Sports Bulletin

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's former cricketer Pubudu Dassanayake returns to Canada to take up the fresh coaching role. In December last year, the former wicket-keepr and batter took up the assingment in Nepal but before fulfilling his 2-year-contract term, he is returning to Canada. "I am returning to Canada on Sunday. During this Covid pandemic, it has become exteremely difficult to work here, where my family is not there", speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said. Incidentally, the 52-year-old Pubudu has shuffled his coaching career between Canada and Nepal on two different occasions. In between the two, he had also coached the USA team. Pubudu played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs' before he migarated to Canada in 2001. "I submitted my resignation to Nepal a month ago and it is only a coincidence that I got Canada coaching job suddenly". "Canada has no regular head coach. They have been appoining the local man on series by series basis. Now they have odffered my a two-year-contract and I could not resist the temptation so as I can devote time with my family in Canada", he added. He has not recommended any coach name for the Nepal team. "They will begin the process of appointing a new man within a month period", he added.

Bipin Dani Former Pakistani batsman Zaheer Abbas turned 75 on Sunday. The news of his 75th Birthday was conveyed to him by his India-born wife Rita Luthra (known as Samina Abbas after marriage in 1988), in Hammersmith Hospital on Sunday. The Asian Bradman, as he is being called, was hospitalized for his heart-related and covid issues, but now being treated for kidney related complications. "Zaheer is still in the hospital and recovering. Yes, he is recovering but recovery is longer than expected but is much better now", she said over the telephone. "He is not in the ICU but has been shifted to the ward. Visitors are not allowed. I usually stay with him during the day", she added. "He is very humbled and touched". Later, speaking to this Reporter, his Dubai-based daughter Roshana said, "With everybody's prayers, dad is on the road to recovery. However, it will take time for his full recovery".  "We will celebrate his 75 years properly once he is discharged from the hospital. We thank for the support and prayers from his fans and well-wishers". 

Sports Bulletin Report Galle (Sri Lanka):-Sri Lanka made solid progress on day-one of the second ICC World Test Championship match against Pakistan as they scored 315 for six at close of play on Sunday at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando provided the side a flying start of 92 runs. Fernando carried his form from the first Test where he scored a fifty in the second innings with an enterprising 50 (70 balls, four fours, three sixes). The right-hander’s dominant innings was brought to an end by an excellent spinning delivery from Mohammad Nawaz that took the outside edge, Mohammad Rizwan took a sharp catch behind the stumps to end the partnership. On the eve of the lunch break, Salman Ali Agha ran out Kusal Mendis when he intercepted a straight drive from Karunaratne in his follow through and deflected it on the stumps catching Mendis millimetres short of the crease at the non-striker’s end. Sri Lanka took lunch at 96 for two. After lunch, Karunaratne was dismissed for 40 when his attempted cut shot was caught by a diving Naseem Shah in the point region off Yasir Shah. Seasoned middle-order batter Angelo Mathews who is appearing in his 100th Test consolidated his side’s position with a 75-run fourth-wicket stand with the in-form Dinesh Chandimal. Mathews who was dropped by Babar Azam shortly before the tea interval fell to Nauman Ali soon after tea with Rizwan taking another sharp catch. Mathews scored 42 off 106 balls (five fours). Chandimal registered his third consecutive half-century following contributions of 76 and 94 not out in the first Test. The right-hander once again missed out on a century when he skied a catch to Fawad Alam off Nawaz. Chandimal scored 80 off 137 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes, he added 63 for the fifth-wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva. Naseem dismissed de Silva (33) with a pacy inswinger (fifth ball with the new-ball) that removed the middle-stump, Sri Lanka were 290 for six at this stage. The hosts did not lose any further wicket as play stopped due to bad light with four overs of the 90-over quota remaining.  At stumps, wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella was unbeaten on 42 while debutant Dunith Wellalage was six not out.  Scores in brief: Sri Lanka 315 for 6, 86 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 80, Oshada Fernando 50, Niroshan Dickwella 42 not out; Mohammad Nawaz 2-71)

Bipin Dani Sri Lankan women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu, who was practising  with the other team members at the stadium got a very special gift from one of her fans.  She was presented with a special art work picture in a photo frame. It was prepared by an artist Hasanka Fernando.  Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, the 26-year-old artist, who is also a banker by profession said, "As my hobbies I like to draw, create various artworks, sing songs and play cricket".  "I also play cricket for my bank team". "This is the art of woodwork. I made this computer artwork of Chamari holding the bat in her two hands. I spent more than an hour for the initial drawing but then giving a final touch and framing needed to be made in a presentable form".  In return, Chamari gave her 58 number limited over game jersey to the artist.  "I have also done similar art work for our men's team all-rounder Wanindu Hasarange".  "Chamari and Wanindu are my favourite players and when I met one of my idols at the R. Pramada Stadium, she was pleasantly surprised. I wished her good luck as the team is preparing for the Commonwealth Games to be played in England later this month", the artist, who went in as a Sri Lankan player jersey  further added.   

Bipin Dani Apparently Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has allowed the wives of the married players to join the team hotel during the ongoing Tests series against Pakistan. Of course, the players having small kids have not joined. It is in contrast to the Pakistan players, none of them or their support staff have brought family on this tour. Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and his wife missed each other most on their wedding anniversary on Thursday. "Thursday marks our 4th wedding Anniversary and the 2nd time we are not celebrating it together. Last year also, because of the Covid at its peak, I was not with him", his wife, Rsmisha Mirando, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo said.  "I really miss him on this day and wish he could be here at least for few hours. But unfortunately due to the current situation here in SL we cannot do that. But anyway I am truly happy and honored to be his wife and really proud on his recent achievements. That’s the best gift we got for our anniversary", she, the housewife and a mother of a 3-year-old daughter added. Prabath has grabbed 21 wickets in his first four Test innings. "I am looking forward to the best in coming years from him", she signed off.

Sports Bulletin Report Galle (Sri Lanka):-Due to a knee injury sustained on the fourth day of the first Test, Shaheen Afridi will miss the second Test, which will be played in Galle from 24 July. According to an official of Pakistan team, He (Afridi) will stay with the Test side in Sri Lanka, where his initial rehabilitation and management will continue under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.

Sports Bulletin Report Galle (Sri Lanka):-Featuring in only the sixth Test of his career, opener Abdullah Shafique produced an innings for the ages to spearhead Pakistan’s record setting 342-run chase as the Babar Azam-led side completed a four wicket victory on the fifth and final day of the first Test of the ICC World Test Championship match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday. Pakistan comfortably beat the previous highest chase at Galle - Sri Lanka’s 268 (2019) against New Zealand to set a new venue record of 344. Pakistan have now chased down four 300 plus scores in their Test history, three of the chases have been against Sri Lanka with the 377 for three at Pallekele in 2015, the highest. Abdullah’s heroic knock is now the second highest for Pakistan in a fourth innings chase behind Younis Khan’s 171 not out at Pallekele. Resuming at the overnight score of 222 for three, the pair of Abdullah and Mohammad Rizwan survived some anxious moments in the first hour of play. Both batters were challenged by the wearing pitch, probing bowling and enthusiastic Sri Lankan bowlers and fielders who were ready to appeal whenever the ball hit the pad or was caught by a close-in fielder. Sri Lanka burned their two remaining reviews in their desperate search of a wicket. Both batters however kept chipping away at the target with smart rotation of strike and the odd boundary. Pakistan progressed to 276 when Rizwan was eventually dislodged by Jayasuria for a resolute 40 off 74 balls (two fours). Rizwan and Abdullah added 71 vital runs for the fourth-wicket. Debutant Salman Ali Agha perished on the stroke of lunch for 12 with Pakistan placed at 298 for five, 44 runs shy of the target. Abdullah was joined by Hasan Ali post-lunch as Pakistan pursued quick runs, Hasan (5) though fell to Dhananjaya de Silva while attempting a big hit, Pakistan were then 39 runs short of the target. Mohammad Nawaz (19 not out) provided solid support to Abdullah who benefited from a dropped chance by Kasun Rajitha at mid-wicket shortly after crossing the 150-mark. With victory in sight, the Abdullah-Nawaz pair’s progress was interrupted by nearly an hour long rain break. Pakistan were 11 runs away from victory at that stage. When play resumed, Abdullah and Nawaz completed the task with ease with Abdullah hitting the winning boundary through the covers. Abdullah’s monumental innings which will go down in Test history as one of the best-ever in the fourth innings, was compiled of 408 balls and included seven fours and one six. The second Test will be played at the same venue from Sunday, 24 July.  Summarized Score Card (Day-5): Sri Lanka Batting (1st innings): 222 all out in 66.1 overs Dinesh Chandimal 76 runs (Balls 115, 4X10, 6X1), Maheesh Theekshana 38 runs (Balls 65, 4X4, 6X1), Oshada Fernando 35 runs (Balls 49, 4X5, 6X0), Kusal Mendis 21 runs (Balls 35, 4X3, 6X0) Pakistan Bowling: Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 58), Hasan Ali (2 for 23), Yasir Shah (2 for 66), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 18), Naseem Shah (1 for 53) Pakistan Batting (1st inning): 218 all out in 90.5 overs Babar Azam 119 runs (Balls 244, 4X11, 6X2), Mohammad Rizwan 19 runs (Balls 35, 4X3, 6X0), Yasir Shah 18 runs (Balls 56, 4x1, 6X0), Hasan Ali 17 runs (Balls 21, 4x0, 6x2), Abdullah Shafiq 13 runs (Balls 47, 4X2, 6X0) Sri Lanka Bowling: Prabath Jayasuriya (5 for 82), Ramesh Mendis (2 for 18), Maheesh Theekshana (2 for 68), Kasun Rajitha (1for 42) Sri Lanka Batting (2nd innings): 337 all out in 100 overs (Target 342) Dinesh Chandimal 94 runs not out (Balls 139, 4X5, 6X2), Kusal Mendis 76 runs (Balls 126, 4x9, 6x0), Oshada Fernando 64 runs (Balls 125, 4X6, 6X1), Ramesh Mendis 22 runs (Balls 32, 4X2, 6x0) Pakistan Bowling: Mohammad Nawaz (5 for 88), Yasir Shah (3 for 122), Hasan Ali (1 for 19), Naseem Shah (1 for 24) Pakistan Batting (2nd innings) 344 for 4 in 127.2 overs Abdullah Shafique 160 not out, Babar Azam 55, Mohammad Rizwan 40; Prabath Jayasuria 4-135) Sri Lanka Bowling: Prabath Jayasuriya (4 for 118), Ramesh Mendis (1 for 96) Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first Sri Lanka (Playing XIs) Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali

BIPIN DANI Team India's wicket keeper-batter Rishabh Pant received a bottle of champagne for his heroic performance against England, which won him the Player of the Match award in the 3rd and the final ODI on Sunday. "We have not seen him taking a drink", says one of his childhood coaches, Devendra Sharma. Pant did gift this to former India coach Ravi Shastri, whose drinking love is well known. Pant, however, could have refused to accept the bottle, according to the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) official.  "A bottle of champagne is given to the player of the match and player of the series for all international matches. If someone does not drink, he can refuse to take it. For example, if they abstain from accepting and drinking alcohol", Danny Reuben the Head of Elite Communications - England Men’s Teams, said exclusively. "A bottle of champagne as part of the MoM/MoS award has been going for decades, and as far as I know it's only ever been done in England - presumably a deal with the sponsors", Michael Jones, a cricket historian tells us. "I would hope that they show sensitivity towards players' beliefs and have an alternative available if there's a chance that the award might be won by a Muslim (or by someone who doesn't drink for any other reason)". "They would also have needed an alternative at Old Trafford in 1990, where the award winner was under 18 so anyone handing him a bottle of champagne could have faced criminal charges for supplying alcohol to a minor", Jones further added.

Sports Bulletin Report Galle (Sri Lanka):-Pakistan demonstrated their comeback qualities as well as the ability to play quality spin bowling as they slowly but methodically edged towards achieving their second highest-run chase in Test cricket. Chasing 342 runs for victory in the first Test on a spinners’ friendly Galle surface, Pakistan were 222 for three at the close of play on the fourth day and needed another 120 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. 22-year-old Abdullah Shafique, playing just his sixth Test match, was leading Pakistan’s charge when he was unconquered on 112. With him was vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan on seven, who had walked into bat six overs before stumps after captain Babar Azam missed the line of the ball and was bowled round his legs after scoring 55. Babar, who had scored 119 runs in the first innings and became the 19th Pakistan batter to complete 3,000 Test runs when he reached 30, put on 101 runs for the third wicket with Abdullah. Babar’s 104-ball innings was studded with four fours and a six. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who had claimed 17 wickets in the three innings before Pakistan’s run-chase, picked up the wickets of Azhar Ali (six) and Babar Azam, but was made to toil on a surface of his liking when he ended the day with figures of 35-6-89-2. Opener Imam-ul-Haq was unlucky and unfortunate to be stumped off Ramesh Mendis when his foot was fractionally in the air. The left-hander was looking solid and comfortable in his 73-ball 35 as he added 87 runs for the first wicket with Abdullah. The star of the fourth day’s play was young Abdullah who was a model of concentration and application, and in the process displayed excellent technique and good shot selection against Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers on a deteriorating surface. Abdullah, a former Pakistan under-19 batter, had faced 289 balls for his 112 not out and struck five fours and a six. The Sialkot-born opener had reached his half-century from 94 balls with four fours, while his second 50 runs came off 114 balls and included a four and a straight six off Jayasuriya. Since making his debut against Bangladesh in Chattogram, the opener has scores of 52, 73, 25, 44, 136 not out, 13, 96, 81, 27, 13 and 112 not out which not only reflects his consistency but also ability to adjust and adapt to different batting conditions against three different oppositions in Bangladesh, Australia and Sri Lanka. Interestingly, when Pakistan achieved their highest run-chase of 377 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele 2015, veteran Younis Khan had scored an unbeaten 171, while a young Shan Masood, playing his ninth Test, had scored 125. Abdullah has a chance to emulate Shan and further enhance his reputation as a world-class batter if he can continue to lead Pakistan from the front and earn Pakistan a come-from-behind victory on a surface that is fully testing the skills, temperament and technique of the batters. Abdullah will require complete support from the middle and lower middle-order that may not have the same experience as Misbah-ul-Haq’s side from the 2015 Test. But where there is will, there is a way and Abdullah has demonstrated that victory is possible only if each and every delivery is played on its merit and no opportunity is wasted in keeping the scoreboard moving. Earlier, Sri Lanka resumed their second innings at 329 for nine and were dismissed for 337. Dinesh Chandimal added eight runs to his overnight score of 86 and returned unbeaten on 94. Jayasuriya was the last man out when he fell to Naseem Shah. Summarized Score Card (Day-4): Sri Lanka Batting (1st innings): 222 all out in 66.1 overs Dinesh Chandimal 76 runs (Balls 115, 4X10, 6X1), Maheesh Theekshana 38 runs (Balls 65, 4X4, 6X1), Oshada Fernando 35 runs (Balls 49, 4X5, 6X0), Kusal Mendis 21 runs (Balls 35, 4X3, 6X0) Pakistan Bowling: Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 58), Hasan Ali (2 for 23), Yasir Shah (2 for 66), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 18), Naseem Shah (1 for 53) Pakistan Batting (1st inning): 218 all out in 90.5 overs Babar Azam 119 runs (Balls 244, 4X11, 6X2), Mohammad Rizwan 19 runs (Balls 35, 4X3, 6X0), Yasir Shah 18 runs (Balls 56, 4x1, 6X0), Hasan Ali 17 runs (Balls 21, 4x0, 6x2), Abdullah Shafiq 13 runs (Balls 47, 4X2, 6X0) Sri Lanka Bowling: Prabath Jayasuriya (5 for 82), Ramesh Mendis (2 for 18), Maheesh Theekshana (2 for 68), Kasun Rajitha (1for 42) Sri Lanka Batting (2nd innings): 337 all out in 100 overs (Target 342) Dinesh Chandimal 94 runs not out (Balls 139, 4X5, 6X2), Kusal Mendis 76 runs (Balls 126, 4x9, 6x0), Oshada Fernando 64 runs (Balls 125, 4X6, 6X1), Ramesh Mendis 22 runs (Balls 32, 4X2, 6x0) Pakistan Bowling: Mohammad Nawaz (5 for 88), Yasir Shah (3 for 122), Hasan Ali (1 for 19), Naseem Shah (1 for 24) Pakistan Batting (2nd innings) 122 for 3 85 0vers Abdullah Shafique 112 not out (Balls 289, 4X5, 6X1), Babar Azam 55 rums (Balls 104, 4X 4, 6X1) Imam-ul-Haq 35 runs (Balls 73, 4x3, 6X0), Mohammad Rizwan 7 runs not out (Balls 12, 4X0, 6X0) Sri Lanka Bowling: Prabath Jayasuriya (2 for 89), Ramesh Mendis (1 for 76) Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first Sri Lanka (Playing XIs) Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali

BIPIN DANI India's out-of-form batter Virat Kohli has turned to a spiritual guru.Last week, the 33-year-old ex-captain and his wife Anushka Sharma, who too is in England, attended Krishna Das' kirtan. Krishna Das is a pupil of an incident Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, who passed away in 1970s. Krishna Das is an American vocalist known for his performances of Hindu devotional music known as kirtan. The couple attended the satsang and kirtan performance by Das. The couple was spotted twinning in white, sporting a casual look. The two were captured together in some photos that have since then been trending online. Incidentally, after the 3-hour kirtan, Kohli and his wife didn't meet the guru, it was confirmed by Krishna Das. There were so many people in the concert and Kohli and Anushka were among them. Krishna Das does not know Kohli and only later on came to know about him and Anushka. The concert was hosted by Go Dharmik Foundation. Hanuman Das is the founder of this institution. "I didn't meet Mr. Kohli. I am an American and don't know much about cricket", Krishna Das, speaking exclusively, said. "If Kohli wants to talk about baseball or Lord Hanuman, he can certainly call me", he further added.  Since the England tour, it is also reported that Kohli and his family may extend their stay in London. It was also reported in the media that Kohli's mother Saroj may join them. However, Kohli's brother Vikas says, "nobody (in our family) is leaving for the UK".