Sports Bulletin

Multan (PCB Report): Pakistan finished the day two of the first Multan Test against West Indies with a 202-run lead after the spin twins Noman Ali and Sajid Khan wreaked havoc with the ball here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.Pakistan were 109-3 in the second innings at stumps in 31 overs when bad light forced stumps. Skipper Shan Masood returned after scoring a 70-ball 52 with the help of two fours and two sixes, while Mohammad Huraira stayed at the crease for 58 balls accumulating 29 runs with the help of three fours.Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel will be on the crease as Pakistan resume their second innings on day three.Earlier in the day, Noman and Sajid shared nine wickets among them to dismantle the West Indies batting line-up who were restricted for 137 all out in 25.2 overs. Noman starred with figures of 5-39 in 11 overs, his seventh Test five-for.Sajid started the damage with four wickets upfront while bowling with the new ball as West Indies slipped to 22-4. After opening the bowling, he took back to back wickets on the first two balls of the third over of innings and then struck twice in the fifth over.For West Indies, No.10 batter Jomel Warrican top-scored with an unbeaten 31 off 24 balls hitting four boundaries and one six. Jayden Seales, batting at No 11, contributed with a 13-ball 22-run cameo clubbing three sixes, while Gudakesh Motie chipped in with 19 runs.Warrican and Seales also came together for a valuable 21-ball 46-run last wicket partnership.At the beginning of the play, Pakistan resumed from their overnight score of 143-4 and could only add 87 runs to their total as the two half-centurions Saud Shakeel (84, 157b, 6x4s) and Mohammad Rizwan (71, 133b, 9x4s) were removed by Kevin Sinclair. Seales and Warrican picked up three wickets each.Scores in brief (Day 2 of 5)1st Test – Pakistan vs West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium, MultanToss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat firstPakistan 230 all out, 68.5 overs (Saud Shakeel 84, Mohammad Rizwan 71; Jayden Seales 3-27, Jomel Warrican 3-69, Kevin Sinclair 2-61, Gudakesh Motie 1-48) and 109-3, 31 overs (Shan Masood 52, Mohammad Huraira 29; Jomel Warrican 2-17)West Indies 137 all out, 25.2 overs (Jomel Warrican 31 not out, Jayden Seales 22, Gudakesh Motie 19; Noman Ali 5-39, Sajid Khan 4-65)

 Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced a 15-player squad for the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against the West Indies, scheduled to be played in Multan from 17-21 January and 25-29 January.The squad features seven changes from the 15-member Test team that toured South Africa. The retained players are: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali and Salman Ali Agha.To strengthen the spin department, off-spinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali. As part of workload management, the pace quartet of Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah has been rested. In their place, the selectors have retained Khurram Shahzad, but recalled Mohammad Ali and included uncapped Kashif Ali.Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Huraira have also been brought back, replacing an injured Saim Ayub and an out-of-form Abdullah Shafique.In the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, who sustained a split in his right-hand webbing during the Cape Town Test and requires two more weeks to fully recover, former Pakistan U19 and Shaheens captain Rohail Nazir has been added to the squad.Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests:Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper/batter), Sajid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.

Sports ReportIslamabad:West Indies closed the opening day of the three-day warm-up match against Pakistan Shaheens with 273-7 in 74 overs on the back of Alick Athanaze’s 99 at the Islamabad Club on Friday. The toss was uncontested as the teams mutually decided for the West Indies to bat first in this non-first-class fixture. Left hander Athanaze, batting at No.5, faced 142 balls, which included 15 fours and one six. He was dismissed by Ahmed Safi Abdullah one shy of century. Earlier in the day, opening batters Kraigg Brathwaite (34, 39, 5x4s, 1x6) and Mikyle Louis (34, 63b, 4x4s, 1x6) stitiched a 47-run opening partnership before the former fell to Ahmed Safi. Louis, Keacy Carty (22, 46b, 3x4s) and Kavem Hodge (17, 22b, 2x4s) became Mohammad Rameez Jnr’s preys, as the right-arm leg-spinner returned figures of 3-40 in 13 overs. Amir Jangoo (29 not out, 42b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Joshua Da Silva (11 not out, 28b) will resume batting for West Indies on day two with 16 overs remaining in the first innings as the first dig for both the teams has been restricted to 90 overs for maximum practice. Apart from Rameez Jnr and Ahmed Safi, Hussain Talat was the other wicket-taker for Shaheens as he dismissed Tevin Imlach (13, 36b, 1x4). Scores in brief Warm-up match (Day 1 of 3): Pakistan Shaheens vs West Indies at the Islamabad Club Ground Toss – Uncontested West Indies 273-7, 74 overs (Alick Athanaze 99, Kraigg Brathwaite 34, Mikyle Louis 34, Amir Jangoo 29 not out, Keacy Carty 22; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 3-40, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-91).

(By: BIPIN DANI) On Wednesday, Maheesh Theekshana, the talented Sri Lankan spinner, made headlines when he took a sensational hat trick against New Zealand in the second ODI match at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Despite his heroics, Sri Lanka lost the match by a huge margin. Theekshana's hat trick, which included dismissing Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, and Matt Henry in consecutive deliveries (in split overs) was a historic moment as he became the first spinner from Sri Lanka to achieve this feat against New Zealand.Theekshana's remarkable performance earned him praise from fans and cricket pundits alike. However, the loss was a tough blow for the Sri Lankan team, who struggled to keep up with New Zealand's dominant performance.Amidst the highs and lows of his cricketing career, Maheesh has something else to look forward to. On January 17th, he will be tying the knot with his girlfriend, Arthika Yonali, at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. Arthika is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Siyambalapitiya. The wedding is set to be a grand affair, with many of his friends and seniors from the cricketing world are expected to attend.In his wedding invitation, which is seen by this reporter, it is written, "True love is the greatest adventure". Arthika, a beautiful and supportive partner, has been by Maheesh's side through his journey in cricket. Their love story has been a source of inspiration for many, and their wedding is eagerly anticipated by fans and well-wishers.As Maheesh prepares for his big day, he reflects on his journey from a young boy in Sedawatta, Colombo, to becoming a key player for Sri Lanka and the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. His dedication and hard work have paid off, and now he looks forward to a new chapter in his life with Arthika.

BIPIN DANIThe minute of silence before the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd T-20I match in Nelson to honor Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was a poignant moment in the world of cricket. It's not common for sporting events to pause in memory of a police officer, which underscores the depth of respect and solidarity extended by the cricket community.Senior Sergeant Fleming's tragic death on New Year's Day left a significant impact on the Nelson community and the nation. In recognizing her service and sacrifice, the cricket fraternity demonstrated its support for those who dedicate their lives to public safety.This tribute before the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match on Thursday will be remembered as a moment when the cricketing world paused to honor a dedicated officer, reflecting the values of respect and solidarity that transcend the boundaries of the sport.This rare tribute highlighted the strong connection between the cricketing world and wider societal events. By observing a minute of silence, the teams and spectators acknowledged the important role played by law enforcement officers and honored Fleming's contributions.Such gestures in cricket, though infrequent, serve to remind us of the sport's power to unite people and pay homage to those who serve the community. It shows that cricket is more than just a game; it's a platform where humanity and sportsmanship come together.

Centurion (South Africa): South Africa were 82 for three in reply to Pakistan’s 211 all out as 13 wickets fell on the opening day of the first Test match at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.After being put into bat, the tourists on the back of half-century by Kamran Ghulam managed to score 211 all out in 57.3 overs. Kamran, the right-hand batter from Upper Dir, playing his third Test, scored a 71-ball 54, which included eight fours and a six. This was Kamran’s maiden Test half-century, after he had scored his maiden ton, in his first Test innings against England at home.Kamran knitted an 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket with white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan (27, 62b, 2x4s). All-rounder Aamir Jamal (28, 27b, 4x4s) was other notable contributor with the bat. For South Africa, Dane Paterson, playing his seventh Test, bagged second five-wicket haul and ended up with figures of 16-4-61-5. Debutant and fast bowler Corbin Bosch took four wickets.In turn, the hosts lost Tony de Zorzi (2, 8b) and Ryan Rickelton (8, 10b, 2x4s) to Khurram Shahzad inside seven overs. Right-arm fast Mohammad Abbas, making a comeback in the Test side after more than three years, got Tristan Stubbs leg-before wicket for nine in the 16th over. At stumps, South Africa were 82 for three in 22 overs with opening batter Aiden Markram returning unbeaten on 47.Scores in brief (Day-1):Pakistan 211 all out, 57.3 overs (Kamran Ghulam 54, Aamir Jamal 28, Mohammad Rizwan 27; Dane Paterson 5-61, Corbin Bosch 4-63)South Africa 82-3, 22 overs (Aiden Markram 47 not out; Khurram Shahzad 2-28 (SBR). 

Lahore (SBR): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the West Indies men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan for the two ICC World Test Championship matches and announced the schedule of tour.The West Indies cricket team will arrive in Islamabad on 6 January and after playing a three-day match against Pakistan Shaheens from 10-12 January at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, they will take on Pakistan in back-to-back Tests in Multan. The first Test will be played from 17-21 January, while the second Test will be held from 25-29 January.This will be the West Indies’ first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years when they played three Tests in November 2006, while their last Test away Test series against Pakistan was in the UAE in October 2016. However, the West Indies have thrice toured Pakistan since April 2018 - once for the ODI series (June 2022) and twice for the T20I series (April 2018 and December 2021).Tour schedule:10-12 January – three-day match vs Pakistan Shaheens, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium17-21 January – first Test, Multan Cricket Stadium25-29 January – second Test, Multan Cricket Stadium.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): England Men's Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all cricket for at least three months after further assessments confirmed he has torn his left hamstring. The Durham all-rounder will undergo surgery in January. The injury occurred during the third Test in Hamilton, during England's recent 2-1 Test series victory in the New Zealand. 

Defending Champions Pakistan to meet New Zealand in opening match KarachiDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the fixtures for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place from 19 February to 9 March in Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE).The 15-match, eight-team event returns to the cricket calendar for the first time since the last edition was staged in 2017, with defending champions Pakistan hosting their first global cricket tournament since 1996, alongside the UAE which was confirmed as the neutral venue.The thrilling 19-day competition, in which every match counts in the bid to claim the iconic Champions Trophy white jackets, will see Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan form Group A with Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa in Group B.The stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will host the matches in Pakistan, while Dubai will host the matches in the UAE. Ahead of tickets going on sale, fans are encouraged to register their interest for tickets here.The Champions Trophy begins with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand on 19 February - the opening day of the event - in Karachi. Other key match-ups include Bangladesh taking on India on the second day of the competition in Dubai and Afghanistan facing South Africa on 21 February in Karachi. On 22 February, one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries will pit Australia against England in Lahore, ahead of an unmissable Pakistan versus India contest on 23 February in Dubai.The quickfire event showcases the very best about cricket in one big day out, with the first semi-final scheduled to be played on 4 March in Dubai and the second semi-final slated for 5 March in Lahore. Lahore will host the final on 9 March, however if India qualifies for the final it will be played in Dubai, where the victorious team will claim the famous white jackets. Both semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.ICC Chair, Jay Shah said: “The ICC is delighted to release the schedule for the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, marking the tournament's much-anticipated return since 2017. The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment. This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity. This Champions Trophy is truly poised to be an unmissable celebration of the World Cricket’s finest.”Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi said: "We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket. Hosting the Champions Trophy is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organizer. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials, and fans alike. Pakistan is elated to welcome the world to the Champions Trophy, and we look forward to extending our renowned hospitality to all."Schedule ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025:19 Feb – Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi20 Feb – Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai21 Feb – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi22 Feb – Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore23 Feb – Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai24 Feb - Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi25 Feb – Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi26 Feb – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore27 Feb – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi28 Feb – Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore1 Mar – South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi2 Mar – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai4 Mar – Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai5 Mar – Semi-final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore9 Mar – Final - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Press Release).

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selected the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue for upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 cricket fixture, as this mega cricket event will be hosted by Pakistan under the banner of International Cricket Council (ICC).According to a spokesman for PCB, Amir Mir, Pakistan Cricket Board has formally informed the ICC about the neutral venue decision. Now, India and Pakistan's Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE.The decision regarding the neutral venue for the Champions Trophy was to be made by the host, Pakistan, and the final decision on the venue was made after a meeting between Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan.It is pertinent to mention here that Sheikh Al Nahyan, currently in Pakistan, is also the Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board.