Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Babar Azam, world’s number-one batter in white-ball cricket and Pakistan’s all-format captain, has a huge fan following around the world. Former Pakistan Under-19 captain Qasim Akram is also one of Babar’s admirers and wants to follow in his footsteps so that he can also make a meaningful impact in the game. “I idolise Babar Azam as a batter,” Qasim told PCB website, adding: “He is an articulate batter and I want to be the next Babar Azam of this world.” Qasim also hails from his idol’s hometown in Lahore, where his father works in a pre-loved clothing shop. After captaining Pakistan in the West Indies tournament, he has remained Babar’s teammate in Central Punjab and HBL PSL franchise Karachi Kings. “It was an unforgettable experience for me to have such a great mind around. I have learnt from him how to build an innings, play cover-drives and improve pull-shots.” The 19-year old scored 203 runs and took 10 wickets in six matches of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022. While representing Central Punjab in the National T20 2021-22, he took 11 wickets. Qasim scored a half-century in the HBL PSL 2022 for Karachi Kings, while in the Pakistan Cup 2021-22, he scored 285 runs and grabbed 10 wickets from 10 outings. “Babar has performed wherever he has played and I regularly follow his batting skills. So, I feel fortunate enough to share the dressing room with him. As a world number-one batter, he has set such high standards in Pakistan cricket that I would like to meet.” The middle-order batter and off-spinner is also among 107 players who are part of the PCB Pathways Programme. The four-week camp for the players’ is likely to start in the second week of June in Muridke, which is in line with PCB’s strategy to invest in young players. “PCB Pathways Programme is a great initiative where the young cricketers will receive a stipend of PKR30,000 per month and also earn 100 per cent educational scholarship, which will not only help them but also their families,” Qasim said. Qasim, with his off-spin bowling, has to date picked 14 wickets from nine first-class matches and is hoping to prolong his career like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. “I follow how Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Hafeez have extended their careers as all-rounders. I am presently working to improve my off-spin skills.”

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has divided the fielding responsibilities of the national cricket team between the two coaches-Anton Roux and Manoj Abeyeickrama-, it is learnt.    Anton Roux, who was till now working at the High Performance Centre, has joined the Sri Lanka national team's coaching staff. The USA-born Roux, who turned 41 on Sunday will be the fielding coach for the white ball games. Manoj Abeywickrama, who last was with the national Test team on Bangladesh tour will take over the fielding charge for the Test matches. The team had an optional training on Monday, a day before the first T-20I night match on Tuesday. The team is also assisted by eight net bowlers, who come from their respective homes at the ground.  TV commentary Former Australian wicket-keeper batter Brad Haddin is one of the TV commentators for the bilateral matches against Sri Lanka, commencing Tuesday, it is confirmed. The 44-year-old Haddin has the highest experience of playing 226 international matches (34 T20Is, 126 ODIs and 66 Tests) among all five commentators. This has been his first Sri Lanka tour as a commentator. The other fIve commentators are regular faces in Sri Lanka. They are : Russel Arnold, Farveez Maharoof, Roshan Abeysinghe, HD Ackerman and Aamer Sohail. Both Arnold and Sohail have also played over 200 international matches for Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively, although Sohail has not played the T-20Is.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The ICC Men’s Players of the Month have shortlisted for May 2022 features players from both sides of the recently concluded ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Angelo Mathews and Asitha Fernando were two architects of Sri Lanka’s 1-0 series victory and are named in the shortlist thanks to key performances with bat and ball. Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh completes the lineup following stellar contributions at the crease in both Tests. Stars of Pakistan’s bowling attack and batting lineup, Tuba Hassan and Bismah Maroof, are shortlisted for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after their recent 3-0 T20I series victory over Sri Lanka. Spin sensation Tuba enjoyed plenty of success, while skipper Bismah contributed consistently en route to chasing down targets in each fixture. Trinity Smith (Jersey) was integral to her side’s successful stint in the France Women’s International T20 Quadrangular, and her performances with bat and ball see her on the shortlist for the first time. Asitha Fernando (SL): The Sri Lanka seamer proved pivotal to his side’s success in Bangladesh, taking 13 wickets across the two WTC Tests at an average of 16.61. He followed up three wickets at Chattogram with an outstanding display with the ball at Mirpur. Fernando’s figures of four for 93 helped restrict the hosts’ first innings score, before he seized the upper hand for his side by ripping through the Bangladesh order in the second innings. His six for 51 ensured the tourists coasted to a 10-wicket win and a series victory. Angelo Mathews (SL): So often the key contributor in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, Mathews was a constant danger for the Bangladesh side. Big centuries in both Tests saw him aggregate 344 runs at an average of 172. His mammoth 199 in Chattogram was outshone by a thrilling 145 not out in Mirpur, which set the platform for his side to post a huge score of 506 and secure an impressive series victory. Mushfiqur Rahim (Ban): Mushfiqur displayed his batting prowess, spearheading his side’s resistance with centuries in Chattogram and Mirpur. Amassing 303 runs at an average of 151.5, he was a shining light for the hosts. His 105 in the first Test was crucial, while his 175 not out and an important partnership with Liton Das in the first innings of the second Test stood out even as his teammates faltered around him. Tuba Hassan (Pak): Tuba’s masterful display with the ball in the T20I series against Sri Lanka earned her a first nomination in the ICC Women’s Player of the Month awards. With five wickets in the series at an impressive economy rate of 3.66, her dazzling performances were highlighted by an outstanding spell of three for eight in the first match in Karachi. This restricted the tourists to a modest 106 for eight and set the tone for her side to claim a whitewash on home soil. Bismah Maroof (Pak): The Pakistan skipper enjoyed a profitable T20I series against Sri Lanka, demonstrating her mature batting by guiding her side to a dominant 3-0 victory. Batting second in each match, Bismah was at the crease to see her side home in two of the three chases, ending the series as the leading run-scorer with 65 runs at a strike rate of 85.52. Trinity Smith (Jersey): Smith, 17, is the first player from Jersey to be nominated for the ICC Player of the Month awards after some stellar performances with bat and ball in the France Women’s International T20 Quadrangular. Scoring 120 runs without being dismissed and taking four wickets in the four matches she played, her 56 not out from 40 balls in the final match saw her side chase down a target of 126 to clinch victory.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board will hire the services of two different experienced computer analysts for the upcoming national matches against the visiting Australian team, it is learnt. According to the sources in the SLC, Prad Navaratnam will be the analyst for the white ball matches (three T-20Is and five ODIs), whereas Shirantha Niroshana will manage the two Test matches. Incidentally, Prad Navaratnam, who was a head of the Brain Centre and had resigned to move to Australia has now returned as a Lead Analyst for the National Team for the white ball games. In the meantime, India's Sridharan Sriram has reached Colombo to join the Australian team as its support staff. Australian players are in Sri Lanka from different destinations in batches.   Sri Lanka's former batter and wicketkeeper Upul Fernando (now settled in Australia), who has played over 150 First Class matches, will bring Melbourne West Cricket Academy U-16 team to Sri Lanka. On their 12-day tour from June 25, the players will also have their parents on this tour, it is confirmed by Upul Fernando.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front as Sri Lanka recorded a commanding 93-run win in the third and final ICC Women’s Championship match at the Southend Club, Karachi on Sunday. Pakistan won the series 2-1 courtesy of their eight-wicket and 73-run win in the first two matches. At the end of the series Pakistan occupy the top-spot in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 cycle with four points from three games, Sri Lanka collected two points from their win today – this series was the first in the new championship cycle which will determine the six qualifying spots (top five plus the host) for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Today’s win was Sri Lanka’s lone victory in their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years, before the ODIs, the visitors had lost the T20I series by a 0-3 margin. Set a 261-run target, Pakistan were pegged back after a decent start. The hosts slumped from 41 for no loss to 48 for four in nine overs and never recovered from the mini collapse. Second ODI centurion Sidra Amin (19) was the first to go. Her opening partner Muneeba Ali (16) was run out while captain Bismah Maroof (0) and Nida Dar (5) were dismissed in quick succession as Sri Lankan bowlers tightened the screws. Omaima Sohail fought hard for her 40 off 61 balls (four fours) but her dismissal in the 28th over further increase Pakistan woes. Sidra Nawaz (7) and Fatima Sana (12) were dismissed in the search of quick runs as the required run-rate mounted. Diana Baig (0) was run out without facing a ball. Aliya Riaz stood firm at one end with a fighting half-century (sixth of her career), she was the ninth batter dismissed in an attempt of clearing the boundary. The right-hander hit four fours in her 56 off 82 balls. Athapaththu capped off a brilliant day in the field with a two-wicket contribution with the ball in her six overs. Oshadi Ranasinghe took two wickets while three batters were run out. Sri Lanka sealed their win with Anam Amin’s wicket in the 42nd over. Earlier, Athapaththu who had struggled to get going on the tour finally displayed her immense batting prowess with a scintillating century to set a solid platform for her side’s imposing total after she won the toss and opted to bat first for the fifth time on the tour (three T2oIs, first and third ODI). The left-hander posted the sixth century of her career off the 82nd ball of her innings, her blazing innings was punctuated with 13 fours and a six and she fell shortly after for 101 with Nida Dar dismissing her in the 31st over of the innings, Sri Lanka were 156 at that stage. Athapaththu is the only century maker for Sri Lanka in the ODI format and her innings today once again proved her immense value to country’s women cricket. Athapaththu took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers after the early loss of her opening partner Hasini Perera (3) and Hansima Karunaratne (0). The two were back in the dressing room with a mere four runs on the board in two overs. Athapaththu found an able partner in Harshitha Madavi, the duo added 152 for the third-wicket. After Athapaththu’s departure, Madavi kept the scoreboard moving for Sri Lanka. She was eventually dismissed in the 44th over for 75 off 128 balls (three fours). Madavi added 60 for the fourth-wicket with Kavisha Dilhari (28). Sri Lanka finished their 50 overs at 260 for seven which is their highest total against Pakistan, Anam Amin and Fatima Sana took two wickets apiece for the hosts. Scores in brief: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 93 runs Sri Lanka 260 for 7, 50 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 101, Harshitha Madavi 75; Anam Amin 2-43, Fatima Sana 2-51) Pakistan 167 all out, 41.4 overs (Aliya Riaz 56, Omaima Sohail 40; Chamari Athapaththu 2-20, Oshadi Ranasinghe 2-29) Player of the match: Chamari Athapaththu Player of the series:  Sidra Amin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Vehari won the Southern Punjab-leg of the City Cricket Association Under-19 Tournament 2022-23 by beating Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal in the triangular stage of the 50-over competition. Sahiwal ended up taking the second spot in the triangular round beating Rahim Yar Khan by 49 runs in the last match of the leg on Saturday. It was Vehari’s captain Mohammad Aqib Asghar’s three wickets which helped his side win their second match of the triangular stage against Rahim Yar Khan in a low scoring contest at the Gymkhana Cricket Ground in Sahiwal on Thursday. In Balochistan’s jurisdiction, Lasbela U19 won the leg by beating Loralai by two wickets and Killa Abdullah Chaman by 96 runs in the triangular stage. For the winning team, the star performers were captain Arbaz Khan who bagged four wickets against Killa Abdullah Chaman and Bakhtiyar Khan, who picked five wickets against Loralai. Earlier, this week, Rawalpindi, Khyber, Faisalabad and Karachi Zone II were crowned champions of Northern, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Central Punjab and Sindh jurisdictions, respectively in the CCA U19 tournament. Balochistan Cricket Association In the three-group 13-team Balochistan-leg, Killa Abdullah Chaman, Loralai and Lasbela topped their respective groups before qualifying for the triangular stage. Killa Abdullah Chaman’s Muhammad Siddique accumulated 401 runs from six matches at 100.25 with unbeaten 123 his best in the tournament. Basit Ali representing Naseerabad scored 246 runs from three outings, which included 151 as his best. Muhammad Aqdas Khan representing Quetta finished with a tally of 227 runs from four matches at 113.50. Among bowlers, Lasbela’s Mohsin Ali bagged 18 wickets from five matches with six for 33 his best figures in a match. Himayatullah representing Killa Abdullah Chaman grabbed 13 wickets from six matches. Gwadar’s Allah Rakha and Loralai’s Zohaib Khan were next in line picking 12 wickets apiece. Southern Punjab Cricket Association In the three-group 14-team Southern Punjab-leg, Vehari and Sahiwal topped Pool A and Pool B with four wins from four matches respectively, while Rahim Yar Khan topped Pool C with three wins from three outings. Sahiwal’s Hamza Nadir finished as the leading run-getter with 243 runs from six matches at 40.50. Talha Mushtaq and Mohammad Ammar representing Rahim Yar Khan shared the batting honours scoring 190 and 188 runs, respectively. Vehari’s Moheer Saeed topped the bowling charts, taking 19 wickets from six matches at an economy rate of 2.23.  Sahiwal’s Muhammad Ismail and Mohammad Jan Sher shared the bowling honours with 17 wickets apiece from six matches.

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN:-The international cricket will return to the City of Saints – Multan – after more than 14 years next week when Babar Azam’s side will lock horns with the West Indies in three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium from Wednesday. The MCS has been host to some memorable contests since it first staged an international match in 2001 when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 264 run in a Test that began on 29 August. The three ODIs between Pakistan and the West Indies promise to add more to the legacy of the iconic venue. Pakistan arrived in Multan on Sunday and the West Indies will fly in on Monday for what promises to be an exciting and action-packed series with 30 points up for grabs. When Nicholas Pooran leads his men out on the field on 8 June, it would mark the second instance of a West Indies side taking the field at the MCS in ODIs. The two sides last played at the MCS on 13 December 2006 with Marlon Samuels’ breezy 100 not out off 99 balls securing a seven-wicket win for the tourists. The picturesque stadium has hosted seven ODIs with Pakistan winning four. In its inaugural ODI, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 137 runs in September 2003. The two sides also played the last ODI at the venue to-date, which the hosts won by seven wickets. In the second ODI here on 30 September 2004, Pakistan had recorded the biggest win, in terms of runs, at the venue when they defeated Zimbabwe by 144 runs. India and South Africa are the other two sides to have played here. Both came out victorious with India recording a five-wicket win in February 2006 and South Africa winning by seven wickets in October 2007. Opener Yasir Hameed has scored the most runs at this venue, smashing 197 runs in four innings, followed by former Pakistan captain and local star Inzamam-ul-Haq (178). Including Samuels, four batters have scored centuries at the MCS. The other three are Pakistan’s Abdul Razzaq and Yasir Hameed, and Bangladesh’s Shakib-ul-Hasan. While spinners Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, with six wickets each, have the most scalps in international 50-over contests at the MCS, India’s RP Sing – with four for 40 – has the best bowling figures for a fast bowler here. Sehwag’s 309, Lara’s 216 The MCS has hosted five Tests from August 2001 till November 2006. Of the four Tests to have ended in results, Pakistan have won three. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh twice in August 2001 and September 2003, and England in November 2005, while India have won the only Test to be played here between the two sides. The last Test at the stadium – between Pakistan and the West Indies – ended in a draw. Pakistan batting coach, Mohammad Yousuf, has the most Test runs at the venue (517 at a staggering 86.16) and is the only batter to hit three centuries. Virender Sehwag’s epic 309 in India’s win remains the highest score and the only tripe-century at the venue and Brian Lara (216 in 2006) has made the only double hundred at the MCS. Danish Kaneria has spun the web around 22 batters in five innings at 20.13 runs per wicket. He has three five-fers and one match haul of 10 wickets. About the stadium The MCS, boasting a capacity of 35,000, is located off Vehari Road, in the suburbs of Multan. The stadium plays host to country’s top-level domestic cricket regularly. The most recent high-profile cricket matches here were the three HBL Pakistan Super League matches in February 2020. Multan Sultans, the home side, won all the games, defeating Peshawar Zalmi (by six wickets), Karachi Kings (by 52 runs) and Quetta Gladiators (by 30 runs).

BIPIN DANI Sunil Gavaskar, who made his Test debut against the West Indies team at Port of Spain, Trinidad on March 6, 1971 could not celebrate its 50th anniversary last year because of Covid-19 pandemic, however, his well-wishers and friends in the USA have decided to felicitate him next month. "Our preparation for the said event is on track and slated for July 30, 2022", PK Guha, one of the key organisers, who is well known in cricket circles in India and USA, said over the telephone from the USA. Interestingly, Guha, the former player, who now resides in the USA for years but travels around the world to attend cricket events, is in touch with the cricket fraternity in India including several current and former stars. "The great news is that Kapil has finally agreed to attend the event. The others: Sunil himself, Clive Llyod, Vishwanath and Farokh Engineer are confirmed to attend", he said. "Our efforts are also to invite Vivian Richards for this function", he further added. The event will be held in Farmington Hills, a suburb city of Detroit. The event is presented by PAD Associate and Title sponsor is Varchas Bourbon & V2 Soft.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Sidra Amin scored the second century of her ODI career as Pakistan sealed a 2-0 series win with a match to spare in the ICC Women’s Championship encounter against Sri Lanka at the Southend Club, Karachi on Friday. After recording a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the first match on Wednesday, the Sidra inspired Pakistan produced an all-round show to record a thumping 73-run win. Sidra’s commanding batting performance was followed by another outstanding spell by young pacer Fatima Sana who took four Sri Lankan wickets. Sri Lanka were never quite in the hunt of the 254-run target. Openers Hasini Perera (14) and captain Chamari Athapaththu (16) were sent back with only 31 runs on the board in 12.1 overs. The visitors failed to break the shackles and lost wickets as they attempted to up the scoring rate. Hansima Karunaratne (27) and Prasadani Weerakkody (20) consumed 101 balls in the middle overs. Kavisha Dilhari who scored an unbeaten 49 in the first match scored 32 off 35 balls (two fours) but her departure via a stump out in the 39th over drew curtains to Sri Lanka’s efforts. The visitors kept losing wickets as the lower-order succumbed to probing bowling by Pakistan bowlers. Fatima Sana, who had accounted for Perera in her opening spell dismissed Oshadi Ranasinghe and Sachini Nisansala off successive balls in the 42nd over. Fatima Sana added her fourth when she dismissed Nilakshi de Silva for 17. Fatima Sana finished with four wickets for 26 in her 10 overs, she bowled three maidens. Omaima Sohail took two for 35. Sri Lanka finished their 50 overs at 180 for nine. Earlier, for the first time on the tour, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof won the toss and opted to bat first. Sidra and Muneeba Ali combined to post Pakistan’s first-ever century plus opening-stand in ODIs. The two were involved in a 158-run partnership which comfortably beat the previous best of 96 between Javeria Khan and Nahida Khan against England at Kuala Lumpur in 2019. The left-handed Muneeba registered the second fifty of her ODI career. She was dismissed by Oshadi Ranasinghe for 56 off 100 balls (three fours). Sidra reached the second century of her career on the 137th ball of her innings. The seasoned batter who had scored 76 in the first match produced another dazzling display to dominate the Sri Lankan attack. Sidra went past her previous best of 104 and was just 10 runs shy of Pakistan’s all-time highest ODI score (133 by Javeria Khan) when she was dismissed for 123 (150 ball, 11 fours). Sidra added 74 runs for the second-wicket with Bismah. She has now joined Javeria as Pakistan most prolific ODI century scorer (two each). Bismah who remained unbeaten on 36 off 43 balls, went past Javeria’s tally of 2885 runs to reach the top of Pakistan women’s run-getters list in the ODI format when she reached 31. Nida Dar scored 10 off seven including a four off the last ball to help the hosts get past the 250-run mark. The third and final ODI will be played on Sunday. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 73 runs Pakistan 253 for 2, 50 overs (Sidra Amin 123, Muneeba Ali 56, Bismah Maroof 36 not out; Kavisha Dilhari 1-43 Sri Lanka 180 for 9, 50 overs (Harshitha Madavi 41, Kavisha Dilhari 32; Fatima Sana 4-26, Omaima Sohail 2-35) Player-of-the-match: Sidra Amin

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN:-To mark the return of international cricket to the City of Saints – Multan – the Pakistan Cricket Board has set affordable ticket prices for the fans to watch their superstars in action during the upcoming three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League One-Day Internationals against the West Indies. The ticket prices range from PKR300 to PKR500 for the three matches to be played on 8, 10 and 12 June at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The Fans can book their tickets online and physically for the ODI series. Online tickets will be available on www.Bookme.pk whereas physical tickets will be available at designated stores of M&P and mobile vans located at Fatima town, Guslhat town and Kacheri chowk. The General tickets which include Elahi Brothers, Hanif Mohammad, Mushtaq Ahmed and Wasim Akram enclosures will be available for PKR300. The Premium category tickets for the Fazal Mahmood Enclosure, Imran Khan Enclosure, Javed Miandad Enclosure and Zaheer Abbas Enclosure are set at PKR500.