SPORTS NEWS CARDIFF (July 7, 2021):-Babar Azam-led Pakistan men’s cricket team can replace England at the top of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League by winning the three-match ODI series starting from tomorrow 8 July at Sophia Gardens Cardiff. The second ODI will be played on 10 July at Lord’s while third and final ODI of the series will be played on 13 July at Edgbaston. The three-match series is a part of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League where England is leading with 65 points from 12 matches, England have won six matches and lost five while one match was abandoned due to rain. Bangladesh are on second position with five wins and four losses from nine matches has and have 50 points. Pakistan, who has won four matches (two each against Zimbabwe and South Africa) and lost two from six matches are on third position with 40 points. In the forthcoming three-match series, the winning team will earn 10 points for each win. If Pakistan win all three matches they will gain 30 points and will rise to the top position with 70 points at the end of the series. Meanwhile, if England win any of three-match series, they will further consolidate their position at the top spot. Pakistan will also be aiming to improve their record of playing against England at their own backyard. Since their inaugural ODI series in England in 1974, Pakistan have lost nine out of the 11 series with their only series win coming in the 1974 series. England on the other hand have won nine series, one series ended in a draw. Babar, who is the number one ranked batsman in the ICC ODI rankings will be eager to maintain his top position. Babar is third on the run scorers list in the ICC Super League matches. The right-handed batter has scored 449 runs at 89.80 in the six ICC Super League matches with the help of two centuries and as many half-centuries at a strike rate of 102.98. Pakistan players to watch out for: Besides Babar, Fakhar Zaman has played four ICC Super League matches. The left-hander has scored 304 runs at 76 with two hundreds to his name. He enjoys a strike rate of 111.35 and has hit 28 fours and 13 sixes. Fakhar will be eyeing to score big in the three-match series and playing a pivotal role for the Pakistan team. Fakhar’s opening partner Imam-ul-Haq is another player who enjoys playing in England. In 12 ODIs in England, Imam has scored 539 at 53.90 with two centuries and one half-centuries. His career best 151 off 131 was also scored against England at County Ground in Bristol in 2019. The left-handed batsman has featured in six matches of the ICC Super League scoring 243 runs at 40.50. He has a strike rate of 80.46 with three half-centuries to his name. Imam also holds the record for youngest Pakistani to score a World Cup hundred – 100 off 100 against Bangladesh at Lord’s in 2019. Mohammad Rizwan, wicketkeeper-batsman who recently helped his side Multan Sultans to their maiden HBL Pakistan Super League title will be looking to transform his form in the ODI cricket. Since 1 May 2020, the wicketkeeper-batsman has featured in 33 international matches across all formats, scoring a staggering 1320 runs at 50.76, with two hundreds and 11 half-centuries. Rizwan’s run-tally in the ongoing year is only 12 runs behind his captain Babar who has scored 1332 runs at 45.93 from 29 international matches. Shaheen Shah Afridi will spearhead the bowling department, the left-arm pacer has 11 wickets to his name from six ICC Super League matches. His best figures of five for 49 came against Zimbabwe at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi last year which helped his side to a 26-run win. The fast bowler like Imam enjoys playing in England. He has his career best figures of six for 35 against Bangladesh at Lord’s in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Hasan Ali is another fast bowler the tourists will be relying on to make an impact in the series. The right-arm pacer has made a remarkable comeback in the national team. Hasan has featured in 11 international matches this year where he has taken 40 wickets with four five wickets in an innings and one ten-wicket haul in a match. He is also the top wicket-taker in this year with India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on second spot with 38 wickets.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (July 6, 2021)-Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) on Tuesday banned top national player Murad Ali for two years, as he had leveled the allegations against the federation in different media statements. The decision of two-year ban was taken in a meeting of the Executive Committee of PBF that was taken place today (Tuesday) at Pakistan Olympic House Lahore. On this occasion, the House congratulated Mahoor Shahzad for becoming the first Pakistani female athlete to participate in the Badminton at Olympic Games. The members applauded the hard work of Mahoor and her parents and expressed their gratitude for the support provided by the Pakistan Olympic Association and World Badminton and Badminton Asia. The members reiterating the decisions of PBF in supporting Mahoor Shahzad as the most talented female badminton player of Pakistan cited as a progress in the right direction. The members also congratulated Nisar Shahwani and Wajid Ali Chaudhry for taking all the necessary measures. The members considered the statements of Palwasha Bashir and Murad Ali in regarding the inclusion of Mahoor’s Olympic slot. The house noting the ranking lists found that both Palwasha and Murad Ali have faked their titles, misrepresented, leveled baseless allegations and attempted to degrade the efforts of athletes and the PBF through national and social media. The members reiterated that while PBF is ready to extend all support to the athletes, any campaign maligning the Federation, athletes and officials is unacceptable. The Executive Committee reviewing the previous proceedings and undertakings of Murad Ali decided to impose a ban on Murad Ali from participating in any badminton event for two years concluding on 06th July, 2023. He may opt to file an appeal against the decision before the General Council of Pakistan Badminton Federation. The Executive Committee decided to refer the case of Palwasha to the Disciplinary Committee that shall initiate an inquiry against her and submit its report within a month and by inviting Palwasha to represent and clarify her position.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (July 6, 2021):-England Men announce new squad for Royal London Series against Pakistan England Men have named an 18-strong group for the Royal London Series against Pakistan. The announcement comes after the news that three members of the initial playing group and four members of the management staff had tested positive for COVID-19, and consequently the entire squad initially selected was required to isolate. Ben Stokes will return to the squad to captain the side and Chris Silverwood, who had been due to take some time away during the white-ball series, is back as Head Coach. In total, there are nine uncapped players in the squad. Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Ashley Giles, said: "It's a great opportunity to play on the biggest stage, and for most of the players selected it's not necessarily something they would have been expecting 24 hours ago. "It's an exciting group of players, with some young talent and some players who have impressed at domestic level over a long period of time. "We're in unprecedented territory, in terms of replacing an entire squad and management team, and I'm very proud of how everyone has come together in order to get it done - both those within the ECB and from the county game. "Ben hasn't captained our ODI side before so it's a huge honour for him. We all wish him well and it's a role I'm sure he'll thrive in. "I'd like to also put on record the thanks of the ECB to the PCB for their support and understanding during this time." Names of players: Ben Stokes (Durham, captain) Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire) Danny Briggs (Warwickshire) Brydon Carse (Durham) Zak Crawley (Kent) Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire) Lewis Gregory (Somerset) Tom Helm (Middlesex) Will Jacks (Surrey) Dan Lawrence (Essex) Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire) Dawid Malan (Yorkshire) Craig Overton (Somerset) Matt Parkinson (Lancashire) David Payne (Gloucestershire) Phil Salt (Sussex) John Simpson (Middlesex) James Vince (Hampshire)

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (July 6, 2021):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has a in close contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regarding concerns about the health and safety of its players since the news of Covid-19 outbreak in the England camp was shared with it on late Monday evening. According to the media department PCB, Pakistan Cricket Board is satisfied by the assurances and guarantees provided by the ECB on the behalf of its medical panel, and feels comfortable with the existing protocols that have been put in place to ensure all the Pakistan players and player support staff remain safe and secure throughout the duration of the series, which commences on Thursday, 8 July, in Cardiff. The PCB has also been in touch with its team management and has advised them to exercise extra caution while in the hotel or at the match venue.

SPORTS NEWS Lausanne, Switzerland: Upon recommendation from the Task Force Events Bidding (comprising of EB Members of all five Continental Federations), the Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has appointed Malaysia as the host country for the 2023 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup and Chile for the 2023 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. The matches will be played in Kuala Lumpur and Santiago, respectively. The FIH Junior Hockey World Cup is the flagship event for under-21 players and involves 32 of the world’s best national teams (16 Men's and 16 Women's teams). FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The FIH Hockey Junior World Cup is the perfect platform for young players to unleash their skills onto the international hockey scene. It’s a stepping stone for athletes in their development to senior international hockey. Our thanks go to Malaysia and Chile. We’re privileged to rely on these experienced host countries and we’re looking forward to magnificent FIH Hockey Junior World Cups in 2 years time!”. "While hosting a tournament is always a big responsibility, in Chile we have always seen it also as a development opportunity to showcase world-class Hockey at the highest level at home in front of our fans, sponsors and media. Bringing Hockey's global finest athletes to Chile will surely become an inspiration for many more young boys and girls to start trying hockey as their sport, making hockey actually bigger in Chile and our region of the Americas”, said Walter Krämer, President of the Chile Hockey Federation. “The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is thrilled to have won the bid to host the 2023 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup tournament. For Malaysia and this region in particular, the Junior World Cup will be a catalyst for the growth and development of the sport amongst youngsters. Over the next two years, MHC will invest in the necessary resources and work closely with all relevant parties including the Government of Malaysia, FIH and various stakeholders to ensure the event is an overwhelming success”, said Dato Seri Subahan Kamal, President of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (July 5, 2021):-Sanath Jayasundara, a former performance analyst at Sri Lanka Cricket, has been banned from all cricket for seven years after the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. The ban is backdated to 11 May 2019, when he was provisionally suspended. Following a full hearing and presentation of written and oral argument, the Tribunal found Jayasundara guilty of: Article 2.1.3 – offering a bribe or other Reward to the Sri Lankan Sports Minister to contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an International Match Article 2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation into possible corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit, said: Jayasundara’s attempt to bribe a Minister is a grave transgression while the efforts to cover up his tracks and the lack of remorse are hugely disappointing. “We won’t tolerate corrupt conduct in our sport and my team will be relentless in preventing such behaviour. This ban should serve as a deterrent for anyone who may be tempted along the wrong path.”

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (July 5, 2021):-At the end of a weekend consistently affected by variable weather, rain, and humidity, the IFSC World Cup in Villars, Switzerland, concluded with two exciting Lead finals, where Team USA representatives Sean Bailey and Colin Duffy occupied two thirds of the men’s podium, respectively placing first and third. As none of the eight male participants secured the top hold, Bailey – Boulder gold medalist at this year’s World Cup in Salt Lake City, USA – concluded with 38, and is now the only male climber able to secure the brightest medal in both the Boulder and Lead disciplines. Participating in his first Lead final round ever, Duffy secured the bronze medal with 31+. The podium was completed by German Olympian Alexander Megos, who finished with 35+ and won the sixth World Cup medal of his career. A second German finalist, Sebastian Halenke, finished in fourth place with 26.5+; while Alberto Gines Lopez of Spain took fifth with 26.5. France’s first time finalist Paul Janft followed in sixth position with 26, while Japan’s Masahiro Higuchi and Zento Murashita concluded at the bottom of the ranking, taking seventh and eight places with 12 and 11+ In the women’s final, after they both clipped at the top of the route, Slovenian superstar Janja Garnbret prevailed over Italy’s Laura Rogora thanks to her better placement in the semi-final. It is the fourth World Cup gold medal out of five participations in 2021 for Garnbret, who will now pause from competitions to focus on her preparation for the Olympic Games. Rogora’s silver, on the other hand, is only her second World Cup medal ever, with the first one being a Lead gold she won in Briançon in August 2020 – where she managed to beat Garnbret herself. The fantastic night of team USA was completed with Natalia Grossman’s bronze medal – the fifth of her season – that she secured with a stunning 42+. Just outside of the podium, Japan’s Momoko Abe placed fourth with 40+, followed by Slovenia’s Vita Lukan, who placed fifth also with 40+. First-time finalist Aleksandra Totkova of Bulgaria finished in sixth position with 33+; Slovenia’s Lucka Rakovec placed seventh with 17+; and Mia Krampl, the fourth Slovenian climber in the final, finished at the bottom of the ranking, also with 17+. The 2021 IFSC World Cup Series will now move to Chamonix, France, where the next IFSC Lead World Cup is scheduled from 12 to 13 July.

SPORTS REPORT KARACHI (July 5, 2021):-West Indies-bound Pakistan national team’s Test players will attend a 10-day training and conditioning camp under bio-secure protocols at the National Stadium in Karachi from Wednesday, 7 July. The camp will conclude on 17 July, while the players will enter the bio-secure in a Lahore hotel on 21 July before departing for Barbados on 26 July. The camp will be supervised by National High Performance Centre coaches, headed by Saqlain Mushtaq (head of player development), and also include Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Umar Rashid (coach), Atiq-uz-Zaman (fielding coach), Imtiaz Ahmed (physiotherapist), Saboor Ahmed (strength and conditioning coach) and Imran Sultan (masseur). In addition to the 11 Test players, including Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Yasir Shah and Zahid Mahmood, the selectors have also invited six additional players. They are: Akif Javed, Irfanullah Shah, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Hassan, Mohammad Umar and Saifullah Bangash. The 25 players and player support personnel, along with five essential staff, on Sunday underwent Covid-19 testing and all have returned negative. As such, 30-member contingent will assemble in Karachi on Tuesday where they will undergo second testing before the camp resumes on Wednesday. Schedule of the camp: 7 July – Training session (1400-1700) 8 July – Day 1 of 4 of scenario match (0930-1730) 9 July – Day 2 of 4 of scenario match (0930-1300) 10 July – Day 3 of 4 of scenario match (1300-1700) 11 July – Day 4 of 4 of scenario match (0930-1730) 12-13 July – Rest days 14 July - Day 1 of 4 of scenario match (0930-1730) 15 July - Day 2 of 4 of scenario match (0930-1300) 16 July - Day 3 of 4 of scenario match (0930-1300) 17 July - Day 4 of 4 of scenario match (0930-1300)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (July 5, 2021):-A series of 4 PSA Satellite Squash Tournaments for Men will be kicked off from July 8, 2021 at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad in the premises of Pakistan Sports Complex.   According to a spokesman for Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), all tournaments will be played under the banner of PSA (Professionals Squash Association), as each fixture will have prize money of US$ 1,000. The first tournament will start on July 8 and top national players will take part to show their maximum game skill to win the tournament. The 1st Satellite event will be held on 08 – 09 July followed by 2nd event from 10 – 11 July, 3rd one from 12 – 13 July and the 4th event on 14 – 15 July, 2021.  Squash series is aimed to provide an opportunity to the low ranking Pakistani players to raise their game standard and improve their world ranking by playing at home.    

SPORTS REPORT DERBY (July 5, 2021):-Middle-order batsman Haris Sohail is still feeling slight pain in his right leg and, as such, he will not take part in next two practice sessions  scheduled on 5 and 6 July in Derby. Haris had also missed the intra-squad practice matches due to the same injury last week. The left-handed batsman has already started his rehabilitation and will undergo an MRI scan on 6 July in Cardiff, following which decision on his availability for the 8 July ODI against England will be made. The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and England which is also part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League will commence from Cardiff on 8 July. Pakistan team is scheduled to travel to Cardiff on 6 July.