SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (January 28, 2021):-Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, in a statement on Thursday said the game of tennis is growing swiftly among the young generation and Sports Board Punjab, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, is extending every kind of assistance for the holding of tennis events in the province. “Sports Board Punjab’s Junior Initiative Tennis Academy is also working quite effectively at Nishtar Park Sports Complex State of the Art Tennis Stadium where expert coaches are imparting training to 4 to 12 year old boys and girls under the supervision of Rashid Malik at the academy”. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said: “We are also organising First Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Division Hockey Championship with the collaboration of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) from Jan 25 to Feb 7, 2021 at National Hockey Stadium”. Ahmad Kamil, Hassan Riaz, Imran Bhatti and Mahatir Muhammad stormed into semifinals in Men's Singles category on the third day of Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Open Tennis Championship 2021 at the Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah on Thursday. Mahatir Muhammad, Faizan Fayyaz and Hasheesh Kumar also booked a place in the semifinals of Under-18 Boys’ Singles category after defeating their respective opponents in quarterfinals. As many as 24 matches were played on the third day of Sports Board Punjab Open Tennis Championship 2021.   Results: Men's singles quarterfinals: Ahmad Kamil beat Hasheesh Kumar 6-4, 6-2 Hassan Riaz beat Abdul Hanan Khan 7-6, 6-3 Imran Bhatti beat Mian Bilal 6-2, 5-7, 10-5 Mahatir Mohammad beat Shaeel Durab 7-5, 6-2 Under-18 Quarterfinals: Faizan Fayyaz beat Shaeel Durab 8-4 Mahatir Mohammad beat Ahtesham Arif 8-0 Hasheesh Kumar beat Hanzla Anwar 8-0 Under-18 Doubles Quarterfinals: Shaeel Durab/Nalain Abbas beat Muneeb Majeed/Shehryar Anees 4-2, 4-2 Moavia Butt/Husnain beat Zaeem Ghafoor/Arman kamran 5-3, 4-1 Hasheesh Kumar/Asad beat Hassan Ali/Faizan Fayyaz 5-4, 5-4 Under-14 pre-quarterfinals: Moavia Butt beat Abdullah Pirzada 7-6 Ameer Mazari beat Aized Khalil 6-2 Omer Jawad beat Abu Bakar Khalil 6-0 Asad Zaman beat Harris Bajwa 6-0 Under-12 pre-quarterfinals: Ameer Mazari beat Xeerak Mustafa 6-1 Samer Zaman beat Ali Usman 6-0 Seniors 35-plus doubles: Tariq Sadiq/Kashif Rehmat beat Mehboob Waheed/M Yousaf 6-1, 6-2.   

SPORTS REPORT DURBAN (January 28, 2021):-Pakistan women’s national cricket team will face South Africa in a three-match T20I series, which will be played at Durban’s Kingsmead Cricket Stadium from Friday. This will be the national side’s first international T20I format assignment since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year. Pakistan have played eight T20Is in South Africa to date and faced South Africa in six of them. The tourists have won two - all in the last tour in 2019 – and lost four. Nida Dar was the leading run-getter (192 runs) and highest wicket-taker (five wickets) when Pakistan toured South Africa in 2019. In the recently concluded three-match ODI series, the 34-year-old scored back-to-back half-centuries in the first two matches and finished as the third best batter with 124 runs. Aliya Riaz topped the batting charts as she scored 136 runs – which included her career-best 81 in the second ODI. The all-rounder enjoys a healthy 71.50 batting average against South Africa in T20Is – the third best for the batters, who have scored more than 100 runs in the format against them. Pakistan captain Javeria Khan says her side is well equipped to challenge the hosts in their conditions. “It is a new series and presents us an opportunity to bounce back on the tour,” she told PCB Digital. “We have some exciting cricketers in our ranks, who can leave a mark and they are eager to make the most of this series. “All-rounders Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz have been in good form and their ability to hit the ball hard and contribute with the ball in the crucial middle overs provide good balance to the side. Diana Baig, who is on her first tour of South Africa, turned out to be the most successful bowler in the ODI series, which is a good sign for us and the presence of Aiman Anwar provides depth to our pace bowling department. “We have impressive spinners in Anam Amin, Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal and I have no doubts that these players will raise their hands when the situation demands from them.” In the recently concluded ODI series, Pakistan lost to the hosts by the margins of three runs, 13 runs and 32 runs and Javeria is hopeful that her side will learn from the mistakes. “We played good cricket in chunks but squandered opportunities to grab the game. We needed our batters to provide us solid starts, which was not the case, and we unfortunately also let go of crucial chances while fielding. “Batting in South Africa can be difficult. That our batters have been exposed to these conditions and have played three matches at the venue where we will be playing the T20I series, I am hopeful they will respond to the demands of the matches in T20I series accordingly.” Pakistan squad: Javeria Khan (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Syeda Aroob Shah

SPORTS REPORT CHARSADDA (January 28, 2021):-The National Junior Badminton Championships 2021 started at Charsadda on Thursday. Syed Aqil Shah, President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association inaugurated the event. More than 300 shuttlers are participating around the country. Boy's Single U-15, Boy's Single U-17, Girl's Single U-17, Men's Single U-19, Women's Single U-19, Men's Double U-19 and Women's Double U-19 events will be competed in the top national juniors’ fixture. As many as 73 matches have been played on the opening day of the championship. In the opening ceremony Wajid Ali Chaudhry, Secretary General PBF thanked all the participants coming from all over the country and appreciated the effort of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Badminton Association and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate for providing the facilities. 2nd Round is under progress, Results: Boy's Single U-15 (Round-I): Mohammad Zaid (KP) beat Zain Subhani (PB) by 21-5, 21-6 Mohammad Abdullah (KP) beat Mohammad Abbas (ISB) by 21-7, 21-6 Mohammad Sulaman (ISB) beat Mir Shahmir (AJK) by 21-5, 21-5 Najam Ul Saqib (KP) beat Sufiyan (Sindh) by 21-12, 21-7 Amer Hassan Janjua (ISB) beat Khuzima Shahzad (PB) by 21-5, 21-10 Tahir Subhani (PB) beat Hashim Khan (KP) by 21-14, 23-25 Boy's Single U-17 (Round-I): Umer Farooq (KP) beat Ali Zain (Sindh) by 21-15, 21-11 Umair Khan (KP) beat Hassan Arshad (PB) by 21-15, 21-11 Inayat Fareed (KP) beat Bilawar Nadeem (Balo) by 21-17, 21-17 Moazam Tarique (Sindh) beat Sachal Shafiq (PB) by 16-21, 21-12, 21-17 Asad Afridi (KP) beat Faizan Asim (PB) by 21-19, 12-21, 21-8 Mehran (KP) beat Damir (Sindh) by 21-7, 21-18 Ahmad Niazi (PB) beat Ghadeer Ali (Balo) by 21-10, 21-13 Hashir Shah (KP) beat Moiz Ahmed (Sindh) by 21-7, 21-8 Men's Single U-19 (Round-I): Abdullah Siddiqi (Sindh) beat Muhammad Osama (Army) BY 21-16, 21-19 Mohammad Hanif (PB) beat Saad Nawaz Kiani (Army) by 21-13, 26-24 Haseeb Ahmad (PB) beat Farman Kehar (Sindh) by 21-14, 21-17 Azlan Shah (KP) beat Shahyar Ali (PB) by 21-12, 21-11 Mohammad Taha (Sindh) beat Jasim Khan (PB) by 21-6, 21-11 Hammad Asad (PB) beat Mohammad Noman (PB) by 21-14, 21-15

SPORTS REPORT DURBAN (January 22, 2021):-The first One-day International between South African women and Pakistan women went down the wire and was decided on the final ball with the hosts securing a close three-run win after a brilliant fight back from the tourists. Following their captain Javeria Khan’s decision to bowl first, the Pakistan bowling unit, spearheaded by pacer Diana Baig, restricted the hosts to a modest 200 for nine and had them reeling at 88 for four at one stage. In their chase, they made a solid comeback from 78 for five to be only 13 runs away from the victory before the start of the last over. All-rounder Nida Dar contributed in both departments as she took two wickets for 35 with her off-spin before recording the highest score of the match with a 93-ball 59 not out, which included three fours. The 34-year-old is optimistic about her team bouncing back in the series when they take on South Africa for the second one-dayer at Durban’s Kingsmead Cricket Stadium on Saturday. “It was quite a thrilling match and the girls did not lose the fighting spirit till the last ball,” Nida told PCB Digital. “It was our first international match after a long gap and overall we played good, competitive cricket. I think we squandered an opportunity to go 1-0 up in the series. Certainly, there were some gaps and we have had discussions on how we can plug them. We are now looking forward to the next match.” Before Wednesday, Nida had posted 50-plus scores on four occasions. Reflecting on her innings, she said: “It is certainly good to score runs as it gives you confidence going into matches. However, every day is a new day and you encounter different. This time, despite scoring a half-century, I was not able to take my team over the line, but it will not be the case the next time.” The hosts seemed certain to seal the match much earlier in the innings when Shabnim Ismail, who was named Player of the Match for taking three wickets for 42 and contributing run-a-ball 20, bowled Aliya Riaz (28 off 44), bringing an end to a 51-run stand, and Fatima Sana on successive deliveries in the 41st over. But an incredible undefeated 60-run stand for the ninth-wicket between Nida and Diana, who contributed an impressive 35 not out from 34 balls, kept the tourists in the contest. Their partnership went down as the highest for the ninth-wicket for Pakistan and the fourth highest in the history of women’s game. “Our partnership was built on the fighting spirit and when we came together in the middle, we were discussing that we cannot let this game slip and we will battle till the very last ball. Her feedback as a bowler helped me in the middle. We have never batted together for this long and it was incredible how her innings has instilled confidence in the team that we can bounce back from difficult moments.” Pakistan squad: Javeria Khan (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Syeda Aroob Shah

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (January 22, 2021):-President of Pakistan, Mohammad Arif Alvi on Thursday welcomed at President House to an expedition team from Nepal that who scaled K 2, the second highest peak of the world, for the first time in winter season. The Nepalese guys reached on top of 8,611-meter peak first times in winter. President welcomed the Nepalese mountaineers and congratulated the team members on scaling K2 in harsh winter. On this occasion Alvi said that the mountaineers' remarkable achievement would project the Pakistan's soft image as well as boost tourism in the country. "Both countries enjoyed excellent relations and such activities would further increase goodwill between the two countries, “president added. Nepalese Ambassador in Islamabad Tapas Adhikari and leader of the expedition team Nirmal Purja expressed their gratitude to Pakistan for the support provided by the government of Pakistan. They also praised the natural beauty and wide range of mountaineering opportunities in Pakistan. Abu Zafar Sadiq, President Alpine Club (APC) of Pakistan, Karrar Haidri Secretary Alpine Club of Pakistan and ACP Executive Board members, Rehmat Ullah Gorijo VP, Faiz Ali VP, Mohammad Akram Awan Treasurer and Ayaz Ahmed Shigri Vice President ACP were also president at the occasion.

SPORTS REPORT NALTAR (January 21, 2021):-Waqar Junior’s outstanding run in both Slalom and Giant Slalom events helped Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Scouts to lift the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Alpine Ski Cup 2021 at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Ski Resort, Naltar on Thursday. He was in supreme form in both Slalom and Giant Slalom races, and grabbed gold and silver medals in both categories respectively.  In the Slalom category, former Olympian Mohammad Abbas from Pakistan Air Force had a wonderful day on the slope and earned the gold medal in the respective category. The silver medal in Slalom was won by GB Scouts’s Waqar Junior, while Noor Mohammad from Pakistan Army claimed the bronze medal. Gilgit Baltistan Scouts also dominated in the Giant Slalom category, besides Waqar Junior’s gold, the silver and bronze medals were also won by his teammates Sajjad Ahmad and Waqas Azam respectively. Teams of PAF, Pakistan Army, GB Scouts, Swat, Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Islamabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) participated in the top national ski event.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (January 21, 2021):-The England National Selectors have named a 16-strong squad and six travelling reserves for the first and second Test matches against India starting on Friday 5th February at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. England Men’s Test Squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire) (captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Dom Bess (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire). Reserves: James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Amar Virdi (Surrey). Jofra Archer, Rory Burns and Ben Stokes return to the squad. Archer and Stokes were rested for the Sri Lanka series and Burns was at home for the birth of his first child. Surrey’s Ollie Pope will travel to India and will be added to the squad when passed fit. Pope is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in September during the Test series against Pakistan. The National Selectors have provided a block of rest for Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Curran and Mark Wood. The three players, who are currently in Sri Lanka, will miss the first and second Tests in India. This is consistent with the selection policy of finding a block of rest for all multi-format players at some point during post-Christmas winter schedule. With Archer and Stokes returning, and subject to fitness of the rest of the squad, Somerset’s Craig Overton will return home after the Sri Lanka series. Schedule (Test matches): Friday 5-9 February: 1st Test – India v England, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Saturday 13-17 February: 2nd Test – India v England, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Wednesday 24-28 February: 3rd Test - India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad Thursday 4-8 March: 4th Test – India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad Schedule (T20Is): Friday 12 March: 1st T20I – India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad Sunday 14 March: 2nd T20I – India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad Tuesday 16 March: 3rd T20I - India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad Thursday 18 March: 4th T20I - India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad Saturday 20 March: 5th T20I - India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad Schedule (ODIs): Tuesday 23 March: 1st ODI - India v England, MCA Stadium, Pune Friday 26 March: 2nd ODI - India v England, MCA Stadium, Pune Sunday 28 March: 3rd ODI - India v England, MCA Stadium, Pune

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (January 21, 2021):-Karachi’s historic National Stadium will play host to the first Pakistan-South Africa Test on Pakistani soil in more than 13 years when play begins on Tuesday, 26 January. The National Stadium Karachi is considered Pakistan’s fortress of Test cricket but South Africa remains one of only two teams to have beaten the home side in the 42 matches hosted at the venue. South Africa won here by 160 runs to take what turned out to be a decisive 1-0 lead in the last series to be played between the two teams in Pakistan. Current Pakistan batting coach Younis Khan scored a century in the second innings of the match while debutant spinner Abdur Rehman took eight wickets in the match. Former Pakistan players are looking forward to an exciting series with both teams possessing some world-class talent that promises to produce exciting cricket. Younis Khan –Total of 990 runs in 14 Tests against South Africa: “After the Test tours by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the tour of South Africa is a magnificent occasion indeed. National Stadium is my home ground and I have played here for a long time, the conditions and pitch will suit Pakistan. South Africa also have some quality players which makes for a competitive series. “Young Pakistan players who will play Test cricket on home soil will have a lot to gain from this experience, they will learn the nuances of the longest format and their confidence will also grow.” Mohammad Yousuf batting coach NHPC –Seven Tests against South Africa, 357 runs: “South Africa’s trip is a big milestone for cricket in the country, Pakistanis love cricket and it is their greatest passion. There is a lot of interest in Test cricket and I have some very fond memories of playing Test cricket all over the country. “I am confident that the fans will enjoy a great series as both teams will enter the series with adequate preparation and planning. South Africa possess experienced players but we have the advantage of playing at our home grounds. The Pakistan squad is well aware of the conditions at the National Stadium and even the new players inducted in the squad have rich experience of playing first-class cricket at the venue.” Umar Gul –Six Tests, fifteen wickets against South Africa: “This is a significant series in terms of homecoming of cricket as South Africa is one of the top cricketing nations. I remember the 2007 Karachi Test which South Africa won against us as I was part of the Pakistan team. I am backing the Babar Azam-led team to win this Test and better our record against South Africa at one of our favourite Test venues.” Abdur Rehman –Eight wickets in 2007 Karachi Test on debut: “South Africa playing again at the National Stadium has brought back some wonderful memories of my debut Test in 2007. For me performing against them in my debut Test was nothing short of a dream coming true. In the present squad, spinners Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan have considerable experience of first-class cricket. “The trio has played a lot of cricket this season at this venue and know well about the conditions and the pitch. The spinners along with Yasir can really trouble South Africa; Yasir will be the linchpin of the bowling attack.” Faisal Iqbal –Four Tests, 119 runs against South Africa: “In these challenging times, the tour of South Africa is an extremely encouraging step. I strongly believe that the successful delivery of PCB’s domestic season even with the Covid-19 challenges helped a lot with this tour. “I was part of the team that played the 2007 series against South Africa and at present it is a matter of pride for me that I am one of the selectors that has chosen the squad for this tour besides my role as head coach of Balochistan.” Taufeeq Umar –Six Tests, 730 runs against South Africa: “South Africa’s tour is a very encouraging development and I am looking forward to what should be a keenly contested series. This series will help bring more Test cricket to Pakistan. Both teams are balanced and we are in for a thrilling series, I wish Pakistan the very best, I believe we have the squad that can prevail in the Test series.”

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (January 19, 2021):-A wheelchair tennis player, Asif Gul Abbasi made a great mark in the history of wheelchair tennis after winning three international tournaments and representing Pakistan in over a dozen of tennis fixtures in United Kingdom (UK). Now, Asif spotted at 153 in the world ranking that released last December 2020. It is pertinent to mention here that he was ranked 82 couple of years back August 2018. Abbasi is only Pakistani lad, who achieved this milestone in the history of Pakistan wheelchair tennis. The international sports website sports-bulletin.com arranged an interview with him (Asif) at National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad and he told this scribe that he had won three international events in UK including ITF Futures Wrexham, Wales 2017, ITF-3 Draw II 2020 at same venue and ITF-2 Draw II at Bolton, at indoor tennis centre 2020, in a row. “I won 15 British National Series wheelchair tennis tournaments and was declared “Player of the Year” three times back-to-back in 2017, 2018 and 2019, “he maintained. Responding to a question, Asif said that he needed some support from Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to play further international wheelchair tennis and heist the green flag all over the world through sports and to highlight the soft image of Pakistan. “I wish to represent my beloved county in the Para-Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo, Japan soon after the Summer Olympics, which are delayed owing to corona virus Covid-19, “he said. “I can also help PTF in promoting the wheelchair tennis in the country, as I am qualified Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Level-III tennis coach. Pakistan has massive talent in the wheelchair tennis and disabled youth must be given an opportunity to excel at national and international level. I have vast experienced in playing and teaching wheelchair tennis in UK. I am also qualified wheelchair basketball mentor, “Asif Gul Abbasi concluded.  

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (January 17, 2021):-Aleem Dar will officiate in his first-ever Test at home, while on-field umpire Ahsan Raza and match referee Mohammad Javed Malik will also make their Test debuts as the Pakistan Cricket Board, on behalf of the International Cricket Council, today confirmed match officials’ appointments for the two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa, which starts in Karachi on 26 January. Elite panelist Aleem Dar has umpired in a record 132 Tests since making his debut in 2003 in Dhaka, while Ahsan part of the international panel has umpired in 37 ODIs and 57 T20Is to date. Javed Malik, a former first-class cricketer and a member of the ICC’s international panel, has refereed in 10 ODIs and six T20Is. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively, while Javed Malik will lead the playing control team for both the Tests. The second Test will begin in Rawalpindi from 4 February. As per the ICC’s interim playing regulations, the requirement to appoint third country officials has temporarily been removed from the playing conditions for all international formats owing to the current logistical challenges with international travel. The ICC, however, continues to appoint locally based match officials from the ICC Elite Panel of Match Officials and the ICC International Panel of Match Officials. For the three-match T20I series, Javed Malik will continue to be the match referee, while Aleem and Ahsan Raza will be the on-field umpires for the first match with Shozab Raza in the TV umpire’s box and Asif Yaqoob as fourth umpire. Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob will stand in the second T20I with Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz as third and fourth umpires, respectively, while Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz will be the on-field umpires for the third T20I with Ahsan Raza and Shozab Raza as third and fourth umpires, respectively. Aleem Dar: “It will definitely be an emotional moment for me to umpire in a Test involving Pakistan. It has been nearly a 17-year and 132-Test wait, but its about to be over. Like the players, the match officials also want to umpire in matches on home ground, something we achieve in white-ball cricket, but Test cricket remains the pinnacle format and I am delighted that I will be standing in the two Tests between two excellent sides.” Pakistan v South Africa - Umpire and match referee appointments: 26-30 Jan – 1st Test. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 4-8 Feb – 2nd Test. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 11 Feb – 1st T20I. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Shozab Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 13 Feb – 2nd T20I. Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 14 Feb – 3rd T20I. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Shozab Raza (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee).