SPORTS REPORT CHRISTCHURCH (December 6, 2020):-Pakistan today announced an 18-player men’s national squad for the three T20Is against New Zealand to be played on 18, 20 and 22 December. The squad was finalised by head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam in consultation with Pakistan Shaheens coach Ijaz Ahmed, who also locked his 16-player squad for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’ to be played in Whangarei from 17 December. Both Pakistan and Pakistan Shaheens squads are scheduled to depart for Queenstown on Tuesday, 8 December, after completing their 14-day isolation period in Christchurch. In Queenstown, both the sides will stay in different hotels and train at different times and according to their match requirements. On 14 December, Shaheens will travel to Whangarei, while Pakistan will head to Auckland on 15 December for the opening match of the three-match series. For the New Zealand T20Is, Pakistan have recalled Hussain Talat and Sarfaraz Ahmed in the only changes from the side that defeated Zimbabwe 3-0 in November. Hussain, who has replaced Pakistan Shaheens’ Zafar Gohar, played his last T20I against South Africa at Centurion in February 2019, while Sarfaraz Ahmed has reclaimed his spot from Rohail Nazir, who will captain Pakistan Shaheens against New Zealand ‘A’. Fakhar Zaman had played in all the three T20Is against Zimbabwe but missed the New Zealand tour after failing to recover in time due to high fever. Following the conclusion of the T20I series, Imad Wasim will depart for Australia on 23 December to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, while Mohammad Hafeez will leave for Pakistan on 24 December. Head coach Misbah-ul-Haq: “I want to compliment my players and the management team for their patience, sacrifices and the hardships they have endured to ensure they not only lead the safe resumption of international cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic since the series in England but also try to give their best every time they step on the field. “Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time they represent their countries. While we completely respect and understand the New Zealand Government Laws, which have been put in place for the health and safety of their public, there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically prior to an international series. “Nonetheless, when we will leave the isolation facility in the next day or two, we will try to put all this behind us and focus on the challenge of facing New Zealand in both the formats. New Zealand are a formidable side in their conditions and their recent performances against the West Indies confirm why they are ranked second in Tests and just behind us in T20Is in sixth position. “For the T20Is, we have retained the squad that has been playing together for some time. The squad comprises young, talented and high-performing players, who are determined and eager to make names for themselves and further cement their places in the side. “New Zealand boasts some of the best cricket facilities, which are backed by supportive and appreciative crowds. I want my players to make optimum use of the upcoming opportunities by expressing themselves by playing fearlessly every time they take the field. All the players have our backing and support, and all they now need to show is how much believe, faith and trust they have in their own capabilities.” Meanwhile, the Pakistan Test side players who will not be involved in the T20Is, will remain with Pakistan Shaheens to prepare for the two-Test series, which commences at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 26 December. As part of their preparation for the four-day match against New Zealand A, which begins on 17 December, Shaheens will also play intra-squad practice matches in Queenstown. Pakistan Shaheens coach Ijaz Ahmed: “Apart from providing youngsters the opportunity to get some experience and exposure, the objective of Shaheens was to help the red-ball Pakistan men’s national team players prepare for the Tests by featuring in the pre-series matches against New Zealand ‘A’. Despite the disappointment of losing a four-day match, I am pleased that some of the top Pakistan Test players will be representing Shaheens against New Zealand ‘A’ in Whangarei, which will enhance the importance and profile of the match. “The quarantine period was a tough one, something none of us had experienced before, but instead of reflecting on the tough times, we should now start focusing and thinking about playing and performing in international cricket because that is what we have come here for. “We need to avail and cash in on every opportunity to hone our skills and try to improve as professional cricketers. There is no better place than New Zealand to achieve these career objectives as the country has some amazing and cricket-friendly playing conditions.” Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Musa Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz. Management team: Mansoor Rana (Manager), Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant coach), Waqar Younis (bowling coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Ibrahim Badees (team and social media manager), Malang Ali (team masseur), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Talha Ejaz Butt (analyst), Col (retd) Usman Anwari (security manager) and Yasir Malik (strength & training coach). Pakistan Shaheens for New Zealand ‘A’ four-day match: Rohail Nazir (captain), Abid Ali, Amad Butt, Azhar Ali, Danish Aziz, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Malik. Management team: Ijaz Ahmed (manager and head coach), Mohtashim Rasheed (assistant manager & fielding coach), Rao Iftikhar (bowling coach), Hafiz Naeem (physiotherapist), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Usman Hashmi (analyst) and Mohammad Imran Ali (masseur). Pakistan v New Zealand T20Is: 18 Dec – 1st T20I, Eden Park, Auckland 20 Dec – 2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton 22 Dec – 3rd T20I, McLean Park, Napier

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (December 6, 2020):- Asean Kalabagh won the 29th Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Challenge Cup Polo Tournament 2020 after defeating PAF Blue with seven to four and half goals at the lush green Islamabad Polo Club on Sunday. Air Marshal Aamir Masood, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Training), Pakistan Air Force was the chief guest on the occasion of final match. He gave away prizes amongst the players and awarded the CAS Challenge Polo Cup to the winning team.  The tournament was commenced on 30th November, 2020 and five teams including PAF White, PAF Blue, Asean Kalabagh, Dominator and Air Eagle Aviation Academy participated in the tournament. Diplomats, high ranking military and civil officials and polo enthusiasts witnessed the match. CAS Challenge Cup Polo Tournament was introduced in 1985 and ever since it has been a regular feature in the PAF Sports Calendar.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 5, 2020):-Top seed Pakistani lad Mohammad Shoaib won the Boys Singles title of the General Tyre ITF J5 Junior Tennis Championship after beating Roy Keegan from United Kingdom (UK) in straight sets 2-0 with the score-line of 6-3 and 6-3 at PTF Complex, Islamabad on Saturday. Khawar Hyat Khan, Senior Executive Vice President – PTF, graced the occasion as chief guest and gave away the prizes among the players. Mohammad Arif Qureshi, ITF Referee supervised the event in a highly professional manner. Salim Saifullah Khan President- PTF and the management extended their heartiest congratulation to Mohammad Shoaib for his successive wins in the championships.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 4, 2020):-Pakistan International Squash Tournament for Men and Women will be kicked off from December 7, 2020 at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad in the premises of Pakistan Sports Complex. According to Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), the Men Event carries the prize money of US$ 12,000 whereas Women Event US$ 6,000.  Men event draw consist of 32 players and will start on December 7 while Women draw has 16 players and will commence on December 8, 2020. Top four players in Men Event include Tayyab Aslam, Asim Khan, Farhan Mehboob and Amaad whereas Amna Fayyaz, Faiza Zafar, Madina Zafar and Moqaddas Ashraf are top four in Women event.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 4, 2020):- Unseeded Aarav Samrat Hada and Aki Zuben Rawat of Nepal annexed the Boys Doubles title of General Tyre ITF J5 Juniors Tennis by after thrashing top seed Mohammad Shoaib and Ahmed Kamil of Pakistan in a thrilling and entertaining three sets match at PTF SDA Tennis Complex on Friday. Shoaib and Ahmed Kamil won the first set 6-3 by breaking 1st game of Aarav Samrat and Aki Zuben. Aarav and Aki won the second set 6-2 by breaking the third game of Ahmed Kamil. The match was decided on super tie break, which was won by Aarav Samrat and Aki Zuben with a score of 10-8. It is the first ITF title for Nepali pair. The match lasted 1 hour and 13 minutes. Mr. Hussnain Mehmood chaired the final match. In the Girls singles final, Arina Valitova of Russia won the Girls singles title by beating Abhilasha Bista of Nepal in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Arina was in fine touch and won the first set easily with a score of 6-1, by breaking 2nd, 4th and 6th game of Abhilasha. She hit a number of winners from the baseline. She was in full command in the second set, and kept the same pressure and won it 6-2 by breaking 3rd, 5th and 7th game of Abhilasha Bista. She won the doubles crown in this tournament. The match lasted 1 hour. Asif Ali officiated the final match. Dr. Arshad Mehmood, Special Secretary IPC graced the occasion as chief guest along with the guest of honour Salim Saifullah Khan, President PTF and distributed the prizes among the winners of girls singles, doubles and boys doubles. He also visited the PTF Secretariat, the new synthetic courts and was also briefed by the President PTF about the tennis activities and future plans. Salim Saifullah Khan also thanked Secretary IPC for gracing the occasion, despite his busy schedule. Boy’s singles final will be played tomorrow at 11 AM between Mohammad Shoaib of Pakistan and Roy Keegan of Britain. Results: Boy’s Doubles (Final): Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) / Aki Zuben Rawat (NEP) beat Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) / Ahmed Kamil (PAK) 3-6, 6-2(10-8) Girls Singles (Final): Arina Valitova (RUS) beat Abhilasha Bista (NEP) 6-1, 6-2

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (December 3, 2020):-Abhilasha Bista from Nepal pairing with Arina Valitova from Russia on Thursday lifted the title of Girl’s Doubles Event of the 2nd Leg of the General Tyre ITF J5 Junior Tennis Championship after beating Zoha Asim of Pakistan and Margarita Okhendovskaya of Ukraine in straight 2-0 at the PTF Complex, Islamabad. The final score-line was 6-3 and 6-2. In first semi-final of Girls singles event, top seed Arina Valitova was in fine touch and registered a straight-set win against Margarita Okhendovskaya of Ukraine with a score of 6-3, 6-1 by playing powerful forehand and backhand drives. Meanwhile in the second semi-final, Abhilasha Bista of Nepal won her encounter against Zoha Asim of Pakistan in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. Zoha Asim made a number of unforced errors at the crucial stages of the match. In the Boys singles event, Mohammad Shoaib of Pakistan and Roy Keegan advanced into the Boys singles final, which will be played on Saturday, 05th December, 2020. Top Seed Mohammad Shoaib of Pakistan struggled hard to win the match in a well contested three-set match. Siddhartha Lama of USA won the first set at 6-4 by breaking 10th game of Shoaib, in which he hit two double faults. In second set, both the players displayed quality tennis from the baseline. Shoaib builds up the winning lead 5-1, by breaking first and third game of Siddhartha Lama. Siddhartha Lama broke the 8th game of Shoaib after three deuces. Shoaib won the second set at 6-3 by breaking the last game of Siddhartha at 0-40 by hitting some good passing shots. In the final set, long rallies were witnessed from the baseline as the score went up to 4 all, with both the players holding their respective serves. Shoaib won the final set 6-4 by breaking the 10th game of the final set and moved into the final. In the second semifinal, Roy Keegan got a walkover against Rohan Belday of USA, on account of medical reasons. In the Boys doubles event,  Mohammad Shoaib and Ahmed Kamil of Pakistan also got walkover against Rohan Belday and Alexander Karman of USA as Rohan Belday was unable to play on account of medical reasons. In the other semi-final, Aarav Samrat Hada and Aki Zuben Rawat of Nepal won their match against Abdullah of Pakistan and Aoi Ooka of Japan in a thrilling, well contested two-set match 7-6(5),6-3. Boy’s Doubles final will be played tomorrow at 10 pm and Girls singles final will be played at 2:15 PM. Results: Girl’s Doubles (Final):  Abhilasha Bista (NEP) / Arina Valitova (RUS) beat Zoha Asim (PAK) / Margarita Okhendovskaya (Ukraine) 6-3, 6-2 Boys Singles (Semifinals): Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) beat Siddhartha Lama (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Roy Keegan (GBR) w/o Rohan Belday (USA) Boy’s Doubles (Semifinals): Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) / Aki Zuben Rawat (NEP) beat Abdullah (PAK) / Aoi Ooka (JPN) 7-6(5), 6-3 Ahmed Kamil (PAK) / Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) w/o Rohan Belday (USA) / Alexander Karman (USA) Girls Singles (Semifinals):  Arina Valitova (RUS) beat Margarita Okhendovskaya (Ukraine) 6-3, 6-1 Abhilasha Bista (NEP) beat Zoha Asim (PAK) 6-4, 6-2.  

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (December 2, 2020):-Dawid Malan has attained the highest-ever rating points for batsmen in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings after a terrific run saw him top the series aggregate with 173 runs and help England blank South Africa 3-0. The 33-year-old left-hander has reached 915 points, the first to cross the 900-point mark after Australian Aaron Finch’s 900-point achievement in July 2018. Malan now enjoys a 44-point lead over Pakistan’s Babar Azam, whom he overtook to become number one in September this year. Malan’s player of the series performance included a match-winning 99 not out in the final match and helped England leapfrog Australia to take top position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. England, who had started the series at 271 points, are now level with Australia at 275 points but ahead on decimal points. South Africa and New Zealand retain their fifth and sixth positions while the West Indies have slipped behind Afghanistan to 10th place after losing 2-0 to New Zealand in another series, performances of which are also included in Wednesday’s rankings update. England’s Jos Buttler has gained seven spots to reach 21st position while South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen’s continued good form, which saw him score 136 runs in the series, has lifted him 17 places to a career-best fifth position. Faf du Plessis’s return to form, with an aggregate of 121 runs, has pushed him into the top 20. Among the bowlers, England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid is back to the 700-point mark, gaining three places to reach number 4. He is just one spot below his career-best third position achieved in November 2018. The top seven bowlers are all spinners, with Tabraiz Shamsi, South Africa’s top ranked bowler in 5th place. Chris Jordan, who became England’s leading T20I wicket-taker in the third match against South Africa with his 66th wicket, has gained one place to reach 12th rank. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi makes an entry into the top 50 bowlers for the first time after taking four wickets in the series. His previous best was 67th in September this year. The series in New Zealand saw the home side’s Lockie Ferguson leap 45 slots to 32nd position after finishing as the most successful bowler in the series with seven wickets, which included a player of the match effort of five for 21 in the first match. Glenn Phillips celebrated his recall to the New Zealand T20I side for the first time in two years by smashing a century in the second match and climbing into the top 100 batsmen for the first time – ending the series in 86th place. Kieron Pollard was the West Indian star of the series, scoring 103 runs at a strike rate of 198. That was good enough to take him up 18 places to the 57th rank with the bat and up to seventh place in the all-rounders’ table.

By BIPIN DANI Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik is hoping to bring his Indian wife Sania Mirza to Sri Lanka next year when he arrives to play the 2nd year of Lanka Premier League (LPL). Sania and son Izhaan Mirza Malik recently went to Pakistan to support Shoaib in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). "Yes, they did come to Pakistan. The reason being I had not met my son for about seven months. Sania came there and met my mother and family also. We then went to Dubai, where we stayed for a few weeks", Malik in a chat with this reporter at the virtual media conference organized by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board revealed. Shoaib and Sania had spent some time with former India captain MS Dhoni and his wife Sakshi in Dubai, it is understood.  Malik also revealed the reason for not bringing the family to Sri Lanka. "My (two year) son may find it difficult to take so many flights but yes, they will come here next year. Sri Lanka is at my heart. I enjoy the hospitality of this country. I have so many cricketing friends in this country. I love the people here. Enjoy the food".      Jaffna Stallions' 38-year-old Malik did not wait for the umpire's decision for his run out dismissal against Kandy Tusker's on Tuesday. "It was a very obvious dismissal and any other batsman at this position also would not have waited for the umpire's call", Malik added.   

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 2, 2020):-Despite the Covid-19 pandemic that has either postponed or truncated cricket seasons across the cricket world, the Pakistan Cricket Board has successfully delivered 148 matches in the 2020-21 season before the start of the sixth round matches of the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which began in Karachi on Wednesday. By the time the three-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy concludes on 12 December and the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy finishes on 5 January 2021, the PCB remains confident it would have organised 188 matches from 10 completed tournaments in the 2020-21 season, which commenced on 30 September with the First XI National T20 Cup. These tournaments include the first and second XIs National T20 Cup, National U19 One-Day and Three-Day Tournaments, six international matches against Zimbabwe, remaining four HBL PSL 2020 fixtures, the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship, the ongoing three-day and four-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and the upcoming Second XI Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament. During the nine tournaments/series to date, as many as 2,830 Covid-19 tests have been conducted on players, players support personnel and match officials as the PCB has strictly followed and implemented its strict protocols, which were designed in-house, and have been put together for the health and safety of all participants. Until curtains fall on the 2020-21 season in late March, the PCB is optimistic of staging another 112 matches from the first and second XIs Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament, international matches against South Africa and the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021. This means to date, the PCB has delivered nearly 58 per cent of the planned 260 matches in circumstances that can be termed far from normal. The events and series are separate to cricket activities in the National High Performance Centre, where star coaches have been spending a lot of time preparing strategies and pathways for talented cricketers as well as coaches and match officials. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “This data is extremely satisfying for the Pakistan Cricket Board as it illustrates two simple facts: firstly, we have delivered cricket events and activities uninterruptedly despite the pandemic while ensuring health and safety of all participants, and, secondly, we have brought the fans and followers closer to action by live broadcast on TV and YouTube streaming. “This reflects our resolve, commitment and promise to the Pakistan cricket fans that we will not only provide entertainment through quality cricket but will continue to invest in our domestic cricket. I am glad that the response to date has been phenomenal. “The 2020-21 season has also brought the entire PCB together in the planning and delivery of a crowded and busy season in which events have overlapped and multiple teams have been in action in one city. Due to the professional event planning and delivery, we remain on track of completing a full season of domestic and international cricket during these unprecedented times.” PCB Director – High Performance Nadeem Khan: “Cricket activities are the lifeline for the PCB and professional cricketers, and I am pleased we have been able to keep the players busy in competitive cricket by keeping the stadia alive and active. “The standard of cricket has been pretty good and through live broadcast and streaming, we have seen a number of talented cricketers announce their arrival. This season, played in difficult circumstances, has clearly benefited these talented cricketers, which, in turn, will assist Pakistan cricket moving forward as the selectors and team managements will be able to identify the talent that can strengthen their squads. “This has not been an easy period for the entire world. But, from our medical team to the commercial team to the logistics team to the security team, everyone has contributed significantly to ensure cricket remains unaffected.”

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (December 2, 2020):- Mohammad Shoaib, Siddhartha Lama, Rohan Belday and Roy Keegan on Wednesday qualified for the semifinals of ongoing Boys Singles Event of the 2nd Leg of ITF Junior Tennis Tournament at PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad. All four players claimed victories easily in straight sets on the clay surface after displaying excellent skills of game. Top seed Pakistani lad, Mohammad Shoaib eliminated 3rd seed Ruslan Serazhetdinov of Russia without any resistance with the score-line of 6-1 and 6-4 in the first quarterfinal of the day. Unseeded Siddhartha Lama of USA also displayed quality tennis to beat Zalan Khan of Pakistan 6-0, 6-4. Now he will face top seed Mohammad Shoaib in the semifinal on Thursday at same venue. Later on, in the third quarterfinal, Roy Keegan of Britain registered a straight-set win against Alexandar Karman of USA in a well contested two-set match. Rohan Belday of USA beat Aki Zuben Rawat of Nepal in another one-sided affair 6-2, 6-2 in the fourth quarterfinal. He will meet Roy Keegan in the second semifinal of the ITF Junior Tennis Tournament. In the doubles event, Abdullah of Pakistan pairing with Aoi Ooka of Japan caused a major upset in the quarterfinal by eliminating 3rd seed Zalan Khan of Pakistan and Ruslan Serazhetdinov of Russia in a thrilling three set match and moved into the semifinal. Results: Boys Singles (Quarterfinals): Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) beat Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) 6-1, 6-4 Siddhartha Lama (USA) beat Zalan Khan (PAK) 6-0, 6-4 Roy Keegan (GBR) beat Alexander Karman (USA) 6-3, 6-3 Rohan Belday (USA) beat Aki Zuben Rawat (NEP) 6-2, 6-2 Boys Doubles (Quarterfinal): Ahmed Kamil (PAK) / Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) beat Hamid Israr Gul (PAK) / Roy Keegan (GBR) 4-6, 6-2(10-8) Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) / Zuben Rawat (NEP) beat Mahatir Mohammad Khan (PAK) / Hasheesh Kumar (PAK) 6-4, 6-3 Abdullah (PAK) / Aoi Ooka (JPN) beat Zalan Khan (PAK) / Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) 6-4, 3-6(11-9) Rohan Belday (USA) / Alexander Karman (USA) beat Aryan Giri (NEP) / Siddhartha Lama (USA) 6-3, 6-3 Girls Doubles (Semifinals): Abhilasha Bista (NEP) / Arina Valitova (RUS) beat Sheeza Sajid (PAK) / Ekaterina Suvorova (RUS) 6-0, 6-2  Zoha Asim (PAK) / Margarita Okhendovskaya (Ukraine) beat Maleeha Khalid (PAK) / Zahara Suleman (PAK) 6-0, 6-0