Sports Bulletin

PESHAWAR (PR): Bajaur Cricket Association (BCA) has officially appointed sports journalist and cricket commentator Abdul Ghaffar Khan as its media coordinator, issuing a formal notification to this effect. Welcoming the decision, sports circles and club presidents praised this step as a positive move towards the promotion of cricket in Bajaur. Abdul Ghaffar Khan brings extensive experience in cricket commentary from Radio Pakistan and is a well-known sports journalist based in Islamabad.They further added that his appointment will not only enhance media coverage of matches in Bajaur but also highlight the issues faced by players at the governmental level. Expressing his commitment, Abdul Ghaffar Khan stated that he would utilize all his abilities to contribute to the development of cricket and cricketers in Bajaur.  

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Fatima Sana has been named as the Pakistan women’s cricket team captain for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates from 3 to 20 October. The decision was a unanimously one made by the women’s national selection committee.22-year-old Fatima, who has featured in 41 ODIs and 40 T20Is, has previously led Pakistan emerging and domestic sides. She also captained the Pakistan side to a famous ODI win against New Zealand in a Super Over at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, in December 2023.Fatima will replace 37-year-old all-rounder Nida Dar, who took over as all-format captain from Bismah Maroof. Nida, a veteran of 112 ODIs and 153 T20Is, is part of the side that has been clubbed with Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Group A. The revised fixtures of the group will be announced by ICC in due course.The selection committee has made only one change in the squad, which featured in last month’s ACC Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas, who was also part of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa, has made a comeback in the squad in place of wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, who will travel with the side as a reserve player.From the 2023 edition, 10 players (Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Tuba Hassan) have been retained, while uncapped left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab makes it to the final 15. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has been included in the squad subject to fitness.Pakistan squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba HassanTraveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Men's pace bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rothesay Test series against Sri Lanka after scans confirmed a right thigh muscle strain. Wood sustained the injury on the third day of England's five-wicket victory in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which prevented him from bowling on the final day.Leicestershire's 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull has received his first senior call-up to replace Wood in the squad for the remaining two Tests at Lord's, starting on Thursday, and at the Kia Oval on Friday, 6 September.Hull, who stands at 6ft 7in, has been a pivotal figure in Leicestershire's bowling attack and played a crucial role in their 2023 One-Day Cup victory. Earlier this month, he made his debut for the Lions against the Sri Lanka tourists, taking five for 74 in the Lions' seven-wicket victory. The England squad will assemble in London on Monday night ahead of the second Test at Lord's.England Men's Test Squad: Ollie Pope (Surrey-Captain), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jordan Cox (Essex), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Dan Lawrence (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)Remaining Fixtures:2nd Test: England v Sri Lanka, 29 August-2 September 2024, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London3rd Test: England v Sri Lanka, 6-10 September 2024, Kia Oval, London

PCB ReportRAWALPINDI: Mushfiqur Rahim became only the second Bangladesh batter after Mohammad Ashraful (190) to be dismissed in the 190s as Pakistan were left chasing the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.Mushfiqur, who started the fourth day’s play at his overnight score of 55 in Bangladesh’s 316 for five while replying to Pakistan’s 448 for six declared, was dismissed after scoring 191 in Bangladesh’s 565, their third highest total outside home.When play ended on the penultimate day, Pakistan, trailing by 117 runs on the first innings, were 23 for one after 45 minutes of batting with Abdullah Shafique (12) and captain Shan Masood (nine) at the crease. Saim Ayub (one) was the batter to be dismissed.Mushfiqur, who featured in the first four-day match for Bangladesh ‘A’ against Pakistan Shaheens, took full advantage of a DRS reprieve when he was on 59 with the scoreboard showing Bangladesh as 324 for six was eventually caught at the wicket off fast bowler Mohammad Ali who ended with figures of two for 88. Mushfiqur occupied the crease for eight hours and 42 minutes during which he received 341 deliveries of which 22 were converted into fours and one into six.When Mushfiqur reached three figures off 200 balls with 12 fours, he completed his 11th Test century, making him the second most successful Bangladesh batter after Mominul Haque (12).The diminutive 37-year-old, in association with 26-year-old Mehidy Hasan Miraz, broke the 48-year-old record when the duo put on 196 runs for the seventh wicket – highest against Pakistan to date, eclipsing the 186 runs partnership between Warren Lees and Sir Richard Hadlee in Karachi in 1976.Mehidy, who was dropped on 52 and 59, was the ninth batter out after scoring a 179-ball 77 with six fours. He fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who celebrated the birth of his first child by finishing with figures of two for 88 off 30 overs.Pakistan had started the fourth day’s proceedings promisingly when Naseem Shah dismissed Litton Das to make Bangladesh 332 for six. Litton, who was 52 overnight, managed to add only four runs to his score.But then Pakistan had to wait for another 56 overs before finding another success.After Mushfiqur was the seventh batter to be dismissed, Hasan Mahmud lasted 18 balls for his naught before falling to Shaheen. He was followed by Mehidy and the innings was finally wrapped up when Shoriful Islam’s breezy 14-ball 22 was ended by Naseem.Naseem turned out to be the most successful of the four-pace attack with figures of 27.3-6-93-3, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad picked up two wickets apiece.Salman Ali Agha turned down 41 overs and remained wicketless, but he will consider himself unlucky as two catches were dropped off his bowling.Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 171 not out with the bat in Pakistan’s 448 for six declared, accounted for four batters behind the stumps, but was also guilty of dropping Mehidy when 52.Scores in brief (day 4 of 5):Pakistan (1st innings) 448-6d (Mohammad Rizwan 171 not out, Saud Shakeel 141, Saim Ayub 56, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Hasan Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful Islam 2-77) and 23-1Bangladesh (1st innings) 565 all-out, 167.3 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 191, Shadman Islam 93, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 77, Litton Das 56, Mominul Haque 50; Naseem Shah 3-93, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-88, Mohammad Ali 2-88, Khurram Shahzad 2-90) 

Shadman Islam (93), Mushfiqur Rahim (55), Litton Das (52), and Mominul Haque make (50) in Pindi StadiumAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Four responsible innings,  Shadman Islam (93), Mushfiqur Rahim (55), Litton Das (52), and Mominul Haque (50) helped Bangaldesh to score 316 for 5 to control the Day-3 of the of the first Test match against hosts Pakistan at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Friday. Bangali Tigers were still in 132 runs deficit at the end of the day. Bangladesh restarted their first innings 27 for 0. Shadman and Mominul Haque rebuilt the innings with a 94-run third wicket partnership. Mominul scored 50 off 76 balls with five fours, before his off stump was sent on a walk by Khurram Shahzad, who finished the day with two for 47.Shadman was cleaned up by fast bowler Mohammad Ali after scoring an impressive and elegant 93 at Bangladesh’s score of 199 for four. But the 98-run unbroken sixth wicket stand between Mushfiqur Rahim (55) and Litton Das (52) helped the tourists to reduce the first innings deficit to 132 runs with five wickets standing.Mushfiqur’s 122-ball innings is studded with seven fours, while Litton has faced 58 balls and struck eight fours and a six. The two batters took full advantage of the tired Pakistan bowlers in the final session of an extended play by hitting some delightful strokes as the visitors added 117 runs in 26 overs.Pakistan bowlers toiled on a hot day and on a surface that didn’t offer as much assistance as on the first day. Out of the 92 overs Bangladesh has faced to date, Pakistan’s spinners bowled 20 overs with Saim Ayub picking up a wicket in his first over in Test cricket by dismissing Shakib Al Hasan (15).Fast bowler Naseem Shah has been the most expensive bowler of Bangladesh’s first innings to date with figures of 20-4-77-1. Shaheen Shah Afridi was wicketless in figures of 18-3-55-0, while Mohammad Ali had figures of 15-2-42-1.Summarised Scorecard (Day-3):Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 448 for 6 declaredAbdullah Shafique (c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud) 2 runs in 14 ballsSaim Ayub (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Hasan Mahmud) 56 runs in 98 balls (4x4, 6x1)Shan Masood (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 6 runs in 11 ballsBabar Azam (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 0 run in 2 ballsSaud Shakeel (St. Liton B Hasan Mirza) 141 runs, 261 balls (4x9, 6x0)Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 171 runs in 239 balls (4x11, 6x3)Agha Salman (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Shakib Al Hasan) 19 runs, 36 balls (4x1, 6x0)Shaheen Shah Afridi (not out) 29 runs, 24 balls, 4x1, 6x2)Bangladesh Bowling:Shoriful Islam (2 for 77), Hasan Mahmud (2 for 70), Hasan Mirza (1 for 80), Shakib ul Hasan (1 for 100)Bangladesh Batting (First Innings): 316 for 5               Shadman Islam (b Mohammad Ali) 93 runs, 183 balls, (4x12, 6x0)Zakir Hasan (Mohammad Rizwan b Naseem Shah) 12 runs, 58 balls, (4x1, 6x0)Najmul Hossain Shanto (b Khurram Shahzad) 16 runs, 42               balls (4x2, 6x0)Mominul Haque (b Khurram Shahzad) 50 runs, 76 balls (4x5, 6x0)Mushfiqur Rahim (not out) 55 runs, 122 balls, (4x7, 6x0)Shakib-ul-Hasan (c Shan Masood B Saim Ayub) 15 runs, 16 balls (4x2, 6x0)Litton Das (not out) 52 runs, balls 58 (4x8, 6x1)Pakistan Bowling:Khurram Shahzad (2 for 47), Naseem Shah (1 for 77), Mohammad Ali (1 for 42), Saim Ayub (1 for 23)Pakistan Team: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad Bangladesh Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid RanaMatch Officials: Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa) and Richard Kettleborough (England)TV Umpire: Micheal Gough (England)Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Rawalpindi (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free entry for spectators for the remaining days (fourth and fifth) of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The decision was made keeping in view of the weekend, which will allow families and students to turn up in maximum numbers to support their cricketing stars and witness action between the two sides. Spectators are required to bring their original CNIC or B-form to enter the stadium and they will be able to watch the action free of cost from any of the VIP enclosures (Imran Khan and Javed Miandad) (for families only) and premium enclosures (Miran Baksh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat).The free entry policy does not apply for the tickets purchased for the PCB Gallery or Platinum Box. Fans who have already brought tickets for the fourth and fifth days, will get a refund. Tickets bought online will be automatically refunded to the credit/debit card used for purchase. For tickets purchased at Express Centres, the fans are requested to bring their original ticket to the centre to get a refund.Additionally, to further facilitate the fans, a free shuttle bus service will continue to operate on two routes on matchdays for ease of access into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for spectators. Route 1 will run from Aviation Ground, Rawal Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate while the Route 2 will go from Government Satellite Town College for Boys, 6th Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate.

Mohammad Rizwan (171 not out), Saud Shakil (141) innings cement Pakistan positionAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: A 240-run on 346 balls partnership between Saud Shakil (141) and Mohammad Rizwan (171 not out) for the 5th wicket cemented the position, as Pakistan scored 448 runs for 6 in 113 overs in the first Test match against Bangladesh in the first Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Thursday. Bangladesh were 27 for 0 in 12 overs at the end of the second-day game.Pakistani resumed their first innings at 158 for 4, as both not-out batters Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakil displayed top-quality cricket and hit tons to amuse the handful of spectators in the stadium. It was a third century each for Rizwan (31st Test) and Saud (11th Test) as the two batters sent the Bangladesh bowlers on a leather chase on a wicket that continued to assist the fast bowlers. For Rizwan, whose previous best was against South Africa, it was a second century at this venue, while the third was in Karachi against Australia. For Saud, it was his first century at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after his previous two were in Karachi (125 not out) and Galle (208 not out).Rizwan’s 239-ball knock was punctuated with 11 fours and three sixes and Saud struck nine fours in a 261-ball innings. Rizwan was dropped twice during his innings, while Saud survived a close run-out before being stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz that gave wicket-keeper Litton Das his third scalp of the innings. After the 240-run fifth wicket partnership that ended with Saud’s dismissal, Rizwan put on 44 runs for the sixth wicket with Salman Ali Agha (19) and an unbroken 50 runs for the seventh wicket with Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose 24-ball 29 not out included a four and two sixes.Neither Hasan Mahmud nor Shoriful Islam managed to pick up any wickets on the second day in which Pakistan scored 290 runs in 72 overs and finished with two for 70 and two for 77, respectively.Summarised Scorecard (Day-2):Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 448 for 6 declaredAbdullah Shafique (c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud) 2 runs in 14 ballsSaim Ayub (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Hasan Mahmud) 56 runs in 98 balls (4x4, 6x1)Shan Masood (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 6 runs in 11 ballsBabar Azam (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 0 run in 2 ballsSaud Shakeel (St. Liton B Hasan Mirza) 141 runs, 261 balls (4x9, 6x0)Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 171 runs in 239 balls (4x11, 6x3)Agha Salman (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Shakib Al Hasan) 19 runs, 36 balls (4x1, 6x0)Shaheen Shah Afridi (not out) 29 runs, 24 balls, 4x1, 6x2)Bangladesh Bowling:Shoriful Islam (2 for 77), Hasan Mahmud (2 for 70), Hasan Mirza (1 for 80), Shakib ul Hasan (1 for 100)Bangladesh Batting (First Innings): 27 for 0                 Shadman Islam (Not Out) 12 runs, 30 balls, (4x2, 6x0)Zakir Hasan (Not Out) 11 runs, 42 balls, (4x1, 6x0)Pakistan Team: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad Bangladesh Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid RanaMatch Officials: Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa) and Richard Kettleborough (England)TV Umpire: Micheal Gough (England)Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

ISLAMABAD (PR): Jaker Ali and Saif Hasan attracted Bangladesh cricket selectors with impressive centuries on the penultimate day of the second four-day match against Pakistan Shaheens at the Islamabad Club on Thursday. The first two day’s play was lost due to rains and wet outfield.Jaker was at the crease on 136 and Saif was dismissed after scoring 111 as Bangladesh ‘A’ reached 346 for six in 98 overs on an extended day’s play. The two batters had joined hands at the score of 77 for four and were separated after adding 131 runs for the fifth wicket.The partnership ended when Saif became Mehran Mumtaz’s second victim after hitting a 221-ball 111 that included 13 fours and four sixes. Jaker, who came out at bat at No.6, carried on and is unbeaten on a 244-ball 136 with 14 fours and four sixes.Mehran’s other scalp was Shahadat Hossain (23) whose departure left Bangladesh ‘A’ reeling at 74 for three, which soon became 77 for four when Abrar Ahmed picked up the wicket of Towhid Hridoy (0). Abrar finished the day with figures of 30-6-85-1.Pakistan Shaheens fast bowler Ghulam Mudassir dismissed both the openers Anamul Haque (seven) and Mohammad Naim (nine) to finish the day with figures of 13-0-59-2.On Friday, last day’s play will resume at 9.45am.Scores in brief (day 3 of 4)Bangladesh ‘A’ (1st innings) 346-6, 98 overs (Jaker Ali 136 not out, Saif Hasan 111; Ghulam Mudassir 2-59, Mehran Mumtaz 2-69) vs Pakistan Shaheens  

BIPIN DANIThe Test debut performance of Milan Rathnayake (also known as Milan Priyanth) has excited his family back home in Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old bowler, who has been playing his debut Test against England came in batting at number nine and scored 72 runs, which was just two short of the highest score by Sri Lankan captain in this innings. The two could make a respectable total of 236 runs, which otherwise looked below par when the team lost quick wickets of the top and the middle order batters. No other Sri Lankan 9 number batter has scored above 70 runs on Test debut. "Yes, we were excited with his performance yesterday", Milan's wife, Piyumika, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Sri Lanka said. '"He called us before the match and we wished him to perform well. Yes, we were expecting his debut yesterday, he called us and informed us of the good news before the match", she added. The wife also watched the cap ceremony on TV. "We were very happy for the reason he got the cap from the legendary cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. I was also happy with his performance on day one". The couple got married on May 22 this year. Milan's family includes mother, father and younger brother. Mother is a housewife and his father is a retired army soldier. Later, his younger brother, Milinda also spoke to this reporter. "We were excited with his performance. We had good belief in him. because of his good performance in a practice match against England Lions and domestics. Before the match he called us and happiness was shared"."Kumara Sangakkara is his favourite cricketer since childhood.As I think it will be a memorable moment in his life. Kumara Sangakkara is his favourite cricketer since childhood. Getting a Test cap from him is, I think, will be a memorable moment in his life", the brother concluded. 

Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Pakistan scored 256 for 4 at lunch on the second day of the first Test match against Bangladesh in the first Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Thursday.Summarised Scorecard (Day-2):Pakistan Batting:Abdullah Shafique (c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud) 2 runs in 14 ballsSaim Ayub (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Hasan Mahmud) 56 runs in 98 balls (4x4, 6x1)Shan Masood (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 6 runs in 11 ballsBabar Azam (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 0 run in 2 ballsSaud Shakeel (not out) 86 runs in 169 balls (4x5, 6x0)Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 89 runs in 131 balls (4x7, 6x1)Bangladesh Bowling: Shoriful Islam (2 for 30), Hasan Mahmud (2 for 33)Pakistan Team: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad Bangladesh Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid RanaMatch Officials: Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa) and Richard Kettleborough (England)TV Umpire: Micheal Gough (England)Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)