Sports Bulletin

BIPIN DANI Nepal's 22-year-old bowler who has been charged for raping a minor girl has been given a bail, it is confirmed. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kathmandu, the president (Chatur Bahadur Chand) and the secretary (Prashant Malla) of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), revealed, "Sandeep has been granted a bail in this case by High Court Patan in Kathmandu for a surety of Nepali rupees 20 lacs". "The bail is a partial relief but has been a great relief to him and his family. Sandeep was frustrated in the jail and everyone was awaiting this relief". Sandeep Lamichhane had been taken into custody on October 6 last year 2022 by police in Kathmandu in response to the arrest warrant that had been issued in his name over an alleged case of coercion / rape. This reporter can confirm the girl, whose name is Barsha Dangal and her claim of being a minor is challenged. Sandeep has been suspended by the CAN and it will not be until he is proven innocent. In another development in Australia, the Sri Lankan cricketer, Danushka Gunathilaka, who is also charged for the same offence and was bailed earlier is not yet freed. His case on Thursday was adjourned to February 23.    

BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who rang the 2-minute bell at the Eden Gardens on Thursday may be one of the very few cricketers who has had this honour at Lord's in London also. "We approached Sanga to ring our bell on Thursday and he readily accepted our proposal", Snehasish Ganguly, the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and venue for the 2nd ODI between India and Sri Lanka, said. Sanga has been one of the TV commentators in this bialateral series. "The two-minute bell is rung before the start of a day's play during all international matches, be it Test, ODI orT-20I. We want to follow the legacy of Lord's". Sanga rang the bell at Lord's on the first day of the 3rd Test between England and Sri Lanka in 2016. The tradition of ringing the bell at Lord's begain in 2007. Incidentally, Sanga also became the first non-Asian president of the MCC. "We have installed this bell 5-6 years ago when my brother Sourav was the president of the association and this practice will continue". "Generally, we invite international cricketers for this. India’s first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev was the first bell ringer at Eden Gardens when this Lord's-type bell was installed at the iconic ground and the match was played against visiting New Zealand team", he added. It is learnt that at Lord's, the bell is rung at 5-minute before the match.

BIPIN DANI On last Tuesday, Team India captain Rohit Sharma did exactly opposite to what Sri Lankan spinner Suraj Randiv did in 2010 to ensure that opener Virender Sehwag misses out his hundred. He bowled a last ball no ball, thus Sehwag remained Not Out on 99, though India could win the match. Lanka spinner Dasun Shanaka could get a hundred, thanks to Rohit Sharma, who withdrew the run out appeal when pacer Shami had run Shanaka (he was on 98 then) out at the non-striker's end for backing up too far. India was already in a winning position then. Whether Sharma could have shown the same gesture otherwise? "Yes, Rohit could have shown the same gesture irrespective of the match. Rohit is a good sportsman and he has shown this spirit (withdrawing appeal) in the IPL also", his coach, Dinesh Lad says. Rohit's gesture has well been appreciated by former Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya and Angelo Mathews. "To put an end to this problem, I think umpires can take a call by warning the batsman not to leave the crease earlier. If he repeats it, caught red handed or by the third umpire then he should be declared out after a couple of warnings", says India's former chief selector MSK Prasad. "This will put an end to the embarrassment causing out of this kind of dismissal, especially to the bowler who is always at receiving end though he is right as per laws of the game". "It should be like out when a batsman is sent home for running on the pitch despite warnings". "The situation was well managed by Rohit Sharma", opines Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 79 runs in the second one-day international and leveled the three-match tie 1-1 here at National Bank Cricket Arena on Wednesday night. Green Shirts could score 182 runs, as they had 262 runs target to win the match and series too. Visitors set 262 runs target for the hosts with the lion share of Deven Conway 101 after lasting 92 balls with the help of 13 fours and a huge six while captain Kane scored 85 runs in a 100 balls innings. He smashed 10 boundaries. Sentre scored 37 runs. Mohammad Nawaz (4 for 38), Naseem Shah (3 for 58), Usama Mir (1 for 42) and Haris Rauf (1 for 47) were wicket taker bowlers for the home side. Pakistan were crawling behind the target till the end of the match, as opener batters failed to provide a solid start despite having a batting-friendly pitch. On the same surface, Kiwi players hit the strokes easily and at one stage it seemed that they would score over three hundred. However, Mohammad Nawaz and Nasim Shah restricted them to 261. Skipper Babar Azam was top scorer with 79 runs, as he wasted 114 balls during his innings. He hit 8 fours and one six, as this effort could not prove fruitful for the team. Babar was a bit slow according to the demanding situation. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 28 runs, as this was also show innings, as he faced 50 balls for his this meager innings. Tim Southee (2 for 33), Ish Sodhi (2 for 38), Michael Bracewell (1 for 29), Philips (1 for 13) and Mitchel Sentner (1 for 34) were wicket taker bowlers. Devon Conway was judged man of the match on his remarkable performance with the bat. Scorecard in Brief: Toss: New Zealand won and decided to bat New Zealand (Batting) 261 all out in 49.5 overs Devon Conway 101 runs (92 balls, 4x13, 6x1), Kane Williamson 85 runs (100 balls, 4x10, 6x0), Mitchell Sentrer 37 runs (40 balls, 4x1, 6x1) Pakistan Bowling: Mohammad Nawaz (4 for 38), Naseem Shah (3 for 58), Usama Mir (1 for 42) Haris Rauf (1 for 47) Pakistan (Batting): Target 262 in 50 overs Babar Azam 79 runs (114 balls, 4x8, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan 28 runs (50 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Agha Salman 25 runs (22 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Usama Mir 12 runs (9 balls, 4x1, 6x1) New Zealand Bowling: Tim Southee (2 for 33), Ish Sodhi (2 for 38), Michael Bracewell (1 for 29), Philips (1 for 13), Mitchel Sentner (1 for 34),    

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) to earn a 1-0 lead in the three-match Series at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi on Monday night. Green Shirts got their target in the 48.1 overs. Three half-centuries, Mohammad Rizwan (77 not out), Babar Azam (66), and Fakhar Zaman (56) helped Gren Shirts to achieve their target on the very first delivery of 48th over when Agha Salam hit a beautiful six at long-on boundary. Haris Shoail contributed 32 runs off 23 ball including two four and two sixes.    Earlier, after putting into bat by Pakistan, Kiwis batters scored 255 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs per innings fixture. Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) were the major contributors. Naseem Shah got five wickets after conceding 57 runs in his 10 overs. Scoreboard (First ODI) Toss: Pakistan won and decided to bowl first Venue: National Bank Arena Karachi New Zealand (Batting): 255 for 9 in 50 overs Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) Pakistan (Bowling) Naseem Shah (5 for 57), Usama Mir (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 38), Mohammad Wasim (1 for 43) Pakistan (Batting) Target 256 Mohammad Rizwan 77 runs not out (86 balls, 4x6, 6x1), Babar Azam 66 runs (82 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Fakhar Zaman 56 runs (74 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Haris Sohail 32 runs (23 balls, 4x2, 6x2) New Zealand (Bowling): Michael Bracewell (2 for 44), Glenn Phillips (1 for 35) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir Reserve players: Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, New Zealand (Playing XIs): Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner Reserve Players: Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Player of the match: Naseem Shah

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: The visitor’s team New Zealand set 256 runs target for the Green Shirts to win the first one-day international, which is going on at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi on Monday. After putting into bat by Pakistan, Kiwis batters scored 255 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs per innings fixture. Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) were the major contributors. Naseem Shah got five wickets after conceding 57 runs in his 10 overs. Scoreboard (First ODI) Toss: Pakistan won and decided to bowl first Venue: National Bank Arena Karachi New Zealand (Batting): 255 for 9 in 50 overs Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) Pakistan (Bowling) Naseem Shah (5 for 57), Usama Mir (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 38), Mohammad Wasim (1 for 43) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir Reserve players: Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, New Zealand (Playing XIs): Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner Reserve Players: Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner,  

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Pakistan won the toss and asked visitors to bat in the first one-day international match against New Zealand at National Cricket Stadium Karachi on Monday. Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir Reserve players: Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, New Zealand (Playing XIs): Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner Reserve Players: Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner,  

BIPIN DANI Bangladesh's Test captain Shakib Al Hasan is the most popular cricketer in this country. One can see the advertisement hoardings displaying his photo at the airport, malls, and several prominent places in the capital city. It is no surprise the young kids dreaming of becoming cricketers like him join his personal academy. "Yes, he is the only current cricketer running an academy (Masco Shakib Cricket Academy)", the former coach of the BCB and the Singapore Cricket Association, who is now the head coach of the Shakib's academy, says. This academy was established in 2021 in a green village site at Kanchan, Rupgonj, Narayangonj, which is about 30 km from the SBNS (Shere Bangla National Stadium). "We have a nice cricket ground with 4 center wickets and 9 outside turf wickets and 2 cement wickets, apart from an indoor cricket center, 2 floors gym facilities which cater about 60 students with their accommodation", Mohammed Salahuddin said. "There is no age limit for the students, anyone can get admission here. We have students of the age Under 10, 14, 16 and 18 then have 3 senior groups also, who all are admitted after seeing their trials". "We have different categories of elite players who also train here. The national players Mominul, Zakir Hasan, Md Mithun, Imrul Kayes and many premier players come here to train. We allow national women players to train". Incidentally, Sharmin Akhter Supta, the opening batter in the women's national team, is a student of this academy. "We have a lot of young talented players and so we are hopeful that few of them will play for the national team in future", the coach concluded. Shakib is very busy with his playing and other endorsement commitments and cannot make it to visit his own academy frequently but now as the recent bilateral series against India is over, may soon find time to visit future stars.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (January 6, 2023): The first Test of the new year produced one of the most thrilling, exciting, and nerve-jangling finish in the history of Test cricket when New Zealand fell short of victory by one wicket, while Pakistan were left 15 runs shy of ending their eight-match win drought at home. Starting the day at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Friday at none for two in pursuit of the 319 runs target, Pakistan plunged into deep crisis at 80 for five before Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel, and then Sarfaraz and Salman Ali Agha put them back in the driver’s seat as Pakistan reached 273 for six. However, Pakistan slipped to 287 for nine in a space of 29 balls before the last pair of Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed survived 21 deliveries when the umpires called off the match due to bad light with three overs still remaining. When the match ended, Pakistan were 304 for nine with Naseem on 15 from 11 balls and Abrar on seven from 13 balls. Interestingly, Pakistan were frustrated in the first innings by New Zealand’s last pair of Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel, who had put on 104 runs. Pakistan settled that score when Naseem and Abrar denied New Zealand their first victory since 1996 when Lee Germon’s New Zealand had defeated Saeed Anwar’s Pakistan by 44 runs in Lahore. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a magnificent 118 from 176 balls in just under five hours of batting to keep Pakistan in hunt for victory. The batter not only scored at will, but his run-scoring also spread the fielders, thus, taking pressure off from the close-in fielders. Such was Sarfaraz’s dominance over the New Zealand bowlers that he scored his first 50 runs from 62 balls, while he took 73 balls to reach his fourth century in 51 Tests. Sarfaraz had also scored 78 runs in the first innings that deservingly earned him the player of the match. With scores of 86 and 53 in the first Test, he was adjudged player of the series. Sarfaraz put on 123 runs for the sixth wicket with Saud Shakeel (32), while he added 70 runs for the seventh wicket with Salman (30). Although Pakistan escaped with a draw, thanks to Sarfaraz, some of their batters’ stroke-selection left much to be desired. Imam-ul-Haq (12) was bowled after he danced down the track to miss the line of Ish Sodhi’s delivery, Shan Masood (35) unnecessarily hit in the air to be caught off Bracewell, Babar Azam (27) was caught down the leg-side off Bracewell, Saud was caught in the slip off Bracewell while trying to guide the ball and Salman was castled after attempting to hit Henry out of the park. New Zealand Batting (First Innings): 449 all out in 131 overs Davon Conway 122 (191 balls, 4x16, 6x1), Tom Latham 71 (100 balls, 4x9, 6x0), Matt Henry 68 (81 balls, 4x8, 6x2), Tom Blundell 51 (108 balls, 4x6, 6x0)    Pakistan Bowling: Abrar Ahmed (4 for 149), Naseem Shah (3 for 71), Agha Salman (3 for 75) Pakistan Batting (First Innings) 408 all out in 133 overs Saud Shakeel 125 (341 balls, 4x17, 6x0), Imam-ul-Haq 83 (165 balls, 4x10, 6x1), Sarfraz Ahmed 78 (109 balls, 4x10, 6x0), Agha Salam 41 (78 balls, 4x7, 6x0) New Zealand Bowling: Ajaz Patel (3 for 88), Ish Sodhi (3 for 95), Daryl Mitchell (1 for 11) New Zealand Batting (second Innings): 277 for 5 declared in 82 overs Tom Blundell 74 (135 balls, 4x7, 6x1), Michael Bracewell 54 not out (119 balls, 4x11, 6x0), Kane Williamson 41 (107 balls, 4x6, 6x0)    Pakistan Bowling: Air Hamza (1 for 38), Hasan Ali (1 for 39), Agha Salman (1 for 42), Naseem Shah (1 for 43), Abrar Ahmed (1 for 103) Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): Target 319 Sarfarz Ahmed 118 (178 balls, 4x9, 6x1), Shan Masood 35 (66 balls, 4x5, 6x0), Saud Shakeel 32 (146 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Agha Salman 30 (40 balls, 4x4, 6x0) New Zealand Bowling: Michael Barcewell (3 for 63), Tim Southee (2 for 39), Ish Sodhi (2 for 53) Player of the match: Sarfaraz Ahmed Player of the series: Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (January 5, 2023): Pakistan lost two wickets without scoring on the fourth day of the second Test in Karachi after New Zealand set them a target of 319. Skipper Tim Southee dismissed opener Abdullah Shafique with the a ball that kept low before Ish Sodhi spun through nightwatchman Mir Hamza’s defences in the last over of the fourth day. At the close, a shocked Imam-ul-Haq was at the crease without scoring and the home team needing 319 runs for victory, or eight wickets in hand to hold out for a draw. A loss would be their third series defeat at home in a season after going down 1-0 to Australia and 3-0 to England earlier this year. No team has chased more than 314 to win a Test in Pakistan, which the home team set against Australia in Karachi 1994. New Zealand declared their second innings ten minutes before close on 277-5 after Michael Bracewell hit a career-best 74 not out and Tom Blundell 74. The pair turned the match during their match-turning 127-run fifth wicket stand. Pakistan had the match under control when they had New Zealand struggling at 128-4 from 76-1 at lunch, removing Tom Latham (62), Kane Williamson (41) and Henry Nicholls (five). But Blundell, dropped on 21 by wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed off spinner Abrar Ahmed, punished the home team with seven boundaries and a six before holing out off Agha Salman. Bracewell, whose previous best of 49 was against England earlier this year, was also dropped on 59 by Sarfaraz off Salman. In the post-lunch session New Zealand lost three wickets in the space of 50 balls and 14 runs. Latham was smartly caught off a miscued flick at short mid-wicket by Abrar Ahmed from fast-bowler Naseem Shah. With the total unmoved on 114, in the next over Ahmed trapped Williamson leg-before. Hasan Ali had Nicholls caught soon after as New Zealand lost three wickets off 50 balls for 14 runs. Field umpires Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar had a horrible day with three of their decisions overturned. New Zealand were jolted in the second over of their innings when Mir Hamza bowled Conway with his first delivery. It was the first time Conway fell without scoring in his 12-match Test career. Pakistan wasted two leg-before referrals on Williamson when the batter was on seven and nine, while Latham overturned a decision against him on 36 -- all off Ahmed. At the start of the day, Pakistan were dismissed for 408 after adding just one run to their overnight score, in response to New Zealand's 449 first-innings total. Spinner Ish Sodhi had last man Ahmed trapped leg-before for nought, leaving centurion Saud Shakeel stranded on the other end. Shakeel was unbeaten on 125 after a marathon resistance-packed 493 minutes at the crease, hitting 17 boundaries in his maiden hundred. Spinner Ajaz Patel finished with 3-88 and Sodhi 3-95. Scores in Brief New Zealand (1st innings) 449 all-out, 131 overs (Devon Conway 122, Tom Latham 71, Matt Henry 68 not out, Tom Blundell 51, Kane Williamson 36, Ajaz Patel 35, Henry Nicholls 26; Abrar Ahmed 4-149, Naseem Shah 3-71, Salman Ali Agha 3-75) and 277-5d (Tom Blundell 74 not out, Michael Bracewell 74, Tom Latham 62, Kane Williamson 41; Mir Hamza 1-38, Hasan Ali 1-39, Salman Ali Agha 1-42, Naseem Shah 1-43) Pakistan (1st innings) 408 all-out, 133 overs (Saud Shakeel 125 not out, Imam-ul-Haq 83, Sarfaraz Ahmed 78, Salman Ali Agha 41, Babar Azam 24, Shan Masood 20; Ajaz Patel 3-88, Ish Sodhi 3-95) and 0-2 (Tim Southee 1-0, Ish Sodhi 1-0)