RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam bettered his last day’s century with two wickets as he displayed an astounding all-round performance in the intra-squad scenario-based practice match ahead of the Sri Lanka tour.
Babar, who piled up runs on the first day of the practice match, displayed his brilliant bowling abilities on the second, as he found himself among the wickets.
The right-handed batter resumed his unbeaten century-plus knock on the second day and retired after scoring 134. After Babar, Fawad Alam was the highest run-scorer with his magnificent 75.
For Sarfaraz XI, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Salman Ali Agha claimed a wicket apiece.
Salman also top-scored for his side as he scored an important 48, the skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, Hasan, and Shaheen were the other notable run-getters for the side.
Besides Babar, Haris Rauf and Mubasir Khan also bagged two wickets each before the match concluded in a draw.
It is pertinent to mention here that following the conclusion of the intra-squad scenario-based practice match, the national squad for the away Test series against Sri Lanka will have a rest day tomorrow.
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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister of planning Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high-profile meeting here to analyze the initiatives taken for the sports and youth in the country.
In a meeting, attended by the Special Assistant for Youth Affairs, Chairman Higher Education Commission, NewTech and Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination Officers, the Federal Minister Ahsan emphasized working for the betterment of sports and the youth in the country while also announcing to launch a special budget program for the youth.
“The government is launching a special budget program for youth. The PSDP will include projects for youth technical training and the development of a startup environment,” Ahsan stated.
“We are planning to build sports complexes in collaboration with provincial governments,” he added.
The federal minister also commented on the Pakistan Olympics Association (POA) and stated that the association should be held accountable for the athletes’ dismal performances in the Olympics and also stressed fostering transparency in the sports federations.
“Pakistan Olympic Association should be held accountable for poor performance in Olympic Games,” Ahsan stated.
“We will bring transparency in sports federations in collaboration with the International Olympic Association,” he concluded.
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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the six-month expenses of the chairman Ramiz Raja, here on Saturday.
The cricket board shared the document comprising the unaudited expenses availed by the chairman Ramiz from October 2021 to 22 March 2022.
As per the document, the PCB chairman spent around four million rupees over the course of six months, with more than two million spent on domestic travel.
The PCB Chairman also spent over half a million on vehicle allowance, over a hundred thousand on utility and mobile allowance, and 0.25 million on personal security guards and servants.
It is apropos to mention here that this is the first instance after September 2021, that the PCB has shared the expenditure details of Ramiz. Whereas, the expenses of the former PCB chairmen used to be updated on a regular basis.
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ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja is likely to be removed from his position, sources claimed.
In the latest development, the newly-elected Federal Government has decided to remove Ramiz from the chairmanship of the PCB, as per the sources.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif will nominate two names for the position in which the name of the former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi is also included.
The PCB Governing Board will then select one out of the two suggested names.
It is pertinent to mention here that Ramiz held a meeting with the board directors earlier today, in which he claimed that he has been told to continue as PCB chairman.
READ: Ramiz Raja to continue as PCB Chairman: Sources
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani skipper Babar Azam, Test opener Azhar Ali, and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed have reached here on Friday to feature in the historic Test series against Australia.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to keep traveling reserves Sarfaraz and Naseem Shah with the squad for the Australia series.
Earlier, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Saud Shakeel, Imam-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, head coach Saqlain Mushtaq and batting coach Mohammad Yousaf reached here for the series.
Players, who are busy in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, will join the squad here after they are released from their commitments. PSL 7 will end on February 27 at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
The historic Test series will start on March 4 with Pindi cricket stadium hosting the first Test between the two sides. Karachi and Lahore will host second and third Tests, respectively.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Muzaffar Khan beat Afghanistan’s Ahmad Samir to win the Arabian Sea Championship Title belt here at Liaquat Gymnasium on Saturday.
In a nail-biting contest, both the fighters attacked each other with different tricks and techniques. The first four rounds of the game were equaled by the fighters.
In the fifth round, Muzaffar knocked out his opponent to win the fight.
On his victory, Muzaffar thanked his coaches, family, and fans for support. “This victory is dedicated to my beloved motherland,” he said while talking to the media.
“I would like to thank my coaches for training me, my family, and friends for their support. Also, I am grateful for the organizers of this fight,” he added.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Muzaffar Khan and Afghanistan’s Ahmad Samir will lock horns in the Arabian Sea Championship title fight on January 22 here at Liaquat Gymnasium.
According to the details, the two fighters will tie up for an interesting contest on January 22. Both the fighters are confident to contest strongly for their respective countries.
Khan raised high hopes for winning the title. “I am excited for this fight which is going to be tough for both of us,” Khan said in a statement. “I am fully prepared for it and I am confident to beat my opponent,” he added.
ISLAMABAD: International Cricket Council (ICC) will announce the schedule of the T20 World Cup 2022 on January 21 after consulting with Cricket Australia (CA).
The tournament is proposed to start on October 16 and end on November 13 this year. The complete schedule with venues and time will be disclosed on January 21.
According to reports, ICC and CA will meet to finalize the schedule.
Remember, Australia won their maiden T20 World Cup title in 2021, beating New Zealand in the final. They will defend their title later this year at home.
PESHAWAR: Millions of rupees worth of Wushu mats found stranded in the boxing hall of the Qayyum Stadium, soaked in water.
The wushu mats were thrown in the Boxing Hall of the stadium by the boxing coach. Whereas, the wushu players are facing difficulty in training; following the absence of competent mats.
The Boxing Hall is situated right next to the Administrator office of the stadium, however, the administration is unaware of the ongoing situation.
Despite the lack of facilities, membership fees are being charged from the players.
On the other hand, the cover of the Boxing ring is also missing from the training academy.
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Super League (PSL) 7 is just around the corner and preparations are in full swing to successfully host yet another mega event in the country.
Due to COVID-19 fear, teams were allowed to pick two additional players in their squads. Now, they will go for it in the supplementary category on January 6 and 7.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is busy finalising the COVID-19 protocols for the event.
Initial plan
25-30 extra players will be added in the bio-secure bubble to deal with positive cases during the event.
A team can play their match even after their eight players test COVID-19 positive
In case of ninth player’s positive test, the team will have an option to pick replacement from additional players pool available in the bio-secure bubble
COVID-19 positive cases will remain in isolation for 10 days
Only two teams at a time will be allowed to travel from Karachi to Lahore on a chartered flight
It must be noted here that the event is scheduled from January 27 to February 27 in Karachi and Lahore.