Sports Bulletin

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (January 29, 2020):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 has approved SM Meherob as a replacement player for Mohammad Mrittunjoy Chowdhury Nipun in the Bangladesh squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 consists of Geoff Allardice (ICC, ETC Chairman), Chris Tetley (ICC representative), Sivuyile Mqingwana, Mike Gajjar (both host representatives), Tom Moody and Ian Bishop (both independent representatives). Bangladesh will next face South Africa in Thursday’s Super League Quarter Final at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom for a place in the semi-final.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 29, 2020):-Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have confirmed their squad on Wednesday, which will tour Pakistan next month. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), The Club are sending a strong twelve-man squad to Lahore next month to play a series of matches, with MCC President Kumar Sangakkara captaining the side. The concept of an MCC tour to the country has been a long-stated aim of the MCC World Cricket committee. It is a clear demonstration of the Club’s support for Pakistan’s cricketers and fans, who have been affected by the country’s decade-long exile from hosting international cricket, which came to an end last month. MCC’s squad includes experienced all-rounder Ravi Bopara, who switched from Essex to Sussex this winter and has most recently been playing in the Bangladesh Premier League. Warwickshire contribute three players to the squad with Michael Burgess, Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Will Rhodes all included. Hannon-Dalby and Rhodes toured Nepal with MCC in November. Somerset’s Roelof van der Merwe, who will play for Lord’s-based London Spirit in the inaugural Hundred competition later this year, is named alongside his Netherlands teammate Fred Klaassen. Scotland duo Michael Leask and Safyaan Sharif, Leicestershire’s Arron Lilley, Kent’s Imran Qayyum and Worcestershire’s Ross Whiteley complete the main squad. MCC’s on-field presence will be boosted further by three additional players, each of whom will play one match for the Club during the tour. The trio – Liam Dawson, Samit Patel and Phil Salt – are preparing to represent teams in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) and their involvement is part of a collaboration between MCC and the tournament organisers. The Club will play two PSL teams – Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans – in the T20 format and will also face Pakistan’s domestic T20 champions Northern. John Stephenson, MCC Assistant Secretary (Cricket) said: “We are thrilled to be able to name a strong squad for this tour, which blends youth and experience for a strong side of high quality. “We have really appreciated the collaborative approach from the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Super League, which has enabled us to arrange fixtures against sides preparing for this year’s PSL tournament as well as to secure the services of some of those participating. “As a Club, we share the PCB’s wish in wanting to see international teams returning to play in Pakistan on a regular basis and we hope that this tour contributes to those objectives.” MCC Chief Executive & Secretary Guy Lavender will accompany the squad as Team Manager, with MCC Head Coach Ajmal Shahzad providing coaching. The Club has a busy touring programme in 2020. MCC currently have a touring squad in Argentina, and will also tour Denmark, Spain and Uganda this year. A women’s tour to Nepal is also planned for 2020, part of the ‘Legacy Tour’ series, in conjunction with the MCC Foundation. MCC squad to tour Pakistan: Kumar Sangakkara (President/Captain) Guy Lavender (Tour Manager) John Stephenson (Assistant Manager) Ajmal Shahzad (Head Coach) Ravi Bopara (Sussex) Michael Burgess (Warwickshire) Oliver Hannon-Dalby (Warwickshire) Fred Klaassen (Kent) Michael Leask (Scotland) Arron Lilley (Leicestershire) Imran Qayyum (Kent) Will Rhodes (Warwickshire) Safyaan Sharif (Scotland) Roelof van der Merwe (Somerset) Ross Whiteley (Worcestershire) The following three players, who will appear in the upcoming Pakistan Super League, will each represent MCC in one match on the tour: Liam Dawson (Hampshire/Peshawar Zalmi) Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire/Lahore Qalandars) Phil Salt (Sussex/Islamabad United)      

SB News KARACHI (January 29, 2020):-Pakistan's squad for next month's ICC Women’s T20 World Cup includes an uncapped batter known for her ability to hit the ball hard and make the most of the Powerplay overs. Ayesha Naseem rose to prominence in Skills2Shine U18 T20 Women Cricket Championship last November in which she scored 97 runs at an average of 48.50 in four matches and what put her on the selectors’ radar was the fact that she struck nine sixes. She impressed in the recent National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship by scoring at a strike rate of over 206. The 15-year-old batter belongs to Bagan, a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She was born in Karachi, where she developed interest in cricket, before moving to the village. Due to constraints, which kept her from pursuing cricket, Ayesha decided to move to Abbottabad. “Whenever we start-off in life, we come across challenges and criticism. And, the same was true for me,” Ayesha told PCB digital. “From where I come from people don’t allow their daughters outside homes. When I had begun playing proper cricket, the people in my neighbourhood started to criticise that. They used to complain to my parents and asked them to stop me from playing. These were the challenges that I confronted, but that did not deter me. Rather, I took this as a challenge to progress further and it made me work more hard to achieve my goals.” Despite these hurdles, Ayesha remained steadfast. She turned down the offers of moving to Lahore or Karachi and become an example for other women players. “I had received several offers from the coaches of Lahore and Karachi to move to these cities because the societal atmosphere did not allow me practice daily. But, I wanted to play cricket while staying in Abbottabad because I wanted to change how people think. I want people to send their daughters to the playing field because there is a lot of talent in them and they can achieve a lot. All they need is their parents’ trust.” It was Ayesha’s brother who introduced her to the game which developed into her passion. Growing up, she played cricket with boys which helped her develop a fast bat swing that now helps her to hit big sixes. “I was born in Karachi and spent my early days in the city. My brother used to take me along when he played cricket. When I grew up, he used to play with me. I started off my proper cricketing career in 2015 when I made my debut for Abbottabad region. “I had been playing with boys from the start because of which I had a quick bat swing. That has worked in my favour as it turned me into a hard-hitting batter.” Ayesha is set to make her T20I debut in the mega event. Does that give her any jitters? “There is no pressure on me. Every player wants to play World Cup for their country but there are a few lucky ones who are able to do it. I consider myself very lucky. My selection has been on the basis of my ability to play aggressive cricket and I will look to fulfil my role by making the most of the Powerplay when I make my debut.” The national women’s team will depart for Australia on 31 January. The Bismah Maroof-led unit begin their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 journey on 26 February against the West Indies Women. The take on England Women on February 28 after which they play South Africa Women and Thailand Women on 1 and 3 March. Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst).

Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD(January 28, 2020):-The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Geoffrey Shaw Tuesday hosted a reception in the honour of Pakistan women’s cricket, which will take part in International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. The prestigious women’s cricket event will be held in different cities of Australia. The ceremony was aiming to wish “good luck” to Pakistan Women’s team ahead of the ICC T20 Women's Cricket World Cup in Australia. The ICC T20 Women's Cricket World Cup is scheduled in Australia starting on Friday February 21, as the Australia will host 10 teams and 23 matches across six cities. Speaking at this occasion, the high commissioner said, "It is a great privilege to meet the Pakistan National Women's Cricket Team. I wish the team a fantastic stay in Australia. The players will receive a very warm Australian welcome. We expect some fabulous cricket." High Commissioner Shaw highlighted that it would be a big year for women's cricket in Australia."Australia is about to become the first cricketing nation to close the gender prize money gap. At this year's T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia will top up winning prize money by the women's team to deliver parity with their male counterparts," Dr Shaw said, “The High Commissioner also invited fans and visitors from Pakistan to be part of the T20 World Cup. We are holding the final of the World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the biggest cricket stadium in the world, with a bold ambition to set a record for attendance at a women's sporting fixture," he added. The current record for attendance at a women's sporting fixture is 90,185, set at the final of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in the USA. "We aim to beat that," he added. The selected players for the T20 World Cup, the Chairperson of the Pakistan national women's selection committee Urooj Mumtaz, the team's coaches and senior members of the Pakistan Cricket board were present in the ceremony. The Pakistan team would depart for Australia on January 31 and will play its first match against West Indies on February 26 at Manuka Oval.

  SB News ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Cricket Board has rewarded batsman Saud Shakeel for leading Pakistan to 50-over ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 title by naming him as captain for the one-off 50-over fixture against the Marylebone Cricket Club. The tour schedule will be announced in due course but the MCC team will visit Lahore from 13 to 19 February.   The 24-year-old Saud is one of the 11 players who have been retained from the side that defeated Bangladesh by 77 runs in the tournament final in Dhaka in November 2019. The other 10 are Akif Javed, Haider Ali, Hasan Mohsin, Imran Rafiq, Mohammad Mohsin, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir, Saif Badar, Sameen Gul and Umar Khan.   Zeeshan Malik is the only new face in the 12-player squad. The 23-year-old scored 780 runs in the just-concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class tournament at an average of 52.   Amad Butt, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Hasnain, who were also members of the side that won in Dhaka, were not considered as they have already graduated to the senior team set-up.   Nadeem Khan, coordinator – selection committee, said: “We have followed the policy of consistency and rewarding players for achieving success in Dhaka. There is only one change in the and that is of young Zeeshan Malik, who performed well in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the last tournament of the 2019-20 domestic season to date.”   PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I can’t emphasise enough on the importance of the MCC’s tour to Pakistan, which will be their first in 48 years. The fact that the MCC side will be led by their president and one of the most respected cricketers, Kumar Sangakkara, reflects how the world’s oldest and most influential clubs, who are also the Guardians of the Laws of Cricket, are viewing this tour.   “The MCC’s tour of Pakistan is part of our sincere efforts and endeavours to resume regular and normal international cricket activities. Sri Lanka played a full series, while Bangladesh have just completed white-ball matches and are scheduled to return for the two Tests and an ODI. Similarly, recent visits by Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket Ireland and the International Cricket Council officials are a testament of our untiring efforts.”   Meanwhile, Northern coach Mohammad Wasim has also announced his 12-player side for the twenty20 match.    The side will be captained by Pakistan U19 captain Rohail Nazir and also includes Ali Imran, Haider Ali and Zaid Alam, who were members of the 15-player Northern side which defeated Balochistan by 52 runs in the final of the National T20 Cup.   Apart from the 50-over and 20-over matches against the PCB-selected sides, MCC will also play two 20-over matches against Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. These matches will be part of the two teams’ warm-up matches ahead of the HBL Pakistan Super Leagues 2020. The remaining four franchisees will be in Karachi during this period and will play their practice matches in the metropolitan city where the tournament opener will be played on 20 February.   Pakistan Shaheens (in alphabetical order):   1. Saud Shakeel (captain) (Sindh ) 2. Akif Javed (Balochistan) 3. Haider Ali (Northern) 4. Hasan Mohsin (Sindh) 5. Imran Rafiq (Southern Punjab) 6. Mohammad Mohsin (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 7. Omair Bin Yousuf (Sindh) 8. Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (Northern) 9. Saif Badar (Southern Punjab) 10. Sameen Gul (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 11. Umar Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 12. Zeeshan Malik (Northern)   Northern (in alphabetical order):   1. Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (captain) 2. Faizan Riaz (vice-captain) 3. Ali Imran 4. Haider Ali 5. Mubashir Khan (Northern U19) 6. Musa Khan 7. Nauman Ali 8. Sarmad Bhatti  9. Shahzad Azam 10. Shiraz Khan (Northern U19) 11. Zaid Alam 12. Zeeshan Malik  

By BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lanka captain Santath Jayasuriya is happy to welcome Pakistani all rounder Shoaib Malik in his company. Malik, who will be 38 on Saturday is the 8th player to play international cricket over 4 decades. Malik made his international (ODI) debut in 1999 playing against West Indies at Sharjah. His Test debut was in 2001 (against Bangladesh in Multan) and now is also a part of the ongoing home series against Bangladesh. Malik, who has captained Pakistan in the past, joins the likes of Wilfred Rhodes, Dennis Brian Close, Frank Woolley, Sachin Tendulkar, Jack Hobbs, George Gunn and Sanath Jayasuriya in the elite list. Speaking exclusively over telephone from Colombo, Sanath Jayasuriya said, "Shoaib is a versatile player and for some reason he always used to do well against us. He made plenty of runs against us and was always a threat with the ball". "The secret for his longevity is his fitness. It is remarkable effort to stretch his career thus far". "It is an extremely difficult feat nowadays given the volume of cricket. I don’t see very many players having careers that are that long, unless they are extremely fit", Sanath Jayasuriya signed off.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 27, 2020):-Tayyar Hain, the official anthem of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, will be released across the country via the leading television news channels on Tuesday, 28 January, before the 9pm news bulletins. The anthem will available for viewing at the PSL YouTube Channel and will subsequently be played at the venues in the build up to and during this season’s flagship event. Tayyar Hain, through its lyrics and music, captures the mood and celebrates the fact that the entire HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 is taking place in Pakistan for the very first time. The launch of the anthem will also mark the official launch of the marketing campaign and build up to HBL PSL V. An integrated marketing campaign will be running from 28 January onward across all platforms.   Tayyar Hain’s video reflects the air of festivity gripping the entire nation with fans and supporters from all walks of life celebrating the home-coming of one of the most popular leagues on the planet. Tayyar Hain is a collaboration of Pakistan’s rock icon Ali Azmat, folk music legend Arif Lohar, former Awaz singer Haroon Rashid and famous pop artist Asim Azhar. It has been produced by renowned musician Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi), while Kamal Khan of Laal Kabootar fame has directed the anthem video. A total of 22 instruments have been used in creating Tayyar Hain, including indigenous instruments such as tumba, chimta, rubab and harmonium, and the video also casts Pakistan star cricketers Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood. Arif Lohar said: “The HBL PSL V anthem brings together some of Pakistan’s best artists and getting to be a part of this song is something I will cherish for a very long time.” Ali Azmat said: “I feel honored that I got to sing the HBL PSL V anthem along with such talented artists. It will be something special to see packed stadiums in Pakistan with people from all walks of life singing and dancing to this song.” Haroon Rashid said: “The HBL PSL V anthem and video truly encapsulate the feeling of excitement that grips the entire nation as we approach HBL PSL.” Asim Azhar said: “Like most Pakistanis, I am an avid cricket fan myself and getting to sing the HBL PSL V anthem was a very special experience for me. It has allowed me to celebrate and express what most Pakistanis feel about the fact that their very own League is taking place in Pakistan.” Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan said: “This song is about our preparedness as a nation for HBL PSL and it is also an ode to the perseverance of every cricket fan in the country. I am a huge fan of cricket myself and I view the entire event taking place in Pakistan as a huge victory for the nation. The anthem, through its unifying melody, celebrates this very victory that’s taken years to evolve to reach this point. So today, we can proudly say Tayyar Hain!”

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 27, 2020):-Umar Gul was honoured in Lahore on Monday for his Pakistan record figures of five for six in T20Is when PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani presented him with a crystal plaque. The ceremony took place in the PCB Chairman’s office after the third Twenty20 International between Pakistan and Bangladesh was abandoned without a ball being bowled. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Umar Gul recorded figures of 3-0-6-5 against New Zealand at The Oval in Pakistan’s successful ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 journey in England. Umar was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s by eight wickets. Umar’s 5-6 remained a world record until Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis took 4-1-16-6 against Australia in Pallekele in August 2011. India’s Deepak Chahar presently holds the record for besting bowling performance following his figures of 3.2-0-7-6 against Bangladesh in Nagpur in November 2019. Umar Gul followed up his five for six with 2.2-0-6-5 four years later against South Africa at Centurion. After receiving the crystal plaque from PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, Umar Gul said: “My each and every appearance and performance has been for Pakistan and it has been a privilege to represent my country and team, and play a small part in its successes. “I am grateful to the PCB for remembering and acknowledging my achievement. This is a welcome change in the way the PCB is operating and respecting cricketers who have contributed in the country’s image and profile building. I sincerely hope this trend continues and all the cricketers get their due recognition in front of their fans. “Such gestures will not only act as an encouragement for the players, but also play a big role in motivating youngsters to take up cricket as a profession. The PCB had honoured Javed Miandad during the Rawalpindi Test against Sri Lanka, while Saleem Yousuf and Rashid Khan were honoured during the Karachi Test.  

SB News Potchefstroom ( January 26, 2020):-Pakistan Under-19’s leading wicket-taker at the end of the group stage is the FATA-born all-rounder Abbas Afridi who has collected eight wickets in three Group C games of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup being played in South Africa. Abbas, who bowls right-arm-fast-medium, has provided great support to the strike bowlers Tahir Hussain, Mohammad Waseem and Amir Khan in Pakistan’s three games against Scotland, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. His performance has given great depth to the bowling attack and Abbas lends balance to the squad with his big-hitting abilities with the bat at number eight. Abbas took two for 32 in Pakistan’s opening match against Scotland where the boys in greens sent the Scots packing for 75 runs. He then made match winning contributions against Zimbabwe when the game was at a knife’s edge. His twin strikes in the 39th over of Zimbabwe’s innings brought Pakistan right back in the match, at the start of the over the African country needed 88 runs to win off 72 balls with seven wickets in hand. Abbas conceded a mere two runs in the over while taking two crucial wickets with his slower one and seam-up delivery respectively. On Friday, Abbas provided the perfect foil to debutant Amir Khan in the game against Bangladesh by taking three wickets for 20 runs in seven probing overs. Abbas followed Amir’s four-wicket burst in the opening overs of the rain-ruined match which came to a premature end due to persistent rain and a subsequent wet outfield with Pakistan in complete domination having reduced Bangladesh to 106 for nine in 25 overs. Abbas Afridi said: “I am happy with my contribution in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup so far especially since I have taken the most wickets for Pakistan. I want to continue my form and make all-round contributions since I feel I can deliver with both bat and ball. “I really enjoy bowling with the semi new ball. I rely on bowling seam-up while my slower one is also a wicket taking ball for me. I got crucial wickets when they needed few runs to win. I tried to contain the batsmen by bowling slower ones and also succeeded in getting wickets in the process. “We got [Afghanistan] out for 160 in the Asia Cup U19 tournament last year and we hope to get them for a low total again in the quarter-final match. “I want to progress to Pakistan’s senior men’s team and become a Test cricketer. Leading up to this tournament our coach Ijaz Ahmed and bowling coach Rao Iftikhar worked very hard with us which has given us the results. “I am very confident that we will make it to the semi-finals by beating Afghanistan in the quarters.” Pakistan are travelling to Johannesburg on Sunday and will start training for the quarter-final clash against Afghanistan from Monday. The two-time champions take on the Afghans in the last-eight clash at the Willowmore Park, Benoni on Friday, 31 January. Pakistan ICC U19 Cricket World Cup squad: Rohail Nazir (captain and wicketkeeper), Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Amir Ali (Larkana), Amir Khan (Peshawar), Arish Ali Khan (Karachi), Fahad Munir (Lahore),  Haider Ali (vice-captain), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Mohammad Haris (Peshawar), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Irfan Khan (Lahore),  Mohammad Shehzad (Multan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Tahir Hussain (Multan) Team management;– Ijaz Ahmed (head coach-cum-manager), Rao Iftikhar Anjum (bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (trainer), Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rasul (physiotherapist), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Emmad Ahmed Hameed (media manager) and Col (retd) Usman Riffat Anwari (security manager).  

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2020):-International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Manu Sawhney Thursday completed his two-day visit to Pakistan following positive and constructive meetings in Islamabad and Lahore. Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani and Chief Executive Wasim Khan accompanied Sawhney and ICC General Manager – Commercial, Campbell Jamieson, to a  meeting with Fahmida Mirza, Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), in Islamabad on Wednesday. In Lahore on Thursday, they visited the Lahore Safe City Project before receiving a presentation from the PCB team at the National Cricket Academy. Sawhney’s visit was part of the ICC’s initiative to meet all Members and brief them on the process to be adopted for the allocation of ICC Events in the 2023-2031 cycle comprising eight men’s events, eight women’s events, four men’s U19 events and four Women’s U19 events. In the meeting with the PCB officials at the National Cricket Acaemy, Mr Sawhney and Jamieson also made a detailed and comprehensive presentation on the ICC’s expectations, criteria and selection process for the event hosts, including timelines for bid submissions. He also updated the PCB on the work being done by the ICC for cricket promotion, development, global strategy, financial growth, and also briefed on the challenges world cricket faces. PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said: “We had positive, constructive and wide-ranging meetings with the ICC in relation to the 2023-2031 event cycle. As part of our vision, we want to push on and host a number of ICC global events during the next rights cycle. “So, from that perspective, it was excellent to get an insight into the ICC’s expectations and requirements so that we can accordingly plan and prepare our bid document. “We now have a clearer idea of what will be required from us and so we will now go away from this meeting and think through our strategy for approaching the bid process. We are determined and keen to host ICC Events in the next events cycle and understand this will not be a straightforward project. We will require a lot of support from the government as well all stakeholders. “It was also good to understand the work being done by the ICC in Dubai for the betterment of world cricket. As a responsible and key Member of the ICC, the PCB remains committed to playing its role in taking cricket to the next level.”