Kohli reclaims top spot in ODI batting

Kumble set to stay

NEW DELHI, June 13, (AFP): Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday reclaimed the title of world’s best oneday international batsman, buoyed by two half centuries registered while steering his side into the Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Kohli edged out South African captain AB de Villiers and Australia’s Dave Warner in the latest rankings, taking back the crown for just the second time this year.

The right-handed batsman topped the rankings in January for just four days before relinquishing the title. He is now just one point ahead of Warner, the International Cricket Council said in a statement.

The 28-year-old hit a blistering 81 as India drubbed arch-rivals Pakistan in their Champions Trophy opener, before anchoring their modest chase to perfection against South Africa.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan, who rose to 10th in the latest rankings, is top batsman of the tournament so far with a century and two fifties under his belt as India approaches its semi-final showdown against Bangladesh.

Joe Root, who jumped a peg in the rankings to fourth, was the only England batsman in the top 10. Star allrounder Ben Stokes moved up nine places to 20th spot.

Meanwhile, Anil Kumble’s term as India coach looks set to be extended until the end of the West Indies tour next month, a top official said Monday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advertised for a head coach in May with Kumble’s oneyear deal due to expire at the end of the Champions Trophy in England this week.

India’s captain Virat Kohli plays a shot during the ICC Champions Trophy match between India and South Africa at The Oval cricket ground in

London on June 11. (AP)

It was Sarfraz’s second impressive innings at Cardiff after the wicketkeeper’s 90 on the same ground last year saw Pakistan chase down a target of 303 against England in a four-wicket win that prevented a 5-0 ODI series whitewash.

“We played the last ODI here. We win that time, we chased 300, so definitely our confidence is very high playing in Cardiff,” Sarfraz told reporters after Monday’s nailbiting triumph.

England captain Eoin Morgan said Tuesday there was a “chance” Jonny Bairstow could replace the struggling Jason Roy for the Champions Trophy semifinal against Pakistan in Cardiff on Wednesday.

And Morgan insisted he would have “no worries” about Bairstow opening — something he has yet to do in international cricket.

Morgan would not confirm his XI at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference in Cardiff but said there was “a chance we could make a change”.

Surrey opener Roy has averaged just 6.37 from eight ODI innings this season, with a mere two double-figure scores.

Morgan had been staunch in his support of Roy before the Champions Trophy started, saying: “The decision remains the same throughout the tournament...he’ll definitely play.”

However, that backing has softened in the light of Roy’s repeated failures and Morgan, fresh from his impressive 87 in England’s group win over Australia, indicated Tuesday the team could not afford to ‘carry’ anyone as they went in search of a first major ODI tournament triumph.

Bairstow, in marked contrast to Roy, has scored three fifties in his last four ODI innings when standing in for others in England’s top order. The dream match featuring Barcelona player from Spain, Andrés Iniesta was held on the 17th day of the Late Abdullah Meshari Al-Rawdhan Futsal Tournament 2017. The spectators were entertained by the performance of Iniesta during the second dream match of the tournament on that exceptional evening.

Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of Youth Affairs Khaled Al-Roudhan, Secretary General of the Cabinet Abdullatif AlRoudhan, and Head of Kuwait Football Association Fawaz Al-Hassawi were present to watch the dream match.

The crowd’s reaction towards Iniesta was unprecedented since this is the first time he is participating in the tournament after accepting the invitation of the tournament’s organizing committee. Qadsiya football superstar Fahad Al-Ansari, footballers from several other clubs and tournament stars participated in the

dream match, which ended with the victory of the Zain All-Stars team featuring Iniesta by a score of 5-4.

Fans welcomed Iniesta in a very distinguished manner. The seats of the stadium were decorated with colors of Barcelona Club and Spanish flag. Some of the fans were seen wearing Barcelona’s football jersey bearing Iniesta’s name and number. They were chanting his name and singing Barcelona’s football anthem throughout the game.

During the match, the international superstar proved himself as the master of the game. He demonstrated exceptional skills even in a tight situation on the pitch. Even Fahad Al-Ansari and Saleh Sheikh shined throughout the match with their skillful moves.

Iniesta’s team included Mohammad Al-Badeeh, who was the goalkeeper, Abdulaziz Al-Hajri, Pashino, Serginho, Salem Al-Mukaimi, Sultan Al-Majed and Abdulaziz Nasari. Fahad Al-Ansari’s team consisted of Ahmad Al-Dousari, who was the goalkeeper, Bader Tareq, Redha Hani, Shabeeb Al-Khalidi and Talal Al-Jazie.

During an interview with the AlRoudhan Studio, Iniesta expressed appreciation and gratitude for being chosen as the guest of the tournament, especially since the tournament has hosted several elite international football superstars.

He revealed that he heard about the tournament from other superstars who were previously invited as guests at the tournament.

Iniesta affirmed that he received exceptional reception from the time he entered Kuwait, which reflects the importance of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the late Musaed AlMailem team qualified for the second round after their match with the Kuwait Capital team ended in a draw of two goals each. Therefore, the Kuwait Capital team exited the tournament with just one point.

McDonalds team found a place in the second round after its match with the Binraddad Group team ended in a draw of one goal each.

Wednesday marks the end of the tournament’s first round. On this day, the team of Dar Al-Mohamedi will face Kuwait Steel team and the late Essa Al-Qanae team will meet Al-Medmar team. However, the teams of Kuwait Steel and Dar AlMohamedi have already qualified for the next round.

In the amateur category, the team of Pharaoh Academy became one among the best of eight after they defeated Al-Dhahabi team with a score of 3-1. They are joined by the Junior Stars team, which defeated the Stars team by two goals, and the team of Late Dhari Al-Othman, which defeated Hassan Abul Center with a score of 3-1 in penalty shootouts after the match ended goalless during normal time.