Sports Bulletin

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (November 8, 2021):-The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved James Vince as a replacement for Jason Roy in the England squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved James Vince as a replacement for Jason Roy in the England squad. Right hand batter Vince, who has played 13 Tests, 19 ODIs and 13 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Roy was ruled out due to a calf injury. Vince was a reserve as per the allowance for teams to travel with extra players in view of COVID-19 quarantine requirements. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 consists of Chris Tetley (Head of Events, Chair), Clive Hitchcock (ICC Senior Cricket Operations Manager), Rahul Dravid and Dhiraj Malhotra (BCCI Representatives), Simon Doull and Ian Bishop (Independent Members).

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (November 8, 2021):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced details of Australia’s first tour of Pakistan since 1998, which will take place in March and April 2022, and comprise three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I. The Tests will take place in Karachi (3-7 March), Rawalpindi (12-16 March) and Lahore (21-25 March), while Lahore will be the venue for the four white-ball matches to be played from 29 March to 5 April. The Tests will be played as part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs will be connected to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League – a 13-team event from which the seven highest-placed sides and the hosts, India, will qualify directly for the event proper in 2023. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja, who played eight Tests and 18 ODIs against Australia: “I am delighted to welcome Australia to Pakistan. From a personal point of view, it pleases me no end that we’ll be engaged in a three-Test match series, connoisseurs delight. “Australia are one of the high-performing sides and them playing in our backyard for the first time after a gap of 24 years will be a special treat for the fans. “Likewise, it will be a great opportunity for the Australia cricketers to not only play at our iconic venues but also feel and enjoy the respect, love and hospitality that this great country offers, something which most of their previous generation of cricketers missed out by playing offshore.” Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley: “Cricket Australia is excited about the prospect of touring Pakistan next year for what will be a highly anticipated series in a country so incredibly passionate about the game and their national team. “Pakistan is a formidable opposition with an exceptionally talented team, as evidenced by their dynamic performances in the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. “We thank the PCB for their considerable efforts in planning for the tour and look forward to continuing to work closely over the coming months to finalise the necessary operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols. “The safety and welfare of our players and staff remains our number one priority, and we will continue to work with the PCB and relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate and sufficient arrangements are put in place for the tour.” As part of the reconnoitering process, Cricket Australia’s delegation will visit Pakistan to meet with PCB officials as well as provincial and federal authorities to discuss and finalise matters relating to team operations, logistics, security and Covid-19 protocols. Australia last toured Pakistan in 1998-99 when Mark Taylor led them to a 1-0 series victory – their first since Richie Benaud’s side defeated Fazal Mahmood’s team by 2-0 in the 1959-60 series. Between the two series, Pakistan hosted Australia in 1964-65 (drew 0-0), 1979-80 (won 1-0), 1982-83 (won 3-0), 1988-89 (won 1-0) and 1994-95 (won 1-0). Pakistan staged the last four series with Australia offshore – 2002-2003 (Colombo and Sharjah, Pakistan lost 3-0), 2010 (drew 1-1 in England), 2014-15 (won 2-0 in the UAE) and 2018-19 (won 1-0 in the UAE). Schedule: 3-7 Mar – 1st Test, Karachi 12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, Rawalpindi 21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Lahore 29 Mar – 1st ODI, Lahore 31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Lahore 2 Apr – 3rd ODI, Lahore 5 Apr – only T20I, Lahore

Aamir Ali Janjua SHARJAH (November 7, 2021):-Pakistan saw off Scotland by 72 runs to top Group 2, preserve a perfect record and set up a semi-final clash with Australia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. Skipper Babar Azam made 66 and Shoaib Malik clubbed an incredible 18-ball fifty as Pakistan posted 189 for four from their 20 overs, having chosen to bat. Despite Richie Berrington’s defiant unbeaten 54, Scotland only managed 117 for six in reply as their campaign ended in defeat. The most prolific batter in the Super 12s, Babar set about compiling his fifth half-century with consummate ease, starting with a sumptuous cover drive for four off Hamza Tahir. Babar’s opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan has yielded two century stands and the keeper-batter launched Brad Wheal for a massive six over cow corner in the fifth over. It wasn’t the day for another big partnership however as Tahir tossed one up and drew an under-edge from Rizwan that was well held by Matt Cross, dismissing him for 15. Babar was unperturbed and hit the roof of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a maximum from Mark Watt’s bowling. But the 27-year-old star lost another partner as Fakhar Zaman holed out to cow corner for eight to continue his lean run of form and make it 59 for two. Mohammad Hafeez came to the crease and acted as a foil to his captain, who continued to torment the Scottish attack, taking Watt for successive fours with power and poise. Hafeez really hit his straps in the 15th over, sending Safyaan Sharif flying fully 97 metres over long-on, then back-to-back fours before being trapped LBW for an entertaining 31. Watt has been Scotland’s key weapon with the ball but found his economy rate ruined further with a brutal bottom-handed six from Malik to kickstart his innings. It was Watt’s spin twin, leg-spinner Chris Greaves, who had most joy and his control was rewarded with the big wicket of Babar, who picked out George Munsey at long on to depart for 66. Malik took aim at Sharif and struck two further massive blows over midwicket and then down the arc to take the penultimate over for 17 runs. Then Greaves bore the full brunt of the veteran batter, who hit the last four legal deliveries of the innings for three sixes and a four to bring up Pakistan’s fastest-ever T20I fifty. The run chase always looked a tall order for Scotland, whose high score in the tournament was 165, and they made a steady if unspectacular start. They reached 23 for none with George Munsey finding scoring easier than his captain Kyle Coetzer, who was clean bowled by Hasan Ali for nine in the sixth over. Pakistan struck again when Imad Wasim palmed a low Munsey drive onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end to run Cross out for five. And Shadab Khan broke the backbone of the Scotland batting order with two wickets in three balls midway through the innings. Munsey departed on the first ball after drinks when he nicked to short third man and Dylan Budge was bowled for a third-ball duck to make it 41 for four. Scotland’s most consistent batter Berrington built an excellent partnership with Michael Leask, that started when Berrington whipped Hasan Ali for two boundaries in three balls. Berrington dominated the scoring in a partnership of 46, to which Leask added 14 at a run-a-ball before being comprehensively bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi for 14. Berrington forged on and then smacked Hasan over long-on for six before bringing up an excellent fifty from 34 balls. Haris Rauf got Greaves for four in the final over as Scotland finished their 20 overs on 117 for six, a full 72 runs short, with Berrington ending unbeaten on 54. The semifinals will see Group 1 toppers England take on New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on 10 November while Group 2 toppers Pakistan will play Australia in Dubai on 11 November. The final will be played in Dubai on 14 November. The complete results and fixtures are available on the page here and the points table here Scores in brief Pakistan beat Scotland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by 72 runs Pakistan 189/4 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 66, Shoaib Malik 54 not out; Chris Greaves 2/43, Hamza Tahir 1/24) Scotland 117/6 in 20 overs (Richie Berrington 54 not out, George Munsey 17; Shadab Khan 2/14, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/24) Player of the Match: Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)

Sports Bulletin Report Abu Dhabi (November 7, 2021):-New Zealand sealed their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals in style courtesy of a comfortable eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Kane Williamson and Devon Conway’s unbroken 68-run third-wicket stand saw the Black Caps home with 11 balls to spare, securing their place as one of two Group 2 qualifiers alongside Pakistan and eliminating India in the process. Afghanistan had begun the match with slim qualifying hopes of their own but a poor start with the bat left them on the back foot on 19 for three. Najibullah Zadran’s sparkling 73 inspired a revival but Trent Boult was exceptional once more with the ball, taking three for 17 to limit Afghanistan to 124 for eight. And though New Zealand lost both openers in reply, Williamson and Conway – who finished unbeaten on 40 and 36 respectively – combined to steer their side home with a minimum of fuss and set up a semi-final with either England or Australia. Afghanistan opted to bat upon winning the toss but saw both openers dismissed in quick succession as New Zealand’s fast bowlers gained an early stranglehold. Mohammad Shahzad was superbly caught behind by Devon Conway attempting an upper-cut off Adam Milne before Trent Boult induced a leading edge from Hazratullah Zazai, whose departure left Afghanistan 12 for two. Tim Southee was next to strike, trapping Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw, as the score limped to 23 for three by the end of the powerplay – the third lowest total after six overs in the tournament so far. Najibullah settled in more smoothly than his predecessors at the crease and got the scoreboard moving with consecutive boundaries off Jimmy Neesham. Another boundary off Ish Sodhi took Afghanistan past 50 but the spinner struck back in somewhat fortuitous fashion when a short ball was chopped on to his stumps by Gulbadin Naib. His departure saw Afghanistan reach the halfway point on 56 for four and Najibullah was content to nudge singles before stepping on the accelerator once more in the 14th over. Two sixes off Mitchell Santner, over long-on and deep midwicket respectively, took the run rate back above six, and Najibullah soon brought up his second half-century of the tournament – this one from 33 balls. He cleared the ropes again off Southee as Afghanistan looked for valuable late runs, though the seamer picked up his second scalp by holding a return catch to dismiss Mohammad Nabi for 14. The ever-reliable Boult then brought Najibullah's fine innings to an end, Neesham taking a fine diving catch at long-off, and also accounted for Karim Janat in a typically clinical death over. Neesham followed up by conceding just two from the final over, which also included the wicket of Rashid Khan from its final ball as Afghanistan set the Black Caps 125 to win. Knowing victory would be enough on its own, without net run-rate entering the equation, Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell made a steady start to the chase to lay the foundations. Mitchell cut the returning Mujeeb Ur Rahman to the point boundary but with the opening partnership worth 26, the spinner had his revenge in his next over by finding the batter’s outside edge. Williamson joined Guptill to safely negotiate the remainder of the powerplay, which concluded with consecutive Guptill boundaries off Mujeeb to take New Zealand to 45 for one. But the opener found life tougher against Rashid and fell aiming a heave at the spinner, who wheeled away to celebrate his 400th T20 wicket and give his side fresh hope. With Nabi’s off-breaks proving just as hard to get away, the Black Caps reached the halfway point of the chase on 61 for two – just five runs better off than Afghanistan at the same stage. Afghanistan continued to apply pressure, bringing close fielders in as the required rate ticked towards seven an over, and Williamson’s clip through the leg-side off Rashid midway through the 12th over brought his side’s first boundary for 33 balls. A typically elegant drive off Gulbadin brought the Black Caps skipper four more and Conway then made effective use of the sweep against Nabi, picking up consecutive boundaries before reverse sweeping Rashid through third man. The 50-run partnership came up in the 16th over as the pair continued to guide their side towards the finish line and Conway knocked the winning single down the ground from the first ball of the 19th over to seal his side’s progress. New Zealand will now wait until the conclusion of Pakistan’s clash with Scotland to discover their semi-final opponents. Should Pakistan win, New Zealand will finish second and take on England in Semi Final 1 in Abu Dhabi on 10 November. If Scotland are successful and the Black Caps finish top of the group, they will take on Australia in Semi Final 2 in Dubai the following day. Scores in brief New Zealand beat Afghanistan at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi by eight wickets Afghanistan 124/8 in 20 overs (Najibullah Zadran 73; Trent Boult 3/17, Tim Southee 2/24) New Zealand 125/2 in 18.1 overs (Kane Williamson 40 not out, Devon Conway 36 not out; Rashid Khan 1/27, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/31) Player of the Match: Trent Boult (New Zealand)

Saad Kayani KARACHI (November 7, 2021):-Pakistan national women’s team will start final phase of their preparations for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier when they will take on the West Indies in the first of the three One-Day Internationals at the National Stadium, Karachi, on Monday. Ahead of their departure for Zimbabwe on 16 November, where they will compete to win one of the three spots to secure qualification for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup New Zealand 2022, these three fixtures will serve as an opportunity to both sides to get the desired match practice. Wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz will lead the national side in the first match after the team management has decided to give Javeria Khan further time to gain match fitness. Meanwhile, Pakistan have also announced the 12-member squad for the first ODI, which is Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (captain and wicketkeeper). Nine high-definition cameras will live-stream the series across the globe through PCB’s official YouTube Channel as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to expand and promote women’s game and attract youngsters towards it. As per the guidelines issued by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), the seating capacity for the three matches will remain at 50 per cent. The stands will be open to general public on Sunday, 14 November, for the third ODI and the entry will be granted on the display of original CNIC and NADRA-issued Covid-19 Immunisation Certificates. For the ODIs on Monday and Thursday, colleges and schools have been extended invitations. This series also marks the return of the national women’s team to the iconic National Stadium after 15 years. Pakistan last played here in January 2006 when Karachi hosted Women’s Asia Cup in which Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka played at Karachi Gymkhana and National Stadium. Pakistan and West Indies have played twice at the National Stadium, in March 2004. The two women sides locked horns in a Test match. That match might have ended in a draw, but is remembered for opener Kiran Baluch’s stunning 242 and leg-spinner Shazia Khan’s match figures of 13 for 226 – which remain the highest Test score and best bowling figures in women’s game to date. The solitary ODI that the two teams played in the same month ended in the tourists’ seven-wicket victory. The two teams played a five-match ODI series during the national women’s team’s tour of Antigua in June-July that hosts sealed with a 3-2 scoreline. Pakistan won the last two matches of the series and the final ODI was set alive by teenage pacer Fatima Sana. Sidra Nawaz: “We are very excited and looking forward to play West Indies at the National Stadium. We have missed playing in front of our home crowd and I am sure fans will be treated with quality action when the series begins tomorrow. “This is a huge moment for me to be leading the national side in Pakistan. For any cricketer, it is nothing less than a dream to captain your country and I am very happy that I have gotten this opportunity. “We have had good preparation for this series and the team looks in great touch and ready to go after the final training session on Sunday. We will definitely miss Nida Dar and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.” Fixtures (all matches at National Stadium, to begin at 10am) November 8, 2021: 1st ODI. Rashid Riaz and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires) and Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee) 11 Nov – 2nd ODI. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires) and Rashid Riaz (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee) 14 Nov – 3rd ODI. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires) and Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee).

SPECIAL REPORT A narrow win over England was not enough to see South Africa through to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. The Proteas claimed victory by only ten runs when a winning margin of 60 was needed as England confirmed theirs and Australia’s involvements in the knockout stages despite suffering their first defeat in Group 1. For South African coach Mark Boucher the win was no consolation as they missed out on qualification through net run-rate. He said: “It is not successful because you're knocked out of a World Cup, so it is a better pill to swallow. “I think we played some very good cricket throughout the campaign cricket under a lot of pressure as well after having lost our first game. “We put in a lot of hard work in training, our chats were good. I think we beat the in-form side in white-ball cricket for a while now. “It's a tough one for the guys in the changing room. We knew what we had to do today, the equation was very difficult for us to have to get through. “I just said to the guys just try control what we can control. Unfortunately, we can't control what other results are out there. "We did the job today but it’s quite bitter.” For England, their first defeat of the tournament did not stop them from topping Group 1 and confirming their place in the semi-finals next week. However, they may be without Jason Roy who was forced off with a calf injury having made 20 off 16 balls as England looked to chase down 189. Eoin Morgan confirmed that he will have a scan tomorrow to assess the possibility of Roy having any further involvement in the tournament. Reflecting on the loss, Morgan said: “We're not going to be at our best every game, but we do need to find ways to win. “I think in the field, actually, we weren't as intense as we have been previous game. Just small things that we didn't do as neatly or as cleanly as we would have liked. “But with the ball, we probably kept them to a reasonable score, in and around par. Obviously, when your premium batsman goes down, that does hurt you, particularly given the form that he's in. “And also, on the other hand, the other guys that haven't batted a lot in the tournament came in, struck the ball really well which is a great sign obviously for the semi-final.”

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Sharjah (November 7, 2021):-England topped Group 1 and knocked opponents South Africa out of the tournament despite 94 from Rassie van der Dussen and a Kagiso Rabada hat-trick seeing South Africa to a 10-run win. The Proteas had set England a chase of 190 to win the game with Van der Dussen hitting his highest T20I score off just 60 balls. Although England failed in their chase, they made at least 131 which was all that was needed to confirm theirs and Australia’s places in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. Reeza Hendricks never got going opening the batting with the potent Quinton de Kock, as he misjudged the flight of a Moeen Ali delivery and was bowled for two from eight balls. With South Africa at 26 for one after five overs, they were in need of some boundaries and Van der Dussen got the memo, smashing Chris Woakes for back-to-back boundaries as the Proteas ended the powerplay with 40 for one. By the halfway mark, De Kock and Van der Dussen were building a nice partnership together, putting on 58 as South Africa reached 73 for one with ten overs to go. Mark Wood was then brought on for his first spell of the tournament but his express pace did not stop Van der Dussen who scooped him for six. Instead, it would be Adil Rashid’s spin that disrupted the partnership, De Kock holing out to Jason Roy at long-on, and the right-hander was left staring in disbelief at the good start he had thrown away, having to depart for 34 off 26 balls. Having brought up his own fifty off 38 balls at the beginning of Wood’s next over, Van der Dussen ended it by smacking a six to move South Africa past 100. England matched boundary-less overs with bountiful ones as Chris Jordan conceded just four off the 15th over before Woakes was sent for back-to-back sixes from Van der Dussen, with Aiden Markram getting one for himself as South Africa raced ahead to 139 for two. Another glorious shot saw Markram bringing up his fifty off just 24 balls, as South Africa set a mammoth chase of 190 to win. There were a number of permutations as Jason Roy and Jos Buttler got England’s innings underway, first to reach 87 to ensure England’s qualification, then to 106 to top the group and anything past 132 would see South Africa knocked out and Australia join them in the semi-finals. Having only taken two off the first over, Roy and Buttler teed off, reaching 37 for no wicket after four overs before Roy pulled up in distress with a serious-looking calf injury and was helped off the pitch having made 20 off 15 balls. But it was South Africa that seemed unsettled as Keshav Maharaj bowled a wide and a no-ball, with Anrich Nortje dropping the free hit to see England take 13 off the over. And then for the first time in three innings, Buttler was out, sending a low catch to Temba Bavuma to fall two runs short of a double century across the three games. Jonny Bairstow was not in the middle for long going for a single of Tabraiz Shamsi’s second ball as spin twins Shamsi and Markram restricted England. Kagiso Rabada then released that pressure going for 11 as England reached 81 for two at the halfway point before a single for Moeen in Shamsi’s third over confirmed his side’s place in the semi-finals. Just eight balls later and a six out the ground saw England secure top of the group, but that was Moeen's last act caught in the deep by David Miller as Shamsi got revenge. England then stuttered before Liam Livingstone walloped the biggest six of the tournament sending it out of the ground and 112m and then sent another one, a crushing blow to South Africa as they were knocked out of the tournament. Dawid Malan was out having misjudged a slog as Eoin Morgan combined with Livingstone to pull England back into the game. However, needing 25 off 12 balls, Livingstone was caught in the deep but Woakes continued where he left off until Rabada got him with the first ball of the final over, to leave England needing 14 off five balls. Morgan went the next ball and then Jordan was out the ball after that as Rabada earned his hat-trick and snuffed out any chance of an England win as they eventually ten runs short on 179. South Africa beat England at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by ten runs South Africa 189/2 in 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 94 not out; Aiden Markram 52 not out; Moeen Ali 1/27, Adil Rashid 1/32) England 179/8 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 37, David Malan 33; Kagiso Rabada 3/48, Tabraiz Shamsi 2/24) Player of the Match: Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (November 6, 2021):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated former West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo for an impressive career that saw him stand out across formats and taste great success in ICC tournaments over the years. Dwayne Bravo of West Indies during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between England and Windies at Dubai International Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated former West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo for an impressive career that saw him stand out across formats and taste great success in ICC tournaments over the years. The 38-year-old all-rounder announced his international retirement after the team’s last Super 12 fixture against Australia in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Bravo played in two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, three ICC Champions Trophy tournaments and seven ICC Men’s T20 World Cups. He was part of the sides that won the Champions Trophy in 2004 and the T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2016. ICC Acting Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “Dwayne has been an outstanding cricketer of his generation, who has been popular with fans the world over. He was successful in all formats and is part of an elite club of two-time World champions. “His versatility and the experience of playing the world over have helped him gain immense understanding of the game and I hope he will be able to find ways to stay involved in cricket. On behalf of the ICC, I wish him all the best for the future.” Bravo finishes with 2,200 runs and 86 wickets in 40 Test matches, 2,968 runs and 199 wickets in ODIs, and tallies1,245 runs and 78 wickets in T20Is going into his final match.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (November 6, 2021):-David Warner and Mitchell Marsh guided Australia to a routine victory over the West Indies by eight wickets at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi to leave them on the verge of reaching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals. Warner and Marsh’s terrific partnership of 123 took the game away from the West Indies with the Australian opener hitting form at a crucial time with his second half-century of the tournament, making an unbeaten 89 from only 56 balls. Marsh departed with only one more needed to win for a splendid 53 but, barring a huge win for South Africa over England later, Australia will compete in the last four. Earlier, Josh Hazlewood took four wickets as the West Indies posted 157 for seven thanks to Kieron Pollard’s 44 and Andre Russell’s late maximums but it proved to not be enough with Warner firmly in the mood. After being put in to bat, the West Indies openers Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle went berserk in the second over, taking Hazlewood for 20 runs. Gayle’s entertaining cameo of 15 from nine balls, including two sixes, was ended when he chopped on against Mitchell Starc, the 42-year-old raised his bat on his way off the ground suggesting it may have been his last innings for the West Indies. Hazlewood swung the momentum firmly back Australia’s way in the fourth over, taking two wickets in three balls. The dangerous Nicholas Pooran was caught at cover for four and then Roston Chase’s stumps were rearranged by a nip-backer before he had troubled the scorers. Shimron Hetmyer, fresh from his unbeaten 81 in a losing cause against Sri Lanka, joined Lewis and together they brought up the West Indies’ half-century by the end of the powerplay. The pair’s promising partnership of 35 was ended by leg-spinner Adam Zampa as Steve Smith held on to a steepler to send Lewis back to the hutch for 29 off 26 balls as the West Indies made it to 74 for four. Captain Kieron Pollard was given a reprieve on three when Zampa could not cling on to a caught and bowled chance. But Hetmyer was not so lucky, gloving a rising Hazlewood delivery behind to Matthew Wade, having to depart for a patient 27 off 28 balls to leave West Indies struggling at 91 for five. The West Indies brought up their 100 from the first ball of the 16th over before Dwayne Bravo, in his last T20I innings, smoked a six over extra cover to try and inject some much-needed impetus. Skipper Pollard then came to the party, blasting 13 runs off Pat Cummins to leave his side on 123 for five with three to go. Hazlewood’s remarkable recovery from his expensive first over continued when Bravo became his fourth victim, but Pollard was undeterred, finding the boundary twice more. He eventually went for 44 off 31 balls when he skied one to Glenn Maxwell in Mitchell Starc’s final over. But Andre Russell had the last say, blasting two sixes off the last two balls to leave Australia needing 158 to win. Captain Aaron Finch and Warner got the chase off to a perfect start, putting on 33 in 21 balls. Finch went for nine when he was bowled by Akeal Hosein but Warner was the aggressor and did not relent when joined by Mitchell Marsh, Australia finishing the powerplay on 53 for one. Warner grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with some belligerent hitting and brought up a terrific half-century off just 29 balls to put Australia firmly in the driving seat. The West Indies struggled to bowl a consistent line and were picked off easily by Warner and Marsh, Hosein let one through his legs for four off Russell which just about summed things up for Pollard’s men. At 98 for one at the halfway mark, Australia were cruising needing exactly a run a ball to finish the job and put them on the cusp of the semi-finals. West Indies tried to halt Australia’s serene progress with a barrage of slower balls, but they could not stop Marsh from bringing up a fantastic first World Cup fifty off only 28 balls and with it the pair’s century stand. Warner unceremoniously ushered Bravo into retirement with some sublime shot-making, an audacious reverse sweep for four followed by a huge six over square leg coming from the West Indian’s final over. The game ended in strange fashion with Gayle brought on to bowl his part-time off-spin in a cap, seemingly confirming he would also be retiring after the game. Gayle almost had a perfect send-off but wicket-keeper Pooran missed a stumping chance off Warner However, the veteran was not to be denied a wicket as Marsh, 53 from 32 balls, tamely chipped one straight to Jason Holder at mid-off with the scores level. That ended a sensational match-winning partnership, but Warner got the job done with a boundary as Australia won with 22 balls to spare before forming a guard of honour for the retiring West Indies legends. Australia beat West Indies at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi by eight wickets West Indies 157/7 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 44, Evin Lewis 29; Josh Hazlewood 4/39, Adam Zampa 1/20) Australia 161/2 in 16.2 overs (David Warner 89 not out, Mitchell Marsh 53; Chris Gayle 1/7, Akeal Hosein 1/29) Player of the Match: David Warner (Australia)

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (November 6, 2021):-West Indies have been fined 20% per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Sri Lanka in the Super 12s match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 on 4 November. Kieron Pollard of West Indies and Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka shake hands following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Sheikh Zayed stadium on November 04, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. West Indies have been fined 20% per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Sri Lanka in the Super 12s match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 on 4 November. David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Kieron Pollard’s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. Kieron Pollard pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Langton Rusere, third umpire Paul Wilson and fourth umpire Richard Kettleborough leveled the charge.