Sports Bulletin

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-National Selection Committee (NSC) headed by chairman Mohammad Wasim announced the national teams for one day and Twenty 20 matches series against Australia on Thursday, as uncapped Asif Afridi and Mohammad Haris have been included in both for the three ODIs and one-off T20I squads. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), left-arm spinner Asif and wicketkeeper/batter Haris have earned the selectors’ attention as the result of his impressive performances in the domestic circuit. In the recently concluded seventh edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, Asif took eight wickets in five matches for Multan Sultans, while 20-year-old Haris scored 166 runs in five matches at an impressive strike-rate of 186.5 for Peshawar Zalmi. In the ongoing Pakistan Cup, Haris has already scored 219 runs in seven matches at an average of just under 44 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Asif has picked up eight wickets in seven matches for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with an economy-rate of 4.39. Mohammad Nawaz, who had withdrawn from participation in the Test series for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy due to a foot injury, has been drafted in the side for both the ODI and T20I formats. However, his selection in the playing line-up will be subject to fitness test. While the selectors have picked up 20 players for the ODIs, which are being played as part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League; they have chosen 17 players for the only T20I, leaving out Abdullah Shafique, Imam-Ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel. Mohammad Wasim, Chair of the Selection Committee said: “I want to congratulate Asif and Haris on their inclusions in squads for the Australia series. This is a reward for their hard work and consistent performances in the domestic circuit. Their selections are also a message for all domestic players that their performances are being followed and whenever an opportunity arises, they will be rewarded with a national team call-up. “Australia are an equally outstanding team in the shorter formats of the game and, as such, we have decided to go with the best available and most experienced players. The four white-ball matches have significant context as the 50-over games count towards the 2023 World Cup qualification and the 20-over will be a repeat of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final. ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain-Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain-Northern), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Asif Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Asif Ali (Northern), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa),     Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-Ul-Haq (Balochistan), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) T20 squad: Babar Azam (captain-Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain-Northern), Asif Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Asif Ali (Northern), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Although, Karachi Test between Pakistan and Australia ended in a draw, however, the cricket lovers will not forget the historical batting by skipper Babar Azam who stayed on the pitch for 603 minutes and saved the blushes of the country at National Cricket Stadium Karachi. Babar played an extraordinary 196 in more than 10 hours of batting by Pakistan captain Babar Azam saw another last-day victory push by Australia stalled and enabled the home team to walk away from the second Test at Karachi with a draw that will be celebrated as loudly as any victory. Facing a deficit of 505 and needing to bat almost two days having been bowled out in barely two sessions earlier in the match, Babar's inspiration coupled with crucial supporting roles from Mohammad Rizwan (104 not out) and Abdullah Shafique (96) saw Pakistan achieve history if not victory. Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 556 for 9 declared after 189 overs Usman Khawaja 160 (369 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Alex Carey 93 (159 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Steven Smith 72 runs (214 balls, 4X7), Nathan Lyon 38 (62 balls, 4X7), David Warner 36 (48 balls, 4X3, 6X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Faheem Ashraf (2 for 55), Sajid Khan (2 for 167), Babar Azam (1 for 7), Hasan Ali (1 for 71), Numan Ali (1 for 134) Pakistan Batting (First innings): 148 all out in 53 overs Babar Azam 35 (64 balls, 4X3), Nauman Ali 20 not out (35 balls, 4X4), Imam-ul-Haq 20 (64 balls, 4X3), Shaheen Shah Afridi 19 (25 balls, 4X3, 6X1) Australia Bowling (First Innings): Mitchell Starc (3 for 29), Mitchell Swepson (2 for 32), Nathan Lyon (1 for 13), Cameron Green (1 for 23) Australia Batting (Second Innings): 97 for 2 declared after 22.3 overs Marnus Labuschagne 44 (49 balls, 4X5, 6X1), Usman Kawaja 44 (70 balls, 4X4) Pakistan Bowling (Second Innings): Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 21), Hasan Ali (1 for 23) Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): 443 for 7 in 171.4 overs (target 506 runs) Babar Azam 196 (425 balls, 4X21, 6X1), Mohammad Rizwan 104 not out (177 balls, 4X11, 6x1) Abdullah Shafiq 96 (305 balls, 6X4, 6X1) Australia Bowling (Second Innings): Nathan Lyon (4 for 112), Pat Cummins (2 for 75), Cameron Green (1 for 32). Pakistan (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi Australia (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat Results: Ended in a draw Match Officials: Ahsan Raza and Aleem Dar (Field Umpires) Rashid Riaz (TV Umpire) Asif Yaqoob (Fourth Umpire) Ranjan Madugalle (Match Referee)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-An unbeaten 171-run for the third wicket between skipper Babar Azam (102 not out) and Abdullah Shafiq (71 not out) generate a ray of hope for Green Shirts to safe the 2nd Test, as Pakistan scored 192 for 2 runs on the end of Day-4 at National Cricket Stadium Karachi on Tuesday. Captain Babar Azam fought bravely against the Australian bowling attack, as when he came on the pitch Pakistan were in deep hot water 21 for 2. Babar showed his full confidence during his 197 balls innings and his teammate Abdullah Shafiq played a defensive and responsible innings, as he faced 226 balls for his 71 runs. Babar smashed 12 fours while Abdullah 4 fours and a big six.      Earlier, Australia declared their second innings at 97 for 2 to set 506 runs mammoth total for hosts to win the Test match and to become highest runs getter in 4th innings in the history of cricket.   Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 556 for 9 declared after 189 overs Usman Khawaja 160 (369 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Alex Carey 93 (159 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Steven Smith 72 runs (214 balls, 4X7), Nathan Lyon 38 (62 balls, 4X7), David Warner 36 (48 balls, 4X3, 6X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Faheem Ashraf (2 for 55), Sajid Khan (2 for 167), Babar Azam (1 for 7), Hasan Ali (1 for 71), Numan Ali (1 for 134) Pakistan Batting (First innings): 148 all out in 53 overs Babar Azam 35 (64 balls, 4X3), Nauman Ali 20 not out (35 balls, 4X4), Imam-ul-Haq 20 (64 balls, 4X3), Shaheen Shah Afridi 19 (25 balls, 4X3, 6X1) Australia Bowling (First Innings): Mitchell Starc (3 for 29), Mitchell Swepson (2 for 32), Nathan Lyon (1 for 13), Cameron Green (1 for 23) Australia Batting (Second Innings): 97 for 2 declared after 22.3 overs Marnus Labuschagne 44 (49 balls, 4X5, 6X1), Usman Kawaja 44 (70 balls, 4X4) Pakistan Bowling (Second Innings): Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 21), Hasan Ali (1 for 23) Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): 192 for 2 in 82 overs (target 506 runs) Babar Azam 102 not out (197 balls, 4X12), Abdullah Shafiq 71 not out (226 balls, 4X4, 6X1) Australia Bowling (Second Innings): Cameron Green (1 for 15), Nathan Lyon (1 for 50). Pakistan (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi Australia (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat Match Officials: Ahsan Raza and Aleem Dar (Field Umpires) Rashid Riaz (TV Umpire) Asif Yaqoob (Fourth Umpire) Ranjan Madugalle (Match Referee)

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai:-The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced India’s star all-format batter Shreyas Iyer and White Ferns all-rounder Amelia Kerr were voted ICC Players of the Month for February 2022. Shreyas Iyer earned the ICC Player of the Month award the back of his brilliant white-ball exploits during the home series against West Indies and Sri Lanka respectively last month. Iyer pipped fellow nominees, UAE's Vriitya Aravind and Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee to claim the award. The right-hander struck a well-crafted, match-winning 80 in the third ODI against the West Indies in Ahmedabad and followed it up with a brisk 16-ball 25 in the closing game of the subsequent three-match T20I series. He went even better in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, aggregating 204 runs without being dismissed across three innings at a highly impressive strike-rate of 174.36. He registered scores of 57*(28), 74*(44) and 73*(45) across three games, while striking 20 fours and seven sixes collectively in a Player of the Series performance. “Throughout the month Shreyas showed tremendous consistency and control,” remarked former Sri Lanka cricketer and voting panel member Russell Arnold. “He totally dominated opposition bowlers and proved very hard to bowl at, scoring runs all-round the wicket and attacking the bowlers at the right moments. What really stood out for me was his composure as he battles for a regular place in the India lineup.” The 27-year-old has carried his form in the ongoing month too, having produced an outstanding 92 in the first innings of the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka in Bangalore. Amelia Kerr, the 21-year-old New Zealand all-rounder, was named the Women’s POTM, following her supreme consistency with both bat and ball during the home white-ball series against India. After scoring 17 and returning 2/25 in New Zealand’s 18-run win in the only T20I, Kerr showcased exemplary skills during the ODI leg to further establish herself as a world-class cricketer. She finished the top-run scorer in the ODI series with 353 runs at a staggering average of 117.67, while bagging seven wickets at an economy of 5.78. She was named the Player of the Match in the second and fourth ODI respectively, her standout performance coming in the former, in which she returned 1/43 with the ball before anchoring a tense 271-run chase with a sublime unbeaten 119. Kerr was chosen ahead of fellow nominees, India captain Mithali Raj and all-rounder Deepti Sharma for the award. The Wellington-born is already being hailed as one of the best women cricketers of the modern game. “Amelia Kerr is growing into her role as a genuine all-rounder in the New Zealand team,” said Isobel Joyce, the former Ireland Women cricketer, and a voting panel member. “She’s been a world-class leg spinner for a number of years, but now her batting adds even more value to her spot in the team and makes her one of the best cricketers in the world.” Kerr is an integral part of the White Ferns setup at the ongoing ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 and has already racked up 111 runs and bagged five wickets from four outings thus far.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Australia scored 505 for 8 runs in their first inning against hosts Pakistan on the end of the second day of Karachi Test at National Stadium Karachi on Sunday, as the woeful Alex Carey missed his maiden century and bowled out by skipper Babar Azam on 93 runs. On the Sunday morning, Australia resumed their first innings at 251 for 3, Kawaja 127 not out and night-watch-man batter Nathan Lyon with our score. Both batters added 54 runs for the 4th wicket partnership. Lyon was first to go back to pavilion, when Kangroos reached on 304, as Nathan individual score was 38 with the help of 7 fours. He was clean bold by Faheem Ashraf. Left-handed wicketkeeper batter was second top scorer after Usman Kawaja (160), played a responsible innings of 93 runs and bowled out part-time bowler Babar Azam just 2 overs before the close of play. Carey hit seven fours and couple of sixes in his 159 balls innings. Faheem Ashrad and Sajid Khan shared each two wicket after conceding 55 and 151 runs respectively. Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 505 for 8 in 180 overs Usman Khawaja 160 (369 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Alex Carey 93 (159 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Steven Smith 72 runs (214 balls, 4X7), Nathan Lyon 38 (62 balls, 4X7), David Warner 36 (48 balls, 4X3, 6X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Faheem Ashraf (2 for 55), Sajid Khan (2 for 151), Babar Azam (1 for 7), Hasan Ali (1 for 67), Numan Ali (1 for 115) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi Australia (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat Match Officials: Ahsan Raza and Aleem Dar (Field Umpires) Rashid Riaz (TV Umpire) Asif Yaqoob (Fourth Umpire) Ranjan Madugalle (Match Referee)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Australia posted 251 on the scoreboard in 90 overs on the First day of Karachi Test, as Usman Khawaja shines with the batand was unbeaten at 127 at the stumps. Pakistani bowlers could not impress with their bowling. The 35-year-old has made the most of a recall to the national side, missing out on a hundred in the first Test at Rawalpindi by three runs after scoring centuries in both innings in his return match against England. Usman’s unbeaten 127 included 13 boundaries and a six with Smith providing support at the other end until he fell to a sharp Hasan Ali delivery with seven balls left in the day. The ball made Smith play and barely carried to slip where Faheem Ashraf pounced to his left for a brilliant grab. Pakistan could have claimed another wicket on the day´s final ball but Imam-ul-Haq put down nightwatchman Nathan Lyon at short leg off Shaheen Shah Afridi. All-rounder Ashraf -- recalled after missing the first Test due to injury -- snagged the first breakthrough, getting the ball to nip away and drawing an edge from David Warner (36) straight into the gloves of keeper Mohammad Rizwan. Marnus Labuschagne was run out for nought nine deliveries later. But from then until the second last over of the day Australia looked in complete control with Khawaja leading the charge. He pushed spinner Sajid Khan for a sharp single towards square leg to reach the landmark, punching the air to celebrate his tenth Test ton -- drawing applause from a crowd of 10,000 people at the National Stadium. He first put on a solid 82-run stand for the opening wicket with Warner, who looked dangerous and greeted Sajid into the attack with two sixes. Then Khawaja repaired the innings alongside Smith, who struck seven boundaries in a cautious 35th Test half century. The duo frustrated Pakistan´s attack forcing spinners Nauman Ali and Sajid to resort to a negative leg-side line to contain the runs and only 36 were scored in the hour after tea in 17 overs. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam came on to bowl and used part-timer Azhar Ali on the other end to complete the 80 overs before the second new ball, with the score at 235-2. Australia made one change for the match, with leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson making his Test debut in place of pacer Josh Hazlewood, while Pakistan have brought in Hasan Ali and Ashraf. Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 251 for 3 in 90 overs Usman Khawaja 127 not out (266 balls, 4X13, 6X1), Steven Smith 72 runs (214 balls, 4X7), David Warner 36 (48 balls, 4X3, 6X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Hasan Ali (1 for 31), Faheem Ashraf (1 for 32) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi Australia (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat Match Officials: Ahsan Raza, Aleem Dar, Rashid Riaz, Asif Yaqoob, Ranjan Madugalle

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Zaheer Abbas, one of the most stylish and elegant batter to ever play this great sport, was formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame on Saturday when he received his commemorative cap and plaque from the Chief Executive of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Faisal Hasnain during lunch break of the second cricket Test between Pakistan and Australia at the National Stadium on Saturday. Zaheer is the third PCB Hall of Famer after Fazal Mahmood and Wasim Akram to be formally inducted, with the remaining five inductions to take place in due course. Zaheer Abbas said: “I feel humbled to have been recognised in such a respectful and honourable manner by my parent organisation at my home ground, during play of my favourite format of the game and in front of passionate cricket fans, who have also played an integral part throughout my cricketing career. “It has been a privilege to have represented Pakistan for nearly two decades and contribute in the national side’s growth in terms of stature and reputation. It was a delight to play with and against some of the all-time greats in an era when cricket regulations and playing conditions were not as stringent as today. Of course, the opportunities were also limited as compared to today, but the rewards, appreciation and acknowledgement was always extremely high and satisfying. “Cricket has moved on from my playing days but it still remains a gentleman’s game. It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to see that this beautiful sport remains in the safe and capable hands of modern day elite cricketers who, day in day out, give their very best in striving to continue to enhance the standard of this sport and in doing so, attract, inspire and motivate younger generation of cricketers. “I am pleased to see a full-strength Australia side play at the National Stadium after 24 long years. I have been part of some great Tests against Australia and I hope that with this tour, the rivalry between two proud nations will revive which, in turn, will only help cricket become stronger. “I want to thank the PCB, my family, friends and all my contemporaries who supported me in this memorable journey and helped me perform for this great country as well as my national, domestic and England teams.” Faisal Hasnain: “On behalf of the PCB and Pakistan cricket fans, I want to congratulate Zaheer Abbas on his induction into the PCB Hall of Fame. Zaheer Abbas is not only a Pakistan icon, but a highly respected and admired world figure who made cricket proud wherever he played. “Zaheer Abbas played and performed in an era that boasted some of the most destructive and fearsome fast bowlers, as well as world-class spinners. He not only dominated them, with his technique and style made batting look like poetry in motion. “We wish Zaheer Abbas well and hope he will continue to inspire our current and future generation of cricketers.” 74-year-old Zaheer was known as a run-machine during his playing days. To date, he is the only Asia batter to score a century of first-class centuries after he finished his illustrious 459-match career with 108 centuries and 158 half-centuries from 1965-66 to 1986-87, while amassing 34,843 runs with an average of 51.5. In international cricket, Zaheer scored 5,062 runs in 78 Tests at an average of 44.79 with 12 centuries. He struck seven centuries in 62 ODIs while scoring 2,572 runs at an average of 47.62. Zaheer scored 1,000 or more Tests runs against Australia (1,411 runs in 20 Tests), England (1,086 runs in 14 Tests) and India (1,740 runs in 19 Tests). At the National Stadium, which was his home ground, Zaheer played 12 Tests in which he scored 531 runs. Post-retirement, Zaheer had a brief stint as an ICC Match Referee when he refereed in a Test and three ODIs. He also served as a selector and team manager, while in 2015, he became only the third former Test cricketer after Colin Cowdrey and Sir Clyde Walcott to become an ICC President.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees has rated the pitch at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi that was used for the first Test between Pakistan and Australia as “below average” and the venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. Madugalle said: “The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower. The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed. In my view this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball.  Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch as below average.”

BIPIN DANI Mark Portus, the cricket biomechanist, who teaches the art and science of fast bowling (the name of his academy is : Pace Doctor) to bowlers in Australia has welcomed the Non-saliva law. The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), which governs the laws of the game, will treat the use of saliva as an unfair play. In the pre-covid pandemic days it was widely used by the bowlers and the fielders to retain shine on the ball. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Australia on Wednesday evening, he said, "I think the new Non Saliva law is good, more hygenic". Now the players will continue to use sweat for the purpose. "Sweat is just as effective as a polished ball. It also avoids the other sugary stuff players use". "It won't, however, avoid the mixture of sweat and sunscreen. True Dennis Lillee style", Portus added. "Sunscreen will provide a little help, another synthetic compound to help with shining the ball. Bowlers will need to be sweaty though", he remarked.    Dukes ball manufacturer Dilip Jajodia, in an exclusive chat with this Reporter has explained how the use of sweat is useful to the bowlers.  "The body naturally secreats oil and more so when the body is heated up during strenuous exercise + sweat, therefore when applied to the surface, this liquid soaks into the surface leather". "When the ball is polished on trousers, the friction created makes the sweat evaporate but the natural  oil soaks into the surface cells and acts as a lubricant to help polish the leather as for example when the surface of shoes are polished", he signed off.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The nominees for ICC Players of the Month of February for men’s and women’s international cricket have been announced today. February saw some strong men and women candidates staking their claim with some brilliant performances. The ICC Player of the Month nominations in the men’s category features UAE batter, Vriitya Aravind, India batter Shreyas Iyer and Nepal’s Dipendra Sing Airee. In the women’s category, New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, India veteran star Mithali Raj and all-rounder Deepti Sharma are nominated. ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February:  Vriitya Aravind – UAE Vriitya Aravind was the young star in UAE's campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A held in Oman last month. The youngest member of the squad, nineteen-year-old Aravind played a crucial role in UAE’s qualification to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 which will take place later this year. In the five matches he played, he smashed 267 runs at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 154.33. He set the tone with a 67-ball 97* in the opening game against Oman and carried his form through the tournament with scores of 40, 84*, 46 in the next three games. Though he didn't finish with a flourish, he did enough to win the Player of the Tournament. Shreyas Iyer - India Shreyas Iyer was in unstoppable form in the month of February and played a vital role in India's white-ball domination. He started the month with a Player of the Match-winning 80 against West Indies in the final ODI and a 16-ball 25 in the last T20I. With India opting to rest players and injury to Suryakumar Yadav, Iyer was promoted to No.3 in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He scored three unbeaten fifties in three games and finished with 204 runs at a blistering strike rate of 174.35 and was awarded the Player of the Series for his exploits. Dipendra Singh Airee – Nepal Dipendra Singh Airee was a vital cog in Nepal's third-place finish in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A in Oman. He was splendid both with the bat and the ball, finishing with 159 runs and six wickets in the tournament. Prior to the start of the tournament, he was brilliant in the quadrangular series against Oman, UAE, and Ireland where he accumulated 142 runs in three games and grabbed a four-for in the final game against Ireland. ICC Women’s Player of the Month for February: Amelia Kerr - New Zealand In the ODI series against India ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she finished as the highest-run getter overall and the joint-highest wicket-taker for her team alongside her sister Jess Kerr. In the five ODIs, she scored 353 runs at an average of 117.66 and strike rate of 97.51, which included three fifties and a hundred.  With the ball, she picked up 7 wickets at an economy of 5.78. She was also the Player of the Match in two of the five ODIs and took home the Player of the Series award as well. Mithali Raj – India Mithali Raj was one of the few shining lights for India in the ODI series against New Zealand. She was the highest run-scorer for India and the second-highest overall with 232 runs, including three fifties, averaging 77.33 with a strike rate of 82.56. In the final ODI, she played the role of the finisher to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 54 as India chased down 252 with four overs to spare. With the win, India ensured that they finished the series with a win in their kitty. Deepti Sharma – India Deepti Sharma was brilliant with both with the bat and ball in the series against New Zealand. She took the most wickets (10) in the ODI series and was handy with the bat as well, aggregating 116 runs in five matches. She grabbed a four-for in the second ODI and followed it up with a 69* in the next match.