza bin Abbas from Jordan will participate in the tournament.

The contenders will be divided into two groups; AlUla, Dadan and Ikmah in Group 1, while Group 2 comprises Bentley, Budget and Richard Mille.

Chairman of the Saudi Polo Federation, Amr Zidan, confirmed the readiness of the Village of Knights to host the event, promising strong competition and highlighting the continued development and growing popularity of the sport in Saudi Arabia.

“This fourth edition of the championship has witnessed significant improvements, alongside accompanying events and entertainment activities for spectators,” Zidan said.


EA Team of the Year celebrates top football players 

Updated 12 January 2025
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EA Team of the Year celebrates top football players 

RIYADH: To celebrate the best football players of the year, EA Sports has launched Team of the Year, allowing fans to create and vote for their dream team.

Saudi Arabia’s football talent is Salem Al-Dawsari, midfielder for Al-Hilal, who has earned his place as one of TOTY’s nominees, showcasing the region’s growing impact in the world of football.

Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has also been nominated for TOTY.

Following the Italian and Spanish Super Cup matches, which were held in Riyadh and Jeddah, this year’s TOTY card lineup includes players from Italian teams AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus, and Spanish teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

TOTY has cards for each position — goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers — allowing fans to create the ultimate fantasy men’s or women’s football team.

The EA FC 25 TOTY vote will be closed on Jan. 12, 2025. 

For more information on Team of the Year, visit www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-25/toty