Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will resume his rehabilitation under the national men’s team’s medical staff in Karachi from today. While providing Shaheen top-notch care, this move will allow the medical staff to track his progression and pave way for his smooth return to action. Meanwhile, the interim selection committee and team management have invited right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf to be assessed by the team’s medical staff so a decision on his availability for the three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand - to be played next week - can be made.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: 20-K Cup T20 Cricket Tournament will commence on January 5, 2023, as the 20 teams will showcase their talent in the event which aims at promoting cricket at the grass-roots level and to revive of the club cricket 5 at five different grounds. According to an official, the opening match will be played between Model town greens and Pindi Gymkhana at Model town greens ground. All the participating teams will be colorful playing kits and Model Town Green Cricket Club is hosts of the tournament.  Nabeel Ahmad said: “For years, this event was played under the title of Col (retd) Fateh Sher Khan Memorial T20 Cup but this year it has been given a new title. The tournament is a step forward and a part of his year’s long efforts to revive cricket at grass root level and to engage upcoming cricketer in a competitive action packed cricket activity”. Cash awards of Tournament: Man of the match: Rs. 3000 Best Bowler: Rs. 25,000, Best Batsman: Rs. 25,000 MOM (semifinals): Rs. 10,000 MOM (Final): Rs. 20,000 Most Sixes: Rs. 20,000 Names of participating teams: Ali Garh cricket Club, Apollo Cricket Club, City Gymkhana Cricket Club, Cricket Centre Club, Golden Star Cricket Club,  Ludhiana Gymkhana Cricket Club, Lucky Star Cricket Club, Model Town Cricket Club, Model Town Greens Cricket Club, Model Town Whites Cricket Club, PakLions Cricket Club,  Pindi Gymkhana Cricket Club, Prince Cricket Club, P & T Cricket Club,  Shah Faisal Cricket Club, Shah Kamal Cricket Club, Shinning Cricket Club, Township Whites cricket Club, Valencia Cricket Club and Yu Slim Cricket Club.  The venues of the tournament: Model Town Greens Cricket Club Model Town Cricket Club Pindi Gymkhana Cricket Club Ali Garh Cricket Club Cricket Center Club.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Defending champions Balochistan stormed into the Pakistan Cup 2022-23 final when they defeated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 38 runs on Sunday to set Monday’s final date with Central Punjab. In a repeat of last year’s final, Balochistan, batting first, recovered to post an imposing 302 for eight in the allotted 50 overs and then dismissed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 264 in 47.1 overs in front of PCB cameras at the State Bank Sports Complex. No.10 batter Kashif Bhatti belted five fours and four sixes in a 48-ball 69 not out and dominated the 89-run unbroken ninth wicket stand with Yasir Shah (17 not out) to lift Balochistan to 302 for eight after they have slipped to 213 for eight. He then picked up a wicket conceding 43 runs to walk away with the player of the match award. Earlier, Balochistan, put into bat, were in dire straits when they plunged to 138 for six with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Iftikhar Ahmed picking up the scalps of the top three batters - Imran Butt (29), Mohammad Junaid (22) and Haseebullah (20) - to finish with three for 52. At that stage, Bismillah Khan and Amad Butt put on 70 runs for the seventh wicket to take their side to 208 for six. Bismillah scored a 53-ball 65 with six fours and two sixes, while Amad contributed 27 from 21 balls with two fours and two sixes. However, the departure of Bismillah and Amad in a space of five runs, shifted the pressure back on Balochistan before Kashif Bhatti came to the party and not only helped his side post a commanding score but also entertained a decent holiday crowd with his lusty hitting. In their run-chase, three Khyber Pakhtunkhwa batters reached half-centuries but none of them were able to convert these scores into match-winning performances as Balochistan’s Amad Butt returned figures of 8.1-1-52-4 to steal the limelight. No.7 batter Adil Amin top-scored with 76 (67 balls, 6x4, 3x6), followed by Mohammad Haris (63, 54b, 6x4, 1x6) and Sahibzada Farhan (57, 55b, 5x4, 1x6). The highest partnership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s innings was for the sixth wicket when Adil and Haris put on 72 runs for the sixth wicket after their side had slipped to 127 for five. Scores in brief: Balochistan beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 38 runs, State Bank Sports Complex Balochistan 302-8, 50 overs (Kashif Bhatti 69 not out, Bismillah Khan 65, Imran Butt 29, Amad Butt 27; Iftikhar Ahmed 3-52) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 264 all out, 47.1 overs (Adil Amin 76, Mohammad Haris 63, Sahibzada Farhan 57; Amad Butt 4-52, Khurram Shahzad 2-38, Mohammad Junaid 2-64) Player of the match – Kashif Bhatti (Balochistan) Monday’s final: Central Punjab v Balochistan, State Bank Sports Complex

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Hosts Islamabad and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) set their clash in the final of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) T20 Cricket Championships Trophy for the Blind 2022 on Monday at PAF Cricket Ground E-9. On Sunday, in the first match, Peshawar beat Gujranwala by 50 runs. After put into bat by Gujranwala, Peshawar scored 246 for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs with top scorer Masood Jan with 58 runs and fifties from Mohsin and Haroon. In reply Gujranwala could score 196 for the loss of 8 wickets. Mohsin Khan took 2 wickets Akram scored 55 runs Mohsin Khan was awarded man of the match for his 2 wickets and 52 runs. Meanwhile, in the Second match, Islamabad opted to bat after winning the toss against AJK. Hosts scored 225 runs for the loss of 3 wickets, Matiullah was the top scorer with 141 runs. Kamran and Idrees from AJK took 1 wicket each. In reply, AJK chased the target in 18.1 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Faisal scored 98 runs and Nisar Ali scored unbeaten 105 runs and awarded man of the match. Matiullah took 2 wickets. On Monday the final will be played between AJK and Islamabad at the same venue. The prize distribution ceremony of the event will take place at PAF Cricket Ground E-9 at 0200pm.

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD: PTV News Center defeated PTV Headquarters by 8 wickets in the final of the T20 Cricket Tournament at G 8/2 cricket ground on Sunday. A couple of performances, Tahir Saleem (33 runs) and Zohain Akbar (3 for 16), played key-role in the PTV News Center’s victory. Summarized Scorecard: PTV Headquarters (Batting): 86 for 10 in 19 overs Imran Shahzad 16 runs (27 balls), Wajhat Mir 15 runs (18 balls), Salman Mirza 13 runs (14 balls), Kashan Ali 10 runs (14 balls) PTV News Center (Bowling): Zohaib Akbar (3 for 16), Imran Sauduzai (2 for 12), Ahmed Nawaz (2 for 13) PTV News Center (Batting) 88 for 2 in 17.2 overs Tahir Saleem 33 runs not out (46 balls, 4x3), Ahmed Nawaz 21 runs (40 balls, 4x2), Arslan Saeed 16 runs (13 balls, 4x3), Asad Nawaz 5 runs not out (6 balls, 4x1) PTV Headquarters (Bowling): Waqas Aziz (1 for 15), Farasat Ranjha (1 for 24).

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: The hosts Islamabad and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) claimed massive victories in the PAF T20 Cricket Championships Trophy for the Blind 2022 at PAF Cricket Ground E-9 on Saturday. In the first match, Islamabad stunned Gujranwala by 207 runs courtesy Matiullah's 5 wickets for 7 runs. After put into bat by Gujranwala, Islamabad scored 240 for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs with top scorer Anees Javed 87 and fifties from Matiullah and Akmal. In reply, Gujranwala bowled out for only 33 runs. Matiullah was named man of the match for his 5 wickets and 58 runs. Later, the second match of the day was played between AJK and Peshawar. Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) put Peshawar into bat after winning the toss. Batting first Peshawar could only score 100 runs, Naeem Ullah was the top scorer with 24 runs. Kamran Akhtar from AJK took 5 wickets for 15 runs. In reply, AJk chased the target in 10.2 over for the loss of 1 wicket. Kamran Akhtar scored 41 not out runs and declared man of the match. On Sunday, two matches will be played, first match will be played between Gujranwala and Peshawar while in the second match Islamabad will face AJK at the same venue.

Sports Bulletin Report KABUL: Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s Cricketing Wizard, has been appointed as AfghanAtalan’s Captain for the T20I format, replacing the senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, after he stepped down from the role post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Mirwais Ashraf, the ACB Chairman, expressed his desire for the appointment of Rashid Khan as the captain of the Afghanistan National Team for the T20I format. “Rashid Khan is a massive name in Afghanistan Cricket. He has colossal experience of playing the format around the world which will help him take the team to a new level in the format”. Added Mirwais Ashraf. Ashraf further added: “Rashid Khan has the experience of leading AfghanAtalan in all three formats before and we are happy to have him as our skipper for the T20I format again. I am sure he will come out on top and will bring more glories to the nation”. Rashid Khan is also delighted to take the leadership role and considers this a massive honor for him to be granted such a big responsibility to lead Afghanistan's National Team in the T20Is. "Captaincy is a huge responsibility. I have the experience of leading my country before, there is a great bunch of guys with whom I have a good understanding and feel pretty comfortable. We will try to stick together, will work hard to put things on the right track and bring pride and joy to our country and nation". added Rashid Khan. Rashid Khan has so far represented Afghanistan in 74 T20I matches and has 122 scalps to his name in the format, which makes him the third leading wicket-taker in the format behind Tim Southee (134) and Shakib Al Hassan (128). He has also been in very high demand in franchise cricket, playing 361 T20 matches for 15 different teams around the globe from 2015 onwards and has bagged a mammoth 491 wickets which makes him the 2nd bowler behind Dwayne Bravo (614) with the most wickets in the format. Afghanistan National Team is set to tour UAE in February where they will take on the hosts in three T20Is, which will be Rashid Khan’s first tour as Afghanistan’s skipper after 2019.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free entry for spectators at the second test match between Pakistan and New Zealand that will be played from 2-6 January at the National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi. The spectators are only required to bring either their original CNIC or B-form to enter the stadium and they will be able to watch the action free of cost from any of the premium (Imran Khan, Quaid, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas), first class (Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hassan and Majid Khan) and general enclosures (Mohammad Brothers and Intikhab Alam). Shuttles will also be running in-between the National Bank Cricket Arena and the Gareeb Nawaz parking area for ease of access into the stadium by spectators.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: PTV New Centre and PTV Headquarters set to meet on Saturday in the final of the Inter-Department cricket tournament after winning their respective semifinals on Friday. In the first semifinal, PTV News Center defeated PTV Sports by 40 runs in a 10 overs per innings fixture. PTV New Center scored 96 for 3 in 10 overs. Asad Nawaz 34 not out (22 balls) and Ahmed Nawaz 32 (30 balls) were the main scorers. Fahim Butt, Mohammad Asif and Abdullah Tenvir got one wicket each. PTV Sports XIs could score just 56 runs in 9.4 overs. Only two batters could touch the double figures. Khurram scored 22 and Fahim Butt scored 17 runs. Ahmed Nawaz sent five opposite batters back into the hut after conceding only 7 runs. Arsalan Saeed got three wickets. Later, in the second semifinal, the PTV Headquarter team beat PTV Home by six wickets to reach the final. PTV Home batters could score just 35 for 6 runs in 10 overs. Zarar Khan contributed 13 runs. Waqas and Numan shared two wickets each. PTV Headquarter batters reached their target on the penultimate delivery of the 7th over. Wajhat hit 10 while Ibrahim 8 runs. Owais grabbed three wickets while Rab Nawaz chipped in one. The final will be played on Saturday to decide the champions.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Pakistan ended their four-match losing streak at home after brave and gutsy half-centuries by Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel and Sarfraz Ahmed denied New Zealand a chance to go 1-0 up in the two-Test series at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Friday. Resuming the fifth and last day at 77 for two and still needing 97 runs to make New Zealand bat again, Pakistan looked down and out when they slipped to 206 for seven (32 runs ahead) with 49 overs still remaining in the match. However, the eighth and ninth wicket partnerships between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim Junior, and Saud and Mir Hamza, respectively helped Pakistan to declare their second innings at 311 for eight. That set New Zealand a daunting but an achievable 138 runs target in 15 overs, and when both the teams shook hands due to a fading light, the visitors were 61 for one in 7.3 overs. New Zealand, who had last won a Test in Pakistan in Lahore in 1996, were on course to break the 26-year win drought when they left Saud Shakeel to battle out the remaining 49 overs in the day with the tail-enders. Saud had twice squandered the opportunity to help Pakistan win Tests against England earlier this month, but this time he was equal to the task when he returned undefeated on 55 from 138 minutes of watchful and laborious batting during which he received 108 balls and struck seven fours and a six. Saud not only conjured up his fifth half-century in fourth Test, he added 75 runs for the eighth wicket from 111 balls (71 minutes) with Mohammad Wasim Junior, while he put on 34 runs from 82 balls (50 minutes) for the unbroken ninth wicket with Mir Hamza. Wasim showed his batting exploits and skills at probably the best time in his early days as an international cricketer when he not only survived 57 balls but also scored 43 runs with five fours and a six. Mir Hamza kept New Zealand bowlers at bay for 34 balls while scoring three not out. Earlier, Pakistan starting the day at 77 for two, plunged into a crisis when nightwatchman Noman Ali (four) and captain Babar Azam (14) returned to the dressing room in a space of 34 balls to leave the home side in a bother at 100 for four and still needing 74 runs to make New Zealand bat again. Both the batters were adjudged leg before off Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi, respectively. At that stage, Imam and Sarfaraz got together in a rescue act and added 85 runs for the fifth wicket before crisis struck Pakistan again. Sarfaraz, immediately after reaching his second half-century of the match, paid the price for attempting a shot to a wide Sodhi delivery and was caught at the wicket, first innings centurion Salman Ali Agha missed a wrong-un from Sodhi and was bowled before Imam’s fighting knock ended when he was deceived by Sodhi to be smartly stumped by Tom Blundell. Sarfaraz’s 53 came off 76 balls and included seven fours, while Imam was unlucky to miss his fourth Test century when he was dismissed for 96. His 206-ball knock was laced with 10 fours and a six. New Zealand were brilliant in the field on the fifth day. Ish Sodhi recorded his maiden five-fer while finishing with career-best figures of 36.5-11-86-6, while wicketkeeper Tom Blundell accounted for three Pakistan batters in the second innings to finish with seven dismissals in the match. The second Test will commence at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Monday, 2 January. Scores in brief Pakistan (1st innings) 438, 130.5 overs (Babar Azam 161, Salman Ali Agha 103, Sarfaraz Ahmed 86, Imam-ul-Haq 24, Saud Shakeel 22; Tim Southee 3-69, Michael Bracewell 2-72, Ish Sodhi 2-87, Ajaz Patel 2-112) and 311-8d (Imam-ul-Haq 96, Saud Shakeel 55 not out, Sarfaraz Ahmed 53, Mohammad Wasim 43; Ish Sodhi 6-86, Michael Bracewell 2-82) New Zealand (1st innings) 612-9d, 194.5 overs (Kane Williamson 200 not out, Tom Latham 113, Devon Conway 92, Ish Sodhi 65; Abrar Ahmed 5-205, Noman Ali 3-185) and 61-1 (Tom Latham 35 not out) Player of the match – Kane Williamson (New Zealand) Result – Match drawn