Sports Bulletin

By Qamar Ahmed None, amongst all the wicket-keepers we have had in Pakistan enjoyed a vast fan following as did the ever agile and handsome Wasim Bari. Ever alert behind the stumps, he was a perfect model of a keeper. Focused, fast moving, quick footed and dextrous, he was a treat to watch whether keeping of fast men or against the best of spinners. Sharp in gloving the ball, catching it or when stumping a batsman, or diving to pick up an edge, Bari was a sheer artist as a keeper and hence his fan following. Which, indeed reminds me of Pakistan's 1979 tour to India under Asif Iqbal and the then Bombay Test. Pakistan was touring India after 18 years and no matter where we played the crowd greeted us warmly, same was the situation during the Bombay Test. People had come to Indian cities from every direction, from across the border and from Pakistan as well. Amongst them were our own movie super stars, Mohammad Ali and Zeba. It was during the Bombay Test when the couple, my close friends asked me to accompany them to actor Raj Kapoor's house for dinner. Greeted warmly by Raj's entire family, we were not only in company of his sons Randhir and Rishi but were also joined by super stars of Bollywood, Dilip Kumar and Amithab Bachan. There was Neetu Singh too who was to be married to Rishi Kapoor after a few weeks. That evening remains etched in my mind for the fact when I discovered that how popular Wasim Bari was within the Kapoor family. Rishi Kapoor during the conversation disclosed that he was an avid fan of one of Pakistani players and if it was possible for me to call Bari in his hotel so that Rishi could talk to him. 'Are you fan of Imran Khan, Zaheer Abbas or Javed Miandad, I asked him. No, he said,' I am fan of Wasim Bari. Which came to me as a huge surprise. I then asked him what makes him a fan of Wasim Bari? Qamar Sir, he said, he is a great wicket keeper, he is handsome, his hair looks great and he has looks of a movie actor.' He told me. Minutes later he took me to his room and requested to ring Pakistan team's hotel so that he could talk to his idol. When on line, I handed over the phone to Rishi, telling Bari that Rishi, your fan would like to talk to you. I could see the excitement oozing out of Rishi' face while talking to his hero. When finished talking to him he turned around not only to thank me but also asked me to attend his marriage to Neetu Singh. I sadly had to decline the invitation because it clashed with a Test I was covering. Twenty years later as I was walking along in the Oxford Street London that I noticed Rishi and his wife waiting for a taxi. I dashed towards him, tapped him on the shoulder. As he turned, he asked me who I was. Remember, I am the one who introduced you to Wasim Bari. He then embraced me, telling me, Qamar Sir, how nice to see. This was one very memorable moment Bari was as popular amongst cricketers of countries against whom he played. Alan Knott of England considered to be best in business always rated Bari better than him. Since making his Test debut at Lord's in 1967 to his final Test in 1984 at Sydney which also happened to be the last Tests of Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell and Rodney Marsh, Bari was one of the best keeper on the circuit. Be it Knott, Marsh, Murray, he was second to none. I saw his debut and covered his almost entire career including his last Test at Sydney, he remained for me a joy to watch an artist of his trade, soft in nature and respectful as ever. In the 1971 and 1974 series in England he was a feature to follow besides the genius of Zaheer Abbas, he was the focus for his safe and acrobatic display behind the stumps. On the Headingley Test of 1971, he took eight catches in the match, the best at the time. In 1979, he caught seven batsmen of first eight dismissed of New Zealand. One of the greats of history with 228 victims behind the wicket he remains a role model for aspiring keepers. Pakistan's first wicket-keeper in Tests was Hanif Mohammad followed by Imtiaz Ahmad, Naushad Ali, Saleem Yousuf, Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Taslim Arif, now Sarfraz Ahmad, Mohammad Rizwan but none as adept in the art of keeping as Wasim Bari.

BIPIN DANI Apart from their teekha Poha and khichdi with Indori chivda, Indore has one more attraction which has brought equal limelight to the city when compared to these delicacies. Yes, you’ve guessed it right we’re talking about the “Dancing Traffic Cop” – Ranjit Singh here. With more than a lakh followers on Facebook and over 2 crore YouTube views – Ranjit is arguably the “world-famous” traffic cop belonging to a small city in Madhya Pradesh. Known for his Michael Jackson styled moves and entertaining traffic management methods, the members of the Indian team were stunned to watch this world famous dancing cop near the Holkar Stadium on Thursday. "I have been posted near the stadium to manage the traffic. Team India captain Rohit Sharma had heard about me and expressed his desire to the security officer requesting me to perform the dance just before the team bus leaves for the hotel after the match on the 2nd day's play", he said over the telephone from Indore. "I was very happy to show my skill in front of the team bus. The players clapped at my show. Rohit, Jadeja and Kohli gave a smile and showed thumbs up. This has encouraged me a lot". The 45-year-old Ranjit Singh is a cricket-fan. His dance has been witnessed by several former cricketers in the past. “I’ve seen your videos on YouTube. I wanted to meet you once. The way you work is very exciting. Keep it up,” Gavaskar had told Ranjit in the past. "VVS Laman was highly impressed but concerned and had advised me to take care of my knee, to which I replied I take utmost care of my fitness and have been doing this for the last more than 15 years' '.

BIPIN DANI The first Test match between India and Australia in the ongoing bilateral series ended in under three days. Ditto the second Test. In the last five years, 20 Test matches have been played in India and only three of them have lasted five days.  Since 2018, two Test matches on India soil ended inside two days, 10 Test matches got over inside three days and five Tests have seen the four days. This has not surprised former India curator, Venkat Sunderam. "I am not surprised. All over the world except Pakistan, we don't see the Tests lasting five days. As far as people are enjoying themselves, no complaints are made. In the last Delhi Test also, the spectators came in large numbers to witness the five-day Test", he said. "In my view, the match-referee should be given a power to give points to both teams depending upon their play. Even the losing team should get a point if they fought hard but lost the match. In the present system, only the winning team is getting the points. In a bar of 1 to 10, both teams should be awarded the points and the World Test Championship should be played on the basis of points each team gets. The ICC should consider this". Venkat Sunderam also believes that a panel of neutral curators should be formed. "If ICC can send neutral umpires and a neutral match referee for the matches, why can't there be neutral curators", he said.  India's another former chief curator Dhiraja Parsana believes that early finish of the Test matches is because the pitches are made to suit the home team.  Speaking exclusively, he said, "My observation and view is : last few years Test matches finished in two to three days because home advantage pitches are prepared as per the team strength. And it is accepted by the match referee, media, captains of the visiting teams, their coaches, and administrators too. When the India team is touring abroad, they prepare as per their team strength and we don't complain about it either".

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has allowed the Test players to have their wives and children on the upcoming New Zealand tour, it is learnt.  According to the well-placed sources in the SLC, this permission at present is granted to the Test team. "Yes, the players' can have their immediate family members on this tour. The immediate family members include wives and children and parents. However, generally, married players take their wives and children on a long tour. So far we have not received any intimation about any players' family joining on the tour", the source said over the telephone from Colombo. The players' training camp is getting over on Thursday and the Test team of 17-players will leave for New Zealand on 27th morning, i.e. 10-days prior to the first Test match, which will be played at Christchurch from March 9. The visiting Sri Lankan team will play two Tests, three ODIs' and three T-20I. At present only the red ball team is selected. "We still have time for the white ball matches (commencing on March 25) and the squad for the white ball game will be announced. Few of the current Test squad will return and will be replaced by white ball players", the source confirmed. "There has been no change in the present support staff of the red ball game. Those who last travelled with the team on the India tour are retained". However, few changes in the support staff are not ruled out for the white ball games. Romesh Kaluwitharana is a tour selector. 

Sports Bulletin Report Kabul: The Afghanistan Cricket Board has appointed Imran Farhat and Rana Naveed Ul Hassan, former Pakistan Cricketers, to serve as batting and bowling coaches in its High-Performance Center. The High-Performance Center (HPC) was recently placed in the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s revamped organizational structure which provides a range of high-performance services across coaching, training, capacity-building programs, medical services and high-performance management. The left-handed top-order batter Imran Farhat represented Pakistan in 40 tests, 58 ODIs and 7 T20Is between 2001 & 2013 and also carries a vast experience of playing 230 First Class and 222 List A matches. In his coaching career, Farhat has also been part of the ICC High-Performance Advance Level 3 Cricket Coaching Course for Test Cricketers and has also accomplished his Level 2 coaching course with England Cricket Board. In addition, he has been involved in coaching roles with several teams including working with teams in Kashmir Premier League and Junior Premier Leagues with PCB. Before joining ACB’s HPC, he was serving the PCB as the Head Coach for Central Punjab 2nd XI, after working as head coach with Southern Punjab’s U16 and U19 from 2020-2022. The Right-arm Medium Fast Bowler Rana Naveed Ul Hassan has also represented Pakistan in 9 Tests, 74 ODIs and 4 T20Is from 2003 to 2010 and has also featured in 156 FC, 197 List A and 126 T20 matches for various teams. He has accomplished his Level 2 and Bio Mechanics Coaching Coursed from Pakistan Cricket Board and has been involved in the coaching setup of the UAE National Team for two years 2016-2017. As part of the ACB's goals for the players and game development in Afghanistan, it is fine to state that the Afghanistan Cricket Board is looking forward to welcoming more renowned individuals to its National High-Performance Center.

Sports Bulletin Report Kabul (February 15, 2022): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) today confirmed the final 18-player squad for the three-match T20I series against the United Arab Emirates that begins tomorrow. The three 20I matches will take place on February 16, 18, and 19 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. We don't take any team lightly and have always tended to completely prepare the squad for any event, according to Chairman ACB Mirwais Ashraf. "The team has been in the UAE for around 10 days as it was getting ready for the series," he added. "Playing UAE in their own conditions is not an easy task because they are a good team with some excellent cricketers, but we are hoping that Afghan players will do well and rise to the occasion," he continued. The T20I series is being played in accordance with the mutual cooperation agreement that was recently signed between Afghanistan and the Emirates Cricket Boards. Based on the agreement, Afghanistan will play a series of three T20I matches with the UAE on an annual basis. This will be Afghanistan's first international assignment in 2023 and is considered a crucial preparation for a busy upcoming season, which includes several bilateral commitments and major events such as the ACC Asia Cup in September and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in October. Names of players: Rashid Khan (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen Ul Haq, Nijat Masoud, Noor Ahmad, Rahmat Shah, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Zahir Khan. Series Schedule: 16th February – 1st T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 18th February – 2nd T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 19th February – 3rd T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Bipin Dani Nepal's 22-year-old bowler Sandeep Lamichhane who has been granted a bail by the Court in Nepal in the alleged rape case is gaining support from the international cricketers. This was revealed by Chatur Bahadur Chand, the president of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kathmandu, he said, "Yes, Sandeep is gaining motivational calls from the players. Last weekend, Pakistani wicket-keeper / batter Mohammad Rizwan paid a flying visit and met Sandeep. Rizwan was in Bangladesh playing the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He came to Nepal for a few hours and tried to motivate the bowler. Possibly, for this personal visit he may have obtained the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) permission and he returned to Bangladesh for his remaining matches". Rizwan also met the CAN president.  One among the others, who have wished Sandeep to be strong in this difficult time is India's Dinesh Karthik. "We hear Dinesh Karthik has sent a message to our new coach Monty Desai for Sandeep. Karthik is keen to come to Nepal and motivate him", the CAN president added. Karthik's visit may not materialize soon as he is the commentary panel for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sandeep is now on bail and has joined the 20-member squad (reduced from originally 30) for the closed-door training. "He is staying with the other team members in the hotel", confirmed Chand. His family, however, wanted him the permission to join the training from home daily. Sandeep's case is likely to come up for hearing in the next few months, confirmed his lawyer Saroj K. Ghimire, who tried hard to get his client's bail. "Sandeep is not yet given permission to travel overseas with the team but hopefully, we will try to get this clearance also", the lawyer, speaking exclusively, said. "Sandeep attended a few psychological sessions from the country's top psychologist Sushma Regmi", the lawyer confirmed.

Bipin Dani Pakistan's Shoaib Mohammad is happy to welcome Windies' pair of father and son- Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Tagenarine Chanderpaul-in his company to have registered double hundreds in Test cricket. Tagenarine Chanderpaul double hundred came in his only third Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Monday.  Shoaib Mohammad and his late father, Hanif Mohammad had held this record for 32 long years. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Karachi, Shoaib Mohammad said, "I am proud to have held this record for so many years. It was a pity that this had not been widely reported for so many years. More so, because this had happened twice. Both me and my father had scored double hundreds twice". "We are glad that this topic has now surfaced because of the Chandrapaul family and now people know that there was some other pair also having emulated this feat. My congratulations to both father and son having made this unique feat". "I think more than 25 father-son duo have played Test cricket for their respective countries. There are iconic names in the list but either father failed to score a double hundred or his son". There have been instances of father-son duo who have scored centuries. "We are superior to them because we have scored double hundreds".  "Sadly, my father is not around at this point of time as he passed away a few years ago. He is not there in the company of the four but I am sure he would also have been very happy to know some other pair is also in the company. My late father also believed that the records are always meant to be broken". "It is a good feeling and the Windies batters would also feel the same. This unique feat makes us proud, makes our family proud and makes our nation proud".   

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) national selectors are awaiting an invitation to select red and white ball teams for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand where two Test matches and three ODIs and three T-20I are to be played. "We have not yet sent them the invitation to meet and select the team", one of the sources confirmed. "Hopefully, the squad will be selected after the completion of the 2nd unofficial 4-day Test against the visiting England Lions", the source added. "We are awaiting the sports ministry's advice on the selection committee. If no change in the committee is notified the same selectors will be sent the invitation by the SLC to pick the players. Even if the selectors are changed at a later date, they (new selectors) will have the liberty to make the changes", the source also clarified. The SLC has, however, applied for the visas of the players who are cetaintities, it is learnt. Romesh Kaluwitharana will be the selector on tour. "Hemantha Wickramratne toured with the Asia Cup team in the UAE and India. Will have decided to send Kalu", the source added. All three selectors will watch the respective matches in Galle (2nd unofficial Test, Hambantota and Colombo (National Super League).  The players are scheduled to have training from February 17 and as first reported, it will be held at Radella Cricket Ground.

Bipin Dani Nepal's two international cricketers have been arrested for spot-fixing in the recently concluded Nepal T20 League played in the county. It is reliably learnt. According to highly placed sources in Nepal, several other foreign and local players and support staff are being investigated for their role in the alleged spot-fixing in the matches. The two, who have been arrested for the investigations are (1) Mohammad Aadil Alam and (2) Mahaboob Alam. Mohammad Aadil, who is also known as Aadil Ansari is a young current player. The 19-year-old Aadil is a right-arm medium pacer and a lower order batter having played six ODIs and eight T-20Is. In the recently concluded Nepal T-20 League, he was playing for Janakpur Royals. The other player Mahaboob Alam is a former cricketer who was the star player of the World Cricket League Division 5 tournament that took place in Jersey in May 2008. He became famous by taking all ten wickets in the match against Mozambique. The 41-year-old all-rounder Mahaboob Alam. In the recent Nepal League, he played Provincial matches for Nepal. The names of about six other people (players and support staff), who are being ICC Anti-Corruption radar are not revealed yet.