Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (January 29, 2020):-The road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 for 24 European teams has been confirmed, as an expanded regional qualification process for the Men’s T20 World Cup is set to begin in May 2020. Three qualifying events will take place in expanded regional qualification from 16 May to 30 June 2020 with the winning team from each event joining Jersey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Fina.l Three eight-team Europe qualifying events will take place and will see Hungary, Romania and Serbia making their debut performances in ICC competition, with Bulgaria, Greece, Luxembourg and Malta all returning to ICC events for the first time in a number of years. Each Europe qualifier will provide the opportunity for the winning team to progress to the Europe Final, where they will join Jersey to compete for two spots in the Global Qualifiers. Europe Qualifier A will be hosted in Spain from 16 to 22 May 2020. Alongside the hosts will be Italy, Norway, France, Bulgaria, Israel, Malta and Cyprus. Italy and Norway will both be looking to reach the Europe Final once again, whilst Bulgaria and Malta will be looking to make a good impression in their first appearance in the revised ICC Men’s T20 World Cup pathway. Europe Qualifier C will be held in Belgium, who will be hoping for the benefits of home advantage when they host the event from 10 June to 16 June 2020. Alongside Belgium will be Denmark, Austria, Romania, Czech Republic, Portugal, Isle of Man and Serbia. Denmark, who progressed to the Europe Final in the previous iteration of this event and are currently ranked 29th in the ICC Men’s Team Rankings, will be hoping to replicate that success and secure the sole qualification spot. The final qualifier will take place between 24 to 30 June 2020, where Finland will play host to an ICC event for the first time with Europe Qualifier B. Germany, who missed out on progressing from the previous Europe Final by just 0.053 on net run rate, will be looking for another opportunity to reach the global stage but will face stiff competition from Guernsey, Sweden, Luxembourg, Hungary, Gibraltar, Greece and hosts Finland. ICC Regional Development Manager Europe, Andy Wright said: “We are delighted to announce the dates and hosts for three important events that are taking place this summer. 24 European teams will have the opportunity to compete in an expanded qualification process to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. We are also thrilled that Finland will be hosting an ICC event for the first time, showcasing the appetite and ability of our Members to host international events.” The winning team from each of the three Europe Qualifiers will progress to a four-team Europe Final, where they will be joined by reigning Europe Final victors Jersey. The top two teams from this event will qualify to the Global Qualifier events, taking them just one step from the main event in India.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (January 29, 2020):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 has approved SM Meherob as a replacement player for Mohammad Mrittunjoy Chowdhury Nipun in the Bangladesh squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 consists of Geoff Allardice (ICC, ETC Chairman), Chris Tetley (ICC representative), Sivuyile Mqingwana, Mike Gajjar (both host representatives), Tom Moody and Ian Bishop (both independent representatives). Bangladesh will next face South Africa in Thursday’s Super League Quarter Final at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom for a place in the semi-final.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 29, 2020):-Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have confirmed their squad on Wednesday, which will tour Pakistan next month. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), The Club are sending a strong twelve-man squad to Lahore next month to play a series of matches, with MCC President Kumar Sangakkara captaining the side. The concept of an MCC tour to the country has been a long-stated aim of the MCC World Cricket committee. It is a clear demonstration of the Club’s support for Pakistan’s cricketers and fans, who have been affected by the country’s decade-long exile from hosting international cricket, which came to an end last month. MCC’s squad includes experienced all-rounder Ravi Bopara, who switched from Essex to Sussex this winter and has most recently been playing in the Bangladesh Premier League. Warwickshire contribute three players to the squad with Michael Burgess, Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Will Rhodes all included. Hannon-Dalby and Rhodes toured Nepal with MCC in November. Somerset’s Roelof van der Merwe, who will play for Lord’s-based London Spirit in the inaugural Hundred competition later this year, is named alongside his Netherlands teammate Fred Klaassen. Scotland duo Michael Leask and Safyaan Sharif, Leicestershire’s Arron Lilley, Kent’s Imran Qayyum and Worcestershire’s Ross Whiteley complete the main squad. MCC’s on-field presence will be boosted further by three additional players, each of whom will play one match for the Club during the tour. The trio – Liam Dawson, Samit Patel and Phil Salt – are preparing to represent teams in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) and their involvement is part of a collaboration between MCC and the tournament organisers. The Club will play two PSL teams – Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans – in the T20 format and will also face Pakistan’s domestic T20 champions Northern. John Stephenson, MCC Assistant Secretary (Cricket) said: “We are thrilled to be able to name a strong squad for this tour, which blends youth and experience for a strong side of high quality. “We have really appreciated the collaborative approach from the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Super League, which has enabled us to arrange fixtures against sides preparing for this year’s PSL tournament as well as to secure the services of some of those participating. “As a Club, we share the PCB’s wish in wanting to see international teams returning to play in Pakistan on a regular basis and we hope that this tour contributes to those objectives.” MCC Chief Executive & Secretary Guy Lavender will accompany the squad as Team Manager, with MCC Head Coach Ajmal Shahzad providing coaching. The Club has a busy touring programme in 2020. MCC currently have a touring squad in Argentina, and will also tour Denmark, Spain and Uganda this year. A women’s tour to Nepal is also planned for 2020, part of the ‘Legacy Tour’ series, in conjunction with the MCC Foundation. MCC squad to tour Pakistan: Kumar Sangakkara (President/Captain) Guy Lavender (Tour Manager) John Stephenson (Assistant Manager) Ajmal Shahzad (Head Coach) Ravi Bopara (Sussex) Michael Burgess (Warwickshire) Oliver Hannon-Dalby (Warwickshire) Fred Klaassen (Kent) Michael Leask (Scotland) Arron Lilley (Leicestershire) Imran Qayyum (Kent) Will Rhodes (Warwickshire) Safyaan Sharif (Scotland) Roelof van der Merwe (Somerset) Ross Whiteley (Worcestershire) The following three players, who will appear in the upcoming Pakistan Super League, will each represent MCC in one match on the tour: Liam Dawson (Hampshire/Peshawar Zalmi) Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire/Lahore Qalandars) Phil Salt (Sussex/Islamabad United)      

SB News KARACHI (January 29, 2020):-Pakistan's squad for next month's ICC Women’s T20 World Cup includes an uncapped batter known for her ability to hit the ball hard and make the most of the Powerplay overs. Ayesha Naseem rose to prominence in Skills2Shine U18 T20 Women Cricket Championship last November in which she scored 97 runs at an average of 48.50 in four matches and what put her on the selectors’ radar was the fact that she struck nine sixes. She impressed in the recent National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship by scoring at a strike rate of over 206. The 15-year-old batter belongs to Bagan, a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She was born in Karachi, where she developed interest in cricket, before moving to the village. Due to constraints, which kept her from pursuing cricket, Ayesha decided to move to Abbottabad. “Whenever we start-off in life, we come across challenges and criticism. And, the same was true for me,” Ayesha told PCB digital. “From where I come from people don’t allow their daughters outside homes. When I had begun playing proper cricket, the people in my neighbourhood started to criticise that. They used to complain to my parents and asked them to stop me from playing. These were the challenges that I confronted, but that did not deter me. Rather, I took this as a challenge to progress further and it made me work more hard to achieve my goals.” Despite these hurdles, Ayesha remained steadfast. She turned down the offers of moving to Lahore or Karachi and become an example for other women players. “I had received several offers from the coaches of Lahore and Karachi to move to these cities because the societal atmosphere did not allow me practice daily. But, I wanted to play cricket while staying in Abbottabad because I wanted to change how people think. I want people to send their daughters to the playing field because there is a lot of talent in them and they can achieve a lot. All they need is their parents’ trust.” It was Ayesha’s brother who introduced her to the game which developed into her passion. Growing up, she played cricket with boys which helped her develop a fast bat swing that now helps her to hit big sixes. “I was born in Karachi and spent my early days in the city. My brother used to take me along when he played cricket. When I grew up, he used to play with me. I started off my proper cricketing career in 2015 when I made my debut for Abbottabad region. “I had been playing with boys from the start because of which I had a quick bat swing. That has worked in my favour as it turned me into a hard-hitting batter.” Ayesha is set to make her T20I debut in the mega event. Does that give her any jitters? “There is no pressure on me. Every player wants to play World Cup for their country but there are a few lucky ones who are able to do it. I consider myself very lucky. My selection has been on the basis of my ability to play aggressive cricket and I will look to fulfil my role by making the most of the Powerplay when I make my debut.” The national women’s team will depart for Australia on 31 January. The Bismah Maroof-led unit begin their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 journey on 26 February against the West Indies Women. The take on England Women on February 28 after which they play South Africa Women and Thailand Women on 1 and 3 March. Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst).

Salman Khan LAHORE (January 29, 2020):-Murad Ali (NBP) and Mohammad Ali Larosh (Wapda) quailed for the final of 57th National Badminton Championship Singles final after beating their respective opponents on Wednesday. Results: Men Singles Pre Quarter Final Murad Ali (NBP) beat Raja Zulqarnain Haider (NBP) by 20-22, 21-12, 21-19 Anjum Bashir (NBP) beat Hashir Bashir (Wapda) by 21-12, 18-21, 21-16 Ahmer Jalal (Punjab) beat Yasir Ali (Punjab) by 23-21, 21-16 Mohammad Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Ammar Masood (Punjab) by 21-12, 21-13 Raja Mohammad Hasnian (NBP) beat Shahmeer Iftikhar (SNGPL) by 21-12, 21-18 Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) beat Abdur Rehman (Wapda) by 17-21, 21-14, 21-15 Hafiz Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Muqeet Tahir (SNGPL) by 21-11, 21-11 Awais Zahid (Wapda) beat Zohaib Khalil (Police) by 22-24, 21-17, 21-11 Women Singles Pre Quarter Final Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Sara Razzaq (Wapda) by 21-8, 21-7 Palwasha Bashir (NBP) beat Huma Javed (Wapda) by 18-21, 21-4, 21-7 Sehra Akram (Wapda) beat Sadia Irshad (Wapda) by 21-5, 21-5 Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) beat Yasmeen Shahzadi (Islamabad) by 21-11, 21-11 Khizra Rasheed (Wapda) beat Aqsa Zikriya (SNGPL) by 21-18, 21-8 Bushra Qayyum (Wapda) beat Sidra Irfan (Wapda) by 21-10, 21-18 Anila Irshad (Wapda) beat Amal Muneeb (Punjab) by 21-15, 11-21, 21-14 Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Mehwish Khan (KP) by 21-9, 21-4 Men Doubles Pre Quarter Final Riwan Azam (NBP) & Noman Sabir (SNGPL) beat Mohammad Aique (Wapda) & Raja Hasnain (NBP) by 21-17, 21-18 Muteeb Sohail (KRL) & Ammar Masood (Punjab) beat Adnan Aziz & Shabbar Hussain (Wapda) by 15-21, 25-23, 21-15 Raja Zulqarnain Haider & Kashif Sulehri (NBP) by 21-18, 21-9 Azeem Sarwar & Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Shahid Ahmad & Hamza Khan (Sindh) by 21-13, 21-18 Amir Saeed & Shoaib Riaz (Wapda) beat Ahmad Faizan (Wapda) & Ahmed Tariq (SNGPL) by 13-21, 21-9, 21-15 Awais Zahid & M Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Umer Zeshan (Wapda) & Abu Zar (Punjab) by 21-18, 21-17 Muqeet Tahir (SNGPL) & Zunain Javed (Wapda) beat Ali Nawab Dil (Wapda) & Adeel Anjum (Army)  by 21-12, 21-12 Hashir Bashir (Wapda) & Murad Ali (NBP) beat Shujaat Ali Khan (Wapda) & Ali Chishti (Islamabad) 21-13, 21-16 Women Doubles Pre Quarter Final Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) & Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) beat Anmol Rasheed & Sidra Arshad (Wapda) by 21-11, 21-3 Amal Muneeb & Laiba Masoud (Punjab) beat Rubab Imtiaz & Shahnaz Shah (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-12 Saima Waqas (Wapda) & Aisha Akram (NBP) beat Hadia Ashfaq & Quratulain (PB) by 21-6, 21-19 Khizra Rasheed & Sidra (Wapda) beat Aneeqa & Sara Razzaq (Wapda) by 21-15, 17-21, 21-14 Javeria Tahir & Wirdha Gohar (SNGPL) beat Aqsa Zikriya (SNGPL) & Kausar Javed (Punjab) by 21-17, 21-19 Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) & Palwasha Bashir (NBP) beat Bushra Qayyum & Farzana (Wapda)  by 21-11, 21-9 Mixed Doubles Quarter Final Mohammad Ali Larosh & Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Adeel Anjum & Ridah Hanif (Army) by 21-8, 21-14 Waqas Ahmed (Wapda) & Aisha Akram (NBP) beat Atique Ch. & Khizra (Wapda) by 21-17, 16-21, 21-18 Raja Zulqarnain Haider (NBP) & Saima Waqas (Wapda) beat Ammar Masood & Laiba Masoud (Punjab) by 21-17, 21-9 Men Singles Quarter Final Murad Ali (NBP) beat Anjum Bashir (NBP) by 21-18, 21-14 Mohammd Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Ahmer Jalal (PUnjba) 21-10, 21-13 Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) beat Raja Muhammad Hasnain (NBP) by 21-8, 21-14 Hafiz Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Awais Zahid (Wapda) 21-12, 21-19 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  

Nayyab Abdul ISLAMABAD (January 29, 2020):-Sarah Mahboob and Sara Mansoor annexed the Ladies Doubles title beating Meheq Khokar and Noor Malik in straight sets 2-0 in the final of the 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championship 2020 at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad on Wednesday. A total number of 16 matches were played on Wednesday in the Men’s Singles & Doubles categories despite inclement weather conditions; all the seeded players advance into the 2nd round by winning their respective matches in the first round of Men’s Singles event. Israr Gul from Peshawar struggle hard to win his encounter against upcoming youngster Ahmed Asjad Qureshi in a three sets match.  Four matches were stopped due to the rain. Results: Men’s Singles (Main Draw 1st Round) Aqeel Khan beat Ejaz Ahmed Khan 6-2, 6-2; Mohammad Shaoib beat Mohammad Abdullah 6-1, 6-0; Mudassar Murtaza beat Jibar Ali 6-0, 6-1; Ibrahim Omer beat Ayyaz Khan 6-1, 6-1; Mohammad Abid beat Asad Siyyed 6-1, 6-2; Israr Gul beat Ahmad Asjad Qureshi 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-4; Heera Ashiq beat Mian Balil 6-1, 6-0; Kamran Khan beat Irfanullah Khan 6-4, 6-4; Muzammil Murtaza beat Subhan Bin Salik 6-2, 6-0; Huzaifa Abdul Rehman beat Emaduddin Ahmed 6-0, 6-1; Ahmed Ch. w/o Ahmed Kamil; Shahzad Khan beat Shahid Afridi 6-3, 6-1. Men’s Doubles (Pro Set Match) Kamran Khan & Mohammad Abdullah w/o Subhan Bin Salik & Ayyaz Khan; Mian Bilal & Imran Bhatti beat Jibran-ul-Haq & Usman Ejaz 9-7; Mohammad Shaoib & Huzaifa A.Rehman beat Shahid Afridi & Shakirullah 9-5; Asadullah & Ejaz Ahmed w/o Ibrahim Omer & Ahmed Kamil. Ladies Doubles (Final) Sarah Mahboob & Sara Mansoor beat Mehaq Khokhar & Noor Malik 6-3, 6-3.

Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD(January 28, 2020):-The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Geoffrey Shaw Tuesday hosted a reception in the honour of Pakistan women’s cricket, which will take part in International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. The prestigious women’s cricket event will be held in different cities of Australia. The ceremony was aiming to wish “good luck” to Pakistan Women’s team ahead of the ICC T20 Women's Cricket World Cup in Australia. The ICC T20 Women's Cricket World Cup is scheduled in Australia starting on Friday February 21, as the Australia will host 10 teams and 23 matches across six cities. Speaking at this occasion, the high commissioner said, "It is a great privilege to meet the Pakistan National Women's Cricket Team. I wish the team a fantastic stay in Australia. The players will receive a very warm Australian welcome. We expect some fabulous cricket." High Commissioner Shaw highlighted that it would be a big year for women's cricket in Australia."Australia is about to become the first cricketing nation to close the gender prize money gap. At this year's T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia will top up winning prize money by the women's team to deliver parity with their male counterparts," Dr Shaw said, “The High Commissioner also invited fans and visitors from Pakistan to be part of the T20 World Cup. We are holding the final of the World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the biggest cricket stadium in the world, with a bold ambition to set a record for attendance at a women's sporting fixture," he added. The current record for attendance at a women's sporting fixture is 90,185, set at the final of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in the USA. "We aim to beat that," he added. The selected players for the T20 World Cup, the Chairperson of the Pakistan national women's selection committee Urooj Mumtaz, the team's coaches and senior members of the Pakistan Cricket board were present in the ceremony. The Pakistan team would depart for Australia on January 31 and will play its first match against West Indies on February 26 at Manuka Oval.

SB News LAHORE (January 28, 2020):-National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) retained the Men Team event Men title after beating Pakistan WAPDA 3-1 while Pakistan WAPDA retained the title in the 57th National Badminton Championships 2020. Results: Team Even Men Final NBP beat Pakisatn Wapda by 3-1 1st Single: Awais Zahid (Wapda) beat Murad Ali (NBP) by 16-21, 21-16, 21-18 1st Double: Rizwan Azam & Raja Hasnain (NBP) beat M Ali Larosh & Irfan Saeed (Wapda) by 21-19, 21-19 2nd Single: Anjum Bashir (NBP) beat Amir Saeed (Wapda) by 21-11, 21-12 2nd Double: Kashif Sulehri & Raja Zulqarnain (NBP) beat Awais Zahid & Atique (Wapda) by 22-19, 9-21, 21-10 Team Even Women Final Pakistan Wapda beat SNGPL by 3-0 1st Single: Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) by 21-3, 21-10 1st Double: Saima Waqas & Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Zubaira Islam & Javeria Tahir (SNGPL) by 21-18, 21-12 2nd Single: Bushra Qayyum (Wapda) beat Aqsa Zikriya (SNGPL) by 21-16, 21-13   The results of round 32 of Men Singles and Women Singles are as under:  Men Singles 2nd Round          Murad Ali (NBP) beat Shoaib Riaz (Wapda) by 16-21, 21-13, 21-18 Raja Zulqarnain Haider (NBP) beat Soban Jamil (Wapda) by 21-18, 21-13 Anjum Bashir (NBP) beat M Uaakeph Khan (KRL) by 21-11, 21-16 Hashir Bashir (Wapda) beat Adeel Anjum (army) by 21-14, 21-14 Ahmer Jalal (Punjab) beat Ali Mehdi (Wapda) by 21-18, 17-21, 21-18 Yasir Ali (Punjab) beat Aoun Abbas (Wapda) by 21-8, 21-4 M Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat M Rizwan (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-16 Ammar Masood (Punjab) beat Muteeb Sohail (KRL) by 21-17, 21-18 M Waqas Ahmad (Wapda) beat Shahmeer Iftikhar (SNGPL) by 21-13, 21-7 Raja Hasnain (Wapda) beat Fazal Rehman (KPT) by 21-10, 22-20 Abdur Rehman (Wapda) beat Tahir Khan (Police) 21-16, 9-21, 21-10 Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) beat Rizwan Azam (Wapda) by 21-13, 21-18 Muhammad Muqeet (SNGPL) beat Shabbar Hussain (Wapda) by 21-9, 21-16 Hafiz Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Ahmad Faizan (Wapda) by 21-15, 21-16 Zohaib Khalil (Police) BEAT Amir Saeed (Wapda) by 22-20, 18-21, 21-14 Awais Zahid (Wapda) beat Raza Ali (Punjab) by 21-16, 21-13   Women Single 1st Round Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Hina Insbat (Wapda) by 21-7, 21-5 Sara Razzaq (Wapda) beat Aneeqa Rana (Wapda) by 21-8, 21-6 Palwash Bashir (NBP) beat Hadia Ashfaq (Punjab) by 21-7, 21-7 Huma Javed (Wapda) beat Farzana Ali (Wapda) by 20-22, 21-17, 21-16 Sehra Akram (Wapda) beat Mariyam Riaz (Wapda) by 21-8, 21-14 Sadia Arshad (Wapda) beat Anmol Rasheed (Wapda) by 21-19, 5-21, 21-17 Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) beat Kausar Javed (Punjab) by 21-7, 21-12 Yasmeen Shahzadi (Islamabad) beat Wirdha Gohar (SNGPL) by 14-21, 21-19, 21-19 Aqsa Zikriya (SNGPL) beat Summiya Tariq (Army) by 15-21, 21-16, 21-19 Khizra Rasheed (Wapda) beat Saima Waqas (Wapda) by 16-21, 21-12, 22-20 Sidra Irfan (Wapda) beat Rida Hanif (Army) by 21-16, 21-17 Bushra Qayum (Wapda) beat Shahnaz Shah (Wapda) beat 21-5, 21-9 Amal Muneeb (Punjab) beat Saba Rasheed (Wapda) by 23-21, 12-21, 21-19 Anila Irshad (Wapda) beat Javeria Tahir (SNGPL) by 21-11, 21-16 Mehwish Khan (KP) beat Rubab Imtiaz (Wapda) by 21-13, 21-15   Ghazala Siddique (Wapda) beat Laiba Masoud (Punjab) by 21-14, 21-19  

  SB News ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Cricket Board has rewarded batsman Saud Shakeel for leading Pakistan to 50-over ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 title by naming him as captain for the one-off 50-over fixture against the Marylebone Cricket Club. The tour schedule will be announced in due course but the MCC team will visit Lahore from 13 to 19 February.   The 24-year-old Saud is one of the 11 players who have been retained from the side that defeated Bangladesh by 77 runs in the tournament final in Dhaka in November 2019. The other 10 are Akif Javed, Haider Ali, Hasan Mohsin, Imran Rafiq, Mohammad Mohsin, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir, Saif Badar, Sameen Gul and Umar Khan.   Zeeshan Malik is the only new face in the 12-player squad. The 23-year-old scored 780 runs in the just-concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class tournament at an average of 52.   Amad Butt, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Hasnain, who were also members of the side that won in Dhaka, were not considered as they have already graduated to the senior team set-up.   Nadeem Khan, coordinator – selection committee, said: “We have followed the policy of consistency and rewarding players for achieving success in Dhaka. There is only one change in the and that is of young Zeeshan Malik, who performed well in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the last tournament of the 2019-20 domestic season to date.”   PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I can’t emphasise enough on the importance of the MCC’s tour to Pakistan, which will be their first in 48 years. The fact that the MCC side will be led by their president and one of the most respected cricketers, Kumar Sangakkara, reflects how the world’s oldest and most influential clubs, who are also the Guardians of the Laws of Cricket, are viewing this tour.   “The MCC’s tour of Pakistan is part of our sincere efforts and endeavours to resume regular and normal international cricket activities. Sri Lanka played a full series, while Bangladesh have just completed white-ball matches and are scheduled to return for the two Tests and an ODI. Similarly, recent visits by Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket Ireland and the International Cricket Council officials are a testament of our untiring efforts.”   Meanwhile, Northern coach Mohammad Wasim has also announced his 12-player side for the twenty20 match.    The side will be captained by Pakistan U19 captain Rohail Nazir and also includes Ali Imran, Haider Ali and Zaid Alam, who were members of the 15-player Northern side which defeated Balochistan by 52 runs in the final of the National T20 Cup.   Apart from the 50-over and 20-over matches against the PCB-selected sides, MCC will also play two 20-over matches against Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. These matches will be part of the two teams’ warm-up matches ahead of the HBL Pakistan Super Leagues 2020. The remaining four franchisees will be in Karachi during this period and will play their practice matches in the metropolitan city where the tournament opener will be played on 20 February.   Pakistan Shaheens (in alphabetical order):   1. Saud Shakeel (captain) (Sindh ) 2. Akif Javed (Balochistan) 3. Haider Ali (Northern) 4. Hasan Mohsin (Sindh) 5. Imran Rafiq (Southern Punjab) 6. Mohammad Mohsin (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 7. Omair Bin Yousuf (Sindh) 8. Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (Northern) 9. Saif Badar (Southern Punjab) 10. Sameen Gul (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 11. Umar Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 12. Zeeshan Malik (Northern)   Northern (in alphabetical order):   1. Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (captain) 2. Faizan Riaz (vice-captain) 3. Ali Imran 4. Haider Ali 5. Mubashir Khan (Northern U19) 6. Musa Khan 7. Nauman Ali 8. Sarmad Bhatti  9. Shahzad Azam 10. Shiraz Khan (Northern U19) 11. Zaid Alam 12. Zeeshan Malik  

By BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lanka captain Santath Jayasuriya is happy to welcome Pakistani all rounder Shoaib Malik in his company. Malik, who will be 38 on Saturday is the 8th player to play international cricket over 4 decades. Malik made his international (ODI) debut in 1999 playing against West Indies at Sharjah. His Test debut was in 2001 (against Bangladesh in Multan) and now is also a part of the ongoing home series against Bangladesh. Malik, who has captained Pakistan in the past, joins the likes of Wilfred Rhodes, Dennis Brian Close, Frank Woolley, Sachin Tendulkar, Jack Hobbs, George Gunn and Sanath Jayasuriya in the elite list. Speaking exclusively over telephone from Colombo, Sanath Jayasuriya said, "Shoaib is a versatile player and for some reason he always used to do well against us. He made plenty of runs against us and was always a threat with the ball". "The secret for his longevity is his fitness. It is remarkable effort to stretch his career thus far". "It is an extremely difficult feat nowadays given the volume of cricket. I don’t see very many players having careers that are that long, unless they are extremely fit", Sanath Jayasuriya signed off.