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English skipper Morgan relishes ICC T20 World Cup challenge
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (October 20, 2021):-Eoin Morgan says England are excited by the challenge of adding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 title to the 50-over crown they claimed two years ago.
Eoin Morgan says England are excited by the challenge of adding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 title to the 50-over crown they claimed two years ago.
Morgan led England to a memorable first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019 on home soil and they are among the favourites to land the T20 equivalent in UAE and Oman this year.
They are currently ranked No.1 in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I team rankings and boast an experienced squad, with only Tom Curran aged under 28.
England have lost just one of their last 11 T20I series and even that was a marginal 3-2 defeat to India earlier this year, while they arrive off the back of home victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Expectations are high then, and Morgan believes they have what it takes to replicate their 2019 50-over success.
“It would be unbelievably special if we managed to do it (win another ICC world title) in three years,” he said.
“I think the group of players we have had for the past five or six years and some new really talented younger guys, makes a composition of the squad extremely strong.
“Playing away from home creates challenges, and for the first time since 2016 we are going into a tournament where we haven’t been favourites.
“But these are challenges we are really looking forward to.”
England are joined in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage by rivals Australia, defending champions West Indies and the ever-dangerous South Africa, while two teams from Round 1 will complete the six-team group.
England begin against West Indies in Dubai on Saturday but lost their opening warm-up game against India by six wickets.
Morgan wouldn’t be drawn on wider team news but did say that Liam Livingstone’s finger injury sustained against Virat Kohli’s side was not serious.
The Lancashire all-rounder left the field after dropping Ishan Kishan on the boundary against India on Monday.
“Liam is fine and fully fit for the start of the tournament,” confirmed the captain.
“We have no other problems. None, touch wood, so far.”
Morgan said he would not necessarily play in every England match, suggesting he will drop himself if his poor recent form continues.
Morgan averaged just 11.08 in the recent IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders and says he will not stand in the way of the team if his form continues to be a problem.
"I've been short on runs but my captaincy has been pretty good,” he said.
"I wouldn't be standing here if I hadn't come out of every bad run of form that I've ever had.
"The nature of T20 cricket and where I bat means I always have to take high-risk options. I've come to terms with that."
Bangladesh overcome Oman by 26 runs to reach next round
Report: Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):-Bangladesh defeated Oman by 26 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at AL Amarat Cricket Ground Oman on Tuesday and confirmed their place in the next round of top 12 teams.
On Tuesday night, Bangladeshi captain Mahmudullah won the toss and decided to bat first. Bangladeshi batters scored 153 for 10 runs in 20 overs match. Opener Mohammad Naim scored 64 runs after facing 50 deliveries. He smashed 4 long sixe sand 3 fours. Al rounder Shakib Ul Hassan played a brilliant innings and added 40 runs in his team’s total. He faced 29 balls and hit 6 fours while skipper scored 17 runs in 10 balls and hit only single four and six. Oman’s bowler Bilal khan took 3 wickets after conceded 18 runs in 4 overs while Fayaz Butt chipped in 3 wickets for 29 runs .Kaleem Ullah got 2 wickets.
Oman batter Jatinder scored 40 runs after wasting 33 delivers. He hit 4 sixes and 3 fours. Kashyap Prajapati scored just 21 runs in 18 balls. Bangladeshi bowler Mustafiz ur Rehman got 4 wickets in four overs, Shakib Ul Hassan sent 3 batsman out for 28 runs in 4 overs. He got man of the match award on his all rounder performers.
Brief Scorecard:
Toss: Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first
Bangladesh Batting: (Mohammad Naim (64 runs in 50 balls) 3 fours 4 sixes Shakib ul hasan (40 runs in29 balls) 6 fours, Mahmudullah (17 runs in 10 balls) 1 six and 1 four)
Oman Bowling: (Bilal khan 3 for 18 runs, Fayaz Butt 3 for 30 runs, Kaleem ullah 2 for 30 runs)
Oman batting: (Jatinder singh (40 runs in 33 balls) 4 fours 1 six, Kashyap Prajapati (21 runs in 18) 1 four and 2 sixes, Zeshan Maqsood (12 runs in 16 Balls) 1 six)
Bangladesh bowling: (Mustafiz ur Rehman 4 for 36, Shakib Ul Hasan 3 for 28, Mahedi Hassan 1 for 14)
Results: Bangladesh won the match by 26 runs
Man of the match:-Shakib Ul Hassan
National Women Hockey: Punjab (C) and WAPDA set to play final
Sports Reporter
LAHORE (October 19, 2021):-The women hockey teams of Punjab (C) and WAPDA stormed into the final of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship after winning their thrilling semifinals at National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.
Wapda edged out Railways by 2-1 in the first semifinal while Punjab (C) thrashed strong Army team by 4-1 in the second semifinal clash.
The final match of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship will be played between Punjab (C) and Wapda women hockey teams at 7.00pm on Wednesday at National Hockey Stadium whereas Railways and Army teams will clash in 3rd/4th position match at 6.00pm at the same venue.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh and his wife Zakia Adnan were the guests of honour at the semifinals. Director Admin Javed Chohan, Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, PHF Women Hockey Wing General Manager Tanzeela Amir Cheema, head coach of national hockey team Olympian Khawaja Junaid, Deputy Director RaufBajwa, Deputy Director Chand Perveen and a large number of hockey fans were also present on this occasion.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs RaiTaimoor Khan Bhatti and Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh congratulated Punjab (C) and Wapda women hockey teams on reaching in final of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh announced a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for Punjab Colours team for winning semifinal against a strong team. PHF Women Hockey Wing General Manager Tanzeela Amir Cheema also announced a cash prize of Rs 40,000 for Punjab Colours team and Rs 10,000 for captain of Punjab (C) team.
While talking to media Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh appreciated the fighting game of all semifinalist teams. “It is a new and speedy format of hockey just like T20 format in cricket. Players need to show better stamina and playing techniques in this format”.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said that Sports Board Punjab has organised the First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship for the preparation of inaugural FIH Hockey 5s World Cup scheduled to be staged in Oman’s capital city, Muscat in 2024.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said it’s Sports Board Punjab’s initiative to organise 5-a-Side hockey at such a big level with the collaboration of Pakistan Hockey Federation. “We are quite confident to formulate a strong women hockey team for the qualifiers of FIH Hockey 5s World Cup,” he added.
In the first semifinal, Wapda women hockey team defeated Railways by a narrow margin of 2-1. Both the teams played aggressive hockey in the initial stages of the match. Wapda scored first goal in 7th minute through HamraLatif’s field effort. However, Railways bounced back in the very next minute when SarikaSarwar converted a penalty stroke to level the score.
Wapda’sNida Asghar scored the decisive goal through her beautiful field move in the 9th minute of the match. Both the teams tried their best to score more goals in the second half but in vain.
The second semifinal was played between Punjab Colours and Army at the same venue. Punjab (C) dominated the proceedings right from the beginning against strong Army team and took 2-0 lead at the half time. Sidra Hakim struck two beautiful goals while MahakRasheed and Mariam Hussain contributed one goal each in their team’s 4-1 victory. Army’s Asma scored the only goal for her team through her field move in the 19th minute.
Scotland beat PNG by 17 runs
Report: Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):-Scotland defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 17 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 match, which was played at Al Amerat Cricket Ground Oman on Tuesday.
Scotland’s skipper Kyle Coetzer won the battle of coin and decided to bat first. Scotland batters set a 166 target on the score board after losing 9 wickets. Richie Berrington played brilliant innings and scored 70 runs in only 49 balls. He smashed 3 fours and 3 sixes. Wicket keeper batsman Matthew Cross scored 45runs in 36 balls including hit pair of sixes and fours while George Munsey made 15 runs in 10 balls. Papua New Guinea’s bowler Kabua Morea took 4 wicket ant conceded 31 runs in his four overs cotta while Chad Soper grabbed 3 wickets for 24 runs.
While Papua New Guinea batter Norman Vanua was top scorer with 47 runs, as he wasted 37 balls and hit couple of sixes and fours. Matthew Cross added 45runs in 36 balls. Scotland’s pacer Josh Davey took 4 wickets. Richie Berrington got man of the match award due to his brilliant 70 runs knock.
Brief scorecard: (Scotland Vs PNG)
Result: Scotland won by 17 runs
Toss:-Scotland won the toss and elected to bat first
Scotland Batting:-
Richie Berrington (70 runs in 49 balls), Matthew Cross (45runs in 36 balls), George Munsey (15 runs in 10 balls)
Papua New Guinea Bowling:-
Kabua Morea 4 for 31, Chad Soper 3 for 24, Simon Atai 1 for 20
Papu New Guinea Batting:-
Norman Vanua (47 runs in 37 balls), Sese Bau (24 runs in 23 balls), Kiplin Doriga (18 runs in 11 balls)
Scotland Bowling:-
Josh Davey 4 for18, Alasdair Evans 1 for 22, Mark Watt 1 for 23
Man of the match: Richie Berrington
Tense times on road to World Cup qualification
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Lausanne, Switzerland (October 19, 2021):-It all comes down to one prized qualification place for the winning women’s and two qualification places for the men’s teams at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 – European Qualifier 2021 and the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 - European Qualifier 2021. Taking place from 21-24 October in Pisa, Italy and Cardiff, Wales respectively, the teams that triumph will be taking part in the respective women and men’s World Cups in Spain/Netherlands (2022) and India (2023). For the women, there is one place up for grabs, while the two finalists in the men’s competition will earn the right to compete at Bhubaneswar in 2023.
Participating in the all-important event are the women’s and men’s teams that finished in six to eighth place at the EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam in June 2021, as well the teams finishing in the top five places at the EuroHockey Championship II in Prague and Gniezno in August.
For the women’s competition Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Wales and France will be vying for top spot. In the men’s event, France, Wales, Russia, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Italy and Poland will be doing battle.
Adding to the tension of two events that have so much at stake, is the fact that every round is a knock-out. This makes the seedings in the event highly important. The seedings will be based on the FIH World Rankings. This means Ireland are the top ranked women’s team, with hosts Italy in second place and Scotland third, while in the men’s competition, France are the top ranked side, followed by Ireland and Wales.
Kashmir win the title of PAF T20 Blind Cricket Champions Trophy
Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):- Kashmir have lifted the title of PAF T20 Cricket Champions Trophy for Blinds after beating hosts Islamabad by 11 runs in the final at E-9 cricket ground on Tuesday.
Islamabad won the toss and elected to bowl first. Kashmir scored 220 for the loss of four wickets. Nisar was the top scorer with 108 runs. In reply, Islamabad could score 209 runs in allotted 20 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Kashmir won the final by 11 runs. Ayub Khan scored 88 runs. Nisar Ali was awarded player of the match.
In closing ceremony Chief Guest Air Commodore Mutahir Ul Islam SI (M) Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Admin) distributed Trophies and Prizes among the players. Idreess from Ajk was best player in B1 Catagory, Anis Javed from Islamabad was best player in B2 and Mohammad Akram from Gujranwala was best player in B3 Category. Atiq ur Rehman from Gujranwala declared best wicket keeper of the tournament.
MGHM All Pakistan Chess Championship concludes
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Quetta (October 19, 2021):-The 2-Day Malik Gul Hassan Memorial (MGHM) All Pakistan Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship concluded at Browne Gymkhana, Prince Road Quetta. Championship was played on October 16 and 17, 2021.
According to details, the championship was held in two different categories including Rapid and Blitz, as over 100 players from all over the country participated in the top national chess showpiece.
In the Rapid Chess Category, Dr. Mohammad Ayuab (Quetta) got first position, Mohammad Ayaz (Quetta) got second while Mohammad Sabir (Karachi) got third position.
In the Blitz Chess Category, Tariq Mughal (Karachi), Yunnas Malghani got second while Malik Mohammad Amin got third position.
Sri Lankan Tigers jump over minnows Namibians
Report: ABDULLAH ASJAD
Islamabad (October 18, 2021):-Sri Lanka beat Namibians by 7 wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 match at Sheikh Zayid Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi on Monday night under the floodlights.
Sri Lankan tigers got their meager target of 96 runs after losing only three wickets and 39 balls were spare too. Sri Lankan Batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored unbeaten 42 runs in just 27 balls while Avishka Fernando scored 30 runs in 28 deliveries were major contributors.
Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper won the toss and put opposition in to bat first. Namibia bundled out on 96 runs. Craig Williams scored 29 runs in 36 balls, Gerhard Erasmus scored 20 runs in 19 balls and JJ Smit scored 12 runs in 15 delivers.
Maheesh Theekshana took 3 wickets for Sri Lanka and he was judged man of the match on his match winning bowling.
Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss elected to bat first
Namibia Batting:
Craig Williams (29 runs 36 balls), Gerhard Erasmus (20 runs 19 balls), JJ Smit (12 runs 15balls)
Sri Lanka Bowling:
Maheesh Theekshana 3 for 25, Lahiru Kumara 2 for 9, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2 for 24
Sri Lanka Batting:
Bhanuka Rajapaksa 42 runs for 27 balls, Avishka Fernando 30 runs for 28.
Namibia Bowling:
JJ Smit 1 for 7, Bernard Scholtz 1 for 16, Ruben Trumpelmann 1 for 27
Result: Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets (with 39 balls remaining)
Man of the Match: Maheesh Theekshana
Women Hockey: WAPDA, Railways, Punjab (c) and Army teams reach into semifinals
Sports Reporter
LAHORE (October 18, 2021):-The women hockey teams of Punjab (C), Wapda, Army and Railways toppled their respective opponent teams in the quarterfinals to book a place in the semifinals of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship at National Hockey Stadium on Monday.
The first semifinal of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship will be played between Wapda and Railways women hockey teams at 6.00pm while Punjab (C) and Army will lock horns in the second semifinal at 7.00pm at the same venue.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh who was the chief guest at the quarterfinals, watched the thrilling quarterfinal encounters at National Hockey Stadium. Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, PHF Women Hockey Wing General Manager Ms Tanzeela Amir Cheema, Deputy Director Rauf Bajwa and Deputy Director Chand Perveen were also present on this occasion.
It is worth-mentioning that Sports Board Punjab is organising the First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship for the preparation of inaugural FIH Hockey 5s World Cup scheduled to be staged in Oman’s capital city, Muscat.
Wapda female players edged out strong HEC team by a narrow margin of 3-2 in the first quarterfinal after a close competition. Wapda’s Hamra Latif exhibited a glorious game and scored two goals through her field effort in the first and 12th minute of the match. Maira Sabir netted the third goal for the winning team. Kalsoom scored two goals for HEC to reduce the deficit. She leveled the score twice in 2nd and 11th minute but failed to do so third time and lost the match by 3-2.
The second quarterfinal match was played between Islamabad and Railways women hockey teams. Railways women hockey team showing great resolve toppled Islamabad by 4-1 without much trouble. Arzoo Mansoor struck two goals while skipper Mariyam Hanif and Sarika Sarwar shared the remaining two goals. Islamabad’s only goal was netted by Fozia Talib in the 6th minute through a beautiful field move.
Punjab (C) defeated Punjab (W) by a big difference of 7-1 in the third quarterfinal match of the day. Until half-time, they had a 5-0 lead. Sidra Hakim did the major damage scoring three beautiful goals for the winning team. The remaining four goals were scored by Mariam Hussain, Aqsa Ajaz, Saira Murad and Mahak Rasheed. Punjab (W)’s only goal was made by Amara Murad in the 19th minute of the match.
The 4th and last quarterfinal of the day was competed between Army and Sindh (W) female hockey teams. The Army team proved too strong for Sindh (W) and won their match quite comfortably by 3-0 margin. Adeeba Afzal, Asma and Iqra Iqbal struck the goals for the victorious team.
Lanka Premier League starts from December 5, 2021
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (October 18, 2021):-The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021 will start from December 5, 2021 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) Colombo, with the inaugural game scheduled to be played between Galle and Jaffna.
According to available information from abroad, the first round of the tournament, which will consist of 20 games will be played at the RPICS, Colombo before it moves into Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) Hambantota to proceed with the final round games.
The finals of the League will be played on the December 23, 2021 at the MRICS, Hambantota, whilst this year’s tournament has 24th December, as a ‘Reserve Day’ dedicated for the final.
The Lanka Premier League 2021 which is Sri Lanka’s topmost domestic tournament, with an international flavor, will consist of 24 games and will see the participation of topmost domestic and international cricketers.
The Final Round Games will see the top two teams in the points table playing the qualifier 1, whilst the 3rd and 4th placed teams on the table playing in the ‘eliminator.’
The winner of ‘qualifier 1’ will directly go into the finals, whilst the loser of the ‘qualifier 1’ will play against the winner of the ‘eliminator’ in the ‘qualifier 2’, and the winner of that game will go into the finals.
Schedule (First Match at 3:00 pm, Second Match at 7:30 pm)
December 5, 2021: OPENING CEREMONY and Galle vs Jaffna at RPICS
December 6, 2021: Dambulla Vs Kandy and Colombo Vs Galle at RPICS
December 7, 2021: Jaffna Vs Dambulla and Kandy Vs Galle at RPICS
December 8, 2021: Colombo Vs Dambulla and Kandy Vs Jaffna at RPICS
December 9, 2021: Rest & Practice
December 10, 2021: Dambulla vs Galle and Jaffna vs Colombo at RPICS
December 11, 2021: Galle vs Kandy and Colombo vs Dambulla at RPICS
December 12, 2021: Jaffna vs Kandy and Galle vs Colombo at RPICS
December 13, 2021: Galle vs Dambulla at RPICS
December 14, 2021: Kandy vs Colombo and Dambulla vs Jaffna at RPICS
December 15, 2021: Rest & Practice
December 16, 2021: Colombo vs Jaffna and Kandy vs Dambulla at RPICS
December 17, 2021: Jaffna vs Galle and Colombo vs Kandy at RPICS
December 18, 2021: Travel to Hambantota
December 19, 2021: Rest & Practice
December 20, 2021: Eliminator (3 vs 4) Qualifier 1 (1 vs 2) at MRICS
December 21, 2021: Qualifier 2 (looser QF1 vs won E) at MRICS
December 22, 2021: Rest & Practice
December 23, 2021: Final at MRICS
December 24, 2021: Final (Reserve Day) MRICS
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