Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Peshawar Pathans set 156 runs target for Punjab Lions in the inaugural T20 match of the 2nd Markhor Ramadan Cup at National Stadium Ayub Park Rawalpindi on Thursday night. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Punjab Lions won the toss and decided to field first Peshawar Pathans (Battings): 155 for 9 in 20 overs Sohail Akhtar (37 runs, 20 balls), Faizan Ali (29 runs, 14 balls), Bilawal Virk (25 runs, 26 balls), Musa Khan (20 runs, 22 balls) Punjab Lions (Bowling): Sharukh Chun (3 for 10), Kasam Shah (3 for 33), Ali Hasan (1 for 20) Punjab Lions (Batting): Peshawar Pathans (Bowling):

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The United States of America (USA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have secured a place at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier after finishing in the top two places of an evenly contested, six-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off. USA finished on top of the table with four wins from their five matches, ahead of the UAE on head-to-head, who scored a final-day win over Jersey to level the USA on points. Hosts Namibia and Canada put in some strong performances but fell just short of progressing with three wins each from their five fixtures. Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus was named Player of the Tournament, with 279 runs in five games at an average of 69.75. USA’s Ali Khan topped the wicket charts with 16 wickets at an average of 12.37. The USA and UAE are now just one stage away from securing a guaranteed nine matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 that will be hosted in India later this year. USA captain Monank Patel said: “It's a great feeling to be able to progress to the Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, even though we see this as a big accomplishment for USA Cricket, we the players also know that it's going to require lots of improvements for us to compete with the bigger teams. The players and support staff has worked tirelessly prior and during this event, and the hard work paid off. As I said prior to the play-offs, we have an opportunity to play in two World Cups in less than twelve months, and this group continues to believe and work towards that goal.” UAE captain Mohammad Waseem said: “We are absolutely delighted to confirm our spot for the qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Heading into the tournament in Namibia, we had a clear objective of delivering our best and playing positive and fearless cricket. I want to thank the players and our entire support staff for their untiring efforts that have resulted in our success.  “Our batters have been exceptional for us recently and the bowlers and fielders have backed them up really well. The entire team needs to perform at the same level and display the same commitment and passion for us to excel in Zimbabwe.” To reach the pinnacle global event of One-Day International cricket, USA and UAE will be vying with eight other teams in Zimbabwe for two places. These will include the three automatic qualifiers from ICC CWC League 2 - Scotland, Oman and Nepal - in addition to the bottom five-placed teams in the ICC ODI Super League. Currently, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies are confirmed to feature at the Qualifier in Zimbabwe, while Ireland must beat Bangladesh 3-0 in their upcoming Super League series to leapfrog South Africa and gain direct entry to the World Cup. The Qualifier will be the culmination of four years of hard-fought competition where 32 teams started out in search of a place at what will be the biggest ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup ever.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The training camps for the Pakistan men’s national, Under-19 and Shaheens sides will commence later this week. Babar Azam’s side will take on New Zealand in five T20Is and five ODIs from 14 April to 7 May, Saad Baig’s U19 squad will play a four-dayer, five 50-over matches and a T20 game in Bangladesh from 30 April to 17 May, and Imran Butt’s Pakistan Shaheens will travel to Zimbabwe for two four-dayers and six 50-over matches from 3-27 May. 7-10 April: Pakistan men’s camp. All activities at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore All the outstation players will arrive in Lahore today. Batter Abdullah Shafique and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will join the camp on 7 April and Fakhar Zaman will arrive on 10 April. Abdul Rehman will carry out camp commandant duties and Umar Gul will assist him. 7, 8 and 9 April – The players will have training sessions from 8pm. Beforehand, squad members (Saim Ayub on 7 April, Ihsanullah on 8 April and Zaman Khan on 9 April) will be available for stand-up media talks in front of the Wasim Akram Enclosure. 10 April – The players will play an intra-squad match that will begin at 8pm. 8-18 April: Pakistan Shaheens’ camp. All activities at Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, Karachi 8, 9 and 10 April – The players will have training sessions from 3.30 till 6pm. On 8 April, head coach Aizaz Cheema will be available for a media talk before the session. 12 April – The players will play a 25-over practice match, which begins at 2pm. 14 and 15 April - The players will have training sessions from 3.30 till 6pm. 16 and 18 April - The players will play a practice match, starting time will be communicated in due course. Shaheens captain Imran Butt will be available for media talk (time TBC) Pakistan Shaheens: Imran Butt (captain) (Lahore), Hussain Talat (vice-captain) (Lahore), Aamir Jamal (Islamabad), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Mohammad Umar (Karachi), Omair Bin Yousuf (Karachi), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (Islamabad), Sahibzada Farhan (Peshawar) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana). Asif Mehmood (Hyderabad), Athar Mehmood (Gujranwala), Saad Khan (Hyderabad) and Waqar Ahmad (Peshawar) (all reserves) Player Support Personnel: Aizaz Cheema (coach), Saboor Ahmed (Trainer), Mohammad Asad (Physiotherapist) and Faisal Rai (Team Analyst). Team Manager (to be appointed) 8-18 April: Pakistan U19 camp. All activities at the National Cricket Academy and LCCA ground, Lahore. On 10 April at around 1.45pm, Pakistan U19 coach Sabih Azhar will be available for brief stand-up interviews at the LCCA ground On 18 April at around 1.45pm, Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig will be available for brief stand-up interviews at the LCCA ground Pakistan Under-19: Saad Baig (captain) (Karachi), Ali Asfand (vice-captain) (Faisalabad), Ahmed Hussain (Peshawar), Aimal Khan (Peshawar), Amir Hussain (Rawalpindi), Arafat Minhas (Multan), Azan Awais (Sialkot), Hamza Nawaz (Lahore), Mohammad Ibtisam (Sargodha), Mohammad Ismail (Sahiwal), Mohammad Tahir (Fata), Mohammad Tayyab Arif (Sialkot), Obaid Shahid (Lahore), Sajjad Ali (Lahore), Shahzaib Khan (Mansehra), Shamyl Hussain (Islamabad) and Wahaj Riaz (Karachi). Abidullah (Islamabad), Ikramullah Tareen (Quetta) and Mohammad Zulkifal (Charsadda) (all reserves) Player Support Personnel: Tauseef Ahmed (manager), Sabih Azhar (coach), Umar Rashid (assistant coach), Hafiz Naeem Ul Rasool (physiotherapist), Yasir Malik (trainer) and Shan Ullah (team analyst)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Nida Dar has been appointed as the Pakistan women’s team captain, Mark Coles has been confirmed as the head coach while former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar has been named as the chair of the Women’s Selection Committee in key appointments, which were approved by the Chair of the PCB Management Committee Najam Sethi. Nida won the PCB Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2021 and replaces Bismah Maroof, who stepped down from captaincy following the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. Nida is one of the most experienced players in the country, having represented Pakistan in 130 T20Is and 99 ODIs. The appointments have been made in light of the PCB’s vision and strategy to invest further into women’s cricket and keeping in mind the upcoming international assignments, including hosting South Africa and tours to Bangladesh and New Zealand for the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 fixtures. Overall, in an 11-month period from August 2023 to July 2024, Pakistan women’s team is scheduled to play five bilateral cricket series comprising a total of 15 ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 ODIs. In addition to these 50-over matches, Pakistan will play as many as 17 T20Is. These ODIs and T20Is will lead to the 10-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and eight-team ICC Women’s World Cup in India, which will be held in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Najam Sethi said: “I want to congratulate Nida, Mark and Saleem on their appointments. Nida is a seasoned and highly-respected player, Mark has a proven track record in women's cricket coaching and Saleem brings with him wealth of international experience and knowledge. “We are confident this combination will not only attract and help young cricketers to fulfill their dreams of becoming top-quality international cricketers, but will also ensure the side as a whole emulates their previous performances and achievements. “I remain confident under their supervision and guile of Nida, Mark and Saleem, Pakistan women’s cricket will grow and flourish.” Nida Dar said: “I am honored to have been appointed as the captain of the Pakistan women's cricket team. It is a huge responsibility, and I am excited to lead the team in the upcoming events. I want to thank the PCB for entrusting me with this responsibility and will do my best to take the team forward. “I also want to thank Bismah Maroof for her services as the captain of the team. She has done a fantastic job, and I hope to continue her legacy and lead the team with the same passion and commitment. “The upcoming season of women’s cricket is going to be a tough one. But we are fortunate to have some young exciting talent in our pool of players, which I am confident will significantly improve during the course and also help the side to produce strong performances. Pakistan women’s team upcoming bilateral series Aug/Sep 2023 – South Africa tour to Pakistan (three ODIs & three T20Is) Oct/Nov 2023 – Pakistan tour to Bangladesh (three ODIs & three T20Is) Nov/Dec 2023 – Pakistan tour to New Zealand (three ODIs & three T20Is) Feb 2024 – West Indies tour to Pakistan (three ODIs & five T20Is) Jul 2024 – Pakistan tour to England (three ODIs & three T20Is)

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI: The Chairman Organizing Committee, Nisar Ahmed Shaiq has announced that the 2nd edition of the Markhor Ramadan Cricket Cup would be rolled into action from April 6 (Thursday) here at Ayub National Stadium, as five teams would fight for top honour during the 13-day fixture. While talking to journalists of twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad he further said that after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) local cricket fans would enjoy entertaining cricket during the holy month of Ramadan, as the top national cricketers would be in action under the floodlights at Ayub Park. “Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Nazir, Yasir Shah, Junaid Khan, Sajid Khan, Imran Khan, Umar Amin, Mohammad Aamir, Sohail Tanveer, Sharjeel Khan, Zaman Khan, Salman Irshad, Sohaib Maqsood and Hasan Ali likely to participate in the cricket festival, “he divulged. Shaiq further added that Kashmir Kings, Rawalpindi Royals, Islamabad Hawks, Punjab Lions, and Peshawar Panthers would fight with each other during the tournament, as the final would be played on April 18, 2023 at the same venue. “Salman Irshad will lead hosts Kashmir Kings while Sohaib Maqsood Rawalpindi Royals in the top cricket league. Imran Nazir will be skipper of Punjab Lions are Imran Nazir, Islamabad Hawks will be captained by Hasan Ali, and Peshawar Pathans will be led by Yasir Shah, “he further revealed. He said that a mammoth prize money of around 5000 thousand rupees would be disbursed among the best players. The inaugural T20 match of the tournament will be played on Thursday (April 6) between Rawalpindi Royals and Peshawar Pathans. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Raja Abdul Mateen and Director Media Shahzad Khan were also present on this occasion.

PCB names T20I and ODI squads for home series against New Zealand Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Shaheen Shah Afridi is all set to return to international cricket after four months when he was named in the Pakistan T20I and ODI squads for the series against New Zealand, which will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi from 14 April to 7 May. Shaheen had missed five Tests and three ODIs against England and New Zealand post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 as he was completing his rehabilitation following a knee injury he had sustained during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in July. He had subsequently missed the second Test against Sri Lanka, ODI series against the Netherlands, ACC Asia Cup in the UAE and seven-match T20I series in Pakistan. The 22-year-old, who has taken 99 Test, 62 ODI and 58 T20I wickets, staged a remarkable comeback in the HBL Pakistan Super League 8 when he inspired Lahore Qalandars to become the first side to successfully defend the title. Not only that, Shaheen’s own performance was outstanding both with the bat and the ball – he scored 133 runs at a strike-rate of 168.35 and grabbed 19 wickets at an economy-rate of 9.13. He was rightly named captain of Team of HBL PSL 8. Apart from Shaheen, also returning to both the squads are Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan. All these players had rested for last month’s three-T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah. This means Babar Azam will resume his normal services as captain in the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, while Shadab will return to his original position as vice-captain. Three young guns, Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub and Zaman Khan, have been retained in the T20I squad following stellar performances in Sharjah, while Ihsanullah has also been added to the ODI squad for the first time in his career. The squad will assemble in Lahore on 6 April where the training camp will commence on 7 April. Squad (T20I): Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan Squad (ODI): Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir. Reserves: Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Tayyab Tahir Series schedule: 14 Apr - 1st T20I, Lahore 15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore 17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore 20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi 24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi 27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi 29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi 3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi 5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi 7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board today (Tuesday) confirmed Rawalpindi, along with two T20Is and the first ODI, will also host the second ODI against New Zealand. The two ODIs will be played on 27 and 29 April instead of 26 and 30 April, respectively. Now, Karachi will host last three one day international of the 5-match series at National Stadium Karachi. Revised schedule: 14 Apr - 1st T20I, Lahore 15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore 17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore 20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi 24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi 27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi 29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi 3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi 5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi 7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The United Arab Emirates have been fined 80 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Namibia in an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off match in Windhoek on Sunday. Owen Chirombe of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after the UAE were ruled to be four overs 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 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. UAE captain Mohammad Waseem pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires David Odhiambo and Christopher Phiri, and reserve umpire Isaac Oyieko leveled the charge.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: AZ Real Estate Islamabad have won the title of the Naya Nazimabad Bankers Cup Ramadan Cricket Tournament by defeating Attock Sports Karachi by five wicketsin the final on Sunday night under electric lights here at Naya Nazimabad Cricket Stadium. Attock Sports batted first and scored 178 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted twenty overs. Jahanzeb Sultan played an aggressive innings of 64 runs with the help of four sixes and four fours off 46 balls. Shahid Mirani scored 31 runs and Shahid Mirani scored 23 runs. Zeeshan Malik dismissed two players. In reply, AZ Real Estate Islamabad achieved their target at the loss of five wickets in the last over of the final match. Opener Owais Zia played an important role in the victory of his team by scoring 84 runs with the help of four sixes and nine fours. Zeeshan Malik scored 31 runs and Ali Imran scored 30 runs. Chief guest Director General, Rangers Sindh Major General Azhar Waqas, Chairman New Nazimabad Arif Habib, President Bank Al Falah Atif Aslam Bajwa, President Sindh Bank Imran Samad, famous actor Fahad Mustafa, CEO Samad Habib, President Naya Nazimabad Gymkhana Syed Muhammad Talha along with a large number of fans watched the final match. The winning team was given a trophy and prize money of 1.2 M Rs. While the run-up team was entitled to six lakh rupees and a trophy. Owais Zia was adjudged the best player of the final and tournament. Kent Warriors' Sohail Khan won the Best Wicketkeeper, AZ Real Estate's Owais Zia the Best Batsman, Abdullah Amin the Best Bowler and Umar Associates' Khawaja Nafee the Best Fielder.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD: Former India all-rounder Test cricketer Salim Durani has passed away at the age of 88. He was living with his brother Jahangir Durani in Jamnagar. Durani had undergone a proximal femoral nail surgery after he broke his thigh bone in a fall in January this year. An aggressive left-handed batter and a left-arm spinner, Durani played 29 Tests, scoring 1202 runs and taking 75 wickets. He was best remembered for that magical spell that helped India to their first Test win in the West Indies in 1971, which is also remembered for Sunil Gavaskar's Test debut. In the space of a few balls, Durani had dismissed Clive Lloyd and Garry Sobers - the latter for a duck - at a crucial time in the second innings in Port of Spain for India's seven-wicket win. Durani conceded just 21 runs in the 17 overs he bowled.