HAMMAD KAYANI KARACHI (February 17, 2021):-Peshawar Zalmi is one of the most loved franchises in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). They have been one of the four title-winners in the history of the tournament. Their journey in the HBL PSL has been a fairytale to say the least because of the style that they display on the field. Alongside Karachi Kings, Zalmi are the only side to have qualified for the play-offs in all five editions of the tournament. They won the tournament in 2017 and are likely to make a big splash in the 2021 edition as well. The franchise has had some of the most popular players to have featured for them in the four editions of the tournament that were played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The expat pathans would come to watch the ever-green Shahid Afridi and the two-time T20 World Cup winning West Indies captain Daren Sammy. Even in the last edition, Zalmi were the crowd favourites because of the pull they have with the quality of players in their line-up.  Afridi is now plying his trade with Multan Sultans, while Sammy is now in the role of a head coach, leaving speed merchant Wahab Riaz in charge as the leader of the franchise. The franchise also has the two most experienced T20 specialists in Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal featuring alongside Wahab. Kamran is the most successful run-getter in the HBL PSL history with 1,537 runs from 56 matches and has also struck three centuries – most in the tournament's history. But, his form in the 2020 edition left a lot to be desired as he scored just 251 runs in spite of striking a hundred in the league phase. Malik on the other hand struck three half-centuries in the 2020 event. To complement the experienced trio in Malik, Kamran and Riaz, is the young Haider Ali who is already marked as the generation's next star. Haider scored 239 runs in the last edition. Now having featured for Pakistan in international cricket, Haider is expected to make a big impact this season. The 2020 disappointment for Zalmi can be pinned on the foreign recruits’ less than positive returns. England’s Tom Banton was brought for his reputation in the T20 Blast with the county side Somerset, but he came a cropper on the slow pitches, managing just 74 in seven matches. The other English pair of Liam Livingstone and Liam Dawson were also not as successful as before in the previous editions of HBL PSL. Top-order Yorkshire batsman Tom-Kohler Cadmore has replaced Liam Livingstone who was drafted into England T20 side for the India tour. This year, Peshawar will have the big striking South African David Miller but only for the later stages of the tournament as he has some domestic cricket commitments. Another player to watch out will be Sherfane Rutherford of West Indies who is an excellent finisher. Fast-rising all-rounder Amad Butt, lanky Mohammad Irfan and experienced Umaid Asif will form the core of the pace attack led by Wahab, who is also the leading wicket-taker in the history of HBL PSL with 76 in 55 matches. English pacer Saqib Mahmood is the other vital cog in the fast bowling attack. In addition, the Zalmi franchises also have some exciting fast bowlers in Pakistan U19 star Mohammad Amir Khan, who stole the show with his pace at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020. Imran Randhawa with his swinging yorkers will also be in focus this season. However, the exit of Hasan Ali after five years will be the biggest gap that Zalmi have to somehow fill this time around. Peshawar’s spin attack will be helmed by Afghanistan’s magical spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman, who has earned the reputation in various leagues around the world. Young mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed will also be hungry to take wickets after featuring briefly for Karachi Kings in an earlier HBL PSL season. Squad: Wahab Riaz (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Amad Butt, David Miller, Haider Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Mohammad Irfan Senior, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ravi Bopara, Saqib Mahmood, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Tom-Kohler Cadmore and Umaid Asif

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 17, 2021):-Some of the most popular cricket commentators will be commentating at this year’s HBL Pakistan Super League. The commentary panel for the month-long event that starts at the National Stadium Karachi on Saturday, 20 February, was unveiled today. Pakistani commentators synonymous with the league including Bazid Khan, Ramiz Raja, Sana Mir and Urooj Mumtaz will be doing bi-lingual commentary while renowned Urdu commentator Tariq Saeed and Sikandar Bakht will be part of the panel as Urdu commentators. A panel of world-class foreign commentators including David Gower, Simon Doull, Pommie Mbangwa, JP Duminy, Danny Morrison, Dominic Cork, and Alan Wilkins will complement their Pakistani counterparts in the T20 cricket extravaganza which has become one of the most popular yearly tournaments in the cricket calendar.  New Zealand’s former fast bowler and star commentator Simon Doull will be part of the HBL PSL commentary panel for the first time along with former South African all-rounder JP Duminy, who will join the commentary box for the second leg in Lahore. Pommie Mbangwa is another fresh entrant in the HBL PSL commentary box this year and he will be joining the commentary team in Lahore. Alan Wilkins, who has been one of the most popular HBL PSL voices, will be calling the tournament along with former England fast bowler Dominic Cork. Former England captain David Gower will also be part of the HBL PSL 6 commentary panel for the first time, joining the star-studded commentary roster for the Karachi leg of HBL PSL 6. Another popular HBL PSL voice, New Zealand’s former fast bowler Danny Morrison will be commentating in the 20-match Karachi-leg that runs from 20 February to Sunday 7 March. Tournament to be produced in Full HD mode: The consortium of Blitz Advertising/Transgroup & NEP will be responsible for providing the TV Production Services for the HBL PSL 6. The HBL PSL 6 will be produced with a 30 + camera setup, the production will be Full HD, while the majority of the lenses will be 4K for extra sharpness of the pictures. The setup includes super slow motion cameras, ultra-motion, Spidercam with ‘Parvàz’, Hawkeye with all DRS enhancements, Buggy-cam with player interview capability and drone camera among others. The coverage will be adorned with bespoke on air graphics and packaging designed specifically for the season, along with provision of in-depth analysis and statistics. Fans will be able to enjoy wrap-around programming in the form of special pre and post-match studio coverage as well as a special weekly magazine show called HBL PSL Kahaniayan. Babar Hamid, Director Commercial PCB: “We have worked very hard to improve our production standards and I am pleased to note that we have the consortium of NEP, Blitz and Trans Group working on this production for HBL PSL 6. “I am also very pleased to welcome a star roster of commentators to HBL PSL once again. This year, we have focused on ensuring that we maintain the right mix between our established HBL PSL voices and new voices that will bring a fresh perspective to our coverage.” Rao Omar Hashim Khan, Group Director Trans Group: “Let me first congratulate PCB and our entire production team of NEP, Blitz and Trans Group consortium for the successful tour of South Africa to Pakistan.  HBL Pakistan Super League is one of the leading leagues world wide and is a strong brand at home. “Our entire team is excited to bring this production to the HBL PSL. I am sure audiences will enjoy spectacular games with state of the art production facilities.” Saeed Izadi, President NEP Singapore: “With the successful execution of South Africa tour of Pakistan and the exciting series finale of the last T20, like our partners in the consortium we are eagerly looking forward to the start of HBL Pakistan Super League 6.  It takes a great team to deliver the best quality production and we are thrilled to be part of such a great team. “We will be providing state of the art equipment and we aim to capture not only iconic moments, but every ball and the emotion of each player. That will be an enabler for the great commentators working on this season to bring every bit of the story to the fans. We are prepared for our contribution to make HBL PSL 6 more memorable.” Ahsen Idris, Chief Executive Officer, Blitz Advertising (Pvt.) Limited: “After successfully managing the Pakistan South Africa series, the NEP, Blitz and Trans Group Consortium is keenly looking forward to undertake the production broadcast for HBL Pakistan Super League 6. “The consortium partners are putting in their best efforts to further raise the bar for HBL PSL as being one of the biggest leagues in the international circuit by using latest technologies, a well-experienced crew, extensive camera coverage and a sleek studio show; all aimed at giving the viewers an exhilarating match viewing experience.”

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 15, 2021):-The Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani congratulated the Pakistan national cricket team on victories in the Test and T20I series over South Africa. In the Karachi Test, Babar Azam’s men recovered from 27 for four in the first innings to win by seven wickets, while they took seven wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs with the second new ball in South Africa’s second innings to register a 95-run victory in the Rawalpindi Test. Mohammad Rizwan became the second Pakistan batsman to hit a T20I century in his side’s three-run victory in the first match, which was followed by South Africa’s six wickets win. In the series finale, Pakistan won by four wickets. Consequently, following their first Test series win over South Africa in 18 years, Pakistan moved up two places to fifth in the ICC Test Team Rankings, the team’s highest ranking since January 2017. They have also gained two points to reduce the gap with third-ranked India to seven points on the ICC T20I Team Rankings. Victory in the Test series also provided Babar with a winning start to his captaincy tenure, whilst ensuring that Misbah-ul-Haq remained unbeaten in 12 home Test series, whether as a captain or coach. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “I congratulate each and every member of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team and the support staff for their excellent victories in both the Test and T20Is series over South Africa. The manner in which the side bounced back following a disappointing series in New Zealand is admirable and reflects their real character, grit and potential. “The success of the team was due to collective and all-round effort which invariably produces positive and strong results. The performances have elated the fans, which is an endorsement of the type and brand of cricket they want to see and witness from their stars, both inside and outside Pakistan. “I am pleased the side not only demonstrated that they were capable of playing quality cricket but of doing so with consistency, something that had been eluding them recently. I remain optimistic that these victories will prove to act as a catalyst for future winning performances and the side will continue to play with a controlled and calculated aggression so that Pakistan can reclaim its status as one of the fiercest, respected and leading cricket playing nations. “Amidst a number of outstanding standalone performances, I was particularly pleased with the way Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali performed. While Rizwan won the hearts of the cricket fans with his performances across the longest and shortest formats of the game, Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali performances highlighted the value and importance of merit-based and quality-oriented domestic cricket. “I am confident that this new structure will continue to produce more exciting and talented cricketers over the next couple of years, which, in turn, will further help narrow the gap between the quality of domestic and international cricket as well as Pakistan and the other leading cricket playing nations. “I want to register my appreciation for the PCB management, which delivered an excellent series in these challenging and difficult times. From team logistics to cricket playing facilities, from creating a safe and secure environment to unprecedented broadcast, digital and media coverage, everything was meticulous. The flawless and smooth operations, which would not have been possible without the support of the federal and local governments as well as the security agencies, have contributed greatly in enhancing the PCB’s reputation as a credible, world-class and high-performing cricket board. “Lastly, I want to thank and congratulate South Africa for visiting Pakistan and playing competitive cricket. I am confident they will return with happy memories and will not hesitate in sharing their experiences with fellow cricketers. We look forward to welcoming these cricket ambassadors again, be it during the HBL Pakistan Super League or a future bilateral series.”

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 15, 2021):-A total of five foreign players’ replacements have been made in the HBL Pakistan Super League teams that will take the field for the HBL PSL 6 at the National Stadium Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium Lahore from Saturday 20 February. The teams made replacement picks for the players who have either become fully or partially unavailable due to international cricket commitments. South Africa star Faf du Plessis who represented Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL PSL 2020 play-offs last November makes a return to the league as a partial replacement player in the Quetta Gladiators outfit in place of West Indian Chris Gayle. Australia leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed who has represented Gladiators in the earlier HBL PSL seasons replaces New Zealand batsman Colin Munro in the Islamabad United squad. Munro would be unavailable for United due to the prevailing Covid-19 related managed isolation space challenges in New Zealand. United have also included USA fast bowler Ali Khan as a replacement for England’s Reece Topley who has been included in England’s T20I squad on their ongoing tour of India. Ireland batsman Paul Stirling is the third replacement in the United squad in place of England fast bowler Chris Jordan who has also been included in the T20I squad for the series against India.  England batsman Tom-Kohler Cadmore who represented Gladiators in the 2018 season will replace compatriot Liam Livingstone in the Zalmi squad with Livingstone also set to be part of England's T20I team in India.  

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 10, 2021):-The Pakistan Open Tenpin Bowling Championship will  start from March 23, 2011 at Leisure City Bowling Club, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi. According to President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Ijaz ur Rehman, the top national players from all over the country will participate in the eight events categories, comprises, Singles Masters, Doubles, Deaf, Team, Women, Inter University, Inter School, and Amateur. He said that registration would be opened and every players can registered their names on lines by March 20, at 4 p.m. The draws of the tournament would be taken place on March 22 at the championship venue. He said that the semi finals and finals would be played on March 29 and March 30, respectively. The concluding and prizes ceremony will be held on March 30, at 6 pm. Trophies and certificates will be delivered to the players. To seek further information, they should contact to the Secretary General, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Mohammad Hussain Chattha.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (February 5, 2021):-Pakistani right-arm pacer, Hasan Ali’s back-to-back two strikes gave a new turn to Pindi Test on Friday, as the visitors were 106 for 4 runs on the conclusion of second day game.  Earlier Pakistan finished their innings on 272 and 166 runs ahead from Proteases. On Friday, Pakistan duo meddle order batsmen captain Babar Azam and Fawad Alam resuming their innings at 145 for three at 9:45 am. Babar could not add a solitary score in the last night total 77, however, Fawad added only runs twice singles and ran-out on 45, unfortunately. Earlier, Nortje made the first breakthrough when he had Babar Azam caught at second slip with the second ball of the day. Azam looked to cut a length ball but got a thick outside edge and Faf du Plessis took the chance at head height. This was the second time Azam had been dismissed without adding to his overnight score in Rawalpindi - he was on 143 against Bangladesh last February when the same thing had happened, and it was also the first time in three Test innings at this venue that the Pakistan captain had not scored a century. But Azam was not the victim of the most spectacular piece of fielding in the morning session. That was the fate of Fawad Alam, who added three to his first-day 42 before being run-out at the non-striker's end by a direct hit from Temba Bavuma. Fawad nudged a Kagiso Rabada delivery to the off side, where Bavuma swooped in from point, picked up and threw in one motion and beat Alam's dive in a scene reminiscent of his run-out of David Warner in 2016. Alam could only nod his head in appreciation of Bavuma's efforts and walk off. South Africa would have hoped to get rid of Ashraf fairly soon after that and called for a review when he missed a paddle sweep against Maharaj on 15. Replays showed the ball would have missed off stump and Ashraf survived. He saw off the second new ball, even after Mohammad Rizwan was bounced out by a fired-up Nortje and Maharaj, given the ball when it was less than five overs old, had Hasan caught at slip. Ashraf was confident on the drive and the pull and was particularly severe on Kagiso Rabada, taking 30 runs off 32 balls he faced from him. Rabada finished wicketless and appeared down on pace and Ashraf reached his fifty off him with a gorgeous drive down the ground. With Yasir Shah at the other end, Pakistan would have had 300-plus in their sights, especially after they got through the opening spells with the second new ball. But shah offered Wiaan Mulder a catch in his follow through, which he took low down, to open up the tail. Nauman Ali's defences appeared solid until Nortje turned up the chin music and aimed one at the grille. Nauman threw his hands up in defence and was caught at short leg. Two balls later, Shaheen Shah Afridi gloved a bumper to silly point to give Nortje his five-for and the South African openers an opportunity to bat before tea. With minutes to go, Elgar and van der Dussen were dismissed, leaving the match interestingly poised ahead of the final session.

SPORTS REPORT PESHAWAR (February 5, 2021):-Top national badminton players Murad Ali defeated Raja Mohammad Hasnain in straight games 2-0 in the quarterfinal of the ongoing 53rd National Badminton Championship 2021 at Charsadda on Friday. On the occasion Mohammad Shoaib Khan DPO Chrsadda was the chief guest. Wajid Ali Chaudhry presented the shield to the chief guest and thanked him for visiting the venue and boosted the morale of the players. He also appreciates the effort of DPO for providing the full proof security of the venue and players. Results: Men Singles (Quarterfinals): Murad Ali (NBP) beat Raja Mohammad Hasnian (NBP) by 21-15, 21-10 Irfan Saeed (Wapda) beat Muqeet Tahir (SNGPL) by 21-15, 21-12 Mohammad Ali Larosh (Wapda) beat Hashir Bashir (Wapa) by 21-18, 21-15 Anjum Bashir (NBP) beat Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) by 21-16, 21-18 Women Singles (Quarterfinals): Mahoor Shahzad (Wapda) beat Zubaira Islam (SNGPL) by 21-6, 21-9 Palwasha Bashir (NBP) beat Bushra Qayyum (Wapda) by 21-10, 21-15 Alja Tariq (Balochistan) beat Ammarah Ishtiaq (Sindh) BY 21-6, 21-13 Ghazala Siddiqui (Wapda) beat Mehwish Khan (Army) BY 21-18, 21-6 Men Doubles (Pre Quarterfinals): Ammar Masood (RLY) & Muteeb Sohail (KRL) beat Khalil Ur Rehman & Fazal Ur Rehman (RLY) by 21-18, 21-12 Raja Hasnain (NBP) & Raja Zulqarnain (Wapda) beat Ahmad Tariq (SNGPL) & Faizan Ahmad (Wapda) by 21-11, 21-12 Muqeet Tahir (SNGPL) & Kashif Sulehri (NBP) beat Abuzar Rashid (HEC) & Umer Zeshan (Wapda) by 21-16, 21-13 Hashir Bashir (Wapda) & Murad Ali (NBP) beat Ali Chishti (ISB) & Shujaat Ali Khan (Wapda) by 21-15, 21-17 Waqas Ahmad & Shoaib Riaz (Wapda) beat Mohammad Noman (SNGPL) & Amir Saeed (Wapda) by 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 Awais Zahid (Wapda) & Murad Ali (NBP) beat Shahmir Iftikhar (SNGPL) & Ali Nawab Dil (Wapda) by 22-20, 21-17 Irfan Saeed & Azeem Sarwar (Wapda) beat Shabbar Hussain & Adnan Aziz (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-16 Anjum Bashir (NBP) & Yasir Ali (HEC) beat Zunnain Javed & Atiq Ch. (Wapda) by 21-17, 21-14

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (February 5, 2021):- Sam Kydd Baumgartner paring with Birtan Duran have won the Boys Doubles title of PTF President ITF World J5 Junior Tennis Championship after beating their opponents Dmitry Dolzhenkov and Artiom Dorofeev 2-0 in single sided final at PTF Tennis Complex on Friday. Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, Deputy Mayor Islamabad, visited PTF Complex along with Mansoor Ahmed DDG PSB to witness some of the matches, and he was extremely happy with the arrangements and organization of the events. He also paid compliments to President PTF and his team in ensuring that so many foreign players have decided to come to Islamabad. Results: Boy’s Doubles (Final): Sam Kydd Baumgartner (SUI) / Birtan Duran (TUR) beat Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) / Artiom Dorofeev (FRA) 6-4, 6-2 Girl’s Doubles (Final): Iman Khan (GBR) / Alaia Rubio Perez (GBR) beat Mariia Masiianskaia (RUS) / Margarita Okhendovskaya (UKR) 4-6, 6-4 [11-9] Boys Singles (Semi-Finals): Sam Kydd Baumgartner (SUI) beat  Andrey Kozlov (RUS) 6-2, 6-2 Birtan Duran (TUR) beat Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) 7-5, 6-3 Girls Singles (Semi-Finals): Iman Khan (GBR) beat Maria Pukhina (RUS) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Mariia Masiianskaia (RUS) beat Ines Faltinger (AUT) 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-2

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (February 5, 2021):-Federal Minister for Railway Azam Khan Swati appreciated the organizers for holding the first Kashmir Premier League (KPL) next month and termed it a massive step to highlight the Kashmir issue through cricket in all over the world. While talking to Arshad Khan Tenoli, Chairman Mazaffarabad   Tigers, in his office, minister hoped that Mazaffarabad Tigers team would play positive cricket and perform well in the whole competition. “KPL will give an acknowledgement to Kashmiri people in all over the world that will also help to highlight Kashmir issue in other parts of the world, “he added.  

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (February 4, 2021):-Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) overcame Carl Holder (FRA) in the first quarterfinal of the ongoing ITF World Juniors Tennis Championship at PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad on Thursday. Both sets ended on tie-break. In another game, Iman Khan (UK) ousted Arina Arifullina (RUS) in an exciting match with the score-line of 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Results: Boys Singles (Quarter-Finals): Dmitry Dolzhenkov (RUS) bt Carl Holder (FRA) 7-5, 7-5 Andrey Kozlov (RUS) bt Siddhartha Lama (USA) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 Birtan Duran (TUR) bt Yakup Uzunel (DEN) 6-1, 6-1 Sam Kydd Baumgartner (SUI) bt Artiom Dorofeev (FRA) 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 Girls Singles (Quarter-Finals): Maria Pukhina (RUS) bt Avrora Volkova (RUS) 6-3,6-1 Lidia Laskova (RUS) bt Ines Faltinger (AUT) 6-0, 6-1 Iman Khan (GBR) bt Arina Arifullina (RUS) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 Mariia Masiianskaia (RUS) bt Alaia Rubio Perez (GBR) 6-3, 6-2 Girls Doubles (Semi-Finals):    Iman Khan (GBR) / Alaia Rubio Perez (GBR) W/O Tamara Ermakova (RUS) / Maria Pukhina (RUS)