Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona
While the entire Barcelona team improved under new coach Hansi Flick, no player has made such a leap forward this season as Raphinha. (AP)
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Updated 08 November 2024
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Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

BARCELONA: Raphinha knew he would have a hard time getting off Barcelona’s bench with the soccer world enthralled by teen phenom Lamine Yamal and the club eyeing to sign another hot prospect in the attack.

Instead of pouting, he evolved.

While the entire Barcelona team improved under new coach Hansi Flick, no player has made such a leap forward this season as Raphinha.

His 12 goals and team-leading 10 assists across all competitions are a big part of why Barcelona is playing its best soccer since the exit of Lionel Messi more than three years ago.

But if one player looked to be on the out when the season started, it was the Brazil forward.

Raphinha seemed destined to become a second-choice right-side winger after 17-year-old Yamal helped Spain win the European Championship in dazzling style. To make matters worse, the club was heavily linked to a possible transfer bid to pry Spain left-side winger Nico Williams away from Athletic Bilbao.

That move never materialized for Williams, but Raphinha was still left with either playing in a new position or being a backup to Yamal.

And when Flick gave him the chance to have a new role, he made the most of it.


Felix Auger-Aliassime survives feisty affair against Bublik to reach Dubai second round

Felix Auger-Aliassime survives feisty affair against Bublik to reach Dubai second round
Updated 16 sec ago
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Felix Auger-Aliassime survives feisty affair against Bublik to reach Dubai second round

Felix Auger-Aliassime survives feisty affair against Bublik to reach Dubai second round
  • Canadian picks up a tour-leading 13th victory of the season

DUBAI: Underarm serves, a questionable VAR call, fiery competition, and a rowdy crowd: Felix Auger-Aliassime’s 7-6 (7), 6-7 (4), 6-3 win over Alexander Bublik in the Dubai first round on Tuesday certainly had it all.

Auger-Aliassime needed two hours and 49 minutes and four match points to overcome the unpredictable Bublik, who was a finalist in Dubai last year and is renowned for his trick shots and unorthodox playing style.

The opening-set tiebreak was particularly contentious between the pair as Auger-Aliassime requested video replay on a point that was awarded to Bublik. The Kazakhstani had hit an overhead which Auger-Aliassime attempted to reach but claimed he was hindered by the ball boy, who was in his way.

“So if you hit the fence, is it replay?” questioned Bublik from the other side of the net.

Chair umpire Miriam Bley sided with Auger-Aliassime and decided the point should be replayed.

Bublik was not happy with the call but play resumed. It was 6-6 in the breaker and Bublik was on his second serve. Instead of taking a safe route at such a crucial stage in the match, Bublik hit a sneaky underarm serve, which caught Auger-Aliassime by surprise and went unreturned, awarding Bublik a set point.

Bublik gestured to the crowd to get louder, feeling vindicated after the VAR call.

But his triumph was short-lived as he soon double-faulted to gift Auger-Aliassime the set.

It was the Canadian’s turn to rally the crowd behind him, as he mocked Bublik’s celebration from earlier and pointed to his ear with a smirk on his face.

The match ultimately went the way of Auger-Aliassime, who now owns a tour-leading 13 victories so far this season, alongside Alex de Minaur and Jiri Lehecka.

“It was a good match. I think entertaining for the crowd, for both players. And some good tennis as well. Some crazy shots on both sides during the match. So, yeah, high quality,” Auger-Aliassime told Arab News after the win.

The Canadian, who will next face Portugal’s Nuno Borges in round two, improved his head-to-head against Bublik to 3-2 overall and despite being familiar with his opponent’s antics, Auger-Aliassime admits he was taken by surprise a few times during the clash.

“Well, it’s not common, so you forget. And then I got caught a few times,” said Auger-Aliassime.

“And then I was like, ‘alright, this is the last time I get caught. So, I need to stay on my toes and be ready.’ That’s the challenge with him. It’s different. But I welcome and accept every challenge. And it’s good things, you know.”

Auger-Aliassime is enjoying a strong start to 2025, having already lifted two trophies in Adelaide and Montpellier in these opening few weeks of the season.

Dubai is not a typical stop on his calendar but with Doha getting upgraded to the ATP 500 level, Auger-Aliassime said playing back-to-back 500s in the Gulf made for a convenient schedule.

The 24-year-old credits the hard work he has been putting in with his team for his form this season, and is thrilled to see it finally paying off.

Highly-touted from his teen years, Auger-Aliassime had a breakout campaign in 2022, where he peaked at No.6 in the world rankings.

The Canadian entered the scene at a time where the legendary trio of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were still around and he has played each of them at least once.

Now, Auger-Aliassime has to contend with a different dominant force in the shape of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who are both younger than him, and have been winning the majority of the big events on tour.

He explains the challenge he is currently up against in the men’s game.

“It’s different. Rafa, Roger, Novak were idols of mine growing up. These guys, I have a ton of respect for them and they’re unbelievable players, but they’re not my idols in a way,” he said, referring to Sinner and Alcaraz.

“They’re my rivals, my competitors, and they’re good guys too. So it’s good for the sport. That being said, I feel like obviously 18, 19, 20, I was in that group. You know, 22, six in the world and then had some difficulties.

“But it’s been interesting. It’s been interesting. I would have loved to keep on climbing the rankings, keep winning big tournaments. But I feel like as a person, these last two years taught me a lot, gave me a lot of important lessons that hopefully are going to serve me now in this next part of my career and in my future life as well.”


Pakistan bemoans ‘death of cricket’ after Champions Trophy flop

Pakistan bemoans ‘death of cricket’ after Champions Trophy flop
Updated 25 February 2025
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Pakistan bemoans ‘death of cricket’ after Champions Trophy flop

Pakistan bemoans ‘death of cricket’ after Champions Trophy flop
  • Former skipper Wasim Akram says it’s time for a major shake-up, strengthening of domestic cricket
  • Critics also blame frequent changes to the cricket board, low-quality pitches the current situation

KARACHI: Gloom and demands for wholesale change engulfed cricket-crazy Pakistan on Tuesday after the hosts crashed out of the Champions Trophy in the group stage, barely a week into celebrating the return of a major tournament.
The title-holders lost their opening game to New Zealand by 60 runs in Karachi last week before Sunday’s six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India pushed them to the brink of an early exit.
Pakistan needed Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to keep their slim hopes of a place in the semifinals alive, but the result went the other way.
Thursday’s match with Bangladesh in Rawalpindi has been reduced to a dead-rubber.
“We have been backing these players for the last few years but they are not learning nor improving,” former captain Wasim Akram told AFP.
“It is time for a major shake-up. We need to improve our system of domestic cricket so that we can produce quality cricketers, not ordinary ones.”
A lack of competitiveness in domestic cricket and low-quality pitches have been blamed for not preparing players for the international stage.
The sport in Pakistan is also held back by frequent changes to the cricket board, coaching teams and selection panels, critics say.
Such changes are driven by politics and not merit, according to observers.
“I feel very despondent with the state of Pakistan cricket,” former captain Rashid Latif told AFP.

Cricket fans watch a live broadcast of the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and Pakistan in Dubai, on a big in Karachi on February 23, 2025. (AFP)

“We have to follow merit and bring in professionals in the administration of the game and not people on a political basis.
“Frequent changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board, selection committee and captains have failed us in forming a proper set-up and team.”
The early elimination stings for a country that had relished hosting its first major cricket tournament in 29 years, after significant improvements in security.
“We were thrilled that an international event had finally returned to our country, but the joy was short-lived,” said 26-year-old Umar Siraj, a pharmacist in Rawalpindi.
“The hardest part of being a Pakistan fan is that you end up praying for other teams to lose,” he chuckled. “It’s painful. I’m gutted.”
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy flop is nothing new. They also crashed out of the 2023 ODI World Cup in the first round in India.
It was followed by their exit at the same stage in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies last year — a tournament won by neighbors India.
Pakistan last month finished ninth and last in the World Test Championship after drawing a home series with the West Indies.
The latest debacle, and on home soil, represents a new low.
“It is disappointing that they didn’t even put up a fight,” said Naseem Satti, a 46-year-old government servant.
“We have no quality bowlers, no reliable batters and it seems cricket is dead in Pakistan.”
Asma Batool, a 52-year-old housewife, underlined just what cricket means to people in Pakistan.
“Cricket is the only source of entertainment for our youth,” she said.
“Our nation finds solace in this game.”


Major winner McDowell leads LIV Golf line-up for International Series Macau

Major winner McDowell leads LIV Golf line-up for International Series Macau
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland during the 2024 International Series Macau. (Graham Uden/Asian Tour)
Updated 25 February 2025
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Major winner McDowell leads LIV Golf line-up for International Series Macau

Major winner McDowell leads LIV Golf line-up for International Series Macau
  • Asian Tour event is at Macau Golf and Country Club from March 20-23

MACAU: The field for the International Series Macau presented by Wynn has been further strengthened with 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell confirmed for the tournament alongside several LIV Golf League stablemates.

The former Ryder Cup star will be joined by his Smash GC team-mate Jason Kokrak of America, as well as Indian star Anirban Lahiri, the Crushers GC player and seven-time winner on the Asian Tour, for the second of 10 elevated events on the schedule, which takes place at Macau Golf and Country Club from March 20-23.

The event forms part of the Open Qualifying Series, with the top three finishers securing a place in the field for this year’s fourth major at Royal Portrush. That news has enticed several up-and-coming youngsters from LIV Golf, with American Caleb Surratt, the Legion XIII player entering alongside Frederik Kjettrup, the Dane who signed for Cleeks GC after winning three times in his first season as a pro on the PGA Tour Americas.

American Peter Uihlein, the Range Goats GC star who won twice on the International Series last season, in England and Qatar, is also in the field as are Australian player Lucas Herbert, who finished third in Macau last year, and his Ripper GC team-mate Matt Jones.

LIV Golf wildcard Anthony Kim, the former Ryder Cup player, has also entered alongside Sam Horsfield of Majesticks GC, Branden Grace of Stinger GC and Torque GC’s Sebastian Munoz, further strengthening a field that already features two major champions, Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed of 4Aces GC, and defending champion John Catlin.

Rahul Singh, head of the International Series said: “With this year’s edition of International Series Macau presented by Wynn being confirmed as a qualifying event for The Open, we have taken things to the next level. The addition of this world-class talent demonstrates the appeal of our series, and the opportunity that it is offering to players.

“The International Series continues to offer a world-class stage for top players to compete at the highest level, and the presence of so many LIV golfers, and its status as a qualifier for The Open, highlights the growing significance of these tournaments.”


Tsitsipas targeting third Dubai final after beating Sonego

Tsitsipas targeting third Dubai final after beating Sonego
Updated 25 February 2025
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Tsitsipas targeting third Dubai final after beating Sonego

Tsitsipas targeting third Dubai final after beating Sonego
  • Greece star Stefanos Tsitsipas at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for first time since losing to Novak Djokovic in 2020 final and faces Karen Khachanov in round 2
  • Young Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard overpowers Zhizhen Zhang with display of force from the service line, including a 235 kph second serve during second-set tiebreak

DUBAI: After a five-year absence from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Greece star Stefanos Tsitsipas returned with a straight-sets victory on Monday, defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(4), 6-3 to advance to the second round.

The world No. 11 has enjoyed relative success at the emirate’s ATP 500 event in the past, having twice reached the final, in 2019 and 2020, only to lose to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

This year, returning as the No. 4 seed and back playing on the familiar hard blue Centre Court at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Tsitsipas looked comfortable, navigating a tight opening set before asserting control in the second.

Having broken Sonego midway through the first set, Tsitsipas immediately let his opponent level for 4-4 when he failed to hold serve.

And as both players held for the remainder of the set it was the two-time Grand Slam finalist who found himself staring at a 3-0 deficit early in the tiebreaker.

Yet he rallied and managed to turn it around through a series of aggressive returns. “It was not an easy first-round match,” said Tsitsipas, who saw his head-to-head record against the Italian improve to 4-0.

“There were a few troubles in the tiebreaker, but it was great towards the end. I felt I was in a bit of trouble at the end of the first set, but I came up with some good returns.

“And I think my attacking game redeemed myself in that moment. I was not backing down and that was something I was genuinely pleased with. I’m happy with how things turned out.

“The second set felt like the better set. I just went for my shots and they worked. It was a high-paced match. Against players like Lorenzo, you can’t blink because they can come up with all kinds of shots and can be dangerous in those moments.

“My return games were very important today in terms of coming up with solutions when I needed them the most.”

Tsitsipas will face unseeded Karen Khachanov next, a player he knows well having faced him nine times on Tour, and having trained together occasionally in Dubai during the off-season.

Khachanov, a resident of Dubai since 2016, will be hoping to improve his 1-8 head-to-head record when the two meet on Wednesday.

He defeated British wildcard Dan Evans 6-1, 6-3 to snap a three-match losing streak and claim a maiden win against the Dubai 2020 semifinalist, having lost all five previous meetings.

“From the beginning, I was playing at a really great level. I haven’t beaten him before — we always had tough matches — so I was really, really looking to get this first win,” said Khachanov.

He added that he would approach his second-round match with Tsitsipas with confidence. “I’m always, let’s say, believing in myself; I’m always going out there to fight.”

In the late match, France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard overcame China’s Zhizhen Zhang in straight sets, although he faced set points in the second and required a tiebreaker to close out the win.

Ranked No. 29 in the world, the 21-year-old provided an exciting showcase of his increasingly fearsome power, including a huge 235 kph second-serve during the tiebreaker.

“I felt confident,” said Mpetshi Perricard. “It was a tough first match, but I did a good tiebreaker and am very happy to get the win. I hope to play like this in the second round.”

Next up for the Frenchman will likely be top seed and world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, who faces unseeded Jan-Lennard Struff on Tuesday.

Medvedev is also no stranger to a powerful serve so — save for a shock upset by Germany’s Struff — Wednesday could provide fans with an engrossing showcase of sheer power from the service line.

Earlier in the day, Arab wildcards Hady Habib of Lebanon and Azi Dougaz from Tunisia, were both in action.

Habib, who represented his country at the Paris Olympics Games, faced world No. 27 Alexei Popyrin of Australia on Centre Court, losing 6-2, 6-4; while Dougaz lost 6-3, 6-3 to Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.


‘Complete overhaul’: What went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

‘Complete overhaul’: What went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
Updated 25 February 2025
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‘Complete overhaul’: What went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

‘Complete overhaul’: What went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
  • Pakistan was plagued with injuries to destructive openers Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub 
  • Cricket analysts say Pakistan played cautious and outdated cricket in tournament 

KARACHI: Title-holders and hosts Pakistan crashed out in the group phase of the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and arch-rivals India.
They still have a match to play, against Bangladesh on Thursday, but their tournament is over — a disappointing end to their first hosting of a major international cricket event in three decades.
AFP Sport looks at where it all went wrong for Mohammad Rizwan’s men in the 50-over tournament:

- Uncertain build-up -
Rizwan was appointed white-ball skipper in October last year and led Pakistan to an impressive 2-1 ODI win over world champions Australia — their first series victory in 22 years in the country.
They also won in Zimbabwe and inflicted on South Africa their first home whitewash, with a 3-0 scoreline.
But fast-rising opener Saim Ayub injured his ankle during a subsequent Test in South Africa.
Pakistan delayed the announcement of their Champions Trophy squad until the deadline to wait on Ayub’s fitness but the left-hander failed to recover.
To add to the home team’s woes, fellow opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after the first match — a 60-run defeat to New Zealand — with a muscle injury.
Pakistan’s much-vaunted pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf — rested from the Test series to keep them fresh — looked rusty and failed to control the death overs.

- Poor squad selection -
Pakistan selectors resisted calls from former players and pundits to include a second spinner in the 15-man squad and instead chose only one in Abrar Ahmed.
They relied on part-time spinners Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah, who have managed just one wicket between them in two matches.
Pakistan also erred by not selecting a regular opener and took the risky step of promoting out-of-form Babar Azam to partner Zaman.
When Zaman was ruled out they brought in Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement. He made just 10 as Pakistan were crushed by title favorites India by six wickets.
In a surprise move they included in the squad all-rounders Khushdil and Faheem Ashraf on the basis of their performances in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 league.
Ashraf had not played an ODI for two years and Khushdil for three.
Former Pakistan captain and television pundit Rashid Latif called it a “political selection,” blaming outside influence

- Old-style cricket -
Former Pakistan captain and popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi accused Pakistan of playing outdated cricket.
“In 2025 Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style,” he told AFP.
“The ailment of playing too many dot balls also hurt our game.”
Pakistan played 152 dot balls against India in scoring 241 in 49.4 overs, including a record 28 balls with no scores in the first six overs.
Their total of 260 in 47.2 overs in the defeat to New Zealand had 162 dot balls.
“The mindset of Pakistan players does not match with modern-day cricket,” said Afridi.
“We need a complete overhaul of the system so that we can produce players with an aggressive mindset.”