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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may not get any handsome sponsorship for the senior national team, which currently touring England, mainly due to weak financial position of the market in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A sizeable sponsorship deal is essential at this stage for the Pakistan team which is not displaying any sponsor’s logo at the moment on its kits. The PCB may be forced to sign even a one-year deal instead of the customary three-year deals in the past because of the extraordinary circumstances of the financial sector due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The previous three-year deal with a renowned beverages company expired in March this year and that company has reportedly not shown further interest to extend the sponsorship as its partnership agreement with the PCB spanning over two decades has finished.
The PCB fetched a handsome $8.5 million from the last three-year deal with the beverages company but according to reports, the market response now is considerably poor from the business houses and the Board may sign only a one-year deal amounting to something like $1.2m.
During the one year, besides the current series against England, Pakistan have to tour New Zealand and South Africa besides hosting the Zimbabwe.
It may be mentioned that this year the PCB also have to sign deals for the media rights, title sponsorship but due to Covid-19, it will be a test of the abilities of the PCB and its marketing department to negotiate well with the broadcasters and lure in the sponsors for Pakistan cricket.
Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1568391/pcb-yet-to-to-attract-major-sponsorship-deal-for-national-team
SOUTHAMPTON: Roston Chase proved a thorn in England’s side once again as West Indies strengthened their grip on the first Test at Southampton on Saturday.
England were 168-3 in their second innings at tea on the fourth day at the Ageas Bowl, just 54 runs ahead of West Indies’ first innings 318.
Chase had taken 2-45 in 19 overs, although both Rory Burns and Joe Denly donated their wickets to the off-spinner.
And in between their exits, Dom Sibley — bowled off a no-ball immediately after completing his half century — fell for exactly fifty when he was caught down the leg-side off Shannon Gabriel.
Zak Crawley was 38 not out, with England stand-in captain Ben Stokes yet to get off the mark.
All-rounder Stokes, leading the side in the absence of Joe Root, had top-scored with 43 in England’s lowly first-innings 204.
The paceman, second to West Indies captain Jason Holder in the ICC’s Test all-rounder rankings, then led from the front with the ball as well by taking 4-49.
England resumed on Saturday on 15-0 in ideal sunny batting conditions on a placid pitch.
West Indies were without a frontline spinner after omitting Rahkeem Cornwall.
But they could call upon Chase, who although a batting all-rounder took a Test-best 8-60 when West Indies beat England at his Barbados home ground last year en route to a 2-1 series win.
And having already made 47 in this match, he removed well-set opener Burns for 42 when the left-hander saw a careless cut caught at backward point to end a first-wicket stand of 72.
Sibley pressed on to a painstaking fifty off 161 balls. The very next delivery saw Sibley play on to Gabriel only for third umpire Michael Gough to rule the fast bowler had over-stepped.
It was a desperately close no-ball call but, two balls later, Sibley glanced fast bowler Gabriel to diving wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich and was out for exactly 50.
This was not the first time in his seven Tests Sibley had been caught down the leg-side, with England fast bowler Jofra Archer also dismissing him in similar fashion during an intra-squad warm-up match.
Denly, averaging under 30 in Test cricket and needing a big score to cement his place in the side, then undid all his hard work by tamely chipping Chase to Holder at short midwicket.
Late on Friday, Chase and Dowrich stitched together an 81-run partnership to give the visitors control of the match before Chase was trapped lbw by James Anderson for 47, with the on-field umpire’s not out decision overturned on review.
Holder was dismissed by Stokes for five before Alzarri Joseph departed for a quickfire 18 with his stumps sent cartwheeling by Stokes for his 150th Test wicket.
Dowrich’s 115-ball vigil came to an end when he was strangled down the leg-side by Stokes, feathering an edge to wicket-keeper Jos Buttler for 61. West Indies’ innings came to an end when Gabriel was bowled by seamer Mark Wood.
Shamarh Brooks struck six boundaries in his lively 39 from 71 balls before he edged to Buttler off Anderson with his review unsuccessful.
Scoreboard
ENGLAND (1st Innings) 204 (B.A. Stokes 43; J.O. Holder 6-42, S.T. Gabriel 4-62).
WEST INDIES (1st Innings):
K.C. Brathwaite lbw b Stokes 65
J.D. Campbell lbw b Anderson 28
S.D. Hope c Stokes b Bess 16
S.S.J. Brooks c Buttler b Anderson 39
R.L. Chase lbw b Anderson 47
J. Blackwood c Anderson b Bess 12
S.O. Dowrich c Buttler b Stokes 61
J.O. Holder c Archer b Stokes 5
A.S. Joseph b Stokes 18
K.A.J. Roach not out 1
S.T. Gabriel b Wood 4
EXTRAS (LB-21, NB-1) 22
TOTAL (all out, 102 overs) 318
FALL OF WKTS: 1-43, 2-102, 3-140, 4-173, 5-186, 6-267, 7-281, 8-306, 9-313.
BOWLING: Anderson 25-1-62-3; Archer 22-3-61-0 (1nb); Wood 22-2-74-1; Stokes 14-5-49-4; Bess 19-5-51-2.
ENGLAND (2nd Innings, overnight 15-0):
R.J. Burns c Campbell b Chase 42
D.P. Sibley c Dowrich b Gabriel 50
J.L. Denly c Holder b Chase 29
Z. Crawley not out 38
B.A. Stokes not out 0
EXTRAS (LB-8, NB-1) 9
TOTAL (for three wkts, 70 overs) 168
FALL OF WKTS: 1-72, 2-113, 3-151.
BOWLING (to-date): Roach 16-7-32-0; Gabriel 12-2-34-1 (1nb); Holder 12-6-23-0; Chase 19-6-45-2; Joseph 10-0-23-0; Brathwaite 1-0-3-0.
Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1568393/chase-keeps-west-indies-on-top-in-first-england-test
LAHORE: After a lapse of four months, finally the tickets refund process of 10 HBL Pakistan Super League matches which were abandoned due to rain, played behind closed doors or rescheduled due to coronavirus pandemic, commences on Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday.
The refund process ends on Aug 29.
“The refund will be carried out in two phases. During the first phase, which runs from July 13 to Aug 5, the tickets of the five group matches — held behind closed doors — along with the Feb 29 washed-out contest in Rawalpindi will be returned. The second phase will run from Aug 6-29 during which the tickets of the Qualifier, two Eliminators and the final will be repaid,” said a press release issued by the PCB on Saturday.
“The six-week refund process is the only opportunity for all customers to receive their refunds. The tickets will be processed daily from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm from the designated TCS Express Centres in Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Burewala, Chakwal, DG Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Jhang, Karachi, Khanewal, Lahore, Layyah, Lodhran, Mian Channu, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Rahim Yar Khan, Raiwind, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sialkot, Sukkur and Vehari,” the PCB press release added.
“To avail the cash refund, the ticket holders will be required to provide original, non-tampered tickets which will be validated by the TCS staff.
“To curb the spread of Covid-19, wearing masks has been made mandatory for entering the TCS Express Centres for the ticket holders and they will be required to strictly adhere to the government provided guidelines,’ it further stated.
Meanwhile, PSL Project Executive Shoaib Naveed said: “It has taken some time for us to initiate the tickets refund process, but I hope fans will understand that we had to cover all our bases due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in the country. I request all the ticket holders to ensure that they follow the government SOPs and maintain social distancing.”
The PCB will announce the tickets details when the remaining four matches are rescheduled.
Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1568397/psl-tickets-refund-starts-tomorrow
LONDON: Jack Charlton, an uncompromising central defender who played alongside his brother, Bobby, in England's World Cup-winning side in 1966 before enjoying coaching success with Ireland, has died. He was 85.
Nicknamed Big Jack, Charlton was Footballer of the Year in England in 1967. He spent all his club career at Leeds from 1952-73, tying its all-time record of 773 appearances. He won every domestic honour, including the league title in 1969.
Charlton also enjoyed a successful spell as manager of the Republic of Ireland acquiring the nickname ‘Saint Jack’ for guiding them to several major finals including the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals.
A family statement said Charlton died peacefully on Friday at his home in Northumberland, northern England.
We cannot express how proud we are of the extraordinary life he led and the pleasure he brought to so many people in different countries and from all walks of life,” read the statement.
“He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people. His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories.”
Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1568394/jack-charlton-passes-away
LONDON: Liverpool’s bid to set a new Premier League points record was rocked by a 1-1 draw against Burnley, while Norwich City were relegated as Michail Antonio’s four-goal blitz fired West Ham United to a thumping win on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are chasing the record total of 100 points set by Manchester City in 2018, but the champions have no margin for error after being held at Anfield for the first time this season.
They have 93 points and need to win their remaining three matches against Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle to break City’s record.
They would tie the 100-point mark if they win two and draw one of those matches.
Liverpool took the lead when Andrew Robertson met Fabinho’s lofted pass with a powerful header in the 34th minute.
But they wasted chances to increase their lead, with Roberto Firmino hitting the post before Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah fired wide.
They were made to pay for those misses in the 69th minute.
Liverpool were unhinged by a long free-kick into their area as James Tarkowski’s header found Jay Rodriguez, who drilled a superb low strike past Alisson Becker.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson almost won it for Burnley when he hit the bar in the final minutes.
It was the first time Liverpool had failed to win a home league game since January 2019.
At Carrow Road, a seventh successive league defeat condemned Norwich to relegation as Antonio’s ruthless display boosted West Ham’s own survival bid after a 4-0 victory.
Daniel Farke’s side are 13 points from safety with only three games left, meaning they are certain to make an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s promotion campaign.
The Canaries have set an unwanted record with a fifth Premier League relegation after going down on four previous occasions in 1995, 2005, 2014 and 2016.
West Ham’s second win in four games was a huge lift to their hopes of staying up.
David Moyes’ side are six points above the bottom three with three games left against Watford, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
The early signs were ominous for Norwich as West Ham took the lead in the 11th minute.
Arriving to meet Issa Diop’s flick from Jarrod Bowen’s corner, Antonio volleyed into the roof of the net from close range for his third goal in his last four games.—Agencies
Norwich were surrendering with a whimper and Antonio pushed them closer to the relegation trap door in first-half stoppage-time.
Rising above the meek challenge of two Norwich defenders, Antonio glanced his header into the far corner from Mark Noble’s free-kick.
Antonio completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute, looping a header into the net after Tim Krul saved his initial effort.
Antonio completed a memorable performance with his fourth goal in the 74th minute, coolly finishing from Ryan Fredericks’ cross.
Troy Deeney scored two penalties as Watford improved their survival prospects with a 2-1 win against Newcastle United at Vicarage Road.
Newcastle snatched the lead in the 23rd minute when Matt Ritchie’s corner was flicked on by Federico Fernandez and Dwight Gayle bundled home at the far post for his third goal of the season.
But Deeney pulled Watford level seven minutes after the restart.
Kiko Femenia was clipped inside the area by Ritchie and Deeney smashed the penalty past Martin Dubravka.
In the 82nd minute, Javier Manquillo brought down Ismaila Sarr and Deeney stepped up again to bury his second penalty.
Fourth-bottom Watford are now six points clear of third-bottom AFC Bournemouth, who face Leicester City on Sunday.
Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1568392/burnley-dent-liverpools-record-bid-norwich-relegated
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