Cricket
Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane granted bail
BIPIN DANI
Nepal's 22-year-old bowler who has been charged for raping a minor girl has been given a bail, it is confirmed.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kathmandu, the president (Chatur Bahadur Chand) and the secretary (Prashant Malla) of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), revealed, "Sandeep has been granted a bail in this case by High Court Patan in Kathmandu for a surety of Nepali rupees 20 lacs".
"The bail is a partial relief but has been a great relief to him and his family. Sandeep was frustrated in the jail and everyone was awaiting this relief".
Sandeep Lamichhane had been taken into custody on October 6 last year 2022 by police in Kathmandu in response to the arrest warrant that had been issued in his name over an alleged case of coercion / rape.
This reporter can confirm the girl, whose name is Barsha Dangal and her claim of being a minor is challenged.
Sandeep has been suspended by the CAN and it will not be until he is proven innocent.
In another development in Australia, the Sri Lankan cricketer, Danushka Gunathilaka, who is also charged for the same offence and was bailed earlier is not yet freed. His case on Thursday was adjourned to February 23.
Model Town Club, Cricket Center triumphant in 20-K Cup 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Model Town Club (MTC) and Cricket Center Club (CCC) recorded easy victories in the 20-K Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament here on Friday.
Mohammad Saleem steered Model Town Club to a 6-wicket victory over Lucky Star Club in the 19th match of the tournament. Batting first, Lucky Star Club scored 136 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Zain ul Hassan was the top scorer as he hammered 44 runs off 38 balls. Other key contributor was Junaid Ali, who struck 28 runs of 25 balls. For Model Town Club, Afaq Afridi claimed 3-22 and Irfan Rasheed took 2-20.
Model Town Club replied well and chased the target losing four wickets in 18.1 overs, thanks to brilliant batting by Mohammad Saleem, who smashed 45-ball 64 runs while Amir Sajjad cracked 26 runs and Farman Ali 23 runs. Mohammad Subhan, Abuzar Zafar and Qasim Akram got one wicket each for Lucky Star Club.
The 18th match of the tournament was won by Cricket Center, who defeated Shahkamal Cricket Club by 6 wickets. Shahkamal Club, batting first, posted 135 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs. Hamza Ahmad slammed unbeaten 51 runs while Sheraz Ali scored 27. Ali Zafar clinched 3-23 and Qaiser Ashraf took 2-36.
Cricket Center comfortably chased the target losing four wickets in 19.3 overs. Anas Mahmood batted strongly and cracked 39 runs while Tariq Nawaz struck 37 and Ali Zafar unbeaten 17 runs. For Shahkamal Club, Mukaram Ali, Sheraz Ali and Arslan Ilyas got one wicket each.
On Saturday (January 14, 2023), the only match will take place between Pindi Gymkhana and P&T Gymkhana at Pindi Gymkhana ground.
Kumar Sangakkara rings 2-minute bell at the Eden Gardens
BIPIN DANI
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who rang the 2-minute bell at the Eden Gardens on Thursday may be one of the very few cricketers who has had this honour at Lord's in London also.
"We approached Sanga to ring our bell on Thursday and he readily accepted our proposal", Snehasish Ganguly, the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and venue for the 2nd ODI between India and Sri Lanka, said.
Sanga has been one of the TV commentators in this bialateral series.
"The two-minute bell is rung before the start of a day's play during all international matches, be it Test, ODI orT-20I. We want to follow the legacy of Lord's".
Sanga rang the bell at Lord's on the first day of the 3rd Test between England and Sri Lanka in 2016. The tradition of ringing the bell at Lord's begain in 2007. Incidentally, Sanga also became the first non-Asian president of the MCC.
"We have installed this bell 5-6 years ago when my brother Sourav was the president of the association and this practice will continue".
"Generally, we invite international cricketers for this. India’s first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev was the first bell ringer at Eden Gardens when this Lord's-type bell was installed at the iconic ground and the match was played against visiting New Zealand team", he added.
It is learnt that at Lord's, the bell is rung at 5-minute before the match.
City Gymkhana, Pak Lions, Shinning Club score wins in K-20 Cup
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: City Gymkhana, Pak Lions and Shinning Club scored contrasting wins in the K-20 Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament matches played here on Thursday.
Pak Lions thrashed P&T Gymkhana by 10 wickets in the 15th match of the tournament here at Model Town Greens ground. P&T Gymkhana, batting first, gathered 131-8 in the allotted 20 overs. Karamat Ali (36) and Saad Najam (32) batted well. Niaz Khan, Umar Farooq and Afzal Tahiri captured two scalps each.
Helped by clinical performances of openers Hassan Nawaz (105 off 35 balls) and Afzal Tahiri (27 of 11 balls) guided Pak Lions to a thrashing 10-wicket triumph. For his outstanding batting performance, Hassan Nawaz was named player of the match.
Shinning Cricket Club defeated Yu Slim Cricket Club in the 16th match of the tournament by 62 runs here at Model Town Club ground. Batting first, Shinning Club posted 169-10 in 20 overs. Rao Khayyam was top scorer with 56 runs while Ulfat Rasool struck 24 and Zain Bin Farooq hit 23. Mohsin Nadeem claimed 3-31, Awais Munir 2-20 and Haider Butt 2-28.
Yu Slim Club, in reply, could score 107-6 in 20 overs. Safeer Azam (29), Majid Majeed (23) and Arslana Sajid (22) played well. Hammad Ali clinched 3-15 while Rao Khayyam, Ali Hamza and Zahir got one wicket each.
City Gymkhana overpowered Township Whites Club in the 17th match of the tournament here at Pindi Gymkhana Cricket ground. Township Whites, batting first, posted a good total of 192-8 in 20 overs with Shahrukh Ali scoring 61, Mohammad Faiq 41 and Rana Ayan Ali 40. Abdul Rehman and Usama Tariq bagged 2 wickets each.
City Gymkhana replied strongly and chased the required target losing just four wickets in 19.1 overs. Rizwan played the hero’s knock of 90 runs of 39 balls to emerge as player of the match. He was ably assisted by Saad Athar (32*) and Jahangir Mirza (23*). For Township Whites, Ammar Yousaf took 2-4.
On Friday (January 13, 2023), two matches will be played. Cricket Center will vie against Shahkamal Cricket Club in the 18th match of the tournament at Cricket Center ground while Model Town Club will play against Lucky Star Club in the 19th match of the tournament at Model Town Greens ground.
The event is organized on a regular annual basis. The tournament is being played to pay homage to Col Fateh Sher Khan and is sponsored by a former American Pakistani, Nabeel Ahmad.
Would Rohit have shown sportsmanship, if India were losing?
BIPIN DANI
On last Tuesday, Team India captain Rohit Sharma did exactly opposite to what Sri Lankan spinner Suraj Randiv did in 2010 to ensure that opener Virender Sehwag misses out his hundred. He bowled a last ball no ball, thus Sehwag remained Not Out on 99, though India could win the match.
Lanka spinner Dasun Shanaka could get a hundred, thanks to Rohit Sharma, who withdrew the run out appeal when pacer Shami had run Shanaka (he was on 98 then) out at the non-striker's end for backing up too far.
India was already in a winning position then. Whether Sharma could have shown the same gesture otherwise?
"Yes, Rohit could have shown the same gesture irrespective of the match. Rohit is a good sportsman and he has shown this spirit (withdrawing appeal) in the IPL also", his coach, Dinesh Lad says.
Rohit's gesture has well been appreciated by former Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya and Angelo Mathews.
"To put an end to this problem, I think umpires can take a call by warning the batsman not to leave the crease earlier. If he repeats it, caught red handed or by the third umpire then he should be declared out after a couple of warnings", says India's former chief selector MSK Prasad.
"This will put an end to the embarrassment causing out of this kind of dismissal, especially to the bowler who is always at receiving end though he is right as per laws of the game". "It should be like out when a batsman is sent home for running on the pitch despite warnings".
"The situation was well managed by Rohit Sharma", opines Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda.
New Zealand trounce Pakistan by 79 runs in 2nd ODI to level Series 1-1
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 79 runs in the second one-day international and leveled the three-match tie 1-1 here at National Bank Cricket Arena on Wednesday night. Green Shirts could score 182 runs, as they had 262 runs target to win the match and series too.
Visitors set 262 runs target for the hosts with the lion share of Deven Conway 101 after lasting 92 balls with the help of 13 fours and a huge six while captain Kane scored 85 runs in a 100 balls innings. He smashed 10 boundaries. Sentre scored 37 runs.
Mohammad Nawaz (4 for 38), Naseem Shah (3 for 58), Usama Mir (1 for 42) and Haris Rauf (1 for 47) were wicket taker bowlers for the home side.
Pakistan were crawling behind the target till the end of the match, as opener batters failed to provide a solid start despite having a batting-friendly pitch. On the same surface, Kiwi players hit the strokes easily and at one stage it seemed that they would score over three hundred. However, Mohammad Nawaz and Nasim Shah restricted them to 261.
Skipper Babar Azam was top scorer with 79 runs, as he wasted 114 balls during his innings. He hit 8 fours and one six, as this effort could not prove fruitful for the team. Babar was a bit slow according to the demanding situation. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 28 runs, as this was also show innings, as he faced 50 balls for his this meager innings.
Tim Southee (2 for 33), Ish Sodhi (2 for 38), Michael Bracewell (1 for 29), Philips (1 for 13) and Mitchel Sentner (1 for 34) were wicket taker bowlers.
Devon Conway was judged man of the match on his remarkable performance with the bat.
Scorecard in Brief:
Toss: New Zealand won and decided to bat
New Zealand (Batting) 261 all out in 49.5 overs
Devon Conway 101 runs (92 balls, 4x13, 6x1), Kane Williamson 85 runs (100 balls, 4x10, 6x0), Mitchell Sentrer 37 runs (40 balls, 4x1, 6x1)
Pakistan Bowling:
Mohammad Nawaz (4 for 38), Naseem Shah (3 for 58), Usama Mir (1 for 42) Haris Rauf (1 for 47)
Pakistan (Batting): Target 262 in 50 overs
Babar Azam 79 runs (114 balls, 4x8, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan 28 runs (50 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Agha Salman 25 runs (22 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Usama Mir 12 runs (9 balls, 4x1, 6x1)
New Zealand Bowling:
Tim Southee (2 for 33), Ish Sodhi (2 for 38), Michael Bracewell (1 for 29), Philips (1 for 13), Mitchel Sentner (1 for 34),
Apollo, Golden, Lucky Star, Ali Garh Club victorious in K-20 Cup 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Apollo Club, Golden Star Cricket Club, Lucky Star Club and Ali Garh Club grabbed wins in the K-20 Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament matches played here at diifferent grounds.
Usaid Amin sparkling knock steered Apollo Club to a thrashing 140 runs win over Shah Faisal Club in the 11th match of the tournament. Besides Usaid, Muhammad Akhlaq (53), Babar Arshad (45*) and Rehan Nadeem (30) also batted brilliantly and scored a huge total of 212-5 in allotted 20 overs. M Ilyas, Ali Manzoor, Soban Malik and Bilal Ansari got one wicket apiece.
Superb bowling by Apollo Club bowlers restricted Shah Faisal Club to a paltry 72-10 in 18.2 overs. Only Mohammad Ilyas (17), Ahmad Zahoor Elahi (16) and Salman Mirza (12) reached the double figures. Umair Butt was key wrecker-in-chief grabbed 3 wickets for 2 while Usaid Amin, Mohammad Rameez and Asad Rafiq bagged 2 wickets each. For his all-round performance, Usaid Amin was named player of the match.
Golden Star Cricket Club maintained their supremacy in the tournament as they defeated P&T Gymkhana by 26 runs. Golden Star, batting first, posted a total of 178-8 in 20 overs. Azzam ul Haq hammered 44 runs, Abrar Ahmad 31, Mohammad Naveed 27 and Usama Tahir unbeaten 21. Adan Khan, Adan Mir and Asad Raza took two wickets each.
P&T Gymkhana, in reply, could score 152-10 in 19.2 overs. Ahmed Bhatti top-scored with 52 runs while Mohammad Ishaq struck 39 and Yawar Bashir 17 runs. Ahmad Safi Ullah, Zain ul Hussain, Abrar Ahmad and Sadaqat claimed 2 wickets each.
Lucky Star Club edged past Prince Club by 4 wickets in a thrilling 13th encounter of the tournament. Prince Club, batting first, gathered 137-9 in allotted 20 overs. Zeeshan Shabbir was top scorer with 45 runs while Nasir Shah hit 17 and Asif Ghafoor 16 runs. Abuzar Zafar and Azeem Arshad captured two scalps each.
Lucky Star Club successfully chased the target of 138 runs in 19.3 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Qasim Akram smashed superb 45 runs while Imran Dogar cracked 22 and Zain ul Hassan 19 runs. For Prince Club, Anas Mustafa and Usman Dhillon got two wickets each.
Sparkling bowling performance by Mubashar Aslam guided Ali Garh Club to a thumping 9-wicket victory over Valencia Club in the 14th match of the tournament. Valencia Club, batting first, scored 123-9 in allotted 20 overs with Ismael Muhammad smashing 33 runs and Adnan Arshad 17. Mubashar Aslam was wrecker-in-chief of Valencia Club batting lineup as he clinched 4-16 while Ehsan Ullah took 3-25 and Awais Nazir 2-15.
Ali Garh Club comfortably chased the target in 15.4 overs losing just one wicket. Both Hazrat Wali and Faraz Ahmad batted sensibly and slammed in unbeaten 57 and 56 runs respectively. The only wicket of Ali Garh batter Zeeshan Ashraf was taken by Mohammad Abbas. Mubashar Aslam was declared man of the match.
On Thursday (January 12), three matches will be played. Pak Lions will compete against P&T Gymkhana at Model Town Greens ground, Township Whites Club will vie against City Gymkhana Cricket Club at Pindi Gymkhana Cricket ground and Shinning Cricket Club will play against Yu Slim Cricket Club by at Model Town Club ground.
Golden Star, Shahkamal triumphant in K-20 Cup Cricket Tournament
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Golden Star Cricket Club and Shahkamal Club emerged as triumphant in the ongoing K-20 Cup 2023 T20 Cricket Tournament here on Tuesday.
The event, which is a regular annual club tournament, is being played in the memory of Col Fateh Sher Khan. It is being sponsored by a former cricketer Nabeel Ahmad to revive grassroots cricket and to identify new talent.
Raees Butt’s scintillating knock helped Golden Star Cricket Club to a 23-run victory over Pak Lions in the 10th match of the tournament. Raees played 43 balls to hammer unbeaten 53 runs that included three fours and three sixes while Ali Raza slammed 36 runs and Usama Tahir 19 to help Golden Star Club post a decent total of 156 for 6 wickets in 20 overs. For Pak Lions, Haris Khan bagged 2 wickets for 25.
Brilliant bowling by Raees Butt and Abrar Ahmed restricted Pak Lions to 133 for 10 wickets in 18 overs. Both the bowlers clinched three wickets each for the winning side. While Ahmad Safi Abdullah grabbed 2 wickets and Mohammad Naveed got 1 wicket. For Pak Lions, Hassan Nawaz scored 53 runs, and Afzal Tahiri struck 39. For his all-round performance, Raees Butt emerged as player of the match.
Shahkamal Club trounced Shinning Cricket Club by 93 in the 9th match of the tournament. Shinning Club, batting first, scored 155 runs for 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Ibrar Hussain smashed 49 runs, Azizullah 45 and Sheraz Ali unbeaten 16 runs.
Outstanding bowling by Ibrar Hussain (3-6) and Faheem Faisal (3-17) helped Shahkamal Club bundle out Shinning Club at a meager total of 62 runs in 15 overs. Only Syed Kazim Raza (20) and Abdul Salam (15) could cross the double figures.
On Wednesday (January 11), the only match of the day will be played between Golden Star Cricket Club and Pak Lions at 11:00 am.
Pakistan defeat New Zealand by six wickets in the first ODI
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) to earn a 1-0 lead in the three-match Series at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi on Monday night. Green Shirts got their target in the 48.1 overs.
Three half-centuries, Mohammad Rizwan (77 not out), Babar Azam (66), and Fakhar Zaman (56) helped Gren Shirts to achieve their target on the very first delivery of 48th over when Agha Salam hit a beautiful six at long-on boundary. Haris Shoail contributed 32 runs off 23 ball including two four and two sixes.
Earlier, after putting into bat by Pakistan, Kiwis batters scored 255 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs per innings fixture. Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) were the major contributors.
Naseem Shah got five wickets after conceding 57 runs in his 10 overs.
Scoreboard (First ODI)
Toss: Pakistan won and decided to bowl first
Venue: National Bank Arena Karachi
New Zealand (Batting): 255 for 9 in 50 overs
Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0)
Pakistan (Bowling)
Naseem Shah (5 for 57), Usama Mir (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 38), Mohammad Wasim (1 for 43)
Pakistan (Batting) Target 256
Mohammad Rizwan 77 runs not out (86 balls, 4x6, 6x1), Babar Azam 66 runs (82 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Fakhar Zaman 56 runs (74 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Haris Sohail 32 runs (23 balls, 4x2, 6x2)
New Zealand (Bowling):
Michael Bracewell (2 for 44), Glenn Phillips (1 for 35)
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir
Reserve players:
Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir,
New Zealand (Playing XIs):
Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner
Reserve Players:
Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner,
Player of the match: Naseem Shah
New Zealand set 256 runs target for Green Shirts to win first ODI
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI: The visitor’s team New Zealand set 256 runs target for the Green Shirts to win the first one-day international, which is going on at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi on Monday.
After putting into bat by Pakistan, Kiwis batters scored 255 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs per innings fixture. Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) were the major contributors.
Naseem Shah got five wickets after conceding 57 runs in his 10 overs.
Scoreboard (First ODI)
Toss: Pakistan won and decided to bowl first
Venue: National Bank Arena Karachi
New Zealand (Batting): 255 for 9 in 50 overs
Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0)
Pakistan (Bowling)
Naseem Shah (5 for 57), Usama Mir (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 38), Mohammad Wasim (1 for 43)
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir
Reserve players:
Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir,
New Zealand (Playing XIs):
Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner
Reserve Players:
Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner,
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