Sports Bulletin

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-Pakistan U16 fast bowler Ahmad Khan took a four-wicket haul as the visiting Bangladesh U16 side were bowled out for 204 on the first day of the three-day match at Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday. In reply, Pakistan U16 were 40 for four in 19.2 overs when play ended 6.4 overs remaining due to bad light. After being put into bat, Bangladesh U16 opener Anik Chaki was dismissed lbw for no score in the first over with Ahmad striking on the fourth ball of the over. However, Tanbir Alam Shah (11) partnered with captain Nayeem Ahmed to carry the score to 35 before returning to the dressing room. Nayeem andRadowan Hossan Siyam added 75 runs for the third wicket to take their side to 110 before the former got dismissed for 93-ball 54 which included 10 fours. Batting at number four, Radowan Hossan Siyam scored 84 off 114 balls laced with 10 fours and four sixes. Ahmad Khan ended-up with figures of four for 43 runs in 16 overs, while Ali Asfand and Aliyan Mahmood equally shared four wickets between them. In Pakistan’s turn at the wicket, Bangladesh got a breakthrough early as opener Ali Hasan was dismissed for seven off eight balls. Mohammad Shehzad (19) and Haseeb Imran (10) carried the score to 40, but were dismissed before close. For Bangladesh, Ahmood Sharif and Mohammad Musfik Hasan took two wickets apiece. Scores in brief: Bangladesh (1st innings) 204 all-out, 63.5 overs (Radowan Hossan Siyam 84, Nayeem Ahmed 54; Ahmad Khan 4-43, Ali Asfand 2-31, Aliyan Mehmood 2-53 ) Pakistan U16 (1st innings) 40-4, 19.2 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 19; Ahmood Sharif 2-6, Mohammad Musfik Hasan 2-9)

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD-As many as 190 sixes and 484 fours were smashed over 10 days of cricket during the National T20 Cup at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Batsmen from Northern, the title winners, hit 30 per cent of the sixes, thanks to Asif Ali. The hard-hitting middle-order batsman hit 19 off his side’s 56 sixes, with 10 of them coming in an innings. Runner-up Balochistan struck 109 fours, which were the most by any side in the tournament. The batsmen’s domination continued over the course of 18 matches. 5,448 runs were scored as 26 half-centuries and two centuries – both from Central Punjab batsmen Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad – were cracked.  Boasting a star-studded bowling lineup which included Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Imad Wasim, Musa Khan and Haris Rauf, Northern were expected to be the strongest bowling unit of the tournament. They lived up to their reputation taking the most number of wickets for a team with 59 scalps. Overall, 221 wickets were taken in the tournament.  Reviewing his team’s performance, Northern captain Imad Wasim said: “Our batting and bowling was way ahead of the other teams and to win such tournaments all members of the side need to rise to the occasion which the players of my team did.  “Though this was a domestic tournament, we played for our pride.” As T20 format is never expected to be bowler friendly, only one five-wicket haul was recorded in the tournament, which went to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Usman Shinwari.  The left-arm fast-bowler took five wickets for 13 runs against Northern in the first semi-final of the tournament, which his side lost by three runs.  His captain Mohammad Rizwan bagged the player of the tournament award for scoring 215 runs, with two fifties, and dismissing six batsmen behind the stumps in six matches.  The best batsman and best bowler of the tournament were Awais Zia and Sohail Tanvir for scoring 276 runs and taking 14 wickets in seven matches each.  Pakistan U19 captain and Northern wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir bagged the best wicketkeeper award with seven dismissals in seven matches.

  SB Report  LAHORE:-For the first time in history, Pakistan women will be in action at the home of Pakistan cricket when they will host Bangladesh women in a three-match T20 series on Saturday. The two teams meet in the shortest format for the second time in 13 months after Bangladesh hosted Pakistan in a four-match T20I series in October last year, which Pakistan won 3-0. The upcoming series also serves a perfect opportunity to the hosts to test their bench strength with their mainstay Nida Dar in Australia for the Women Big Bash League, while their most experienced campaigner Sana Mir unavailable for the series opener. The T20 series is part of Bangladesh women’s 10-day tour in which they will also play two one-day internationals against Pakistan at the same venue. With Pakistan slated to host world champions England in the ICC Women’s Championship in Malaysia in December, these matches serve an opportunity to get their permutations and combinations right. In line with its policy to develop and promote women’s cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board will live stream the tour on its YouTube channel. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof said: “We are coming from a 10-day camp in which we put great emphasis on our fielding. Our bowlers worked on bettering different variations and the batters are looking in good form. We are well-aware of the challenge that the Bangladesh present and this will surely be an exciting series. “This series is the season-opener for us and we want to start off on a winning note as it will help us in building the momentum ahead of the England and West Indies series. “With our key player Nida Dar unavailable for this series and Sana Mir joining the side from the second T20I, we have inducted some youngsters in the squad. So there’s an opportunity for them to grab the opportunity and leave a mark ahead of what promises to be an exciting season. “This is the first time we will be playing in Lahore and the girls are pretty charged up. We look forward to playing in Lahore and expect the fans to fill up the stadia to support women’s cricket.” Bangladesh T20 captain Salma Khatun said: “We are very much looking forward to the series against a strong Pakistan side, who will be particularly tough in home conditions. “It is nice to be back. Pakistan are a familiar opponent for us and we have had some pretty exciting matches over the years. Our side thrives on team spirit. A nice balance has developed in our game and I am confident that we will be very competitive in the series.” Squads Pakistan T20I squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Saba Nazir, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz Bangladesh T20I squad: Salma Khatun (captain), Ayesha Rahman, Ekka Mollik, Fargana Hoque, Jahanara Alam, Khadija Tul Kubra, Lata Mondal, Nigar Sultana, Panna Ghosh, Rumana Ahmed, Sanjida Islam, Shamima Sultana, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sharmin Akhter and Sharmin Sultana Schedule 26 October – 1st T20I (1.00pm-3.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 28 October – 2nd T20I (10am-12.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 30 October – 3rd T20I (10am-12.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 2 November – 1st ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 4 November – 2nd ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore The PCB has appointed match officials for the five matches. The details are as follows: 1st T2oI – On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Tariq Rasheed, Reserve umpire: Faisal Khan Afridi, Match referee: Mohammad Anees 2nd T20I – On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Khan Afridi, Reserve umpire: Nasir Hussain Sr., Match referee: Mohammad Anees 3rd T20I – On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Tariq Rasheed, Reserve umpire: Nasir Hussain Sr., Match referee: Mohammad Javed Malik 1st ODI – On-field umpires: Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob, Reserve umpire: Tariq Rasheed, Match referee: Mohammad Javed Malik 2nd ODI – On-field umpires: Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob, Reserve umpire: Tariq Rasheed, Match referee: Mohammad Anees

SB Report  KARACHI:-Two-time winners Pakistan will play Scotland in their opening match of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 at the University Oval, Potchefstroom on Sunday, 19 January. The tournament schedule was announced today (Thursday) by the International Cricket Council. Sixteen teams will be taking part in the 24-day tournament that runs from 17 January to 9 February 2020. The final will be played at Benoni’s JP Marks Oval on 9 February. Pakistan’s second match will be against Zimbabwe at the Witrand Oval in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, 22 January. The third and final group match for Pakistan will be played on 24 January at the JP Marks Oval, where the Boys in Green will square-up against Bangladesh. The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super League while the remaining teams feature in the Plate Championship. The Super League stage will commence from Tuesday, 28 January. The top four teams from the Super League stage qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners competing for the title on Sunday, 9 February. Pakistan won the 2004 and 2006 editions of the tournament held in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. Pakistan have also finished as runners-up in three editions. Hassan Khan led Pakistan in the last edition of the tournament in New Zealand in 2018, where they were beaten by India in the semi-finals. The tournament was first played in 1988. Since 1998, the event has been held once every two years. India have won the tournament four times, Australia have been winners thrice, England, South Africa and the West Indies have won the tournament once each besides Pakistan’s two wins. The top 11 full Members in the last edition in New Zealand and the five regional champions, who have qualified for the event, will also play warm-up matches from 12-15 January in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Nigeria (Africa) make an appearance for the first time along with Japan (East Asia Pacific). They are joined by other regional qualifiers Canada (Americas), United Arab Emirates (Asia) and Scotland (Europe).  

SB Report  KARACHI:-Northern ended the remarkable unbeaten run of Southern Punjab in the National T20 2nd XI tournament with a comfortable 40-run win in the tournament final played at the National Stadium, Karachi on Thursday. Southern Punjab who had remained undefeated in the tournament by winning each of their five round matches besides overcoming Central Punjab in the semi-final capitulated under pressure in the final against an inspired Northern side that produced a memorable all-round performance to lift the trophy. Batting first after being sent in, Northern posted a mammoth 196 for seven in their 20 overs. Shoaib Ahmed Minhas held the innings together with a 45-ball 68 which included four fours and three sixes. Man-of-the-Match Jamal Anwar hit a quickfire 40 off 21 balls to ensure Northern’s huge total. Opener Zeeshan Malik made 34 off 19 balls; at the end of the innings, semi-final hero Shahzad Azam scored an unbeaten 22 off nine balls (two fours and two sixes). Zulfiqar Babar took three wickets for 28 runs in his four overs.  Southern Punjab lost their way in the chase after an 85-run opening stand between Zeeshan Ashraf (61 off 26 balls, three sixes and eight fours) and Mukhtar Ahmed (22 off 25 balls, two fours). Leg-spinner Osama Mir took three while Nauman Ali and Salman Irshad two wickets each to derail the Southern Punjab batting line-up. Southern Punjab crashed from 85 without loss to 156 all out in 17.5 overs as Northern celebrated an unlikely win. Scores in brief: Final Southern Punjab v Northern, National Stadium, Karachi Northern 196 for 7, 20 overs (Shoaib Ahmed Minhas 68, Jamal Anwar 40, Zeeshan Malik 34; Zulfiqar Babar 3-28) Southern Punjab 156 all out in 17.5 (Zeeshan Ashraf 61, Maqbool Ahmed 26; Osama Mir 3-28, Salman Irshad 2-13) Man-of-the-Match Jamal Anwar Player-of-the-Tournament Nauman Ali (160 runs and 10 wickets) Best-Batsman-of-the-Tournament Zeeshan Ashraf (395 runs) Best-Bowler-of-the-Tournament Raza Ali Dar and Mohammad Imran (13 wickets each) Best-Wicketkeeper-of-the-Tournament Mohammad Ikhlaq and Maqbool Ahmed (7 victims each)  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RWALPINDI:-The Pakistan U16 will take on Bangladesh U16 in a three-day fixture at the Khan Research Laborites Stadium (KRL) in Rawalpindi from Friday. The Bangladesh U16 are on their return tour to Pakistan after beating Pakistan U16 2-1 in the three 50-over matches series and 1-0 in the two three-day match series at home in April-May this year. The two teams are scheduled to play a series of two three-day matches and three 50-over matches from 25 October to 8 November, all five games will be played at the KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi. Pakistan is captained by all-rounder Aliyan Mehmood, who has featured in five 50-over matches and one T20 match for Pakistan at the U16-level. Mohammad Waqas is the vice-captain, who has featured in three 50-over matches and two three-day matches. Pakistan will be banking on their fast bowling department with the likes of Ahmad Khan, Aseer Mughal and Khalid Khan. Abbottabad’s Ahmad Khan, has featured in six 50-over matches for Pakistan picking 14 wickets, while he grabbed four wickets from the two three-day matches in Bangladesh. Rawalpindi’s Aseer Mughal was the most successful bowler in the three-match 50-over series for Pakistan against Bangladesh U16 with eight scalps despite the visitors losing the series 2-1. He also took seven wickets in the second three-day match which was a drawn match at Sheikh Abu Naseer Stadium in Khulna. Quetta’s Khalid Khan took eight wickets with an average of 15.50 in the same series. His best figures of 5-33 in an innings came in a losing cause at the Fatullah Khan Saheb Osmani Stadium in Fatullah. On Thursday, the two captains – Bangladesh’s Nayeem Ahmed and Aliyan Mehmood of Pakistan – had a picture opportunity with the series trophy with Aliyan hoping to play a competitive series. Aliyan Mehmood said: “This is going to be an exciting series, as we will be playing a competitive side at our home ground. We have prepared really well for the matches, the coaches have worked really hard on us and we will come up with a strategy to start the series on a positive note. “Captaining the side is a huge honor for me. I am grateful to the management for having faith in my abilities and I look forward to perform to the best of my abilities and bring positive results for the team. “We have done our preparations; the series provides an equal opportunity for both the teams to showcase their talent.” Bangladesh have named left-handed batsman Nayeem Ahmed as their captain for the series. Bangladesh captain Nayeem Ahmed said: “We are here for the series since last two days, and practicing really hard. The players are motivated to play a competitive cricket in the next two weeks.” Squads Three-day (to be selected from): Pakistan - Aaliyan Mehmood (captain) (Karachi), Mohammad Waqas (vice-captain) (Faisalabad), Abbas Ali (Peshawar), Afzal Manzoor (wicketkeeper) (Sialkot), Ahmad Khan (Abbottabad), Ali Asfand (Faisalabad), Ali Hasan (Sialkot), Aseer Mughal (Rawalpindi), Ayaz Shah (FATA), Farhad Khan (FATA), Haseeb Imran (Rawalpindi), Ibrar Afzal (Lahore), Khalid Khan (Quetta), Mohammad Shehzad (Multan), Mohammad Sikandar (Hyderabad) and Rizwan Mehmood (Hyderabad) Bangladesh -  Nayeem Ahmed (captain), Ahmood Sharif, Ahosun Habib Leon, Amir Hossain Asif, Anik Chaki, Arafat Islam, Ashiqur Zaman, Limon Hossain , Mazharul Hoque Rupom, Minhajul Hasan Magh, Mohammad Musfik Hasan, Radowan Hossan Siyam, Shamsul Islam Epon, Tanbir Alam Sham and Tawhidul Islam Ferdus Schedule: 25-27 October – First three-day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi 30 October-1 November – Second three-day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi 4 November – First One-Day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi 6 November – Second One-Day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi 8 November – Third One-Day, Pakistan U16 v Bangladesh U16, KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi

SB Report FAISALABAD:-Northern beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by three runs in a last over thriller at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium to secure a spot in the final of the National T20 Cup. Northern fast-bowler Haris Rauf defended eight runs in the last over, taking three wickets in process, of the first semi-final. Haris started the over by taking the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed, the top-scorer of the run-chase with 53 from 45 balls. Musadiq Ahmed (0 off 1), Zohaib Khan (5 off 5) and Mohammad Mohsin, who was run-out, were the other three wickets to fall in the over. Northern had set a target of 149 after being asked to bat by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Mohammad Rizwan. Opener Umar Amin scored a 33-ball 43, hitting four fours and a six, and stitched a 50-run stand for the third-wicket with wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir, who scored run-a-ball 21. Asif Ali was the other notable run-getter as he scored 28 runs from 16 balls with two sixes and a four.  With five wickets for just 13 runs in four overs, Usman Shinwari was the star performer with the ball, while Imran Khan Jnr took two wickets for 31 runs. In their chase, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lost opener Sahibzada Farhan (o off 4) in the first over. After scoring run-a-ball 15, Rizwan followed him back to the pavilion in the fifth over. A 65-run stand for the third-wicket between Fakhar Zaman (39 off 31) and Iftikhar, who hit six fours, stabled the run chase. Khushdil Shah’s 17-ball 22, which had three fours, consolidated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s position in the match. But, the match turned on its head in the last over. For taking three wickets for 26 runs in three overs and defending eight runs in six balls, Haris bagged man-of-the-match award.With two wickets for 24 runs in four overs, Sohail Tanvir was the other notable bowler in the match. Scores in brief:  Northern 148-9, 20 overs (Umar Amin 43, Asif Ali 28, Rohail Nazir 21; Usman Shinwari 5-13, Imran Khan Jnr 2-31) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 145-8, 20 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 53, Fakhar Zaman 39, Khushdil Shah 22; Haris Rauf 3-26, Sohail Tanvir 2-24)

SB Report ISLAMABAD-Islamabad Disable cricket team defeated Abbottabad Disables by only 2 runs in a friendly tie on Tuesday. Islamabad’s captain, Usman Paracha won the toss and elected to bat first. At one stage, Islamabad disables were 41/9, than Usman Ali and Mohammad Afzal score 27 valuable runs and set a target 69 to win for Abbottabad disable cricket team. Adil Abbasi 13, Ali Abbassi 14 and Mohammad Afzal scored 7 runs. Aftab took 3 wickets while Hussain, Rajwali and Hammayun took two wickets each Fawad took one wicket. In reply, Abbottabad disable cricket team 66 all out in 19th over. Salam and Hammayun scored 17 runs each Hussain scored 10 runs. Waqaf Shah and Ali Abbass took 4 wickets each and Hammad Shoukat took two wickets. The chief guest Assistant commissioner Chota Lahore  Tabinda Tariq distributed the prizes among the players. He appreciated the efforts and promote sports activities and especially for these special brave people of our society. We are especially thankful to sports officer Sawabi Tariq Mohammad for making this beautiful event successful.  

SB Report  LAHORE:-Spinners Haris Javed and Raza-ul-Hasan stole the limelight along with pacer Gufran Hadi on day one of the fourth-round of National U19 Three-Day tournament on Tuesday. At Dring Stadium Bahawalpur, Balochistan were blown away for 134 runs on the opening day of their match against Southern Punjab. Left-arm-spinner Haris Javed enjoyed a memorable day taking seven wickets for 71 runs in 18 overs. Muhammad Junaid with 24, Ghulam Sarwar and Abu Huraira with 20 runs each were the only Balochistan batsmen to offer some resistance. By close of play, Balochistan had roared back in the contest by taking seven Southern Punjab wickets, Southern Punjab ended the day at 68 for seven. Mohammad and Abu Huraira took two wickets each. Northern were bowled out for 231 runs against Central Punjab in their match at the Rana Naveed Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura. Pacer Gufran took five wickets as Central Punjab folded the Northern batting line-up, Mubasar Khan with 75 and Awais Abid with 56 were the main contributors. Abdul Fasih made 43 runs, Umer Eman took three wickets for 17 runs with his left-arm-spin. Central Punjab ended the day at 29 for one in their first innings. At Karachi’s State Bank Stadium, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 180 runs in their first innings against Sindh. Leg-spinner Raza-ul-Hasan took four wickets for 42 runs while Arish Ali Khan took three wickets for 42 runs. Sindh made a good start to their first innings and ended the day at 122 for one in 40 overs. Mubashir Nawaz fell for 60, his opening partner Taha Mahmood is batting on 39 with Kashif Ali who is 19 not out. Scores in brief: Balochistan U19 v Southern Punjab U19, Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur Balochistan U19 134 all-out, 43 overs (Muhammad Junaid 24; Haris Javed 7-71) Southern Punjab U19 68-7, 50 overs (Basit Ali 48; Muhammad 2-7, Abu Huraira 2-22) Northern U19 v Central Punjab U19, Rana Naveed Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura Northern U19 231 all-out, 80.4 overs (Mubasar Khan 75, Awais Abid 56, Abdul Fasih 43; Gufran Hadi 5-42, Umer Eman 3-17) Central Punjab U19 29-1, 5 overs (Faizan Saleem 1-7) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U19 v SindhU19, State Bank Stadium, Karachi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  U19 180 all-out, 56.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 69, Salman Khan jr 59; Raza ul Hasan 4-42, Arish Ali Khan 3-42) Sindh U19 122-1, 40 overs (Mubashir Nawaz 60, Taha Mahmood 39 not out)

SB Report  KARACHI:-Central Punjab and Northern joined table-toppers Southern Punjab and Sindh in the semi-finals of the National T20 2nd XI tournament with wins over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan respectively at the National Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday. In the first match of the day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa scored 148 for nine after opting to bat first. Asad Afridi top-scored with 43 off 25 balls, his innings included three fours and three sixes. Mehran Ibrahim made 31 off 26 balls, the two rescued the side after Ehsan Adil and Bilawal Iqbal had reduced them to 34 for four. Ehsan finished with three wickets for 16 runs in his four overs which included a maiden over while Bilawal took two wickets for 33 runs. In reply, Central Punjab batsmen chose an attacking approach which helped them chase down the target with 20 balls to spare, the big win gave them a much needed surge in the net-run-rate and confirmed their semi-final spot. Muhammad Saad scored an unbeaten 35-ball 59 with the help of three fours and four sixes. Nauman Anwar scored 50 off 37 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. Sameen Gul with two wickets for 23 runs in two overs was the most successful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bowler. Balochistan after opting to bat first posted 147 for seven against Northern. Balochistan were reduced to 96 for seven when Nazar Hussain (39 not out, seven fours) and Dawood Khan 13 not out joined hands to take the score to 147 for seven through their unbroken 51-run stand for the eight wicket. Left-arm-spinners Raza Hasan and Noman Ali took two wickets each for Northern. In the first semi-final on Wednesday, table-toppers Southern Punjab will take on Central Punjab (fourth in the table) while second placed Sindh will play (third placed) Northern in the second semi-final. Scores in brief: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Central Punjab, National Stadium, Karachi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 148 for 9, 20 overs (Asad Afridi 43, Mehran Ibrahim 31; Ehsan Adil 3-16, Bilawal Iqbal 2-33) Central Punjab 149 for 4, 16.4 overs (Muhammad Saad 59, Nauman Anwar 50; Sameen Gul 2-23) Result: Central Punjab won by six wickets Northern v Balochistan, National Stadium, Karachi Balochistan 147 for 7, 20 overs (Nazar Hussain 39 not out, Jalat Khan 18; Raza Hasan 2-22, Noman Ali 2-31) Northern 151 for 5, 17 overs (Shoaib Ahmed Minhas 37, Zeeshan Malik 37 ; Nazar Hussain 2-32)