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Pakistan to host ICC Champions Trophy 2025
SPECIAL REPORT (November 16, 2021):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed the 14 host countries of the ICC men’s white ball events from 2024-2031. 11 Full Members and three Associate Members have been selected to host two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, four ICC Men’s T20 World Cups and two ICC Men’s Champions Trophy events. Pakistan will host Champions Trophy in 2025.
The USA and Namibia will host an ICC World Cup event for the first time. Whilst Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe have previously staged major events and will do so again over the next decade.
The hosts were selected via a competitive bidding process overseen by a Board sub-committee chaired by Martin Snedden along with Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Skerritt. The ICC Board accepted the recommendations of the committee who conducted a thorough review of each bid along with ICC management. A similar process to identify the hosts for ICC Women’s and U19s events for the next cycle will be undertaken early next year.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “We are delighted to have concluded this competitive bidding process for the first time for ICC events. To have 14 Members hosting 8 events is a reflection of the truly global nature of our sport and I’d like to thank every Member that submitted a bid and offer our congratulations to the successful bidders.
“It is fantastic to be returning to so many previous hosts, but what is really exciting about this process is the countries who will stage ICC events for the first time including the USA which is a strategic growth market for us. This gives us the opportunity to deepen our connection with fans in traditional cricket nations and also reach new fans around the world.”
Martin Snedden, Chair of the ICC Hosting Sub-Committee said: “We received a range of excellent bids to host the ICC Men’s events in the next cycle. We were committed to ensuring a broad spread of hosts to align with the ICC strategic objective of global growth and have ended up with 14 countries who will support that long term aim.”
Ricky Skerritt, Cricket West Indies President and ICC Board member said: “The success of this joint bid by CWI and USA Cricket will be a huge boost for our cricket. It offers a vital strategic opportunity to promote and develop cricket, and related commercial activity, in North America and the Caribbean. I take this opportunity to thank all those at ICC, USA Cricket and CWI who helped to make this 2024 venue selection decision possible.”
The awarding of the events to preferred hosts is subject to the completion of the host agreements and the ICC will now work closely with Members to finalise arrangements. 17 Members submitted a total of 28 proposals to host the eight ICC Men’s white ball events.
ICC announces 7 cities to host T20 World Cup 2022
Aamir Ali Janjua
DUBAHI:-The event which is scheduled to take place between 16 October and 13 November next year will see a total of 45 matches hosted across Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Final will be hosted under lights at the MCG on 13 November 2022. The semi-finals will be hosted at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Adelaide Oval on 9 and 10 November, respectively.
Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 champions Australia and runner-up New Zealand plus Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa as the next highest ranked teams will gain direct entry into the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.
Namibia, Scotland, Sri Lanka and the West Indies will play in Round 1. The four remaining spots at Australia 2022 will be filled via the ongoing qualification pathway, culminating in two global qualifying tournaments one to take place in Oman in February and the other in Zimbabwe in June/July.
Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We are looking forward to seeing the return of ICC events to Australia and are delighted to announce the seven host cities for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Following the success of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020 and a two year postponement, our sights are now firmly set on planning for the 2022 event in collaboration with the LOC.
“With 12 teams already confirmed in the line-up, we eagerly await the culmination of the qualification process to see which other teams will join them.”
Shifa International XIs claim 5 wickets win
Haroon Zulfiqar
ISLAMABAD:-Shifa International Hospitals Islamabad beat Capital Tigers Islamabad by 5 wickets in the friendly match played at Faisal Hills Cricket Ground near Taxila.
Capital Tigers Captain Majid won the toss and elected to bat first, Capital Tigers made 196 for all out in 33rd over. Irfan Senior (68), Irfan (24) and Ikram (15) were the key contributors. Shifa International Shahmir Ali bowled well and claimed 4 for 32 in 6 over, While Azmat Bashir (3 for 33) and Muzammil Rana (2 for 12) were the other main wicket-takers.
In reply, Shifa International achieved the target in the 27th over for the loss of five wickets. Tahir Akhtar and Mohammad Ikram contributed 76 runs in 6th wicket partnership, Tahir Akhtar (56 not out), Mohammad Ikram (41 Not out), Shahzad Kiani (29) and Shahmir Ali (21) were their main scorers. For Capital Tigers Amin took (2 for 25).
Junior players obtain Indian visas: Bajwa
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-The Indian High Commission has issued the visas to Pakistan junior team and officials to participate in the World Junior Hockey Cup 2021 to be held in Bhubaneswar, India from November 24 to December 5, 2021 under the auspices of International Hockey Federation (FIH).
According to an official of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the National Junior Hockey Squad is scheduled to leave for India on November 20 to participate in the World Junior Hockey Cup. Government of Pakistan has already issued No Objection Certificates (NOC) and PHF has received more than half of the national team visas through courier service.
Secretary General PHF Olympian Asif Bajwa said: As many as 16 teams are participating in the event out of which four teams are in Pakistan's pool which includes Germany, Argentina, Pakistan and Egypt. Two teams from the each pool will qualify and if Pakistan beat Germany then Pakistan would be the favorite to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Olympian Asif Bajwa said, “Our players are talented and due to the situation of the covid, National junior hockey team did not have the experience of matches at the international level but they have the ability to surprise any team in the event. Pakistan Junior Hockey Team will reach India and play two practice matches. The first match will be played against Chile on November 21 and the second against Canada on November 22. These will be practice matches off camera and practice session coverage will not be allowed. The Pakistan junior hockey team will play its first match against Germany on November 24 and Pakistan will face Egypt on November 27. The national junior hockey squad will play its last match of the pool round against Argentina on November 28, “Secretary PHF Asif Bajwa said.
Junior World Cup: Belgium meet South Africa in opening clash
Sports Bulletin Report
Lausanne, Switzerland Belgium will be facing South Africa on 24 November in the opening clash of FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021, the showpiece event where hockey’s rising stars will take to the field in the global showpiece at the magnificent Kalinga Stadium.
The competition takes place from 24 November to 5th December, with India – the defending champions – hosting the event for the third time.
Although the Junior World Cup has a deserved reputation as being a competition in which the stars of the future showcase themselves for the first time, there are numerous players who have already made a considerable impression on the sport. Thibeau Stockbroekx (Belgium), Benedickt Schwarzhaupt (Germany), Pepe Cunill (Spain) and Justen Blok (the Netherlands) have all featured in the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Timothée Clement has already made 25 senior international appearances for France.
The most decorated player in the competition is India captain and two-time FIH Rising Star of the Year Vivek Prasad, who has played 70 times for his country and was part of the team that won bronze at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Looking ahead to the event, FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said: “The Junior World Cup is a hugely important event for the sport of hockey, where the stars of tomorrow come out to shine. Many of the world’s greatest players have competed in this competition, showcasing their skills before going on to even greater successes with their respective senior teams.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the state of Odisha for their ongoing commitment to the sport of hockey, with a special word of thanks to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik – your passion for bringing major sporting events to Odisha is something that is admired and appreciated in equal measure.
“I would also like to thank Hockey India and all their partners for their relentless energy in planning for this event. Our thanks must also go to the sponsors and all the volunteers who are crucial to making this event a success.
The opening match of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 will see Belgium facing South Africa on 24 November at the Kalinga Stadium, the outstanding venue which hosted the last FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2018. The competition final will be played on 5 December.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Tests named
Ali Ahmed
LAHORE:-National selectors today announced the Pakistan men’s cricket team for the two Tests against Bangladesh, which will be played in Chittagong (26-30 November) and Dhaka (4-8 December).
Opener Imam-Ul-Haq, middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam and off-spinner Bilal Asif have been named in the 20-player squad, replacing Haris Rauf, Imran Butt, Shahnawaz Dahani and Yasir Shah, who were part of the 21-player side that toured the West Indies in July/August.
Left-handed Imam has been recalled following his stellar performances in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in which he has aggregated 488 runs in five innings of four matches, including an unbeaten double-century. Imam had played his 11th and last Test against Australia in Adelaide in November/December 2019.
Bilal has replaced Yasir Shah who is still recovering from a thumb injury he sustained during the National T20 and is yet to feature in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The off-spinner has taken 16 wickets in five Tests and has been drafted in the side considering Bangladesh squad includes left-handed batters and also looking ahead to the home Tests against Australia.
Kamran has returned to the side after missing the West Indies tour. He was in the squad for the home series against South Africa after scoring a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy record 1,249 runs in the 2020-21 season. Kamran is presently in Sri Lanka with the Pakistan Shaheens where he scored 58 not out and 45 in two innings of the rain-affected two-match four-day series.
Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim: “We have selected the squad following discussions with the team management and after taking into consideration the opposition’s potential make-up and the conditions in which the Tests will be played.
“As we already have four frontline fast bowlers, we have allowed Haris Rauf and Shahnawaz Dahani to return to Pakistan after the T20Is so that they can play in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and prepare for Australia Tests. An in-form left-handed Imam-Ul-Haq has replaced Imran Butt, who managed to score at 17.8 in 10 Test innings, but he has a chance to continue to play and perform in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy so that he can force his way back in the side.
“Bangladesh are strong side in their backyard but we have the resources, talent and experience to perform strongly and then carry that momentum into the Australia Tests, which will be part of the ICC World Test Championship.”
Pakistan Test squad:
Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Bilal Asif (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Zahid Mahmood (Sindh).
Training details of Pakistan T20 squad in Dhaka
Sports Bulletin Report
DHAKA, Bangladesh:-The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will commence from Friday, 19 November in Dhaka. The remaining two matches of the series will be played on 20 and 22 November at the same venue.
Pakistan team training details:
16 November: Pakistan cricket team will hold a training session at the NCAG Mirpur at 1030. The PCB will provide videos, photos and interviews of squad members, which can be used for editorial purposes only.
17 November: Pakistan cricket team will hold a training session at the NCAG Mirpur at 1345. The PCB will provide videos, photos and interviews of squad members, which can be used for editorial purposes only.
18 November: Pakistan cricket team will hold a training session at the NCAG Mirpur at 1600. The PCB will provide videos, photos and interviews of squad members, which can be used for editorial purposes only.
19 November: First T20I match at Sher-E-Bangla Cricket Stadium Dhaka, first ball to be bowled at 1400.
20 November: Second T20I match at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Dhaka, first ball to be bowled at 1400.
21 November: Pakistan cricket team will hold a training session at the NCAG Mirpur from 1345. The PCB will provide videos, photos and interviews of squad members, which can be used for editorial purposes only.
22 November: Third T20I match at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Dhaka, first ball to be bowled at 1400.
Under-19: Central Punjab Blues take on Southern Punjab Whites in final
Abdullah Asjad
RAWALPINDI:-Central Punjab Under-19 Blues will take on Southern Punjab Under-19 Blues in the National Under-19 Championship final, a four-day affair, at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
The two sides have topped their groups with Southern Punjab Whites winning three of their five matches and Central Punjab Blues winning two. The winning team will receive PKR1.5million while the runners-up will bag PKR750,000.
The top performers – best player, best batter, best bowler and best wicketkeeper – will receive PKR50,000 each and the player of the final will pocket PKR25,000.
The four-day final will be a good contest between bat and ball, as Southern Punjab Whites have dominated the batting charts, while Central Punjab Blues have shown their dominance with the ball in the tournament.
Players to watch out for in the final:
Southern Punjab U19 Whites – Mohammad Shehzad:
The 18-year old leads the batting chart scoring 696 runs at 99.43 in five matches. The right-handed batter has scored three centuries and as many half-centuries with 208 as his highest score in the tournament.
Southern Punjab U19 Whites – Arafat Ahmed:
The 17-year old is a good all-round player available to Southern Punjab Whites. The left-handed batter has featured in five matches, scoring 430 runs at 61.43. His best score is 108 and has hit two centuries and one half-century. With left-arm spin, he has bagged 20 wickets at 12.65, with two five-wicket hauls to his name and has best figures of five for 16 in an innings.
Central Punjab U19 Blues – Ali Asfand:
The 17-year old has 23 scalps in five matches. Left-arm spinner has taken two five-wicket hauls in the tournament with five for 20 his best figures in the innings.
Central Punjab U19 Blues – Arham Nawab:
Arham with his right-arm off-spin has taken 23 wickets in five outings. The 18-year old has twice taken four wickets in an innings with four for 46 his best figures in an innings so far in the tournament.
Central Punjab U19 Blues – Awais Ali:
The 16-year old fast bowler has 22 wickets at 14.82. Like his teammate Arham, he too has two four-wicket hauls in an innings. His best figures in an innings are four for 23.
Shaheens win one-day series as decider is abandoned due to rain
Sports Bulletin Report
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka:-Pakistan Shaheens won the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka A 1-0 as the third and final match of the series was abandoned due to rain after 32 overs of Shaheens’ innings.
Shaheens had won the first match on Thursday by six wickets while only one over was possible in the second match on Saturday before rain forced a premature end.
On Monday, Shaheens were asked to bat first after Sri Lanka A captain Kamindu Mendis won the toss. Openers Omair Bin Yousuf and Abdullah Shafique provided a 49-run start in 10.5 overs.
Abdullah was dismissed for 27 (35 balls, four fours). Omair posted his half-century, the right-hander hit seven fours in his 59 off 72 balls, he was sent packing by Ashian Daniel.
Captain Saud Shakeel who had hit a century in the first four-day match continued his rich vein of form with a sparking unbeaten 59 off 72 balls (four fours, one six) before rain brought an end to the proceedings.
Scores in Brief:
No Result, Pakistan win three-match series 1-0
Pakistan Shaheens 167 for 4, 32 overs (Saud Shakeel 59 not out, Omair Bin Yousuf 59; Ashian Daniel 2-44)
ITA-Midcourt Championship: Bilal outplays Jai Dutta
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Bilal Asim overcame Jai Dutta from USA 2-1 in the first round of Boys’ Singles of the ITF Pakistan ITA-Midcourt International Junior Tennis Championships that commenced on Monday here at PTF Tennis Complex under the banner of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF). The final score-line was 6-2, 6-7(9) and 6-1.
Results:
Boys Singles (Round-I):
Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) bt Haider Ali Rizwan(PAK) 6-1, 6-2
Nikita Safonov (RUS) bt Hussnain Ali Rizwan (PAK) 6-1, 6-2
Kohshi Ishibashi (JPN) bt Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
Bilal Asim (PAK) bt Jai Dutta (USA) 6-2, 6-7(9), 6-1
Abdul Hanan (PAK) bt Dev Kanbargimath (ROU) 7-6(6), 6-2
Aryan Giri (NEP) bt Ahtesham Humayun (PAK) 7-6(1), 6-2
Mujtaba Ali Khan (USA) bt Ahmad Nael Qureshi (PAK) 6-0, 6-3
Ahmet Atabay (TUR) bt Asad Zaman (PAK) 6-2, 6-1
Yunes Talawar (IRI) bt Huzaima Abdul Rehman (PAK) 6-4, 6-3
Abhishek Thorat (USA) bt Abdullah Adnan (PAK) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
Raza Ghaus (PAK) bt Ferdi Tangal (TUR) 6-1, 6-3
Dimitry Bessonov (RUS) bt Kashan Tariq (PAK) 6-0, 6-0
Aki Zuben Rawat (NEP) bt Ibrahim Sohail (PAK) 6-2, 6-1
Amir Asylkozhaev (RUS) bt Shehryar Anees (PAK) 6-0, 6-0
Teano Balducci (FRA) bt Mohammad Zaryab Khan (PAK) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
Hamid Israr (PAK) bt Fedor Sosedkin(RUS) 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(9)
Girls Singles (Round-I):
Zainab Ali Raja (PAK) beat Yana Earsado (USA) 6-1, 7-5
The matches will start on Tuesday.
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