By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 9, 2020):-Educational Board Lahore collected 14 medals including 8 gold 5 Silver and one Bronze in the Pakistan Inter Board Girls Sports Gala 2020 on the 4th day at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad. Lahore Board defeated Islamabad in the hockey final by 14.0 while Gujranwala defeated Faisalabad by 3.1 in the third position play off at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium. Badminton: Intermediate Board Karachi defeated Islamabad Board 2.0 in the final while in the third position match, Abbottabad defeated Faisalabad by 2.0. Volley Ball: Islamabad beat Mirpur Kashmir in the final match of volleyball by 2.0 while Rawalpindi Board defeated Lahore by 2.0 in the third position match Athletics: In the 200m race, Lahore's Sanina took first position while Lahore's Amtal Rehman took second while Radha Tariq of Sargodha took third position. In the discus throw, Aisha Qadir of Sargodha took the first position, Islamabad Board of Asea took second position and Faisalabad's self-styled experts took third position Relay race in 400 meters 400 meters, Insa, Saman and his team of Lahore take first position, Hira, Alisha and his team from Faisalabad took second position and Sahiwal's Saba, Nuria and his team took third position. The guest of honor for the closing ceremony was Special Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee for Defense Amjad Ali Khan Niazi along with Prof. Shahid Munir Jarrar Chairman Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Agha Amjadullah Deputy Director General PSB, Mohammad Azam Dar, Deputy Director General (Tech), Mohammad Ramzan Jamali Ghulam Shabbir Channa Organizing Secretary, IBSC Makhdoom Irshad Ahmed, Ghulam Taqi Khan Bosan and Mohammad Sabir Khan were Director Sports Men, who distributed medals and prizes among the players.  

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 9, 2020):-England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the fifth day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Buttler was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Use of an audible obscenity during an International Match” following an incident with South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander. In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Buttler, for whom it was the first offence during a 24-month period. The incident occurred during South Africa’s second innings on Tuesday, when Buttler was heard using obscene language with Philander at the crease. Buttler admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Chris Gaffaney and reserve umpire Allahudien Palekar leveled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 9, 2020):-Three former champions and a tournament debutant will come face-to-face as Group B shapes up for drama aplenty in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Sylvester Okpe did most of the damage his off-spin, returning 4/19 Australia, England and West Indies have been drawn together for the first stage of South Africa 2020 but at least one of the three cricket powerhouses will miss out on progression. The three nations – whose senior sides have all won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – certainly have a tough test in store but it doesn’t stop there, with Nigeria aiming for a big scalp on their U19 World Cup debut. The momentous occasion will see Sylvester Okpe’s Junior Yellow Greens become the 31st team to compete since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1988 when they face Australia, at Country Club B Field, on 20 January. All Group B fixtures will take place at Kimberley, with West Indies the next challenge for Nigeria on 23 January before rounding off the opening stage against England at Diamond Oval. Before that, the opening match at the same venue will see two former champions face off as Australia take on West Indies. Winners of the Youth Cricket World Cup more than 30 years ago, Australia took the honour of becoming the first double champions when they prevailed at New Zealand 2002. Eight years later they were winners again – also in New Zealand – while they head to Africa with a score to settle after finishing runners-up back in 2018. Jake Fraser-McGurk Victoria’s teenage sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk – who doesn’t turn 18 until April – headlines the team after already making his mark in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition. The Australian teens will be coached by Test greats Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris, with three of the squad already boasting contracts in the Big Bash League. West Indies, meanwhile, name three players that featured in the 2018 U19 World Cup, with captain Kimani Melius, Ashmead Nedd and Nyeem Young all returning for a second tournament. They’ll do so desperate for improvement, with the talented teens missing out in the opening pool stage before eventually finishing tenth last time out. With Chris Gayle and Brian Lara among their U19 World Cup alumni, there’s a lot to live up to for the West Indies team – victorious for the first time when beating India in the 2016 final. “Leading the team, I will go about the job with a high level of integrity and respect,” said Melius. “I would like to share my experience of 2018 and lead the way with the batting, doing what I can do win matches for the team. “I never actually liked the game of cricket before playing, but I saw an ODI match on TV between England and Australia, went and had a go and just started working hard from there.” The group also features the added edge of an Ashes rematch, with Australia and England facing off in a Kimberley contest that could determine who reaches the next stage. George Balderson Led by George Balderson, England will be confident of a strong showing in South Africa – the location of their maiden, and so far only, U19 World Cup title in 1998. The legends of old have moved on but the expectations have remained, with England failing to reach the final since lifting the trophy two decades ago. The two Ashes rivals met in the quarter-finals two years ago, with Lloyd Pope the star of the show after taking eight for 35 – the best figures in an U19 World Cup match – to lead Australia to victory. Group B Fixtures: 18 January: Australia v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: England v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: Australia v Nigeria – Country Club B Field, Kimberley; 23 January: Australia v England – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 23 January: West Indies v Nigeria – Country B Club Field, Kimberley; 25 January: England v Nigeria – Diamond Oval, Kimberley    

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 9, 2020):-Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) on Thursday gave a cash award of Rs.500 thousand to Mohammad Hamza Khan, who won gold medal in the Under-15 age category of British Open Junior Squash Championship that  was taken place in Birmingham, England. According to media department of PSF, on Thursday, President PSF, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force met with Pakistan junior squash team and lauded their performance in this prestigious event. At this occasion, he and also awarded cash prizes among the players. Hamza Khan, who won the Under 15 title was awarded cash prize of Rs 500,000. Interacting with players, the Air Chief said that the whole nation was proud of young squash player Mohammad Hamza Khan, who brought laurels to the country by winning the championship after a big space of eight years. Also, head of the federation appreciated the hard work put in by the coaching staff for providing international standard training and coaching facilities to the young players.

SB News KARACHI(January 9, 2020):-Aliya Riaz’s all-round effort led PCB Blasters to a 25-run win over PCB Dynamites in the opening match of the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship at Karachi’s National Stadium on Thursday. Rameen Shamim-led Blasters scored 144 for five in 20 over after Nahida Khan, the Dynamites’ captain, opted to bowl after winning the toss. With a 32-ball 42, which included eight fours, Javeria Khan top scored, while the second best score in the innings was registered by Aliya, who scored 27 runs from 28 balls on the back of two fours and a six. Blasters were provided a solid start by the opening pair of Javeria and Ayesha Naseem (22 off 20) as they put a 70-run stand. Dynamites’ Nashra Sandhu and Kainat Imtiaz picked up a wicket each for 40 and 17 runs, respectively. In their reply, Dynamites managed 119 for seven. Captain Nahida and Irum Javed scored 35 runs each. The former hit four fours in her 41-ball innings, while the latter hit three fours and two sixes in 28 balls. Aliya, with her medium-fast bowling, picked up two crucial wickets of Pakistan internationals Omaima Sohail and Irum. Her four overs leaked 24 runs. Anum Amin, the slow left-arm, took two wickets for 25 runs. For her all-round performance, Aliya was declared player of the match. On Friday, PCB Blasters will play PCB Challengers at the National Stadium. The match will begin at 12pm. Scores in brief: PCB Blasters 144-5, 20 overs (Javeria Khan 42, Aliya Riaz 27, Ayesha Naseem 22) PCB Dynamites 119-6, 20 overs (Nahida Khan 35, Irum Javed 35; Aliya Riaz 2-24) Result PCB Blasters beat PCB Dynamites by 25 runs

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 8, 2020):-Pakistan’s 12 member contingent comprising 9 players and 3 officials arrived in Islamabad after participating in the British Open Juniors’ Squash Championship 2020 that concluded on January 6 in Birmingham, England. Mohammad Hamza Khan brought the honour after 8 years for country by winning gold medal in Under-15 age group category, who had defeated local guy Yusuf Sheikh at 11-4, 11-3 and 11-7. Top officials of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) welcomed the players at Islamabad International Airport. An interaction with the media, PSF arranged special session at Mushaf Squash Complex. Secretary Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Akbar Durrani and Director General PSB Amna Imran were also present on this occasion and congratulated the teenager on their remarkable performance in the international junior squash showpiece.

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (January 8, 2020):-Australian players, including 2019 T20 International Player of the Year, Alyssa Healy were joined by trailblazing women from a range of sectors for a beach cricket match, to begin the final countdown to the biggest women’s sporting event ever held in Australia. Set to cover over 14,000 kilometres around the country, the Trophy Tour will give thousands of fans the opportunity to see the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 trophy. The trophy will visit iconic locations around Australia to bring communities and cultures together as excitement builds towards the global event that begins with hosts and defending champions Australia taking on India at Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday 21 February 2020. The 44-day tour will visit over 40 locations and will showcase stories about inspiring women from communities across Australia, a nod to the tournament campaign ‘It’s the Big Dance, and the women are leading’. Fans will be able to get up close with the trophy at various locations including Sydney, Bowral, Newcastle, Brisbane, Ballarat, Bendigo, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide with the full schedule available at t20worldcup.com/trophytour. With bushfires devastating families, communities and wildlife across Australia, the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 will use the Trophy Tour as a platform to promote bushfire emergency relief efforts, which includes encouraging the global cricket family to support fundraising through our charity partner UNICEF Australia. Read the statement here. Speaking at the Bondi launch, four-time ICC T20 World Cup winner Alyssa Healy said; “The build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup is the biggest that I’ve ever experienced before. You can feel that it’s going to be a special event and we can’t wait to face India in the opening match at Sydney Showground. India have been a bogey team for us at the last couple of World Cups, so we hope with a home crowd behind us, we can put that right and start the tournament on the right note.” The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour is driven by Nissan. Nissan has been a global partner of the International Cricket Council since 2015, and will provide a range of vehicles to move the trophy across the country. Managing Director of Nissan Australia, Stephen Lester said; “Nissan is proud to support the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour. We are delighted to help share the excitement of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup throughout Australia, by driving the trophy to all corners of the country” “We are honoured to support female sport on the global stage, and be part the tournament finale in March at the MCG that’s aiming to break global audience records for female sport.” ICC T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee CEO Nick Hockley said; “The Trophy Tour is an opportunity for communities around Australia to be part of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Fans will get a unique chance to get up close with the trophy as it visits iconic landmarks, community events and schools.” “The tour will also provide a platform to celebrate trailblazing women around the country as we build-up towards the best cricketers in the world taking centre stage in venues around Australia.” “We have the opportunity to set a new benchmark for a women’s sporting event, so we’re calling on fans in Australia and around the world to get their tickets and be part of this amazing global momentum we are seeing in sport for women and girls.”

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (January 8, 2020):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced the umpire and match referee appointments for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020, which will be staged in South Africa from 17 January to 9 February. Experienced umpires Wayne Knights and Ravindra Wimalasiri will take charge of the opening match of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup after the officials for South Africa 2020 were confirmed. New Zealand’s Knights and Wimalasiri of Sri Lanka – who have taken charge of 71 ODI and T20I matches between them – will officiate when hosts South Africa play Afghanistan in the Kimberley opener on January 17. Rashid Riaz Waqar will be the TV umpire for the first of 48 games in the tournament, with a 19-strong team of match officials confirmed by the International Cricket Council. Among those taking charge will be veteran Ian Gould, whose esteemed senior international career came to an end when he retired during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 on home soil. The Englishman will join forces with Ahmad Shah Pakteen when India get the defence of their title underway against Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein, one of five group-stage matches he will officiate as on-field umpire. In all, 16 umpires from 12 different countries will be on the field for five matches each in the first stage of the U19 World Cup, with eight also performing the role of TV umpire. The list includes five umpires who looked after the 2019 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier late last year, including Sam Nogajski – who was on duty for the final between Papua New Guinea and Netherlands. The Australian will take the reins for an historic occasion, with Japan playing their very first match in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup when they face New Zealand in Potchefstroom. Iknow Chabi, of Zimbabwe, will join Nogajski out in the middle. Nigeria will become the 31st different team to take part in the event when they face Australia, the second-most successful side since the competition first began in 1988 as the Youth Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh umpire Masudur Rahman Mukul and Nigel Duguid, of West Indies, will be raising their finger in that match, on January 20 in Kimberley. The pool stages will also see an Ashes rivalry revisited at youth level, with Adrian Holdstock and Asif Yaqoob in the middle for Australia’s clash with England, also at Kimberley, three days later. The 16 umpires will be joined by three match referees for the duration of the tournament, with former Sri Lanka international Graeme Labrooy officiating alongside home official Shaid Wadvalla and England’s Phil Whitticase. ICC Senior Manager - Umpires and Referees, Adrian Griffith: “The U19 Cricket World Cup is a very important event in our calendar as it brings together the world’s most promising young players in a major ICC tournament, giving them the experience of competing on the global stage. “We are committed to appointing the finest officials available and I have every confidence in the team travelling to South Africa for the U19 Cricket World Cup they will do a fine job. I wish them all the best.” Umpire and match referee appointments for the knockout stages will be announced after the teams have been confirmed. The appointments for the Plate and Super League final will be finalised after the semi-finals. The officials for the tournament are: Umpires: Roland Black, Ahmad Shah Pakteen, Sam Nogajski, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Ian Gould, Wayne Knights, Rashid Riaz Waqar, Anil Chaudhary, Patrick Bongani Jele, Iknow Chabi, Nigel Duguid, Ravindra Wimalasiri, Masudur Rahman Mukul, Asif Yaqoob, Leslie Reifer, Adrian Holdstock Match Referees: Graeme Labrooy, Shaid Wadvalla, Phil Whitticase

SB News Lausanne, Switzerland: This coming weekend sees the return of the FIH Hockey Pro League, with the second season getting off to a flying start as inaugural women’s champions the Netherlands begin their title defence with two away games against China. The opening fixtures, which take place at the Wujin Hockey Stadium in Changzhou on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January, are the first of 144 matches that will be contested between January and June 2020, with the world’s finest men’s and women’s international teams fighting for the chance to win the respective titles. The first edition of this trailblazing competition took place in 2019 and featured some fantastic hockey moments, with home fans embracing the opportunity to witness their national teams testing themselves against the world’s best on home soil. The 2020 edition is set to be equally significant. Twenty venues in 11 countries will host FIH Hockey Pro League matches this year, providing a global spread of world-class hockey across multiple time-zones over the next six months. The fact that 16 of the 18 competing teams will also feature at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 adds even more spice to an event that is, as 2019 proved, rarely short of excitement. All of the competing teams will be acutely aware that a strong showing in the FIH Hockey Pro League would provide a significant boost to confidence levels going into the XXXII Olympiad. Reflecting on last year’s inaugural edition, FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said that the event had “allowed the sport of hockey to showcase itself like never before”, as growing stadium, broadcast and live streaming audiences were entertained on a weekly basis by shock results, sensational team performances and extraordinary individual achievements. However, despite being understandably delighted with many aspects of the first edition, Dr Batra believes that the learnings from season one will make for an even better second edition. “It is not in our nature to maintain the status quo by simply standing still”, said the FIH President. “The 2020 edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League sees the introduction of a new match schedule, splitting home and away matches over two consecutive seasons to create a series of ‘double headers’ throughout the competition. This is an important move in terms of player welfare and sustainability, significantly reducing travel fatigue and environmental impact by cutting the number of flights by half, which in turn substantially lowers travel and accommodation costs for the competing teams.” Another change from the inaugural edition is the removal of the end-of-season Grand Final event, with the respective men’s and women’s champions of 2020 being the teams that have accumulated the highest number of points by the end of the competition. The FIH Hockey Pro League welcomes another powerhouse of international hockey to the competition this year, with India men (FIH World Ranking: 5) joining the fold. The eight-times Olympic champions will play their home matches at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the 15,000-capacity venue that so wonderfully staged the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup in 2018. India will be keen to impress in a competition that features the nine highest ranked teams in the world, with Pro League title holders and Oceania champions Australia (WR:1), World and European champions Belgium (2), Olympic champions Argentina (WR:4), the Netherlands (WR:3), Germany (WR: 6), Great Britain (WR:7), Spain (WR:8) and New Zealand (WR:9) all involved.   It comes as little surprise that the Netherlands (WR:1), the reigning World, European and FIH Hockey Pro League champions, are seen very much as the team to beat in the women’s competition. However, they are certain to be pushed all the way by the eight other teams who are determined to wrestle the trophy from their grasp. 2019 Pro League silver medallists Australia (WR:2) – the only team to defeat the Netherlands in the inaugural edition – could well be the team most likely, while Pan American Games champions Argentina (WR:3), European silver medallists Germany (WR:4), Olympic champions Great Britain (WR:5), Oceania champions New Zealand (WR:6), China (WR:10), Belgium (WR:12) and USA (WR:13) will all be looking to make their mark. China v Netherlands (W) Where: Wujin Hockey Stadium, Changzhou (CHN) When: 11 & 12 January 2019, Both matches at 14:00 local time (GMT/UTC+8) The essentials… Current FIH World Rankings: China: 10 | Netherlands: 1 Final standings - FIH Hockey Pro League 2019: China: 7 | Netherlands: 1 

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (January 7, 2020);-Zubair Tahir and Ashan Ramzan qualified for the final of Jubillee Insurance Juniors Under-16 National Snooker Championship 202 after winning their respective semifinals at Pakistan Sports Complex Snooker Hall Islamabad on Tuesday. Results (Quarterfinals): Zubair Tahir (Punjab) beat Hamza Ilyas (Punjab) 4-2 (77-42, 61-62, 71-23, 26-75, 68-11, 64-09) Faheem Liaquat (KPK) beat Shabban Butt (Punjab) 4-1 (55-44, 33-59, 63-11, 73-06, 39-29) Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab) beat Malik Muzammil Khan (KPK) 4-0 (46-28, 53-52, 68-18, 91-17) Zain Ali (Punjab) beat Adnan Aslam (Punjab) 4-3 (49-7, 54-56, 47-69, 49-11, 57-13, 55-66, 89-45) Results (Semifinals): Zubair Tahir (Punjab) beat Faheem Liaquat (KPK) 4-0 (59-30, 37-24, 73-19, 69-37) Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab) beat Zain Ali (Punjab) 4-0 (78-1, 61-57, 69-13, 71-2)