Sports Bulletin

 Lahore (Sports Report): The Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, set to take place from 9 to 19 April at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore. The squad was selected after the selection committee evaluated players’ fitness and form in the ongoing second phase of preparation camp, where the players took part in warm-up matches and practice sessions.Fatima Sana, who has led Pakistan in six T20Is and two ODIs, will continue to lead the women’s cricket team in the 50-over event, while Shawaal Zulfiqar makes a comeback to the national side after suffering from a shoulder injury during the tour of New Zealand in December 2023. Squad:Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob ShahReserve players:Ghulam Fatima, Waheeda Akhtar and Umm-e-Hani Player support personnel:Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach spin bowling), Abdul Saad (assistant coach fielding), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Muhammad Rafi Ullah (media manager), Muhammad Ramzan (strength and conditioning coach), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse)The six-team ICC event, which includes Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies alongside hosts Pakistan, will feature a single-league round-robin format. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground will host 15 matches of the event, with Pakistan playing Ireland in the opening match of the competition at the Gaddafi StadiumOn 11 April, Pakistan will play Scotland at the LCCA ground in a day game, while the hosts will take on West Indies in a day-night fixture on 14 April at the Gaddafi Stadium.Pakistan will face Thailand in their fourth fixture of the event scheduled on 17 April in a day-night fixture at Gaddafi Stadium, while their final group stage match will be against Bangladesh on 19 April at the LCCA ground, which will be a day match. Pakistan fixtures (day matches begin at 9.30am and day/night matches at 2pm local time):vs Ireland – 9 April, Gaddafi Stadium (Day)vs Scotland – 11 April, LCCA (Day)vs West Indies – 14 April, Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)vs Thailand – 17 April, Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)vs Bangladesh – 19 April, LCCA (Day)

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Knight has captained England Women 199 times since 2016, including leading the team to a home World Cup victory in 2017 and to two other ICC tournament finals. She oversaw 134 victories as England Women captain, second on the list of England Women’s all-time most successful captains.She also led the team to a record-breaking run of eight consecutive ODI series wins including defeating Australia during the 2023 home Ashes, in which England also won the IT20 series to draw a thrilling Women’s Ashes that took interest in international women’s cricket to a new level.However, on the back of disappointing performances by the team in last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE and the recent Ashes in Australia, the ECB has decided to appoint a new Captain to lead the team into a new era. Knight’s successor will be appointed shortly.Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director, England Women, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said: “Heather has been an outstanding leader as England Women’s Captain. She has led the team by example as a role model off the pitch, and through the runs she has scored on it – often in the toughest conditions.“Heather has enjoyed many highlights as England captain. I particularly remember the century she scored in the Ashes Test at Canberra in 2022 where her individual brilliance nearly helped the team pull off a famous win. It was an innings of great skill and great heart.“She led the team brilliantly to win a World Cup on home turf, creating memories we will never forget. That magical day at Lord’s acted as a catalyst for so much of the growth we have seen for women’s and girls’ cricket in the years since.“Heather is passionate about inspiring young girls to play cricket and to playing her part in making our sport gender-balanced. She is a powerful role model to young professional female players and to recreational players alike. Having started her England career as an amateur, she has always understood the important connection between the England team and the grassroots game.”Heather Knight said: “Captaining my country for the last nine years has been the biggest honour of my life and I will look back on my tenure with an enormous sense of pride. I have loved the challenge of leading the team, but all good things come to an end and it’s time for me to go back into the ranks and focus on being the best batter and teammate that I can be for the team.“Winning the ICC Women’s World Cup on home turf at Lord’s in 2017 will always be a huge highlight, but being a part of the huge steps forward made in the women’s game off the pitch brings me just as much pride.“Thank you to all the players and staff, who have given it everything along the way - especially Mark, Lisa and Jon, three head coaches that I’ve loved working with. The people make the job.“Thank you to the fans that have supported me and the team through the highs and the lows. Finally, to my friends, family and long-suffering partner Tim, you live the journey with me and I wouldn’t be here without your support.“I have loved being England Captain, it's been the most rewarding period of my career, but for now I’m excited to focus on my batting and supporting the team and the new captain in the best way I can.”Knight made her England debut in 2010 and ten years later became the first England men’s or women’s player to score an international century in all three formats of the game.Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m immensely thankful for everything Heather has given in her time as Captain. The World Cup win and the thrilling 2023 Women’s Ashes will live long in the memory.“Heather’s influence as Captain has extended far beyond her impact on the pitch. Through her leadership and dedication, she has inspired many women and girls to get involved in the sport, fuelling the transformation of women’s cricket we have seen since 2016. As one of the world’s best batters, I look forward to watching Heather play on for England for many years to come.” 

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The group, led by England Women A Head Coach and Performance Batting Coach Jon Lewis, will play three T20s, three 50-over matches and a four-day match against Australia A.Returning batter Paige Scholfield, who had to withdraw from England Women’s tour to South Africa in November 2024, is named in all three squads. She is joined by players from the England Women Pace Programme including Surrey teammates Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Emma Jones (T20 and 50-over) and Alexa Stonehouse, who is selected across all formats.Alice Capsey and Danielle Gibson (both 50-over and four-day only) as well as Bess Heath and Freya Kemp (all formats) were part of the England Women’s Ashes squads earlier this year. Capsey and Gibson will join the tour following their time in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and all are selected for this tour to provide continued opportunity to play competitive matches against a strong Australian side.The majority of the group have recently been preparing at a training camp in Abu Dhabi to further their skills in warm conditions and gain some competitive scenario practice. The group depart for Sydney on 17 March. England Women A Head Coach Jon Lewis said: “We are looking forward to testing ourselves against a national side with great depth. We are aware of the challenge ahead.“There has been some good work done by the players based in England and those who have been playing cricket over the winter around the world and this tour provides an opportunity for players to push for selection into the senior squad through strong performances against the Australians.”Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket, added: “We have a good mix of experience across the three squads with all players striving to perform and push for selection into the senior team. The experience they will gain through highly competitive matches within a multi-format schedule will be really exciting, and hopefully invaluable for them in accelerating their development. A tour to Australia is what so many young cricketers dream of, and we wish them well."England Women A T20 squad: Hollie Armitage (Durham), Georgia Davis (Warwickshire), Mahika Gaur (Lancashire), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Emma Jones (Surrey), Freya Kemp (Hampshire), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Seren Smale (Lancashire), Bryony Smith (Surrey), Alexa Stonehouse (Surrey), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)England Women A 50-over squad: Hollie Armitage (Durham), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Georgia Davis (Warwickshire), Mahika Gaur (Lancashire), Danielle Gibson (Somerset), Kirstie Gordon (The Blaze), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Emma Jones (Surrey), Freya Kemp (Hampshire), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Seren Smale (Lancashire), Bryony Smith (Surrey), Alexa Stonehouse (Surrey), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)England Women A four-day squad: Hollie Armitage (Durham), Alice Capsey (Surrey), Georgia Davis (Warwickshire), Danielle Gibson (Somerset), Kirstie Gordon (The Blaze), Jodi Grewcock (Essex), Bess Heath (Durham), Freya Kemp (Hampshire), Charis Pavely (Warwickshire), Grace Potts (Lancashire), Paige Scholfield (Surrey), Grace Scrivens (Essex), Seren Smale (Lancashire), Alexa Stonehouse (Surrey), Mady Villiers (Durham), Issy Wong (Warwickshire)T20 match schedule (All matches at Hurstville Oval, 1pm local time, 2am UK time):Wednesday 26 March 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 1st T20Friday 28 March 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 2nd T20Sunday 30 March 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 3rd T2050-over matches (at Cricket Central, 10.30am local time, 00.30am UK time):Wednesday 2 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 1st matchFriday 4 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 2nd matchMonday 7 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A 3rd matchFour-day match: Saturday 12 April-Tuesday 15 April 2025: Australia Women A v England Women A four-day match (Cricket Central, 9.30am local time, 00.30am UK time).

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 27-day training camp for the Pakistan women cricketers in Multan to prepare for the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2025. The camp will begin on Sunday, 2 February at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre, while the players and support staff will assemble on Saturday.A total of 31 players, including PCB’s 16 centrally contracted women cricketers, have been invited to the training camp, which involves regular sessions on fitness training, skill enhancement and seven 50-over practice matches throughout the month of February.The players will use the high-quality facilities available at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High-Performance Centre, while the matches will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Head coach of Pakistan Women’s team and former Test cricketer Mohammad Wasim, who took up the role in July 2024, will lead the camp.Pakistan will feature in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers along with Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies, in a bid to qualify for the mega event. The finalists of the tournament will join the top six teams of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 for the eight-team ICC Women’s World Cup.List of players invited to the camp:Batters – Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Gull Rukh, Hafsa Khalid, Iram Javed, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jebeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Sidra Amin.Wicketkeepers – Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi and Sidra NawazAll-rounders – Fatima Sana, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Tuba HassanSpinners – Ghulam Fatima, Mahnoor Aftab, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Tania Saeed, and Umm-e-HaniPacers – Diana Baig, Fatima Khan, Tasmia Rubab, Waheeda Akhtar and Zaib-un-Nisa Niaz.    

Sports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): England Women were bowled out for 170 on day one of the one-off Test in the Women's Ashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Nat Sciver-Brunt top scored for England with 51 while leg-spinner Alana King took 4-45 as England were all out inside 72 overs.Maia Bouchier and captain Heather Knight were dismissed by Kim Garth before a stand of 50 between Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley saw England rebuild but King and fellow spinner Ash Gardner took four wickets.England then bowled 22 overs and Australia lost debutant Georgia Voll to Lauren Bell. Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland reached 56-1 at the close of play with the hosts trailing by 114 runs. Play resumes at 2.30 pm local time tomorrow (Friday 31 January).

Islamabad (Sports Desk):Australia won a tense rain-affected Women’s Ashes encounter by six runs in the second T20 to complete an outright series victory.Set 186 to win in Canberra, England needed 18 from the last five balls with captain Heather Knight unbeaten on 43 before heavy rain fell and no further play was possible. England finished on 168-4, six runs short of the required score set by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge's 52 put England in a strong position supported by Sophia Dunkley's 32 before Nat Sciver-Brunt (22) and Knight saw England go close.Australia raced to 47-0 from five overs, Beth Mooney scoring 44, but the hosts slipped to 75-4 and were 137-5 after 17 overs, only for Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris to accelerate their way to 185-5. England spinners Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone took a brace and a wicket respectively with Freya Kemp dismissing Annabel Sutherland.The result sees Australia take a 10-0 lead in the points-based multi-format series, which ends England's hopes of a draw. The two teams now travel to Adelaide for their final T20 fixture on Saturday.Heather Knight’s post-match media conference is available here.2025 Women’s Ashes fixtures and results (UK dates and times)CommBank Women’s Ashes ODI Series11 January: North Sydney Oval, Sydney – Australia won by four wickets13 January: Junction Oval, Melbourne - Australia won by 21 runs16 January: Bellerive Oval, Hobart – Australia won by 86 runsCommBank Women’s Ashes IT20 Series20 January: SCG, Sydney – Australia won by 57 runs23 January: Manuka Oval, Canberra – Australia won by six runs (DLS)25 January: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (8.10am UK time)CommBank Women’s Ashes Test Match30 January-2 February: MCG, Melbourne (3.30am UK time)

Islamabad (Sports Desk): England were beaten by four wickets in their first One Day International of the Women's Ashes against Australia in Sydney. Australia's Ash Gardner took 3-19 as England were bowled out for 203, and then scored an unbeaten 42 to lead her side to victory with 11.1 overs to spare.The home side won the toss and elected to bowl. After Maia Bouchier's early dismissal, captain Heather Knight (39 off just 49 balls) combined with Tammy Beaumont and later Nat Sciver-Brunt to put some pressure on the hosts while 69 runs from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones kept hopes of setting a competitive score alive.England were at 91-2, before Australia removed Knight and all-rounder Sciver-Brunt in consecutive Gardner overs. The tourists lost four of their final five wickets for single digits, setting the hosts a score of 204 for victory. Lauren Filer dismissed opener Phoebe Litchfield but a dominant performance from captain Alyssa Healy set the hosts on their way.Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone impressed with the ball, the former taking an important wicket of Ellyse Perry and recording figures of 1-25 but captain Healy’s knock of 70 from 78 balls and Gardner's quick 42 helped the hosts across the line.The win gives Australia a 2-0 lead on points in the multi-format series. The second ODI of three takes place at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on 13 January (23:05 GMT).

Stars overcome Conquerors by 5 wickets, Sidra Amin scores 77 runs in 84 balls in finalRawalpindi (Sports Bulletin Report): Captains’ innings by Sidra Amin (77, 84b, 11x4s, 1x6) and an all-round performance from Rameen Shamim (37 not out, two wickets) led Stars to a five-wicket win over Conquerors at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday to lift the trophy of National Women’s One-Day Tournament 2024 and also grab the prize money of PKR 1.5 million. Fatima Sana-led Conquerors had to settle with a runners-up trophy and prize money of PKR 1 million.Opting to bat first, Conquerors managed to score 178 for nine in 45 overs – the match which was also live-streamed on PCB’s official YouTube channel. Conquerors’ Hafsa Khalid top-scored with a 78-ball 47, hitting nine boundaries. Dua Majid was other notable contributor with the bat, scoring 40 off 66 balls, hitting three fours. For Stars, pacer Waheeda Akhtar bagged three wickets for 33, while spinners Rameen Shamim (9-0-38-2), Tuba Hassan (9-0-42-2) and Neelam Mushtaq (9-0-26-1) shared five wickets between them.In turn, Stars achieved the target in 43.2 overs losing five wickets in the process. Skipper Sidra and Rameen knitted a 103-run partnership for the fifth wicket, while Tuba Hassan’s (12 not out, four balls, 3x4s) three boundaries in the 43rd over made sure Stars get a comfortable win. Sidra, for her match winning innings was declared the player of the match, while Invincibles’ Omaima Sohail was declared the best player of the tournament for scoring 253 runs and taking 13 wickets. In other individual awards, Invincibles’ Muneeba Ali was declared the best wicket-keeper of the tournament with 12 dismissals behind stumps. Challengers Aliya Riaz for 382 runs in eight outings was named best batter of the tournament, while Stars’ Rameen was named best bowler of the tournament after grabbing 20 wickets from nine matches.Scores in brief (Stars beat Conquerors by 5 wickets):Conquerors 178-9, 45 overs (Hafsa Khalid 47, Dua Majid 40, Saira Jabeen 32, Najiha Alvi 23, Fatima Sana 20; Waheeda Akhtar 3-33, Rameen Shamim 2-38, Tuba Hassan 2-42)Stars 179-5, 43.2 overs (Sidra Amin 77, Rameen Shamim 37 not out, Sadaf Shamas 22; Nashra Sundhu 2-26)Player of the match: Sidra Amin (Stars)Best Wicket-keeper of the Tournament: Muneeba Ali (Invincibles) (12 dismissals)Best Batter of the Tournament: Aliya Riaz (Challengers) (382 runs, eight matches)Best Bowler of the tournament: Rameen Shamim (Stars) (20 wickets, nine matches)Player of the Tournament: Omaima Sohail (Invincibles) (253 runs, 13 wickets, eight matches)

Rawalpindi (SBR): Conquerors will take on Stars in the final of the National Women’s One-Day Tournament scheduled on Sunday, 22 December at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The toss of the 45-over final will take place at 9am, while the first ball of the match will be bowled at 09.30am.The winner of the event will grab PKR 1.5 million, while the runners-up have to settle with PKR 1 million. The match will be live-streamed on PCB’s official YouTube channel, while ball-by-ball coverage will be available on PCB’s corporate website.Fatima Sana-led Conquerors, who finished on the top of the table with 12 points will eye to conclude the event on the winning note. Conquerors and Sidra Amin’s Stars have met twice against each other in the tournament, with both sides winning one match each. Most recently, at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 14 December, Conquerors on the back of three wickets apiece by Nashra Sundhu and Syeda Aroob Shah managed a 48-run win.Right-hand batter Sidra is leading the Stars from front as she has scored 254 runs in eight matches, which included two half-centuries and her 43-ball 53 came in a three-wicket win over Conquerors on 18 November at the HPC Oval Ground in Karachi.In bowling charts, Stars’ off-spinner Rameen Shamim (eight matches, 18 wickets) and leg-spinner Tuba Hassan (eight matches, 16 wickets) are among the top four bowlers in the tournament.For Conquerors, captain Fatima has produced all-round performance in the tournament. The 23-year-old has scored 225 from eight matches, which included two half-centuries, while with her right-arm fast she has bagged eight wickets. Right-hand batter Hafsa Khalid is another batter Conquerors will be relying upon. The right-hand batter has scored 217 from eight matches, which included one half-century.In bowling, Conquerors spin bowlers Nashra Sundhu and Mahnoor Aftab have bagged 17 and 13 wickets, respectively. Fatima Sana and Sidra Amin talked exclusively to PCB Digital on the eve of the final.Fatima Sana said: “The young players have shown great potential and skills throughout the tournament and now we are really looking forward to do well in the final. We have carried good momentum in the tournament, and now with one game away from winning the trophy, we will not think more about the final and will take it as a normal match.”Sidra Amin said: “We had a good start in the tournament, but in the middle of the tournament we had some close contest games, so it’s important we finish well in the tournament. Our opponent for the final has played good cricket throughout the tournament and the final match will be a good contest and with the match being live-streamed, it will encourage young girls across the country to witness the performances of the players and also take up the sport.”

Islamabad (SBR): Nashra Sundhu’s back to back player of the match performances takes Conquerors to the top of the table in the ongoing National Women’s One-Day Tournament. At the Diamond Cricket Ground, batting first Conquerors managed to score 208 for nine in 45 overs. Hafsa Khalid top-scored with an 83-ball 43, which included three fours and a six. Wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi returned undefeated on 39 off 38 balls, smashing three fours.For Invincibles, Areesha Noor, Fatima Zahra and Ghulam Fatima bagged two wickets apiece.In reply, Invincibles were bowled out for 101 in 29.4 overs with opening batter Ayesha Zafar contributing 31 off 64 balls, hitting four boundaries.Conquerors’ left-arm spinner Nashra took three wickets for 21, while Fatima Sana and Mahnoor Aftab snapped two wickets each. Today’s win was Conquerors fifth win in seven games, while Invincibles second defeat in the event.At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, unbeaten centuries by Eyman Fatima and Gull Feroza led Strikers to a seven-wicket win over Challengers. Aliya Riaz-led Challengers ended the tournament with two wins from eight outings.Chasing 243 to win, Eyman (119 not out, 92b, 17x4s, 3x6s) and Gull Feroza (103 not out, 101b, 13x4s) knitted an unbeaten 205-run partnership for the fourth wicket and helped their side achieve the target in 36.5 overs. This was right-hand batter Eyman’s second century in the tournament as the 20-year-old has scored 317 runs from seven matches.Earlier, batting first, Challengers posted 242 for six in 45 overs with right-hand batter Natalia Parvaiz returning undefeated on 81 off 85 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes. Gull Rukh (43, 44b, 6x4s, 1x6), Umm-e-Hani (39, 53b, 4x4s) and Momina Riasat (33 not out, 37b, 4x4s) were other contributors with the bat.For Strikers, captain Nida Dar bagged three wickets for 45 in nine overs, while Ayesha Bilal took two wickets for 38 runs.Scores in brief:Conquerors beat Invincibles by 107 runs at the Diamond Cricket Ground Conquerors 208-9, 45 overs (Hafsa Khalid 43, Najiha Alvi 39 not out, Syeda Aroob Shah 36; Areesha Noor 2-10, Fatima Zahra 2-27, Ghulam Fatima 2-38) Invincibles 101 all out, 29.4 overs (Ayesha Zafar 31; Nashra Sundhu 3-21, Fatima Sana 2-17, Mahnoor Aftab 2-22) Player of the match: Nashra Sundhu (Conquerors)Strikers beat Challengers by seven wickets at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket StadiumChallengers 242-6, 45 overs (Natalia Parvaiz 81 not out, Gull Rukh 43, Umm-e-Hani 39, Momina Riasat 33 not out; Nida Dar 3-45, Ayesha Bilal 2-38) Strikers 243-3, 36.5 overs (Eyman Fatima 119 not out, Gull Feroza 103 not out)Player of the match: Eyman Fatima (Strikers).