UAE facing exit from T20 World Cup after loss to Sri Lanka

UAE’s Karthik Palaniapan Meiyappan is stumped by Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (R) during the ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2022 cricket match. (AFP)
UAE’s Karthik Palaniapan Meiyappan is stumped by Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (R) during the ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2022 cricket match. (AFP)
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Updated 18 October 2022

UAE facing exit from T20 World Cup after loss to Sri Lanka

UAE facing exit from T20 World Cup after loss to Sri Lanka
  • Having lost their opener to the Netherlands, the UAE require an almost impossible combination of results to progress even if they beat Zambia in their last match

MELBOURNE: The UAE were all but knocked out of the T20 World Cup after suffering a comprehensive 79-run loss to Sri Lanka.

Following their narrow loss to the Netherlands on the opening day, the UAE had to beat Asia Cup winners Sri Lanka in order to stand any chance of progressing to the Super 12s stage of the competition.

However, despite a magical spell of bowling from Karthik Meiyappan, who became the first UAE player to take a T20I hat-trick in history, the UAE collapsed in a heap with the bat, all out for 73.

“Lately the batting hasn’t clicked for us,” said Meiyappan at the close of play, “and that is something that we have to be concerned about. Firstly, to only put up 112 against the Netherlands … and today again, it felt like the batters could’ve cashed in as it felt like 152 on that wicket was quite chaseable.”

The result means that the UAE are all but officially knocked out of the competition and are still without a win in T20 World Cups after going none from two so far in Australia and losing all three of their games when they last qualified in 2014.

Matches have so far been low-scoring in Geelong, where the slow wicket combined with a thick outfield has made runs hard to come by.

And so, having won the toss and elected to field, the UAE had cause for concern when Sri Lanka got off to a flier. After five overs, the score was 47-1 with opener Pathum Nissanka (74 off 60) setting the early pace.

Along with Dhanjaya de Silva, the pair seemed to be taking the game comfortably in Sri Lanka’s direction, as they took the score to 92-1 after 11 overs and then 117-2 after 15.5.

But then carnage would ensue in the UAE’s brightest period of the game, as 22-year-old leg spinner Meiyappan, who trained with Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021, became the first UAE player in history to take a T20I hat-trick and just the fifth player to do so at a T20 World Cup.

First, he had Banuka Rajapaksa caught at deep cover, before consecutive googlies removed Charith Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka. The last wicket ripping through bat-and-pad sent Meiyappan on a celebratory lap of the ground.

“It still hasn’t sunk in the fact that I’ve got a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup, and to be the first UAE bowler to do so,” said Meiyappan. “It’s a really proud moment and feels amazing.”

Things would get even better for the UAE, as they would take a fourth wicket in seven balls as 16-year-old Aayan Khan had Wanindu Hasaranga caught on the boundary to leave Sri Lanka 120-6 and the match in the balance.

But, that would be as good as it got, as a late flourish from Nissanka would lift Sri Lanka to a strong final total of 152-8.

The UAE needed a bright start in response, but their chase was immediately derailed when Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera took three wickets in the powerplay, before Chirag Suri fell to Pramod Liyanagamage to leave the UAE 21-4 and see the game all but finished before UAE’s innings had even really begun.

There would be no let up from Sri Lanka either, as the introduction of spin and Hasaranga (4-1-8-3) to the attack made things even worse for the UAE as the wickets continued to tumble with regularity. Out of the 11 batters that took to the crease, only Suri (14), Aayan Khan (19) and Junaid Siddique (18) made double figures.

“Obviously, making the World Cup was an achievement  itself, but the main goal was to reach the Super 12s,” said Meiyappan.

“As of now I think going forward for us will be the 2023 World Cup in India and that’s what we’ll be preparing for.”

For Sri Lanka, the result means they go into what is in effect a knockout match against the Netherlands in two days time to decide who will make it through to the next round, meanwhile the UAE will finish their competition against Namibia requiring a mathematically miraculous combination of results to see them through.


IOC’s Bach defends Russia stance amid pro-Ukraine protest

IOC’s Bach defends Russia stance amid pro-Ukraine protest
Updated 18 sec ago

IOC’s Bach defends Russia stance amid pro-Ukraine protest

IOC’s Bach defends Russia stance amid pro-Ukraine protest
  • Bach said he opposed political influence on sports and any suggestion that Russians should be treated as if they have “collective guilt”

ESSEN, Germany: International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach defended his organization’s efforts to create a pathway for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition in a speech in his home country of Germany which took place amid a pro-Ukraine protest Wednesday.

Bach reiterated the IOC’s position that it would be discriminatory to exclude Russians and Belarusians based on citizenship alone and argued the Olympics can help promote dialogue at a tense time. Public broadcaster WDR reported nearly 200 pro-Ukraine protesters gathered outside the venue calling for Russia to be excluded entirely from the Olympics.

The IOC recommended excluding Russia and Belarus on safety grounds soon after the invasion last year but now argues for letting the two countries’ athletes compete as neutrals without national symbols ahead of a packed calendar of qualification events for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Bach said he opposed political influence on sports and any suggestion that Russians should be treated as if they have “collective guilt.” The Olympics, he added, need to remain neutral to be a unifying force.

The IOC previously said it wants to keep out athletes deemed to be “actively supporting the war,” with a final decision lying with the international federations running individual sports, but it has given few details of how that would work.

Bach refined that approach Wednesday, indicating the IOC could recommend barring athletes who pose with a “Z” symbol, a marking used on Russian military vehicles which has become a symbol of support for the war.

“Our principles say clearly and distinctly that any active support for the war, and that includes wearing this ‘Z’, that includes posts and much else besides (is prohibited). Anyone who supports the war in this way cannot, or in relation to the international federations, since we are issuing this only as a recommendation, should not take part in these competitions,” Bach said.

Asked about what to do with the many Russian athletes who are part of the military or have ties to military organizations, Bach indicated the IOC could decide on its approach at a board meeting next week.

“Wait until the middle of next week. I am confident that we will come up with appropriate guidelines then,” he said.


On eve of record, Ronaldo a ‘better man’ after United ordeal

On eve of record, Ronaldo a ‘better man’ after United ordeal
Updated 10 min ago

On eve of record, Ronaldo a ‘better man’ after United ordeal

On eve of record, Ronaldo a ‘better man’ after United ordeal
  • Ronaldo said he is motivated and enjoying his time back with Portugal’s national team after a disappointing World Cup

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo, on the eve of becoming the player with the most appearances with a national team in men’s soccer, said his difficult second spell with Manchester United made him a better man.

Ronaldo opened up briefly about his troubles at the English club ahead of Portugal’s match against Liechtenstein in qualifying for the European Championship on Thursday, when he is set to break the all-time record for appearances with a national team with 197.

“There is no time for regrets in this life. Even if we don’t do so well, it’s part of our life,” Ronaldo said Wednesday. “When we are at the top of the mountain, it’s hard to see what’s down here and many times I couldn’t. I feel like I’m better prepared now because I can see some things. I’m a better man now.”

The 38-year-old Ronaldo joined Saudi club Al Nassr after his contract was terminated by United following a TV interview in which he criticized manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners after being benched and even temporarily suspended by the club.

“I think that everything in life happens for a reason,” he said. “I’m often grateful to go through some difficult things so I can see who is really on my side. At the tough times, you see who is on your side. It wasn’t a very good phase in my life, in my career, first on a personal level and then professionally.”

Ronaldo said he is motivated and enjoying his time back with Portugal’s national team after a disappointing World Cup in which he was benched in the knockout rounds and left the field in tears after a loss to Morocco in the quarterfinals. He came off the bench in that match to tie Bader Al-Mutawa’s mark of 196 outings for Kuwait.

He is expected to break the record on Thursday as new Portugal coach Roberto Martínez said he still counts on the star forward.

“This record is special. I’ll be really proud if it happens,” Ronaldo said. “But I want to keep playing even more games, I don’t want to stop here.”

Ronaldo admitted there were doubts about his future with the national team, but that’s all in the past now.

“It was all in the balance after the World Cup,” he said. “I reflected with my family and then we came to the conclusion that it was not time to throw in the towel. I learned a lot from it and I’m very happy to be back.”


Lazio fan wearing ‘Hitlerson’ shirt among 3 banned for life

Lazio fan wearing ‘Hitlerson’ shirt among 3 banned for life
Updated 22 March 2023

Lazio fan wearing ‘Hitlerson’ shirt among 3 banned for life

Lazio fan wearing ‘Hitlerson’ shirt among 3 banned for life
  • Two other fans of the Roman club were also banned for life for performing Roman salutes
  • Lazio said the three fans “have nothing to do" with supporting the club and “have shown forms of discrimination and antisemitism”

ROME: A fan wearing a shirt with a reference to Adolf Hitler was banned for life from attending Lazio matches by the Roman club on Wednesday.
Authorities reviewed security camera footage from inside the Stadio Olimpico after pictures of the fan wearing a Lazio shirt with the name “Hitlerson” and the No. 88 — which is a numerical code for “Heil Hitler” — circulated on social media following Lazio’s 1-0 win over Roma in the city derby on Sunday.
Two other fans of the Roman club were also banned for life for performing Roman salutes, which are associated with fascism.
Lazio said the three fans “have nothing to do” with supporting the club and “have shown forms of discrimination and antisemitism.”
The Italian league is still reviewing the behavior of Lazio fans during the derby.
The club were already ordered to play a game with part of the Stadio Olimpico closed to spectators after fans directed racist chants at Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and winger Lameck Banda, who are both Black.
Lazio fans have a long history of discriminatory behavior and the club have been hit with numerous sanctions both in Serie A and Europe.
Lazio are in second place in Serie A and in position to qualify for next season’s Champions League.


Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena

Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena
Updated 22 March 2023

Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena

Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena
  • Portuguese legend and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo will face Al-Wehda and Luxembourg striker Gerson Rodriguez
  • Morocco’s Abdelrazzaq Hamdallah and Mounir Al-Mohammadi will face Peru’s Andre Carrillo and Christopher Gonzalez

RIYADH: Six foreign stars of the Roshn Saudi League are expected to line out against each other in two international matches at the end of March. 

Portugal play Luxembourg on March 26 in the first round of qualifiers for Euro 2024, bringing together Portuguese legend and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Wehda striker Gerson Rodriguez, who will line out in the colors of Luxembourg. 

Four foreign players from the Roshn Saudi League will play in a friendly match between Morocco and Peru on March 29.

Abdelrazzaq Hamdallah of Al-Ittihad and Mounir Al-Mohammadi of Al-Wehda will line out for Morocco, while Andre Carrillo of Al-Hilal and Christopher Gonzalez from Al-Adalah will face them in the colours of Peru.


Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34

Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34
Updated 22 March 2023

Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34

Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34
  • Özil said injuries played a role in his decision
  • His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir

ISTANBUL: Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil, who won the World Cup in 2014, retired from soccer Wednesday at the age of 34.
Özil said injuries played a role in his decision.
“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity,” Özil wrote on social media. “But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”
His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, where he made only seven appearances for the team.
Özil won the Spanish league title with Real Madrid in 2012 and the FA Cup four times with Arsenal. His international career ended abruptly in 2018 when he quit the Germany squad citing “racism and disrespect.”
That followed anti-Turkish comments from German politicians and abuse from some fans toward Özil, who has Turkish heritage, amid criticism of his decision to pose for a picture with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the run-up to the 2018 World Cup.
Özil started his career in Germany with hometown club Schalke before a good spell at Werder Bremen earned him a spot on the German national team. Standout performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup were followed by a move to Madrid. He then had an eight-year stint with Arsenal.
Özil moved to Turkish club Fenerbahce in 2021 after his relationship with Arsenal broke down. He was left out of the Arsenal squad for months before his departure following a rift with manager Mikel Arteta. The club also distanced itself from Özil for posting his support for Muslims in the Xinjiang province of China, comments which led to an Arsenal game being pulled from Chinese television.