Sports Bulletin

Islamabad (Sports Report):-Syed Mudassar Ahmad Bukhari, Azmat Bashir and Nasir Mehmood guided Shifa International Hospital XIs Islamabad to 55 runs victory against Indus Xls Lal Kurhti Rawalpindi in a friendly cricket match here at XI Star Cricket ground Islamabad. Shifa International Captain Qutab Uddin Qureshi won the toss and decided to bat first, Shifa International, Shifa International piled up 228 for loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 25 overs.  Batsman Azmat Bashir hit half century 65 runs 54 balls with 2 sixes and 5 fours, Nasir Mehmood scored fast half century 58 runs 30 balls with 4 sixes and 3 fours, while Ibrar Ikhlaq 31, Shahzad Kiani 26 and Captain Qutab Uddin Qureshi 22 were their leading run-getters. Indus Xl Danish (3 for 47), Faisal (2 for 30) and Inzimam (1 for 32) were the other main wicket-takers. In reply, Indus Xl could score 173 for eight in 25 overs. Inzimam (40) not out, Abdul Ahad Khurram (29) and Samad 23 were their main scorers. Syed Mudassar Ahmad Bukhari bowled well and claimed 4 players out for 26 runs in 5 overs, while Mohammad Asif (1 for 12), Ali Mubashir (1for13) and Aamir Sohail (1 for 22) bowled well for Shifa International.

Chittagong (SB Report):-A searing opening spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi left Bangladesh ruing a squandered opportunity to build on the first innings lead as the hosts, batting for the second time in the match, finished the third day of the first Test against Pakistan on 39 for four. Shaheen struck in the fifth over and sent Shadman Islam and Najmul Hasan Shanto packing in space of three balls before Hasan Ali got the Bangladesh skipper, Mominul Haque, in the next over as the hosts found themselves reduced to 15 for three in just two overs. Soon, a scorching bouncer from Shaheen induced a caught and bowled opportunity that the pacer grabbed safely as Saif Hasan walked back to the pavilion with the scoreboard reading 25 for four. This was his 42nd scalp in 2021 – the most in the year for a bowler. Bangladesh were 44 runs ahead Pakistan after the tourists were bowled out for 286 and as such have an 83-run lead. Experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and debutant Yasir Ali will resume the proceedings for the hosts on the fourth day, Monday. Earlier, left-arm orthodox Taijul Islam recorded the best figures for a Bangladesh bowler against Pakistan in Tests as he returned seven for 116. Pakistan, after resuming the day on 145 for none, had to face early blows as Abdullah Shafiq (52) and Azhar Ali (0) were trapped LBW in consecutive balls by Taijul. Soon, Pakistan captain Babar Azam (10) followed them, but Abid Ali remained undeterred as he went on to convert his overnight 93 into 133 to record his fourth Test century. This was also his fourth first-class century in the last five matches. With the wickets tumbling regularly, Fahim Ashraf delayed the inevitable with his steady 80-ball 38. He was the last batter to be dismissed. Scores in brief: Bangladesh 330, 114.4 overs (Liton Das 114, Mushfiqur Rahim 91, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 38 not out; Hasan Ali 5-51, Faheem Ashraf 2-54, Shaheen Afridi 2-70) and 39-4, 19 overs (Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-6) Pakistan 286 all out, 115.4 overs (Abid Ali 133, Abdullah Shafique 52, Faheem Ashraf 38; Taijul Islam 7-116, Ebadot Hossain 2-47)

Harare (SB Report):-Player of the match Anam Amin’s brilliant three for nine in seven overs scripted Pakistan Women’s mammoth 114-run win over Zimbabwe Women in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Sunrise Club. In what was Pakistan’s last outing in the tournament following the ICC’s decision to end the tournament due to Covid-19-related uncertainties and after the global governing body’s decision to grant qualification to Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh on the basis of their rankings as per the tournament’s playing conditions, Zimbabwe were rolled out for 81 in 26.2 overs. Sadiq Iqbal, another left-arm orthodox, also took three wickets as she returned three for four from her four overs. Pacer Fatima Sana and off-spinner Omaima Sohail took two wickets each. Only two Zimbabwe batters could enter double figures. Earlier, Pakistan, after being asked to bat, made 195 for the loss of six wickets with Aliya Riaz top-scoring with 48 not out. The right-hander struck three sixes and one four as she brought up her runs at a strike rate of above 82. Pakistan captain Javeria Khan also made 48 – hitting six fours off 87 balls. Her opening stand with Muneeba Ali (19 off 39) was worth 57. Scores in brief: Pakistan Women 195-6, 50 overs (Aliya Riaz 48 not out, Javeria Khan 48, Iram Javed 24) Zimbabwe Women 81 all out, 26.2 overs (Anam Amin 3-7, Sadia Iqbal 3-4, Omaima Sohail 2-7, Fatima Sana 2-20) Player of the match – Anam Amin (Pakistan Women)

Karachi (Sports Report):-Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa registered contrasting wins on day-four of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 sixth-round matches in Karachi. Central Punjab thumped Southern Punjab by an innings and 56 runs while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won a closely fought encounter against Northern by four wickets. Central Punjab recorded their first win of the ongoing season as they defeated the table-toppers heading into the sixth-round Southern Punjab by a massive margin at the State Bank of Pakistan Stadium Karachi. Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 105 for five, Southern Punjab were dismissed for 175 in 47.3 overs. Yousuf Babar who was unbeaten on 30 when play began fell for 47. All-rounder Aamer Yamin who took a five-wicket haul in Central Punjab’s lone innings hammered a quickfire 32 off 16 balls (four fours, one six) but failed to take his side past an innings defeat. Pacer Bilawal Iqbal took five wickets for 23 runs, the 10th five-fer of his first-class career, Mohammad Ali and Nasir Ahmed took three and two wickets each as the pace bowlers dominated the proceedings. Central Punjab collected 26 points while Southern Punjab had to be content with four. Over at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex, Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chased down 223 runs in the final hour of play against Northern to also record their first win of the season. Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 240 for six, Northern were bowled out for 256, setting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a 223-run chase. Northern batters could only add 16 runs on the fourth morning, left-arm-spinner Asif Afridi took three wickets while pacers Irfanullah Shah, Arshad Iqbal and Sameen Gul two wickets each for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. After a 60-run first-wicket stand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa crashed to 149 for five as Northern fought back. Nabi Gul (34 not out, 69 balls, four fours) and captain Khalid Usman (16 not out, 16 balls, three fours) took the team past the target. Ashfaq Ahmed top-scored with 45 (75 balls, two fours), opener Musadiq Ahmed scored 35 off 36 balls (six fours). Zaid Alam and Raza Hassan took two wickets each for Northern. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa collected 23 points while Northern tallied six points from the match. Scores in brief: Central Punjab beat Southern Punjab by an innings and 56 runs –State Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Southern Punjab 228 all out, 77 overs (Umar Siddiq 85, Salman Ali Agha 61, Waqas Maqsood 4-52, Muhammad Ali 4-57) and 175 all out, 47.3 overs (Yousuf Babar 47, Aamer Yamin 32; Bilawal Iqbal 5-23, Mohammad Ali 3-40, Nisar Ahmed 2-49) Central Punjab 459 all out, 116.4 overs (Rizwan Hussain 253, Muhammad Saad 61, Nisar Ahmed 54; Aamer Yamin 5-122, Muhammad Imran 2-74) Match points: Central Punjab - 26, Southern Punjab - four. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Northern by four wickets – National Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Northern 250 all out, 83.4 overs (Mubasir Khan 96, Muhammad Huraira 70; Arshad Iqbal 2-38, Sameen Gul 2-41) and 256 all out, 78.2 overs (Umar Amin 110, Mubasir Khan 52; Asif Afridi 3-60, Irfanullah Shah 2-33, Arshad Iqbal 2-49) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 284 all out, 93.4 overs (Adil Amin 128 not out, Asif Afridi 62; Kashif Ali 5-45, Zaid Alam 3-34) and 225 for 6, 60.5 overs (Ashfaq Ahmed 45, Musadiq Ahmed 35, Nabi Gul 34 not out; Zaid Alam 2-29, Raza Hasan 2-62) Match points: Northern - six, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - 23.

Chittagong (SB Report):-Solid half-centuries by Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique saw Pakistan to a comfortable 145 for none in 57 overs against Bangladesh before fading light forced early stumps on day two of the first Test. Abid was unbeaten on 93 and Abdullah, on his debut, brought up his maiden Test fifty awith 52 not out. Abid’s had struck nine fours and two sixes off the 180 balls he faced, while Abdullah smashed two fours and as many sixes from 162 balls. When the young debutant charged down the wicket to smoke Taijul Islam for a towering six down the ground to cross the 50-run mark, he became the only Pakistan opener to hit two maximums on Test debut. Earlier, a searing spell from Hasan Ali restricted the hosts to 330 as the pacer picked up his fifth five-wicket haul at this level in 2021. He became the third Pakistan pacer to record five five-fors in a calendar year after the great Imran Khan (1982) and Waqar Younis (1990). Hasan sent Liton Das packing at the start of the day and then wrapped up the tail inside the morning session as Bangladesh lost their remaining six wickets in the first session. Pakistan’s Abid Ali will be eying his fourth first-class century in the last five outings, when the third play’s day begins on Sunday. Pakistan are 185 runs behind Bangladesh. Scores in brief: Bangladesh 330, 114.4 overs (Liton Das 114, Mushfiqur Rahim 91, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 38 not out; Hasan Ali 5-51, Faheem Ashraf 2-54, Shaheen Afridi 2-70) Pakistan 145-0, 57 overs (Abid Ali 93 not out, Abdullah Shafiq 52 not out)

Islamabad (Sports Desk):-The International Cricket Council today announced that the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Harare has been called off due to the introduction of travel restrictions from a number of African countries, including the host country Zimbabwe, following the breakout of a new COVID-19 variant in southern Africa. The decision was taken during the preliminary league phase of the nine-team tournament, that was to decide the final three qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, to be played in New Zealand, as well as two additional teams for the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship. The qualifiers will now be decided according to the team rankings as detailed in the tournament playing conditions. Therefore, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now progress to the event in New Zealand. Play in two of the three matches scheduled for Saturday – Zimbabwe v Pakistan and USA v Thailand – started as scheduled but the third fixture of the day, between the West Indies and Sri Lanka, could not be staged as a member of the Sri Lanka team support staff tested positive for COVID-19. ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said: “We are incredibly disappointed to have to cancel the remainder of this event but with travel restrictions from a number of African countries being imposed at such short notice there was a serious risk that teams would be unable to return home. “We have explored a number of options to allow us to complete the event but it isn’t feasible and we will fly the teams out of Zimbabwe as soon as possible. Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies will now qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 by virtue of their rankings, whilst Sri Lanka and Ireland will also join them in the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship.” The teams who have qualified for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April are Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand (hosts), Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh. The number of teams in the third cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship (from 2022-2025) has been increased from eight to ten, and these teams will be Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ireland.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (SB Report):-The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel today announced the squads for the West Indies Men’s team tour of Pakistan. The series will feature three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) from December 13 to 22 at the National Stadium in Karachi. The panel named a number of uncapped players in both formats. For the ODIs, the newcomers are batters Justin Greaves, Shamarh Brooks, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and fast bowling allrounder Odean Smith. Smith and Motie are also selected in the T20I squad for the first time, along with left-arm fast bowling allrounder Dominic Drakes. Motie was a travelling reserve for the recent ICC T20 World Cup, while Drakes and Smith were net bowlers before the start of the tournament. Lead Selector, Roger Harper said: “There are a number of talented newcomers in each format that will have the opportunity to show what they are capable of at the international level. Justin Greaves is a very talented player, had a good CG Insurance Super50 tournament and performed well in the President’s XI match against Ireland in 2020. Odean Smith really grabbed our attention in the last CPL. His pace was never in question, however he has added greater control and has displayed the ability to be a wicket-taker. “Shamarh Brooks batted well in the CG Insurance Super50 Cup and followed that up with good performances in the CPL. He will lend greater depth to the batting line-up. Gudakesh Motie has been rewarded for his outstanding performance in the CG Insurance Super50, followed up by his showing in the CPL. Dominic Drakes has the potential to be an outstanding all-rounder as he displayed during the last CPL.” Harper added: “The ODIs in Pakistan are part of the ICC ODI Super League where points gained work towards qualification for the ICC World Cup 2023. So these ODI’s are very important to us and are being treated as such.” The ODI Series will be West Indies fourth series of 12 in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. West Indies currently lie in eighth position out of 13 teams and have the opportunity to move above Pakistan into seventh position. Names of Players: One-Day Internationals Kieron Pollard (Captain), Shai Hope (Vice Captain), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Junior, T20 Internationals Kieron Pollard (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice Captain), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Junior. Schedule: December 13 – 1st T20I, Karachi December 14 – 2nd T20I, Karachi December 16 – 3rd T20I, Karachi December 18 – 1st ODI, Karachi December 20 – 2nd ODI, Karachi December 22 – 3rd ODI, Karachi

Karachi (Sports Report):-Central Punjab’s wicketkeeper Junaid Ali has been banned for three matches for a level 3 offence for attempting to take an unfair advantage during the sixth-round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 match against Southern Punjab at the State Bank of Pakistan Stadium. Junaid was found to have claimed an unfair catch in violation of Article 2.15 of the PCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, after the match officials reviewed the video footage during Southern Punjab’s first innings on day-one of the four-day fixture. The incident occurred in the 72nd over of the innings with Muhammad Imran the batter dismissed. On-field umpires Waleed Yaqub and Imtiaz Iqbal levelled the charge on the wicketkeeper, who accepted imposition of the three-match ban sanction proposed by match-referee Iftikhar Ahmed from the range of applicable sanctions pursuant to the Code.

Karachi (Sports Report):-Young leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed took his maiden first-class ten-wicket haul as Sindh registered their first win of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 season. Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 132 for five, Balochistan were bowled out for 158 runs to hand Sindh a comprehensive innings and 188-run victory at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi in the sixth-round tie. Sindh bowlers led by Abrar ran through the Balochistan lower-order in less than 10 overs on day-three to ensure a comprehensive victory for their side. Abrar who took six wickets for 40 runs was ably supported by seasoned pacer Sohail Khan who took three wickets for 41 runs, the right-armer also reached the 500 first-class wickets milestone during the innings. This was the 117th first-class match of the 37-year-old’s career. Abrar and Sohail combined to take 18 wickets in the match (Abrar 11, Sohail seven). Ayaz Tasawar (45) was the top-scorer for Balochistan in their second innings. Sindh gained 28 points (maximum available in a match) while Balochistan had to content with a mere three. In the Punjab derby between Central and Southern Punjab at the State Bank of Pakistan Stadium Karachi which is being live streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel, Central Punjab opener Rizwan Hussain added 100 runs to his overnight 153-run tally as his side took control of the match. The left-handed Rizwan hit 34 fours and three sixes in his monumental batting effort that came off 337 balls. Rizwan was eventually dismissed by Salman Ali Agha. Rizwan found good support from Ahmed Safi Abdullah (24) while pacer Nisar Ahmed scored a quickfire 54 off 53 balls (six fours, three sixes) to propel Central Punjab to their 459-run total. Aamer took five wickets for Southern Punjab conceding 122 runs in 28.4 overs. Muhammad Imran took two wickets. Central Punjab made most of their 199-run first innings lead by reducing Southern Punjab to 105 for five in their second innings at stumps on day three. Pacer Bilawal Iqbal took three wickets for a mere 12 runs in 6.5 overs as Southern Punjab’s top and middle-order fell cheaply. Yousuf Babar was unbeaten on 30 and Southern Punjab will be homing for a major contribution by him and the lower-order batters if they are to avoid an innings defeat tomorrow. Over at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex, Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took a 34- run first innings lead over Northern, courtesy an unbeaten 128 from Adil Amin who had resumed his innings at 104 today. Adil remained unbeaten as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 284 in 93.4 overs. Pacer Kashif Ali took five wickets for 45 while Zaid Alam took two for 34. Northern were well-served by Umar Amin in their second innings as the seasoned left-hander posted his 23rd first-class century. Umar hit 12 fours in his gritty 196-ball effort, Mubasir Khan who fell four short of a century in the first innings made another healthy contribution for his side scoring 52 with the help of seven fours. Northern finished the day at 240 for six after 66 overs of their second innings. They will start the final day tomorrow with a 206-run lead with four wickets in hand, the match is set to have an exciting finish if Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can get rid of the remaining Northern batters in time for a fourth innings chase. Irfanullah Shah and Asif Afridi took two wickets each for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Scores in brief: Sindh beat Balochistan by an innings and 188 runs – UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Balochistan 96 all out, 31.5 overs (Imran Butt 33; Abrar Ahmed 5-23, Sohail Khan 4-26) and 158 all out, 43.2 overs (Ayaz Tassawar 45, Imran Butt 35; Abrar Ahmed 6-40, Sohail Khan 3-41) Sindh 442 all out, 95.2 overs (Ahsan Ali 194, Khurram Manzoor 94, Saad Khan 56; Khurram Shehzad 3-80, Akif Javed 2-54) Match points: Sindh - 28, Balochistan - three. Southern Punjab vs Central Punjab –State Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Southern Punjab 228 all out, 77 overs (Umar Siddiq 85, Salman Ali Agha 61, Waqas Maqsood 4-52, Muhammad Ali 4-57) and 105 for 5, 28.5 overs (Yousuf Babar 30 not out, Salman Ali Agha 21; Bilawal Iqbal 3-12) Central Punjab 459 all out, 116.4 overs (Rizwan Hussain 253, Muhammad Saad 61, Nisar Ahmed 54; Aamer Yamin 5-122, Muhammad Imran 2-74) First innings points: Central Punjab - nine, Southern Punjab - four. Northern vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa –National Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Northern 250 all out, 83.4 overs (Mubasir Khan 96, Muhammad Huraira 70; Arshad Iqbal 2-38, Sameen Gul 2-41) and 240 for 6, 66 overs (Umar Amin 110, Mubasir Khan 52; Irfanullah Shah 2-33, Asif Afridi 2-58) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 284 all out, 93.4 overs (Adil Amin 128 not out, Asif Afridi 62; Kashif Ali 5-45, Zaid Alam 3-34) First innings points: Northern - six, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - seven.

BIPIN DANI  Sri Lanka's outgoing head coach Mickey Arthur was visibly happy at the end of the first Test match against the visiting West Indies team. The home team won the rain and bad-light affected match by a massive 187 runs. The victorious team had no big celebration after the first Test. Maybe it is reserved for the series win. "The hotel made a cake for the winning Sri Lankan team and also arranged bottles of beer", one of the hotel staff speaking exclusively over the telephone from Galle, said.  "Only the foreign coaching staff drank the beer in a small quantity. The players did not taste it. They (the players) cut the cake made for them", the source added. Mickey Arthur in his speech asked the players to go for the series win rather than only being content with the first Test win or drawn series", the other source added. The players are determined to win the second Test beginning on Monday and give a farewell gift to their head coach. The team was given a day off on Friday and the next training session is scheduled for Saturday.