Sports Bulletin

Islamabad (Sports News):The Netherlands, the USA and Thailand won thrilling contests as three matches went down to the wire at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026.The Dutch beat Scotland by seven runs, USA edged past Namibia by four wickets and in the closest game of the lot, Thailand defeated Zimbabwe by one run.Bangladesh were more comfortable victors, beating Papua New Guinea by 30 runs to go two from two in Group A.Netherlands hold off spirited ScotlandSterre Kallis’ unbeaten 87 helped the Netherlands to a seven-run win over Scotland.Kallis entered the fray with her side 27 for two but fired 14 fours and a six in her entertaining 60-ball knock to lead her side to 157 for six, with the next highest individual score 18.Rachel Slater took three for 24 for Scotland, who were in the hunt throughout the reply thanks to contributions from Katherine Fraser (41), captain Kathryn Bryce (42) and her sister Sarah Bryce (30).Thirteen runs from the penultimate over left Scotland needing 11 from the last but Heather Siegers held her nerve, conceding just three as the Dutch continued their winning start.Claridge leads USA chaseElla Claridge’s sparkling 70 led the USA to a four-wicket win over Namibia.Yasmeen Khan dominated the Namibia innings, striking 11 fours and two sixes in her excellent 74 from 47 balls before being stumped by Claridge off the bowling of Tara Norris, who took three for 34.Merczerly Gorases added 28 as Namibia finished on 144 for six, Isani Vaghela chipping in with two for 15 from three economical overs.In reply, the USA were up against it on 75 for four in the 14th over but Claridge remained calm, stepping on the accelerator when her side needed 30 from the final three overs.She fell for 70 from 51 having taken her side to the brink of victory, Ritu Singh adding a vital 21 from 10 as USA got home with four balls to spare.Thailand win thriller against ZimbabweThailand kept their cool to win a nerve-shredding encounter against Zimbabwe by one run, making it two wins from two.Thailand batted first and lost Aphisara Suwanchonrathi to the second ball of the innings but wicketkeeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai made 54 from 52 balls, while Natthakan Chantham hit two sixes in her entertaining 26.Zimbabwe hit back with the ball, Adel Zimunu and Audrey Mazvishaya taking two wickets apiece, as Thailand slipped from 101 for three to 111 for seven, ultimately setting Zimbabwe 116 to win.Opener Beloved Biza was run out without facing but Modester Mupachikwa (36) and Kelis Ndhlovu (28) kept their side in the hunt.The equation came down to nine from the last over and two from the last ball, which Nyasha Gwanzura struck straight back to bowler Phannita Maya, who completed the run out and set off on a jubilant celebration.Shorna stars for BangladeshShorna Akter played a starring role as Bangladesh beat Papua New Guinea by 30 runs.Dilara Akter (35) and Sharmin Akhter (28) laid the foundations before Shorna and Sobhana Mostary picked up the baton.Shorna blasted four sixes in her 14-ball 37 while Sobhana added an unbeaten 34 from 24 as Bangladesh racked up 168 for five.PNG were well set on 98 for two in the 14th over in reply but the dismissal of captain Brenda Tau for 35 halted their momentum.Six Bangladesh bowlers took a wicket apiece, including Shorna and Sobhana, as they closed out a comfortable victory.Scores in briefZimbabwe v Thailand - Mulpani Cricket Ground, KathmanduThailand 115/7 in 20 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 54, Natthakan Chantham 26; Audrey Mazvishaya 2/21, Adel Zimunu 2/22)Zimbabwe 114/6 in 20 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 36, Kelis Ndhlovu 28; Thipatcha Putthawong 2/27, Sunida Chaturongrattana 1/11)Result: Thailand won by one runPapua New Guinea v Bangladesh - Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, KirtipurBangladesh 168/5 in 20 overs (Shorna Akter 37, Dilara Akter 35; Dika Lohia 1/25, Mairi Tom 1/37)Papua New Guinea 138/9 in 20 overs (Brenda Tau 35, Sibona Jimmy 28; Shorna Akter 1/6, Sobhana Mostary 1/12)Result: Bangladesh won by 30 runsScotland v Netherlands - Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, KirtipurNetherlands 157/6 in 20 overs (Sterre Kallis 87 not out, Heather Siegers 18; Rachel Slater 3/24, Abtaha Maqsood 1/21)Scotland 150/5 in 20 overs (Kathryn Bryce 42, Katherine Fraser 41; Caroline de Lange 2/27, Silver Siegers 1/18)Result: Netherlands won by seven runsNamibia v USA - Mulpani Cricket Ground, KathmanduNamibia 144/6 in 20 overs (Yasmeen Khan 74, Merczerly Gorases 28; Tara Norris 3/34, Isani Vaghela 2/15)USA 145/6 in 19.2 overs (Ella Claridge 70, Ritu Singh 21; Eveleen Kejaruka 2/25, Saima Tuhadeleni 2/28)Result: USA won by four wickets

Islamabad (Sports News): The Event Technical Committee of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 has approved Rehaan Ahtif as a replacement for Dylan Thakrar in the Tanzania squad.Ahtif was named as a replacement after Thakrar was ruled out due to an injury to his left middle finger during their second Group D match against South Africa. He has been pronounced unable to continue his participation in the remainder of the tournament.The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad.The Event Technical committee of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 consists of Wasim Khan (Chair and ICC General Manager - Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager - Events), Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe Cricket Tournament Director) and Tash Farrant (independent nominee).

Harare (Sports News):A four-wicket haul by Ali Raza and a half-century from Usman Khan guided Pakistan U19 to a six-wicket victory over Scotland U19 in the 12th match of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on Monday afternoon. This was Pakistan’s first win in the tournament after they went down to England by 37 runs at the same venue on Friday, 16 January.Chasing 188 to win, Pakistan lost both openers with the score at 48 in 11.1 overs. Ali Hasan Baloch (15, 33 balls, one four) was the first to depart, followed by Sameer Minhas (28, 30 balls, three fours). Both batters were dismissed by right-arm off-spinner Ollie Jones.At that stage, left-handers Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain got together and stitched a 111-run partnership for the third wicket. Usman top-scored with 75 off 85 balls, striking five fours and two sixes, while Ahmed contributed 47 off 92 balls, including three fours.Pakistan achieved the target in the 44th over with six wickets in hand.Earlier, after being put in to bat, Scotland were bowled out for 187 in 48.1 overs. Ali Raza led the bowling attack with figures of four for 37. He was well supported by left-arm spinner Momin Qamar, who grabbed three wickets for 46 runs from nine overs, while right-arm pacer Abdul Subhan picked up two wickets.Left-arm pacer Mohammad Sayyam, who was included in the playing XI in place of right-arm fast bowler Umar Zaib, picked up one wicket. His breakthrough came courtesy of a brilliant running-back catch by Ahmed Hussain to dismiss Manu Saraswat (25, 36 balls, one six) in the 46th over.For Scotland, opening batter Thomas Knight top-scored with 37 off 72 balls, including three fours.Pakistan will now take on Zimbabwe in their final Group ‘C’ fixture on 22 January.Scores in brief:Scotland 187 all out, 48.1 overs (Thomas Knight 37, Finlay Jones 33, Ollie Jones 30; Ali Raza 4-37, Momin Qamar 3-46, Abdul Subhan 2-36)Pakistan 190-4, 43.1 overs (Usman Khan 75, Ahmed Hussain 47; Ollie Jones 2-41, Manu Saraswat 2-46)Player of the match – Usman Khan (Pakistan U19)

Bulawayo (Sports News): Pakistan U19 will take on USA U19 in their second warm-up match of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup at the Bulawayo Athletic Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Tuesday. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 9.30am local time, with the toss scheduled at 9am.Pakistan team held a training session at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday, where the players took part in net sessions as well as fielding drills for three hours. Pakistan, who are placed in Group C of the mega event, saw their first warm-up match on Saturday against Bangladesh washed out, with only 36.3 overs of Bangladesh’s innings possible at the Masvingo Sports Club.The 16-team tournament is scheduled to take place from 15 January to 6 February in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Champions of the 2004 and 2006 ICC U19 editions, Pakistan will face England in their opening fixture at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on 16 January.Pakistan will enter the mega event on the back of winning two tournaments – the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup and the U19 tri-series. Pakistan defeated India by 191 runs in Dubai to clinch the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title, while they beat hosts Zimbabwe by nine wickets in Harare to secure the tri-series trophy.Looking ahead to the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, head coach Shahid Anwar, said:“The players’ strong performances in the past have boosted their confidence, which is very encouraging. Our preparations are progressing well and everything has been planned with the objective of winning the World Cup.“We are fortunate to have this group of players and all the coaches feel equally privileged. One in-built quality in these boys is that they never give up and continue to fight till the last ball.“The teamwork within the group is outstanding, with everyone complementing each other. Unity, faith and discipline remain our core values.“The entire coaching staff works with the players individually, focusing on their natural strengths and enhancing their super strengths. If we continue to rely on our strengths against any opponent, I am confident we will achieve positive results.” 15-member squad: Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas and Umar ZaibICC U19 World Cup Pakistan fixtures:16 January – Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare19 January – Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare22 January – Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare24 January to 1 February – Super 6 matches3 February – First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo4 February – Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare6 February – Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare 

Islamabad (Sports News): Seventeen umpires and four match referees from the Emirates ICC International Panels of Umpires and Referees will officiate at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.Thirteen different nationalities will be represented, including two umpires from one of the host nations, Zimbabwe.Forster Mutizwa, who represented Zimbabwe 21 times across all three formats, will be joined by compatriot Iknow Chabi as two of the 18 umpires.Among the others who will officiate in the tournament are former West Indies international Deighton Butler, and Englishman Graham Lloyd, whose father David was an accomplished umpire in his own right before going onto become an acclaimed broadcaster.The four match referees are Dean Cosker, of England, India’s Prakash Bhatt, as well as Graeme La Brooy and Neeyamur Rahul, who represented Sri Lanka and Bangladesh internationally respectively.ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta said: “This ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is a tremendous opportunity for rising stars in the game to shine, but it is also an invaluable reward system for up-and-coming match officials.“We hope that this will be the perfect springboard for their careers as we see them progress in their officiating journeys.”Match officials for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026:Umpires: Ahmad Shah Durrani (Afg), Aidan Seaver (Ire), Cory Black (NZ), Deighton Butler (WI), Faisal Afridi (Pak), Forster Mutizwa (Zim), Graham Lloyd (Eng), Iknow Chabi (Zim), Lubabalo Gcuma (SA), Masudur Mukul (Ban), Nitin Bathi (Neth), Prageeth Rambukwella (SL), Russell Warren (Eng), Shaun Haig (NZ), Shawn Craig (Aus), Virender Sharma (Ind), Zahid Bassarath (WI).Referees: Dean Cosker (Eng), Graeme La Brooy (SL), Neeyamur Rahul (Ban), Prakash Bhatt (Ind).

Islamabad (Sports News): Left handed batter and right arm bowler Saim Ayub has reclaimed the number one all-rounder position in the latest ICC T20 Ranking. He reached career-best rating points of 295 as he moved past Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza after taking a wicket for 17 in his four overs before striking 36 for Pakistan in the final of the Tri-Series against Sri Lanka.Ayub’s movements also include a 12-slot leap to 39th in the bowlers’ list and a move by two places to 35th in the batters’ list.The biggest move in T20Is this week came from Sri Lanka’s Kamil Mishara who rocketed up 91 slots to 18th place in the batters’ list thanks to successive innings of 76 and 59 against Pakistan propelled him into the world’s top 20 batters for the first time.Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis is two slots behind him in 20th place from 22nd last week. Bangladesh’s Parvez Hossain made a big move this week, advancing 21 places to 38th in their 2-1 home series win against Ireland thanks to scores of 43 and 33 not out in the last two matches.Ayub’s teammate Abrar Ahmed’s successful Tri-Series enabled him to continue his march up the bowling table, he now lies fourth, just eight points behind Jacob Duffy in second place.Also enjoying rewards this week is Mohammad Nawaz – Player of the Series in the Tri-Series – who is at a career-best 11th.India super star, Virat Kohli’s 83rd international century came against South Africa in the first ODI of their three-match series in Ranchi. His glorious 135 from 120 deliveries, moved him one place to fourth in the ODI batters’ list, with his 751 rating points just 32 behind teammate Rohit Sharma at the top of the list.India’s stand-in captain, KL Rahul moved two slots to joint 14th after his 56-ball 60 in their 17-run triumph over the visitors.Matthew Breetzke is in joint-30th position thanks to his innings of 72 and boasts 614 runs in his first ten ODIs, the second-highest tally in history, and only behind his countryman Janneman Malan, who made 645.This week’s update also includes movements in the Men’s Test Player Rankings following South Africa’s historic two-nil ICC World Test Championship series win in India. Their massive, 408-run victory in Guwahati saw rewards for some of their standout players.Marco Jansen climbed four slots to a career-best second place in the all-rounders’ list. He rose five places to fifth among the bowlers and leaped 21 slots to 75th in the batting rankings thanks to his 93-run knock in the first innings.Senuran Muthusamy’s maiden Test century helped him climb 28 places to 63rd, while his teammates Kyle Verreynne (up three slots to 38th), Ryan Rickelton (up five to 39th), Tony de Zorzi (up five slots to 45th) and Tristan Stubbs (up 16 slots to 47th) also made progress up the charts.Simon Harmer – having started the series in 45th place, now finds himself just outside the world’s top ten bowlers, as his nine-wicket match haul moved him up 13 places in the week to 11th place.Ravindra Jadeja reached career-best batting points tally of 653 and highest position of 23rd after his second-innings half-century.

Islamabad (Sports News): Eloise Sheridan and Jacquline Williams of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires will be the on-field umpires in Sunday’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Final between India and South Africa.The match takes place at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, where both nations are bidding to become champions for the first time.Sheridan and Williams were in the middle for South Africa’s memorable 125-run victory over England in the semi-final.Williams also umpired the group game between the two finalists on 9 October, which South Africa won after a brilliant run chase.Sue Redfern is in place as Third Umpire, Nimali Perera is Fourth Umpire and Michell Pereira is the Match Referee.The match begins at 15h00 local time.Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Officials for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 FinalTeams: India v South AfricaOn-field Umpires: Eloise Sheridan & Jacquline WilliamsThird Umpire: Sue RedfernFourth Umpire: Nimali PereraMatch Referee: Michell Pereira

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The match officials have been announced for this week’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-finals.Eloise Sheridan and Jacquline Williams of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires will be the on-field umpires for England’s clash with South Africa in Guwahati.Sheridan was in the middle when the two sides met in the group stage, a match England won by 10 wickets, while she also oversaw South Africa’s victory against Pakistan.Williams was in charge for two matches apiece involving the two teams in the group stage – South Africa’s successes against India and Bangladesh, and England’s victory over India and defeat against Australia.Vrinda Rathi is in place as third umpire, with Claire Polosak as fourth umpire and GS Lakshmi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees as the referee for the match.Attentions then turn to Navi Mumbai, where Lauren Agenbag and Sue Redfern will be in the middle for reigning champions Australia against hosts India.South African Agenbag is no stranger to the Indian side, having overseen their group clashes against Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Redfern was among the on-field umpires for the group stage match between the two nations, when Alyssa Healy’s sparkling century led Australia to the highest successful run chase in women’s ODIs.They are joined by Kim Cotton as third umpire, Nimali Perera as fourth umpire and Michell Pereira as match referee.Semi-Final 1: Guwahati, Wednesday 29 OctoberTeams: England v South AfricaOn-field Umpires: Eloise Sheridan & Jacquline WilliamsThird Umpire: Vrinda RathiFourth Umpire: Claire PolosakMatch Referee: GS LakshmiSemi-Final 2: Navi Mumbai, Thursday 30 OctoberTeams: Australia v IndiaOn-field Umpires: Lauren Agenbag & Sue RedfernThird Umpire: Kim CottonFourth Umpire: Nimali PereraMatch Referee: Michell Pereira

Dubai (SBR): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have claimed their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after an emphatic, eight-wicket victory over Japan in their Super Six clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Asia/East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier in Oman on Thursday.Mohammad Waseem and his charges join Nepal and Oman as the three qualifiers of the regional qualification competition with guaranteed top three finishes before the tournament’s scheduled conclusion on Friday.The 20 teams for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 are now finalized and they are as follows: India (tournament host), Sri Lanka (tournament host), Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, South Africa, UAE, USA, West Indies and Zimbabwe.The UAE eliminated hopefuls, Japan, Samoa and Qatar from contention, who were still in with a mathematical chance.In the match, Japan were restricted to 116/9 after being put into bat by the UAE. Only Wataru Miyauchi – at number nine – made a significant contribution to the scoreboard, returning unbeaten for 45 off 32 deliveries. Other scores in the double figures came from Esam Rahman (23) and Abhishek Anand (10) at the top of the order and Abdul Samad (11 not out) at number 11.The UAE’s Haider Ali (three for 20) and Mohammad Arfan (two for 24) did the most damage with the ball in hand, setting up a simple chase for their batters.Openers, Alishan Sharafu and Mohammad Waseem did not disappoint, they shared a 70-run stand before it was broken by Declan Suzuki (one for 14) who removed the skipper, Waseem for 42 at the start of the eighth over.Sharafu departed for 46 at the hands of Ibrahim Takahashi (one for 16) in the 11th over, but the foundation was firmly laid, giving Mayank Kumar (13 not out) and Rahul Chopra (14 not out) a smooth pathway to batting their team victory with 47 balls to spare.

Dubai (SBR): Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has returned to the top position in the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings after playing a crucial role in a 3-0 series win over Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.Rashid, who finished with 11 wickets in the series that included a five-for in the second match, has moved up five slots to take the top position with 710 rating points, 30 more than South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj, who is in second spot. Rashid had become No. 1 for the first time in September 2018 and last occupied the position in November 2024.Seam bowler Azmatullah Omarzai has achieved a career-best 21st position after a 19-spot leap with seven wickets in the series while Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz (up four places to 24th) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (up 24 places to 67th) have also moved up the bowling rankings.New high for Ibrahim Zadran: In the batting rankings, Ibrahim Zadran has leapt eight places to reach a career-best second position after top-scoring with a total of 213 runs that won him the Player of the Series award.He has achieved the highest-ever batting rating by any Afghanistan player, surpassing Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 686 points achieved last November, and his second position is also the highest position by any ODI batter from his country.Rahmanullah (up two places to 16th) and the Bangladesh pair of Towhid Hridoy (up seven places to 42nd) and Mohammad Nabi (up six places to 50th) too have moved up the batting rankings.Azmatullah and Rashid have also prospered in the ODI Rankings. Azmatullah has returned to the top spot while Rashid has moved up to fourth position. This is Azmatullah’s second stint as No. 1, having earlier been at the top from February to August this yearCareer-best Test ranking for Kuldeep Yadav: The ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings see India spinner Kuldeep Yadav attain a career-best 14th position, rising seven places after an eight-wicket match haul. Jomel Warrican and captain Roston Chase have gained two and four places, respectively, to reach 30thand 57th positions.The batting rankings see India opener Yashaswi Jaiswal advance two slots to fifth position after notching 175 in the first innings of the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi while KL Rahul’s knocks of 38 and 58 not out have lifted him two places to 33rd.The West Indies batters to gain are Shai Hope (up 34 places to 66th) and John Campbell (up six places to 68th), who scored centuries in the second innings.