RAWALPINDI: Zimbabwe captain Chamu Chibhabha won the toss and elected to bat in the second one-day international against Pakistan on Sunday.
Pakistan awarded ODI debuts to young right-handed batsman Haider Ali and right arm fast bowler Musa Khan as it made two changes from the team which won the first game by 26 runs on Friday.
The three-match ODI series is part of the new World Cup Super League. Seven of the 13 teams in the league will directly qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
Ali replaced left-handed batsman Haris Sohail, who couldn’t recover from a strain in his left thigh after scoring a half-century in the first game. The 20-year-old Ali impressed in September when he scored 54 against England in his debut Twenty20 international at Manchester.
Khan, 20, replaced fast bowler Wahab Riaz as Pakistan captain Babar Azam tests the depth across the squad during the three-match series.
Zimbabwe retained the same playing XI which meant experienced batsman Elton Chigumubura will sit out for the second successive match.
Brendan Taylor’s fighting knock of 112 in the first match went in vain as fast bowler Shaheen Afridi took five wickets before Zimbabwe was bowled out for 255.
Sunday marked Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar’s record-breaking 210th ODI as the 52-year-old surpassed South Africa’s Rudi Koertzen’s record of supervising in most one-day internationals.
Dar also holds the record of umpiring in most test matches when he officiated in his 132nd test match last year. He has also umpired in 45 Twenty20 internationals, one behind his countryman Ahsan Raza.
Zimbabwe wins toss, bats in 2nd ODI against Pakistan
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Zimbabwe wins toss, bats in 2nd ODI against Pakistan
- The three-match ODI series is part of the new World Cup Super League
- Pakistan awarded ODI debuts to young right-handed batsman Haider Ali and right arm fast bowler Musa Khan
World champion Verstappen confirms staying at Red Bull
- The three-time world champion said ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix that he was focussed on work for next year’s car and driving for the team
- “Of course, people are talking, but it’s most important that we have a very competitive car for the future“
SPIELBERG, Austria: Max Verstappen on Thursday confirmed he will stay with Red Bull next year, dealing a significant blow to Mercedes’ hopes of recruiting him to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
The three-time world champion told reporters at a news conference ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, a home event for Red Bull, that he was focussed on work for next year’s car and driving for the team.
His response to a direct question will end, for now at least, speculation that he had lost faith in Red Bull following a stormy passage earlier this year when team boss Christian Horner was accused of controlling behavior by a female colleague.
“Ok, yes,” he said when asked if he was staying. “And that’s what I have already said. We are working on next year’s car and when you are focussed on that it means that you’re also driving for the team.
“Of course, people are talking, but it’s most important that we have a very competitive car for the future. It is very tight on track, but we are working as a team to try and improve. We want to be competitive again next year.”
Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff had said Verstappen was his primary target to replace departing seven-time world champion Hamilton.
“I have a long contract with the team,” added Verstappen.
“I’m very happy where I’m at and we’re already focusing on next year with things we can implement on the car. So, I guess that should say enough of where I’m driving next year.”
Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028.
His father Jos, attending only his second race this year after declaring in Bahrain that Red Bull would “explode” if Horner was retained, appeared to support the decision to stay and fight for more glory with Red Bull.
After seven wins from 10 races this year, Verstappen has a 69-point lead in the title race ahead of nearest rival and friend Lando Norris of McLaren, who has closed the gap on track and believes he can beat him and his two-year dominance of the sport.
Mercedes and Ferrari have also shown competitive potential to win with George Russell taking pole in Canada and Hamilton his first podium finish this season in last Sunday’s Spanish race.
“It’s great that there isn’t just one dominant force out there now because people want to see fights on track and the drivers going for it,” said Russell.
“There should be more than one car in a position to win. It’s really exciting now to see how this season pans out and into next year — there could be four or five teams fighting to win.”
If Mercedes switch their attention away from Verstappen, it is expected they will sign Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, who will turn 18 in August.
‘Exponentially larger’ World Cup in Riyadh to elevate Esports to new heights, says tournament CEO
- 8-week tournament a ‘leap forward’ for global gaming, organizers say
- ‘Unprecedented’ broadcasting network will ensure expanded global coverage
Riyadh: In a significant leap for the global gaming industry, Riyadh is set to host the Esports World Cup, which promises new levels of competition and cultural exchange.
Building on the success of previous events such as Gamers8, the new tournament aims to elevate esports to new heights.
Arab News interviewed Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, ahead of the event to explore the global impact of the tournament on the gaming industry and beyond.
“We don’t want to be just another competition. Our goal is to leapfrog the industry and bring it together on a scale never seen before,” he said.
“With 22 competitions and 21 games, this is not just twice as big as anything before — it’s exponentially larger.”
Reichert highlighted Riyadh’s strategic location as a bridge between the West and the Middle East, creating a unique opportunity to unite gamers from both regions.
The eight-week event will celebrate the sport and its culture, pushing the entire industry forward, he said.
The CEO said there is a clear vision for the tournament, but executing it on this scale was daunting.
“Time was our biggest enemy,” he said. Despite this, strong support from publishers, a comprehensive qualification strategy, and numerous broadcasting partnerships have been secured.
“If you haven’t heard about it yet, our job is to make sure you do,” he added, emphasizing their commitment to broadening the event’s reach.
The response to the tournament has been overwhelmingly positive, with significant interest from broadcasting and media partners.
“We initially aimed for 15 games, but we’re starting with 21, featuring the best games in the world,” Reichert said.
Global esports supporters have rallied behind the event, resulting in more than 50 broadcasting partners worldwide.
“We’ve built an unprecedented broadcasting network, ensuring true global coverage from companies across the US, India, Africa, South America, Korea, and China.”
Reichert also discussed the thriving gaming culture in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
“About 67 percent of the Saudi population identifies as gamers. Gaming is a core cultural pillar here,” though the world may not fully realize this yet, he said.
The region’s young population and leadership are highly supportive of gaming, backed by initiatives such as Vision 2030, and the national gaming and esports strategy.
Saudi Arabia has already produced several gaming champions, and the CEO sees the Esports World Cup as a catalyst for nurturing more local talent.
“This tournament is a chance for fans to see the best gamers live and for aspiring players to envision themselves on these stages,” he said.
The event aims to inspire young gamers to pursue their dreams of becoming national and even global stars, helping to further popularize esports worldwide.
In a message to gaming fans, the CEO encouraged everyone in the region to attend the event.
“You’ll witness the best sport in the world played live and experience fantastic gaming, esports, and cultural entertainment. This is more than just a tournament— it’s a fanfest. We call it the Esports World Cup Festival, a historic moment you don’t want to miss. If you can’t be there in person, make sure to tune in online.”
Saudi Hockey Federation to hold training camp in Egypt
- SHF selected players based on their performances during recent try-out camps in Saudi Arabia
- Event takes place in Port Said, Cairo
CAIRO: The Saudi Hockey Federation has selected more than 20 players to participate in an upcoming two-week camp in Egypt which starts on June 30.
The players were selected following their performances during recent try-out camps in Saudi Arabia. The camp in Egypt takes place in Port Said between June 30 and July 7 before moving on to Cairo until July 14.
It will look to enhance the performance of the players through training programs and lectures aimed at improving their skills, under the supervision of specialized technical staff appointed by the SHF.
The organization added that its performance development camp was part of its strategy to enhance the technical and physical performance of players and to develop young talents.
The SHF aims to raise the level of the sport to strengthen its standing within Saudi Arabia.
Rain delays England-India T20 World Cup semifinal
- Unlike first semifinal, England-India clash does not have a reserve day
- If game is washed out, India will play against South Africa in final on Sunday
Providence, GUYANA: Rain delayed the toss in the T20 World Cup semifinal between defending champions England and India in Guyana on Thursday.
A pre-match downpour had stopped by the time the toss should have taken place at 1400 GMT but the pitch and square remained fully covered.
Wednesday’s first semifinal in Trinidad, in which South Africa hammered Afghanistan by nine wickets, had a reserve day set aside in the event of rain.
But the England v India game, taking place during a traditionally wet period of the year, has only 250 minutes of extra time set aside to ensure a result.
A 10 overs-per-side match is required for a result in the knockout stage. But if the game is washed out, India will play South Africa in Saturday’s final in Barbados as a result of topping their Super Eights group.
India have to yet lose a match at the 20-over tournament but the only Test side that England have defeated on their way to the last four are co-hosts the West Indies.
Thursday’s match is a repeat of the 2022 semifinal in Adelaide, where England hammered India by 10 wickets before defeating Pakistan in the final.
Ralf Rangnick’s reputation took a hit at Man United, yet he’s changing the story at Euro 2024
- Ralf Rangnick is rewriting his legacy at Euro 2024 with his Austria team emerging as one of the surprise packages of the tournament
- Topping a group that included France and the Netherlands, the Austrians have announced themselves as contenders for the European Championship
DUESSELDORF, Germany: Cristiano Ronaldo said he’d never heard of him and Manchester United fans have few fond memories of his short-lived spell as manager of the Premier League club.
But Ralf Rangnick is rewriting his legacy at Euro 2024 with his Austria team emerging as one of the surprise packages of the tournament.
Topping a group that included France and the Netherlands, the Austrians have announced themselves as contenders for the European Championship and advanced to knockout phase on the opposite side of the draw to Spain, Germany, France and Portugal.
Not bad for a coach whose previously solid reputation took a hit after an unsuccessful six months as interim manager of United through 2021-22, which included a run of just three wins from his last 14 games and heavy losses to Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton.
“This guy is not even a coach,” Ronaldo said in his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022. “If you are not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United?”
While Rangnick’s previous job had been head of sports and development at Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow, his coaching credentials had been long-established in Germany, where he earned the nickname the “Professor”.
So effective was Rangnick’s brand of soccer — dubbed “gegenpressing” (counter pressing) — that it was widely-regarded as having influenced a generation of German coaches including Jurgen Klopp, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel.
“He had a huge influence on all of us at this time,” Tuchel has said, having played under Rangnick earlier in his career.
Rangnick’s success has largely been with smaller clubs, winning promotions with Hannover, Hoffenheim and Leipzig.
Perhaps it is no surprise then that he is excelling with an Austrian team which wasn’t considered among the favorites leading up to the Euros. But the signs of his impact were clear during the qualifiers as Austria booked their place at the Euros as runner-up and one point behind No. 3-ranked Belgium.
“You can see a clear development since the coach joined the team,” midfielder Marcel Sabitzer said.
Bayern Munich clearly shared that opinion when targeting him as a successor to Tuchel at the end of the season. Rangnick opted to stay on at Austria and has only enhanced his reputation at the Euros.
While his team suffered defeat to France in their opening game, the 1-0 loss was only curtesy of an own goal. Austria then recovered to beat Poland 3-1 and the Netherlands 3-2. That’s earned Rangnick’s side a meeting with Türkiye in the round of 16 on July 2.
“It’s incredible to finish top of the group that was the hardest possible based on UEFA coefficients,” Rangnick said. “We started with an unlucky own goal against France, dealt with all the pressure put on us to win against Poland, and then to end as group winners is something very special.”
As well as his coaching career, Rangnick also has a reputation for his work as an executive, having identified numerous emerging players and coaches during his time as sporting director of Leipzig.
United had planned to keep him on as a consultant at the end of his spell as interim manager and tap into his soccer expertise.
It would have been fascinating to see what sort of an impact he would have had at the 20-time English league champion after saying the team needed an “open heart operation” and as many as 10 new players.
Ultimately plans for the consultancy role were scrapped after Rangnick accepted the Austria job in ‘22.
He hasn’t looked back since.
