By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (Februry 27, 2020):-Defending champions Quetta Gladiators produced a stunning run-chase to defeat Islamabad United by five wickets in the first-ever HBL Pakistan Super League match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Gladiators’ victory has given them the top-spot in the HBL PSL 2020 points table. They have won three out of their four games and have six points after the end of the ninth match of the tournament. Set a stiff 188-run target, Quetta Gladiators were helped past the target by an unbroken 57-run partnership between man-of-the-match Ben Cutting (42 not out, 17 balls, two fours, four sixes) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 not out, 20 balls, three fours). Cutting made the difference by scoring 17 runs off the 18th over of the Gladiators’ chase when they needed 33 to win at the start of the over. Rumman Raees conceded a mere five runs in the penultimate over to bring United back in the hunt but Cutting finished the game off through back-to-back sixes off Amad Butt’s final over to take his side over the line with two balls spare. The foundation of the Gladiators’ chase was laid by opener Jason Roy (50 off 38) and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (33 off 20). Gladiators were in a spot of bother when Sarfaraz was dismissed by Faheem Ashraf, which left Gladiators needing 55 off the last 29 balls. However, Cutting’s heroics helped them secure a vital victory which has taken them to the top of the six-team table. Ahmed Safi with two wickets for 17 runs in three overs was the pick of the United bowlers. Earlier, Sarfaraz won the toss and opted to field first. United got off to a blazing start as Luke Ronchi took 11 runs off the first over bowled by Sohail Khan. His innings though was nipped in the bud by fast-bowler Naseem Shah who demolished his stumps with a fast yorker on the first ball of the second over. Naseem then took another prized wicket when he breached Dawid Malan’s (10) defences sending the stumps flying again. Colin Munro was the third wicket to fall, he went after a quickfire 31 off 20 balls (two fours, three sixes) leaving United at 56 for three in the sixth over. United skipper Shadab Khan who scored a scintillating fifty in United’s win over Lahore Qalandars last Sunday, scored 39 off 25 balls (three fours, two sixes). The right-hander added 76 runs in 50 balls with Colin Ingram for the fourth wicket. Ingram held the innings together as United lost quick wickets at the other end. The left-hander stayed at the crease till the end of the United innings to propel them to 187 for seven. Ingram scored 63 off 40 balls (six fours, two sixes) to register his first fifty for United in his third match of his first-ever season with the franchise. Naseem with figures of two for 23 in four overs was the pick of the Gladiators bowling line-up. Scores in brief Islamabad United 187-7, 20 overs (Colin Ingram 63 not out, Shadab Khan 39, Colin Munro 31; Naseem Shah 2-23, Tymal Mills 2-34) Quetta Gladiators 190-5, 19.4 overs (Jason Roy 50, Ben Cutting 42 not out, Sarfaraz Ahmed 33; Ahmed Safi 2-17, Faheem Ashraf 2-46) Result: Quetta Gladiators win by five wickets Islamabad United (Playing XI) Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Asif Ali, Amad Butt, Colin Ingram (SA), Musa Khan, Dawid Malan (ENG), Colin Munro (NZ), Rumman Raees, Luke Ronchi (wk, NZ), Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Dale Steyn (SA),  Quetta Gladiators (Playing XI) Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk), Ahsan Ali, Ben Cutting (AUS), Mohammad Hasnain, Azam Khan, Sohail Khan, Khurram Manzoor, Tymal Mills (ENG), Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Roy (ENG), Naseem Shah, Ahmed Shehzad, Shane Watson (AUS) Islamabad United Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Asif Ali, Saif Badar, Amad Butt, Zafar Gohar, Rizwan Hussain, Colin Ingram (SA), Akif Javed, Musa Khan, Dawid Malan (ENG), Colin Munro (NZ), Rumman Raees, Luke Ronchi (wk, NZ), Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Phil Salt (ENG), Dale Steyn (SA), Hussain Talat Quetta Gladiators Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk), Fawad Ahmed (AUS), Anwar Ali, Ahsan Ali, Ben Cutting (AUS), Mohammad Hasnain, Arish Ali Khan, Azam Khan, Sohail Khan, Khurram Manzoor, Zahid Mehmood (until March 7), Tymal Mills (ENG), Abdul Nasir, Mohammad Nawaz, Keemo Paul (WI, from March 7), Jason Roy (ENG), Naseem Shah, Ahmed Shehzad, Shane Watson (AUS) Karachi Kings Imad Wasim (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Umaid Asif, Babar Azam, Cameron Delport (SA), Alex Hales (ENG), Arshad Iqbal, Chris Jordan (ENG), Sharjeel Khan, Ali Khan, Umer Khan, Mitch McClenaghan (NZ), Usama Mir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Chadwick Walton (WI), Aamir Yamin, Awais Zia Lahore Qalandars Sohail Akhtar (c), Shaheen Afridi, Jaahid Ali, Salman Butt, Ben Dunk (wk, AUS), Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hafeez, Dilbar Hussain, Chris Lynn (AUS), Samit Patel (ENG), Seekkuge Prasanna (SL), Farzan Raja, Haris Rauf, Usman Shinwari, Dane Vilas (wk, SA), David Wiese (SA), Fakhar Zaman Multan Sultans Shan Masood (c), Moeen Ali (ENG), Shahid Afridi, Fabian Allen (WI, from March 7), Zeeshan Ashraf, Bilawal Bhatti, Ravi Bopara (ENG), Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wayne Madsen (ENG, until March 7), Rohail Nazir (wk), Rilee Rossouw (SA), Usman Qadir, Ali Shafiq, Khushdil Shah, Imran Tahir (SA), Sohail Tanvir, James Vince (ENG) Peshawar Zalmi Darren Sammy (c, WI), Kamran Akmal (wk), Aamir Ali, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Haider Ali Khan, Adil Amin, Umar Amin, Tom Banton (wk, ENG), Carlos Brathwaite (WI, until March 7), Liam Dawson (ENG), Lewis Gregory (ENG), Imam-ul-Haq, Amir Khan, Liam Livingstone (ENG), Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Mohsin, Kieron Pollard (WI, from March 7), Wahab Riaz

Salman Khan MULTAN (February 26, 2020):-An unbroken 77-run fifth wicket partnership between Rilee Rossouw and Khushdil Shah guided Multan Sultans to a comfortable six wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the first-ever HBL Pakistan Super League match at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Enjoying the support of a vociferous home crowd, Multan recovered from a shaky 47 for four in 6.1 overs to get past their 124-run target with nine balls to spare. The left-handed pair of Rossouw and Khushdil took the team to the victory with contrasting batting performances. While Rossouw grafted his way to a 42-ball 47 (seven fours and one six), Khushdil used the long handle to great effect in his 43 that came off 29 balls and included four fours and two sixes. The two stabilised the chase first before taking the charge against a fired-up Zalmi attack that fought hard despite a low total to defend. Left-armer Wahab Riaz took two quick wickets, fellow pacer Hasan Ali removed James Vince for five in the opening over. Wahab took the wickets of Shan Masood (8) and Zeeshan Ashraf (12) while Rahat Ali dismissed Moeen Ali (2) but their efforts wen in vain eventually as Rossouw and Khushdil finished the job for the Sultans. Earlier Sultans captain Shan won the toss and opted to field first. His decision paid rich dividends as Tom Banton (4) fell in the first over to a terrific catch by the veteran Shahid Afridi off Mohammad Irfan. The prolific Kamran Akmal, who had scored a century in Zalmi’s win over Gladiators on Saturday, fell for 15. Shoaib Malik and Liam Livingstone fell cheaply as Zalmi were reduced to 41 for four in the sixth over. The talented youngster Haider Ali batted with great deal of confidence in his 47 (27 balls, six fours and two sixes) but his dismissal in the 11th over triggered a collapse. Zalmi failed to come to grips against the spinning ball as the lower-order caved-in. Liam Dawson with 22 runs was the only one to offer some fight as Zalmi were rolled over for 123 in 18.3 overs. Sohail Tanvir, later adjudged the man-of-the-match was the most successful bowler for Sultans with figures of four for 13 in 3.3 overs. Pacers Irfan and Mohammad Ilyas took two wickets apiece. Scores in brief Peshawar Zalmi 123 all out, 18.3 overs (Haider Ali 47, Liam Dawson 22; Sohail Tanvir 4-13, Mohammad Ilyas 2-23) Multan Sultans 124-4, 18.3 overs (Rilee Rossouw 49 not out, Khushdil Shah 43 not out; Wahab Riaz 2-36) Result: Multan Sultans won by six wickets

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 26, 2020):-Salim Saifullah Khan, President PTF visited Aisam ul Haq Pavilion at Pakistan Sports Complex to witness the training session of the Pakistan Davis Cup team, which is in progress for preparation of the Davis Cup tie Pakistan against Slovenia. The President showed satisfaction about the training session and the hard work, which is being displayed by the players under their Captain/Coach Mushaf Zia. He also interacted with the players and motivated them to perform better. The President also inspected the venue of the event and was briefed by Khawar Hyat, SEVP and Saeed Ahmed Khan SVP, members of the Management Committee of PTF, about the progress of the work. He was satisfied with the overall preparatory arrangements.    

Sport Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 26, 2020):-Mohammad Shoaib (PAK), Gokalp Ayar (TUR), Aryan Giri (NEP) and Kerem Ozlale (TUR) qualified for the Boys Singles Semi finals of Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial ITF Pakistan Junior Tennis Championships by eliminating their respective opponents in straight sets at S.Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad. Top seed Mohammad Shoaib was in excellent form and won the first set at 6-2 by breaking 1st and 3rd game of Tuna and he kept the same pressure in the second set and did not allow his opponent to settle down with his powerful winner down the line and cross court. He won the second set at 6-1 by breaking 1st, 3rd and 5th game. Unseeded Kerem Ozlale of Turkey continue his winning streak and won his encounter against Birtan Duran (TUR) without any resistance with a score of 6-0, 6-2. The third quarter final 2nd seed Gokalp Ayar (TUR) beat Iustin Belea of Romania in a well contested two set match 6-4, 6-3 and will face Kerem Ozlale in the semi final tomorrow at 10:00 AM. In the last quarterfinal Aryan Giri (NEP) proved too good for Stylianos Poutis (GRE) and won his encounter in straight set with a score of 6-2, 6-4 and moved into the semi final and will face top seed Muhammad Shaoib of Pakistan at 10:00 AM. In the girls singles semi finals; unseeded Lyela Nilufer Elmas (TUR) made the major upset in the tournament by beating 2nd seed Dorsa Cheraghi (IRI) in best encounter of the day. Leyla won the first set at 6-4 by breaking 10th game of Dorsa in which she hit one double fault and lost the game love-40. The tough fight was seen in the second set and score went up to 6-6all as both the players hold their respective serve and match decided on tie break which won by Lyela at 7-1 by playing some excellent shorts at the crucial stage and qualify for the Girls Final. In the second semi final Top seed Ren Ke (CHN) won her encounter against unseeded Zhansaya Bakytzhan  (KAZ) in straight set at 7-5, 6-0. The Girls will be played at 10:00 AM. In the Girls Doubles event; unseeded BAbhilasha Bista (NEP) and Neyara Weerawansa (SRI) made the major upset by beating top seed Dorsa Cheraghi (IRI) and Billur Gonlusen (TUR) in a thrilling and exciting three sets match. Abhilsha and Neyara won the match tie break set at 12-10 after saving two match points. In the second semi final Lyela Nilufer Elmas (TUR) / Mina Toglukdemir won their encounter in another three set good match of the day 6-3, 6-7(5) 10-7, Final of Girls Doubles will be played tomorrow at 2:00 PM. In the Boys Doubles semi finals Gokalp Ayar (TUR) and Mustafa Sancakliogu (TUR) caused major upsent in the event when he eliminated top seed Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) and Ahmed Kamil (PAK) in hard fight semi final. In the other semi final 2nd seed Iustin Belea (ROU) and Qwyn Quittner (AUS) struggle hard to win to beat Agha Raahim (GBR) and Stulianos Poutis (GRE) in another exciting match of the day. Boys & Girls Doubles Finals will be played tomorrow at 2:00 PM. Following are the results: Boys Singles Quarter Finals Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) beat Tuna Nergizoglu (TUR) 6-2, 6-1; Gokalp Ayar (TUR) beat Iustin Belea (ROU) 6-4, 6-3; Aryan Giri (NEP) beat Stylianos Poutis (GRE) 6-2, 6-4; Kerem Ozlale (TUR) beat Birtan Duran (TUR) 6-0, 6-2. Girls Singles Semi Finals Ren Ke (CHN) beat Zhansaya Bakytzhan (KAZ) 7-5, 6-0; Leyla Nilufer Elmas (TUR) beat Dorsa Cheraghi (IRI) 6-4, 7-6(1). Boys Doubles Semi Finals Gokalp Ayar (TUR) / Mustafa Sancaklioglu (TUR) beat Ahmed Kamil (PAK) / Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) 1-6, 6-1, 10-7; Iustin Belea (ROU) / Qwyn Quittner (AUS) beat Raahim Agha (GBR) / Stylianos Poutis (GRE) 1-6, 6-4, 10-6; Girls Doubles Semi Finals Abhilasha Bista (NEP) / Neyara Weerawansa (SRI) beat Dorsa Cheraghi (IRI) / Billur Gonlusen (TUR) 5-7, 7-6(5) 12-10; Leyla Nilufer Elmas (TUR) / Mina Toglukdemir (TUR) beat Sei-Ding Chai (MAS) / Ren Ke (CHN) 6-3, 6-7(5), 10-7

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 26, 2020):-Pakistan Women made the perfect start to their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign by recording a comprehensive eight-wicket win over West Indies in a Group B match played at the Manuka Oval, Canberra on Wednesday. Chasing 125 runs for a win, Pakistan completed their comfortable chase for the loss of two wickets in 18.2 overs. Openers Muneeba Ali and Javeria Khan provided the perfect launching pad to the chase with a 58-run first wicket partnership in 7.2 overs. Javeria, later adjudged the player-of-the-match, played some delightful shots in her 35-run innings that came off 28 balls and included six fours, before her dismissal to West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor. Muneeba was dismissed for 25; her 26-ball innings included three fours. After Muneeba’s dismissal with the score at 77 for two in 11.5 overs, Nida Dar joined captain Bismah Maroof in the middle. The two carried Pakistan home with an unbroken 50-run stand in only 39 balls. The seasoned Bismah remained unbeaten on 39 (37 balls, four fours). Nida gave her captain solid support at the other end as she also returned undefeated on a 20-ball 18 that included one four. Taylor and Afy Fletcher were the only two wicket-takers for the West Indies, both took a wicket apiece. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, West Indies were rocked on the very first ball of the innings as opener Hayley Matthews fell lbw to pacer Diana Baig. Diana then made the second breakthrough for Pakistan by dismissing Matthews’ fellow opener Lee-Ann Kirby (16) to reduce West Indies to 25 for two in 4.1 overs. Nida then accounted for star West Indies batter Deandra Dottin (1) with her off-spin to leave the West Indies stuttering at 28 for three in 6.2 overs. West Indies were at this stage rescued by a 60-ball 63-run partnership between captain Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle. Both scored 43 runs each, Taylor faced 47 balls and struck two fours and two sixes while Campbelle’s 36-ball effort also included two fours and two sixes. Aimen Anwar followed up the good work done earlier by Diana and Nida by taking two wickets to restrict West Indies to a manageable total. Diana, Nida and Aimen Anwar took two wickets apiece while Anam Amin took one wicket for 19 runs in her four overs. Pakistan now play England in their second Group B match on Friday, the game will be played at the same venue. Scores in brief: West Indies Women 124-7, 20 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 43, Stafanie Taylor 43; Diana Baig 2-19, Nida Dar 2-30, Aimen Anwar 2-32) Pakistan Women  127-2, 18.2 overs (Bismah Maroof 39 not out, Javeria Khan 35, Muneeba Ali 25; Stafanie Taylor 1-20) Result: Pakistan Women win by eight wickets   Player-of-the-match: Javeria Khan   Next match for Pakistan: England Women vs Pakistan Women, Friday 28 February in Canberra.  

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 25, 2020):-Anisa Mohammed wants more from West Indies’ batters and challenged them to put a big score on the board in their Group B clash with Pakistan. West Indies are one from one after beating Thailand in their opener. But they were far from convincing from the bat, as past failings returned. akistan are playing their first match of the tournament in Canberra The Windies batting line-up is prone to collapse - dismissed in double figures five times since the last T20 World Cup and bowled out for 71 by Australia in their 2018 semi-final on home soil. Unconvincing in chasing down 79 to beat Thailand in their tournament opener, off-spinner Mohammed believes their batters must do their bit and help out the bowlers. “I think our batting just needs to improve a bit,” said the vice-captain. “Our fielding and our bowling against Thailand was spot on - the seamers set the tone and as spinners, we enjoyed the bounce we got from the pitch. “As a group we’ve had to fill in for Shakera (Selman) and we did that, she’s a big bowler and they are big shoes to fill. “Pakistan have some good players and they’re a very different team from when we played them in previous series. “I think they’re a pretty good team. Their bowling is really their strength, so hopefully our batters can counter that and put a total on the board for us to bowl at. “All teams in this competition are strong, everyone’s here to win and to qualify. We’re taking every game very seriously.” West Indies and Pakistan are familiar foes, contesting two warm-up matches in the weeks leading up to the tournament and playing out an entertaining three-match series 12 months ago. Pakistan’s Nida Dar claims her side can capitalise on the six-hitting bravado of West Indies after watching them struggle to rotate strike against debutants Thailand. “West Indies want to show their skills, because they are strong, and hit a boundary from every ball,” said the all-rounder. “They were very disturbed by the pace Thailand bowled to them. Slower balls and variations can be very helpful for us against them as they try to hit hard every time. “Maybe in our match they’ll adapt to conditions and try to rotate the strike. Asian teams are giving tough times to everyone at the World Cup and our spinners will try to do the same.” Stafanie Taylor’s side is laced with experience, boasting more T20I caps in their squad than any other nation at the World Cup. Bismah Maroof’s outfit, by contrast, have an average age of 25 and fewer combined caps than all teams apart from Sri Lanka and Thailand. Nida, whose Big Bash League experience with Sydney Thunder will be crucial for her side, feels Pakistan can profit from a fresh-faced make-up. “Our youth is the best thing about our team,” said the 33-year-old. “West Indies won’t know all of our players and some of them will be a surprise package. I’m in a team of very talented players with a mix of senior and junior players. “I hope they’re looking forward to playing at the World Cup. We just want to show our skills.”

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 25, 2020):-Pakistan national women’s team will begin their journey in the all-important ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday against the West Indies Women in Canberra. Under the captaincy of Bismah Maroof, who will be leading the side in a world event for the first time, Pakistan will be eying to secure a semi-final berth for the first time. Since the last ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2018, Pakistan have featured in 14 T2oIs. They have won six matches, lost seven and one of them ended in a tie - the second of the three-T20Is in Karachi, which the West Indies won in Super Over. Pakistan are drawn in Group B and, after their tournament opener tomorrow, they will take on England women (28 February) also in Canberra, and South Africa women and Thailand women (1 and 3 March respectively) in Sydney in the ten-team event, which will feature 23 matches, including the final on the international women’s day (Sunday, 8 March) across 17 days. Pakistan’s 15-member squad boasts an exciting blend of young and senior players. On the back of her extraordinary run in the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship 2019-20 which saw her accumulate 292 runs, including a century and three half-centuries, at an average of 58.40, Muneeba Ali was recalled in the side. Ayesha Naseem, an exciting 16-year-old hard-hitting batter, is all set to make her debut, while pacer Aimen Anwar, who is also returning to the national side, is expected to take the new ball with Diana Baig. The presence of their captain Bismah, who is the only Pakistan batter to have more than 2,000 runs and has the most half-centuries (11) in 106 T20Is from Pakistan, Nida Dar, who has 1,086 runs 92 wickets at an average of 17.82 in 98 T20Is, and Javeria Khan, the second highest run-getter with 1,744 in 97 T20Is, provide the desired shorter-format experience and form the core of the batting department. Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig and Aroob Shah, a 16-year-old leg-spinner, boost the bowling department. Along with their presence, Pakistan will be pinning their hopes on Anam Amin, who has the most scalps for Pakistan since the last edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in West Indies with 13 wickets at 16.07 in eight matches and will spearhead the bowling attack. The slow left-arm orthodox, who is a new-ball specialist, was the leading wicket-taker in the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship 2019-20 with seven wickets at 13.71. She is currently ranked 13th in the ICC Rankings for T20I bowlers and is hopeful that she will break into the top 10 once again over the course of the ongoing World Cup. Anam Amin said: “My target is to help Pakistan make history by qualifying for the semi-finals. “I am very excited for this World Cup and my aim is to deliver to the best of my abilities and be amongst the top 10 bowlers. “I have been passionate about cricket since my childhood and I used to play tape-ball cricket with boys in the streets. Initially, I faced opposition by my mother on the prospect of taking cricket as a profession. But, I got a lot of support from my father and grandfather. As soon as I broke into the national side, my mother not only accepted me as a cricketer but she now tells me to pick at least two to three wickets every match.” Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst). Upcoming fixtures: 26 February – West Indies v Pakistan, 1pm (PST) 28 February – England v Pakistan, 1pm (PST) 1 March – South Africa v Pakistan, 9am (PST) 3 March – Pakistan v Thailand, 9am (PST)

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 24, 2020):-The Round-1 of the Main Draw completed on Monday of ITF Junior Tennis at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad. Akber Durrani, Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan inaugurated the Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial ITF Pakistan World Ranking Tennis Championships by hitting the ball on Center Court at S.Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, earlier he met with the foreign and local players as well as coaches and parents coming from 18 countries Greece, Hong Kong, Austria, Russia, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain, Romania, Nepal,  China, Iran, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, USA, Malaysia , Korea, Sri Lanka and host Pakistan. Results: Boys Singles (Main Draw 1st Round) Raahim Agha (GBR) beat Mert Dogan (TUR) 6-4, 6-4; Tune Nergizoglu (TUR) beat Huzaima Abdul Rehman (PAK) 7-6(5), 6-0; Iustin Belea (ROU) beat Zalan Khan 6-0, 6-4; Kuan Chang Huan (TPE) beat Ahmed Nael Qurehsi (PAK) 6-2, 6-3; Birtan Duran (TUR) beat Subhan Bin Salik (PAK) 6-0, 6-2; Qwyn Quittner (AUS) beat Abdullah (PAK) 6-1, 6-3; Curtis Hong Tseng Tan (HKG) beat Araiz Malik (PAK) 6-1, 6-1; Emir Toglukdemir (TUR) beat Bilal Asim (PAK) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2; Kerem Ozlale (TUR) beat Chun Tang (TPE) 6-3, 6-1; Mustafa Sancakuoglu (TUR) w/o Muhammad Huzaifa Khan (PAK); Min-Hung Kao (TPE) w/o Muhammad Talha Khan (PAK). Girls Singles (Main Draw 1st Round) Jun Seo Lee (KOR) beat Amel Sammari (TUN) 6-3, 1-6, 6-4; Zhansaya Bakytzhan (KAZ) Sie Domg Chai (MAS) 6-3, 6-2; Asima Sazanova (KAZ) beat Zoha Asim (PAK) 6-3, 6-3; Amina Salibayeva (USA) beat Neyara Weerawansa (SRI) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2; Leyla Nilufer Elmas (TUR) beat Abhilasha Bista (NEP) 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-0; Mina Toglukdemir (TUR) beat Jeongmin IM (KOR) 6-0, 6-0; Dorsa Cheraghi (IRI) beat Bilur Gonlusen (TUR) 6-4, 6-4; Boys Doubles Pre-Quarter Finals Raahim Agha (GBR) / Stylianos Poutis (GRE) beat Birtan Duran (TUR) / Kerem Ozlale (TUR) 7-5, 3-6, 12-10; Kuan Chang  Huang (TPE) / Curtis Hong Tsent Tan (HKG) beat Bilal Asim (PAK) / Ahmad Nael Qureshi (PAK) 6-1, 6-1; Tune Neggizoglu (TUR) / Emir Toglukdemir (TUR) beat Mert Dogan (TUR) / Aryan Giri (NEP) 6-4, 6-3; Min-Hung Kao (TPE)/Chun Tang (TPE) beat Abdullah (PAK) / Araiz Malik (PAK) 7-6(3), 3-6, 10-7.  

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 23, 2020):-Legendary South African fielder Jonty Rhodes held a fielding session with nine women cricketers today at Karachi’s UBL sports complex. Kainat Imitaz, Jaweria Rauf, Yusra Amir, Hafsa Khalid, Huraina Sajjad, Najiha Alvi, Arijah Haseeb, Masooma Jaffari and Suhana Tariq participated in an hour-long fielding session. The 50-year-old, considered one of the greatest fielders in the history of the game, along with holding fielding drills, shared his experiences of international cricket with the players. After the session, Jonty Rhodes said: “I am absolutely amazed to see the talent and skillset of the girls. They have amazing skills and great passion for the game and fielding. Pakistan women's cricket is in safe hands with these players. “My mantra in fielding and cricket was always to go for it. Unless you go for the ball, you would not know what you will achieve. So, as a fielder never shy away from going for the ball whether seemingly in your range or not.” The women cricketers were hopeful that the session will provide a boost to their fielding skills.  Jonty Rhodes, who played 297 internationals in an 11-year-long career, is in Karachi as part of the HBL PSL 2020 commentary panel.

SB News KARACHI (February 23, 2020):-An 85-run partnership for the fourth-wicket between Sarfaraz Ahmed and Azam Khan secured a five-wicket win for Quetta Gladiators against Karachi Kings in the sixth HBL PSL 2020 fixture at Karachi’s National Stadium. Defending champions Gladiators chased down the 157-run target with an over spare. Azam was top scorer in the run chase with a 30-ball 46 and struck four fours and two sixes. He was declared player of the match for his match-defining innings. Sarfaraz, the Gladiators captain, was not out on 37 which came off 28 balls. With 27 off 20, which included two fours and two sixes, Shane Watson was the other notable run-getter. Earlier, pacer Mohammad Hasnain took three wickets for 33 runs and Tymal Mills returned two for 30 which limited the home side to 156 for nine after Karachi Kings’ captain Imad Wasim elected to bat. Iftikhar Ahmed, batting at six, struck two fours and six in his 25 off 18 towards the end of the innings to take his side to a competitive total. Alex Hales, playing his first HBL PSL match this season, was the top-scorer in Kings’ innings with a 27-ball 29, which included a four ad a six. The second best performance, in terms of runs, came from Babar Azam who hit five fours in his 23-ball stay at the crease which brought him 26 runs. Quetta Gladiators now have two wins this season and they travel to Rawalpindi to take on Islamabad United in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Karachi Kings play Multan Sultans at the latter’s home on Friday. Scores in brief Karachi Kings 156-9, 20 overs (Alex Hales 29, Babar Azam 26, Iftikhar Ahmed 25; Mohammad Hasnain 3-33, Tymal Mills 2-30) Quetta Gladiators 157-5, 19 overs (Azam Khan 46, Sarfaraz Ahmed 37, Shane Watson 27) Result Quetta Gladiators win by five wickets