Sports Bulletin

BIPIN DANI Team India’s senior pace bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar has been going through a bad patch in T-20 international matches. His death overs in the last three outings were very ineffective (he gave away 49 runs) and the team lost all encounters. His performance prompted criticism from not only cricket fans but even the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. But Bhuvi has a staunch supporter in his wife Nupur. Reacting to the criticism, Nupur, who is not travelling with the team, put up a post in defence of her husband on Insta. “Nowadays, people are so worthless, that they have nothing better to do and have so much time to spread hate and envy... My advice to all those is — nobody is affected by your words or care about your existence. So please spend that time in making yourself better, though there is very little scope for that!!” she wrote. This is not the first time a cricketer’s wife has taken up cudgels against critics of the players. Take the case of Virat Kohli. His Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma has replied sharply to criticism of Virat’s poor form on several occasions in the past. Even Sakshi Dhoni gave a terse reply to industrialist Harsh Goenka when he criticized Dhoni’s game when he was playing for the Pune IPL team. Meanwhile, “We are not disturbed by this criticism. It is a part of the game. Even great cricketers have failed in matches”, Bhuvi’s sister Rekha said. “Before the recent Asia Cup, Bhuvi was named ‘Player of the Match’ in two different series. This T-20 cricket is unpredictable. The matches are played under pressure and expectations from players are very high. Bowlers cannot always be blamed. There are other factors such as dropped catches, dew on the pitch, behavior of the wickets, etc., which influence the outcome of the game. Bhuvi is a well-experienced player and will not lose hope. It is a part of the game,” his childhood coach, Sanjay Rustogi says.

KARACHI (SPORTS BULLETIN):-In line with its strategy and vision of incentivising high-performing domestic cricketers, encouraging them to embrace the game as a full-time professional sport and adding value to the local competitions, the Pakistan Cricket Board today announced details of the 2022-23 domestic contracts, which were approved by the Board of Governor (BoG) at its 70th meeting on Saturday. The contracts will run from September 2022 to August 2023 and the list of player names will be revealed in due course. After Ramiz Raja had announced an increase of PKR100,000 in retainers across all five categories upon being elected as the 34th PCB Chairman last September, the cricket board has again topped up the domestic retainers. However, the biggest improvement is in the match fees, which have been increased with the objective of attracting star cricketers and inspiring them to maintain high standards so that they can continue to stay in the domestic contract categories. Match fee of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has been increased from PKR60,000 to PKR100,000, while match fee of the Pakistan Cup and the National T20 has been raised from PKR40,000 to PKR60,000, respectively. The non-playing members of the red and white-ball matches will now receive PKR40,000 (up by PKR16,000) and PKR20,000 (up by PKR4,000). Likewise, match fee of the non-first-class four-day Cricket Associations Championship has been increased from PKR25,000 to PKR40,000, whereas the white-ball Cricket Associations Challenge and CA T20 match fee has been enhanced from PKR15,000 to PKR25,000. The non-playing members of the red and white-ball matches will receive PKR15,000 and PKR10,000, respectively. The overall impact following these latest increases in retainers and match fees is that Category A+ and Category D players can now potentially earn between PKR4.3million and PKR6.1million respectively. However, to make these earnings, the players will have to maintain the expected fitness levels and perform consistently so that they can feature in all league matches of the National T20, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pakistan Cup. These are projected numbers and have been calculated on the basis of 30 league matches being played across the three major PCB events and without adding the impact of any prize moneys. The total prize money of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is PKR17million with the winner receiving PKR10million, the champion of Pakistan Cup will earn PKR5million from a total purse of PKR9.3million and the winner of the National T20 will get richer by PKR5million from a total pool of PKR8.7million. Similarly, players participating in the second division CA Championship (four-day non-first-class), CA Challenge (50-over) and CA T20 will have an opportunity to earn around PKR1.14million through match fees and daily allowance payments. When the players’ monthly retainers are added to these numbers, then it again becomes a substantial figure and should motivate them further to not only do better but also aspire to play in the three major events, which will not only enhance their earnings but also bring them one step closer selections in the national side. PCB Director - High Performance, Nadeem Khan said: “Domestic cricket is the backbone of Pakistan cricket and we need to continue to invest in it to make it a stronger and more attractive brand. In this relation, I am grateful to the BoG for supporting and approving the management’s recommendations. “Already, the standard and quality of our domestic cricket, as acknowledged by our elite cricketers, has become challenging and competitive. This is following merit-based selections, quality playing facilities, excellent logistical arrangements, high-quality broadcast and extensive digital media coverage. I am sure these new financial incentives will take our domestic cricket forward and assist the PCB in further reducing the gap with international cricket. “The retainers and match fees have been increased to motivate and inspire cricketers to work harder round-the-year to maintain the required and expected levels of fitness and form, which forms the basis of retaining places in the contract list. Besides, the new incentives will also encourage them to give preference to our tournament over foreign leagues. Needless to remind everyone, PCB domestic events are a pathway to selection in the national side.” 2022-23 domestic contract categories (player names to be announced in due course): A+ (15 players) – PKR300,000 (up by PKR50,000) A (35 players) – PKR200,000 (up by PKR15,000) B (48 players) – PKR185,000 (up by PKR10,000) C (70 players) – PKR170,000 (up by PKR5,000) D (24 players) – PKR150,000 (up by PKR10,000) 2022-23 domestic events match fee Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – PKR100,000 (11 playing members each); PKR24,000 (five non-playing members each) Pakistan Cup – PKR60,000 (11 playing members each); PKR20,000 (five non-playing member each) National T20 – PKR60,000 (11 playing members each); PKR20,000 (five non-playing member each) CA Championship – PKR40,000 (11 playing members each); PKR10,000 (five no-playing members each) CA Challenge – PKR40,000 (11 playing members each); PKR10,000 (five non-playing members each) CA T20 – PKR40,000 (11 playing members each); PKR10,000 (five non-playing members each)

SPORTS BULLETIN Lahore:- Renowned batting coach Toby Radford, who coached the West Indies batters to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2012, is impressed by the talent and natural ability of the batters at the Engro Cricket Coaching Project under the PCB Pathway Programme. The revolutionary pathway camp has entered its last week at the National High Performance Centre (NHPC) in Lahore. Radford joined Gordon Parsons (bowling coach) Julian Wood (power-hitting coach), Julien Fountain (fielding coach) and Nick Webb (strength and conditioning coach) at the NHPC last week. At the end of the pathway camp, Radford will take over the reins of Pakistan Junior League team Rawalpindi Raiders as their head coach. Radford has built his reputation as a world-class batting coach through a coaching career that spans two decades. Besides his successful stint with the West Indies, Radford has worked around the world including high performance coaching in Bangladesh and UK. He has also done stints as head coach of Glamorgan and Middlesex counties. The 50-year old also coached England in this year’s ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. Toby Radford: “I have always been a huge fan of Pakistan cricket as the players here have a huge natural ability and flair. I am really excited and look forward to working with these players. In the few days that I have been here, I have seen a lot of talent and it is really all about harnessing the talent. “When you work at the pathways, it becomes all about fast tracking the players as they tend to have the natural ability and you just try to make them progress a bit quicker through the system. “It is about tightening them up technically and also helping them tactically and to prepare them for different formats. The hope is that we will find another Babar Azam, that should be the plan to find some real quality and then to harness that quality. The strength of any senior team around the world is built by what you do at the lower level. “Right now we are working on their batting and power-hitting skills keeping in mind that the players have to play the Pakistan Junior League next month but when I return it would also be about developing the players for other formats. “It is also about preparing the batters to play well in alien conditions, when for instance, these players travel to England and the ball is swinging around, they can cope and when they go to Australia they can handle the bounce there too.” At the end of the Engro Cricket Coaching Project, the participants selected for the six Pakistan Junior League sides will join their respective teams for a pre-tournament camp in the lead-up to the 6 October tournament opener. Besides Radford, Parsons will be the head coach for Bahawalpur Royals. Wood and Fountain will also work with the PJL sides in their respective disciplines. The first of its kind T20 tournament will be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore from 6 to 21 October.

BIPIN DANI Unlike Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is calm on field regardless of the situation, both his successors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma lose their tempers more than often.  On Tuesday, Team India captain Rohit Sharma lost his cool when no request for a DRS signal came from bowler Yuzvendra Chahal or Dinesh Karthik. Only the captain has to signal for the DRS but the bowler and wicket-keeper are at the best angles to suggest to the captain.  Former Australian captain Steve Smith was trapped by Chahal in front of the stumps as he was looking to drop it on the leg side and pinch a single. When the replays shown on the big TV screen suggested that the ball was going on to hit the stumps. Rohit saw the footage on the big screen, he appeared annoyed with Chahal and wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik but at that time it was too late and the 15-second DRS time had already elapsed. It was at this moment Rohit was seen grabbing DK's neck in a playful manner.  According to Rohit Sharma's childhood coach Dinesh Lad, this was done in jest. "I don't think Rohit grabbed DK's neck in psainful manner. Both are good friends. I think Rohit is just telling him, ``why didn't you prompt me to take a DRS immediately". Lad, however, agrees that Rohit is not as cool as Dhoni.  Leave aside Rohit's recent gesture, there have been other instances when he has lost cool on the field of play. * He got angry at Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman. * He was livid at Navdeep Saini and asked him to use his head.   * He abused Rishabh Pant after an overthrow. 4) Rohit Sharma once was seen abusing the Umpires. 5) During the recent Asia Cup, he was seen shouting at Arshdeep Singh when a simple catch was dropped.

SPORTS BULLETIN Karachi:-Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan form the best T20I opening pair and why that is the case was on display in front of a packed house at the National Stadium as the duo overhauled a mammoth 200-run target with three balls spare against England to hand Pakistan their second 10-wicket win in the format. They are the only pair to put seven 100-plus stands together and to make over 1,800 runs together. The hosts entered the contest at the back of a defeat in a one-sided affair on Tuesday and as England went 1-0 up in the seven-match series, Pakistan faced their third consecutive loss. With the pressure mounting on Babar’s side, Moeen Ali, the England captain, influenced by the dryness and cracks on the pitch elected to bat and his side dominated the first half of the match, making the journey to a daunting 199 for five. The need of the hour was batting brilliance and the 30,000 fans that turned out to back their side were not disappointed from the onset of the run chase as Rizwan – who struck his career’s 18th half-century – cut and flicked David Willey for two boundaries in the first over. Babar, who became only the second captain from a Test playing nation after India’s Rohit Sharma to score two centuries in the format – made his intentions clear in the third over pulling Sam Curran for a four at deep mid-wicket and lifting his slower-one down the ground for another boundary. Pakistan, from that point, primarily dealt in boundaries, with Rizwan’s signature pick-up off the pads going for six in the fifth over being the highlight, and won the powerplay by piling 59 runs. England had made 48 for two in their first six overs. Rizwan had reprieves on the way – the first in the powerplay when Alex Hales spilled a chance backpeddling at mid-off and the second at the start of the seventh over when Phil Salt failed to glove Adil Rashid’s ball with the batter down the wicket. He made England pay right away dispatching Adil for two fours on the bounce two balls later. Babar, at the start of his second over, dispatched Adil for a four through covers through a cracking shot. The two gathered singles every remaining ball. It was the constant strike rotation that formed the hallmark of their partnership in the middle overs and denied the England bowlers any opportunity to tie one of them up. Liam Dawson, one of the regular features in the HBL Pakistan Super League, replaced Richard Gleeson to add to the spin bowling stocks, and despite the bite on offer on occasions, Pakistan openers comfortably pushed the England spinners back. The tactical genius of the two meant Pakistan won the first 10 overs as well, finishing seven runs better than England. Rizwan reached the 50-run mark right after the drinks break. Soon the moment of the match was to follow as Babar and Rizwan took turns dispatching Moeen into the stands in an over that cost the tourists 21 runs and left the one of the biggest amphitheatres of the country buzzing. Babar, on the first ball, spanked Moeen over mid-wicket, then deposited him over wide long-on, before Rizwan smashed the England captain over backward square. The over lifted Pakistan’s run rate to 9.61, just 1.10 behind the required, and one over later when the two smashed Adil for a six each, the current run rate surpassed the required, and left Pakistan needing 49 off the last five. Babar, who had come into the series after a string of bad scores in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, completed his record second century in the 18th over when he tapped and ran to complete a single on his 62nd ball. They say the penultimate over is the most important in T20 cricket and Moeen, in his last ditch effort, handed the ball to previous match’s top-performer, Luke Wood, to tilt the 20 off 12 equation into England’s favour, but Babar and Rizwan stole 17 off it, making the nervy left-arm pacer bowl three wides. Babar drilled Curran through covers - with the equation now down to one off four - to complete one of the most fascinating run chases of all time. A run chase that seemed insurmountable had now turned into a cakewalk, something that is a testament to the class of these two. England had a field day with the bat as Moeen’s fascinating 55 not out from just 23 balls lifted them to 199 for five. The opening pair of Salt and Alex Hales provided a solid start to the visitors gathering 42 in five overs before the shrewd introduction of Shahnawaz Dahani bowled Hales and Dawid Malan on the first two balls of the sixth. Ben Duckett played an exceptional innings in the middle. He attacked Mohammad Nawaz’s left-arm orthodox with masterful sweeps (both traditional and reverse) and scoops, making 43 off 22 (seven fours) before he was cleaned up by Nawaz. Harry Brook looked in good touch as he attacked the pace bowlers, but missed Haris Rauf’s guileful cutter to be bowled in the 17th. Moeen then took on the charge and spanked Dahani for two fours in the 18th and deposited Hasnain, who gave only three runs in the first over, courtesy some disciplined and tight bowling, for consecutive sixes on the last two balls of the innings. Haris was the other bowler to finish with two wickets as Dahani. This win also made Babar Pakistan’s most successful T20I captain with 30 wins. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat England by 10 wickets England 199-5, 20 overs (Moeen Ali 55 not out, Ben Duckett 43, Harry Brook 31, Phil Salt 30, Alex Hales 26; Haris Rauf 2-30, Shahnawaz Dahani 2-37) Pakistan 203-0, 19.3 overs (Babar Azam 110 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 88 not out) Player of the match – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad:-Pakistan is all set and well prepared to take revenge against India in the upcoming 3rd T20 Blinds’ Cricket World Cup, which will be taken place in the three cities of India from December 4 to 17 this year 2022, said Chairman Pakistan Blinds’ Cricket Council (PBCC), Syed Sultan Shah during an exclusive sitting with Editor www.sports-bulletin.com at his office. “Green Shirts had lost the finals against India in the previous two editions of the T20 World Cup, as our team was going through a new shape and in a building process. Now we have set the thing to overcome all the challenges in the third World Cup, which will be played at Bangalore, Delhi and Faridabad. Besides Pakistan, hosts India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka will fight for the top honour in the World Cup, “he added. Sultan Shah, who is also president World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC), further said that Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Whites would play three T20 practice matches on September 24 and 25 at Mirpur cricket ground. “We will hold the training camps in two parts, as in the first phase the camp will be staged from October 23 to 31 at Bahawalpur and in the second at Lahore from November 20 to December 3, 2022, as our team will enter in India via Waga Border, “he said. Responding to a question, he revealed that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) enhanced the annual grant of PBCC from Rs.18 million to 22 million. “I met with Chairman PCB Ramiz Hasan Raja in April 2022 and he was very kind to us and assured us to provide maximum support to blind cricket in Pakistan. This financial help is for all national and international fixtures. PCB also awarded one million rupees to the winning team of the Dubai tri-nation tournament, “Sultan Shah indulged.  Head of the PBCC Syed Sultan Shah to another question said that Pakistan blind cricket team would also participate in the World Blinds Games, which would be held in England under the banner of International Blinds Sports Federation (IBSF) in August 2023, “We will also try to host 2025 T20 Blind Cricket World Cup and we have lot of international and national activities in upcoming couple of years. We have invitations for bilateral series but we are not in position to give green signals at this time, “he maintained. Regarding domestic cricket he said, “PBCC will organize two tournaments in Multan and Bahawalpur respectively in October and November this year 2022. Our major aim is to provide maximum opportunities to upcoming players at the local level. We are also inducting young blood in the national team, as the number of players is increasing in the country. Our selection committee pickups the boys on merit and performance, “he concluded.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lankan spin bowler Maheesh Theekshana has been promoted in the Sri Lankan Army to Sergeant on producing sparkling performance in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai, United Arabs Emirates. The 22-year-old right-arm off-spinner has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. This promotion has been given to him considering his recent performance in the Asia Cup and success in the red and white ball games. Theekshana was also financially benefited and a cheque of Rs. Five lacs was presented to him by Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage at his office on Tuesday. Known for his mystery spin bowling, Maheesh Theekshana was the first 21st century-born player from Sri Lanka, who made his debut against the visiting South Africa team at the R. Premadasa Stadium last year. His international debut earned him the wicket with the very first ball. Maheesh was brought up by his grand-mother Indra Padmini, who was visibly happy to learn the news of her grand-son's promotion. Maheesh did seek the blessing of his guardian on Wednesday morning. Maheesh is a Xerox of Ajantha Mendis, who now is in India playing matches. Maheesh was playing for Colts' Cricket Club but his life changing decision to move to Army was taken in consultation with mentor Chinthika Perera, whom Maheesh called him on Wednesday morning and thanked him.   Speaking exclusively, Perera said: "Maheesh is a well disciplined honest and humble cricketer. He got the right direction now. He is completing his dream and I am sure he will gain many more successes in cricket and life".

SPORTS BULLETIN Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed that the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 will be played at The Oval in London with the 2025 edition to take place at Lord’s. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said he was pleased to confirm two iconic venues for the next two cycles. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “We are delighted to be hosting next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final at The Oval which has such a rich legacy and an amazing atmosphere, which is ideal for such an important fixture on the calendar. “Following that we will then take the 2025 Final to Lord’s which will provide a fitting backdrop to the ultimate Test.” “Last year’s final between New Zealand and India in Southampton was an engrossing encounter and I am sure fans the world over would be looking forward to the next WTC final at The Oval. On behalf of the ICC, I would like to thank the England and Wales Cricket Board, Surrey County Cricket Club and Marylebone Cricket Club for their support.” Steve Elworthy, CEO of Surrey County Cricket Club, said: “It’s a real honour that The Oval has been selected to host the final of the World Test Championship. To have the two best teams in the world playing here in south London will be a fantastic occasion. “Next year promises to be a superb summer of cricket at The Oval and this match will be a brilliant part of it.” Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Chief Executive and Secretary Guy Lavender said: “We are delighted that Lord’s will be hosting the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2025. It is fantastic news that the ICC has opted to host the next two finals in London, with both grounds providing fitting venues for the culmination of the championship.” The dates for both the 2023 and 2025 ICC World Test Championship Finals will be confirmed in due course. England had been identified as the hosts for the next two WTC Finals during the ICC Annual General Meeting in Birmingham in July.

SPORTS BULLETIN Karachi:-Alex Hales marked his return to international cricket with a bang, as he smashed 53 in 40 balls were vital for England’s victory against hosts Green Shirts by six-wicket in the first of the seven T20 Internationals’ tie at National Cricket Stadium Karachi. It was a dream return of sorts for Hales, who has not featured in England colours since 2019, as he anchored the run chase, scoring at a strike rate of 133, and helping his side roll over the 159-run target with four balls spare. After the early wicket of Phil Salt, who made run-a-ball 10, Hales added crucial runs with Dawid Malan (20 off 15) and Ben Duckett (21 off 17) with both partnerships worth 34, before Harry Brook’s whirlwind 25-ball 42 not out (seven fours) took the game away from the grasp of the hosts. Naseem Shah’s first over went for 14 runs with both the openers – Salt and Hales, hitting a boundary each. The introduction of Shahnawaz Dahani, following a tight second over from Mohammad Nawaz, provided Babar Azam’s side a breakthrough when Salt pulled the right-arm pacer’s short-pitched delivery into the hands of Haider Ali, stationed at deep square-leg. That was the only wicket Pakistan would bag in the powerplay as Malan and Hales launched a counterattack. Malan welcomed Usman Qadir with a six over his head – off a full toss – at the start of the seventh over, but a beautiful leg-break delivery bamboozled Malan the next ball, who edged it back to the bowler to cup it safely. Duckett’s adventurous approach did not reap him the rewards he and Moeen Ali, who captained England in the absence of an injured Jos Buttler, would have expected as he was trapped LBW trying to reverse sweep a ball. Hales fell in the 17th over when he top-edged Haris Rauf, but the match had been settled in England’s favour by then. Pakistan posted 158 - after Moeen elected to bowl - at the back of Mohammad Rizwan’s 68 in 46. Pakistan were off to a flying start as the pair of Rizwan and Babar lifted Pakistan to 51 by the close of powerplay and had them at 85 at 9.3 overs when the latter was bowled off a scorching googly from Adil Rashid. Pakistan lost their next three wickets for 11 runs as Haider, Rizwan and Shan Masood fell inside 11 balls. Debutant Luke Wood had a terrific start to his T20I career returning three for 24 from four overs. The collapse was further aggravated by the left-arm pacer with the scalps of Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah at death as the hosts could add only 71 in the last 10 overs. The two sides meet for the second T20I on Thursday at the same venue, where the third and fourth matches will also be played. The action moves to Lahore from 28 September as the Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’ Home of Cricket, hosts the last three matches. Scores in brief: England beat Pakistan by six wickets Pakistan 158-7, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 68, Babar Azam 31, Iftikhar Ahmed 28; Luke Wood 3-24, Adil Rashid 2-27) England 160-4, 19.2 overs (Alex Hales 53, Harry Brook 42 not out, Ben Duckett 21, Dawid Malan 20; Usman Qadir 2-36) Player of the match – Luke Wood (England)

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's all national cricketers will undergo fitness tests on Wednesday, it is learnt. According to the sources in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the list of national players to undergo these tests on Wednesday also includes the World Cup squad. "All these tests will be conducted at the R. Premadasa Stadium under the supervision of our experienced trainer Grant Luden", a top source in the SLC revealed to this Reporter. Incidentally, Luden will be a member of the support staff traveling to Australia with the World Cup players. He was also in the UAE for the recent Asia Cup. South Africa-born Luden, who has worked with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is well-experienced in handling the players' injuries and has been working with the SLC as a Physical Performance Manager. Pramodya Wickramsinghe, the head of the national selection panel will travel with the team as a tour selector. The 51-year-old former fast bowler recently travelled to the UAE to oversee the performance of the players. Apparently, his recent trip to the UAE was in his own capacity and he also didn't stay in the same hotel where the team was put up.