PCB appoints Mr. Jalaluddin as Chief Selector Women’s Cricket and Mr. Mark Coles as Head Coach Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team

PCB appoints Mr. Jalaluddin as Chief Selector Women’s Cricket and Mr. Mark Coles as Head Coach Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team

Current Line (Lahore) Pakistan Cricket Board has announced three-member Women’s Selection Committee headed by former Test Cricketer Jalaluddin. Mr. Akhtar Sarfraz and Ms. Asmavia Iqbal are the members of the selection committee. The selection committee will further be working for the development of women’s cricket in addition to their selection duties.

 Women’s Selection Committee:

Mr. Jalaluddin (Chief Selector)

Mr. Akhtar Sarfraz (Member)

Ms. Asmavia Iqbal (Member)

Furthermore, the PCB has appointed Mr. Mark Coles as head-coach Pakistan’s women cricket team for two years. Mark Coles had worked with Pakistan’s women team during Pakistan vs New Zealand women series in the UAE, recently.

Mark Coles brief sporting history:

Mark was a member of the Wellington squad in 1992 and played six ‘A’ list games for Wellington. He had worked as an assistant coach with New Zealand 'A' Women's team in year 2000 and recently with Pakistan’s women team in the UAE. He also coached the Wellington Blaze to a T20 title in 2013, as well as being part of the Northern Districts High Performance coaching staff from 2014.

ALI ZARYAB GUIDES PAKISTAN PAST SOUTH AFRICA INTO SEMI-FINALS

ALI ZARYAB GUIDES PAKISTAN PAST SOUTH AFRICA INTO SEMI-FINALS

Left-hander slams 74 not out after fast bowlers Musa and Shaheen share five wickets between them

By Adrees Malik

Pakistan Junior Team performance in the ICC U19 world cup is astonishing after the shocking defeat from Afghanistan in the Opening match as they won against SA U19 and stamped their place in the Mega Event Semi Finals.

Pakistan Junior’s victory in ICC U19 World Cup 2018 purely based on a composed 74 not out from Ali Zaryab which ensured that the hard work of fast bowlers Muhamad Musa and Shaheen Afridi did not go waste when he guided Pakistan to a three-wicket victory over South Africa in super  League quarter-final at Christchurch.

The victory over the 2014 champions means Pakistan will now play the winners of Friday’s quarter-final between India and Bangladesh in the second semi-final in Christchurch on 30 January.

The 2004 and 2006 champions have to be thankful to Zaryab, who was not perturbed even as the Asian side was reduced to 111 for five after all-rounder Jason Niemand gave South Africa a glimmer of a hope with the wickets of captain Hassan Khan and Muhammad Taha.

But in Saad Khan (26, 62b, 3x4), Zaryab found an able partner and added 65 crucial runs for the sixth wicket, which proved to be decisive in a low-scoring affair.

This was Zaryab’s third half-century in the tournament and second successive player of the match award after his 59 in another low-scoring match against Sri Lanka had ensured Pakistan not only qualified for the Super League but eventually topped their group ahead of Afghanistan.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan fast bowlers Musa and Shaheen justified Hassan’s decision to bowl first as they made deep inroads into a strong South Africa’s batting line-up.

Shaheen struck as soon as he was introduced into the attack in the sixth over and along with new-ball bowler Musa, seized the initiative for his team.

Shaheen struck two telling blows as he removed openers Matthew Breetzke (12) and Jiveshan Pillay (14) just as they looked to be batting themselves in. Shaheen got Breetzke to edge one to wicket-keeper Rohail Nazir and then bowled Pillay with an in-swinger that went through taking the inside edge of the bat. The pair of dismissals took Shaheen’s tally in the tournament to 11, the joint-highest along with Canada’s Faisal Jamkhandi.

Musa was not the one to be left behind as he chipped in with the wickets of captain Raynard van Tonder (4) and Hermann Rolfes (5) as South Africa were left reeling at 43 for four in the 15^th over. Van Tonder was caught at mid-off off a leading edge while Rolfes was caught behind the wicket off an inner edge.

Musa also dismissed a well-set Makwetu (60, 65b, 4x4, 1x6), out pulling the ball, to further reduce South Africa’s chances of a fightback. A couple of run outs and some good support from the spin bowlers kept Pakistan in tight control of the proceedings.

Pakistan captain Hassan Khan said he was hoping his team would bat better in upcoming matches while praising his players.

“We could have finished it more easily but I think it is a learning experience for all of us. Hopefully, we will learn from the mistakes and not repeat them in the next match.

“The way they (Musa and Shaheen) have bowled throughout and the way they have bowled today is outstanding. I’m relaxed with the boys, the way they are bowling, and really happy and looking forward to other matches today. He (Zaryab) is the wall for our Pakistan U19 team. The way he has batted today and (in the) previous match as well, I hope he will continue his form and do well in the next few matches as well.”

Ali Zaryab said this was the biggest moment of his career so far.

“I was always confident I could win the match and knew I had to aim to bat the full 50 overs. This is a huge win for us, a morale-booster since it was a big knock-out match. The game was broadcast live and the whole world was watching us. There can’t be a better feeling and the whole team is now looking ahead to the semifinals with confidence.

Scores in brief:

Super League quarter-finals

Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

South Africa 189-9, 50 overs (Wandile Makwetu 60, Jason Niemand 36; Muhammad Musa 3-29, Shaheen Afridi 2-30)

Pakistan 190-7, 47.5 overs (Ali Zaryab 74 not out, Saad Khan 26; Jason Niemand 2-31)

Player of the match: Ali Zaryab (Pakistan)

Thursday’s fixtures:

Super League quarter-final:

Afghanistan v New Zealand, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

German Ex Hockey Star Blunk and Bouvelender Ready to coach Pakistan Hockey team I am ready to coach Pakistan team, If PHF Offered, German Hockey Player Blunk

German Ex Hockey Star Blunk and Bouvelender Ready to coach Pakistan Hockey team
I am ready to coach Pakistan team, If PHF Offered, German Hockey Player BlunkWe missed our days at National Hockey stadium During World Cup and Champion TrophyPakistani Youngsters ahs potential and future would be good like pastWorld Eleven will play 2^nd match of the tour at National Hockey Stadium on Sunday

By Adrees Malik

Dutch Hockey star Bouvelender, who was part of the champions titled Match at National Hockey Stadium on 23^rd February, still remembered even the scoring pool.

“It’s my first visit to Lahore and National Hockey Stadium since the big match two decade ago and I can remember the east side pool where I were scored the winning goal the title of the 7^th Hockey World Cup” he said in an interview after 28 years at National Hockey stadium Lahore.

“Pakistan Hockey past was good and I am hoping for the future that should be bright but worry sign is the present which is not good, and in case of offering the coach ship to me it’s not possible to do job as head coach but I can assist the team”, short corner specialist answered when asked about the future of Pakistan hockey and his contribution.

The German Star Blunk who was with the team in 2004 Champions Trophy also shared his views and said he can still remembered the short he missed and his team was out of the tournament.

“My memories with the National Hockey stadium are not as sharpened as Bouvelender sharing because my short we missed the goal and lost the match” Blunk said.

Blunk was in full mood to uplift Pakistan Hockey as head coach if offered by PHF.

“If Pakistan Hockey Federation offered me to coach Green Team than I can proceed but it depends upon the situations” Blunk Said

World XI will play second match of the tour at Natioanl Hockey Stadium (The largest Stadium of the Hockey World) on Sunday after the mega musical event which will start at 12:Noon while match will start at 2:30PM

Holland Hockey Star Bouvelendar excited to play again on his favorite ground National Hockey stadium, World XI will play with Pakistan on 19th at Karachi and 21st at Lahore

The top Hockey players visiting Pakistan for Two matches Series

I'm very happy to be in Pakistan and never forgot the Match at NHS Lahore, 

The won against Pakistan in 1998 is one of the best of my career at NHS Lahore. Bovelander

By Adrees Malik

PHF in the leadership of legend Hockey player of the world and Ex Captain of Pakistan Shahbaz Senior (Secretary PHF) is looking for the lasted glory.

Shahbaz senior and his management’s latest effort is to bring back the top most Hockey players of the History in the form of Hockey World XI in Pakistan for Exhibition matches at Karachi 19^th Jan and Lahore on 21^st Jan against Pakistan team.

The Hockey legend of Holland Bovelander is much enthusiastic to play again in Pakistan, and remind the memories (of 1998 historical match at National Hockey Stadium which was witnessed 70 Thousand people in the ground )  with his fans in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is good place to play hockey and I can remember the match played in 1998 at National Hockey Stadium that was one of the best match of my career” Bovelander exclaimed with joy while sharing his memories in an interview.

“My visit to Pakistan is part of my fellow heroes of Pakistan for the betterment of Hockey in the Country, My best wishes with the Shahbaz senior and others i am hoping conduct of these matches will help to lift the Hockey in Pakistan and will also motivate the children’s to play Hockey” Hockey Legend said.

PHF is doing other efforts to lift the national game back in glory and for that purpose lot of changes done in the past year including resent change of Team management.

Pakistan Hockey team is searching for the best positions in upcoming World Cup 2018 and in struggling phase for the qualification of Olympics 2020.

Pakistan was failed in qualification of 2016 Olympics and hardly qualified for the World Cup2018.

Presently Hockey winning drought also affected the pool of players, In Pakistan not more than 3000 players available on senior, junior and pre mature levels which is the biggest challenge in near future for the National game.

Pakistan Team:

Waqar Younas (goal keeper), Adil Rao (goal keeper),

Rizwan Ali, Rehan Butt, Mion Shakeel, Adeel Latif, Junaid Manzoor,Sahzaib Khan,  Ghazanfar Ali,  Afraz Hakeem,Umair Sattar,Naveed Alam,Amjad Ali,Awais Arshad,Rana Waheed,Ahmad Nadeem,

M Ilyas,Waqar Ali, Zakirullah ,Ibrahim. 

Six Standbys have also been named

Akmal Hussain (goal keeper), Ali Raza, Hammad Anjum, Murtaza Yaqoob,

Zahan Butt and Umer Bilal

World XI PLAYERS:

Rob Reckers (Netherlands), Roderick Weusthof (Netherlands), Matthijs Brouwer (Netherlands)

Hiddi Turkstra (Netherlands),Philip Meulenbroek (Netherlands),Phillip Burrows (New Zealand)

Kyle Pontifex (New Zealand),Santi Freixa(Spain),Roc Oliva (Spain),David Alegre (Spain),Grant Schubert (Australia),Benni Wess (Germany),Justus Scharowsky (Germany),Aguistin Bugallo (Argentina),Nahuel Salis (Argentina),Diego Paz (Argentina),Sohail Abbas (Pakistan)

#HockeyComesHome getting space on Twitter

#HockeyComesHome getting space on Twitter

ICC MEN’S TEST AND ODI TEAMS OF THE YEAR 2017 ANNOUNCED,Pakistan Babar Azam and Hassan Ali included in ODI Teams Hassan Ali also won the Emerging player of the year award

ICC MEN’S TEST AND ODI TEAMS OF THE YEAR 2017 ANNOUNCED

 Virat Kohli named captain of both sides; Warner, de Kock and Stokes other players to feature in the two sides

Pakistan Babar Azam and Hassan Ali included in ODI Teams

Hassan Ali also won the Emerging player of the year award

Current Line (By Adrees Malik from Lahore)

2017 is the historic year for the PSL Emerging player Hassan Ali as after the player of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, now he declared ICC Emerging player of the year and also declared the member of the ICC ODI 2017 Team.

India’s Virat Kohli has been named as captain of the ICC Men’s Test and ODI Teams of the Year 2017, which were announced today by the International Cricket Council.

Apart from his own stellar performances across both the formats during the period between 21 September 2016 and 31 December 2017, Kohli also inspired India to the number-one and two rankings in Tests and ODIs, respectively.

This is the first time Kohli has been selected in the ICC Test Team of the Year, but fourth time after 2012, 2014 and 2016 that he has been picked in the ICC ODI Team of the Year.

Kohli is also one of four players to feature in both the Test and ODI sides, with the other three being Australia’s David Warner, Ben Stokes of England, and South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock.

Warner, Ravichandaran Ashwin, Stokes and Mitchell Starc were members of the ICC Test Team of the Year 2016, while Warner, de Kock, Kohli, AB de Villiers, Starc and Rohit Sharma have been selected for the second year running in the ICC ODI Team of the Year.

For de Villiers, this is the seventh time in eight years that he has been chosen in the ICC ODI Team of the Year.

The Test side includes three South Africans (Dean Elgar, de Kock and Kagiso Rabada), three Australians (Warner, Steve Smith and Starc), three Indians (Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin) and two Englishmen (James Anderson and Ben Stokes).

The ODI side comprises players from seven countries and is made up of one Afghanistan player (Rashid Khan), one Australian (Warner), one Englishman (Stokes), three Indians (Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah), one New Zealander (Trent Boult) two Pakistanis (Babar Azam and Hasan Ali) and two South Africans (de Villiers and de Kock).

While selecting the sides, the voting panel* took into consideration player statistics, as well as key game-changing performances during the voting period.

ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year 2017 (in batting order):

1.     Dean Elgar (South Africa)

2.     David Warner (Australia)

3.     Virat Kohli (captain) (India)

4.     Steve Smith (Australia)

5.     Cheteshwar Pujara (India)

6.     Ben Stokes (England)

7.     Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper) (South Africa)

8.     Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

9.     Mitchell Starc (Australia)

10.  Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

11.  James Anderson (England)

ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2017 (in batting order):

1.     David Warner (Australia)

2.     Rohit Sharma (India)

3.     Virat Kohli (captain) (India)

4.     Babar Azam (Pakistan)

5.     AB de Villiers (South Africa)

6.     Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper) (South Africa)

7.     Ben Stokes (England)

8.     Trent Boult (New Zealand)

9.     Hasan Ali (Pakistan)

10.  Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

           11.  Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Punjab Sports board international Swimming Pool can avail all with standard facilities

Punjab Sports board international Swimming Pool can avail all with standard facilities

Current Line (Lahore)

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Shareef inaugurated the newly built swimming pool at Nashtar Park Sports Complex after five years long long development period.

This swimming complex contains two different pools 50 and 25 meter long for men women. The registration process for the professional athletes is open now and to avail this service PSB will assist the swimmers and trainers.

PCB Chairman hoping for the Australia and NZ visit in 2018, best wishes for National and Under 19 teams

PCB Chairman hoping for the Australia and NZ visit in 2018

WI will visit for full series in March 2018.

We have given invitation for at least one T20 in our Home series. Najam sethi     

By Adrees Malik

Chairman PCB has new hopes for the year 2018 in which Australia and New Zealand visit to Pakistan for at least one T20 at homeland.

“We fulfill all our promises with the nation from PSL final to SL visit and will meet another in March 2018 with the visit of WI for the full series; we will invite Australia and NZ toplay at least on e T20 on our soil”. Najam Sethi said in a yearly message on PCB social media Page.

“We were Test and T20 number one and now will work hard for the number one position in ODI’s” Sethi said.

He also emphasized and wished the junior team i.e U19 for the ICC U19 World cup 2018.

“Pakistan U19 team and Senior team in NZ for ICC U19WC2018 and should perform well as per past experience, we Won ICC Champions Trophy and  U19 Team played well against Australia U19 and now against U19 NZ” Chairman PCB Said.

Pakistan Team’s first Tough tour of 5 ODI matches will start form 6^th January with first ODI, while Pakistan U19 team will take part in ICC U19WC from 13^th January.

Pakistan Senior team will visit Ireland for inaugural Test Match in may2018 than series will proceed in England.