Sports Bulletin

BIPIN DANI Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board will personally supervise, guide and monitor the fitness and skin fold level of Bhanuka Rajapaksa. The 30-year-old top order batter has missed the selection of the India tour after being found to have an excessive skin fold on his body.    Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, Prof. Arjuna said, "I am a big fan of Bhanuka and will take all possible measures to ensure that he retains his fitness as per normal standard any international athlete should have".  Last week, the fans protested at the SLC headquarter to include him in the side. "There is no time (to make him fit) to join the squad in India but he (Bhanuka) is a player, whom we can rely on for the World Cup and will surely work with his fitness from now onwards". Even the sports minister Naman Rajapaksha has also hinted at these lines. "The excessive skin fold can be hereditary but we cannot have an exception for one player. It is also unfair". Bhanuka's fitness test was recently done and skinfold calipers were used just like everyone else. Unfortunately, he did not meet the minimum standard required. "Fitness does not guarantee success but it does help with intensity at which one can play and perform continuously. Less fat amounts to less injuries". "Excessive fat is only useful in Sumo Wrestling, where an athlete can't be pushed out of the ring easily", Prof. de Silva concluded.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja has paid a glowing tribute to the Pakistan cricket fans when he credited them for the phenomenal success of HBL Pakistan Super League 7, which culminated on Sunday with Lahore Qalandars winning their maiden title at the Gaddafi Stadium. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “There is no doubt that the HBL Pakistan Super League 7 has been a phenomenal success and this is largely due to the fact that we had amazing crowds, both in Karachi and Lahore. In my professional career, I have never seen such charged up, overwhelming, enthusiastic, lively and supportive crowds, particularly in Lahore. “On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I thank all the fans who crossed the turnstiles to not only play their significant part in the success of HBL PSL 7, but through our high-definition production showcased Pakistan as a cricket passionate country. “I would like to thank our sponsors, players, franchises, the medical team, law enforcing agencies, local and provisional administrations, commentators and crew members, and ground staff for their untiring efforts, as well as millions watching on television all around the world who made this HBL PSL a memorable spectacle. “HBL PSL 7 profits jumped to 71 percent, the most in its history, with each franchise earning around PKR900million, again the most in HBL PSL’s history, and all before the first ball was even bowled. “For next year, we aspire to take this league to the homes of all franchises and broaden its fan-reach.”

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Pakistan Blind Cricket team defeated South Africa by a big margin of 249 runs in the 1st One Day International match of three-match tie at Southend Cricket Stadium Karachi on Monday. South African Blind Cricket Team won the toss and decided to bowl first. Four players from Pakistan and three players from South Africa made One-Day International debut for their sides. Debutant Faisal Mehmood and Ahtesham ul Haq opened the innings from Pakistan and made 108 runs in the first wicket partnership. Mohammad Salman B1 attacked on opponents bowlers, as both Salman and Ahtesham hit centuries and put Pakistan into a formidable position, they scored 132 and 122 runs respectively. Shahzaib Hayder played a brisk inning of 118 runs off 56 balls and took Pakistan's score to 473 runs in stipulated 40 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Lwande Bhidla took 2 wickets for South Africa. In reply, chasing the huge target of 474 runs, South Africa lost early wickets and Pakistan bowling ran through the Proteas top and middle order by taking 6 wickets at mere 69 runs. Lwande Bhidla and Buhle Bidla tried to rescue and knitted a partnership of 103 runs for 7th wicket but wasn’t enough to take South Africa home. South Africa was bowled out at 224 runs in 38.4 overs. Lwande Bhidla was the star in the batting as well with 44 runs and Bhule Bidla scored 40 runs. Muhammad Shahzaib was the pick amongst the bowlers for Pakistan by taking 3 wickets, while Mohammad Salman, Shahzaib Haider, Mohsin Khan and Akmal Hayyat claimed a wicket apiece. Akhtar Anayat Bhugri, Secretary Sports Sindh was the chief guest of the occasion and distributed prizes, he was accompanied by Syed Sultan Shah Chairman PBCC. Result: Pakistan won by 249 runs Man of the Match: Mohammad Salman.

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has sent the Under-19 coach Avishka Gunawardene to train members of the senior national Test players in India, it is learnt. According to highly placed sources, Avishka Gunawardene has travelled with a few Test players (who were not part of the T-20I squad) to India. "They were not sent to Lucknow or Dharamshala where the T-20Is were played but have directly reached Mohali", one of the sources in the PCA (Punjab Cricket Association) confirmed. Former left-handed batsman Gunawardene is not a part of the official squad and is likely to return before the Test series begins early next month. "He has been sent to train the Test players ahead of the two Test matches. Once the full squad reaches Mohali (on Monday) after the 3rd T-20I is over on Sunday night, the coaching staff will take charge of the Test team", the source in the SLC, said. Sri Lanka is scheduled to play two Test matches in Mohali (March 4-8) and Bangalore (Match 12-16). Avishka was also coaching the Test probables in Colombo before the final squad was picked. He will take charge of the junior boys on his return from India. 

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Christchurch:-Half-centuries from Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar handed Pakistan a four-wicket win over hosts New Zealand in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln. Aliya smashed unbeaten 62 off 52 (eight fours) and Nida struck 54 off 59 (four fours) as the two contributed crucial 99 runs for the sixth wicket after Pakistan found themselves in a spot of bother with five wickets down for 119, chasing 230. The other notable performances with the bat came from opener Sidra Amin (34 off 47), Omaima Sohail (31 off 34) and captain Bismah Maroof (28 off 58). Aliya and Nida were Pakistan’s top run scorers in ODIs in 2021. Left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu accounted for four White Ferns batters as she returned four for 32 in 10 overs and Fatima Sana and Ghulam Fatima picked up two wickets each after Bismah chose to field after calling the toss right. New Zealand were bowled out for 229 in 45 overs. Pakistan play their second and final warm-up against Bangladesh on 2 March, before they fly to Tauranga, where they will open their World Cup campaign on 6 March with the match against India. Scores in brief: New Zealand 229 all out, 45 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 80, Maddy Green 58; Nashra Sandhu 4-32, Fatima Sana 2-38, Ghulam Fatima 2-44) Pakistan 233 for 6, 49.2 overs (Aliya Riaz 62 not out, Nida Dar 54, Sidra Amin 34, Omaima Sohail 31, Bismah Maroof 28; Jess Kerr 2-30).     

Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has handed out 100 contracts to junior cricketers between 13 and 19 years age bracket as part of PCB’s Junior Development Programme. Alongside the financial support, the PCB will be investing in these youngsters to develop their complete personality, including cricketing skills and providing education to them. With the contracts coming into effect the 100 contracted players will be earning monthly retainers of PKR 30,000 each. Under-19 players for junior contracts: Aaliyan Mehmood (Sindh), Abbas Ali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdul Faseeh (Northern), Abdul Rehman (Sindh), Adeel Meo (Sindh), Adil Naz (Northern), Afaq Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ahmed Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ali Asfand (Central Punjab), Arafat Ahmed (Southern Punjab), Arham Nawab (Central Punjab), Asif Ali (Sindh), Aun Shehzad (Southern Punjab), Aurangzaib (Balochistan), Awais Abbas (Southern Punjab), Awais Ali (Central Punjab), Azan Awais (Central Punjab), Basit Ali (Balochistan), Ch Shujah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Faisal Akram (Southern Punjab), Ghazi Ghori (Sindh), Habibullah (Sindh), Hafiz Usman Nadeem (Central Punjab), Haseebullah (Balochistan), Hasnat Abbas (Central Punjab), Husnain Majid (Southern Punjab), Irfan Khan Niazi (Central Punjab), Jahandad Khan (Northern), Kabir Raj (Balochistan), Kashif Ali (Sindh), Khawaja Mohammad Hafeez (Sindh), Maaz Sadaqat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mehran Mumtaz (Northern), Mohammad Danish (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Ismail (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Shehzad (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Umar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Waqas (Central Punjab), Mohammad Zahid (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Zeeshan (Central Punjab), Mubashir Nawaz (Sindh), Rizwan Ahmed (Balochistan), Rizwan Mehmood (Sindh), Sajjad Ali (Balochistan), Shahwaiz Irfan Ullah (Central Punjab), Shamraiz Khan (Balochistan), Shamyl Hussain (Northern), Wahaj Riaz (Sindh), Zeeshan Zameer (Sindh) and Zubair Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Special talent - nominated category: Ali Raza (Central Punjab U16), Faizan Saleem (Northern U19), Farhan Yousaf (Central Punjab U16), Ibrar Afzal (Central Punjab), Momin Qamar (Central Punjab U16), Muneeb Wasif (Central Punjab U19), Raza Ul Mustafa (Northern U19), Tahir Hussain (Southern Punjab U19), Talha Ihsan (Sindh U19) and Usman Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16) Under-16 players for junior contracts: Adeel Mushtaq (Southern Punjab Blues), Adil Waheed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Afkar Durrani (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ahmed Hussain (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues), Ali Hamza (Central Punjab), Ali Hasnain Badshah (Southern Punjab), Ali Hassan Baloch (Central Punjab), Amir Hassan (Northern), Awais Raheem (Sindh), Haroon Arshad (Sindh), Inamullah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Ansarullah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haroon (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Nabeel (Northern), Mohammad Shoaib (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Tayyab Arif (Central Punjab Whites), Mohammad Usman (Central Punjab), Mohammad Zubair (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Riazullah Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saad Masood (Northern), Salman Ahmed (Southern Punjab), Shahmir Nisar Khan (Northern), Ubaid Shahid (Central Punjab), Usman Ghani (Balochistan) and Yahya Shah (Sindh) Under-13 players for junior contracts Abdul Rehman (Southern Punjab), Ahsan Khan (Sindh), Akbar Ali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Faizan Riasat (Southern Punjab), Hasnain Abbas (Central Punjab), Junaid Khan Khalil (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khan Wali (Balochistan), Maaz Ahmed (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Ali Sabir (Central Punjab), Mohammad Azan (Sindh), Mohammad Sohaib (Northern), Mohammad Umar (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Yousaf (Northern), Taj Mohammad (Central Punjab) and Zain Ul Abideen (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Players already having a domestic contract (will become part of this program, in addition to 100 players) Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Balochistan), Mohammad Huraira (Central Punjab), Mubasir Khan (Northern), Qasim Akram (Central Punjab) and Saim Ayub (Sindh)                                                                                                

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Iftikhar Ahmed and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Junior have been included in Pakistan’s Test squad for the first match of the three-match series against Australia. The two have replaced Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali who have been ruled out of the Rawalpindi Test (first of the series) due to injuries. Both Iftikhar and Wasim (chosen due to their all-round ability) will reach Islamabad tonight and start their three-day isolation at the team hotel after which they will join the rest of the squad after clearing covid tests. Faheem and Hasan will rejoin the squad in the coming week and after completing their three-day mandatory isolation integrate with the rest of the squad during the first Test, both are expected to regain full fitness before the second Test that will be played in Karachi 12-16 March. 15-player squad: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Zahid Mahmood (Sindh) Test schedule: 1st Test, March 4 to 8, 2022 at Rawalpindi 2nd Test, March 12 to 16, 2022 at Karachi 3rd Test, March 21 to 25, 2022 at Lahore

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Pakistan and Australia will play the first of the three ICC World Test Championship Tests in Rawalpindi March 4 to 8, 2022. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized for practice and media activities for the players of both teams till the end of first Test match on March 8 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. Sunday, 27 February 10.00am PKT/4.00pm AEDT: Pat Cummins arrival online presser 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Monday, 28 February 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Usman Khawaja online presser 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Tuesday, 1 March 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Steve Smith online presser 11.15amPKT/5.15pm AEDT: Pat Cummins and Pakistan captain Babar Azam will unveil the series trophy at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a vision-only opportunity 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Wednesday, 2 March 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Nathan Lyon online presser 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Thursday, 3 March 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Pat Cummins pre-match online presser 10am PKT/4pm AEDT: Babar Azam pre-match online presser. 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Friday, 4 March 8:30am PKT: PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, CA CEO Nick Hockley and ACA Todd Greenberg will address a media conference in the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium media conference room. Test match 4-8 March Post-play: Media opportunities with a player/coach from either side

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-After the HBL PSL 7, Pakistan Cup also provides a great opportunity to young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills to get a chance to represent Pakistan in white-ball series against Australia. Pakistan Cup is all set to commence from 2 March in four cities – Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore and Multan. The tournament will be held on a double-league basis from 2 March and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led by Iftikhar Ahmed will look to defend the title when they take on Raza Ali Dar led Central Punjab at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Test leg-spinner Yasir Shah will lead Balochistan, while another leg-spinner and all-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Northern. Test fast bowler Mir Hamza will lead Sindh which will meet Salman Ali Agha’s Southern Punjab on the opening day at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The tournament carries nearly PKR10million in prize money. The tournament winners will bag PKR5million, while the runners-up will receive PKR2.5million. Balochistan: Yasir Shah (Captain), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Akif Javed, Ammad Butt, Asad Shafiq, Ayaz Tasawar, Azeem Ghumman, Bismillah Khan (WK), Haseebullah Khan (WK), Imran Butt, Jalat Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Saad, Mohammad Shahid and Taj Wali Central Punjab: Raza Ali Dar (Captain), Ahmed Shahzad, Awais Ali, Hussain Talat, Imran Dogar, Muhammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Jnr., Nisar Ahmed, Qasim Akram, Rizwan Hussain, Saad Nasim, Umar Akmal, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz and Zafar Gohar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Iftikhar Ahmed (Captain), Aamer Azmat, Adil Amin, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan Jnr., Imran Khan Snr, Irfanullah Shah, Khalid Usman, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Sarwar, Sahibzada Farhan, Sameen Gul, Waqar Ahmed and Wasim Jnr. Northern: Shadab Khan (Captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Imran, Asif Ali, Ather Mehmood, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Huraira, Musa Khan, Nasir Nawaz, Rohail Nazir (WK), Salman Irshad, Umar Amin and Zaman Khan Sindh: Mir Hamza (Captain), Omair Bin Yousaf, Abrar Ahmed, Ahsan Ali, Ammad Alam, Asif Mehmood, Danish Aziz, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Hasan (WK), Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Umar, Saad Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sharjeel Khan and Sohail Khan Southern Punjab: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Aamir Yamin, Abbas Afridi, Ali Majid, Azam Khan (WK), Faisal Akram, Hassan Khan, Imran Randhawa, Khushdil Shah, Rahat Ali, Sharoon Siraj, Sohaib Maqsood, Tayyab Tahir, Zain Abbas, Zeeshan Ashraf (WK) and Zia-ul-Haq.

Knight was speaking on the second day of the captains’ opening media conferences, with the skippers of New Zealand, India and Bangladesh also interacting with the media on Saturday. The 2017 winners will take on Australia in their opening match on March 5 in Hamilton and Knight believes it is Australia who head in as the team to beat. “I think five years is quite a long time in international cricket and obviously Australia have been the outstanding team throughout that period and naturally, deservedly they go in as favourites,” she said. “I don't think it [being defending champions] hangs heavy at all on our shoulders. I think the tournament we had in 2017 will give a lot of the players confidence that they can deal with the ebbs and flows of the tournament and know how to be successful in World Cups. “We'll be trying to take experience from that and we're not too worried about having the tag of obviously being reigning champions.” England will still be hoping to keep a hold of the trophy come the final in Christchurch on 3 April and have been working to be at their best for this tournament. Knight added: “Naturally the team evolves in World Cup cycles. I think the last couple of years with Lisa [Keightley, head coach] coming in, the changes we've made as a bowling unit. We've really tried to be a little bit more aggressive, a little bit more attacking, look to take wickets particularly up front and through that middle phase. “You're just trying to get your players together that are going to be successful during those five years preparing for a World Cup...In the last couple of years before a World Cup, you are trying to really build to peak at that time.” New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine is under a different sort of pressure as she leads her team at a home World Cup, including the opening match against the West Indies on 4 March. Devine and her WHITE FERNS teammates are inspired by the New Zealand teams of the past as they go in search of silverware. She said: “We know if we play a really exciting brand of cricket that we can get the whole country behind. That's going to leave a legacy. “I think it's something that the BLACKCAPS did particularly well in 2015. They really did have the whole country behind them and we're hoping we can do something similar in igniting the passion that so many Kiwis have for their sport and hopefully they can get behind us as well.” The last time New Zealand hosted a Women’s World Cup they came away champions, and Devine has fond memories of the 2000 triumph. “That was probably one of the first times I'd watched women's cricket on TV and it's not a bad one to watch,” Devine said. “There's a number of us players that were inspired by those players who played in that tournament and it's pretty incredible to think now here we are, some 20 odd years later, hosting our own World Cup tournament with the opportunity to hopefully replicate what they did back in 2000.” As India captain Mithali Raj prepares for a record sixth appearance at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she is looking to the future. Mithali Raj said: “The talent that we've got in the last year, we've tried some young talent in the squad, and most of them have shown that they have the ability to play at this level like Richa [Ghosh], Shafali [Verma], we have Meghna Singh in the seamers, Pooja Vastrakar. “They all have been given good game time and those series have really helped them and me as a captain to find out where they fit in into the composition of the team. “As far as me personally, I am happy with the way that I've been scoring runs, and I would love to continue the form into the World Cup.” With her vast experience at World Cups, the India captain has also been passing on her wisdom to those set to make their debut. “The young talent in the side today, I tell them that you don't have the experience of the past World Cups, so it's a clean slate for you, all you have to do is enjoy the big stage.,” she explained. “I did have a word with Yastika [Bhatia] the other day, I took her out for a coffee and we've spoken quite a bit, she’s a chatty kid and asked me a lot of questions. “The only advice I would tell the young players is enjoy the big stage because if you pile up the pressure you may not be playing the best that the team and you would want to do in the World Cup.” The whole of the Bangladesh side will make their debuts at a one-day World Cup as 2022 marks the country’s first appearance. For captain Nigar Sultana and her team, it is a chance to put their practice to good use. She said: “I think this is a big opportunity for all of us. We've been working so hard for this and this is our first ever World Cup. I think if we could do well here, it will be a great moment in Bangladesh cricket. We came a bit early just because we wanted to assess the wickets and the conditions because we have never played here in New Zealand conditions. “So, we have had a lot of quality practice sessions here, we are trying to assess the wicket and in the conditions, I think our girls have done very well.” Sultana has also been able to call on the knowledge of the Bangladesh men’s side, which played in New Zealand earlier this year. She revealed: “We do have some good relations with some of the players so they shared a lot of experience about the condition and how we're going to the play here. I think it is going to help us in the practice matches and the main matches as well.”