Sports Bulletin

Jamil Siraj Sydney,Australia (December 11, 2021):-It will be a historic occasion given Tasmania has never hosted an Ashes Test before and this will also be the first day-night Test match to be played in the state. Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said: “We are delighted to announce that Blundstone Arena in Hobart will be hosting an Ashes Test match for the first time and thank the Tasmanian Government for its support. “I would like to thank all the States and Territories who took part in this process. The submissions we received were outstanding and we had no doubt that each of the venues that took part would have hosted a wonderful event. “There were a range of considerations, including commercial, logistical and operational factors and on the balance of these, the CA board agreed on Blundstone Arena being the most appropriate venue to host the fifth Men’s Ashes Test. “We also acknowledge the postponement of the Australia and Afghanistan Test due to take place in Hobart earlier in the year played a part in the decision.

Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Jaffna Kings leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been in superb form in the ongoing season of Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021, having already picked five wickets in three games. But the Sri Lanka international, hopes to get wicket of one of his favourite batsmen Virat Kohli one day. I an interview he says: "I would love to get my favourite cricketer Virat Kohli’s wicket someday. I also want to pick Babar Azam and Glenn Maxwell's wickets as well," Hasaranga said when asked to name the players who he wishes to dismiss in his career Hasaranga was the leading wicket-taker at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, with 16 scalps in 8 games, despite Sri Lanka not reaching past the group stages. On being asked about the reasons behind his personal success, Hasaranga said that he always try to do the best for his team. "When I am bowling, I always try to take wickets. When I am in the national team, I always try to do my best for the team. That's why I am successful," he said. Confident Hasaranga does not want feel the pressure of media and fans comparing him with former Sri Lanka legends Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath. "I am always motivated to perform. I don't feel any pressure. I don't want to be the next Muralitharan or the next Herath. I want to be the first Hasaranga," he said. With the rise of T20 format, it is largely believed that cricket is becoming a batsman's game. But Hasaranga explained how the spinners can prove to be match winners in the shortest format. "Leg spinners can do anything. Because, in the T20 cricket, batsmen are going to hit big shots on each delivery. We have a lot of variations. Sometimes, we can get hit for 40-50 runs in a match. But in the next match, we find a way to get back and pick 4-5 wickets. Leg-spinners can win matches," he added. The 24-year-old bowler went on to credit Lanka Premier League for the rise of Sri Lanka Cricket in the past few years. "Last time, we saw a lot of youngsters doing a good job in Lanka Premier League. In this kind of tournament, we always get a lot of good players. That is why Sri Lanka Cricket is better than last few years. These kinds of tournaments are always good for the growth of sport in a nation," Hasaranga signed off.

Dubai, UAE (Aamir Ali Janjua):-India opener Mayank Agarwal and New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel have made huge progress in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings after outstanding performances in the second Test of their ICC World Test Championship series in Mumbai. Agarwal’s Player of the Match effort of 150 and 62 has helped him gain 30 spots and reach 11th position in the latest weekly update to the men’s rankings which is carried out on Wednesdays and includes all matches ending on Tuesdays. He is just one spot below a career-best 10th position that he first attained in November 2019. Mumbai-born Patel, who became only the third player to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings, emulating Jim Laker and Anil Kumble, has moved up 23 slots to 38th after finishing with 14 wickets in the match. The left-arm spinner’s previous best ranking was 53rd and he had started the series in 62nd position. Others to move up in the rankings after the Mumbai Test are India opener Shubman Gill (up 21 places to 45th), fast bowler Mohammad Siraj (up four places to 41st) and New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell (up 26 places to 78th). Ravichandran Ashwin has bridged the gap with top-ranked bowler Pat Cummins after finishing with four wickets in each innings in India’s 372-run victory. Ashwin has gained 43 rating points to reach a total of 883 and is 67 points ahead of third-placed Josh Hazlewood. He has moved up one place to second among all-rounders even as his compatriot Ravindra Jadeja has slipped to fourth in the list led by West Indies’ Jason Holder. Holder has gained one spot to reach 14th among bowlers in Wednesday’s update, that also considers performances from the Galle Test that Sri Lanka won by 164 runs to complete a 2-0 series victory and remain atop the ICC World Test Championship points table powered by MRF Tyres. Kraigg Brathwaite (up 10 places to 39th) and Nkrumah Bonner (up 17 places to 42nd) are the batters to move up for the West Indies but the one to gain the most after the Galle Test is Player of the Match Dhananjaya de Silva, who has advanced 12 places to 21st after his unbeaten 155 in the second innings. Spinners Lasith Embuldeniya and Ramesh Mendis too have made substantial gains. Embuldeniya has gained five slots to reach 32nd position after finishing with seven wickets in the match, while Mendis has progressed 18 places to 39th with an 11-wicket match haul.

Saad Kayani KARACHI (December 8, 2021):-The Pakistan and West Indies men’s sides will gather in Karachi on Thursday for the three T20Is and as many ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches at the National Stadium from 13-22 December. The following is the teams’ training and media activities schedule. All training sessions will be held at the National Stadium and the media is welcomed to cover them from their designated working areas. Entry to the National Stadium will be through accreditation passes, which are now ready for collection. Accredited media are advised to collect their passes from Mr Shakeel Khan, PCB Media Accreditation and Service Officer, from the National Stadium on Thursday and Friday from 1000 to 1700. For further information, please contact Mr Shakeel Khan at +92 301 8440284. Media conferences, training and match schedule: 10 Dec – Both teams are scheduled to hold training sessions from 1930 till 2230. Before the training, West Indies head coach Phil Simmons will hold an online arrival virtual media conference. Please contact Dario Barthley to attend the session. 11 Dec – Both teams are scheduled to hold training sessions from 1930 till 2230. No media activity is planned. 12 Dec – Pakistan captain Babar Azam will hold his pre-series virtual media conference at 1100. Please contact Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, at least, two hours before the beginning of the session so the link can be provided. Later, in the evening, West Indies will hold their pre-series virtual media conference. Please contact Dario Barthley to attend the session.  Both teams will have their training sessions from 1930 till 2230 13 Dec – The first T20I will begin at 1800. The toss will take place at 1730. At the conclusion of the match, the PCB and CWI will provide video interviews from their camps. 14 Dec – The second T20I will begin at 1800. The toss will take place at 1730. At the conclusion of the match, the PCB and CWI will provide video interviews from their camps. 15 Dec – Both sides are scheduled to have optional training sessions from 1930 till 2230. No media activity is planned. 16 Dec - The third and final T20I will begin at 1800. The toss will take place at 1730. The match will be followed by the virtual media conferences of both the captains in which they will review the T20I series and preview the ODI series. 17 Dec – Both sides are scheduled to hold an optional training sessions from 1530 till 1830. For further information, please contact both the team media managers. 18 Dec – The first ODI will start at 1300, with the toss taking place at 1230. The match will be followed by post-match virtual media session. 19 Dec – Both sides are scheduled to hold an optional training sessions from 1530 till 1830. For further information, please contact both the team media managers. 20 Dec – The second ODI will start at 1300, with the toss taking place at 1230. The match will be followed by post-match virtual media session. Please contact Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi before the start of the second innings so the link can be provided. 21 Dec – Both sides are scheduled to hold an optional training sessions from 1530 till 1830. For further information, please contact both the team media managers. 22 Dec – The third ODI will start at 1300, with the toss taking place at 1230. The match will be followed by post-match virtual media session. Please contact Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi before the start of the second innings so the link can be provided.

Dhaka, Bangladesh (SB Report):-A sensational bowling performance from Pakistan saw them collect 13 Bangladesh wickets on the fifth and final day of the Dhaka Test to clean sweep the two-match series with an innings and eight runs win and bag 12 ICC World Test Championship points. On what turned out to be a thrilling day for the lovers of Test cricket, Bangladesh, being forced to follow-on after managing a paltry 87 in reply of Pakistan’s strong 300 for four, battled to eke out a draw, but they failed one by one to answer the questions posed by the touring bowlers and were bowled out for 205. In a befitting manner, Sajid Khan, who finished the match with 12 scalps after recording career-best eight for 42 in the first innings, snared the last wicket as he trapped Taijul Islam LBW. At the start of the day, Sajid, who had taken six wickets yesterday, added to more to his tally, as Bangladesh could add only 11 more runs before they were bowled out. After Babar Azam forced the follow-on, fiery opening spells from Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi reduced the hosts to 25 for four. As a partnership between Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim started to build, the former handed a catch to Fawad Alam at square-leg off Sajid. The two paired for 73 runs. Mushfiqur ensured that he held his end, but 49 runs later, he was run out attempting a quick single at the cusp of Tea. The right-hander made 48. The onus of carrying Bangladesh home then shifted on their most successful all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan. He chipped away runs and found boundaries at regular intervals in his 130-ball 63, which included nine fours. As Shakib’s alliance with Mehdy Hasan, 14 off 70, started to instil hope in Bangladesh fans, Babar Azam picked up his maiden international wicket at the most crucial time. The Pakistan captain introduced himself in the first half of the evening session and struck on Mehdy’s pads. After his appeal for the LBW was turned down, he successfully got the umpire’s decision overhauled after reviewing it. Shakib departed next over as Sajid’s scintillating off-spinner from around the wicket knocked the left-hander’s off-stump. From there on, it was only a matter of time. Sajid took the last two wickets as Pakistan secured the epic win. Scores in brief: Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 188-2) 300-4d (Babar Azam 76, Azhar Ali 56, Mohammad Rizwan 53 not out, Fawad Alam 50 not out; Taijul Islam 2-73) Bangladesh 1st innings 87 all out (Najmul Hossain 30, Shakib Al Hasan 33; Sajid Khan 8-42) and 205 all out (Shakib-al-Hasan 63, Mushfiqur Rahim 48, Liton Das 45; Sajid Khan 4-86, Shaheen Afridi 2-31, Hasan Ali 2-37) Player of the match – Sajid Khan (Pakistan) Player of the series – Abid Ali (Pakistan)

Bipin Dani Ajaz Patel was "unlucky" for not being awarded the Player of the Match award, according to his mentor and former Kiwi spinner Dipak Patel. Ajaz Patel not only took India's all ten wickets in the first innings but also grabbed four more in the second innings.  The decision makers' preference was Mayank Agarwal in the Mumbai Test, which was well won by the home team. "In my opinion Ajaz was very unlucky not to get the MOM, however it's a difficult decision for the person or people who were selecting the MoM. Ajaz's achievement was amazing for a foreign spinner to get 10 wickets on day 1, in the first innings of a Test match against India's best batsmen to play spin bowling", Dipak Patel, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Auckland, said. "He also picked up 4 more wickets in the 2nd innings. In normal situations 98% of time the winning team individual will be awarded the MoM". Patel, however, added, "again on a difficult pitch to bat Agarwal batted superbly and put his team in a strong position and scoring runs in the 2nd innings was a match winning performance". "Awarding Ajaz would have been a sentimental one, but we must appreciate this international cricket and Test Match so in my opinion that was the right call", Dipak Patel added. Former India chief selector also echoed his views on the presentation. Speaking to this Reporter, he said, "I totally understand the depth of your concern for a historical achievement which had been duly recognised by felicitating Ajaj Patel by staging Association. But the reality is that it was Mayank's knocks that helped the team to win the Test match and eventually the Test series. I believe this decision is absolutely right".

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's outgoing national head coach Mickey Arthur's departure to England is delayed, it is learnt.   According to the sources in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Arthur was to leave for England to take up his new assignment as cricket director with the Derbyshire County Cricket on December 8, but he will leave Sri Lanka on 15th December. "Arthur and Grant Flower, who was a batting coach with our team, were to leave on 8th December for the UK and were to be booked on the same flight", the source added.  The reason for Arthur's delayed departure is not known. "Flower may leave on Wednesday subject to the confirmation of his booking. He is leaving for the Sussex area", the source added. "Flower has a few offers but has not decided yet on his new assignment". SLC didn't extend the contracts of foreign coaches and has advertised for all coaching positions.

Dhaka, Bangladesh (SB Report):-Pakistan’s hopes of collecting maximum ICC World Test Championship points from a rain-marred second Test got a real impetus from off-spinner Sajid Khan as Bangladesh were left wobbling at 76 for seven and requiring another 24 runs to avoid a follow-on at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. After only 63.2 overs were bowled in the first two days and third day was completely rained-off, Pakistan declared their first innings at 300 for four after resuming at 188 for two. In the 26 overs Bangladesh played on Tuesday, Sajid Khan returned figures of 12-3-35-6 to put Pakistan in sight of a possible victory that looked unlikely and unexpected when play commenced on the fourth day. This was Sajid Khan’s best figures in a four-Test career after his first three Tests had yielded six wickets. His best performance in a 43 first-class matches career is also 6-35, which he is expected to improve on Wednesday, of course, weather permitting. While Sajid mermerised all the top-order batters, only Nazmul Hossain (30) and Shakib Al Hasan (23 not out) offered some resistance to keep Bangladesh’s slim hopes alive in the Test. Earlier, Pakistan batted for just over 35 overs in which they added 112 runs and lost the wickets of overnight batters Babar Azam (76) and Azhar Ali (56) to declare at 300 for four. However, Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam put together an unbroken 103-run fifth wicket stand to put Pakistan in a position where they could afford to declare and try to make a match out of it. Rizwan returned unbeaten on a 94-ball 53 that included four fours and a six, while Fawad’s 50 not out came off 96 balls and was laced with seven fours. In the ICC World Test Championship, a team gets 12 points for winning a match, four for a draw and six for a tie. If Pakistan manage to turn things around in the second Test, they will have 36 points from two series and will be behind India (42 points from two series). Scores in brief (day 4 of 5): Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 188-2) 300-4d (Babar Azam 76, Azhar Ali 56, Mohammad Rizwan 53 not out, Fawad Alam 50 not out; Taijul Islam 2-73) Bangladesh 1st innings 76-7 (Najmul Hossain 30, Shakib Al Hasan 23 not out; Sajid Khan 6-35)

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai, UAE (December 7, 2021):-Pakistan opening batter Abid Ali and David Warner of Australia have been shortlisted in the men’s category for the ICC Player of the Month awards along with New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, while left-arm spinners Anam Amin of Pakistan and Nahida Akter of Bangladesh are in the running to scoop the women’s award alongside West Indies all-rounder Haley Matthews who is nominated for the second time. The nominations for the month of November were announced on Tuesday, based on performances across formats and including matches from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. 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 Sunday. Abid Ali (Pakistan) Pakistan opener Abid Ali was named Player of the Match after scores of 133 and 91 in the first match of their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series against Bangladesh in Chittagong. He played a pivotal role in laying the platform for an eight-wicket victory, thanks to two century opening stands in both innings with partner Abdullah Shafique. Tim Southee (NZ) New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee took eight wickets in the drawn opening Test of the WTC series against India in Kanpur, soon after excelling in the shortest format. He had seized seven wickets during his November matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, helping guide his team to the final spectacle in Dubai. In between these two milestones, he took three more T20I wickets against India in Ranchi. David Warner (Australia) Warner, who was Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup, had standout performances of 49 in the semifinal against Pakistan and 53 in the final against New Zealand. In four T20Is during the period, he aggregated 209 runs at an average of 69.66 and a strike rate of 151.44, proving to be a crucial figure as his team secured their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy. Nahida Akter (Bangladesh) Nahida grabbed 13 wickets in four ODIs during the period at an economy rate of 2.22. 11 of those wickets came as Bangladesh claimed a 3-0 series victory in Zimbabwe, including figures of five for 21 in the third match in Bulawayo. The spinner’s remaining two wickets came in a memorable victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Harare. Anam Amin (Pakistan) Anam accounted for 13 ODI scalps in November at an economy rate of 3.00. She was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series against the West Indies with nine wickets and followed that up with four wickets in two matches during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021, which included a haul of three for nine against Zimbabwe. Hayley Matthews (West Indies) All-rounder Hayley Matthews, who was shortlisted alongside her captain Stafanie Taylor in July, wins her second nomination after some consistent performances in four ODIs in which she scored 141 runs and grabbed nine wickets at an average of 13.11. She was a star in the series win over Pakistan, hitting 57 and taking three for 31 in the first match before a four wicket haul for 26 runs in the second. The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process: The three nominees for either category is shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters, and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels. Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month November 2021 Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim; Australia: Melinda Farrell and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Sayeed Zaman and Mohammad Isam; England: Elizabeth Ammon and Holly Colvin; Ireland: Ian Callender and Isobel Joyce; India: Rica Roy and Irfan Pathan; New Zealand: Mark Geenty and John Wright; Pakistan: Faizan Lakhani and Sana Mir; South Africa: Firdose Moonda and JP Duminy; Sri Lanka: Neville Victor Anthony and Russel Arnold; West Indies: Desmond Haynes and Merissa Aguilleira; Zimbabwe: Tristan Holme and Mpumelelo Mbangwa; Others: Paul Radley and Dirk Nannes.

Bipin Dani Taqi Raza is one among a few persons having watched the last two 10 wicket hauls by Anil Kumble and Ajaz Patel.  Taqi Raza, a part of TV crew members, was present when Anil Kumble grabbed all ten Pakistani wickets (Delhi) in 1999. He was also present at the Wankhede Stadium when New Zealand's Ajaz Patel had all ten Indian victims in the Test, which Kohli's team won. "I am fortunate enough to be at the ground on both occasions", Delhi-based Raza, said over the telephone. Interestingly, Raza, in this profession for many years, has witnessed several other milestones. "I was present at Galle when Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralitharan captured his 800th Test wicket. Incidentally, his 800th wicket was taken from my end where I was posing as a cameraman. That was the farewell Test match of world's highest Test wicket taker". "I was present when Muralitharan and R. Ashwin took their 400th wickets". "I can't forget capturing Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test match. I have witnessed Sachin's many hundreds and have never failed to capture the shot when Sachin looked up at God after reaching his hundred". There may or may not be a single person present at the ground to have witnessed Test cricket's all three ten wicket hauls in a Test innings by Jim Laker (England vs. Australia, Manchester, 1956), Anil Kumble and now Ajaz Patel but according to renowned cricket statistician and historian Steven Lynch, England's Richard Stokes was at the ground on first two occasions.  "When he was ten, Richard Stokes was taken by his father to the 1956 Ashes Test at Old Trafford, and watched Jim Laker complete his ten-wicket haul. In 1998, while working in India, businessman Stokes strolled along to watch a Test match in Delhi - and endured an even noisier day as Anil Kumble took all ten against Pakistan", Steven says.