Cricket
Abbottabad to host Blind Cricket T20 Super League in June
Sports Bulletin ReportABBOTTABAD: A major city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province Abbottabad will stage Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Blind Cricket T20 Super League Season 2023-24, from June 7 to 13, 2024.According to an official of PBCC, teams from four provinces including Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will fight for the top honour, as the best players from different cricketing nations will take part in the said tournament.As many as 13 matches will be played in the entertaining and competitive event. The prestigious league is a part of preparations for the 4th T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Punjab and Sindh from November 22 to December 3, 2024. The T20 Blind Cricket World Cup will be a grand success, with seven countries, including India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, and Nepal expected to feature in the event. Australia is also expected to confirm its participation soon.A total of 22 players will be shortlisted from the league for the World Cup, as the shortlisted players will be provided training before the World Cup and then a 17-member squad will be finalized for the mega event. Names of shortlisted players for T20 Super League:B1 Players: Zafar Iqbal, Sajid Nawaz, Mohammad Ayaz, Idrees Saleem, Kashan Ali, Qazim Ullah, Mohammad Salman, Basheer Khan, Riasat Khan, Arsalan Rasheed, Abdul Wahab, Shoaib Khan, Kashif Sadique, Hafiz Abdul Razaq, Qasim Khalil, Mohammad Sohail, Habib Taj, Asif Khan, Mohammad Shahzeb, Zafar JuniorB2 Players: Nisar Ali, Badar Munir, Shahzeb Haider, Babar Ali, Haroon Khan, Anees Javed, Farhan Ullah, Naseeb Ullah, Ehtisham Ul Haq, Ayub Khan, Usman Chorai, Danyal, Mohammad Noman, Israr ul Hassan, Moin Aslam, Mohammad IrfanB3 Players: Mati Ullah, Akmal Hayat, Faizan Khatak, Mohsin Khan, Sana Ullah, Kamran Akhtar, Sanwal Shahzada, Mohammad Rashid, Mohammad Safdar, Talha Iqbal, Mohammad Ijaz, Imran Brohi, Naimat Ullah, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naeem Ullah, Hussain Bukhsh, Fasih Ullah, Gul Sher, Naeem Ullah, Iftikhar Tiger.
Shahid Afridi unveiled as ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Ambassador
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced Pakistan’s iconic all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the latest name on the star-studded roster of Ambassadors for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies which begins on 1 June.A veteran of six T20 World Cups, two of which as captain, Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s 2009 triumph with a Player of the Match performance in the final at Lord’s, and will feature in a range of promotional activities around the World Cup and lend expert insights to the event through a series of guest columns.Shahid Afridi, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 winner, said: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart. From being Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition to lifting the trophy in 2009, some of my favourite career highlights have come from competing on this stage. T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches and even more drama than ever before. I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. It is one of the great rivalries in sport and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams.”Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, said: “Shahid competed in six ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, two of which as captain and delivering a Player of the Match performance when winning the trophy in 2009, so who better to join our all-star Ambassador team. He’s a fan favourite around the world and alongside Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle and eight-time Olympic gold-medallist Usain Bolt, will be bringing fans closer to the event ahead of what is set to be the biggest T20 World Cup ever.”
First ODI: England Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs
Sports Bulletin ReportDerby (UK): England Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs in the first ODI at Derby on Thursday. In pursuit of the 244-run target, Muneeba Ali, batting at three, ended up as the top scorer for Pakistan scoring 34 off 60 balls. Muneeba shared a 30-run second-wicket stand with Sadaf Shamas who hit three boundaries in 28 off 48 balls.Nida Dar (26, 38b, 3x4s) and Aliya Riaz (21, 32b, 3x4s) steered Pakistan from 117-4 to 149-4 after 34 overs where they required 95 off 96 balls with six wickets in hand. The tide turned in England’s favour when Nida, Fatima Sana and Aliya fell in 35th, 36th and 37th over respectively.Najiha Alvi remained unbeaten on 26 off 57 balls as Pakistan fell 37 runs short. Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean spun a web taking three and two wickets respectively. Pacers Lauren Bell and Kate Cross bagged two scalps each.Earlier, after Pakistan opted to bowl, England’s opening batters, Tammy Beaumont (33, 40b, 5x4s) and Maia Bouchier (17, 24b, 2x4s) stitched a 45-run partnership before Nashra Sundhu struck to remove the latter.Skipper Heather Knight occupied the crease for 49 balls returning for 29 before she was stumped by Najiha Alivi against Aliya. Nat-Sciver Brunt struck four boundaries in her 34-ball 31-run outing before she departed leaving England 118-4. A resurgent fifth wicket partnership, between Alice Capsey (44, 65b, 3x4s) and Amy Jones (37, 38b, 3x4s), worth 67 off 75 balls, kept the innings intact.Following Capsey’s dismissal in the 44th over with the scorecard reading 216-6, Sarah Glenn’s unbeaten effort of 16 runs off 13 balls propelled England to 243-9 in their 50 overs. For Pakistan, skipper Nida picked up three wickets while Aliya, Nashra and Umm-e-Hani bagged two wickets each.
T20I: Rain washes out first match between Pakistan, and England
Sports Bulletin ReportLeeds (UK): The opening fixture of the T20 International cricket series between Pakistan and hosts England called off due to rain at the Headingley Cricket Ground on Wednesday. The two teams arrived at the venue amidst heavy rain following, which the game was called off without even the toss taking place.Pakistan and England will now travel to Birmingham to play the second T20I of the series at Edgbaston Cricket Ground which is scheduled to take place on May 25, 2024.
Pakistan women to face England women on Thursday in ODI
Sports Bulletin ReportDerby (UK): Pakistan women will take on England women in a three-match ODI series, commencing on Thursday (May 23, 2024) at the County Ground in Derby. The second ODI will be played in Taunton on 26 May, followed by the third ODI in Chelmsford on 29 May.The series, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, will be Pakistan’s eighth and final series in the cycle. Pakistan are currently positioned on fifth spot with 16 points in the 10-team Women’s Championship. The top five teams from this championship, along with hosts India, will directly qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.Earlier on the tour, both sides had featured in three T20Is, which were won by the hosts 3-0.Opening batter Sidra Amin (948 runs at an average of 52.66 in the ICC Championship 2022-25), said:“Despite the recent T20I series not going our way, we are fully focused and eager to put on a good performance in the upcoming ODIs against England.“We believe in our capabilities and are focused on executing our plans well in the upcoming ODI series. The team spirit is high, and we are determined to end the ICC Women's Championship matches on a positive note.”Pakistan women squad: Nida Dar (Captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda AkhtarEngland women ODI squad: Heather Knight (Captain), Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Charlie Dean, Danielle Wyatt, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, Maia Bouchier, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sarah Glenn, Sophie Ecclestone, Tammy BeaumontODI series schedule:23 May – 1st ODI, Derby (1.00pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)26 May – 2nd ODI, Taunton (11.00am local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)29 May – 3rd ODI, Chelmsford (1.00pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)
CE Sports won the Jazz Tape Ball Premier League
Karachi (Sports Reporter): CE Sports outclassed Sherwani Sports by nine wickets to win the Tape Ball Premier League at Moin Khan Stadium, Karachi.Sherwani Sports batted first and scored 97 runs for the loss of eight over five wickets in the allotted overs. Rana Mohsin scored 18 runs and Bahadur Lefty scored 17 runs. Left-arm bowler Maaz took three wickets, Irfan Noona took two wickets and Qadir Kashmiri took one wicket.In reply, CE Sports achieved the target for one wicket in 4.3 overs owing to the excellent batting of Taimur Mirza and captain Asad Shah. Asad Shah scored 49 runs off fifteen balls. Taimur Mirza scored 38 runs.The winning team, CE Sports, was awarded Rs.7.5 million and a trophy. The runner-up team Sherwani Sports was entitled to two lakh rupees. Jazz Head of Products and Segment Asad Maqbool said that his company supported tape ball cricket which was well received by the fans. Tape Ball Premier League Director Khurram Majeed thanked Jazz for sponsoring the event. Ten teams participated in the six-day competition. Taimur Mirza was declared the best player of the event.
CRICKET - Physically Handicap 19 May, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportMULTAN: Multan Physcaly Handicap (PD) cricket team have won the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) National PD T20 Cricket Championship Grade-1 title after defeating Bahawalpur by 6 wickets in a one-sided contest in the final played here at the DHA Sports Complex.In the final, Bahawalpur could post a meager total of 127 runs on the scoreboard. Abid Hussain and Mann scored each 26 runs were the major contributors. Zubair Saleem dismissed 4 players for 26 runs, Mohammad Irfan took 3 wickets and Jahanzeb Tiwana took 2 wickets. In reply, Multan won the title for the fourth time by achieving the target of four wickets in the 19th overs, Majid Hussain remained unbeaten by scoring 45 runs with the help of 5 fours, Mohammad Zaman Ali scored 34 runs which included a six and 3 fours.On the occasion, former Test cricketer Masood Anwaar gave player of the match award to Zubair Saleem for the fourth consecutive time. Former Test cricketer Masood Anwaar paid tribute to the efforts of Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association General Secretary and Tournament Director Amiruddin Ansari for organizing a wonderful and successful event and congratulated the winning team Multan. On this eve, Arshad Gopang Additional Commissioner Multan, Mohammad Arsalan Khan President Multan District, Zafar Sherwani Director Sports Emerson University, Sohail Khan, Saleem Tunsvi, Rohail Butt MD Shegan Madani CEO and Babar Saleem Director Shah Jahan Builders, Regional Head PPDCA Multan and Bahawalpur Jameel Kamran, tournament secretary Mohammad Nizam, Manzoor Latifi and a large number of fans were present.
T20: Islamabad Police beat Shalimar Cricket Academy by 7 wickets
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police cricket team thrashed Shalimar Cricket Academy by 7 wickets in a friendly T20 match at Islamabad Police Lines Headquarters cricket ground on Saturday.Shalimar won the toss and elected to bat first. They set a target of 158 runs in 20 overs per innings fixture. Abdul Jabbar scored 63 runs, and Shabir contributed 32 runs. Hamid Ali took 3 wickets while Waheed grabbed 2 wickets for Islamabad Police.In reply, the Islamabad police cricket team achieved the target of 163 runs in 16.5 overs after losing their three batters. Shahid scored 54 runs and Shahzaib 43 runs. Fawad, Faizan & Hammad took one wicket each.Sports officer Islamabad Police Shahid Saddique and President Shalimar Cricket Academy Mohammad Tahir appreciated the performance of both teams especially the player of the match Hamid Ali.
CRICKET - Physically Handicap 18 May, 2024
Abdullah MasoodFAISALABAD: Lahore Sikandars got rid of Peshawar Lions by 1 runs in a nerve-jangling final of the Interloop Wheelchair Pakistan Champions Cricket League 2024 here at a local cricket ground.Defending champions Lahore Sikandars posted a competitive 218 for 7, thanks to Sajid Khan's blistering unbeaten 86 off 43 balls. Mohammad Faiz contributed a valuable 47 runs, while Rafaqat Hussain scored 27. Captain Zulfikar Swati, Mishal Khan, Gohar Afridi, and Qayyum Rajpoot each claimed a wicket.In response, Peshawar Lions' Gohar Afridi's magnificent century went unrewarded as they ended with 217 for 6. Mishal Khan scored 30, and Azmat Shah made 24, while Zawar Khan snapped up two wickets. Mohammad Faiz, Sajid Khan, and Ahsan each took a wicket.Sajid Khan was deservedly named Man of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance. Misshal Khan of Peshawar topped the tournament's run-scorers with an impressive 279 runs, while Mohammad Faiz and Zawar Khan of Lahore Sikandars shared the top spot with seven wickets apiece.
Pakistani woman Nida Dar becomes leading wicket-taker in T20Is
England earn unassailable lead, as hosts Women beat Pakistan Women by 65 runsSports Bulletin ReportNorthampton (England): England Women beat Pakistan Women by 65 runs in the second T20I at Northampton to take the unassailable 2-0 lead.Pakistan restricted England to 144-6 as skipper Nida Dar led from front taking two wickets and also becoming the leading wicket-taker (137) in Women’s T20Is. In return, Pakistan could only manage 79 all out in 15.5 overs as English spinners Sophie Ecclestone (3-11), Alice Capsey (2-4) and Sarah Glenn (2-10) shared seven wickets among each other. Pakistan found themselves in trouble early in pursuit of the 145-run target after Lauren Bell removed Gell Feroza (3, 7b) and Sadaf Shamas (0, 4b) cheaply. Muneeba Ali raced to 18 off 12 before falling to Ecclestone as Pakistan finished the powerplay with 41-3.Leg spinner Glenn pinned Nida leg before in the seventh over to leave Pakistan reeling. Aliya Riaz injected some aggression into the innings as she hit three boundaries in a space of six balls racing to 16 off 10. Sidra (11, 16b, 2x4s) was run out after a mix-up with Aliya in the middle to disrupt the 19-run partnership. At the halfway mark, Pakistan stood 66-5 but only managed 13 more runs before getting bundled out for 79 in 15. 5 overs.Earlier, after England opted to bat first, Waheeda Akhtar castled Danni Wyatt in the third over. Capsey unleashed a flurry of boundaries in the fifth over against Waheeda ransacking 20 runs. England finished the powerplay with 48-1. The duo of Maia Bouchier and Capsey stitched a 49-run second-wicket stand after Bouchier was run out courtesy of a brilliant throw from Diana Baig. Nida struck to get Capsey (31, 33b, 5x4s) stumped in the 12th over. Nat Sciver-Brunt provided the much-needed impetus to England’s innings as she raced to 31 off 20 hitting six boundaries before falling to Sadia Iqbal. Heather Knight struggled during her eight-ball stay in the middle as she holed out to Waheeda at long-off.Nida, bowling the last over, dismissed Amy Jones (15, 14b, 1x4) to bag the milestone wicket. Danielle Gibson (18 not out, 9b, 2x4s, 1x6) belted a six and a four off the last two balls to help England reach 144-6 in 20 overs. Apart from Nida’s two scalps, Waheeda, Sadia and Diana bagged one each.
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