Sports Bulletin

By Bipin Dani Intro: Despite fans wondering if this is a BCCI marketing gimmick, many think MSD and Kohli's contrasting personalities will benefit Team India Body copy: The Indian cricket board has roped in former captain MS Dhoni (MSD) as the team mentor specifically for the World Cup, which will be held in the UAE next month. MSD, who retired from international cricket in last August, has been appointed to “provide support and direction,” to the Indian team management that is currently led by head coach Ravi Shastri. The “cool” Dhoni obviously captures headlines as the helping hand for the most aggressive Team India captain, Virat Kohli. While several fans wonder if the mentor tag is a mere distraction and yet another BCCI marketing gimmick, the Who’s Who of Indian cricket, past and present, think otherwise. Those in favour… India’s former chief selector MSK Prasad believes that India has an excellent team management who has handled the team during its thick and thin for the last few years. “And MSD’s addition will only enhance this team management’s strength. Virat’s aggressiveness on the field and MSD’s cool and calm temperament will definitely help the cause for both Virat and Team India,” he adds. Prasad also thinks Dhoni will be a wonderful addition to the T2 World Cup squad as a mentor of the side. “His experience of winning three ICC Trophies as captain will definitely help the team and the team captain Virat Kohli in the upcoming mega event. More importantly, there is no better player and captain than MSD in the history of T20 who can don the role of a mentor and enhance our chances of winning the T20 World Cup,” Prasad included. Sports psychologist Anusheela Brahamchari points out how both MSD and Kohli have their own set of experiences. “Provided the contrast in their personalities don’t collide, it is a potential opportunity for the team to build unbeatable strategies and optimum energy levels,” says Anusheela. The psychologist also believes that the coach mentor and captain of a team are its pillars especially because success in sport always demands a fine combination of attacking, risk-taking behaviour and calm, strategic planning.  “A team’s coach, mentor and captain set the tone of the team spirit, interpersonal dynamics and the fine strategies. Having Dhoni as the mentor and Kohli as the captain gives the team a potential chance of achieving that balance,” Anusheela adds. More thoughts Another sports psychologist Varadayini Gorhe (Chitale) also echoed the above thoughts. “Ricky Ponting mentoring the Australian team for the Ashes also helped the coaches gain a different perspective into the strategies. Similarly, more than the personalities, I think two very experienced heads coming together may prove to be a good combo. I think MSD would carry the knowledge of winning two World cups. That itself would be beneficial to the entire team, especially those who have never worked with him,” Varadayini points out. Another person who believes that this new combination will be beneficial for Team India is India’s former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. “Dhoni and Kohli share a good camaraderie. Virat enjoys MSD’s company and has always complimented him as a guiding force. I think the experience and understanding they have will only benefit the team,” he shares.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (September 14, 2021):-The Pakistan men’s national cricket team will travel to Bangladesh after five years to play the hosts in three T20 Internationals and two ICC World Test Championship matches after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The national side’s tour is part of the Future Tours Programme and will commence with the T20I series, which will be staged at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, on 19 November. The second and third T20Is will be played on 20 and 22 November.   The two teams will then travel to Chattogram for the first of the two Tests at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium from 26-30 November. This match will see the two sides face-off in the apex form of the game on Bangladeshi soil for the first time since May 2015, when Pakistan won the two-match series by completing a win in the final Test by a mammoth 328 runs. The two teams will return to Dhaka to play the final Test, which will start from 4 December. Pakistan are ranked second on the ICC World Test Championship points table with one win in two matches, while Bangladesh are yet to kick of their campaign. Pakistan have immaculate record in Tests against Bangladesh with 10 wins from 11 matches. They also enjoy an impressive record in the T20Is against Bangladesh with 10 wins from 12 matches. Fixtures: 19 Nov – First T20I, Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka 20 Nov – Second T20I, Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka 22 Nov – Third T20I, Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka 26-30 Nov – First Test, Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram 4-8 Dec – Second Test, Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (September 13, 2021): Challengers and Strikers recorded comprehensive victories over Blasters and Dynamites in the Pakistan Cup for Women’s One-Day Tournament at the Oval Academy Ground and National Stadium, Karachi on Monday. Waheeda Akhtar starred with the ball as Challengers dismissed Blasters for 59 in 31.2 overs at the Oval Academy Ground. Waheeda who opened the bowling took four wickets for 11 runs in a match winning nine-over spell. She found great support from Anoosha Nasir, Saba Nazir and Syeda Masooma Zahra who all took two wickets each as Blasters were sent packing for a low score. Challengers chased down the target in 21 overs with Sidra Amin and Iram Javed contributing 25 and 18 unbeaten runs respectively. Waheeda was named player of the match. Over at the National Stadium, Strikers recorded a thumping 65-run win over Dynamites. Batting first, Strikers posted 237 for eight in their allotted 50 overs. Opener Ayesha Zafar top-scored with 65 off 66 balls, her innings included nine fours. Kainat Imtiaz contributed 57 off 73 balls, the Strikers captain hit five fours in her innings. Ghulam Fatima and Maham Tariq took two wickets each. Dynamites were bowled out for 172 runs in reply in 43.2 overs. Captain Muneeba Ali scored 51 off 70 balls (five fours, one six). Aliya Riaz (29) and Maham Tariq (24) were the only other batters to make significant contributions as Strikers bowlers took wickets at regular intervals. Player of the match Tooba Hassan took four wickets for 28 runs from her leg-breaks, Fatima Khan took two wickets for 10 runs in her four overs. Scores in Brief: Challengers beat Blasters by six wickets Blasters 59 all out, 31.2 overs (Sidra Nawaz 19; Waheeda Akhtar 4-11, Anoosha Nasir 2-6, Saba Nazir 2-8, Syeda Maso0ma Zahra 2-16) Challengers 60 for 4, 21 overs (Sidra Amin 25 not out, Iram Javed 18 not out; Nida Dar 3-16) Player of the match: Waheeda Akhtar Strikers beat Dynamites by 65 runs Strikers 237 for 8, 50 overs (Ayesha Zafar 65, Kainat Imtiaz 57; Ghulam Fatima 2-30, Maham Tariq 2-47) Dynamites 172 all out, 43.2 overs (Muneeba Ali 51, Aliya Riaz 29, Maham Tariq 24; Tooba Hassan 4-28, Fatima Khan 2-10) Player of the match: Tooba Hassan Next matches: 15 September – ChallengersVvs Strikers, National Stadium Dynamites Vs Blasters, Oval Academy Ground.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (September 13, 2021): Former Australian batsman Matthew Hayden and former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander have been appointed batting and bowling coaching consultants for Pakistan men’s national cricket team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board’s 36th Chairman Ramiz Raja announced on Monday. “The national side has the potential to win the World Cup and we need to back the side selected for the global event,” he said while addressing media at the National High Performance Centre following his unopposed and unanimous election as PCB’s Chairman. “We need to fine-tune our plans. Pakistan cricket’s DNA consists fearlessness, and we need to define a proper model and provide clarity to achieve desired results.”  Ramiz Raja announced 192 cricketers with domestic contracts will see an increase of PKR100,000 in monthly retainers across all rungs. This means that domestic men’s cricketers in the 2021-22 season, which begins with the Cricket Associations T20, the Second XI competition, from 15 September at the Quetta’s Bugti Stadium, will now earn between PKR140,000 to PKR250,000 per month, which is an increase of 250 per cent for the players in the D category, the lowest category. “It is our duty to care for our cricketers and continue to take measures which strengthen our system,” Ramiz said. “This will also play a role in ending any uncertainty surrounding the current cricket structure; the welfare of present and former cricketers is paramount to me.” In a bid to further strengthen the age-group structure and ensure that young cricketers are fully equipped for the modern-day cricket, Mr Ramiz Raja announced plans to launch an U19 T20 league to develop cricketers from the nascent stages. “We need to develop an environment in which we generate professional cricketers at young level,” he said. “This will help the HBL Pakistan Super League franchises as well, who are on the lookout for youngsters. I would like the former greats to coach them. We need to give push to the age-group cricketers so they can excel in the sport from the early age.” Ramiz Raja also said that it was important to improve the quality of pitches at the grassroots level, as they are integral for the development of cricketers. In a move that will further strengthen the academies structure and provide upcoming cricketers with the desired facilities to enhance their skillsets and improve their fitness levels, Mr Ramiz Raja said high performance centres will be established in interior Sindh and Balochistan.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (September 13, 2021):-Former Pakistan captain and the member of 1992 World Cup winner team, Ramiz Raja, was elected unanimously and unopposed as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s 36th Chairman for a three-year term in a Special Meeting presided over by the PCB Election Commissioner, Justice (retd) Sheikh Azmat Saeed. Ramiz Raja, along with Asad Ali Khan, was nominated by the PCB Patron, Prime Minister Imran Khan, on the PCB Board of Governors on 27 August for a three-year term, where they joined Aasim Wajid Jawad, Alia Zafar, Arif Saeed, Javed Kurieshi (all independent members) and Wasim Khan (PCB Chief Executive). Ramiz Raja is Pakistan’s 18th Test and 12th ODI captain, and played 255 international matches in which he scored 8,674 runs in the period from 1984 to 1997. He has previously served the PCB as its Chief Executive from 2003-2004, has represented Pakistan on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee and presently sits on the MCC World Cricket Committee. He has been a successful broadcaster with world’s leading cricket networks and widely regarded as the voice of Pakistan cricket. Ramiz Raja is only the fourth former Pakistan international cricketer to head the PCB after Abdul Hafeez Kardar (1972-1977), Javed Burki (1994-1995) and Ijaz Butt (2008-2011). Addressing the BoG following his election, Ramiz Raja said: “I am thankful to all of you for electing me as the PCB Chairman and look forward to working with you to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to thrive and grow stronger, both on and off-the-field. “One of my key focuses will be to help introduce in the Pakistan men’s cricket team the same culture, mind-set, attitude and approach that once made Pakistan one of the most feared cricket playing nations. As an organisation, we all need to get behind the national team and provide them the desired assistance and support so that they can produce that brand of cricket, which the fans also expect from them each time they step on to the field of play. “Obviously, as a former cricketer, my other priority will be to look into the welfare of our past and present cricketers. The game has and will always be about the cricketers and, as such, they deserve more recognition and respect from their parent institution.”    

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD (September 13, 2021): The Trinbago Knight Riders finished in top spot in the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier thanks to a four wicket win over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. The Knight Riders will now face the Saint Lucia Kings in the first semi-final on Tuesday 14 September. The Patriots finish third in the points table and they will face the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the second semi-final which takes place later that same day. It was the bowling of Ali Khan and the batting of Kieron Pollard who took the Knight Riders to victory, a win they wrapped up with an over to spare. The Patriots got off to a steady start thanks to Joshua Da Silva who had been pushed up to open in the absence of the injured Devon Thomas. The young wicket-keeper batsman kept things steady after Chris Gayle was dismissed for 5 when he edged a ball from Ravi Rampaul through to Denesh Ramdin. Da Silva went on to top score, making 50 from 45 balls, but there was no really substantial partnership in the Patriots innings. Sherfane Rutherford and Dwayne Bravo both made 25 but just as it looked as if they would launch in the death overs they were both dismissed in the midst of a 10 ball period that saw the Patriots lose four wickets. Rather than exploding over the line the Patriots limped to 147/7 with Ali Khan the star for the Knight Riders, claiming 3/19 on his return to the starting line-up. The Knight Riders chase got off to a sedate start as they reached 34/1 at the end of the PowerPlay. The only wicket to fall in the first six overs was that of Lendl Simmons who was dismissed by a brilliant Fabian Allen catch at backward point off the bowling of Naseem Shah. Two wickets in three balls pinned back the Knight Riders innings with Ramdin and Colin Munro both dismissed. Things changed when Pollard came to the crease as he made his way to fifty from just 20 balls. Pollard was dismissed just two balls after passing his fifty but the Knight Riders lower order saw them to victory. Trinbago Knight Riders 150/6 (Pollard 51, Udana 25; F Ahmed 2/16, F Allen 1/9) beat St Kitts & Nevis Patriots 147/7 (Da Silva 50, Bravo 25, Rutherford 25; Ali Khan 3/19, Udana 2/28)  by four wickets     

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (September 12, 2021): The St Kitts & Nevis Patriots returned to winning ways with an eight wicket victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders to seal a spot in the latter stages of the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League. The Patriots bowled brilliantly and then backed that up with a dominant batting display that saw them knock off the victory target with 32 balls to spare. It was Evin Lewis who was the star of the show, making 102 from just 52 balls. The Knight Riders got off to a slow start in the face of some excellent bowling from the Patriots. They reached the end of their PowerPlay at 28/2 with both Lendl Simmons and Denesh Ramdin dismissed caught on the mid-wicket boundary. Ramdin could have gone an over earlier, but Ravi Bopara put down a simple chance. Thankfully for the Patriots this did not prove too costly. A fifty-run stand between Darren Bravo and Colin Munro steadied the ship and brought the Knight Riders back into the contest. Munro would go on to top score with 47 but when Darren Bravo went for 22 the Knight Riders lost momentum once again. When Munro and Kieron Pollard went in successive balls bowled by Jon-Russ Jaggesar it looked as if the Knight Riders would set a sub-par total but some big hitting from Sunil Narine took his team to 159/7. The Patriots innings got off to a flying start thanks to Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle who was promoted to open as a result of an injury to Devon Thomas. They reached 67/1 from their PowerPlay overs with Gayle the wicket to fall for 35 from 18 balls. When Gayle went it was Lewis who took up the attack, passing his fifty from just 27 balls. While Narine was economical, returning figures of 0/10 from his four overs, the rest of the Knight Riders bowlers struggled for control in the face of the Lewis onslaught. Bopara and Lewis shared an 85-run stand, and Bopara contributed just seven runs as the Patriots opener smashed the ball to all parts. This win moves the Patriots back to the top of the table and guarentees them a space in the semi-finals on Tuesday 14 September. St Kitts & Nevis Patriots 160/2 (Lewis 102*, Gayle 35; Pollard 1/20, Khan 1/54) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 159/7 (Munro 47, Narine 32*; Jaggesar 3/32, Drakes 3/32) by eight wickets   

Sports Bulletin KARACHI (September 11, 2021):Player of the match Nahida Khan’s scored her second half-century on trot as PCB Blasters beat PCB Strikers by 47 runs at the Oval Academy Ground in the ongoing Pakistan Cup Women’s One-Day on Saturday. This was Sidra Nawaz-led Blasters’ second consecutive win. Nahida followed up her 90 not out against PCB Dynamites on Thursday, the opening day of tournament, with 59 off 74 after Strikers’ captain Kainat Imtiaz decided to bowl at the toss. Nahida and her fellow opener, Gul Feroza, added 114 runs for the opening wicket, before a collapse saw Blasters getting rolled out for 195 inside 47.3 overs with the only other notable contribution coming from Nida Dar, who made 24 off 33. Both openers – Nahida and Gul – smashed five fours each. Gul made 45 off 83. Off-spinner Hafsa Khalid accounted for top three batters, before dismissing opposition captain, Sidra, who made 33-ball 17, as she returned four for 34 from 10 overs. Ayesha Naseem’s leg-spin sent Fatima Sana and Noreen Yaqub back to the pavilion, while skipper Kainat, Umm-e-Hani and Tooba Hassan picked up one wicket each. Omaima Sohail and Nida shared five wickets between them, with Omaima returning three for 20 from seven, as Strikers faltered in their run chase. They were all out for 148 in 41.4 overs. Strikers’ troubles began with their opening partnership of 41 runs was broken. Jaweria Rauf managed 11 runs before she was removed by Nida and Ayesha Zafar was run out after scoring run-a-ball 33. Number nine Tooba Hassan was the next best batter with 18 runs to her name. Kainat, Hafsa Khalid and Natalia Pervaiz scored 16 runs each. At the National Stadium, the fans were served with a thrilling contest as Javeria Khan-led PCB Challengers defeated Muneeba Ali’s PCB Dynamites by one run. Dynamites’ all-rounder Aliya Riaz smashed 90 off 102 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes, in the run chase before her stay at the crease was ended by Saba Nazir, who returned three of 56. Openers Muneeba and Sadaf Shamas scored 41 and 37, before Maham Tariq blasted an unbeaten 21 off 10. It was a solid batting performance, in which all batters played a role, which helped Challengers post 253 for four, with player of the match Sidra Amin, laying the platform with a 96-ball 70. Opening the batting, Sidra smashed seven fours, and stitched a 100-run opening stand with Fareeha Mehmood, who made 43 off 69. Javeria hit 54 off 77 and Iram Javed made 43-ball 41. Both batters were dismissed by pacer Maham Tariq. The other two wickets were picked up by leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima. Scores in brief: PCB Blasters beat PCB Strikers by 47 runs at Oval Academy Ground PCB Blasters 195 all out, 47.3 overs (Nahida Khan 59, Gul Feroza 45, Nida Dar 24; Hafsa Khalid 4-34, Ayesha Naseem 2-14) PCB Strikers 148 all out, 41.4 overs (Ayesha Zafar 33; Omaima Sohail 3-20, Nida Dar 2-16) Player of the match – Nahida Khan (PCB Blasters) PCB Challengers beat PCB Dynamites by one run at National Stadium PCB Challengers 253-4, 50 overs (Sidra Amin 70, Javeria Khan 54, Fareeha Mehmood 43, Iram Javed 41, Najiha Alvi 25 not out; Ghulam Fatima 2-35, Maham Tariq 2-57) PCB Dynamites 252-8, 50 overs (Aliya Riaz 90; Muneeba Ali 41, Sadaf Shamas 37, Maham Tariq 21 not out; Saba Nazir 3-56) Player of the match – Sidra Amin (PCB Challengers) Upcoming fixtures (13-9-2021): PCB Blasters v PCB Challengers at Oval Academy Ground PCB Dynamites v PCB Strikers at National Stadium

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (September 11, 2021): New Zealand cricket team arrived in the capital city of Pakistan on Saturday to play a bilateral series of three One Day Internationals matches at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. A chartered plane carrying Black Caps team members and officials landed at Islamabad International Airport at 2:00pm. The security staff took them to local hotel where they under went for Covid-19 tests. Kiwis came in Pakistan after 18 years to play three ODIs and five T20, as the one day matches will be hosted by Pindi Stadium while T-20 by Qaddafi Stadium Lahore.      Names of New Zealand players (ODI squad): Tom Latham (c) (wk), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Will Young T-20 team squad: Tom Latham (captain/wicketkeeper), Finn Allen, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Will Young. Schedule of teams: 12 September: A member of the New Zealand squad will be available to media in a virtual media session at 1130. Pakistan will play an intra-squad practice match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, which will begin at 1400. 13 September: Both the sides will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1630. 14 September: A member of the New Zealand squad will be available to media in a virtual media session at 1130. Both the sides will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1630. 15 September: A member of the Pakistan squad will be available to media in a virtual media session at 1130. New Zealand squad will play an intra-squad practice match at Pindi Cricket Stadium, which will begin at 1100. Pakistan team will practice at Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1830 to 2130. 16 September: Pakistan captain Babar Azam will hold his online pre-series media conference at 1130, which will be followed by New Zealand captain Tom Latham’s virtual session. At 1630, both the teams will train at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. 17 September:  First ODI - First ball to be bowled at 1430 18 September: Both teams are scheduled to hold training session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1630. Media representatives are advised to speak with the respect team media manager before arriving at the Pindi Cricket Stadium as the teams may decide to cancel their training sessions. 19 September:  Second ODI – First ball to be bowled at 1430 20 September: Both teams are scheduled to hold training session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1630. Media representatives are advised to speak with the respect team media manager before arriving at the Pindi Cricket Stadium as the teams may decide to cancel their training sessions. 21 September:  Third ODI – First ball to be bowled at 1430 22 September: Both the sides will depart for Lahore and have no media activities planned.

Sports Bulletin LAHORE (September 11, 2021):A Special Meeting of the Board of Governors will take place on Monday, 13 September, at 1100 at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore to elect the 36th PCB Chairman. The PCB Election Commissioner, Mr Justice (retd) Sheikh Azmat Saeed, will conduct the election and preside over the Special Meeting. Aasim Wajid Jawad, Alia Zafar, Asad Ali Khan, Arif Saeed, Javed Kurieshi, Ramiz Raja and Wasim Khan are members of the BoG and will attend the special meeting.