Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Pakistan national women’s team will begin their ICC Women’s Championship campaign on 1 June when they host Sri Lanka for the first of the three One-Day International matches at Karachi’s Southend Club. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will arrive in the cricket-mad city of Karachi on 19 May and will have three days of practice in the lead-up to the three T20 Internationals, which will be played on 24, 26 and 28, May 2022. The ICC Women’s Championship fixtures are scheduled for 1, 3 and 4 June. Ahead of the series, the national side will undergo an 11-day camp in which 26 players will participate. The camp will be held at the Academy Oval ground adjacent to the National Stadium. This will be the third edition of the ICC Championship. In the inaugural edition from 2014-16, Pakistan finished ahead of Sri Lanka in seventh position. In the event that ran from 2017-20, Pakistan finished in fifth position, ahead of New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka. This will be national side’s first series at the venue since they hosted the West Indies for three T20Is in December 2018. This will also be the first international series in Pakistan that will be played outside the hard Managed Event Environment since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The players, team officials and match officials, along with other participants, will undergo on-arrival tests and will be expected to follow the SOPs to protect themselves from the virus. Anybody who tests positive will be required to undergo five days of isolation. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof: “It is a great privilege for us to play the ICC Women’s Championship on our home soil and the side is very excited to welcome Sri Lanka. This edition provides us an opportunity to start fresh and make the most of the home advantage. “I am sure the team will perform to their fullest potential and the Pakistan cricket fans, who have extended us great support, will get to see better and consistent results.” At the completion of the series, the national side will fly to Ireland for a tri-nation T20I series in which they will take on the hosts and T20I champions Australia, before they move to Birmingham, England, for eight-team Commonwealth Games. The T20Is and ODIs during Sri Lanka women’s visit to Karachi will begin at 1400 and 0930. Schedule (Venue Karachi): 19 May – Teams arrive in Karachi 21-23 May – Training 24 May – First T20I 26 May – Second T20I 28 May – Third T20I 1 Jun – First ODI 3 Jun – Second ODI 5 Jun – Third ODI

Sports Bulletin Report CHISTCHURCH:-Australia won their seventh ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup with a 71-run victory over England in Christchurch. Alyssa Healy’s staggering innings of 170 saw Australia put on 356 for five as England’s bowlers had no answer to a batting masterclass, Anya Shrubsole’s three for 46 the only highlight for the defending champions. Nat Sciver once again steered England’s reply by battling to her highest score in international cricket with 148 not out, but it proved in vain after Shrubsole was dismissed to hand Australia the trophy once more. Having been put in to bat in the bright Hagley Oval sunshine, Australia were measured in the powerplay, taking 37 off the seam attack of Katherine Brunt, Shrubsole and Nat Sciver. But the introduction of spin in the form of Charlie Dean proved Healy and Rachael Haynes’ cue to start finding the boundary regularly. England’s fielding errors - that had started in their opening group game against the same opponent -re-emerged as Haynes was dropped on 47 before Healy was put down on 41 in the same Kate Cross over. As against the West Indies in the semi-final, Haynes’ half-century came first - off 69 balls - before Healy’s was brought up off 62 as they eased their way to the highest opening partnership in a World Cup final. Even as Dean continued to be targeted, spin made the breakthrough as Sophie Ecclestone took her 21st and final wicket of the tournament to dismiss Haynes for 68, Tammy Beaumont holding on to a mistimed shot as Haynes ended the World Cup on 497 runs. The partnership had ended on 160 runs, but Healy built a new one with Beth Mooney who was promoted up the order from five. But first Healy became only the second woman to score a hundred in a World Cup final, going at a run a ball as she became the only player to score two centuries in the knockout stage of a World Cup. And she then surpassed the highest score in a Women’s World Cup final as she moved to 111 with a four off Cross. More records came when Australia reached 260 for one to rack up the highest score in a World Cup final - with eight overs still to go. Amy Jones twice sent the umpire upstairs to review stumpings before she finally grabbed her wicket, stumping Healy who ended on a spectacular 170 from 138 balls – the highest individual score in a Men’s or Women’s World Cup final – with over 100 runs coming in boundaries. A packed Hagley Oval rose to applaud as Healy departed with Australia on 316 for two before another wicket came in Shrubsole’s over as Ashleigh Gardner was run out for one. Meg Lanning, making her 100th ODI appearance, did not last too much longer as she departed for 10 before Mooney was out off the very next ball following a sparkling 62 from 47. New batter Tahlia McGrath negotiated the Shrubsole hat-trick ball as she and Ellyse Perry added 25 off the final 13 balls to see Australia post 356 for five. In reply, England’s opening partnership failed to fire once again as Danni Wyatt was bowled by Megan Schutt for just four. Australia’s young seamer Darcie Brown was the target of England’s aggression, with Beaumont leading the charge until she was dismissed LBW by Schutt for 27 from 26 balls. Sciver was again called upon to deliver against Australia, having made 109 not out in the group game, and this time her presence at the crease gave England faint hope. She saw an LBW overturned off the bowling of Alana King before partner and captain Heather Knight was given out the same way two balls later for 26. Jones fell for 20 to end a promising partnership as England slipped to 129 for four before Sophia Dunkley was again part of an England rebuild. But she was bowled by King two balls after the fifty partnership was brought up, the leg-spinner extracting turn to bowl her round her legs for 23. Brunt then went for one as Healy got a stumping of her own before Ecclestone departed for three, out LBW to McGrath. Jess Jonassen grabbed another caught and bowled against England as Cross went for only two to leave Knight’s side needing an unlikely 144 with only two wickets remaining. Sciver was joined by Dean in time for her to bring up another brilliant century, coming off 90 balls with 10 fours and one six. The pair built a partnership of 65 before Dean holed out to Jonassen at third man attempting a reverse sweep. Shrubsole, the hero in 2017 as England beat India in the final, was once again involved in the closing action as she was the final wicket to go, Gardner taking the winning catch as England fell 71 runs short with Sciver stranded on 148 not out. Scores in brief Australia beat England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch by 71 runs Australia 356/5 in 50.0 overs (Alyssa Healy 170, Rachael Haynes 68; Anya Shrubsole 3/46, Sophie Ecclestone 1/71) England 285 all out in 43.4overs (Nat Sciver 148 not out, Tammy Beaumont 27; Jess Jonassen 3/57, Alana King 3/64) Player of the Match: Alyssa Healy (Australia)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Heather Knight knows history beckons for England if they emerge victorious against Australia in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Final on Sunday. More history will be made if they can beat their greatest rivals, as England bid to become the first team in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup history to lose their opening three games and still claim the trophy. It has been an incredible journey and Knight is determined to see the job through and complete a sensational turnaround. “I think winning will mean more after the start we had in this competition and being able to turn it around will be remarkable really, so that would make it even more special if we can do it tomorrow,” the captain said. “And back-to-back [titles], we have an opportunity to make history being the first England team to do that and that's such an exciting thing. “Just being involved in World Cup finals is what you set your stall out as a player, what you try so hard for, what you want to be involved in, so there's huge excitement in the group. “We won't think too much about it, as we saw in 2017 it's all on the day. It's a brand-new day, a brand-new game and a chance for us to go out and show what we can do.” Knight has emphasised how England’s calm approach helped them come through four must-win games to advance from the Group Stage but insisted no one will be too relaxed in Christchurch. She said: “I don't think anyone will not be fired up for a World Cup final. It is what you dream of playing in, the games that are the most important in your career and the games that you want to enjoy and bring your best. “I don't think anyone will need firing up any more, it's just trying to make sure everyone has clarity when they are under pressure. “That is one of the most important things, making sure that you go through the process and trying to execute what you do best as an individual.” When the English national anthem plays, Knight can often be seen singing loudly and reflects on the role the anthem played in making the 2017 final so special. And while the skipper is expecting a simpler rendition this time, it will still evoke the same passion her side has for their country. “It's a huge honour to play for your country, to lead your country and to represent the team in a World Cup final, so to get the chance to do that again tomorrow is very special. “I certainly love the anthems. I've talked in the past about 2017 and how emotional that day was and the fact that a lot of the players that have been involved in getting the women’s game to that point were there. “The anthem was a real emotive one for me, with Eileen Ash ringing the bell and Rachael Heyhoe Flint obviously wasn't with us in 2017.  “I don't think it will be as emotional as 2017 but we have obviously got experience of that, so it was a lovely moment. “The girls love singing it, the staff love singing it and it's really nice as a group to show our passion for playing for our country.”

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-England were clinical as they defeated South Africa by 137 runs to advance to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 final and keep their title defence alive. Danni Wyatt’s maiden World Cup century saw England post an imposing 293 for eight as Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley put on 116 for the fifth wicket. In response, South Africa were rocked as Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee fell early before Sophie Ecclestone continued her red-hot form to take six for 36 to bowl South Africa out for 156. Tammy Beaumont started with attacking intent taking a four off the first ball from Shabnim Ismail but was caught behind by Trisha Chetty from the bowling of Marizanne Kapp to leave England on 10 for one.  Heather Knight strode to the crease but never found her rhythm before she departed for one from 19 deliveries. England then took advantage of the spin from Chloe Tryon as Wyatt led the run-scoring but partner Nat Sciver fell as Ismail got her first wicket, the right-hander unable to direct a bouncer into a gap with Kapp holding the catch having earlier dropped Wyatt off a similar shot. Tryon then took a screamer to dismiss Amy Jones and end a promising 49-run partnership, Jones going for a big heave into the on-side to leave England in a precarious position at 126 for four. Dunkley joined Wyatt in the middle, with the opener well on the way to her century, but she survived being dropped a third time, in this instance while on 77 as Lara Goodall let the ball sail straight through her hands for four. Wyatt took full advantage as she brought up her hundred, her first at a World Cup, from 98 balls with 10 fours, before being dropped again on 116 as Ayabonga Khaka’s poor day continued. South Africa finally held on to a chance as Wyatt departed for 129 from 125 balls, Lee holding onto a catch and making amends for an earlier drop as Masabata Klaas earned a deserved wicket. Dunkley reached her fifty not long after, coming up off 62 balls, as she earned back-to-back half-centuries, to move England to 250 for five. Katherine Brunt had been given license to hit with less than five overs remaining but was bamboozled by a slower ball from Klaas to bowl her for nine. Ecclestone and Dunkley clawed back any momentum South Africa had built with that wicket before Dunkley departed for 60 caught going for a big drive to mid-off. Ecclestone was unfazed sending Ismail for three boundaries in the final over before the fast bowler had the final say bowling the spinner for 24 as England ended on a mammoth 293 for eight. Anya Shrubsole had batted England to victory in the 2017 semi-final against the Proteas, but here she delivered with the ball, bowling the tournament’s top scorer Wolvaardt for a second-ball duck. Lee followed in Shrubsole’s next over, as Sciver held on to a catch at midwicket to reduce South Africa to eight for two. Kate Cross was the second bowler to get a wicket in her first over as she bowled captain Sune Luus for 21 before Charlie Dean got in on the act to dismiss Goodall for 29 and put South Africa in all kinds of trouble on 67 for four. Dean had earlier dropped Goodall and then dropped the dangerous Kapp but her spin twin Ecclestone came to her rescue removing Kapp with a turning delivery. England were so relaxed they could share a laugh in the field at a poor review for LBW on Tryon but the steely determination returned as she was sent on her way the very next ball by Ecclestone to see the Proteas slump to 101 for six. Mignon du Preez became Ecclestone’s third victim, and 17th of the tournament, missing the ball going for a paddle and seeing her bails fly off. Dean held on to a catch to dismiss Ismail as Ecclestone kept piling on the pressure to leave South Africa on the brink of 148 for eight. Ecclestone then completed her maiden international five-wicket haul as Klaas was caught by Beaumont for three before finishing it off by removing Chetty to finish with the best figures of this World Cup to bowl South Africa out for 156 and set up a final with Australia on Sunday. Scores in brief England beat South Africa at Hagley Oval, Christchurch by 137 runs England 293/8 in 50 overs (Danni Wyatt 129, Sophia Dunkley 60; Shabnim Ismail 3/46) South Africa 156 all out in 38 overs (Mignon du Preez 30, Lara Goodall 29; Sophie Ecclestone 6/36, Anya Shrubsole 2/27) Player of the Match: Danni Wyatt (England)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Australia earned their place in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 final with a comprehensive 157-run victory over the West Indies in a rain-reduced game. Meg Lanning’s side were at their destructive best with the bat, Alyssa Healy making 129 as she and Rachael Haynes put on 216 for the first wicket, to set up a mammoth total of 305 for three from 45 overs. The West Indies never looked like getting close in their chase, captain Stafanie Taylor was her side’s top-scorer with 48 as the West Indies could only manage a total of 148. Play got underway one hour and 45 minutes late as thick mist and drizzle started to give way to sunshine with the match reduced to 45 overs. Having been put in to bat, Australia were undeterred by the West Indies’ fast bowlers running in on a green wicket in gloomy Wellington as they made 37 from the nine-over powerplay. Healy took her time getting going, she made just 10 from 25 balls through the first ten overs but then picked up the pace to bring up her fifty from 63 balls. Her second fifty would come off just 28 balls as she achieved a maiden World Cup hundred as she and Haynes earned their 200-partnership within 32 overs. Healy eventually departed for 129 from 107 balls, including 17 fours and one six, as the West Indies held on to their first catch of the day, substitute Shakera Selman, on for the injured Anisa Mohammed, diving in. A mini fightback ensued as Chinelle Henry took two wickets in an over, Haynes going first for 85 from 100 balls before Ashleigh Gardner’s promotion from seventh to third ended after 12 runs as the West Indies dragged Australia back to 235 for three. Lanning and Beth Mooney were there to steady the ship however, the two batters with the highest averages in the tournament, taking Australia to 305 for three from their 45 overs, the largest-ever score in a World Cup knockout game. In reply, the West Indies made a steady start once again led by Deandra Dottin but soon lost their first wicket as Rashada Williams went for a 10-ball duck, Mooney holding on to a stunning grab off the bowling of Megan Schutt. Annabel Sutherland did what the Windies could not, safely holding on to a looping catch at long-on to dismiss Dottin for 34 from 35 balls as she had just started finding the boundary regularly. Hayley Matthews fell for the same score, this time from 49 balls, as Jess Jonassen took the first wicket from spin for the day with her fourth ball, Alana King holding on to a poorly-timed shot at mid-off. Matthews’s wicket did not spark the West Indies into life as they slipped to 91 for three in 22.4 overs, Taylor joined by Shemaine Campbelle as the required run-rate climbed above 10 an over. Sutherland chipped in with a wicket as Campbelle sent a delivery straight to Jonassen to depart for eight from 22 balls. Chedean Nation came out with intent cracking a six from her first ball but could add only more before being run out by Healy. Kycia Knight followed for a two-ball duck as Jonassen moved to 10 wickets for the tournament and reduced the West Indies to 126 for six. Gardner then looked to catch Jonassen up getting her ninth of the World Cup to dismiss Ramharack LBW a ball after she was dropped by Sutherland. Taylor eventually departed for 48 from 74, with four fours, and with it the West Indies innings and run in the World Cup came to an end as the injured Mohammed and ill Henry did not take to the field. It gave Australia a 157-run win as they advance to their seventh World Cup final, while the West Indies search for a first Women’s ODI World Cup title goes on. Scores in brief Australia beat West Indies at Basin Reserve, Wellington by 157 runs Australia 305 for three in 45 overs (Alyssa Healy 129, Rachael Haynes 85; Chinelle Henry 2/51, Shamilia Connell 1/46) West Indies 148 all out in 37 overs (Stafanie Taylor 48, Deandra Dottin 34, Hayley Matthews 34; Jess Jonassen 2/14, Megan Schutt 1/8) Player of the Match: Alyssa Healy (Australia)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-With the aim of reducing the national side’s gap with the leading international teams and creating more opportunities for players to grow and evolve according to the demands of the contemporary game, the Pakistan Cricket Board today unveiled a bumper season for the women cricketers. Bismah Maroof’s side will compete in eight international series, including ICC Women’s Championship commitments, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup from May 2022 till February 2023. In what will be the first instance of Pakistan staging the ICC Women’s Championship fixtures, Sri Lanka will tour the country for three ODIs in May-June. Their tour is beefed with three T20Is – to be played under floodlights – that will help the two sides in their preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the much-anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be played in South Africa in February 2023. Bismah Maroof’s side will host three more ICC Women’s Championship ODIs in October-November when Ireland will arrive in Pakistan for what will be their first tour of the country. Along with three ODIs, the two teams will also face-off in three T20Is. The Ireland women side’s visit will follow the national side’s participation in a triangular T20I series in Bready that will involve the hosts and T20 World Cup champions Australia in July ahead of the eight-team Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Before the Ireland’s visit, Pakistan women will travel to Hangzhou, China, for the 19th Asian Games in September. At the backend of 2022, the national side will participate in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, the details of which will be announced by the event organiser. 2023 will begin with a challenging tour of Australia in which they will play ICC Women’s Championship ODIs and three T20Is in January-February. The tour will further test the ability of the side and provide them with the crucial experience to continue to grow as a team. With the ambition of creating a strong talent pool at the domestic level and lay a proper pathway structure, the PCB, in a first, will organise an U19 T20 competition in Muridke in August with all six Cricket Associations fielding their teams. This initiative will help the PCB to reach out to passionate girls in every nook and corner of the country and help them materialise their dreams of playing the game at the competitive level. The players who standout in the U19 tournament will have a chance to feature in the senior women’s domestic season 2022-23, in which around 100 cricketers will feature. The senior domestic season will begin with the T20 championship in September in which seven teams will participate. The event will be divided into two phases with four teams, comprising best players from the six Cricket Associations, featuring in the first phase. The top performers from phase one will lock horns with the international cricketers in the second phase of the championship, in which three evenly balanced teams will contest. The season will conclude with a 14-match One-Day tournament in April with Karachi hosting the four-team event, which will be played on double round-robin league basis to provide all the participating players a healthy mix of quality and quantity. Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick: “The past few weeks have brought to light the gulf between our side and the leading international teams. To develop and strengthen our national side, it is imperative to have a strong and competitive domestic structure and provide more opportunities to the national side to play in challenging conditions so we continue to gauge where we stand. “We have put in a lot of thinking before penning down our upcoming season. I am grateful to all six Cricket Associations who have jumped on board and expressed their desire and willingness to develop women’s cricket at age group and senior rungs in their jurisdictions. Their help and support will unearth talent from all parts of the country and, with a strong system in place, I am sure we will be able to produce players who are capable of performing according to the contemporary demands and needs.” Pakistan Women’s Head Coach David Hemp: “It is extremely important for our national side to continue to be challenged and play in tough conditions against tough oppositions to continue to grow and our commitments in the next season will help us on that front. “Though, the recent results have not gone in our favour, but the individual performances underscore that these girls have the potential, and we need to provide them opportunities to upskill themselves. For the first time in the history of the World Cups, a Pakistan batter scored a century, our spinners have dominated the oppositions and a young all-rounder, just out of her teens, was recognised as the emerging cricketer of 2021 by the game’s global body. “I am certain that the upcoming season will help our team develop and we will see consistent results.” Pakistan Women’s captain Bismah Maroof: “Over the recent years, the women’s cricket has grown immensely and the level of competition has increased manifold. In such a backdrop, it is very important that we have proper international and domestic schedules. “Playing more international games will aid the national side in better pressure handling and capturing the key moments, which we have not been able to do recently despite some outstanding chunks of play. We also need to have better bench strength and the introduction of an U19 event will go a long way in helping us with that. Complete schedule May 2022-April 2023: International events: 18 May-7 June: Sri Lanka to Pakistan (3 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs, 3 T20Is), Rawalpindi 12-24 July: Pakistan to Ireland (4 tri-series T20Is also involving Australia), Dublin 25 July-8 August: Birmingham Commonwealth Games 30 Oct-20 Nov: Ireland to Pakistan (3 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs, 3 T20Is), Lahore/Karachi December: ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 4 Jan-1 Feb: Pakistan to Australia (3 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs, 3 T20Is) February: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa Domestic events: 2-18 August: U19 Women’s T20 Tournament (14 T20s), Muridke Sep/Oct: Triangular T20 Women’s Championship, Muridke/Lahore 5-25 April: Pakistan Women’s One-Day Tournament (14 50-over matches), Karachi

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India were knocked out of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 with the final ball of the league stage as South Africa won by three wickets. Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj led the scoring for India with 71 and 68 as the Women in Blue set South Africa 275 to win and the Proteas emerged victorious in dramatic style thanks to 80 from Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez’s brave knock of 52 not out. England had earlier defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs and will play South Africa in the semi-final on Thursday in Christchurch, while India’s loss confirms Australia will take on the West Indies in Wellington on Wednesday. Australia topped the table with 14 points after going unbeaten during the round robin stage, while South Africa’s place in second was confirmed prior to the start of the match, but the win moved them to 11 points. England end the league stage on eight points having mounted a remarkable comeback to win their final four matches after losing their first three, while the West Indies faced an agonising 72-hour wait to confirm their place in the semi-finals after their final game against South Africa was washed out and they finished on seven points. India and New Zealand missed out on qualification for the knockout stages by just one point as they both finished on six, India ahead of the hosts on net run rate. Bangladesh and Pakistan take up the last two spots in the table having won a game each, the Tigresses finishing in seventh thanks to a superior net run rate as every team recorded at least one victory in New Zealand. India made a blistering start after choosing to bat, putting on 68 for no loss in the powerplay before Shafali Verma was needlessly run out on 53 after a breakdown in communication with opening partner Mandhana. Mandhana top-scored with 71 and added 80 for the third wicket with Raj before she was excellently caught by a diving Chloe Tryon. Raj also brought up a half-century before departing for 68 from 84 balls and Harmanpreet Kaur fell two runs short of a fifty of her own as South Africa’s bowlers hit back, Shabnim Ismail recovering from conceding 31 in her first three overs to produce figures of two for 11 in her final seven overs. South Africa reeled India in to 274 for seven, meaning the Women in Blue would have to bowl their opponents out for under 174 to finish in third and avoid Australia. They had a sniff when Lizelle Lee was run out by Kaur for six before Wolvaardt combined with Lara Goodall for a 125-run partnership. Goodall was stumped one run shy of what would have been a maiden World Cup fifty before Wolvaardt was dismissed by a turning delivery from Kaur, missing another chance to make a World Cup hundred after registering her fifth half-century of the tournament. However, she did become the tournament’s leading run scorer with 433 before leaving the field with a bowed head as Kaur wheeled away in an emotional celebration.  Kaur had another when skipper Sune Luus was given out LBW on review for 22 as South Africa slipped to 182 for four, and the all-rounder was involved again when she ran out Marizanne Kapp to leave South Africa needing 46 from 31 balls with five wickets in hand. Earlier in the day, England defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs as Sophia Dunkley performed with the bat and Sophie Ecclestone delivered with the ball to ensure Heather Knight’s side made the last four. The defending champions had slipped to 96 for four before Dunkley combined with Amy Jones to put on 72 for the fifth wicket. Dunkley was eventually dismissed for 67 from 72 as she scored her maiden World Cup fifty before late striking from Katherine Brunt and Ecclestone hauled England up to 234 for six. Bangladesh were wary of going for big shots, making just 23 in the powerplay before Ecclestone broke the deadlock to dismiss Sharmin Akhter for 23 and the spinner then got the other opener Shamima Sultana in her next over. Wickets began to fall regularly as England extinguished any hopes of a Bangladesh win, Charlie Dean claiming three for 30 in tandem with spin twin Ecclestone who claimed three for 15 as the Tigresses were bowled out for 134. Scores in brief South Africa beat India at Hagley Oval, Christchurch by three wickets India 274/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 71, Mithali Raj 68; Shafali Verma 53, Harmanpreet Kaur 48; Masabata Klaas 2/38, Shabnim Ismail 2/42) South Africa 275/7 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 80, Mignon du Preez 52 not out, Lara Goodall 49; Harmanpreet Kaur 2/42, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/61) Player of the Match: Mignon du Preez (South Africa) England beat Bangladesh at Basin Reserve, Wellington by 100 runs England 234/6 in 50 overs (Sophia Dunkley 67, Nat Sciver 40; Salma Khatun 2/46) Bangladesh 134 all out in 48 overs (Lata Mondol 30; Sophie Ecclestone 3/15, Charlie Dean 3/31) Player of the Match: Sophia Dunkley (England)

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's women's team will travel to Pakistan in the month of May, this year, it is learnt. According to highly placed sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Sri Lanka's women's team is scheduled to play three ODIs' and three T-20Is in May and June. This will be the first time in recent years the Sri Lanka's women's team is traveling to Pakistan to play a bilateral series, though the Pak women's team did visit Sri Lanka.   According to the tentative schedule drawn by the PCB, all three ODIs' (May 24, 26 & 29) and three T-20Is (June 1, 3 & 5) will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi). However, this is subject to change. The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) is likely to have been signed by the two boards. The visiting Sri Lankan team is scheduled to leave for Pakistan on May 16 and will spend three days in strict isolation before resuming the practice from May 21 subject to Covid clearance test on May 20. The PCB has suggested the 50-over Day matches to begin at 10 AM, whereas the D/N T-20Is be played from 7 pm to 21.45 PM

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Australia survived a scare from Bangladesh to record a five-wicket win that ensured they finished the group stage of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 unbeaten. After winning the toss, Australia took regular wickets through spin to reduce Bangladesh to 135 for six from their 43 overs after the start was delayed by rain in Wellington. Spin continued to dominate as Bangladesh took the ball, Salma Khatun reducing Australia to 41 for four at the first drinks break before a defiant Beth Mooney guided her side, who had already secured their semi-final spot, to a seventh straight win with an unbeaten 66. Having been put in to bat, Bangladesh made a steady start taking 28 runs from the first six overs before the spin of Ashleigh Gardner and Jess Jonassen was introduced. Gardner would get the first wicket of the innings, dismissing Murshida Khatun for 12 from 17 balls as Rachael Haynes held on to a good catch. That brought Fargana Hoque to the crease and she became the first Bangladeshi women to pass 1000 ODI runs before nicking Annabel Sutherland behind to Alyssa Healy for eight. Australia then smartly reviewed to have Sharmin Akhter given out LBW, DRS confirming Jonassen’s delivery was hitting the top of leg stump as Bangladesh slipped to 58 for three. The experienced heads of Nigar Sultana and Rumana Ahmed played calmly, taking five runs off the next 25 balls before Nigar departed for seven from 30 balls when trying to relieve the dot ball pressure. Bangladesh continued to build promising partnerships, Rumana and Lata Mondol adding 33 for the fifth wicket before the former was caught by Jonassen at mid-off for Gardner’s second wicket of the day to leave the Tigresses on 95 for five with 8.4 overs remaining. Lata was the final wicket to fall as Megan Schutt had her stumped after she top-scored with 33 from 63 balls, wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy whipping off the non-existent bails after they were removed due to the blustery conditions. Salma was there at the end on 15 not out from 23 balls as Bangladesh set Australia 136 to win, no easy task given the weather. But it wasn’t the wind that caused Australia problems, it was Bangladesh’s bowlers with Salma the principal architect of the initial collapse. Healy was first to go after holing out to Jahanara Alam in the deep for 15 from 22 as Salma became the first Bangladeshi bowler to take a wicket against Australia with this the first ever ODI clash between the sides. Meg Lanning’s 30th birthday did not come with a present from her opponents as she was clean-bowled for a duck by a peach of a delivery from Salma, only the fourth time the Australian captain has failed to trouble the scorers in 98 ODIs. Only three more runs were added before Haynes departed for seven from 23 deliveries as Salma single-handedly reduced Australia to 26 for three. The injured Ellyse Perry could only watch on as Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath were moved up the order and now had a real job to do. But McGrath only made three, given out LBW off the bowling of Nahida Akter. Mooney instead combined with the hard-striking Gardner to build the biggest partnership of the innings so far, adding 29 runs. But Gardner had to go when she was bowled by Rumana who broke the partnership with her 50th ODI wicket, the first woman to reach a half century for Bangladesh, repeating the feat Gardner managed herself in the first innings. Mooney steadied a rocking Australia ship with a fifty from 60 balls, scoring only four fours as she realised the aerial route spelt danger, instead rotating the strike with Sutherland as the light began to fade. The duo were there at the end after putting on the 66 runs needed for victory to see Australia home with 65 balls to spare to complete the clean sweep. Bangladesh’s very slim hopes of joining Australia in the semi-finals were ended by the loss but they have another chance to pull off an upset against England in Wellington on Sunday. Scores in brief Australia beat Bangladesh at Basin Reserve, Wellington by five wickets Bangladesh 135/6 in 43 overs (Lata Mondol 33, Sharmin Akhter 24; Jess Jonassen 2/13, Ashleigh Gardner 2/23) Australia 136/5 in 32.1 overs (Beth Mooney 66 not out, Annabel Sutherland 26 not out; Salma Khatun 3/23) Player of the Match: Beth Mooney (Australia)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-England were back to their blistering best as they defeated Pakistan by nine wickets to put themselves in a good position to qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 semi-finals. Seamer Katherine Brunt was in red-hot form as she and spinner Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets apiece to skittle Pakistan for 105 at the Hagley Oval. Danni Wyatt also enjoyed a return to form to lead England’s chase as her 76 not out saw the defending champions reach their total with more than 30 overs to spare. The result hauls England up to fourth in the overall standings, one point behind West Indies – whose game against South Africa was abandoned earlier on Thursday – and ensuring another win for Heather Knight’s team against Bangladesh would see them leapfrog the Maroon Warriors and secure a semi-final spot. Brunt kept her place despite one wicket in five matches and she repaid that faith by dismissing the returning Nahida Khan for a first-ball duck, before the first run-out of the day came as Bismah Maroof went needlessly going for a single. Pakistan reached 28 for two by the end of the powerplay but a second run-out was not far away as Omaima Sohail went for 11 - off 30 balls - as Tammy Beaumont secured a direct hit. Brunt would grab another as Nida Dar - the bowling hero of Pakistan’s win over West Indies - went for four from 22 deliveries, with a review confirming the LBW dismissal. And in her very next over the England veteran dismissed the steady Sidra Ameen, who was bowled for 32 from 77 balls. Ecclestone was the first slow bowler introduced into the attack at the halfway mark – but it was captain Knight who grabbed the first wicket off spin as she struck second ball to remove Aliya Riaz, who went for a misjudged sweep to short fine-leg where Anya Shrubsole gobbled up the catch. Ecclestone made her mark just five overs later, however, as Fatima Sana nicked behind to wicket-keeper Amy Jones to depart for four. Pakistan were collapsing and lost their final four wickets for just 10 runs, Kate Cross earning her only victim of the day as she sent Sidra Nawaz’s leg stump cartwheeling before Aiman Anwer and Diana Baig were also removed by in-form Ecclestone with 8.3 overs remaining. England’s chase of their small target got off to a bumpy start as Beaumont was given out LBW on review for just two as Baig grabbed her first wicket of the day. Wyatt was impressive as she looked to find some form at the top of the order, crunching all of England’s sevens boundaries in the powerplay. She brought up her half century off 51 deliveries, triggering celebrations but remaining firmly focused on the job in hand and getting it done as quickly as possible. And she went on to do exactly that, combining with Knight for an 87-run partnership and her fluent 76 not out coming from 68 balls, including 11 fours. Knight would end on a measured 24 not out from 36, happy to play second fiddle to Wyatt who was masterful in her stroke-play as England chased down 105 in just 19.2 overs. For England, they must still beat Bangladesh in Wellington this weekend to make certain of their place in the knockout stages, while the defeat ends Pakistan’s outside chance of a push for the top four. Scores in brief England beat Pakistan at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, by nine wickets Pakistan 105 all out in 41.3 overs (Sidra Ameen 32, Sidra Nawaz 23; Katherine Brunt 3/17, Sophie Ecclestone 3/18) England 107/1 in 19.2 overs (Danni Wyatt 76 not out, Heather Knight 24 not out) Player of the Match: Danni Wyatt (England)