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Karachi Kings outclass Islamabad United at Pindi Stadium
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-Big guns Karachi Kings outclassed hosts Islamabad United by 5 wickets in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) fixture at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Sunday night. Batsmen of both teams amused the spectators of twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as the stadium was fully packed.
Islamabad United scored 183 runs in allotted 20 overs, as chasing 184, Karachi Kings started the innings with a nightmare start when their superstar opener Babar Azam ran out without open his account without facing a ball.
Sharjeel Khan showed some his batting class by contributing a blistering 20-ball 38 before Alex Hales (52) and Cameron Delport ‘s(38) crucial 66-run partnership turned the table of the game in Karachi’s favour.
Earlier, Luke Ronchi hit unbeaten 85 off 58 and increasingly impressive Shadab Khan’s 31-ball 54 were the major contributors. Their 106-run stand for the fourth wicket had helped the capital city side to a total which had seemed unlikely when they had lost their first wicket in the very first over.
SPORTS NEWS - National 01 Mar, 2020
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-Pakistan WAPDA have won the both Men and Women titles of National Netball Championship at Hameedi Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Sunday. Pakistan Army got 3rd position in the Women’s events while Pakistan Air Force (PAF) spotted at third place in the Men’s event.
Syed Wajid Bukhari, Ex- Federal Minister was the chief guest and gave away trophies, medals and certificates to players and teams. President, Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF), Mudassar Arain, Senior Vice President, Malik Sameen Khan, Secretary General, Syed Gohar Raza, Secretary General, Pakistan Throwball Federation, Maqbool Arian and a large number of peoples were also present on the occasion.
Results (Men’s Event):
Pakistan WAPDA beat Pakistan Army 28-23
Women’s Event
Pakistan WAPDA beat Sindh 24-15
Third position fixtures:
Pakistan Air Force beat Pakistan Navy 35-33
Pakistan Army beat Punjab by 29-10
ITF Pakistan Junior Tennis: Mohammad Shoaib wins title
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-Top seed Mohammad Shoaib annexed the Boys Singles Title of Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial ITF Pakistan Junior Tennis Championship after beating Ayar Goklap from Turkay 2-1 in a thrilling well contested three sets match at S.Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Sunday.
In the first set, Ayar built up the lead 3-1 by breaking 4th game of Shoaib in which he hit two double faults, as the Shoaib leveled the score 3-3all by breaking 7th game of Ayar. The score went up to 5-5 all as both the players hold their respective serves; at this stage Ayer hold his serve with the help of two aces and claimed the winning lead 6-5 and won the first set 7-5 by breaking last game of Shoaib at 0-40.
Meanwhile, in the second set, Ayer kept the same pressure and got the winning lead 3-1 by breaking 2nd game of Shoaib. At this stage Shoaib change the game plan and start long rallies from the base line and level the score 3-3 all by breaking 5th game of Ayar and won the second set at 6-4 breaking 7th game of Ayar and level the match 1-1 set all. Shoaib was in excellent form in the final set and took the lead 4-0 by breaking 1st and 3rd game of Ayar, at this moment Ayar reduced the lead 3-4 by breaking 8th game of Shaoib by changing the pace of game. Shoaib did not allow his opponent to change the pace and won the final set at 6-4. Both the players displayed excellent game of tennis which was appreciated and witnessed by tennis lovers. The match lasted 1 hour 53 minutes and was chaired by Husnain Mehmood.
Islamabad Tennis Association organized the two ITF J5 Pakistan World Ranking Tennis tournament back to back and the second tournament was in the memory of Late Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas, who played vital role for the promotion of game of tennis in the country. He remained President/Patron of PTF, Lifetime Sr. Vice President of Asian Tennis Federation, and Hon. Lifetime Patron Islamabad Tennis Association, he was also member of ITF Constitutional Committee.
As many as 27 boys and 15 girls from 18 countries Greece, Hong Kong, Austria, Russia, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain, Romania, Nepal, China, Iran, Tunaisa, Kazakhstan, USA, Malaysia , Korea, Sri Lanka and host Pakistan participated in the Championships.
Akber Durrani Secretary Information and Broadcasting graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed the trophies among the winner and runner-up of boys singles. Salim Saifullah Khan President Pakistan Tennis Federation, Col. Gul Rehman Secretary PTF also enjoyed the Singles final.
Javeria Khan becomes fourth Pakistan woman cricketer with 100 T20Is
Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-Javeria Khan became only the fourth Pakistan woman cricketer to register a century of T20I matches when the Pakistan national women’s team played South Africa Women in their third Group-B fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against South Africa at Sydney Showground Stadium on Sunday.
Javeria, the 31-year-old top-order batter, led the team after Bismah Maroof was ruled out of the tournament following an injury in the match against England.
Javeria made her first T20I appearance in May 2009 and is the second highest run-getter for Pakistan with 1,826 runs at an average of 22. Her 204 fours are the most for any Pakistan batter and she has made eight half-centuries, to date.
She was the skipper of the national side in the 2018 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Overall, she has captained Pakistan in 11 matches.
The record of the most number of T20Is from Pakistan sits with Bismah Maroof, who has donned the national colours in 108 matches. Sana Mir and Nida Dar, with 106 and 101, have the second and third most matches in the format.
Javeria Khan said: “It is truly an honour for me that I led Pakistan in my 100th T20I. It has been a remarkable journey and I feel very blessed that I have been wearing the national colours for the past 11 years.
“It is disappointing that we couldn’t make the most of the chances and areas of advantage in today’s match and I would have been happy had we won this crucial match. The girls fought tooth and nail, but credit to the South Africa for winning the match and becoming the first team from our group to enter the semi-finals.
“It has been an exciting journey and I have learnt a great deal not only about cricket but other aspects of life as well. It gives me great pleasure to see where Pakistan cricket has gotten today. The fans take a keen interest and follow our matches everywhere in the world.
“This has also led to more participation from young girls into sports and it is heartening for me to see talented youngsters from schools and colleges coming up.”
Pakistan now play Thailand in their last Group B match on Tuesday at the same venue, the match will start at 9:00 am PST.
Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup:
Javeria Khan (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah
Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst).
Slovenian tennis players arrive Islamabad for Davis Cup Tie
Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-The Slovenian tennis team arrived here on Sunday for Davis Cup Tie fixture against hosts Pakistan.
According to Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Slovenian Davis Cup Team arrived in Islamabad today (1st March, 2020). The Slovenian Team was received by the PTF Secretary Col. Gul Rehman(R) and Liaison Officer Imran Sheikh at the Islamabad Airport and was provided the entire protocol and security umbrella. The Serena Hotel Management also received them with traditional hospitality and courtesies. The Slovenian team visited the venue of Davis Cup tie at Pakistan Sports Complex.
South Africa beat Pakistan by 17 runs
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-South Africa Women beat Pakistan Women by 17 runs to secure a semi-final berth in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the Group-B fixture played at Sydney Showground Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan managed 119 for five in their pursuit of the 137-run target. In-form Aliya Riaz was the top-scorer in the Pakistan innings with an unbeaten 32-ball 39. The all-rounder struck three fours and a six.
Captain Javeria Khan, playing her 100th T20I, made 31 off 34, hitting four fours, and helped her side stage a recovery after an early collapse which saw Pakistan lose three wickets for eight runs as the scorecard read 26 for three inside seven overs.
Pakistan seemed to gain momentum, but Javeria’s run-out in the 11th over at the non-striker’s end swung the match in South Africa’s favour. Aliya struck the ball down the ground and as Chloe Tryon, the bowler, went down in her follow-through to field, it rolled onto the stumps after deflecting off her fingers.
Earlier, Laura Wolvaardt scored an unbeaten 53 from 36 balls after South Africa opted to bat. The right-hand batter struck eight fours and was instrumental in helping her side set up a competitive score.
Diana Baig struck early and had South Africa one down for four runs with the wicket of Lizelle Lee (four) on the fourth ball of the match. The medium-fast bowler struck again as Lee’s opening partner Dane Van Niekerk (three) was also back in the pavilion as Diana bowled her in the fifth over.
Marizanne Kapp, batting at three, denied any further inroads and pushed back the Pakistan bowlers with her 32-ball 31, which include two fours and a six.
Diana returned two for 19 in four overs, while all other four bowlers – Anam Amin, Aiman Anwer, Syeda Aroob Shah and Nida Dar – picked up a wicket each.
In their last group fixture, Pakistan play Thailand Women at the same venue on Tuesday, 3 March.
Scores in brief
South Africa Women 136-6, 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 53 not out, Marizanne Kapp 31; Diana Baig 2-19)
Pakistan Women 119-5, 20 0vers (Aliya Riaz 39 not out, Javeria Khan 31)
Result South Africa Women win by 17 runs.
Yasir Shah confirmed as Mohammad Mohsin’s replacement
Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-Yasir Shah comes in as a replacement for Mohammad Mohsin in Peshawar Zalmi’s squad, it was announced on Saturday. The replacement was approved by the event’s technical committee which includes PCB CEO Wasim Khan, Bazid Khan, Marina Iqbal, Sameer Khosa and Dr Sohail Saleem.
Mohsin, the 23-year-old leg-spinner, split the webbing between his middle and ring fingers of the left hand while fielding in his side’s HBL Pakistan Super League fixture against Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi yesterday. He will be out of the action for at least a week.
Mohsin was picked by Zalmi in the Silver category and he has, to date, featured in two matches this season. Pakistan’s leading Test leg-spinner Yasir Shah donned Lahore Qalandars’ colours from 2017 to 2019 editions.
In 23 HBL PSL matches, Yasir, who was unpicked in the player draft for this edition, has taken 23 wickets at an average of 25.21.
United-Zalmi match washed out in Rawalpindi
Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-Heavy and persistent rain forced the cancellation of the 13th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 between hosts Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday. The two former champions shared the two points (one-each).
Rawalpindi received heavy rain on Friday night and on Saturday. Another spell before the start of the match ended any hopes of even a shortened game. Zalmi had beaten Lahore Qalandars in a 12-over, shortened match played at the same venue last night (Friday).
On the HBL PSL 2020 points table, Multan Sultans currently occupy the first spot with eight points followed by defending champions Quetta Gladiators who have six points; both teams have played five matches each.
United and Zalmi are third and fourth respectively with five points each after their five games. Karachi Kings have two points from three games while Lahore Qalandars are yet to register a point after three games.
On Sunday, United will take on Kings in Rawalpindi; the night match will start at 7pm.
Rossouw century guides Sultans to comfortable win
Salman Khan
MULTAN (February 29, 2020):-Table-toppers Multan Sultans further strengthened their position at the top of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 points table with a comfortable 30-run win over reigning champions Quetta Gladiators at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Left-handed middle order batsman Rilee Rossouw (man-of-the-match) was the star for the Sultans as his blazing century helped set-up the victory for the home side.
Chasing 200 runs for a win, the Gladiators were restricted to 169 for seven by Sultans. Opener Shane Watson fought a lone battle for his side with a whirlwind 80 off 41 balls. Watson hit seven fours and seven sixes before his dismissal in the 16th over derailed Gladiators’ chase.
Jason Roy who opened the innings with Watson scored 30 off 27 balls; no other batsman could offer much to the disciplined Sultans attack who held their nerve on a batting friendly pitch.
Fast bowler Bilawal Bhatti drafted in the eleven in place of Shahid Afridi took three while veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir took two wickets.
Sultans recorded wins in all three home games of the HBL PSL 2020 Multan-leg, while they also defeated Lahore Qalandars in Lahore, earlier in the tournament. There four wins have given them eight points and the top position in the six-team competition.
Earlier, Rossouw’s unbeaten century was the fastest in HBL PSL history; the left-hander who was part of Gladiators’ title winning team last year turned the tables on his former team in spectacular fashion.
Rossouw hit six towering sixes and 10 fours in his 44-ball knock, he reached his century off 43 balls to establish a new HBL PSL fastest century record.
Rossouw added 139 runs for the fourth wicket with his captain Shan Masood (46 off 32 balls, six fours), the partnership was compiled off a mere 64 balls. The two came together at the fall of Moeen Ali’s (6) wicket with the total reading 48 for three in 7.5 overs.
Their alliance though changed the complexion of the game with Rossouw doing the bulk of damage with a stunning onslaught that left the Gladiators bowlers helpless.
Mohammad Nawaz took one for 16 for the Gladiators, Mohammad Hasnain, Ben Cutting, Naseem Shah and Sohail Khan all took one wicket each but were all taken for plenty of runs by Rossouw and co.
Scores in brief
Multan Sultans 199 for 5, 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 100 not out, Shan Masood 46; Mohammad Nawaz 1-16, Mohammad Hasnain 1-38)
Quetta Gladiators 169 for 7, 20 overs (Shane Watson 80, Jason Roy 30; Bilawal Bhatti 3-26, Imran Tahir 2-27)
Result: Multan Sultans win by 30 runs
HBL PSL announces discounted tickets for students
Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-In order to further encourage spectators at the three remaining HBL Pakistan Super League venues, discounted tickets for students will be available across Pakistan at designated TCS outlets from Sunday.
The HBL PSL has received an overwhelming response from cricket fans across the country with packed houses a regular feature in the Multan and Rawalpindi-legs.
The National Stadium Karachi and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium had earlier seen big crowds on the opening three days of the tournament while both venues saw passionate cricket supporters pack the two stadiums to capacity in last Sunday’s double-headers ( 22 February).
With the league entering an even more exciting stage as the six teams push hard for the four play-off berths, a new and exciting offer ‘March Madness’ has been unveiled.
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