Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has selected the following 17 players for the monthly Honorarium who performed notably well in recent domestic competitions. According to an official of PBCC, the players will receive a monthly Honorarium for the term of the next six (6) months from January 2023 to June 2023 in (3) three categories including Category A (Rs. 20,000 per month), Category B (Rs. 17,000 per month) and Category C (Rs. 15,000 per month). Category-A (Rs. 20, 000): Badar Munir Mati Ullah Category-B (Rs. 17, 000): Nisar Ali, Moeen Aslam, Faisal Mehmood, Mohsin Khan, Mohammad Safdar Category-C (Rs. 15, 000): Riasat Khan, Shahzeb Haider, Mohammad Salman, Anees Javed, Ayoub Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Akmal Hayyat, Kamran Akhter, Haroon Khan, Sana Ullah Khan

Sports Bulletin Report Cape Town (South Africa): Muneeba Ali Siddique rewrote the record books on Wednesday as the left-hander’s maiden T20I century orchestrated Pakistan’s commanding 70-run win over Ireland in the Group 2 match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Cape Town. The wicketkeeper-batter became the only woman batter from her country to score a century in the T20 World Cup history when she breached the 100-run mark in 66 balls after Ireland inserted Pakistan. Muneeba batted with authority throughout the innings, toying with the field placements as she shuffled many a time to smack the ball over the in-field for boundaries. She smashed 14 in total in her extraordinary 102 off 68. Prior to this epic innings, Muneeba’s best T20I score was 43. She was the reason Pakistan got a solid start as she added 44 runs with Javeria Khan, who was run out after making six off 13 in the sixth over. Pakistan lost their skipper Bismah Maroof, who struck a defiant half-century against India on Sunday, in the eighth over, but a resilient stand worth 101 with Nida Dar (33 off 28) only to be broken on the last ball of the penultimate over helped Pakistan post their highest T20 World Cup score of 165 for five. This was a sweet victory for Pakistan after they were beaten 2-1 by Ireland at their own backyard in November. Ireland were all out for 95 in 16.3 overs with Nashra Sandhu’s figures of four for 18 in four overs standing out. It was, however, a combined bowling effort that limited Ireland to a small score as Nida Dar and Sadia Iqbal took two wicket each, while Tuba Hasan and Fatima Sana chipped in with a scalp each. Hence, nine of the 10 wickets were taken by the spinners. Only two Ireland batters, Orla Prendergast and Eimear Richardson put resistance with the scores of 31 and 28. Pakistan’s previous best score in the T20 World Cup was from Javeria Khan, who made 74 not out against the Ireland in 2018. Pakistan travel to Paarl for their next match against the West Indies on Sunday. They will return to Cape Town to take on England on Tuesday. Scores in brief Pakistan beat Ireland at Newlands, Cape Town by 70 runs Pakistan 165-5, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 102, Nida Dar 33; Arlene Kelly 2/27, Laura Delany 1/20) Ireland 95 all out, 16.3 overs (Orla Prendergast 31, Eimear Richardson 28; Nashra Sundhu 4/18, Nida Dar 2/5) Player of the Match: Muneeba Ali (Pakistan)

Sports Bulletin Report Kabul: The Afghanistan Cricket Board has appointed Imran Farhat and Rana Naveed Ul Hassan, former Pakistan Cricketers, to serve as batting and bowling coaches in its High-Performance Center. The High-Performance Center (HPC) was recently placed in the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s revamped organizational structure which provides a range of high-performance services across coaching, training, capacity-building programs, medical services and high-performance management. The left-handed top-order batter Imran Farhat represented Pakistan in 40 tests, 58 ODIs and 7 T20Is between 2001 & 2013 and also carries a vast experience of playing 230 First Class and 222 List A matches. In his coaching career, Farhat has also been part of the ICC High-Performance Advance Level 3 Cricket Coaching Course for Test Cricketers and has also accomplished his Level 2 coaching course with England Cricket Board. In addition, he has been involved in coaching roles with several teams including working with teams in Kashmir Premier League and Junior Premier Leagues with PCB. Before joining ACB’s HPC, he was serving the PCB as the Head Coach for Central Punjab 2nd XI, after working as head coach with Southern Punjab’s U16 and U19 from 2020-2022. The Right-arm Medium Fast Bowler Rana Naveed Ul Hassan has also represented Pakistan in 9 Tests, 74 ODIs and 4 T20Is from 2003 to 2010 and has also featured in 156 FC, 197 List A and 126 T20 matches for various teams. He has accomplished his Level 2 and Bio Mechanics Coaching Coursed from Pakistan Cricket Board and has been involved in the coaching setup of the UAE National Team for two years 2016-2017. As part of the ACB's goals for the players and game development in Afghanistan, it is fine to state that the Afghanistan Cricket Board is looking forward to welcoming more renowned individuals to its National High-Performance Center.

Sports Bulletin Report Kabul (February 15, 2022): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) today confirmed the final 18-player squad for the three-match T20I series against the United Arab Emirates that begins tomorrow. The three 20I matches will take place on February 16, 18, and 19 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. We don't take any team lightly and have always tended to completely prepare the squad for any event, according to Chairman ACB Mirwais Ashraf. "The team has been in the UAE for around 10 days as it was getting ready for the series," he added. "Playing UAE in their own conditions is not an easy task because they are a good team with some excellent cricketers, but we are hoping that Afghan players will do well and rise to the occasion," he continued. The T20I series is being played in accordance with the mutual cooperation agreement that was recently signed between Afghanistan and the Emirates Cricket Boards. Based on the agreement, Afghanistan will play a series of three T20I matches with the UAE on an annual basis. This will be Afghanistan's first international assignment in 2023 and is considered a crucial preparation for a busy upcoming season, which includes several bilateral commitments and major events such as the ACC Asia Cup in September and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in October. Names of players: Rashid Khan (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen Ul Haq, Nijat Masoud, Noor Ahmad, Rahmat Shah, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Zahir Khan. Series Schedule: 16th February – 1st T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 18th February – 2nd T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 19th February – 3rd T20I, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Abbottabad PD and Peshawar PD registered triumphs in the second phase of the ongoing 8th National Physical Disability T20 Cricket Championship after defeating Lahore PD by 68 runs and Islamabad PD by 7 wickets respectively at Bhutto cricket ground G-7 Markaz Islamabad on Tuesday. The championship is being played under the banner of Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association (PPDCA). In the first match, Abbottabad DD defeated Lahore PD by 68 runs. Playing first, Abbottabad PD scored 194 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs. On his behalf, Humayun scored 73 runs off 43 balls with the help of 9 fours and three sixes, while Ol Khan scored 43 runs, 40 runs with the help of four fours and one six, Faisal Hayat added 28 runs. Abdullah Ejaz and Shahid Vito took two wickets. In reply, Lahore PD team was bundled out for 126 runs in 18.3 overs. Scored 65 runs from Aftab Hussain and Mohammad Hussain took three wickets for Abbottabad. Chief guest Regional Head Peshawar Sajid Khan gave Humayun a cash award of 1000 Rupees along with a trophy for Man of the Match. In the second match, Peshawar PD defeated Islamabad DD by 7 wickets. Islamabad was bowled out for 119 runs while playing first, Mohammad Haroon scored 36 runs and Mohammad Naeem scored 30 runs on its behalf. Momin took 3 wickets for 19 runs while Aatif dismissed two players by giving 13 runs. In response, Peshawar PD made the required score for the loss of three wickets in 16.3 overs, Wajid Alam scored 49 runs with the help of 36 balls, five fours and two sixes, Rahmat hit three fours and a six in 36 runs, captain Nihar Alam Three fours were scored in 29 runs. Mohammad Naeem took three wickets. PPDCA General Secretary and Tournament Director Ameeruddin Ansari gave Momin a trophy and a cash award of Rs 1000 as Man of the Match.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: South Africa bounced back from an opening-day defeat with a 65-run win over New Zealand in their second game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. The tournament hosts hit 132 for six after a difficult start in Paarl, rallying thanks to totals of 40 from Chloe Tryon and 28 not out from Nadine de Klerk. They followed that up with a devastating performance with the ball, with skipper Sophie Devine top-scoring with just 16 as Nonkululeko Mlaba starred, taking three wickets for ten runs to wrap up the win. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, but it was New Zealand who struck the first blow of the match. Eden Carson dismissed Tazmin Brits leg before wicket after just four balls for just one, leaving the hosts four for one at the end of the first over. Marizanne Kapp, promoted up the order to ensure she got the best out of her batting partners, was the next to go. Her airborne shot handed Jess Kerr the first catch of the day from Lea Tahuhu's bowling, leaving the hosts 13 for two midway through the third over. The White Ferns thought they had a third wicket during the fourth over, but Sune Luus got a reprieve when the ball was deemed to have dropped short of wicket-keeper Bernadine Bezuidenhout. However, despite the difficult start, South Africa responded with a partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Luus. Just as Wolvaardt and Luus' partnership was beginning to build, the captain was run out for 22 by Bezuidenhout after a miscommunication. Tryon took the hosts to 55 for three after eight overs before Tahuhu bowled Wolvaardt (13) with a superb delivery. All-rounder Tryon began showing off her power with the bat, hitting a fantastic four to take her side to 76 for four. Delmi Tucker and Tryon's partnership was proving fruitful, adding 23 runs from 22 balls, but the former was dismissed after attempting a premeditated ramp shot from Carson's delivery midway through the 13th over. Tryon continued to build South Africa's score, taking her team to 125 before she was dismissed off the final ball of the penultimate over. She was eventually caught by Bezuidenhout off the bowling of Hayley Jensen, having hit 40 off 34 balls. De Klerk ended unbeaten on 28 from 26 deliveries, leaving South Africa with 132 for six, a very respectable total after a difficult start. That total looked even more impressive when the White Ferns also struggled with the bat early on. Bezuidenhout was stumped for a duck by Sinalo Jafta after just two deliveries from Mlaba. The opening bowler then added another victim, dismissing Suzie Bates for another duck with a fine delivery at the start of the third over. That meant New Zealand's openers had not scored a run in their first two matches of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. South Africa continued their impressive start with the ball, Georgia Plimmer caught by Jafta for seven off Kapp to leave the White Ferns with 13 for three after four overs. And things went from bad to worse, with Amelia Kerr caught by Jafta for ten as they slumped to 18 for four. Tryon then entered the attack, bowling for the first time in the tournament, and she had Maddy Green caught by Jafta for seven. New Zealand were in big trouble at 34 for five, with ten overs to play. Devine and Jensen tried to rebuild for the White Ferns, but the game was starting to slip away from them. Then a brilliant bit of fielding from Ayabonga Khaka saw Jensen run out for seven to leave New Zealand 47 for six. And it was 49 for seven shortly after when Devine's wicket finally fell, falling leg before off Tryon having hit 16 off 26 balls. Mlaba then trapped Tahuhu in front to take her wicket tally for the evening to three for eight, her best ever in a T20 international. Shabnim Ismail took a wicket of her own, bowling Jess Kerr for 11 with just under three overs remaining. And New Zealand could not go the distance, all out for a lowest-ever total in the tournament of 67 as Kapp dismissed Fran Jonas for one. Scores in brief South Africa 132 for six in 20 overs (Chloe Tryon 40, Nadine De Klerk 28; Eden Carson 2/23, Lea Tahuhu 2/27) New Zealand 67 all out in 18.1 overs (Sophie Devine 16, Jess Kerr 11; Nonkululeko Mlaba 3/10, Chloe Tryon 2/12) Player of the Match: Chloe Tryon (South Africa)

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Islamabad PD trounced Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) PD by 8 wickets and Abbottabad PD outplayed Rawalpindi PD by 5 wickets in the 8th National Physical Disability T20 Cricket Championship 2023 at Bhutto cricket ground here on Monday. Also, the winners confirmed their berths in Round II. In the first game of the day, Islamabad PD easily ousted AJK PD by 8 wickets. AJK batted first and in 18.4 overs the entire team was bundled out for 90 runs. Ahmed Majeed was outstanding by scoring 26 runs. Sajjad Hussain, Sakhid Khan and Waqif Shah took two wickets each. Captain and wicket keeper Usman Paracha hunted 3 players behind the wickets. In response, Islamabad achieved the required target of 92 runs for 2 wickets in 12 overs. Captain Usman Paracha hit 4 fours and made 32 runs not out. Adil Abbasi scored 23 runs and Usman Ghani scored 21 runs. Usman Pracha was judged best player of the match on his sparking performance with the bat and that was key in his team’s victory. At the end of the match, chief guest, Deputy Director of Navy, Khaleeq Khan, gave a cash award of 1000 rupees along with “Man of the Match” trophy to Usman Pracha. General Secretary Pakistan Physical Disable Crocket Association (PPDCA) and Tournament Director Amiruddin Ansari, Regional Head Raja Mohammad Tahir and Javed Ashraf were also present on this occasion. Later, in the second fixture of the day, Abbottabad PD beat Rawalpindi PD by 5 wickets and qualified for the next stage. Rawalpindi PD batted first and scored 145 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Bilal Azim scored 49 runs with the help of 5 fours and one six while batting well while Mohammad Arsalan also scored 40 runs with the help of 5 fours and one six. Aftab Hussain bowled well and got 4 wickets for just 11 runs. In reply, Abbottabad PD reached at the target after scoring 149 runs for 5 wickets. All-rounder Aftab Hussain hit 6 fours in a brilliant half-century of 51 runs, Rizwanullah smashed 3 fours and a six in 44 runs not out. Qayyum Khan took 3 wickets. At the end of the match, Regional Head Javed Ashraf gave Aftab Hussain a cash award of Rs. 1000. In the second phase on Tuesday, Lahore will face Abbottabad at 9 am, while Islamabad will face Peshawar at 1:30 pm at the same venue.

Sports Bulletin Report Cape Town (South Africa): Sri Lanka claimed a famous three-run victory over hosts South Africa at Newlands on opening night of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a wonderful 68 from 50 balls, her nation’s highest-ever individual score at the showpiece tournament. Having set South Africa 130 to win, Athapaththu’s spinners took control with guile and discipline to secure a first T20I victory over the Proteas since 2016. Sri Lanka made a slow start, eking four runs out of the first three overs, but Athapaththu soon hit her stride and carved back-to-back fours off Nonkululeko Mlaba. Opener Harshitha Samarawickrama was far less fluent and her struggles came to an end when she chipped Nadine de Klerk to midwicket to depart for eight from 20 balls. Now joined by 17-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne, Athapaththu didn’t take a backward step and took De Klerk for five boundaries in nine balls. Vishmi took time to settle but matched her skipper’s stroke play, lap-sweeping Mlaba to the rope and then hacking Shabnim Ismail for three fours in an over on her return to the attack. Athapaththu and Vishmi put on 86 for the second wicket, Sri Lanka’s highest partnership for any wicket at the T20 World Cup, but they departed abruptly in successive balls. Vishmi took a single to short cover that wasn’t there, run out by Tazmin Brits for 35, before Athapaththu perished to long leg for a superb 68 to leave her side on 114 for three. Ismail yorked Nilakshi de Silva in the penultimate over to slow Sri Lanka right down and Marizanne Kapp conceded only five from the last as South Africa were set 130 to win. The hosts made a steady start, stymied when Tazmin Brits was struck on the helmet by the fifth ball of the reply, twice passing concussion tests from team doctors. Off-spinner Oshadi Ranasinghe joined up four dot balls in the penultimate powerplay over and Brits found extra cover to depart for 12. Marizanne Kapp offered stability but Sri Lanka claimed the Proteas’ prize scalp in the eight over when she holed out to Nilakshi de Silva at long leg off Inoka Ranaweera, dismissed for 11 at 44 for one. Ranaweera struck again and the South African slide continued when Laura Wolvaardt top-edged a sweep onto her shoulder, pouched by Ranasinghe to go for 18. Chloe Tryon curbed her natural attacking instincts early on and chose the wrong ball to climb into, mistiming a leg-side slog and De Silva was steady under the catch once again. Left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari struck once more in the same over when Anneke Bosch dragged on, leaving South Africa in disarray at 72 for five. Proteas captain Sune Luus was left standing amid the wreckage and as the required rate climbed north of 10, she launched Ranasinghe over the long-on boundary. Two balls later De Klerk tried the same but could only find the grasp of that fielder De Silva again, the hosts with it all to do at 95 for six. The superb Ranaweera got the crucial wicket in the penultimate over, enticing Luus out of her crease for Anushka Sanjeewani to whip off the bails. Sinalo Jafta and Ismail were both run out in the closing stages to sink South African hopes. Scores in brief Sri Lanka beat South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town by three runs Sri Lanka 129 for four in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 68, Vishmi Gunaratne 35; Nadine De Klerk 1/38, Marizanne Kapp 1/15) South Africa 126 for nine in 20 overs (Sune Luus 28, Laura Wolvaardt 18; Inoka Ranaweera 3/18, Oshadi Ranasinghe 2/20) Player of the Match: Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Ireland pulled off a shock win over reigning champions Australia in a topsy-turvy day of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches at Stellenbosch University. Ireland pull off surprise Orla Prendergast put on a fine all-round display as Ireland chased down 169 runs to defeat Australia by three wickets to head into the World Cup on a high. The right-arm medium-pacer dismissed opener Beth Mooney for a first-ball duck on her way to figures of two for 19 from her four overs. Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath then combined for a 135-run stand which ended with McGrath retiring on 56 to give other batters time in the middle, with Healy following suit having reached 62. Ellyse Perry’s 40 not out from 20 balls steered Australia to 168 for three, which Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis gave Ireland a fast start in chasing down, putting on 39 runs in 3.5 overs. Lewis’s dismissal brought Prendergast to the crease whose 26 from 15 runs gave Ireland fresh impetus before Laura Delany’s top score of 32 helped to see Ireland home with two balls to spare. England go two from two England went undefeated from their two warm-up matches with a five-wicket win over New Zealand. Players of England and New Zealand shake hands following a warm-up match between England and New Zealand prior to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup South Africa 2023 at Western Province Cricket Club on February 08, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. Players of England and New Zealand shake hands following a warm-up match between England and New Zealand prior to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup South Africa 2023 at Western Province Cricket Club on February 08, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. Having been put in to bat, Suzie Bates led New Zealand’s charge with 36 runs from 35 balls, but the veteran struggled to build a partnership after the returning Sophie Devine was dismissed with the White Ferns on 33 for one. Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets for 19 to limit New Zealand to 114 for nine from their 20 overs, which proved no match for England. Sophia Dunkley crashed 60 runs from 38 balls to bat through the innings as England chased down their target in 13.5 overs. Alice Capsey impressed with 28 runs as she continued to prove her fitness after undergoing surgery on her broken collarbone in December. South Africa head to opener with a win South Africa will open the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a win under their belt as they defeated Pakistan by six wickets. After winning the toss, Aliya Riaz was the star of the show for Pakistan making 48 from 30 balls as her side set hosts South Africa 143 to win. Ayesha Naseem provided useful runs late on as she scored 21 runs from 12 balls before she was dismissed by Ayabonga Khaka who took two for 23. Fresh from moving up to second in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s Rankings for T20I Bowlers, Nonkululeko Mlaba took one for 16 from her four overs. Laura Wolvaardt headlined South Africa’s response making 65 in an 107-run opening partnership with Tazmin Brits. Brits went on to make 36, before a mini-collapse left South Africa on 116 for four as Anneke Bosch and Sune Luus both fell for three runs. Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk guided the Proteas home with 10 balls to spare to send South Africa to Newlands in a buoyant mood. West Indies secure narrow victory The West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets with just two balls to spare in a see-sawing low-scoring thriller. Sri Lanka stuttered on their way to posting 107 all out from their 20 overs, with only Nilakshi Silva able to deliver with the bat. Silva arrived with Sri Lanka two for 29 after 5.2 overs, scoring 29 off 26 balls to help steer her side to a modest total. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kaveesha Dilhari each made 16 but seven scores under double figures, including for captain Chamari Athapaththu, continued to halt their progress. After taking three for 17 with the ball, captain Hayley Matthews gave the West Indies the perfect batting platform with a fifty before she was run out by some brilliant glovework from Anushka Sanjeewani. The Windies then slipped to five for 76 before Chinelle Henry steered her side home alongside Afy Fletcher. Ghosh stars in India’s triumph Richa Ghosh scored the highest innings of the warm-ups with a fabulous 91 not out from 56 balls crunching three fours and nine sixes to set India up for a 52-run victory over Bangladesh. The wicket-keeper batter put on 92 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues who made 41 from 27 before being dismissed by Jahanara Alam. Alam was expensive in her four overs, going for 54 as she faced the brunt of Ghosh’s hitting as India reach 183 for five. In reply, Bangladesh put up a good fight, thanks in part to captain Nigar Sultana’s 40 from 36 balls, but their tail wagged in the face of fierce bowling from India. Murshida Khatun had got Bangladesh off on a strong note as she made a run-a-ball 32 before Devika Vaidya took two for 21. Bangladesh fell 52 runs short in their chase, ending on 131 for eight from their 20 runs but showed improvement from their opening loss to Pakistan.  

Bipin Dani Nepal's 22-year-old bowler Sandeep Lamichhane who has been granted a bail by the Court in Nepal in the alleged rape case is gaining support from the international cricketers. This was revealed by Chatur Bahadur Chand, the president of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kathmandu, he said, "Yes, Sandeep is gaining motivational calls from the players. Last weekend, Pakistani wicket-keeper / batter Mohammad Rizwan paid a flying visit and met Sandeep. Rizwan was in Bangladesh playing the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He came to Nepal for a few hours and tried to motivate the bowler. Possibly, for this personal visit he may have obtained the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) permission and he returned to Bangladesh for his remaining matches". Rizwan also met the CAN president.  One among the others, who have wished Sandeep to be strong in this difficult time is India's Dinesh Karthik. "We hear Dinesh Karthik has sent a message to our new coach Monty Desai for Sandeep. Karthik is keen to come to Nepal and motivate him", the CAN president added. Karthik's visit may not materialize soon as he is the commentary panel for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sandeep is now on bail and has joined the 20-member squad (reduced from originally 30) for the closed-door training. "He is staying with the other team members in the hotel", confirmed Chand. His family, however, wanted him the permission to join the training from home daily. Sandeep's case is likely to come up for hearing in the next few months, confirmed his lawyer Saroj K. Ghimire, who tried hard to get his client's bail. "Sandeep is not yet given permission to travel overseas with the team but hopefully, we will try to get this clearance also", the lawyer, speaking exclusively, said. "Sandeep attended a few psychological sessions from the country's top psychologist Sushma Regmi", the lawyer confirmed.