Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-The Pakistan Hockey Team will depart for Olympic 2020 Qualifiers tonight 3:20 AM. Pakistan will play two test matches against Germany before going to Holland for the qualifiers on October 22nd and 23rd 2019. They will then depart for Netherlands to compete in the Olympic 2020 qualifying matches against the hosts on October 26th and 27th 2019. The winners of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers will qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The winners will be determined as follows: teams will be ranked according to the number of points each has accumulated in both matches (for each match, 3 points are awarded to the winner, 1 point to each team in the event of a draw and 0 point to the loser). If there is equality among the two teams, then the teams will be ranked according to their respective goal difference. If the equality remains, a shoot-out competition will be played to establish the winner. Therefore, the objective of the Pakistan Men's Hockey Teams will be to secure direct qualification for the Tokyo 2020 hockey tournaments - which will be staged in Japan’s capital city from 25 July to 7 August next year and involve 12 Men’s and 12 Women’s teams. “During the two matches against Germany. I will use all players in order to find the best combination for the qualifiers.” Head Coach Khawaja Junaid. Pakistan squad: 19-member Pakistan hockey team for the Olympic 2020 qualifiers, Rizwan Senior will lead the side: WAQAR (GK), AMJAD ALI (GK), MUBASHAR ALI, RIZWAN ALI, AMMAD BUTT (VC), ABU BAKAR MAHMOOD, MOIN SHAKEEL, TASAWAR ABBAS, AZFAR YAQOOB, RASHID MEHMOOD, ALI SHAN, AJAZ AHMAD, UMER BHUTTA, MUHAMMAD RIZWAN SENIOR (C), RANA SOHAIL, RANA WAHEED, GHAZANFAR Ali, HAMMAD ANJUM, IRFAN SENIOR Manager/Head Coach: Olympian Khawaja Junaid Coaches: Wasim Ahmed, Zaheer Ahmad Babar, Ajmal Khan Lodhi & Sameer Hussain Video Analyst: Nadeem Lodhi Doctor: Asad Abbas Shah Trainer: Jesse Wilson Workman

   SB Report  LAHORE:-The three-day ACC Level 1 Women Coaching Course concluded on Saturday at the National Cricket Academy. Embellished by presentations, practical skills and assessment tests under the watchful eye of the NCA instructors, the 16 participants from 11 countries were put to task on different aspects of the game. The participants included four Pakistan women, namely Atika Sabir Khan, Fareeha Mahmood, Shehla Bibi and Tasleem Bano. Other participants in the course, first of its kind, include representatives from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Iran, Kuwait (two), Malaysia, Maldives, Oman (two) and United Arab Emirates Ali Zia, Senior General Manager – National Cricket Academy and also the lead presenter, said: “The course was designed for the participants to learn the basics skills of the game. After getting the initial knowledge of the game, they will apply the learnings on players in the 12 to 14 years age group. “The course was divided into three segments; the first segment was related to multimedia presentations on the coaching philosophy, planning/preparation and methods of skill development. “The second part was about the practical aspect where the participants were taught about batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping skills. “Lastly, in the third phase of the course, the participants underwent assessment tests.” Abbottabad’s Atika Sabir Khan said: “I had played cricket for my region from 2008 to 2014, but the experience of coaching is altogether different. The course helped me to know about the cricketing skills and once I return to my city, I will be in a position to teach school and college girls more passionately.” Pakistan player Fareeha Mahmood took a three-day off from the national team camp to attend the course and was excited to learn the cricket skills. She said: “It was quite an informative course where participants from different countries too have learned a lot. The learnings from the course will help me solve my cricketing issues once I return back to the national team camp. I will share the experience with my colleagues and will help them know about the basics skills of coaching.” Wah Cantt’s Shehla Bibi said: “There is a great talent and potential in the girls from Wah Cantt, but sadly there were no female coaches there. This course has given me a great opportunity to learn the basic skills of the game, and now I am eager to return back to train the talented female kids in my region.” Tasleem Bano from the Gaizer district of Gilgit Baltistan said: “No one knows about the basics of this sport in my region. I myself had little knowledge about the game, but after attending the course I must say that I have gained a lot. “The course will help me reach out to parents from Gilgit region to convince them to bring forward their children in this sport. I will go back and teach school and college girls about the basic skills of the game.” At the conclusion of the course, the certificates were distributed amongst the participants.

  SB Report LAHORE:-A delegation of Pakistan Baseball Federation (PBF) called on Governor Punjab Choudhary Mohammad Sarwar at Governor House Lahore on Thursday. President PBF Syed Fakhar Ali Shah was leading the delegation.   Also, the advisers to health minister of the Punjab Dr. Azeem u deen Lakhwi, Manzar Shah Fareed executive director, Sadia Alwi chair person women wing, Dr Shaheen Gulraiz director youth baseball development, Basit Murtaza coach of Pakistan team, international baseball players of Pakistan and the other officials were present on this eve. President PBF gave a comprehensive briefing to governor of Punjab regarding the game of base ball, activities of federation and upcoming national and international competitions. He also presented the report of international baseball tournament of this year 2019 to governor including 14th West Asian Baseball Championship, which was played in Sri Lanka. Pakistan had won silver medal in Sri Lanka while in the 10th Under-15 Asian Baseball Championship Pakistan got sixth position China. Pakistani lads Syed Mohammad Shah awarded with the Asian best hitter while Zeeshan Ameen won best fielder award. overnor Punjab Mohammad Sarwar congratulated to Fakhar Shah for the excellent performance of Pakistan. On this occasion Fakhar Shah told governor that there was not a solitary baseball stadium in the country. Muhammad Sarwar assured federation’s official he would search a suitable place for the ground.  

 SB Report LAHORE:-Azhar Ali has been appointed national cricket team captain for Pakistan’s World Test Championship matches in the 2019-20 while Babar Azam has been named captain of the No.1 ranked T20I side until next year’s ICC T20 World Cup Australia 2020, which is now exactly one year away. The appointments were confirmed after Sarfaraz Ahmed was left out of both formats due to the drop in his overall form during the past few series. Seventh-ranked Pakistan will play fifth-ranked Australia in two Tests in Brisbane (21-25 November) and Adelaide (29 November-3 December (d/n)) before hosting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for two Tests apiece. Pakistan are also scheduled to play three T20Is each against Australia (3, 5 and 8 November) and Bangladesh before the curtain falls on their international domestic season in early February 2020. Azhar Ali has been a mainstay of Pakistan’s batting line-up since making his debut against Australia at Lord’s in 2010. The 34-year-old is regarded as Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan’s prodigy and has scored 5,669 runs with 15 centuries and 31 half-centuries in 73 Tests. Azhar had an excellent tour of Australia last time when Pakistan were there in 2016-17 when he had scores of 5, 71, 205 not out, 43, 71 and 11. His other scores against Australia in England and the UAE are 16, 42, 30, 51, 53, 30, 109, 100 not out, 18, 4, 15 and 64. This means the 21st ranked batsman in the world has aggregated 938 runs in nine Tests against Australia, his second most after Sri Lanka (1156 runs in 14 Tests). In the ongoing four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Azhar is the second most successful batsman with 388 runs in four matches as his side Central Punjab leads the field with two wins. Reacting to the news, Azhar Ali said: “There is no bigger honour than to captain the Pakistan national cricket team in the pinnacle format of the game. I feel humbled, excited and privileged, and with the support of the team, look forward to justifying the faith that has been entrusted upon me for the World Test Championship.  “Sarfaraz Ahmed has done an excellent job in transforming raw talent into experienced players and I now look forward to inspiring those skillful players in our endeavours to collectively achieve our World Test Championship objectives and beyond.  “These are exciting times in Pakistan cricket with a new team management. As a captain, I feel comfortable that there will be number of knowledgeable people in the hut who I can rely for advice and guidance.  “I am not only targeting wins, but also aim to provide opportunities to players to grow in stature and express themselves so that Pakistan cricket can resume its journey to the top. I have always played my cricket the hard way but in a fair manner, and will ensure I continue to uphold the spirit of cricket and enhance the image of the team and the country.” Babar Azam, the No.1 ranked batsman in T20Is, has previously captained Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012. He was vice-captain in the recently-concluded series against Sri Lanka and is presently captaining Central Punjab in the National T20 Cup where he scored a 59-ball 102 on the opening day against Sindh. Babar Azam said: “To be named captain of the No.1 ranked side in the world is the biggest thing that has happened to my career to date. I am ready for this challenge and also willing to learn more in the process. I feel it has been a natural progression for me and I am delighted that the PCB has put faith in my capabilities. “Sarfaraz Ahmed has led the side in the shortest format by example and it is my responsibility to take forward his accomplishments so that we remain a consistent, attractive and powerful side.” Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “It has been an honour to lead Pakistan at the highest level. I want to thank all my colleagues, coaches and selectors who have helped me in this journey. My good wishes are with Azhar Ali, Babar Azam and the Pakistan cricket team, and I hope they will continue to grow stronger and stronger.” PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, who approved the appointments, said: “I want to congratulate Azhar Ali and Babar Azam on their elevations to the most coveted and prestigious jobs in cricket. It is a reward for their continued hard work in strives for excellence and I am sure they, like their predecessors, will make the country proud with their performance, leadership and sportsmanship. “It has been a difficult decision to drop Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has performed well as a player and a leader. But, his loss in form and confidence is visible and, in the best interest of the team, it has been decided to leave him out and provide him the opportunity to reflect and regroup himself and try to reclaim his form away from international cricket. “Sarfaraz Ahmed’s contributions are second to none and being the gutsy cricketer and fighter that we all know he is, I have no doubts he will be back in Pakistan colours at some stage.” Decision on vice-captaincy will be made closer to the series, whilst captaincy for the ODIs will be finalised in due course as the national team’s next assignment is scheduled from 4-9 July 2020 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen.  

SB Report LAHORE:- With one eye on the series against Australia, Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis will hold a bowlers camp at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. The national selection committee has invited 15 high-performing bowlers from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the ongoing National T20 Cup as well as fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the weekend camp. The purpose of the camp is to provide the selectors better insight on the fitness and form of the bowlers that can further assist them while picking the T20I and Test sides. It will also give the bowlers an opportunity to understand their shortcomings and ways to improve their skills in the upcoming domestic matches. Fast bowlers Abbas and Shaheen will be back in action after missing domestic matches. Abbas was given a break after the third round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to strategically manage his workload and fatigue, while Shaheen will return after for the first time since picking up dengue fever in August. Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis said: “As the National T20 Cup has a two-day break, we thought of utilising this time by holding bowlers camp in Lahore with multiple objectives. But, this does not mean that the selectors have limited their selection options to these 11 bowlers. The selectors have an open mind and bowlers who are best suited to the formats and conditions on the upcoming tour will be selected.” Chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, and Test captain Azhar Ali will also monitor the camp. The T20I and Test squads for the Australia tour will be announced by chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq at 215pm on Monday, 21 October, in media conference at the Far End, Gaddafi Stadium. Bowlers invited for the camp are: Bilal Asif (Central Punjab), Bilawal Bhatti (Southern Punjab), Imran Khan Snr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Irfan Junior (Slow left-arm, Southern Punjab), Musa Khan (Northern), Mohammad Mohsin (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab), Rahat Ali (Southern Punjab), Sameen Gul (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern), Tabish Khan (Sindh), Yasir Shah (Balochistan) and Zahid Mehmood (Southern Punjab).        

SB Report ISLAMABAD:-Top Seed Mert Aysegul (TUR) clinch the Girls Singles title by eliminating unseed Soo Ha Jang (KOR) in the Girls Singles final whereas second seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) annexed the Boys Singles Title by beating 6th Seed Shoaib Khan (PAK) in straight sets at ITA-SNGPL ITF Pakistan World Junior Tennis Championships at PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Friday. In the Girls Singles event, top seed Aysegul (TUR) played outstanding tennis in the first set Ayesgul and won the first set at 6-1 breaking 3rd and 5th game. She was in excellent touch and forehand drives were watched to witness and her cross court shorts were could not return by opponent, Soo Ha Jang unable to adjust against the pace of powerful game of Aysegul. In the second set Ayesgul was in full command and build up the lead 4-0 by breaking 1st and 3rd game . Soo Ha Jang reduced the lead 3-4 by breaking 6th game of Aysegul. Mert Aysegul won the second set at 6-3 by breaking 9th game of Soo Ha Hang. She gain valuable 21 ITF ranking points by winning the title. The match lasted 1 hour 10 minutes and officiate by Husnain Mehmood. In Boys Singles final, second seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) continue his winning streak and won the Boys Singles title. He build up the winning lead 4-0 by breaking 2nd and 4th game of the first set. Shoaib broke the 5th game of Huzaifa and reduce the lead 3-4. Huzaifa won the first set at 6-4 by holding his own serve. In the second set Shoaib Khan played very consistent game from the base line and took the lead 5-1 by breaking 3rd and 5th game of Huzaifa and won the second set at 6-3 and level the score one set all. In the final set Huzaifa changed the strategy and played more consistent powerful drive from the base line and build up the lead 4-0 by breaking 1st and 3rd game of Soahib and won the final set at 6-3 and it was his second consecutive title which is a new record in Pakistan. He got valuable 21 international ranking points. The match lasted 2 hours 15 minutes and Shahzad Akhtar Alvi ITF White Badge officiate the match. In the Boys Doubles final, Gunuk Kang (KOR) / KIM Min-Joon (KOR) beat Mohammad Nauman Aftab (PAK) / Saqib Hayat (PAK) 7-5, 6-2. In the Girls Doubles final, Ji Woo Chai (KOR) / Soo Ha Jang (KOR) beat Mahta Khanloo (IRI) / Meshkatolzahra Safi (IRI) 6-3 7-5. Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas Chairman Board SNGPL grace the occasion as chief guest, Tariq Mehmood Murtaza, President ITA, Ms. Amena Director General Pakistan Sports Board,  Kashif Ismail CEO Faiza Beauty, Mr. Amjad Ikram Mian General Secretary SNGPL Sports Cell, Col. Gul Reman, Secretary PTF, Mrs. Nighat Saeed Member Women Wing ITA, were also present at the Prize Distribution. Glittering shields were distributed among the winners and finalist of the Boys & Girls Singles and Doubles event. Results: Boy’s Singles Final: Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) beat Shaoib Khan(PAK) 6-4 3-6 6-3 Girls Singles Final: Aysegul Mert (TUR) beat Soo Ha Jang (KOR) 6-1, 6-3        Boys Doubles Final Gunuk Kang (KOR) / KIM Min-Joon (KOR) beat M.Nauman Aftab (PAK) / Saqib Hayat (PAK) 7-5, 6-2. Girls Doubles Final Ji Woo Chai (KOR) / Soo Ha Jang (KOR) beat Mahta Khanloo (IRI) / Meshkatolzahra Safi (IRI) 6-3 7-5.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD-The world number 168, top national badminton girl Mahoor Shehzad hoped that she would ink new history in the upcoming 13th South Asian Games 2019 by winning gold medal for the Pakistan. "Im training hard for the 8-national international regional fixture, " said Mahoor, who won bronze medal recently in the international badminton event in Bulgaria. While talking during an exclusive chatting she said that the SAG would be taken place in Kathmandu, Nepal. "SAG are my first target and after that Tokyo Olympics will be my target and I hope I will qualify for the said quadrennial sports gala of the world, "four times national champion added. She, 22, further said that she visited abroad for the training and she would try to climb up in the international ranking 70 and would be able to qualify the Olympics 2020. "I am toiling hard in the court and gym too for the fitness. I am optimistic to clinch gold medal in the South Asian Games and Iam capable to overcome Indians girls, who are high rank girls in the international circuit, "she viewed. Mahoor, who represents Pakistan WAPDA, revealed that had won the gold medal in the Nepal International Badminton Championship in 2018. "I also won Pakistan International Series 2017 and was runner-up in Pakistan International series 2016, "top national girl said. While talking about her previous record she informed this scribe that she honored to represent Pakistan in the Asian Games 2014 and Commonwealth Games 2018. "I was also selected by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) for 4th Youth Camp that was held in Guangzhou, China that was held from November 27 to December 3, 2016, "she said. "I also visited Malaysia, Turkey, Egypt, Bahrain, Latvia, Lithuania, Nepal, England, Dubai, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria to participate in the international badminton fixtures and I performed up to mark in the all these events, "she concluded.  

SB Report KARACHI:-Southern Punjab recorded a crushing seven wicket win over Balochistan in the National T20 2nd XI tournament at the National Stadium, Karachi on Thursday. This was Southern Punjab’s third consecutive victory; they remain the only unbeaten side in the event and now have six points from three games and are at the top of the table. In the second match of the day, Sindh overcame Northern by three wickets to register their third win in four games. Balochistan opted to bat first against Southern Punjab, the decision backfired as left-armer Zia-ul-Haq ran through the Balochistan batting with a four-wicket haul, conceding 18 runs in his four over spell. Mohammad Imran and Zulfiqar Babar took two wickets each while two batsmen were dismissed run out. Fahad Iqbal (22) and Gulraiz Sadaf (21) were the only two Balochistan batsmen to offer some resistance. Southern Punjab chased down the target in 15.5 overs for the loss of three wickets. Openers Mukhtar Ahmed (29) and Zeeshan Ashraf (25) added 47 for the first wicket. Muhammad Mohsin 18 not out and Naveed Yasin 11 not out took Southern Punjab home, Atif Jabbar took two wickets for Balochistan. Batting first, Northern posted 140 for the loss of six wickets after they were asked to bat first by Sindh captain Rameez Raja Jr. Rameez left the field due to his mother’s death and was replaced by Jahid Ali in the playing eleven with wicketkeeper Saifullah Bangash taking over as captain. Northern’s innings included a 53-ball 76 by opener Shoaib Ahmed, Shoaib hit 10 fours and one six in his innings. Usama Mir with 16 not out was the second highest scorer along with Sarmad Bhatti who also scored 16. Hassan Khan and Muhammad Umer took two wickets each. Saifullah led from the front with the bat as Sindh survived some anxious moments before reaching the target with four balls and three wickets to spare. Saifullah remained unbeaten on 47 off 27 balls, his innings included eight fours. Jaahid scored 31 off 24 balls. Raza Hasan and Noman Ali took two wickets each for Northern. Scores in brief: Balochistan v Southern Punjab, National Stadium, Karachi Balochistan 100 all out, 19 overs (Fahad Iqbal 22, Gulraiz Sadaf 21; Zia-ul-Haq 4-18) Southern Punjab 101 for 3, 15.5 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 29, Zeeshan Ashraf 25; Atif Jabbar 2-21) Result: Southern Punjab won by 7 wickets Northern v Sindh, National Stadium, Karachi Northern 140 for 6, 20 overs (Shoaib Ahmed 76; Hassan Khan 2-24, Muhammad Umer 2-28) Sindh 144 for 7, 19.2 overs (Saifullah Bangash 47 not out, Jahid Ali 31; Raza Hasan 2-19, Noman Ali 2-30) Result: Sindh won by 3 wickets

SB Report FAISALABAD:-Imam-ul-Haq’s half-century and Akif Javed’s three-fer secured a seven-wicket win for Balochistan against Southern Punjab in the ninth match of the ongoing National T20 Cup at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Thursday. Balochistan captain Haris Sohail decided to bowl first after winning the toss and the decision produced the desired results for his side immediately with young pacer Akif removing Shan Masood and Mohammad Hafeez in the first over of the match. The left-arm pacer struck again in the death overs, accounting for Aamer Yamin’s wicket. In his four overs, Akif took three wickets for 16 runs. Sohaib Maqsood and Wahab Riaz were the two batsmen who put up a fight with the bat and helped Southern Punjab to a respectable score of 144 for seven. Sohaib scored a 34-ball 35, while Wahab’s batting form continued as the 34-year-old cracked 31 runs from 17 balls with three fours and a six. Balochistan got off to a solid start thanks to a well-crafted 51 off 39 by Imam. The left-handed opener cracked six fours and stitched a 60-run opening stand with Awais Zia (22 off 24) before the latter lost his wicket on the penultimate ball of the ninth over. Haris’ and Imran Butt’s unbeaten scores of 25 off 22 and 28 off 21, respectively, ensured Balochistan chase down the total comfortably with seven wickets and three balls spare. Mohammad Zahid and Wahab picked up two wickets each in the run chase for 28 and 37 runs. Imam was declared man-of-the-match. Scores in brief: Southern Punjab 144-7, 20 overs (Sohaib Maqsood 35, Wahab Riaz 31, Aamer Yamin 27; Akif Javed 3-16, Mohammad Asghar 2-17) Balochistan 145-3, 19.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 51, Imran Butt 28 not out, Haris Sohail 25 not out, Awais Zia 22; Zahid Mahmood 2-28, Wahab Riaz 2-37)

SB Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Test spinner Nadeem Khan as Coordinator – National Selection Committee on Thursday. According to media department of PCB, Nadeem will act as a bridge between chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq and the six selectors by gathering feedback, information and maintaining players’ profile from the domestic matches, and presenting to the selection committee so that the data can be used in their decision-making. Nadeem will neither be part of the national selection committee nor will have a say in selection matters. Part of Nadeem’s responsibilities will require domestic traveling, watching local matches, keeping a track and preparing reports on high-performing players, and speaking with the six city association coaches on a regular basis. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Nadeem Khan and welcome him to the PCB family. Nadeem is one of the most respected cricketers and is admired for his overall cricket knowledge, insight of domestic cricket and ability to speak openly, frankly and honestly. “When we had unveiled Misbah-ul-Haq as chief selector and head coach, we had stated we will provide all necessary support to allow Misbah to fulfill his responsibilities and achieve his objectives and targets. Nadeem’s appointment is a testament to that statement.” About Nadeem Khan: ·         The 49-year-old played two Tests, two ODIs and 153 first-class matches in a career spanning between 1987 and 2002 ·         He has served on the national selection committee in the 2016-17 season ·         He has managed Pakistan U19 sides in two Asia Cups and an ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2018-19. ·         He is an ECB certified Level II coach ·         He has previously worked as head coach at the Michael Vaughan Academy and Sheffield Collegiate Cricket Club from 2008-10 ·         He presently heads the UBL Sports Complex