Younis Khan steps down from UBL post

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and record-setting batsman Younis Khan has resigned from his position of coach and player with United Bank Limited over the bank’s intention to disband its cricket outfit.

In the resignation letter — dated July 11, 2018 addressed to UBL president Sima Kamil — Younis spelled disbandment of the cricket team as the reason behind his move.

“It is with deep regret that I am sending you this letter to inform you that I will be resigning from my position as captain/player of UBL cricket team, since the bank intends to disband its team,” the 40-year-old Younis, who retired from Test cricket last year, wrote.

“Being a legendary cricketer who has represented Pakistan, it would not be possible for me to continue working for your organisation as captain/player anymore,” Younis added.

Younis, who played 118 Tests to amass a Pakistan-record 10,099 runs with 34 centuries, also a country record, earlier met a number of influential figures including the governor of SBP in a bid to reverse UBL’s decision regarding their cricket team.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time [at UBL] guiding these young men to numerous victories on cricket ground but unfortunately given the current circumstances, it places me in a very awkward position. My last day as captain/player will be July 11, 2018,” the resignation letter read.

Younis, a few years ago, joined the UBL after his long association with Habib Bank Limited.

This is also pertinent to mention here that the department has a slot in the board of governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board.—Mohammad Asif Khan

Pakistan, England to clash in disability T20 final

KARACHI: Pakistan will face hosts England in the title-deciding fixture final of the T20 Physical Disability Tri-series after the third and final round of league matches were decided in Worcester on Tuesday.

Pakistan Physical Disability, who were in action in both matches, lost to England Physical Disability by six wickets in the first encounter played at the Old Elizabethans CC Ground.

The visitors, who were put into bat, collected 160-4 and then saw England get over the line at 161-4 in 17.3 overs with home team captain Callum Flynn (64 off 42 balls, 10 boundaries) leading the way he guided them into the final.

Pakistan Physical Disability won a thrilling last game against their Bangladeshi counterparts by five runs to top the standings with six points and net run-rate of +1.356.

Mohammad Shahbaz starred with a fine all-round effort. The young opener top-scored with a 38-ball knock of 53 (five fours and three sixes) as Pakistan made 139-8 after opting to bat first.

Shahbaz then grabbed 3-11 with his left-arm medium-pacers and captain Nihar Alam took 3-9 with his left-arm spin as Bangladesh were dismissed for 134 in 18.5 overs.

England finished the league phase with four points and net run-rate of -0.616, while Bangladesh ended with just two points and jet run-rate of -0.730.

Results:

Pakistan Physical Disability beat Bangladesh Physical Disability by five runs.

PAKISTAN PHYSICAL DISABILITY 139-8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Shahbaz 53, Matloob Qureshi 28; M. Monirujjaman 3-19, Drupam Patronobis 2-18); BANGLADESH PHYSICAL DISABILITY 134 in 18.5 overs (Alam Khan 39, Drupam Patronobis 36; Nihar Alam 3-9, Mohammad Shahbaz 3-10, Mohammad Haris 2-13).

England Physical Disability beat Pakistan Physical Disability by six wickets.

PAKISTAN PHYSICAL DISABILITY 160-7 in 20 overs (Matloob Qureshi 35, Saifullah 34, Jahanzeb Tiwana 29; Dan Hamm 2-33); ENGLAND PHYSICAL DISABILITY 161-4 in 17.3 overs (Callum Flynn 64 not out, Alex Hammond 43, Liam O’Brien 20 not out).—Sports Reporter

PSB refuses to fund women’s netball camp

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Netball Federation’s plan of holding training camp at Pakistan Sports Board Coaching Centre in Karachi from July 16 to Aug 31 for preparing women’s team for the Asian Netball Championship hangs in balance, as PSB has refused to fund the camp.

The PNF has been allowed to set up camp in Karachi but at its own expense. Sources said that in past PSB used to provide boarding/lodging expenses and last year it funded expenses of training camp for the men’s team which later won silver medal in the Asian Netball Championship.

But this time around, the PSB has refused to provide funds to meet expenses for the women’s training camp.

A source in the PSB said that board used to provide funds to the PNF until a few months ago. He said that federation has been pleading its case with the PSB for boarding and lodging facilities in the training camp.

“THE PNF has been allowed to organise the women’s netball training camp with the strength of 23 [20players and three coaches] at the PSB Coaching Centre, Karachi. The boarding/lodging expenses will be borne by the PNF. However, playing facilities will be provide free of cost by the PSB,” according to PSB media release addressed to PNF.

When contacted, PSB spokesman Azam Dar said that because of shortage of funding the board has refused to provide funds for the camp.

“Secondly, we only fund and bear expense of training camps for the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and South Asian Games,” he said. “But I do agree the previous managements held several camps, but this time we are not in position to bear expenses.”—Kashif Abbasi

National scrabble from Friday

KARACHI: The Signature 30th Pakistan Scrabble Championship (masters) will be played at Lincoln Corner inside the Liaquat Memorial Library, Karachi from July 13 to 15.

This was announced by the Tournament Director Mr Tariq Pervez in a press release on Wednesday.

This is the 30th edition of the premier championship in Pakistan. About 60 of the finest scrabble players from all over the country will vie for the title of the national champion.

Sohaib Sanaullah who become the youngest ever national champion at just 15 years of age will be defending his title. Eight-time national champion Waseem Khatri will be looking to regain his lost glory but all eyes would be on the former world youth champion Moiz Baig who is now the No. 1 ranked player in Pakistan and has won a string of tournaments this year.

Several senior players including three former national champions are in the fray but the power of the youth is so dominant in scrabble these days that two preteen boys Imaad Ali and Hasham Hadi are being considered serious contenders for the title.—Staff Reporter

27 called up for national hockey camp

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has called up 27 probables for the national training camp at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium in Karachi.

The camp, to begin on Saturday, is being held for selecting the Pakistan squad for this year’s Asian Games which will be staged in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from Aug 18 to Sept 2.

The probables have been asked to report to manager/camp commandant Hasan Sardar at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Probables:

Imran Butt, Mazhar Abbas, Amjad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Senior, Rashid Mehmood, Mohammad Aleem Bilal, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Mubashar Ali, Tasawar Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan Senior, Mohammad Toseeq Arshad, Ali Shan, Mohammad Umar Bhutta, Abu Bakr Mahmood, Shafqat Rasool, Mohammad Azfar Yaqoob, Mohammad Arslan Qadir, Ajaz Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan Junior, Rana Suhail Riaz, Mohammad Rizwan Junior, Mohammad Dilber, Mohammad Atiq, Mohammad Faisal Qadir, Mohammad Atif Mushtaq, Junaid Manzoor, Asad Aziz.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2018