Sports Bulletin

Mohammad Rizwan Malik EDGBASTON (UK):-India have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against England in the rescheduled fifth Test in Birmingham. David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two WTC points have been deducted from India’s points total. India captain Jasprit Bumrah plead guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Marais Erasmus and fourth umpire Alex Wharf leveled the charge.

BIPIN DANI The health of former Pakistani batsman Zaheer Abbas has worsened, it is learnt. The 74-year old Asian Bradman, who was being treated in Paddington's Saint Mary Hospital, is now shifted to Hammersmith Hospital for further care. Abbas' India-born wife Rita Luthra (known as Samina Abbas after marriage in 1988), speaking exclusively over the telephone from the hospital said, "this hospital is better for the treatment of the organs". Zaheer Abbas' kidney is enlarged and there are other complications as well. "One day he is better and the other day his condition deteriorates. On Sunday he had a temperature also. The foreign doctors are treating him here over here.  We are yet to trace any Indian or Pakistani doctor in this hospital. At present, he is in the separate ward but may be taken to an ICU", she said.   Earlier, Abbas' Dubai-based daughter Roshana said, "Through you my sister Hiba, Rudabah and I would like to say that we are very touched with the outpouring of love and prayers from dad’s fans and friends from all over the world and would like to thank every one of them. Please keep him in your prayers".

BIPIN DANI Australian Test captain Pat Cummins may be otherwise engaged at the moment, but we hear he is already polishing his lines for when he appears as special guest at The Chappell Foundation annual fundraising dinner at the SCG on August 10. This was revealed by Darshak Mehtra, the chairman of the Foundation. The 29-year-old captain will follow in the footsteps of Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and Jimmy Barnes, who have all previously appeared at cricket’s biggest charity event. "We hear Cummins doesn’t mind an expensive wine having been introduced to the world of the fermented grape by no less than Dennis Lillee (a TCF patron). Cummins flew to Perth a few years back to work on fixing his bowling action with the former great. While that obviously worked a treat, the Australian captain says the wine habit he developed in the company of the great man has cost him a fortune since", Mehta says. "It’s a night for the tragic and the talented. Cummins, along with Ian, Greg and Trevor Chappell and a host of former cricketers, will join guests for sundowner drinks on the sacred turf before heading upstairs for the evening, which concludes with the skipper and Tracey Holmes in conversation", adds Mehta. Former PM John Howard is a great supporter of the charity night, which once saw John Singleton so moved by the occasion that he pledged a million dollars on the spot. The foundation raises money for homeless youth and is almost entirely without overheads, which means all money raised gets to the right places. The guests will also get a chance to visit the Sydney Cricket Ground dressing rooms with Cummins and Chappell.  

Sports Bulletin Report LONDON:-England Men's selection panel have named a 13-player squad for England Lions two Royal London 50-over internationals against South Africa starting on 12 July at Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton. Mo Bobat, ECB Performance Director, said: "It's always great when we can bring some of our best and highest potential players together, particularly to take on senior international opposition. The two games provide an excellent opportunity to continue to grow our depth and assess players' readiness for England. "The squad reflects a balance of England's next best players and some future players of note, as well as high performers from this season's Vitality Blast campaign. "With these games coming at the same time as England ODIs versus India and a County Championship round, we're very appreciative of the collaborative approach of counties, enabling us to field strong teams." The first match at Taunton will permit full squad participation to facilitate South Africa Team preparation for the international white-ball programme, but the second match at Worcester will be played as an 11-a-side List-A match. England Men's Assistant Coach Paul Collingwood has been appointed Head Coach for the two matches.  England Lions Squad versus South Africa: Tom Abell (Somerset-Captain), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Tom Banton (Somerset-WK), Sam Cook (Essex), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Steven Eskinazi (Middlesex), Sam Hain (Warwickshire), Adam Hose (Warwickshire), Benny Howell (Gloucestershire), Jake Lintott (Warwickshire), David Payne (Gloucestershire), George Scrimshaw (Derbyshire), Will Smeed (Somerset).

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for June is dominated by batting superstars from England and New Zealand following their recent ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series. England enjoyed a successful start to Brendan McCullum’s coaching reign in the longest format, and two figureheads of their 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, are shortlisted after outstanding contributions in three successful run chases. The lineup is completed by New Zealand batting ace, Daryl Mitchell, thanks to several key performances through the series. The ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist features two icons of South Africa with bat and ball. Shabnim Ismail dazzled while spearheading the bowling attack in their One Day International (ODI) series against Ireland, while compatriot Marizanne Kapp is nominated following her fierce resistance at the crease in the Test match against England. Starring for her opponents in that same match, England’s Nat Sciver is also included among the nominees in celebration of her outstanding display with the bat in her side’s mammoth first innings total. Jonny Bairstow (ENG) Bairstow was at his brutal best during the WTC series against New Zealand, scoring 394 runs at an average of 78.80. Despite a quiet showing at Lord’s, he recorded the second fastest century for an English batter in Tests when he struck a phenomenal 136 in the second innings in Nottingham. His partnership alongside skipper Ben Stokes shifted the momentum of the second Test in memorable fashion and helped clinch victory against the odds. Bairstow continued where he left off in the final Test, bludgeoning his way to England’s second-fastest 150 which laid the foundation for the series whitewash. Daryl Mitchell (NZ) Despite their WTC series defeat, Mitchell was a constant threat to an otherwise impressive and effective England bowling attack. Frequently arriving at the crease with his side’s backs against the wall, at times he appeared in unstoppable form, ending the series having amassed 538 runs at an average of 107.60, only failing to pass the half-century mark in one innings and registering a century in each match. This remarkable series of scores sees him nominated for the first time. Joe Root (ENG) Root continued his extraordinary form in the longest format, which stretches back well over the last 12 months. His unbeaten 115 in the second innings of the first Test at Lord’s secured victory and set the tone for three successful run chases against the current WTC title-holders, with Root seeing his side home in two of them. Passing the 10,000 Test runs milestone during the series, his scores of 176 and 86 not out in the second and third Tests helped him reclaim top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Batting rankings in June and saw him end the month with 396 runs at an average of 99.00. Shabnim Ismail (SA) Ismail was once again the key weapon in the South African bowling attack during the ODI series in Ireland, taking 11 wickets at an incredible average of 5.00. Returning impressive figures of three for 16, three for 31 and a stunning five for eight in the final match in Dublin, she led from the front to reduce the hosts to scores of 69, 213 and 89, securing comfortable wins in each of the three fixtures. Ismail is shortlisted for the first time since she won the inaugural ICC Women’s Player of the Month award back in January 2021. Marizanne Kapp (SA) Kapp also celebrates her first nomination since January 2021 following her epic batting performances that proved crucial to rescuing her side in the sole Test match against England at Taunton. Her masterful 150 in the first innings set a national record for the highest Test score by a South African female and allowed her side to post a respectable 284 in response to a big first innings total by England. She continued to frustrate her opponents in the second innings by following up with 43 not out, salvaging an important draw. Nat Sciver (ENG) Sciver’s remarkable form in international cricket continues and sees her nominated for the second time in three months. England’s batters struggled to impose themselves on South Africa early in the Taunton Test, and at one point stood at 121 for five. Sciver struck an unbeaten 169 to help set an imposing 417 for eight, which would have been enough to secure victory but for rain and Kapp’s resilience.

BIPIN DANI Patrick Cummins-led Australian team skipped the commemoration gathering hosted in the memory of late Shane Warne on Saturday night, it is learnt.  According to the sources in Sri Lanka, the Hon., minister Harin Fernando hosted the cocktail party, which was attended by Shane's brother Jason and wife, Shay.  "Both the teams were invited for the function. The home team was in attendance but the visiting team is likely to have had Covid scare in mind. Since Angelo Mathews found Covid affected, all have taken utmost precautions", the source close to the minister, said.  "Apart from the SLC officials, the gathering was also attended by the selectors Pramodya Wickramsinghe and Romesh Kaluwithrana. Notable absentee was Muthiah Muralitharan, though his manager Kushil Gunasekera, the founder of the Foundation of Goodness was present", the source, who attended the function said on condition of anonymity.  Update on Angelo Mathews All-rounder Angelo Mathews, who had to miss the major part of the first Test in Galle due to Covid-19 has "better chance" of playing the second Test, commencing at the same venue from Friday.  "He was diagnosed on the 2nd day of the Test and is completing the five-day isolation on Sunday. His next Rapid Test is scheduled on Monday and if the tests reports are negative, he will be available. We want him to play the second Test", the SLC source added.  The first rain-affected Test, which finished under three-days, was won by the visiting team by 10 wickets.      

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The match schedule for the remainder of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C has now been finalised after it was confirmed that three match officials will no longer take any part in the event. Following a road traffic accident in Belgium on 1 July involving the three tournament match officials, a decision has been reached that the individuals will take no further part in the event, even though the individuals have not sustained serious physical injury. As a result the fixtures originally scheduled for today at Ghent Oval - Gibraltar against Israel and Malta versus Hungary - have now been abandoned due to insufficient number of match officials to complete these fixtures during the remainder of the tournament. It has been agreed by the Event Technical Committee in order to complete the tournament, Group 1 (3rd) v Group 2 (3rd) - Gibraltar v Malta - and Group 1 (4th) v Group 2 (4th) - Israel v Hungary - will now take place on Sunday 3 July, previously scheduled as a tournament rest day, in line with the ICC's Tournament Playing Conditions. All remaining fixtures will now take place at Royal Brussels Cricket Club.  A revised summary of the remaining fixtures is below: 3rd July 2022 Israel v Hungary 11:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club 3rd July 2022 Gibraltar v Malta 16:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club 4th July 2022 Loser SF2 v Loser SF4 11:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club 4th July 2022 Winner SF2 v Winner SF4 16:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with Municipal Committee Islamabad (MCI) organized Amateur Premier Cricket League Tournament at F-9 Park Ground Islamabad. 12 cricket teams of the capital city took part in the tournament that was finally won by Islamabad Vikings. According to an official, Islamabad Vikings lifted the title after defeating Dhamyal Thanders in the final, who received Rs.100 thousands as winning prize money along with a shining trophy. Runner-up team captain got Rs. 50,000 with Trophy.  Choudary Shahzad, Assistant Director of Sports CDA, Rizwan Sarwar, Assistant Director Sports & Culture graced the ceremoney as guests of honours. Ch Shahzad said: “It was a nice tournament, which was staged first in the history of Islamabad under the floodlights and It was a nice opportunity for the players to show their game. All organizers worked hard to make this tournament successful. Naeem Sardar also worked day and night for this event”. Best Awards of Tournament: Best Batter: Adnan Khan (Dhamyal Thanders) Best Bowler: Talha Majeed (Islamabad Vikings) Best Wicketkeeper: Usman Ghani (Islamabad Vikings).

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Two of Saturday's fixtures in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C have been postponed after three match officials were involved in a road traffic accident in Belgium on the evening of 1 July. The match officials and driver of the vehicle were taken to hospital as a precaution, but have sustained no serious injury. Therefore, the Event Technical Committee has decided to postpone the Gibraltar against Israel and Malta versus Hungary fixtures originally scheduled to take place at Ghent Oval today, Saturday 2 July. The semi-finals featuring Belgium against Portugal and Spain versus Denmark taking place today at Royal Brussels Cricket Club are unaffected. The ICC will continue to monitor the welfare of the individuals involved and a further announcement regarding the postponed fixtures and match schedule for the remainder of the event will be made in due course.

BIPIN DANI The brother of the late Australian spinner Shane Warne, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday, will visit the Foundation of Goodness in Seenigama as part of his itinerary.  Jason Warne and his wife Shay are in Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Minister of Tourism Harin Fenando and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), The Foundation of Goodness was founded by Philanthropist Kushil Gunasekera, with whom Shane Warne associated in relief efforts after the 2004 tsunami. Member of Sri Lanka's national cricket selection committee and 1996 World Cup winner Romesh Kaluwitharana has also invited Jason and his wife for lunch at his resort, Kalu's Hideaway, on Saturday on the way to their visit to Udawalawe National Park. "Some of the most memorable moments in my cricket career was when Sri Lanka toured Australia and having to play against one of the greatest cricketers was a privilege.  Shane Warne was unique, flamboyant, one of the toughest competitors I have played against and most importantly a wonderful human being," Kaluwitharana said. "His humanity was extraordinary having visited Sri Lanka after the Tsunami to help the people in need was just one example of the person he was outside cricket."