Sports Bulletin

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 3, 2020):-Pakistan women finished off their ICC Women’s T20 campaign with a rain abandoned match against Thailand women at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Tuesday. Heavy rain and showers after Thailand’s innings forced a premature end to the match without a single ball bowled in Pakistan’s 151-run chase. Pakistan finished the tournament with three points from four Group B games. They beat West Indies by eight wickets in their opening match before losing to England and South Africa which ended their hopes of a semi-final spot from the five-team group. Earlier on Tuesday, Thailand won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Nattakan Chantam and Nattaya Boochatham got their team off to a flying start courtesy a 93-run first wicket partnership. Boochatham was dismissed for 44 (40 balls, 8 fours) in the 14th over by spinner Anam Amin, Chantam went on to complete her half-century (56 off 50 balls, 10 fours), she was sent packing by Diana Baig who took a fine catch off her own bowling in the 16th over. Chanida Sutthiruang (20 off 15 balls, two fours) and wicketkeeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai (20 not out off 13 balls, three fours) carried on the good work done by the openers by maintaining the tempo in the death overs.  Thailand finished their 20 overs at an impressive 150 for three (Highest T20I total for Thailand), Nida Dar (1-17), Diana Baig (1-21) and Aman Amin (1-40) took the three Thailand wickets to fall. Scores in brief: Thailand Women 150 for 3, 20 overs (Nattakan Chantam 56, Nattaya Boochatham 44; Nida Dar 1-17, Diana Baig 1-21)

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 3, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today advised its national women’s team not to lose heart after their failure to qualify for their maiden semi-final in an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Seventh-ranked Pakistan clinically defeated 2016 champions and fifth-ranked West Indies in their opener, but then lost back-to-back matches against number-two ranked 2007 champions England and sixth-ranked South Africa. Pakistan’s final league match in Group-B against Thailand was washed out after the 11th ranked had set the green shirts a 151-run target. Urooj Mumtaz, Chair of the women’s selection committee said: “The impressive eight-wicket victory against the West Indies, had given all of us the hope that the Pakistan national women's team will qualify for the semi-finals. So, from that perspective, it was disappointing to see the girls finish with three points. “The absence of the captain, Bismah Maroof, for the South Africa fixture due to a communitive fracture in her right thumb affected the team's combination and moral. Bismah brings vast experience and stability in the batting line along with impressive qualities as a leader, both of which were severely missed in the remaining games. “Nevertheless, we are satisfied to see that the girls are continuing to progress by making strides in the upward direction. The experience and exposure gained from this tournament will certainly help the players improve further and narrow the gap with the top sides.” Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory over the West Indies was only their seventh in 28 matches in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup since 2009. Their previous wins were against India (2012 and 2016), Ireland (2014 and 2018), Sri Lanka (2014) and Bangladesh (2016). “In the 50-over ICC Women's Championship 2017-2020, Pakistan are fifth on the points table - ahead of New Zealand and the West Indies. So, overall there has been an improvement in the standard of women's cricket and with the investment the PCB is making at the grassroots level and the opportunities being offered at the international level, we remain optimistic that soon Pakistan will become a top competitive side. “During the tournament, Nida Dar and Javeria Khan became third and fourth Pakistan woman cricketers to complete a century of T20Is after Bismah and Sana Mir. On behalf of the PCB, I want to congratulate both on their achievements and I am sure they will continue to serve the country with distinction in years to come," former captain Urooj Mumtaz said.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 3, 2020):-Chloe Tryon says South Africa are playing Australia at the perfect time as their semi-final clash with the hosts was confirmed at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020. South Africa's semi-final clash with Australia was rubber-stamped after their final group game against West Indies was washed out Chloe Tryon says the 2014 semi-finalists have learnt the lessons of past failures and can challenge the four-time winners West Indies finished third in Group B, with Anisa Mohammed frustrated they couldn't end their campaign on a high The Proteas' place at the top of Group B was confirmed as they took a point with no play possible against the West Indies at Sydney Showground, setting up a clash with the hosts at the SCG. South Africa have shown signs they've learnt from semi-final slip-ups gone past and Tryon says they're ready to take on the reigning champions in their own backyard. "We're pleased with our group stage, we've played really good cricket and the maturity we've shown has been nice to see," said the hard-hitting all-rounder. "There's going to be a lot of emotion around the semi-final, it's Australia's home ground and we know there's going to be a big crowd. "We've just got to stay in our space. We want to play the world champions, and we've wanted to play them for a while now. "To face them in a semi-final is probably the biggest game for us." Dane van Niekerk's side have never beaten Australia in any form of the game, losing in all four of their Women’s T20 World Cup meetings and in 13 of their 15 ODI clashes. The washout in Sydney was a disappointing end to West Indies' World Cup campaign that saw them beat only Thailand and lose to England and Pakistan. Vice-captain Anisa Mohammed, who would have stood in for injured Stafanie Taylor had the game gone ahead, felt the abandoned game was an opportunity missed. "It was disappointing to leave before the semi-finals and we would have liked to have played tonight to go home with a win," she said. "We'd liked to have had the chance to prove ourselves and we're playing South Africa in a couple of months, so we'd liked to have gone into that competition with a win. "There are some positives from the tournament - we fielded well and looked good as a bowling unit, going back we're going to have to work on our batting. "Players have to pick themselves up and as much as management can give advice, it's up to the players to perform on the day." ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Semi-Finals 5 March Semi-Final 1: India v England, Sydney Cricket Ground, 15h00 Semi-Final 2: South Africa v Australia, Sydney Cricket Ground, 19h00

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 3, 2020):-The umpires and officials for the two ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 semi-finals have been appointed following the conclusion of the group stage. Match officials before the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup match between England and Pakistan at Manuka Oval on February 28, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. The two semi-finals will take place on 5 March at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with India playing England at 15h00 before South Africa face Australia at 19h00 local time. Claire Polosak of Australia and Pakistan official Ahsan Raza will be in the middle for the first match between India and England, champions of the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009. Home umpire Polosak also took charge when the two faced off in the 2018 semi-finals, while Raza officiated India’s Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 last-four match against Australia. The two on-field umpires will be supported by West Indies’ Gregory Brathwaite as TV umpire, while Langton Rusere of Zimbabwe will be fourth umpire for the contest. Australia’s Steve Bernard will oversee the game as match referee. Group B winners South Africa will contest the second semi-final with four-time champions Australia, with Kim Cotton and Nitin Menon standing as on-field umpires. The two bring experience to the middle with Cotton of New Zealand among those to officiate in the last tournament, held in the West Indies, where India’s Menon looked after the semi-final between Australia and the hosts. Menon was partnered by Rusere for that match, and the Zimbabwean will be TV umpire for Thursday’s second semi-final. Brathwaite will be fourth umpire while England’s Chris Broad is the match referee.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 2, 2020):-Karachi Kings defeated Peshawar Zalmi by six wickets in the PSL fixture on Monday at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, as Babar Azam’s innings 70 (59balls)was the major difference of the day. Babar Azam guided Karachi Kings to a comfortable victory by scoring an unbeaten 70 runs off 59 balls, hitting 10 fours in his innings. Sharjeel Khan failed to perform this time, getting trapped lbw off a Hassan Ali delivery for 4. Alex Hales and Babar's partnership was instrumental in putting the Kings in the driving seat of the match. Hales scored 49 off 27 balls, hitting two sixes and six 4s. Delport didn't contribute much to the total as well, scoring an unimpressive 2 runs from 4 balls before being caught by Banton off a Yasir Shah delivery. Walton scored 22 off 16 balls before he got out, caught by Rahat Ali off a Brathwaite delivery. It was then left for Babar and Iftikhar Ahmed to ensure their team emerged victorious at the end of the day.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 2, 2020):-Beth Mooney’s brilliant half-century proved the difference as Australia beat New Zealand by four runs to make the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 semi-finals. Beth Mooney of Australia celebrates and acknowledges the crowd after hitting a half century during the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand at Junction Oval on March 02, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Beth Mooney hit 60 off 50 balls to help Australia to 155 for five in their must-win match with New Zealand Georgia Wareham’s three for 17 sent the top-order into collapse and ensured a semi-final berth for the hosts and four-time champions Australia will face either South Africa or England in the semi-finals in Sydney  Mooney’s 60 runs from 50 balls, including six fours and two sixes, helped Australia to 155 for five with the White Ferns requiring the highest successful chase of the tournament to win at Junction Oval. New Zealand, who have made the semi-finals once since 2012, fell agonisingly short as their top-order struggled in Melbourne for the third successive game. Megan Schutt took three for 22 but Georgia Wareham (three for 17) was the pick of the bowlers after taking the crucial wickets of Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green to set Australia on their way. It was far from the start the hosts would have wanted as star opener Alyssa Healy fell cheaply when she hit in-form Hayley Jensen straight to Amelia Kerr at mid-wicket. But the second-wicket partnership of Mooney and Meg Lanning quickly put them back into control, the pair hitting five boundaries between them to end the Powerplay at 38 for one. The skipper was in no mood to settle for singles as she hit back-to-back fours off Anna Peterson’s first two balls but her actions proved over-ambitious as her top-edged sweep was caught by Lea Tahuhu at short fine leg for 21. With Healy and Lanning gone, Mooney was left to steer the ship and she did so in remarkable fashion, blasting two sixes over mid-on followed by hitting successive boundaries in the 13th to grab her half-century. The Australian celebrations were short-lived, however, as Leigh Kasperek bowled Ashleigh Gardner for 20. Mooney then fell in the 18th over when Bates took an excellent tumbling catch at long-on off Peterson to end her stay in the middle. Ellyse Perry made 21 before being stumped by Rachel Priest on the penultimate ball while 19 from Rachael Haynes helped the hosts set a high chase. Priest powered New Zealand into a promising start, hitting three boundaries in the first three overs but the opener was sent packing in the fourth when Jess Jonassen trapped her lbw for 17. It was a steady start from Devine and Bates but a misfield allowed Bates to bring needed momentum to the chase with two boundaries in the seventh. But Bates once again fell short of her well-known potential as she was dismissed lbw by Wareham for 14 in the next over. The hosts did well to restrict their opponents but were dealt with a blow when Perry was forced off the field after sustaining a hamstring injury. Wareham’s second wicket may just prove her biggest yet as she dismissed Devine for 31 thanks to Healy’s quick reaction with the gloves, leaving New Zealand’s middle-order under pressure. Two sixes from Green helped to lower the required run rate but she was the next to fall victim to Wareham’s canny bowling when Healy stumped her for 28. The introduction of Kerr, who set up a thrilling finale against India with her bat, couldn’t turn things around as the 19-year-old was bowled by Schutt for two before Jensen was caught by Nicola Carey at mid-off first ball. Anna Peterson was bowled by Schutt in the penultimate over for nine while Katey Martin’s (37 not out) late striking wasn’t enough to send the White Ferns through. Scores in brief Australia beat New Zealand by four runs, Junction Oval, Melbourne Australia 155-5, 20 overs (Beth Mooney 60, Ellyse Perry 21; Anna Peterson 2-31) New Zealand 151-7, 20 overs (Katey Martin 37 not out, Georgia Wareham 3-17, Megan Schutt 3-28)

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 2, 2020):-Pakistan will play their last Group-B match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against Thailand on Tuesday at the Sydney Showground Stadium. England and South Africa have already booked the two semi-final spots from the group hence the Pakistan-Thailand match will have no bearing on the group’s semi-finalists. Pakistan lost captain Bismah Maroof after the game against England, the left-handed top-order batter broke her thumb and was ruled out of the tournament. Javeria Khan who played her 100th T20I for Pakistan on Sunday (against South Africa) will lead the team against Thailand after also doing the captaincy duty on Sunday. Despite losing out on semi-final berths, Pakistan are keen on leaving the tournament on a high. Fast bowler Diana Baig has had an impressive tournament. She has provided Pakistan breakthroughs in opening overs of all three matches. The right-armer has picked-up five wickets in three games at 12.80 with a miserly 5.33 economy rate. In what will be Pakistan’s last outing in this edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Diana wants to leave a mark against Thailand. Diana Baig said: “We are disappointed at losing out on the semi-final spot since we had a very good chance especially after beating West Indies. But now our focus is on producing a clinical performance against Thailand and finishing the tournament on a high. “I have enjoyed bowling on Australian pitches especially with the new ball; I feel I have good rhythm which has helped me get early wickets in all three matches. I hope to produce a good performance on Tuesday and lead my team to a victory.” Aimen Anwar, Diana’s new-ball partner has taken six wickets so far at 17.50. At present she is the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan, Aimen however has been a touch expensive with her 8.75 economy rate. Javeria with 82 runs at 27.33 and 106.49 strike-rate is Pakistan’s leading run scorer going into the Thailand game. All-rounder Aliya Riaz who has provided fireworks in the lower-order has an 80-run tally with only a single dismissal. She has maintained a healthy 123.07 strike-rate. 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: 3 March – Pakistan v Thailand, 9am (PST)

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-Big guns Karachi Kings outclassed hosts Islamabad United by 5 wickets in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) fixture at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Sunday night. Batsmen of both teams amused the spectators of twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as the stadium was fully packed. Islamabad United scored 183 runs in allotted 20 overs, as chasing 184, Karachi Kings started the innings with a nightmare start when their superstar opener Babar Azam ran out without open his account without facing a ball. Sharjeel Khan showed some his batting class by contributing a blistering 20-ball 38 before Alex Hales (52) and Cameron Delport ‘s(38) crucial 66-run partnership turned the table of the game in Karachi’s favour. Earlier, Luke Ronchi hit unbeaten 85 off 58 and increasingly impressive Shadab Khan’s 31-ball 54 were the major contributors. Their 106-run stand for the fourth wicket had helped the capital city side to a total which had seemed unlikely when they had lost their first wicket in the very first over.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-Javeria Khan became only the fourth Pakistan woman cricketer to register a century of T20I matches when the Pakistan national women’s team played South Africa Women in their third Group-B fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against South Africa at Sydney Showground Stadium on Sunday. Javeria, the 31-year-old top-order batter, led the team after Bismah Maroof was ruled out of the tournament following an injury in the match against England. Javeria made her first T20I appearance in May 2009 and is the second highest run-getter for Pakistan with 1,826 runs at an average of 22. Her 204 fours are the most for any Pakistan batter and she has made eight half-centuries, to date. She was the skipper of the national side in the 2018 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Overall, she has captained Pakistan in 11 matches. The record of the most number of T20Is from Pakistan sits with Bismah Maroof, who has donned the national colours in 108 matches. Sana Mir and Nida Dar, with 106 and 101, have the second and third most matches in the format. Javeria Khan said: “It is truly an honour for me that I led Pakistan in my 100th T20I. It has been a remarkable journey and I feel very blessed that I have been wearing the national colours for the past 11 years. “It is disappointing that we couldn’t make the most of the chances and areas of advantage in today’s match and I would have been happy had we won this crucial match. The girls fought tooth and nail, but credit to the South Africa for winning the match and becoming the first team from our group to enter the semi-finals. “It has been an exciting journey and I have learnt a great deal not only about cricket but other aspects of life as well. It gives me great pleasure to see where Pakistan cricket has gotten today. The fans take a keen interest and follow our matches everywhere in the world. “This has also led to more participation from young girls into sports and it is heartening for me to see talented youngsters from schools and colleges coming up.” Pakistan now play Thailand in their last Group B match on Tuesday at the same venue, the match will start at 9:00 am 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, Nahida Khan, 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).

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-South Africa Women beat Pakistan Women by 17 runs to secure a semi-final berth in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the Group-B fixture played at Sydney Showground Stadium on Sunday. Pakistan managed 119 for five in their pursuit of the 137-run target. In-form Aliya Riaz was the top-scorer in the Pakistan innings with an unbeaten 32-ball 39. The all-rounder struck three fours and a six. Captain Javeria Khan, playing her 100th T20I, made 31 off 34, hitting four fours, and helped her side stage a recovery after an early collapse which saw Pakistan lose three wickets for eight runs as the scorecard read 26 for three inside seven overs. Pakistan seemed to gain momentum, but Javeria’s run-out in the 11th over at the non-striker’s end swung the match in South Africa’s favour. Aliya struck the ball down the ground and as Chloe Tryon, the bowler, went down in her follow-through to field, it rolled onto the stumps after deflecting off her fingers. Earlier, Laura Wolvaardt scored an unbeaten 53 from 36 balls after South Africa opted to bat. The right-hand batter struck eight fours and was instrumental in helping her side set up a competitive score. Diana Baig struck early and had South Africa one down for four runs with the wicket of Lizelle Lee (four) on the fourth ball of the match. The medium-fast bowler struck again as Lee’s opening partner Dane Van Niekerk (three) was also back in the pavilion as Diana bowled her in the fifth over. Marizanne Kapp, batting at three, denied any further inroads and pushed back the Pakistan bowlers with her 32-ball 31, which include two fours and a six. Diana returned two for 19 in four overs, while all other four bowlers – Anam Amin, Aiman Anwer, Syeda Aroob Shah and Nida Dar – picked up a wicket each. In their last group fixture, Pakistan play Thailand Women at the same venue on Tuesday, 3 March. Scores in brief South Africa Women 136-6, 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 53 not out, Marizanne Kapp 31; Diana Baig 2-19) Pakistan Women 119-5, 20 0vers (Aliya Riaz 39 not out, Javeria Khan 31) Result South Africa Women win by 17 runs.