Pakistan exploring alternate ‘home’ venues outside UAE

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board chief Najam Sethi has said that he is exploring alternate venues for hosting the national team’s home series outside the UAE and Malaysia is one option. Sethi said that with reports of more leagues to be held in the UAE emerging, it would not be possible for Pakistan to continue playing in Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi.

“We have started looking at alternate venues for our home and PSL matches and I am going in March to Malaysia to see the grounds and facilities there and if everything works out well then obviously we see Malaysia as a venue which can host our international home series and the PSL as well,” he said.

The PCB reportedly is not happy that the Emirates Cricket Board has given permission for the Afghanistan Cricket Board to launch its T20 league in Dubai and Sharjah. There are also plans to hold another edition of the T10 league in the UAE this year.

UAE BEAT NAMIBIA

NEWDELHI: United Arab Emirates have qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 in Zimbabwe after beating hosts Namibia by 19 runs in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2. Batting first, UAE scored 247/6 in 50 overs. Shaiman Anwar (77), Md Usman (59) and Ghulam Shabbar (44) contributed with crucial runs, as JJ Smit was the pick of the Namibia bowlers with three for 57.

KUBICA BACK IN F1

LONDON:Older and wiser is how a delighted Robert Kubica described himself as he returned to F1 when he joined his Williams team-mates at a presentation on Thursday. The 33-year-old has a new role as the team’s reserve and development driver.

“A lot of things have changed since when I was young like this,” the Pole said.