Sports Bulletin

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by eight wickets in ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 SB Report Dubai (November 14, 2019);-Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by eight wickets in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 match played at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Cox's Bazar on Thursday.  Chasing 139 to win the match, in their first outing in the tournament, Pakistan openers Omair-Bin-Yousaf (38) and Haider Ali (16) provided a solid 50-run partnership for the first-wicket. After the departure of the opening pair, Rohail Nazir and Saud Shakeel got together and contributed an unbroken 70-run partnership for the third-wicket to chase down the target in 35.3 overs. Rohail scored an undefeated 73-ball 53 laced with two fours and a six, while captain Saud Shakeel scored 30 off 48 balls which included one four.  Earlier in the day, Afghanistan were dismissed for 138 in 42.2 overs after opting to bat first. icketkeeper batsman Munir Ahmed top-scored with a 71-ball 41, he hit one four and two sixes. For Pakistan, Mohammad Mohsin took four wickets for 30 runs in 9.4 overs. Amad Butt and Khushdil Shah  chipped in with two wickets apiece. Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in their second match on Saturday, 16 November 2019.  

Bismah Maroof and Iqbal Imam retained captain, coach until ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-Bismah Maroof has been retained as captain and Iqbal Imam has been appointed as the head coach of Pakistan national women’s team until next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia from 21 February to 8 March.  Prior to the Australia event in December, the Pakistan national women’s cricket team will take on England in Kuala Lumpur in the seventh round of ICC Women’s Championship. The three ODIs will be followed by three T20Is.  Bismah, the 28-year-old veteran of 105 ODIs and 103 T20Is, was first appointed as Pakistan captain in the T20I format in 2016 for the tour of England, before taking over as ODI captain post-ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. To date, she has led Pakistan in 15 ODIs and 33 T20Is.  Iqbal Imam played 147 first-class matches from 1989 to 2005 during which he scored 6,249 runs and took 136 wickets. He was named as the batting coach in April and was made interim head coach for the recent home series against Bangladesh after Mark Coles resigned from the position.  Bismah Maroof, reflecting on her appointment, said: “It is truly an honour for me to be continuing as Pakistan’s captain and I look forward to leading the side in the next year’s T20 World Cup. “The team is in good shape and has produced some good performances recently. There’s a great deal of talent and passion in the girls and I look forward to carrying the momentum to the World Cup.”  Urooj Mumtaz, Chair of selectors for the Pakistan national women’s team, said: “I congratulate Bismah Maroof and Iqbal Imam on their appointments. “It is the dream of every cricketer to lead their nation in a world event and I am certain that Bismah is a good fit for the job. She has been at the helm for some years and she has grown as a leader.  “There has been a significant improvement in the performances of the women’s side of-late and her vast experience of international cricket is certainly going to benefit the team.” Iqbal Imam, expressing his delight at the announcement, said: “It is certainly an honour for me to be appointed as a head coach for the women’s side. “Women’s cricket in Pakistan is improving day-by-day and we have a lot of talented girls emerging. Our team has gotten off to a decent start this season by beat Bangladesh in T20I series and levelling the ODI series. “There’s a great potential in the side to do wonders and I aim to bring the best out of them.”  PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “Bismah Maroof and Iqbal Imam have put in the hard yards to be where they are today and I am very confident that the national women’s team will thrive under them. “Iqbal has been with the team since April and he understands the demands of the job. He has the desired skillset and was right up there amongst the candidates who applied for the job. “The Pakistan team showed improvements in their T20I and ODI series against Bangladesh under him and I hope that he will be able to carry forward the momentum gained from them.” The team’s performance will be reviewed after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Australia 2020 before future decisions are made as the Pakistan national women’s cricket team has no scheduled Future Tours Programme or ICC commitments until the ICC Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2021, which will be held from 30 January to 20 February. Pakistan national women’s cricket team’s upcoming matches: Versus England in Malaysia 9 Dec – First ODI (ICC Women’s Championship), Kinrara Oval 12 Dec – Second ODI (ICC Women’s Championship), Kinrara Oval 14 Dec – Third ODI (ICC Women’s Championship), Kinrara Oval 17 Dec – First T20I, Kinrara Oval 19 Dec – Second T20I, Kinrara Oval 20 Dec – Third T20I, Kinrara Oval ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Australia 2020 26 Feb – v West Indies, Manuka Oval, Canberra 28 Feb – v England, Manuka Oval, Canberra 1 Mar – v South Africa, Sydney Showground, Sydney 3 Mar – v Thailand, Sydney Showground, Sydney

SB Report AJMAN (November 13, 2019):-Pakistan Blind Cricket Team defeated England by 8 wickets in the 2nd International T-20, which was played today at Ajman Oval Cricket Ground, Ajman on Wednesday.  In the morning, once again Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. Pakistan’s moral with the yesterday victory was high. England top order again failed and Pakistani bowlers, bowled with some serious pace and variation and didn’t allow England middle order to settle in. Badar’s fiery spell left England wobbling at 59 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in first 10 overs. Badar took 3 wickets for 24 runs. Dan Field got out after scoring 5 runs, Sam Murray made 21 runs, Andy Powers and Peter Bulliet couldn’t open their accounts, Hollingsworth scored 5, Nathan Foy was caught at 8 runs, Ed Hossell the English Captain made 18 runs, Ameen sustained for his 14 runs, Jimmy went back to pavilion after making 2 runs, Josh Black scored 6 runs not out and England top scorer was Nathan Jamson, he remained unbeaten on 20 runs. England posted 132 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs. The other wickets takers for Pakistan were Sajid Nawaz and Mohammad Shahzaib, they took 1 wicket each. Pakistan while chasing, lost two early wickets for 16 runs on the board. Sanaullah was caught by wicket keeper after scoring 6 runs while Zafar Iqbal was stumped without opening his account on the very next ball. Jimmy Millard was the bowler who took 2 wickets in one over. Two quick wickets gave England hope to pull things back, but the unbeaten 3rd wicket partnership of 118 runs by Anees Javed and Mohsin Khan turned the table on England. Pakistan hurried to target of 133 runs in just 13.1 overs for the loss of 2 wickets.  Anees Javed made unbeaten 55* runs and Mohsin Khan scored 50*. Pakistan is leading the 6 Match T-20 series by 2-0. The 3rd T20 International will be played under flood lit lights tomorrow at the same ground. Neil Bradshaw, the Disability Operations Manager England and Wales Cricket Board, was the guest of the occasion and gave away man of the match award. Result: Pakistan won by 8 wickets and 41 balls to spare MOM: Anees Javed

HBL PSL 2020 attracts some of the world’s very best By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-A fascinating duel between World No.1 Babar Azam and one of the modern day greats Dale Steyn is on the cards for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 as the South African speedster is among the 28 international crowd-pullers to have registered to date in the Platinum category for one of the premier and most-watched leagues on the planet. The registration window for the foreign players is still open and closes on 21 November following which an updated list will be released.  The battle between Babar and Steyn made global headlines when the Pakistan batsman struck the South African pace ace for 10 boundaries in a span of just 31 balls in the Centurion Test late last year. He then followed up with five boundaries in 29 balls in the Cape Town Test to belt Steyn for a total of 16 fours off just 66 balls.  If the two end up in opposite camps when the player draft takes place in the first week of December, then the local and foreign fans are up for the resumption of an engrossing contest between a present day star and one of the all-time supreme fast bowlers.  This is the first time Steyn has registered for the HBL PSL, which reflects the popularity of the competition and the brand it has become since its inception in 2016. If picked, Steyn’s next year’s visit to Pakistan will also be his first since the 2007 tour when he played Tests in Karachi and Lahore.  Steyn was excited to be part of the draft pool, when he said: “Cricket means the world to Pakistani fans and I am excited that I will get to be a part of the HBL Pakistan Super League draft pool.”  Steyn’s longtime South Africa team-mate Hashim Amla and England’s World Cup winners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are the other international players in the preliminary list of 28 cricketers who have registered in the Platinum category for the HBL PSL 2020.  Amla also toured Pakistan in 2007 before returning in 2017 with the ICC World XI for a three-match T20I series, while for Ali and Rashid, next year’s trips will be their maiden cricket tours, if picked.  Moeen Ali said: “I am very excited that I am going to be a part of such an incredible pool of players for the HBL PSL Player Draft. On the circuit, players talk about the quality cricket that they have experienced playing in the HBL PSL and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”  Apart from Ali and Rashid, Jason Roy is the other World Cup winner to have registered for HBL PSL 2020. Roy, who has previously represented Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators, said: “Pakistan cricket always offers unique and exciting stuff and this tournament is no different. They have some of the most passionate fans in the world and it is extremely heartening to experience this passion. I have had brief but memorable stints at the HBL PSL and it's great to be back in the pool.”  Roy’s compatriot Alex Hales and West Indies’ star Kieron Pollard are familiar faces in the HBL PSL. Alex Hales, who was picked by Islamabad United in 2018, said: “I had a great experience playing in Karachi last year and I can’t forget the love that I received from Pakistani fans. HBL PSL has grown so much in such little time and it is definitely an exciting tournament to be a part of.”  Kieron Pollard, who played for Peshawar Zalmi in the 2019 event, said: “Last year, I truly experienced what cricket means to Pakistani fans as I played in front of jam-packed crowds. It was definitely a highlight in my career and I hope that the HBL PSL festivity continues this season as well.”  Overall, the 28 players come from eight cricket-playing nations, with England boasting seven, South Africa six and the West Indies five, Afghanistan and Australia three each, Sri Lanka two and Nepal, and New Zealand one each.  While the PCB will announce additions to the list by or before 21 November, it will share to date Diamond, Gold, Silver and Emerging lists later this week.  List of international players who have registered in Platinum category to date:  ·         Afghanistan – Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and Rashid Khan ·         Australia – Dan Christian, Ben Cutting and Chris Lynn ·         England – Moeen Ali, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid and Jason Roy ·         Nepal - Sandeep Lamichhane ·         New Zealand – Colin Munro ·         South Africa – Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir ·         Sri Lanka – Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera ·         West Indies – Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard  

SB Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind cricket team defeated England by 9 wickets in the first Twenty 20 cricket fixture at Oval Cricket Ground Ajman, United Arabs Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday. Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai officially inaugurated the series. Before the match, both teams kept one-minute silence in condolence to the sad demise of Anees Javed (Pakistan Team’s former Captain and current player) father who died few days ago. Anees, despite the harsh bolt from the blue joined the team in U.A.E to execute his national duty. In the morning, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. Muhammad Shahzaib Totally Blind B1 player made his debut. Syed Sultan Shah Chairman PBCC and Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai gave him the debut cap. Pakistani bowlers didn’t allow the English batsmen to play at will. Tight bowling toppled the English batsmen and their wickets kept falling in regular intervals. England team made only 137 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Peter Bullet and Justin Hollingsworth were their best run getters, they scored 34 runs each. Shahzaib Hyder took 2 wickets, Mohisn Khan, Haroon Khan claimed a wicket a piece. Mohammad Shahzaib the debutant made his impact straight away and bowled England’s dangerous Nathan Foy cheaply. Target of 138 runs, remained a plain ceiling for Pakistani batsmen, Pakistan chased the target in 12.1 overs for the loss of 1 wicket. Muhammad Rashid hit 61 runs off 37 balls and Haroon Khan made 26 runs, he was hit wicket on the bowling on Nathan Foy. Riasat Khan remained unbeaten on 16* runs. Stefan the Chairman of International Deaf Cricket Council was the guest of the occasion and gave away man of the match award. The 2nd Twenty-20 International will be played on Wednesday at the same venue. Result: Pakistan won by 9 wickets                       MOM: Muhammad Rashid

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Imran Butt, Aizaz Cheema star on day two SB Report ISLAMABAD:-Imran Butt’s eighth first-class century and two early wickets by Taj Wali and Mohammad Asghar put Balochistan ahead of Central Punjab on day two of their four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy seventh-round fixture at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Balochistan scored a mammoth 450 all-out on the back of Butt’s 137 and reduced the hosts to 28 for two before the play had to be called-off due to fading light. Twenty-three-year-old Butt continued his impressive form after resuming his innings on 77 and cracked his second 100-plus score in the tournament. He knitted a solid 167-run partnership for the third-wicket with Balochistan’s captain Imran Farhat - who scored 87 off 155 balls, hitting 11 fours - and smashed 16 fours in his 225-ball stay at the crease before he was removed by Aizaz Cheema, who returned his 37th five in first-class cricket. The 40-year-old right-arm medium-fast took five wickets for 100 runs in 31.1 overs, providing crucial breakthroughs to hosts over the course of his spells. Other notable performance with the ball came from right-arm medium-fast Mohammad Ali who picked up two more wickets on Tuesday and returned three for 72. For crossing the 400-run mark in 110 overs, Balochistan bagged maximum (5) batting points, while Central Punjab took two points for removing six or more batsmen. Only eight overs were possible in Central Punjab’s innings and Taj (2-0-5-1) and Asghar (2-0-7-1) made the most of the twilights hours by picking up the wickets of opener Rizwan Hussain (six) and night-watchman Ehsan Adil (seven). Salman Butt (15) and Central Punjab captain Ahmed Shehzad (0) will resume the innings for the hosts on Wednesday. Scores in brief: Balochistan 450 all-out, 124.1 overs (Imran Butt 137, Imran Farhat 87, Azeem Ghumman 72, Awais Zia 44, Taimur Khan 37, Hussain Talat 24; Aizaz Cheema 5-100, Mohammad Ali 3-72) Central Punjab 28-2, 8 overs (Salman Butt 15; Taj Wali 1-5, Mohammad Asghar 1-7)

Aamir Ali guides Sindh to National Under-19 three-day title SB Report ISLAMABAD[November,11,2019]:-A six from left-arm spinner Aamir Ali helped Sindh Under-19 win the final of National Under-19 Three-Day Tournament against Northern U19 at Rana Naveed Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura on Monday. Sindh who recently won the National U19 One-Day tournament took another trophy home, defeating Northern by seven wickets. Resuming their second innings on 102 for six, Northern were bundled out for 131 in 49.2 overs. Captain Zaid Khan top-scored with a 98-ball 64, he hit nine fours and a six. For Sindh, left-arm spinner Aamir Ali took six wickets for 54 runs in 23.2 overs. He ended-up with match figures of 11 for 133. Arish Ali Khan and Mohammad Makki grabbed two wickets apiece for 40 and 20 runs, respectively. Chasing 148 to win, Sindh lost two wickets in quick succession with only 22 runs on the board, but a 109-run partnership for the third wicket between Mohammad Taha (61 not-out) and Saim Ayub 62 guided the team to victory. Taha’s unbeaten knock included 10 fours and a six, while Saim hit 11 fours in an innings lasting 94 balls. Aamir for his 11 wickets was named player-of-the-match, while Mehran Mumtaz who has scored 166 runs and took 24 wickets for Northern was named player-of-the-tournament. Sindh defeated Balochistan by 123 runs to lift the National U19 One-Day tournament at the same venue on 6 November. Scores in brief: Northern U19 v Sindh U19, Rana Naveed Academy, Sheikhupura Northern U19 220 all-out, 77.2 overs (Mehran Mumtaz 43, Abdul Fasih 34; Arish Ali Khan 5-85, Aamir Ali 5-79) and 131 all-out, 49.2 overs (Ziad Khan 64; Aamir Ali 6-54, Arish Ali Khan 2-40, Mohammad Makki 2-20) Sindh U19 204 all-out, 63.2 overs (Mubashir Nawaz 63, Mohammad Usman 56; Mehran Mumtaz 4-47, Shiraz Khan 3-44) and 152-3, 32.3 overs (Saim Ayub 62, Mohammad Taha 61 not-out) Result: Sindh U19 win by seven wickets Player of the match – Aamir Ali (Sindh) Player of the tournament – Mehran Mumtaz, Northern U19 (166 runs and 24 wickets in six matches

Ali Shafiq fined 20 percent match fee SB Report ISLAMABAD[November,11,2019]:-Balochistan bowler Ali Shafiq has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee for a level 1 offence relating to using language, action or gesture which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his dismissal during a match during his side’s three-day non first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the incident happened on Sunday when Ali dismissed Mehran Ibrahim in the 21st over of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first innings. The right-arm medium-fast was charged by on-field umpires Imtiaz Iqbal and Mohammad Sajid at the end of second day’s play for violating article 2.5 of the PCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Ali pleaded guilty and accepted the fine imposed on him by match referee Nadeem Arshad

Akif Javed’s need for speed SB Report ISLAMABAD[November,11,2019]:-Karak-born left-arm pacer Akif Javed has made a big impression already in a very short domestic career. Akif, a discovery of the NCA Remote Areas Programme has made his way to the Pakistan team set to take part in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup that will be played in Bangladesh later this month. The 19-year-old Akif was born in Karak which is a remote town some 130 kilometres away from Peshawar. Cricket, like the rest of the country is the most popular sport here and youngsters are seen playing cricket on large fields and grounds across the area. Akif, started playing like most of the boys in the area, his talent, skill, persistence and determination provided him rich rewards in the shape of his selection for the Remote Areas camp that was staged at the prestigious National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Akif had some big challenges to overcome; he had to help his father as a shopkeeper in order to make ends meet for his family. Akif used to work at the shop yet pursued his dream of becoming a cricket star in his spare time. As a kid and then as a teenager he played tape-ball cricket with his friends on the streets and grounds of Karak. His life changed last year when on the insistence of his friends, he started playing with the cricket ball. Akif made a big impression in the recently concluded National T20 tournament in Faisalabad where he accounted for some big scalps; overall he took nine wickets in seven games including figures of three for 16 in one game for Balochistan. His side narrowly lost the tournament final to Northern. Akif Javed on his early days, National T20, selection and favourites: “I was inspired by Shoaib Akhtar and started playing cricket as I wanted to emulate his feats. I entered the National T20 with the aim of becoming the fastest bowler in the world, I am happy with my performance in the event. My most memorable wicket of the tournament was Mohammad Hafeez’s. “My mother informed me of my selection in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup squad; she like the rest of my family is very happy and is praying for my success. Among the present lot, Mohammad Amir is my favourite bowler; I want to swing the ball like he does at a good pace.”Akif impressed the coaches at the NCA, while training under the Remote Areas Programme. He gained speed, accuracy and learned the nuances of bowling at the highest level under the NCA coaches.  Akif praised the coaching staff at the NCA for their contribution in his growth as a player as well as his improved fitness. Akif on NCA coaches: “The coaches at NCA worked really hard with me. I was taught about the basics of bowling and that helped me immensely in my performances in the National T20. I was also told about the importance of fitness and the training that I did at the academy has been of great benefit. The Remote Areas camp helped many youngsters like me and we might see many other stars emerge from these activities in the future.” Akif has made rapid strides in a very short time, not long ago his family used to dislike his interest in cricket but his performances in the National T20 and his selection in the Pakistan team for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup has changed their perception, he now has their backing and prayers as he begins the pursuit of what promises to be a hugely rewarding career. Pakistan’s squad for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup has a strong pace bowling attack which besides Akif includes Mohammad Hasnain, Sameen Gul and Amad Butt. Pakistan Squad: Saud Shakeel (captain), Rohail Nazir (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Akif Javed, Amad Butt, Haider  Ali,   Hasan Mohsin, Imran Rafiq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Asad, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Mohsin, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saif Badar, Sameen Gul, Umar Khan. Reserves: Aamir Ali, Adil Amin, Hussain Talat and Muhammad Haris.   Team management: Ijaz Ahmed (Manager-cum-head coach), Rao Iftikhar Anjum (bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (assistant coach), Hafiz Mohammad Naeem Ul Rasul (physiotherapist), Saboor  Ahmad (trainer), Usman  Hashmi (analyst) and Muhammad Younas Butt (security manager) Pakistan’s schedule: 14 November – v Afghanistan, Cox’s Bazar 16 November – v Sri Lanka, Cox’s Bazar 18 November – v Oman, Cox’s Bazar 20 November – Semi-final 1 (winner Group A v runner-up Group B), Mirpur 21 November - Semi-final 2 (winner Group B v runner-up Group A), Mirpur 23 November - Final, Mirpur

Azeem Ghumman, Imran Butt hit half-centuries on Day-1 SB Report ISLAMABAD[November,11,2019]:-Half-centuries by Azeem Ghumman and Imran Butt had Balochistan at 232 for 2 on the first day of their four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy seventh-round fixture against Central Punjab at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium before play had to be called-off due to bad light. Opener Azeem and one-drop Butt stitched a 92-run partnership for the second-wicket for the visitors after Balochistan were asked to bat by Central Punjab captain Ahmed Shehzad. Azeem scored a solid 140-ball 72 – his 20th half-century in first-class cricket – which also included a 71-run opening-partnership with Awais Zia (44). The 28-year-old right-handed batsman cracked 10 boundaries in his 200-minute stay at the crease. After Awais was dismissed, Butt ensured Balochistan’s innings stayed on track as he scored 77 not out from 119 balls. The 23-year-old had smashed 11 fours and was joined by his side’s captain Imran Farhat (30 not out) when stumps were drawn. For Central Punjab, right-arm medium-fast bowlers Mohammad Ali and Ehsan Adil took a wicket each for 42 and 57 runs. Only 60.2 overs were bowled on day one. Scores in brief: Balochistan 232-2, 60.2 overs (Imran Butt 77 not out, Azeem Ghumman 72, Awais Zia 44, Imran Farhat 30 not out; Mohammad Ali 1-42, Ehsan Adil 1-57) v Central Punjab