Cricket
Fresh start for Asia Cup, says co-director Salman Hanif
BIPIN DANI
It is a "fresh" Asia Cup tournament now, Salman Hanif, the co-director of the event said.
Speaking exclusively, he said, "First round points and NRR (Net Run Rates) will not be considered in the Super 4 round. All four qualified teams in the second tour (Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan) have started with zero points".
The Super Four stage is following a format where all four teams battle it out against each other once. Thus, each team gets to play three matches. The top two teams at the end of this stage will see each other in the summit clash.
Dubai Sports City, which includes the Dubai International Stadium and the ICC Academy, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium are the potential venues for the glitzy Asia Cup T20 tournament.
CRICKET - 04 Sep, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI:-Northern recorded their first win of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 – thanks to Ali Imran’s superb half-century. They defeated Central Punjab by three runs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in a rain-reduced match on Sunday.
In the second match of the day, Adil Amin’s quickfire 40 not out helped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to third consecutive win as they defeated Sindh by six wickets.
Central Punjab fall agonisingly short; lose fourth in a row
Tayyab Tahir’s third half-century of the tournament – the most for any batter – went in vain as Central Punjab lost to Northern by three runs.
The Central Punjab opener scored 53 off 39 (six fours and a six) and stitched a crucial 82-run second wicket partnership with Abdullah Shafiq (33 off 23, five fours) in a contest curtailed to 16 overs because of rain.
Northern’s Ali Imran – later named player of the match – smashed 56 at a strike rate of over 164 after Central Punjab captain Qasim Akram elected to bowl. Ali struck three sixes and as many fours in his 34-ball knock before he was dismissed by Mohammad Ali – who returned three for 33 – in the penultimate over.
He added 39 runs with opener Hasan Nawaz (24 off 23) and 47 with Mubasir Khan (18 off 17) in what was an extraordinary rearguard after Northern were reduced to 10 for two in nine balls.
Sohail Tanvir made his experience count down the order spanking 20 runs off eight deliveries (two fours and a six).
Adil Amin leads Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to third straight win
It was Adil Amin’s sparkling 40 n0t out off 24 that helped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa surmount 152-run target with eight balls spare. Player of the match Adil smashed three four and two sixes as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa crossed the line with six wickets in hand.
Adil was provided a solid platform for the run chase by openers Sahibzada Farhan (45 off 34) and Mohammad Haris (37 off 29) as they added 82 for the first wicket. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had a scare in the 11th over when both were dismissed by leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood.
Sind’s Saad Khan top-scored with 40 off 36 and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed made 27 not out off 24 after captain Saud Shakeel elected to bat. The other notable batters in Sindh’s innings were opener Saim Ayub (23 off 20), Saud (20 off 15) and Danish Aziz (21 not ouf off 15).
Scores in brief:
Northern beat Central Punjab by 3 runs
Northern 146-7, 16 overs (Ali Imran 56, Hasan Nawaz 24, Sohail Tanvir 20 not out; Mohammad Ali 3-33, Ali Asfand 2-24, Aamer Yamin 2-30)
Central Punjab 143-5, 16 overs (Tayyab Tahir 53, Abdullah Shafique 33; Salman Irshad 2-27)
Player of the match – Ali Imran (Northern)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Sindh by 6 wickets
Sindh 151-4, 20 overs (Saad Khan 40, Sarfaraz Ahmed 27 not out, Saim Ayub 23, Danish Aziz 21 not out, Saud Shakeel 20; Mohammad Imran 2-30)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 154-4, 18.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 45, Adil Amin 40 not out, Mohammad Haris 37; Zahid Mehmood 2-32)
Player of the match – Adil Amin (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Monday’s fixtures
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Southern Punjab at 0930
Balochistan v Northern at 1345
CRICKET - 04 Sep, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
Dubai (UAE):-Shahnawaz Dahani will not be available for Sunday’s ACC T20 Asia Cup Super-4 match against India due to a suspected side strain. The injury happened while bowling in the match against Hong Kong in Sharjah on Friday.
As is the case with any suspected side strain injury, the medical team will monitor him for the next 48-72 hours, following which they will make decisions, including carrying out a scan and further participation in the tournament
Kusal Perera undergoes successful shoulder surgery in London
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lankan wicket-keeper and batter Kusal Perera has successfully undergone shoulder surgery in England. The surgery was performed by Dr. Andrerw Wallace, who is a specialist in Sports injuries, shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff tears and arthritis.
"Yes, the surgery was performed at King Edward VII's hospital", Dr. Wallace, who has treated several cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar for his shoulder elbow, said over the telephone from London.
The 32-year-old Kusal Perera who has been carrying right shoulder injury for quite sometime and was last seen in action during the LPL last year and missed a lot of international cricket due to this injury.
"He went to London on Monday and the surgery was done on Wednesday", his manager, Ravi De Silva, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said.
"He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday and his rehabilitation and recuperating process began yesterday (Friday). He has been given a 14-day chart for rehabilitation and will again be examined by the doctor on 14th September '', the manager further added.
"He is relaxing in the hospital and fine. Hope he recovers soon".
Perera's participation in the upcoming World Cup can only be determined by Dr. Wallace, once he sees him but at present it looks highly unlikely.
CRICKET - 03 Sep, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Power-hitting coach Julian Wood and fast bowling coach Gordon Parsons have started their stints at the National High Performance Centre, Lahore for the Engro Cricket Coaching Project under the PCB Pathway Programme.
The two seasoned specialist coaches arrived at the NHPC this week to work with the U13, U16 and U19 players selected for specialised training in the PCB Pathway Programme. A total of 107 players are involved in the first batch of the programme that is aimed at providing world-class coaching, training, education and development of life skills of the future stars of Pakistan.
Wood and Parsons are working with the players at the NHPC’s indoor and outdoor nets besides delivering lectures in their respective areas of expertise. The players will also play practice and scenario-based matches in the upcoming days at the LCCA Ground and the Gaddafi Stadium.
In addition to the foreign coaches, some of the top-ranked local coaches including former Pakistan stars Arshad Khan, Rao Iftikhar and Ijaz Ahmed Jnr are also working with the players.
Fast bowling coach Gordon Parsons: “I have received a rousing welcome here and have almost felt like royalty with the affection and hospitality offered by the players, coaches and the staff. The NHPC is a coach’s paradise, the facilities are absolutely top-class, and my aim would be to contribute further to the rich heritage of Pakistan fast bowlers.
“The PCB Pathway Programme which has involved 100-odd players in their early to mid-teens is a fantastic concept that will surely benefit the future generation of Pakistan stars. As a fast bowling coach, I am delighted to see the talent of the bowlers who have converged here and their willingness to learn.
“For a fast bowler, 17 t0 18 years of age is an ideal time of development, the mechanics of an action and run-up go in tandem with the development of a bowler’s body while assessing potential injury risks. My aim would be to work on all these aspects to ensure these bowlers get the best out of this camp. Fast bowling is perhaps still the most exciting thing in cricket and there is nothing like a bowler bowling at 150kph regardless of the format.”
Power-hitting coach Julian Wood: “I have had an amazing time so far since arriving at the NHPC, the facilities are excellent and I am really excited to see the talent in the batters here. Most of the batters have solid technique, and their fundamentals are in place.
“We have some impressive young batting talent here with strong basics, technique and the desire to learn. As a specialised coach, I would endeavour to teach these players the ways and means of maximising their talent.
“The buzzwords these days are power-hitting, ball access speed, hand-speed, launch angles and creating angles while batting. In the shorter formats, the time is short, so everything needs to be done quicker but there is so much more to the concept and you need to have a touch game, a skill game and a power game and one thing I have noticed is that these young Pakistan players have all of it.”
The remaining three foreign coaches (Julian Fountain, Toby Radford and Nicholas Webb) part of the Engro Cricket Coaching Project are expected to reach Lahore in the next seven to 10 days.
After the completion of the pathway camp, the players selected for the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League will join their respective sides in the lead-up to the tournament that starts in the first week of October at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
HK players thank to Virat on his great gesture
BIPIN DANI
After two successive defeats against India and Pakistan, the Hong Kong is elimiated from the ongoing Asia Cup but won the hearts of the fans and spectators to what HK players showed gesture to Team India's out of form Virat Kohli.
"Virat, Thank you for inspiring a Generation. We stand with you. There are many incredible days ahead. With strength, with love : Team Hong Kong". The message displayed on a jersey was presented to Virat Kohli.
It is hoped that this combined wish of players will bring luck to Kohli, who last scored an international hundred more than 1000 days ago.
"It was one of the players' ideas and all agreed to do it as a "Thank You" gesture to Virat Kohli for being an idol to youngsters and motivation", Smita Chhetri, who is the only woman team manager in the Asia Cup, said exclusively.
"It's a HK shirt-Scott's shirt, our team jersey. We used our wicketkeeper Scott McKechnie's shirt", Ravi Nagdev, the General Manager : Cricket Hong Kong revealed.
Virat had spent an hour with every young player of the Hong Kong team.
"Our players have not faced the bowling of 145 plus speed but they have got good experience playing with the senior players of other leading teams", Ravi Nagdev, the General Manager, Cricket Hong Kong, said.
"The members of the HK team will be spending three days in hotel quarantine on their return. The hotel expenses for the team will be borne by the government as we represent HK. They will also undergo a 4-day self monitoring quarantine".
"Kinchit Shah who recently proposed to a girl in the stadium will head to India for a while for a break", Nagdev added.
Bairstow ruled out of the third Test and ICC T20 World Cup
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.
CRICKET - 03 Sep, 2022
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.
CRICKET - 03 Sep, 2022
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)
CRICKET - 03 Sep, 2022
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)
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