Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 26, 2021):-Islamabad, 25 November 2021: As part of celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Pakistan, the German Embassy staged a football tournament in Islamabad for underprivileged children and teenagers from the area of the capital city Islamabad. The Khubaib Foundation team was declared the winners of the tournament. Eight mixed teams from different institutions competed throughout the day in a format of 7-a-side with rolling substitute. Forward Sports Company (FSC) sponsored the equipments for the players and managed the event that was managed by Mubasher Sanjrani. The German Chargé d’Affaires, Dr. Phillip Deichmann, said: “Germany and Pakistan have been enjoying a strong and stable friendship over the last 70 years. This friendship lives most vibrantly though people-to-people interactions – the most diverse, the better! This is why I am thrilled that today we can engage with young people, especially those who don’t usually get to enjoy the limelight, and play some football. It is Germany’s national sport, after all, and today’s enthusiasm on the field shows me that it is also quite popular over here.”   

Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Pakistan Under-12 players made a mark after beating hosts Kazakhstan 2-0 in a thrilling final of the Team Event of Under-12 ITF Asia Tennis Championship at the capital city of Kazakhstan, Nur-ul-Islama on Friday. Pakistani boys won first Singles and then Doubles that played by Hamza Roman and Abubakar Talha. Doubles match was a close contest as decided on super set. Pakistani pair won the match at 6-4, 6-7 and 12-10. Results: Hamza Roman beat Traigel Rodion 6-2, 7-5 Pshenichny Yaroslav beat Abubakar Talha 6-3, 6-1 Hamza Roman/Abubakar Talha beat Pshenichny/Tagibekov 6-4, 6-7, 12-10

Karachi (Sports Report):-Young leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed took his maiden first-class ten-wicket haul as Sindh registered their first win of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 season. Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 132 for five, Balochistan were bowled out for 158 runs to hand Sindh a comprehensive innings and 188-run victory at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi in the sixth-round tie. Sindh bowlers led by Abrar ran through the Balochistan lower-order in less than 10 overs on day-three to ensure a comprehensive victory for their side. Abrar who took six wickets for 40 runs was ably supported by seasoned pacer Sohail Khan who took three wickets for 41 runs, the right-armer also reached the 500 first-class wickets milestone during the innings. This was the 117th first-class match of the 37-year-old’s career. Abrar and Sohail combined to take 18 wickets in the match (Abrar 11, Sohail seven). Ayaz Tasawar (45) was the top-scorer for Balochistan in their second innings. Sindh gained 28 points (maximum available in a match) while Balochistan had to content with a mere three. In the Punjab derby between Central and Southern Punjab at the State Bank of Pakistan Stadium Karachi which is being live streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel, Central Punjab opener Rizwan Hussain added 100 runs to his overnight 153-run tally as his side took control of the match. The left-handed Rizwan hit 34 fours and three sixes in his monumental batting effort that came off 337 balls. Rizwan was eventually dismissed by Salman Ali Agha. Rizwan found good support from Ahmed Safi Abdullah (24) while pacer Nisar Ahmed scored a quickfire 54 off 53 balls (six fours, three sixes) to propel Central Punjab to their 459-run total. Aamer took five wickets for Southern Punjab conceding 122 runs in 28.4 overs. Muhammad Imran took two wickets. Central Punjab made most of their 199-run first innings lead by reducing Southern Punjab to 105 for five in their second innings at stumps on day three. Pacer Bilawal Iqbal took three wickets for a mere 12 runs in 6.5 overs as Southern Punjab’s top and middle-order fell cheaply. Yousuf Babar was unbeaten on 30 and Southern Punjab will be homing for a major contribution by him and the lower-order batters if they are to avoid an innings defeat tomorrow. Over at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex, Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took a 34- run first innings lead over Northern, courtesy an unbeaten 128 from Adil Amin who had resumed his innings at 104 today. Adil remained unbeaten as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 284 in 93.4 overs. Pacer Kashif Ali took five wickets for 45 while Zaid Alam took two for 34. Northern were well-served by Umar Amin in their second innings as the seasoned left-hander posted his 23rd first-class century. Umar hit 12 fours in his gritty 196-ball effort, Mubasir Khan who fell four short of a century in the first innings made another healthy contribution for his side scoring 52 with the help of seven fours. Northern finished the day at 240 for six after 66 overs of their second innings. They will start the final day tomorrow with a 206-run lead with four wickets in hand, the match is set to have an exciting finish if Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can get rid of the remaining Northern batters in time for a fourth innings chase. Irfanullah Shah and Asif Afridi took two wickets each for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Scores in brief: Sindh beat Balochistan by an innings and 188 runs – UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Balochistan 96 all out, 31.5 overs (Imran Butt 33; Abrar Ahmed 5-23, Sohail Khan 4-26) and 158 all out, 43.2 overs (Ayaz Tassawar 45, Imran Butt 35; Abrar Ahmed 6-40, Sohail Khan 3-41) Sindh 442 all out, 95.2 overs (Ahsan Ali 194, Khurram Manzoor 94, Saad Khan 56; Khurram Shehzad 3-80, Akif Javed 2-54) Match points: Sindh - 28, Balochistan - three. Southern Punjab vs Central Punjab –State Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Southern Punjab 228 all out, 77 overs (Umar Siddiq 85, Salman Ali Agha 61, Waqas Maqsood 4-52, Muhammad Ali 4-57) and 105 for 5, 28.5 overs (Yousuf Babar 30 not out, Salman Ali Agha 21; Bilawal Iqbal 3-12) Central Punjab 459 all out, 116.4 overs (Rizwan Hussain 253, Muhammad Saad 61, Nisar Ahmed 54; Aamer Yamin 5-122, Muhammad Imran 2-74) First innings points: Central Punjab - nine, Southern Punjab - four. Northern vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa –National Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Northern 250 all out, 83.4 overs (Mubasir Khan 96, Muhammad Huraira 70; Arshad Iqbal 2-38, Sameen Gul 2-41) and 240 for 6, 66 overs (Umar Amin 110, Mubasir Khan 52; Irfanullah Shah 2-33, Asif Afridi 2-58) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 284 all out, 93.4 overs (Adil Amin 128 not out, Asif Afridi 62; Kashif Ali 5-45, Zaid Alam 3-34) First innings points: Northern - six, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - seven.

BIPIN DANI  Sri Lanka's outgoing head coach Mickey Arthur was visibly happy at the end of the first Test match against the visiting West Indies team. The home team won the rain and bad-light affected match by a massive 187 runs. The victorious team had no big celebration after the first Test. Maybe it is reserved for the series win. "The hotel made a cake for the winning Sri Lankan team and also arranged bottles of beer", one of the hotel staff speaking exclusively over the telephone from Galle, said.  "Only the foreign coaching staff drank the beer in a small quantity. The players did not taste it. They (the players) cut the cake made for them", the source added. Mickey Arthur in his speech asked the players to go for the series win rather than only being content with the first Test win or drawn series", the other source added. The players are determined to win the second Test beginning on Monday and give a farewell gift to their head coach. The team was given a day off on Friday and the next training session is scheduled for Saturday.

Ali Ahmed Lahore (November 26, 2021):-Ranking cannot be improved without participating in the international hockey events, which requires resources, as national game has always had government patronage which won awards at international level, Secretary General, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Olympian Asif Bajwa said this while talking to media at Lahore Press Club on Friday. Asif Bajwa, who was part of 1994 Sydney World Cup gold medalist and Pride of Performance Olympian, further said, “Hockey is one of the Olympic amateur sports and amateur sports are supported by governments or institutions around the world. We are 3 times Olympic champion, 4 times world champion as well as Asian Games, Champions Trophy, Pakistan has made a name for itself and ruled in all over the hockey world. Pakistan Hockey has always had government patronage during the hay-days of hockey. Owing to non-participation in the pro-league made matters worse and the Pakistan team downed 13th to 17th position in the international rankings, “he further said. Secretary General PHF Asif Bajwa further said that other factors including the epidemic situation hindered the development of the national game and our teams could not get international exposure. “Now, the things have started to get better, Pakistan junior team is joining an international event like Junior World Hockey after eight years. He said that senior and junior teams couldn’t play at international level for more than two and a half years. PHF has been conducting training camps at the domestic level. Ranking cannot be improved without participating in international events. The annual budget of hockey in the neighboring country is 100 times more than our budget. We are lacking the finance too, “he concluded.

Chittagong (SB Report):-A brilliant maiden Test century by Liton Das’ lifted Bangladesh to 253 for four after they had been reduced to 49 for four on day one of the first Test against Pakistan at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Bangladesh on Friday. The wicketkeeper-batter was unbeaten on 113 off 225 balls as he smashed 11 fours and a six during a solid 204-run undefeated fifth wicket stand with Mushfiqur Rahim, who was not out on 82. The hosts found themselves in a spot of bother in the morning session when Pakistan removed top four batters in a span of 58 minutes. Those, however, were the only wickets to fall on the day, as the pair of Liton and Mushfiqur pushed back the opposition during a remarkable rearguard effort. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan and Faheem Ashraf took a wicket each. The play was suspended in the latter half of the evening session because of fading light as 85 overs were bowled and the second day’s play will begin 11 minutes before the scheduled start to make up for the lost time. Scores in brief: Bangladesh 253-4, 85 overs (Liton Das 113 not out, Mushfiqur Rhaim 82 not out)

Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Battling singles victories for Marin Cilic and Borna Gojo allowed doubles world No. 1s Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic to add the exclamation point to a 3-0 victory over Australia as Croatia marked themselves as a force to be reckoned with at the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals 2021. Cilic (CRO), who missed the 2019 Finals with a knee injury, underscored his status as Croatia’s pre-eminent Davis Cup player with the 42nd Davis Cup match win of his career, a 61, 57, 64 victory over Alex de Minaur (AUS), but it was Gojo (CRO) who secured what could be a crucial Group D match win to open the tie, a hard-earned 76(5), 75 triumph against Alexei Popyrin (AUS). De Minaur then returned with John Peers (AUS) to take on Pavic (CRO) and Mektic (CRO), but the Aussie duo were undone by the season’s outstanding doubles partnership 63, 61, a result that puts Vedran Martic’s side in a commanding position ahead of Sunday’s final Group D showdown with Hungary. There may be 215 spots between Gojo and Popyrin, the world No. 61, but their previous meeting back in January had seen the Australian save match points as he edged the last of three tiebreak sets in Melbourne, so perhaps it was little surprise to see the opening set go with serve for 12 games. It feels amazing. We have unbelievable support here – I want to thank everyone who came here from Croatia Popyrin, the aggressor behind his booming forehand and some savvy drop shots, had seen five break point chances come and go early in the set, and paid a heavy price in the tiebreak as five unforced errors saw Gojo’s guile and consistency rewarded with the opener. The Australian did well to recover his composure after the disappointment of the opener, denying the world No. 276 the chance to grab an early break in the second set, but with Gojo’s backhand beginning to do damage and Popyrin increasingly frustrated by his opponent’s solid game and giving up 27 unforced errors in all, the set looked primed for a fifth tiebreak between the duo. And then, as Popyrin’s first serve deserted him, the Croatian broke through with the one break point he saw in the match to lead 6-5, serving out for just the second top-100 win of his career. “It feels amazing. We have unbelievable support here – I want to thank everyone who came here from Croatia,” said Gojo, whose own thunderous serve was rock-solid throughout the contest. “He was probably a better player in the first set, but I knew if I could stay close I would have a chance eventually, and today it went my way.” Cilic got off to a scintillating start in the second match, launching a seven-game surge from 1-1 in the opener to lead by a set and a break. The high-bouncing conditions at the Pala Alpitour in Turin seem custom-built for a player of his stature, and time and again he had de Minaur, no slouch around the court, chasing shadows for the first half-hour of the contest. But de Minaur defines never-say-die, and with his serve firing in the second set he kept himself tighter to the baseline and ramped up the aggression, a risk-reward strategy that paid dividends as he broke back to level up at 3-3. Riding his luck through some tight service games as Cilic looked to land a second break, it was the Australian who stole the set with Cilic serving to stay in it at 6-5. The momentum was now with de Minaur, who produced arguably the shot of the match to break for 2-0, a flat forehand off his scurrying shoelaces that skidded through the baseline past a stranded Cilic. But the Croatian hit back in the next game to get back on serve and once again wrestled back control of a pulsating encounter. This time Cilic would not be denied, serving out the win in two hours, eight minutes to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead. “First, it’s a great pleasure to be back again on the court to play for our nation, Croatia,” Cilic said. “Australia have such a great spirit on the court, always fighting so strong, and you can see that today from Alex. From that second set I was on a roll, 6-1 3-1, but it seemed really close. He’s such a great fighter, and it’s not the first time that he comes back in a match with this score.”

Saad Kayani KARACHI:-The Sindh government is making all-out efforts and taking every possible step for the promotion of softball at grass root level across the province, Sindh Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla said here on Friday. The Provincial Minister was speaking as chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the SSA Talent Hunt Softball Championship organized by Sindh Softball Association. He said, “Sindh province are rich in talent including sports, they are God-Gifted and  what is needed, is to explore that talent and turn them into gems to enable them to win laurels for the country at national and international level, “he added. He assured his full support and all-out steps on part of the Sindh Govt for holding the national and inter-divisional softball events and improving the infrastructure of the game which would help explore and promote raw talent. The Minister added that it is a good omen that there is great interest among the youth of Sindh in the game of softball which is evident from their participation in the softball events and appreciated the holding of the softball championship for schools, colleges as well as districts in the province. Bishop of Karachi Fredrick John Trinity Girls School and College Principal Irene Pearl, Pakistan Olympic Environment Committee member Tehmina Asif, Chawla International Managing Partner Santosh Kumar, Softball Federation  Pakistan Secretary General Asif Azim, Sindh Softball Association  President Syed Wasim Hashmi, Secretary Muhammad Zeeshan Merchant,  VP Mehmood Nasir, Coach Faraz Aijaz were also present on the occasion. Earlier Trinity Blues won the title by beating Karachi White by seven runs in the final. Trinity Blues scored magnificent 15 runs in 5 innings with some good show of talent by Areesha Saeed and Zara who scored 3 runs each while  Fiza, Ayesha, Iqra and Ammara scored two runs each. The runners up side could score 8 runs. Fareesha and Nida scored two runs each. Zara of Trinity Blues was declared Best Player of the Tournament.

Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Chris Gayle praised the Abu Dhabi T10 for its non-stop action, while criticising modern openers in the 20-over format for “killing the game” with a more cautious approach to power-plays. With two ICC Men’s T20 World Cup winners’ medals to his name and more runs than any other player in the history of 20-over cricket, Gayle has been central to the rise of franchise cricket all over the world. And now, while playing for Team Abu Dhabi in the Abu Dhabi T10, Gayle says cricket’s 10-over version is setting new standards when it comes to explosive batting and, ultimately, entertainment. “I think, with T10 cricket, that’s how T20 cricket started. From the first over, batters used to go but T20 cricket has slowed down dramatically and T10 cricket has now raised the bar a bit,” said Gayle. “They’re killing the entertainment in T20 cricket, straight up, because in those first six overs, we can get more as openers but guys are taking their own time. Sometimes they bat to get a score and they take away from the fire they should be bringing to the batting department in the first six overs, but T10 is spot on and hopefully we’ll see more T10 coming around. “I don’t know why batters get so cagey during the first six overs. When T20 cricket started, guys were going from ball one, if you really check the history of T20 cricket looking back on it. I don’t like that fact, I think we should go hard, keep the entertainment that is within the game of T20 cricket and continue to keep that aggression in the first six overs.” Team Abu Dhabi are currently top of the Abu Dhabi T10 table with five wins from five matches and Gayle is clearly having fun in his second year with the franchise. Gayle is also confident that this could be the year that Team Abu Dhabi to lift their first T10 title. “Absolutely, I am enjoying my second year with Team Abu Dhabi and we’ve had a great start but anything can happen in T10 in such a short space of time,” he added. “I’m happy with where the team is at the minute and hopefully this is Team Abu Dhabi’s year.”

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Farhan Altaf and Zain Nawab set to meet in the final of the 18th West Berry Tennis Championship Men's Singles event after showing acceptable performance in the top-4 stage at Defense Authority (DA) Creek Club Karachi. According to available information, Farhan Altaf outplayed Nadir Mirza in the first semifinal with the score-line of 7-6 and 6-0 while Zain Nawab had to toil hard to overcome Nadir Bachani 2-1. The final score-line was 3-6, 6-1 and 10-0. Later in the Men's Doubles, Air vice Marshal Razi Nawab pairing with his son Zain Nawab claimed an historical victory by thrashing high ranked pair and top seed Aqeel Shabbir and Murad Khan by 8-4 in the semifinal. Results (Day-6): Men's Singles Semi Farhan Altaf defeated Nadir Mirza 7-6, 6-0 Zain Nawab defeated Nadir Bachani (Hyderabad) 3-6, 6-1, 10-0 Juniors Under-17 Singles Semi Rahim Waqar defeated Ahsan Ahmed 6-4, 6-0 Girls U-15 Singles Semi-Finals Laiba Ismail defeated Shanzeh Rashid 6-1, 5-4 Varsha Das defeated Amna Harris 4-2, 4-2 Under-13 Singles Semi Neil Mirza defeated Ali Bachani (Hyderabad) 4-1, 5-4 Under-11 Singles Quarter Hadi Mahmood defeated Larib Shamsi 5-3, 4-0 Men's Doubles Semi Noor Mustafa + Danish Ramzan defeated Vinod Das + Ali Imam 9-7 Zain Nawab + Razi Nawab defeated Murad Khan + Aqeel Shabbir 8-4 Plus +35 Singles Final Saqib Zia defeated Robin Das 8-2 Under 9 Singles Semi Rashid Bachani (Hyderabad) defeated Mustafa Naveed 4-1, 4-2 Majid Ali (Hyderabad) Ahl Defeated Imran 5-4, 2-4, 10-6 Plus +35 Doubles Semifinals Asad Ali Bhagat + Naomi Qamar defeated Ali Mansoor Zaidi + Shamil Tajmal 8-1.