T20 franchises should be made to field local players compulsorily

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Alex Hales, Chadwick Walton, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Imad Wasim, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Aamir, Waqas Masood and Arshad Iqbal. 

This was the playing eleven of Karachi Kings which overpowered Lahore Qalandars in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL-2020) at the National Stadium, Karachi, on November 17. 

The social media as well as the more conventional media of newspapers, radio and television hailed it as a victory for Karachi whereas there was not a single player belonging to the metropolis taking part in the final. 

The marketers, for commercial reasons, had billed it as a Karachi-Lahore final to arouse greater interest in two of the largest cities of Pakistan which also happen to be the biggest nurseries for cricket in the country. 

These two cities, undoubtedly, have produced the highest number of international cricketers and the healthy rivalry between the two powerhouses is understandable. But was the PSL 2020 title clash really a battle between Karachi and Lahore? Absolutely not! 

It was nothing more than a gimmick to be honest. It was more a case of names of the top two cities of the country were being exploited just for the sake of commercialism. 

The organizers and the promoters of the T20 leagues all over the world need to do little justice to the name of the cities which they use to make the contest a real one instead of letting it become a fake one. 

The controlling bodies like the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member boards of respective countries should formulate a law to ensure local participation just as they regulate matters relating to restricting the number of overseas players. 

It has become a norm in every T20 league that no more than four overseas recruits are allowed to be fielded by a franchise in the playing. Similarly it should be made mandatory to have a minimum of four players belonging to the city whose name is being used. 

This will help in generating greater interest among cricket fans. It would have made a world of difference if Karachi Kings had fielded at least four cricketers from Karachi in the PSL final. 

These players will have made it look like a Karachi outfit rather being a team of mercenaries having assembled under the banner of Karachi. Isn’t it a joke that not a single player belong to the city was playing for Karachi Kings in the final which was being branded as Karachi-Lahore final? 

The administrators of the game should look into this matter instead of leaving it to the franchises themselves. And I don’t think anything less than imposing a clause in the playing rules will help do it! 

There will be multiple benefits of encouraging local participation which includes financial returns. People of the city will be much more attracted to their team if they knew it having local stars performing in the show. 

Hopefully the concerned authorities will make a note of it as they continue searching for ways and means for improvements. T20 leagues, by the look of things, are here to stay for a long time.

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Misbah led team of centurions; Sarfaraz had to contend with failing prodigies

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Comparisons are drawn often between Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed as captains of the Pakistan team and a few so-called pundits and pseudo experts try to glorify the achievements of Misbah and they purposely undermine the accomplishments of Sarfaraz. They are guilty of either twisting the facts or presenting only the half-truth. 

Now let me shed light on some the facts which are not highlighted or even discussed publicly. In other words let me try to bring to light the hidden half-truth. Misbah and Sarfaraz captained the national cricket team in different eras and the circumstances were dissimilar. 

While Misbah was extended maximum possible support by the ‘establishment’ of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Sarfaraz’s leg was being continuously pulled by the movers and shakers of our system. 

When Misbah was leading the Test team in particular, the players were mostly kept in a relaxed frame of mind and the batsmen in particular benefitted a lot with the peaceful mental state of theirs. 

Misbah himself amassed runs and centuries prolifically while ace batsman Younis Khan stroked century after century and the likes of Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Muhammad Hafeez and even Sarfraz literally made centuries at will. 

The scenario changed altogether from the moment Sarfaraz took over. Younis and Misbah had retired leaving a big hole in the batting line-up. 

Then uncertainties were allowed to flourish as a result of which runs and centuries dried from the bat of those who were supposed to take up the responsibility and rise to the occasion. Asad and Azhar became pedestrian as batters while the newcomers, drafted in to replace the retiring greats, took their own time in settling down. 

In this transition period Pakistan’s batting became mediocre to say the least and even Sarfaraz was unable to cope with the mounting pressure in Test matches. 

During the tenure of Misbah there were tons of centuries scored by the Pakistan batsmen in the Test arena while in the times of Sarfaraz there were literally none. 

When you don’t have adequate runs to play with how could you be expected to win a Test match no matter how resourceful you may be in the bowling department. Babar Azam, who has now blossomed into one of the best modern-day batsmen, was also found struggling for runs in Test matches in the period when Sarfaraz was leading the forces. 

Therefore Misbah was in hugely advantageous position when captaining the Test side than Sarfaraz who didn’t get the desired runs from his batters and it reflected in the results too. 

The wicketkeeper-batsman, however, made amends for his own shortfall of Test runs and centuries as well as of his more established batsmen in his side, by leading the team by example in limited overs formats which, for some reasons, has seldom been mentioned by those who derive pleasure by highlighting every chink in his armour. 

Why do people are not reminded that Sarfaraz remains the only Pakistani captain to have brought home more than one ICC trophy? Under him, Pakistan triumphed in the ICC Under-19 World Cup as well as the ICC Champions Trophy. 

Why do his critics fail to remember that Pakistan remained the top ranked team in T20 Internationals for a couple of years when he was calling the shots?

Sarfaraz’s own batting strike rate in Tests and One-day Internationals, despite every criticism and eyebrows, remains much better than many of his illustrious contemporaries.

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PCB manipulating to install Rizwan as captain in all formats

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The key officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seem currently preoccupied in their manipulations to get Mohammad Rizwan installed as the captain of the national team in all three formats. 

It can’t be mere coincidence that Rizwan was handed over a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa outfit for the just concluded National T20 Cup which was a virtual Pakistan team if one added Babar Azam to it. 

Rather predictably this team won the tournament and the PCB bigwigs have gone closer to achieving their goal of appointing Rizwan as the captain of the Pakistan team which will mean, in their estimation, closing all possible routes of comeback for Sarfraz Ahmed at least in the near future. 

The axing of Sarfraz from the leadership role, despite his glorious performances in not too distant past, had always been on the cards when the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis had been given the absolute powers to manage the affairs of the team. 

It should not be forgotten that Misbah, as captain, and Waqar, as coach, had done everything they could do in keeping Sarfraz out of action from the World Cup in 2015. It was only after the intervention of the then PCB Chairman, Shaharyar Khan, which allowed a chance to Sarfraz who grabbed the opportunity with both hands. 

Sadly from cricketing point of view, Misbah and Waqar joined forces again when Ehsan Mani took over as the new PCB chief and they resumed their efforts in removing Sarfraz by hook or by crook. They succeeded in putting Sarfraz under greater pressure and the wicketkeeper-batsman from Karachi was unable to come to terms with the growing intrigues inside the dressing room. 

If removing Sarfraz was their short-term plan, the appointment of Rizwan as captain in all formats may well be their long-term plan by the look of things. Misbah and Waqar, with the obvious blessings of the PCB CEO, Wasim Khan, may accomplish their goals but it will be at the cost of national interest. 

There’s no doubt in my mind about the talents of Rizwan either as a player or as a captain but the manner in which he’s being fast-tracked in the leadership role raises a lot of questions and it may not be good even for him in the long run. 

Misbah and company had replaced Srafraz with Babar for limited overs versions while Azhar Ali was picked as the Test captain. All the moves have backfired and the stage is now set for the appointment of Rizwan as the captain in all three formats. 

Although Shan Masood should have been the obvious choice to lead Pakistan in the Test arena as Azhar Ali was likely to be removed any time because of his poor show in England, there are strong enough indications emerging that the left-handed opening batsman may not be considered for the role he so richly deserves in my opinion.

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Prof Siraj-ul-Islam Bukhari demands justice for deserving Karachi cricketers

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prof Siraj-ul-Islam Bukhari, the fatherly figure of Pakistan cricket, has regretted the omission of some deserving players from Karachi in the 22-member national squad announced for the upcoming home series of One-day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals against the visiting Zimbabweans. 

Having been the longest serving Secretary of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), besides being a President for four years, Prof Siraj Bukhari, has in fact lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for ignoring the cricketers from Karachi and has appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also the Patron in Chief of the PCB, to hold an enquiry for what he described as step motherly and biased action. 

He has strongly urged Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is himself one of the greatest-ever cricketers of the country besides being a highly successful captain, for including the deserving players from Karachi in the national squad for the Zimbabwe series. 

In an impassioned press statement, issued on October 23, Prof Siraj Bukhari, whose association with the KCCA lasted nearly four decades, observed that it was for the first time in the history of Pakistan cricket when such biased and prejudiced treatment has been meted out to cricketers of the city of Karachi, having a population of more than 25 million, which has given bulk of outstanding to the country. 

He pointed out that the non-inclusion of Danish Aziz, who came up with exceptional performances in the recently held National T-20 cricket tournament in which he earned Man of the Match award two times, Hassan Khan, Azam Khan and Zahid Mahmood of Dadu from the younger lot and Khurram Manzoor and Sohail Khan from the experienced hands who also performed consistently, amounted to injustice.

“I will like to make a fervent appeal to the PCB Patron in Chief to hold an enquiry and do justice to these deserving and highly talented cricketers,” Prof Siraj Bukhari concluded.

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Khost youths demand timely holding of cricket series

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Youths and cricket fans came out on roads in Khost city, the capital of Khost province Afghanistan, demanding the timely holding of the Million Cup Cricket League in their area. 

They also accused the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) of trying to cancel the hosting of the league in Khost province, noting that the grand Paktia zone had legal rights to host the league. 

The participants at the march also claimed that the ACB officials did not have the necessary ability and qualifications to deal with the cricket affairs in Afghanistan. 

The ACB officials, meanwhile, have stated that the league will be held after completing its legal procedures. 

The protestors urged the Afghanistan government to take action against what they described as the unprofessional dealing of the ACB officials with cricket in the country. 

“The Million Cup Cricket League should be held in Khost. All arrangements have been made, the necessary guarantees have been given,” the protestors demanded. 

According to reports, the Million Cup Cricket League, Chinar Media Consultancy Services Co. and Moby Group Afghanistan had signed an agreement earlier this month in Kabul formalizing the collaborative effort to hold the cricket league's fifth season competition and broadcast the matches. 

The league, in coordination with the ACB will, for the first time, meet international standards and follow the board’s guidelines. The matches will be broadcast live on Lemar TV and Arakozia radio. The event is scheduled to start on October 30 at the stadium in Khost province and will continue until November 13.

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PCB holds talks with PSL franchises

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A positive and constructive meeting was held between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and all the franchise owners of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Lahore on October 7. 

The PCB media release informed that the participants engaged in positive and fruitful discussions with a view to resolving outstanding matters, disputes and grievances. 

"Both sides held healthy candid discussions airing concerns and their respective viewpoints on outstanding matters,” the statement said. 

The PCB presented to the team owners a draft proposal which has been put together at the behest of the franchises who requested that the Board explore a more equitable model. 

Both sides, according to the PCB, have agreed to delve deeper into the proposed model with their respective financial and operational teams over the coming weeks and aim to resolve outstanding concerns and find a mutually beneficial position as soon as possible.

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Babar Azam not taking any opponents lightly

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan's T20 and ODI skipper, Babar Azam, has categorically stated that it’s out of question taking any international team lightly in this era.

"We have to apply ourselves in the home series against Zimbabwe to win it ahead of the tour of New Zealand later this year. If perform well against the tourists we would be oozing with confidence when tackling the Black Caps in their own den,” the celebrated batsman observed in a session with media.

“Efforts would be made to perform 110 percent in the series against Zimbabwe. We have to try to win these matches which would be helpful for playing tests and ODIs in New Zealand,” he added. 

“In New Zealand we have to play in different conditions, so if we play well here that would build up our conference to play against Kiwi. The ongoing National T20 Cup is an excellent opportunity for youngsters to impress and stake a claim for a spot in the team that will play Zimbabwe. The series against Zimbabwe will also serve as practice for the tour of New Zealand,” Babar Azam reckoned.

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Dean Jones farewelled at Melbourne Cricket Ground

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was the venue where Dean Jones was privately farewelled by his family with a lap of honour on October 2. 

The public address system of the MCG played tunes by musicians Elton John and INXS, who happened to be friends of the former Australian batsman turned commentator. 

The memorial service was limited to just 10 attendees, which included wife Jane and daughters Isabella and Phoebe, because of Victoria's ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. A public memorial service for Jones has been planned at a later stage when more mourners will be permitted to attend. 

"We have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love for Dean over the last week and can't thank everyone enough for their support and for sharing their memories with us," Jane Jones remarked on the occasion, adding that the family had been extremely moved by the way her husband's life and cricket had been remembered and revered by so many. 

"It has been an awful time to navigate as a family, but I could not have thought of a more fitting place to say goodbye to my husband than under the lights of his beloved MCG. What better way to honour him than with the music of his friends Elton John and INXS echoing throughout the empty stadium. We'd like to extend a huge thank you to the Melbourne Cricket Club and the MCG for their willingness to create our personal tribute to Dean and for Cricket Australia's support,” she said. 

"We would also like to extend a big thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs for ensuring Dean was returned home to us as quickly as possible. We will forever miss Dean's energy, his zest for life, passion for cricket and his love for us as a family," she acknowledged.

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Afghanistan’s Najeeb Tarakai dies at 29

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

One of Afghanistan’s top order batsmen, Najeeb Tarakai, has died at the age 29 after succumbing to injuries sustained in a road accident according to tweet issued by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on October 6. 

“ACB and Afghanistan Cricket Loving Nation mourns the heart breaking & grievous loss of its aggressive opening batsman & a very fine human being Najeeb Tarakai (29) who lost his life to tragic traffic accident leaving us all shocked! May Allah Shower His Mercy on him,” the ACB tweeted. 

The ACB had earlier tweeted on October 3 that Tarakai had been severely injured in a car accident the previous day and had subsequently undergone a surgery. 

He was being treated in Nangarhar at the time and it was communicated officially that he would be shifted to Kabul or outside Afghanistan as soon as possible whenever allowed by health officials. 

Tarakai's, who represented Mis Ainak Knights in the Shpageeza Premier League last month, had represented his country in 12 T20Is and one ODI for Afghanistan, having made his international debut in 2014.

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Pakistan Navy retains National Shooting Championship

By Masood Sattar Khan 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan Navy has won National Shooting Championship consecutively for the third time. The week-long mega event concluded at the Army Marksmen Unit in Jhelum on October 5. 

Being the defending champions, Pakistan Navy won the title with 17 Gold, 17 Silver and 11 Bronze medals whereas Pakistan Army secured the runners-up position and Pakistan Air Force got third position. 

Over 300 shooters belonging to the teams of Army, Navy, Air Force, Punjab, Sindh, WAPDA, ASF, Federal Rifle Association (FRA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) participated in the event and displayed their skills.

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Deano-the dasher leaves cricket world gloomy

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The entire cricket world has become gloomy all of a sudden because of the shocking death of Dean Jones, the former Australian top-order batsman, while performing duties as commentator in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. 

Jones was as jolly and outgoing as ever when describing action only the previous night, with no hints of any discomfort or illness, but he collapsed in the lobby of the five-star hotel where he was staying on the morning of September 24. 

Brett Lee, also a former Australian star, was reported to be very close to him as he watched in utter disbelief his fellow commentator suffer a cardiac arrest. He showed the presence of mind and tried his level best to revive Jones but his efforts could not yield the desired results. 

The gloom spread all over the world because, Jones, popularly known as Deano, was a lovable character, adored from North to South and East to West. There are not many cricketers around who have enjoyed this kind of admiration globally. 

As far as my knowledge is concerned, he was the first top-order batsman of Australia to have adopted aggressive approach in batting from the moment he arrived at the crease. 

Australia has been the home to many world-class batsmen, before and after him, but in my estimation Deano was a trend-setter of sorts. 

He showed attacking instincts and loved to dominate the bowlers with unorthodox shots, which were not very common those days. 

The likes of Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden emerged in the following years to make Australia the number one team as they ruled the world for a long time. The foundation for attacking batsmanship in Australia was laid by none other than Deano, I think. 

If my memory serves me right, it was Deano who introduced colorful glasses in the cricket field. The cricketers from all over the world then emulated him. He was a character in the truest sense of the word.  

Upon hanging his boots, when he had still seemed good for many more years, he made his presence felt in the team of commentators with his distinct voice and witty remarks. 

Then we also saw him excel in the role of a coach. He helped Islamabad United win the title of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He was the head coach of Karachi Kings in the PSL 2020. 

It’s hard to believe that such a proactive and energetic man has left this mortal world abruptly. The cricket world may never be the same without him and he will be missed.

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ICC saddened at passing of Dean Jones

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed sadness at the passing of former Australian Test batsman Dean Jones, at the age of 59, in Mumbai on September 24. 

“We are extremely sad to hear of Dean’s sudden death and I would like to extend our deep condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the ICC,” Manu Sawhney, Chief Executive, ICC, said in a statement. 

“Dean was a prolific batter playing in 52 Tests and 164 ODIs and was part of the 1987 Australia team who won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. He had a significant impact on the game of cricket as a player, as an advocate for the development of the sport as a coach and latterly in his role as a broadcaster. He will be sorely missed by all those in the cricket family,” the ICC chief added. 

An attacking batter, the Victorian featured in 52 Tests, making 3631 runs at an average of 46.55. In 164 ODIs, he made 6068 runs, at 44.61, with seven hundreds and 46 fifties. He was a part of Australia's winning team in the 1987 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, hosted jointly by Pakistan and India, and remains number five on the all-time MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Batting Rankings in the format. 

One of his most memorable Test innings came in 1986, when in the heat and humidity of Chennai, he battled exhaustion and illness to make a heroic 210 in what would be only the second tied Test ever. He had retired from international cricket in 1994 and went on to become a coach and more recently a broadcaster commentating on cricket around the world.

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‘Deano’ Jones suffers fatal cardiac arrest

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Former Australian batting great Dean Jones, having become one of the characters of the game in his later years because of his coaching and commentating stints, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in the Indian city of Mumbai on September 24. He was 59. 

Jones, affectionately known as Deano to his friends and colleagues, was in Mumbai as a part of the commentary team for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, was reported to have suffered a massive heart attack around noon IST.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing away of Dean Mervyn Jones AM. He died of a sudden cardiac arrest. We express our deep condolences to his family and stand ready to support them in this difficult time," Star India confirmed his death through a statement. 

He was recognized as one of the most explosive batsmen of his generation as his stroke-play was more suited to the shorter format of the game, making him one of the most valuable players in One-day Internationals. Jones also played 52 Tests besides 164 ODIs for Australia and his international career was cut short abruptly in mysterious circumstances, leading to speculations of various kinds. 

His second innings in cricket arena was equally, if not more, successful as he excelled in the role of a commentator as well as a coach. He seemed to have become a kind of folk hero in South Asia with his continuous engagement in cricket activities in this part of the world. He was head coach of Karachi Kings in the last edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

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Winter Olympics thwarted on false pretexts

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

As China was making all out efforts to ensure timely completion of all projects related to the 2022 Winter Olympics to make the international gala event a memorable one for the game lovers, however at the same time, some organizations were out to thwart the international event on false pretexts.

"Some organizations are trying to link the Beijing Winter Olympics with so-called human rights issues to pressure China,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, stated during a briefing in Beijing on September 22. 

“Such an attempt to politicize the sporting event is wrong. These so-called attempts are in fact against the Olympic Charter and on the other hand it sabotaged the development of the international human rights cause,” he reckoned. 

The 2022 Winter Olympics, also known as the XXIV Olympic Winter Games, and commonly known as Beijing 2022, is scheduled to take place from February 4 to 20 February 2022, in Beijing, the capital of China, besides and towns in the neighboring Hebei province.

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Veteran cricket scorer Ben Lawrence is no more

By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Veteran cricket scorer and statistician, Bernard Lawrence, who was more famously known as Ben, has died peacefully at the age of 81 in Karachi. 

His death, having taken place on August 13, was confirmed by the family sources. He is survived by five children, three sons and two daughters. 

Born at Lahore on June 28, 1939, he was acclaimed as one of the pioneers in cricket scoring in Pakistan. He did scoring assignments for Pakistan Television (PTV) as well as Radio Pakistan, becoming a known face in commentary boxes, since 1970. 

Having studied at the iconic educational institutions like St Patrick School & College and Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Ben continued doing cricket scoring stints for nearly three decades when pursuing a career in advertising industry. 

He did the scoring, mostly for PTV, in numerous Tests and One-day Internationals during a long career which also took him to England for the 1983 World Cup and to Australia and New Zealand for the 1992 World Cup, which was won by Pakistan. 

Ben was also engaged in statistical works of cricket for a number of years and he compiled and published a few books on the subject. 

He was a recipient of several awards in the field of advertising as he served some of the top organizations like MNJ Communications, Manhattan Pakistan, Argus Advertising, Spectrum Communications and Paragon Advertising.

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Michigan Cheetahs run away with Diversity Cup 2020

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The fifteenth edition of the Diversity Cup Cricket Tournament 2020 turned out to be a spectacular success as all the participating teams and their supporters thoroughly enjoyed the three-day extravaganza in Michigan’s capital Detroit over the Labor Day weekend. 

Organized by Global Sports for the fifteenth year running, the Diversity Cup lived up to its big reputation of being one of the most popular cricket tournaments in USA. 

Most significantly people from all over the United States and other parts of the world turned up for the event despite the apprehensions caused by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

It was really fascinating to be a part of the festivities which continued from September 5 to 7. These were the moments to cherish as many of us were having such kind of get-together after very long time. 

The pleasant weather was an added attraction for participating cricketers of the eight teams who were contesting for the trophy.

All the teams played very well but only two of them could have reached the final and among them one of them had to run away with the trophy.

The contestants were pooled equally in two groups for the preliminary rounds. Pakistan Greens, India Blues, Bangladesh Tigers and Asia United were placed in the Group A while Michigan Cheetahs, USA Blues, Smart Choice World XI and Mich-ca XI were drawn in the Group B.

As it turned out, Michigan Cheetahs and Pakistan Greens advanced to the final after having played quality cricket over three days. The title clash was won by Michigan Cheetahs as they overpowered Pakistan Greens by eight wickets.

Pakistan Greens, which also had the services of former Pakistan Test fast bowler, Muhammad Asif, could not extend its brilliant form in the final after having won all their four previous matches in the tournament.

They stood very little chance of winning the final after being restricted to a modest 140 for seven in the allotted 20 overs. Michigan Cheetahs overhauled the target with remarkable ease, powered by half centuries from Lewis and Taylor.

Dr Shaukat Rasheed, based in Toledo, Ohio, had fielded the Pakistan Greens outfit for the first time and his team succeeded in making its presence felt in its maiden appearance.

Iftikhar Ahmed, the owner of Michigan Cheetahs, was rewarded for showing faith in youngsters and his team also featured Najaf Shah, a fast bowler from Pakistan.

Naeem Iqbal of Baitul Mall was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony in which Nabeel Ahmed, who has bought a franchise team of Michigan for the Minor League Tournament, also witnessed the final The total prizemoney in the tournament was USD 17,500.

On the sidelines of the Diversity Cup, a coaching camp for the youngsters was held on September 5 in which Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler and an ICC Level-4 coach, was the master trainer and I carried out the duty of assisting him. It was an encouraging sign to find the teenagers eager to improve their cricketing skills.

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Simmons, Pollard shine in final to earn CPL title for Trinbago Knight Riders

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Skipper Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons powered Trinbago Knight Riders to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over St Lucia Zouks in the final of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Ground in Port of Spain on September 10.

Pollard’s four-wicket haul sent St Lucia Zouks tumbling to 154 all out and the record unbroken 138-run third wicket partnership off just 88 balls between Simmons and Darren Bravo took Trinbago Knight Riders home with consummate ease. The title victory was achieved with conviction as Bravo and Simmons put together the highest-ever stand of the CPL much to the delight of their owners and supporters.

St Lucia Zouks lost the plot after having got off to a breezy start in the powerplay overs. Rakheem Cornwall swept Akeal Hosein for four but was lucky to edge over DJ Bravo at slip. Kieron Pollard gave the second over to Ali Khan, who responded by flattening Cornwall’s middle stump. Andre Fletcher clipped fine for four, the Zouks thus closing the second over at 16 for one.

Mark Deyal slog swept Hosein for two fours while Fletcher was aggressive against Sikandar Raza lofting him over cover and long-on for sixes then cutting for four. Khary Pierre went for just five but Fletcher twice smoked Ali through cover for four and the Zouks motored to 60 for one off the powerplay. \

Deyal lofted Pierre over cover for four and launched Pollard for six, but struggled to combat Fawad Ahmed’s googly and edged to DJ Bravo at slip. Hosein returned with a tight over, and at halfway the Knight Riders had slowed the Zouks to 79 for two.

Roston Chase clipped through midwicket for four early in Fawad’s second over, which went for 10, but Fletcher’s assault ended as he aimed Pollard down the ground but found only Darren Bravo at long-off. Najibullah Zadran slashed his first ball for four, and the over went for seven to leave the Zouks in need of a partnership at 79 for three off 12 overs.

While Chase slog-swept the last ball of Pierre’s over for a six, he and Mohammad Nabi fell within four balls, the former chipping a Pollard cutter to long-on and the latter clubbing Fawad to long-off. Zouks captain Daren Sammy smashed his second ball for a six and after 15 overs the Zouks were 123 for five.

Despite a Najibullah four, Ali’s return over went for just six, and Sammy should have fallen to Hosein but Ali badly misjudged the catch. Najibullah flicked Hosein for a delightful Hero Maximum over cover, but Hosein recovered to dismiss Sammy leg before. After 17 overs, the Zouks were 138 for six..

DJ Bravo was unable to bowl and so Pollard had to step up at the death and did so admirably, picking up two wickets with his off-cutter. First Javelle Glenn looped to backward point and then Najibullah failed to clear Raza at deep backward square off another cutter. Kesrick Williams was run out, Ali Khan bowled Zahir Khan with a perfect yorker, and the Knight Riders had bowled the Zouks out for a decent rather than dominant total. Simmons pulled Scott Kuggeleijn for four first ball of the chase, becoming Hero CPL’s all-time leading run-scorer in doing so.

Webster swept Nabi for four but then top-edged off Chase, Williams taking a fine catch. After three overs, the Knight Riders were 14 for one. Tim Seifert got off the mark with a four off Kuggeleijn, but fell edging behind next ball. Darren Bravo too got off the mark with a boundary, a glorious lofted six over long-on off Chase, and Simmons took boundaries straight, fine down the leg side and backward of point off Williams’ first over to close the Powerplay with the Knight Riders 40 for two.

Chase and Nabi put the pressure on, going for just five between them, and Simmons and Bravo both struggled against Zahir. When Simmons did take on the big shot though he nailed it over the fence, and at halfway the Knight Riders were 59 for two and needed 96 more to win.

Sammy brought himself on and bowled five good deliveries, but Bravo smashed the sixth for a six, and Simmons pulled Williams for a six then cut him for four, becoming Hero CPL 2020’s leading run-scorer and bringing up his 50 off just 31 balls.

Bravo though continued to struggle against Chase, who closed out a superb spell. After 13 overs, Bravo was just 23 off 32 balls, and the Knight Riders needed almost 10 an over, but he eased both of those equations somewhat with two Hero Maximums off Glenn. Williams’s third over went for nine thanks to two wides and a loose short ball, and the Knight Riders entered the last five overs needing 45 with eight wickets still in hand.

Kuggeleijn managed to go for just four off the 16th despite starting with a wide, but Simmons targeted Zahir, taking him for four off the first and six off the second. Bravo added two big sixes, the second bringing up his 50 off 45 balls. Suddenly, the Knight Riders needed just 18. Simmons was not going to hang around now, walloping Kuggeleijn for a six over midwicket then clubbing him over cover and slicing him through third man for two fours. The winning runs came off an inside edge but there was now no denying the Knight Riders’ domination of Hero CPL 2020.

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CPL’s team of the tournament announced

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The team of the tournament for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was announced on September 9. 

It has been selected by the tournament’s commentary team, comprising of Tom Moody, Ian Bishop, Daren Ganga, Danny Morrison and Samuel Badree, all of them being former international cricketers. 

The team contains three players from the Trinbago Knight Riders, who have gone through the group stages unbeaten, three members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad while two players from the Jamaica Tallawahs and one each from the St Lucia Zouks, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and the Barbados Tridents have made the cut.

The team, captained by the West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard (Trinbago Knight Riders), also features Glenn Phillips (Jamaica Tallawahs), Sunil Narine (Trinbago Knight Riders), Shimron Hetmyer (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Nicholas Pooran (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Darren Bravo (Trinbago Knight Riders), Mohammad Nabi(St Lucia Zouks), Jason Holder (Barbados Tridents), Rayad Emrit (St Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Imran Tahir (Guyana Amazon Warriors) and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman (Jamaica Tallawahs). 

The selectors also picked one Caribbean and one overseas 12th man to round out the squad having Scott Kuggelejin (St Lucia Zouks) and Keemo Paul (Guyana Amazon Warriors). 

“After healthy discussion and debate the commentators have finalized what they believe is a power packed all-star XI from Hero CPL 2020,” Tom Moody, CPL’s Director of International Cricket, remarked. 

The final of the tournament, to be contested between Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Zouks, will take place on September 10, due to start at 10 am Eastern Caribbean Time at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Port of Spain.

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Iran’s expulsion called if champion wrestler executed

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A global union representing 85,000 athletes has called for Iran’s expulsion from world sport if it executed champion wrestler Navid Afkari whose case has stirred outcry.  

The 27-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler faces two death sentences after being convicted of stabbing a water security guard to death and other charges relating to anti-government protests in 2018, according to state media.

 The horrific act of executing an athlete can only be regarded as a repudiation of the humanitarian values that underpin sport,” an international wire news agency quoted the World Players Association (WPA) Director, Brendan Schwab.

“It must result in Iran forfeiting its right to be a part of sport’s universal community,” the WPA official remarked. 

Afkari has stated having been tortured into making a false confession, according to his family and activists, and his attorney maintained that there was no proof of his guilt.

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Chinese bridge proficiency event concludes

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The 13th Chinese bridge and proficiency competition for foreign secondary students in Pakistan has successfully been concluded online. 

According to details made available by Zhang Hewing, a diplomat, Alina Zhang Kiani earned first position and she was followed by Sukhan Fatima and Maryam Jafar who second and third respective. 

Bridge is one of the key components of mind sports and China happens to be one of its major promoters. It may be recalled that the inaugural Mind Sports Olympiad was organized in Beijing in 2008, a few months after the Summer Olympic Games also staged there.

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Iqbal Qasim quits as cricket committee chief; another jolt to PCB

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The resignation of Iqbal Qasim as the chief of the cricket committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its immediate acceptance by the Lahore-based headquarters clearly suggested that all was not well in running cricket affairs of the country.  

The soft spoken and well-mannered Iqbal Qasim, who scripted quite a few victories for Pakistan during his illustrious career as a left-arm spinner, has had the reputation of being a thorough gentleman all along as he became one of the best sports administrators of the country, after hanging his boots. 

He has held numerous positions over the years, having carried out the thankless job of being the national chief selector more than once. He may be a man of few words but he has had the ability to handle the most hostile of situations across the table. 

Being a proud product of departmental cricket, he obviously didn’t mince his words in letting his opinion know when the PCB took the controversial decision of marginalizing the departments who had played pivotal role in the development of cricket in Pakistan. 

Iqbal Qasim’s resignation as the cricket committee chief of the PCB doesn’t augur well for the Pakistan cricket which will be the biggest loser in his non-presence. He had been entrusted with the responsibility of heading the committee earlier this year.

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Alamgir Shaikh, friends celebrate father of Pakistan snooker’s birthday party

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Ali Asghar Valika, acclaimed as the father of Pakistan snooker, was pleasantly surprised when a group of his prodigies, spearheaded by Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, arranged a luncheon party to celebrate his birthday party at the Karachi Club Annexe on September 2. 

Asghar Valika, credited to have revived snooker and taken it to another level, is currently Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA). 

He was elected unopposed as the PBSA President for five successive terms, from 1988 to 2008. 

Although it was an unofficial party of friends but it turned out to be the get-together of the PBSA top officials with Alamgir Anwar Shaikh (Co-Chairman), Munawwar Hussain Shaikh (President) and Zulfiqar Ali Ramzi (Secretary), Irfan Moten (Treasurer) and Shariq Vohra (Member, Executive Committee) in attendance alongwith other office-bearers of the governing body of cue sports in the country. 

The soft spoken Asghar Valika, having turned 73, was delighted to be surrounded by his friends who wished him long life with immaculate health. Alamgir Shaikh, the motivating force behind organizing the birthday party, was mighty pleased with the occasion as he led the prayers for longevity of their beloved mentor whom he described as a source of constant motivation.

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Preparations for Winter Olympics 2022 in full swing at Beijing

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Despite the challenges being faced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, China has continued working round the clock to complete all arrangements for holding of the Winter Olympics 2020 in Beijing as per schedule. 

Air China, the state’s own carrier, has started flying its aircrafts with the theme paint for promotion of the next Winter Olympics in a big fashion. 

China's capital city of Beijing, in the Hebei province, will be playing host to the next Winter Olympics scheduled to be staged there from February 4 to 20, 2022. Some of the events will also be taking place in neighboring towns. 

Beijing, which also hosted the Olympic Games in 2008, is set to become the first city in the world to host both the Summer Olympics as well as the Winter Olympics.

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Diversity Cup to get underway on September 5

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

While the focus of attention for the past one month was Pakistan’s much talked about tour of England where we were able to witness some high quality cricket despite rainy summer.

Now all roads will be leading to Detroit in Michigan where Global Sports will be staging the 15th edition of the Diversity Cup, regarded as one of the most popular cricket tournaments in USA, from September 5 to 7.

It’s going a festive weekend with lots of entertainment to be available for the cricket lovers who will be assembling from the different parts of the US, despite the threats posed by coronavirus (COVID-19).

A total of eight teams will be competing for the trophy. They will be battling it out over three days for getting the lion’s share in the attractive prizemoney of USD 17,500.

The participants have been divided equally in two groups. Pakistan Greens, India Blues, Bangladesh Tigers and Asia United have been drawn in the Group A while Michigan Cheetahs, USA Blues, Smart Choice World XI and Mich-ca XI constitute the Group B.

An added feature during the cricket carnival at Detroit will be a coaching camp for the youngsters on September 5.

Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler and an ICC Level-4 coach, will be master trainer at the youth camp and I have been assigned the responsibility of assisting him during the one-day event.

The Diversity Cup has become one of the success stories because of the continued hard work of the organizers and the team owners who have been generously supporting the tournament over the years.

Dr Shaukat Rasheed, based in Toledo, Ohio, will be fielding the Pakistan Greens outfit for the first time and he has reckoned it to be a strong and balanced side. I might be associated with their team in the capacity of coach, if needed.

Shahid Malik, a leading businessman, has been a huge support to the cause of cricket by owning a high profile team for the past eight years. The teams, owned by him, have often contained four to five international cricketers.

Ajay Reddy, another ardent cricket supporter, has been managing India Blues for last three years quite enthusiastically and his team has performed consistently over the years.

Ghulam Afser, who has been running Bangladesh Tigers for the last eight years, is an invaluable support to the organizers as has been Sarwat Iqbal, who owns USA Blues.

Their passion for the game has helped the tournament immensely. Well it’s time to celebrate as the Diversity Cup has turned 15 now.

Having been associated with the Global Sports in the capacity of Vice President, Advisor and coach since inception, I feel proud to be a part of the team which has made it one of the most popular annual cricket events of the country.

Global recognition has also come our way as the International Cricket Council (ICC) had recognized the Diversity Cup as a tournament in 2016. It’s really pleasing to share that an average of seven to eight Test cricketers from different countries has been in action during the course of a tournament. 

The presence of the legendary cricketers like Greg Chappell, Mushtaq Muhammad, Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Muhammad Azharuddin, Asif Iqbal and Younis Khan has also contributed significantly in adding value to the Diversity Cup.

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Chitral Broghil festival pushed forward

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The traditional Chitral Broghil Festival, scheduled to be held early next month, has been pushed forward, the organizers announced on August 29. 

The Tourism department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced that the festival had to be rescheduled because of heavy torrential rains. 

Now the festival will be held from September 12, although it was originally scheduled to get underway on September 5. 

The events to be contested during the traditional festival include polo, cricket and football besides tug of war and other local games. The organizers will also be establishing a special zone to house the tourists.

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Tyson prayers footage gets viral

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A video footage got viral on social media that showed Badou Jack, Mike Tyson and Amer Abdallah praying at the Mike Tyson Ranch. 

The Swedish professional boxer, Badou Jack, shared a video of praying with legend Mike Tyson on his Instagram account. 

Tyson, 54, who dominated the heavyweight scene for almost 20 years after winning the title in 1987, was due to take on 51-year-old Jones in an eight-round exhibition in California on September 12. 

However, the bout has now been postponed until late November after the organizers chose to make the pay-per-view event bigger with more fights on the undercard. 

“Changing the date to November 28 will give more people the opportunity to see the biggest comeback in boxing history. This temporary inconvenience will last longer than Roy Jones Jr. He better be ready, I’m coming full force,” Tyson commented.

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IPL 2020 to be staged in UAE from September 19

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) is a set to kick off for only the second time in its history outside India from September 19. It was scheduled to take place in March but was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The event will now be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) received government clearance in this regard. 

According the organizers, the tournament is scheduled to be held in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi from September 19 to November 10. 

The BCCI was awaiting clearance from Indian ministries of home and external affairs before announcing the schedule. 

The IPL chairman, Brijesh Patel, a former Test batsman, expressed the confidence that the UAE will turn out to be the perfect hosts.

"We are very confident. The UAE has the infrastructure. They have hosted many international matches, and not just the IPL," Patel was quoted having observed in an interview. 

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) said that it was looking forward to hosting the biggest cricketing event in its history.  

“We feel extremely privileged to host what could be considered the pinnacle-event of our favourite sport. The magnitude of being in a position to bring the IPL to the vast cricket-loving global community, during current events which have greatly impacted our daily lives, is one we take with extreme importance,” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Chairman of the ECB, remarked. 

“This is undoubtedly the highest profile cricketing event to be held in the UAE and our team will continue to support all facets [of the tournament] and work toward delivering a successful event for the enjoyment of all sports-fans; here in the UAE, in India and across the world,” he added. 

After receiving official approval, the governing bodies in India and the UAE can now begin the task of finalizing the infrastructure and protocols to hold the event in a bio-secure environment. The players will undergo three COVID-19 tests in India and three tests after arrival in the UAE. Regular tests are planned throughout the tournament.

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Pakistan set to host international squash tourney in November

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) has allowed Pakistan a window in the first half of November to host the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Open in Islamabad. 

The event, whose main rounds will be staged at the Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex from November 7 to 11, is expected to attract some leading international players as well.  

The championship was originally scheduled to be held in April but it was postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

The mega event carries attractive prize money of $30,000 for men event while $12,000 for the women event. The main draw is of 24 places including eight seeds and two wildcards. Pakistan has so far hosted just one international squash event this year. 

“It is an encouraging sign as the PSA has agreed to allow Pakistan to host CAS Open in November following months of close down because of COVID-19. The international bodies have given the go-ahead to restart the squash activities from late September,” the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Secretary, Group Captain Tahir Sultan, remarked.

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Zaheer Abbas, Jacques Kallis inducted in ICC Hall of Fame

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s batting great Zaheer Abbas and South Africa’s incredibly gifted all-rounder Jacques Kallis, alongwith Australian World Cup-winning women all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar, have been inducted in the coveted Hall of Fame by the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

The ICC announced the induction of the three retired greats of the game into the Hall of Fame during an absorbing show broadcast around the world via digital channels. 

Zaheer Abbas, a former Pakistan captain, was globally admired for his stylish stroke-play in the 1970s and the 1980s to be titled the Asian Bradman. He earned the honour of becoming the first batsman from Asia to score a century of centuries in first-class cricket. 

Jacques Kallis remained the leading all-round cricketer of his country upon their readmission to international arena in 1990s. Besides being a prolific top-order batsman he was also an effective fast bowler who took wickets consistently in Tests as well as One-day Internationals. 

Meanwhile the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), through a statement, has congratulated Zaheer Abbas on his induction in the ICC Hall of Fame.

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Gwadar to host international sports festival in 2021

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

In order to promote sports tourism, the Gwadar international traditional sports and games festival is planned to be held in November next year.

The sports ministers and delegates, including 400 athletes from 45 countries, will grace the festival in Gwadar. 

The games include javelin throwing, traditional archery, camel racing, belt wrestling and Chinese cultural sports. 

The government of Balochistan and the Pakistan Council for Traditional Sports and Games (PCTSG), headed by Senator Muhammad Ali Saif, has drawn up a master plan to introduce the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project to the world through traditional sports. 

According to details, the PCTSG has submitted the plan in this regard to the government of Balochistan and an action was awaited soon. 

A four-member delegation led by ICTSG President and PCTSG Patron-in-Chief, Khalil Ahmad Khan, called on the Balochistan Sports Secretary, Mir Imran Gichki, in Quetta. The delegation included General Secretary PCTSG, Barrister Iftikhar, Finance Secretary, Kazim Ali Changezi, Director Media, Tariq Ali, Vice President, Khalid Shah, and Major Ali. 

The provincial Sports Secretary assured the delegation of his full cooperation informing them that the final approval would be given by Balochistan Chief Minister, Jam Kamal. 

It has been planned to invite 400 athletes from 45 countries besides international referees and other officials. Sports ministers and delegates from the participating countries are being expected to visit Gwadar to watch the traditional games. 

The festival will enhance the prestige of Pakistan and Gwadar by hosting such an event for the first time. This will be helpful in putting Gwadar on the tourist map of the world.

“This is just the beginning of sports tourism. The world would have a great opportunity to witness BRI and CPEC. The Balochistan government will soon announce an organizing committee for the event,” he added.

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