Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, who took 373 Test and 416 ODI wickets, was formally inducted into the “PCB Hall of Fame” when he received his commemorative cap and plaque during Wednesday’s play in the third cricket Test between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium. In Tests, Waqar took 50 or more wickets against New Zealand (70), Zimbabwe (62), Sri Lanka (56), West Indies (55) and England (50). In ODIs, he took 84 wickets against Sri Lanka, followed by New Zealand (79), West Indies (60), South Africa (58), India (37), England (30), Australia (29) and Zimbabwe (23). Waqar played seven Tests at the Gaddafi Stadium and took 29 wickets with seven for 86 against New Zealand in October 1990 as his best. In 12 ODIs at this iconic venue, Waqar took 14 wickets with four for 26 against the Netherlands in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1996 as his best figures. Waqar Younis said: “I feel honoured to have been inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame with my mother and wife standing alongside me. In fact, it was an honour to receive the beautiful plaque from my mother, who has been my inspiration throughout this highly rewarding and immensely satisfying cricketing journey. Without her blessings, I would not have been able to achieve this much as a professional. “Playing for Pakistan was a dream come true and I still cherish every single moment of wearing the Pakistan colour. And to be awarded by the Pakistan Cricket Board with this honour 19 years after I last represented my country is just an icing on the cake, for which I am grateful to them. “It is indeed a very proud moment for me to be placed in the same category as Abdul Qadir, Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas. These individuals are absolute legends of the game and their achievements and success stories are well documented. “I would like to thank all the players I played with and against as well as all the support staff who contributed towards my accomplishments.” The PCB Hall of Fame was launched in April 2021 following the Board of Governors approval at its 62nd meeting with the sole objective being to honour and celebrate the achievements of some of the greatest cricketers produced by this proud country as well as to preserve Pakistan cricket history. The initial inductees were six members of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame – Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Zaheer Abbas. On 16 October 2021, the six stalwarts were joined by Abdul Qadir and Fazal Mahmood who were selected by an independent voting panel.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Hosts Pakistan managed 90 for 1 runs on the scoreboard in 39 overs on the end of Day-2 at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Tuesday. Australia all ten batters got out on 391 runs total, as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah shared each four wickets after conceding 79 and 58 runs respectively. Pakistan were 90 for 1 after 39 overs, as the major contributor was Abdullah Shafiq with 45 runs un beaten innings while Azhar Ali was also not out at 30. Pakistan lost only Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 11 runs in 41 balls. Summarized Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 391 all out in 133.3 overs Usman Khawaja 91 runs (219 balls, 4X9, 6X1), Cameron Green 67 runs (163 balls, 4X9), Alex Carey 67 runs (105 balls, 4X7), Steven Smith 59 runs (169 balls, 4X6), Travis Head 26 runs (70balls, 4X4) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Naseem Shah (4 for 58), Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 79), Nauman Ali (1 for 77), Sajid Khan (1 for 97) Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 90 for 1 in 39 overs Abdullah Shafiq 45 runs not out (117 balls, 4X6), Azhar Ali 30 runs not out (79 balls, 4X1, 6X1), Imam-ul-Haq 11 runs (41 balls, 4X2) Australia Bowling (First Innings): Pat Cummins 1 for 27 PAKISTAN (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah AUSTRALIA (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon.  Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore             Toss: Australia, elected to bat first Match Officials: Umpires: Ahsan Raza & Aleem Dar TV Umpire: Asif Yaqoob Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India kept their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 semi-final hopes alive with a comfortable 110-run victory over Bangladesh in Hamilton. Yastika Bhatia’s half-century was the standout knock in India’s 229 for seven, though Ritu Moni’s three for 37 – including two in two balls – gave Bangladesh hopes of a famous win. But Sneh Rana (four for 30) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (one for 15 from 10 overs) left the Tigresses in a spin and they never recovered from a slow start despite the best efforts of Salma Khatun, who made a brisk 32. Both sides made changes having been beaten last time out, India bringing in leg-spinner Poonam Yadav for seam bowler Meghna Singh while Bangladesh replaced Shamima Sultana and Fariha Trisna with Murshida Khatun and Lata Mondal. Mithali Raj opted to bat upon winning the toss and India made a strong start, Smriti Mandhana getting the scoreboard moving with back-to-back boundaries to conclude the second over. Her opening partner Shafali Verma went one better in the ninth, striking Nahida Akter for what would turn out to be the only six of the innings over long-on, and three boundaries in the following over saw India end the powerplay well set on 52 without loss. Bangladesh needed a breakthrough and Nahida provided it when Mandhana picked out Fargana Hoque at square leg to fall for 30 and end the opening partnership on 74. One became three in the blink of an eye, Ritu Moni accounting for Verma and Raj in consecutive deliveries in the next over as a jubilant Bangladesh checked India’s momentum. Yastika Bhatia and Harmanpreet Kaur were tasked with the rebuilding job and it was one they set about cautiously, the pair content to rotate the strike as the Bangladesh attack kept boundaries to a minimum. Just two arrived between the fall of Raj in the 16th over and midway through the 30th, a spell which also included the departure of Kaur for 14 courtesy of a direct hit from Fargana at mid-on. Richa Ghosh joined Bhatia and was quickly up and running with successive fours through point, though the cut shot would later bring her downfall. Ghosh survived being dropped off Ritu but it was not a costly miss as she did not add to her score of 26 before falling to Nahida in the next over, Nigar Sultana making amends behind the stumps. Bhatia brought up a patient 79-ball half-century but fell to the next delivery, leaving India 176 for six at the start of the 44th over, but useful late cameos from Pooja Vastrakar (30 not out) and Sneh Rana (27 from 23) pushed them above 200. Bangladesh’s pursuit of 230 started slowly, Murshida’s six over cover in the fifth over, Bangladesh’s first maximum at a World Cup, doubling her side’s score, and a quick double blow before the end of the powerplay dented their hopes. Sharmin Akhter was caught at slip attempting a booming off-drive off Gayakwad before Fargana was trapped in front by a full Vastrakar delivery without scoring. Bangladesh were 19 for two at the 10-over mark, the lowest score after the powerplay in the tournament so far, and the mountain they had to climb became steeper when captain Nigar holed out attempting to increase the run rate. Murshida, dropped twice, saw her luck run out when she was smartly taken by Kaur off Yadav for 19 and it was 35 for five when a successful review showed the ball had flicked Rumana Ahmed’s glove en route to Bhatia at short leg, handing Rana a second wicket in her miserly opening spell. Salma provided a glimmer of light for Bangladesh, hitting four boundaries in her 32 before edging Jhulan Goswami behind to all but seal her side’s fate. There was still time for both Vastrakar and Rana to move level at the top of the wicket-takers list for the tournament, each bowler claiming their 10th scalp as India wrapped up a convincing victory to leave Bangladesh on the brink of elimination. Scores in brief India beat Bangladesh at Seddon Park, Hamilton by 110 runs India 229/7 in 50 overs (Yastika Bhatia 50, Shafali Verma 42; Ritu Moni 3/37, Nahida Akter 2/42) Bangladesh 119 all out in 40.3 overs (Salma Khatun 32,; Sneh Rana 4/30, Jhulan Goswami 2/19) Player of the Match: Yastika Bhatia (India)

BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya was invited to attend the Sports Award ceremony in Maldives last week. The invitation to the former captain was sent by Ahmed Mahloof, the Youth & Sports Minister of Maldives. In recognition of the impact and highlight the amazing achievements Sanath Jayasuriya has made during his career in the sporting world he was also conferred a special award.  "It was the first time in the history of Maldives that the government had conferred the awards to various athletes", SJ, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said on Monday morning. Interestingly, India's Suresh Raina and Sri Lankan's another athlete Tharjini Sivalingam were also invited. All these athletes, along with Sri Lanka's sports minister Namal Rajapaksha were greatly honoured and enjoyed the hospitality.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Australia scored 232 for 5 runs on the first day of third Test match against hosts Pakistan at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore on Monday, Usman Kawaja played a responsible innings of 91 runs and missed his ton second time in the series. He was wasted his wicket on 9 in the first Test match at Pindi cricket Stadium. Shaheen Afridi started the day with a magical spell and got two wickets of visitor team, when they had only 8 score on the board. David Warner could score only 7 runs while Marnus Labuschagne went back to dressing room with a single run. Wicketkeeper Rizwan took his catch on the bowling of Afridi. Usman Kawaja and Steven Smith took the team’s total 146 after aggregating 138 runs for third wicket that stabilized the visitors’ position. Later, Nseem Shah got two wickets and spinner Sajid Khan grabbed and wicket. When the first day ended after 88 overs owing to poor light, Australia score was 232 for 5. Summarized Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 232 for 5 in 88 overs Usman Khawaja 91 runs (219 balls, 4X9, 6X1), Steven Smith 59 runs (169 balls, 4X6), Travis Head 26 runs (70balls, 4X4), Cameron Green 20 not out (48 balls, 4X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 39), Naseem Shah (2 for 36), Sajid Khan (1 for 65) PAKISTAN (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah AUSTRALIA (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon.  Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore                                                              Toss: Australia, elected to bat first Match Officials: Umpires: Ahsan Raza & Aleem Dar TV Umpire: Asif Yaqoob Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan beat the West Indies by eight wickets to earn a first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory since 2009 with a complete all-round performance. The West Indies were restricted to 89 from their 20 overs in a rain-shortened match as off-spinner Nida Dar took the best figures for Pakistan in a World Cup with four for 10, helping end an 18-match losing streak in the tournament. The last time Pakistan had won a match in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was also against the West Indies. The West Indies remain third on the points table with six points but have played six matches with only one more league match to go against South Africa on Thursday. Australia have already qualified with five straight wins while South Africa are second having won all their four matches so far. India, England and New Zealand are on four points each. Left-handed opener Muneeba Ali set up Pakistan’s run chase perfectly as the West Indies’ chances of qualifying for the semifinals suffered a bump. Muneeba, playing for the first time in the tournament, scored a brisk 37 and Omaima Sohail hit the winning runs much to the delight of her team-mates. The match got underway five hours later than scheduled after a herculean effort from the ground staff to clear the standing water, with Pakistan winning the toss and choosing to bowl. Diana Baig was targeted by Deandra Dottin, who took four fours off her in her first two overs, but Dottin did not have the same joy against Anam Amin, who conceded just six off her four. The West Indies’ leading run-scorer Hayley Matthews never got going as she was dismissed for one from seven balls off the bowling of Fatima Sana, Muneeba taking a good catch at backward point. Stafanie Taylor survived being dropped on nought but failed to find the boundary like Dottin, whose dismissal also signalled the end of the West Indies’ attacking intent. The first of Nida’s wickets was a crucial one as she held a low return catch to dismiss Dottin for 27 off 35 balls, before having Shemaine Campbelle stumped for seven to reduce the Windies to 46 for three with eight overs remaining. Pakistan kept chipping away with wickets at vital times, Omaima clean bowling Chedean Nation for a duck before Nida finished her record-breaking spell in style, dismissing Kycia Knight and Chinelle Henry in successive deliveries – Aliya Riaz taking two attempts at holding on to a catch on the long-on boundary to account for the latter. Nashra completed a team hat-trick as Taylor fell from the next ball of the innings, the captain departing for 18 runs from 31 deliveries, as Nashra took the catch. Afy Fletcher finished with a flourish, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Nashra as the Maroon Warriors searched for a competitive total. They ended on 89 for seven after 23 runs from the final two overs, though Pakistan sat safe in the knowledge that they had chased down 124 against the Windies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. Matthews started the defence with a maiden before being struck for back-to-back boundaries as Pakistan ended the four-over powerplay with 17 runs, two behind where the West Indies had been at the same stage. Sidra Amin, Pakistan’s centurion in the loss to Bangladesh, was the first to fall as she was bowled by Fletcher bowled her, spin continuing to do the damage in Hamilton. Muneeba, in her first World Cup game, matched her captain and batting partner Bismah Maroof for energy and composure as the pair rotated the strike expertly. A lapse in judgement saw Muneeba dismissed as having survived both a dropped catch and a run out chance off the previous ball, was caught by Dottin mistiming a big swing. Shakera Selman claimed the wicket as the opener was forced to depart for 37 from 43 balls, bringing an end to the 35-run partnership to leave Pakistan needing 33 runs in 46 balls. Bismah remained until the end and was there to celebrate with Omaima as she hit the winning runs to end 13 years of drought. Scores in brief Pakistan beat West Indies at Seddon Park, Hamilton by eight wickets West Indies 89/7 in 20.0 overs (Deandra Dottin 27, Stafanie Taylor 18; Nida Dar 4/10) Pakistan 90/2 in 18.5 overs (Muneeba Ali 37, Omaima Sohail 22 not out, Bismah Maroof 20 not out). Player of the Match: Nida Dar (Pakistan)    

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Defending champions England held on to beat New Zealand by one wicket to keep their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 hopes alive while all but ending the hosts’ hopes of making the semi-finals. New Zealand posted a below-par 203, losing their final eight wickets for 69 as Maddy Green ran out of partners on 52 not out. Injuries to Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu left the White Ferns without two senior players but their bowlers stepped up to push England all the way before Anya Shrubsole hit the winning runs. New Zealand were quick off the mark, benefitting from more wayward bowling by England’s opening seamers Katherine Brunt and Shrubsole as they reached 52 without loss by the end of the powerplay. Suzie Bates then departed for 22 from 36 balls as Kate Cross picked up her first wicket, the opener misdirecting a looping ball to Tammy Beaumont before Devine retired hurt on 37 from 42 balls with a back injury. England capitalised on that good fortune with runs hard to come by, Cross delivering the first maiden of the day. Spinner Charlie Dean continued her fine form as she got the wicket of Amelia Kerr, who had to go for 24 from 38 after Shrubsole held onto a catch at fine leg to leave New Zealand on 96 for two. After taking four wickets in the win over India, off-spinner Dean proved the difference again after breaking Amy Satterthwaite and Maddy Green’s promising partnership on 38. The 21-year-old trapped Satterthwaite LBW for 24 from 42, a review showing the ball just clipping the bails. Green’s fifty compensated for her running out Brooke Halliday as Nat Sciver’s fine fielding forced a breakthrough that sparked a collapse which saw New Zealand lose six wickets for 47 runs. Katey Martin went LBW before Tahuhu fell for a duck thanks to a fabulous one-handed catch from captain Heather Knight. Devine returned to the field but only added four runs to her total before holing out to Dean at long-on to leave New Zealand on 161 for seven with 10 overs remaining. Frances Mackay became the third LBW dismissal of the day when she was given out on review after making just one run. When Hannah Rowe went for five her side were 184 for nine and in danger of not making 200. Jess Kerr showed some late attacking intent until a miscommunication between her and Green saw her run out to bring the innings to a close on 203 with New Zealand failing to bat out their overs. England’s opening partnership had only put on 17 runs when Danni Wyatt was dismissed by a great take from Rowe who stretched out her arms as the ball flew over her head. Tahuhu finally got her length right off the final ball of her first over to dismiss Beaumont for 25 and leave England on 53 for two at the end of the powerplay. That scalp made Tahuhu the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in ODIs with 93, surpassing Aimee Watkins, but she then added to her side’s injury worries, with Devine unable to field, after being forced off with a hamstring issue. Knight built steadily with Sciver, always keeping England above the DLS par score with rain around, until she was given out LBW off the bowling of Mackay for 42. Halliday then took her maiden international wicket to dismiss Amy Jones for one from five balls when the wicketkeeper-batter sent the ball straight to stand-in captain Satterthwaite at mid-wicket. Sciver was joined by Sophia Dunkley and the pair patiently brough up their half-century stand off 64 balls as England moved within 50 of victory. But when Dunkley was clean-bowled by Mackay for 33 it sparked a collapse of five for 20 that almost cost them the game. Sciver was then dismissed by Jess Kerr for 61 to leave England on 187 for six with 6.4 overs remaining. Ecclestone went without scoring before Cross was given out LBW as Mackay earned career-best figures of 4-34, England slipping to 194 for eight. Brunt’s despairing dive failed to save her from being run out with eight still needed and New Zealand needing just one wicket to snatch victory. However, Shrubsole would get the job done, taking the time that her predecessors had failed to, before celebrating wildly as England just about held their nerve. England beat New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland by one wicket New Zealand 203 in 48.5 overs (Maddy Green 52 not out, Sophie Devine 41; Kate Cross 3/35, Sophie Ecclestone 3/41) England 204/9 in 47.2 overs (Nat Sciver 61, Heather Knight 42; Frances Mackay 4/34 , Jess Kerr 2/36) Player of the Match: Nat Sciver (England) 

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's former fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has been invited to teach the basics of (fast) bowling in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is learnt.   "We have invited him to upgrade the skills of the school boys to the next level and he will conduct the sessions at two schools-Sharjah English School (SES) and Delhi Private School (DPS), Vaas' friend Presley Polonnowita, who has played the game with Vaas, said exclusively over the telephone from Dubai. Interestingly, Presley Polonnowita, who has played First Class cricket and represented the country in U-18 as an all-rounder is the founder and the CEO of the Desert Clubs Cricket Academy, which is the largest in the Gulf region.  "We are serving close to 600 kids in four centers and the majority of boys will benefit with the knowledge and experience of legendary cricketer Vaas". "Vaas will conduct three sessions (each of 2.5 hours) for three days on April 1,2 & 3". Vaas and Presley share good friendship and have spent a lot of time together at India's MRF.   "This will be a great opportunity for the kids in the UAE to learn from Vaas", he signed off.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD:-Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees has rated the pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru that was used for the second Test between India and Sri Lanka as “below average” and the venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. Bangalore pitch IND v SL Srinath said: “The pitch offered a lot of turn on the first day itself and though it improved with every session, in my view, it was not an even contest between bat and ball.” Srinath’s report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-Pakistan and Australia cricket boards have mutually agreed to shift white-ball matches from Rawalpindi to Lahore on the dates as announced previously. The decision was made on Saturday morning following discussions between the two boards. This means the headquarters of Pakistan cricket will host the 29 March, 31 March and 2 April One-Day Internationals as well as the one-off Twenty20 International on 5 April at the back of the third Test, which commences on 21 March. The 50-over matches will start at 1500 local time, while the first ball in the 20-over match will be bowled at 2030 local time. Australia’s white-ball players, as originally planned, will arrive in Lahore on 24 March and after one-day room isolation, will integrate with other members of their side. Pakistan’s white-ball players are scheduled to assemble on 22 March and will resume training on 25 March. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. Top seven-placed sides from this event plus ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hosts India will qualify directly for the pinnacle 50-over competition, which will be staged next year in October/November. Australia are presently seventh and Pakistan ninth in the 13-team event, but a lot of 50-over cricket still needs to be played. Squads: Australia (ODI & T20I) - Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa Pakistan (ODI) – Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir Pakistan (T20I) – Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir