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Australia beat Pakistan by 88 runs in the first ODI: Travis Head (101 runs), Adam Zampa (4 for 38)
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Two sparking performances, Travis Head (101 runs), Adam Zampa (4 for 38) helped Australia to defeat hosts Pakistan by 88 runs in the first One Day International of three-match ODI series at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Tuesday night and earned a vital lead of 1-0.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bowl first. Australia managed 313 for 7 runs on the board, as Travis Head was main contributor with 101 runs. He smashed 12 fours and three huge sixes, as he just faced 72 balls during his notable innings. Ben McDermott was other good batter, who scored 55 runs while Cameron Green aggregated 40 runs in just 30 deliveries.
Haris Rauf and Zahid Mehmood captured 2 wickets each after conceding 59, 59 runs in their 10 overs. Part time bowler Iftikhar and Khushdil Shah got each one wicket for Pakistan.
In reply, Pakistan’s all batters lost their wickets at 225 and were short 88 runs from their 314 runs target. Imam-ul-Haq scored 103 runs with the help six fours and three sixes but this was not enough to make the mark. Skipper Babar Azam scored 57 runs. Adam Zampa snared four hosts’ batters for 38 runs. Century maker Travis Head got two important wickets at crucial stage of the Pakistani innings.
Australia (Batting) 313 for 7 in 50 overs
Travis Head 101 runs (72 balls, 4X12, 6X3), Ben McDermott 55 runs (70 balls, 4X4, 6X0), Cameron Green 40 runs not out (30 balls, 4X3, 6X1)
Pakistan (Bowling):
Haris Rauf (2 for 59), Zahid Mahmood (2 for 59), Iftikhar Ahmed (1 for 36), Khushdil Shah (1 for 50)
Pakistan (Batting): 225 all out in 45.2 overs
Imam-ul-Haq 103 runs (96 balls, 4X6, 6X3), Babar Azam 57 runs (72 balls, 4X6, 6X0), Khushdil Shah 19 runs (22 balls, 4X1, 6X0)
Australia (Bowling):
Adam Zampa (4 for 38), Travis Head (2 for 35), Mitchell Swepson (2 for 53), Sean Abbott (1 for 36), Nathan Ellis (1 for 36)
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Toss: Pakistan, elected to field first
ODI Debut
Mitchell Swepson
Mohammad Wasim
Nathan Ellis
Zahid Mahmood
Umpires:
Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob
TV Umpire: Ahsan Raza
Reserve Umpire: Faisal Afridi
Match Referee: Mohammad Javed
Ayush Banoni is Giants' Baby
BIPIN DANI
The TV commentator Harsha Bhogle had asked a valid question ("where have you been hiding?") to Lucknow Super Giants' IPL member Ayush Badoni on Monday.
The question is bothering many of this 22-year-old debut player's acquaintances, especially when he scored 54 runs in 41 balls, which included 3 sixes and four fours against world class players in his very first match.
"Ayush has scored in every format of the game right from the beginning. He was waiting for his chance to debut", his childhood coach Hirtesh Sharma says.
"He came to me when he was 10. “A very cool headed, soft spoken and hard working boys".
"His confidence is very high all the time. Hitting sixes against world's best leg-spinner Rashid Khan was not easy", his school coach Navewen Chopra adds.
“If India wants to win a world cup, you should have at least one Modernite in it”, his school. Principal Dr. Vijay Datta says.
"It was proven right by Kirti Azad in 1983, Gautam Gambhir in 2014, Unmukt Chand in 2012 (U-19 World Cup) and it gives us hope that with Ayush Badoni proving to be the next rising star in the Cricket horizon, his hopeful presence in the next world cup may bring luck for India".
"Modern School, with its legacy of nurturing and fostering exceptional talents in all spheres, especially sports; the mettle proven by Badoni is another feather in its cap. Ayush, who passed out of school in 2018 was a natural player and is fondly remembered as a soft spoken and highly respectful student with a smiling demeanor and sharp focus towards his goals".
"A man who lets his bat do the talking, his optimism and commitment saw him braving many odds to emerge as a promising player for India. He always walked in the path of righteousness, did what he deemed right and remained unaltered in his goals, ignoring all jibes and rejections. The 22-year-old, who slammed a 41-ball 54 against Gujarat Titans, playing on behalf of Lucknow Supergiants, is a proud reminder that hard work always pays off", the principal continued.
Ayush's father Vivek is a documentary filmmaker and mother is a school teacher. His only brother is a football player. His Lucknow team captain KL Rahul has nicknamed him 'Baby De Villiers' for the similarity of his initials with the South African batting legend AB de Villiers.
Rawalpindi to host Pakistan-West Indies ODIs
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI:-Rawalpindi will host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against the West Indies at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 8-12 June, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today.
The West Indies will arrive in Islamabad on 5 June for the One-Day Internationals that will be played on 8, 10 and 12 June.
The ODIs were part of the West Indies’ tour of Pakistan in December 2021. However, with mutual consent, these were rescheduled after five Covid-19 cases were reported in the West Indies side. The West Indies have also agreed to play three T20Is in early 2023, schedule of which will be announced in due course.
The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. Top seven-placed sides from this event plus ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hosts India will qualify directly for the pinnacle 50-over competition, which will be staged next year in October/November.
Series schedule:
8 June – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
10 June – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
12 June – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
Steve Smith to miss ODI Series, Mitchell Swepson gets place in squad
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Australia batter Steve Smith will miss the One Day International matches series owing to discomfort with his left elbow.
Smith experienced some discomfort during the three-match Test series and, with a full schedule of international cricket over the coming 18 months, it was felt prudent to prioritise recovery and treatment at this time.
He will be replaced by Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson in the squad to contest three One-Day Internationals (29 and 31 March and 2 April) and a T20 International (5 April), with all matches taking place in Lahore.
Cricket Australia’s Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine, Alex Kountouris, said: “Steve has been experiencing some minor discomfort in his left elbow during the latter stages of the Test series in Pakistan and, given he had an injury with the same elbow last year, we felt it important to manage this proactively.
“Withdrawing him from the white ball matches means Steve will have the necessary time to rehabilitate his elbow to ensure his continuing availability and performance for Australia.”
Chair of Selectors George Bailey said:
“With the significant amount of cricket to come over the next 18 months, and the fact he has had an issue with the same elbow previously, it is appropriate for Steve to return home at the end of the Test series in Pakistan.
“We have opted not to name a replacement batter as we feel we have options within the existing squad, and Steve’s absence offers up additional opportunities to players within the group.
“We are excited because with a T20 World Cup later this year and a 50-over Cricket World Cup in Asia next year, these four matches against a quality Pakistan team are a great chance for players to stake their claims for places in those tournaments.
"We have decided to include Mitchell Swepson in the white ball squad because it will offer us additional options in the bowling department on surfaces that may well assist spinners.
“Mitchell was part of our Twenty20 International squads in both the West Indies and Bangladesh last year, as well as at the T20 World Cup, and having been in Pakistan for the past month he is familiar with conditions. We know if called upon he will do an excellent job.”
Steve Smith said: “It’s disappointing to miss these matches against Pakistan but after chatting with the medical staff I can see the need to take a break at this time.
“I do not regard this as a major issue but by staying on top of things now, we can ensure that it doesn’t become something more significant further down the line.”
Australia squad:
Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa.
Lahore Test: Australia defeat Pakistan by 115 runs to lift Benaud-Qadir Trophy
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Australia lifted the inaugural Benaud-Qadir Trophy when they defeated Pakistan by 115 runs in the third and decisive cricket Test at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday to win the three-Test series 1-0.
Resuming at 73 for no loss in pursuit of a 351-run target, Pakistan were bowled out for 235 with just over 24 overs remaining in the Test. This was Australia’s first series win in Pakistan since 1998 when Mark Taylor won the series 1-0 and second overall when Richie Benaud also won in Lahore by seven wickets in 1959 to clinch the series 2-0.
In the ICC World Test Championship points table, Pakistan has dropped from second to fourth on 44 points, while Australia has moved to 72 points. In the ICC Test Team Rankings, both the sides have maintained the pre-series rankings and points. Australia is number-one on 119 points whereas Pakistan in sixth position on 93 points.
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon saved his best performance of the tour for the final day of the series when he returned figures of 37-8-83-5. This was the 19th time in 108 Tests he had taken a five-fer. Lyon’s scalps included Imam-ul-Haq (70), Azhar Ali (17), Babar Azam (55), Hasan Ali (13) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (5).
Captain Pat Cummins followed up his five for 56 in the first innings with the wickets of Fawad Alam (11), Mohammad Rizwan (0) and Naseem Shah (1) to finish with match figures of eight for 79 and walk away with the player of match award.
It was appropriate Cummins picked up the last wicket of the Test series when he cleaned up Naseem as he had led his team from the front and example. He finished the series as joint leading wicket-taker with Nathan Lyon (12).
Mitchell Starc bagged the wicket of Sajid Khan (21), but Cameron Green picked up the first wicket of the day when he had Abdullah Shafique (27) caught at the wicket to end the 77-run first wicket stand. The 46-run sixth wicket partnership between Babar and Sajid was the second best stand for Pakistan in the second innings.
Imam batted for four hours and 36 minutes during which he received 199 balls and hit five fours. Babar, who had top-scored in the first innings with 67, faced 104 balls and struck six signature fours during his 165 minutes of batting.
The fifth day pitch not only posed plenty of challenges for the batters, it also tested the two on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza as well as third umpire Asif Yaqoob.
Asif overturned on-field decision against Azhar Ali despite television replays providing inconclusive evidence, while he upheld Ahsan’s decision against Imam when TV replays suggested there might have been no contact between the bat and the ball and spike could have been due to the bat hitting the pad.
With review by Imam struck down and one review available after Fawad made a disasterous call against Aleem Dar’s decision when he was plumb in front of the wicket, Rizwan opted not to challenge Aleem’s decision when TV replays showed the ball had struck his toe outside the off-stumps.
Usman Khawaja for his 496 runs with two centuries and two half-centuries was adjudged player of the series. Abdullah was the second most successful batter of the series with 397 runs, followed by Babar (390), Imam (370) and Azhar (300).
Lahore Test takes new turn; Australia set 351 runs target for the hosts: Pakistan reach 73 for 0
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Australia set 351 runs target for the Green Shirts after declaring their second innings at 227 for 3, as hosts opening batter scored 73 for 0 runs in 27 overs. A ton (104 not out) of Usman Kawaja played a vital role in consolidating visitor innings. Pakistan need more 278 runs to win the Test match on 5th day at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Australia Batting (First Innings): 391 all out in 133.3 overs
Usman Khawaja 91 runs (219 balls, 4X9, 6X1), Cameron Green 67 runs (163 balls, 4X9), Alex Carey 67 runs (105 balls, 4X7), Steven Smith 59 runs (169 balls, 4X6), Travis Head 26 runs (70balls, 4X4)
Pakistan Bowling (First Innings):
Naseem Shah (4 for 58), Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 79), Nauman Ali (1 for 77), Sajid Khan (1 for 97)
Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 268 all out in 116.4 overs
Abdullah Shafiq 81 runs (228 balls, 4X11), Azhar Ali 78 runs (208 balls, 7X1, 6X1), Babar Azam 67 runs (131 balls, 4X6, 6X1), Imam-ul-Haq 11 runs (41 balls, 4X2)
Australia Bowling (First Innings):
Pat Cummins (5 for 56), Mitchell Strac (4 for 33), Nathan Lyon 1 for 95
Australia Batting (Second Innings): 227 for 3 declared in 60 overs
Usman Kawaja 104 not out (178 balls, 4X8, 6X0), David Warner 51 (91 balls, 4X6, 6X1), Labuschagne 36 (58 balls, 4X6, 6X0)
Pakistan Bowling (Second Innings):
Naseem Shah (1 for 23), Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 45) Nauman Ali (1 for 55)
Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): 73 for 0 in 27 overs (Target 351 runs)
Imam-ul-Haq 42 (93 balls, 4X4, 6X0), Abdullah Shafiq 27 (69 balls, 4X3, 6X1)
Australia Bowling (Second Innings):
PAKISTAN (Playing XIs):
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
AUSTRALIA (Playing XIs):
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon.
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Toss: Australia, elected to bat first
Match Officials:
Umpires: Ahsan Raza & Aleem Dar
TV Umpire: Asif Yaqoob
Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Lahore Test-Day III: Australian pacers Cummins and Strac wobble Pakistan batting
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Australian pacers skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Strac wobbled the Pakistan batting line-up and host batters could score only 268 runs in their first innings. Visitors were on 11 runs in their second innings at the end of day-3 at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Wednesday.
Usman Kawaja 7 and David Warner 4 were at the crease. Earlier, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Strac badly dented the Pakistan batting by sharing 9 wickets. Cummins got 5 while Strac grabbed 4 wickets after conceding 56 and 33 runs respectively. Nathan Lyon chipped in one wicket.
On Wednesday morning, Pakistan took good start and was expected to pass the third day comfortably but no one for top-order could stay with skipper Babar Azam, who scored 67 runs with the help of six four and big six. Fawad and Rizwan even could not take a breath of sigh and lost their wickets in quickly.
Summarized Scorecard:
Australia Batting (First Innings): 391 all out in 133.3 overs
Usman Khawaja 91 runs (219 balls, 4X9, 6X1), Cameron Green 67 runs (163 balls, 4X9), Alex Carey 67 runs (105 balls, 4X7), Steven Smith 59 runs (169 balls, 4X6), Travis Head 26 runs (70balls, 4X4)
Pakistan Bowling (First Innings):
Naseem Shah (4 for 58), Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 79), Nauman Ali (1 for 77), Sajid Khan (1 for 97)
Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 268 all out in 116.4 overs
Abdullah Shafiq 81 runs (228 balls, 4X11), Azhar Ali 78 runs (208 balls, 7X1, 6X1), Babar Azam 67 runs (131 balls, 4X6, 6X1), Imam-ul-Haq 11 runs (41 balls, 4X2)
Australia Bowling (First Innings):
Pat Cummins (5 for 56), Mitchell Strac (4 for 33), Nathan Lyon 1 for 95
Australia Batting (Second Innings): 11 for 0 in 3 overs
Usman Kawaja 7 runs not out, David Warner 4 runs not out
Pakistan Bowling (Second Innings):
PAKISTAN (Playing XIs):
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
AUSTRALIA (Playing XIs):
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon.
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Toss: Australia, elected to bat first
Match Officials:
Umpires: Ahsan Raza & Aleem Dar
TV Umpire: Asif Yaqoob
Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Waqar Younis formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, who took 373 Test and 416 ODI wickets, was formally inducted into the “PCB Hall of Fame” when he received his commemorative cap and plaque during Wednesday’s play in the third cricket Test between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium.
In Tests, Waqar took 50 or more wickets against New Zealand (70), Zimbabwe (62), Sri Lanka (56), West Indies (55) and England (50). In ODIs, he took 84 wickets against Sri Lanka, followed by New Zealand (79), West Indies (60), South Africa (58), India (37), England (30), Australia (29) and Zimbabwe (23).
Waqar played seven Tests at the Gaddafi Stadium and took 29 wickets with seven for 86 against New Zealand in October 1990 as his best. In 12 ODIs at this iconic venue, Waqar took 14 wickets with four for 26 against the Netherlands in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1996 as his best figures.
Waqar Younis said:
“I feel honoured to have been inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame with my mother and wife standing alongside me. In fact, it was an honour to receive the beautiful plaque from my mother, who has been my inspiration throughout this highly rewarding and immensely satisfying cricketing journey. Without her blessings, I would not have been able to achieve this much as a professional.
“Playing for Pakistan was a dream come true and I still cherish every single moment of wearing the Pakistan colour. And to be awarded by the Pakistan Cricket Board with this honour 19 years after I last represented my country is just an icing on the cake, for which I am grateful to them.
“It is indeed a very proud moment for me to be placed in the same category as Abdul Qadir, Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas. These individuals are absolute legends of the game and their achievements and success stories are well documented.
“I would like to thank all the players I played with and against as well as all the support staff who contributed towards my accomplishments.”
The PCB Hall of Fame was launched in April 2021 following the Board of Governors approval at its 62nd meeting with the sole objective being to honour and celebrate the achievements of some of the greatest cricketers produced by this proud country as well as to preserve Pakistan cricket history.
The initial inductees were six members of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame – Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Zaheer Abbas. On 16 October 2021, the six stalwarts were joined by Abdul Qadir and Fazal Mahmood who were selected by an independent voting panel.
Lahore Test-Day II: Pakistan score 90 for 1 while Australia pack on 391 total
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Hosts Pakistan managed 90 for 1 runs on the scoreboard in 39 overs on the end of Day-2 at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Tuesday. Australia all ten batters got out on 391 runs total, as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah shared each four wickets after conceding 79 and 58 runs respectively.
Pakistan were 90 for 1 after 39 overs, as the major contributor was Abdullah Shafiq with 45 runs un beaten innings while Azhar Ali was also not out at 30. Pakistan lost only Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 11 runs in 41 balls.
Summarized Scorecard:
Australia Batting (First Innings): 391 all out in 133.3 overs
Usman Khawaja 91 runs (219 balls, 4X9, 6X1), Cameron Green 67 runs (163 balls, 4X9), Alex Carey 67 runs (105 balls, 4X7), Steven Smith 59 runs (169 balls, 4X6), Travis Head 26 runs (70balls, 4X4)
Pakistan Bowling (First Innings):
Naseem Shah (4 for 58), Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 79), Nauman Ali (1 for 77), Sajid Khan (1 for 97)
Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 90 for 1 in 39 overs
Abdullah Shafiq 45 runs not out (117 balls, 4X6), Azhar Ali 30 runs not out (79 balls, 4X1, 6X1), Imam-ul-Haq 11 runs (41 balls, 4X2)
Australia Bowling (First Innings):
Pat Cummins 1 for 27
PAKISTAN (Playing XIs):
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
AUSTRALIA (Playing XIs):
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon.
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Toss: Australia, elected to bat first
Match Officials:
Umpires: Ahsan Raza & Aleem Dar
TV Umpire: Asif Yaqoob
Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya attends Sports Award ceremony in Maldives
BIPIN DANI
Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya was invited to attend the Sports Award ceremony in Maldives last week.
The invitation to the former captain was sent by Ahmed Mahloof, the Youth & Sports Minister of Maldives.
In recognition of the impact and highlight the amazing achievements Sanath Jayasuriya has made during his career in the sporting world he was also conferred a special award.
"It was the first time in the history of Maldives that the government had conferred the awards to various athletes", SJ, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said on Monday morning.
Interestingly, India's Suresh Raina and Sri Lankan's another athlete Tharjini Sivalingam were also invited.
All these athletes, along with Sri Lanka's sports minister Namal Rajapaksha were greatly honoured and enjoyed the hospitality.
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