Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Cape Town (South Africa): The Windies skipper struck a decisive 66 not out and, assisted by Chinelle Henry’s critical contribution, helped haul her side to a six-wicket victory and inflict a difficult defeat on the Irish under the Friday night lights. Orla Prendergast’s impressive 61 had fired Ireland to a competitive total of 137 for nine as Shamilia Connell starred with the ball for the Windies. But Matthews and Henry (34) delivered a second innings masterclass to patiently chase down the target and help the West Indies, without Stafanie Taylor owing to a back injury, bounce back from defeats against India and England with just a single ball remaining in Group B. Laura Delany won the toss and elected to bat – but her side suffered an almost immediate blow when Amy Hunter was dismissed in the second over. Trishan Holder held a simple catch after the Irish opener had miscued and top-edged a Connell delivery. But Prendergast and Gaby Lewis set about building the foundations for a recovery, putting on 90 for the second wicket before Prendergast went for a swashbuckling 61 – off just 47 balls – in the 13th over. And the West Indies then struck twice in quick succession as Lewis (38) and Louise Little, who was unable to trouble the scorers, were removed in the space of three Karishma Ramharack deliveries. Delany and Arlene Kelly then went in similarly speedy fashion as Afy Fletcher’s leg breaks helped derail the end of the Irish innings. Eimear Richardson was caught and bowled by Matthews before Leah Paul and wicketkeeper Mary Waldron were removed from the final two balls of the innings. That left the Windies with a total of 138 to win as openers Matthews and Rashada Williams responded with a steady start throughout the opening overs. But Ireland grabbed the breakthrough from the penultimate ball of the powerplay when wicketkeeper Williams was runout after a sudden mix-up with her captain. Incoming batter Campbelle survived a review shortly after but was soon dismissed by Delany when the Irish skipper’s crafty medium pacers trapped her in front for just eight. Matthews and Henry continued to chip away at the total, however, teeing up a tantalising final five overs with a composed third wicket partnership. Kelly dropped Henry at mid-off during an economical-looking 16th over before the Windies No.4 made her pay with a much-needed boundary off the final delivery. Henry looked in the mood to finish the job as quickly as possible but she was soon dismissed by Paul as Ireland, who spilt several chances throughout a frenetic second innings, finally held on to a catch. That propelled Shabika Gajnabi into the heat of the Cape Town cauldron, who played an important brief cameo before being run out after another piece of confusion with Matthews. But the Windies skipper held her nerve to clatter Delany over the covers for four and fire her side to victory.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: To provide young cricket fans an opportunity to see the cricket stars in action up close, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to provide 50 per cent discount to those under the age of 18 for the HBL Pakistan Super League 8 matches in Karachi. This discount is applicable for all matches and one ticket can be bought on a B-Form. Each child will be required to bring their B-Form, on which they have bought the ticket, to enter the stadium. This discount is part of the PCB's efforts to continue to inspire the next generation to take up the sport.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Peshawar PD defeated Lahore PD by a huge margin of 139 runs to qualify for final of the 8th National Physical Disability T20 Cricket Championship here at Bhutto cricket ground on Thursday. They won their all three Pool B matches. Now, Peshawar will face Multan in the final in Karachi. Osama, the left-arm spin bowler, was declared the man of the match by taking 6 wickets for only 12 runs while bowling brilliantly and destructively. The special guest, Regional Head Peshawar Sajid Khan, gave Osama a cash of 1000 rupees along with the trophy. Regional Head Lahore Javad Ashraf was also present on the occasion. Playing first, Peshawar scored 188 runs for all 10 in the allotted 20 overs. Rahmat scored 39 runs with the help of 4 fours and a six, Atif scored 34 runs with 6 fours, Babar added 27 runs. Shahid Vito took 3 wickets and Bilal took two wickets. In response, team Osama of Lahore's match-winning spell returned to the pavilion with only 49 runs for 6 wickets instead of 12 runs. And Mohammad Shahbaz could score 23 runs. Osama bowled 6 out of 12 runs while Atif got 3 wickets by giving only 4 runs. In the second match, Abbottabad PD defeated Islamabad PD by 93 runs. Abbottabad PD scored 173 runs for the loss of 8 in the allotted 20 overs. Opener Faisal Hayat played an aggressive innings of 83 off 53 balls with the help of 5 fours and 5 sixes while batting well. Aftab Hussain hit 2 fours and a six in 31 runs. Mohammad Naeem scored 39 runs and took three wickets. In reply, Islamabad PD was bowled out for just 80 runs in 16.3 overs, Farman Khan scored 36 off 16 balls with five sixes. Aftab Hussain took three wickets for 21 runs while Raj Wali and Mohammad Hussain got two wickets.

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.