Matt Fitzpatrick shoots 65, leads by one at Dubai Desert Classic

Matthew Fitzpatrick of England tees off on the 5th hole during round one of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo)
Updated 24 January 2019
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Matt Fitzpatrick shoots 65, leads by one at Dubai Desert Classic

  • Fitzpatrick’s strong finish saw him shoot his lowest score in an opening round since 2015 and break a logjam at the top of the leaderboard
  • Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau among eight players to shoot 66 at Emirates Golf Club

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Matthew Fitzpatrick birdied five of his last six holes to shoot a 7-under 65 Thursday and take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Fitzpatrick’s strong finish saw him shoot his lowest score in an opening round since 2015 and break a logjam at the top of the leaderboard, with Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau among eight players to shoot 66 at Emirates Golf Club.
Nine players are a further shot behind after 67s, including Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
The biggest win of Fitzpatrick’s career came in Dubai, at the end-of-season World Tour Championship in 2016.


Pakistan captain rules out ‘major’ squad changes before T20 World Cup 2026

Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan captain rules out ‘major’ squad changes before T20 World Cup 2026

  • T20 World Cup will take place in India in February, with Pakistan to play its matches in Sri Lanka
  • Pakistan have recorded back-to-back T20I series victories over Sri Lanka, South Africa this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha set his sights on winning the T20 World Cup 2026, ruling out any “major changes” to the squad before the megaevent next year. 

The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will commence on Feb. 7 next year in India. Pakistan will play all of its matches in Sri Lanka as per a deal brokered by the ICC that allows India and Pakistan to play each other at neutral venues.

Pakistan have tried left-arm pacer Salman Mirza, brought back former captain Babar Azam to the T20I squad and tried fast bowler Naseem Shah and played several all-rounders in the squad this year, including Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf. 

“I think our roles are defined and we need to give a chance in the next six games with consistency to this playing XI and those roles, so that we can head to the World Cup with confidence,” Agha said in a podcast with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

“I don’t think there will be any major changes because we were keeping this World Cup in mind since the last six to seven months in the way we were practicing or selecting the players for the team,” he added. 

Pakistan will next play a three-match T20I away series against Sri Lanka before they head to the T20 World Cup. 

The South Asian country has encountered success in white-ball matches recently, winning a tri-nation series tournament against Afghanistan and the UAE in September. 

Agha also led his team to the final of the Asia Cup later the same month which they lost to India. However, he led the Green Shirts to wins against Sri Lanka and South Africa in the T20I series against both countries at home later.