Sports Bulletin

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 28, 2020):-Nida Dar has become the Pakistan’s third woman cricketer to take part in 100 T20Is when Pakistan played England in their second Group-B fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at the Manuka Oval, Canberra today (Friday). The all-rounder started her T20I career in the 2010 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and is the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the format with 94 wickets at an average of 17.76 and third highest run-getter with 1,104 runs at a strike-rate of 95.83. The 33-year-old is the third Pakistan woman cricketer after current captain Bismah Maroof (107 matches) and former captain Sana Mir (106 matches) to achieve the milestone. She currently has 99 T20I appearances for Pakistan. Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst). Upcoming fixtures: 1 March – South Africa v Pakistan, 9am (PST) 3 March – Pakistan v Thailand, 9am (PST)

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 28, 20202):-South Africa and England each moved one step closer to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 semi-finals with impressive wins in Canberra. The Proteas enjoyed a record-breaking afternoon at the Manuka Oval as Lizelle Lee’s 101 helped them to 195 for three, the highest score in the competition. They eventually downed Thailand by 113 runs to head top of Group B with two wins from two, joined by England on four points after their second victory later in the day. Heather Knight and Nat Sciver were both in the runs while Sarah Glenn and Sophie Ecclestone spun the 2009 champions to a 42-run win over Pakistan. Lizelle Lee’s outstanding century led South Africa to the record books with the highest score in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history in victory over Thailand. The opener struck 101 from just 60 balls in Canberra, a knock which, combined with Sune Luus’ unbeaten 61, helped the Proteas to 195 for three. Chloe Tryon also blitzed 24 late runs to take the game away from Thailand, who were bowled out for 82 in response to lose by 113 runs in the Group B clash. Luus completed her all-round excellence to finish with three wickets, as did Shabnim Ismail, while Onnicha Kamchomphu’s 26 was the solitary note of resistance for the debutants. “Things haven’t gone my way since the New Zealand tour, so it was just good to get some runs on the board and get that confidence back,” said Lee. “It’s two different things, batting in the nets and out in the middle. I was hitting the ball well out in the nets, it just didn’t come off in the middle. That does make your confidence dip. “I think every batter needs a little bit of confidence, you can’t go out there not having any. If it’s your day, you have to go out and cash in and I was pleased to do that for the team." Thailand captain Sornnarin Toppoch added: “We were disappointed with that performance. We didn’t bowl well, we didn’t field well and particularly we didn’t bat well. “We’re a bit flustered when Lizelle came at us, so we never had a chance to find our lines and lengths. We’ve got to find a way of correcting that moving forward into the next games. “It’s different facing it in practice and moving into a real-life situation. “Teams are going to come at us hard at this level, we’ve got to step up in this respect, improve our fielding and be a bit more tidy when we’re in the field.” Shrubsole takes 100th wicket while spinners deliver England made it two wins from three in Group B as spinners Sarah Glenn (three for 15) and Sophie Ecclestone (two for 12) combined to great effect in victory over Pakistan. Chasing 159, Pakistan were always behind the rate, even before the two tweakers went for a combined 27 runs in their eight overs, taking five wickets on the way. Anya Shrubsole also delivered with three scalps, the last seeing her dismiss Diana Baig caught and bowled to become the third woman to reach 100 T20I wickets. Heather Knight (62) and Nat Sciver (36) once again delivered with the bat but England’s opening pair of Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt are both still to fire in the tournament. “It’s been great to have Sophie with me, she’s a similar age but has some more experience in the team,” said Glenn. “If I’m ever nervous or unsure about anything, she’s always there to talk it through on and off the field. She’s a key asset to the team. “We’re really positive as a group. It was gutting to lose against South Africa but we’re feeling really good and have plenty of momentum now. “We’ve had a lot of success in Canberra, especially Heather, who’s had a brilliant time. We’ve got a lot of good memories to take into Sydney.” Pakistan’s Aliya Riaz added: “We made mistakes in the field and dropped some catches. That’s the difference between us and England. “We believed at the halfway stage when Javeria started well, we built some partnerships and I tried to do my best at the end. I tried to hit the ball as hard as possible. “Some catches dropped is the responsibility of the fielders. These are our mistakes. “We need to build more partnerships and make fewer mistakes in fielding and bowling.” Scores in brief South Africa beat Thailand by 113 runs, Manuka Oval, Canberra South Africa 195-3, 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 101, Sune Luus 61 not out; Ratanporn Padunglerd 1-19) Thailand 82 all out, 19.1 overs (Onnicha Kamchomphu 26; Shabnim Ismail 3-8, Sune Luus 3-15) England beat Pakistan by 42 runs, Manuka Oval, Canberra England 158-7, 20 overs (Heather Knight 62, Nat Sciver 36; Aiman Anwar 3-30) Pakistan 116 all out, 19.4 overs (Aliya Riaz 41; Sarah Glenn 3-15, Anya Shrubsole 3-25)

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 28, 2020):-Fast bowler Haris Rauf will be replaced by Salman Irshad, the right-arm fast-medium bowler, in Lahore Qalandars’ camp after the former was ruled out due to an injury in his right foot. Haris is likely to miss next two to three HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 matches for his side. The replacement was approved by the event’s technical committee which includes PCB CEO Wasim Khan, Bazid Khan, Marina Iqbal, Sameer Khosa and Dr Sohail Saleem. Harris experienced pain on the inner side of his right heel after Lahore Qalandars match against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium last Sunday. Though his scans ruled out any fracture but there certainly is stress reaction. Therefore he has been advised rest. Salman, who comes in as a silver category player, featured in the 2018 edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League and played three matches for Lahore Qalandars.

Salman Khan MULTAN (February 28, 2020):-Multan Sultans recorded their second successive home win in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 by beating Karachi Kings by a comfortable 52-run margin at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday. A fine bowling performance led by spinners Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi who shared five wickets between them set the tone of Sultans’ comfortable win after their batsmen had set what proved to be a match winning 186 for six first innings score. Sohail Tanvir who got a four-wicket haul in Sultans win over Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday took two wickets for 20 runs. Alex Hales with 29 and Umaid Asif 20 were the only batsmen to offer some resistance in what was a less than inspiring batting performance by the Kings. Batting first after being asked to bat at the toss, Sultans posted a formidable 186 for six total in their allotted 20 overs courtesy half-centuries by opener and man-of-the-match Moeen Ali and captain Shan Masood. The two added 71 runs for the second wicket partnership after Zeeshan Ashraf (23 off 13 balls) had provided the hosts a flying start in a 31-run opening stand with Moeen. Moeen hit four fours and as many sixes in his 65-run innings that came off 42 balls; he was the second wicket to fall. Shan also faced 42 balls scoring 61 runs with the help of seven fours and one six. Khushdil Shah (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Sultans innings was built on the contributions by Moeen and Shan. Pacers Mohammad Amir and Chris Jordan took two wickets each for Kings, Amir conceding 27 and Jordan conceding 29 runs respectively in their four over spells. Scores in brief Multan Sultans 186 for 6, 20 overs (Moeen Ali 65, Shan Masood 61; Mohammad Amir 2-27, Chris Jordan 2-29) Karachi Kings 134 all out, 17 overs (Alex Hales 29, Umaid Asif 20, Chadwick Walton 15; Imran Tahir 3-28, Shahid Afridi 2-18, Sohail Tanvir 2-20)    

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 28, 2020):-England women recorded a 42-run victory over Pakistan women in a Group B match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup played at the Manuka Oval, Canberra on Friday. Set a 159-run target, Pakistan were bowled out for 116 runs in 19.4 overs to hand England their second win of the tournament. Pakistan who beat West Indies by eight wickets in their opening match now face South Africa in Sydney on Sunday. Pakistan’s chase got off to a poor start as opener Muneeba Ali (10) fell in the third over. The women in green lost the crucial wicket of captain Bismah Maroof who fell for four in the sixth over with the score on 35. Player-of-the-match of the win against West Indies, Javeria Khan fell for 16 in the 7th over which left Pakistan reeling at 39 for three. Pakistan kept losing regular wickets before folding in 19.4 overs for 116 runs. All-rounder Aliya Riaz top-scored with a stroke-filled 41 off 33 balls, her innings included five fours and one six. For England Anya Shrubsole and Sarah Glenn took three wickets each. Katherine Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone took two wickets each. Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and asked England to bat first. Diana Baig repeated her first over heroics of the game against West Indies by dismissing English opener Amy Jones (2) on the fifth ball of the match. The other opener Danni Wyatt fell for 16 to Aimen Anwar. Natalie Sciver hit five boundaries in her 36 that came off 29 balls before falling to Aliya Riaz. Captain Heather Knight was the top-scorer for England with 62 off 47 balls, her match winning innings included eight fours and one six. Fran Wilson chipped in with 22 as England finished their 20 overs with a formidable 158 for seven was total on the scoreboard. For Pakistan Aimen was the pick of the bowlers, she claimed three wickets for 30 runs. Nida Dar, playing her 100th T20I took two for 43. Scores in brief: England Women 158 for 7, 20 overs (Heather Knight 62, Natalie Sciver 36; Aimen Anwar 3-30, Nida Dar 2-43) Pakistan Women:-116 all out in 19.4 overs (Aliya Riaz 41, Javeria Khan 16; Sarah Glenn 3-15, Anya Shrubsole 3-25 ) Result: England women win by 42 runs Player-of-the-match: Heather Knight Next match for Pakistan: Pakistan Women vs South Africa Women, Sunday, 01 March in Sydney.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (Februry 27, 2020):-Defending champions Quetta Gladiators produced a stunning run-chase to defeat Islamabad United by five wickets in the first-ever HBL Pakistan Super League match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Gladiators’ victory has given them the top-spot in the HBL PSL 2020 points table. They have won three out of their four games and have six points after the end of the ninth match of the tournament. Set a stiff 188-run target, Quetta Gladiators were helped past the target by an unbroken 57-run partnership between man-of-the-match Ben Cutting (42 not out, 17 balls, two fours, four sixes) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 not out, 20 balls, three fours). Cutting made the difference by scoring 17 runs off the 18th over of the Gladiators’ chase when they needed 33 to win at the start of the over. Rumman Raees conceded a mere five runs in the penultimate over to bring United back in the hunt but Cutting finished the game off through back-to-back sixes off Amad Butt’s final over to take his side over the line with two balls spare. The foundation of the Gladiators’ chase was laid by opener Jason Roy (50 off 38) and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (33 off 20). Gladiators were in a spot of bother when Sarfaraz was dismissed by Faheem Ashraf, which left Gladiators needing 55 off the last 29 balls. However, Cutting’s heroics helped them secure a vital victory which has taken them to the top of the six-team table. Ahmed Safi with two wickets for 17 runs in three overs was the pick of the United bowlers. Earlier, Sarfaraz won the toss and opted to field first. United got off to a blazing start as Luke Ronchi took 11 runs off the first over bowled by Sohail Khan. His innings though was nipped in the bud by fast-bowler Naseem Shah who demolished his stumps with a fast yorker on the first ball of the second over. Naseem then took another prized wicket when he breached Dawid Malan’s (10) defences sending the stumps flying again. Colin Munro was the third wicket to fall, he went after a quickfire 31 off 20 balls (two fours, three sixes) leaving United at 56 for three in the sixth over. United skipper Shadab Khan who scored a scintillating fifty in United’s win over Lahore Qalandars last Sunday, scored 39 off 25 balls (three fours, two sixes). The right-hander added 76 runs in 50 balls with Colin Ingram for the fourth wicket. Ingram held the innings together as United lost quick wickets at the other end. The left-hander stayed at the crease till the end of the United innings to propel them to 187 for seven. Ingram scored 63 off 40 balls (six fours, two sixes) to register his first fifty for United in his third match of his first-ever season with the franchise. Naseem with figures of two for 23 in four overs was the pick of the Gladiators bowling line-up. Scores in brief Islamabad United 187-7, 20 overs (Colin Ingram 63 not out, Shadab Khan 39, Colin Munro 31; Naseem Shah 2-23, Tymal Mills 2-34) Quetta Gladiators 190-5, 19.4 overs (Jason Roy 50, Ben Cutting 42 not out, Sarfaraz Ahmed 33; Ahmed Safi 2-17, Faheem Ashraf 2-46) Result: Quetta Gladiators win by five wickets Islamabad United (Playing XI) Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Asif Ali, Amad Butt, Colin Ingram (SA), Musa Khan, Dawid Malan (ENG), Colin Munro (NZ), Rumman Raees, Luke Ronchi (wk, NZ), Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Dale Steyn (SA),  Quetta Gladiators (Playing XI) Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk), Ahsan Ali, Ben Cutting (AUS), Mohammad Hasnain, Azam Khan, Sohail Khan, Khurram Manzoor, Tymal Mills (ENG), Mohammad Nawaz, Jason Roy (ENG), Naseem Shah, Ahmed Shehzad, Shane Watson (AUS) Islamabad United Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Asif Ali, Saif Badar, Amad Butt, Zafar Gohar, Rizwan Hussain, Colin Ingram (SA), Akif Javed, Musa Khan, Dawid Malan (ENG), Colin Munro (NZ), Rumman Raees, Luke Ronchi (wk, NZ), Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Phil Salt (ENG), Dale Steyn (SA), Hussain Talat Quetta Gladiators Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk), Fawad Ahmed (AUS), Anwar Ali, Ahsan Ali, Ben Cutting (AUS), Mohammad Hasnain, Arish Ali Khan, Azam Khan, Sohail Khan, Khurram Manzoor, Zahid Mehmood (until March 7), Tymal Mills (ENG), Abdul Nasir, Mohammad Nawaz, Keemo Paul (WI, from March 7), Jason Roy (ENG), Naseem Shah, Ahmed Shehzad, Shane Watson (AUS) Karachi Kings Imad Wasim (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Umaid Asif, Babar Azam, Cameron Delport (SA), Alex Hales (ENG), Arshad Iqbal, Chris Jordan (ENG), Sharjeel Khan, Ali Khan, Umer Khan, Mitch McClenaghan (NZ), Usama Mir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Chadwick Walton (WI), Aamir Yamin, Awais Zia Lahore Qalandars Sohail Akhtar (c), Shaheen Afridi, Jaahid Ali, Salman Butt, Ben Dunk (wk, AUS), Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hafeez, Dilbar Hussain, Chris Lynn (AUS), Samit Patel (ENG), Seekkuge Prasanna (SL), Farzan Raja, Haris Rauf, Usman Shinwari, Dane Vilas (wk, SA), David Wiese (SA), Fakhar Zaman Multan Sultans Shan Masood (c), Moeen Ali (ENG), Shahid Afridi, Fabian Allen (WI, from March 7), Zeeshan Ashraf, Bilawal Bhatti, Ravi Bopara (ENG), Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wayne Madsen (ENG, until March 7), Rohail Nazir (wk), Rilee Rossouw (SA), Usman Qadir, Ali Shafiq, Khushdil Shah, Imran Tahir (SA), Sohail Tanvir, James Vince (ENG) Peshawar Zalmi Darren Sammy (c, WI), Kamran Akmal (wk), Aamir Ali, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Haider Ali Khan, Adil Amin, Umar Amin, Tom Banton (wk, ENG), Carlos Brathwaite (WI, until March 7), Liam Dawson (ENG), Lewis Gregory (ENG), Imam-ul-Haq, Amir Khan, Liam Livingstone (ENG), Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Mohsin, Kieron Pollard (WI, from March 7), Wahab Riaz

Salman Khan MULTAN (February 26, 2020):-An unbroken 77-run fifth wicket partnership between Rilee Rossouw and Khushdil Shah guided Multan Sultans to a comfortable six wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the first-ever HBL Pakistan Super League match at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Enjoying the support of a vociferous home crowd, Multan recovered from a shaky 47 for four in 6.1 overs to get past their 124-run target with nine balls to spare. The left-handed pair of Rossouw and Khushdil took the team to the victory with contrasting batting performances. While Rossouw grafted his way to a 42-ball 47 (seven fours and one six), Khushdil used the long handle to great effect in his 43 that came off 29 balls and included four fours and two sixes. The two stabilised the chase first before taking the charge against a fired-up Zalmi attack that fought hard despite a low total to defend. Left-armer Wahab Riaz took two quick wickets, fellow pacer Hasan Ali removed James Vince for five in the opening over. Wahab took the wickets of Shan Masood (8) and Zeeshan Ashraf (12) while Rahat Ali dismissed Moeen Ali (2) but their efforts wen in vain eventually as Rossouw and Khushdil finished the job for the Sultans. Earlier Sultans captain Shan won the toss and opted to field first. His decision paid rich dividends as Tom Banton (4) fell in the first over to a terrific catch by the veteran Shahid Afridi off Mohammad Irfan. The prolific Kamran Akmal, who had scored a century in Zalmi’s win over Gladiators on Saturday, fell for 15. Shoaib Malik and Liam Livingstone fell cheaply as Zalmi were reduced to 41 for four in the sixth over. The talented youngster Haider Ali batted with great deal of confidence in his 47 (27 balls, six fours and two sixes) but his dismissal in the 11th over triggered a collapse. Zalmi failed to come to grips against the spinning ball as the lower-order caved-in. Liam Dawson with 22 runs was the only one to offer some fight as Zalmi were rolled over for 123 in 18.3 overs. Sohail Tanvir, later adjudged the man-of-the-match was the most successful bowler for Sultans with figures of four for 13 in 3.3 overs. Pacers Irfan and Mohammad Ilyas took two wickets apiece. Scores in brief Peshawar Zalmi 123 all out, 18.3 overs (Haider Ali 47, Liam Dawson 22; Sohail Tanvir 4-13, Mohammad Ilyas 2-23) Multan Sultans 124-4, 18.3 overs (Rilee Rossouw 49 not out, Khushdil Shah 43 not out; Wahab Riaz 2-36) Result: Multan Sultans won by six wickets

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 26, 2020):-Pakistan Women made the perfect start to their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign by recording a comprehensive eight-wicket win over West Indies in a Group B match played at the Manuka Oval, Canberra on Wednesday. Chasing 125 runs for a win, Pakistan completed their comfortable chase for the loss of two wickets in 18.2 overs. Openers Muneeba Ali and Javeria Khan provided the perfect launching pad to the chase with a 58-run first wicket partnership in 7.2 overs. Javeria, later adjudged the player-of-the-match, played some delightful shots in her 35-run innings that came off 28 balls and included six fours, before her dismissal to West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor. Muneeba was dismissed for 25; her 26-ball innings included three fours. After Muneeba’s dismissal with the score at 77 for two in 11.5 overs, Nida Dar joined captain Bismah Maroof in the middle. The two carried Pakistan home with an unbroken 50-run stand in only 39 balls. The seasoned Bismah remained unbeaten on 39 (37 balls, four fours). Nida gave her captain solid support at the other end as she also returned undefeated on a 20-ball 18 that included one four. Taylor and Afy Fletcher were the only two wicket-takers for the West Indies, both took a wicket apiece. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, West Indies were rocked on the very first ball of the innings as opener Hayley Matthews fell lbw to pacer Diana Baig. Diana then made the second breakthrough for Pakistan by dismissing Matthews’ fellow opener Lee-Ann Kirby (16) to reduce West Indies to 25 for two in 4.1 overs. Nida then accounted for star West Indies batter Deandra Dottin (1) with her off-spin to leave the West Indies stuttering at 28 for three in 6.2 overs. West Indies were at this stage rescued by a 60-ball 63-run partnership between captain Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle. Both scored 43 runs each, Taylor faced 47 balls and struck two fours and two sixes while Campbelle’s 36-ball effort also included two fours and two sixes. Aimen Anwar followed up the good work done earlier by Diana and Nida by taking two wickets to restrict West Indies to a manageable total. Diana, Nida and Aimen Anwar took two wickets apiece while Anam Amin took one wicket for 19 runs in her four overs. Pakistan now play England in their second Group B match on Friday, the game will be played at the same venue. Scores in brief: West Indies Women 124-7, 20 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 43, Stafanie Taylor 43; Diana Baig 2-19, Nida Dar 2-30, Aimen Anwar 2-32) Pakistan Women  127-2, 18.2 overs (Bismah Maroof 39 not out, Javeria Khan 35, Muneeba Ali 25; Stafanie Taylor 1-20) Result: Pakistan Women win by eight wickets   Player-of-the-match: Javeria Khan   Next match for Pakistan: England Women vs Pakistan Women, Friday 28 February in Canberra.  

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 25, 2020):-Anisa Mohammed wants more from West Indies’ batters and challenged them to put a big score on the board in their Group B clash with Pakistan. West Indies are one from one after beating Thailand in their opener. But they were far from convincing from the bat, as past failings returned. akistan are playing their first match of the tournament in Canberra The Windies batting line-up is prone to collapse - dismissed in double figures five times since the last T20 World Cup and bowled out for 71 by Australia in their 2018 semi-final on home soil. Unconvincing in chasing down 79 to beat Thailand in their tournament opener, off-spinner Mohammed believes their batters must do their bit and help out the bowlers. “I think our batting just needs to improve a bit,” said the vice-captain. “Our fielding and our bowling against Thailand was spot on - the seamers set the tone and as spinners, we enjoyed the bounce we got from the pitch. “As a group we’ve had to fill in for Shakera (Selman) and we did that, she’s a big bowler and they are big shoes to fill. “Pakistan have some good players and they’re a very different team from when we played them in previous series. “I think they’re a pretty good team. Their bowling is really their strength, so hopefully our batters can counter that and put a total on the board for us to bowl at. “All teams in this competition are strong, everyone’s here to win and to qualify. We’re taking every game very seriously.” West Indies and Pakistan are familiar foes, contesting two warm-up matches in the weeks leading up to the tournament and playing out an entertaining three-match series 12 months ago. Pakistan’s Nida Dar claims her side can capitalise on the six-hitting bravado of West Indies after watching them struggle to rotate strike against debutants Thailand. “West Indies want to show their skills, because they are strong, and hit a boundary from every ball,” said the all-rounder. “They were very disturbed by the pace Thailand bowled to them. Slower balls and variations can be very helpful for us against them as they try to hit hard every time. “Maybe in our match they’ll adapt to conditions and try to rotate the strike. Asian teams are giving tough times to everyone at the World Cup and our spinners will try to do the same.” Stafanie Taylor’s side is laced with experience, boasting more T20I caps in their squad than any other nation at the World Cup. Bismah Maroof’s outfit, by contrast, have an average age of 25 and fewer combined caps than all teams apart from Sri Lanka and Thailand. Nida, whose Big Bash League experience with Sydney Thunder will be crucial for her side, feels Pakistan can profit from a fresh-faced make-up. “Our youth is the best thing about our team,” said the 33-year-old. “West Indies won’t know all of our players and some of them will be a surprise package. I’m in a team of very talented players with a mix of senior and junior players. “I hope they’re looking forward to playing at the World Cup. We just want to show our skills.”

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 25, 2020):-Pakistan national women’s team will begin their journey in the all-important ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday against the West Indies Women in Canberra. Under the captaincy of Bismah Maroof, who will be leading the side in a world event for the first time, Pakistan will be eying to secure a semi-final berth for the first time. Since the last ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2018, Pakistan have featured in 14 T2oIs. They have won six matches, lost seven and one of them ended in a tie - the second of the three-T20Is in Karachi, which the West Indies won in Super Over. Pakistan are drawn in Group B and, after their tournament opener tomorrow, they will take on England women (28 February) also in Canberra, and South Africa women and Thailand women (1 and 3 March respectively) in Sydney in the ten-team event, which will feature 23 matches, including the final on the international women’s day (Sunday, 8 March) across 17 days. Pakistan’s 15-member squad boasts an exciting blend of young and senior players. On the back of her extraordinary run in the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship 2019-20 which saw her accumulate 292 runs, including a century and three half-centuries, at an average of 58.40, Muneeba Ali was recalled in the side. Ayesha Naseem, an exciting 16-year-old hard-hitting batter, is all set to make her debut, while pacer Aimen Anwar, who is also returning to the national side, is expected to take the new ball with Diana Baig. The presence of their captain Bismah, who is the only Pakistan batter to have more than 2,000 runs and has the most half-centuries (11) in 106 T20Is from Pakistan, Nida Dar, who has 1,086 runs 92 wickets at an average of 17.82 in 98 T20Is, and Javeria Khan, the second highest run-getter with 1,744 in 97 T20Is, provide the desired shorter-format experience and form the core of the batting department. Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig and Aroob Shah, a 16-year-old leg-spinner, boost the bowling department. Along with their presence, Pakistan will be pinning their hopes on Anam Amin, who has the most scalps for Pakistan since the last edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in West Indies with 13 wickets at 16.07 in eight matches and will spearhead the bowling attack. The slow left-arm orthodox, who is a new-ball specialist, was the leading wicket-taker in the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship 2019-20 with seven wickets at 13.71. She is currently ranked 13th in the ICC Rankings for T20I bowlers and is hopeful that she will break into the top 10 once again over the course of the ongoing World Cup. Anam Amin said: “My target is to help Pakistan make history by qualifying for the semi-finals. “I am very excited for this World Cup and my aim is to deliver to the best of my abilities and be amongst the top 10 bowlers. “I have been passionate about cricket since my childhood and I used to play tape-ball cricket with boys in the streets. Initially, I faced opposition by my mother on the prospect of taking cricket as a profession. But, I got a lot of support from my father and grandfather. As soon as I broke into the national side, my mother not only accepted me as a cricketer but she now tells me to pick at least two to three wickets every match.” Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst). Upcoming fixtures: 26 February – West Indies v Pakistan, 1pm (PST) 28 February – England v Pakistan, 1pm (PST) 1 March – South Africa v Pakistan, 9am (PST) 3 March – Pakistan v Thailand, 9am (PST)