Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The Event Technical Committee of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 has approved Yashasri Soppadhandhi as a replacement for Hurley Gala in the India squad. Soppadhandhi was named as a replacement after Gala was ruled out following the laceration of her right thumb which required stitches and ruled her out of participating in the remainder of the tournament.  The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical committee of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 consists of Sarah Edgar (Chair), ICC Senior Manager Event Operations, Snehal Pradhan, ICC Women’s Cricket Manager, Sivuyile Mqingwana, Tournament Director, Claire Terblanche, (Cricket South Africa), Lydia Greenway (Independent), Stacy-Ann King (Independent).

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Four more matches decided in the 20-K Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament here at various venues on Tuesday. All-round Shahrukh Ali guided Township Whites to a 43-run victory over Prince Club in the 25th match of the tournament. Township Whites, batting first, posted 164-8 on the board in 20 overs with Shahrukh Ali smashing 33-ball 55 and while Hamza Akbar slammed 37. Asif Ghafoor claimed 3 wickets 25.  Prince Club failed to chase the target and were all out for 121 in 19.4 overs. Only Burhan Riaz (35), Ammar Tariq (16) and Sham ud Din (12) batted well. Shoaib bagged 3-19 while Shahrukh Ali, Mohammad Yasin and Kamran Afzal took two wickets each. Shahrukh Ali was named player of the match. Awais Zafar’s century steered Model Town Greens to a superb 7-wicket success over Golden Star Cricket Club in the 26th match of the tournament. Model Town Greens, batting first, posted a mammoth total of 200-7 in 20 overs. Awais Zafar hammered unbeaten 111 runs off 48 balls with the help of 6 fours and 10 sixes. Bilal Dar fired a fabulous fifty (56) for the winning team. Mohammad Junaid got 4 wickets and Abrar Ahmad took two. Shinning Club routed Model Town Whites by 52 runs in the 27th match of the tournament. Shinning Club, batting first, scored 152-5 in 20 overs. Ulfat Rasool cracked unbeaten 56 while Rao Khayyam struck 34 and Abdul Salam 27. For Model Town Whites, M Ikhlaq captured 3 scalps.  Brilliant bowling by Zahid ul Hassan (4 for 12) helped Shinning Club restrict Model Town Whites to 100-9 in 20 overs. Rao Khayam also bowled well and bagged 2 for 22. Farhan Khan slammed 29 runs and Mohammad Ikhlaq 13 runs respectively for Model Town Whites.  Ali Garh Club emerged as triumphant by 7 wickets against Apollo Club in the 28th match of the tournament. Apollo Club, batting first, piled up a low total of 114-7 in 20 overs. Usaid Amin scored 34 and Reyan Nadeem 18. Ali Shafi and Shahid Bhutta grabbed two wickets each and Ali Usman one.  Ali Garh Cricket Club chased the target comfortably for the loss of just 3 wickets in 13.1 overs. Mohammad Faizan hammered 37 runs and Zeeshan Ashraf 28 and Hazrat Wali 21. Nisar Ahmad, Mohammad Rameez and Umair Butt got one wicket each.  On Wednesday (January 18, 2023), five matches will be played at different venues in the city. In the 29th match of the tournament, Model Town Greens will take on Pak Lions, in the 30th match, Yu Slim Club will face Shah Kamal Club, in the 31st match, Model Town Club will play against Model Town Whites, in the 32nd match, Ludhiana Club will vie against Ali Garh Club and in the 33rd match, Shah Faisal Club will compete against Valencia Gymkhana.

BIPIN DANI The defeated Sri Lankan team returned on Monday. The two injured players-Jeffrey Vandersay and Ashen Bandara-are on crutches. "They are better but their injuries will be reassessed after two days", one of the sources revealed. Both, had a collision on the field during the third ODI against India in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The incident took place in the 43rd over when former India captain Kohli pulled Chamika Karunaratne in front of square leg. Vandersay sprinted to his left from deep-backward square leg, and Bandara to his right from deep midwicket. Both fielders put in the slides but ended up colliding with each other. Bandara, who is known for his fielding tried to stop the ball from reaching the boundary but as soon as he attempted to get up, he went down again, clutching his left knee. Vandersay too was lying on the ground. The Sri Lanka physio ran out to have a look at the two players; the Indian medical staff and the two concerned umpires also gathered near the boundary line. Play was halted for a while, and eventually both players were stretchered off the field. Later, they were taken to the hospital for scans. Bandara and Vandersay are believed to have ACL Strain in their knees. Vandersay's injury is also believed to be muscle tear. Both are likely to be out of the game for a few weeks.    

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Model Town Club, Shahkamal Club, and Ludhiana Club registered victories in the 20-K Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament matches played here at different venues on Monday. Model Town Club outwitted City Gymkhana by 88 runs in the 23rd match of the tournament here at the Moden Town Club Ground. Model Town Club, batting first, scored 168 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Arslan Bajwa played a superb knock of 45 runs of 30 balls while his teammates Irfan Rasheed (26), Danyal Ahmed (24) and Umaid Asif (12) also contributed significant runs in their team’s total. For City Gymkhana, Saad Athar bowled brilliantly and grabbed 3-29, Usama Tariq 2-18 and Jahangir Mirza 1-40. City Gymkhana’s run-chase was badly hampered by outstanding bowling by Irfan Rasheed (3-22), Umaid Asif (3-15) and Hassan Rizwan (2-27) as they were bundled out for 80 runs in 17 overs. Hussain Ali scored 13 and Usama Tariq 12. For his all-round performance, Irfan Rasheed was declared player of the match.  Shah Kamal Cricket Club defeated Model Town Whites by 32 runs in 22nd match here at the Ittefaq Cricket Ground. Shahkamal Club, batting first, posted 188-8 in the allotted 20 overs. M Abdullah played sensational knock of 82 runs off 44 balls while Imran Nazir Jr cracked 33 and Hamza Ahmed 23 runs. Shamas Khan bowled well for MT Whites by claiming 4-28.  Model Town Whites replied well but they couldn’t finish well, thus losing the match by 32 runs as they could score 156-10 in 19.1 overs. M Nouman and Aon Shahzad batted well and scored 43 and 40 runs respectively. Outstanding bowling by Faheem Faisal (3-24) and M Arslan (3-19) made things easy for Shahkamal Club and helped them score an easy victory. M Abdullah was name man of the match.  Ludhiana Club toppled Valencia Gymkhana Cricket Club by 7 wickets in the 24th match of the tournament here at Model Town Greens Ground. Valencia Gymkhana, batting first, could score 132-6 in 20 overs. Former Test cricketer Azhar Ali played an impressive unbeaten knock of 77 while Hassan Hameed struck 33 runs. For Ludhiana Club, Saeed Ullah, Imran Ali and M Junaid bagged 2 wickets each.  Ludhiana Club were off to a flying start and comfortably chased the target, losing just 3 wickets in 16.2 overs. Fahad Munir hammered convincing unbeaten 71 while Ahmer Ashfaq scored unbeaten 25 and M Waqas 24. For Valencia Gymkhana, Ismael, Hassan and Ibtisam got one wicket apiece. Fahad Munir was adjudged as player of the match.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Mohammad Akhlaq steered Apollo Club to a 15-run triumph over Valencia Gymkhana Cricket Club in the 21st match of the 20-K Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament match at Pindi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on Sunday.   Apollo Club started their innings strongly and succeeded in posting a huge total of 195 runs on the scoreboard losing just four wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Both the openers Mohammad Akhlaq and Hashim Ibrahim batted with authority and scored 44 runs for the first-wicket partnership. Mohammad Ishfaq provided the first breakthrough to Valencia Gymkhana when he sent packing Hashim Ibrahim on his personal score of 16 runs. After that player of the match Mohammad Akhlaq and Rehan Nadeem stitched the significant 94-run second-wicket partnership before Mohammad Akhlaq losing his wicket at his individual score of 83 runs off 44 balls that included 5 boundaries and 7 sixes. Reyan Nadeem was the next, who was sent back to the pavilion when he was playing at 43. He played 40 balls and hit 1 four and 3 sixes. Abyaz Rizvi was also a key contributor from Apollo Club as he smashed 18-ball 35 runs with the help of 1 four and 3 maximums. No other batter of Apollo Club then could cross the double figures. For Valencia Gymkhana, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Ishfaq, Mohammad Abbas and Ismael Mohammad got one wicket apiece. Valencia Gymkhana Cricket Club though replied well and tried their best to win the match, yet they couldn’t finish the game well, thus losing the encounter by 15 runs. Test batter Abid Ali played the scintillating knock of 47 runs off 31 balls with the help of 4 boundaries and 3 sixes while Farhan Yousaf struck 20-ball 36, hitting 6 fours. The other notable scorers from Valencia Gymkhana were former Test cricketer Azhar Ali, 21 off 14 balls, Hassan Hameed, 17 off 17 balls, and Ali Dilshad, 16 off 6 balls, but their efforts proved in vain in the end.  From Apollo Club, Mohammad Rameez was wrecker-in-chief of Valencia Gymkhana batting line up as he bowled brilliantly and secured three scalps for 46 runs. Umair Butt, Asad Rafiq and Nisar Ahmad claimed two wickets each. Mohammad Akhlaq was declared player of the match.  The tournament, which is a regular annual event, aims at reviving and promoting cricket at club level. It is being played in the memory of Col Fateh Sher Khan and its sole sponsor is Nabeel Ahmad, who is a former Pakistani cricketer now based in America. On Monday (January 16, 2023), three matches will be played. Model Town Whites will play against Shah Kamal Cricket Club in the 22nd match at Ittefaq Cricket Ground, Model Town Club will compete against City Gymkhana in the 23rd match at Moden Town Club Ground while Ludhiana Gymkhana will vie against Valencia Gymkhana Cricket Club in the 24th match of the tournament at Model Town Greens Ground. 

Sports Bulletin Report Brisbane (January 15, 2023): Bismah Maroof-led Pakistan women’s side will take on Australia in the first of the three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs at the Allan Border Field, Brisbane on Monday. The second ODI scheduled on Wednesday, 18 January is also at the same venue, while the third ODI will be played at the North Sydney Oval, Sydney on Saturday, 21 January. The ODI series will be followed by three T20Is to be played from 24 to 29 January in Sydney, Hobart and Canberra. Before coming to Australia, the women’s team held their practice camps in Lahore and Karachi where they also featured in various intra-squad matches. Captain Bismah Maroof said: “We had good practice sessions here at the venue. The pitches here have different bounce as compared to Pakistan and it took us time to adjust to the bounce. “We are fortunate enough to get a practice game at the same venue where our opening two matches of the series will be hosted. This will help be familiar with the conditions. The fast bowlers bowled well in the practice match, and they will have a key role to play in these conditions. The spinners on the other hand will need to adjust their line and length as required here. “The batters need to get set on the wicket, and once they are set, it will be easy for them to score runs. We have prepared ourselves well and will try to execute our plans to give better results in the series. “We have done really well in the ICC Women’s Championship matches so far, the upcoming series against Australia is also very important. We will try to stick to our plans in the series.” The toss will take place tomorrow at 0435 (Pakistan Standard Time), while the first ball will be bowled at 0505 (Pakistan Standard Time). Pakistan ODI squad for Australia series: Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan. Traveling Reserves: Aimen Anwar and Javeria Khan Player Support staff: Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach and interim head coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmad (analyst), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media and digital content manager) and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist). Australia series Itinerary 16 January – First ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 18 January – Second ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 21 January – Third ODI at North Sydney Oval, Sydney 24 January – First T20I at North Sydney Oval, Sydney 26 January – Second T20I at Blundstone Arena, Hobart 29 January – Third T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra

Sports Bulletin Report Brisbane (January 14, 2023): Pakistan women’s ODI and T20I squads brace up for a challenge against a formidable Australia unit in their backyard in the white-ball series consisting of three ODIs and as many T20Is. The three ODIs slated to begin from 16 January are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. The first two ODIs will be played at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on 16 and 18 January, where Pakistan are currently practicing over the past four days. For the final match of the series, the two teams will travel to Sydney to play on 21 January. Pakistan enter the ODI series in good form, having acquired five wins from their six outings in the ICC Women’s Championship. They clinched a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka in Karachi in June last year and later achieved a 3-0 sweep over Ireland in Lahore in November. One of the star performers for Pakistan in both series was opening batter Sidra Amin. The right-handed batter is placed at the top of the batting charts in the ICC Women’s Championship with a whopping tally of 495 runs in six games, 155 runs clear of second-placed Harmanpreet Kaur who has 340 runs to her name. Sidra’s runs have come at an average of 123.75, and an impressive strike-rate of 88.55, demonstrating her attacking strokeplay. She has scored 653 runs in her last 10 innings with three hundreds and two half-centuries. The hallmark of Sidra’s batting dominance was her unbeaten 176 against Ireland in the ODI series opener in her hometown Lahore, recording the fifth-highest individual score in Women’s ODIs. All geared up to continue the momentum in 2023 and take up the challenge of scoring runs in the foreign conditions of Australia, the 30-year-old told PCB Digital: “I am here in Australia for the first time, the conditions here are different to Pakistan as the ball rises a bit and I am trying to acclimatise as quickly as possible. “We had our preparation camps in Lahore and Karachi where we played some practice games before coming to Australia.” When asked to reflect on her supreme run last year, Sidra deemed the past 12 months as special. She claimed the string of quality knocks against different oppositions would give her a lot of confidence heading into the forthcoming series and she will be able to make the most of it. On her role in the team and how important it is for an opener to give a good start from the front, Sidra said, “As an opener it is a challenging job to face two new balls in ODI cricket, you have to see off the new ball and at the same time score runs and give a good start to the innings. Muneeba and I will look to give a good start to the innings so the batters coming after us should have the momentum to take it forward. “When you perform individually it helps your team, I will try to score runs which will ultimately benefit my team. The message from coach and captain is very simple, go out and play positive cricket, score runs for the team and help the team do well.” The Lahore-born batter also opened up about the importance of facing a top-tier side like Australia, in terms of the advanced level of cricket on display and a shot at earning their first-ever win against the hosts. “Everyone knows that Australia is a great side, playing against them is a good omen. It will help us to learn a lot,” said Sidra. Pakistan ODI squad for Australia series: Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan. Traveling Reserves: Aimen Anwar and Javeria Khan Player Support staff: Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach and interim head coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmad (analyst), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media and digital content manager) and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist). Australia series Itinerary 16 January – First ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 18 January – Second ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 21 January – Third ODI at North Sydney Oval No.1, North Sydney 24 January – First T20I at North Sydney Oval No.1, North Sydney 26 January – Second T20I at Blundstone Arena, Hobart 29 January – Third T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra  

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Superb batting by Sadam Khan batted P&T Gymkhana to a convincing 63-run victory over Pindi Gymkhana here at the Pindi Gymkhana ground on Saturday. P&T Gymkhana, batting first, posted a decent total of 173 runs for the loss of seven wickets in allotted 20 overs. Sadam Khan emerged, as top-scorer with a sparkling knock of 60 runs off 31 balls that included 5 fours and 4 maximums. The other key contributors from the winning team was Yawar Bashir, who hammered 31-ball 32 runs while Manzoor Khan smashed unbeaten 29 runs off 12 balls.  Umar Anjum bowled brilliantly for Pindi Gymkhana as he clinched four wickets for 42 runs while Aneeq Mushtaq bagged 2 wickets for 23 runs and Asfand Mehran took one wicket for 29.  Outstanding bowling by Kramat Ali of P&T Gymkhana restricted Pindi Gymkhana to 110 runs for the loss 9 wickets in 20 overs. Aneeq Mushtaq scored 28-ball 37 runs while Asfand Mehran hit 15 and Wasif Khan 14 runs. Kramat Ali grabbed four wickets for 17 runs and he was ably assisted by Imran Hassan, who bagged 3 wickets for 23 runs and Asad Raza and Manzoor Khan got one wicket each.  For his brilliant batting display, Sadam Khan was named player of the match. On Sunday (January 15, 2023), Apollo Club will compete against Valencia Gymkhana Cricket Club in the only match of the day at Pindi Gymkhana ground at 10:30 am. 

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): Dubai Capitals (DC) outclassed Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) by 73 runs in the open fixture of the ILT20 cricket league here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday night. ADKR could score 114 runs in 20 overs, as they had 188 runs target to win a historical tie of United Arabs Emirates (UAE) cricket. Dubai Capitals’ skipper Rovman Powell displayed an inspiring performance with both bat and ball that was key in his team’s triumph.    On Friday, ADKR captain Sunil Narine won the toss and elected to field first, as the Dubai Capital posted 187 for 6 runs on the board in their allotted 20 overs. Powell smashed 48 runs in 29 balls, as his innings included 3 fours and 3 sixes while his teammate Robin Uthappa contributed 43 runs. He faced 33 balls and smashed three fours and two big sixes. Joe Root and Sikandar Raza scored 26 runs each innings at the crucial stage of the innings. Ali Khan (2 for 45), Ravi Rampaul (2 for 36), Andre Russell (1 for 31), and Sunil Narine (1 for 28) were the wicket-taker bowlers for ADKR. ADKR could score only 114 runs in 20 overs, as their single wicket was in the pocket. Only Paul Stirling erected in front of the Dubai Capitals’ bowling, who 58 runs off 38 balls. He hit five fours and two huge sixes during his innings. Andre Russell scored 12 runs, as the rest of the batters could not touch the double figure. For the winners, Rovman Powell (2 for 15), Mujeeb-ur-Rehman (2 for 16), Akif Raja (2 for 20), Isuru Udana (1 for 10), Sikandar Raza (1 for 17) and Hazrat Luqman (1 for 23) were successful bowlers. Summarized Scorecard (Game-1): Toss: ADKR won the toss and elected to bowl first Dubai Capitals (Batting) 187 for 6 runs in 20 overs Rovman Powell 48 runs (29 balls, 4x3, 6x3), Robin Uthappa 43 runs (33 balls, 4x3, 6x2), Joe Root 26 runs (21 balls, 4x2, 6x2), Sikandar Raza 26 runs (17 balls, 4x1, 6x2) Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Bowling): Ali Khan (2 for 45), Ravi Rampaul (2 for 36), Andre Russell (1 for 31), Sunil Narine (1 for 28) Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Batting): Target 188 in 20 overs Paul Stirling 58 runs (38 balls, 4x5, 6x2), Andre Russell 12 runs (12 balls, 4x1), Dubai Capitals (Bowling): Rovman Powell (2 for 15), Mujeeb-ur-Rehman (2 for 16), Akif Raja (2 for 20), Isuru Udana (1 for 10), Sikandar Raza (1 for 17), Hazrat Luqman (1 for 23) Player of the match: Rovman Powell  

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 2 wickets in the 3rd One Day International match to claim the series 2-1 here at National Bank Cricket Arena on Friday night. Visitors chased their target on the first ball of the penultimate over of the contest, as Glenn Phillips was the hero of the day by scoring an unbeaten 63 in 42 balls innings including four fours and four sixes. Summarizes Scorecard (ODI-III): Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first Pakistan (Batting) 280 for 9 in 50 overs) Fakhar Zaman 101 runs (122 balls, 4x10, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan 77 runs (74 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Agha Salaman 45 runs (43 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Haris Sohain 22 runs (25 balls, 4x1, 6x0) New Zealand Bowling: Tim Southee (3 for 56), Lockie Furguson (2 for 63), Mitchell Bracewell (1 for 44), Ish Sodhi (1 for 50) New Zealand (Batting) target 281 in 50 overs Glenn Phillips 63 runs not out (42 balls, 4x4, 6x4), Kane Williamson 53 runs (68 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Devon Conway 52 runs (65 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 31 runs (36 balls, 4x1, 6x1) Pakistan Bowling Mohammad Wasim (2 for 35), Agha Salaman (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 53), Usama Mir (1 for 61) Player of the match: Glenn Phillips 63 runs not out (42 balls, 4x4, 6x4)