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Media 92 News
LAHORE: Pakistan’s newly selected opener Abid Ali has expressed a wish to meet his idol Sachin Tendulkar, and hopes that despite strained political relations between the two countries, the legendary batsman will give him a hug and a few batting tips at next month´s World Cup.

The 31-year old has been a prolific run scorer in domestic cricket and broke into the national one-day squad for the World Cup after smashing a century on his debut against Australia in Dubai last month.

Abid is almost the same height as Tendulkar and bats in a similar style, but has a long way to match the Indian maestro´s phenomenal record of most Test runs (15,921), most one-day runs (18,426), most Test hundreds (51) and most one-day centuries (49) to name a few.

“It´s my wish and hope that I meet Sachin Tendulkar,” Abid told a group of journalists.

“Definitely, I would like to hug him and I am sure that just like all great players meet youngsters I am sure that he will not turn me down.

“I am sure that if I want to get any information on cricket from Sachin, he will give a positive reply.”

Abid said it will be a memorable day when he meets his idol.

“It will be the best day in my life when I meet him (Tendulkar) because he was one of the best batsmen.

“West Indian Viv Richards was also a great so I want to meet all the great players and learn from them,” said Abid.

Tensions between India and Pakistan rose to a near-war level since the February 14 attack in Pulwama. India claimed it responded with an attack on a militant base in Balakot, Pakistan, which was followed by Pakistan shutting down its airspace and later shooting down two Indian air force planes, capturing a pilot.

The Indian pilot was later released as a sign of goodwill and peace.

There were calls that India should not play the 2019 World Cup match with Pakistan scheduled for Manchester on June 16.

Despite the bitterness, players from both sides enjoy cordial relations.

Indian captain Virat Kohli presented his bat to Pakistan´s fast bowler Mohammad Amir during the World Twenty20 in India three years ago as a sign of appreciation of his talent.

Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013
Abid said he had followed Tendulkar´s batting style from his early days.

“Actually I have followed Sachin´s technique from day one of my career and after watching him I tried to play like him. He was a great player, just like our own Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf.

“I adopt their good things and leave any bad thing. If I meet him I will try to talk to him and get some advice, mentally and technically, so that it helps me improve my batting.”

Abid said he will do his best to be known as a good batsman.

“Tendulkar´s record is awesome,” said Abid of the Indian master who retired in 2013.

“I will do my best as and when I get a chance to play for Pakistan and make a name for myself.”

Media 92 News
ISLAMABAD: Ghulam Sarwar Khan has accepted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to change his ministry as part of the federal cabinet reshuffle, sources said on Saturday.

Ghulam Sarwar will take charge as aviation minister on Monday or Tuesday, the sources said. “After two holidays, I will go the aviation ministry and start work,” the sources quoted the federal minister as saying.

“PM Imran is my captain and I accept all his decisions. The decision is to strengthen the premier’s hands,” he was further quoted as saying.

After Asad Umar, Ghulam Sarwar refuses to take charge of alternate ministry

“I will run the aviation ministry as per PM Imran’s vision. If PM Imran did not give me an alternate portfolio, I would have still accepted his decision,” Ghulam Sarwar said according to sources.

A day earlier, sources said Ghulam Sarwar has refused to take charge of an alternate ministry as part of the major cabinet reshuffle.

However, speaking on Geo News’s Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath on Friday, the federal minister denied reports that he was upset with PM Imran over the change in his ministry.

“It is the prime minister’s right to change ministries. A few days earlier, PM Imran told me that the petroleum ministry is technical and you’re a political person so take some other ministry as if you remain on it then you will have to face further criticism,” Ghulam Sarwar said.

“During the last two federal cabinet meetings, we discussed the amnesty scheme and no individual was criticised,” he added.

Regarding, Asad Umar’s removal as finance minister, Ghulam Sarwar said, “He was being criticised for not being able to improve the economic situation but did not think that he will be removed.”

The 2017 HBL Pakistan Super League champions Peshawar Zalmi are an epitome of consistency. In the game’s most unpredictable format, Zalmi have been consistently so good that they have topped the points table on two occasions and played the final as many times.  Zalmi were the best team at the end of the group stage in the first two HBL PSLs. In the 2016 edition, they failed to qualify for the final after losing both the Qualifier and Eliminator, but lifted the trophy in 2017 when they defeated Quetta Gladiators in the historic HBL PSL final in Lahore. In 2018, just when it seemed they would not make it to the playoffs, Zalmi bounced back with four wins in a row and qualified for the final against Islamabad United in Karachi. Even though they lost the match, Zalmi gave United a run for their money when they took 6 wickets for 20 runs while defending a target of 149. With 19 wins out of 33 completed matches, Zalmi’s success percentage (57.57) is second only to the United (59.37).

The two-time ICC T20 World Cup winning captain Daren Sammy’s spirited leadership has been a vital cog in Zalmi’s consistent success in the HBL PSL. Sammy took over the leadership duties from Shahid Afridi and led the team to a title victory in his first year as captain in 2017. The all-rounder from St Lucia also has the highest batting strike-rate of 182.75 for any batsman in the HBL PSL’s short history. He is likely to lead them in the fourth HBL PSL too.

The Zalmi this season have also picked the two-time HBL PSL winning captain Misbah-ul-Haq in the diamond category. The 44-year-old has not played a T20 match since the last PSL, but two months ago scored 91 and 44 not out for SNGPL in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in Karachi. Knowing that he is the most successful Test captain of Pakistan, his experience will be a big draw for the Zalmi this tournament.  Another big name that has moved to Zalmi for the fourth HBL is the world’s most capped T20 player Kieron Pollard. The West Indian all-rounder comes in the tournament with an experience of 444 T20 matches and is known for his big-hitting as reflected by 560 sixes he has hit in 20 overs cricket. He played the last two seasons for Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings.

The Zalmi also have the bragging rights for producing the most successful bowler and batsman in the HBL PSL. The left-arm speedster Wahab Riaz is the bowler who has played a big role in making Zalmi a highly competitive team. Wahab has 48 wickets at an economy of 6.75 and is aiming to become the first to reach half-century of wickets in the HBL PSL. “I am very excited for the fourth edition. It is a very important tournament for me. I have always performed in the HBL PSL and being the leading wicket-taker there is an additional pressure on me. So, obviously your team and people are expecting a lot from you,” said Wahab. “I want to become the best bowler this year. The most important thing is that I want to perform and show my skills so that I can also be part of the Pakistan team [in ODIs and T20Is] which I really want to be for more than a year now,” he added.

Kamran Akmal is the another player who has contributed to Zalmi’s success. He has struck 929 runs at a strike-rate of 133.28 across three edition of the tournament and is likely to become the first batsman to 1000 runs in the HBL PSL. Even though he has two centuries in the tournament, his 27-ball 77 innings at a whopping strike-rate of 285.18 that single-handedly won Zalmi the Eliminator against Karachi Kings last year in Lahore has been the highlight of his star-studded HBL PSL career. The Zalmi have built an intense rivalry with the Gladiators. Each of the three games they have played in the playoffs have resulted in a one-run win. The Gladiators won the thrillers in 2016 and 2017, whereas the Zalmi prevailed in 2018.

There will be special eyes on the Zalmi when they take on the Gladiators in their first game of the HBL PSL 2019 in Dubai on February 15. Squad (in the order of pick): Overseas: Kieron Pollard (West Indies), Daren Sammy (West Indies), Liam Dawson (England), Dawid Malan (England), Wayne Madsen (England), Andre Fletcher (West Indies), Chris Jordan (England). Local: Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Amin, Umaid Asif, Khalid Usman, Sohaib Maqsood, Jamal Anwar, Sameen Gul, Nabi Gul, Ibtisam Sheikh, Samiullah.

Match schedule
15 February – v Quetta Gladiators (n), Dubai
17 February – v Lahore Qalandars (n), Dubai
21 February – v Karachi Kings (n), Sharjah
22 February – v Islamabad United (n), Sharjah
24 February – v Multan Sultans (d), Sharjah
28 February – v Multan Sultans (d), Dubai
1 March – v Islamabad United (n), Dubai
4 March – v Quetta Gladiators (d), Abu Dhabi
5 March – v Lahore Qalandars (d), Abu Dhabi
7 March – v Karachi Kings (n), Karachi

Previous releases:
27 January: HBL PSL – A trip the memory lane
28 January: HBL PSL – Through the eyes of the pundits
29 January: HBL PSL – a statistical review
30 January – Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden, Ramiz Raja to call HBL PSL 2019
31 January: HBL PSL – The movers and shakers
1 February – Islamabad United – The most successful HBL PSL side
2 February: Lahore Qalandars – The heart of HBL PSL
3 February: Multan Sultans – HBL PSL popularity set to increase manifold
4 February: Karachi Kings- The side on a rise in HBL PSL
5 February: Quetta Gladiators- From underdogs to a force to be reckoned with in HBL PSL  

Upcoming releases:
7 February: Players to graduate from HBL PSL to become international stars

South Africa´s batsman, Captain Faf du Plessis plays a shot during the 3rd One Day International cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park cricket stadium on January 25, 2019 in Pretoria. Photo: AFP
JOHANNESBURG: Pakistan will be looking to bounce back when they take on South Africa in the fourth one-day international (ODI) at the Wanderers in Johannesburg today.

Despite putting up an imposing total of 317 in the rain-hit third ODI in Centurion, Pakistan could not stop South Africa from winning the match by 13 runs and taking a 2-1 lead in the series. Pakistan defeated South Africa by five wickets in the opening match, while the Proteas returned the favour with a five-wicket victory in the second game.

Now, Pakistan will be hoping to get one back and level the series to take it all the way to the fifth and final ODI in the series in Cape Town.

South Africa are expected to recall spinner Imran Tahir or all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius for the fourth ODI, after they were left out of the line-up since the opening game of the series at Port Elizabeth.

For Pakistan, Shan Masood could make his ODI debut following his string of solid performances in the recent Test series between the countries, where he averaged 38. The inclusion of Masood could mean Fakhar Zaman sitting out of the game after managing to score just 53 in the first three ODIs.

Sunday’s game marks the annual Pink Day event at The Wanderers, to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, with South Africa victorious in all previous seven editions. The last time South Africa and Pakistan met in an ODI here, South Africa racked up 343 for 5 to win by 34 runs. However, the match is expected to be affected by rain as scattered thunderstorms are forecast throughout the day.

The match between South Africa and Pakistan will start at 1pm.

Teams:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock(wicketkeeper), Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis(captain), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Tabraiz Shamsi, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, Dwaine Pretorius

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed(captain/wicketkeeper), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood

LAHORE: With just one month to go for the start of the Pakistan Super League 2019, South African star and former captain AB de Villiers has confirmed he will tour Pakistan for the Lahore Qalandars’ matches scheduled in the cricket-loving nation.

The flamboyant batsman, who will be making his PSL debut for Lahore Qalandars, announced he will feature in back-to-back matches at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in March.

Qalandars will take on defending champions Islamabad United on March 9, and Multan Sultans the following day.

Lahore will also host Eliminator 1 (3 v 4) on March 12, 2019. Karachi’s National Stadium will host a total of five matches: Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi on March 7; Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators on March 10; Qualifier 1 vs Qualifier 2 on March 13; Eliminator 2 on March 15; and the final on March 17.

De Villiers will also be in action on the opening day of the tournament on February 14 in Dubai, when the Qalandars meet Islamabad United.

“I am delighted to confirm that I will represent Lahore Qalandars in front of our home crowds on 9 and 10 March, during the HBL PSL 2019,” de Villiers, one of the most followed and admired cricketers of the modern era, announced.

“I look forward to revisiting the Gaddafi Stadium and aim to play my part in helping Lahore Qalandars achieve something they have been aspiring for since the inception of this tournament in 2016,” he added.

De Villiers’ only previous visit to Lahore was in 2007. In the drawn Test that October, he had scored 45 and eight not out, but returned later in the same month to score 103 not out, 35 and 17 in the first, second and fifth ODIs, respectively.

“I am fully aware that cricket is like a second religion in Pakistan. I still remember the support and appreciation we received in 2007. Furthermore, I feel I have a role to play in helping international cricket return to Pakistan. These have been some of the motivating factors for me to return to Lahore,” said de Villiers.

The 34-year old, who announced a shock retirement from international cricket last year, will be the sixth South Africa cricketer to visit Lahore in less than 18 months. In September 2017, Faf du Plessis captained the ICC World XI, which also included Hashim Amla, David Miller, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir. Pakistan won the three-T20I series 2-1.

Later that year, Sri Lanka visited Lahore for a T20I, while the Windies played three T20Is in Karachi in April 2018. In May 2015, Zimbabwe had toured Lahore for five international matches.

“I sympathise with the people of Pakistan because they have been cricket-starved for no fault of theirs, but I am optimistic that the days are not too far when international cricket will return to Pakistan and the stadia will once again be packed with crowds,” de Villiers continued.

“Due to prior family commitments, I will only be available till the last group stage game. I want to thank Lahore Qalandars for giving me an opportunity to represent them and I look forward to not only enjoying my time in PSL 2019 but also contributing in making it a stronger brand.”

Lahore Qalandars owner Fawad Rana said, via a press release: “There can’t be a bigger and better news for Pakistan cricket fans and the HBL PSL 2019 on the day we are celebrating ‘one month to go’ that AB de Villiers has confirmed his availability for the two Lahore matches.

“De Villiers is one of the icons of international cricket, who has entertained his fans world-over, not only with his innovative and aggressive batting, but also with the flare, passion and agility that he always carries with him onto the field of play.

“I am certain he will further brighten the Gaddafi Stadium with his amazing talent and skills on 9 and 10 March and this good news is a gift for our Qalandars clan.”

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani welcomed the announcement. “We appreciate the decision of AB de Villiers and look forward to welcoming him to the home of Pakistan cricket. I am sure de Villiers’s appearance will attract new fans, and more eyeballs will follow PSL than ever before.

“I am confident that de Villiers’ decision at the back of his fellow World XI, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and the Windies’ cricketers’ decisions to play in Lahore will encourage other leading cricketers and international sides to visit this cricket-passionate country.

“For the Lahore crowds, it will be a great opportunity to watch this generation’s cricket genius live in action. I am sure they will turn up in great numbers to support de Villiers as well as Lahore Qalandars and their opponents.”

Lahore Qalandars captain Mohammad Hafeez also lauded de Villiers’ decision. “De Villiers is one of the most respected cricketers in the world. He is a proven performer, who has added new dimensions to batting in white-ball cricket.

“Not just me but the entire Lahore Qalandars side will wait eagerly for the unique experience of sharing with him a flight to Lahore and then being in the same team kit in front of what I envisage will be a packed house.

“This will again be an opportunity for the Lahore crowds to show their passion, respect, love and hospitality, and I am confident that AB will take home memories which will bring him back again and again to this beautiful piece of land.”

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan will hear the National Accountability Bureau’s appeal against the suspension of the Sharif family’s sentences in the Avenfield reference today.

A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel will hear the appeal.

NAB had approached the apex court after the Islamabad High Court, on September 19, suspended sentences of former premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield corruption reference and ordered their release.

The Sharifs had petitioned IHC against the Avenfield verdict, after an accountability court on July 6 convicted Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar in the Avenfield properties reference and sentenced them to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in prison.

The Sharif family had filed appeals for the Avenfield verdict to be overturned on July 16.

An anti-corruption court in Bangladesh on Tuesday fined five Indian citizens for illegal betting during the ongoing season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Cricbuzz reported.

According to a government spokesperson, the men were betting through their mobile phones during BPL matches at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. They have been fined 4,000 Bangladeshi taka each and have been expelled from the ground.

“They were involved in betting with mobile phones. We imposed a fine of Tk 4,000 for each and expelled them from the ground. They will not be allowed to watch any more BPL game this season,” he said.

The spokesperson further said that they handed a similar punishment to another Indian on Sunday. A total of 20 people, including six Indians, have been punished in the first three days of BPL, the spokesperson added.

The BPL, modeled on the glitzy and lucrative Indian Cricket League has been blighted by fixing rows ever since it began in 2012 involving players and team owners.

The tournament was suspended for a season in 2014 following revelations that former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and four others including New Zealand’s Lou Vincent were involved in fixing matches.

Ashraful was banned for eight years after he tearfully confessed on national television, but was allowed to return to domestic cricket in 2017.

CAPE TOWN: Pakistan bowlers are reportedly unhappy with their skipper Sarfraz Ahmed’s criticism after Cape Town defeat.

Sarfraz, in his post-match conference on Sunday, had dumped the blame of defeat on the bowlers. “Our bowling was not up to the mark,” the captain had said. “Our bowling average speed was 130 (kilometres an hour), South Africa were bowling at 145. Our bowling was far better (in the first Test) in Centurion.”

Apart from being down on pace, Sarfraz had said the bowlers delivered too many loose balls to provide scoring opportunities for the South African batsmen.

According to team sources, the bowlers are unhappy with the criticism and are of the opinion that any wins the team has amassed till now is because of them. Sarfraz’s comments regarding their performance were discouraging, the sources said.

The sources added that the team atmosphere has been unpleasant ever since the press conference.

In the meantime, rumours have been floating around that Sarfraz was considering stepping down as the national team captain. Sources in the team, however, refuted the reports.

South Africa defeated Pakistan by nine wickets in the second Test at Newlands. They also won the first Test in Centurion by six wickets and lead the three-match Test series 2-0.

The third and final Test starts in Johannesburg on Friday.

West Indies are the current World T20I holders, beating England in 2016 final, winning their second title. Photo: ICC Twitter

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the teams that have qualified directly for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

According to the qualification criteria for the tournament, hosts Australia and the other nine top-ranked sides have ensured direct qualification. The top eight teams based on the T20I team rankings as of December 31, 2018, have made it straight to the Super 12s stage.

Top-ranked Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies and Afghanistan will start their campaign directly in the Super 12s of the tournament, which will be held from October 18 to November 15, 2020.

However, former champions and three-time finalists Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh owing to their low rankings will contest with the other six qualifiers in the group stage of the tournament. Four teams from the group stage will advance to the Super 12s.

Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga said he was disappointed that the team did not make it to the Super 12s but was confident of the team doing well in the tournament. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan indicated that recent performances had given them belief and they would prepare well for the challenge.

“It is a bit disappointing that we have not been able to ensure a direct Super 12s berth but I’m confident that we will do well in the tournament,” Malinga said.

“Having played three finals and winning once, it is natural that everyone expected us to finish in the top-eight but we have to take the opportunity in the extra matches of the group stage and prepare well for the knock-out matches,” the fast bowler added.

“We have some fine players in the ranks and it is only a matter of doing our best when the time comes. We look forward to challenges coming our way as we prepare for the big event.”

Shakib Al Hasan said, “We have not secured a direct Super 12s berth but I’m confident that we will do well in the tournament by going through the group stage.”

“We are a side capable of beating the best on our day and I see no reason why we can’t go far in the tournament. There is still some time and we will use it to be at our best for the T20 World Cup.

“We won a T20 series against the West Indies, the world champions, in their backward not so long ago. That performance has given us a lot of belief in our T20 capabilities,” Hasan added.

CAPE TOWN: South Africa and Pakistan must resolve selection headaches ahead of the second Test starting at Newlands on Thursday.

South Africa´s six-wicket win in the first Test at Centurion was set up by the bowling of Duanne Olivier, who had match figures of 11 for 96.

Olivier got his chance because of an injury to Vernon Philander, who is fit again and will “definitely come back” to play at his home ground, according to captain Faf du Plessis. Philander has taken 49 wickets in nine Tests at Newlands at an average of 16.55.

Despite his performance at Centurion, Olivier is unlikely to be picked ahead of Kagiso Rabada, who finished 2018 as the world´s top-ranked Test bowler, or Dale Steyn, South Africa´s all-time leading wicket-taker.

Nor are South Africa likely to risk going into a Test at Newlands without spinner Keshav Maharaj. Which means Olivier will only play at the expense of a specialist batsman, with Theunis de Bruyn the most likely to make way.

The case for South Africa picking five bowlers is strengthened by Philander´s status as a reasonably reliable lower order batsman, who has scored 730 runs at an average of 27.03 in his last 21 Tests, going back to November 2016. His batting average at Newlands is 33.14.

Pakistan will also be welcoming back a first-choice fast bowler in Mohammad Abbas, with captain Sarfraz Ahmed saying after Centurion that Abbas had fully recovered from a shoulder injury.
Pakistan might opt to omit young quick Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second Test in South Africa

Pakistan´s bowlers were impressive in the first Test but the touring team´s batting frailty is such that they will almost certainly have to drop a bowler, probably the talented but inexperienced Shaheen Shah Afridi, to accommodate Abbas.

Also fit after missing the first Test is batsman Haris Sohail, who seems certain to return. Shan Masood, who came into the side when fellow left-hander Sohail injured a knee during the pre-match warm-up, made an impressive 65 in the second innings in Centurion.

Masood batted at number three, but is normally an opening batsman. That means flamboyant Fakhar Zaman, who looked vulnerable against South Africa´s fast bowlers, could be in danger.

Bowlers dominated at Centurion, with the match finishing before tea on the third day. There is again likely to be assistance for the fast bowlers at Newlands but without the uneven bounce which was a feature in the first Test.

Pakistan will be looking for experienced batsmen like Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq to bat with more responsibility than they showed in Centurion.

South Africa will be hoping for a return to form for Du Plessis and opening batsman Aiden Markram.
Teams:

South Africa (likely from): Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier.

Pakistan (likely from): Sarfraz Ahmed (captain/wkt), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS), Joel Wilson (WIN)

TV umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)