By BIPIN DANI On Friday, Urooj Mumtaz became the first Pakistani woman commentator to officiate in men's ODI played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. The 35-year-old Urooj Mumtaz will share the mike with Alan Wilkins (England), Bazid Khan, Ramiz Raja, Wasim Akram (all Pakistanis) and Tino Mawoyo (Zimbabwe) in all three ODIs. "Cricket commentary had obviously been a men dominated platform but now we see all male commentators also sharing mike with Mel Jones, Isa Guha and we hear mix a lot",  Urooj, speaking exclusively hours before the match on Friday, said.     "Boundary is being crossed now and there's great potential for the female commentators and a huge opportunity to commentate with male commentators at the top level".  "Of course, it takes time and home work is paramount but it is an art and one can educate and learn with the passage of time", she further added.  Her first experience of doing commentary in the men's international match was against touring Bangladesh (second T-20I) earlier this year.   "I was slightly nervous but excited and also thought it is a great opportunity to work with the likes of Morrison, Slater and Ramiz Raja. It was a great learning experience in terms of achieving great heights", she said about her debut experience. Ian Bishop and Wilkins are her favorite male commentators. "They are absolutely brilliant with the knowledge of the game and I like the way they describe the proceedings to keep the audience busy". "Melony Jones is my favorite female commentator. She has a beautiful way of conveying the message and provides the realistic views of the game", she signed off. 

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI (October 30, 2020):-Captain Babar Azam has won the toss and decided to bat first in the 1st One Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Friday. Medium pacer bowler Haris Rauf was capped by the team management at his home town. Pakistan Team: Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (Captain), Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf Zimbabwe Team: Sikandar Raza Butt, Briar Chari, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tendai Chisoro, Craing Ervine, Wessly Madhevere, Carl Mumba, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (October 27, 2020):-A total of 107 Covid-19 tests, conducted on the players and player support personnel of Zimbabwe and Pakistan sides as well as the match officials, have returned negative. The tests were conducted on Monday as part of the PCB’s Covid-19 Protocols following the assembling of the two sides in Islamabad. All 107 participants have now entered the bio-secure bubble in a five-star luxury hotel and are now allowed to interact with each other and move freely within the bio-secure bubble. The two sides will train at the Pindi Cricket Stadium today from 1pm. The three-match series, which is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Super League, commences on Friday. The complete ODI and T20I series schedule is available below: 30 Oct – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi 1 Nov – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi 3 Nov – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi 7 Nov – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi 8 Nov – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi 10 Nov – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (October 26, 2020):-International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach received the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize on Monday. President Bach joined the ceremony virtually from Lausanne, with the award collected on his behalf by the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon. Presenting the award, Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation Chairman Yeom Jae-ho said: “IOC President Thomas Bach is a man who carries the mission of the Olympic spirit to achieve peace through sport; an example who truly lives what he teaches.” He went on: “President Bach has promoted friendship and harmony around the world. He has greatly contributed to resolving conflict and division in many regions through the practice of sport. In doing so, he has proven himself to be a great Olympic champion who dedicates himself to peace.” In particular, the Foundation highlighted three major achievements: - “Contributing to peace through sport in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia”, with the 2018 Winter Olympics “serving not only as an Olympic symbol of peace, but also as a stepping stone for peace”. - “President Bach has continuously supported refugees through the creation of the Refugee Olympic Team and the Olympic Refuge Foundation. He contributed to promoting the human rights of refugees by raising global awareness of refugee issues and renewing the world’s perspective on refuges.” - “President Bach led the internal reforms of the IOC through Olympic Agenda 2020. This roadmap also contributed to peace and cooperation among states.” In his acceptance speech, President Bach told the audience: “The purpose of the Olympic Games was always to promote peace through sport. When Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894, he was supported in this mission by the presence of six future winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.” He went on to say that, since then, the IOC had pursued this mission, but “like other peace movements, the Olympic Movement has sometimes fallen short. In our efforts to build a more peaceful world through sport, sometimes we have failed, and have been failed”. President Bach emphasised that, while sport can open the door to dialogue about peace, “we know very well that sport alone cannot create peace”. He added: “We cannot take decisions on war and peace. This is the realm of politics and not of sport.” The role of the Olympic Games, with regard to peace, is to “set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and one another. They can inspire us to solve problems in friendship and solidarity. They can build bridges leading to better understanding among people.” To achieve this universal message of peace, the IOC is promoting worldwide solidarity and inclusivity, and embraces diversity as an enrichment to society. Turning to the IOC Refugee Olympic Team and the Olympic Refuge Foundation, President Bach said: “The refugee athletes demonstrated to a global audience that we are all part of the same humanity. Their participation in the Olympic Games was a clear signal that refugees are our fellow human beings – that they are an enrichment to society just as they are an enrichment to our Olympic community.” On governance reforms, President Bach emphasised that “our ability to make a difference in the world rests on our credibility and integrity. For this reason, good governance is a central feature of Olympic Agenda 2020”. The Seoul Peace Prize comes with a USD 200,000 prize which the President will donate to the Olympic Refuge Foundation and three other social charities. The award has had a number of illustrious previous winners, including Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; Václav Havel, former Czech President; Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF); German Chancellor Angela Merkel; and Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. Speaking after the award, President Bach emphasised: “This prize belongs to the entire International Olympic Committee and all of the Olympic Movement. Without their tireless work and all the support of so many from all around the world, these achievements for peace through sport could never have been accomplished.” Congratulating President Bach, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Chung Sye-kyun, said: “President Bach played a fundamental role in transforming the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 into the Peace Olympics, putting them beyond all political tensions as a symbol of hope.” Collecting the award on behalf of President Bach, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, highlighted the creation of the first Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Rio 2016: “It was an unprecedented and monumental event in modern Olympic history. I still vividly remember the cheers as the Refugee Team entered the stadium. It was a truly inspiring moment.”

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (October 26, 2020):-Pakistan men’s national cricket team will begin their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League campaign from 30 October when they will host Zimbabwe in the first of the three ODIs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. The following is the two sides’ practice and match schedule in Rawalpindi till 3 November: Tuesday, 27 October: Both teams will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1pm (PST). Beforehand, both the sides will hold online press conferences. A member of the Pakistan team will be available at 11.15am (PST), while a Zimbabwe team player will be available at around 11.45am, (PST). Wednesday, 28 October: Both teams will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 4pm (PST) and have no media interactions planned. Thursday, 29 October: The two teams will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1pm. Beforehand, at around 12.30pm (PST) and 12.45pm (PST), opposite captains Chamu Chibhabha and Babar Azam will hold their respective online press conferences. Friday, 30 October: Toss for the first ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will take place at 11.30am (PST), while the first ball will be bowled at 12pm (PST). Afterwards, star performers from either side will hold virtual media conferences. Interest foreign and local media are advised to confirm their attendance to Darlington Majonga and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (03018440280), respectively, at least, two hours before the start of the sessions. Sunday, 1 November: Toss for the Second ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will take place at 11.30am, while the first ball will be bowled at 12pm. Afterwards, star performers from either side will hold virtual media conferences. Interest foreign and local media are advised to confirm their attendance to Darlington Majonga and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (03018440280), respectively, at least, two hours before the start of the sessions. Tuesday, 3 November: Toss for the third ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will take place at 11.30am, while the first ball will be bowled at 12pm. Afterwards, star performers from either side will hold virtual media conferences.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (October 26, 2020):-Alyia Bibi claimed the first position with 150 points in the Ladies Singles Event on the opening day of  Azadi-e- Kashmir Tenpin Bowling Tournament that started at Leisure City Bowling Club, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi. Sumera Khan got 2nd position with 147 points while Rehana spotted at third place d with 129 points. Mishal Malik, wife of Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Yaseen Malik was the chief guest at the opening ceremony and inaugurated the tournament. President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Ijaz ur Rehman, secretary Mohammad Hussain Chattha, Chairman, Mark Group Pakistan, Dr. Mansoor Ahmed and President, Insaf Welfare, Habib Malik were also present on the occasion. Players from all over the country are participating in the tournament which includes nine events categories, singles masters, doubles, deaf, team, women, inter university, inter school, amateur and media. The semi finals and final of the championship would be played on October 29 and October 30, respectively. The concluding and prize distribution ceremony would be held on October 30 where trophies and certificates will be awarded to the players.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (October 24, 2020):-Khyber Pakhtun Kawa (KPK) overcame Islamabad by 35 runs in the final of A.S. Ali Blind Cricket Super League 2020 at Dring Stadium Ground-1 Bahawalpur in 40 over per innings competition. KPK won the toss for fifth time in a row in this league and decided to bat first. Haroon Khan and Mohammad Akram opened the innings for KPK. Previous day match centurion Haroon Khan was bowled cheaply, as he could score only 8 runs. Asif Khan was also dismissed without scoring a run. Mohammad Akram and Mohammad Akmal then built the innings and knitted the partnership of 71 runs for 3rd wicket. Mohammad Akram ran out, as he made 73 runs off 52 balls. Tehseen did not stay at crease long. Then Naemat Ullah joined Akmal and rescued KPK innings. KPK made 283 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 40 overs. Naemat Ullah was the top scorer with 79 runs and Muhammad Akmal scored 73. Israr-ul-Hasan was the successful bowler for Islamabad by taking 2 wickets. Matiullah, Sajid and Amir claimed a wicket apiece. In reply, Islamabad started cautiously and kept the wickets intact to accelerate later rate, but in the middle overs KPK fought back and took crucial wickets of Nisar Ali, Mohammad Rashid, Amir Ishfaq and Maitullah. Nisar Ali made 87 runs and Matiuallh scored 57 runs. Islamabad in allotted 40 overs scored just 248 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Haroon Khan claimed 3 big wickets and Mohammad Akram took 2 wickets. Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), Zafar Jamali ADCG Bahawalpur, Maqsood, Divisional Sports Officer Bahawalpur, Syed Salman Bokhari Director Cricket Operations PBCC, Bilal Satti, Director Marketing PBCC and Anwar Ali Director Finance PBCC distributed prizes amongst the players.  Result: KPK won by 35 run Man of the Match: Naemat Ullah Player of the Tournament B1 Category: Riasat Khan B2 Category: Badar Munir B3 Category: Muhammad Ijaz Best Wicketkeeper: Nisar Ali Winning Prize Money, Rs: 75,000 Runners-up, Rs: 45,000

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (October 24, 2020):-President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Brig (Retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar has revealed that around 11 companies had shown their interest regarding the sponsorship deal with the national game field hockey that might help the uplift game standard in the country and to organize national and international events as well. He met with the former Olympians and former International hockey players in Karachi including Olympian Hanif Khan, Olympian Hassan Sardar, Olympian Kaleemullah, Olympian Kamran Ashraf, Olympian Kashif Jawad, Olympian Danish Kaleem, International Safdar Abbas, International Jan Mohammad, International Mohammad Ali, International Haider Hussian, International Mubashir Mukhtar, Ramzan Jamali Secretary Sindh Hockey Association and Gulfraz Khan aiming to share the different aspects of hockey. On this occasion, Khokhar informed to former players, “As many as 11 companies have contacted PHF and showed expression of interest regarding the sponsorship dealing with the national game hockey since the PHF has given the invitation to bid to the private sector for sponsoring the national game in different heads,” he said. He further said that PHF had also finalized the plan to establish a hockey excellence school in Lahore for the training of emerging and talented hockey players selected through a talent hunt scheme across the country along with coaches, umpires, and technical officials. Besides urged all four provincial governments through the ministry of IPC to establish hockey academies in all four provinces because the school and college hockey have collapsed in our country and the alternative plan is to establish the hockey academies in all four provinces to groom the national game at the grass-root level. High-performance physical trainer from Australia Danial Berry would be looking after the physical aspect of this Center along with all the coaches from senior and junior shall be part of this elite hockey Centers. President PHF said that the junior hockey team which would participate in the Junior Asia Cup 2021, in January, would travel to Bangladesh some days before the final event so that the Green Shirts used to acclimatize the weather and play some practice matches with other local and foreign hockey teams. He said that before leaving the country the junior hockey team would also play a series with the national senior hockey team players, of which schedule would be finalized after the national hockey championship. “PHF is interested in laying mini Austro turf in those cities and towns where the game of hockey regularly played so that our children start their game from synthetic turfs and used to play advanced hockey on a modern setup to combat the challenges of international hockey. Sindh government has laid Astroturf in various cities of the province it is a great job and there is a need to utilize these facilities and organize regular hockey to get the benefits of these synthetic turfs, “he maintained. He hoped that Pakistan senior and junior hockey teams training camp would be organized in those cities of Sindh provinces where these synthetic turfs had been laid and where hostel room’s facilities would also be available. Five Hockey World Cup events would be organized in two years and Pakistan would have to prepare for this big event. The establishment of mini turfs would help to establish our hockey on a strong foundation and preparation of international events. President PHF said that due to the efforts of PHF present management the 30 years old issue of the lease of Abdul Sattar Edhi hockey stadium has been resolved and the Pakistan army has given the lease of hockey stadium for a longer period. The PHF president further said that the 31st National Senior Women's Hockey Championship will be organized in Peshawar in the month of December 2020. President PHF said that the new hockey calendar for 2021 would be announced soon and also informed that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) hockey championship would be organized in March 2021 at Army Hockey Stadium, Rawalpindi, and the Chief of Naval Staff (CONS) hockey championship would be held at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium, Karachi in the month of June 2021. The PHF president did not optimistic that Pakistan senior and junior hockey teams would play bilateral hockey series or international hockey matches with foreign hockey teams in near future due to the second wave of COVID 19. He further said that PHF has planned to given central contact to Pakistan hockey team players to resolve their financial issues.  

SPORTS REPORT RAWALPINDI(October 24, 2020):-Captain Babar Azam and vice-captain Shadab Khan, who will be in the leadership role for the first time in the ODI format, have vowed to play an aggressive and attacking brand of cricket when they start their stints with Pakistan’s first of the three ODIs against Zimbabwe on Friday at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. The three-match ODI series is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League and acts as qualification round for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The second match will be played on November 1 with the third and final match taking place on November 3. Babar widely regarded as Pakistan’s best all-format player is the only batsman in the world to feature in the top five of ICC’s Rankings for batsmen across the three formats. Babar averages 54.17 in the ODI format having donned the Pakistan colours 74 times. His tally includes 11 centuries and 15 half-centuries. Babar Azam: “To keep-up with the modern-day requirements of fast-paced cricket we need to be super fit. As the leaders of the group, both Shadab and I need to set an example with our fitness and commitment. We have a lot of cricket lined-up and the only method for us to regain our spot at the top of the rankings is aggressive and fearless cricket. “We need to work on overall improvement in all three formats of the game. We are looking forward to starting the journey on a positive note with the series against Zimbabwe; it is an opportunity for us to please our fans who would not be able to watch us from the stands due to the Covid-19-related challenges. We can, however, bring them joy by doing well in the series and by giving performances that please them. “My request to the fans is that we need their support just the way they supported us during the England tour and the National T20 Cup, which provided rich entertainment in a highly competitive environment.” Shadab Khan: “We won’t be taking Zimbabwe lightly at all. We are fully focused on the job at hand and during the season we are very keen on improving both our game and fitness. “Many players discuss fitness and how to improve in that area which is a positive sign indeed. For us each and every point in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matters. A convincing victory against Zimbabwe will hold us in good stead when we depart for the tour of New Zealand. “We had an excellent build-up to the Zimbabwe series with the National T20 Cup. The tournament was highly competitive. Such tournaments will help narrow the gap between domestic and international levels. The revamped domestic system surely provides that opportunity to the players.”

SPORTS REPORT KARACHI (October 24, 2020):-After an action-packed National T20 Cup in Multan and Rawalpindi, the focus shifts to Karachi as Pakistan’s largest city gears up to host the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, a jewel in the crown of Pakistan cricket, from 25 October. The first three rounds will be played across three venues – National Stadium, NBP Sports Complex and UBL Sports Complex – before the tournament takes an 11-day break during which the play-offs of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, which had to be postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the country, will be staged. Besides the three venues, State Bank Stadium will also host six matches of the 31-match tournament. The six team captains were taken to a photo-shoot with the prestigious tournament trophy at the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum (Mazar-e-Quaid) on Friday. The players travelled in a sterilised bus and maintained social distancing at the location while fully following the existing Covid-19 SOPs and protocols during the shoot. With the Pakistan’s men’s national team and Pakistan Shaheens scheduled to travel to New Zealand on 23 November, the first three rounds serve as an audition for the first-class cricketers to stake a claim in the red-ball side on the back of impressive performances. In line with the PCB’s vision of incentivising top-performers, more than PKR17million are up for grabs over the course of the 31-match tournament with the winning prize money PKR10million and the runner-up bagging PKR5million. The top-performers – player of the tournament, best batsman, best bowler and best wicketkeeper – will pocket PKR500,000 each. The player of the final will be awarded PKR50,000. Defending champions Central Punjab will begin their campaign from the National Stadium, Karachi, as they take on hosts Sindh in a match which will be televised live on PTV Sports and relayed all over the world by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s official YouTube channel. The PCB as part of its commitment to promote domestic cricket, will broadcast and stream all 11 matches, including the five-day final, from the National Stadium. Sindh v Central Punjab, National Stadium, Karachi: With Babar Azam leading Pakistan in the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches and as many T20Is, Azhar Ali will take charge of the defending champions Central Punjab side, which includes seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, who finished as the second highest run-getter in the last edition of the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 906 runs at 60.40. Azhar will also have services of Test off-spinner Bilal Asif, who with 43 wickets from nine matches finished as the second highest wicket-taker in the 2019-20 edition. The side is further strengthened by the returns of Ahmed Shehzad, who captained Central Punjab last year with Babar on national duty, and pacer Hasan Ali. After Salman Butt withdrew himself from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Ali Zaryab has been promoted to Central Punjab’s first XI team. Central Punjab captain Azhar Ali: “As defending champions we aim to play with attacking mindset and strategy as it won us the trophy last year. We have some exciting youngsters and have retained the core of the side and I am really looking forward to the tournament. “With only six teams in the fray, the competition is going to be stiff and that augurs well for the tournament as the standard will be of the highest quality with all the teams capable of winning the event.” Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former Pakistan Test captain, will be eager to ensure that his team lives up to its potential as they were one of the two teams, other being Balochistan, who failed to register a win last season. They will be banking on Fawad Alam, who was Sindh’s best batsman last year with 781 runs (four centuries and two half-centuries) to provide stability to their batting order which also boasts Test batsman Asad Shafiq and impressive youngsters like Saud Shakeel and Omair Bin Yousaf. Tabish Khan will spearhead Sindh’s bowling attack in which Mohammad Asghar will lead the spin department. The left-arm orthodox had the fourth most wickets with 27 scalps in eight matches for Balochistan last year. Tabish took 25 wickets in the previous season, his new-ball partner Sohail Khan is not available for the opening clash due to a throat infection but is expected to join the team in the later rounds. Sindh captain Sarfaraz Ahmed: “Last year we were not able to win any matches despite coming close and dominating the matches most of the days. This year we have once again fielded an experienced squad with some exciting youngsters. “Our aim would be to push for wins and keep ourselves in the contention of a final spot. I think we should have an exciting event which should keep the fans and followers engaged.” Northern v Southern Punjab, NBP Stadium, Karachi: Northern, under the leadership of Nauman Ali, won three matches – all secured in their last four matches – to secure a berth in the final. Over the course of their 11-match journey, Haider Ali, who later went on to become member of the men’s national team, scored 99 on debut and followed it up with two centuries, the last one of them in the final against Central Punjab. Despite Haider and their other young gun Rohail Nazir with the national side for the Zimbabwe series, Northern possess the desired firepower in their ranks with Zeeshan Malik, who has been handed vice-captaincy for the 2020-21 season, all-rounders Nasir Nawaz and Hammad Azam providing balance to the side which also includes batsmen Umar Amin, Faizan Riaz and Naved Malik. Their captain, Nauman, who was the highest wicket-taker last season with 54 scalps in 10 matches, leads a bowling unit comprising Sadaf Hussain, Waqas Ahmed and Tauseeq Shah. Northern captain Nauman Ali: “We played aggressive cricket last season and made a great comeback after a slow start to earn a place in the final. “This year too we have an exciting squad that is a good blend of youth and experience. We will be aiming to play the same result-oriented cricket with a positive approach. I am confident of my team delivering the goods and playing the tournament final. I do think that we can lift the trophy, this is an exciting time for our side in a hugely competitive tournament that will surely bring out the best from players of all six teams.” Southern Punjab, led by Test batsman Shan Masood, will be hoping for change of fortunes after they finished without a victory in the last season. Their head coach, Abdur Rehman, has gathered a promising side, which promises to provide Shan a balanced team with equally effective batting and bowling units. While Mohammad Irfan, slow-left arm, will spearhead the spin unit, which has talented youngster Umar Khan and leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood. Pakistan Test  pacer  Mohammad Abbas will lead the bowling attack that also includes Mohammad Ilyas and Dilbar Hussain. Umar Siddiq and wicketkeeper Zeeshan Malik are expected to provide stability to their batting order with Shan, while all-rounders Aamer Yamin and Hussain Talat will extend support to both departments with their all-round skills Southern Punjab captain Shan Masood: “The double-league nature of the tournament means that each of the six sides have an opportunity of making a comeback. Southern Punjab have an exciting outfit and we would be aiming to play the final. “Last season we had a good run and were in the contention for a final spot for a long time. There are six quality sides and the format of the tournament encourages quality and competitive cricket. We are looking forward to doing well and going all the way.” Balochistan v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, UBL Sports Complex, Karachi: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan begin their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy campaign at the UBL Sports Complex. Balochistan, who finished at the bottom, will be led by Test leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Imran Butt, the highest run-getter of the last Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, is joined by left-handed top-order batsman Sami Aslam, who was the fourth highest run-getter with 864 runs, he represented Southern Punjab last season. 17-year-old Quetta-born Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, who graduated to the apex domestic level after impressing in the Second XI National T20 Cup, and Adnan Akmal are the other two promising additions in the batting department. Right-arm quicks Najeebullah Achakzai, Akhtar Shah, a former Pakistan U19 bowler, and Taj Wali form the core of the pace-bowling department after an injury to Akif Javed ruled him out from the tournament. Balochistan captain Yasir Shah: “Balochistan will enter the tournament with a positive mindset and approach. We have some exciting talent from the region like Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, who has done well in the Second XI and has now earned a deserved opportunity in our First XI. “Last season our bowlers did well and I am impressed with the form of bowlers like Taj Wali. We would strive hard for success while keeping an eye on developing quality players both for the region and Pakistan.” Fresh from the National T20 Cup win, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be looking to carry that form albeit in the absence of their star performers, who will be in Lahore at the national team’s camp for the Zimbabwe series. Ashfaq Ahmed, their highest run-getter in the last season, has been appointed captain by head coach Abdul Razzaq. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa boast an experienced pace bowling attack with the likes of Junaid Khan, Imran Khan Snr, Usman Khan Shinwari, Sameen Gul and Ahmed Jamal in the ranks, while their batting department is consolidated with the presence of top-order batsman Sahibzada Farhan, Adil Amin and wicketkeeper Rehan Afridi. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Ashfaq Ahmed: “It is an honour for me to captain the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team. We have a very capable squad that has the right blend of experience and youth. “My aim would be to lead the team from the front and deliver both as a player and captain. I think we can progress to the final even last year we had come close to reaching the final and this season our focus would be on earning a spot in the final. I am very excited about this opportunity; we should see some exciting cricket in Karachi over the course of the next two months.”