Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-India will play two five-Test series each against Australia and England during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the period 2023-27 that was confirmed today. The announcement of the FTP, a result of a collective effort of Full Members with ICC’s support, ensures certainty of cricket fixtures with the confirmation of all bilateral series across the three formats. The exact dates of the series are for the Members to announce in due course. India kick off their engagements for the next cycle with a tour of the West Indies in July next year, when they play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. After hosting Australia for limited overs series, India will embark on their next full tour in December 2023 to South Africa. India, who finished runners-up to New Zealand in the first ICC World Test Championship that ran from 2019-21, play the first of their four five-Test series against England at home starting January 2024. They play Australia in an away series from November that year to January 2025, England in a series starting June 2025 and again versus Australia at home in January-February 2027. Afghanistan, who debuted in Tests in Bengaluru in June 2018, will be hosted again by India in the coming FTP cycle as they are pencilled to play one Test and three ODIs in mid-2026. India are also committed to playing other limited overs series against Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies over the next four years apart from matches that are part of the two WTC cycles falling in this period. WTC series: India’s WTC fixtures for the 2023-25 series comprise home series against Bangladesh, England and New Zealand and away series in Australia, South Africa and the West Indies. In the 2025-27 WTC, they are scheduled to play Australia, South Africa and the West Indies at home, while their away series will be in England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The announcement of the Men’s FTP comes a day after the first ever Women’s FTP was announced. ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said: “I’d like to thank our Members for the effort that has gone into creating this FTP for the next four years. We are incredibly lucky to have three vibrant formats of the game, with an outstanding programme of ICC global events and strong bilateral and domestic cricket and this FTP is designed to allow all cricket to flourish. “The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that. We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket, but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players.” Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said: “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all my colleagues at the CEC for the historic Women’s FTP – the first of its kind and the continued spirit of partnership to conclude the Men’s FTP which provides certainty to all the members to develop their cricketing eco-systems as well as commercial programmes around their own calendars.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Player workload management, meaningful and exciting bilateral cricket, and preparations for the ICC global events were the cornerstones of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s strategy and philosophy while preparing the men’s Future Tours Programme 2023-2027, which was confirmed and unveiled today. The PCB has scheduled around 238 days of international cricket during the four-year period comprising 27 ICC World Test Championship fixtures (13 home and 14 away), 47 One-Day Internationals (26 home and 21 home) and 56 Twenty20 Internationals (27 home and 29 away). These include matches in the ACC 50-over Asia Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will stage in 2023 and 2025, respectively. The number of matches may increase depending on where Pakistan finishes in the ICC and ACC events between 2023 and 2027, as well as in the 2025 and 2026 three-nation ODI series. The Future Tours Programme is prepared collectively by the ICC Member Boards. As such, the PCB will continue to work with its fellow Members and may include more matches and/or series, depending on the player availability and window for international cricket in the calendar. In the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025, Pakistan will play Tests against Australia (away), Bangladesh (home), England (home), South Africa (away), Sri Lanka (away) and West Indies (home), while their matches in the 2025-2027 championship are against Bangladesh (away), England (away), New Zealand (home), South Africa (home), Sri Lanka (home) and West Indies (away). The three-nation ODI series has returned to Pakistan’s calendar for the first time since 2004-05. New Zealand and South Africa will join Pakistan in the tri-series in 2025, which will take place in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while England and Sri Lanka will participate in the series in October/November 2026. The PCB has scheduled white-ball matches with one-eye on the ICC global events. While Pakistan will host the Asia Cup 2023 and triangular series in February 2025 in the lead up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, respectively, it will play 11 T20Is against the Netherlands, Ireland and England in the build up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be jointly hosted by the United States and the West Indies. Likewise, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan will play Australia in three home T20Is. Apart from Australia, three other sides - Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe - will also play white-ball matches in Pakistan between 2023 and 2027. Pakistan’s FTP 2023-2027 reflects that it will play hosts to 10 out of 12 ICC Full Member nations for the first time in more than two decades. PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain said: “While finalising our Future Tours Programme 2023-2027 in a tight and densely-packed cricket calendar, we have given priority to context, quality and player workload.  We have also tried to find an appropriate balance across all the three formats so that these continue to co-exist meaningfully. “I am sure that our cricket fans will be delighted to know that top-ranked and attractive sides such as Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies will visit Pakistan to compete in matches for the ICC World Test Championship. Additionally, Afghanistan, Australia, Ireland and Zimbabwe will also tour Pakistan for the white-ball matches, which means 10 of the 12 ICC Full Members will play cricket in Pakistan during the four-year period.  This is exciting! “We are also mindful that our sides must be provided with the best preparation opportunities so that they perform strongly in ICC competitions. Accordingly, this has also been an integral part of our strategy around scheduling, as we have scheduled appropriate international matches in the lead up to the ICC events. “Furthermore, and in line with our vision for triangular ODI series to contribute in increasing excitement and attracting greater audiences, we have so far scheduled two tri-series in February 2025 and October/November 2026, involving New Zealand and South Africa, and England and Sri Lanka, respectively. This is also something for the fans to look forward to. “The certainty and clarity around our home bilateral fixtures until 2027 provides us the platform to put together a robust commercial programme, so that we can optimise the exploitation of our commercial rights. This will enable us to hopefully increase our revenues and channel these back into the further development of our cricket, all across from our grassroots talent hunt to our international playing facilities.” Pakistan Men’s Future Tours Programme 2023-2027 (all Test matches count towards the ICC World Test Championships 2023-2025 and 2025-2027) 2023-24 July – Pakistan to Sri Lanka (two Tests) August – Pakistan to Afghanistan (three ODIs) September – ACC 50-over Asia Cup in Pakistan October/November – ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023 December/January – Pakistan to Australia (three Tests) February/March – West Indies in Pakistan (two Tests, three T20Is) May – Pakistan to Netherlands (three T20Is), Ireland (three T20Is) and England (five T20Is) June – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup USA/West Indies 2024 2024-25 August – Bangladesh in Pakistan (two Tests) October – England in Pakistan (three Tests) November – Pakistan to Australia (three ODIs and three T20Is) November/December – Pakistan to Zimbabwe (three ODIs and three T20Is) December/January – Pakistan to South Africa (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is) January – Pakistan to New Zealand (three ODIs and three T20Is) February – New Zealand and South Africa in Pakistan (ODI tri-series) February/March – ICC Champions Trophy Pakistan 2025 May – Bangladesh in Pakistan (three ODIs and three T20Is) 2025-26 July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (three ODIs, three T20Is) August – Afghanistan in Pakistan (three T20Is) August/September – ACC T20 Asia Cup (host/venue TBC) September/October – Ireland in Pakistan (three ODIs, three T20Is) October/November – South Africa in Pakistan (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is) November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three ODIs, three T20Is) February – Australia in Pakistan (three T20Is) February/March – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India/Sri Lanka 2026 March – Australia in Pakistan (three ODIs) March/April – Pakistan to Bangladesh (two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is) April/May – Zimbabwe in Pakistan (three ODIs and three T20Is) 2026-27 July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (two Tests) August/September – Pakistan to England (three Tests) October – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three T20Is) October/November – England and Sri Lanka in Pakistan (ODI tri-series) November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (two Tests) March – New Zealand in Pakistan (two Tests) Pakistan Super League (these are tentative windows during the 2023-2027 cycle): January/February 2024 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2024 March-May 2025 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2025 December 2025/January 2026 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2026 January/February 2027 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2027.

Sports Bulletin Report Rotterdam (Holland):-Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 16 runs in the first one day international fixture of the three match series on Tuesday at Rotterdam, Holland. Opener Fakhar Zaman scored his seventh ODI century in his 60th appearance, first in 10 matches, to lift Pakistan to an imposing 314 for six after a slow and cautious start that saw them reach 100 for one in 23 overs. Fast bowlers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Junior then shared seven wickets between them to restrict the hosts for 298-8, despite impressive half-centuries from Vikramjit Singh, Tom Cooper and Scott Edwards. Singh’s 98-ball 65 included five fours, while Cooper struck six fours and two sixes in a 54-ball 65 as the two batters added 97 runs for the fourth wicket. Singh was lucky to be dropped thrice, including on the very first ball of the Netherlands’ innings as Pakistan’s fielders missed a number of run-out opportunities by failing to hit the stumps. Edwards showed resistance towards the latter part of the Netherlands’ chase, remaining unbeaten on 71 off 60 balls including six fours and one six with his fighting effort not enough to haul the home side over the line. Fakhar showed flashes of his brilliance, talent and skills with the willow during a run-a-ball 109 that included 12 scorching fours but only one six. He added 168 runs for the second wicket in an entertaining and exciting second wicket partnership with captain Babar Azam, who was elegant and stylish, as ever, while scoring an 85-ball 74 with six fours and a six. Following the early departure of Imam-ul-Haq (4), Fakhar and Babar consolidated the innings with watchful batting, before unleashing their wide ranging shots in the second half of the innings as the inexperienced Netherlands bowlers ran for cover. While Pakistan scored 214 runs in the last 30 overs, including 99 runs in the last 10 overs, only Bas de Leede was able to keep the Pakistan batters in check. He picked up two wickets for 42 runs and though Logan van Beek also scooped two wickets, he went for 89 runs. Vivian Kingma and Tim Pringle also went for over 60 runs each. Apart from Fakhar and Babar, Shadab Khan joined run-feast when he scored a rapid 28-ball 48 not out with four fours and two sixes. Debutant Salman Ali Agha returned not out on 27 as he added 48 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket in 25 balls with Shadab. Khushdil Shah chipped in with an 18-ball 21. The second match of the series will be played on Thursday, while the final game of the tour will be on Sunday. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 16 runs Pakistan 314-6, 50 overs (Fakhar Zaman 109, Babar Azam 74, Shadab Khan 48 not out, Salman Ali Agha 25 not out, Khushdil Shah 21; Bas de Leeds 2-42, Logan van Beek 2-89) The Netherlands 298-8 (Scott Edwards 71 not out, Vikramjit Singh 65, Tom Cooper 65; Naseem Shah 3-51, Haris Rauf 3-67) Player of the match: Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

Bipin Dani The parents Nishantha De Silva and his house-wife Anusha were "not surprised" when the selectors named their son Raveen De Silva to lead the U-19 team for the tour of England.  "We were not surprised as he was always a leading contender among others. Captaincy is not a strange task for him over the years and he has been on the job in all the age categories in college and also at District and province levels", the father, speaking over the telephone for the SLC office, where he came to drop his son, said on Sunday morning.  "But yes, it was a long awaited dream that has come true. A lot of hard work and commitment he had put into the game finally paid for him. Awarding national captaincy is a great privilege for any player and he deserved the duty. He is a team player so he will get the support of everyone", he added.  Raveen's predecessor, Dunith Wellalage has been playing in the senior team and the new captain's family is also hoping that the history will repeat.  "Most of the time he got the opportunity to play with senior players and that was very helpful to grab useful tips from a younger age. This U-19 England tour is very important for all players because this is the last opportunity they have in their school career and I am sure Raveen will use his previous experience to play to reach the national level". "As parents, we were very delighted when we heard the message and strongly believe that he is capable of doing a great job".  Interestingly, Raveen's elder brother, Avishka, who lives in Melbourne with his wife Samadhi Dissanayake also plays club cricket there. "Avishka played for college in Sri Lanka. He is also a top-order batsman with a useful right-arm off-spinner, the father, who works as a General Manager at Oviklo International - Logistics company, added. 

BIPIN DANI Team India's batter Surya Kumar Yadav has one more luxurious car parked at his garage in Chembur, a suburb in eastern Mumbai. On Thursday he bought a new Mercedes-Benz GLS-400d model. He already had Audi, Range Rover, which are sold now, and now also possessing BMW, Skoda Superb and Nissan Jeep. "We have delivered this car to him on an auspicious day (Thursday) of Raksha Bandhan", Apurva Antani, the Senior Sales Manager at Metro Autohangar, Chowpatty showroom, speaking exclusively, said. "It is a Diamond White-Colour car and the number plate 7700 denotes his Wedding Anniversary (7/7/)'. "Surya had booked this car last December. He and his wife Devisha Shetty had come to pick it. The same was driven home by Surya". "Both seemed to be a very nice and humble couple". SKY, as the player is affectionately called, has just returned from the USA after playing against the West Indies. Interestingly, India's renowned cricketers-Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Jaspreet Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Dilip Vengsarkar and commentator Harsha Bhogle are the clients of this company, we are told.

Bipin Dani Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has once again delayed the announcement of the squad. The BCB had sought the extension of the August 8 deadline and the team was scheduled to be announced on Thursday and the date has again been deferred. "We will announce the squad on Saturday afternoon", one of the sources said over the telephone from Dhaka. "We will announce the name of the captain and the team on the same day". The reason for postponement of the announcement is likely to be the issue with the biggest star Shakib Al Hasan, who has endorsed a sports betting company on social media.  As per existing laws in Bangladesh, there is prohibition on facilitation and promotion of any gambling related activities. "Let him decide whether he wants to play for the country or stay with betting", the BCB chief Nazmul Hassan Papon has said. Later reports have now suggested that Shakib has disassociated from this betting company. Incidentally, it is not the choice of the selectors but the BCB has a policy to pick a captain. "We have 3-4 names and will announce one among them to lead the side". In the meantime, injured Nurul Hasan Sohan is ruled out, it is also learnt. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper/batter who was injured in Zimbabwe has returned from Singapore after having a successful hand surgery by Dr. Antony Foo.

Bipin Dani Former coach Chandika Hathurusingha may again be associated with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The indications from the BCB that the 54-year-old former all rounder Chandika Hathurusingha, who was associated with the Bangladesh team (2014-2017) had an aggressive approach to the game and their current head coach Russell Domingo and his support staff is lacking in this aspect of the game. "We feel (Sri Lanka's) Chandika can motivate players in the right way", the BCB's Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Yunus believes. "The support staff is very dedicated but maybe their way of coaching is different. Some coaches are aggressive, some aren't. You talk about Hathurusingha. He has the aggressive style we need. Our head coach Domingo is a very knowledgeable coach, but he is not that aggressive. We want that aggression", he is reported to have said. "We feel Chandika can motivate players in the right way. Tell (players) to have an aggressive attitude on the field. I think there lies the difference", he said. It is learnt that the current foreign coaching staff, who were to go on a short vacation after the ongoing Zimbabwe tour have been summoned in Bangladesh for the discussions and the decision on continuation of them may be taken after the Asia Cup.  Despite repeated attempts, Chandika Hathurusingha didn't respond to the calls in Australia and therefore no confirmation could be obtained on whether there has been a formal approach by the BCB in this regard. After coaching the Sri Lankan team last, he has not been associated with any national team.  

Sports Bulletin Report London (UK):-The ECB has welcomed Richard Thompson as the next Chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Thompson, 55, will take up the five-year post on September 1, moving from his current role of Chair at Surrey County Cricket Club and will bring deep experience from his career across sport and business. Following a rigorous selection process, chaired by Independent Director Brenda Trenowden CBE, the Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Thompson to the ECB Board and he will succeed Martin Darlow, who has been in post as Interim Chair since April. As Chair of Surrey County Cricket Club, Thompson has overseen a successful period for the County on the field, off the field and in the community. His stewardship saw Surrey launch the ACE Programme in 2020, which is now an independent charity designed to engage a new generation of children and young people from Black communities within the recreational game and talent pathway. Alongside this, Thompson’s business expertise has seen the county redevelop the Kia Oval, future proofing the stadium as one of the premier cricketing venues in the country, whilst his tenure also navigated the county through the pandemic. Outside of cricket, Thompson is the founder and chair of M&C Saatchi Merlin as well as Chair of the broader M&C Saatchi UK Group; chairman of Southshore Group (an ITV-owned production company) , an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and Chair & founder of Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD). Richard Thompson, said: “I am immensely proud to become Chair of the ECB at what is a hugely important time for cricket. “Cricket has given me the chance to meet an incredibly diverse range of amazing people. Their passion, endeavour and love for the game is what I want to harness, to take our game forward, to new heights across England & Wales. “Cricket should be the most inclusive sport in the country, welcoming people from all backgrounds, helping bring communities together. For those communities where we have fallen short, I will work tirelessly to restore their trust in the game. "With the Men’s & Women’s Ashes on the horizon, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in October and the recent successes in our red ball game, along with hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026 there is much ahead of us. "I am looking forward to using my experience and love for the game in taking this opportunity to give cricket a fresh start. Alongside the Board and senior leaders at the ECB, we will work with the counties and the recreational game. Collaboration and partnership will be the key to our sport’s future.” Brenda Trenowden, CBE, commented: “We are delighted to announce Richard’s arrival to the ECB as Chair. His blend of exceptional commercial and cricket administration experience supports our aims to grow and diversify the game whilst guiding the game as we face challenging financial headwinds. “I’d also like to say many thanks, on behalf of the ECB, to Martin Darlow, for his excellent stewardship in recent months. Cricket has faced many challenges in 2022 and Martin has helped steer the ship until Richard’s arrival, and I’m pleased that he’ll continue to provide his invaluable wisdom and insight through his role as Deputy Chair of the Board.”

Sports Bulletin Report London (UK):-England Men's selection panel have named a 13-player squad for England Lions four-day match against South Africa starting on 9 August at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury. Mo Bobat, ECB Performance Director, said: "We are delighted that the Lions will have a competitive fixture against the South African tourists. The squad strongly represents some of the country's current, next best and future England players. For some players, this game will be important preparation going into the Test series. "These matches for the Lions are pivotal as we try to build the depth of players that can further enhance the way the Test team have been playing this summer. It is a reward for players who have scored runs and taken wickets this season in the LV= Insurance County Championship campaign and have caught our eye in how they've gone about their business. "I would also like to thank The Hundred teams and respective Head Coaches who have enabled the eight players who are playing in the competition the opportunity to play for the Lions. We are grateful for their support." England Men's Assistant Coach Paul Collingwood has been appointed Head Coach for the match. England Lions squad versus South Africa: Sam Billings (Kent-Captain), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Cook (Essex), Sam Conners (Derbyshire), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Keaton Jennings (Lancashire), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Craig Overton (Somerset), Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), James Rew (Somerset), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire).

Bipin Dani Shyam Nath Singh, the Head Constable working in the police department in a historic city of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh (UP) has taken a few-day leaves. The reason: to meet his cricket-mad son after a gap of 9 years and three months. Kumar Kartikeya had left home over nine years ago and had vowed to return home only after achieving something in life. The Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai Indians spinner returned home and met his parents on Wednesday.   "I don't say his work is finished. He has just climbed the first step of the ladder. Hope he plays for India", the father, speaking exclusively over the telephone, said. The 24-year-old returned from England, where his Mumbai Indians uncapped players had 3 three-week training sessions. He practiced there with Team India captain Rohit Sharma, who is also the captain of the Mumbai Indians IPL team. "Kartikeya's mother (Sunita Devi) is also very happy. He used to call us almost every day and parents would obviously be very happy to see their son after such a long period", the father said. "Kumar Kartikeya had left home on April 1, 2013. During this exiled period he must have worked very hard". He made his first-class debut in 2018 as a traditional left-arm spinner, but when hired by the Mumbai Indians team midway through IPL this season he switched to bowling left-arm wrist spin with a few variations. Kartikeya's confidence and skill gradually increased. It was his childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj who impressed upon Kartikeya the need to be different to stand out. That made him from left-arm orthodox to left-arm everything, especially in T20, the shortest format of the game. "The name Kartikeya was given by my elder brother, who is also a head constable. Kartikeya was also Lord Shiva's son and he also stayed far from his father and therefore I am not surprised with my son", the father says. "People in our village are very eager to meet my son. From there, we will move to Kumar's paternal uncle", the father added. After spending a week or so in their village Kuwasi (district Sultanpur), Kartikeya will be busy preparing for the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy matches. "His cricket journey will resume again. I want my two sons to play for India and that is our dream", the father further added. Kartika's younger brother Binayak also plays cricket. He has represented the UP team at Uner-14 and Under-16.