SB REPORT LAHORE (November 2, 2020):-Northern presented the National Under-19 One-Day Tournament title to Sindh on a silver platter when they lost their last nine wickets for 38 runs to lose the final by 53 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday. Chasing 243 runs in 50 overs for victory, Northern were cruising at 151 for one before they were mesmerised by wrist-spinner Aaliyan Mehmood to be spun out for 189 in 44.3 overs. Aaliyan Mehmood returned figures of 10-0-45-4 to not only pick up the player of the final award, but also finish the tournament as the third most successful bowler with 24 wickets, including four four-fers. He averaged 15.6, while his economy-rate remained at 3.69. Left-arm spinner Faisal Akram of Southern was the most successful bowler with 27 wickets, including two five-fers, while Mubasir Khan of Northern ended the tournament with 26 wickets at an average of 12.42, including two four-fers. Faisal was later declared best bowler of the tournament, while Mubasir for his 26 wickets and 332 runs was named player of the tournament. After Hassan Abid Kiyani departed early, Mohammad Shoaib Khan and Abdul Faseeh stitched up a 147-run second-wicket partnership to put Northern on course for a comfortable victory. But the dismissal of Shoaib Khan, who scored a 84-ball 71 with six fours, and Abdul Faseeh within a space of four runs opened all floodgates as Sindh bowlers got on top of Northern batsmen to run through the innings. Abdul Faseeh, who became one of the two Adeel Meo’s victims, scored 70 with five fours from 99 balls. The 17-year-old, who was adjudged best batsman of the tournament, finished the competition as the most impressive and consistent batsman with 524 runs, including a century and five half-centuries. Sindh’s Mubashir Nawaz was the second most successful batsman with 390 runs, followed up by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Maaz Sadaqat (363 runs). Besides Aaliyan, Zameer Shah took two for 26, Adeel Meo bagged two for 32 and Talha Ahsan snapped up two for 36. Earlier, and after being put into bat, Sindh were helped by wicketkeeper-batsman Ghazi Ghouri and Rizwan Mehmood to a respectable 242 for eight after they were in a spot on bother at 93 for four. Rizwan had held the top-order together with a quality 53 from 87 balls with six fours and a six, and later, Ghazi, in association with Kashif Ali (38 off 39 with five fours and a six), added 70 runs for the seventh wicket. Ghazi contributed 62 from 83 balls with seven fours. For Northern, Faizan Saleem and Mubasir Khan equally shared four wickets between them conceding 19 and 47 runs, respectively. The National U19 three-day Tournament will now commence on Thursday. In the first round action, Balochistan will take on Sindh at the LCCA, Lahore, Central Punjab will meet Southern Punjab at Rana Navedul Hasan Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura, and Northern will square off against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Lahore Country Club in Muridke. Scores in brief: Sindh beat Northern by 53 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium Sindh 242-8, 50 overs (Ghazi Ghouri 62, Rizwan Mehmood 53, Kashif Ali 38; Faizan Saleem 2-19, Mubasir Khan 2-47) Northern 189 all out, 44.3 overs (Mohammad Shoaib Khan 71, Abdul Faseeh 70; Aaliyan Mehmood 4-45, Zeeshan Zameer 2-26, Talha Ahsan 2-36, Adeel Meo 2-32) Player of the final – Aaliyan Mehmood (Sindh) Player of the Tournament – Mubasir Khan (Northern) Best Batsman – Abdul Faseeh (Northern) Best Bowler – Faisal Akram (Southern Punjab) Best wicketkeeper – Salman Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (November 2, 2020):-Chief Selector of national cricket team Misbah-ul-Haq on Monday announced 15 member squad for the third one day international against Zimbabwe, which will be played on Tuesday at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. It is pertinent to mention that Green Shirts have got the lead 2-0 in the three match rubber. Chief selector made three changes in the last squad and included Zafar Gohar, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Hussnain in place of three local guys Abid Ali, Imad Wasim and Haris Rauf. Names of players are as under: 1. Imam ul Haq 2. Fakhar Zaman 3. Haider Ali 4. Babar Azam- captain 5. Abdullah Shafiq 6. Mohammad Rizwan- wk 7. Iftikhar Ahmed 8. Khushdil Shah 9. Faheem Ashraf 10. Zafar Gohar 11. Usman Qadir 12. Wahab Riaz 13. Shaheen Shah Afridi 14. Mohammad Hasnain 15. Musa Khan

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (October 31, 2020):-The 52-year-old from Pakistan will achieve the mark on home soil when he officiates in his 210th ODI in Rawalpindi on Sunday. Aleem already holds the record in Tests and has officiated in a record 387 international matches Aleem Dar will surpass Rudi Koertzen’s record of most One Day Internationals as an umpire in the second match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe on Sunday, which will be his 210th ODI. The 52-year-old, who played first-class cricket in Pakistan for over a decade as an all-rounder before taking up umpiring, had also made his ODI debut in Pakistan, when he stood in a match against Sri Lanka in his hometown of Gujranwala in February 2000. Last year, Aleem passed his idol Steve Bucknor to the top of the Test umpires’ list. He holds the record of officiating in 132 Test matches and is second in the list of T20Is, only behind compatriot Ahsan Raza, with 46 T20Is. Aleem has officiated in 387 international matches so far, the most by any umpire. Aleem Dar: "It is a matter of great honour for me to be on the top of the list of both Tests and ODIs for umpires.  "When I had started out in the profession, I had never imagined I would get this far. I can only say that I have enjoyed every moment on the field and learning has been an ongoing process all this while. "I thank my family for standing by me over the years and am grateful to the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board for backing me and providing me with all the opportunities. I am also thankful to all my colleague match officials for their help and support." Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager Umpires and Referees: "Aleem has been a very consistent umpire over the years, and this is reflected in his 16 years on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. "We congratulate Aleem on the milestone, and wish him all the best for the upcoming game and series. We are sure many aspiring match officials look up to Aleem, and he will continue to inspire the next generation."

   ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (October 31, 2020):-Sajjad Shah has lifted Azadi-e-Kashmir Tenpin Bowling Championship 2020 while Ahmer Saldera and Danyial Shah got 2nd and 3rd position respectively at Leisure City Bowling Club, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi. Ozair Adeel Khan graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest and gave away the prizes to players. The champion pocketed Rs. 500 thousands. President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Ijaz ur Rehman,  Secretay General, Mohammad Hussain Chatha, Asian Boxing Champion, Usman Wazir, President, Sindh Tenpin Bowling Association, Aleem Agha and a large number of players and peoples were also present on the occasion. In the men singles event; Sajjad shah won the titles with 559 points while Ahmer Saldera got 2nd position with 515 points and Danyial Shah secured 3rd position with 511 points. Sajjad Shah collated  Rs. 50,000 while Rs. 25,000 received by Ahmer Saldera. In the men doubles event; Aleem and Ahmer bagged first position with 1176 points. Zafar and Faheem got 2nd position with 1139 points while Ijaz and Sakindar obtained 3rd position with 1072 points. In the Men team event; Ali Suria, Afzaal Akhtar, Danyial Shah and Sakindar got first position and Ahmer, Aleem Agha, Sajjad and Khawaja secured 2nd position while Faheem, Danyial, Zafar and Ijaz obtained 3rd position. Players from all over the country took-part in nine events categories of the Championship,  including singles masters, doubles, deaf, team, women, inter university, inter school, amateur and media.

By BIPIN DANI On Friday, Urooj Mumtaz became the first Pakistani woman commentator to officiate in men's ODI played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. The 35-year-old Urooj Mumtaz will share the mike with Alan Wilkins (England), Bazid Khan, Ramiz Raja, Wasim Akram (all Pakistanis) and Tino Mawoyo (Zimbabwe) in all three ODIs. "Cricket commentary had obviously been a men dominated platform but now we see all male commentators also sharing mike with Mel Jones, Isa Guha and we hear mix a lot",  Urooj, speaking exclusively hours before the match on Friday, said.     "Boundary is being crossed now and there's great potential for the female commentators and a huge opportunity to commentate with male commentators at the top level".  "Of course, it takes time and home work is paramount but it is an art and one can educate and learn with the passage of time", she further added.  Her first experience of doing commentary in the men's international match was against touring Bangladesh (second T-20I) earlier this year.   "I was slightly nervous but excited and also thought it is a great opportunity to work with the likes of Morrison, Slater and Ramiz Raja. It was a great learning experience in terms of achieving great heights", she said about her debut experience. Ian Bishop and Wilkins are her favorite male commentators. "They are absolutely brilliant with the knowledge of the game and I like the way they describe the proceedings to keep the audience busy". "Melony Jones is my favorite female commentator. She has a beautiful way of conveying the message and provides the realistic views of the game", she signed off. 

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI (October 30, 2020):-Captain Babar Azam has won the toss and decided to bat first in the 1st One Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Friday. Medium pacer bowler Haris Rauf was capped by the team management at his home town. Pakistan Team: Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (Captain), Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf Zimbabwe Team: Sikandar Raza Butt, Briar Chari, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tendai Chisoro, Craing Ervine, Wessly Madhevere, Carl Mumba, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (October 27, 2020):-A total of 107 Covid-19 tests, conducted on the players and player support personnel of Zimbabwe and Pakistan sides as well as the match officials, have returned negative. The tests were conducted on Monday as part of the PCB’s Covid-19 Protocols following the assembling of the two sides in Islamabad. All 107 participants have now entered the bio-secure bubble in a five-star luxury hotel and are now allowed to interact with each other and move freely within the bio-secure bubble. The two sides will train at the Pindi Cricket Stadium today from 1pm. The three-match series, which is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Super League, commences on Friday. The complete ODI and T20I series schedule is available below: 30 Oct – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi 1 Nov – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi 3 Nov – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi 7 Nov – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi 8 Nov – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi 10 Nov – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (October 26, 2020):-International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach received the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize on Monday. President Bach joined the ceremony virtually from Lausanne, with the award collected on his behalf by the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon. Presenting the award, Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation Chairman Yeom Jae-ho said: “IOC President Thomas Bach is a man who carries the mission of the Olympic spirit to achieve peace through sport; an example who truly lives what he teaches.” He went on: “President Bach has promoted friendship and harmony around the world. He has greatly contributed to resolving conflict and division in many regions through the practice of sport. In doing so, he has proven himself to be a great Olympic champion who dedicates himself to peace.” In particular, the Foundation highlighted three major achievements: - “Contributing to peace through sport in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia”, with the 2018 Winter Olympics “serving not only as an Olympic symbol of peace, but also as a stepping stone for peace”. - “President Bach has continuously supported refugees through the creation of the Refugee Olympic Team and the Olympic Refuge Foundation. He contributed to promoting the human rights of refugees by raising global awareness of refugee issues and renewing the world’s perspective on refuges.” - “President Bach led the internal reforms of the IOC through Olympic Agenda 2020. This roadmap also contributed to peace and cooperation among states.” In his acceptance speech, President Bach told the audience: “The purpose of the Olympic Games was always to promote peace through sport. When Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894, he was supported in this mission by the presence of six future winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.” He went on to say that, since then, the IOC had pursued this mission, but “like other peace movements, the Olympic Movement has sometimes fallen short. In our efforts to build a more peaceful world through sport, sometimes we have failed, and have been failed”. President Bach emphasised that, while sport can open the door to dialogue about peace, “we know very well that sport alone cannot create peace”. He added: “We cannot take decisions on war and peace. This is the realm of politics and not of sport.” The role of the Olympic Games, with regard to peace, is to “set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and one another. They can inspire us to solve problems in friendship and solidarity. They can build bridges leading to better understanding among people.” To achieve this universal message of peace, the IOC is promoting worldwide solidarity and inclusivity, and embraces diversity as an enrichment to society. Turning to the IOC Refugee Olympic Team and the Olympic Refuge Foundation, President Bach said: “The refugee athletes demonstrated to a global audience that we are all part of the same humanity. Their participation in the Olympic Games was a clear signal that refugees are our fellow human beings – that they are an enrichment to society just as they are an enrichment to our Olympic community.” On governance reforms, President Bach emphasised that “our ability to make a difference in the world rests on our credibility and integrity. For this reason, good governance is a central feature of Olympic Agenda 2020”. The Seoul Peace Prize comes with a USD 200,000 prize which the President will donate to the Olympic Refuge Foundation and three other social charities. The award has had a number of illustrious previous winners, including Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; Václav Havel, former Czech President; Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF); German Chancellor Angela Merkel; and Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. Speaking after the award, President Bach emphasised: “This prize belongs to the entire International Olympic Committee and all of the Olympic Movement. Without their tireless work and all the support of so many from all around the world, these achievements for peace through sport could never have been accomplished.” Congratulating President Bach, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Chung Sye-kyun, said: “President Bach played a fundamental role in transforming the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 into the Peace Olympics, putting them beyond all political tensions as a symbol of hope.” Collecting the award on behalf of President Bach, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, highlighted the creation of the first Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Rio 2016: “It was an unprecedented and monumental event in modern Olympic history. I still vividly remember the cheers as the Refugee Team entered the stadium. It was a truly inspiring moment.”

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (October 26, 2020):-Pakistan men’s national cricket team will begin their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League campaign from 30 October when they will host Zimbabwe in the first of the three ODIs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. The following is the two sides’ practice and match schedule in Rawalpindi till 3 November: Tuesday, 27 October: Both teams will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1pm (PST). Beforehand, both the sides will hold online press conferences. A member of the Pakistan team will be available at 11.15am (PST), while a Zimbabwe team player will be available at around 11.45am, (PST). Wednesday, 28 October: Both teams will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 4pm (PST) and have no media interactions planned. Thursday, 29 October: The two teams will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1pm. Beforehand, at around 12.30pm (PST) and 12.45pm (PST), opposite captains Chamu Chibhabha and Babar Azam will hold their respective online press conferences. Friday, 30 October: Toss for the first ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will take place at 11.30am (PST), while the first ball will be bowled at 12pm (PST). Afterwards, star performers from either side will hold virtual media conferences. Interest foreign and local media are advised to confirm their attendance to Darlington Majonga and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (03018440280), respectively, at least, two hours before the start of the sessions. Sunday, 1 November: Toss for the Second ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will take place at 11.30am, while the first ball will be bowled at 12pm. Afterwards, star performers from either side will hold virtual media conferences. Interest foreign and local media are advised to confirm their attendance to Darlington Majonga and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (03018440280), respectively, at least, two hours before the start of the sessions. Tuesday, 3 November: Toss for the third ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will take place at 11.30am, while the first ball will be bowled at 12pm. Afterwards, star performers from either side will hold virtual media conferences.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (October 26, 2020):-Alyia Bibi claimed the first position with 150 points in the Ladies Singles Event on the opening day of  Azadi-e- Kashmir Tenpin Bowling Tournament that started at Leisure City Bowling Club, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi. Sumera Khan got 2nd position with 147 points while Rehana spotted at third place d with 129 points. Mishal Malik, wife of Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Yaseen Malik was the chief guest at the opening ceremony and inaugurated the tournament. President, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation, Ijaz ur Rehman, secretary Mohammad Hussain Chattha, Chairman, Mark Group Pakistan, Dr. Mansoor Ahmed and President, Insaf Welfare, Habib Malik were also present on the occasion. Players from all over the country are participating in the tournament which includes nine events categories, singles masters, doubles, deaf, team, women, inter university, inter school, amateur and media. The semi finals and final of the championship would be played on October 29 and October 30, respectively. The concluding and prize distribution ceremony would be held on October 30 where trophies and certificates will be awarded to the players.