Sports Bulletin

Bipin Dani Shyam Nath Singh, the Head Constable working in the police department in a historic city of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh (UP) has taken a few-day leaves. The reason: to meet his cricket-mad son after a gap of 9 years and three months. Kumar Kartikeya had left home over nine years ago and had vowed to return home only after achieving something in life. The Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai Indians spinner returned home and met his parents on Wednesday.   "I don't say his work is finished. He has just climbed the first step of the ladder. Hope he plays for India", the father, speaking exclusively over the telephone, said. The 24-year-old returned from England, where his Mumbai Indians uncapped players had 3 three-week training sessions. He practiced there with Team India captain Rohit Sharma, who is also the captain of the Mumbai Indians IPL team. "Kartikeya's mother (Sunita Devi) is also very happy. He used to call us almost every day and parents would obviously be very happy to see their son after such a long period", the father said. "Kumar Kartikeya had left home on April 1, 2013. During this exiled period he must have worked very hard". He made his first-class debut in 2018 as a traditional left-arm spinner, but when hired by the Mumbai Indians team midway through IPL this season he switched to bowling left-arm wrist spin with a few variations. Kartikeya's confidence and skill gradually increased. It was his childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj who impressed upon Kartikeya the need to be different to stand out. That made him from left-arm orthodox to left-arm everything, especially in T20, the shortest format of the game. "The name Kartikeya was given by my elder brother, who is also a head constable. Kartikeya was also Lord Shiva's son and he also stayed far from his father and therefore I am not surprised with my son", the father says. "People in our village are very eager to meet my son. From there, we will move to Kumar's paternal uncle", the father added. After spending a week or so in their village Kuwasi (district Sultanpur), Kartikeya will be busy preparing for the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy matches. "His cricket journey will resume again. I want my two sons to play for India and that is our dream", the father further added. Kartika's younger brother Binayak also plays cricket. He has represented the UP team at Uner-14 and Under-16.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the panels of match officials for the 2022-23 men’s domestic cricket season, which will kicks-off with the National T20 on 30 August in Rawalpindi. The second leg of the event will run in Multan from 10-19 September. Former first-class cricketers Aaley Haider, who featured in 90 matches from 1993 to 2005, Mohammad Asif, who participated in 45 matches, Tariq Rasheed, who played 22 matches from 1996-2003, and Muhammad Sajid Khan Afridi, who played five matches, have been promoted to the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires. The four have joined Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Afridi, Ghaffar Kazmi, Imran Jawed, Nasir Hussain Snr, Rashid Riaz, Saqib Khan, Shozab Raza, Syed Imtiaz Iqbal, Waleed Yaqub and Zameer Haider. There is no change in the PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees, which includes Ali Naqvi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Anees, Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh, Nadeem Arshad and Prof Muhammad Javed Malik. Apart from the National T20, the elite panelists will officiate in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (27 September-30 November) and the Pakistan Cup (10 December-3 January). Ghaffar Kazmi and Zameer Haider will retire during the year. Aftab Gilani and Qasier Waheed have slipped to the PCB Supplementary Panel of Umpires, which includes few faces in Imranullah Aslam and Qaiser Khan. Other members of the panel are: Abdul Moqeet, Ahmed Shahab, Aslam Bareach, Farooq Ali Khan, Ghulam Sarwar, Kashif Sohail, Khalid Mehmood Snr, Majid Hussain, Mir Dad, Mohammad Imran and Zulfiqar Jan. There are two changes in the PCB Supplementary Panel of Match Referees. Former first-class cricketers Athar Laiq and Bilal Khilji have been added as Azizur Rehman and Tanveer Afzal will be retiring during the season. The match officials in the supplementary panel will be involved in the CA T20 (2-15 September), CA Championship (27 September-23 November) and CA Challenge (10-29 December). PCB Manager Umpires and Referees, Bilal Qureshi said: “We are pleased to confirm our match officials’ panels for the 2022-23 cricket season, which have been finalised following a robust appraisal and performance analysis process in which the match referees and captains reports from the last season were also considered. “I want to congratulate umpires Aaley Haider, Imranullah Aslam, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Sajid Khan Afridi, Tariq Rasheed, and Qaiser Khan, who have earned promotions as well as Athar Laiq and Bilal Khilji, who share 281 first-class matches between them, for breaking into the supplementary panel of match referees. “Azizur Rehman, Ghaffar Kazmi, Tanveer Afzal and Zameer Haider will be retiring during the season and we will give them proper send-offs, but is appropriate at this stage to thank them for their contributions to the game and their role in enhancing the match officials’ image and profile. “Officiating is a challenging and thankless job, but our match officials have recently made big progress in decision-making and player-management, which has contributed in improving the overall health and quality of our domestic cricket. In recognition of this and for the first time, we have decided to introduce monthly retainers for the supplementary panel. “I remain confident that all the match officials will play their integral part in the successful delivery of the 2022-23 domestic cricket and, in the process, will attract more former cricketers to take up this noble profession.” PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees Ali Naqvi (Lahore), Iftikhar Ahmed (Karachi), Mohammad Anees (Lahore), Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh (Hyderabad), Nadeem Arshad (Faisalabad) and Prof Muhammad Javed Malik (Multan) PCB Elite Panel of Umpires Aaley Haider (Karachi), Ahsan Raza (Lahore), Asif Yaqoob (Islamabad), Faisal Khan Afridi (Sargodha), Ghaffar Kazmi (Lahore), Imran Jawed (Karachi), Muhammad Asif (Lahore), Muhammad Sajid Khan Afridi (Charsadda), Nasir Hussain Snr (Lahore), Rashid Riaz Waqar (Lahore), Saqib Khan (Abbottabad), Shozab Raza (Lahore), Syed Imtiaz Iqbal (Karachi), Tariq Rasheed (Lahore), Waleed Yaqub (Lahore) and Zameer Haider (Lahore) PCB Supplementary Panel of Match Referees Ahmer Saeed (Karachi), Aleem Khan Moosa (Karachi), Ali Gohar (Karachi), Athar Laiq (Karachi), Aziz ur Rehman (Lahore), Bilal Moinul Haq Khiljee (Lahore), Kamran Chaudhry (Lahore), Khalid Jamshed (Lahore), Muhammad Aslam (Quetta) and Tanveer Afzal (Faisalabad) PCB Supplementary Panel of Umpires Abdul Moqeet (Lahore), Aftab Hussain Gillani (Bahawalpur), Ahmed Shahab (Lahore), Aslam Bareach (Quetta), Farooq Ali Khan (Abbottabad), Ghulam Sarwar (Sibi), Imranullah Aslam (Bahawalpur), Kashif Sohail (Khanewal), Khalid Mehmood Snr (Karachi), Majid Hussain (AJK), Mir Dad (Islamabad), Mohammad Imran (Sargodha), Qaiser Khan (Lahore), Qaiser Waheed (Lahore) and Zulfiqar Jan (Charsadda) PCB match officials on the ICC International Panel Ahsan Raza (Lahore), Asif Yaqoob (Islamabad), Faisal Khan Afridi (Sargodha) and Rashid Riaz Waqar (Lahore) (all umpires), Ali Naqvi (Lahore) and Prof Muhammad Javed Malik (Multan) (both match referees).

Sports Bulletin Report Lahore:- Babar Azam-led Pakistan ODI squad will face Pakistan Shaheens twice in a seven-day long training camp in Lahore. Sindh middle-order batter Saud Shakeel will lead Pakistan Shaheens in the two 50-over games on 7 and 10 August at the LCCA Ground.  Abdullah Shafique and Zahid Mehmood, part of Pakistan’s 16-player Netherlands bound ODI squad, will represent the Shaheens in the two practice matches.  This will be the first time when both squads will come face-to-face; practice matches between the two Pakistan teams are set to become regular practice in future.  Depending on team and tour requirements, the two squads will feature in different format matches that would aim to provide both practice to the national squad members and exposure to the reserve and upcoming players.  Besides Saud, for the two matches on Sunday and Wednesday, the Shaheens squad will feature talented players like Kamran Ghulam, Abbas Afridi, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Arshad Iqbal, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza and Qasim Akram.  12-player Shaheens squad:  Saud Shakeel (Captain), Kamran Ghulam (Vice-captain), Abbas Afridi, Abdullah Shafique, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Arshad Iqbal, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Qasim Akram and Zahid Mehmood

Bipin Dani Sri Lankan wicket-keeper & batter Kusal Janith Perera has been given "all clearance" to proceed for his shoulder surgery in the United Kingdom, it is learnt.    According to the highly-placed sources in the SLC, Kusal Perera who will be 32 this month, met the president Shammi Silva on Monday and has been cleared to leave for the UK.  "He is now waiting for his visa. Once he gets the visa will immediately leave. Most of his expenses for the surgery will be borne by the SLC", the source speaking exclusively on Wednesday, said.  The SLC's medical staff, in consultation with the physio, has shortlisted three doctors, each in New Zealand, Australia and England. Incidentally, Kusal Perera's first choice was Andew Wallace (England) and it has been honoured.  Dr. Wallace is specialist in Sports injuries, Shoulder arthroscopy, and Rotator cuff tears and has performed successful surgeries on several cricketers including treating India's Sachin Tendulkar for his tennis elbow.  Kusal's inclusion in the World Cup team will depend upon the rehabilitation after the surgery. "Let him arrive here first, then we can plan out his treatment", the doctor said, adding "if he wishes to get his operation done in this month, I am available for it". 

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-Stars from the ICC World Test Championship, the Commonwealth Games and ICC qualification pathway events make up the shortlists for the ICC Player of the Month awards for July. The ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June, Jonny Bairstow, is nominated once more following stellar performances at the crease for England, while Sri Lanka’s Test debutant and spin maestro Prabath Jayasuriya finds himself on the shortlist for the first time. Completing the men’s lineup for July is France’s record-breaking teenage star, Gustav McKeon. Nat Sciver is no stranger to being nominated for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award, and her second successive appearance on the shortlist follows her outstanding performances across ODI and T20I series against South Africa. England’s Emma Lamb enjoyed a very successful month with the bat and ball and is named on the shortlist which is completed with the addition of dangerous India seamer Renuka Singh. An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world can now vote to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered on icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to cast their votes until Saturday. ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for July: Jonny Bairstow (ENG) The winner of the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for June, Bairstow continued where he left off with blistering performances in multiple formats in July. He reasserted his sublime form with the bat during his side’s final Test showdown with India at Edgbaston, scoring 106 and 114 to claim another historic Test victory and seal a 2-2 series draw against the odds during more final day drama. His notable exploits with the bat during his side’s white ball series against South Africa, including a 53-ball 90 in the first T20I, strengthens his claim to win a second successive award for July. Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) Sri Lanka’s Jayasuriya made a sensational start to his Test career in July, taking an extraordinary 29 wickets across three matches at an average of 20.37 against formidable opposition. Coming into the side following a humbling 10-wicket loss to Australia, Jayasuriya ripped through the touring line-up in the second Test, claiming six for 118 and six for 59 to secure an emphatic innings victory. This proved to be just the beginning of his prolific month, subsequently taking nine wickets and eight wickets in the following two Tests against Pakistan to build a strong case to be crowned the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July. Gustav McKeon (FRANCE) Very few cricketers will enjoy as thrilling a start to their international careers as France’s teenage star McKeon. The 18-year-old set records tumbling during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Sub Regional Europe B Qualifier in Finland, as he became the first player ever to register four successive half-centuries in his first four T20Is, converting two of those scores into centuries against Switzerland (109) and Norway (101). McKeon shone for France throughout, amassing 377 runs in five T20I matches at an average of 75.40 and with a hugely impressive strike rate of 164.62. ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for July: Emma Lamb (ENG) Leading the line for England at the top of the order, Lamb was instrumental in guiding her side to a 3-0 ODI series whitewash over South Africa in July. Registering a superb score of 102 in the first showdown at Northampton, Lamb followed up with two further half-centuries to finish the series as the leading run scorer. The England all-rounder also displayed her bowling credentials, taking the key wickets of opposition skipper Sune Luus and the ever-dangerous Marizanne Kapp in the third ODI at Leicester. Nat Sciver (ENG) Nominated for the second successive month, and the third time in four months, Sciver continues to be a driving force for England. Her significant contributions with both bat and ball enabled her side to record 3-0 series wins against South Africa in both the ODI and T20I series in July. Among her string of excellent performances was a haul of four for 59 in the first ODI that limited the tourists to a below-par score, before a powerful 55 from 36 balls laid the foundation for a momentum-building victory that set the tone for her side’s successful month. Renuka Singh (IND) Singh celebrates her first nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award thanks to a prolific month with the ball. Joint leading wicket-taker in her side’s ODI series in Sri Lanka with seven wickets at an excellent average of 12.85, she enjoyed a dazzling start to India’s pursuit for Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham. Her standout individual display during the month was arguably the way she dismantled Australia’s top order in their opening match, claiming four wickets for 18 runs, only for her side to be thwarted in dramatic fashion by Australia’s lower order.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan on Wednesday announced its 16-player squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures against the Netherlands from 16-21 August and a 15-member side for the ACC T20 Asia Cup, which will be played in the United Arab Emirates from 27 August to 11 September. Fast bowler Naseem Shah has been named in both the squads in place of Hasan Ali, while Salman Ali Agha, who toured England in 2021 for the ODIs, has been recalled. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in the ODI and T20I squads, and his rehabilitation programme will be overseen by the team trainer and physiotherapist, who will also decide on his return to international cricket. There will be five changes from the Netherlands ODI squad to the ACC T20 Asia Cup side. Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood will be replaced by Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Qadir. Pakistan squad for Netherlands ODIs Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Abdullah Shafique (Balochistan), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haris Rauf (Northern), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh) and Zahid Mehmood (Sindh) Pakistan squad for ACC T20 Asia Cup Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Asif Ali (Northern), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) Player Supporting Personnel Staff Mansoor Rana (manager), Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Drikus Simmon (trainer/strength & conditioning coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Ibrahim Badees (media and digital manager), Lt Col (retd) Asif Mahmood (team security manager), Talha Ejaz (team analyst), Malang Ali (team masseur) and Dr Najeebullah Soomro (team doctor). Col Muhammad Imran will replace Lt Col Asif Mahmood as team security manager for the ACC T20I Asia Cup. Chief selector Mohammad Wasim said: “We have only made changes that were necessary. Both the competitions are important for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players in consultation with the captain and head coach. “Hasan has been given a break from international cricket and he has been replaced by Naseem Shah. He is express fast and can give further impetus to the fast bowling department, which already boasts Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahnawaz Dahani. Naseem has not played any international white-ball cricket, but he has demonstrated with the red-ball that he is an attacking option with good pace and controlled swing. “Salman Ali Agha has been recalled to the ODI side after he performed well in the past two Pakistan Cup tournaments, averaging 40.33 and 48.8, respectively. He also gives Babar Azam an additional bowling option.” The training camp for the players will be held in Lahore from 6-11 August, during which they will also play two 50-over matches. The side will depart for Amsterdam in the wee hours of Friday, 12 August. T20I players will join the squad in Dubai for the ACC T20 Asia Cup on 22 August. Schedule (Netherlands Tour): 16 Aug – 1st ODI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam 18 Aug – 2nd ODI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam 21 Aug – 3rd ODI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam Schedule (ACC T20 Asia Cup): Group A – India, Pakistan and Qualifier (one of UAE, Kuwait and Hong Kong to qualify) Group B – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka 28 Aug – Pakistan v India, Dubai 2 Sep – Pakistan v Qualifier, Sharjah 3-9 Sep – Super Four Stage 11 Sep – Final, Dubai

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Jersey player Harrison Carlyon has been found not guilty of a Level 1 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct following a hearing before ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle. Carlyon was found not guilty of  breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”  The incident in question occurred following Ehsan Khan’s dismissal in the 45th over of the ICC Challenge League B Round 2 match between Jersey and Hong Kong in Uganda on 24 June. The charge, which was laid by Cricket Hong Kong, was denied by Carlyon and consequently a remote hearing was held by Mr Madugalle. The hearing was attended by Carlyon, Jersey Cricket’s team manager, Cricket Hong Kong’s General Manager, and the tournament referee. Having considered all the evidence and heard from the respective parties, Madugalle was not comfortably satisfied that there was sufficient evidence available to find that the alleged offence had been committed and thus returned a not guilty finding.  Decisions made in relation to Level 1 offences are non-appealable.

Sports Bulletin Report London (UK):-England Men's selection panel have named a 14-strong squad for the first two Test matches against South Africa starting at Lord's on 17 August. Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson returns to the squad for the first time since the Caribbean tour in March. He returned to LV= County Championship action last week after recovering from a back injury, which has prevented him from playing any cricket since ECB Men's Performance Director, Mo Bobat, said: "After an excellent start to the summer under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, we're looking forward to an exciting Test series against a strong South Africa side. "The selectors have picked a squad for the first two Tests at Lord's and Emirates Old Trafford with continuity in mind. "It's good to get Ollie Robinson back in the mix after his recent injury. He will continue his progress by playing for the Lions against South Africa in a four-day match at Canterbury next week." The Lions squad for the four-day tour match will be announced at the end of this week. Names of Selected Players: Ben Stokes (Durham-Captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Alex Lees (Durham), Craig Overton (Somerset), Zatthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire) Test Schedule: 1st Test: England v South Africa, 17-21 August, Lord's Cricket Ground, London 2nd Test: England v South Africa, 25-29 August, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester 3rd Test: England v South Africa, 8-12 September, Kia Oval, London Tour Match: Four-day match: Lions v South Africa, 9-12 August, The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence, Canterbury

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-England will play seven T20Is from 20 September to 2 October in Karachi and Lahore in what will be their first visit of the country in 17 years, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today. The National Stadium will host the matches on 20, 22, 23 and 25 September, before the action will shift to the cricket headquarters at the Gaddafi Stadium where the remaining three matches will be played on 28 and 30 September and 2 October. All matches will start at 1930 PKT. The seven T20Is will be part of the first leg of England’s tour of Pakistan and they will return after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 for three Tests in December. The T20I series against the second-ranked side will launch Pakistan’s bumper international season. Following the September and December matches against England, Pakistan will host New Zealand twice – first for two Tests and three ODIs in December/January and then in April for five ODIs and five T20Is – West Indies for three T20Is in late January and finally the 50-over ACC Asia Cup. Apart from five Tests, eight ODIs and 15 T20Is in the 2022-23 season, Pakistan will also stage 187 men’s domestic matches in six senior competitions, 33 HBL Pakistan Super League 2023 fixtures and 19 Pakistan Junior League 2022 games. Zakir Khan, PCB Director International Cricket said: “We are absolutely delighted to confirm hosting England for seven T20Is in Karachi and Lahore as a curtain-raiser to a busy, entertaining and exciting season of home internationals. England is one of the top-ranked T20I teams and them playing the shortest format in the lead up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Pakistan will not only help the team management to finalise their preparations, but will also set the tone for December’s three-Test series. “We demonstrated our event planning and operational skills in the highly-successful series against Australia in March/April and I am confident we will be able to replicate these when England visit us for the first time since 2005. We have been able to confirm schedule of the T20Is following a successful tour by the England and Wales Cricket Board recce team, which was pleased and satisfied with all our arrangements. “I am confident that the cricket fans, like they did in the series against Australia, will turn up in big numbers to support both the sides and also make our Diamond Jubilee celebration year an unforgettable one.” Rob Key, ECB Managing Director England Men’s Cricket, said: “We are looking forward to returning to Pakistan and playing these seven T20Is as the team builds up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. “We have been liaising closely with the PCB over arrangements for this visit and the Tests later in the year, and will continue to work closely with the PCB, British High Commission and other relevant authorities as we continue to prepare for these tours. “We would like to thank the PCB and the city authorities for all their ongoing assistance with planning for the tours, including hosting the recent pre-tour planning visit by ECB representatives and the PCA CEO.” Schedule of T20Is (matches to start at 1930 PKT): Tuesday, 20 Sep – 1st T20I, Karachi Thursday, 22 Sep – 2nd T20I, Karachi Friday, 23 Sep – 3rd T20I, Karachi Sunday, 25 Sep – 4th T20I, Karachi Wednesday, 28 Sep – 5th T20I, Lahore Friday, 30 Sep – 6th T20I, Lahore Sunday, 2 Oct – 7th T20I, Lahore  

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-India opener Smriti Mandhana has moved up one spot to a career best third position among batters in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after cracking a stroke-filled half-century against Pakistan in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Mandhana, who followed up a knock of 24 against Australia with an unbeaten 63 off 42 balls with eight fours and three sixes, has overtaken New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and reached within two rating points of Australia’s Beth Mooney. Meg Lanning continues to lead the rankings after regaining the top spot last week. Mandhana, a formerly top-ranked batter in ODIs, has been ranked third in T20Is in the past too, reaching that position for the first time in 2019 and having last held third position in October last year. New Zealand’s Suzie Bates has gained two slots to reach sixth position after smashing a superb 91 not out off 64 balls against South Africa while Tahlia McGrath (up one place to 12th), India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (up four places to 14th), Pakistan’s Nida Dar (up three places to 40th) and South Africa’s Chloe Tryon (up five places to 47th) have also made notable progress among batters. Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has moved up in all three lists after shining with the bat against India and with the ball against Barbados, who are representing the West Indies in the eight-team competition.  Gardner’s knock of 52 not out in the opening match has lifted her five places to 11th while her haul of two for six against Barbados has taken her from 45th to 26th.  She has reached a career-best third position among all-rounders. In the rankings for bowlers, Australia left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen, who took four for 22 against India, has moved up two slots to fourth position in the list led by England’s Sophie Ecclestone. Australia fast bowler Megan Schutt and New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr have moved up a slot each to take seventh and eighth positions while Barbados captain Hayley Matthews is up two places to ninth. Performances of those playing for Barbados and who have represented the West Indies in the past reflect in the latest rankings as all matches in the Commonwealth Games have T20I status. However, matches involving Barbados will be ignored for the team rankings since Barbados is not an ICC Member. All other matches other than those involving Barbados, will be rated in the usual way. Others to move up the bowlers’ rankings include South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba (up two places to 22nd), Sri Lanka spinners Oshadi Ranasinghe (up two places to 24th) and Inoka Ranaweera (up four places to 44th). Meanwhile, India medium-pace bowler Renuka Singh has galloped 48 places to 49th after grabbing a career-best four for 18 against Australia.