Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sidra Amin have been nominated ICC Player of the Month by the International Cricket Council (ICC) today in celebration of the outstanding performances that took place across international cricket in November 2022. The shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November features two stars of England’s T20 World Cup winning campaign. Jos Buttler was in inspired form as his side surged to glory, providing a solid platform for success both as skipper, and at the top of the order. Adil Rashid joins him in contention for the Player of the Month crown thanks to a series of restrictive and impressive bowling displays in the latter stages of the tournament. Finally, despite Pakistan falling short of claiming the T20 World Cup prize at the final hurdle, Shaheen Shah Afridi completes the lineup after his threatening spells with the ball saw him end the tournament as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker. In the ICC Women’s Player of the Month category, three opening batters stake their claim for the November prize following impressive performances in bilateral cricket. Pakistan’s Sidra Ameen celebrates her first nomination in the Player of the Month Awards as she dazzled in the victorious ODI series against Ireland in Lahore. From the opposing side, Ireland’s Gaby Lewis is named on the shortlist following impressive batting exploits in her side’s historic T20I series victory which immediately followed. Thailand’s Natthakan Chantam also enjoyed a prolific month at the crease, registering big scores in her side’s ODI series victory on home soil against the Netherlands. 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 at icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to cast their votes until Saturday. ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for November: Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK) Spearheading Pakistan’s bowling attack in their surge to the Men’s T20 World Cup Final, Afridi once again proved a constant threat to opposing batters. Taking ten wickets during the month at a superb average of 7.30, his stand-out figures came in the must-win battle against Bangladesh at Adelaide, where his four for 22 secured his side’s passage through to the knockout stages. Although he was withdrawn mid-way through the Final due to injury, he was key to keeping England within reach during the showpiece finale. Jos Buttler (ENG) At the top of England’s batting order, Buttler showcased his full repertoire of strokes in a series of glittering displays as his side went on to claim the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The England captain started the month in dominant fashion with a Player of the Match performance against New Zealand, registering 73 from 47 balls as his side won by 20 runs in Brisbane. He then bettered this feat in the remarkable semi-final performance against India, where his brutal 80 from 49 balls alongside Alex Hales saw them chase down the 169 target without loss. Alongside his crucial score of 26 in a tense Final, Buttler also provided leadership in the field, ending with the Trophy lift on the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Adil Rashid (ENG) Rashid has proven himself time and again as a world-class bowler in the shortest format and November cemented his credentials as one of the standout performers in England’s armoury. Despite having taken just four wickets across the four T20Is he played in during the month, his expert economy rate of 5.70 was pivotal to restricting opposition scores in high-pressure matches. He claimed the Player of the Match award with figures of one for 16 in the final group game against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground, before excelling in the Final, where the outstanding consistency he demonstrated in his figures of one for 22 was rewarded with the T20 World Cup trophy. ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for November: Sidra Ameen (PAK) Pakistan opener Ameen enjoyed a hugely successful ODI series against Ireland last month, and will be hoping to celebrate her first ICC Player of the Month Award after scoring 277 runs across the three-match series in Lahore and only being dismissed once. She was in imperious form with the bat, recording her highest score of 176 not out in the first ODI, followed up with an unbeaten 91 from 93 balls as Pakistan claimed the whitewash victory 3-0 over the tourists in Lahore, and she walked away with the Player of the Series prize. Natthakan Chantham (THA) Chantham has been a key player for Thailand as they continue their rise in international cricket, and her first ODI appearances for her country underlined her abilities as a top-class batter. She is named on the shortlist after guiding Thailand to a 4-0 series win over a touring Netherlands in Chiangmai. Scoring 267 runs across the four matches, the Thailand opener registered her first century in this format in the first game (102 from 135 balls), and followed this up with two further half centuries in the successful series. Gaby Lewis (IRE) Ireland’s Gaby Lewis is no stranger to the ICC Player of the Month awards, and sees her name shortlisted for the fourth time. Despite losing the ODI series to Pakistan, Ireland bounced back strongly in the three T20Is which followed. Winning the first match thanks in large part to Lewis’ unbeaten 69 from 54 balls, they then secured the historic series victory in the final game with Lewis once again starring as opening batter. Her stylish 71 from 46 sealed the triumph and a Player of the Series award to cap off the memorable month.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE): India have been fined 80 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Bangladesh in the first ODI in Mirpur on Sunday. Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be four overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. India captain Rohit Sharma pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Michael Gough and Tanvir Ahmed, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Gazi Sohel leveled the charge.

Sports Bulletin Report DUBAI (UAE): New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and wicketkeeper Tom Latham have made notable progress in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings after figuring in a match-winning 221-run partnership in the first ODI of their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League series against India in Auckland. Williamson has moved into the top 10 after his 98 not out while Latham has galloped 10 places to reach 18th position after smashing an unbeaten 145 off 104 deliveries, their unbroken fourth wicket stand helping overhaul a total of 306 with 2.5 overs to spare. Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have dropped behind Australia’s Steve Smith (at a career-best sixth place) and England’s Jonny Bairstow (seventh) as they are not part of the ODI squad in New Zealand, while Shreyas Iyer (up six places to 27th), Shubman Gill (up three places to 34th) and Sanju Samson (up 10 places to 82nd) have moved up the list. Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who notched up half-centuries in a winning cause in their first ODI against Sri Lanka and in the abandoned second match, has progressed 21 places to 48th in the latest weekly update. Other batters to improve their rankings include players from teams playing in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 – Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus (up eight places to 39th), Papua New Guinea’s Assad Vala (up nine places to 43rd) and Monank Patel of the USA (up five places to 44th). New Zealand pacers Lockie Ferguson (up five places to 32nd) and Tim Southee (up two places to 34th) have moved up the bowlers’ rankings after finishing with three wickets each in the first ODI while Matt Henry is now in the top five. Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is a major gainer after grabbing three wickets in the two matches, moving up six places to 27th. With a knock of 66 to show in the first game, he is also up 20 places to 102nd among batters and is now eighth in the list of all-rounders.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has reappointed Imran Khwaja as Deputy Chair for a two-year term. Khwaja currently holds an Associate Member Director position on the Board having been re-elected at the ICC Annual Conference in July 2022. Khwaja was first elected to the ICC Board in 2008 and has served as Deputy Chair since 2017.

Sports Bulletin Report DUBAHI (UAE): Australia openers left-handed David Warner and right-handed Travis Head have taken a big jump in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings after an epic 269-run partnership at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), while Steve Smith’s consistence performances in the home series against England have helped him attain a cricket career-best equaling 7th position. Warner, a formerly top-ranked batter, has gained one spot to reach 5th position in the list after a score of 106 in the final match that helped him finish with 240 runs and win the Player of the Series award. Head, who accumulated 208 runs after his Player of the Match effort of 152 at the MCG, has progressed 12 spots to reach 30th position. Smith finished third in the list of run-scorers, his 195 runs good enough to lift him three places to seventh place, a position he had held in January 2017. Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh too have moved up the list and occupy 68th and 84th positions, respectively. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who was named Player of the Match for a haul of four for 47 in the second ODI in Sydney, has moved up four places to take fourth position while leg-spinner Adam Zampa (up eight places to seventh) and Pat Cummins (up one place to 17th) have also moved up the bowlers’ rankings. For England, Phil Salt and Dawid Malan have entered the top 100. Salt has progressed six slots to reach 97th position while Malan has advanced 56 places and is ranked 100th. Players from Namibia and the USA have also gained in the latest weekly update for their performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus of Namibia (up two places to 48th) and Monank Patel of the USA (up three places to 50th) have moved up the batters’ list while Saurabh Netravalkar of the USA has reached a career-best 31st position among bowlers after taking two wickets each against Namibia and Papua New Guinea. In the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, New Zealand opener Devon Conway’s knock of 59 in the tied final match of the series against India has helped him gain one slot to reach third position while Glenn Phillips (up one place to seventh among batters) and Tim Southee (up two steps to joint-14th among bowlers) have also gained. For India, captain Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 30 in the final match has helped him reach joint-50th position among batters while Bhuvneshwar Kumar (up two places to 11th), Arshdeep Singh (up one place to 21st) and Yuzvendra Chahal (up eight places to 40th) are the bowlers to gain in the latest update. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has consolidated his position at the top of the rankings after his stupendous 111 not out in the second match. He has gained 31 rating points from the series and his 890 points keep him 54 ahead of Pakistan’s Mohammed Rizwan.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The shortlists for the ICC Player of the Month awards for September have been revealed, and the lineups include some of the most exciting talent from the shorter formats of the game, as the excitement builds for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in just eleven days’ time. The candidates for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month crown all excelled across ODI and T20I cricket during the month. Australia’s Cameron Green was an instrumental figure in notable victories over New Zealand and India, Axar Patel is nominated following a series of impressive and restrictive bowling displays, while Mohammad Rizwan is nominated for the first time after a glittering run of performances with the bat. The shortlist for the women’s award features the star of Bangladesh’s successful campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates, Nigar Sultana, who captained her side to seal their place at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023. Completing the nominations are India heroes Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. Both are shortlisted for the very first time, and are vying to be crowned the first ever India player to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award thanks to stellar performances in both ODI and T20I series in England. ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for September: Cameron Green (Australia): Australian all-rounder Green receives his first nomination for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award after producing a string of fine displays during September. After striking an unbeaten 89 to seal a dramatic two-wicket victory over New Zealand, in the first of three ODIs, attention then shifted to the T20I series against India, where Green continued his momentum. A thrilling knock of 61 from 30 balls helped his side clinch the opening match, and despite failing to win the series, Green topped the run scoring charts for his team with 118 runs at an average of 39.33. Axar Patel (India): So often a key threat in India’s bowling attack, Patel enjoyed a prolific September to earn his first nomination for Player of the Month. Claiming a total of nine wickets at an average of 11.44 and with a superb economy rate of just 5.72, he most notably excelled in the home series against Australia, where he took three for 17 in Mohali, two for 13 in Nagpur, and three for 33 in Hyderabad to underline his significant credentials as a key asset for India in the shorter format. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan): Rizwan lies atop the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings for Batters and his form throughout September helped illustrate why he sits at the summit. The Pakistan ace registered three half-centuries in the latter stages of his side’s Asia Cup campaign which led them to the final, before continuing his rich vein of form in the subsequent T20I series against a visiting England side. Four further half-centuries followed, with the highlight being an unbeaten 88 during the dominant ten-wicket victory in the second T20I chasing down an imposing 199 set by the tourists. Rizwan’s month ended with him having amassed 553 runs at an average of 69.12 from his ten fixtures. ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for September: Harmanpreet Kaur (India): Despite a disappointing T20I series in England at the start of the month, Kaur was in imperious form during the subsequent ODI series which followed. Scoring 221 runs across the three matches, she guided her side over the finishing line in the first match with a controlled 74 not out, before she clinched the series for her team in style in the second match, striking an unbeaten 143 to seal a historic first ODI series victory for her side in England since 1999. Smriti Mandhana (India): Another of the leading lights of India’s batting lineup, and last year’s winner of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Mandhana also excelled during her time in England in September. She scored consistently across both white-ball series, highlighted by her unbeaten 79 during the first T20I in Derby and 91 in the first ODI in Canterbury – both match winning contributions. Mandhana also ended the month averaging over 50 in both formats, and with a strike-rate of 137 in the T20Is, underlining the scale of her successes during the month. Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh): Sultana led from the front during her side’s successful ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualification campaign in the United Arab Emirates, scoring 180 runs at an average of 45 across five T20Is. The Bangladesh captain opened her account with a crucial score of 67 in her side’s first outing – a victory over eventual finalists Ireland, before registering an unbeaten 56 against the USA en route to clinching a spot in South Africa. In being nominated for the award, Sultana becomes the first female Bangladesh international to be shortlisted since Nahida Akter back in November 2021.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The top 10 teams in the world will begin their bid for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket when South Africa take on Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Newlands on 10 February, as the match schedule for the biggest ever women’s sporting event in Africa was announced. Fans can now buy tickets for the 23 matches that will be played across Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha in 15 days. The world’s best cricketers will take centre stage for a uniquely African celebration of cricket culminating in a Finals weekend at Newlands Cricket Ground with the winner being crowned on Sunday, 26 February. Tickets prices start at R60, with scholars and pensioners able to avail discounts. Families can make the most of the action with kids under six coming in for free across all the venues. Bangladesh and Ireland complete the list of participating teams, joining Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the eighth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be a spectacular celebration for everyone to be a part of. The final match schedule was released on Monday in a uniquely African event at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town with ICC Ambassador Mithali Raj attending the launch. The T20 World Cup, which is a ground-breaking opportunity for cricket in South Africa, will look to be the most inclusive and accessible cricket tournament ever played in the country, forming part of back-to-back World Cups that will leave a legacy to grow girls’ and women’s participation. The Western Cape will play host to a bumper opening weekend of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Boland Park will host the first double-header, with England and the West Indies in action in the early match, followed by defending champions Australia taking on New Zealand. The four sub-continent sides will headline the second double-header at Newlands on Sunday as India take on Pakistan and Bangladesh face Sri Lanka. ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice said: “We are thrilled to be announcing the match schedule for the next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as we look to build on the success of Australia 2020 and host a uniquely African celebration of cricket. “As a key strategic priority for the sport, women’s cricket continues to build momentum and engage more fans than ever before. With T20 as the growth vehicle for cricket we are confident that this event and the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup preceding the senior event will leave a lasting legacy to grow girls and women’s cricket around the world.” Former India captain Mithali Raj, who is an ICC Ambassador, said she was really excited about the tournament being held in South Africa. “The announcement of the schedule takes us one step closer to the Women’s T20 World Cup. This has been a fantastic period for the growth of the women’s game, and I am sure fans in South Africa will be out in huge numbers to support the players. “I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in ICC tournaments over the years and know what they mean to players globally. I can’t wait to watch some fast-paced, high-energy cricket and closely-fought, exciting matches.”

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Islamabad:-The International Cricket Council will release its next Invitation To Tender (ITT) for media rights for the USA, Australia, Caribbean and Canada markets today. Following the successful conclusion of the Indian market media rights tender, the ICC is starting the next phase of its media sales process across targeted markets, including the USA. The packages will replicate the recently concluded India ITT in terms of men’s and women’s rights being sold separately, and prospective partners can bid for the events taking place from 2024, including 16 Men’s events (over 8 years) and six Women’s events (over 4 years). However, unlike in India, these packages will be for combined TV and digital rights, with no standalone TV and digital packages being offered. Interested parties must submit a bid for the first four years of men’s events. However, they also have the option of bidding for an eight-year partnership. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “ICC events consistently attract huge audiences, and we saw from the media rights sales process in India that this drives significant interest from broadcasters. We look forward to seeing competitive bidding in the established cricket broadcast markets of the USA, Australia, the Caribbean and Canada, enabling passionate fans to follow the game globally. “The USA is one of the ICC’s targeted growth markets, and with 30 million cricket fans already enjoying the sport there, a World Cup scheduled to be co-hosted in that country in 2024 and our exciting ambition for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games, there couldn’t be a better time for cricket to find a broadcast partner to help grow the game across the region.”  

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-Captain Harmanpreet Kaur leads a bunch of India players who have made rapid gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after some excellent performances that helped complete a 3-0 sweep over England in their ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) series. Kaur, who smashed a match-winning 143 not out off 111 deliveries in the second match in Canterbury, has gained four slots to reach fifth position while opener Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma have also moved up in the latest update that considers performances in the last two matches of that series as well as the IWC series between the West Indies and New Zealand. Mandhana, a formerly top-ranked batter, who scored 40 and 50 in the two matches, has inched up one place to take sixth position while Sharma’s unbeaten 68 not out in the third match at Lord’s has lifted her eight places to 24th position. Pooja Vastrakar (up four places to 49th) and Harleen Deol (up 46 places to 81st) are other India players to move up the batters’ list while new-ball bowler Renuka Singh has galloped 35 places to take 35th position after grabbing four wickets each in the two matches. Fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, a formerly top-ranked bowler, retired in fifth position. England’s Danny Wyatt, who scored 65 in the second match, has gained two slots to reach 21st position among batters while Amy Jones is up four places to 30th. Charlie Dean has progressed 24 places to get to 62nd among batters and one slot to 19th among bowlers. West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has grabbed the No. 1 position for all-rounders in the ODI format for the first time in her career after aggregating 88 runs and grabbing five wickets in a 2-1 series win over New Zealand. Mathews, who has been a top ranked all-rounder in T20Is in the past, has also moved up three slots to 18th among batters and two places to sixth among bowlers. Lauren Down of New Zealand (up 15 places to 55th) is another batter to progress after the series while Hannah Rowe (up two places to 33rd), Amelia Kerr (up four places to 11th) and Jess Kerr (up one place to 21st) have moved up in the list for bowlers. West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher is now in 41st position. In the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings, Thailand’s Natthakan Chantham, who was named Player of the Match for a valiant 64 off 51 deliveries in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 semifinal against Bangladesh, has moved up two places to 14th position while Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce is up one place to 19th position. Zimbabwe’s Sharne Mayers (up 18 places to 21st), United Arab Emirates’ Theertha Sathish (up nine places to 28th), Ireland’s Gaby Lewis (up one places to joint-29th, Papua New Guinea’s Brenda Tau (up nine places to 33rd) and Bangladesh’s Murshida Khatun (up 23 places to 36th) are among the others to move up the rankings for batters. Off-spinners Nattaya Boochatham (up one place to 14th) of Thailand and Precious Marange (up five places to 29th) of Zimbabwe and Ireland medium-pacer Arlene Kelly (up 39 places to 39th) are among those to move up in the bowlers’ list.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (UAE):-Thailand’s Rosenan Kanoh has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect after the ICC’s Expert Panel confirmed that the off-spinner uses an illegal bowling action. The 23-year-old was reported by the match officials following her side’s match against Bangladesh on 23 September. The Expert Panel reviewed match footage of Kanoh’s bowling action and concluded that she employs an illegal bowling action and as such, in accordance with Article 6.5 of the regulations, she is suspended from bowling in international cricket. Kanoh’s suspension shall remain in place until such time she submits to a re-assessment of her bowling action and the assessment concludes that her bowling action is legal.