Sports Bulletin

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI (November 21, 2021):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed Geoff Allardice has been appointed as the organisation’s permanent CEO after more than eight months in the role on an interim basis. Allardice, a former first-class cricketer, was the ICC General Manager, Cricket for eight years having previously held a similar role at Cricket Australia. Greg Barclay, ICC Chair said: “I am delighted that Geoff has agreed to take the role of ICC CEO on a permanent basis. He has shown tremendous leadership during an extremely challenging period culminating in the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. “Geoff has unrivaled knowledge of the global cricket landscape and its stakeholders and has consistently demonstrated he is the right person to work in partnership with our Members to shape the sport for the next decade as we embark on delivering a new strategy and our next commercial rights cycle.”  Geoff Allardice, ICC CEO added: “It’s a great privilege to be appointed as the CEO of the ICC and I would like to thank Greg and the ICC Board for the opportunity to lead the sport as we enter an exciting new phase of growth. “My continued focus will be on doing the right thing for our sport and working closely with Members to deliver long-term success and sustainability. I would also like to thank the ICC staff for their commitment and support over the last eight months and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve  cricket with such a talented team.”

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has hired the services of a new computer analyst for the senior national team for the upcoming series against the West Indies, it is learnt. According to highly placed sources at the SLC headquarters, Shirantha Niroshana has taken over and joined the team bio-bubble in Galle.  "Sri Lanka's Brain Centre head Prad Navaratnam was an interim arrangement",  a top SLC official, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo said. Prad has also resigned from the job after his last assignment with the team in the World Cup. He resigned on November 9.    This is Shirantha Niroshana's first assignment with the senior men's team, though he has worked with the women's team in the past. Niroshana has also an ICC level 2 cricket coaching qualification and more than 10 years domestic and international analysis experience and 5 years cricket coaching experience at school level. He has also worked as an analyst with the Burgher Recreation Club. The 15-members, who were engaged with the 4-day match against the visiting Windies team in Colombo, joined the squad in Galle on Wednesday night. They are not required to undergo quarantine as they have arrived from the bio-bubble. These 15 players with the other seven members- captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, and Praveen Jaywickrama who practiced for two days, will train till the first Test begins from today (Sunday). 

Sports Bulletin Report DHAKA, Bangladesh (November 19, 2021):-An all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz added 36 runs off 15 balls to ensure a thrilling four-wicket win in the first match of the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium Mirpur, Dhaka on Friday. Set a 128-run target, Pakistan went past the target with four balls to spare with Shadab hitting a six off Amin-ul-Islam, the visitors needed two runs off the final over. Pakistan lost their prolific opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan (11) and captain Babar Azam (7) cheaply while Haider Ali and Shoaib Malik fell for ducks. After six overs Pakistan were precariously placed at 24 for four, left-handers Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah led the recovery with 56-run stand for the fifth-wicket. Fakhar was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed for 34 off 36 balls (four fours). Khushdil was sent packing by Shoriful Islam for 35 (35 balls, three fours, one six) with the score at 96. Shadab hit two sixes and one four in his 21 off 10 balls while Nawaz contributed 18 off eight with the help of two sixes and one four to seal Pakistan’s win. Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. Pakistan made early inroads as openers Mohammad Naim (1) and Saif Hassan (1) fell cheaply. The hosts were reduced to 15 for three in the fifth over when Mohammad Wasim Jnr accounted for Najmul Hossain Shanto (7). Captain Mahmudullah fell to Mohammad Nawaz for six with the score at 40 in nine overs. Afif Hossain top-scored for the hosts with 36 off 34 balls (two fours, two sixes) he was the fifth batter dismissed with the total at 61 in the 13th over. Bangladesh fought back through their lower-order of Mahedi Hasan (30 not out, 20 balls, one four, two sixes) and wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan (28 off 22 balls, two sixes) to post a competitive total on a challenging pitch that offered assistance to spinners. The hosts finished their 20 overs at 127 for seven. For Pakistan Hasan Ali who was later adjudged player of the match captured three wickets for 22 in four overs, Wasim Jnr took two wickets for 24 runs. Scores in Brief: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by four wickets Bangladesh 127 for 7, 20 overs (Afif Hossain 36, Mahedi Hasan 30 not out, Nurul Hasan 28; Hasan Ali 3-22, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-24) Pakistan 132 for 6, 19.2 overs (Khushdil Shah 34, Fakhar Zaman 34, Shadab Khan 21 not out; Taskin Ahmed 2-31) Player of the match: Hasan Ali

Sports Reporter LAHORE (November 19, 2021):-Balochistan, Central Punjab and Sindh recorded victories in the first round of the Cricket Associations Challenge that began on Friday at three cities of Punjab. At Rana Naved Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura, Sindh’s Saim Ayub century led his side to a seven-wicket win over Southern Punjab. After being put into bat, Southern Punjab were dismissed for 199 in the 43rd over. Opening batter Mukhtar Ahmed top-scored with a 76-ball 40, hitting four fours. Sharoon Siraj and Umar Khan scored 36 runs each. For Sindh, Asif Mehmood and Danish Aziz picked three wickets apiece. In reply, Sindh chased down the target in the 28th over for the loss of three wickets. Saim’s 100 came off 79 balls, which included 13 fours and two sixes. Mohammad Taha returned undefeated on a 61-ball 65, which included nine fours. The pair added 139 runs for the second wicket. Southern Punjab’s Mohammad Umair bagged two wickets for 32. At Saeed Ajmal Academy in Faisalabad, Balochistan beat Northern by 22 runs. After being put into bat, Balochistan scored 252 for nine in 45 overs. Captain Ali Waqas top-scored with a 85-ball 73, smashing six fours and two sixes. He knitted 108 runs for the second wicket with Aqib Junaid (32, 63b, three fours). Zainullah struck three sixes during his knock of 39 from 30 balls faced. Northern’s Salman Irshad took two wickets for 55. In reply, Zaid Alam’s hundred went in vain as Northern were bowled out for 230 in the 45th over. Opening batter Zaid top-scored with a 108-ball 109, hitting eight fours and six sixes. Taimoor Sultan contributed 39 off 33, hitting six fours and one six. For Balochistan, Saleem Mal grabbed four wickets for 37, while Mohammad Ibrahim Snr and Mohammad Shahid picked two wickets apiece. Half-centuries from Abdul Samad and Rizwan Hussain guided Central Punjab to a 75-run win over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at LCCA Ground in Lahore. Central Punjab scored 290 for seven after being put into bat. Rizwan top-scored with 90-ball 87, laced with five fours and two sixes. Opening batter Samad contributed a quick-fire 55 off 49 balls, which included six fours and one six. Samad’s opening partner Gauhar Hafeez scored 44 off 54, laced with four fours and one six. The opening pair added 92 runs. For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Aamer Azmat picked three wickets for 30 from six overs, while Mohammad Sarwar Afridi bagged two wickets for 53. In reply, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dismissed for 215 in the 4oth over. Fazal-ur-Rehman top-scored with 70 off 79 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. Aamer, while batting, scored 43-ball 47, hitting one four and four sixes. For Central Punjab, Fahad Munir, Kamran Afzal, Mohammad Faizan and Sohaibullah picked two wickets each. Scores in brief: Balochistan beat Northern by 22 runs at Saeed Ajmal Academy, Faisalabad Balochistan 252-9, 45 overs (Ali Waqas 73, Zainullah 39, Aqib Junaid 32; Salman Irshad 2-55) Northern 230 all out, 44.3 overs (Zaid Alam 109, Taimoor Sultan 39; Saleem Mal 4-37, Mohammad Shahid 2-31, Mohammad Ibrahim Snr 2-55) Sindh beat Southern Punjab by seven wickets at Rana Naved Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura Southern Punjab 199 all out, 42.1 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 40, Sharoon Siraj 36, Umar Khan 36, Moinuddin 32; Danish Aziz 3-28, Asif Mehmood 3-45) Sindh 200-3, 27.4 overs (Saim Ayub 100, Mohammad Taha 65 not out; Mohammad Umair 2-32) Central Punjab beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 75 runs at LCCA Ground, Lahore Central Punjab 290-7, 45 overs (Rizwan Hussain 87, Abdul Samad 55, Gohar Hafeez 44, Kamran Afzal 34 not out, Mohammad Irfan Khan 30; Aamer Azmat 3-30, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 2-53) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 215 all out, 39.1 overs (Fazal-ur-Rehman 70, Aamir Azmat 47, Atizaz Habib 34 not out, Zohaib Khan 31; Fahad Munir 2-20, Kamran Afzal 2-33, Mohammad Faizan 2-36, Sohaibullah 2-38)

BIPIN DANI Haryana's 18-year-old Ajaj Gill has become a celebrity. He met his "god" Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday. The unusual thing about this fan meeting Dhoni is his 1436-km walk in 20 days from his Jalan Kheda home of Haryana to Ranchi and this was his second attempt to walk this distance merely to meet Dhoni. He could not meet Dhoni when he walked this distance a few months ago and realized that Dhoni had gone to Chennai to go to the UAE for the IPL matches. "I had not given up hope and this time I was determined to meet him and vowed that if he can't meet him, he would starve at his bungalow in Ranchi", speaking exclusively over the telephone, Ajay Gill said. Gill has Dhoni's name in his hair-style. He wears a jersey embroidered with Dhoni's name and photos. "I am his biggest fan", he claims. "I have been his fan since the day when he made his international debut (against Bangladesh in 2005). He was out for zero on his debut ODI, but I was confident that this long-haired young man would be a very successful cricketer". "I cried a lot when he announced his retirement. I have also been a local cricketer but had decided I would hold the bat again and continue to play only when I get a chance to meet my "God" in person and my dream came true only on 17th Nov.". "I touched the feet of my "God". He presented me with a cricket bat with his autograph and now I will begin playing the game again". "Initially, my family was not supporting me. Even the neighbours and friends used to tell me to leave this "madness". "Yes, Dhoni told me not to make this mistake of such a long walk again and blessed me to be his fan".  Now, Gill's return journey has made him a hero. Red carpet welcome awaits him. His next dream is to marry a girl whose name would only be Sakshi.

ABDULLAH ASJAD Rawalpindi (November 17, 2021):-Three wickets apiece from Arham Nawab and Mohammad Zeeshan helped Central Punjab U19 Blues bowled out Southern Punjab U19 Whites for 255 in reply to 337 on day two of the final of the National U19 Championship being staged at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. At stumps, Central Punjab U19 Blues were 41 for three in their second innings leading by 82 runs. Earlier, resuming their first innings on the overnight score of 35 for no loss, Central Punjab openers Aun Shehzad and Arafat Ahmed provided a solid 58-run partnership for the first wicket. After the departure of Arafat (21, 45b, three fours), Aun was joined by right-handed batter Mohammad Shehzad. The pair knitted 122 runs for the second wicket. Aun scored 78 off 153, hitting nine fours and one six, while Shehzad contributed 94-ball 85, laced with 15 fours and one six. For Central Punjab, off-spinner Arham and right-arm fast Zeeshan picked three wickets each for 42 and 52 runs, respectively. Scores in brief: Central Punjab U19 Blues v Southern Punjab U19 Whites – Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Central Punjab U19 Blues 337 all out, 76.1 overs (Mohammad Waqas 101, Shawaiz Irfan 71, Abubakar 38, Ali Asfand 31; Faisal Akram 4-54, Arafat Ahmed 2-48, Mohammad Ismail 2-68) and 41-3, 18 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 2-27) Southern Punjab U19 Whites 255 all out, 74.1 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 85, Aun Shehzad 78, Mohammad Ammar 33; Arham Nawab 3-42, Mohammad Zeeshan 3-52, Awais Ali 2-55)

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka’s national senior men’s team head coach Mickey Arthur will join Derbyshire after the upcoming Test series against West Indies. According to highly placed sources at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Arthur informed SLC of this on Tuesday. "I just wanted to inform you that with regret and against my preferred option I have signed a 3-year contract as Director of Cricket with Derbyshire County Cricket Club to commence after my last assignment being the Test series against West Indies", he has written an email to Shammi Silva (SLC chief), Ashely de Silva (CEO) and Mohan de silva (secretary). "I know that Sri Lanka is a far better place than when I arrived and have helped groom some very good talent as well as developing a team and brand that can give SLC some sustainable success in the future", he has said in a letter. Arthus says he is leaving with a heavy heart, and that his decision was forced by the lack of affirmation he had received from SLC about his future. "All I wanted was an indication from SLC that you were happy with the job that myself and my very loyal and good support staff were doing and I would have stayed, having not received anything I felt with no option. I have fallen in love with Sri Lanka Cricket, the players, the people and your beautiful country". Arthur is determined to help Sri Lanka win the upcoming series. "I am determined beyond no end to help the players beat the West Indies in the last series and would like nothing better to sign off with a Test series win", he has said in his letter, also sent to Tom Moody.

Sports Bulletin Report DUBAHI (November 17, 2021):-The ICC Board appointed Working Group has been established to review the status of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and cricket in Afghanistan in light of the recent governmental changes in the country. The group comprises Imran Khwaja (Chair), Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo and Ramiz Raja and will report back to the Board over the coming months. ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “The ICC Board is committed to continuing to support Afghanistan Cricket to develop both men’s and women’s cricket moving forward. We believe the most effective way for this to happen will be to support our members in their efforts to achieve this through its relationship with the new government. “Cricket is fortunate to be in the position to influence positive change in Afghanistan with the national men’s team a source of great pride and unity in a country with a young population that has experienced more upheaval and change than most. We should protect that status and continue to try to influence change through the ACB but will continue to closely monitor the situation and take any decisions accordingly.” Other updates The ICC Board approved the continuation of the ICC World Test Championship in its current form of a nine-team league over a two-year period with a final between the top two teams at the conclusion. Following the expansion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to a 14-team event in the next cycle2027, the Board accepted a recommendation from the Chief Executives’ Committee that the primary avenue for qualification for the event is based on rankings at a pre-determined cutoff date with the 10 highest-ranked teams on the MRF Men’s ODI Rankings qualifying automatically, and the remainder being determined via a global qualifier. BCCI Chair Sourav Ganguly has been appointed to the position of Chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee after Anil Kumble stepped down having served a maximum of three, three-year terms. ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “I am delighted to welcome Sourav to the position of Chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee. His experience as one of the world’s best players and latterly as an administrator will help us shape our cricketing decisions moving forward. I would also like to thank Anil for his outstanding leadership over the last nine years which has included improving the international game through more regular and consistent application of DRS and a robust process for addressing suspect bowling actions.” The Board also approved that first-class status and list A classification will be applied to women’s cricket to align with the men’s game and applied retrospectively. Going forward the ICC Women’s Committee will be known as the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee and will assume all decision making responsibility for women’s cricket reporting directly to the CEC. Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies has been appointed to the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee. ICC Chair Greg Barclay added: “This has been an extremely productive set of Board meetings and I’d like to thank my fellow Board Directors for their efforts in travelling to Dubai to enable us to enjoy our first face to face meeting in more than two years. International travel is not easy in COVID times, but we have achieved a significant amount by being in the same room. “Finally, on behalf of the ICC Board, I’d like to thank the ICC staff for their continued commitment over the last two years. It hasn’t been a straightforward period and the challenges thrown at us by COVID have impacted on how they have had to operate. They have responded with great energy and have consistently delivered to a high standard culminating with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 which has been a resounding success.”

Special Report Dubai (November 16, 2021):-Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja has thanked the International Cricket Council for awarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan, saying the event will showcase Pakistan’s passion for the sport. The ICC Board’s decision means Pakistan will defend the ICC Champions Trophy title in their backyard when the eight-team and 15-match tournament is held at three iconic venues in February 2025. Pakistan had defeated India by 180 runs in the 2017 tournament at The Oval. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “I am pleased no-end with the ICC’s decision to select Pakistan as a host nation for one of their elite tournaments. By allocating a major global event to Pakistan, the ICC has expressed complete confidence and faith in our management and operational capabilities and skills. “We have continued to demonstrate how a great host we are and through the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, we will again showcase our passion and love for the sport as this event will be a boon to the millions of home fans, who will see world class teams and their favourite international players from close quarters. “We not only endeavour to plan and deliver a world-class event, we will also prepare and field a strong and formidable side that can perform and entertain our home fans. We saw during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign how the nation got united and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home will be another opportunity to further strengthen that bond as we defend the title.”  

Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI (November 16, 2021):-Mohammad Waqas representing Central Punjab U19 Blues hit century against Southern Punjab U19 Whites on the opening day of the National U19 Championship final being staged at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. After being put into bat, Central Punjab were dismissed for 337 in the 77th over. Right-handed batter Waqas struck 16 fours and three sixes during his 132-ball 101 innings. He was supported by opening batter Shawaiz Irfan who contributed 71 off 113 balls, hitting 12 fours. Waqas and Shawaiz added 12o runs for the third wicket. Southern Punjab’s Faisal Akram with his left-arm spin took four for 54, while Arafat Ahmed and Mohammad Ismail bagged two wickets apiece. At stumps, Southern Punjab U19 Whites were 35 for no loss in nine overs. Scores in brief: Central Punjab U19 Blues v Southern Punjab U19 Whites – Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Central Punjab U19 Blues 337 all out, 76.1 overs (Mohammad Waqas 101, Shawaiz Irfan 71, Abubakar 38, Ali Asfand 31; Faisal Akram 4-54, Arafat Ahmed 2-48, Mohammad Ismail 2-68) Southern Punjab U19 Whites 35-0, nine overs (Aun Shehzad 19 not out, Arafat Ahmed 16 not out)