Sport

Skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will look to end India’s global title drought as the star duo step out for what is likely to be their final World Cup appearance.Rohit, 37, and Kohli, 35, have long been the twin torchbearers for the hopes of their cricket-mad nation, which last saw a major title triumph in the 2013 Champions Trophy.India made the final of last year’s ODI World Cup at home but lost to Australia in front of a crestfallen packed house at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.The T20 World Cup, starting June 1 in the West Indies and United States, may be the last chance both men have to hoist a trophy from one of the showpiece white-ball tournaments.“Rohit Sharma knows he isn’t going to play for too long now. Just two to three years more. Same with Virat Kohli,” former India batsman Mohamed Kaif said on Star Sports.“So this is the last chance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.“They lost the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. They played as if they had the cup snatched away from them.“Hearts were broken and fans were devastated.”The next T20 World Cup will be in in two years’ time followed by the 50-over tournament in 2027.The veterans will combine for India after a contrasting IPL season where Kohli dominated as a one-man run machine and Rohit’s team floundered.Kohli topped the batting charts with 741 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, forming a thrilling opening partnership with the skipper Faf du Plessis.Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja said Kohli had made his case to open for his side at the World Cup. “For me, Virat Kohli opens,” Jadeja told Jio Cinema.“If you have Virat in your side, you know consistency is the one thing you will get, so, might as well use him. He’s the best at the top and the powerplay allows him to settle in.”Rohit was replaced as captain of Mumbai Indians by Hardik Pandya for this year’s season and had a patchy tournament, finishing with 417 runs which included a 61-ball century against Chennai Super Kings.Rohit, nicknamed “Hitman” for his attacking play and big-scoring, signed off in his last league match of the year with a 28-ball fifty but his previous seven innings had produced just 88 runs. Both men have been part of India’s past World Cup glories.Rohit was part of the team’s victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 when India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the final at Johannesburg.India’s last World Cup win came in 2011 when a young Kohli carried cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders during their victory lap of the field.Both men have faced pressure to deliver their side a title in the years since, but Kohli stepped down as T20 captain in 2021 and was then removed as ODI skipper in the same year without delivering.Rohit, who led Mumbai to five IPL titles, picked up the baton but a World Cup trophy has proven elusive under his leadership as well.In this year’s T20 World Cup India face Pakistan, Canada, the United States and Ireland in the group phase of the tournament, with Kaif saying the team had a clear run to the knockout matches.“India hardly have competition in the group stage. There are only two main matches - the semi-final and the final,” he said.“Are you ready for those two days? That’s the biggest test for Rohit Sharma.”

A young Afghan side with an average age of just 25 have vowed to give audiences back home rare cause for jubilation at the T20 World Cup next month, after a breakthrough performance at last year’s 50-over showpiece.Kabul’s skies were raked with fireworks when Afghanistan celebrated their stunning eight-wicket victory against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup in October.They finished sixth, ahead of defending champions England who they also beat, stoking hopes for the T20 tournament in the United States and West Indies from June 1-29.“In the past, when we would defeat a bigger team, our victory was tagged as an ‘upset’,” 22-year-old Sediqullah Atal told AFP on the phone from their training camp in the West Indies.“The word ‘upset’ is no longer in the dictionary and we are ranked among the favourites,” the left-handed opening batsman said, insisting his team is “no less than anyone”.Cricket fever runs deep in Afghanistan, a mainstay during decades of war, with heartfelt support behind the T20 team, who will first play Uganda in Guyana on June 4. “When you have the support of 40 million people and they motivate you, it is a feeling of absolute delight,” said 20-year-old all-rounder Nangeyalia Kharote.It’s “a matter of great joy” to represent his country, though they must now “match the high expectations” of supporters, he told AFP in Kabul ahead of his departure for the Caribbean.“The love from the Afghans both at home and aboard is remarkable,” Sediqullah Atal acknowledged.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), which manages the men’s team, has the full backing of the country’s Taliban government, which forced the United States and its allies out of the country before seizing power in 2021.The Taliban rulers, yet to be recognised by any country, have effectively banned women from sports, however, under their austere interpretation of Islam.Afghanistan’s participation in the World Cup, therefore, comes with some controversy - skirting the International Cricket Council’s rules which stipulate all Test-playing nations must have a women’s side.The ICC has previously said the matter is “pending”, allowing for Afghanistan to compete - although England and Australia have refused to play them outside the World Cup. Despite decades of war and poverty, Afghan cricket has strengthened - with new academies, sponsorship deals and tournament financing.“Our team has arrived and are playing at a very high level in a short space of time,” cricket enthusiast Afzal Khan, who trains at the Rashid Khan Cricket Academy in Kabul, told AFP. “They are our heroes, they will have a place in my heart forever,” said the 19-year-old who hopes to fill the shoes of Afghan captain and ace spinner, 25-year-old Rashid Khan. “They have struggled through lots of difficulties to bring the team and our cricket to this level.”In an interview published by the ACB last week, Khan pledged: “We will shine well in this World Cup too, and match the expectations of our compatriots.”Back home in Kabul, another young cricketer in training made those expectations very clear. Naseem Khan told AFP “this will be the best World Cup for Afghanistan”.

Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain attended the 98th Executive Board meeting of the GCC Olympic Committees held in Doha on Tuesday. Al-Buenain said the meeting came up with some important recommendations to be submitted to the presidents of the GCC Olympic Committees in their meeting to be held in Doha today under the leadership of the QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani. Al-Buenain underlined the importance of the GCC joint sports action in developing Olympic and sports movement in the GCC nations, confirming that the first GCC Youth Games held in the UAE last month was an important milestone in preparing a new generation of young GCC athletes for the future sports events.

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) celebrated its 45th anniversary on Tuesday, with HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the QOC, presiding over the event. The ceremony was attended by HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, Minister of Sports and Youth, as well as numerous representatives from the Olympic committees of the West Asia region.The event commenced with a film showcasing the progress and achievements of the QOC over the past 45 years. Jassim bin Rashid al-Bueinain, Secretary-General of the QOC, delivered a speech in which he warmly welcomed the attendees.He remarked: “The founding of the Qatar Olympic Committee on March 14, 1979 marked the beginning of the process of developing the sports movement in Qatar, leading to the sporting renaissance we are experiencing today, full of achievements at various levels.”He added: “During its journey since 1979, the QOC has achieved and continues to achieve great successes in various fields. Thanks to the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Amir of Qatar, QOC had reached greater heights. Over the years, we have witnessed a qualitative leap in Qatari sports, facilitated by the distinguished leadership who served as presidents of the QOC, along with the sincere efforts of all employees.”The secretary-general elaborated on the significant role the QOC has played in promoting sports, supporting and developing the Olympic movement, and achieving unprecedented accomplishments in various competitions where Qatari athletes have won numerous medals regionally, continentally, and internationally.Al-Bueinain continued: “The efforts of the QOC have also strengthened Qatar’s sporting position globally by organising major events and tournaments in various sports. The most recent of these was the Doha 2024 World Aquatics Championship held last February, which achieved unparalleled success and added to Qatar’s series of successes in organizing world championships.”He emphasised that the accomplishments to date are not the end goal but part of a continuous journey towards greater achievements in the future, in line with the comprehensive development that the State of Qatar is undergoing under its wise leadership.The secretary-general affirmed the QOC’s unwavering commitment to its vision: “Let us be a pioneering nation that brings the world together through sustainable sports development,” and to advancing sports development through its 2023-2030 strategy. This strategy aims to achieve three main objectives: ensuring sporting excellence, promoting Olympic culture, and achieving comprehensive sports development in alignment with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.He concluded his speech by reiterating the commitment to spreading sports within society, investing in the sporting legacy of past achievements, and continuing to secure sporting accolades to honour Qatar’s name on the international stage.During the event, the Qatari athletes who won medals at the first Gulf Youth Games, held in the United Arab Emirates last April, were honoured.Established on March 14, 1979, the Qatar Olympic Committee joined the International Olympic Committee in 1980, the World Olympic Council of Asia in 1981, and the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees in 1982.Since its inception, the QOC has played a significant role in promoting sports awareness in the country, nurturing the Olympic movement according to the principles of the Olympic Charter, and enhancing sports performance, contributing to the remarkable progress seen in Qatari sports over the past forty-five years.The Qatar Olympic Committee’s efforts have resulted in many unprecedented achievements at various levels. Notable accomplishments include winning eight Olympic medals—two gold, two silver, and four bronze. Additionally, Qatari teams have achieved numerous other notable successes in various sports at regional, Asian, and global levels.The sporting boom in Qatar following the establishment of the Qatar Olympic Committee has also extended to hosting numerous major sporting events, positioning Qatar as the sports capital of the world in alignment with the QOC’s vision: “Let us be a pioneering nation that brings the world together through sustainable sports development.”

Coach Marquez Lopez has rested 2023 Asian Cup winning heroes strikers Akram Afif and Almoez Ali for Qatar’s joint FIFA World Cup 2026 and Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers to be played next month.Qatar play Afghanistan on June 6 at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawai Stadium Hofuf in Saudi Arabia. Five days later Qatar host India on June 11 at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Coach Lopez has picked a relatively young side that does not include veteran defender Pedro Miguel, goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham and Bassam al-Rawi besides resting Afif and Almoez, two of Qatar’s top football players.Asian Cup winning captain Hassan al-Haydos was not considered having retired from international duty in March. Duhail teenager Tahsin Mohamed also got his maiden call up for Qatar. The 17-year-old became the first player of Indian descent to start a QSL match in April, and could play against India.Qatar, placed 33 on FIFA rankings, have already qualified for the next round of Asian Cup qualifiers. In their earlier match-ups, Qatar beat India 3-0 (away clash at Kalinga Stadium) and crushed Afghanistan 8-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium. Both matches were played last November.Squad:Amir Hassan, Ali Nader, Saad al-Sheeb, Shehab al-Laithi, Abdullah al-Ahrak, Abdullah al-Yazidi, Abdullah Youseff, Ahmed al-Janahi, Ahmed Fathy, Ahmed al-Rawi, Al Hashaemi al-Hussein, Fares Saeed, Homam al-Amin, Hazem Ahmed, Ibrahim al-Hassan, Jassim al-Sharsani, Khaled Ali, Mahdi Maged al-Moajaba, Mohamed Ayash, Mohamed Khaled, Mustafa Tariq, Nabeel Irfan, Naif al-Hadhrami, Tahsin Mohamed, Tamim Mansour, Youseff Abdulrazzaq, Youseff Ayman, Youseff Mohamed and Youseff Ziad. Coach: Marquez Lopez.

Reigning Olympic and world champion Armand Duplantis cleared six metres and narrowly missed a world record attempt at the Golden Spike athletics meet in the Czech Republic on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Swede set a world record at 6.24m in April and got close to beating 6.25m at the eastern Czech city of Ostrava but brushed the bar with his belly on the third attempt.“I’m happy about the last attempt, it felt quite good. I was actually closer than I thought I was going to be. Gives me confidence going forward,” Duplantis said. “I’m quite pleased with the jumps, I feel really good on the runway right now.” However, he added the conditions were “a little bit too cold, a little bit too windy” for perfect jumps.Canada’s Andre De Grasse won his two races on the wet Ostrava track, clocking 10.10 seconds for a season best on 100 metres and 20.09 seconds in his first appearance on 200 metres this year. “I came here to test my fitness and endurance, to see where I am at. So yes, I am satisfied with two victories,” he said. “It was a good run, a season best, so now it is the time to go back, work on some things, try to get my speed back,” he added after the shorter sprint.De Grasse beat Ryiem Forde of Jamaica as well as Olympic champion and his training partner Marcell Jacobs on the 100-metre track. “Marcell Jacobs is a great training partner and training with him helps me with my 100 metres, which is what I want to work on,” said De Grasse. “Beating him today at that distance may give me some bragging rights.”Reigning Olympic champion Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas won the 400 metres in a season best of 44.39 seconds, while Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek dominated the women’s 400 metres in 50.09 sec. Algerian Djamel Sedjati, second at the 2022 world championships, won the 800 metres in a world-leading time of 1min 43.51sec.Reigning world champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan won women’s javelin for 60.47 metres. And Briton Molly Caudery won the women’s pole vault with 4.84 metres.

Al Arabi will take on Al Duhail in the Amir Cup handball final. In a thrilling semi-final at the Al Duhail Indoor Hall on Tuesday, the defending champions Al Arabi edged past Al Wakrah 28-26. Al Duhail booked their place in the final after defeating last year’s finalists Al Rayyan 29-26.

Casper Ruud and Aryna Sabalenka shone brightly on a cold, rainy day at the French Open on Tuesday as they moved into the second round with dominant victories but spectators at Roland Garros were largely starved of action with a long evening looming.With the weather preventing any chance of play on the outer courts before 4pm. local time, the proceedings were limited to the two main showcourts - Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen - both of which have retractable roofs.Twice runner-up Ruud swept aside Brazilian qualifier Felipe Alves 6-3 6-4 6-3 in a renewed bid for a maiden Grand Slam title in Paris after disappointments in the previous two years. High on confidence following his Geneva triumph, the world number seven produced a masterclass in serving as he raced past his unheralded opponent in under two hours.“This is one of the biggest tournaments for me and everyone every year. One of my highlights. I’m always looking forward to it. The last two years have given me so much here,” Ruud said. “I hope I can make it another good year.”Sabalenka was equally quick as last year’s semi-finalist, who is eyeing a second major of the season after her successful Australian Open defence in January, mowed down Russian teenager Erika Andreeva in 68 minutes 6-1 6-2.“I’m super happy to be back on this special court. Super to see all of you today supporting us. It was a great atmosphere,” Sabalenka said. “I know you guys didn’t have a choice, it’s raining outside so you had to be on this court but anyway, thank you so much.”Fourth seed Elena Rybakina overcame an early wobble to glide past Belgian Greet Minnen 6-2 6-3 earlier in the day, showing no signs of the illness that had hampered her preparations for the year’s second major. The third straight rain-hit day of the tournament began with a big outpouring of love for Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, as one of the ever-present players at Grand Slams in the last two decades bid adieu after her opening loss to seventh seed Zheng Qinwen.The holder of the Open era women’s record for consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances with 69, Cornet had previously said she would retire after the tournament.Australian Alex De Minaur thumped Alex Michelsen, Petra Martic overcame Kristina Mladenovic and Arantxa Rus stunned three-times Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in the few matches that were completed on the outside courts. With typically British weather descending on Roland Garros, the nation’s last two hopes in the singles draws - Dan Evans and Katie Boulter - will hope to extend their stays but face tough tests against Holger Rune and Paula Badosa.First round results(x denotes seeded player)Men: Taylor Fritz (USA x12) bt Federico Coria (ARG) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1; Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG x28) bt Arthur Cazaux (FRA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4; Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) bt Adam Walton (AUS) 6-2, 6-4, 7-5; Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) bt Valentin Vacherot (MON) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2); Casper Ruud (NOR x7) bt Felipe Meligeni Alves (BRA) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Flavio Cobolli (ITA) bt Hamad Medjedovic (SRB) 6-2, 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3; Holger Rune (DEN x13) bt Daniel Evans (GBR) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4; Alex De Minaur (AUS x11) bt Alex Michelsen (USA) 6-1, 6-0, 6-2; Jaume Munar (ESP) bt Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1; Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Roman Burruchaga (ARG) 6-3, 6-2, 6-1; Mariano Navone (ARG x31) bt Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 5-7, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0; Tomas Machac (CZE) bt Nuno Borges (POR) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-3Women: Zheng Qinwen (CHN x7) bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-2, 6-1; Tamara Korpatsch (GER) bt Ashlyn Krueger (USA) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11/9); Elina Avanesyan (RUS) bt Zhu Lin (CHN) 6-2, 6-4; Anna Blinkova (RUS) bt Sorana Cirstea (ROM x28) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10/5); Elise Mertens (BEL x25) bt Maria Lourdes Carle (ARG) 6-3, 7-6 (10/8); Petra Martic (CRO) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-4, 6-4; Arantxa Rus (NED) bt Angelique Kerber (GER) 6-4, 6-3; Elena Rybakina (KAZ x4) bt Greet Minnen (BEL) 6-2, 6-3; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) bt Emina Bektas (USA) 6-2, 6-3; Peyton Stearns (USA) bt Lucija Ciric Bagaric (CRO) 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (10/6); Daria Kasatkina (RUS x10) bt Magdalena Frech (POL) 7-5, 6-1; Madison Keys (USA x14) bt Renata Zarazúa (MEX) 6-3, 6-2; Mayar Sherif (EGY) bt Yuan Yue (CHN) 6-1, 6-3; Emma Navarro (USA x22) bt Zeynep Sonmez (TUR) 6-2, 6-0; Moyuka Uchijima (JPN) bt Irene Burillo Escorihuela (ESP) 6-1, 6-1; Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x2) bt Erika Andreeva (RUS) 6-1, 6-2.

Charles Leclerc admitted he was fighting back tears and struggling to see as he raced to an emotional victory for Ferrari in his home Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.His win prompted a standing ovation and unbridled celebrations from a huge crowd as he ended his run of wretched luck on home soil and a sequence of 39 races without a win since the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix.Leclerc won comfortably ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz as Red Bull suffered another weekend of disappointment with series leader Max Verstappen finishing sixth and Sergio Perez crashed out on the opening lap,His flawless triumph in a dull and processional race was the first by a Monegasque driver on the famous Mediterranean street circuit since the start of the Formula One world championship in 1950.The last Monegasque to win a Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo was Louis Chiron in 1931. In six previous attempts, including two when he started on pole, the luckless Leclerc had never managed a podium finish. “It’s the race that made me dream of becoming a Formula One driver one day,” he said.“And it was such a difficult race emotionally because already 15 laps to the end you are just hoping nothing happens, already the emotions were coming.“I was thinking of my dad a lot more than I thought usually while driving - obviously he’s given everything for me to be here. It was our dream for me to race here and to win and so it’s unbelievable.”He added that he had difficulty seeing clearly because of tears during the closing laps. “Not now, Charles, I said to myself. Not now. I could feel it when I came out of the tunnel near the end and I was struggling to see because I was crying a little bit,” he revealed. His father Herve died in 2017.“No words can explain. It’s such a difficult race, I think the fact that twice I’ve started in pole position and we couldn’t quite make it makes it even better in a way, it means a lot obviously.“It’s really difficult, at first, I thought we had quite a lot of margin, but we knew there was 78 laps to do on the same tyre which was very difficult. “We did a great management of the tyres, there was a big part of the race where we had to manage the gap with George and in the last ten laps I called to push a bit more and the car felt amazing. “I want to thank the team who have done incredible work over the last few months and for giving me the opportunity to finally win this race is a very special feeling.”He added that he had been given encouragement before the race by the support from the crowd. “A huge thank you to the fans, the parade laps were special and seeing so many of my friends and people I know in the balcony, it was just very special. This one means a lot.”During his slow-down lap, he told Ferrari: “Tonight - this is going to be a big night!”He revealed to a global tv audience that he would be partying at Jimmy’z night club and wanted a discount. “I am going to party like an animal,” he added.

In co-operation with the Shura Council, the Ministry of Sports and Youth organised the 3rd edition of the 'Simulation of the Shura Council Sessions', held in the presence of HE the Minister of Sports and Youth Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani and HE Shura Council Deputy Speaker Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti, along with a number of Shura Council members. In this context, Director of the Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Fawaz Abdullah al-Mesaifri said that this edition of the simulation sessions has evidently upgraded from earlier editions, as many new aspects and training content were added. Al-Mesaifri added that such programmes stem from the Ministry of Sports and Youth's vision and the Youth Affairs Department's strategic objectives, adding that the significance of this activity lies in the fact that it enables the ministry to establish more communication channels with the youth as well as empower them and enhance their capabilities. On his part, head of the working team Nasser al-Jabri said that the third edition's success is a reflection of the ministry's efforts to enhance the participation of the youth in activities dedicated to them, in addition to addressing their concerns and meet their demands. Moreover, al-Jabri commended the partnership between the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Shura Council which facilitated holding this activity, as well as the fruitful co-operation between the council and the ministry's working team. The Shura Council simulation session was divided into two segments, which saw the participation of 45 young Qatari men and women, with the first segment simulating a speech by the council's most senior member in terms of age, the process of oath-taking, the election of the Shura Council Speaker and Deputy Speaker, as well as committee heads and members. The second segment, on the other hand, saw a discussion held among the youth regarding aspects of the Qatar National Youth Policy, which yielded a set of recommendations to be raised to the relevant authorities. The session was concluded by HE the Minister of Sports and Youth and HE Shura Council Deputy Speaker honoring participants and the working team. The event began on May 7, 2024, with interviews of the registered youth, where 45 were selected out of 130 young individuals who met the criteria set by the interview committee.

Disgraced three-time Olympic champion Sun Yang hopes to return to competitive swimming “as soon as possible” after his more than four-year ban for a doping violation ended on Tuesday.The Chinese freestyler was originally suspended for eight years by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2020 for smashing vials of blood during a 2018 test, the circumstances of which he still disputes. The ban was reduced on appeal to four years and three months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2021.“I hope that I’ll be able to pick a competition and return to the starting block as soon as possible,” the 32-year-old said in an interview published by state-run media outlet The Paper.Sun’s return comes with China’s swimmers under intense scrutiny since it emerged that WADA allowed 23 of them to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, despite testing positive for a banned substance.WADA accepted China’s explanation that the swimmers unwittingly consumed the substance through food at their hotel.Sun’s return is too late for him to compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics, but he hinted that he was setting his sights on longer-term goals.“The Olympics are just a competition for me, they will end, and after they end, there will be another one,” Sun said.“I am frequently doing some simulated competition tests now that I’ve returned to training... I am constantly trying to recapture that feeling,” he said.The two-metre tall (6ft 7in) Sun was the first Chinese swimmer to win Olympic gold, in 400m and 1500m at the 2012 London Games, but has long been a controversial figure in the pool.Some rivals called him a cheat at the 2016 Rio Olympics and two competitors refused to stand with him on medal podiums at the 2019 world championships. Sun was also given a three-month ban in 2014 after testing positive for a banned substance.“I think compared to other athletes I am very lucky, and I am very grateful and thankful,” Sun said, referring to his past achievements which also include 11 world championship golds from 2011 to 2019.He said he had felt “very dark” when he initially found out about his second ban, but that his time away from the pool had given him the space to develop other interests.“When I look back (on the past four years), I think it’s really no big deal,” Sun said.“In fact, the biggest change in my past four years is that I started a family and now have another half,” he said, referring to his marriage to gymnast Zhang Doudou.“These four years have added some colour to my life.”

In just one year, they have become unmissable at Grand Slams, just like their hero, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner: Meet the “Carota Boys”.They are six young Italians dressed as carrots who are at the French Open in a colourful attempt to inspire Sinner to victory.From Revello, a small town in Piedmont, they have travelled to Paris, Wimbledon, New York and Melbourne.“It’s crazy and incredible,” agree Gianluca Bertorello and Enrico Ponsi, two of the six “Carota Boys”, all aged between 25 and 30.Football and tennis fans, they feel a common connection with the beanpole Sinner who is “a young, simple guy, who like us comes from a small town”.“It all started as a joke. Just a year ago, we decided to have a weekend in Rome to attend the Italian Open,” Gianluca told AFP on the sidelines of the recent Rome Open.“As we wanted to do something different, we dressed as carrots, we had tickets for just one day of the tournament and we were lucky enough that Jannik played that day and won his match,” adds Enrico.Sinner, then eighth in the world rankings, defeated Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in that match.“We encouraged him a lot, we had our costumes and Italian flags, it created a nice atmosphere. But after the match, it became completely crazy: everyone wanted to take photos of us, there were lots of articles about us, mentions on social networks. Our whole story started from there,” explained Enrico. He was keen to add that the carrots are “not a reference to Jannik’s red hair”.“It’s because we found it amusing and incredible that a player of his level would eat a carrot at a change of ends during the Vienna tournament in 2019.”Back home, the “Carota Boys” were contacted by coffee company Lavazza, one of Sinner’s sponsors.They took them to Roland Garros and trips to Wimbledon, the US Open and the end-of-season ATP Finals in Turin quickly followed. At the start of 2024, they were on hand to see Sinner win the Australian Open, his first Grand Slam title which ended a 47-year drought for Italian men’s tennis.They also ended up meeting their idol who the described as “someone quiet, nice”.“We have a WhatsApp group with him where we exchange messages - some of us played tennis with him,” said Gianluca who even dresses in orange when he’s not wearing his carrot costume.As 22-year-old Sinner, who can replace Novak Djokovic as world number one at the French Open, has climbed the rankings, the “Carota Boys” have seen their popularity soar. On Instagram, they have 135,000 followers, are represented by two public relations companies and have launched merchandise such as orange t-shirts and caps.They have even published a book. “This allows us to finance our trips, because it is expensive and is starting to take up a lot of our time,” said Enrico who, like the five other members of the group, is single and self-employed. In his case, he works in the wholesale meat trade.“Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz, they say hello to us,” said Enrico. “Our dream is that Jannik wins all the important titles, and that all the stadiums where he plays in the world have orange stands,” he added.

Rafa Nadal’s level of tennis during his French Open defeat by Alexander Zverev on Monday would have earned him victory against the vast majority of players in the draw, according to former Roland Garros champion Mats Wilander.The 37-year-old Spaniard, who missed almost all of 2023 with injuries, went down in straight sets to the fourth-seed German as Zverev became only the third player to beat the 14-time champion on the Parisian clay.In what was possibly his last match at the tournament he has dominated for almost two decades, Nadal showed flashes of his former brilliance and has made no secret of targeting a return to Roland Garros for this year’s Paris Olympics.He also offered some hope to his legions of fans that he might extend his career a little longer.Wilander said the prospect of him playing at the Olympics was exciting.“Obviously the Olympics are huge and for him to have the chance to play here on Philippe Chatrier is amazing and could be an unbelievable end to his career,” Wilander told Eurosport.“I think he beats 90% of the draw today. There’s only a few guys that would beat him playing this well. And Zverev was the worst opponent possible in the first round, worse than playing (Novak) Djokovic, worse than playing (Carlos) Alcaraz.”Wilander said the fact the roof on Philippe Chatrier was closed for the match worked against Nadal.“The circumstances, it’s indoor, cold outside, the ball doesn’t travel. So I think all that, and still being so close it’s all positive for Rafa and with that passion, why not. He knows how to win big matches on this court,” the Swede said.Alex Corretja, the former world number two, said he had detected a change in heart from his compatriot Nadal.“I spoke to him a couple of months ago and he was sure he wouldn’t be back (at the French Open),” Corretja told Eurosport.“But then I spoke to him a week ago, and he said to me it’s the first time I’ve been practising here at Roland Garros that I feel no pain. He said he felt so good on the court and that his tennis is growing and doesn’t see any reason why he can’t come back at least one more time.“But he also said, it depends how I play. If I play awful against Zverev, maybe I won’t come back. But the way he played, I believe he will think why not come back.”

Major League Cricket, a one season-old T20 tournament in the US, has secured official List A status from the International Cricket Council in a major boost for the sport in North America.MLC plans to expand from six to 10 teams to raise cricket’s profile in the lucrative US sports market which is dominated by basketball, baseball and American football.“We are really excited for the news as it’s a recognition of the standard and high quality of players taking part in the tournament,” tournament director Justin Geale told ESPNcricinfo. “By awarding MLC List A status for the upcoming season, it acknowledges the strength and growing stature of the tournament and ultimately will help to enhance the credibility of the sport in the USA on a global scale.”The US is co-hosting this year’s men’s Twenty20 World Cup with West Indies and 2024 MLC will start on July 5, a week after the global tournament ends.Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is head coach of Washington Freedom and West Indian Kieron Pollard, South Africa’s Faf du Plessis and Australian Aaron Finch are among high-profile players who have signed up for MLC teams.“It was always intended to be a 10-team league,” MLC chief executive, Vijay Srinivasan, told the Guardian. “Studies show that we are a big enough country, with a big enough demographic to support 10 teams. We had 19 games in our first season, will have 25 in our second. I think we want to get to 34 next year, and just gradually keep expanding. “We saw cricket mania sweep across the US last year off the back of our inaugural season of Major League Cricket. Now, we take exciting momentum into the highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup and season two of the MLC.“With an unforgettable summer of cricket on our doorstep, we’re ready to capture the hearts of American sports fans with our thrilling, adrenaline-charged game that is the most exciting emerging T20 tournament across the globe.”After sell-out crowds in the inaugural season, fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to ensure they don’t miss out on the action this season. In addition to the world-class matches, fans have several ticket options, with general admission tickets starting at $30 per person. The season’s excitement extends beyond the pitch, with entertainment, fireworks, free giveaways, player signings and meet-and-greets, merchandise giveaways, food trucks, and samples throughout the tournament.Four IPL (Indian Premier League) franchises either own teams in MLC or have invested in the league. IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders own the Los Angeles franchise and Mumbai Indians have bought MLC champions MI New York.The US men’s team recently beat Bangladesh in a Twenty20 series, their first series victory over an ICC Full Member nation, ahead of their first appearance at the T20 World Cup which runs from June 1-29.

Bangladesh can only hope to improve their lacklustre T20 World Cup record once they get better pitches at home, new captain Najmul Hossain Shanto told AFP ahead of the showpiece tournament.The South Asian nation is one of nine countries to have played all T20 World Cups since the tournament began in 2007 but is alone in never having made it to the knockout stage.Najmul, appointed all-format captain in February aged just 25 to replace newly minted politician Shakib Al Hasan, blamed their failures on home pitches ill-suited to the typical run feasts seen elsewhere in the 20-over format.“First of all, we have to play on good wickets,” he told AFP.“Some people can take it as an excuse, but it is really a fact that we play very few matches on a good wicket.”Bangladeshi pitches are known for low-scoring matches and only one player in their World Cup squad, top-order batsman Towhid Hridoy, has a T20 international strike rate above 130.“It is difficult to change things in six months. If we continue on a good wicket for one or two years, then these strike rates will improve,” said Najmul.Ninth-ranked Bangladesh have nonetheless started seeing some improvement in the short game with series wins at home against powerhouses Australia, England and New Zealand this decade.But there have been hiccups along the way such as the 2-1 defeat by the USA in a three-match warm-up series in Houston this week.“We have won a few series and we have won against big teams,” Najmul said before the USA series.“The confidence of the team is in a good position.“The matches we have played recently, if we can be like that in the World Cup, if we can take the decisions properly, if we can execute our plans, then it is possible to do something good.”‘Giving their best’This year’s T20 World Cup – which begins June 1 in the United States and West Indies – is likely to be a curtain call for some of Bangladesh’s most formidable players.Najmul’s predecessor Shakib, still the top-ranked T20 all-rounder, made a brief cameo for this month’s home series against Zimbabwe but had not played a 20-over international for nearly a year beforehand.Shakib, 37, was elected to Bangladesh’s parliament in January and looks set to hang up his cap shortly along with fellow all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad, 38.“Of course, I want them to play in the World Cup, giving their best,” Najmul said. “It is their decision when they will end their careers. As a captain, I would like them to share their experience with every player.”Bangladesh face an uphill battle in their group with formidable opponents in South Africa and Sri Lanka, along with Nepal, playing in only their second T20 World Cup, and the Netherlands.They begin in Dallas on June 7 against Sri Lanka, a side that Najmul’s men have developed a simmering rivalry with since last year’s ODI World Cup.Their match in India generated considerable rancour when Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews became the first-ever batsman to be timed out in international cricket.Sri Lanka reignited the row during a tour of Bangladesh in March in which they celebrated their T20 series win by pointing to imaginary watches on their wrists, prompting Najmul to accuse them of not having “moved on” from the Mathews incident.“We have already moved on,” he told AFP when asked about any lingering ill-will.“From the day the incident happened, we did not do anything that would make us think about it. I can’t say much about them. But as a team, we are focusing on our own game.”

Former Australia Test opener Joe Burns has switched allegiance to Italy in a bid to help the Europeans qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup as a tribute to his late brother. Burns, who played 23 Tests from 2014-20, was left out of Queensland state’s contracts list for the coming domestic season in Australia and has been mourning his brother’s death in February. Burns wrote about his grief in a social media post with a picture of a blue Italy shirt with the number 85 his brother wore at his amateur cricket club in Queensland. “While a part of my soul feels like it will always be missing, I know this shirt will carry on his spirit and give me strength,” said Burns. “I often reflect on the bravery and commitment it must have taken my grandparents when they left Italy to start a new life in Australia. “They found a way to make it work through adversity and this has always given me solace through life’s lessons. “I’m so proud to represent Italy on our path to the 2026 World Cup.” Italy, who have never played at a World Cup in any format, finished third in European qualifying to miss out on the coming T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean. Europe’s top two finishers Scotland and Ireland booked their places in the 20-team tournament, which starts on Saturday. Italy will try again at a sub-regional tournament in Rome next month as part of the qualifying phase for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. “The fields of Rome may be a long way from the Gabba, MCG or our front yard growing up, but I feel like I’m coming home,” said Burns.

Kate Cross believes a crop of talented young England cricketers herald a “really exciting time” for the squad as they prepare for this year’s Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh.England will attempt to follow their T20 clean sweep of Pakistan by securing a 2-0 one-day international series win over the tourists in Chelmsford, east of London, today.England then face series in both white-ball formats against New Zealand and Ireland before heading to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup in October, where they will look to dethrone champions and arch-rivals Australia.“We’ve got a lot of youngsters coming through now,” medium-fast bowler Cross said.“I think the way Dani Gibson’s stepped up in that T20 series (against Pakistan), opening the bowling and playing the role of a number seven that we’d want is really impressive...When you’ve got someone like (England’s) Nat Sciver-Brunt as your blueprint to follow for the world’s best all-rounder, then it’s nice to have someone to role-model that.”The 32-year-old Cross, a veteran of 88 international appearances across all formats, added: “I think the way Lauren Bell has worked really hard on becoming a better bowler and trying to swing the ball both ways now, not just be an inswinging bowler and reduce her predictability for power-play bowling and stuff...The way she’s gone out there and tried to do that in games is a really brave thing to do.”But Cross said it was important England maintained a ruthless edge throughout matches following last week’s unconvincing 37-run ODI win against Pakistan in Derby.“That’s something we saw glimpses of in the Ashes (in 2023),” she said. “Obviously to go toe-to-toe with the best team in the world for the last 10 years (Australia) and beat them in two white-ball series was an incredible achievement...so we’re doing a lot of really good things. But it’s how do we keep that mindset positive all the time? That’s something we’re disappointed with from Derby, that we could have been a little bit more ruthless in some of those moments.”

Young fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has rattled the world’s top batsmen with his toe-crushing yorkers in the Indian Premier League and looks set to boost Sri Lanka’s chances in the T20 World Cup.The 21-year-old, dubbed “Baby Malinga” for an unorthodox slinging style of delivery, reminiscent of compatriot Lasith Malinga, has only played 12 ODIs and six T20 matches for Sri Lanka but has already established himself as a death-over specialist.Pathirana took 13 wickets in just six matches for Chennai Super Kings this IPL season before returning home early due to a hamstring injury that left his Sri Lanka teammates ruing his possible absence. But all seems well as the bowler has departed with the Sri Lankan squad, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, for the showpiece 20-over tournament starting June 1 in the West Indies and United States.“Sri Lanka are banking on Matheesha Pathirana to turn around their fortunes in the upcoming T20 World Cup,” cricket writer Rex Clementine wrote in The Island newspaper.“Pathirana was a sensation in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. He has showcased (a) glimpse of his skill sending down unplayable death overs,” Clementine added.“If he is able to get his line right without being wayward, he will have a major impact in this competition.”Malinga is equally excited about the prospect of seeing the young tyro using “his pace and his yorker”.“But the biggest thing I see with Matheesha is his big heart,” Malinga told Cricinfo.“He’s very positive in the match. Those aren’t things we can teach him. Those are things he’s got naturally. Even in the year he first came into the IPL, he didn’t have any fear, or any doubts.“If you tell him this is what we need at this time, he has the ability to do that.“He’s got the ability to make a decision. He’s quite clear in his thinking.”Sri Lanka’s chief selector Upul Tharanga has also backed the youngster to choke opposition batsmen in the final few overs along with 29-year-old pacer Nuwan Thushara.The prospect of seeing those two in tandem sets Malinga purring.“In the T20 format you are always talking about the yorker because that’s the ball that stops sixes from happening,” he said.“To have two bowlers who can bowl yorkers like the two of them can in the same tournament... That’s crazy, that’s absolutely mad.“I think (Sri Lanka’s) bowling line-up is the best in the world,” he said.

Al Arabi clinched their sixth Amir Cup table tennis title after defeating Al Sadd 3-2 in the final on Monday. Khalil al-Muhannadi, president of the Qatar Table Tennis Federation, honoured the champions.

Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end on Monday when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralising defeat against Alexander Zverev before he revealed his journey to the Paris Olympics in July will not take a detour to Wimbledon.Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, went down 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in the first round to world number four Zverev, suffering only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut. It was the first time he had been defeated in Paris in the opening round and will again lead to questions over his long-term future in the sport.“I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll be here in front of all of you,” he said. “If it is, then you have been amazing. The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words. It is the place I love the most.”He added: “It’s hard to say about the future. I am travelling with my family and I am having fun. The body is feeling better than it did two months ago. Maybe in two months I say it’s enough. That is something I don’t feel yet.”Nadal may not return for the 2025 French Open but he still plans to play the Olympics at Roland Garros in July. Nadal, an Olympic singles gold medallist in Beijing in 2008 and doubles champion at the Rio Games, later told reporters: “That’s my main goal now. I need to prepare myself the proper way to try to arrive healthy and well-prepared.”He won’t make the rankings cut for the Olympics, but as a Grand Slam winner he would be eligible for a spot reserved for major winners. Plagued by injuries, which had limited him to just four events since January last year, former world number one Nadal is now 275 in the rankings and was unseeded in Paris.“My body has been a jungle for two years. You don’t know what to expect. You know, I wake up one day and I found a snake biting me. Another day a tiger,” said Nadal of his recent battles with a hip injury.In his career, he has had to skip 11 Grand Slams. That is certain to become 12 next month when he is likely to skip Wimbledon where he was champion in 2008 and 2010. “It looks difficult to make a transition to grass, having the Olympics again on clay,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be smart after all the things that happened to my body now make a big transition to a completely different surface and then come back immediately to clay. I don’t think it’s a positive idea right now.”Zverev said it had been “a great honour” to play Nadal on 11 occasions in their careers. “I’ve watched Rafa play all my childhood and I was lucky enough to play him two times on this beautiful court. Today is not my moment, it is Rafa’s moment,” said the German star.In a repeat of the 2022 semi-final, which Nadal won when Zverev quit with ankle ligament damage, the Spaniard had his chances. He was a break of serve up in the second and third sets, only to be pinned back on both occasions by his in-form 27-year-old opponent.However, a relentless Zverev broke six times from 18 opportunities and fired 44 winners to Nadal’s 34. Chants of “Rafa, Rafa” had loudly echoed under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier which was shut tight against the torrential rain sweeping across the grounds and bringing havoc to the schedule.They subsided to silence when Nadal was broken to love in his opening service game and he was left to regret his inability to convert two break points in the fourth game. Nadal saved two set points in the ninth game but surrendered the opener after 50 minutes when he buried a loose forehand into the net. It was only the fourth opening set he had lost at Roland Garros.Nadal broke for the first time in the match to lead 3-2 in the second set but couldn’t back up the advantage and handed the break back to three-time semi-finalist Zverev as he served for the set. A tense tie-breaker followed which the German claimed, buoyed by stretching to 5/3 on the back of a gruelling 19-shot rally. Nadal dug deep and with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek having watched from the packed stands, he broke and held for 2-0 in the third set.However, Zverev again roared back to level at 2-2 before a besieged Nadal had to save four break points in a 13-minute fifth game to stay in contention. The effort was too much and a composed Zverev was soon 4-3 up and the match was over when Nadal fired a forehand wide and long.