By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 25, 2020):-National player and former captain, Sana Mir on Saturday (today) announced the retirement from international cricket. She has a glittering 15-year cricketing career during which she played 226 internationals, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a statement, Sana Mir said: “I want to extend my gratitude to the PCB for giving me an opportunity to serve my country for 15 years. It has been an absolute honour and privilege. I extend my gratitude to all the support staff, players, ground staff and everyone behind the scenes for their contribution in my career and development of women's cricket. “I also want to thank my family and mentors who provided unconditional support that allowed me to fulfil my dreams of representing Pakistan at a global stage and would also like to thank my departmental team ZTBL for their support throughout my career. I look forward to continue serving them if department cricket continues. “Last few months have provided me with an opportunity to contemplate. I feel it is the right time for me to move on. I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport. “During my cricket journey, I have met and built strong friendships and bonding with some amazing cricketers in women’s cricket. Listening about their stories and philosophies have not only made me a tougher and stronger athlete but have also taught me great things about life, which are beyond yourself or the sport or winning and losing. “When I reflect on my debut, it gives me great satisfaction that I have been part of the process that has eventually resulted in a packed-to-capacity Lord’s for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final, something that was further boosted by a record 87,000 spectators for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. These are great success stories for women’s cricket. “I would like to extend my gratitude to ICC for its continuous support to women’s cricket. Tournaments like ICC Women’s Championship have been a real game changer, especially for teams like Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka as they proved vital in helping us express our talent at the international level. “Last but not the least, all the cricket fans and supporters around the world, the words fall short when I want to thank all of you for your love, support and encouragement you extended in the past 15 years. It has been an honour to serve Pakistan in cricket and to wear the green jersey with absolute pride. It is time for me to move on. InshaAllah the service will continue in essence and in a different form. Pakistan Zindabad.” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan paid tribute to Sana Mir: “On behalf of Pakistan cricket, I congratulate Sana Mir on a highly successful career. She has been the face of Pakistan women’s cricket for many years and the real source of inspiration for the young generation of women cricketers. “Through her determination and passion, Sana broke the glass ceiling for women cricketers in the country. Through her performances, she not only improved the profile of women’s cricket in Pakistan, but also enhanced the image of Pakistan globally. “Sana is a true legend of women’s cricket who attracted, inspired and motivated young women athletes. Moving forward, I am sure she will continue to contribute positively to women’s cricket.” Sana Mir’s career at a glance: ·         Made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December 2005, while her last ODI was against Bangladesh in Lahore in November 2019. ·         In 120 ODIs, she took 151 wickets and scored 1,630 runs ·         With 151 ODI wickets, she shares fourth position on the all-time list with Anisa Mohammed of the West Indies. The list is headed by India’s Jhulan Goswami ·         In October 2018, she peaked to number-one on ICC Women’s Rankings for ODI Bowlers ·         She is one of the nine women cricketers to have taken 100 wickets and scored 1,000 runs in ODIs. The list is headed by Lisa Sthalekar of Australia ·         Made her T20I debut against Ireland in Dublin in May 2009, while her last T20I was against Bangladesh in Lahore in October 2019 ·         In 106 T20Is, she took 89 wickets and scored 802  runs ·         Captained Pakistan in 72 ODIs, winning 26 and losing 45, and 65 T20Is, winning 26 and losing 36 ·         Captained Pakistan at two World Cups (2013 and 2017) and five ICC Women’s T20 World Cups (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016) ·         Named captain of Wisden’s women’s team of the decade ·         Along with Mithali Raj, included in ICC Women’s Committee as players’ representative ·         She is currently ranked 9th and 41st in the ICC’s ODI and T20I bowlers’ lists, respectively. She is 10th and 23rd ranked all-rounder in ODIs and T20Is, respectively ·         Won 2010 and 2014 Asian Games gold with the Pakistan national women’s cricket team

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), Dr Fahmida Mirza disbursed the cash awards among the 11 medal winnings athletes of wresting and squash of the 13th South Asian Games, which were held in Nepal, here in a ceremony on Friday. It is pertinent to mention that in the regional mini-Olympics Games, Pakistan contingent won total 133 medals comprising of 32 Gold, 41 Silver and 60 Bronze medals. For appreciating untiring efforts of our sportspersons who brought laurels for the country and support them financially at this critical time of need when all the sports activities have been still stand/suspended worldwide due to Covid-19 pandemic, Dr.Fehmida Mirza, Minister for IPC/President PSB distributed cheques among 11 players of Pakistan Wresting and Squash teams in two different sessions to ensure their safety and observing SOPs set by the government. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for IPC Dr. Fehmida Mirza congratulated to national players and expressed her sincere appreciation for winning sportsmen. She revealed that though the Ministry wanted to host a ceremony of national level by inviting the Honorable Prime Minister as the ‘Chief Guest’, however, due to current Covid-19 pandemic situation, the cash awards were distributed among the winners by inviting them in small batches. She also added that the federal government was fully aware of the problems of sportspersons and playing its due role for promoting the sports in the country. She urged that the provinces might come forward for uplifting standards of the games in the country and promote sports from grass root level by adopting best practices of the world as the provinces are primarily responsible for the subject under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.   The participating players were included Inam Butt, Inayat Ullah, Abdur Rehman Gold Medalists of Wrestling and players from Squash namely Tayyab Aslam and Farhan Mehboob, Gold Medalists of Squash lauded the efforts made by the federal government and Minister for IPC/President PSB to support them financially at this critical time of need. The financial help by the government will go a long way to support their families and making efforts for their future endeavors. They also appreciated and thanked the then Secretary Ministry of IPC/Chef-de-Mission (Akbar Durrani) who visited every venue to encourage the sportspersons and also arranged sessions for boosting their morale and making them prepare aiming to win the gold medals. The Secretary Generals from both the Federations (Wrestling & Squash) assured their full support to the government and opined that without the necessary patronage of the government, the federations would not be able to achieve their objectives and execute their activities. They also requested to provide financial assistance to the national sports federations for smooth functioning.    

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-The 2020 IFSC European Championships in Moscow (RUS) have been officially rescheduled in October. The championships, which were initially supposed to take place from March 20 to 27, had been previously moved to the month of June, but due to the growing complications caused by the pandemic of COVID-19, the event was forcedly postponed a second time. However, IFSC Europe, alongside the IFSC Sport Department and the Climbing Federation of Russia, kept working tirelessly throughout these very hard times, in order to find the best and safest solution for athletes, team officials, organisers, volunteers and fans, and finally set the appointment from October 1 to 8. The competition will award two quota places for Tokyo 2020 – one per gender, and the selection of the athletes that will battle for the Olympic slot in the Combined Qualifier will be based on their results within the three disciplines. The IFSC European Championships in Moscow will be the second continental championships organised in 2020, after the Pan American one was held in Los Angeles (USA) from February 24 to March 1, qualifying Canada’s Alannah Yip and United States’ Colin Duffy for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. IFSC President Marco Scolaris said: “I’m sure the IOC won’t mind if I borrow their motto for a moment: hope lights our way! Despite the fact that we live on a day-by-day basis, it is important to keep working for the future, in order to be ready when better days will come. The new dates of the European Championships are definitely a sign of hope and no surrender.” CFR President Dmitry Bychkov said: “We are all hoping for the best, and we are ready - with a successful combination of circumstances - to produce every effort and deliver the competition at the best possible level. All of us, organisers and fans, are willing to be finally able to see the best European athletes compete in Moscow.”

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-Due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 global health pandemic, and in agreement with the 11 participating National Associations (NAs), the second edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League is being extended through to June 2021, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced. Season 2 of the FIH Hockey Pro League – the annual global League involving the world’s best international teams, both men and women – was initially set to run from January to June 2020. Around one third of the planned matches were completed between January and early March, before the escalating COVID-19 crisis brought the competition, like almost all major sporting events around the world, to a standstill. Throughout this time of postponement, FIH has been liaising with all participating NAs in order to assess this ever-changing situation, the aim being to restart the playing of matches only when it is safe to do so, putting athlete welfare at the forefront of the decision-making process. Taking into account both the latest recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the recent announcement regarding the one year postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, it was universally agreed that extending Season 2 into the middle of 2021 was the appropriate course of action, giving the best possible chance for this edition of the competition to be completed whilst enabling FIH and all NAs to deliver on broadcast and commercial partner agreements.  FIH will continue to closely monitor the global evolution of the COVID-19 situation and, with the safety of athletes and fans being top priority, any potential dates regarding the resumption of the competition will be announced at the appropriate time. As part of the continuing evolution of the competition and in agreement with all participating NAs, FIH can also announce that the window for Season 3 of the FIH Hockey Pro League will be from September 2021 to June 2022. The decision to spread the Pro League season over a longer time period will allow for greater flexibility in terms of the scheduling, reducing match congestion in the first half of the year whilst also helping to ensure that international hockey remains highly visible via broadcast for much of the year.  Speaking about the decisions, FIH Chief Executive Officer Thierry Weil said: “With the world facing a health crisis like nothing in living memory, predicting a date for when the current competition will restart is almost impossible at this time. Despite the difficult circumstances, these wholly necessary discussions between FIH and the participating National Associations were both positive and constructive. We all believe we have found the correct path forward regarding the current edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, giving ourselves additional time to play the matches whilst also relieving pressure on both the athletes and the calendar for 2021. “Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2020-21 Season and beyond, the changes that will be introduced for Season 3 are another significant step in the evolution of this fantastic competition. The honest and open dialogue that we have with our NAs enables us to mould the FIH Hockey Pro League in a way that works for all, and I want to place on record my personal thanks to all everyone for their efforts to find a workable solution.” 

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 22, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced following advice from the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB), it has indefinitely postponed its July tour to the Netherlands after the Dutch government banned all events (sports and cultural) until 1 September 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Pakistan national men’s cricket team was scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals in Amstelveen on 4, 7 and 9 July. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “It is sad that we have to postpone our July tour to the Netherlands, but in the prevailing circumstances, this is absolutely the right thing to do as human lives are far more precious and valuable than a cricket match or an event. “Netherlands has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and we offer our heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their lives. Like any other country, the PCB stands firmly with the KNCB and hope they will be able to overcome this crisis.   “The Pakistan national cricket teams have always enjoyed touring the Netherlands and as soon as things return to normal, the PCB will engage with the KNCB to reschedule the tour so that we can fulfil our obligation. “The Pakistan national men’s cricket team’s tours to Ireland, for two Twenty20 Internationals, and England, for three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals, are on track at this stage. We are keeping a watching brief and are in contact with our counterparts in Dublin and London, respectively. As is always the case, the PCB will be happy to be guided by the hosts on the upcoming tours but without compromising on the health and safety of its players and team support personnel.” Betty Timmer, Chair of KNCB, said: “It is extremely disappointing that we won’t be able to host any international cricket in the Netherlands this summer. However, the health and safety of the players, staff and fans is our main priority, and in that light the ban on events by the Dutch government is understandable. “We truly hope that by next season the situation is under control again, so we can host the Super League series against England, Ireland and the West Indies as planned. We would love to welcome back all cricket fans on our grounds in the summer of 2021.”

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (April 20, 2020):-Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan has issued notices to Umar Akmal and PCB requiring their attendance for a hearing on Monday, 27 April. The hearing is presently scheduled at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore. Safety precautions and social distancing measures will be strictly enforced in order to safeguard all those involved. Umar Akmal had not requested for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal after he was charged for two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents. Until the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel has announced his public decision, the PCB will not comment on the matter.

By: BIPIN DANI Owing to Covid-19 and current lock down Team India skipper Virat Kohli is missing the field of cricket but not his gorgeous wife Anushka Sharma. Anushka, who otherwise follows Kohli at almost all venues now tried to cheer up her husband with a video, which she posted on Friday and soon became viral on social media. The actress in the video was seen imitating a fan asking Virat Kohli to hit a boundary. In the video, she is heard saying, "Aye Kohli, kya kar raha hai, chauka maar naa chauka (Kohli, what are you doing? Hit a four)." Instead of not asking Virat to hit a six, she has asked her to hit a four. There have been instances when Virat has blown a flying kiss from the ground at the pavilion where Anushka generally is seated. But, towards the end of the video, Virat reacted to her by making a strainght face when she portrayed the camera to Virat. Captioning the video, she wrote, "I thought he must be missing being on the field. Along with the love he gets from millions of fans, he must be especially missing this one particular type of fan too. So I gave him the experience." Soon celebrities rushed to the comment section to react to the video. While Kartika Aaryan wrote, "I am that fan," Akansha Ranjan Kapoor and Sagarika Ghatge among others posted laughing emojis. "Why have I watched this 1200 times". another fan commented.  "u also try wicket nikal na ????????", a fan wrote to actress Sagarika Ghatge, who happens to be former pace bowler Zaheer Khan. The video was viewed by 9,725,503 viewers

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 18, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deposited PKR10,536,500 (approximately one crore and five lakh Pakistani rupees) in Prime Minister’s Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund as part of its contribution in the fight against the pandemic. The PCB had announced on 25 March that the centrally contracted players will make a collective contribution in the emergency relief fund, while the PCB will separately match the contribution of its staff. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said: “I want to thank all the centrally contracted players and the PCB staff for their generous contributions in the Prime Minister’s Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund. Cricket has once again demonstrated that it values, respects and cares for its fans, followers and supporters, and will continue to do so. “In these difficult times, we pray for the health and safety of our paramedics and other frontline fighters, and hope the government will succeed in its endeavours in overcoming this pandemic.” Dr Fehmida Mirza, Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination, said: “The PCB has been one of the leading organisations, which has helped and supported the government by spreading public service messages to create awareness about this pandemic. “They have now gone an extra yard by making this generous donation, which will be used to support our frontline fighters as well as the underprivileged. On behalf of the government, I thank the PCB and hope they will continue to use their brand and reach so that we can collectively achieve our objectives.”

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 15, 2020):-The ICC Women’s Championship Technical Committee (TC) has decided that teams will share points in all three series in the ICC Women’s Championship that did not take place during the competition window. India and Pakistan share points after their series could not be played; points also split for the South Africa v Australia and Sri Lanka v New Zealand series cancelled due to COVID-19 With respect to the India v Pakistan series, the TC concluded that the series could not be played because of a Force Majeure event after the BCCI demonstrated that it was unable to obtain the necessary government clearances to allow India to participate in the bilateral series against Pakistan, which forms a part of the ICC Women’s Championship. Meanwhile, two other ICC Women’s Championship series have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa were to host Australia and Sri Lanka were to host New Zealand in the last round of matches. The India-Pakistan series was originally scheduled in the sixth round of the competition, between July and November 2019, but despite the best efforts of both the boards, it was unable to take place. All eight teams in the 2017-2020 edition of the ICC Women’s Championship play each other in a three-match series. The host of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021, New Zealand, and the next four highest-placed teams on the points table qualify directly for one-day international cricket’s pinnacle event. Australia (37 points), England (29), South Africa (25) and now India (23) have qualified by virtue of being the top four. Pakistan (19), New Zealand (17), West Indies (13) and Sri Lanka (5) complete the table. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier is scheduled to be played from 3-19 July in Sri Lanka, this is subject to review due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10 teams vying for the three remaining places in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 will be the hosts, Sri Lanka, along with Pakistan and West Indies from the ICC Women’s Championship, the two other teams with ODI status, Bangladesh and Ireland, and the winners of the five regional qualifiers - Thailand (Asia), Zimbabwe (Africa), Papua New Guinea (East Asia Pacific), United States of America (Americas) and Netherlands (Europe).

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (April 10, 2020):-Chief curator Agha Zahid and Haroon Rashid, Director – Domestic Cricket, will leave the Pakistan Cricket Board when their contracts expire on 30 April and 31 May, respectively. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Haroon was re-employed in April 2017. Prior to his reappointment, Haroon had served the PCB in various roles including chief selector, Pakistan senior and junior national teams’ coach and manager, head of youth game development and acting head of the National Cricket Academy. Agha Zahid had joined the PCB in 2001 after retiring from first-class cricket in 1992-93. Haroon Rashid said: “In my latest stint with the PCB, I was particularly pleased with the way we planned, implemented and delivered the new but highly successful and competitive domestic structure within a very short span of time. This was a result of a complete team effort and I thank all my colleagues who got behind the new structure and supported me. “While I will continue to follow Pakistan cricket and pray for its progression, I will now focus on other priorities in life and try to spend some quality time with my family.” Agha Zahid said: “I had an excellent time with the PCB in the past 19 years, in which I oversaw the preparation of pitches that produced stars who continued to keep Pakistan at the top of the cricket pedestal. Obviously, the role had its own challenges and sometimes my team and I were at the wrong end of the stick. But overall, I had a highly satisfying time. “I want to thank all my staff and colleagues and wish Pakistan cricket continues to move in an upward direction.” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “On behalf of the PCB, I want to sincerely thank Haroon Rashid and Agha Zahid for their hard work and services over a vast number of years. “With Mudassar Nazar having already announced his departure in May, the PCB will now use this opportunity to restructure the NCA and domestic cricket to create a different and streamlined High Performance structure that serves the game and it’s cricketers in a more seamless way. Amongst many areas, the new system will focus on coach education and the assessment and re-training of our current elite coaches; in addition, the improved streamlined system will enable us to further bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.” The highly-rated Ali Raza Siddiqui, who has been Agha Zahid’s deputy for the last two years, will take over the role in the interim period, while the restructuring process of the two departments will commence from next week.