Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Led by the sensational Fazal Haq Farooqi (3/11 in 3.3 overs), the bowlers set up the stage on fire to bundle Sri Lanka out for 105/10 in their first inning and set up an excellent foundation for the batters as they chased down the total by 8 wickets with 59 balls to spare. Skipper Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bowl early on in the evening, the decision that proved right straight away in the first over where the left-arm quick Fazal Haq Farooqi picked up two wickets in his first over to give Afghanistan an excellent start with the ball. Naveen followed Fazal with another wicket in the 2nd over for Afghanistan to leave Sri Lanka tattering at 5/3 in 2 overs. Afghanistan bowlers took wickets regularly to reduce Sri Lanka to 105/10 in their first inning. Fazal Haq Farooqi picked 3 wickets for 11 runs in his 3.3 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/24) and the Skipper Mohammad Nabi (2/14) shared 4 wickets between them whereas Naveen Ul Haq (1/23) bagged 1 wicket to his name. Rashid Khan went wicket less but bowled really well as he conceded only 12 runs in his four overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai started the batting inning very well as they sat up the Dubai International Cricket Stadium firing by scoring 83 runs in the first 6 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz danced down the track to Wanindu Hasaranga but missed the ball completely and got his stumps rattled on 40. Ibrahim Zadran was run-out just a solitary run away off the target, but Hazratullah Zazai ensured to take Afghanistan home by scoring an important unbeaten 37* runs to complete a commanding performance by Afghanistan, as they beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets with a mammoth 9.5 overs to spare. Rahmanullah Gurbaz won the best catch of the match award, whereas Fazal Haq Farooqi was awarded the Player of the Match award for his match-winning bowling. Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in their 2nd game of the event on Tuesday, 30th August 2022.

Sports Bulletin Report Melbourne (Australia):-The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 is only 50 days away, with 16 international teams featuring the world’s best cricketers getting set for the global showpiece event in Australia that begins on 16 October. From one side of the country to the other, the T20 World Cup took to the skies in Perth and Sydney today as fans countdown to ‘The Big Time’. In Sydney, Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja was at Sydney Harbour as the flags of all 16 competing teams were flown over the city and its world-famous landmarks, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. In Western Australia, The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, arrived in Perth with Shane Watson bringing the trophy to local fans via helicopter from iconic tourist destination, Rottnest Island. Fan groups from all six teams that are guaranteed to feature across five matches in Perth marched to Perth Stadium and had the chance to get a live glimpse of the prized silverware. A countdown clock and mural was also unveiled in Geelong, where the opening match of the T20 World Cup will be played between 2014 champions Sri Lanka and Namibia on 16 October. The mural was painted by a local Sri Lankan artist and will remain at Kardinia Park Stadium following the completion of the T20 World Cup. Earlier this week, additional standing room tickets were sold out to the highly anticipated India v Pakistan match at the MCG on Sunday 23 October. Over 800,000 fans are anticipated to attend the T20 World Cup with childrens tickets to all Super 12 matches available for just $5, while adult tickets start from $20. ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “There is a real sense of excitement and anticipation now we are just 50 days away from the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Today’s activities across Australia to celebrate the milestone highlight this is an event not to be missed. With all 16 teams confirmed and the finishing touches to event preparation being undertaken, I can’t wait for the cricket to start and to see who will claim the ultimate prize in T20 cricket. ‘There are still some tickets available for certain match days so anyone that wants to witness the world's best T20 cricketers in a World Cup should check the ICC website to make sure they don't miss out." Ambassador Usman Khawaja said;  “The T20 World Cup is a massive global event and the fact that 16 teams will all be playing across Australia at the same time is very special. What I’m excited to see as being a part of the T20 Champions programme is the fans of all the different teams coming to the stadiums to celebrate their heritage and passion for cricket.” “While Australia are the hosts of the event, this will be a home World Cup for people of all different backgrounds no matter where they are from. We’ve seen tickets sell out for the India and Pakistan match with over 80% of those fans living here in Australia. This shows how big the opportunity is for cricket to engage fans of all different backgrounds to be part of the Australian Cricket family.”  Organising Committee CEO Michelle Enright said: “With only 50 days to go until the T20 World Cup, our message is that this is a World Cup for everyone. It will be an unmissable celebration of cricket and the many different cultures that makes up its extraordinary global fanbase. “World Cups have an unrivalled ability to unite the country and to inspire the next generation.  With kids tickets to all Super 12 matches at just $5, we hope as many families as possible are able to come and see the world’s best cricketers and share in the joy of live sport.”

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The Sri Lankan cricketers will be put on a new name on their jerseys for the Asia Cup as FairPlay News becomes the official national sponsor for the team. “We are extremely happy to welcome Fairplay News as the official sponsors of the national team during the upcoming Asia Cup and hope that this partnership will augur well for the sports site” Said Mr. Ashley de Silva, CEO, Sri Lanka Cricket.  The Director of FairPlay News stated, “We are proud to be the Sri Lankan Cricket Team Sponsors. This association has given Fairplay News the right opportunity to be able to stand true to our name and work which imbibes the virtues of sport.” Dasun Shanaka and his 20 member squad will wear the jerseys with the name FairPlay News, a part of the FairPlay Sports, a fast-growing multi-vertical group with its presence in Sports News for the Asia Cup that will be held from the 27th of August in the UAE. FairPlay News is the country's leading sports news and updates platform and a fairly new entrant in the Fantasy Sport Category. The Asia Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, but shifted to the UAE due to political turmoil and the economic crisis in the nation. Sri Lanka has witnessed months of food and fuel shortages, blackouts and runaway inflation in the wake of its worst financial crisis on record. This association is extremely welcome for the cricketing body amidst this turmoil.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr. has been ruled out of the ACC T20 Asia Cup due to a side strain. He had picked up the injury while bowling in Pakistan’s practice session on Wednesday.  The bowler was assessed by the team medical staff, and MRI scan in Dubai confirmed the diagnosis. The findings were discussed with the PCB Medical Advisory Committee, while an independent review by a specialist physiotherapist was also sought. The medical team will closely monitor Wasim’s rehabilitation and his return to competitive cricket will be reassessed before the England tour to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali, has been named as Wasim’s replacement, which is subject to the Event Technical Committee’s approval. Hasan Ali was sought as a replacement player by the team management and the request was accepted by the chief selector. Hasan Ali had been working on his bowling in the National High Performance Centre for the past three weeks and is presently in Rawalpindi, preparing for the National T20, which commences on 30 August. As soon as the ETC approves Hasan as a replacement player, the bowler will depart for the UAE.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will defend their National T20 title under the leadership of Khalid Usman as the all-rounder has been announced the captain of the winners of the 2020 and 2021 editions. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have had an impressive run in the last two editions of the tournament, winning 15 off 24 matches, and will be eager to continue their form when they open their campaign on 31 August, the second day of the tournament, against Central Punjab. Another tournament win will further stamp Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a T20 powerhouse, embellish their trophy cabinet with the prestigious silverware and another PKR5million in their bank account. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf takes the reins of Central Punjab, the runners up of the previous edition, who will lock horns with Yasir Shah-captained Balochistan in the second match of the tournament on the National T20 opening day (30 August). The tournament will begin with what promises to be a thriller with Saud Shakeel’s Sindh taking on Hasan Ali’s Southern Punjab. Northern, the home side, will begin their campaign on 1 September and will be captained by top-order batter Umar Amin. The squads, both for the National T20 and Cricket Associations T20 (details below) have been finalised by national men’s chief selector, Muhammad Wasim, in consultation with the six Cricket Associations. The selectors have ensured that the players on the fringes of the national side get the opportunities to continue to push their case for the national selection and this summer’s top performers in the City Cricket Association and Divisional tournaments climb another rung. The National T20 will be played in two legs with Pindi Cricket Stadium playing host to first 16 of the 33 matches from 30 August till 7 September. Multan Cricket Stadium will stage the second leg between 10 till 19 September. First XI squads: Balochistan: Yasir Shah (c), Shan Masood (vc), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Akif Javed, Ali Waqas, Amad Butt, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Haseebullah (wk), Hussain Talat, Junaid Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Junaid and Sajjad Ali Central Punjab: Faheem Ashraf (c), Abdullah Shafique (vc), Ahmed Shehzad, Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Asfand, Hunain Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Junaid Ali (wk), Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Faizan, Qasim Akram, Shoaib Malik, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir and Wahab Riaz Northern: Umar Amin (c), Ali Imran (vc),  Aamer Jamal, Hassan Nawaz, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Huraira, Nasir Nawaz, Rohail Nazir (wk), Salman Irshad, Shoaib Amir, Sohail Tanvir, Umer Khan, Usman Khan Shinwari and Zaman Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Khalid Usman (c), Kamran Ghulam (vc), Adil Amin, Aamer Azmat, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Afridi, Ihsanullah, Imran Khan Snr, Israrullah, Maaz khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Mohammad Amir Khan and Sahibzada Farhan Sindh: Saud Shakeel (c), Mir Hamza (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Asif Mahmood, Danish Aziz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rumman Raees, Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Syed Faraz Ali, Zahid Mehmood and Zeeshan Zameer Southern Punjab: Hasan Ali (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Ahmad Bashir, Ali Majid, Amir Yamin, Faisal Akram, Hassan Khan, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Moinuddin, Mohammad Ilyas, Sameen Gul, Sharoon Siraj, Sohaib Maqsood, Zain Abbas and Zeeshan Ashraf (wk) Cricket Associations T20 The Cricket Associations T20 tournament, in which the second XI sides of the six Cricket Associations feature, will begin from 2 September and will also be played on the double round robin basis. Cricket Associations T20 will be staged at the Bugti Stadium, Quetta and the team that finishes on the top of the points table at the completion of the league on 15 September will win the competition. The teams will travel to Quetta on 26 August, where they will undergo pre-tournament preparations. Second XI squads: Balochistan: Bismillah Khan (c & wk), Imran Butt (vc), Abdul Hanan, Ayyaz Tasawar, Basit Ali, Daud Khan, Gohar Faiz, Jalat Khan, Mohamamd Shahid, Mohammad Ibrahim Snr, Muhammad Azeem Ghumman, Rasool Bakhsh, Taj Wali, Tariq Jamil and Zainullah Snr Central Punjab: Rizwan Hussain (c), Muhammad Akhlaq (vc & wk), Abdul Samad, Abid Ali, Ali Shafiq, Asad Raza, Gauhar Hafeez, Haseeb-ur-Rehman, Imran Dogar, Mohammad Irfan Jnr, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Waheed, Mirza Salman, Mukhtar Ahmed and Umar Akmal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rehan Afridi (c & wk), Maaz Ahmed Sadaqat (vc), Ahmed Khan, Arshadullah, Haseeb Khan, Irfanullah Shah, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Nisar Afridi, Mohammad Usman, Nabi Gul, Niaz Khan, Tahir Khan, Usman Tariq and Zubair Khan Northern: Umair Masood (c & wk), Musa Khan (vc), Abidullah, Aqib Liaqat, Ather Mehmood, Atif Khan, Farhan Shafiq, Hassan Raza, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Shadab Majeed, Sufiyan Muqeem, Taimor Khan, Taimor Sultan and Zeeshan Malik Sindh: Mohammad Taha (c), Hasan Mohsin (vc), Aliyan Mehmood, Ammad Alam, Arish Ali Khan, Ghulam Mudassar, Jahanzaib Sultan, Kashif Ali, Majid Asghar, Mohammad Afzal (wk), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Umar, Rizwan Mehmood, Shahid Mirani and Sohail Khan Southern Punjab: Rahat Ali (c), Ali Usman (vc), Ahmed Hassan, Ali Imran, Humayun Altaf, Kaleemullah, Majid Ali, Mohammad Jahangir, Mohammad Junaid Awan, Mohammad Shehzad, Mohammad Sudais, Tahir Hussain, Umar Siddiq (wk), Waqar Hussain and Yousaf Babar

Adil Raza Shahzad RWALPINDI:-To provide affordable access to action for the cricket fans in Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Cricket Board has set the ticket prices for the National T20 matches at the Pindi Cricket Stadium at nominal rates. The tickets for general category tickets which include Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Miran Bakhsh and Yasir Arafat enclosures are priced at PKR50. The tickets for Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar, Azhar Mehmood and Javed Miandad enclosures, which fall under VIP category, are for PKR100. That the fans can easily buy tickets, the PCB, through its ticketing partner BookMe has made tickets available both online and through physical booths. The physical tickets will be available from 27 August from the booths placed outside Nawaz Sharif Park on Murree Road. The booth sales will take place between 0900 till 1800. The first leg of the National T20 will be played in Rawalpindi from 30 August till 7 September with the first match of the day starting at 0930 and the second at 1400.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has shortlisted the twenty-one (21) players as the probable of Pakistan Blind Cricket Team for the 3rd World Cup Cricket of the Blind to be held in India in December 2022. These players have been shortlisted after viewing their performances in the recent past tournaments. Syed Sultan Shah Chairman of PBCC has approved the names of the World Cup probable Team. The final team of 17 players will be selected in November 2022. Names of Selected Players: Category (B1): Riasat Khan (Abbottabad), Zafar Iqbal (Bahawalpur), Sajid Nawaz (Bahawalpur), Mohammad Shah Zaib (Bahawalpur), Mohammad Asif (Islamabad), Fakhar Abbas (Peshawar), Mohammad Salman (Lahore) Category (B2): Badar Munir (Okara), Nisar Ali (AJK), Moain Aslam (Bahawalpur), Anees Javed (Islamabad), Shahzeb Haider (Islamabad), Kamran Akhter (Lahore), Niamat Ullah (Quetta) Category (B3): Mohammad Rashid (Bahawalpur), Mati Ullah (Lahore), Faisal Mehmood (AJK), Mohsin Khan (Peshawar), Mohammad Safdar (Multan), Akmal Hayat Nasir (Islamabad), Sana Ullah Khan (Peshawar).

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-South African speedster, Kagiso Rabada gains two slots to rise to number three in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings following a thrilling bowling display in his side’s emphatic innings victory over England at Lord’s in the first of their three-match, World Test Championship series. The 27-year-old saw his name added to the honours board after taking his maiden five-wicket-haul (five for 52) at the prestigious venue, his 12th overall, and followed it up with two for 27 in England’s second innings, concluding the latest update with 836 rating points. Other gains are made by Rabada’s teammates Keshav Maharaj, who rises one place to number 18, Anrich Nortje, who jumps 14 spots to 25th place, and Marco Jansen who advances seven spaces to take up the 33rd spot. The trio also made significant strides in the All-Rounders rankings, most notably Jansen who climbs 17 slots to occupy 17th position. Jansen (48 off 79) and Maharaj (41 off 49 balls) shared a game-changing, 72-run, seventh-wicket partnership which proved crucial to their side’s winning cause. Opening batter Sarel Erwee makes the most significant advancement in the Test Batter rankings, climbing 35 places to share 64th position with England’s Jos Buttler on 476 points. Stuart Broad also rises among all-rounders after his second-innings cameo of 35 from 29 deliveries, dispatching five boundaries and a six. In a week of many major moves up the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, India’s Shubman Gill rockets up 93 places to occupy 38th position with 570 points after spearheading his side’s 3-0 series victory against Zimbabwe in Harare. Gill’s knocks of 33 (34 balls) and 82 (72) were overshadowed by a sensational 130 from 97 deliveries in the final match, which saw him blast 15 boundaries and a six into the stands. On the opposing side, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza also celebrates a four-place shift up the ODI rankings where he joins South Africa’s David Miller in 25th position thanks to his sixth ODI century - a dazzling 115 from 95 balls in the third and final match in the series. Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, continues to keep a tight grip on his number one spot in the batter rankings, increasing his rating points to 890 after his side beat the Netherlands 3-0 in Rotterdam. He is 101 rating points clear of second position; South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen. Leading from the front, Azam returned a half-century in every match, starting with 74 from 85 in the series opener, 57 (65) and narrowly missing out on three figures in the final match when he was dismissed on 91 from 125 deliveries. Tom Cooper of the Netherlands makes his own 108-spot surge to 75th thanks to his own three-peat of half-centuries against the tourists, returning 65, 66 and 62 runs in his respective appearances. New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, returned to ODI cricket for the first time since March 2020, re-entering the batting rankings in 11th place after his side beat West Indies 2-1 in their series in Barbados. Despite defeat in the opening match, Williamson showed grit with a handy 34 from 50 balls. He unfortunately had to bow out of the rest of the series due to injury, but his side bounced back strongly, coming back to claim the series. Williamson’s teammate, Finn Allen also makes major gains, climbing 121 places to land in joint 107th position with Namibia’s JJ Smit. Among other headlines, Mitchell Santner rises seven slots to 18th in the bowling rankings, along with West Indies’ Akeal Hosein, who moves 14 places to 23rd position. India’s Kuldeep Yadav reaches 34th place alongside teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Jason Holder advances 29 places to 58th, while India’s Shardul Thakur rose 10 places to number 62. Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel round off the last of the most notable bowling moves, the former rising to 72nd, while the latter makes a significant, 84-slot rise to 83rd position. Finally, Afghanistan batter, Usman Ghani, advances 15 places to 88th in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings at the conclusion of last of the five-match T20I series against Ireland, which was ultimately won 3-2 by the hosts in Belfast. Lorcan Tucker returns to the top 100 after rising four spots to 97th place. In the bowling rankings, Joshua Little gains four slots to reach a career-best 39th spot, and among the all-rounders, Gareth Delany and Curtis Campher rise to 27th and 47th respectively from 29th and 52nd.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Five elite cricket coaches will commence work at the Engro Cricket Coaching Project under the PCB Pathway Cricket Programme. The first phase of the programme begins at the National High Performance Centre, Lahore later this week. The coaches are expected to arrive in Lahore in the next seven to 10 days. Before the arrival of the coaches, screening and fitness testing of the participating players will take place. The PCB and Engro Corporation entered a three-year agreement earlier this year, on the basis of which, Engro Corporation is sponsoring the foreign coaches involved in the programme. South Africa’s Gordon Parsons and New Zealand’s Nicholas Webb join Julian Fountain, Julian Wood and Toby Radford who all hail from the United Kingdom. The five coaches will provide specialist coaching and training to the participants in batting, bowling and fielding disciplines with a special emphasis on enhancing the power-hitting, spin and pace bowling skills. The foreign coaches selected for the coaching programme are richly experienced and have produced results in age-group and senior cricket around the world for domestic, national and franchise teams. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “We are delighted to announce a high-profile coaching panel for the Engro Cricket Coaching Project under the PCB Pathway Cricket Programme. These coaches have made their name and reputation with innovative coaching on modern lines that has helped cricketers from around the world. “With Engro’s support, we want to shape the future of Pakistan cricket by investment at the grassroots level. The best age to learn about the game and make technical adjustments is at this level. By providing world-class coaching and training to the future Pakistan stars we are building the foundations of a potentially world beating side that can take on teams from around the world for the next 10 to 15 years. “This project is one of my top priorities and I am pleased that we at the PCB with support of Engro Corporation have made some rapid strides in a short span of time and are now ready to execute this potentially game changing plan for the future of Pakistan cricket.”  President and CEO Engro Corporation Ghias Khan said: “It is heartening to witness Engro's support for PCB’s Pathway Cricket Programme being taken to the next level. An integral leg of the programme, the Engro Cricket Coaching Project will greatly benefit Pakistan's young cricketers under the coaching supervision of five specialist coaches who will provide dedicated support needed by the young talent to sharpen their playing skills, while teaching them how to become better team players and leaders. “Engro recognises the positive role of sports in Pakistan's youth development, and will continue to support such initiatives in the future.” Coaches’ background: Fountain has remained a globetrotting coach, has served as Pakistan men’s fielding coach and has also given his services at the NHPC. Fountain was also involved with the Quetta Gladiators in the HBL Pakistan Super League. Parsons has worked extensively as bowling and head coach in South Africa and the UK and has been recognised in the cricketing world for his coaching expertise. Webb has worked as strength and conditioning coach for India and New Zealand. He also possesses in-depth experience of training at the county level in the UK. Wood is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern-day power-hitting training he has extensive county cricket experience and has also worked with some of England’s leading batters in a bid to improve their power-hitting. Radford possesses rich county cricket experience; he has also worked in the West Indies as director High Performance and assistant coach of the men’s side. He also coached England in this year’s ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. The five coaches will work closely with the PCB coaches during the training camps for the U13, U16 and U19 players. A total of 107 players have been enrolled in the first-batch. These players include the leading performers of the national U19, U16 and U13 tournaments. 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.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Umer Rashid, one of the highly-rated bowling coaches at the National High Performance Centre, has been added to the Pakistan men’s side as assistant to the fast bowling coach for the Asia Cup. Umer has worked in the development of all the national side fast bowlers since their early days, including helping Mohammad Hasnain to return to competitive cricket. In the new role with the national side, Umer will support Pakistan fast bowling coach Shaun Tait in the United Arab Emirates. Umer has been included in the player support personnel list on the recommendation of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq.