Pakistan outplayed by South Africa in first ODI

LOEMFONTEIN: Pakistan were defeated by a big margin of 125 runs against South Africa in the first One-day International here at the Chevrolet Park on Sunday.

Chasing a huge target of 316, Pakistan batsmen could not resist against the South African bowlers and were all out for 190 in 36.2 overs.

Pakistan made a bright start with Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed putting on 42 for the first wicket off 43 balls before they suffered a double blow.

Jamshed was caught at slip by Graeme Smith off Rory Kleinveldt for 25 and Hafeez fell for the same score in unlucky fashion when a drive by Younis Khan was deflected by bowler Kleinveldt into the stumps for Hafeez to be run out.

Asad Shafiq fell cheaply and Pakistan were unable to build substantial partnerships with captain Misbah-ul-Haq top-scoring with 38.

Shahid Afridi hit 34 off 16 balls before he was last man out but his innings was never likely to alter the outcome. Afridi hit three sixes, including a massive strike which sailed out of the ground and into a car park.

Kleinveldt, whose first two balls were hit for four, came back strongly to finish with four for 22 in 5.2 overs, while Ryan McLaren took three for 19.

Earlier, Colin Ingram smashed an unbeaten century as South Africa piled up 315 for four after being sent in to bat.

The left-handed Ingram made 105 not out off 103 balls with ten fours. It was his third one-day international century and his second against Pakistan.

He shared partnerships of 120 for the third wicket with captain AB de Villiers (65), 62 for the fourth wicket with Faf du Plessis (26) and 50 off only 23 balls with Farhaan Behardien, who hammered 34 not out off 14 deliveries.

Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla set an aggressive tone with an opening partnership of 72 after South Africa were sent in, with both batsmen going for their shots against Junaid Khan and Umar Gul despite the Pakistan new ball bowlers getting some early assistance from the pitch.

The win gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second match will be played in Centurion on Friday.

Hewitt ousts Isner at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California: Lleyton Hewitt, who won Indian Wells Masters titles in 2002 and 2003, rallied to topple 2012 finalist John Isner Saturday in the second round.

The Australian veteran saved all four break points he faced en route to a 6-7 (6/8) 6-3, 6-4 victory in two hours and 23 minutes.

The 32-year-old Aussie will face Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in the round of 16.

Hewitt, now ranked 98th in the world, won the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament in the build-up to the Australian Open in January, but he hadn't put together back-to-back wins on the ATP Tour this year.

He beat Czech Lukas Rosol in three sets in the first round, as Isner received a first-round bye.

The big-serving American peppered Hewitt with 18 aces, but was broken twice.

Isner fended off three match points in the final game before Hewitt closed it out with a forehand winner. (AFP)

Palejo, Mengal as caretaker PM are Nisar’s brainchild: Haideri

OKARA: JUI-F leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri has said that naming Rasool Bux Palejo and Ataullah Mengal for caretaker prime minister is Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s brainchild.

Talking to media here on Sunday, Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that opposition parties have agreement on the names of Justice (retd) Shakirullah Jan and Justice (retd) Aslam Zahid.

He said that the government should hold peace talks with the Taliban.

The JUI-F leader further said that his party could agree upon seats adjustment with any political party. The political situation would change after the formation of caretaker government, he added.

Bishop Marshall appeals Christian community to remain calm

LAHORE: National Council of Churches in Pakistan President Bishop Dr Azad Marshall has appealed the Christian community to remain calm.

In a statement issued here on Sunday‚ Marshall said the Christian Community is peaceful and loves Pakistan.

He hoped that Punjab government would bring to book the culprits of the Badami Bagh incident.

Marshall also appealed the community to cooperate with the administration for bringing the culprits of the incident to justice.

ECP not independent sans authority: Shujaat

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Q President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Sunday said since the Election Commission of Pakistan does not enjoy administrative authority, it would make no sense if the Commission is called an independent body.

In a statement issued here, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said under the present practice, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) cannot even issue an administrative order to the District Police Officer let alone the Chief Secretary or IG Police.

"Even if the CEC does issue an order, there is no way to ensure its implementation," he added.

Missionary schools to remain shut in Karachi, Quetta Monday

KARACHI/QUETTA: All Missinoary Schools will remain closed in Karachi and Quetta on Monday following the destruction unleashed by an unruly mob in Lahore's Joseph Colony inhabited by members of Christian community.

Chairman Catholic Board has announced that the Missionary Schools will remains closed in Karachi on Monday.
A similar announcement has also been made in Quetta in reaction to the tragic incident that took place on Saturday in Joseph Colony where over 175 houses and shops were torched and damaged by an angry mob over an alleged act of blasphemy.

PTI manifesto will be unveiled on March 23: Imran Khan

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said Sunday that the party’s manifesto would be unveiled on March 23 at the Minar-e-Pakistan.
Addressing a rally here, the PTI chairman said if elected his party would resolve the terrorism issue through dialogue.

According to Khan, the PTI was the first party, which was not based on family dynasties and ordinary members were given the opportunity to become party leaders.
The PTI chairman said that the biggest problem faced by Pakistan was corruption and incompetent leadership. Imran Khan also condemned the Quetta and Badami Bagh incidents.
During his address, Khan also announced that the party had started the Tabdeeli Razakar (Volunteer Change) program. Under the program volunteers would ensure that election fraud does not take place.

Joseph Colony: CJ takes suo moto notice

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of  Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has taken notice of the mob attack in Joseph Colony which is located in Badami Bagh, Lahore.

The apex court has summoned Inspector General Punjab Police and Advocate General on Monday. The IGP Punjab and Advocate General have been directed by the Chief Justice to appear with the report pertaining to the incident.
Over 100 homes in the Christian neighbourhood were ransacked and set ablaze by an angry mob on March 9 after an individual from the area was accused of blasphemy.

South Africa amass 315-4 against Pakistan in first ODI

BLOEMFONTEIN: Colin Ingram smashed an unbeaten century as South Africa piled up 315 for four in the first one-day international against Pakistan here at the Chevrolet Park on Sunday.

The left-handed Ingram made 105 not out off 103 balls with ten fours. It was his third one-day international century and his second against Pakistan.

He shared partnerships of 120 for the third wicket with captain AB de Villiers (65), 62 for the fourth wicket with Faf du Plessis (26) and an unbeaten 50 off only 23 balls with Farhaan Behardien, who hammered 34 not out off 14 deliveries.

After Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and put South Africa into bat, the Proteas piled up a massive 315 runs for the loss of only four wickets in the 50 overs.

Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla set an aggressive tone with an opening partnership of 72 after South Africa were sent in, with both batsmen going for their shots against Junaid Khan and Umar Gul despite the Pakistan new ball bowlers getting some early assistance from the pitch.

The South Africans opted for the batting power play immediately after the compulsory first ten overs but lost Smith when he gloved an attempted reverse sweep to be caught behind off Saeed Ajmal, one of four spin bowlers in the six-man bowling attack, for 30.

Amla made 43 before he was caught at deep square leg off Mohammad Hafeez.

De Villiers and Ingram then set South Africa on the way to a big total with a run-a-ball stand during which they kept the score moving quickly against the Pakistan spin bowlers with deft placement and good running between wickets.

Blast kills child in Khyber Agency

PESHAWAR: A child was killed in a blast in Landi Kotal area of Khyber Agency near Pakistan's tribal belt which borders war-stricken Afghanistan.

Geo News correspondent said explosive material was placed next to a house located near a mosque.

The house was partially damaged in the explosion. Paramilitary troops rushed to spot and cordoned off the area.

Joseph Colony incident conspiracy to tarnish Pakistan's image: Shahbaz

LAHORE Pakistan: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the burning and ransacking of Christian homes was a conspiracy to tarnish Pakistan’s image.

During a meeting on the Joseph Colony incident, Sharif said there was no justification for such an act and the perpetrators would be brought to justice. Sharif directed that the charge sheet against those arrested should be presented in an anti-terrorism court.

The chief minister added that the repair of homes would begin soon and a case by case review will be held of property damage.
A mob on March 9 set fire to over 100 homes of Christians in Joseph Colony in the Badami Bagh area over alleged blasphemy by Sawan Masih.

Ready to rebuild Josephy Colony homes free of cost: Riaz

ISLAMABAD: Business tycoon, Malik Raiz said Sunday that if given permission by the Punjab government he was ready to construct homes which were ransacked and burnt by an angry mob in the Joseph Colony area of Badami Bagh.

In a statement the former Bahria Town Chairman has asked the Punjab government to give necessary approvals and permission to rebuild the homes of the Joseph Colony tragedy.

According to the statement, the homes will be rebuilt free of cost and the work can start within 24 hours. The reconstruction process will be completed within 45 days.

MPA Pervaiz Rafiq resigns over Joseph Colony incident

LAHORE: In protest to the ransacking and burning of homes in Joseph Colony, Punjab Assembly MPA Pervaiz Rafiq has resigned.

The minatory MPA from the PPP said the government had failed in providing security to minorities. He expressed sorrow over the repeated attacks against minority communities in Pakistan.

Rafiq added that he would submit his resignation in the Punjab Assembly Secretariat soon.

US drone kills two in North Waziristan

MIRANSHAH: A US drone fired missiles in Pakistan at North Waziristan near Afghan border, killing at least two people, Pakistan News Reported

Sources said that the unmanned aircraft targeted a residential compound in Muhammad Khel village of Tehseel Boya.

The sources said that the house was complete destroyed in the strike while locals were busy in removing debris. Identities of the deceased were yet to be known.

Pakistan publicly denounces the US drone strikes in its tribal belt and terms them violation of its sovereignty.