Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 14, 2020):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the sixth series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 set to begin on 1 April in Florida, USA has been postponed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As many as six One Day Internationals were scheduled between 1 and 8 April at Broward County Stadium in Fort Lauderdale with hosts United States, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates all competing. Due to the rapidly developing heath emergency, including the increasing travel restrictions between countries and potential uncertainty arising for individuals returning to their country of origin, the decision was taken to postpone the series.   ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We have been monitoring the sixth series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 very closely, with recent travel restrictions being imposed globally and uncertainty for participants returning home, we have taken the decision to postpone the series. Working closely with USA Cricket, Cricket Scotland and the Emirates Cricket Board, all parties felt the best decision was to postpone and together we will find an alternative space in the calendar to reschedule the series. “I would like to thank the support and assistance of the three participating Members for prompt and decisive action. The ICC will continue to monitor and review all upcoming ICC events in collaboration with the relevant authorities and stakeholders, with the main priority the health and safety of everyone involved.” The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 is a two-and-half-year competition involving seven teams that are two steps away from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. At the culmination of the 21 tri-series, the top three teams in the standings will confirm their place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2022. The bottom four teams will drop into the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off 2022 – which is a repechage event to the Global Qualifier – and will be joined by the winner of Challenge League A and B. The top two teams from the Play-Off will keep their hopes alive of participating in India 2023, by qualifying for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2022. Click here for the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification pathway.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 14, 2020):-Multans Sultans registered a sensational three-run win over Peshawar Zalmi at Karachi’s National Stadium on Friday. The match swung like a pendulum as Zalmi required 15 off the last six balls. Right-arm medium-fast Ali Shafq, who was playing his first match of HBL PSL 2020, defended fours run off the final ball of the match after bowling two back-to-back no balls in the over. For a large part of their innings, Zalmi were in control of the run chase. The match turned on its head in the 17th over when Imam-ul-Haq, who scored his first half-century of this season, fell to Sohail Tanvir. In the next over, Shafiq sent Haider Ali (one off four) and Shoaib Malik (30 off 25) back to the hut. The pressure amplified with the wicket of Hammad Azam (seven off five) on the last ball of the penultimate over as Zalmi lost four wickets for 14 runs. Left-handed opener, Imam, had set the tone for the run chase with a 41-ball 56 after Zalmi lost Kamran Akmal, the highest run-getter in the history of the HBL PSL, on the second ball of the second over. Wahab Riaz’s decision of promoting himself to one-drop did not reap fruits as he was dismissed by Sohail Tanvir in the third over and his wicket left the batting side reeling at eight for two. Imam, who struck four fours and two sixes, weathered the storm with a 48-run partnership for the third wicket with Umar Amin (29 off 23 balls). As the pair’s stand began to look promising, it was brought to an end by Moeen Ali on the last ball of the ninth over. But, Imam dispatched Shahid Afridi for two consecutive boundaries in the next over to ensure that Zalmi’s run chase did not lose the momentum. He struck Shafiq for a six and a four on the last two balls of the 12th over as Zalmi seemed on their way to a comfortable win. Imam crafted a 70-run partnership with Malik for the fourth wicket before Sultans staged the comeback to leave Zalmi shell-shocked. Sohail was the pick of the bowlers with three for 26, while Shafiq took two scalps and gave 31 runs. Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Zeeshan Ashraf starred in Sultans’ innings as he recorded his second half-century of the 2020 edition. Opening the batting with Rohail Nazir, who scored run-a-ball 14 on his HBL PSL debut, the 27-year-old scored 52 off 39 balls, studded with seven fours and a six. Zeeshan, later named player of the match, added 60 runs for the second wicket with his captain, Shan Masood, as Sultans cruised at a run rate of over eight per over. Their progression, however, was dented by Rahat Ali (4-0-24-3) as he dismissed Zeeshan and Moeen (zero) in a span of three balls in the 12th over. Sultans struggled to stage a recovery as their run rate fell to 6.40 in the next five overs and they eventually settled at 154 for six. Peshawar Zalmi have played all of their 10 group matches and with four wins and five defeats, they are sitting at the third spot with nine points. Multan Sultans, perched at the top of the table with 14 points coming from six wins, play their final group match against Lahore Qalandars on Sunday, 15 March, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. On Saturday, Islamabad United will play their last group match when they face Karachi Kings at the National Stadium, Karachi. The match will commence at 7pm. Scores in brief: Multan Sultans 154-6, 20 overs (Zeeshan Ashraf 52, Khushdil Shah 30 not out, Shan Masood 28; Rahat Ali 3-24) Peshawar Zalmi 151-7, 20 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 56, Shoaib Malik 30, Umar Amin 29; Sohail Tanvir 3-26, Ali Shafiq 2-31) Result Multan Sultans win by three runs

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 14, 2020):-President, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Salim Saifullah Khan on Saturday announced cash award for the national tennis team that won the Davis Cup Tennis Tie against Slovenia 3-0 last week at the grass courts of Pakistan Sports Complex. According to an official of PTF, federation will be rewarding Aisam Qureshi with $5,000, Aqeel Khan $3,000, and $1,000 each to the other team members, Muzammil Murtaza, Mohammad Abid and Heera Ashiq, as well as the non-playing Captain, Mushaf Zia.   President PTF said, “With our international star Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, and nationally ranked number 1 player Aqeel Khan, having literally clinched the tie between them, with a singles win each, and pairing to be victorious in the doubles”. In his announcement message Salim further said: "It's a matter of great delight and pride for me, the PTF, and surely the whole nation, on the win and the manner in which Aisam and Aqeel snatched victory from players with much higher world rankings, “he said. Adding, he said "I must take this opportunity to remind the government to appreciate the huge importance of a victory against the European country, something that totally surprised the international tennis community. The government must urgently attend to the matter and give the team much deserved cash rewards.  Athletes that keep our flag flying high must be recognized at all levels, to keep their morale high and to continue their efforts to train even harder." In the draws held on Friday by the ITF, Pakistan will now host Japan, in another home tie, in September this year.        

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 13, 2020):-In light of the continued global spread of COVID-19, concerns expressed by Members and mindful of the importance of taking mitigating measures against the virus, the ICC Board, has decided to hold its meetings scheduled for Dubai at the end March via conference call only. The Board and a number of committees will convene remotely to consider matters for urgent decision only, with the full meetings rescheduled for early May. This will be kept under constant review in line with advice from relevant authorities as the health and well-being of staff and those who attending the meetings remains our priority.

SB News ISLAMABAD (March 13, 2020):-Following an advice from the Punjab Government, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided the final-leg matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 in Lahore will be played behind closed doors. The decision will not impact accredited commercial partners, media and other service providers, who will be allowed to enter the Gaddafi Stadium. In addition, immediate families of the competing players and player support personnel as well as franchise owners will be allowed to attend matches. As was the case for Karachi matches, the PCB has taken this step as a precaution and to better protect the health and safety of all those involved in the matches. Spectators, who have already purchased the tickets for Lahore matches will be given full refund as per the PCB ticketing policy, through TCS. Upcoming Lahore matches: 15 Mar – Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars (2pm-5.15pm) 17 Mar – 1st semi-final (1 v 4) (2pm-5.15pm); 2nd semi-final (2 v 3) (7pm-10.15pm) 18 Mar – Final (7pm-10.15pm)

Saad Kayani KARACHI (March 12, 2020):-Following advice from the Sindh Government late Thursday afternoon, the Pakistan Cricket Board, has made a decision to stage the upcoming Karachi HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 matches in front of empty National Stadium. The decision will be enforced from Friday, 13 March, while for the Thursday, 12 March, fixture, the PCB and the Sindh Government have strongly advised the spectators to continue to take all necessary precautionary measures (reproduced below). The precautionary decision has been made to better protect the health and safety of the spectators, players, officials and media. The decision will not impact accredited commercial partners, media and other service providers, who will be allowed to enter the National Stadium. In addition, immediate families of the competing players and player support personnel as well as franchise owners will be allowed to attend matches. In the meantime, the PCB has advised all players to avoid shaking hands and have also urged the fans not to approach the players for autographs, photographs and selfies. In addition to this, the PCB has decided the sides will not be required to shake hands with each other or opposition in the lead up to and during the matches and use a fist bump / verbal greeting instead. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “Health and safety is paramount and takes precedence over cricket. The PCB takes the health and safety of its players, spectators, officials, media, service providers and security personnel very seriously. “Following the advisory from the Government of Sindh this evening, the PCB has taken this precautionary and preemptive measure which will result in matches taking place in front of empty stadium. “We empathise with the Karachi fans who have been outstanding with their support in the earlier matches and during the hosting of eight HBLPSL matches last year. Once we received the advisory from the Government of Sindh, it was important for us to act quickly to ensure that the wellbeing of all concerned is better protected. “The PCB has been regularly engaging with the teams and the players have been updating them on matters. We have a duty of care to players and other stakeholders during this time; we would like to thank them for their continued trust and support. “The initial 10 March decision to proceed with the Karachi leg of matches was taken following consultation with the Sindh Government and we have taken on board their latest advisory. We stated at the outset that we will work closely and take the lead from the local Governments. “With regards to the remaining fixtures in Lahore, we are already in contact with the Punjab Government and will take on board its advisory in relation to the Lahore matches. “With regards to the refunding of tickets, this will be in line with the ticketing policy and will be refunded through TCS and www.yayvo.com. Details in this regard will be shared in due course.” ICC Medical Advisory Committee’s advisory: ·         Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol if soap and water are not available ·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands ·         Avoid close contact with sick people ·         Avoid travel if you are sick ·         If you have a cough or fever, then seek medical review ·         Stay home when you are sick ·         Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash ·         Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

SB News LAHORE (March 11, 2020):-The 25th fixture of the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 between Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium was abandoned due to persistent rain on Wednesday. The two teams share the two points of the match equally. Quetta Gladiators now have seven points – same as Islamabad United (fourth) and Karachi Kings (fifth) – from nine matches, but remain at the bottom of the table due to a low net run rate. Gladiators’ final group-match is on Sunday, 15 March, against Karachi Kings at the National Stadium. Table-toppers Multan Sultans have 12 points from eight matches. They are already guaranteed qualification with five wins. Sultans play their last two matches against Peshawar Zalmi, at Karachi’s National Stadium on March 13, and Lahore Qalandars, at the Gaddafi Stadium on March 15. On Thursday, arch-rivals Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars lock horns in a much-anticipated contest at the National Stadium. Imad Wasim-led Kings will be eyeing vengeance after Sohail Akhtar-led Qalandars secured a comprehensive eight-wicket win on Sunday.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 11, 2020):-The schedule of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 has been announced on Wednesday in New Zealand’s capital Willington. The ICC Women’s World Cup displayed at the Kohimarama Beach in Auckland. The Basin Reserve was confirmed to host two New Zealand WHITE FERNS match-ups during the tournament, one of those being against T20 World Cup Champions and staunch rivals Australia on Saturday, 13 February. Sports fans across all six New Zealand host cities: Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, will also get a taste of the WHITE FERNS in action as the hosts take on the rest of the world. To mark the World Cup’s launch, WHITE FERNS captain and record smasher Sophie Devine was on hand at the Basin Reserve. “It’s a match we absolutely fizz about as players – taking on the Aussies is always a huge thrill. Cricket fans who come along to the Basin Reserve on Saturday the 13th of February will no doubt see a lot of passion from both teams. “Playing in a World Cup against our arch-rivals in my home city will be an unreal feeling,” Devine said. Highlights of the match schedule revealed today include: Eden Park to host a bumper opening weekend featuring the WHITE FERNS on Waitangi Day, followed by defending champions England v Australia face-off the next day. The WHITE FERNS to take on South Africa’s Proteas in one of six pool matches and a semi-final to be held in Hamilton. Tauranga to play host to a semi-final and five pool matches. That includes three back-to-back Sunday afternoons starring a showdown with reigning champions England. The iconic Basin Reserve to stage the highly anticipated Trans-Tasman showdown on Saturday, 13 February. Christchurch to host the final on 7 March under lights at Hagley Park on the back of five pool matches. At the launch attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Minister for Sport Grant Robertson, Australian High Commissioner Her Excellency Patricia Forsythe and ICC CEO Manu Sawhney, the message was clear – there has been no better time to be a female athlete. Prize money for the showpiece of women’s international cricket will total NZD$5.5million, and all matches will be broadcast live to a huge global audience. ICC CEO, Manu Sawhney said: “The ICC has made a long-term commitment to elevate the women’s cricket as part of our strategy to grow and develop the global game. “We want to build a sustainable foundation for women’s cricket. It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up, that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of. “We are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in increasing prize money for ICC events over the last few years, with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand having $NZD5.5 million dollars available in prize money compared to $NZD3.1m in 2017 and $NZD316,000 in 2013.” In 2021, New Zealand will take the opportunity to own its moment in the growth of women’s sport and deliver this fantastic global event with our unique Kiwi flavour. Fittingly, the blockbuster opening weekend of the tournament will feature the WHITE FERNS in the first match-up at Eden Park on Waitangi Day (Saturday, 6 February). Australia will then come up against reigning champions, England the next day. “Our team is proud to be delivering a tournament where Kiwis across the whole country, in each of our six host cities, can really get involved in what is a truly special event. We can’t wait to see the excitement build around New Zealand as we prepare to roll out the welcome mat for the rest of the world,” Nelson said. The tournament will bookmark the ICC’s Year of Women’s Cricket, which began on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2020, the grand finale taking place at the 7 March ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 final under lights at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa have already qualified for the World Cup. The remaining four teams will be established following the completion of the ICC Women’s Championship and a subsequent qualifying tournament in Sri Lanka in July. The eight-team round robin format will see all teams play each other, with the top four teams qualifying for semi-finals. Tournament fixtures by venue: Eden Park, Auckland Saturday, 6 Feb - New Zealand v QUALIFIER Sunday, 7 Feb – Australia v England University Oval, Dunedin Sunday, 7 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Tuesday, 9 Feb – NZ v QUALIFIER Saturday, 13 Feb – QUALIFIER v England Sunday, 14 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa Seddon Park, Hamilton Monday, 8 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa Wednesday, 10 Feb – England v QUALIFIER Thursday, 11 Feb – QUALIFIER v South Africa Saturday, 20 Feb - New Zealand v South Africa Wednesday, 24 Feb – QUALIFIER v Australia Friday, 26 Feb – South Africa v Australia Thursday, 4 March – Semi-final 2 (2v3) Bay Oval, Tauranga Wednesday, 10 Feb – Australia v QUALIFIER Sunday, 14 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Wednesday, 17 Feb – New Zealand v QUALIFIER Sunday, 21 Feb – England v QUALIFIER Sunday, 28 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Wednesday, 3 March - Semi-Final 1 (1v4) Basin Reserve, Wellington Saturday, 13 Feb – New Zealand v Australia Tuesday, 16 Feb – Australia v QUALIFIER Wednesday, 17 Feb – South Africa v England Tuesday, 23 Feb – South Africa v QUALIFIER Thursday, 25 Feb – New Zealand v QUALIFIER Saturday, 27 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Hagley Oval, Christchurch Thursday, 18 Feb – QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Saturday, 20 Feb - QUALIFIER v QUALIFIER Sunday, 21 Feb – QUALIFIER v Australia Wednesday, 24 Feb – England v QUALIFIER Sunday, 28 Feb – New Zealand v England Sunday, 7 March – Final ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 at a glance Hosted in New Zealand from February 6 to March 7, 2021 Eight nations 31 matches

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 10, 2020):-The Tournament Director, Ali Haider announced on Tuesday that 59th National Amateur Golf Championship would be teed off on Thursday (March 12) at Islamabad Club Gold Course (ICGC), as the top amateur golfer would take part in the 4-day fixture. While unfolding the details of the championship in a press conference at Islamabad Golf Club, Ali Haider further said that the Jayewardena Team Trophy would be played at same venue between hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “Also, we have invited other countries for the international events but they are hesitating to travel owing the coronaviras. Sri Lanka organizes Zia-ul-Haq international event in Colombo while Pakistan Jayewardena Team event, “he further said. Responding to a question he said that the championship would be played in three categories including Amateur Men’s Individual, Senior Men’s Individual and Amateur Ladies’ Individual respectively over 72, 54 and 54 holes. “The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt. General Nadeem Raza will be chief guest at the closing ceremony on March 15 to disburse the prizes among the players, “he said. “Inter-Association golf tournament will also be played at ICGC and five teams will compete for the top honour. Besides hosts Federal Golf Association, Balochistan Golf Association, Sindh Golf Association, Khyber Pakhtoon Kawa (KPK) Golf Association and Punjab Gold Association’s players will show the golf skill in the national golf showpiece., “Ali Haider replied another question. He told to reporter on this eve that Taimoor Khan, Rimsha Ijaz, Col (Retd) Rustam Ali Chatta would defend their title, as they were winners of the 58th edition that was held in Lahore in 2019. “Islamabad Golf Club course is ready to host this event, however, we may take the decision according to weather conditions. We are going to start electronic scoring system first time in Pakistan, “he concluded.        

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 9, 2020):-Five players from Australia’s victorious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 squad have been named in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Team of the Tournament. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney did damage aplenty with the bat and the two reprise their roles as openers in the final XI. They’re joined by fast bowler Megan Schutt, who took four wickets in the Final against India to finish as leading wicket-taker with 13, and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. There is also a spot for captain Meg Lanning, who led Australia from the front both with the bat and in the field to guide her country to a fifth Women’s T20 World Cup title. The side was pulled together by a selection panel featuring commentators and former international players Ian Bishop, Anjum Chopra and Lisa Sthalekar, journalist Raf Nicholson and ICC representative Holly Colvin.  The team of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 (in batting order) is: Alyssa Healy (wk) (Australia) – 236 runs at 39.33, seven dismissals Beth Mooney (Australia) – 259 runs at 64.75 Nat Sciver (England) – 202 runs at 67.33 Heather Knight (England) – 193 runs at 64.33 Meg Lanning (c) (Australia) – 132 runs at 44 Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 94 runs at strike rate of 149 Jess Jonassen (Australia) – 10 wickets at 14.00 Sophie Ecclestone (England) – eight wickets at 6.12 Anya Shrubsole (England) – eight wickets at 10.62 Megan Schutt (Australia) – 13 wickets at 10.30 Poonam Yadav (India) – 10 wickets at 11.90  12th: Shafali Verma (India) – 163 runs at strike rate of 158.25   Healy and Mooney broke their own record set in 2018 with the most runs as a partnership in a Women’s T20 World Cup, with 352 at an average close to 60. They also made their second century partnership in four innings while Healy lit up Melbourne to record the quickest 50 in a Final and the highest score in the showcase. The latter was beaten by her partner a few overs later, with Mooney’s unbeaten 78 seeing her reach 259 runs - the most for one player at any edition of the tournament. The Australian pair are followed in the team by another stellar duo, with nobody bettering the 169-run partnership made by Nat Sciver and Heather Knight against Thailand. The middle-order batters were in inspired form throughout, Knight becoming the first England cricketer to register centuries in all three formats with her ton against the debutants. Sciver’s consistency was remorseless in Australia, scoring half-centuries in three of England’s four completed matches to end her tournament with 202 runs and two wickets. Ensconcing herself in the middle order is Lanning, who steered her country to an historic fifth Women’s T20 World Cup title and the first on home soil. Her 49 in the semi-final against South Africa will be remembered as one of the most vital innings of the competition, while her tournament-defining captaincy sees her named skipper for this team. Laura Wolvaardt only batted in two innings but certainly made her mark on the action. The 20-year-old struck 53 not out to take South Africa beyond Pakistan, with a glorious array of straight and cover drives lighting up the Sydney Showground. And she almost went one better in the semi-final against Australia, another eye-catching knock of 41 not out seeing her team finish just short of the Final. As for the bowlers, few could match the feats of left-arm spinner Jonassen, who finished with ten scalps in her six matches. The Australian took at least one wicket in each, with no better haul than the three for 20 against India in the Final which clinched a fifth title. She’s joined in the XI by two record-breaking England bowlers in spinner Sophie Ecclestone and pacer Anya Shrubsole. No bowler has taken more than Shrubsole’s 41 Women’s T20 World Cup wickets, with eight coming in her four matches Down Under. For Ecclestone, meanwhile, the sky is the limit for a 20-year-old who has taken a wicket in her last 18 T20I matches. A tournament tally of eight for 49 combines both wicket-taking ability and a stunning economy rate for Ecclestone, who now sits top of the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Bowling Rankings. Coming in at ten is Schutt, with no player bettering the 13 wickets she took at a single tournament. That all came to the perfect conclusion at the MCG for Schutt, finishing with four for 18 against an India line-up she had feared to win the Final for Australia. Rounding off the XI is leg-spinner Poonam Yadav, who had Australia in knots in a dramatic opening game of the tournament. India’s leading T20I wicket-taker took four for 19 in the opener and didn’t look back, bagging three against Bangladesh before rounding off with wickets in each match. Taking her place as 12th is teenage sensation Shafali Verma – who broke record after record at the top of India’s order. Fearless cricket had the opposition running scared of the 16-year-old, with her devastating 163 runs coming at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 158.25.