Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Indian medium-pacer Jhulan Goswami became the most successful bowler in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup history as she dismissed Anisa Mohammed for her 40th wicket at the tournament. Almost exactly 17 years ago Goswami took her first World Cup wicket, dismissing Inoka Galagedara of Sri Lanka on 22 March 2005. Since then, she has dismissed 40 different batters, never getting the same batter out twice at a World Cup, with Mohammed her seventh West Indian victim. Goswami surpassed Australian Lyn Fullston who held the previous record since 1988, her 39 wickets coming at an average of 11.94. That first wicket back in 2005 may have been the only scalp she took in her debut World Cup match, but it was the first and only time she would ended with an economy lower than one. Goswami produced figures of eight overs, three maidens, five runs and one wicket, and she was just getting started, taking 13 wickets in the tournament in South Africa, her highest at a single World Cup. The 2009 World Cup was less fruitful, taking just four wickets but her best performance came against hosts Australia in the third-place play off, dismissing opener Leah Poulton and tailender Rene Farrell for figures of two for 21 as India won by three wickets. After taking nine wickets on home soil in 2013, Goswami was back in the double figures in 2017 as India lost out to England by nine runs in the final. The 39-year-old took three for 23, one of two times where she has taken three wickets in an innings to move to 10 for the tournament. Her highest wicket haul came in 2005 as she produced figures of four for 16 against the West Indies only four days after delivering four for 27 against England. Goswami has lined up eight ducks across her 40 dismissals with 14 wickets bowled, including the first. Mohammed’s dismissal takes Goswami to 14 dismissals caught by fielders while seven have been caught by the wicket-keeper with five coming leg before wicket. Fortunately for India, usually if Goswami is taking wickets, they will win the game with 27 of her previous 39 wickets coming in wins, 11 in losses and 1 in a no-result, that very first wicket.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Mandhana and Kaur’s 184-run partnership saw India set the West Indies an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup record chase of 318 in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Deandra Dottin looked set to steer West Indies all the way, guiding her side to 100 in 12 overs, only for her dismissal to start an unrecoverable collapse. Jhulan Goswami dismissed Anisa Mohammed to become the leading wicket-taker in World Cups with her 40th scalp as India sealed victory. India won the toss and chose to bat, meaning previously unbeaten West Indies would have to chase for the first time in the World Cup. Yastika Bhatia made a fast start to the innings taking Chinelle Henry for three fours off the second over before dynamic fielding from Dottin saved more boundaries. Shamilia Connell would also be taken round the ground before Shakera Selman came in and got the first wicket, catching Bhatia off her own bowling for 31 from 21. Mithali Raj, captaining in a World Cup record 24th game, came out to join Mandhana but could only make five from 11 before being caught by Connell to leave India on 62 for two at the end of the powerplay. Deepti Sharma was the next batter to make a start before being dismissed, but she could be forgiven as Hayley Matthews took a stunning, stretching catch at slip as she departed for 15. Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur were unfazed, the former’s half-century brought up from 66 balls to earn her 22nd fifty in ODI cricket. The duo brought up their hundred partnership off a Selman no-ball, a fourth 100-run fourth-wicket partnership for India in World Cups, with Kaur part of three of them. The next delivery would bring another milestone as Kaur’s 50 came from 61 balls, her first back-to-back ODI half-centuries since the last World Cup in 2017. Mandhana was put down by Aaliyah Alleyne on 94 before bringing up her hundred from 108 balls with a four as the 150 partnership was also reached. She would have to go for 123 from 119 balls as Selman held on to a catch in the deep as Connell picked up her first wicket in her final over. Kaur would bring up a century at a third successive World Cup before sending a tame outside edge to Shemaine Campbelle behind the stumps, India slipping to 313 for seven after Pooja Vastrakar and Richa Ghosh were dismissed cheaply. India ended on 317 for eight, their first-ever 300-plus total in World Cup cricket, with Dottin clearly in pain bowling the final over. The West Indies came out undaunted despite Dottin’s clear discomfort, crashing 50 in the first five overs. With the hundred raised just seven overs later, but after Dottin had taken treatment on the field, her innings came to an end, making 62 of just 46 balls with 10 fours and a six. Kycia Knight and Stafanie Taylor fell cheaply to leave the Maroon Warriors on 112 for three, with opener Matthews dismissed for 43 from 36 balls, her disappointed reaction telling you everything you need to know, their chance had gone. Campbelle and Henry would soon follow as the life was suffocated out of what had been a rip-roaring chase by the West Indies. Chedean Nation had helped steady the West Indies against England but chasing a record total was an altogether different prospect. With Nation looking for quick runs, Alleyne had to go run out chasing a second thanks to sharp throwing from Rajeshwari Gayakwad who formed a potent spin partnership with Sneh Rana. Mohammed then played a patient game taking fourteen balls to get off nought as the Windies delayed the inevitable. She then became Goswami’s 40th victim at a World Cup as she was caught going for a mistimed heave before the West Indies were bowled out for 162 as Rana took the winning catch off her own bowling. Scores in brief India beat West Indies at Seddon Park, Hamilton by 155 runs India 317/8 in 50.0 overs (Smriti Mandhana 123, Harmanpreet Kaur 109; Anisa Mohammed 2/59; Aaliyah Alleyne 1/26) West Indies 162 all out in 40.3 overs (Deandra Dottin 62, Hayley Matthews 43; Sneh Rana 3/22, Meghna Singh 2/27) Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana (India)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Zaheer Abbas, one of the most stylish and elegant batter to ever play this great sport, was formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame on Saturday when he received his commemorative cap and plaque from the Chief Executive of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Faisal Hasnain during lunch break of the second cricket Test between Pakistan and Australia at the National Stadium on Saturday. Zaheer is the third PCB Hall of Famer after Fazal Mahmood and Wasim Akram to be formally inducted, with the remaining five inductions to take place in due course. Zaheer Abbas said: “I feel humbled to have been recognised in such a respectful and honourable manner by my parent organisation at my home ground, during play of my favourite format of the game and in front of passionate cricket fans, who have also played an integral part throughout my cricketing career. “It has been a privilege to have represented Pakistan for nearly two decades and contribute in the national side’s growth in terms of stature and reputation. It was a delight to play with and against some of the all-time greats in an era when cricket regulations and playing conditions were not as stringent as today. Of course, the opportunities were also limited as compared to today, but the rewards, appreciation and acknowledgement was always extremely high and satisfying. “Cricket has moved on from my playing days but it still remains a gentleman’s game. It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to see that this beautiful sport remains in the safe and capable hands of modern day elite cricketers who, day in day out, give their very best in striving to continue to enhance the standard of this sport and in doing so, attract, inspire and motivate younger generation of cricketers. “I am pleased to see a full-strength Australia side play at the National Stadium after 24 long years. I have been part of some great Tests against Australia and I hope that with this tour, the rivalry between two proud nations will revive which, in turn, will only help cricket become stronger. “I want to thank the PCB, my family, friends and all my contemporaries who supported me in this memorable journey and helped me perform for this great country as well as my national, domestic and England teams.” Faisal Hasnain: “On behalf of the PCB and Pakistan cricket fans, I want to congratulate Zaheer Abbas on his induction into the PCB Hall of Fame. Zaheer Abbas is not only a Pakistan icon, but a highly respected and admired world figure who made cricket proud wherever he played. “Zaheer Abbas played and performed in an era that boasted some of the most destructive and fearsome fast bowlers, as well as world-class spinners. He not only dominated them, with his technique and style made batting look like poetry in motion. “We wish Zaheer Abbas well and hope he will continue to inspire our current and future generation of cricketers.” 74-year-old Zaheer was known as a run-machine during his playing days. To date, he is the only Asia batter to score a century of first-class centuries after he finished his illustrious 459-match career with 108 centuries and 158 half-centuries from 1965-66 to 1986-87, while amassing 34,843 runs with an average of 51.5. In international cricket, Zaheer scored 5,062 runs in 78 Tests at an average of 44.79 with 12 centuries. He struck seven centuries in 62 ODIs while scoring 2,572 runs at an average of 47.62. Zaheer scored 1,000 or more Tests runs against Australia (1,411 runs in 20 Tests), England (1,086 runs in 14 Tests) and India (1,740 runs in 19 Tests). At the National Stadium, which was his home ground, Zaheer played 12 Tests in which he scored 531 runs. Post-retirement, Zaheer had a brief stint as an ICC Match Referee when he refereed in a Test and three ODIs. He also served as a selector and team manager, while in 2015, he became only the third former Test cricketer after Colin Cowdrey and Sir Clyde Walcott to become an ICC President.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-South Africa sealed a dramatic six-run win to deny Pakistan a first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup win in 17 games. South Africa’s slow start was rescued by Laura Wolvaardt, whose 75 runs was her highest score in a World Cup, but the Proteas could still only set Pakistan a below-par 224 to win. Pakistan built healthy partnerships but fell way behind the run rate thanks to disciplined bowling and they fell agonisingly short despite all-rounder Nida Dar’s fine 55. Lizelle Lee’s return to the South Africa side lasted only seven balls before she was expertly caught behind by Sidra Nawaz. Sidra would take another fine diving catch as Tazmin Brits was dismissed for two runs to leave South Africa on 21 for two, her move down the order not paying off. Her former opening partner Wolvaardt made steady progress to her eighth 40-plus score in nine World Cup innings. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Wolvaardt and South Africa however, the Proteas reaching just 65 for two in the first 20 overs before back-to-back boundaries off Ghulam Fatima saw the 22-year-old move to 56 from 76 balls. Ghulam would get her revenge as Wolvaardt had to go, caught and bowled for 75 off 91 balls as Ghulam earned a wicket on her return to the ODI side after five years in the wilderness. Mignon du Preez would fall for a duck in the same over as Omaima Sohail pulled out another diving catch to add to Pakistan’s highlight reel. Marizanne Kapp could only hold her head in her hands as she sent the ball straight to Sidra Ameen as Ghulam took another and South Africa slipped to 120 for five. Having survived two reviews for lbw earlier in the innings, Sune Luss showed restraint as she and her vice-captain Chloe Tryon added 55 for the sixth wicket before Tryon departed softly for 31 as she was caught and bowled by Nashra Sundhu. It was third time lucky for Pakistan as Luus was finally dismissed lbw but not before scoring 62 from 102 balls. It was then Fatima Sana’s turn to take two in an over, dismissing Shabnim Ismail and Trisha Chetty as South Africa ended on 223 for nine. Ismail then returned the favour in the fourth over of the reply as she reduced Pakistan to 26 for two in a double-wicket maiden, dismissing Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof back-to-back, both sending edges to fielders. Omaima joined Nahida Khan at the crease and her first act was to miss the hat-trick ball attempting a cut shot. She and Nahida put together a valuable 50 partnership, the first for the pair in ODIs, coming off 81 balls, before Nahida would go for 40 off 71 as Ayabonga Khaka picked up her fifth wicket of the tournament, ending the 69-run partnership. Nida Dar joined Omaima, who continued her fine run-scoring, bringing up her 50 from 83 balls with a quick single off Ismail. Pakistan then went 44 balls without a boundary before a brave chip down the ground for four from Omaima reminded South Africa that Pakistan were still in the chase. Nida and Omaima then piled on more pressure sending Masabata Klaas for 11 runs only for Klaas to dismiss Omaima for 65 off the very next ball, with Lee taking her 50th catch in ODIs. The dangerous Aliya Riaz did not trouble the scorers, dismissed for her first duck in two years to leave Pakistan needing 79 runs from 70 balls with five wickets remaining. Fatima played an entertaining knock of nine from eight balls before being dismissed lbw by Khaka and Sidra would soon follow. After countless run-out chances, South Africa pulled off two to decide the match, first Khaka dismissing the anchor Nida Dar for 55 before the final wicket of Ghulam earned South Africa a six-run win with Ismail’s fine death bowling crucial again. Scores in brief South Africa beat Pakistan at Bay Oval, Tauranga by six runs South Africa 223/9 in 50.0 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75, Sune Luus 62; Fatima Sana 3/43, Ghulam Fatima 3/52) Pakistan 217 all out in 49.5 overs (Omaima Sohail 65, Nida Dar 55; Shabnim Ismail 3/41, Ayabonga Khaka 2/43, Marizanne Kapp 2/43) Player of the Match: Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has selected the Pakistan Blind Cricket Team for the Triangular Blind Cricket Tournament to be held in United Arabs Emirates (UAE) from 13th to 19th March 2022. Besides Pakistan, India and Bangladesh will take part in 7-day international T 20 blind cricket fixture. Names of players: Zafar Iqbal (Vice Captain), Riasat Khan, Mohammad Shahzaib, Fakhar Abbas, Sajid Nawaz, Nisar Ali (Captain), Badar Munir, Matiullah, Shahzeb Haider, Anees Javed, Moain Aslam, Mohammad Rashid, Faisal Mehmood, Mohsin Khan, Sanaullah Marwat, Akmal Hayyat, Israr ul Hassan Team Officials: Mohammad Zeeshan Akram (Manager), Mohammad Jameel (Head Coach), Maher Yousaf Haroon (Assistant Coach), Tahir Mehmood Butt (Trainer).

Sports Bulletin Report HAMILTON:-Amy Satterthwaite hit a fluent 75 and New Zealand’s bowlers suffocated India as the hosts secured a 62–run win to keep the race for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 semi-finals wide open. The White Ferns batted first and Satterthwaite’s knock off 84 balls and 50 from Amelia Kerr helped them to 260 for nine. New Zealand then bowled 162 dot balls as Lea Tahuhu – three for 17 from 10 overs – starred under the lights, as India were dismissed for 198 A brisk 71 from 63 balls by Harmanpreet Kaur could only delay the inevitable: a first win for New Zealand against India at an ICC women’s world event since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2010. India elected to field and made a strong start as Pooja Vastrakar ran out Suzie Bates for just five. Kerr was then dropped on nine by a diving Yastika Bhatia as the White Ferns ended the powerplay on 51 for one. Sophie Devine was out in the next over, Vastrakar finding the skipper’s edge and sending her back to the pavilion for 35. Kerr and Satterthwaite then built a healthy 67-run partnership before Kerr fell LBW while attempting a sweep off Gayakwad to leave New Zealand on 121 for three. Satterthwaite brought up her 27th ODI half-century off 60 balls but lost her partner Maddy Green one ball later as Smriti Mandhana held a fine catch at mid-on. Katey Martin joined Satterthwaite and the experienced heads helped to put a sizeable total on the board, as they reached the final 10 overs at 211 for four. Vastrakar dropped Martin on 24 but made amends by taking two wickets in two balls, first bowling Tahuhu for one and then removing Satterthwaite for 75 to leave New Zealand on 240 for eight with 3.3 overs to go. Frankie Mackay successfully negotiated the hat-trick ball before Jhulan Goswami became the joint-highest wicket-taker in ICC Women World Cup history when she removed Martin for 41. Goswami finished with figures of one for 41 and her 39th World Cup dismissal moved her level with Australia’s Lyn Fullston. India made a slow start in reply, as Jess Kerr dismissed Mandhana for just six, while they finished the powerplay on 26 for two. New Zealand stifled India’s batters and chipped in with regular wickets, as Tahuhu removed Bhatia for 28 and Raj was stumped off Kerr for 31. Kerr then bowled Richa Ghosh for a first-ball duck to bring up a hat-trick chance, but Sneh Rana survived and went on to contribute 18. Kaur carried India’s innings and scored 20 off one Hannah Rowe over to leave India needing 90 from 42 balls. However, she fell to Kerr shortly after and then New Zealand took the remaining wickets to dismiss India for 198. Scores in brief New Zealand beat India at Seddon Park, Hamilton by 62 runs New Zealand 260/9 in 50 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 75, Amelia Kerr 50; Pooja Vastrakar 4/34; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/46) India 198 all out in 46.4 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 71, Mithali Raj 31; Lea Tahuhu 3/17, Amelia Kerr 3/56) Player of the Match: Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand).

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees has rated the pitch at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi that was used for the first Test between Pakistan and Australia as “below average” and the venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. Madugalle said: “The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower. The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed. In my view this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball.  Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch as below average.”

Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI:-The Markhor Cricket League (MCL) Tape Ball Cricket Festival will start from March 21, 2022 at Ayub Park Cricket Ground Rawalpindi, as the overseas teams will also take part in the prestigious tournament. Chairman Markhor Cricket League (MCL), Sardar Saifullah Abbasi informed the media while unfolding the details of the tournament that four overseas teams including Dubai Whales, UK Rams, Pak-Qatar Dyx and Eshaal Falcons would compete in the Tape Ball Cricket Festival. Former Test cricketer Mohammad Khalil and Marketing Director Ali Nawaz were also present on the occasion. A total of 34 matches will be played in MCL. The opening ceremony will be held at Ayub Cricket Ground Rawalpindi while the final of the event will be played on March 29 at the same venue. “Pakistani cricket fans love to watch Tape Ball Cricket, “said Abbasi. Former Test cricketer Mohammad Khalil said that Season 3 would be an event full of entertainment.   MCL Pool A: Sardar Mountain Lions, Wolves Adin Technologies, Multan Deers, Derby Stars UK Rams, Rawalpindi Jaguars, Al-Freed Pak-Qatar Oryx MCL Pool B: Ismaeel 1122 Eagles Eye, Dynasty Stallions, Eshaal Falcon Slayer, MCC KPK Tigers, Lahore Red Hawks, Leopards Murree Warriors  

BIPIN DANI Mark Portus, the cricket biomechanist, who teaches the art and science of fast bowling (the name of his academy is : Pace Doctor) to bowlers in Australia has welcomed the Non-saliva law. The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), which governs the laws of the game, will treat the use of saliva as an unfair play. In the pre-covid pandemic days it was widely used by the bowlers and the fielders to retain shine on the ball. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Australia on Wednesday evening, he said, "I think the new Non Saliva law is good, more hygenic". Now the players will continue to use sweat for the purpose. "Sweat is just as effective as a polished ball. It also avoids the other sugary stuff players use". "It won't, however, avoid the mixture of sweat and sunscreen. True Dennis Lillee style", Portus added. "Sunscreen will provide a little help, another synthetic compound to help with shining the ball. Bowlers will need to be sweaty though", he remarked.    Dukes ball manufacturer Dilip Jajodia, in an exclusive chat with this Reporter has explained how the use of sweat is useful to the bowlers.  "The body naturally secreats oil and more so when the body is heated up during strenuous exercise + sweat, therefore when applied to the surface, this liquid soaks into the surface leather". "When the ball is polished on trousers, the friction created makes the sweat evaporate but the natural  oil soaks into the surface cells and acts as a lubricant to help polish the leather as for example when the surface of shoes are polished", he signed off.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The nominees for ICC Players of the Month of February for men’s and women’s international cricket have been announced today. February saw some strong men and women candidates staking their claim with some brilliant performances. The ICC Player of the Month nominations in the men’s category features UAE batter, Vriitya Aravind, India batter Shreyas Iyer and Nepal’s Dipendra Sing Airee. In the women’s category, New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, India veteran star Mithali Raj and all-rounder Deepti Sharma are nominated. ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February:  Vriitya Aravind – UAE Vriitya Aravind was the young star in UAE's campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A held in Oman last month. The youngest member of the squad, nineteen-year-old Aravind played a crucial role in UAE’s qualification to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 which will take place later this year. In the five matches he played, he smashed 267 runs at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 154.33. He set the tone with a 67-ball 97* in the opening game against Oman and carried his form through the tournament with scores of 40, 84*, 46 in the next three games. Though he didn't finish with a flourish, he did enough to win the Player of the Tournament. Shreyas Iyer - India Shreyas Iyer was in unstoppable form in the month of February and played a vital role in India's white-ball domination. He started the month with a Player of the Match-winning 80 against West Indies in the final ODI and a 16-ball 25 in the last T20I. With India opting to rest players and injury to Suryakumar Yadav, Iyer was promoted to No.3 in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He scored three unbeaten fifties in three games and finished with 204 runs at a blistering strike rate of 174.35 and was awarded the Player of the Series for his exploits. Dipendra Singh Airee – Nepal Dipendra Singh Airee was a vital cog in Nepal's third-place finish in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A in Oman. He was splendid both with the bat and the ball, finishing with 159 runs and six wickets in the tournament. Prior to the start of the tournament, he was brilliant in the quadrangular series against Oman, UAE, and Ireland where he accumulated 142 runs in three games and grabbed a four-for in the final game against Ireland. ICC Women’s Player of the Month for February: Amelia Kerr - New Zealand In the ODI series against India ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she finished as the highest-run getter overall and the joint-highest wicket-taker for her team alongside her sister Jess Kerr. In the five ODIs, she scored 353 runs at an average of 117.66 and strike rate of 97.51, which included three fifties and a hundred.  With the ball, she picked up 7 wickets at an economy of 5.78. She was also the Player of the Match in two of the five ODIs and took home the Player of the Series award as well. Mithali Raj – India Mithali Raj was one of the few shining lights for India in the ODI series against New Zealand. She was the highest run-scorer for India and the second-highest overall with 232 runs, including three fifties, averaging 77.33 with a strike rate of 82.56. In the final ODI, she played the role of the finisher to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 54 as India chased down 252 with four overs to spare. With the win, India ensured that they finished the series with a win in their kitty. Deepti Sharma – India Deepti Sharma was brilliant with both with the bat and ball in the series against New Zealand. She took the most wickets (10) in the ODI series and was handy with the bat as well, aggregating 116 runs in five matches. She grabbed a four-for in the second ODI and followed it up with a 69* in the next match.