Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-The Pakistan national men’s team will begin their preparations for the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against the West Indies from Thursday. Schedule of media opportunities: 1 June – Pakistan captain Babar Azam will be available to electronic media from 1300 and print media from 1320 at the press conference hall of the Gaddafi Stadium’s Far End Building. The players will assemble in Lahore and no training is scheduled on the day. 2 June – Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi will be available to media from 1300 till 1400 at the press conference hall of the Gaddafi Stadium’s Far End Building. The national side will hold a training session from 1430 till 2000 at the LCCA ground. 3 June – The national side will train at the LCCA ground from 1800 till 2330. 4 June – Head coach Saqlain Mushtaq will hold a media talk at 1330 at the LCCA ground. The national side will train at the LCCA ground from 1430 till 2000 5 June – The national side will depart for Multan.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's former opening batter Charith Senanayake has been appointed as the manager for the "A" team. The 59-year-old Senanayake will manage the home team against the visiting Australian "A" team to play two one-day and two four-day games in Sri Lanka during a bumper all-format Aussie tour in June-July. Managing the Sri Lankan team and players has not been the first time Senanayake would be doing so. He was the manager of the national team which beat Australia 3-0 in a Test series. More importantly, he was instrumental in swapping captains at the 2012 T-20 World Cup, following which the ICC was forced to change the rules.  In 2012, Sri Lanka switched the captaincy in its last World T-20 group match against England to avoid Mahela Jayawardene being banned for repeated slow over rate after the win against West Indies, and faced one match suspension. To ensure this, it was Senanayake, who asked Sangakkara to toss the coin (the scorecard mentioned Sanga was the official captain) but Jayawardene to lead the team on field. Unlike now, the ICC rules then didn't make any reference to switching captains before any international match.   Senanayake has also worked with current coach Avishka Gunawardene and toured Jamaica, Bangladesh previously.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-Pakistan spinners Anam Amin and Nida Dar have made notable gains in the latest weekly update to the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after some fine performances in their three-match home series against Sri Lanka. Left-arm spinner Amin, who grabbed three for 21 in the first match and finished with four wickets in the series, has moved up two places to fourth position, just one off her career-best ranking of third attained in 2016 and 2018. Nida, who has also had a career-best third position in the past, is up four places to 10th. Medium-pacer Fatima Sana is another one to progress in the bowlers’ rankings, moving up seven positions to 73rd while Nida is also up two places to seventh among all-rounders. Sri Lanka medium-pacer Oshadi Ranasinghe’s haul of six wickets in the series has lifted her 18 places to a career-best 38th position. Sugandika Kumari (up 19 places to 46th) and Kavisha Dilhari (up 13 places to 59th) have also gained in the latest update. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof, who was named Player of the Match in the final T20I, has returned to the ranking for batters in 24th position with an aggregate of 60 runs. Ayesha Naseem’s Player of the Match effort of 45 not out off 31 balls in the second match has helped her move up 16 places to 64th. The Sri Lanka batters to advance include left-hander Harshitha Madavi (up two places to 74th), Hasini Perera (up 18 places to 87th) and Nilakshi de Silva (up 22 places to joint-92nd). The upcoming ODI series between the two teams starting Wednesday kicks off the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) and provides players a chance to move up the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings. Maroof goes into the series ranked 26th and is one of five Pakistan players in the top 50 for batters, while spinner Nashra Sundhu (14th) is among four Pakistan bowlers in the top 50.

Report: Emmad Hameed KARACHI:-Bismah Maroof-led Pakistan are hoping to carry forward the winning momentum gained in the T20I series as they take on Sri Lanka in the first of the three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs at the Southend Club, Karachi on Wednesday. The Pakistan-Sri Lanka series marks the beginning of the new ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 which is the qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Two more teams (Bangladesh and Ireland) have been added to the championship taking the number of participating teams to 10. This is the first-ever ICC Women’s Championship series to be played in Pakistan. The hosts produced a quality performance last week to sweep the three-match T20I series at the same venue and after two days of intense training and practice session, Pakistan are ready to make an impression in the 50-over format in  familiar playing conditions. Sri Lanka however enjoyed an historic edge over their hosts in the ODI format having won as many as 21 out of the 30 matches played between the two sides to date. Pakistan though have won the last three ODI encounters between the two sides, the Bismah-led tourists recorded a 3-0 sweep of the 2018 series played in Dambulla. The last time the two sides competed in an ODI in Pakistan was in December 2005 with Sri Lanka winning both Asia Cup encounters. This series is the first bilateral ODI series between the two sides in Pakistan. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof said: “After a dominating performance in the T20Is against Sri Lanka, we are now focused on delivering our best in the ODI series which is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship. I am pleased that two more teams have been added to the championship. This step from the ICC will help promote the women’s game in Bangladesh and Ireland besides providing them direct qualification opportunities. “Our aim like the rest of the sides would be to earn a direct spot in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The ODI squad for the series is a good blend of experience and youth. We have a number of experienced batters in Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Alia Riaz and myself. “Bowling is our traditional strength, Anam Amin did a great job for us in the T20Is and besides her we have a number of quality spin bowling options. We also have a very capable pace attack led by Fatima Sana and Diana Baig.” Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said: “The performance in the T20I series was disappointing as we failed to win a match. The ICC Women’s Championship fixtures are vital for all sides so we want to put behind the T20I performances and focus on winning the ODIs. This is a new format and a fresh tournament for us so we will try to execute our plans properly as gaining maximum points is each side’s aim and we will be focusing on the same. “We have to try and play positive cricket, we have some plans and hopefully we can execute them well in the series. It is important for us to improve as we are at number 10 in the rankings so we need to gain enough points to jump up a spot or two.” Pakistan ODI squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper). Sri Lanka ODI squad: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Achini Kulasuriya, Ama Kanchana, Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Hasini Perera, Inoka Ranaweera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Prasadani Weerakkody, Sachini Nisansala, and Sugandika Kumari. Series schedule: 1 Jun – First ODI 3 Jun – Second ODI 5 Jun – Third ODI

Sports Bulletin Report LONDON:-England Men's selection panel have named a 14-strong squad for the three-match ODI series of The Netherlands starting at Amstelveen on 17 June. Lancashire seamer Luke Wood and Gloucestershire paceman David Payne are the uncapped players named in the squad. This will be Wood's first call-up to the senior squad, and Payne has been involved previously in last summer's ODIs against Pakistan. White-Ball Head Coach, Matthew Mott, said: "I'm very excited to be coaching a strong squad for my first series in charge. We have tremendous depth with a blend of youth and experience. We want to continue to play in an expressive style and let our players showcase their skills and firepower. "Luke Wood deserves his call-up. He has been consistent for Lancashire over the past 12 months and we have been monitoring his progression. If given a chance to play, I'm sure he will make most of his opportunity. "This is a historic occasion for the sport and the first time England Men have played The Netherlands in an ODI series. We can't wait to head over to Amsterdam and put on a show for the thousands of fans travelling to support the team. "The ODI side has had limited opportunities and last played in July. However, with about 18 months to the next ICC 50 over World Cup in India, our preparation will start ramping up with nine matches over the summer and a busy winter ahead against strong opponents." The three-match ODI series, which are part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, starts a busy summer for England Men with Royal London Series against India and South Africa scheduled for later this summer. England ODI Squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), David Payne (Gloucestershire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Luke Wood (Lancashire) ODI Series Schedule 1st ODI: The Netherlands v England, Friday 17 June, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen 2nd ODI: The Netherlands v England, Sunday 19 June, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen 3rd ODI: The Netherlands v England, Wednesday 22 June, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-The chief selector of the national women’s team has retained the same team - that recorded their maiden T20I series clean sweep against Sri Lanka - for their upcoming commitments in the United Kingdom during which they will compete in a tri-series in Ireland and Commonwealth Games in England. The squad was finalised after deliberations amongst Asmavia Iqbal, the national women team’s chief selector, head coach David Hemp and captain Bismah Maroof. Eighteen players have been announced for the two series, which include three reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Sadaf Shamas and Umme Hani. Pakistan will take on T20 world champions Australia and hosts Ireland in Belfast from 16 to 24 July and play Barbados, India and Australia in Commonwealth Games on 29, 31 July and 3 August. Ahead of their departure to the UK on 12 July, the team will undergo an extensive training session in Islamabad at House of Northern from 1 to 11 July. Chief Selector Asmavia Iqbal said: “Following a successful series against Sri Lanka, we have decided to retain the same winning combination. Not only our senior cricketers in the side displayed great cricketing acumen also our youngsters were outstanding and have raised their hands whenever the team needed them to. “We are delighted with the start Tuba Hassan has had to her international career and feel her leg-spin will be a potent weapon for us in the days ahead. Ayesha Naseem produced a match winning innings in the second match of the T20Is against Sri Lanka and proved her big-hitting ability. “The tri-series in Ireland and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games will test the abilities of our players and I have all the belief in them that they will live up to the expectations and show consistent results. Head of Women Cricket, Tania Mallick said: “I want to congratulate our team for putting up a solid and dominating display in Karachi against Sri Lanka and I am sure these girls will continue their form in the ICC Women’s Championship fixtures. Our team has all the potential to do well in the United Kingdom and I wish them the very best for the tri-series and Commonwealth Games. “I want to thank the Commonwealth Games for accepting our request to accommodate our captain Bismah Maroof’s family at the games village which will allow her to focus on the task at hand without any worries about her young infant daughter.” Names of selected players: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza (wicketkeeper), Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan. Pakistan’s fixtures: Tri-series at Belfast 16 July – v Australia 19 July – v Ireland 23 July – v Australia 24 July – v Ireland Commonwealth Games at Birmingham 29 July – v Barbados 31 July – v India 3 August – v Australia

Sports Bulletin Report Quetta (Pakistan):-Attock has won the title of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy 2022 (Grade-2) after beating Karachi by 5 wickets in the final at Fatima Jinnah Cricket Ground, Quetta on Tuesday. Syed Sultan Shah (Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council), Junaid Iqbal (CSR officer NBP), Syed Salman Bokhari (Director Cricket Operations PBCC), Aatif Qayyum (Director Education & Rehabilitation PBCC), Mansoor Khan, representative of PCB Quetta and Nusrullah Shahwani (President SQCCB) were the guests and distributed prizes amongst the players. Earlier, in the morning, Karachi won the toss and asked Attock to take guard. Attock posted a competitive total of 202 runs on the board for the loss of 7 wickets in allotted 20 overs. Muhammad Raheel was the top scorer with 59 runs and Ehtisham ul Haq made 27 runs. Tahir Ali, Abdul Wahab and Hassan Raza fetched 1 wicket each for Karachi. In reply, Karachi tried its best to reach the target of 203 runs but fell 5 runs short of the target. Karachi’s team was able to score 197 runs by losing their 6 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Tahir Ali was their top scorer with 104 runs and Bismillah Khan made 21 runs. Ehtisham ul Haq was the pick amongst the bowlers; he took 3 wickets for Attock. Result: Attock won by 5 runs Man of the Match: Ehtisham ul Haq Player of the Tournament: B1: Mohammad Sohail (Attock) B2: Niamat Ullah (Quetta) B3: Mohammad Safdar (Multan) Best Wicket Keeper: Naseeb Ullah (Quetta)  

Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League One-Day Internationals between Pakistan and the West Indies have been shifted to Multan. The games will take place on the dates announced earlier i.e. 8, 10 and 12 June, with the matches starting at 1600 PKT time.  The training camp of the Pakistan cricket team will be held in Lahore from 1-4 June before the squad will move to Multan on 5 June. Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, who are presently playing county cricket in the United Kingdom, will arrive on 1 June and will join the camp from the next day. The West Indies squad will arrive in Islamabad on 6 June and will travel to Multan on a charter flight. Series schedule with umpire and match referee appointments: 8 June – 1st ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire) and Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee) 10 June – 2nd ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium: Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee) 12 June – 3rd ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium: Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee) Pakistan squad for West Indies ODIs: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper/batter), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Mohammad Wasim Junior, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood. Player Support Personnel: Mansoor Rana (manager), Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saaiman (trainer/strength and conditioning coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital manager), Col (retd) Mohammad Imran (security manager), Dr Najeeb Soomro (team doctor), Talha Ejaz (analyst) and Muhammad Imran (masseur).

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan women will tour Australia for three T20Is and three ODIs, which will be played in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra from 16-29 January 2023. The ODIs, which will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025, will be played on 16, 18 and 21 January with the opening two games scheduled in Brisbane. The third ODI will be held on 21 January in Sydney, which will also stage the first T20I on 24 January. The remaining two T20Is will be played in Canberra on 27 and 29 January. Pakistan’s tour to Australia is one of their four away series in this competition played over a three-year period. Their other three away series are against Bangladesh, England and New Zealand, schedule of which will be announced in due course. Pakistan is presently hosting Sri Lanka, which is one of the four series that will be played in their backyard. Ireland, South Africa and West Indies are the other home series with Ireland scheduled to tour in November, while details of South Africa and West Indies to be announced closer to time. The ICC Women’s Championship is being competed by 10 sides, which include Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. At the end of the three-year cycle, the top five teams and the hosts will book a berth for the World Cup in 2025, while the rest of the teams will have to go through the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier. In addition to the ICC Women’s Championship fixtures, Pakistan women will also participate in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (25 July-8 August), December’s ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (2-26 February). Pakistan women’s schedule of matches in Australia: ODIs 16 Jan: Allan Border Field, Brisbane 18 Jan: Allan Border Field, Brisbane 21 Jan: North Sydney Oval, Sydney T20Is 24 Jan: North Sydney Oval, Sydney 27 Jan: Manuka Oval, Canberra 29 Jan: Manuka Oval, Canberra

Sports Bulletin Report Quetta (Pakistan):-Attock and Karachi stormed into the final of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy 2022 after beating their challengers in the semifinals at Fatima Jinnah Cricket Ground Quetta on Monday. The final of the tournament will be played between Attock and Karachi at the same venue on Tuesday. Results (semifinals)    Semifinal-1: Attock beat Hyderabad by 23 runs In the morning, Attock won the toss and decided to bat first. Openers Ehtisham ul Haq and Zeshan toiled the strong bowling of Hyderabad and both knitted 129 runs for the 1st wicket partnership. Attock made 266 runs on the board for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Ehtisham ul Haq was the top scorer with 105 runs and Zeshan made 70 runs. Hussain Bax took 2 wickets while Mohsin Ahmed took 1 wicket for Hyderabad. In reply, Hyderabad was well on the course to chase the target till the 15th over, but Amjad Mugheri’s wicket opened the opportunity to Attock and they grabbed it with both hands. Imran Sarwar tried his best in a fighting inning of unbeaten 133* runs but Hyderabad was restricted to 243 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Amjad Mugheri was the 2nd best scorer with 70 runs. Muhammad Raheel took 1 wicket. Result: Attock won by 23 runs Man of the Match: Ehtisham ul Haq Semifinal-2: Karachi beat Quetta by 16 runs The second semifinal of the event was played between Karachi and Quetta. Quetta won the toss and put Karachi into bat. Karachi posted a mammoth total of 286 runs on the board for the loss of 1 wicket in the stipulated 20 overs. The veteran Tahir Ali played an extraordinary innings of 150 runs and Bismillah Khan made unbeaten 80* runs.  In reply, Quetta was restricted to 270 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Niamat Ullah was their highest scorer with unbeaten 115 runs and Naseeb Ullah chipped in with 84 runs. Mohammad Ali Akasha and Shahzad Iqbal claimed 1 wicket each for Karachi. Result:  Karachi won by 16 runs Man of the Match: Tahir Ali