Sports Bulletin

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.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (October 18, 2021):-Jawz cricket club outclassed ESCO cricket club by 80 runs in a match at Marghazar cricket ground. After winning the toss being bating first,  Jawz club managed 248 for 9 runs on the board in 35 overs fixture. Shahid Ilyas hit brilliant ton 115 runs was major contributors for the winners. Junaid took 4 for 33 wickets for ESCO. In response, ESCO  scored 160 runs in 35 overs with loss of nine wickets Zarak made  56 runs, as Haseeb took 4 wickets from Jawz club.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT MUSCAT, OMAN (October 18, 2021):-Scotland overcame Bangladeshi tigers by just six runs in the second fixture of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Oman Cricket Academy ground on Sunday night. Scotland team set a target of 141 runs to win for the Bangladesh but they could only score 134 for 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Bowler Chris Greaves was awarded the "Man of the Match" title as he picked up two wickets as well as scoring 45 runs. Brad Wheal picked up the wickets of Nurul Hasan and Mahmud Ullah to leave Scotland in the ascendancy. Mark Watt got his first wicket of the match by sending Afif Hossain back to the pavilion. Mushfiqur Rahim was the top batsman for the Bangladesh squad but he could only add 38 runs to his team's score, which was not enough to meet the target set by the Scottish team. For Bangladesh, Mehdi Hassan took 3 wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rehman took 2 wickets each.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (October 18, 2021):-Scotland sent shockwaves through the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a six-run win over Bangladesh and captain Kyle Coetzer explained that this is a result that has been a long time in the making. Scotland sent shockwaves through the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a six-run win over Bangladesh and captain Kyle Coetzer explained that this is a result that has been a long time in the making. The Scots booked their place at the tournament back in 2019 but have spent much of the Covid-19 pandemic having to readjust their plans as tours and matches have been postponed. That has left plenty of time for planning and despite some early struggles in Oman, it all came together as Chris Greaves inspired the team to victory that puts Scotland in a strong position in Group B. And for Coetzer, who was part of the Scotland team that beat Bangladesh back in 2012, it was also important to remember just how many sacrifices the team has had to make simply to get here. He said: “It's a huge win for us, it’s something we’ve been planning for a long time. It’s been a long two years since the qualifying tournament.  “Until a month ago we had played two games of cricket as a group so there was a lot of planning behind the scenes, a lot of guys working hard and it sometimes seemed you were working for nothing because our tours kept getting cancelled. So that was really hard for us to manage.  “But now we’re reaping the rewards of keeping the faith that this tournament would come around and we would be a better team for it when we arrive out here.  “There have been a lot of sacrifices for many players, associate cricket is very hard and to get the opportunity we do when we get out here, it’s important to take it because otherwise if you get brushed aside people don’t appreciate how hard associate cricket is. We’ve made some good strides and I’m really proud.” Batting first, Scotland found themselves in trouble as Mahedi Hasan (3/19) and Shakib Al Hasan (2/17) made inroads and reduced their opponents to 53 for six. However, Greaves hit 45 off 28 deliveries to carry the team to 140 for nine, before taking two wickets as the chase fell short with Coetzer impressed by the belief of his side, who he knows are capable of more. He added: “It’s a special feeling to beat Bangladesh. It’s not the first time we’ve beaten them but we know the strength in depth in their squad.  “I think they gave us a lesson at the start of the innings with the skill that they put on show. It took a real fighting effort today. I was saying to our guys that we’re never out of the game and always believe. We’ll be looking for a more wholesome performance next time.” Next up for Scotland is a clash with Papua New Guinea, who were well beaten by Oman in their opening game. Bangladesh, meanwhile, take on the hosts in desperate need of a win, and for skipper Mahmudullah, it was their batting that faltered in this encounter, with Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal for 38 proving the crucial moment in the match. He said: “I think Mushy’s (Mushfiqur) wicket was the turning point because Mushy was looking good today. Probably a set batter has to stay but I think as a batting unit, we are disappointed so it’s a concern. We need to see where we made those mistakes and try not to repeat those mistakes in the next game. “I think the bowlers were on the right track, we picked up six wickets before they had scored 60 runs but after that, they had a good partnership. I have to give credit to those batters who built the partnership for Scotland, they played better cricket than us. We were just not good enough tonight. “We’re really disappointed. On that wicket and that ground, I think 140 was very much gettable. As a batting unit, we made a lot more mistakes than the right things. So we need to see the areas where we could have done better and we need to pull our socks up and try to win the next game.”

BIPIN DANI Former South African captain Faf du Plessis will make its first appearance in the 2nd edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), it is confirmed. According to the highly placed sources in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, he is set to play for the defending champion Jaffna Kings team, formerly known as Jaffna Stallions. Interestingly, the 37-year-old middle order batsman recently played the Indian Premier League (IPL) final and won the Player of the Match award for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team. "du Plessis has not been hired after the IPL final. He was in negotiations with the authorities much earlier but the clearance and confirmation was received on the day when he was adjudged the Player of the Match award for his 86 runs, which included 10 boundaries (7 fours and three sixes)", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said on Sunday morning. "du Plessis, who has not been a member of the South Africa team in the World Cup will be the first overseas icon of the franchise team". The authorities have asked all participating teams to decide on pre-draft players and the list of the last year retained players. Jaffna team owners are likely to retain captain Thisara Perera and Thilina Kandamby as their coach. The team is likely to have few Pakistani players in overseas lists. "We are keen to retain Shoaib Malik, who has now been added to the Pakistan squad for the T-20 World Cup. His performance was good last year also", the source attached with the management, added. Jaffna Kings are also likely to retain the local players including Wanindu Hasaranga.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (October 17, 2021):-Kashmir and Peshawar claimed victories against Islamabad by 33 runs and Gujranwala by 5 runs respectively in the ongoing PAF T20 Cricket Championship for Blind at E 9 cricket ground on Sunday. In the first match of the day, Kashmir scored 204 for 5 runs in their 20 overs innings, as Mohammad Faisal was main contributors with 81 runs. In reply hosts Islamabad could reach at score of 171 for five in 20 overs. Faisal was declared man of the match. In the second match, Peshawar posted 202 for 7 runs on the board, as the Gujranwala could score 197 for 3 runs in 20 overs per innings fixture. Haroon Khan scored 56 runs for winners while Mohammad Akram scored 120 runs for Gujranwala. Haroon got man of the match award. Monday’s Fixtures: Kashmir Vs Peshawar Islamabad Vs Gujranwala