Sports Bulletin

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (November 12, 2021):-Umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Kettleborough will assume on-field duties in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be played between Australia and New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Kettleborough will assume on-field duties in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be played between Australia and New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Nitin Menon will be the TV umpire for the match while Kumar Dharmasena will be the fourth umpire. The final will be overseen by Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle. Match Officials for the final: Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle On-field umpires: Marais Erasmus and Richard Kettleborough TV umpire: Nitin Menon Fourth umpire: Kumar Dharmasena

SPECIAL REPORT: Even though they ended up losing, I’m incredibly proud of the way this Pakistan team performed and how close they came to reaching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 final.  In the end it came down to a few lapses in the field because they had put the runs on the board and everyone contributed. They just could not quite get over the line against Australia.  Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first over was incredible. That is becoming an event, everything stops when he has the new ball in his hand. He has been brilliant and builds up pressure because of his consistency, his application and his skill. The best batters in the world feel under pressure when he has that new ball and it is incredible the way he has used it in this tournament.  This team knew they were good enough to perform like this, 12 of the 15 won the Champions Trophy so it was in their muscle memory. That’s why I, along with a lot of people, knew that you could not rule them out.  The tournament did show that Pakistan are still quite new to these sort of match-ups and how teams use data to plan, execute and select their teams. That is an area where I think they can improve, and likewise when it comes to dealing with pressure.  And the last thing, which might have been the key to the semi-final, is about using all 15 players in the squad. Since the warm-ups, Pakistan have stuck with the same XI throughout, whereas there might have been an opportunity to try some other plans, or bring in a top player like Mohammad Wasim Jnr at some point. We saw Australia change things, leaving out Marcus Stoinis at one point then bringing him back and he ended up being the match winner.  It can be good to test a few people just to give yourself options when it comes to the knockout stages.  Australia seem to be peaking at just the right time and the way they have planned and covered all bases for these knockout stages has been really impressive. They knew they needed the extra batting and it won them the semi-final.  What is great about this team is that they were still not at their best, they missed a few chances in the field so they can still improve on this performance which makes them even more dangerous.  I would love to see New Zealand lift the trophy, but I think Australia may have the edge in the final because they have the better balance, particularly with Devon Conway out injured. He has been such a key player for New Zealand and his absence might just swing it Australia’s way. 

SPECIAL REPORT Dubai (November 11, 2021):-Australia reached in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 after beating Pakistan by five wickets in the second semifinal at Dubai International Stadium Dubai on Thursday night. When David Warner and Glenn Maxwell fell in successive overs from Shadab Khan, the chase of 177 seemed doomed, but Stoinis and Wade had other ideas as they put on 81 in 7.4 overs. Stoinis started the comeback as he went after Haris Rauf, but it was Wade who did the most damage with three consecutive sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi after being dropped by Hasan Ali to seal an unlikely success. Pakistan had made 176 for four batting first thanks to half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, while Shadab Khan’s four for 26 looked to have swung the game their way. But this Australia team has already shown incredible resolve in this tournament and it was the case again here as they dug themselves out of a hole to reach a second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final. It was a remarkable game, with Pakistan batting consultant Matthew Hayden revealing that Rizwan had spent the previous night in hospital with a lung problem, but he was fit to take his place in Dubai as Pakistan were put in to bat. And while he looked very nervous early on, Babar Azam was able to score quickly before Rizwan settled in. He was almost dismissed off Maxwell, a surprise choice to bowl in the powerplay, with Warner racing back but not quite able to take a stunner over his shoulder. The turning point for Rizwan seemed to be the first ball of the fifth over from Josh Hazlewood which he smashed for six over the legside, before being given a second life, Adam Zampa this time putting down a tough chance off the last ball of the powerplay when it was whipped flat down to him at long leg but slipped from his grasp inches from the ground. With 47 for none, Pakistan had their best score of the powerplay in the tournament and Babar continued to press on. But Maxwell and Zampa then managed to stem the flow of runs and that pressure told as Babar tried to take on the latter, picking out Warner on the boundary. Maxwell’s bowling was proving crucial, ensuring that Australia’s fifth bowler would not prove the weak link as he went for just 20 from three overs. Rizwan’s charge was slowed by a vicious short delivery from Mitchell Starc which rattled into the grill on his helmet. He responded by hitting Hazlewood for six before getting to his half-century the next delivery.  In this tournament, Pakistan have been exceptional in the final four overs, and it was no different here as Fakhar finally found his groove, smashing Hazlewood for six over long-on before Rizwan put a high full toss away for four and the resulting free hit into the stands for six. With 21 off that over and 49 off his four, Hazlewood proved expensive. Eventually, Rizwan went for 67, scooping Starc to mid-off, but Fakhar, the only Pakistan batter who had not really fired in this tournament to date, had his eye in. The next ball he smashed Starc miles back over his head before almost taking out umpire Chris Gaffaney with a straight four. Asif Ali had averaged a six every three balls in this tournament, but he could not contribute this time, picking out Steve Smith on the boundary on his first ball, from Pat Cummins. It should have been two in two but Smith put down Fakhar next ball, running in from the boundary as he watched the ball bounce out of his hands.  While Cummins went for just three runs off the 19th over, and Starc removed Shoaib Malik at the start of the last, back-to-back sixes from Fakhar took him to an unbeaten 55 and Pakistan to an imposing 176 for four. Australia’s chase got off to the worst possible start as Shaheen produced one of the overs of the tournament to kick things off. He trapped Aaron Finch leg before off the third delivery, then Mitchell Marsh almost suffered the same fate from a yorker next ball, surviving the review thanks to a pair of umpire’s calls. In the fourth over, Warner started to take a liking to Imad Wasim, and as he and Marsh got going, suddenly Australia were motoring along. By the end of the powerplay, they had 52 for one, the best of any team against Pakistan, but Shadab did for Marsh, a steepling catch well held by Asif as he fell for 28. Mohammad Hafeez was brought into the attack and his first ball gripped in the hand and came out all wrong, bouncing twice before Warner lifted it into the stands, a no-ball rubbing salt into the wounds. Steve Smith became Shadab’s second victim, again trying to attack and finding the fielder in the outfield, Fakhar the safe pair of hands on this occasion. Warner was nearly run out after a misjudged single from Maxwell gave Fakhar a chance with a direct hit. It felt like Warner had the win at his fingertips, while he was there, Australia were favourites. But the ball after the drinks break he went after one from Shadab that went away from him, nicking through to Rizwan. The elation from bowler and keeper as Warner fell for 49 told its own story. Remarkably, a replay appeared to indicate that Warner had missed the ball, but like everyone else, he obviously thought he had hit it, choosing not to review. Shadab was piling on the pressure and he got another, again with the help of some good fielding, as Haris Rauf caught Maxwell with a diving grab in the deep from a reverse sweep as Australia’s most destructive batter departed for seven. It was down to Stoinis and Wade and after another fine over from Shaheen, the equation was 62 from five overs. Stoinis was first to take on the bowlers as targeted Haris, with a huge six over midwicket followed by a four driven straight back past the bowler. The next over it was Wade who stepped into Hasan, hitting him back over his head for six to bring up the fifty partnership as Australia took 15 off the over in all, leaving 22 to get off two. Shaheen returned for the penultimate over and Hasan had the chance to remove Wade, dropping the keeper in the outfield after he did not connect with a heave over midwicket. A ball later, Wade jumped across his stumps and scooped Shaheen for six to take Australia to within touching distance. Scores in Brief Australia beat Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai by five wickets Pakistan 176/4 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 67, Fakhar Zaman 55 not out; Mitchell Starc 2/38, Adam Zampa 1/22) Australia 177/5 in 19 overs (David Warner 49, Matthew Wade 41 not out; Shadab Khan 4/26, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/35) Player of the Match: Matthew Wade (Australia)

SAAD KAYANI Karachi (November 11, 2021):-All-rounder Hayley Matthews produced a stellar performance with bat and ball to spearhead West Indies women’s 37-run win in the low scoring second ODI against Pakistan at the National Stadium Karachi on Thursday. The victory gave West Indies an unassailable two-zero lead in the three-match series with the third and final match scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. The visitors won the first match by 45 runs on Monday. Chasing a 154-run target, Pakistan were bowled out for 116 in 39.2 overs. Omaima Sohail (27) and captain Javeria Khan (24) were the only batters to post a 20 plus score as the West Indies bowlers maintained a stranglehold on the scoring besides chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. Shamilia Connell took three wickets for 18 runs in 9.2 overs, Shakera Selman and Anisa Mohammad took a wicket apiece. Earlier, West Indies were bowled out for 153 in 45.4 overs. Pakistan bowlers and fielders had a brilliant outing after captain Javeria Khan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pacer Fatima Sana who took five wickets in the previous match took two wickets in one over to peg the visitors back in the 12th over. Pakistan got the prized wicket of first match’s centurion Deandra Dottin (34) via a run out with the score at 64 in the 20th over. Pakistan made regular inroads after dismissing Dottin, Fatima was ably supported by Anam Amin and Omaima Sohail who both took two wickets each conceding 21 and 25 runs respectively. Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal took a wicket each, Dottin was the top-scorer for West Indies, Hayley Matthews contributed 26 while Shemaine Campbelle scored an unbeaten 23, captain Stafanie Taylor scored 23 off 46 balls. Scores in Brief: West Indies beat Pakistan by 37 runs West Indies Women 153 all out, 45.4 overs (Deandra Dottin 34, Hayley Matthews 26; Fatima Sana 2-19, Anam Amin 2-21, Omaima Sohail 2-25) Pakistan Women 116 all out, 39.2 overs (Omaima Sohail 27, Javeria Khan 24; Hayley Matthews 4-26, Shamilia Connell 3-18)

Sports Reporter LAHORE (November 11, 2021):-Balochistan’s Imam-ul-Haq scored his first-class career’s best score of 202 not out against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on day two of the fifth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22. The left-handed batter added 92 runs to his overnight score, which propelled Balochistan to 463 for five in 137.5 overs before Imran Butt, who had made 140 yesterday, declared the innings. This was Imam’s second double-century in the format as he bested his unbeaten 200. Imam smashed 16 fours and four sixes in his 390-ball innings and added 172 runs for the third wicket with Haris Sohail, who made 79 (six fours and four sixes). Balochistan had made 329 and lost two wickets at the completion of 100 overs and, as such, gathered three batting points, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa failed to get any point. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 35 for one in 8.4 overs before stumps were drawn. Sahibzada Farhan (24 not out) and Musadiq Ahmed (10 not out) will resume the innings for 2020-21 edition’s joint-winners on Friday. At the Mulan Cricket Stadium, Yousuf Babar’s brilliant maiden century and Azam Khan’s 96-ball 70 helped Southern Punjab stage a recovery and lift them to 346 for seven at the close of play. Southern Punjab had begun the day at 77 for three. Yousuf made 116 not out off 204, hitting 16 fours. He partnered with Azam for 114 runs for the fifth wicket. The solid stand between the two added three batting points to Southern Punjab’s tally after they accumulated six bowling points yesterday. The partnership ended with Azam’s wicket. The wicketkeeper-batter was removed by pacer Aamir Jamal, who also accounted for Zain Abbas and Muhammad Imran. Scores in brief: Balochistan elect to bat against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after winning the toss at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Balochistan 463-5, 137.5 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 202 not out, Imran Butt 140, Haris Sohail 79; Asif Afridi 2-139) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 35-1, 8.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 24 not out, Musadiq Ahmed 10 not out) Innings Points – Balochistan 3, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 0 Toss Uncontested – Southern Punjab choose to field against Northern at Multan Cricket Stadium Northern 163 all out, 56.1 overs (Nasir Nawaz 58, Umar Amin 29, Umar Waheed 21; Ali Usman 3-39, Mohammad Abbas 2-32, Zia-ul-Haq 2-32, Mohammad Ilyas 2-41) Southern Punjab 346-7, 89 overs (Yousuf Babar 116 not out, Azam Khan 70, Imran Rafiq 34, Ali Usman 31 not out, Zia ul Haq 23, Tayyab Tahir 22; Aamir Jamal 3-92, Musa Khan 2-74) Innings Points – Northern 3, Southern Punjab 9

SPECIAL REPORT Dubai (November 11, 2021):-Pakistan set a-177-run target for Australia in the second semifinal of ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 at Dubai International Stadium Dubai on Thursday night. Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf Australia (Playing XIs): Aaron Finch (Captain), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade (Wicketkeeper), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.  Scorecard: Pakistan Batting: Australia Bowling: Australia Batting: Pakistan Bowling:  

H Shah MANCHESTER (November 11, 2021):-In my capacity as England captain and as a senior player at Yorkshire, I feel compelled to address the current situation that has consumed the sport and YCCC. I just want the sport to be a place where everyone is enjoying it for the beautiful game it is and feels equal and safe. It hurts knowing this has happened at YCCC so close to home. It’s my club that I care passionately about it. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting. There is no debate about racism, no one side or other. It is simply intolerable. These events have fractured our game and torn lives apart. We must now recover and come back together as fans, players, media, and those who work within cricket. We have an opportunity to make the sport I love better for everyone. I want to see change and actions that will see YCCC rise from this with a culture that harnesses a diverse environment with trust across all communities that support cricket in the county. We need to educate, unify and reset. I will reach out to YCCC new Chair, Lord Patel, to offer support however I’m able. We have to find a way to move forward and make sure this never happens again. In my opinion, this is a societal issue and needs addressing further afield than just cricket. That being said, we, as a sport, all have to do more. How can we all help shape things moving forward positively? What can everyone from myself, the ECB, counties, players, officials and others in the sport do to improve the state of the game? I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I think we need to educate more and earlier; we must call it out straight away and have our eyes and ears open more. Inclusivity, diversity and anti-discrimination is something over the past few years the England teams I have been involved in have spent a lot of time talking about and are very passionate about improving and making a big difference. It’s a big part of our culture, and we want to celebrate our diversity. We are representing England, and in that, we are representing the multicultural society we live in. We want all the fans to be able to enjoy what we do on the field and feel proud about who’s representing them. “With the Ashes fast approaching, I’d really like the fans back home to unite and get behind us as a team. We will be playing for you all, “Root said in his statement.

BIPIN DANI: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has empowered former captain Mahela Jayawardene, who is a member of the National Sports Council to suggest the new coach for the national team, it is learnt. The discussion on Mickey Arthur's fate was discussed by some members in the Ex-co meeting, which was held at the SLC on Tuesday. It is also learnt that the services of head coach Mickey Arthur and few other coaching staff will be discontinued after the home series against the visiting West Indies team. Roshan Mahanama, who was one of the choices of the Aravinda de Silva-led cricket advisory committee is no more a front-runner. Muthiah Muralitharan had expressed very high opinion about him but because of lack of coaching experience Mahanama may not be at the helm, it is understood. Few of the Ex-co members are persuading Mahela to take up the head coach post but because of Mahela's other commitments, Sri Lankan coaches will also be considered along with the few overseas coaches.

SPECIAL REPORT Lahore (November 10, 2021):-Abid Ali stroked his third century of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 on the opening day of the pink ball first-class match between Discover Pakistan Central Punjab and GFS Sindh at the Gaddafi Stadium. The Pakistan Test opener smashed 11 fours and a six and was unbeaten for 113 as Central Punjab made 238 for two in 75.3 overs. Central Punjab openers gave their side a solid 138-run start after Sindh opted against contesting the toss and elected to field. Ahmed Shehzad, Abid’s opening partner, made 104-ball 78, which was studded with 11 fours. Sindh bowlers made the most of the twilight hour – termed to be most productive for the bowling side in a pink ball affair with the natural light fading and artificial lights taking over – as two of the batting side’s wickets to fall in the day came in this span. Ahmed was the first one to fall as he was bowled by left-arm orthodox Mohammad Asghar. Mohammad Hasnain’s lethal bouncer sent Azhar Ali packing as the Central Punjab skipper edged the ball on its way to wicketkeeper’s gloves. Mohammad Saad, with 44 off 102, put up strong resistance against Sindh bowlers following the two dismissals and he will resume the 97-run stand with Abid on Thursday. Meanwhile, the play will begin at 1130 from Thursday. The match timings for the next three days are: 1130 – 1330 (session one), 1330 – 1410  (lunch), 1410 – 1610 (session two), 1610 – 1630 (tea), 1630 – 1830  (session three). Scores in brief: Central Punjab 238-2, 75.3 overs (Abid Ali 113 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 78, Mohammad Saad 44 not out) Innings points – Central Punab 2, Sindh 0

Sports News Abu Dhabi (November 10, 2021):-New Zealand reached into the final of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after beating England by 5 wickets in semifinal at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Chasing 167, the Black Caps were on the back foot when key duo Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson were dismissed by Chris Woakes inside the first three overs of the reply. But the ship was steadied by Mitchell and Devon Conway, who added 82 for the third wicket, before Jimmy Neesham blasted 26 from 10 to turn the tide in his side’s favour. And Mitchell was on hand to hit the winning runs from the final ball of the 19th over, finishing with 72 from 47 as Williamson’s men gained revenge for their dramatic 2019 Cricket World Cup final defeat against the same opponents. Moeen Ali’s unbeaten 51 had earlier propelled England to 166 for four and though Liam Livingstone (2/22) impressed with the ball, their ambitions of becoming the first men’s team to hold both ICC World Cups at once are now over. England were put in and new-look opening pair Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler were given a thorough test early on as New Zealand’s seamers probed with the new ball. Buttler got into his stride with back-to-back boundaries off Trent Boult but lost his partner following the introduction of Adam Milne, whose first delivery was chipped by Bairstow to a diving Williamson at mid-off. England had been flying starters with the bat in the Super 12s but reached the end of the powerplay here on 40 for one, at which point Williamson turned to spin to keep the squeeze on. Buttler released some of the pressure with a reverse swept boundary off Mitchell Santner but the same shot brought his downfall as he was struck on the knee roll by Ish Sodhi and departed for 29. That brought Moeen and Dawid Malan together and the latter benefited from a let-off on ten when Conway put down a tough low chance to his left off Neesham. Malan responded by unfurling a glorious cover drive to take England to the halfway stage in style and went inside out through the same region twice in three balls against Glenn Phillips as the run rate ticked above seven. Moeen was equally quick to punish anything loose, cutting Sodhi to the point boundary before working Boult through fine leg to leave the innings delicately poised on 110 for two after 15. England’s momentum was checked when Malan feathered an edge behind the ball after pulling Tim Southee for the first six of the match but his departure saw Moeen step on the accelerator, with Sodhi and Milne deposited into the stands. New man Liam Livingstone did not take long to find his range, launching Milne for an 88-metre straight six in an 18th over costing 16, though he couldn’t muster the same power off Neesham and picked out Santner at long-off. Moeen brought up his 36-ball half-century later in the final over which ended with Morgan dropped by an off-balance Phillips in the deep as England set the Black Caps 167 to win. The total appeared about par but any hopes New Zealand had of making quick inroads were quickly dashed as Morgan’s men – and specifically Woakes – made a dream start with the ball. The reply was just three balls old when Guptill, who had struck his first delivery for four, saw a leading edge easily taken by Moeen at mid-on. And Woakes’s work was not done there as he went on to claim the huge early scalp of Williamson, whose attempted scoop did not have the legs to clear Adil Rashid at short fine leg to leave New Zealand 13 for two. Mitchell and Conway were tasked with repairing the damage and began to pick up valuable boundaries as they negotiated the remainder of a powerplay which was brought to a close by an excellent cover drive by Conway. Just 14 runs came between the sixth and ninth overs, though Conway released the shackles by lofting Livingstone down the ground for a much-needed boundary as the required rate neared 11. He followed up by flaying Mark Wood over backward point for a remarkable six and Mitchell soon cleared the ropes himself – despite a magnificent effort by Chris Jordan on the long-off boundary – as the pair continued to keep Black Caps dreams alive. Enter Livingstone, who struck twice in quick succession as Conway was stumped for 46 and Phillips picked out Sam Billings on the long-off boundary to leave New Zealand needing 57 from the final four overs. But the pendulum swung towards the Black Caps during a dramatic 17th over as Neesham ran riot. Two sixes off Chris Jordan, the second of which saw Bairstow’s knee land on the rope just before he released the ball to Livingstone, contributed to 23 runs in all and there was no let-up when Rashid returned. Neesham and Mitchell both slammed maximums, the latter bringing up his half century in the process, though the game took another twist when the former couldn’t clear Morgan at cover to leave 20 runs needed from the final two overs. They needed just one to complete the job, however, as successive Mitchell sixes took the target into single figures before a boundary behind square leg allowed the celebrations to begin. New Zealand will now take on either Australia and Pakistan in Sunday’s final as they look to add T20 glory to their ICC World Test Championship crown. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: New Zealand won the toss and decided to field first England Batting (166 for 4 in 20 overs): Moeen Ali 51 not out (37 balls, 4X3, 6X2), Dawid Malan 41 (30 balls, 4X4, 6X1), Liam Livingston 17 (10 balls, 4X1, 6X1) New Zealand Bowling: (167 for 5 in 19 overs) Tim Southee (1 for 24), Adam Milne (1 for 31), Ish Sodhi (1 for 32) New Zealand Batting: Daryl Mitchell 73 (48 balls, 4X4, 6X4), Devon Conway 46 (38 balls, 4X5, 6X1), James Neesham 27 (10 balls, 4X1, 6X3) England Bowling: Liam Livingston (2 for 22), Chris Woakes (2 for 36), Adil Rasheed (1 for 39) Player of the match: Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)