Sports Bulletin

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 20, 2020):-Khadija Tul Kubra and Jahanara Alam inspired Bangladesh to a morale-boosting five-run victory over Pakistan in the final ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 warm-up fixture at Allan Border Field. Javeria Khan of Pakistan plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Allan Border Field on February 20, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. Despite three run-outs, Murshida Khatun steered Bangladesh to 111-8 An electric fielding performance, including a sensational catch from Fargana Hoque to dismiss Javeria Khan, helped Bangladesh to a five-run win Pakistan’s opening game comes against West Indies on 26 February in Canberra and Bangladesh take on India in Perth two days earlier Bangladesh, who chose to bat in Brisbane, couldn’t find freedom but Murshida Khatun made 43 to lift her side to 111-8 from 20 overs. Pakistan couldn’t stitch together any meaningful partnerships in reply with Javeria Khan’s 41 the lone hand. Bangladesh’s top order were decimated in the second over as Shamima Sultana (3) mistimed a sweep to be caught behind off Anam Amin and a mix-up led to the run-out of Sanjida Islam (0). Promising keeper-batter Nigar Sultana Joty couldn’t make an early impression when Murshida’s straight drive was deflected onto her stumps by Aiman Anwer, run out backing up for 13. Murshida, set to make her T20 World Cup debut this month, heaved back-to-back boundaries and found her most reliable partner in Fargana Hoque. Fargana’s 21 saw the pair club together for 52 before Murshida was run out by Diana Baig in the 14th over. Pakistan kept things tight late on and the momentum swung their way when Aiman Anwer took two wickets in two balls in the final over. Bangladesh skipper Salma Khatun and attack leader Rumana led an early assault as Pakistan succumbed to 23 for three after three overs. The dangerous Bismah nicked off while driving, as did opener Ayesha Naseem on one of her first appearances for her country. The experienced duo of Javeria and Nida Dar offered temporary respite with a partnership of 27, the opener pulling to the boundary in the fifth over and Dar clearing long-on with a six in the seventh. Javeria kept fighting the tide and turning over strike but Nida could only find mid-wicket on 14 and when Iram Javed departed cheaply it was 59 for five. Javeria, who has featured in every edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, peeled off successive fours in the 15th over to give her side hope but was sensationally caught on the long-on fence by Fargana Hoque, the crucial moment that settled the match. From there, it was all Bangladesh and three wickets in her final two overs saw Jahanara seal the victory in emphatic fashion. Bangladesh captain Salma Khatun said: “This win will give us a lot of confidence as we look to make a strong start to the tournament. “We were happy with our batting performance but we struggled in the last five overs, our run-rate was not very good, so that’s something we’ll look to work on and we didn’t bowl our yorkers well either at the death. “This match was a great opportunity for us to reset and rethink ahead of the World Cup.” Pakistan top-scorer Javeria Khan said: “We’re a bit disappointed. We made mistakes at crucial times. It was a good practice, but not the result we wanted. “We offered them plenty of bad balls and this is why they were able to get above 90, we didn’t field up to the mark either. “I got some runs but they don’t count if your team doesn't win. I'm annoyed with the way I got out, I should have finished the game for the team, and next time I will make sure I make the most of the opportunity.” Bangladesh beat Pakistan by five runs, Allan Border Field, Brisbane Bangladesh 111-8, 20 overs (Murshida Khatun 43, Fargana Hoque 21; Aiman Anwer 2-12) Pakistan 106 all out, 19.4 overs (Javeria Khan 41; Jahanara Alam 4-22, Khadija Tul Kubra 3-11)    

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 20, 2020):-Alot has changed since I was playing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The biggest difference is people are now aware of what’s going on with their national team. When I broke the world record for the highest individual Test score in 2002, people didn’t know about it unless they were going out to buy the newspapers. Former India Test and ODI captain Mithali Raj says women’s cricket has come on leaps and bounds since she made her debut in 1999. Raj believes Thailand’s appearance in Australia could completely transform the landscape of women’s cricket worldwide She predicts India to put up a good fight against Australia in Friday night’s tournament opener at the Sydney Showground Stadium. But now, it’s seen by everyone all over television and on social media – a lot has changed not only in how people get their news but their desire for women’s cricket. We rarely got good grounds to play on back in our day. For example, at the 2000 World Cup we played at Lincoln University – quite different to the situation today where the top stars are getting to play at historic grounds like the MCG or the WACA. We used to travel to different places all over the world to play but barely got any time to acclimatise. There was no travel or daily allowance, nor a physio or strength and conditioning trainer to look out for the fitness. We travelled to matches with just our head coach and manager and just didn’t have any form of cushioning. Back in my day, we only had male players as inspiration because that’s all we used to see on the television. Today a young girl can have a role model in the form of a female cricketer and I think that’s the biggest chance I have seen. I am very excited for this ICC T20 Women’s World Cup. The coverage and the reach of women’s cricket has grown so much since when I played in the 50-over World Cup in 2017, which is what is making it more popular. And it’s not just the social media hype around it. For the first time, I don’t think there is just one contender, but four or five teams who could win it. The gap between the top and bottom teams is closing. You can’t go by the practice matches alone, but it does give you a rough indication of how the tournament could play out. Take Sri Lanka beating England for example — there is a possibility that could happen again. India also did well to chase 170 against the hosts Australia in the tri-series, where there were all sorts of different results. When you see these scores, and tight games, there is so much more quality now in the game, even just since the last edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Of course, they weren’t in a World Cup format but these glimpses show that the gap is closing. I think Australia go in favourites but we can’t push every other team aside. Teams like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh can compete too. I am curious to see how Thailand fair against the big sides in their first ICC tournament. Women’s cricket has come of age getting a team like Thailand in to play the top nations. This tournament will reach out to non-cricketing nations because of Thailand. They do not have a huge cricket culture there, but having a team playing at an ICC tournament will help people in Thailand become interested in the World Cup and countries, which have never been into a team sport like cricket will be inspired by their journey. There isn’t long left until the tournament gets underway and India’s opener against Australia is definitely one of the matches I’m looking forward to the most. Australia go in as favourites, but India will be no pushover. They have some very talented players and I think it will be a very close, high-scoring game. In the T20 format, you can’t really predict a winner because it all depends on how the main players perform on that particular day. Both teams have exciting players, particular in the batting units, and it will be a case of whoever can score the runs that their country need on the day. I do think Australia have the advantage because of their T20 record and have a slightly better chance of winning the first game against India but no matter what, it’s going to be a very exciting way to open the tournament.

By Our Special Correspondent ISLAMABAD (February 20, 2020):-After the conclusion of the Marylebone Cricket Club’s week-long tour of Lahore, Kumar Sangakkara, the President of the prestigious MCC and captain of the club’s touring squad to Pakistan, has said that he would love if more international teams consider touring Pakistan so international cricket in the country can be resumed in full force. The MCC arrived in Lahore on 13 February to play a 50-over and three T20-over matches. Over the course of their stay, the visitors explored the city by playing golf, visiting the historic Lahore Fort and enjoying dinners across Lahore. Speaking to PCB Podcast, which is available here for free listening and downloading for editorial purposes only, the batting great said: “It's been great to be back in Pakistan. “It's been a long time since I came here and it has been even longer for the MCC. For us, it has been about coming here and playing cricket in support of Pakistan's journey of getting international cricket back. “It's important that, when you are in a country on a tour, you're not confined to a hotel, but you can go around and enjoy the city and the country you're in. “It is excellent for us to get to the [Lahore] Gymkhana golf course quite a few times. The players absolutely loved it. We were hosted with some amazing hospitality and warmth. “The message we will be taking back is about the warmth of the people, the welcome of the fabulous spectators who came to watch cricket, the passion the players and people have for it and our own experiences of playing here and traveling about in Lahore. “We would love for teams to consider coming here so that international cricket can finally come back to Pakistan in full force.” In the last three months, Sri Lanka have played two Tests – in Rawalpindi and Karachi – and Bangladesh have been here twice for a three-match T20I series and a Test in Rawalpindi. With the fifth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, commencing today, being hosted in Pakistan for the first time since the advent of the league, the MCC’s visit rubberstamps the country’s ability to host international cricket. “It is important things are put into context, moves are made, minds meet and things are reconsidered because the message that we take back is that Pakistan is a great place to tour,” Sangakkara said. “I remember all those matches that I've played here but it's always special to come back and revisit it. We never expected such a big crowd for a first game against the Qalandars. When we got to the ground, we had almost 19,000 people, hungry to watch some cricket. “We were really, really impressed and we're very, very moved and we understand very, very easily how much passion there is and how the lack of international cricket is not a great thing for Pakistan, for the people, for the players and for the financial status of the PCB.” Over the course of their matches – a one-dayer against Pakistan Shaheens and three 20-over-a-side contests against HBL PSL franchises Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans and domestic T20 champions Northern – the MCC have played against some of the most exciting prospects in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. Sangakkara – who has 12,400 Test runs, the most for any Sri Lankan batsman – praised the young talent in country. “I think Pakistan cricket is in a very healthy state,” he said. “Pakistan has always produced exceptional cricketers, especially young cricketers with a lot of variety; really fast bowlers, really good batsmen, mystery spinners, wrist spinners, you name it. On this trip it was no different. “There were so many players from the Qalandars’ side who were exciting and orthodox. In the Northern, the domestic T20 champions, you had exciting players. In the [Pakistan] Shaheens, you had some really good batsmen.” There is a divide in the global cricket fraternity regarding the future of Test cricket and whether four-day Tests should replace five-day contests. When the question was put to Sangakkara, he said: “It doesn't matter where you emotionally stand. Whether I love Test cricket? Yes, of course, without a doubt. It is my favorite format. Should it be five days? Yes, of course, it should be five days. “But, the reality is slightly different here. And we need to ask how many Test matches really go into five days? How many people are now actually coming to the ground to watch five days of cricket? Or whether there is a realistic possibility into the future of them coming with the time constraints of a modern society? “In certain countries we have the average age of a cricket fan of 45-plus which is not a healthy sign. It is a complicated thing on how we attract a cash-rich time-poor younger demographic of people and younger players to the game and also keep the established fans interested. It is a complicated thing. “Day-night Tests have been mooted and various other innovations have been brought to keep the crowds in the stadiums for Test cricket. “And, it is not just about the big sides that play, it has also been about the slightly lesser sides that have had the Test status. What does cricket mean for them? Five days of cricket for certain sides and four days for others, that’s not a healthy way to go forward either. “It is debate that will go on for some time but the solutions have to be practical and equitable. It has to be fair to the spectators, to the sponsors, to the TV networks that bring in so much money into this sport and also to the players. So it is not an easy answer and a lot more thought has to go into it.”

SB News KARACHI (February 20, 2020):-All-rounder Anwar Ali will replace Umar Akmal in the Quetta Gladiators’ line-up for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 following the event’s technical committee’s approval. The technical committee is chaired by PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and it includes Bazid Khan, Marina Iqbal, Sameer Khosa and Dr Sohail Saleem. The 32-year-old comes in as a Silver category player. He has turned out for Quetta Gladiators in all previous editions, scoring 191 runs and taking 23 wickets in 32 HBL PSL matches. Quetta Gladiators, the defending champions, will begin their title defence tonight with the opening match of the fifth edition against two-time champion Islamabad United at the National Stadium, Karachi, at 9pm.  

SB News KARACHI (February 20, 2020):-The PCB Cricket Committee held its first meeting of 2020 under the chairmanship of former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim. Wasim Akram, Umar Gul, Urooj Mumtaz, Ali Naqvi, Wasim Khan and Zakir Khan (both co-opted members) attended the session. Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq and Haroon Rashid, Director – Domestic cricket operations, attended the meeting on special invitations. The cricket committee recommended the PCB should explore a window in the 2020-21 domestic cricket to slot in a tournament for the departments. In this relation, Director – Domestic cricket operations, Haroon Rashid, has been requested to look into the potential window in the next season and update the cricket committee at the next meeting, which is expected in April. Haroon briefed the committee that the PCB has hosted 12 tournaments, comprising 190 matches, in the season to date. His presentation also included learnings, such as quality of practice facilities, food provision for players, player remunerations and standard of wickets, amongst other areas. The committee requested that updates on the areas for improvement be provided at the next meeting in April. The cricket committee appreciated that the quality of cricket this season had vastly improved, which has also been acknowledged through player feedback. There was a discussion on the appointment of the six Cricket Association coaches and the process that will be adopted for analysing and assessing their performance. It was agreed that further investment in developing the knowledge, skills and capabilities of the elite coaches was needed in order to adopt more modern practices. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan briefed the committee that a more through fit for purpose and revised No Objection Certificate (NOC) policy for players had been developed. The committee supported the revised NOC policy, while requesting that the PCB should fully and strictly follow it to ensure that Pakistan’s elite cricketers continue to give precedence to domestic tournaments above all else. The committee had a healthy discussion with Misbah-ul-Haq, who appraised them on his selection policies, performance of the side and forward planning. The cricket committee recommended more clarity around the selection process. Misbah informed the committee that he had developed a nucleus of players, especially across Twenty20 cricket. The former captain added the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 will help him give final shape to his pool of players for this year’s Asia Cup and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Urooj Mumtaz, who is also head of women’s wing and chair of the national women’s selection committee, provided an overview and update on the progress women’s cricket have made in the past 12 month. She informed the committee about the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held from 21 February to 8 March. Pakistan will play their opening match against the West Indies on 26 February in Canberra. Urooj briefed the committee on the ICC’s decision to introduce the ICC Women’s U19 Cricket World Cup, which will help in identifying and developing young talent and nurturing them into word-class cricketers. The committee congratulated Urooj on the progress being made. The committee insisted more investment, effort and work was needed to further promote and develop women’s cricket.

SB News KARACHI (February 18, 2020):-The PCB Cricket Committee will hold its first meeting of the year tomorrow, 19 February, at a local hotel in Karachi. This will be the first of the four gatherings that the revamped committee, under Iqbal Qasim, will hold in 2020. Some of the items on the agenda of the meeting are: i)                    Presentation by Misbah-ul-Haq, chief selector and head coach of Pakistan national men’s team, on the team’s performance since his appointment ii)                  Update on women cricket by Urooj Mumtaz iii)                Review of the domestic season and of ICC’s pitch consultant Andy Atkinson’s report

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 18, 2020):-HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, the biggest cricket spectacle in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, will carry mammoth prize money of US$1million, it was announced today (Tuesday). The winners of the 22 March final under Gaddafi Stadium lights will collect a cheque of U$500K along with a glittering and brand new trophy, while the runner-up will receive a cheque of US$200K. In addition to the above, there will be number of other cash awards, including U$4,500 each to all the 34 player of the matches. Furthermore, US$80K will be equally distributed to player of the tournament, best batsman, best bowler and Spirit of Cricket. The remaining amount will be distributed for other match-related awards like best catch, best run-out and most sixes. The 34-match 32-day HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 will be the biggest cricket extravaganza to take place in Pakistan and first since the six-team Asia Cup 2008. Twelve years ago, the then four Test playing countries were joined by the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong in a 13-match tournament in Karachi and Lahore. Sri Lanka had defeated India in the final at the National Stadium by 100 runs. Prior to this tournament, Pakistan had staged the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1987 and 1996. In 1987, Pakistan had hosted 10 matches at seven venues, while 16 matches were played at six venues in 1996. Although a domestic tournament, the six-team HBL Pakistan Super League will be held across four venues with Karachi staging nine, Lahore 14, Rawalpindi eight and Multan three. The opening match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 will be held between defending champions Quetta Gladiators and two-time former winners Islamabad United at the National Stadium and will commence at 9pm following an attractive opening ceremony, which will begin at 6.45pm.

By BIPIN DANI Meher Mohammad Khalil, the bus driver who turned Sri Lanka's "hero" in 2009 met Kumar Sangakkara during the recent trip to Pakistan. Former Sri Lanka captain and wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who happens to be the first Asian president of the world's most famous cricket club-MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) has taken his team to Pakistan to play one 50-over game and three T20 matches in Lahore. Speaking exclusively over telephone from Lahore, Meher Khalil said, "I met Sangakkara at the Aitcheson College ground in Lahore before the match. It was my pleasure to meet the legend". Incidentally, Sangajkkara was a member of the squad which was attacked by the terrorist attack on 3rd March in 2009. "It was Sangakkara's first visit after the incident and he did enquire about the country and wished me well". "We are fortunate enough to have a great cricketer in our country and I am sure he will encourage the other countries to come and play here". Meher Khalil had earned fame and success after saving Sri Lanka’s cricket team from a deadly 2009 attack in Pakistan. He was even invited by the Sri Lankan government and was accorded the VIP treatment during his stay in Sri Lanka.   "I could not meet Sangakkara during my Sri Lanka visit but I had met him in South Africa when he toured with the team there. I was employed in South Africa for a short period", Khalil added. Playing golf The 43-year-old Sangakkara also played golf in Lahore. “MCC team enjoyed a bright sunny day in Lahore with a game of golf” , the PCB official said. "President Kumar Sangakkara and other members of the squad were seen playing on their rest day", the official added.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 17, 2020):-The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 is officially up and running with all 10 captains excited to showcase their abilities to both Australia and the world. All 10 captains gathered for the official captains' media launch in Sydney The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2020 could see a world record attendance for a women’s sport event broken. Australia and India get the tournament under way on 21 February Those in charge of the 10 teams headed to Taronga Zoo in Sydney, providing a picturesque setting for the official captain’s media launch on Monday morning. The 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup is set to be the most closely-fought yet, and the prize at the end could not have been greater. A world record attendance for a women’s sport fixture could be set when the final is held on 8 March in Melbourne – International Women’s Day – with those at the helm desperate to take their country to the MCG. As hosts and defending champions, Australia captain Meg Lanning knows expectation more than most but, with the chance to play in iconic stadia, she is keen for her team to enjoy and not worry about the experience. “We’re looking forward to getting started, it’s great that we get to reach out to all our fans across the country and they’ll get the chance to see what will be an amazing tournament,” she said. “We want to enjoy the experience of playing in front of friends and family. “It’s a once-in-a-career opportunity to play in a home World Cup, there is pressure and expectation in that but every team wants to win, as we do.” Lanning’s side will face India in their tournament opener on 21 February, with India looking to build on the performances which saw them reach the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Final in 2017. Harmanpreet Kaur will take the reins in Australia – looking to make the most of the experiences from three years ago. “Our team is growing day by day, everyone is looking so positive,” she said. “It’s going to be very big if we win, I was very surprised at all the reaction from 2017. “My parents didn’t tell me, they didn’t want us to feel the pressure. If we win, it’s going to be very big for us. We will try to give our best.” There is experience aplenty in Group A, not least from Sri Lanka captain Chamari Atapattu, one of the few players in world cricket to have a better record against Australia than her format average. “I just play my natural game, I always took myself as a positive cricketer, playing freely – and that’s all there is to it,” she said. “We played against Australia last summer, we learned a lot about them and what makes them the best team in the world. “We’re going to try to play positive cricket – our dream is to get into the semi-finals.” While Atapattu boasts a wealth of captaincy experience, this is the first outing in the role for New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, opponents in their first game in Perth. But despite her novice status as team leader, Devine already knows the approach she wants to take with the White Ferns. “Captaincy is a huge honour but I’m a player like all the rest of my team, so I’ve got to keep doing my job and performing for my teammates,” she said. “I know cricket can be a really fickle game – you’ve got to ride the highs and lows of it and if I can stay nice and calm, it makes it even more special.” Rounding off Group A are Bangladesh, keen to build on an improvement in the past few years which culminated in Salma Khatun’s side beating India in the Asia Cup. She said: “The Asia Cup was a great experience, but the focus is now on the World Cup. We want to be focusing on New Zealand and Australia. “Our U19 side won the World Cup recently and we are looking forward to getting started.” Group B features two previous Women’s T20 World Cup winning sides, one of whom is England – victors in the inaugural competition in 2009. Heather Knight wasn’t part of the squad then but led her side to Women’s Cricket World Cup glory in England back in 2017, noticing similarities between preparations for that competition and now. “We had a great experience in 2017, which was unique in terms of expectation,” she said. “There’s a lot of momentum in this competition, similar to then. I went for coffee in Sydney and saw Ellyse Perry’s face on the side of three different buses! “You want to be tested at a World Cup, finding ways to improve and learn and the tri-series was brilliant for that – we’re now just ready to get going.” The other former champions are West Indies, who prevailed in 2016 but missed out in their home tournament two years ago. Australia spoiled the party on that occasion but Stafanie Taylor insists revenge isn’t part of their pre-event psyche in 2020. “We’re really trying to focus on our own game and playing our best cricket,” she said. “We’ve been playing indoors a lot because of the awful weather so we’re looking forward to getting going.” Meanwhile, South Africa enter this World Cup as one of the underdogs – a tag that Dane van Niekerk feels suits the Proteas. And with Siya Kolisi leading the men’s rugby team to World Cup glory last year, the skipper doesn’t have far to look for inspiration. She said: “Nelson Mandela said that sport can unite a nation and that’s what we as sportspeople do, we try and bring the people together. “If we do something special such as Siya, it would be a dream come true and that’s what makes it special.” Pakistan have similarly failed to reach their full potential in ICC competitions, a setback captain Bismah Maroof believes could change this time around. But it’s the work off the pitch as opposed to execution of skills that she feels could be most important. “It’s important for us to get the right mindset, we’re working on the mental side of our game and so we want to be in a good frame of mind ahead of the first game,” she said. “We are missing big moments in the World Cups, we need to create chances for ourselves, live in the moment and try not to think about the big stage.” The tenth and final team taking part in Australia are Thailand, who have already made history by qualifying for a global event for the first time. Far from making up the numbers, Sornnarin Tippoch’s side haven’t stopped smiling since arriving, already warming the hearts of those around the world. Now, the challenge is bringing cricket to those who are learning about the game back home. She said: “I’m nervous now! We’re really excited to be involved for the first time. We will look to play our best cricket and we’ll show how we play the game. “People back home don’t know me, some people know cricket but it’s not on the television. They will follow us on Instagram and Facebook and will know about our game.”

SB News KARACHI (February 17, 2020):-As many as 350 artists will perform in the opening ceremony of the HBL PSL 2020, which will be held at Karachi’s National Stadium on Thursday. The metropolitan city is expected to be set alight as artists from different music genres – Sufi, pop, rock, bhangra and folk – will come together to perform at what will be the biggest opening ceremony in the history of the HBL PSL. Thousands of fans in the stadium will be on the edge of their seats and millions around the globe will be glued to their television sets as world renowned artists like Abrar-ul-Haq, Aima Baig, Abu Mohammad, Fareed Ayaz, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sajjad Ali, Sanam Marvi and rock band Soch will embellish the ceremony with their breath-taking performances, while Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Haroon and Asim Azhar will perform HBL PSL 2020’s anthem Tayyar Hain. The glittery ceremony, which will be held before the opening match of the tournament between defending champions Quetta Gladiators and two-time champion Islamabad United, will also include riveting acts and a spectacular fireworks show. PCB Director – Commercial, Babar Hamid, said: “It is only befitting that a grand and glamorous opening ceremony is held to welcome Pakistan’s very own HBL PSL in the country. We have brought together all the top artists in the country to set the tone of what will be an epic tournament.” The ceremony, which will be approximately an hour long, will kick-off at 6.45pm. The toss for the first match will be held at 8.30pm, while the much-anticipated first ball of the HBL PSL 2020 will be delivered at 9pm.