Sports Bulletin

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's outgoing national head coach Mickey Arthur's departure to England is delayed, it is learnt.   According to the sources in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Arthur was to leave for England to take up his new assignment as cricket director with the Derbyshire County Cricket on December 8, but he will leave Sri Lanka on 15th December. "Arthur and Grant Flower, who was a batting coach with our team, were to leave on 8th December for the UK and were to be booked on the same flight", the source added.  The reason for Arthur's delayed departure is not known. "Flower may leave on Wednesday subject to the confirmation of his booking. He is leaving for the Sussex area", the source added. "Flower has a few offers but has not decided yet on his new assignment". SLC didn't extend the contracts of foreign coaches and has advertised for all coaching positions.

Dhaka, Bangladesh (SB Report):-Pakistan’s hopes of collecting maximum ICC World Test Championship points from a rain-marred second Test got a real impetus from off-spinner Sajid Khan as Bangladesh were left wobbling at 76 for seven and requiring another 24 runs to avoid a follow-on at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. After only 63.2 overs were bowled in the first two days and third day was completely rained-off, Pakistan declared their first innings at 300 for four after resuming at 188 for two. In the 26 overs Bangladesh played on Tuesday, Sajid Khan returned figures of 12-3-35-6 to put Pakistan in sight of a possible victory that looked unlikely and unexpected when play commenced on the fourth day. This was Sajid Khan’s best figures in a four-Test career after his first three Tests had yielded six wickets. His best performance in a 43 first-class matches career is also 6-35, which he is expected to improve on Wednesday, of course, weather permitting. While Sajid mermerised all the top-order batters, only Nazmul Hossain (30) and Shakib Al Hasan (23 not out) offered some resistance to keep Bangladesh’s slim hopes alive in the Test. Earlier, Pakistan batted for just over 35 overs in which they added 112 runs and lost the wickets of overnight batters Babar Azam (76) and Azhar Ali (56) to declare at 300 for four. However, Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam put together an unbroken 103-run fifth wicket stand to put Pakistan in a position where they could afford to declare and try to make a match out of it. Rizwan returned unbeaten on a 94-ball 53 that included four fours and a six, while Fawad’s 50 not out came off 96 balls and was laced with seven fours. In the ICC World Test Championship, a team gets 12 points for winning a match, four for a draw and six for a tie. If Pakistan manage to turn things around in the second Test, they will have 36 points from two series and will be behind India (42 points from two series). Scores in brief (day 4 of 5): Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 188-2) 300-4d (Babar Azam 76, Azhar Ali 56, Mohammad Rizwan 53 not out, Fawad Alam 50 not out; Taijul Islam 2-73) Bangladesh 1st innings 76-7 (Najmul Hossain 30, Shakib Al Hasan 23 not out; Sajid Khan 6-35)

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai, UAE (December 7, 2021):-Pakistan opening batter Abid Ali and David Warner of Australia have been shortlisted in the men’s category for the ICC Player of the Month awards along with New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, while left-arm spinners Anam Amin of Pakistan and Nahida Akter of Bangladesh are in the running to scoop the women’s award alongside West Indies all-rounder Haley Matthews who is nominated for the second time. The nominations for the month of November were announced on Tuesday, based on performances across formats and including matches from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world can now vote to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered on icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to cast their votes until Sunday. Abid Ali (Pakistan) Pakistan opener Abid Ali was named Player of the Match after scores of 133 and 91 in the first match of their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series against Bangladesh in Chittagong. He played a pivotal role in laying the platform for an eight-wicket victory, thanks to two century opening stands in both innings with partner Abdullah Shafique. Tim Southee (NZ) New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee took eight wickets in the drawn opening Test of the WTC series against India in Kanpur, soon after excelling in the shortest format. He had seized seven wickets during his November matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, helping guide his team to the final spectacle in Dubai. In between these two milestones, he took three more T20I wickets against India in Ranchi. David Warner (Australia) Warner, who was Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup, had standout performances of 49 in the semifinal against Pakistan and 53 in the final against New Zealand. In four T20Is during the period, he aggregated 209 runs at an average of 69.66 and a strike rate of 151.44, proving to be a crucial figure as his team secured their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy. Nahida Akter (Bangladesh) Nahida grabbed 13 wickets in four ODIs during the period at an economy rate of 2.22. 11 of those wickets came as Bangladesh claimed a 3-0 series victory in Zimbabwe, including figures of five for 21 in the third match in Bulawayo. The spinner’s remaining two wickets came in a memorable victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Harare. Anam Amin (Pakistan) Anam accounted for 13 ODI scalps in November at an economy rate of 3.00. She was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series against the West Indies with nine wickets and followed that up with four wickets in two matches during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021, which included a haul of three for nine against Zimbabwe. Hayley Matthews (West Indies) All-rounder Hayley Matthews, who was shortlisted alongside her captain Stafanie Taylor in July, wins her second nomination after some consistent performances in four ODIs in which she scored 141 runs and grabbed nine wickets at an average of 13.11. She was a star in the series win over Pakistan, hitting 57 and taking three for 31 in the first match before a four wicket haul for 26 runs in the second. The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process: The three nominees for either category is shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters, and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels. Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month November 2021 Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim; Australia: Melinda Farrell and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Sayeed Zaman and Mohammad Isam; England: Elizabeth Ammon and Holly Colvin; Ireland: Ian Callender and Isobel Joyce; India: Rica Roy and Irfan Pathan; New Zealand: Mark Geenty and John Wright; Pakistan: Faizan Lakhani and Sana Mir; South Africa: Firdose Moonda and JP Duminy; Sri Lanka: Neville Victor Anthony and Russel Arnold; West Indies: Desmond Haynes and Merissa Aguilleira; Zimbabwe: Tristan Holme and Mpumelelo Mbangwa; Others: Paul Radley and Dirk Nannes.

Bipin Dani Taqi Raza is one among a few persons having watched the last two 10 wicket hauls by Anil Kumble and Ajaz Patel.  Taqi Raza, a part of TV crew members, was present when Anil Kumble grabbed all ten Pakistani wickets (Delhi) in 1999. He was also present at the Wankhede Stadium when New Zealand's Ajaz Patel had all ten Indian victims in the Test, which Kohli's team won. "I am fortunate enough to be at the ground on both occasions", Delhi-based Raza, said over the telephone. Interestingly, Raza, in this profession for many years, has witnessed several other milestones. "I was present at Galle when Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralitharan captured his 800th Test wicket. Incidentally, his 800th wicket was taken from my end where I was posing as a cameraman. That was the farewell Test match of world's highest Test wicket taker". "I was present when Muralitharan and R. Ashwin took their 400th wickets". "I can't forget capturing Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test match. I have witnessed Sachin's many hundreds and have never failed to capture the shot when Sachin looked up at God after reaching his hundred". There may or may not be a single person present at the ground to have witnessed Test cricket's all three ten wicket hauls in a Test innings by Jim Laker (England vs. Australia, Manchester, 1956), Anil Kumble and now Ajaz Patel but according to renowned cricket statistician and historian Steven Lynch, England's Richard Stokes was at the ground on first two occasions.  "When he was ten, Richard Stokes was taken by his father to the 1956 Ashes Test at Old Trafford, and watched Jim Laker complete his ten-wicket haul. In 1998, while working in India, businessman Stokes strolled along to watch a Test match in Delhi - and endured an even noisier day as Anil Kumble took all ten against Pakistan", Steven says.

Bipin Dani Shane McDemott is Sri Lanka's first among three foreign coaches, whose contracts have not been extended and left the country. Speaking exclusively over the telephone, the fielding coach said, "I have arrived back to Australia (on December 3) and I am doing another 14 days strict room quarantine before returning to Adelaide to reunite with my family which I haven't seen for over 450 days". After 10 days in strict Isolation in Colombo after contracting Covid, the board didn't see it necessary for him to return to the bubble as his contract finished on the 1st of December. McDemott could not be part of the series victory celebrations against West Indies. "It was disappointing not to be there to celebrate the series win, an amazing 2 years and say farewell to all the wonderful players and staff that I have developed strong relationships with". "I will miss them, the fans, and the country dearly and hope to return one day. It has been great to be a part of Sri Lankan cricket's resurgence in world cricket", he further added. It's a strange time for the SLC to restructure and make quality coaches reapply for roles in which they have had proven success. McDermott, however, is not sure whether he would apply again for the coaching role. "Possibly, I am going to take some time to see my family and see what happens next", he signed off.

Bipin Dani Ajaz Patel is the third bowler in the history of grabbing all ten wickets in a Test innings but his feat is more remarkable than the other two, according to Dipak Patel, the former Kiwi spinner. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Auckland on Sunday morning, he said, "Both Kumble and Jim Laker took all ten wickets in the second innings (home Tests), whereas Ajaz's journey of ten wickets began from the first day (away Test match) itself. I therefore reckon Ajaz's performance is better".  "It is very very difficult for a bowler to take all ten wickets and that too by a spinner is not easy". Interestingly, all three members of the 10 wickets club are spinners. And yes, Kumble did tweet a congratulatory message.    It was Dipak Patel who had advised Ajaz to switch from fast bowling to spin. "Ajaz's performance was superb and that too against the Indian batsmen. The fact is Indian batsmen play spinners well and therefore Ajaz's performance was amazing". Mumbai-born Ajaz's family moved to New Zealand many years ago. "He got to play his first Test only three years ago but since then he has been taking wickets. He has really worked very hard and the result is there for all to watch", Patel signed off. 

Dhaka, Bangladesh (SB Report):-Azhar Ali reached his 34th career half-century as only 38 balls’ play was possible on the second day of the second Test in which Pakistan added 27 runs to their overnight score to reach 188 for two against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. After there was no play in the first session, play resumed following an early lunch and Pakistan began confidently and convincingly before rain halted play after 6.2 overs. Shortly before rain ended second day’s play, Azhar Ali hit back to back boundaries off Ebadot Hossain to complete his 34th 50 in his 91st Test. When day’s play was finally called off, Azhar was batting on 52 after beginning the day at 36. Babar Azam, who was 60 overnight in Pakistan’s 161 for two, started impressively with a boundary off the first ball of the day and was still at the crease on 71 with eight fours and a six. The two batters have so far added 118 runs for the unfinished third wicket partnership. Scores in brief (2nd Test, day 2 of 5): Pakistan 188-2, 63.2 overs (Babar Azam 71 not out, Azhar Ali 52 not out, Abid Ali 39, Abdullah Shafique 25, Taijul Islam 2-49) v Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh:-Captain Babar Azam stroked a stylish unbeaten half-century as Pakistan reached 161 for two on a day when only 57 overs play was possible in the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangladesh Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Babar was unbeaten on 60 and with him was Azhar Ali on 36 as the two have switched a 91 runs partnership for the unfinished third wicket after Abdullah Shafique (25) and Abid Ali (39) had provided Pakistan a 59-run opening start after the visitors had elected to bat. Both the openers fell to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (two for 49) in a space of 11 runs as Pakistan slipped to 70 for two. At that stage, Babar and Azhar held the wobbling innings together and looked set to put Pakistan in a more commanding position but bad light prevented any play in the final session of the day. Babar had struck seven eloquent boundaries and a six in a 99-ball 60, while Azhar was unbeaten on a not too convincing 112-ball 36 that included four fours. This was Babar’s 19th half-century in 37th Test, including fourth of the year after he scored 77 (vs South Africa in Rawalpindi) and, 55 and 77 in the two Sabina Park Tests against the West Indies. Babar’s fifth and last century was in his 26th Test, coincidently against Bangladesh when he scored 143 in Rawalpindi in February 2020. However, weather forecast for the next three days is not very encouraging and can potentially delay the champion batter notching up his sixth century. Scores in brief: Pakistan 161-2, 57 overs (Babar Azam 60 not out, Abid Ali 39, Azhar Ali 36 not out, Abdullah Shafique 25; Taijul Islam (2-49).

Karachi (SB REPORT):-The National Stadium will be available to fans at 100 per cent seating capacity to watch this year’s most successful T20I side in action when Babar Azam’s Pakistan take on the West Indies in three T20Is and as many ODIs from 13-22 December. Pakistan have won 17 T20Is this year and will enter the shorter format series against the West Indies with nine wins in the last 10 completed matches. In a bid to help cricket fans from various walks of life watch their superstars in action, the Pakistan Cricket Board has set the ticket prices for the T20I matches from as low as PKR250 till PKR2,000. Seats in General Enclosures (Intikhab Alam, Iqbal Qasim, Mohammad Brothers, Nasimul Ghani and Wasim Bari) are priced at PKR250; in First-class Enclosures (Asif Iqbal, Majid Khan, Quaid, Waqar Hasan and Zaheer Abbas) are for PKR500; in Premium Enclosures (Imran Khan and Wasim Akram) are for PKR1,000; and in VIP Enclosures (Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad) are for PKR2,000. Fans of all ages will be able to see No.1 ranked Babar team up with 2021’s most successful T20I batter Mohammad Rizwan as his opening partner. According to the guidelines issued by the National Command and Operations Centre, individuals above 12 are required to be fully vaccinated, while no vaccination is required for the children below the age of 12. The access to the stadium will be granted upon the display of original ticket, CNIC and Nadra-issued immunisation certificate for Covid-19. The two sides will play three ODIs – part of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League – on 18, 20 and 22 December, for which the tickets will start from as less as PKR100 and go up to only PKR1,000. The seats in General Enclosures are available for PKR100, in First-class for PKR250, in Premium for PKR500 and VIP for 1,000. To ensure all the spectators get to enjoy the action in a safe manner, they are advised to follow the Covid-19 protocols and wear the facemasks when in the stands. Series schedule 13 Dec – 1st T20I, Karachi 14 Dec – 2nd T20I, Karachi 16 Dec – 3rd T20I, Karachi 18 Dec – 1st ODI, Karachi 20 Dec – 2nd ODI, Karachi 22 Dec – 3rd ODI, Karachi

Bipin Dani There could not have been a better occasion for Sri Lankan all rounder Dananjaya de Silva to win the Player of the Match award on Friday. The 30-year-old right handed batsman won the PoM award on his 3rd Wedding Anniversary for his unbeaten 155 runs in the second innings which enabled the home team to win the 2nd Test against the Windies. "Only it (DDS' Wedding Anniversary date) was known to very few members initially", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Galle. Dhananjaya de Silva was married to Sanduni Nisansala on 3rd December, 2018. "The players and the support staff members were not allowed to keep their family members for this series, though few support staff did seek permission but we're denied in the current pandemic", the source further added. Dhananjaya remembered his father's blessings at the presentation. His politician father, Ranjan de Silva was murdered by an unidentified gunman in front of their Ratmalana house in 2018. The team did celebrate the series victory in a small way and also gave a farewell party to the head coach (Mickey Arthur) and batting coach (Grant Flower). Both outgoing coaches were gifted.