Latest News
Colombo Stars defeat Kandy Warriors by 58 runs
Colombo (SB Report):-The Colombo Stars registered their fourth victory in the Lanka Premier League after defeating Kandy Warriors by 58 runs on Friday. After posting a total of 182/6 in their 20 overs, the Stars bowled out the Warriors for 124 in 17 overs.
The Kandy Warriors couldn't find the momentum during their chase as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Jeffrey Vandersay set the tone with the ball for the Stars by picking up the wickets of the opening batters Kennar Lewis and Minod Bhanuka in the third over.
Thereafter, the Warriors failed to string big partnerships. Ravi Bopara was the only highlight of the Warriors' batting card with an innings of 47 runs from 31 balls. He struck 5 fours and 1 six. Vandersay was the pick of the bowlers for the Stars with magnificent figures of 6/25.
Earlier, Kusal Perera smashed 58 runs from 38 balls at the top of the order for the Colombo Stars. Perera smacked 6 fours and 2 sixes during his innings. Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal also chipped in with scores of 40 and 44*. Chandimal provided the final impetus to Colombo Stars' innings with a knock laced with 3 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Aqeel and Abid clinch Doubles title of BB Tennis Championship
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 18, 2021):-Pakistan number one tennis player Aqeel Khan pairing with Mohammad Abid claimed the Men’s Doubles title of the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Tennis Championship after beating Heera Ashiq and Yousaf Khalil in straight sets 2-0 at Islamabad Tennis Complex on Saturday. The final score-line was just 6-3 and 6-0.
In the first semifinal of Men’s Singles Event, Mohammad Shoaib defeated top national veteran tennis player Aqeel Khan second time in a week 2-1 in a three sets thrilling contest. Earlier, last Saturday (December 11) Mohammad Shoaib had outplayed Aqeel Khan in the final of Federal Cup at PTF Tennis Complex. However, this Saturday (December 18) at one stage Shoaib won as the first set at 6-4 and second was leveled 6-6 but the Shoaib missed three match points. Aqeel kept the nerves in control and played an excellent game and bounced back in the match by snatching the second set at 7-6. Shoaib finished third set at 6-4 to reach the final where he would take on Muzzamil Murtaza on Sunday at the same venue. Muzzamil defeated Yousaf Khalil in straight sets 2-0 in a single sided affair. Senator Farhat-ullah Baber will grace the final ceremony as the chief guest along with other senators to distribute the prizes among the players on Sunday at the same venue.
Results:
Men’s Singles (Semifinals):
Mohammad Shoaib beat Aqeel Khan 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4
Muzammil Murtaza beat Yousaf Khalil 6-1, 6-2
Men’s Doubles (Final):
Aqeel Khan /Mohammad Abid beat Heera Ashiq /Yousaf Khalil 6-3, 6-0
Boys U-18 Singles (Semifinals):
Hamid Israr beat Mohammad Huzaifa Khan 6-2, 7-6(4)
Abdullah Adnan beat Mohammad Talha Khan 6-4, 6-2
Girls U-18 Singles (Semifinals):
Amna Ali Qayum beat Saher Aleem 6-1, 6-1
Sheeza Sajid beat Sara Pervaiz 6-0, 6-0
Boys U-14 Singles (Semifinals):
Mohammad Sallar beat Asad Zaman 2-4, 4-2, 4-2
Mohammad Ibrahim Sharif beat Ali Zain 4-2, 4-1
Girls U-14 Singles (Final):
Amna Ali Qayum beat Zunaisha Noor 4-5(3), 4-1, 5-3
B/G U-12 Singles (Semifinals):
Hamza Roman beat Samer Zaman 4-2, 4-1
Abdul Basit beat Mohammad Haziq Aasim1-4, 4-1, 5-3
B/G U-10 Singles (Final):
Shayan Afridi beat Abdul Wasay4-0, 4-0.
Asian Squash: Tong Tsz and Rachel Mae set to meet in final
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 18, 2021):-Tong Tsz Wing from Hong Kong and Rachel Mae Arnold from Malaysia will meet in the Women’s final of 21st Asian Individual Squash Championship 2021 after winning their respective semifinals at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad on Saturday. The final will be played on Sunday at the same venue.
In the 1st semi final, Tong Tsz Wing from Hong Kong got rid of her compatriot Liu Tsz Ling 3-1 by playing excellent squash in the capital city of Pakistan. She finished the match with the score-line of 12-10, 4-11, 11-4 and 11-6, after 33 minutes of the match.
Later, in the 2nd semifinal, Rachel Mae Arnold from Malaysia overcame her rival Ho Tze Lok from Hong Kong in the same style 3-1. The final score-line was 11-4, 11-9, 5-11 and 11-7. A Malaysian girl wasted 40 minutes to beat her challenger from Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, in the 1st semifinal of the men’s event, Ng Eain Yow from Malaysia outclassed Lau Tsz Kwan from Hong Kong in straight games 3-0 to reach the final. The score-line was 11-4, 11-4 and 11-9, as the match took 30 minutes. Whereas, in the semifinal, Yip Tsz Fung from Hong Kong ousted Nasir Iqbal from Pakistan in the third game, as Nasir was downed 2-0 and 3-1 in the third left the court after 29 minutes owing to injury and failed to complete the match. The final score-line was 11-6, 11-4 and 3-1.
Results (Men’s Semifinals):
Ng Eain Yow (Malaysia) beat Lau Tsz Kwan (Hong Kong) 11-4, 11-4, 11-9 (30 minutes)
Yip Tsz Fung (Hong Kong) beat Nasir Iqbal (Pakistan) 11-6, 11-4, 3-1 (29 minutes)
Results (Women’s Semifinals):
Tong Tsz Wing (Hong Kong) beat Liu Tsz Ling (Hong Kong) 12-10, 4-11, 11-4, 11-6 (33 minutes)
Rachel Mae Arnold (Malaysia) beat Ho Tze Lok (Hong Kong) 11-4, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7 (40 minutes).
Mickey terms LPL an opportunity for young lads to develop into good cricketers
ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk):-Mickey Arthur, the outgoing Head Coach of the Sri Lankan team under whom the Sri Lankan team showed remarkable progress, credited the Lanka Premier League for playing an impressive role in the growth of Sri Lankan cricket.
Arthur guided the Island nation brilliantly in the recently-concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, wherein the entire team and especially the likes of Charith Asalanka, Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga impressed the entire world with their performances. All of the three players showcased their talent in Season 1 of the Lanka Premier League and have continued to take massive strides as cricketers in Season 2 of the Lanka Premier League as well.
"I think the Lanka Premier League is such a good tournament, particularly for the younger players, because it gives them an opportunity to play under pressure. There's a crowd and there's a good TV audience. You can go and play in the nets a million times, but you can't replicate this atmosphere at the ground. The Lanka Premier League has to allow young players to develop, the franchises have to be very competitive against each other, but the young players must be put under pressure and they have to come through that," said the former Sri Lanka Head Coach.
Arthur added that one more team can be added to the Lanka Premier League. Currently, the competition has five franchises - Jaffna Kings, Galle Gladiators, Dambulla Giants, Colombo Stars and Kandy Warriors.
"I think there's room for one more team in the competition. There are still a lot of good players that didn't get picked. As long as the competition stays good and sound and we get good overseas players like we have had, I think the tournament will just get better and better," said the South African.
When asked about his feelings about leaving the Sri Lankan camp, he said, "The one thing I take a lot of pride in is that I think I have left the team at a far better state than I found it and any coach would like to do that. I think if they stay consistent, which I am sure the selection panel will and if the players are backed, I tell you the country will get some talent."
Arthur also added that the Sri Lankan Test team had the skill level to perform away from home, "I think our Test team is in a really good shape. I think it's really well led by Dimuth Karunaratne. There are a lot of experienced players there. We have developed a really good crop of fast bowlers. Dushmantha Chameera is world class now, Suranga Lakmal is the Asian Anderson, you've got Vishwa Fernando, who bowls left-arm pace and there are so many other good young quicks. I think Sri Lanka can hold their own away from home as well. The batters have good techniques to play in overseas conditions."
Asian Squash: Nasir Iqbal keeps the hopes alive
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 17, 2021):-Besides top seed Ng Eain Yow, Lau Tsz Kwan, Yip Tsz Fung and Nasir Iqbal moved into the semifinals of 21st Asian Squash Team Event Championship 2021 after beating their respective opponents at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad on Friday. Now, Nasir Iqbal will take on Yip Tsz Fung in the second semifinal at 4:15 pm at same venue on Saturday.
Pakistan number one squash player, Tayyab Aslam once again produced very disappointed performance in the second quarterfinal against Lau Tsz Kwan and lost the match at tie-break 2-3. The final score-line was 5-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3 and 13-11, as match took 70 minutes.
Results (Men’s Event):
Ng Eain Yow (MAS) bt Mohammad Syafiq Bin Mohd Kamal (MAS) 11-6, 11-3, 11-5 (36 Min)
Lau Tsz Kwan (HKG) bt Tayyab Aslam (PAK) 5-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 13-11 (70 Min)
Yip Tsz Fung (HKG) bt Yuen Chee Wern (MAS) 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 (23 Min)
Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt Leung Chi Hin Henry (HKG) 11-4, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7 (45 Min).
Results (Women’s Event):
Liu Tsz Ling (HKG) bt Noor Ainaa (MAS) 11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 11-6 (35 Min)
Tong Tsz Wing (HKG) bt Aifa Binti Azman (MAS) 11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 4-11, 12-10 (50 Min)
Ho Tze Lok (HKG) bt Chan Yiwen (MAS) 11-5, 14-12, 11-9 (36 Min)
Rachel Mae Arnold (MAS) bt Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 (22 Min).
BB Tennis: Aqeel and Shoaib set to meet in first semifinal
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 17, 2021):-Veteran Aqeel Khan will take on rising star and winner of the Federal Cup, Mohammad Shoaib in the first semifinal of the Men’s Singles discipline of the ongoing 6th Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Tennis Championship 2021 at Islamabad Tennis Complex G-6 on Friday. Also, Muzammil Murtaza and Yousaf Khalil have confirmed their berths in top-four stage after winning their matches.
It is pertinent to mention here that Mohammad Shoaib had defeated ace national player Aqeel Khan in the Federal Cup final on last Saturday at SDA-PTF Tennis Complex 2-1 with the score-line of 6-4, 3-6 and 6-3. Mohammad Shoaib exhibited top qualify game against Heera Ashiq and did not allow his opponent to settle in the court and take a sigh of breath during the whole match.
Aqeel Khan defeated Barkat Ullah in straight sets 2-0, as he conceded 4 games in each set in the first quarterfinal. Mohammad Shoaib, who had claimed national title after beating Aqeel in the Federal Cup final on December 11, 2021 at PTF Tennis complex, beat Heera Ashiq in similar style 2-0 with the score-line of 6-2 and 6-4 in the second quarterfinal.
Muzammil Murtaza outclassed Mudassir Murtaza with 6-0 and 6-3 score without facing any big hurdle in the third quarter final while Yousaf Khalil overcame Mohammad Abid 2-0, as the final score was 6-4 and 6-4 in the last quarter final fixture.
Results:
Men’s Singles (Quarterfinals):
Aqeel Khan bt Barkat Ullah 6-4, 6-4
Mohammad Shoaib bt Heera Ashiq 6-2, 6-4
Muzammil Murtaza bt Mudassir Murtaza 6-0, 6-3
Yousaf Khalil bt Mohammad Abid 6-4, 6-4;
Men’s Doubles (Semifinals):
Aqeel Khan/Mohammad Abid bt Usman Ejaz/Shahzad Khan 6-0, 6-4
Heera Ashiq/Yousaf Khalil bt Muzammil Murtaza/Mudasir Murtaza 6-4, 3-6, 10-6
Ladies Singles (Semifinals):
Sarah Mahboob bt HaniaNavid 6-0, 6-1
Ushna Suhail bt Sheeza Sajid 6-0, 6-0
Boys Under-18 Singles (Quarterfinals):
Hamid Israr bt Nalain Abbas 6-1, 6-1
Mohammad Talha Khan bt Faizan Fayyaz 6-4, 6-2
Abdullah Adnan bt Mahatir Mohammad 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4
Mohammad Huzaifa Khan bt Ahmed Nael 7-5, 6-2
Girls Under-18 Singles (Semifinals):
Amna Ali Qayum btSaher Aleem 6-1, 6-1
Sheeza Sajid bt Sara Pervaiz 6-0, 6-0
Boys Under-14 Singles (Quarterfinals):
Asad Zaman bt Zohaib Afzal 4-0, 4-0
Mohammad Ibrahim Ashraf bt Hamza Roman 5-3, 4-2
Mohammad SalaarbtAbdullah 5-3, 5-3
Ali Zain bt Mohammad Haziq Aasim3-5, 5-3, 4-0
Girls Under-14 Singles (Semifinals):
Zunaisha Noor bt Lalarukh Sajid 4-1, 4-0
Amna Ali Qayum bt Zara Khan 4-1, 4-1
B/G Under-12 Singles (Round-II):
Mahrukh Sajid btEesa Fahad 0-4, 4-2, 5-4(2)
Mohammad Haziq Aasim bt Zohaib Afzal 4-1, 4-1
Syed Hamza bt Nabil Ali Qayum 1-0, Ret.
(Quarterfinals):
Samer Zaman bt Abdur Rehman 4-1, 4-1
Hamza Roman bt Mohammad HassanUsmani 4-0, 5-3
Abdul Basit bt Syed Hamza 4-1,2-4,4-2
Mohammad Haziq Aasim bt Mahrukh Sajid 4-0, 4-0
B/G U-10 Singles (Semifinals):
Shayan Afridi bt Abdur Rehman 3-5, 4-1, 4-2
Abdul Wasay bt Hajra Sohail 0-4, 4-3, 4-1
ITF appoints Asim Shafik as the Member Coaches Commission 2022-2023
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 17, 2021):-International Tennis Federation (ITF) has appointed Asim Shafik, as the member of the ITF Coaches Commission for a-term of two years 2022-2023.
According to a press release of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the services of Asim Shafik, who is the National Development Director-PTF, have been recognized at such a high level for the first time in the history of Pakistan tennis. Asim is a former Pakistan number 1, Davis Cup player, ITF level-3 Coach, and is currently Head Coach of the National Training Centre (NTC) in Islamabad.
President PTF, Salim Saifullah Khan and PTF Management thanked David Haggerty, President- ITF, and his team for reposing confidence in the abilities and expertise of Asim Shafik which led to his appointment.
PTF officials termed this appointment as a matter of great pride and a source of inspiration for the tennis fraternity and especially the young generation and Asim Shafik has been honoured for such responsibilities by ITF.
Asian Championship 2021: India beat Pakistan 3-1
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD (December 17, 2021):-India beat Pakistan 3-1 in the 6th Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India also have the honor of being the most frequent champions in the Asian Champions Trophy. India won the first Asian Champions Trophy in China in 2011 and Pakistan won the Asian Champions Trophy in Doha, Qatar in 2012. In 2013, Pakistan once again defended its title in Japan and won the Asian Champions Trophy. In 2016, India managed to win the Asian Champions Trophy once again in Malaysia.
On the penalty corner in the first quarter for Indian Harman Preet Singh scored a goal through a fast drag flick while India took the lead. India's center striker Akash Deb Singh consolidated the lead by scoring the second goal. In the fourth quarter of the game, Junaid Manzoor from Pakistan guided the ball to the Indian goal post on the pass of teammate Rana Waheed and scored a field goal for Pakistan.
The last goal of the match was scored by Indian drag ski specialist Herman Preet Singh through a penalty corner. For Pakistan, goalkeeper Mazhar Abbas, defenders Mubashir Ali, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Emad Shakeel Butt and Mohammad Abdullah played confidently. Harman Preet Singh was declared Man of the Match for his outstanding performance. CEO of Asian Hockey Federation, Tayyab Ikram Chaudhry along with the Vice President of Asian Hockey Federation distributed the awards.
In the Asian Champions Trophy to be held in Oman in 2018, Pakistan and India were declared joint champions when heavy weather and heavy rain in the final prevented Astroturf from playing. In the sixth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy is being played in Dhaka, Bangladesh from December 14 to 22.
Pakistan register a massive by 7 wickets against West Indies
Karachi (Saad Kayani):-Pakistan completed a clean sweep in the three-match Twenty20 series against a virus-hit West Indies with a resounding seven-wicket win on Thursday.
Run-machine Mohammad Rizwan rounded off the year with his 12th half century in Twenty20 internationals by scoring 87 while captain Babar Azam made 79 in Pakistan’s blistering run-chase of 208-3 in 18.5 overs.
The West Indies’ top-order batters, led by captain Nicholas Pooran’s blazing 64 off 37 balls, still did well to post 207-3 after the tourists had won the toss and elected to bat.
Rizwan and Babar toyed with the West Indies bowling attack once the former overturned an lbw decision through a television referral off debutant leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie’s first ball.
Both batsmen became the first pair to record a sixth century stand for the opening wicket and surpassed the record of five set by the Indian first-wicket pair of Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul.
Babar, who hit nine fours and two sixes, combined in a 158-run stand before the Pakistan captain holed out at mid-off against Odean Smith’s knuckle ball in the 16th over.
Rizwan hit 10 fours and three sixes before he sliced a catch to Pooran with Pakistan needing only 24 for victory. Hard-hitting Asif Ali (21 not out) smashed two sixes and two fours to raise the victory with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, the West Indies batters profited in the absence of Pakistan’s rested fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf to post a challenging total.
Shamarh Brooks (49) and Brandon King (43) smashed 66 in the first six overs with fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain (0-49) proving too expensive.
Pooran also scored at will before Pakistan pulled back through fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, who conceded just one boundary in his four overs, and got the wicket of Brooks to finish with 1-23.
Wahab Riaz & Shoaib Malik disclose funny secrets about each other
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Jaffna Kings stars Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz sat down for a frank conversation on the sidelines of the Lanka Premier League 2021 season where the two veterans Pakistan cricketers revealed interesting and hilarious tidbits about each other. Riaz and Malik participated in the "spray challenge" as they answered a range of questions about each other.
Shoaib Malik, during the fun chat, went on to reveal why the Indian tennis star and his wife, Sania Mirza, does not like to cook for him. The two players were asked about who is fussier about food, and Malik said: "Ask this question to my wife. Then you get a detailed answer. That's why she does not know how to cook and she orders from outside. Because I am fussy."
When asked about who was lazier among the two players, Malik was quick to spray water on Riaz. "Because Riaz is a fast bowler, and he needs a lot of energy. Maybe that's why he is lazier," he said.
Malik also credited the Pakistan fast bowler to have a messier kitbag among the two. "He is an allrounder. He carries more bats than a batsman carries," Malik said, laughing.
Wahab went on to say that Malik has a better sense of humour among the two, but also cheekily added: "At times, he says somethings, and he laughs and nobody responds."
When asked who is a bigger foodie, it was revealed by the two that Malik eats 6 times a day. "Even at 3 am in the morning, there will be a club sandwich in his room," Riaz revealed.
"I may eat six times a day, but I take small meals," Malik responded.
Wahab Riaz also described Shoaib Malik as the bigger "party animal" among the two and revealed why their plans to party in Karachi this year could not come to fruition.
"He committed to me that he and I will be in Karachi, and we will have a lot of fun. But thank god, his name was in the T20 World Cup squad. He made a lot of plans with me. But nothing paid off," Wahab said, laughing.
Most Popular
