Sports Bulletin

Sports Reporter LAHORE (October 25, 2021):-The second round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 will begin from Wednesday in Faisalabad, Lahore and Multan. Though the first round saw all three matches end in draw, it served brilliant individual performances with as many as six batters stroking centuries and two bowlers recording five-wicket hauls. Balochistan’s Imran Butt, Central Punjab’s Abid Ali, Sindh’s Khurram Manzoor and Northern’s Faizan Riaz, Mubasir Khan and Nauman Ali were amongst the century-makers, while Northern’s Musa Khan and Balochistan’s Raza-ul-Hasan took five-wickets each. The first round proved to be special for Nauman and Musa especially as the two recorded their maiden batting and bowling milestones. Central Punjab – who shared the last year's title with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – earned maximum points from the opening round as they bagged 12 points (five draw, four batting, three bowling) from their draw against Southern Punjab at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The Azhar Ali-captained side will travel to Lahore to take on Northern at the Gaddafi Stadium. In the last season, the two teams won a match each against each other. While, Central Punjab will be hoping to make the most of their home advantage, Northern will look to implement the learnings about the conditions from the last match. The action from this match will be beamed across the globe through nine high-definition cameras on PCB’s official YouTube channel. Northern took 11 points from their first round match against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which turned out to be the second most. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, meanwhile, will travel to Faisalabad to play Fawad Alam’s Sindh at the Iqbal Stadium. Both teams have nine points. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the joint winners of the last season, have had an incredible start to the season by bagging the National T20 title. After playing out a draw at the Gaddafi Stadium, the Iftikhar Ahmed-captained team will be looking to make the most of their fixture against Sindh, against whom they enjoyed 1-0 score line in two matches in 2020-21. In the third match of the second round, Imam-ul-Haq-led Balochistan will face Southern Punjab at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Balochistan were beaten twice by Southern Punjab in the last season. Buoyed by a strong performance in Faisalabad, which saw them post 403 in the first innings and end the match with 10 points – the third most – Balochistan will look for settling scores. Mohammad Abbas' Southern Punjab have nine points.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (October 25, 2021):-In the recently concluded Group B, Super 12 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Sunday in Sharjah, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara and Bangladeshi batter Liton Das Kumar were both fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Lahiru Kumara of Sri Lanka clashes with Liton Das of Bangladesh following the wicket during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. In the recently concluded Group B, Super 12 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Sunday in Sharjah, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara and Bangladeshi batter Liton Das Kumar were both fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Kumara was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” Das was found guilty of breaching Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game’. The incident occurred in the fifth over after the dismissal of batter Litton Kumar Das in the Bangladesh innings. After he dismissed the batter Das, Lahiru Kumara walked towards him using actions and words which provoked an aggressive reaction from the batter. Having been provoked by the bowler Kumara, Das reacted aggressively and in a manner which was contrary to the spirit of cricket. Kumara was fined 25% of his match fee and received 1 demerit point. Das was fined 15% of his match fee and received 1 demerit point. Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions, which were ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations. Kumara and Das both pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Adrian Holdstock, 3rd umpire Michael Gough and 4th umpire Rod Tucker. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

H Shah MANCHESTER (October 25, 2021):-Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes has been added to the England Men's Test squad for the Ashes tour of Australia. Stokes, who has been given the all-clear by his consultant and the ECB medical team to resume training following his second operation on a fractured left index finger, will depart with the Test specialists and the Lions on 4 November. The 30-year-old is ready to return to competitive cricket following his break from the game at the end of July to prioritise his mental wellbeing. “I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted,” said Stokes. “I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia.” Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Ashley Giles, added: "Following a very successful operation on his finger and several conversations over the last few weeks between Ben and I, our medical staff and his management team, Ben called me to say he was ready to return to cricket and was excited about the prospect of playing a significant role in the Ashes series. "Time and time again, Ben has demonstrated how important he is to the England team and having him available for the Ashes series is excellent news for all of us and, in particular, Chris (Silverwood), Joe (Root) and the rest of the players. "Having not played for some time, we will move forward cautiously over the next few weeks to ensure he is fully prepared across all facets of his game. "Ahead of a very busy period of cricket, we continue to remain mindful of the stresses on all our personnel, and our primary focus continues to be the wellbeing of all of our players and support staff." England Men's Test Squad - Ashes Tour of Australia 2021-22: Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain James Anderson (Lancashire) Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire) Dom Bess (Yorkshire) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) Rory Burns (Surrey) Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Zak Crawley (Kent) Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire) Dan Lawrence (Essex) Jack Leach (Somerset) Dawid Malan (Yorkshire) Craig Overton (Somerset) Ollie Pope (Surrey) Ollie Robinson (Sussex) Ben Stokes (Durham) Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) Mark Wood (Durham) England's Ashes tour of Australia 2021-22 Itinerary (subject to change): 8-12 December: 1st Test, Australia v England, Gabba, Brisbane 16-20 December: 2nd Test, Australia v England (D/N), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 26-30 December: 3rd Test, Australia v England, MCG, Melbourne January 2022 5-9 January: 4th Test, Australia v England, SCG, Sydney 14-18 January: 5th Test, Australia v England, Optus Stadium, Perth

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 24, 2021):-Pakistani trio, Shaheen Shah Afridi (3 for 31), Mohammad Rizwan (79 not out and Babar Azam (68 not out) neutralize the Indian weapons Virat Koli, Rohit Sharma and Rsihbah Pant to claim historical victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday night. Afridi starred with the ball as his spell of three for 31 – bolstered by Hasan Ali’s two for 44 – decimated the Indian top order and helped restrict Virat Kohli’s team to 151 for seven. And despite Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja all spearheading a star-studded Indian attack, Babar (68 not out) and wicketkeeper Rizwan (79 not out) delivered a run-chasing masterclass to inflict a first ever T20 ten-wicket defeat on India. Babar inserted the Indians after winning the toss and with the atmosphere at fever pitch by the time Afridi steamed in for the first delivery, the skilful left-arm seamer got Pakistan off to a flyer. He trapped the dangerous Rohit Sharma lbw with just the fourth ball of the match as his menacing, full and straight thunderbolt pinned the Indian opener on the crease. That brought Kohli – and his stunning T20I average of 52.65 – to the middle but the Indian captain’s arrival did little to halt the rampant Afridi juggernaut. The 21-year-old carried on where he left off in his second over as his sumptuous in-swinger proved too good for KL Rahul and bowled him through the gate. The Indian top order rallied, however, with Suryakumar Yadav and Kohli pummelling two sixes in quick succession to extend a gripping opening period. But Yadav soon followed Sharma and Rahul back to the pavilion as a fine diving catch by Rizwan – off the bowling of Hasan – had the Indians reeling at 31 for three. Rishabh Pant led the Indian recovery as his enterprising innings of 39 – including two extraordinary one-handed sixes – helped steer Ravi Shastri’s side towards a defendable-looking total. But with the left-hander motoring in the 13th over – and Kohli on a run-a-ball 29 at the other end – he succumbed to the leg spin of Shadab Khan as the Pakistan all-rounder held on to a steepler off his own bowling. Kohli continued to keep things ticking with an intelligent middle-over innings as a steady stream of boundaries, coupled with some masterful manoeuvring, maintained India’s momentum and brought up his perfectly-judged 50. But Pakistan then regained the initiative as Jadeja (13) was caught in the deep off Hasan and Kohli, who made 57 off 49 balls, was finally dismissed by the returning left-arm pace of Afridi. And Hardik Pandya – hailed by Kohli for his finishing abilities before the match – soon followed his skipper in departing as he was caught by Babar off the bowling of Haris Rauf to leave India on 151 for seven at the interval. Rizwan wasted no time kickstarting the Pakistan reply as he swatted Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a four and six in the very first over. And with captain Babar’s cover drive functioning in typically-fluent – and aesthetically-pleasing – fashion at the other end, the 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions had soon laid the foundations for a crack at India’s total in the blink of an eye. With Pakistan on 43 for nought at the end of the powerplay, Kohli introduced the left-arm spin of Jadeja to initiate what felt like a crucial spell in the dynamic of the contest. But Rizwan and Babar continued to masterfully navigate their way through the chase, with the skipper clubbing Jadeja for a monstrous six off the back foot before Rizwan survived a run-out opportunity at the non-striker’s end. India continued to search for a breakthrough but Babar and Rizwan repelled all Kohli threw at them to leave 17 more runs required from the final three overs. And they finished the job in style, with Rizwan launching Shami for two fours and a six to fire his side to victory and cap a historic day for Pakistani cricket at the Dubai International Stadium. Scores in Brief Pakistan beat India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, by 10 wickets India 151/7 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 57, Rishabh Pant 39; Shaheen Afridi 3/31, Hasan Ali 2/44) Pakistan 152/0 in 17.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 79 not out, Babar Azam 68 not out; Ravindra Jadeja 0/28, Jasprit Bumrah 0/22) Player of the Match: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

Report:-ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad (October 24, 2021):-Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets In a match of ICC Men’s World Cup2021 at Sharja Cricket Stadium Sharjaha, United Arabs Emirates (UEA) on Sunday. Sri Lankan batters played a brilliant innings. Middle order batter Charith Asalanka played a superb innings and scored 80 runs after faced 49 balls. He smashed 5 huge sixes and 5 fours.  The Left handed batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a shining innings and scored 50 runs in just 31 balls. He hit 3 sixes and 3 fours while Pathum Nissanka contributed 24 runs in21 balls. Earlier, Lankan skipper elected to bowl first after winning the toss. Bangladesh set 172 runs total on score board. Left handed opener batter Mohammad Naim played 62 runs innings in just52 balls. Mushafiq ur Rehman scored 57 runs in 37 balls. Shakib Ul Hassan took 2 wickets by giving 17 runs while Nasum Ahmed took 2 for 29. Charith Asalanka got man of the match.  Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first Bangladesh Batting: 171 for 4 in 20 overs (Mohammad Naim Sheikh 62 (52 balls, 4X6), Mushfiqar Rehim 57 (37 balls, 4X5, 6X2), Liton Daz 16 (16 balls, 4X2) Sri Lanka Bowling: Chamika Karunaratne (1 for 12), Binura Farnando (1 for 27), Lahiru Kumara (1 for 29) Sri Lanka Batting: batter Charith Asalanka(62 runs in 52 balls), Bhanuka Rajapaksa(50 runs in31 balls) Bangladesh Bowling:  Shakib Ul Hassan 2 for 17, Nasum Ahmed 2 for 29 Results: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets Man of the Match: Charith Asalanka

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (October 23, 2021):-A ruthless bowling performance saw England get their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign off to a perfect start as they defeated the West Indies by six wickets in Dubai. The rematch between the 2016 finalists was eagerly anticipated but proved almost as one-sided as that famous occasion in Kolkata had been dramatic, with the reigning champions subsiding to 55 all out – their second-lowest ever T20I score. Spin twins Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were the principal architects of West Indies’ downfall, the latter finishing with England’s best-ever T20I figures of four for two after Moeen had set the tone with two wickets and 18 dot balls in a miserly four-over spell. The returning Tymal Mills, representing England for the first time since February 2017, chipped in with two scalps of his own including key man Chris Gayle, who was the only batter to make it into double figures. Akeal Hosein caused problems for England’s powerful batting line-up in reply, taking two for 24, but the modest nature of the target restricted West Indies’ ability to apply real pressure and Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 24 steered the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup winners home with more than half their overs remaining. Having opted to bowl upon winning the toss, Morgan opened up with Moeen and the off-spinner was greeted by an early show of intent by Evin Lewis, who lofted the final ball of the first over for what would turn out to be the only six of the innings. The England all-rounder had his revenge in the very next over, sprinting back from mid-off to take a fine catch when Lewis tried to repeat the trick off the bowling of Chris Woakes and found more height than distance. Moeen went on to account for Lendl Simmons, who picked out Liam Livingstone on the deep midwicket boundary, to leave both openers back in the pavilion inside three overs. Consecutive boundaries for Shimron Hetmyer injected some momentum into the innings at the start of the fifth over but Moeen again struck back as the left-hander chipped to Morgan at mid-on. Such a situation called for experienced heads and in Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, both playing in their seventh ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, West Indies appeared to have just the men for the job. But having struck three typically powerful boundaries, Gayle soon miscued a pull off Mills and was well caught by a backpedalling Dawid Malan off the final ball of the powerplay, which concluded with West Indies languishing on 31 for four. The situation only grew more desperate from there with Bravo next to fall, flashing hard at Chris Jordan’s second delivery and succeeding only in finding Jonny Bairstow at backward point. Mills and Jordan kept the pressure firmly applied in the middle overs, the former removing Nicholas Pooran for a single, and the return of spin paid instant dividends as Rashid’s first delivery cleaned up Andre Russell without scoring. Captain Kieron Pollard was his side’s final hope of setting a challenging target but having initially been watchful as wickets fell around him, he took on Rashid at the start of the 13th over and provided Bairstow with a routine catch at long-on. Obed McCoy fell in identical circumstances next ball and though last man Ravi Rampaul survived the hat-trick delivery, a heave in the leg-spinner’s next over saw him clean bowled as the innings was wrapped up with 5.4 overs left unused. West Indies followed England’s lead in opening with a spinner but Buttler was quickly into the groove, driving Hosein through the covers for a boundary to get the chase going. Roy was next to take the attack to the left-armer, clearing the ropes over extra cover, but was soon departing the fray after chipping a Ravi Rampaul slower ball to Gayle on 11. It was Bairstow rather than Malan who walked out at number three and consecutive boundaries took England more than halfway towards their target inside four overs. Then came a slight wobble as Hosein claimed return catches to remove Bairstow and Livingstone, the second of which was a stunning one-handed effort to his left, either side of Moeen being run out following a mix-up. But captain Morgan joined Buttler to see his side over the finish line, the wicketkeeper pulling the winning runs to the mid-wicket boundary from the second ball of the ninth over. Scores in Brief England beat West Indies at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai by six wickets West Indies 55 all out in 14.2 overs (Chris Gayle 13, Shimron Hetmyer 9; Adil Rashid 4/2, Moeen Ali 2/17, Tymal Mills 2/17) England 56-4 in 8.2 overs (Jos Buttler 24 not out, Jason Roy 11; Akeal Hosein 2/24, Ravi Rampaul 1/14) Player of the Match: Moeen Ali (England)

Sports Bulletin Report Abu Dhabi (October 23, 2021)-Australia started the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 with a nervy five-wicket victory over South Africa in a low-scoring contest in Abu Dhabi. Having restricted the Proteas to 118 for eight, Australia slipped to 38 for three in reply before Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell’s partnership of 42 set the platform for Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade to see Justin Langer’s side home with two balls to spare. Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc had all picked up two scalps as South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals to leave Australia needing less than six an over at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Aiden Markram struck a fluent 40 off 36 balls to top score for the Proteas but he ran out of partners as Australia got their campaign off to a winning start. After being put into bat, captain Temba Bavuma got South Africa off to a flyer in the first over by taking Starc for 11 runs, including two lovely fours through the off side. But he was bowled by Maxwell, utilising his handy off-spin early in the powerplay, in the second over for 12. His replacement at the crease, Rassie van der Dussen, soon followed his skipper back to the hutch after making just two when he nicked Hazlewood’s first ball behind to Wade. It went from bad to worse when Quinton de Kock was bowled in bizarre fashion after attempting to flick a Hazlewood delivery on the move, only to see it cannon off his leg and balloon into the air and back onto the stumps. Hazlewood completed his wicket maiden before South Africa stuttered to 29 for three at the end of the powerplay. Markram and Heinrich Klassen looked like they were building the first partnership of note before Pat Cummins had the latter caught off a thick outside edge for a run-a-ball 13. Playing a sole hand, Markram put on 34 for the fifth wicket with David Miller until leg-spinner Adam Zampa rocked South Africa with two wickets in the 14th over. Miller was trapped in front for 16 before Dwaine Pretorious was sharply caught by Wade for just one to leave the Proteas reeling at 82 for six. Things did not improve when Keshav Maharaj was run out by Maxwell after slipping when trying to get off the mark from an overthrow. Markram took his frustration out on the returning Hazlewood, slamming a huge six into the crowd over the leg side, but fell to Cummins when trying to up the ante, with South Africa yet to bring up their 100 with only three overs left. Some valuable late clean striking from Kagiso Rabada, who made 19 off 23 balls, gave his side something to bowl at as South Africa finished on 118 for nine. Rabada and Anrich Nortje came charging in at the start of Australia’s chase and the two combined to remove Aaron Finch for a duck in the second over, Rabada clinging on at third man after the Australian skipper slashed hard at a wide one. David Warner appeared to get things back on track with a couple of boundaries until he was well-caught by Heinrich Klaasen at point as Bavuma’s decision to keep Rabada on for three straight overs paid dividends. Australia finished the powerplay on 28 for two, one run short of where South Africa were at the same stage but with an extra wicket in hand. That advantage soon went when Keshav Maharaj had Mitchell Marsh caught at deep midwicket for 11 in the eighth over. Steve Smith and Maxwell put together a partnership of 42 as they safely navigated the middle overs without much alarm until a super diving catch from Markram off Nortje gave South Africa a sniff. Smith departed for 35 off 34, annoyed not to take his side home but having left them well-placed, needing 37 from 31 balls. But Maxwell followed just three balls later for 18 when he was castled by MRF Tyres ICC World No.1 T20I bowler Tabraiz Shamsi attempting a big reverse slog sweep. Markram nearly clinched another spectacular grab, but Wade’s shot off Rabada did not carry and crucially slipped through him for four. Wade’s improvisation brought him a second consecutive boundary before Marcus Stoinis saw Australia over the line when needing 18 from the final two overs. finishing with 24 from 16 balls as the pair put on a match-winning stand of 40 from the last 26 balls. Scores in Brief Australia beat South Africa at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi by five wickets South Africa 118/9 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 40, Kagiso Rabada 19 not out; Josh Hazlewood 2/19, Adam Zampa 2/21)  Australia 121/5 in 19.4 overs (Steve Smith 35, Marcus Stoinis 24 not out; Anrich Nortje 2/21, Tabraiz Shamsi 1/22) Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (Australia)

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (October 23, 2021):-Bangladesh, Namibia, Scotland and Sri Lanka have confirmed their place at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 to be held in Australia, after the four teams progressed to the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in Oman and the UAE. Namibia, the story of Round 1 have qualified for the Super 12s in their first ever T20 World Cup and will now return for the Australia event in 12 months time. They are joined by Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka confirming 12 out of the 16 spots for the World Cup. Afghanistan, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies and hosts Australia, had already qualified for the 2022 showpiece, gaining direct entry to the Super 12 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 by virtue of being inside the top eight on the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20 International Rankings at the cut-off prior to the postponed 2020 event. The four remaining spots will be filled via the ongoing qualification pathway taking place across the five regions, culminating in two global qualifying tournaments in early 2022.   ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We have already seen some incredibly competitive cricket in round one of the Men’s T20 World Cup culminating in Bangladesh, Namibia, Scotland and Sri Lanka taking their positions in the Super 12s and therefore qualifying for Australia 2022. “Namibia and Scotland in particular have provided us with some great stories over the past two weeks reinforcing T20 cricket as the global growth vehicle of the sport. We look forward to seeing which four teams will secure the remaining spots for Australia 2022 through the two global qualifiers next year.” For the 12 automatic qualifiers there is still plenty to play for in this tournament in terms of Australia 2022. Teams can secure their spot in the Australia 2022 Super 12s, by finishing as either winner or runner up of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 or as one of the next six highest ranked teams (as of November 15, 2021).

Reports: ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad (October 22, 2021):-Sri Lanka beat Netherlands by 8 wickets in the ICC Man’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium Oman on Friday night. Lankan Captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and asked opposition into bat firs. Netherlands scored only 44 runs in 10 overs and threw all their 10 wickets in 20 over game. Colin Ackermann scored 11 while Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara took 3 wickets for 7 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga picked up 3 wickets while Maheesh Theekshana took2 wickets for3 runs. In replay, Sri Lanka chased minor 44 target in 7.1 overs .They have 8 wickets in hand. Opener  Kusal  perera  scored 33 runs not out in 24 deliveries. Brandon Glover and Paul Van Meekeren got 1 wicket each .Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara got man of the match award for great bowling. Scores in Brief Sri Lanka beat Netherlands at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by eight wickets Netherlands 44 all out in 10 overs (Colin Ackermann 11; Lahiru Kumara 3/7, Wanindu Hasaranga 3/9, Maheesh Theekshana 2/3)   Sri Lanka 45/2 in 7.1 overs (Kusal Perera 33 not out; Brandon Glover 1/12, Paul Van Meekeren 1/20) Player of the Match: Lahiru Kumara (Sri Lanka)    

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (October 22, 2021):-The qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia is set to continue in Doha with five teams set to compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia A Qualifier supported by Dream 11. Hosts Qatar are joined by Bahrain, Kuwait, Maldives and Saudi Arabia with one place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier up for grabs. It’s the first time an ICC event has been staged in Qatar, with the matches to be hosted at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium. Qatar (21) enter the event as the highest ranked on the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, with Kuwait (27), Saudi Arabia (28), Bahrain (43) and Maldives (74) all aiming to qualify for the T20 World Cup for the first time. The event will also complete the Asia regional finals with Nepal, Singapore, UAE, Hong Kong and The Philippines already through to the Global Qualifier. Qatar captain, Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry, said: “It’s a great feeling, we are all pumped up and working hard for the event. We know it’s a big tournament and we’ve been through this stage before. The last time we played Asia qualifiers we beat higher ranked teams but one mishap and we didn’t make it into the Global Qualifiers. We are glad that we are hosting a major ICC tournament in Qatar, which is the path to Australia 2022 and we will put up a good show for our nation and cricket lovers over the globe.” Bahrain captain, Anasim Khan? said: “The ICC Mens T20 World Cup Asia is a big opportunity for Bahrain and all teams to play at the top level. It will be a dream come true to play in Australia next?year. It is a once in a life-time opportunity to earn a place in a historic World Cup qualifying round. We are a team which can bring surprises.” Saudi Arabia captain, Abdul Waheed said: “It is an absolute honour to represent Saudi Arabia in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia A Qualifier. To play in a World Cup is a dream of every cricketer, however we are focused on the forthcoming tournament. We have come a long way in recent years and to realise our dreams we need to take one step at a time and keep moving. We know that it will be an intense competition as other participating teams are good. Nevertheless, we have prepared well and the boys are excited to give their best.” Kuwait captain, Mohammed Nawaf Mohammed Aslam said: “It feels absolutely brilliant to be captaining the Kuwait side on such a big stage and to play competitive cricket with neighbouring countries, who are all fighting for that one prestigious and most valuable spot. We know its a tough road ahead but we are preparing hard for that. We have to win all the matches and tournaments we participate in under the ICC in order to come up the rankings and achieve the goal of being in the top 15 teams in the world.” Maldives captain, Mohamed Mahfooz said: “I am very excited and eager to show the cricketing community the talent of Maldivian cricketers. I believe this small nation is ready to upset the big teams in this competition. We did what we could control to prepare. We had online fitness sessions and once restrictions eased we started outdoor fitness sessions and indoors practices. We kept the players minds always in the game until we were able to get back on the ground.” Qatar Cricket Association President Yousef Jeham Al Kuwari expressed his thrills for getting a chance to showcase his country’s hosting capabilities. He commented while welcoming the participating teams and officials: “Qatar has established itself as the sporting capital due to its high standards in staging events. We are delighted that we will host the Asia Group A Qualifiers for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from October 23 to 29. “The QCA feels grateful to the International Cricket Council for granting this event to Qatar. We welcome all the contesting teams and ICC officials. This is the first international cricket tournament here after the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a halt. “We assure the ICC that we’ll live up to our reputation of being a world-class host. We wish good luck to all the teams. We hope that all the teams are keen to get back to the field and will produce high-voltage action in a bid to qualify for the global qualifying stage,” Al Kuwari added.” FIXTURES 23 October 2021- Qatar vs Bahrain (09h00); Maldives vs Saudi Arabia (13h10) 24 October 2021 - Bahrain vs Kuwait (09h00); Qatar vs Maldives (13h10) 25 October 2021 - Kuwait vs Saudi Arabia (09h00); 27 October 2021 - Bahrain vs Maldives (09h00); Qatar vs Saudi Arabia (13h10) 28 October 2021 - Maldives vs Kuwait (09h00); Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain (13h10) 29 October 2021-  Kuwait vs Qatar (13h10)