Sports Bulletin

By Qamar Ahmed None, amongst all the wicket-keepers we have had in Pakistan enjoyed a vast fan following as did the ever agile and handsome Wasim Bari. Ever alert behind the stumps, he was a perfect model of a keeper. Focused, fast moving, quick footed and dextrous, he was a treat to watch whether keeping of fast men or against the best of spinners. Sharp in gloving the ball, catching it or when stumping a batsman, or diving to pick up an edge, Bari was a sheer artist as a keeper and hence his fan following. Which, indeed reminds me of Pakistan's 1979 tour to India under Asif Iqbal and the then Bombay Test. Pakistan was touring India after 18 years and no matter where we played the crowd greeted us warmly, same was the situation during the Bombay Test. People had come to Indian cities from every direction, from across the border and from Pakistan as well. Amongst them were our own movie super stars, Mohammad Ali and Zeba. It was during the Bombay Test when the couple, my close friends asked me to accompany them to actor Raj Kapoor's house for dinner. Greeted warmly by Raj's entire family, we were not only in company of his sons Randhir and Rishi but were also joined by super stars of Bollywood, Dilip Kumar and Amithab Bachan. There was Neetu Singh too who was to be married to Rishi Kapoor after a few weeks. That evening remains etched in my mind for the fact when I discovered that how popular Wasim Bari was within the Kapoor family. Rishi Kapoor during the conversation disclosed that he was an avid fan of one of Pakistani players and if it was possible for me to call Bari in his hotel so that Rishi could talk to him. 'Are you fan of Imran Khan, Zaheer Abbas or Javed Miandad, I asked him. No, he said,' I am fan of Wasim Bari. Which came to me as a huge surprise. I then asked him what makes him a fan of Wasim Bari? Qamar Sir, he said, he is a great wicket keeper, he is handsome, his hair looks great and he has looks of a movie actor.' He told me. Minutes later he took me to his room and requested to ring Pakistan team's hotel so that he could talk to his idol. When on line, I handed over the phone to Rishi, telling Bari that Rishi, your fan would like to talk to you. I could see the excitement oozing out of Rishi' face while talking to his hero. When finished talking to him he turned around not only to thank me but also asked me to attend his marriage to Neetu Singh. I sadly had to decline the invitation because it clashed with a Test I was covering. Twenty years later as I was walking along in the Oxford Street London that I noticed Rishi and his wife waiting for a taxi. I dashed towards him, tapped him on the shoulder. As he turned, he asked me who I was. Remember, I am the one who introduced you to Wasim Bari. He then embraced me, telling me, Qamar Sir, how nice to see. This was one very memorable moment Bari was as popular amongst cricketers of countries against whom he played. Alan Knott of England considered to be best in business always rated Bari better than him. Since making his Test debut at Lord's in 1967 to his final Test in 1984 at Sydney which also happened to be the last Tests of Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell and Rodney Marsh, Bari was one of the best keeper on the circuit. Be it Knott, Marsh, Murray, he was second to none. I saw his debut and covered his almost entire career including his last Test at Sydney, he remained for me a joy to watch an artist of his trade, soft in nature and respectful as ever. In the 1971 and 1974 series in England he was a feature to follow besides the genius of Zaheer Abbas, he was the focus for his safe and acrobatic display behind the stumps. On the Headingley Test of 1971, he took eight catches in the match, the best at the time. In 1979, he caught seven batsmen of first eight dismissed of New Zealand. One of the greats of history with 228 victims behind the wicket he remains a role model for aspiring keepers. Pakistan's first wicket-keeper in Tests was Hanif Mohammad followed by Imtiaz Ahmad, Naushad Ali, Saleem Yousuf, Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Taslim Arif, now Sarfraz Ahmad, Mohammad Rizwan but none as adept in the art of keeping as Wasim Bari.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: Super Women outclassed Amazons Women by 8 wickets in an exhibition fixture that was played at Pindi Cricket Stadium on the occasion of World Women Day under the banner of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday. A sparkling half-century by South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt and an all-round performance by Nida Dar helped Super Women to defeat Amazons by eight wickets. Wolvaardt scored 53 not out and Nida Dar followed her three for 25 with the ball with 23 not out with the bat as the two batters put on 68 runs for the unbroken third wicket to help Super Women achieve the 132-run target with more than four overs to spare. Wolvaardt belted a six to reach her half-century and also take her side home. Her 36-ball knock also included six fours, while Nida scored almost run-a-ball 23 with a four. In pursuit of a 133-run target, opener Muneeba Ali and Chamari Athapaththu put on 39 runs for the first wicket before the latter departed after scoring a rapid 23 from 13 balls with four fours and a six. Muneeba then added 31 runs for the second wicket with Wolvaardt before joining Athapaththu in the dressing room after scoring a 27-ball 33 with six fours. Nashra Sundhu and Anam Amin took a wicket each, conceding 18 and 23 runs, respectively. Earlier, Amazons, electing to bat first, were off to a flying start of 46 in 5.3 overs before they lost their way and ended up at 132 for nine – thanks to a 35-ball 38 by top-scorer Aliya Riaz.  The Pakistan all-rounder hit three fours and a six before she was smartly run-out by Chamari Athapaththu from extra-cover when the Sri Lanka captain had one stump to aim. England duo of Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt equally struck eight fours between them as they matched each other stroke by stroke. The partnership ended when Beaumont’s 18-ball 24 innings was ended by Syeda Masooma Zahra. Three balls later, Wyatt fell to a good reflex action catch by Sadia Iqbal off Nida Dar as Amazons slipped from 46-0 to 49-2. The dismissal of the two openers opened floodgates from both ends as the Amazons failed to overcome a disciplined and accurate bowling by the Super Women and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Maia Bouchier (18 off 15) and Fatima Sana (13 off 10) were the only middle-order batters who helped their side to reach 132 for nine. For Super Women, Nida was as effective, economical and successful as ever when she returned figures of three for 25, while Tuba Hasan also impressed with figures of two for 18. Syeda Masooma Zahra, Umm-e-Hani and Lea Tahuhu picked up one wicket apiece. The second match of the three-match series be played on Friday and will start at 2pm. This match will be followed by the Peshawar Zalmi-Multan Sultans fixture in the HBL PSL 8 and will commence at 7pm. Tickets for the men’s match will be valid for the women’s fixture. Summarized Scorecard: Amazons Women Batting (132 for 8 in 20 overs) Tammy Beaumont 24 runs (balls 18, 4x4, 6x0), Sadia Iqbal 22 runs (balls 18, 4x3, 6x0), Aliya Riaz 38 runs (balls 35, 4x3, 6x1), Super Women (Bowling): Lea Tahuhu (1 for 24), Syeda Masooma Zahra (1 for 15), Nida Dar (3 for 25), Umm-e-Hani (1 for 16), Tuba Hassan (2 for 18) Super Women Batting (Target 133 runs in 20 overs) Muneeba Ali 33 runs (balls 27, 4x6, 6x0), Chamari Athapaththu 23 (balls 13, 4x4, 6x1), Laura Wolvaardt 53 runs not out (balls 36, 4x6, 6x1) Nida Dar 23 runs not out (21 balls, 4x1, 6x0) Amazons Women (Bowling): Anam Amin (1 for 30), Nashra Sandhu (1 for 23) Player of the Match: Nida Dar

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu (or for that matter no other women's team player from Sri Lanka) could not get a chance to play in the Indian Women's Premier League, but has been invited to play the Women's League Exhibition matches in Pakistan. This was revealed by Tania Mallick, the Head of Women’s Cricket, PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board). Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Rawalpindi on Monday morning, she said, "Chamari Athapaththu is one of the foreign participants to play these matches here".  "We are in the process of hosting the Women's Premier League in Pakistan and look out the window for it. These exhibition matches are the rehearsals". The 35-year-old batting all rounder Chamari reached Pakistan on Sunday night. "After a long journey from Colombo to Islamabad, she reached here late night yesterday (Sunday) and is not a part of the training session on Monday but will be practicing from Tuesday". "We have three matches to be played on 8th, 10th and 12th March", Tania Mallick added. "Total of 10 foreign players from seven Test playing countries (England, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland and New Zealand) are participating. Chamari is a part of the Super Women team. The only other Asian player Jahanara Alam (Bangladesh) is also in the same team playing against Amazons team", she added. "In these exhibition matches only two teams are participating but there will be more in the Women's Premier League", another PCB spokesperson hoped. 

BIPIN DANI Apart from their teekha Poha and khichdi with Indori chivda, Indore has one more attraction which has brought equal limelight to the city when compared to these delicacies. Yes, you’ve guessed it right we’re talking about the “Dancing Traffic Cop” – Ranjit Singh here. With more than a lakh followers on Facebook and over 2 crore YouTube views – Ranjit is arguably the “world-famous” traffic cop belonging to a small city in Madhya Pradesh. Known for his Michael Jackson styled moves and entertaining traffic management methods, the members of the Indian team were stunned to watch this world famous dancing cop near the Holkar Stadium on Thursday. "I have been posted near the stadium to manage the traffic. Team India captain Rohit Sharma had heard about me and expressed his desire to the security officer requesting me to perform the dance just before the team bus leaves for the hotel after the match on the 2nd day's play", he said over the telephone from Indore. "I was very happy to show my skill in front of the team bus. The players clapped at my show. Rohit, Jadeja and Kohli gave a smile and showed thumbs up. This has encouraged me a lot". The 45-year-old Ranjit Singh is a cricket-fan. His dance has been witnessed by several former cricketers in the past. “I’ve seen your videos on YouTube. I wanted to meet you once. The way you work is very exciting. Keep it up,” Gavaskar had told Ranjit in the past. "VVS Laman was highly impressed but concerned and had advised me to take care of my knee, to which I replied I take utmost care of my fitness and have been doing this for the last more than 15 years' '.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Bismah Maroof has stepped down as Pakistan women’s national team captain but will remain available for selection as a player, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today. Bismah was named as Pakistan’s all-format captain in September 2017 and has had the best win/loss ratio amongst all the regular players to lead the country in One-Day Internationals (1.000) and T20 Internationals (0.843). Under her leadership, the ODI team played 34 matches and won 16, while the T20I side won 27 of 62 matches. Bismah Maroof said: “It has been an honour for me to captain my country and I feel fortunate to have led an incredible and hardworking bunch of cricketers. It has been one exciting ride, which has been full of highs and lows, but, at the end of the day, I will always be thankful to Almighty for providing me this opportunity. “With the new ICC Women’s Championship cycle in its initial stages and the 2024 T20 World Cup more than a year away, I think this is the right time for me to step down and help so we have a smooth transition. “I am looking forward to continuing to play as a player and playing my role for the team.” Chair of PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi said: “I congratulate and thank Bismah Maroof for her services as the captain of the national women’s side. “Bismah has been an inspiration for millions of girls and has been a catalyst for a positive change. With her immense dedication and hard work, she has shown that women can continue to follow their passions and dreams”.

Sports Bulletin Report Newlands (South Africa): Australia sealed their sixth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title with a clinical 19-run victory over hosts South Africa at Newlands. Beth Mooney’s 74 not out anchored Australia's innings with a series of impressive shots, but the holders will have felt their 156 for six was below par in Cape Town. South Africa struggled to get going in response, the pressure of the home crowd perhaps weighing on them, before a 55-run partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon gave them hope. But it was not to be as serial winners Australia discovered their ruthless streak again to close out another World Cup final. Having chosen to bat, Australia made a steady start even as a sold-out Newlands roared on each dot ball. Alyssa Healy survived a review for LBW off the final ball of Shabnim Ismail’s first over but she could not withstand the pace and height of a Marizanne Kapp delivery, departing for 18 having sent a comfortable catch to Nadine de Klerk on the edge of the inner circle. Ismail made the wicket count double as she bowled a maiden over to Mooney, but Ashleigh Gardner found her groove having being promoted up the order, hitting back-to-back fours off Nonkululeko Mlaba, before smashing two sixes in a row from two De Klerk deliveries. By the halfway mark, Australia had reached 73 for one and it was up to Kapp to stop the scoring, not conceding a boundary in the 11th over. Gardner departed an over later, attempting to go down the ground but instead finding Sune Luus, who ran round to take a fine diving catch on the boundary. Australia continued however, as, even with Grace Harris at the other end, Mooney took on the power hitting, scoring back-to-back boundaries with innovative shot placement. Harris got her customary boundary before she was bowled attempting a swipe at a delivery that kept low from Mlaba to leave Australia in the balance at 103 for three after 14.1 overs. Lanning then departed for 10 as Tryon was the next to take a fantastic diving catch on the boundary, but Mooney released the pressure three balls later as she brought up her fifty with a four, becoming the first woman to hit two half-centuries in T20 World Cup finals, having also done so in 2020. Smart running and regular boundaries helped Australia past 150 but Ismail restricted them to not much more than that, dismissing Ellyse Perry for seven before getting Georgia Wareham the very next ball. Tahlia McGrath dealt with the hat-trick ball to end Australia’s innings with a single to set South Africa 157 to win. Where heroes were needed for South Africa, only hesitancy was found, with Brits the first to go for 10 from 17 thanks to McGrath’s steady pair of hands. Wolvaardt showed a sign of things to come as she hit Jess Jonassen for a six but Australia reeled them back in as Kapp mistimed an attempted big shot off Gardner to go for a run-a-ball 11. With 10 overs gone, South Africa had made 52 for two and matters were about to get worse as Luus ran herself out with poor calling. Big hitter Tryon emerged into the middle and she made a world of difference as she and Wolvaardt soon returned to the cauldron of Newlands noise it had been earlier in the day. A wayward over from McGrath went for 14 before Wareham was pumped for 15 with Wolvaardt then bring up her fifty with a beautiful shot, reaching the milestone of 43 balls. Gardner calmed Australia down, conceding only six runs, as Megan Schutt then delivered the sucker-punch, dismissing Wolvaardt LBW, the opener trudging back to the dugout having given South Africa hope with her 61 from 48. Two wickets in three balls crushed South Africa’s chances as Tryon was bowled by Jess Jonassen for 25 before Anneke Bosch was run out for one. With 26 needed off the final over, the crowd quietened as smart bowling from Player of the Tournament Gardner sealed a third T20 World Cup title in a row. Newlands rose to cheer Australia as they celebrated adding another trophy to their cabinet and another reason to be considered the greatest team in the history of women’s cricket. Australia beat South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town by 19 runs Australia 156/6 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 74 not out, Garnder 29; Shabnim Ismail 2/26, Marizanne Kapp 2/35) South Africa 137/6 in 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 61, Chloe Tryon 25; Ashleigh Gardner 1/20, Jess Jonassen 1/21) Player of the Match: Beth Mooney (Australia)

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): Kim Cotton will oversee her second consecutive ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final on Sunday after being named as one of two on-field umpires for the showpiece between South Africa and Australia. New Zealander Cotton will be joined by Jacqueline Williams, with both fresh from standing in this week’s thrilling semi-finals. Cotton umpired in Australia’s five-run victory over India, with Williams taking charge of South Africa’s six-run win against England which took the Proteas into their first ever ICC World Cup final. The pair will be supported by TV Umpire Suzanne Redfern, who carried out the same role in the first semi-final, and fourth umpire Nimali Perera. GS Lakshmi is in place as the match referee for the final, which begins at 3pm local time at Newlands.

BIPIN DANI The first Test match between India and Australia in the ongoing bilateral series ended in under three days. Ditto the second Test. In the last five years, 20 Test matches have been played in India and only three of them have lasted five days.  Since 2018, two Test matches on India soil ended inside two days, 10 Test matches got over inside three days and five Tests have seen the four days. This has not surprised former India curator, Venkat Sunderam. "I am not surprised. All over the world except Pakistan, we don't see the Tests lasting five days. As far as people are enjoying themselves, no complaints are made. In the last Delhi Test also, the spectators came in large numbers to witness the five-day Test", he said. "In my view, the match-referee should be given a power to give points to both teams depending upon their play. Even the losing team should get a point if they fought hard but lost the match. In the present system, only the winning team is getting the points. In a bar of 1 to 10, both teams should be awarded the points and the World Test Championship should be played on the basis of points each team gets. The ICC should consider this". Venkat Sunderam also believes that a panel of neutral curators should be formed. "If ICC can send neutral umpires and a neutral match referee for the matches, why can't there be neutral curators", he said.  India's another former chief curator Dhiraja Parsana believes that early finish of the Test matches is because the pitches are made to suit the home team.  Speaking exclusively, he said, "My observation and view is : last few years Test matches finished in two to three days because home advantage pitches are prepared as per the team strength. And it is accepted by the match referee, media, captains of the visiting teams, their coaches, and administrators too. When the India team is touring abroad, they prepare as per their team strength and we don't complain about it either".

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has allowed the Test players to have their wives and children on the upcoming New Zealand tour, it is learnt.  According to the well-placed sources in the SLC, this permission at present is granted to the Test team. "Yes, the players' can have their immediate family members on this tour. The immediate family members include wives and children and parents. However, generally, married players take their wives and children on a long tour. So far we have not received any intimation about any players' family joining on the tour", the source said over the telephone from Colombo. The players' training camp is getting over on Thursday and the Test team of 17-players will leave for New Zealand on 27th morning, i.e. 10-days prior to the first Test match, which will be played at Christchurch from March 9. The visiting Sri Lankan team will play two Tests, three ODIs' and three T-20I. At present only the red ball team is selected. "We still have time for the white ball matches (commencing on March 25) and the squad for the white ball game will be announced. Few of the current Test squad will return and will be replaced by white ball players", the source confirmed. "There has been no change in the present support staff of the red ball game. Those who last travelled with the team on the India tour are retained". However, few changes in the support staff are not ruled out for the white ball games. Romesh Kaluwitharana is a tour selector. 

Sports Bulletin Report Paarl (South Africa): New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by 102 runs in Paarl to ensure Group 1 at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will go down to the wire. Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr combined for a second wicket stand of 110, their nation’s third-highest ever at the tournament, to lift their side to an imposing 162 for three. Sri Lanka were meek in reply, rolled for 60 to end their hopes of progression to the semi-finals, suffering the second-biggest defeat in T20 World Cup history in the process. The White Ferns got the big net run rate swing they desired, meaning they climbed into second with South Africa facing Bangladesh on Tuesday in Group 1’s final game. New Zealand preached positivity in the lead-up and Bernadine Bezuidenhout epitomised that approach, crushing a series of fours through the leg side when the bowling was too straight. She raced to 32 from 20 balls but played one shot too many off Achini Kulasuriya, spooning a catch to Chamari Athapaththu at mid-off. Bates and Kerr dropped anchor with the former picking up where she left off in the win over Bangladesh, piercing the field beautifully with the first two balls of the ninth over. The pair didn’t score at an express pace but Kerr chose Athapaththu’s 13th over to accelerate, cover driving for four and then whipping through square leg to make it 93 for one. Sri Lanka’s fielding was lacklustre - Bezuidenhout was given two early reprieves, Nilakshi de Silva shelling an easy chance to get Bates and a point blank run-out missed later on. Kerr brought up her maiden T20I half-century off 40 balls and Bates her 24th in the closing stages. The White Ferns rattled along to a fine total despite Bates being stumped for 56 and Kerr run out for 66 in the final over. Sri Lanka coasted to 22 without loss in reply before capitulating. Harshitha Samarawickrama holed out to deep midwicket off Eden Carson’s off-spin and then Bates took a stunner running back from mid-on to dismiss 17-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne for a duck. Nilakshi de Silva swiped at a yorker and was clean bowled for a duck to leave Sri Lanka floundering on 24 for three. Athapaththu briefly remained among the rubble but the hammer blow came when the captain was trapped in front by Amelia Kerr, given not out on field, a decision overturned on review. The collapse continued when Anushka Sanjeewani chopped onto her stumps off Lea Tahuhu and the quick got another in her next over when Kavisha Dilhari patted to extra cover. 18-year-old Fran Jonas struck in her first over, bowling Oshadi Ranasinghe for three, and Sugandika Kumari was skilfully run out by Bezuidenhout at 48 for eight. After a brief resistance from Malsha Shehani and Inoka Ranaweera, the former was bowled by the outstanding Amelia Kerr and Achini Kulasuriya not batting due to injury.