Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LONDON: England Men's selection panel have named a 15-man squad for the two-match Test tour of New Zealand starting in February, as Seamers Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts and Essex batter Dan Lawrence returned back in the Test squad. Nottinghamshire quick Olly Stone, who last played for England in June 2021 against New Zealand, will be looking to add to his three Test caps. Durham fast bowler Mark Wood, who was impressive in the recent 3-0 victory over Pakistan, will take a break from all international and franchise cricket in January to fully recover after a busy winter in all formats. He is expected to tour Bangladesh in March, where England will play three ODIS and three IT20s. Leg spinner Rehan Ahmed, as part of his management for this winter, will go to the UAE T20 League in January with a view to joining up with the white-ball team in Bangladesh if selected in March. Yorkshire and England batter Joe Root will play a handful of matches in the UAE T20 League ahead of the tour to New Zealand. He will then have a short break before joining up with the Test team. We believe this is the best way to enhance his game ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India in the autumn of 2023. Those players involved in the ODI series in South Africa – Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Olly Stone and Will Jacks, who is playing in the South Africa T20 League - will fly directly to join the squad in New Zealand following the conclusion of that series. England Men's Test squad: Ben Stokes (Durham-Captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Will Jacks (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire) England Men's Test Tour of New Zealand Schedule: (All timings are local) Two-day warm-up (red-ball): NZ XI v England, 8-9 February, Seddon Park, Hamilton (11am start) Two-day warm-up (pink-ball): NZ XI v England 10-11 February, Seddon Park, Hamilton (2pm start) First Test (pink ball): New Zealand v England, 16-20 February, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui (2pm start) Second Test: New Zealand v England, 24-28 February, Basin Reserve, Wellington (11am start)

BIPIN DANI Jaydev Unadkat's inclusion in the playing eleven in the second Test against Bangladesh surprised many including former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who is in Mirpur as a commentator and player's own family in Gujarat. The final eleven was revealed at the toss by the stand-in captain KL Rahul, who along with Bangladesh captain Shakib, came with blazers on. The 31-year-old left-arm medium pacer has been playing his own second Test after a gap of 12 years. India played 118 Tests since he made his Test debut (against South Africa at Centurion on December 16, 2010). "Yes, it was a very pleasant surprise. We heard this sudden news only after watching the TV in the morning", Rinny, Jaydev's wife said over the telephone from Rajkot. "My in-laws are more emotional than me. Because, my wait is only for two years, whereas they have waited for this day for 12 years", she added. Jaydev and Rinny got engaged in 2020 and after a year-long dating they tied the knot in 2021. Unadkat's  was completely an arranged marriage as Rinny was selected by his parents. Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara had attended the ceremony. Interestingly, Rinny is an advocate but has stopped practising in the High Court. "After our marriage I have left this profession and now I am a complete house-wife. "Yes, it would have been an icing on the cake if I had traveled with the team to Bangladesh but the final eleven team is only decided on a day of the match or one day prior. It was so sudden and I am sure he will certainly miss me when I am not around", the wife added. Jaydev's father, Dipak also echoed his daughter-in-law's views. "Jaydev's inclusion was suddenly surprising but we are not nervous. Having bowled well in the domestic circuit, we are sure he will perform to his best ability". Another surprising fact was that coach Rahul Dravid's signed team sheet displayed Jaydev Unadkat's Test jersey number 61 instead of 91. Jaydev Unadkat has been wearing white jersey no. 91.

BIPIN DANI DHAKA: Team India's stand-in captain KL Rahul was set to address the pre-match media briefing after his batting practice on Wednesday but during the fag end of his net session, a throw-down from batting coach Vikram Rathore injured his hand. If he is not available for the 2nd Test commencing tomorrow, the team will be led by vice captain Cheteshwar Pujara (Pujara has been named vice captain by the BCCI and not by the outgoing selection committee, a member of the support staff confirmed) and in that scenario, the 27-year-old Abhimanyu Easwaran could earn a Test cap. After seeing the wicket on the eve of the Test, Team India's coach Rahul Dravid rushed to chief curator's (Gamini Silva) room. What discussions the coach had with this Sri Lanka-born curator is not known but the experts here believe that the wicket is likely to help the spinners. The first Test pitch was enjoyed by batters but here in Mirpur, the wickets may help the spinners. The wicket at the Shere Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) in Mirpur will assist spinners. The team winning the toss is likely to bat first, and thus avoid batting in the fourth innings. The weather is dry. The chief selector of Bangladesh cricket team, Minhajul Abedin "Nannu" has admitted that the Indian team has a very strong bench strength. "Indian team didn't have their regular captain and a key player Rohit Sharma, still they won the first Test in Chattogram. It is because the team has the strongest bench strength. I see India as a formidable side and not easy to beat". According to him, Virat Kohli will be a "big threat". Kohli is one of the greatest players the world has seen in recent times and though he could not capitalize big scores in the first Test, we can not underestimate his game". Echoing his views in the press conference, Team India's batting coach Vikram Rathore said, "Kohli is working very hard. Even when he was running in a lean patch, he was working hard. All players are working very hard and we are determined to play a good Test match and hopefully, it will produce result". Bangladesh may face an uphill task against Ashwin, Kuldeep and Axar Patel. However, the more encouraging news for Bangladesh came from their fast bowling coach Alan Donald. "Shakib has recovered well and as far as I know he is likely to play tomorrow", he said at the media conference. Doubts were raised about Shakib's participation in the match. Bangladeshi captain was suffering from shoulder and rib cage injuries and due to which he could bowl only 12 overs in the first innings in the first Test. However, both the chief selector and the fast bowling coach confirmed that the captain would and will not play merely as a batter. India (likely Playing XIs): Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (capt), Cheteshwar Pujara (vice captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel,  R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj. Bangladesh (likely Playing XIs): Najmul Hossain Shanto, Zakir Hasan, Yasir Ali, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (December 21, 2022): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named an uncapped middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Hasan Ali in the 16-player squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which will commence at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena on Monday, 26 December. Kamran has replaced Azhar Ali, who announced his retirement last week, while Hasan Ali has taken over from Mohammad Ali, who, like Faheem Ashraf, has been advised to participate in the ongoing Pakistan Cup in Karachi. Haris Rauf has not been included in the squad as he is recovering from an injury he sustained while fielding in the Rawalpindi Test. However, fast bowler Naseem Shah, who missed the Multan and Karachi Tests due to a shoulder niggle, has been being declared fit and as such, retained in the squad. Names of selected players: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood Names of Officials for Series: 26-30 December - 1st Test, Karachi. Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 3-7 January – 2nd Test, Multan. Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee) 10 January – 1st ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee) 12 January – 2nd ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee) 14 January – 3rd ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee).

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (December 19, 2022): Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed became the youngest debutant to take five wickets in an innings and set England on course for a victory after three days of play in the third and final Test in Karachi on Monday. Ahmed, who at 18 years 126 days old on Saturday became the youngest ever to play a Test for England, grabbed five for 48 to bundle Pakistan out for 216, giving his team a target of 167 runs with 75 minutes and two days to play. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett plundered 87 by the 12th over before spinner Abrar Ahmed dismissed Crawley for 41 and Rehan Ahmed for 10. Duckett was unbeaten on 50 and skipper Ben Stokes 10 as England, 112 for two at close, need just 55 runs to inflict a first-ever whitewash on Pakistan on home ground. England, on Pakistan's first Test tour in 17 years, won the first Test in Rawalpindi by 74 runs and the second in Multan by 26 runs. Pakistan fell prey to a spin-assisted National Bank Cricket Arena pitch, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 52 runs with skipper Babar Azam scoring 54 and Saud Shakeel 53. Rehan Ahmed said the feeling was great. "I don't think it has sunk in yet, but yes I am very grateful," he said, admitting Azam's scalp was special. "I bowled better balls and not get wickets so to get a wicket is a wicket and it is nice, especially when it is Babar." Rehan Ahmed built on fellow spinner Jack Leach's three wickets off just six balls in the morning session by taking his first three off just 17. He left Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins behind who, at 18 years 193 days old, took five wickets in his debut Test against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2011. Surprisingly, he had not bowled in the first session, which saw Pakistan reach 99 for three. Ahmed came on after Babar and Saud had put on a valiant rebuilding effort through a fourth wicket stand of 110 runs. The pair took Pakistan to 164 before the skipper made an uncharacteristic misjudgement, soon after he reached 1,000 Test runs for the year. Leach had Pakistan reeling after he knocked over openers Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique and veteran Azhar Ali, appearing in his last match, with only one run added. Ahmed oversaw an equally brutal passage of play, removing Babar (54), Mohammad Rizwan (7) and Saud in the space of six overs for the addition of a paltry 13 runs. Mohammad Wasim (two) and Salman Agha (21) also fell to Ahmed. Saud admitted Pakistan batters committed mistakes. "We ourselves didn't want this situation to come," said Saud. "We committed mistakes especially Babar and I played loose shots and that caused a collapse from which it was tough to overcome." Pakistan started the fourth day on nearly even footing, with openers Abdullah and Shan looking set and erasing England's 50-run lead without the loss of a wicket. But any optimism was snatched away by England's methodical spinners. Leach bowled Shan -- attempting an ill-advised reverse sweep -- for 24, which brought down the first cluster of wickets. Earlier in the day, top-order stalwart Azhar Ali was denied a fairytale ending to his storied career that has spanned 97 Tests and 7,142 runs. Azhar was beaten by spin as he played a forward push on the final ball of Leach's momentum-changing double-wicket maiden. His stumps shattered, Azhar walked off the field for the last time, ending 12 years as a first-team regular. The England players clapped as Azhar trudged back to the dressing room, while Pakistan's players raised their bats at the boundary for a ceremonial guard of honour. Among the handful of spectators were Azhar's wife and three sons.

BIPIN DANI Former India allrounder Manoj Prabhakar, who left the Nepal coaching job after only four months was "asked to resign", it is learnt. According to well-placed sources in Nepal, the 59-year-old Prabhakar was asked to submit his resignation. "The players were not happy with his method of coaching. He was ignoring the senior players. He used to change the settled batting line-up often and was trying to make the batsmen bowlers. In short, we were not happy with this style of coaching and didn't want the CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal) to suffer. It was a bad experience to have him as our coach", one of the sources explained. He had been appointed to the role for a one year tenure in August this year. "We had asked him to resign and his contract was terminated prematurely".  When contacted, Manoj Prabhakar initially refused to talk, but when pressed more, he said, "yes, I have left coaching the team. It was the best decision to resign for the sake of self-respect". He also defended the decision to change the batting order. "The decision to change the batting order was taken in the interest of the team keeping in mind the bowling strategy of the opposite team. And, how can I change the batsman to a bowler? I asked the all-rounders to bowl. During my stint, we won against Kenya and the UAE". Sadly, the CAN's last three coaches (Dav Whatmore, Pubudu Dassanayake and Manoj Prabhakar) have resigned before the expiry of their contracts.  Prabhakar returned to Delhi on December 12. Manoj Prabhakar had brought the new Indian trainer (Abdul Sattar) with him. "Sattar, the former cricketer is a good trainer and we have retained him", the source further added. The CAN is trying to hire the services of a new coach soon. Their team is scheduled to play League-2 matches against Scotland and Namibia in February 2023.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka and Lanka Premier League's Dambulla Aura team captain Dasun Shanaka underwent finger injury surgery on Monday, it is learnt. According to the well-placed sources in Colombo, the white ball-captain had injured his right-hand middle finger in early overs while fielding in the match against Kandy Falcons on Sunday night.  The 31-year-old all rounder was taken to the hospital for X-ray and initial reports didn't suggest any major injury and on return to the field Shanaka was keen to bat and desperate to win the match. The team, however, lost the match by 39 runs. "It is an injury to the top of his old fracture, and as a precautionary measure, the player was again taken to Nawaloka Hospital, where surgery under local anesthesia was performed by Dr. Maithri' 'Maiya" Gunasekera'', one of the sources revealed.   "Shanaka has no bone fracture, it's laceration of the middle finger over the distal interphalangeal joint, and an associated callus broken (osteophyte split) of an old fracture between distal and middle phalanx", the source elaborated. Interestingly, the surgeon is a reputed rugby personality and a former rugby captain who also served as Sri Lankan Rugby Football Union. The surgery was overseen by Dambulla team doctor Namal Wijesinghe and the match-day doctor Dhanushka Dewapriya. "Dasun's availability for the remaining LPL matches will be decided by coach (Mickey Arthur) and our physio Lasantha Ekanayake," one of the doctors, speaking exclusively over the telephone, said. "Dasun is also "keen" to travel to India for the forthcoming bilateral series and jopes to be fully fit," the doctor added. The Sri Lankan team will leave for India on 29th December.   Sri Lanka is scheduled to play 3 T-20Is and 3-ODIs on this tour. 

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Harry Brook continued his remarkable series to rebuild England's innings with his third century in as many Tests after Pakistan had the visitors pinned down on the second day of the final match in Karachi on Sunday. England took an improbable 50-run lead on the back of Brook's innings before they were bowled out for 354 and Pakistan cut the deficit to 29 at the close of play. Pakistan's openers Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood were batting on 14 and 3, respectively with the home side ending the day on 21 for no loss. Brook's 111 revived England's chances of becoming the first team ever to clinch a 3-0 series sweep in Pakistan after the visitors were teetering at 145-5. England lead the three-match series 2-0 after a 74-run win in Rawalpindi and a close-fought 26-run victory in Multan. After Pakistan's spinners knocked over the English top-order, Brook and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes amassed 117 for the sixth wicket, and brought England within touching distance of Pakistan's first innings total of 304. Brook has now scored 468 runs -- beating David Gower's 449 in 1984 -- for the highest series total by an England batter in Pakistan. He also equalled Mohammad Yousuf's record of three hundreds in successive matches in an overseas series – in Test matches between England and Pakistan. Yousuf hit three centuries in England in 2006. Pakistan's spinners Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed had England in a tight spot after the first session. The duo finished with 4-126 and 4-150, respectively. England were struggling at 145-5 soon after lunch after Ben Stokes (26) attempted a third run which Brook turned down only to see his skipper stranded. After Brook fell, Foakes added another 51 alongside Mark Wood for the seventh wicket. Noman then dismissed Foakes and Rehan Ahmed (one) while Ahmed accounted for Wood and Ollie Robinson for 29. In the morning session, Noman removed Ben Duckett and Joe Root off successive deliveries. With the National Bank Cricket Arena pitch offering turn, left-armer Noman trapped Duckett (26) leg before and had the experienced Root caught low in the slip by Salman Ali Agha for nought. Pope stood firm amidst the dual wicket fall, reaching his 11th fifty before he was bowled for 51 by Ahmed, who added to the wicket he took on Saturday.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Spinners Jack Leach and teenager Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets between them as England dismissed Pakistan for 304 on Saturday on the opening day of the third and final Test in Karachi. Leach grabbed four for 140 and Ahmed finished with two for 89 as Pakistan batters spoiled good starts after Babar Azam won the toss and batted on a turning National Bank Cricket Arena pitch. But England also fell prey to spin, with mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed trapping Zak Crawley without scoring before the visitors closed the day on seven for one. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were at the crease with four and three, respectively as England trail by 297 runs. Skipper Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 78 before running himself out in the post-tea session, while Salman Ali Agha made 56. But the start of the day belonged to Rehan Ahmed -- who at 18 years and 126 days old became the youngest England player to start a Test -- when he dismissed Saud Shakeel for 23 in his seventh over. Before Ahmed, Brian Close was the youngest England debutant at 18 years and 149 days when he played against New Zealand in 1949. Leach then came into the act, breaking a stubborn eighth wicket stand of 48 between Salman and Nauman Ali (20). Ahmed, who was presented the Test cap by former England skipper Nasser Hussain in front of father Naeem, described the moment as 'great'. "It was probably the best moment," said Ahmed. "It's great to be part of it. I believe in myself and try to do my best when given an opportunity. "They (England players) backed me the whole day and I couldn’t ask for more. To play at such a young age is a blessing. It's the best feeling in my life." Pakistan's head coach Saqlain Mushtaq, also a great spinner in his days, praised Ahmed. "It was a very impressive performance considering it was his first game. He is a young chap and he has a lot of potential and looks a very good prospect for England team." Saqlain thought his team fell short by 60-70 runs. "It's not a bad total, some 60-70 would have been better, but we have to play disciplined cricket to restrict them because I think the pitch will get slower by the day." In the morning session, Pakistan lost Abdullah Shafique (eight), Shan Masood (30) and Azhar Ali (45) before Babar and Saud looked to have steadied the innings with a 45-run fourth wicket stand. But Ahmed had Saud caught off a defensive shot at short-leg before Babar was adjudged run-out by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes after a lengthy review. Babar, who hit nine boundaries, also added 71 for the third wicket with Azhar. Azhar -- playing his last Test -- fell at the stroke of lunch when he gloved a catch to a diving Foakes off pacer Ollie Robinson. Sensing the pitch would take spin, England started the attack with Leach, who trapped Shafique leg-before in the sixth over of the day. Leach becomes the first spinner to share the new ball in the first innings of a Test for England in 101 years -- Jack White did the same against Australia at Leeds in 1921. Shan fell to the trap of short bowling as he pulled fast bowler Mark Wood straight into the hands of deep fine-leg fielder Leach. Shan hit five boundaries while Azhar had six hits to the ropes. Pakistan made four changes from the second-Test line-up, while England made two, bringing in Foakes and Ahmed.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Azhar Ali, Pakistan’s one of the most successful batters, will hang his shoes after the third Test against England, which begins on Saturday at National Stadium Karachi. With 7,097 runs in 96 matches at an average of 42.49, Azhar is Pakistan’s fifth leading Test run-getter behind Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8,832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8,829) and Mohammad Yousuf (7,530). In 2010, Azhar, as a 25-year-old, made his Test debut in England against Australia at Lord’s and scored his maiden Test half-century in only his second match. He would score 34 more half-centuries and went past the 100-run mark on 19 instances. Azhar, 37, is the only Pakistan batter to score a triple-century in a pink-ball Test - a feat that he achieved against the West Indies at Dubai in 2016. That unbeaten 302 remains his highest score in Test cricket. Over the course of his 12-year career, Azhar also made two double-centuries – 226 against Bangladesh in Dhaka (May 2015) and 205 not out against Australia in Melbourne (December 2016) - and has, at least, one century in Australia, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014, Azhar scored a century in each innings (109 and 100 not out) to help Pakistan win the second Test by 356 runs and two-Test series 2-0. Azhar captained Pakistan in nine Tests in two separate tenures from 2016 till 2020. Azhar retired from One-Day Internationals in 2018 – a year after helping Pakistan win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. In that tournament, Azhar had scores of 50 (v India), 9 (v South Africa), 34 (v Sri Lanka), 76 (v England in semi-final) and 59 (v India in final). Azhar Ali said: “It has been a great honour and privilege for me to represent my country at the highest level. Deciding on when to call it a day is always tough, but, after contemplating deeply, I realised that this is the right time for me to retire from Test cricket. “There are many people who I am grateful to in this strenuous, yet beautiful journey. I want to make a special mention of my family without whose sacrifices; I would not have been where I am today. My parents, wife, siblings, and children have been my strength throughout. “I have been blessed to share dressing room with some of the most outstanding cricketers with whom I share a strong bond. I feel much richer by calling these people my friends. I am also blessed to have played under some wonderful coaches to whom I will always remain grateful. “I retire from international cricket as a fulfilled cricketer who ticked most of the goals he had set for himself. Not many cricketers go on to lead their countries, and that I was able to captain Pakistan is a matter of great pride for me. From being a kid who started as a leg-spinner to becoming a mainstay in the Test batting line-up, I had the loveliest moments of my life that I will cherish forever.” PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “Azhar Ali has been one of the most committed and loyal servants of Pakistan cricket. His grit and determination have been an inspiration for many young cricketers and he is a role model for up and coming cricketers. “While it is sad that Pakistan will not have a player of his experience in the dressing room to draw upon, it only reflects the circle of life. I hope to see Azhar continuing to play a role in the development of Pakistan cricket and sharing his vast knowledge and experience with budding cricketers.”