UAE team show quality at Baseball United Arab Classic final in Dubai

UAE team show quality at Baseball United Arab Classic final in Dubai
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All games were played at Baseball United’s new ballpark at The Sevens, with the UAE defeating India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan en route to the quarterfinals. (SPA)
UAE team show quality at Baseball United Arab Classic final in Dubai
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Overall, the UAE outscored their opponents by 23 runs during the tournament, with Beyers (SS), Lorenzo Riddle (RF/P), and Gabriel Reque (DH) winning All-Tournament Team honors. (Supplied)
UAE team show quality at Baseball United Arab Classic final in Dubai
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During the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic, the UAE side won five games before finishing as runners-up. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 November 2024
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UAE team show quality at Baseball United Arab Classic final in Dubai

UAE team show quality at Baseball United Arab Classic final in Dubai
  • The team defeated several more experienced baseball nations during their journey to the tournament finale

DUBAI: The UAE’s national baseball team — assembled in just 30 days — put on a stunning performance when they played in their first international tournament at the weekend.

During the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic, the UAE side won five games before finishing as runners-up, losing in the final to the championship’s highest-ranked team, Pakistan.

All games were played at Baseball United’s new ballpark at The Sevens, with the UAE defeating India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan en route to the quarterfinals. There, they beat Saudi Arabia — also playing in their first international tournament — and followed that up with a semifinal over Palestine.

That was arguably the championship’s most exciting game, with shortstop Chris Beyers hitting a momentum-shifting home run to spearhead the victory. Overall, the UAE outscored their opponents by 23 runs during the tournament, with Beyers (SS), Lorenzo Riddle (RF/P), and Gabriel Reque (DH) winning All-Tournament Team honors.

It was a strong and unprecedented debut for a team new to the international scene. The UAE national team was formed after Baseball United’s chairman, CEO and co-founder Kash Shaikh petitioned the Emirates Cricket Board to allow the organization to build, develop and manage a national baseball program.

The rights were granted on Oct. 4, based on “Baseball United’s professional knowledge, expertise and pedigree as a respected international baseball organization.”

Shaikh said: “I am so proud of this historic team and I’m very grateful to Emirates Cricket Board for enabling us to elevate the UAE on yet another global stage. To go from formation to championship game in just one month’s time is incredible.

“From our managers, Eddie Diaz and Roger Duthie, to the entire coaching staff, to this passionate and talented group of players — everyone came together to positively share the UAE’s vision and values through sport. They truly got the world to take notice. The UAE baseball team, our new ballpark and our Baseball United professional games and brand have put Dubai and the UAE on the baseball map. And we believe it’s just the beginning.”

Diaz, a Hall of Fame manager in Mexico, has a professional baseball career that spans more than four decades, with experience as a player, manager and executive. He played Minor League Baseball with the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians, and also was a Major League Baseball scout for more than a decade. Diaz later managed in Mexico’s top summer baseball league, LMB, for 12 years and its top winter league, the Mexican Pacific League, for 11 years. He also won two Caribbean Series championships.

“As Kash often says, we made history,” said Diaz. “It was an honor for our team to represent the UAE. Most of these guys have spent the vast majority of their lives in this great country so they were very proud to have UAE across their chest. We are looking forward to continuing (to get) better with Baseball United’s leadership, guidance, and support.”

The team follows World Baseball Classic eligibility rules and regulations, which will enable broader representation and participation for local residents. In addition to citizens, WBC rules allow for permanent legal residents and/or players born in the national team’s country of territory to participate in its international events, as well as those with at least one parent who is a citizen of or who was born in the country or territory.

Globally, baseball is classed as a top five sport, with some 600 million fans. Most are located in the US, Latin America, Japan and Korea. In the US alone, professional baseball generates nearly $15 billion in revenue each year.

International tournaments are gaining in worldwide popularity, with the World Baseball Classic generating record attendance, viewership and revenue last year. Baseball is also set to appear in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.


Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win

Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
Updated 53 sec ago
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Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win

Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
  • Pakistan was seeking series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively
  • Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in ODI series, now head to South Africa for eight-match all-formats tour

BULAWAYO: Zimbabwe grabbed a consolation two-wicket victory over Pakistan in a thrilling final Twenty20 international on Thursday, with tailender Richard Ngarava getting them over the line with one ball to spare.
Pakistan, seeking a series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively, rested several key players and made 132-7 off 20 overs in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe responded strongly initially with opener Brian Bennett scoring 43, but the Pakistan bowlers hit back and the loss of home captain Sikandar Raza (19) spelt trouble.
Needing 12 runs from the last over for victory, Tinotenda Maposa struck a four, a six and a single to level the scores with three balls remaining.
Tashinga Musekiwa was caught by Tayyab Tahir off the bowling of Jahandad Khan to increase the tension at the Queens Sports Club.
Ngarava then became the hero, striking the penultimate ball back toward Khan. It hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end and deflected to mid-off for the winning run as Zimbabwe reached 133-8.
Top scorer Bennett said: “We have got Afghanistan from next week in all formats so it is nice to win and establish some momentum.”
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha reserved special praise for batter Saim Ayub and wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem after the two white-ball series victories.
“I think Saim and Sufiyan have long futures ahead and will serve Pakistan for many years. Saim has been playing all three formats and doing really well. Sufiyan too.”
Bennett hit a six and six fours in his knock as he took Zimbabwe to 73-2 before wickets started to fall regularly.
Agha was the leading Pakistan scorer with a 32 that included three fours while Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets for Zimbabwe.
Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in a one-day international series, now head to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour that starts on December 10 with a Twenty20 international.


Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red

Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red
Updated 6 min 42 sec ago
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Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red

Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red
  • A German FA (DFB) disciplinary committee said Thursday a “two-match ban” was the usual penalty
  • With Bayern out of the competition, Neuer would not serve the ban until next season’s German Cup or Super Cup

MUNICH: Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer was on Thursday hit with a two-game ban in the German Cup after receiving the first red card in his 866-game career.
Neuer was sent off in the 17th minute of the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 as the 38-year-old goalkeeper rushed out of his goal and collided with an advancing Jeremie Frimpong.
With Bayern reduced to 10 men, Leverkusen won 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Nathan Tella.
A German FA (DFB) disciplinary committee said Thursday a “two-match ban” was the usual penalty for “preventing an obvious goal-scoring opportunity for a foul without a goal being scored.”
The 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper apologized to his teammates for the red card on social media after the defeat.
With Bayern out of the competition, Neuer would not serve the ban until next season’s German Cup or Super Cup.
Neuer’s contract at Bayern expires at the end of the current season, meaning he would avoid the ban should he retire or leave German football.


The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up

The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up
Updated 05 December 2024
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The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up

The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up
  • The tournament will take place in 11 US cities from June 15 to July 13 in an expanded format with 32 teams instead of the previous seven
  • Europe got 12 places, South America six, while Africa, Asia and North America got four each

GENEVA: Soccer’s biggest ever global club tournament is coming to the United States next year and the 32-team group stage will be drawn Thursday.
European powers Real Madrid and Manchester City, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, recently crowned South American champion Botafogo and top clubs from Asia, Africa and Oceania are among the teams who are in the draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup.
The tournament, which used to be played annually in December, will take place in 11 US cities from June 15 to July 13 in an expanded format with 32 teams instead of the previous seven. Going forward the Club World Cup will be played every four years – just like the World Cup for national teams, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
Here’s what to know about the Club World Cup draw, which is made in Miami at 1 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Thursday.
What is the Club World Cup?
FIFA and its presidents have long coveted a prime piece of club soccer content.
The 2025 Club World Cup is FIFA’s most ambitious project, creating a month-long tournament in a mid-June to mid-July slot historically used by the men’s World Cup, which draws the biggest audiences in global sports.
The new club competition uses the traditional 32-team format used by the World Cup from 1998 to 2022. Eight round-robin groups of four teams each, and the top two advance to a knockout bracket of 16.
In allocating 32 entries, FIFA tried to balance getting the best and most watchable teams with giving all the world a chance to compete and develop.
Europe got 12 places, South America six, while Africa, Asia and North America got four each. One place went to Oceania and one to the host nation that should change for each edition.
Teams qualified by winning their continental championship from 2021 through 2024, or ranking highly with consistent results across those four seasons. Countries are capped at two entries unless more won titles. Brazil will send four different Copa Libertadores winners and Mexico three champions of the CONCACAF region. The other North American champion was Seattle Sounders.
Who will play?
Storied and wealthy European names are in: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. The current leaders of most of Europe’s strongest leagues miss out: Liverpool, Barcelona, Napoli and Sporting Lisbon.
Salzburg earned the last European entry last season based on FIFA’s ranking system though it can hardly be considered among Europe’s top clubs: it’s currently 32nd in the new 36-team Champions League standings.
Argentina’s big two clubs, River Plate and Boca Juniors, are in. The Brazilian and Mexican entries include, respectively, Fluminense and Pachuca, both currently 16th in their national league standings.
Africa’s entries include Al Ahly of Egypt — three times champion of Africa in the last four years — and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, which is owned by FIFA vice president Patrice Motsepe.
Saudi Arabia sends Al-Hilal, the 2021 champion of Asia, which won the domestic league last season despite losing Neymar to a long-term injury.
If they stay fit, the tournament will feature a new generation of stars such as Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will be there, with a FIFA thumb on the scales in October to give the team the host nation’s entry. Two other stars from Messi’s generation will miss out: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and Barcelona with Robert Lewandowski failed to qualify through their continental Champions League competitions.
Why is Inter Miami playing?
The previous version of the Club World Cup kept an entry for the host nation’s champion. But this time FIFA did not wait for the MLS Cup title game on Saturday, when LA Galaxy hosts New York Red Bulls. Neither will be in the draw Thursday.
Instead, Inter Miami, with the star power of Lionel Messi on the field and co-owner David Beckham, was given the Club World Cup place in October based on regular-season standings. It will play three group-stage games in Florida, including opening the tournament at the Hard Rock Stadium.
What are they playing for?
Money and a trophy. Which is more prized by club owners is a debate to be had.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised hundreds of millions of dollars in prize money, with reported guarantees of $50 million to top European teams, though it is currently unclear where from.
FIFA signed a global broadcasting deal Wednesday with streaming service DAZN to make all 63 games available for free. The value of the deal was not disclosed, and allows the streaming service to sell on rights to public broadcasters.
DAZN has close ties with Saudi Arabia, which promotes and stages top-level boxing title fights.
The new gold trophy has been fashioned by Tiffany and has Infantino’s name engraved on it twice. Plus his signature.
What is the tournament’s history?
Traditionally, the champions of Europe and South America played for the Intercontinental Cup. From 1980 to 2004 the game was played in Japan and usually in December.
FIFA launched a Club World Championship in 2000, played in January by eight teams in Brazil. It was not held again for nearly six years.
From 2005 through last year, the annual FIFA Club World Cup was played each December, settling on a seven-team knockout format: the six reigning continental champions and the host nation’s domestic champion. Hosts rotated between Japan, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Qatar and, for its final edition last December, Saudi Arabia.
This annual event was unloved in Europe. The UEFA Champions League winner typically arrived for two games in four days and took home the trophy. Chelsea in 2012 was the only European team to lose in the past 17 years.
When first elected in 2016, Infantino spoke of FIFA’s need for a bigger, more attractive and lucrative club event.
In his previous job as UEFA general secretary, he helped organize the Champions League, in peak years of Messi winning the title at Barcelona and Ronaldo with Manchester United and then Real Madrid.
First, Infantino had a secretive $25 billion deal for new tournaments including a 24-team Club World Cup worth $3 billion every four years from 2021. That was blocked by European soccer officials.
Agreement was reached to play an inaugural 24-team tournament in June 2021 in China. Europe was to send just six teams.
No broadcast or sponsor deals had been announced by early 2020 when the tournament was scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The June 2021 slot was needed for the postponed Euro 2020 and Copa America.
After the failed Super League project in April 2021 rocked European soccer, FIFA found agreement for a 32-team Club World Cup.


Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 
Updated 05 December 2024
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Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 
  • Role will involve ‘DJ’ leading year-round coaching for Saudi National Team golfers
  • American will also represent Golf Saudi brand globally

RIYADH: Double major winner Dustin Johnson was on Thursday announced as Golf Saudi’s newest high-profile ambassador as the sixth edition of the $5 million tournament entered its second day at Riyadh Golf Club.

In his ambassadorial role, American Johnson — who won Golf Saudi’s landmark men’s event in 2019 and 2021 and is competing in Riyadh this week — will help further drive the growth of golf in Saudi Arabia, working closely with the Kingdom’s national teams to deliver year-round lessons and coaching.

The world’s former No. 1 golfer — known as “DJ” — will continue to be a regular at golf events in Saudi Arabia and wear the Golf Saudi brand logo while competing around the world.

Dustin Johnson has been announced as a new Golf Saudi ambassador.(SUPPLIED)

Johnson said: “Golf Saudi is doing such a great job of promoting the game of golf and trying to get more people involved, here in Saudi Arabia and around the world. Me now being a Golf Saudi ambassador I’m very proud to be a part of that and I really want to help grow the game in Saudi.

“I won the first ever PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens back in 2019. They do an amazing job of hosting all events out here — it doesn’t matter what kind of event or sport it is. I’ve always really enjoyed coming here and Golf Saudi put on an incredible event, which has gotten better every year — which is why I’ve come back and played every year since the first one.” Johnson also won the event in 2021.

Golf Saudi ambassador Dustin Johnson leads a coaching clinic at the Saudi International. (SUPPLIED)

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We are honored to have Dustin taking on this role, which will be at the heart of our ambition to grow golf in Saudi Arabia and deliver our dream of seeing a Saudi champion in the future.

“Our Saudi pro-golfers — a record five of whom are competing in the PIF Saudi International this week — and our national development team will be learning year-round and hands-on from one of the very best to ever play the game. Off course, we’ll work with DJ to co-innovate on the future of golf, leaning on his unrivalled expertise and knowledge of the game to get more Saudis playing golf.

Johnson is a two-time Saudi International champion. (SUPPLIED)

“Dustin was our debut PIF Saudi International champion back in 2019 and has been a huge supporter of our goals in golf ever since. We are delighted to strengthen that relationship and look forward to backing DJ as he continues to compete for the biggest titles in golf.”

The PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers is underway at Riyadh Golf Club, with play ending on Saturday, Dec. 7. Johnson is alongside Tyrell Hatton (England), defending champion Abraham Ancer (Mexico) and Cameron Smith (Australia) as one of the biggest names in the field. There are also five Saudi professionals competing, a record number.

All those who attend the event can sign-up on-site for Golf Saudi’s “Go Golf” world-first free-to-learn golf coaching scheme, which offers three months of free lessons for all new Saudi golfers.

 


Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC

Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC
Updated 05 December 2024
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Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC

Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC
  • Standfirst: Jay Shah has a full inbox after becoming chair of the International Cricket Council

Jay Shah’s tenure as chair of the International Cricket Council began officially on Dec. 1. His first public pronouncement focused on the vision to take advantage of cricket’s participation in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and accelerate the growth of women’s cricket.

Shah also referred to the game being “at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats.” He did not mention the biggest item occupying his in-box, the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy, that urgently requires resolution.

This has implications for the four-year broadcast deal awarded to Disney Star for TV and digital rights. The deal covers all ICC men’s and women’s events from 2024 to 2027 for the Indian market. A significant part of the income stream for Disney Star is based on matches between India and Pakistan in ICC events. The loss of one, possibly, two, such matches in the Champions Trophy will put a hole in the ICC’s financial model and media contracts.

In the medium and longer term, Shah is well aware of the immense potential that cricket has to engage with fans globally. It is a moot point how much of the globe cricket can appeal to — Russia is suspended from the ICC and the game has so far failed to gain much traction in China. It has a limited foothold in South America. However, there are encouraging signs in Africa, not least in Nigeria. It is easy to see why the 2028 Olympics are framed as a seminal event for cricket.    

The issue of multiple formats in co-existence is one that will only become more complex during Shah’s tenure. He has been quoted as saying that Test cricket “remains the pinnacle of the game. I am dedicated to preserving its stature while enhancing its appeal to fans.” It is not clear what the last phrase refers to. Does it mean, for example, fewer or more Test-playing nations, or ensuring that the best players are made available? They are being pulled in different directions at the same time, largely by money.

This week, all formats of cricket are being played internationally. In men’s Tests series, Australia is host to India, New Zealand to England, South Africa to Sri Lanka and the West Indies to Bangladesh. After the latter series, the teams will play three ODIs. In T20s, Zimbabwe is hosting Pakistan while, elsewhere in Africa, the T20 Africa Continental Cup is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda. This follows on from the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group C held in Abuja. Nigeria and Botswana progressed to the regional final. In Argentina, the Americas Sub-regional T20 World Cup qualifier is being contested by nine teams. 

On Dec. 2, the final of the Abu Dhabi T10 league was played. It included some familiar names, including Jos Buttler and Nicholas Pooran. These two players, alone, provide ample indication of the opportunities and options available to top players. The England and Wales Cricket Board has taken a bold and, possibly, counter-productive step to address the issue.

In an effort to preserve the quality of its domestic cricket, the ECB is proposing to ban players from appearing in franchise leagues that clash with its domestic schedules, except the Indian Premier League. The first flashpoint is the Pakistan Super League, moved to April in 2025 to accommodate the Champions Trophy. Such a ban will jeopardise the income streams of some players, who may decide to forego English first-class cricket. Legal challenges are expected.

No such issue exists in the world from which Shah has just moved. Contracted Indian cricketers are forbidden from playing in any franchise league other than the IPL. These decisions are for individual boards, not the ICC. Those boards whose players are in greatest demand are faced with a growing dilemma. There are now about 20 franchise leagues and the number is growing — Nepal being the latest. The issue for Shah and the ICC is how his vow to preserve Test cricket can withstand this challenge.

Conversely, Shah’s ambition to accelerate the development of women’s cricket is probably pushing at an open door. Prior to his succession, the quickening of pace was already in train. On Nov. 4, the ICC released the Women’s Future Tours Programme for the 2025-2029 cycle. This involves 11 of the 12 ICC full members. Afghanistan’s women’s cricketers are currently in exile — another matter lurking in Shah’s inbox. 

An ICC women’s event is scheduled for every year. After the ODI World Cup in India closes the previous cycle, there will be a T20 World Cup in 2026 in England, a six-team Champions Trophy in 2027 and a T20 World Cup in 2028. The lineup for the 2029 World Cup will be based on 132 ODIs played over the cycle in 44 series of three matches each, teams playing four series at home and away. There are 210 T20s scheduled, a 30 percent increase on the previous cycle.

There is also an increase in Test matches, from seven to 15. These will feature Australia, England, India, South Africa and the West Indies, who last played a Test in 2004. This increase will probably not satisfy those players who view Test cricket as the pinnacle. Preparation for it is essential and occasional matches do not facilitate a buildup of experience. Shah’s predecessor poured cold water on the prospects of more opportunities for women’s Tests. It remains to be seen if Shah’s positive statements regarding women’s cricket extend to Tests.

Given his opening remarks, Shah’s focus is more likely to be fixed on opportunities offered by the July 2028 Olympics and the short format. This fits with a desire to engage and expand globally.

Yet, all of this is overshadowed by the crisis surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. ICC income is based on sales of media rights and tournament revenue. These depend on viewers and are highly sensitive to interruption. Lower income means lower disbursement of funds to members. This would hit ICC associate members badly and dent their growth prospects. The neutrality required constitutionally of an ICC chair faces an early Test.