Sports Bulletin

Sixth-round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy begins on Monday   Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-With four rounds remaining in the four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the six teams will fight for every point, when the sixth-round of the tournament commences from Monday at different first class cricket venues, to secure a berth in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, which will be held at Karachi’s National Stadium from 9 to 13 December. Table-toppers Central Punjab will be aiming to consolidate their position when they host Northern, who are at the bottom of the points table, at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Central Punjab, who will be without the services of Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali and young fast-bowler Naseem Shah as they head to Australia for Pakistan’s World Test Championship matches, enter the round at the back of a thrilling draw against Sindh, in which they looked certain to come out as winners for the most part of the final day’s play. Northern have struggled to click over the course of the tournament. However, they will take heart from a remarkable double-century by Zeeshan Malik. The 22-year-old struck 216 runs in Northern’s first innings against Southern Punjab at Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, and registered the fourth best highest individual score this tournament. He followed it up with a second innings score of 59. Northern will be led by Pakistan U19 captain Rohail Nazir as Umar Amin takes a break from the leadership role to concentrate on his batting – a decision that paid dividends with the left-handed batsman scoring 156. This will be the season’s last first-class match at Iqbal Stadium. Quetta’s Bugti Stadium, which saw the return of first-class cricket after 11 years this season, will also be hosting its last fixture of the tournament, which will be live-streamed, when Southern Punjab host Balochistan. Southern Punjab will take the field under the leadership of Sami Aslam as their regular captain Shan Masood will be taking a flight to Australia on the opening day of their sixth-round fixture.  With an added responsibility on his shoulders, Sami will be hoping to stretch his good form with the bat into this fixture after the left-handed opening-batsman scored a century against Northern. Southern Punjab are ranked second at the points table and are the only other side than Central Punjab in the tournament, to date, to have won a match. Balochistan, ranked fourth, will be hoping to fill in the vacuum which will be created by the non-availability of leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who tops the charts for most wicket with 21 scalps. This absence of Yasir is bound to add more responsibility on left-arm orthodox Mohammad Asghar, who, along with the leg-spinner, returned a four-fer in the first innings of a drawn contest against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa earlier this week at Bugti Stadium. Balochistan’s Imran Butt will be on the radar of the fans after cracking a brilliant double-century in the last round. The 23-year-old scored 214 which helped him to the second spot in the list of the batsmen with the most runs this tournament. In the third match of the round, third-ranked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be hosting fifth-ranked Sindh at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s top four batsmen were amongst the run-getters in the previous round with captain Sahibzada Farhan, Israrullah, and Ashfaq Ahmed, who has the most runs this tournament, scoring half-centuries, and Adil Amin putting up a gutsy century. Sindh will also have to wary of off-spinner Sajid Khan, who took eight wickets, including a five for 36 in the second innings, against Balochistan earlier this week. Sindh must have run down the best possible back up options ahead of the sixth round after Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq and Kashif Bhatti left the side for the national duty. But, that Sindh edged out in securing a draw against Central Punjab at Faisalabad was due to Sarfaraz Ahmed’s fighting second innings half-century, which would have uplifted the Sindh’s captain confidence. That coupled with the presence of Fawad Alam, Saad Ali, Khurram Manzoor and a young and upcoming Omair Bin Yousuf in the batting lineup will make getting Sindh batsmen out a daunting proposition. All three matches will begin at 1000 at their respective venues. Quaid-e-Azam Trophy sixth-round fixtures (4-7 November) Central Punjab v Northern, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Southern Punjab v Balochistan, Bugti Stadium, Quetta Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Sindh, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad    

Netherlands seal the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 title SB Report DUBAI (November 3, 2019):-The Netherlands sealed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 title with a seven-wicket triumph over Papua New Guinea at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Using a mix of pace and wily orthodox slow bowling, Netherlands’ attack of Brandon Glover (three for 24), Roelof van der Merwe (two for 15) and Timm van der Gugten (two for 18) undid PNG’s batsmen, never allowing them to up the run rate aside from a final over blitz from Jason Kila (27 not out). Lega Siaka scored 36 but their effort of 128 for eight from 20 overs never looked enough and so it proved when the Dutch batsmen arrived at the crease. Ben Cooper (41) settled any nerves there may have been with a 33-ball knock of 41, including four fours and two sixes, before Colin Ackermann and Ryan ten Doeschate saw the team home with seven wickets and an over to spare. Netherlands ended on a score of 134 for three from 19 overs as PNG finished second. As a result of the final tournament standings, the first round groupings for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 are now confirmed with PNG, Ireland and Oman in Group A with Sri Lanka. Group B will see the Netherlands, Namibia and Scotland join Bangladesh.

  Junaid Khan fined for breaching PCB Code of Conduct  Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD:-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) left arm fast bowler Junaid Khan has been fined 40 per cent of his match fee for violating the PCB Code of Conduct during his side’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match against Balochistan, which ended in a draw in Quetta on Thursday. Junaid was found guilty of committing a Level 1 offence under clause 2.6, which relates to using a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during a match. The incident occurred on Wednesday when, Junaid got involved in an argument with umpire Shamim Ansari and used inappropriate language at the end of his over, the eighth of Balochistan’s second innings. Junaid was charged by on-field umpires Ghaffar and Shamim Ansari. The player accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Mohammad Aslam. So, there was no need for a formal hearing. Meanwhile, the Central Punjab team were fined Rs 40,000 for a minimum over-rate offense against Sindh at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Thursday. Central Punjab were four overs short of their target and were subsequently fined by match referee Nadeem Arshad.

  Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 29 runs to go 1-0 up in two-ODI series SB REPORT   ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan women beat Bangladesh women by 29 runs in the first ODI at Gaddafi Stadium and attained an unassailable lead in the two-match series. Pakistan, after opting to bat, managed 215 all-out in 48.5 overs, thanks to Nahida Khan’s half-century. The opener scored 68 runs off 97 balls, hitting seven fours, and stitched a crucial 61-run partnership for the third-wicket with captain Bismah Maroof (39 off 43) over the course of her stay at the crease. Pakistan got off to a slow start and had only 59 runs on the board when they lost their first wicket – Sidra Amin, who scored 21 runs from 67 balls – in 20.3 overs. That they were able to post a defensible total was due to a late surge by Omaima Sohail and Aliya Riaz. Omaima scored 29 runs from 27 balls, hitting four fours, while Aliya, batting at six, scored 37 runs at a strike rate of 112. Aliya’s 33-ball stay at the crease was studded with three fours and a six. Bangladesh’s Jahanara Alam stretched her impressive form into the one-day leg of the tour as she was the highest wicket-taker in the innings with three for 44. Panna Ghosh and Nahida Akter picked up two wickets each for 12 and 15 runs, bowling two and three maidens respectively. Bangladesh stuttered right from the beginning in their run-chase and had their three batters back in the pavilion inside the first 10 overs. Sana Mir made inroads in her first over, the second of the innings, with the wicket of Murshida Khatun (four off nine) and trapped Sanjida Islam LBW for duck in the second. When debutant Sadia Iqbal accounted for Sharmin Akhter’s wicket in the penultimate ball of the 10th over, Bangladesh had lost their third wicket with only 41 runs on the board. Nigar Sultana’s half-century instilled hope in Bangladesh’s chase. But when she lost her wicket in the 47th over off Sana’s bowling, Pakistan had firmly gripped the match as Bangladesh required 40 off 21 balls Nigar hit four fours and a six and was Bangladesh’s top-scorer with 58 runs off 77 balls. Sana’s three for 49 was the best in the innings, while Diana Baig and Sadia Iqbal picked up two wickets each for 43 and 38 runs. For her exploits with the bat, Nahida bagged the player of the match award. The second ODI will be played on 4 November at Gaddafi Stadium. Scores in brief:  Pakistan women 215 all-out, 48.5 overs (Nahida Khan 68, Bismah Maroof 39, Aliya Riaz 37, Omaima Sohail 29, Sidra Amin 21; Jahanara Alam 3-44, Panna Ghosh 2-12, Nahida Akter 2-15) Bangladesh women 186 all-out, 47.4 overs (Nigar Sultana 58, Rumana Ahmed 28, Fargana Hoque 27, Salma Khatun 20, Sharmin Akhter 20; Sana Mir 3-49, Nashra Sandhu 2-28, Sadia Iqbal 2-38, Diana Baig 2-43)

Pakistan U16 claim seven wickets victory against Bangladesh U16 Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Under0-16 overcame visiting Bangladesh Under-16 by seven wickets in the second three-day match at Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi to seal the two-match series 1-0 on Saturday. Aliyan Mehmood took three wickets, while Mohammad Shehzad and Ali Asfand claimed two wickets as Bangladesh were rolled out for 227 in their second innings before Pakistan comfortably chased down the 98-run target. On Saturday, Bangladesh had resumed their innings in the morning at 64 for one, with a deficit of 66 runs. Their captain Nayeem Ahmed was top scorer with a 136-ball 45 laced with six fours. Aliyan, the captain of the home team who bowls off-break, was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 40 runs. Left-arm spinner Ali and right-arm medium-fast Shehzad took two wickets each for 86 and 24 runs, respectively. Pakistan suffered early hiccups in their chase as they lost two wickets with 15 runs on the scoreboard. But, an unbeaten 51-ball 43 by Abbas Ali ensured that the hosts crossed the line. Abbas’ 82-minute stay at the crease saw him hit four fours and a six. After the first three-day encounter between the two sides was played out a draw, this win helped Pakistan clinch the two three-day match series 1-0. Both teams now feature in the three-match 50 overs series starting from 4 November at the same venue. Scores in brief: Bangladesh U16 108 all-out, 44.1 overs (Radowan Hossan Siyam 50; Ayaz Shah 3-14, Ahmad Khan 2-18, Ali Asfand 2-31) and 227 all-0ut, 93.5 overs (Nayeem Ahmed 45, Tawhidul Islam Ferdus 40,Minhajul Hasan Magh 31; Aliyan Mehmood 3-40, Ali Asfand 2-86, Mohammad Shehzad 2-24) Pakistan U16 238 all-out, 85.4 overs (Ali Hasan 59, Ibrar Afzaal 47, Abbas Ali 37, Aliyan Mehmood 32 not out, Mohammad Shehzad 25; Shamsul Islam Epon 5-88, Ahosun Habib Leon 4-63) and 98-3, 22.4 overs ( Abbas Ali 43 not out, Ali Hasan 29; Ahmood Sharif 2-23) Result: Pakistan U16 won by seven wickets

Pakistan-Bangladesh face-off in two-match ODI series on Saturday SB Report  Lahore, 1 November 2019:  After securing a three-nil T20I series win, Pakistan women will aim for another clean-sweep when they will host Bangladesh women in the opening ODI of the two-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. Ahead of their next month’s final round ICC Women’s Championship fixture against world champions England in Malaysia, this series provides a crucial opportunity to the Bismah Maroof-led side to get their permutations and combinations right. Pakistan are currently ranked fifth in the eight-team series and a win against England will see them secure automatic qualification for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand by breaking into the top four. Bangladesh will take inspiration from the most recent ODI outing between the two sides in October 2018. The only ODI during Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh ended in the host’s comfortable six-wicket win. The two teams have overall played eight ODIs with Pakistan having an upper hand with five wins. The remaining three were won by Bangladesh. Saturday will also mark the first instance when Pakistan will play an ODI at the country’s home of cricket, the Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof: “We have two one-dayers against Bangladesh and our aim is to win both of them. The T20I series was our season-opener and we needed that win to get the momentum. Now, we have gotten it, we will look to make the most of it in the ODI series. “Our one-day team has been doing well of late and the girls are ready to confront all the challenges that come their way. It was evident in the T20I series when everyone stood up and delivered in pressure moments.”  Bangladesh captain Rumana Ahmed: “There’s a little worry in the camp after the T20I series defeat but we are looking at the positives. The ODI series present us chances to pounce back and we have a firm believe that we will do better in the upcoming two matches. “We have good performers in both departments but my observation is that our main strength will be out bowling attack.” Squads  Pakistan: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aliya Riaz, Aroob Shah, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Nashra Sandhu, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) Bangladesh: Rumana Ahmed (captain), Fahima Khatun, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Jahanara Alam, Khadija-tul-Kubra, Shanjida Akther, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Nigar Sultana (wicketkeeper), Panna Ghosh, Salma Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Shamima Sultana (wicketkeeper), Sharmin Sultana and Sharmin Sultana Supta  

Bangladesh spinners dominate, Pakistan take 130-run lead SB Report RAWALPINDI (November 1, 2019):-Ahosun Habib and Shamsul Islam claimed four and five wickets, respectively as Pakistan Under-16 were bowled out for 238 in their first innings on the second day of the second three-day match against Bangladesh U16 at KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi. The play commenced after a day’s rest as Pakistan resuming their first innings on 127 for three were dismissed for 238 in 85.4 overs taking a 130-run lead. Ibrar Afzal (47) and Aliyan Mehmood (32 not out) helped the team to post a formidable score. Ibrar’s innings included five fours and a six.   For Bangladesh, right-arm leg-spinner Shamsul Islam took five wickets for 88 in 34 overs. Ahosun Habib with his slow left-arm spin grabbed four wickets for 63 in 21.4 overs. In return, Bangladesh’s openers provided a confident start of 42 runs. At stumps, the visitors were 64 for one in 36 overs. Minhajul Hasan Magh was top-scored with a 78-ball 31, which included three fours and a six. Scores in brief: Bangladesh U16 108 all-out, 44.1 overs (Radowan Hossan Siyam 50; Ayaz Shah 3-14, Ahmad Khan 2-18, Ali Asfand 2-31) and 64-1, 36 overs (Minhajul Hasan Magh 31; Ali Asfand 1-31) Pakistan U16 238 all-out, 85.4 overs (Ali Hasan 59, Ibrar Afzaal 47, Abbas Ali 37, Aliyan Mehmood 32 not out, Mohammad Shehzad 25; Shamsul Islam Epon 5-88, Ahosun Habib Leon 4-63)

Ahmed Shehzad fined, Azhar Ali and Sohail Khan reprimanded for breaching PCB Code of Conduct SB Report  Karachi(November 1, 2019):-Central Punjab captain Ahmed Shehzad has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee, while his team-mate Azhar Ali and Sindh fast-bowler Sohail Khan have received official reprimands for violating PCB Code of Conduct during their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match, which ended in an exciting draw in Faisalabad on Thursday. Ahmed Shehzad was found guilty of committing a Level 1 offence under Article 2.14, which relates to changing condition of the ball (non-identification) during a match. The incident occurred during the 17th over of Sindh’s first innings on Tuesday when, during a normal inspection of the ball, on-field umpires Mohammad Asif and Zameer Ahmed found that the ball had been unfairly changed by a member of the fielding side. The matter was reported to match referee Nadeem Arshad who, on the basis of a preliminary review, determined that Ahmed Shehzad, as captain, had a case to answer for the contravention as the incident related to non-identification of the player and a Notice of Charge was issued to him under the PCB Code of Conduct. Ahmed pleaded not guilty to the charge, and, as such, a hearing took place after the match on Thursday, in which Ahmed was found guilty. Ahmed later said: “We can agree to disagree in this incident as I maintain that the condition of the ball changed naturally due to the rough playing square and not artificially. I tried to convince the match officials, but they insisted and I accept and respect their decision. “I would never indulge in such an act nor allow any of my team-mates to disrespect the game. My priority is to play hard, competitive and result-oriented cricket, and at the same time inspire the younger generation, which watches us play the game.” In an unrelated incident, Azhar Ali and Sohail Khan have been handed official reprimands as the two players got into an argument after Central Punjab pushed for victory against Sindh. Azhar Ali was found guilty of engaging in a Level 1 offence described in Article 2.9, which deals with throwing a ball at or near a player, support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during a match, while Sohail Khan was found guilty of committing an Article 2.10 – Level 1 offence, which pertains to time wasting by any player or team during a match. Both the players were charged by on-field umpires Mohammad Asif and Zameer Ahmed. As the players accepted the proposed sanctions by match referee Nadeem Arshad, there was no further need for formal hearings.

SB Report SIALKOT:-Northern maintained the upper hand on the fourth and final day as their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament round-five first-class match against Southern Punjab ended in a draw at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot on Thursday. Resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 403 for 8, Southern Punjab managed to take the total to 453 all out, courtesy wicketkeeper batsman Adnan Akmal’s 100-ball 64 that included 10 fours. Northern (first innings 550 for six declared) managed a 97-run first innings lead. Southern Punjab who were 440 for eight after the completion of 110 overs gained full five batting points, Northern took two by taking eight wickets in the stipulated period. Noman Ali with five wickets was the best bowler for Northern, Waqas Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed two wickets apiece. Northern got off to a solid start in their second innings, first inning double centurion Zeeshan Malik made 59 runs while his fellow opener Haider Ali scored 79 runs. The two added 131 runs for the first wicket. Northern though lost three wickets in quick succession shortly before the tea interval; they were placed at 146 for three at tea. Besides the two openers, first inning centurion Umar Amin (4) was also dismissed before the tea interval. Left-arm-spinner Mohammad Irfan took all three wickets. In the final session of play, Northern declared their second innings at 212 for four after 57 overs of batting; stumps were drawn and the match was declared a draw with Northern’s declaration. Scores in brief: Northern 550 for 6 declared, 124.2 overs (Zeeshan Malik 216, Umar Amin 156, Faizan Riaz 83; Rahat Ali 3-97, Muhammad Abbas 2-86) and 212 for 4 declared, 57 overs (Haider Ali 79, Zeeshan Malik 59; Mohammad Irfan Jr. 3-70) Southern Punjab 453 all out, 113.5 overs (Sohaib Maqsood 111, Sami Aslam 100, Shan Masood 58; Noman Ali 5-148, Waqas Ahmed 3-59) Result: Match drawn

SB Report FAISALABAD:-The four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fifth-round fixture between Central Punjab and Sindh ended in a draw at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Set a target of 331, Sindh had half of their batting lineup back in the pavilion with only 68 runs on board as fast-bowler Naseem Shah continued his impressive form. After Central Punjab had declared at 273 for five in the morning session after adding 81 runs to their overnight 192 for two, the young pacer had Sindh at 17 for one, as he bowled Abid Ali for the second time in the match, when Lunch was taken. The 16-year-old right-arm pacer took two more wickets in the evening session as his wicket tally for the match went to nine for 111 runs. Sindh’s fightback was led by captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored a 62-ball 54 before he was dismissed by Naseem. Sarfaraz spent 75 minutes at the crease and hit seven fours. That Sindh edged out in securing a draw against the home team also had to do with their bowler Tabish Khan, who spent 48 minutes at the crease scoring only one.                      Opener Khurram Manzoor, who scored 28 runs from his 84-ball stay at the crease, was the other noticeable batsman in the innings. The right-handed batsman had cracked five fours in the 134 minutes he spent in the middle. With two wickets for 45 runs, spinner Zafar Gohar was the other bowler to have sent shivers down the Sindh’s camp as the left-arm spinner took the wickets of Asad Shafiq (eight) and Kashif Bhatti (0). Earlier, Central Punjab’s Salman Butt completed his 24th first-class century after resuming his innings on 90. The left-handed opening-batsman scored 137 runs from 206 balls, hitting 20 fours. In the sixth round of the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Central Punjab host Northern at Iqbal Stadium, while Sindh travel to Abbottabad to play Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Scores in brief: Central Punjab 313 all-out, 95.5 overs (Kamran Akmal 90, Ahmed Shehzad 60, Faheem Ashraf 52, Usman Salahuddin 38, Ehsan Adil 25; Kashif Bhatti 3-99, Mir Hamza 2-46, Sohail Khan 2-72, Tabish Khan 2-80) and 273-5, 65.5 overs (Salman Butt 137, Azhar Ali 90, Umer Akmal 24; Tabish Khan 3-65) Sindh 256 all-out, 74.4 overs (Fawad Alam 92, Saad Ali 81, Omair Bin Yousaf 33; Naseem Shah 6-78, Ehsan Adil 2-36) and 158-8, 58 overs (Sarfaraz Ahmed 54, Khurram Manzoor 28, Saad Ali 23; Naseem Shah 3-33, Zafar Gohar 2-45) Match result: Drawn