Sports Bulletin

Faraz Ahmed KayaniBirmingham (UK): South Africa Champions have clinched the title of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 after beating Pakistan Champions by 9 wickets in the final in Birmingham.Batting first, Pakistan Champions posted an impressive total of 195 runs for loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sharjeel Khan was the standout performer, smashing 76 runs off 44 balls. However, the target proved insufficient in the face of an onslaught from AB de Villiers, who delivered a vintage masterclass. The South African legend remained unbeaten on 120 runs off just 60 balls, hitting 7 sixes and 12 fours, leading his side to victory in just 16.5 overs, losing only one wicket.This match-winning knock marked de Villiers’ third century of the tournament, underlining his continued dominance and brilliance on the field.With this resounding win, South Africa Champions were crowned the World Champions of Legends, wrapping up the tournament in style.

Sports ReportVancouver (Canada); Friday, August 1st 2025* — In a significant leap for cricket in North America, the Canada Super 60 proudly announces iconic BC Place as the official venue for the first-ever edition of its men’s and women’s tournaments.This announcement marks a historic milestone for the Canada Super 60 — securing one of the most prestigious and state-of-the-art stadiums in the country as its launchpad. BC Place, located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, is more than a stadium — it’s a symbol of Canadian sporting heritage and home to some of the most marquee global events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26.Over the past four decades, BC Place has hosted numerous global sporting events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and ten Grey Cup Championships. With its retractable roof, world-class infrastructure, and multi-sport versatility, BC Place will now transform into an all-weather cricket stadium, becoming the first indoor venue in the world to host a 10-over-a-side cricket tournament.“BC Place is not just a stadium; it’s a theatre of dreams,” said Yuvraj Singh, global cricket icon and strategic partner of Canada Super 60. “As a sportsperson, you are deeply inspired by the grandeur of where you play — and for our players, men and women alike, there couldn’t be a better venue to start this journey. Vancouver is a city that thrives on nature, diversity, and culture — and cricket on the West Coast is going to ignite a whole new fan base.”The Canada Super 60 is the first global-format cricket league to feature both men’s and women’s 10-over-a-side tournaments from inception, aiming to redefine competitive cricket in Canada and create a blueprint for the sport’s growth in North America.“We feel incredibly proud to introduce BC Place to the world of cricket,” said a Cricket Canada official Amjad Bajwa, President, Cricket Canada. “We wholeheartedly congratulate the Super 60 team on making this possible. This partnership is a clear signal of our commitment to expanding cricket across the country and creating world-class opportunities for Canadian players — especially as we look ahead to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.”“We are beyond excited to welcome cricket to BC Place,” said Chris May, General Manager of BC Place. “Hosting the Canada Super 60 is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the world’s second most-watched sport right here in our beautiful city. As a multi-sport and multi-purpose venue, we are always looking for new and dynamic events that reflect the diversity of our province. This is a meaningful step towards creating a more inclusive and representative sports landscape in British Columbia.”The official tournament dates and ticketing information for the Canada Super 60 will be announced shortly. With cricket being one of the fastest-growing sports in North America, the event promises not only thrilling matches but also a transformational cultural and sporting experience in Vancouver.*About Canada Super 60*Canada Super 60 is a groundbreaking new cricket league launching in 2025, introducing the unique 10-over-a-side format with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season — a global first. Backed by Cricket Canada, the league aims to elevate Canada’s place in the world cricket map while offering fans a thrilling mix of power and strategy between T20s and ODIs. The tournament will be hosted at the iconic BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, making it the first major cricket league to debut on Canada’s West Coast.The Canada Super 60 is more than just a tournament — it’s a celebration of sport, diversity, and opportunity, designed to grow the game in North America and give Canadian players global exposure.*About BC Place*As the largest multi-purpose venue of its kind in Western Canada, BC Place provides a spectacular home for international, professional and amateur sports, entertainment, commerce, cultural experiences and community gatherings for the benefit of all British Columbians.BC Place is a part of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), a Provincial Crown Corporation of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport that owns and operates the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place.

 Lahore (PR):  Pakistan will feature in a tri-series involving Afghanistan and the UAE from 29 August to 7 September at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.The T20I tournament will serve as a launching pad for the teams to prepare for and acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the eight-team ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from 9 to 28 September.The opening match of the tri-series tournament will be played between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday, 29 August, with the first ball to bowled at 7pm local time. Each team will play the others twice, giving all sides at least four matches before the top two teams qualify for the final, scheduled on 7 September.Tournament schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time7 September – Final – 7pm local time

Kent (PCB Report): Professional County Club Select XI defeated Pakistan Shaheens by seven wickets in the second one-day match at the County Ground, Beckenham, on Friday afternoon to level the three-match series 1-1. The deciding match of the series will be played on Sunday, 27 July at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove.After being put in to bat, Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for 152 in the 30th over, with opening batter Azan Awais top-scoring with 68 off 85 balls, including three fours and a six. For the hosts, Jafer Chohan was the most successful bowler, taking four wickets for 43 in 5.3 overs. Scott Currie grabbed three wickets for 26 runs in six overs.In turn, an unbeaten half-century by Hamza Shaikh (54 not out, 63 balls, 4x4s, 1x6), which featured an unbroken 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Luc Benkenstein (23 not out, 32 balls, 2x4s), helped the side achieve the target in 26 overs. For the touring side, fast bowlers Mir Hamza, Shahid Aziz and Ubaid Shah snapped one wicket each.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens 152 all out, 29.3 overs (Azan Awais 68; Jafer Chohan 4-43, Scott Currie 3-26)Professional County Club Select XI 153-3, 26 overs (Hamza Shaikh 54 not out, Tom Lawes 37, Luc Benkenstein 23 not out; Shahid Aziz 1-26, Mir Hamza 1-37, Ubaid Shah 1-45)

Mohammad Rizwan to lead Pakistan in three ODIs, Salman in T20 against West IndiesSports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against West Indies as the Men’s National Selection Committee named a 16-member ODI squad on Friday. The series will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago on 8, 10 and 12 August. Right-handed batter Hasan Nawaz is the only uncapped player in the ODI squad, while Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are part of the ODI squad.Pakistan will also play three T20Is against the West Indies, scheduled on 31 July, 2 and 3 August, at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, USA. Salman Ali Agha will captain the T20I side, while fast bowlers Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi return to the squad in this format. Following the conclusion of the three-match T20I series in Bangladesh, Pakistan team will arrive in the USA on Sunday, 27 July.15-member squad for T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim16-member squad for ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan MoqimTeam management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding Coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Mohammad Ehsan (masseur)Tour schedule:31 July – First T20I v West Indies, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, USA2 Aug – Second T20I v West Indies, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, USA3 Aug – Third T20I v West Indies, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, USA8 Aug – First ODI v West Indies, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad & Tobago10 Aug – Second ODI v West Indies, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad & Tobago12 Aug – Third ODI v West Indies, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad & Tobago

Sports Bulletin ReportKent (England): Test off-spinner Sajid Khan has been ruled out of the Shaheens’ tour of England after suffering a fracture to his right thumb during a training session at the Tonbridge School Ground in Kent.Pakistan Shaheens are set to take on the Professional County Club Select XI in the opening match of the three one-day matches, scheduled later today at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham.Sajid will return to Pakistan on the first available flight and will undergo further treatment at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. The team management has not requested Sajid’s replacement.

Sports Bulletin ReportDhaka (Bangladesh): Pakistan and Bangladesh will lock horns in a three-match T20I series beginning on Sunday, 20 May with the remaining two games to be staged on 22 and 24 May at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. All matches are set to begin at 5pm PKT with the toss to take place at 4.30pm. Pakistan are visiting Bangladesh for the first time since December 2021 as they arrived in the country on Wednesday, 16 July after taking part in an extensive training camp in Karachi. Salman Ali Agha, who has so far led Pakistan in 12 T20Is, will marshal the side in fourth T20I series.Pace duo of Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman Mirza are the two uncapped players in Pakistan’s squad and will be in line to make their international debuts during the series. Earlier, Pakistan had white-washed Bangladesh in a home three-match T20I series bagging 37-run, 57-run and seven-wicket wins at the Gaddafi Stadium in May and June. Litton Das-led Bangladesh will take the field on the back of an away 2-1 T20I series triumph over Sri Lanka last week. The overall T20I record between Pakistan and Bangladesh depicts the former’s domination as they have won 19 out of 22 T20Is since the first clash between both sides in September 2007 in Nairobi. Pakistan T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha: “We have changed the way we want to play but knowing the conditions is going to be the key. If the conditions allow us to play aggressively then we’ll surely play that way and in other case we’ll go accordingly. In our training we have tried to make sure that we experience match-like situations in order to get game ready.“Bangladesh are a tough opposition especially in their home conditions. We know what the challenges are going to be thrown at us and we are very excited to play here.”Pakistan T20I squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan MoqimBangladesh T20I squad: Litton Das (captain), Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Parvez Hossain Emon, Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain Patwari, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed and Towhid Hridoy.

Kent (SBR):Pakistan Shaheens held their first training session on Friday afternoon at the Tonbridge School Ground in Kent. The squad led by Test cricketer Saud Shakeel, arrived in England on Thursday evening to feature in a series comprising three one-day matches and two three-day fixtures.The one-day matches will be played against the Professional County Club Select XI on 22, 25 and 27 July, with the first two matches taking place at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham. The third one-day match will be held at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove.The first three-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and the Professional County Club Select XI will be staged at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove from 29 to 31 July. Pakistan Shaheens second three-day match, which will also be the final fixture of the tour, will take place against the South Asian Cricket Academy & MCC Young Cricketers XI at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury from 3 to 5 August.

 Lahore(SBR): Mohammad Irfan Khan, who has featured in nine ODIs and 14 T20Is for Pakistan will lead Pakistan Shaheens in the Top End T20 Series scheduled to take place in Darwin, Australia from 14 to 24 August. Pakistan Shaheens will play the opening match of the 11-team tournament against Bangladesh ‘A’ on 14 August at TIO Stadium in Darwin.The 15-member squad announced includes Abdul Samad (five T20Is), Faisal Akram (three ODIs), Haider Ali (two ODIs, 35 T20Is), Mubasir Khan (one T20I) – all featured for Pakistan men’s team previously, while Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman Mirza are part of Pakistan T20I squad for upcoming Bangladesh series.Shaheens’ second fixture in the T20 tournament will be against Scorchers at the TIO Stadium on 16 August, with the first ball set to be bowled at 4pm local time. The third Shaheens’ encounter in the tournament will be against Renegades on 18 August at the same venue with the first ball to be bowled at 6pm local time. On 19 August, Shaheens will take on Kingsmen at the DXC Arena with first ball to be bowled at 1pm local time.Shaheens’ fifth fixture in the event will be against Strikers at the DXC Arena, with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm. The sixth and final fixture of Shaheens will be against Nepal on 22 August at the DXC Arena with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm local time.The semi-finals and final of the event are scheduled for 24 August.The training camp for the Darwin-bound squad will be announced in due course.15-member squad:Mohammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah and Yasir KhanTeam management:Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Mohammad Ibrahim (analyst) and Mohammad Aleem (physio)Pakistan Shaheens fixtures:14 Aug – vs Bangladesh ‘A’, TIO Stadium (7pm local time)16 Aug – vs Scorchers, TIO Stadium (4pm local time)18 Aug – vs Renegades, TIO Stadium (6pm local time)19 Aug – vs Kingsmen, DXC Arena (1pm local time)20 Aug – vs Strikers, DXC Arena (7pm local time)22 Aug – vs Nepal, DXC Arena (7pm local time)24 Aug – Semi-finals and final

BIPIN DANIIn the ever-evolving landscape of modern cricket, where boundary-hitting has become an indispensable art, one man stands out for his scientific approach to unleashing brute force with finesse—Julian Wood. The former Hampshire cricketer turned power-hitting specialist has revolutionized the way batters train to clear the ropes, combining cricketing nuances with cutting-edge biomechanics and baseball-inspired methodologies.Wood’s trademark invention, the Power Hitting Program, isn't just a buzzword—it's a transformation toolkit. With stints at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), various county teams, and IPL franchise Punjab Kings, Wood’s reputation as a hitter-whisperer has crossed continents. His upcoming assignment with Sri Lanka Cricket, set from 30th July to 5th August, marks a strategic investment into sharpening the big-hitting blades of both men’s and women’s national teams.Purpose-Driven PartnershipIn a bid to ready its arsenal for prestigious assignments like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Asia Cup, and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka has roped in Wood to collaborate with National Coaches. His goal? To decode the science behind explosive stroke play and empower the next generation of Lankan finishers.Speaking to this reporter from England, Wood exudes optimism, "Yes, hopefully, the Sri Lankan cricketers will benefit more with this new technique. I have already spoken with head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and have worked with Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis in Abu Dhabi during T10 tournaments."He further revealed his special focus on uplifting women’s cricket, "I will be devoting two days with the women players in Sri Lanka. My service will benefit all the Lankan players—men and women—when they play 10-over tournaments. I will make them understand the techniques behind this."Innovation Born of BaseballWood’s methodology isn’t simply about muscle—it’s about mechanics. Years of studying biomechanics in the USA, particularly within baseball training regimes, led him to craft bespoke cricket-specific aids and drills that refine swing efficiency and generate greater bat speed. His patented training techniques are now sought-after by players craving consistency in striking the long ball under pressure.A Global VoyageWhile Wood won’t meet the Indian squad touring England currently, his cricketing footprint continues to expand. He shared, “I’ll be heading to the Cayman Islands next Monday to train players there.”That globe-trotting schedule is a testament to his stature as a pioneer in cricket’s brave new world—a world where power is no longer raw, but refined.