Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Women opened their Metro Bank ODI series against New Zealand with a nine wicket victory at Seat Unique Riverside, Durham.The tourist’s won the toss and elected to bat. England spinner Charlie Dean took four wickets as New Zealand finished on 157 all out. The White Ferns were 56 for 1 following the powerplay but were undone by England’s spin attack.Sophie Ecclestone dismissed the dangerous Amelia Kerr and captain Sophie Devine before Nat Sciver-Brunt bowled Maddy Green lbw. Brooke Halliday impressed with the bat, scoring 51 before being caught by Heather Knight off Sarah Glenn before Dean’s four wickets saw New Zealand all out inside 33.3 overs.Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier opened the batting for England and both shone hitting 24 boundaries between them. Beaumont finished with 76 not out and Bouchier 67 with captain Knight completing the innings.Women’s One-Day International Series v New Zealand Women26 June: 1st Women’s One-Day International – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street – England won by nine wickets30 June: 2nd Women’s One-Day International – New Road, Worcester3 July: 3rd Women’s One-Day International – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol

ISLAMABAD (PR): The World Championship of Legends (WCL), featuring iconic cricket players from around the globe, is thrilled to announce its official broadcasting partners for various regions worldwide. This partnership ensures that cricket enthusiasts across different continents can experience the tournament live on Star Sports (India), Willow by Cricbuzz (North America), Cricbuzz (MENA Region), Super Sports (Sub-Saharan Africa0, TNT Sports (United Kingdom), Fox Sports (Australia), and Sports MAX (Caribbean: Sports MAX).The WCL, approved by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and presented by India’s second largest travel company EaseMyTrip, will take place from July 3rd to July 13th at Edgbaston and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in the UK. It brings together legendary players for an unforgettable series of matches.Harshit Tomar, owner of the World Championship of Legends, stated: “We are excited to provide fans with the chance to see cricket legends in action once again. With our global broadcasting partners, we can reach a wide audience and celebrate the spirit of cricket worldwide. Partnering with Star Sports & Fancode will bring WCL to a broad audience in India, ensuring top-notch coverage of this historic event.”The WCL will feature teams from India, Australia, West Indies, England, Pakistan, and South Africa. The tournament includes cricket legends such as:* India Champions: Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina* Australia Champions: Brett Lee, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Ben Cutting* West Indies Champions: Chris Gayle, Daren Sammy, Dwayne Smith* England Champions: Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel* Pakistan Champions: Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan* South Africa Champions: Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: A four-day training camp of the Pakistan women’s cricket team for next month’s ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 started here at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi on Wednesday morning. Twenty-eight (28) cricketers have been invited for the camp by the women’s national selection committee, which will be onsite to assess and evaluate players’ performances before announcing the squad for the Dambulla, Sri Lanka, event.The players will also undergo practice sessions at the High-Performance Centre on Friday, while they will play T20 practice games at the Moin Khan Academy on Thursday and Saturday. The camp will be supervised by Abdur Rehman and Hanif Malik.Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed the team management for the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2024. Muhammad Wasim will be the head coach, while former Test bowlers Abdur Rehman and Junaid Khan will be the spin bowling and assistant coaches, respectively. The eight-team ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be played in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from 19 to 28 July. In the T20I tournament, Pakistan are placed in Group ‘A’ along with India, Nepal and UAE. Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India on the opening day of the tournament, while matches against Nepal and UAE will be played on 21 and 23 July, respectively. Names of players: Aliya Riaz, Anoosha Nasir, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Dua Majid, Eyman Fatima, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Iram Javed, Maham Manzoor, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Quratulain, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Yusra Amir, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda AkhtarPlayers’ Support Personnel: Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach), Hanif Malik (fielding coach), Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist), strength and conditioning coach (tbc) and Waleed Ahmed (analyst)

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Richard Illingworth and Nitin Menon will be on the on-field umpires when Afghanistan make history by playing in their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final.An eight-run win against Bangladesh, via DLS, secured safe passage from the Super 8s at Australia’s expense. They will play South Africa in Trinidad on Wednesday June 26, with a place in Saturday’s final on the line. South Africa are looking to secure a maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final appearance. Richard Kettleborough will be the TV Umpire, with Ahsan Raza in place as Fourth Umpire.In the second match, Chris Gaffaney and Rodney Tucker will be in the middle as India and England meet for the second tournament running in the semi-finals. Reigning champions England booked their place in the final four with a 10-wicket win against co-hosts USA, while India put the finishing touches to a perfect Super 8s stage with a 24-run win over Australia. Joel Wilson will be the TV Umpire for a re-run of the 2022 semi-final, which saw England come out on top, with Paul Reiffel in place as the fourth umpire in Guyana on 27 June.Semi-finals – Match Official appointmentsJune 26: South Africa v Afghanistan (Trinidad)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Nitin MenonTV Umpire: Richard KettleboroughFourth Umpire: Ahsan RazaJune 27: India v England (Guyana)Referee: Jeffrey CroweOn-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Rodney TuckerTV Umpire: Joel WilsonFourth Umpire: Paul Reiffel 

New Delhi (India): The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is set to elevate its status in the cricketing world introducing a nostalgic twist. In the event of a tie, matches will be decided by the classic bowl out format reminiscent of the early t20 setup instead of contemporary super overs. Teams will compete in this high-stakes format in an exciting atmosphere that is sure to evoke memories of legendary moments and iconic performances.The decision to adopt the “bowl out” method for resolving tied matches harks back to the early days of T20 cricket, providing a nostalgic and thrilling element for both players and spectators. This format, where bowlers aim to hit the stumps unguarded by a batsman, promises to deliver high tension and excitement, making every ball count in crucial moments. The World Championship of Legends will pay tribute to the rich history of cricket while offering fans a fresh alternative to the conventional tie-breakers utilized in modern cricket. It will transport cricket fans back to a more carefree era.Harshit Tomar, owner of WCL, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament: “2007, India vs Pakistan bowl out is still one of my favourite memories, hence we want to revive it and keep it very original.”As excitement builds for this premier cricket league, WCL is also introducing acclaimed television presenter and actress Mandira Bedi as the official host.Mandira Bedi, a renowned figure in the world of cricket broadcasting, will bring her charisma and deep understanding of the game to the tournament, engaging fans and players alike. Her involvement is expected to enhance the viewing experience, adding a touch of glamour and her energy to the already star-studded event.“Moreover, we all know Mandira Ji is one of the most renowned and loved television host and we welcome her on board”, shares Harshit TomarThe World Championship of Legends, co-owned by Bollywood icon Ajay Devgn, will feature legendary players from the past, showcasing their skills and passion for the game once more. The tournament is scheduled to take place from July 3rd to July 13th at the iconic grounds of Edgbaston and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in the UK.With high-profile matches, legendary players, and innovative elements, WCL is poised to become a landmark event in cricket. Fans can look forward to a spectacular showcase of cricketing prowess and unforgettable moments, all under the captivating guidance of Mandira Bedi. (PR)

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Women have confirmed a 16-player squad to take on New Zealand in the Vitality IT20 series next month. Opener Sophia Dunkley is recalled to an otherwise unchanged group from those who sealed a T20 series victory against Pakistan in May.Southern Vipers’ Freya Kemp will be available as an all-rounder during the series after being named as a batter against Pakistan. The two sides begin the IT20 series in Southampton (6 July) before matches in Hove (9 July) and Canterbury (11 July), finishing with two London fixtures at the Kia Oval and Lord's on 13 and 17 July respectively. This series follows three ODIs against the same opposition at Durham (26 June) Worcester (30 June) and Bristol (3 July).Head coach Jon Lewis said: “This five-match series against a strong New Zealand side is really important for us and also vital preparation as we build towards the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. We are pleased to welcome Freya Kemp back as an all-rounder and we will hopefully see her bowl across this series as she returns from injury. Sophia Dunkley comes back into the squad after showing good form at regional level, she has earned the right to be in this squad. Mahika Gaur is not available to play due to a small side strain. We will look to have her in and around the squad preparing to return to play.”England Women T20 squad: Heather Knight (Captain-Western Storm), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice ⁠Capsey (South East Stars), Charlie ⁠Dean (Southern Vipers), Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie ⁠Ecclestone (Thunder), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Danielle Gibson (Western Storm), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), ⁠Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Amy ⁠Jones (Central Sparks), Freya ⁠Kemp (Southern Vipers), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze), Linsey Smith (Southern Vipers), Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)Women’s IT20 Series (schedule):6 July: 1st Women’s IT20 – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton9 July: 2nd Women’s IT20 – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove11 July: 3rd Women’s IT20 – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence13 July: 4th Women’s IT20 – The Kia Oval, London17 July: 5th Women’s IT20 – Lord’s, London

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: South Africa trounced United States of America (USA) by 18 runs in the opening fixture of the Super-8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, North Sound in Antigua West Indies on Wednesday.Despite a power-packed partnership between Andries Gous (80*) and Harmeet Singh (38) the United States fell 18 runs short of the 194 posted by South Africa in Antigua during the Group 2 Super-8 T20 World Cup match. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers, snapping three wickets in his quota of four overs.Powered by Quinton de Kock (74) and Aiden Markram (46), South Africa posted 194/4 after 20 overs against USA. For the co-hosts, Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh struck twice. Earlier, United States won the toss and opted to bowl against South Africa.South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi; United States XI: Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Andries Gous(w), Aaron Jones(c), Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Chris Gaffaney and Richard Kettleborough will be the on-field umpires for the USA’s historic first-ever knockout match at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which takes place against South Africa on June 19.The co-hosts qualified in second place from Group A, in part thanks to a magnificent Super Over victory against Pakistan, and will now take on the Proteas as well as England and fellow co-hosts West Indies in Group 2 of the Super 8s.Joel Wilson will be the TV Umpire for USA against South Africa, while he will also stand as on-field umpire alongside Gaffaney when the American team take on England in Barbados on June 23. Allahudien Paleker, who is making his senior men’s tournament debut in this competition, will act as the fourth umpire.The same day will see Kettleborough return to the middle for the seismic Group 1 clash between Australia and India alongside compatriot Richard Illingworth.Illingworth and Michael Gough will oversee Australia’s Super 8s opener against Bangladesh, while Nitin Menon and Ahsan Raza are the on-field umpires for England’s meeting with the West Indies.Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, making history in this competition as the first Bangladeshi official at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, is the TV Umpire for that one, and will act as on-field umpire alongside Chris Brown for England’s second Group 2 game against South Africa.Of the match referees, Jeff Crowe – who has overseen more T20Is than anyone else – will be in the chair for England’s clashes with the West Indies and South Africa as well as Australia against India.Super 8s – Match Official appointmentsJune 19: USA v South Africa (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Richard KettleboroughTV Umpire: Joel WilsonFourth Umpire: Langton RusereJune 19: England v West Indies (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Nitin Menon and Ahsan RazaTV Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne ShahidFourth Umpire: Chris BrownJune 20: Afghanistan v India (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Paul ReiffelTV Umpire: Allahudien PalekerFourth Umpire: Alex WharfJune 20: Australia v Bangladesh (Antigua)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Michael GoughTV Umpire: Kumar DharmasenaFourth Umpire: Adrian HolstockJune 21: England v South Africa (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Chris BrownTV Umpire: Joel WilsonFourth Umpire: Chris GaffaneyJune 21: USA v West Indies (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Paul Reiffel and Allahuddien PalekerTV Umpire: Rodney TuckerFourth Umpire: Alex WharfJune 22: India v Bangladesh (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Michael Gough and Adrian HoldstockTV Umpire: Langton RusereFourth Umpire: Richard KettleboroughJune 22: Afghanistan v Australia (St Vincent)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena and Ahsan RazaTV Umpire: Richard IllingworthFourth Umpire: Nitin MenonJune 23: USA v England (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Joel WilsonTV Umpire: Paul ReiffelFourth Umpire: Allahudien PalekerJune 23: West Indies v South Africa (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Alex WharfTV Umpire: Chris BrownFourth Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne ShahidJune 24: Australia v India (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Richard Kettleborough and Richard IllingworthTV Umpire: Michael GoughFourth Umpire: Kumar DharmasenaJune 24: Afghanistan v Bangladesh (St Vincent)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Langton Rusere and Nitin MenonTV Umpire: Adrian HoldstockFourth Umpire: Ahsan Raza.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Medical Panel comprising Prof Rana Dilawaiz Nadeem, Dr. Mumraiz Naqshband and Prof Javed Akram has updated about the injury of five national players.Arshad Iqbal, the right-arm fast bowler who is recovering from an ankle injury, has been referred to for consultation at ASPETAR in Qatar, a renowned orthopedic and sports medicine hospital. After Eid Al Adha holidays, the PCB will book his appointment and make necessary travel arrangementsIhsanullah, the right-arm fast bowler who is recovering from a right elbow injury, commenced his initial rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and will continue the process in his hometown in Swat under the supervision of a PCB Medical Panel approved physiotherapistMohammad Wasim Junior, the right-arm fast bowler who sustained a back injury during a domestic tournament, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. Following Eid Al Adha holidays, he will return to resume his rehabilitation at the NCAShawaal Zulfiqar, the right-handed opening batter who sustained a shoulder injury during Pakistan women’s team tour to New Zealand in December 2023, underwent shoulder surgery in Islamabad last month. Her stitches were removed on 11 June. Doctors will further assess her case later this monthZeeshan Zameer, the right-arm fast bowler who sustained an ankle injury, will undergo surgery in Qatar next week. The decision was made by ASPETAR earlier this month after examining the cricketer and reviewing his medical reports. Following surgery, Zeeshan may stay in Qatar to complete his rehabilitation.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has approved Hazratullah Zazai as a replacement for Mujeeb ur Rahman in the Afghanistan squad.Hazratullah, who has played 43 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Mujeeb was ruled out due to an injury to his right index finger.The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Chris Tetley (ICC Head of Events), Johnny Grave (CEO, Cricket West Indies) and Kass Naidoo (Independent Representative).