Zalmi beat Gladiators in rain-shortened match

Peshawar Zalmi's cricketers celebrate after the dismissal of Quetta Gladiators's Shane Watson during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 cricket match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on March 5, 2020. (AFP)
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Updated 06 March 2020
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Zalmi beat Gladiators in rain-shortened match

  • Darren Sammy to coach Peshawar for the next two years
  • Zalmi owed their victory to the excellent partnership between Haider Ali and Shoaib Malik

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi wrapped a fine win against Quetta Gladiators on Thursday in a match shortened by rain. Having set 171 for the win, they restricted Quetta for 140/7 to win by 30 runs. Once again, Zalmi had begun the match-day with big news about Daren Sammy – this time the erstwhile captain was promoted mid-tournament to coach for the next two years. It brought an end to the speculation regarding his omission from the previous game, and Zalmi looked a lot more comfortable in their skin for a change.

The steady outbursts of rain this week in Rawalpindi had repeatedly threatened to wash out games, but once again a combination of good luck and excellent work by the ground staff ensured that a match took place, though reduced by five overs for each side. Quetta’s young pace bowling sensation Naseem Shah was delightful in his opening spell, beating Imam ul Haq in particular before the hapless batter’s edge was spilled by Shane Watson at slip. Imam fell soon after though, and Quetta seemed to have the upper hand. Naseem had to go off injured, however, and while it didn’t look like it at the time it was the start of Quetta’s unraveling.

It began with a fantastic partnership between Haider Ali and Shoaib Malik, who picked up the slack run-rate. Haider Ali once again left Pakistanis rubbing their eyes with disbelief with the purity of his shots, but he eventually lost his shape looking to attack Hasnain and was caught out. Malik had looked good with Haider during this time, and he soon exploded. Defying his traditional weakness against pace, Malik ended up with the fourth-fastest fifty of his considerably expansive career. He was smart with his movement across the crease, and displayed a commitment to aggression that had felt missing earlier in the tournament. Clearly the Rawalpindi pitch hasn’t hurt, as its bounce and pace has played to Malik’s strengths as he’s hit back to back fifties here. Both Liam Livingstone and Lewis Gregory were able to build around Malik’s hitting, and it meant that having started off poorly, Peshawar ended up with a total that would have felt just about competitive in a 20 over match.

In reply, Quetta’s openers looked to ensure that they didn’t lose wickets early. The plan looked like it was working after the first three overs as both Watson and Jason Roy found the boundaries. But both openers have yet to look truly fluent in this PSL, and Peshawar started drying up the runs before Watson holed out off Hasan Ali. Jason Roy looked to up the pace after his demise, particularly as new man Ahmed Shehzad looked lost out in the middle. Like Salman Butt last night in Lahore, Shehzad’s innings was baffling in how he kept wasting balls in a match with a huge target. Eventually, Roy felt compelled to keep his team up with the required run-rate, and looked to slog Yasir Shah only to be bowled. His wicket brought Ben Cutting out to the crease. The all-rounder has been in sparkling touch with the bat, after having been one of several Quetta bowlers to have been smashed earlier in the day. After two massive sixes, he was controversially given out off Wahab Riaz after replays seemed to suggest that the bowler had over-stepped.

It was the second wicket off as many balls after Shehzad’s sorry innings had come to an end previously, and when Azam Khan holed out a few balls later any hope left for Quetta were decisively extinguished. Zalmi’s bowlers bowled well, but with the wet outfield preventing their usual reliance on reverse swing, they would have been thankful to the imposing target which did most of the work for them.

Peshawar would have been relieved with this win, which ended a slightly wayward period after a washout and a defeat. However, with the tournament now reaching its business end, the team that has made the last three finals would be relishing its chances to make it four in a row.


Abdullah Al-Qahtani hopes for Saudi fans’ support in his PFL journey

Updated 23 November 2024
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Abdullah Al-Qahtani hopes for Saudi fans’ support in his PFL journey

  • Al-Qahtani gets shot at featherweight title after Egyptian fighter Islam Reda’s injury
  • To win belt, he must overcome the man who beat him in September’s semifinal

RIYADH:  With just days to go before his PFL MENA Featherweight Championship bout on Nov. 29, Saudi mixed martial arts fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani is hoping his fans’ support will spur him on to victory in Riyadh.

Al-Qahtani said: “Fighting on home soil with the Saudi crowd behind me will be a strong support as I aim to secure the belt. We’ve set the right plans for the final.”

Al-Qahtani will face Jordan’s Abdullah ‘The Cobra’ Alhyasat, the man who defeated him in September’s semifinal. An injury to the other semifinal winner — Egypt’s Islam Reda — gave Al-Qahtani another shot at beating Alhyasat.

The 27-year-old Saudi, whose record currently stands at nine wins and two losses, said he is not disheartened by that semifinal failure.

“Abdelrahman has five victories in his professional career and won the semifinal by unanimous decision. This hasn’t put pressure on me or affected my morale,” Al-Qahtani said. “Since replacing Islam Reda, I’ve been training intensively to prepare … to give my best, avenge the semifinal loss, and claim the title. Together with my coaching team, I’ve analyzed the mistakes I made in the semifinal and focused on the positive aspects of my performance. God willing, (I) will be the one to crack Alhyasat’s code, win, and bring joy to the Saudi audience.”

Alhyasat insisted he is unfazed by the prospect of a partisan crowd supporting Al-Qahtani.

“I would have preferred to face a different fighter in the final, but I’m comfortable with this matchup; it will be as easy as the semifinal,” he said. “Fighting on his home turf won’t be a source of stress for me. I will repeat my victory over Al-Qahtani.

“I expect Al-Qahtani to change his fighting style for the final. That’s why, during my training camp in Thailand, we studied all possibilities (so I can) adapt to the flow of the fight,” he continued.

The showdown is just one bout on a night that also includes the PFL World Championships, which are being held outside of the US for the first time, at King Saud University in Riyadh.

Headlining is the unbeaten Russian fighter, Timur “Imam” Khizriev, who takes on the UK’s Brendan Loughnane for the World Featherweight Championship.

In the Women’s Flyweight Championship co-main event, Dakota Ditcheva will put her 13-0 record on the line when the English-Bulgarian MMA and former Muay Thai fighter goes head-to-head with Brazil’s Taila Santos.

In addition to the championship fights, the undefeated Saudi Arabian PFL star Hattan Alsaif – who made history when she became the first Saudi female to sign a contract with a major MMA promoter — takes on Algeria’s Lilia Osmani.


Ancelotti says ‘ugly’ to speculate about Mbappe mental health

Updated 56 min 39 sec ago
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Ancelotti says ‘ugly’ to speculate about Mbappe mental health

  • Mbappe has scored just one goal in his last seven Madrid games across all competitions
  • “What a question — I don’t have the impression that he has any mental health problems,” Ancelotti said

MALAGA: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Saturday it was “ugly” to speculate about the mental health of superstar striker Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe has scored just one goal in his last seven Madrid games across all competitions and is also involved in a multi-million euro pay dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain.
Ancelotti was asked at his weekly press conference if the striker was struggling with pressure.
“What a question — I don’t have the impression that he has any mental health problems,” Ancelotti said.
“I see him as happy to be here, if he is, he doesn’t show it, but I think speculating about problems of this type is a bit ugly.”
The forward was left out of France’s squad for recent Nations League matches for the second time in two months, and was linked to a rape investigation in Sweden, which Mbappe has denied.
France coach Didier Deschamps did not select the 25-year-old for matches against Israel and Italy, saying “it was better that way.”
Ancelotti said he was confident Mbappe, who joined Madrid this summer at the end of his PSG deal, would find the net at the weekend away at minnows Leganes.
“There are always bad moments, all the great strikers have been through them, but he’s motivated and happy, and that’s all I can see,” continued Ancelotti.
“I’m convinced that he’s going to play a great match tomorrow and that all this will come to an end.
“He has extraordinary qualities, it’s just a matter of time.”


Russell on pole position at Las Vegas GP, Verstappen ahead of Norris

Updated 23 November 2024
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Russell on pole position at Las Vegas GP, Verstappen ahead of Norris

  • Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was second ahead of Pierre Gasly of Alpine

LAS VEGAS: George Russell of Mercedes took pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday while title-chasing Max Verstappen was fifth as the Dutchman closes in on a fourth successive world championship.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was second ahead of Pierre Gasly of Alpine with Red Bull’s Verstappen finishing one spot ahead of title rival Lando Norris of McLaren who was sixth.
Verstappen, who won the Las Vegas race in 2023, leads Norris by 62 points with three races remaining and needs simply to finish ahead of him on Saturday night to become only the sixth man to win four world titles.
Norris has to beat Verstappen by three points to keep his slim championship hopes alive.
“At least we are ahead of the McLarens. I didn’t expect that so it’s good,” said Verstappen, hampered by Red Bull’s error in bring the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas.
“We’re just a bit too slow. We have been struggling to get the tires to work over a lap and we’re too slow on the straights.”
Charles Leclerc, in the second Ferrari, was fourth fastest in qualifying and will share the second row with Gasly whose impressive performance on the Las Vegas street circuit followed a shock third-place finish in Brazil last time out.
Yuki Tsunoda of RB was seventh with Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren, Nico Hulkenberg in a Haas and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes completing the top 10.
Russell clocked a best lap in one minute and 32.312 seconds to outpace Sainz by 0.098 seconds for his third pole this year the fourth of his career.
“It feels incredible to be back on pole,” said Russell, who clipped a wall in the third and final qualifying run.
“I had a bit of a moment on my first run and we had to change the front wing so for a while I didn’t think we were going to make the flag, but I am just so happy.”
Norris felt the “top four was out of reach” for him.
“But I will keep going to the end and will do my best in every race whether I am fighting for the championship or not.”
On a cool night in America’s gambling capital, with a track temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, it was Gasly who set the pace as the rest slithered in early pursuit.
Having been quickest in the earlier final free practice, Russell topped Q1 ahead of Hamilton.
Unfortunately for Red Bull, Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez’s miserable season continued as he was eliminated along with Aston Martin’s two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, Williams’ Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber and Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin.
Hamilton set the Q2 pace in 1:33.136. After his dismal outing in Brazil where he finished 10th in the rain, this was evidence of a revitalized Hamilton ahead of a move to Ferrari next year.
Verstappen briefly went top with an edgy lap before Mercedes responded with Russell taking control as both he and Hamilton delivered improved laps, Russell clocking 1:32.881.
At this stage, Verstappen was showing enough pace to stay ahead of Norris before the Q2 segment ended with a yellow flag as Franco Colapinto hit the wall at the penultimate corner in his Williams, climbing out of the wreckage unhurt.
It was his second consecutive crash in qualifying and left the team with a big repair and rebuild job — the British team’s sixth in three Grands Prix.
The Argentine driver was already heading for a Q2 exit in 14th place along with RB’s Liam Lawson, Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen of Haas and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
Hamilton topped Q2 to lead the way into the top ten shootout with a best lap in 1:32.567 ahead of Sainz and Russell.
The Q3 action resumed after a 25-minute delay for repairs, Verstappen leading the way followed by both McLarens before Russell clocked an early marker in 1:32.811 ahead of Sainz while Hamilton locked up and aborted his first lap.


Australia out for 104 against India after Starc digs in

Updated 23 November 2024
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Australia out for 104 against India after Starc digs in

  • Jasprit Bumrah was India’s chief destroyer with 5-30, Harshit Rana chipped in with 3-48
  • India have won their last two Border-Gavaskar trophy series against Australia in Australia

PERTH: Mitchell Starc hit a defiant 26 to keep Australia in touch on day two of the opening Test at Perth, with the hosts all out for 104 at lunch on Saturday to trail India by 46.
Australia lost Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon during an intense session on a lively deck before Starc and Josh Hazlewood dug in.
They reached three figures courtesy of a dogged last-wicket holdout by the pair — their 25-run stand was the longest of the Australian innings. Hazlewood was not-out seven.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s chief destroyer with 5-30, his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests. Harshit Rana chipped in with 3-48.
Australia resumed on 67-7, trailing by 83, after an astonishing 17 wickets fell on a chaotic opening day when India were all out for 150.
Home hopes rested on Carey as he began on 19, but after nudging two from Rana he came up against an irrepressible Bumrah.
Coming round the wicket, the Indian captain made Carey play and he nicked to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Lyon (5) did well to hang around for 16 fiery balls before gloving a short one from Rana to KL Rahul in the slips.
That brought Hazlewood to the crease and it seemed only a matter of time before India were batting again, but he and Starc gamely stuck around, bringing up the 100 to huge cheers from the crowd.
It was an intelligent innings by Starc, who doggedly faced 112 balls and protected Hazlewood to add crucial extra runs before holing out Rana to Pant.
India have won their last two Border-Gavaskar trophy series in Australia.
Perth is the first of five Tests in the series.


Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5

Updated 23 November 2024
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Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5

  • SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday
  • After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash

SAN DIEGO, California: Spaniards Diego Botin and Florian Trittel experienced an adrenaline rush last summer that’s never been seen in sailing.

On July 14 on San Francisco Bay, they helped sail Los Gallos’ foiling catamaran to a stunning upset over heavyweights Tom Slingsby of Australia and Peter Burling of New Zealand and claim the $2 million, winner-take-all prize as SailGP’s Season 4 champions.

Just 19 days later, the 30-year-olds won the Olympic gold medal in the high-performance 49er class in Marseille, France. They later met King Felipe VI of Spain, himself a former Olympic sailor.

They needed some time to catch their breath after their wild ride.

“I’m not going to lie. Right after the games I was saturated,” said Botin, who skippers the SailGP crew while Trittel trims the wingsail.

After a break of a few months, Los Gallos — “roosters” in Spanish — are preparing to defend their title in Larry Ellison’s global league. SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday.

“Now I’m starting to feel those butterflies and I look forward now to start the next season,” Botin said recently in a video interview with The Associated Press.

In early January, SailGP saw two of its marquee names step away from skippering their teams, Ben Ainslie to focus on his British team in the America’s Cup and Jimmy Spithill to start forming his own Italian-based SailGP team.

Three-time defending SailGP champion Tom Slingsby of Australia, who suddenly became the league’s senior statesman, said it was time for younger skippers to step up “and try to knock us older guys off the perch.”

Said Botin: “It probably pushed us a bit to even put more energy in and try to get there.”

Botin and Trittel’s Olympic campaign coincided with SailGP’s schedule.

In early July, “We looked at ourselves and said, ‘The two biggest goals of our lives are going to be decided in the next three weeks,’” Botin said. “And it was a massive challenge, what we did, deciding to do the two projects at the same time. But we believed that by doing the two projects we were going to end up being the best sailors we could be.

“Obviously, we didn’t know if things were going to go so well. But yeah, it’s super satisfying. What we achieved is amazing. A life highlight.”

After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash.

Spithill launched his Italian team Thursday and poached Australian wing trimmer Kyle Langford. Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott moved from Britain to Canada in the sport’s first transfer fee deal. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael of Brazil will become the first woman to helm a SailGP boat. Burling is coming off Emirates Team New Zealand’s third straight America’s Cup victory and Slingsby is always motivated to win.

“I think we have the team to challenge those teams,” Botin said. “I think we have the potential to keep fighting at the top of the league. I think we need to remind ourselves how much work it took us to be able to be competitive in this league, to maintain ourselves there. We need to work in a very intelligent way and I really believe we have the team to be at the top of the league.”

The Spanish team’s 50-foot foiling catamaran has a red outline of a rooster on its wingsail.

Botin said the Los Gallos nickname started with the Spanish team in the 2017 Youth America’s Cup.

“In the north of Spain, it’s really typical instead of saying ‘buddy’ or ‘mate,’ you say, ‘gallo.’ And we’re calling ourselves ‘gallos’ all the time — ‘gallo, gallo, gallo.’ We ended up being in the press and everywhere as Los Gallos. And that’s why we decided to link our team to this icon.”

Botin and Trittel were named the male Rolex World Sailors of the Year this month.

“If that’s a sign of what’s coming through in terms of the next stars of our sport, we’re in good hands,” Spithill said. “They’re such awesome athletes but just awesome dudes as well.”