Sports Bulletin

SB Report ISLAMABAD-Islamabad Disable cricket team defeated Abbottabad Disables by only 2 runs in a friendly tie on Tuesday. Islamabad’s captain, Usman Paracha won the toss and elected to bat first. At one stage, Islamabad disables were 41/9, than Usman Ali and Mohammad Afzal score 27 valuable runs and set a target 69 to win for Abbottabad disable cricket team. Adil Abbasi 13, Ali Abbassi 14 and Mohammad Afzal scored 7 runs. Aftab took 3 wickets while Hussain, Rajwali and Hammayun took two wickets each Fawad took one wicket. In reply, Abbottabad disable cricket team 66 all out in 19th over. Salam and Hammayun scored 17 runs each Hussain scored 10 runs. Waqaf Shah and Ali Abbass took 4 wickets each and Hammad Shoukat took two wickets. The chief guest Assistant commissioner Chota Lahore  Tabinda Tariq distributed the prizes among the players. He appreciated the efforts and promote sports activities and especially for these special brave people of our society. We are especially thankful to sports officer Sawabi Tariq Mohammad for making this beautiful event successful.  

SB Report  LAHORE:-Spinners Haris Javed and Raza-ul-Hasan stole the limelight along with pacer Gufran Hadi on day one of the fourth-round of National U19 Three-Day tournament on Tuesday. At Dring Stadium Bahawalpur, Balochistan were blown away for 134 runs on the opening day of their match against Southern Punjab. Left-arm-spinner Haris Javed enjoyed a memorable day taking seven wickets for 71 runs in 18 overs. Muhammad Junaid with 24, Ghulam Sarwar and Abu Huraira with 20 runs each were the only Balochistan batsmen to offer some resistance. By close of play, Balochistan had roared back in the contest by taking seven Southern Punjab wickets, Southern Punjab ended the day at 68 for seven. Mohammad and Abu Huraira took two wickets each. Northern were bowled out for 231 runs against Central Punjab in their match at the Rana Naveed Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura. Pacer Gufran took five wickets as Central Punjab folded the Northern batting line-up, Mubasar Khan with 75 and Awais Abid with 56 were the main contributors. Abdul Fasih made 43 runs, Umer Eman took three wickets for 17 runs with his left-arm-spin. Central Punjab ended the day at 29 for one in their first innings. At Karachi’s State Bank Stadium, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 180 runs in their first innings against Sindh. Leg-spinner Raza-ul-Hasan took four wickets for 42 runs while Arish Ali Khan took three wickets for 42 runs. Sindh made a good start to their first innings and ended the day at 122 for one in 40 overs. Mubashir Nawaz fell for 60, his opening partner Taha Mahmood is batting on 39 with Kashif Ali who is 19 not out. Scores in brief: Balochistan U19 v Southern Punjab U19, Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur Balochistan U19 134 all-out, 43 overs (Muhammad Junaid 24; Haris Javed 7-71) Southern Punjab U19 68-7, 50 overs (Basit Ali 48; Muhammad 2-7, Abu Huraira 2-22) Northern U19 v Central Punjab U19, Rana Naveed Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura Northern U19 231 all-out, 80.4 overs (Mubasar Khan 75, Awais Abid 56, Abdul Fasih 43; Gufran Hadi 5-42, Umer Eman 3-17) Central Punjab U19 29-1, 5 overs (Faizan Saleem 1-7) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U19 v SindhU19, State Bank Stadium, Karachi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  U19 180 all-out, 56.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 69, Salman Khan jr 59; Raza ul Hasan 4-42, Arish Ali Khan 3-42) Sindh U19 122-1, 40 overs (Mubashir Nawaz 60, Taha Mahmood 39 not out)

SB Report  KARACHI:-Central Punjab and Northern joined table-toppers Southern Punjab and Sindh in the semi-finals of the National T20 2nd XI tournament with wins over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan respectively at the National Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday. In the first match of the day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa scored 148 for nine after opting to bat first. Asad Afridi top-scored with 43 off 25 balls, his innings included three fours and three sixes. Mehran Ibrahim made 31 off 26 balls, the two rescued the side after Ehsan Adil and Bilawal Iqbal had reduced them to 34 for four. Ehsan finished with three wickets for 16 runs in his four overs which included a maiden over while Bilawal took two wickets for 33 runs. In reply, Central Punjab batsmen chose an attacking approach which helped them chase down the target with 20 balls to spare, the big win gave them a much needed surge in the net-run-rate and confirmed their semi-final spot. Muhammad Saad scored an unbeaten 35-ball 59 with the help of three fours and four sixes. Nauman Anwar scored 50 off 37 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. Sameen Gul with two wickets for 23 runs in two overs was the most successful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bowler. Balochistan after opting to bat first posted 147 for seven against Northern. Balochistan were reduced to 96 for seven when Nazar Hussain (39 not out, seven fours) and Dawood Khan 13 not out joined hands to take the score to 147 for seven through their unbroken 51-run stand for the eight wicket. Left-arm-spinners Raza Hasan and Noman Ali took two wickets each for Northern. In the first semi-final on Wednesday, table-toppers Southern Punjab will take on Central Punjab (fourth in the table) while second placed Sindh will play (third placed) Northern in the second semi-final. Scores in brief: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Central Punjab, National Stadium, Karachi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 148 for 9, 20 overs (Asad Afridi 43, Mehran Ibrahim 31; Ehsan Adil 3-16, Bilawal Iqbal 2-33) Central Punjab 149 for 4, 16.4 overs (Muhammad Saad 59, Nauman Anwar 50; Sameen Gul 2-23) Result: Central Punjab won by six wickets Northern v Balochistan, National Stadium, Karachi Balochistan 147 for 7, 20 overs (Nazar Hussain 39 not out, Jalat Khan 18; Raza Hasan 2-22, Noman Ali 2-31) Northern 151 for 5, 17 overs (Shoaib Ahmed Minhas 37, Zeeshan Malik 37 ; Nazar Hussain 2-32)  

  Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI:-As full restoration of international cricket in the country continues, Pakistan will host Bangladesh U16 for two three-day and three one-day matches from 25 October till 8 November. The Bangladesh side will arrive in Rawalpindi on October 22 for what is the reciprocal tour after Pakistan U16 toured Bangladesh earlier this year in April and May. The five matches will be played at Rawalpindi’s Khan Research Laboratories Ground (KRLG). During this time, Bangladesh women’s team will be in Lahore for three T2oIs and two ODIs against Pakistan women’s team. After the success of Sri Lanka’s tour of Karachi and Lahore, this series is expected to further underscore Pakistan’s ability to host international teams and establish the country as a safe tourist destination ahead of Sri Lanka’s return to Pakistan in December for Tests and Bangladesh’s men’s team tour early next year. PCB Director – International Cricket Operation, Zakir Khan said: “I want to thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for sending their U16 side to Pakistan. Competitive age-group cricket serves great opportunity to emerging players to enhance their skills and at the same time it helps the selectors to identify the upcoming talent. “I am sure this series will not only help both boards identify the future stars of their respective countries but will also establish confidence in Pakistan’s ability to host more top-flight cricket in the country.” The junior selection committee, headed by Saleem Jaffar, also announced the squads for the two three-day and three one-day matches. The teams were selected after practice matches from the ongoing camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, which runs from 12 till 21 October. Squads: Three-day: Aaliyan Mehmood (captain) (Karachi), Mohammad Waqas (vice-captain) (Faisalabad), Abbas Ali (Peshawar), Afzal Manzoor (wicketkeeper) (Sialkot), Ahmad Khan (Abbottabad), Ali Asfand (Faisalabad), Ali Hasan (Sialkot), Aseer Mughal (Rawalpindi), Ayaz Shah (FATA), Farhad Khan (FATA), Haseeb Imran (Rawalpindi), Ibrar Afzal (Lahore), Khalid Khan (Quetta), Mohammad Shehzad (Multan), Mohammad Sikandar (Hyderabad) and Rizwan Mehmood (Hyderabad) One-day: Aaliyan Mehmood (captain) (Karachi), Mohammad Waqas (vice-captain) (Faisalabad),  Abbas Ali (Peshawar), Ahmad Khan (Abbottabad), Ali Asfand (Faisalabad), Ali Hasan (Sialkot), Aseer Mughal (Rawalpindi), Hussain (Rawalpindi), Ibtasham Rehman (Faisalabad) (subject to fitness), Ismail Khan (FATA), Khalid Khan (Quetta), Mohammad Shehzad (Multan), Muneeb Wasif (Lahore), Rizwan Mehmood (Hyderabad), Zain Anwar (Karachi) and Zubair Shinwari (wicketkeeper) (FATA) Team management: Ijaz Ahmad (coach-cum-manager), Abdul Majeed (assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (trainer), Hafiz Naeem ul Rasool (physiotherapist) and Usman Hashmi (analyst) Schedule:  25-27 October – First three-day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRLG, Rawalpindi 30 October-1 November – Second three-day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRLG, Rawalpindi 4 November – First One-Day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRLG, Rawalpindi 6 November – Second One-Day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRLG, Rawalpindi 8 November – Third One-Day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRLG, Rawalpindi

  Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD-The Chairman, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), Syed Sultan Shah on Monday nominated an Executive Committee of Islamabad Regional Women Blind Cricket Association. The Executive Committee has been nominated for the term of next two years for the development and promotion of Women Blind Cricket in Islamabad Region. The operational area of the Islamabad Regional Association will be Federal Area, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Rawalpindi Division. Pakistan Blind Cricket Council will form two more Regional Women Blind Cricket Associations named Lahore Regional Women Blind Cricket Association and Karachi Women Blind Cricket Association soon for the development & promotion of Women Blind Cricket in those areas. PBCC as a Pilot Project commenced the Cricket for the visually impaired girls last year (2018), thereafter conducted several Training Camps; icing on the cake was hosting the 1st International Women Blind Cricket Series against Nepal in January-February next year 2020. Now PBCC has decided to constitute Regional Women Blind Cricket Associations for the development of the game at grass-roots level. Executive Committee is comprising Sadaf Huma Haider (president), Sadia Dastagir (vice president), Shahida Shaheen (finance secretary) and Nirma Arif (public relation).

  Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD-Pakistan on Monday decided to unleash their next generation of pace sensations Musa Khan and Naseem Shah, along with teenage Shaheen Shah Afridi, in Australia by naming the trio in the 16-man squad for next month’s World Test Championship fixtures. The three quicks will join 14-Test veteran Mohammad Abbas and fast-bowler Imran Khan Senior, who has been recalled after playing his ninth and final Test in Sydney in January 2017, as the Pakistan cricket selectors have taken an attacking and aggressive approach for the upcoming Tests while also looking at the future. The 19-year-old Musa from Islamabad has played seven first-class matches in which he has taken 17 wickets, while Lahore’s 16-year-old Naseem has also claimed 17 wickets in five first-class matches. In the four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019-20, Musa has picked up five wickets in four matches and Naseem has bagged nine wickets in three matches. Both fast-bowlers, regular features of the Pakistan junior sides, are regarded as the quickest on the domestic circuit, regularly touching 145kph on the speed gun, with tremendous potential and bright futures. Musa has also been named for the three T20Is, which will be played in the first week of November. In the 20-over format, Musa will team up with Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan, the 2.16m tall left-armer who has been included to further bolster the fast bowling attack while keeping an eye on next year’s ICC T20 World Cup Australia 2020. In both the formats, Misbah-ul-Haq’s selection committee has also rewarded the high-performing players. In the T20I side, they have included Bannu’s 24-year-old middle-order batsman Khushdil Shah and 26-year-old wrist spinner Usman Qadir of Lahore, who has played seven Big Bash League matches for Perth Scorchers. In the ongoing National T20 Cup, Khushdil has scored 93 runs for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at an impressive strike-rate of over 160. Khushdil was the second highest run-getter in the Pakistan Cup 2019, scoring 316 runs at 105.33 with the help of two centurieswhile Usman has taken four wickets at an economy-rate of under seven. In the Test side, the selectors, apart from Musa and Naseem, have also named uncapped opener Abid Ali, who has scored 7,000 first-class runs in 104 matches, including 300 runs in the two Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches to date, and left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti. The 33-year-old Kashif has taken 10 wickets in the current season, while in an 83-match first-class career, spanning over 12 years, he has taken 327 wickets. Like Imran Khan Senior, middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed has been recalled to the Test side after his only Test against England at The Oval in 2016. Explaining his selections, chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said: “We know that Australia will present different and exciting challenges for us. There is a need to play a different type of cricket, the balance of the squads is reflective of us having options to play aggressive, attacking cricket “Yes it’s a brave and bold decision to select the likes of Musa and Naseem, but we know that their fresh and attacking approach will give us something different. The Australian wickets will give them the opportunity to express themselves, gain valuable experience and it will help us to take 20 wickets to win the Tests. “I am pretty sure these two lads will surprise a lot of people with their pace, controlled swing and ability to bowl long spells at a consistent speed. “Abbas’s calibre and prowess is very well documented, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has already shown the world that he is a star in the making. Imran Khan Senior has been drafted in the side as he provides backup experience with Abbas and he is one of the most effective exponents of the new ball, while he can regularly bowl at a good pace. “Besides adding speed and venom in our pace attack, we have strengthened our spin department by including an experienced Kashif Bhatti to support Yasir Shah. Yasir has matured and gained experience since his last tour to Australia, and he remains our most successful bowler in the Test format. We know he can deliver and will continue to back him to deliver the goods. “Our Test batting is experienced, talented and pretty settled, so, we have not tweaked it much, except including prolific Abid Ali in place of Fakhar Zaman and adding Iftikhar Ahmed, who can also bowl off-spin. We have a strong batting line that we expect to perform in the two Tests. “For the T20Is, Mohammad Irfan has been rewarded for the form he has shown recently. Based on horses for courses and his form, the Australian conditions will present Irfan with the opportunity to excel. This selection has also been made while looking at next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, which will be played in Australia. If we can successfully manage his workload, then he can be a valuable asset for us in next global event. “Similarly, Khushdil Shah has been added as he is in-form and has displayed his power-hitting abilities, while Usman Qadir brings to the table his experience of playing in Australia. Usman also provides cover for Shadab Khan, who is on track for reclaiming his match form. “Asif Ali has been retained due to his sparkling form in the National T20 Cup, while we have kept faith in Iftikhar Ahmed who has all the ability and talent in the middle-order.” Hasan Ali was not considered for the tour as he is still recovering from his back injury, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been picked only for Tests to ensure his safe return to international cricket after picking dengue virus in August. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were not considered as part of the selectors’ forward-looking strategy. The T20I side will depart for Sydney on 26 October, while the Test players will leave for Perth after featuring in the fifth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which will be played from 28-31 October. Pakistan squads for Australia tour (age and team names in brackets): T20Is (average age of the side is 26) Babar Azam (captain), Asif Ali (28, Northern), Fakhar Zaman (29, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haris Sohail (30, Balochistan), Iftikhar Ahmed (29, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imad Wasim (30, Northern), Imam-ul-Haq (23, Balochistan), Khushdil Shah (24, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Amir (27, Northern),  Mohammad Hasnain (19, Sindh), Mohammad Irfan (37, Southern Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (27, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Musa Khan (17, Northern), Shadab Khan (21, Northern), Usman Qadir (26, Central Punjab), Wahab Riaz (34, Southern Punjab),  1.       Azhar Ali (captain) (34, Central Punjab) 2.       Abid Ali (32, Sindh) 3.       Asad Shafiq (33, Sindh) 4.       Babar Azam (25, Central Punjab) 5.       Haris Sohail (30, Balochistan) 6.       Imam-ul-Haq (23, Balochistan) 7.       Imran Khan Snr (32, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 8.      Iftikhar Ahmed (29, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 9.       Kashif Bhatti (33, Sindh) 10.   Mohammad Abbas (29, Southern Punjab) 11.    Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (27, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 12.    Musa Khan (17, Northern) 13.    Naseem Shah (16, Central Punjab) 14.    Shaheen Shah Afridi (19, Northern) 15.    Shan Masood (30, Southern Punjab) 16.    Yasir Shah (33, Balochistan) Series schedule 31 October – T20 warm-up match v CA XI, Bankstown, Sydney 3 November – 1st T20I, Sydney 5 November – 2nd T20I, Canberra 8 November – 3rd T20I, Perth 11-13 November – Three-day match v CA XI, Optus Stadium, Perth (d/n) 15-16 November – Two-day match v CA XI, WACA, Perth 21-25 November – 1st Test, Brisbane 29 November-3 December – 2nd Test, Adelaide (d/n)

  SB Report (October 20, 2019) LAHORE:-In the third round of the National Under-19 50-over tournament, Central Punjab won a close encounter against Balochistan courtesy 162 runs from Mohammad Huraira and an all-round performance from Qasim Akram (100 runs and three wickets), while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh also won against Southern Punjab and Northern, respectively. At Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot, Central Punjab after being put into bat scored 352 for six in 50 overs courtesy Mohammad Huraira’s 162 off 140 balls with 18 fours and a six. Qasim Akram also contributed with 100 off 88 balls striking eight fours and two sixes. The duo contributed 200 runs partnership for the third wicket. For Balochistan, Mohammad and Mohammad Junaid grabbed two wickets apiece for 59 and 64 runs, respectively. In return, Balochistan were in course of chasing the target with Abdul Wahid Bangalzai and Mohammad scoring centuries. Abdul Wahid’s 106-ball 116 included 14 fours and two sixes, while Mohammad scored 100 from 99 balls and hit 10 fours. Both contributed 195 runs for the second wicket. After the departure of both batsmen, Balochistan tried hard to win the match, and were 339 for nine in 49.2 overs when the match was called off due to bad light.Central Punjab won the match by six runs on DLS method. For Central Punjab, Qasim Akram and Syed Fariuddin Mehmood took three wickets each.  In the second match at KRL Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Nasir Faraz’s unbeaten 81 inspired Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to a six-wicket over Southern Punjab. Southern Punjab, after being put into bat scored 158 for nine in 38 overs, after the match had a delayed start due to wet outfield. Mohammad Asif top-scored with 49-ball 37 and hit three fours and a six. For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Izhar Ahmed took three wickets for 38 in six overs. In reply, Nasir Faraz’s unbeaten 81 off 66 balls helped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chase down the target inside 28 overs. His innings include 12 fours and a six. Haris Javed was the most successful bowler for Southern Punjab with match figures of 3 for 27 in eight overs. In the third 50-over match of the day, Sindh defeated Northern by 35 runs at the State Bank Ground, Karachi. Sindh after opting to bat managed to score 183 for nine in 50 overs. Kashif Ali struck a 78-ball 56 with two fours and as many sixes For Northern, Hassan Abid Kiani took five wickets for 18.Chasing 184 to win, Northern openers Abdul Fasih and Hassan Abid Kiyani started the innings confidently and contributed 59 for the first wicket partnership. But once the openers were dismissed, Northern lost wickets in regular intervals, and were dismissed for 148 in 47.2 overs. Ziad Khan top-scored with 40 off 67, while Hassan Abid Kiyani and Abdul Fasih scored 38 and 27 runs, respectively.  For Sindh, Arish Ali Khan grabbed four wickets for 22 runs. Scores in brief: Central Punjab U19 v Balochistan U19, Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot Central Punjab U19 352-6, 50 overs (Mohammad Huraira 162, Qasim Akram 100; Mohammad 2-59, Mohammad Junaid 2-64) Balochistan U19 339-9, 49.2 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 116, Mohammad 100; Qasim Akram 3-63, Syed Fariuddin Mehmood 3-86) Result: Central Punjab U19 won by six runs (DLS method) Southern Punjab U19 v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U19, KRL Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Southern Punjab U19 158-9, 38 overs (Mohammad Asif 37; Izhar Ahmed 3-38) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U19 159-4, 28 overs (Nasir Faraz 81 not-out; Haris Javed 3-27) Result: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won by six wickets Sindh U19 v Northern U19, State Bank Ground, Karachi Sindh U19 183-9, 50 overs (Kashif Ali 56; Hassan Abid Kiyani 5-18) Northern U19 148 all-out, 47.2 overs (Ziad Khan 40, Hassan Abid Kiyani 38, Abdul Fasih 27; Arish Ali Khan 4-22, Mohammad Taha 2-35) Result: Sindh U19 won by 35 runs

   SB Report  LAHORE:-The three-day ACC Level 1 Women Coaching Course concluded on Saturday at the National Cricket Academy. Embellished by presentations, practical skills and assessment tests under the watchful eye of the NCA instructors, the 16 participants from 11 countries were put to task on different aspects of the game. The participants included four Pakistan women, namely Atika Sabir Khan, Fareeha Mahmood, Shehla Bibi and Tasleem Bano. Other participants in the course, first of its kind, include representatives from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Iran, Kuwait (two), Malaysia, Maldives, Oman (two) and United Arab Emirates Ali Zia, Senior General Manager – National Cricket Academy and also the lead presenter, said: “The course was designed for the participants to learn the basics skills of the game. After getting the initial knowledge of the game, they will apply the learnings on players in the 12 to 14 years age group. “The course was divided into three segments; the first segment was related to multimedia presentations on the coaching philosophy, planning/preparation and methods of skill development. “The second part was about the practical aspect where the participants were taught about batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping skills. “Lastly, in the third phase of the course, the participants underwent assessment tests.” Abbottabad’s Atika Sabir Khan said: “I had played cricket for my region from 2008 to 2014, but the experience of coaching is altogether different. The course helped me to know about the cricketing skills and once I return to my city, I will be in a position to teach school and college girls more passionately.” Pakistan player Fareeha Mahmood took a three-day off from the national team camp to attend the course and was excited to learn the cricket skills. She said: “It was quite an informative course where participants from different countries too have learned a lot. The learnings from the course will help me solve my cricketing issues once I return back to the national team camp. I will share the experience with my colleagues and will help them know about the basics skills of coaching.” Wah Cantt’s Shehla Bibi said: “There is a great talent and potential in the girls from Wah Cantt, but sadly there were no female coaches there. This course has given me a great opportunity to learn the basic skills of the game, and now I am eager to return back to train the talented female kids in my region.” Tasleem Bano from the Gaizer district of Gilgit Baltistan said: “No one knows about the basics of this sport in my region. I myself had little knowledge about the game, but after attending the course I must say that I have gained a lot. “The course will help me reach out to parents from Gilgit region to convince them to bring forward their children in this sport. I will go back and teach school and college girls about the basic skills of the game.” At the conclusion of the course, the certificates were distributed amongst the participants.

 SB Report LAHORE:-Azhar Ali has been appointed national cricket team captain for Pakistan’s World Test Championship matches in the 2019-20 while Babar Azam has been named captain of the No.1 ranked T20I side until next year’s ICC T20 World Cup Australia 2020, which is now exactly one year away. The appointments were confirmed after Sarfaraz Ahmed was left out of both formats due to the drop in his overall form during the past few series. Seventh-ranked Pakistan will play fifth-ranked Australia in two Tests in Brisbane (21-25 November) and Adelaide (29 November-3 December (d/n)) before hosting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for two Tests apiece. Pakistan are also scheduled to play three T20Is each against Australia (3, 5 and 8 November) and Bangladesh before the curtain falls on their international domestic season in early February 2020. Azhar Ali has been a mainstay of Pakistan’s batting line-up since making his debut against Australia at Lord’s in 2010. The 34-year-old is regarded as Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan’s prodigy and has scored 5,669 runs with 15 centuries and 31 half-centuries in 73 Tests. Azhar had an excellent tour of Australia last time when Pakistan were there in 2016-17 when he had scores of 5, 71, 205 not out, 43, 71 and 11. His other scores against Australia in England and the UAE are 16, 42, 30, 51, 53, 30, 109, 100 not out, 18, 4, 15 and 64. This means the 21st ranked batsman in the world has aggregated 938 runs in nine Tests against Australia, his second most after Sri Lanka (1156 runs in 14 Tests). In the ongoing four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Azhar is the second most successful batsman with 388 runs in four matches as his side Central Punjab leads the field with two wins. Reacting to the news, Azhar Ali said: “There is no bigger honour than to captain the Pakistan national cricket team in the pinnacle format of the game. I feel humbled, excited and privileged, and with the support of the team, look forward to justifying the faith that has been entrusted upon me for the World Test Championship.  “Sarfaraz Ahmed has done an excellent job in transforming raw talent into experienced players and I now look forward to inspiring those skillful players in our endeavours to collectively achieve our World Test Championship objectives and beyond.  “These are exciting times in Pakistan cricket with a new team management. As a captain, I feel comfortable that there will be number of knowledgeable people in the hut who I can rely for advice and guidance.  “I am not only targeting wins, but also aim to provide opportunities to players to grow in stature and express themselves so that Pakistan cricket can resume its journey to the top. I have always played my cricket the hard way but in a fair manner, and will ensure I continue to uphold the spirit of cricket and enhance the image of the team and the country.” Babar Azam, the No.1 ranked batsman in T20Is, has previously captained Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012. He was vice-captain in the recently-concluded series against Sri Lanka and is presently captaining Central Punjab in the National T20 Cup where he scored a 59-ball 102 on the opening day against Sindh. Babar Azam said: “To be named captain of the No.1 ranked side in the world is the biggest thing that has happened to my career to date. I am ready for this challenge and also willing to learn more in the process. I feel it has been a natural progression for me and I am delighted that the PCB has put faith in my capabilities. “Sarfaraz Ahmed has led the side in the shortest format by example and it is my responsibility to take forward his accomplishments so that we remain a consistent, attractive and powerful side.” Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “It has been an honour to lead Pakistan at the highest level. I want to thank all my colleagues, coaches and selectors who have helped me in this journey. My good wishes are with Azhar Ali, Babar Azam and the Pakistan cricket team, and I hope they will continue to grow stronger and stronger.” PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, who approved the appointments, said: “I want to congratulate Azhar Ali and Babar Azam on their elevations to the most coveted and prestigious jobs in cricket. It is a reward for their continued hard work in strives for excellence and I am sure they, like their predecessors, will make the country proud with their performance, leadership and sportsmanship. “It has been a difficult decision to drop Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has performed well as a player and a leader. But, his loss in form and confidence is visible and, in the best interest of the team, it has been decided to leave him out and provide him the opportunity to reflect and regroup himself and try to reclaim his form away from international cricket. “Sarfaraz Ahmed’s contributions are second to none and being the gutsy cricketer and fighter that we all know he is, I have no doubts he will be back in Pakistan colours at some stage.” Decision on vice-captaincy will be made closer to the series, whilst captaincy for the ODIs will be finalised in due course as the national team’s next assignment is scheduled from 4-9 July 2020 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen.  

SB Report LAHORE:- With one eye on the series against Australia, Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis will hold a bowlers camp at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. The national selection committee has invited 15 high-performing bowlers from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the ongoing National T20 Cup as well as fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the weekend camp. The purpose of the camp is to provide the selectors better insight on the fitness and form of the bowlers that can further assist them while picking the T20I and Test sides. It will also give the bowlers an opportunity to understand their shortcomings and ways to improve their skills in the upcoming domestic matches. Fast bowlers Abbas and Shaheen will be back in action after missing domestic matches. Abbas was given a break after the third round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to strategically manage his workload and fatigue, while Shaheen will return after for the first time since picking up dengue fever in August. Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis said: “As the National T20 Cup has a two-day break, we thought of utilising this time by holding bowlers camp in Lahore with multiple objectives. But, this does not mean that the selectors have limited their selection options to these 11 bowlers. The selectors have an open mind and bowlers who are best suited to the formats and conditions on the upcoming tour will be selected.” Chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, and Test captain Azhar Ali will also monitor the camp. The T20I and Test squads for the Australia tour will be announced by chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq at 215pm on Monday, 21 October, in media conference at the Far End, Gaddafi Stadium. Bowlers invited for the camp are: Bilal Asif (Central Punjab), Bilawal Bhatti (Southern Punjab), Imran Khan Snr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Irfan Junior (Slow left-arm, Southern Punjab), Musa Khan (Northern), Mohammad Mohsin (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab), Rahat Ali (Southern Punjab), Sameen Gul (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern), Tabish Khan (Sindh), Yasir Shah (Balochistan) and Zahid Mehmood (Southern Punjab).