Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report TAURANGA:-Australia earned a straightforward seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Tauranga despite a 99-run stand between Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz Bay Oval on Tuesday in Tauranga, New Zealand. Bismah top-scored with 78 not out for her first fifty since returning from maternity leave but it was not enough as a disciplined bowling display and an Alyssa Healy half-century earned Australia their second consecutive win at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Pakistan were put into bat for the first time this tournament and were soon two wickets down as Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry dispatched the openers in back-to-back deliveries. Schutt forced Nahida Khan into an edge as Beth Mooney took the catch with Sidra Amin going the very next ball, captain Meg Lanning this time pouching the edge from a Pakistani bat. Captain Bismah and Omaima Sohail were then forced to rebuild, and the skipper led from the front, getting off the mark with a perfectly timed flick. Pakistan had slipped to 38 for three when Nida Dar strode out to the middle and faced Jess Jonassen in her first over with only two fielders outside the ring as Australia looked to force Pakistan into a wild shot. Nida went for five giving Amanda-Jade Wellington her first international wicket since 2018 and Bismah was once again welcoming a new partner to the crease. Pakistan made it to the halfway point without losing another wicket but it was slow going, their 50 partnership did not arrive for another six overs, coming off 107 deliveries. Bismah’s fifty was brought up off 96 balls with five fours and her celebration paid tribute to her baby daughter Fatima who was watching on with her grandmother on the balcony. Four balls later and the partnership reached 86, the highest for Pakistan at a World Cup with Riaz’s own fifty following not long after, her first at a World Cup. She would not add to her 53 as she was given out leg before wicket off the bowling of Nicola Carey, ending the partnership on 99, the joint-highest fifth-wicket partnership for Pakistan in ODIs. Fatima Sana would be the last wicket to fall for Pakistan as King got the promising all-rounder caught behind to leave Pakistan on 177 for six. Bismah and Diana Baig finished with a late flourish to set Australia a chase of 191 to win, Bismah ending on 78 not out, the second-highest individual score for Pakistan at a World Cup. Australia were in no way daunted by the chase as Healy and Haynes set about it with intent, finding gaps regularly. Haynes would fall just as she was getting going, departing for a run-a-ball 34 as Australia’s opening stand produced 60 runs. Healy’s fifty came off 55 balls, no need for her to go fast or aerial, and it felt like she and Lanning were in cruise control. Australia then experienced some turbulence as Lanning’s bails were knocked off by a Sohail delivery, meaning she had to go for 25 from 37, her bat frustratingly tucked under her arm on the way off. The job didn’t get any easier for Pakistan though, as Perry arrived at the crease and Healy’s free-scoring continued. Only a well-held catch in the deep from Nashra Sundhu could stop the wicket-keeper as she was forced to depart for 72 from 79. Australia were still well on track at 153 for three and Perry, 26 from 33, and Beth Mooney, 23 from 26, were unbeaten in the middle as they chased down 191 with 15.2 overs to spare for back-to-back victories to start their World Cup campaign. Scores in brief Australia beat Pakistan at Bay Oval, Tauranga by seven wickets Pakistan 190/6 in 50.0 overs (Bismah Maroof 78 not out, Aliya Riaz 53; Alana King 2/24, Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/25) Australia 193/3 in 34.4 overs (Alyssa Healey 72, Meg Lanning 35; Omaima Sohail 2/39, Nashra Sundhu 1/30) Player of the Match: Alyssa Healy (Australia).

Sports Bulletin Report Mount Manganui:-Pakistan vice-captain and all-rounder Nida Dar is hopeful that despite a defeat by 107 runs to India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 opener at Mount Manganui, her side would make a comeback in the tournament. Pakistan had an impressive start with the ball yesterday as they had India reeling at 114 for six after Mithali Raj decided to bat first, but brilliant half-centuries from Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana brought India back into the game and eventually set their win. The pair added 122 runs from 97 balls down the order. “We got a good start with the ball, but did not finish the innings well,” Nida told PCB digital after the match. “That’s an area where we need to work on.” Nida, who returned two for 45 in 10 overs, believes that pitches in New Zealand are batting friendly and allow batters to score at quicker rates. “The wickets here are flat and are batting friendly. They help the batters in scoring quick runs. We should have chased 245 here, considering the experience of our batters and our run in the warm-ups.” Pakistan play Australia on Tuesday at the same venue. For Nida, the key going into that match is to “learn from the mistakes and focus on the next match”. Australia are a strong side and it is important for us to make a strong comeback in the tournament,” she said. “You do experience tough challenges at a stage like World Cup, but it also gives you an opportunity to stage comebacks.”

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has approved Heather Graham as a replacement for Ashleigh Gardner in the Australia squad. Graham, who has played a solitary ODI for Australia against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in October 2019, is a temporary replacement for Gardner, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing a period of isolation. A COVID replacement can be temporary, in that once the player has recovered, she would be eligible to return to the squad in position of the travelling reserve that replaced her. 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 Cricket World Cup 2022 comprises Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events (Chair), Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager Umpires and Referees (ICC Representative), Andrea Nelson, LOC CEO (Host Representative), Catherine Campbell (Host Representative), Sana Mir (Independent), Nasser Hussain (Independent).  

Sports Bulletin Report DUNEDIN:-Suzie Bates blasted 79 not out on her home ground of Dunedin as New Zealand earned a nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Bates also passed 1,000 World Cup runs in a 108-run partnership with Amelia Kerr as the White Ferns chased down 141 in a rain-reduced match on the South Island. Bangladesh reached 140 for eight from 27 overs after a long delay, but New Zealand were always on top of the chase, knocking off the runs in exactly 20 overs to earn their first win of the home World Cup. Bangladesh were put in to bowl by New Zealand after a rain delay that lasted four hours but made a bright start. Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr were not able to find their lengths as anything short was dispatched for a boundary by openers Shamima Sultana and Fargana Hoque Pinky. With the five-over power play complete, Bangladesh looked to be racing to a competitive total on 41 for no loss. Amelia Kerr then came into the attack to try and show her older sister how it was done, going for four from her first over as Bangladesh brought up their fifty. Prior to making their competition debut in New Zealand, Bangladesh had made just two opening stands of over 50 in their previous 41 ODIs and had not produced one in 28 games. But Shamima contributed 30 from 28 with Pinky on 15 from 14 to bring up their second 50-plus opening stand in their first World Cup campaign. However, the partnership would end on 59 as Frankie Mackay got the breakthrough on her first World Cup appearance since 2013. Shamima was forced to go for 33 from 36 balls as a sliding Tahuhu took the catch at deep backward square. That brought captain Nigar Sultana out to the middle and she hit the first boundary since the sixth over off the third delivery of the 13th. But she would not last much longer as Amy Satterthwaite came on for her first over and had her caught behind by Dunedin native Katey Martin after Sultana slashed at a wide one. New Zealand’s start was a little more sedate even as the rain began to fall again, Sophie Devine facing the first over from Alam with Bates at the other end having walked out on her home ground. Bates was able to have a giggle with Alam as the seamer pulled out of her run-up when she had already begun inching down the track ready for a big heave. With the powerplay over, the White Ferns were behind Bangladesh at the same stage on 29-0 and then lost Devine as she rocked back and missed a swing at a Khatun delivery and was bowled for 16. Out came Amelia Kerr and her and Bates steadied the run chase with the fifty-partnership coming up just after the halfway mark after a no ball. A slow over was not what New Zealand wanted as the rain set in with 20 overs needed for a result to count, but then Bates started motoring. Her fifty came up in the next over, a 12th ODI half-century brought up in 51 balls, and a first chance to raise the bat in a New Zealand jersey at her home ground. She was still playing with fire and should have been gone on 58 but keeper Sultana couldn’t hold on to the wet ball to take the bails off with Bates way out of her ground. With the first ball of the 19th over, Bates reached a remarkable milestone as her 75 runs took her past 1000 runs in Women’s Cricket World Cups, becoming only the second White Fern to do so after Debbie Hockley. With New Zealand moving to 135 for one, it was only a matter of time before the win was sealed. And it was Amelia Kerr who got them there, striking the ball for four to end on 47 not out, with Bates down the other end on an unbeaten 79 having shared a magnificent 108-partnership to earn New Zealand a first win at their home World Cup after losing a close match to the West Indies. Scores in brief New Zealand beat Bangladesh at University Oval, Dunedin by nine wickets Bangladesh 140/8 in 27.0 overs (Fargana Hoque Pinky 52, Shamima Sultana 33; Amy Satterthwaite 3/25, Hayley Jensen 1/18) New Zealand 145/1 in 20.0 overs (Suzie Bates 79 not out, Amelia Kerr 47 not out; Salma Khatun 1/34, Lata Mondol 0/9) Player of the Match: Suzie Bates (New Zealand).

BIPIN DANI The Indian women's team won its first ICC World Cup match against Pakistan on Sunday. However, according to a renowned astrologer who is known for his cricket predictions, Mithali Raj will not be able to bring the trophy. Mithali Raj the veteran Indian captain has been given the task to lead India to victory in her last hurrah. Greenstone Lobo predicted 1 in 2017 on the eve of the final between England and India, that India will falter in the final hurdle. And it did happen and England won the World Cup. So, what is going against India this time? According to Lobo, there are two reasons. "The first reason is that Mithali isn’t the right person to be leading the team right now. Her birth chart was good enough to make her a legendary batter, but it cannot help her win the coveted trophy. You need more positive planetary arrangements, which is lacking in Mitali’s chart". "The second important reason is that Indian coach Ramesh Powar doesn't have a horoscope good enough to become the greatest coach ever for the Indian women’s cricket team. If Powar leads India to victory, he would have done something which no other coach has done before and the weak horoscope of Powar doesn’t guarantee that ''. So, Is there any other captain in India who could have done that? "Yes, '' says Lobo -"Harmanpreet Kaur. If Harmanpreet was the captain with the erstwhile WV Raman as the coach, then that magic would have been possible. Alas, it seems that wasn’t destined to be". So, which country would win the marquee event then? Well, the answer isn’t surprising. "It is going to be Australia. Meg Lanning has probably the best horoscope amongst all women players in the current era and will go on to be a great. She has already won a couple of Twenty20 world cups and is a fabulous batter too. She will assert her greatness by Captaining Australia to win the crowning glory of Cricket – the World Cup", signs off Lobo.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India recorded an impressive 107-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan despite an off-colour performance from their batters, thanks to a record seventh-wicket partnership between all-rounders Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana at the Bay Oval in Tauranga on Sunday. India were struggling at 114 for six at one stage and seemed to be under pressure when Vastrakar and Rana blasted their highest ODI scores to lift India to a competitive 244 for seven much to the delight of their fans who shouted in support and encouragement. In reply, Pakistan never got going as they slipped to 98 for seven, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh taking a record five dismissals on World Cup debut as India earned their first win in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. India won the toss and chose to bat with the Bay Oval bathed in glorious sunshine, but there was a storm brewing in the middle as Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck. Diana Baig cleaned up her leg stump as Verma’s issues in the one-day format continued on to the World Cup stage. Fellow opener Smriti Mandhana would provide the release, scoring the first boundary with the 25th ball of the innings. Mandhana was timing the ball beautifully but boundaries still proved hard to come by, a pre-meditated strike down the ground in the final over of the power play landed so forcefully it plugged short of the boundary. She didn’t let that stop her as two balls later the ball sailed over the boundary to bring up India’s first six and end the powerplay with India 33 for one. Pakistan’s fielding had been accurate with singles cut off and boundary hopes reeled in, but at the 20 over mark the field settings grew more and more defensive. Mandhana’s fifty would soon come bringing it up off 71 balls to register her 25th score over fifty, but a first against Pakistan. There would be little time to celebrate as Deepti Sharma was bowled by Nashra Sundhu with the very next ball. A collapse was beginning as Mandhana fell for 52 as Anam Amin produced a stunning caught and bowled to leave two new batters at the crease. Those batters were still to be feared even if they were on nought, Harmanpreet Kaur now joined by Mithali Raj as she embarked on a record sixth World Cup campaign. Kaur would not threaten though as she was given out lbw for five from 14 as Nida Dar became the fourth bowler to take a wicket and India slipped to 108 for four. The young star Richa Ghosh could not succeed where her elders had failed as she went for a five-ball duck with Dar picking up her second as Ghosh chopped onto her wickets. Pakistan were on top as Fatima Sana earned a maiden over before Sundhu got her second as Raj was forced to go, walking off as slowly as she has scored, her nine coming from 36 balls. It felt like India’s tail was set to wag quickly with the Women in Blue on 114 for six but Pooja Vastrakaer joined Sneh Rana with other ideas. With 34.4 overs gone, Vastrakar showed her intent by scoring the first boundary since the second delivery of the 17th over. The duo brought up their fifty partnership off 43 balls and they hadn’t even got properly going as overs 40 to 42 went for 10 or more runs. The fact that Sundhu then bowled an over that only conceded six felt like a success to show how far Pakistan had let the game slip. Both batters brought up their highest ODI scores before Vastrakar had to go for 67 from 59 balls ending a World Cup record seventh-wicket partnership of 122. Jhulan Goswami would end the innings with a four to bring India to 244 for seven, which seemed unlikely 16 overs before. Goswami would then open the bowling in her fifth World Cup as Pakistan made a slow start, making just 26 from the first 10 overs. The fact they had not lost a wicket was a silver lining that soon disappeared as Javeria Khan was caught by Goswami off the bowling of Gayakwad. Out came captain Bismah Maroof, but she could make only 15 from 24 balls as she was caught behind with Pakistan slipping to 53 for two. After her heroics with the bat, Rana then dismissed Omaima Sohail with her second ball before Goswami got her first to dismiss anchor Sidra Amin for 30 from 64 balls. Doing so brought out Aliya Riaz who ended both warm-up games not out with scores over 40, but not this time. Riaz would make 11 from 23 balls before being stumped by Ghosh, her fourth involvement of the innings to make amends for her batting performance. Sana was next to fall as Pakistan lost their seventh wicket for just 98 runs, no matching Rana and Vastrakar. Another small partnership was made for Pakistan as Baig joined Sidra Nawaz in the middle before Gayakwad got her fourth of the afternoon, an Indian spinner again doing the business. While Gayakwad had to wait another over to attempt her five-fer, Ghosh picked up hers as she caught Sundhu for a duck becoming the first wicket-keeper to take five dismissals on World Cup debut. With Gayakwad getting the chance to bowl her final over, each delivery was met by chants and cheers that had boomed round the ground all afternoon. Baig played with no fear taking six runs off her to deny her a five-fer but she still earned figures of four for 31. A seventh-wicket partnership had not materialised but it looked as though a tenth-wicket one was forming as Baig and Anam Amin frustrated India’s push for victory. Kaur would take the final catch as Baig had to go for an entertaining 24 from 35 balls as India got their World Cup campaign up and running with Pakistan all out for 137. Scores in brief India beat Pakistan at Bay Oval, Tauranga by 107 runs India 244/7 in 50.0 overs (Pooja Vastrakar 67, Sneh Rana 53 not out; Nashra Sandhu 2/36, Nida Dar 2/45) Pakistan 137 in 43.0 overs (Sidra Ameen 30, Diana Baig 24; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 4/31, Jhulan Goswami 2/26) Player of the Match: Pooja Vastrakar    

Sports Bulletin Report CHRISTCHURCH:-Pakistan won their second ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up Wednesday as they defeated Bangladesh by seven runs at Lincoln. In the first warm-up, they had defeated hosts New Zealand on 27 February by four wickets. Young right-arm pacer Fatima Sana and left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu shared seven wickets between them as the former starred with four for 47 and the latter returned three for 22 in 8.2 overs, which included three maidens. Fargana Hoque, with 71, top-scored for Bangladesh. The match had started with a delay due to morning showers and had to be stopped after 3.1 overs because of a passing shower after Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof elected to bat after her Bangladesh counterpart called wrong at the toss. Aliya Riaz, once again, top-scored for her side with 45 not out after Javeria Khan (44) and Bismah Maroof (32) struck 73-run partnership after Pakistan were reduced to three for 38 in 10 overs. Fatima contributed 29 with the bat in the 33 balls she faced.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Christchurch:-Half-centuries from Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar handed Pakistan a four-wicket win over hosts New Zealand in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln. Aliya smashed unbeaten 62 off 52 (eight fours) and Nida struck 54 off 59 (four fours) as the two contributed crucial 99 runs for the sixth wicket after Pakistan found themselves in a spot of bother with five wickets down for 119, chasing 230. The other notable performances with the bat came from opener Sidra Amin (34 off 47), Omaima Sohail (31 off 34) and captain Bismah Maroof (28 off 58). Aliya and Nida were Pakistan’s top run scorers in ODIs in 2021. Left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu accounted for four White Ferns batters as she returned four for 32 in 10 overs and Fatima Sana and Ghulam Fatima picked up two wickets each after Bismah chose to field after calling the toss right. New Zealand were bowled out for 229 in 45 overs. Pakistan play their second and final warm-up against Bangladesh on 2 March, before they fly to Tauranga, where they will open their World Cup campaign on 6 March with the match against India. Scores in brief: New Zealand 229 all out, 45 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 80, Maddy Green 58; Nashra Sandhu 4-32, Fatima Sana 2-38, Ghulam Fatima 2-44) Pakistan 233 for 6, 49.2 overs (Aliya Riaz 62 not out, Nida Dar 54, Sidra Amin 34, Omaima Sohail 31, Bismah Maroof 28; Jess Kerr 2-30).     

Knight was speaking on the second day of the captains’ opening media conferences, with the skippers of New Zealand, India and Bangladesh also interacting with the media on Saturday. The 2017 winners will take on Australia in their opening match on March 5 in Hamilton and Knight believes it is Australia who head in as the team to beat. “I think five years is quite a long time in international cricket and obviously Australia have been the outstanding team throughout that period and naturally, deservedly they go in as favourites,” she said. “I don't think it [being defending champions] hangs heavy at all on our shoulders. I think the tournament we had in 2017 will give a lot of the players confidence that they can deal with the ebbs and flows of the tournament and know how to be successful in World Cups. “We'll be trying to take experience from that and we're not too worried about having the tag of obviously being reigning champions.” England will still be hoping to keep a hold of the trophy come the final in Christchurch on 3 April and have been working to be at their best for this tournament. Knight added: “Naturally the team evolves in World Cup cycles. I think the last couple of years with Lisa [Keightley, head coach] coming in, the changes we've made as a bowling unit. We've really tried to be a little bit more aggressive, a little bit more attacking, look to take wickets particularly up front and through that middle phase. “You're just trying to get your players together that are going to be successful during those five years preparing for a World Cup...In the last couple of years before a World Cup, you are trying to really build to peak at that time.” New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine is under a different sort of pressure as she leads her team at a home World Cup, including the opening match against the West Indies on 4 March. Devine and her WHITE FERNS teammates are inspired by the New Zealand teams of the past as they go in search of silverware. She said: “We know if we play a really exciting brand of cricket that we can get the whole country behind. That's going to leave a legacy. “I think it's something that the BLACKCAPS did particularly well in 2015. They really did have the whole country behind them and we're hoping we can do something similar in igniting the passion that so many Kiwis have for their sport and hopefully they can get behind us as well.” The last time New Zealand hosted a Women’s World Cup they came away champions, and Devine has fond memories of the 2000 triumph. “That was probably one of the first times I'd watched women's cricket on TV and it's not a bad one to watch,” Devine said. “There's a number of us players that were inspired by those players who played in that tournament and it's pretty incredible to think now here we are, some 20 odd years later, hosting our own World Cup tournament with the opportunity to hopefully replicate what they did back in 2000.” As India captain Mithali Raj prepares for a record sixth appearance at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she is looking to the future. Mithali Raj said: “The talent that we've got in the last year, we've tried some young talent in the squad, and most of them have shown that they have the ability to play at this level like Richa [Ghosh], Shafali [Verma], we have Meghna Singh in the seamers, Pooja Vastrakar. “They all have been given good game time and those series have really helped them and me as a captain to find out where they fit in into the composition of the team. “As far as me personally, I am happy with the way that I've been scoring runs, and I would love to continue the form into the World Cup.” With her vast experience at World Cups, the India captain has also been passing on her wisdom to those set to make their debut. “The young talent in the side today, I tell them that you don't have the experience of the past World Cups, so it's a clean slate for you, all you have to do is enjoy the big stage.,” she explained. “I did have a word with Yastika [Bhatia] the other day, I took her out for a coffee and we've spoken quite a bit, she’s a chatty kid and asked me a lot of questions. “The only advice I would tell the young players is enjoy the big stage because if you pile up the pressure you may not be playing the best that the team and you would want to do in the World Cup.” The whole of the Bangladesh side will make their debuts at a one-day World Cup as 2022 marks the country’s first appearance. For captain Nigar Sultana and her team, it is a chance to put their practice to good use. She said: “I think this is a big opportunity for all of us. We've been working so hard for this and this is our first ever World Cup. I think if we could do well here, it will be a great moment in Bangladesh cricket. We came a bit early just because we wanted to assess the wickets and the conditions because we have never played here in New Zealand conditions. “So, we have had a lot of quality practice sessions here, we are trying to assess the wicket and in the conditions, I think our girls have done very well.” Sultana has also been able to call on the knowledge of the Bangladesh men’s side, which played in New Zealand earlier this year. She revealed: “We do have some good relations with some of the players so they shared a lot of experience about the condition and how we're going to the play here. I think it is going to help us in the practice matches and the main matches as well.”

Sports Bulletin Report CHRISTCHURCH:-Teams at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 will be able to field a side with only nine players if their squad is affected by COVID-19, the International Cricket Council announced. The ICC has made arrangements to support teams and ensure the tournament can continue as normally as possible. Other announcements include an unlimited number of super overs to decide tied matches and strict protocols for teams. ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said at a media interaction in Christchurch: “From a COVID perspective, we need to be a little bit flexible, as far as the way in which we manage the game to take into account these unique circumstances. “So firstly, we have allowed squads to increase in size. Whilst the official playing 15 is still set at 15 as would always have been the case, we've allowed squads to bring additional traveling reserves so that they can replace on a temporary basis, if needs be because of COVID, players in and out of the squad during the event. “There's opportunity for players to contract COVID-19 but then to be able to come back. It's important that we do everything we can to try and maximise opportunities for the best players in the world to show their skills at a World Cup. “If it becomes necessary, we would allow a team to field nine players as an exception for this environment and if they had female substitutes from within their management team, we would enable two substitutes to play, non-batting, non-bowling, but to enable a game to take place.” The tournament begins on 4 March in Tauranga and will culminate with the final in Christchurch on 3 April with each team playing the other seven once to decide the top four who will advance to the semi-finals.