Waheed’s heroics not enough as Saudi Arabia lose to Bahrain

Special Waheed’s heroics not enough as Saudi Arabia lose to Bahrain
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Abdul Waheed’s century proved in vain as Saudi Arabia lost to Bahrain in their first match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B in Doha, Qatar. (AN Photo/Subas Humagain)
Special Waheed’s heroics not enough as Saudi Arabia lose to Bahrain
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Abdul Waheed’s century proved in vain as Saudi Arabia lost to Bahrain in their first match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B in Doha, Qatar. (AN Photo/Subas Humagain)
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Updated 20 November 2024
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Waheed’s heroics not enough as Saudi Arabia lose to Bahrain

Waheed’s heroics not enough as Saudi Arabia lose to Bahrain
  • Opener Abdul Waheed scores a century but Kingdom defeated in Qatar
  • Waheed is confident that the team are capable of turning the tables in their upcoming matches

RIYADH: Opener Abdul Waheed went through a bittersweet experience as his maiden T20I century proved in vain as Saudi Arabia lost to Bahrain in their first match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday.

Waheed, who almost single-handedly led Saudi Arabia’s chase of 189 runs, was caught out on the last ball as the Kingdom ended three runs short of Bahrain’s total. Saudi Arabia ended on 185-9 in reply to Bahrain’s 188-5 in 20 overs.

Saudi Arabia needed 11 runs to win off Bahrain player Imran Anwar’s last over, with Waheed off the strike. Usman Najeeb ran a bye to give the talisman his chance. Waheed then ran a couple on the second ball. Anwar then bowled two dots in the next two balls as Waheed felt the pressure.

With eight required off the last two balls, Waheed scored a boundary on the penultimate ball. But his shot on the final ball failed to beat the fielder and Saudi ended up losing the match. Anwar, under pressure, bowled a full toss that Waheed clobbered toward the long-off region but it failed to clear the boundary.

Waheed’s innings ended on 110 runs, which included eight fours and seven sixes. After being dismissed for 99 earlier in February against Cambodia, Waheed finally reached his ton, despite his side failing to register victory.

Saudi had earlier invited Bahrain to bat first at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium. Skipper Haider Ali stood tall for Bahrain as he hammered 67 not out off 51 balls to take the team to 188-5, hitting six fours and two maximums in the process.

Imran Anwar set the tone for the team with 53 off 35 balls, which included two fours and four sixes. Haider and Anwar shared a 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 66 balls. Ishtiaq Ahmad and Usman Najeeb took two wickets each for Saudi Arabia.

Chasing an impressive total, Saudi Arabia kept losing wickets at regular intervals, but Waheed maintained the pace until the end. Vice captain Abdul Manan Ali was the next main contributor with 25 runs off 19 balls.

Manan Ali and Waheed put on 61 runs for the fourth wicket, but Waheed kept running out of partners. Ali Dawood, Imran Khan, and Imran Anwar took two wickets each for Bahrain, with Anwar taking the prized wickets of Manan Ali and Waheed.

Waheed, speaking to Arab News after the match, was disappointed not to have crossed the finish line but was not too downhearted.

He said: “I had the self-belief that if I could take the match to the end, we could win.

“Even though there was no strong support from the other end apart from Manan, I knew the chase was possible. I saw the scoreboard when we needed around 40 runs and knew one big over would bring the match to our side. We got 16 runs from the 18th over, and I completed my century too.

“I know 18 runs in the last two overs were possible, but it’s unfortunate we couldn’t do it. There were some difficult balls to play, but we didn’t execute our plans there.

“The first four balls in the last over were really good. After I hit a four on the fifth ball, there was a belief I could hit the last one too.

“The last ball was the easiest of the match, and I hit it well too. (It was) bad luck — the wind was against the play, and the long-on fielder held on to the catch.”

Waheed believes there were lessons to be learned, not just for him but the whole squad after five new players featured within their ranks.

He added: “I took the match to the end expecting to finish, but the support was not there.

“If I am in a similar situation next time, I will try to finish it two or three balls earlier so there’s less pressure. Other players in the team also understood how important it is to support a set batter in the middle.”

Waheed said he was too focused on the game to celebrate his milestone, adding: “I was just looking at the per-over economy rather than enjoying the century.

“Individual scores don’t mean anything if the team doesn’t win. I would swap it if it meant the team would win. Yes, a little bit of happiness is there for the milestone, but the team losing hurts more.”

Waheed is nevertheless confident that the team are capable of turning the tables in their upcoming matches. Saudi Arabia face the UAE on Wednesday, and he believes it could represent a good chance of victory.

He said: “We have a good batting unit this time, with batters who can come in at eight or nine and hit big. But we lack experience. There are five new players in the team and they learned a good lesson today.

“I have been playing for 12 years and have faced big teams. Those matches have prepared me to face bigger challenges. We have good batters and they just need to express themselves now.

“The UAE is our next opponent. We came up with extra plans this time to not just participate but to win as well. We knew matches would be close and if we win against the UAE it will open doors. We are focused on the tournament.”

In other matches on Tuesday, the UAE defeated Bhutan by 63 runs, while Qatar beat Thailand by five wickets.

Seven nations are taking part in the tournament with hosts Qatar joined by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, and the UAE. The top two teams from the qualifier will compete in the Asia-East Asia-Pacific regional final, which is a pathway for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in 2026.

Malaysia and Kuwait have already qualified for the regional final from the Asia Group A qualifier, while Samoa and Japan are representing in the East Asia-Pacific A and East Asia-Pacific B qualifiers, respectively.

Nepal, Oman, and Papua New Guinea have also qualified for the regional finals.


Ex-Turkiye boss Terim named Al-Shabab coach

Ex-Turkiye boss Terim named Al-Shabab coach
Updated 23 sec ago
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Ex-Turkiye boss Terim named Al-Shabab coach

Ex-Turkiye boss Terim named Al-Shabab coach
  • Terim won the 2000 UEFA Cup with Galatasary

RIYADH: Former Turkiye and Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim was appointed Al-Shabab boss on Friday.
Terim, who won the 2000 UEFA Cup with the Turkish outfit, replaces Victor Pereira in charge of the sixth place team in the Saudi Pro League.
The 71-year-old’s last job was with Greece’s Panathinaikos, but he left at the end of last season.
In Saudi Arabia, Terim will overlook a squad including Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco and Italy midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura.
Terim is set to work under Al-Shabab’s director of football, former Juventus and Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Nedved.
“Having been a player with Juventus for years, he’s also done a lot as a director of football,” Terim told reporters at Istanbul airport before flying to start his new job.
“I’m very happy to be with him, I think he was a great footballer, a great name and an important symbol,” the former AC Milan and Fiorentina boss added.
 


Hosts Kuwait held by Qatar, Oman and UAE play out draw in Arabian Gulf Cup

Hosts Kuwait held by Qatar, Oman and UAE play out draw in Arabian Gulf Cup
Updated 27 December 2024
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Hosts Kuwait held by Qatar, Oman and UAE play out draw in Arabian Gulf Cup

Hosts Kuwait held by Qatar, Oman and UAE play out draw in Arabian Gulf Cup
  • 101st-minute equalizer rescued point for Qatar
  • Oman progress, UAE crash out

LONDON: Group A of the Arabian Gulf Cup came to its conclusion on Friday, with hosts Kuwait and Oman both securing the points they needed to progress to the semifinals.

Kuwait thought they had beaten their Gulf rivals with a goal from Mohammad Daham in the 74th minute of the match at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.

But a 101st-minute equalizer from Mohammed Muntari deep into stoppage time rescued some pride for the Qataris, who crashed out of the tournament by failing to win.

In the day’s other match, Oman faced the UAE in another crucial encounter.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, which secured Oman’s advancement to the next stage and brought the UAE’s campaign to an end.

Al-Ahli Dubai midfielder Yahya Al-Ghassani had given the Emiratis a half-time lead, but they were pegged back by an Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri equalizer 11 minutes from the end.

The group stages of the Arabian Gulf Cup conclude on Saturday with the final matches in Group B.

Saudi Arabia need a victory against Iraq to guarantee a semifinal spot, while already-qualified Bahrain will look to make it three wins from three when they play Yemen.


Argentine FA opens new Middle East office in Dubai

Argentine FA opens new Middle East office in Dubai
Updated 27 December 2024
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Argentine FA opens new Middle East office in Dubai

Argentine FA opens new Middle East office in Dubai
  • Body will now boast permanent base in region, office planned for Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: The Argentine Football Association has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the opening of a new office located in the UAE, and the current world champions are also expected to soon boast a similar presence in Saudi Arabia.

Leandro Petersen, the association’s chief commercial and marketing officer, and Pablo Diaz, head of its international relations, were in attendance at the office’s opening in Dubai.

Located at prime locations, the new offices will enable the Argentine FA to build strategic partnerships and elevate its profile both locally and regionally.

Petersen said: “The opening of a Middle East office is a huge moment for us as we look to establish a permanent presence in the region, giving us a platform to strengthen ties and enhance our current offerings.

“Naturally, having become world champions in Qatar, the Middle East is a region which means so much to not only the Argentinian Football Association, but the entire country, and we are delighted to have a base from where we can build important long-term relationships with both fans and businesses.

“This region is undoubtedly now one of the key global markets, and for us to be positioned in Dubai will open up many opportunities as we expand our presence on a global level.”

It was announced earlier this year that the Argentine FA had partnered with DUNE | 23, a leading UAE-based marketing and communications agency focused on the sport and entertainment sector.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Friday at the new DUNE | 23 offices in Dubai. The event was attended by managing partners Lloyd McMillan and Jamie Hosie, who joined Argentine FA representatives to mark the occasion.

Hosie said: “We are proud to partner with the Argentinian Football Association to strengthen its presence across the region.

“Together, we aim to create dynamic events, produce engaging digital content, and unlock new commercial opportunities to ensure the Argentinian FA remains at the forefront of football in the Middle East.”


Howe hopes Newcastle have ‘moved on’ in last two seasons

Howe hopes Newcastle have ‘moved on’ in last two seasons
Updated 27 December 2024
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Howe hopes Newcastle have ‘moved on’ in last two seasons

Howe hopes Newcastle have ‘moved on’ in last two seasons
  • Newcastle reached the Champions League for the first time in 20 years when they qualified for last season’s competition
  • Newcastle slipped to 12th place after a 4-2 defeat at Brentford on December 7, but have since rallied

LONDON: Eddie Howe hopes his current Newcastle team have “moved on” from the one which finished fourth in the Premier League two seasons ago.
The Magpies continued an impressive run of results on Thursday by beating 10-man Aston Villa 3-0 at St. James’ Park — their fourth straight win in all competitions.
Newcastle climbed to fifth in the table and within six points of second-placed Chelsea.
Newcastle reached the Champions League for the first time in 20 years when they qualified for last season’s competition.
“I’d hope we’ve moved on from that team,” Howe said.
“You can never go back in time and replicate what that team was. That team was an outstanding side...
“But you can never go back. It’s all about the future. We’ve signed some new players, the dynamic is slightly different and for me, the evolution of the team always had to be that we wanted to be better with the ball, we wanted to control the game more with the ball.”
Newcastle went ahead in just the second minute through Anthony Gordon’s strike before Villa striker Jhon Duran was controversially sent off.
Further goals from Alexander Isak — his 10th in as many league games — and Joelinton secured all three points.
Newcastle slipped to 12th place after a 4-2 defeat at Brentford on December 7, but have since rallied.
“We’re shooting for whatever we can shoot for,” Howe said when asked about Newcastle’s top-four hopes.
“We’ll take small steps, we’ll go game-by-game, but I’m really heartened by how the team is playing.”


Markram leads South Africa to 180-5 in 1st Test against Pakistan

Markram leads South Africa to 180-5 in 1st Test against Pakistan
Updated 27 December 2024
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Markram leads South Africa to 180-5 in 1st Test against Pakistan

Markram leads South Africa to 180-5 in 1st Test against Pakistan
  • Aiden Markram was batting on an attractive 81 off 123 balls before Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the latter half of the first session
  • Pakistan were dismissed for 211 on Day 1 after Dane Paterson grabbed his second successive five-wicket haul, Corbin Bosch claimed 4-63

CENTURION: Opening batter Aiden Markram closed in on his eighth Test century and led South Africa to 180-5 at lunch on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan on Friday.
South Africa, which needs to win one of the two Test matches against Pakistan to seal a place in the final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s next year, trails the visitors by 31 on a pitch tailor-made for fast bowlers.
Markram was batting on an attractive 81 off 123 balls before Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the latter half of the first session with captain Temba Bavuma (31) and David Bedingham (30) both edging behind the wickets.
Wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne was yet to score but Markram stood tall in the first session and helped South Africa score 98 runs before lunch for the loss of two wickets.
Resuming on 82-3, Markram completed his half century with an exquisite cover driven boundary off Naseem Shah and stretched the fourth-wicket stand to 70 runs with Bavuma before Pakistan got its first breakthrough.
Aamer Jamal was rewarded for his persistent length balls to Bavuma as the South African skipper finally got a thick outside edge while going for a loose drive.
Bedingham counterattacked from the onset, smashing five boundaries in his 33-ball knock and also survived when Pakistan unsuccessfully went for an lbw television review against Naseem Shah’s full pitched delivery, which television replays suggested would have missed the leg stump.
However, Naseem didn’t have to wait long as Bedingham was beaten by some extra bounce and nicked it in the first slip in the penultimate over before lunch.
Pakistan was dismissed for 211 on Day 1 after Dane Paterson (5-61) grabbed his second successive five-wicket haul and debutant Corbin Bosch claimed 4-63, which included a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket.