Cricket
Kamran Ghulam hits sparkling century on Test debut in Multan
PCB ReportMULTAN: Kamran Ghulam, who earlier became the 257th player to don the Test cap for Pakistan, hit a brilliant century in his first outing in the Test career as Pakistan finished the first day of the second Test match with 259-5 in 90 overs at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.Kamran was dismissed for a well-made 118 off 224 balls hitting 11 fours and one six, in the 85th over of the day after having walked into bat in the 10th over with 19-2 on the board.Along with Saim Ayub (77, 160b, 7x4s), Kamran shared a 149-run third-wicket partnership as the duo took Pakistan out of trouble before Saim departed in the 56th over with the scorecard reading 168-3.Earlier, after Pakistan opted to bat first, Jack Leach drew the first blood as he castled Abdullah Shafique for a 28-ball seven in the eighth over. An over later, Leach got rid of Shan Masood for just three as Crawley pouched the ball at short midwicket.Pakistan amassed 79 runs for the loss of just two wickets on the stroke of lunch with Saim and Kamran having brought up their fifty-run stand off 85 balls. Saim reached his third Test half-century off 97 balls before succumbing to Matthew Potts just an over before Tea break, caught by Ben Stokes at short mid-off.After Pakistan scored 94 runs in the second session giving away only one wicket, England began the third session with the vital scalp of Saud Shakeel (4, 14b, 1x4) as he was caught behind off Brydon Carse in the 61st over.With the scorecard reading 178-4, Mohammad Rizwan (37 not out, 89b, 4x4s) joined forces with Kamran to stabilise Pakistan’s innings as the duo put on a dogged 65-run fifth-wicket partnership. In the meanwhile, Kamran became the 13th Pakistan player to score a century on Test debut and only the sixth batter to score a hundred on men’s Test debut while batting at No.4, when he hit Joe Root to midwicket for a boundary in the 74th over.Shoaib Bashir brought an end to Kamran’s 74.4-over stay on the crease when he got one to hit the stumps in the 85th over with Pakistan 243-5. Salman Ali Agha (5 not out, 19b) and Rizwan closed the day for Pakistan with 259-5 on the board.Scores in brief:Second Test - Day 1 of 5; Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first at the Multan Cricket StadiumPakistan 259-5, 90 overs (Kamran Ghulam 118, Saim Ayub 77, Mohammad Rizwan 37 not out; Jack Leach 2-92).
Multan Test: Salman's third Test century helps Pakistan to post 556
MULTAN (PCB Report): Salman Ali Agha’s third Test century continues to put Pakistan in a commanding position as England trail by 460 runs with nine wickets in hand at the close of second day’s play of the first Test match at the Multan Cricket Stadium.The touring side started off their innings trailing by 556 runs, and lost their captain Ollie Pope for naught after Aamir Jamal took a superb catch off the bowling of Naseem Shah. After Pope’s departure, Zak Crawley (64 not out, 64b, 11x4s) and Joe Root (32 not out, 54b, 2x4s) got together and the pair added an unbroken 92-run partnership for the second wicket.England will start off the third day’s proceedings with 96 for one in 20 overs.Earlier, resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 328 for four in 86 overs, Pakistan were all out for 556 in 149 overs in the final session. Right-handed batter Salman Ali Agha, playing his 15th Test and coming to bat at number eight, scored an unbeaten 104 off 119 balls, which included 10 fours and three sixes.Earlier, in the day, Saud Shakeel (35) and night-watchman Naseem Shah (0) started their innings and went on to add 64 runs for the fifth wicket. After Naseem’s (33, 81b, 1x4, 3x6s) departure in the 106th over, Mohammad Rizwan (0, 12b) soon followed him as Pakistan were 393 for six in 108.5 overs.At that juncture of the game, Saud was joined by Salman and the pair stitched a 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Saud, after scoring 82 off 177 balls, including eight boundaries was dismissed by Shoaib Bashir. Salman, who once again batted smartly with the lower-order, knitted 85 runs for the ninth wicket with Shaheen Shah Afridi (26, 49b, 2x4s, 1x6).For England, left-arm spinner Jack Leach went for 160 runs and took three wickets, while debutant Brydon Carse and right-arm pacer Gus Atkinson grabbed two wickets apiece.Scores in brief (Day 2):England trail by 460 runs at the Multan Cricket StadiumPakistan 556 all out, 149 overs (Shan Masood 151, Salman Ali Agha 104 not out, Abdullah Shafique 102, Saud Shakeel 82, Naseem Shah 33, Babar Azam 30, Shaheen Shah Afridi 26; Jack Leach 3-160, Brydon Carse 2-74, Gus Atkinson 2-99)England 96-1, 20 overs (Zak Crawley 64 not out, Joe Root 32 not out; Naseem Shah 1-29)
Mohammad Haris to lead Shaheens in ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup
Lahore (PCB Report): Mohammad Haris, who has featured in nine T20Is and six ODIs for Pakistan, will lead Pakistan Shaheens in the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup commencing in Oman from 18 October. Before the Shaheens’ departure to Oman on 16 October, the squad will undergo a camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi from 11 to 15 October.Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Yasir Khan and Zaman Khan will represent Pakistan Shaheens for the first time. Samad featured for UMT Markhors in the recently concluded Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup 2024-25 and scored at a strike-rate of 122.88. Ahmed Daniyal playing for Nurpur Lions bagged 10 wickets, while Yasir and Zaman featured for Allied Bank Stallions in four and two matches, respectively.Eight teams will participate in the event with four teams divided into two groups. All matches will take place at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat. Group A consists of Afghanistan ‘A’, Bangladesh ‘A’, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka ‘A’, while defending champions Pakistan Shaheens are slotted in Group B alongside India ‘A’, Oman and UAE.Haris-led Shaheens will take on last year’s finalists India ‘A’ in their opening match on 19 October. Shaheens’ second outing in the tournament will be against hosts Oman on 21 October, followed by their final group match will be against the UAE on 23 October.The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals scheduled to take place on 25 October. The final will take place on Sunday, 27 October.Usman Wahla, PCB Director International says: “Pakistan Shaheens are excited to showcase PCB’s emerging talent at the ACC Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup.“We commend the Asian Cricket Council for their continuous efforts to foster player development across member nations. Initiatives like the Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup are vital for creating opportunities for young talents to grow and excel.”Pakistan Shaheens squad:Mohammad Haris (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohmmad Imran Jnr, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sufiyan Moqim, Yasir Khan and Zaman KhanTeam management:Umar Rasheed (head coach-cum-manager), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Riffatullah Mohmand (fielding coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst) and Syed Mohammad Asad (physiotherapist).
Dubai Stadium commemorates historic 100th T20I
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The Dubai International Stadium hosted its 100th T20I on Sunday afternoon when India took on Pakistan in an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group A clash. The historic occasion was marked by a special plaque unveiling and cake cutting ceremony at the stadium which was attended by Emirates Cricket Board Chairman Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Jay Shah and a number of other dignitaries. The stadium has now staged a total of 101 T20Is including 92 men’s and nine women’s. The West Indies-Scotland Group B clash that followed the India-Pakistan match on Sunday was the 101st T20I at the venue.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: India beat Pakistan
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): India women beat Pakistan women by six wickets in the seventh fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Sunday afternoon. This was Pakistan’s first defeat in the ongoing mega event, while India claimed their first win.Chasing a modest 106 to win, India achieved the target for the loss of four wickets in the 19th over. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a responsible innings and scored 29 off 24 balls including a four. Opening batter Shafali Verma top-scored with a 35-ball 32, hitting three fours. Jemimah Rodrigues was other notable run-getter for the winning team with a 28-ball 23.Captain Fatima Sana was the most successful bowler for Pakistan, bagging two wickets for 23 runs in her four overs, while Omaima Sohail and Sadia Iqbal snapped a wicket each.Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to score 105 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Former captain Nida Dar top-scored for the side with 28 off 34 balls including a four. That Pakistan were able to get past the 100-run mark was due to a 28-run partnership between Nida and Syeda Aroob Shah (14 not out, 17b, 1x4) for the eighth wicket.Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali (17, 26b, 2x4s) and Fatima (13, 8b, 2x4s) were the other batters to reach double figures. For India, Arundhati Reddy bagged three wickets for 19 from four overs, while Shreyanka Patil took two wickets for 12 runs.Scores in brief (India beat Pakistan by six wickets):Pakistan 105-8, 20 overs (Nida Dar 28, Muneeba Ali 17, Syeda Aroob Shah 14 not out; Arundhati Reddy 3-19, Shreyanka Patil 2-12)India 108-4, 18.5 overs (Shafali Verma 32, Harmanpreet Kaur 29; Fatima Sana 2-23)Player of the match – Arundhati Reddy (India)
ICC Women's Under-19 World Cup 2025: England squad named
Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): The England Women U19 squad for the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia has been named, as the Spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman impressed domestically and produced some stand-out performances for Southern Brave in this year’s edition of The Hundred and is selected while Davina Perrin, who featured in the 2023 edition of the ICC Women's U19 World Cup, is also included.Sixteen teams from around the world will take part in the 41-match event across 15 days of competition from 18 January to 2 February 2025. It will be the hosts Malaysia’s first appearance in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup as well as Samoa’s first appearance in an ICC World Cup event. Drawn in Group B, England take on Ireland, Pakistan and USA with all group B matches in Johor.Five non-travelling reserves have also been selected. The reserves won't travel but will take a full part throughout the preparation phase and act as stand-by players should a replacement player be required: Maria Andrews (The Blaze), Sophie Beech (Central Sparks), Daisy Gibb (Southern Vipers), Poppy Tulloch (Southern Vipers), Annie Williams (The Blaze).England Women U19 squad: Phoebe Brett (Central Sparks),Olivia Brinsden (Thunder),Tilly Corteen-Coleman (South East Stars),Trudy Johnson (Northern Diamonds), Katie Jones (Western Storm), Charlotte Lambert (South East Stars), Abi Norgrove (Southern Vipers), Eve O’Neill (Southern Vipers), Davina Perrin (Central Sparks), Jemima Spence (South East Stars), Charlotte Stubbs (South East Stars), Amuruthaa Surenkumar (Sunrisers), Prisha Thanawala (The Blaze), Erin Thomas (Northern Diamonds), Grace Thompson (Northern Diamonds).
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Pakistan Women to face India Women on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket StadiumSports Bulletin ReportSharjah (UAE): Pakistan Women defeated Sri Lanka Women by 31 runs as they defended a low total of 116-run in the second match of the opening day of ICC Women’s T2o World Cup 2024 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Pakistan Women will face India Women in their next fixture on Sunday, October 6, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Skipper Fatima Sana led from front as she top scored, batting at No.7, with 30 off 20 balls and followed it up with 2-10 in 2.5 overs. Sadia Iqbal’s 3-17 was backed up by two wickets each by Omaima Sohail (2-17) and Nashra Sundhu (2-15) as the trio returned figures of 7-49 in 12 overs to restrict Sri Lanka to 85-9 in 20 overs.Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan found themselves in trouble as they were reduced to 32-3 after six overs. Nida Dar (23, 22b, 1x6) and Omaima Sohail (18, 19b, 1x4) stitched a 25-run fourth-wicket stand to stabilise the innings before the latter fell at halfway stage with 57-4 on the board.That Pakistan were able to accrue 59 runs in the last 10 overs was largely due to Fatima Sana’s charge with the bat as she hit three fours and one six in her outing after walking in at 72-5 in 12.3 overs. She stitched a valuable 26-ball 28-run ninth-wicket stand with Nashra Sundhu (6 not out, 14b) as Pakistan posted a fighting total. Chamari Athapaththu, Sugandika Kumari and Udeshika Prabodhani picked up three wickets each.In turn, Pakistan kept the Sri Lankan batters in check as their skipper was the first to fall for a paltry six off nine to Fatima in the third over. Sri Lanka were 44-3 at the halfway mark before collapsing to 85-9 in the allotted 20 overs. Only Nilakshika Silva (22, 25b) and Vishmi Gunaratne (20, 34b, 1x4) managed to enter double figures for Sri Lanka.Scores in brief (Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs):Pakistan 116 all out, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 30, Nida Dar 23, Omaima Sohail 18; Chamari Athapaththu 3-18, Sugandika Kumari 3-19, Udeshika Prabodhani 3-20)Sri Lanka 85-9, 20 overs (Nilakshika Silva 22, Vishmi Gunaratne 20; Sadia Iqbal 3-17, Fatima Sana 2-10, Nashra Sundhu 2-15, Omaima Sohail 2-17)Player of the match: Fatima Sana (Pakistan Women)
Lake City Panthers win Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup
Faisalabad (PR) Lake City Panthers became the winners of the inaugural Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup as they beat UMT Markhors by five wickets in the final here at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Sunday evening. Out of a PKR49 million prize pot, the Shadab Khan-led Lake City Panthers bagged prize money of PKR30 million while the UMT Markhors collected the runners-up prize of PKR15 million.Panthers bundled out the Markhors, after they opted to bat first, for a mere 122-run total in 33.4 overs and then took just 18 overs to chase it down with five wickets in the bag as skipper Shadab Khan hit the winning six. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai top scored for Panthers with 41 off 43 balls hitting five fours and two sixes. Earlier, three wicket hauls by Arafat Minhas (3-1) and Mohammad Hasnain (3-38), who also finished with a tournament tally of 17 wickets, backed up by player of the match performance by Sajid Khan (2-24) dented the Markhors progress with the bat as they collapsed from 82-2 in 18.2 overs to 122 all out in 33.4 overs. Shadab and Ali Raza also picked up one wicket each. After Markhors copped two early blows with the scorecard reading 26-2 in 5.3 overs, Haseebullah (27, 48b, 3x4s) stitched a 56-run third-wicket partnership with Fakhar Zaman who top scored for the Markhors with 46 off 49 balls clubbing five fours and one six. Off-spinner Sajid got rid of both the set batters in 19th and 21st overs to spark a batting collapse as Markhors lost their last eight wickets in 15.2 overs. Apart from Haseebullah and Fakhar, only Bismillah Khan (16, 37b, 2x4s) reached double figures for Markhors. In turn, Panthers’ opening batters raced to 51 in 7.4 overs before Umar Siddiq departed for 19 with the help of three fours. Sajid (15, 13b, 2x4s, 1x6), promoted to bat at No.3, was the second batter to be dismissed as Markhors struck regular blows to reduce the Panthers from 51-1 to 94-5 in 15 overs. Usman Khan, who finished as the top run-scorer of the tournament with 272 runs in six games, only contributed 13 off eight balls hitting a four and a six. Rizwan Mehmood (16 not out, 12b, 3x4s) and Shadab (14, 9b, 1x4, 1x6) stitched a 29-run stand for the sixth wicket to take their team home safely.For Markhors, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Akif Javed picked up two wickets each while Shahnawaz Dahani dismissed one batter.Scores in briefFinal – Lake City Panthers beat UMT Markhors by five wickets UMT Markhors 122 all out, 33.4 overs (Fakhar Zaman 46, Haseebullah 27; Arafat Minhas 3-1, Mohammad Hasnain 3-38, Sajid Khan 2-24, Ali Raza 1-19, Shadab Khan 1-20) Lake City Panthers 123-5, 18 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 41, Umar Siddiq 19, Rizwan Mehmood 16 not out, Sajid Khan 15, Shadab Khan 14 not out; Mohammad Imran Jnr 2-11, Akif Javed 2-42) Bahria Town Player of the match: Sajid Khan (Lake City Panthers)Mentors’ choice Emerging Player of the Tournament: Ali Raza - Lake City Panthers (Four wickets)Trans Group Wicket-keeper of the Tournament: Usman Khan – Lake City Panthers (7 dismissals)Inverex Solar Energy energetic Batter of the Tournament: Usman Khan – Lake City Panthers (272 runs)Trans Group best Bowler of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain – Lake City Panthers (17 wickets)Bahria Town Player of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain – Lake City Panthers (17 wickets).
Aleem Dar to retire at the end of 2024-25 domestic season
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Aleem Dar, widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected and admired cricket umpires, will retire at the end of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s 2024-25 season, concluding a career that has spanned nearly a quarter of a century. A true gentleman both on and off the field, Aleem is also a three-time winner of the prestigious David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year (2009-2011).The 56-year-old Aleem also enjoyed a playing career of 17 first-class and 18 List-A matches between 1986 and 1998, before he made his first-class umpiring debut during the 1998-99 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. From 2003 to 2023, he served on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, where he earned a reputation for his player management skills, understanding of the playing conditions, calm demeanor and outstanding decision-making.He is currently part of the PCB’s Elite Panel and remains one of four Pakistani umpires on the ICC’s International Panel, making him eligible to officiate in ODIs and T20Is. To date, Aleem has officiated in a record-breaking 145 Tests, 231 ODIs, 72 T20Is, 5 WT20Is, 181 first-class matches, and 282 List-A matches.His contributions to the sport extend far beyond these numbers, with his professionalism and respectful manner making him a beloved figure worldwide.Reflecting on his decision to retire, Aleem Dar said: “Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation. Throughout my career, I’ve strived to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, and it has been an honour to work alongside some of the finest match officials in the world. However, all great journeys must eventually come to an end, and the time has come for me to focus fully on my social and charity work. My hospital project and other initiatives are very close to my heart and require my full devotion and attention. Having achieved almost everything that I had aspired to in umpiring with the unwavering support of my peers and colleagues, I also feel it’s the right moment to step aside and allow emerging umpires to shine. It is my hope that they too will have the same opportunities to make their mark on the great game of cricket and represent Pakistan with pride.”
International League T20: six franchises signed new stars for Season-3
Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The DP World International League T20’s Season 3 is set to be full of high octane cricket as some of the biggest names in the game have joined the six franchises as new signings. The window to sign new players began in June and concluded on Sunday – 15 September. Season 3 will have international T20 stars like Jason Roy (Sharjah Warriorz), Fakhar Zaman (Desert Vipers), Shai Hope (Dubai Capitals), (Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers), Roston Chase (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Matthew Wade (Sharjah Warriorz), Ibrahim Zadran (Gulf Giants) and Romario Shepherd (MI Emirates) make their DP World ILT20 debuts and dazzle the crowds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Meanwhile, the teams can add more players or replacements to their squads upon clearance from the ILT20 Technical Committee. Teams can also add additional UAE players to their squads via a Draft which will take place after the conclusion of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament next month. Details of the tournament will be shared in the coming days.Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (New Signers): Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Gudakesh Motie, Hassan Khan, Roston Chase and Terrance Hinds. Retentions: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Ghous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper and Sunil Narine. Desert Vipers (New signees): Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Fakhar Zaman, Lockie Ferguson and Max Holden. Retentions: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Michael Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga. Dubai Capitals (New signees): Adam Rossington, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh, Gulbadin Naib, Jeffrey Vandersay, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherley, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Shai Hope.Retentions: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Oliver Stone. Gulf Giants (New signees): Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall, Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills and Wahidullah Zadran.Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zuhaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, and Shimron Hetmyer. MI Emirates (New signees): Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Fareed Ahmad, Thomas Jack Draca, Ben Charlesworth.Retentions: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil. Sharjah Warriorz (New signees): Adam Milne, Adil Rashid (played for Warriorz in Season 2 as a Wildcard pick), Ashton Agar, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daniel Sams, Gus Atkinson, Harmeet Singh, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Matthew Wade, Virandeep Singh and Tim Seifert.Retentions: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
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