Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: The Pakistan men’s interim selection committee headed by Shahid Khan Afridi today (Thursday) named a 16-player squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against New Zealand, which will be played here at the National Bank Cricket Arena on 9, 11 and 13 January. Uncapped batter Tayyab Tahir and wrist spinner Usama Mir have been named in the squad after producing stellar performances in the Pakistan Cup, while Shan Masood and Haris Sohail have been recalled after missing out on ODI cricket since 2019 and 2020, respectively. Kamran Ghulam, who is part of the Test squad, has also been included in the ODI side for the first time. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was injured during the first Test against England in Rawalpindi, has regained complete fitness and has been named in the line-up. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite making good progress, has not been included as the selectors, in consultation with the medical panel, have decided to give him more time to reclaim complete fitness. He is expected to return to competitive cricket next month in the HBL Pakistan Super League 8. Shahid Afridi, Interim Chief Selector said: “We had limited ODI cricket last year and this year, we are scheduled to play 11 ODIs before we participate in the ACC Asia Cup, followed by the World Cup in conditions that will be familiar to us. So, we aim to make optimum use of these 11 ODIs by providing opportunities to our consistent performers that will enable us to select the best available players for the two important tournaments. “In this background, we have decided to recall experienced Haris Sohail and Shan Masood as we believe the two lads still have plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket. We have not only rewarded Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir for their outstanding performances in our domestic events, they have also been identified as future prospects. These four players, along with Kamran Ghulam, have good knowledge of our conditions and have the talent and potential to excel at the highest level. “Players who could not make in the ODI side will remain in contention as the objective from this series is to have absolute clarity on the pool of players for international cricket in 2023 and beyond. For this reason, outstanding domestic performers and senior players getting back to form and fitness have been given opportunities to showcase their performances. Workload management and separate squads for red and white-ball cricket is also under consideration, which will require a wider pool of players. I urge the players to continue to work hard and be ready for a call-up. Tayyab Tahir had a successful Pakistan Cup when he won the Player of the Final award for his match-winning 71. He was also adjudged the Best Batter of the Pakistan Cup after scoring 573 runs. Prior to the 50-over tournament, Tayyab had shown consistent form in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy by scoring 708 runs at an average of 59 with four centuries and a half-century. Likewise, Usama Mir was named the Best Bowler of the Pakistan Cup after picking up 28 wickets, following his 10 wickets in four matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Haris Sohail, whose 42nd and last ODI was against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi in October 2020, has been recalled after scoring 129 runs in five Pakistan Cup matches. In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the left-hander scored 453 runs at an average of 50.33 with a century and two half-centuries. Shan scored 111 runs with a half-century in five ODIs during his last appearance for Pakistan against Australia in the UAE in March 2019 The Southpaw has been a regular feature in Pakistan line-ups, across formats, since his T20I debut against England September-October. Apart from injured Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris and Zahid Mehmood were also part of the side that last played an ODI series against the Netherlands in Rotterdam but have not been selected for next week’s series against New Zealand. Pakistan’s ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (December 4, 2023): Left-handed batter, Saud Shakeel scored his first Test century in fifth appearance but Pakistan threw away his labourious innings by losing four late wickets for 12 runs on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Wednesday. Pakistan were on course for closing out the day in a comfortable position when they reached 385 for five. But as it has been a few times this season, they dramatically lost four wickets for 12 runs in 26 balls to end the day at 407 for nine, while replying to New Zealand’s 449. The home side still trails the visitors by 42 runs in the first innings. Resuming at the overnight score of 13 in Pakistan’s 154 for three, the 27-year-old local lad finished the day at 124 not out. He has been batting for over eight hours, during which he has received 336 balls and struck 17 fours. The former Pakistan Shaheens captain reached his half-century from 173 balls, while he took 67 balls to score the next 50 runs to reach the magical figures for the first time in his ninth innings and that too at his home ground. The left-hander’s only blemish was when at the score of 102, he played a loose shot but got away with it when Tom Latham dropped a simple catch at point off Tim Southee. Saud made his debut this season in the first Test against England in Rawalpindi and had scores of 37, 76 (Rawalpindi), 63, 94 (Multan), 23, 53 (Karachi) and 22, 55 not out (Karachi v NZ, 1st Test) before this Test. While Saud went on to complete a memorable century, his overnight partner Imam-ul-Haq could only add nine to his last evening’s score before being caught at the wicket off Tim Southee for 83. Imam and Saud put on 83 runs for the fourth wicket in 215 balls. Following Imam’s departure, Saud found a reliable ally in Sarfaraz Ahmed as the two batters put on 150 runs for the fifth wicket in 238 balls. Sarfaraz, who scored 86 and 53 in the previous Test – his first since January 2019 – was unfortunate to be declared stumped off Daryl Mitchell after scoring an attractive 78 off 109 balls with 10 elegant fours. Saud then put on 53 runs for the sixth wicket with Salman Ali Agha. The partnership ended when Michael Bracewell took a brilliant reflex action catch in the slip off Ajaz Patel, who later accounted for Hasan Ali (four). Ish Sodhi then dismissed Naseem Shah (four) and Mir Hamza on successive deliveries as Pakistan slipped to 385 for five to 397 for nine. Patel finished the day at three for 88, while Sodhi scooped two for 94. Southee, Matt Henry and Mitchell picked up a wicket each. 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) Pakistan (1st innings) (overnight 154-3) 407-9, 132 overs (Saud Shakeel 124 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 2-94)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: (January 3, 2023): Pakistan’s top-order batting woes continued in the new year before Imam-ul-Haq rescued his side from complete collapse on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Tuesday. Abdullah Shafique once again fell while hooking, Shan Masood’s aggressive approach against the spinners led to his downfall and Babar Azam was run-out in a terrible mix-up with Imam-ul-Haq as Pakistan slipped to 99 for three before finishing the day at 154 for three. Pakistan’s response came after New Zealand were bowled out for 449 after starting the day at 309 for six and having being reduced to 345 for nine. Abdullah managed 19 off 32 balls with four fours, Shan scored 20 from 11 balls with four fours and Babar hit three fours and six in a 41-ball 24 before returning to the dressing room to leave Pakistan in dire straits. However, Imam held the innings together and in partnership with Saud Shakeel, he has so far added 55 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket. The left-hander, who tuned his back at Babar after the skipper had sprinted for the third run, was batting on 74 from 125 balls with nine fours and a six, while a consistent Saud was 13 not out from 75 balls. For New Zealand, Matt Henry picked up the wicket of Abdullah and Ajaz Patel dismissed Shan. Earlier, Henry and Patel had combined to frustrate Pakistan for 92 minutes during which they added 104 runs in 149 balls for the 10th wicket to lift New Zealand to 449. No.10 batter Henry notched up his third career half-century in 18th match when he returned unbeaten on an attacking 81-ball 68 with eight fours and two sixes, while Patel was the last batter to be dismissed after scoring a Test best 35 from 78 balls and four fours. Overnight batters Tom Blundell and Ish Sodhi, along with skipper Tim Southee, were back in the hut with the addition of 36 runs as New Zealand slipped to 345 for nine before the last-wicket partnership helped the visitors reach a decent score. Blundell, who began the day at 30, was dismissed after scoring 51 from 108 balls with six fours, while Sodhi failed to add any run to his overnight score of 11 before he was castled by Naseem Shah (three for 71). Arbar Ahmed picked the remaining three wickets to finish with figures of 37-5-149-4. Abrar now has 27 wickets in seven innings of four Tests. Scores in brief: New Zealand (1st innings) (overnight 309-6) 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) Pakistan (1st innings) 154-3, 47 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 74 not out, Babar Azam 24, Shan Masood 20, Saud Shakeel 13 not out)

Sports Bulletin Report Auckland (New Zealand): Fast bowler Adam Milne has been withdrawn from New Zealand's ODI squad for the upcoming series in Pakistan and India in January due to concerns about his preparation. Blair Tickner, who is currently in Pakistan with New Zealand's Test team, has replaced Milne in the ODI squad. Milne, 30, had some tightness in his hamstring at the end of the home series against India in November 2022 and subsequently missed two Ford Trophy games, New Zealand's domestic 50-over tournament, for Wellington in December. He played Wellington's first two matches of the Super Smash, the domestic T20 competition, but the workload of six ODIs in 16 days in Pakistan and India was considered too much of a risk. New Zealand, drew the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan and begin the second and final Test of the series on January 2 in Karachi. The ODI players will leave New Zealand for Pakistan on January 4 for three matches on January 9, 11 and 13 - all in Karachi - before travelling to India for three ODIs on January 18, 21 and 24. They will also play three T20Is in India on January 27, 29 and February 1. New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (captain - only for Pakistan ODIs), Tom Latham (captain - India ODIs), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman (India ODIs only), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy (India ODIs only), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (Pakistan ODIs only), Blair Tickner.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (January 2, 2023): New Zealand opener Devon Conway became the first centurion of 2023 but Pakistan fought back strongly in the final session on the first day of the second Test at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Monday. Conway struck an elegant 122, his fourth century in 12th match, and stitched a 134-run first wicket partnership with Tom Latham (71) before Pakistan claimed five wickets in the last session as New Zealand finished the day at 309 for six after going for tea at 226 for one. Off-spinner Salman Ali Agha picked up three wickets for 55 runs, while Naseem Shah (two for 44) and Abrar Ahmed bagged a wicket each in the final 32 overs of the day to bring Pakistan right back in the Test. Conway struck 16 fours and a six in his 191-ball innings. He had reached his half-century from 78 balls with seven fours and a six, while he completed his century from 156 balls with 13 fours and a six. He was the second batter to the dismissed, caught at the wicket by Sarfaraz Ahmed off Salman Ali Agha. Sarfaraz and Salman also combined to send Henry Nicholls (26) back in the dressing room after a smart referral by Babar Azam ended the left-hander’s innings. Before Salman dismissed Nicholls, he had beaten Daryl Mitchell’s defences to pick his second wickets of the winnings. After Conway and Latham, whose 100-ball innings included nine fours, put on 134 runs for the first wicket, Conway put on 100 runs for the second wicket with Kane Williamson (36), who was excellently caught by Sarfaraz off Naseem. Williamson, shortly before his demise, had a reprieve when television replays confirmed he had edged Naseem Shah’s out-swinger, but the review was not sought. Tom Blundell (30) and Ish Sodhi (11) will resume New Zealand’s first innings on Tuesday on a wicket, which has support for both the batters and bowlers. The two batters have to date added 30 runs for the unfinished seventh wicket after New Zealand lost five wickets for 45 runs to slip from 234 for one to 279 for six. Earlier, New Zealand made one change to their side that featured in the drawn first Test, while Pakistan made two changes, replacing Noman Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jnr with Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali, respectively. Scores in brief: New Zealand (1st innings) 309-6, 90 overs (Devon Conway 122, Tom Latham 71, Kane Williamson 36, Tom Blundell 30 not out, Henry Nicholls 26; Salman Ali Agha 3-55, Naseem Shah 2-44)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will resume his rehabilitation under the national men’s team’s medical staff in Karachi from today. While providing Shaheen top-notch care, this move will allow the medical staff to track his progression and pave way for his smooth return to action. Meanwhile, the interim selection committee and team management have invited right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf to be assessed by the team’s medical staff so a decision on his availability for the three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand - to be played next week - can be made.

Sports Bulletin Report KABUL: Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s Cricketing Wizard, has been appointed as AfghanAtalan’s Captain for the T20I format, replacing the senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, after he stepped down from the role post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Mirwais Ashraf, the ACB Chairman, expressed his desire for the appointment of Rashid Khan as the captain of the Afghanistan National Team for the T20I format. “Rashid Khan is a massive name in Afghanistan Cricket. He has colossal experience of playing the format around the world which will help him take the team to a new level in the format”. Added Mirwais Ashraf. Ashraf further added: “Rashid Khan has the experience of leading AfghanAtalan in all three formats before and we are happy to have him as our skipper for the T20I format again. I am sure he will come out on top and will bring more glories to the nation”. Rashid Khan is also delighted to take the leadership role and considers this a massive honor for him to be granted such a big responsibility to lead Afghanistan's National Team in the T20Is. "Captaincy is a huge responsibility. I have the experience of leading my country before, there is a great bunch of guys with whom I have a good understanding and feel pretty comfortable. We will try to stick together, will work hard to put things on the right track and bring pride and joy to our country and nation". added Rashid Khan. Rashid Khan has so far represented Afghanistan in 74 T20I matches and has 122 scalps to his name in the format, which makes him the third leading wicket-taker in the format behind Tim Southee (134) and Shakib Al Hassan (128). He has also been in very high demand in franchise cricket, playing 361 T20 matches for 15 different teams around the globe from 2015 onwards and has bagged a mammoth 491 wickets which makes him the 2nd bowler behind Dwayne Bravo (614) with the most wickets in the format. Afghanistan National Team is set to tour UAE in February where they will take on the hosts in three T20Is, which will be Rashid Khan’s first tour as Afghanistan’s skipper after 2019.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Pakistan ended their four-match losing streak at home after brave and gutsy half-centuries by Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel and Sarfraz Ahmed denied New Zealand a chance to go 1-0 up in the two-Test series at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Friday. Resuming the fifth and last day at 77 for two and still needing 97 runs to make New Zealand bat again, Pakistan looked down and out when they slipped to 206 for seven (32 runs ahead) with 49 overs still remaining in the match. However, the eighth and ninth wicket partnerships between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim Junior, and Saud and Mir Hamza, respectively helped Pakistan to declare their second innings at 311 for eight. That set New Zealand a daunting but an achievable 138 runs target in 15 overs, and when both the teams shook hands due to a fading light, the visitors were 61 for one in 7.3 overs. New Zealand, who had last won a Test in Pakistan in Lahore in 1996, were on course to break the 26-year win drought when they left Saud Shakeel to battle out the remaining 49 overs in the day with the tail-enders. Saud had twice squandered the opportunity to help Pakistan win Tests against England earlier this month, but this time he was equal to the task when he returned undefeated on 55 from 138 minutes of watchful and laborious batting during which he received 108 balls and struck seven fours and a six. Saud not only conjured up his fifth half-century in fourth Test, he added 75 runs for the eighth wicket from 111 balls (71 minutes) with Mohammad Wasim Junior, while he put on 34 runs from 82 balls (50 minutes) for the unbroken ninth wicket with Mir Hamza. Wasim showed his batting exploits and skills at probably the best time in his early days as an international cricketer when he not only survived 57 balls but also scored 43 runs with five fours and a six. Mir Hamza kept New Zealand bowlers at bay for 34 balls while scoring three not out. Earlier, Pakistan starting the day at 77 for two, plunged into a crisis when nightwatchman Noman Ali (four) and captain Babar Azam (14) returned to the dressing room in a space of 34 balls to leave the home side in a bother at 100 for four and still needing 74 runs to make New Zealand bat again. Both the batters were adjudged leg before off Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi, respectively. At that stage, Imam and Sarfaraz got together in a rescue act and added 85 runs for the fifth wicket before crisis struck Pakistan again. Sarfaraz, immediately after reaching his second half-century of the match, paid the price for attempting a shot to a wide Sodhi delivery and was caught at the wicket, first innings centurion Salman Ali Agha missed a wrong-un from Sodhi and was bowled before Imam’s fighting knock ended when he was deceived by Sodhi to be smartly stumped by Tom Blundell. Sarfaraz’s 53 came off 76 balls and included seven fours, while Imam was unlucky to miss his fourth Test century when he was dismissed for 96. His 206-ball knock was laced with 10 fours and a six. New Zealand were brilliant in the field on the fifth day. Ish Sodhi recorded his maiden five-fer while finishing with career-best figures of 36.5-11-86-6, while wicketkeeper Tom Blundell accounted for three Pakistan batters in the second innings to finish with seven dismissals in the match. The second Test will commence at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Monday, 2 January. Scores in brief Pakistan (1st innings) 438, 130.5 overs (Babar Azam 161, Salman Ali Agha 103, Sarfaraz Ahmed 86, Imam-ul-Haq 24, Saud Shakeel 22; Tim Southee 3-69, Michael Bracewell 2-72, Ish Sodhi 2-87, Ajaz Patel 2-112) and 311-8d (Imam-ul-Haq 96, Saud Shakeel 55 not out, Sarfaraz Ahmed 53, Mohammad Wasim 43; Ish Sodhi 6-86, Michael Bracewell 2-82) New Zealand (1st innings) 612-9d, 194.5 overs (Kane Williamson 200 not out, Tom Latham 113, Devon Conway 92, Ish Sodhi 65; Abrar Ahmed 5-205, Noman Ali 3-185) and 61-1 (Tom Latham 35 not out) Player of the match – Kane Williamson (New Zealand) Result – Match drawn

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Pakistan still face a deficit of 97 runs as the first Test of the two-match series against New Zealand at National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi heads into the final day. Trailing by 174 runs after the first innings, Pakistan finished the fourth day on 77-2, with Imam-ul-Haq unbeaten on 45 and nightwatchman Nauman Ali four not out. New Zealand were buoyed by two late strikes in the day and would be looking to push for victory on a surface that has not so far taken sharp turn. Opening batter Abdullah Shafique was the first wicket to fall for Pakistan after he stepped out of the crease to attempt an ill-fated lofted shot off spinner Michael Bracewell, and was caught at mid-on for 17. Later in the evening session, Shan Masood was adjudged leg before off Ish Sodhi for 10 and the ball was deemed to be clipping the leg-stump on umpire’s call after the former opted for a review. Kane Williamson headlined New Zealand’s batting surge earlier in the day with his fifth Test double century, taking him past Brendon McCullum for the most number of double tons for the Black Caps. His terrific innings, studded with 21 boundaries and one six, helped the tourists to declare their first innings on 612-9 -- a good 174-run lead over Pakistan's 438. Williamson’s 10-hour knock was not entirely chanceless as he had survived two stumpings off spinner Noman on 15 and 21. Resuming on the overnight score of 440-6, Williamson and Sodhi batted through the first session and took the team total to 595 before the seventh-wicket stand was finally broken by Abrar Ahmed. The 24-year-old spinner removed Sodhi for 65 after he had made his fourth Test half-century. Tim Southee and Neil Wagner did not disturb the scorers as New Zealand lost three wickets in the space of two runs, but last-man Ajaz Patel stuck around to help former skipper Williamson reach the milestone. "It's nice to be part of a number of partnerships that has given us a competitive total and put us in a reasonable position," said Williamson. But he still thought it would be tough to force a win. "We know there is a lot of hard work and patience going into tomorrow in trying to utilise the assistance of the surface as well as we can." Pakistan’s Abrar lamented the lack of assistance from the pitch as he registered his second five-wicket haul in five Test innings. "Whether you are a mystery spinner or whatever, you need at least some support from the pitch but when you are not getting any help then it's tough to get wickets," he said. Abrar finished with 5-205 while Noman managed 3-185. Scores in brief (Day-4): Pakistan (1st innings) 438, 130.5 overs (Babar Azam 161, Salman Ali Agha 103, Sarfaraz Ahmed 86, Imam-ul-Haq 24, Saud Shakeel 22; Tim Southee 3-69, Michael Bracewell 2-72, Ish Sodhi 2-87, Ajaz Patel 2-112) New Zealand (1st innings) 612-9d, 194.5 overs (Kane Williamson 200 not out, Tom Latham 113, Devon Conway 92, Ish Sodhi 65; Abrar Ahmed 5-205, Noman Ali 3-185) Pakistan (2nd innings) 77-2, 31 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 45 not out, Abdullah Shafique 17; Ish Sodhi 1-17, Mic hael Bracewell 1-23)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Salman Ali Agha stroked his maiden Test century in his sixth appearance before Pakistan were bowled out for 438 in their first innings against New Zealand in the first Test at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Tuesday. No.7 batter Salman, who was three overnight in Pakistan’s 317 for five, was the last batter dismissed after scoring 103 as the home side added 121 runs on the second day. New Zealand produced a strong reply, reaching 165 at stumps with openers Devon Conway batting on 82 and Tom Latham 78 not out. Conway’s 156-ball innings includes 12 fours, while Latham’s 126-ball innings is studded with eight fours as the visitors now trail the hosts by 273 runs. Conway, when 57, could have been dismissed off Noman Ali, but Aleem Dar failed to spot the inside edge and Pakistan also didn’t refer the decision to the third umpire, allowing the batter to consolidate his side’s position in the match. Earlier, Babar Azam failed to add to his last evening’s score of 161 when he became his opposite number Tim Southee’s second victim. Salman and Noman Ali then added 54 runs for the seventh wicket with the latter contributing only seven runs before becoming Neil Wagner’s only wicket of the innings. Mohammad Wasim Jnr departed three runs later as Pakistan slipped to 375 for eight, but Salman took control of the proceeding and added 63 priceless runs with the last two wickets of Mir Hamza and Abrar Ahmed, whose collective contribution was seven runs. Salman, whose first 50 runs came off 97 balls with seven fours, brought his second 50 runs from 49 balls with 10 fours. He eventually fell to Southee, who finished with figures of three for 69. Ish Sodhi, who was wicketless yesterday, picked up the scalps of Wasim and Mir Hamza to finish with two for 87. Scores in brief Pakistan (1st innings) (overnight 317-5) 438, 130.5 overs (Babar Azam 161, Salman Ali Agha 103, Sarfaraz Ahmed 86, Imam-ul-Haq 24, Saud Shakeel 22; Tim Southee 3-69, Michael Bracewell 2-72, Ish Sodhi 2-87, Ajaz Patel 2-112) New Zealand (1st innings) 165-0, 47 overs (Devon Conway 82 not out and Tom Latham 78 not out)