SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 15, 2021):-The Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani congratulated the Pakistan national cricket team on victories in the Test and T20I series over South Africa. In the Karachi Test, Babar Azam’s men recovered from 27 for four in the first innings to win by seven wickets, while they took seven wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs with the second new ball in South Africa’s second innings to register a 95-run victory in the Rawalpindi Test. Mohammad Rizwan became the second Pakistan batsman to hit a T20I century in his side’s three-run victory in the first match, which was followed by South Africa’s six wickets win. In the series finale, Pakistan won by four wickets. Consequently, following their first Test series win over South Africa in 18 years, Pakistan moved up two places to fifth in the ICC Test Team Rankings, the team’s highest ranking since January 2017. They have also gained two points to reduce the gap with third-ranked India to seven points on the ICC T20I Team Rankings. Victory in the Test series also provided Babar with a winning start to his captaincy tenure, whilst ensuring that Misbah-ul-Haq remained unbeaten in 12 home Test series, whether as a captain or coach. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “I congratulate each and every member of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team and the support staff for their excellent victories in both the Test and T20Is series over South Africa. The manner in which the side bounced back following a disappointing series in New Zealand is admirable and reflects their real character, grit and potential. “The success of the team was due to collective and all-round effort which invariably produces positive and strong results. The performances have elated the fans, which is an endorsement of the type and brand of cricket they want to see and witness from their stars, both inside and outside Pakistan. “I am pleased the side not only demonstrated that they were capable of playing quality cricket but of doing so with consistency, something that had been eluding them recently. I remain optimistic that these victories will prove to act as a catalyst for future winning performances and the side will continue to play with a controlled and calculated aggression so that Pakistan can reclaim its status as one of the fiercest, respected and leading cricket playing nations. “Amidst a number of outstanding standalone performances, I was particularly pleased with the way Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali performed. While Rizwan won the hearts of the cricket fans with his performances across the longest and shortest formats of the game, Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali performances highlighted the value and importance of merit-based and quality-oriented domestic cricket. “I am confident that this new structure will continue to produce more exciting and talented cricketers over the next couple of years, which, in turn, will further help narrow the gap between the quality of domestic and international cricket as well as Pakistan and the other leading cricket playing nations. “I want to register my appreciation for the PCB management, which delivered an excellent series in these challenging and difficult times. From team logistics to cricket playing facilities, from creating a safe and secure environment to unprecedented broadcast, digital and media coverage, everything was meticulous. The flawless and smooth operations, which would not have been possible without the support of the federal and local governments as well as the security agencies, have contributed greatly in enhancing the PCB’s reputation as a credible, world-class and high-performing cricket board. “Lastly, I want to thank and congratulate South Africa for visiting Pakistan and playing competitive cricket. I am confident they will return with happy memories and will not hesitate in sharing their experiences with fellow cricketers. We look forward to welcoming these cricket ambassadors again, be it during the HBL Pakistan Super League or a future bilateral series.”

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 15, 2021):-A total of five foreign players’ replacements have been made in the HBL Pakistan Super League teams that will take the field for the HBL PSL 6 at the National Stadium Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium Lahore from Saturday 20 February. The teams made replacement picks for the players who have either become fully or partially unavailable due to international cricket commitments. South Africa star Faf du Plessis who represented Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL PSL 2020 play-offs last November makes a return to the league as a partial replacement player in the Quetta Gladiators outfit in place of West Indian Chris Gayle. Australia leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed who has represented Gladiators in the earlier HBL PSL seasons replaces New Zealand batsman Colin Munro in the Islamabad United squad. Munro would be unavailable for United due to the prevailing Covid-19 related managed isolation space challenges in New Zealand. United have also included USA fast bowler Ali Khan as a replacement for England’s Reece Topley who has been included in England’s T20I squad on their ongoing tour of India. Ireland batsman Paul Stirling is the third replacement in the United squad in place of England fast bowler Chris Jordan who has also been included in the T20I squad for the series against India.  England batsman Tom-Kohler Cadmore who represented Gladiators in the 2018 season will replace compatriot Liam Livingstone in the Zalmi squad with Livingstone also set to be part of England's T20I team in India.  

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 10, 2021):-The Pakistan Open Tenpin Bowling Championship will  start from March 23, 2011 at Leisure City Bowling Club, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi. According to President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Ijaz ur Rehman, the top national players from all over the country will participate in the eight events categories, comprises, Singles Masters, Doubles, Deaf, Team, Women, Inter University, Inter School, and Amateur. He said that registration would be opened and every players can registered their names on lines by March 20, at 4 p.m. The draws of the tournament would be taken place on March 22 at the championship venue. He said that the semi finals and finals would be played on March 29 and March 30, respectively. The concluding and prizes ceremony will be held on March 30, at 6 pm. Trophies and certificates will be delivered to the players. To seek further information, they should contact to the Secretary General, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Mohammad Hussain Chattha.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (February 5, 2021):-Pakistani right-arm pacer, Hasan Ali’s back-to-back two strikes gave a new turn to Pindi Test on Friday, as the visitors were 106 for 4 runs on the conclusion of second day game.  Earlier Pakistan finished their innings on 272 and 166 runs ahead from Proteases. On Friday, Pakistan duo meddle order batsmen captain Babar Azam and Fawad Alam resuming their innings at 145 for three at 9:45 am. Babar could not add a solitary score in the last night total 77, however, Fawad added only runs twice singles and ran-out on 45, unfortunately. Earlier, Nortje made the first breakthrough when he had Babar Azam caught at second slip with the second ball of the day. Azam looked to cut a length ball but got a thick outside edge and Faf du Plessis took the chance at head height. This was the second time Azam had been dismissed without adding to his overnight score in Rawalpindi - he was on 143 against Bangladesh last February when the same thing had happened, and it was also the first time in three Test innings at this venue that the Pakistan captain had not scored a century. But Azam was not the victim of the most spectacular piece of fielding in the morning session. That was the fate of Fawad Alam, who added three to his first-day 42 before being run-out at the non-striker's end by a direct hit from Temba Bavuma. Fawad nudged a Kagiso Rabada delivery to the off side, where Bavuma swooped in from point, picked up and threw in one motion and beat Alam's dive in a scene reminiscent of his run-out of David Warner in 2016. Alam could only nod his head in appreciation of Bavuma's efforts and walk off. South Africa would have hoped to get rid of Ashraf fairly soon after that and called for a review when he missed a paddle sweep against Maharaj on 15. Replays showed the ball would have missed off stump and Ashraf survived. He saw off the second new ball, even after Mohammad Rizwan was bounced out by a fired-up Nortje and Maharaj, given the ball when it was less than five overs old, had Hasan caught at slip. Ashraf was confident on the drive and the pull and was particularly severe on Kagiso Rabada, taking 30 runs off 32 balls he faced from him. Rabada finished wicketless and appeared down on pace and Ashraf reached his fifty off him with a gorgeous drive down the ground. With Yasir Shah at the other end, Pakistan would have had 300-plus in their sights, especially after they got through the opening spells with the second new ball. But shah offered Wiaan Mulder a catch in his follow through, which he took low down, to open up the tail. Nauman Ali's defences appeared solid until Nortje turned up the chin music and aimed one at the grille. Nauman threw his hands up in defence and was caught at short leg. Two balls later, Shaheen Shah Afridi gloved a bumper to silly point to give Nortje his five-for and the South African openers an opportunity to bat before tea. With minutes to go, Elgar and van der Dussen were dismissed, leaving the match interestingly poised ahead of the final session.

SPORTS REPORT PESHAWAR (February 5, 2021):-Top national badminton players Murad Ali defeated Raja Mohammad Hasnain in straight games 2-0 in the quarterfinal of the ongoing 53rd National Badminton Championship 2021 at Charsadda on Friday. On the occasion Mohammad Shoaib Khan DPO Chrsadda was the chief guest. Wajid Ali Chaudhry presented the shield to the chief guest and thanked him for visiting the venue and boosted the morale of the players. He also appreciates the effort of DPO for providing the full proof security of the venue and players. Results: Men Singles (Quarterfinals): Murad Ali (NBP) beat Raja Mohammad Hasnian (NBP) by 21-15, 21-10 Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Muqeet Tahir (SNGPL) by 21-15, 21-12 Mohammad Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Hashir Bashir (Wapa) by 21-18, 21-15 Anjum Bashir (NBP) beat Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) by 21-16, 21-18 Women Singles (Quarterfinals): Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) by 21-6, 21-9 Palwasha Bashir (NBP) beat Bushra Qayyum (Wapda) by 21-10, 21-15 Alja Tariq (Balochistan) beat Ammarah Ishtiaq (Sindh) BY 21-6, 21-13 Ghazala Siddiqui (Wapda) beat Mehwish Khan (Army) BY 21-18, 21-6 Men Doubles (Pre Quarterfinals): Ammar Masood (RLY) & Muteeb Sohail (KRL) beat Khalil Ur Rehman & Fazal Ur Rehman (RLY) by 21-18, 21-12 Raja Hasnain (NBP) & Raja Zulqarnain (Wapda) beat Ahmad Tariq (SNGPL) & Faizan Ahmad (Wapda) by 21-11, 21-12 Muqeet Tahir (SNGPL) & Kashif Sulehri (NBP) beat Abuzar Rashid (HEC) & Umer Zeshan (Wapda) by 21-16, 21-13 Hashir Bashir (Wapda) & Murad Ali (NBP) beat Ali Chishti (ISB) & Shujaat Ali Khan (Wapda) by 21-15, 21-17 Waqas Ahmad & Shoaib Riaz (Wapda) beat Mohammad Noman (SNGPL) & Amir Saeed (Wapda) by 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 Awais Zahid (Wapda) & Murad Ali (NBP) beat Shahmir Iftikhar (SNGPL) & Ali Nawab Dil (Wapda) by 22-20, 21-17 Irfan Saeed & Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) beat Shabbar Hussain & Adnan Aziz (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-16 Anjum Bashir (NBP) & Yasir Ali (HEC) beat Zunnain Javed & Atiq Ch. (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-14

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (February 5, 2021):- Sam Kydd Baumgartner paring with Birtan Duran have won the Boys Doubles title of PTF President ITF World J5 Junior Tennis Championship after beating their opponents Dmitry Dolzhenkov and Artiom Dorofeev 2-0 in single sided final at PTF Tennis Complex on Friday. Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, Deputy Mayor Islamabad, visited PTF Complex along with Mansoor Ahmed DDG PSB to witness some of the matches, and he was extremely happy with the arrangements and organization of the events. He also paid compliments to President PTF and his team in ensuring that so many foreign players have decided to come to Islamabad. Results: Boy’s Doubles (Final): Sam Kydd Baumgartner (SUI) / Birtan Duran (TUR) beat Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) / Artiom Dorofeev (FRA) 6-4, 6-2 Girl’s Doubles (Final): Iman Khan (GBR) / Alaia Rubio Perez (GBR) beat Mariia Masiianskaia (RUS) / Margarita Okhendovskaya (UKR) 4-6, 6-4 [11-9] Boys Singles (Semi-Finals): Sam Kydd Baumgartner (SUI) beat  Andrey Kozlov (RUS) 6-2, 6-2 Birtan Duran (TUR) beat Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) 7-5, 6-3 Girls Singles (Semi-Finals): Iman Khan (GBR) beat Maria Pukhina (RUS) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Mariia Masiianskaia (RUS) beat Ines Faltinger (AUT) 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-2

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (February 5, 2021):-Federal Minister for Railway Azam Khan Swati appreciated the organizers for holding the first Kashmir Premier League (KPL) next month and termed it a massive step to highlight the Kashmir issue through cricket in all over the world. While talking to Arshad Khan Tenoli, Chairman Mazaffarabad   Tigers, in his office, minister hoped that Mazaffarabad Tigers team would play positive cricket and perform well in the whole competition. “KPL will give an acknowledgement to Kashmiri people in all over the world that will also help to highlight Kashmir issue in other parts of the world, “he added.  

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 4, 2021):-Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) overcame Carl Holder (FRA) in the first quarterfinal of the ongoing ITF World Juniors Tennis Championship at PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad on Thursday. Both sets ended on tie-break. In another game, Iman Khan (UK) ousted Arina Arifullina (RUS) in an exciting match with the score-line of 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Results: Boys Singles (Quarter-Finals): Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) bt Carl Holder (FRA) 7-5, 7-5 Andrey Kozlov (RUS) bt Siddhartha Lama (USA) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 Birtan Duran (TUR) bt Yakup Uzunel (DEN) 6-1, 6-1 Sam Kydd Baumgartner (SUI) bt Artiom Dorofeev (FRA) 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 Girls Singles (Quarter-Finals): Maria Pukhina (RUS) bt Avrora Volkova (RUS) 6-3,6-1 Lidia Laskova (RUS) bt Ines Faltinger (AUT) 6-0, 6-1 Iman Khan (GBR) bt Arina Arifullina (RUS) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 Mariia Masiianskaia (RUS) bt Alaia Rubio Perez (GBR) 6-3, 6-2 Girls Doubles (Semi-Finals):    Iman Khan (GBR) / Alaia Rubio Perez (GBR) W/O Tamara Ermakova (RUS) / Maria Pukhina (RUS)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI (February 4, 2021):-Babar Azam (77) and Fawad Alam (42) have saved the respect of the team, as Pakistani were 22 for 3 after winning the toss at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. Both players were still on the pitch after aggregating 123 runs for the fourth wicket, as rain did not allow resuming the game after tea-break on Thursday. Total was 145 for 3 runs on the board, when both umpires Aleem Dar and Ashan Raza called off the day one game. Earlier, Captain Babar Azam decided to bat first after winning the toss, as the wicket was looking bit day and good batting track. Unfortunately, hosts lost their first wicket at the score of 21, when Imran Butt was caught behind the stumps by de Kock on the bowling of Maharaj. Butt scored only 15 runs by hitting three boundaries. Green Shirts wasted their second wicket on same score 21, when Azhar Ali was judged LBW on the bowling of Miharaj without scoring a run. Abid Ali dismissed on 22, was excellent caught by Aiden Markran on the bowling of Nortje. He scored only 6 runs. At the end of day Babar and Fawad were not out at 77 and 42 respectively and they will resume their innings on Friday morning at same venue. Maharaj got two wickets while Nortje got one wicket by conceding 51 and 30 runs respectively. Rest of South African bowling failed to get any wicket. It is important to mention here that George Linds got injured, when Babar hit a powerful drive to back to bowler. Lindy could not complete the over. On Friday second day of the test match will kick off at 9:45am.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 4, 2021):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on today (Thursday) announced that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) allowed 20 per cent crowds to attend the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021, which would be played in Karachi and Lahore from 20 February to 22 March. The decision means around 7,500 ticketed spectators will be allowed access inside the National Stadium per match day, while around 5,500 will be able to attend each match day at the Gaddafi Stadium. During the course of the event, the NCOC and the PCB will continue to work together and monitor the situation before a decision to increase crowd numbers for the three playoffs and the final is made. The NCOC made the decision following a detailed and comprehensive briefing by the PCB officials, in which they assured that the event organisers and the PCB will strictly follow government Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures, including social distancing. Now that the NCOC has supported crowd attendances for the HBL PSL 2021, the PCB will soon announce its ticketing policy to provide further clarity to the fans on how they can purchase tickets and the process to enter/exit the venues during the matches. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “I am thankful to the NCOC for trusting the PCB and allowing limited fans to watch live action of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021. This is an endorsement that the PCB is an institution, which is capable of planning and then successfully implementing Covid-19 SOPs during its marquee event being staged in Pakistan for the second successive year. “Fans are the PCB’s biggest asset and we are delighted that no matter a small number, but some will be able to have access to the matches. Their presence will add flavour and excitement to one of the biggest and most challenging leagues in the cricket calendar. We understand not everyone will get an opportunity to watch the matches due to the limited number of seats, but these are baby-steps and considering that most of the sport events are being played in empty stadium, this is a positive achievement and step in the right direction. “I am optimistic that if we can maintain strict protocols during the HBL PSL 2021 matches we will have a strong case for more fans in the 2021-22 season in which we have to host high-profile internationals teams such as New Zealand, England and the West Indies as well as quality domestic events, including the National T20 Cup, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the Pakistan Cup.”