SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 18, 2020):-Shafiqullah Ghafari claimed career-best figures of six for 15 as Afghanistan sealed a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over hosts South Africa in the opening match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Shafiqullah Ghafari of Afghanistan pictured with the 'Player of the Match' award and match ball during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Group D match between South Africa and Afghanistan at De Beers Diamond Oval on January 17, 2020. The spinner shone to help dismiss the host nation for 129 before Imran Mir (57) and Ibrahim Zadran (52) struck impressive half-centuries to make light work of the chase in Kimberley. After winning the toss and batting at the Diamond Oval, the Junior Proteas were rocked by two early wickets from Fazal Haq (two for 43). It was then up to the South African captain Bryce Parsons (40) and Luke Beaufort (25), who teamed up for a 55-run stand for the third wicket. The home side were then pegged back once again as the spinners came into the attack to pick up the remaining eight wickets in the Group D contest. Noor Ahmad (two for 44) and Ghafari combined to lethal effect as the former picked up the crucial scalps of Parsons and Beaufort before Ghafari cleaned up the middle and lower orders, the last eight wickets falling for 67 runs. In reply and despite losing the early wicket of captain Farhan Zakhail (11), Afghanistan never looked troubled in pursuit of the low score, with the experienced Zadran and Mir putting on a match-winning 80-run partnership. Achille Cloete of South Africa celebrates the wicket of Farhan Zakhail of Afghanistan during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Group D match between South Africa and Afghanistan at De Beers Diamond Oval on January 17, 2020 in Kimberley, South Africa. Achille Cloete of South Africa celebrates the wicket of Farhan Zakhail of Afghanistan during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Group D match between South Africa and Afghanistan at De Beers Diamond Oval on January 17, 2020 in Kimberley, South Africa. South Africa’s Achille Cloete (two for 20) and Tiaan van Vuuren (one for 14) made inroads but it was not enough as the subcontinent outfit cantered to victory with 25 overs remaining. Ghafari’s figures were the seventh-best ever recorded in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, with the likes of Jeevan Mendis, Trent Boult and Shaheen Shah Afridi the few names above him in the list. “Six wickets in the first match of the World Cup gives me a lot of confidence and I believed in my strengths as a bowler,” said the man of the match. “I thought if I could bowl in the right areas, I was sure the result would go my way.” Saturday will see four games of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup take place, with the remaining three groups seeing action take place for the first time. Tournament debutants Japan will be in action against New Zealand in Group A, while Group B’s opener will see two former champions go head-to-head as Australia face West Indies in Kimberley. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will lock horns in the Group C curtain-raiser while Group D’s remaining nations, UAE and Canada, will face each other in Bloemfontein. Scores in Brief Afghanistan Under 19s beat South Africa Under 19s by seven wickets, Diamond Oval, Kimberley South Africa 129 all out, 29.1 overs (Bryce Parsons 40; Shafiqullah Ghafari 6-15; Fazal Haq 2-43) Afghanistan 130-3, 25 overs (Imran Mir 57, Ibrahim Zadran 52; Achille Cloete 2-20) Scorecard ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 Fixtures Group A Fixtures: 18 January: New Zealand v Japan – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom; 19 January: India v Sri Lanka – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 21 January: India v Japan – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 22 January: New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 24 January: India v New Zealand – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 25 January: Sri Lanka v Japan – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom Group B Fixtures: 18 January: Australia v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: England v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: Australia v Nigeria – Country Club B Field, Kimberley; 23 January: Australia v England – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 23 January: West Indies v Nigeria – Country B Club Field, Kimberley; 25 January: England v Nigeria – Diamond Oval, Kimberley Group C fixtures: 18 January: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 19 January: Pakistan v Scotland – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom; 21 January: Bangladesh v Scotland – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom; 22 January: Pakistan v Zimbabwe – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom; 24 January: Pakistan v Bangladesh – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 25 January: Zimbabwe v Scotland – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom Group D fixtures: 18 January: United Arab Emirates v Canada – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 22 January: Afghanistan v United Arab Emirates – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom; 22 January: South Africa v Canada – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 24 January: Afghanistan v Canada – Ibbies Oval, Potchefstroom; 25 January: South Africa v United Arab Emirates – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 17, 2020):-Twenty-six Junior Under-13 players have been invited at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Cricket Centre in Multan for a two-week-long coaching programme, which commences Monday. The players have been selected by the national junior selection committee, headed by Saleem Jaffer, on the basis of their performances in the PCB U13 Catch em Young National One-Day Tournament 2019-20. Over the course of programme, the players will be given basic knowledge regarding different aspects of the game namely batting, bowling, fielding, wicketkeeping and physical fitness. Names of players: Adil Waleed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ahmed Hussain (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ali Ashfaq (Northern), Ali Hasnain Badsha (Southern Punjab), Ali Hassan Baloch (Central Punjab), Azzan Kabir (Northern), Fahad Kashif (Southern Punjab), Hamza Zahoor (Central Punjab), Hasan Ijaz (Northern), Hazrat Ali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Huzaifa Ahsan (Sindh), M.  Sheharyar (Southern Punjab), M. Ali Abdullah (Southern Punjab), M. Rameez (Sindh), Mohammad Ali (Balochistan), Naveed Ul Hasan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Noor Habib (Sindh), Saad Nadeem  (Central Punjab), Safi Ullah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sameer Ahmed (Southern Punjab), Tayyab Hussain (Central Punjab), Usman Ghani (Balochistan), Usman Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Waleed Zahid (Central Punjab), Yayah Shah (Sindh) and Zeeshan Fareed (Northern).    

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 17, 2020):-It was the best contest of the day when Ahsan Ramzan got rid of Sajjad Abdullah 3-2 in a league match of the 12th Under-21 Jubilee Insurance National Junior Championship 2020 that kicked off at Billiard and Snooker Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.  Ahsan Ramzan from Punjab overcame Sajjad Abdullah from Khyber Pakhtoon Kawa (KPA) with the score-line of 55-22, 33-61, 44-60, 63-9 and 79-55. On the opening day, all matches contested five frames, As many as 16 matches will be played on Saturday at same venue.  Results: Mohammad Umer Khan (Punjab) bet Imran Khan (Isb) 3-1 (69-31(54), 71-44, 40-65, 53-30) Mohammad Usman (Pjb) beat Ali Haider (Bal) 3-0 (61-4, 51-18, 70-13) Farhan Majeed (Pjb) beat Mohammad Salik (Sindh) 3-0 (57-21, 64-35, 47-27) Mohammad Ahmed (Pjb) beat Sheikh Ahmed (Kp) 3-0 (61-20, 71-41, 67-29) Haris Tahir (Pjb) bet Mohammad Ibrar (Kp) 3-0 (65-25, 68-36, 70-22) Ahsan Ramzan (Pjb) bet Sajjad Abdullah (Kp) 3-2 (55-22, 33-61, 44-60, 63-9, 79-55) Mohammad Naseem Akhtar (Pjb) beat Umer Farooq (Pjb) 3-1 (43-51, 62-37, 63-27, 65-26) Umer Junaid (Sindh) beat Zahid Khan (Bal) 3-1 (57-25, 58-21, 30-42, 61-20) Sheikh Mohammad Mudassir (Pjb) beat Mohammad Akram Shams (Sindh) 3-0  (74-19, 74-0, 67-22) Arij Arsalan (Sindh) beat Usama Nawaz Khan (Kp) 3-0 (1-0, 58-49, 58-28) Kamran Albert (Kp) beat Shehryar Khan (Sindh) 3-0 (62-19, 68-41, 48-01) Mohammad Shehryar Abbas (Pjb) beat Arif Hussain (Bal) 3-0 (80-9, 63-26, 76-15) Mohammad Saleem (Kp) beat Abdul Waheed (Sindh) 3-0 (46-9, 68-21, 51-35) Zaib Khan (Bal) beat Mohammad Sinan (Bal) 3-0 (58-22, 43-34, 62-42) Saad Khan (Kp) bt Umer Ismail (Sindh) 3-1 (39-69, 65-02, 112-0(62), 60-23) Saturday's Fixtures Ali Haider (Bal) V/S Mohammad Umer Khan (Pjb) Haroon Sarfarz (Kp) V/S Mohammad Usman (Pjb) Mohammad Ahmed (Pjb) V/S Farhan Majeed (Pjb) Zulfiqar Ali (Bal) V/S Sheikh Ahmed (Kp) Haris Tahir (Pjb) V/S Ahsan Ramzan (Pjb) Sajjad Abdullah (Kp) V/S Muhammad Ibrar (Kp) Mohammad Naseem Akhtar (Pjb) V/S Umer Junaid (Sindh) Zahid Khan (Bal) V/S Umer Farooq (Pjb) Sheikh Muhammad Mudassir (Pjb) V/S Usama Nawaz Khan (Kp) Arij Arsalan (Sindh) V/S M. Akram Shams (Sindh) Shehryar Khan (Sindh) V/S Arif Hussain (Bal) Mohammad Shehryar Abbas (Pjb) V/S Kamran Albert (Kp) Imran Khan (Isb) V/S Haroon Sarfarz (Kp) Mohammad Usman (Pjb) V/S Mohammad Umer Khan (Pjb) Mohammad Salik (Sindh) V/S Zulfiqar Ali (Bal) Sheikh Ahmed (Kp) V/S Farhan Majeed (Pjb)

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 17, 2020);-Unseeded Mohammad Shoaib toppled seventh seeded lad Heera Ashiq 2-0 in straight sets in the 5th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Tournament-2020 at PTF Complex, Islamabad on Friday. A total number of 35 matches were played on the 4th day in all the categories. In a major upset, promising unseeded junior Mohammad Shoaib continued his giant-killing run with another good win over 6th seed Heera Ashiq 7-6(4), 6-4 in an exciting, closely fought match. In the women’s singles, Mahin Aftab emerged the winner over top-seeded Sara Mansoor. Mahin won a tight first set 7-5, and was awarded the match when Sara conceded due to illness. Anwar Saifullah Khan, former Federal Minister, Parliamentarian, and former President Pakistan Tennis Federation, visited the PTF Complex and witnessed some of the matches and also interacted with the players and their parents. He also appreciated the hard work of the players and the organizing committee for conducting the event in a highly professional manner. Results: Men’s Singles Matches: (Quarterfinals) Mohammad Shoaib beat Heera Ashiq: 7-6(4), 6-4. Muzammil Murtaza bear Barkatullah: 6-0, 6-3. Aqeel Khan beat Yusuf Khalil: 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-1. Mohammad Abid beat Mudassir Murtaza: 6-2, 6-4. Men’s Doubles (Quarterfinals): Mohammad Abid, Waqas Malik w/o Shakir ullah, Abbas Khan, Ahmed Chudhary,Barkatullah beat Yousaf Khalil, Heera Ashiq: 6-3,6-4, Mudassir Murtaza, M.Shoaib beat Imran Bhatti, Mian Bilal: 6-1,6-1 Ladies Singles (Semifinals) Sarah Mahboob Khan beat Noor Malik (ZTBL): 6-2, 6-1. Mahin Aftab beat Sara Mansoor: 7-5(Retd). Boys Under-18 (Quarterfinals): Hamid Israr beat Aqib Hayat: 7-5, 6-4. Subhan bin Salik beat Mahatir Muhammad: 6-3, 6-2. Hashish Kumar beat Faizan Fayyaz: 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. M. Shoaib beat Nalyn Abbas: 6-3, 6-2. Boy’s U-14 Singles (Quarterfinals): Haider Ali Rizwan beat Hussnain Ali Rizwan: 4-2-4-2. Yahya Musa Luni beat Saim Shahzad: 4-0, 4-0. Bilal Asim beat Asad Zaman: 4-0, 4-0. Shahsawar beat M. Hamza Asim: 4-1, 4-5(5), 4-1. Boy’s U-14 Doubles (Quarterfinals): Shahsawar, Yahya Musa beat Ehtisham Hamayun, Asad Zaman: 4-0, 4-0. Ahmed Nail, Bilal Asim beat Taimoor Khan, Jamal Shah: 4-0, 4-0. Boy’s/ Girl’s U-12 (2nd Round): Amir Mazari beat Taimoor Khan: 4-1, 4-0. Hamza Roman beat Jamal Shah: 4-0, 4-1. Ali Zain w/o Shahsawar. Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Rayan Kh. Sahood: 4-1, 4-2. Nabeel Ali Qayyum beat Amna Ali Qayyum: 5-4(5), 4-0. Ehtisham Hamayun beat Subhan Aslam: 4-0, 4-0. Abdul Basit beat Eesa Fahad: 4-1, 4-1. Hussnain Ali Rizwan beat Haziq Asim: 4-0, 4-0. Boy’s/ Girl’s U-10 (Quarterfinals): Hammad Shah beat Yusuf Raja: 4-1, 4-0. Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Samir Mashood: 4-2, 4-0. Razik Sultan beat Ali Asghar Zaidi: 4-1,4-2, M.Hassan Usman beat Zunaisha Noor: 4-0,4-2 Seniors 45 Rashid Malik (ZTBL) , Hameed ul Haq beat Azeem Khan ,Imran Ahmed: 6-1,3-6(10-2)    

SB News ISLAMABAD:-South Africa and Afghanistan kick off the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup on Friday, as the next generation of global stars strut their stuff on the world stage. Sixteen teams will contest 48 matches during the next three weeks before the final at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Sunday February 9. South Africa are hoping to become the first team to lift the title on home soil since Australia won the inaugural Youth Cricket World Cup in 1988. But to do that they must overcome a handful of contenders, including defending champions India - who are on a mission to become the first to win back-to-back World Cups since Pakistan triumphed in 2004 and 2006. South Africa are in Group D along with Afghanistan, Canada and United Arab Emirates. The young Proteas are strong favourites to emerge from their pool and will be aiming for their second title, after winning in 2014. Former U17 Cricketer of the Year Bryce Parsons has the honour of captaining his country on home soil and has been described as a ‘natural leader’ by head coach Lawrence Mahatlane. “There is a lot of flexibility with some special talent around, I am personally excited about this group and I am sure they will make the nation proud,” said head coach Mahatlane. South Africa look in fine fettle following an eight-wicket warm-up win against Nigeria on Tuesday, which saw five bowlers take two wickets each as they dismissed their African rivals for just 61 runs. They will aim to do the same to Afghanistan, but they will be no pushovers in Kimberley. This is their sixth successive appearance at the U19 World Cup having made their breakthrough in 2010, while they beat England by 21 runs in their warm-up match. Reigning champions India begin their campaign on Sunday against Group A rivals Sri Lanka, as they begin their bid for a record-extending fifth crown. Paras Mhambrey’s men were an all-conquering force in 2019, winning the Under-19 Asia Cup in September and a Tri-Nations tournament with England and Bangladesh held on English soil. They have not lost a bilateral series since the 2017 U19 World Cup, beating South Africa, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan away from home, while they beat Zimbabwe in their warm-up match by 23 runs thanks to half-centuries from Tilak Varma and captain Priyam Garg. Sri Lanka and New Zealand are yet to win the tournament, although the Black Caps did finish runners-up in 1998 and have hosted the event three times, including in 2018. Japan cannot be ruled out in a tight group. Eleven of their squad will be eligible for the 2022 U19 World Cup and their players will doubtless soak up plenty of experience from competing against established Test nations. The team, coached by Dhugal Bedingfield and captained by Marcus Thurgate, will hope to pack a punch with off-spinner Yugandhar Retharekar capable of breaking up batting line-ups. Group B is perhaps the one to watch with three former champions in Australia, England and West Indies converging. The three nations – whose senior sides have all won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – are joined by Nigeria on their U19 World Cup debut. Nigeria face Australia in their first match, while the highly-anticipated clash between Australia and England is set for January 23 at Diamond Oval in Kimberley. Pakistan are in Group C with Bangladesh, who will look to bring their fine form over recent years to the big stage of the U19 Cricket World Cup. They will be led by captain Akbar Ali who has already declared his side can not only progress from a group that also contains Scotland and Zimbabwe but go on to win the entire tournament. In three weeks’ time, we will see who does just that. ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 Fixtures: Group A Fixtures: 18 January: New Zealand v Japan – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom; 19 January: India v Sri Lanka – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 21 January: India v Japan – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 22 January: New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 24 January: India v New Zealand – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 25 January: Sri Lanka v Japan – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom Group B Fixtures: 18 January: Australia v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: England v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: Australia v Nigeria – Country Club B Field, Kimberley; 23 January: Australia v England – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 23 January: West Indies v Nigeria – Country B Club Field, Kimberley; 25 January: England v Nigeria – Diamond Oval, Kimberley Group C fixtures: 18 January: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 19 January: Pakistan v Scotland – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom; 21 January: Bangladesh v Scotland – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom; 22 January: Pakistan v Zimbabwe – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom; 24 January: Pakistan v Bangladesh – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 25 January: Zimbabwe v Scotland – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom Group D fixtures: 17 January: South Africa v Afghanistan – De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 18 January: United Arab Emirates v Canada – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein; 22 January: Afghanistan v United Arab Emirates – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom; 22 January: South Africa v Canada – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 24 January: Afghanistan v Canada – Ibbies Oval, Potchefstroom; 25 January: South Africa v United Arab Emirates – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

SB News LAHORE (January 17, 2020):-Pakistan national men’s team will start their training camp for the preparation of their upcoming T2oI series against Bangladesh in Lahore on Friday. The following is the schedule of media opportunities schedule in the build up to the series: Friday, 17 January: The Pakistan team will hold a training session from 2.30pm-4pm at the Gaddafi Stadium. Mohammad Hafeez will hold a media talk at the Patron’s Enclosure around 2.15pm. Media entrance will be from the Gate 1 (Patron’s Enclosure). Saturday, 18 January: The Pakistan team will play a practice match, which will commence at 1pm, at the Gaddafi Stadium. At 12.40pm, Ahsan Ali will hold a media talk at the Patron’s Enclosure. Media entrance will be from Gate 1. Sunday, 19 January: The Pakistan team will play a practice match, which will commence at 1pm, at the Gaddafi Stadium. Amad Butt will hold a media talk at the Patron’s Enclosure at 12.40 pm. Media entrance will be from Gate 1. Monday, 20 January 2020: The Pakistan team will have a rest day. Tuesday, 21 January: The Pakistan team will play a practice match at the Gaddafi Stadium which will begin at 1pm. Haris Rauf will hold a media talk at the Patron’s Enclosure at 12.40pm. Media entrance will be from Gate 1. Wednesday, 22 January: The Pakistan team will have an optional practice session from 2pm at the Gaddafi Stadium. Shoaib Malik will hold a media talk at the Patron’s Enclosure at 1.30pm. Media entrance will be from Gate 1. Thursday, 23 January: A trophy unveiling ceremony and both captains’ pre-series press conference will take place at the press conference hall of the Far End building, Gaddafi Stadium. The time will be announced closer to the date.

SB News POTCHEFSTROOM (January 17, 2020):-Pakistan Under-19 team hit the ground running a day after arriving in Potchefstroom as the team underwent a strenuous training and practice session at the North West University Sports Village, Potchefstroom on Thursday. The team is on a high after convincing wins in the two warm-up games against Nigeria and Sri Lanka during their five-day stay in Pretoria. They start their ICC U19 Cricket World Cup campaign with a match against Scotland in the NWU Sports Village vicinity on Sunday 19 January. The high altitude of the Potchefstroom venue provides a different challenge to the players and the squad spent nearly three hours in a bid to acclimatise to the conditions. Head coach Ijaz Ahmed gave a detailed account of the team’s preparations as they head into the most prestigious age-group ICC event. Ijaz Ahmed said: “Our priority is to top our group and stay in the city as the team which finishes second would have to travel to Johannesburg. So we want to stay here, get totally familiarised with the conditions and progress to quarter-final and beyond in Potchefstroom. “We played our first warm-up game a day after we arrived in the country. I feel the bowlers were a bit stiff and wayward in that game. In the second match our bowlers Amir Khan, Tahir Hussain, Aamir Ali and Abbas bowled well, support bowlers Fahad and Qasim Akram also delivered and we won the game. “Our first game was against Nigeria and it was a straightforward game for us as we got them out for 109 runs. The batsmen were not challenged much and we called back opener Haider Ali after he had scored a quickfire 50. It was almost a 10-wicket win for us. “Our game against Sri Lanka challenged us but Fahad Munir played really well for us and we also called him back after he reached his 50. Mohammad Haris batted really well also besides Haider’s contribution at the top of the innings. “These players have had a great camp at the NCA and they have been working hard since we have landed in South Africa. Now, the time to deliver has arrived!” Pakistan will train Friday and on Saturday before their game against Scotland. Their second match is against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, 22 January followed by the third and final group match against Bangladesh on Friday, 24 January. All three games will be played in Potchefstroom. Pakistan ICC U19 Cricket World Cup squad: Rohail Nazir (captain and wicketkeeper), Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Amir Ali (Larkana), Amir Khan (Peshawar), Arish Ali Khan (Karachi), Fahad Munir (Lahore),  Haider Ali (vice-captain), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Mohammad Haris (Peshawar), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Irfan Khan (Lahore),  Mohammad Shehzad (Multan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Tahir Hussain (Multan) Team management :– Ijaz Ahmed (head coach-cum-manager), Rao Iftikhar Anjum (bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (trainer), Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rasul (physiotherapist), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Emmad Ahmed Hameed (media manager) and Col (retd) Usman Riffat Anwari (security manager).

SB News LAHORE (January 17, 2020):-Bismah Maroof scored an unbeaten 53 to lead PCB Challengers to a six-wicket win over PCB Blasters in the final of the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship at Karachi’s National Stadium on Thursday. In the match, played under lights and live-streamed on the PCB’s YouTube channel, PCB Challengers chased down a 129-run target in 18.5 overs. Bismah, who smashed five fours in her 46-ball innings, knitted a 61-run stand for the third-wicket with all-rounder Nida Dar (30 off 24) which formed the basis for her side lifting the trophy. Challengers’ run-chase got off to a shaky start as in-form batter Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar were dismissed for 10 and 11.  However, a strong third-wicket partnership between Bismah and Nida denied any further inroads to the Blasters’ bowlers. Blasters’ captain Ramin Shamim took two wickets for 24 runs in 3.5 overs, while Anam Amin, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with seven wickets in five matches, and Natalia Pervaiz picked up a wicket each. Earlier, Blasters had managed 128 for seven in 20 overs after Ramin won the toss and opted to bat. Javeria Khan, opening with Ayesha Naseem (11), provided a solid start by scoring 43 off 35 at the back of five fours and two sixes. Wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz was the other notable batter in the innings with 20 off 16 balls. Blasters’ opening pair added 51 runs before the partnership was broken by left-arm off-spinner Sadia Iqbal. For Challengers, Saba Nazir took two wickets for 22 runs, while Aroob Shah, Sadia, Fatima Sana and Aimen Anwar picked up a wicket each. For her match-winning knock, Bismah was named player of the final. Muneeba was declared player of the tournament. The opener was the highest run-getter with 292 runs at a staggering average of 58.40. The 22-year-old scored a century in three half-centuries in five innings. Scores in brief: PCB Blasters 128-7, 20 overs (Javeria Khan 43, Sidra Nawaz 20; Saba Nazir 2-22) PCB Challengers 130-4, 18.5 overs (Bismah Maroof 53 not out, Nida Dar 30; Ramin Shamim 2-24) Result PCB Challengers won by six wickets

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 16, 2020):-A total number of 36 matches were played on the 3rd day in all the categories of the ongoing the 5th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Tournament-2020at the PTF Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. In a major upset, promising unseeded junior Mohammad Shoaib upset 3rd seed Shahzad Khan 6-4, 6-4.In an exciting, closely fought match. Unseeded Barkatullah upset 7th seeded Ahmed Choudhary in a hard fought 3 set match 6-4,4-6,6-1.In the women’s singles, Mahin Aftab comfortably brushed aside Meheq Khokhar 6-1,6-1. Results: Men’s Singles Matches: (2nd Round) Mudassir  Murtaza beat Nalian Abbas: 6-0,6-1, Yousaf Khalil beat Shahid Afrid: 6-2,6-2, Muzammil Murtaza beat Imran Bhatti: 6-2,6-2, Aqeel Khan beat Ejaz Khan: 6-4,6-4,M.Abid beat Ahmed Baber:6-4,6-4, Heera Asique beat Mian Bilal: 6-2,5-7,6-1,M. Shoaib beat Shahzad Khan: 6-4,6-4, Barkat ullah beat Ahmed Chudhary: 6-4,4-6,6-1 Men’s Doubles: Mian Bilal, Imran Bhatti beat Ibrahim Omer, Ahmed Kamil: 6-2,7-5, Heera Ashique , Yousaf Khalil beat Shahzad Khan Usman Ejaz: 6-2,6-4,Abbas Khan, Shakir Ullah w/o Shaheen Mehmood, Shahid Afridi Ladies Single (1st Round) Mahin Aftab beat Krisztina Jekel: 6-0,6-0,Noor Malik beat Sheeza Sajid: 6-0,6-0, Meheq Khokhar beat Adila Miron: 6-0,6-0, Mahvish Chistie beat Azeena Aleem: 6-0,6-0, Mariam Mirza beat Sabina Ahmed :6-1,6-1 ,Saher Aleem beat Mahnoor Sohail:6-2,6-0 Ladies Single (Quarter Final) Mahin Aftab beat Meheq Khokhar: 6-1,6-1, Sarah Mahboob beat Saher Aleem:6-0,6-0,Noor Malik beat Mariam Mirza: 6-2,6-0 Boys’ Under-18 (2nd Round): Aqib Hayat beat Sami Zeb: 7-5,6-4, Hasheesh Kumar beat Kashan Umar: 6-1,6-0,M.Shoaib beat Hisam Khan: 6-0,6-4, Subhan Bin Salik beat Jabir Ali:6-0,6-2, Mahatir Mohammad beat Kamran Khan: 6-3,4-6,1-0(Retd), Mohammad Hamza Aasim beat Fayzan Fayyaz: 6-4,6-2, Nalian Abbas beat Faizan Shahid: 6-2,6-1, Boy’s U-14 (1st Round): Ali Zain W/o Hamza Rehmat, Faisal Khalil w/o Umer Masood, Ahtesham Humayun beat Awais Ahmed: 4-1,4-0, Mohammad Hamza Aasim beat Taimoor Khan: 4-1,4-1, Yahya Musa Luni beat Jamal Shah: 4-0,4-0,Shahswar beat Subhan Sahir: 4-0,4-0 Boys’ Under-14 (2nd Round): Bilal Asim beat Eesa Bilal: 4-0,4-0, Hussnain Ali Rizwan beat Faisal Khalil: 4-0,4-1, Shahswar beat Ahmed Nail: 4-0,3-5,4-2,Asad Zaman beat Mustansar Ali: 4-0,4-0,Haider Ali Rizwan beat Inam Qadir: 4-0,4-0,Saim Shahzad w/o Afzal Khan Boy’s/ Girl’s U-12 (1st   Round): Mohammad Haziq Aasim beat Zunaisha Noor: 4-1,5-3,Shahswar Khan beat Soha Ali: 4-0,4-1,Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Mooez Gul: 4-1,4-2, Boy’s/ Girl’s U-12 (2nd    Round): Taimoor Khan beat Hammad Shah: 0-4,5-3,4-0,Ahtesham Hamayun beat Eesa Bilal: 4-0,4-0

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 16, 2020):-Pakistan have named uncapped Ahsan Ali, Amad Butt and Haris Rauf and recalled the experienced duo of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, along with pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, in a 15-player squad for the 24, 25 and 27 January Twenty20 Internationals against Bangladesh at historical Qaddafi Cricket Stadium Lahore. They have replaced seven players who were part of the 16-player squad that lost 2-0 to Australia in November. Players missing out on selection are Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz. Asif, Fakhar, Haris, Amir and Wahab were also members of the squad that lost 3-0 to Sri Lanka at home in October. 26-year-old Ahsan scored 131 runs in five matches at a strike-rate of just under 149 in the National T20 Cup in Faisalabad in October after scoring 178 runs at a strike-rate of over 130 for Quetta Gladiators in the HBL PSL 2019, while 24-year-old Amad scored 80 runs at a strike-rate of 170 and also took 10 wickets at an economy-rate of 7.62 in the Faisalabad event. 26-year-old Haris, who took six wickets in Faisalabad, is the second leading wicket-taker with 16 in Australia’s Big Bash League. Pakistan chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said: “We have lost eight of our last nine T20Is and as the number-one ranked side, this is unacceptable. We need to end our losing cycle and get back to winning habits leading into the upcoming Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup. This has played a critical role in our decision-making. “We tried our alternate combinations in the series against Sri Lanka and Australia, and obviously, these didn’t work the way we had expected. Hafeez and Shoaib bring a total of 200 T20Is between them and if you mix these with the other youngsters we have in the side, then I think it becomes a good blend of experience and youth. “The seven players who have missed out on selection are by no means out of our planning but considering their recent form in international cricket and taking into account other strong performances in our National T20 Cup, we have decided to make these changes. “The high-pressure and quality HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 is starting in four weeks’ time and if they can reclaim their winning form, then they will be back in contention for the upcoming assignments, including the Asia Cup and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. “The matches against Bangladesh are part of our preparation, finding the right combination and building for the two major tournaments. The return of Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Shaheen Afridi gives us the experience and depth, while the exuberance of Ahsan Ali, Amad Butt and Haris Rauf gives the team more firepower, energy and all-round skill. “Furthermore, the three have been rewarded for their performances in the National T20 Cup as we remain committed to give value to our domestic cricket by providing opportunities to high-performing players.” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said: “I am happy with the selected squad and want to thank the selection committee for entertaining my request for Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. I believe they still have plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket in the shortest format and their experience can be critical to our performances in the upcoming series. “Ahsan, Amad and Haris have recently shown promise and talent, and I think it is the right time to throw them at the deep end to check their ability to perform at an international level. I am sure home crowd and conditions will complement their talent and they will be able to justify their selections.” Squad for T20Is: 1.        Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab) 2.       Ahsan Ali (Sindh) 3.       Amad Butt (Balochistan) 4.       Haris Rauf (Northern) 5.       Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 6.       Imad Wasim (Northern) 7.       Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 8.      Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab) 9.       Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh) 10.   Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 11.     Musa Khan (Northern) 12.    Shadab Khan (Northern) 13.    Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern) 14.    Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab) 15.    Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)