Sports Bulletin

SB REPORT ISLAMABAD (August 23, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday congratulated Zaheer Abbas on his inclusion into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, making him only the sixth Pakistan cricketer to join the exclusive company of 93 cricketers. Zaheer has been selected by a voting academy made up of current ICC Hall of Famers and prominent journalists, and joins compatriots Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram (all 2009) and Waqar Younis (2013). The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame includes 27 Australia cricketers, 28 England players, six India cricketers, three from New Zealand, four from South Africa, one Sri Lankan and 18 players from the West Indies. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “It is a matter of great honour and pride for Pakistan that Zaheer Abbas’s outstanding career achievements have been acknowledged by the game’s governing body. Thus, it gives me immense pleasure to congratulate Zed on behalf of millions of Pakistan cricket fans across the world for this recognition.” “It is appropriate that Zaheer be inducted into the elite group exactly 46 years after his magnificent 240 against England at The Oval in his 15th Test, which was his second double-century following the famous 274 at Edgbaston in 1971 in only his second Test. He would go on to score 235 not out and 215 against India (1978 and 1982) and every innings was a treat to watch and matched the other. “I am sure all those who watched Zaheer live in action will agree that when he batted, it was like a poetry in motion. It was his immaculate footwork backed up by superlative wrist work with an ability to consistently bisect the field that not only made him a run-machine but also one of the most attractive and graceful batsmen ever to grace this great game. “Zaheer had a huge positive impact on Pakistan cricket. After he had established himself as a household name in every cricket playing country, the younger generation fell in love with the sport and consequently, we produced a battery of champion world-class batsmen such as Javed Miandad, Mudassar Nazar, Mohsin Khan, Saleem Malik, Ramiz Raja, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Aamir Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam. “Zaheer’s contributions to cricket were beyond the field of play when as an administrator, he served the PCB and the ICC with respect and dignity. He richly deserves this recognition from the ICC, which hopefully will further inspire next generation of Pakistan cricketers.”

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (August 20, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today (Thursday) announced coaches for the National High Performance Centre and six Cricket Associations for the 2020-21 domestic cricket season following a comprehensive performance review. The list of coaches is headed by Pakistan’s fourth highest Test run-getter and second most runs scorer in ODIs, Mohammad Yousuf, who has been appointed as the batting coach at the National High Performance Centre (NHPC) in Lahore. Yousuf scored 7,530 Test and 9,720 ODI runs in a career spanning from 1998 to 2010. Joining Yousuf at the NHPC is former wicketkeeper Atiq-uz-Zaman and tear away fast bowler Mohammad Zahid. Atiq played a Test, three ODIs and 69 first-class matches from 1996 to 2007 and broke a longstanding record for the highest number of dismissals in a season in 2000-01 with 76 victims, while Zahid played five Tests, 11 ODIs and 43 first-class matches before a back injury cut short his promising career. Zahid is the only Pakistan bowler to take 10 or more wickets on Test debut. With Mushtaq Ahmed already working as spin bowling consultant, the NHPC is now fully loaded with experienced coaches to hone the skill and talent of promising young cricketers and prepare them for challenges at the highest level. Furthermore, these four coaches will also support and supplement the national teams’ player support personnel to help the elite cricketers continually improve their skills and prepare appropriately for success at international level. Mohammad Yousuf, former Pakistan captain: “My ambitions in making a career in coaching are an open secret but it was all about the timing and a proper roadmap for our future cricket in which I could contribute effectively. I believe this is the right time for me to start my second innings as I can sense the intent and optimism in the approach. “I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity and I firmly believe I can help young cricketers by transferring my knowledge and experience, which I have acquired after being part of one of the brightest and formidable eras of Pakistan cricket. “This will be an exciting and challenging task but I am up for it and look forward to making a meaningful contribution.” The PCB has also confirmed 36 coaches for the six Cricket Associations, which will feature in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (four-day first-class and three-day non first-class), National T20 Cup (first and second XIs), Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament (first and second XIs) and the National U19 cricket tournament (three-day and one-day). The performance review and recruitment process, which included survey, self- assessment, 360-assessment, panel interview and application process, was carried out by Grant Bradburn (Head of High Performance Coaching), Saqlain Mushtaq (Head of International Player Development) and Shahid Aslam (National Men’s Team Assistant). They submitted their recommendations to Director – High Performance, which were subsequently approved by the Chief Executive. Members of the PCB Cricket Committee were kept abreast of the process and developments. International stars added to the coaching panel are: Abdul Razzaq (46 Tests, 265 ODIs and 32 T20Is), Aizaz Cheema (seven Tests 14 ODIs and five T20Is), Basit Ali (19 Tests and 50 ODIs), Faisal Iqbal (26 Tests, 18 ODIs), Ghulam Ali (three ODIs and 167 first-class matches), Humayun Farhat (one Test and five ODIs), Irfan Fazil (one Test, one ODI) and Zafar Iqbal (eight ODIs). Besides these international cricketers, seven other former first-class cricketers will make their coaching debuts in the upcoming domestic season. They are: Aftab Khan, Aslam Qureshi, Fahad Masood, Habib Baloch, Hafiz Majid Jahangir, Hanif Malik, and Mohammad Sadiq. The coaches, who have been retained for the 2020-21 season, are: Abdul Rehman, Akram Raza, Bilal Ahmed, Fahad Akram, Hussain Khosa, Iqbal Imam, Kamran Khan, Mazhar Dinari, Mohammad Masroor, Mohammad Wasim, Rafatullah Mohmand, Saeed Anwar Junior, Sajjad Akbar, Samiullah Niazi, Saqib Faqir, Shahid Anwar, Shoaib Khan, Tahir Mahmood, Tanvir Shaukat, Wasim Haider and Zahoor Elahi. The coaches, whose contracts will not be renewed for the 2020-21 season, are: Arshad Khan, Raj Hans (both Balochistan), Ijaz Ahmed Junior, Naveed Anjum (both Central Punjab), Kabir Khan, Sajid Shah (both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Manzoor Elahi and Tahir Mahmood (both Northern), Azam Khan, Tauseef Ahmed, Shaukat Mirza (all Sindh) and Javed Hayat (Southern Punjab). Other changes in the NHPC coaching panel are: Abdul Majeed and Mansoor Rana (transferred to International Cricket department as fielding coach and team manager of the men’s national cricket team, respectively), Mohsin Kamal (released) and Mohtashim Rasheed (transferred as player support personnel with the Pakistan U19 cricket team). Saqlain Mushtaq, Head of International Player Development: “It has been a rigorous 360-degree review and recruitment process, and in the end, I am happy that we have been able to attract some of the very best ex-international and domestic performers strictly on merit of their coaching ability. I am convinced they will contribute selflessly in making our 2020-21 domestic season stronger and more competitive. “We have listened to our players and aim to provide a balance of the coaching they want and the coaching they need to take Pakistan to the top of world cricket. “We have been very conscious of coaching combinations, appointing where possible a blend of skill sets within each association, with succession planning also a strong consideration. “A number of newly-appointed coaches are known for playing an aggressive brand of positive cricket, and I hope they will induce the same spirit in their sides as we remain committed to closing the gap between our domestic cricket and international cricket.” Nadeem Khan, Director – High Performance: “I welcome all the new coaches who will be supported and trained to deliver the coaching our players require for success on the international stage. Our coaches will be respected leaders, hold strong relationships, be quality communicators and expert at creating winning plus learning environments. “I also want to thank all the outgoing coaches for their contributions and urge them to remain involved with this great game as the PCB is optimistic there will be future opportunities in the game, both as coaches and consultants. “When the PCB had launched the revamped domestic structure last year on 29 August, it had announced it was an evolving process and changes will be made to further strengthen the structure. Due to paucity of time last season, the coaches couldn’t be appointed through a review, analysis and recruitment process, which we have corrected this year.” National Men’s Selection Committee reshuffled Following changes of first XI head coaches, there has been a reshuffle in the men’s national selection committee. Abdul Razzaq (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Basit Ali (Sindh), Faisal Iqbal (Balochistan) and Shahid Anwar (Central Punjab) will now join Abdur Rehman (Southern Punjab) and Mohammad Wasim (Northern) in Misbah-ul-Haq’s men’s national selection panel. National High Performance Centre coaches Atiq-uz-Zaman (fielding/wicket-keeping coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting consultant/coach) and Mohammad Zahid (fast bowling coach). Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling consultant/coach, retained) Cricket Association coaches (2020-21 domestic season) Balochistan First XI – Faisal Iqbal (coach), Wasim Haider (assistant coach) Second XI – Habib Baloch (coach), Shoaib Khan (assistant coach) Under-19 – Hussain Khosa (coach), Mazhar Dinari (assistant coach) Central Punjab First XI – Shahid Anwar (coach), Samiullah Niazi (assistant coach) Second XI – Akram Raza (coach), Humayun Farhat (assistant coach) Under-19 – Tanvir Shaukat (coach), Irfan Fazil (assistant coach) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa First XI – Abdul Razzaq (coach), Aftab Khan (assistant coach) Second XI – Rafatullah Mohmand (coach), Aslam Qureshi (assistant coach) Under-19 – Saqib Faqir (coach), Mohammad Sadiq (assistant coach) Northern First XI – Mohammad Wasim (coach), Mohammad Masroor (assistant coach) Second XI – Fahad Masood (coach), Saeed Anwar Junior (assistant coach) Under-19 – Bilal Ahmed (coach), Fahad Akram (assistant coach) Sindh First XI – Basit Ali (coach), Iqbal Imam (assistant coach) Second XI – Ghulam Ali (coach), Zafar Iqbal (assistant coach) Under-19 – Tahir Mahmood (coach), Hanif Malik (assistant coach) Southern Punjab First XI – Abdul Rehman (coach), Aizaz Cheema (assistant coach) Second XI – Sajjad Akbar (coach), Zahoor Elahi (assistant coach) Under-19 – Kamran Khan (coach), Hafiz Majid Jahangir (assistant coach)

SB REPORT ISLAMABAD (August 18, 2020):-England National Selectors have named a 14-strong squad for the men’s three Vitality IT20s against Pakistan starting on Friday 28 August at Emirates Old Trafford. The three-match series will be played behind closed doors, in a bio-secure environment at the Manchester venue. England Men’s IT20 Squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Sam Billings (Kent), Tom Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire). Reserves: Pat Brown (Worcestershire), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey). Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith, said: “In this crowded international summer, players who are currently in the Test match bio-secure bubble for the Pakistan Test series are not included in this squad. (The IT20s begin three days after the scheduled last day of the final Test). We want to give multi-format players some opportunity to rest and refresh, while still selecting strong squads for every series. We will announce the squad for the Australia T20 series at a later date.” The England and Wales Cricket Board have also confirmed the coaching team for the Vitality IT20s against Pakistan. England assistant coach Graham Thorpe will assume the head coach role for the three-match series. He will be supported by assistant coach Paul Collingwood. Marcus Trescothick, who has been seconded from Somerset, has been appointed batting coach. England Young Lions coach Jon Lewis will be the bowling coach and is supported by former Pakistan international and bowling coach Azhar Mahmood. Former Essex wicketkeeper James Foster will take responsibility for the wicketkeepers. Schedule (T-20):- 1st IT20 v Pakistan: Friday 28 August at Emirates Old Trafford (6.00pm start) 2nd IT20 v Pakistan: Sunday 30 August at Emirates Old Trafford (2.00pm start) 3rd IT20 v Pakistan: Tuesday 1 September at Emirates Old Trafford (6.00pm start)

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (August 14, 2020):-The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today announced that Hampshire’s The Ageas Bowl and Lancashire’s Emirates Old Trafford will host England Men’s white-ball international matches behind closed doors later this summer against Australia. The Australian squad will arrive into the UK on 24 August, travelling to Derbyshire’s The Incora County Ground before transferring to The Ageas Bowl after England’s third Test match against Pakistan on 27 August. Australia will play a 50-over intra-squad practice game and three T20 practice matches before the start of the three-match Vitality IT20 series against England commencing on 4 September at The Ageas Bowl. The Southampton venue will host all three Vitality IT20s including matches on Sunday 6 September and Tuesday 8 September. The three Royal London Internationals will take place at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday 11 September, Sunday 13 September and the final match of the tour on Wednesday 16 September. The three ODIs will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “We owe a significant debt of gratitude to the players, staff and administrators of Cricket Australia for their efforts in getting this tour underway. Their co-operation to ensure these matches are staged is crucial to cricket in this country. It will also provide much-needed financial aid at all levels of cricket in England and Wales as we work through the challenges in front of us. “The rivalry between England and Australia is the pinnacle of sporting competition. The Vitality IT20s and the Royal London Series will be thrilling contests and a perfect way to culminate the men’s international season in this extraordinary summer. “I want to congratulate my colleagues at the ECB and the various bio-secure venues working tirelessly in unprecedented circumstances, as we work to ensure that all England men’s international fixtures are fulfilled during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In total, 18 international fixtures including six Test matches, six IT20s and six ODIs have been organised across two bio-secure venues, Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, which is testament to our efficient planning both from an operational and medical point of view. I’m very proud of what our game has achieved, and that cricket is seen as the standard-bearers in developing bio-secure sporting events to the highest of standards.” Cricket Australia interim Chief Executive Officer, Nick Hockley, added: “We are very excited to be heading to England and to get back into the international fray. We congratulate the ECB on leading the resumption of the game in a way that places the health and safety of players and staff at its core. “We would also like to thank the Australian Government for granting travel exemptions for the Australian men’s team, as well as all those who have worked tirelessly to put together a plan that allows for the tour to progress in a bio-secure way.” Schedule (T20): 1st IT20 v Australia: Friday 4 September at The Ageas Bowl (6.00pm start) 2nd IT20 v Australia: Sunday 6 September The Ageas Bowl (2.00pm start) 3rd IT20 v Australia: Tuesday 8 September The Ageas Bowl (6.00pm start) Royal London Series: 1st ODI v Australia: Friday 11 September at Emirates Old Trafford (1.00pm start) 2nd ODI v Australia: Sunday 13 September at Emirates Old Trafford (1.00pm start) 3rd ODI v Australia: Wednesday 16 September at Emirates Old Trafford (1.00pm start)  

By:-BIPIN   DANI Sri Lanka's two former cricketers- Mahela Jayawardene and Roshan Mahanama- attended the 3-hour long meeting with few of the SLC officials to discuss the improvement of School cricket. The two will be involved in improving the game of cricket at the grassroot level was first reported by us. The meeting, which took place at the Hotel Hilton residences was attended by the SLC CEO Ashley de Silva and few members of the cricket committee. Former cricketer Anura Tennekoon is the chairman of the committee. The meeting was also attended by Tim McCaskill, Head of National Cricket Development at Sri Lanka Cricket and Roger Wijesuriya, who looks after the structure of school cricket in Sri Lanka. Giving few suggestions and recommendations, the two stalwarts-Mahela and Mahanama- in consultation with McCaskill will prepare a detailed report and submit it to the SLC. "It will be an honorary service by Mahela and Mahanama", the source at the SLC revealed.

By  BIPIN   DANI  ICC's match-referee Chris Broad's decision to dock a fine of 15% of the match-fee to his son Stuart Broad for using inappropriate language in the first Test against Pakistan has reminded the former Kenyan middle order batsman Hitesh Modi the incident, when his dad, Subhash Modi, officiating an an umpire also didn't show "mercy" at him.   Hiten and Subhash Modi are the unique pair of son/father to appear as batsman and umpire in the same One-day International. Against Bangladesh at Nairobi in August 2006, father gave son out lbw. Reacting to the decision by sr. Broad, Hitesh Modi, now in England, says, "I think it’s very simple they (Chris and Stuart Broad) are both professionals who have been given a job to do and will act in the best interest of the game".  "He (Stuart) is a great cricketer, who recently completed 500 Test wickets. He shows his emotions on the field. All I can say is to keep cool and control his temper as he already has 3 demerit points within 24 months". "No one is greater than the noble game of cricket and he must respect opponents. My advice to him is : "you are one of the finest cricketers in the world but you have to be a fine sportsman to be loved by your team and your fans all around the world'.   Hitesh Modi admitted he was little upset when his father declared him LBW out. "To be honest I was upset at first and then I saw on TV that I was plumb so I had no reason to be upset with dad, but myself", he added further.     Former ICC umpire Subhash Modi, when approached for his comments in Nairobi, also hailed Chris Broad's neutrality.     

SB REPORT ISLAMABAD (August 12, 2020):-Mohammad Hafeez went to a golf course, which is adjacent to the team hotel and part of the bio-secure bubble. During the golf round, he was photographed with a member of the public, which he subsequently posted on his social media account. “As it was evident from the photograph that Hafeez had breached the two-metre social distancing protocol and following a consultation process with the team doctor, the team management has decided to isolate him until he returns a negative Covid-19 test. “Hafeez underwent the Covid-19 test late Wednesday afternoon and the result is expected at some stage on Thursday. “The decision to put Hafeez in isolation has been taken for his and, the safety and security of everyone around him. The team management believes it was an inadvertent mistake, but a good reminder for everyone on the importance of following the bio-secure protocols, which have been designed for the health and safety of everyone involved in the series. “The team management has updated the England and Wales Cricket Board of its decision.” Hafeez is not amongst the 20 players shortlisted for the ongoing three-match Test series against England.

SB NEWS ISLAMABAD (August 12, 2020):-The England National Selectors have named a 14-strong squad for the second Test match against Pakistan starting on Thursday 13 August 2020 at The Ageas Bowl. England leads 1-0 in the three match series after winning first Test by three wickets in Manchester. Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson is added to the squad for the first time replacing Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, who left the bio-secure bubble after the first Test for family reasons. England Test Squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain, James Anderson (Lancashire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Dominic Bess (Somerset), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham). 2nd Test: England v Pakistan, 13-17 August, Ageas Bowl, Southampton 3rd Test: England v Pakistan, 21-25 August, Ageas Bowl, Southampton

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (August 11, 2020):-England fast bowler Stuart Broad has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester. Broad was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Broad, for whom it was the third offence in a 24-month period, taking his cumulative demerit points to three. Broad’s previous breaches were on 27 January this year during the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers, and on 19 August 2018 in the third Test against India at Trent Bridge. The incident occurred in the 46th over of Pakistan’s second innings on Saturday, when Broad used inappropriate language after dismissing Yasir Shah. Broad admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations. There was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth official Steve O’Shaughnessy levelled the charge. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

SB REPORT ISLAMABAD (August 10, 2020):-With the announcement that ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, due to take place across Australia in October and November 2020, has been postponed and the present COVID-19 situation in India, the BCCI and ECB have confirmed that England men’s white-ball tour to India, originally scheduled in the ICC Future Tours Programme for late September to early October 2020, will be postponed until early 2021. BCCI and ECB are in consultation with a view to confirming the 2021 schedules for an all-formats England men’s tour to India to run from late January to late March and for India’s Test tour to England due in the summer of 2021. ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “Now that we have clarity regarding the postponement of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it enables us to work with other Boards to progress the vital task of optimising the international schedules in the challenging circumstances that we have all been having to address with the COVID-19 pandemic. “International cricket between India and England is a highlight of the cricketing calendar and we look forward to working with the BCCI to firm-up the schedules for these eagerly anticipated tours as soon as possible.” Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI Secretary, added: “The BCCI and ECB are working closely to finalise the schedule as we move towards the resumption of cricket. The India-England series is one of the most anticipated contests in world cricket. The two teams compete hard on the field and provide some riveting moments. “I am pleased with the way BCCI and ECB have managed the situation. The rescheduled tour is also being redesigned in a way to accommodate both red and white-ball format and will now be a comprehensive one.”