Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): Two of the most formidable Test teams will go head-to-head in the Ultimate Test – the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 at The Oval, London from 7 June. Australia and India were the top two sides of the 69-Test, two-year cycle which saw the two dominate their rivals before heading into a thrilling four-Test series in India which the hosts won by a narrow 2-1 margin. Australia finished at the top of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 standings with 11 wins, five draws and three defeats (19 matches) which earned them 152 points and a PCT of 66.67. India collected 127 points, winning 10 Tests, drawing three and losing five (18 matches) to finish with a 58.8 PCT – second spot in the standings. Australia’s journey to the ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 Final: Australia started their ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 campaign with a resounding 4-0 Ashes win over their oldest rivals England at home. The series was played in December-January 2021-22 with the hosts dominating the visitors throughout. The convincing victory earned Australia a hefty 52 points spread over the five Tests. Australia toured Pakistan for a historic three-match Test series in March last year, their first visit to the Asian country in 24 years. After playing out draws in Rawalpindi and Karachi, the Pat Cummins-led side earned a hard fought fifth-day win in Lahore to seal a 1-0 series win. Australia earned 20 points from the series. The Australians toured Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in June-July 2022, a 1-1 series draw earning them 12 points. The home season brought more success for Australia as they trounced the West Indies 2-0 in a two-match series. The series clean sweep earned them 24 points. South Africa toured Australia next and suffered a 2-0 defeat in a three-match series that earned Australia 28 additional ICC World Test Championship points. Despite their 2-1 defeat to India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – February-March 2023, Australia sealed their ICC World Test Championship final spot with a resounding nine-wicket win in Indore – the third Test of the four-match series. Australia secured a total of 16 points from the series. India’s journey to the ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 Final: India took on England away in a five-match series that was split into two parts with the first four matches played in August 2021 and the series decider – fifth Test – a year later in July 2022. The fifth Test had to be postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Indian camp. The enthralling series finished as a 2-2 draw, India were 2-1 ahead when the series was stopped in 2021, they then lost the Birmingham Test in July 2022. India earned 24 points spread across the five Tests. India defeated New Zealand 1-0 in a two-match series at home in November-December 2021. The hosts collected 16 points. A hard-fought three-match series in South Africa was won by the hosts, India won one Test as the series ended 2-1 in favour of the Proteas. India gathered 11 points. Sri Lanka were beaten 2-0 at home in a two-match series in March 2022 as India secured 24 valuable points. A 2-0 win over Bangladesh in an away series gave India 24 crucial points in December 2022 before their 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win at home against Australia saw them bag 28 points. India secured their Ultimate Test spot when they played out a draw in Ahmedabad – the fourth and final Test of the BGT series as Sri Lanka lost narrowly to New Zealand in Christchurch last month. The Islanders needed to beat New Zealand 2-0 in the two-match series to clinch a spot in the final ahead of India.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and New Zealand teams will arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday for the last two T20Is and the first two One-Day Internationals of the five-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium after playing 3rd T20 at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Monday (today) night. All activities at Pindi Cricket Stadium 19 April 2023: The two sides will practice from 1945 till 2245. Beforehand, squad members from both sides will hold pre-match media conferences. 20 April, 2023: The two teams play the fourth T20I from 2100. After the match, the PCB will provide interviews of the star performers from both sides. 21-23 April, 2023: Eid Holidays 24 April, 2023: The two teams will play the fifth and final T20I, which begins at 2100. Squad members from both sides will hold post-match media conferences. 25 April, 2023: Rest day 26 April, 2023: The two teams will practice from 1600 till 1900. The two captains will unveil the One-Day International trophy and a squad member from each side will hold pre-series media conference.  27 April, 2023: Pakistan and New Zealand play the first ODI, which begins at 1530. After the match, star performers from both sides will hold media conferences 28 April, 2023: Rest day 29 April, 2023: Pakistan and New Zealand play the second ODI, which begins at 1530. After the match, star performers from both sides will hold media conferences 30 April, 2023: The two teams depart for Karachi for the last three ODIs.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The 3rd T20 international will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand on Monday (today) here at Qaddafi Stadium. Green Shirts led by Babar Azam already got a lead of 2-0 in the five-match tie after winning both matches at the same venue. Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (captain, wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young Schedule & Results: April 14, 2023: Pakistan beat New Zealand by 88 runs April 15, 2023: Pakistan beat New Zealand by 38 runs April 17, 2023: 3rd T20 at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore April 20, 2023: 4th T20 at Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi April 24, 2023: 5th T20 at Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi April 27, 2023: 1st ODI at Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi April 29, 2023: 2nd ODI at Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi May 3, 2023:3rd ODI at National Stadium Karachi May 5, 2023: 4th ODI at National Stadium Karachi May 7, 2023: 5th ODI at National Stadium Karachi

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 38 runs in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Saturday night, as the hosts got a 2-0 lead in the series. Babar Azam’s ton (101 not out) and Haris Rauf (4 for 27) were the notable performance by the Pakistani players. Earlier, Babar won the toss and opted to bat first second time in a row in the series, as the opening batters Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam provided a solid 99-run start to the innings with Rizwan bringing up his 24th half-century in this format off 29 balls, smashing seven fours and a six. He was the first to be dismissed in the 11th over courtesy Daryl Mitchell taking a catch off last match hat-trick bowler Matt Henry. Henry was well on course to take another hat-trick when he sent Fakhar Zaman back to the hut the very next ball, but was denied the hat-trick by left-handed Saim Ayub who blocked the last ball of the 11th over. But Saim was dismissed in the next over (11.5) without scoring any runs. All-rounder Imad Wasim was dismissed early (2 off 5) with the home side in a spot of bother with the scoreboard reading 105 for four in 12.5 overs. At that crucial juncture of the innings, skipper and player of the match Babar was joined by Iftikhar Ahmed and the pair went on to score runs at will. The duo added an unbroken 87 runs for the fifth wicket off 43 balls, which included Iftikhar’s unbeaten 33 off 19 balls, hitting one four and three sixes. But the star of the night was Babar, who during the course of the match, not only brought up his third T20I century, but also became the first captain to score three centuries in this format. This was also Babar’s second T20I century at home, with his first century coming against England in Karachi seven months ago. Almost a packed capacity Lahore crowd thoroughly enjoyed Babar’s strokeplay as the third-ranked ICC T20I batter brought up his half-century in 36 balls, laced with six fours. He went on to score the remaining 51 runs off just 22 balls, and returned undefeated on 101 off 58 balls, striking seven fours and one six. Pakistan posted 192 for 4 in 20 overs on the board. In return, the Kiwis were chasing 193 to win at the required run-rate of 9.65 were not allowed to score freely. Latham’s opening partner Chad Bowes scored 26 off 24, which included three fours. The fact that the Kiwis managed to score 154 for seven in their allotted 20 overs was largely due to Mark Chapman's unbeaten innings of 65 off 40 balls, hitting four fours and as many sixes. For Pakistan, right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf once again excelled as he claimed back-to-back four-wicket hauls, taking four wickets and conceding 27 runs from his four overs. In the first T20I, Haris took four wickets for 18 runs in 3.3 overs.

Pathans outclass Islamabad Hawks by 24 runs in final, Hasnain declared best player ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI: Peshawar Pathans have won the title of the 2nd Markhor Ramadan T20 Cricket Cup after thrashing Islamabad Hawks by 24 runs in the final here at Ayub National Park Cricket Stadium on Friday night. Hasnain Ali was awarded man of the match memento for his remarkable all-round performance. In the final, Islamabad Hawks’ captain Dowlat Zardan won the toss and decided to chase the target, as the Peshawar Pathans posted 169 for 8 runs on the scoreboard. Ali Hussnain made 74 runs in 41 balls while Atta scored 32 in 25 balls. Kamran Ismaeel played a knock of 18 runs after lasting only 7 balls. Imran Raza (2 for 37), Khawar Shahzad (1 for 22), and Nawaz (1 for 30) were the successful bowlers for Islamabad Hawks. Islamabad Hawka could not reach on target owing to a fine piece of bowling by Hussnain Ali, who got three vital wickets for his 14 runs, as the rest of the damage was done by Kamran Ismaeel, who dismissed three batters for 35 runs. Altaf got a solitary wicket after conceding 14 runs. H Khan (56 runs, 40 balls), Zain Farooq (22 runs, 21 balls), and Shahzad (15 runs, 3 balls) were the notable performances with the bat for Islamabad Hawks. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Islamabad Hawks won the toss and elected to field first Venue: Ayub Park National Stadium, Rawalpindi Man of the Match: Hussain Ali (Peshawar Pathans) Peshawar Pathans (Batting) 169 for 8 in 20 overs Hussnain Ali (74 runs, 41 balls), Atta (32 runs, (25 balls), Kamran Ismaeel (18 rusn, 7 balls) Islamabad Hawks (Bowling) Imran Raza (2 for 37), Khawar Shahzad (1 for 22), Nawaz (1 for 30) Islamabad Hawks (Batting) 134 all out in 18.1 20 overs Habib Khan (56 runs, 40 balls), Zain Farooq (22 runs, 21 balls), Khawar Shahzad (15 runs, 3 balls) Peshawar Pathans (Bowling) Ali Husnain (3 for 14), Kamran Ismaeel (3 for 35), Altaf (1 for 14)

Siam Ayub (47 runs, 28 balls), Fakhar Zaman (47 runs, 34 balls), Haris Rauf (4 for 17), Imad Wasim (2 for 2) top doers Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Joint efforts of batters and bowlers steered Pakistan to a massive victory against New Zealand by 88 runs in the opening fixture of the five-match series at Qaddafi Cricket Stadium Lahore on Friday night, as the hosts got a 1-0 lead in the series. Earlier Pakistani captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first against New Zealand in the first T20I of the five-match series. Skipper Babar Azam and his deputy Mohammad Rizwan could not impress with the bat and went back to the hut after scoring merely 9 and 8 runs respectively, as the total was just 30 in 4.2 overs. Left-handed batters Siam Ayub and Fakhar Zaman exhibited some aggregation and put 79 runs for 3rd wicket, as both batters scored 47 runs each off 28 and 34 balls respectively. Saim smashed six boundaries and a couple of sixes while Fakhar hit four fours and two sixes. Pakistan were 100 for 2 in 10.4 overs. Fahim Ashraf (22 runs, 16 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Imad Wasim (16 runs, 13 balls, 4x2, 6x0) were other major contributors to the Green Shirts’ total. Kiwi pacer Matt Henry claimed a hat trick after sending three batters, Shadab Kha, Iftikar Ahmed and Shaeen Shah Afridi, back on three sequential balls respectively. Ben Lister got two wickets for 30 runs while Adam Milne (2 for 51), James Neesham (1 for 18), and Ish Sodhi (1 for 34) were other wicket-takers bowlers for visitors. In response Black Caps all batters were left off the pitch at 94 runs total in 15.3 overs, as they were chasing 183 runs target in 20 overs against the well-skilled bowlers of the home side. Right-arm pacer Haris Rauf dented the batting line of New Zealanders by claiming 4 wickets in 3.3 overs. He conceded merely 17 runs. Imad Wasim supported him by getting two wickets in 1 over. Kiwi batters, Mark Chapman (34 runs, 27 balls) and skipper Tom Latham (20 runs, 24 balls), did well with the bat, however, the rest of the players failed to face Pakistani bowlers. New Zealand all team bundled out on just 94 runs in 15.3 overs. Haris Rauf (4 for 17) was judged the player of the match. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first Player of the Match: Haris Rauf (Pakistan) Pakistan (Batting) 182 runs all out in 19.5 overs Siam Ayub (47 runs, 28 balls, 4x6, 6x2), Fakhar Zaman (47 runs, 34 balls, 4x4, 6x2), Faheem Ashraf (22 runs. 16 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Imad Wasim (16 runs, 13 balls, 4x2, 6x0)   New Zealand (Bowling) Matt Henry (3 for 32), Ben Lister (2 for 30), Adam Milne (2 for 51), James Neesham (1 for 18), Ish Sodhi (1 for 34) New Zealand (Batting): 94 all out in 15.3 overs Target 183 runs in 20 overs Mark Chapman (34 runs, 27 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham (20 runs, 24 balls, 4x1, 6x0), Pakistan (Bowling) Haris Rauf (4 for 17), Imad Wasim (2 for 2), Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 11), Zaman Khan (1 for 12), Faheem Ashraf (1 for 17), Shadab Khan (1 for 28), Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan New Zealand (Playing XIs): Tom Latham (captain & wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan set 183 runs target for New Zealand in 20 overs in the opening fixture of the five-match series at Qaddafi Cricket Stadium Lahore on Friday night, as the host batters completed 100 runs in 10.4 overs for 2 wickets. Earlier Pakistani captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first against New Zealand in the first T20I of the five-match series. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first Player of the Match: Pakistan (Batting) 182 runs all out in 19.5 overs Siam Ayub (47 runs, 28 balls, 4x6, 6x2), Fakhar Zaman (47 runs, 34 balls, 4x4, 6x2), Fahim Ashraf (22 runs. 16 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Imad Wasim (16 runs, 13 balls, 4x2, 6x0)   New Zealand (Bowling) Matt Henry (3 for 32), Ben Lister (2 for 30), Adam Milne (2 for 51), James Neesham (1 for 18), Ish Sodhi (1 for 34) New Zealand (Batting) Pakistan (Bowling) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan New Zealand (Playing XIs): Tom Latham (captain & wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first against New Zealand in the first T20I of the five-match series at Qaddafi Cricket Stadium Lahore on Friday night, as hosts batter completed 100 runs in 10.4 overs for 2 wickets. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first Player of the Match: Pakistan (Batting) Siam Ayub Fakhar Zaman   New Zealand (Bowling) Adam Milne (2 for 22) New Zealand (Batting) Pakistan (Bowling) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan New Zealand (Playing XIs): Tom Latham (captain & wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The 5-match T20 International matches series between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand will roll into action on Friday night, as the first tie will be played here at Gaddafi Stadium. Babar Azam-led Pakistan will play their first T20I here since October 2022, when they played England in the lead-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan have won 10 of the 18 matches here since 2015 and the venue has provided viewers action their money’s worth with 8.13 runs being scored per over. For the Kiwis, it is an unchartered territory as they have never played a T20I in Pakistan. They will hope to bank on the experience of their recent tour of Karachi when they played two Tests and three One-Day Internationals across December and January and the data available to them about the venue, but playing in Gaddafi Stadium against a full-fledged Pakistan side will be a challenging ask. Pakistan already have an upper-hand as they have defeated New Zealand four times in the last five matches, the most recent one being a convincing seven-wicket win in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Sydney. That only defeat was during the tri-series in Christchurch, which Pakistan won, just before the World Cup. Babar Azam: “It is a great feeling to be back in Lahore in Pakistan colours. This promises to be an exciting series as we bring the exciting young talent and the experience of senior players together in this solid squad. “The T20 World Cup is over a year away and we will look to utilise the next five games to see where we stand. They will also help us gear up for the crucial five-match ODI series that follows as more or less we have the same players in this team and that series will provide us a good opportunity to prepare for the Asia Cup and World Cup later in the year.” Tom Latham said: “It is an exciting tour for our side and we know we’re coming up against a quality Pakistan team who will be a huge challenge. We’re obviously missing a few of our senior players, but that’s going to offer opportunities to others and I know the team are really looking forward to testing themselves. “Conditions are completely different to what we’re used to back home and it’s going to be important that we adapt as quickly as possible. We’ll lean on the experiences we had on the tour here a couple of months ago where we managed to play some good cricket in both the Test and ODI series. “The HBL PSL has also just been here so we will try and get as much information as we can, but it will ultimately be about adapting as quickly as possible.” Gaddafi Stadium will stage T20I matches on 14, 15 and 17 April before the action shifts to Rawalpindi where the last two games of the series will be played on 20 and 24 April. Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (captain, wk), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Royals (RR) beat Punjab Lions (PL) by 124 runs in the 7th game of Markhor Ramadan Cup 2023 here at Ayub Park National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night in a single-sided contest. Punjab Lions won the toss and decided to field first. Rawalpindi Royals set a mammoth total of 258 for 5 runs on the board in 20 overs. Umzair Mumtaz was a hero of the day, as he scored vital 75 runs in 47 balls including 2 fours and 6 maximum hits while Ghammy Zardan knocked a 70 runs innings after lasting just 41 balls.  Aamir Zeb (49 runs, 19 balls) and Mohammad Azhar Ali Khan (29 runs, 10 balls) were other notable performances with the bat for RR. For the Punjab Lions, Ali Hassan (2 for 44), Kazim Shah (2 for 54) and Rao Daniyal (1 for 44) were successful bowlers. In reply, Punjab Lions could score just 134 runs in 18.1 overs after losing their all 10 batters. Major damage was done by Sajid Ali, who got four wickets after giving just 28 runs in his 4 overs. Jallat Khan snared three victims while Mohammad Asif grabbed two wickets. Sohail Tenvir chipped in one wicket. Talib Hussain (34 runs, 30 balls), Awais Zia (21 runs, 13 balls), Mohammad Muzammil Hussain (16 runs, 14 balls), and Rao Daniyal (13 runs, 18 balls) were the main batters. Uzair Mumtaz (75 runs in 47 balls) and Sajid Ali (4 for 28) were jointly given the Man of the Match award.  Summarized Scorecard: Venue: Ayub Park National Stadium, Rawalpindi Man of the Match: Uzair Mumtaz & Sajid Khan (RR) Rawalpindi Royals (Batting) 258 for 5 in 20 overs Umzair Mumtaz (75 runs, 47 balls, Ghammy Zardan (70 runs, 41 balls), Aamir Zeb (49 runs, 19 balls), Mohammad Azhar Ali Khan (29 runs, 10 balls) Punjab Lions (Bowling) Ali Hassan (2 for 44), Kazim Shah (2 for 54), Rao Daniyal (1 for 44) Punjab Lions (Batting) 134 all out in 18.1 20 overs Talib Hussain (34 runs, 30 balls), Awais Zia (21 runs, 13 balls), Mohammad Muzammil Hussain (16 runs, 14 balls), Rao Daniyal (13 runs, 18 balls) Rawalpindi Royals (Bowling) Sajid Khan (4 for 28), Jallat Khan (3 for 15), Mohammad Asif (2 for 16), Sohail Tenvir (1 for43) Results & Schedule of next fixtures (All matches to start on 11:00pm): April 6, 2023: Peshawar Pathans beat Punjab Lions by 37 runs April 7, 2023: Kashmir Kings beat Peshawar Pathans by 4 wickets April 8, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Punjab Lions by 6 wickets April 9, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Islamabad Hawks on Super Over April 10, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Kashmir Kings by 9 wickets April 11, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Kashmir Kings by 2 runs April 12, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Punjab Lions by 124 runs April 13, 2023: Punjab Lions vs Kashmir Kings April 14, 2023: Peshawar Pathans vs Rawalpindi Royals April 15, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Peshawar Pathans April 16, 2023: First Semifinal (Team 1 vs Team 4) April 17, 2023: Second Semifinal (Team 2 vs Team 3) April 18, 2023: Final (Championship Match)