Sports Bulletin

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's touring cricket team which was supposed to play its first two-day practice match in Chattogram will now play in Dhaka. The visiting team was scheduled to play the inaugural tour game on May 11 & 12 at MA Aziz Stadium, (the first Test match is to be played in  Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) but the same has been shifted to the BKSP (Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan) ground in Dhaka. The home team to play the practice match against Sri Lanka will be known as the BCB XI and will be led by Md. Mithun.   "The request to change the venue was received from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)", one of the sources in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said exclusively over the telephone from Dhaka on Sunday. "No specific reason was given for this change", the source further added. The Lankan squad comprising 18 players and 12 support staff including the tour selector Pramodya Wickramsinghe reached Bangladesh on Sunday morning will stay in Dhaka till the training and the practice game are over. Whereas, the home team was scheduled to reach the first Test venue on Sunday, i.e. a week before the Test, which is to begin on May 15.   "Maintaining the protocol, there was no thread ceremony held at the SLC office", the source in Colombo confirmed. The opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who, on Saturday scored 36 runs in his last match (of the first half season) for Yorkshire is scheduled to leave for Bangladesh immediately after the Sunday match. He is believed to have had chats with the coaching staff.

Sports Reporter KARACHI:-The national women’s team’s training camp for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka formally begins on Monday (tomorrow). The camp will be staged at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, National Stadium Karachi and will finish on 18 May. During the camp, the 26 camp participants will engage in three 50-overs (11, 14 and 17 May) and two T20 practice matches (12 and 15 May). On the remaining days of the camp, the participants will prepare for the series with extensive practice through nets and fielding sessions. Friday, 13 May and Monday, 16 May will be rest days. Media talk opportunities schedule is below. Monday, 9 May: Training session 9:30am to 12:45pm Head coach David Hemp’s media talk – Hanif Mohammad HPC, 12:30pm Thursday, 12 May: T20 practice match 11:00am to 2:30pm All-rounder Nida Dar’s media talk – Hanif Mohammad HPC, 12:30pm Wednesday, 18 May: Training session 9:30am to 12:45pm Batter Sidra Amin media talk – Hanif Mohammad HPC, 12:30pm Camp participants (players): Aiman Anwar, Anam Amin, Anoosha Nasir, Ayesha Bilal, Ayesha Naseem, Ayesha Zafar, Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shams, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umme Hani, Waheeda Akhtar and Yusra Amir. Support personnel: David Hemp (Head coach), Saleem Jaffer (Bowling coach), Waqar Orakzai (Assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (Strength and Conditioning coach), Rifat Asghar Gill (Physiotherapist), Dr Muhammad Khurram (Doctor), Zubair Ahmed (Analyst). Series itinerary (training and matches at Karachi’s Southend Club) 19 May – Sri Lanka arrival 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

Bipin Dani Earlier this week, Sri Lanka's national women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu, playing for Falcons team against Warriors made a brilliant knock of unbeaten 107 runs, which included 13 fours and five sixes. The 32-year-old all rounder was playing the first D/N match in the FairBreak Invitational Tournament. Interestingly, the 90 players from 35 countries participating in this tournament have no display of numbers on their shirts. No numbers, flags only "Yes, the players' shirts have names and country flags instead of numbers", R. Venkatesh, the Tournament Director, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Dubai, said.  "This showcases the names of countries participating and also shows the players as individuals. This shows the global footprint of the tournament", he added. The players' kits are made of recyclable plastic or black hemp. "These two are sustainable materials. This is consistent with our policy of being conscious about wastage and degradation issues and ensuring that we promote sustainability", Venkatesh signed off.

BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lanka captain and ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Roshan Mahanama met a young cricket enthusiast Arsalaan Akhtar at his home in Mumbai recently and shared with him the experience as a cricketer and in life as well. This was revealed by Arsalaan's father Talha Mohsin. "My 11-year-old son, Arsalaan Akhtar, is a budding cricketer and his only dream is to play for India. The last two years were really tough for him as his cricket academy was shut due to Covid. He was extremely tense and worried as he was losing out on all the training", the father explains. During his father's recent visit to Sri Lanka, he met the 1996 World Cup winning team member Mahanama. "I told him about my Arsalaan and asked him if he could record a video message for him. He promised me that whenever he’s down in India next, he’ll meet him personally instead of just recording a 10-15 second video message. He told me that it would be far more motivational".  "I thought such a big man would naturally forget about it, especially when he’s busy helping people of Sri Lanka during a state of great disturbance, confusion, and uncertainty. But I was wrong. Now, something I never expected happened. I got a call from Roshan Sir to inform me that he’s in India for some important work but he will try to take out time to meet my son. We met and he spent a good 2 hours talking about cricket with my son. He shared his childhood stories. The lessons he got from his coach. The sacrifices he made to become an International Cricket player. He also spoke about how important proper cricketing shots are and it’s not just about playing the ball in the air".  Father adds, "It was like a master-class on cricket and also on how to be a better person. From the basics of cricket to leadership skills and from the importance of discipline to passion. He heard all his questions patiently and answered each one of them. Not only my son, even I learned a lot in those 2 hours". In the end, when we were saying goodbye, my son told him how he still can’t believe that he got so many lessons from a World Champion like Roshan Mahanama. To this, Roshan Sir said, “This is one more leadership lesson, son. Always stay true to your word. I promised your father so I had to fulfill it.” "My son is feeling extremely pumped up after meeting a great man and an even better human being. He’s practicing even more, all thanks to Roshan Sir!", the father concluded.

BIPIN DANI Nicholas Pooran who has been appointed new white ball captain for the West Indies team will benefit from playing in India now. This was opined by his father Lawrence Pooran.  The 26-year-Nicholas Pooran has been playing the IPL in India for the SunRisers Hyderabad team. "Definitely, Playing in the world's biggest men's league will immensely help him to succeed", his father Lawrence, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Trinidad said on Wednesday morning. "My son is playing the IPL with and against world's leading cricketers and the experience he has been getting there will help him in long run. Only the renowned cricketers from Caribbean islands and other foreign countries are selected to play in the IPL". The father was not surprised with the decision of the West Indies selectors to promote him as a new captain. "He was already the vice captain of the team and we are not surprised with his elevation", he added. Kraigg Brathwaite will continue to lead the West Indies team in red ball format, confirms Ricky Skerrit. "The Test captain was changed a year ago from Jason Holder to Kraig Brathwaite. Only change is white ball to replace Pollard who has retired representing the West Indies", Skerrit said.  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-President US Tapeball Cricket, Aamir Siddiqui has revealed that the National Tapeball Cricket Championship will be held from August 12 to 14, 2022 at ICC Multi Sports Complex Houston, Texas. While talking to this reporter over his mobile on Wednesday, he further added that 16 teams would fight for the top honour during the three-day cricket championship. “Our mission is to bring the community together and promote healthy activity among the youth and adults and to promote & organize Tapeball cricket in North America too, “he maintained. Responding to a question, Aamir said the International Tapeball Cricket Council along with USA Tapeball cricket will stage the Tapeball World Cup next year 2023 in the United States of America (USA). “As many as eight teams will participate in the mega cricket event of the Taprball, “he further divulged. “We are thankful to all the teams, who are participating in the upcoming National Championship. Also teams will take part in the event from Canada. I am thankful to Nawaid Isa, owner ICCMC, Zahid Aslam from Washington DC, Ahmed Khan from California, Sauleh from Dallas, Adil Anis from Houston, Farrukh Siddiqui and Yasir Majid from Canada. Our legendary commentator Hassan Jalil will do the commentary for all the upcoming events, “he said. “USA Tapeball Cricket KAYI Winter Cup, Major League Tapeball and Texas Cup Tapeball Invitational tournaments are of our cricket season. 16 teams including Kayi Alps USA, Atlanta Stallions from Atlanta, Field Fighters from California, Baltimore Tigers from Maryland, Washington Capitals from Washington DC, Big 3 from New York, Afgan Tigers from Houston, Lodi Zalmi from California, Supreme All Stars from Virginia, GM Sports from Houston, Pakistan First from New York, Houston Stallions from Houston, 3A Pro Cricket from Florida, Thunderbolts from Dallas, Badshah from Houston and Ifty Sports from Canada will participate in the US National Tapeball Championship 2022, “he concluded.  

Sports Bulletin Report DUBAI (UEA):-Australia have increased their lead over second-placed India from one to nine rating points while Pakistan have overtaken England to fifth position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings following the annual update carried out today. Australia, who beat England 4-0 in a five-match home series in January, have moved from 119 to 128 rating points in the annual update that drops the 2018-19 season and reflects all series completed since May 2019. Series completed prior to May 2021 are now weighted at 50 per cent and subsequent series at 100 per cent. India have also gained a point to move to 119 while England have had the biggest decrease of nine points as their 4-1 series win over India in 2018 is now dropped from the rankings. England’s 88 rating points is their lowest since 1995. The England versus India series that began in 2021, will be included in the rankings once the final postponed Test is completed. South Africa have closed the gap with third-placed New Zealand from 13 points to just one point in the updated rankings that still contain 10 teams since Afghanistan and Ireland are yet to play enough Tests to be included in the rankings. In the updated ODI rankings, New Zealand remain on top but their lead over England is reduced from three to one point. The gap between England and third placed Australia has increased from seven to 17 points. Pakistan have moved past South Africa to fifth place while the United Arab Emirates are the biggest gainers, earning six rating points and advancing two places to 13th. India remain on top in T20Is, extending their lead over second-placed England from one to five points. South Africa and Australia have overtaken New Zealand, who are now in sixth place. Similarly, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are now ahead of Afghanistan (10th). The biggest rating improvement has been by Portugal, who have moved up five places to 45th in the latest update, in which the number of ranked teams has fallen from 91 to 72, as 19 teams have not played the required six rated matches since May 2019. Of the 19 teams to have lost their ranking, 11 still have a rating since they played some T20Is in the past three years. Mexico, Philippines and Isle of Man have played five matches so will regain their ranking when they play their next match, while France, Peru, Hungary, Samoa, Brazil, Chile and Turkey will regain their ranking after playing two more matches. Bhutan need to play four more matches to be ranked. Fiji, Costa Rica, Japan, South Korea, St Helena, China, Indonesia and Myanmar have not played since May 2019 and so have lost their rating.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatuinga is in India now. Late last week, he addressed about 200 Indian students in Mumbai. "I was invited by the former Indian spinner Nilesh Kulkurni to share my experience and knowledge with his students at the International Institute of Sports Management (IIMS)", the 58-year-old Ranatunga said exclusively over the telephone. "I spoke about the mind game and several other issues. It was like a motivational lecture".  "My 30-minute lecture was followed by a question and answer session, in which the students asked about how I handled Muralitharan's no-ball issue (1996, Australia tour). They were also keen to learn how such issues can make sure that the game is not distracted".      "The students were also told about discipline and attitude to be maintained. They have been guided to respect the elders and worship the parents, which is our old custom", added the former captain. Interestingly, Ranatunga also stated that the next time he visits this institute it would be as the President of Sri Lanka. Ranatunga will spend a few more days visiting Trivandrum, Cochin and Bangalore before returning to Sri Lanka.

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI (UAE):-The ICC Player of the Month nominees have been announced for April 2022 with strong men and women candidates getting nominated for their impressive performances. The ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist sees two stars of the showpiece finale of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand nominated for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month,  Alyssa Healy (Australia) and Nat Sciver (England). They are in the running to scoop the award alongside Janet Mbabazi (Uganda), who shone following dominant performances in the Capricorn Women’s Tri-series in Namibia. South African spin duo Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj are nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month after tormenting Bangladesh batters throughout their 2-0 victory in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series. Jatinder Singh of Oman completes the lineup for the men’s award thanks to his outstanding contributions with the bat in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 competition in the UAE. Alyssa Healy (Australia) Alyssa Healy celebrates her second nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award thanks to her masterful innings of 170 against England in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Final. This phenomenal display of power-hitting and control helped her set a new record for the highest score ever recorded at a World Cup Final, and was the driving force behind Australia claiming their seventh ODI crown. Victory here would also mean she becomes the second player to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award on two occasions, after being crowned back in April 2021. Janet Mbabazi (Uganda) Janet Mbabazi enjoyed a highly successful month in which she shone both with bat and ball. Representing her country in six T20Is as part of the Capricorn Women’s Tri-series, she took 11 wickets at an astonishing average of 7.81, while also amassing 118 runs on her way to becoming her side’s leading run-scorer, and the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. Her nomination means she is the first Ugandan to be shortlisted for the ICC Player of the Month. Nat Sciver (England) In response to Healy’s heroics in the first innings of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final 2022, Nat Sciver was instrumental in bringing England back into contention with a blistering 148* in Christchurch. Despite seeing her teammates fall at regular intervals, Sciver hit a truly memorable inning as her side fell short in the finale, including 15 fours and one maximum at a strike rate of 122.31. This is her second nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month, her first being back in February 2021. Simon Harmer (South Africa) The South African spinner was an integral part of the potent bowling attack that dominated Bangladesh in both of the ICC World Test Championship series matches taking place in Durban and Gqeberha. Harmer took 13 wickets at an average of 15.15, driving his side’s charge to victory by taking three or more wickets in each of the tourists’ four innings in the series. Harmer, alongside Maharaj, caused a constant threat to Bangladesh, who eventually succumbed by 220 and 332 runs. Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) So often the spearhead of the South African spin attack, Maharaj celebrates his nomination on the shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award after taking 16 wickets in the WTC series win over Bangladesh at an average of 12.12. Attacking in tandem with Simon Harmer, Maharaj took seven wickets on two separate occasions, both during the second innings where he ended with figures of 7 for 32 and 7 for 40. In addition to his bowling masterclass, he scored a useful 84 in the first innings at Gqeberha to help his side set an imposing total on their way to a 332-run victory. Jatinder Singh (Oman) Singh was instrumental at the crease for Oman in the highly competitive ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tournament in the UAE in April. Amassing 259 runs in his four ODIs at an average of 86.33, his two standout performances came in commanding victories over PNG (118* and 79) while also scoring a half-century in a narrow defeat against Scotland.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Navy man Nishantha de Silva as manager for the women's team for the forthcoming Pakistan tour. Nishantha has been working with the Navy as a Rear Admiral. He is the Director General Logistics Head of Logistics in the Navy.  Chamari Atapattu is likely to be the captain for Pak. tour. The team is likely to leave for Pakistan on May 20 and all six matches (three T-20Is and three ODIs) will be played from May 24 to June 5 at one venue (Southend Club) in Karachi.  Sri Lankan women's team is likely to be led by Chamari Atapattu, who, with Udeshika Prabodhani, are heading to UAE to participate in the first ever privately-funded FairBreak T-20 women's cricket event.  They will return to Sri Lanka on May 16 after playing in the event, which is scheduled to run from May 1-15 in Dubai.