SALAMAN KHAN: MULTAN (September 25, 2020):-Twenty-one members of the men’s national team who toured England for three Tests and as many T20Is joined their respective First XI sides in Multan today after they returned second negative Covid-19 tests. These 21 players are Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan Snr, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Khan, Usman Khan Shinwari and Yasir Shah. The results of the second Covid-19 tests of Sarfaraz Ahmed, captain Sindh, and Kamran Akmal, Central Punjab wicketkeeper-batsman, are expected tomorrow. Sarfaraz had his test earlier today, while Kamran will undergo his second test later in the day. The two will join their sides after they return negative results. Sohail Tanvir, who took part in the Caribbean Premier League, joined Northern after clearing his both Covid-19 tests. An individual, belonging to a First XI squad, who was isolated after his first test came out positive has cleared his second test. He will be eligible to join his team after clearing his third test, which will take place on 30 September. Meanwhile, Fawad Alam, who also toured England with the national squad and is leading Sindh Second XI, has joined his side in Lahore after returning his second negative test for Covid-19. The National T20 Cup First XI tournament, curtain-raiser for the domestic season 2020-21, will commence on Wednesday, 30 September in Multan, before it shifts to Rawalpindi on 9 October. The National T20 Cup for the Second XI teams will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from 1-8 October.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (September 25, 2020):-Former Pakistan squash player and former British Open Junior Squash Champion, Yasir Ali Butt made a mark after completing US Certified Level-3 coaching course in America. He is only Pakistani man, who qualified this top level squash coaching course. Now, he is training the budding squash players in USA. Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) should hire his international coaching service that could help the federation to polish the upcoming players and Pakistan could able to achieve the lost glory of squash.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (September 25, 2020):-Former Pakistan stars have expressed their excitement ahead of the National T20 First XI tournament that begins at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, 30 September. Northern will be defending the title they won last year when they outplayed Balochistan in the final at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. The tournament is being played on a double-league basis for the first time which means all six teams will play each other twice before the top-four secure semi-final berths at the end of the league stage. The second-half of the tournament will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, where the final will be held on Sunday, 18 October. The tournament will see the cream of Pakistan T20 stars in action, former cricketers Abdur Rehman, Bazid Khan, Imran Nazir, Moin Khan, Ramiz Raja, Rashid Latif, Saeed Ajmal and Younis Khan have expressed their keen interest in the event especially with the prospects of richly entertaining cricket at the start of the domestic season. While Rehman, Imran and Bazid are backing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rashid and Moin are looking forward to the quality of cricket that is expected in the latest edition of the coveted T20 event. Ramiz and Ajmal think Northern have the firepower to defend their title, whereas Younis terms Balochistan his favourite side in the tournament. Ramiz Raja, former Test captain and a renowned cricket voice, said: “Excitement is in the air, and we can almost feel it. The National T20 tournament is just round the corner, and it is going to get bigger and better this year. The spread is massive; we are going to see some special talent, lock horns and vie for the top spot. I expect the fans will also participate in it, pick their best teams and keep an eye on their favourite players. “I feel the Northern side will again be a strong side, and it will be difficult to beat them because their captain Imad Wasim is good. They have Shadab Khan, as vice-captain who is progressing very well in the white ball cricket. Similarly, they have a stock in young talent, but I will have my eye on Haider Ali. He is becoming my favourite player because of his fearless batting, and I think he will emerge as a unique star in this tournament. “Haris Rauf is in the side and he has bowled really fast recently. Farzan Raja hasn’t played much but seems to be a quality leg spinner. Pakistan is in need of spinners so one must keep an eye on him.” Younis Khan, the captain of the Pakistan team that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009, said: “I am supporting Balochistan cricket team. This team consists of senior and young exciting players, and I hope under Yasir Shah and star player Bismillah Khan; the team will give very good performances. My best wishes are with the team in the tournament. “Overall there is lot to see in the tournament. There will be many competitions within the tournament, which features both present and future stars. They will have their own competition going on. So I expect the fans to see matches from home as much as they can.” Moin Khan, who featured for Karachi Dolphins and scored first century of the tournament in 2005 against Lahore Lions, said: “I want to wish all the teams best of luck for the upcoming season. The National T20 Cup is about to begin, I have seen the six squads and I feel it will be a really exciting event; this tournament provides an opportunity for young players to make an impression and get selected for the HBL Pakistan Super League and the Pakistan men’s T20I squad. “Players should not let go of this opportunity, they should avail the opportunity and serve Pakistan.” Rashid Latif, former Pakistan Test captain, said: “Defending champions Northern have Mohammad Wasim as coach, Imad Wasim as captain while they also have Mohammad Amir. Haider Ali is a very exciting addition to the squad. If we talk about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa they have Abdul Razzaq as the new coach, they have Mohammad Rizwan as captain. Junaid Khan is an experienced bowler and Mohammad Hafeez is in great batting form. They also have Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik which makes them a richly experienced side; it would be interesting to see how they strategise with an eye on the tournament trophy. “Sindh coached by Basit Ali have Sarfaraz Ahmed as their captain with experienced players like Asad Shafiq and Khurram Manzoor. Shan Masood leads the Southern Punjab side, which is coached by Abdul Rehman, while Haris Sohail is captaining Balochistan. “Central Punjab have the world’s top player Babar Azam in their midst while they have players like Faheem Ashraf, Abdullah Shafiq, who is a quality young player, and Kamran Akmal, a proven performer. “I am hoping to see some young players make their name while spinners like Shadab Khan can regain form along with Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Asghar. Kashif Bhatti would appear for Balochistan. I really see this is a quality event and we all should support the tournament and make it a success.” Saeed Ajmal, who has the most wickets (89) in tournament’s history and was adjudicated player of the match in the final of the inaugural edition in 2005, said: “I am backing Northern as they have a very exciting side. In Imad, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Amir they have rich experience and quality. They also have some experienced players both in their batting and bowling departments who understand well the demands of T20 cricket. “What makes them a formidable unit is the presence of promising youngsters like Haider Ali and Rohail Nazir who have both progressed remarkably well in the last year. Haider has made a wonderful start to his career with his explosive half-century on T20I debut against England. Of course, he would be full of confidence going into the tournament.” Abdur Rehman, part of the Sialkot Stallions winning squad in year 2006,2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, said: “My favourite team for the National T20 Cup is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. T20 cricket is based on all-rounders and the team’s head coach Abdul Razzaq is one of the best all-rounders produced by Pakistan. There are a lot of all-rounders in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa side including Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez while they also have Wahab Riaz. “They also have Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan which makes them a very balanced team.” Bazid Khan, who has featured in 20 T20 matches and is now a cricket expert, said: “Exciting times as the domestic season is about to begin with the National T20 Cup. In my view, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the favourites because of the fact they have match winners in bowling. Wahab Riaz is a match winner, Shaheen Shah Afridi is a match winner and Junaid Khan, on his day, is a match winner as well. They are a very good T20 attack, one should not underestimate [spin all-rounder] Zohaib Khan who is also a very capable all-rounder. “Meanwhile in batting, the nature of the tournament is that there will be a lot of double-headers played on the same ground so experienced batsmen would need to gauge what is a good score for a particular game. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have the experience with Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed all very experienced especially in the T20 format. They would know what will be a good score to set and defend. “Rizwan as captain is also a boost for the side especially after his recent performances. The only weakness they might have is the spin department as they don’t have a proven frontline spinner who might come in handy at the backend of the tournament. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can rely on Iftikhar, Shoaib and Hafeez as all three are quality spinners. I am backing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and they are my favourites.”  Imran Nazir, part of Sialkot Stallions winning squad in year 2006-07, 2009, 2010 and 2012, said: “National T20 Cup is taking place and I am supporting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The side has Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman. The team will be coached by our legend Abdul Razzaq. I hope the way Razzaq used to perform for the team, he will take out the same performance from his team players. My best wishes are with the team.”

By BIPIN DANI Former Australia batsman Dean Jones died on Thursday noon after a massive heart attack in his hotel room in Mumbai. He was 59. Jones was in India as a commentator for the IPL. "We could not believe it", former India all rounder Irfan Pathan, who is also on the commentary panel and staying in the same hotel in South Mumbai, said to this reporter. "He was fine yesterday. He also did a TV show with us. Today he is no more..". "Even today morning he had breakfast and was doing his usual walk and training. Suddenly the news came to us and we are shocked", he added.  Dean Jones was certain to remain present during the Lanka Premier League in Sri Lanka. He was a mentor to Anil Mohan, Founder & CEO IPG Group, the company which will be hosting the LPL. "He had hand holded me throughout my professional life. Still remember meeting him for the first time in Sri Lanka. We have worked together for over 18 years across multiple international series all over the world", Anil Mohan, speaking exclusively over telephone from Dubai, said. "He was one of the best cricketing commentators that I have ever seen and an even better human being. He was on IPG’s advisory board and was instrumental in every success of IPG. The world of Cricket has lost an Icon today and it is an irreplaceable void", he further added. Jones was a member of the Tied Test against India. "I very well remember his 200 and odd runs he scored despite being ill on the first day", Vikram Raju, the umpire of the Tie Test said from Bangalore. "He is a regular visitor at the IPL and the KPL. I met him last year when he was in Bangalore. He was a very decent nice man", Raju added.

SALAMAN KHAN MULTAN (September 24, 2020):-Asif Afridi, member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa First XI squad for the National T20 Cup, has been quarantined after he was found to have breached the bio-secure protocols, it was announced today. The 33-year-old violated the social distancing protocols during a meeting with his friend in the team hotel lobby and, as such, he will now undergo an isolation as well as a Covid-19 test, the cost of which he will have to bear. After testing negative, Asif will re-integrate with his side. Asif Afridi said: “I sincerely apologise for my actions. These protocols have been designed for the safety of all participants and it is mandatory on everyone to abide by them to ensure health of everyone involved in the competition. In this case, I have let myself down but will be extremely careful in future.” The tournament will commence in Multan on 30 September, before it moves to Rawalpindi for second round action from 9-18 October.

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (September 24, 2020):-As many as 34 players reported in the camp that started at Army Physical Fitness School Abbottabad. Owing to fitness problem Afraz was not able to report in the training camp. Camp is aiming to prepare the national junior guys for upcoming Asian Junior Hockey Tournamnet, which will be taken place Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh.   Physical fitness training sessions were started yesterday, players would attend the physical training sessions twice a day, the morning session will be from 6 am to 8 am while evening session will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm. On first day, 5 miles running test and warm-up exercises were conducted in morning and evening sessions. Meanwhile, on the second day of camp, all the players will undergo for the yoyo test, BMI test, FAT level and sugar level test in the morning session. Camp Commandant and Head Coach Danish Kaleem said: “We are focusing more on the fitness of these youngsters in the training camp as most of them already have a lot of talent in them but lack of the required physical shape, work is being done to improve the skills of the players and to teach them modern scientific techniques."

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (September 24, 2020):-Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has directed its all affiliated unites including associations and departments to strictly follow the instructions issued by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in line with World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Codes to prevent the national athletes from doping by educating them. According to media department of PSF, all affiliated members have also been directed to educate their respective players on the doping rules, regulations and to follow them in true letter and spirit to avoid any embarrassment during participation in major international squash events. PSF would continue pursuing its members to ensure compliance of government directives on doping rules in the best interest of national cause.     The use of drugs to enhance performance is considered unethical. Doping damages the reputation of sport, attacks integrity of professions and also maligns the image of a nation in the world.  As part of campaign to raise awareness about Anti-Doping amongst athletes, pursuant to directives from Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).    

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (September 24, 2020):-Duo of top national umpires Ashan Raza and Asif Yaqoob will supervise the final of National T-20 Cricket Cup 2020 on October 18 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.  Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday has announced the officials of the tournament that will be kicked off from September 30 at Multan. The 6 match referees and 14 umpires from the PCB Elite Panel of Match Officials will officiate in the First XI matches to be held in Multan till 6 October, before action moves to Rawalpindi where the second round and knock-out games will be played from 9-18 October. Iqbal Sheikh will lead the playing control team in the 30 September National T20 Cup opener between Northern and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Faisal Khan Afridi and Zameer Haider will perform on-field duties. Qaiser Waheed and Aftab Gillani will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively. Prof. Mohammad Javed Malik will be the match referee for the 18 October final, which will be umpired by Ahsan Raza and Asif Yaqoob. Rashid Riaz will be in the third umpire’s box and Shozab Raza will perform fourth umpire’s duties. The six-member PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees includes Ali Naqvi (Lahore), Iftikhar Ahmed (Karachi), Mohammad Anees (Lahore), Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh (Hyderabad), Nadeem Arshad (Faisalabad) and Prof. Mohammad Javed Malik (Multan). The 14-member PCB Elite Panel of Umpires is: Ahsan Raza (Lahore), Aftab Hussain Gillani (Bahawalpur), Asif Yaqoob (Islamabad), Faisal Khan Afridi (Sargodha), Ghaffar Kazmi (Lahore), Imran Javed (Karachi), Nasir Hussain Snr (Lahore), Qaiser Waheed (Lahore), Rashid Riaz Waqar (Lahore), Saqib Khan (Abbottabad), Shozab Raza (Lahore), Syed Imtiaz Iqbal (Karachi), Waleed Yaqub (Lahore) and Zameer Haider (Lahore). Bilal Qureshi, Manager, Umpires and Referees: “The match officials appointed for the National T20 are the best we have in the country and this event is an ideal opportunity for them to display their skills and make a mark. There has been no match referee in the ICC elite panel from Pakistan since 2004, while the last umpire to make a Test debut was Nadeem Ghauri 15 years ago. The PCB is keen to develop and groom its match officials so that there is Pakistan’s representation in the ICC’s elite panel and, in this relation, will be providing maximum matches to these elite officials to showcase their skills in the 2020-21 season. “As the matches will be televised live by PTV Sports and participated by our best 20-over players, this is an excellent opportunity for these match officials to display their decision-making as well as man-management skills, which will form the basis of their promotions to the next level.” Meanwhile, match referees and umpires from the PCB Supplementary Panel of Match Referees and the PCB Supplementary Panel of Umpires, both categories introduced for the first time to set a pathway to the apex panels, will officiate the National T20 Cup Second XI matches, which will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’s home of cricket, from 1-8 October. First XI appointments (30 Sept-6 Oct, all matches at Multan Cricket Stadium; 9-18 Oct, all matches at Pindi Cricket Stadium: 30 Sept – Northern v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Faisal Khan Afridi and Zameer Haider (on-field umpires), Qaiser Waheed (third umpire), Aftab Gillani (fourth umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee). Central Punjab v Southern Punjab - Qaiser Waheed and Waleed Yaqub (on-field umpires), Nasir Hussain Snr (third umpire), Aftab Gillani (fourth umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee) 1 Oct – Balochistan v Sindh - Aftab Gillani and Qaiser Waheed (on-field umpires), Zameer Haider (third umpire), Waleed Yaqub (fourth umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee). Northern v Southern Punjab - Faisal Khan Afridi and Zameer Haider (on-field umpires), Nasir Hussain Snr (third umpire), Waleed Yaqub (fourth umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee) 2 Oct – Balochistan v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Waleed Yaqub and Zameer Haider (on-field umpires), Aftab Gillani (third umpire), Nasir Hussain Snr (fourth umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee). Central Punjab v Sindh - Qaiser Waheed and Nasir Hussain Snr (on-field umpires), Faisal Khan Afridi (third umpire), Zameer Haider (fourth umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee) 3 Oct – Northern v Central Punjab - Aftab Gillani and Faisal Khan Afridi (on-field umpires), Waleed Yaqub (third umpire), Nasir Hussain Snr (fourth umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Southern Punjab - Nasir Hussain Snr and Zameer Haider (on-field umpires), Qaiser Waheed (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee) 4 Oct – Balochistan v Southern Punjab - Qaiser Waheed and Waleed Yaqub (on-field umpires), Aftab Gillani (third umpire), Nasir Hussain Snr (fourth umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee). Northern v Sindh - Faisal Khan Afridi and Nasir Hussain Snr (on-field umpires), Zameer Haider (third umpire), Qaiser Waheed (fourth umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee) 5 Oct – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Sindh - Aftab Gillani and Faisal Khan Afridi (on-field umpires), Waleed Yaqub (third umpire), Zameer Haider (fourth umpire); Nadeem Arshad (match referee). Balochistan v Central Punjab - Nasir Hussain Snr and Zameer Haider (on-field umpires), Faisal Khan Afridi (third umpire), Qaiser Waheed (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee). 6 Oct – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Central Punjab - Aftab Gillani and Faisal Khan Afridi (on-field umpires), Waleed Yaqub (third umpire), Zameer Haider (fourth umpire); Nadeem Arshad (match referee). Balochistan v Northern - Qaiser Waheed and Waleed Yaqub (on-field umpires), Aftab Gillani (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee) 9 Oct – Northern v Central Punjab - Ahsan Raza and Imran Javed (on-field umpires), Shozab Raza (third umpire), Imtiaz Iqbal (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee). Sindh v Southern Punjab - Ghaffar Kazmi and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Saqib Khan (fourth umpire); Nadeem Arshad (match referee) 10 Oct – Balochistan v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Ahsan Raza and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Imran Javed (fourth umpire); Nadeem Arshad (match referee). Central Punjab v Sindh - Asif Yaqoob and Saqib Khan (on-field umpires), Shozab Raza (third umpire), Ghaffar Kazmi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee) 11 Oct – Northern v Southern Punjab - Imran Javed and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Imtiaz Iqbal (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee). Balochistan v Sindh - Ahsan Raza and Saqib Khan (on-field umpires), Ghaffar Kazmi (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Nadeem Arshad (match referee) 12 Oct – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Southern Punjab - Saqib Khan and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Ahsan Raza (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee). Balochistan v Central Punjab - Imtiaz Iqbal and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Imran Javed (third umpire), Ghaffar Kazmi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Anees (match referee) 13 Oct – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Sindh – Imran Jawed and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Saqib Khan (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee). Central Punjab v Southern Punjab – Asif Yaqoob and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpires), Ghaffar Kazmi (third umpire), Shozab Raza (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 14 Oct – Northern v Sindh - Imtiaz Iqbal and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Imran Javed (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Central Punjab -  Ahsan Raza and Ghaffar Kazmi (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Saqib Khan (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 15 Oct – Balochistan v Northern - Saqib Khan and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Ahsan Raza (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee). Sindh v Southern Punjab - Asif Yaqoob and Ghaffar Kazmi (on-field umpires), Imtiaz Iqbal (third umpire), Imran Javed (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 16 Oct – Northern v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Imran Javed and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Saqib Khan (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee); Balochistan v Southern Punjab -  Ghaffar Kazmi and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Imtiaz Iqbal (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 17 Oct – First semi-final (Team no.1 v Team no.4) - Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Imtiaz Iqbal (third umpire), Imran Javed (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee); Second semi-final (Team no.2 v Team no.3) - Ahsan Raza and Shozab Raza (on-field umpires), Ghaffar Kazmi (third umpire), Saqib Khan (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 18 Oct – Final (Winner of first semi-final v Winner of second semi-final) - Ahsan Raza and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Shozab Raza (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee)

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (September 24, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board has withdrawn Balochistan First XI head coach Faisal Iqbal from the National T20 Cup after the former Test batsman confirmed his employers Pakistan International Airlines were looking into a matter, which he hoped would be resolved soon. The PCB said it would be unfair on Faisal Iqbal as well on his side and the tournament if he competed in a major domestic tournament until he had resolved and settled the matter with his parent organisation. The PCB added Faisal Iqbal would be reintegrated with his domestic side as soon as PIA gave him a clean chit along with a No Objective Certificate (NOC). Until such time, Wasim Haider will act as the Balochistan cricket team’s interim head coach.

SPORTS NEWS ISLAMABAD (September 24, 2020):-It was a productive day for Germany’s national teams in the FIH Hockey Pro League on Wednesday (23 September), with both the men’s and women’s sides claiming the lion’s share of the available points in the second matches of their respective double headers against neighbours Belgium in Düsseldorf. Germany’s women made it two wins from two against the Red Panthers, with Hannah Gablac, Cecile Pieper and Rebecca Grote all hitting the target in a 3-1 victory. Ambre Ballenghien had put Belgium ahead with a superb penalty corner drag-flick in the 21st minute, before Gablac restored parity three minutes later from open play. Pieper and Grote netted penalty corners in the third and fourth quarters respectively, ensuring that the hosts claimed a second win in two days against the visitors.  Speaking after the match, Gablac – who was named Player of the Match – said: “Our coach told us to keep the energy high - we did quite well in the second half, in the first ten minutes, then we lost our way a bit. But I'm very proud of my team - good work." Belgium captain Barbara Nelen said: "In the first half, I think we played really well. We dared to play, had a lot of energy. But we had some opportunities that we didn't score. In the second half I think the energy was a bit less, and we 'dared' less, which is why Germany came back hard - they showed us who we are." With two wins from their opening two matches in the current FIH Hockey Pro League season, Germany have moved up to fifth in the standings. More information about this match can be found by clicking here. Germany’s men shook off the disappointment of Tuesday’s 6-1 loss at the hands of Belgium to produce an excellent display in match two, battling to a 1-1 draw before claiming the bonus point by winning the shoot-out. The hosts took a deserved lead when Florian Fuchs touched home a defence-splitting pass from team captain Tobias Hauke in the 24th minute, before Belgium finally pulled level eleven minutes from the end thanks to Loick Luypaert’s deflected penalty corner drag-flick. Belgium were denied on numerous occasions by goalkeeper Alexander Stadler, who produced a string of fine saves in regular time to earn a crucial point for Germany against the reigning World and European champions. Stadler was almost single-handedly responsible for Germany’s bonus point, making some wonderful blocks to keep a clean sheet in the shoot-out, with Christopher Rühr’s converted effort being enough for a 1-0 win in the one-on-ones. Speaking after the match, Stadler – who was named Player of the Match – said: "Our team did very well. We had wanted to get more spirit and more effort, and for the team to defend better and we did that. We did pretty well today. The difference [from yesterday and today] was that we defended better. There was a really good spirit with the team today.” While Belgium remain well clear at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League standings, two points for Germany has seen Die Honamas move off the bottom of the table to seventh position. The matches were played behind closed doors, with strict COVID-19 protocols being followed by the teams, staff, officials and everyone within the venue. The next FIH Hockey Pro League matches will take place in October, with the men and women of the Netherlands and Great Britain going head-to-head in Amstelveen (NED). FIH Hockey Pro League Wednesday 23 September 2020 – Düsseldorf (GER) Women’s result: Germany 3, Belgium 1 (Match 2 of 2) Player of the Match: Hannah Gablac (GER) Umpires: Alison Keogh (IRL), Sarah Wilson (SCO) and Martin Madden (SCO - video) Men’s result: Germany 1, Belgium 1 – [1-0 After shoot-out] (Match 2 of 2) Player of the Match: Alexander Stadler (GK - GER) Umpires: Martin Madden (SCO), Marcin Grochal (POL) and Alison Keogh (IRL - video)