SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (November 14, 2020):-The PSF-Punjab Satellite Squash Tournament 2020 started on Saturday, as top local guys have won their matches and moved into next round at Punjab Squash Complex. Farhan Hashmi had to work hard in the court to overcome Mohammad Farhan 3-1. Results (Round-1): Ammad Fareed (PAK) beat Faizan Khan (PAK) score 13/11, 11/6, 11/2 (25 mins). Noor Zaman (PAK) beat Mohammmad Abdul Qadir (PAK) score 11/9, 11/7, 11/3 (21 mins). Nasir Iqbal (PAK) beat Muhammad Uzair (PAK) score 11/2, 11/2, 11/2 (12 mins). Zahir Shah (PAK) beat Salman Saleem (PAK) score 11/6, 11/5, 6/11, 14/12 (28 mins). Mohammad Hassaan Raza (PAK) beat Naveed Rahmen (PAK) score 10/12, 11/7, 11/3, 11/4 (30 mins). Saeed Abdul (PAK) beat Mian Abdul Mughni (PAK) score 11/5, 11/2, 11/2 (13 mins). Mohammad Farhan Hashmi (PAK) beat Mohammad Farhan (PAK) score 12/10, 5/11, 11/5, 15/13 (36 mins). Israr Ahmad (PAK) beat Zeeshan Zeb (PAK) score 11/4, 11/3, 11/4 (18 mins). Sunday’s Fixtures: Ammad Fareed (PAK) vs Noor Zaman (PAK) 1:00 pm Nasir Iqbal (PAK) vs Zahir Shah (PAK) 1:45am Mohammad Hassaan Raza (PAK) vs Saeed Abdul (PAK) 2:30 pm M0hammad Farhan Hashmi (PAK) Israr Ahmad (PAK) 3:15 pm

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (November 14, 2020):-Pakistan Navy thrashed Pakistan Police 7-1 in the second match of the day seven of the 66th National Hockey Championship 2020 at Ayub Park Hockey Ground Rawalpindi on Saturday. Ali Sher, Mohammad Imad and Mohammad Sowair scored each two goals for the Pakistan Navy while Mohammad Haris scored single goal. Results (Day-7): Game-1: Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) beat Port Qasim Authority (PQA) 4-2 MPCL: Mohammad Umair (1), Mohammad Wasim (1), Owais Ahmed (1), Mohammad Arbaz (1) PQA: Mohammad Abu Zar (1), Mohammad Taha (1)    Game-2: Pakistan Navy beat Pakistan Police 7-1 Navy: Ali Sher (2), Mohammad Imad (2), Mohammad Sowair (2), Mohammad Haris (1) Police: Mohsin Khan (1) Game-3: Pakistan WAPDA beat Pakistan Air Force (POA) 1-0 WAPDA: Salam Razzak Game-4: Punjab beat Pakistan Army 3-2 Punjab: Owais-ur-Rehman (2), Hanan Ahmed (1) Army: Ali Haider (1), Mohammad Afzal (1) Game-5: National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) vs SSGPL (0-0)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (November 12, 2020):-Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) overpowered 7-1 in the 66th National Hockey Championship 2020 at Ayub Park Hockey Ground Rawalpindi on Thursday. Results (Day-6): Game-1: Ports Qasim beat Pakistan Police 4-1 Ports Qasim: Sami Khan (1), Abu Zar (1), Hammad (1), Taha Khan (1) Police: Mohsin Shah Game-2: SSGCL beat Pakistan Air Force 7-1 Mubasher Ali (5), Ahmed Nadeem (1), Ali Sher (1) PAF: Rizwan Ali (1) Game-3: Pakistan WAPDA beat Mari Petroleum 3-1 WAPDA: Mohammad Ejaz (1), Aleem Bilal (1), Aleem Usman (1) Mari Petroleum; Tanzeem-ul-Hasan (1) Game-4: NBP beat Pakistan Army 4-2 NBP: Arsalan Qadair (2), Bilal Qadir (1), Aamir Ali (1) Army: Wasim Khan (1), Farhan Ahmed (1) Game-5: Pakistan Navy beat Punjab 3-1 Navy: Nauman (1), Mohammad Akbar (1), Hammad Khan (1) Punjab: Zain (1)

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (November 12, 2020):-The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed the appointment of former captain Younis Khan as batting coach of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team until, at least, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, which is scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November with the final on 13 November. Younis had earlier accompanied Pakistan to England this summer and will now continue with his responsibilities for the upcoming series in New Zealand for which the side departs on 23 November. When not traveling with the national side, Younis will be based at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance in Karachi as a batting coach. A work programme will be developed with the National High Performance team. Younis, scored 10,099 runs at over 52 in 118 Tests; 7,249 runs in 265 ODIs and 442 runs in 25 T20Is. He has scored most Test centuries for Pakistan, 34, while his career-best 313 against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2009 lifted him to No.1 position in the ICC rankings. Younis also captained Pakistan to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 victory in England. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “I am delighted that Younis will now be with for, at least, the next two years as our batting coach. The feedback we received about Younis’ impact in a short period of time in England was excellent. His work ethics, commitment and knowledge are second to none, and I am confident that his appointment will benefit a number of talented batsmen who have either recently broken into the national side or are knocking on the door of international cricket. “The PCB will also be utilising Younis Khan’s expertise and skills when he’s not on national duty as he will help local batsmen hone their skills. This is part of the PCB’s strategy to appoint highly-qualified and respected coaches across all major centres of the country so that we can start producing cricketers who can represent Pakistan with distinction. “This High Performance Centre element follows the recruitment of Mohammed Yousuf, who is based at the National High Performance Centre, meaning that the PCB has two of the very best contemporary ex-batters adding significant value and fulfilling important roles with developing and guiding the current and the future generation of Pakistan batsmen.” Younis Khan: “I am pleased to join the Pakistan cricket set-up on a long-term basis. I felt honoured when I was given the opportunity this summer and thoroughly enjoyed my time, and I now look forward to continuing the work with the same group of people on an important tour of New Zealand. “I am particularly happy that my scope of work has been extended beyond the national duties. I am equally interested and keen at working at the domestic level by identifying potential batsmen and then helping them improve their skills. “However, I want to remind all fans and followers that there is a process to achieve excellence and while some improvements can be noticed quickly, this will require lots of hard work, perseverance and patience before the required skills are embedded and start producing consistent results.” Meanwhile, the PCB has also appointed former Test spinner Arshad Khan as Pakistan women’s national cricket team’s bowling coach for one year. Arshad played nine Tests and 58 ODIs, taking 32 and 56 wickets, respectively. Arshad’s appointment has come within a month after former Bermuda and Glamorgan captain David Hemp was appointed head coach of the national side. Arshad will take up his role following the remaining four HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, where he is involved with Peshawar Zalmi and along with David, will be involved in the Women’s National T20 Championship. Arshad Khan: “This is an excellent opportunity to be working with women cricketers alongside David Hemp as we aim to collectively lift our national team in the upper half of the women’s draw. “When I look around at a big number of former international cricketers involved in the present set-up, it motivates me to not only prove my worth but also justify the faith imposed on me. “I now keenly look forward to looking at the available pool of women cricketers in the Women’s National T20 Championship and will then work on a strategy with David on how we move forward. This will be a demanding assignment and I am up for the challenge.” Players Support Personnel for Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand: Pakistan men’s national team – Mansoor Rana (Manager), Misbah-Ul-Haq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant coach), Waqar Younis (bowling coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Ibrahim Badees (team and social media manager), Malang Ali (team masseur), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Talha Ejaz Butt (analyst), Col (retd) Usman Anwari (security manager) and Yasir Malik (strength & training coach), Shaheens - Ijaz Ahmed (manager and head coach), Mohtashim Rashid (assistant manager & fielding coach), Rao Iftikhar (bowling coach), Hafiz Naeem (physiotherapist), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Usman Hashmi (analyst) and Mohammad Imran Ali (masseur)

By BIPIN DANI Barring Mahela Jaywardene, IPL's all Sri Lankan players and support staff (men and women) who participated in the recently concluded IPL (Indian Premier League) in the UAE missed watching the final.    "We could not watch the men's final", former women's team captain Shashikala Jayawardene, confirmed over the telephone from her hotel room in Colombo on Thursday morning.  "Myself, Chamari Atapattu, Isuru Udana, Muthiah Muralitharan and Mario Villavarayan came in the same Emirates flight on Wednesday early morning",  Both women players played the Women's T-20 Challenge, Isuru played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Murali and Mario were part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad teams as bowling consultant and the physical trainer respectively.     "We were in the night flight at the time when the final was underway (on November 10) . There was no flight on 11th and therefore had to leave without watching the final", she added.     All of them, (and may be Mahela Jayawardene, the Mumbai Indians coach, who may have arrived on Wednesday) are on a 14-day quarantine.  Sharing her experience of playing in the tournament, Shashikala says, "Our team (Supernovas) had a spark in them because Harman is a very positive, brave and strong character which affects us in a positive way. I really enjoyed being with a great bunch of cricketers".  "Coach Mamatha Maben was very supportive as well as the manager Trupti Madam and the support staff. So, I would like to thank BCCI for having such a wonderful event under these circumstances. Overall, we are happy that we played some good cricket after being away from cricket for 7 to 8 months due to this corona pandemic", she signed off. 

SPORTS REPORT KARACHI (November 12, 2020):-Aleem Dar, who holds the record for officiating the most number of Tests and ODIs, and Michael Gough will take the field as on-field umpires at a floodlit National Stadium for the final of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020. Members of ICC International Panel of Umpires Ahsan Raza, who became the first match official to reach the milestone of 50 T20Is as an on-field umpire, and Rashid Riaz will take the responsibilities of the third umpire and the fourth umpire, respectively. Match referee Mohammad Anees, member of PCB’s Elite Panel for Match Referees, will lead the playing control team for the much-anticipated contest. Aleem, who holds the distinction of officiating the most number of HBL PSL matches (42), will be in action as on-field umpire in the Eliminator 1 and Eliminator 2 on 14 and 15 November. For Eliminator 1 between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi, he will be joined by Shozab Raza, with Ahsan as the third umpire and Faisal Khan Afridi as the fourth umpire in a team that will be led by match referee Prof. Javed Malik. Before the final, Aleem and Michael Gough, the members of ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will perform the on-field duties together in Eliminator 2, which will be contested between the losing team from the Qualifier and winning team of the Eliminator 1. Match referee Mohammad Anees will lead the playing control team in a match which will have Shozab Raza as third and Asif Yaqoob as fourth umpire. For the Qualifier on 14 November between the top two teams at the table – Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings - Michael Gough, who has officiated as an on-field umpire in 95 internationals, and Rashid Riaz will be the on-field umpires with Asif Yaqoob and Nasir Hussain as the third and fourth umpires. Match referee Mohammad Anees will lead them. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board also announced the technical committee for the playoffs. The six-member committee will be led by PCB chief executive Wasim Khan and have Bazid Khan, Dr Riaz Ahmed, Marina Iqbal, Nadeem Khan and Sameer Khosa as members. HBL PSL 2020 playoffs schedule (all matches at National Stadium, Karachi): 14 Nov – Qualifier (Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings) – Michael Gough and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Nasir Hussain (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee). Eliminator 1 (Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi) – Aleem Dar and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Prof Javed Malik (match referee) 15 Nov – Eliminator 2 (Losing team Qualifier v Winning team Eliminator 1) – Aleem Dar and Michael Gough (on-field umpires), Shozab Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee) 17 Nov – Final (Winner Qualifier v Winner Eliminator 2) – Aleem Dar and Michael Gough (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (November 11, 2020):-Pakistan WAPDA defeated Pakistan Army 4-3 in the 66th National Hockey Championship 2020 at Ayub Park Hockey Ground Rawalpindi on Wednesday. Aleem Bilal scored two goals for the winners. Results (Day-5): Game-1: Pakistan WAPDA beat Pakistan Army 4-3 WAPDA: Aleem Bilal (2), Aleem Usman (1), Tasawar Abbas (1) Pakistan Army: Waseem Akram (1), Mohammad Farhan (1), Ali Haider (1) Game-2: National Bank of Pakistan beat Port Qasim 8-1 NBP: Arsalan Qadir (2), Bilal Qadir (2), Mohammad Dilbar (1), Shan irshad (1), Mohammad Faizan (1), Mohammad Abu Bakar (1) Port Qasim: Mohammad Sami (1) Game-3: SSGCL beat Pakistan Navy 4-0 Mubasir Ali (2), Ahmed Nadeem (1), Ghazanfar Ali (1) Game-4: Mari Petroleum Company Limited beat Pakistan Police 6-1 MPCL: Arbaz Ahmed (3), Abdul Rehman (2), Umair Sattar (1) Police: Umair (1) Game-5: Pakistan Air Force beat Punjab 3-0 PAF: Abdul Rehman (2), Numan Khan (1)

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (November 11, 2020):-Pakistan today announced a 35-player squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand from which the national men’s and Shaheens squads will be selected. The players, along with 20-member players support personnel, will depart for Lincoln on 23 November where they will spend the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. While the Shaheens schedule is yet to be confirmed by New Zealand Cricket, Pakistan men’s national team will play three T20Is on 18, 20 and 22 December, and the ICC World Test Championship fixtures will be held in Mount Maunganui and Christchurch on 26-30 December and 3-7 January, respectively. Apart from the 35 players involved in pre-series intra-squad matches as part of their preparations, Pakistan men’s national team players not involved in international matches against New Zealand will be available for selection for the Shaheens’ matches against New Zealand A. This means Test players not involved in the T20Is in the first half of the series against New Zealand will be available for selection for Shaheens, who are expected to be playing four-day matches against New Zealand A during that period. Likewise, when the national side is involved in the ICC World Test Championship matches against New Zealand, national men’s team players not part of those matches will be available for selection for the Shaheens, who are expected to be involved in 20-over games against New Zealand A during those days. While selecting the squads, chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq consulted the six Cricket Association head coaches, Shaheens head coach Ijaz Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq, head of international player development. Babar Azam has been confirmed Pakistan captain in all formats. His vice-captain in Tests will be Mohammad Rizwan, while Shadab will be the vice-captain in T20Is. The PCB has also appointed Rohail Nazir as Shaheens’ captain with Haider Ali as his vice-captain. The two had performed these responsibilities at this year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa earlier this year. 35-player squad is: Openers (six): Abid Ali (Central Punjab/Lahore Qalandars), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan/Peshawar Zalmi), Shan Masood (Soutern Punjab/Multan Sultans) and Zeeshan Malik (Northern) Middle-order batsmen (11): Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab/Karachi Kings), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Danish Aziz (Sindh), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haider Ali (Shaheens vice-captain, Northern/Peshawar Zalmi), Haris Sohail (Balochistan), Hussain Talat (Southern Punjab/Islamabad United), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Karachi Kings), Imran Butt (Balochistan), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab/Multan Sultans) and Mohammad Hafeez (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Peshawar Zalmi) Wicketkeepers (three): Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain, Tests) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Karachi Kings), Rohail Nazir (Shaheens captain, Northern/Multan Sultans) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh/Quetta Gladiators) Spinners (five): Imad Wasim (Northern/Karachi Kings), Shadab Khan (vice-captain, T20Is) (Northern/Islamabad United), Usman Qadir (Central Punjab/Multan Sultans), Yasir Shah (Balochistan/Peshawar Zalmi) and Zafar Gohar (Central Punjab/Islamabad United) Fast bowlers (10): Amad Butt (Balochistan/Islamabad United), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab/Islamabad United), Haris Rauf (Northern/Lahore Qalandars), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab/Multan Sultans), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh/Quetta Gladiators), Mohammad Musa (Northern/Islamabad United), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab/Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Lahore Qalandars), Sohail Khan (Sindh/Quetta Gladiators) and Wahab Riaz (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Peshawar Zalmi) Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq: “These unprecedented Covid-19 times provide a unique opportunity to some of the most talented and best domestic performers to represent the national and Shaheens squads against a quality opposition such as New Zealand, gain valuable experience and exposure, and further improve their skills so that they can strengthen their claims for international call-ups. “This tour schedule has been designed in such a way that we play tough intra-squad matches in the lead up to international matches and compensate for the local oppositions. While the national side will be involved in one format, Shaheens will be in action in the other format. This means all the players will be busy and playing competitive cricket.” “The matches in New Zealand are critical for us as we aim to improve our T20I rankings and also gain valuable points in the ICC World Test Championship. In this background and taking into consideration recent player performances, we have selected the best available players. “I want to congratulate uncapped Amad Butt, Danish Aziz, Imran Butt and Rohail Nazir who have impressed the selectors with their form, technique, temperament and ability to secure places in the 35-player pool. However, these four players are amongst some other players who have been selected specifically for Shaheens as part of our strategy to build our bench strength. “There are three major omissions from the side that toured England. Asad Shafiq has been left out due to lack of form after he managed 510 runs in his last 15 innings, including a total of 67 runs in England. Asad is an experienced batsman and I am sure he will utilise this time to work harder on his game in the domestic first-class matches so that he, like Sarfaraz Ahmed, can reclaim his form and be back in contention for the upcoming Tests against South Africa and Zimbabwe. “Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Amir are not part of the white-ball matches as for this tour we have opted to invest, develop and focus on the promising and emerging players who are likely to be available to Pakistan for all formats. “We have kept faith in Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz purely on the basis of their outstanding and consistent performances as well as the value they bring to the T20I squad. “The ongoing domestic season has produced three highly impressive and consistent spinners in Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mahmood. Unfortunately, due to New Zealand government regulations as part of their Covid-19 travel requirements, we had to provide a provisional list of 45 players to New Zealand Cricket by 12 October and, as such, these players missed out because at that time, the National T20 Cup was ongoing while the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy had not commenced. “However, the positive side is we are now developing a strong pool of top-quality spinners who will challenge each other for places in the national sides that, in turn, will help in the overall performances in the sides.” Pakistan v New Zealand (in bracket are start times in Pakistan Standard Times): 18 Dec – 1st T20I, Eden Park, Auckland (1200 PST) 20 Dec – 2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton (1200 PST) 22 Dec – 3rd T20I, McLean Park, Napier (1200 PST) 26-30 Dec – 1st Test, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui (0400 PST) 3-7 Jan – 2nd Test, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0400 PST)

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (November 10, 2020):-Babar Azam has been appointed as Pakistan Test captain, which now makes him the captain across all three formats. His first assignment will be to captain Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against New Zealand, which will be played in Mount Maunganui and Christchurch from 26-30 December and 3-7 January, respectively. Babar replaces Azhar Ali, who last captained Pakistan against England this summer. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani confirmed the appointment following a meeting with Azhar Ali on Tuesday evening in which he also thanked him for his contributions as a captain. The PCB Chairman subsequently spoke with Babar Azam following his side’s eight wickets in the third T20I against Zimbabwe and congratulated him on his appointment. Ehsan Mani: “I want to thank Azhar Ali for stepping up last year by captaining the side in what was a historic first home Test series in over a decade. I believe Azhar still has a lot of cricket left in him and Pakistan cricket can continue to make the best use of his experience and knowledge as specialist top-order batsman moving forward. “Babar Azam was identified at a very young age as a future leader and as part of his progression and development, he was appointed white-ball captain last year. With his consistent performance and leadership skills, he has demonstrated that he is ready to take on the additional responsibilities of a captain. “As we are looking into the future, it is appropriate that we appoint him the captain now so that he continues to grow stronger with every match. I wish Babar all the best and remain optimistic that he will help Pakistan cricket make an upward movement across all formats not only through his performance but also with his positive attitude and result-oriented approach.” Babar Azam: “I feel truly honoured to have been appointed Test captain and join some of the most iconic players who have captained Pakistan in the purist format of the game. I can now say with conviction that dreams can come true only if you chase them with honesty, dedication and commitment. “I am ready and prepared to take up the additional responsibility and the fact which gives me additional confidence is that I can do the job is the experience that is available to me in the changing room in the shape of the players and support staff. “I want to thank Azhar Ali for the way he captained the team in the last season, which was a difficult one, but I know that he will leave no stone unturned in giving his very best to the team.”

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI (November 10, 2020):-A magical bowling by Usman Qadir 4 for 13 was the vital performance that lad foundation for the Pakistan to thrash Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the third and last T-20 international fixture to sweep the three-match T-20 series 3-0 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Tuesday. Pakistan reached on their target of 130 runs in the 15.2 overs. Debutant Abdullah Shafiq played an unbeaten innings of 44 runs after wasting 33 balls. He hit one six and four boundaries, other not out batsman Khushdil Shah hit three six and three four during his 36 runs sparking innings. He faced only 15 balls. Haider Ali contributed 27 (20balls) while Fakhar Zaman 21 (24balls) runs. Earlier, Zimbabwe managed only 129 for runs in their allotted 20 overs after deciding to bat first. Skipper Chibhabha was top scorer with 31 runs while Tiripano scored 28 runs. Usman Qadir got four wickets after conceding 13 runs in 4 overs, was remarkable. Imad Wasim got two in four overs. He gave 27 runs. Usman Qadir got man of the match award. Pakistan: Babar Azam (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafiq, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Waseem, Usman Qadir, Musa Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Husnain. Zimbabwe: Chamunorwa Chibhabha (Captain), Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevera, Milton Shumba, Elton Chigumbura, Blessing Muzarabani, Brendan Taylor, Faraz Akram, Wellington Masakadza