Salman Khan LAHORE (January 31, 2020):-Murad Ali (NBP) has won the Men's Single Championship of 57th National Badminton Championship 2020 while Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) retained the Women's Single title. In the Men Doubles Awais Zahid and Mohammad Ali Larosh of Wapda grabbed the Men's Double title.   Khalid Mehmood Secretary General Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. He distributed cash prize and trophies and certificates among the players. Wajid Ali Chaudhry, Pervez Butt Vice President PBF, Zafar Ali Khan VP PBF Zarina Waqar VP PBF Aisha Akram were also present at the occasion.   Results: Women Single Final Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) by 21-19, 21-13 Men Singles Final Murad Ali (NBP) beat Hafiz Irfan Saeed (Wapda) retired hurt Men Doubles Final Awais Zahid & Mohammad Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Rizwan Azam (NBP) by Noman Sabir (SNGPL) by 27-25, 14-21, 25-23

BY Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 31, 2020):-Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim will chair the revamped Pakistan Cricket Board Cricket Committee, which will meet on a quarterly basis, it was announced on Friday. Iqbal, a veteran of 50 Tests and 15 ODIs, will lead the panel that will also include Wasim Akram (former captain and now a respected commentator), Urooj Mumtaz (chief selector and representative of women’s cricket), Umar Gul (former Test cricketer and representative of current domestic cricketers) and Ali Naqvi (former Test opener and representative of the match officials). In addition to the five, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and Director – International, Zakir Khan, will serve as coopted members. The PCB Cricket Committee’s remit will be to advice PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani on cricket-related matters, including but not limited to the performances of the national cricket teams and their managements, domestic cricket structure, high-performance centres and playing conditions. The Committee will have the powers to invite relevant personnel for its quarterly meetings to assist as part of its evaluation, assessment and recommendation process. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I welcome all the distinguished members in this PCB Cricket Committee and look forward to working with them. I am delighted we have been able to put together a wide-ranging, knowledgeable, experienced and respected group whose commitment and involvement in the game is second to none. “These members are representatives of all key stakeholders within the game. More importantly, and in line with our policy, they are completely independent, which, in turn, will assist the PCB management to further improve the health of the game in Pakistan.” Iqbal Qasim said: “I am pleased the PCB has considered me for this important assignment and will try to utilise all my cricket and corporate experience and knowledge in the successful delivery of my responsibilities. “The PCB Cricket Committee comprises members who are avid followers of the game, are on top of all matters related to the game in Pakistan and, therefore, with collective wisdom, will make recommendations that will help the PCB to improve its strategic direction. “The game belongs to the people of Pakistan and we all are equal stakeholders in this. I think anyone who thinks can make a positive and meaningful contribution to Pakistan cricket, should come forward and play their active part.” About the members: Iqbal Qasim – Played 50 Tests and 15 ODIs in which he took 171 and 12 wickets, respectively. He also took 999 first-class wickets in 246 matches from 1971 to 1992. He has previously served the PCB in various roles, including team manager, chief selector and member of Domestic Tournament Monitoring Committee (DTMC). He is one of the executives at the National Bank of Pakistan. Ali Naqvi – Hit a century on his Test debut against South Africa in 1997 in Rawalpindi. He played five Tests and 115 first-class matches, scoring 242 and 5,881 runs, respectively from 1997 to 2011. He is presently a member of the PCB Elite Panel for Match Referees. Umar Gul – Played 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is from 2003 to 2016, taking 163, 179 and 85 wickets, respectively. He is still an active domestic cricket and took six wickets in five matches for Balochistan. In the National T20 Cup, he bagged four wickets in seven matches at an economy-rate of 9.35. Urooj Mumtaz – Played one Test, 38 ODIs and nine T20Is from 2004 to 2010, taking 2, 36 and six wickets, respectively. She captained Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 in Sydney, and presently is the chair of women’s selection committee and acting head of the PCB’s women’s wing. Wasim Akram – An ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, he played 104 Tests and 356 ODIs in which he took a total of 916 wickets and scored 6,615 runs, respectively. Following his retirement from international cricket in 2003, he has become one of the most respected and knowledgeable commentators, and has worked for all the leading sport channels at all the major ICC events.

By BIPIN DANI Runs scored by the batsmen and wickets taken by bowlers in the Super Overs are not included in players' individual records. This was revealed by India's renowned cricket statistician Mohandas Menon. Explaining the logic behind this, he exclusively said, "No, they are not added in the player's career records. Because Super overs are meant just for the sake of finding out which side has to be declared a a winner in a tied game". "This happens in football too... goals scored during penalty shoot-outs are not added in players career tally", he further added. ICC reply "When ICC first created the super over, it was inserted in the regulations that no team or individual performances will count towards any official records. We took as our lead penalty shootouts in football matches which don’t count towards career goal tallies.  So no-one can score a pair in a List A match!  That doesn’t stop anyone collating such stats.  It’s just that they won’t appear in any List A records",  ICC’s statistician has said this to the MCC on a special request by this Reporter. It was the fifth defeat via a Super over for New Zealand in seven attempts in T20Is! Lucky or unlucky Having lost yet another match by a Super Over, New Zealand skipper may seem to be unlucky but he is not, according to India's sports astrologer Greenstone Lobo. Speaking exclusveily, he says, "he (Kane Williamson) has it in him to overcome all of this and do something magical by finally overcoming these hiccups". "He may win an important multi-team tournament and prove that he is indeed luck. His best is yet to come", he further added.

By BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lankan cricketer and world's highest wicket taker Muthiah Muralitharan won the hearts of the people at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Thursdayearly morning. Legendary cricketer Muralitharan and his family were waiting in a long queue to get to the counter at the immigration at the airport. He had flown down from India and was taking pictures with everyone who asked for one, while waiting. His wife Madhi Malar was by his side chatting with people she had never met in her life. The immigration staff asked him to step out of the line so they can get him cleared quickly and he could have been on his way home in a few minutes. But he politely declined the offer and waited in line for almost an hour with the rest of the other people. Speaking exclusveily over telephone hours after reaching home, his Indian wife, Madhi Malar said, "Our flight landed at night. We were with our children. Night time is very busy at the airport. There were lots of people at the immigration". "People in Sri Lanka love and respect Murali and as a token of respect offered us to go forward. Even immigration officer too offered to break the queue". "We too love our people and as a respect for them didn't want to go out of turn", she added.  "They were both so very humble and sweet. What a great duo. Such humility from such a legend", one of the ex-Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) honorary officials, Samantha Algama shared the photo. "I thought it was worth a share. Bless him and his family", he said.

By Our Senior Correspondent ISLAMABAD (January 31, 2020):-The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced the consortium of Tower Sports and SportzWorkz as its broadcast production partner for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, which will be held across Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 20 February to 22 February. The appointment was finalized following an open and transparent tender process as per the Pakistan Procurement Rules 2004. Pursuant to a rigorous pre-qualification process, the consortium had submitted the lowest evaluated bid. Tower Sports is a Pakistan-registered company while SportzWorkz is registered in Singapore, and, together, they bring a powerful and respected crew of production management team who have a great wealth of experience of quality cricket production. As part of the HBL PSL production arrangement, Tower Sports and SportzWorkz will also work to train Pakistani camerapersons and technical crew.  This development program is being put in place with an aim to enhance the broadcast production skills of resources available in Pakistan. The production team is led by industry stalwarts Chris McDonald and supported by Stephen Norris. McDonald has previously served as Senior Vice-President at ESPN Star Sports. He has also served as the CEO and was one of the founding members of Ten Sports. Norris has over 30 years of sports media and production experience and was instrumental in the successful launch of BT Sports in the UK and Ten Sports in South Asia. He was also the Head of Production at Ten Sports and helped them become the largest cricket producer in the world, including the production of all Pakistan cricket matches from 2000 to 2006. Other notable members of the crew include Tim Finlay, Louwrens Rensburg and Graham Rendell.                Finlay has over 30 years of live production experience including work with BPL, SLPL, BCCI and the Australian Open. Rensburg has worked as Executive Producer for SuperSport and has worked on the Cricket World Cup as well as bilateral cricket for South Africa, England and Pakistan. Rendell brings with him 25 years of live production experience including bilateral cricket for Pakistan and the IPL. PSL Project Executive Shoaib Naveed said: “We are excited to have such experienced personnel on board for the live production of HBL Pakistan Super League. “Since the very first HBL PSL season, we have endeavored to provide world-class production for our fans and media partners and this year, with the wealth of experience that Tower Sports and SportzWorkz bring with their team, we aim to further enhance our production experience.”           Chairman SportzWorkz Chris McDonald said: “A part of our commitment to the PCB and to Pakistan itself is to train local TV production professions on delivering a state of the art, top level, international live cricket production. “We will be developing local capacity by conducting on venue and classroom style training during the PSL for Pakistan professionals interested in having a career in sports production. Our goal, simply put, is to have a majority Pakistani crew in two to three years from now.”

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 30, 2020):-President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Brigadier Mohammad Khalid Sajjad Khokhar (Retd.) called on the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr. Mohammad Arif Alvi at Awan-Sadar Islamabad on other day. According to media department of PHF, Khalid Sajjad briefed president Pakistan on affairs of national game hockey and discussed ways and means to uplift the standard of national game and requested him for government patronage in prompting the national sports. President Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr Mohammad Arif Alvi assured his support to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) in its efforts to hold the first professional league in October this year 2020.  

Salman Khan LAHORE (January 30, 2020):-  Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) and Palwasha Bashir (NBP) clinched the Women Double title of the 57th National Badminton Championship 2020. In Mixed doubles event Zunain Javed & Farzana Ali of Wapda have won the title.   Results: Women Doubles Final Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) & Palwasha Bashir (NBP) beat Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) & Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) by 21-11, 10-21, 21-13 Mixed Doubles Final Zunain Javed & Farzana Ali (Wapda) beat M Ali Larosh & Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) by 21-12, 22-20   Women Doubles Semi Final Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) & Palwasha Bashir (NBP) beat Sehra Akram & Huma Javed (Wapda) by 21-9, 21-8 Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) & Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) beat Khizra & Sidra (Wapda) by 21-17, 15-21, 21-10 Men Doubles Semi Final Rizwan Azam (NBP) & Noman Sabir (SNGPL) beat Raja Haider & Kashif Sulehri (NBP) by 17-21, 21-10, 21-15 Awais Zahid & M Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Hashir Bashir (Wapda) & Murad Ali (NBP) by 21-17, 21-15 Women Singles Semi Final Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) b eat Bushra Qayyum (Wapda) by 23-21, 21-6 Mahoor Shahzad (Wapad) beat Sehra Akram (Wapda) by 21-5, 21-10 Men Singles Semi Final Murad Ali (NBP) beat M Ali Larosh (Wapda) by 17-21, 24-22, 21-11 Hafiz Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-11 Results of last night matches: Women Singles Quarter Final Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Palwash Bashir (NBP) by 21-10, 21-9 Sehra Akram (Wapda) beat Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) 21-16, 21-10 Bushra Qayyum (Wapda) beat Khizra Rasheed (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-7 Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Anila Irshad (Wapda) by 21-16, 21-11 Men Doubles Quarter Final Rizwan Azam (NBP) & Noman Sabir (SNGPL) beat Muteeb Sohail (KRL) & Ammar Masood (Punjab) by 21-13, 21-15 Raja Zulqarnain Haider & Kashif Sulehri (NBP) beat Irfan Saeed & Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) by 21_15, 21-16 Awais Zahid & M Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Amir Saeed & Shoaib Riaz (Wapda) by 21-9, 21-14 Murad Ali (NBP) & Hashir Bashir (Wapda) beat Muqeet Tahir (SNGPL) & Zunain Javed (Wapda) by 18-21, 21-11, 21-18 Women Doubles Quarter Final Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) & Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) beat Amal Muneeb & Laiba Masoud (Punjab) by 21-10, 21-14 Khizra & Sidra (Wapda) beat Saima Waqas (Wapda) & Aisha Akram (NBP) by 21-14, 21-11 Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) & Palwasha Bashir (NBP) beat Javeria Tahir & Wirdha Gohar (SNGPL) by 21-2, 21-12 Sehra Akram & Huma Javeed (Wapda) beat Maryam & Sara Rasheed (Wapda) by 21-7, 21-13 Mixed Doubles Semi Final Mohammad Ali Larosh & Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Waqas Ahmad (Wapda) & Aisha Akram (NBP) by 21-15, 21-18 Zunain Javed & Farzana Ali (Wapda) beat Raja Zulqarnain Haider (NBP) & Saima Waqas (Wapda) by 21-12, 21-19  

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 30, 2020):-Unseeded Huzaifa Abdul Rehman made the major upset when he eliminated 7th seed Ahmed Ch in straight sets 7-5, 6-0 in the Men's Singles discipline of ongoing 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships at S.Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad on Thursday. A total number of 12 matches were played today in the Men’s Singles; all the seeded players advance into the quarter finals by beating their respective opponents in the pre-quarter finals. Unseeded Huzaifa Abdul Rehman made the major upset when he eliminated 7th seed Ahmed Ch in straight sets 7-5, 6-0; Huzaifa was in fine touch and won the second set without conceding a single game by hitting number of cross court and down the line winners. He will face Mudassar Murtraza in the quarter final. Another unseeded player Barkatullah eliminated in 5th Seed Yousaf Khalil in the first round in a well contested and thrilling match 7-6(4) and 6-4 and easy eliminated Shakirullah in the pre-quarter final 6-2, 6-3. Top seed Aqeel Khan won his encounter Muhammad Shaoib in another good match of the day at score 6-4, 6-4. Second seed Muzammil Murtaza eliminated Jibran-ul-Haq in straight set 6-4 6-4, other seed players Muhammad Abid and Shahzad Khan and Heera Ashiq registered straight sets win. Abid will face Shahzad Khan; Heera Ashiq will face Muzammil Murtaza in quarter finals.  Results: Men’s Singles (Main Draw 1st Round unfinished matches) Shakirullah  beat Hameed-ul-Haq 7-6(10), 6-4; Barkatullah beat Yousaf Khalil 7-6(4), 6-4; Imran Bhatti beat Usman Ejaz 7-6(4), 7-5;  Jibran-ul-Haq beat Asadullah Khan 7-6(5), 7-5 Men’s Singles (Pre-Quarter Finals) Aqeel Khan beat Mohammad Shoaib 6-4, 6-4; Barkatullah beat Shakirullah 6-2, 6-3; Mudassar Murtaza beat Ibrahim Omer 6-3, 6-3; Huzaifa Abdul Rehman beat Ahmed Ch. 7-5, 6-0; Mohammad Abid beat Israr Gul 6-2, 6-2; Shazad Khan beat Imran Bhatti 6-3, 6-3; Heera Ashiq beat Kamran Khan 6-2, 6-0; Muzammil Murtaza beat Jibran-ul-Haq 6-4, 6-3. Men’s Doubles Shahzad Khan & Mohamamd Abid beat Kamran Khan & Mohammad Abdullah 6-2, 6-2 Asad Siyyed & Mudassar Murtaza beat Imran Bhatti & Mian Bilal 6-3, 6-0; Barkatullah & Ahmed Ch. beat Asadullah &  Ejaz Ahmed Khalil 3-6, 6-1, 10-8; Mohammad Shoaib & Huzaifa A Rehman beat Heera Ashiq & Yousaf Khalil 6-3, 6-7(10), 10-8;  Senior 45 Doubles  Imran Ahmed & Azeem Khan beat Ahmed Murad / Emadudin 6-1, 6-0; Waseem & Sherez w/o Wali & Wakeel.  

By  BIPIN DANI During Sri Lanka batting in the on going Harare Test against Zimbabwe, one of the on field umpires (India's Nitin Menon and Pakistan's Aleem Dar) erred in ball counting and one ball had been bowled less by the Zimbabwean bowler Sikandar Raza in 37th over. Incidentally, the other umpire or the scorer did not bring it to the notice of the umpire who miscounted the balls,though the same is permissible, according to Jonny Singer, the Laws of Cricket Advisor at Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodian of the Laws of the game.  Speaking exclusveily over telephone from London, he said, "there are two key Laws here. First, 17.5.1, which states: "If the umpire miscounts the number of valid balls, the over as counted by the umpire shall stand". "That said, there is nothing to stop communication between the two umpires, and indeed the scorers – in fact, it is to be encouraged. If the scorer, or other umpire, notices a mistake, the umpire is permitted to change his/her decision under Law 2.12. This states: "An umpire may alter any decision provided that such alteration is made promptly. This apart, an umpire’s decision, once made, is final". "‘Promptly’, in this case, usually means before the ball next comes into play. So, if a mistake is noticed before the next over begins, the umpire may revoke the call of Over, and bowl the remaining delivery. If not, the over as counted stands under Law 17.5", he added. "It would not usually be appropriate for the players to be the ones questioning the decision – it is better that the umpires and scorers come to this conclusion between them", Singer signed off. . 

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 30, 2020):- New Zealand recovered from an early innings collapse to claim a second final-over victory of the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup as they beat the West Indies to progress to the semi-finals. Kristian Clarke produced a player-of-the-match performance to rescue the junior Black Caps, taking four for 25 with the ball and finishing 46 not out with the bat to help his side to a two-wicket victory. The West Indies had looked in pole position to secure their place in the last four after Kirk McKenzie fell one run short of a century as they posted 238 before reducing New Zealand to 67 for four. But Quinn Sunde (32) and Simon Keene (33) rebuilt the innings before Clarke and Joey Field (38) came together to get New Zealand over the line, with just two wickets and two balls to spare. Clarke’s innings was the highest score ever by a No.10 batsman in the ICC U19 World Cup and his ninth-wicket partnership with Field was also the highest in a run chase in the tournament’s history. Clarke starred with ball and then bat as New Zealand reached the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup semi-finals for the fourth time with a remarkable come-from-behind two-wicket win over West Indies at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The junior Black Caps appeared to be headed out of the competition when they slumped to 153 for eight chasing 239. But Clarke struck an unbeaten 46 and shared in an unbroken 86-run ninth wicket partnership with Field (38 not out) that guided their side to a fine upset win with two balls to spare. “I don’t think I’ve been part of a better game than that,” player-of-the-match Clarke said. “Obviously playing my part was good, but the whole game was up and down, so we’re just thankful to get over the line.” Their exploits came against a West Indian team that had swept all before them by winning their first three games to top a tough Group A. The 2016 winners could not get through their quarter-final tie, though, despite dominating for most of the game. McKenzie’s 99 had earlier helped them post a competitive 238 all out in 47.5 overs, with the left-hander clubbing three sixes and 11 fours along the way after his captain Kimani Melius had won the toss and opted to bat first. Seamer Clarke was the pick of the bowlers for the New Zealanders, but his efforts appeared to be scant consolation after being initially let down by his top order. Ashmead Nedd was the key man for West Indies with the ball claiming three for 33, with two wickets each from Matthew Forde (two for 64) and Joshua James (two for 45) leaving their opposition looking dead and buried. Ashmead Nedd of West Indies celebrates bowling Beckham Wheeler-Greenall of New Zealand during the ICC U19 Cricket World Super League Cup Quarter Final match between West Indies and New Zealand at Willowmoore Park on January 29, 2020 in Benoni. Ashmead Nedd of West Indies celebrates bowling Beckham Wheeler-Greenall of New Zealand during the ICC U19 Cricket World Super League Cup Quarter Final match between West Indies and New Zealand at Willowmoore Park on January 29, 2020 in Benoni. However, Clarke and Field had other ideas, sharing in a match-winning stand that put plucky New Zealand into the last four. “We definitely wanted to try and reach as far as possible in the tournament and getting to the semi-final is an excellent effort by our boys,” Clarke added. “Everyone has stood up and it has been a really good team effort.” Scores in brief New Zealand Under- 19s beat West Indies Under 19s by two wickets, Willowmoore Park, Benoni West Indies 238 all out, 47.5 overs (Kirk McKenzie 99, Kevlon Anderson 33; Kristian Clarke 4-25) New Zealand 239-8, 49.4 overs (Kristian Clarke 46 not out, Joey Field 38 not out; Ashmead Nedd 3-33) ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 Fixtures Super League Quarter Final 3: 30 January: Bangladesh v South Africa – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom Plate Playoff Semi Final 1: 30 January: Nigeria v UAE – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom Plate Playoff Semi Final 2: 30 January: Japan v Canada – Ibbies Oval, Potchefstroom Plate Semi Final 1: 30 January: Sri Lanka v Scotland, North West University Oval, Potchefstroom Super League Quarter Final 4: 31 January: Afghanistan v Pakistan – Willowmoore Park, Benoni Plate Semi Final 2: 31 January: England v Zimbabwe, Diamond Oval, Kimberley