Sports Bulletin

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD: Australia Women defeated Pakistan Women by 101 runs in the 3rd One Day International at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Hosts also won the three-match tie 3-0. Pakistani skipper Bismah Maroof won the toss and decided to bowl first. While Australian team set a big 336 runs total on the scoreboard in 50 overs. Australian batter Beth Mooney played a brilliant inning of 133 runs, faced only 105 balls, and smashed six maximums and 14 fours. Meg Lanning added 72 runs in the team total in just 70 balls and hit eight fours and a single six. Tahlia Mc Grath contributed 30 runs in 30 balls. Pakistani bowler Fatima Sana grabbed three Australian batters while Diana Baig took two wickets and Omaima Sohail got a single wicket. In Reply, Pakistani batters scored only 235 runs for 7 wickets in 50 overs. Skipper Bisma Mahroof scored 44 runs in 71 balls and hit only 4 fours. Sidrah Ameen hit 34 runs in 66 balls and Sadaf Shames added 30 runs to the team total. Australian bowler Ashleigh Gardner sent out 3 Pakistani batters for 30 runs. Jess Jonassen got 2 wickets and conceded 25 runs only while Annabel Sutherland took a single wicket. Summarized scorecard Australia Batting (336 for 9 in 50 Overs): Beth Mooney 133 runs (105 balls, 4x14, 6x4), Meg Lanning 72 runs (70 balls, 4x8, 6x1), Tahlia Mc Grath 30 runs (30 balls, 4x4,6x1), Pakistan (Bowling) Fatima Sana (3 for 53), Nida Dar (2 for 50), Diana Baig (2 for56) Pakistan Batting (235 for 7 in 50 overs): Bismah Maroof 44 run (71 balls, 4x3), Sidra Ameen 34 runs (66 balls, 4x3), Sadaf Shames 30 runs (50 Balls, 4x6), Nida Dar w9 runs (29 balls, 4x4) Australia (Bowling) Ashleigh Gardner (3 for 30), Jess Jonassen (2 for 25), Annabel Sutherland (1 for 31) Toss: - Pakistan Player of the match: Beth Mooney   

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars to meet Multan Sultans in the opening match Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars will have an opportunity to make history when they will take on Multan Sultans in the opening match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 8 at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday, 13 February. Lahore Qalandars had defeated defending champions Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium by 42 runs in 2022, and will now have an additional incentive going into the eighth edition of the tournament, with the chance of becoming the first franchise to win back to back titles. Prior to Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi were in the similar situation when they reached the 2018 final as defending champions but faltered at the last hurdle and lost to Islamabad United, who clinched their second title in three years. Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi will share between them the 34-match tournament, and the event schedule has been designed in such a way that the four home sides will each play five matches in front of their fans and supporters – one against each side. This means Qalandars will play five matches at the Gaddafi Stadium, while their other five matches will be in Multan (one) and, Karachi and Rawalpindi (two each). Similarly, Sultans’ five away matches will be in Rawalpindi (three) and, Karachi and Lahore (one each); Kings’ away matches will be in Rawalpindi (three) and, one each in Lahore and Multan; and United’s five away matches will be in Karachi (three) and, one each in Lahore and Multan. Quetta Gladiators will play their 10 league matches in Karachi, Rawalpindi (four each), Lahore and Multan (one each), while Peshawar Zalmi’s fixtures will be in Rawalpindi (five), Karachi (three), and one each in Lahore and Multan. Chair of PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi: “I am delighted to formally confirm the schedule of the HBL PSL 8, which will allow the Pakistan Cricket Board and the six franchises to start firming up and finalising their respective event plans and objectives. “There will be no question on the quality of cricket that will be played in over 34 days of action-packed cricket. I am hoping the HBL PSL will once again live up to its expectations of unearthing and identifying future stars who will not only challenge the established household names in this edition but will go on to represent Pakistan. “I would like to extend my gratitude to HBL, who have supported this tournament since its inception in 2016 by retaining the title sponsorship rights. I would also like to thank all our other valued commercial partners, broadcasters and franchise owners for their patronage, and hope they will continue to show faith in our pinnacle event and the PCB’s administrative vision, skills and capabilities so that we can collectively work together to enhance the image and profile of Pakistan cricket. Schedule: 13 Feb - Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Multan Cricket Stadium 14 Feb - Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Cricket Arena 15 Feb - Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium 16 Feb - Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena 17 Feb - Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium 18 Feb - Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, National Bank Cricket Arena 19 Feb - Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Multan Cricket Stadium; Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Cricket Arena 20 Feb - Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Cricket Arena 21 Feb - Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Cricket Arena 22 Feb - Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium 23 Feb - Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena 24 Feb - Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena 26 Feb - Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, National Bank Cricket Arena; Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium 27 Feb - Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium 1 Mar - Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium 2 Mar - Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium 3 Mar - Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium 4 Mar - Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium 5 Mar - Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium 6 Mar - Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium 7 Mar - Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium 8 Mar – Pakistan Women’s League Exhibition Match 1, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium 9 Mar - Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium 10 Mar - Pakistan Women’s League Exhibition Match 2, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium 11 Mar - Pakistan Women’s League Exhibition Match 3, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium 12 Mar - Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium 15 Mar - Qualifier (1 v 2), Gaddafi Stadium 16 Mar - Eliminator 1 (3 v 4), Gaddafi Stadium 17 Mar - Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier v winner Eliminator 1), Gaddafi Stadium 19 Mar – Final, Gaddafi Stadium Squads: Islamabad United: Alex Hales (England), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Shadab Khan (all Platinum), Asif Ali, Fazal Haq Farooqi (Afghanistan), Wasim Jr (all Diamond), Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali (all Gold), Abrar Ahmed, Colin Munro (New Zealand), Paul Stirling (Ireland), Rumman Raees, Sohaib Maqsood (all Silver), Hassan Nawaz, Zeeshan Zamir (both Emerging). Moeen Ali (England) and Mubasir Khan (Supplementary) Karachi Kings: Haider Ali, Imran Tahir (South Africa), Matthew Wade (Australia) (all Platinum), Imad Wasim, James Fuller (New Zealand), James Vince (both England) (all Diamond), Andrew Tye (Australia), Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik (all Gold), Aamer Yamin, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Akhlaq, Sharjeel Khan, Tayyab Tahir (all Silver), Irfan Khan Niazi, Qasim Akram (both Emerging). Mohammad Umar and Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa) (Supplementary) Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Shaheen Shah Afridi (all Platinum), Dawid Wiese (Namibia), Hussain Talat, Haris Rauf (all Diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Liam Dawson (England), Sikander Raza (Zimbabwe) (all Gold), Ahmad Daniyal, Dilbar Hussain, Harry Brook (England), Kamran Ghulam, Mirza Tahir Baig (all Silver), Shawaiz Irfan, Zaman Khan (both Emerging). Jalat Khan and Jordan Cox (England) (both Supplementary) Multan Sultans: David Miller (South Africa), Josh Little (Ireland), Mohammad Rizwan (all Platinum), Khushdil Shah, Rilee Rossouw (South Africa), Shan Masood (all Diamond), Akeal Hosein (West Indies), Shahnawaz Dahani, Tim David (Australia) (all Gold), Anwar Ali, Sameen Gul, Sarwar Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan (both Silver), Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah (both Emerging). Adil Rashid (England) and Arafat Minhas (Supplementary). Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Rovman Powell (West Indies), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka), (all Platinum), Mujeeb Ur Rehman (Afghanistan), Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies), Wahab Riaz (all Diamond), Arshad Iqbal, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Haris (all Gold), Aamer Jamal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (England), Saim Ayub, Salman Irshad, Usman Qadir (all Silver), Haseebullah Khan, Sufyan Muqeem (both Emerging). Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand) (Supplementary). Peshawar Zalmi will pick their second Supplementary at the Replacement Draft. Quetta Gladiators: Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) (all Platinum), Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy (England), Odean Smith (West Indies) (all Diamond), Ahsan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed (all Gold), Mohammad Zahid, Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan), Umar Akmal, Umaid Asif, Will Smeed (England) (all Silver), Aimal Khan, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (both Emerging). Martin Guptill (New Zealand) and Omair Bin Yousuf (Supplementary).

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Cricket Center Club, City Gymkhana Cricket Club and Ludhiana Gymkhana Club recorded contrasting wins in the 20-K Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament here at various venues on Friday. Superb all-round performance of Bilal Asif (37 runs & 2-17) helped Cricket Center Club defeat Shinning Club by 3 wickets in the 37th match of the tournament. Shinning Club, batting first, scored 131-9 in 20 overs. Umar Dar and Ali Raza hammered 36 runs each while Zain Bin Farooq hit 20 runs. Bilal Asif and M Waheed bagged 2 wickets each.  Cricket Center replied strongly and chased the target in 18.3 overs, losing 7 wickets. Bilal Asif slammed 37 runs while Ali Zafar hit 28 and Tariq Nawaz 20. Usman Ali took 2 wickets and Hammad Ali and Ali Hamza got one wicket each.  All-rounder Jahangir Mirza (33 runs & 2-14) steered City Gymkhana to a thrashing 72-run triumph over Prince Club in the 38th match of the tournament. City Gymkhana, batting first, posted a huge total of 180-8 in 20 overs with Jahangir Mirza smashing superb 33 runs while Rana Arslan and Waseem Akram contributed with 25 and 21 runs respectively. Zeerak Ghazi and Ammar Tariq grabbed 2 wickets each.  Prince Club failed to chase the target and could score 108-8 in 20 overs. Only Shoaib Arshad (24) and Shams ud Din (28) batted sensibly. Jahangir Mirza claimed 2-14 while Rana Arslan and Usama Tariq got one wicket each.  Fahad Munir (39 runs) batted Ludhiana Gymkhana to a convincing 6-wicket victory over Shah Faisal Club in a low-scoring 39th match of the tournament. Shah Faisal, batting first, could score 94 runs in 20 overs. Ali Manzoor cracked unbeaten 32 runs while Muhammad Ilyas hit 32. Imran Ali, Tanveer Aslam and Kashif Siddique took one wicket each. Ludhiana Gymkhana comfortably chased the target in 10.4 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Fahad Munir thrashed tremendous 39 runs while M Waqas scored 26 runs and Asim Ali Nasir unbeaten 22. Subhan Malik bagged 2 wickets for 10 runs. The only match of Saturday (January 21, 2023) will be played between Pindi Gymkhana and Pak Lions.   

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): India have been fined 60 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the first ODI in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. India captain Rohit Sharma pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and Nitin Menon, third umpire K N Ananthapadmanabhan and fourth umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal leveled the charge.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: The Kingdom Valley All Stars Supper League (ASSL) Season-I, Physically Disabled Persons cricket fixture will be rolled into action on January 23, 2023, at Shalimar cricket ground with a spectacular opening ceremony in the capital city Islamabad. According to a member of the organizing committee, around one hundred players and officials will participate in the 7-day fixture to represent different regions of the country. Balochistan Bulls, Sindh Strikers, Punjab Panthers, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Warriors, and Kashmir Janbaz will fight for the top honour, as the final will be played on January 29, 2023. Balochistan Bulls: Khawar Ali (Captain), Mohammad Tuaqir, Juman Shah, Nizam-uddin, Mohammad Qasim, Mohammad Tahir, Ali Bakhsh, Mohammad Akram, Mohammad Arshad, Mohammad Tenvir, Ikramullah Khan, Riasat Ali, Junaid Hasan, Mohammad Shoaib, Hafeezullah, Ghullam Shabbir, Asad Ali, Sohail Ahmed, Tenvir Ahmed, Shahid Al Khan Sindh Strikers: Abdul Wahid (Captain-Wicketkeeper), Naeem Khan, Sadiq Ali, Fazakl Hadi, Umer Farooq, Zakir Khan, Farhan Shah, Ali Asgher Khan, Waqar Ameer, Malik Zeeshan Awan, Sohail Ahmed, Wasim Khan, Junaid Khan, Fahim Khan, Faisal Javed Punjab Panthers: Abdul Manan Aamir, Asad Rehman, Najam-ul-Hasan, Sqaib Annyat, Azhar Ali, Ahsan Sareer, Zafar Hussnain, Mohammad Salman, Abdul Salam, Gul Zain, Sameer Ali, Shahid Sharif, Abdul Ghaffar, Sheroz Ali Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Warriors: Mohammad Adeel (captain), Wasal Hassan (vice-captain), Zohaib Ahmed, Mohammad-Ullah, Adeel Shahazad, Sabaz Ali, Mohammad Farooq (wicketkeeper), Sanaullah, Sher Ali, Gulzar Khan, Mohammad Tallha, Raja Yasir, Mohammad Afzal, Saifullah, Mohammad Arif Khan Coach: Abdul Aziz Kashmir Janbaaz: Raja Fayyaz, Hamza Gull, Akseer Abbasi, Naseeb Abbasi, Mohammad Yasin, Irfan Khan, Rafiullah Khan, Gullab Sher, Inam Khan, Alamgeer Khan, Afaq Ahmed, Mohammad Shahid, Hayat Khan, Asgher Ali Shah, Shujahaat Ahmed, Shahzeb Ahmed, Idress Abbasi Schedule: January 23, 2023 (Punjab Panthers vs Kashmir Janbaz) at Shalimar Cricket Ground January 23, 2023 (Balochistan Bulls vs KPK Warriors) at Marghzar Cricket Ground January 24, 2023 (Sindh Strikers vs Balochistan Bulls) at Shalimar Cricket Ground January 24, 2023 (KPK Warriors vs Kashmir Janbaz) at Marghzar Cricket Ground January 25, 2023 (Punjab Panthers vs Sindh Strikers) at Shalimar Cricket Ground January 25, 2023 (Balochistan Bulls vs Kashmir Janbaz) at Marghzar Cricket Ground January 26, 2023 (KPK Warriors vs Punjab Panthers) at Shalimar Cricket Ground January 26, 2023 (Sindh Strikers vs Kashmir Janbaz) st Marghzar Cricket Ground January 27, 2023 (KPK Warriors vs Sindh Strikers) at Shalimar Cricket Ground January 27, 2023 (Punjab Panthers vs Balochistan Bulls) at Marghzar Cricket Ground January 28, 2023 (Qualifier vs Qualifier II) at Diamond Cricket Ground January 28, 2023 (Qualifier II vs Loser of Qualifier I) January 30, 2023 (final)  

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: A comprehensive, 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe assured Pakistan of a second-place finish in Group B and qualification to the Super Six League stage of the ICC Under19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Arica. The victory, which came courtesy of an unbroken opening partnership of 100 between Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar, while chasing a modest target of 98, meant Pakistan finished behind England with Rwanda’s historic win over Zimbabwe also guaranteeing them passage to the Super Sixes. Fatima was in aggressive mood with a 35-ball 62 not out, which featured 10 fours and the two sixes in Pakistan’s innings, while Zulfiqar – who hit the winning runs with a four off Zimbabwe captain Kelis Ndhlovu in the 11th over – was more sedate with a watchful and unbeaten 32 (30 balls, six fours) as they cruised to victory. Faced with a must-win match if they were to take third place from Rwanda in the group standings and advance into the Super Six stage of the tournament, Ndhlovu did her level best to vindicate her decision to bat with a fighting 42 off 35 balls (seven boundaries). The catch was that with the exception of Adel Zimunu (13), Kay Ndiraya (11) and Natasha Mtomba (10), none of her teammates got into double figures, and Ndiraya and Zimunu’s run-outs did not help the cause. So, when Ndhlovu popped a return catch to medium pacer Laiba Nasir to be the fourth wicket to fall with the score on 86, Zimbabwe’s chances of getting a competitive total disappeared with her dismissal. While they did not bowl Zimbabwe out, Pakistan were content to keep things tidy on the bowling front, with reliable left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir again spear-heading the attack with figures of 2/21 to give her batters a comfortable chase. Their chase was so leisurely that they had time to be watchful in the first two overs, but still overhauled the target by the 11th over. Scores in brief: Toss: Zimbabwe, elected to bat. Zimbabwe 97 for 6 in 20 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 42, Adel Zimunu 13, Anosha Nasir two for 21, Laiba Nasir one for 11) Pakistan 100 without loss in 10.5 overs (Eyman Fatima 62 not out, Shawaal Zulfiqar 32 not out) Pakistan won by 10 wickets with 9.1 overs to spare.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Model Town Whites, City Gymkhana Cricket Club and Ali Garh Cricket Club emerged as triumphant in the K-20 Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament matches played on Thursday.  All-rounder Naveed Malik excelled in Model Town Whites’ thrashing 9-wicket victory over Yu Slim Club in the 34th match of the tournament. Naveed Malik not only smashed scintillating 59 runs but also clinched 3 wickets for 16 runs to emerge as player of the match.  Yu Slim Club, batting first, could score 119-9 in 20 overs. Safeer Azam struck 43 and Amir Jamil 22 runs. Naveed Malik bagged 3-16, Aon Shahzad 2-20 and Shahab Khan 2-28. Model Town Whites easily chased the target in 10.2 overs, losing just 1 wicket. Naveed Malik hammered 59 and Aon Shahzad hit 40. Majid Majeed took the only wicket.  A brilliant batting performance by Rana Arslan steered City Gymkhana to a 20-run win over Lucky Star Club in the 35th match. Rana Arslan not only cracked classic 75 runs but also got one wicket that helped him become a player of the match.  City Gymkhana, batting first, posted a huge total of 186-10 in 20 overs. Rana Arslan was top scorer with 75 runs while Muhammad Bilal scored 47 and Rizwan Haider 30 runs. M Subhan bowled extremely well and clinched 6-10 while Daniyal Hanif took 2-25. Lucky Star could score 166-8 in 20 overs. Zain ul Hassan slammed 61 while Junaid Ali hit 39 and Zeeshan Khadim 24 runs. Saad Athar grabbed 4-20 and Abdul Rehman took 3-29.  Zeeshan Ashraf guided Ali Garh Club to a thumping 8-wicket triumph over Shah Faisal Club in the 36th match. Zeeshan Ashraf was in sublime form and hammered 70 runs to emerge as man of the match.  Shah Faisal Club, batting first, scored 128 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs. M Ilyas scored 27 runs, Gohar Hafeez 19 and Naimat Ullah 17 runs. Faraz Ahmad claimed 3 wickets for 40. Ali Garh comfortably chased the target in 14.3 overs for the loss of just 2 wickets. Zeeshan Ashraf made superb 75 and Nouman Ali 41 runs.  On Friday (20th January 2023), three matches will be played. Cricket Center will play against Shinning Club in the 37th match of the tournament at Model Town Greens ground, Prince Cricket Club will compete against City Gymkhana Cricket Club in the 38th match at Ittefaq Cricket Ground while in the 39th match of the tournament at Model Town Club, Shah Faisal Cricket Club will vie against Ludhiana Gymkhana Cricket Club.

Sports Bulletin Report Brisbane (January 18, 2023): Australian women beat Pakistan women by 10 wickets at the Allan Border Field on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. This was Pakistan women’s team first series defeat in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 after they have won their previous two series held last year. Chasing 126 to win, Australia’s opening batters Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield achieved the target in the 20th over. Litchfield who scored an unbeaten half-century for her side in the first ODI, returned unbeaten on 67 from 61 balls, hitting 10 boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batter Mooney scored 57 from 55 balls, which included six fours. Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan lost their opening batter Sidra Amin in the second over with two runs on the board. Muneeba who went for naught in the first match was joined by captain Bismah and the pair added 41 runs for the second wicket before Muneeba perished for 18 off 41 balls which included three fours. The previous match half-centurion for Pakistan, Nida Dar again showed some resistance in the middle before she ran herself out at the non-striking end. She scored 24 off 38 balls, which included two fours. Bismah was other contributor with the bat scoring 21 off 46 balls, hitting one four. For Australia, player of the match right-arm fast Darcie Brown took three wickets for 32, while Annabel Sutherland and Alana King bagged two wickets apiece. Both sides will now feature in the third ODI scheduled to take place at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney on Saturday, 21 January 2023. Scores in brief: Australia women beat Pakistan women by 10 wickets Pakistan Women 125 all out, 43 overs (Nida Dar 24, Bismah Maroof 21; Darcie Brown 3-32, Annabel Sutherland 2-13, Alana King 2-25) Australia Women 129-0, 19.2 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 67, Beth Mooney 57) Player of the match – Darcie Brown (Australia)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Five more matches were decided in the 20-K Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament as the event is moving towards quarterfinals stage that will begin from 22nd January (Sunday).  On Wednesday, Model Town Club, Ali Garh Club, Shahkamal Club, Valencia Gymkhana and Model Town Greens registered contrasting victories in their respective matches played here at the different venues of the city.  Model Town Club defeated Township Whites by four wickets in the 31st match of the tournament. Township Whites, batting first, couldn’t start well and also failed to pile up a good total as they were bundled out for 94 runs in 16.3 overs. Only M Faiq (22), Kamran Afzal (16), Shoaib (15) and Naeem Khan (13) crossed the double figures. Umaid Asif and Afaq Afridi bowled brilliantly and grabbed 3 wickets each while Hassan Rizwan bagged 2 wickets.  Model Town Club chased the target in 18.2 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Haider top-scored with 29 runs while Mohammad Saleem and Obaid Shahid contributed with 20 and 14 runs. Afaq Afridi was named player of the match.  Ali Garh Club edged past Ludhiana Gymkhana Club by 2 wickets in the 32nd match. Ludhiana Gymkhana, batting first, posted a huge total of 188-8 in 20 overs with Kashid Siddiue (34), Tanveer Islam (33) and M Junaid (22) playing superbly. Ali Shafiq claimed 3-36 and Ahsan Bhatti 2-15.  Ali Garh Club reached home safely in 19.5 overs, losing 8 wickets. Zeeshan Ashraf hammered 79 and Faraz Ahmad fired 50. Tanveer Islam clinched 4-23 and Saeed Ullah 2-38. Zeeshan Ashraf was declared man of the match.  Shah Kamal Club routed Yu Slim Club by 40 runs in the 30th match. Shahkamal Club, batting first, scored 178-10 in 19.5 overs with Azizullah cracking 71, Hamza Ahmed 28 and Imran Nazir Jr 20. Mohsin Nadeem secured 4-19, Haider Butt 2-43 and Aamer Jamal 2-31.  Yu Slim Club couldn’t face the outstanding bowling of Mohammad Arslan (6-16), thus losing all their wickets for 138 in 19.4 overs. Only Mohsin Nadeem (44) and Safeer Azam (25) resisted their opponents well but couldn’t save their team from facing the defeat. Besides Mohammad Arslan, Faheem Faisal bagged 2-43. Azizullah was adjudged as player of the match.  Valencia Gymkhana thumped Shah Faisal Club by 85 runs in the 33rd match. Valencia Gymkhana scored 172-6 in 20 overs with Attyab Ahmad smashing 66 and Farhan Yousaf 48. Ali Manzoor claimed 2-27. Shah Faisal Club, in reply, were bundled out for 87 runs in 18.1 overs. Hassan Hameed grabbed 4-11, Saifullah 2-15 and Ibtisam Azhar 2-11.  Model Town Greens defeated Pak Lions in 29th match of the tournament. Batting first, Model Town Greens scored 172-9 in 20 overs with Taimoor Khan scoring 38 and Mirwais Khan 30. Niaz Khan secured 4-36. In reply, Pak Lions could score 158-9 in 20 overs with Afzal Tahiri hitting 36 and Hassan Nawaz 35. Mirwais Khan claimed 5-24 to emerge as player of the match.  On Thursday (January 19, 2023), Model Town Whites will take on Tu Slim Club in the 34th match of the tournament, Lucky Star will face City Gymkhana in 35th match and Shah Faisal Club will play against Ali Garh Club in the 36th match.

Sports Bulletin Report Potchefstroom (South Africa): England Women’s Under-19 defeated Pakistan by 53 runs in the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup 2023 at Senves Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa on Tuesday. England ladies decided to bat first after winning the coin’s battle. England batter set 157 target for Green Shirts. Pakistan, led by a 36-ball 34 (five fours) by their unrelenting captain, Syeda Shah – aptly nicknamed Aerobics – were determined in their response but simply did not string enough partnerships to make an impression on the target. Also, England’s bowling attack – thanks in no small part to Sophia Smale’s 2/10 and Hannah Baker’s 1/13 – was disciplined and never gave them a single over big enough to give them belief. Pakistan were not overawed however, as the opening exchanges in their innings had the feeling of a boxing match that plays out in a clinch. England were brimming with the intent to cut loose while Pakistan contained them by taking vital wickets just when it seemed like they would. The chief architects of this containment job were left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir and right-arm medium Zaibunnisa, who took four of the seven wickets that fell through figures of 2/20 and 2/24, respectively. England were nothing if not persistent, with one of the changes – player of the match Seren Smale – top-scoring with a 33-ball 37 (six fours), Ryana McDonald-Gay going unbeaten on 35 (three fours, one six) and Scrivens chipping in with 24 (four boundaries) to ensure a total of 156/7. Summarised Scorecard: Toss: England won the toss and decided to bat first Venue: Senves Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa England Women’s Under-19 (Batting) 156 for 7 in 20 overs Seren Smale 37 runs (33 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Ryana MacDonald Gey 35 runs not out (22 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Grace Serivena 24 runs (21 balls, 4x4, 6x0) Pakistan Bowling: Anosha Nasir (2 for 20), Zaib-un-Nisa (2 for 24), Areesha Noor (2 for 34), Rida Ali (1 for 35) Pakistan Women’s Under-19 (Batting) 103 for 5 in 20 overs Syeda Aroob Shah 34 runs (36 balls, 4x5, 6x0), Shawaal Zulfiqar 24 (22 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Aliza Khan 16 runs not out (23 balls, 4x0, 6x0), Areesha Noor 11 runs not out (11 balls, 4x1, 6x0) England Bowling: Sophia Smale (2 for 10), Grace Scrivens (1 for 9), Hanneb Parker (1 for 13) Player of the match: Seren Smale (England)