CSK beat MI as IPL 2020 begins in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked off on Saturday with the Mumbai Indians taking on the runner-ups of last year Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets in the opening match of IPL 2020 in Abu Dhabi.
Ater a good start, Mumbai Indians (MI) managed just 22 runs and lost three wickets in the last three overs to be restricted to 162/9 by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Besides all the action on the field, one of the highlights of the opening day that grabbed atention was the fake sound of the audience cheering in the background.
The organisers of the IPL made sure that the players’ enthusiasm should not go down with the arrangements.
The match was a repeat of the 2019 final, which MI won to clinch their fourth title. Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni made a return to cricket ater a span of nearly 14 months.
Dhoni was last seen on a cricket field in India’s World Cup semi-final loss last year against New Zealand. He announced international retirement last month, but will continue to play for CSK in the IPL League.
Returning to play for CSK in the opening game, Dhoni was at his hilarious best at the toss.
Ater winning the toss, Dhoni took a second before announcing his decision.
Instead, he asked a hilarious question from commentator Murali Karthik. “Wanted to know if we can have a slip (in line with social distancing),” Dhoni joked.
“I will bowl first. Late evening you get dew. Also to keep wicket in good condition they water it, so it tends to be tacky at the start,” Dhoni, further added.
Ater a good start, Mumbai Indians (MI) managed just 22 runs and lost three wickets in the last three overs to be restricted to 162/9 by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board have signed an MOU and hosting agreement to boost cricketing ties between the two countries.
“I along with Vice Chairman of Emirates Cricket Board Khalid Al Zarooni signed an MOU and hosting agreement between BCCI and Emirates Cricket to boost the cricketing ties between our countries,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in a tweet on Saturday.
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Treasurer Arun Dhumal were present on the occasion, he added.
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC and Pakhtakor FC have it all to play for when they lock horns on Matchday Five of the 2020 2020 AFC Champions League with the two sides in direct competition for a Round-of-16 ticket.
The two sides are separated by only one point; Pakhtakor sit second with seven points ater four games while Shabab Al Ahli’s late resurgence took their tally to six points from four matches.
Shabab Al Ahli lost to Pakhtakor 2-1 in their opening game of the campaign but have since underwent a managerial change with Spaniard Gerard Zaragoza replacing Argentine Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
“We will go into this game as if it were a final because a loss here will mean elimination, while a win could vastly improve our chances of progression,” said Zaragoza.
“Each game has its own circumstances. Yes, I was not present in the first two group stage games, but I know the weather was bad in the first game against Pakhtakor, and Al Hilal’s players’ brilliance decided the second game. Pakhtakor are a good team and are difficult to face, they have a good squad and a good manager.”
“This is a final by all measures, everything is on the line here, but we do have experienced players who love participating in finals such as Carlos Eduardo.
“This game has a lot in common with our previous two matches against Shahr Khodro FC, where both teams have similar physical attributes, but I believe Pakhtakor are stronger in that regard. So, defence will play a huge role.”
Pakhtakor head coach Shota Arveladze is aware his team face a different Shabab Al Ahli side to the one they defeated on the opening matchday of the competition seven months ago.
“This game will be vital, but in a larger context the final two matches are always important. I will work on moulding the physical and tactical aspects of my team,” said Arveladze.
“We played against Shabab Al Ahli in the first match of the group and it was raining in Uzbekistan. The first half saw some good performances but there was a downpour in the second half, so performances were affected.
“Shabab Al Ahli have changed a lot since our last match – some players have let and others have come in such as Eduardo, who has not played much in the two previous games and was in a different position than what we saw with Al Hilal. I believe it will be an exciting match though absolutely crucial for us.”
When the two sides met on Matchday One, Dragan Ceran’s effort 20 minutes from time won the game for the Uzbek side after Pedro Conde had initially cancelled out Jaloliddin Masharipov’s magnificent chipped goal early on.
Meanwhile Al Shorta head coach Abdulghani Shahd has his eyes set on writing history for Iraqi football as his side take on Esteghlal in a do-or-die Group A clash, with the winners earning a place in the AFC Champions League Round of 16.
A win for the Baghdad-based side or a score draw with more than a goal will be enough to seal progress to the knock-out stage; a feat no Iraqi team in the history of the AFC Champions League has achieved.
Al Shorta beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in their Matchday Four fixture to move up to second, but having drawn Esteghlal 1-1 at home in their opening match, losing to the Iranians on Sunday will leave them botom of the group, as will a goalless draw should Esteghlal manage to beat Al Ahli in the final match of the group.
“This match is a crossroads for both teams. I had previously said this match is the decider and we simply have to win it to avoid waiting for the last game,” said a defiant Shahd.
Al Shorta welcome back Iraqi international right-back Alaa Mhawi from suspension, but coach Shahd will be without the services of talismanic midfielder Mohammad Qassim who suffered an injury in the previous match.
Esteghlal return to action for their first game ater the restart, and the two-time Asian Club Championship winners need four points from their next two games to reach the knock-out stages for the third time in four years.
“Al Shorta are a very good and powerful team; we played against them in Iraq and it was 1-1,” said head coach Majid Namjoo-motlagh.
“The Al Shorta team we play against tomorrow are even beter than in the first game; they are already more experienced in the competition now and have momentum on their side, but we prepared well and we are ready to take them on and move to the next stage.”
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Pakhtakor are in direct competition for a round-of-16 ticket. Separated by only one point, the later sit second with 7 points ater four games while Shabab Al Ahli’s late resurgence took their tally to 6 points from 4 matches