ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies Women’s vice-captain Anisa Mohammed has decided to take a leave of absence from International Cricket for a period of six months.

Mohammed requested to take a break from the game with immediate effect, after a hectic year of cricket both home and away.

The 33-year old’s decision to take time away from cricket comes with the full support of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams said, “Anisa has been a true stalwart of West Indies Women’s cricket for over a decade. We at CWI wish her well and will provide any support she may require during this period away from international cricket and look forward to welcoming her back in March.”

Mohammed said, “Cricket has given me all that I have, and I still love it as much as the first day I started playing, therefore this decision was not an easy one for me, especially with the T20 World Cup five months away. However, I must listen to my body and my mind that I need to take time away from the game at this time. This is not a permanent goodbye but rather a see you soon. I wish the team all the best in all their forthcoming series, and I know Hayley will fulfil her role as captain, as I’ve seen her mature and grow as a person and cricketer.”

Mohammed made her debut for the West Indies at the age of 13 at the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Holland in 2003. She established herself as the premier spin bowler for the West Indies Women, going on to become the first cricketer, male or female, to take 100 T20I wickets and ultimately the leading wicket-taker in the format with 125 scalps.

The post Anisa Mohammed to take leave of absence from International Cricket appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

LAHORE (August 25, 2022): 13th National Men/Women Ju-Jitsu Championship concluded at a grand closing ceremony at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall here on Thursday.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony. Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Director Sports Nadeem Qaiser, Director Admin Syed Omair Hasan, DSO Tanveer Shah, President PJJF Khalil Ahmed Khan, Director Referee Kazim Ali Changezi, Administrator NPSC Gymnasium Hall Mustfa Shah and other officials were also present on this occasion.

Wapda team with 14 gold medals emerged champions in the 13th National Men/Women Ju-Jitsu Championship followed by Navy and Punjab with 6 and 4 gold medals respectively.

Kainat Arif of Wapda was adjudged Player of the Championship.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood and Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi witnessed decisive fights and later distributed trophies, medals and track suits among top performers of the championship.

Talking to the media, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood said that Pakistan athletes can win laurels for the country in power sports. “We are going to establish a top level academy and Power Sports Arena to promote power sports among the young generation”.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood further said Pakistan has plenty of ju-jitsu talent and that’s why Pakistan athletes returned successful from World Junior Ju-Jitsu and Asian Championships. “The future of ju-jitsu is bright in our country and this game could be a useful weapon for self-defence in the modern era,” he added.

Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, answering a question on this occasion appreciated the talent of male and female players during the 3-day 13th National Men/Women Ju-Jitsu Championship. “Sports Board Punjab will arrange professional training courses for talented players and team officials”.

Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi further said Sports Board Punjab is taking all possible measures for the promotion of sports across the province. “We are devising an effective plan to groom the potential players so that they can serve Pakistan in future competitive events”.

Medals table

Team                  Gold                    Silver        Bronze

Wapda               14              8                 4

Navy                   6                 12              6

Punjab               4                 3                 10

Police                 2                 1                 4

Sindh                  1                 2                 8

KPK                     1                 2                 16.

Following are results.

Fighting System Men

-56kg: 1. Saeed Anwar (Wapda), 2. Salman (KPK), 3. Haris (Sindh), 4. Rashid (Islamabad)

-62kg: 1. Adil (Navy), 2. Shoaib (Police), 3. M Saleem (KPK), 4. Ali Raza (Punjab)

-77kg: 1. Hamza (Wapda), 2. Aziz UlHaq (Navy), 3. Waris Habib (KPK), 4. Shazaib (Sindh)

-85kg: 1. Ali Zar (Punjab), 2. Ali Hamza (Navy), 3. Shafiq (Police), 4. M Umair (Wapda)

Newaza Men

-56kg: 1. Awais (Wapda), 2. Farhan (Navy), 3. Tahir (Gilgit Baltistan), 4. Arslan Ali (Islamabad)

-69kg: 1. Danish (Wapda), 2. Umar (Navy), 3. Usman (Police), 4. M Mudassir (KPK)

-85kg: 1. Salman Tariq (Police), 2. Rana Waqar (Wapda), 3. Umar (KPK), 4. Hashim (Punjab)

Fighting System Women

-48kg: 1. Bano Butt (Punjab), 2. Anum (Navy), 3. Kausar (Wapda), 4. Hurmat (Sindh)

-63kg: 1. Fazilat (Navy), 2. Arwa (Wapda), 3. Nazia Ali (KPK), 4. Eman Shahbaz (Punjab)

Newaza Women

-57KG: 1. Maryam (Wapda), 2. Arzoo (Navy), 3. Maryam (KPK), 4. Erum (Sindh)

Duo System Women

1. Isra Waseem and Kainat Arif (Wapda), 2. Sahar and Mahroosh (Punjab), 3. Anam and Sanam (Navy), 4. Atiqa and Sadaf (KPK)

Show System Women

1. Isra Waseem and Kainat Arif (Wapda), 2. Sahar and Mahroosh (Punjab), 3. Anam and Sanam (Navy), 4. Atiqa and Sadaf (KPK).

The post Wapda team with 14 gold medals emerge champions in 13th National Men/Women Ju-Jitsu Championship appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The region’s best Under-19 women’s cricketers will assemble in Trinidad for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s U19s Rising Stars T20 Championship, with matches be played from Tuesday 5 July to Wednesday 13 July at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) and the Diego Martin Sporting Complex (DMSC). ​ The six regional franchise teams will be participating, as well as the United States of America Women’s U19s team.

At the end of the tournament, a West Indies Women’s U19s Rising Stars squad will be selected for a proposed international U19 series against the United States in Lauderhill, Florida in early August. Additionally, players will be looking to put in strong performances in order to be considered for selection for the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 World Cup in South Africa, scheduled for January 2023.

Several of the franchise squads feature players who have had experience at the senior regional or international level. Trishan Holder and Naijanni Cumberbatch recently competed for Barbados in the T20 Blaze and CG United Super50 Cup, as well as Ashmini Munisar for Guyana and Djenaba Joseph for Trinidad & Tobago. The Windward Islands are in a unique position as two of their players have been part of the West Indies Women’s Senior team and A teams in the past year. Jannellia Glasgow was a travelling reserve with the team to South Africa and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, while skipper Zaida James was a member of the West Indies Women’s A Team that hosted Pakistan Women’s A team in 2021.

CWI’s Lead Selector for Women’s Cricket, Ann Browne-John said: ”The inaugural ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in South Africa 2023 is a significant global event in the continued pathway development of women’s cricket. This event will provide an opportunity for girls to develop and showcase their skills. This year’s U19s Rising Stars tournament is an important step towards this goal. It will not only provide an opportunity for players to be part of West Indies Women’s history as we prepare for the World Cup, but also present a wider pool of Rising Stars to be developed to ensure a bright future for the senior West Indies Women’s team.”

Tournament Director and former West Indies Women’s captain Merissa Aguilleira said: “This tournament is very important knowing that we have the first ever ICC Women’s U19 World Cup next year in South Africa to look forward to. Exposing this pool of players to the international level will feed into the senior players pool, which is currently small, ultimately leading to an improvement of competitiveness for spots on the West Indies Women’s team. The players are excited to start competition, they’ve been very enthusiastic about the tournament. The addition of Team USA will add healthy competition for the regional teams. I am happy to see USA cricket making this investment in women’s cricket and must commend CWI for inviting them as part of their continued wider long-term strategic partnership.”

USA Cricket Board Member and Women and Girls Committee Chair, Nadia Gruny said, “We’re very excited that our U19s are a part of the U19s Rising Stars T20 Championship as part of our preparation for the first ever U19 Women’s World Cup in South Africa, which is only 6 months away now. We’re happy to continue building on our strong relationship with Cricket West Indies. Our USA men have enjoyed participation in CWI’s regional competitions in the past and we’re pleased that for the very first time, we’re able to provide this opportunity to our young women at this time.”

The CWI Women’s U19s Rising Stars tournament is part of CWI’s “Summer of Cricket” featuring matches at all levels from June to September. The event will see three matches per venue eachday, at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex starting at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica Time) and at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy starting at 10am (9am Jamaica Time) and 2:30pm (1:30pm Jamaica Time). LIVE ball-by-ball scoring of each game will be available through the www.windiescricket.com match centre. CWI will be live streaming two featured matches per day via the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.

FULL SQUADS

BARBADOS: Trishan Holder (Captain), Elecia Bowman, Eboni Brathwaite, Gleneisha Cadogan, Asabi Callender, Zaliya Campbell, Dicoreya Collymore, Naijanni Cumberbatch, Erin Deane, Theanny Herbert-Mayers, Solange Holford, Krisanne Howell, Camia Matthew-Brome, Nia Wood.

GUYANA: Ashmini Munisar (Captain), Realeanna Grimmond, Sarah Amin, Naomi Barkoye, Melanie Dover, Niveena Ramnauth, Lavina Ragobeer, Leah Kamalall, Crystal Durant, Trisha Hardat, Lakshmi Mahadeo, Darshanie Subramanie, Jamie Campbell, Cyanna Retemiah

JAMAICA: Jaunel Deers (Captain), Brianna Plummer, Kerry-Ann Spencer, Tianna Samuels, Tasha-Gaye Gordon, Kimarie Campbell, Kate Wilmot, Kade Wilmot, Chrishana McKenzie, Breanna Gordon, Judeen Ebanks, Lena Scott, Gabrielle Bryan, Aneisha Miller.

LEEWARD ISLANDS: Latchmi Cyril (Captain), Kimberly Anthony, Shelliqua Carmichael, Berniecia Huggins, Jahzara Claxton, Trishanie Warner, Sarah Ghandeo, J’Cazenique Hodge, Carlisa Pluck, Gabrielle Harrylall, Johanna Humphreys, Ruchira Daly, Sheanna Wallace, Courtney Browne.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Shalini Samaroo, Ameila Khan, Aniaya Roberts, Arianne Neaves, Djenaba Joseph, KD Jazz Mitchell, Katrina Ruben, Kenika Cassar, Kiara Ruben, Kirah Manpaul, Maria La Foucade, Samara Ramnath, Shunelle Sawh, Zakiyah Harrilal.

USA: Geetika Kodali (Captain), Anika Kolan, Chetnaa Prasad, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Disha Dhingra, Isani Vaghela, Jivana Aras, Laasya Mullapudi, Lisa Ramjit, Mitali Patwardhan, Suhani Thadani, Snigdha Paul, Tya Gonsalves, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni.

WINDWARD ISLANDS: Zaida James (Captain), Selena Ross, Destiny Edward, Namiah Marcellin, Crisa Smith, Neisha Cherry, Natalia Philip. Abini St. Jean, Earnisha Fontaine, Britney Pascal, Jannellia Glasgow, Shey-Ann Gaynes, Denella Creese, Nesha Alexander.

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE

Tuesday, July 5

Guyana vs Barbados at Diego Martin Sporting Complex – 9:30am

Jamaica vs USA at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 10am

Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 2:30pm

Wednesday, July 6

Windward Islands vs USA at Diego Martin Sporting Complex – 9:30am

Leeward Islands vs Guyana at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 10am

Trinidad & Tobago vs Barbados at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 2:30pm

Friday, July 8

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands at Diego Martin Sporting Complex – 9:30am

Barbados vs USA at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 10am

Jamaica vs Guyana at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 2:30pm

Saturday, July 9

Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago at Diego Martin Sporting Complex – 9:30am

Leeward Islands vs USA at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 10am

Windward Islands vs Barbados at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 2:30pm

Sunday, July 10

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica at Diego Martin Sporting Complex – 9:30am

Monday, July 11

Leeward Islands vs Barbados at Diego Martin Sporting Complex – 9:30am

Windward Islands vs Jamaica at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 10am

Guyana vs Trinidad & Tobago at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 2:30pm

Tuesday, July 12

Guyana vs USA at Diego Martin Sporting Complex – 9:30am,

Jamaica vs Barbados at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 10am

Windward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 2:30pm

Wednesday, July 13

Trinidad & Tobago vs USA at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 10am

Guyana vs Windward Islands at Brian Lara Cricket Academy – 2:30pm

The post CWI WOMEN’S U19 RISING STARS T20 CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLS OFF IN TRINIDAD appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Fuad Hashim Rabbani presided over an important meeting to review arrangements and other details of South Asian Games 2023 at Secretary Office Punjab Stadium on Thursday.

The establishment of South Asian Games 2023 Secretariat in Lahore, venues, transportation, accommodation and other facilities were discussed in detail during the important meeting.

Additional Secretary Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Syed Waqar ul Hasan, Director General Pakistan Sports Board Col (retd) Asif Zaman, Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan, Secretary POA Khalid Mehmood, Joint Secretary IPC Fayyaz, Deputy Secretary POA M Jahangir, Associate Secretary POA Ahmer Malik, Treasurer POA M Shafiq, Director Pakistan Coaching Centre Nasrullah, Secretary Punjab Olympic Association Idris Haider Khawaja, Staff Officer PSB Musa Haseeb and other officials attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Fuad Hashim Rabbani said that overall 27 sports disciplines will be competed in South Asian Games 2023 out of which 14 will be staged in Lahore. “The venues of two sports disciplines will be decided in the coming days”.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Fuad Hashim Rabbani further said that best accommodation and other facilities will be provided to all participating international contingents and their officials during the South Asian Games 2023. “We will make top class arrangements for the mega event. The holding of South Asian Games in Pakistan will portray country’s soft image among the international community,” he added.

Additional Secretary IPC Syed Waqar ul Hasan on this occasion said that the international sports stars will be provided best security and other facilities during SAG 2023. He said Pakistan is a peaceful and sports loving country where all international sports events could be organized quite smoothly. “The sports culture will further grow in our country after the successful holding of the South Asian Games”.

Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan said Sports Board Punjab will fully cooperate for the holding of South Asian Games 2023. “South Asian Games is a major sports event and definitely it will play a key role in the promotion of sports culture in the country”.

The post Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Fuad Hashim Rabbani presides over an important meeting to review arrangements and other details of South Asian Games 2023 Overall 27 sports disciplines will be competed in South Asian Games 2023 out of which 14 will be staged in Lahore appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

The Pakistan Federation Baseball is hosting a three-match series between the national women’s baseball teams of Pakistan and Malaysia. In this regard, on Saturday 26-03-2022 at one o’clock at Sajjal Office National Hockey Stadium, Malaysia Women’s Baseball Team Captain Noor Ayesha Bint Samin and Pakistan Women’s Baseball Team Captain Zainab Riaz hold an important Press Conference regarding the Women’s Baseball Series.

Syed Fakhar Ali Shah President of Pakistan Federation Baseball and Sazali Bin Husain President of Malaysia Baseball Federation will also be present on the occasion. You are requested to kindly cover this Press Conference.

The post PRESS CONFERENCE_INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S BASEBALL SERIES 2022 PAKISTAN appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

Cricket West Indies Lead Selector for Women’s Cricket, Mrs. Ann Browne-John will be available to speak to the media on Sunday February 20 at 9:00am local time (4:00pm Eastern Caribbean Time/3:00pm Jamaica Time).

Please see below for zoom link and login details.

Attendee: Mrs. Ann Browne-John, CWI’s Lead Selector for Women’s Cricket

Date and Time: Sunday February 20, 9:00am local time (4:00pm Eastern Caribbean Time/3:00pm Jamaica Time).

Zoom link and password:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9625507572?pwd=S3QvSnJJT0RJSDBjSFZzVUgzQkFmQT09

Meeting ID: 962 550 7572

Passcode: WIWOMEN

The post Invitation to Media Interaction with CWI’s Lead Selector for Women’s Cricket, Ann Browne-John appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

The national cricketer will be able to earn up to Rs 3 million in a season as the new system is based on performance and seniority.

Talking to media on video link, Nadeem Khan said that politicians and government employees would not be allowed to participate in club elections while setting a two-year term for club officials would be beneficial.

No official will be able to hold on to the post for long while the new official coming after the stipulated period will also be a member of the club which will reduce the problems of the players.

Nadeem Khan said that PCB Club wants to promote cricket for which the services of experienced and professional coaches of High Performance Center will be sought so that uniform standard of coaching can be established across the country and from grass root level. A kind of coaching structure should be implemented up to the national level while the arrival of coaches in club cricket will also pave the way for jobs for former players.

He said that clubs would be scrutinized regularly and each club would have its own ground which would eliminate the possibility of bogus clubs.

Nadeem Khan said that he has increased the salaries in the central contract and reduced the match fee so that 80% of the players can benefit and although the players in the D category will be slightly at a loss but they have improved the category by performing better.

Admitting the mistake of equal compensation for senior and junior players last year, he said that this time a system based on performance and seniority has been implemented which will benefit most of the players. He emphasized on the promotion of school cricket. He clarified that now the clubs will be able to run their own academies and the strict conditions for voting rights will benefit in many ways.

The post Board’s model constitution will end the politics of club cricket, says Nadeem Khan appeared first on Sportslinkpk.

Delhi:Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has called for cricket to be used as a tool to improve relations between India and Pakistan and for politics to be kept away from sports.

Cricket has been a victim of the tense relations between the two neighbouring countries, who have not played a full bilateral series since 2007.

“Due to lack of international cricket between the two countries, we now play either in the ICC tournaments or the events such as Ice Cricket,” Afridi told Wisden India, as he shared his recent experience of playing alongside Indian cricketers in an exhibition tournament in Switzerland.

“I believe politics should be kept away from sports. It should rather be used as a tool to improve relations between the countries. Sport is something which can play a big role in bringing peace,” he stressed.

Afridi captained the Royals in a two-match T20 series which was played in sub-zero temperatures in the Swiss Alps. Among the stars who featured in the tournament were Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, and Ajit Agarkar.

“It was nice to meet and play with players from India after a long time,” Afridi reminisced. “That was something very positive about the tournament and I think it should continue. Both countries should also be playing international cricket against each other.”

Apart from a short limited-overs series in India in 2012-13, Pakistan and India have not met outside of World Cups, World T20s or Asia Cups.

Afridi, who continues to be in blistering form in T20 cricket, said he is focused on the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League, which starts in Dubai from February 22.

“I have started to practice for the PSL. I have reduced my other activities and am focusing more on the PSL. Hopefully, the upcoming season will be good for me,” said the all-rounder, who will be in action for Karachi Kings for the first time.

The PSL action will return to Pakistan towards the end of the tournament, with Lahore set to host two playoffs and Karachi ready to hold the final.

“The situation in Pakistan is much better now,” said Afridi. “It’s good to know that cricket is returning to Pakistan. This year, there will be two playoffs in Lahore and then the final in Karachi. It’s going to be a huge moment for the people of Karachi. It’s a positive sign and message to the world.”

The post Politics should be kept away from sports:Afridi appeared first on Sportslinkpk.