Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report CHRISTCHURCH:-Teams at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 will be able to field a side with only nine players if their squad is affected by COVID-19, the International Cricket Council announced. The ICC has made arrangements to support teams and ensure the tournament can continue as normally as possible. Other announcements include an unlimited number of super overs to decide tied matches and strict protocols for teams. ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said at a media interaction in Christchurch: “From a COVID perspective, we need to be a little bit flexible, as far as the way in which we manage the game to take into account these unique circumstances. “So firstly, we have allowed squads to increase in size. Whilst the official playing 15 is still set at 15 as would always have been the case, we've allowed squads to bring additional traveling reserves so that they can replace on a temporary basis, if needs be because of COVID, players in and out of the squad during the event. “There's opportunity for players to contract COVID-19 but then to be able to come back. It's important that we do everything we can to try and maximise opportunities for the best players in the world to show their skills at a World Cup. “If it becomes necessary, we would allow a team to field nine players as an exception for this environment and if they had female substitutes from within their management team, we would enable two substitutes to play, non-batting, non-bowling, but to enable a game to take place.” The tournament begins on 4 March in Tauranga and will culminate with the final in Christchurch on 3 April with each team playing the other seven once to decide the top four who will advance to the semi-finals.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed ticket prices for the three-Test series match of which will be played in Rawalpindi (4-8 March), Karachi (12-16 March) and Lahore (21-25 March) respectively. For the Rawalpindi Test, only two enclosure categories are available. The PKR500 VIP enclosures comprise Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar, Javed Miandad and Azhar Mahmood, whereas Premium enclosures include Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Miran Bakhsh and Yasir Arafat, and the price per ticket has been fixed at PKR100. Four enclosure categories in Karachi and Lahore: General – PKR 100 each First Class – PKR 200 each Premium – PKR 350 each VIP – PKR 500 each Tickets are now available online at pcb.bookme.pk as well as from the nearest M&P Courier outlets from Friday 1100 PKT. All ticket-holders will also have to display their Covid immunisation certificates and CNIC at the time of entering the venues. In first phase, the PCB has released 50 per cent of tickets with further tickets to be made available online and nearest M&P Courier outlets after further guidance is received from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). Enclosure categories: National Stadium, Karachi: Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad,  (VIP enclosure), Imran Khan, Quaid, Wasim Akram (Premium enclosure), Asif Iqbal, Intikhab Alam, Iqbal Qasim, Mohammad Brothers, Nasim-ul-Ghani (First-Class enclosures), and Majid Khan, Waqar Hasan, Wasim Bari, Zaheer Abbas (General enclosure) Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan (VIP enclosure), Rajas and Saeed Anwar (Premium enclosure), Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Javed Miandad and Sarfraz Nawaz (First-Class enclosure) and Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Majid Khan, Nazars, Quaid, Saeed Ahmad, Zaheer Abbas (General enclosure).

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's 24-year-old opening batsman Avishka Fernando may be out of competitive cricket for about 9 months, according to Dr. David Young, who performed the surgery on his right knee on Tuesday.  The surgery was performed at The Avenue Hospital in Melbourne. Dr. Young is very familiar among cricketers and has treated Lasith Malinga, Shoaib Akhtar and many other international players. "Avishka tore the anterior cruciate in his right knee in a training mishap on the 17 Feb at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He had an anterior cruciate reconstruction on the 22 Feb 2022", Dr. Young, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Melbourne said on Wednesday evening. "He is expected to return to cricket training in 6 months and when performing well return to competitive play probably in 9 months". "The surgery lasted over two hours", he added.  "The cricketer has been discharged from the hospital and will stay in Australia for a few more days. Dr. Young will see him again after a period of two weeks", another source in the hospital further added.

Darcie Brown – Australia Between March and September of 2021, Darcie Brown made her T20I, ODI and Test debut for Australia and also earned a whole host of fans, particularly in the 50-over format. In just four one-day matches, Brown has taken nine wickets at an incredible average of 15.11 with two four-wicket hauls. Her best figures came against India last autumn where she took four for 33 in a player-of-the-match performance. Fargana Hoque – Bangladesh Almost 11 years and 37 matches since making her ODI debut for Bangladesh, Fargana Hoque will make her first appearance at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Prior to the pandemic shutting cricket down, Hoque made four scores over 20 in five innings, ending 2019 with a 67 against Pakistan. As Bangladesh re-emerged on the world stage against Zimbabwe last year, Hoque continued in the same form, contributing 53 not out in the second match of the series. The right-hander arrives in New Zealand having made 841 runs for Bangladesh and will be looking forward to notching her first at a World Cup. Kate Cross – England Kate Cross’s first appearance at a World Cup has been a long time coming, not making the squad for the 2017 edition inspired her to make certain she would be there in 2021. An injury in the warm-up at the T20 World Cup in 2020 put that in doubt before Covid intervened and since then Cross has thrived. The right-arm seamer took her first five-fer in ODIs against India last summer in a player-of-the-match performance. Since then, she has had only one wicketless ODI, but even in that she had an economy of 4.00, and in the first ODI of the women’s Ashes she was England’s best performing bowler with three for 33. Richa Ghosh – India Richa Ghosh had amassed 76 runs before she was dismissed in ODI cricket in her second game, and she did so against Australia as they reached the end of a 26-match unbeaten streak. In the next game where the streak was finally broken, Ghosh scored a duck but had already provided a vital contribution taking the catch to dismiss the dangerous Tahlia McGrath and bring about the collapse of Australia’s tail. Against New Zealand just prior to the World Cup, the wicket-keeper continued her fine run-scoring form including a 65 that was followed by a knock of 52 off 29 balls, the fastest fifty an Indian woman batter. Fran Jonas - New Zealand Fran Jonas won’t even be 18 by the time the World Cup ends but she has already got all the experience she needs to play at a home World Cup. Jonas has three ODI appearances to her name, and her first international wicket, and she is just following on from her impressive form in New Zealand’s domestic competition. In 2020, the left-arm finger spinner took three wickets in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final as Auckland Hearts claimed the one-day title. The next season saw Jonas take 13 wickets as Auckland made the showpiece again and she has picked up six scalps in four matches before the White Ferns and a World Cup debut came calling. Ghulam Fatima - Pakistan  Ghulam Fatima made her debut during the qualifiers for the 2017 World Cup appearing three times but was not picked for the actual tournament and hasn’t played an ODI since. But she is back in the fold as Pakistan search for a first World Cup and despite not making it into the final squad for the 2017 edition, Fatima still impressed in green. The right-arm spinner took six wickets in three matches including best returns of three for 28 against Bangladesh. It would be fitting for Fatima to make her World Cup debut against South Africa, the same team Pakistan faced when her international career began. Tazmin Brits – South Africa South Africa would be forgiven for having Tazmin Brits in their squad as a specialist fielder, the 31-year-old was a Youth World Champion in javelin back in 2007. An injury in 2012 hampered her hopes of the Olympics but ten years later she will be reaching the pinnacle of another sport. And she is more than just an excellent thrower, Brits has made 177 runs in her seven ODI appearances for the Proteas including a high score of 48. Karishma Ramharack – West Indies Picked as a reserve for the qualifying tournament, Karishma Ramharack will make her World Cup debut as a full member of the West Indies squad. An economical right-arm off-spinner, Ramharack has made ten appearances in Maroon in one-day internationals. Across those games, she has taken eight wickets, with best figures of two for 18 against South Africa earlier this year, with the rain stopping her from getting any more. Ramharack backed that up with another two-wicket haul in the next game and will be hoping to continue the trend when the tournament begins on 4 March with the Windies taking on hosts New Zealand in Tauranga.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-ICC Elite panelist Aleem Dar and PCB International panelist Ahsan Raza will be the on-field umpires in all three Tests of the Pakistan versus Australia series, while ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle will lead the Playing Control Team, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced. Madugalle, the former Sri Lanka captain, is the only match referee to break the 200-match mark as he has to date refereed in 201 Tests. Aleem Dar, the three-time ICC Umpire of the Year, leads the umpires’ pack with 136 matches. Asif Yaqoob, PCB Umpire of 2020 and 2021, will be the third umpire in the first and third Tests, while Rashid Riaz will be in the TV umpire’s box for the second Test. Ahsan Raza, Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will share on-field umpires’ responsibilities, while Muhammad Javed Malik will be the match referee for the three ODIs, which will be played on 29 March, 31 March and 2 April in Rawalpindi. Aleem and Ahsan will reunite for the one-off 5 April T20I and Muhammad Javed Malik will be the match referee. Umpire and match referee appointments: 4-8 Mar – 1st Test, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) 12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) 21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Lahore. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) 29 Mar – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi. Alem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi. Alem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 2 April – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi. Alem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 5 Apr – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has finalized the national squad for home series against South Africa. Nasir Ali will lead the Pakistan team in the most important series of the year 2022. Mohammad Jameel will accompany the squad as a coach while Mohammad Niaz will perform the duty of manager during the series. Twenty 20 Series (Schedule): 1st T-20 on 5th March at Bagh e Jinnah Lahore 2nd T-20 on 7th March at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad 2nd T20 on 8th March at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Names of players: 1. Zafar Iqbal B1 2. Riasat Khan B1 3. Mohammad Shahzaib B1 4. Fakhar Abbas B1 5. Sajid Nawaz B1 6. Nisar Ali (Captain) B2 7. Badar Munir B2 8. Matiullah B2 9. Anees Javed B2 10. Moain Aslam B2 11. Mohammad Rashid B3 12. Faisal Mehmood B3 13. Sanaullah Marwat B3 14. Akmal Hayyat B3 15. Israr ul Hassan B3 Reserve 16. Mohammad Salman B1 17. Shahzaib Haider B2 18. Mohsin Khan B3 Team Officials 19. Mohammad Niaz Manager 20. Mohammad Jameel Coach 21. Tahir Mehmood Butt Trainer

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Nasira Public School, Civil Aviation Authority Model School, Karachi Public School, Dawood Public School and Aga Khan Higher Secondary participated in the 2nd AHC-JCA Girls School Cricket Cup, which was organized by the Australian High Commission (AHC) at Jalaluddin Cricket Academy (JCA) in Karachi. The girls also participated in a five-day coaching clinic before the competition. At the end of the tournament, the special guest, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia Joanna Frederickson distributed prizes among the players and officials, who showed outstanding performance, including the winning team. "We are delighted to have first class PCB coaches at the five-day coaching clinic, who helped to build confidence, boost team spirit and inspire the girls," said Joanna Frederickson, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia.

Bipin Dani Former India captain and a member of the 1983 World Cup winning team Sunil Gavaskar has been given the honour to ring the newly installed bell at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. "The name of Sunil Gavaskar was suggested by the Indian cricket board when we asked for it", Riasat Ali, the director of the UPCA (Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association), speaking exclusively over the telephone said. "Gavaskar being the senior most player to be present at the ground is the right person we have chosen for the job". In the history of the Association, this being the first time that the night match (T-20I between India and Sri Lanka) would be inaugurated by ringing of the bell 5-minutes before the game. There have been such bells at Lord's (London) and Eden Gardens (Kolkata) also. The bell at Lucknow is made up of brass, we are told. 

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Mohammad Nawaz ruled out of Pakistan Australia Test series owing to his foot injury, as the three Test-Match series will be started from March 4, 2022 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. The following is an update on the Pakistan Test side for the Australia Tests: 1-Mohammad Nawaz has been ruled out of the series with a foot injury. He will not be replaced in the side 2-Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed have now been added as traveling reserves. They will only be considered for selection if there is an injury 3-Mohammad Haris has been added to the reserve players list. However, he, along with Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah have been advised to participate in the Pakistan Cup, which commences on 2 March. If required, they will be drafted into the side 4-Test players who attended a training camp in Karachi and those not involved in HBL PSL 2022 playoffs will arrive in Islamabad later tonight. After observing a three-day room isolation, they will hold a training session on 27 February 5-Test players involved in the HBL PSL 2022 playoffs will travel to Islamabad in a bubble on 28 February and will participate in a training session on 1 March Names of 15-player squad: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Zahid Mahmood (Sindh) Test schedule: 1st Test, Rawalpindi March 4-8 2nd Test, Karachi March 12-16 3rd Test, Lahore March 21-25

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-The Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan (CFU) team will likely visit Islamabad at end of this month February to play cricket matches with different teams including Shalimar Cricket Academy in the capital city of Pakistan. According to an official, the Uzbek cricket team will likely arrive in Islamabad on February 26, 2022 and play four friendly cricket matches against different oppositions. The visit aims to highlight the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan Uzbekistan diplomatic relations. The Shalimar Cricket Academy will be organizing the matches during the 9-day trip emerging teams to face with CFU’s Senior and Under-19 lads. It will be first international visit of Uzbekistan cricket team since its establishment in 2019. “We hope the intended friendly matches will attract more cricket fans towards Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan, as the cricket is quite new in Uzbekistan. And, with more people involved in developing this wonderful sport in Uzbekistan, better for all involved parties, “he concluded.