Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Five teams have been crowned champions of the inaugural Cricket Associations Divisional U19 tournament in Balochistan, Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern and Sindh today. The final of the Southern Punjab-leg will be played between Multan Division and D.G Khan Division at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, 17 June. Balochistan Cricket Association Three wickets apiece from Ahsan Ullah and Syed Yasir Shah led Loralai-Zhob Division to a six-wicket win over Quetta-Rakshan Division in the final held at the Bugti Stadium, Quetta. Batting first, Quetta-Rakshan Division were bundled out for 137 in the 41st over. In reply, Loralai-Zhob Division chased down the target in the 29th over for the loss of four wickets. Mohammad Siddique top-scored with a 59-ball 41, smashing four boundaries. Jahangir Khan representing Quetta-Rakshan Division bagged three wickets. Central Punjab Cricket Association Three wickets from Mohammad Maooz guided Lahore Division to a 21-run win over Faisalabad Division in a low-scoring match held at the Pak Lions Cricket Academy Ground in Lahore. After being put into bat, Lahore Division were bowled out for 181 in the 47th over. Opening batter Moiz Rana top-scored with a 76-ball 43 and struck four fours and one six. Faisalabad Division’s Waqas Abbas grabbed three wickets for 30. Ahmed Bilal, Ameer Hasan and Nauman Haider picked two wickets apiece. In reply, Faisalabad Division were bowled out for 160 in the 48th over. Umar Farooq top-scored with a 64-ball 46. Right-arm fast bowler Maooz picked up three wickets for 26, while left-arm spinner Usman Shahid accounted for two wickets for 30. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cricket Association In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa jurisdiction, Hazara-Mardan Division won the leg by beating Peshawar-Kohat Division by 62 runs at the KMC Ground in Peshawar. Opting to bat first, Hazara-Mardan were bowled out for 144 in the 36th over. Haseeb Khan batting at number five top-scored with a 50-ball 27. For Peshawar-Kohat Division, slow left-arm bowler Mohammad Zubair bagged four wickets for 26. He was supported by fellow left-arm spinner Shahid Khan who took three for 29 from nine overs. In return, Peshawar-Kohat Division were skittled for 82 in the 25th over on the back of three wickets apiece from Aimal Khan and Mohammad Shoaib. Northern Cricket Association AJK Division defeated Gilgit Baltistan Division by 10 wickets in a low-scoring final match at the House of Northern in Islamabad.  Chasing 99 to win, AJK Division’s opening pair Ali Abbas Khan (37 not out, 91b, 4x4s, 1x6)) and Faraz Khan (43 not out,78b,7x4s) achieved the target in the 28th over. Earlier, after being put into bat Gilgit Baltistan were bowled out for 98 in the 38th over. Slow left-arm bowler Aman Aftab grabbed four wickets for seven runs in 2.4 overs. Sindh Cricket Association Arbaz Khan’s unbeaten 117 and Shahzaib Aziz’s four wickets guided Benazirabad-MirpurKhas Division to an eight-wicket win over Karachi Division at the Oval Ground of the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi. After being put into bat, Karachi Division scored 224 for eight from 50 overs. Opening batter Mirza Saad Baig top-scored with a 98-ball 101, hitting 17 fours. For Benazirabad-MirpurKhas Division, slow left-arm Shahzaib bagged four wickets for 25 in 10 overs. Benazirabad-Mirpur Khas Division successfully chased down the target in the 46th over for the loss of two wickets. Arbaz scored an unbeaten 117 off 149, which included 14 fours and three sixes. Haroon Arshad scored 53 off 65, hitting seven fours.

Syed Nazir Ahmed LAHORE:-Mehran Mumtaz hails from Kohta, Kashmir, now lives in Rawalpindi and wants to fulfill his late father’s dream of representing Pakistan at the highest level of the game. The left-arm spinner has progressed from U16 cricket in the 2016-17 season before making his first-class debut for Northern in the 2021-22 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. In between, he played in the U16 series against Australia, the National U19 Cup and Championship, and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2022. “My father passed away in 2020 and couldn’t see me represent Pakistan at the highest level. I want to represent my country to fulfill my father’s dream,” said a passionate Mehran while talking to PCB digital. “I started off as a left-arm fast bowler, but on the recommendation of my club coach, switched to spin bowling. It was not easy as I had been bowling fast from the age of 10 and also wanted to pursue my career as a fast bowler. But once I started bowling spin and was selected in U16 trials, there was no looking back. “I have my self-belief and confidence to represent Pakistan in all three formats and make my country and my family proud. The PCB Pathways Programme has been designed to help youngsters like me to achieve my dreams and career objectives. It will not help us financially, but it will also groom us which, in turn, will help us to compete strongly at the international level.” Mehran featured for Rawalpindi U16 in PCB U16 tournament in 2016-17 where he took 25 wickets from nine matches and remained second on the list of top wicket-takers behind Test fast bowler Naseem Shah. He later went on to represent Pakistan U16 against Australia U16 in the UAE where he took six wickets from three One-Day matches. With his consistent performances, Mehran graduated to the U19 level where he represented Northern in the National U19 One-Day Tournament 2019-20 and took eight wickets from four matches. In National U19 One-Day Tournament in 2020-21 he took 17 wickets from 11 outings in the tournament. In the same year, he represented Northern in the Pakistan Cup second XI and took four wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 4.25. In the next edition of National U19 One-Day Tournament in 2021-22, Mehran took 10 wickets from four outings in the tournament. In the National U19 Championship 2021-22, he took 14 wickets from five matches. He later went on to represent Pakistan in this year’s ICC U19 World Cup held in West Indies. He took five wickets at an economy rate of 3.16. Before the World Cup, Mehran made his debut in the 2021-22 first-class season. It was a dream debut for Mehran, as the left-armer playing for Northern picked seven wickets in the drawn match against Balochistan at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Mega Stars League (MSL) cricket fixture will be played from September 5 to 12, 2022 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi, as overseas, top national cricket players, showbiz stars and media anchors will take part in the 8-day entertaining cricket event. According to an official, the aim of this league to raise the fund and to provide an entertaining event to the people of twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as the fund will be will be spent on the welfare of former cricketers, artists and unemployed journalists through the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF). The inaugural ceremony of the Mega Stars League was held at a local hotel in Islamabad. Former Pakistani cricket players and showbiz stars including Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Hafeez, Muammar Rana, Mustafa Zahid, Mohammad Junaid, Uzair Jaswal, Noman Habib and Mohsin Abbas were present in the ceremony. The proceeds of the league will be spent on the welfare of former players, coaches, artists and unemployed journalists through the Shahid Afridi Foundation. TV anchors Kashif Abbasi and Samar Abbas also attend the ceremony.

PCB Report LAHORE:-Ambitions are critical to achieve the zenith of one’s career and 17-year old Ali Asfand has set the target of being remembered as a big gun of the game. The left-arm spinner hails from Faisalabad and is amongst 107 cricketers of the Pathways Programme despite facing stiff resistance from his family. “My family often got furious at me as I used to bunk classes to feature in cricket matches. They tried to force me to leave the game and encouraged me to secure a good future by pursuing my education. But cricket remains my passion and I want people to remember me as one of the stars of the game. “Though I am pleased that I navigated my way through all the tough experiences, it would have been better if I had my family’s support from day one,” Ali told PCB digital. Ali Asfand was the leading wicket-taker of National U19 Cup where he claimed 10 wickets while representing Central Punjab Blues U19. He then grabbed 25 wickets in eight red-ball matches in National Under-19 Championship. The 17-year old is delighted with the new PCB initiative that includes a monthly stipend of PKR30,000, free education and coaching by foreign experts, and says this will assist him to follow his career in cricket. “The PCB Pathways Programme has convinced my parents to accept my passion, which will not only enhance my cricket skills but will also help me secure quality education and a monthly stipend that will allow me look after my expenses before I turn into a professional cricketer. “I look forward to taking full advantage of the presence of international coaches in the PCB Pathways Programme, which, in turn, will prepare me better for the Pakistan Junior League, which can be a platform to demonstrate my talent and potential.” Ali idealises the veteran slow left-arm orthodox Zulfiqar Babar who represented Pakistan in 29 international matches. “I am impressed by Zulfiqar Babar and used to watch his bowling on television. I want to master the art of deceiving a batter with the spin like him.”

Sports Bulletin Report Muzaffarabad (AJK):-Kotli United have won the title of 4th edition of Zalmi Madrasa Cricket League after beating Kashmir Tigers by 53 runs in the final at Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). Mohammad Hassan was declared man of the match of Kotli United for scoring 88 runs. League was organized by Peshawar Zalmi and Zalmi Foundation jointly. Earlier in the semi-finals, Kashmir Tigers defeated CB Patriots by 8 runs while in the second semi-final, Kotli United defeated NC Mauverick by six wickets. Chief guests, Chairman Sufi Peace Forum Pir Ali Raza Bukhari, Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs Hafiz Hamid Raza and Azad Kashmir Government spokesperson Irfan Ashraf distributed the prizes among the players. The guests on the occasion congratulated Peshawar Zalmi, Zalmi Foundation and its Chairman Javed Afridi on the successful organization of Zalmi Madrasa League and said that Peshawar Zalmi was doing a great job of promoting religious harmony and encouraging Madaris students. Peshawar Zalmi Chairman Javed Afridi congratulated Kotli United team which on winning the title. Javed Afridi said that the purpose of organizing Zalmi Madrasa League was to give opportunity to the students of Madrasa to show their talents and to promote religious harmony.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Babar Azam, world’s number-one batter in white-ball cricket and Pakistan’s all-format captain, has a huge fan following around the world. Former Pakistan Under-19 captain Qasim Akram is also one of Babar’s admirers and wants to follow in his footsteps so that he can also make a meaningful impact in the game. “I idolise Babar Azam as a batter,” Qasim told PCB website, adding: “He is an articulate batter and I want to be the next Babar Azam of this world.” Qasim also hails from his idol’s hometown in Lahore, where his father works in a pre-loved clothing shop. After captaining Pakistan in the West Indies tournament, he has remained Babar’s teammate in Central Punjab and HBL PSL franchise Karachi Kings. “It was an unforgettable experience for me to have such a great mind around. I have learnt from him how to build an innings, play cover-drives and improve pull-shots.” The 19-year old scored 203 runs and took 10 wickets in six matches of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022. While representing Central Punjab in the National T20 2021-22, he took 11 wickets. Qasim scored a half-century in the HBL PSL 2022 for Karachi Kings, while in the Pakistan Cup 2021-22, he scored 285 runs and grabbed 10 wickets from 10 outings. “Babar has performed wherever he has played and I regularly follow his batting skills. So, I feel fortunate enough to share the dressing room with him. As a world number-one batter, he has set such high standards in Pakistan cricket that I would like to meet.” The middle-order batter and off-spinner is also among 107 players who are part of the PCB Pathways Programme. The four-week camp for the players’ is likely to start in the second week of June in Muridke, which is in line with PCB’s strategy to invest in young players. “PCB Pathways Programme is a great initiative where the young cricketers will receive a stipend of PKR30,000 per month and also earn 100 per cent educational scholarship, which will not only help them but also their families,” Qasim said. Qasim, with his off-spin bowling, has to date picked 14 wickets from nine first-class matches and is hoping to prolong his career like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. “I follow how Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Hafeez have extended their careers as all-rounders. I am presently working to improve my off-spin skills.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Vehari won the Southern Punjab-leg of the City Cricket Association Under-19 Tournament 2022-23 by beating Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal in the triangular stage of the 50-over competition. Sahiwal ended up taking the second spot in the triangular round beating Rahim Yar Khan by 49 runs in the last match of the leg on Saturday. It was Vehari’s captain Mohammad Aqib Asghar’s three wickets which helped his side win their second match of the triangular stage against Rahim Yar Khan in a low scoring contest at the Gymkhana Cricket Ground in Sahiwal on Thursday. In Balochistan’s jurisdiction, Lasbela U19 won the leg by beating Loralai by two wickets and Killa Abdullah Chaman by 96 runs in the triangular stage. For the winning team, the star performers were captain Arbaz Khan who bagged four wickets against Killa Abdullah Chaman and Bakhtiyar Khan, who picked five wickets against Loralai. Earlier, this week, Rawalpindi, Khyber, Faisalabad and Karachi Zone II were crowned champions of Northern, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Central Punjab and Sindh jurisdictions, respectively in the CCA U19 tournament. Balochistan Cricket Association In the three-group 13-team Balochistan-leg, Killa Abdullah Chaman, Loralai and Lasbela topped their respective groups before qualifying for the triangular stage. Killa Abdullah Chaman’s Muhammad Siddique accumulated 401 runs from six matches at 100.25 with unbeaten 123 his best in the tournament. Basit Ali representing Naseerabad scored 246 runs from three outings, which included 151 as his best. Muhammad Aqdas Khan representing Quetta finished with a tally of 227 runs from four matches at 113.50. Among bowlers, Lasbela’s Mohsin Ali bagged 18 wickets from five matches with six for 33 his best figures in a match. Himayatullah representing Killa Abdullah Chaman grabbed 13 wickets from six matches. Gwadar’s Allah Rakha and Loralai’s Zohaib Khan were next in line picking 12 wickets apiece. Southern Punjab Cricket Association In the three-group 14-team Southern Punjab-leg, Vehari and Sahiwal topped Pool A and Pool B with four wins from four matches respectively, while Rahim Yar Khan topped Pool C with three wins from three outings. Sahiwal’s Hamza Nadir finished as the leading run-getter with 243 runs from six matches at 40.50. Talha Mushtaq and Mohammad Ammar representing Rahim Yar Khan shared the batting honours scoring 190 and 188 runs, respectively. Vehari’s Moheer Saeed topped the bowling charts, taking 19 wickets from six matches at an economy rate of 2.23.  Sahiwal’s Muhammad Ismail and Mohammad Jan Sher shared the bowling honours with 17 wickets apiece from six matches.

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN:-The international cricket will return to the City of Saints – Multan – after more than 14 years next week when Babar Azam’s side will lock horns with the West Indies in three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium from Wednesday. The MCS has been host to some memorable contests since it first staged an international match in 2001 when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 264 run in a Test that began on 29 August. The three ODIs between Pakistan and the West Indies promise to add more to the legacy of the iconic venue. Pakistan arrived in Multan on Sunday and the West Indies will fly in on Monday for what promises to be an exciting and action-packed series with 30 points up for grabs. When Nicholas Pooran leads his men out on the field on 8 June, it would mark the second instance of a West Indies side taking the field at the MCS in ODIs. The two sides last played at the MCS on 13 December 2006 with Marlon Samuels’ breezy 100 not out off 99 balls securing a seven-wicket win for the tourists. The picturesque stadium has hosted seven ODIs with Pakistan winning four. In its inaugural ODI, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 137 runs in September 2003. The two sides also played the last ODI at the venue to-date, which the hosts won by seven wickets. In the second ODI here on 30 September 2004, Pakistan had recorded the biggest win, in terms of runs, at the venue when they defeated Zimbabwe by 144 runs. India and South Africa are the other two sides to have played here. Both came out victorious with India recording a five-wicket win in February 2006 and South Africa winning by seven wickets in October 2007. Opener Yasir Hameed has scored the most runs at this venue, smashing 197 runs in four innings, followed by former Pakistan captain and local star Inzamam-ul-Haq (178). Including Samuels, four batters have scored centuries at the MCS. The other three are Pakistan’s Abdul Razzaq and Yasir Hameed, and Bangladesh’s Shakib-ul-Hasan. While spinners Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, with six wickets each, have the most scalps in international 50-over contests at the MCS, India’s RP Sing – with four for 40 – has the best bowling figures for a fast bowler here. Sehwag’s 309, Lara’s 216 The MCS has hosted five Tests from August 2001 till November 2006. Of the four Tests to have ended in results, Pakistan have won three. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh twice in August 2001 and September 2003, and England in November 2005, while India have won the only Test to be played here between the two sides. The last Test at the stadium – between Pakistan and the West Indies – ended in a draw. Pakistan batting coach, Mohammad Yousuf, has the most Test runs at the venue (517 at a staggering 86.16) and is the only batter to hit three centuries. Virender Sehwag’s epic 309 in India’s win remains the highest score and the only tripe-century at the venue and Brian Lara (216 in 2006) has made the only double hundred at the MCS. Danish Kaneria has spun the web around 22 batters in five innings at 20.13 runs per wicket. He has three five-fers and one match haul of 10 wickets. About the stadium The MCS, boasting a capacity of 35,000, is located off Vehari Road, in the suburbs of Multan. The stadium plays host to country’s top-level domestic cricket regularly. The most recent high-profile cricket matches here were the three HBL Pakistan Super League matches in February 2020. Multan Sultans, the home side, won all the games, defeating Peshawar Zalmi (by six wickets), Karachi Kings (by 52 runs) and Quetta Gladiators (by 30 runs).

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-The Pakistan national men’s team will begin their preparations for the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against the West Indies from Thursday. Schedule of media opportunities: 1 June – Pakistan captain Babar Azam will be available to electronic media from 1300 and print media from 1320 at the press conference hall of the Gaddafi Stadium’s Far End Building. The players will assemble in Lahore and no training is scheduled on the day. 2 June – Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi will be available to media from 1300 till 1400 at the press conference hall of the Gaddafi Stadium’s Far End Building. The national side will hold a training session from 1430 till 2000 at the LCCA ground. 3 June – The national side will train at the LCCA ground from 1800 till 2330. 4 June – Head coach Saqlain Mushtaq will hold a media talk at 1330 at the LCCA ground. The national side will train at the LCCA ground from 1430 till 2000 5 June – The national side will depart for Multan.

Ibrahim Badees LAHORE:-Hailing from Mushtarzai, the suburbs of Peshawar, rising star Mohammad Haris is eager to carve out his own identity in a world full of competition between the brightest talents. The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is not oblivious to the challenges that entail the ascent to greatness and has overcome several hurdles to catapult to the limelight. Haris’ first two years at the Regional U19 level were forgettable, but he excelled the third time around to compel the Junior Selection Committee to induct him into Pakistan’s squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 in South Africa.  Haris stood out as Pakistan’s most prolific batter in the tournament, racking up 131 runs in five matches at an average of 65.50. As a result, he earned a maiden call-up to Pakistan’s ODI side for the postponed home series against New Zealand in September 2021. He was then drafted into Peshawar Zalmi’s squad in the Supplementary category for HBL Pakistan Super League 2022, where he made giant strides. Haris was quick to make an impact with a brisk 49 against Karachi Kings and later slammed a scintillating 32-ball 70 against Islamabad United. He marked the latter innings in a unique fashion when he held aloft a band bearing #BeTheBest. Speaking to PCB Digital, Haris said: “I have always had confidence in my abilities and I credit the Peshawar Zalmi management for allowing me to enhance it. They supported me a lot and gave me freedom to express myself the way I want. ‘Be The Best’ is my message to everyone.” “I value fearlessness and consider it to be a central trait of my personality. This is what my parents have taught me. I believe that if you work hard, then you don’t have to be afraid of anything and you’ll achieve success.” Haris is also mindful of the requirements of modern-day cricket and believes in developing himself into a 360-degree player. Inspired by the likes of Jos Buttler and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa teammate Mohammad Rizwan, Haris is keen on establishing his batting credentials by adding an array of shots to his repertoire. “I have always wanted to become a 360-degree player and develop a range of shots so that I succeed at the highest level. International level is a different ball game compared to domestic cricket so I have to come across as unique and distinct. “I want to achieve a lot in the future, and with the help of Almighty I’ve been meeting my goals. I want to soon don national colours.” Haris has declared his willingness to bat at any position in the batting order and not restrict himself to the wicketkeeping role. This aspect has been reiterated by the Pakistan fielding coach Abdul Majeed, who lauded the youngster’s eagerness to conduct long and challenging fielding sessions. “Whatever task Haris is given as a keeper, a batter or a fielder, he has the ability to accomplish it with the utmost dedication. He frequently asks me to conduct the most demanding sessions in order to enhance his skillset as a fielder.” Mohammad Wasim Jnr, who has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and 11 T20Is, is also an admirer of Haris’ mindset and compared his self-assured orientation to that of high-profile players. “I’ve been playing with Haris since our U19 days in domestic cricket and the self-belief and confidence I've observed in him is similar to some of the top cricketers like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan. Whatever Haris says he will do, he achieves that. Whether it is keeping, batting or fielding, he performs in every department.”