Youth development holds key to US cricket future: Naeem-ul-Haq

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Cricket has certainly come alive in a big way in the United States of America (USA) with back-to-back Twenty20 Internationals between the West Indies and India, staged at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, in August..

The All-Star series and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) had paved the way for the return of international cricket in the USA but the recent series between the West Indies and India seemed to have done enough to ensure a future for the sport in the country. 

The monumental success of these two matches appears to have gladdened the hearts of the entire cricket community in America in general and they are looking forward to capitalizing on this fever. 

Naeem-ul-Haq, a former cricketer and now a qualified coach, has always been optimistic about the future of the game in his adopted country despite all the challenges. 

Having started his career in his hometown Karachi, where he played first-class cricket for his employers Pakistan Customs before relocating in USA, he has believed that better results could be accomplished if the organizational matters were taken care of professionally and there was greater emphasis on the youth development programmes.

In an interview, Naeem-ul-Haq, who worked as one of the coaches of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA), reckoned that engaging the youngsters was the best way forward for the further development of cricket. 

“There are a few organizations dedicated to introducing cricket to American children as they look to support local youth cricket by sharing funding, printed and digital resources, and best practices. They also have a network of dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and money to bring cricket to schools,” the former coach of the South East of the USACA, covering the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, remarked. 

Naeem-ul-Haq, who has been associated with the Global Sports, a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Michigan, revealed that the inaugural Youth Diversity Cup, which is going to be the first tournament of its kind in the USA, was due to be launched next summer. 

“We have worked out a plan to organize the Youth Diversity Cup on the sidelines of the Diversity Cup, which is an established annual tournament, next July. The event will add value to the local communities by promoting an active lifestyle for all children through the playing of cricket,” he added.

Naeem-ul-Haq further disclosed that, as part of their training programmes, the Global Sports had organized a coaching certification course a couple months ago in Michigan. 

“There were a dozen participants in the Level-1 certification for cricket coaches, conducted by Jalaluddin, Level-4 coach certified by the ECB and a former Test cricketer from Pakistan. The coaches learnt basic skills to teach the game of cricket to upcoming cricketers,” he informed. 

While Naeem-ul-Haq welcomed the initiatives of playing international matches in America in order to explore new areas, and promote cricket besides the hosting of the CPL 2016 and the All-Star series between Sachin Tendulkar’s Blasters and Shane Warne’s Warriors in 2015, he insisted that the youth development held the key to the future of cricket in USA. 

“The Americans indeed wish to see cricket, especially T20, which is not too dissimilar to baseball, which is one of the most popular sports in the region. But the purpose will not be fully served until a sizeable chunk of their youth turns to cricket,” he concluded.

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Ramil Aftab, Hamza Ali star in KG Schoolboys victory in Omar Trophy

Pakistan News & Features Services

Ramil Aftab’s century and Hamza Ali Khan’s five-wicket haul powered Karachi Gymkhana Schoolboys to an emphatic 165-run victory over Foundation Public School in their Group G encounter of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on September 11.

Batting first, after winning the toss, Karachi Gymkhana Schoolboys posted a mammoth total of 291 for eight in the allotted 40 overs. Foundation Public School, in reply, was bowled out for 126 in 26 overs. 

Karachi Gymkhana Schoolboys’ opener Ramil Aftab whacked three sixes and six fours in his 100 off 101 balls, dominating 147-run second wicket partnership with Shaharyar Zaidi who stroked six boundaries in his 66 off 60 balls. 

Leg-spinners Mohammad Maisam (2-42) and Osama Khan (2-75) were the successful bowlers for Foundation Public School but Hamza Obaid remained undefeated on 44 off 42 balls with the help of two fours to stretch the total past 290. 

Set a stiff target of 292 in 40 overs, Foundation Public School lost both the openers cheaply. The ship was steadied by Osama Khan (38 off 60 balls) and Mohammad Abbas (36 off 36 balls) who added 85 for the third wicket. 

Karachi Gymkhana Schoolboys sealed the fate of the match through off-spinner Hamzi Ali Khan’s sensational spell of eight overs in which he claimed five wickets for only 20 runs. Fellow off-spinner Aurangzeb also chipped in with a couple of scalps as Foundation Public School lost their last wickets for 27 runs to be bowled out for 126. 

The Man of the Match award, however, was clinched by opener Ramil Aftab of Karachi Gymkhana Schoolboys for his wonderful century.

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Khan Secondary School, The Educators School off to winning start in Omar Trophy

Pakistan News & Features Services

Khan Secondary School recorded a thrilling one-wicket victory over Al Fatima Academy while The Educators School overwhelmed Oasis English School by six wickets in the latest matches of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

The low-scoring encounter between Khan Secondary School and Al Fatima Academy turned out to be a cliff-hanger at the Hussain Lawai Naya Nazimabad Stadium in which 19 wickets fell for 253 runs in 62.4 overs. 

Put into bat, Al Fatima Academy recovered to reach 126 in 29.3 overs after being 74 for six. Kafeel Khan struck one six and six fours in his 39 off as many balls while Mohammad Ali chipped in with 24 off 33 balls. 

Khan Secondary School’s spin duo of Majid Aslam (3-15) and Tahir Bahadur (3-22) sustained the pressure after medium-pacer Aamir Farooq (2-25) had troubled the top-order. 

The target of 127 in 40 overs didn’t look a stiff one and the breezy knock from Man of the Match Aman Khan (42 off 33 balls) put Khan Secondary School in the driving seat. 

But Al Fatima Academy fought back gallantly through the off-spinning duo of Hasnain Razzaq (4-29) and Fahad Ali (2-21) to keep the contest alive until the last pair completed the job. In the other match of the day, 

Oasis English School was bowled out for 160 by The Educators School at the Eastern Star Ground. Batting first, after winning the toss, 

Oasis English School was given a flying start by openers Mohammad Sabir (39 off 49 balls) and Mohammad Kashan (25 off 36 balls) as they added 69 for the first wicket. Talha Ahsan (30 off 62 balls) then anchored the innings but the fall of wickets in rapid succession didn’t help their cause. 

The spin trio of Uzair Ali (3-12), Sameer Ahmed (3-23) and Zohaib Masood (2-33) pulled it back for The Educators School with some intelligent bowling. 

Opener Mubashir Nawaz, who stroked 11 boundaries in his unbeaten 77 off 87 balls, guided The Educators School to a comfortable six-wicket victory as the winning runs came with 11.2 overs to spare. He was adjudged Man of the Match, having dominated the 132-run second wicket partnership with Taha Mahmood (40 off 51 balls) to seal the fate of the match. Off-spinner Abdul Rafay’s three-wicket haul was not enough to change the course of the proceedings.

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Victories for Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School, Qadri Model School in Omar Trophy

Pakistan News & Features Services

Mohammad Hussain’s terrific all-round performance powered Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School to a stunning 237-run triumph over Zeeshan Secondary School while Syed Yawar Imam and Saad Bin Yousuf spun Qadri Model School to 44-run victory over St Paul English School rivals in the Group C matches of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

Batting first, after winning the toss at the Eastern Star Ground, Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School overcame a shaky start to post a mammoth total of 326 in 38.5 overs before bowling out Zeeshan Secondary School for only 89 in 17 overs. 

Opener Mohammad Hussain led the carnage with 89 off 66 balls, cracking one a six and 12 fours, after three wickets had gone down for 29. 

He added 155 for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Haider, who struck 11 boundaries in his 64 off 59 balls. 

Kazim Hussain’s 50 off 47 balls sustained the momentum while the late flourish was provided by Ali Akbar’s 36 off 19 balls containing one six and five fours. The contribution of 49 extras also helped in boosting the Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School total. 

The score could have been even higher without the wicket-taking acts of medium-pacers Waleed Khan (4-58) and Mohammad Faizan (2-63) while off-spinner Mohammad Muneeb (2-39) was also the most economical bowler of the innings. 

Set to score 327 in 40 overs, Zeeshan Secondary School crashed to 89 all out after being 57 for two. Opener Mohammad Ashar (23 off 24 balls) and Mohammad Bilal (14 off 18 balls) were the only batsmen to enter double figures as the innings was wrecked by the off-spin of Mohammad Hussain (4-21) who was assisted by off-spinner Haider Zaidi (2-11) and medium-pacer Rehan Abbas (2-14). 

Mohammad Hussain of Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School was the unanimous choice for Man of the Match award for his superb all-round effort. In the day’s other game Qadri Model School, batting first after calling correctly, was bowled out for 176 in 36.4 overs at the KCCA Stadium but they defended it successfully by routing St Paul English School for 132 in 35.1 overs. 

Opener S M Shaheer (49 off 58 balls) provided a flying start to Qadri Model School but they lost their way in the middle overs due to the fine bowling from the spin trio of Izhan Ahmed (4-30), Suhain Sameer (2-30) and Mustafa Siddiqui (2-37). 

Chasing a target of 177 in 40 overs, St Paul English School was put in the driving seat by opener Abdullah (47 off 87 balls) but he didn’t receive support from fellow students who were clueless against the spinners. 

They collapsed from 91 for two to 130 all out to lose the game after controlling it for a while. Leg-spinner Saad Bin Yousuf (4-27) was the most successful of the Qadri Model School bowlers while off-spinner Syed Yawar Imam who turned the game around with his spell of three for 14 off 6.4 overs was adjudicated as Man of the Match.

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Zaheer Public School, Springfield Academy triumph in Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket

Pakistan News & Features Services

Zaheer Public School and Springfield Academy overcame their respective rivals in the latest matches of the Omar Trophy Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

Zaheer Public School, despite conceding as many as 50 wides, outsmarted Fatimiyah Boys School by four wickets in a Group B fixture at the TMC Ground while Springfield Academy hammered BM Grammar School by a staggering margin of 194 runs in the Group E encounter at the KCCA Stadium.

Put into bat, Fatimiyah Boys School collapsed dramatically from 42 for no wicket to 111 all out in 29.5 overs. They could have been bundled out for a lower total without the contribution of 57 extras which included 50 wides sent down by the Zaheer Public School bowlers. 

S M Abbas (20 off 59 balls) and opener Ali Abbas (14 off 22 balls) were the only batsmen to reach double figures as the innings was wrecked by left-arm spinner Talha Baig (4-18), off-spinner Ibad-ul-Haq (3-14) and medium-pacer Syed Essa (2-14). 

Chasing a modest target of 112 in 40 overs, Zaheer Public School lost both their openers cheaply but the innings was given momentum by Saad Shaikh (33 off 24 balls) and Adil Baig (21 off 48 balls). 

Off-spinner Ali Faraz (2-10) and medium-pacer Hasan Raza (2-30) could only delay the inevitable as the winning runs came in the 20th over. Zaheer Public School’s left-arm spinner Talha Baig was declared Man of the Match for his four-wicket haul. 

In the day’s other match Springfield Academy, batting first after winning the toss, installed an impressive total of 243 against BM Grammar School. 

Opener Saim Ayub set the ball rolling with a fluent 52-ball 67 containing eight boundaries while Mubashir Amin struck a couple of fours in his 41 off 54 balls. Springfield Academy, looking set for a score in the excess of 250, was bowled out for 243 on the penultimate ball of the innings, losing the last six wickets for only 44 runs. 

Medium-pacers Asim Raza and Arbaz Khan returned the identical figures of two for 34 while left-arm spinner Asfandyar Ghani (2-35) and leg-spinner Suhaib-ul-Hasan (2-58) also bowled well. 

Needing 244 for victory in 40 overs BM Grammar School struggled from the outset to be routed for 49 in 22 overs. Opener Omar Siddiqui (11 off 44 balls) was the only batsman to enter double figures as the wickets were shared between off-spinner Nazar Siddiqui (3-9), left-arm spinner Badar Qureshi (3-14) and medium-pacer Taimur Mustafa (2-9). 

Badar Qureshi, who also scored 26 off 37 balls in the Springfield Academy innings besides capturing three wickets, was presented Man of the Match award for his fine all-round performance.

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Fahad Academy, Fahim School Systems register victories in Omar Trophy Inter-Schools Cricket

Pakistan News & Features Services

Fahad Academy and Fahim School Systems registered victories over their respective rivals in the latest matches of the Omar Trophy Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

Fahad Academy defeated Happy Palace School by four wickets in a low scoring Group B encounter at the TMC Ground while Fahim School Systems whipped CAA Model School by 58 runs in the Group A fixture at the Hussain Lawai Naya Nazimabad Stadium. 

Put into bat, Happy Palace School was routed for 66 in 19.3 overs with Sameer Khan (16 off 25 balls) being the only batsman to reach double figures. 

Fahad Academy’s pace duo of Mohammad Shaheryar (2-8) and Naeem Gul (2-22) caused the damage with the new ball and the demolition act was completed by left-arm spinners Akbar Ali (3-17) and Mohammad Umair (2-14). 

Chasing a modest target of 67 in 40 overs, Fahad Academy got off to a flying start with openers Hammad Hasan and Mahmood Shah knocking off 31 runs very quickly. But they lost six wickets while scoring the next 29 runs to open up the game. The collapse began with the fall of Hammad Hasan, who emerged topscorer of the match with 23 off 24 balls, hitting three boundaries. 

Mohammad Salman’s breezy unbeaten 15 off 13 balls with the help of one six and a four saw them home in a tense finish, although Fahad Academy completed the victory with 27.3 overs in hand. Leg-spinner Zain Khan (2-7) and left-arm medium-pacer Hamza Qureshi (2-27) were the pick of the bowlers for Happy Palace School. The Man of the Match award, however, was clinched by Fahad Academy’s left-arm spinner Akbar Ali for his three-wicket haul.

In the day’s other match, powered by the 141-run opening partnership between Hasan Masood and Asad Ahsan, Fahim School Systems posted a formidable total of 227 in 40 overs against CAA Model School. 

Both the openers scored 60 each. Hasan Masood was more aggressive of the two, smashing eight boundaries in his 76-ball knock while Asad Ahsan anchored the innings as he struck only three fours while negotiating 107 balls. 

CAA Model School staged a comeback after breaking the marathon opening stand. They did a fabulous job by bowling their opponents out for 227, getting all 10 wickets for 86 runs. Medium-pacer Mohammad Fahad (2-38) was their most successful bowler. 

Fahim School Systems defended their score successfully as CAA Model School was never really in the hunt after losing wickets upfront. They were all out for 169 in 38.4 overs after having lost the first four wickets before raising 50 of their innings. 

Hanzala Niaz (24 off 39 balls) was their top scorer as the innings was wrecked by off-spinner Abdul Rafay (4-36). Hasan Masood, who also picked up a couple of wickets with his off-spin besides scoring a half-century, was adjudged Man of the Match.

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SSUET granted permission to hold Inter-Varsity sports events

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has granted permission to the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, for organizing a zonal football tournament as well as the final round of All Pakistan Tug of War.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting of HEC held in Islamabad to review sports activities at universities level. 

The meeting, held annually, was attended by the Director Sports of all the universities. The SSUET was represented by its Director Sports Mubashir Mukhtar. 

The HEC agreed to the SSUET proposal of holding the zonal football round and the final round of Tug of War. On the occasion the Mubashir Mukhtar also presented annual report of the university’s sports activities, informing the meeting about a number of inter-departmental tournaments in cricket, hockey, football, badminton, volleyball, table tennis and an All Karachi Inter-Varsities Jashn-e-Azadi cricket tournament having been organized by the SSUET. 

He presented the report to Director General Sports, HEC, Fida Hussain who appreciated the SSUET’s initiatives in the field of sports.

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Federal sports authorities assure support to PBSA

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Billiards &a Snooker Association (PBSA) has been assured the allocation of a hall for setting up snooker academy at the PSB Karachi Centre besides the release of the pending cash award to the ace cueist, Hamza Akbar.

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh. President, PBSA, who returned to the city after having held a series of meetings with the top functionaries of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) in Islamabad over the past three days, expressed his delight with the positive mindset and cooperative attitude of the government officials. 

“The Federal Sports Minister, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, during our meeting, issued the directives to immediately release Hamza Akbar’s long pending cash award of Rupees 15 lacs for winning the Asian Championship 2015 in Malaysia. He also ordered for the allocation of a suitable hall to the PBSA for setting a snooker academy at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Karachi Centre besides advising for the release of pending special grants to the Association in which the Pakistan snooker team had participated,” Alamgir Shaikh revealed. 

The PBSA President also held formal meetings with the newly appointed senior officials at the Ministry of IPC which included the Secretary, Raja Mohammad Nadir Ali, the Deputy Secretary, Fayyaz-ul-Haq, and the Joint Secretary Hussain Ahmed Madni, having briefed them on the performance and achievements of the association and the cueists. 

The snooker chief of the country also had lengthy sessions with the high-ranking functions of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) including its Director General, Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, Director General (National Federations), Mohammad Azam Dar and Deputy Director General, Syed Habib Shah. 

“The matters relating to the appointment of a foreign coach were on top of the agenda in meetings with the PSB officials. After deliberations and discussions they have given their consent to the PBSA for hiring Soheil Vahedi from Iran as the coach for the Pakistan snooker squad,” Alamgir Shaikh disclosed. 

 “Accordingly, as a part of the PBSA Coaching Programme, it has now been mutually decided to hold a 15-day training and coaching camp for Pakistan’s top cueists at the PSB Complex in Islamabad under the supervision of coach Soheil Vahedi next month,” the PBSA President concluded.

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