Tag: National T20 Cup

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Danish, Hassan help Sindh record thrilling triumph in National T20 Cup

KARACHI:Two childhood friends’ Danish Aziz and former Pakistan U19 captain Hassan Khan performed brilliantly to take Sindh from a likely defeat to a thrilling win in National T20 Cup for First XI.

Languishing at the fifth spot with a mere two points and four losses in their first five games, Sindh looked destined for another defeat Saturday night at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in their sixth match of the event when they lost their fifth wicket of the big-hitting Azam Khan with only 97 runs on the board in their chase of 171 runs against the Babar Azam-led Central Punjab.

The match was then turned decisively on its head in a stunning sixth wicket partnership of 57 runs in a mere 27 balls between two childhood friends’ man-of-the-match Danish Aziz and former Pakistan U19 captain Hassan Khan.

Hassan, who led Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018, stunned both the Central Punjab team and cricket fans with a series of huge sixes which belied his slight frame. The right-hander sealed the fate of the match by hitting fast bowler Ehsan Adil for three sixes in the 17th over of the Sindh innings.

Before the start of the over, Sindh needed 37 off 24 balls, Hassan went into the top-gear smoking sixes on the second, fourth and fifth ball of the over as 20 runs were taken of the over.

Hassan eventually fell for 36 off a mere 15 balls (two fours, four sixes) but had done enough to make the job easy both for his batting partner Danish and the batsmen to follow as Sindh completed their chase on the first ball of the 20th over with three wickets to spare.

Hassan Khan: “When I joined Danish at the crease, we decided to attack to bring the asking rate down. Danish briefed me about the behaviour of the pitch and how we needed to approach the task at hand. We aimed to get at least one boundary per over and score runs in singles or doubles in the rest of the over.

“I really enjoyed the flick over square-leg that went for six in that Ehsan Adil over; I was very pleased to play a match winning role and that too in the company of my childhood friend Danish.”

Danish remained calm despite losing Hassan and then Anwar Ali, with nine runs required off the last seven balls, Danish hit Ehsan for a six over long-on which proved to be the decisive blow. Sohail Khan scored two runs off the first ball of Waqas Maqsood’s final over of the match before a wide bowled by Waqas finished the match in Sindh’s favour.

Danish who scored 59 not out off 32 balls, (five fours, three sixes) was equally pleased with his effort of seeing his side through to victory, like Hassan, he also enjoyed the company of his good friend in the crucial sixth wicket partnership.

Danish Aziz: “Hassan and I are childhood friends; we have played a lot of cricket together for Karachi and have represented Pakistan in age-group cricket together. We play a lot of club cricket together and also practiced at the same academy. We know each other’s capabilities and game very well which I feel helped us a great deal out in the middle. I am very pleased that I contributed to my side’s win in a tournament which has a lot of interest and following, I enjoyed all my boundaries but the six against Ehsan Adil in the penultimate over stands out.”

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Shah smashes 35-ball ton to propel Southern Punjab to first win in National T20 Cup

KARACHI:Khushdil Shah scored the fastest T20 century by a Pakistan batsman to help Southern Punjab to their first win of the ongoing National T20 Cup for First XIs on Friday night at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

The 25-year-old batsman reached the 100-run mark in 35 balls and smashed as many as nine sixes and eight fours against Sindh to set the second highest run-chase in the history of the National T20 Cup in a thrilling contest which was won on the third last ball.

This was Khushdil’s maiden triple-digit score in the format and he brought it up in extraordinary circumstances after walking in to bat with his team tottering at 32 for three in five overs in their 217-run pursuit. Soon Southern Punjab were another wicket down to be 43 for four.

Khushdil then turned things around as he paired with Hussain Talat, who scored a blazing half-century, and stitched a sparkling 127-run stand off just 55 balls for the fifth wicket. Khushdil contributed 91 runs from 31 balls – which also included an 18-ball half-century.

He was caught the next ball after registering the record as he miscued Anwar Ali’s delivery to be caught by Sharjeel Khan in the mid-on region.

Reflecting on his innings, Khushdil told pcb.com.pk: “There were some doubts about closing this game when I walked on the pitch but when Hussain joined me in the middle we planned the partnership and decided that we have to back ourselves and find a couple of boundaries every over.

“It is certainly a great feeling to have made this record. We were getting close in the matches but were unable to finish them and this gives me a lot of confidence. My aim is to play more such innings in the future. One can truly enjoy and celebrate such innings when they help your team to win. I am glad that I was able to help Southern Punjab break the losing streak.”

Following his dismissal, Hussain took the charge as he smashed Anwar for a four and a six on the next three balls. He struck three more fours before getting out to Anwar, who returned four for 47, on the penultimate ball of the penultimate over.

With nine required off the last over, Dilbar Hussain, who smoked left-arm orthodox Hassan Khan for a six on the first ball, and Umar Khan took Southern Punjab over the line.

Earlier, Khurram Manzoor’s fourth T20 century helped Sindh post a solid 216 for three after being asked to bat first by Southern Punjab captain Shan Masood.

The right-handed opener, who is the highest run-getter in the history of the National T20 Cup, scored a scintillating 58-ball 108, which was studded with 10 fours and six sixes.

The 34-year-old put up a 123-run alliance with Asad Shafiq – who playing his second match of the tournament scored 59 off 37 balls, which included six fours and two sixes.

Following this match, Southern Punjab and Sindh are locked on two points each.

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Sindh fined for maintaining slow over-rate

KARACHI:Sindh have been fined Rs25,000 for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Friday’s National T20 Cup fixture against Southern Punjab.

In the stipulated time, Sindh were two overs short of their target after taking into account time allowances and, as such, were charged under Article 2.22 of the PCB’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel that deals with minimum over-rate offences.

The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Ghaffar Kazmi and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Saqib Khan. Sindh captain Sarfaraz Ahmed pleaded guilty and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Nadeem Arshad.

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World Mental Health Day to be observed during National T20 Cup

KARACHI:The Pakistan Cricket Board in collaboration with its partner the British Asian Trust observed the World Mental Health Day during Saturday’s matches of the National T20 Cup for First XI teams at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The two organizations have joined hands to raise awareness around mental health. The British Asian Trust uses its platform to improve quality of services, create awareness and change attitude towards mental health.

In collaboration with the British Asian Trust, CareTech and COSARAF, the Pakistan Mental Health Coalition has helped over five million people across Pakistan by providing free of cost mental health services to women, children and men in need. Based on statistics shared by BAT, one in four people in Pakistan – approximately 50 million people – suffer from depression or anxiety at some point in their lives.

The British Asian Trust is proud to be in partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board, to raise awareness around and de-stigmatise mental health.

The British Asian Trust aims to work towards improving the quality of services, creating awareness and changing attitudes around mental health and providing mental health services and support to all those who need it.

At the Pindi Cricket Stadium, a mental health expert, Dr Usman Hamdani, spoke on the importance of mental health during the pre-match show.

Meanwhile encouraged by the PCB, leading Pakistan men and women cricketers have joined hands with British Asian Trust and Pakistan Mental Health Coalition. Bismah Maroof, Imam-ul-Haq, Javeria Khan and Shan Masood have given special messages as mental health brand ambassadors in Pakistan.

Bismah Maroof: “In collaboration with the British Asian Trust, the Pakistan mental health coalition has helped over five million people across Pakistan by providing free of cost mental health services. This is the time to take action, let us take a step towards mental health and to create its awareness.”

Imam-ul-Haq: “We have to give people space to open up, to speak up about mental health issues and to seek professional help. Let us all show support, kindness and empathy and let us contribute towards making this world a happier and healthier place.”

Javeria Khan: “I am not worried talking about mental health. We need to remember that the people suffering from mental health ailments or issues are not alone, they have help and guidance available whenever they need it. We need to be sympathetic towards the people who are in need of help and support; we should aspire to provide as much comfort as we can while guiding them towards professional help.”

Shan Masood: “I am proud to be here as a mental health awareness brand ambassador. Pakistan Cricket Board and British Asian Trust have joined hands to raise awareness about mental health.

“Mental health issues are a common human experience. They can affect men, women or children from all parts of society. They can affect you, me or anyone we know. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that there is help available. It is time for us to de-stigmatise mental health.”

Mental Health Manager, British Asian Trust – Sanaa Ahmad: “It is important for different stakeholders to come together and work towards creating awareness around mental health.

“We also need to improve the accessibility and quality of services offered. That is why the British Asian Trust is so proud of its partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board, where together we can help remove the stigma around mental health and initiate more conversations, encouraging others to invest in mental health too.“

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Naseem Shah withdrawn from National T20 Cup due to injury

KARACHI:Central Punjab fast bowler Naseem Shah has been withdrawn from the National T20 Cup after complaining of a niggle in groin.

He has been replaced in the Central Punjab squad by left-arm fast bowler Waqas Maqsood. Naseem will now report at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore where the PCB medical panel will carry out a detailed and complete investigation on his injury.

Director – Medical and Sports Sciences, Dr Sohail Saleem: “Naseem is an asset who needs to be handled with care. As soon as he showed discomfort, we decided to withdraw him from the tournament and bring him to Lahore so that we can investigate the injury.”

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Central Punjab clinches Second XI National T20 Cup

KARACHI: Central Punjab bagged the Second XI National T20 Cup title with a seven-wicket win over Northern in the last match of the single-league event at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

The Nauman Anwar-led side topped the six-team points table with four wins from their five matches, while win-less Northern finished on the last spot.

An unbeaten 57-ball 66 by Junaid Ali set the comfortable victory as Central Punjab overhauled the 134-run target with 11 balls to spare. The wicketkeeper-batsman took the lead role in the innings after Nauman, who made a quickfire 26 from 13 balls hitting four fours and a six, was dismissed by Athar Mehmood, who took two wickets for 36 runs.

Northern, who failed to win a single match, managed a meagre 133 for eight after their captain Nauman Ali elected to bat. Aamer Jamal’s 24-ball 38 not out, which included four sixes, provided some respite to the defending champions, who had half of their batting line-up back in the pavilion for just 37 runs. Sarmad Bhatti was the other notable run-getter in the innings as he hit a six and two fours for his 33 off 28 balls.

Reflecting on Central Punjab’s run in the event, Nauman Anwar told pcb.com.pk: “It has been an exciting journey and we got to play some quality cricket despite the Covid-19 protocols in place. We have really enjoyed our time over the last two, three weeks. That each and every player of our team raised his hand when the situation demanded and delivered is the reason behind our success in this event.

“The most memorable match for us was our opening match, which was against Sindh [which Central Punjab won by four wickets]. The Central Punjab-Sindh rivalry always brings out the best amongst from all the players involved in such contests and what made it further exciting was the fact that it went deep into the last over.”

During the tournament, as many as four bowlers picked up eight wickets each – the most in the event – and the two bowlers with the best average amongst them belong to Central Punjab. Kamran did it for 13.25 runs a wicket, while Waqas’ wickets were earned at 15.75.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Sameen Gul took eight wickets for 18.50. Northern’s Athar, the 21-year-old right-arm pacer, gave away 19.63 runs for his eight wickets.

Balochistan’s Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Southern Punjab’s Zain Abbas and Central Punjab’s Mohammad Akhlaq finished as the top three run-getters with 235 at 47, 193 at 96.50 and 185 at 61.67 respectively. Based on their brilliant runs, all three earned call-ups for the second-leg of the First XI National T20 Cup which starts in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Twenty-year-old Akhlaq – who scored three half-centuries, the most in the competition – will travel to Rawalpindi to integrate with the First XI squad.

About his consistent run, Akram Raza, the head coach of Central Punjab Second XI team, said: “Akhlaq possess all the desired skills to thrive at the top level and he has been impressive throughout this competition. I have high hopes from him.

“It is great to see players graduate from the Second XI teams to top. Akhlaq will be our second player to reach the First XI team after Abdullah Shafiq, who has earned admirers all over. I have been working extensively with most of these players since the last year and I can comfortably say that these players have a great potential and a lot of hunger to progress.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Southern Punjab, locked at six points each, finish at number two and three positions. Sindh and Balochistan end their Second XI National T20 Cup on fourth and fifth position.

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PCB allows cricketers, officials to meet relatives during National T20 Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board has allowed the players and support staff to be joined by their families in the team hotel for the second round of the National T20 Cup, which gets under way in Rawalpindi on Friday, 9 October.

However, before reuniting and as part of the PCB Covid-19 protocols, the families will have to undergo two mandatory tests. Once they become part of the bio-secure bubble at the hotel and the venue, they will remain part of it until they decide to exit.

Meanwhile, all the players, player support personnel, match officials, as well as the families that have reached the hotel already, underwent Covid-19 tests today in Rawalpindi.

PCB Director – High Performance, Nadeem Khan: “Staying in a bio-secure bubble for a long duration is not easy and can potentially have its own effects, which, in turn, can reflect on the players’ performances.

“In this case, the players’ request was legitimate and the PCB, being a player-friendly organisation, accepted their request on the condition that their families will strictly maintain and follow Covid-19 protocols for the health and safety of all competitors.

“In the meantime, our Medical and Sports Sciences department will continue to keep a close eye on the Covid-19 situation in Pakistan and if they feel and believe the event protocols can be relaxed further moving forward without comprising on the health and integrity of the tournament, they will make a call.

“We all need to understand this season is being played in unprecedented situations and it’s a fact that we cannot confine and restrict the players, player support personnel and match officials to their hotels or venues throughout the season. Having said that, the PCB will continue to take a pragmatic approach wherever it can to ensure the players continue to produce their best performances without affecting their wellbeing in these difficult times.”