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Benaud-Qadir Trophy: Pindi Test stars under the clouds on Friday
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
RAWALPINDI:-The stage is ready to start Pindi Test match between Pakistan and Australia on Friday morning, as all the tickets have been sold out of Test match that shows how the people of twin city Rawalpindi and Islamabad are keen to see two top teams of cricket world in action.
Right-handed batter Babar Azam will lead the Green Shirts in the historical Test match while Pat Cummins will lead the Kangaroos at the soil of Pakistan after 24 years in the first Test of the three-match Benaud-Qadir ICC World Test Championship series.
Both sides have kept a close eye on the Rawalpindi pitch which has a tradition of being a sporting one, the last Test played at the venue was Pakistan’s 95-run triumph against South Africa almost a year ago. Since the return of Test cricket in Pakistan in December 2019, this will be the fourth Test at the venue. The 2020 Pakistan-Sri Lanka match ended in a draw.
Babar Azam says:
“It is a huge honour to play this series since the trophy has been named after legends of the game Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir. As a team we are very excited that Australia are touring after 24 years, we want to make this a memorable series and the entire squad remains focused and determined to deliver the goods.
“Our fans have been a great strength of ours in the recent past, they have come to cheer us, shown their love and support through social media and have backed us by watching us on their TV screens. My request would be for them to turn up at the venue and give us full backing and support.
Pat Cummins says:
“Richie toured here for the first time some 60 years ago, we are proud to be here in Pakistan and can’t wait for the series to start.
“This is a very special occasion as we have a long history of playing against Pakistan back home and never over here, a whole generation of Australian cricketers haven’t had the chance of being over here and play so as a group we feel very privileged and lucky to be here, we have been incredibly looked after and it is beautiful here, we can’t wait for the series to start.”
Weather Forecast:
A spokesman for Pakistan Metrology Department (PMD) told this scribe that first two day of the Test match would not be disturbed by the rain; however, weather will be cloudy. Next two days (March 6 and 7), there are chances of rain in different spells in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad that could interrupt the cricket game. On March 6 there will be 60% chances while on March 7 there will be 65% rain probability. March 8 will be sunny day and no rain in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Test Squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain-wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood.
Australia Test Squad:
Pat Cummins (captain), David Warner, Marcus Harris, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson.
Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee)
CLIMBING - Int News 03 Mar, 2022
Torino (Press Release):-In line with recommendations issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the implications of the war in Ukraine, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) has decided to implement the following measures:
To suspend all IFSC competitions scheduled to be held in Russia and Belarus until further notice, including the IFSC Boulder and Speed World Cup in Moscow (RUS), the IFSC Youth European Cup in Kaliningrad (RUS) – in accordance with IFSC Europe – and the 2023 IFSC Youth World Championships.
Furthermore, the IFSC will discuss an additional series of measures to be approved by the upcoming General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on 18 and 19 March 2022.
Aliya, Javeria, Fatima, Nashra stars, as Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 7 runs
Sports Bulletin Report
CHRISTCHURCH:-Pakistan won their second ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up Wednesday as they defeated Bangladesh by seven runs at Lincoln. In the first warm-up, they had defeated hosts New Zealand on 27 February by four wickets.
Young right-arm pacer Fatima Sana and left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu shared seven wickets between them as the former starred with four for 47 and the latter returned three for 22 in 8.2 overs, which included three maidens. Fargana Hoque, with 71, top-scored for Bangladesh.
The match had started with a delay due to morning showers and had to be stopped after 3.1 overs because of a passing shower after Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof elected to bat after her Bangladesh counterpart called wrong at the toss.
Aliya Riaz, once again, top-scored for her side with 45 not out after Javeria Khan (44) and Bismah Maroof (32) struck 73-run partnership after Pakistan were reduced to three for 38 in 10 overs. Fatima contributed 29 with the bat in the 33 balls she faced.
Pakistan Cup: Balochistan defeat Northern by 2 wicket in Islamabad
Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD:-Balochistan overcame Northern by two wickets in their opening round match of Pakistan Cup at the Diamond cricket ground Islamabad.
Balochistan beat Northern by 2 wickets
At the House of Northern in Islamabad, Northern’s Umar Amin century went in vain as Balochistan achieved the 276-run target in the last over of the match for the loss of eight wickets.
Chasing 276 for win, Wicketkeeper-batter Bismillah Khan struck five fours and as many sixes in his 58-ball 84 runs innings. Bismillah was equally supported by Haseebullah (40 off 59, four fours, one six), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (39 off 40, five fours, one six) and Amad Butt (31 off 39, one four, one six). For Northern, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim grabbed three wickets for 58.
Earlier, after being put into bat, Northern scored 275 for eight in 50 overs. Opening batter Umar scored a 124-ball 116, hitting 10 fours and four sixes. Mubasir Khan coming to bat at number seven scored a quick-fire 43 off 32. The right-handed batter struck four fours and two sixes. For Balochistan, left-arm pacer Akif Javed picked five wickets for 60 runs in his 10 overs.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Central Punjab by 5 wickets
After being put into bat, Central Punjab managed to score 215 for nine in their allotted 50 overs. Test opener top-scored with a 60-ball 37, hitting one four and two sixes. For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mehran Mumtaz and captain Khalid Usman picked three wickets apiece.
In return, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa achieved the target in the 43rd over for the loss of five wickets. After the early departure of Sahibzada Farhan for nine, Waqar Ahmed was joined by Kamran Ghulam. The pair added 113 runs for the second wicket. Waqar top-scored with a 73-ball 68, which included 10 fours and one six. Kamran scored 56 off 62 balls, striking five fours and two sixes.
Mehran returned unbeaten on 29 off 43 balls, while Adil Amin contributed 28 off 29 balls, hitting two fours and a six. For Central Punjab, leg-spinner Usman Qadir bagged two wickets for 60.
Jeffrey Vandersay doubtful for first Test
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka's 32-year-old leg break bowler Jeffrey Vandersay is "doubtful" for the first Test match against India.
While bowling at the Indian batters during the 3rd and the final T-20I at Dharamshala on, he twisted his ankle and had to leave the field. His incomplete over was completed by fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne.
At one point of time, the team management was considering sending him back to Sri Lanka, but finally it was decided to allow him to stay in India.
On Wednesday morning, the team had a full training session, where Vandersay attended some training sessions but the team management may not be willing to take the risk of playing him, at least for the first Test, it is learnt.
In another development, on the insistence of few players, Under-19 coach Avishka Gunawardene has also been retained for the Tests, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) source has confirmed.
"He was scheduled to return home with the T-20 players (captain Dasun Shanaka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage and Shiran Fernando) on Tuesday night but now we have asked him to be with the Test team", the SLC source said.
BADMINTON - National 02 Mar, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Pakistan WAPDA’s players have won the both men’s and women’s titles of the 59th National Badminton Championships 2022, as the both finals were played at Captain Fasih Babr Amin Sports Complex DHA Lahore.
At this occasion, Mohammad Khalid Mahmood Secretary General, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) inaugurated the men’s and women’s Singles fixtures. Administrator DHA Lahore Brigadier Waheed Gul Satti, Director Sports DHA Brigadier (R) Munir Ahmad, additional Director Sports Lt. Col. (R) Zia-un-Din, Wajid Ali Chaudhry President PBF and Raja Azhar Mahmood Secretary General PBF were also present at the occasion.
Results: Women’s Team Event Final
Pakistan Wapda beat Sindh 3-0
1st Singles: Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Sana Haneef (Sindh) by 21-6, 21-5
1st Double: Saima Waqas & Khizra Rasheed (Wapda) beat Palwasha Bashir & Ammarah Ishtiaq (Sindh) by 21-13, 21-15
2nd Single: Ghazala Siddiqui (Wapda) beat Ammarah Ishtiaq (Sindh) by 21-9, 21-8
Results: Men’s Team Event Final
Pakistan Wapda beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 3-0
1st Singles: Awais Zahid (Wapda) beat Shoaib Riaz (KP) by 23-21, 21-10
1st Double: Azeem Sarwar & Raja Zulqarnain (Wapda) beat Fazal Rehman & Tahir Shah (KP) by 21-12, 21-14
2nd Single: Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Murad Ali (KP) by 21-13, 21-10
Results: Men’s Singles (Round-1):
Murad Ali (KP) beat Ali Chishti (ISB) by 22-20, 21-12
Shahmeer Iftikhar (SNGPL) beat Malik Danyaal (KP) by 21-7, 21-14
Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) beat Tahir Shah (KP) by 21-14, 21-10
Mohammad Ali Larosh (Wadpa) beat Hasheem Ul Hassan (PB) by 21-8, 18-10 left the match
Muteeb Sohail (KRL) beat Soban Jamil (Wapda) by 21-19, 21-10
Raza Ali Adil (HEC) beat Mohammad Noman (SNGPL) by 20-22, 21-13, 21-13
Fazal Rehman (KP) beat Hamza Khan (HEC) by 21-9, 21-19
Ahmar Jalal (HEC) beat Mohammad Shahzaib (PB) by 21-14, 23-21
Hashir Bashir (Wapda) beat Ahmed Butt (Army) by 21-14, 21-12
Amir Saeed (Wapda) beat Mohammad Anas (HEC) by 21-12, 21-15
Anjum Bashir (New Khan) beat Usman Shah (Army) by 21-9, 21-13
Uaakeph Khan (KRL) beat Ihtisham Ali (Army) by 21-9, 22-20
Abdullah Latif (Army) beat Muqsit Islam (Army) by 21-9, 23-21
Tayyab Shafiq (HEC) beat Arbab Noman (Army) by 11-21, 21-19, 21-15
Raja Hasnain (New Khan) beat Malik Faraz (KP) by 21-13, 21-8
Abdur Rehman (Wapda) beat Ahmad Faizan (Wapda) by 21-7, 21-16
Mohammad Adnan (Wapda) beat Mohammad Jamal (Army) by 21-14, 21-6
Ibrahim Rasheed (ISB) beat Usama Shafi (KRL) by 21-7, 21-10
Shoaib Riaz (Wapda) beat Mahmood Ur Rehman (PB) by 21-10, 21-16
Results: Women’s Single (Round-I):
Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Laiba Masoud (Wapda) by 21-8, 21-7
Saima Waqas (Wadpa) beat Sana Haneef (Sindh) by 19-21, 21-18, 24-22
Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) beat Shahnaz Shah (Wapda) by 21-5, 21-5
Amal Muneeb (PB) beat Maryam Haneef (Sindh) by 21-7, 21-10
Huma Javeed (Wadpa) beat Umama Usman (Army) by 21-18, 24-26, 23-21
Alja Tariq (Balochistan) beat Wirdha Gouhar (SNGPL) by 21-7, 21-15
Ammarah Ishtiaq (Sindh) beat Khizra Rasheed (Wapda) by 13-21, 21-13, 21-19
Aqsa Zikriya (SNGPL) beat Saba Rasheed (Sindh) by 21-10, 19-21, 21-15
Bushra Qayum (Wapda) beat Sumiya Tariq (Army) by 21-15, 21-14
Musfira Zahid (Sindh) beat Yasmeen Shahzadi (Army) by 21-15, 16-21, 21-10
Palwasha Bashir (Sindh) beat Sidra Hameed (Wapda) by 21-15, 21-7
CFU-ANFA Blues beat CFU-ANFA Reds by 62 runs
Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD:-CFU Blues defeated CFU Reds by 62 runs in a match played at Al-Muslim cricket ground F-11 Islamabad on Wednesday. The aim of this practice match was to train the Cricket Federation Uzbekistan (CFU) Team for upcoming fixtures of the tour.
CFU Reds won the coin battle and decided to put challengers CFU Blues into bat first. Blues piled-up 219 runs in 30 overs per innings fixture. Atif Oryakhail was top scorer with 86 runs not out and smashed seven fours and five sixes in his 40 balls innings. Tariq Safi made 55 runs in 54 balls while Saleem Khan 38 runs in 33 balls. Mohammad Imran (3 for 39), Najeeb Ullah (2 for 49) and Ashan Ullah (2 for 39) were top performer with the ball for CFU Reds.
In reply, CFU Reds could score 157 runs, as only Mohammad Hasan could face the bowling opponents and played a nice inning of 72 runs with the help of seven fours and couple of maximum hits. Mirwais Khan claimed four wickets for winners after conceding just 25 runs while Sher Khan chipped in three wickets for 21 runs.
Summarized scorecard:
Toss: CFU Reds won the toss and elected to bowl first
CFU Blues (Batting): 219 for 8 in 30 overs
Atif Oryakhail 86 runs not out (40 balls, 4X7, 6X5), Tariq Safi 55 runs (54 balls, 4X2, 6X3), Saleem Khan 38 runs (33 balls, 4X2, 6X2)
CFU Reds (Bowling):
Mohammad Imran (3 for 39), Najeeb Ullah (2 for 49), Ashan Ullah (2 for 39)
CFU Reds (Batting): 157 all out in 28.4 overs
Mohammad Hasan 72 runs (73 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Jamal Uddin 17 runs (12 balls, 4X2, 6X1), Abdul Qudoos 16 runs (29 balls, 4X3)
CFU Blues (Bowling):
Mirwais Khan (4 for 25), Sher Khan (3 for 21), Tariq Safi (1 for 21)
Results: CFU Blues won the match by 62 runs
Man of the Match: Atif Oryakhail
Umpires: Mujeeb Ahsan & Raja Iftikhar
Official Scorer: Fazal-e-Azeem
SPORTS NEWS - National 02 Mar, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti awarded a cheque of rupees ten hundred thousand to Pakistan’s most celebrated wrestler Inam Butt, who won two back-to-back gold medals in Beach Wrestling World Series in Italy and Greece in September 2021, at National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday. Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan, Chief Sports Consultant SBP Hafeez Bhatti and other officials were also present on this occasion.
Talking on this occasion, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti appreciated the performance of ace wrestler Inam Butt saying that Inam once again made the entire nation proud by winning two consecutive gold medals in Beach Wrestling World Series in Italy and Greece last year. “Inam is our national hero and it’s our prime obligation to honour and encourage sports stars like him,” he added.
Punjab Minister for Sports Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said: “Sports Board Punjab has always encouraged talented stars like Inam Butt. Inam is a great son of country. We are proud of Inam Butt, who also had clinched medals in Commonwealth Games, Asian Beach Games and World Wrestling Championship during his illustrious career”.
Punjab Minister for Sports Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti urged the young athletes of the country to take inspiration from amazing achievements of Inam Butt. “Punjab government also extended every kind of cooperation to Pakistan’s special athlete Haider Ali and other players for their participation in Tokyo Olympic Games last year,” he added.
Wrestler Inam Butt, on this occasion, expressed his gratitude to Punjab Minister for Sports Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti and Sports Board Punjab for extending every kind of support to him for his preparation and participation in international wrestling competitions. “Sports Board Punjab, under the leadership of Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan, is taking effective measures for the promotion of sports in all parts of the province,” he added.
Quaid-e-Azam Open Polo Gold Cup: DP, Remounts, Newage register victories
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Diamond Paints, Remounts and Newage Cables/Master Paints have won their respective matches in the Tower 21 Quaid-e-Azam Open Polo Gold Cup 2022 here at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Wednesday.
Double hat-trick by Matias Vial Perez steered Diamond Paints to an impressive 9-6 triumph over Barry’s in the first match of the day. Besides the superb six goals by Matias, the remaining contribution from the winning side came from Guy Gibrat (2 goals) and Ahmed Ali Tiwana (1 goal). From team Barry’s, which also fought well against Diamond Paints but couldn’t finish well, Hamza Nawaz Khan fired in four goals and Horacio Fernandez Llorente scored two goals.
Both the teams started their campaign on a high note and thrashed in two goals each to finish the first chukker at 2-2. Barry’s played better polo in the second chukker and pumped in two goals against one by Diamond Paints to gain a slight 4-3 lead. Diamond Paints changed their game plan and started playing aggressive polo, which helped them hammer four goals against one by Barry’s to earn a 7-5 lead while they also dominated the fourth and last chukker by scoring two against one goal to win the action-packed match by 9-6.
Nico Roberts fired in fabulous four goals in Remount’s thrilling 8-7 victory over FG Polo Team in the second encounter of the day. Besides Nico’s heroics, the team work and collective efforts also guided Remounts to win as their remaining three players also contributed well in the victory. Mumtaz Abbas Niazi converted two tremendous goals while Imran Shahid and Simon Prado also pumped in one goal each. From FG Polo Team, collective efforts were also witnessed as three of their players Ramiro Zavaletta, Juan Ambroggio and Waqas Khan contributed with two goals each and Abbas Mukhtar scored one but their efforts couldn’t bear fruit for their team, which lost the match by 7-8.
Both the teams – Remounts and FG Polo – made a good start and converted two goals each to make it 2-2 by the end of the first chukker. They continued to play well and added one more goal in their tally to finish the second chukker at 3-3. Remounts turned the tables of the match in the third chukker, which they fully dominated by firing in superb four goals to earn a healthy 7-3 lead. FG Polo made a tremendous comeback in the fourth and last chukker and thrashed in three back-to-back goals to reduce the margin to 7-6. Remounts players also showed their class and struck a field goal to enhance their lead to 8-6. FG Polo once again started playing aggressively and converted one to make it 8-7 and launched a series of attacks on Remounts goal but failed to convert more , thus losing the crucial match by a close margin of 7-8.
The low-scoring third match of the day saw Gonzalo Deltour’s heroics helping Newage Cables/Master Paints beat Master Paints by 5-3. Deltour emerged as star of the day from the winning team with a contribution of four fantastic goals while Raja Temur Nadeem converted the remaining one. From Master Paints, Marcos Panelo slammed in all the three goals.
Newage Cables/Master Paints converted two goals against one goal by Master Paints to take a slight 2-1 lead in the first chukker. Master Paints smashed in an equalizer in the beginning of the second chukker to make it 2-2 but Newage Cables converted a 30-yard penalty successfully to get back 3-2 lead. The only goal of the third chukker was scored by Newage to enhance their lead to 4-2 while both the sides slammed one more goal in the fourth and last chukker with Newage Cables/Master Paints winning the encounter by 5-3.
Commentators for Benaud-Qadir Trophy announced
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI:-Some of the leading cricket commentators will call Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years, which will get underway at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on 4 March. In addition to the three-Test series, which will be played for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, the five-week tour also includes three ODIs and one T20I.
Rob Key of England, Australia’s Michael Kasprowicz and Pakistan trio of Bazid Khan, Urooj Mumtaz and Waqar Younis will commentate through the tour from 4 March to 5 April.
Simon Katich of Australia will only commentate on the Benaud-Qadir Trophy and like Kasprowicz, will be making his commentary debut in Pakistan. Sikander Bakht and Zainab Abbas will host the pre- and post-match shows along with Neroli Meadows, who will only be available for first two Test matches.
The High-Definition broadcast coverage includes 28 cameras, which along with buggy cam will embellish the viewing experience of the fans within and outside Pakistan. Hawk-Eye and Ultra Edge will be part of the Decision Review System (DRS) Technology.
Broadcast coverage of this much-anticipated series will be available through PTV (Pakistan), Etisalat (Middle-East and North Africa), Flow Sports (Caribbean), Sky NZ (New Zealand), Fox Sports (Australia), Sky Sports (United Kingdom), Sony (South Asia outside Pakistan), Super Sports (Sub-Saharan Africa), Willow TV (North America), ICC TV and Daraz (live streaming partner).
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