Sports Bulletin

SB News POTCHEFSTROOM (February 3, 2020):-Arch-rivals Pakistan and India will lock horns in the first semi-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup at the JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom on Tuesday. The high-octane clash is set to capture the attention of millions of cricket fans in the sub-continent and the stakes, as always, are high. The winners will clinch a spot in the 9 February final of the most prestigious age-group cricket event. The two teams have tasted glory in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in the past with the defending champions India victorious on four occasions while Pakistan are the only team to have won back-to-back titles (2004 and 2006). Pakistan’s historic 2006 triumph was registered with one of the most astonishing results in the history of the tournament when the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side convincingly defended their paltry 109-run total by rolling over India for 71 runs at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. The two teams have frequently clashed in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Pakistan have won five out of the nine matches between the two sides, while India have won four contests. Pakistan have so far shown great depth in both bowling and batting departments in the ongoing tournament. They shot out Scotland for 75 runs in their opening Group C match and restricted Bangladesh to 106 for nine in the rain affected match also played at the JB Marks Oval. The bowlers also made light work of Afghanistan by bowling them out for 189 in the quarter-final clash. The batting line-up’s depth was visible in game against Zimbabwe when Pakistan recovered from 73 for three to post a 294-run total. The batsmen also held their own against the fancied Afghan spinners to overhaul the 190-run target for the loss of four wickets with 53 balls to spare. Pace bowling all-rounder Abbas Afridi - with nine wickets in four games - is Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker, to date, and his fellow pacers Tahir Hussain and Amir Khan have taken seven wickets each. The batting is led by Mohammad Haris who was the man-of-the-match against Zimbabwe with a sparkling 48-ball 81. Haris saw off the chase against Afghanistan with an unbeaten 29 off 43 balls, his tournament tally is 110 runs (two innings) with only a single dismissal earning him a 110-run average. Qasim Akram, who scored 54 against Zimbabwe, contributed a useful 25 not out against Afghanistan in an unbroken 63-run fourth wicket stand with Haris that sealed Pakistan’s win. Pakistan will look to opener and vice-captain Haider Ali to provide a flying start to the team like he did against Afghanistan (28 off 34 balls, five fours) before his unfortunate run out. Haider has not yet lived up to the potential he has shown at the domestic level  with a century in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019-20 final and the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup last year with scores of four and 19 against Scotland and Zimbabwe respectively besides his quickfire knock against Afghanistan. The right-handed stroke player who has already caught the attention of cricket pundits during his stroke filled 28 on Friday. He, however, feels that the team is ready for the big clash while he knows that he needs to turn-up in the big semi-final clash.  Haider Ali said: “I am happy with my batting form. I was playing well against Afghanistan before I got run out. But I feel confident that I will deliver against India. This is just another game for us and I don’t feel any additional pressure, I feel, I can do well in the match. “My confidence is high after the Afghanistan innings. I know my importance to the team and I will aim to carry on the batting form and provide the team a good start against India. Former players and experts have admired my batting which makes me happy and motivates me to do well in the upcoming games. “I scored 45 against India in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup match recently, I feel confident heading into the game and will give my 100 per cent. I want to thank the fans who have supported us especially after the quarter-final win. I also want to thank the cricketers who have tweeted for us and encouraged us ahead of the semi-final. “I request the fans to pray for us, we will give our 100 per cent and aim to win the World Cup.” 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 Our Special Correspondent  ISLAMABAD (February 3, 2020):-After rain played spoilsport in Rawalpindi, the focus had shifted to Karachi with Pakistan and Sri Lanka locking horns in the second ICC World Test Championship fixture between them. Pakistan, playing first-ever Test series in their homeland after more than 10 years, were eager to make the most of the occasion. They, however, were off to a shaky start as Azhar Ali’s men were bowled out for 191 in 59.3 overs on day one after opting to bat. With a small total on board and the sun about to set on the metropolitan city, Pakistan needed to strike with the ball to push the visitors on the back foot.  At that moment, Shaheen Shah Afridi raised his hand.  The 19-year-old induced an edge from Oshada Fernando, inviting him to drive on a fuller delivery, in the seventh over of the first Sri Lankan innings.  “When I took the first wicket I wasn’t sure whether the batsman had nicked the ball,” Shaheen told PCB Digital. “It was Rizzy [Mohammad Rizwan] who told me that the batsman had edged the ball and he was very certain about it.  “We had a young bowling unit and there was a lot of responsibility on me as we had been dismissed for a small total.” The day ended with honours even as Sri Lanka were 64 for three – thanks to Mohammad Abbas, who accounted for the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis. On day two, Shaheen returned with more firepower and got the prized scalps of Angelo Matthews and Dhananjaya De Silva, who had struck an unbeaten 102 in the first Test. “I was working on Mathews and bowling him at the same channel. He was trying to bat deep and waiting for the ball to get older. “The plan for De Silva was a simple one and it was that we have to get him out as soon as possible as he had scored runs against us previously.” With Sri Lanka reduced to 271 for eight after Dinesh Chandimal, the only batsman to put up a resistance with 74, back in the pavilion, Shaheen dismissed Dilruwan Perera, who made 48, and Lahiru Kumara (0), the last two tourists' wickets, in a span of three balls. He recorded his first-ever five-wicket haul in Test cricket with five for 77 and that it came in front of his countrymen, cheering in stands, made it more special for the youngster. “There was an instance when we thought we are playing a T20 as the crowd had turned out in large numbers to support us. We were all very excited as Test cricket was back in Pakistan after a gap of 10 years. In the next innings, it was Naseem Shah, the 16-year-old pacer, who dismantled the Sri Lankan batting line-up. Playing only his second Test, Naseem took five for 31 to also record his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. “During the second Sri Lankan innings, I had told Naseem that it was his day and he will take wickets. He had that hunger and he wanted to compete with me. “It is a healthy rivalry to have. It is something that Wasim Akram and Waqar Youns also had.  This not only brings out the best performances from us but also helps the team.” The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, an ICC World Test Championship fixture, will begin on Friday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.  

By Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 3, 2020):-The tickets for the ICC World Test Championship fixture between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, which commences on Friday, will go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, it was announced today. The tickets can be purchased only from TCS Express Centres across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, details attached, from 2pm onwards. On Wednesday, 5 February, tickets will be available at the Pothohar Road branch in Islamabad.  Fans wishing to watch their cricketing stars can buy a maximum of five tickets on one CNIC card.  Keeping the convenience of the spectators at the forefront, the Pakistan Cricket Board has retained the prices of tickets for Meeran Buksh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat at PKR50.  Tickets for Azhar Mahmood, Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar and Javed Miandad have been fixed at PKR100. The announcement in regard to the ticket prices and their sales for the Karachi ODI and Test between the two teams will be made closer to the date.  

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 2, 2020):-The Pakistan national women’s team reached Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia yesterday ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins later this month. As part of their preparations for the all-important tournament, Pakistan Women will play West Indies Women in three warm-up matches on 7, 9 and 11 February at Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club. Prior to their departure from Karachi, Bismah Maroof, the captain of the side who will be featuring in her seventh shorter format’s World Cup, and Javeria Khan, the former Pakistan captain, discussed the squad line-up, which comprises experience of senior players and exuberance of youth, and the excitement in the team around the tournament. Bismah Maroof, who will lead Pakistan for the first time in a World Cup, said: “As a captain I am leading Pakistan for the first time in the World Cup. I am excited for it as leading your nation in a global tournament is a different responsibility. The team has been performing well and I hope that the same pattern will continue in the World Cup. “We have a very young squad. There are three to four senior players and in such tournaments there is an added responsibility on the experienced players to deliver match-winning performances. Even our youngsters have that spark to play good cricket and deliver. “If we take a look at our victories in the recent past, they have been because of the team’s combined efforts. We have an exciting pool of cricketers and I am very hopeful that if we bring out our top game on a particular day, we will produce positive results. “My message to the fans is to keep supporting us. We will play our best cricket and produced best possible results.” Javeria Khan, who has the experience of 97 T20Is, said: “You have to control your nerves in the World Cup as this is a big event and almost every game is a knock out. I would suggest you [Bismah Maroof] to enjoy this role as one don’t get such opportunities often. The team is young and it has that spark. “As an opener my job is to provide profound starts to the team and build on them. I will look to facilitate Muneeba Ali, a young batter who is making her comeback, when I walk into the middle with her.” “I am hopeful that we will do well in the World Cup.” The Bismah Maroof-led side begin their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 journey on 26 February against the West Indies Women. They 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).

SB Report ISLAMABAD (February 2, 2020):-As promised by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani, the first meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Board of Governors of the year and 57th overall, will be held in a local hotel in Peshawar on Tuesday, 4 February 2020. This will be the first-ever meeting in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital. Last year, Quetta had held the 53rd BoG meeting as part of the PCB strategy to hold meetings across the country so that there was alignment and ownership of the local stakeholders. Some of the matters that will be discussed in Peshawar are: i)                    Chairman and CEO’s reports ii)                  Model constitution for the City Cricket Associations iii)                Audit Committee’s report iv)                NOC policy for foreign leagues v)                  PCB Strategic Plan vi)                Update on the recruitment process of the PCB’s Chief Operating Officer vii)              Cricket update

SB Report ISLAMABAD (February 1, 2020):-Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Elevens outplayed Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Elevens by 12 runs in an exhibition cricket match at Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad on Saturday. PSB Eleven captain Amna Imran won the toss and elected to bat first. PSB piled up a total of 131 for 6 runs in 10 overs. Rana Nasarullah 48, Mansoor Ahmed 26 and Amna Imran 10 were best scorers. For MIB, Nadeem and Ali grabbed two wickets, each. In reply, the MIB were unable to achieve their target and scored 119 runs for seven in the allotted overs. Sajjid scored 56 runs including three 6s and four 4s while Captain Akbar Hussain Durrani remained unbeaten on two runs. For PSB, Sajjad took three wickets while Sadaqat bagged one wicket. Agha Amjad and Azam Dar performed the duties of umpires. Secretary Information and Broadcasting Akbar Hussain Durrani awarded trophies and prizes to the winning team.

By BIPIN DANI Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams was not eyeing his individual half century before declaration, according to his father Collin Williams, who was also a cricketer and played five First Class matches. On Friday, the captain did not declare the second innings at the over night score of 241 for 7 (Williams was unbeaten on 47) but declared immediately after playing the only delivery, in which he hit a six and surpassed 50. "Definitely, the half century was not in his mind", speaking exclusveily over telephone from Harare, he said. "It was all about using the heavy roller. Before the start of play he asked for heavy roller. If had declared overnight he could not have had the pitch roller with his choice of roller", he added. Incidentally, the father also sent the audio clippings of his overnight conversation with Sean Williams. "I will pick the option of using heavy roller in the morning and then declare the innings. I intend to give them a target of about 355 runs, i.e. 4 runs per an over", his audio recording said.    "Rain and weather will play important part in the matter but I can't do anything on that. We already had few delays and interruptions in the match (on the fourth day) but I am very keen and positive on winning the match", he had said this to his dad on the eve of the match. Sean Williams, however, had to be content with the draw. Kusal Mendis' ton saved Sri Lanka from losing the Test.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (February 1, 2020):-The national men’s selection committee has named a 16-player squad for the first ICC World Test Championship fixture against Bangladesh to be played in Rawalpindi from 7-11 February. The selectors have recalled off-spinner Bilal Asif at the back of his 43 wickets in nine Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches, while Faheem Ashraf has been drafted in the side due to his all-round skills that were backed by his six wickets in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final against Northern.  Two changes have been made in the side that was named for the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against Sri Lanka.  Kashif Bhatti and Usman Shinwari have been left out, but they remain in the red-ball plans and have been advised to continue their training and preparation.  While Kashif didn’t play against Sri Lanka, Usman made his only appearance in the Rawalpindi Test where he took one for 54.  Squad 1.       Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab) 2.       Abid Ali (Sindh) 3.       Asad Shafiq (Sindh) 4.       Babar Azam (Central Punjab) 5.       Bilal Asif (Central Punjab) 6.       Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab) 7.       Fawad Alam (Sindh) 8.      Haris Sohail (Balochistan) 9.       Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan) 10.   Imran Khan Snr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 11.    Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab) 12.    Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 13.    Naseem Shah (Central Punjab) 14.    Shaheen Shah Afridi ( Northern) 15.    Shan Masood (Southern Punjab) 16.    Yasir Shah (Balochistan)  Chair of the men’s national selection committee and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said: “We have followed the horses for courses policy for the Test against Bangladesh. I know the two players who have been left out will be disappointed, but they remain firmly within our plans for the red-ball cricket we are scheduled to play later this year.  “Kashif Bhatti has paved the way for Bilal Asif considering there are left-handed batters in the Bangladesh top and middle-order, while Faheem Ashraf has been preferred over Usman Shinwari due to his all-round abilities.  “Following our convincing victory in Karachi, I don’t envisage any major changes in the playing line-up but we have tried to cover all our bases just in case the wicket has any surprises for us.  “We ended 2019 on a high with a victory over Sri Lanka and have made a good start to 2020 by winning the T20I series against Bangladesh. I understand the Test will be a different ball game but I am optimistic we will maintain our good form and translate that into another strong performance that will contribute significantly in the overall confidence building of the Test side.  “We are aiming to collect maximum points from the two upcoming ICC World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh so that when we take the field for the Lord’s Test against England on 30 July, we are in a strong contention for a top-two finish by the end of the 2020-21 season. This is what our aspiration is and that’s what are aiming and striving for.”  The Pakistan team will depart for Rawalpindi on 3 February, where it will fine-tune its final preparations from 4 February.          

SB Report BENONI(January 31, 2020):-A half-century from Mohammad Huraira on debut secured Pakistan U19 a six-wicket win against Afghanistan U19 in the fourth quarter-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Benoni on Friday. Pakistan will face India U19 on Tuesday, 4 February, in the first Super League semi-final in Potchefstroom. Huraira, the 17-year-old opener from Sialkot scored with 64 off 76 balls before he was mankaded by Noor Ahmad in the 28th over of Pakistan’s run-chase. Pakistan’s chase began with a flourish as Hurraira, who hit eight fours and a six, made full use of a dropped catch early in his innings. His opening partner Haider Ali hit five spanking fours in his 34-ball 28 before he was run out. The pair added 61 runs in 11.3 overs. Captain Rohail Nazir added 56 for the second-wicket with Hurraira before the former was dismissed by Noor for a 35-ball 22. The possibility of Pakistan breaking the losing streak against Afghanistan at this level – Pakistan had lost their last four completed matches against Afghanistan stretching from November 2017 – came under threat when the batting side lost three wickets for 10 runs with their score slipping from 117 for one to 127 for four. But, an unbeaten 63-run stand between Qasim Akram (25 off 41) and Mohammad Haris (29 off 43) helped Pakistan chase the target with 53 balls spare. Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan were dismissed for 189 run in 49.1 overs. Captain and opener Farhan Zakhil scored for the Afghans with a 55-ball 40, hitting seven fours in his innings. Abdul Rahman provided a late flourish to the innings with a 41-ball 30 (two fours and one six). Middle-order batsmen Rahmanullah (29) and Abid Mohammadi (28) made useful contributions. For Pakistan, pacer Amir Khan took three wickets for 58 runs in his 10 overs. Leg-spinner Fahad Munir provided two useful breakthroughs in his seven over spell in which he conceded 29 runs. Qasim Akram, Abbas Afridi, Tahir Hussain and Aamir Ali took a wicket each. For his match-winning knock, Huraira was named man-of-the-match. Scores in brief: Afghanistan Under-19:  189 all out, 49.1 overs (Farhan Zakhil 40, Abdul Rahman 30; Amir Khan 3-58, Fahad Munir 2-29) Pakistan Under-19:  190-4, 41.1 overs (Mohammad Huraira 64, Mohammad Haris 29 not out, Haider Ali 28, Qasim Akram 25 not out, Rohail Nazir 22; Noor Ahmad 2-32)

BY Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 31, 2020):-Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim will chair the revamped Pakistan Cricket Board Cricket Committee, which will meet on a quarterly basis, it was announced on Friday. Iqbal, a veteran of 50 Tests and 15 ODIs, will lead the panel that will also include Wasim Akram (former captain and now a respected commentator), Urooj Mumtaz (chief selector and representative of women’s cricket), Umar Gul (former Test cricketer and representative of current domestic cricketers) and Ali Naqvi (former Test opener and representative of the match officials). In addition to the five, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and Director – International, Zakir Khan, will serve as coopted members. The PCB Cricket Committee’s remit will be to advice PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani on cricket-related matters, including but not limited to the performances of the national cricket teams and their managements, domestic cricket structure, high-performance centres and playing conditions. The Committee will have the powers to invite relevant personnel for its quarterly meetings to assist as part of its evaluation, assessment and recommendation process. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I welcome all the distinguished members in this PCB Cricket Committee and look forward to working with them. I am delighted we have been able to put together a wide-ranging, knowledgeable, experienced and respected group whose commitment and involvement in the game is second to none. “These members are representatives of all key stakeholders within the game. More importantly, and in line with our policy, they are completely independent, which, in turn, will assist the PCB management to further improve the health of the game in Pakistan.” Iqbal Qasim said: “I am pleased the PCB has considered me for this important assignment and will try to utilise all my cricket and corporate experience and knowledge in the successful delivery of my responsibilities. “The PCB Cricket Committee comprises members who are avid followers of the game, are on top of all matters related to the game in Pakistan and, therefore, with collective wisdom, will make recommendations that will help the PCB to improve its strategic direction. “The game belongs to the people of Pakistan and we all are equal stakeholders in this. I think anyone who thinks can make a positive and meaningful contribution to Pakistan cricket, should come forward and play their active part.” About the members: Iqbal Qasim – Played 50 Tests and 15 ODIs in which he took 171 and 12 wickets, respectively. He also took 999 first-class wickets in 246 matches from 1971 to 1992. He has previously served the PCB in various roles, including team manager, chief selector and member of Domestic Tournament Monitoring Committee (DTMC). He is one of the executives at the National Bank of Pakistan. Ali Naqvi – Hit a century on his Test debut against South Africa in 1997 in Rawalpindi. He played five Tests and 115 first-class matches, scoring 242 and 5,881 runs, respectively from 1997 to 2011. He is presently a member of the PCB Elite Panel for Match Referees. Umar Gul – Played 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is from 2003 to 2016, taking 163, 179 and 85 wickets, respectively. He is still an active domestic cricket and took six wickets in five matches for Balochistan. In the National T20 Cup, he bagged four wickets in seven matches at an economy-rate of 9.35. Urooj Mumtaz – Played one Test, 38 ODIs and nine T20Is from 2004 to 2010, taking 2, 36 and six wickets, respectively. She captained Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 in Sydney, and presently is the chair of women’s selection committee and acting head of the PCB’s women’s wing. Wasim Akram – An ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, he played 104 Tests and 356 ODIs in which he took a total of 916 wickets and scored 6,615 runs, respectively. Following his retirement from international cricket in 2003, he has become one of the most respected and knowledgeable commentators, and has worked for all the leading sport channels at all the major ICC events.