Cricket - Int News
English guys whip Pakistan by six wickets in 1st T20 international
SPORTS BULLETIN
Karachi:-Alex Hales marked his return to international cricket with a bang, as he smashed 53 in 40 balls were vital for England’s victory against hosts Green Shirts by six-wicket in the first of the seven T20 Internationals’ tie at National Cricket Stadium Karachi.
It was a dream return of sorts for Hales, who has not featured in England colours since 2019, as he anchored the run chase, scoring at a strike rate of 133, and helping his side roll over the 159-run target with four balls spare.
After the early wicket of Phil Salt, who made run-a-ball 10, Hales added crucial runs with Dawid Malan (20 off 15) and Ben Duckett (21 off 17) with both partnerships worth 34, before Harry Brook’s whirlwind 25-ball 42 not out (seven fours) took the game away from the grasp of the hosts.
Naseem Shah’s first over went for 14 runs with both the openers – Salt and Hales, hitting a boundary each. The introduction of Shahnawaz Dahani, following a tight second over from Mohammad Nawaz, provided Babar Azam’s side a breakthrough when Salt pulled the right-arm pacer’s short-pitched delivery into the hands of Haider Ali, stationed at deep square-leg.
That was the only wicket Pakistan would bag in the powerplay as Malan and Hales launched a counterattack. Malan welcomed Usman Qadir with a six over his head – off a full toss – at the start of the seventh over, but a beautiful leg-break delivery bamboozled Malan the next ball, who edged it back to the bowler to cup it safely.
Duckett’s adventurous approach did not reap him the rewards he and Moeen Ali, who captained England in the absence of an injured Jos Buttler, would have expected as he was trapped LBW trying to reverse sweep a ball.
Hales fell in the 17th over when he top-edged Haris Rauf, but the match had been settled in England’s favour by then.
Pakistan posted 158 - after Moeen elected to bowl - at the back of Mohammad Rizwan’s 68 in 46. Pakistan were off to a flying start as the pair of Rizwan and Babar lifted Pakistan to 51 by the close of powerplay and had them at 85 at 9.3 overs when the latter was bowled off a scorching googly from Adil Rashid.
Pakistan lost their next three wickets for 11 runs as Haider, Rizwan and Shan Masood fell inside 11 balls. Debutant Luke Wood had a terrific start to his T20I career returning three for 24 from four overs. The collapse was further aggravated by the left-arm pacer with the scalps of Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah at death as the hosts could add only 71 in the last 10 overs.
The two sides meet for the second T20I on Thursday at the same venue, where the third and fourth matches will also be played. The action moves to Lahore from 28 September as the Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’ Home of Cricket, hosts the last three matches.
Scores in brief:
England beat Pakistan by six wickets
Pakistan 158-7, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 68, Babar Azam 31, Iftikhar Ahmed 28; Luke Wood 3-24, Adil Rashid 2-27)
England 160-4, 19.2 overs (Alex Hales 53, Harry Brook 42 not out, Ben Duckett 21, Dawid Malan 20; Usman Qadir 2-36)
Player of the match – Luke Wood (England)
Sri Lankan players to undergo fitness tests on Wednesday
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka's all national cricketers will undergo fitness tests on Wednesday, it is learnt.
According to the sources in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the list of national players to undergo these tests on Wednesday also includes the World Cup squad. "All these tests will be conducted at the R. Premadasa Stadium under the supervision of our experienced trainer Grant Luden", a top source in the SLC revealed to this Reporter.
Incidentally, Luden will be a member of the support staff traveling to Australia with the World Cup players. He was also in the UAE for the recent Asia Cup.
South Africa-born Luden, who has worked with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is well-experienced in handling the players' injuries and has been working with the SLC as a Physical Performance Manager.
Pramodya Wickramsinghe, the head of the national selection panel will travel with the team as a tour selector. The 51-year-old former fast bowler recently travelled to the UAE to oversee the performance of the players. Apparently, his recent trip to the UAE was in his own capacity and he also didn't stay in the same hotel where the team was put up.
SLC to host Residential Camp in Kandy for World Cup probables
Bipin Dani
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has hosted a Residential Camp for the probables of the World Cup squad, it is learnt.
According to highly placed sources in the SLC, the camp will be held in Kandy. "The wickets at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (PICS) are similar to the Australian wickets where the World Cup matches are to be played", the source, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Dubai.
"We have given one week's rest to the players. They will assemble in Kandy and start training in the 3rd week of this month".
All players who were there during the Asia Cup are fit and raring to go. We will add a few more players for the camp and then a list of the final 15 will be sent to the ICC before their desad-line", the source further added.
Incidentally, the head coach (Chris Silverwood), who has sought a small-break after the Asia Cup is in England but scheduled to return before the residential camp.
The selectors have "more or less" picked the World Cup squad in consultation with the head coach when they all were in Dubai during the Asia Cup. However, pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera may be considered. "He has "almost" recovered from his ankle injury. In case, if he has to undergo surgery after seeking the second opinion, can wait till the World Cup and be under the knife in Australia after the World Cup", someone known to the development, revealed.
"The selectors may also include Binura Fernando and Lahiru Kumara for the camp. One or two from these additional players may board a flight to Australia", the source further added.
Tom Brooks can be another Shane Warne: Steve Waugh
BIPIN DANI
Eying off the classic defensive stance of the batter, the young leg spinner delivered his first ball. He knew immediately it had perfect flight, the ball fizzed through the air, biting hard off the pitch it turned sharply past the edge of the bat. Steve Waugh looked up and fixed his steely glare on the bowler as he reset.
Tom Brooks was eleven years old, and the action took place in the cricket net he built out the back of the Brooks family farm at Scone, three hours drive from Sydney.
“I was immediately impressed by his ball flight and the turn he got on the ball” Waugh said of his first experience with Tom.
“I then went away to school at St Ignatius college Riverview”, says Brooks “As I’m from the country I would always prioritise my commitments at home before my cricket”. However, at age 15 I made it into the Riverview First X1”.
His coach at Riverview, the esteemed James Rodgers, stated that “in 40 years of Brooks was easily best bowler I have coached”
Brooks was already playing against the men’s country sides from age 10, and after school finished Brooks was drafted straight into First Grade in Sydney, with Wests. Last year, his second season his figures showed his development with 31 Wickets at an average 24. Tom is mentored in his craft by ex-Test Spinner Kerry O’Keefe.
“Playing grade cricket, I travel down on a Friday night and go home on a Sunday night after play, and help around the farm, as it holds a close place to my heart” says Tom
In January 2022, Steve Waugh introduced Tom to Sir Ian Botham, and pushed forward the idea of a summer stint in the UK. Botham was straight into it, fixing up Tom, now 21, With Richmondshire CC, in North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket Leagues.
Joining Richmondshire XI and nicknamed “Warnie” by his team-mates, Tom helped the Team win two championships, with 77 wickets at 19.38 and a best of 6/35, and a batting average of 29.83 with a strike rate of 131.62.
“I have a massive opportunity to pursue my cricket and now I have decided to give it a serious go” says Tom.
Match officials for Pakistan v England T20Is announced
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Lahore:-Mohammad Javed Malik, member International Panel of ICC Match Referees, will lead the playing control team in the seven T20 Internationals between Pakistan and England played across Karachi and Lahore from 20 September till 2 October.
Aleem Dar, member ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, and Asif Yaqoob, one of the four Pakistan umpires in ICC International Panel of Umpires, the other three being Ahsan Raza, Shozab Raza and Rashid Riaz, will take the on-field duties for the series opener at National Stadium, Karachi. Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz will be the third and fourth umpires.
Five umpires will do the on-field umpiring duties in the series. Aleem Dar will stand in four T20Is, Ahsan Raza in three, and Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz and Faisal Afridi will stand in two matches each.
The National Stadium will stage the first four T20Is on 20, 22, 23 and 25 September. The action will move to the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore for the last three matches from 28 September.
September, 20, 2022: First T20I. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)
September 22, 2022: Second T20I. Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)
September 23, 2022: Third T20I. Aleem Dar and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)
September 25, 2022: Fourth T20I. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)
September 28, 2022: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)
September 30, 2022: Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Faisal Afridi (third umpire), Ahsan Raza (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)
October 2, 2022: Asif Yaqoob and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)
Muthiah Muralitharan to participate in Legends League
BIPIN DANI
World's highest Test wicket-taker Muthiah Muralitharan is all set to arrive in India next week. The 50-year-old off-spinner will be playing the Legends League, his Indian wife, Madhi confirmed.
Four teams are participating in this tournament, which is to be played from September 16 to October 5.
India's son-in-law is to play for Manipal Tigers team, which will be led-by former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. Manipal team is to play its first match against Bhilwara Kings on Sunday in Lucknow. The organisers have put another Sri Lankan-Romesh Kaluwitharansa in Murali's team, however, Kalu's participation is not yet confirmed.
The first edition of the League was played in Oman last year.
There has been some more progress on Murali's bio-pic, which is likely to be released early next year.
"A camera-men team will leave for England on October 1. They will shoot at a few grounds in England till October 20", one of the sources said.
The actor to play Darrell Hair's role will be decided soon and immediately the audio tests will begin. Darrell Hair no bowled several times in the Boxing Day Test in 1995-96 and the controversy has been added in this Biopic.
Sharjah groundsman is lucky to have witnessed two players' famous sixes
BIPIN DANI
Mohammad Jamil is one of the very few who have witnessed both sixes-Javed Miandad's sixer (against India, 1986, (Austral-Asia Cup) and Wednesday's Naseem Shah's last two (against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Jamil, who at the age of 21, started working at the Sharjah Stadium in 1982 as an Assistant groundsman is now the chief groundsman.
"Yes, I am lucky to have witnessed both players' sixes. Miandad's six had already found a name in the record books and people here are remembering it every now and then. Now Naseem's two sixes will also become equally famous. Both players' have played a significant role in Pakistan's victories. I don't under-rate any of their sixes. I will carry the fond memories of these sixes when I retire", he said exclusively.
Mazhar Khan, the General Manager at the Sharjah Cricket had also witnessed Miandas's famous six then.
Not to forget here that Naseem Shah's two sixes won the match and qualified to enter the Asia Cup final.
Asif Iqbal, who was a chief coordinator then, watched the Pakistan-Afghanistan match on TV at his home in England, where he resides.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said, "Both sixes have been of great significance. Miandad’s will always take precedence as it was against India whereas Naseem Shah’s helped the team to qualify for the final which is still to be played. If Pakistan goes on to win the Asia Cup, then Naseem’s six will always be coined with the winning of the cup. Not to forget that Naseem Shah is a no. 10 batsman and was batting with no. 11. It was a wonderful game of T/20 which confirms that no match is over till it’s over and no match is won or lost till the last run is scored and the last wicket is taken".
Alex Hales added to England ICC T20 World Cup squad
Sports Bulletin Report
London (UK):-Nottinghamshire batter Alex Hales has been called up to England's ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad as a replacement for Yorkshire's Jonathan Bairstow after a left ankle injury sustained last week ended his chances of playing in the tournament. Hales, 33, represented England in March 2019, has also been added to the IT20 squad for the tour of Pakistan.
England T20 Squad for World Cup:
Jos Buttler (Lancashire+ Captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham)
Travelling Reserves
Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Richard Gleeson (Lancashire), Tymal Mills (Sussex)
England T20 Squad for Pakistan Tour:
Jos Buttler (Lancashire+ Captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire+ Vice-Captain), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jordan Cox (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Richard Gleeson (Lancashire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Tom Helm (Middlesex), Will Jacks (Surrey), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wood (Lancashire), Mark Wood (Durham)
ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 – England's Group Fixtures:
England v Afghanistan, Saturday 22 October 2022, Perth Stadium, Perth
England v Qualifier (B2), Wednesday 26 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne
England v Australia, Friday 28 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne
England v New Zealand, Tuesday 1 November 2022, The Gabba, Brisbane
England v Qualifier (A1), Saturday 5 November 2022, SCG, Sydney
England Men's Pre-World Cup tour of Australia:
1st IT20: Australia v England, Sunday 9 October, Perth Stadium, Perth
2nd IT20: Australia v England, Wednesday 12 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra
3rd IT20: Australia v England Friday 14 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra
England Men's IT20 Tour of Pakistan:
1st IT20: Pakistan v England, 20 September, National Stadium, Karachi
2nd IT20: Pakistan v England, 22 September, National Stadium, Karachi
3rd IT20: Pakistan v England, 23 September, National Stadium, Karachi
4th IT20: Pakistan v England, 25 September, National Stadium, Karachi
5th IT20: Pakistan v England, 28 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
6th IT20: Pakistan v England, 30 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
7th IT20: Pakistan v England, 2 October, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Indian star batter Virat fulfills dream of his Pakistani fan
BIPIN DANI
"I'm not here to fit into your world. I’m here to make my own noor'' the message with a flower emoji reads on Noor Qadri's social media account. The 21-year-old Karachi-based girl, now living with her parents in the UAE, has body controlling issues, which started at her age of 10. Before that, she was walking, running and playing with other kids like a normal girl. She now needs a little support to walk but this disability has not hampered her desire to grow her business of online selling of Pakistani clothes.
Recently, she came to the stadium to watch the Indo-Pak match. She watched the full match and enjoyed the fighting spirit of the Indian team. Last week, she came to meet his favorite Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli, who was attending the net sessions at the ICC Cricket Academy.
"My daughter was excited to see Kohli coming near to him", the father Talart Qadri, who himself is a businessman in the UAE, says.
"Kohli asked Noor, :how are you ? '' They clicked some selfies, but then Virat suggested to my elder daughter (Nosheen) to change the directions towards the light from the lamp post to get more and better pictures".
"It was my daughter's dream to meet Kohli. She was excited to have been with Kohli for a few minutes. We waited there for about two hours for Kohli to come out from his training".
Noor is an English literate educated girl, who is computer oriented and does her social media activities independently. After getting her wish of meeting Kohli fulfilled, her wish is to meet more Indian celebrities.
Karthik Aryan, Varun Dhawan and Shahrukh Khan are his favorite actors, Neha Kakkar and Shriya Ghosal her favorite female singers and will not miss to hear male singers- Arjit Singh and Guru Randhwa.
Parents advise Arshdeep Singh to ignore social media criticism
Bipin Dani
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh’s parents expected their son to face heavy criticism on social media the moment India lost their Asia Cup match to Pakistan on Sunday.
Arshdeep, 23, could not hold on to the catch offered by Pakistani batsman Asif Ali off Ravi Bishnoi and was the one who bowled the final over in which Pakistan reached their target for a five-wicket win.
Arshdeep’s parents have urged their son to ignore messages circulating on social media. “We have advised him not to pay any attention to such criticism, but concentrate on his next game,” Arshdeep’s mother, Baljit Kaur told mid-day from Chandigarh.
Arshdeep’s father Darshan Singh, mother, sister and uncle were at the ground on Sunday. “We could not stay there longer owing to some emergency work here, but have promised Arshdeep that we will be back for the final. We will watch Tuesday’s match against Sri Lanka on TV.”
While Arshdeep has been trolled on social media, the young gun has received support from other quarters. “Arshdeep has received good support not only from his India teammates but Pakistani players as well. When we were in Dubai, the Punjab minister [for education, Gurmeet Singh Hayer] called to extend his support to our son. He has also promised to receive Arshdeep when the team return with the Asia Cup,” Balit Kaur signed off.
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