Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup is now complete, and India have been crowned as the first -ever champions after beating England in the final held in Potchefstroom on Sunday. Throughout the tournament, the 16 participating teams have provided incredible performances, led by brilliant individual displays. The selection panel featured commentators and former international cricketers, Lydia Greenway, Stacy-Ann King and Julia Price as well as journalist, Kalyani Mangale and ICC Women’s Cricket Manager, Snehal Pradhan, who led as Convenor. The chosen squad will be led by England’s Grace Scrivens, whose all-round skills and leadership qualities have been a feature in England’s run to the final. Her destructive 93 against Ireland, as well as 56 against the West Indies, were her big highlights with the bat. With ball in hand, she was nerveless and there was no better example than the calm manner in which she closed out the semi-final against Australia. India’s winning skipper, Shafali Verma, makes a more than capable inclusion into the team with her unflappable manner and composure at the crease. She offered control with the ball but could also get on with it when she had to – as she proved with her unforgettable 45 not out from 16 balls against South Africa. The top-order also sees India rock Shweta Sehrawat rewarded for a fortnight of fine batting. Her 92 against South Africa in their opener, as well as 61 not out in the semi-final against New Zealand underlined her class, but she was a constant source of runs and stability. New Zealand’s Georgia Plimmer is also recognized in the top-order, after a series of sparkling knocks to propel her side to the last four. Her 53 off 38 balls against Pakistan was a stand-out contribution, and she also scored an important 41 against West Indies. Sri Lanka’s Dewmi Vihanga’s consistency with the ball saw her win a slot in the middle-order of the side. Her best was three for 11 against the United States of America (USA), but she was constantly probing with the ball. She also made useful runs in the middle-order. Bangladesh star Shorna Akter was a tower of strength for her side, mixing aggression with the ball, tenacity on the field and a calm head under pressure. She completes the middle-order, with livewire, South African wicketkeeper Karabo Meso behind the stumps. Often heard before she was seen, Meso displayed excellent glovework, especially up to the stumps. She also had the knack for scoring important runs, such as her 32 off 30 balls against Bangladesh in the Super Six stage. The spin twins for the Team of the Tournament are Parshavi Chopra (India) and Hannah Baker (England). Both have the full bag of tricks, and wonderful control at this stage of their careers. They took wickets and asked questions every time they got the ball in their hands. England’s Ellie Anderson delivered the best figures of the tournament, with her burst of five for 12 against the West Indies. Direct, but with good variations, she is perfectly partnered with Australia’s Maggie Clark to take the new ball. Clark was the spearhead for the Aussies, often striking with the new ball to set the tone. Her three for 20 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was her tournament best, but she contributed to every contest, underlying her value to the team. The 12th player, and a worthy replacement if needed, is Pakistan spinner, Anosha Nasir. She brings delightful left-arm spin variation to the party, with deft control of flight and pace. ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Team of the Tournament: Shweta Sehrawat (India), Grace Scrivens (England, captain), Shafali Verma (India), Georgia Plimmer (New Zealand), Dewmi Vihanga (Sri Lanka), Shorna Akter (Bangladesh), Karabo Meso (South Africa), Parshavi Chopra (India), Hannah Baker (England), Ellie Anderson (England), Maggie Clark (Australia). 12th player, Anosha Nasir (Pakistan).

Sports Bulletin Report Potchefstroom (South Africa): India became the first-ever ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup winners on Sunday, after a comprehensive, seven-wicket victory over England in Potchefstroom. It was another clinical display with the ball that held the key to India’s march to victory, with Titas Sadhu setting the pace, with the spinners delivering another telling performance when it mattered. Supplementing the fine bowling was outstanding fielding. The dismissal of England’s captain, Grace Scrivens, epitomised the sheer determination in the Indian ranks. The left-hander hit Archana towards long-off, where Gongadi Trisha sprinted in, and then leapt forward to take a wonderful, tumbling catch. It was the key wicket, in many ways, and the celebrations from India confirmed as much. Scrivens would go on to scoop the Player of the Tournament award, but she would have given all of that up for a better English display with the bat. Shafali Verma won the toss and elected to bowl, and Sadhu struck yet again in the first over. She hurried one onto Liberty Heap, who could only loop her attempted pull straight up and back to a gleeful Sadhu. Titas Sadhu of India poses after being named Player of the Match following the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup 2023 Final match between India and England at JB Marks Oval on January 29, 2023 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Her figures of two for 6 in four overs deservedly earned her the Player of the Match award with just the start that India craved. She was backed up well by Archana (two for 17) and the irrepressible Parshavi Chopra, who snared two for 13 to close out a terrific tournament offering. There were also wickets apiece for Mannat Kashyap, Verma and Sonam Yadav, as England tumbled to 22 for four and then eventually 68 all out in 17.1 overs. After a tournament of free scoring, only Ryana Macdonald-Gay (19 off 24 balls), Niamh Holland (10) and Sophia Smale (11) could reach double figures. England’s hopes for more heroics with the ball were raised when they removed Verma (15) and Shweta Sehrawat (5) inside the first four overs. Verma hit a four and a six as she tried to put the heat on England early, before she top-edged Hannah Baker to short fine-leg. Soumya Tiwari and Trisha were having none of it. Tiwari smacked three fours in her 24 not out from 37 balls, while Trisha got more and more fluent as the target came into sight. Her 29-ball stay was ended on 24, bowled by Alexa Stonehouse as she tried to finish it off in style. The end came soon after, and India could finally celebrate their fairytale finish in South Africa. They came, they saw, and they conquered the newest crown available in women’s cricket. Scores in brief: Toss: India, who elected to bowl. England 68 all out in 17.1 overs (Ryana Macdonald-Gay 19, Sophia Smale 11, Titas Sadhu two for 6, Parshavi Chopra two for 13, Archana two for 17) India 69 for three in 14 overs (Soumya Tiwari 24 not out, Gongadi Trisha 24, Shafali Verma 15, Alexa Stonehouse one for 8, Hannah Baker one for 13) India won by seven wickets, with 36 balls to spare.

Sports Bulletin Report POTCHEFSTROOM (South Africa): India and England will lock horns in a tantalizing final of the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Potchefstroom on Sunday, to bring down the curtain on a thrilling first edition of the event in South Africa. After a groundbreaking month in the Rainbow Nation, which saw emerging nations take their place at cricket's newest top table, the event has delivered a fitting finale between two well-matched sides. They took contrasting paths in their respective semi-finals, but both will be fully aware that a significant slice of history now beckons for the team that can deliver one more telling performance on Sunday. India played perhaps, their most clinical cricket in dismantling New Zealand by eight wickets in the first semi-final, with wickets for Parshavi Chopra, fine fielding and yet more runs for the red-hot Shweta Sehrawat at the top of the order. Skipper, Shafali Verma, will ask for a repeat of that dosage in the final because that will certainly give India a sincere shot at glory. Standing in their way, however, is the only unbeaten team left in the competition. England had to draw on all their reserves of fortitude to outlast Australia in a cliffhanger of a second semi-final, eventually prevailing by three precious runs. Captain, Grace Scrivens, had the final say as she took the final Aussie wicket amidst unbearable tension. England’s batters had produced their tamest display of the tournament, but this is a well-drilled side across all disciplines. Only once in this World Cup have England conceded more than 100, and that was 103 against Pakistan. They are miserly and measured when they need to be, and there is plenty of variety to test India’s top-order. England will be fully aware that the powerful Richa Ghosh has been waiting to truly express herself in this competition, and she would love nothing more than to do that in the final. Both teams have quality spin to call upon, especially on a surface that has been taking more and more turn as the tournament has worn on. Hannah Baker was at it again in the semi, snapping up three scalps to heap the pressure on Australia. Chopra and Mannat Kashyap have been just as mesmeric for India, and the contest may well come down to which set of slow bowlers settles into their work best. It is an occasion crying out for an individual to put their stamp on proceedings and deliver their country the first-ever ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup trophy.

Sports Bulletin Report Potchefstroom (South Africa): Pakistan continued their impressive run in the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup when they defeated Ireland by seven wickets in a crucial Super Six Stage Group-2 match here on Monday. Set a victory target of 114, Pakistan raced to victory for the loss of three wickets with 15 balls to spare. After defeating Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the preliminary round matches, this was Pakistan’s first win in the Super Six stage and they will now play their second match against New Zealand on Tuesday. If Pakistan beat New Zealand, they will significantly enhance their chances of progressing to the semifinals. In-form Eyman Fatima scored a 17-ball 25 with four fours and a six and Shawaal Zulfiqar contributed 18 from 20 balls with three fours. However, both fell on successive balls as Pakistan slipped to 44 for two in 6.1 overs. At that stage, captain Syeda Aroob Shah rose to the occasion and spearheaded Pakistan’s run-chase. She was the third batter out at the score of 100 in the 15th over when 14 runs were required in just over four overs. Aroob scored 35 from 25 balls with four fours. Warda Yousaf struck the winning boundary and returned unbeaten on 24, while Laiba Nasir was seven not out. Earlier, Anoosha Nasir took two for 17 and Rida Aslam bagged two for 26 as Ireland scored 113 for seven in their 20 overs. Ireland’s score revolved around Annabel Squires, who scored 55 not out from 52 balls with five fours. Scores in brief: Ireland U19 Women 113-7, 20 overs (Annabel Squires 55 not out; Anoosha Nasir 2-17, Rida Aslam 2-26) Pakistan U19 Women 117-3, 17.3 overs (Syeda Aroob Shah 35, Eyman Fatima 25, Warda Yousaf 24 not out, Shawaal Zulfiqar 18) Player of the match – Anoosha Nasir (Pakistan)

Sports Bulletin Report Brisbane: Right-arm fast bowler Diana Baig has been ruled out of Australia T20Is and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 due to fracture in her index finger of the right hand. Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas, who is part of the reserves for Australia T20I series and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will replace Diana. Diana suffered injury in the third ODI against Australia today when she tried to take return catch on the penultimate ball of the seventh over of Australia’s innings. Diana was taken to the local hospital where X-rays confirmed the fracture. Diana has been advised four weeks’ rest by the PCB Medical panel.

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD: Australia Women defeated Pakistan Women by 101 runs in the 3rd One Day International at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Hosts also won the three-match tie 3-0. Pakistani skipper Bismah Maroof won the toss and decided to bowl first. While Australian team set a big 336 runs total on the scoreboard in 50 overs. Australian batter Beth Mooney played a brilliant inning of 133 runs, faced only 105 balls, and smashed six maximums and 14 fours. Meg Lanning added 72 runs in the team total in just 70 balls and hit eight fours and a single six. Tahlia Mc Grath contributed 30 runs in 30 balls. Pakistani bowler Fatima Sana grabbed three Australian batters while Diana Baig took two wickets and Omaima Sohail got a single wicket. In Reply, Pakistani batters scored only 235 runs for 7 wickets in 50 overs. Skipper Bisma Mahroof scored 44 runs in 71 balls and hit only 4 fours. Sidrah Ameen hit 34 runs in 66 balls and Sadaf Shames added 30 runs to the team total. Australian bowler Ashleigh Gardner sent out 3 Pakistani batters for 30 runs. Jess Jonassen got 2 wickets and conceded 25 runs only while Annabel Sutherland took a single wicket. Summarized scorecard Australia Batting (336 for 9 in 50 Overs): Beth Mooney 133 runs (105 balls, 4x14, 6x4), Meg Lanning 72 runs (70 balls, 4x8, 6x1), Tahlia Mc Grath 30 runs (30 balls, 4x4,6x1), Pakistan (Bowling) Fatima Sana (3 for 53), Nida Dar (2 for 50), Diana Baig (2 for56) Pakistan Batting (235 for 7 in 50 overs): Bismah Maroof 44 run (71 balls, 4x3), Sidra Ameen 34 runs (66 balls, 4x3), Sadaf Shames 30 runs (50 Balls, 4x6), Nida Dar w9 runs (29 balls, 4x4) Australia (Bowling) Ashleigh Gardner (3 for 30), Jess Jonassen (2 for 25), Annabel Sutherland (1 for 31) Toss: - Pakistan Player of the match: Beth Mooney   

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: A comprehensive, 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe assured Pakistan of a second-place finish in Group B and qualification to the Super Six League stage of the ICC Under19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Arica. The victory, which came courtesy of an unbroken opening partnership of 100 between Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar, while chasing a modest target of 98, meant Pakistan finished behind England with Rwanda’s historic win over Zimbabwe also guaranteeing them passage to the Super Sixes. Fatima was in aggressive mood with a 35-ball 62 not out, which featured 10 fours and the two sixes in Pakistan’s innings, while Zulfiqar – who hit the winning runs with a four off Zimbabwe captain Kelis Ndhlovu in the 11th over – was more sedate with a watchful and unbeaten 32 (30 balls, six fours) as they cruised to victory. Faced with a must-win match if they were to take third place from Rwanda in the group standings and advance into the Super Six stage of the tournament, Ndhlovu did her level best to vindicate her decision to bat with a fighting 42 off 35 balls (seven boundaries). The catch was that with the exception of Adel Zimunu (13), Kay Ndiraya (11) and Natasha Mtomba (10), none of her teammates got into double figures, and Ndiraya and Zimunu’s run-outs did not help the cause. So, when Ndhlovu popped a return catch to medium pacer Laiba Nasir to be the fourth wicket to fall with the score on 86, Zimbabwe’s chances of getting a competitive total disappeared with her dismissal. While they did not bowl Zimbabwe out, Pakistan were content to keep things tidy on the bowling front, with reliable left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir again spear-heading the attack with figures of 2/21 to give her batters a comfortable chase. Their chase was so leisurely that they had time to be watchful in the first two overs, but still overhauled the target by the 11th over. Scores in brief: Toss: Zimbabwe, elected to bat. Zimbabwe 97 for 6 in 20 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 42, Adel Zimunu 13, Anosha Nasir two for 21, Laiba Nasir one for 11) Pakistan 100 without loss in 10.5 overs (Eyman Fatima 62 not out, Shawaal Zulfiqar 32 not out) Pakistan won by 10 wickets with 9.1 overs to spare.

Sports Bulletin Report Brisbane (January 18, 2023): Australian women beat Pakistan women by 10 wickets at the Allan Border Field on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. This was Pakistan women’s team first series defeat in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 after they have won their previous two series held last year. Chasing 126 to win, Australia’s opening batters Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield achieved the target in the 20th over. Litchfield who scored an unbeaten half-century for her side in the first ODI, returned unbeaten on 67 from 61 balls, hitting 10 boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batter Mooney scored 57 from 55 balls, which included six fours. Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan lost their opening batter Sidra Amin in the second over with two runs on the board. Muneeba who went for naught in the first match was joined by captain Bismah and the pair added 41 runs for the second wicket before Muneeba perished for 18 off 41 balls which included three fours. The previous match half-centurion for Pakistan, Nida Dar again showed some resistance in the middle before she ran herself out at the non-striking end. She scored 24 off 38 balls, which included two fours. Bismah was other contributor with the bat scoring 21 off 46 balls, hitting one four. For Australia, player of the match right-arm fast Darcie Brown took three wickets for 32, while Annabel Sutherland and Alana King bagged two wickets apiece. Both sides will now feature in the third ODI scheduled to take place at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney on Saturday, 21 January 2023. Scores in brief: Australia women beat Pakistan women by 10 wickets Pakistan Women 125 all out, 43 overs (Nida Dar 24, Bismah Maroof 21; Darcie Brown 3-32, Annabel Sutherland 2-13, Alana King 2-25) Australia Women 129-0, 19.2 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 67, Beth Mooney 57) Player of the match – Darcie Brown (Australia)

Sports Bulletin Report Potchefstroom (South Africa): England Women’s Under-19 defeated Pakistan by 53 runs in the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup 2023 at Senves Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa on Tuesday. England ladies decided to bat first after winning the coin’s battle. England batter set 157 target for Green Shirts. Pakistan, led by a 36-ball 34 (five fours) by their unrelenting captain, Syeda Shah – aptly nicknamed Aerobics – were determined in their response but simply did not string enough partnerships to make an impression on the target. Also, England’s bowling attack – thanks in no small part to Sophia Smale’s 2/10 and Hannah Baker’s 1/13 – was disciplined and never gave them a single over big enough to give them belief. Pakistan were not overawed however, as the opening exchanges in their innings had the feeling of a boxing match that plays out in a clinch. England were brimming with the intent to cut loose while Pakistan contained them by taking vital wickets just when it seemed like they would. The chief architects of this containment job were left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir and right-arm medium Zaibunnisa, who took four of the seven wickets that fell through figures of 2/20 and 2/24, respectively. England were nothing if not persistent, with one of the changes – player of the match Seren Smale – top-scoring with a 33-ball 37 (six fours), Ryana McDonald-Gay going unbeaten on 35 (three fours, one six) and Scrivens chipping in with 24 (four boundaries) to ensure a total of 156/7. Summarised Scorecard: Toss: England won the toss and decided to bat first Venue: Senves Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa England Women’s Under-19 (Batting) 156 for 7 in 20 overs Seren Smale 37 runs (33 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Ryana MacDonald Gey 35 runs not out (22 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Grace Serivena 24 runs (21 balls, 4x4, 6x0) Pakistan Bowling: Anosha Nasir (2 for 20), Zaib-un-Nisa (2 for 24), Areesha Noor (2 for 34), Rida Ali (1 for 35) Pakistan Women’s Under-19 (Batting) 103 for 5 in 20 overs Syeda Aroob Shah 34 runs (36 balls, 4x5, 6x0), Shawaal Zulfiqar 24 (22 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Aliza Khan 16 runs not out (23 balls, 4x0, 6x0), Areesha Noor 11 runs not out (11 balls, 4x1, 6x0) England Bowling: Sophia Smale (2 for 10), Grace Scrivens (1 for 9), Hanneb Parker (1 for 13) Player of the match: Seren Smale (England)

Sports Bulletin Report Brisbane (January 15, 2023): Bismah Maroof-led Pakistan women’s side will take on Australia in the first of the three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs at the Allan Border Field, Brisbane on Monday. The second ODI scheduled on Wednesday, 18 January is also at the same venue, while the third ODI will be played at the North Sydney Oval, Sydney on Saturday, 21 January. The ODI series will be followed by three T20Is to be played from 24 to 29 January in Sydney, Hobart and Canberra. Before coming to Australia, the women’s team held their practice camps in Lahore and Karachi where they also featured in various intra-squad matches. Captain Bismah Maroof said: “We had good practice sessions here at the venue. The pitches here have different bounce as compared to Pakistan and it took us time to adjust to the bounce. “We are fortunate enough to get a practice game at the same venue where our opening two matches of the series will be hosted. This will help be familiar with the conditions. The fast bowlers bowled well in the practice match, and they will have a key role to play in these conditions. The spinners on the other hand will need to adjust their line and length as required here. “The batters need to get set on the wicket, and once they are set, it will be easy for them to score runs. We have prepared ourselves well and will try to execute our plans to give better results in the series. “We have done really well in the ICC Women’s Championship matches so far, the upcoming series against Australia is also very important. We will try to stick to our plans in the series.” The toss will take place tomorrow at 0435 (Pakistan Standard Time), while the first ball will be bowled at 0505 (Pakistan Standard Time). Pakistan ODI squad for Australia series: Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan. Traveling Reserves: Aimen Anwar and Javeria Khan Player Support staff: Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach and interim head coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmad (analyst), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media and digital content manager) and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist). Australia series Itinerary 16 January – First ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 18 January – Second ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 21 January – Third ODI at North Sydney Oval, Sydney 24 January – First T20I at North Sydney Oval, Sydney 26 January – Second T20I at Blundstone Arena, Hobart 29 January – Third T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra