Sports Bulletin

Sharjah (UAE):-Saturday marked another red letter day in the history of the Sharjah stadium. The 28th T20 between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan made it the number one venue for staging internationals, nudging out the Sydney Cricket Ground from the top position. Sharjah has now hosted 244 ODIs, 9 Tests and 28 T20s giving it a total of 281. Reacting to this distinction Abdulrahman Bukhatir said it was a very satisfying feeling and thanked all those thousands who have enjoyed the games these past 40 years. The match was also record-breaking in many ways, as the Sri Lanka completed the highest ever run-chase on the ground and the highest ever chase against Afghanistan in T20s. (Press Release)

BIPIN DANI Sri Lankan computer analyst Prad Navaratnam was seen sending coded messages to his team captain Dasun Shanaka during the two recent crucial Asia Cup matches against Bangladesh on Thursday and Afghanistan on Saturday. The codes read 2D, D5, A2, C4, D etc. Apparently, the codes were sent in consultation with the head coach Chris Silverwood, who was sitting next to him in the dugout.   Sri Lanka seemed to have followed England, who also used real-time coded signals from the dressing room in the T20 series in South Africa in 2020. It was for communicating with the then skipper Eoin Morgan on the field. Silverwood, who was a coach with the English team then was criticised by former England captain Michael Vaughan. Lance Klussner, who was a head coach with the Afghanistan team till recently, does not see value in it. "No, I don't like this system (of sending coded signals to the captain). I never used it (during my time with the Afghanistan coaching)", he said over the telephone from Australia, where he is a batting coach with the Zimbabwe team, which won the third ODI against the hosts on Saturday. "It may sound interesting, but it's not new and personally I don't see value in it. The coach can easily send the messages to the fielding side during over-breaks or drinks interval", he added. "If you trust your captain while fielding and your batsman while batting to make the correct decisions there is no need for this messaging", he concluded. There's nothing wrong in this, and no rocket science, believe Mickey Arthur and Grant Flower, who were recently the Head Coach and the batting coach with the islanders. "Those are signals that keep and give the captain options, that's all. You remind the captain of potential matchups and give him an option. It is then upto the captain whether he wants to use them or not '', Arthur, speaking exclusively, said.   "It is only done when the team is fielding". "I am not sure how their system works but I imagine that it is a signal telling them which bowler to bowl and when. Then it's up to the captain to make a call", Flower said. Arthur, during his stint with the Sri Lankan team didn't use this tactic.

BIPIN DANI It is a "fresh" Asia Cup tournament now, Salman Hanif, the co-director of the event said. Speaking exclusively, he said, "First round points and NRR (Net Run Rates) will not be considered in the Super 4 round. All four qualified teams in the second tour (Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan) have started with zero points". The Super Four stage is following a format where all four teams battle it out against each other once. Thus, each team gets to play three matches. The top two teams at the end of this stage will see each other in the summit clash. Dubai Sports City, which includes the Dubai International Stadium and the ICC Academy, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium are the potential venues for the glitzy Asia Cup T20 tournament.  

BIPIN DANI Sri Lankan wicket-keeper and batter Kusal Perera has successfully undergone shoulder surgery in England. The surgery was performed by Dr. Andrerw Wallace, who is a specialist in Sports injuries, shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff tears and arthritis. "Yes, the surgery was performed at King Edward VII's hospital", Dr. Wallace, who has treated several cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar for his shoulder elbow, said over the telephone from London. The 32-year-old Kusal Perera who has been carrying right shoulder injury for quite sometime and was last seen in action during the LPL last year and missed a lot of international cricket due to this injury. "He went to London on Monday and the surgery was done on Wednesday", his manager, Ravi De Silva, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said. "He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday and his rehabilitation and recuperating process began yesterday (Friday). He has been given a 14-day chart for rehabilitation and will again be examined by the doctor on 14th September '', the manager further added.  "He is relaxing in the hospital and fine. Hope he recovers soon". Perera's participation in the upcoming World Cup can only be determined by Dr. Wallace, once he sees him but at present it looks highly unlikely.

BIPIN DANI After two successive defeats against India and Pakistan, the Hong Kong is elimiated from the ongoing Asia Cup but won the hearts of the fans and spectators to what HK players showed gesture to Team India's out of form Virat Kohli. "Virat, Thank you for inspiring a Generation. We stand with you. There are many incredible days ahead. With strength, with love : Team Hong Kong". The message displayed on a jersey was presented to Virat Kohli. It is hoped that this combined wish of players will bring luck to Kohli, who last scored an international hundred more than 1000 days ago. "It was one of the players' ideas and all agreed to do it as a "Thank You" gesture to Virat Kohli for being an idol to youngsters and motivation", Smita Chhetri, who is the only woman team manager in the Asia Cup, said exclusively. "It's a HK shirt-Scott's shirt, our team jersey. We used our wicketkeeper Scott McKechnie's shirt", Ravi Nagdev, the General Manager : Cricket Hong Kong revealed. Virat had spent an hour with every young player of the Hong Kong team. "Our players have not faced the bowling of 145 plus speed but they have got good experience playing with the senior players of other leading teams", Ravi Nagdev, the General Manager, Cricket Hong Kong, said.  "The members of the HK team will be spending three days in hotel quarantine on their return. The hotel expenses for the team will be borne by the government as we represent HK. They will also undergo a 4-day self monitoring quarantine". "Kinchit Shah who recently proposed to a girl in the stadium will head to India for a while for a break", Nagdev added.

Sports Bulletin Report London (UK):-England and Yorkshire batter Jonathan Bairstow has been ruled out of the rest of the summer and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a lower limb injury in a freak accident whilst playing golf on Friday in Leeds. He will see a specialist next week to ascertain the full extent of the injury. Nottinghamshire batter Ben Duckett has been added to the Test squad for the LV= Insurance third Test at the Kia Oval starting next Thursday. A further announcement will be made in due course on who will replace Bairstow in England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad.

Sports Bulletin Report LONDON (UK):-England Men's selection panel have named squads for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia starting in October and the preceding seven-match tour of Pakistan, which gets underway later this month in Karachi. England Squad for T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler (Lancashire-Captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), 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 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), 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) Seam bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have recovered from their respective injuries and have been named in both squads. Both players last played for England during the Test tour of the West Indies back in March. Two players named in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad, Chris Jordan (finger) and Liam Livingstone (ankle), will continue their rehab and will not tour Pakistan ahead of the World Cup but remain on track to be fit for the tournament in Australia. England captain Jos Buttler, recovering from a calf injury, will tour Pakistan, but he is expected to be available to play during the latter stages of the seven-match series. In Buttler's absence, Moeen Ali will captain the side. Five uncapped players have been announced for the first tour to Pakistan since 2005. Kent batter Jordan Cox is joined alongside Middlesex seamer Tom Helm, Surrey right-handed bat Will Jacks, Warwickshire quick Olly Stone and Lancashire seamer Luke Wood. The touring party will fly to Pakistan on 14 September. 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 Semi-finals First semi-final, Wednesday 9 November 2022, SCG, Sydney Second semi-final, Thursday 10 November 2022, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Final Final, Sunday 13 November 2022, MCG, Melbourne 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

BIPIN DANI On Wednesday, Hong Kong team could not win the Asia Cup match against India but one of its India-born players did win the applause from the fans and spectators present. The top order Hong Kong batter Kinchit Shah made this Asia Cup match memorable for him and his family as he proposed to his girl-friend Sheena Oberroi after the match and once the proposal was accepted by his girl-friend, the news became viral on social media. "I am feeling ecstatic", Kinchit's father diamond merchant father Devang, speaking exclusively, said here.  Incidentally, the dad is already in the UAE. "Kinchit had to do this and I think he chose the perfect place and moment. And yes, of course Kinchit had informed me and I was a part of the plan. We as parents wish the best for the couple". Kinchit's mother, Jagruti is not here but in HK because of her pre-commitment but, according to dad, she was equally happy. "Sheena is an entertainment journalist and has interviewed big Bollywood celebrities and currently an anchor and producer for the shows. Both she and Kinchit met through a common college friend and have been dating for the last 3 1/2 years'', Kinchit's father added. "Both families have planned for the marriage at the end. It may be held in Mumbai but the couple will mostly live in Hong Kong. My wife can't wait more to bring a daughter-in-law to our house". Later, speaking exclusively, the girl-friend, Sheena Oberoi says, "it was a pleasant surprise when the proposal came. I have just come to the UAE at Kinchit's insistence and just to cheer for him. Had never imagined the proposal would reach in this way". Kinchit's parents moved to Hong-Kong and started his business there. Kinchit, who was born in Mumbai, the family migrated to Hong Kong. He has represented the HK teams at various age and club levels before reaching to this stage", Ravi Nagdev, the General Manager : Cricket Hong Kong, informs. 

BIPIN DANI The UAE's 19-year-old slow left-arm orthodox bowler Jash Giyanani has got a chance to bowl at the leading batters in nets here in Dubai. According to him, Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa was "more difficult" to bowl to. Speaking exclusively, he says, ``Rajapaksa was one batter who was difficult to bowl to because of his fast hands and him being left-handed. I had a conversation with Praveen Jaywickrama who is the left-arm spinner from this country". "I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to bowl to players I have grown up watching. I'm very grateful to be able to do so". In the Indian nets, he could not bowl to Virat Kohli but watched Kohli training. "His energy level is remarkable and special amongst the players that I did get to bowl to. Suryakumar Yadav was my favorite", he added. Jash Giyanani got the opportunity to bowl in the nets because he is an ICC Academy Scholar (Elite batch). In the match against Bangladesh, Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka's wife Chevanthi will also be present on Thursday. She is the only player's wife present on this tour. Chevanthi, however, is not staying in the team hotel but at her sister's place in Dubai, one can confirm.

Smita Chhetri is the only woman team manager in Asia Cup BIPIN DANI Hong Kong is the only team participating in the ongoing Asia Cup in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) has woman manager. The team is being managed by former cricketer Smita Chhetri. Incidentally, she is managing the media here too. Speaking exclusively, she said, "Managing men’s national team is one of the best opportunity, which I got from Cricket Hong Kong. So far I do not see much challenge managing them as I have known them for long time and we get along very well. I try to stay strict with them when during match and trainings but otherwise we have fun and pull our legs more". "I wouldn’t say it’s very easy to manage men’s team but it’s not difficult as well. I am very experienced with high performance logistics behind the scenes and being manager for the same for the first time has been extraordinary experience. Sometimes I fall behind managing time between usual team managers duties and at the same time coordinating with media but I won’t complain because I am having so much fun". I had played for women’s U19 in 2008 and followed by T20s being a manager and player is totally different. As a player we only had responsibilities to play, eat and have fun. We were very young that time as well. When I look back and compare now, I am very thankful to Cricket HK for amazing opportunity. Its equally fun to travel as a player and manage the team", the 32-yearold Nepal-born Smita signed off. Later, Ravi Nagdev, the Cricket HK General Manager, speaking from HK, added, "She is a bright, responsible and hard working young woman. I think she has all qualities that it takes to be a team manager. The gender even does not come into the picture".