Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report DUBAHI (November 20, 2021):-The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 supported by Dream 11 gets underway in Harare on Sunday with more at stake than just sealing places in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand. Apart from the three sides who will join the five who have already qualified for the World Cup, two others will also clinch places in the next ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) along with the top five from last time, as the number of teams in the third cycle of the IWC goes up from eight to 10. If teams like India and South Africa had figured in the 2017 Qualifier in Colombo, the nine-team tournament this time includes former T20 World Champions the West Indies (in Group A along with Sri Lanka, Ireland and the Netherlands) and World Cup regulars Pakistan (in Group B along with Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe and the United States). The final placings will be decided in a Super Six stage comprising three teams each advancing from the two groups. The teams making it to this round will carry over points gained in the preliminary league against other teams that advance to the Super Six stage. West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor looked forward to the tournament while exuding confidence on the back of an impressive 3-0 series victory over Pakistan this month. West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor: “We’re definitely looking forward to kickstarting the Qualifiers. The expectations are pretty high for us to finish number one or at least in the top three and be one of the eight teams in New Zealand next year. With that being said, we’re not taking any team for granted.  We’re going to go out there and play our best cricket. “I believe the all-round ability of our team is our strength, our batting is peaking at a good time heading into the Qualifiers, which was exemplified with two centuries in the recent series against Pakistan. Our bowlers are showing that they can defend the scores posted by the batters. So, we are looking forward to a competitive but enjoyable tournament.” Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musonda, on the other hand, spoke for teams eyeing places in the IWC, which ensures exposure against top sides over the next three-year cycle. Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musonda: “These qualifiers are very important for us. We have got a shot at qualifying for the World Cup, which is a very big platform and something that we want, and the opportunity of finishing in the top five, which will mean we will have tours as part of the ICC Women’s Championship. That would be good for our team - getting to play top sides. “Hosting (this event) is such a great thing for us - home conditions and fans cheering for us! We have a fair chance of making it to the top five and fighting through to get to the top three. We are hoping to start by winning our two games in Group B, aiming to take it one game at a time and hope for the best in the end. We have a good mix of youth and experience in our side.” Zimbabwe will play against Thailand on the opening day at Harare Sports Club while Bangladesh and Pakistan play at the Old Hararians Club simultaneously.

Sports Reporter DUBAHI (November 17, 2021):-West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor has moved up in the list of batters in the latest update to the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after a match-winning century against Pakistan that helped complete a 3-0 series win. Tuesday’s updates, which take into account the second and third ODIs between Pakistan and the West Indies as well as the three Zimbabwe versus Bangladesh matches, sees Taylor move up two slots to 12th position after an unbeaten 102 in the third ODI in Karachi. Taylor’s compatriot Hayley Matthews is another big gainer, moving up four slots to 25th among batters and up three slots to 20th among bowlers. She is also up two places to 12th in the all-rounders’ list after a match-winning four-wicket haul in the second match and a score of 49 in the third. For Pakistan, Aliya Riaz (up three places to 37th) and Omaima Sohail (up two places to 39th) have moved up the list for batters and Nashra Sandhu (up one place to 21st) and Anam Amin (up four places to 43rd) have progressed among bowlers. Bangladesh’s Fargana Hoque has gained seven places to reach joint-26th position after smashing a 53 not out in the second ODI against Zimbabwe while her team-mate Rumana Ahmed has moved up two places to 34th. Captain Salma Khatun (up five places to 39th) and Nahida Akter (up 11 places to 45th) have advanced in the bowlers’ list.

Saad Kayani KARACHI:-Pakistan women’s national cricket team will depart for Zimbabwe to participate in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 0250 on Tuesday morning. They will be joined by their West Indian counterparts on the journey after the two sides played a three-match One-Day International series at the National Stadium, which concluded on Sunday. Meanwhile, the national women’s selection committee has announced a 15-player squad and three traveling reserves for the World Cup Qualifier from the 18 announced before the West Indies series. Squad: Javeria Khan (captain), Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wicketkeeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) Traveling reserves: Aiman Anwar, Maham Tariq and Rameen Shamim. Support staff: Fizza Abid (team manager), David Hemp (head coach), Arshad Khan (assistant coach), Saboor Ahmad (strength and condition coach), Zubair Ahmad (analyst) and Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist).

Saad Kayani KARACHI:-Captain Stafanie Taylor scored the seventh century of her ODI career to spearhead her side’s six-wicket win over Pakistan in the third and final match of the series played at the National Stadium Karachi on Sunday. The victory ensured a three-zero clean sweep for the visitors who won the first match by 45 runs and the second match by 37 runs. Set a 226-run target, West Indies were rocked early on in their chase when left-arm spinner Anam Amin took two wickets and Diana Baig took one to reduce the visitors to 15 for three in the fifth over. An 83-run partnership for the fourth-wicket between Hayley Matthews (49 off 58 balls, eight fours) and Taylor revived the chase. Matthews fell with the total on 98, at this stage Taylor was joined by Chedean Nation. The two took control of the chase as their partnership remained intact as the West Indies surpassed the target with six overs to spare. The pair added 128 runs in their unbroken fifth-wicket alliance. Taylor scored 102 off 117 balls with the help of 12 fours. Nation scored 51 off 67 balls (seven fours.). Anam took two wickets for Pakistan while Diana and Sadia Iqbal took a wicket apiece. Earlier, Pakistan posted 225 for seven after being put into bat. Left-handed opener Muneeba Ali scored her maiden half-century, she hit eight fours in her 88-ball innings. Muneeba added 49 for the first-wicket with Ayesha Zafar (13). Skipper Javeria Khan scored 13 while Omaima Sohail contributed 27 off 53 balls. All-rounder Aliya Riaz (44 not out, 57 balls, three fours, one six) and Iram Javed 26 took the score past the 200-run mark. Fatima Sana and Diana Baig hit a six each as Pakistan finished with a competitive 225 for seven total in their 50 overs. Aaliyah Alleyne and Shakera Selman took two wickets each. Scores in Brief: West Indies beat Pakistan by six wickets Pakistan Women 225 for 7, 50 overs (Muneeba Ali 58, Aliya Riaz 44 not out, Omaima Sohail 27; Aaliyah Alleyne 2-41, Shakera Selman 2-40) West Indies Women 226 for 4, 44 overs (Stafanie Taylor 102 not out, Chedean Nation 51 not out, Hayley Matthews 49; Anam Amin 2-45) Player of the match: Stafanie Taylor Player of the series: Hayley Matthews

SAAD KAYANI Karachi (November 11, 2021):-All-rounder Hayley Matthews produced a stellar performance with bat and ball to spearhead West Indies women’s 37-run win in the low scoring second ODI against Pakistan at the National Stadium Karachi on Thursday. The victory gave West Indies an unassailable two-zero lead in the three-match series with the third and final match scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. The visitors won the first match by 45 runs on Monday. Chasing a 154-run target, Pakistan were bowled out for 116 in 39.2 overs. Omaima Sohail (27) and captain Javeria Khan (24) were the only batters to post a 20 plus score as the West Indies bowlers maintained a stranglehold on the scoring besides chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. Shamilia Connell took three wickets for 18 runs in 9.2 overs, Shakera Selman and Anisa Mohammad took a wicket apiece. Earlier, West Indies were bowled out for 153 in 45.4 overs. Pakistan bowlers and fielders had a brilliant outing after captain Javeria Khan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pacer Fatima Sana who took five wickets in the previous match took two wickets in one over to peg the visitors back in the 12th over. Pakistan got the prized wicket of first match’s centurion Deandra Dottin (34) via a run out with the score at 64 in the 20th over. Pakistan made regular inroads after dismissing Dottin, Fatima was ably supported by Anam Amin and Omaima Sohail who both took two wickets each conceding 21 and 25 runs respectively. Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal took a wicket each, Dottin was the top-scorer for West Indies, Hayley Matthews contributed 26 while Shemaine Campbelle scored an unbeaten 23, captain Stafanie Taylor scored 23 off 46 balls. Scores in Brief: West Indies beat Pakistan by 37 runs West Indies Women 153 all out, 45.4 overs (Deandra Dottin 34, Hayley Matthews 26; Fatima Sana 2-19, Anam Amin 2-21, Omaima Sohail 2-25) Pakistan Women 116 all out, 39.2 overs (Omaima Sohail 27, Javeria Khan 24; Hayley Matthews 4-26, Shamilia Connell 3-18)

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (November 10, 2021):-Papua New Guinea (PNG) have withdrawn from the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Zimbabwe as they are unable to send a team due to several members of the squad testing positive for COVID-19. PNG were to take on defending champions the West Indies on the opening day of the tournament, which runs from 21 November to 5 December across four venues in Harare. There will be no replacement for PNG in Group A, which will now consist of four teams - Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands and the West Indies. The five-team Group B comprises Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe and the United States. ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said: “Obviously we’re incredibly disappointed not to be able to welcome PNG to the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifer, but they have been unable to field a team because a number of the squad have contracted COVID-19. The safety of the players and everyone involved in our events is paramount and we will go ahead with the tournament maintaining our bio-security standards. “I really feel for the PNG players, who have been preparing extensively for this event and for whom it would have been a wonderful experience playing against several top sides in Harare, with the opportunity to qualify for the Women’s World Cup and the next round of the ICC Women’s Championship. We hope that they are back playing international cricket soon and continue to develop as a team.” The Zimbabwe event is an important one on the calendar as it decides three qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April, joining five teams who have already qualified through the ICC Women’s Championship – Australia, England, India, South Africa and hosts New Zealand. The three qualifiers as well as the next two teams will also ensure places in the next ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) along with the top five from last time, as the number of teams in the third cycle of the IWC goes up from eight to 10 teams.

SAAD KAYANI Karachi, 8 November 2021: A brilliant century by player of the match Deandra Dottin scripted West Indies Women’s to 45-run win over Pakistan Women in the first One-Day International at National Stadium on Monday. The West Indies opener smashed 132 off 146 balls and smoked 18 fours and two sixes after Pakistan’s stand-in captain Sidra Nawaz opted to bowl after winning the toss. This was Dottin’s best score in the format. Dottin added 119 runs for the third wicket with Hayley Matthews, who scored 57 off 67 (eight fours), as their partnership set the platform for the tourists to post 253 for eight before Shemaine Campbelle scored a brisk 23 off 20. Dottin’s century and the eventual Pakistan defeat eclipsed Anam Amin’s maiden five-wicket haul. The left-arm orthodox from Lahore returned five for 35 with two of her 10 overs being maiden. Anam accounted for Dottin, Rashada Williams (15 off 40), Hayley Matthews, Campbelle and Kycia Knight (six off six). Birthday girl Fatima Sana, who came into this match after recording a five-wicket haul in the fifth and final ODI against West Indies in Antigua in July, took two for 65. This match marked a significant moment in the 20-year-old’s career as she opened the bowling for Pakistan against the very opposition to whom she bowled as a net bowler when they were in the city two years ago for three T20Is. Pakistan crumbled in their reply. Opener Sidra Amin was caught on the last ball of the second over and one-drop Ayesha Zafar was LBW on the last ball of the eighth over. Both batters were sent packing by Shakera Selman. Iram Javed fought back with a 34-ball 40 as she added 57 runs for the fourth wicket with Kainat Imtiaz (24 off 60), but the dismissal of the former pretty much settled the game in the tourists favour. Aliya Riaz top-scored with 46 off 61 (three fours). She was run out in the 47th over with Pakistan 56 runs away from the target. The two teams will play the second ODI on 11 November at the same venue. Scores in brief: West Indies Women 253-8, 50 overs (Deandra Dottin 132, Hayley Matthews 57, Shemaine Campbelle 23; Anam Amin 5-35, Fatima Sana 2-65) Pakistan Women 208-9, 50 overs (Aliya Riaz 46, Iram Javed 40, Muneeba Ali 28, Kainat Imtiaz 24, Sidra Nawaz 23; Hayley Mathews 3-31, Shakera Selman 2-35) Player of the match - Deandra Dottin

Saad Kayani KARACHI (November 7, 2021):-Pakistan national women’s team will start final phase of their preparations for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier when they will take on the West Indies in the first of the three One-Day Internationals at the National Stadium, Karachi, on Monday. Ahead of their departure for Zimbabwe on 16 November, where they will compete to win one of the three spots to secure qualification for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup New Zealand 2022, these three fixtures will serve as an opportunity to both sides to get the desired match practice. Wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz will lead the national side in the first match after the team management has decided to give Javeria Khan further time to gain match fitness. Meanwhile, Pakistan have also announced the 12-member squad for the first ODI, which is Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (captain and wicketkeeper). Nine high-definition cameras will live-stream the series across the globe through PCB’s official YouTube Channel as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to expand and promote women’s game and attract youngsters towards it. As per the guidelines issued by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), the seating capacity for the three matches will remain at 50 per cent. The stands will be open to general public on Sunday, 14 November, for the third ODI and the entry will be granted on the display of original CNIC and NADRA-issued Covid-19 Immunisation Certificates. For the ODIs on Monday and Thursday, colleges and schools have been extended invitations. This series also marks the return of the national women’s team to the iconic National Stadium after 15 years. Pakistan last played here in January 2006 when Karachi hosted Women’s Asia Cup in which Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka played at Karachi Gymkhana and National Stadium. Pakistan and West Indies have played twice at the National Stadium, in March 2004. The two women sides locked horns in a Test match. That match might have ended in a draw, but is remembered for opener Kiran Baluch’s stunning 242 and leg-spinner Shazia Khan’s match figures of 13 for 226 – which remain the highest Test score and best bowling figures in women’s game to date. The solitary ODI that the two teams played in the same month ended in the tourists’ seven-wicket victory. The two teams played a five-match ODI series during the national women’s team’s tour of Antigua in June-July that hosts sealed with a 3-2 scoreline. Pakistan won the last two matches of the series and the final ODI was set alive by teenage pacer Fatima Sana. Sidra Nawaz: “We are very excited and looking forward to play West Indies at the National Stadium. We have missed playing in front of our home crowd and I am sure fans will be treated with quality action when the series begins tomorrow. “This is a huge moment for me to be leading the national side in Pakistan. For any cricketer, it is nothing less than a dream to captain your country and I am very happy that I have gotten this opportunity. “We have had good preparation for this series and the team looks in great touch and ready to go after the final training session on Sunday. We will definitely miss Nida Dar and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.” Fixtures (all matches at National Stadium, to begin at 10am) November 8, 2021: 1st ODI. Rashid Riaz and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires) and Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee) 11 Nov – 2nd ODI. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires) and Rashid Riaz (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee) 14 Nov – 3rd ODI. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires) and Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee).

Saad Kayani KARACHI (November 3, 2021):-Pakistan star cricketer Nida Dar is eager to make the most of the three One-Day Internationals against the West Indies Women that the national women’s team will play at the iconic National Stadium from 8-14 November. These three matches serve an opportunity for both teams to get the desired competitive match practice ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifier. When Pakistan toured West Indies in June-July earlier this year, Nida made 135 runs – including half-century in the first match – at 33.75 in five ODIs. This year has proved to be a successful one for her with the bat as the right-hander has scored 259 at an average of over 43. Pakistan, on Wednesday, held scenario-based training at the National Stadium. Speaking about the preparations, Nida said: “We are getting some great practice ahead of the three ODIs against the West Indies. The pitches here are great for cricket and the weather is also great for the game. This series is very important for us to prepare for the World Cup Qualifier.” While West Indies toured Pakistan in 2018 for three T20Is, which were played at Karachi’s Southend Club, the last time these two teams met at the National Stadium was in 2006. That is the only instance the two sides have ever faced off at this venue. So when the series begins on 8 November, Nida will play her first international fixture at the National Stadium– something she had been eagerly looking forward to.  “It has been my dream to play at the National Stadium,” she said. “The pitches here support both batters and bowlers. It gives a great feeling to play in front of your crowds. I am sure West Indies will get to enjoy a great atmosphere here and we will play good cricket. “We had a great series when West Indies last toured Pakistan. Both sides played some great competitive cricket.”

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-The women selection committee today (Thursday) announced a 15-player Pakistan women squad for a two-match ODI series against Bangladesh women. Three changes have been made in the line-up from the one that swept Bangladesh 3-0 in a T20I series this week. After participating in the ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Cup in Sri Lanka slow left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu, leg-spinner Aroob Shah and right-arm medium-fast Fatima Sana come in the side to replace right-hand bat Ayesha Zafar, slow left-arm orthodox Anam Amin and right-arm offbreak Saba Nazir. After a successful maiden T20I series, Sadia Iqbal has got a call-up for the ODI team. The left-arm spinner took four wickets in three matches at an average of 15. Keeping in view Pakistan’s final-round ICC Women’s Championship fixtures against England in December, the selection committee – which is led by Urooj Mumtaz and includes Asmavia Iqbal and Marina Iqbal – has jotted down a squad which strikes the balance of youth and experience and serves players a crucial opportunity to warm-up for the exciting series. The two one-dayers will be played on 2 and 4 November at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan ODI team for series against Bangladesh: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aliya Riaz, Aroob Shah, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Nashra Sandhu, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper). Officials: Interim Head Coach - Iqbal Imam Trainer - Gemaal Hussain Fielding Coach - Iqbal Ahmed Amir Manager - Aisha Jalil Physio – Dr Rifat Asghar Gill Analyst – Zubair Ahmed Schedule: 2 November, First ODI, Pakistan women v Bangladesh women, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 4 November, Second ODI, Pakistan women v Bangladesh women, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore