Cricket - Int News
Amelia Kerr makes huge gains in ICC Women ODI Player Rankings
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (UEA):-New Zealand's star all-rounder Amelia Kerr continued her rise in the MRF Tyres ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings.
New Zealand's Amelia Kerr starred in New Zealand's 4-1 ODI series victory at home against India, which has seen her rise in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings.
Kerr did very well in the final two ODIs of the five-match series against India. In the fourth ODI, which was reduced to a 20-over contest, Kerr scored an unbeaten 68 in only 33 deliveries. In the fifth and final ODI, Kerr scored 68 in 75 balls. Her exploits with the bat have seen her jump up five spots to No.17 in the rankings chart for batters.
Kerr also contributed with a few handy overs in the final two matches. In the fourth match, she returned with figures of 3/30 in 3.5 overs as New Zealand successfully defended a score of 191. In the fifth and final ODI, she registered figures of 1/55 in her 10 overs. This has seen her rankings rise up to No.17 in bowlers, a gain of four positions. She has also broken into the top 5 of the all-rounders' chart, gaining two positions up to No.4. Her form will undoubtedly aid New Zealand, as the hosts aim to clinch their second ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title, beginning March 4.
In other big movements, Amy Satterthwaite dropped down four positions in the batting rankings, down to No.7. She scored a 16-ball 32 in the fourth ODI and 21-ball 12 in the fifth and final contest.
India's Harmanpreet Kaur also gained a spot and rose up to No.20 after scoring a 66-ball 63 in the fifth and final ODI to roar back into form. Her knock helped India win the fifth and final ODI by six wickets.
Deepti Sharma also saw her position rise in the bowling charts, gaining one spot up to No.12. She returned with figures of 1/49 in four overs and 2/42 in 10 overs in the fourth and fifth ODIs respectively. She only scored 9 runs in the fourth ODI and did not bat in the fifth match, which saw her lose one spot in the all-rounders' rankings, down to No.5.
Alyssa Healy continued at the top of the batting charts, while her Australian compatriots Jess Jonassen and Ellyse Perry maintained their status as the No.1 ranked bowler and the No.1 ranked all-rounder respectively.
Shalimar Cricket Academy claim 47 runs victory against Cricket Federation Uzbekistan Team
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-Shalimar Cricket Academy (SCA) defeated Cricket Federation Uzbekistan (CFU) team by 47 runs in a Twenty 20 cricket match at Bhutto cricket ground on Tuesday, as an all-rounder performance by Umer Nawaz Khan (58 runs and 3 for 24) was the major different in the both sides.
CFU won the toss and asked SCA to bat first. The local team scored 179 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, as lion-share was 58 runs by Umer Nawaz, who faced 44 balls and smashed seven four and couple of sixes. Mohammad Afsar Khan contributed 45 runs in his team’s total. He hit three fours and 4 huge sixes during his short but exciting 21 balls innings. Mohammad Shabbir scored 39 runs in 31 balls with 4 fours and a solitary six. Mohammad Nabi (3 for 31), Mohammad Ismail (2 for 15) and Jamal Amin (1 for 39) were the wicket taker bowlers for the Uzbek team.
CFU’s all batters bowled out on 132 runs in 18.4 overs. Shahbaz was top scorer with 39 runs, as he faced 29 balls and hit each two fours and two sixes. Najeeb remained not out with 20 runs. He smashed one four and two sixes. Waqas Shah (3 for 21), Mohammad Amin (3 for 21), Umer Nawaz (3 for 24) and Ahmed Ali (1 for 14) were the wicket taker for the winning team Shalimar Cricket Academy Islamabad.
Summarized Scorecard:
Toss: Uzbekistan won the toss and decided to bowl first
SCA (Batting): 179 for 8 in 20 overs
Umer Nawaz Khan 58 runs (44 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Mohammad Afsar Khan 45 runs (21 balls, 4X3, 6X4), Mohammad Shabbir 39 runs (31 balls), 4X4, 6X1)
CFU (Bowling):
Mohammad Nabi (3 for 31), Mohammad Ismail (2 for 15), Jamal Amin (1 for 39)
CFU (Batting): 132 all out in 18.4 overs
Shahbaz 39 runs (29 balls, 4X2, 6X2), Najeeb 20 runs not out (4X1, 6X2)
SCA (Bowling):
Waqas Shah (3 for 21), Mohammad Amin (3 for 21), Umer Nawaz (3 for 24), Ahmed Ali (1 for 14)
Results: SCA won the match by 47 runs
Player of the Match: Umer Nawaz Khan
Vishnu Solanki advised to seek professional help for grief management
BIPIN DANI
There have been some instances when players have returned to the field after performing last rites of heavenly departed family members.
Last month, Baroda's Ranji Trophy team member, Vishnu Solanki received the news in Cuttack that his wife had given birth to a girl. Obviously, the 29-year-old Solanki's joy knew no bounds as it was his first child in the family.
However, his joy of parenthood did not last long. The next day he was woken up with the news that his one-day daughter is no more in this world. Shaken up, Solanki returned to Baroda, performed last-rites, consoled family members and returned and joined the squad. Not only that, he registered a hundred.
Another tragedy was unfolded again last Sunday. His 75-year-old father passed away in the hospital in Baroda.
Solanki informed the team management he wants to stay and play their last league game of the season, against Hyderabad, starting on March 3. He watched on his mobile the last rites of his father performed by his brother in Baroda.
Now, how would the situation Vishnu be able to deal with?
We posed this question to a sports psychologist Dr. Anusheela Brahmachary.
"Both the unfortunate events may cause short- or long-term trauma in him. Generally, such heart wrenching emotional distress pushes the individual in a phase of post-traumatic stress", the sports-psychologist added.
"As a player, I would assume that Solanki has a strong athletic identity. It may further be accompanied by his sense of duty towards his state team. Such attributes may drive him to resort to his sport as a coping mechanism where he continues to play under severe emotional distress because that is possibly the only way of some solace to him in this condition".
Adding further, she says, "it may also be possible that he is demonstrating avoidant behavior by getting away from the home environment and distracting himself by engaging in his sport which comes with a larger responsibility. Investing into larger causes is used by many to get over grief. Although, this may leave a potential chance of repression due to lack of adequate catharsis that is not recommended".
"It is important to ensure healthy coping mechanisms for him in the present situation. He should be allowed to cope in a customized way that he will feel comfortable about. He should have the liberty of doing things he wishes to and express freely according to his will and comfort. The only thing that should be taken care of is that he does not indulge into any repression or self-harming behavior that can have undesirable consequences".
"The wound is fresh in him and it is expected of him to be in pain. He would potentially feel different emotional and behavioral reactions within himself that are not very usual. If after a span of 10-12 weeks, his functionality and efficiency get disrupted or some significant behavioral changes are noticed, it will be advisable for him to seek professional help for grief management. Some people show delayed reactions to grief and trauma. A keen eye on trauma symptoms is necessarily to be kept to save him from slipping into depression", Anusheela concluded.
PCB includes Pacer Naseem Shah in Test squad
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI:-Naseem Shah has been included in the Pakistan squad for the first Test against Australia after Haris Rauf was ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19, as the first Test match of the three-match tie will start from March 4, 2022 at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB),Haris will remain in isolation for five days and will reintegrate with the squad after a negative test at the end of his isolation period. Following Rauf’s positive test on Tuesday, rest of the squad members and support personnel were retested. All these tests have come out negative.
Squad for first Test: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Zahid Mahmood (Sindh)
Uzbek Team beat JJ Cricket Club by five wickets in T20 fixture
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-A 97-run unbreakable partnership for the 5th wicket between Atif Oryakhail (51) and Rehmat Ullah (50) helped Cricket Federation Uzbekistan (CFU) team to defeat JJ Cricket Club Islamabad by five wickets in the first Twenty 20 cricket match of the series at Bhutto cricket ground G-7 Islamabad.
CFU Team won the toss and decided to field first. JJ Club could manage only 156 runs on the board in their allotted 20 overs, as Farma Ullah was major contributor with 59 runs. He hit seven fours during his inning and faced 51 balls. Mohammad Afsar Khan played a sparking innings of 28 runs, as he smashed three fours and couple of sixes in 10 balls innings that amused the spectators and players. Mohammad Khalil contributed 24 runs in the JJ Club’s innings. He faced 22 balls and hit three boundaries. Mirwais Khan claimed three wickets for CFU after conceding 20 runs in his 4 overs.
CFU reached on their target in the 3rd ball of penultimate over of the match and snatched a highly regarded victory. Atif was top scorer with 51 not out runs, as he faced only 30 balls and hit three fours and three huge sixes. His teammate Rehmat Ullah also scored an unbeaten half century with the help of six fours and a big six after wasting 30 balls. Mohammad Afsar Khan got three wickets for JJ Club after conceding 28 runs.
Summarized scorecard:
JJ Club (Batting): 156 for 6 in 20 overs
Farman Ullah 59 (51 balls, 4X7), Mohammad Afsar Khan 28 not out (10 balls, 4X3, 6X2), Mohammad Khalil 24 (22 balls, 4X3)
CFU (Bowling):
Mirwais Khan (3 for 20)
CFU (Batting): 159 for 5 in 18.3 overs
Atif Oryakhail 51 not out (30 balls, 4X3, 6X3), Rehmat Ullah 50 not out (30 balls 4X6, 6X1)
JJ Club (Bowling):
Mohammad Afsar Khan (3 for 28) Salman Nawaz (1 for 24), Farhan Khan (1 for 28)
Umpires: Raja Iftikhar & Shaheen Iqbal
Prof. Arjuna de Silva to personally work with Bhanuka
BIPIN DANI
Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board will personally supervise, guide and monitor the fitness and skin fold level of Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
The 30-year-old top order batter has missed the selection of the India tour after being found to have an excessive skin fold on his body.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, Prof. Arjuna said, "I am a big fan of Bhanuka and will take all possible measures to ensure that he retains his fitness as per normal standard any international athlete should have".
Last week, the fans protested at the SLC headquarter to include him in the side.
"There is no time (to make him fit) to join the squad in India but he (Bhanuka) is a player, whom we can rely on for the World Cup and will surely work with his fitness from now onwards".
Even the sports minister Naman Rajapaksha has also hinted at these lines.
"The excessive skin fold can be hereditary but we cannot have an exception for one player. It is also unfair".
Bhanuka's fitness test was recently done and skinfold calipers were used just like everyone else. Unfortunately, he did not meet the minimum standard required.
"Fitness does not guarantee success but it does help with intensity at which one can play and perform continuously. Less fat amounts to less injuries".
"Excessive fat is only useful in Sumo Wrestling, where an athlete can't be pushed out of the ring easily", Prof. de Silva concluded.
Ramiz Raja credits crowds for phenomenal HBL PSL success
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja has paid a glowing tribute to the Pakistan cricket fans when he credited them for the phenomenal success of HBL Pakistan Super League 7, which culminated on Sunday with Lahore Qalandars winning their maiden title at the Gaddafi Stadium.
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “There is no doubt that the HBL Pakistan Super League 7 has been a phenomenal success and this is largely due to the fact that we had amazing crowds, both in Karachi and Lahore. In my professional career, I have never seen such charged up, overwhelming, enthusiastic, lively and supportive crowds, particularly in Lahore.
“On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I thank all the fans who crossed the turnstiles to not only play their significant part in the success of HBL PSL 7, but through our high-definition production showcased Pakistan as a cricket passionate country.
“I would like to thank our sponsors, players, franchises, the medical team, law enforcing agencies, local and provisional administrations, commentators and crew members, and ground staff for their untiring efforts, as well as millions watching on television all around the world who made this HBL PSL a memorable spectacle.
“HBL PSL 7 profits jumped to 71 percent, the most in its history, with each franchise earning around PKR900million, again the most in HBL PSL’s history, and all before the first ball was even bowled.
“For next year, we aspire to take this league to the homes of all franchises and broaden its fan-reach.”
Avishka Gunawardene sent to train Test players in Mohali
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has sent the Under-19 coach Avishka Gunawardene to train members of the senior national Test players in India, it is learnt.
According to highly placed sources, Avishka Gunawardene has travelled with a few Test players (who were not part of the T-20I squad) to India. "They were not sent to Lucknow or Dharamshala where the T-20Is were played but have directly reached Mohali", one of the sources in the PCA (Punjab Cricket Association) confirmed.
Former left-handed batsman Gunawardene is not a part of the official squad and is likely to return before the Test series begins early next month.
"He has been sent to train the Test players ahead of the two Test matches. Once the full squad reaches Mohali (on Monday) after the 3rd T-20I is over on Sunday night, the coaching staff will take charge of the Test team", the source in the SLC, said.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to play two Test matches in Mohali (March 4-8) and Bangalore (Match 12-16).
Avishka was also coaching the Test probables in Colombo before the final squad was picked.
He will take charge of the junior boys on his return from India.
Iftikhar and Wasim Junior to replace Faheem and Hasan
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI:-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Iftikhar Ahmed and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Junior have been included in Pakistan’s Test squad for the first match of the three-match series against Australia.
The two have replaced Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali who have been ruled out of the Rawalpindi Test (first of the series) due to injuries. Both Iftikhar and Wasim (chosen due to their all-round ability) will reach Islamabad tonight and start their three-day isolation at the team hotel after which they will join the rest of the squad after clearing covid tests.
Faheem and Hasan will rejoin the squad in the coming week and after completing their three-day mandatory isolation integrate with the rest of the squad during the first Test, both are expected to regain full fitness before the second Test that will be played in Karachi 12-16 March.
15-player squad:
Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Zahid Mahmood (Sindh)
Test schedule:
1st Test, March 4 to 8, 2022 at Rawalpindi
2nd Test, March 12 to 16, 2022 at Karachi
3rd Test, March 21 to 25, 2022 at Lahore
Pakistan-Australia Rawalpindi Test: Training and media opportunities
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI:-Pakistan and Australia will play the first of the three ICC World Test Championship Tests in Rawalpindi March 4 to 8, 2022. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized for practice and media activities for the players of both teams till the end of first Test match on March 8 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.
Sunday, 27 February
10.00am PKT/4.00pm AEDT: Pat Cummins arrival online presser
11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only)
Monday, 28 February
9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Usman Khawaja online presser
11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only)
Tuesday, 1 March
9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Steve Smith online presser
11.15amPKT/5.15pm AEDT: Pat Cummins and Pakistan captain Babar Azam will unveil the series trophy at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a vision-only opportunity
11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only)
Wednesday, 2 March
9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Nathan Lyon online presser
11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only)
Thursday, 3 March
9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Pat Cummins pre-match online presser
10am PKT/4pm AEDT: Babar Azam pre-match online presser.
11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Friday, 4 March
8:30am PKT: PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, CA CEO Nick Hockley and ACA Todd Greenberg will address a media conference in the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium media conference room.
Test match 4-8 March
Post-play: Media opportunities with a player/coach from either side
Most Popular
