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India A tour postponed
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (April 13, 2021):-The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have agreed to postpone this summer's men's India A tour.
India’s warm-up schedule will now comprise two intra-squad four-day matches, which will replace the two previously planned four-day fixtures between India Men and India A in July. Venues for those two intra-squad matches are to be confirmed.
Following further discussions with the boards of New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan it has been agreed to cancel their scheduled men’s tour matches against first-class counties. New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s men’s teams will instead play intra-squad matches to allow them suitable preparation for their international fixtures this summer.
These agreements will allow the ECB to focus on delivering the safest possible environment for all international cricket matches scheduled to take place over the summer.
ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “We are looking forward to staging a memorable summer of men’s and women’s international cricket when fans are set to return to venues.
“Ensuring the safest possible environment for international cricket is our first priority and we are appreciative for the understanding of our fellow boards.
“We look forward to welcoming a men’s India A tour at a later date after this summer and when restrictions have eased. It will provide a valuable opportunity for players from both countries to experience high-quality cricket and to showcase the talent within our England Lions team and first-class counties.”
Jofra Archer Injury Update
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (April 13, 2021):-England and Sussex bowler Jofra Archer has been given the all-clear by his hand Consultant to resume training after his right hand continues to heal following his operation on Monday 29 March.
He will return to light training this week, working closely with the Sussex and England men’s medical teams. It is hoped that he will be able to up his intensity with his bowling from next week.
A further update on his elbow injury will be provided once he has returned to bowling to assess the effectiveness of his recent injection. No decision has been made as yet on when Archer is due to return to playing.
Archer suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning at his home in January shortly before flying to India to prepare for the Test series. The ECB’s medical team managed the injury throughout the tour, and it did not impact his availability. A fragment of glass was removed during the operation to his middle finger on his right hand in March.
SLC hires new doctor for the national team
By Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has hired the services of new doctor Chaminda Gunathilaka for the home series against Bangladesh, it is learnt here.
According to the highly placed sources in Colombo, Dr. KAP Kiriella, who travelled with the team on the West Indies tour will be rested.
Dr. Chaminda Gunathilakae, who is also associated with the sports ministry has worked with the cricketers. He was involved with the Kandy Tuskers team when the last Lanka Premier League (LPL) was held in Sri Lanka.
"Dr. Chaminda will oversee the fitness of the players, regular PCR tests and facilitate the doping test arrangements whenever asked for", the source, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said.
In the meantime, the national team has safely returned home on Monday.
"The players are put up in a city hotel in Colombo, where they are quarantined for three days. After that, they will go home and remain home quarantined for further four days", the source attached with the team management said.
FOOTBALL - FIFA News 07 Apr, 2021
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
ISLAMABAD (April 7, 2021):-Due to interference in the matters of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee, the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided to suspend the Chadian Football Association (FTFA) with immediate effect due to government interference.
According to available information from abroad, the Bureau of the FIFA Council suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with immediate effect due to third-party interference, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes.
This situation was prompted by the recent hostile takeover of the PFF headquarters in Lahore by a group of protestors and an alleged decision by certain individuals to remove the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee of the PFF led by Haroon Malik and to hand over the leadership of the PFF to Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah.
FIFA issued a letter warning that, should the illegitimate occupation of the PFF headquarters not be lifted and the office bearers recognised by FIFA not be permitted free access to the building to carry out their mandate, the matter would be immediately submitted to the Bureau of the Council for decision.
As the situation remains unchanged, the Bureau of the Council has decided to suspend the PFF. This suspension will only be lifted once FIFA has received confirmation from the normalisation committee of the PFF that the PFF’s premises, accounts, administration and communication channels are again under its full control and it can continue to carry out its mandate without further hindrance.
ATHLETICS - National 07 Apr, 2021
SPORTS REPORT
ISLAMABAD (April 7, 2021):-Top national athlete Arshad Nadeem along with his mentor on Wednesday left for Mashad, Iran to participate in the Javelin Throw discipline of 1st International Reza Cup that will be held from April 11-12, 2021.
According to an official of Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), Reza International Cup is being organized by Athletics Federation of Ira. Arshad Nadeem will depart to Turkey from Iran on 13th April 2021 to attend a 3 week Olympic Training Camp for preparations of Olympic Games 2021. World Athletics Coach Viktor will train Arshad Nadeem. After attending the International training camp Arshad will return to Pakistan on 1st May 2021.
Zahid replaces Shadab for Zimbabwe tour
SPORTS REPORT
PRETORIA (April 7, 2021):-Wrist spinner Zahid Mahmood has been named as Shadab Khan’s replacement for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which will be played from 21-25 April in Harare, while Fakhar Zaman will stay with the side for the T20Is in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Zahid was originally named in the two-Test squad against Zimbabwe, while Fakhar was initially named for the ODIs. Both the changes were approved by the national selection committee on the request of the team management.
Sri Lankan players to get first vaccine dose on Sunday
By Bipin Dani
Sri Lankan national players will be given the first dose of vaccination on next Sunday. This was revealed by Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket (board) management committee.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, Prof. Arjuna, who took charge of the SLC on Tuesday, said, "the players will be called at the Health ministry campus on April 11 and the first dose of vaccination to them is scheduled on the same day".
"They will be given India-made AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine".
"We have also planned the second dose of vaccine after 2-3 months. The entire national squad (Test players and the Limited Over players) and the support staff will be given the vaccine", De Silva further added.
The national team returned to the Island on Monday. The Tissera-Sobers trophy was shared by both the teams following both the Tests produced no results.
Pakistan Under-19 team to leave for Bangladesh on 17 April
SPORTS REPORT
LAHORE (April 6, 2021):-Pakistan Under-19 cricket team will now tour Bangladesh from Saturday 17 April instead of the original 11 April schedule. The tour has been delayed by six days due to the ongoing lockdown in Bangladesh.
Over the course of the last two days, the Pakistan Cricket Board and Bangladesh Cricket Board worked out an alternate schedule for the tour to ensure the tour takes place in a safe and secure environment (bio-secure bubble). There has been no change in the number of matches.
Pakistan U19 and Bangladesh U19 will play a four-day match in Sylhet from 23 April, followed by a series of five 50-over matches. The first three 50-over matches will be played in Sylhet followed by the last two matches in Dhaka.
At the conclusion of the tour, Pakistan U19 will embark on their return journey on 10 May.
Meanwhile, the final 17-member squad for the tour will be announced shortly. The squad will continue to train in Lahore till their departure. From 12 April, the camp that is presently taking place at the Gaddafi Stadium, will be shifted to the National High Performance Centre.
Pakistan U19 squad for Bangladesh tour (revised schedule):
Tour schedule:
17 April – Departure for Dhaka
23-26 April – Four-day match; SICS, Sylhet
30 April – 1st 50-over match; SICS, Sylhet
2 May – 2nd 50-over match; SICS, Sylhet
4 May – 3rd 50-over match; SICS, Sylhet
7 May – 4th 50-over match; SBNCS, Dhaka
9 May – 5th 50-over match; SBNCS, Dhaka
10 May – Team return to Pakistan
Mushtaq Ahmed sees big potential in Under-19 spinners
SPORTS REPORT
LAHORE (April 3, 2021):-Spin Bowling Consultant Mushtaq Ahmed feels Bangladesh-bound Pakistan Under-19 spinners are full of potential and have the talent to do big things for the country in the years ahead. He is working with the spinners in the 10-day training camp which is in progress at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Mushtaq, who also worked in the camp held for U19 players at the start of the year at the National High Performance Centre, will work with the teenage spinners until 11 April, when the final 17-member squad flies out to Dhaka for the one four-day and five 50-over matches.
Following an impressive 2020-21 domestic season, Aaliyan Mehmood, Ali Asfand, Arham Nawab and Faisal Akram received call-ups in the 20-player probable squad and are honing their skills under the guidance of Mushtaq, whose leg-spin brought him 346 international wickets from 1989 till 2003.
The four players also have the company of all-rounders Qasim Akram and Fahad Munir, who featured in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa last year.
Mushtaq Ahmed: “It is always a real pleasure to work with youngsters. I think this bunch is full of potential and has a bright future. At this stage of their careers, it is important for them to work develop control. The Bangladesh tour will provide them an opportunity of playing a four-day match while I will also work with them in the three-day practice match that starts tomorrow.
“The idea is to teach them the basics of both red and white ball cricket and the art of taking wickets. Among this lot, Faisal Akram is hugely promising and has great variations as a left-arm wrist spinner. Arham, Ali and Aaliyan are also very keen on making full use of this opportunity and my job is to impart the skills I learned as a player and coach in my career.
“With these spinners, our future is bright indeed and it is important that they are groomed and give constant exposure. Spinners need to bowl long spells in nets and in matches. The more they bowl, the better they get.”
The squad will play a three-day practice match from Sunday, which will be followed by two 50-over matches.
Pakistan U19 squad for training camp –Bangladesh tour:
Batsmen – Abbas Ali, Abdul Faseeh, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Fahad Munir, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Shehzad, Qasim Akram and Rizwan Mehmood
Wicketkeepers – Haseebullah and Raza-ul-Mustafa
Spinners – Aaliyan Mehmood, Ali Asfand, Arham Nawab and Faisal Akram
Fast bowlers – Ahmed Khan, Asim Ali, Muneeb Wasif, Tahir Hussain and Zeeshan Zameer
Players Support Personnel – Ijaz Ahmed (head coach and team manager), Imranullah (trainer) Rao Iftikhar (bowling coach), Mohtashim Rasheed (fielding coach), Hafiz Naeem (physiotherapist), Col (retd) Safdar Saeed (security manager), Faisal Rai (analyst) and Emmad Ahmed Hameed (media manager).
Tour schedule:
11 April – Departure for Dhaka
16-18 April – Training, Sylhet
19-22 April – Four-day match; SICS, Sylhet
26 April – 1st 50-over match; SICS, Sylhet
28 April – 2nd 50-over match; SICS, Sylhet
30 April – 3rd 50-over match; SICS, Sylhet
3 May – 4th 50-over match; SBNCS, Dhaka
5 May – 5th 50-over match; SBNCS, Dhaka
6 May – Team return to Pakistan
Additional players called for Pakistan Test camp
SPORTS REPORT
LAHORE (April 3, 2021):-Pakistan cricket selectors, as part of their strategy to keep all the leading performers involved in the system, have invited six additional players who will participate in the training camp for the Test players, which commences at the Gaddafi Stadium on 10 April.
These six players are: Irfan Ullah Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab), Rohail Nazir (Northern), Sameen Gul (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Taj Wali (Balochistan), Waqas Maqsood (Central Punjab).
In the training camp held prior to the side’s departure for Johannesburg, the selectors had invited seven additional players so that the coaches would work on their development. Separately, a high performance training camp for 25 players not involved in the HBL Pakistan Super League 6, was held at the National High Performance Centre but it had to be closed due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.
The Test players’ camp will run under a bio-secure environment from 11-20 April before the 11 players will depart for Harare on 21 April to join other members of the side. The two Tests will be played in Harare from 29 April-3 May and 7-11 May.
The camp will be held under the supervision of National High Performance coaches, including Saqlain Mushtaq (head of player development), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Umer Rasheed (fast bowling coach) and Atiq-uz-Zaman (wicketkeeping/fielding coach), Javed Sheikh (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Tahir (Physiotherapist) and a masseur.
Harare-bound Test players to attend camp are:
Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Imran Butt (Balochistan), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab), Saud Shakeel (Sindh, subject to fitness), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Tabish Khan (Sindh) and Zahid Mahmood (Southern Punjab)
Training programme (subject to last-minute changes):
11 April: Training at GSL from 1000-1300
12 April: Full day scenario match from 0930
13 April: Half-a-day scenario match from 0930
15 April: Full day scenario match from 0930
18 April: Full day scenario match from 0930
19 April: Half-a-day scenario match from 0930
20 April: Optional training or as advised by coaches
21 April: Departure for Harare
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