Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 11, 2020):-The schedule of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 has been announced on Wednesday in New Zealand’s capital Willington. The ICC Women’s World Cup displayed at the Kohimarama Beach in Auckland. The Basin Reserve was confirmed to host two New Zealand WHITE FERNS match-ups during the tournament, one of those being against T20 World Cup Champions and staunch rivals Australia on Saturday, 13 February. Sports fans across all six New Zealand host cities: Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, will also get a taste of the WHITE FERNS in action as the hosts take on the rest of the world. To mark the World Cup’s launch, WHITE FERNS captain and record smasher Sophie Devine was on hand at the Basin Reserve. “It’s a match we absolutely fizz about as players – taking on the Aussies is always a huge thrill. Cricket fans who come along to the Basin Reserve on Saturday the 13th of February will no doubt see a lot of passion from both teams. “Playing in a World Cup against our arch-rivals in my home city will be an unreal feeling,” Devine said. Highlights of the match schedule revealed today include: Eden Park to host a bumper opening weekend featuring the WHITE FERNS on Waitangi Day, followed by defending champions England v Australia face-off the next day. The WHITE FERNS to take on South Africa’s Proteas in one of six pool matches and a semi-final to be held in Hamilton. Tauranga to play host to a semi-final and five pool matches. That includes three back-to-back Sunday afternoons starring a showdown with reigning champions England. The iconic Basin Reserve to stage the highly anticipated Trans-Tasman showdown on Saturday, 13 February. Christchurch to host the final on 7 March under lights at Hagley Park on the back of five pool matches. At the launch attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Minister for Sport Grant Robertson, Australian High Commissioner Her Excellency Patricia Forsythe and ICC CEO Manu Sawhney, the message was clear – there has been no better time to be a female athlete. Prize money for the showpiece of women’s international cricket will total NZD$5.5million, and all matches will be broadcast live to a huge global audience. ICC CEO, Manu Sawhney said: “The ICC has made a long-term commitment to elevate the women’s cricket as part of our strategy to grow and develop the global game. “We want to build a sustainable foundation for women’s cricket. It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up, that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of. “We are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in increasing prize money for ICC events over the last few years, with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand having $NZD5.5 million dollars available in prize money compared to $NZD3.1m in 2017 and $NZD316,000 in 2013.” In 2021, New Zealand will take the opportunity to own its moment in the growth of women’s sport and deliver this fantastic global event with our unique Kiwi flavour. Fittingly, the blockbuster opening weekend of the tournament will feature the WHITE FERNS in the first match-up at Eden Park on Waitangi Day (Saturday, 6 February). Australia will then come up against reigning champions, England the next day. “Our team is proud to be delivering a tournament where Kiwis across the whole country, in each of our six host cities, can really get involved in what is a truly special event. We can’t wait to see the excitement build around New Zealand as we prepare to roll out the welcome mat for the rest of the world,” Nelson said. The tournament will bookmark the ICC’s Year of Women’s Cricket, which began on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2020, the grand finale taking place at the 7 March ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 final under lights at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa have already qualified for the World Cup. The remaining four teams will be established following the completion of the ICC Women’s Championship and a subsequent qualifying tournament in Sri Lanka in July. The eight-team round robin format will see all teams play each other, with the top four teams qualifying for semi-finals. Tournament fixtures by venue: Eden Park, Auckland Saturday, 6 Feb - New Zealand v QUALIFIER Sunday, 7 Feb – Australia v England University Oval, Dunedin Sunday, 7 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Tuesday, 9 Feb – NZ v QUALIFIER Saturday, 13 Feb – QUALIFIER v England Sunday, 14 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa Seddon Park, Hamilton Monday, 8 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa Wednesday, 10 Feb – England v QUALIFIER Thursday, 11 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa Saturday, 20 Feb - New Zealand v South Africa Wednesday, 24 Feb – QUALIFIER v Australia Friday, 26 Feb – South Africa v Australia Thursday, 4 March – Semi-final 2 (2v3) Bay Oval, Tauranga Wednesday, 10 Feb – Australia v QUALIFIER Sunday, 14 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Wednesday, 17 Feb – New Zealand v QUALIFIER Sunday, 21 Feb – England v QUALIFIER Sunday, 28 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Wednesday, 3 March - Semi-Final 1 (1v4) Basin Reserve, Wellington Saturday, 13 Feb – New Zealand v Australia Tuesday, 16 Feb – Australia v QUALIFIER Wednesday, 17 Feb – South Africa v England Tuesday, 23 Feb – South Africa v QUALIFIER Thursday, 25 Feb – New Zealand v QUALIFIER Saturday, 27 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Hagley Oval, Christchurch Thursday, 18 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Saturday, 20 Feb - QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Sunday, 21 Feb – QUALIFIER v Australia Wednesday, 24 Feb – England v QUALIFIER Sunday, 28 Feb – New Zealand v England Sunday, 7 March – Final ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 at a glance Hosted in New Zealand from February 6 to March 7, 2021 Eight nations 31 matches

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 10, 2020):-The Tournament Director, Ali Haider announced on Tuesday that 59th National Amateur Golf Championship would be teed off on Thursday (March 12) at Islamabad Club Gold Course (ICGC), as the top amateur golfer would take part in the 4-day fixture. While unfolding the details of the championship in a press conference at Islamabad Golf Club, Ali Haider further said that the Jayewardena Team Trophy would be played at same venue between hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “Also, we have invited other countries for the international events but they are hesitating to travel owing the coronaviras. Sri Lanka organizes Zia-ul-Haq international event in Colombo while Pakistan Jayewardena Team event, “he further said. Responding to a question he said that the championship would be played in three categories including Amateur Men’s Individual, Senior Men’s Individual and Amateur Ladies’ Individual respectively over 72, 54 and 54 holes. “The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt. General Nadeem Raza will be chief guest at the closing ceremony on March 15 to disburse the prizes among the players, “he said. “Inter-Association golf tournament will also be played at ICGC and five teams will compete for the top honour. Besides hosts Federal Golf Association, Balochistan Golf Association, Sindh Golf Association, Khyber Pakhtoon Kawa (KPK) Golf Association and Punjab Gold Association’s players will show the golf skill in the national golf showpiece., “Ali Haider replied another question. He told to reporter on this eve that Taimoor Khan, Rimsha Ijaz, Col (Retd) Rustam Ali Chatta would defend their title, as they were winners of the 58th edition that was held in Lahore in 2019. “Islamabad Golf Club course is ready to host this event, however, we may take the decision according to weather conditions. We are going to start electronic scoring system first time in Pakistan, “he concluded.        

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 9, 2020):-Five players from Australia’s victorious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 squad have been named in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Team of the Tournament. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney did damage aplenty with the bat and the two reprise their roles as openers in the final XI. They’re joined by fast bowler Megan Schutt, who took four wickets in the Final against India to finish as leading wicket-taker with 13, and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. There is also a spot for captain Meg Lanning, who led Australia from the front both with the bat and in the field to guide her country to a fifth Women’s T20 World Cup title. The side was pulled together by a selection panel featuring commentators and former international players Ian Bishop, Anjum Chopra and Lisa Sthalekar, journalist Raf Nicholson and ICC representative Holly Colvin.  The team of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 (in batting order) is: Alyssa Healy (wk) (Australia) – 236 runs at 39.33, seven dismissals Beth Mooney (Australia) – 259 runs at 64.75 Nat Sciver (England) – 202 runs at 67.33 Heather Knight (England) – 193 runs at 64.33 Meg Lanning (c) (Australia) – 132 runs at 44 Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 94 runs at strike rate of 149 Jess Jonassen (Australia) – 10 wickets at 14.00 Sophie Ecclestone (England) – eight wickets at 6.12 Anya Shrubsole (England) – eight wickets at 10.62 Megan Schutt (Australia) – 13 wickets at 10.30 Poonam Yadav (India) – 10 wickets at 11.90  12th: Shafali Verma (India) – 163 runs at strike rate of 158.25   Healy and Mooney broke their own record set in 2018 with the most runs as a partnership in a Women’s T20 World Cup, with 352 at an average close to 60. They also made their second century partnership in four innings while Healy lit up Melbourne to record the quickest 50 in a Final and the highest score in the showcase. The latter was beaten by her partner a few overs later, with Mooney’s unbeaten 78 seeing her reach 259 runs - the most for one player at any edition of the tournament. The Australian pair are followed in the team by another stellar duo, with nobody bettering the 169-run partnership made by Nat Sciver and Heather Knight against Thailand. The middle-order batters were in inspired form throughout, Knight becoming the first England cricketer to register centuries in all three formats with her ton against the debutants. Sciver’s consistency was remorseless in Australia, scoring half-centuries in three of England’s four completed matches to end her tournament with 202 runs and two wickets. Ensconcing herself in the middle order is Lanning, who steered her country to an historic fifth Women’s T20 World Cup title and the first on home soil. Her 49 in the semi-final against South Africa will be remembered as one of the most vital innings of the competition, while her tournament-defining captaincy sees her named skipper for this team. Laura Wolvaardt only batted in two innings but certainly made her mark on the action. The 20-year-old struck 53 not out to take South Africa beyond Pakistan, with a glorious array of straight and cover drives lighting up the Sydney Showground. And she almost went one better in the semi-final against Australia, another eye-catching knock of 41 not out seeing her team finish just short of the Final. As for the bowlers, few could match the feats of left-arm spinner Jonassen, who finished with ten scalps in her six matches. The Australian took at least one wicket in each, with no better haul than the three for 20 against India in the Final which clinched a fifth title. She’s joined in the XI by two record-breaking England bowlers in spinner Sophie Ecclestone and pacer Anya Shrubsole. No bowler has taken more than Shrubsole’s 41 Women’s T20 World Cup wickets, with eight coming in her four matches Down Under. For Ecclestone, meanwhile, the sky is the limit for a 20-year-old who has taken a wicket in her last 18 T20I matches. A tournament tally of eight for 49 combines both wicket-taking ability and a stunning economy rate for Ecclestone, who now sits top of the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Bowling Rankings. Coming in at ten is Schutt, with no player bettering the 13 wickets she took at a single tournament. That all came to the perfect conclusion at the MCG for Schutt, finishing with four for 18 against an India line-up she had feared to win the Final for Australia. Rounding off the XI is leg-spinner Poonam Yadav, who had Australia in knots in a dramatic opening game of the tournament. India’s leading T20I wicket-taker took four for 19 in the opener and didn’t look back, bagging three against Bangladesh before rounding off with wickets in each match. Taking her place as 12th is teenage sensation Shafali Verma – who broke record after record at the top of India’s order. Fearless cricket had the opposition running scared of the 16-year-old, with her devastating 163 runs coming at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 158.25.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 9, 2020):-Australia opener Beth Mooney has grabbed the top spot for batters in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’sT20I Player Rankings after helping her team win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the fifth time. Healy, Wolvaardt, Jonassen and Sharma among others to move up in rankings update carried out after the knockout stage of the tournament Mooney scored 259 runs at an average of 64 in six innings, the highest aggregate by anyone at a single edition of the competition and was named Player of the Tournament. Mooney has topped the rankings for the first time, having reached number two in March 2018. India opener Shafali Verma slipped to third position after grabbing the top spot at the end of the league of the tournament while New Zealand’s Suzie Bates remains in second position in the latest update carried out after the knockout stage. Mooney’s opening partner Alyssa Healy has risen two slots to fifth position after a blistering 39-ball 75 in the final against India while South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt has advanced 13 slots to reach a career-best 31st place after a valiant 27-ball 41 in their semifinal against Australia. Australia left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen is at a career-best 728 points and fifth place, her best position since a career-best fourth ranking in November 2017. Her team-mates Sophie Molineux and Delissa Kimmince have advanced 10 places each to reach joint-16th and 31st places, respectively. India’s Deepti Sharma has advanced 10 slots to reach 43rd position among batters and is among the top five all-rounders for the first time. MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings (as of 9 March 2020 after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020): Batter (top 10) Rank    (+/-)     Player  Team   Pts       Avge    S/R       Highest Rating 1          (+2)      Beth Mooney  Aus      762      38.21   123      766 v India at Mumbai 2018 2          ( - )      Suzie Bates      NZ        750      30.30   112      770 v Pak at Guyana 2018 3          (-2)      Shafali Verma India    744      27.05   146      761 v SL at Melbourne 2020 4          ( - )      Sophie Devine NZ        742      31.36   127      749 v SL at Perth 2020 5          (+2)      Alyssa Healy    Aus      714      25.43   132      717 v SL at Sydney 2019 6          (-1)      Meg Lanning   Aus      712      36.20   117      785 v WI at Melbourne 2014 7          (-1)      S Mandhana    India    694      25.23   119      732 v Aus at Melbourne 2020 8          ( - )      S Taylor           WI        661      36.39   104      836 v NZ at St Lucia 2010 9          ( - )      J Rodrigues      India    643      26.57   111      753 v NZ at Auckland 2019 10        ( - )      Natalie Sciver  Eng      636!     25.90   112      636 v WI at Sydney 2020   Other selected rankings   Rank    (+/-)     Player  Team   Pts      Avge    S/R       Highest Rating 31=      (+13)    L Wolvaardt    SA        495*!   22.42   103      495 v Aus at Sydney 2020 43        (+10)    Deepti Sharma            India    422*!   18.39   91        422 v Aus at Melbourne 2020 134=    (+32)    Nicola Carey   Aus      170*!   30.00   83        170 v India at Melbourne 2020 146=    (+49)    Richa Ghosh    India    160*!   16.33   89        160 v Aus at Melbourne 2020   Bowlers (top 10)   Rank    (+/-)     Player  Team   Pts       Avge    Eco      Highest Rating 1          ( - )      S Ecclestone    Eng      779!     15.32   6.00     779 v WI at Sydney 2020 2          ( - )      Megan Schutt  Aus      763      15.17   5.97     806 v Pak at Guyana 2018 3          ( - )      Shabnim Ismail           SA        743      18.65   5.73     751 v India at Surat 2019 4          ( - )      Amelia Kerr     NZ        740!     19.52   5.68     740 v Aus at Melbourne 2020 5          (+1)      Jess Jonassen   Aus      728!     20.08   5.43     728 v India at Melbourne 2020 6          (-1)      Deepti Sharma            India    716      19.37   5.95     746 v WI at Guyana 2019 7          ( - )      Radha Yadav   India    704      16.36   6.29     769 v WI at Guyana 2019 8          ( - )      Poonam Yadav            India    698      14.38   5.64     733 v Ire at Guyana 2018 9          ( - )      Ellyse Perry     Aus      674      19.38   5.86     767 v NZ at Nelson 2010 10        (+1)      Leigh Kasperek            NZ        670      13.64   6.14     717 v Ire at Dublin 2018   Other selected rankings   Rank    (+/-)     Player  Team   Pts       Avge    Eco      Highest Rating 16=      (+10)    S Molineux      Aus      612      19.61   6.01     672 v Eng at Hove 2019 31        (+10)    D Kimmince    Aus      549      22.74   6.71     680 v Eng at Hove 2019 61        (+10)    Nicola Carey   Aus      432*!   24.11   6.38     432 v India at Melbourne 2020 69        (+21)    N de Klerk       SA        410*!   14.33   7.03     410 v Aus at Sydney 2020 92        (+17)    N Mlaba          SA        321*!   55.66   6.68     321 v Aus at Sydney 2020   All-rounders (top five)   Rank    (+/-)     Player  Team   Pts       Highest Rating 1          ( - )      Sophie Devine NZ        398      405 v Ban at Melbourne 2020 2          ( - )      Ellyse Perry     Aus      363      421 v India at Canberra 2020 3          ( - )      Natalie Sciver  Eng      349!     349 v WI at Sydney 2020 4          ( - )      H Matthews    WI        304      403 v NZ at Bay Oval 2018 5          (+2)      Deepti Sharma            India    302*/! 302 v Aus at Melbourne 2020  

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 9, 2020):-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today hailed the contribution of Rawalpindi and Islamabad fans, local and provincial administrations and the security agencies in making HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 a resounding success in its homecoming edition. The PCB also paid tribute to the Pindi Cricket Stadium ground staff, terming them as part of the eighth team of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020. Over 100,000 spectators attended the HBL Pakistan Super League matches at the 17,000-capacity Pindi Cricket Stadium. This is after approximately 80,000 fans had watched live action at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Crowd response in Lahore and Karachi has been equally overwhelming. In Lahore, to date, the average crowd attendances have remained at around 80 per cent, while the first four matches in Karachi have seen attendances breaking the 90 per cent barrier. PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said: “We owe a big thanks to the cricket fans and followers of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad who turned up in big numbers to play their part in the success of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020. “We govern the game for the people of Pakistan, so, in this background we were delighted to see the fans have a great time, celebrate the regular resumption of cricket activities and support the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The fans’ contribution has not only motivated and inspired the players to produce their best performances, but has also helped Pakistan to showcase its values, culture and passion through our world-class broadcast, positive media and proactive social media coverage. “There have been games in which weather has not been cricket-friendly, but the fans have remained patient and loyal, which is another hallmark of this great nation.” Salman Naseer had special praise for the ground staff. “After the six participating sides and the match officials, ground-staff are the eighth team in the tournament. Pindi Cricket Stadium ground-staff were the real heroes when they worked tirelessly to prepare the ground for matches despite persistent rains. “We have equally hardworking and determined ground staff in Lahore and Karachi. When you have such a committed staff working for the PCB, the organisation can only flourish, which, in turn, benefits the game and the athletes.” Thanking the local and provincial authorities, Salman Naseer said: “On behalf of the PCB, I also want to appreciate the support of the local administration, provincial governments and security agencies. Without their cooperation, the PCB would not have been able to put together a spectacle of this magnitude. “The PCB is very fortunate to have strong relationships with all the government agencies and this is clearly reflected in the successful holding of the biggest cricket tournament in the history of Pakistan.” HBL PSL 2020 results at Pindi Cricket Stadium Islamabad United (187-7) lost to Quetta Gladiators (190-5) by five wickets Peshawar Zalmi (132-7, 12 overs) beat Lahore Qalandars (116-6, 12 overs) by 16 runs Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi shared points after match abandoned without a ball bowled Islamabad United (183-3) lost to Karachi Kings (187-5) by five wickets Peshawar Zalmi (151-8) lost to Karachi Kings (152-4) by six wickets Peshawar Zalmi (170-6, 15 overs) beat Quetta Gladiators (140-7, 15 overs) by 30 runs Islamabad United (195-5) lost to Peshawar Zalmi (85-2, 9 overs) by seven runs (DLS Method) Islamabad United (91-7, 9 overs) lost to Multan Sultans (94-1, 6.4 overs) by nine wickets

By Our Special Correspondent ISLAMABAD (March 9, 2020):-The HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 has caught the imagination of some of the biggest stars of the crash, bang and wallop T20 format. All six participating teams have assembled mega stars of the game from around the world and with the league heading towards its business end, these players have expressed their joy at how enjoyable their stints have been with their respective sides. While, Pakistanis have provided their traditional hospitality, the players have enjoyed tremendous support in the hugely competitive league where every run scored and wicket taken has to be properly earned by the players due to the high quality of talent available in each squad. Defending champions Quetta Gladiators, two-time champions Islamabad United and 2017 champions Peshawar Zalmi are all locked in a fierce battle for three available play-off spots along with the two biggest franchises in terms of crowd support, Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars. The only team so far to confirm their berth in the play-off is Multan Sultans with a tally of 11 points from seven games (five wins, one loss and one no-result). Sultans’ all-rounder and England’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 winner Moeen Ali has felt the excitement and buzz of the HBL PSL especially in his side’s hometown Multan: Moeen Ali said: “The atmosphere in Multan on all game days was unbelievable. You could clearly sense the passion the people have for their team and the game. We were particularly moved by the hospitality, love and support offered by the people of Multan who took ownership of the team and we are grateful to them for their incredible hospitality. “With regards to the facilities, the stadium in Multan is one of the most beautiful from around the world and the pitches there were perfect for T20 cricket, offering something both for the batsmen and the bowlers. “We saw good quality cricket there, hopefully in the next year we will play all our home games in Multan.” Second-placed Zalmi have had a mixed run in the tournament, however, the team continues to ride on a popularity wave across the country and have received frenzied support in Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi. English batsman Liam Livingstone, who wore the Karachi Kings shirt in the HBL PSL 2019, is looking forward to the challenge of the all-to-play-for last week of the group stage under captain Wahab Riaz. Liam Livingstone said: “Last few weeks have been crucial and it feels like we are gaining momentum at the right end of the tournament. You want to peak towards the end of the tournament, not at the start. So far, Wahab has been very good and it is a seamless transition from Daren Sammy (as captain). Wahab is a very relaxed character who has total confidence in his skill so he can lead from the front. “The crowds have been excellent, most games have been packed and the support we have received from the Zalmi fans has been excellent. There is always a sea of yellow wherever we play, especially at Pindi where the atmosphere has been incredible. Hopefully that carries on for the rest of the tournament and fingers crossed for the play-offs.” Currently placed third on the table, United have an uphill qualification task as they have just one group game left (versus Karachi Kings, 14 March). A win might not be enough for them to ensure their progress as they might have to rely on other results. United have been well served by their foreign stars so far with legendary South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn thoroughly enjoying his return to Pakistan for the first time since 2007. Steyn praised the untiring efforts of the Pindi Cricket Stadium ground staff, who put relentless efforts to get the games underway at the venue despite a heavy rain laden last week. Dale Steyn said: “I’ve really enjoyed being back. The people have been so welcoming, I can just see it in their faces that they’ve missed having teams come play cricket here and are so excited by the presence of all the overseas players. “The ground staff in Pindi was exceptional, getting us on the park with all this rain and allowing the fans to enjoy some cricket has been world-class. “Hopefully we can repay the fans of Islamabad back with a good win in Karachi and possibly set us up for the finals.” Karachi Kings also have a massive week coming up; the Karachi-based franchise will enjoy home support as they look to seal one of the four play-off berths. They play all three remaining games under the National Stadium’s floodlights. Kings have one of the most formidable top-order in the tournament with the top-ranked T20I player Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan and Englishman Alex Hales providing fireworks in the opening overs. Hales is the top run-getter so far for Kings with a tally of 239 runs, which includes two half-centuries, at 59.75. The big-hitting right-hander is enjoying his batting stints with both Babar and Sharjeel. Alex Hales said: “Having those two at the top of the order is a real strength of ours. The right-hand left-hand combo is very useful and they are both completely different players and hit the ball in different areas, which can be difficult for bowlers to adjust their plans every other delivery. “We can’t wait to get back to Karachi, the support we had there are the start of the tournament was absolutely fantastic. I hope that it’s three more sold out crowds and they can give us that extra edge over our opposition. “If we play how we know we’re capable of playing, we should qualify in the top two which is what we set out to do at the start of the tournament.” Lahore Qalandars have come alive with back-to-back wins against Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings. They victories have propelled them to the fifth spot. Batsman Ben Dunk has smashed sixes at will and has played an integral role in Qalandars’ turn with contributions of 99 not out and 93 in two out of the three Qalandars’ victories. His 23 sixes are so far the most by any batsman in the HBL PSL 2020. Dunk has become a superstar in Lahore, the left-handed Australian big-hitter is humbled by the love and adulation he has received in his side’s hometown. Ben Dunk said: “The crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium has been absolutely fantastic. With the tournament becoming even more exciting, the support for the teams, in fact the whole event, has grown manifolds with spectators getting even more impassioned about the game. “The spectators at the Gaddafi Stadium have convinced me that at least in Lahore there is just one team to play for. I am really looking forward to the rest of the event, as we will give it our absolute all to ensure qualification in the play-offs especially since two of the play-off games are in Lahore including the final. Qalandars in the final will make for an unbelievable atmosphere.” Defending champions Gladiators are enduring a slump and are at the risk of elimination before the play-off stage. Currently languishing at the bottom of the table, Gladiators need to win both their remaining games (against Multans Sultans on 11 March and Karachi Kings on 15 March) to stand a chance of securing a top-four spot. Batsman Shane Watson – the man of the tournament in the 2019 edition – will have a crucial role to play if Gladiators are to get over the line in the last two group games. Watson has termed the HBL PSL in Pakistan an ‘amazing experience.’ Shane Watson said: “It’s been amazing to play at all four venues in Pakistan. The stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan were filled to their capacities by passionate spectators. This is what the HBL PSL should be all about, inspiring the next generation to take up the game of cricket. “We will do our best to win the last two games and book a place in the playoffs with an aim of fighting for our title till the very last.” Seven group games are left out of which three will be played in Lahore, while Karachi’s National Stadium will host four. The play-offs commence from 18 March, while tournament’s last three games including the last two play-offs and final will be played in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 8, 2020):-Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney struck the highest scores in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final history as record-breaking Australia secured a famous fifth title on home soil, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 08, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Alyssa Healy (75) and Beth Mooney (78 not out) put on 115 for the first wicket while India were bowled out for 99 in their chase of 185. Megan Schutt (four for 18) finished as leading wicket-taker in Australia. A record-breaking attendance for a women’s cricket match of 86,174 watched on as Australia downed first-time finalists India by 85 runs at the MCG, with the openers setting the tone for a clinical performance. The pair put on 115 and never looked back, with Healy (75) breaking record after record and lighting up Melbourne with a jaw-dropping display. India’s bid to chase 185 was always going to be difficult, with leading wicket-taker Megan Schutt taking the first four-wicket haul in a Final to restrict Harmanpreet Kaur’s side to 99 all out. For Meg Lanning, meanwhile, the greatest moment in her career is complete – following in the footsteps of Lyn Larsen and Michael Clarke in winning an ICC event as Australia captain on home soil. Indian nerves were evident immediately and Healy ensured she pounced with three boundaries off Deepti Sharma’s opening over. Two more fours off Shikha Pandey took Healy beyond 2000 T20I runs, and in Mooney (78 not out) she had her familiar and unflappable ally, making India pay after Rajeshwari Gayakwad dropped a tough return chance. Still the Australians kept coming, Healy striking the biggest six of the tournament at 83 metres before repeating the trick down the ground to maintain the flying start. Another straight four brought up Healy’s half-century from just 30 balls, the fastest in the Final of any ICC event, with India needing to stem the tide with 91 scored at halfway. Three successive sixes over long on, long off and then cover took Healy to the highest score in a Women’s T20 World Cup Final while the opening duo combined for the second century partnership in the showcase. Finally the respite came for India with Healy miscuing Radha Yadav to Veda Krishnamurthy at long-on, the record-breaking partnership ending at 115 within 12 overs. Healy’s 75 featured seven fours and five sixes in the 39 balls but consistent Mooney kept on her merry way, reaching her 50 from 41 balls to end the 15th over at 142 for one. With four overs to go, Australia already had the highest score in a Women’s T20 World Cup Final but captain Lanning (16) then fell to Sharma, caught at square leg. And it was two in the over as Ashleigh Gardner – player of the Final two years ago – missed a straight one and was stumped. India threatened to slow the rate with Rachael Haynes bowled by Poonam Yadav but Mooney kept going to carry her bat, surpassing Healy’s 75 to bag the highest score in a Women’s T20 World Cup Final. The records didn’t stop there either, with Mooney’s total tournament tally of 259 runs the most scored by one player in a single Women’s T20 World Cup. India’s chase started in disappointing fashion with Shafali Verma brilliantly caught behind by Healy off Schutt, who had feared facing the 16-year-old sensation in the Powerplay. One became two as Jemimah Rodrigues could only chip Jess Jonassen (three for 20) to Nicola Carey at mid-on, leaving Kaur and Smriti Mandhana to begin the rebuild. Back-to-back fours got Mandhana going but her bid for a third proved her undoing, chipping Sophie Molineux’s first ball to mid-on to leave India at 18 for three. The captain found the boundary off Jonassen but perished next ball, a top-edge flying to Gardner who took a good catch just inside the deep midwicket rope. For the first time in 15 matches, India lost four wickets in the Powerplay to make an already tough task even harder in Melbourne. Sharma and Krishnamurthy (19) began the rebuild until the latter holed out to mid-off off Delissa Kimmince, ending a positive partnership of 28. Richa Ghosh then came out to the middle, a concussion replacement for Tanya Bhatia who had to leave the field during her earlier batting effort. The 16-year-old Ghosh (18) batted valiantly alongside Sharma but the required rate continued to rise with 104 needed from the last five overs. Sharma (33) then holed out to Mooney off Carey as a professional Australia outfit did what they have done in four Finals previous, with execution of skills hitting perfection on the biggest stage of all. Schutt finished with a four-wicket haul, including the final scalp of Poonam Yadav, with her 13 wickets the most in this edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. India finished all out for 99, with the 85-run deficit far from reflective of their efforts in the tournament. But they’ll certainly be back. A side boasting more teenagers in the Final than any other before them has a bright future, with this just the start of what could be a shift in momentum for Kaur’s brave and bold team. Scores in brief Australia beat India by 85 runs, Melbourne Cricket Ground Australia 184-4, 20 overs (Beth Mooney 78 not out, Alyssa Healy 75; Deepti Sharma 2-38) India 99 all out, 19.1 overs (Deepti Sharma 33; Megan Schutt 4-18, Jess Jonassen 3-20)

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 8, 2020):- The PSB Stars(Pakistan Sports Board) won the football event of the Women Sports Festival after beating Islamabad Star by 4-3 goals at Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad on Sunday. Chairman, Islamabad Football Association Normalization Committee, Mohammad Zaman and Manager, Pakistan Football Federation, Qibtia Jamshad gave away the trophies and certificates to the players. Deputy Director Generals, Mansoor Ahmed and Mohammad Azam Dar, Assistant Director, Shazia Ejaz and a large number of peoples were also present on the occasion. Final match was played between PSB Star and Islamabad Star. In the 8th minutes of the first half, PSB Star scored first goal and Islamabad Star equalized the match 1-1 goals in the 3rd minutes of the 2nd half. PSB Stars scored three goals while Islamabad Star two goals on penalty kicks. Four teams took part in the football event.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 8, 2020):-Multan Sultans outclassed Islamabad United with a massive victory by 9 wickets and became the first team to ensure qualification in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 season at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Sunday. The nine wicket victory further consolidated Sultans’ stay at the top of the HBL PSL 2020 points table. They now have 11 points after seven games (five wins, one no-result, one loss) and are guaranteed a place in the play-offs which will feature the top-four teams at the end of the group stage. United who have a mere seven points after nine games, have an uphill task ahead to ensure play-off qualification, they would not only need to win their last match (vs Karachi Kings on 14 March) but might also have to rely on other results for progress to the play-offs’ stage. On Sunday afternoon, another monumental effort by the ground staff at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ensured the staging of the game after heavy rain had left the outfield considerably wet before the start of the match. The match eventually started after a more than two-hour delay. Sultans’ skipper Shan Masood won the toss and opted to bowl first, United were restricted to 91 for seven in their nine overs. Opener Colin Munro top-scored with 25 off 12 balls, all his three sixes were scored of successive balls of a Shahid Afridi over that went for 20 runs. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took two wickets for 13 runs in two probing overs while left-armer Junaid Khan took two for 13 in his two-over spell. Besides Munro, Luke Ronchi with 18 and captain Shadab Khan with 14 were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Man-of-the-match James Vince produced a dazzling display of power-hitting with an unbeaten 61 off 24 balls (11 fours, one six) to ensure a comfortable win for Sultans with 14 balls to spare. Vince added 68 runs for the first wicket with Zeeshan Ashraf (16) and finished the game off in Moeen Ali’s ( 14 not out, five balls, three fours) company after Zeeshan was dismissed by Shadab. Scores in brief Islamabad United 91 for 7, 9 overs (Colin Munro 25, Luke Ronchi 18; Imran Tahir 2-13, Junaid Khan 2-17) Multan Sultans 94 for 1, 6.4 overs (James Vince 61 not out, Zeeshan Ashraf 16; Shadab Khan 1-30) Result: Multan Sultans win by nine wickets

SB Report Lausanne, Switzerland (March 7, 2020):-A week of celebrating International Women’s Day has proven testimony to how hockey is among the leading international sporting federations when it comes to equality. Perhaps the best way of showing that equality is a treasured part of our sport’s psyche is the fact that it is now rarely commented upon. Perhaps the best working example of this took place earlier this year when a team of four umpires – two men and two women – took to the pitch to officiate the men’s and women’s FIH Hockey Pro League matches between New Zealand and Belgium. As Black Sticks stalwart Sam Charlton points out, it really made no difference to the game whether it was a man or woman blowing the whistle. Of course, there are parts of the world where equality is not so readily observed and, in these areas, our Equally Amazing message continues to be pertinent, serving as a reminder that hockey is a sport for all, with everyone an equally accepted participant. It is to the credit of our Continental Federations and National Associations that so many projects are being run to promote equality, with hockey as the platform from which that message is delivered. Over the past five days we have highlighted ways in which women are leading from the front; creating opportunities; smashing down gender barriers. From Oceania Hockey Federation we focused on a visionary project that gives young Indigenous women the opportunity to lead through hockey coaching. Indigenous children are the recipients of their coaching and leadership sessions – thus two often disadvantaged groups enjoy mutual benefits. The African Hockey Federation celebrates the long years of service from three dedicated members of the international hockey community. For more than three decades, Sheila Brown, Ginny Ross and Marelize de Klerk have been at the forefront of officiating and administration, running top tier tournaments with relentless efficiency as well as guiding and supporting their less experienced colleagues. Danae Andrada is the face of development in Uruguay. The current President of the Uruguay Hockey Federation and FIH Executive Board member started out as one of the youngest members of the national team. Now she is at the coal-face when it comes to driving hockey forwards in the South American country. It is refreshing to hear Svitlana Makaieva say that female coaches are not so rare across Europe, but it is still true that female coaches operating as head coaches to national teams are still a minority. We spoke to two female Head Coaches to discover how they reached the pinnacle of coaching and what life is like at the top. Our story from Asia is the moving account of an Afghanistan hockey player who defied her country’s war-torn recent history and the raft of barriers to women playing sport. Khadija Achakzai is captain of the national women’s team of Afghanistan and her story is a truly inspiring tale of how her determination to play hockey is helping other women in Afghanistan participate in sport, and start to enjoy all the physical and mental benefits that activity and exercise can bring. Our final story to wrap up this week of celebration is one that really sends a message that we are a sport where equality is truly achievable. In a world’s first, a four-person umpiring team took control of FIH Hockey Pro League matches between New Zealand and Belgium. Male and female umpires were appointed to each match, the first time top tier men’s and women’s matches were umpired by a mixed gender umpiring team. We interviewed one of the players, Sam Charlton, to get a player’s perspective.   Speaking for the FIH Reflecting on the stories that have emerged from all corners of our global hockey family over the past five days,  FIH President Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra says: “On the occasion of his visit to FIH last year, IOC President Thomas Bach commended FIH for its gender equality policy, stating it 'really is best practice' and ‘a role model for many International Federations’. We welcomed these words with a lot of appreciation but, more importantly, they provided FIH and the global hockey community encouragement to do even more, so that we can reach a fully gender-balanced sport, not only on the field the play but also off it. I can only urge all Continental Federations, National Associations, Leagues and clubs to continue to strive for equality across all aspects of our sport.” Marijke Fleuren is chair of the FIH Women in Sport Committee as well as a member of the IOC Women in Sport Commission. She has a clear vision of how FIH will continue to drive forward in its mission to ensure the sport has true parity across the genders. “International Women’s  Day is an excellent moment for our Women in Sport Committee to inform you about our main goals,” says Fleuren. “We are seeking to create awareness within all our national associations that men and women are stronger together. Not only on the field of play, but also in other realms of life. “FIH’s special goals are realising this amongst coaches, umpires and board members. “So please think about it, look for role models and make this next step to togetherness! Everybody can do it. Really!” And on a weekend where the entire hockey community around the world came together to celebrate International Women's Day, the captains of Australia and Argentina men's teams added their own voice of support. Eddie Ockenden (AUS) and Pedro Ibarra (ARG) read supporting statements ahead of their FIH Hockey Pro League encounter. To hear these messages, click here.