NEW YORK: South Africa defeated Bangladesh by just four runs in another low-scoring game at the T20 World Cup on Monday, a result likely to spark fresh debate over the suitability of the pitch being used in New York.
South Africa were restricted to 113-6 in their 20 overs with Heinrich Klaasen top-scoring on 46 while fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib returned a career-best 3-18.
However, Bangladesh could only manage 109-7 in reply as South Africa wrapped up a third win in three Group D games.
“It was not a nice one to watch, it was good that the boys got it over the line,” said Klaasen.
“The wicket is not too great for strokeplay.”
Chasing just 114 to win on the controversial drop-in strip at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh initially struggled in the face of the Proteas’ pace battery.
They were 50-4 at the 10-over mark having lost Tanzid Hasan (nine) to Kagiso Rabada while Anrich Nortje accounted for skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (14) and Shakib Al Hasan (three).
Spinner Keshav Maharaj sent back Liton Das for just nine.
However, Towhid Hridoy, who top-scored with 40 when Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka in their opener, and 38-year-old Mahmudullah steadied the ship for the Tigers.
The pair put on 44 for the fifth wicket before Hridoy was lbw to Rabada for 37, an innings which took up 34 balls and featured two fours and two sixes.
Bangladesh took seven off the penultimate over but still needed 11 off the last to be bowled by Maharaj.
That became seven off four balls. With the pressure building both Jaker Ali and Mahmudullah were caught by Aiden Markram going for big heaves over long on.
Needing six off the final ball, Taskin Ahmed could only produce a scrambled single.
“I think this is a match we should have won. In the last couple of overs they bowled well, but this can happen in cricket,” said Shanto.
Earlier, Bangladesh restricted South Africa to 113-6 with Tanzim backed up by Taskin’s 2-19 after Proteas skipper Markram won the toss and opted to bat.
South Africa were struggling at 23-4 at one stage before Klaasen and David Miller, celebrating his 35th birthday, came to their team’s rescue with a partnership of 79 for the fifth wicket.
Klaasen’s 46 came off 44 balls with two fours and three sixes before he was clean-bowled by Taskin, slogging across the line in the 18th over with the score on 102.
Miller, who made a match-winning undefeated 59 in the nervy win over the Netherlands, went four runs later, bowled by Rishad Hossain.
His innings of 29 came from 38 deliveries with a boundary and one six.
The Proteas had been 12-4 against the Dutch on the same pitch on Saturday.
On Monday, they were quickly four down for just 23 runs in the fifth over thanks to Tanzim and Taskin.
Tanzim, playing in only his eighth T20 international, started the collapse, having out-of-form opener Reeza Hendricks lbw for nought off his first ball.
Star batsman Quinton de Kock was the next to go, clean-bowled by the 21-year-old for 18 with the total on 19.
Taskin uprooted the stumps of Markram (four) before Tanzim grabbed the third of his opening spell when he forced Tristan Stubbs to spoon a catch to Shakib Al Hasan in the covers without scoring.
Miller could have been dismissed on 13 but wicket-keeper Liton Das dropped an edge off Mahmudullah’s first ball.
With South Africa virtually certain of a place in the second round Super Eight phase, Bangladesh, with two points, are still well-placed to join them.
South Africa edge Bangladesh by four runs at T20 World Cup
https://arab.news/ray6d
South Africa edge Bangladesh by four runs at T20 World Cup
- South Africa virtually certain of a place in the second round Super Eight phase
- Bangladesh, with two points, still well-placed to join them
Salah slams ‘harsh’ Liverpool fans for jeering Alexander-Arnold
“I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible“
LONDON: Mohamed Salah has slammed “harsh” Liverpool fans for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold in his first appearance after announcing he will leave the Premier League champions at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold is widely expected to join Real Madrid once his contract expires in June.
The England right-back, who revealed his decision to quit his boyhood club last week, was jeered by Liverpool supporters when he came on as a second-half substitute in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield.
Salah said on Friday that he was saddened by the taunts aimed at Alexander-Arnold, who has two games left as a Liverpool player against Brighton on Monday and Crystal Palace on May 25.
“Absolutely. I was surprised because this is not how we act as Liverpool fans,” the Egypt forward told Gary Neville in a Sky Sports interview.
“I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him. I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.”
Salah was also involved in a prolonged contract saga this season, but eventually committed his future to the Reds by signing a new two-year deal.
Calling for Liverpool fans to give Alexander-Arnold a more respectful farewell in his last two games, Salah said: “Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this.
“I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.”
Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold, who made his first-team debut in 2016, has made 353 senior appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 23 goals.
The 26-year-old has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup with the Reds.
Salah admitted it will be emotional to say goodbye to one of his close friends when the season ends.
“I told him yesterday don’t give me eye contact in your farewell. I really love him. I think he deserves the best farewell leaving the club,” he said.
“He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club and he’s one of probably the best players in the club’s history. He gave it all.
“I think he needed a new challenge. He spoke to me about it. It’s his decision for sure. He’s 25, 26 years old and won it all twice or three times. What more can he have done?“
Coach Chaabani wishes Berkane were not CAF Cup final favorites
- “There are no winners in football before matches are played,” the 43-year-old Tunisian told reporters
- “Simba have a proud history in this competition and are deserving finalists”
JOHANNESBURG: Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane are expected to beat Tanzanian rivals Simba in the two-leg CAF Confederation Cup final, but coach Mouin Chaabani wishes they were not the favorites.
“There are no winners in football before matches are played,” the 43-year-old Tunisian told reporters ahead of the first leg in Berkane on Saturday.
“Simba have a proud history in this competition and are deserving finalists. They have earned the right to compete for the title.
“However, provided we put in the effort and prepare properly, there is no reason why we cannot bring the trophy to Morocco.”
Chaabani, who won seven trophies as coach of Esperance in his homeland, is seeking a treble with Berkane in this campaign.
The Orange Boys have already won the Moroccan league for the first time since being formed in 1938, have reached the last 16 in the national cup, and are seeking African glory.
Berkane are appearing in a fifth Confederation Cup final in seven seasons. They triumphed in 2020 and 2022 and were runners-up in 2019 and 2024.
The club from the citrus producing east of Morocco have a remarkable home record in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europe League with 42 victories, six draws and no losses.
Berkane did not concede in six home games en route to the final while putting five goals past Dadje of Benin and Stellenbosch of South Africa and four past CS Constantine of Algeria.
They won 10 of 12 matches, drew one and suffered their only loss away to Constantine in a semifinal second leg having built a four-goal advantage at home.
Oussama Lamlioui is their leading scorer in the African campaign with five goals and two west Africans — Paul Bassene from Senegal and Issoufou Dayo from Burkina Faso — have four each.
South Africa-born Simba coach Fadlu Davids attributes the incredible home record of Berkane partly to their ground, the 15,000-seat Municipal Stadium.
“It is a small stadium, but a very intimidating one. The supporters are very close to the pitch,” he told reporters.
“I accept that we will have to do a lot of defending and have prepared thoroughly for such a situation.”
Simba left Tanzania on Monday in a charter jet organized by the state president, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“Heartiest congratulations to Simba,” she said, referring to the Dar es Salaam club reaching the Confederation Cup final for the first time.
“You have brought great honor to our country and I wish you all the best. You have my full support.”
While the majority of the Berkane starters are likely to be Moroccans, Simba will field a multi-national line-up.
Goalkeeper Moussa Camara is Guinean, center-back Chamou Karaboue and star forward Jean Charles Ahoua come from the Ivory Coast and winger Elie Mpanzu is Congolese.
Among the Tanzanians, winger Denis Kibu is the leading Simba scorer in Africa this season with four goals and his pace and ball control could trouble Berkane.
The return match is set for the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on May 25 and the aggregate winners will be two million dollars richer.
Success of FIBA Asia Cup 2025 should represent the best of Saudi Arabia: Hagop Khajirian
- The FIBA executive director for Asia spoke to Arab News about the six participating Arab nations
- “A unified system is applied across all continents, including Asia, for hosting continental championships,” Khajirian said
DUBAI: Following the trophy reveal for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 on May 12, the second ever edition of the continent’s premier international basketball competition to take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia edges ever closer.
It is now less than two months until the 16-team tournament kicks off in Jeddah and the trophy is on a tour of the region as the build up to the tip-off in August ramps up.
“The trophy tour (started) in May (in Shenzhen, China),” said Hagop Khajirian, FIBA executive director for Asia. “It will include Lebanon, Iraq, Tehran, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates before reaching Saudi Arabia, where the trophy will be put on display in several cities, such as Riyadh and NEOM.”
The awarding of the tournament to Saudi Arabia, as with that of the FIBA Women’s Asian Cup 2025 taking place in China this July, was subject to a meticulous selection process.
“A unified system is applied across all continents, including Asia, for hosting continental championships,” Khajirian said. “Four tournaments are held every four years and are awarded through a bidding process led by local federations. To be eligible, countries must meet specific criteria, one of the most important being the availability of a stadium with a minimum capacity of 7,500 spectators, though larger venues are preferred to accommodate greater attendances.
“Hosting privileges are typically granted to countries with prior experience in organizing such events, making it difficult for nations that haven’t hosted any continental championship to secure the rights to the premier men’s tournament,” he added. “All of these factors are carefully considered, and the final decision on the host country rests with the respective continental federation. In Asia, that authority lies with FIBA Asia, just as FIBA Europe, FIBA Africa, and FIBA Americas oversee their respective continental championships.”
Khajirian stressed that while infrastructure, including stadium capacity, is a vital factor in the process, it is only one of several used to determine a suitable host.
“This isn’t the only or the main condition,” he said. “There are other factors to consider, including the local federation’s ability to organize a tournament of this scale in terms of size or level.
There is also the readiness of the country to support the federation in organizing the tournament, as well as the level of the host team, meaning it should be among the teams capable of competing until the advanced stages of the tournament.
With the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 set to take place from Aug. 5-17, the preparations in Jeddah are now entering their final stages.
“Meetings are ongoing,” said Khajirian. “Over the past month and a half, we’ve held three meetings in Jeddah with sports officials and the federation. There’s also an organizing committee for the tournament, headed by the president (of Saudi Basketball Federation) Dr. Ghassan Tashkandi. Among the tasks completed so far was the draw, which offered a glimpse of what’s to come, whether in terms of branding or attendance. It was a huge event, featuring the participation of MBC, along with specially prepared Arabic and English rap songs for the occasion.”
Khajirian believes that the branding of Asia’s premier basketball competition should be unique.
“We firmly believe that basketball should not be compared to any other sport, including football, because football exists in a completely different realm in terms of resources, fan engagement, corporate sponsorship, and financial investment,” he said. “There is no comparison. Instead of being held back by this complex, we think positively about how we can elevate basketball within our own domain. This is the stage we’re at now.
“Year after year, we’ve been able to improve our performance, the teams’ performances, and the overall execution of our tournaments, including the draw, as we mentioned earlier,” he added. “This is the first time we’ve organized a continental draw at this level. As for attracting sponsors, for Asian basketball tournaments, we already have major corporations in Asia, particularly in East Asia, that support basketball events not just regionally but globally.”
Khajirian said there are several Asia-based companies with long-term branding agreements spanning between 12 to 16 years with FIBA. These sponsorship for men’s tournaments were not limited to the finals, but the qualifiers as well.
Two years ago, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told The Atlantic that although football is more popular in the Kingdom, basketball was his sport of choice. In the interview, he revealed that he is not a fan of working out in the gym and would rather take part in a dynamic sport like basketball. Khajirian believes with such backing from the top, the tournament in Jeddah could serve as a catalyst for promoting the game at grass roots level and potentially lead to a professional basketball league in the Gulf.
“Absolutely, the crown prince’s love for basketball gives us hope, it shows that the focus isn’t solely on football, and that other sports can also receive the financial backing and institutional support they need. It’s encouraging to know that influential figures like the crown prince and even President Obama appreciate the sport we’re passionate about. Their support inspires us and reminds us that, despite the challenges, help is possible if we do our part and work properly. That’s exactly what happened with this tournament.”
The involvement of six Arab nations is encouraging for the region but Khajirian believes tougher challenges need to be negotiated.
“Arab teams need a range of reforms, starting with administration, player development, and increasing public interest in the game,” he said. “The most important factor in developing any sport is setting the bar high. Unfortunately, we’ve been limiting ourselves to local or regional tournaments. The same applies in football. In the Gulf, we often treat the Arabian Gulf Cup as a kind of ‘world championship’ for the region. And that’s fine, but it should feel like a world-class event for our athletes. But we must go beyond that mindset. It may seem like a long shot, but it’s not impossible. We must aim higher if we want to compete seriously in tournaments like FIBA Asia, whether it’s the first edition or the fiftieth, that should be our ultimate goal.
“We’re currently working with the Arab Basketball Confederation to unify our programs.”
The draw for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 placed the hosts Saudi in Group C with China Jordan and India. A tough Group A also includes two Arab nations, with Lebanon and Qatar joined by highly-rated Australia and South Korea. Syria landed in Group B with Guam Japan and Iran, while Iraq are in Group D with Chinese Taipei, New Zealand and Philippines.
For the six Arab nations, this represents a step up in competition in most cases.
“Global competition is somewhat challenging even for Asian teams, to be realistic,” Khajirian said. “There’s the European level, then the African and Asian levels. We have the Australian team, which could potentially compete at the European level. We can say that Asian basketball is on par with African basketball, with Asia being slightly better. However, both remain far below the European standard. Among Asian teams, Arab national teams rank below average, with the exception of Lebanon’s teams in recent years. The Lebanese national team has delivered good results over an extended period, followed by the Jordanian national team. We’re talking about results from the past 15 years.
“We need to make significant efforts over the next five to 10 years to become permanently competitive with Asian teams like China, Japan, and Australia.”
Khajirian says that the region’s basketball fans can expect plenty of innovative engagements and activations before and during the tournament.
“The Saudi Federation has prepared many surprises for audience interaction with the event and the sport,” he said. “In all aspects, we have several options and need to select one. We have internal and external promotion plans. Among the Asia Cup promotions, there’s a trophy tour in several Asian countries, including ambassador visits. They’re supposed to conduct tours to highlight the tournament and they’ll also shine a light on the women’s tournament.
“We’re coordinating with players so that competition winners might receive, for example, the jersey of a specific Japanese player,” Khajirian added. “So there are promotions for the tournament. There’s expected to be a strong audience turnout, which is considered a measure of the tournament’s success. The success of the tournament isn’t just measured by results but by attendance, the performance of the Saudi team, and the organizational execution of the tournament, all of which should present the best image of Saudi Arabia today.”
August’s tournament in Jeddah is not the only major continental event taking place this summer, with 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup being held in Shenzhen from July 13-20. Khajirian stressed the importance of supporting female basketball players just as much as their male counterparts at all levels.
“All of the groups affiliated with FIBA, including continental federations, should have centers dedicated to developing basketball and women’s basketball in their countries,” he said. “This is not limited to the technical aspect related to playing, but also includes aspects related to managing championships. All federations should be moving towards gender equality, even in the committees that sponsor basketball, men and women’s basketball alike. All these committees should have equal representation for men and women.
“When it comes to managing games, we, FIBA Asia, were proactive in terms of adopting regulations and pillars,” Kahjirian added. “I remember that back in 2012 FIBA Asia was the first continental federation to have two female referees in each of the men’s basketball semi-final games. Three years ago, during the women’s championship, there were three female referees, five females among the table officials and all three statisticians were females. When it comes to FIBA Asia, up until seven or eight months ago, more than 50 percent of the employees were females.”
Khajirian has been hugely impressed, and surprised, by the development of women’s basketball in the Kingdom.
“I was truly amazed by what I saw in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I visited the Kingdom nearly two years ago, we were discussing FIBA Asia with the president of the Saudi Basketball Federation, Dr. Ghassan Tashkandi. As we were heading from the federation’s center to another meeting, he said that, since we still have some time, let’s go by a basketball court. A women’s basketball festival was taking place, a match between two Saudi teams, coached by Greek trainers, and attended by a live audience.
“I was genuinely amazed. I started asking questions because, until then, it felt like this kind of information wasn’t being shared widely,” he said. “We hadn’t even been asking whether women’s basketball activities existed in Saudi Arabia. Fast forward to today, Saudi Arabia is the most active Arab country when it comes to basketball, and it’s backed by figures.
“The local tournaments and the number of registered female basketball players are all clear indicators. I was amazed. In recent years, Lebanon has made efforts to catch up, especially in the U14 and U16 male and female categories, but Saudi Arabia is clearly leading the way in this field.
“It’s genuinely impressive,” he concluded. “Saudi Arabia is on the right path, and other Gulf countries should take note and follow its example. While there may not yet be strong external competitiveness, it’s not far-fetched to imagine a Saudi women’s team reaching the finals of FIBA Asia in the near future.”
Al-Ittihad champions: 5 reasons behind the Jeddah giants’ 2025 Saudi Pro League title triumph
- How Karim Benzema’s leading of deadly strike force, big-game mentality and local talent helped the Yellows to a 10th league crown
- Even at the grand old age of 37, his goalscoring talents have been there for all to see
LONDON: Al-Ittihad are champions of Saudi Arabia. The Tigers clinched their 10th title on Thursday with two games of the season remaining after a 3-1 win at Al-Raed. It has been a long campaign, and here are five reasons behind the latest success for the yellow-and-black half of Jeddah.
Benzema, Aouar and Diaby provide an irresistible attacking force
Of course, the biggest star gets the most attention but this has been a season to remember for Karim Benzema. The Frenchman was beset by injuries in his first season and, while he was on the sidelines as the title was clinched on Thursday, he played a major part this season.
Even at the grand old age of 37, his goalscoring talents have been there for all to see. Benzema has 21 in the league and is second in the standings, two behind a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet, if penalties are taken out of the equation, then the Ittihad star stays on 21 while Al-Nassr’s man has 16. Having such a consistent finisher makes a huge difference.
Playing deeper is Houssem Aouar. The French-born Algerian also contributed 12 goals, including a vital last-minute winner against Al-Nassr in early May that gave Ittihad’s chances a huge boost, and much more besides. Add the 13 assists from Moussa Diaby and the Jeddah giants had firepower few could match.
The Tigers roared back to shine in big games
Early in the campaign, Al-Ittihad lost 3-1 at Al-Hilal and were well beaten, going 3-0 down by the break. After finishing fifth the season before, a long way behind the champions, it looked as if Hilal were going to be too strong once again.
Yet it seemed to be exactly the result needed. From then, there was a resilience about the Jeddah giants and they never lost again to any of their title rivals. The King’s Cup victory over Al-Hilal in January, albeit on penalties, was a sign that they could beat the champions. Other powers were also dispatched. Six points were taken off Al-Nassr and Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli provided four. The big one was, however, that 4-1 win over Al-Hilal in February in front of an ecstatic home crowd. From that point on, Al-Ittihad looked like champions, while Al-Hilal did not.
Local talent provided the foundation
One lesson, not that it was really needed, from Al-Hilal’s title win last time around was that while foreign players have a huge part to play, any potential champion need a solid local contingent and Ittihad certainly had that this time around.
Abdulrahman Al-Oboud has come into his own, especially in the second half of the season providing goals, assists and generally making things happen. It was noticeable that in the 3-1 win at Al-Raed which clinched the title, the 29-year-old was everywhere.
Saleh Al-Shehri was more of a squad player and also in his first season but the experienced striker made a difference when needed especially with the only goal of October’s Jeddah Derby.
Further back, Muhannad Al-Shanqiti has proven himself to be one of the best and certainly most consistent full-backs in Saudi Arabia while Hassan Kadesh has not only impressed for the national team, but been a huge presence in the middle of the defence.
Blanc and Kante bring calm among the storm
There is not just a strong French connection in attack but Laurent Blanc brought with him an air of calmness to the coaching hotseat after a tumultuous season last time with coaches. The former Lyon boss brings a pragmatic approach to get the best out of the players he has, rather than trying to impose a system regardless of what is available. Known in France for a defensive approach, there has certainly been an emphasis on stability at the back, but then, Ittihad have scored almost 2.5 goals per game.
It helps that there is an intelligent coach on the pitch in the shape of N’Golo Kante. The midfielder is simply world class and ensures that Ittihad not only have more of the ball but also use it well. The former Chelsea star also rises to the big occasion and was immense in the vital win over Al-Nassr in early May that virtually sealed the title.
Fans, schedule and the failings of others
Al-Ittihad have some of the best — many in Jeddah would say the best — fans in the country and Asia. Having an average attendance of around 40,000 is hugely impressive, and not many other teams on the continent even come close. That brings pressure but can also inspire, and it has certainly done that this season.
There have been other advantages. The relatively poor season last time around did provide some help as it meant no Champions League football. Title rivals Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr had 10 or 11 extra games in Asia and that makes a huge difference. It gave Blanc time to train, rest and rotate.
And then, there is the fact that the other teams all dropped points. Al-Ittihad had their stumbles but this season their rivals did not take advantage with Al-Hilal — a winning machine last time around — unusually fallible. But teams still have to make use of the hand they are dealt, and Al-Ittihad certainly did that to become deserving champions.
Bayern’s Kompany wants focus on Hoffenheim before Sunday’s title party
- “Now I am only focused on the Hoffenheim game,” said Kompany
- “That is the absolute priority and the preparation we are doing”
MUNICH: Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany’s focus is firmly on the last Bundesliga game of the season at Hoffenheim on Saturday and not the following day’s title party in the Bavarian capital, he said on Friday.
Bayern secured the Bundesliga title almost two weeks ago in Kompany’s first season in charge, but Saturday’s match could see the Bavarians go for the 100-goal mark this season. They have currently scored 95 league goals this term.
It will also likely mark the second straight top Bundesliga scorer title for Bayern striker Harry Kane in his first two seasons in Germany, with no Bundesliga player ever having managed that feat in their first two seasons.
Kane has netted 25 Bundesliga goals so far this season ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy with 20.
It is, however, a far more important game for the struggling hosts Hoffenheim, who are three points above the relegation playoff spot currently occupied by Heidenheim.
“For me the anticipation (for the title party in central Munich) is great because that was the goal; to bring the league trophy back to Munich,” Kompany told a press conference.
“But now I am only focused on the Hoffenheim game. That is the absolute priority and the preparation we are doing. We will enjoy what happens after that because we earned it.”
Last season Bayer Leverkusen won a domestic league and Cup double without defeat, snapping the Bavarians’ 11-year title run.
Bayern traditionally present the trophy from the balcony of Munich’s city Hall to thousands of cheering fans.
“I see every title as the first so that’s why I’m looking forward to it,” Belgian Kompany said.
The Bavarians will then go into a two-week break before the squad comes together in early June for the Club World Cup in the United States starting later that month.
