By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 6, 2020):-As many as six players from Punjab and two from Khyber Pakhtoonkawa (KPK) reached in the quarterfinal stage of the Jubilee Insurance Under-16 Juniors Snooker Championship after posting victories on the third day of the championship at Billiard and Snooker Hall, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Islamabad.  Hamza Ilyas (Punjab), Zubair Tahir (Punjab), Shabban Butt (Punjab), Faheem Liaquat (KPK), Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab), Malik Muzammil Khan (KPK), Adnan Aslam (Punjab) and Zain Ali (Punjab) qualified for the top eight stage of the national snooker showpiece. The quarterfinal will be played on Tuesday at same venue. Results (Day-3): Malik Muzammil Khan (KPK) beat Shamir Ali (Sindh) 3-0 (94-28, 74-18, 58-11) Hamza Ilyas (Punjab) beat Mohammad Musa (KPK) 3-0 (68-14, 79-11, 76-01) Amanullah (Balochistan) beat Zulqarnain Abbasi (Islamabad) 3-0 (50-27, 53-08, 59-28) Adnan Aslam (Punjab) beat Shabban Butt (Punjab) 3-1 (58-18, 61-20, 13-52, 61-37) Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab) beat Iftikhar Ali (Bal) 3-0 (62-18, 89-0(62), 56-16) Zubair Tahir (Punjab) beat Khubab Warsi (Sindh) 3-0 (walk over) Zain Ali (Punjab) beat Haroon Saleem (Sindh) 3-0 (94-32, 57-29, 64-29) Faheem Liaquat (KPK) beat Imaad Rafiq (Sindh) 3-0 (61-17, 58-20, 43-17) After League Round Group Position Group A:  Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab), Zubair Tahir (Punjab) Group B:  Faheem Liaquat (KPK), Zain Ali (Punjab) Group C:  Hamza Ilyas (Punjab), Malik Muzammil Khan (KPK) Group D:  Adnan Aslam (Punjab), Shabban Butt (Punjab) Quarterfinals Fixtures (7 Frames) Hamza Ilyas (Punjab) v Zubair Tahir (Punjab) Shabban Butt (Punjab) v Faheem Liaquat (KPK) Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab) v Malik Muzammil Khan (KPK) Adnan Aslam (Punjab) v Zain Ali (Punjab)    

Faraz Ahmed Kayani ISLAMABAD (January 5, 2020):-Pakistani teenager Mohammad Hamza Khan qualified for the final of Under-15 fixture of British Juniors’ Open Squash Championship 2020 after beating Yassin Shohdy of Egypt 3-0 in the semifinal at Birmingham, UK on Saturday. The final score-line was 11-5, 11-8, 11-7. He will take on Yousuf Sheikh from England in the final on Sunday at same venue. Results: Boys’ Under-15 (Semifinals) Mohammad Ammad (Pakistan) lost to Yousuf Sheikh (England) 9-11, 6-11, 7-11 Mohammad Hamza Khan (Pakistan) beat Yassin Shohdy (Egypt) 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 Boys’ Under-17 (Semifinals) (9/16) Noor Zaman (Pak) lost to (1) Sam Todd 6-11, 1-11, 1-11.  

MB Khan RAWALPINDI (January 5, 2020):-Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) XI have won the Rawalpindi Women’s T 10 Cricket League Tournament after beating Multan by 44 runs in the final at Wiqar-un-Nisa College ground on Sunday. The brilliant player of the winner team Nameera was declared best player of the decisive fixture. Multan’s captain was announced the best player of the tournament. Multan team’s captain Bakhtawar won the toss and invited the opponent to bat first. DC Elevens piled a massive score 105 for 5 runs 10 overs. Amna scored 21 runs and Ayesha scored 19 runs while Multan Captain Bakhtawar got 2 wickets and the other brilliant bowler Samiya, Nadia and Maida got 1 wicket each. Mutlan could manage 61 for 6 runs on the board in allotted 10 overs.  Losing captain was not out on 40 runs, which made her performance prominent. DC Eleven team player Nameera got 3 wickets whereas Saba got 1 wicket. DSO Shams Toheed distributed the prizes along with the president of Youth Education and Sports Welfare society Zahid Awan. Professor Maryam, Nasir Aslam Raja, Snober Gul, Shafqat Niazi and Doctor Mohammad Hussain were also present on this occasion. In the final match Saleem Butt and Waqar performed the duty of empires and Saba Malik took the responsibility of scoring.     

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 5, 2020):-Hamza Ilyas, Shabban Butt and Adnan Aslam moved into the quarterfinals of Jubilee Insurance National Junior Under-16 Snooker Championship by defeating their opponents on Sunday at International Snooker Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad. On Sunday in the league matches, Hamza Ilyas (Punjab) stunned Shamir Ali (Sindh) in straight frames 3-0 with the score-line of 69-16, 82-0(67) and 71-28 while other Punjabi Shabban Butt overcame local quiets Zulqarnain Abbasi in similar style 3-0, as the frame score was 53-27, 42-13 and 60-29. Adnan Aslam from Punjab beat Zulqarnain Abbasi from Islamabad 3-0 too. The final score-line was 57-39, 61-39 and 61-30. Day 2nd Match Results (Day-2): Malik Muzammil Khan (KPK) beat Mohammad Muzammil (Punjab) 3-1 (64-37, 26-65, 52-38 and 57-24) Shamir Ali (Sindh) beat Mohammad Musa (KPK) 3-1 (43-47, 73-18, 60-21 and 52-24) Amanullah Khan (Balochistan) beat Sharjeel Awan (KPK) 3-1 (46-26, 59-33, 36-53 and 67-28) Shabban Butt (Punjab) beat Zulqarnain Abbasi (Islamabad) 3-0 (53-27, 42-13 and 60-29) Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab) beat Khubab Warsi (Sindh) 3-0 (80-13, 76-3 and 63-6) Zubair Tahir (Punjab) beat IftikharAli (Balochistan) 3-0 (61-2, 62-45 and 62-22) Faheem Liaquat (KPK) beat Haroon Saleem (Sindh) 3-2 (42-66, 79-45, 70-33, 41-83 and 56-25) Zain Ali (Punjab) beat Imaad Rafiq (Sindh) 3-0 (1-0, 73-65 and 62-38) Hamza Ilyas (Punjab) beat Shamir Ali (Sindh) 3-0 (69-16, 82-0(67) and 71-28) Mohammad Muzammil (Punjab) beat Mohammad Musa (KPK) 3-0 (48-22, 61-47 and 57-9) Adnan Aslam (Punjab) beat Zulqarnain Abbasi (Islamabad) 3-0 (57-39, 61-39 and 61-30) Shabban Butt (Punjab) beat Sharjeel Awan (Kpk) 3-1 (44-63, 47-11, 63-51 and 43-14) Monday’s Fixture Malik Muzammil Khan (KPK) V/S S. Shamir Ali (Sindh) Mohammad Musa (KPK) V/S Hamza Ilyas (Punjab) Amanullah (Balochistan) V/S Zulqarnain Abbasi (Islamabad) Shabban Butt (Punjab) V/S Adnan Aslam (Punjab) Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab) V/S Iftikhar Ali (Balochistan) Khubab Warsi (Sindh) V/S Zubair Tahir (Punjab) Haroon Saleem (Sindh) V/S Zain Ali (Punjab) Faheem Liaquat (KPK) V/S Imaad Rafiq (Sindh)

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (January 5, 2020):-Right from the word go the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Cricket World Cup has acted as a petri dish for the progress of cricket’s emerging nations, with an ICC Associates XI entered in the inaugural event in 1988. From those early steps to memorable performances from Nepal, Namibia and Afghanistan in recent years, the age-group showpiece has acted as a vehicle for Associates to turn dreams into reality. And for Canada’s Nitish Kumar, it helped him make history. The all-rounder from Scarborough, Ontario has been representing his country for nearly a decade, starting in earnest at the 2010 U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. Kumar was thrown in at the deep end of the international game, becoming the second-youngest player in ODI history when lining up against Afghanistan in February 2010. The U19 World Cup helped him consolidate those experiences and then equipped him for the biggest stage as he became the youngest-ever player to feature at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, figuring in Canada’s defeat to Zimbabwe in February 2011 aged 16 years and 283 days. “It was so special to be able to represent your country at such a prestigious event as the U19 World Cup,” said Kumar, now 25. “It was a competitive environment and we played against some of the best players in our age-group. “To succeed at the tournament, you need clear plans and to trust your skills. You’ve made it to that stage for a reason and you must believe you’re good enough to win every game. “It gives you an opportunity to measure your skills against the best in the world at your age. From there you are able to identify areas for improvement.” The U19 Cricket World Cup has always been a truly global gathering and Netherlands’ Tim De Leede and Canada’s Nicholas Ifill progressed from the 1988 Associates XI to gain Men’s Cricket World Cup experiences. In recent years Eoin Morgan, Rashid Khan, Steven Taylor, Kyle Coetzer and Mark Chapman have been some of the more recognisable names to star for Associate nations at the U19 World Cup. Chirag Suri batting againts Scotland Chirag Suri appeared for UAE in the 2014 tournament on home soil, where the host nation gained vital experience in a group with England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Hitting a half-century as his side came close to beating the Kiwis, Suri says the event suffused his side with belief they could challenge top-ranking nations. “This tournament definitely makes you believe in yourself as a cricketer and competing against the best only makes you a more competent and consistent player,” said Suri. “It’s a great place to be and to see where you stand as a player on the international stage amongst the best of your age. “It’s an incredible experience which players will share with their kids one day, you have to make every moment enjoyable and not leave anything in the changing room. “Personally, scoring a 50 against a Test nation like New Zealand and going incredibly close against them, and facing Sri Lanka and England, really made me believe in my ability and the potential of the team.” Associate nations will once again be out in force at the 2020 renewal of the event, set for South Africa from 17 January – 9 February. Nigeria and Japan secured qualification for the first time through victory at Africa and EAP Division One events, while Canada, UAE and Scotland will once again take part. Suri underlines that players who strut their stuff at the U19 World Cup have a unique opportunity – to launch their career in front of a global audience. “The U19 World Cup can be very pivotal for the next stage of your career if you’re a young player,” said Suri. “We have seen players doing well in these tournaments and with the confidence they get from it, going on to become the best of the world. “Virat Kohli is a prime example. I've been following him since his U19 World Cup appearance and look at his journey until today. “There isn’t a better platform to showcase your skills than this one.”

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (January 5, 2020):-Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi will host 8 matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 Cricket during the 4th edition, which will be kicked off from February 20, 2020 with wonderful and colourful ceremony at National Cricket Stadium Karachi. As many as 425 overseas players from 22 countries registered their interest in playing in the HBL PSL 2020. Of these, 39 from Afghanistan, 12 from Australia, 23 from Bangladesh, 10 from Canada, 109 from England, seven from Hong Kong, six from Ireland, seven from the Netherlands, eight from Nepal, 11 from New Zealand, nine from Oman, five from Scotland, four from Singapore, 27 from South Africa, 39 from Sri Lanka, nine from the UAE, six from the USA, 82 from the West Indies, 9 from Zimbabwe and one each from Bermuda, Kenya and Namibia. PSL Fixtures: 20 Feb – Opening ceremony to be followed by Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, National Stadium (Start time TBC) 21 Feb – Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, National Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 22 Feb – Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, National Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 23 Feb – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, National Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 26 Feb – Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 27 Feb – Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 28 Feb – Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 29 Feb – Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 1 Mar – Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 2 Mar – Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 3 Mar – Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 4 Mar – Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 5 Mar – Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 6 Mar – Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 7 Mar – Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Pindi Cricket Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 8 Mar – Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Pindi Cricket Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 10 Mar – Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 11 Mar – Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 12 Mar – Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, National Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 13 Mar – Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, National Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 14 Mar – Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Stadium (7pm-5.15pm) 15 Mar – Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Gaddafi Stadium (2pm-5.15pm); Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, National Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 17 Mar – Qualifier (1 v 2), National Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 18 Mar – Eliminator 1 (3 v 4), Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 20 Mar – Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier v winner Eliminator 1), Gaddafi Stadium (7pm-10.15pm) 22 Mar – Final, Gaddafi Stadium (start time TBC)

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (January 5, 2020):-The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will provide teenagers from around the world a lifetime opportunity of making an impression on the cricketing world. Pakistan players selected for the global event are looking to make the most of the opportunity at hand and one such player is young all-rounder Mohammad Shehzad, who hails from Dera Ghazi Khan, a small town in Punjab.  Shehzad made a big career move very early in his life when he left his hometown and settled in Lahore to pursue his dream of making a big name as a cricketer. The 14-year-old had to deal with the tragedy of his father’s death at an early age and since has committed himself to cricket as he shoulders the responsibility of his family which includes his mother and five younger brothers.  Shehzad’s first memories of playing cricket are as a nine-year-old in DG Khan. The right-armer played cricket with boys older than him and it helped in improving his game and in no time his cricket talent started getting recognised. Shehzad on his early days, interest and ambition in cricket: “Due to lack of cricket infrastructure and facilities in Dera Ghazi Khan, I was advised to move to Lahore. I joined Pak Lions Cricket Academy two years ago and harnessed my skills there. “Imran Khan is my all-time favourite cricketer, while Babar Azam is the one batsman that I admire from the current generation. “I am delighted at my inclusion in the Pakistan squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. I am hopeful of doing well in the tournament. Head coach Ijaz Ahmed is guiding me as I am working on further improving my temperament, along with batting and bowling techniques.”  Shehzad first appeared in PCB recognised cricket when he played the PCB-Inter Regional U13 T20 tournament in 2017. He scored 178 runs in three matches with the help of two half-centuries, his best was 98 while he also took three wickets with his right-arm pace bowling.  is impressive show at the U13 level earned Shehzad a spot in the Multan U16 team for the following year’s PCB-Pepsi U16 one-day tournament in 2018/19 season. In five games he totalled 197 runs with the help of two half-centuries. His performance continued to improve as he amassed 309 runs in the PCB U16 Pentangular Tournament in the same season. He was declared the best batsman of the tournament with one century and two half-centuries to his name. Shehzad’s consistent run earned him the attention of the selectors and a place in Pakistan U16 team that took on Australia in a one-day and T20 series in the UAE in 2019. Shehzad justified his selection by scoring a match winning 73 not out in the only T20 match of the series. Against Bangladesh U16 in Pakistan, Shehzad scored 72 runs in two one-day matches and 126 runs in two three-day games. His consistent run earned him a place in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup squad.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 4, 2020):-Three Pakistani including Noor Zaman (Under-17), Mohammad Ammad and Mohammad Hamza Khan (Under-15) reached into the semifinals of ongoing British Open Juniors’ Squash Championship 2020. According to Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) media office, Noor Zaman has continued his run of upsetting the top seed players and reached semifinals. Mohammad Amaad and Hamza Khan again displayed fine skills of squash and continued their winning run. Abdullah Nawaz played well but lost to 2nd seed of Boys Under-13. Results: Boys Under-13 (Quarterfinals) Abdullah Nawaz lost to (2) Yousef Saleem (Egy)  8-11, 9-11, 6-11 Boy Under-15 (Quarterfinals) Mohammad Ammad (Pak) beat Jacob Lin (Canada)  9-11, 11-5, 11-4, 12-10 Mohammad Hamza Khan beat Harith Daniyal (Malaysia) 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 Under 17 (Quarterfinal) (9/16) Noor Zaman (Pak) beat (5/8) Ameeshenraj Chandaran (Malaysia) 7-12, 11-4, 11-8, 11-7

Raja Asad Dubai (January 4, 2020):-The Friends Cricket Club ,Insaf Cricket Club and Leepa Valley Heroes reached into the semifinals of the Chinar Super league- Season II after winning their respective matches at Ajman Free Zone Al- Falah Cricket Ground United Arabs Emirates (UAE). At the quarterfinal stage, Friends Cricket Club defeated Dhirkot Badshah by eight wickets while Insaf Cricket Club beat Banian Starts with massive seven wickets. In the third fixture, Leepa Valley Heroes overcame Kotli Legends by 2 runs after a thrilling contest.

Report: MB Khan RAWALPINDI (January 4, 2020):-Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi Elevens on Saturday qualified first time in the final of Rawalpindi Women Cricket League, as they will meet Multan in the final on Sunday at same venue. In the first semifinal, YES Rawalpindi beat the YES Islamabad with 8 wickets. YES Islamabad scored 48 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. YES Rawalpindi team players Naila Nazir and Hajra got 3 wickets each. In reply, YES Rawalpindi team completed their target after losing only 2 wickets. Madiha Riyasat won the player of the match award. In the second match, DC Eleven Rawalpindi beat YES Rawalpindi from 18 runs. DC Eleven score 85 runs on the loss of 6 wickets and played first and the other competitive team YES Rawalpindi has scored 68 runs on the loss of 3 wickets. Hira Khan declared best players of the match. DC Eleven beat YES Islamabad from 6 wickets. YES Islamabad bat first and gave the target of 52 runs. Saba, Amna and Nameera got 2 wickets and DC Eleven completed target after wasting 4 wickets. Player of the team YES Islamabad got 3 wickets.