By Abdul Jabbar Faisal A best sports administartor of past, Syed Khawar Shah was born on December 7, 1949 at district Jhang (Punjab) Pakistan. He was very keen in sports from his childhood and was one of the best players of football and athletics. Besides this, he was also very interested in traditional local sports of Punjab including Kabaddi and Desi-Kushti. Khawar Shah got his early education from Jhang while he completed his Master's Degree in History in 1976 from Punjab University Lahore. He was also played a vital role in students’ politics and remained the President of Student Union at Government Degree College Jhang. Syed Khawar Shah started his professional career in 1978 as a Tehsil Sports Officer in Punjab Sports Board. He was then elected to the Divisional Sports Officer in 1983. In 1997 he was promoted to Deputy Director Sports. He was appointed as Director Sports Punjab by the Government of Punjab in 2002. In 2003, he was promoted to Director General of Punjab Sports Board and took the charge on October 10, 2004. Later, in 2007 he was designated Managing Director of Punjab Sports Board and retired in December 2009. Syed Khawar Shah served for over 30 years in the Directorate General Sports Punjab. Syed Khawar Shah successfully organized International Cricket Competitions during his employment in Sports Board Punjab: 1. One Day Match PAK vs WIND 1985 Gujranwala 2. One Day Match PAK vs WIND 1986 Gujranwala 3. One Day Match WIND vs ENG 1987 Gujranwala World Cup 4. One Day Match PAK vs IND 1989 Gujranwala 5. One Day Match PAK vs SLK 1991 Gujranwala 6. Test Match PAK vs SLK 1991 Gujranwala 7. One Day Match PAK vs ZMB 1993 Rawalpindi 8. Test Match PAK vs ZMB 1993 Rawalpindi 9. One Day Match PAK vs AUS 1994 Rawalpindi 10. One Day Match PAK vs SAF 1994 Rawalpindi 11. One Day Match PAK vs SLK 1995 Rawalpindi 12. One Day Match PAK vs UAE 1996 Rawalpindi World Cup 13. One Day Match ENG vs SAF 1996 Rawalpindi World Cup 14. One Day Match HOL vs SAF 1996 Rawalpindi World Cup 15. Test Match PAK vs NZL 1996 Rawalpindi He also organized different international sports events: 1. Football Match PAK vs India 2005 Lahore 2. The  7th Asia Baseball Cup 2006 Rawalpindi 3. International Bodybuilding Championship 1989 Gujranwala 4. Hockey Match Holland vs Punjab Under-14 Gujranwala 5. Hockey Match PAK vs BNG Gujranwala 6. Quadi-e-Azam International Wrestling Championship 1986 Gujranwala 7. Ch. Zahoor Elahi International Memorial Kabaddi Tournament 1991 Mandi Bahauddin Syed Khawar Shah successfully conducted Ind-o-Pak Dangal Desi Kushti contests between wrestlers of Pakistan and India in 2008 and 2011 in different cities of Punjab including Bahawalpur, Multan, Gujranwala and Lahore. He also successfully organized national level competitions of various sports including baseball, hockey, badminton, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, kabaddi and racquetball. Syed Khawar Shah also served in various social and sports associations throughout his life: 1. President Student Union Govt. Degree College Jhang 1972 2. Secretary General Pakistan Federation Baseball 1992-2015 3. President Pakistan Federation Baseball 2015-2017 4. Field Director Pony Baseball of Asia 1993-2012 5. Member Development Committee Baseball Federation of Asia 2006 6. Member at Large Baseball Federation of Asia 2005-2012 7. Executive Director West Asia Baseball Federation of Asia 2012-2017 8. Member World Baseball Softball Confederation 1997-2017 9. District Administrator Pakistan Little League Baseball 2009-2016 10. Secretary General SAF Baseball Federation 2011-2017 11. Member Executive Committee Pakistan Olympic Association 2017 In 1992, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to include baseball in the Olympics, then Syed Khawar Shah decided to introduce this sport in Pakistan, the baseball was formally started in Gujranwala because Khawar Shah was then serving as a sports officer in Gujranwala. The first National Baseball Championship was also held same year in which teams from Pakistan WAPDA, Pakistan Railway, Islamabad, Balochistan, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Sindh, Punjab White and Punjab Blue participated. Later teams of Pakistan Police, Pakistan Army and Higher Education Commission (HEC) also joined. Syed Khawar Shah worked hard to make the baseball game popular throughout the country. His hectic efforts made the Pakistan Federation Baseball a member of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and the Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA). The IBAF and the BFA always praised Syed Khawar Shah's efforts for baseball. Syed Khawar Shah also worked tirelessly for the popularity of baseball in the West Asian region. In view of his services, the President of the Baseball Federation of Asia awarded Syed Khawar Shah the Presidential Award in 2011. Lateron, he was also named Executive Director of the West Asian Region Baseball Federation of Asia in 2013. Due to the efforts of Syed Khawar Shah, various baseball teams of Pakistan has participated in international competitions and made the country famous. Pakistan's Under-12 baseball team participated in 2nd IBAF U12 Baseball World Cup 2013 which took place in Taiwan. Pakistan's Women's Baseball Team took part in the Women's Baseball World Cup 2016 in South Korea while the National Baseball Team of Pakistan participated in the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier which was held in New York United Sates of America (USA). 1. 7th Asia Baseball Cup 2006 Rawalpindi Gold 2. 9th Asia Baseball Cup 2009 Islamabad Gold 3. 1st SAF Baseball Cup 2011 Lahore Gold 4. 10th West Asia Baseball Cup 2012 Lahore Gold 5. 11th West Asia Baseball Cup 2013 Lahore Gold 6. 12th West Asia Baseball Cup 2015 Islamabad Gold 7. 13th West Asia Baseball Cup 2017 Islamabad  Silver Syed Khawar Shah worked day and night for the improving the standard of sports in the country. He visited the area most affected by terrorism in Pakistan (FATA) and selected players for baseball team and kept them in the National Baseball Academy (NBA) established in Lahore, where these players were provided with baseball training, accommodation, food and education. These players participated in international competitions abroad for Pakistan and revealed the name of their region (FATA) and country. 1. The 9th Under-12 Asian Baseball Championship 2016 China 2. The 9th Under-15 Asian Baseball Championship 2017 Japan 3. The 10th Under-12 Asian Baseball Championship 2018 Taiwan 4. The 10th Under-15 Asian Baseball Championship 2019 China In the 10th U-15 Asian Baseball Championship played in China in 2019, Zeeshan Amin from Khyber Agency (FATA) received the Best Outfielder and Best Home Run award and raised the name of his region and country in the world. While from Punjab, Syed Mohammad Shah won the Best Hitter Award. Syed Khawar Shah remained associated with sports till his death and worked to illuminate Pakistan's name in the world. His last job was organizing the Ind-o-pak Baseball Series in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) named Dubai Baseball Cup. The series was played in December 2017, in which Pakistan won the gold medal. On his return from Dubai Cup, Khawar Shah traveled to Islamabad for a baseball event at the Quaid-e-Azam Games in December 2017, where he successfully held the baseball competitions, but his tireless work and the cool weather of Islamabad, Syed Khawar Shah got ill. When he was checked up on his return to Lahore, doctors diagnosed the pneumonia and he was admitted to the hospital. Where he transferred to the ventilator but he could not survive and reunited with his creator on January 16, 2018. Syed Khawar Shah died but whenever history of sports would be written in Pakistan, Khawar Shah's name would be inked in golden letters. His services would never be forgotten in sports. May Allah grant Khawar Shah a place in his mercy and shower His blessings on him (Aameen).

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 15, 2020): National Men and Women Netball Championship will start from February 27, 2020, at Hamdi Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad. Pakistan Army will defend their both titles Men and Women in the Championship. According to President, Pakistan Netball Federation PNF), Mudassar Arain, as many as 16 teams from all over the country have been invited for the participation including Pakistan Army,  Pakistan Railway, Pakistan Air force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan WAPDA. Pakistan Police, Higher Education Commission, FATA, LUMS, Gilgit Baltistan. Pakistan Inter Board, AJK, Sindh, KPK, LGS, Balochistan and Islamabad.  The quarterfinals and semifinals will played on February 28 and March 1, respectively  while finals of both categories men and women will be held on February 2. After the finals matches, Trophies, Medals and Certificates will be delivered to the winning teams.

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 15, 2020):-Jacqueline Williams of the West Indies will become the first woman to officiate as the third umpire in a men’s international when she takes the field for the first of three Twenty20 Internationals against the visiting Ireland team. The 43-year-old from Jamaica, who will officiate in the position in all three matches of the series, continues the trend of women officials breaking barriers in the game, having already stood as an on-field umpire in men’s ODIs and T20Is. Last month, India’s G S Lakshmi oversaw the third series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first woman match referee in men’s ODIs. Earlier in May, she became the first woman to be appointed onto the ICC International Panel of Match Referees. In April last year, Australia’s Claire Polosak became the first female umpire to stand in a men’s ODI, in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 match between Namibia and Oman in Windhoek, Namibia. Jacqueline Williams: “This is a matter of huge honour for me and I am really excited at the prospect of of my role as TV umpire in a men’s international match. I have officiated as a third umpire in men’s matches before, but this is for the first time in an international and that too featuring the West Indies. “I am thankful to the International Cricket Council and Cricket West Indies for all the help and support over the years and wish that more women take up umpiring in the coming years. Umpiring is a challenging job but one from which I derive utmost satisfaction.” Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees: “Jacqueline is another of our women officials who has come through the system with hard work and determination. I am confident she will do a good job and I wish her all the best for the upcoming series. “It is heartening to see that women match officials are ready to move up a notch and it only validates our effort to encourage them and assign them important matches.” Williams had become the first woman to officiate as third umpire in an ICC men’s tournament in 2016 when she was assigned the Oman versus Nigeria match at the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in Jersey. Retired umpire Kathy Cross of New Zealand was the first woman official to stand in a men’s ICC tournament during the ICC World Cricket League Division Five and Three held in Malaysia in 201

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 15, 2020):-England all-rounder Ben Stokes has won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year after a fabulous 12 months that saw him play a decisive role in England’s dramatic victory at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 along with a host of other memorable performances. Cummins and Rohit named Test and ODI players of the year, respectively; Labuschagne, Chahar and Coetzer among other award winners. Kohli wins ‘Spirit of Cricket’ award for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 gesture supporting Smith, also named captain of Test and ODI sides Richard Illingworth wins David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year Stokes, who kept his nerve to smash an unbeaten 84 in the final against New Zealand, aggregated 719 runs and bagged 12 wickets in 20 ODIs during the voting period. He also scored 821 runs and took 22 wickets in 11 Tests, the highlight being an unbeaten 135 to win a nail-biting Ashes thriller in Leeds. Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been named the Test Player of the Year and India opener Rohit Sharma the ODI Player of the Year in other major men’s ICC awards announced on Wednesday. India seamer Deepak Chahar won T20I Performance of the Year, Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has been named as Emerging Cricketer of the Year, whilst Scotland’s Kyle Coetzer is the Associate Cricketer of the Year. India captain Virat Kohli, who had swept the Player of the Year, Test Player of the Year and ODI Player of the Year last year, has won the Spirit of Cricket Award. He won the award for his gesture at the World Cup, when he egged the crowd on to support Steve Smith rather than boo him soon after his return to international cricket from a one-year suspension for changing the condition of the ball. Kohli has also been named captain of both the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year. Meanwhile, England umpire Richard Illingworth has become the seventh person to win the David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year. This is the first time that the 56-year-old has won the award named after the late umpire from England. ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney congratulated the winners of the awards this year and wished them all the best for the future. Manu Sawhney: “On behalf of the ICC, I would like to congratulate all of the individual 2019 award winners as well as those players named in the ICC Teams of the Year. “The awards celebrate the world’s best cricketers and this has undoubtedly been an extraordinary year for men’s cricket. The highlight of course was the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 that ended in such dramatic fashion. Ben Stokes was, of course in the midst of all the action during the event from that quite incredible catch at the Oval right through to that epic final at Lord’s and is a very deserving winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.” The 28-year-old Stokes was elated at winning the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy but remembered to credit his team and support staff. Ben Stokes: “It is quite flattering to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. The past 12 months have been incredible for England cricket and to lift the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time was our greatest achievement. “This award is testament to my teammates and the support staff that have been there every step of the way. Fundamentally, without the support of these individuals, we would never achieved our objective of lifting a major trophy. “There is an incredible bond between teammates and to savour our achievements, whether that’s winning the World Cup Final at Lord’s or digging deep to win a Test match against Australia at Headingley. It is satisfying you can accomplish these superb highs together. “The last 12 months have been the best in my career, and I believe what we attained will be the catalyst to achieve further success over the next few years.” Pat Cummins, who grabbed 59 wickets in 12 Test matches during the period and finished the year as the top-ranked bowler in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings, won the award staving off stiff competition including from compatriots Smith and Labuschagne. Pat Cummins: “It’s a tremendous honour to be considered the best player of last year and one which was certainly unexpected. I owe much to my team, team-mates and all those involved in Australian cricket for what was a really successful year for the team. The highlight was certainly being able to retain the Ashes which was a great reward for the hard work that went into that tour.” Rohit Sharma looked forward to carrying his form in the coming year, after an aggregate of 1409 runs from 28 matches with seven hundreds earned him the award for ODIs. Rohit Sharma: “I would like to thank the ICC for giving me this award and the BCCI for giving me the opportunity to represent the country. It is great to be recognised in this fashion. We are very happy with the way we performed as a team in 2019. We could have done better but we have a lot of positives and a lot to look forward to in 2020.” Chahar said his haul of six for seven against Bangladesh in Nagpur, which included a hat-trick, would always be cherished by him. Deepak Chahar: “I am very happy to receive this award. I would like to thank the ICC for this award and to the BCCI for giving me a chance to represent my country. That performance was very special for me. I got an opportunity to play for India after a long time. Taking six wickets conceding only seven runs was a dream performance for me and will always remain close to my heart.” Labuschagne was an easy winner of the Emerging Player award after scoring 1,104 runs in 11 Tests, which saw him zoom in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings from 110 at the start of the year to fourth by the end of the year. Marnus Labuschagne: “It’s been exciting, it has been a great journey and I am very humbled with this award. It has been a great summer but the challenge is when you have a summer like that is to make sure you are backing it up and keep doing it. Being part of such a great team has been amazing, I have been very fortunate to be able to play in what is a great time for Australian cricket.” India captain Virat Kohli was surprised to win the Spirit of Cricket Award and explained his reasons for backing Smith the way he did. Virat Kohli: “I’m surprised that I have got it, after many years of being under the scanner for the wrong things. It is part of camaraderie that sportsmen must have with each other. That moment was purely understanding an individual’s situation. I don’t think a guy who is coming out of a situation like that needs to be taken advantage of. You can sledge, can have have banter on the field, you say things to the opposition in wanting to beat them. But booing someone is not in the spirit of any sport, I don’t endorse it. “Also, that should not be a representation of our fans and what we stand as a cricketing nation, a sporting nation. We need to all take responsibility towards that. Intimidate the opposition, definitely try and have an upper hand but in a matter that is not targeting someone emotionally. That is not acceptable at any level and people should be wary of that.” Coetzer was surprised at winning the award in spite of leading the Associate batsmen in ODIs with 880 runs in 18 matches and also aggregating 702 runs in 22 T20Is. Kyle Coetzer: “It is a huge honour to have won the award. It was a huge shock, I certainly did not expect it, which makes it even more special. A big shout out needs to go to everyone who supported me throughout in 2019 – my family, my friends, all Cricket Scotland supporters who have come out through thick and thin, usually in some poor weather to be honest, everyone in the Cricket Scotland office as well as the backroom staff. A very special mention needs to go out to the players who support me on the field every day.” Illingworth thanked all of those who supported him over the years and was happy to join his predecessors already on the list. Richard Illingworth: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be named umpire of the year. To join the prestigious list of previous recipients of the award is very humbling. “Although umpiring can be seen to be quite individual, there’s a huge amount done as a collective .I’d like to thank all my fellow match officials, the ICC and the ECB offices who have been great sounding boards and inspirations over the years. Also, thank you to my coach Denis Burns who helps me a huge amount and puts a great perspective on tough days. “My family have been a tremendous support over the years and I’m delighted to share this award with them. ICC Men’s Cricket Awards Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Best Cricketer of the Year – Ben Stokes (England) Test Cricketer of the Year – Pat Cummins (Australia) ODI Cricketer of the Year – Rohit Sharma (India) T20I Performance of the Year – Deepak Chahar (India, 6-7 v Bangladesh) Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) Associate Cricketer of the Year – Kyle Coetzer (Scotland) Spirit of Cricket Award – Virat Kohli stopping the fans booing Steve Smith at the Oval David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year – Richard Illingworth ICC Test Team of the Year (in batting order): Mayank Agarwal, Tom Latham, Marnus Labuschagne, Virat Kohli (captain), Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Neil Wagner, Nathan Lyon. ICC ODI Team of the Year (in batting order):  Rohit Sharma, Shai Hope, Virat Kohli (captain), Babar Azam, Kane Williamson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav Both teams and the annual men’s individual awards sides have been selected by a voting academy, which took into consideration player performances throughout the 2019 calendar year. The 2019 voting academy comprised the following members of the media and broadcasters: Javed Hamim, Emal Pasarly (Afghanistan); Peter Lalor, Daniel Brettig, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke (Aus); Mohammad Farid Ahmed, Mohammad Isam, Athar Ali Khan (Ban); Lawrence Booth, Julian Guyer, Nasser Hussain, Isa Guha (Eng); Barry Chambers, Ian Callender, Niall O’Brien (Ire); Neeru Bhatia, Gaurav Gupta, Deep Dasgupta, Sanjay Majrekar (Ind); Andrew Alderson, Mark Geenty, Danny Morrison, Ian Smith (NZ); Abdul Mohi Shah, Mazhar Arshad, Bazid Khan, Ramiz Raja (Pak); Lungani Zama, Neil Manthorp, Shaun Pollock (SA); Rex Clementine, Saroj Pathirana, Russel Arnold (SL); Mehluli Sibanda, Tristan Holme, Mpumelelo Mbangwa (Zim); Vinode Mamchan, Stephon Nicholas, Ian Bishop (WI); Peter Della Penna, Peter Borren, Lisa Sthalekar (Others)

SB News LAHORE (January 15, 2020):-Pace bowling prodigy Mohammad Amir Khan is determined to make a big impression at the coveted ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. The right-armer is the latest in the assembly line of Pakistan teenage fast bowlers following in the footsteps of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Musa Khan and Mohammad Hasnain. The Swat-born can clock the 140kmph mark on the speed gun. His pace and ability impressed the junior selection committee and the Pakistan U19 team management, who chose to induct him in the final squad for the tournament being hosted in South Africa. Amir, who was playing tape-ball cricket on the streets and fields of Swat till only a year ago, burst on the domestic U19 scene this year with a haul of 18 wickets in five three-day matches of the National U19 championship in which he represented Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Featuring in a training camp in September last year at the National Cricket Academy, Amir found himself bowling with the likes of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz who gave him useful tips. After resting from Pakistan’s opening warm-up game against Nigeria, Amir bowled his full quota of 10 overs at the Irene Country Club in Pretoria taking two wickets in his second spell as Pakistan cruised to a four wicket win against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Amir Khan said: “I didn’t get any wicket in my first spell as I struggled a bit for control and direction. I am pleased with my performance in the second spell in which I took two wickets and also effectively used the slower delivery. “My aim is to perform in every World Cup game and play a role in my team’s success. My pace is natural and I have worked hard on improving my run-up with the coaches. Our bowling coach Rao Iftikhar has worked with me and I have the support of the whole coaching staff. “Attending a camp with senior players always helps. When I was at the NCA, I bowled with Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir. Both gave me useful tips which gave me a lot of confidence and heart. They told me to maintain my line and length and learn the slower ball.” Amir, who first started playing cricket after watching the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 on TV, took a keen interest in tape-ball cricket where he made a name for his fast bowling before his rapid rise at the national junior level last year after he switched to the cricket ball. The youngster wants to bowl quick like Shoaib Akhtar and admires the skills of England’s James Anderson. The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup provides him the perfect platform of further raising his prospects of a national senior team call-up. Pakistan now travel to Potchefstroom today (Wednesday) after a five-day stay in Pretoria, where they won both warm-up games. Pakistan who are placed in Group C, play Scotland in their opening ICC U19 Cricket World Cup match on Sunday, 19 January. 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)

SB News LAHORE (January 15, 2020):-Misbah-ul-Haq, head coach and chief selector of the national men’s cricket team, captain Babar Azam and coordinator – selection committee, Nadeem Khan, held a preliminary meeting on Wednesday (today) at the Gaddafi Stadium to discuss the side for the three T20Is against Bangladesh to be played here on 24, 25 and 27 January. The discussion process will continue on Thursday (16 January) when they will involve the six selectors, following which Misbah and Babar will announce the side at 2.30pm in the media conference room at Far End, Gaddafi Stadium.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 15, 2020):-Pakistan Intermediate Secondary Education Board Peshawar clinched the title of Pakistan Inter Board Sports Gala 2020 that concluded on Wednesday at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad. On the concluding day, Faisalabad defeated Lahore in the hockey final 4-3 at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium. After first three quarters the match was leveled 1-1, however, both teams played an open hockey in last quarter and Faisalabad finished at 4-3. Peshawar Board got third position. Kabir Khan, Mohammad Habib, Abduk Qayyum and Mudassar Ahmed scored each one goal each for Faisalabad while Emad Khan scored two goals from Lahore. Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Fahmida Mirza graced the closing ceremony as chief guest. Director General Pakistan Sports Board Amina Imran Khan, Aga Amjadullah Khan Deputy Director Facilities Mohammad Ramzan Jamali Coordinator and Ghulam Shabbir Chana were also present on this occasion.

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 15, 2020):-All the top players advanced into the second round of the 5th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Tournament-2020 by winning their matches at PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad on Wednesday. However, a high standard of tennis was witnessed during some of the matches. SEVP Khawar Hyat Khan was present during the day’s matches and appreciated the hard work of the players. The 2nd round matches will start from Thursday, 16th January, at 9:30 am,   Results (Men’s Singles Round-I) Yousaf Khalil beat Kamran Khan: 6-1, 6-2 Nalain Abbas beat Ayaz Khan: 7-5,5-7,6-3 Mohammad Shoaib beat Faizan Fayyaz : 6-2,6-2 Ejaz Khan beat Shaheen Mehood: 6-2,6-1 Shahid Afridi beat Ibrahim Omer: 6-4,5-7,6-4 Shahzad Khan beat Ahmed Kamil: 7-5,6-3 Mudassir Murtaza beat Shakir Ullah: 6-0,6-0 Ahmed Baber beat Jibran ul Haq: 6-3,6-2 Heera Ashiq beat Saqib Hayat: 6-3, 6-2 Muzammil Murtaza beat Hamid ul Haq: 6-2,6-4 Imran Bhatti beat Ahmad Asjad: 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 Ahmed Chudhary beat Mubarak Shah : 6-0,6-0 Barkatullah beat Abbas khan: 6-2,6-2 Mian Bilal beat Israr gul: 6-2, 7-6(4) Mohammad Abid beat Waqas Malik: 6-0,6-3 Aqeel Khan beat Asad ullah: 6-3,6-2 Boys’ Under-18 Round-I Jabir Ali beat Yahya Musa Luni: 6-2, 6-1 Fayzan Fayaz beat Ahmed Nail:6-3,7-5 Hasheesh Kumar beat Bilal Asim 7-6 (4), 6-4 Hamid Israr beat Uzair Khan: 6-4,7-5 Zalan Khan beat Faisal Khalil:6-0,6-1 Kamran Khan beat Mohammad Abdullah : 4-6,6-4,6-4 Hasam Khan beat Hasan Ali: 6-4,6-3 Nalian Abbas beat Farman Shakeel: 6-4,5-7,6-1 Hamza Asim beat Azan Sajid: 6-0,6-0 Kashan Umer beat Zain Chudhary: 6-1,6-2

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 15, 2020):-Ace Pakistani batsman Babar Azam has been named in the International Cricket Council (ICC) One Day International (ODI) Team of the Year for the second time in his career after previously finding his place in 2017. The ICC announced its ODI team of the year on Wednesday, which also included (in batting order) Rohit Sharma (India), Shai Hope (West Indies), Virat Kohli (India, captain), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Ben Stokes (England), Jos Buttler (England, wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc (Australia), Trent Boult (New Zealand), Mohammed Shami (India) and Kuldeep Yadav (India). In the 2019 calendar year, Babar scored 1,092 runs in 20 ODIs at an impressive average of 60.66. He also scored three centuries and six half centuries. His centuries came against England at Trent Bridge (115), New Zealand at Edgbaston (101 not out) during ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and Sri Lanka at National Stadium (115). In 2019, Babar featured in his first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and made the Pakistan record for the highest score in an edition by recording 474 runs. He currently sits on the third spot in the ICC ODI Player Rankings. Since the inception of the ICC awards in 2004, Babar Azam is the eighth Pakistan player to feature in the ICC ODI Team of the Year. Other Pakistan players to find their places in the teams of the year include Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rana Naved Ul Hasan (both 2005), Umar Gul (2009 and 2011), Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal (both 2012), Saeed Ajmal (2013), Mohammad Hafeez (2014), Babar Azam and Hasan Ali (2017). Reacting to the news, Babar Azam said: “I am thankful to the ICC and its jury for recognising my achievements with the bat in 2019 and considering me worthy of a place in the side that includes some of my favourite cricketers who entertained the fans throughout the year with their outstanding performances. “However, I will reserve my biggest gratitude to my team-mates and fans as without their support this would not have been possible. We played and performed as one team, with the fans always behind us despite our up and down performances. “These acknowledgements serve as additional incentives to cricketers to perform even better and continue to play their important part in further globalising this great sport. “2020 has started well for Pakistan cricket and we as a team look forward to building on it so that at the end of the year, there are more of us when the ICC announces the next set of winners same time next year. “I also want to congratulate Nida Dar, who was named in the ICC T20I Women’s Team of 2019. She has been one of the top women’s cricket performers and someone who is looked upon by the younger generation of women cricketers. “Women’s cricket in Pakistan is on a rise and Nida, along with others, is making significant contribution, which will be their legacy when they will decide to call it a day on their professional careers.” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan congratulated Babar and Nida. “On behalf of the PCB, I want to congratulate both Babar Azam and Nida Dar for making Pakistan proud. “They are our assets and role models, and I hope their achievements will inspire the future generation of cricketers to not only take up this sport but also represent the country with honour, respect and distinction. What they have shown is that with a focus, clear goals and a dedication to improve, everything is possible. “Our Under-19 team is in South Africa, preparing for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. I am sure they will take a lot of heart from Babar’s achievement considering that he too graduated from this tournament to become one of the finest of his era.” Babar played in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cups 2010 and 2012 where Pakistan finished runners-up and eighth, respectively.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 14, 2020):-The Chairman and Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday reached consensus with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on the upcoming series, which will be part of the Future Tours Programme. The process was facilitated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Shashank Manohar in Dubai afternoon on Tuesday. According to PCB media department, Now, Bangladesh will play three T20Is in Lahore from 24-27 January. They will return to Pakistan for the first ICC World Test Championship fixture, to be held from 7-11 February in Rawalpindi. Post the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, which concludes in Lahore on 22 March, Bangladesh will visit Pakistan again and will play an ODI in Karachi on 3 April and the second ICC World Test Championship fixture from 5-9 April. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said: “I am pleased that we have amicably achieved a resolution that is in the best interest of this great sport as well as both the proud cricket playing countries. I also want to thank ICC Chairman Shaskank Manohar for the leadership he provided and ensured the sport continues to grow and thrive in the two countries.” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan, who also attended Tuesday’s meeting at the ICC headquarters, said: “It is a win-win outcome for both the boards. I am glad that the uncertainty around the series is now over and we can start planning for the smooth delivery of the matches. Bangladesh will visit Pakistan thrice, which should give them the comfort that Pakistan is as safe and secure as any other cricket playing country. “The split series across three venues will also provide opportunities to fans and followers to watch live their favourite players in action and support good cricket from either side.” Tour schedule: 24 Jan – 1st T20I, Lahore 25 Jan – 2nd T20I, Lahore 27 Jan – 3rd T20I, Lahore 7-11 Feb – 1st Test, Rawalpindi 3 Apr – One-off ODI, Karachi 5-9 Apr – 2nd Test, Karachi