Sports Bulletin

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-Heavy and persistent rain forced the cancellation of the 13th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 between hosts Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday. The two former champions shared the two points (one-each). Rawalpindi received heavy rain on Friday night and on Saturday. Another spell before the start of the match ended any hopes of even a shortened game. Zalmi had beaten Lahore Qalandars in a 12-over, shortened match played at the same venue last night (Friday). On the HBL PSL 2020 points table, Multan Sultans currently occupy the first spot with eight points followed by defending champions Quetta Gladiators who have six points; both teams have played five matches each. United and Zalmi are third and fourth respectively with five points each after their five games. Karachi Kings have two points from three games while Lahore Qalandars are yet to register a point after three games. On Sunday, United will take on Kings in Rawalpindi; the night match will start at 7pm.

Salman Khan MULTAN (February 29, 2020):-Table-toppers Multan Sultans further strengthened their position at the top of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 points table with a comfortable 30-run win over reigning champions Quetta Gladiators at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Left-handed middle order batsman Rilee Rossouw (man-of-the-match) was the star for the Sultans as his blazing century helped set-up the victory for the home side. Chasing 200 runs for a win, the Gladiators were restricted to 169 for seven by Sultans. Opener Shane Watson fought a lone battle for his side with a whirlwind 80 off 41 balls. Watson hit seven fours and seven sixes before his dismissal in the 16th over derailed Gladiators’ chase. Jason Roy who opened the innings with Watson scored 30 off 27 balls; no other batsman could offer much to the disciplined Sultans attack who held their nerve on a batting friendly pitch. Fast bowler Bilawal Bhatti drafted in the eleven in place of Shahid Afridi took three while veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir took two wickets. Sultans recorded wins in all three home games of the HBL PSL 2020 Multan-leg, while they also defeated Lahore Qalandars in Lahore, earlier in the tournament. There four wins have given them eight points and the top position in the six-team competition. Earlier, Rossouw’s unbeaten century was the fastest in HBL PSL history; the left-hander who was part of Gladiators’ title winning team last year turned the tables on his former team in spectacular fashion. Rossouw hit six towering sixes and 10 fours in his 44-ball knock, he reached his century off 43 balls to establish a new HBL PSL fastest century record. Rossouw added 139 runs for the fourth wicket with his captain Shan Masood (46 off 32 balls, six fours), the partnership was compiled off a mere 64 balls. The two came together at the fall of Moeen Ali’s (6) wicket with the total reading 48 for three in 7.5 overs. Their alliance though changed the complexion of the game with Rossouw doing the bulk of damage with a stunning onslaught that left the Gladiators bowlers helpless. Mohammad Nawaz took one for 16 for the Gladiators, Mohammad Hasnain, Ben Cutting, Naseem Shah and Sohail Khan all took one wicket each but were all taken for plenty of runs by Rossouw and co. Scores in brief Multan Sultans 199 for 5, 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 100 not out, Shan Masood 46; Mohammad Nawaz 1-16, Mohammad Hasnain 1-38) Quetta Gladiators 169 for 7, 20 overs (Shane Watson 80, Jason Roy 30; Bilawal Bhatti 3-26, Imran Tahir 2-27) Result: Multan Sultans win by 30 runs

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-In order to further encourage spectators at the three remaining HBL Pakistan Super League venues, discounted tickets for students will be available across Pakistan at designated TCS outlets from Sunday. The HBL PSL has received an overwhelming response from cricket fans across the country with packed houses a regular feature in the Multan and Rawalpindi-legs. The National Stadium Karachi and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium had earlier seen big crowds on the opening three days of the tournament while both venues saw passionate cricket supporters pack the two stadiums to capacity in last Sunday’s double-headers ( 22 February). With the league entering an even more exciting stage as the six teams push hard for the four play-off berths, a new and exciting offer ‘March Madness’ has been unveiled.

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-Both Pakistan and South Africa have all to play for when they clash in the crucial ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group-B clash at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Sunday. South Africa are currently leading the group with four points coming from two victories, while Pakistan have a win and a loss in their two matches. Opener Javeria Khan will lead the team tomorrow following Bismah Maroof's injury in Pakistan's last match against England, which ruled her out of the remaining tournament. Pakistan have two points from two games (win against West Indies, defeat to England), a win tomorrow will give Pakistan a real shot at a semi-final spot considering their last match is against lowly Thailand. On the other hand a victory for South Africa will almost guarantee a semi-final spot for them. The two teams competed in an enthralling five-match T20I series last year which was won by South Africa 3-2, with Pakistan winning the first and the third match of the series. All-rounder Aliya Riaz, who scored 41 off 33 balls in Pakistan’s 42-run defeat against England on Friday, feels her side has the capability of defeating South Africa and the recent results against them have given her hopes of a good performance. Aliya Riaz said: “We were not up to our best against England but I feel we have a very good chance of doing well against South Africa. We played a very competitive series against them in their own backyard last year which gives us added confidence going into the game tomorrow. “I felt I am in good batting form and enjoyed my innings against England albeit the result didn’t go in our favour. If we can replicate the performance we gave against West Indies we have a great chance of beating South Africa and improving our chances of a place in the semi-finals.” Pakistan began their campaign in style on Wednesday when they defeated the West Indies by eight wickets at the Manuka Oval, Canberra. England defeated them in their second match on Friday which was played at the same venue. Sunday’s Pakistan-South Africa match begins at 9am (PST). Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Javeria Khan (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst). Upcoming fixtures: 1 March – South Africa v Pakistan, 9am (PST) 3 March – Pakistan v Thailand, 9am (PST)

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-Hayley Jensen and Leigh Kasperek took three wickets apiece as New Zealand produced a tremendous comeback to down Bangladesh at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. New Zealand bowled Bangladesh out for 74 to boost their semi-final hopes Three wickets apiece for Hayley Jensen and Leigh Kasperek helped the White Ferns win with the lowest score ever defended at a World Cup. Ritu Moni took four wickets to help dismiss New Zealand for 91. The White Ferns were up against it having been bowled out for 91 but the bowlers did the job to dismiss Bangladesh 17 runs short of the target in the first meeting between the teams. Ritu Moni’s first four-wicket haul was not enough to steer Bangladesh to an historic victory in Group A, with her four for 18 the best figures of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 so far. They battled in the modest chase but were dismissed for 74, with the White Ferns’ effort the lowest score to ever be successfully defended in the competition. Bangladesh kept things tight before Rachel Priest found her feet to steer New Zealand to 33 without loss after they chose to bat. Captain Salma Khatun stepped in to halt the flow by removing her opposite number Sophie Devine for 12, Fahima Khatun with the catch at backward point. And the skipper was in a merciless mood as she trapped Priest LBW for 25. Suzie Bates helped New Zealand find rhythm but she soon fell when bowled by Ritu for 15. Bangladesh’s bowling brilliance continued as Maddy Green was stumped by Nigar Sultana Joty off Rumana Ahmed before they claimed their second scalp in as many balls when Jensen was run out backing up. The pressure continued to mount as Katey Martin perished for six when caught at point by Fahima Khatun off Ritu. Anna Petersen then fell when Fargana Hoque Pinky ran in from long-on to take a stunning diving catch off Ritu, while an impressive take from Fahima stopped Amelia Kerr (5) from saving the day. Ritu ended her stint with the first four-wicket haul Bangladesh have taken in the World Cup and Rumana took her second when Kasperek was stumped for two. It was only fitting that skipper Salma would be there to polish the innings, trapping Lea Tahuhu lbw as New Zealand lost their eight wickets for just 25 runs. It was only the third time the White Ferns had been kept under 100 runs at a World Cup but it was clear they weren’t going to go down without a fight as Jensen (three for 11) and Kasperek (three for 23) made amends. Bangladesh soon had batting woes of their own, Kasperek dealing with Murshida Khatun (11) while Ayasha Rahman was caught by Devine at mid-off off Jensen. Held at 32-3 at the midway point, Bangladesh’s eagerness to lower the required rate proved costly as Fargana Hoque and Ritu Moni were both run-out in comfortable fashion. Jensen took her second scalp when she trapped Rumana lbw for one before Bates caught Sobhana Mostaray for seven at mid-on off Devine. Jahanara Alam was the seventh to depart when she was bowled by spinner Kerr, before Jensen took her third scalp in the same manner against Fahima. Salma could only manage four before she was bowled by Kasperek, who claimed her third against Nigar Sultana (21) in the final over to seal the win. The win for New Zealand means Group A is perfectly set-up for a final showdown, with a Trans-Tasman match on Monday seeing them face Australia on Monday, with the winner set to reach the semi-finals. Scores in brief New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 17 runs, Junction Oval, Melbourne New Zealand 91 all out, 18.2 overs (Rachel Priest 25; Ritu Moni 4-18, Salma Khatun 3-7) Bangladesh 74 all out, 19.5 overs (Nigar Sultana Joty 21, Hayley Jensen 3-11, Leigh Kasperek 3-23)

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 has approved Nahida Khan as a replacement for Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof. Experienced batter Nahida, 33, who has played 59 ODIs and 53 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Bismah was ruled out due to a thumb injury sustained during their match against England. Javeria Khan has been nominated as the captain. 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 Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 consists of Geoff Allardice (ICC, Chairman), Chris Tetley (ICC representative), Nick Hockley, Peter Roach (host representatives), Isa Guha, Anjum Chopra (independent nominees).

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-Pakistan have brought renewed energy to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and their notable improvement hasn’t been lost on South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk. The Proteas sit with two wins from two atop Group B but their bid for perfection won’t be easy, with Pakistan already overcoming West Indies in the competition so far. Great strides have been made by the Asian team since the last edition two years ago – and with a semi-final spot on the line, Van Niekerk knows her side can’t take anything for granted in Sydney. “I said to Lizelle [Lee] when we walked in to the stadium, they’ve got a skip in their step, they look like a very energetic team, they look ready,” said the skipper. “You can feel the energy popping off them and I got excited for the game against them as I know it will be hard fought. “We know how good Pakistan are, especially in ICC tournaments. They’re one of those teams that you know it brings out the best in them. “We are definitely not going to take not even one over lightly against them. I think it will be a difficult game. “It was nice to see where they’ve gone since we played them at home and again they’ve improved massively as a team. It’s definitely back to the drawing board to try and sort our plans before we get into Sydney.” Pakistan’s bid for a second win in Australia was dealt a blow after their loss to England, with captain Bismah Maroof ruled out of the tournament after suffering a fracture in her right thumb. Javeria Khan, who captained in the Women’s T20 World Cup two years ago, will lead the team once again while Nahida Khan comes in as the injury replacement. Pakistan will need to be ready from the off against the Proteas, whose 195 for three last time out against Thailand was the highest score in Women’s T20 World Cup history. But Aiman Anwar, who has five wickets in two Group B matches to date, feels their new-found belief means another big performance is far from out of the question at the Sydney Showground. “We will look forward to restricting South Africa if they bat first,” she said. “Even if they score well, we have the ability to put runs on the board. “We have chased 160+ against West Indies in Karachi, we want to play good matches. “We had some good momentum, we unfortunately couldn’t carry that on after the loss against England but we are looking to get that back against South Africa and Thailand. “Our spinners have been doing well, they’ve won a lot of matches for us and we’ll see if that can happen again. “I truly believe we are getting better, we have beaten teams that are ranked higher than us so were are positive, we have good intent, and I think this World Cup is open for any team.”

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (February 29, 2020):-Peshawar Zalmi scored an emphatic 16-run win in a rain shortened match of the HBL Pakistan Super League against Lahore Qalandars at the Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi  on Friday night. This was Zalmi’s second win in four games; Qalandars on the other hand remain pointless with their third straight loss in the HBL PSL 2020 edition. Persistent rain and a wet outfield caused a delayed start, that the shortened game was even staged was also due to untiring efforts of the Rawalpindi ground staff. The match was reduced to 12 over aside. Qalandars set a 133-run target were restricted by Zalmi to 116 for six. Samit Patel with 34 not out off 15 balls was the top-scorer for Qalandars in their failed chasing effort. Chris Lynn contributed 30 off 15 balls while Fakhar Zaman scored 22. Lewis Gregory with four for 25 off three overs was the pick of the Zalmi bowlers. Batting first, Zalmi posted 132 for seven in their 12 overs courtesy man-of-the-match Haider Ali and Tom Banton’s 34-run each cameos. Banton who opened the innings hit two sixes and four fours off the 15 balls he faced before falling to David Wiese. The teenaged Haider struck four sixes and one four off the 12 balls he faced before becoming one of fast bowler Dilbar Hussain’s four victims. The right-armer Dilbar bowled with sustained pace and guile to curtail the Zalmi batting onslaught in a three over spell which yielded him four wickets for 24 runs. Wiese took two wickets for 12 runs off his two overs. Scores in brief Peshawar Zalmi 132 for 7, 12 overs (Haider Ali 34, Tom Banton 34; Dilbar Hussain 4-24) Lahore Qalandars 116 for 6, 12 overs (Samit Patel 34, Chris Lynn 30; Lewis Gregory 4-25)    

SB News ISLAMABAD (February 28, 2020):-Nida Dar has become the Pakistan’s third woman cricketer to take part in 100 T20Is when Pakistan played England in their second Group-B fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at the Manuka Oval, Canberra today (Friday). The all-rounder started her T20I career in the 2010 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and is the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the format with 94 wickets at an average of 17.76 and third highest run-getter with 1,104 runs at a strike-rate of 95.83. The 33-year-old is the third Pakistan woman cricketer after current captain Bismah Maroof (107 matches) and former captain Sana Mir (106 matches) to achieve the milestone. She currently has 99 T20I appearances for Pakistan. Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst). Upcoming fixtures: 1 March – South Africa v Pakistan, 9am (PST) 3 March – Pakistan v Thailand, 9am (PST)

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (February 28, 20202):-South Africa and England each moved one step closer to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 semi-finals with impressive wins in Canberra. The Proteas enjoyed a record-breaking afternoon at the Manuka Oval as Lizelle Lee’s 101 helped them to 195 for three, the highest score in the competition. They eventually downed Thailand by 113 runs to head top of Group B with two wins from two, joined by England on four points after their second victory later in the day. Heather Knight and Nat Sciver were both in the runs while Sarah Glenn and Sophie Ecclestone spun the 2009 champions to a 42-run win over Pakistan. Lizelle Lee’s outstanding century led South Africa to the record books with the highest score in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history in victory over Thailand. The opener struck 101 from just 60 balls in Canberra, a knock which, combined with Sune Luus’ unbeaten 61, helped the Proteas to 195 for three. Chloe Tryon also blitzed 24 late runs to take the game away from Thailand, who were bowled out for 82 in response to lose by 113 runs in the Group B clash. Luus completed her all-round excellence to finish with three wickets, as did Shabnim Ismail, while Onnicha Kamchomphu’s 26 was the solitary note of resistance for the debutants. “Things haven’t gone my way since the New Zealand tour, so it was just good to get some runs on the board and get that confidence back,” said Lee. “It’s two different things, batting in the nets and out in the middle. I was hitting the ball well out in the nets, it just didn’t come off in the middle. That does make your confidence dip. “I think every batter needs a little bit of confidence, you can’t go out there not having any. If it’s your day, you have to go out and cash in and I was pleased to do that for the team." Thailand captain Sornnarin Toppoch added: “We were disappointed with that performance. We didn’t bowl well, we didn’t field well and particularly we didn’t bat well. “We’re a bit flustered when Lizelle came at us, so we never had a chance to find our lines and lengths. We’ve got to find a way of correcting that moving forward into the next games. “It’s different facing it in practice and moving into a real-life situation. “Teams are going to come at us hard at this level, we’ve got to step up in this respect, improve our fielding and be a bit more tidy when we’re in the field.” Shrubsole takes 100th wicket while spinners deliver England made it two wins from three in Group B as spinners Sarah Glenn (three for 15) and Sophie Ecclestone (two for 12) combined to great effect in victory over Pakistan. Chasing 159, Pakistan were always behind the rate, even before the two tweakers went for a combined 27 runs in their eight overs, taking five wickets on the way. Anya Shrubsole also delivered with three scalps, the last seeing her dismiss Diana Baig caught and bowled to become the third woman to reach 100 T20I wickets. Heather Knight (62) and Nat Sciver (36) once again delivered with the bat but England’s opening pair of Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt are both still to fire in the tournament. “It’s been great to have Sophie with me, she’s a similar age but has some more experience in the team,” said Glenn. “If I’m ever nervous or unsure about anything, she’s always there to talk it through on and off the field. She’s a key asset to the team. “We’re really positive as a group. It was gutting to lose against South Africa but we’re feeling really good and have plenty of momentum now. “We’ve had a lot of success in Canberra, especially Heather, who’s had a brilliant time. We’ve got a lot of good memories to take into Sydney.” Pakistan’s Aliya Riaz added: “We made mistakes in the field and dropped some catches. That’s the difference between us and England. “We believed at the halfway stage when Javeria started well, we built some partnerships and I tried to do my best at the end. I tried to hit the ball as hard as possible. “Some catches dropped is the responsibility of the fielders. These are our mistakes. “We need to build more partnerships and make fewer mistakes in fielding and bowling.” Scores in brief South Africa beat Thailand by 113 runs, Manuka Oval, Canberra South Africa 195-3, 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 101, Sune Luus 61 not out; Ratanporn Padunglerd 1-19) Thailand 82 all out, 19.1 overs (Onnicha Kamchomphu 26; Shabnim Ismail 3-8, Sune Luus 3-15) England beat Pakistan by 42 runs, Manuka Oval, Canberra England 158-7, 20 overs (Heather Knight 62, Nat Sciver 36; Aiman Anwar 3-30) Pakistan 116 all out, 19.4 overs (Aliya Riaz 41; Sarah Glenn 3-15, Anya Shrubsole 3-25)