Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportDallas, Texas (USA): The United States of America (USA) cricket team overcame former champions Pakistan in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup match in a super over to claim an upset and historical victory in Dallas Texas USA on Thursday.After being put into bat on a tricky surface, Pakistan stuttered to 159 for seven after slipping to 26 for three and then 98 for five. In their run-chase on a wicket that turned into a batting paradise, the USA reached 104 for one in 13 overs before Pakistan fought back to leave the home side needing 15 runs off the last over. Haris Rauf conceded three runs off the first three deliveries but went for 11 runs off the last three deliveries as the USA tied the match by finishing at 159 for three.In the Super Over, Mohammad Amir bowled a nine-ball over in which the USA scored 18 runs. In reply, the USA’s left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar displayed tremendous composure and conceded only 13 runs, including picking Iftikhar Ahmed’s wicket in an eight-ball over.This was the USA’s biggest victory in their 31-match history, while for Pakistan, it was one of the most shocking results in a 242-match career. A couple of weeks ago, the USA had also beaten Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match series, while they defeated Canada by seven wickets in their tournament opener.Thursday’s shocking result can be ranked alongside Zimbabwe’s victory over Australia in the 2007 event, the Netherlands' victory over England in the 2009 and 2014 tournaments, Afghanistan’s victory over the West Indies in the 2016 tournament and Namibia’s victory over Sri Lanka in the 2022 competition.The USA has now won both of their matches and have games against Ireland and India remaining, while Sunday’s match against India will potentially be a must-win match for Pakistan to keep their chances of a Super-Eight stage qualification alive. Pakistan will also play Canada (11 June) and Ireland (16 June).A 68-run second-wicket partnership between captain Monank Patel and Andries Gous set up the USA’s historic victory. Patel scored 50 off 38 balls with seven fours and a six, while Gous contributed 35 off 26 balls with five fours and a six.After Gous fell to Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir accounted for Patelto limit the USA to 111 for three in 14.1 overs, Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar stitched an unbroken 48 runs off 35 balls for the fourth wicket. Jones finished unbeaten on 36 with two fours and two sixes, including a maximum off Haris’ fourth delivery, while Kumar remained not out on a run-a-ball 14 that included a final-ball four that tied the match.Earlier in the day, and after Steven Taylor took a breathtaking catch in the first slip to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan on the eighth ball of the match, Pakistan struggled to 159 for seven with the last 10 overs producing 93 runs for the loss of four wickets. In the second half of the innings, Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with an invaluable 16-ball 23 not out with a four and two sixes and Iftikhar Ahmed contributed a 14-ball 18 with three fours.At the top of the order, captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan produced a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 48 balls to put Pakistan back on course to a decent total before back-to-back wickets of Shadab and Azam Khan reduced Pakistan to 98 for five, which became 125 for six in the 16th over following the departure of Babar.Shadab scored at a strike-rate of 160 when he contributed 40 runs off 25 balls with a four and three sixes, while Babar was trapped in front of the wickets after scoring 44 off 43 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: In the third round of the PCB Women’s University Cricket Tournament, University of Karachi beat IBA by 10 wickets at IBA Cricket Ground in Karachi.After restricting IBA to 80-8 in the stipulated 20 overs, the University of Karachi completed the chase in 6.2 overs.Opening batter Yusra Amir starred with an unbeaten half-century (57 not out, 27b, 10x4s) while Arijah Haseeb chipped in with an unbeaten 19 off 11 balls hitting four boundaries to seal the chase.University of Karachi’s Arijah Haseeb claimed four wickets giving away 14 runs in her four overs while Ramsha Amir and Kinza Wahab picked up one wicket each.Scores in briefUniversity of Karachi beat IBA by 10 wicketsIBA 80-8, 20 overs (Munira Hassan 14, Zoha Adnan 14; Arijah Haseeb 4-14)University of Karachi 81-0, 6.2 overs (Yusra Amir 57 not out, Arijah Haseeb 19 not out)Player of the match – Arijah Haseeb (University of Karachi)Saturday’s fixtures: Kinnaird College vs University of Punjab (COMSATS Ground), Lahore College Women University vs Government College University (GCU Ground), Women’s University Multan vs Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU Ground), International Islamic University vs Fatima Jinnah Women’s University (Viqar-Un-Nisa College).

Sports Bulletin ReportDallas, TX (USA): Pakistan cricket team have arrived in Dallas, Texas, United States of America (USA) to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as Green Shirts will take on the USA in their first match of the prestigious fixture on June 6, 2024.Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanPlayer support personnel: Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Gary Kirsten (head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), David Reid (mental performance coach), Aftab Khan (high performance coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Irtaza Komail (chief security officer), Mohammad Imran (masseur), Mohammad Khurram Sarwar (team doctor), Talha Ijaz (analyst), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager) and Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach). 

Sports Bulletin ReportDallas (USA): Junaid ‘The X-Man’ Siddiqui’s signature leg spin is set to light up the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, more than a decade on from the Canada star’s international debut.The 39-year-old all-rounder grew up playing street cricket amid the bustle of Karachi before moving to Toronto with his family at the age of 13.Siddiqui will now showcase his trademark aggression at the crease as part of his country’s historic maiden T20 World Cup squad and is looking forward to displaying his distinguished ‘X’ celebration on after every wicket he takes.Junaid Siddiqui said: “It was something to spice it up a little bit because I was very aggressive and when I was taking wickets, I would run off the camera every single time on the left. When I wanted to celebrate, me and my wife came up with something along the lines of an X to mark that the batter has gone. It’s more to save myself a bit of aggression and use it for one action. It came out well, people started liking and I just continued it. When I started leg spin in T20s, not many spinners could come and bowl in the powerplay. I was unique in that way.”Siddiqui was one of the first homegrown Canadian players to play first-class cricket and did so in Sri Lanka before being selected for his national team. The right-hander was recalled to the squad having last played an international T20 in 2022 and is now relishing the prospect of the opening day showdown against the USA in Dallas.“Playing in Sri Lanka was a huge experience for me because that motivated me so much. I played all my cricket in Canada where I couldn’t compete as much and there was not a lot of exposure, yet I was able to get picked in a first-class team. That gave me a huge boost where I thought I could pursue this as a profession. I’m proud and happy that I was able to do it for so long and I’m still doing it. There are setbacks, and every country has to face how to move forward beyond a World Cup and how to make a team – the process has happened over the last 13 years. We just don’t want to be a participant in the World Cup, we want to make sure that we go out there and be the best of us, we don’t want to be a passenger sitting in the bus. It (selection) was a big call. With what I have been doing for the last two years, I was expecting it one way or another because I had good performances behind me. When I found out, it was the best news of my life.”Playing in a tournament close to home is one thing but knowing how to play on an American wicket is another and Siddiqui is prepared for exactly what to expect. The seasoned pro has recently played for California Golden Eagles in the United States Premier League and believes the American wickets will provide high-scoring contests.“We have played on a few wickets like in Dallas and we know it’s a really good wicket to bat on with Major League playing there last year. The bowlers definitely have to be ready with these really good wickets. I’ve played a lot of cricket in the US on a contract and tournament basis and they have done a good job. The facilities are good, you will see high-scoring games and it will be a really fun World Cup.”Siddiqui need not look far for cricket idols growing up with Herschelle Gibbs and Abdul Qadir providing much inspiration for his career of longevity. Still, the one constant in his life remains his Muslim faith. As he prepares for a group stage against the USA, Ireland, India and his birth country Pakistan, he is using his belief and the support of his family to remain grounded on the biggest of stages.“My belief came from my performances, staying consistent. My parents and family gave me a lot of support and prayed for me, especially my wife. Their support made me want to keep going and that made a big difference. You work hard, you be humble, a kind person and leave everything in God’s hands. If it’s good, it will come to you, if it’s not, someone else will have it better.”

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the fourth and final T20I of the series at the Oval on Thursday to take the series 2-0. Both teams wrapped up their preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 by warming up in the two T20I games at the Oval and Edgbaston while the games at Cardiff and Headingley were washed out.In pursuit of the 158-run target Jos Buttler and Phil Salt walked out all guns blazing as they hammered the ball to all parts of the ground. The duo ransacked 78 runs in the powerplay as Salt hit five fours and two sixes while Buttler belted five fours and one six.Haris Rauf removed Salt (45, 25b, 6x4s, 2x6s) in the 7th over and Buttler (39, 20b, 7x4s, 1x6) in the 9th over as England cruised to 102-2 at the halfway mark. Haris returned in the 11th over to dismiss Will Jacks with a searing yorker (20, 18b, 1x4, 1x6) who had hit him for a six a ball before.In the following over Jonny Bairstow belted Shadab Khan for two consecutive sixes to keep the run-rate abreast. An unbeaten 46-run fourth-wicket partnership between Brook (17 not out, 14b, 1x4, 1x6) and Bairstow (28 not out, 16b, 1x4, 3x6s) took England home with 27 balls remaining and seven wickets in the bag. Rauf was the lone wicket-taker for Pakistan.Earlier, after England invited Pakistan to bat first, the opening batters Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam put on a solid 59-run partnership hitting eight fours and a six. Jofra Archer drew the first blood for England as he removed Babar (36, 5x4s, 1x6) on the last ball of the powerplay.In the seventh over, Adil Rashid rattled Rizwan’s stumps who departed after scoring 23 off 16 balls with the help of three fours. England managed breakthroughs at regular intervals as the spin duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid eked out the vital scalps of Fakhar Zaman (9, 9b, 1x6) and Shadab Khan (0, 1b) respectively leaving Pakistan 84-4 at the halfway mark.Azam Khan copped a five-ball duck in the 11th over. Usman Khan, in his breezy knock of 38 off 21 balls, smacked three boundaries and two sixes. Liam Livingstone delivered a double-wicket maiden dismissing Usman and Shaheen Shah Afridi as he left Pakistan reeling at 126-7 after 15 overs.Iftikhar Ahmed (21, 18b, 2x4s) and Naseem Shah (16, 18b, 1x4, 1x6) pushed Pakistan past the 150-run mark before England wrapped up Pakistan’s innings for 157 all out in 19.5 overs. For England Rashid, Livingstone and Mark Wood bagged two wickets each. Archer, Moeen and Chris Jordan struck once apiece.

Babar Azam to lead Green Shirts, Pakistan to take on India on June 9 in New YorkAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board today unveiled its 15-player squad for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United States of America (USA) and West Indies from June 1 to 29, 2024. Batter Babar Azam will lead the Green Shirts in the prestigious cricket fixture of the world.According to the media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the side was confirmed on Friday afternoon following a two-hour selection committee meeting in Birmingham, which was attended by Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Mohammad Yousuf and Wahab Riaz. Razzaq, Asad and Bilal joined the deliberations through videoconference.Of the 15 players, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan have been picked for their maiden T20 World Cup, while Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim last appeared in the 2016 and 2021 tournaments, respectively. The other eight players participated in the 2022 event in Australia.Pakistan has one of the most impressive records in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007 in South Africa. It won the 2009 event under Younis Khan and twice reached the finals under Shoaib Malik (2007) and Babar Azam (2022). In 2010, 2012, and 2021, it reached the last-four stage.Names of players: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanPlayer support personnel: Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Gary Kirsten (head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), David Reid (mental performance coach), Aftab Khan (high performance coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Irtaza Komail (chief security officer), Mohammad Imran (masseur), Mohammad Khurram Sarwar (team doctor), Talha Ijaz (analyst), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager) and Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach).Pakistan’s schedule of matches:6 June – vs USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas9 June – vs India, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York11 June – vs Canada, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York16 June – vs Ireland, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida

June 1: U.S. vs. Canada, DallasJune 2: West Indies vs. Papua New Guinea, GuyanaJune 2: Namibia vs. Oman, BarbadosJune 3: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa, New YorkJune 3: Afghanistan vs. Uganda, GuyanaJune 4: England vs. Scotland, BarbadosJune 4: Netherlands vs. NepalJune 5: India vs. Ireland, New YorkJune 5: Papua New Guinea vs. Uganda, GuyanaJune 5: Australia vs. Oman, BarbadosJune 6: U.S. vs. Pakistan, DallasJune 6: Namibia vs. Scotland, BarbadosJune 7: Canada vs. Ireland, New YorkJune 7: New Zealand vs. Afghanistan, GuyanaJune 7: Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh, DallasJune 8: Netherlands vs. South Africa, New YorkJune 8: Australia vs. England, BarbadosJune 8: West Indies vs. Uganda, GuyanaJune 9: India vs. Pakistan, New YorkJune 9: Oman vs. Scotland, Antigua & BarbudaJune 10: South Africa vs. Bangladesh, New YorkJune 11: Pakistan vs. Canada, New YorkJune 11: Sri Lanka vs. Nepal, LauderhillJune 11: Australia vs. Namibia, Antigua & BarbudaJune 12: U.S. vs India, New YorkJune 12: West Indies vs. New Zealand, Trinidad & TobagoJune 13: England vs. Oman, Antigua & BarbudaJune 13: Bangladesh vs. Netherlands, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 13: Afghanistan vs. Papua New Guinea, Trinidad & TobagoJune 14: U.S. vs Ireland, LauderhillJune 14: South Africa vs. Nepal, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 14: New Zealand vs. Uganda, Trinidad & TobagoJune 15: Australia vs. Scotland, Saint LuciaJune 15: India vs. Canada, LauderhillJune 15: Namibia vs. England, AntiguaJune 16: Pakistan vs. Ireland, LauderhillJune 16: Bangladesh vs. Nepal, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 16: Sri Lanka vs. Netherlands, Saint LuciaJune 17: New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and TobagoJune 17: West Indies vs. Afghanistan, Saint LuciaJune 19: Qualifier, Antigua and BarbudaJune 19: Qualifier, Saint LuciaJune 20: Qualifier, BarbadosJune 20: Qualifier, Antigua & BarbudaJune 21: Qualifier, Saint LuciaJune 21: Qualifier, BarbadosJune 22: Qualifier, Antigua & BarbudaJune 22: Qualifier, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 23: Qualifier, BarbadosJune 23: Qualifier, Antigua & BarbudaJune 24: Qualifier, Saint LuciaJune 24: Qualifier, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 26: Semi-final 1, Trinidad and TobagoJune 27: Semi-final 2, GuyanaJune 29: Final, Barbados 

Sports Bulletin ReportABBOTTABAD: A major city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province Abbottabad will stage Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Blind Cricket T20 Super League Season 2023-24, from June 7 to 13, 2024.According to an official of PBCC, teams from four provinces including Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will fight for the top honour, as the best players from different cricketing nations will take part in the said tournament.As many as 13 matches will be played in the entertaining and competitive event. The prestigious league is a part of preparations for the 4th T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Punjab and Sindh from November 22 to December 3, 2024. The T20 Blind Cricket World Cup will be a grand success, with seven countries, including India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, and Nepal expected to feature in the event. Australia is also expected to confirm its participation soon.A total of 22 players will be shortlisted from the league for the World Cup, as the shortlisted players will be provided training before the World Cup and then a 17-member squad will be finalized for the mega event. Names of shortlisted players for T20 Super League:B1 Players: Zafar Iqbal, Sajid Nawaz, Mohammad Ayaz, Idrees Saleem, Kashan Ali, Qazim Ullah, Mohammad Salman, Basheer Khan, Riasat Khan, Arsalan Rasheed, Abdul Wahab, Shoaib Khan, Kashif Sadique, Hafiz Abdul Razaq, Qasim Khalil, Mohammad Sohail, Habib Taj, Asif Khan, Mohammad Shahzeb, Zafar JuniorB2 Players: Nisar Ali, Badar Munir, Shahzeb Haider, Babar Ali, Haroon Khan, Anees Javed, Farhan Ullah, Naseeb Ullah, Ehtisham Ul Haq, Ayub Khan, Usman Chorai, Danyal, Mohammad Noman, Israr ul Hassan, Moin Aslam, Mohammad IrfanB3 Players: Mati Ullah, Akmal Hayat, Faizan Khatak, Mohsin Khan, Sana Ullah, Kamran Akhtar, Sanwal Shahzada, Mohammad Rashid, Mohammad Safdar, Talha Iqbal, Mohammad Ijaz, Imran Brohi, Naimat Ullah, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naeem Ullah, Hussain Bukhsh, Fasih Ullah, Gul Sher, Naeem Ullah, Iftikhar Tiger. 

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced Pakistan’s iconic all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the latest name on the star-studded roster of Ambassadors for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies which begins on 1 June.A veteran of six T20 World Cups, two of which as captain, Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s 2009 triumph with a Player of the Match performance in the final at Lord’s, and will feature in a range of promotional activities around the World Cup and lend expert insights to the event through a series of guest columns.Shahid Afridi, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 winner, said: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart. From being Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition to lifting the trophy in 2009, some of my favourite career highlights have come from competing on this stage. T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches and even more drama than ever before. I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. It is one of the great rivalries in sport and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams.”Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, said: “Shahid competed in six ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, two of which as captain and delivering a Player of the Match performance when winning the trophy in 2009, so who better to join our all-star Ambassador team. He’s a fan favourite around the world and alongside Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle and eight-time Olympic gold-medallist Usain Bolt, will be bringing fans closer to the event ahead of what is set to be the biggest T20 World Cup ever.”

Sports Bulletin ReportDerby (UK): England Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs in the first ODI at Derby on Thursday. In pursuit of the 244-run target, Muneeba Ali, batting at three, ended up as the top scorer for Pakistan scoring 34 off 60 balls. Muneeba shared a 30-run second-wicket stand with Sadaf Shamas who hit three boundaries in 28 off 48 balls.Nida Dar (26, 38b, 3x4s) and Aliya Riaz (21, 32b, 3x4s) steered Pakistan from 117-4 to 149-4 after 34 overs where they required 95 off 96 balls with six wickets in hand. The tide turned in England’s favour when Nida, Fatima Sana and Aliya fell in 35th, 36th and 37th over respectively.Najiha Alvi remained unbeaten on 26 off 57 balls as Pakistan fell 37 runs short. Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean spun a web taking three and two wickets respectively. Pacers Lauren Bell and Kate Cross bagged two scalps each.Earlier, after Pakistan opted to bowl, England’s opening batters, Tammy Beaumont (33, 40b, 5x4s) and Maia Bouchier (17, 24b, 2x4s) stitched a 45-run partnership before Nashra Sundhu struck to remove the latter.Skipper Heather Knight occupied the crease for 49 balls returning for 29 before she was stumped by Najiha Alivi against Aliya. Nat-Sciver Brunt struck four boundaries in her 34-ball 31-run outing before she departed leaving England 118-4. A resurgent fifth wicket partnership, between Alice Capsey (44, 65b, 3x4s) and Amy Jones (37, 38b, 3x4s), worth 67 off 75 balls, kept the innings intact.Following Capsey’s dismissal in the 44th over with the scorecard reading 216-6, Sarah Glenn’s unbeaten effort of 16 runs off 13 balls propelled England to 243-9 in their 50 overs. For Pakistan, skipper Nida picked up three wickets while Aliya, Nashra and Umm-e-Hani bagged two wickets each.