Sports Bulletin

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (October 20, 2021):-The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved Akeal Hosein as a replacement for Fabian Allen in the West Indies squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has approved Akeal Hosein as a replacement for Fabian Allen in the West Indies squad. Left-arm spinner Hosein, who has played nine ODIs and six T20Is, was named as a replacement after Allen was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Hosein was a reserve as per the allowance for teams to travel with extra players in view of COVID-19 quarantine requirements. The replacement for Hosein in the reserves list will be the uncapped Gudakesh Motie. 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).

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (October 20, 2021):-Eoin Morgan says England are excited by the challenge of adding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 title to the 50-over crown they claimed two years ago. Eoin Morgan says England are excited by the challenge of adding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 title to the 50-over crown they claimed two years ago. Morgan led England to a memorable first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019 on home soil and they are among the favourites to land the T20 equivalent in UAE and Oman this year. They are currently ranked No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I team rankings and boast an experienced squad, with only Tom Curran aged under 28. England have lost just one of their last 11 T20I series and even that was a marginal 3-2 defeat to India earlier this year, while they arrive off the back of home victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Expectations are high then, and Morgan believes they have what it takes to replicate their 2019 50-over success. “It would be unbelievably special if we managed to do it (win another ICC world title) in three years,” he said. “I think the group of players we have had for the past five or six years and some new really talented younger guys, makes a composition of the squad extremely strong. “Playing away from home creates challenges, and for the first time since 2016 we are going into a tournament where we haven’t been favourites. “But these are challenges we are really looking forward to.” England are joined in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage by rivals Australia, defending champions West Indies and the ever-dangerous South Africa, while two teams from Round 1 will complete the six-team group. England begin against West Indies in Dubai on Saturday but lost their opening warm-up game against India by six wickets. Morgan wouldn’t be drawn on wider team news but did say that Liam Livingstone’s finger injury sustained against Virat Kohli’s side was not serious. The Lancashire all-rounder left the field after dropping Ishan Kishan on the boundary against India on Monday. “Liam is fine and fully fit for the start of the tournament,” confirmed the captain. “We have no other problems. None, touch wood, so far.” Morgan said he would not necessarily play in every England match, suggesting he will drop himself if his poor recent form continues. Morgan averaged just 11.08 in the recent IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders and says he will not stand in the way of the team if his form continues to be a problem. "I've been short on runs but my captaincy has been pretty good,” he said. "I wouldn't be standing here if I hadn't come out of every bad run of form that I've ever had. "The nature of T20 cricket and where I bat means I always have to take high-risk options. I've come to terms with that."

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):-Bangladesh defeated Oman by 26 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at AL Amarat  Cricket Ground  Oman on Tuesday and confirmed their place in the next round of top 12 teams. On Tuesday night, Bangladeshi captain Mahmudullah won the toss and decided to bat first. Bangladeshi batters scored 153 for 10 runs in 20 overs match. Opener Mohammad Naim scored 64 runs after facing 50 deliveries. He smashed 4 long sixe sand 3 fours. Al rounder Shakib Ul Hassan played a brilliant innings and added 40 runs in his team’s total. He faced 29 balls and hit 6 fours while skipper scored 17 runs in 10 balls and hit only single four and six. Oman’s bowler  Bilal khan took 3 wickets after conceded 18 runs in 4 overs while Fayaz Butt chipped in 3 wickets for 29 runs .Kaleem Ullah  got 2 wickets. Oman batter Jatinder scored 40 runs after wasting 33 delivers. He hit 4 sixes and 3 fours. Kashyap Prajapati scored just 21 runs in 18 balls. Bangladeshi bowler Mustafiz ur Rehman got 4 wickets in four overs, Shakib Ul Hassan sent 3 batsman out for 28 runs in 4 overs. He got man of the match award on his all rounder performers. Brief Scorecard: Toss: Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first Bangladesh Batting: (Mohammad Naim (64 runs in 50 balls) 3 fours 4 sixes Shakib ul hasan (40 runs in29 balls) 6 fours, Mahmudullah (17 runs in 10 balls) 1 six and 1 four) Oman Bowling: (Bilal khan 3 for 18 runs, Fayaz Butt 3 for 30 runs, Kaleem ullah  2 for 30 runs) Oman batting: (Jatinder singh (40 runs in 33 balls) 4 fours 1 six, Kashyap Prajapati (21 runs in 18) 1 four and 2 sixes, Zeshan Maqsood (12 runs in 16 Balls) 1 six) Bangladesh bowling: (Mustafiz ur Rehman 4 for 36, Shakib Ul Hasan 3 for 28, Mahedi Hassan 1 for 14) Results: Bangladesh won the match by 26 runs Man of the match:-Shakib Ul Hassan

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):-Scotland defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 17 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 match, which was played at Al Amerat Cricket Ground Oman on Tuesday. Scotland’s skipper Kyle Coetzer won the battle of coin and decided to bat first. Scotland batters set a 166 target on the score board after losing 9 wickets. Richie Berrington played brilliant innings and scored 70 runs in only 49 balls. He smashed 3 fours and 3 sixes. Wicket keeper batsman Matthew Cross scored 45runs in 36 balls including hit pair of sixes and fours while George Munsey made 15 runs in 10 balls. Papua New Guinea’s   bowler Kabua Morea took 4 wicket ant conceded 31 runs in his four overs cotta while Chad Soper grabbed 3 wickets for 24 runs. While Papua New Guinea batter Norman Vanua was top scorer with 47 runs, as he wasted 37 balls and hit couple of sixes and fours. Matthew Cross added 45runs in 36 balls. Scotland’s pacer Josh Davey took 4 wickets. Richie Berrington got man of the match award due to his brilliant 70 runs knock. Brief scorecard: (Scotland Vs PNG) Result: Scotland won by 17 runs             Toss:-Scotland won the toss and elected to bat first Scotland Batting:- Richie Berrington (70 runs in 49 balls), Matthew Cross (45runs in 36 balls), George Munsey (15 runs in 10 balls) Papua New Guinea Bowling:- Kabua Morea 4 for 31, Chad Soper 3 for 24, Simon Atai 1 for 20 Papu New Guinea Batting:- Norman Vanua (47 runs in 37 balls), Sese Bau (24 runs in 23 balls), Kiplin Doriga (18 runs in 11 balls) Scotland Bowling:- Josh Davey 4 for18, Alasdair Evans 1 for 22, Mark Watt 1 for 23 Man of the match: Richie Berrington  

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):- Kashmir have lifted the title of PAF T20 Cricket Champions Trophy for Blinds after beating hosts Islamabad by 11 runs in the final at E-9 cricket ground on Tuesday. Islamabad won the toss and elected to bowl first. Kashmir scored 220 for the loss of four wickets. Nisar was the top scorer with 108 runs. In reply, Islamabad could score 209 runs in allotted 20 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Kashmir won the final by 11 runs. Ayub Khan scored 88 runs. Nisar Ali was awarded player of the match. In closing ceremony Chief Guest Air Commodore Mutahir Ul Islam SI (M) Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Admin) distributed Trophies and Prizes among the players. Idreess from Ajk was best player in B1 Catagory, Anis Javed from Islamabad was best player in B2 and Mohammad Akram from Gujranwala was best player in B3 Category. Atiq ur Rehman from Gujranwala declared best wicket keeper of the tournament.

Report: ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad (October 18, 2021):-Sri Lanka beat Namibians by 7 wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 match at Sheikh Zayid Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi on Monday night under the floodlights. Sri Lankan tigers got their meager target of 96 runs after losing only three wickets and 39 balls were spare too. Sri Lankan Batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored unbeaten 42 runs in just 27 balls while Avishka Fernando scored 30 runs in 28 deliveries were major contributors. Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper won the toss and put opposition in to bat first. Namibia bundled out on 96 runs. Craig Williams scored 29 runs in 36 balls, Gerhard Erasmus scored 20 runs in 19 balls and JJ Smit scored 12 runs in 15 delivers. Maheesh Theekshana took 3 wickets for Sri Lanka and he was judged man of the match on his match winning bowling.   Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss elected to bat first Namibia Batting: Craig Williams (29 runs 36 balls), Gerhard Erasmus (20 runs 19 balls), JJ Smit (12 runs 15balls) Sri Lanka Bowling: Maheesh Theekshana 3 for 25, Lahiru Kumara 2 for 9, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2 for 24 Sri Lanka Batting: Bhanuka Rajapaksa  42 runs for 27 balls, Avishka Fernando 30 runs for 28. Namibia Bowling: JJ Smit 1 for 7, Bernard Scholtz 1 for 16, Ruben Trumpelmann 1 for 27 Result: Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets (with 39 balls remaining) Man of the Match: Maheesh Theekshana  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (October 18, 2021):-The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021 will start from December 5, 2021 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) Colombo, with the inaugural game scheduled to be played between Galle and Jaffna. According to available information from abroad, the first round of the tournament, which will consist of 20 games will be played at the RPICS, Colombo before it moves into Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) Hambantota to proceed with the final round games. The finals of the League will be played on the December 23, 2021 at the MRICS, Hambantota, whilst this year’s tournament has 24th December, as a ‘Reserve Day’ dedicated for the final. The Lanka Premier League 2021 which is Sri Lanka’s topmost domestic tournament, with an international flavor, will consist of 24 games and will see the participation of topmost domestic and international cricketers. The Final Round Games will see the top two teams in the points table playing the qualifier 1, whilst the 3rd and 4th placed teams on the table playing in the ‘eliminator.’ The winner of ‘qualifier 1’ will directly go into the finals, whilst the loser of the ‘qualifier 1’ will play against the winner of the ‘eliminator’ in the ‘qualifier 2’, and the winner of that game will go into the finals. Schedule (First Match at 3:00 pm, Second Match at 7:30 pm) December 5, 2021: OPENING CEREMONY and Galle vs Jaffna at RPICS December 6, 2021: Dambulla Vs Kandy and Colombo Vs Galle at RPICS December 7, 2021: Jaffna Vs Dambulla and Kandy Vs Galle at RPICS December 8, 2021: Colombo Vs Dambulla and Kandy Vs Jaffna at RPICS December 9, 2021: Rest & Practice December 10, 2021: Dambulla vs Galle and Jaffna vs Colombo at RPICS December 11, 2021: Galle vs Kandy and Colombo vs Dambulla at RPICS December 12, 2021: Jaffna vs Kandy and Galle vs Colombo at RPICS December 13, 2021: Galle vs Dambulla at RPICS December 14, 2021: Kandy vs Colombo and Dambulla vs Jaffna at RPICS December 15, 2021: Rest & Practice December 16, 2021: Colombo vs Jaffna and Kandy vs Dambulla at RPICS December 17, 2021: Jaffna vs Galle and Colombo vs Kandy at RPICS December 18, 2021: Travel to Hambantota December 19, 2021: Rest & Practice December 20, 2021: Eliminator (3 vs 4) Qualifier 1 (1 vs 2) at MRICS December 21, 2021: Qualifier 2 (looser QF1 vs won E) at MRICS December 22, 2021: Rest & Practice December 23, 2021: Final at MRICS December 24, 2021: Final (Reserve Day)                MRICS

Report: ABDULLAH ASJAD ISLAMABAD (October 18, 2021):-Ireland defeated Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Sheikh Zahid Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi on Monday. Netherlands captains Pieter Seelaar won the toss and elected to bat first. Netherlands could score only 106 runs in allowed 20 overs. Max O Dowd was the top scorer with 51 runs. He hit 7 fours and faced 47 balls. Captain Pieter Seelaar contributed 21 runs. For the Ireland, Curtis Campher got 4 wickets including a hat-trick in his four overs after giving 25 runs while Mark Adair got 3 wickets for just 9 runs. In reply, Ireland reached at the target of 107 runs for 3 wickets in 15.1 overs. Gareth Delany scored 44 runs in 29 balls. Curtis Campher was declared man of the match on his outstanding bowling.   Summarized Scorecard: (Ireland Vs Holland) Toss:  Netherland won the toss elected to bat first Netherlands (Batting): 106 all out in 20 overs Max O. Dowd (51 runs 47 balls), Pieter Seelaar (21 runs 29 balls), Logan van Beek (11 runs 12 balls) Ireland (Bowling): Curtis Campher 4 for 25, Mark Adair 3 for 9, Josh little 1 for 14 Ireland (Batting):107/3 in15.1overs Gareth Delany (44 runs 29 Balls), Paul Stiriling (30 runs 39 Balls), Kevin O’Brien (9 runs10 Balls), Netherlands Bowling: Pieter Seelaar1 for14, Fred Klaassen 1 for 18, Brandon Glover 1 for21 Results: Ireland won by 7 wicket and 4.5 overs in hand Player of the match: Curtis Campher  

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (October 18, 2021):-After the successful completion of the National T20, the 2021-22 season enters into next phase with the country’s premier cricket tournament – the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – beginning from Wednesday, 20 October. Participation in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has remained the pinnacle for domestic cricketers as the tournament has established and produced red-ball stars who have gone on to wear the golden star. Over the years, the tournament has produced riveting matches, with last year’s final also going down the wire and ending as a tie with Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sharing the trophy. This year, the fans can witness action up-close as the Pakistan Cricket Board will open stands for them across all venues. The entry will be free of cost and the only requirement will be the government-issued Immunisation Certification for Covid-19. The PCB, as part of its efforts to incentivise and reward top-performing cricketers, has put PKR17million on offer with the champion side grabbing PKR10million and runner-up bagging PKR5million. The top-performers – player of the tournament, best batter, best bowler and best wicketkeeper – will pocket PKR500,000 each. The player of the final will be awarded PKR50,000. The first five rounds of the 31-match event to be played by the first XI sides of the six Cricket Associations will be staged at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium, before the tournament moves to Karachi on 24 November. In the first round, Iftikhar Ahmed-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will play Nauman Ali’s Northern at the Gaddafi Stadium, Fawad Alam’s Sindh will take on Imran Butt’s Balochistan at Iqbal Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will stage the Punjab Derby with Azhar Ali’s Central Punjab locking horns with Mohammad Abbas’ Southern Punjab. The last five rounds will be played at UBL Sports Complex, SBP Sports Complex and NBP Sports Complex, before the final, a five-day affair, begins at the iconic National Stadium on 25 December. The result-oriented points system introduced last year achieved the aim of inducing attacking and positive mind-set amongst the teams, and the bonus and match points will continue to be allocated based on it. In the last year’s edition, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – who won five matches, the most by any team – and Central Punjab finished the group stage at the first and second spots with 161 and 137 points. Southern Punjab finished at third with 129 points, Balochistan and Northern gathered 128 and 123 points from three wins each to end their campaigns at fourth and fifth spots and Sindh, who recorded solitary win, finished last with 87 points. Balochistan captain Imran Butt: “We have not been able to play according to expectations in the last two seasons, but there was a marked improvement in the 2020-21 season from the 2019-20 season and we plan to continue to build on it. One of the most remarkable aspects of our squad this year is that we have roped in local players from the province after their impressive performances in the CCA tournaments. Playing alongside experienced cricketers in Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah will help them understand the game better and I look forward to having them in our dressing room. Central Punjab captain Azhar Ali: “The last season was outstanding for us as our team truly lived-up to the never-say-die spirit and staged what will be remembered as one of the most epic comebacks. I have full confidence that we will play our third final in a row this year and win the prestigious trophy. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Iftikhar Ahmed: “Our team is oozing with confidence as we have been able to stretch our last year’s form to this year successfully. We have adapted our cricket to the modern-day requirements and it is paying dividends. The retention of National T20 title has given our squad a great boost and we all are eager for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to begin.” Northern captain Nauman Ali: “The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is a tournament in which stars are made and it comes with a great opportunity for domestic cricketers to make an impression as it is followed all around the world. My progression to the national side has been one such example and my message to the team is to make the most of the opportunities and grab them with both hands. We have a young and dynamic squad which has the potential to turn the match on its head in any situation and I am looking forward to leading them. Sindh captain Fawad Alam: “Our last year’s journey did not go as we had planned but we have learned from that campaign. We have established first-class cricketers in our line-up and I am sure this year will be different for us. The key for success in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has always been adaptability as the conditions, with the continuous change of weather and venue, alter and with this set of players, I am sure we will surmount all challenges. Southern Punjab captain Mohammad Abbas: “It is always good to dominate a campaign right from the start and the Punjab Derby comes up with a good opportunity to make an impression. Last year, we missed out the qualification by mere eight points, but it was a brilliant learning curve for us and since our team has grown immensely. We may have a young side, but these players have all the potential to make it big.”

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (October 18, 2021):-Hosts Islamabad and Kashmir secured their place in the final of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) T20 Cricket Champions Trophy after beating Gujranwala and Peshawar respectively at E-9 cricket ground on Monday. In the first match, Kashmir won the toss and elected to bat first. Kashmir scored 219 for the loss of two wickets. Nisar scored unbeaten 92 runs. In replyPpeshawar team could score 213 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 3 wickets, as Kashmir won by 6 runs and qualified for the final. While in the second match, Islamabad after winning the toss elected to bat first and second 176 runs in allotted 18 overs. Ayub khan was the top scorer with 78 runs. In reply, Gujranwala bold out on 138 runs in 17.3 overs. Aanis from Islamabad took 2 wickets. Hosts Islamabad won the match by 38 runs and qualified for the final. The final of the PAF T20 Cricket Champions Trophy for the blind 2021will be played between Kashmir and Islamabad at PAF Cricket Ground E-9 Islamabad on Tuesday. The closing ceremony will held at 1230Hrs at same venue.