Pakistan trounce China to take series

FAISALABAD: Pakistan on Saturday emerged victorious in a four-match series with China, the first international hockey in the troubled country since 2004.

Pakistan notched up a 3-1 victory after taking the first two meetings in the port city Karachi earlier this week by 3-0 and 5-3.

Their final match will be played in Lahore on Sunday, but Saturday’s win gives Pakistan the series’ title.

Before a home crowd in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistani forward Ali Shan struck in the second minute of the match, scoring a field goal to give the hosts an early lead in the series’ third encounter.

Vice-captain Shakeel Abbasi doubled Pakistan’s lead with another field goal in the 21st minute.

Chinese Liu Yixian converted a penalty corner in the 61st minute to give the visitors their only goal of the match.

Pakistan’s Waqas Sharif drew another field goal in the 64th minute to help his side cap their victory.

Read more »

Posted in: SPORTS

PCB zeroes in on Whatmore as hunt for head coach continues

KARACHI: Australian Dav Whatmore is the front runner to be appointed Pakistan coach, a senior Pakistan Cricket Board official said on Saturday.

Whatmore, who led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 World Cup, is currently in charge of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League.

“Whatmore is due to come to Pakistan sometime next month to discuss issues relating to our search for a head coach,” PCB senior board official, Subhan Ahmad said.

“It would be premature to say we have taken a decision to appoint Whatmore as head coach but we are in the process of interviewing candidates and Whatmore is a front runner.”

The 57-year-old Whatmore, who played seven tests for Australia, has also enjoyed a successful coaching spell with Bangladesh, leading them to their first test match and subsequent series win in 2005.

Whatmore came close to being appointed Pakistan coach in 2007 before the PCB selected his compatriot Geoff Lawson.

Pakistan face England in a test and one-day series starting next month with interim coach and chief selector Mohsin Khan continuing to lead the side.

Mohsin was in charge for the recent test series victories over Bangladesh and Sri Lanka after Waqar Younis resigned as head coach in September due to personal and health reasons.

Read more »

Posted in: SPORTS