ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (December 24, 2020):- Mohammad Shoaib Khan overcame Ahmed Babar 2-1 in the only three sets fair of Men’s Singles Event of the ongoing 6th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2020 at the PTF Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. Rest of seven matches ended in straight sets, as the quarterfinals will be played on Friday at same venue. After losing first set at 4-6, Mohammad Shoaib Khan displayed excellent game and did not allow his opponent Ahmed Babar to settle in the court and won rest of two sets by conceding only two and one game respectively. The final score-line was 4-6, 6-2 and 6-1. Results: Men’s Singles (Round-II): Mohammad Abid bt Asad Ullah 6-2, 6-2 Aqeel Khan bt Abdal Haider 6-1, 6-2 Shahzad Khan bt Ahmed Kamil 6-2, 6-0 Mudassir Murtaza bt Waqas Malik 6-2, 6-0 Muzammil Murtaza bt Yousaf Khalil 6-2, 6-4 Ahmed Ch bt Mahatir Mohammad 6-1, 6-0 Heera Ashiq bt Hasheesh Kumar 6-4, 6-2 Shoaib Khan bt Ahmed Babar 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 Men’s Doubles (Quarterfinals): Mohammad Abid/Waqas Malak bt Ahmed Asjad/Subhan Bin Salik 6-3, 6-2 Yousaf Khalil/Heera Ashiq bt Ahmed Kamil/Ibrahim Omer 6-3, 6-4 Usman Ejaz/Shahzad Khan bt Abdal Haider/Ahmed Ch 6-0, 1-6,12-10 Muzammil Murtaza/Mudassir Murtaza bt Asad Ullah/Abbas Khan 6-3, 6-1 Ladies Singles (Quarterfinals): Hania Navaid bt Azeena Aleem 6-2, 6-0 Sheeza Sajid bt Saher Aleem 6-7(10), 6-0, 6-3 Noor Malik bt Arooj Fatima 6-0, 6-0 Esha Jawad bt Oreen Jasia 6-1, 6-0 Boys Under-18 Singles (Quarterfinals): Mahatir Mohammad bt Zalan Khan 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(1) Hasheesh Kumar bt Sami Zeb 6-3, 7-6(2) Aqib Hayat bt Nalain Abbas 6-3, 6-2 Shoaib Khan bt Hamid Israr 6-3, 6-1 Boys Under-14 Singles (semifinals): Shahsawar bt Abdul Basit 4-0, 4-1 Haider Ali Rizwan bt Sameer Zaman 4-0, 4-0 Girls Under-14 Singles: Aliza Fahd w/o Hareem Fatima Fatimal Ali Raja bt Zara Khan 5-3, 4-1 Soha Ali bt Arooj Fatima 4-0, 4-1 Boys/ Girl’s Under-12 Singles: Ahtesham Humayun bt Hamza Hussain 4-1, 4-1 Amir Mazari bt Taimoor Khan 4-0, 4-1 Hamza Ali Rizwan bt Rayan Khan 4-0, 4-0 Zohaib bt Ismail Aftab 4-0, 4-0 Hamza Roman bt Samer Zaman 4-1, 4-1 Haniya Minhas bt Amna Ali Qayum 4-0, 4-0 Ali Zain bt Ammar Masood 4-2, 4-1 Mohammad Haziq Aasim bt Zunaisha Noor 4-0, 4-2 Mohammad Hamza Aasim bt Asad Zaman 4-2, 5-3 Boys/ Girls Under-10 Singles: Hajra Bibi w/o Mohammad Hussain Usman Ishan Kabir bt Fajar Fayyaz 4-1, 4-0 Zohaib Amjad bt Eesa Fahad 4-2, 4-1

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (December 22, 2020):-As we approach the end of a challenging year, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) can confirm that Belgium men and the Netherlands women will finish 2020 sitting top of the FIH World Rankings. In January, FIH introduced its new match-based model for the calculation of the FIH World Rankings, with the FIH Hockey Pro League matches that were played in early part of the year seeing regular fluctuations in the standings before the COVID-19 global health pandemic brought the competition and all international hockey to a standstill in March. The brief but wonderful return of the competition between September and November saw further exchanges of points between the men’s and women’s national teams of Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Great Britain. The Netherlands (2631.99 points) are 457 ranking points ahead second placed Argentina (2174.61) at the top of the women’s FIH World Rankings, with Germany (2054.28) occupying third position, climbing one place following their FIH Hockey Pro League results against Belgium in September. Australia (2012.89) finish the year in fourth place, with England / Great Britain (1952.74) and New Zealand (1818.98) fifth and sixth respectively. Spain (7th place - 1802.13), Ireland (8th place - 1583.09), India (9th place – 1543.00) and China (10th place – 1521.00) complete the top ten. In the men’s FIH World Rankings, reigning world and European champions Belgium (2496.88 points) sit at the summit in front of 2019 FIH Hockey Pro League winners Australia (2nd place - 2385.70), Netherlands (3rd place – 2257.96) and India (4th place – 2063.78). Olympic champions Argentina (1967.39) are in fifth, followed by Germany (6th place – 1944.34), England / Great Britain (7th place – 1743.77), New Zealand (8th place – 1575.00), Spain (9th place – 1559.32) and Canada (10th place – 1417.37). The rankings calculations model that FIH introduced on 1st January 2020 moved away from the previous tournament-based rankings system to a dynamic, match-based method where opposing teams exchange points in official, FIH sanctioned games. The number of points exchanged depends on the result of the match, the relative ranking of the teams and the importance of the match. While the impact on the number of international matches being played in 2020 was dramatically reduced due to the pandemic, FIH Sport and Development Director Jon Wyatt felt the new approach to the FIH World Rankings was having a positive impact.  “Clearly with so few matches played this year compared to what we would expect in any normal year, the movement in rankings, now that we are using a match-based system, was not as great as it will be”, said Wyatt. “However, even in the limited number of matches that were played we saw the system working well, with points being exchanged that resulted in some movement up and down the rankings table after each match. We are all looking forward to seeing the dynamism of the system working to its full potential once the complete programme of international matches restarts again, so that the rankings will reflect the current form of each team. Let’s hope that’s not too far away.”

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 22, 2020):- Heera Ashiq outclassed Faizan Fayyaz in straight sets 2-0 in the first round of the Men’s Singles Event of the 6th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2020 here at PTF Complex on Tuesday. As many as 30 matches were played in the Men’s Singles, Boys Under-18 and Boys Under-14 events, as the all top players advanced to the second round with comfortable wins and a high standard of tennis was witnessed during some of the matches. Results: Men’s Singles (Round-I): Heera Ashiq  bt Faizan Fayyaz 6-0, 6-2 Ahmed Kamil bt Israr Gul 6-0, 6-3 Mohammad Abid bt Aqib Hayat 6-0, 6-0 Ahmed Babar bt Ejaz Ahmed: 6-3, 6-2 Yousaf Khalil bt Ibrahim Omer 6-3, 7-5 Muzammil Murtaza  bt Imran Bhatti 6-2, 7-6(4) Shahzad Khan bt Barkatullah 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 Mudassir Murtaza bt Rashid Malik 6-4, 6-4 Boys Under-18 (Round-I): Mohammad Bilal Farooq bt Saim Danish 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 Haider Ali Rizwan bt Faizan Shahid 6-0, 6-3 Mohammad Shoaib bt Azan Sajid 6-3, 6-1 Bilal Asim bt Hamza Jawad 6-1, 6-1 Osama Mohammad Khan bt Ahmad Nael 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 Mahatir Mohammad bt Mohammad Huzaifa Khan 6-1, 6-3 Hamid Israr bt Bakir Ali 6-4, 6-4 Sami Zeb Khan bt Ibrahim Bin Sohail 6-1, 6-1 Aqib Hayat bt Kamran Khan 6-2, 6-4 Uzair Khan bt Faizan Fayyaz 6-4, 6-4 Zalan Khan bt Hasam Khan 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 Mohammad Talha Khan bt Ahtisham Arif 6-2, 6-3 Hasheesh Kumar bt Farman Shakeel 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 Kashan Omer bt Shaeel Durab 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 Huzaima A. Rehman bt Mohammad Hamza Aasim 6-2, 6-4 Nalain Abbas bt Huzaima A. Rehman 6-1, 6-1 Boys Under-14 (Round-I): Hamza Hussian  bt Mustansir Ali 4-0, 4-2 Ahtesham Humayun bt Daniyal Ikhlaq 4-0, 4-1 Hamid Israr bt Sameer Maqsood 4-0, 4-0 Husnain Ali Rizwan bt Moavia Butt 4-0, 4-1 Asad Zaman bt Nabeel Ali Qayum 4-1, 4-1 Jamal Shah w/o Abdullah Azhar Hamza Roman w/o Mohammad Inam Qadir

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 21, 2020):-Pakistan captain Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq have been ruled out of the first Test starting in Mount Maunganui from 26 December, while the tour selection committee has named prolific domestic run-scorer Imran Butt in the 17-player squad. Babar had fractured his right thumb a day after Imam had fractured his left thumb during training sessions in Queenstown last week. Both are yet to return to nets with the team’s medical staff closely monitoring their progress. Decision on their participation in the second Test, which commences in Christchurch on 3 January, will be made closer to the time. Babar’s absence means Mohammad Rizwan will captain the Pakistan side in the first Test. When he will step out for the toss on Saturday, he will become Pakistan’s 33rd captain to lead the side in the traditional format of the game. Balochistan’s 24-year-old Imran Butt scored 191 runs in the three ongoing four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches before joining the New Zealand-bound tour party. He had topped batting charts in the 2019-20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 934 runs at an average of over 62 with four centuries and three half-centuries. Also returning to the Pakistan Test side are Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah. They will replace Abdullah Shafiq, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Musa Khan, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz who will now join Pakistan Shaheens for five T20 matches against the local and New Zealand XI sides. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez will not be in action on the New Zealand tour after the Napier T20I. Imad will travel to Australia to join Melbourne Renegades in the BBL, while Mohammad Hafeez will return to Pakistan. Test players to show some form in Pakistan Shaheens’ 89 runs victory over New Zealand ‘A’ include Azhar Ali (58 and 29), Fawad Alam (three and 139), Mohammad Abbas (4-40 and 1-34), Naseem Shah (0-55 and 3-44) and Yasir Shah (3-54 and 2-55). Separately, Shan Masood has had a successful calendar year with the bat in which he has scored 279 runs, second most after Babar Azam (338). Shan is followed by Azhar Ali (244), Mohammad Rizwan (171) and Abid Ali (131). Yasir Shah is the leading Pakistan bowler this calendar year with 15 wickets, followed by Shaheen Shah Afridi (10), Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah (eight wickets apiece). Misbah-ul-Haq: “It is disappointing to lose the T20I series against a well-settled New Zealand side, who utilised their resources and conditions to their advantage. We need to up skill and improve our individual and team performances, including in Tuesday’s match, and the sooner we get these sorted the better it will be in term of player confidences and team results as 2021 will not be any easier as we have two major events. “Contrary to the T20I side, the Test side appears to be pretty organised and we boast some experienced cricketers, both in batting and bowling departments. With some competitive cricket on the tour now under the belt, I am hoping we will be a better outfit in the longer version of the game. “Although it will be nearly two weeks to Babar’s injury when the first Test starts, it will be hard on him and the team to play him without any net sessions. I remain confident and optimistic that other players will rise to the occasion in Mount Maunganui and use the opportunity to rise to the occasion and put the disappointment of the T20I series behind them.” Squads: Pakistan squad for Tests: Mohammad Rizwan (captain for 1st Test), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah. (Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq not available for first Test) Pakistan Shaheens for T20s: Rohail Nazir (captain, wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafiq, Amad Butt, Danish Aziz, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Musa Khan, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Malik. Upcoming matches: 26-30 Dec – 1st Test v New Zealand, Mount Manganui 27 Dec – 1st T20 v Northern Knights, Hamilton 29 Dec – 2nd T20 v Wellington Firebirds, Wellington 1 Jan – 3rd T20 v Canterbury, Lincoln 3-7 Jan – 2nd Test v New Zealand, Christchurch 3 Jan – 4th T20 v New Zealand XI, Lincoln 5 Jan – 5th T20 v New Zealand XI, Lincoln

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 19, 2020):-Mohammad Wasim has been appointed as the Chairman of the Pakistan men’s national selection committee, while Saleem Yousuf has been confirmed as the Chair of the PCB Cricket Committee. To ensure consistency and continuity, both have been appointed till the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The appointments were approved by the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani following the final round of online interviews, which were held on Thursday and Friday. Mohammad Wasim’s first assignment will be to select the Pakistan side for the two Tests and three T20Is series against South Africa around mid-January, while the PCB Cricket Committee’s first meeting of 2021 will be held in Karachi in the lead up to the first Test, which will start at the National Stadium from 26 January. The 43-year-old Wasim is presently head coach of the Northern Cricket Association, which is second on the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy points table behind Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Last season, his side won the National T20 Cup and finished runners-up in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. By virtue of being the head coach of the Northern Cricket Association, Wasim was a member of Misbah-ul-Haq’s selection panel until 30 November. Wasim will assume charge of his new responsibilities following the conclusion of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, whose five-day final will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi from 1 January 2021. There is no change to the composition of the selection committee and head coaches of the six first XI Cricket Association sides will continue to serve on the panel. As and when Wasim’s replacement as the Northern Cricket Association head coach has been confirmed, he will join the selection committee as the sixth member. Saleem Yousuf last served the PCB as a member of the national selection committee from 2013-2015. The former wicketkeeper-batsman will head the panel that presently includes Ali Naqvi (match officials’ representative), Umar Gul (current cricketers’ representative), Urooj Mumtaz (women cricketers’ representative), and Wasim Akram (former cricketers’ representative). The PCB Cricket Committee’s remit is to advice the 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 has 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: “We are delighted to confirm the appointments of two high-quality individuals as Chair of the Selection and PCB Cricket Committees. Both will serve for an initial three-year period till the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.   “Mohammad Wasim and Saleem Yousuf have sound knowledge of cricket, understand the rigours and demands of the modern game and are highly respected across the cricket fraternity. Both the gentlemen are also aligned to the PCB’s five-year strategic pillar of strengthening our merit and opportunity-based domestic structure, as well as improving our international rankings across all formats. “Wasim’s appointment is also part of our strategy to groom, develop and provide leadership opportunities to our talented cricketers. After retiring from competitive cricket, Wasim has progressed through the ranks, having previously worked as a match referee, coach and selector. “He is young, progressive and bold thinker who is in sync with our new High Performance Player Framework, and is one of very few people who are completely aware of the pool of talented cricketers available at the domestic level. “Saleem Yousuf was an intelligent, courageous and aggressive cricketer who served Pakistan with distinction. While he has built a strong professional career outside of the game, he has continued to maintain a huge interest in both our domestic and international cricket. “Under Saleem’s leadership, we will have a fresh, objective and constructive approach to all aspects of our game and the PCB Cricket Committee looks forward to putting up strong recommendations to the PCB Chairman on how we can continue to improve Pakistan cricket.” Mohammad Wasim: “I have been very fortunate to have played with some of the finest cricketers and am confident that I will be able to execute those learnings in this challenging role. “We have a busy 2021 year ahead and I will focus on being positive on selections that not only address our short-term needs but also fulfil our long-term ambitions. We have immense talent in Pakistan and it is important that they are given opportunities. “This is a performance-oriented world and, as such, my philosophy will be to promote meritocracy and select squads according to home and international conditions and requirements. As a chief selector, I will always be willing to make the hard calls, if these are in the best interest of Pakistan cricket. “I look forward to working closely with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam as we collectively strive to take Pakistan cricket forward.” Saleem Yousuf: “It is an honour to chair the group, which boasts some highly respected and knowledgeable people. “The objective of this panel is to evaluate, analyse and assess cricket-related matters and then make recommendations to the PCB Chairman on how Pakistan cricket can improve, strengthen and move forward. “With the support of my colleagues on this committee, I look forward to making a significant contribution so that we can continue to move Pakistan cricket forward.” About Mohammad Wasim ·         Hails from Rawalpindi and turned 43 on 8 August ·         Played 18 Tests and 25 ODIs from 1996 to 2000. Scored 783 Test runs, including a century on debut, and 543 ODI runs ·         Played 194 first-class matches from 1994 to 2011, scoring 10,074 runs ·         Member of Pakistan side that won the 1996/1997 tri-series in Australia that also included the West Indies ·         Also played cricket in New Zealand and the Netherlands ·         Appointed Sweden men’s national team coach in 2018 ·         Appointed Northern Cricket Association coach and member selection committee in 2019 About Saleem Yousuf ·         Hails from Karachi and turned 61 on 7 December ·         Played 32 Tests and 86 ODIs from 1982-1990. Scored 1,055 Test and 768 ODI runs. Dismissed 104 batsmen in Tests and 103 batsmen in ODIs ·         Played first-class cricket from 1978-1996 for five sides. Scored 4,578 runs and dismissed 339 batsmen ·         Played in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1987, which was hosted by India and Pakistan ·         Member of the Pakistan sides that beat India in India in 1986 and England in England in 1987, and won the Nehru Cup in India in 1989 ·         Served as assistant manager and coach of the Pakistan side for the 1996 World Cup  ·         Served as a member of the junior selection committee in 2003 ·         Served as a national selector from 2013-2015

ISLAMABAD (December 19, 2020):-Noor Zaman has won the National Junior Squash Championship 2020 after beating Ashab Irfan in the Under-19 finals at Mushaf Squash Complex on Saturday. In Boys Under-19 final, Noor Zaman from PAF beat Mohammad Ashab Irfan from Punjab with a game score of 4-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7 and 11-7. The match lasted for 35 Minutes. Earlier, in Boys Under-17 final, Mohammad Hamza Khan from PAF beat Huzaifa Zahid from KP with a game score of 11-3, 11-3 and 11-6.  The match lasted for 13 Minutes. Results (Finals): Boys Under-17 Mohammad Hamza Khan (PAF) beat Huzaifa Zahid (KP) 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 (13 Minutes) Boys Under-19 Noor Zaman (PAF) beat Mohammad Ashab Irfan (Punjab) 4-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 (35 Minutes).            

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (December 19, 2020):-Top seed Aqeel Khan and Sarah Mehboob have won the titles of 6th National Benazir Bhutto Tennis Championships 2020 after beating their respective opponents in the finals of Men’s Singles and Ladies’ Singles respectively here at Islamabad Tennis Complex on Saturday. It was a well-contested Men’s Singles final that was won by top seeded Aqeel by 2-1, as he overcame Muzammil Murtaza with the score-line of 7-6, 4-6 and 6-1. Both the player presented a quality game by hitting beautiful strokes. Sarah Mehboob outclassed Ushna Suhail in straight sets 2-0 without any resistance. Sarah was on peak and showed impressive game during the whole match. Mohammad Shoaib won the Under-18 title after defeating Ahmed Kamil. Results (Finals): Men’s Singles Aqeel Khan beat Muzammil Murtaza 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1 Ladies’ Singles Sarah Mahboob beat Ushna Suhail 6-4, 6-3 Boys’ Under-18 Mohammad Shoaib beat Ahmed Kamil 6-1, 2-0, Retd Girls’ Under-14 Amna Ali Qayum beat Sheeza Sajid 3-5, 4-2, 4-1 Boys’ Under-12 Hamza Roman beat Haniya Minhas 2-4, 4-1, 4-2 Boys’ Under-10 Mohammad Hassan Usmani beat Ismail Aftab 2-4, 5-3, 5-3, 6-3

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 16, 2020):-Mohammad Shoaib stunned Mudasir 2-1 in the second round match of Men’s Singles Event of the 6th Benazir Bhutto Tennis Championship on Wednesday here at Islamabad Tennis Complex. Results: Men’s Singles (Round-II): Ahmed Ch. beat Imran Bhatti 6-0, 6-1; Mohammad Abid beat Jibran Ul Haq 6-2, 6-1; Yousaf Khalil beat Shakir Ullah 6-1, 6-1; Shahzad Khan beat Ibrahim Omer 6-1, 6-0; Muzammil Muraza beat Nauman Aftab  6-1, 6-2; Mohammad Shoaib beat Mudasir Murtaza 6-4, 6-7(8) 6-3; Heera Ashiq beat Ahmed Kamil 6-0, 6-3; Aqeel Khan beat Barkat Ullah 6-2, 6-1 LADIES SINGLES (Round-II): Ushna Suhail beat Apsara Sheraz 6-1, 6-0; Esha Jawad beat Syeda Eraj 6-2, 6-3; Hania Navid beat Oreen Jasia 6-0, 6-0; Mahvish Chishtie beat Natalia Zaman 6-1, 6-3; Farah Shah Khan beat Mariam Mirza 2-6, 6-3, 7-5; Sheeza Sajid beat Saher Aleem 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-6(3), Sarah Mahboob beat Hareem Fatima 6-0, 6-0 MEN'S DOUBLES (Quarterfinals): Aqeel Khan/Shahzad Khan beat Ahmed Kamil/Ibrahim Omer 6-1, 6-1; Muzammil Murtaza/Mudasir Murtaza beat Saqib Hayat/Nauman Aftab 6-2, 6-0; Mohammad Abid/Waqas Malak beat Faizan Khurram/Imran Bhatti 6-2, 6-7(4), 10-5; Mohammad Shoaib/Barkat Ullah beat Syed Nofil Kaleem/Abbas Khan 7-5, 6-1 Boys 18 & Under (Quarterfinals): Mohammad Shoaib beat Hamid Israr 6-0, 6-1; Sami Zeb beat Mahatir Mohammad 6-4, 6-7(4) , 7-5; Ahmed Kamil beat Mohammad Huzaifa Khan 7-6(4) , 6-3; Aqib Hayat bt Hasheesh Kumar 6-1 , 6-2 Boys 14 & Under (Quarterfinals): Bilal Asim beat Asad Zaman 4-1, 4-0; Haider Ali Rizwan beat Mohammad Ibrahim Ashraf 4-1, 4-1; Ahmed Nael  beat Shahsawar Khan 4-1 , 4-2; Hamid Israr beat Hamza Roman 4-0, 4-1 Girls 14 & Under (Round-I): Sara Khan beat Mahrukh Sajid 4-2, 4-0; Zara Khan beat Lalarukh Sajid 4-1, 4-1; Fatima Ali Raja beat Hareem Fatima 4-1, 4-2; Zainab Ali Raja beat Farah Shah Khan 4-1,4-2 BOYS & GIRLS U-12 (Round-II): Zohaib Afzal beat Mian Abdullah 4-1, 3-5 , 5-3; Samer Zaman beat Ismail Aftab 4-1, 4-1; Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Syed Mohammad Aalay 4-0, 4-0; Amir Mazari beat Taimoor Khan 4-0, 4-1; Amna Ali Qayum beat Eesa Fahad 4-0, 4-0, Ali Zain beat Nabeel Ali Qayum 5-3, 4-1; Hania Minhas beat Hamza Hussain 5-3, 4-0; Hamza Roman beat Abdul Basir 4-1, 4-2 BOYS/GIRLS U10 (Round-II): Eesa Fahad beat Uzair Maqsood w.o; Mohammad Shayan Afridi beat Abdul Wasay 4-0, 4-2; Haris Bajwa beat Syed M. Aalay 4-1, 4-2; Mahnoor Farooqui beat Zarnaaz Noor w.o; Ismail Aftab beat Aqtan w.o SENIORS 45 PLUS (Round-I): Rashid Ali/ Col. Faisal beat Wakeel Khan/ Amjad Nasir 6-1, 6-3;

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 16, 2020):-Noor Zaman and Ashab Irfan moved into the final Under-19 event of National Juniors Squash Championship 2020 after beating Farhan Hashmi and Khushal Riaz in the semifinals at Mushaf Squash Complex on Wednesday. Results: Boys Under-13 (semifinals): Mohammad Zaman (Sindh) beat Umair Arif (KP) 6-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-3, 11-7 (38 Min) Huraira Khan (KP) beat Yashwa (Pb) 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5 (32 Min)     Boys Under-15 (semifinals): Anas Ali Shah (Punjab) beat Saboor Khan (CAA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (18 Min) Yaseen Khattak (PAF) beat Mehmood Mehboob (Pb) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (18 Min) Boys Under-17 (semifinals): Huzaifa Zahid (KP) beat Mohammad Ammad (PAF) 11-13, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (58 Min) Mohammad Hamza Khan (PAF) beat Fahad Sharif (KP) 11-3, 9-3, Retired Hurt (13 Min) Boys Under-19 (semifinals): Noor Zaman (PAF) beat Mohammad Farhan Hashmi (Pb) 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 (42 Min) Ashab Irfan (Pb) beat Khushal Riaz (KP) 10/12, 11/5, 11/3, 11/3 (38 Min) Girls Under-19 (semifinals): Zynab Khan (Sindh) beat Noor Ul Ain Ejaz (Pb) 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 (23 Min) Maira Hussain (KP) beat Hira Aqeel (KP) 3-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9, 13-11 (28 Min).    

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (December 15, 2020):-Pakistan women’s national cricket team will tour South Africa for three ODIs and three T20Is, which will be played in Durban and Pietermaritzburg from 20 January to 3 February. In consultation and discussions with Cricket South Africa, the series has been finalised to ensure women’s cricket continues to build on the momentum and successes following the trailblazing ICC Women’s Championship 2017-2020, ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cups 2018 and 2020. This additional series has also been organised to help both Pakistan and South Africa prepare for the upcoming assignments, in particular Pakistan, who will feature in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in July 2021 for the event proper to be held in New Zealand in early 2022. South Africa, along with world champions England, Australia, India and hosts New Zealand, have already qualified for the World Cup after securing top positions in the ICC Women’s Championship 2017-20. The series will start and finish in Durban with the first ODI on 20 January and the third T20I on 3 February. Both matches will be played under lights. Durban will also stage the second ODI on 23 January before action will move to Pietermaritzburg where the third ODI and opening two T20Is will be played on 26, 29 and 31 January, respectively. To prepare and select the best available side and in continuation to the Women’s High Performance Camp and the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship, the women’s national selection committee has invited 27 women cricketers for a training and preparation camp, which will be held at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi from 20 December. From the start of the training camp until the side’s departure for Durban on 11 January, the women cricketers will remain and train in a bio-secure environment, besides undergoing routine testing in line with the PCB Covid-19 Protocols. Prior to joining the camp, each cricketer will require a negative test and another negative test after reporting for the camp before being allowed to integrate with other members of the group. The tour to South Africa will also be the first official assignment of head coach David Hemp and bowling coach Arshad Khan. While Hemp joined forces in October, Arshad was appointed in November. Mohammad Kamran Hussain will be the assistant coach at the training camp. This will be Pakistan women’s side’s second tour to South Africa within 18 months. In May 2019, Pakistan and South Africa featured in one of the most thrilling, keenly contested and exciting women’s series to date. The three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs ended in a 1-1 draw when the 12 May third ODI ended in a tie after Nashra Sandhu scored seven runs off the final two deliveries to help Pakistan reach 265 for nine in 50 overs. In the five-match T20I series, Pakistan took a 2-1 lead before South Africa bounced back to clinch the series 3-2. Women’s chief selector and head of the women’s cricket, Urooj Mumtaz: “It is critical for women’s cricket that we continue to invest in the game in these difficult times, otherwise all the efforts and hard work that have gone recently in building the profile, enhancing the standard and generating fan interest and following will be wasted. “I am delighted that Cricket South Africa have agreed to host us for a full tour despite having already qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022. This is yet another indicator and reflection of our relationship with the Member boards who are willing to help and support each other in any possible way. “The PCB created activities and held a domestic event for the women cricketers to attract and inspire them to remain connected with the game during these challenging times, but nothing can replace international cricket. In this background, it is great that our women cricketers will reap the benefits of their loyalty and commitment to the game by getting an opportunity to play international cricket against a quality side. “South Africa are ranked above us, both in the ODI and T20I formats and, as such, I am sure this series will go a long way in not only assisting us to further improve our standards but also prepare for June’s ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 as we aim to finish in the top three and progress to event proper in early 2022 in New Zealand.” 27 probables for the South Africa tour are (18-player squad expected to be announced on Thursday, 31 December 2020 at the National Stadium press conference room early afternoon): Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Ayesha Zafar, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana Khan, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Javeria Rauf, Kainat Imtiaz, Kaynat Hafeez, Maham Tariq, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Saba Nazir, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz and Syeda Aroob Shah Tour schedule: 11 Jan – Departure for Durban 13-19 Jan – Training, practice and intra-squad matches, Durban 20 Jan – 1st ODI (d/n), Kingsmead Stadium, Durban 23 Jan – 2nd ODI (d), Kingsmead Stadium, Durban 26 Jan – 3rd ODI (d), Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg 29 Jan – 1st T20I (d), Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg 31 Jan – 2nd T20I (d), Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg 3 Feb – 3rd T20I (d/n), Kingsmead Stadium, Durban