Cricket
CRICKET - Physically Handicap 28 Jan, 2023
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Panthers have confirmed their berth in the final of the Kingdom Valley All Stars Supper League (ASSL) after beating Sindh Strikers by 5 wickets in the first Eliminator here at the Diamond cricket ground on Saturday.
The match between Sindh Strikers and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Warriors will decide the second finalist on Sunday likely to be played at Bhutto cricket ground G-7 Markaz Islamabad.
Summarized Scorecard (Punjab Panthers vs Sindh Strikers)
Venue: Diamond cricket ground
Toss: Punjab Panthers won the toss and decided to bowl first
Results: Punjab Panther won by 5 wickets
Sindh Strikers (Batting) 143 for 8 in 20 overs
Waqar Ameer 54 runs (34 balls, 4x8, 6x0), Umer Farooq 23 runs (24 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Sadiq Shan 13 runs (13 balls, 4x0, 6x0)
Punjab Panthers (Bowling)
Abdul Manan (2 for 31), Abdul Salam (1 for 16), Sameer Ahmed (1 for 21), Asad Lahgari (1 for 23), Najam-ul-Hasan (1 for 34)
Punjab Panthers (Batting) 144 for 5 in 19 overs
Abdul Salam 78 runs not out (55 balls, 4x6, 6x3), Saqin Inayat 30 rusn in (25 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Abdullah Khan 13 runs (10 balls, 4x1, 6x0)
Sindh Strikers (Bowling)
Sitatullah (2 for 17), Zeeshan Malik (1 for 18), Waqar Ameer (1 for 20), Umer Farooq (1 for 30)
Player of the Match: Abdul Salam
Umpires: Mohammad Ishfaq & Taimoor Kayani
Match Referee: Ghulam Mustafa
Official Scorer: Raja Hasan Akhtar
Parents taught me to be honest, says Nepalese cricketer Aasif Sheikh
Aasif Sheikh becomes the first player from Nepal to win the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award
Bipin Dani
Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh becomes the first player from Nepal to win the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.
On Thursday, the 22-year-old wicketkeeper (and batter) was named the recipient of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2022 for his decision not to run out Andy McBrine after the Irish star tripped while attempting a run in February last year.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kathmandu, he said, "I feel lucky that I got this opportunity to represent my country across the world by showing that gesture on the field shown in the video. Also, I got to know that I became the first Nepali player to receive this ICC award which is really special for me".
The good news Aasif Sheikh heard from social media.
"I just heard about the news yesterday through social media. I was surprised and happy to hear that at the same time my parents felt so proud of me hearing the news about this. As they have always taught me to be humble, honest and be a good human being, they are happy to see that I am walking on their path".
It is not known whether the player would receive an award in any physical form.
"I have no idea whether I am getting any trophy or not but the award, which ICC have given me will always be special for me. I have always believed that cricket should always be played under the spirit of the game and by showing that gesture I believe the cricket will get more pure and will be played with more honesty", he signed off.
Cricket Center set final clash with Ludhiana Gymkhana in 20-K Cup
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Cricket Center Cricket Club set final clash with Ludhiana Gymkhana Cricket Club after routing Model Town Greens by 6 wickets in the second semifinal played here at the Model Town Greens Ground on Friday.
Model Town Greens, batting first, posted a decent total of 176 for the loss of 4 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Awais Zafar batted with authority and slammed 55 runs off 37 balls, while Bilal Dar, hero of the last match of the team, contributed with 23-ball 44 runs and Taimoor Sultan gathered 39 runs off 35 balls. Usama Mir claimed 2 wickets for 38 runs while Ali Zafar and Bilawal Iqbal got one wicket each.
Cricket Center replied strongly and comfortably chased the target in 19 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Ali Zafar was the man, who played sensational knock of 47 runs off 36 balls while his teammates Ameer Hamza and Mohammad Waheed also batted well and contributed with 38 and 37 runs respectively. For Model Town Greens, Waris Khan, Usman Khalid and Ahmad Arif took one wicket each.
For his all-round performance, Ali Zafar of Cricket Center was adjudged as player of the match, who was handed over the award by Bilal Javaid, nephew of the sponsor of the event, Nabeel Ahmad, son of Col Fateh Sher Khan. Cricket Center will now take on Ludhiana Gymkhana in the final to be played at Model Town Greens Ground on Saturday at 11:00 am, where Nabeel Ahmad will be the chief guest and distribute prizes among the winners and top performers.
CRICKET - Physically Handicap 27 Jan, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Panthers and Sindh Strikers have defeated their opponents Baluchistan Bulls and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Warriors by 8 and 3 wickets respectively in the Kingdom Valley All-Stars Supper League (ASSL) at two different venues here on Friday.
Summarized Scorecard (Punjab Panthers vs Baluchistan Bulls)
Venues: Marghzar cricket ground
Toss: Baluchistan Bulls won the toss and decided to bat
Results: Punjab Panthers beat Baluchistan Bulls by three wickets
Baluchistan Bulls (Batting) 103 for 7 in 20 overs
Juman Shah 36 runs (37 balls, 4x2, 6x2), Junaid Khan 16 runs (6 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Khawar Ali 16 runs (9 balls, 4x3, 6x0)
Punjab Panthers (Bowling):
Abdul Manan (2 for 34), Asad Laghari (1 for 9), Sameer Ahmed (1 for 17), Najam-ul-Hasan (1 for 17)
Punjab Panthers (Batting) 105 for 2 runs in 9.4 overs
Sameer Ahmed 54 runs not out (29 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Najam-ul-Hasan 27 runs (17 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Asad Laghari 14 runs (7 balls, 4x3, 6x0)
Baluchistan Bulls (Bowling)
Ali Bakhsah (1 for 12), Mohammad Akram (1 for 28)
Summarized Scorecard (KPK Warriors vs Sindh Strikers)
Venue: Shalimar cricket ground
Toss: KPK Warriors won the toss and decided to bat
Results: Sindh Strikers beat KPK Warriors by 3 wickets
KPK Warriors (Batting): 179 for 9 in 20 overs
Farooq Khan 54 runs not out (43 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Zohaib Ahmed 26 runs (29 balls, 4x5, 6x0), Mohammad Adeel 25 runs (10 balls, 4x1, 6x3)
Sindh Strikers (Bowling)
Umer Farooq (4 for 43), Sifatullah (3 for 210, Naeem Khan (1 for 9), Waqar Ameer (1 for 19)
Sindh Strikers (Batting) 180 for 7 in 18.4 overs
Sifatullah 53 runs (20 balls, 4x2, 6x6), Umer Farooq 52 runs (33 balls, 4x7, 6x2), Farman Shah 33 runs (18 balls, 4x2, 6x3)
KPK Warriors (Bowling)
Mohammad Adeel (3 for 22), Sabaz Ali (1 for 27), Sher Ali (1 for 28), Gulzar Khan (1 for 31), Sanaullah Khan (1 for 50)
Player of the match: Sifatullah (Sindh Strikers)
CRICKET - 27 Jan, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
Dubai (UAE): Pakistan icon Babar Azam on Thursday revealed the winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, as well as scooping the Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year prize.
Earlier, Pakistan duo Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf were named in the ICC Men’s T20I team of the year while all-rounder Nida Dar was included in the ICC Women’s T20I team of the year.
Babar Azam – Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy
By winning the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, Babar becomes the second winner from Pakistan in consecutive years, emulating the feat of his teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi, who won the prize in 2021. Babar also set new records in 2022, not least becoming the first, and still the only, player to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award on two occasions.
Picking up where he left off in 2021, Babar enjoyed another momentous year, captaining his side to two Finals, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. At the crease, he piled on the runs in all formats, scoring over 2,500 international runs across ODIs, T20Is and Tests, ending the year as the leading run-scorer in the latter.
The Pakistan batter also claims the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award for a second successive year – the first to do this since Virat Kohli in 2017 and 2018. Babar consolidated his position atop the ODI batter rankings thanks to his staggering scoring consistency, registering 679 runs in 9 matches at an average of 84.87. Within these numbers came notable performances against the likes of Australia, West Indies and New Zealand.
Reacting to the awards, Babar said:
“I feel humbled to have been voted as winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and join the ranks of some of the most iconic and respected names who have previously won the biggest and most prestigious individual award in our great sport. I continue to look up to these players as well as champions of the past for inspiration, motivation and improvement.
“As cricket is a team sport, this recognition and achievement would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of my family, team, fans and the institution, to all of whom I am greatly indebted and thankful.
“Every match I played for Pakistan has been special and memorable, but the most satisfying and accomplishing aspect for me was to compete and perform in front of my home fans against Australia, England and New Zealand’s touring sides. Of course, reaching the finals of two major tournaments in the United Arab Emirates and Australia were also some of the highlights for me and my team, and we hope to do better this year, which is going to be equally demanding but highly rewarding.”
CRICKET - Physically Handicap 26 Jan, 2023
Sports Report
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Panthers and Sindh Strikers have registered their wins in the Kingdom Valley, All Stars Super League (ASSL) after beating their opponents at two different cricket venues on Thursday.
Summarized Scorecard (KPK Warriors vs Punjab Panthers):
Venue: Shalimar cricket ground:
Toss: Punjab won the toss and elected to bat first
Results: Punjab Panthers won by 67 runs
Punjab Panthers (Batting) 214 for 6 in 20 overs
Najam-ul-Hasan 77 runs (44 balls, 4x13, 6x0), Abdul Islam 49 runs not out (25 balls, 4x1, 6x6), Asad Laghari 31 runs (24 balls, 4x4, 6x0)
KPK Warriors Bowling:
Sanaullah (3 for 44), Mohammad Talha (1 for 21), Arif Khan (1 for 50)
KPK Warriors (Batting) 147 all out in 15.4 overs
Wasal Hasan 32 runs (21 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Mohammad Farooq 48 runs (34 balls, 4x4, 6x2), Zohaib Ahmed 29 runs (12 balls, 4x3, 6x2)
Punjab Panther Bowling:
Sameer (3 for 13), Abdul Manan (3 for 41) Abdul Salam (2 for 30),
Man of the Match: Najam-ul-Hasan
Summarized Scorecard (Kashmir Janbaaz vs Sindh Strikers
Venue: Marghzar cricket ground:
Toss: Kashmir Janbaaz won the toss and elected to field first
Results: Sindh Strikers won by 69 runs
Sindh Strikers (Batting) 180 for 6 in 20 overs
Waqar Ameer 61 runs (34 balls, 4x7, 6x2), Umer Farooq 59 runs (34 balls, 4x6, 6x2), Ali Asgher Shah 15 runs (7 balls, 4x1, 6x1)
Kashmir Janbaaz Bowling:
Raja Fiaz (3 for 22), Akseer Abbasi (1 for 42)
Kashmir Janbaaz (Batting) 111 all out
Hayat Khan 50 (40 balls, 4x4, 6x2), Irfanullah Khan 21 runs (16 balls, 4x3, 6x0)
Sindh Bowling:
Ali Asghar (2 for 14), Fazal Hadi (2 for 14) Hafiz Faheem (1 for 16), Umer Farooq (1 for 5)
Sifatullah (6 for 21), Zeeshan Malik (1 for 21), Naseem Khan (1 for 37)
Model Town Greens thump Golden Star to complete semifinal lineup
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Model Town Greens thumped Golden Star Cricket Club by 7 wickets in the fourth and last quarterfinal to complete the semifinal lineup in the 20-K Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament.
Besides Model Town Greens, the other three semifinalist teams are Model Town Club, Ludhiana Gymkhana and Cricket Center. The fourth quarterfinal was to be played at Pindi Gymkhana, but due to wet outfield, the match was shifted to Model Town Green Ground. Golden Star Club, batting first, posted 175 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Abdul Samad played the superb knock of 56 runs of 46 balls with the help of four boundaries and one six. Ali Raza also batted with authority and cracked 34, Raees Butt unbeaten 31 and Azzam ul Haq 22 runs. Ateeq ur Rehman bowled brilliantly and clinched 4 wickets for 33 runs.
Outstanding batting performance by Bilal Dar helped Model Town Greens chase the target in 19.4 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Bilal played impressive unbeaten knock of 72 runs off 52 balls that included four boundaries and three sixes. Other notable performers were Abdul Wahab Dar (47 runs) and Muhammad Kashif (37), who helped the side reach home safely. From Golden Star, Sadaqat and M Naveed got one wicket each. Bilal Dar was declared player of the match for his superb batting performance.
The first semifinal will be contested between Model Town Club and Ludhiana Gymkhana Cricket Club on Thursday (January 26) while the second semifinal will be played between Cricket Center Cricket Club and Model Town Greens on Friday (January 27). Both the semifinals will be played at Model Town Greens Ground at 11:00 am.
CRICKET - Physically Handicap 25 Jan, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: Sindh Strikers beat Baluchistan Bulls by 7 runs in the Kingdom Valley, All Stars Super League (ASSL) after a close contest here at Shalimar cricket ground on Wednesday, as the match was reduced 16 overs per innings owing to rain in the morning in the capital city. Another match of the day between Kashmir Janbaaz vs KPK Warriors washed out without a single ball.
Summarized Scorecard (Baluchistan Bulls vs Sindh Strikers):
Venue: Shalimar cricket ground:
Toss; Sindh Strikers won the toss and elected to bat first
Results: Sindh Strikers won by 7 runs
Sindh Strikers (Batting) 174 for 6 in 16 overs
Naeem Khan 49 runs (33 balls, 4x4, 6x2), Farhan Shah 33 runs (16 balls, 4x2, 6x3), Sifatullah Khan 27 runs (24 balls, 4x2, 6x2)
Baluchistan Bowling:
Khawar Ali (2 for 24), Tenvir Ahmed (2 for 32), Tahir Khan (1 for 16) Nizamuddin (1 for 35)
Baluchistan Bulls (Batting) 167 for in 16 overs
Juman Shah 48 runs (27 balls, 4x7, 6x2), Mohammad Qaim 45 runs (28 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Hafeezullah 20 runs (17 balls, 4x3, 6x0)
Sindh Bowling:
Sifatullah (6 for 21), Zeeshan Malik (1 for 21), Naseem Khan (1 for 37)
Player of the match: Sifatullah Khan
Umpires: Azeem Khan, Shakil Ahmed
Scorer: Mohammad Abdullah Matloob
CRICKET - 25 Jan, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
Dubai (UAE): India fast bowler Mohammad Siraj has grabbed the top position for bowlers in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings after a superb show in the home series against New Zealand which his team won 3-0 to take No.1 position in the team rankings.
The 28-year-old took five wickets in the two matches that he played in, including a haul of four for 46 in the first ODI on his home ground of Hyderabad. This followed another fruitful series against Sri Lanka, in which he had finished with nine wickets to move up to number three.
Other Indian bowlers to be No. 1 in the ODI rankings are Kapil Dev, Maninder Singh, Anil Kumble, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah.
Siraj’s new-ball partner in the New Zealand series, Mohammad Shami, too has moved up the rankings, up 11 places to 32nd position after taking four wickets in two matches. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and seam bowler Shardul Thakur have reaped the gains of finishing with six wickets each in the series. Yadav has moved from 21st to 19th while Thakur has progressed five places and is 35th.
Opener Shubman Gill led the charge of India’s batters as he stormed into the top 10 for the first time. His Player of the Series effort of 360 runs, that included a double-century and a century, has lifted him 20 spots to sixth position. He is now the leading India batter in the rankings, one slot above Virat Kohli.
Captain Rohit Sharma’s 186 runs in the series have helped him move up two slots to eighth position while all-rounder Hardik Pandya has progressed in all three lists. He is up six places to 75th among batters, has gained 26 slots to reach 80th position among bowlers and has moved from 32nd to17th in the list of all-rounders.
Michael Bracewell, who was the leading run-scorer for New Zealand with 188 runs, has rocketed 71 places to 85th position while Devon Conway has moved up from 50th to 37th.
In the latest weekly update which also considers performances in the three-match series between Zimbabwe and Ireland that was drawn 1-1, Ireland batter Harry Tector has advanced 12 places to 13th position after leading the series aggregate with 176 runs.
Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza (up two places to 31st) is another batter to progress after the series while Ireland seam bowlers Joshua Little and Mark Adair have both advanced after finishing with five wickets each in the series. Little has progressed 27 places to 33rd position and Adair is up 46 places to 57th.
Dhamika Prasad among three shortlisted for Nepal head coach post
Bipin Dani
Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Dhamika Prasad is now one among the three cricketers shortlisted for the head coach of the Nepal cricket team, it is reliably learnt.
According to the highly placed sources in CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal), the 40-year-old former fast bowler, who has played 50 international matches (Tests: 25, ODIs: 24 and T-20i:1) had applied for the head coach post and was recently interviewed on line.
Incidentally, Dhammika Prasad was an assistant and fast bowling consultant for Nepal for the series against Oman, Scotland, USA, and Canada. The retired Sri Lanka player has good coaching experience and his resume was attractive and presentation to the interviewers was also impressive, it is understood.
The other four shortlisted and interviewed candidates are: Monty Desai (India), Glenn Pocknail (New Zeakand), Russell Domingo (South Africa), and Dav Whatmore (Australia).
Most popular among these five is the well-experienced Dav Whatmore.
However, Whatmore is contracted with the Vadodara Cricket Association in India and his contract runs until March 2023 and had to withdraw from Nepal coaching as he is unable to join Nepal team soon after India's Manoj Prabhakar’s contract ended prematurely.
Domingo recently resigned from Bangladesh coaching and as per the latest information received, Domingo too has revoked his application. "I need some break now", he says to this Reporter.
Monty Desai's term with the West Indies team as batting coach ended.
Pocknall is a renowned coach in New Zealand. He is instrumental in shaping Davon Conway.
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