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Gladiators v Zalmi - A rivalry ready to light up HBL PSL 2020
SB News
LAHORE (February 15, 2020);-Since its advent the HBL Pakistan Super League has brought forward some riveting on-field rivalries and contests between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi have kept the fans at the edge of their seats.
Gladiators and Zalmi are the two most successful teams in the history of HBL PSL with success percentages of 61.90 and 58.69, respectively, and both the teams have bagged an HBL PSL title once.
After two nail-biting play-offs between them, they faced-off in the 2017 edition’s final, which was played at Pakistan’s home of cricket, Qaddafi Stadium, and was the first HBL PSL match on the Pakistan soil. Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Darren Sammy, were the comfortable winners in that match by 58 runs.
Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Gladiators avenged the defeat last year as they secured an eight-wicket win over Zalmi in front of a rousing Karachi crowd at the National Stadium.
Both Gladiators and Zalmi have played three finals each and there has been no HBL PSL final in which either of the sides hasn’t featured.
Because of their brilliant record and star-power in the ranks, both teams enjoy massive fan following stretching across Pakistan and the two group-stage contests between them on 22 February in Karachi and 5 March in Rawalpindi are expected to fill the stadiums to their capacity.
Past results (matches 14; Gladiators have won eight; Zalmi have won five; one ended in no-result):
The two teams have produced some of the most epic battles in the play-off stages over the course of the four seasons.
The rivalry between these two sides kicked-off when they met in the first-ever Qualifier of the HBL PSL – in 2016 – when Gladiators beat Zalmi by one run to secure a berth in the final. Entering that contest the two sides had honours even as both had come out victorious once in the two group matches.
They met again in the 2017 edition’s Qualifier with the result eerily the same – Gladiators’ victory by one run.
Zalmi, three days later, got better of Karachi Kings in the second Eliminator to secure a berth in the final and subsequently secured their first-ever HBL PSL title by beating Gladiators.
The next season, they faced off in an Eliminator after Zalmi and Gladiators finished at third and fourth spots respectively. The margin of the result was the same – one run – as in the previous two editions’ Qualifiers, but this time Zalmi were at the winning end.
Similar to the 2017 edition, the two teams met four times in the 2019 edition. Gladiators secured a 10-run win in the Qualifier and four days later they beat Zalmi, this time by eight wickets, to secure their maiden HBL PSL title.
Major players in the two squads for the HBL PSL 2020 season:
With an aim to add another HBL PSL trophy in their cabinet, the two sides have assembled strong squads.
Peshawar Zalmi boast best performers of the HBL PSL in their side in the likes of Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz who have the most runs (1,286 in 47 matches) and the most wickets (65 in 45 matches) respectively. Zalmi’s batting unit is enhanced by the inclusion of Shoaib Malik - who has 2,309 runs in T20I cricket, the most for Pakistan – and Tom Banton, who on the back of prolific white-ball form made ODI and T20I debuts for England recently.
Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Imam-ul-Haq, who finished as the fifth-highest run-getter in the last edition with 341 runs including four half-centuries, form the core of Zalmi’s batting unit.
In the supplementary category Zalmi have included the exciting young opening batsman Haider Ali who represented Pakistan U19 in the recently concluded ICC U19 Cricket World Cup played in South Africa.
The bowling unit will be spearheaded by Wahab. Hasan Ali, who will make return to competitive cricket after recovering from injury, and left-armer Rahat Ali will further add depth to the pace-bowling.
Mohammad Mohsin is an exciting inclusion in the Zalmi line-up. The 26-year-old leggie took nine wickets at an average of 19.44 in the National T20 Cup in Faisalabad in October last year.
They also have in their ranks two exciting teenage bowlers, left-arm-spinner Aamir Ali and fast-bowler Amir Khan, both featured in Pakistan’s U19 World Cup side that finished third in South Africa.
Gladiators also have an equally exciting line-up with Shane Watson, who was the player-of-the-tournament in 2019, expected to deliver goods once again.
Jason Roy, one of the most successful white-ball top-order batsmen in international cricket, Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed form the batting core.
In the bowling department all eyes will be on Naseem Shah, who will make his maiden HBL PSL appearance, and Mohammad Hasnain, who delivered the fastest ball of the previous edition and took three wickets for 30 runs in the final at Karachi’s National Stadium last year.
The two youngsters will have the support of left-arm quick Tymal Mills, while the spin-attack will be led by Mohammad Nawaz and Fawad Ahmed.
They also have an U19 rookie in their ranks. Karachi-born Aarish Ali Khan also represented Pakistan U19 in South Africa. He has the pedigree to make an impression as an emerging force this season.
With the HBL PSL being held in Pakistan for the first time, the excitement is at its peak and it continues to grow with every passing day. When these two sides come face-to-face, the fans are expected to be served with thrilling matches.
And, if history is any measure, they will be in the play-offs, with the matches expected to shatter nerves again especially if they are decided on the last ball.
Squads:
Peshawar Zalmi:
Platinum – Hasan Ali, Kieron Pollard (from 7 March) and Wahab Riaz
Diamond – Kamran Akmal, Tom Banton, Shoaib Malik and Carlos Brathwaite (till 7 March)
Gold – Darren Sammy, Imam-ul-Haq and Liam Dawson
Silver – Umar Amin, Mohammad Mohsin, Rahat Ali, Lewis Gregory and Adil Amin
Emerging – Amir Khan and Amir Ali
Supplementary – Liam Livingstone and Haider Ali
uetta Gladiators:
Platinum – Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain) and Jason Roy
Diamond – Shane Watson, Ahmed Shehzad and Ben Cutting
Gold – Umar Akmal, Mohammad Hasnain and Fawad Ahmed
Silver – Ahsan Ali, Naseem Shah, Sohail Khan, Tymal Mills, Abdul Nasir
Emerging – Arish Ali Khan and Azam Khan
Supplementary – Keemo Paul (from 7 March), Khurram Manzoor and Zahid Mehmood (till 7 March)
Federal Cup Tennis Championships: Sarah Mehboob lifts title
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (February 14, 2020):-Sarah Mehboob quashed Sara Mansoor 2-0 in the final of 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championship 2020 at Syed Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad on Friday. Both top national girls were looking tired after a hectic tour of New Zealand. Final score-line was 7-6 and 6-3.
Sarah Mahboob built up the winning lead 2-0 by breaking 2nd game of Sara Mansoor. Sara leveled the score 2-2all by breaking third game of Sarah Maboob and the score went up to 6-6 all as both the players hold their respective services. There was tough fight seen in the tie break as score went up to 5 points all; at this stage Sara Mansoor hit the ball out and then hit the ball into the net.
Sarah Mahboob was in fine touch in the second set and did not allow her opponent to settle down with her powerful forehand shorts and won the second set and tile at 6-3. She got the winner prize of Rs.30,000 whereas Sara Mansoor pocketed Rs.18,000 Sarah and Sara Mansoor also winner of the Ladies Doubles title.
Tariq Mehmood Murtaza, President Islamabad Tennis Association and Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed the prizes among the winner and runner-up. Khawar Hyat Khan, SEVP PTF, Lt. Col. Gul Rehman, Secretary PTF, Hameed-ul-Haq and foreign players of ITF Juniors witness the Ladies Final match.
SPORTS NEWS - National 13 Feb, 2020
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (February 13, 2020):-Pakistan Council for Traditional Sports and Games (PCTSG) in its General Body meeting held at Islamabad Club decided to revive the Traditional Sports and Games in Pakistan. Khalil Ahmed Khan, the President of International Council for Traditional Sports and Games, chaired this meeting, which was attended by Senator Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif. Also, all stakeholders from federal, provincial governments, traditional sports associations and organizations also attending this meeting.
The chair briefed about UNESCO’s initiative for revival of traditional sports and games its importance for Pakistan. He expressed concern over our fading trend of traditional sports in the country and stressed the need to build synergies among the stakeholders to harmonize diversity of cultures of the country, empowering youth and women through revival of TSG. He said that creating awareness, holding national and international events, documentations and research would be the priority of the Council.
Senator Mohammad Ali Saif said that engagement of youth in rural and urban diversity of traditional sports in different provinces and regions of the country could lead to national cohesion. He assured his support for revival of TSG in the country for national cohesion and projecting soft image of the country.
The representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO, KPK Sports Board, Islamabad Capital Territory and other stakeholders appreciated the efforts of UNESCO for revival of TSG at international national. They also shared their views about revival of TSG and showed their willingness to support this very important neglected aspect of the society. The Council also approved the holding of International Traditional and Sports Festival at Gawadar. Also, stressed the need to create awareness about TSG, its documentation and holding of events.
The Statutes of the PCTSG was approved unanimously by the house. The Executive Board of the following members has been elected. Shafiqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Education and Training has been nominated to hold the office of President. Senator Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Senior Vice President, Azam Efandi Brig. ( R ), Hussain Ahmed Madni, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Malik Mehrban Ali, Syed Khalid Hussain, Mohammad Shahid Islam, Sajida Nasreen, Mian Salman Islam, Mohammad Tariq Abbasi, Syed Ghayur Hussain are elected Vice Presidents. Barrister Iftikhar Raza Khan, Barrister Iftikhar Raza Khan, Secretary General, Abu Zafar Sadiq, Associate Secretary, Haider Ali Daud, Press Secretary, Kazim Ali Chagezi, Finance Secretary, Mohammad Raza Khan Advocate, Mohammad Ali Bukhari, Advocate, Nisar Ahmed Shahwani, Col Rtd. Rizwan Ahmed, Dr. Nauman Saeed, Tariq Ali, Furqan Ahmed Khan, Umar Habib, Mohammad Umar, Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, Shakil Yousuf, Khalil Jabran, Wasim Abbas have been elected as Executive Members.
New faces give us fresh approach for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Chamara Atapattu
The Sri Lanka captain is excited at the prospects of the young players in the squad and is hoping the matches ahead of the tournament will help her team perform better than in preceding tournaments
A tournament like this always brings so much excitement, for the players and the supporters, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what these players can do.
With five players over 30, there is also lots of experience in this team to allow the younger players to learn and show what they are capable of on the cricket field.
The mixture of senior girls and up-and-coming juniors is something we’re really keen to look out for, so all in all we’re pretty happy with the team we are taking to Australia.
As a country, we’ve always expressed the notion that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, and that’s no different in this squad.
We like to give players opportunities and at 21, Harshitha Madavi has shown she is capable of stepping up as a leader. She has impressed with the bat and in the field, and I’m excited to see what she brings to the team as vice-captain in this World Cup.
A lot of this group is new but we won’t be short of experience together. We will have played 24 practice games before our first game of the tournament, so we are a team that is well-prepared.
We’ve also had some recent experience in Australia as part of the ICC ODI Championship and we also played three-match T20I series, so we’re making sure our preparation is correct.
That was a very good dress rehearsal for us – most of the players that will feature in the World Cup were on tour there, so we got used to playing in those conditions.
We’ll be having a camp in Melbourne before we get going with the warm-up matches, we’ll be training and playing some matches out there which should be a really important part of preparation.
As for the group, we know we have some difficult teams that we will be coming up against, but we are confident in our abilities and know that victories are achievable.
First up, we are up against New Zealand and Australia, both games in Perth, which we know will be tough tests against teams that are well suited to the conditions.
But these challenges are what we have been working for, we have been getting ourselves used to the pitches that we are going to be playing on to help us be as prepared as possible for the matches.
Because we’ve done that, if we are able to play to our full capabilities then we can certainly put in some strong challenges to those teams.
We’ll then be heading back across to Melbourne to face India and Bangladesh, two teams we know quite well, so we’re looking forward to all of the matches we have.
We know that those two teams will be difficult but we are confident in what we do, we are playing on neutral pitches and I believe that will be the key to a good game of cricket.
The first aim for us is making the semi-finals, getting in the top two in the group will get us there and we’re confident and happy with the preparations we’ve had to help get us there.
We’ve never been beyond the first round and that’s a record we’re desperate to put right, especially having played in each of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cups so far.
We have shown in previous tournaments – such as beating India in 2014 and South Africa in 2016 – that we are capable of putting in these big performances. For us now, the challenge is putting together multiple big games in the same tournament.
ICC announces Match Officials for all league matches
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD (February 13, 2020):-The International Cricket Council announced the match officials for the league phase of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, with three match referees and 12 umpires set to take the reins for the 23-match tournament.
Umpires Sue Redfern, Claire Polosak and Langton Rusere form part of the 14-member officiating team. A record six women match officials among 15 named for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia
The complete league phase appointments can be found in the Resources section of our Online Media Zone
The list of match officials includes a record six women. GS Lakshmi is set to become the first woman match referee at a global ICC event, with Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Claire Polosak, Sue Redfern and Jacqueline Williams the women umpires named for the eight-team competition.
Williams will stand along with Shaun George in the high-profile tournament opener between Australia and India on 21 February, soon after becoming the first woman to officiate as a third umpire in a men's international cricket match, while other women officials too will be looking to build on recent achievements.
Polosak, who became the first female umpire to officiate in a men’s ODI last year, will pair with Nitin Menon in the match between former champions West Indies and first-timers Thailand on 22 February, a fixture that will also see match referee Lakshmi officiate two months since becoming the first female match referee in a men’s ODI.
Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager, Umpires and Referees: “This is the largest compliment of women match officials at a single event, and the progress we have made is heartening. We have endeavoured to provide opportunities to women officials based on merit, and it is because of their skillset and hard work that they have graduated to the top level.
“We appoint the best match officials for an event and are pleased we have the right mix. I wish all match officials at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup the very best and am confident we will have smooth adjudication of the matches.”
Emirates ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Chris Broad will be the senior most match official at the event with Steve Bernard also a match referee. The other umpires at the tournament will be Gregory Brathwaite, Chris Brown, Ahsan Raza, Langton Rusere and Alex Wharf.
The appointments for the semi-finals will be announced at the end of the league stage and those for the final will be finalised after the semi-finals.
Match Officials at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020
Match Referees: Steve Bernard, Chris Broad, GS Lakshmi
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Gregory Brathwaite, Chris Brown, Kim Cotton, Shaun George, Nitin Menon, Claire Polosak, Ahsan Raza, Sue Redfern, Langton Rusere, Alex Wharf, Jacqueline Williams
PCB partners with SNTV for HBL PSL 2020
Salman Khan
LAHORE (February 13, 2020):-In a major boost to the coverage of HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, the Pakistan Cricket Board and Sports News Television (SNTV) reached an agreement which will provide news broadcasters around the world access to match highlights of Pakistan’s flagship tournament.
Along with news highlights from all 34 matches, which will be played from 20 February to 22 March, SNTV’s network of global media organisations will also have access to coverage of all press conferences.
Founded in 1996, SNTV is a world class sports video partner relied upon by over 1,200 media organisations to fulfil their content needs 24 hours a day, with 115+ territories reached worldwide.
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “The PCB is delighted to be partnering with a prestigious global sports news video agency like SNTV for the HBL Pakistan Super League. Through SNTV’s subscribers, the PCB hopes to reach out to millions of viewers and followers of Pakistan cricket across the globe.
“With 36 foreign cricketers involved in the six-team 32-day competition, broadcasters in their territories will be able to highlight their players’ performances, which, in turn, will also showcase the passion and love for cricket in Pakistan. This is critical for our objectives to boost the image and profile of Pakistan, and attract more foreign teams, tourists and foreign investment in the country.
“The powerful HBL Pakistan Super League brand will also help SNTV to generate and distribute more quality content to its subscribers and strengthen its global cricket output.”
SNTV Managing Director James Dobbs said: “We are pleased to be able to partner with the PCB and offer increased reach and exposure of this year’s HBL Pakistan Super League via our unique distribution network.
“SNTV already offers extensive international cricket coverage and adding to this, both highlights and news from the HBL PSL, will provide our broadcast partners even greater coverage.”
About SNTV:
For rights-holders and brands who want to connect with sports fans worldwide, SNTV is the dedicated sports video partner that expertly creates and delivers quality sports video content that matters. Our partnership of The Associated Press and IMG ensures our cameras and crews can be in place anywhere in the world, putting our global network of media partners inside every story, delivering more firsts and more exclusives than any other sports video agency. https://www.sntv.com
Blind Cricket: Sindh and KPK wins their matches
SB News
KARACHI (February 13, 2020):-Sindh and Khyber Pakhtoon Kawa (KPK) have won their match in the Blind Cricket Super League One Day Tournament at two different venues of Karachi City.
Islamabad Vs KPK: (Venue: Rashid Latif Cricket Academy, Karachi)
Islamabad won the toss and decided to bat first. Riding on the tons of Mohammad Safdar 112 off 61 balls featuring 13 (4’s) and 1 six and Mohammad Rashid’s 103 off 56 balls with the help of 17 boundaries, Islamabad made mammoth 440 for 7 runs. Anees Javed also played exceptionally well for his 95 runs off 60 balls, missed his century just by mere 5 runs. For KPK Riasat Khan took 2 wickets while Matiullah, Abdul Rasheed, Mohammad Akram and Mohammad Ali claimed a wicket a piece.
The target of 441 runs, apparently an unsurmountable task, made easy by the veterans Mohammad Akram and Tahir Ali. Mohammad Akram played another gem of an innings, he got out after scoring 211 runs off 93 balls featuring 37 boundaries. Tahir Ali kept his head cool after the departure of Mohammad Akam and took his team home with unbeaten 78 runs.
KPK chased the target in 37.4 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Ahtesham, Safdar, Idrees and Kamran shared a wicket each.
Result: KPK won by 4 wickets Man of the Match: Mohammad Akram
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Balochistan Vs Sindh (Venue: PAF Faisal Airbase Ground)
Event’s 8th match was played between Balochistan and Sindh. Sindh outplayed rocking Balochistan by 78 runs. Sindh batted first after winning toss and made huge total of 428 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 40 overs.
Sanauallah played an incredible knock of unbeaten 235 runs off 132 balls, he hit 29 boundaries and 3 big sixes. Two double centuries were scored today, each in both matches. Sanauallah became the first to score double ton in this event. For Sindh the 2nd highest scorer was Shahzaib Hyder, he made 52 runs not out. Sajid Nawaz was the only successful bowler for Balochistan, he took 2 wickets.
Balochitsan in reply lost early wickets, Akmal Hayyat, Badar Munir and Sajid Nawaz fell cheaply. Shahzaib Hayder with deadly bowling ran through the batting order of Balochistan, he took 4 wickets. Balochistan was in deep trouble as half of their side was sent back to pavilion at the score of 73 runs.
Thereafter, Mohammad Usman and Mohammad Arsalan rescued the sinking ship and together knitted 233 runs partnership for 6th wicket, but wasn’t enough to reach the uphill target. Mohammad Usman made 129 runs off 81 balls and Mohammad Arsalan scored unbeaten 89 runs.
Balochistan made 350 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 40 overs.
Result: Sindh won by 78 runs Man of the Match: Sanaullah
Kabaddi World Cup: Pakistan trounce Australia by 62-25
Salman Khan
LAHORE (February 13, 2020):-As expected Pakistan outplayed comparatively inexperienced Australian kabaddi team by 62-25 in a Pool ‘B’ match and booked a place in the semifinal on the 5th day of Kabaddi World Cup 2020 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Thursday. In Pool ‘A’, India grabbed the top spot by defeating Iran by 50-39 and confirmed their place in the last 4 stage of Kabaddi World Cup. Iran and Australia are the other two teams who reached the semifinals from Pool A and B respectively.
Pakistan chose to raid first after winning the toss against Australia. Pakistan raiders skipper Irfan Mana, Lala Obaidullah, KaleemullahJatt, Bilal Mohsin Dhillon were in best form and scored valuable points against Australia. On the other hand, Pakistan stoppers Musharraf Janjua, Shani Basra and Zafar Iqbal and their teammates exhibited similar form during the comfortable victory of their team.
Pakistan captain Irfan Mana and Bilal Mohsin Dhillon shared the award of best raider whereas Shani Basra was named as top stopper of Kabaddi World Cup match against Australia. Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Sports Malik Umer Farooq and Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, President Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Ch Shafay Hussain distributed prizes among the top performers.
Secretary PKF Rana Sarwar, Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad Muhammad Ali and CPO Muhammad Sohail Ch were also present on this occasion. The fifth day action was witnessed by a large number of kabaddi lovers.
Earlier, after winning the toss, defending champions India maintained their supremacy against strong Iran team winning a tense clash by 50-39. Players from both the sides exhibited top class kabaddi during the tough contest. In the first half, Iranian players managed to carry their points parallel to India at 26-23, however, India widened the points gap in the second half and ultimately won the mach by 50-39.
India’s Deepak Kashi, Navjot Singh Jota, Vinay Khatri and ArshJhola remained prominent performers for the victorious team while MesalQamri, Mustafa Saadqi and Ameer Muhammadi accumulated valuable points for their team. India’s Vinay Khatri and ArshJhola were adjudged best raider and stopper respectively against Iran.
It is pertinent to mention here that players of both the teams competed without shirts in the second half following a controversy. The jury ordered the players to play match without shirts on the request of Iranian players.
Though Sierra Leone won the toss against Germany but they lost their match badly by 43-14. Strong German team dominated their opponents in both raiding and stopping departments throughout the match. Germany’s Manpreet Singh and Kuldeep Singh were the best raider and best stopper of this one-sided match. Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Sports Malik Umer Farooq and DG Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh distributed prizes among best players of the matches.
Schedule of Feb 14 matches:
Two more Kabaddi World Cup matches will be played at Zahoor Elahi Stadium in Gujrat on Feb 14, 2020. Pakistan will face Azerbaijan in the first match at 2.30pm while the second match will be played between India and England at 3.45pm on the 6th day activity of grand kabaddi event.
Kabaddi World Cup points table
Pool A
Teams P W L Pts
India 3 3 - 6
Iran 4 3 1 6
Germany 4 2 2 4
England 3 1 2 2
Sierra Leone 4 - 4 0
Pool B
Pakistan 2 2 - 4
Australia 3 2 1 4
Canada 3 1 2 2
Azerbaijan 2 - 2 0.
Tajammul & Dilawar Abbas Memorial ITF Pakistan Junior Tennis Tournament
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (February 13, 2020):-The Tajammul & Dilawar Abbas Memorial ITF Pakistan Junior Tennis Tournament will commence from February 17 at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad under the banner of Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA).
According to Tournament Director Mohammad Khalil Chughtai, the international tournament is being organized and sponsored by family of Late Syed Dilawar Abbas and partially sponsored by Fatima Group and Priority Group of companies. All the arrangements have been finalized, as the sing-in for the qualifying event will start on Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad. All the participating players and on-site alternate personally sign-in with the Referee. The qualifying matches will be played on 15th Feb (Saturday) and 16th Feb (Sunday), whereas the Main Round will start on Monday February 17, 2020 at same venue.
International players from 15 countries Azerbaijan, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, Kuwait, Korea Great Britain, Nepal, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, United States of America (USA), Malaysia and host Pakistan have confirmed their participation. It will be a great opportunity for our upcoming national players to display their skills and earn valuable ITF Ranking Points, which will help them to play International tennis at home and abroad.
18 years old Waqas covers ICC Test fixture
Ayaz Raza Afridi
PESHAWAR (February 13, 2020):-Although, Test Cricketer from Khyber Pakhtoon Kawa (KPK) Naseem Shah achieved a great mark in the history of cricket by getting hat-Trick at Pindi Cricket Stadium while another guy from same region Waqas-ur-Rehman, an 18 years old journalist, made a history after covering International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup Championship matches at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.
A young journalist associated to Radio Tazeeb Waqas-ur-Rehman covered a test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh for the Radio Tazeeb, at the age of 18 years and 2 months and the match was held at Rawalpindi stadium from February 7 to 11, 2020.
Waqas said that it was not just a test match but it was a Test Championship and it had great importance. ”I am very lucky that I am covering an International Sports event at the age of 18. He said that he really enjoyed by doing work with the seniors and ideal journalists.
On the other side the President of Khybar Pakhtoon Khawa Sports Writers Association and the sports journalist Ijaz Ahmad Daudzai claimed that it was an honor and it will be useful for Waqas to cover this match.
He said that as a player feels honored by playing cricket for himself as it is same for a journalist to cover a big event. He was optimistic for the youngest journalist that he would continue sports journalism.
General Secretary of KPK Radio Broadcasting Foram named Afsar Afghan claimed that sports journalism is such a difficult beat and especially coverage of a test match is quite difficult. He added more that “by covering of this teat match the youngest journalist waqas has proved that nothing is difficult in the world”. It is very being appreciated to cover the match for the radio and make people informed, also thanked to the Radio Tazeeb to give opportunity to a youngster, the secretary concluded.
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