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Final eight singles lineup confirmed for WTA Finals in Riyadh

Final eight singles lineup confirmed for WTA Finals in Riyadh
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Updated 24 October 2024
Arab News
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Final eight singles lineup confirmed for WTA Finals in Riyadh

Final eight singles lineup confirmed for WTA Finals in Riyadh
  • Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova secure last two singles spots
  • The WTA Finals will take place at King Saud University from Nov. 2-9, featuring the world’s top eight singles players and doubles pairings
Updated 24 October 2024
Arab News
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RIYADH: The singles lineup for the Women’s Tennis Association Finals, set to take place at King Saud University from Nov. 2-9, has been announced.

Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova secured the last two singles spots to join an elite group of stars.

This year’s WTA Finals will see the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams compete in a round-robin format. The singles champion will lift the Billie Jean King Trophy, while the doubles champions will earn the Martina Navratilova Trophy.

Here is a first look at the eight qualifying singles players for this year’s WTA Finals Riyadh:

Aryna Sabalenka

2024 record (Win-Loss): 54-12

2024 titles: 4 (Australian Open, Cincinnati, US Open, Wuhan)

Previous WTA Finals appearances: 3

Best WTA Finals result: 2022 runner-up

Sabalenka has been a dominant force this season, starting with a victory at the Australian Open. She comes to Riyadh in strong form having taken three titles from her last four tournaments, including a Grand Slam — the US Open — and two WTA 1000s. Leading the PIF singles race, she is poised to finish as the year-end World No.1, a position she narrowly missed out on last year.

Iga Swiatek (Poland)

2024 record (Win-Loss): 54-7

2024 titles: 5 (Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros)

Previous WTA Finals appearances: 3

Best WTA Finals result: 2023 winner

Swiatek began the year in explosive form, clinching five titles that included her fourth French Open. Despite a dip in performance and a coaching change she remains a formidable contender, having previously reclaimed the No.1 ranking.

Coco Gauff (USA)

2024 record (Win-Loss): 48-15

2024 titles: 2 (Auckland, Beijing)

Previous WTA Finals appearances: 2

Best WTA Finals result: 2023 semifinals

Making her third appearance at the year-end championships, Gauff is the youngest competitor in this year’s finals. She reached the semifinals at Roland Garros and finished strong, winning 12 of her last 14 matches, including a perfect run at the China Open.

Jasmine Paolini (Italy)

2024 record (Win-Loss): 37-17

2024 titles: 1 (Dubai)

Previous WTA Finals appearances: 0 (Debut appearance)

Paolini made remarkable progress this season, climbing from a year-end ranking of No.30 to No.6. Her breakthrough came with a WTA 1000 title in Dubai, and she achieved the rare feat of reaching finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)

2024 record (Win-Loss): 41-9

2024 titles: 3 (Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, Stuttgart)

Previous WTA Finals appearances: 1

Best WTA Finals result: Went 1-2 in group play

Rybakina’s season was marked by highs and lows due to illness and injury. Despite early successes with victories in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi and Stuttgart, her post-Wimbledon performance was limited. However, she remains a key player with notable achievements earlier in the year.

Jessica Pegula (USA)

2024 record (Win-Loss): 38-13

2024 titles: 2 (Berlin, Toronto)

Previous WTA Finals appearances: 2

Best WTA Finals result: 2023 final

Pegula’s late-summer surge included a win at the National Bank Open and finals appearances in Cincinnati and the US Open. Her impressive run secured her third consecutive WTA Finals berth.

Zheng Qinwen (China)

2024 record (Win-Loss): 37-16

2024 titles: 2 (Palermo, Olympics)

Previous WTA Finals appearances: 0 (Debut appearance)

Zheng’s Olympic gold in Paris was a career-defining moment. Her recent performances, including a strong showing at the US Open, have solidified her status as a rising star, matching her career-high ranking of No.7 as she makes her debut appearance at the WTA Finals.

Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic)

2024 record (Win-Loss): 15-12

2024 titles: 1 (Wimbledon)

WTA Finals appearances: 1

Best WTA Finals result: Went 0-3 in group play

Despite challenges with injury and illness in 2024, Krejcikova triumphed at Wimbledon, defeating four Top 15 players to claim the second major title of her career. Qualifying under a new rule for major winners finishing in the Top 20, she returns to the WTA Finals with renewed vigor.

Topics: tennis WTA Riyadh

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Pakistan to face India in cricket showpiece event in Dubai

Pakistan to face India in cricket showpiece event in Dubai
Updated 29 sec ago
AP
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Pakistan to face India in cricket showpiece event in Dubai

Pakistan to face India in cricket showpiece event in Dubai
  • The tournament begins in Karachi on Feb. 19 when Pakistan takes on New Zealand
Updated 29 sec ago
AP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on arch-rival India in the marquee group game of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai on Feb. 23 after the ICC finally announced the schedule for the cricket showpiece event on Tuesday.

India have refused to travel to Pakistan over security concerns and that forced the ICC to delay its announcement for more than a month.

Pakistan are to host a minimum of 10 games in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore. India are to play their three Group A matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai. If India qualify for the semifinals and the final, those games will also be staged in Dubai.

“The ICC is delighted to release the schedule … marking the tournament’s much-anticipated first return since 2017,” ICC chair Jay Shah said in a statement. “The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment.

“This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity.”

Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa will play all their Group B games in Pakistan.

Defending champions Pakistan are hosting their first global cricket event since 1996.

After long deliberations between the ICC Board members, the game’s governing body has also agreed that Pakistan will not play in India in the 2024-27 cycle.

It is a tit-for-tat response to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

That means Pakistan will go to a neutral venue when India host the 2025 women’s World Cup and co-host the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka.

As compensation for not hosting India at the Champions Trophy, the ICC awarded the 2028 women’s T20 World Cup to Pakistan.

“We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.”

Naqvi said that hosting the Champions Trophy “is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organizer. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials and fans alike.”

The tournament begins in Karachi on Feb. 19 when Pakistan takes on New Zealand.

Topics: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Champions Trophy 2025 India-Pakistan

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Multan to host back-to-back cricket Tests between Pakistan and West Indies next month

Multan to host back-to-back cricket Tests between Pakistan and West Indies next month
Updated 24 December 2024
AP
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Multan to host back-to-back cricket Tests between Pakistan and West Indies next month

Multan to host back-to-back cricket Tests between Pakistan and West Indies next month
  • Multan has been the only option for Pakistan to host matches, with stadiums in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi being upgraded for Champions Trophy
  • It will be West Indies’ first Test series in Pakistan for more than 18 years, although both nations played a Test series in the United Arab Emirates
Updated 24 December 2024
AP

ISLAMABAD: Multan will host back-to-back Tests when Pakistan plays the West Indies next month, the domestic cricket board said on Tuesday.
With stadiums in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi being upgraded for February’s Champions Trophy, it has left the Pakistan Cricket Board with Multan as the only option to host the two-Test series against the West Indies.
England also played back-to-back Tests in Multan in October because of the renovation work in Karachi and Lahore.
The West Indies squad arrives on Jan. 6 and will play a three-day warm-up game in Rawalpindi against Pakistan Shaheens. The first Test is held from Jan. 17-21 and the second starts on Jan. 25.
It will be West Indies’ first Test series in Pakistan for more than 18 years, although both nations played a Test series in the United Arab Emirates in 2016 when UAE was Pakistan’s home venue.
West Indies named uncapped batter Amir Jangoo in its 15-strong squad after he smashed a century on his ODI debut against Bangladesh earlier this month.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie returns to the fold after missing the two Tests against Bangladesh last month because he was playing in the inaugural Global Super League.
Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican are the other spin options in the squad.
West Indies is without fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who is suffering from shin splints. Alzarri Joseph is also unavailable because of his commitments with International League T20 in the UAE.
“Motie rejoins the squad to bolster the spin attack, while Jangoo’s selection comes on the back of his consistency across formats in regional cricket, as well as his demonstrated high level of competency against spin bowling,” head coach Andre Coley said.
The series is part of the World Test Championship. Pakistan is seventh in the standings while rock-bottom West Indies is ninth.
West Indies squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican.

Topics: Multan cricket stadium Pakistan cricket Pakistan vs West Indies

South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan

South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan
Updated 24 December 2024
AFP
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South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan

South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan
  • The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches
  • Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but they will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win
Updated 24 December 2024
AFP

CENTURION: South African captain Temba Bavuma on Tuesday announced an all-pace attack for the first Test against Pakistan starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday.
The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches.
“We back our seamers at Centurion,” Bavuma said at his pre-match press conference.
Fast bowler Corbin Bosch will make his debut for a team missing several leading pace bowlers because of injury. He plays for the Titans provincial team whose home ground is at Centurion.
Bosch, 30, is the son of the late Tertius Bosch, who played in South Africa’s first post-isolation Test, against the West Indies in Barbados in 1992.
“He will be playing at the venue where he has made a name for himself in the provincial set-up,” said Bavuma. “He adds that element of extra pace. He’s a big, strong guy who hits the deck hard and he offers a role with the bat as well.”
Bosch bowled at more than 140kmh (87mph) when he made his one-day international debut against Pakistan in Johannesburg on Sunday and hit 40 not out as a lower-order batsman.
Bavuma said his players were aware of the significance of being on the verge of reaching the world championship final.
“We know what’s at stake. There’s confidence and belief because of the good cricket we have played over the last while. Nothing has happened by accident.”
South Africa’s progress in the Test championship final has come despite Cricket South Africa’s deliberate downgrading of Test cricket to accommodate a high-profile Twenty20 franchise series.
South Africa’s schedule of 12 Tests — all in two-match series — is the joint lowest with Bangladesh in the championship cycle. England have played 22 matches, while Australia and India will have played 19 each when they complete their fixtures.
The system of average points has propelled South Africa to the top of the table despite virtually forfeiting a series in New Zealand when coach Shukri Conrad was prevented from selecting any players contracted to the SA20 league.
South Africa did not play against Australia or England and their only series against one of the “big three” Test nations was a tied one against India.
Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win. Seven of the Pakistan squad and eight of the South African Test team players were involved in the one-day games.
Teams:
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

Topics: Pakistan vs South Africa

ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai

ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai
Updated 24 December 2024
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ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai

ICC Champions Trophy schedule announced, matches split between Pakistan and Dubai
  • The tournament is set to begin on 19 February in Karachi, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand
  • ICC says Lahore will host the final match of the cricket contest on 9 March, unless India qualify
Updated 24 December 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday unveiled the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches hosted across Pakistan and Dubai in a hybrid model.
The tournament’s structure follows a compromise decision after India refused to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns. Exercising its rights as the host nation, Pakistan designated Dubai as the neutral venue for India’s matches, ensuring all teams’ participation.
“The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixtures and groupings have been announced by the ICC ... with the tournament set to begin on 19 February in Karachi with the final on 9 March,” the global governing body of cricket announced in a statement on its website.
“The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches, and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai,” it added. “Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semifinals and the final will have reserve days.”


In Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host three group-stage games each. Lahore is also set to host the second semifinal.
Meanwhile, Dubai will host all three of India’s group matches and the first semifinal, should India qualify.
The tournament opener on February 19 will feature Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.
This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy and its return after an eight-year hiatus, the last tournament having taken place in England in 2017. The event will feature the top eight teams in world cricket competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
The hybrid model, while a logistical challenge, aims to strike a balance between accommodating geopolitical realities and ensuring the integrity of the tournament, which cricket fans worldwide await.

Topics: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Champions Trophy 2025

West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6

West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6
Updated 24 December 2024
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West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6

West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6
  • West Indies to play two Test matches against Pakistan in Multan from Jan. 17-29, says PCB 
  • West Indies last toured Pakistan for a Test series in November 2006 for three-match series
Updated 24 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The West Indian national men’s cricket team will arrive for their first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday, during which they will play two Test matches. 

The last time the West Indies played a Test series on Pakistani soil was in November 2006, when they played three Tests. Their last Test away Test series against Pakistan was in the UAE in October 2016, which was selected as Pakistan’s home venue for cricket series after 2009 when a militant attack in Lahore scared away international cricket teams from touring the country. 

The former two-time ODI World Cup champions have, however, thrice toured Pakistan since April 2018— one for an ODI series in June 2022 and twice for a bilateral T20I series in April 2018 and December 2021. 

“The West Indies cricket team will arrive in Islamabad on 6 January and after playing a three-day match against Pakistan Shaheens from 10-12 January at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, they will take on Pakistan in back-to-back Tests in Multan,” the PCB said. “The first Test will be played from 17-21 January, while the second Test will be held from 25-29 January.”

International cricket teams refused to play cricket in Pakistan for years after militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in Lahore in 2009, wounding six players and killing two civilians and six security officials.

International cricket and its stars, however, slowly returned to playing in the country as the security situation in Pakistan gradually improved. The South Asian country is gearing up to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from February to March next year. 

This will be the first time that Pakistan will be hosting an ICC tournament on its home soil since 1996 when it co-hosted the ICC ODI World Cup won by Sri Lanka. 

Topics: Multan Stadium West Indies tour Pakistan Cricket

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