By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 26, 2020):-The six-day SA Athletics Technical Officials Course and Seminar under the auspices of South Asian Athletics Federation (SAF) started yesterday through video link, which was hosted by the Indian Athletics Federation. On the inaugural day of the seminar, President, Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), who is also the Chairman of South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF), Major General (Retd) Mohammad Akram Sahi while addressing the participants through video link said that Corona virus spread all over the world and with its harmful effects. He said that Corona virus has gripped the entire world to avoid with its harmful effects, stressed the need and importance of the use of technology, saying that the corona virus also hit playgrounds in all countries. He hoped that the world would soon overcome the virus and rehabilitate its playgrounds. He said that this seminar would promote the sports of athletics in the region. General Akram Sahi also welcomed the participants from all SA countries and thanked them. President, South Asian Athletics Federation,  Dr. Lalit K Bhanot said and hoped that our collective efforts during this difficult  time of Corona virus pandemic would help the promotion of Athletics in our region and our technical officials would gain valuable knowledge from the seminar. Besides, Sports Minister, President Indian Athletics Federation, President World Athletics Federation and President Asian Athletics Association also addressed the participants and stressed the importance and significance of the seminar. Chairman Technical Committee Asian Athletics Federation, Kwan Kee gave  rules of road races and cross country and their interpretation and  Dr. Krisztina Hovarth from Hungary,  also gave a lecture on medicine and public health. During the six-day seminar, Chris Cohen from UK, Yukio Seki from Japan, Luca Verrascina from Italy, Pierce O’Callaghan from Ireland besides various international experts and experienced athletes from other countries will give lectures to participants on a various issues, including the rules of the game. More than 800 technical officials from eight countries are participating in the technical course and seminar including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal. Ten Pakistani technical officials including eight men and two women are attending the course and seminar namely, Wing Cdr  Pervaiz Saeed Mir TI(M), Lt Col Ghulam Shabbir Anjum, Chaudhry Tariq Mehmood Sidhu, Husnain Syed, Tanweer Hussain, Mudassar Hameed , Abdul Majeed, Qalandar Abbas, while women Nabeela Kamran and Humaira Mehmood Khan. The Course and seminar will continue till April 30.

By BIPIN DANI  Umpires at the bowler’s end have traditionally held whatever the bowler has requested, including hats, caps, jumpers and sunglasses. Once cricket is permitted again after the current pandemic, alternate arrangements will be necessary, according to the former ICC Elite Panel umpire Daryl Harper. Speaking exclusveily over telephone from Australia, he said, "Umpires may provide hanging space for jumpers and hats on their backs using a small bag supported around the waist. Perhaps the wicket-keeper will place any items on the ground behind his regular position where the spare fielder’s helmet is currently located. A playing condition could be applied to allow for the same penalty to be awarded when a live ball strikes the new object". "Umpires around the world will be cautious about handling any ‘foreign’ objects. It is only natural. Many umpires belong to the older age demographic so great care and consideration will be necessary to safeguard especially the older generation".  "Rather than an umpire refusing to hold a jumper or hat, I prefer to imagine that alternate arrangements will be planned before the restart. The best relationship between players and officials is achieved by mutual respect", he added.  "There is also the space outside the field of play where a bowler fielding near the boundary can leave his equipment, without any delay".  Harbhajan Singh's hat The former umpire also narrated an incident involving India's Harbhajan Singh. "I only made one exception in my career and that involved everyone’s favourite Indian spin bowler, Harbhajan Singh. In Colombo in July 2010, for Sri Lanka’s first post-Murali Test, I objected to holding Harbhajan’s washing hat when he bowled at my end. It was grubby, sweaty and slimy to the touch. I used a flannel in my left hand to avoid making contact with the smelly headwear, gripping the hat with the flannel to protect myself against any infection. I considered it a health hazard, long before any virus was raging around the globe". "Harbhajan appeared offended by my actions and even requested my assistance to find him replacement hats in Australia where we knew they were manufactured. To explain just how cooperative umpires can be, I organised the delivery of five replacement hats, delivered by my friend and colleague Steve Davis direct to Harbhajan then on tour in South Africa, late in 2010". "The disappointing conclusion came in the Caribbean when I next encountered the big man in Jamaica in July 2011. At no stage did he either thank me for supplying his new clean hats, nor did he offer to reimburse me as we had pre-arranged". "No surprise then that I retired immediately after that Test", Harper concluded. (A MESSAGE FROM DARLY HARPER) : The tale about Harbhajan is entirely accurate and the photo was taken with my camera : Daryl Harper.)

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 26, 2020):-Cricket greats, including Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram, will hold online sessions with current and emerging red and white-ball cricketers to help them remain focused and make optimum use of their time in the wake of Covid-19 lockdown. The sessions have been arranged by the Pakistan national men’s cricket team management in collaboration with the International Cricket Operations Department as they are looking at novel and innovative ideas to ensure its elite players and future prospects remain connected with the game in these unprecedented times and also learn from the experiences of some of the very best the country has produced. Apart from Javed and Wasim, Mohammad Yousuf, Moin Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Rashid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan will also share their insights about the game as well as their strategies, preparations and thought processes in the lead up to and during a series or an event. The sessions will be run category-wise with Javed, Yousuf and Younis speaking with around 21 batsmen in three different sessions. Wasim and Shoaib will be giving lectures to 13 fast bowlers. Six spinners will attend the session to be run by Mushtaq while Moin and Rashid will hold sessions for five wicketkeepers. Javed, an ICC Cricket Hall of Famer who scored 16,213 runs in 357 international matches from 1975 to 1996, will set the ball rolling when he delivers his lecture on Monday afternoon. Wasim, another ICC Cricket Hall of Famer with 916 wickets in 460 international matches, will connect with the fast bowlers on Tuesday, followed by the sessions of Rashid and Mushtaq with the wicketkeepers and spinners on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq said: “I am grateful to these distinguished cricketers who have agreed to share their experiences with our young and emerging stars. These stalwarts have many inspirational and motivational stories to share with the young group and I want the current players to absorb what they hear and take learnings from these world-class performers. The interactive sessions will be split based on areas of specialisation. “We have to plan with the mindset that the England series will go ahead. A number of these greats have been part of series winning sides in England and, therefore, their insight into how to plan and prepare for that series will be invaluable. “Themes discussed will include work ethics, approach to the game, plans, practices and methods to perform under pressure, and dealing with challenges that come from being high profile players. “The online lectures will not be limited to these cricketers and we’ll hopefully be requesting a few more, depending on their availability and our requirements.” Javed Miandad, who was a member of the 1987 and 1992 Test series winning sides in England, said: “I have always loved sharing my thoughts on the way I have seen and played my cricket. I have not always played text book cricket, but I have researched the game and modified it according to my requirements, and that has been my success. “I look forward to engaging with these players and hope I will be able to give them another perspective which can enhance their individual and team performance. These are our players and this is our team, and anything I can do to uplift their objectives, I will always be available.” Rashid Latif said: “Wicketkeepers have an enhanced role in modern day cricket. Now, they are expected to contribute with the bat as well, something Moin and I did successfully in the 90s. That obviously came with mental toughness as well as more practice, training and striking the right balance between the gloves and the bat so that they continue to supplement each other positively. “More than me telling them what they should be doing, my approach to this session will be to be open to questions and address their concerns as I have always believed an individual knows himself better than anyone else. This should be an interesting session and I look forward to making the most of it.” Naseem Shah, the youngest to take a Test hat-trick, said: “This is an exciting initiative. I can spend whole week listening to these greats of Pakistan cricket. They are the ones who have been role models for most of us and them sharing with us their success stories, is brilliant. “Of course, the added incentive of the sessions is listening to Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar. It will be an opportunity to hear from them how they assessed their opponents and out-thought them with their pace and skill. “Waqar Younis has been helping me a lot, which is evident from my performance, but this is an opportunity to learn how they used to hunt in packs.”

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 26, 2020):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated former Pakistan captain Sana Mir for an excellent career that saw her play 226 international matches, including 137 as captain. Sana, who was the first female bowler from Pakistan to take 100 ODI wickets, announced her retirement on Saturday. Her list of achievements includes becoming the first from her country to top the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Rankings, reaching number one in the bowlers’ list in October 2018. ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney: “Sana has been the face of Pakistan cricket over the years and one of the most consistent performers around the world. She has been a wonderful leader of the Pakistan team and a great ambassador of the game in her country and abroad.” “This is an important period for the women’s game and I hope Sana will be able to use her vast experience and contribute to its growth in whatever way she can. On behalf of everyone at the ICC, I wish her all the very best for her future.” Sana Mir was the first bowler from Pakistan to be ranked No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC Women's ODI Rankings Sana, an off-spinner who was also a valuable batter, is among only five women players to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs. She was ranked ninth among bowlers at the time of her retirement at the age of 34. Sana played in three ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups (2009, 2013 and 2017) and six ICC Women’s T20 World Cups (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018). She was the captain at the 2013 and 2017 World Cups and the T20 World Cups of 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016. Sana finished with 1,630 runs and 151 wickets in 120 ODIs. In 106 T20Is, she scored 802 runs and took 89 wickets.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 25, 2020):-National player and former captain, Sana Mir on Saturday (today) announced the retirement from international cricket. She has a glittering 15-year cricketing career during which she played 226 internationals, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a statement, Sana Mir said: “I want to extend my gratitude to the PCB for giving me an opportunity to serve my country for 15 years. It has been an absolute honour and privilege. I extend my gratitude to all the support staff, players, ground staff and everyone behind the scenes for their contribution in my career and development of women's cricket. “I also want to thank my family and mentors who provided unconditional support that allowed me to fulfil my dreams of representing Pakistan at a global stage and would also like to thank my departmental team ZTBL for their support throughout my career. I look forward to continue serving them if department cricket continues. “Last few months have provided me with an opportunity to contemplate. I feel it is the right time for me to move on. I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport. “During my cricket journey, I have met and built strong friendships and bonding with some amazing cricketers in women’s cricket. Listening about their stories and philosophies have not only made me a tougher and stronger athlete but have also taught me great things about life, which are beyond yourself or the sport or winning and losing. “When I reflect on my debut, it gives me great satisfaction that I have been part of the process that has eventually resulted in a packed-to-capacity Lord’s for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final, something that was further boosted by a record 87,000 spectators for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. These are great success stories for women’s cricket. “I would like to extend my gratitude to ICC for its continuous support to women’s cricket. Tournaments like ICC Women’s Championship have been a real game changer, especially for teams like Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka as they proved vital in helping us express our talent at the international level. “Last but not the least, all the cricket fans and supporters around the world, the words fall short when I want to thank all of you for your love, support and encouragement you extended in the past 15 years. It has been an honour to serve Pakistan in cricket and to wear the green jersey with absolute pride. It is time for me to move on. InshaAllah the service will continue in essence and in a different form. Pakistan Zindabad.” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan paid tribute to Sana Mir: “On behalf of Pakistan cricket, I congratulate Sana Mir on a highly successful career. She has been the face of Pakistan women’s cricket for many years and the real source of inspiration for the young generation of women cricketers. “Through her determination and passion, Sana broke the glass ceiling for women cricketers in the country. Through her performances, she not only improved the profile of women’s cricket in Pakistan, but also enhanced the image of Pakistan globally. “Sana is a true legend of women’s cricket who attracted, inspired and motivated young women athletes. Moving forward, I am sure she will continue to contribute positively to women’s cricket.” Sana Mir’s career at a glance: ·         Made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December 2005, while her last ODI was against Bangladesh in Lahore in November 2019. ·         In 120 ODIs, she took 151 wickets and scored 1,630 runs ·         With 151 ODI wickets, she shares fourth position on the all-time list with Anisa Mohammed of the West Indies. The list is headed by India’s Jhulan Goswami ·         In October 2018, she peaked to number-one on ICC Women’s Rankings for ODI Bowlers ·         She is one of the nine women cricketers to have taken 100 wickets and scored 1,000 runs in ODIs. The list is headed by Lisa Sthalekar of Australia ·         Made her T20I debut against Ireland in Dublin in May 2009, while her last T20I was against Bangladesh in Lahore in October 2019 ·         In 106 T20Is, she took 89 wickets and scored 802  runs ·         Captained Pakistan in 72 ODIs, winning 26 and losing 45, and 65 T20Is, winning 26 and losing 36 ·         Captained Pakistan at two World Cups (2013 and 2017) and five ICC Women’s T20 World Cups (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016) ·         Named captain of Wisden’s women’s team of the decade ·         Along with Mithali Raj, included in ICC Women’s Committee as players’ representative ·         She is currently ranked 9th and 41st in the ICC’s ODI and T20I bowlers’ lists, respectively. She is 10th and 23rd ranked all-rounder in ODIs and T20Is, respectively ·         Won 2010 and 2014 Asian Games gold with the Pakistan national women’s cricket team

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), Dr Fahmida Mirza disbursed the cash awards among the 11 medal winnings athletes of wresting and squash of the 13th South Asian Games, which were held in Nepal, here in a ceremony on Friday. It is pertinent to mention that in the regional mini-Olympics Games, Pakistan contingent won total 133 medals comprising of 32 Gold, 41 Silver and 60 Bronze medals. For appreciating untiring efforts of our sportspersons who brought laurels for the country and support them financially at this critical time of need when all the sports activities have been still stand/suspended worldwide due to Covid-19 pandemic, Dr.Fehmida Mirza, Minister for IPC/President PSB distributed cheques among 11 players of Pakistan Wresting and Squash teams in two different sessions to ensure their safety and observing SOPs set by the government. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for IPC Dr. Fehmida Mirza congratulated to national players and expressed her sincere appreciation for winning sportsmen. She revealed that though the Ministry wanted to host a ceremony of national level by inviting the Honorable Prime Minister as the ‘Chief Guest’, however, due to current Covid-19 pandemic situation, the cash awards were distributed among the winners by inviting them in small batches. She also added that the federal government was fully aware of the problems of sportspersons and playing its due role for promoting the sports in the country. She urged that the provinces might come forward for uplifting standards of the games in the country and promote sports from grass root level by adopting best practices of the world as the provinces are primarily responsible for the subject under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.   The participating players were included Inam Butt, Inayat Ullah, Abdur Rehman Gold Medalists of Wrestling and players from Squash namely Tayyab Aslam and Farhan Mehboob, Gold Medalists of Squash lauded the efforts made by the federal government and Minister for IPC/President PSB to support them financially at this critical time of need. The financial help by the government will go a long way to support their families and making efforts for their future endeavors. They also appreciated and thanked the then Secretary Ministry of IPC/Chef-de-Mission (Akbar Durrani) who visited every venue to encourage the sportspersons and also arranged sessions for boosting their morale and making them prepare aiming to win the gold medals. The Secretary Generals from both the Federations (Wrestling & Squash) assured their full support to the government and opined that without the necessary patronage of the government, the federations would not be able to achieve their objectives and execute their activities. They also requested to provide financial assistance to the national sports federations for smooth functioning.    

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-The 2020 IFSC European Championships in Moscow (RUS) have been officially rescheduled in October. The championships, which were initially supposed to take place from March 20 to 27, had been previously moved to the month of June, but due to the growing complications caused by the pandemic of COVID-19, the event was forcedly postponed a second time. However, IFSC Europe, alongside the IFSC Sport Department and the Climbing Federation of Russia, kept working tirelessly throughout these very hard times, in order to find the best and safest solution for athletes, team officials, organisers, volunteers and fans, and finally set the appointment from October 1 to 8. The competition will award two quota places for Tokyo 2020 – one per gender, and the selection of the athletes that will battle for the Olympic slot in the Combined Qualifier will be based on their results within the three disciplines. The IFSC European Championships in Moscow will be the second continental championships organised in 2020, after the Pan American one was held in Los Angeles (USA) from February 24 to March 1, qualifying Canada’s Alannah Yip and United States’ Colin Duffy for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. IFSC President Marco Scolaris said: “I’m sure the IOC won’t mind if I borrow their motto for a moment: hope lights our way! Despite the fact that we live on a day-by-day basis, it is important to keep working for the future, in order to be ready when better days will come. The new dates of the European Championships are definitely a sign of hope and no surrender.” CFR President Dmitry Bychkov said: “We are all hoping for the best, and we are ready - with a successful combination of circumstances - to produce every effort and deliver the competition at the best possible level. All of us, organisers and fans, are willing to be finally able to see the best European athletes compete in Moscow.”

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (April 24, 2020):-Due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 global health pandemic, and in agreement with the 11 participating National Associations (NAs), the second edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League is being extended through to June 2021, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced. Season 2 of the FIH Hockey Pro League – the annual global League involving the world’s best international teams, both men and women – was initially set to run from January to June 2020. Around one third of the planned matches were completed between January and early March, before the escalating COVID-19 crisis brought the competition, like almost all major sporting events around the world, to a standstill. Throughout this time of postponement, FIH has been liaising with all participating NAs in order to assess this ever-changing situation, the aim being to restart the playing of matches only when it is safe to do so, putting athlete welfare at the forefront of the decision-making process. Taking into account both the latest recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the recent announcement regarding the one year postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, it was universally agreed that extending Season 2 into the middle of 2021 was the appropriate course of action, giving the best possible chance for this edition of the competition to be completed whilst enabling FIH and all NAs to deliver on broadcast and commercial partner agreements.  FIH will continue to closely monitor the global evolution of the COVID-19 situation and, with the safety of athletes and fans being top priority, any potential dates regarding the resumption of the competition will be announced at the appropriate time. As part of the continuing evolution of the competition and in agreement with all participating NAs, FIH can also announce that the window for Season 3 of the FIH Hockey Pro League will be from September 2021 to June 2022. The decision to spread the Pro League season over a longer time period will allow for greater flexibility in terms of the scheduling, reducing match congestion in the first half of the year whilst also helping to ensure that international hockey remains highly visible via broadcast for much of the year.  Speaking about the decisions, FIH Chief Executive Officer Thierry Weil said: “With the world facing a health crisis like nothing in living memory, predicting a date for when the current competition will restart is almost impossible at this time. Despite the difficult circumstances, these wholly necessary discussions between FIH and the participating National Associations were both positive and constructive. We all believe we have found the correct path forward regarding the current edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, giving ourselves additional time to play the matches whilst also relieving pressure on both the athletes and the calendar for 2021. “Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2020-21 Season and beyond, the changes that will be introduced for Season 3 are another significant step in the evolution of this fantastic competition. The honest and open dialogue that we have with our NAs enables us to mould the FIH Hockey Pro League in a way that works for all, and I want to place on record my personal thanks to all everyone for their efforts to find a workable solution.” 

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (April 22, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced following advice from the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB), it has indefinitely postponed its July tour to the Netherlands after the Dutch government banned all events (sports and cultural) until 1 September 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Pakistan national men’s cricket team was scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals in Amstelveen on 4, 7 and 9 July. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “It is sad that we have to postpone our July tour to the Netherlands, but in the prevailing circumstances, this is absolutely the right thing to do as human lives are far more precious and valuable than a cricket match or an event. “Netherlands has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and we offer our heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their lives. Like any other country, the PCB stands firmly with the KNCB and hope they will be able to overcome this crisis.   “The Pakistan national cricket teams have always enjoyed touring the Netherlands and as soon as things return to normal, the PCB will engage with the KNCB to reschedule the tour so that we can fulfil our obligation. “The Pakistan national men’s cricket team’s tours to Ireland, for two Twenty20 Internationals, and England, for three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals, are on track at this stage. We are keeping a watching brief and are in contact with our counterparts in Dublin and London, respectively. As is always the case, the PCB will be happy to be guided by the hosts on the upcoming tours but without compromising on the health and safety of its players and team support personnel.” Betty Timmer, Chair of KNCB, said: “It is extremely disappointing that we won’t be able to host any international cricket in the Netherlands this summer. However, the health and safety of the players, staff and fans is our main priority, and in that light the ban on events by the Dutch government is understandable. “We truly hope that by next season the situation is under control again, so we can host the Super League series against England, Ireland and the West Indies as planned. We would love to welcome back all cricket fans on our grounds in the summer of 2021.”

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (April 20, 2020):-Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan has issued notices to Umar Akmal and PCB requiring their attendance for a hearing on Monday, 27 April. The hearing is presently scheduled at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore. Safety precautions and social distancing measures will be strictly enforced in order to safeguard all those involved. Umar Akmal had not requested for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal after he was charged for two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents. Until the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel has announced his public decision, the PCB will not comment on the matter.