Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report London (UK):-England and Yorkshire batter Jonathan Bairstow has been ruled out of the rest of the summer and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a lower limb injury in a freak accident whilst playing golf on Friday in Leeds. He will see a specialist next week to ascertain the full extent of the injury. Nottinghamshire batter Ben Duckett has been added to the Test squad for the LV= Insurance third Test at the Kia Oval starting next Thursday. A further announcement will be made in due course on who will replace Bairstow in England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Central Punjab captain Faheem Ashraf has been ruled out of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23. The all-rounder was hit by a ball during his side’s match against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Pindi Cricket Stadium which split his webbing. Faheem has been advised 12-day rest after which he will begin rehabilitation. Faheem has been replaced by Asad Raza, who has been promoted from Central Punjab’s second XI team. In the second XI team, Bilawal Bhatti has replaced Asad.

Green Shirts outclass Hong Kong by 155 runs Sports Bulletin Report Sharjah (UAE):-Pakistan thumped Hong Kong by 155 runs in the Group A fixture of the ACC T20 Asia Cup on Friday to set up Super-4 matches against India (on Sunday in Dubai), Afghanistan (on Wednesday in Sharjah) and Sri Lanka (on Friday in Dubai). This was Pakistan’s biggest victory in terms of runs after they had defeated the West Indies by 143 runs in Karachi in April 2018 and New Zealand by 103 runs in Christchurch in December 2010. For Hong Kong, their score of 38 was the joint-ninth lowest total in the history of T20Is behind Turkey (21), Lesotho (26), Turkey (28), Thailand (30), Turkey (32), Finland (33), Philippines (36), Panama (37) and Cameroon (38). Power-hitter Khushdil Shah faced 15 balls and scored 35 not out, while big-hitters Asif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed as well as Shadab Khan remained unutilised as third-ranked Pakistan collected 193 for two after being sent into bat. Shadab took four for eight, Mohammad Nawaz bagged three for five and Naseem Shah snapped up two for seven as the three were in a hurry and wrapped up Hong Kong’s innings in 10.4 overs. Khushdil clobbered five sixes, including four in the final five balls of the innings, which helped Pakistan to add 55 runs in the last three overs after the they were struggling at 138 for two in 17 overs. After a boundary-free penultimate over, Khushdil sealed the match in the last six deliveries of the innings which yielded 29 runs. Khushdil added 64 runs for the unbroken third wicket in 23 balls with Mohammad Rizwan, whose contribution was 16 runs in eight balls. Rizwan failed to find a boundary off his last seven deliveries but still managed to finish as the top-scorer with a 57-ball 78 not out with six fours and a six. After Babar Azam (nine off eight) departed earlier, Rizwan added 116 runs for the second wicket with Fakhar Zaman, who slapped three fours and two sixes in a 41-ball 53. While Rizwan reached his 14th half-century off 42 balls with four fours and a six, Fakhar completed his eighth half-century from 38 balls with three fours and two sixes. When India played Hong Kong last Wednesday, they scored 192 for two and then restricted the 20th ranked side for 152 for five. However, the fact that made India’s victory more impressive and attractive was the performance of their power-hitter Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 68 off 26 balls with six fours and six sixes, which helped the defending champions to collect 78 runs in the last five overs, including 54 runs in the last three overs. When India and Pakistan squared off in Dubai last week, India snatched victory by the skin of their teeth, romping to the 148-run target for the loss of five wickets with two balls to spare. Nonetheless, past matches will have no bearing on Sunday’s game when the two sides will aim to make a winning start to the Super-4 stage. Scores in brief: Pakistan 193-2, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 78 not out, Fakhar Zaman 53, Khushdil Shah 35 not out; Ehsan Khan 2-28) Hong Kong 38 all out, 10.4 overs (Shadab Khan 2.4-0-8-4; Mohammad Nawaz 2-0-5-3, Naseem Shah 2-0-7-2) Player of the match: Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Shan Masood continued his impressive form Friday as his 39-ball 53 not out handed Balochistan a five-wicket win over Sindh at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. This was the first win for a chasing side in the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23. The second match of the day belonged to Southern Punjab captain Salman Ali Agha as his incredible bowling figures of five for 10 scripted a commanding 86-run win over Central Punjab. This was all-rounder’s maiden five-fer. Shan steers Balochistan to second win That Balochistan won their second match of the tournament was due to Shan Masood’s unbeaten 53 off 39 as the left-handed batter steered his side to the win in the penultimate over. As Balochistan crossed the line with seven balls spare, they also became the first team in this year’s edition of the National T20 to successfully chase a target. Player of the match Shan walked in the middle with Balochistan needing 103 in 14.3 overs after the dismissal of second opener Asad Shafiq (17 off 14) and displayed some fabulous strokeplay hitting four fours and two sixes. The shot of the innings came when he reverse-swept Zahid Mehmood for a six that sailed over point. Following the quick wickets of Haris Sohail (10 off 15) and Hussain Talat (two off three) in the 15th and 16th overs, Shan got the desired support from Amad Butt, who spanked three fours and a six in his quickfire 12-ball 25 not out. Sindh, following their captain Saud Shakeel’s decision to bat, made 142 for seven with Saad Khan (31 off 27) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (29 off 23) being the notable performers with the bat. Balochistan put up a disciplined bowling performance with captain Yasir Shah, left-arm orthodox Kashif Bhatti and pacer Khurram Shahzad picking up two wickets each. Salman’s maiden five-fer, Zain’s heroics with the bat down Central Punjab Opener Zain Abbas smashed 65 off 44 (10 fours) as Southern Punjab set 166 for Central Punjab. They were skittled out for mere 79 in 14.3 overs thanks to a terrific show with the ball by Salman Ali Agha. Southern Punjab made 165-8 after Salman elected to bat. Sharoon Siraj continued to add crucial runs in the middle order as in this match, he scored 35 off 24. In the last two matches, he made 57 not out against Balochistan, and 36 against Sindh. Central Punjab’s openers Abdullah Shafique and Ahmed Shehzad once again could not provide a solid start as the latter was run out at the start of the third over, but it was the seventh over that settled the match for Southern Punjab when Salman dismissed his opposite number Qasim Akram and Abdullah in a space of three balls. The scorecard, at the time, read 34 for five. Salman, in his next over, sent Irfan Niaz and Junaid Ali back to the pavilion on back to back deliveries, and dismissed Wahab Riaz in the 11th over as Central Punjab were reduced to 51 for eight. There was no notable resistance from any Central Punjab batter as Usama Mir, a leg-spinner, top scored with 17 off 13. Scores in brief: Balochistan beat Sindh by 5 wickets Sindh 142-7, 20 overs (Saad Khan 31, Sarfaraz Ahmed 29; Yasir Shah 2-23, Kashif Bhatti 2-23, Khurram Shahzad 2-27) Balochistan 143-5, 18.5 overs (Shan Masood 53 not out, Amad Butt 25 not out; Sohail Khan 2-35) Player of the match – Shan Masood (Balochistan) Southern Punjab beat Central Punjab by 86 runs Southern Punjab 165-8, 20 overs (Zain Abbas 65, Sharoon Siraj 35; Ahmed Daniyal 3-27, Wahab Riaz 2-37) Central Punjab 79 all out, 14.3 overs (Salman Ali Agha 5-10) Player of the match – Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab)

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Sindh’s Sarfaraz Ahmed has been fined 30 per cent of match fee for a level 1 breach of the PCB’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during his side’s Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 match against Balochistan at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Sarfaraz was charged for violating Article 2.3 that reads as, “Use of audible obscenity”. The incident took place in the first innings of the match when he was dismissed. Since Sarfaraz pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Nadeem Arshad, there was no need of a formal hearing. The charge was imposed by on-field umpires Mohammad Asif and Imtiaz Iqbal, third umpire Rashid Riaz and fourth umpire Nasir Hussain. Balochistan defeated Sindh by five wickets.

Sports Bulletin Report LONDON (UK):-England Men's selection panel have named squads for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia starting in October and the preceding seven-match tour of Pakistan, which gets underway later this month in Karachi. England Squad for T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler (Lancashire-Captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham) Travelling Reserves Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Richard Gleeson (Lancashire), Tymal Mills (Sussex) England Squad for Pakistan Tour: Jos Buttler (Lancashire-Captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire-Vice Captain), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jordan Cox (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Richard Gleeson (Lancashire), Tom Helm (Middlesex), Will Jacks (Surrey), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wood (Lancashire), Mark Wood (Durham) Seam bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have recovered from their respective injuries and have been named in both squads. Both players last played for England during the Test tour of the West Indies back in March. Two players named in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad, Chris Jordan (finger) and Liam Livingstone (ankle), will continue their rehab and will not tour Pakistan ahead of the World Cup but remain on track to be fit for the tournament in Australia. England captain Jos Buttler, recovering from a calf injury, will tour Pakistan, but he is expected to be available to play during the latter stages of the seven-match series. In Buttler's absence, Moeen Ali will captain the side. Five uncapped players have been announced for the first tour to Pakistan since 2005. Kent batter Jordan Cox is joined alongside Middlesex seamer Tom Helm, Surrey right-handed bat Will Jacks, Warwickshire quick Olly Stone and Lancashire seamer Luke Wood. The touring party will fly to Pakistan on 14 September. ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 – England's Group Fixtures: England v Afghanistan, Saturday 22 October 2022, Perth Stadium, Perth England v Qualifier (B2), Wednesday 26 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne England v Australia, Friday 28 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne England v New Zealand, Tuesday 1 November 2022, The Gabba, Brisbane England v Qualifier (A1), Saturday 5 November 2022, SCG, Sydney Semi-finals First semi-final, Wednesday 9 November 2022, SCG, Sydney Second semi-final, Thursday 10 November 2022, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Final Final, Sunday 13 November 2022, MCG, Melbourne England Men's Pre-World Cup tour of Australia: 1st IT20: Australia v England, Sunday 9 October, Perth Stadium, Perth 2nd IT20: Australia v England, Wednesday 12 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra 3rd IT20: Australia v England Friday 14 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra England Men's IT20 Tour of Pakistan: 1st IT20: Pakistan v England, 20 September, National Stadium, Karachi 2nd IT20: Pakistan v England, 22 September, National Stadium, Karachi 3rd IT20: Pakistan v England, 23 September, National Stadium, Karachi 4th IT20: Pakistan v England, 25 September, National Stadium, Karachi 5th IT20: Pakistan v England, 28 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 6th IT20: Pakistan v England, 30 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 7th IT20: Pakistan v England, 2 October, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Co-host of Asia T20 Cricket Cup, Sri Lanka qualified for the top-four stage of the tournament after beating Bangladesh by 2 wickets in their last Pool B match here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday night. Bangladesh’s target of 184 runs was achieved by Sri Lanka in the last over. Kaushal Mendes scored 60 runs. In the match played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lankan captain Dasan Shanka won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Bangladesh scored 183 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the scheduled 20 overs, Afif Hussain was prominent by scoring 39 runs. Apart from this, Mehdi Hasan scored 38 runs, Mahmudullah 27 runs and Shakib Al Hasan played 24 runs. In the closing stages of the match, Mossadegh Hussain Bangladesh scored 183 runs in the scheduled overs thanks to the lightning fast innings. Mussadegh Hussain remained unbeaten by scoring 24 runs off 9 balls. Hasaranga and Karunaratne took 2 wickets and 2 wickets for Sri Lanka.

BIPIN DANI The Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lankan team will top Group B in the ongoing Asia Cup. Despite of this the Afghanistan team having won two matches (against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh), whereas the host team has only (one) victory against Bangladesh on Thursday. Explaining the rules, the Technical Committee chairman Charith Senanayake, speaking exclusively, said, The higher ICC ranked team (from both groups) during the group stage will be deemed as the ‘Home’ team unless, SRI LANKA is playing, in that scenario SRI LANKA will be considered as the home team. This is applicable during the next phase of the tournament. "By this rule, even if the Indian team had lost the match against Pakistan, they would have headed the Group A". Sri Lanka will play against Afghanistan at Sharjah on Saturday (September 3) and against India on Tuesday (September 6) in Dubai. It may also be noted that the Asia Cup is being co-hosted by three parties, namely, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The ECB became co-host due to the inability of Sri lanka to host the event. Sri Lanka, however, remains as the original host.  Ravin Wickramaratne (SLC) and Salman Hanif (ECB) are the co-directors of the tournament.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Babar Azam will lead Pakistan against Hong Kong in the last group match of ACC T20 Asia Cup 2022 on Friday in Sharjah. This will be the first match between the two teams in the shortest format. Pakistan's opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are currently placed at the first two spots in the ICC T20 Batters Rankings. Pakistan is confident of clinching a place in the Super 4 stage of the tournament by defeating Hong Kong, who were beaten by table-toppers India on Wednesday in Dubai. Pakistan lost a nail biter against India on Sunday as well. Fakhar Zaman said: "It was a tight game against India, the morale is high in the camp and all our players are confident of doing better in the upcoming game. "T20 is a short format which provides an equal opportunity for both teams to show-case their strengths. To aim for the Super 4 we have to ensure we minimise our errors and put up a good show. "Hong Kong has played good cricket in the qualifiers but we will try to stick to our plans. "The weather is hot here in UAE but we are trying to keep ourselves hydrated. We'll be playing against some competitive teams in Super 4 and for that we need to be in perfect shape. The match will be played at the historical Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

BIPIN DANI On Wednesday, Hong Kong team could not win the Asia Cup match against India but one of its India-born players did win the applause from the fans and spectators present. The top order Hong Kong batter Kinchit Shah made this Asia Cup match memorable for him and his family as he proposed to his girl-friend Sheena Oberroi after the match and once the proposal was accepted by his girl-friend, the news became viral on social media. "I am feeling ecstatic", Kinchit's father diamond merchant father Devang, speaking exclusively, said here.  Incidentally, the dad is already in the UAE. "Kinchit had to do this and I think he chose the perfect place and moment. And yes, of course Kinchit had informed me and I was a part of the plan. We as parents wish the best for the couple". Kinchit's mother, Jagruti is not here but in HK because of her pre-commitment but, according to dad, she was equally happy. "Sheena is an entertainment journalist and has interviewed big Bollywood celebrities and currently an anchor and producer for the shows. Both she and Kinchit met through a common college friend and have been dating for the last 3 1/2 years'', Kinchit's father added. "Both families have planned for the marriage at the end. It may be held in Mumbai but the couple will mostly live in Hong Kong. My wife can't wait more to bring a daughter-in-law to our house". Later, speaking exclusively, the girl-friend, Sheena Oberoi says, "it was a pleasant surprise when the proposal came. I have just come to the UAE at Kinchit's insistence and just to cheer for him. Had never imagined the proposal would reach in this way". Kinchit's parents moved to Hong-Kong and started his business there. Kinchit, who was born in Mumbai, the family migrated to Hong Kong. He has represented the HK teams at various age and club levels before reaching to this stage", Ravi Nagdev, the General Manager : Cricket Hong Kong, informs.