Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Promising wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig will captain Pakistan Under-19 in the next month’s series against Bangladesh that will be played at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. The two sides will face off in a solitary four-day match, three One-Days (45-over) and two T20s. The two boards have made the decision to replace the last two one-day matches with T20s to provide an all-round, all-format exposure to teenage cricketers in competitive setting of international cricket. Sixteen-year-old Saad, who hails from Karachi, has had an impressive 2022-23 season. He was the second best batter in the 50-over National U19 Cup with 299 runs at a staggering average of 99.67 and a strike rate of 109.12. The left-handed Sindh Blues batter also struck two centuries in four outings with 103 being his highest score of the tournament. Behind the stumps, he was involved in nine dismissals. Four-day squad: Saad Baig (captain) (Sindh), Abdul Basit (Northern), Ali Asfand (Central Punjab), Basit Ali (Balochistan), Habibullah (Sindh), Haseeb Nazim (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Farooq (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Ibtisam (Central Punjab), Mohammad Ismail (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Nabeel (Northern), Mohammad Shoaib (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Tayyab Arif (Central Punjab), Mohammad Zulkifal (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naveed Ahmed (Sindh), Uzair Mumtaz (Southern Punjab) and Wahaj Riaz (Sindh) One-Day squad: Saad Baig (captain) (Sindh), Abdul Basit (Northern), Ali Asfand (Central Punjab), Ali Raza (Central Punjab), Arafat Minhas (Southern Punjab), Basit Ali (Balochistan), Habibullah (Sindh), Mohammad Farooq (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Ibtisam (Central Punjab), Mohammad Ismail (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Shoaib (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Tayyab Arif (Central Punjab), Momin Qamar (Central Punjab),  Shahzaib Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shawaiz Irfan (Central Punjab) and Uzair Mumtaz (Southern Punjab) T20 squad: Saad Baig (captain) (Sindh), Ali Asfand (Central Punjab), Ali Raza (Central Punjab), Arafat Minhas (Southern Punjab), Arham Nawab (Central Punjab), Basit Ali (Balochistan), Habibullah (Sindh), Mohammad Ibtisam (Central Punjab), Mohammad Shoaib (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Tayyab Arif (Central Punjab), Mohammad Zeeshan (Central Punjab), Momin Qamar (Central Punjab), Saad Masood (Northern), Shamyl Hussain (Northern), Shawaiz Irfan (Central Punjab) and Uzair Mumtaz (Southern Punjab) Players Support Personnel: Abdul Rehman (head coach), Gordon Parsons (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (fielding coach), Imranullah (Strength and conditioning coach), Faisal Rai (analyst) and Syed Muhammad Asad (physiotherapist) Series Itinerary: 4-7 November – Four-day match; Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad 10 November – First One-Day match; Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad 12 November – Second One-Day match; Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad 14 November – Third One-Day match; Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad 16 November – First T20; Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad 18 November – Second T20; Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the naming rights of one of the country’s most iconic Test venues, the National Stadium in Karachi. As such, the venue will now be known as the National Bank Cricket Arena. Besides the naming rights agreement, the PCB and NBP will also collaborate and partner on sponsoring initiatives to promote and develop grassroots cricket across the country, including supporting the PCB initiatives of scouting local talent in the rural areas of Pakistan. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “I want to welcome National Bank of Pakistan back in the PCB family after having supported Pakistan cricket in the past. NBP again partnering with the PCB is a great news as this reflects that prestigious organisations are willing to be associated with the Pakistan cricket brand as they see a lot of value in it for themselves. “Additionally, I am grateful to the National Bank of Pakistan for also extending support to the PCB Pathways Programme. I have always emphasised on creating processes for the raw talent that can be professionally channelized into the national framework. In this background, this partnership with NBP is a significant movement in that direction.” NBP President & CEO Rehmat Ali Hasnie said: “We are delighted to partner with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The National Stadium, Karachi is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world and has hosted some of the legends of all eras since Test cricket was first played there. “We are honoured to associate with such an incredible cricket venue, our endeavour during the next five years would be to help the PCB further uplift the venue while making contributions to Pakistan cricket across the country at the grass root level simultaneously." As per the MoU, the National Bank of Pakistan will be allowed to use the venue nomenclature and signage outside the playing area.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: England Men's selection panel have named a 15-strong squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting in November 17, soon after the T20 Men’s World Cup 2022. From the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad, 11 players will remain in Australia when the series gets underway at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday 17 November. Seam bowler Olly Stone, who will join Nottinghamshire from 1 November, will be looking to add to his four ODI caps, having last played for England in this format in October 2018 against Sri Lanka. Hampshire batter James Vince returns to the squad, having last played in July 2021 at Edgbaston against Pakistan. Kent middle-order batter Sam Billings is also recalled and will be looking to add his 25 ODI caps. The three-match series will be played over six days, with matches in Adelaide, Sydney and finishing in Melbourne on 22 November. England Men's ODI squad: Jos Buttler (Lancashire-Captain), Moeen Ali (Warwickshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire), James Vince (Hampshire), David Willey (Northamptonshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wood (Lancashire) Schedule: First ODI: Australia v England, Thursday 17 November 2022, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (1.50pm local) Second ODI: Australia v England, Saturday 19 November 2022, SCG, Sydney (2.20pm local) Third ODI: Australia v England, Tuesday 22 November 2022, MCG, Melbourne (2.20pm local)  

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: A spellbinding performance by Abrar Ahmed handed Sindh their second consecutive win in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23 as they defeated Balochistan by 10 wickets at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. The mystery spinner took four wickets on the last day of the fifth round to record his fourth five-wicket haul in six innings after he had dismissed Abdul Wahid Bangalzai on Sunday. Abrar returned five for 49. With 28 wickets at a brilliant average of 17.68, Abrar continues to be the leading wicket-taker this season as his extraordinary first-class run continues. Balochistan, who trailed Sindh by 121 runs at the start of their second innings yesterday, were bowled out for 190 after beginning the proceedings on 56 for three. Kashif Bhatti, who batted at number eight, top-scored with 37 and his captain Asad Shafiq was the next best performer with the bat with 67-ball 31. Openers Omair Bin Yousuf and Saim Ayub steered Sindh to the 70-run target safely, scoring 22 not out and 48 not out respectively. The Punjab Derby ended in a draw at the Multan Cricket Stadium following a remarkable fightback by centurion Salman Ali Agha and Azam Khan, who made 73. Southern Punjab began the final day on 80 for two and had a second innings trail of 42 to surmount. Salman and Azam struck a 169-run partnership for the fifth wicket that brought Southern Punjab back in the game. Salman made 103 off 169 and Azam made 78 off 130 as Southern Punjab made 330 for eight before stumps were drawn. Mohammad Ali will remember the Multan Cricket Stadium for a long time as the right-arm pacer recorded his second fiver-fer of the match, returning five for 71. Scores in brief: Sindh beat Balochistan by 10 wickets at the Pindi Cricket Stadium Balochistan 269 all out, 90.5 overs (Haseebullah 67, Imran Butt 60, Hussain Talat 55, Haris Sohail 50, Asad Shafiq 27; Ghulam Mudassar 5-73, Abrar Ahmed 3-93, Muhammad Umar 2-36) and 190 all out, 64.3 overs (Kashif Bhatti 37, Asad Shafiq 31, Haris Sohail 26, Haseebullah 26, Imran Butt 24; Abrar Ahmed 5-49, Asif Mehmood 3-30) Sindh 390 all out, 123 overs (Saud Shakeel 187 not out, Fawad Alam 51, Muhammad Umar 44; Asad Shafiq 2-37, Kashif Bhatti 2-48, Khurram Shahzad 2-92) and 74-0, 10.3 overs (Saim Ayub 48 not out, Omair Bin Yousuf 22 not out) Match drawn between Southern Punjab and Central Punjab at the Multan Cricket Stadium Central Punjab 302 all out, 92.5 overs (Faheem Ashraf 87, Azhar Ali 61, Mohammad Saad 44; Sameen Gul 4-67, Mohammad Sadaqat 3-67, Mohammad Ilyas 2-61) and 274-3, 57 overs (Abdullah Shafique 114 not out, Azhar Ali 108, Tayyab Tahir 22) Southern Punjab 200 all out, 50 overs (Muhammad Imran 71, Zain Abbas 46, Ali Usman 43; Mohammad Ali 6-59, Faheem Ashraf 2-37, Umaid Asif 2-57) and 330-8, 103 overs (Salman Ali Agha 103, Azam Khan 78, Umar Siddiq 36, Usman Salahuddin 28, Muhammad Imran 20; Mohammad Ali 5-71, Umaid Asif 2-100)

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: Athar Mehmood’s splendid figures of six for 40 engineered Northern’s dominating nine-wicket win over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on day three of what was the fifth-round encounter of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23 at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. This was Northern’s third win of the season and has furthered consolidated their position at the top of the six-team points table. After Northern scored 249 in reply of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 175 yesterday, the latter began the day with a trail of 56 with nine wickets in hand. But a brilliant display of fast bowling from Athar bowled out Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for just 121 runs as the right-armer accounted for Sajid Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Imran Khan Snr and Ihsanullah after he had sent back Waqar Ahmed in the closing moments of day two. This was Athar’s maiden five-wicket haul. Northern – set 48 to win - chased the target in 20.1 overs. Sindh captain Saud Shakeel converted his overnight 30 into his third century of the season. The left-hander was unbeaten on 187 off 387 balls and smashed 20 fours as Sindh scored 390 in 123 overs. The innings handed Sindh a 121-run lead over Balochistan, who find themselves in a precarious situation after losing three wickets for just 56 runs in 22 overs. Southern Punjab were stuttering in their pursuit of 377 as they had lost two wickets for 80. Usman Salahuddin and Sharoon Siraj batted at 20 and 12 after opening pair of Umar Siddiq (36) and Zain Abbas (11) was dismissed by Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Ali, who recorded his fifth first-class five-fer yesterday. Splendid centuries from Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali saw Central Punjab post 274 for three at a run rate of nearly five in 57 overs after the day began with the batting side on four for none. Abdullah smashed 15 fours in his unbeaten 168-ball 114 and Azhar struck 12 fours and a six in his 126-ball 108. Scores in brief: Northern beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by nine wickets at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 175, 38.5 overs (Waqar Ahmed 35, Sajid Khan 27, Imran Khan Snr 25, Sahibzada Farhan 21, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 20; Aamir Jamal 5-38, Athar Mehmood 3-95) and 121 all out, 37 overs (Rehan Afridi 29, Sajid Khan 21; Athar Mehmood 6-40, Mehran Mumtaz 2-20, Kashif Ali 2-40) Northern 249 all out, 61.2 overs (Sarmad Bhatti 114, Faizan Riaz 22; Ihsanullah 5-70, Imran Khan Snr 3-70) and 48-1, 20.1 overs (Mohammad Huraira 23, Abdul Faseeh 21 not out) Toss uncontested – Sindh opt to field against Balochistan at the Pindi Cricket Stadium Balochistan 269 all out, 90.5 overs (Haseebullah 67, Imran Butt 60, Hussain Talat 55, Haris Sohail 50, Asad Shafiq 27; Ghulam Mudassar 5-73, Abrar Ahmed 3-93, Mohammad Umar 2-36) and 56-3, 22 overs (Imran Butt 24) Sindh 390 all out, 123 overs (Saud Shakeel 187 not out, Fawad Alam 51, Mohammad Umar 44; Asad Shafiq 2-37, Kashif Bhatti 2-48, Khurram Shahzad 2-92) Toss uncontested – Southern Punjab opt to field against Central Punjab at the Multan Cricket Stadium Central Punjab 302 all out, 92.5 overs (Faheem Ashraf 87, Azhar Ali 61, Mohammad Saad 44; Sameen Gul 4-67, Mohammad Sadaqat 3-67, Mohammad Ilyas 2-61) and 274-3, 57 overs (Abdullah Shafique 114 not out, Azhar Ali 108, Tayyab Tahir 22) Southern Punjab 200 all out, 50 overs (Mohammad Imran 71, Zain Abbas 46, Ali Usman 43; Mohammad Ali 6-59, Faheem Ashraf 2-37, Umaid Asif 2-57) and 80-2, 27 overs (Umar Siddiq 36, Usman Salahuddin 20 not out)

faisal Islamabad: President, USA Tape-ball Cricket Council (USTCC), Aamir Siddiqui has revealed that the Canada cricket team would visit the United States of America (USA) for a bilateral cricket series in the first quarter of next year 2023. While talking to this reporter over his mobile Aamir Siddique, who is also vice president of International Tape-ball Cricket Council (ITBCC), further indulged that the series would be held in Houston, as the five different teams would play matches against visitors. “Our basic aim of the series is to promote tape-ball cricket, as it will be the first international tape-ball cricket tie, which will be played under the banner of ITBCC, ‘he added. He further said that each match would be played 10 overs per innings. “We want to provide an occasion to young blood to excel at international level. American youth is keen to play cricket at top level and has tremendous talent for cricket, “he replied to a question.  

Sports Bulletin Report Lahore: Right-arm fast Fatima Sana returns to the national side for the three-match ODI series and three-match T20I series against Ireland scheduled to take place in Lahore from 4 November to 16 November. The three ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 and will be played from 4-9 November at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The 20-year old Fatima was ruled out of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup held earlier this month in Sylhet, Bangladesh after she twisted her ankle playing for Barbados Royals Women in the Caribbean Premier League. Fatima replaces Diana Baig in both squads, as the latter is not part of the series due to a shoulder injury she sustained while playing in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Meanwhile, the 15-player T20I squad unveiled by national women team’s chief selector Asmavia Iqbal also includes Javeria Khan. Javeria last featured for Pakistan in the shortest format was in July 2021 against the West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The squads were finalised after deliberations amongst Asmavia Iqbal, interim head coach Saleem Jaffer and captain Bismah Maroof. There are only two changes in the T20I squad that featured in the recently concluded ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and three changes in the ODI squad that played against Sri Lanka in Karachi in June this year. The players who missed out in the ODI squad are Anam Amin, Gull Feroza and Diana Baig (due to injury). Nashra Sandhu, Kainat Imtiaz and Umm-e-Hani come in as their replacements. In the T20Is, Javeria Khan comes in place of Sidra Nawaz. Pakistan ODI squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Umm-e-Hani Reserve players: Ayesha Naseem and Tuba Hassan Pakistan T20I squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Nashra Sandhu, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Tuba Hassan Reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Sidra Nawaz and Umm-e-Hani Chief Selector Asmavia Iqbal: “I want to congratulate all the players selected for the upcoming home series against Ireland. The team performed well in the recent ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and so we have not made many changes as we want a well-balanced and settled squad ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup taking place next year. “Fatima Sana’s comeback in the side will strengthen the fast bowling department after the team will be without their experienced pacer Diana Baig. I am sure the players will step up and perform, as important ICC Women’s Championship points will be up for grabs for direct qualification to the next ODI World Cup. “The experienced Javeria Khan has been included in the T20I squad, to boost the side’s batting and her presence at the top of the order will provide stability.” Both ODI and T20I squads will undergo a four-day camp in Lahore after their arrival in the team hotel on 25 October. The squads will have fielding and net sessions on 26 and 28 October at the NHPC and LCCA Ground, while they will feature in two intra-squad (50-over) practice games at the LCCA Ground on 27 and 29 October, respectively.  Player support personnel: Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach and interim head coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmad (analyst), Rifat Gill (physiotherapist), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager), Hafiz Suliman (team doctor) and Kiran Ahazadi (team masseur). Series Itinerary 4 November – First ODI 6 November – Second ODI 9 November – Third ODI 12 November – First T20I 14 November – Second T20I 16 November – Third T20I

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu will play Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia this season. She will play for Melbourne Renegades team, replacing India's injured Harmanpreet Kaur. She (Chamari) is a well-experienced and hard hitting batswoman and is the right choice", the team head coach Simon Helmot said over the telephone.  "We expect Chamari to arrive in Australia on 26th October and she will be able to play her first season match on 29th October", the coach added. This however, is not the first time Chamari is representing the Renegades team in the WBBL. Last season, she had notched up her maiden entry in the WBBL with a half century, knocking 70 runs off just 42 balls, helping the Perth Scorchers to -182 against the Sydney Thunder.

Sports Bulletin Report Melbourne (AUS): Pakistan's left-handed batter Shan Masood was struck on the right hand side of his head during a practice session at the MCG on Friday and officials took no risk with the 33-year-old as they took him straight to hospital for observation. The incident means Masood's place in Pakistan's XI for their T20 World Cup opener against India on Sunday is in doubt, pending tests, with fellow leftie Fakhar Zaman in contention to replace him. The latest update overnight from the PCB team in Australia is that Masood’s neurological observations are normal. The CT scan revealed a superficial bruising in the area where he struck, but he is currently asymptomatic. The batter will undergo a concussion re-test tomorrow. Masood was likely to come in after star duo Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and bat at No.3 for Pakistan during the T20 World Cup given he appeared in this position for much of the recent tri-series in New Zealand. The left-hander only managed 64 runs from four hits during the matches against Bangladesh and the Kiwis, but has been the preferred choice for that crucial top-order spot for Pakistan in recent times.

BIPIN DANI Karthik Meiyappan's three Sri Lankan victims were a beauty to watch, according to his father Meiyappan Palaniappan. On Tuesday, the 22-year-old leg-spinner Karthik became UAE's first hat-trick achiever in T-20Is against Sri Lanka at the GMHBA Stadium, South Geelong, Victoria in the 6th match in the First Round Group A match in ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Dubai, he said, "Whilst all 3 wickets were a beauty to watch, my personal favourite was of Bhanuka's wicket. Karthik, whom I spoke to, had really anticipated what Bhanuka Rajapaksa would be doing and made him commit the error". Charith Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka-both golden duck victims-were part of bowler's hat-trick. "Captain's wicket was one peach of a delivery and the moment the ball was released, I was very confident he would get the wicket". "We have no words to express the feeling, the entire family was so thrilled. Thanks to the Almighty, it worked for Karthik yesterday. I felt he should not have missed the caught and bowled opportunity of the last ball of his 4th over". "More than personal accolades, we always believe in the success of the team. Unfortunately, the team couldn't pull it out in the two games so far. So, it's a mixed feeling for us", the father added.  Incidentally, Karthik Meiyappan was born in India but the family had to migrate to the UAE because of his father's profession. The father is working as Director - PMO compliance in Expo 2020. The Expo was over last year (due to the Covid pandemic it was deferred to 2021) and the event company is finishing the contract and in the process of dissolution. Karthik, who was born in Chennai, started cricket in Coimbatore. "We wish to thank all the academies (Springs Sports, Zayed Cricket Academy, G Force, ICC and Desert Cubs) that helped my son to go to this level". "Karthik went through a training program through Sports Mechanics, where he was trained by the Indian greats L. Sivaramakrishnan, Venkatramana, and Robin Singh. Even Dougie Brown, Arunabanda and Kedar Guru and maternal uncle Senthil helped him in his success journey", the father added.  "Karthik is the eldest in our family and is well supported by his sister Lobha and mother Selvi", the dad signed off.