Sports

Rahm gets emotions out of his system | The Express Tribune

Published

6 مہینے ago

اپریل 4, 2024

l955w

DORAL:

Defending Masters champion Jon Rahm hopes that his early return to the scene of his triumph at Augusta National will reduce the emotion of next week’s tournament.

The Spaniard, who is playing this weekend in LIV Golf’s Miami event at Doral, overturned a four-stroke deficit on the final day last year to defeat Americans Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson by four shots.

Last week he travelled to Augusta and, as well as playing the course, took some time to take in the scene of his second major triumph.

“I wanted to go back at least once before Masters Week. I didn’t want the first time back at Augusta National to be the tournament week, I wanted to get a lot of the emotions out of the way, and also see the course and see if they’ve done any changes,” he added.

“I was trying to see the golf course, and learn a few new things, and learn what they’ve changed,” said Rahm.

“But mainly, in my mind, it was just kind of getting to experience those emotions, and being back, going to the champions locker-room, seeing my name up there,” he said.

In December, Rahm joined Koepka and Mickelson on the Saudi-backed LIV circuit, a move which was a major blow to the PGA Tour.

The 29-year-old also finds himself in the rare position of playing in a tournament the week before the Masters but said he was glad the schedule has thrown up that opportunity.

“At the end of the day, it’s how you take advantage of the situation and how you prepare leading into this week. I actually was glad to have a tournament this week because going into Augusta defending, it is really the first major championship I’m defending (at the same) venue.

“Being at home this week could have been a little more challenging trying to control those thoughts. But having competition, you’re here to do your job and it’s great practise towards next week. I think in every way, it’s going to help,” he said.

Rahm has yet to win on the LIV tour but said he will head to Augusta in good shape.

“I feel like I’m playing really good golf, but I haven’t really got over the hump of winning yet, so I feel confident. I’m equally confident in my game, pretty much any given day of the year,” he said.

“I think that’s how any competitor should be, but it’s just that difference of how I’ve been playing the last few months.

“I’m comfortable, a little fresher, if anything, going into this next few weeks, so looking forward to it,” he said.

One thing he isn’t yet comfortable with is the speech he must give at the Champions Dinner on Tuesday.

Rahm has chosen his Basque-themed menu for the assembled former winners but says the speech will be a challenge.

“To be part of that select group of people that won that tournament and wear that green jacket with pride and be in charge of the menu is quite incredible,” he said.

“It’s definitely one of the highlights of the week but for some reason definitely something I’m nervous about. I have no idea why. But it does seem a little daunting having to stand up in front of that group and give a speech even though I know every single one of them has been in my position, some of them more than once,” he said.

“I don’t know, just seems — you’re going to be in that room with the legends of the game, still active and nonactive, and that’s something really cool to be able to say and be able to share,” he added.

Up Next

Russia attacks on IOC chief Bach | The Express Tribune

Don't Miss

McIlroy works with Harmon ahead of final Masters tuneup | The Express Tribune

Click to comment

Sports

Pakistan announces squad for first England Test

Published

1 گھنٹہ ago

ستمبر 24, 2024

l955w

Lahore: The Pakistan cricket selectors on Tuesday announced a 15-player squad on Tuesday for the first Test against England, set to take place in Multan from 7-11 October.

Following the squad announcement and based on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie, the selected players have been withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to allow them some rest ahead of the series. The squad will assemble in Multan on Monday, 30 September, with the training camp commencing on 1 October.

Squad (for 1st Test): Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who has taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests, has replaced fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who is injured.

Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad for the Bangladesh Tests, remain firmly in the selectors’ plans.

However, due to the selection policy’s emphasis on consistency and continuity, and the belief that 15 players are sufficient for a Test, they have been advised and encouraged to continue representing their teams in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, starting on 3 October, to ensure they stay match-ready through competitive cricket.

Pakistan men’s red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, said: “With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England.

“We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters.”

Sports

PCB announces squad for first England Test

Published

2 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 24, 2024

l955w

Pakistan’s Test captain, Shan Masood (left) and Pakistan’s white-ball skipper Babar Azam in this undated photo. — AFP/File

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-player squad on Tuesday for the first Test against England, set to take place in Multan from October 7-11.

The squad will assemble in Multan on Monday, September 30, with the training camp commencing on October 1.

Squad (for 1st Test):

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who has taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests, has replaced fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who is injured.

Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad for the Bangladesh Tests, remain firmly in the selectors’ plans. However, due to the selection policy’s emphasis on consistency and continuity, and the belief that 15 players are sufficient for a Test, they have been advised and encouraged to continue representing their teams in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, starting on 3 October, to ensure they stay match-ready through competitive cricket.

Pakistan men’s red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie said: “With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England.

“We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters.”

Sports

Is Lionel Messi officially leaving Inter Miami?

Published

9 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 24, 2024

l955w

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF reacts in the first half against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium in New York City, US, on September 21, 2024. — AFP

In some heartbreaking news for Inter Miami fans, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club’s Argentine star Lionel Messi has already decided to leave, not only the club but also the country.

According to the Mirror UK, the 37-year-old Argentine football legend has played a crucial role in Inter Miami’s success since he linked up with former footballer and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, back in July 2023.

The addition of the eight-time Ballon d’Or award winner proved to be a significant victory for the MLS and reshaped Inter Miami’s record in the league, reversing its prior struggles in the Eastern Conference.

However, it is believed that it may be time for Messi to leave Miami upon his contract’s conclusion in December 2025 with an aims to return to his roots in Argentina.

This means that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star is left with only one more full season in the MLS.

According to reports from El Nacional, he is said to be eyeing a switch back to Newell’s Old Boys, where Messi spent his formative years, from 1995 to 2000.

Although he expressed a heartfelt desire to return home and play for Newell’s Old Boys in 2016, Messi was slightly unsure of heading back home when he spoke on the matter at a later date.

Speaking to TyC Sports, he said: “My dream is to play at Newell’s but I don’t know what will happen, and a part of that doubt is due to the way the country is at the moment.

“I have a family and my children come first, and then me, I want them to grow up in a calm place, being able to enjoy life with security. It is very ugly to see the things that happen in Argentina, that you can go out on the street and people want to rob you and that they can kill you.”

Last weekend, Messi joined his Inter Miami teammates on the field after returning from a Copa America final ankle injury and scored twice within 30 minutes against Philadelphia Union.

His latest goals boosted his season stats to an impressive 14 goals and as many assists in the MLS.

Currently, Miami stands only a few weeks away from potentially clinching the Supporter’s Shield. If they do so, it will be Messi’s second trophy with the team, following their Leagues Cup victory last year.

Sports

PCB holds ‘Connection Camp’ to set strategic goals

Published

17 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 24, 2024

l955w

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) organized a “Connection Camp” on Monday to lay out a roadmap for achieving its strategic objectives.

The camp was attended by PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer, white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, and key players including Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, and Saim Ayub.

The primary goal of the camp was to improve communication, teamwork, and performance among the national team players.

After the camp, Salman Naseer, along with the national team coaches, addressed the media. Naseer highlighted the importance of holding the camp at this critical time to discuss various issues. “Everyone agrees there’s an urgent need to enhance our performance,” he said, adding that the camp provided an opportunity to brainstorm solutions to the challenges faced by both the team and management.

Gary Kirsten praised the camp as a “brilliant” initiative, stating, “We discussed supporting each other, and I believe we’ve largely achieved the goal of this gathering. There’s a strong commitment from everyone to restore the pride of Pakistan cricket.”

Jason Gillespie echoed Kirsten’s sentiments, stressing the need to strengthen team unity moving forward.