Category: Sports

Web Desk – Dominica bid farewell to two legends of the game in a most fitting manner, giving Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq the most heart-stopping send-off possible

History beckoned time and again, torturing and teasing them. It made them wait, it made them wonder, it made them despair. But, with six balls left in the game, the series, and their careers, came perhaps its most satisfying moment.

Shannon Gabriel, West Indies’ No. 11, had spent just over half an hour at the crease, and had seen out 21 balls. See out one more, and it would leave Roston Chase, who was batting on 101, to face the last over and dramatically raise West Indies’ chances of saving the Test. Gabriel had kept out those 21 balls by trusting his defence, but now, seeing Yasir Shah toss one up outside off stump with all nine fielders in catching positions, went for a big slog.

He only managed an inside-edge into the stumps. It’s hard to say what Gabriel was thinking. It’s hard to imagine what must have gone through Chase’s mind. Pakistan, nonetheless, had made history.

This side – Misbah’s side – had done what Hanif Mohammad couldn’t do, what Javed Miandad couldn’t do, what Imran Khan couldn’t do. He had led his side to its first ever series victory in the Caribbean, a 101-run win sealing his – and Younis’ – careers with aplomb. Test cricket certainly has a way of rewarding its own.

Pakistan looked like they would make short work of the final session when session when, three overs in, Hasan Ali brought an end to Jason Holder’s obdurate resistance. It left West Indies seven down with only the tail to give Roston Chase company.

With the pitch playing extremely slowly, what Hasan did to dismiss him might even have been an intentional ploy. He took the surface out of the equation, hurling a fierce inswinger that made a beeline for leg stump on the full. Holder made a mess of trying to keep it out, and was plumb in front.

But just as Pakistan began to envisage victory, Bishoo and Chase had designs on a grand resistance. They split the work brilliantly, with Bishoo keeping out Yasir Shah and Chase negotiating the faster bowlers, and Pakistan struggled to break that pattern. Ultimately Misbah resorted to pace from both ends, and Bishoo’s discomfort against the seamers eventually cost him his wicket, as he fended a Mohammad Abbas bouncer to silly point.

Chase had been sensational all series, and it would be churlish to take any credit away from him. But he led a charmed life in the last session and you couldn’t help wondering if he was destined to save the game. On two occasions, Hasan Ali dropped him off his own bowling, and when Abbas had him caught in the slips, replays showed he had just overstepped. When Chase drove Mohammad Amir down the ground for an exquisite boundary to bring up his hundred, you could sense the stadium felt it too.

Whenever a wicket fell, there was a sense that the resistance had finally ended. But Alzarri Joseph picked up from where Bishoo left off, and then Gabriel took over from Joseph. Between them, West Indies’ Nos. 9, 10 and 11 spent 99 balls at the crease, while scoring 12 runs. Runs had simply ceased to matter by then.

Courtesy: ESPN Cricinfo

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board Saturday appointed its General Manager Media Raza   as Pakistan team’s media manager for the Champions Trophy, which will commence from June 1.

Social media manager, Aun Zaidi has so far filled in as the media manager as the team remained devoid of the services of a dedicated media manager during the West Indies tour.

Last year,  Raza represented the team as its media manager during its England tour and only T20 match. He also served as ICC’s media manager during the world T20 in India in 2016.

Having accompanied the Pakistan cricket team on numerous foreign tours, the PCB official has also served during the Under-19 World Cup, Champions League, and Pakistan Super League. PCB’s director media, Amjad Bhatti will also attend the Champions Trophy in England. Bhatti has also served as the media manager for two Tests last year during the England tour.

“Everyone is aware of the importance of the match between Pakistan and India on June 4 at the Edgbaston cricket ground,” Bhatti wa quoted as saying.

The importance of the Pak vs India match is such that it is PBC’s priority to handle team-related and other matters effectively, Bhatti stated while responding to a question about not accompanying the team this time around.

“PCB tries its utmost to improve our media-related matters under the guidance of renowned journalist Najam Sethi,” he said. “In the past, only print journalists covered the news. With changing times, now electronic and social media is quite active and headlines change after every hour. This is the era of breaking news and the PCB continues to strive to make its channels of communication with journalists more effective and efficient,” he added.

Karachi – Veteran Pakistan batsman and former captain Younis Khan announced on Saturday he will retire from international cricket after the upcoming Test series in the West Indies.
The 39-year-old has captained Pakistan in all three formats, and in 2009 led them to their only World Twenty20 title in England. “I will be retiring… with my head held high,” he told a press conference in Karachi.
“I think this is the right time as every sportsman has to take this decision in his career.” Younis hit a hundred in his first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi in 2000, which started a glorious career during which he also scored a double hundred in Pakistan’s series-levelling win against India at Bangalore in 2005.
He needs only 23 runs to reach 10,000 Test runs, a milestone he missed out on after his team’s disastrous tour of Australia in January this year, when Pakistan lost all three Tests.
He has so far scored 34 Test centuries in 115 matches — the most by any Pakistani batsman — and is set to become the first Pakistani and 13th batsman in the world to score 10,000 or more. India’s Sachin Tendulkar currently tops the charts with 15,921 runs in 200 matches.
“I was planning this for few months,” he said of his decision to quit, but added that he “always tried to play for my team and for my country”.
One of the worst moments of Younis’ career was when Pakistan lost their coach Bob Woolmer during the 2007 World Cup in West Indies, he said. Woolmer coached Pakistan from 2004 to 2007 but died in mysterious circumstances in Jamaica.
After lengthy investigations that even included the possibility of murder, Jamaican police on June 12 announced that Woolmer had died of natural causes. “Those were very sad days for me,” Younis recalled.
Younis is the second high-profile player to retire this month after his team mate Misbah-ul-Haq also announced his decision to quit on Thursday following months of speculation. The pair have formed the nucleus of Pakistan’s batting in the last seven years and helped their team square a crucial Test series 2-2 in England last year.
On Wednesday the two stalwarts were named in Wisden’s best cricketers of the year 2017, following their performances on the England tour after which Pakistan briefly rose to number one in Test rankings for the first time. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram paid rich tribute to Younis.
“He is still fit but there is always a time when you have to decide about leaving,” said Wasim. “He has set many records which prove his greatness. Whenever he played he played with his heart and commitment.
“It will be tough to replace players like Younis and Misbah, so Pakistan will have to work hard in Tests without them.” Younis said he will remain associated with cricket following his retirement.
“Even though I will be retired from playing, my services will still be available for cricket,” he said. The West Indies series which starts in Jamaica from April 21 followed by Tests in Barbados and Dominica, ending on May 14.—Agencies

Lahore – The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday announced the T20 and ODI squads for the upcoming tour to West Indies.
Batsmen Ahmad Shahzad and Kamran Akmal have made a comeback to the T20 and ODI squads, fresh off the back of their brilliant performances in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League 2017.
PSL discoveries Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan have been picked for both the T20 and ODI squads. Fast bowlers Usman Khan Shinwari and Rumman Raees have also been selected for T20 squad owing to their impressive performances in the PSL.
Hard-hitting batsman Umar Akmal failed to clear the fitness tests, as a result of which he has been left out of the side, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq informed media.
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been rested for the T20s but will be part of the ODI squad, Inzamam said.
Kamran was top scorer of the PSL second edition with 353 runs in 11 innings and was also the top scorer of the National One-Day Cup for his department with 361 runs in 8 innings and in Quaid-e-Azam trophy with 1035 runs in 14 innings.
Ahmed Shahzad, who scored three half-centuries in 10 games of the recently concluded PSL, has also been given a chance to prove his mettle, sources said. The opening batsman was also the top scorer of National One-Day Cup for his department this season with 653 runs in 9 innings.
Last week, the PCB had invited 32 players for the preparatory camp for T20 and ODI series against West Indies.
Pakistan will play four T20Is, three ODIs and three Test matches during the tour of West Indies starting later this month.
T20 squad: Ahmad Shahzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz , Hasan Ali, Sohail Tanvir , Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Usman Khan Shinwari
ODI squad: Ahmad Shahzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Zakir, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz , Mohammed Amir, Fahim Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Asghar, Sarfraz Ahmed.—Agencies

Rawalpindi – Pakistan Super League (PSL) winners Peshawar Zalmi met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Inter-Services Public Relations said in press release on otherday.
COAS congratulated the team and management on their performance and success. The Army chief appreciated efforts by all the PSL teams and management for brining cricket back to Pakistan. The COAS during the meeting made special mention and conveyed thanks to foreign players and guests who came to Pakistan.
The Army chief said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and cricket was the favourite game and a binding force for the nation. The visiting players and management of Peshawar Zalmi thanks the COAS for support and were pleasantly surprised to know of General Bajwa’s attachment with cricket, his cricketing expertise and knowledge about records of the sport.
They also thanked him for his tips and advise. The players assured COAS that they are soldiers of Pakistan and stand with Pakistan Army in promoting peace and national harmony. The team acknowledged great sacrifices by Pakistan Army for bringing peace and stability in the country.
Chinese ambassador congratulates Zalmi
Lauding the peaceful happening of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, the ambassador of China in Pakistan, Sun WD Congratulated Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi on clinching the PSL title.
“The honourable ambassador has not only congratulated Peshawar Zalmi on winning the PSL but also applauded the Prime Minister of Pakistan for mobilising the provincial government and security forces for the successful happening of the PSL final in Lahore”, Javed Afridi said
“The Chinese envoy has hoped that the PSL final would pave the way for the resumption of international events in Pakistan”, Javed Afridi added
Javed Afridi said that bilateral cricketing ties between Pakistan and China were also discussed during the meeting.

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) otherday decided to go ahead with its plan of conducting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final here at the Gaddafi Stadium on March 5.

It was decided in a meeting held in Dubai between the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management and the owners of the team franchises. A PCB official said that the team owners reinforced their solidarity and conviction with the decision of taking the final to Lahore.

“It has been heart-warming to see the dedication of all the owners to the cause of taking cricket back home and there is a realisation that this final will be the first step in opening the gates to international teams starting to make the journey again. We are all committed to this mission and wish to have a thoroughly entertaining final where it should happen – in Lahore,” Sethi said after the meeting.

Earlier, due to security concerns following the Feb 13 suicide bombing in Lahore which killed 13, there had been speculation that the PSL final may not be held in Pakistan after all. Nonetheless, PSL chairman Najam Sethi had promised cricket fans that the final would still be held in Lahore, in the absence of foreign players, if the fans did not want the venue to change following last week’s bombing.

In a tweet following the meeting, Sethi said: “The PSL management and franchises resolve to hold Final in Lahore. We invite PM, COAS and CMs to attend the match at Gaddafi Stadium. “The foreign players have refused to play the final in Lahore after Monday’s blast, but if the citizens of Pakistan want the PSL final to be held in Lahore, then the final will be held in Lahore,” Sethi had said in his statement.

PSL will give franchisees the option to draft new players in case contracted international stars opt out of the March 5 final at Lahore due to security reasons. “On Feb 22, we will do a new draft… we will put a formula in front of all the franchises and foreign players to let us know who will play the final in Lahore and who will not come,” Sethi had said earlier.

International stars, including West Indies batsman Chris Gayle, Shane Watson of Australia and England’s Twenty20 captain Eoin Morgan, are among 30 foreign players contracted to the five teams in the PSL Twenty20 tournament.

Sethi said he had also been in contact with several foreign players, who indicated they would still be willing to play the final in Lahore. “We are in touch with other foreign players so that we could replace those (contracted international) players who are not willing to play in Lahore.”

Quetta Gladiators batsman Kevin Pietersen had earlier said he had yet to decide whether to come to Pakistan or not if the PSL final is played in Lahore. “I haven’t decided to go or not as yet, I will take the decision regarding coming to Pakistan if my team reaches the final,” said Pietersen.

Welcoming the decision, Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi said that it was ‘in national spirit’ to be on the same page. “Sports, especially cricket, is an opportunity to unite the people of Pakistan. It will be a great event for the entire nation. Our decision on the final was made in the meeting with PSL chairman Najam Sethi.”

Lahore Qalandars chief operating officer Sameen Rana said that the statement from the army chief, where he promised support for the PSL final being held in Lahore, played an important role in forming the decision. Rana said that he was at the meeting with Sethi and that the decision was taken for the Pakistani cricket fans. “The franchise owners will speak to the players and see who is ready to play the final in Lahore. Only then we will decide about replacements,” Rana added.

Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal said he was glad that the PSL final would be held in Lahore. “It will be a cherry on top, if my team participates in the upcoming historic final.” Iqbal said he would speak to the players in the team. “I am sure it will be a secure and successful event,” he added. He requested Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa to attend the final so as to ‘grace the occasion’ and also ensure the security is on high-alert.

LIST OF FOREIGN PLAYERS READY TO PLAY IN PAKISTAN

Rohan Mustafa, Devon Thomas, Jason
Mohammad, Shane Shillingford, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Anamul Haq, Shahriar Nafees, Dawid Malan (gold), Morne van Wyk (gold), Sachithra Senanayake (gold), Seekkuge Prasanna (gold), Jeevan Mendis (silver), Alex Wakely (gold), Joshua Cobb (gold), Nikhil Dutta, Azeem Rafiq, Danza Hyatt, Krishmar Santokie, Tino Best, Phil Mustard, Fidel Edwards (gold/silver), Elton Chigumbura (gold/silver), Max Waller (silver), Darren Stevens (gold), Peter Trego (silver), Richard Levi (gold/silver), Miguel Cummins (silver), Asghar Stanikzai (gold), Dawlat Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Farveez Maharoof, Kusal Mendis, Steven Taylor, Azharullah, Soumya Sarkar (silver), Jade Dernbach (gold), Owais Shah (gold), Yasir Arafat (gold), Rayad Emrit (diamond), Sulieman Benn (gold), Brendan Taylor (gold), Rashid Khan (diamond), Ashar Zaidi (silver), Ryan ten Doeschate (silver), Akeal Hosein (silver), Graeme Cremer (silver), Sean Ervine (silver), Chamara Kapugedera (gold), Milinda Siriwardana (gold), Anuk Fernando (gold), Gihan Rupasinghe (Silver), Kaushal Silva (silver).

Dubai – Web Desk- The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday said it will not be a part of investigation into a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match-fixing scandal that emerged on Friday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board provisionally suspended Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif under its Anti-Corruption Code as part of an ongoing investigation into an international syndicate which is believed to be attempting to corrupt the PSL. Both Latif and Khan were part of the Islamabad United team in the ongoing second edition of the PSL.
“Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif have been suspended and the rigorous and wide-ranging investigation by the PCB supported by the ICC will continue as part of collective efforts to protect the integrity of the sport,” read a statement issued by the PCB on Friday.
“The investigation of the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit backed by the ICC ACU has been effective in dealing with this case to date and we will continue to work in the closest collaboration as the investigation proceeds,” it added.
According to an ICC official, the investigation of players involved is the PCB’s internal matter, but the ICC can help if asked.
“The ICC doesn’t have the jurisdiction to get involved in domestic matters or events of a member until requested,” he said.
According to a PCB official, there is some evidence against Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, hence they were sent back from the PSL, whereas certain other players who were questioned and cautioned by the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit were allowed to continue playing the PSL as there was no evidence against them.—AFP

Dubai –  Web Desk- A formal charge sheet is being prepared by the Pakistan Cricket Board against two national cricketers for spot-fixing in Pakistan Super League, reliable sources told arysports.tv
PCB, on Friday, suspended two cricketers — Khalid Latif and Sharjeel Khan — for their alleged links with an international syndicate that attempted to corrupt the Pakistan Super League.
A highly-placed source told arysports.tv on Sunday that the PCB has enough evidence that two cricketers agreed to spot fixing in meeting with the suspected bookie, who is named as Yousaf.
“We have good evidence against these two,” said the source on condition of anonymity, adding that one player quickly reported the approach to the board while two others remained silence, but they didn’t agree to the offer.
“We are not preparing a formal charge sheet against them, which will be ready in a couple of days, we are also going to grab the person who connected them with bookies,” said the source.
The source further confirmed that the PCB had prior information of bookies possible attempt and hence, the board was keeping a strict check on everyone.
Meanwhile, after two days of reluctance and confusion, the festivity at the team hotel start returning on Sunday as players were a bit relaxed and met with fans roaming around in the hotel lobby.
On Saturday, PSL chairman Najam Sethi said an inquiry into Sharjeel Khan and Khalif Latif being linked to an international syndicate trying to corrupt Pakistan’s T20 league will take 10-15 days.
“The matter will move forward after the inquiry is complete,” Sethi said.—Agencies

LAHORE –  HBL brings yet another exciting season of Pakistan’s biggest cricket event, HBL Pakistan Super League (HBLPSL). The league kick-starts today in Dubai with a grand opening ceremony having performances by acclaimed Jamaican reggae singer Shaggy along with Pakistani pop artists Ali Zafar and Shehzad Roy. The ceremony will be followed by the first face-off match of the season between defending champions Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.
As last year, the five teams participating in the league are Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators, with each team comprising of both Pakistani and international players.
The series will be hosted by UAE with matches being played in Dubai and Sharjah. However, the highlight of HBLPSL 2.0 will be the final clash, which will be played in Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore on March 5.

Lahore – Web Desk – Wicket keeper Sarfraz Ahmed has been appointed as captain of the One Day International (ODI) cricket team, replacing senior batsman Azhar Ali who may be appointed Test captain after veteran Misbah-ul-Haq’s retirement.

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB Shaharyar Khan and Azhar Ali held a meeting in Dubai informed where Azhar intimated the PCB head that he is ready to step down as captain, PCB sources said, after which the PCB appointed Sarfraz captain.

However, Misbah told the PCB chairman that he needs some time to decide whether he will remain Test captain or not and will reach a decision after the Pakistan Super League, the sources said.

The PCB chairman gave Misbah time to make the decision, but made it clear that the board will also have a say in the matter of Test captaincy.