SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 24, 2020):-The 2nd seed Muzammil Murtaza outclassed Mohammad Shoaib 2-1 in the Men's Singles event of the Serena Hotles National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2020 o Friday at PTF Tennis Complex. Results: Men’s Singles; (Quarter Final) Ahmed Ch bt Shahzad Khan 6-4,6-3; Heera Ashiq bt Mudasir Murtaza 6-3,6-4; Muzammil Murtaza bt M. Shoaib 4-6,6-1,6-1; Aqeel Khan bt M. Abid 6-3,6-2; Ladies Singles (Semi Final) Sarah Mahboob Khan bt Ushna Suhail 4-6,6-4,6-3; Meheq Khokhar bt Sara Mansoor 6-4,6-1. Boy’s 18& Under Singles (Quarter Final) Mahatir Muhammad bt Sami Zeb 6-3,3-6,6-3; Nalain Abbas bt Hamid Israr 6-1,6-4; M .Shoaib bt Faizan Fayyaz 6-3,6-0; Hamid Israr bt Zalan Khan 3-6,6-4,7-6(2); Boy’s 14&Under Singles (Quarter Final) Bilal Asim bt Ahtesham Humyun 4-0,4-0; Haider Ali Rizwan bt Asad Zaman 4-0,4-1; Ahmed Nal bt Yahya Musa Luni 4-1,4-1; Husnain Ali Rizwan bt M. Hamza Asim 1-4,5-3,4-2; 12 & Under Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (Quarter Final) Hamza Roman bt Nabeel Ali Qayum 4-1,4-0; Ahtesham Humyun bt Zohaib A Malik 4-0,4-1; Haniya Minhas bt Ali Zain 4-1,4-2; Husnain Ali Rizwan bt Ameer Mazari 4-2,4-1. 10 & Under Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (Quarter Final) Hamza Ali Rizwan bt Hammad Shah 4-0,4-1;  

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 24, 2020):-The 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships will kick off from Saturday at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad.  All the top leading players Aqeel Khan, Muzammil Murtaza, Mohammad Abid, Heera Ashiq, Shahzad Khan, Mudassar Murtaza, Ahmed Ch, Mohammad Shoaib, Mohammad Waqas Malik and Ladies players  Sarah Mahboob Khan, Sara Mansoor , Mehek Khkokor and Noor Malik will also be seen in action. Five events Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles and Senior Doubles 45 Plus will be played during the championships. President, Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA), Tariq Mehmood Murtaza earlier chaired the Executive committee meeting and approved the arrangements for holding the 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships in a befitting manner and for the development and promotions of game of tennis in the country. Ladies event will start from Saturday in order to provide an opportunity to Ladies players to finish their matches before proceeding for New Zealand for participation in Asia Oceania Fed Cup competition.  Men’s Singles qualifying event will be played on Monday 27th January 2020.  Mohammad Arif Qureshi, ITF White Badge official will officiate as Referee whereas Mohammad Khalil Chughtai nominated as Tournament Director. Islamabad Tennis Association took the imitative to separate the junior events from the professional categories to encourage the talented junior players in Professional event comfortably. Capital Smart City will sponsor the tournament. Top 24 players will be accepted into the Main Draw of Men’s Singles as per PTF National Ranking and 8 players will qualify through the draw of qualifying.    

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2020):-A total number of 43 matches were played on the 4th day of the Serena Hotels National Ranking Tennis Championships-2020 at the PTF Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. Results: Men’s Singles; (2nd Round) Mohammad Shoaib beat Yousaf Khalil 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 Shahzad Khan beat Israr Gul 6-3, 6-3 Heera Ashiq beat Asadullah 0-6, 6-1, 6-0 Mudassir Murtaza beat Waqas Malik 7-6 (8), 6-1  Mohammad Abid beat Asad Siyyid 6-2, 6-3 Aqeel Khan beat Barkatullah 6-0, 7-6(7) Ahmed Ch beat Shaheen Mehmood 6-1, 6-1 Muzammil Murtaza beat Aqib Hayat 6-2, 6-3 Men’s Doubles; (Quarter Final): Barkatullah & Ahmad Ch beat Mudassir Murtaza & Asad Siyyid 6-3,6-3; M. Abid & Waqas Malik beat Ahmed Kamil & Ibrahim Omer 6-3,6-1; Yousaf Khalil & Heera Ashiq beat  Ejaz Khan & Asadullah 4-6,6-1 (13-11); Aqeel Khan & Muzammil Murtaza beat M. Shoaib & Huzaifa Abdul Rehman 6-2,6-4; Ladies Singles (Quarter Final); Sara Mansoor beat Esha Jawad 6-1,6-1; Sarah Mahboob beat Shimza Naz 6-2,6-4; Meheq Khokhar beat Noor Malik 6-2,6-0; Mahin Aftab beat Adela Miron 6-0,6-0; Ushna Suhail beat Mahin Aftab 6-1,6-2; Ladies doubles (Semi Final) Ushna Suhail & Mahin Aftab beat Adela Miron & Krisztina Jekkel 6-0,6-0; Meheq Khokhar & Noor Malik beat Mehvish Chistie & Esha Jawad 6-0,6-0; Boys’ Under-18 Singles (2nd Round); Hamid Israr beat Saim Danish 4-6,6-2,6-2; Faizan Fayyaz beat Kashan Umar 6-4,6-0; Mahatir Mohammad beat Mohammad Huzaifa Khan 6-3,6-4; Sami Zeb beat M.Abdullah 6-3,6-3; Hasheesh Kumar beat Hassan Ali 6-2,6-3; Mohammad Shoaib beat Bilal Asim 6-1,6-0; Zalan Khan beat Uzair Khan 6-1,7-5; Nalain Abbas beat M. Hamza Aasim 6-1,6-1; Boys’ Under-14 Singles (2nd Round) Ahtesham Humayun beat Mustansar Ali 4-0,4-0; Yahya Musa Luni beat Abdullah Ahmad 4-0,4-0; Husnain Ali Rizwan beat Ali Zain 4-1,4-2; Haider Ali Rizwan beat Ammar Masood 4-1,4-0; Asad Zaman beat Sameer Maqsood 4-1,4-0; Ahmed Nail beat Saim Shahzad 4-0,4-0 ; M. Hamza Asim beat Nabeel Ali Qayum 4-0,4-1; Under-12: Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (2nd Round) Ameer Mazari beat Razik Sultan 4-0,4-0; Hammad Shah beat Abdullah Ahmad 1-4,5-4,(4),5-2; M.Haziq Asim beat Amna Ali Qayum 5-3,5-3; Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Moeez Gul 4-1,4-1; Zohaib Malik beat Subhan Sahir 4-0,4-0; Soha Ali beat Uzair Maqsood 4-1,4-1; Nabeel Ali Qayum beat Essa Fahad 4-0,4-0; Taimoor Khan beat Zonaisha 1-4,4-0,4-0; Ameer Mazari beat Hammad Shah 4-1,4-0; Haniya Minhas beat Abdul Basit 4-1,4-0; Ahtesham Humayun beat Sameer Maqsood 4-1,4-0; Zohaib A. Malik beat Soha Ali 4-0,4-0; Under-10: Boy’s & Girl’s Singles (2nd Round) Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Uzair Maqsood 4-0, 4-0

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2020):-International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Manu Sawhney Thursday completed his two-day visit to Pakistan following positive and constructive meetings in Islamabad and Lahore. Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani and Chief Executive Wasim Khan accompanied Sawhney and ICC General Manager – Commercial, Campbell Jamieson, to a  meeting with Fahmida Mirza, Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), in Islamabad on Wednesday. In Lahore on Thursday, they visited the Lahore Safe City Project before receiving a presentation from the PCB team at the National Cricket Academy. Sawhney’s visit was part of the ICC’s initiative to meet all Members and brief them on the process to be adopted for the allocation of ICC Events in the 2023-2031 cycle comprising eight men’s events, eight women’s events, four men’s U19 events and four Women’s U19 events. In the meeting with the PCB officials at the National Cricket Acaemy, Mr Sawhney and Jamieson also made a detailed and comprehensive presentation on the ICC’s expectations, criteria and selection process for the event hosts, including timelines for bid submissions. He also updated the PCB on the work being done by the ICC for cricket promotion, development, global strategy, financial growth, and also briefed on the challenges world cricket faces. PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said: “We had positive, constructive and wide-ranging meetings with the ICC in relation to the 2023-2031 event cycle. As part of our vision, we want to push on and host a number of ICC global events during the next rights cycle. “So, from that perspective, it was excellent to get an insight into the ICC’s expectations and requirements so that we can accordingly plan and prepare our bid document. “We now have a clearer idea of what will be required from us and so we will now go away from this meeting and think through our strategy for approaching the bid process. We are determined and keen to host ICC Events in the next events cycle and understand this will not be a straightforward project. We will require a lot of support from the government as well all stakeholders. “It was also good to understand the work being done by the ICC in Dubai for the betterment of world cricket. As a responsible and key Member of the ICC, the PCB remains committed to playing its role in taking cricket to the next level.”    

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2020):-Haris Tahir defeated Umer Farooq in the final of Under-21 Jubilee Insurance National Snooker Championship 2020 in a single sided affair 6-1 at Billiard and Snooker Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Thursday.  Haris form Punjab won the first two frames easily with the score of 82-5 and 77-39 respectively while Umer Farooq, who is also from Punjab, won the alone third frame at 73-19. Later on, rest of all four frames won by Haris without any resistance from his opponent. The final score-line was (82-5), (77-39(63), 19-73, 50-35, 91-21, 79-30(68), 71-8(52),) At the closing ceremony, Munawwar H. Shaikh (President – PBSA), Alamgir Ahmed Shaikh (Former President – PBSA), Rana Naveed Ashfaq (Marketing Head - Jubilee Life Insurance), Ijaz Mehmood (             Joint EVP Jubilee General Insurance), Mohammad Azam Dar (DDG Tech PSB), Manoor Ahmed Khan (     DDG Tech PSB), MB Ghouri (SVP Punjab Snooker Association) and Mohammad Asif (Snooker World Champion) distributed the prizes among the top players.

SB News LAHORE (January 23, 2020):-The National Junior Badminton Championships concluded at WAPDA Sports Complex Lahore on Thursday.  Malik Ghasif Punjab win the Boy's Single U-14 title, In the Boy's Single U-16 Saad Amir of Punjab took the title, In Girl's Single U-16 Summiya Tariq Army won the Final, In the Boy's Single U-18 Omer Jahanghir of KP win the title and Omama Usman Sindh win the Girl's U-18 event. Haji Mohammad Khalid Mehmood Secretary General of Pakistan Olympic Association was the Chief Guest of the final ceremony. He distributed trophies, cash and certificates amongst the winners and runner up of the championships. Rs 100,000 Rs one Lac was the total price money. Results are as under:  Boy's Single U-14 Finals Malik Ghasif (Punjab) beat M Hashir Shah (KP) by 21-10, 21-8 Boy's Single U-16 Finals Saad Amir (Punjab) beat Rai Abdul Mannan (Punjab) by 18-21, 21-13, 21-15 Girl's Single U-16 Finals Summiya Tariq (Army) beat Musfira Zahid (Sindh) by 21-5, 21-5 Boy's Single U-18 Finals Omer Jahanghir (KP) beat Raja Hassan (Army) by 21-14, 21-16 Girl's Single U-18 Finals Omama Usman (Sindh) beat Miss Hadiqa (Punjab) by 21-5, 21-6 Boy's Double U-18 Finals Omer Jahanghir & M Ozair (KP) beat Raza Ali & Saad Amir (Punjab) by 21-15, 22-20 Girl's Double U-18 Finals Deena Shahzad & Kanzul Eman (Islamabad) beat Zainab Ch & Hadiqa (Punjab) by 21-19, 21-19   -- 

SB News Potchefstroom (January 22, 2020):-Pakistan Under-19 beat Zimbabwe U19 by 38 runs at the Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom on Wednesday and ensured their qualification to Super League quarter-finals. In their chase of 295, Zimb`abwe were skittled out for 255 in 46.3 overs courtesy a consolidated bowling effort from the Pakistan bowlers. Zimbabwe were off to a good start with openers Wesley Madhevere and Emmanuel Bawa adding 64 runs for the first wicket. The partnership was broken by left-arm-spinner Aamir Ali who accounted for the wicket of Bawa (19). Madhevere was the second wicket to fall as he was dismissed caught and bowled by Qasim Akram after scoring 53 off 55 balls (six fours, one six). Qasim also took the key wicket of captain Dion Myers (39 off 50 balls, two fours and one six) who was spectacularly caught by Mohammad Irfan Khan, who took a one-handed diving catch. The match was turned on its head by Abbas Afridi in the 39th over of Zimbabwe innings. The right-arm medium-fast first bowled Milton Shumba, who scored 58 off 82, on a slower one and then sent back Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) two balls later to leave Zimbabwe at 208 for five. Tahir and Abbas took three wickets, while Aamir Ali and Qasim bagged two scalps each. Earlier, Mohammad Haris scored a blistering 81 after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat. Haris came into bat with Pakistan placed at 140 for four after 33 overs. The boys in green added 154 runs in the last 17 overs mainly due to Haris’ brilliance. The right-hander hit seven fours and three towering sixes in his 51-ball knock. Haris added 43 for the fifth-wicket with Qasim Akram (54 off 50 balls, five fours and two sixes), 41 for the sixth-wicket with Muhammad Irfan (15) and 42 for the seventh wicket with Abbas Afridi (10) before falling with 12 balls left in the innings. Haris took the attack to the bowlers and made the most of the repair job done by Qasim and Fahad Munir (53 off 79 balls, five fours) who added 66 runs for the fourth-wicket to rescue the side from a tentative start which saw them reduced to 74 for three in 21.3 overs. Openers Haider Ali (19), Muhammad Shehzad (27) and captain Rohail Nazir (0) were the first three wickets to fall. Pakistan now play Bangladesh U19 in the last group match on Friday. Scores in brief: Pakistan 294 for 9, 50 overs (Mohammad Haris 81, Qasim Akram 54, Fahad Munir 53; Dylan Grant 3-46) Zimbabwe 255 all-out, 46.3 overs (Milton Shumba 58, Wesley Madhevere 53, Dion Myers 39; Tahir Hussain 3-42, Abbas Afridi 3-55, Aamir Ali 2-51, Qasim Akram 2-41)  

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 22, 2020):-World No.1 Babar Azam on Friday will be leading Green Shirts in the three-T20I series against Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium, a venue where 13 years ago he served as a ball-picker in the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa. The 25-year-old, since making his international debut in September 2016, has moved to the top of the ICC batting charts following his consistent performance in the shortest format of the game against all opposition in different conditions. To compliment his T20I ranking, he is ranked seventh in Tests and third in ODIs – a hallmark of a batsman who is on course to achieve greater heights. He is only the second batsman in circuit with an average of over 50 in Twenty20 Internationals. He has scored 1,405 runs in 36 matches at an average of 50.17 and only India’s Virat Kohli is above him, averaging 52.72 after scoring 2,689 runs in 78 matches. Appointed Pakistan captain in September 2019, this will be the first time the Lahore-born star will captain his country in front of his home crowds. He previously led Pakistan in Australia where his side was swept aside 2-0 in a three-match series, but he still managed to standout by striking two half-centuries. “It seems like yesterday when I walked every day for almost three miles to get to the Gaddafi Stadium and work as a ball-boy for the 2007 second Test between Pakistan and South Africa,” Babar recalled, adding: “It was the love for the game and the attraction of some of the stalwarts like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn that pulled me to the home of Pakistan cricket without caring for anything else. “For me, it was the incentive of being closer to Test cricket and legends of the game. Pats on the back and smiles from the Test players during that match were my ultimate rewards. For any youngster, it is certainly once in a lifetime experience.  “I think it was that passion, combined with a bid of cricket madness and stroke of luck that has helped me to become who I am today. I have been very fortunate that in this journey, people have held my hand, coached and mentored me, and always stood beside me in my good and bad days. “I owe all my success to all those unsung heroes and now it is my responsibility to continue to strive for excellence so that I can match the expectations, both as a player and captain.” Babar has played 10 T20Is at home and it is no surprise that he has always left a big mark. He has scores of 86, 45, 48 (against ICC World XI in Lahore), 34 not out (against Sri Lanka 2017), 17, 97 not out, 51 (against the West Indies in Karachi) and 13, 3 and 27 (against Sri Lanka in Lahore). “There is no better feeling when you walk out to bat with your fans behind you. You feel that additional comfort that you are in a familiar territory then you grow in confidence every time you hear the applause for a good shot. “This is what Pakistan cricket had been missing for the past decade or so. I am from that generation of Pakistan cricketers who grew and established ourselves away from our home conditions and fans. If you compare us with the cricketers from other countries who have made their debuts in the past 10 years, you will realise the additional hardships and challenges we had to go through. “But this is now all behind us and we look for a better future for our cricket and cricketers.” Talking about captaining the side against Bangladesh, Babar said: “Captaining your country is the biggest responsibility and honour one can get. I have always aspired to play hard but fair cricket, and that’s what I will like to do as long as I am representing Pakistan. “Since the tour has been announced, I have been excited about the prospect of leading an extremely talented bunch of players onto the field. Frankly, this is what I used to dream as a young boy, and that dream is now about to turn reality. “No matter how young or experienced you are, learning process continues. This series will also be part of that process, having said that there will be no room for ordinary performances. We are expected to deliver the goods every time we represent Pakistan and there will be no change to that philosophy. “We have some young but talented cricketers and if you mix them with the experience of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, then it becomes a good blend. The two have played nearly 200 T02I between them and now it is up to them to learn from their experiences and not only learn tricks of the trade but also put an end to our run of unfavourable results in the past few matches. “I firmly believe we are a much better and stronger unit despite losing eight of the last nine matches. We need to get back to our winning habit from this series and so that we can bury the demons of the past few matches.” All the three T20Is will start at 2pm with the toss taking place at 1.30pm. Tickets for the matches are available online as well as dedicated TCS Express Counters. Squad: Pakistan - Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Ahsan Ali (Sindh), Amad Butt (Balochistan), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imad Wasim (Northern), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Musa Khan (Northern), Shadab Khan (Northern), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern), Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) Bangladesh - Mahmudullah (captain), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Soumya Sarkar, Naim Sheikh, Najmul Hossain, Litton Das, MD Mithun, Afif Hossain, Mahadi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Hasan Mahmud. On-field Umpires – Ahsan Raza and Shozab Raza Third Umpire – Ahmed Shahab Fourth Umpire - Tariq Rasheed Match Referee – Ranjan Madugalle  

SB News LAHORE (January 22, 2020):-Pakistan recalled the experience pair of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez for the three Bangladesh T20Is, which begin on Friday, to strengthen the side and provide depth in the batting department. The two share 200 T20Is between them and are eager to impart their knowledge of international cricket to the youngsters, besides helping Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, in executing his on-field plans effectively.   On the sidelines of a warm-up match at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, which hosts the three-T20Is on 24, 25 and 27 January, Hafeez and Malik, who last played for Pakistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, had a conversation on how they looked to make the most of their returns in the Pakistan camp. Mohammad Hafeez said: “The best you can do for the next generation of cricketers is to share your experience and that cannot be done with words but with actions. We have learned from our seniors on how to be successful in your cricketing career. “It is an added role for us that we have to groom these young cricketers in the side and prepare them for the next 10-12 years. “There is a pressure of captaincy which you and I have faced in our careers and we can take this off from Babar by putting up performances which can lead Pakistan to victories. We can back his plans and help him in their better execution on the field. “It is an honour for me to wear the Pakistan cap. I am eager to wear the Pakistan kit and win matches for my country at this beautiful venue. I still remember the day when I made my international debut and I still have the same intensity in me. For me, this is not a comeback. I am looking forward to the challenge.” Shoaib Malik said: “As a professional cricketer, you want to give your best shot whether you are playing club, league or international cricket. This doesn’t feel like a comeback because in my previous comebacks there have been more lengthy gaps as compared to this one. It is a wonderful feeling to be donning your country’s colours which cannot be described in words. There is certainly no comparison for it. “Our inclusion will help the youngsters and our captain as we bring in the experience which we can share with them. “Age is just a number and it should not be a metric to judge a player rather a player should be judged on the criteria set by the board and the management in regard to his on-field performances. Senior players bring in the experience, which they share with the youngsters and make the system stronger.” The first ball of the first T20I is scheduled to be bowled at 2pm. Upcoming fixtures: 1st T20I – Friday, 2pm 2nd T20I – Saturday, 2pm 3rd T20I – Monday, 2pm  

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 22, 2020):- Haris Tahir and Umer Farooq both from Punjab moved into the final of the Under-21 National Juniors' Snooker Championship 2020 after beating their respective opponents in the semifinals at Billiard and Snooker Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex on Wednesday. The final will be played on Thursday at same venue and Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Fameeda Mirza will garce the occasion as chief guest to distribute the prizes among the players. Results (Semifinals): Haris Tahir (Pjb) bt Saad Khan (Kp) 5-2 (30-62, 80-5, 85-6(85), 71-24, 72-34, 15-64, 75-41) Umer Farooq (Pjb) bt Mohammad Umer Khan (Pjb) 5-2 (31-60, 53-38, 62-15, 42-53, 79-32, 51-40, 73-1) Results (Quarterfinals): Haris Tahir (Pjb) bt Shahzaib Malik (Pjb) 4-2 (60-38, 45-49, 50-41, 67-54, 33-46, 82-43) Saad Khan (Kp) bt Imran Khan (Isb) 4-2 (27-47, 63-35, 65-2, 34-68, 68-23, 65-40) Umer Farooq (Pjb) bt Sheikh Mohammad Mudassir (Pjb) 4-2 (26-64, 16-73, 53-43, 49-7, 62-9, 66-35) Mohammad Umer Khan (Pjb) bt Ahsan Ramzan (Pjb) 4-0 (70-63, 60-27, 69-33, 55-21)