Defending Champions Rawalpindi Rams Sailed Through to Semi-final Crushing Faisalabad

Defending T20 champions Rawalpindi Rams handed a shocking defeat to match favourites Faisalabad Wolves by 7 runs in a nail biting Group B match of Faysal Bank T20 Cup, here on National Stadium Karachi. 

Rawalpindi Rams Handed Shocking Defeat to Faisalabad Wolves

Rawalpindi Rams have now joined Lahore Eagles and Sialkot Stallions for the semi-finals of the tournament. The last semi-finalist will be the winner of the last match of today being played right now between Peshawar Panthers and hosts Karachi Dolphins. According to latest reports from field; Panthers have set a challenging total of 178 for the Afridi’s men.

Batting first Rawalpindi Rams set a target of 166 to win, while Faisalabad Wolves were restricted to 158-8 in 20 overs. They needed 25 to win in the final over and pace bowler Muhammad Talha smashed Muhammad Ramiz for one six and two boundaries and took a couple but was caught on the final delivery needing eight to win.

Faisalabad Wolves’ start was disastrous as both their openers fell for duck and soon they were reeling at 39 for five. Imran Khalid top-scored with 48 off 35 balls with the help of four boundaries and one six while Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq made a fearless 43 off 36 balls smashing three boundaries and one six but that didn’t proved sufficient to take Wolves past the target set by Rams.

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FBT20 (Friday, Sept. 30) -- Faisalabad Wolves Set to Take on Rawalpindi Rams in Virtual Quarterfinal

The latest points table of Faysal Bank T20 (FBT20) Cup, presented HERE, shows that until now only two team has managed to reach in semi-finals which are Lahore Eagles from Group A and Sialkot Stallions from Group C. Thee last two teams for possible four semi-finalists will be decided today.   

Faisalabad Wolves v Rawalpindi Rams: A Virtual Quarterfinal Today

After thrashing Afghan Cheetahs out of FBT20 tournament Faisalabad Wolves, currently on the top in Group B, are ready to take on the title holders Rawalpindi Rams in second match of the day, which is a virtual quarter final as the winner will qualify for the semi final from Group B.

Continue reading below to see the updated team positions:



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Upset Defeat Handed to Faisalabad Wolves by Rawalpindi Rams

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Faysal Bank Super Eight T-20 Cup - Multsn Tigers Stuns Karachi Dolphins

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Faysal Bank Super Eight T-20 Cup: Faisalabad Wolves v Rawalpindi Rams

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Faysal Bank T20 Cup: Young Guns Helped Faisalabad Wolves Beat Multan Tigers by 69 Runs

Faisalabad Wolves thrashed Multan Tigers by huge margin of 69 runs in the opener of the tournament today here in Faisalabad.

Faysal Bank T20 Cup: Faisalabad Wolves Beat Multan Tigers by 69 Runs

 Multan Tigers won the toss and invited hosts Faisalabad Wolves, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, to bat first. Test and ODI opener Muhammad Hafeez perished in very early stage of the match without scoring any run; but a brilliant century by Asif Ali and half century by Asif Hussain helped hosts to pile up huge score of 199/3 in allotted 20 overs. 

Abdur Rauf, Ahmed Raza and Zulfiqar Babar took one wicket each for Multan Tigers.  

Read Full Match Report >>>>>>>>>>>>> HERE.

National Twenty20 Cup: Faisalabad Wolves to Take on Multan Tigers Tomorrow (Friday/June 24) in the Opener

National Twenty20 Cup: Faisalabad Wolves to Take on Multan Tigers Tomorrow (Friday/June 24) in the Opener

FAISALABAD, Pakistan (June 23) – The National Twenty20 Championship is scheduled to be started tomorrow (June 24) in Faisalabad. The National Twenty20 Championship is one of the most popular domestic events in Pakistan as it is televised live and also attracts huge crowds.

The latest edition will be live telecasted at Geo Super. Two matches are scheduled to be played on first day between Faisalabad Wolves vs. Multan Tigers at 5:00 pm and Karachi Dolphins vs. Rawalpindi Rams at 9:00 pm. 

Total eight teams are participating in the latest edition of the tournament and Lahore Lions will defend their title. 

All matches will be broadcasted live on Geo Super. The final will be played on July 01.

National One-day Cup: Division-II Final - - Hamza Paracha Shines With the Bat in a Thrilling Victory Against KRL Prowess

Karachi - At the National Stadium here on Thursday; Hamza Paracha smashed a brilliant century to help Lahore Eagles defeat star-packed KRL by one-wicket in the Division-II final of the National One-day Cup.

Chasing a target of 282; twin Hamza’s, Hamza Paracha and Hamza Mubeen, started Eagle’s innings aggressively and taught a lessons to the opposition bowlers including Yasir Arafat, Muhammad Irfan and Yasir Ali. 

Hamza Paracha reached his century in an odd fashion when Yasir Ali dropped a catch at the boundary with Paracha on 96 only for the ball to cross the rope for a six. 

With Eagles needing 11 runs off the last over, tail-ender Emaad Ali hit Mohammad Irfan, who took five wickets, for a six to close in on victory before Usman (56*) hit a boundary off the last ball of the game to seal a thrilling win.

Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Trophy Division-I Final; PIA Vs. HBL: Aftab Alam's Ton Led HBL to Title Victory After 34 Years

Karachi—Opener Aftab Alam smashed a spectacular chance-less hundred to power Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) to title winning show in the historic day/night 5-day final of Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Trophy Division-I match when they defeated Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by five wickets at National Stadium here on Monday.

 

Little known 26-year-old from Peshawar, Aftab showed great endurance, technique and temperament under pressure in his showpiece 106 to help the banker’s to regain the premier first class event after 33 years. HBL last won the title in 1977-78 season.

Fighting Aftab struck 14 sweetly -timed boundaries in his elegant century after facing 230 balls in his marathon 383 minutes stay the crease. It was a great comeback by Aftab after he was dismissed for 14-ball duck in the first outing.

PIA made 228 in the first innings and 319 in the second. HBL made 313 in the first innings and set 235 to the match, they reached the target an hour after lunch break.

This was first time that a first class match spread over five day was a day/night encounter played with an orange ball for the first time in the world.

Diminutive Aftab shared a valuable match winning 88 runs for the fourth wicket stand with Fahad Mashood, who run out suicidal run out after a making a fighting 42 in 89 balls in 153 minutes with three boundaries.

HBL Captain Hasan Raza made a defiant unbeaten 54 after struggling against Anwar Ali and Aizaz Bin Ilyas’s bouncers. Former Test batsman Hasan Raza banged eight boundaries in his 54 off 54 balls in 98 minutes to steer bankers to historic winning performance.

Director General Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former Pakistan Captain Javed Miandad presented the winning trophy to HBL Captain Hasan Raza along with cash prize of Rs.1000000. Kamran Sajid got runners-up trophy and Rs.500, 000 winning purse.

Aftab Alam Khan was named player of the match and got Rs.50, 000. Rameez Raja, who scored 801 runs in the trophy got best batsman award.

Left arm spinner Sadaf Hussain of Rawalpindi Region, who bagged 64 wickets was declared best bowler, Ahmed Said (WAPDA) named best wicketkeeper for 50 victims behind the stumps.

Adnan Mufti of Rawalpindi Region, who snapped 23 catches was named best fielder. They all received Rs.50, 000 in cash.

Director Domestic Education and former Pakistan Captain Wasim Bari and KCCA Secretary Prof. Sirjan-ul-Islam Bokhari were also present on the occasion.

Still It's Too Early to Come Pakistan - - David Richardson, ICC General Manager (Cricket), Urges to Bloster Domestic Cricket Structure

KARACHI: Pakistan should work on bolstering its domestic cricket structure instead of just waiting for the international sport to return to the country, a senior International Cricket Council (ICC) official said on Thursday.

David Richardson, ICC General Manager (Cricket), told reporters on his arrival here that talks of international cricket returning to Pakistan are still too premature.

“It’s pointless to talk about bringing back international cricket to Pakistan at this point in time,” said Richardson.

“It might take years for international activity to resume here but that doesn’t mean the game can’t progress here. I think that Pakistan should take steps to strengthen its domestic cricket structure because that’s the way it can keep the game going,” he added.

Pakistan has not hosted any international cricket matches on home soil since March 2009 when Sri Lankan cricketers were ambushed by terrorists in Lahore.

Since then, Pakistan has become a no-go zone for international sports persons.

Pakistan has also lost its status as one of the co-host of World Cup 2011 which will be played in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19-April 2.

For a change, however, the country witnessed some high-profile cricketing action on Thursday when the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final began here at the National Stadium featuring two of the country’s top domestic teams — PIA and Habib Bank (HBL).

The fact that the match is being played under lights making it the first ever first-class day-night affair in Pakistan, gives added importance to the finale. It is also the first time that orange balls are being used in a first-class match in the country.

Richardsons’ prime reason to be in Karachi is to witness the match and see whether it’s feasible to conduct the game’s longest format in limited-overs style.

The ICC is mulling over the option to allow day-night Tests in the near future and Richardson, being one of the senior officials on the project, wanted to see whether the move is successful in Pakistan. “I’m here to see whether using an orange balls works,” he said.

31st National Games Kicked-off on Saturday at Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar

The Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Owais Ahmed Ghani declared open the 31st National Games in a colourful ceremony here at the Qayyum Stadium on Saturday.

The colourful ceremony impressed the athletes and crowd present here having slogan 'Play for Peace'.

Amid tight security in and around the stadium, more than 5,000 players, performers and officials participated in the lively show. The players would contest in 21 disciplines including seven for females. The sports complex has been decorated with colourful ribbons, flowers, balloons, inflatable mascots and pictures of famous players of the country.

Chief Guest Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani also declared the games open. President of the Pakistan Olympic Association Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hassan, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Chairman Organizing Committee Dastagir Khan, Provincial Ministers Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Shujah Khan, Sports Minister Punjab, Balochistan Sports Minister and Secretary Pakistan Olympic Association Khaliq Khan also graced the occasion.

The ceremony was started with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the entrance of Raheem Khan, the former national hockey player holding the National Flag, next were the kids of Islamia Collegiate holding the Olympic flag. The ladies band of GHHS University Town and Lady Graiffth crossed in front of the dais beating drums and received standing ovation from the spectators. A well-prepared military contingent of the Islamia Collegiate School impressed all with brilliant performance.

Pakistan Blind Cricket Team White-washed The Series Against Nepal Winning All Three ODI's And 2 Twenty 20

Pakistan Blind Cricket team on Friday white-washed the  Nepali blind cricket team by winning last of the three one-day matches by nine wickets here at Shalimar cricket ground.A hat-trick by all rounder Yasir Andleeb and a sparkling half century by captain Arsaln were the highlights of the match.Set a target of 198 by Nepali cricket team which batted first was overhauled by the hosts in only 15.1 overs.Pakistan captain remained not out with 79 runs and Munawwar scored 60 runs.

Pakistan Blind Cricket Team won the third and final ODI by 9 wickets against Nepal Blind Cricket team, here on Friday at Shalimar Cricket Ground. Pakistan white-washed the series comprehensively by winning all three ODI’s and two Twenty20 matches.

Pakistan Blind Cricket team has won two world cups and have won 7 series out of total eight. Furthermore, the team has 20 world records to its credit.

6th Pizza Hut Ranking Tennis - - Khan Trio Advances to Semi-Finals

KARACHI – Top seed Aqeel Khan and his two younger brothers Yasir Khan and Jalil Khan all moved to the semi finals of men’s singles of 6th Pizza Hut Ranking Tennis wining their respective quarters here Wednesday at Beach View club.



Aqeel Khan defeated fifth seed Imran Shoukat of Multan 6-3, 6-1.

His younger brother Yasir Khan seed third made short work of Muhammad Abdul Saeed winning 6-4, 6-0.

Second seed Jalil Khan faced stiff resistance from Saif Noor Sumar who won the first set 7-6 but retired when trailing 0-6 in the second set thus giving semi final place to the seeded player.

Rafi Derbari and Saad Baloch of Hyderabad created major upset in the Men’s Doubles when they eliminated second Seed Yasir Khan and Nomi Qamer in the first round 6-7 , 6-3, 6-3

Wednesday’s Results

Men’s singles remaining pre quarters: Omer Shahid beat Rehan Iqbal 6-3, 6-1 Muhammad Abdul Saeed beat Fayyaz Ahmed 6-3, 6-3

Men’s singles quarter finals:

Aqeel Khan (seed 1 ) beat Imran Shoukat (Multan, 5th seed) 6-3, 6-1
Yasir Khan (3rd Seed) beat Muhammad Abdul Saeed 6-4, 6-0
Jalil Khan (2nd Seed) beat Saif Noor Sumar 6-7, 6-0, retired

Boys Under 13 Singles (remaining first round).

Jalaluddin Baber (Mirpurkhas) beat Shabbir Muhammed 8-2

National Women Cycling Championship Scheduled From April 24-26 - - Announced by Pakistan Cycling Federation

Lahore—Pakistan Cycling Federation is organizing National Women Cycling Championship from April 24-26 at cycling velodrome here.

“It is a national level cycling event aims at promoting cycling among women and to inspire women folk to take up cycling as a sport”, said, Secretary, PCF, Idris Haider Khawaja on Monday.

He said the three-day premier activity will be participated by all the affiliated units of PCF including Pakistan Army, Railways, Wapda, Sui Southern Gas Company and all the four provinces.

President, Punjab Olympic Association, Syed Shahid Ali Shah will inaugurate the competition and Senior Vice President, POA, Iftikhar Ali Malik will be the chief guest the closing ceremony on April 26.

NBP 57th National Hockey Championship - - One Step Promotion Announced by WAPDA for Winning Team Members

KARACHI – Wapda were quick to announce one step promotion to all the members of their team which regained the national hockey title after a lapse of five years when the team won the NBP 57th National Hockey Championship here Sunday at the Hockey Club of Pakistan.

The Wapda team, which last time won the national hockey title back to back in 2004 and 2005, defeated Sui Southern Gas 4-1 in their ninth and last league match of the 10-team championship to carry their points position to the highest 24 points.

Immediately after the final hooter sounded in the match played in stifling hot condition, the manager of the Wapda team Sagheer Ahmed who is also in-charge HR of the department collected the entire team on the water soaked turf and announced that all the players would automatically be given one step proposition for winning the national title. A roar from happy team members greeted the announcement.

Talking to TheNation, Sagheer Ahmed said his department 10 years ago laid down a policy in which a team or an individual winning a national title in any sports would get one step promotion. It was Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the department, he said.

Team or the players finishing in top three of an international event also get one step promotion under the rule, he added.

Because of this SOP, Rehan Butt got a promotion when Pakistan finished third in London Commonwealth Games and again here on Sunday he would get one step promotion, he added.

Sohail Abbas, who joined Wapda in grade 17 along with other teams mates, would get one step promotion, he said.

He said Wapda is the only department who had launched Sports Endowment with the seed money of Rs 100 million. Under the scheme, Wapda in 10 selected sports had picked around 105 boys and girls under the age of 12 who were being groomed at different centers.

Contractor for Karachi Goal Project Approved by FIFA - - Estimated Cost of The Project is US$600,000

LAHORE: FIFA has given a go ahead signal to its Pakistan chapter for the construction of the second Goal Project in Karachi at an estimated cost of US$600,000.

The first FIFA Goal Project here was built in Lahore. A similar project, under the Earthquake Programme, is in progress in Peshawar.

The formal approval for Karachis project was given after the Goal Project in charge for South and Central Asia Manilal Fernando awarded the contract to the two different companies that had earlier filled the tenders, here on Friday.

FIFA has already approved a hefty amount of US$400,000 for the land in Hawkesbay’s Scheme 42, Plot No 13 A-1 under the Lyari Development Project.

The total cost of the project, to be built on 10 acres of land, would be around US$600,000.

The PFF had chosen the said piece of land at Hawkesbay after having given up on their first choice at Trans Lyari Park, Old Golimar, Manghopir Road.

While speaking at a press conference here on Friday, PFF President Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat said that the work on Karachis project would commence soon.

Manilal hoped that the new project would help the PFF change the destiny of emerging talent in Karachi.

He said it would take 10 months for the completion of the project from the moment it would start.

The Goal Bureau approved the construction of the Karachi project on Dec 3, 2006.

“Karachis project will mark the delicate steps for the game’s journey towards professionalism. FIFA will provide $400,000 for construction of the project having a facility for 96 players, a gymnasium, swimming pool, auditorium, playing surface, coach rooms, canteen, etc.

“The future of football is in Asia and Pakistan is a part of Asia. We want them to reach glory while reaching the international level in football. The PFF and AFC will work hand-in-hand in the future to make that dream come true,” promised Manilal.

Manilal had called the Lahore project as one of the best around the globe and he hoped that their consultants and contractors in Karachi would also show their ability in constructing a fine Football House which would contribute in the overall development of the game in Pakistan.

Faisal said Karachi would be the second city to have the FIFA Goal Project after Lahore.

A technical centre and headquarters for the association was built in Lahore as part of the Goal Programme with the Goal Bureau approving the project at its March 4, 2002, meet, he said while adding that FIFA also promised to help PFF with more projects after the completion of the Football House in Karachi.

The other project, the Earthquake Project, going on is in full swing at Peshawar, was first awarded to Muzaffarabad after the 2005 earthquake but it was shifted to Peshawar after Azad Kashmir failed to provide appropriate land for it.

The Goal Programme is a brainchild of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, and it was launched for the 1999-2002 period with funds of CHF100 million.

The programme then graduated to the Goal-II stage, again with funds of CHF100 million available for the 2003-2006 period, and it is now in the Goal-III stage with funds of US$120 million for the 2007-2010 period.

The aim of the programme, launched on June 9, 1999, during the Los Angles FIFA Congress, is to help promote projects in financially underprivileged associations, providing headquarters, natural and artificial turf pitches, training and education centres and other facilities that are essential to a basic infrastructure.

The programme’s first aim was reached at the end of 2006 when each member association had its own Football House.

So far, 158 of the 366 projects in the pipeline have been officially inaugurated, with a further 17 currently in the planning stage.

National Hockey Championship - - Kashif Ali's Hat-Trick Helped PIA to An Emphatic Victory Over PAF

KARACHI: Kashif Ali scored his second hat-trick as defending champions Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crushed Pakistan Air Force (PAF) 7-2 in the 57th National Hockey Championship at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium here on Monday. The winners were leading 3-0 at lemon break. Kashif scored in 3rd, 8th, 48th minutes while the remaining goals were netted by Shafqat Rasool (11th minute), Muhammad Zubair (42nd and 57th minutes) and Inayat Ullah (44th minute). Barkat Ali and Zeeshan scored for PAF in 58th and 61st minutes respectively.

In the first match of the day, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) defeated Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) 3-1 after leading 1-0 at half time. Rizwan Khan (22nd minute), Rana Zubair (53rd minute) and skipper Adeel Hussain (58th minute) scored one goal apiece. Abbas Haider scored the lone goal for SSGC.

In the second contest, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) downed Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) 6-2 after leading 3-1 in the first session. Kashif Jawad was the star for the winners: slamming goals in 33rd, 50th, 62nd and 69th minutes. The other scorers were Muhammad Imran (2nd minute) and Manzoor Ahmad (4th minute). For KESC, Muhammad Aleem Bilal (20th minute) and Salman Khan (38th minute).

Today’s fixtures:

KESC vs Pakistan Navy

PIA vs Pakistan WAPDA

NBP vs Pakistan Army.

National Hockey Championship - - Two Goals by Rehan Butt Helped WAPDA a Much Needed Victory Over NBP With 4-0 in Sixth Round

KARACHI – WAPDA defeated NBP by 4-0 in a crucial match of the sixth round of the NBP 57th National Hockey Championship here on Sunday at the HCP.

Star striker of national hockey team Rehan Butt, who so far has poor record in the championship, got two of the four goals, while Naseer Naveed and Asif Michel got one each for the winners.


This victory has brought WAPDA back in the title race. Both NBP and Wapda have fifteen points from six matches.

Much would depend how these two teams play their remaining three matches.

Both of these teams will have to play one match each against defending champion PIA.

NBP, which remained unbeaten in the previous five matches, succumbed to his own follies. They got more chances than their opponents to score a goal but they did not work like a team and paid the price. They were so poor in converting their chances into goal that they even missed a penalty stroke in the 57th minute.

Earlier in the match, PC specialist Ateeq could not score from five PCs and even during field attack the NBP missed many chances.

Earlier in the day, another surprising result came when HBL defeated Pakistan Army by 2-0 with young Ali Azlan Khan scoring both the goals through field effort.

In the third match of the day, Sui Southern Gas defeated Pakistan Navy by 3-2. Ishtiaq Mubeen netted twice and Abbas Haider once for the HBL. Falak Zaman and Muhammad Sabir scored one goal each for the sailors.

After WAPDA shocked NBP, the title race has become a two-team affair. However if these two teams falter in the next three matches and PIA improves its performance, it would become a three-team race.

NBP, which unluckily lost the title to PIA on goal difference last time, could still have a chance to clinch the coveted title if they win the remaining three games. NBP has far better goal average than its nearest rivals WAPDA and PIA. If at the end of the league round these three teams end with equal points, NBP would have added advantage due to goal account.

With weather getting hotter and temperatures rising and making playing condition more challenging, the team with better fitness could ensure winning results in the next three rounds.
Matches for Monday:

PIA Vs Pakistan Air Force.
HBL Vs SSGC.
KESC Vs Port Qasim.

Muhammad Abbas to Represent Pakistan in Asian Winter Games and South Asian Winter Games - - Announced by Mussarat Ali, Secretary SFP

ISLAMABAD – Secretary Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP), Mussarat Ali announced on Tuesday that Muhammad Abbass would compete in the Asian Winter Games and South Asian Winter Games this year 2010 and federation would fully support him for upcoming international ski showpieces.



While addressing a press conference at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Officers Mess along with Mohammad Abbas, he said he would be given full training facilities at home as well as at abroad. “We are trying our best to prepare him for the Winter Olympic Games 2014, “he said.
He said that Abbas participated in Giant Slalom event of the Vancouver Winter Olympic that were held from February 12 to 28 in Canada.

As many as 103 athletes from 60 nations featured in the event. However, Abbas surprised the spectators as he completed the race in good time and stood 79th in the event leaving behind many athletes hailing from European countries besides the skier from India.

Mussarat further said that president SFP Air Marshal Hifazat Ullah Khan was keen to promote this game in the country. “To prepare our skiers for Alpine, Cross Country and Biathlon teams, his directives are followed. President SFP has also constituted a committee for expansion of Naltar Ski Slope and installation of a chairlift,” he said.

Abbass said on this occasion that he was satisfied with his performance in the Winter Games competition. “It was great honour for me to represent Pakistan in the mega event of the world. However, I will toil hard to achieve good results in the forth coming international events, “he hoped.

He said that at his hometown Naltar he had low facilities to get international standard. “The PAF is supporting me well and a facilities will be created in Naltar for upcoming local skiers. Now, PAF is doing work to make an international standard slop at Malam Jaba and Naltar,” he added.