Cricket - Int News
Brain Center closed temporarily due to Covid cases
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) Brain Centre has been closed; it is learnt.
According to highly placed sources close to the Centre, three people working there were found Covid-19 positives and the authorities had no option to close it at least for a week.
One among the three cases of corona positive cases is the Center coordinator Sampath Hettiarachchige, who has also worked with the national cricketers. "He has been hospitalized and is recovering well", the source added.
The other sad news is : Hashan Tillakaratne, the women's team coach too, was tested positive just six days before the Malaysia tour. He is set to miss Sri Lanka's women's team tour for the Commonwealth Games Qualifier tournament. He is set to be replaced by Lanka Silva as coach.
Mammoth surge in HBL PSL brand partnership rights
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE (January 4, 2022):-In what was another boost for the HBL Pakistan Super League, Trans Group International today submitted the highest bid, pursuant to a public tender process, for the brand partnership rights for a four-year-term, beginning in 2022 and stretching till 2025.
The brand partnership rights were divided into two categories: seven category rights and one umpire sponsorship rights. In a highly competitive bidding process, Trans Group International submitted their bids for category rights and umpire sponsorship rights at mammoth increase of 219 and 168 per cent from the last deals.
PCB Chief Operating Officer and Bid Committee Chair Salman Naseer: “Trans Group International has been a supporter of HBL Pakistan Super League since its inception and I am thankful for the continuation of their immense support to the brand.
“Such substantial increase in the brand partnership rights highlights how big the brand of the HBL Pakistan Super League has become and I am sure the Pakistan cricket fans will enjoy the upcoming edition.”
Trans Group International Director Rao Omar Hashim Khan: “The HBL Pakistan Super League is arguably the biggest brand in Pakistan and it brings together all Pakistanis. We are proud to be once again partnering with the Pakistan Cricket Board for one of the most successful and exciting cricket leagues in the world. Our unwavering support for Pakistan Cricket knows no bounds.”
Earlier, a consortium of ARY and PTV submitted the bid for TV broadcast rights in Pakistan at an increase of 50 per cent, while Daraz submitted the bid for live-streaming in the country at a rise of 175 per cent from the last deal.
The seventh edition of HBL Pakistan Super League will kick off at Karachi’s National Stadium on 27 January when defending champions Multan Sultans play 2020 edition’s winners Karachi Kings. The event will conclude in Lahore on 27 February with the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’s home of cricket.
Cricket: South African Trio, Jansen Rabada and Olivier restrict India at 202
Johannesburg, South Africa (Sports Bulletin Report):- South African pacers Marco Jansen (4 for 31), Kagiso Rabada (3 for 64) and Duanne Olivier (3 for 64) restricted India on a meager total of 202 runs in their first innings of the 2nd Test match of the series at Wanderers Cricket Stadium, Johannesburg South Africa on Monday. Hosts were 35 fo1 at the close of play Day-1. Elgar and Petersen were not out at 11 and 14 with runs respectively.
Earlier, India won the toss and decided to bat first. Top Indian batter Virat Kohli ruled out on the morning and Rahul took the captaincy. Duanne Olivier and Marco Jansen dented the visitors batting line at the earlier stage of the match and with the help of Rabada bundled on a too little total of 202.
Rahul's masterful 50 held the top half together, even as wickets fell at the other end, and then R Ashwin's 46 led the way as the lower order pushed the score beyond 200. But none of the partnerships India strung together were allowed to take root, chiefly due to Jansen.
Summarized Scorecard:
India Batting (First Innings): 202 all out in 63.1 overs
KL Rahul 50 (133 balls 4X9), Ravichandran Ashwin 46 (50 ball 4X6), Mohammed Shami 9 (12 balls 4X1)
South Africa Bowling: Marco Jansen (4 for 31), Kagiso Rabada (3 for 64), Duanne Olivier (3 for 64)
South Africa Batting (First Innings): Dean Elgar 11 not out (57 balls 4X1), Petersen 14 (39 balls 4X2), Aiden Markram 7 (12 4X1).
Indian Bowling (First Innings): Mohammad Shami (1 for 15).
Romanian cricket chief visits Jamrud Sports Complex
Ayaz Raza Afridi
PESHAWAR (January 3, 2022):-Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of Romania Cricket Board (RCB) Abdul Shakoor Khan visited Jamrud Sports Complex on Monday. The top officials including Petron-in-Chief Khyaber Cricket Association Haji Taimoor Khan, Secretary General KP Athletics Association (KAA) Saif-ul-Islam Afridi, former member Governing Board of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Kabir Ali Khan, former General Secretary Abdullah, Finance Secretary Wahid Gul, Media Coordinator Ayaz Raza and the players received the Abdul Shakoor Khan.
It is pertinent to mention here that Romanian cricket team is ranked 38th in the ICC T20 rankings and 10th in Europe at present. Abdul Shakoor said on this occasion that he wants Pakistani players to be part of the Romanian cricket team. He also invited Haji Taimoo to visit Romania. He said that coaches would also be called from Pakistan to teach cricket in Romania to budding cricketers. He praised Haji Timur for his outstanding services in cricket.
Cricket: Bangladesh batters earn 73 runs lead against New Zealand
Sports Bulletin Report
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand (January 3, 2022):-Two well composed innings, Liton Das 86 (177 balls) and Mominul Haque 88 (244 balls), helped Bangladesh to earn a vital lead of 73 runs against New Zealand in the first innings, as they have 4 wickets in their pocket at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on Monday. Bangladesh were 401 for 6 at the end of Day-3.
Bangladesh batted with care but bit slow to get lead against hosts the third day. Skipper Mominul Haque was the top scorer with 88, having struck 12 fours in his 244-ball knock as stayed at the crease for over six hours. Mominul added an important 158 runs for the fifth wicket with Liton Das, who made 86 off 177 deliveries.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, playing just his second Test, made a diligent 78, adding 104 for the second wicket with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made 64. Also, Monday was the first time each of Bangladesh top six batters faced more than 50 balls in an away Test innings.
Neil Wagner and Trent Boult took three wickets each but Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra went wicket-less in their 88 overs combined. Boult removed both Mominul and Litton in the space of three overs. He finally broke the fifth-wicket stand when he trapped Mominul lbw for 88. A few overs later, Litton followed him to the dressing room after he chased a wide one from Boult.
Summarized Scorecard:
Toss: Bangladesh, elected to field first
Day-3 (New Zealand vs Bangladesh):
New Zealand Batting (First Innings): 328 all out in 108.1 overs
Devon Conway 122 (227 balls, 4X16, 6X1), Ross Taylor 31 (64 balls 4X5), Henry Nicholls 75 (127 balls 4X12).
Bangladesh Bowling (First Innings):
Shoriful Islam (3 for 69), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3 for 86), Mominul Haque (2 for 6).
BANGLADESH Batting (First Innings): 401 for 6 in 156 overs
Liton Das 86 (177 balls 4X10), Mominul Haque 88 (244 balls 4X12), Mahmudul Hasan Joy 78 (228 balls, 4X7).
New Zealand Bowling (First Innings): Trent Boult (3 for 61), Neil Wagner (3 for 98)
3
Cricket: Hafeez announces retirement from international cricket
Raja Abrar
LAHORE (January 3, 2022):-Former captain Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket 18 years after making his debut in Sharjah against Zimbabwe on 3 April 2003.
Hafeez represented Pakistan in 392 international matches, scoring 12,780 runs and taking 253 wickets, besides also captaining the side in 32 international matches. He was a member of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England and Wales. Overall, Hafeez played in three 50-over World Cups (2007, 2011 and 2019), six 20-over World Cups (2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2021) and three ICC Champions Trophy (2006, 2013 and 2017).
In the ICC Player Rankings, Hafeez achieved highest Test rankings of 22nd in batting, 29th in bowling and fifth in all-rounders. In the ODI rankings, Hafeez’s highest-ranking was 13th in March 2014, while he topped the bowling and all-rounder charts in August 2012 and January 2013, respectively. Hafeez’s rankings in T20I were equally impressive, peaking to ninth in batting in February 2007, third in bowling in August 2013 and number-one in all-rounders in March 2014.
Mohammad Hafeez: “Today I say good-bye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction. In fact, I have earned and accomplished more than I had initially envisaged and for that, I am thankful to all my fellow cricketers, captains, support staff and the Pakistan Cricket Board who helped me out during my career.
“And, of course, my family who made big sacrifices to ensure I achieved my aspirations of representing Pakistan at a global stage.
“I am extremely fortunate, lucky and proud to have been considered worthy of donning the national kit with Pakistan emblem for 18 years. My country and my team have always been at my forefront and therefore, every time I stepped on to the field, I tried to raise their profile and image by playing hard and tough but within the rich traditions of spirit of cricket.
“When you have a professional career as long as mine, you’re bound to have your share of highs and lows, and I was no different. Results apart, I can say with conviction that I had more highs as I had the privilege of playing with and against some of the finest exponents of the bat and the ball of my era.
“While cricket has been a great learning school for me, this great sport has provided me opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends. These are lifelong memories, which I will cherish every day. I want to thank my fans and supporters for believing in my abilities and backing me throughout my career.”
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “Hafeez has been a wholehearted cricketer who worked tirelessly at his game to have a long and fruitful career.
“His game evolved with time, adjusting to different formats quite intelligently. Later in his career, he became a T20 specialist, where he was never out of touch with modern demands of this testing format. His batsmanship took a sprightly turn, nailing sixes almost at will.
“He has worn the green blazer with pride for which we at the PCB are thankful. I wish him best of luck for his future life and thank him again for his magnificent contribution to Pakistan cricket.”
Mahela Jayawardene to join U-19 World Cup squad in West Indies
Bipin Dani
Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene will join the ICC Under-19 World Cup squad in West Indies, it is leant.
The 44-year-old Jayawardene, who has recently been appointed consultant coach for Sri Lanka seniors, Under-19s and 'A' team for one year, will leave for Caribbean islands later this month.
Jayawardene, has also been assigned to select the coaching staff for the various positions, and is likely to have floated the process.
The same squad with no changes, which recently lost the U-19 Asia Cup final against India in the UAE, left directly from Dubai to Guyana (via London & Barbados) by Emirates Airways, British Airways and local flight) on Sunday morning. The squad has an over 18-hours flight journey.
There were no outdoor activities scheduled for the players on Saturday.
"There has been no change in the team or the support staff", one of the SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) board sources said exclusively over the telephone.
"Ranjith Madhursinghe, who traveled with the team for the Asia Cup will also continue to be the tour selector for the World Cup", the source further added.
The team will spend five days in quarantine before beginning the training ahead of its first match against Scotland on January 14.
The final of the ICC U-9 World Cup will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua on February 5.
Day-2: Bangladesh vs New Zealand: Bangladesh score 175 for 2
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand (January 2, 2022):-Tourist team Bangladesh produced sparking performance on the second day of the Mount Maunganui Test both with the ball and bat, as they restricted Black Caps at 328 runs with magic bowling and later they were 175 for 2 in 67 overs at the close of the Day-2 game.
Shanto was the busier of the two batters, hitting 64 off 109 balls. He struck seven fours and a slog-swept six that brought up his half-century. He drove the ball well on both sides of the wicket, and his best shot was possibly the cut he played against Wagner, when he moved well outside his leg stump and threaded the ball through gully and point. He fell in the last hour when Wagner got rid of him with a conventional outswinger coming from over the wicket. Shanto's uppish drive was well caught at gully by Will Young.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 70 runs, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz picking up three of those. He had Kyle Jamieson caught at long-on, Southee at short midwicket, and Wagner caught behind in a burst that kept the home side on the back foot.
Summarized Scorecard:
Day-2 (New Zealand vs Bangladesh):
New Zealand Batting (First Innings): 328 all out in 108.1 overs
Devon Conway 122 (227 balls, 4X16, 6X1), Ross Taylor 31 (64 balls 4X5), Henry Nicholls 75 (127 balls 4X12).
Bangladesh Bowling (First Innings): 175 for 2 in 67 overs
Shoriful Islam (3 for 69), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3 for 86), Mominul Haque (2 for 6).
BANGLADESH Batting (First Innings):
Shadman Islam 22 (55 balls 4X1), Mahmudul Hasan Joy 70 not out (211 balls 4X7 ), Najmul Hossain Shanto 64 (109 balls 4x7 6X1)
Yet to bat: Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das †, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam
New Zealand Bowling: (2 for 27)
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Toss: Bangladesh, elected to field first
Bangladesh tour of New Zealand
ICC World Test Championship
India fined for slow over-rate in the first Test against South Africa
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-India have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the first Test held in Centurion.
Andrew Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India was one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
In addition, as per Article 16.11 of the ICC Men’s World Test Championship Playing Conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, India will lose one point from their points tally for this offence.
Captain, Virat Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. Umpires Marais Erasmus, Adrian Holdstock, Allahudien Paleker and Bongani Jele leveled the charge.
Day-1: New Zealand vs Bangladesh: New Zealand score 258 for 5
Sports Bulletin Report
Mount Maunganui (January 1, 2022):-Hosts New Zealand posted 258 for 5 runs on the board in the first Test match against Bangladesh that started at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday. Bangladesh decided to field first after winning the toss.
Devon Conway returned from injury and promptly struck his second century in Test cricket, on his home debut in the format. New Zealand, as a result, finished ahead of Bangladesh on the first day in Mount Maunganui, going to stumps 258 for 5 on New Year's Day.
Conway scored 122 off 227 balls with 16 fours and a six over midwicket, which brought up his fifty after lunch. He steadied New Zealand after an early wicket with a 138-run second wicket stand with Will Young, who made 52.
Ebadot also got a reward at the end of the day when he had Tom Blundell bowled off the inside edge, giving Bangladesh something to be pleased about as they trudged off the ground. Much of the day had belonged to the hosts, though.
Shoriful removed New Zealand's stand-in captain Tom Latham in the fourth over of the morning - the left-arm quick got one to nip back into Latham, who inside edged the ball on to his pad and it lobbed behind where wicketkeeper Liton Das dived in front of the first slip to complete the catch. It was a big wicket given Latham was averaging 90-plus against Bangladesh before this game.
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