Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Melbourne (AUS): The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is well underway, with the Super-12 stage of the event starting on Saturday and Pakistan taking on India in their opener in Melbourne on Sunday. Last year’s beaten semi-finalists have an outstanding record in the Men’s T20 World Cup and find themselves right among the favourites again this time around in Australia. And ahead of their Super-12 opener against rivals India on Sunday – we look at the Pakistan team in focus. 2022 prospects Pakistan have been drawn in Group 2 of the Super-12, alongside India, South Africa, Bangladesh. They have also been joined by Zimbabwe and the Netherlands from the group stage. In order to back up last year’s efforts, where they suffered defeat to eventual winners Australia in the semi-final, they will need to finish in the top two of their group. They come into the tournament in form though, winning four of their five matches in the tri-series with New Zealand and Bangladesh. Prior to the series in Christchurch, they ultimately suffered a 4-3 defeat in the seven-match T20 series with England. There is no doubt that Pakistan will be among the front-runners and will be expecting to advance past the Super-12 and into the semi-finals once again – although clashes with South Africa and India will be tough. T20 World Cup history Pakistan’s Men’s T20 World Cup history is nothing short of outstanding, reaching the semi-finals in five of the seven editions. They reached the final of the inaugural competition in South Africa in 2007, losing by just five runs to India after Gautam Gambhir’s 75 inspired the Indian side to victory. Two years later, they were the side lifting the trophy, with Shahid Afridi’s unbeaten 54 and Abdul Razzaq’s three for 20 seeing Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Despite their excellent record, that is the last time Pakistan reached the final, suffering back-to-back semi-final defeats in 2010 and 2012 against Australia and Sri Lanka, respectively. The 2014 World Cup saw Pakistan miss out on the semi-finals for the first time, and in 2016 they again missed out, meaning a long five-year wait until last year’s tournament in the UAE and Oman – in which they reached their first semi-final in nine years, but despite Mohammad Rizwan’s 67 and Shadab Khan’s four for 26, they endured yet another semi-final defeat at the hands of Australia. Best batters There are no prizes for guessing Pakistan’s best batter, as he is also the world’s best batter, with Rizwan sitting on top of the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. Averaging a phenomenal 52.34, Rizwan has one hundred and 22 fifties from just 62 innings, with a recent 69 in the win over Bangladesh last week showcasing his form heading into the T20 World Cup. That bodes well for the Super-12, with Pakistan facing Bangladesh, while against their other key opponents in the Super-12, India and South Africa, Rizwan averages an outrageous 96.5 and 62.16 respectively. Rizwan has formed what is surely the best opening batting pairing in world cricket with Babar Azam, who himself sits third in the current ICC T20I Player Rankings. Pakistan’s captain averages 43.66, slightly less than Rizwan, but he has racked up two hundreds and 29 fifties and like Rizwan, comes into the World Cup in excellent form, scoring 55 in that victory over Bangladesh, while also scoring his second T20 international hundred against England, scoring 110 as Rizwan hit 88 not out in a ten-wicket victory. Best bowlers Pakistan may have two of the best batters on the planet, but they are not short of outstanding bowling as New Zealand and Bangladesh recently found out. Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan are two to really keep an eye on, but there is plenty of bowling in the Pakistan line-up, with Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz in particular on top form in recent weeks and Shaheen Shah Afridi coming back from injury for this tournament. Haris is a man who will strike fear into top order batters around the globe though, averaging just 23.03 and taking 64 wickets in his 50 matches, but he is joined by Pakistan’s extraordinary young all-rounder Shadab. Just 24, Shadab has already been a major part of the Pakistan team with both bat and ball for a number of years, taking 87 wickets at an average of 22.29 since his debut five years ago and he is once again going to be a key member of the side, with his leg breaks proving incredibly effective.

Sports Report Melbourne: Australia have made only one change to the squad that emerged victorious in 2021 and will aim to become the first team to retain the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. That brings Tim David into the fray, a burly Singapore-born batter who hit 16 of the 86 balls he faced in the IPL in 2022 for six. Finch has largely used him at six in the early days of his T20 international career, marking a subtle shift in orthodoxy that has seen power hitters traditionally placed high in the order. There is no place for all-rounder Cameron Green, a selection call that has raised eyebrows, with Australia placing faith in some of the world’s greatest multi-format players. They rightly sit among the favourites to win the whole thing with conditions suiting them down to the ground and home crowds squarely behind them. T20 World Cup history Australia didn’t start well at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. As reigning Men’s Cricket World Cup champions, their first game ended in five-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe. They recovered to make the semi-finals and their turbulent relationship with T20 continued with a group-stage exit in 2009. Australia were well beaten by rivals England in the 2010 final and reached the semi-finals in 2012, always in contention but never quite managing to produce the complete knockout performance. It looked like they had been left behind by the rest of the world when they failed to navigate the Super 10 in both 2014 and 2016 but a rousing run to the final last year wiped the slate clean. Best batters Why not start with David Warner, whose three half-centuries and 289 runs were pivotal to the 2021 triumph? This month Warner smacked 75 against West Indies and 73 against England to suggest he is rounding into form once again. The batting order is finely balanced between power and poise, with skipper Finch offering a steady hand on the tiller and Matthew Wade one of the finest finishers in the game. They will hope to see an upturn in fortunes for Glenn Maxwell and that David comes off on major event debut. Best bowlers Australia’s gun-pace attack has reinvented itself in the T20 format with the outstanding Pat Cummins capable of taking the ball in any given situation. Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc combine to form a peerless battery that will make merry on fast, bouncy surfaces. Concerns remain over the spin bowling department and an over-reliance on Adam Zampa. Finch’s plans will be tested if teams manage to hit the leg-spinner out of the attack.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has approved Binura Fernando as a replacement for left arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka in the Sri Lanka squad. Fernando who has played nine T20Is, was named as a replacement after Madushanka was ruled out due to a torn quad muscle. Fernando will travel out from Sri Lanka and join the rest of the squad in Australia. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 consists of Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager - Cricket (Chair); Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events; Peter Roach, Cricket Australia, Shane Doyle, Men’s T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee; Shaun Pollock (Independent) and Ian Bishop (Independent).

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan have made one change in their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 with Fakhar Zaman and Usman Qadir swapping places. Fakhar is included in the 15-player squad and Usman has moved to the traveling reserves. The change was necessary as Usman Qadir is yet to recover from a hairline fracture on his right thumb that he suffered during the 25 September T20I against England in Karachi. The leg-spinner will not be available for selection before 22 October. Fakhar will arrive in Brisbane from London along with Shaheen Shah Afridi on Saturday and will be available for selection in the two warm-up matches against England (17 October) and Afghanistan (19 October), during which the team management will assess the left-handed batter’s fitness. Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood. Traveling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir. Schedule of Pakistan’s matches: 23 October – vs India, Melbourne 27 October – vs winner Group B, Perth 30 October – vs runner-up Group A, Perth 3 November – vs South Africa, Sydney 6 November – vs Bangladesh, Adelaide

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup less than two weeks away, Australia legend Adam Gilchrist has chosen the first five players he would pick in a dream World T20I XI. A man who revolutionised the game with his work with both bat and wicket-keeping gloves, Gilchrist enjoyed a legendary white-ball career for Australia, winning three Cricket World Cup titles. In the T20 game, Gilchrist showed his qualities in the format's infancy, boasting a strike-rate of over 140. 1. David Warner (Australia) - ICC T20I Batting Ranking: 49th “He’s at the top of the order," Gilchrist said. “I think just his attacking attitude, the way he kick-starts innings at the top, and the confidence he’ll have from the previous T20 World Cup.” 2. Babar Azam (Pakistan) - ICC T20I Batting Ranking: 3th “His versatility across all formats, but also when it’s getting down to T20 cricket, just across all conditions, I think he can play all conditions really well," Gilchrist noted. 3. Hardik Pandya (India) - ICC T20I All-Rounder Ranking: 4th “Pandya is just an awesome figure straight across the board," Gilchrist said. “His ability to bat, bowl, field and entertain, he’s definitely in there.” 4. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - ICC T20I Bowling Ranking: 4th “He’s just got to be there in any T20 team, doesn’t he?" Gilchrist said. “Cricketer of the year in this format across the world. Over the last decade, Rashid Khan is in there.” 5. Jos Buttler (England) - ICC T20I Batting Ranking: 21st “It’s a bit batting heavy I know, but Jos Buttler for me," Gilchrist added. “He is just dynamic, his power and his courage to take it on. Simply a stroke of brilliance from him and its game over."  

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Melbourne (Australia):-Five international players from all over the world are expected to perform well in the forthcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will kick off from October 16, 2022 in Australia. Cricket lovers are eyeing on David Warner, Wanindu Hasaranga, Joe Buttler, Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammad Rizwan, who are capable to show sparking and notable performance in the World Cup. 1. David Warner (Australia) Only Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored more runs than Warner at last year's event and the Australia veteran is generally a much better player when playing on home soil. Warner hit three half centuries at last year's tournament and his 289 runs at an impressive strike rate of almost 150 was among the best for the leading players. His imperious form was a major reason why the all-conquering Australia side was able to hoist the trophy at Dubai International Stadium. 2. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) The Sri Lanka all-rounder has already shown his ability to save his best performances for the big occasion and you would have to think he could dominate for the island nation in Australia. Hasaranga lit up the 2021 event by claiming the most wickets (16) by any player and backed up that performance by finishing Sri Lanka's victorious Asia Cup campaign as the Player of the Tournament. The bigger grounds in Australia are sure to suit the 25-year-old and it's almost certain the star spinner will be among the leading wicket-takers again this year. 3. Jos Buttler (England) While the England captain is currently battling an ongoing calf injury, we expect him to recover in time to spearhead the assault for the 2010 winners. Over the last 12 months there has arguably been no one in the world in better form than Buttler, with the 32-year-old the only player to score a century at last year's event in the UAE and Oman. Buttler hit a brilliant unbeaten 101* against Sri Lanka in Sharjah and looked to be in even better touch during this year's edition of the IPL when he reached triple figures on four occasions and scored a massive 863 runs for Rajasthan Royals. His efforts during the home series against India and South Africa in July were not quite up to his lofty standards, but Buttler is sure to bounce back to his best in Australia. 4. Suryakumar Yadav (India) The emergence of Suryakumar Yadav in 2022 has been amazing, with the in-form right-hander now arguably the most important player in Rohit Sharma's dominant side. Yadav only managed to make four appearances for India at last year's edition of the T20 World Cup and his paltry return of 42 runs from three knocks barely ruffled any feathers in world cricketing circles. But since then the 32-year-old has been a model of consistency and has now found himself rated as the No.2 T20I batter in the world on the latest rankings list. 5. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) You will struggle to find a more consistent T20I batter than the experienced Pakistan opener and it should come as no surprise to see he is now rated as the No.1 T20I batter in the world. Rizwan's stability at the top of the order will be pivotal to Pakistan's chances of claiming the title in Australia and the 30-year-old will be out to replicate the excellent efforts he produced with the bat at last year's event. At the 2021 T20 World Cup Rizwan hit three half centuries and a total of 281 runs at an average of 70, with team-mate Babar Azam and Australia’s David Warner the only players to score more heavily than the right-hander for the tournament.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Kolkata:-Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series against South Africa but the fate of his participation at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 is still unknown. Jasprit Bumrah, a devastating bowler of India, might miss the T 20 World Cup scheduled to be held in October 16, 2022. With that he has also miss the South Africa series with India. Despite the news of his injury, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is not giving up on the possibility of Bumrah flying to Australia and playing in the T20 World Cup. In an interview, Ganguly said, “Bumrah is not out of the World Cup yet”. Before that on Friday, a BCCI media release confirmed that India’s ace quick had sustained a back injury and was being monitored by their medical team at the NCA. It is also known that, Bumrah had to undergo scans on his back but Ganguly said that he was keeping his fingers crossed and that a final decision could be taken in the "next two or three days". Just like Ganguly, the Indian fans will hope for Bumrah to be declared fit to play in Australia, which should bolster the team's chances of winning the tournament. The India squad will fly to Australia on October 6 and will play two practice matches against Australia and New Zealand on October 17 and 19. They start their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 23 in Melbourne.

SPORTS BULLETIN Kabul:-Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, which will be played from 16th October to 13th November in Australia. From the 17 players who were part of the Afghanistan Squad for the recently concluded ACC Men's Asia Cup 2022, Samiullah Shinwari, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Karim Janat and Noor Ahmad have missed out whereas the middle-order batter Darwish Rasooli, the leg-spinning allrounder Qais Ahmad and the right-arm quick Salim Safi have made it to the 15-member cut. In addition, Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib have been added to the squad as reserves. Names of players: Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujib ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Qais Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Salim Safi Reserve players: Usman Ghani. Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib Chief selector Noor Malikzai said: “The Asia Cup was a very good opportunity for the team to buildup things nicely for the much-important global event in Australia. Fortunately, Darwish Rasooli has recovered from injury (broken finger) and we are happy to have him available for the WT20, he has demonstrated good glimpses of him in the previously held Shpageeza Cricket League 2022 and offers an additional batting option to our middle order. Since the Australian conditions offer further support for the fast bowlers, so we have added Salim Safi, the tall right-arm quick to add further impetus to our bowling department. Overall we have picked our best available players for the event and we are hopeful of them to do well and better represent the country in the mega event.” ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf said: "The selection committee has named a strong squad for the WT20. The combination looks good which includes players from every category. I am sure that they will do well in the event and will make the nation proud.” ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 Group A – Sri Lanka, Namibia and Two Qualifiers Group B – West Indies, Scotland and Two Qualifiers Group 1 – Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Winner of Group A and Runners of Group B Group 2 – India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, Winner of Group B and Runners of Group A Afghanistan matches’ Schedule: 22 October – Afghanistan v England, Perth 26 October – Afghanistan v New Zealand, Melbourne 28 October – Afghanistan v TBA, Melbourne 01 November – Afghanistan v TBA, Brisbane 04 November – Afghanistan v Australia, Adelaide 09-10 November – Semi-Finals 13 November – Final

SPORTS BULLETIN Lahore:-Pakistan cricket selectors today unveiled their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022, which will be held from 16 October to 13 November. In the seven events to date, Pakistan has won the title in 2009 in the United Kingdom, reached the final in 2007 and featured in the 2010, 2012 and 2021 semifinals, a record that makes them one of the most consistent sides to date. In the 15-player World Cup squad, top-order batter Shan Masood has been included in the side for the shortest format for the first-time along with fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani have been named as the three traveling reserves. Wasim Junior has been included after recovering completely from the side strain he suffered during the ACC T20 Asia Cup, whereas Shaheen, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury in London and expected to resume bowling early next month, will join the squad in Brisbane on 15 October. Pakistan squad for World Cup: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Asif Ali (Northern), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) Traveling reserves: Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh). Prior to their arrival in Brisbane on 15 October, the World Cup-bound squad will feature in the T20I tri-series in Christchurch from 7-14 October where Bangladesh and New Zealand will be the other participating sides. Chief selector Mohammad Wasim said: “We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. That’s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE. “These players have performed well since November 2021 and that’s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard. “We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that’s precisely what we have done. “We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.” Meanwhile, for the seven-match T20I series against England, the selectors have named all the players who will travel for the World Cup except Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi. In their places, the selectors have named Northern’s all-rounder Aamir Jamal and Sindh’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed in line with their strategy to reward high-performing cricketers. “Along with Shan Masood, I want to congratulate Aamir Jamal and Abrar Ahmed on earning their maiden call-ups. Both Aamir and Abrar have been selected as we believe they have the skills, talent and potential to represent Pakistan at the highest level and I am hopeful if they get opportunities, they will perform strongly. “Fakhar Zaman has also been rested from the England T20Is so that he can recover from the knee injury he sustained when he landed awkwardly while fielding in the final.” Pakistan squad for England T20Is: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Aamir Jamal (Northern), Abrar Ahmed (Sindh), Asif Ali (Northern), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) SCHEDULE OF MATCHES: Pakistan v England T20Is (matches to start at 1930 PKT): 20 September – 1st T20I, Karachi 22 September – 2nd T20I, Karachi 23 September – 3rd T20I, Karachi 25 September – 4th T20I, Karachi 28 September – 5th T20I, Lahore 30 September – 6th T20I, Lahore 2 October – 7th T20I, Lahore Pakistan v Bangladesh and New Zealand (T20I tri-series) 7 October – vs Bangladesh, Christchurch 8 October – vs New Zealand, Christchurch 11 October – vs New Zealand, Christchurch 13 October – vs Bangladesh, Christchurch 14 October – Final, Christchurch Pakistan at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022: 23 October – vs India, Melbourne 27 October – vs winner Group B, Perth 30 October – vs runner-up Group A, Perth 3 November – vs South Africa, Sydney 6 November – vs Bangladesh, Adelaide

SPORTS BULLETIN Melbourne (Australia):-The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 is set to welcome fans of all ages and backgrounds, with over 500,000 fans already securing their place to the event that begins in one month’s time. Fans from 82 different countries have purchased tickets to watch the world’s best players from 16 international teams, marking the return of full stadiums at ICC events for the first time since the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, which culminated with 86,174 fans for the final at the MCG. Accessible pricing for families has seen over 85,000 children’s tickets sold, with tickets just $5 for kids at all First Round and Super 12 matches - adult prices start from $20. The India v Pakistan fixture at the MCG on 23 October is sold out, with additional standing room tickets snapped up within minutes of going on sale. An official re-sale platform will be launched closer to the event, where fans can exchange tickets at face value. Current ticket allocations are also all sold for the double-header at the SCG on 27 October featuring South Africa v Bangladesh and India v Group A runner-up. Fans are encouraged to join the waitlist in the event of additional tickets becoming available. Only a very limited number of tickets remain for Australia’s opening Super 12 fixture against New Zealand at the SCG on 22 October, the double-header featuring Pakistan v Group A runner-up and India v South Africa at Perth Stadium on 30 October, and Pakistan v South Africa at the SCG on 3 November. ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We are delighted by the uptake of tickets for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with over 500,000 already being snapped up. The excitement is really building with just over a month to go and this World Cup is set to be an unmissable event. There are still some tickets available to buy, so fans should make sure they secure theirs while they are still available.” ICC Men’s T20 World Cup CEO Michelle Enright said: “The response from fans has been exceptional and shows the excitement for what will be the biggest sporting event hosted in Australia this year. “We’ve also seen a spread of support for different teams across the event, which is going to make for an incredible atmosphere at our matches with a strong mix of passionate fans at each venue. “We’re particularly proud of our accessibly priced tickets for families and it’s great to see that so many kids are going to come out and experience a World Cup. “There are still some great tickets available, so I’d encourage everyone who hasn’t secured their seats to jump on board for what will be an unmissable event.”