Cricket
Centurion to debutant: presence of family at the ground is no way a distraction
Bipin Dani
Family members of Angelo Mathews and Dunith Wellalage are at the ground during the ongoing second Test match against Pakistan.
It was also confirmed by debutant's dad Suranga Wellalage.
It was Dunith Wellalage's debut Test day on Sunday and Mathews is playing his 100th Test match at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Both could not capitalize the big score on the first day.
According to the renowned sports psychologist Jeremy Snape, who has worked with the Sri Lankan players twice, the presence of the family at the ground is not a distraction.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from overseas, he said, "Having your family present for a major milestone like your debut or 100th game is a great way to celebrate with those who sacrificed so much in the early years of your career".
Echoing the sports psychologist's views, Angelow's brother Trevin Mathews said, "it is no way a distraction. On the contrary, Angelo likes his family to be around when he is playing. He was very happy when we all went there on Sunday".
Angelo's both parents, sister and Trevin have returned to Colombo after watching the first day game. However, Angelo's wife Heshani Silva with kids has stayed back.
There has been strong rumour that Angelo may announce his retirement after this Test. Let us wait till we hear anything from him.
Sri Lanka take charge of second Test as Pakistan batters falter on day-II
Sports Bulletin Report
Galle (Sri Lanka):-Sri Lanka followed their good performance with the bat to restrict Pakistan to 191 for seven in their first innings at close on day-two of the second ICC World Test Championship match at the Galle International Stadium on Monday. Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis scored 35 with the bat and then took three Pakistan first innings’ wickets to give his side the ascendancy in the series decider.
Resuming at the overnight 315 for six, Sri Lanka added 63 runs before they were bowled out. Dunith Wellalage (11) was the first to go on day-two, he was dismissed by a searing bouncer by Naseem Shah. Niroshan Dickwella completed his 22nd half-century before falling to Naseem. Yasir Shah accounted for Prabath Jayasuriya (8) and Mendis to finish off the Sri Lankan first innings. Mendis’ 35 off 52 balls propelled his side past the 375-mark.
Pakistan were dealt a big blow in the first over of their reply with the first Test hero Abdullah Shafique falling on the second ball of the innings. The right-hander was bowled for a duck by Asitha Fernando.
Captain Babar Azam who promoted himself to number three in the batting order in the absence of Azhar Ali scored 16 before falling to Jayasuriya. Imam-ul-Haq looked set for a big score but fell at 32 when Mendis bowled him as the left-hander attempted a defensive shot on the front foot.
Mohammad Rizwan was another batter who failed to make the most of a start as he was sent packing for 24 as Pakistan took tea at 111 for four.
Fawad Alam was the next Pakistan batter to fall in the 20s as the left-hander was pinned lbw on the backfoot by Mendis, Fawad also scored 24. Mohammad Nawaz was the next to go as he continued the trend of the batters getting starts but failing to convert when he was dismissed for 16 off Mendis to leave Pakistan 145 for six.
Salman Ali Agha absorbed the pressure from one end and played some stylish shorts in his maiden half-century that kept Pakistan afloat. The right-hander who made his Test debut in the first Test of the series last week at the same venue, fell on the last ball of the day to Jayasuriya with de Silva taking the catch in the slips.
Salman’s 62 came off 126 balls (four fours, one six). Before his dismissal which left Pakistan in a real spot of bother, the middle-order batter added 46 runs for the seventh-wicket with Yasir (13 not out). This partnership is so far the best in Pakistan’s first innings.
The visitors finished the day 187 runs behind Sri Lanka’s first innings score. Pakistan would need meaningful contributions from the tail enders tomorrow if they are to avoid conceding a big first innings lead.
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka 378 all out, 103 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 80, Niroshan Dickwella 51, Oshada Fernando 50; Naseem Shah 3-58, Yasir Shah 3-83)
Pakistan 191 for 7, 69.4 overs (Salman Ali Agha 62, Imam-ul-Haq 32; Ramesh Mendis 3-42, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-59)
Pubudu Dassanayake takes up coaching role in Canada
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka's former cricketer Pubudu Dassanayake returns to Canada to take up the fresh coaching role.
In December last year, the former wicket-keepr and batter took up the assingment in Nepal but before fulfilling his 2-year-contract term, he is returning to Canada.
"I am returning to Canada on Sunday. During this Covid pandemic, it has become exteremely difficult to work here, where my family is not there", speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said.
Incidentally, the 52-year-old Pubudu has shuffled his coaching career between Canada and Nepal on two different occasions. In between the two, he had also coached the USA team.
Pubudu played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs' before he migarated to Canada in 2001.
"I submitted my resignation to Nepal a month ago and it is only a coincidence that I got Canada coaching job suddenly".
"Canada has no regular head coach. They have been appoining the local man on series by series basis. Now they have odffered my a two-year-contract and I could not resist the temptation so as I can devote time with my family in Canada", he added.
He has not recommended any coach name for the Nepal team. "They will begin the process of appointing a new man within a month period", he added.
PBCC announces stipend for 17 players
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has announced the Honorarium for 17 national players, who performed notably well in recent domestic and international competitions.
According to an official of PBCC, the players will receive a monthly Honorarium for the term of the next six (6) months, starting from July 2022 to December 2022. Category A players will get Rs. 20,000 while Category B will pocket Rs. 17,000/ per month. Category C players will be awarded Rs. 15,000 per month. PBCC has increased the honorarium amount by Rs=2,500/ each in all categories.
Sr. #
Name
Honorarium Category
Rs. per month
Badar Munir
(A)
Rs=20,000/
Nisar Ali
(A)
Rs=20,000/
Muhammad Rashid
(B)
Rs=17,000/
Faisal Mehmood
(B)
Rs=17,000/
Riasat Khan
(B)
Rs=17,000/
Mati Ullah
(B)
Rs=17,000/
Anees Javed
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Moeen Aslam
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Muhammad Safdar
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Shahzeb Haider
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Mohsin Khan
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Zafar Iqbal
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Muhammad Salman
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Haroon Khan
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Kamran Akhter
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Muhammad Shahzeb
(C)
Rs=15,000/
Sana Ullah Khan
(C)
Rs=15,000/
CRICKET - 25 Jul, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
Dubai (UAE):-India have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against the West Indies in the first ODI in Port of Spain on Friday.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
India captain Shikhar Dhawan plead guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Leslie Reifer, third umpire Gregory Brathwaite and fourth umpire Nigel Duguid leveled the charge.
Zaheer Abbas turns 75
Bipin Dani
Former Pakistani batsman Zaheer Abbas turned 75 on Sunday. The news of his 75th Birthday was conveyed to him by his India-born wife Rita Luthra (known as Samina Abbas after marriage in 1988), in Hammersmith Hospital on Sunday.
The Asian Bradman, as he is being called, was hospitalized for his heart-related and covid issues, but now being treated for kidney related complications.
"Zaheer is still in the hospital and recovering. Yes, he is recovering but recovery is longer than expected but is much better now", she said over the telephone.
"He is not in the ICU but has been shifted to the ward. Visitors are not allowed. I usually stay with him during the day", she added.
"He is very humbled and touched".
Later, speaking to this Reporter, his Dubai-based daughter Roshana said, "With everybody's prayers, dad is on the road to recovery. However, it will take time for his full recovery".
"We will celebrate his 75 years properly once he is discharged from the hospital. We thank for the support and prayers from his fans and well-wishers".
Hosts Sri Lanka post 315 for six on day-one of the second Test against Pakistan
Sports Bulletin Report
Galle (Sri Lanka):-Sri Lanka made solid progress on day-one of the second ICC World Test Championship match against Pakistan as they scored 315 for six at close of play on Sunday at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando provided the side a flying start of 92 runs. Fernando carried his form from the first Test where he scored a fifty in the second innings with an enterprising 50 (70 balls, four fours, three sixes).
The right-hander’s dominant innings was brought to an end by an excellent spinning delivery from Mohammad Nawaz that took the outside edge, Mohammad Rizwan took a sharp catch behind the stumps to end the partnership.
On the eve of the lunch break, Salman Ali Agha ran out Kusal Mendis when he intercepted a straight drive from Karunaratne in his follow through and deflected it on the stumps catching Mendis millimetres short of the crease at the non-striker’s end. Sri Lanka took lunch at 96 for two.
After lunch, Karunaratne was dismissed for 40 when his attempted cut shot was caught by a diving Naseem Shah in the point region off Yasir Shah.
Seasoned middle-order batter Angelo Mathews who is appearing in his 100th Test consolidated his side’s position with a 75-run fourth-wicket stand with the in-form Dinesh Chandimal. Mathews who was dropped by Babar Azam shortly before the tea interval fell to Nauman Ali soon after tea with Rizwan taking another sharp catch. Mathews scored 42 off 106 balls (five fours).
Chandimal registered his third consecutive half-century following contributions of 76 and 94 not out in the first Test. The right-hander once again missed out on a century when he skied a catch to Fawad Alam off Nawaz. Chandimal scored 80 off 137 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes, he added 63 for the fifth-wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva.
Naseem dismissed de Silva (33) with a pacy inswinger (fifth ball with the new-ball) that removed the middle-stump, Sri Lanka were 290 for six at this stage.
The hosts did not lose any further wicket as play stopped due to bad light with four overs of the 90-over quota remaining. At stumps, wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella was unbeaten on 42 while debutant Dunith Wellalage was six not out.
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka 315 for 6, 86 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 80, Oshada Fernando 50, Niroshan Dickwella 42 not out; Mohammad Nawaz 2-71)
CRICKET - 24 Jul, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
Dubai (UAE):-Imran Khwaja, Pankaj Khimji and Neil Speight have been elected as ICC Associate Member Directors following an election process at the ICC Annual Conference in Birmingham, UK.
In line with the Associate Members’ Meeting Terms of Reference, the voting was conducted at the Formal Associate Members meeting by way of a weighted secret ballot in which all voters (each Voting Associate Member and each Regional Representative) have three votes.
Imran Khwaja and Neil Speight have both been re-elected as Associate Member representatives on the Board, with Pankaj Khimji replacing Mahinda Vallipuram. Khimji is the Chairman of the Oman Cricket Board and is a Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay commented on the election: “I would like to welcome the elected Associate Member Directors onto the Board for the next term. I look forward to working with Imran, Pankaj and Neil to continue to push the sport forward by delivering the strategy and growing the game so that more people can enjoy cricket across the world.”
Chamari Athapaththu pleasantly surprised with a special gift
Bipin Dani
Sri Lankan women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu, who was practising with the other team members at the stadium got a very special gift from one of her fans.
She was presented with a special art work picture in a photo frame. It was prepared by an artist Hasanka Fernando.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, the 26-year-old artist, who is also a banker by profession said, "As my hobbies I like to draw, create various artworks, sing songs and play cricket".
"I also play cricket for my bank team".
"This is the art of woodwork. I made this computer artwork of Chamari holding the bat in her two hands. I spent more than an hour for the initial drawing but then giving a final touch and framing needed to be made in a presentable form".
In return, Chamari gave her 58 number limited over game jersey to the artist.
"I have also done similar art work for our men's team all-rounder Wanindu Hasarange".
"Chamari and Wanindu are my favourite players and when I met one of my idols at the R. Pramada Stadium, she was pleasantly surprised. I wished her good luck as the team is preparing for the Commonwealth Games to be played in England later this month", the artist, who went in as a Sri Lankan player jersey further added.
CRICKET - 22 Jul, 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI:-Adelaide Oval’s chief curator Damien Hough inspected the National Stadium Karachi outfield and square today (Friday) and interacted with the curator and ground staff as part of his tour of Pakistan. Karachi is the third venue that Hough has visited after his visits to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
Hough would be spending the weekend in Karachi. Besides the NSK square and outfield, Hough will also take a close look and provide his recommendation and feedback on the two Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre grounds that are located inside the NSK perimeter.
Like Lahore and Rawalpindi, Hough will also deliver lectures on pitch and outfield preparation for all formats of the game. In addition to the NSK and the high performance centre ground staff and curator, the lectures will be attended by Sindh Cricket Association coaches as part of Pakistan Cricket Board’s plan of improving the knowledge and skillset of its coaches at different tiers across the country.
Hough meanwhile has praised the passion and commitment of the ground staff in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi and has stressed on the importance of his visit which for him is all about collaboration, learning and sharing of ideas.
“This is the third Test centre that I am visiting and so far, I have really been impressed by the passion and commitment of ground staff in Pakistan and the team in Karachi is no different. For me, the trip is a lot about exchanging ideas, collaboration and figuring out how things are done in Pakistan and how they compare to Adelaide and Australia.
“A lot of credit goes to the PCB for initiating this exchange, I am very impressed by their commitment to improving the pitches and grounds. This pitch relaying project in Lahore and Karachi is a testament of the willingness that the PCB has shown and I am sure it will go a long way in developing quality pitches.”
Hough who has been associated with the Adelaide Oval for more than 10 years and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best curators with 26 years’ experience in the field. According to Hough, a good cricket pitch is one that offers a good balance between bat and ball. For long format games, 300 runs and 10 wickets is an indicator of sorts of a good cricket pitch.
“A good wicket is one that provides opportunities to both batters and bowlers. Back home we have an indicator of sorts of 300 runs and 10 wickets in a day for a long format pitch.”
Hough also expressed his excitement on the PCB’s experiment of using Australian soil for pitches in Karachi and Lahore. The soil is set to reach Karachi in a week’s time. A pitch each at the NSK, Naya Nazimabad Cricket Ground (Karachi), GSL and National High Performance Centre (Lahore) will be prepared with the imported Australian soil.
“I believe it is an exciting initiative and an experiment that is worth having a close look at. The pitches prepared with the Australian soil will provide a great opportunity to Pakistan players before a tour of Australia in terms of their preparations for the pitches there. Once again, the PCB deserves credit for this initiative, I feel that there will be a lot to learn and observe once the pitches are laid and are ready for cricket.”
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