Sports Bulletin

Javed Iqbal KARACHI:-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director High Performance Nadeem Khan visited Naya Nazimabad Cricket Stadium on the instructions of PCB Chairman Rameez Raja on Sunday and reviewed the available facilities. He was welcomed by Syed Mohammad Talha, President, Naya Nazimabad Gymkhana and Mohammad Asif, Manager Sports. Nadeem Khan inspected the various parts of the cricket stadium. On this occasion, Syed Mohammad Talha briefed them. He told Nadeem Khan that there were five pitches in the green ground with flood lights. “The pitches for the net practice are different. The pavilion will have a seating capacity of 10,000 spectators. The stadium is nearing completion with a world-class dressing room, fitness gym, swimming pool and 56-room five-star hotel, “he added. Syed Mohammad Talha said: “Chairman Arif Habib is a man who loves sports and that is why he is building Naya Nazimabad as a sports city. The new Nazimabad city will be a hub for the promotion of sports.”  Nadeem Khan expressed satisfaction over the facilities at the stadium. He said that the Naya Nazimabad Cricket Stadium was a beautiful addition to the city. The stadium would gradually host domestic and international cricket matches next season as soon as the ICC requirements were met.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABADIndia beat England by four wickets to win their fifth ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. The two unbeaten sides met at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda as England went in search of only their second title, but it was India who extended their record of most tournament wins. Raj Bawa took five for 31 as England lost wickets early in their innings before 95 from James Rew restored hope in the push for a first trophy since 1998. It was not to be as both Shaik Rasheed and Nishant Sindhu made fifties before Dinesh Bana crashed back-to-back sixes to seal the win. India dominate England to add another trophy to their cabinet England won the toss and chose to bat with their second-highest run-scorer Jacob Bethell alongside George Thomas who had made a courageous 52 in their semi-final win over Afghanistan. It was a shaky start for Bethell who survived an appeal for caught behind in the second over but fell three balls later as he was dismissed leg before wicket by Ravi Kumar for two. Captain Tom Prest came in at number three but could not add to his 292 runs as he went for a four-ball duck, England’s first of the tournament. Thomas was not deterred by the loss of two of his side’s key wickets as he played attractive strokes and earned a brief reprieve having been dropped on 26. But he too got out before he could have any real impact, caught by Yash Dhull off the bowling of Raj Bawa for 27. James Rew of England plays the ball through midwicket during the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup Final match between England and India at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on February 05, 2022 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda. It was left to James Sales to work with Rew to put on England’s highest stand of their innings, adding 93 runs to the total before Rew cruelly missed out on his century. He was caught by Kaushal Tambe for 95 from 116 balls having hit 12 sixes and almost singlehandedly given England a fighting chance. Sales was left stranded on 34 not out as the tail wagged – England were all out for 189 from 44.5 overs as Bawa claimed five for 31, with Kumar almost equally as impressive with four for 34. India’s chase of their modest target got off to the worst possible start as Angkrish Raghuvanshi was caught behind for a second-ball duck, with the right-hander unable to move past Prest to the third-highest run-scorer in the competition. The Men in Blue were able to score at a sedate rate, with Harnoor Singh adding 21 from 46 balls before he too was caught behind. Shaik Rasheed and Dhull looked to repeat their 204-run partnership they put on against Australia in the semi-final, as Rasheed brought up his fifty from 83 balls. However, Sales and Rew combined again this time to dismiss the right-hander with the very next delivery. England detected a chink in the Indian armour, and in Sales’ next over Dhull was caught by George Bell who wheeled away in celebration knowing two new batters were at the crease. However, Nishant Sindhu and Bawa, who has the highest individual score of the tournament with 162 not out, moved India to 164 before Bawa became the fifth wicket to fall. It was going to take something special to defeat India even now as the required runs ticked down to 14 from 23 balls. And something special did arrive, Rehan Ahmed sticking out a hand to stop a near-certain maximum and dismiss Tambe to leave India on 176 for six. But with Sindhu at the crease, England’s task always seemed difficult, he crashed four runs to relieve the pressure England had been building before taking a single to bring up his first half-century in international cricket. Dinesh Bana was in the mood to get the trophy in his hands as early as possible smashing a six off his toes to bring the scores level. Another six followed in the next ball as Bana's teammates raced onto the pitch before the ball had even crossed the rope, knowing victory and the trophy was theirs. ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 placings 1 - India 2 - England 3 - Australia 4 - Afghanistan 5 - Pakistan 6 - Sri Lanka 7 - South Africa 8 - Bangladesh 9 – United Arab Emirates 10 – Ireland 11 – West Indies 12 – Zimbabwe 13 – Uganda 14 – Scotland 15 – Canada 16 – PNG

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Australia men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan got a big thumbs-up from compatriots Ben Dunk and James Faulkner, who said the visitors will enjoy the atmosphere, the fanatic fans and a quality  opposition during their tour for three Tests, three ODIs and a one-off T20I from 4 March to 5 April. “I’ve been fortunate enough to speak to a few of the guys who are planning on coming over here. It’s certainly different to what we are used to at home. But, it’s important that cricket does come back to Pakistan and you get to play at home like you play away. “So, for the boys that are coming out, I think they can expect to a population that loves cricket and good performances, whether they're from the home team or the away team. It would just be an amazing thing for world cricket,” Dunk, who played five T20Is for Australia and a Lahore Qalandars’ regular, told PCB digital. Faulkner, who played a Test, 69 ODIs and 24 T20Is for Australia and is presently representing Quetta Gladiators in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022, backed Dunk when he said: “I'm excited to watch Australia play Pakistan. “There are going to be challenging wickets in the Test matches to feature two very good teams.  I am sure the Australian players are going to be tested and will enjoy playing against some quality players. “It has been a long time since Australia came to Pakistan. In fact, it was probably the same year I came over for an under-19 trip when I was 17. I think it is important for cricket to be back in Pakistan, hence, why I’m here as well. I have traveled all around the world, so there is no exception for me not to come here.” On Friday, the CA Board approved their national men’s team’s first tour of Pakistan in 24 years, while a day before on Thursday, Test captain Pat Cummins confirmed most players were comfortable with the tour going ahead. “I think it’s great for cricket in general. Having played here in Pakistan for almost four years, I've got to experience a bit of the culture. “Certainly before COVID, the crowds and the atmosphere that would flood into our games. So, I'm hoping the COVID situation allows as many fans to get into the grounds as possible because I think it would be a really amazing atmosphere for a lot of the Australian players to experience,” Dunk said. Dunk echoed Faulkner’s views and agreed major Test playing nations needed to do more to ensure the smaller nations get enough Test cricket to survive and grow. “It’s hugely important that some of the more established Test playing nations lift their weight and help out the other Test playing nations that aren’t as fortunate. We’re seeing quite often around the world that some of the smaller Test playing nations aren't getting enough cricket to survive.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Southern Punjab Blues defeated Northern Blues by five wickets to top Group B and qualify for Monday’s final in the National U16 Cup against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Whites, which had topped Group A on Friday. Southern Punjab not only needed to beat Northern but also had to improve their net run-rate. And they achieved both with success as they first dismissed Norrhern for 190 and then achieved the target for the loss of five wickets in 43.3 overs. This meant Southern Punjab finished with a net run-rate of 0.93, while Northern ended with a net run-rate of 0.78. The stars of Southern Punjab’s win were Mohammad Jansher, who took four for 40, and batters Sameeer Akhtar (45), Zain Arshad (41) and Mohammad Saqib (35 not out). For Northern, Mohammad Bilal was the top scorer with 58, while Syed Ali Mehdi scored 53. With the ball. Mohammad Nabeel took three for 38. At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Farhan Yousuf scored 84 not out with 12 fours and a six as Central Punjab Blues achieved the 172-run target in 33.3 overs to defeat Sindh Blues by seven wickets. The result meant Central Punjab finished third with five wins, while Sindh finished with two wins in fourth place. Sindh Blues’ 171 for seven revolved around Syed Yahya Shah and Sufyan Usmani, who scored 66 and 51, respectively. Mohammad Usman took two for 38. At the Divisional Sports Ground, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues defeated Balochistan Blues by 108 runs. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finished fifth, while Balochistan Blues remained winless in the tournament. Batting first Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were all out for 195 in 45 overs with Shahzaib Khan top-scoring with 59, Usman Khan contributing 29 and Mian Yousuf Shah chipping in 28. Talha Shakir, Bakhtiyar, Syed Yasir Shah and Anees Khan took two wickets each. In turn, Balochistan Blues were dismissed for 89 in 22.1 overs with Abdul Saboor top-scoring with 46. Ahmed Hussain was the most successful bowler with four for 19, while Mohammad Ubaidullah took three for 11. Scores in brief: Southern Punjab Blues beat Northern Blues by five wickets at MCC Cricket ground Northern Blues 190 all out, 45 overs (Mohammad Bilal 58, Syed Ali Mehdi 53, Mohammad Jansher 4-30, Inamullah 2-13, Salman Ahmed 2-46) Southern Punjab Blues 192-5, 43.3 overs (Sameer Akhtar 45, Zain Arshad 41, Mohammad Saqib 35 not out, Sameer Ahmed 22; Mohammad Nabeel 3-38) Central Punjab Blues beat Sindh Blues by seven wickets at Multan Cricket Stadium Sindh Blues 171 for seven, 42 overs (Syed Yahya Shah 66, Sufyan Usmani 51, Saifullah Khan 21; Mohammad Usman 2-38) Central Punjab Blues 173-3, 33.3 overs (Farhan Yousuf 84 not out, Mohammad Areeb 34 not out; Mawaz Zahid 2-33) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues beat Balochistan Blues by 108 runs at Divisional Sports Complex, Multan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues 197 all out, 45 overs (Shahzaib Khan 59, Usman Khan 29, Mian Yousuf Shah 28; Talha Shakir 2-25, Bakhtiyar 2-31, Syed Yasir Shah 2-34, Anees Khan 2-38) Balochistan Blues 89 all out, 22.1 overs (Abdul Saboor 46; Ahmed Hussain 4-19, Mohammad Ubaidullah 3-11)

Jamil Siraj CANBERRA (Australia):-Cricket Australia (CA) has accepted men’s team head coach Justin Langer’s resignation, as he (Justin) was offered a short-term extension to his current contract, which sadly he has opted not to accept. CA would like to thank Justin for his outstanding leadership since he became Australian men’s team coach in 2018 and for guiding the team to the T20 World Cup title last year and the 4-0 Ashes victory. Justin is not only a legend of the game but an outstanding individual. The contract extension offered to Justin was the result of a thorough review process that evaluated many factors including future requirements of the team and the upcoming extensive schedule of fixtures. The extension was approved by the CA Board and was put to Justin last night. It included the opportunity to defend the T20 World Cup title in Australia at the end of this year. Justin informed CA this morning he was not accepting the offer and would resign with immediate effect. Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “Justin has been an outstanding coach of the Australian men’s team over the past four years.  “He has restored the trust in the team and his legacy is assured. “We are extremely proud of his achievements since he took over in 2018, including the recent T20 World Cup victory and Ashes success. “We are naturally disappointed Justin has decided against continuing as coach but respect his decision and wish him all the best in the future. “I would like to sincerely thank Justin and also his family for all that they have given to Australian cricket over the past four years, for which we remain eternally grateful.” Andrew McDonald has been appointed as interim head coach.

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's Under-19 captain Dunith Wellalage is being criticized for inviting Pakistan to bat first, but it was not his sole decision, it is learnt. "It was decided in the team meeting to field first if the toss is won", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone said after the match, which Pak team won comfortably. "Mahela Jayawardene was not a part of this decision", the source also confirmed. "Mahela, the consultant, left for Colombo a few days before. He has so many other things to do", the source added. "One of his main tasks is to fill the coaching vacancies for various teams". Former Sri Lankan cricketer Naveed Nawaz is likely to be the key contender. The 48-year-old Naveed, who played one Test and three ODIs is a coach for the Bangladesh U-19 team and was already interviewed. "He was invited by the team management for a meal when Mahela was in the West Indies. However, no proper discussion on his appointment took place in the presence of other coaching staff and Sri Lankan commentator Russel Arnold and the match referee-Graham Labrooy were also present", the source further added.  Sri Lanka's U-19 team was originally booked to leave for Colombo on 6th February, however, the team management is awaiting the ICC plan for a pre-boned departure by a day, it is learnt.   According to the sources in the Caribbean Islands, if the bookings and seats are available in British Airways flight for 5th February the team may not wait there to watch India's final against England on Saturday. The team is scheduled to arrive in Colombo from Antigua via Gatwick and Doha.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-A fine all-round performance from Nivethan Radhakrishnan fired Australia to third place in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup with a two-wicket win over Afghanistan. The ambidextrous all-rounder took three for 31 to limit Afghanistan to 201 all out batting first, before notching a half-century in the chase. Australia were made to sweat but eventually snuck home with five balls to spare. Afghanistan, hoping to better their previous best result in this tournament – fourth in 2018, won the toss and elected to bat at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda. However two early wickets for William Salzmann (3-43), removing Nangeyalia Kharote and Allah Noor, reduced Afghanistan to 15 for two. Mohammad Ishaq (34) and skipper Suliman Shafi (37) started to rebuild, adding 70 before the former was run out by Salzmann, the latter falling three balls later to Radhakrishnan. Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai took up the baton, making 81 as wickets continued to tumble around him, before becoming the ninth man to fall as Salzmann’s final victim with the score on 201. Skipper Cooper Connolly (2-30) finished off the innings with his second wicket in the final over, leaving Australia with a manageable chase as they were set 202 to win. Campbell Kellaway (51) and Teague Wyllie (13) put on a half-century stand for the first wicket before the latter was bowled by Nangeyalia to bring Radhakrishnan to the crease. He and Kellaway added another 60 before a little wobble as Noor Ahmad removed both Kellaway and Connolly in quick succession. Isaac Higgins joined Radhakrishnan, scoring 11 in a 40-run partnership, but when both were dismissed with 35 still required, a few nerves started to appear. Lachlan Shaw (13) and Corey Miller (13) then added 26 to take Australia to the brink before three quick wickets gave Afghanistan hope. They took it to the final over, but Joshua Garner (four not out) held his nerve to see Australia home.

MANCHESTER (By H Shah):-Chris Silverwood has left his role as England Men’s Head Coach. The interim arrangement for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies will be announced in due course, says a press release. ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “During his time in the role Chris has given absolutely everything to make a success of it. He is a man of great integrity, who players and staff alike have enjoyed working with. “Under Chris, England Men’s white ball teams have been ranked first and second in the world while he also led the Test team to a number of series wins including away in South Africa and Sri Lanka. “He has led the England Men’s team with great resilience and empathy through an incredibly challenging period for English cricket, and he deserves our sincere thanks and gratitude. “In the coming days Andrew Strauss will appoint a caretaker coach for the tour of the West Indies and will then consider the appropriate coaching structures to help England move forwards.” Chris Silverwood said: “It’s been an absolute honour to be England Head Coach, and I’m extremely proud to have worked alongside our players and staff. I want to thank them all for the hard work and commitment they have given during my time in the role and I wish them all the very best moving forward. “The last two years have been very demanding but I have really enjoyed my time with the team and working with Rooty and Morgs, and I am very proud of this group considering the challenges. I leave with fond memories and I am now looking forward to spending some quality time at home with my family and embracing the next chapter.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Australia today announced the revised itinerary of the 2022 Australia men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan for three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I. The tour will now start and end in Rawalpindi with the opening Test to be played from 4-8 March and the four white-ball matches to be played from 29 March to 5 April. The change in the first Test venue means that the second Test will be played in Karachi from 12-16 March and the third in Lahore from 21-25 March. PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain: “We are pleased that the Cricket Australia Board has formally approved their side’s five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. We are really excited to host Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series that will comprise three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I. “While Australia will arrive at the back of strong performances in their home series against England, our team has been playing excellent cricket resulting in our players sweeping the ICC Awards. This braces for a keenly contested series, something that the fans will thoroughly enjoy and remember for a long time.” The schedule has been revised to ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March. The two cricket boards have also agreed that the Australia Test side will complete their isolation in Australia, before arriving in Islamabad on 27 February on a chartered flight. After a one-day room isolation, they will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Australia’s white-ball players are expected to arrive in Lahore on 24 March following isolation in Australia. After a one-day isolation upon arrival, they will integrate with other members of the side and travel to Islamabad for the first ODI in Rawalpindi on 29 March. The Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs are linked to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League from which the top eight sides, including hosts India, will qualify directly for the 2023 50-over World Cup. Revised schedule: 27 Feb – Arrival in Islamabad 4-8 Mar – 1st Test, Rawalpindi 12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, Karachi 21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Lahore 29 Mar – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi 31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi 2 April – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi 5 Apr – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:- Pakistan and South Africa both signed off their ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaigns on a positive note with victories on Thursday. Two-time champions Pakistan eased past Sri Lanka in the fifth placed playoff after the two sides chances of lifting the trophy ended at the quarter-final stage last week. Meanwhile elsewhere in Antigua, South Africa finish in seventh place after a closely fought two-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Skipper Akram shines for Pakistan Pakistan were in command from the off at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, with openers Mohammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan dominating the Sri Lanka attack. The pair led Pakistan to 100 without loss, Shehzad eventually made 73 off just 69 deliveries before he was dismissed by vice-captain Raveen de Silva. But Khan was joined at the crease by the impressive skipper Qasim Akram and the two took the game away from Sri Lanka, putting on a superb stand. Both made centuries and took Pakistan beyond 350, Khan was finally gone when trapped by Matheesha Pathirana ending on 136. Akram remained unbeaten as his side closed on 365-3, setting their opponents a daunting task to claim fifth place. And the Sri Lankan response was in tatters after just two overs with Akram wreaking havoc with the new ball. The talented all-rounder removed openers Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Pawan Pathiraja for a combined total of just one, with Shevon Daniel also falling between the two. Ranuda Somarathna also went for a duck with Akram single-handedly reducing Sri Lanka to 4-15. From then on Sri Lanka were purely batting for pride. Their captain Dunith Wellalage didn’t go without a fight and made a brave 40, which included five boundaries. Vinuja Ranpul was in similarly defiant mood hitting 53 not out and his sides only two sixes of the match. But it wasn’t enough and Pakistan cleaned up a 238 run victory when Treveen Mathew was hit on the pads by Zeeshan Zameer’s full delivery, bowling out the Sri Lanka team inside 35 overs to secure 5th place. Excellent Brevis helps South Africa to narrow playoff win Over at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, South Africa were also aiming to end their time in the Caribbean on a high, taking on Bangladesh in the 7th place playoff. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh made a strong start reaching 50 without loss only for Mahfijul Islam to fall to Liam Alder in the 10th over. But fourth man in Ariful Islam kept maximum pressure on the South African attack, smashing 102 from 103 balls and finding the boundary on 12 separate occasions. The 17-year-old looked untouchable for so much of the Bangladeshi innings, right until the 47th over when Mathew Boast found a good line and Islam pulled his shot to South Africa captain George Van Heerden. The Bengal Tigers eventually reached a strong total of 293-8 at the end of their 50 overs. In reply, South Africa lost Jade Smith in the sixth over when outside edging Musfik Hasan’s delivery. But Dewald Brevis, who hit 97 in the quarter-final defeat to England, offered some hope for his team with a century eventually finishing with 138 off 130 balls. The other end was less reliable, Van Heerden and Gerhardus Maree both going cheaply, however Mathew Boast’s quickfire 41 from 22 kept them on track. In a nervy finale, it looked like Andile Simelane would take South Africa over the line, but he was run-out after tidy fielding from Ripon Mondol. But eventually they got the win, and seventh place, in fine style when Alder punched a big drive down the leg side that went for six, securing a two-wicket victory in the process. This bettered their final placing at the 2020 tournament where they finished eighth, but for defending champions Bangladesh a difficult three weeks ended in defeat.