Sports Bulletin

ISLAMABAD:-Shifa International Hospitals Islamabad beat Shadandi Cricket Club Bhara Kahu by 170 runs in the friendly match here at Elevens Star Cricket Ground near F-9 Park Islamabad. Shifa International Captain Qutab Uddin Qureshi won the toss and elected to bat first, Shifa International Azmat Bashir hit a fine century 146 not out runs 56 balls with 5 sixes and 21 fours, while Captain Qutab Uddin Qureshi (57), Tahir Akhtar (39) and Shahzad Kiani (26) were their leading run-getters. Iftikhar (2 for 45) and Waqar (2-31) bowled well for Shadandi Club. In reply, Shadandi Club could score 144 for seven in 20 overs, Ismail (32) and Waqar (27) were the key contributors. Shifa International Riffat Neshan bowled well and claimed 3 for 32 in 4 over, While Ali Mubashir (2 for 13), Muzammil Rana (1 for 12) and Muneeb Qutab (1 for 28) were the other main wicket-takers. (Press Release)

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk):-Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), through its subsidiary Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Ltd (RSBVL) will acquire the rights to own and operate a new franchise cricket team in the Emirates Cricket Board’s upcoming UAE T20 League. The move is the first major overseas expansion of Reliance Industries’ cricket operations in the global franchise-based cricket leagues. RIL through Mumbai Indians is amongst the eight founding members of the IPL and over the years has evolved as the most successful cricket club both on-and-off the field. The deal will see UAE’s T20 League benefit from the company’s commercial and cricket know-how, promising a new and exciting brand of cricket for the Emiratis along with the best learnings, experiences, and entertainment. Chairman of the UAE T20 League and vice chairman Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Khalid Al Zarooni feels that RILs investment in UAE T20 League demonstrates the confidence of the corporate industry in UAE’s vision and ability to deliver a world class cricketing event. “We aim to transform cricket in the UAE through the UAE T20 League. Our wider plan includes expansion of cricket through various development programs being conducted in UAE by the League franchisees including talent hunts, coaching, and training by some of the best in the business,” says Zarooni. “RIL has the legacy with a proven track record in establishing the most successful team in franchise cricket. Association of vanguard like RIL with the League demonstrates the confidence in our system and the strength of our infrastructure to deliver world class events. We are pleased to welcome RIL onboard and look forward to having an exciting and continuing alliance,” he added. Commenting on the occasion, Nita Ambani, co-owner & architect of Mumbai Indians said, “With great pride and joy, we take our Mumbai Indians brand of fearless cricket to a new geography. We are thankful to our fans, both in India and overseas, for supporting MI wholeheartedly. I look forward to strengthening and further expanding our global fanbase, and having a longer engagement with them through this new League. While Mumbai Indians will continue to remain at the heart of our cricket operations, the popularity of global T20 leagues and attractiveness of the UAE market offer a unique opportunity for us to further unlock the value of our sports management expertise. It also allows us a platform to develop young international talent and share best practices both on and off the field.” Akash Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians believes that the UAE T20 League presents a unique opportunity to build on existing global partnerships and benefit the growth of cricket in UAE. Says Akash Ambani: “We are extremely proud to have created a global franchise in Mumbai Indians, integrated with high values and ethos and our contribution to the Indian cricket ecosystem. We are equally confident of shaping another successful brand in the UAE and bring in our experiences to benefits the growth of cricket in the UAE.” Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary ECB said: “The trust being shown by prominent business houses in the UAE T20 League is extremely encouraging. We are pleased with RIL’s association with the League as a franchise team owner. Having seen the professionalism in the operations of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, their success in putting together the most successful team in franchise cricket and the passion with which they pursue their goals, we are very confident that this association will be mutually beneficial for both RIL and the League and will support cricket development in UAE.” UAE T20 League sanctioned by Emirates Cricket Board will be held annually. For the initial few years, the League will feature 6 franchise teams competing in a 34-match event. The League will involve some of the biggest names in world cricket and provide a platform and exposure to upcoming young cricketers. Having RIL on board to the UAE T20 League is the first in a series of other important announcements about the League to be made in the upcoming days. About Reliance Industries Limited Reliance is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated turnover of INR 539,238 crore ($73.8 billion), cash profit of INR 79,828 crore ($10.9 billion), and net profit of INR 53,739 crore ($7.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2021. Reliance’s activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail, and digital services. Reliance is the top-most ranked company from India to feature in Fortune’s Global 500 list of “World’s Largest Companies”. The company stands 55th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of “World’s Largest Public Companies” for 2021 – top-most among Indian companies. It features among LinkedIn’s ‘The Best Companies to Work For In India’ (2021). About Mumbai Indians Mumbai Indians is owned by Reliance Industries Ltd through its 100% subsidiary IndiaWin Sports, and competes in the Indian Premier League having its home ground at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Over the last decade, Mumbai Indians has emerged as the most consistent cricket franchise maintaining its Number Uno position with seven titles, which includes a record 5 trophies in IPL and two Champions League T20 titles. The franchise commands immense brand value in the sporting world, with stakeholders trust, brand investment, fan engagement and performance. Brand Finance, a global brand valuation agency has recently accorded AA+ brand strength rating to Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians has the reputation of a global sporting club with its far worldwide reach through digital presence, having close to 29 million fans engaged digitally across the globe.  

BIPIN DANI One more Sri Lanka women's team player is tested positive in Zimbabwe, it is reliably learnt. According to highly placed sources in Harare, Kavisha Dilhari, who was sharing room with one of the other three players (Sachini Nisansala), tested positive for Covid-19 during the last PCR test conducted on Monday. "Unlike the senior men players, all women players are sharing the hotel rooms and that's how the 20-year-old right-arm off-break bowler was infected", the source, speaking exclusively over the telephone said.   The total four, who are isolated after tested positive are : The vice-captain Harshitha Madavi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Sachini Nisansala and Kavisha Dilhari. All four are under medical care. Tour on Sri Lanka's participation in the Women's World Cup qualifier is in no doubt. The ICC has made it known to all the participating teams that the matches would be played as per original schedule. 

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai:-Bangladesh batters Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed have made notable gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after helping their team beat Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 Group B match in Harare on Sunday. Fargana’s steady 45 that laid the foundation for the three-wicket win, helped her gain one slot to reach 25th position in the latest weekly update to the women’s rankings, carried out on Tuesdays. Rumana’s unbeaten 50, that got the team over the line with two balls to spare, has lifted her five places to 29th position. Off-spinner Salma Khatun is up four places to 35th among bowlers while left-arm spinner Nahida Akter has progressed four slots to 41st position after their team’s opening match in the nine-team tournament being played across four venues in Harare with three teams due to book spots in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand in March-April. For Pakistan, Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar have made significant progress among batters after putting on 137 runs for the sixth wicket. Aliya, who scored 61 not out off 82 balls, is up five places to 32nd while Nida’s 111-ball 87 has helped her gain seven slots and reach 37th position. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu’s two wickets have carried her four places to 17th position while Nida is also up four places to 29th after taking one for 17 in 10 overs. Anam Amin has gone from 43rd to 40th position.

Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka put their first points on board in Harare at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifiers while Bangladesh made it two wins out of two. WEST INDIES BEAT IRELAND BY 6 WICKETS Put in to bat first by West Indies, openers Leah Paul and Gaby Lewis started well for Ireland. With the Windies bowlers bowling tight lines, Paul and Lewis had to pick and choose their moments to attack. The two put on a 79-run stand for the first wicket before Anisa Mohammed struck to remove Lewis. The wicket of Lewis triggered a massive collapse. Amy Hunter was run-out off the very next delivery without facing a ball. Mohammed next scalped Paul (25) as Ireland lost three wickets in a span of eight deliveries. Hayley Matthews then got in the act and removed Laura Delany and Orla Prendergast in the same over. Eimear Richardson (32) helped Ireland go past the 150-run mark but she did not find enough support at the other end, with only Mary Waldron getting to double digits. Chasing 159, the Windies openers knocked off 61 of those runs inside 13 overs. Though Rashada Williams was not at her best in her 34-ball 8, Deandra Dottin was on song, bringing up her fifty in just 47 balls. Eimear Richardson eventually picked Dottin's wicket for 73 but the damage was already done by then. Stafanie Taylor's unbeaten 41 guided West Indies to a win with more than 10 overs to spare. SRI LANKA BEAT NETHERLANDS BY 34 RUNS (DLS METHOD) Sri Lankan openers got the team off to a flier after being asked to bat first by the Netherlands. The 93-run partnership came in just 13.4 overs with Hasini Perera contributing only 26 from 43 balls. At the other end, Chamari Athapaththu went absolutely berserk, with the fall of wickets of Perera and Prasadani Weerakkody making no difference to her approach. She brought up her hundred in just 64 balls. Caroline de Lange eventually brought an end to the whirlwind innings, claiming her third wicket of the day before picking another one her very next over. Nilakshi de Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani steadied the ship after the two quick wickets. Oshadi Ranasinghe's stuck around the tail, taking Sri Lanka to 278/9 in 50 overs. Netherlands lost Juliët Post early on with Udeshika Prabodhani hitting timber in the third over. Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis stuck in after the early wicket, mixing caution with aggression en route their respective fifties. The duo posted 141 runs for the second wicket before Athapaththu, the star with the bat, broke through for Sri Lanka will the ball, dismissing de Leede for 77. The wicket triggered a mini-collapse as the Netherlands lost their next four wickets for just 21 runs, including the set batter Kalis. Rain interruptions in the game meant that the Netherlands fell short by 34 runs. BANGLADESH BEAT BANGLADESH BY 269 RUNS Coming into game after a stunning final over win over Pakistan, Murshida Khatun and Sharmin Akhter got Bangladesh off to a quick start, stringing a run-a-ball 96 run partnership. Khatun fell three runs short of a fifty but captain Nigar Sultana's 26-ball 33 ensured Bangladesh don't lose momentum after the wicket. Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter then put on 137 runs for the third wicket, during the course of which the latter brought up her century in 117 balls. USA picked up three wickets in quick succession, with Moksha Chaudhary accounting for two of those but Akhter and Lata Mondal finished strong for Bangladesh to take them to 322/5. USA's chase of 323 got off to a poor start, with opener Mahika Kandanala run out in the second over and were soon three down inside the Powerplay. Rumana Ahmed picked up the wickets skipper Sindhu Sriharsha and Shebani Bhaskar while Khatun dismissed Isani Vaghela as USA found themselves stuttering at 26/6. Tara Norris' knock of 16, which was one of the two double-digit scores in the USA's innings, only delayed the inevitable. Once she fell, the USA were bundled out for 53, giving Bangladesh their second win of the tournament by a massive margin of 269 runs.   PAKISTAN BEAT THAILAND BY 52 RUNS Opting to bat first, Pakistan lost their opener Muneeba Ali early in the 7th over. Omaima Sohail and Iram Javed's stay at the crease did not last long either, with both the batters walking back in consecutive overs. Captain Javeria Khan and Nida Dar consolidated the innings with a 38-run stand that came in 72 balls. Once Dar fell, Khan and Aliya Riaz put on a 29-run partnership that took Pakistan past the 100-run mark but at a very slow pace. Thipatcha Putthawong scalped the wicket of Khan soon after. Putthawong then cleaned up the tail, picking up the wickets of Fatima Sana, Diana Baig and Anam Amin to complete her five-for. She finished with figures of 9-3-18-5. Defending just 146 runs for the win, Pakistan needed early wickets and their bowlers did just that. Natthakan Chantham and Wongpaka Liengprasert were back in the hut for a duck inside the first four overs. Onnicha Kamchomphu counter-attacked with a 15-ball 16 but Nida Dar scalped her wicket before she could do more damage. Just when a partnership was building between Sornnarin Tippoch and captain Naruemol Chaiwai, a change of ends for Dar proved to be successful as she broke the stand. Chaiwai's run-out few overs later meant Thailand had lost half their side for 52. There was no coming back from that position for Thailand, despite Nattaya Boochatham offering some resistance with a 50-ball 18. With the pressure of the required run rate building, Thailand's lower order fell apart as Pakistan skittled them out for 93 to get their first points on board.

Karachi (Press Release):-Pakistan's top sports journalist and Daily Dawn Reporter Khalid Hasan Khan died in a local hospital on Monday. A passionate cricket writer Khalid Khan was hospitalised after suffering a brain hemorrhage over two weeks of ago. Khalid Khan was senior member of Karachi Press Club and Karachi Union of Journalists. He was 58 and left behind a widow and four daughters to mourn his death. Late Khalid extensively covered domestic and international cricket at home. His last international assignment was in Rawalpindi where he flew to cover Pakistan Vs New Zealand ODI series which was cancelled due to mysterious security. Late Khalid Khan was an authority on domestic first class cricket which he covered comprehensively for decades. He started his career by contributing for famous monthly cricket magazine The Cricketer and later switched to daily journalism the News soon its launch in 1990. He later joined Dawn over a decade. Khalid Khan was popular reporters at National Stadium Karachi Press Box. Khalid Khan's death is a great loss to sports journalism in Pakistan. May Allah Grant Him Highest place in Jannah. PCB saddened with the passing of Khalid H Khan Our reporter adds from Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its sadness at the passing of cricket writer Khalid H Khan. He was 59. In a condolence message, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “Khalid was one of the most respected cricket journalists in the country who had a long and distinguished career with the iconic Dawn newspaper. In my interactions with him that spanned more than two decades, I found him very passionate and knowledgeable about the game. “Khalid was widely respected and well-loved amongst his peers, players and administrators for his deep affection for domestic cricket and support for the emerging cricketers and leading performers. “My prayers and sympathies are with his friends and family on his sad and untimely passing.”

BIPIN DANI Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board was surprised when he received a call from Trinidad on Sunday late evening.  The unknown caller was Michael Solozano, the father of Jeremy, who was hit on the helmet off Dimuth Karunaratne's powerful shot while fielding at short leg minutes before lunch on the first day of the ongoing Test match. The 26-year-old left-handed batsman was taken off the field on a stretcher and transferred to a Nawaloka Hospital from the Galle Stadium in an ambulance for scans. The family in Trinidad woke up with the news on TV. "I spoke with the doctor (Prof. Arjuna de Silva. He (Prof.) is indeed a wonderful person. He said he (my son) is fine and when I was last updated in the morning (9.00 am Trinidad time, i.e.  6.30 pm Sri Lanka time), he was discharged from the hospital and was on his way to the team hotel", Michael Solozano, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Trinidad, said to the Reporter.   "Yes, I also got a call from him and he is better now", the father, who has been his mentor, added. West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano is "most-likely" to be out of the first ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka. "He is better now and scan-reports are also normal. He was unconscious for a while and therefore these concussions tests were mandatory", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo. A neurosurgeon having specialty in neck pain , back pain and headache was looking after the player.    Jeremy Solozano, who wore a helmet while fielding at short-leg, but this has been his regular fielding position, informs his childhood coach David Furlone. "He fields at short-leg position for the Trinidad team also", he said over the telephone. The coach got Jeremy's injury news from team's wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva, who also plays for Trinidad.

Dhaka (Sports Bulletin Report):-Mohammad Nawaz hit a four off the last ball to ensure a 3-0 series clean sweep for Pakistan in the third and final match of the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium Mirpur, Dhaka on Monday. The tourists had won the first match by four wickets and the second by eight wickets over the weekend. On Monday, Pakistan’s 125-run chase took a dramatic turn in the final over of the match. Needing eight runs to win off the last six balls, the visitors lost the wickets of Sarfaraz Ahmed (6), Haider Ali (45) and Iftikhar Ahmed (6) in the first five balls bowled by Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah. After bowling a dot ball, Mahmudullah had Sarfaraz and Haider caught in the deep off successive balls. Iftikhar smashed a big six off the fourth ball of the over to leave Pakistan needing two off the last two balls. The right-hander was however caught attempting a big shot off the penultimate ball which brought Nawaz to the crease. The left-hander hit a majestic boundary over the cover region to ensure Pakistan’s five-wicket victory. Pakistan’s chase was built on a 51-runs second-wicket stand between player of the series Mohammad Rizwan and player of the match Haider. Rizwan was dismissed for 40 (43 balls, two fours, one six). The right-handed wicketkeeper batter had earlier added 32 for the first-wicket with captain Babar Azam (19). Pakistan were cruising in their chase before the flurry of wickets in the final over. Haider who batted at number three scored his 45 off 38 balls with the help of two sixes and three fours. Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first for the third successive time in the series. Debutant pacer Shahnawaz Dahani made an immediate impression as he bowled opener Najmul Hossain for five in the second over of the match. Leg-spinner Usman Qadir accounted for Shamim Hossain (22) in his first over to leave Bangladesh 37 for two in 7.2 overs. Mohammad Naim who opened the innings, top-scored for the hosts with 47 off 50 balls (two fours, two sixes), Naim added 43 for the third-wicket with Afif Hossain who contributed 20 off 21 balls. Despite keeping wickets in hand, Bangladesh batters failed to break the shackles as Pakistan bowlers’ maintained tight control over the proceedings. The hosts finished their 20 overs at 124 for seven, for Pakistan Mohammad Wasim Jnr took two wickets for 15 runs. Usman also took a couple of wickets conceding 35 runs in his four overs. Shahnawaz and Haris Rauf took a wicket apiece for 24 and 32 runs in three and four overs respectively. Pakistan made four changes in their eleven with Shahnawaz, Sarfaraz, Iftikhar and Usman replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik and Shadab Khan. Scores in Brief: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by five wickets Bangladesh 124 for 7, 20 overs (Mohammad Naim 47, Shamim Hossain 22, Afif Hossain 20; Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-15, Usman Qadir 2-35) Pakistan 127 for 5, 20 overs (Haider Ali 45, Mohammad Rizwan 40; Mahmudullah 3-10) Player of the match:  Haider Ali Player of the series:  Mohammad Rizwan

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk):-Shoaib Malik will miss the third T20 against Bangladesh and will leave the national T20 squad due to illness of his son Mirza Azan Malik. According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media department, Shoaib not be available for the third T20 International match against Bangladesh. Shoaib Malik will leave Dhaka for Dubai at 10 am local time tomorrow. He will leave Dhaka at 6.30 pm and return home via Dubai. However, the National Twenty20 Squad will leave Dhaka via Dubai tomorrow at 6:30 pm. Spinners Emad Wasim and Usman Qadir will return home after staying with their families in Dubai for a few days. The national test squad will leave Dhaka for Chittagong tomorrow at 3 pm The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Chittagong from November 26. Bowling consultant Vernon Philander will leave the squad after the first Test. He will leave for South Africa on December 1. The second and final Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Dhaka from December 4

BIPIN DANI West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano is "most-likely" to be out of the first ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka. The 26-year-old left-handed batsman was taken off the field on a stretcher and transferred to a Nawaloka Hospital from the Galle Stadium in an ambulance for scans, after being hit on the helmet while fielding at short leg. "He is better now and scan-reports are also normal and may be discharged on Monday after doing the concussion tests. He was unconscious for a while and therefore these concussions tests are mandatory", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo. A neurosurgeon having speciality in neck pain , back pain and headache is looking after the player.    From his hospital bed Jeremy Solozano spoke to his father Michael in Trinidad and made him aware about the injury. "Yes, I got a call from him and he is better now", Michael Solozano, who has been his mentor, said to this Reporter. Obviously, the family was anxious when they woke up with the news about the injury. The family was relieved when a phone call from Trinidad was made to Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel, who made his father aware about the player's recovery. Jeremy Solozano, who wore a helmet while fielding at short-leg, but this has been his regular fielding position, informs his childhood coach David Furlone. "He fields at short-leg position for the Trinidad team also", he said over the telephone. The coach got Jeremy's injury news from team's wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva, who also plays for Trinidad.