Author: shoaib.jatt

MALE: Pakistan girls’ table tennis team secured a first-round victory in the ongoing South Asian Junior Cadet Table Tennis Championship 2022 defeating Nepal 3-2, here on Monday.

Pakistan table tennis team, which travelled to the Maldives to participate in the South Asian Championship without the financial support from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) showcased their talent as the girls’ team comprises Haiqa Hassan, Perniya, and Kalsoom defeated Nepal by the scores of 3-2.

The boys’ team, however, drew a contrasting result in their first match of the championships as Bangladesh thrashed the green shirts 3-0.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF), which could not get funds from PSB, directed the players and support personnel to arrange their tickets by themselves to participate in the event.

The players, however, then got private sponsorships from different organizations, which allowed them to compete in the South Asian Championship.

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KARACHI: The plan to modernize the Abdul Sattar Edhi International Hockey Stadium has been finalized as Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the Government of Sindh have awarded the contract for the construction to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO).

According to the details, around 1.5 billion rupees will be spent on the rebuilding of the stadium, which will also include the state-of-the-art indoor gymnasiums and swimming pools.

The boys’ hostel and changing rooms for up to four teams are also part of the renovation plan. Whereas, seats will be installed in the enclosures for the first time.

On this occasion, the administrator of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Mohammad Junaid said that the county will be able to host major events after the up-gradation of the stadium.

“With the efforts of PHF President and Secretary, Sindh Government will now bear all the expenses for the renovation of the stadium,” Junaid said.

“Pakistan will then be able to host major tournaments and events as soon as the stadium completely rebuilds,” he concluded.

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LAHORE: Renowned American baseball coach Randall Arms has reached the country to help the baseball team prepare for the upcoming Asian Games.

Arms, who signed a month-long contract with the Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB) will train the players ahead of Asian Games at a camp in Gujranwala.

The president of PFB and the captain of the national baseball team Umair Bhatti welcomed the American coach on his arrival in Pakistan.

It is worth noting that Pakistan is one of the twelve teams competing in the Asian Games in baseball. The tournament is scheduled in China in September.

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LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Team is unprepared for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia later this year.

Hafeez, while speaking in ARY News’ show Bouncer (Eid Special), claimed that the green shirts are missing the composition for playing well in the Australian conditions.

“I’m hoping and praying that Pakistan’s team does well in the World Cup. However, I believe the team still lacks the necessary components for such results in Australian conditions,” he said.

“We’ve been unable to hit the process of winning in Australia. I think our middle order is still unsettled. Whereas in the bowling department, only [Shaheen Shah Afridi] and [Haris Rauf] are performing well but they too do not have much experience of playing in those conditions. So I think it would be quite challenging for the side,” he added.

The former captain further advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to finalize the squad for the upcoming World Cup.

“I think the board should build a better team combination and finalise the squad in the next five to six months. Those players – with which the management has already decided to go for the mega event – should be given ample opportunities and should not be dropped after brief stints,” Hafeez said.

“It would give a lot of confidence to them and the management should accept their failures and success in that period of time,” he added.

No Cricket during Eid

On being asked how Hafeez feels now that he is celebrating Eid at home after being on several tours over the last few years owing to his commitment to the team, he replied, that it is challenging for players the PCB should take measures to provide them with some off days during the special events like Eid.

“I believe that celebrating Eid away from home is difficult, but it is something that you cannot refuse, and sadly, our board does not make any efforts to protect players from this issue,” he said.

“Similarly, most nations do not play cricket during the Christmas season, and we too should consider allowing players to take some time off to celebrate this special occasion with their families,” he added.

Retirement from International Cricket

On a question regarding his retirement from international cricket and how did he get to a point of making the decision of hanging his boots, the former captain Hafeez claimed that he wanted to make a respectful exit and clear the way for the youngsters.

“I always played cricket to serve Pakistan and to earn respect. I self-analyzed myself and got to a decision that it is the very best time to make a respectful exit,” he said.

“I wanted to provide a chance to the young players who have been waiting in line for a slot, and when I say the moment was perfectly correct, it’s because I wanted to allow the upcoming players a year to settle into the team so that Pakistan could go on to win the World Cup,” he concluded.

Multiple choices for the captaincy role

When asked about Shaheen leading Lahore Qalandars to their first Pakistan Super League (PSL) victory, which has created a debate regarding several captaincy possibilities in the form of Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen, Hafeez responded that having multiple alternatives is a good indication for Pakistan cricket.

“In my opinion, if we have multiple options for the leadership role then it is beneficial for Pakistan cricket,” Hafeez said.

“If we are getting a different style of leadership for Pakistan then I would say it is a really good sign for Pakistan cricket moving forward,” he concluded.

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AMSTERDAM: The head coach of the Netherlands men’s hockey team Jeroen Delmee has rubbished the reports of the Pakistan Hockey Team playing against the local clubs on the Europe Tour.

After a voice statement circulated by a former Olympian, claiming that the Dutch and Belgian teams have refused to play against Pakistan and the green shirts are playing against the local club teams. The Dutch head coach came forward to rubbish the former’s accusations.

In a video statement for the Pakistani fans, the head coach of the Dutch hockey team Delmee confirmed that the national team has so far played two matches against Pakistan and I can confirm that they played against the national team of Holland.

“Last Tuesday and yesterday we played two games against Pakistan with the national team. On Tuesday, we lost 5-3 against a very young and energetic Pakistan side,” he said.

“But fortunately, we were able to turn things around for the Wednesday game and we were able to beat Pakistan 4-1 with our national team. So if you might have any questions, I can confirm that they played against the national team of Holland,” he added.

Delmee then wished the green shirts well at the Asia Cup and hoped to see them compete in the World Cup again.

I wish Pakistan all the best in preparing and developing for Asia Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and we hope to see them back to the World Cup,” he concluded.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s Table Tennis players, who are set to participate in the upcoming South Asian Junior & Cadet Table Tennis Championship, have gotten sponsors for travelling expenses.

The selected players, who were previously told by the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) have gotten a sponsor as Meiji Pakistan will now bear the travelling expenses of three players.

Previously, the PTTF revealed that the federation requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to grant NOC and provision of funds, which, however, was not released by the PSB.

Following this PTTF directed the officials and the players to arrange their tickets by themselves. However, vowed to reimburse the amount once PSB releases the funds.

It is pertinent to mention here that the upcoming South Asian Junior & Cadet Table Tennis Championship will be held from May 9 to May 11, in the Maldives.

READ: Ramiz Raja to continue as PCB Chairman: Sources

LAHORE: The chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – Ramiz Raja, will continue to lead the cricket board, sources claimed.

Ramiz, whose future as PCB chairman was in doubt after a change in the structure of the federal government, will continue working in the same role.

According to the details, Ramiz held a meeting with the directors of the cricket board and ensured that he will continue to work.

“I am not going anywhere. The newly elected government has directed me to keep working,” Ramiz told the directors.

“We will keep working as per our vision,” he further discussed.

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KARACHI: The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) has directed the players and officials to arrange their own tickets to participate in the South Asian Junior & Cadet Table Tennis Championship from 9th to 11th May 2022, in the Maldives.

In an official letter released by the PTTF, the federation revealed that a request for grant of NOC and provision of funds has already been submitted to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) but could not receive the financial support from the latter.

Following this, the PTTF was forced to direct the officials and the players to arrange their tickets by themselves. However, vowed to reimburse the amount once PSB releases the funds.

“At this stage, it is difficult for PTTF to send the team because the PSB didn’t release funds so far and due to financial constraints the PTTF is not in a position to arrange the return air tickets of the Maldives for officials and players,” the statement read.

“After detailed discussion, it has been decided that the officials/ players may arrange return air tickets on their own for the subject championship at the Maldives. It is pertinent to mention here that this amount will be reimbursed subject to the funds released by the PSB,” the statement added.

It’s worth noting that the PTTF also instructed officials and players to confirm their entries by 12:00 PM on April 19, 2022. Only the names of those officials/players who confirm on time will be given to the quarter in question; otherwise, the PTTF selection committee will replace the official/player who can arrange a return air ticket.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has completed the inquiry regarding the team’s dismal performance in the recently held ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022.

According to the details, the junior team’s Head Coach Ijaz Ahmed and Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar appeared before the inquiry committee, which included PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain, Nadeem Khan, the director of the National High-Performance Center (NHPC), and Zakir Khan.

Saleem, the top selector, criticized the head coach, claiming that he did not open the innings with the openers he chose.

“The openers we chose were not chosen to open the innings. In addition, he did not field the spinners according to the game plan “Saleem complained.

On the other hand, the head coach of the junior cricket team Ijaz asserted that the players are mentally weak, citing this as the reason for the team’s poor performance.

“The reason for the poor performance is because the players are mentally weak as a they belong from the backward areas,” he said.

On the other hand, team manager Taimur Azam responded to the inquiry, claiming that he was neither consulted nor added to the team’s group.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan finished at fifth in the tournament and were knocked out by Australia in one of the quarter-finals. The green shirts then multiple ranking matches before crushing Sri Lanka by 238 runs to secure the fifth position.

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KARACHI: The newly elected Federal Government of Pakistan is likely to consider reviving departmental sports in the country, sources claimed.

According to the details, the government is considering reinstating all departmental sports teams, which were shut down by the former ruling government.

The government may further issue an instruction regarding the revival of the departmental and also for the formation of the teams. Furthermore, there is also a proposal to reinstate players who have been sacked from government departments.

It is pertinent to mention here that the former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim, who was considered a big supporter of departmental cricket in the country, also resigned from the chairmanship of the cricket committee in September 2020, citing the non serious attitude of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) towards the issue.

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