January 8, 2022

Ch Shujat Hussain, Parvez Elahi and Moonis Elahi express heartfelt grief over deaths of tourists in Murree

Lahore, January 08, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Muslim League President and former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi have expressed heartfelt grief over the loss of tourists stranded in Murree, they said that they share in the grief of the bereaved families.

The PML leaders said that it was a great tragedy that the tourists lost their lives due to heavy snowfall and poor traffic management. They said that this incident should be investigated at the highest level and if any negligence was found by the administration, it should be punished severely. They said that such a large number of people were turning to Murree and the administration should have known what measures were needed for security and traffic arrangements there.

They said that so far more than twenty people have lost their lives which is very painful and a cause of sorrow and grief for every Pakistani. They called for intensification of efforts to evacuate stranded tourists and stranded vehicles in Murree and Galyat. In this regard, PML leaders appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Army, FC and Rescue 1122 and prayed that the people trapped there should reach their homes as soon as possible as a large number of people are still stranded in Murree and adjoining areas.

For more information, contact:
Mediacell, Pakistan Muslim League
30-C, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Road,
Gulberg-II, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35878428
Fax: +92-42-35877329
Website: www.pmlmediacell.com

January 8, 2022

Launch of Google Developers and Global Shaper at DCK Campus

Karachi, January 08, 2022 (PPI-OT):Google Developer Student Club at DSU visited DHA City Karachi for the launch of GDSC@DCK where the talk was conducted by Syed Ateeq – Former GDSC Lead at Google Developers and Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum along with the current GDSC Lead Syed Hassam and the core team members.

The session was focused on bridging the gap between industry and academia. Helping students understand the gap and the standard to enter the tech industry. The session briefed about the methods to prepare for technical rounds of interviews in top startups of Pakistan, building the right resume, and having an industry-standard LinkedIn that can help students stand out from the crowd. Emphasis on core programming courses with concepts implementation by building pilot projects and how their idea can be implemented in the Final Year Project.

GDSC also promoted the Iqbal Philosophy of Khudi, where the approach instead of running after the corporate world, the students were briefed to admire excellence in their own technical domain, make a strong decision to choose one domain, follow the roadmap religiously and become master at it.

The GDSC@DSU Team was received by distinguished Faculty Members which included Mr. Farooq Shibli, Col.(R) Mahmood ul Hassan, Dr. Muhammad Mobin Idrees, and Mr. Imran Arshad. The GDSC Team also toured DHA City Karachi and was highly impressed by the quality of campus life and facilities available to the students that are not only un-matchable in Pakistan but are equivalent to the life of dream Foreign University of any student. The Future planning of the computer science department with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure was not only futuristic but exemplary said by the core team.

For more information, contact:
Manager Marketing,
DHA Suffa University (DSU)
DG-78, Off Khayaban-e-Tufail, Ph-VII (Ext.),
DHA, Karachi-75500, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35244871
Email: sabah.baloch@dsu.edu.pk
Website: www.dsu.edu.pk

January 8, 2022January 10, 2022

ICC Player of the Month nominations for December 2021 announced

Dubai, January 08, 2022 (PPI-OT):The nominees for ICC Player of the Month nominees for December 2021 have been announced, with three men distinguishing themselves with some brilliant performances in the month. There will be no award in the women’s category in December as there were no international women’s games scheduled last month.

The nominees for December in the men’s category are, India’s Mayank Agarwal, New Zealand’s Aijaz Patel and Australia’s Mitchell Starc

An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world can now vote to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered on icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to cast their votes for their favourite ICC player of men’s the month for December.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December:

Mayank Agarwal (India)

With regular openers Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul all missing games at some point last month, Mayank Agarwal has grabbed the opportunity with both hands in the series against New Zealand and South Africa. In the two matches, he scored 276 runs at an average of 69.00, which included two fifties and a century. With India having drawn the first Test against Kiwis in Kanpur, the hosts were looking to bounce back with a win. India routed New Zealand in Mumbai and Agarwal was the architect of the win a Player of the Match-winning performance of 150 and 62 in the two innings.

Batting first in overcast conditions, KL Rahul and Agarwal set the platform with a brilliant opening partnership of 117 in Centurion.

Ajaz Patel (New Zealand)

Ajaz Patel’s made history in December, when he picked up 10 wickets in an innings against India, becoming the third player in Tests to achieve the feat after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.

The left-arm spinner played just one Test in the month, where he picked up 14 wickets at an average of 16.07. He picked up all 10 wickets in the first innings but was disappointed by the Kiwi batters who were bundled out for 62. In the second innings, he picked up four wickets, including that of openers Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara. He finished with figures of 14/225, the best bowling figures in a Test match in 2021.

Mitchell Starc (Australia)

Mitchell Starc has played a vital role, both with the bat and ball in hand, in Australia retaining the Ashes with two games to spare. In the three games last month, he picked up 14 wickets at an average of 19.64 and was more than handy with the bat, scoring 117 runs in the three matches at an average of 58.50.

He set the tone for the whole series by dismissing Rory Burns with the first ball of the first Test. While batting, he kept Travis Head company with an innings of 35 and added 85 crucial runs for the eighth wicket. Starc was magnificent with the bat and ball in the second Test, picking up six wickets and scoring 58 runs in Adelaide. This included a brilliant four-wicket haul in the first innings that helped reduce England to 236, giving Australia a massive lead of 237 runs.

In the Boxing Day Test, Starc picked two crucial wickets in the first innings, including that of England’s captain Joe Root. His innings of 24* helped Australia gain an 82-run lead, which proved to be enough as England were out for 68. He picked up three wickets in the second innings as Australia won by an innings to retain the prestigious Ashes urn.

The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:

The three nominees for either category is shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters, and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels.

ICC Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month December 2021:

Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim; Australia: Melinda Farrell and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Tarek Mahmoud and Mohammad Isam’ England: Elizabeth Ammon and Claire Taylor; Ireland: Ian Callender and Isobel Joyce; India: Rica Roy and Irfan Pathan New Zealand: Mark Geenty and John Wright; Pakistan: Faizan Lakhani and Ramiz Raja; South Africa: Firdose Moonda and Makhaya Ntini; Sri Lanka: Neville Victor Anthony and Russel Arnold; West Indies: Desmond Haynes and Merissa Aguilleira; Zimbabwe: Tristan Holme and Mpumelelo Mbangwa; Others: Paul Radley and Dirk Nannes.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

January 8, 2022January 10, 2022

ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Group D Preview

Dubai, January 08, 2022 (PPI-OT):A quick glance at the make-up of Group D of ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup shows just how challenging it will be to make it out of the first round.

Hosts West Indies won the tournament back in 2016, Australia are three-time champions and Sri Lanka also have a final appearance to their name.

Scotland round out the group in their ninth appearance in the competition, qualifying after New Zealand were forced to withdraw due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Australia (13th appearance)

Only India have won the ICC U19 Men’s CWC more times than Australia’s three titles, with Australia also second in terms of matches won and win percentage.

In fact, in 12 previous appearances, Australia have made it through to at least the semi-finals on eight occasions, they are remarkably consistent.

The last win came back in 2010, a team featuring Mitchell Marsh, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood, who 11 years later would play key roles as Australia claimed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.

This time around, all-rounder Cooper Connolly will lead the side, and he will have fond memories of taking on the host nation. In 2020 he hammered 64 off 53 balls against the West Indies in a play-off match that was eventually abandoned due to rain.

He is the only player who returns from the 2020 squad, but will not lack for support, notably from ambidextrous spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan.

Scotland (9th appearance)

Scotland initially missed out on qualification after losing to Ireland in the final of the Qualifier, but were handed a reprieve when New Zealand withdrew from the competition.

The Scots are yet to make it past the first round, and face a battle to do so for the first time in 2022 with the strength of the group.

Gordon Drummond is the coach of the side, which will be captained by 18-year-old left-arm spinner Charlie Peet.

The Scots will not lack for experience, with Peet one of five players who were also part of the squad two years ago.

Sri Lanka (14th appearance)

Sri Lanka will be looking for an improved showing after going out in the first round in each of the last two editions of the ICC Men’s U19 CWC.

Semi-finalists in 2016 with a squad featuring Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, they have twice finished third in their group since.

The aim will be to avoid a third straight failure to make the quarter-finals, but the group in which they find themselves will not be easy.

Matheesha Pathirana is back in the squad after playing in 2020 when Sri Lanka finished 10th overall.

Dunith Wellalage will captain the side having previously withdrawn from a Sri Lanka U19 squad to focus on his studies.

West Indies (14th appearance)

An ever-present at this tournament, hosts West Indies will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the 2016 side that went all the way and won the title.

To do so, they will have to overcome the odds. Not since Australia in the very first tournament back in 1998 has a host nation won the tournament, although Sri Lanka and Australia have both made it to the final on home soil.

The 2016 crop that won the title were captained by Shimron Hetmyer, with another future international, Alzarri Joseph, leading the bowling attack.

If recent matches against South Africa are anything to go by, the bowling may be the West Indies’ strength once again with quick bowler Johann Layne one to watch out for.

Middle order batter Ackeem Auguste captains the side which kicks off against Australia in Guyana before heading to St Kitts and Nevis for the remaining two group games.

January 8, 2022January 10, 2022

Let’s Dream Again: Golfers support education at TCF’s 18th Annual Golf Tournament

Karachi, January 08, 2022 (PPI-OT):On a beautiful Sunday morning, more than 140 passionate golfers came together at the Karachi Golf Club to support education for the less privileged at TCF’s 18th Annual Golf Tournament. The tournament was hosted by The Citizens Foundation (TCF) – a leading non-profit organisation that builds and operates schools in the urban slums and rural areas of Pakistan – to raise funds and bring less privileged children back to school amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Now in its 18th year, TCF’s Golf Tournament was played under a Texas Scramble Format while strictly adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Siddiqsons Team emerged as winners of the tournament while Team Zee secured the runners-up title. The tournament was also attended by Mr. Mike Nithavrianakis, Deputy High Commissioner Karachi and Trade Director Pakistan, as the Chief Guest who also distributed prizes during the presentation ceremony. He commented, TCF’s commitment to providing education to under privileged children throughout Pakistan is phenomenal. The transformational impact that this has on so many pupils is changing their and their families’ lives for the better.”

“I am so thankful to the golfing community for their support in generously donating to TCF. The funds raised will help a large number of deserving kids and allow TCF to continue to reach more and more young people.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mushtaq Chhapra, TCF’s Co-Founder and Director said, “Every year, our incredible community of golfers gather to put up a great game of golf whilst also creating life-changing impact for less privileged children. With their generosity and support, we are bringing vulnerable children back into their classrooms after the COVID-19 crisis and reigniting their dreams! I am very grateful to all the participants, the Karachi Golf Club Team and our sponsors, who made this event a success yet again!”

The categories in the competition were winner, runner up, nearest to pin and hole in one. The main sponsors of the event were Bank Al Habib, KIA Motors Pakistan, Bacha Party, Bank Albaraka, Dubai Islamic and Samba Bank. Media coverage was carried out by GEO Super and FM91 as exclusive media partners.

For more information, contact:
Head Office,
The Citizens Foundation (TCF)
Plot No. 20, Sector # 14, Near Brookes Chowrangi,
Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi, 74900, Pakistan
UAN: +92-21-111-823-823 Ext: 1416
Fax: +92-21-35113460
Email: info@tcf.org.pk
Website: https://www.tcf.org.pk/

January 8, 2022January 10, 2022

Trials of divisional baseball teams for participation in Punjab Games announced

Lahore, January 08, 2022 (PPI-OT):Trials of divisional baseball teams for participation in 73rd Punjab Games have been announced.

According to the President of Pakistan Federation Baseball Federation Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, as per directions of the Federation, the Divisional Baseball Associations has announced Baseball Trials of their teams for the participation in 73rd Punjab Games to be held in Lahore from January 24 to 27, 2022. The schedule of baseball trials will be as follows:

Multan – 8-1-22 – 11:00AM – Muslim School Nishtar Road Multan

Lahore – 9-1-22 – 11:00AM – Bahria Town, Lahore

Sahiwal – 10-1-22 – 11:00AM – Depalpur Stadium Depalpur

Bahawalpur – 10-1-22 – 11:00AM – Dring Stadium Bahawalpur

Faisalabad – 10-1-22 – 11:00AM – Borhan Wala Ground Near Jinnah Park

Sargodha – 10-1-22 – 11:00AM – Technology College PAF Road Sargodha

Rawalpindi – 11-1-22 – 11:00AM – DPS School Shamas Abad Rawalpindi

Gujranwala – 12-1-22 – 11:00AM – Jinnah Stadium Gujranwala

DG Khan – 12-1-22 – 11:00AM – Cricket Stadium DG Khan

According to Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, a selection committee has been formed in each Divisional Baseball Association for the trials which will select the best players. Teams will be announced at the end of the trials.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Federation Baseball
Punjab Stadium, Ferozepur Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel. +92-42-353-41121
Fax + 92-42-357-11828
E-mail: pakistanfederationbaseball@hotmail.com