Cricket
Former Test cricketer, Henry Olonga apologizes to Heath Streak
BIPIN DANIFormer Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga was believed to be the first one to have unintentionally spreaded the death news of Heath Streak, However, the 48-year-old has denied being instrumental in the fiasco and has named the middle order batter Sean Williams for this confusion. Olonga also shared the screenshot of the Whatsapp chats between Sean Williams and Pommie Mbangwa, where the death news first surfaced. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Australia, where Olonga resides, he said, "My tweet got more traction. I issued my various retractions and apologies to Heath". Explaining the sequence of the confusion, he says, "It is complicated and although I could share some personal intimate correspondence between the Streaks, I shall limit it to what is simple. We all heard it is imminent. So I know how grave things are"."I was even asked along with others touched by his life to provide a eulogy so that Heath can see them while he is here, which I did. Then someone else published on Twitter that it had actually happened. Gave a RIP tribute basically. Someone currently who is playing in the CPL and who is very close to Heath. He then deleted the tweet many hours later. A Facebook page announced it. Zimbabwean and Rhodesian sportsmen I think. I did check with two other former players who confirmed it. We were all obviously mistaken"."I did ask the family but got no response from them or another former teammate. It was late at night as I am in Aus. By then a few others had posted about it so I then did a tribute with pictures and the rest as they say is history. I had a somewhat higher traction than the others. Mid afternoon Streaky replies to my enquiry of his well being and gets in touch to correct the story. I amend all my posts and here we are. It has been a sad day as I really did think we lost him so try processing that with what we have now. Of course no malice intended and it grew a life of its own"."Heath and I are on good terms. It just went a little crazy. Of course I have apologised", Olonga concluded.
CRICKET - 24 Aug, 2023
Qasim Akram to lead Green Shirts in a regional mini-Olympic international fixture 2023Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today (Thursday) confirms that all-rounder Qasim Akram will lead Pakistan Shaheens in the 19th Asian Games, set to take place in Hangzhou, China. The event will be played in a T20 format from 28 September to 7 October.20-year-old Qasim, has till date featured in 20 first-class matches and 40 T20 matches and also captained Pakistan U19 in the ICC U19 World Cup in 2022. In the 15-member squad, there are eight players who have already represented the Pakistan men’s team at the international level.The players who have represented Pakistan at the international level are Aamir Jamal (2 T20Is), Arshad Iqbal (1 T20I), Asif Ali (21 ODIs, 55 T20Is), Haider Ali (2 ODIs, 33 T20Is), Khushdil Shah (10 ODIs, 24 T20Is), Mohammad Hasnain (9 ODIs, 27 T20Is), Shahnawaz Dahani (2 ODIs, 11 T20Is) and Usman Qadir (1 ODI, 23 T20Is).Also, eight players in the 15-member squad, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Arshad Iqbal, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir, Shahnawaz Dahani and Sufiyan Muqeem have been associated with the Shaheens side recently. Since May 2023, Pakistan Shaheens have toured Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Australia.In Zimbabwe, Shaheens whitewashed Zimbabwe A in the two four-dayers, but lost 4-2 in the 50-over matches to Zimbabwe Select. Shaheens later won the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in July, beating India A by 108 runs in the final. However, they finished as runners-up in the six-team Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia earlier this month.As per the tournament’s rule, Shaheens will feature in the event from the quarter-finals stage scheduled to take place on 3 and 4 October. The semi-finals will be played on 6 October, while the final will take place on 7 October. The match for Bronze medal will also take place on Saturday, 7 October.Pakistan men’s team won a bronze medal in their maiden and only appearance in the Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China, in 2010. Pakistan Shaheens squad: Qasim Akram (captain), Omair Bin Yousuf (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Akhlaq (wk), Rohail Nazir, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman QadirPlayer Support Personnel: Shahid Aslam (head coach-cum-manager), Umar Rasheed (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting and fielding coach) and Hafiz Naeem ul Rasool (physiotherapist)
Green Shirts teach cricket to Afghanistan, claim 142 runs win in ODI
Pacers ruin Afghan batting line-up, Haris Rauf snares 5 batters, Shaheen 2Sports Bulletin ReportHambantota (Sri Lanka): An aggressive bowling spell by right-arm pacer Haris Rauf (5 for 18) destroyed Afghan batters, who were chasing merely 202 runs in 50 overs to create new history, in the first One Day International fixture of a three-match tie here at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka on Tuesday.Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first, as Green Shirts as Fakhar Zaman departed in the first over. Afghanistan bowlers kept it tight as Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Iftikhar Ahmed's gritty innings and Shadab Khan's crucial contribution lifted Pakistan's total, guiding them to a competitive score of 201 all out in 47.1 overs.Imam-ul-Haq's composed knock of 61 runs anchored the innings, while Iftikhar Ahmed's 30 runs and Shadab Khan's enterprising 39 were pivotal in setting up a defendable target. The Afghan bowlers, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, showcased their prowess to ensure Pakistan didn't run away with a bigger total. Some late-order resilience exhibited by Naseem Shah helped Pakistan reach the 200-run mark.Afghanistan's chase faltered right from the beginning as they lost early wickets under the pressure of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah's fiery pace. Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed some resistance with 18 runs, but Afghanistan's middle-order struggled to find stability. Haris Rauf's five-wicket haul completely dismantled Afghanistan's batting lineup.Azmatullah Omarzai's valiant 16, despite retiring hurt, was the only silver lining for Afghanistan. Their innings concluded at a mere 59 runs in 19.2 overs, giving Pakistan an emphatic 142-run victory.Haris Rauf, with his outstanding figures of 5 wickets for 18 runs, was undoubtedly the star of the match, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.The win puts Pakistan ahead in the three-match series, leading Afghanistan 1-0. Both teams will meet again for the second ODI at the same venue on 24 August.Scores in Brief:Pakistan: 201 all out in 47.1 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 61, Shadab Khan 39, Iftikhar Ahmed 30; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3-33, Mohammad Nabi 2-34)Afghanistan: 59 all out in 19.2 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 18, Azmatullah Omarzai 16 not out; Haris Rauf 5-18, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-9, Naseem Shah 1-12)Player of the Match: Haris Rauf (Pakistan)
World Blind and International Blind Sports explore exciting Sports Partnership
Sports Bulletin ReportBirmingham (UK): In a significant step towards fostering sports inclusion and expanding opportunities for visually impaired athletes, a momentous meeting took place between Syed Sultan Shah, President of World Blind Cricket Ltd, and Ilgar Rahimov, President of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). The meeting was centered on the exploration of a potential sports partnership and the inclusion of cricket in future IBSA games.Both leaders engaged in an enthusiastic discussion about the power of sports to break down the barriers and promote inclusivity. They expressed their shared commitment to creating an environment where visually impaired athletes can thrive on the global stage.Syed Sultan Shah, President of World Blind Cricket Ltd, sees this meeting as a promising step towards opening up new avenues for blind cricket. By collaborating with IBSA, we can further develop and promote the Blind Cricket."Ilgar Rahimov, President of IBSA was happy about the possibility of including blind cricket in future IBSA games and will discuss this matter in IBSA Board meeting. Our discussions with World Blind Cricket Ltd align with our vision of expanding the horizons of blind sports as large number of athletes participate and their passion make these sports an interesting one. Both organizations recognized the need to work closely and collaborative efforts will be made to develop the necessary frameworks to facilitate the integration of blind cricket into the broader spectrum of IBSA sports. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both Syed Sultan Shah and Ilgar Rahimov expressing their eagerness to take the discussions forward. Brief intro about both Organizations: About World Blind Cricket Ltd: World Blind Cricket Ltd is a global governing body for Blind Cricket. Committed to promoting the sport at all levels, it aims to provide opportunities for visually impaired individuals to participate in cricket and showcase their talents on the international stage.About IBSA: The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) is a dynamic organization that oversees various sports for blind and partially sighted athletes. IBSA is dedicated to promoting and developing sports that empower visually impaired individuals, fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities.
Cricket News: Scrutiny of Islamabad Cricket Region’s clubs completes
Abdul Ghaffar KhanISLAMABAD: The scrutiny of the Islamabad Region’s clubs was conducted under the supervision of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Arbab Altaf here, as clubs participated in the process enthusiastically.According to the details, Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board last week, asked to re-scrutiny after the completion of the time according to the Pakistan Cricket Board 2014 rules. Scrutiny of zones has been completed. Pakistan Cricket Board Scrutiny Committee Chairman Babar Altaf supervised it in a very friendly atmosphere. Scrutiny under the supervision of the chairman Aabar Altaf declared clean and transparent by all club members of Islamabad regions and paid tribute to the PCB for providing full opportunities to all the club owners to present all the records of their clubs.
CRICKET - 18 Aug, 2023
Ali Ahmed ChLAHORE: The US Consul General William K. Makaniol called on Zaka Ashraf Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee here at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Also, US Consul General was accompanied by his wife during his courtesy visit to Pakistan Cricket Board.According to media department of PCB, the meeting was held as part of farewell meetings for the US Consul General, whose two-year term is coming to an end. The meeting was held in a cordial manner, where in a gesture of solidarity, the U.S. Consul General pledged the support of the United States Government for the handicapped cricket team in Pakistan.Zaka Ashraf extended his best wishes to the U.S. Consul General for his future endeavours, and emphasised the significance of sports diplomacy in developing good relations between both countries. In return, the US Consul General expressed his wishes to Zaka Ashraf and the PCB for the upcoming events.
Mayor of Birmingham holds a reception for Pakistan Blinds Cricket Team
Sports Bulletin ReportBirmingham (UK): Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councilor Chaman Lal held a warm reception to mark the recognition of Pakistan's Blind Cricket team here at the Lord Mayor Parlor at Birmingham City Council. Former Cabinet Member Councilor Wasim Zafar and Cabinet Member Councilor Saima Suleman from Birmingham City Council, Sajid Yousaf Social Worker also graced the occasion with their esteemed presence. The Lord Mayor appreciated the Pakistan Team’s achievements in the game and extended his best wishes for the event. Syed Sultan Shah Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council briefed the dignitaries about the history of Blind Cricket, its challenges, and achievements. At the end commemorating Shields were presented to Pakistani players.
Cricket News: ITCC announces to launch Tape-ball women's cricket in Sri Lanka
Sports Bulletin ReportHouston TX (USA): International Tapeball Cricket Council (ITCC) has announced to launch of the first-ever inaugural women's Tape-ball tournament in Sri Lanka under the aegis of Tape-ball Cricket Council of Sri Lanka (TCCSL) aiming to highlight the incredible talent and skill of women cricketers in the exciting format of Tape-ball cricket.According to an official of ITC, the Tape-ball cricket has gained immense popularity in recent years especially in informal matches played on streets and in alleys. It is a modified version of cricket where a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape is used allowing for a faster more dynamic game. This format has captured the imagination of cricket lovers worldwide and has provided a platform for many talented players to showcase their abilities.President ITCC USA Aamir Siddique said:“It is high time that women's cricket receives further recognition and support and this tournament is a significant step towards achieving that. We firmly believe that women's cricket deserves equal standing and opportunities in the sporting world. This tournament will provide an inclusive and competitive platform for female cricketers to exhibit their skills passion and love for the game.Teams from around Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to participate in this historic tournament showcasing the diversity and talent that exists within women's cricket. The tournament will feature a round-robin stage followed by knockout matches culminating in an exciting final to determine the champions.In addition to promoting women's cricket this tournament will also serve as a platform for social empowerment inclusivity and gender equality. It will inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams and break barriers in the world of sports.We invite all cricket lovers supporters and enthusiasts to join us in celebrating the extraordinary talent and determination of these remarkable women cricketers. Let us come together to witness the thrill passion and excitement of the first-ever inaugural women's Tape-ball tournament.”
Mohammad Waseem to lead UAE squad against New Zealand T20Is Series
Faisal Khokhar Dubai (UAE): Mohammad Waseem is all set to make his T20I captaincy debut in the three-match series against New Zealand which will be played at the Dubai International Stadium from Thursday, 17 August. Waseem – 23 T20Is for UAE – was appointed the ODI captain earlier this year. He now takes over the reins of the national men’s side for T20Is. The 16-member squad includes two uncapped youngsters, all-rounder Faraazuddin and left-arm spinner Jash Giyanani. Both players have been rewarded for consistent performances in domestic cricket and for UAE A’ team. Prolific ODI batter Asif Khan is also set to make his T20I debut after a series of impressive performances in ODIs including the fastest century for an Associate Member batter earlier this year in Nepal. UAE squad for T20I series against New Zealand: Mohammad Waseem (captain), Ali Naseer, Ansh Tandon, Aryansh Sharma, Asif Khan, Aayan Afzal Khan, Basil Hameed, Ethan D’Souza, Faraazuddin, Jash Giyanani, Junaid Siddique, Lovepreet Singh, Mohammad Jawadullah, Sanchit Sharma, Vriitya Aravind and Zahoor KhanSchedule (UAE vs New Zealand):August 17, 2023 (Thursday) First T20I at 6 pm Dubai International StadiumAugust 19, 2023 (Saturday) T20I at 6 pm Dubai International StadiumAugust 20, 2023 (Sunday): Third T20I at 6 pm Dubai International Stadium
CRICKET - 14 Aug, 2023
Malik Cricket Academy Peshawar beat Quetta Cricket Association by 6 wickets in finalNisar AhmadQuetta: Malik Cricket Academy (MCA) Peshawar defeated Quetta Cricket Association (QCA) by 6 wickets in a low scoring final of the All Pakistan Independence Day Cricket Gold Cup 2023 at Buqti Cricket Stadium Quetta on Monday.According to the details, QCA captain Syed Farid Uddin won the toss and opted to bat first. The host batters could score just 48 runs. They bowled out in the penultimate ball of the 15th over. Jeangir Shah was top scorer with 13 runs off 18 balls, was caught by Muaz Sadaqat on the bowling of Sajid Khan. Shahbaz Khan also scored 13 runs off 18 balls with the help of one four while Nimatullah contributed 5 runs off 10 balls.Saad Ullah (2 for 8), Usama (2 for 9), Sajid Khan (2 for 14), Babar Ali (2 for 16), and Mohammad Irfan (1 for1) were successful bowlers of the winning team MCA.Malik Cricket Academy Peshawar batters got their meager target of 49 runs in 7.1 overs, as Sajid Khan played knocking innings of 25 runs after lasting just 15 deliveries, as he hit 6 four during his smart and composed innings. Fazal Rehman (12 runs, 13 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Maaz Sadaqat (9 runs, 8 balls, 4x2, 6x0) were other major contributors in MCA’s victory. Mohammad Ghous (2 for 9), and Eshanul Haq (2 for 24) were wicket-takers for QCA Elevens.Secretary Sports Baluchistan, Mohammad Ishaq Jamali graced the closing ceremony as a chief guest and distributed the prizes among the players. Director Sports Dar Baluch and other officials were present on this occasion. Sajid Khan declared player of the match.Summarized Scorecard:Quetta Cricket Association (Batting) 48 runs all out in 14.5 oversJangir Khan (13 runs, 18 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Shahbaz Khan (13 runs, 18 balls, 4x1, 6x0), Mukhtar Ahmed (6 runs, 7 balls, 4x1, 6x0), Niamatullah (5 runs, 10 balls, 4x1, 6x0)Malik Cricket Academy (Bowling)Saad Ullah (2 for 8), Usama (2 for 9), Sajid Khan (2 for 14), Babar Ali (2 for 16), Mohammad Irfan (1 for1)Malik Cricket Academy (Batting) 49 for 4 in 7.1 oversSajid Khan (25 runs not out, 15 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Fazal Rehman (12 runs, 13 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Maaz Sadaqat (9 runs, 8 balls, 4x2, 6x0) Quetta Cricket Association (Bowling)Mohammad Ghous (2 for 9), Eshanul Haq (2 for 24)
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