Amir and Wasim among 29 Pakistan cricketers set for army training camp
Cricketers will undergo two-week camp with the army to prepare for upcoming limited-overs tours, T20 World Cup
Amir and Wasim have come out of international retirement, made themselves available for selection until T20 World Cup
Updated 25 March 2024
AP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s international cricketers will undergo a two-week fitness training camp with the army to prepare for upcoming limited-overs tours and the Twenty20 World Cup.
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir and allrounder Imad Wasim were among the 29 cricketers selected Monday by the Pakistan Cricket Board to attend the March 26-April 8 camp at Kakul, Abbottabad.
Amir and Wasim have come out of international retirement and made themselves available for selection until the T20 World Cup in the US and Caribbean in June.
Pakistan is scheduled to host New Zealand for five T20s next month and will also play T20 series in Ireland and England before the T20 World Cup starts on June 2.
The Pakistan Super League T20 tournament finished last week.
The PCB said the camp, organized in collaboration with Pakistan army, will focus on team building and is aimed to enhance the physical and mental strength of the players, “ensuring they are in the best condition to face the challenges ahead.”
“The players will undergo a comprehensive training regime tailored to elevate their fitness levels, agility, leadership, strategic thinking and overall performance on the field,” the PCB said in a statement.
It’s not the first time Pakistan’s leading cricketers will have to go through a training camp in Kakul. In 2016, the national team captained by Misbah-ul-Haq conducted a camp there before flying to England for a test series.
___ Pakistan squad: Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Irfan Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan and Zaman Khan.
INTERVIEW: Kawasaki Frontale’s Sai van Wermeskerken says pressure all on Al-Ahli in ACL Elite final
First-time champions to be crowned in Saturday’s showdown
Updated 13 sec ago
MARK LOMAS
JEDDAH: Having ended the AFC Champions League Elite dreams of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Wednesday’s semifinal, Kawasaki Frontale’s full-back Sai van Wermeskerken is now plotting another upset.
First-time champions of the ACL Elite will be crowned on Saturday when Kawasaki face Al-Ahli in the final — at the Jeddah club’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
And although Al-Ahli are the favorites, Van Wermeskerken says he and his teammates are determined to take the trophy back to Japan.
Van Wermeskerken told Arab News in an exclusive interview ahead of the final: “The final is going to be such a special game.
“Al-Ahli is a really tough opponent but, after what we did in the semifinal, we know if we can play as a team we have a great chance to win this tournament.”
Van Wermeskerken, whose father is Dutch and mother is Japanese, left Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen for Kawasaki Frontale last summer — ending an 11-year stay in the Netherlands.
With Japanese football stadiums noticeably less hostile than their European counterparts, the player has relished playing in front of animated crowds in Jeddah.
He said: “We were training beside the stadium when Al-Hilal played Gwangju (in the first quarterfinal) and could hear the noise. We were like ‘OK, these finals are going to be loud.’
“I have played in some incredible atmospheres in Europe — big games against Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord — and this was definitely comparable and I love these types of games. If you play well and the home fans boo, I find that very motivational.
“I know for some of my teammates it was a bit more difficult; this is not the normal atmosphere in Japan so it was a great learning experience for them. I think 5 percent of the stadium was our supporters and 95 percent against us.
“We know it will be the same against Al-Ahli, which makes it really tough of course. But because we survived the semifinal I think it will be much easier for us mentally in the final.”
Van Wermeskerken insists he has not felt overawed by the quality of opponents in the ACL Elite finals in Saudi Arabia. He helped to successfully shackle AFC Player of the Year Akram Afif in the quarterfinal victory over Al-Sadd, before keeping Cristiano Ronaldo at bay and marking Sadio Mane in the 3-2 last-four win over Al-Nassr.
Van Wermeskerken helped to successfully shackle AFC Player of the Year Akram Afif in the quarterfinal victory over Al-Sadd, before keeping Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) at bay and marking Sadio Mane in the 3-2 last-four win over Al-Nassr. (AFP)
Goals from Tatsuya Ito, Yuto Ozeki and 38-year-old Kawasaki veteran Akihiro Ienaga handed Shigetoshi Hasebe’s team a famous triumph.
Van Wermeskerken said: “I felt emotional after the semifinal. It was really fun and one of the most enjoyable games in my career.
“If you’re playing football, of course those names like Ronaldo, who have already made so much history, are the players you always hope to play against. I loved the experience; I was not scared of facing Ronaldo or Mane — I respect them but also feel I have the confidence to stop them.”
The full-back will have to be at his best again in the final as he faces Al-Ahli’s twin wing threat of Galeno and Riyad Mahrez. The former has contributed three goals and three assists in his six ACL Elite games since arriving from FC Porto in January, while Mahrez is favorite to be named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player having scored nine and set up eight more in his 12 matches this season.
Van Wermeskerken said: “Mahrez is an amazing player, of course. My old teammate at PEC Zwolle, Oussama Darfalou, played for the Algeria national team with Mahrez and he texted me after we won the semifinal to say I’d better play my best.
“Of course, I know how good he is. Mahrez can change what he wants to do at the last moment — his movement is very unpredictable. He can find solutions from difficult situations. I prefer to face a player who just keeps dribbling against me, but I know Mahrez is creative and can come up with moments out of nowhere.”
Mahrez and teammate Roberto Firmino could become the first players to win the UEFA and AFC Champions League titles if Al-Ahli win on Saturday, but Van Wermeskerken has other ideas.
While he recognizes Kawasaki Frontale will be underdogs for the final, the Japanese defender insists that the pressure Al-Ahli feel as hosts could weigh heavily on Matthias Jaissle’s side.
He said: “We still have the feeling of the challenger, like we did against Al-Nassr, but we also have belief in our ability. I don’t know how Al-Ahli feel, but of course there is an inevitable pressure and expectation from the supporters.
“Al-Ahli had a really tough game against Al-Hilal and, honestly, we know we can win this final. For Kawasaki Frontale it is a chance at history — not just for one person, but for this whole club.
“It is the only trophy missing at this moment; the club has won everything else, and taking home this trophy is all that the players and coaches have been talking about since I joined. We believe we can do it.”
Guardiola clarifies comments about taking a break from managing football
The 54-year-old clarified the comments ahead of City’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton
“Nooo! No, no, no I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of the season. Well, if they sack me, yes,” Guardiola told Sky Sports
Updated 13 min 3 sec ago
Reuters
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola has vowed to take a break from football when his time at Manchester City is over, but stifled speculation that he is leaving the club any time soon in a pre-game interview on Friday.
Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension with City in November, raised eyebrows when he told ESPN Brasil: “I want people to remember me however they want. After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure. I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
The 54-year-old clarified the comments ahead of City’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
“Nooo! No, no, no I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of the season. Well, if they sack me, yes,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“But I’m saying when I finish my time here, I don’t know in one year, two years, three years, four years, five years, six years — I don’t know — I will take a break. I won’t retire but I will take a break, for sure.”
City had kicked off the season hoping to win a record-fifth successive Premier League title, but the team has had a rough season and were fourth in the table before Friday night’s game, 21 points behind Liverpool who clinched the title last weekend.
“Do you know what it means in football to have a two-year contract for managers? It’s an eternity!” Guardiola told Sky at Etihad Stadium.
“What I’m saying is when I finish here, I will take a break. I need to make a stop, that’s all. But still we are here to beat Wolves.”
Kovac sets sights on Champions League spot as Dortmund welcome Wolfsburg
Dortmund, who were 11th earlier this year, have turned their season around after Kovac took charge in February and now sit sixth
“We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said
Updated 02 May 2025
Reuters
BERLIN: Resurgent Borussia Dortmund will seek the help of their crowd as the 12th man when they host mid-table Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga with a Champions League spot within reach after a difficult campaign, manager Niko Kovac said on Friday.
Dortmund, who were 11th earlier this year, have turned their season around after Kovac took charge in February and now sit sixth, three points behind Freiburg who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.
“We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said ahead of Saturday’s match at the 81,365-capacity Westfalenstadion.
“The game is very important. We’re focusing on our opponents, because we’re dependent on the other teams and we have to do our homework ... It’s about showing the same energy as in the last few games.
“If we play our game like we have in recent weeks, I’m convinced that we can unleash a force with the crowd that Wolfsburg will find difficult to counter.”
Dortmund have taken 13 points from their last five games to climb the table and have three games left to salvage their campaign.
If not the Champions League, they can still qualify for the Europa League, with RB Leipzig in fifth — a point above Dortmund.
Kovac also managed Wolfsburg between 2022 and 2024 and the Croatian is wary of the Lower Saxony side, even though Dortmund have a superb record against them at home.
Dortmund have not lost in their last 11 Bundesliga home games against Wolfsburg, winning nine. Wolfsburg have scored just one goal at Westfalenstadion since the 2016-17 season.
“They’re dangerous from set pieces and in transition. We have to be careful there,” Kovac said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone (at Wolfsburg) again but we also know the importance of the game. Friendships will be put aside for 90 minutes.”
PSG’s injured Dembele to miss Strasbourg trip, eyeing return for Arsenal
Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions
“Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters
Updated 02 May 2025
Reuters
PARIS: Paris St. Germain forward Ousmane Dembele will miss their Ligue 1 trip to Strasbourg with a hamstring strain, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday as the French side look to have him back for next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal.
Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions and also netted the winner in their 1-0 first leg victory at Arsenal, but the 27-year-old came off in the 70th minute, going straight down the tunnel with an apparent injury.
PSG confirmed he had a hamstring strain and that his “condition is progressing well,” with further assessments to be conducted in the coming days.
“Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters, while also declining to confirm if he will rotate his squad with the Ligue 1 title already in the bag.
“We’re going to do what we’ve been doing up to now, with the same idea. Nothing has changed.
“The most important thing is that every minute spent wearing the PSG jersey is useful for matches in other competitions.”
PSG lost their chance to go an entire league season unbeaten when they suffered a 3-1 defeat by Nice last weekend.
Luis Enrique’s side can still finish the season unbeaten on the road but the Spaniard has no interest in that record as they prepare to face Arsenal on Wednesday and Reims in the French Cup final later this month.
“It’s a match we’re preparing for in the Champions League, in the Coupe de France, not for the unbeaten record,” he said.
“It would be great to win the match in Strasbourg, but the motivation is to prepare for the Champions League match, not to break an unbeaten record.”
PSG have fallen in the Champions League knockout stages in recent years and have the opportunity to return to the final for only the second time as they chase a treble.
“We want to achieve this objective of playing this final, but there is still the semifinal second leg,” said Luis Enrique, who previously won the treble coaching Barcelona.
“There is not much time to rest, you have to manage all of this. We, the coaches, go for the best. I’ve been a top-level coach for several years and it’s part of the job.”
Malaysia triumph in Quadrangular series final with gritty 18-run win over Saudi Arabia
Malaysia successfully defended a total of 135 for 7, bowling Saudi Arabia out for 117 in 19.2 overs
Updated 02 May 2025
Richard Lockwood
KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia faced Malaysia in the final of the Malaysia Quadrangular at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, and it was a surprise when the hosts chose to bat first, given that both previous encounters between the two strongest teams in the tournament had been convincingly won by the side chasing.
But the decision proved inspired, as Malaysia successfully defended a total of 135 for 7, bowling Saudi Arabia out for 117 in 19.2 overs to secure an 18-run victory.
Honors had been even in the earlier meetings between the sides. In the first match, Malaysia defeated Saudi Arabia by five wickets, thanks largely to an unbeaten 93 from Virandeep Singh. But Saudi Arabia hit back in the second encounter, chasing down their target with a seven-wicket win driven by a brilliant opening stand of 100 in 9.1 overs from Faisal Khan and Abdul Waheed.
In the final, Saudi Arabia’s opening bowlers quickly put their side in control with a superb burst using the new ball. Ishtiaq Ahmad brought his experience, while his partner Imtiaz Khan, playing just his third T20I, struck with the final ball of his first over to bowl Aslam Khan and claim his maiden international wicket.
Malaysia were 13 for 1 after two overs when Ishtiaq removed Syed Aziz, caught by Faisal Khan. Imtiaz then took the key wicket of Virandeep Singh, who was caught behind for just one off five balls, leaving Malaysia struggling at 21 for 3 in the fourth over.
Amir Khan and Ahmed Aqeel led a steady recovery, guiding the hosts to 62 for 3 at the halfway stage. The fourth wicket fell at 97 in the 15th over when Amir was dismissed by Zain Ul Abidin for 38, ending a 76-run partnership spanning 11.1 overs. Zain struck again, bowling Sharvin Muniady for a dangerous 20 off nine balls.
Imtiaz returned to bowl the 19th over and took his third wicket by dismissing Vijay Unni, finishing with figures of 3 for 26. Ishtiaq delivered an excellent final over, removing Ahmed Aqeel for a vital 44 off 42 balls and returning 2 for 18 from his four overs, as Malaysia closed on 135 for 7.
Despite the strong bowling performance, the match was finely poised. Aqeel and Amir’s stand had given Malaysia something to defend, and early wickets would be key.
Perhaps it was the modest target of 136 that led to a cautious start from the Saudi openers, though Abdul Waheed did strike a six to end the second over. Faisal Khan managed only two singles from seven deliveries before being bowled by Syed Aziz.
Waheed launched into a flurry of boundaries while his partner Waji Ul Hassan remained scoreless. Waji was the third wicket to fall, lbw to Virandeep Singh, and Saudi Arabia found themselves in deep trouble when Waheed was also trapped lbw for 44 off 26 balls, leaving the score at 50 for 4.
Saudi Arabia slumped further to 71 for 7 in the 13th over, with Pavandeep Singh and Vijay Unni taking two wickets apiece. However, Zain Ul Abidin and Nawazish Akhtar revived hopes with an eighth-wicket stand of 43 in 5.3 overs.
With 23 runs needed from the final two overs, Ishtiaq Ahmed joined Zain at the crease.
But Virandeep Singh bowled a brilliant 19th over, conceding just three runs, leaving 20 required from the final six balls.
Ishtiaq was run out from the first ball of Rizwan Haider’s over as he ensured Zain retained the strike. But Zain was caught by Virandeep next ball for 32 off 30, and Saudi Arabia were bowled out for 117 in 19.2 overs.
The hosts claimed the Malaysia Quadrangular title by 18 runs in a tournament marked by eye-catching batting displays but ultimately decided by quality bowling. Rizwan Haider finished with 2 for 11 as Saudi Arabia lost their final three wickets for just three runs.
Ahmed Aqeel was named Player of the Match for anchoring Malaysia’s innings from a perilous 21 for 3, scoring 44 off 42 with two fours and a six. In the end, the hosts edged Saudi Arabia, who had pushed them hard across all three contests.
Both sides proved far too strong for Singapore and Thailand, with the former finishing third after beating Thailand by 30 runs in the play-off.
