Sports Bulletin

By BIPIN DANI Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams was not eyeing his individual half century before declaration, according to his father Collin Williams, who was also a cricketer and played five First Class matches. On Friday, the captain did not declare the second innings at the over night score of 241 for 7 (Williams was unbeaten on 47) but declared immediately after playing the only delivery, in which he hit a six and surpassed 50. "Definitely, the half century was not in his mind", speaking exclusveily over telephone from Harare, he said. "It was all about using the heavy roller. Before the start of play he asked for heavy roller. If had declared overnight he could not have had the pitch roller with his choice of roller", he added. Incidentally, the father also sent the audio clippings of his overnight conversation with Sean Williams. "I will pick the option of using heavy roller in the morning and then declare the innings. I intend to give them a target of about 355 runs, i.e. 4 runs per an over", his audio recording said.    "Rain and weather will play important part in the matter but I can't do anything on that. We already had few delays and interruptions in the match (on the fourth day) but I am very keen and positive on winning the match", he had said this to his dad on the eve of the match. Sean Williams, however, had to be content with the draw. Kusal Mendis' ton saved Sri Lanka from losing the Test.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (February 1, 2020):-The national men’s selection committee has named a 16-player squad for the first ICC World Test Championship fixture against Bangladesh to be played in Rawalpindi from 7-11 February. The selectors have recalled off-spinner Bilal Asif at the back of his 43 wickets in nine Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches, while Faheem Ashraf has been drafted in the side due to his all-round skills that were backed by his six wickets in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final against Northern.  Two changes have been made in the side that was named for the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against Sri Lanka.  Kashif Bhatti and Usman Shinwari have been left out, but they remain in the red-ball plans and have been advised to continue their training and preparation.  While Kashif didn’t play against Sri Lanka, Usman made his only appearance in the Rawalpindi Test where he took one for 54.  Squad 1.       Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab) 2.       Abid Ali (Sindh) 3.       Asad Shafiq (Sindh) 4.       Babar Azam (Central Punjab) 5.       Bilal Asif (Central Punjab) 6.       Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab) 7.       Fawad Alam (Sindh) 8.      Haris Sohail (Balochistan) 9.       Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan) 10.   Imran Khan Snr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 11.    Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab) 12.    Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 13.    Naseem Shah (Central Punjab) 14.    Shaheen Shah Afridi ( Northern) 15.    Shan Masood (Southern Punjab) 16.    Yasir Shah (Balochistan)  Chair of the men’s national selection committee and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said: “We have followed the horses for courses policy for the Test against Bangladesh. I know the two players who have been left out will be disappointed, but they remain firmly within our plans for the red-ball cricket we are scheduled to play later this year.  “Kashif Bhatti has paved the way for Bilal Asif considering there are left-handed batters in the Bangladesh top and middle-order, while Faheem Ashraf has been preferred over Usman Shinwari due to his all-round abilities.  “Following our convincing victory in Karachi, I don’t envisage any major changes in the playing line-up but we have tried to cover all our bases just in case the wicket has any surprises for us.  “We ended 2019 on a high with a victory over Sri Lanka and have made a good start to 2020 by winning the T20I series against Bangladesh. I understand the Test will be a different ball game but I am optimistic we will maintain our good form and translate that into another strong performance that will contribute significantly in the overall confidence building of the Test side.  “We are aiming to collect maximum points from the two upcoming ICC World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh so that when we take the field for the Lord’s Test against England on 30 July, we are in a strong contention for a top-two finish by the end of the 2020-21 season. This is what our aspiration is and that’s what are aiming and striving for.”  The Pakistan team will depart for Rawalpindi on 3 February, where it will fine-tune its final preparations from 4 February.          

SB Report BENONI(January 31, 2020):-A half-century from Mohammad Huraira on debut secured Pakistan U19 a six-wicket win against Afghanistan U19 in the fourth quarter-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Benoni on Friday. Pakistan will face India U19 on Tuesday, 4 February, in the first Super League semi-final in Potchefstroom. Huraira, the 17-year-old opener from Sialkot scored with 64 off 76 balls before he was mankaded by Noor Ahmad in the 28th over of Pakistan’s run-chase. Pakistan’s chase began with a flourish as Hurraira, who hit eight fours and a six, made full use of a dropped catch early in his innings. His opening partner Haider Ali hit five spanking fours in his 34-ball 28 before he was run out. The pair added 61 runs in 11.3 overs. Captain Rohail Nazir added 56 for the second-wicket with Hurraira before the former was dismissed by Noor for a 35-ball 22. The possibility of Pakistan breaking the losing streak against Afghanistan at this level – Pakistan had lost their last four completed matches against Afghanistan stretching from November 2017 – came under threat when the batting side lost three wickets for 10 runs with their score slipping from 117 for one to 127 for four. But, an unbeaten 63-run stand between Qasim Akram (25 off 41) and Mohammad Haris (29 off 43) helped Pakistan chase the target with 53 balls spare. Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan were dismissed for 189 run in 49.1 overs. Captain and opener Farhan Zakhil scored for the Afghans with a 55-ball 40, hitting seven fours in his innings. Abdul Rahman provided a late flourish to the innings with a 41-ball 30 (two fours and one six). Middle-order batsmen Rahmanullah (29) and Abid Mohammadi (28) made useful contributions. For Pakistan, pacer Amir Khan took three wickets for 58 runs in his 10 overs. Leg-spinner Fahad Munir provided two useful breakthroughs in his seven over spell in which he conceded 29 runs. Qasim Akram, Abbas Afridi, Tahir Hussain and Aamir Ali took a wicket each. For his match-winning knock, Huraira was named man-of-the-match. Scores in brief: Afghanistan Under-19:  189 all out, 49.1 overs (Farhan Zakhil 40, Abdul Rahman 30; Amir Khan 3-58, Fahad Munir 2-29) Pakistan Under-19:  190-4, 41.1 overs (Mohammad Huraira 64, Mohammad Haris 29 not out, Haider Ali 28, Qasim Akram 25 not out, Rohail Nazir 22; Noor Ahmad 2-32)

BY Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 31, 2020):-Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim will chair the revamped Pakistan Cricket Board Cricket Committee, which will meet on a quarterly basis, it was announced on Friday. Iqbal, a veteran of 50 Tests and 15 ODIs, will lead the panel that will also include Wasim Akram (former captain and now a respected commentator), Urooj Mumtaz (chief selector and representative of women’s cricket), Umar Gul (former Test cricketer and representative of current domestic cricketers) and Ali Naqvi (former Test opener and representative of the match officials). In addition to the five, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and Director – International, Zakir Khan, will serve as coopted members. The PCB Cricket Committee’s remit will be to advice PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani on cricket-related matters, including but not limited to the performances of the national cricket teams and their managements, domestic cricket structure, high-performance centres and playing conditions. The Committee will have the powers to invite relevant personnel for its quarterly meetings to assist as part of its evaluation, assessment and recommendation process. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I welcome all the distinguished members in this PCB Cricket Committee and look forward to working with them. I am delighted we have been able to put together a wide-ranging, knowledgeable, experienced and respected group whose commitment and involvement in the game is second to none. “These members are representatives of all key stakeholders within the game. More importantly, and in line with our policy, they are completely independent, which, in turn, will assist the PCB management to further improve the health of the game in Pakistan.” Iqbal Qasim said: “I am pleased the PCB has considered me for this important assignment and will try to utilise all my cricket and corporate experience and knowledge in the successful delivery of my responsibilities. “The PCB Cricket Committee comprises members who are avid followers of the game, are on top of all matters related to the game in Pakistan and, therefore, with collective wisdom, will make recommendations that will help the PCB to improve its strategic direction. “The game belongs to the people of Pakistan and we all are equal stakeholders in this. I think anyone who thinks can make a positive and meaningful contribution to Pakistan cricket, should come forward and play their active part.” About the members: Iqbal Qasim – Played 50 Tests and 15 ODIs in which he took 171 and 12 wickets, respectively. He also took 999 first-class wickets in 246 matches from 1971 to 1992. He has previously served the PCB in various roles, including team manager, chief selector and member of Domestic Tournament Monitoring Committee (DTMC). He is one of the executives at the National Bank of Pakistan. Ali Naqvi – Hit a century on his Test debut against South Africa in 1997 in Rawalpindi. He played five Tests and 115 first-class matches, scoring 242 and 5,881 runs, respectively from 1997 to 2011. He is presently a member of the PCB Elite Panel for Match Referees. Umar Gul – Played 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is from 2003 to 2016, taking 163, 179 and 85 wickets, respectively. He is still an active domestic cricket and took six wickets in five matches for Balochistan. In the National T20 Cup, he bagged four wickets in seven matches at an economy-rate of 9.35. Urooj Mumtaz – Played one Test, 38 ODIs and nine T20Is from 2004 to 2010, taking 2, 36 and six wickets, respectively. She captained Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 in Sydney, and presently is the chair of women’s selection committee and acting head of the PCB’s women’s wing. Wasim Akram – An ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, he played 104 Tests and 356 ODIs in which he took a total of 916 wickets and scored 6,615 runs, respectively. Following his retirement from international cricket in 2003, he has become one of the most respected and knowledgeable commentators, and has worked for all the leading sport channels at all the major ICC events.

By BIPIN DANI Runs scored by the batsmen and wickets taken by bowlers in the Super Overs are not included in players' individual records. This was revealed by India's renowned cricket statistician Mohandas Menon. Explaining the logic behind this, he exclusively said, "No, they are not added in the player's career records. Because Super overs are meant just for the sake of finding out which side has to be declared a a winner in a tied game". "This happens in football too... goals scored during penalty shoot-outs are not added in players career tally", he further added. ICC reply "When ICC first created the super over, it was inserted in the regulations that no team or individual performances will count towards any official records. We took as our lead penalty shootouts in football matches which don’t count towards career goal tallies.  So no-one can score a pair in a List A match!  That doesn’t stop anyone collating such stats.  It’s just that they won’t appear in any List A records",  ICC’s statistician has said this to the MCC on a special request by this Reporter. It was the fifth defeat via a Super over for New Zealand in seven attempts in T20Is! Lucky or unlucky Having lost yet another match by a Super Over, New Zealand skipper may seem to be unlucky but he is not, according to India's sports astrologer Greenstone Lobo. Speaking exclusveily, he says, "he (Kane Williamson) has it in him to overcome all of this and do something magical by finally overcoming these hiccups". "He may win an important multi-team tournament and prove that he is indeed luck. His best is yet to come", he further added.

By BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lankan cricketer and world's highest wicket taker Muthiah Muralitharan won the hearts of the people at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Thursdayearly morning. Legendary cricketer Muralitharan and his family were waiting in a long queue to get to the counter at the immigration at the airport. He had flown down from India and was taking pictures with everyone who asked for one, while waiting. His wife Madhi Malar was by his side chatting with people she had never met in her life. The immigration staff asked him to step out of the line so they can get him cleared quickly and he could have been on his way home in a few minutes. But he politely declined the offer and waited in line for almost an hour with the rest of the other people. Speaking exclusveily over telephone hours after reaching home, his Indian wife, Madhi Malar said, "Our flight landed at night. We were with our children. Night time is very busy at the airport. There were lots of people at the immigration". "People in Sri Lanka love and respect Murali and as a token of respect offered us to go forward. Even immigration officer too offered to break the queue". "We too love our people and as a respect for them didn't want to go out of turn", she added.  "They were both so very humble and sweet. What a great duo. Such humility from such a legend", one of the ex-Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) honorary officials, Samantha Algama shared the photo. "I thought it was worth a share. Bless him and his family", he said.

By Our Senior Correspondent ISLAMABAD (January 31, 2020):-The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced the consortium of Tower Sports and SportzWorkz as its broadcast production partner for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, which will be held across Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 20 February to 22 February. The appointment was finalized following an open and transparent tender process as per the Pakistan Procurement Rules 2004. Pursuant to a rigorous pre-qualification process, the consortium had submitted the lowest evaluated bid. Tower Sports is a Pakistan-registered company while SportzWorkz is registered in Singapore, and, together, they bring a powerful and respected crew of production management team who have a great wealth of experience of quality cricket production. As part of the HBL PSL production arrangement, Tower Sports and SportzWorkz will also work to train Pakistani camerapersons and technical crew.  This development program is being put in place with an aim to enhance the broadcast production skills of resources available in Pakistan. The production team is led by industry stalwarts Chris McDonald and supported by Stephen Norris. McDonald has previously served as Senior Vice-President at ESPN Star Sports. He has also served as the CEO and was one of the founding members of Ten Sports. Norris has over 30 years of sports media and production experience and was instrumental in the successful launch of BT Sports in the UK and Ten Sports in South Asia. He was also the Head of Production at Ten Sports and helped them become the largest cricket producer in the world, including the production of all Pakistan cricket matches from 2000 to 2006. Other notable members of the crew include Tim Finlay, Louwrens Rensburg and Graham Rendell.                Finlay has over 30 years of live production experience including work with BPL, SLPL, BCCI and the Australian Open. Rensburg has worked as Executive Producer for SuperSport and has worked on the Cricket World Cup as well as bilateral cricket for South Africa, England and Pakistan. Rendell brings with him 25 years of live production experience including bilateral cricket for Pakistan and the IPL. PSL Project Executive Shoaib Naveed said: “We are excited to have such experienced personnel on board for the live production of HBL Pakistan Super League. “Since the very first HBL PSL season, we have endeavored to provide world-class production for our fans and media partners and this year, with the wealth of experience that Tower Sports and SportzWorkz bring with their team, we aim to further enhance our production experience.”           Chairman SportzWorkz Chris McDonald said: “A part of our commitment to the PCB and to Pakistan itself is to train local TV production professions on delivering a state of the art, top level, international live cricket production. “We will be developing local capacity by conducting on venue and classroom style training during the PSL for Pakistan professionals interested in having a career in sports production. Our goal, simply put, is to have a majority Pakistani crew in two to three years from now.”

By  BIPIN DANI During Sri Lanka batting in the on going Harare Test against Zimbabwe, one of the on field umpires (India's Nitin Menon and Pakistan's Aleem Dar) erred in ball counting and one ball had been bowled less by the Zimbabwean bowler Sikandar Raza in 37th over. Incidentally, the other umpire or the scorer did not bring it to the notice of the umpire who miscounted the balls,though the same is permissible, according to Jonny Singer, the Laws of Cricket Advisor at Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodian of the Laws of the game.  Speaking exclusveily over telephone from London, he said, "there are two key Laws here. First, 17.5.1, which states: "If the umpire miscounts the number of valid balls, the over as counted by the umpire shall stand". "That said, there is nothing to stop communication between the two umpires, and indeed the scorers – in fact, it is to be encouraged. If the scorer, or other umpire, notices a mistake, the umpire is permitted to change his/her decision under Law 2.12. This states: "An umpire may alter any decision provided that such alteration is made promptly. This apart, an umpire’s decision, once made, is final". "‘Promptly’, in this case, usually means before the ball next comes into play. So, if a mistake is noticed before the next over begins, the umpire may revoke the call of Over, and bowl the remaining delivery. If not, the over as counted stands under Law 17.5", he added. "It would not usually be appropriate for the players to be the ones questioning the decision – it is better that the umpires and scorers come to this conclusion between them", Singer signed off. . 

SB Report ISLAMABAD (January 30, 2020):- New Zealand recovered from an early innings collapse to claim a second final-over victory of the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup as they beat the West Indies to progress to the semi-finals. Kristian Clarke produced a player-of-the-match performance to rescue the junior Black Caps, taking four for 25 with the ball and finishing 46 not out with the bat to help his side to a two-wicket victory. The West Indies had looked in pole position to secure their place in the last four after Kirk McKenzie fell one run short of a century as they posted 238 before reducing New Zealand to 67 for four. But Quinn Sunde (32) and Simon Keene (33) rebuilt the innings before Clarke and Joey Field (38) came together to get New Zealand over the line, with just two wickets and two balls to spare. Clarke’s innings was the highest score ever by a No.10 batsman in the ICC U19 World Cup and his ninth-wicket partnership with Field was also the highest in a run chase in the tournament’s history. Clarke starred with ball and then bat as New Zealand reached the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup semi-finals for the fourth time with a remarkable come-from-behind two-wicket win over West Indies at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The junior Black Caps appeared to be headed out of the competition when they slumped to 153 for eight chasing 239. But Clarke struck an unbeaten 46 and shared in an unbroken 86-run ninth wicket partnership with Field (38 not out) that guided their side to a fine upset win with two balls to spare. “I don’t think I’ve been part of a better game than that,” player-of-the-match Clarke said. “Obviously playing my part was good, but the whole game was up and down, so we’re just thankful to get over the line.” Their exploits came against a West Indian team that had swept all before them by winning their first three games to top a tough Group A. The 2016 winners could not get through their quarter-final tie, though, despite dominating for most of the game. McKenzie’s 99 had earlier helped them post a competitive 238 all out in 47.5 overs, with the left-hander clubbing three sixes and 11 fours along the way after his captain Kimani Melius had won the toss and opted to bat first. Seamer Clarke was the pick of the bowlers for the New Zealanders, but his efforts appeared to be scant consolation after being initially let down by his top order. Ashmead Nedd was the key man for West Indies with the ball claiming three for 33, with two wickets each from Matthew Forde (two for 64) and Joshua James (two for 45) leaving their opposition looking dead and buried. Ashmead Nedd of West Indies celebrates bowling Beckham Wheeler-Greenall of New Zealand during the ICC U19 Cricket World Super League Cup Quarter Final match between West Indies and New Zealand at Willowmoore Park on January 29, 2020 in Benoni. Ashmead Nedd of West Indies celebrates bowling Beckham Wheeler-Greenall of New Zealand during the ICC U19 Cricket World Super League Cup Quarter Final match between West Indies and New Zealand at Willowmoore Park on January 29, 2020 in Benoni. However, Clarke and Field had other ideas, sharing in a match-winning stand that put plucky New Zealand into the last four. “We definitely wanted to try and reach as far as possible in the tournament and getting to the semi-final is an excellent effort by our boys,” Clarke added. “Everyone has stood up and it has been a really good team effort.” Scores in brief New Zealand Under- 19s beat West Indies Under 19s by two wickets, Willowmoore Park, Benoni West Indies 238 all out, 47.5 overs (Kirk McKenzie 99, Kevlon Anderson 33; Kristian Clarke 4-25) New Zealand 239-8, 49.4 overs (Kristian Clarke 46 not out, Joey Field 38 not out; Ashmead Nedd 3-33) ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 Fixtures Super League Quarter Final 3: 30 January: Bangladesh v South Africa – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom Plate Playoff Semi Final 1: 30 January: Nigeria v UAE – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom Plate Playoff Semi Final 2: 30 January: Japan v Canada – Ibbies Oval, Potchefstroom Plate Semi Final 1: 30 January: Sri Lanka v Scotland, North West University Oval, Potchefstroom Super League Quarter Final 4: 31 January: Afghanistan v Pakistan – Willowmoore Park, Benoni Plate Semi Final 2: 31 January: England v Zimbabwe, Diamond Oval, Kimberley

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (January 29, 2020):-The road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 for 24 European teams has been confirmed, as an expanded regional qualification process for the Men’s T20 World Cup is set to begin in May 2020. Three qualifying events will take place in expanded regional qualification from 16 May to 30 June 2020 with the winning team from each event joining Jersey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Fina.l Three eight-team Europe qualifying events will take place and will see Hungary, Romania and Serbia making their debut performances in ICC competition, with Bulgaria, Greece, Luxembourg and Malta all returning to ICC events for the first time in a number of years. Each Europe qualifier will provide the opportunity for the winning team to progress to the Europe Final, where they will join Jersey to compete for two spots in the Global Qualifiers. Europe Qualifier A will be hosted in Spain from 16 to 22 May 2020. Alongside the hosts will be Italy, Norway, France, Bulgaria, Israel, Malta and Cyprus. Italy and Norway will both be looking to reach the Europe Final once again, whilst Bulgaria and Malta will be looking to make a good impression in their first appearance in the revised ICC Men’s T20 World Cup pathway. Europe Qualifier C will be held in Belgium, who will be hoping for the benefits of home advantage when they host the event from 10 June to 16 June 2020. Alongside Belgium will be Denmark, Austria, Romania, Czech Republic, Portugal, Isle of Man and Serbia. Denmark, who progressed to the Europe Final in the previous iteration of this event and are currently ranked 29th in the ICC Men’s Team Rankings, will be hoping to replicate that success and secure the sole qualification spot. The final qualifier will take place between 24 to 30 June 2020, where Finland will play host to an ICC event for the first time with Europe Qualifier B. Germany, who missed out on progressing from the previous Europe Final by just 0.053 on net run rate, will be looking for another opportunity to reach the global stage but will face stiff competition from Guernsey, Sweden, Luxembourg, Hungary, Gibraltar, Greece and hosts Finland. ICC Regional Development Manager Europe, Andy Wright said: “We are delighted to announce the dates and hosts for three important events that are taking place this summer. 24 European teams will have the opportunity to compete in an expanded qualification process to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. We are also thrilled that Finland will be hosting an ICC event for the first time, showcasing the appetite and ability of our Members to host international events.” The winning team from each of the three Europe Qualifiers will progress to a four-team Europe Final, where they will be joined by reigning Europe Final victors Jersey. The top two teams from this event will qualify to the Global Qualifier events, taking them just one step from the main event in India.