Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (January 25, 2020):-There was a new name at the top of the men's FIH World Rankings after the day's action in Sydney, Australia as Belgium men overtook the Kookaburras as the number one team in the world. A winning performance in the shoot-out gave the Red Lions a bonus point after they drew 2-2 in a thrilling match. Later in the day, a 5-1 victory for Germany men against Spain means Germany currently top the FIH Hockey Pro League table by virtue of their goal difference. The first match of the day was a meeting between Australia and Belgium. Australia women scored twice in the final two minutes of regular time to secure a 3-3 draw against Belgium before winning the shoot-out 4-2 to claim the bonus point at the Sydney Olympic Park. The Hockeyroos went ahead in the second quarter thanks to Ambrosia Malone’s fine backhand strike, but goals from Louise Versavel, Charlotte Englebert and Barbara Nelen put the visiting Red Panthers 3-1 up with five minutes left to play. Remarkably, late goals from Edwina Bone and Kalindi Commerford salvaged a draw for the home favourites, with Brooke Peris, Amy Lawton, Ambrosia Malone and Jane Claxton on target as Australia claimed two points from a possible three from the contest.  “I guess it was a little inconsistent from us”, Australia’s captain Emily Chalker said after the match. “There were some really good patches of play and stuff we’ve been building towards, but obviously the first game of the year, there was a few lapse moments when we let them score and we’ll have to come out a bit stronger tomorrow.” Belgium’s Louise Versavel, who was named Player of the Match, said: “Yes of course we are a little bit disappointed, but you have to look at the entire game and I think we played well for a big part of the game. We have to take the good things [from today] and go again tomorrow.” The men’s meeting between Australia and Belgium also featured late drama and a shoot-out, with the Red Lions equalising in the final minutes before taking the bonus point in the one-on-ones. The result sees Belgium leap-frog Australia to take top spot in the FIH World Rankings. An instinctive close-range volley from Thomas Briels put Belgium ahead in the 18th minute, with Australia eventually flipping the score-line on its head as Jeremy Hayward’s penalty corner and a penalty stroke from Tom Craig put the 2019 Pro League champions into a 2-1 lead. However, a late deflection from Belgium’s Felix Denayer levelled the scores at 2-2, triggering a shoot-out that the reigning world champions won 4-2 thanks to successful conversions from Florent van Aubel, Simon Gougnard, Victor Wegnez and Arthur van Doren.  “It was not easy to start in Australia, the number one in the world against the number two, but I think we put on a good game and I think the crowd saw some good actions”, said Belgium’s Nicolas de Kerpel, who was named Player of the Match. “We are really excited to play again tomorrow.”   In the second encounter between Spain and Germany men's teams, it was the visiting side who took control early on and never really looked like buckling under pressure. Christopher Ruhr added to his two goals from the previous day to open proceedings. Timur Oruz added another just after the hlf-time break and, although Marc Miralles gave Spain a lifeline, goals from Marco Miltkau, Lukas Windfeder and Constantin Staib were worthy reward for a dominant German performance. Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Marco Miltkau said: "We played a great defence and a good attacking game. We played as a team, we defended as a team. And our counter attacks were very good. That was our improvement on yesterday's performance." Before the game and again at half-time, Spain's Head Coach Frederic Soyez had called for more : "Clinical finishing, more aggression and more ambition." With the Netherlands their next opponents, these are all qualities the Spain team will need to find. On Sunday 27th January Australia and Belgium men and women will be back in action and then USA women will host the Netherlands in a match worth 6 points. The first match between the two sides was cancelled as a mark of respect following the tragic death of USA National Teams Manager Larry Amar. In accordance with the League’s regulations for a cancelled match, the points of this match will count double (6 points for the winning team, no point for the losing team; in case of a shoot-out, the team winning the shoot-out will get 4 points and the losing team 2 points). The complete match schedule available by clicking here. Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. FIH Hockey Pro League Estadio Betero, Valencia (ESP) Result: Men’s Match Day 6 - Saturday 24 January 2020 Spain 1, Germany 5 After Shoot-Out (Match 2 of 2) Player of the Match: Marco Miltkau (GER) Umpires: Jonas van 't Hek (NED), Bruce Bale (ENG), Coen van Bunge (NED - Video). Other Results: Match Day 6 – Saturday 25 January 2020 Sydney (AUS) – Women: Australia 3, Belgium 3 (4-2 After Shoot-) (Match 1 of 2) Sydney (AUS) – Men: Australia 2, Belgium 2 (2-4 After Shoot-Out) (Match 1 of 2) Valencia (ESP) – Men: Spain 1, Germany 2 (Match 2 of 2)

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 25, 2020):-Sarah Mahboob Khan continued her good form by beating Sara Mansoor in a close match that which lasted 2 hours and 35 minutes in the Ladies Singles event of the Sareena Hotels National Ranking Tennis Tournament on Saturday at PTF Tennis Complex. Results: Men’s Singles; (Semi Final) Muzammil Murtaza beat Ahmed Ch 6-1, 6-4 Aqeel Khan beat Heera Ashiq 6-4,6-4; Ladies Singles (Final) Sarah Mahboob Khan beat Sara Mansoor 6-3,6-7(7),6-2; Boys’ Under-18 Singles (Semi Finals) Mohammad Shoaib beat Mahatir Mohammad 6-2,6-3  Zalan Khan beat Hasheesh Kumar 6-4,4-6,6-1; Boys’ Under-14 Singles (Semi Final) Bilal Asim beat Hussnain Ali Rizwan 5-3, 4-0  Ahmed Nael beat Haider Ali Rizwan 4-2,4-2; Boys’ Under-14 Doubles (Semi Final) Mohammad Huzaifa Khan & Hamid Israr beat Asad Zaman & Hamza Asim 4-1,4-1  Haider Ali Rizwan & Hussnain Ali Rizwan beat Ahmed Nael & Bilal Asim 3-5,4-2(10-5); Under-12 Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (Semi Final) Hussnain Ali Rizwan beat Haniya Minhas 4-0,4-0 Hamza Roman beat Ahtesham Hamyun 4-1,4-1; Under-10 Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (Semi Final) Haniya Minhas bt Raziq Sultan 4-0,4-0 Hamza Ali Rizwan bt Mohammad Hassan Usmani 4-1,4-1;

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (January 24, 2020):-Two goals from Christopher Rühr helped visitors Germany claim a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Spain before winning the shoot-out 4-3 in front of a packed house at the Estadio Betero in Valencia.  Germany needed just three minutes to open the scoring thanks to Rühr’s smart turn and shot, but the hosts levelled before the end of the first quarter through David Alegre’s fine reactions, pouncing on a penalty corner rebound. Veteran Red Sticks striker Pau Quemada put the home favourites in front with a stunning third quarter penalty corner drag-flick, but Ruhr’s clinical strike three minutes from time, assisted perfectly by Player of the Match Niklas Wellen, ensured that the match finished level at 2-2 and triggered a shoot-out for the bonus point.  Misses from Alvaro Iglesias and Josep Romeu proved costly for Spain in the one-on-ones, with Rühr, Tobias Hauke, Wellen and Florian Fuchs all on target as Die Honamas claimed two points from a possible three from the contest.   "It is always tough to play here, we knew that from last year”, said Germany’s Niklas Wellen after the match. “We struggled in the beginning. The first half was okay but we knew we could play better. The second half was better. We played some quicker passes and I feel 2-2 was a good result." Spain and Germany will play their second match of this double header on Saturday (25 January), a day that will also see Australia’s women and men taking on the national teams of Belgium in Sydney.  The second match, planned on Sunday 26 January in the same venue, is maintained and, in accordance with the League’s regulations for a cancelled match, the points of this match will count double (6 points for the winning team, no point for the losing team; in case of a shoot-out, the team winning the shoot-out will get 4 points and the losing team 2 points). On Wednesday, FIH had extended its condolences and deepest sympathy to Larry Amar’s family, friends and all members of USA Field Hockey. Result: Men’s Match 3 - Friday 24 January 2020 Spain 2, Germany 2 – 3-4 After Shoot-Out (Match 1 of 2) Player of the Match: Niklas Wellen (GER) Umpires: Coen van Bunge (NED), Jonas van 't Hek (NED) and Bruce Bale (ENG - Video).    Upcoming fixtures Match Day 6 – Saturday 25 January 2020 Sydney (AUS) – Women: Australia v Belgium (Match 1 of 2) Time: 1600 (GMT/UTC +11) Sydney (AUS) – Men: Australia v Belgium (Match 1 of 2) Time: 1830 (GMT/UTC +11) Valencia (ESP) – Men: Spain v Germany (Match 2 of 2) Time: 1300 (GMT/UTC +1) Match Day 7 – Sunday 27 January 2020 Sydney (AUS) – Women: Australia v Belgium (Match 2 of 2) Time: 1500 (GMT/UTC +11) Sydney (AUS) – Men: Australia v Belgium (Match 2 of 2) Time: 1730 (GMT/UTC +11) Chapel Hill (USA) – Women: USA v Netherlands (Match 1 of 1) Time: 1400 (GMT/UTC -5)  

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 24, 2020):-The 2nd seed Muzammil Murtaza outclassed Mohammad Shoaib 2-1 in the Men's Singles event of the Serena Hotles National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2020 o Friday at PTF Tennis Complex. Results: Men’s Singles; (Quarter Final) Ahmed Ch bt Shahzad Khan 6-4,6-3; Heera Ashiq bt Mudasir Murtaza 6-3,6-4; Muzammil Murtaza bt M. Shoaib 4-6,6-1,6-1; Aqeel Khan bt M. Abid 6-3,6-2; Ladies Singles (Semi Final) Sarah Mahboob Khan bt Ushna Suhail 4-6,6-4,6-3; Meheq Khokhar bt Sara Mansoor 6-4,6-1. Boy’s 18& Under Singles (Quarter Final) Mahatir Muhammad bt Sami Zeb 6-3,3-6,6-3; Nalain Abbas bt Hamid Israr 6-1,6-4; M .Shoaib bt Faizan Fayyaz 6-3,6-0; Hamid Israr bt Zalan Khan 3-6,6-4,7-6(2); Boy’s 14&Under Singles (Quarter Final) Bilal Asim bt Ahtesham Humyun 4-0,4-0; Haider Ali Rizwan bt Asad Zaman 4-0,4-1; Ahmed Nal bt Yahya Musa Luni 4-1,4-1; Husnain Ali Rizwan bt M. Hamza Asim 1-4,5-3,4-2; 12 & Under Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (Quarter Final) Hamza Roman bt Nabeel Ali Qayum 4-1,4-0; Ahtesham Humyun bt Zohaib A Malik 4-0,4-1; Haniya Minhas bt Ali Zain 4-1,4-2; Husnain Ali Rizwan bt Ameer Mazari 4-2,4-1. 10 & Under Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (Quarter Final) Hamza Ali Rizwan bt Hammad Shah 4-0,4-1;  

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 24, 2020):-The 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships will kick off from Saturday at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad.  All the top leading players Aqeel Khan, Muzammil Murtaza, Mohammad Abid, Heera Ashiq, Shahzad Khan, Mudassar Murtaza, Ahmed Ch, Mohammad Shoaib, Mohammad Waqas Malik and Ladies players  Sarah Mahboob Khan, Sara Mansoor , Mehek Khkokor and Noor Malik will also be seen in action. Five events Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles and Senior Doubles 45 Plus will be played during the championships. President, Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA), Tariq Mehmood Murtaza earlier chaired the Executive committee meeting and approved the arrangements for holding the 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships in a befitting manner and for the development and promotions of game of tennis in the country. Ladies event will start from Saturday in order to provide an opportunity to Ladies players to finish their matches before proceeding for New Zealand for participation in Asia Oceania Fed Cup competition.  Men’s Singles qualifying event will be played on Monday 27th January 2020.  Mohammad Arif Qureshi, ITF White Badge official will officiate as Referee whereas Mohammad Khalil Chughtai nominated as Tournament Director. Islamabad Tennis Association took the imitative to separate the junior events from the professional categories to encourage the talented junior players in Professional event comfortably. Capital Smart City will sponsor the tournament. Top 24 players will be accepted into the Main Draw of Men’s Singles as per PTF National Ranking and 8 players will qualify through the draw of qualifying.    

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2020):-A total number of 43 matches were played on the 4th day of the Serena Hotels National Ranking Tennis Championships-2020 at the PTF Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. Results: Men’s Singles; (2nd Round) Mohammad Shoaib beat Yousaf Khalil 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 Shahzad Khan beat Israr Gul 6-3, 6-3 Heera Ashiq beat Asadullah 0-6, 6-1, 6-0 Mudassir Murtaza beat Waqas Malik 7-6 (8), 6-1  Mohammad Abid beat Asad Siyyid 6-2, 6-3 Aqeel Khan beat Barkatullah 6-0, 7-6(7) Ahmed Ch beat Shaheen Mehmood 6-1, 6-1 Muzammil Murtaza beat Aqib Hayat 6-2, 6-3 Men’s Doubles; (Quarter Final): Barkatullah & Ahmad Ch beat Mudassir Murtaza & Asad Siyyid 6-3,6-3; M. Abid & Waqas Malik beat Ahmed Kamil & Ibrahim Omer 6-3,6-1; Yousaf Khalil & Heera Ashiq beat  Ejaz Khan & Asadullah 4-6,6-1 (13-11); Aqeel Khan & Muzammil Murtaza beat M. Shoaib & Huzaifa Abdul Rehman 6-2,6-4; Ladies Singles (Quarter Final); Sara Mansoor beat Esha Jawad 6-1,6-1; Sarah Mahboob beat Shimza Naz 6-2,6-4; Meheq Khokhar beat Noor Malik 6-2,6-0; Mahin Aftab beat Adela Miron 6-0,6-0; Ushna Suhail beat Mahin Aftab 6-1,6-2; Ladies doubles (Semi Final) Ushna Suhail & Mahin Aftab beat Adela Miron & Krisztina Jekkel 6-0,6-0; Meheq Khokhar & Noor Malik beat Mehvish Chistie & Esha Jawad 6-0,6-0; Boys’ Under-18 Singles (2nd Round); Hamid Israr beat Saim Danish 4-6,6-2,6-2; Faizan Fayyaz beat Kashan Umar 6-4,6-0; Mahatir Mohammad beat Mohammad Huzaifa Khan 6-3,6-4; Sami Zeb beat M.Abdullah 6-3,6-3; Hasheesh Kumar beat Hassan Ali 6-2,6-3; Mohammad Shoaib beat Bilal Asim 6-1,6-0; Zalan Khan beat Uzair Khan 6-1,7-5; Nalain Abbas beat M. Hamza Aasim 6-1,6-1; Boys’ Under-14 Singles (2nd Round) Ahtesham Humayun beat Mustansar Ali 4-0,4-0; Yahya Musa Luni beat Abdullah Ahmad 4-0,4-0; Husnain Ali Rizwan beat Ali Zain 4-1,4-2; Haider Ali Rizwan beat Ammar Masood 4-1,4-0; Asad Zaman beat Sameer Maqsood 4-1,4-0; Ahmed Nail beat Saim Shahzad 4-0,4-0 ; M. Hamza Asim beat Nabeel Ali Qayum 4-0,4-1; Under-12: Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (2nd Round) Ameer Mazari beat Razik Sultan 4-0,4-0; Hammad Shah beat Abdullah Ahmad 1-4,5-4,(4),5-2; M.Haziq Asim beat Amna Ali Qayum 5-3,5-3; Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Moeez Gul 4-1,4-1; Zohaib Malik beat Subhan Sahir 4-0,4-0; Soha Ali beat Uzair Maqsood 4-1,4-1; Nabeel Ali Qayum beat Essa Fahad 4-0,4-0; Taimoor Khan beat Zonaisha 1-4,4-0,4-0; Ameer Mazari beat Hammad Shah 4-1,4-0; Haniya Minhas beat Abdul Basit 4-1,4-0; Ahtesham Humayun beat Sameer Maqsood 4-1,4-0; Zohaib A. Malik beat Soha Ali 4-0,4-0; Under-10: Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (2nd Round) Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Uzair Maqsood 4-0, 4-0

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2020):-International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Manu Sawhney Thursday completed his two-day visit to Pakistan following positive and constructive meetings in Islamabad and Lahore. Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani and Chief Executive Wasim Khan accompanied Sawhney and ICC General Manager – Commercial, Campbell Jamieson, to a  meeting with Fahmida Mirza, Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), in Islamabad on Wednesday. In Lahore on Thursday, they visited the Lahore Safe City Project before receiving a presentation from the PCB team at the National Cricket Academy. Sawhney’s visit was part of the ICC’s initiative to meet all Members and brief them on the process to be adopted for the allocation of ICC Events in the 2023-2031 cycle comprising eight men’s events, eight women’s events, four men’s U19 events and four Women’s U19 events. In the meeting with the PCB officials at the National Cricket Acaemy, Mr Sawhney and Jamieson also made a detailed and comprehensive presentation on the ICC’s expectations, criteria and selection process for the event hosts, including timelines for bid submissions. He also updated the PCB on the work being done by the ICC for cricket promotion, development, global strategy, financial growth, and also briefed on the challenges world cricket faces. PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said: “We had positive, constructive and wide-ranging meetings with the ICC in relation to the 2023-2031 event cycle. As part of our vision, we want to push on and host a number of ICC global events during the next rights cycle. “So, from that perspective, it was excellent to get an insight into the ICC’s expectations and requirements so that we can accordingly plan and prepare our bid document. “We now have a clearer idea of what will be required from us and so we will now go away from this meeting and think through our strategy for approaching the bid process. We are determined and keen to host ICC Events in the next events cycle and understand this will not be a straightforward project. We will require a lot of support from the government as well all stakeholders. “It was also good to understand the work being done by the ICC in Dubai for the betterment of world cricket. As a responsible and key Member of the ICC, the PCB remains committed to playing its role in taking cricket to the next level.”    

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2020):-Haris Tahir defeated Umer Farooq in the final of Under-21 Jubilee Insurance National Snooker Championship 2020 in a single sided affair 6-1 at Billiard and Snooker Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Thursday.  Haris form Punjab won the first two frames easily with the score of 82-5 and 77-39 respectively while Umer Farooq, who is also from Punjab, won the alone third frame at 73-19. Later on, rest of all four frames won by Haris without any resistance from his opponent. The final score-line was (82-5), (77-39(63), 19-73, 50-35, 91-21, 79-30(68), 71-8(52),) At the closing ceremony, Munawwar H. Shaikh (President – PBSA), Alamgir Ahmed Shaikh (Former President – PBSA), Rana Naveed Ashfaq (Marketing Head - Jubilee Life Insurance), Ijaz Mehmood (             Joint EVP Jubilee General Insurance), Mohammad Azam Dar (DDG Tech PSB), Manoor Ahmed Khan (     DDG Tech PSB), MB Ghouri (SVP Punjab Snooker Association) and Mohammad Asif (Snooker World Champion) distributed the prizes among the top players.

SB News LAHORE (January 23, 2020):-The National Junior Badminton Championships concluded at WAPDA Sports Complex Lahore on Thursday.  Malik Ghasif Punjab win the Boy's Single U-14 title, In the Boy's Single U-16 Saad Amir of Punjab took the title, In Girl's Single U-16 Summiya Tariq Army won the Final, In the Boy's Single U-18 Omer Jahanghir of KP win the title and Omama Usman Sindh win the Girl's U-18 event. Haji Mohammad Khalid Mehmood Secretary General of Pakistan Olympic Association was the Chief Guest of the final ceremony. He distributed trophies, cash and certificates amongst the winners and runner up of the championships. Rs 100,000 Rs one Lac was the total price money. Results are as under:  Boy's Single U-14 Finals Malik Ghasif (Punjab) beat M Hashir Shah (KP) by 21-10, 21-8 Boy's Single U-16 Finals Saad Amir (Punjab) beat Rai Abdul Mannan (Punjab) by 18-21, 21-13, 21-15 Girl's Single U-16 Finals Summiya Tariq (Army) beat Musfira Zahid (Sindh) by 21-5, 21-5 Boy's Single U-18 Finals Omer Jahanghir (KP) beat Raja Hassan (Army) by 21-14, 21-16 Girl's Single U-18 Finals Omama Usman (Sindh) beat Miss Hadiqa (Punjab) by 21-5, 21-6 Boy's Double U-18 Finals Omer Jahanghir & M Ozair (KP) beat Raza Ali & Saad Amir (Punjab) by 21-15, 22-20 Girl's Double U-18 Finals Deena Shahzad & Kanzul Eman (Islamabad) beat Zainab Ch & Hadiqa (Punjab) by 21-19, 21-19   -- 

SB News Potchefstroom (January 22, 2020):-Pakistan Under-19 beat Zimbabwe U19 by 38 runs at the Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom on Wednesday and ensured their qualification to Super League quarter-finals. In their chase of 295, Zimb`abwe were skittled out for 255 in 46.3 overs courtesy a consolidated bowling effort from the Pakistan bowlers. Zimbabwe were off to a good start with openers Wesley Madhevere and Emmanuel Bawa adding 64 runs for the first wicket. The partnership was broken by left-arm-spinner Aamir Ali who accounted for the wicket of Bawa (19). Madhevere was the second wicket to fall as he was dismissed caught and bowled by Qasim Akram after scoring 53 off 55 balls (six fours, one six). Qasim also took the key wicket of captain Dion Myers (39 off 50 balls, two fours and one six) who was spectacularly caught by Mohammad Irfan Khan, who took a one-handed diving catch. The match was turned on its head by Abbas Afridi in the 39th over of Zimbabwe innings. The right-arm medium-fast first bowled Milton Shumba, who scored 58 off 82, on a slower one and then sent back Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) two balls later to leave Zimbabwe at 208 for five. Tahir and Abbas took three wickets, while Aamir Ali and Qasim bagged two scalps each. Earlier, Mohammad Haris scored a blistering 81 after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat. Haris came into bat with Pakistan placed at 140 for four after 33 overs. The boys in green added 154 runs in the last 17 overs mainly due to Haris’ brilliance. The right-hander hit seven fours and three towering sixes in his 51-ball knock. Haris added 43 for the fifth-wicket with Qasim Akram (54 off 50 balls, five fours and two sixes), 41 for the sixth-wicket with Muhammad Irfan (15) and 42 for the seventh wicket with Abbas Afridi (10) before falling with 12 balls left in the innings. Haris took the attack to the bowlers and made the most of the repair job done by Qasim and Fahad Munir (53 off 79 balls, five fours) who added 66 runs for the fourth-wicket to rescue the side from a tentative start which saw them reduced to 74 for three in 21.3 overs. Openers Haider Ali (19), Muhammad Shehzad (27) and captain Rohail Nazir (0) were the first three wickets to fall. Pakistan now play Bangladesh U19 in the last group match on Friday. Scores in brief: Pakistan 294 for 9, 50 overs (Mohammad Haris 81, Qasim Akram 54, Fahad Munir 53; Dylan Grant 3-46) Zimbabwe 255 all-out, 46.3 overs (Milton Shumba 58, Wesley Madhevere 53, Dion Myers 39; Tahir Hussain 3-42, Abbas Afridi 3-55, Aamir Ali 2-51, Qasim Akram 2-41)