Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Australia scored 232 for 5 runs on the first day of third Test match against hosts Pakistan at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Monday, Usman Kawaja played a responsible innings of 91 runs and missed his ton second time in the series. He was wasted his wicket on 9 in the first Test match at Pindi cricket Stadium. Shaheen Afridi started the day with a magical spell and got two wickets of visitor team, when they had only 8 score on the board. David Warner could score only 7 runs while Marnus Labuschagne went back to dressing room with a single run. Wicketkeeper Rizwan took his catch on the bowling of Afridi. Usman Kawaja and Steven Smith took the team’s total 146 after aggregating 138 runs for third wicket that stabilized the visitors’ position. Later, Nseem Shah got two wickets and spinner Sajid Khan grabbed and wicket. When the first day ended after 88 overs owing to poor light, Australia score was 232 for 5. Summarized Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 232 for 5 in 88 overs Usman Khawaja 91 runs (219 balls, 4X9, 6X1), Steven Smith 59 runs (169 balls, 4X6), Travis Head 26 runs (70balls, 4X4), Cameron Green 20 not out (48 balls, 4X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 39), Naseem Shah (2 for 36), Sajid Khan (1 for 65) PAKISTAN (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah AUSTRALIA (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon.  Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore                                                              Toss: Australia, elected to bat first Match Officials: Umpires: Ahsan Raza & Aleem Dar TV Umpire: Asif Yaqoob Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan beat the West Indies by eight wickets to earn a first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory since 2009 with a complete all-round performance. The West Indies were restricted to 89 from their 20 overs in a rain-shortened match as off-spinner Nida Dar took the best figures for Pakistan in a World Cup with four for 10, helping end an 18-match losing streak in the tournament. The last time Pakistan had won a match in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was also against the West Indies. The West Indies remain third on the points table with six points but have played six matches with only one more league match to go against South Africa on Thursday. Australia have already qualified with five straight wins while South Africa are second having won all their four matches so far. India, England and New Zealand are on four points each. Left-handed opener Muneeba Ali set up Pakistan’s run chase perfectly as the West Indies’ chances of qualifying for the semifinals suffered a bump. Muneeba, playing for the first time in the tournament, scored a brisk 37 and Omaima Sohail hit the winning runs much to the delight of her team-mates. The match got underway five hours later than scheduled after a herculean effort from the ground staff to clear the standing water, with Pakistan winning the toss and choosing to bowl. Diana Baig was targeted by Deandra Dottin, who took four fours off her in her first two overs, but Dottin did not have the same joy against Anam Amin, who conceded just six off her four. The West Indies’ leading run-scorer Hayley Matthews never got going as she was dismissed for one from seven balls off the bowling of Fatima Sana, Muneeba taking a good catch at backward point. Stafanie Taylor survived being dropped on nought but failed to find the boundary like Dottin, whose dismissal also signalled the end of the West Indies’ attacking intent. The first of Nida’s wickets was a crucial one as she held a low return catch to dismiss Dottin for 27 off 35 balls, before having Shemaine Campbelle stumped for seven to reduce the Windies to 46 for three with eight overs remaining. Pakistan kept chipping away with wickets at vital times, Omaima clean bowling Chedean Nation for a duck before Nida finished her record-breaking spell in style, dismissing Kycia Knight and Chinelle Henry in successive deliveries – Aliya Riaz taking two attempts at holding on to a catch on the long-on boundary to account for the latter. Nashra completed a team hat-trick as Taylor fell from the next ball of the innings, the captain departing for 18 runs from 31 deliveries, as Nashra took the catch. Afy Fletcher finished with a flourish, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Nashra as the Maroon Warriors searched for a competitive total. They ended on 89 for seven after 23 runs from the final two overs, though Pakistan sat safe in the knowledge that they had chased down 124 against the Windies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. Matthews started the defence with a maiden before being struck for back-to-back boundaries as Pakistan ended the four-over powerplay with 17 runs, two behind where the West Indies had been at the same stage. Sidra Amin, Pakistan’s centurion in the loss to Bangladesh, was the first to fall as she was bowled by Fletcher bowled her, spin continuing to do the damage in Hamilton. Muneeba, in her first World Cup game, matched her captain and batting partner Bismah Maroof for energy and composure as the pair rotated the strike expertly. A lapse in judgement saw Muneeba dismissed as having survived both a dropped catch and a run out chance off the previous ball, was caught by Dottin mistiming a big swing. Shakera Selman claimed the wicket as the opener was forced to depart for 37 from 43 balls, bringing an end to the 35-run partnership to leave Pakistan needing 33 runs in 46 balls. Bismah remained until the end and was there to celebrate with Omaima as she hit the winning runs to end 13 years of drought. Scores in brief Pakistan beat West Indies at Seddon Park, Hamilton by eight wickets West Indies 89/7 in 20.0 overs (Deandra Dottin 27, Stafanie Taylor 18; Nida Dar 4/10) Pakistan 90/2 in 18.5 overs (Muneeba Ali 37, Omaima Sohail 22 not out, Bismah Maroof 20 not out). Player of the Match: Nida Dar (Pakistan)    

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Defending champions England held on to beat New Zealand by one wicket to keep their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 hopes alive while all but ending the hosts’ hopes of making the semi-finals. New Zealand posted a below-par 203, losing their final eight wickets for 69 as Maddy Green ran out of partners on 52 not out. Injuries to Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu left the White Ferns without two senior players but their bowlers stepped up to push England all the way before Anya Shrubsole hit the winning runs. New Zealand were quick off the mark, benefitting from more wayward bowling by England’s opening seamers Katherine Brunt and Shrubsole as they reached 52 without loss by the end of the powerplay. Suzie Bates then departed for 22 from 36 balls as Kate Cross picked up her first wicket, the opener misdirecting a looping ball to Tammy Beaumont before Devine retired hurt on 37 from 42 balls with a back injury. England capitalised on that good fortune with runs hard to come by, Cross delivering the first maiden of the day. Spinner Charlie Dean continued her fine form as she got the wicket of Amelia Kerr, who had to go for 24 from 38 after Shrubsole held onto a catch at fine leg to leave New Zealand on 96 for two. After taking four wickets in the win over India, off-spinner Dean proved the difference again after breaking Amy Satterthwaite and Maddy Green’s promising partnership on 38. The 21-year-old trapped Satterthwaite LBW for 24 from 42, a review showing the ball just clipping the bails. Green’s fifty compensated for her running out Brooke Halliday as Nat Sciver’s fine fielding forced a breakthrough that sparked a collapse which saw New Zealand lose six wickets for 47 runs. Katey Martin went LBW before Tahuhu fell for a duck thanks to a fabulous one-handed catch from captain Heather Knight. Devine returned to the field but only added four runs to her total before holing out to Dean at long-on to leave New Zealand on 161 for seven with 10 overs remaining. Frances Mackay became the third LBW dismissal of the day when she was given out on review after making just one run. When Hannah Rowe went for five her side were 184 for nine and in danger of not making 200. Jess Kerr showed some late attacking intent until a miscommunication between her and Green saw her run out to bring the innings to a close on 203 with New Zealand failing to bat out their overs. England’s opening partnership had only put on 17 runs when Danni Wyatt was dismissed by a great take from Rowe who stretched out her arms as the ball flew over her head. Tahuhu finally got her length right off the final ball of her first over to dismiss Beaumont for 25 and leave England on 53 for two at the end of the powerplay. That scalp made Tahuhu the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in ODIs with 93, surpassing Aimee Watkins, but she then added to her side’s injury worries, with Devine unable to field, after being forced off with a hamstring issue. Knight built steadily with Sciver, always keeping England above the DLS par score with rain around, until she was given out LBW off the bowling of Mackay for 42. Halliday then took her maiden international wicket to dismiss Amy Jones for one from five balls when the wicketkeeper-batter sent the ball straight to stand-in captain Satterthwaite at mid-wicket. Sciver was joined by Sophia Dunkley and the pair patiently brough up their half-century stand off 64 balls as England moved within 50 of victory. But when Dunkley was clean-bowled by Mackay for 33 it sparked a collapse of five for 20 that almost cost them the game. Sciver was then dismissed by Jess Kerr for 61 to leave England on 187 for six with 6.4 overs remaining. Ecclestone went without scoring before Cross was given out LBW as Mackay earned career-best figures of 4-34, England slipping to 194 for eight. Brunt’s despairing dive failed to save her from being run out with eight still needed and New Zealand needing just one wicket to snatch victory. However, Shrubsole would get the job done, taking the time that her predecessors had failed to, before celebrating wildly as England just about held their nerve. England beat New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland by one wicket New Zealand 203 in 48.5 overs (Maddy Green 52 not out, Sophie Devine 41; Kate Cross 3/35, Sophie Ecclestone 3/41) England 204/9 in 47.2 overs (Nat Sciver 61, Heather Knight 42; Frances Mackay 4/34 , Jess Kerr 2/36) Player of the Match: Nat Sciver (England) 

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's former fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has been invited to teach the basics of (fast) bowling in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is learnt.   "We have invited him to upgrade the skills of the school boys to the next level and he will conduct the sessions at two schools-Sharjah English School (SES) and Delhi Private School (DPS), Vaas' friend Presley Polonnowita, who has played the game with Vaas, said exclusively over the telephone from Dubai. Interestingly, Presley Polonnowita, who has played First Class cricket and represented the country in U-18 as an all-rounder is the founder and the CEO of the Desert Clubs Cricket Academy, which is the largest in the Gulf region.  "We are serving close to 600 kids in four centers and the majority of boys will benefit with the knowledge and experience of legendary cricketer Vaas". "Vaas will conduct three sessions (each of 2.5 hours) for three days on April 1,2 & 3". Vaas and Presley share good friendship and have spent a lot of time together at India's MRF.   "This will be a great opportunity for the kids in the UAE to learn from Vaas", he signed off.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD:-Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees has rated the pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru that was used for the second Test between India and Sri Lanka as “below average” and the venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. Bangalore pitch IND v SL Srinath said: “The pitch offered a lot of turn on the first day itself and though it improved with every session, in my view, it was not an even contest between bat and ball.” Srinath’s report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-Pakistan and Australia cricket boards have mutually agreed to shift white-ball matches from Rawalpindi to Lahore on the dates as announced previously. The decision was made on Saturday morning following discussions between the two boards. This means the headquarters of Pakistan cricket will host the 29 March, 31 March and 2 April One-Day Internationals as well as the one-off Twenty20 International on 5 April at the back of the third Test, which commences on 21 March. The 50-over matches will start at 1500 local time, while the first ball in the 20-over match will be bowled at 2030 local time. Australia’s white-ball players, as originally planned, will arrive in Lahore on 24 March and after one-day room isolation, will integrate with other members of their side. Pakistan’s white-ball players are scheduled to assemble on 22 March and will resume training on 25 March. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. Top seven-placed sides from this event plus ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hosts India will qualify directly for the pinnacle 50-over competition, which will be staged next year in October/November. Australia are presently seventh and Pakistan ninth in the 13-team event, but a lot of 50-over cricket still needs to be played. Squads: Australia (ODI & T20I) - Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa Pakistan (ODI) – Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir Pakistan (T20I) – Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir    

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI (UAE):-Pakistan thrashed traditional rival India by 58 runs in the final of Triangular T-20 Blind Cricket Series at Skyland University Cricket Ground, Sharjah. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Nisar Ali and Mohammad Rashid opened the innings for Pakistan and the first wicket fell at the score of 75 runs when Rashid was retired out while Nisar Ali kept the run-rate over 8 runs per over and got out after scoring 70 runs off 51 balls. Badar Munir scored 63 runs off 25 balls. He smashed 5 sixes and 3 boundaries in his innings. Pakistan finished on 216 runs on the board for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs. Chasing the target of 217 runs, India lost 3 quick wickets in 2 overs for just 10 runs, thereafter Sunil played a splendid inning of 91 runs but wasn’t enough to take his side home. India made 158 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Badar Munir took 3 wickets for Pakistan. Result: Pakistan won by 58 runs Man of the Match: Badar Munir Man of the Series: B1: Riasat Khan (Pakistan) B2: Badar Munir (Pakistan) B3: Sunil Ramesh (India)    

BIBPIN DANI Dennis Lillee's leading tributes at the funeral on Thursday had mention of Bacchus for his departed wicket-keeper friend Rod Marsh. Interestingly, Bacchus Marsh is a town in Australia and there's a story exclusively described by Australia's award-winning journalist Peter Lalor on how the name Bacchus struck Marsh. "Once the players were making a trip to Ballarat with the team to play in a charity match. The train stopped in Bacchus Marsh and the great Rod (Marsh) needed to go to the toilet as they were having a few drinks on the trip. Rod had to leave the train and go into the station toilets". "He reportedly got locked in the toilet and the train went without him. Stuck in the Town where he knew no one he made his way down to the local pub “The court House” where he spent some time with the locals and told stories about cricket. A young man then offered him a lift to Ballarat in his new car. When arriving late to meet his team mates. He told his story and as he was stuck in Bacchus Marsh his teammates found it fitting to Nick Name home Bacchus Marsh", Lalor described the incident. 

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The West Indies recovered from a batting collapse to defeat Bangladesh by just four runs in Tauranga as the two sides played out a rollercoaster first ODI meeting of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. A defiant unbeaten 53 from Shemaine Campbelle saw the Windies recover from 70 for seven to post 140 as Bangladesh’s spinners suffocated the middle order. Afy Fletcher brought the West Indies back as she helped to reduce the opposition to 60 for five but Bangladesh battled back to take the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 league match to the final over before falling just short.  Deandra Dottin was the first to fall for 17 when she was caught behind off the bowling of Jahanara Alam who celebrated jubilantly before captain Nigar Sultana took a fantastic catch above her head to dismiss the other opener Hayley Matthews for 18. That gave Nahida Akter a wicket off her first ball before she conceded her first boundary to Rashada Williams, ominously it would be the last for 20 overs as Bangladesh turned the screw. Chedean Nation was run out for six off 37 balls thanks to a direct hit from Fargana before more maidens and wickets followed. Aaliyah Alleyne departed for a 12-ball duck, a review unable to save her from being given out LBW The pressure was temporarily eased when Campbelle sent a full and wide delivery for four, the first boundary for 124 balls, but Chinelle Henry was caught and bowled by Salma Khatun for a duck. Campbelle remained with 14 from 63 balls but it appeared that she may run out of partners with the West Indies on 70 for seven with 14.3 overs left. However, she shared a 32-run partnership with Fletcher, the pair rotating the strike well. Fletcher departed for 17 from 28 balls as Fahima Khatun got her hands to a low catch for Ritu Moni’s first wicket. While Salma safely negotiated the hat-trick ball, Bangladesh had slipped to 60 for five and Matthews then swung the game further towards the West Indies with her own double-wicket over. Nigar was out LBW for 25 from 77 before Fahima was bowled with a peach of a delivery, one of five ducks in the innings, as Matthews ended her ten overs with a career-best four for 15. Salma was dropped twice as she anchored Bangladesh’s resistance, but skipper Taylor saw the back of her for 23 to leave Bangladesh needing 31 off 41 with two wickets remaining. There was a break in play as Shamilia Connell received treatment after collapsing before being helped from the field, and when the action resumed Nahida put Bangladesh within touching distance before Fariha Trisna chopped on off Taylor as the West Indies became the first side to defend 140 or less in five years. Scores in brief West Indies beat Bangladesh at Bay Oval, Tauranga by four runs West Indies 140/9 in 50.0 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 53 not out, Hayley Matthews 18; Salma Khatun 2/23, Nahida Akter 2/23) Bangladesh 136 all out in 49.3 overs (Nahida Akter 25 not out, Nigar Sultana 25; Hayley Matthews 4/15, Afy Fletcher 3/29, Stafanie Taylor 3/29) Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

Sports Bulletin Report SHARJAH:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Team thrashed Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the 6th match of the Triangular T-20 Blind Cricket Tournament at Skyland University Cricket Ground, Sharjah on Friday. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to only 99 for 9 runs in the stipulated 20 overs.  Sahidul Islam was the main scorer with 23 runs off 26 Balls while Mohammad Mohsen Hussain chipped in with 17 runs off 29 balls. For Pakistan, Mohsin Khan got 2 wickets and Anees Javed claimed 1 wicket. In reply, Pakistan chased the target of 100 runs with ease in just 10.5 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Mohsin Khan was the star with the bat as well, he scored 35 off 25 Balls and Riasat Khan made 28 runs off 13 balls. Arif Ullah took 1 wicket for Bangladesh. Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets Man of the Match: Mohsin Khan