Pakistan women celebrate first victory

SYLHET (Bangladesh): Pakistan concluded their disappointing ICC Women’s World Twenty20 league-round campaign on a high note on Monday when they defeated Ireland by 14 runs in the Group ‘A’ fixture at the Sylhet Stadium.

After electing to bat first, Pakistan rode on an unbeaten 48 from Bismah Maroof to reach 119-6. Bismah struck three boundaries during her 45-ball innings. Qanita Jalil scored 17-ball 20 that included three fours.

Skipper Isobel Joyce and Louise McCarthy each claimed two wickets.

Ireland were then dismissed for 105 in their response to the 120-run target. Joyce was the only batswoman to cross the 20-run mark. The Irish skipper made 32 off 39 balls with the aid of three hits to the fence.

Asmavia Iqbal captured three wickets for 18 runs in 3.3 overs, while captain Sana Mir took two for 20.

Pakistan’s first win in four matches means they finished fourth in their pool with Ireland failing to chalk a single victory.

Both teams would play in the play-off matches from Wednesday.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN 119-6 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 48 not out, Qanita Jalil 20, Sana Mir 16, Nain Abedi 11; Louise McCarthy 2-14, Isobel Joyce 2-26, Elena Tice 1-20); IRELAND 105 in 19.3 overs (Isobel Joyce 32, Clare Shillington 19, Elena Tice 17, Eimear Richardson 13; Asmavia Iqbal 3-18, Sana Mir 2-20, Qanita Jalil 1-15, Anam Amin 1-17, Nida Dar 1-21).—Agencies

Irfan stars in Karachi Friends’ win

KARACHI: Opener Irfan Ali Khan blasted a blazing ton as Karachi Friends defeated Karachi Gold Bridge by 25 runs in the opening match of the 16th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament here at the National Stadium on Sunday.

While Irfan hoisted five sixes and struck 14 fours in his 65-ball 110, his opening partner Azeem Ahmed scored a 40-ball 64 laced with nine fours and two sixes as batting first, Karachi Friends piled up 268-2 in the 25 allotted overs.

A 176-run opening partnership between Irfan and Azeem in 16.3 overs laid the platform for a massive total for Karachi Friends.

Farooq (28 not out) and Anwar Baba (52 not out) added 78 runs for their unbroken third-wicket stand in less than six overs.

Karachi Gold Bridge responded positively but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They were finally bowled out for 243 on the final ball.—APP

Asian U-21 snooker event postponed

KARACHI: The 15th Asian under-21 snooker and billiards championship that was scheduled to cue off in the Indian city of Mohali, Chandigarh, from April 4, has been postponed indefinitely for want of visas to three nations, the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) said on Monday.

The country’s games controlling body said they have received a mail from Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) pertaining to postponement of the event as cueists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran have not yet received clearance from Delhi for getting visas.

“The new dates and venue of the above event will now be decided by the ACBS in the annual general meeting which takes place on the sidelines of 30th Asian Snooker Championship in Fujairah, UAE, during April-May,” the PBSF added.—Sports Correspondent

Asif Jamal clarifies

LAHORE: Former marketing director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Asif Jamal has clarified that he was not terminated by the PCB but in fact his two-year contract which had ended on March 12 was not extended on his own wish.

In a communication to Dawn, Asif clarified: “I was not terminated by the PCB last week. The correct information is that I was hired on a two-year contract by the Board which expired on March 12, 2014. As per the mutual agreement, I did not want my contract renewed with the PCB in order to pursue other professional opportunities.” —Sports Reporter

Sami cracks unbeaten 112

LAHORE: Fine century by Pakistan Junior captain Sami Aslam helped Aligarh Club beat Apallo Sports by 39 runs in the 29th M. Yaseen Akhter Memorial Cricket Tournament here on Monday.

Sami hit unbeaten knock of 112, cracking 10 sixes and five fours, while facing 52 balls to help Aligarh set a daunting target of 239 for the rivals.

Summarised scores:

Aligarh Club 238-1 in 20 overs (Sami Aslam 112 not out, Haris Nazar 92 not out); Apallo Sports 199 in 19.3 overs (Salman Ali 62, M Bilal 33, Riaz-ud-din 31; Farhat 3-42, Malik Shakeel 3-46).—Sports Reporter

Varsities boxing from 4th

HYDERABAD: The Directorate of Sports University of Sindh in collaboration with the Pakistan Boxing Federation is organising the Pakistan Inter-universities Boxing Championship from April 4 to 6 at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro.

A University of Sindh spokesman here on Monday said that 27 universities from across the country had confirmed their participation in the three-day event.—APP

Punjab Club triumph

LAHORE: Punjab Club defeated Aligarh Club by two wickets in the 11th Siddiq Memorial Cricket Tournament here on Monday.

The victory has helped Punjab Club to qualify for the second round.

Summarised scores:

Aligarh Club 140-9 in 20 overs (Bilalwal Rana 33, M. Farhad 31; M. Faisal 22-3, Ali Nayle 16-2); Punjab Club 141-8 in 19.3 overs (Yousuf Ali 48 (not out), Shoaib Akram 28; Jamshed 23-2, Bilawal Iqbal 28-2).