Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Nida Dar will continue to lead Pakistan women’s team as the national selection committee headed by Saleem Jaffar announced a 15-member squad for the Bangladesh tour scheduled to take place later this month.Pakistan will depart for Bangladesh on 20 October to feature in a six-match white-ball series which also includes three ODIs, part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. The series itinerary will be announced in due course by the home board.The experienced Iram Javed stages a comeback to the national side after a gap of one year. The right-handed batter last played for Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. Iram also featured for Super Women against Amazons in the three women’s exhibition T20 matches earlier this year in Rawalpindi.Shawaal Zulfiqar and Syeda Aroob Shah have been excluded from the squad that played against South Africa last month in the white-ball series in Karachi, while Fatima Sana, who got injured in the second ODI against South Africa, is still in the process of recovering. Both Shawaal and Aroob are part of the 28 probables of the Pakistan women's emerging team taking part in the training camp in Muridke. The emerging team will play a bilateral series and a triangular tournament involving West Indies and Thailand's emerging cricket teams later this month.Pakistan squad: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda AkhtarNon-travelling reserves: Amber Kainat, Omaima Sohail and Sidra Nawaz (wk)Player support personnel: Nahida Khan (manager), Mauhtashim Rashid (interim head coach), Saleem Jaffar (bowling coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach for camp only) Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager), Rifat Asghar Gill (physiotherapist) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst)Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar: “Our selection committee has carefully deliberated over the squad for the Bangladesh tour, aiming to strike the right balance between bat and ball, as we believe this squad is well-equipped to face the challenges in Bangladesh.“Young Shawaal Zulfiqar has been omitted from the squad as she requires more grooming before representing again at the international level. The members of the selection committee have recalled experienced Iram Javed in the squad. Iram’s presence will undoubtedly strengthen our batting order in Bangladesh conditions.“Fatima Sana is on the road to recovery, and we are committed to giving her the time she needs to be fully prepared for the upcoming away series against New Zealand where the selection committee feels the right-arm fast bowler will be more productive.”

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the latest crop of international stars shortlisted for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards following an action-packed month of cricket in September.The three-person ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist features one of England’s prolific short-format batters and an Indian duo that were instrumental in their trophy-winning Asia Cup campaign last month.Mohammed Siraj enjoyed a return to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI rankings for bowlers in late September, and was the chief architect of India’s success in the final with a remarkable bowling display. Joining him on the shortlist is Shubman Gill, hoping to win his second Player of the Month prize after his run-scoring heroics in the Asia Cup continued into the subsequent ODI series against Australia. England’s Dawid Malan completes the lineup, nominated for the first time after a superb showing in the series against New Zealand.The shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award features a young South African duo that recorded an impressive T20I win in Pakistan, and Sri Lanka’s influential skipper, who led them to a historic T20I series victory in England.ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for September:Shubman Gill (IND):The Indian batter has enjoyed a hugely successful 2023 so far, and could potentially be in line to win his second Player of the Month accolade after runs again came flooding in during September. The 24-year-old registered 480 runs at an average of 80 in his eight ODIs during the month, with notable highlights including a stylish century against Bangladesh in Colombo, and 74 and 104 in back-to-back games against Australia.Dawid Malan (ENG):The England batter arrived into the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in sublime form in ODI cricket, scooping the Player of the Series award in the recent victory over New Zealand at home. His scores during the series progressed with each match. After a half-century in the second fixture, he came within a whisker of three figures with 96 at the Oval, before he passed the landmark in the final outing across London at Lord’s. His 277 ODI runs in September came at an average of 92.33.Mohammed Siraj (IND):The pacer returned to the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI bowler rankings in September thanks to a glittering performance to dismantle Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in Colombo. Siraj took 11 wickets in total across six ODIs, but his month will be remembered for the memorable way in which he tore into the defending champions, bowling them out for 50 runs, taking six wickets for 21 which included a four-wicket over.ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for September:Chamari Athapaththu (SL):Sri Lanka’s iconic skipper was at the peak of her powers in the T20I series against England in September. After narrowly losing the rain-effected first contest, Athapaththu registered back-to-back Player of the Match performances to clinch their maiden victory over the home side in any format. Her trademark explosive batting and economical bowling helped restrict England to low totals in the second and third matches. A terrific 55 runs in 31 balls in the second match was followed by a match-winning 44 in 28 balls in the decisive encounter, along with three priceless England wickets.Nadine de Klerk (SA):The South African all-rounder celebrates her first nomination in the Player of the Month awards after valuable runs and wickets helped claim ODI victories over Pakistan and New Zealand last month. De Klerk chipped in with scores throughout September, only being dismissed once, and scoring 171 runs including successive half-centuries. The Player of the Series against Pakistan also impressed with the ball, recording 13 wickets in her five ODI outings at a superb average of 12.76.Laura Wolvaardt (SA):Despite losing the T20I series 3-0 against Pakistan, Wolvaardt was named Player of the Series after amassing 157 runs in her three matches. A quiet ODI series against Pakistan followed before the South African once again rediscovered her form, this time against New Zealand, striking a classy half-century before an unbeaten 124 saw her side confirm the series win and Wolvaardt claim another Player of the Series prize.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Iftikhar Ahmed and Iqbal Sheikh, both part of PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees will lead the playing control team in the six-match series between Pakistan U19 and Sri Lanka U19 in Karachi from 15 to 31 October.The solitary four-day match will be played from 15 to 18 October at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. ICC/PCB International Panel of Umpires Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will perform the duties of on-field umpires in the match, while Imtiaz Iqbal will be reserve umpire from PCB Elite Panel of Umpires. Iqbal Sheikh will be serving as the match referee.The four-day match will be followed by five 50-over matches and will be played from 22 to 31 October at the same venue. Asif Yaqoob, Imran Jawed and Imtiaz Iqbal, will form the umpiring panel for the one-day matches.The only four-day match will begin at 1000, while toss will take place at 0930 PKT. The first ball in the One-Day matches will be bowled at 0930 PKT.Names of Umpires and match referees:15-18 October – Four-day match. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Imtiaz Iqbal (reserve umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)22 October – First One-Day match. Asif Yaqoob and Imran Jawed (on-field umpires), Imtiaz Iqbal (reserve umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee)24 October – Second One-Day match. Asif Yaqoob and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (reserve umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee)27 October – Third One-Day match. Imran Jawed and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (reserve umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee)29 October – Fourth One-Day match. Asif Yaqoob and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (reserve umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee)31 October – Fifth One-Day match. Asif Yaqoob and Imran Jawed (on-field umpires), Imtiaz Iqbal (reserve umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee).

Sports Bulletin ReportHyderabad (India): Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in their second match of Cricket World Cup 2023 here at Rajeev Gandhi International Cricket Stadium today (October 10) afternoon. Pakistan defeated Holland by 81 runs in their previous match at the same venue. Sri Lanka lost their first match against South Africa. Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Doctor will re-examine pacer Naseem Shah in the third week of this month October, as he will be monitored till the next check-up by the same doctor, who operated on his shoulder. Ihsanullah: Ihsanullah, who has featured for Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, suffered an elbow injury. The 20-year-old has been ruled out from international cricket since playing for Pakistan in the ODI series against New Zealand at home this year in April.Ihsanullah had to undergo surgery in a private hospital in Lahore. A doctor was flown in from England to operate Ihsanullah in the first week of September. After the operation, the fast bowler was placed in an elbow brace for four weeks, with a doctor and physio attending him on a daily basis. His condition is satisfactory and the brace will be removed at the end of fifth week. Afterwards, he will proceed with rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.Mohammad Hasnain: 23-year-old Hasnain sustained an ankle injury while playing in the Sri Lanka Premier League in August. He traveled to England from Sri Lanka and had an MRI. The scans revealed the fast bowler requires rehabilitation for his ankle, which is under process since 13 September in England.Naseem Shah: 20-year-old Naseem got injured during Asia Cup, ruling him out of the ICC World Cup 2023. Following the injury, the fast bowler underwent shoulder surgery earlier last week. During the operation, he remained absolutely stable and was discharged from the hospital the next day. He will be attended by two physiotherapists for his rehabilitation initially at the hospital and also later at the training ground and gym. During this entire period, he will be continuously monitored and the doctor who operated on him will see him again in the third week of October.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Pakistani female cricket commentator, and sports presenter, Zainab Abbas left the Cricket World Cup and reached Dubai after receiving threats in India.According to available information from abroad, Zainab Abbas has left India owing to some security threats, and pressure was mounting on her in India, as she was there to perform her duties during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, a mega quadrennial event of the world.Now, she has reached Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is pertinent to mention here that in her tweet regarding Kashmir 9 years ago, an Indian citizen filed a case for her tweet regarding Kashmir. Zainab was receiving threats in India and she decided to leave the World Cup and reach Dubai.Also, an official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that she (Zainab Abbas) reached Dubai.

Sports Bulletin ReportChennai (India): Hosts tigers India outclassed Australia by 6 wicket in their opening contest of Cricket World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday, as top class batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul led their team to victory while chasing a tricky target of 200 despite the early loss of three batters. Chasing a tricky target of 200, India lost three batsmen, who all failed to score, inside two overs before Kohli (85) and Rahul (97 not out) put on 165.Chasing a below-par 200-run target, India managed to cross the line with the loss of four wickets in 41.2 overs. After losing three wickets with only two runs on the board during the first two overs, KL Rahul (97 not out) and Virat Kohli (85) put on 165 runs match-winning partnership to guide the home side to victory.After losing Mitchell Marsh early, David Warner and Steve Smith steadied the ship with a solid 69-run partnership. After that, Indian spinners kept Australia on the back foot by taking wickets at regular intervals.Australian tail waged and the team managed to put on some runs on the board for their bowlers. Steve Smith was the top scorer with 46 runs followed by David Warner who scored 41 runs. Mitchell Starc scored 28, Marnus Labuschagne 27 and Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins 15 runs each.Ravindra Jadeja bagged three, Kuldeep Yadav and Bumrah two each while Mohammad Siraj, Ashwin and Pandya took one wicket each.There was a forced change in the Indian top order as the first-choice and second-ranked ODI batsman Shubman Gill failed to recover from the injury before the start of play. Left-handed batter Ishan Kishan was put in to open the batting along with skipper Rohit Sharma.India XI: R Sharma (capt), I Kishan, V Kohli, S Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), H Pandya, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, J Bumrah, K Yadav, Muhammad Siraj.Australia XI: D Warner, M Marsh, S Smith, M Labuschagne, G Maxwell, A Carey (wk), C Green, P Cummins (capt), M Starc, A Zampa, J Hazlewood.

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Sri Lanka have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the Match 4 of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on Saturday, 7 October 2023.Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Dasun Shanaka’s side was ruled to be 2 over(s) 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 5 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.Dasun Shanaka pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Shahid Saikat, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Alex Wharf leveled the charge. 

Mohammad Rizwan, and Saud Shakeel score half-tons, Saud wins “Man of the Match” awardSports Bulletin ReportHyderabad (India): Pakistan defeated Netherlands by 81 runs in their opening fixture of Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday night. Left-handed batter won the “Man of the Match” award on his brilliant knock of 68 runs.Netherlands skipper invited Pakistan to bat after winning the coin’s battle. Green Shirts started their innings with a bumpy start losing three wickets in the first ten overs. However, tables turned quickly during the middle overs when the partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel yielded 120 runs and helped the team consolidate their position.Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman did not make much of a mark scoring 15 off 19 and 12 off 14 respectively. Skipper Babar Azam entered the fray in the fourth over and only managed to get five runs off 18 balls before getting caught by Saqib Zulfiqar.The Rizwan-Saud partnership provided the team with much needed stability, taking Pakistan’s tally to 158. Rizwan managed to get 68 runs off 75 balls while Saud pulled off 68 from 52 deliveries. Iftikhar Ahmed managed to get only nine runs off 11 balls before being dismissed by Bas de Leede.Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan were able to hold their ground with Nawaz making 39 (43) and Shadab making 32 (34). Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf made useful contributions for the final wicket to lift Pakistan to 286 all out in 49 overs.Hasan Ali dealt a blow to the opposition’s opening partnership by claiming the scalp of Max O’ Dowd when the latter had made only five runs from 12 balls. His partner Vikramjit Singh played on for 67 balls making 52 runs before being caught by Fakhar Zaman off the bowling of Shadab Khan.Iftikhar bowled out Collin Ackermann while Mohammad Nawaz claimed the scalp of de Leede who had managed to make 67 off 68 balls – the highest for Netherlands in their innings.Haris Rauf, in an impressive display of bowling prowess, claimed three wickets, that of Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards and Paul van Meekeren while Hasan walked away with two scalps, that of O’Dowd and Aryan Dutt.Pakistan succeeded at bowling out Netherlands for 205 in 41 overs and pulling off a stellar victory with a margin of 81 runs.Scores in brief:Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 81 runsPakistan 286 all out in 49 overs (Saud Shakeel 68, Mohammad Rizwan 68; Bas de Leede 4-62, Colin Ackermann 2-39)Netherlands 205 all out in 41 overs (Bas de Leede 67, Vikramjit Singh 52; Haris Rauf 3-43, Hasan Ali 2-33)Player of the match – Saud Shakeel (Pakistan) 

Sports Bulletin ReportHyderabad (India): Pakistan will face the Netherlands in their inaugural fixture of the Cricket World Cup 2023 today (Friday) here at Rajeev Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, as the Babar XIs are ready to ink history on the soil of India.Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim. Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (c), Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht.