Britons Charley Hull and Georgia Hall set for Riyadh showdown at Aramco Team Series

Britons Charley Hull and Georgia Hall set for Riyadh showdown at Aramco Team Series
World No. 14 Charley Hull is set to go against childhood friend Georgia Hall in the Saudi Arabian capital. (Supplied)
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Britons Charley Hull and Georgia Hall set for Riyadh showdown at Aramco Team Series

Britons Charley Hull and Georgia Hall set for Riyadh showdown at Aramco Team Series
  • With nine top 10 finishes in 10 Series appearances, Hull is eager to convert her strong performances into a win
  • Hall, motivated by a narrow playoff loss in London, is determined to claim first individual Series title

RIYADH: Charley Hull is determined to end her 2024 season with a win as she prepares to go head-to-head against Major winner Georgia Hall at Riyadh Golf Club from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

The duo, who represented Team Europe in 2024’s Solheim Cup and Team GB in Paris, join Alison Lee of the United States and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit as headline players in an electrifying conclusion to the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, organized by Golf Saudi.

Hull has an impressive track record in the Series, notching up nine top 10 finishes in just 10 appearances. This includes a triumphant individual title win in New York in 2021.

“Competing in Riyadh at the Aramco Team Series this year is a fantastic opportunity for me,” said Hull. “After finishing second in both Tampa and Korea I feel my game is in great shape, and I’m eager to turn those near-misses into a win.”

Since the inception of women’s professional golf in the Kingdom in 2020, Hull has competed in Saudi Arabia eight times.

Reflecting on her experiences, Hull, who became a Golf Saudi ambassador this year, said she had noticed the remarkable growth of golf in Saudi Arabia since her first appearance.

“The work that Golf Saudi continue to do in introducing more women and girls to the game through these events and beyond is inspiring, and the legacy they are creating is one I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of,” she said.

“The sport has grown (in) leaps and bounds here. Last year, we saw the move of the tournaments to Riyadh which I think really shows the Kingdom’s increasing passion for the sport, with more and more fans coming to watch us.”

Meanwhile, Hall has proven her ability to lead a team to victory, winning the 2023 Aramco Team Series presented by PIF in London. She has also enjoyed individual success on Saudi soil, capturing the Aramco Saudi Ladies International 2022 title in Jeddah.

This year, she narrowly missed repeating her team success in London, losing in a thrilling three-hole playoff for the team title, and she remains determined to capture her first individual title in Riyadh.

“The playoff loss in London was hard, especially after coming so close to defending our team title, but it’s moments like those that fuel my determination,” she said.

“I’m more motivated than ever to secure another Aramco Team Series title, and Riyadh is the perfect stage for that. I’m looking forward to the challenge and putting on a great performance for the fans.”

The final showdown of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF will see the player and fan-favorite format return to Riyadh, with 28 teams competing over three days.


NEOM McLaren Formula E Team announces Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd for new season women’s test

NEOM McLaren Formula E Team announces Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd for new season women’s test
Updated 9 sec ago
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NEOM McLaren Formula E Team announces Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd for new season women’s test

NEOM McLaren Formula E Team announces Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd for new season women’s test
  • Team will take part in pre-season testing in Valencia in November before the season-opening Sao Paulo E-Prix in December

RIYADH: The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team has announced its full driver lineup for the women’s test, as part of pre-season testing for the 2024-2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Bianca Bustamante has been involved in racing since the age of five, winning several karting championships in Asia. So far in her single-seater career, Bustamante has competed in W Series, Formula 4 UAE Championship, Italian Formula 4, USF Juniors and most recently F1 Academy. In October 2023, it was announced Bustamante would join the McLaren driver development program, representing the team in the 2024 F1 Academy season with ART Grand Prix.

Ella Lloyd began racing competitively in 2022 in the Ginetta Junior Championship before competing in in the Ginetta GT Championship the following year, finishing as vice-champion.

At the beginning of 2024, Lloyd competed in the Formula Winter Series, securing the female driver trophy several times. She competed in British F4, completing the 2024 season with three P2 results, one P3 and numerous points finishes. She has now joined the McLaren driver development programme and will represent the team in the 2025 F1 Academy season with Rodin Motorsport.

The 2024 women’s pre-season test aims to provide women an opportunity to gain experience in the new GEN3 Evo car, while building their motorsport development.

The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will be in action at the pre-season testing in Valencia, Spain from Nov. 4-7, before the season starts at the Sao Paulo E-Prix on Dec. 7.

Bustamante said: “I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a GEN3 Evo car with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team next month in Valencia. I’ve already been honing my skills in the simulator and working with the team so I can extract the most from this opportunity as I can. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Lloyd said: “I’m really excited to be part of the women’s test with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. This opportunity will allow me to gain valuable experience in Formula E GEN3 Evo machinery and continue to develop my skills as a racing driver. I can’t wait to get going.”

Ian James, team principal and managing director of NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, said he was excited to work with the two new additions to the team.

“Both drivers have had a smooth integration into the team and have already been developing their skills in the simulator as part of their preparation,” he said.

“I’m glad we can provide Bianca and Ella with a platform to demonstrate their ability and build new career opportunities as part of the championship’s commitment to develop their experience in motorsport. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on in Valencia next month.”


Pakistan out for 221, England need 297 to win second Test

Pakistan out for 221, England need 297 to win second Test
Updated 23 min 14 sec ago
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Pakistan out for 221, England need 297 to win second Test

Pakistan out for 221, England need 297 to win second Test
  • Spinners Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach share seven wickets to dismiss Pakistan for 221
  • Pakistan dismiss Ben Duckett for 0 to strike early blow as England attempt chase

MULTAN: Spinners Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach shared seven wickets to bowl Pakistan out for 221 on the third day in Multan, setting England a target of 297 to win the second Test.
Bashir finished with 4-66 while Leach grabbed 3-67 but Pakistan were lifted from a precarious 134-5 by Salman Agha (63) and Sajid Khan (22) with a 65-run ninth-wicket stand.
The hosts made 366 in their first knock.
Pakistan off-spinner Sajid took 7-111, his second five-wicket haul, to bowl England out for 291 on a pitch — also used for the first Test — offering sharp turn.


Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three

Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three
Updated 17 October 2024
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Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three

Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three
  • Pakistan lead by 118 runs on day three’s interval after scoring 366 during first innings
  • England lead three-match series 1-0 following innings and 47-run victory in first Test

MULTAN: England’s Shoaib Bashir took three wickets to restrict Pakistan to 43-3 at lunch in the second Test in Multan on Thursday after the visitors were all out for 291.
Pakistan led by 118 runs at the interval on day three after scoring 366 in their first innings.
Sajid Khan took 7-111, his second five-wicket haul, to dismiss England on a Multan stadium pitch — also used in the first Test — that started to offer sharp turn to the spinners.
Off-spinner then Bashir removed Abdullah Shafique (four), Shan Masood (11) and Saim Ayub (22) and had figures of 3-27.
Abdullah edged a turning Bashir delivery to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith with England successfully overturning a not-out decision on review.
Captain Masood then edged to slip off the same bowler.
In the last over before lunch, Bashir had opener Ayub caught in the slip, leaving first-innings centurion Kamran Ghulam unbeaten on five at the crease.
The morning session belonged to off-spinner Sajid.
The 31-year-old took three of the four wickets to fall after England had resumed at 239-6.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali was the only other Pakistan wicket-taker, finishing with figures of 3-101.
England added nine runs to their overnight score before Sajid struck in the fourth over of the morning, Brydon Carse caught at long-on for four.
In his next over, Sajid bowled Matthew Potts, who made six, off a sharply turning delivery.
Noman took his 50th Test wicket when he removed Smith, caught at mid-off by Ayub for 21.
Last pair Bashir and Jack Leach hung around to add 29 before Sajid had Bashir caught at short mid-wicket for nine to end the innings.
Leach was 25 not out having hit three fours.
England lead the three-match series 1-0 following their innings and 47 run victory in the first Test.


Djokovic praises Saudi Arabia’s ‘love affair’ with tennis

Djokovic praises Saudi Arabia’s ‘love affair’ with tennis
Updated 17 October 2024
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Djokovic praises Saudi Arabia’s ‘love affair’ with tennis

Djokovic praises Saudi Arabia’s ‘love affair’ with tennis
  • 24-time Grand Slam winner sees bright future for sport in the region
  • Star speaks to Arab News at Six Kings Slam now underway in Riyadh

RIYADH: Novak Djokovic believes Saudi Arabia’s “love affair” with tennis has the potential to grow the game in the region and globally.

Speaking with Arab News during the Six Kings Slam event currently underway in Riyadh, the 24-time Grand Slam winner reflected on how this type of tournament could inspire the next generation of players.

“We hope to attract attention from the younger audience ... so kids get inspired to grab a tennis racket and start playing,” he said during the Riyadh Season event which started on Wednesday and ends on Oct. 19.

The event is a part of Saudi Arabia’s larger ambition, under its Vision 2030 initiative, to become a key player in the global sports world, having already hosted high-profile events in football, Formula 1, boxing and mixed martial arts.

Djokovic underscored the importance of live events in creating a lasting impact, especially in regions where tennis is still emerging.

The Six Kings Slam also features Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, but for Djokovic it is more than just playing matches.

Djokovic views this as a critical moment, where top athletes like himself play a role in building a foundation for tennis in the Middle East. “The Kingdom is hosting some of the greatest sporting events in recent years, and tennis is part of that rise,” he said.

With legends including Nadal nearing the end of their careers and Roger Federer already retired, tennis is in the midst of a generational transition. As one of the sport’s enduring stars, Djokovic sees this as a pivotal period for the next wave of talent.

“The younger players like (20-year-old) Alcaraz and Sinner are already forming exciting rivalries.”

However, Djokovic is not stepping aside just yet. “I’m still fighting to be in the mix,” he added, acknowledging the fierce competition from the likes of Medvedev, Rune, and others.

He said these younger players bring skill and dynamic personalities that keep fans engaged. “The sport needs characters off the court, too,” he emphasized.

The Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, offering record-breaking prize money of $6 million for the winner, represents Saudi Arabia’s bold attempt to further embed itself into the global sports conversation.

Yet for Djokovic, the real victory lies in the sport’s long-term growth. “Tennis is bigger than any one player or generation. It’s about inspiring the next,” he said.

He added: “We all are ambassadors of this sport and we all are in love with this sport that is bigger than anybody. So, you know, of course we want to see it grow. We want to see it develop.

“And, you know, the Kingdom is in love with tennis, having a little love affair. I mean, last year, I played with Alcaraz here in Riyadh for the Riyadh Season. And now we have the Six Kings Slam, which is very promising.”

 


Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions

Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions
Updated 17 October 2024
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Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions

Gulf Giants crowned DP World ILT20 champions
  • Shival Bawa’s unbeaten 63 steers team to a six-wicket victory against the ILT20 Pearls

DUBAI: The Gulf Giants were crowned champions of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2024 on Wednesday following a six-wicket victory against the ILT20 Pearls at ICC Academy Oval 1.

The Giants’ run chase was buoyed by Shival Bawa’s dazzling half-century and vital contributions from Vriitya Arvind, Hameed Khan and Muhammad Saghir Khan. 

Yassir Kaleem’s half century helped the Pearls post 185/5 earlier in the day, with Rohan Mustafa also registering a comprehensive performance with bat and ball for the Pearls that went in vain. 

Notably, the competition offers UAE players a chance to earn one of 12 coveted berths in the six DP World ILT20 Season 3 squads, with the all-important draft set for October 23.

The Giants’ run chase faltered to 20/2 with Mustafa picking up the wickets of Muhammad Irfan and Samal Udawantha. Giants’ captain Arvind was joined by Bawa as the pair notched up an essential partnership of 80 runs.

While Arvind was scalped by Uzair Khan for 34 runs, Bawa remained unbeaten to steer the Giants home with 63 runs to his name. His 48-ball knock comprised five fours and three sixes.

Hameed Khan also contributed a swift knock of 27 runs in 13 balls before he was castled by Mustafa in the 16th over. Bawa was then aided by Muhammad Saghir Khan’s high-impact innings of 33 runs in 11 balls, as the Giants chased down the target in 19 overs. 

Earlier in the day, the ILT20 Pearls had an explosive opening push, with Alishan Sharafu’s rapid-fire knock of 35 runs in 15 balls, including four sixes and two fours. At the other end, Mustafa played the anchor’s role with 33 runs in 37 balls. The opening pair had put on 54 runs before Sharafu was dismissed by Irfan in the fifth over. Irfan would also account for Asif Khan, who only managed one run.

Kaleem remained unbeaten to emerge as the top scorer for the Pearls, smashing seven sixes on his way to 72 runs in 45 deliveries. 

Meanwhile, Aayan Azfal Khan picked up the wickets of Mustafa and Uzair Khan in the 14th over. Kamran Atta was the next man to depart as Muhammad Zuhaib’s sole wicket of the night. 

Shahrukh Ahmed joined Kaleem to script the finish for the Pearls with a cavalier knock of 24 runs in only 15 balls. The Pearls finished the innings at 185/5 in 20 overs. 

With the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2024 completing a second edition, it continues to highlight some of the emerging talent from around the region. Raees Ahmed finished as the top scorer of the tournament, amassing 307 runs for the ILT20 Thunderbolts while Uzair Khan emerged as the leading wicket taker with 16 scalps for the Pearls.