Sports Bulletin

ABDULLAH ASJAD Rawalpindi (November 17, 2021):-Three wickets apiece from Arham Nawab and Mohammad Zeeshan helped Central Punjab U19 Blues bowled out Southern Punjab U19 Whites for 255 in reply to 337 on day two of the final of the National U19 Championship being staged at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. At stumps, Central Punjab U19 Blues were 41 for three in their second innings leading by 82 runs. Earlier, resuming their first innings on the overnight score of 35 for no loss, Central Punjab openers Aun Shehzad and Arafat Ahmed provided a solid 58-run partnership for the first wicket. After the departure of Arafat (21, 45b, three fours), Aun was joined by right-handed batter Mohammad Shehzad. The pair knitted 122 runs for the second wicket. Aun scored 78 off 153, hitting nine fours and one six, while Shehzad contributed 94-ball 85, laced with 15 fours and one six. For Central Punjab, off-spinner Arham and right-arm fast Zeeshan picked three wickets each for 42 and 52 runs, respectively. Scores in brief: Central Punjab U19 Blues v Southern Punjab U19 Whites – Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Central Punjab U19 Blues 337 all out, 76.1 overs (Mohammad Waqas 101, Shawaiz Irfan 71, Abubakar 38, Ali Asfand 31; Faisal Akram 4-54, Arafat Ahmed 2-48, Mohammad Ismail 2-68) and 41-3, 18 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 2-27) Southern Punjab U19 Whites 255 all out, 74.1 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 85, Aun Shehzad 78, Mohammad Ammar 33; Arham Nawab 3-42, Mohammad Zeeshan 3-52, Awais Ali 2-55)

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lahore (November 17, 2021):-Left-arm orthodox Kashif Bhatti recorded a five-wicket haul for Balochistan against Northern at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on first day of the fifth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22. This was 35-year-old’s 22nd first-class five-for. Kashif took five wickets for 92 runs in 30 overs as Northern finished the day on 244 for nine and helped Balochistan gather three bowling points with an eye on bonus points (for bowling out opposition). If Balochistan dismiss Northern’s last wicket under 250 they would bag two points. Doing so between the score of 251-300 would get them one point. The other four wickets were shared equally between off-spinner Raza-ul-Hasan and left-arm orthodox Jalat Khan. With the scores of 47 and 41, Northern’s Abdul Faseeh and Rohail Nazir put up resistance. Both batters, however, were sent packing by Kashif. In the match between Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Multan Cricket Stadium, Mohammad Saad was not out on 64 as the former closed the day on 206 for six after the latter opted to bowl without contesting the toss. Saad had arrived at the crease with Central Punjab at 84 for two and smashed seven fours from the 131 balls he faced. He was joined by all-rounder Zafar Gohar (21 not out) when stumps were drawn. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s pacer Imran Khan Snr and left-arm orthodox Asif Afridi took two wickets each, while Sameen Gul and Khalid Usman removed a batter each. Half-centuries by captain Umar Siddiq and Imran Rafiq had Southern Punjab on 211 for four against Sindh at the Gaddafi Stadium. The pair added 118 runs for the third wicket before Imran was out on 68 (eight fours). Umar was unbeaten on 61 (seven fours, 148 balls). Opener Zain Abbas struck 45 and stitched a 61-run opening partnership with Tayyab Tahir (24) after Sindh captain Asad Shafiq elected to bowl without contesting the toss. The four wickets to fall on the day were picked up by Sohail Khan, Mir Hamza, Tabish Khan and Mohammad Asghar. Scores in brief: Northern won the toss and elected to bat against Balochistan at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Northern 244-9, 84 overs (Abdul Faseeh 47, Rohail Nazir 41, Umar Amin 37, Muhammad Huraira 33, Mehran Mumtaz 23, Aamir Jamal 22; Kashif Bhatti 5-92, Raza-ul-Hasan 2-37, Jalat Khan 2-68) Innings points – Northern 1, Balochistan 3 Toss Uncontested – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa opt to bowl against Central Punjab at Multan Cricket Stadium Central Punjab 206-6, 70.3 overs (Mohammad Saad 64 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 36, Imran Dogar 32, Saif Badar 23, Zafar Gohar 21 not out; Asif Afridi 2-42, Imran Khan Snr 2-73) Innings points – Central Punjab 1, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2 Toss Uncontested – Sindh opt to bowl against Southern Punjab at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Southern Punjab 211-4, 73 overs (Imran Rafiq 68, Umar Siddiq 61 not out, Zain Abbas 45, Tayyab Tahir 24) Innings points – Southern Punjab 1, Sindh 1

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka’s national senior men’s team head coach Mickey Arthur will join Derbyshire after the upcoming Test series against West Indies. According to highly placed sources at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Arthur informed SLC of this on Tuesday. "I just wanted to inform you that with regret and against my preferred option I have signed a 3-year contract as Director of Cricket with Derbyshire County Cricket Club to commence after my last assignment being the Test series against West Indies", he has written an email to Shammi Silva (SLC chief), Ashely de Silva (CEO) and Mohan de silva (secretary). "I know that Sri Lanka is a far better place than when I arrived and have helped groom some very good talent as well as developing a team and brand that can give SLC some sustainable success in the future", he has said in a letter. Arthus says he is leaving with a heavy heart, and that his decision was forced by the lack of affirmation he had received from SLC about his future. "All I wanted was an indication from SLC that you were happy with the job that myself and my very loyal and good support staff were doing and I would have stayed, having not received anything I felt with no option. I have fallen in love with Sri Lanka Cricket, the players, the people and your beautiful country". Arthur is determined to help Sri Lanka win the upcoming series. "I am determined beyond no end to help the players beat the West Indies in the last series and would like nothing better to sign off with a Test series win", he has said in his letter, also sent to Tom Moody.

Sports Reporter DUBAHI (November 17, 2021):-West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor has moved up in the list of batters in the latest update to the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after a match-winning century against Pakistan that helped complete a 3-0 series win. Tuesday’s updates, which take into account the second and third ODIs between Pakistan and the West Indies as well as the three Zimbabwe versus Bangladesh matches, sees Taylor move up two slots to 12th position after an unbeaten 102 in the third ODI in Karachi. Taylor’s compatriot Hayley Matthews is another big gainer, moving up four slots to 25th among batters and up three slots to 20th among bowlers. She is also up two places to 12th in the all-rounders’ list after a match-winning four-wicket haul in the second match and a score of 49 in the third. For Pakistan, Aliya Riaz (up three places to 37th) and Omaima Sohail (up two places to 39th) have moved up the list for batters and Nashra Sandhu (up one place to 21st) and Anam Amin (up four places to 43rd) have progressed among bowlers. Bangladesh’s Fargana Hoque has gained seven places to reach joint-26th position after smashing a 53 not out in the second ODI against Zimbabwe while her team-mate Rumana Ahmed has moved up two places to 34th. Captain Salma Khatun (up five places to 39th) and Nahida Akter (up 11 places to 45th) have advanced in the bowlers’ list.

Sports Reporter Dubai (November 17, 2021):-Mitchell Marsh and David Warner have made notable progress in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings after helping Australia win their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday. All-rounder Marsh, who struck an impressive 77 not out off 50 balls to be named Player of the Match in the final against New Zealand, has progressed six spots to reach joint-13th position among batters while Player of the Tournament Warner’s scores of 49 against Pakistan in their semifinal and 53 in the final have helped him move up eight places to 33rd position. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who top-scored in the final with a knock of 85, has gained seven places to reach 32nd position while Devon Conway is up three places to fourth position after scoring 46 against England in the first semifinal in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman is up eight places to 40th following his unbeaten 55 against Australia in the second semifinal in Dubai while spinner Shadab Khan has moved up seven places to 16th position after bagging four for 16 in the same match. Other bowlers to gain in the latest update include Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who is up two places to third, and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, whose haul of three for 16 in the final sees him move up two places to sixth position. New Zealand’s left-arm seamer Trent Boult is up seven places to 14th position after taking two for 18 in the final while Pat Cummins (up 24 places to 37th) and Chris Woakes (up 21 places to 46th) have also moved up the bowlers’ list. England’s Liam Livingstone is up seven places to third among all-rounders. Meanwhile, Canada batter Navneet Dhaliwal’s consistent performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier have lifted him 36 places to 36th position. Dhaliwal’s scores included 65 against Panama, 49 against Argentina and 44 against Canada.

Sports Bulletin Report DUBAHI (November 17, 2021):-The ICC Board appointed Working Group has been established to review the status of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and cricket in Afghanistan in light of the recent governmental changes in the country. The group comprises Imran Khwaja (Chair), Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo and Ramiz Raja and will report back to the Board over the coming months. ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “The ICC Board is committed to continuing to support Afghanistan Cricket to develop both men’s and women’s cricket moving forward. We believe the most effective way for this to happen will be to support our members in their efforts to achieve this through its relationship with the new government. “Cricket is fortunate to be in the position to influence positive change in Afghanistan with the national men’s team a source of great pride and unity in a country with a young population that has experienced more upheaval and change than most. We should protect that status and continue to try to influence change through the ACB but will continue to closely monitor the situation and take any decisions accordingly.” Other updates The ICC Board approved the continuation of the ICC World Test Championship in its current form of a nine-team league over a two-year period with a final between the top two teams at the conclusion. Following the expansion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to a 14-team event in the next cycle2027, the Board accepted a recommendation from the Chief Executives’ Committee that the primary avenue for qualification for the event is based on rankings at a pre-determined cutoff date with the 10 highest-ranked teams on the MRF Men’s ODI Rankings qualifying automatically, and the remainder being determined via a global qualifier. BCCI Chair Sourav Ganguly has been appointed to the position of Chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee after Anil Kumble stepped down having served a maximum of three, three-year terms. ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “I am delighted to welcome Sourav to the position of Chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee. His experience as one of the world’s best players and latterly as an administrator will help us shape our cricketing decisions moving forward. I would also like to thank Anil for his outstanding leadership over the last nine years which has included improving the international game through more regular and consistent application of DRS and a robust process for addressing suspect bowling actions.” The Board also approved that first-class status and list A classification will be applied to women’s cricket to align with the men’s game and applied retrospectively. Going forward the ICC Women’s Committee will be known as the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee and will assume all decision making responsibility for women’s cricket reporting directly to the CEC. Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies has been appointed to the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee. ICC Chair Greg Barclay added: “This has been an extremely productive set of Board meetings and I’d like to thank my fellow Board Directors for their efforts in travelling to Dubai to enable us to enjoy our first face to face meeting in more than two years. International travel is not easy in COVID times, but we have achieved a significant amount by being in the same room. “Finally, on behalf of the ICC Board, I’d like to thank the ICC staff for their continued commitment over the last two years. It hasn’t been a straightforward period and the challenges thrown at us by COVID have impacted on how they have had to operate. They have responded with great energy and have consistently delivered to a high standard culminating with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 which has been a resounding success.”

Special Report Dubai (November 16, 2021):-Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja has thanked the International Cricket Council for awarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan, saying the event will showcase Pakistan’s passion for the sport. The ICC Board’s decision means Pakistan will defend the ICC Champions Trophy title in their backyard when the eight-team and 15-match tournament is held at three iconic venues in February 2025. Pakistan had defeated India by 180 runs in the 2017 tournament at The Oval. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “I am pleased no-end with the ICC’s decision to select Pakistan as a host nation for one of their elite tournaments. By allocating a major global event to Pakistan, the ICC has expressed complete confidence and faith in our management and operational capabilities and skills. “We have continued to demonstrate how a great host we are and through the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, we will again showcase our passion and love for the sport as this event will be a boon to the millions of home fans, who will see world class teams and their favourite international players from close quarters. “We not only endeavour to plan and deliver a world-class event, we will also prepare and field a strong and formidable side that can perform and entertain our home fans. We saw during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign how the nation got united and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home will be another opportunity to further strengthen that bond as we defend the title.”  

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (November 16, 2021):-Southern Punjab will enter the fifth round, which commences from tomorrow, of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 with their heads high as they take on Sindh at Gaddafi Stadium, the home of Pakistan cricket. Southern Punjab and Sindh have been the best sides in the competition to date as Southern Punjab lead the points table with 60 and Sindh are ranked second with 40. The match between these teams will be live-streamed through Pakistan Cricket Board’s official YouTube channel across the globe. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – who have same points as Sindh, but are ranked third – will play fourth-placed Central Punjab at Multan Cricket Stadium.  The two sides are joint-winners of the last Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and will be eager to bag crucial 16 points by securing a win to catch up with Southern Punjab. In the third match of the round, Balochistan, ranked fifth, and Northern, bottom-placed, will go head-to-head at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. After becoming the first side to face a defeat, Northern will be hoping to make a strong comeback with a win. The players selected for the national Test side for the two-Test series against Bangladesh will not feature in this round. As such, the six sides can call up reinforcements from their squads, announced at the start of the season. This is the last round of this Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 being played in Punjab. The last half of the tournament, including the final will be played in Karachi. Squads: Balochistan - Imran Butt (captain), Bismillah Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Akbar-ur-Rehman, Akif Javed, Amad Butt, Ayaz Tasawar, Azeem Ghumman, Gohar Faiz, Haris Sohail, Jalat Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Najeebullah Khan, Raza-ul-Hasan and Taj Wali Central Punjab – Ahmed Bashir, Ahmed Shehzad, Ali Zaryab, Bilawal Iqbal, Haider Ali, Imran Dogar, Junaid Ali (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Akhlaq (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Saad, Nisar Ahmed, Saad Nasim, Saif Badar, Waqas Maqsood and Zafar Gohar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Adil Amin, Arshadullah, Ashfaq Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Imran Khan Snr, Israrullah, Khalid Usman, Mehran Ibrahim, Musadiq Ahmed, Nabi Gul, Niaz Khan, Rehan Afridi (wicketkeeper), Sahibzada Farhan and Sameen Gul Northern – Umar Amin (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdul Faseeh, Ather Mehmood, Faizan Riaz, Kashif Ali, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Huraira, Munir Riaz, Musa Khan, Raza Hasan, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sarmad Bhatti, Umar Waheed and Waqas Ahmed Sindh – Asad Shafiq (captain), Ammad Alam, Ahsan Ali, Junaid Ilyas, Khurram Manzoor, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hassan, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Umar, Saad Khan, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Tabish Khan Southern Punjab – Umar Siddiq (captain and wicketkeeper), Adeel-ur-Rehman, Ali Usman, Aamer Yamin, Azam Khan (wicketkeeper), Hassan Khan, Imran Rafiq, Imran Randhawa, Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Junaid, Naved Yasin, Tayyab Tahir, Yousaf Babar, Zain Abbas and Zia-ul-Haq Fixtures (17-20 November): Southern Punjab v Sindh – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Central Punjab v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan Northern v Balochistan – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI (November 16, 2021):-Mohammad Waqas representing Central Punjab U19 Blues hit century against Southern Punjab U19 Whites on the opening day of the National U19 Championship final being staged at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. After being put into bat, Central Punjab were dismissed for 337 in the 77th over. Right-handed batter Waqas struck 16 fours and three sixes during his 132-ball 101 innings. He was supported by opening batter Shawaiz Irfan who contributed 71 off 113 balls, hitting 12 fours. Waqas and Shawaiz added 12o runs for the third wicket. Southern Punjab’s Faisal Akram with his left-arm spin took four for 54, while Arafat Ahmed and Mohammad Ismail bagged two wickets apiece. At stumps, Southern Punjab U19 Whites were 35 for no loss in nine overs. Scores in brief: Central Punjab U19 Blues v Southern Punjab U19 Whites – Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Central Punjab U19 Blues 337 all out, 76.1 overs (Mohammad Waqas 101, Shawaiz Irfan 71, Abubakar 38, Ali Asfand 31; Faisal Akram 4-54, Arafat Ahmed 2-48, Mohammad Ismail 2-68) Southern Punjab U19 Whites 35-0, nine overs (Aun Shehzad 19 not out, Arafat Ahmed 16 not out)

SPECIAL REPORT (November 16, 2021):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed the 14 host countries of the ICC men’s white ball events from 2024-2031. 11 Full Members and three Associate Members have been selected to host two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, four ICC Men’s T20 World Cups and two ICC Men’s Champions Trophy events. Pakistan will host Champions Trophy in 2025. The USA and Namibia will host an ICC World Cup event for the first time. Whilst Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe have previously staged major events and will do so again over the next decade. The hosts were selected via a competitive bidding process overseen by a Board sub-committee chaired by Martin Snedden along with Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Skerritt. The ICC Board accepted the recommendations of the committee who conducted a thorough review of each bid along with ICC management. A similar process to identify the hosts for ICC Women’s and U19s events for the next cycle will be undertaken early next year. ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “We are delighted to have concluded this competitive bidding process for the first time for ICC events. To have 14 Members hosting 8 events is a reflection of the truly global nature of our sport and I’d like to thank every Member that submitted a bid and offer our congratulations to the successful bidders. “It is fantastic to be returning to so many previous hosts, but what is really exciting about this process is the countries who will stage ICC events for the first time including the USA which is a strategic growth market for us. This gives us the opportunity to deepen our connection with fans in traditional cricket nations and also reach new fans around the world.” Martin Snedden, Chair of the ICC Hosting Sub-Committee said: “We received a range of excellent bids to host the ICC Men’s events in the next cycle. We were committed to ensuring a broad spread of hosts to align with the ICC strategic objective of global growth and have ended up with 14 countries who will support that long term aim.” Ricky Skerritt, Cricket West Indies President and ICC Board member said: “The success of this joint bid by CWI and USA Cricket will be a huge boost for our cricket. It offers a vital strategic opportunity to promote and develop cricket, and related commercial activity, in North America and the Caribbean. I take this opportunity to thank all those at ICC, USA Cricket and CWI who helped to make this 2024 venue selection decision possible.” The awarding of the events to preferred hosts is subject to the completion of the host agreements and the ICC will now work closely with Members to finalise arrangements. 17 Members submitted a total of 28 proposals to host the eight ICC Men’s white ball events.