SB Report ISLAMABAD:-The second day of action in the FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers saw four teams book their tickets to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, with Spain's men and women joining the women of Australia and China at next year's global showpiece in Japan. More information about today's matches can be found below.  FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers: Day 2 – Saturday 26 October 2019 Changzhou (CHN) - Women: China 2, Belgium 0 [2-1 After Shoot-Out] (Match 2 of 2) A breathless final five minutes of action at the Wujin Stadium in Changzhou saw China (FIH World Ranking: 10) reel back a 2-0 deficit at the hands of Belgium (WR:12) to bring the aggregate score over two matches to 2-2. Head Coach Huang Yongsheng removed his goalkeeper Li Dongxiao with six minutes left to play and the tactic paid handsomely as the China side won a penalty stroke and followed up immediately with a second goal. Gu Bingfeng and Llang Meiyu were the respective goal-scorers. Player of the Match, Li, then pulled off some great saves to ensure her team won the shoot-out and progressed to their ninth successive Olympic Games. Belgium, who took a 2-0 lead in the first game and defended staunchly for most of the second game, will be devastated at missing out on an opportunity to return to Olympic action for just a second time in their history (London 2012 was the Red Panthers' only Olympic appearance). Perth (AUS) - Women: Australia 5, Russia 0 (Match 2 of 2) Three time gold medallists Australia (WR:2) will be chasing the medals at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 after they put in a devastating first half stint against a beleaguered Russia (WR:19) to emerge 5-0 winners in their second match. The result means the Hockeyroos were 9-2 winners on aggregate. Australia clinically dispatched the lower-ranked team, largely thanks to a five minute patch at the end of the second quarter which brought forth four goals. Goals were scored by Grace Stewart, Mariah Williams, Sophie Taylor, Emily Chalker and Kalindi Commerford. Russia for their part will be delighted to have kept a clean sheet in the second half.  Amsterdam (NED) – Men: Netherlands 4, Pakistan 4 (Match 1 of 2) ? Pakistan (WR:17) were denied a famous victory over the Netherlands (WR:3) by Dutch penalty corner ace Mink van der Weerden, who scored a dramatic late equaliser as the two teams finished with the score locked at 4-4. In a remarkable contest at the Amsterdam's Wagener Stadium, Pakistan silenced the home crowd thanks to an early penalty corner effort from Mubashar Ali before the Dutch hit back though Mink van der Weerden's penalty stroke and a glorious backhand strike from Bjorn Kellerman. However, penalty corner efforts either side of half time from Ghazanfar Ali and Muhammad Rizwan swung the match back in Pakstan's favour at 3-2. Robbert Kemperman pulled the Netherlands level in the fourth quarter before Mubashar Ali scored his second of the game to put Pakistan into a 4-3 lead with just two minutes remaining. Van der Weerden had the last laugh, however, rescuing a point for the hosts with a superb penalty corner drag-flick to set up a winner takes all encounter when the two teams meet again on Sunday.  Valencia (ESP) - Men: Spain 3, France 2 (Match 2 of 2)  Spain's men (WR:8) became the third team of the day to secure Olympic qualification, battling to a 3-2 victory over France (WR:12). Following their thrilling 3-3 draw on Friday, it came as little surprise that the second meeting between the two teams was equally close. France took an early lead thanks to a wonderful individual effort from Gaspard Baumgarten before Miguel Delas and Alvaro Iglesias gave Spain a 2-1 lead. Francois Goyet levelled matters for France in the 39th minute, but it was Xavi Lleonart's penalty stroke a minute later which proved decisive, giving Spain a ticket to Tokyo ahead of a France team that battled every step of the way. Valencia (ESP) - Women: Spain 2, Korea 0 (Match 2 of 2)  Spain (WR:7) women joined Spain men on their journey to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 when they beat Korea (WR:11) 2-0, building on the 2-1 victory they posted the previous day. Goals from Begona Garcia and a penalty stroke from Lola Riera sealed the victory for the Red Panthers. Korea had plenty of opportunities to reduce the deficit, winning seven penalty corners. However good goalkeeping from Maria Ruiz kept the Asian team's efforts from registering. The result means Spain will compete in their seventh Olympic Games. For Korea, this will be their first absence from an Olympic Games since 1988.  Vancouver (CAN) – Men: Canada 3 Ireland 5 (Match 1 of 2) ? The final game of Day 2 saw Canada (WR:10) taking on Ireland (WR:12), and it was the visiting Europeans who emerged with a 5-3 victory over the host nation. Sean Murray and Shane O'Donoghue scored two goals apiece as Ireland overcame the home favourites, leaving Canada needing a comprehensive victory when the two sides meet again on Sunday if they are to take the Olympic ticket.  How Olympic qualification works: The winners will be determined as follows: teams will be ranked according to the number of points each has accumulated in both matches (for each match, 3 points are awarded to the winner, 1 point to each team in the event of a draw and 0 point to the loser). If there is equality among the two teams, then the teams will be ranked according to their respective goal difference. If the equality remains, a shoot-out competition will be played to establish the winner. FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers – Results Friday 25 October 2019 - Day 1 Perth (AUS) - Women: Australia 4, Russia 2 (Match 1 of 2) Changzhou (CHN) - Women: China 0, Belgium 2 (Match 1 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Men: Spain 3, France 3 (Match 1 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Women: Spain 2, Korea 1 (Match 1 of 2) Saturday 26 October 2019 - Day 2   Changzhou (CHN) - Women: China 2, Belgium 0 (Match 2 of 2) Perth (AUS) - Women: Australia 5, Russia 0 (Match 2 of 2) Amsterdam (NED) – Men: Netherlands 4, Pakistan 4 (Match 1 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Men: Spain 3, France 2 (Match 2 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Women: Spain 1, Korea 0 (Match 2 of 2) Vancouver (CAN) – Men: Canada v Ireland (Match 1 of 2) Upcoming fixtures Friday 1 November 2019 - Day 4 Bhubaneswar (IND) – Women: India v USA (Match 1 of 2) Bhubaneswar (IND) – Men: India v Russia (Match 1 of 2) Saturday 2 November 2019 - Day 5 Stratford (NZL) – Men: New Zealand v Korea (Match 1 of 2) Bhubaneswar (IND) – Women: India v USA (Match 2 of 2) London (ENG) - Women: Great Britain v Chile (Match 1 of 2) Bhubaneswar (IND) – Men: India v Russia (Match 2 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Women: Germany v Italy (Match 1 of 2) London (ENG) - Men: Great Britain v Malaysia (Match 1 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Men: Germany v Austria (Match 1 of 2) Dublin (IRL) – Women: Ireland v Canada (Match 1 of 2) Sunday 3 November 2019 - Day 6 Stratford (NZL) – Men: New Zealand v Korea (Match 2 of 2) London (ENG) - Women: Great Britain v Chile (Match 2 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Women: Germany v Italy (Match 2 of 2) London (ENG) - Men: Great Britain v Malaysia (Match 2 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Men: Germany v Austria (Match 2 of 2) Dublin (IRL) – Women: Ireland v Canada (Match 2 of 2)    

SB Report  ISLAMABAD:-The first three-day match between Pakistan U16 and Bangladesh U16 ended in a draw at the KRL stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday. Resuming their second innings from 119 for four, the visiting Bangladesh side were bowled out for 200 runs in 95.2 overs. Bangladesh gained a 283-run overall lead, Nayeem Ahmed who scored 54 runs in the first innings top-scored with 73 runs in the second innings, his knock was studded with 14 fours. Tanbir Alam Sham scored 42 runs. For Pakistan, left-arm-spinner Ali Asfand took six wickets while captain Aliyan Mehmood took two wickets for 32 runs. Set a 284-run target, Pakistan batted resolutely in the second innings to avoid a repeat of the first innings batting collapse. Pakistan played out 43 overs scoring 112 runs for the loss of two wickets when stumps were drawn and the match was declared draw. Opener Mohammad Shehzad top-scored with an unbeaten 80 off 127 balls, his attacking innings included 14 fours and two sixes. Ahmood Sharif and Amir Hossain took a wicket each for Bangladesh. The next match will be played from October 30 to November 1 at the same venue.  Scores in brief:  Bangladesh 204 all-out, 63.5 overs (Radowan Hossan Siyam 84, Nayeem Ahmed 54; Ahmad Khan 4-43, Ali Asfand 2-31, Aliyan Mehmood 2-53 ) and 200 all-out, 95.2 overs ( Nayeem Ahmed 73, Tanbir Alam Sham 42; Ali Asfand 6-51, Aliyan Mehmood 2-32) Pakistan U16 117 all-out, 45.1 overs (Ibrar Afzaal Khan 51, Mohammad Shehzad 19; Ahmood Sharif 4-24, Amir Hossain Asif 3-19, Mohammad Musfik Hasan 2-33) and 112-2, 43 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 80 not-out)  

Pakistan women make history, beat Bangladesh in their first-ever international match SB Report (October 26, 2019) LAHORE:-Pakistan women made history on Saturday by beating Bangladesh women by 14 runs in the first of the three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Playing their first-ever international match at the home of Pakistan cricket, Pakistan elected to bat after winning the toss. Captain Bismah Maroof and Omaima Sohail crafted a gutsy 60-run partnership for the third-wicket after Pakistan had lost both openers inside three overs with just 15 runs on board.   Bismah cracked 34 runs from 29 balls, hitting six fours, to be the top-scorer from her side, while Omaima scored a 36-ball 33 with four fours. Batting at six, Iram Javed struck two sixes and a four for her 21 runs from 17 balls. That Pakistan women were able to set a 127-run target for the tourists was due to Sidra Nawaz’s four fours from her five-ball stay at the crease. The wicketkeeper-batter scored an unbeaten 16. For Bangladesh, right-arm pacer Jahanara Alam picked up four wickets for 17 runs in her four overs.   Bangladesh struggled from the onset of their run-chase. Their openers Shamima Sultana and Ayesha Rahman were back in the pavilion in 2.2 overs as the scoreboard read six for two. A 30-ball 50 – studded with six fours and two sixes – by Rumana Ahmed kept Bangladesh alive in the run-chase as the 28-year-old all-rounder batted till the last over.   She failed to receive the desired support from the other end with the wickets tumbling at regular intervals. The next best score in the run-chase was from Nigar Sultana, who scored 17 from 30. Marking her return to the national side, Anam Amin picked up two wickets for 13 runs in four overs, while all other bowlers picked up a wicket each. Bismah, for her 34 with the bat and one for 26 with the ball, bagged the man-of-the-match award. The second T20I will be held on Monday at the same venue and is scheduled to begin at 1000.   Scores in brief:   Pakistan Women 126-7, 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 34, Omaima Sohail 33, Iram Javed 21; Jahanara Alam 4-17)   Bangladesh Women 112-7, 20 overs (Rumana Ahmed 50; Anam Amin 2-13)   Upcoming matches:   28 October – 2nd T20I (10am-12.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 30 October – 3rd T20I (10am-12.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 2 November – 1st ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 4 November – 2nd ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore  

Under-16, Bangladesh sit in driving seat By Abdul Jabbar Faisal October 26, 2019 RAWALPINDI:-Bangladesh U16 ended the second day of the first three-day match against Pakistan U16 in a commanding position, taking an overall lead of 206 runs with 6 second innings wickets in hand at the Khan Research Labourtries (KRL) stadium in Rawalpindi on Saturday. In the morning session, Pakistan U16 resuming their first innings from the overnight score of 40 for four were dismissed for 117 in 45.1 overs. Ibrar Afzaal Khan top-scored with 51 off 74balls, he hit eight fours. Ibrar and Khalid Khan (seven not out) contributed 50-run partnership for the 10th wicket to rescue the hosts from precarious 67 for nine. For Bangladesh, Ahmood Sharif picked four wickets for 24 in 12 overs. Amir Hossain Asif chipped in with three wickets. Taking a lead of 87 runs, the visiting team in their second innings scored 119 for four in 62 overs when stumps were drawn. Bangladesh captain Nayeem Ahmed top-scored with an unbeaten 47 off 150 balls laced with seven fours. Opener Tanbir Alam Sham scored 134-ball 42 and struck seven fours. For Pakistan U16, slow left-arm Ali Asfand was the most successful bowler with took two wickets for 28 runs in 15 overs. Scores in brief:  Bangladesh 204 all-out, 63.5 overs (Radowan Hossan Siyam 84, Nayeem Ahmed 54; Ahmad Khan 4-43, Ali Asfand 2-31, Aliyan Mehmood 2-53 ) and 119-4, 62 overs ( Nayeem Ahmed 47 not-out, Tanbir Alam Sham 42; Ali Asfand 2-28) Pakistan U16 117 all-out, 45.1 overs (Ibrar Afzaal Khan 51, Mohammad Shehzad 19; Ahmood Sharif 4-24, Amir Hossain Asif 3-19, Mohammad Musfik Hasan 2-33)  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-Pakistan U16 fast bowler Ahmad Khan took a four-wicket haul as the visiting Bangladesh U16 side were bowled out for 204 on the first day of the three-day match at Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday. In reply, Pakistan U16 were 40 for four in 19.2 overs when play ended 6.4 overs remaining due to bad light. After being put into bat, Bangladesh U16 opener Anik Chaki was dismissed lbw for no score in the first over with Ahmad striking on the fourth ball of the over. However, Tanbir Alam Shah (11) partnered with captain Nayeem Ahmed to carry the score to 35 before returning to the dressing room. Nayeem andRadowan Hossan Siyam added 75 runs for the third wicket to take their side to 110 before the former got dismissed for 93-ball 54 which included 10 fours. Batting at number four, Radowan Hossan Siyam scored 84 off 114 balls laced with 10 fours and four sixes. Ahmad Khan ended-up with figures of four for 43 runs in 16 overs, while Ali Asfand and Aliyan Mahmood equally shared four wickets between them. In Pakistan’s turn at the wicket, Bangladesh got a breakthrough early as opener Ali Hasan was dismissed for seven off eight balls. Mohammad Shehzad (19) and Haseeb Imran (10) carried the score to 40, but were dismissed before close. For Bangladesh, Ahmood Sharif and Mohammad Musfik Hasan took two wickets apiece. Scores in brief: Bangladesh (1st innings) 204 all-out, 63.5 overs (Radowan Hossan Siyam 84, Nayeem Ahmed 54; Ahmad Khan 4-43, Ali Asfand 2-31, Aliyan Mehmood 2-53 ) Pakistan U16 (1st innings) 40-4, 19.2 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 19; Ahmood Sharif 2-6, Mohammad Musfik Hasan 2-9)

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD-As many as 190 sixes and 484 fours were smashed over 10 days of cricket during the National T20 Cup at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Batsmen from Northern, the title winners, hit 30 per cent of the sixes, thanks to Asif Ali. The hard-hitting middle-order batsman hit 19 off his side’s 56 sixes, with 10 of them coming in an innings. Runner-up Balochistan struck 109 fours, which were the most by any side in the tournament. The batsmen’s domination continued over the course of 18 matches. 5,448 runs were scored as 26 half-centuries and two centuries – both from Central Punjab batsmen Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad – were cracked.  Boasting a star-studded bowling lineup which included Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Imad Wasim, Musa Khan and Haris Rauf, Northern were expected to be the strongest bowling unit of the tournament. They lived up to their reputation taking the most number of wickets for a team with 59 scalps. Overall, 221 wickets were taken in the tournament.  Reviewing his team’s performance, Northern captain Imad Wasim said: “Our batting and bowling was way ahead of the other teams and to win such tournaments all members of the side need to rise to the occasion which the players of my team did.  “Though this was a domestic tournament, we played for our pride.” As T20 format is never expected to be bowler friendly, only one five-wicket haul was recorded in the tournament, which went to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Usman Shinwari.  The left-arm fast-bowler took five wickets for 13 runs against Northern in the first semi-final of the tournament, which his side lost by three runs.  His captain Mohammad Rizwan bagged the player of the tournament award for scoring 215 runs, with two fifties, and dismissing six batsmen behind the stumps in six matches.  The best batsman and best bowler of the tournament were Awais Zia and Sohail Tanvir for scoring 276 runs and taking 14 wickets in seven matches each.  Pakistan U19 captain and Northern wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir bagged the best wicketkeeper award with seven dismissals in seven matches.

SB Report  ISLAMABAD-The FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers got off to a flying start on Friday (25 October), with the women's teams of Australia, Belgium and Spain all victorious in their respective matches to move one step closer to securing berths at next year's Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.   In the first of the two-leg ties, Australia beat Russia 4-2 in Perth before Belgium recorded an impressive 2-0 away win against China. Spain's women were also winners, edging past Korea 2-1. In the men's qualifiers, Spain and France played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, leaving their two-leg tie finely balanced. RESULT: Perth (AUS) - Women: Australia 4, Russia 2 (Match 1 of 2) Australia (FIH World Ranking: 2) claimed a 4-2 victory against Russia (WR:19) in the opening match of the FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers, but certainly did not have it all their own way. The Hockeyroos opened up a 2-0 lead inside the opening two minutes thanks to poacher's goals from Emily Chalker and 17-year-old attacker Amy Lawton, as the hosts threatened to run riot. However, Russia captain Bogdana Sadovaia dragged her team back into the contest with an eighth minute field goal before Alina Khalimova's superb penalty corner deflection seven minutes after half time restored parity at 2-2. Australia were not to be denied, however, with Grace Stewart and a second for Chalker giving the home favourites both a 4-2 victory and a strong advantage ahead of the second meeting between the two teams on Saturday.  RESULT: Changzhou (CHN) - Women: China 0, Belgium 2 (Match 1 of 2) Belgium (WR:12) took a 2-0 lead in their opening match against China (WR:10) courtesy of strikes at both ends of the game. Jill Boon opened the scoring in the second minute of the match and Stephanie Vanden Borre gave her side an invaluable 2-0 lead in the 58th minute. While the Red Panthers have an undoubted advantage going into the second of two matches on Saturday, China will be pulling out all the stops to attempt to turn the scoreline around. The hard-working trio of Zhang Jinrong, Ou Zixia and Peng Yang caused plenty of problems for the Belgium defence and, as Player of the Match Anne-Sophie Weyns made clear, this is only the half-way point in this Olympic qualifier. RESULT: Valencia (ESP) - Men: Spain 3, France 3 (Match 1 of 2) Spain's men (WR:8) were forced to fight back from 3-0 down before salvaging a 3-3 draw against a France (WR:12) team that impressed greatly in a thrilling contest at Valencia's Estadio Betero. Victor Charlet, Gaspard Baumgarten and Amaury Bellenger all netted in the second quarter before Xavi Lleonart pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just before half time. Veteran striker Pau Quemada netted penalty corner efforts in the third and fourth quarters to ensure that the points were shared, meaning that Saturday's second meeting between the two teams is very much 'winner takes all'.  RESULT: Valencia (ESP) - Women: Spain 2, Korea 1 (Match 1 of 2) Spain's women (WR:7) claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Korea (WR:11), but were certainly forced to do it the hard way. Jang Heesun put Korea ahead with a 19th minute penalty corner, a strike that was cancelled out thanks to a diving finish from Belen Iglesias just four minutes later. Lola Reira scored the winning goal with a penalty corner drag-flick in the 39th minute, giving Spain a slender advantage over the Koreans going into tomorrow's second leg. How Olympic qualification works: The winners will be determined as follows: teams will be ranked according to the number of points each has accumulated in both matches (for each match, 3 points are awarded to the winner, 1 point to each team in the event of a draw and 0 point to the loser). If there is equality among the two teams, then the teams will be ranked according to their respective goal difference. If the equality remains, a shoot-out competition will be played to establish the winner. FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers – Day 1 Results Friday 25 October 2019 Perth (AUS) - Women: Australia 4, Russia 2 (Match 1 of 2) Changzhou (CHN) - Women: China 0, Belgium 2 (Match 1 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Men: Spain 3, France 3 (Match 1 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Women: Spain 2, Korea 1 (Match 1 of 2) Upcoming Fixtures Saturday 26 October 2019 - Day 2 Changzhou (CHN) - Women: China v Belgium (Match 2 of 2) Perth (AUS) - Women: Australia v Russia (Match 2 of 2) Amsterdam (NED) – Men: Netherlands v Pakistan (Match 1 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Men: Spain v France (Match 2 of 2) Valencia (ESP) - Women: Spain v Korea (Match 2 of 2) Vancouver (CAN) – Men: Canada v Ireland (Match 1 of 2) Sunday 27 October 2019 - Day 3 Amsterdam (NED) – Men: Netherlands v Pakistan (Match 2 of 2) Vancouver (CAN) – Men: Canada v Ireland (Match 2 of 2) Friday 1 November 2019 - Day 4 Bhubaneswar (IND) – Women: India v USA (Match 1 of 2) Bhubaneswar (IND) – Men: India v Russia (Match 1 of 2) Saturday 2 November 2019 - Day 5 Stratford (NZL) – Men: New Zealand v Korea (Match 1 of 2) Bhubaneswar (IND) – Women: India v USA (Match 2 of 2) London (ENG) - Women: Great Britain v Chile (Match 1 of 2) Bhubaneswar (IND) – Men: India v Russia (Match 2 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Women: Germany v Italy (Match 1 of 2) London (ENG) - Men: Great Britain v Malaysia (Match 1 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Men: Germany v Austria (Match 1 of 2) Dublin (IRL) – Women: Ireland v Canada (Match 1 of 2) Sunday 3 November 2019 - Day 6 Stratford (NZL) – Men: New Zealand v Korea (Match 2 of 2) London (ENG) - Women: Great Britain v Chile (Match 2 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Women: Germany v Italy (Match 2 of 2) London (ENG) - Men: Great Britain v Malaysia (Match 2 of 2) Mönchengladbach (GER) – Men: Germany v Austria (Match 2 of 2) Dublin (IRL) – Women: Ireland v Canada (Match 2 of 2)

SB Report (October 25, 2019) ISLAMABAD-The three-day ITF Worldwide Coaches Conference under the banner of BNP Paribas kicked off from Friday (today) Bangkok from 25th to 27th October, 2019. The Pakistani participants Rashid Malik Secretary Punjab Lawn Tennis Association and Hamid Niaz, National Coordinator of the Pakistan Juniors Tennis Initiative program (JTI) met with Haggerty President International Tennis Federation (ITF) at the ITF Coaches Conference.  The Other coaches from Pakistan attending this important annual event are Asim Shafik National Development Director PTF, Head Coach NTC, Sara Mansoor Fed Cup Captain, and Nouman ul Haq ITF Level-1 Certified Coach.

  SB Report  LAHORE:-For the first time in history, Pakistan women will be in action at the home of Pakistan cricket when they will host Bangladesh women in a three-match T20 series on Saturday. The two teams meet in the shortest format for the second time in 13 months after Bangladesh hosted Pakistan in a four-match T20I series in October last year, which Pakistan won 3-0. The upcoming series also serves a perfect opportunity to the hosts to test their bench strength with their mainstay Nida Dar in Australia for the Women Big Bash League, while their most experienced campaigner Sana Mir unavailable for the series opener. The T20 series is part of Bangladesh women’s 10-day tour in which they will also play two one-day internationals against Pakistan at the same venue. With Pakistan slated to host world champions England in the ICC Women’s Championship in Malaysia in December, these matches serve an opportunity to get their permutations and combinations right. In line with its policy to develop and promote women’s cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board will live stream the tour on its YouTube channel. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof said: “We are coming from a 10-day camp in which we put great emphasis on our fielding. Our bowlers worked on bettering different variations and the batters are looking in good form. We are well-aware of the challenge that the Bangladesh present and this will surely be an exciting series. “This series is the season-opener for us and we want to start off on a winning note as it will help us in building the momentum ahead of the England and West Indies series. “With our key player Nida Dar unavailable for this series and Sana Mir joining the side from the second T20I, we have inducted some youngsters in the squad. So there’s an opportunity for them to grab the opportunity and leave a mark ahead of what promises to be an exciting season. “This is the first time we will be playing in Lahore and the girls are pretty charged up. We look forward to playing in Lahore and expect the fans to fill up the stadia to support women’s cricket.” Bangladesh T20 captain Salma Khatun said: “We are very much looking forward to the series against a strong Pakistan side, who will be particularly tough in home conditions. “It is nice to be back. Pakistan are a familiar opponent for us and we have had some pretty exciting matches over the years. Our side thrives on team spirit. A nice balance has developed in our game and I am confident that we will be very competitive in the series.” Squads Pakistan T20I squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Saba Nazir, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz Bangladesh T20I squad: Salma Khatun (captain), Ayesha Rahman, Ekka Mollik, Fargana Hoque, Jahanara Alam, Khadija Tul Kubra, Lata Mondal, Nigar Sultana, Panna Ghosh, Rumana Ahmed, Sanjida Islam, Shamima Sultana, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sharmin Akhter and Sharmin Sultana Schedule 26 October – 1st T20I (1.00pm-3.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 28 October – 2nd T20I (10am-12.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 30 October – 3rd T20I (10am-12.45pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 2 November – 1st ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 4 November – 2nd ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore The PCB has appointed match officials for the five matches. The details are as follows: 1st T2oI – On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Tariq Rasheed, Reserve umpire: Faisal Khan Afridi, Match referee: Mohammad Anees 2nd T20I – On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Khan Afridi, Reserve umpire: Nasir Hussain Sr., Match referee: Mohammad Anees 3rd T20I – On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Tariq Rasheed, Reserve umpire: Nasir Hussain Sr., Match referee: Mohammad Javed Malik 1st ODI – On-field umpires: Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob, Reserve umpire: Tariq Rasheed, Match referee: Mohammad Javed Malik 2nd ODI – On-field umpires: Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob, Reserve umpire: Tariq Rasheed, Match referee: Mohammad Anees

SB Report  KARACHI:-Two-time winners Pakistan will play Scotland in their opening match of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 at the University Oval, Potchefstroom on Sunday, 19 January. The tournament schedule was announced today (Thursday) by the International Cricket Council. Sixteen teams will be taking part in the 24-day tournament that runs from 17 January to 9 February 2020. The final will be played at Benoni’s JP Marks Oval on 9 February. Pakistan’s second match will be against Zimbabwe at the Witrand Oval in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, 22 January. The third and final group match for Pakistan will be played on 24 January at the JP Marks Oval, where the Boys in Green will square-up against Bangladesh. The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super League while the remaining teams feature in the Plate Championship. The Super League stage will commence from Tuesday, 28 January. The top four teams from the Super League stage qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners competing for the title on Sunday, 9 February. Pakistan won the 2004 and 2006 editions of the tournament held in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. Pakistan have also finished as runners-up in three editions. Hassan Khan led Pakistan in the last edition of the tournament in New Zealand in 2018, where they were beaten by India in the semi-finals. The tournament was first played in 1988. Since 1998, the event has been held once every two years. India have won the tournament four times, Australia have been winners thrice, England, South Africa and the West Indies have won the tournament once each besides Pakistan’s two wins. The top 11 full Members in the last edition in New Zealand and the five regional champions, who have qualified for the event, will also play warm-up matches from 12-15 January in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Nigeria (Africa) make an appearance for the first time along with Japan (East Asia Pacific). They are joined by other regional qualifiers Canada (Americas), United Arab Emirates (Asia) and Scotland (Europe).