Sports Bulletin

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI (UAE):-Pakistan thrashed traditional rival India by 58 runs in the final of Triangular T-20 Blind Cricket Series at Skyland University Cricket Ground, Sharjah. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Nisar Ali and Mohammad Rashid opened the innings for Pakistan and the first wicket fell at the score of 75 runs when Rashid was retired out while Nisar Ali kept the run-rate over 8 runs per over and got out after scoring 70 runs off 51 balls. Badar Munir scored 63 runs off 25 balls. He smashed 5 sixes and 3 boundaries in his innings. Pakistan finished on 216 runs on the board for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs. Chasing the target of 217 runs, India lost 3 quick wickets in 2 overs for just 10 runs, thereafter Sunil played a splendid inning of 91 runs but wasn’t enough to take his side home. India made 158 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Badar Munir took 3 wickets for Pakistan. Result: Pakistan won by 58 runs Man of the Match: Badar Munir Man of the Series: B1: Riasat Khan (Pakistan) B2: Badar Munir (Pakistan) B3: Sunil Ramesh (India)    

BIBPIN DANI Dennis Lillee's leading tributes at the funeral on Thursday had mention of Bacchus for his departed wicket-keeper friend Rod Marsh. Interestingly, Bacchus Marsh is a town in Australia and there's a story exclusively described by Australia's award-winning journalist Peter Lalor on how the name Bacchus struck Marsh. "Once the players were making a trip to Ballarat with the team to play in a charity match. The train stopped in Bacchus Marsh and the great Rod (Marsh) needed to go to the toilet as they were having a few drinks on the trip. Rod had to leave the train and go into the station toilets". "He reportedly got locked in the toilet and the train went without him. Stuck in the Town where he knew no one he made his way down to the local pub “The court House” where he spent some time with the locals and told stories about cricket. A young man then offered him a lift to Ballarat in his new car. When arriving late to meet his team mates. He told his story and as he was stuck in Bacchus Marsh his teammates found it fitting to Nick Name home Bacchus Marsh", Lalor described the incident. 

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The West Indies recovered from a batting collapse to defeat Bangladesh by just four runs in Tauranga as the two sides played out a rollercoaster first ODI meeting of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. A defiant unbeaten 53 from Shemaine Campbelle saw the Windies recover from 70 for seven to post 140 as Bangladesh’s spinners suffocated the middle order. Afy Fletcher brought the West Indies back as she helped to reduce the opposition to 60 for five but Bangladesh battled back to take the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 league match to the final over before falling just short.  Deandra Dottin was the first to fall for 17 when she was caught behind off the bowling of Jahanara Alam who celebrated jubilantly before captain Nigar Sultana took a fantastic catch above her head to dismiss the other opener Hayley Matthews for 18. That gave Nahida Akter a wicket off her first ball before she conceded her first boundary to Rashada Williams, ominously it would be the last for 20 overs as Bangladesh turned the screw. Chedean Nation was run out for six off 37 balls thanks to a direct hit from Fargana before more maidens and wickets followed. Aaliyah Alleyne departed for a 12-ball duck, a review unable to save her from being given out LBW The pressure was temporarily eased when Campbelle sent a full and wide delivery for four, the first boundary for 124 balls, but Chinelle Henry was caught and bowled by Salma Khatun for a duck. Campbelle remained with 14 from 63 balls but it appeared that she may run out of partners with the West Indies on 70 for seven with 14.3 overs left. However, she shared a 32-run partnership with Fletcher, the pair rotating the strike well. Fletcher departed for 17 from 28 balls as Fahima Khatun got her hands to a low catch for Ritu Moni’s first wicket. While Salma safely negotiated the hat-trick ball, Bangladesh had slipped to 60 for five and Matthews then swung the game further towards the West Indies with her own double-wicket over. Nigar was out LBW for 25 from 77 before Fahima was bowled with a peach of a delivery, one of five ducks in the innings, as Matthews ended her ten overs with a career-best four for 15. Salma was dropped twice as she anchored Bangladesh’s resistance, but skipper Taylor saw the back of her for 23 to leave Bangladesh needing 31 off 41 with two wickets remaining. There was a break in play as Shamilia Connell received treatment after collapsing before being helped from the field, and when the action resumed Nahida put Bangladesh within touching distance before Fariha Trisna chopped on off Taylor as the West Indies became the first side to defend 140 or less in five years. Scores in brief West Indies beat Bangladesh at Bay Oval, Tauranga by four runs West Indies 140/9 in 50.0 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 53 not out, Hayley Matthews 18; Salma Khatun 2/23, Nahida Akter 2/23) Bangladesh 136 all out in 49.3 overs (Nahida Akter 25 not out, Nigar Sultana 25; Hayley Matthews 4/15, Afy Fletcher 3/29, Stafanie Taylor 3/29) Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

Sports Bulletin Report SHARJAH:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Team thrashed Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the 6th match of the Triangular T-20 Blind Cricket Tournament at Skyland University Cricket Ground, Sharjah on Friday. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to only 99 for 9 runs in the stipulated 20 overs.  Sahidul Islam was the main scorer with 23 runs off 26 Balls while Mohammad Mohsen Hussain chipped in with 17 runs off 29 balls. For Pakistan, Mohsin Khan got 2 wickets and Anees Javed claimed 1 wicket. In reply, Pakistan chased the target of 100 runs with ease in just 10.5 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Mohsin Khan was the star with the bat as well, he scored 35 off 25 Balls and Riasat Khan made 28 runs off 13 balls. Arif Ullah took 1 wicket for Bangladesh. Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets Man of the Match: Mohsin Khan

Bipin Dani Former Pakistani captain Asif Iqbal has welcomed the decision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to change the name of Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. The PCB is set to change the name of this stadium, nearly after 50 years purely for financial gain rather than political move. "Nothing is wrong with this idea (of changing the name)", believes former captain Asif Iqbal. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from England, where the 78-year-old India-born Pak cricketer lives, said, "I think it’s a very good one. Naming after Gaddafi had nothing to do with Pakistan cricket. That was purely political". "The amount of money PCB is going to raise from the sponsors will benefit the development of the game and the players". Changing the names of stadiums is not new.  He adds, "In England also quite a few Test as well as county grounds are named after sponsors and if I am not mistaken internationally too this is happening. In Europe and in the UK most of the football teams and stadiums are named after their sponsors".

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-National Selection Committee (NSC) headed by chairman Mohammad Wasim announced the national teams for one day and Twenty 20 matches series against Australia on Thursday, as uncapped Asif Afridi and Mohammad Haris have been included in both for the three ODIs and one-off T20I squads. According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), left-arm spinner Asif and wicketkeeper/batter Haris have earned the selectors’ attention as the result of his impressive performances in the domestic circuit. In the recently concluded seventh edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, Asif took eight wickets in five matches for Multan Sultans, while 20-year-old Haris scored 166 runs in five matches at an impressive strike-rate of 186.5 for Peshawar Zalmi. In the ongoing Pakistan Cup, Haris has already scored 219 runs in seven matches at an average of just under 44 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Asif has picked up eight wickets in seven matches for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with an economy-rate of 4.39. Mohammad Nawaz, who had withdrawn from participation in the Test series for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy due to a foot injury, has been drafted in the side for both the ODI and T20I formats. However, his selection in the playing line-up will be subject to fitness test. While the selectors have picked up 20 players for the ODIs, which are being played as part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League; they have chosen 17 players for the only T20I, leaving out Abdullah Shafique, Imam-Ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel. Mohammad Wasim, Chair of the Selection Committee said: “I want to congratulate Asif and Haris on their inclusions in squads for the Australia series. This is a reward for their hard work and consistent performances in the domestic circuit. Their selections are also a message for all domestic players that their performances are being followed and whenever an opportunity arises, they will be rewarded with a national team call-up. “Australia are an equally outstanding team in the shorter formats of the game and, as such, we have decided to go with the best available and most experienced players. The four white-ball matches have significant context as the 50-over games count towards the 2023 World Cup qualification and the 20-over will be a repeat of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final. ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain-Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain-Northern), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Asif Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Asif Ali (Northern), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa),     Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-Ul-Haq (Balochistan), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) T20 squad: Babar Azam (captain-Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain-Northern), Asif Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Asif Ali (Northern), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Although, Karachi Test between Pakistan and Australia ended in a draw, however, the cricket lovers will not forget the historical batting by skipper Babar Azam who stayed on the pitch for 603 minutes and saved the blushes of the country at National Cricket Stadium Karachi. Babar played an extraordinary 196 in more than 10 hours of batting by Pakistan captain Babar Azam saw another last-day victory push by Australia stalled and enabled the home team to walk away from the second Test at Karachi with a draw that will be celebrated as loudly as any victory. Facing a deficit of 505 and needing to bat almost two days having been bowled out in barely two sessions earlier in the match, Babar's inspiration coupled with crucial supporting roles from Mohammad Rizwan (104 not out) and Abdullah Shafique (96) saw Pakistan achieve history if not victory. Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 556 for 9 declared after 189 overs Usman Khawaja 160 (369 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Alex Carey 93 (159 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Steven Smith 72 runs (214 balls, 4X7), Nathan Lyon 38 (62 balls, 4X7), David Warner 36 (48 balls, 4X3, 6X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Faheem Ashraf (2 for 55), Sajid Khan (2 for 167), Babar Azam (1 for 7), Hasan Ali (1 for 71), Numan Ali (1 for 134) Pakistan Batting (First innings): 148 all out in 53 overs Babar Azam 35 (64 balls, 4X3), Nauman Ali 20 not out (35 balls, 4X4), Imam-ul-Haq 20 (64 balls, 4X3), Shaheen Shah Afridi 19 (25 balls, 4X3, 6X1) Australia Bowling (First Innings): Mitchell Starc (3 for 29), Mitchell Swepson (2 for 32), Nathan Lyon (1 for 13), Cameron Green (1 for 23) Australia Batting (Second Innings): 97 for 2 declared after 22.3 overs Marnus Labuschagne 44 (49 balls, 4X5, 6X1), Usman Kawaja 44 (70 balls, 4X4) Pakistan Bowling (Second Innings): Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 21), Hasan Ali (1 for 23) Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): 443 for 7 in 171.4 overs (target 506 runs) Babar Azam 196 (425 balls, 4X21, 6X1), Mohammad Rizwan 104 not out (177 balls, 4X11, 6x1) Abdullah Shafiq 96 (305 balls, 6X4, 6X1) Australia Bowling (Second Innings): Nathan Lyon (4 for 112), Pat Cummins (2 for 75), Cameron Green (1 for 32). Pakistan (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi Australia (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat Results: Ended in a draw Match Officials: Ahsan Raza and Aleem Dar (Field Umpires) Rashid Riaz (TV Umpire) Asif Yaqoob (Fourth Umpire) Ranjan Madugalle (Match Referee)

Aamir Ali Janjua SHAHRJAH:-Pakistan thrashed arch-rival India by 7 wickets in the Triangular T20 Blind Cricket Tournament at Skyland University Cricket Ground, Sharjah on Wednesday. This was third back-to-back victory of Pakistan in the series. In the morning, India won the toss and this time elected to bat first. Pakistani bowlers bowled on the tight lines and didn’t allow free runs to Indian batters. Pakistan restricted India to 163 runs on the board for the loss of 8 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Indian Captain Prakash Jayaramaih was the main run-getter with 79 runs off 64 balls, while Sunil Ramesh chipped in with 24 runs. Badar Munir, Shahzaib Haider, and Anees Javed claimed a wicket apiece. In reply, Pakistan chased down the target of 164 runs in 18.4 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Badar Munir and Muhammad Rashid played superbly and made 64 runs each off 34 balls and 48 balls respectively. Riasat Khan got out after scoring 20 runs. Deepak Malik and Irfan Dewan took 1 wicket each for India. Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets Man of the Match: Badar Munir

ABDULLAH ASJAD ISLAMABAD:-Sindh beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KPK) by 29 runs in a one day fixture of the Pakistan Cup 2022 at the House of Northern Islamabad on Wednesday. KPK skipper Khalid Usman asked opposite captain Mir Humza to bat first while Sindh’s batters set a mammoth target of 375 runs in 50 overs. Left-handed batter Sharjeel Khan played a sparkling innings and scored double ton. He scored 206 after facing just 136 deliveries as he smashed 19 fours and 14 maximums. Omair Bin Yousaf scored 40 runs in 37 balls while Danish Aziz added 38 runs in team total in 35 balls. KPK bowler Mohammad Wasim got 2 wickets and conceded 72 runs. Asif Afridi sent out solitary batter of Sindh for 37 runs while skipper Khalid Usman picked up a single wicket. In reply, KPK reached close to the big total of 375 but did not chase their target and bundled out at 345 runs in 47 overs and lost the match by 29 runs. Mohammad Sarwar was top scorer with 89 runs in 63 balls. He hit 8 fours and 5 sixes. Adil Amin scored 75 runs in 62 balls and smashed 8 fours and one huge six. Kamran Ghulam managed 55 runs in 61 balls with 5 fours and 2 maximum. Sindhi pacer Shahnawaz Dahani grabbed 5 wickets after conceding 64 runs. Sohail Khan got 2 wickets for 70 runs while captain Mir Humza took one wicket a piece. Summarized scorecard Sindh Batting: - total (374-6) 50 overs Sharjeel Khan (206 runs in 136 balls) 19 fours 14 sixes, Omair Bin Yousaf (40 runs in 37 balls) 5 fours, Danish Aziz (38 runs in 35 balls) 5 fours Pakhtunkhwa (KPK):-Bowling Mohammad Wasim( 2 for 72), Asif Afridi (1 for 37), Khalid Usman (1 for 48) Pakhtunkhwa(KPK) Batting :- total (345-10) 47 overs Mohammad Sarwar (89 runs in 63 balls)8 fours 5 sixes, Adil Amin ( 75 runs in 62 balls)8 fours 1 six, Kamran Ghulam (55 runs in 61 balls)5 fours 2 sixes    

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-An unbeaten 171-run for the third wicket between skipper Babar Azam (102 not out) and Abdullah Shafiq (71 not out) generate a ray of hope for Green Shirts to safe the 2nd Test, as Pakistan scored 192 for 2 runs on the end of Day-4 at National Cricket Stadium Karachi on Tuesday. Captain Babar Azam fought bravely against the Australian bowling attack, as when he came on the pitch Pakistan were in deep hot water 21 for 2. Babar showed his full confidence during his 197 balls innings and his teammate Abdullah Shafiq played a defensive and responsible innings, as he faced 226 balls for his 71 runs. Babar smashed 12 fours while Abdullah 4 fours and a big six.      Earlier, Australia declared their second innings at 97 for 2 to set 506 runs mammoth total for hosts to win the Test match and to become highest runs getter in 4th innings in the history of cricket.   Scorecard: Australia Batting (First Innings): 556 for 9 declared after 189 overs Usman Khawaja 160 (369 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Alex Carey 93 (159 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Steven Smith 72 runs (214 balls, 4X7), Nathan Lyon 38 (62 balls, 4X7), David Warner 36 (48 balls, 4X3, 6X2) Pakistan Bowling (First Innings): Faheem Ashraf (2 for 55), Sajid Khan (2 for 167), Babar Azam (1 for 7), Hasan Ali (1 for 71), Numan Ali (1 for 134) Pakistan Batting (First innings): 148 all out in 53 overs Babar Azam 35 (64 balls, 4X3), Nauman Ali 20 not out (35 balls, 4X4), Imam-ul-Haq 20 (64 balls, 4X3), Shaheen Shah Afridi 19 (25 balls, 4X3, 6X1) Australia Bowling (First Innings): Mitchell Starc (3 for 29), Mitchell Swepson (2 for 32), Nathan Lyon (1 for 13), Cameron Green (1 for 23) Australia Batting (Second Innings): 97 for 2 declared after 22.3 overs Marnus Labuschagne 44 (49 balls, 4X5, 6X1), Usman Kawaja 44 (70 balls, 4X4) Pakistan Bowling (Second Innings): Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 21), Hasan Ali (1 for 23) Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): 192 for 2 in 82 overs (target 506 runs) Babar Azam 102 not out (197 balls, 4X12), Abdullah Shafiq 71 not out (226 balls, 4X4, 6X1) Australia Bowling (Second Innings): Cameron Green (1 for 15), Nathan Lyon (1 for 50). Pakistan (Playing XIs): Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi Australia (Playing XIs): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat Match Officials: Ahsan Raza and Aleem Dar (Field Umpires) Rashid Riaz (TV Umpire) Asif Yaqoob (Fourth Umpire) Ranjan Madugalle (Match Referee)