Sports Bulletin

Islamabad (Sports Desk): India captain Shubman Gill and England batter Sophia Dunkley have been declared the ICC men’s and women’s Players of the Month for July 2025 following an elaborate process that included votes from an esteemed selection panel as well as those of fans worldwide.Gill became the first male player to win the Player of the Month award four times after a stupendous run in England saw him score 567 runs at an average of 94.50 in the three Tests played in July. His previous ICC Player of the Month awards were in January 2023, September 2023 and February 2025.The highlight for Gill during this period was his aggregate of 430 runs in the second Test in Birmingham, the second highest ever in a Test match. His scores of 269 and 161 in that Test helped level the series 1-1 and he also chipped in with a useful 103 in the second innings of the fourth Test in Manchester that helped draw the match and keep the series alive.The Indian skipper, who won the award ahead of his England counterpart Ben Stokes and South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, said he was hoping to continue his good form in the season ahead.Shubman Gill said: “It feels great to be named the ICC Player of the Month for July. This time it holds a lot more significance since it has come for my performances during my first Test series as captain. “The double ton in Birmingham is obviously something I will cherish forever and will be one of the highlights of my tour to England. The Test series against England was a learning experience for me as captain and we had some outstanding performances from both sides, which I am sure players from both sides will remember for a long time.”England batter Dunkley edged her team-mate Sophie Ecclestone and Ireland captain Gaby Lewis for the award, showing a fine run during this period in ODIs as well as T20Is. She played in all seven matches at home against India across the two formats, aggregating 126 runs in three ODIs and 144 runs at a strike-rate of 134.57 in four T20Is. Dunkley was England’s leading scorer in the T20I series and smashed a superb 92-ball 83 in the first ODI in Southampton.Dunkley said: “I am delighted to win the ICC Player of the Month award off the back of a really hard-fought series against India. We would have loved to have won the series, but I think we’ll take a lot from it moving towards the ICC Women’s World Cup. India deserved their win, and it was a great series to be a part of.”

Dubai, UAE (SBR): The Desert Vipers announced West Indies batting maestro Shimron Hetmyer as the team’s wild card signing for season four of the DP World ILT20. Director of Cricket Tom Moody welcomed the new recruit: “Shimron is a player we rate extremely highly so for us to secure his services is a real coup,” he said.“He has proved a thorn in our side in the DP World ILT20 in the past so to have him in our ranks now is great news.”The left-handed batter, previously a member of the Gulf Giants team, has played some memorable knocks against the Vipers, including smashing 70 off just 35 deliveries in season one. Hetmyer said he was looking forward to joining the squad.“I am so happy to be joining the Desert Vipers. I have enjoyed my battles with the team during the past three seasons. The franchise is filled with quality players and I am looking forward to playing with them rather than against them.”The 28-year-old was part of the Gulf Giants in the first three seasons of the DP World ILT20, including season one where that team won the title by defeating the Desert Vipers in the final. With a strike rate of over 150 across those three seasons, having scored 390 (48 fours and 33 sixes) of his 666 runs in fours and sixes, Hetmyer is a hard hitter who can bring down any opposition on his day.  Tom Moody believes he could be a key disruptor for the team: “Shimron is a game-changer with the bat and someone who can fill multiple roles,” he said. “He is capable of batting in the top order and as a finisher, and his power and his ability to clear the fence are attributes we welcome. “But he is also a smart cricketer who knows the T20 format inside-out. I have no doubt Shimron will be a huge asset for the Desert Vipers in the coming season and we look forward to welcoming him to our team later this year.”The Desert Vipers have twice been runners-up in the DP World ILT20 but are yet to win a championship, and Hetmyer is eager to change that statistic.“I have seen the way the Vipers have been run, and the fact the team has reached two finals in three years speaks for itself,” he said. “They have been so close to the trophy and hopefully my arrival will be the final piece of the puzzle to make sure the team finishes season four as winners.“I love the tournament. It is such a great experience as a player, and I cannot wait to link up with the team in Dubai later this year.”Hetmyer brings with him a wealth of experience, having represented the West Indies at junior and senior levels, including leading them to victory in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2016. The left-hander is also in great demand on the franchise circuit and has played across the globe including in The Hundred, the Pakistan Super League, the Indian Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket and the DP World ILT20. Here is a quick reminder of the retained players and direct signings for the Desert Vipers:Retained players:Lockie Ferguson (ENG)Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)Sam Curran (ENG)Max Holden (ENG)Dan Lawrence (ENG)David Payne (ENG)Khuzaima bin Tanveer (UAE)Direct Signing:Andries Gous (USA)

Dubai (PR): Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast has made notable progress in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after helping her team beat Pakistan 2-1 in Dublin even as several other players from either side also gained in the latest weekly update to the rankings.Prendergast, who was named the Player of the Series, finished with 144 runs and four wickets, progressing in all three lists. She made her first appearance inside the top 20 of the batting rankings after advancing eight slots to joint-19th place, thanks to her scores of 51 and 64 in the second and third matches, amassing career-best ratings points of 602.She has also entered the top 50 of the bowling rankings for the first time after taking three for 28 in the series opener that helped her team to victory by 11 runs. Her all-round performance shot her up to sixth among the all-rounders with personal-best rating points of 298.There were movements for her teammates as well. Amy Hunter climbed up one place to 29th among batters while Laura Delany jumped five slots to 50th thanks to her score of 42 runs in the second match – her first time in the top 50 with career-best rating points of 448.Ava Canning is 48th in the bowlers’ list, while Jane Maguire has moved to 50th from last week’s 54th.Pakistan may have lost the series, but individual performances were rewarded. Left-handed opener Muneeba Ali’s match-winning unbeaten century in the final match helped her advance three slots to joint-32nd in the batters’ list (personal best points of 526), while captain Fatima Sana has hopped four places up to 59th.The skipper also moved up one place to joint-39th in the bowling rankings after her haul of four for 26 in the series opener. She ended the series as the leading wicket taker with a total of six scalps.

Faraz Ahmed KayaniBirmingham (UK): South Africa Champions have clinched the title of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 after beating Pakistan Champions by 9 wickets in the final in Birmingham.Batting first, Pakistan Champions posted an impressive total of 195 runs for loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sharjeel Khan was the standout performer, smashing 76 runs off 44 balls. However, the target proved insufficient in the face of an onslaught from AB de Villiers, who delivered a vintage masterclass. The South African legend remained unbeaten on 120 runs off just 60 balls, hitting 7 sixes and 12 fours, leading his side to victory in just 16.5 overs, losing only one wicket.This match-winning knock marked de Villiers’ third century of the tournament, underlining his continued dominance and brilliance on the field.With this resounding win, South Africa Champions were crowned the World Champions of Legends, wrapping up the tournament in style.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan Shaheens will undergo a five-day camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore from Sunday, 3 August, ahead of their departure to Australia on 8 August to participate in the Top End T20 Series.The 11-team T20 tournament will be played in Darwin from 14 to 24 August, with the Shaheens set to open their campaign against Bangladesh ‘A’ at the TIO Stadium. The first ball will be bowled at 7pm local time.Shaheens’ players will assemble in Lahore on Saturday evening and will take part in fielding and net sessions on 3 and 4 August. They will then feature in scenario-based matches at the Gaddafi Stadium on 5 and 6 August. On the final day of the camp, Thursday, 7 August, training session will be held at the National Cricket Academy.Among the 15 players, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Shahid Aziz, and Ubaid Shah are currently touring England with Pakistan Shaheens and will return to Lahore following the conclusion of the tour to join the T20 squad on 7 August.15-member squad: Mohammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah and Yasir KhanTeam management: Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Mohammad Ibrahim (analyst) and Mohammad Aleem (physio)Pakistan Shaheens fixtures:14 Aug – vs Bangladesh ‘A’, TIO Stadium (7pm local time)16 Aug – vs Scorchers, TIO Stadium (4pm local time)18 Aug – vs Renegades, TIO Stadium (6pm local time)19 Aug – vs Kingsmen, DXC Arena (1pm local time)20 Aug – vs Strikers, DXC Arena (7pm local time)22 Aug – vs Nepal, DXC Arena (7pm local time)24 Aug – Semi-finals and final

Sports ReportVancouver (Canada); Friday, August 1st 2025* — In a significant leap for cricket in North America, the Canada Super 60 proudly announces iconic BC Place as the official venue for the first-ever edition of its men’s and women’s tournaments.This announcement marks a historic milestone for the Canada Super 60 — securing one of the most prestigious and state-of-the-art stadiums in the country as its launchpad. BC Place, located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, is more than a stadium — it’s a symbol of Canadian sporting heritage and home to some of the most marquee global events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26.Over the past four decades, BC Place has hosted numerous global sporting events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and ten Grey Cup Championships. With its retractable roof, world-class infrastructure, and multi-sport versatility, BC Place will now transform into an all-weather cricket stadium, becoming the first indoor venue in the world to host a 10-over-a-side cricket tournament.“BC Place is not just a stadium; it’s a theatre of dreams,” said Yuvraj Singh, global cricket icon and strategic partner of Canada Super 60. “As a sportsperson, you are deeply inspired by the grandeur of where you play — and for our players, men and women alike, there couldn’t be a better venue to start this journey. Vancouver is a city that thrives on nature, diversity, and culture — and cricket on the West Coast is going to ignite a whole new fan base.”The Canada Super 60 is the first global-format cricket league to feature both men’s and women’s 10-over-a-side tournaments from inception, aiming to redefine competitive cricket in Canada and create a blueprint for the sport’s growth in North America.“We feel incredibly proud to introduce BC Place to the world of cricket,” said a Cricket Canada official Amjad Bajwa, President, Cricket Canada. “We wholeheartedly congratulate the Super 60 team on making this possible. This partnership is a clear signal of our commitment to expanding cricket across the country and creating world-class opportunities for Canadian players — especially as we look ahead to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.”“We are beyond excited to welcome cricket to BC Place,” said Chris May, General Manager of BC Place. “Hosting the Canada Super 60 is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the world’s second most-watched sport right here in our beautiful city. As a multi-sport and multi-purpose venue, we are always looking for new and dynamic events that reflect the diversity of our province. This is a meaningful step towards creating a more inclusive and representative sports landscape in British Columbia.”The official tournament dates and ticketing information for the Canada Super 60 will be announced shortly. With cricket being one of the fastest-growing sports in North America, the event promises not only thrilling matches but also a transformational cultural and sporting experience in Vancouver.*About Canada Super 60*Canada Super 60 is a groundbreaking new cricket league launching in 2025, introducing the unique 10-over-a-side format with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season — a global first. Backed by Cricket Canada, the league aims to elevate Canada’s place in the world cricket map while offering fans a thrilling mix of power and strategy between T20s and ODIs. The tournament will be hosted at the iconic BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, making it the first major cricket league to debut on Canada’s West Coast.The Canada Super 60 is more than just a tournament — it’s a celebration of sport, diversity, and opportunity, designed to grow the game in North America and give Canadian players global exposure.*About BC Place*As the largest multi-purpose venue of its kind in Western Canada, BC Place provides a spectacular home for international, professional and amateur sports, entertainment, commerce, cultural experiences and community gatherings for the benefit of all British Columbians.BC Place is a part of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), a Provincial Crown Corporation of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport that owns and operates the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place.

 Lahore (PR):  Pakistan will feature in a tri-series involving Afghanistan and the UAE from 29 August to 7 September at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.The T20I tournament will serve as a launching pad for the teams to prepare for and acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the eight-team ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from 9 to 28 September.The opening match of the tri-series tournament will be played between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday, 29 August, with the first ball to bowled at 7pm local time. Each team will play the others twice, giving all sides at least four matches before the top two teams qualify for the final, scheduled on 7 September.Tournament schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time7 September – Final – 7pm local time

Karachi (Sports Reporter) Tape Ball Premier League Season 2 began with a colorful ceremony. Deputy Director Anti-Narcotics Force Major Rehman inaugurated the competition by hitting the ball in Naya Nazimabad. He said that sports promote positive activities in the society. Encouraging healthy activities is essential in preventing drug abuse.The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. After which the audience sang the national anthem. Chief organizer Khurram Majeed gave details of the event. He said that the franchise management has selected renowned players from all over the country in its team. The Tape Ball Premier League Season 2 trophy was also unveiled on the occasion. Chief organizer Khurram Majeed said that for the first time, teams from Dubai and Hong Kong are also participating in the competition. The six-day competition will be played under the lights of electric lights on the lush green field of Naya Nazimabad. Ten teams will be in action.Renowned tape ball superstars from across the country including Taimur Mirza, Asad Shah, Khurram Chakwal, Chhota Vicky, Zaheer Kalia will represent different teams. He further said that the winning team will be given Rs. 5 million. While the runner-up team will be entitled to Rs. 2 million. Khurram Majeed said that he will try to organize the event in a better manner than before.Syed Mohammad Talha, President of Naya Nazimabad Gymkhana, said that he would like the league to be hosted in a better manner so that the visiting players return to their cities with the best memories from here. Syed Mohammad Talha said that he hopes that the fans and players will enjoy the best facilities in this tournament.

Kent (PCB Report): Professional County Club Select XI defeated Pakistan Shaheens by seven wickets in the second one-day match at the County Ground, Beckenham, on Friday afternoon to level the three-match series 1-1. The deciding match of the series will be played on Sunday, 27 July at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove.After being put in to bat, Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for 152 in the 30th over, with opening batter Azan Awais top-scoring with 68 off 85 balls, including three fours and a six. For the hosts, Jafer Chohan was the most successful bowler, taking four wickets for 43 in 5.3 overs. Scott Currie grabbed three wickets for 26 runs in six overs.In turn, an unbeaten half-century by Hamza Shaikh (54 not out, 63 balls, 4x4s, 1x6), which featured an unbroken 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Luc Benkenstein (23 not out, 32 balls, 2x4s), helped the side achieve the target in 26 overs. For the touring side, fast bowlers Mir Hamza, Shahid Aziz and Ubaid Shah snapped one wicket each.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens 152 all out, 29.3 overs (Azan Awais 68; Jafer Chohan 4-43, Scott Currie 3-26)Professional County Club Select XI 153-3, 26 overs (Hamza Shaikh 54 not out, Tom Lawes 37, Luc Benkenstein 23 not out; Shahid Aziz 1-26, Mir Hamza 1-37, Ubaid Shah 1-45)

Mohammad Rizwan to lead Pakistan in three ODIs, Salman in T20 against West IndiesSports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against West Indies as the Men’s National Selection Committee named a 16-member ODI squad on Friday. The series will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago on 8, 10 and 12 August. Right-handed batter Hasan Nawaz is the only uncapped player in the ODI squad, while Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are part of the ODI squad.Pakistan will also play three T20Is against the West Indies, scheduled on 31 July, 2 and 3 August, at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, USA. Salman Ali Agha will captain the T20I side, while fast bowlers Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi return to the squad in this format. Following the conclusion of the three-match T20I series in Bangladesh, Pakistan team will arrive in the USA on Sunday, 27 July.15-member squad for T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim16-member squad for ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan MoqimTeam management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding Coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Mohammad Ehsan (masseur)Tour schedule:31 July – First T20I v West Indies, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, USA2 Aug – Second T20I v West Indies, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, USA3 Aug – Third T20I v West Indies, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, USA8 Aug – First ODI v West Indies, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad & Tobago10 Aug – Second ODI v West Indies, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad & Tobago12 Aug – Third ODI v West Indies, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad & Tobago