Cricket
Pakistan register a massive by 7 wickets against West Indies
Karachi (Saad Kayani):-Pakistan completed a clean sweep in the three-match Twenty20 series against a virus-hit West Indies with a resounding seven-wicket win on Thursday.
Run-machine Mohammad Rizwan rounded off the year with his 12th half century in Twenty20 internationals by scoring 87 while captain Babar Azam made 79 in Pakistan’s blistering run-chase of 208-3 in 18.5 overs.
The West Indies’ top-order batters, led by captain Nicholas Pooran’s blazing 64 off 37 balls, still did well to post 207-3 after the tourists had won the toss and elected to bat.
Rizwan and Babar toyed with the West Indies bowling attack once the former overturned an lbw decision through a television referral off debutant leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie’s first ball.
Both batsmen became the first pair to record a sixth century stand for the opening wicket and surpassed the record of five set by the Indian first-wicket pair of Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul.
Babar, who hit nine fours and two sixes, combined in a 158-run stand before the Pakistan captain holed out at mid-off against Odean Smith’s knuckle ball in the 16th over.
Rizwan hit 10 fours and three sixes before he sliced a catch to Pooran with Pakistan needing only 24 for victory. Hard-hitting Asif Ali (21 not out) smashed two sixes and two fours to raise the victory with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, the West Indies batters profited in the absence of Pakistan’s rested fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf to post a challenging total.
Shamarh Brooks (49) and Brandon King (43) smashed 66 in the first six overs with fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain (0-49) proving too expensive.
Pooran also scored at will before Pakistan pulled back through fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, who conceded just one boundary in his four overs, and got the wicket of Brooks to finish with 1-23.
Wahab Riaz & Shoaib Malik disclose funny secrets about each other
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Jaffna Kings stars Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz sat down for a frank conversation on the sidelines of the Lanka Premier League 2021 season where the two veterans Pakistan cricketers revealed interesting and hilarious tidbits about each other. Riaz and Malik participated in the "spray challenge" as they answered a range of questions about each other.
Shoaib Malik, during the fun chat, went on to reveal why the Indian tennis star and his wife, Sania Mirza, does not like to cook for him. The two players were asked about who is fussier about food, and Malik said: "Ask this question to my wife. Then you get a detailed answer. That's why she does not know how to cook and she orders from outside. Because I am fussy."
When asked about who was lazier among the two players, Malik was quick to spray water on Riaz. "Because Riaz is a fast bowler, and he needs a lot of energy. Maybe that's why he is lazier," he said.
Malik also credited the Pakistan fast bowler to have a messier kitbag among the two. "He is an allrounder. He carries more bats than a batsman carries," Malik said, laughing.
Wahab went on to say that Malik has a better sense of humour among the two, but also cheekily added: "At times, he says somethings, and he laughs and nobody responds."
When asked who is a bigger foodie, it was revealed by the two that Malik eats 6 times a day. "Even at 3 am in the morning, there will be a club sandwich in his room," Riaz revealed.
"I may eat six times a day, but I take small meals," Malik responded.
Wahab Riaz also described Shoaib Malik as the bigger "party animal" among the two and revealed why their plans to party in Karachi this year could not come to fruition.
"He committed to me that he and I will be in Karachi, and we will have a lot of fun. But thank god, his name was in the T20 World Cup squad. He made a lot of plans with me. But nothing paid off," Wahab said, laughing.
Pakistan vs West Indies: ODI series postponed, as 9 visitors tested Covid-19 positive
KARACHI (Press Release):-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have issued a joint statement after five more positive cases were reported in the West Indies camp following Wednesday’s PCR testing, raising the total number of positive cases to nine since their arrival in Karachi on December 9.
“On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB COVID-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six player support personnel. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party returned negative test result. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned.
“However, taking into consideration both the teams’ welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, it has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket Word Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.
“This will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches.
“The West Indies team members, who returned negative results following Wednesday’s PCR and today’s Rapid Antigen tests, will depart from Pakistan after tonight’s match. Those who have tested positive will complete their isolation in Karachi before their travel arrangements are finalised to allow them to rejoin their families in time for Christmas celebrations.
“Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after tonight’s third T20I.
“The CWI would like to thank the PCB for its excellent series arrangements and appreciates its support in rescheduling the ODI series in June 2022.”
Pubudu Dassanayake confident of uplifting standard of cricket in Nepal
Bipin Dani
Pubudu Dassanayake will begin his new stint with Nepal national cricket team immediately in the new year. This will be his second tenure as head coach with Nepal.
Pubudu Dassanayake was involved with the coaching in Nepal also from 2011 to 2016.
"I am planning to leave for Nepal during the Christmas holidays and begin the coaching journey in January 2022, “the 57-year-old coach, who has been living in Canada, said over the telephone.
"I am very excited to be back in Nepal. Players there are well known to me and I am confident to uplift the standard of cricket in Nepal".
"Even though a few big players have recently retired, Nepal is a country with no shortage of talent. Many new budding talents are in the pipeline".
"My first target will be to prepare these players for the T-20 World Cup qualifiers", he added further.
Pubudu has also coached Canada and the USA teams in the past.
Sri Lanka-born Pubudu has no plans to return to his birth-country. However, he has been keeping a track of cricket in Sri Lanka. "The recent young Sri Lankan team looks good. The future is bright for the young players", he concluded.
CRICKET - 15 Dec, 2021
SAAD KAYANI
Karachi (December 15, 2021):-Sindh defeated Central Punjab by 11 runs in the ninth round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 thriller at the State Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Sohail Khan took four for 63 and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed picked up three for 112 as Central Punjab were dismissed for 295 after resuming this morning at 55 for five and chasing 307 for victory.
Ali Shan and Rizwan Hussain fought hard for Central Punjab, scoring 100 and 85, respectively and received good support from Faheem Ashraf (34) and Ahmed Safi Abdullah (29), but the target proved to be too stiff.
Ali, batting at No.8, struck 11 fours and two sixes in a 165-ball innings, while Rizwan, who was 21 overnight, struck 13 fours and two sixes in a 120-ball innings. Rizwan featured in two good partnerships, adding 77 runs for the sixth wicket with Faheem and 60 runs for the seventh wicket with Ali.
After the conclusion of the penultimate round matches, Northern lead the table with 127 points, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (124), Sindh (121) and Central Punjab (103). Southern Punjab (93) and Balochistan (77) are out of the race for the five-day pink-ball final, which will be played at the National Stadium from 25-29 December.
In the final round match-ups to be played from 18-21 December, Central Punjab have a tough game against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Northern and Sindh will go head to head with Balochistan and Southern Punjab, respectively.
Scores in brief (day 4 of 4):
Sindh beat Central Punjab by 11 runs at the State Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi
Sindh 155-9d, 52 overs (Sohail Khan 65, Fawad Alam 32; Muhammad Ali 3-20, Muhammad Saad 3-24) and 338 all out, 105.3 overs (Asad Shafiq 97, Sohail Khan 73, Mohammad Hassan 49, Omair Bin Yousuf 32, Khurram Manzoor 23, Tabish Khan 23; Ahmed Safi Abdullah 4-58, Mohammad Saad 2-47)
Central Punjab 187-9d, 58.5 overs (Abid Ali 98, Muhammad Saad 49; Abrar Ahmed 3-37, Tabish Khan 3-46, Sohail Khan 2-50) and 295, 79.5 overs (Ali Shan 100, Rizwan Hussain 85, Faheem Ashraf 34, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 29; Sohail Khan 4-63, Abrar Ahmed 3-112)
Call for fans to be part of ICC Women World Cup 2022
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (December 15, 2021):-New Zealand sports fans are being urged to pack the Bay Oval in Tauranga and kick off the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in style as the final schedule for the event is unveiled with hosts New Zealand taking on the West Indies in the opening match on 4 March.
The WHITE FERNS will take centre stage for the first game and will play at all six host city venues during their campaign. The schedule was confirmed after Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies all qualified for the event, joining hosts New Zealand, Australia, England, India and South Africa in the event with the final being played under lights at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 3 April.
CWC22 CEO Andrea Nelson said: “What better way to launch CWC22 than with a full house under lights at the Bay Oval watching WHITE FERNS against the West Indies? It’s going to be a great day out, with some amazing opening celebrations planned before our WHITE FERNS stars including Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr take on the West Indies and some greats of the game like Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin!
“I’d encourage you all to get your friends and family along to the Bay Oval on 4 March for a spectacular start to what is going to be a memorable event! There is also free pop up childcare thanks to our partners PORSE meaning all the family can enjoy themselves.”
Other highlights for newly qualified teams include:
Classic rivals India and Pakistan will meet under lights at Bay Oval on 6 March
A battle of the qualifiers between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Hamilton’s Seddon Park on 14 March
A replay of the 2013 Final between Australia and the West Indies at the iconic Basin Reserve in Wellington on 15 March
“Locking in the last places is great news for supporters planning their summer, and our host cites, who can start connecting with fan communities in their area,” said Nelson.
The World Cup will see 31 matches being played over 31 days across six host cities. Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, the West Indies and hosts New Zealand are the eight teams in the fray.
Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies were confirmed in the schedule after the qualifying tournament in Harare had to be called off due to COVID-19 concerns.
Pakistan bowlers make significant gains in ICC Test Ranking
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Australia batters Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head have gained from their fine performances in Brisbane, attaining career-best positions in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, as has Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi after the Dhaka Test.
Labuschagne’s first innings 74 in the first Test against England has lifted him two slots to a career-best second position while Player of the Match Travis Head’s pacy 152 has helped him gallop 16 places to 10th in the list. Labuschagne’s previous best ranking was third while Head’s best was 17th.
Other batters to move up after the first Ashes Test, which Australia won by nine wickets, include Australia opener David Warner (up three places to sixth) and England’s Dawid Malan (up 18 places to 77th) while the bowlers’ rankings see England’s Ollie Robinson (up four places to 31st) and Mark Wood (up two places to 50th) progress in the list led by Australia captain Pat Cummins.
Shaheen headlines the bowling rankings in the latest weekly update for men that is carried out on Wednesdays and includes the second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan, which Pakistan won by an innings and eight runs to clinch full ICC World Test Championship points from the series.
Shaheen has continued his ascent with three wickets in the match while off-spinner Sajid Khan has zoomed up 52 places to 49th after a 12-wicket haul that won him the Player of the Match award. Mohammad Rizwan (up five places to 18th) and Fawad Alam (up seven places to 20th) have moved up in the batters’ list after their useful half-centuries.
For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan scored 33 and 63, advancing eight places to 35th. He has also gained one slot to reach fourth place among all-rounders, overtaking Ben Stokes along with India’s Ravindra Jadeja, who is now third in the list.
In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, Dawid Malan is back to number one among batters with Pakistan captain Babar Azam unable to hold on to the top spot after two matches of their series against the West Indies.
Pakistan’s Haider Ali has gained 86 slots to reach 98th position after scores of 68 and 31 while the rankings for bowlers see spinner Shadab Khan back in the top 10, moving up five slots to ninth position.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf is up three places to 19th while Mohammad Nawaz has gained 29 slots to reach 54th position. For the West Indies, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosen has gained 73 slots and is now 68th among bowlers.
LPL: Wives of players remain in bio-bubble till LPL final
Bipin Dani
The family members of the players and the support staff participating in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) will continue to be with them in Hambantota also.
The second leg of the second edition of the LPL will begin in Hambantota from December 20.
"Our policy for the family members will be the same at the second venue also", one of the sources in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board said on Tuesday morning.
Few family members of almost all LPL franchise teams have joined the same bio-bubble. Even few foreign players have also brought their life-partners, it is learnt. The decision to allow them was taken by the medical panel.
"Bubble life is very tough. We must not forget that the mental pressure on players is immense. Some had not seen their family members for months and hence this decision was taken". Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of the SLC, who is also the Medical Director for the LPL 2021, said over the phone.
"They (family members) travel separately to the ground and have been watching the matches from the special enclosure", he added.
LPL: Jaffna Kings demolish Dambulla Giants by 7 wickets
Colombo (SB Report):-Thisara Perera's Jaffna Kings continued their king-sized domination of the Lanka Premier League 2021 by demolishing Dambulla Giants by 7 wickets to pick up their fifth successive triumph on Monday at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. With the win, the Jaffna Kings confirmed a spot in the playoffs.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Kings bundled out Dambulla Giants for 69 with Chaturanga de Silva coming to the party, picking up 4 wickets for 16 runs.
Perera's decision to bowl on a spinning track proved to be the correct one as off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana gave early blows to Dambulla Giants, dismissing Niroshan Dickwella and Sohaib Maqsood in the first over itself. In his next over, Theekshana dismissed Nuwanidu Fernando for 2 runs, forcing the Giants on the back-foot.
Afterward, De Silva’s magical spell began, as he cleaned up the Giants' middle-order in quick succession. Philip Salt, who was the only one who showed a bit of resistance, was dismissed by star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for 23 runs as the Giants were bowled out in just 14.1 overs, setting up a meager total for the Kings to chase.
In the chase, Jaffna Kings lost Upul Tharanga early on, but the side made a surprise call, promoting Wanindu Hasaranga to bat at No.3. The pinch-hitter rose to be the darling of the spectators as he bludgeoned an 18-ball 37 to set the tempo in that victory charge.
Upfront, Avishka Fernando infused the razor edge as he belted the bowling, scoring 22 runs in 17 balls with six and 2 fours in his innings, making a short work of the target. The game came to a close as hard-hitting opening batsman Fernando slammed the second delivery of the ninth over by Ramesh Mendis over mid-wicket for a six, finishing off the chase in style.
Pakistan crush West Indies by 63 runs in first T20
Special Report
KARACHI (December 13, 2021):-Pakistan crushed West Indies by 63 runs in the first T20 International of three-match series at National Cricket Stadium Karachi on Monday night. While chasing 201 runs, West Indies all out on 137 runs in 19 overs.
Earlier, Pakistan scored 200 for 6 runs in allotted 20 overs, as the major contributors were Mohammad Rizwan, Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz, who scored 78, 68 and 30 runs respectively.
Summarized Scorecard:
Toss: West Indies won and decided to field
Pakistan Batting: (200 for 6 in 20 overs)
Mohammad Rizwan 78 (52 balls, 4X10), Haider Ali 68 (39 balls, 4X6, 6X4) Mohammad Nawaz 30 (10 balls 4X3)
West Indies Bowling: Romario Shapherd (2 for 43), Akeal Hosein (1 for 19), Oshena Thomas (1 for 38)
West Indies batting:
Shai Hopes 31 (26 balls 4X4), Odean Smith 24 (16 balls 4X2, 6X2) Rovman Powell 23 (15 balls 4X1, 6X2), Romario Shapherd 21 (10 balls 4X2, 6X1)
Pakistan Bowling:
Mohammad Wasim (4 for 40), Shadab Khan (3 for 17), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 24)
Results:
Man of the Match:
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi
West Indies (Playing XIs):
Nicholas Pooran (c), Shai Hope (Wicketkeeper), Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Devon Thomas, Rovman Powell, Odean Smith, Dominic Drakes, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Oshane Thomas
Schedule:
13 Dec – The first T20I (Pakistan beat West Indies by 63 runs)
14 Dec – The second T20I will begin at 1800
16 Dec - The third and final T20I will begin at 1800
18 Dec – The first ODI will start at 1300
20 Dec – The second ODI will start at 1300
22 Dec – The third ODI will start at 1300.
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