Games – Page 525 – Newswire Pakistan

August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

PCB confirms schedule of 266-match 2021-22 domestic season

Lahore, August 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Cricket Board today announced the schedule of 2021-22 domestic cricket season in which it will hold 10 tournaments, comprising 266 matches. In the 2020-21 season, the PCB had organised 220 matches in nine tournaments to become the only cricket board to deliver a complete domestic schedule.

Domestic competitions in the 2021-22 season are separate to the home international matches against New Zealand, England, West Indies and Australia, and the HBL Pakistan Super League, which will be held between September 2021 and March 2022.

Not added to the 2021-22 domestic matches are the ongoing two-day CCA tournament matches, which commenced on 16 July and will conclude on 22 August, and the CCA U19 tournament that will begin on 1 September. The two tournaments are designed to provide opportunities to the outstanding performers to graduate to the Cricket Association sides for the senior and pathway competitions in the PCB Domestic Season 2021-22.

The additional matches in the forthcoming domestic circuit have been added in pathways cricket for which the PCB has allowed the six Cricket Associations to field two sides each in the U16 and U19 tournaments.

This means 12 sides will feature in the 62-match National U19 three-day championship and One-Day Cup, which will run side by side, from 3 October to 12 November in Gujranwala, Islamabad, Muridke, Rawalpindi and Sialkot.

Another 12 sides will take part in the 31-match National U16 Cup from 8 to 19 March 2022 with Rawalpindi hosting the single-league competition.

The National U13 One-Day Cup has returned to the national circuit after missing out last year due to Covid-19 pandemic. This single-league event will be held in Faisalabad from 8 to 18 February 2022.

Director High Performance, Nadeem Khan: “For the 2021-22 age-group cricket season, each Cricket Association will be allowed to field two U16 and U19 sides so that we can increase the pool of players at the grassroots level with a focus on providing more opportunities and exposure to our next generation of cricketers.

“This strategy is aligned to the Cricket Associations planning of reviving clubs, schools and universities cricket within their jurisdictions with the best players getting opportunities to express their talent in national tournaments.

“In the U16 and U19 competitions, the players will be provided the same environment as in senior cricket which will help in their overall development as professional cricketers.”

The 2021-22 season will kick-off with the eight-day Cricket Associations T20 tournament on 15 September in which the six second XI Cricket Association sides will go head to head in the shortest format of the game in Quetta.

The National T20, featuring country’s best shortest format players, will be held from 25 September to 13 October. Eighteen first round matches will be held in Multan, while the remaining 15 matches, including the two semi-finals and the final, will be held in Lahore.

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, a jewel in the crown of Pakistan’s domestic events, will commence on 20 October. The first half of the 10-round single-league competition will be held in Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore. The event will then move to Karachi where it will culminate with the five-day final from 29 December.

The three-day double-league Cricket Associations Championship for second XIs will be held from 28 September to 14 November, while the 50-over single-league Cricket Associations Challenge for second XIs will be played from 19 to 27 November. Both the tournaments will be held in Faisalabad, Lahore and Sheikhupura.

Curtains will fall on the 2021-22 season in Lahore on 30 March 2022 with the final of the Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament, which will get underway on 25 February and will be played on a double-league format. The other two event venues will be Faisalabad and Multan.

Nadeem Khan: “We are excited to confirm a quality-based and competitive cricket season, which will not only test the skills, technique and fitness of professional cricketers but will help the selectors and coaches identify top performers for their inclusion in the national framework.

“With the amount of international cricket across all three formats scheduled in the 2021-22 season and beyond, the upcoming season will prove to be a pathway for all those aspiring to serve Pakistan cricket and making a name at the international level.

“This, like the previous season, will be a tough one that will test the cricketers to their limits. But that’s exactly what we want. We want to see our domestic system produce mentally and physically tough players who can perform in any condition against any opposition.

“Most of the first XI matches will be televised and promoted digitally, meaning no performance can be ignored or overlooked.

“Like the previous season, the PCB will not only create playing opportunities for these players but will also provide them quality playing facilities as well as international standard lodging and boarding so they can produce their best performances. If we want our domestic system to be robust, competitive and valued, then we need to make sure we cater for all these basic requirements, which in the past have fallen through the cracks.”

Details on the tournament schedule, squads and match official appointments will be released in the lead up to the events.

Schedule (subject to any late changes):

First XI competitions

National T20 (six teams, 33 matches) – 25 September-13 October

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (six teams, 31 matches) – 20 October-29 December

Pakistan Cup (six teams, 33 matches) – 25 February-30 March 2022

Second XI competitions

Cricket Associations T20 (six teams, 15 matches) – 15-22 September

Cricket Associations Championship (three-day) (six teams, 30 matches) – 28 September-14 November

Cricket Associations Challenge (50 overs) (six teams, 15 matches) – 19-27 November

Pathway competitions

National U19 Championship (three-day) and Cup (one-Day) (12 teams, 62 matches) – (3 October-12 November)

National U16 Cup (One-Day) (12 teams, 31 matches) – 8-19 March 2022

National U13 Cup (One-Day) (16 matches) – 8-18 February 2022

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

August 8, 2021August 9, 2021

ICC Player of the Month nominations for July announced

Dubai, August 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the July nominees for the ICC Player of the Month awards, instituted in January this year to recognise the best international performances across formats for male and female cricketers.

The nominees for the monthly men’s awards this time are Shakib Al Hasan (BAN), Mitchell Marsh (AUS) and Hayden Walsh Jr (WI) while Hayley Matthews (WI), Fatima Sana (PAK) and Stafanie Taylor (WI) figure in the women’s shortlist.

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 the month for July in both categories.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July:

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Experienced star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh contributed to all three formats of the game as Bangladesh won the series against Zimbabwe last month. Shakib Al Hasan scored 96 unbeaten runs as Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by three wickets in the second ODI at the Harare Sports Club. In the T20Is with the ball, Hasan took three wickets at an economy rate of seven leading his country to a series win against Zimbabwe.

Mitchell Marsh (Australia)

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh played three ODIs and five T20Is against West Indies last month. In the T20Is, Marsh scored 219 runs with a strike rate of 152.08 and took 8 wickets with an economy rate of 6.76, making him the lead run-scorer and wicket-taker for Australia in the series.

Hayden Walsh Jr (West Indies)

Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr played three ODIs against Australia last month, where he took seven wickets with an economy rate of 4.14. Walsh Jr was also the most impressive bowler in the T20I series against Australia where he picked up twelve wickets in five games at an average of 11.66, making him the leading wicket-taker for the West Indies in both the ODI and T20I series against Australia.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July:

Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews scored her second ODI hundred and took two wickets with the ball as West Indies cruised to a dominant series-clinching eight-wicket win over Pakistan last month. Matthews was also named Player of the Series against Pakistan.

Fatima Sana (PAK)

Fatima Sana was the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in the ODI series against the West Indies, and also a joint-leader for her side in the T20I series between the sides. A maiden five-wicket haul from Fatima Sana helped Pakistan defeat West Indies by 22 runs via the DLS method in the fifth ODI of the series. In the same game, with four overs remaining in a shortened innings due to a delayed start, Sana scored an unbeaten 28 off 19 balls which included four boundaries. She was also named the player of the match for her stellar performance.

Stafanie Taylor (WI)

Captain Stafanie Taylor contributed with both bat and ball as the West Indies won both their ODI and T20I series against Pakistan in July. In the four ODIs against Pakistan, Stafanie scored 175 runs with a strike rate of 79.18 and took three wickets with an economy rate of 3.72. Stafanie was also on top of the rankings for batters and all-rounders in the MRF ICC Women’s ODI Rankings earlier in July.

The 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 July 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: Annesha Ghosh 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: Ian Bishop 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

August 7, 2021August 9, 2021

Shoriful reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Dubai, August 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam has been given an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third T20I against Australia in Dhaka on Friday.

Shoriful was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Shoriful, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 18th over of Australia’s innings. Shoriful, after dismissing Mitchell Marsh, celebrated excessively in close proximity to the batter, which could have provoked an aggressive response from Marsh.

Shoriful admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Neeyamur Rashid of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Sharfuddoula Saikat and Gazi Sohel, third umpire Masudur Rahman and fourth official Tanvir Ahmed levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

August 6, 2021August 8, 2021

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh inaugurates Independence Day Inter-Division Archery Championship in Bhurban, Murree

Lahore, August 06, 2021 (PPI-OT):Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh inaugurated Independence Day Male and Female Inter-Division Archery Championship at a colourful ceremony at Bhurban Stadium, Murree on Friday. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh also exhibited his archery skills on this occasion.

Prior to the championship matches, players of all the participating teams were introduced with Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh. Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Divisional Sports Officer Rawalpindi Manzar Farid Shah, Divisional Sports Officer Multan Rana Nadeem Anjum, President Punjab Archery Association Malik Imran Liaqat, District Sports Officer Rawalpindi Shamas Tauheed Abbasi, Secretary Punjab Archery Association Amanullah Khan, Ghulam Abbas, hockey international player Kashif, coach Zahid were also present at the grand event.

As per results, Faisalabad division secured first position in Boys’ Team archery event while second position went to Sargodha followed by Rawalpindi division. Talking on this occasion, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, who was the chief guest on this occasion, informed that over 80 male and female players including special players from all nine divisions are featuring in 70m Individual and 30m Team Events of Independence Day Archery Championship. He also awarded archery gear worth Rs 20 lakh to all nine divisional teams on this occasion.

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh also announced to construct an Archery Stadium in Nishtar Park Sports Complex. “The winning team of Independence Day Male and Female Inter-Division Archery Championship will be awarded Rs one lakh prize,” he said.

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said Sports Board Punjab is providing best facilities to archery players. “The participation of spectators in Independence Day Male and Female Inter-Division Archery Championship is a big proof of popularity of this game”.

“The Independence Day Archery Championship will prove to be a golden opportunity for talented archers of the province. We are quite upbeat to find several talented male and female archery players from the Independence Day Archery Championship,” he added.

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh further said young male and female players belonging to far-flung areas showed great archery passion which is enough to gauge its popularity among the young generation. “I’m quite impressed to see such a large number of players taking part in Independence Day Archery Championship”.

President Punjab Archery Association Malik Imran Liaqat, on this occasion also announced to give a prize of Rs one lakh to victorious team. He thanked Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh for organizing Independence Day Male and Female Inter-Division Archery Championship in Murree. “This event is a big source of encouragement for young male and female archery players,” he added.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

August 5, 2021August 6, 2021

SBP and Directorate General of Sports Punjab and Youth Affairs officers, staffers observe Black Day to express solidarity with the Kashmiris

Lahore, August 05, 2021 (PPI-OT):The officers and employees of Sports Board Punjab and Directorate of Sports Punjab observed Black Day on August 5, Thursday to express solidarity with the Kashmiris. On this occasion, Sports Board Punjab, under the directives of Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, took out a rally in Nishtar Park Sports Complex under the leadership of Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti to express solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Deputy Director Chand Perveen, Assistant Directors Rehmatullah, M Bilal and Raees ur Rehman, NPSC Gymnasium Hall Administrator Mustafa Shah, Tariq Wattoo, Zahoor Ahmed, Malik Nasir and a large number of SBP employees participated in the rally.

All the SBP staffers wore black armbands to protest against grave human rights violations in the Indian-held Kashmir. They also chanted slogans against Modi govt’s unlawful and unconstitutional measure of August 5, 2019. They also chanted anti-India and pro-Kashmir and Pakistan slogans on this occasion.

The participants of the protest procession also observed one-minute silence to express harmony with Kashmiri people. Special prayers were also offered for the departed souls of martyrs and freedom of Kashmir from Indian stranglehold. The protestors also chanted slogans against India’s unconstitutional measure of removing Kashmir’s special status. They also showed their anger on the cruelties of Indian forces against innocent Kashmiri people.

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh in a statement on Thursday, said: “We strongly rejected Modi govt’s unlawful and unconstitutional measure of August 5, 2019. Indian forces have been committing massive human rights abuses in the Jammu and Kashmir state for a long time and the world community must take urgent notice of this highly inhuman attitude”.

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said Pakistanis have close relations with the Kashmiri people who are subjected to the worst atrocities at the hands of Indian forces. “We will continue to extend every kind of support to them. We should underline the Kashmir issue and India’s atrocities at every platform”, he urged.

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said that the Kashmir issue must be resolved as per UNO resolutions and according to the wishes of Kashmiri people. Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti said the entire Pakistan nation is with Kashmiris in this testing time. “Kashmiri people have been fighting and giving great sacrifices for freedom for the last seven decades. The inhuman Indian atrocities have failed to lessen Kashmiris’ passion and enthusiasm for freedom”.

August 5, 2021August 6, 2021

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab Rao Zahid Qayyum plant saplings on the lawns of National Hockey Stadium

Lahore, August 05, 2021 (PPI-OT):Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab Rao Zahid Qayyum and Director Admin Javed Chohan planted saplings as part of Prime Minister’s ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’ campaign on the lawns of National Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

Director Admin Javed Chohan, Parliamentary Secretary Sonia Shah, Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Divisional Sports Officer Lahore Nadeem Qaiser, DSO Lahore Tanvir Shah, Malik Nasir, Nabeel Akram, APCA Directorate General of Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Unit President Fiaz Ali and other officials were also present on this occasion.

Talking to media on this occasion, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said after completing a successful plantation campaign in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a tree plantation campaign at a bigger level. “The practice of tree plantation is not only highly beneficial in regard to healthy climate but for the future generations as well. We are planning to plant 30,000 saplings under a pilot project in Punjab”.

Answering a question regarding javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem’s magnificent performance in Olympic qualifying round, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said Arshad offered excellent performance in Olympic qualifying round and topped his group and now the entire nation is praying for his medal winning performance in the final round of Tokyo Olympics javelin throw event. “We extended every kind of facilities and cooperation to both Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Talha Talib for the preparation of their respective Olympic Games events”.

Responding to another question regarding India’s illogical intervention in Kashmir Premier League, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said: “We highly condemned India’s anti-sports and negative tactics. India always tried to harm Pakistan on all fronts including sports. We are quite confident to hold the Kashmir Premier League quite successfully despite India’s negative tactics”.