October 26, 2018

Asghar Valika expects top performance from Pakistani cueists in Asian Tour Event

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By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, expects Pakistan’s cueists to bring home more laurels as they prepared to leave the shores of the country to participate in the second stage of the ACBS/IBSF Asian Tour Snooker Tournament being held under the auspices of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) with the blessings of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF). 

According to the details made available by the PBSA Secretariat, the trio of Muhammad Bilal, Babar Masih and Haris Tahir was set to fly out from Lahore to Jinan, China, on October 26.

The event is being hosted by the Chinese Billiards & Snooker Association (CBSA) from October 28 to 31. 

The total prize money the event will be U$$40,000 with the winner to receive US$12,000 and the runner-up to get US$6,000. 

The top 24 cueists which include the IBSF and regional snooker players will participate in this tour, together with the Asian champions of 2018. 

The Pakistan players have  qualified in this ACBS/IBSF Asian Tour of 2018 on the basis of their performances in the ACBS events of 2018. Muhammad Bilal was the losing semifinalists in the Asian Snooker Championship 2018 while Babar Masih was the losing semifinalist in Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship 2018 and Haris Tahir ended as the runner-up in the Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship 2018. 

The PBSA Chairman reckoned that Muhammad Bilal, one of the premier cueists of the country, has made Pakistan proud by having emerged triumphant in the opening round of the event, staged at the QBSF Snooker Academy in Doha, Qatar, from September 26 to 29, which earned a handsome purse of US$12,000 with the trophy. 

“Bilal has got off to a dream start in the Asian Tour Event and he has a golden chance of emulating his feat. He has shown that he can handle the pressure of big matches and here is another opportunity for him to collect a fabulous purse again,” Asghar Valika observed in a brief chat at the Karachi Club Annexe. 

“Bilal’s performance is a source of inspiration to the whole lot. The confidence of Babar and Haris has been boosted by the title win of Bilal in Doha and they can make it count in the Chinese city of Jinan. I wish all three the best of luck,” the PBSA Chairman concluded.

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October 18, 2018

Behbud Secondary School thrash GBSS Anglo Oriental School in PVCA/EBM Inter-School cricket

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Pakistan News & Features Services

Behbud Secondary School thrashed GBSS Anglo Oriental School by nine wickets in their Group F fixture of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Naya Nazimabad Cricket Stadium, Karachi, on October 17. 

The tournament, featuring 32 schools of Karachi, is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

GBSS Anglo Oriental School, who opted to bat first, lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 152 all out in 35.overs despite the contribution of as many as 44 extras. 

Opener Muhammad Ramiz, who made a solid 22 off 41 balls, was their only batsman to offer resistance as the innings was rocked by the spin duo of Tayyab Khan (3-26) and Akhtar Ali (2-35). 

Behbud Secondary School’s skipper Akhtar Ali, opening the innings, then blasted a breezy 33 off 15 balls to give his team a flying start to the chase of 153. He was declared Man of the Match as the pair of Sagheer Khan (52 off 69 balls) and Hasan Raza (35 off 66 balls) added 106 runs for the unbroken second wicket partnership which took their team over the line in 24.5 overs.

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Happy Palace School outsmart Beaconhouse School System in PVCA/EBM Inter-School cricket

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Pakistan News & Features Services

Happy Palace School outsmarted Beaconhouse School System by seven wickets in their Group F fixture of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi, on October 17. 

The tournament, having the participation of 32 schools of Karachi, is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

Beaconhouse School System, choosing to bat first, was routed for 135 in 32.2 overs despite Ghulam Mustafa’s 41 off 40 balls. They were undone by left-arm spinner Abdul Rafay, who returned the figures of four for 24 off 7.2 overs as the last six wickets tumbled for only 41 runs. 

Happy Palace School didn’t encounter much problems in chasing down the modest target of 136 in 40 overs. They needed only 25.5 overs to do it with opener Furqan Shakil, who was adjudged Man of the Match, striking three sixes and five fours in his 68 off 72 balls. 

He dominated the 69-run second wicket stand with Mohsin Khan, who returned undefeated on 29 off 39 balls. The Happy Palace bowlers toiled hard but they could not change complexion of the game.

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Abdullah Khan, Farhan Zaman shine for Oasis English School in PVCA/EBM Inter-School cricket

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Pakistan News & Features Services 

Skipper Abdullah Khan’s century and Farhan Zaman’s five-wicket haul enabled Oasis English School to hammer Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School by 182 runs in their Group E fixture of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Eastern Star Cricket Ground, Karachi, on October 17. 

A total of 32 schools of Karachi, divided equally in eight groups for the preliminary rounds, are contested the tournament being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of Peek Freans. 

Batting first, after calling correctly, Oasis English School posted a formidable total of 287 for six in the allotted 40 overs which was largely made possible by Abdullah Khan (115 off 102) and Sharjeel Ahmed (85 off 60 balls) who added 140 for the second wicket. 

Anis Moghul’s unbeaten 39 off 42 ensured that Oasis English School played out their full quota of overs, after being shaken by off-spinner Faris Hussain who captured three wickets in quick succession. 

Chasing a target of 288 in 40 overs, Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School struggled from the outset after losing wickets upfront. Even Kazim Hussain’s 35 off 36 balls could not revive their hopes as they were bundled out for 145 in 20.3 overs. 

Left-arm spinner Farhan Zaman wrecked the innings with the figures of five for 39 but Man of the Match award was clinched by his captain Abdullah Khan for his century.

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October 16, 2018

Muhammad Yaqoob's all-round excellence lifts Fahad Academy in PVCA/EBM Inter-School cricket

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Pakistan News & Features Services

Muhammad Yaqoob’s terrific all-round show earned Fahad Academy 44-run triumph over KBV-CAA School in a Group D fixture of the 9thPVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi, on October 16. 

The tournament, having the participation of 32 schools of Karachi, is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

Muhammad Yaqoob followed up his fluent knock of 67 down the order with a magnificent five-wicket haul with his leg-spin to lead Fahad Academy to a comfortable victory in the end. He was adjudged Man of the Match. 

Fahad Academy, who batted first after calling correctly, found themselves in dire straits with the top half of their batting back in the hut cheaply despite opener Zeeshan Ahmed’s fluent 39 off 32 balls. At 82 for six they seemed in danger of being bowled out cheaply but Muhammad Yaqoob rescued them with his 60-ball 67 containing one six and five fours. 

Fahad Academy was eventually bowled out for 200 in 32.3 overs with the bowling honours shared between KBV-CAA School’s pace trio of Zain-ul-Abedin (3-38), Ahmed Raza (2-36) and Haris Abid (2-43). 

 The 93-run second wicket partnership between opener Muhammad Maaz (63 off 97 balls) and Asad Majeed (33 off 66 balls) put KBV-CAA School in the driving seat but they were derailed by Muhammad Yaqoob who finished with the excellent figures of five for 29. 

Off-spinner Muhammad Shaheryar (2-20) also bowled well as KBV-CAA School was bowled out for 156 in 34 overs despite the contribution of 34 extras.

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Azhar Amin’s all-round efforts power GBSS Korangi in PVCA/EBM Inter-School cricket

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Pakistan News & Features Services

Skipper Azhar Amin’s brilliant all-round performance fired Government Boys Secondary School (GBSS) Korangi to six-wicket victory over Zeeshan Secondary School in a Group C fixture of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Eastern Star Cricket Ground, Karachi, on October 16. 

The tournament, being contested by 32 schools of Karachi, is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Zeeshan Secondary School lost their way after a promising start to be all out for 210 in 36.5 overs. 

Opener Hamza Monis, who struck one six and 15 fours in his brilliant knock of 92 coming from only 81 balls, dominated the 83-run first wicket stand with Mirza Saud Baig who contributed 24 off as many balls. 

At 151 for two Zeeshan Secondary School appeared heading towards a total in the excess of 250 but they collapsed dramatically, as the last eight wickets could add only 59 to the total. 

GBSS Korangi pulled it back through its spin trio of Habibullah (2-24), Abdul Saboor (2-24) and Faiz Ahmed (2-36) after medium-pacer Azhar Amin (2-20) got the prized scalp of Hamza Monis. 

The match became wide open when GBSS Korangi lost three early wickets while chasing the target of 211 in 40 overs. But the 168-run fourth wicket stand between opener Ajmal Khan (92 off 109 balls) and Man of the Match Azhar Amin, who remained undefeated on 75 off 70 balls got them over the line with seven and a half overs to spare.

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October 15, 2018

Asadullah, Hafeez shine for New Standard Secondary School in PVCA/EBM Inter-School tourney

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Pakistan News & Features Services

Wicketkeeper opener Asadullah’s century and left-arm spinner K M Hafeez’s five-wicket haul powered New Standard Secondary School to a stunning 259-run victory over Hira Foundation School in the Group C match of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi, on October 15.

The tournament is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

Asadullad, declared Man of the Match, smashed a couple of sixes and 18 fours in his magnificent knock of 160 coming from 130 balls. Haider Zaman (34 off 33 balls) and skipper K M Hafeez (29 off 32 balls) lent him admirable support as New Standard Secondary School, batting first after winning the toss, posted a staggering total of 328 for six in the allotted 40 overs. 

The contribution of 50 sundries, having as many as 44 wides, also contributed in boosting their score. As the bowlers of Hira Foundation School came for severe punishment, Medium-pacer Usman Maqbool was the most economical bowling giving away 38 runs in eight overs while Azan Ahmed, also a medium-pacer, picked up a couple of wickets for 60 runs. 

Chasing a formidable of 329 in 40 overs, Hira Foundation School wilted under the scoreboard pressure and the whole team was bundled out for 69 in 28.5 overs and more than half of them (35) came in the form of extras. 

K M Hafeez, with left-arm spin, returned the dream figures of five for five off eight overs, four of which were maidens. Medium-pacer Muhammad Shiraz (3-23) and off-spinner Uzaifa Shaikh (2-3) shared the remaining wickets.

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Kamran Public School overwhelm Superior Educational Academy in PVCA/EBM Inter-School cricket

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Pakistan News & Features Services

Kamran Public School whipped Superior Educational Academy by eight wickets in a Group B fixture of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Eastern Star Cricket Ground, Karachi, on October 15.

The tournament, being contested by 32 teams, is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

Superior Educational Academy’s skipper, Zunair Ali Khan, won the toss and decided to bat first but his team was unable to make the most of it and they were bowled out for 92 in 32.1 overs with only opener Shameer Ali (31 off 53 balls) and Usman Mansuri (21 off 30 balls) could enter double figures. 

The innings was rocked by the Kamran Public School’s spin trio of Abdullah Ashfaq (3-17), Hasan Jafri (2-13) and Rashid Ghani (2-16). 

Set to score 93 in 40 overs, Kamran Public School needed only seven overs to complete the job, losing only a couple of wickets in the bargain. 

Captain Hasan Jafri, who opened the innings, led the victory charge as he hammered one six and 10 fours in his whirlwind 52 off 22 balls. He was adjudged Man of the Match after Mouzair Ali Khan had finished the job in style, striking three boundaries in his unbeaten 16 off nine deliveries.

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October 11, 2018

Tayyab Hussain spins St Paul English School to victory in PVCA/EBM Inter-School opener

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Pakistan News & Features Services

Left-arm spinner Tayyab Hussain powered St Paul English School to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Falconhouse Grammar School in the opening match of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on October 11. 

Tayyab, adjudged Man of the Match, returned the figures of 4 for 22 off six overs which sent Falconhouse Grammar School crashing to a paltry 84 all out in 21.3 overs. St Paul English School raced to the modest target of 85 with as many as 18.4 of 40 overs to spare. 

The first match of the tournament, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits, turned out to be a one-sided affair with St Paul English School dominating the proceedings from the outset. 

Falconhouse Grammar School batted first after winning the toss but only opener Muhammad Farjad (21 off 34 balls) and number ten Zain Mazhar (12 off seven balls) could enter double figures as they struggled against the left-arm spin of Tayyab Hussain and off-spin of Saad Abdul Rahman. 

St Paul English School lost an early wicket but solid knocks from opener Saad Baig (21 off 50 balls) and Shamsher Daniyal (15 off 43 balls) put them firmly in control and the cameo from Khizar Khan, who remained unbeaten on 24 off 20 balls, completed a comfortable victory for them.

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Younis Khan inaugurates 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament

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By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Younis Khan, a former Pakistan captain and one of the greatest-ever batsmen produced by the country, inaugurated the ninth edition of the PVCA/EBM Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2018 in a colourful ceremony at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on October 11. 

Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), and Shahzain Munir, Director, New Product Development, EBM, were prominent among those present on the occasion 

The members and officials of all the participating 32 schools were also in attendance, alongwith the functionaries of the tournament organizing committee, in the inauguration ceremony that lasted about an hour. 

The tournament is being organized by the PVCA and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

The PVCA will be spending over Rupees two and a half million in holding the event whose semifinals and finals, to be telecast live, are planned to be staged at here at the National Stadium. 

A total of 55 matches are scheduled to be played over a period of couple of months. The participating 32 teams have been divided equally in eight groups which includes eight government schools of the metropolis. 

At the end of the league matches, all the eight group champions will be advancing to the knockout stage of the competition, starting with the quarter-finals on November 26. The semifinals on December 14 and 15 will be followed by the final on December 16. 

Each school has been allowed to field one guest player in a match, provided he doesn’t belong to any of the other participating school and hails from Karachi. 

The organizing committee will strictly monitor the age of the players and if any player is found to be overage, the defaulting school will be scratched from the tournament. 

Besides arranging for meals and refreshments during matches, the organizers will also be providing shirts and caps to the participants and it will be mandatory for them to wear the sponsored shirts and caps during their matches. 

Alongwith the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground, the other venues to be used for the tournament will be National Stadium, Naya Nazimabad Stadium, Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Eastern Star Ground and RLCA Ground. 

The PVCA has been organizing the Inter-Schools tournament in Karachi for the ninth time, having launched it with great fanfare in 1999.

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October 9, 2018

9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 starts from October 11

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By Syed Khalid Mahmood 
(Pakistan News &  Features Services) 

 A total of 32 teams, including eight government schools, will be participating in the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (Pvt) Ltd (EBM), the manufacturers of Peek Freans Biscuits. 

The details about the tournament, to be spread over a couple of months during which a total 55 matches are scheduled to be held, were unveiled in a media briefing by Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, PVCA, Nadeem Omar, President, Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), and Shahzain Munir, Director, New Product Development, EBM, at the Karachi Gymkhana on October 9.

Ijaz Faqih and Sadiq Mohammad were the Test cricketers present on the occasion alongwith officials of the PVCA, functionaries of the sponsors and representatives of the participating schools.

It was announced that the tournament will be inaugurated by Younis Khan, a former Pakistan captain, in a colourful ceremony at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on October 11 and it will be followed by the opening match between Falconhouse Grammar School and St Paul School. 

Fawad Ijaz Khan, in his speech, shared the role of the PVCA in the promotion of cricket at the grassroots level, as the association was now holding ninth edition of the Inter-School Tournament in Karachi, having launched it in 1999. 

“We had conceived the Inter-School tournament on the pattern of the Ruby Shield, which used to be the premier tournament of its kind and it’s still talked about with great awe. We have been successfully holding it after every two years but now it’s our goal to organize every year,” the PVCA Chairman stated. 

He noted with satisfaction that the present Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed, and the current internationals like Asad Shafiq and Anwar Ali were products of the Inter-School Tournament, launched by the PVCA. 

He complimented Khawar Masood Butt, Chairman of EBM’s Board of Directors and a former cricketer, for having joined hands with the PVCA and assuring long-term support to school cricket. 

Fawad Ijaz Khan hoped that both the semifinals as well as the final of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018, to be telecast live nationally and internationally, will be staged at the National Stadium, Karachi, as was done previously. 

 “We have an understanding with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the National Stadium will be made available to us if the ongoing maintenance work for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was completed earlier,” he added. 

Meanwhile the PVCA, with an eye on promoting the game in every segment of the society, has made greater efforts to facilitate the government schools. 

“We have not only ensured the participation of eight schools in the tournament but we have also arranged for them kits and gears free of cost,” the PVCA Chairman disclosed. 

Nadeem Omar, President, KCCA, paid glowing tribute to the functionaries of the PVCA on organizing the Inter-Schools Tournament in Karachi for the ninth time in 18 years. 

“It’s quite an extraordinary achievement by all standards. Full credit is due to Fawad Ijaz Khan and his team for having worked with missionary zeal over the years. They have performed momentous task,” the KCCA President applauded. 

Nadeem Omar didn’t mince words in stating that the PCB, utilizing its resources and outreach, should take the responsibility of organizing Inter-School tournaments all over the country on a regular basis. 

“The youth of the country needs to be motivated towards cricket and other sports. More playgrounds are needed to be developed on an urgent basis and sports must be developed from the grassroots level,” he reckoned. 

Shahzain Munir, Director, New Product Development, EBM, welcomed the initiative of the PVCA of holding Inter-School Cricket Tournament, indicating that his company would be willing to sponsor it in future as well. 

“EBM, founded in 1966, has been supportive of sports and other healthy activities since its inception. We have been promoted cricket at all levels over the years and we are prepared to extend the sporting legacy of its founder Khawar Masood Butt, who had played for Pakistan Eaglets against England in 1954,” he declared. 

Meanwhile the participating teams of the 9th PVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 have been divided equally in eight groups. 

The Group A comprises of Falconhouse Grammar School, St Paul School, Aga Khan Secondary School and Major Ziauddin Secondary School while the Group B contains Kamran Public School, Nasra Secondary School, Superior Educational academy and GBSS Mumtaz Firdaus Colony. 

The Group C features New Standard Secondary School, Hira Foundation School, Zeeshan secondary School and GBSS Korangi No 3 while the Group D is composed of Fahad Academy, CAA School, Fahim School Systed and GBSS Bilal Colony. 

The quartet of Qamar Bin Hashim School, Oasis English Secondary School, Oxford Grammar School and Ibrahim Ali Bhai Secondary School constitute the Group E while the Group F has the presence of Happy Palace School, Beaconhouse School System, Behbud Secondary School and GBSS Anglo Oriental. 

The Group G includes Al Fatima School, City School Network, Happy Home School and GBSS Shoaib Muhammadi while the four teams in the Group H are St Patrick’s High School, Foundation Public School, FF Public School and Zaheer Public School. 

At the end of the league matches, the leaders of all the eight groups will be advancing to the knockout stage of the competition, starting with the quarter-finals on November 26. The semifinals on December 14 and 15 will be followed by the final on December 16.

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October 2, 2018

Asghar Valika praises Muhammad Bilal for winning Asian 10-Red snooker

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By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, has felicitated Pakistan’s Muhammad Bilal on emerging triumphant in the inaugural ACBS Asian Tour 10-Red Snooker Tournament in Doha, Qatar.

Having himself headed the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) for two successive terms, Valika also congratulated the present office-bearers of the continental body to have launched the Asian Ranking Tour 10-Red Snooker Championship. 

“It’s really heartening to have a Pakistani cueist winning such a prestigious tournament. It augurs well for the future of cue sports in Pakistan and here is another opportunity for the PBSA to move on with renewed enthusiasm,” he observed in a brief chat at the Karachi Club. 

After successful launch of World Team Cup of Snooker, the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) and the ACBS have jointly introduced the new format of 10-Reds Snooker. The new format is being played in a series of three championships during September-October 2018.

The first event in this regard was staged at the QBSF Snooker Academy in Doha, Qatar, from September 26 to 29 and it was clinched by one of Pakistan’s premier cueists, Muhammad Bilal, who earned a handsome purse of US$12,000 with the trophy. 

The Pakistani cueist was absolutely brilliant in the final as he outplayed Brendan O'Donoghue of Ireland 6-1 with the frame scores of 46-42, 36-48, 47-1, 67-1, 54-23, 55-0, 59-4. 

Bilal has remained one of the top cueists of the country, having impressed with his potting and break-building abilities in particular.

A total of 24 cueists were invited for this year’s Ranking Tour with six of them belonging to Asia, two each from Europe, Africa and Oceania and two cueists from each host countries. 

The total prize money in each championship will be U$$40,000 with the winner to receive US$12,000 and the runner-up to get US$6,000.

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October 1, 2018

Younis Khan feted by Global Sports

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By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Younis Khan, one of the greatest-ever batsman to be produced by Pakistan, was feted recently by the Global Sports, a non-profit organization incorporated in the US, for having reached the milestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

Although the batting maestro had retired from international cricket soon after having attained the unique honour in the Caribbean last year, Younis was belatedly honoured by the US-based entity in his hometown, Karachi. 

Naeem-ul-Haq, a former cricketer and now a qualified coach, having relocated to the US, presented the award to Younis on behalf of the Global Sports in a simple but graceful ceremony during his current visit to Karachi. 

“We had originally planned presenting this award to the great Younis Khan in the West Indies when he had earned the coveted distinction of becoming the first Pakistani to get to the magical figure of 10,000 Test runs. Better late than never and we have finally done it,” Naeem remarked on the occasion. 

Naeem, who happens to be one of the ardent supporters of Younis, described him as a living legend.

“For some reason or the other, he didn’t get the recognition he so richly deserved. Throughout his career he silenced his critics with his bat. He was a man of few words but he scored heavily most of the times to prove his critics wrong time and again,” Naeem complimented. 

“The records of Younis speak for themselves. He scored no less than 10,099 runs in 118 Test matches which include as many as 34 centuries. His career batting average of 52.05 was phenomenal. In fact he remains the highest runs-getter as well as the scorer of the highest number of Test centuries for Pakistan. Yet he was subjected to undue pressure which ultimately motivated him to perform even better,” he added. 

Younis, in his brief remarks, thanked the Global Sports for having recognized his efforts by presenting him an award. He lauded the role of the Michigan-based organization in promoting cricket in US and he also expressed the desire to participate in the next year’s Diversity Cup Cricket Tournament.

“Every single effort made for the promotion of cricket in any part of the world has to be commended. It’s very encouraging to find dedicated cricket lovers taking the time out for the game that’s so dear to their heart,” Younis stated. 

Anwar-ul-Haq, who mentored Younis in the early part of his career, was also present in the ceremony. 

“Younis has been a quick learner from the outset. He always took his lessons very seriously and he was never afraid of working hard. That’s why he went from strength to strength in international cricket, overcoming all the challenges with his will power allied with sound technique,” Anwar, who coached Younis at the Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) where both of them were employed together, observed. 

Younis has continued to hold Anwar in high esteem, recalling with affection their companionship at the MCB, an institution which used to take pride in nurturing young talent.

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