Sports Bulletin

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".

BIPIN DANI India-born scorer Umesh Lagad, now working in the UAE for the last many years and wearing many hats of club cricketer, umpire, and coach was "more than happy" to be part of the Indo-Pak Asia Cup match, which Rohit Sharma-led team won in the last over on Sunday. The distance between Sharjah and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) is about 50 kilometers, which can be driven within 45 minutes on any normal day but Umesh Lagad, the Manual Official scorer of the Asia Cup was well aware about the road traffic he would have had to face to reach at the venue on Sunday. He had left his house more than six hours before the scheduled commencement of the high voltage Indo-Pak. "There will be unimaginable road traffic on Sunday. You also please leave earlier", he had advised before the match.   This was the second Indo-Pak. match Lagad was scoring. "I also officiated as a scorer in the T-20I World Cup match between India and Pakistan last year".   Umesh Lagad hails from a small village called Chikhli in Gujarat. "Ramayan-famed Sita (Dipika Chikhaliya) hails from my village", he said proudly. "Compared to all other matches, this India-Pakistan match is always filled with high drama and tensions. We have to be more cautious and careful while doing duty for this match as one mistake from our side may create a big controversy".    "Focusing on the game and concentrating on umpires' signal was, however, didn't pose much of a problem to me as I have already umpired in the past". He has been a regular at the IPL and the PSL (Pakistan Super League) matches when played in the UAE. Being a regular scorer in the box, he gets an opportunity to meet the world's legendary cricketers. "I feel so proud when they come and appreciate my work after the match". "I can't wait more to work in big matches like this", he signed off. There are six different scorers-Manual Official scorer, on-line scorer, D/L scorer, Linear scorer, Media scorer and the stadium scoreboard scorer-officiating in the Asia Cup. 

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The Sri Lankan cricketers will be put on a new name on their jerseys for the Asia Cup as FairPlay News becomes the official national sponsor for the team. “We are extremely happy to welcome Fairplay News as the official sponsors of the national team during the upcoming Asia Cup and hope that this partnership will augur well for the sports site” Said Mr. Ashley de Silva, CEO, Sri Lanka Cricket.  The Director of FairPlay News stated, “We are proud to be the Sri Lankan Cricket Team Sponsors. This association has given Fairplay News the right opportunity to be able to stand true to our name and work which imbibes the virtues of sport.” Dasun Shanaka and his 20 member squad will wear the jerseys with the name FairPlay News, a part of the FairPlay Sports, a fast-growing multi-vertical group with its presence in Sports News for the Asia Cup that will be held from the 27th of August in the UAE. FairPlay News is the country's leading sports news and updates platform and a fairly new entrant in the Fantasy Sport Category. The Asia Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, but shifted to the UAE due to political turmoil and the economic crisis in the nation. Sri Lanka has witnessed months of food and fuel shortages, blackouts and runaway inflation in the wake of its worst financial crisis on record. This association is extremely welcome for the cricketing body amidst this turmoil.

Bipin Dani Next time, if you are out for a drive in Mumbai try to look around for Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma on a black Suzuki Access 125 scooter (MH02 FS 2692) drive. Former India captain may have taken his gorgeous wife on a rain pothole road for fun (maybe on his friend's scooty, which is being owned by Kshitiz Tambe) but this can be out of form of Kohli's hand and eye coordination exercise. It has been more than 1000 days since Kohli last scored a hundred in an international match. "Yes, scooter driving can help Kohli to have better eye and hand coordination. The man who drives a car can be a little relaxed, but it is not the case with the scooter rider. He has to be more cautious and careful, “Ms. Pallavi S. Kothawade, the Dy. RTO at her Mumbai office, speaking exclusively to this Reporter. "Hand and eye coordination and reflex training is one of the basics for any sport. Training on hand and eye helps in quicksilver decision making ability with proper trigger movements to execute the right movement pattern at the right time", believes Team India's trainer Ramji Srinivasan. "Neuromuscular pathways when well defined had a huge impact on the performance. There are speciality training protocols working on specifics rather than gross process. After some age training smart had a huge advantage than training hard". "Loads of exercise protocols are there to be designed according to the sport and skill. At the end of the day whether you have the projectile thrown at you or you are the projectile, better the reflex better the survival and excellence". "Focusing on specialized skill has cutting edge advantages than concentrating on gross fitness", the trainer added. Another renowned trainer, who has worked with Shikhar Dhawan, R. Ashwin, Vijay, Unmukt Chand and several other athletes says, "I think Kohli is trying to keep his mind relaxed and spend time. He has been working so hard over the years and too much scrutiny too”. "Mind needs recovery as much as the body. He was high performing across all formats and team captain too. When the results didn’t go well and of course politics with Sourav and his "friendship" with Rohit, he let go of captaincy it was a sudden dip in his stature. It has been hard for him to transition smoothly", Badri added.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed details of England’s tour of Pakistan for three Tests, which will be played in December. This will be England’s second half of the tour, following seven Twenty20 Internationals in Karachi and Lahore from 20 September to 2 October. Ben Stokes’ side will open the tour with the first Test in Rawalpindi from 1-5 December, before both sides move to Multan for the second Test from 9-13 December. Karachi will host the third Test from 17-21 December. This will be the first time England will play a Test in Rawalpindi, which has previously staged 12 matches with the home side winning five and losing three. When England last toured Pakistan in 2005, they lost the Multan Test by 22 runs. The venue has staged five Tests, with Pakistan winning three and losing one. National Stadium was considered Pakistan’s happy hunting ground until Nasser Hussain’s side in 2000 ended Pakistan’s 34-Test unbeaten record, winning the third Test in near darkness by six wickets. Pakistan’s only other loss in 44 matches in Karachi was against South Africa, who won the 2007 Test by 160 runs. Nonetheless, with 23 Test wins, the National Stadium remains Pakistan most favourite Test venue. Zakir Khan, PCB Director, International Cricket said: “We are pleased that Pakistan and England Test rivalry, which has historically produced close and tight matches, will return to our backyards in December. Both the sides have evolved since they last played in Pakistan in 2005 and have recently been playing entertaining and exciting cricket. I remain confident this series will live up to the expectations of the global cricket fans who want to watch and enjoy competitive and thrilling matches. “Pakistan cricket fans have waited for almost 17 years to see elite England players in action. And although they have enjoyed watching a number of them live in the recent editions of the HBL Pakistan Super League, nation versus nation Test cricket is the pinnacle where international stars and heroes are born.” Clare Connor, ECB Interim Chief Executive Officer: “The return of our men’s Test team to Pakistan for the first time since 2005 will be an historic occasion. The opportunity to play Test cricket in front of passionate cricket-lovers in Pakistan after such a long time is something to be cherished. “We have been working closely with the PCB over recent months and I am grateful to them for everything they have done, and continue to do, to make our Test and T20 tours a mouth-watering prospect for all involved.” The three Tests will count towards the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. No.4 ranked England are presently sitting in seventh position on the Test championship table, while sixth-ranked Pakistan are fifth. Schedule of Tests: 1-5 December – 1st Test, Rawalpindi 9-13 December – 2nd Test, Multan 17-21 December – 3rd Test, Karachi Schedule of T20Is (matches to start at 1930 PKT): 20 September – 1st T20I, Karachi 22 September – 2nd T20I, Karachi 23 September – 3rd T20I, Karachi 25 September – 4th T20I, Karachi 28 September – 5th T20I, Lahore 30 September – 6th T20I, Lahore 2 October – 7th T20I, Lahore