ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (January 19, 2021):-A wheelchair tennis player, Asif Gul Abbasi made a great mark in the history of wheelchair tennis after winning three international tournaments and representing Pakistan in over a dozen of tennis fixtures in United Kingdom (UK). Now, Asif spotted at 153 in the world ranking that released last December 2020. It is pertinent to mention here that he was ranked 82 couple of years back August 2018. Abbasi is only Pakistani lad, who achieved this milestone in the history of Pakistan wheelchair tennis. The international sports website sports-bulletin.com arranged an interview with him (Asif) at National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad and he told this scribe that he had won three international events in UK including ITF Futures Wrexham, Wales 2017, ITF-3 Draw II 2020 at same venue and ITF-2 Draw II at Bolton, at indoor tennis centre 2020, in a row. “I won 15 British National Series wheelchair tennis tournaments and was declared “Player of the Year” three times back-to-back in 2017, 2018 and 2019, “he maintained. Responding to a question, Asif said that he needed some support from Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to play further international wheelchair tennis and heist the green flag all over the world through sports and to highlight the soft image of Pakistan. “I wish to represent my beloved county in the Para-Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo, Japan soon after the Summer Olympics, which are delayed owing to corona virus Covid-19, “he said. “I can also help PTF in promoting the wheelchair tennis in the country, as I am qualified Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Level-III tennis coach. Pakistan has massive talent in the wheelchair tennis and disabled youth must be given an opportunity to excel at national and international level. I have vast experienced in playing and teaching wheelchair tennis in UK. I am also qualified wheelchair basketball mentor, “Asif Gul Abbasi concluded.  

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (January 17, 2021):-Aleem Dar will officiate in his first-ever Test at home, while on-field umpire Ahsan Raza and match referee Mohammad Javed Malik will also make their Test debuts as the Pakistan Cricket Board, on behalf of the International Cricket Council, today confirmed match officials’ appointments for the two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa, which starts in Karachi on 26 January. Elite panelist Aleem Dar has umpired in a record 132 Tests since making his debut in 2003 in Dhaka, while Ahsan part of the international panel has umpired in 37 ODIs and 57 T20Is to date. Javed Malik, a former first-class cricketer and a member of the ICC’s international panel, has refereed in 10 ODIs and six T20Is. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively, while Javed Malik will lead the playing control team for both the Tests. The second Test will begin in Rawalpindi from 4 February. As per the ICC’s interim playing regulations, the requirement to appoint third country officials has temporarily been removed from the playing conditions for all international formats owing to the current logistical challenges with international travel. The ICC, however, continues to appoint locally based match officials from the ICC Elite Panel of Match Officials and the ICC International Panel of Match Officials. For the three-match T20I series, Javed Malik will continue to be the match referee, while Aleem and Ahsan Raza will be the on-field umpires for the first match with Shozab Raza in the TV umpire’s box and Asif Yaqoob as fourth umpire. Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob will stand in the second T20I with Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz as third and fourth umpires, respectively, while Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz will be the on-field umpires for the third T20I with Ahsan Raza and Shozab Raza as third and fourth umpires, respectively. Aleem Dar: “It will definitely be an emotional moment for me to umpire in a Test involving Pakistan. It has been nearly a 17-year and 132-Test wait, but its about to be over. Like the players, the match officials also want to umpire in matches on home ground, something we achieve in white-ball cricket, but Test cricket remains the pinnacle format and I am delighted that I will be standing in the two Tests between two excellent sides.” Pakistan v South Africa - Umpire and match referee appointments: 26-30 Jan – 1st Test. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 4-8 Feb – 2nd Test. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 11 Feb – 1st T20I. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Shozab Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 13 Feb – 2nd T20I. Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 14 Feb – 3rd T20I. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Shozab Raza (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee).

SPORTS REPORT KARACHI (January 17, 2021):-Saud Shakeel the left-handed middle-order batsman has been named in Pakistan’s 20-member squad for the two Test-match series against South Africa starting from 26 January at the National Stadium. The 25-year-old Saud hails from Karachi, and started playing cricket at the year of 12. Saud has featured in most of the age-group tournaments of PCB, he started his journey by representing Karachi in PCB’s U16 tournament in 2011. He represented U19 for the first time in 2013, and later captained the Pakistan U19 team in 2014. He was picked in Pakistan A squad for the tour of England in 2016, where current Pakistan captain Babar Azam was his captain. Saud featured in a four-day and four 50-over matches on the tour and played alongside Aamer Yamin, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan. He led Pakistan Emerging team to victory in ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup Tournament in 2019, the side defeated Bangladesh in the final by 77 runs. Saud has scored 3220 runs in 46 first-class matches. He has struck 10 centuries and 17 half-centuries at an average of 48.78, with 174 as his best score. With his left-arm spin Saud has taken 23 wickets. In 67 List A matches, Saud has scored 2347 runs at an average of 46.01. He has struck four centuries and 18 half-centuries and taken 26 wickets. Expressing his delight over his inclusion in the Test squad against South Africa, Saud Shakeel said: “I could not watch team selection’s press conference, but after the team announcement, my Sindh team mates started ringing me and came to my room and congratulated me on my selection. “It is an honour for me to represent Pakistan national team, but my real goal is to feature for the national team in all three formats. “Throughout my cricket journey, I had learnt a lot from Asad Shafiq and Sarfaraz Ahmed, and now I look forward to learning as much as I can in the national team camp. “I am blessed to have come through age-group cricket, through a proper pathway and if given chance I look forward to grabbing it with both hands. “Occupying the crease and rotation of strike are my strong points.”

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (January 15, 2021): Sports Board Punjab (SBP) in collaboration with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will organize First Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Division Hockey Championship here at National Hockey Stadium from Jan 23 to Feb 5, 2021. This important decision was taken during a meeting held between Director General Sports Punjab Adnan ArshadAulakh and PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa at National Hockey Stadium on Friday. Director Admin Javed Chohan and head coach of national hockey team Olympian Khawaja  Junaid were also present during the meeting. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh and PHF delegation discussed all the administrative issues of the upcoming First Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Division Hockey Championship during the detailed meeting. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, on this occasion said that teams from all nine divisions of the province will participate in the grand championship. “Sports Board Punjab is fully cooperating with PHF for the revival of hockey which happened to be Pakistan’s national game,” he added. PHF Secretary Olympian Asif Bajwa thanked Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh for making effective efforts for the revival of hockey. “We will continue to join hands for this great task and we are hopeful that Pakistan will regain its lost glory in hockey in near future,” he added. Later, PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa and head coach of national hockey team Olympian Junaid also presented a bouquet and congratulated Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh on his promotion.  

SPORTS REPORT KARACHI (January 15, 2021):-Pakistan cricket selectors have named a 20-member squad, including nine uncapped players, for the two-Test series against South Africa, which commences here on 26 January. The players will enter the bio-secure bubble on 19 January and the squad will be trimmed to 16 players ahead of the first Test. Openers Abdullah Shafique and Imran Butt, middle-order batsmen Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel, spinners Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan, and fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Tabish Khan have been rewarded for their stellar performances in the 2020-21 domestic season, including the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Hasan Ali has returned to the Test side after two years following a highly successful Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in which he was adjudged player of the final and tournament. Hasan, whose ninth and last Test appearance was against South Africa in Johannesburg, took 43 wickets and scored 273 runs in a fierce and highly competitive Quaid-e-Azam Trophy that included match figures of five for 129 and 106 not out in the second innings of the tied final. Also returning to the side is left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, who took 22 wickets with two-fers and scored 744 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He last played a Test against the West Indies in Sharjah in 2016. Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf are the two-all-rounders in a side that also includes three openers, six middle-order batsmen, two wicketkeepers, three spinners and four fast bowlers. Haris Sohail, Mohammad Abbas, Shan Masood and Zafar Gohar, who played in the last Test in Christchurch, have been left out. Haris, Abbas and Shan will be invited to the High Performance Centre in Lahore so that they can work on their technical faults with the qualified coaches. Zafar who made his Test Debut in Christchurch remains part of selectors long term plans in both red and white ball cricket, and will also work with NHPC coaches on further improvement of his all-round skillset. Fast bowler Naseem Shah was not considered for selection after complaining of a niggle in his hamstring. He will shortly commence his rehabilitation programme at the National High Performance Centre. The 20-player squad is: Openers – Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab) and Imran Butt (Balochistan) Middle-order batsmen - Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (captain, Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab) and Saud Shakeel (Sindh) All-rounders – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab) and Mohammad Nawaz (Northern) Wicketkeepers – Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh) Spinners – Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan) Fast bowlers – Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Tabish Khan (Sindh) Chief selector Muhammad Wasim: “I want to congratulate all the uncapped players who have made it to the 20-player Pakistan Test squad. These nine players are now just a step away from representing Pakistan in the pinnacle format of the game. As such, they have an outstanding opportunity to step-up show their class and potential, and perform strongly so that they can cement their places for future international assignments. “This is a reward for their consistent performance, hard work and perseverance during a difficult season played under the strict Covid-19 protocols. This is also an endorsement that domestic cricket will be valued and respected, and will remain a stepping stone for international cricket. All those players who aspire to represent Pakistan at the global stage will not only have to feature in it but also perform at the expected levels to earn the selectors’ nod. “For the players who have narrowly missed out on selection, I want to encourage them to retain their focus and continue to work hard as we have a busy and packed 2021 ahead. This means there will potentially be opportunities at some stage down the year. I will like to see these players continue to focus on their fitness and form even after curtain falls on the 2020-21 season so that whenever they get a call-up, they are ready to cash in on the opportunity. “Haris Sohail, Mohammad Abbas and Shan Masood have been dropped due to inconsistent performances. However, the PCB will not let its investment on these talented players go to waste and will invite them to the High Performance Centre so that they can work out their technical flaws and get back into contention. “Shan’s bad form has opened doors for Abid Ali’s new partner, be it either Abdullah Shafique or Imran Butt, who was last season’s top scorer. Together with Abdullah, he was in New Zealand with the Shaheens side. “Kamran Ghulam (1,249 runs), Saud Shakeel (970 runs) and Salman Ali Agha (941 runs) walk into the middle-order to support Azhar Ali, Babar Azam and Fawad Alam. This is a formidable and highly skilled middle-order, which will encourage a further healthy competition for a permanent place in the side. “With Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan not available due to niggles, the selectors have shown faith in bowlers with diverse variations and skillsets, who also know our conditions at the back of their hands. “The horses for courses policy means performers like left-arm spinner Nauman Ali, off-spinner Sajid Shah, and fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Tabish Khan will be available for selection, depending on the team composition for the first Test against South Africa in Pakistan in 14 years. “Wrist spinner Zahid Mahmood had a strong case after an excellent season, but we decided against going into the series with all four inexperienced spinners. Yasir Shah understands pressures of international cricket and is familiar with the demands, challenges and expectations of the purist format of the game. “Tabish Khan has been preferred over Sohail Khan as he is more effective and useful in Pakistan conditions. Like Mohammad Abbas, Tabish is a workhorse, who can bowl long spells with controlled line and length. His 598 career first-class wickets, including 30 wickets this season, is a testament that he is a like-to-like replacement for Mohammad Abbas in the given conditions. “Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz are two all-rounders of contrasting skills and should provide more selection options to the team management.”

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (January 11, 2021):-Shabbir Lashkarwala has won the 13TH National Tenpin Bowling Championship 2021 that concluded at F-9 Park Bowling Club Islamabad. He aggregated 806 points in the Men’s Singles final round. Zafar Iqbal scored 743 points and remained on second position while Salim Baig grabbed third position with total score of 742. At the closing ceremony, the chief guest, Adnan Qaiser gave away the trophies and cash awards to the players.  President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Ijaz ur Rehman, Secretary Mohammad Hussain Chattha and President, Sindh Tenpin Bowling Association, Aleem Agha were also present on the occasion.  Earlier, in the Doubles Fixture, Salim Baig pairing with Zafar Iqbal got 1st position while Ijaz ur Rehman and Hussain Chattha obtained 2nd position. Shabbir Lashkarwala  and Aleem Agha bagged 3rd position. Ijaz ur Rehman, Mohammad Hussain Chattha, Salim Baig and Zafar Iqbal got first position while Shabbir Lashkarwala, Aleem Agha, Fazil Mania and Ahmer Abbas Saldera got 2nd position in Team Event competitions. In the Amateur event, Daniyal ur Rehman, who is the son of President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling, Ijaz ur Rehman won the titles. Amina Roshi got 2nd position and Russian player Alina obtained 3rd position.  In the Deaf event; Qasim Asad bagged first position while Azam Khan and Ghazanfer Iqbal got 2nd and 3rd position respectively. In the Women event, Russian player Alina won the titles while Amna Roshi got 2nd position and Noor ul Ain obtained 3rd position.

HAMMAD AHMED KAYANI KARACHI (January 8, 2021):-Karachi Kings will begin from where they finished their successful HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 campaign by taking on 2019 champions Quetta Gladiators in the opening fixture of the 2021 edition at the National Stadium on 20 February. On the following day, 2020 finalists Lahore Qalandars will take on 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi in a day fixture, while two-time winners Islamabad United will square off against Multan Sultans in the evening. The 30-day 34-match tournament will culminate with the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 22 March, marking the first time the venue will stage the final since 2017. To safeguard the integrity of the HBL PSL 2021 and to ensure health and safety of all participants in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the PCB has decided to hold the matches in Karachi and Lahore only. The National Stadium will stage the first half of the competition, while the Pakistan cricket headquarters at the Gaddafi Stadium will be the venue of the second half of the competition, including the playoffs. With regards to crowd attendances, since Covid-19 is an evolving situation, a decision will be made closer to time though the event organisers are continuously monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with the concerned government officials. While preparing the event schedule, the organisers have ensured each side is playing equal number of day and evening matches. Also, the event organisers have tried to make optimum use of the weekends while scheduling double-headers that will ensure maximum following and coverage. The Support Period for the HBL PSL 2021 will commence from 15 February and the foreign players competing in the league will arrive into Karachi with a negative PCR test. Upon arrival, they will require two more negative PCR tests before being allowed to train and compete in the competition. The asymptomatic players or support staff returning a positive test will have to serve a five-day isolation period with RT-PCR tests on day one and four. Babar Hamid, Director – Commercial: “We are delighted to announce the schedule of our marquee event – the HBL Pakistan Super League, which for the second successive season will be held in Pakistan in its entirety. “We had to make the tough decision to limit matches to Karachi and Lahore, and this decision has been taken in the larger interest of the event, participants and the country. We want to limit the unnecessary exposure of the players as much as practically possible so that the players can operate in a safe and healthy environment that, in turn, will allow them to continue to entertain the fans and followers with their talent, skills and gamesmanship. “The crowds in Multan and Rawalpindi were awesome last year and we owe a big thanks to them for their contribution in making the HBL PSL 2020 a resounding success. I am sure when life returns to normal, the two cities will get their share of matches as the PCB remains committed and determined to stage matches of the HBL PSL at as many venues as possible. “Apart from the competitors, the PCB also has a duty of care towards the spectators. Although we have a couple of options on the table, the PCB will continue to monitor the situation and delay the decision as late as possible on crowd attendances as for the PCB, health and lives are of utmost importance. “As for the six franchisees and the event organisers, the schedule announcement gives them an opportunity to start planning for the tournament. While the six sides will be finalising their squads at the upcoming players’ Draft, the PCB has already been working hard on event planning and now is time to change gears so that we can strengthen our reputation and credibility as a high-performing board.” Event schedule (Day matches to start at 2pm; Night matches to start at 7pm; Friday’s double-headers to start at 3pm and 8pm, respectively): Sat, 20 Feb - Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators (N); NSK, Karachi Sun, 21 Feb - Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi (D); Islamabad United v Multan Sultans (N); both matches at NSK, Karachi Mon, 22 Feb - Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators (N); NSK, Karachi Tue, 23 Feb - Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans (N); NSK, Karachi Wed, 24 Feb - Karachi Kings v Islamabad United (N); NSK, Karachi Fri, 26 Feb - Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans (D); Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators (N); both matches at NSK, Karachi Sat, 27 Feb - Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans (D); Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United (N); both matches at NSK, Karachi Sun, Feb 28 - Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars (N); NSK, Karachi Mon, 1 Mar - Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators (N); NSK, Karachi Wed, 3 Mar - Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi (D); Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans (N); both matches at NSK, Karachi Thu, 4 Mar - Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United (N); NSK, Karachi Fri, 5 Mar - Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings (N); NSK, Karachi Sat, 6 Mar - Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators (D); Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars (N); NSK, Karachi Sun, 7 Mar - Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators (D); Islamabad United v Karachi Kings (N); NSK, Karachi Wed, 10 Mar - Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings (N); GSL, Lahore Thu, 11 Mar - Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars (N); GSL, Lahore Fri, 12 Mar - Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi (D); Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars (N); both matches at GSL, Lahore Sat 13 Mar - Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings (D); Multan Sultans v Islamabad United (N); both matches at GSL, Lahore Sun, 14 Mar - Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi (D); Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings (N); both matches at GSL, Lahore Mon, 15 Mar - Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi (N); GSL, Lahore Tue, 16 Mar - Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars (N); GSL, Lahore Thu, 18 Mar - Qualifier (1 v 2) (N); GSL, Lahore Fri, 19 Mar - Eliminator 1 (3 v 4) (N); GSL, Lahore Sat, Mar 20 - Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier v winner Eliminator 1) (N); GSL, Lahore Mon, 22 Mar - Final (N), GSL, Lahore

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (January 7, 2021):-Young teenager Daniyal-ur-Rehman on Thursday clinched the title of the 13th National Tenpin Bowling Championship 2021 that rolled-off here at F-9 Park Bowling Club. Daniyal aggregated 361 points. Federal Minister for Inter Provincial and Coordination (IPC), Dr. Fahmeeda Mirza graced the opening ceremony as chief guest. Also, Senator Mirza Afradi, Director General, Pakistan Sports Board, Dr. Arshad Mehmood, President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling, Ijaz ur Rehman, Secretary   General, Mohammad Hussain Chattha and a large number of peoples were present on the occasion. Later, in the Amateur event; Daniyal ur Rehman, who is the son of President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling, Ijaz ur Rehman, won the Amareur Titles and got 361 points while Amina Roshi got 2nd position with 321 points and Alina obtained 3rd position with 319 points. In the Deaf event; Qasim Asad bagged first position with 347 points while Azam Khan and Ghazanfer Iqbal got 2nd position with 284 points and 3rd position with 281 points respectively. In the Women Fixture, Alina won the title with 320 points while Amna got 2nd position with 318 points. Noor obtained 3rd position with 270 points. The championship will continue till January 10.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (January 7, 2021):-District Attock Badminton Team made a big mark after beating Jhelum by 3-2 in a thrilling best of five games in the final Rawalpindi Divisional Badminton Championship 2021 at Liaqat Bagh Sports Complex Rawalpindi. It is pertinent to mention here that all four districts including Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Rawalpindi took part in event. This is the first ever win of a lower rank District Attock in the history of Rawalpindi Divisional badminton where Rawalpindi gone down in semifinal under a major upset by Jhelum 2-1 while Attock outclassed Chakwal 2-0 to get the berth in the final of the badminton championship. Final match proved to be an exciting for both teams of Attock and Jhelum as they were facing first ever to each other for the divisional title. Players from both side struggled extraordinary as many ups and downs were seen in the initial singles and doubles matches and a time came when the battle remained 2-2 equal as both teams won one single and one double each. At this stage, Amir Waqas (Attock) stunned his opponent Hamza from Jhelum in last deciding single by 21-5, 21-8. Provincial Minister for Interior Punjab Syed Yawer Abbas Bukhari and Deputy Commissioner Attock Ali Anan Qamar, International Badminton Coach Raziuddin Ahmad congratulated to Attock on their marvelous victory including DSO Waheed Baber, Team Manager Mohammad Asim and Attock team members Mohammad Ibrahim, Waqas Meer, Mohsin and Amir Waqas. Rejoicing the record success Ex-international badminton player from Attock Syed Mohammad Anis, Ex-national Veteran Double Champion Saghir Hussain Shah (POF) Ex- Rawalpindi Divisional Champions Mohammad Asif, Sheikh Ashraf and Iftikhar Azam, Local association members Raiz Siddiqui, Tariq Meer, Raja Iqbal, Waqar Tahir, Liaqat Ali, Dr. Tanweer, Muqarrab Khan, Khalid Usman extended the congratulated to all young players. Result: 1st single: Aashan Tanweer (JH) bt Waqas Meer (ATC) 21-12, 21-16 1st Double: Waqas Meer & Amir Waqas (ATC) bt Faisal & Hamza (JH) 18-21, 21-17, 24-22 2nd single: M. Ibrahim (ATC) bt Kashan Tanweer (JH) 19-21, 21-7, 21-18 2nd Double: Aashan Tanweer & Kashan Tanweer (JH) bt Ibrahim & Mohsin (ATC) 21-14, 21-16 Final Single: Amir Waqas (ATC) bt Hamza (JH) 21-5, 21-8

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (January 6, 2021):-Chris Gayle, Chris Lynn, Rashid Khan and Dale Steyn are some of the leading foreign players who have made themselves available for the sixth edition of HBL Pakistan Super League. The quartet is part of a 25-player Platinum roster of foreign players ahead of the HBL PSL Player Draft that will be held in Lahore on January 10. The six franchises will now be making key trade and retention decisions before the Draft, with each team allowed a maximum of eight retentions ahead of the Draft. With a packed international calendar during the February – March window this year, some of the foreign players will only be partially available for the competition. The ICC T20I Player of the Decade Rashid Khan will be one of the major attractions of the Draft; the Afghanistan leg-spinner has bagged a total of 338 wickets in 244 T20 games besides his staggering T20I numbers of 89 wickets in 48 matches. South African batsman David Miller, a veteran of 320 T20 matches, will be one of the most sought after players for the franchises. Miller is yet to feature in the HBL PSL. West Indian T20 legend Chris Gayle who has represented Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars in earlier HBL PSL editions is another major attraction on the list along with the number one ranked ICC T20I Batsman Dawid Malan who was part of the Islamabad United squad in HBL PSL 2020. Australian Chris Lynn who scored 284 runs at 40.57 (strike-rate 179.74) for Qalandars last season is also part of the Platinum list and could be a possible retention option for the Qalandars ahead of the Draft. The West Indian representation on the Platinum list also includes Dwayne Bravo who has represented Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators in the HBL PSL along with Carlos Brathwaite (stints with Qalandars and Zalmi), Lendl Simmons (Kings and Zalmi) and Evin Lewis. The list also includes South Africa’s Morne Morkel and Rassie van der Dussen who are both yet to feature in the HBL PSL. The South African representation in the list also includes Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans), Colin Ingram (Kings and United), Rilee Rossouw (Gladiators and Sultans) and Dale Steyn (United). Besides Malan, England’s Alex Hales who was part of the Kings’ winning squad in last year’s edition is also in the list. Moeen Ali (Sultans), Chris Jordan (Zalmi and Kings) and Tom Banton (Zalmi) are also part of the Platinum roster. Spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi (Gladiators) are the two other Afghanistan players on the list along with Rashid. Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera (Gladiators and Sultan) and Isuru Udana also feature on the list. Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichanne who have both played for Qalandars in the past complete the list. Director Commercial Babar Hamid: “We are delighted to release a star-studded list of players in the Platinum category even though we are dealing with an unprecedented situation due to Covid-19 and player availabilities are also hampered by a packed FTP calendar. “The HBL Pakistan Super League 2021 will be another exciting season once again being played in Pakistan. The quality of players on the list is a further testament of the credibility and integrity of the league as it continues to attract the best T20 talent from around the world. “In the coming days, we will work as hard as ever on successful delivery of the event with all stakeholders as we are determined and focussed on producing another world-class event while raising the bar higher and ensuring the safety and security of all participants.”