National Athletics Championship from April 3 ISLAMABAD—President Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) Maj Gen (R) Muhammad Akram Sahi on Thursday said the 46th National Athletics Championships (Men & Women) will be staged at Jinnah Stadium of the Pakistan Sports Complex from April 3. While, addressing to media here at Pakistan Sports Complex, Akram Sahi said the winner of the event will be awarded with cash prizes and trophy. “First position holder will get an amount of Rs 5,000, second Rs 3,000 and third will bag an amount of Rs 2,000. Sahi said the event is being organized by Athletics Federation of Pakistan in collaboration with Wapda Sports Board and the event will continue till April 5. “A total of 500 athletes including Men and Women will participate in the event,” he said. He said the teams to compete for top honors in the three-day extravaganza include Army, PAF, Navy, Wapda, Railways, HEC, Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, Islamabad, AJK, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan. “It is a mandatory annual event in which champion athletes display their prowess in the sports arena,” he said.—APP
I’ve no grudge against Rahat: Wahab LAHORE—Pakistan’s increasingly-popular semi-finals against India. paceman Wahab Riaz says it was his team’s “fate” to be knocked out in the quarter-finals against Australia and has refused to blame fellow fast bowler Rahat Ali for his dropped catch in the game, a moment many b e l i e v e could have changed the outcome of the fixture. Shane W a t s o n withstood a fierce barrage of pace bowling from a fired-up Wahab in a compelling duel that transfixed the Adelaide Oval crowd for half an hour, with the Pakistani taunting the batsmen on every occasion the ball whizzed passed the Australian’s nose. But just when the left-arm Wahab had softened the batsman up for the kill, Watson was dropped at the deep fine-leg on four by Rahat. Watson survived to score 64 not out and steer eventual champions Australia to a six-wicket victory with a place in the
Former South Africa spinner recently said Rahat’s catch could have changed the outcome of the World Cup. But Wahab’s moved on since. “Who knows? Maybe the result would have been different,” Cricket Australia quoted Wahab as saying. “But it happens. I’ve no grudge against Rahat. Nobody drops a catch deliberately. “Rahat is a very good bowler and a good fielder. He tried his best. That was only an unfortunate moment for us. “Probably, it was our fate.” Following the match, West Indies legend Brian Lara described Wahab’s spell to Watson as ‘one of the highlights of the tournament’. Wahab was so enthralling in that little spell that many went as far as to suggest that the quick be made ODI captain after Misbah’s departure. “What I saw of him (Wahab) against Australia convinces me that he’s got it in him to make it big as a leader because he showed aggression, passion and emotion; WAH CANTT: Lt Gen Muhammad Ahsan Mahmood, Chairman POF Board giving away Trophy to the captain of that is what is required right now to put Pakistan Army Basketball Team, winner of National Basketball Championship’2015. Pakistan cricket back on track,” former captain Ramiz Raja said after the quarter-final. Pakistan have already picked Azhar Ali as their limited-overs captain but Wahab is far removed from the developments and wants to focus on his bowling. “I think hard work always pays off.”—APP
Army lift National Basketball C’ship’2015 SPORTS REPORTER
All Punjab boxing tournament KHANEWAL —The First All Punjab boxing tournament will start from April 8 at Toba Tek Singh stadium. Eight teams included Lahore, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Chiniot, Bahawalpur and Khanewal will participate in the tournament while boxers having 49, 52, 56, 60, 64, 69, 75 and 81 killogram would be eligible for participating in the competition. The district Khanewal boxing team led by District sports officer Chaudhry Gulzar Ahmad will participate in the tournament.—APP
BANUU: Vice Chancellor Bannue University Dr Abdul Raheem Khan disributing hockey sticks amon the players during Zoal Hockey Championship.
Malik Saad Shaheed Trust to set up Women Cricket Academy SPORTS REPORTER P ESHAWAR —Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, in collaboration with Malik Saad Shaheed Memorial Sports Trust will construct memorials of police martyrs in the capital city, Peshawar and other parts of province to pay tribute to police martyrs who rendered sacrifices in war on terror. The trust will also setup a women cricket academy at Haripur and hold “Mrs Malik Saad Shaheed Women T20 Cricket Championship Tournament” in Mardan and a three day Police Shuhda Sports Gala in Swat. These decisions were taken on Thursday in a meeting of Board of Governors of Malik Saad Shaheed Memorial Sports Trust held here with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak. Besides others, the meeting was also attended by Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and CoChairman of the trust Nasir Khan Durrani, Chairman and Senior Journalist Amjad Aziz Malik, Ali Nawaz Gillani, Minister for Excise & Taxation Mian Jamsheduddin Kakakhel, Senator Sitara Ayaz, MPA Nighat Orkzai and Vice Chancellor Abdul Wali Khan Univer-
sity Mardan Dr. Ihsan Ali. The meeting also approved the sportsmen exchange program agreed upon by the government of Behrain and Malik Saad Trust as well as annual performance report and financial affairs of the trust. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister and Patron-in-chief of the trust Pervez Khattak paid tribute to the police martyrs and said that Malik Saad Shaheed was a brave and devoted police officer adding that the whole nation was proud of the police officers and jawans who offered their precious lives in the war against terror. He said that police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been made a complete and competent force on the patron of Pakistan Army and the new police system which replaced the typical thana culture proved helpful for considerably reducing complaints against police. Appreciating the efforts of Malik Saad Trust in promotion of sports in the province and highlighting the performance of police, the Chief Minister assured every possible help and cooperation by the provincial government for promoting activities of the trust. He ordered release of already approved amount of Rs 7.5 million to the
trust and announced another amount of Rs 1.5 million to save the trust from the financial deficit. The Chief Minister also directed the authorities concerned to incorporate the proposed erection of memorials of police martyrs into the beautification plan being already executed in Peshawar and other districts of the province. He also launched a video documentary prepared by Malik Saad Trust to eulogize the services and sacrifices of police martyrs. Expressing his views, IG Police, Nasir Khan Durrani also appreciated the activities of Malik Saad Trust for promoting sports in the province. Highlighting one year performance of the trust, the Chairman Amjad Aziz Malik told that 141 sports academies were established by the trust throughout the province and sports competitions were held under these academies. He made it clear that the trust undertakes all sports activities in collaboration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Board. He informed that the trust had invited 20 sportsmen from Azarbaijan this year to participate in different sports competitions to be held in different parts of the province.
W AH C ANTT —Pakistan Army clinched the title of the 54th National Basketball Championship 2015 for the Chairman POF Gold Cup, after beating PAF 66-57 in final played at POF Sports Complex on Thursday. Army maintained their supremacy in all the four quarters of the final. Lt Gen Muhammad Ahsan Mahmood, HI(M) Chairman POF Board was the Chief Guest of final ceremony who distributed prizes among the players. In his welcoming remarks Col (R) Inamullah Khan Vice President POF Sports Control Board told that POF Sports Control Board under the guidance of Chairman POF Board has always been endeavoring to promote sports activities in this cantonment and will continue to promote it in future also. A large numbers of players and spectators witnessed the final match.
KARACHI—Mohammad Amir, the Pakistan fast bowler who has returned to competitive cricket following a reprieve of his fiveyear ICC ban, bowled Omar Associates into the final of the Patron’s Trophy (Grade-II) Cricket Tournament with a six-wicket haul in the drawn rain-disrupted semi-final against Khayaban-e-Amin. Chasing 277 in 55 overs to overhaul Omar Associates’ first-innings total at the LCCA Ground in Lahore, Khayaban-e-Amin were bowled out for 137 at the start of the 32nd over, losing their last six wickets for just 40 runs. Left-armer Amir, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on April 13, was the wreckerin-chief with brilliant analysis of six for 47 in 14 overs, while off-spinner Bilal Asif grabbed three wickets for 22 runs in 5.1 overs. Omar Associates’ opponents in the final will be decided later after the other semifinal, between K-Electric and Karachi Port Trust (KPT), was abandoned without a ball being delivered at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot following torrential rains in the industrial city. According to the domestic playing conditions, that semi-final will be played on revised dates. Khayaban-e-Amin made a gallant attempt to chase down the runs at the star with opener Hasnain Bukhari (48 off 41 balls, 10 boundaries) and skipper Yasir Ajmal (37 off 54, three fours and one six) engaging
themselves in a second-wicket partnership of 55 after Amir had cleaned up Waqar Hussain for four in his second over. But once Hasnain and Yasir were separated it was one-way traffic as Amir and Bilal ran through the rest of Khayaban-eAmin batting line-up. Of the remaining batsmen, only wicket-keeper Salman Afridi (11) was successful in reaching double figures. Earlier, Omar Associates reached 276-6 after resuming at their Tuesday’s tally of 145-4. Initially they were to face 63 overs as decided on day two after heavy rain had wiped out Monday’s entire opening day of the three-day fixture. But after Omar Associates had batted for another 23 overs on Wednesday, a brief stoppage in play by rain, forced match officials to end their innings then and there, while leaving the opposition to begin their chase for the runs in the remaining time during which 55 overs were scheduled to be bowled. Overnight pair of Mohammad Waqas and Fahad-ul-Haq had added only four runs when the former was caught behind off paceman Babar Khan for 76 (95 balls, eight fours and two sixes). The fifth-wicket stand yielded 61 runs. Omar Associates skipper Saad Nasim didn’t last either when the Pakistan Twenty20 all-rounder was gone for one, caught by Hasnain off paceman Majid Ali.—APP
Worcestershire Unsure About Saeed Ajmal L ONDON —Worcestershire are unsure over the availability and effectiveness of Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who is making a return to competitive cricket with a remodeled bowling action. Worcestershire’s Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes expressed confidence over the legality of Ajmal’s new action. “We’re confident he’ll be out there bowling for us at some stage,” said Rhodes. “I’ve seen him a little bit on footage. “He’s quite different with a side-on action, a bit more orthodox and gets through the crease a bit more.” The 37-year-old was banned for an illegal bowling action in September during a Test match against Sri Lanka which subsequently ruined his World Cup hopes. Although Ajmal underwent remedies and was cleared in the ICC testing held in February, he wasn’t included in Pakistan’s World Cup squad.—Online
Fahad shines with all-round show
MULTAN: Wrestlers in ation at two day Jashn-e-Baharaan celebration in Mian Nawaz Sharif Park.
Lethal Amir bowls Omar Associates into Grade II final
KARACHI—Shaikh Fahad excelled with brilliant all-round effort to help Bangkok General Trading defeat M.A. Textile by seven wickets in their 20th Hinopak Trophy KCCA Inter-departmental Cricket League fixture at the Landhi Gymkhana Ground. Fahad first grabbed five wickets for 36 runs with his legspin bowling as M.A. Textile were dismissed for 156 in 41.2 overs. He then hit six boundaries and hoisted four sixes in making 69 while guiding his team to victory midway through the 25th over.—APP
CHAMAN: Member of Pakistan Cricket Board Selection Committee Ali Naqvi briefing to the players of District Killa Abdullah during the trial for the selection of Regional Under-19 Tournament.
All Karachi Football tournament begins today KARACHI—All Karachi Muslim Khatri Association Golden Jubilee Football tournament will begin on Apr 3 with National Bank and Habib Bank teams to play the opening match at Noorani Eid Gah ground sector 11-G, New Karachi Thirty two leading clubs of the city will participate in the tournament and compete on knockout basis, said the chief organiser, Mohammad Sadiq Khatri here Thursday. Mentioning that the tournament has been organised in collaboration with Hussaini Football Club, with the permission of Sindh Football Association, Khatri said President Sindh Football Association, Khadim Ali Shah will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Syed Kamal Ahmed, Administrator District Central Sheikh Salah -uddin Ahmed, MNA Abdul Waseem and MPA Khuwaja Izhar-ul-Hasan would be the guests of honour. Teams to participate in the tournament are Hussaini Football Club, Friends Football Club, Young Patni Football Club, Maymar Sports, North Brothers, Gulshan Soccer, Young Azizabad, Khalique Memorial, Ifran Memorial, Sajdi Momdon, A-1 Star, Young Usmanabad, Baloch XI, Wajid Memorial, Baloch star, Gharib Shah Union, Usmanabad Union, Baghdad Sports, Makran Sports, Young Hakkani, Frontier city, Mangopir Stars, Shahbaz Momdon, Ghani XI, Maripur Baloch, United Sports, Shakeel Bilgrami and Sindh Balochistan. As per schedule, Saturday fixture would be Baloch Star District South vs Gulshan Soccer District Central at 5 pm. The inaugural ceremony of the tournament will be attended by Secretary Sindh Football Association, Hasan Baloch, President Muslim Khatri Association, Liquat, Vice President, Muslim Khatri Association, M Tahir Muhammad Ismail and its General Secretary, Muhammad Rafique alongwith council members of the association and other notables including Muhammad Saleem Patni, M Akif Khan, M Hasan Ghanchi, M Sabir Khatri and other district officials.—APP
Fish XI Club win SuperSixes Cricket trophy P ESHAWAR —Fish XI Club clinched the trophy after defeating Z-J club in the final of the first Super-Sixes Cricket Tournament played at Irrigation Ground, Mulagori Tehsil, Khyber Agency on Thursday. Khyber Agency Sports Manager Rahad Gul Mulagori was the chief guest on this occasion. Officials, players and large number of spectators were also present and witnessed the final. Fish XI club won the toss and elected to bat first by setting up 85 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 6 overs spell and restricted Z-J club to 80 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Thus Fish XI club won the match by 15 runs. At the end, the chief guest Rahad Gul Molagori gave away trophies to the winners and runners-up. Speaking on this occasion Rahad Gul lauded the efforts of the organizing committee for holding the event. He said they have organized events like athletics, volleyball, cricket.—APP