Author: ali.hassan

KATHMANDU: Pakistan bagged two bronze medals in the South Asia Regional U-17 Junior Badminton Championship at Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club’s covered hall in Halchowk, Kathmandu.

Pakistan’s Ammarah Ishtiaq won a bronze medal in the U-17 women’s singles tournament, while she teamed up with Mariyam Hanif to bag another bronze for her country by winning the U-17 women’s doubles tournament.

Ammarah Ishtiaq defeated Maldives’ Mohamed Shareef by the score of 21-08, 21-06.

Meanwhile, in the doubles clash, the Pakistani duo went over the Nepalese duo Roji Rai and Anjel Limbu 21-8, 21-11.

Chairman of the Pakistan Badminton Federation, Wajid Ali Chaudry, congratulated players on their achievements in the tournament.

South Asia Regional U-17 Junior Badminton Championship is being organized by Badminton Asia under the coordination of the Nepal Badminton Association (NBA).

A total of 52 shuttlers from six South Asian countries – including 16 from Nepal – are taking part in the five-day championship which features 12 events – singles, doubles, mixed doubles and mixed team – in under-15 and under-17 age groups.

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KARACHI: Nepal cricket team has reached Karachi to participate in the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, commencing on August 30.

The team landed at Karachi airport under tight security measures and was subsequently taken to the hotel.

According to the details, Nepal had requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to practice in Pakistan to prepare themselves for the Asia Cup.

Consequently, the associate team will now practice at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on August 24 and 25. Meanwhile, they will also play a practice match on August 26 in Karachi Gymkhana. The visiting side will subsequently leave for Multan on August 27.

Nepal is led by young all-rounder Rohit Paudel and will make their Asia Cup debut in the upcoming edition having qualified for the first time.

They will play host Pakistan in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Mousom Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato, Arjun Saud

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture, while the rest of the games including the final will be played in Sri Lanka.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Haris takes five as Pakistan sink Afghanistan by 142 runs in first ODI

The Nepal cricket team is anticipated to reach Karachi tomorrow morning to kick off their preparations for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, commencing on August 30.

According to the details, Nepal had requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to practice in Pakistan to prepare themselves for the Asia Cup.

Consequently, the associate team will now practice at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on August 24 and 25. Meanwhile, they will also play a practice match on August 26 in Karachi Gymkhana.

Nepal is led by young all-rounder Rohit Paudel and will play host Pakistan in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Mousom Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato, Arjun Saud

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture, while the rest of the games including the final will be played in Sri Lanka.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

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Chairman PCB Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, had a meeting with the Pakistan men’s cricket team before their first One-Day International against Afghanistan in Hambantota.

On this occasion, the Chairman Management Committee PCB addressed the team, stating, “I have great hope that with your efforts and hard work, Pakistan will win the Asia Cup. After securing victory, I am sure you will carry this momentum and confidence in the World Cup, bringing the World Cup trophy back home.”

“This team under our great captain [Babar Azam] is performing really well. He has a talented team, and they are all performing in their respective roles. We have world-class batters and bowlers on the side. We have a good combination and I don’t find any reason why we should not win this trophy.”

Zaka Ashraf also stated that former cricketers from Pakistan and around the world were backing Pakistan as favourites for the Asia Cup because of their current form. He further told the players, “All of you are capable enough to beat your opponents. We have won the World Cup before and secured the Asia Cup twice. There is no reason to believe we cannot do it again. Show your best performance on the field. Best wishes are with you.”

Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with the first match set to be played on 22 August. The series will conclude on 26 August before the team travels back to Pakistan to take play the opening match of the Asia Cup against Nepal on August 30.

READ: ‘Afghanistan series beneficial for major events,’ says Babar Azam

KARACHI: Pakistan women’s team started their preparations for the T20I and ODI series against the South Africa women’s team, with the training camp organized at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

Former test cricketer and women’s team’s batting coach Taufiq Umar is supervising the camp, and helping the players train at their best to prepare for the upcoming series.

A scenario-based match was organized between the players, giving the batsmen and bowlers different targets to prepare for different situations during the match.

Pakistan’s under-13 and under-16 men’s cricketers also participated in the camp and trained along with the women’s team.

The training camp will conclude on August 27, while the South African team will arrive in Pakistan on the same day.

The three T20I series will be played on September 1, 3 and 5 at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi. Meanwhile, the ODI series will commence on September 8.

South Africa squad for ODIs and T20Is:

Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt.

Pakistan T20I squad:

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani

Reserves – Anoosha Nasir, Omaima Sohail and Waheeda Akhtar

Pakistan ODI squad:

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar

Reserves – Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz and Tuba Hassan

Player support personnel: Nahida Khan (manager), Mauhtashim Rashid (interim head coach), Kamran Hussain (bowling coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Zubair Ahmed (analyst), Rifat Asghar Gill (physiotherapist) and Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager).

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Pakistan’s Nauman Khan bagged the gold medal in the under-13 category of the Asian Junior Squash Individual Championship by defeating fellow Pakistani Ahmad Rayyan Khalil with a game score of 9/11, 11/8, 6/11, 11/3, 11/9 at Dalian, China.

Pakistan, overall, demonstrated an impressive performance in the Asian Junior Squash Individual Championship, securing three medals.

In the final of the under-13 category, both Pakistani players showed remarkable grit against each other before Nauman Khan came out victorious after a hard-fought battle against his counterpart.

Ahmad Rayyan Khalil started the game on high with a 9/11 victory over Nauman Khan in the first set, however, Nauman made a comeback in the second set with 11/8 to level.

Although, Ahmad Rayyan Khalil pulled him back in the third set with a 6/11 win, before Nauman Khan ultimately stood tall with back-to-back victories in the last two sets 11/3 and 11/9 to secure the gold medal.

Ahmad Rayyan Khalil earned a silver medal after faltering against Nauman Khan in the final, adding another medal to Pakistan’s tally.

Earlier in the tournament, Nauman Khan defeated Yen Tsz Long from Hong Kong with scores of 11/2, 11/5 and 11/6 to secure his place in the final, while Ahmad Khalil toppled Lokkesh Wigneswaran from Malaysia with scores of 11/2, 11/4, 11/9, to earn his ticket to the final.

Meanwhile, in the under-17 category, Pakistan’s Abdullah Nawaz managed to grab the bronze medal.

🏆🥊 Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship 2023 – Grand Finale! 🥇🥈🥉

UNDER 13:
🥇Nauman Khan and Ahmad Khalil faced off in a gripping match that had everyone's hearts racing! The scoreboard told a story of determination and skill: 3/2 (6/11, 11/7, 11/9, 3/11, 11/9). pic.twitter.com/yi7kcxVv1X

— Pakistan Squash Federation (@paksquash) August 20, 2023

Asian Junior Squash Individual Championship was held from August 16 to August 20 in Dalia, China.

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Pakistan left-arm speedster Wahab Riaz, on Wednesday, announced his retirement from international cricket but will continue to play franchise cricket.

Wahab Riaz shared the news in a post on his official account on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Stepping off the international pitch. After an incredible journey, I’ve decided to retire from international cricket. Big thank you to PCB, my family, coaches, mentors, teammates, fans, and everyone who supported me. Exciting times ahead in the world of franchise cricket!” Riaz posted on his X account.

🏏 Stepping off the international pitch

🌟 After an incredible journey, I've decided to retire from international cricket. Big thank you to PCB, my family, coaches, mentors, teammates, fans, and everyone who supported me. 🙏

Exciting times ahead in the world of franchise…

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) August 16, 2023

He also shared a document of his press statement, which says: “I have been speaking about my retirement plans past two years, that 2023 is my target to retire from International cricket, and I feel comfortable now more than ever that I have served my country and National team to the best I could have,”

He further voiced his emotions of being proud to represent Pakistan on the international stage and announced his future commitment to franchise cricket.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent Pakistan on the international stage. As I bid farewell to this chapter, I am thrilled to embark on a new adventure in franchise cricket, where I hope to entertain and inspire audiences while competing against some of the best talents in the world.” he said.

Wahab Riaz had an illustrious career for Pakistan, having played across all formats for the green shirts. He made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2008, and his T20I debut a few months later against Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, his test debut came two years later, in 2010 against England, where he picked up five wickets and became the ninth Pakistani bowler to bag a five-wicket haul on debut.

Wahab represented Pakistan in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs and 36 T20Is. He picked up 83 wickets in Tests at an average of 34.50, 120 in ODIs at 34.30 and 34 wickets at 28.55 in T20Is.

The left-arm fast bowler has represented Pakistan in three ODI World Cups, from 2011 to 2019, and has picked 35 wickets. He is the second-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in ODI World Cups after Wasim Akram (55).

His best ODI performance also came in a World Cup game against arch-rivals India in the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali, where he returned with figures of 5-46.

Wahab Riaz last played for Pakistan in 2020 against New Zealand in a T20I match, and his last ODI came a month before in a home series against Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, his last Test outing was in 2018 against Australia.

He is also the highest wicket-taker and the only bowler so far to pick 100 wickets in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history. He picked 113 wickets in PSL, playing for Peshawar Zalmi since the inaugural season.

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DUBAI: The registration for the ticket sale for this year’s ICC Men’s World Cup in India has kicked off, the apex cricketing body announced on Tuesday.

Cricket fans across the globe are required to register before getting their hands on ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 tickets, to guarantee their attendance at the upcoming cricket extravaganza in India.

“Ahead of tickets going on sale, fans will have the opportunity to register their interest via https://www.cricketworldcup.com/register from 15 August [today]. This will enable them to receive ticket news first and help secure their spot at the World Cup, and experience the joy of cricket in one day,” the ICC said in a statement last week.

The sale of tickets will commence on August 25, and conclude on September 15.

Tickets for the warm-up matches of the World Cup will be available for sale on August 25, while the tickets for the Pakistan-India clash will go on sale on September 3.

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup tickets will be sold in phases and the dates for ticket sales are as follows:

25 August – Non-India warm-up matches and all non-India event matches

30 August – India matches at Guwahati and Trivandrum

31 August – India matches at Chennai, Delhi and Pune

1 September – India matches at Dharamsala, Lucknow and Mumbai

2 September – India matches at Bengaluru and Kolkata

3 September – India matches at Ahmedabad

15 September – Semi Finals and Final

The ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 commences on Thursday, 5 October when 2019 finalists England and New Zealand clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with the event culminating in the final at the same venue on Sunday, 19 November.

The tournament will be played in ten different venues – Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Dharamsala, Delhi, Chennai, Lucknow, Pune, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata.

Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram in addition to Hyderabad will host the warm-up matches from 29 September to 3 October.

Pakistan’s updated schedule for ICC Men’s World Cup 2023:

October 6: Pakistan vs Netherlands, Hyderabad

October 10: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Hyderabad

October 14: Pakistan vs India, Ahmedabad

October 20: Pakistan – vs Australia, Bengaluru

October 23: Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Chennai

October 27: Pakistan vs South Africa, Chennai

October 31: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Kolkata

November 4: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Bengaluru (Day match)

November 11: Pakistan – vs England, Kolkata

It is important to note that the day matches will commence at 10:00 AM Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while the day-night matches will start at 01:30 PM (PST).

READ: Chris Woakes named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2023

LAHORE: Pakistan national women’s team’s chief selector Saleem Jaffar today announced a 15-player squad for next month’s bilateral white-ball series against South Africa.

The series consists of three T20Is and three ODIs, with the ODIs being part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.

18-year-old Shawaal Zulfiqar, who has also been included in Pakistan women’s squad for next month’s Asian Games, has been picked for the three T20Is scheduled to take place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 1 to 5 September.

The T20I series will be followed by three ODIs taking place at the same venue on 8, 11 and 14 September.

Right-arm fast bowler Diana Baig makes a comeback and is placed in both Pakistan women’s squads after recovering from a finger injury that kept her out from the game for more than six months.

She sustained finger injury in the third One-Day International against Australia in January this year.

The side will be captained by experienced all-rounder Nida Dar, who will lead the side after taking over from Bismah Maroof, who stepped down from captaincy after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February this year.

The squads were finalised after deliberations amongst the women’s selection committee led by Saleem Jaffar and captain Nida Dar.

Leg-spinner Syeda Aroob Shah, who last featured for Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, stages a comeback in the T20I side after more than three years. All-rounder Natalia Parvaiz, who last turned out for Pakistan in 2018, is back in the T20I side and is also kept as a reserve player in ODI squad.

Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi is also a member of the 15-player T20I squad. Off-spinner Umm-e-Hani, who has featured in one ODI is also part of the T20I squad.

Meanwhile, Aimen Anwar, Javeria Khan, Ayesha Naseem (retired from international cricket), Sidra Nawaz and Tuba Hassan are the players left out from the last T20I squad that played the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Omaima Sohail is part of the reserves in the shortest format.

In the ODI squad, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar have been selected in place of Ayesha Naseem and Kainat Imtiaz from the tour of Australia earlier this year.

Pakistan T20I squad for South Africa series:

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani

Reserves – Anoosha Nasir, Omaima Sohail and Waheeda Akhtar

Pakistan ODI squad for South Africa series:

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar

Reserves – Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz and Tuba Hassan

Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar: “After careful consideration, we have decided to bring Syeda Aroob Shah and Natalia Parvaiz back into the fold in the T20I format. Their recent performances and improved fitness have been remarkable, and we believe they will bring a new dimension to the team.

“Umm-e-Hani’s inclusion in both squads is based on her exceptional off-spin abilities. With the pitches in Karachi favouring spinners, we are confident that she will play a crucial role in our bowling attack.

“To bolster our fast-bowling department, we have selected Waheeda Akhter in the ODI squad. With Diana Baig and Fatima Sana leading our pace attack, it’s essential to have cover for them. These two fast bowlers have proven themselves to be pivotal in ODI cricket, especially considering the use of two new balls.”

Pakistan women’s team are placed fourth in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 points table, winning five matches from nine outings.

This will be Pakistan’s third home series in the ICC Women’s Championship, after they hosted Sri Lanka (2-1) and Ireland (3-0) last year in Karachi and Lahore, respectively.

South Africa, who are embarking on their first-ever tour of Pakistan, will reach Karachi on 27 August.

They are currently placed on the ninth spot in the ICC Women’s Championship, after playing just one series in the championship and winning all three matches against Ireland held in June 2022.

The team management and schedule of the Pakistan team’s training camp will be announced in due course.

Series schedule:

vs South Africa (all matches at National Bank Stadium, Karachi)

27 Aug – South Africa team arrival

1 Sep – First T20I v South Africa

3 Sep – Second T20I v South Africa

5 Sep – Third T20I v South Africa

8 Sep – First ODI v South Africa

11 Sep – Second ODI v South Africa

14 Sep – Third ODI v South Africa

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Street Child Football Team on Monday, returned to the country after participating in the recently-concluded Norway Cup.

The national team, who put up a great show in the tournament, landed here at Islamabad International on Monday morning.

The players received a warm welcome from the fans and their families at the airport. They also received garlands as a symbol of appreciation.

Notably, the Pakistan street child football team finished as the runners-up of the Norway Cup after falling to a 9-10 defeat on penalties against Sola FK on Saturday in Oslo. The match had 1-1 after extra time.

Tufail Shinwari’s first-half equalizer, courtesy of a free kick, powered Pakistan to make a comeback in the final after Sola FK pulled ahead with an early lead.

The 1-1 deadlock between the two sides persisted till the regulation and extra time and the fate of the match was then to be decided on the penalties.

Both teams continued their see-saw battle in the penalty shoot-out before Pakistan faltered and thus Sola FK ran away with the Norway Cup title with a close victory.

Pakistan street child football team entered the final after remaining unbeaten in seven games.

The national team scored the most goals by any team in the tournament and also recorded the largest victory in the tournament’s history when they blew Frigg Oslo FK 11-1.

For an exceptional tournament, Pakistan’s Asad Nasir was adjudged the player of the Norway Cup 2023.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan qualified for the finals of the Norway Cup for the second time, after ending up as runners-up in Norway Cup 2015.

Pakistan team also finished runners-up in the Street Child World Cup in Doha last year. They remained undefeated in that tournament, until losing to the eventual champions Egypt in the final on penalties.

They were also runners-up in the Street Child World Cup 2018 in Russia (2018), whereas, in the 2014 edition they finished third after losing in the semi-finals.

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