Sports Bulletin

SPORTS NEWS NOTTINGHAM (July  15, 2021):-Age is just a number, Mohammad Hafeez is perhaps the perfect illustration of this saying as the 40-year-old is still going strong. Hafeez who now features for Pakistan in T20 format only, has played no less than 106 T20Is, scoring 2388 runs at 27.13 with 14 half-centuries. Pakistan team, currently preparing for a three-match T20I series against England that starts on Friday at the Trent Bridge Nottingham, will be banking on Hafeez to spearhead the batting top-order. Hafeez has some fond memories of playing in England. His and Pakistan’s first T20I was against England, which Pakistan won by five wickets at Bristol on 28 August 2006. Hafeez scored 46 off 40, which included five fours, he was also highest individual scorer for Pakistan in the match. The seasoned campaigner had an instrumental role in helping Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2017 victory as he played a crucial innings in the final against India at the Oval, London. His quickfire unbeaten 57 off 37, which included four fours and three sixes helped Pakistan to their match winning 338-run total. In his first-ever ODI against England in 2003, Hafeez was declared player of the match for his 69 runs and one wicket which helped Pakistan beat hosts by two wickets. The right-handed batsman has featured in 12 T20Is against England, scoring 289 at 28.90. He has two half-centuries to his name with a best of 86 not out. When Pakistan last toured England in 2020, Hafeez in two T20Is scored 155 runs at a staggering average of 155 and striking the ball at 176.13. He scored half-century in each innings in the series which was levelled at 1-1. Leading from the front as a senior player, Hafeez scored crucial runs in New Zealand last year. Despite Pakistan losing the series 2-1, Hafeez made a 140-run contribution at 70 with 99 not out his best score. He was second on the list amongst top run-getters in the series. Since 1 January 2020 till date, Hafeez has featured in 17 T20Is, where he has scored 480 at 48 with a strike rate of 143.28. The team has around 65 per cent winning ratio in the 17 matches in which Hafeez has played. Mohammad Hafeez said: “I am happy to be back in England again as I have great memories of playing in this country. The T20I series against England will be a treat to watch for the fans and good display of skills and talent is expected from both sides. “The series is crucial for us as it will help us understand where we are placed as a team for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Good performance against a top ranked side will give players and team management great confidence going into the mega event.” Talking about transferring his learnings to the young cricketers, Hafeez said, “As a senior player, I feel it is my duty to transfer my experience and knowledge to young players in the team which I have gained over the years. I want to leave a legacy, so when these young players become senior they too help the new ones of that time as I helped them.” Pakistan is currently on fourth spot in the ICC rankings with 261 points while England are at the top with 278 points.

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (July 13, 2021):-The Pakistan Cricket Board today renewed Corporate Social Responsibility partnership with Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) for an additional two years, SAF will continue to be the PCB’s charity partner for the next two years.  Earlier, the PCB had signed a two-year MoU with SAF in 2019. The partnership with SAF will cover non-ICC events, meaning as in the past, SAF logo will feature prominently on the Pakistan national men’s cricket team’s playing kits. PCB’s other CSR initiatives include partnership with British Asian Trust to create mental health awareness and with Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme for polio eradication. The SAF was founded in 2014 with a view of improving living conditions of poor and destitute members of the society. SAF is working in the areas of Health, Education & Clean water together with the message of global peace & goodwill via sports diplomacy. SAF aims to see Pakistani people prosper, educated and healthy in the coming years. Director Commercial PCB Babar Hamid said: “We are delighted to renew our partnership with the Shahid Afridi Foundation for another two years. SAF has proven its worth as one of the leading charity organisations in the country which has done some stellar work for the poor and underprivileged across the country. “The PCB would continue to promote the charity with the renewal of this partnership as part of our CSR initiatives. We want to wish SAF the very best and hope they continue to remain a shining light and a beacon of hope for millions across Pakistan.” Shahid Afridi, Global Chairman, Shahid Afridi Foundation, said: “I am proud that my partnership with Pakistan Cricket has grown beyond my playing career for Pakistan and that the Pakistan Cricket Board will continue to support the Shahid Afridi Foundation from 2021 to 2023. “The work that the Foundation is undertaking focuses on improving lives of our fellow Pakistanis and I look forward to seeing our national stars continuing to create more awareness around our work.”

By BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's suspended trio- Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilake-have completed their 14-day quarantine period and returned home, the hotel sources in the country, confirmed.  According to the Dolphin Hotel sources in Negombo, three left the hotel at 5.00 pm on Monday. "They all were staying in separate rooms and went in their private vehicles", the hotel source informs. Last month, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had suspended vice-captain & batsman Kusal Mendis and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, for breaching the bio-bubble during their recent tour of England and ordered their immediate return to the country. The two, along with opener Danushka Gunathilaka, were seen roaming the streets of Durham after the final T20 international, which Sri Lanka lost by a massive 89 runs. The SLC has set up a five-member inquiry panel to investigate alleged misconduct. "They are willing to accept the wrong doings and they are willing to apologize for the mistake", Asanka Wijewardena, the manager of Danushka and Mendis, speaking exclusively over the telephone. "However, during enquiry, they (suspended players) will bring the other similar cases where players have breached the bio-bubble and humbly request to give them the minimum punishment that's possible", the manager added.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (July 13, 2021):-A sparkling unbeaten century by opener Hayley Matthews and three-wicket hauls by Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed orchestrated an eight-wicket win for the West Indies Women in the third ODI against Pakistan Women at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here on Monday. The victory gave the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series with the remaining two ODIs to be played on 15 and 18 July at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Matthews, later adjudged player of the match, smashed 11 fours in what was her second ODI century as the hosts overhauled a 183-run target in 40.1 overs. The right-handed batter returned unbeaten on 100, which she had accumulated from 121 balls. The West Indies’ run-chase had started with a 56-run first wicket stand between Matthews and Kyshona Knight (18 off 31) before Anam Amin dismissed the latter in the 12th over. It was then Matthews’ 106-run second wicket partnership with Britney Cooper (45 off 69 balls) that sealed victory for the hosts. Cooper hit three fours before she was dismissed by teenage fast bowler Fatima Sana in the 36th over. Earlier, Omaima Sohail hit her maiden ODI half-century as Pakistan were bowled out for 182 in 49 overs after being sent into bat by Anisa Mohammed, who was deputising for Stafanie Taylor. Omaima, the right-handed batter, crunched 62 off 79 balls with seven fours. Her knock rescued Pakistan from 56 for three and included an 87-run partnership with Nida Dar, who became Matthews’ first of the two wickets after scoring 24. Muneeba Ali was the second best scorer with 25 off 39 balls. The opener struck four fours. She was dismissed by Henry, who also accounted for Pakistan captain Javeria Khan and Anam Amin. Scores in brief: Pakistan Women 182 all out, 49 overs (Omaima Sohail 62, Muneeba Ali 25, Nida Dar 24; Anisa Mohammed 3-25, Chinelle Henry 3-37, Hayley Matthews 2-30) West Indies Women 183-2, 40.1 overs (Hayley Matthews 100 not out, Britney Cooper 45) Player of the match – Hayley Matthews

SPORTS NEWS ST JOHN’S ANTIGUA (July 10, 2021):-Half-centuries by openers Javeria Rauf and Nahida Khan scripted a comfortable nine-wicket win for Pakistan Women ‘A’ over West Indies Women ‘A’ in the first 50-over fixture at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here on Saturday. The pair provided a solid 135-run start to dominate the 180-run chase before Nahida (58 off 85, seven fours) departed in the 28th over. However, Javeria returned unbeaten on a fluent 86 off 100 balls with 10 fours and a six. Kaynat Hafeez was the other not-out batter on 10 as the visitors romped to victory with 16 overs and nine wickets to spare. Javeria was the first to cross the 50-run mark as she cut off-spinner Mandy Mangru for a boundary in the 25th over. Nahida, the Quetta-born right-handed batter, recorded her half-century in the next over before the run-chase was briefly paused due to the passing shower with the tourists comfortably placed at 125 for no loss. Earlier, West Indies were restricted for 179 for eight in 50 overs as Maham Tariq (two for 34), Anam Amin (two for 29) and captain Rameen Shamim (two for 28) shared wickets between them. Rashada Williams and Shakibi Gajnabi recorded half-centuries with the former top-scoring with a 113-ball 70, which included six fours. Shakibi contributed 56. The second of the three 50-over matches between the two sides will be played on Tuesday, 13 July, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. Scores in brief: West Indies Women ‘A’ 179-8, 50 overs (Rashada Williams 70, Shakibi Gajnabi 56; Rameen Shamim 2-28, Anam Amin 2-29, Maham Tariq 2-34) Pakistan Women ‘A’ 181-1, 34 overs (Javeria Rauf 86 not out, Nahida Khan 58, Kaynat Hafeez 10 not out)

SPORTS NEWS CARDIFF (July  8, 2021):-Haris Sohail has been ruled out from the tour of England due to a hamstring injury. The MRI conducted here on Wednesday revealed a grade three tear injury, which he had picked up during a training session in Derby last week. The PCB medical panel has advised the left-handed middle-order batsman to undergo a four-week rehabilitation programme before a reassessment is carried out. Haris, who was selected for the ODIs only, will return to Pakistan to undergo the rehabilitation programme at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore. Haris Sohail: “I was keenly looking forward to the ODIs as part of my objective to contribute in the side’s success and also cement my position in the side. In this background, I am disappointed that my tour has been cut-short, but I will return to Lahore and undergo a rehabilitation programme so that I can fully recover for the 2021-22 season.” A three-match ODI series between Pakistan and England will commence later today, which will be followed by three T20Is on 16, 18 and 20 July. The side will depart for the West Indies on 21 July were they will play five T20Is and two Tests from 27 July to 24 August.

SPORTS NEWS SAINT JOHN’S (July 7, 2021):-Stafanie Taylor’s undefeated 105 off 116 scripted a five-wicket win for West Indies Women against Pakistan Women in the first of the five One-Day Internationals at Coolidge Cricket Ground. The West Indies captain smashed 11 fours and two sixes in what was her maiden century against Pakistan and sixth overall. Player of the match Taylor had walked in the middle in the 12th over after Nida Dar, who scored her third half-century in the ongoing year earlier in the day, dismissed Hayley Matthews in a wicket maiden. The right-handed batter struck 33-run partnership with Kycia Knight, who was sent back to the pavilion by left-arm orthodox Sadia Iqbal in another wicket maiden, before a 46-run stand with Deandra Dottin (nine off 17) in which Taylor played the leading role. Chedean Nation provided her captain the desired support with a 39-ball 23, before Britney Cooper smashed three boundaries in her 17 not out off 21 to help West Indies cross the line with 13 balls spare. Sadia was the standout bowler for Pakistan with two for 47. Her 10 overs included two maidens. Diana Baig (one for 34), Nida (one for 34) and Omaima Sohail (none for 11) bowled under the economy rate of four. Nida completed her quote of 10 overs – which included two maidens. Diana and Omaima bowled 8.5 and three overs, with the former also delivering a maiden. Pakistan rode to 205 for nine after Stafanie Taylor opted to bowl after winning the toss, thanks to Nida Dar’s 55 off 71. The all-rounder stitched crucial partnerships of 22 and 32 with Omaima Sohail and Aliya Riaz, respectively, to rescue her side from 99 for three. The right-handed batter struck four fours and a six over long-on in her career’s seventh half-century. Pakistan were provided a solid 70-run opening partnership by Muneeba Ali, who recorded her highest score at this level by hitting 51-ball 36, and Ayesha Zafar, who fell four runs short of what would have been her fourth half-century in ODIs. Ayesha smashed six fours in her 70-ball 46 before she was dismissed by Taylor. The West Indies captain took three wickets for 29 runs from 10 overs. Her other two wickets were Aliya (12 off 30) and Sidra Nawaz (three off five). Anisa Mohammed’s off-spin was instrumental in providing the hosts breakthroughs at the crucial junctures. She trapped Javeria Khan (five off 15) in front of stumps, before Omaima (15 off 28) holed out to deep mid-wicket. Shamilia Connell and Shakera Selman picked up a wicket each. Scores in brief: West Indies Women beat Pakistan Women by five wickets Pakistan Women 205-9, 50 overs (Nida Dar 55, Ayesha Zafar 46, Muneeba Ali 36; Stafanie Taylor 3-29, Anisa Mohammed 2-31) West Indies Women 209-5, 47.5 overs (Stafanie Taylor 105 not out, Chedean Nation 23; Sadia Iqbal 2-47) Player of the match – Stafanie Taylor (West Indies Women).

SPORTS NEWS CARDIFF (July 7, 2021):-Babar Azam-led Pakistan men’s cricket team can replace England at the top of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League by winning the three-match ODI series starting from tomorrow 8 July at Sophia Gardens Cardiff. The second ODI will be played on 10 July at Lord’s while third and final ODI of the series will be played on 13 July at Edgbaston. The three-match series is a part of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League where England is leading with 65 points from 12 matches, England have won six matches and lost five while one match was abandoned due to rain. Bangladesh are on second position with five wins and four losses from nine matches has and have 50 points. Pakistan, who has won four matches (two each against Zimbabwe and South Africa) and lost two from six matches are on third position with 40 points. In the forthcoming three-match series, the winning team will earn 10 points for each win. If Pakistan win all three matches they will gain 30 points and will rise to the top position with 70 points at the end of the series. Meanwhile, if England win any of three-match series, they will further consolidate their position at the top spot. Pakistan will also be aiming to improve their record of playing against England at their own backyard. Since their inaugural ODI series in England in 1974, Pakistan have lost nine out of the 11 series with their only series win coming in the 1974 series. England on the other hand have won nine series, one series ended in a draw. Babar, who is the number one ranked batsman in the ICC ODI rankings will be eager to maintain his top position. Babar is third on the run scorers list in the ICC Super League matches. The right-handed batter has scored 449 runs at 89.80 in the six ICC Super League matches with the help of two centuries and as many half-centuries at a strike rate of 102.98. Pakistan players to watch out for: Besides Babar, Fakhar Zaman has played four ICC Super League matches. The left-hander has scored 304 runs at 76 with two hundreds to his name. He enjoys a strike rate of 111.35 and has hit 28 fours and 13 sixes. Fakhar will be eyeing to score big in the three-match series and playing a pivotal role for the Pakistan team. Fakhar’s opening partner Imam-ul-Haq is another player who enjoys playing in England. In 12 ODIs in England, Imam has scored 539 at 53.90 with two centuries and one half-centuries. His career best 151 off 131 was also scored against England at County Ground in Bristol in 2019. The left-handed batsman has featured in six matches of the ICC Super League scoring 243 runs at 40.50. He has a strike rate of 80.46 with three half-centuries to his name. Imam also holds the record for youngest Pakistani to score a World Cup hundred – 100 off 100 against Bangladesh at Lord’s in 2019. Mohammad Rizwan, wicketkeeper-batsman who recently helped his side Multan Sultans to their maiden HBL Pakistan Super League title will be looking to transform his form in the ODI cricket. Since 1 May 2020, the wicketkeeper-batsman has featured in 33 international matches across all formats, scoring a staggering 1320 runs at 50.76, with two hundreds and 11 half-centuries. Rizwan’s run-tally in the ongoing year is only 12 runs behind his captain Babar who has scored 1332 runs at 45.93 from 29 international matches. Shaheen Shah Afridi will spearhead the bowling department, the left-arm pacer has 11 wickets to his name from six ICC Super League matches. His best figures of five for 49 came against Zimbabwe at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi last year which helped his side to a 26-run win. The fast bowler like Imam enjoys playing in England. He has his career best figures of six for 35 against Bangladesh at Lord’s in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Hasan Ali is another fast bowler the tourists will be relying on to make an impact in the series. The right-arm pacer has made a remarkable comeback in the national team. Hasan has featured in 11 international matches this year where he has taken 40 wickets with four five wickets in an innings and one ten-wicket haul in a match. He is also the top wicket-taker in this year with India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on second spot with 38 wickets.

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (July 6, 2021):-England Men announce new squad for Royal London Series against Pakistan England Men have named an 18-strong group for the Royal London Series against Pakistan. The announcement comes after the news that three members of the initial playing group and four members of the management staff had tested positive for COVID-19, and consequently the entire squad initially selected was required to isolate. Ben Stokes will return to the squad to captain the side and Chris Silverwood, who had been due to take some time away during the white-ball series, is back as Head Coach. In total, there are nine uncapped players in the squad. Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Ashley Giles, said: "It's a great opportunity to play on the biggest stage, and for most of the players selected it's not necessarily something they would have been expecting 24 hours ago. "It's an exciting group of players, with some young talent and some players who have impressed at domestic level over a long period of time. "We're in unprecedented territory, in terms of replacing an entire squad and management team, and I'm very proud of how everyone has come together in order to get it done - both those within the ECB and from the county game. "Ben hasn't captained our ODI side before so it's a huge honour for him. We all wish him well and it's a role I'm sure he'll thrive in. "I'd like to also put on record the thanks of the ECB to the PCB for their support and understanding during this time." Names of players: Ben Stokes (Durham, captain) Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire) Danny Briggs (Warwickshire) Brydon Carse (Durham) Zak Crawley (Kent) Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire) Lewis Gregory (Somerset) Tom Helm (Middlesex) Will Jacks (Surrey) Dan Lawrence (Essex) Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire) Dawid Malan (Yorkshire) Craig Overton (Somerset) Matt Parkinson (Lancashire) David Payne (Gloucestershire) Phil Salt (Sussex) John Simpson (Middlesex) James Vince (Hampshire)

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (July 6, 2021):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has a in close contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regarding concerns about the health and safety of its players since the news of Covid-19 outbreak in the England camp was shared with it on late Monday evening. According to the media department PCB, Pakistan Cricket Board is satisfied by the assurances and guarantees provided by the ECB on the behalf of its medical panel, and feels comfortable with the existing protocols that have been put in place to ensure all the Pakistan players and player support staff remain safe and secure throughout the duration of the series, which commences on Thursday, 8 July, in Cardiff. The PCB has also been in touch with its team management and has advised them to exercise extra caution while in the hotel or at the match venue.