Sports Bulletin

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-Left-handed open batter, Imam-ul-Haq played a composed innings of 132 runs that helped Green Shirts to end the day-1 game with full command against Australia at 245 for 1 in 90 overs at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Friday. Skipper Babar Azam decided to bat first after winning the toss, as Pakistani batter show excellent batting skills against an experienced bowling attack. Imam hit 15 fours during in 271 balls innings was the most valuable contribution in the Pakistan’s total. Australian captain Pat Cummins used his eight bowler to break the partnership of the second wicket in which Imam and Azhar aggregated 140 runs. Pakistan will resume their first inning on Saturday morning at the same venue. Imam 132 and Azhar 64 were not out at the close of play day-1.   Summarized Score Card (day-1): Pakistan Batting: 145 for 1 in 90 overs Iman-ul-Haq 132 not out (271 balls, 4X15, 6X2), Azhar Ali 64 not out (165 balls, 4X4, 6X1)), Abdullah Shafiq 44 runs (105 balls, 4X3, 6X1) Australia Bowling: Natin Lyon (31-4-87-1) Pakistan Playing XI: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Australia Playing XI: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Kawaja, David Warner, Marnus Laboschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Cary (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathin Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) Day-1 First Session: (105 for 1 in 35 overs, Iman-ul-Haq 57 not out & Azhar Ali 0 not out) Second Session: (171 for 1 in 56 overs, Imam-ul-Hq 92 not out & Azhar Ali 30 not out) Third Session (245 for 1 in 90 overs, Imam-ul-Haq 132 not out, Azhar Ali 64 not out, Lyon 1 for 87).

Bipin Dani Former Windies opener Gordon Greenidge has advised Virat Kohli to take away his mind from his landmark Test (100th) and instead, focus more on every delivery that he would face against Sri Lankan bowlers in the first Mohali Test beginning on Friday.  Sir Gordon Greenidge is one among the nine players (Colin Cowdrey, Javed Miandad, Alec Stewart, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Joe Root and Ricky Ponting, Ponting has done so in both the innings) who have registered a hundred in their 100th Test match.  Wishing Kohli (through this Reporter over the telephone from Barbados) to score a hundred in his 100th Test match, he said, "I would like to offer my best wishes to Virat on this special moment and most excellent opportunity for this great game. Getting to that special moment should be no more than the other centuries in the past". "My advice to you is just bat and it will come. Just focus on staying in the middle and that special moment will come. I am confident you can do this. Should your dream challenge your mind just take a moment after every ball and refocus on the next delivery. Best of luck to you". Sri Lanka's former captain Arjuna Ranatunga has also wished Kohli for this historic Test and at the same time has recommended Sri Lankan bowlers to be more committed rather than spoiling Kohli's party. "Kohli is a phenomenal player. He has lot to offer. My advice to the bowlers is to concentrate more on line and length, the wickets would come", he said.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-Pakistan Blinds Cricket team defeated South Africa by 6 wickets in the 3rd and the last One-Day International played at Southend Cricket Stadium Karachi.  South African Blind Cricket Team yet again won the toss (three times in a row) and this time decided to bat first. South Africa made 252 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Bhule Bhidla with 63 runs was the top scorer from South Africa while Isac Bidla chipped in with 56 runs. Matiullah took 2 wickets while Ahtesham and Israr Hassan took a wicket apiece. In reply, Pakistan chased down the target of 253 runs in 29 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Matiullah was the star with the bat, he made 64 runs off 41 balls. Faisal Mehmood and Ahtesham ul Haq scored 53 and 51 runs respectively. Sphelele Khalala took 1 wicket. Brig (Retd) Mehmood ul Hassan, General Manager Corporate Services Pakistan Petroleum Ltd, Syed Sultan Shah the President World Blind Cricket Ltd, Hassan Khursheed General Manager PC Hotel Karachi, Imran Ahmed Shaikh Director PBCC and DSR Tariq Mehmood Deputy Supertndient Sindh Rangers were the guests of the occasion and distributed prizes amongst the players. Awards: Man of the Match: Matiullah Man of the series in B1 Category:  Riasat Khan Man of the series in B2 Category:  Ahtesham ul Haq Man of the series in B3 Category:  Faisal Mehmood  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-The stage is ready to start Pindi Test match between Pakistan and Australia on Friday morning, as all the tickets have been sold out of Test match that shows how the people of twin city Rawalpindi and Islamabad are keen to see two top teams of cricket world in action. Right-handed batter Babar Azam will lead the Green Shirts in the historical Test match while Pat Cummins will lead the Kangaroos at the soil of Pakistan after 24 years in the first Test of the three-match Benaud-Qadir ICC World Test Championship series. Both sides have kept a close eye on the Rawalpindi pitch which has a tradition of being a sporting one, the last Test played at the venue was Pakistan’s 95-run triumph against South Africa almost a year ago. Since the return of Test cricket in Pakistan in December 2019, this will be the fourth Test at the venue. The 2020 Pakistan-Sri Lanka match ended in a draw. Babar Azam says: “It is a huge honour to play this series since the trophy has been named after legends of the game Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir. As a team we are very excited that Australia are touring after 24 years, we want to make this a memorable series and the entire squad remains focused and determined to deliver the goods. “Our fans have been a great strength of ours in the recent past, they have come to cheer us, shown their love and support through social media and have backed us by watching us on their TV screens. My request would be for them to turn up at the venue and give us full backing and support. Pat Cummins says:  “Richie toured here for the first time some 60 years ago, we are proud to be here in Pakistan and can’t wait for the series to start. “This is a very special occasion as we have a long history of playing against Pakistan back home and never over here, a whole generation of Australian cricketers haven’t had the chance of being over here and play so as a group we feel very privileged and lucky to be here, we have been incredibly looked after and it is beautiful here, we can’t wait for the series to start.” Weather Forecast: A spokesman for Pakistan Metrology Department (PMD) told this scribe that first two day of the Test match would not be disturbed by the rain; however, weather will be cloudy. Next two days (March 6 and 7), there are chances of rain in different spells in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad that could interrupt the cricket game. On March 6 there will be 60% chances while on March 7 there will be 65% rain probability. March 8 will be sunny day and no rain in Rawalpindi. Pakistan Test Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain-wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood. Australia Test Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), David Warner, Marcus Harris, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson. Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee)

Sports Bulletin Report CHRISTCHURCH:-Pakistan won their second ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up Wednesday as they defeated Bangladesh by seven runs at Lincoln. In the first warm-up, they had defeated hosts New Zealand on 27 February by four wickets. Young right-arm pacer Fatima Sana and left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu shared seven wickets between them as the former starred with four for 47 and the latter returned three for 22 in 8.2 overs, which included three maidens. Fargana Hoque, with 71, top-scored for Bangladesh. The match had started with a delay due to morning showers and had to be stopped after 3.1 overs because of a passing shower after Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof elected to bat after her Bangladesh counterpart called wrong at the toss. Aliya Riaz, once again, top-scored for her side with 45 not out after Javeria Khan (44) and Bismah Maroof (32) struck 73-run partnership after Pakistan were reduced to three for 38 in 10 overs. Fatima contributed 29 with the bat in the 33 balls she faced.

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-Balochistan overcame Northern by two wickets in their opening round match of Pakistan Cup at the Diamond cricket ground Islamabad. Balochistan beat Northern by 2 wickets At the House of Northern in Islamabad, Northern’s Umar Amin century went in vain as Balochistan achieved the 276-run target in the last over of the match for the loss of eight wickets. Chasing 276 for win, Wicketkeeper-batter Bismillah Khan struck five fours and as many sixes in his 58-ball 84 runs innings. Bismillah was equally supported by Haseebullah (40 off 59, four fours, one six), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (39 off 40, five fours, one six) and Amad Butt (31 off 39, one four, one six). For Northern, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim grabbed three wickets for 58. Earlier, after being put into bat, Northern scored 275 for eight in 50 overs. Opening batter Umar scored a 124-ball 116, hitting 10 fours and four sixes. Mubasir Khan coming to bat at number seven scored a quick-fire 43 off 32. The right-handed batter struck four fours and two sixes. For Balochistan, left-arm pacer Akif Javed picked five wickets for 60 runs in his 10 overs. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Central Punjab by 5 wickets After being put into bat, Central Punjab managed to score 215 for nine in their allotted 50 overs. Test opener top-scored with a 60-ball 37, hitting one four and two sixes. For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mehran Mumtaz and captain Khalid Usman picked three wickets apiece. In return, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa achieved the target in the 43rd over for the loss of five wickets. After the early departure of Sahibzada Farhan for nine, Waqar Ahmed was joined by Kamran Ghulam. The pair added 113 runs for the second wicket. Waqar top-scored with a 73-ball 68, which included 10 fours and one six. Kamran scored 56 off 62 balls, striking five fours and two sixes. Mehran returned unbeaten on 29 off 43 balls, while Adil Amin contributed 28 off 29 balls, hitting two fours and a six. For Central Punjab, leg-spinner Usman Qadir bagged two wickets for 60.

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's 32-year-old leg break bowler Jeffrey Vandersay is "doubtful" for the first Test match against India. While bowling at the Indian batters during the 3rd and the final T-20I at Dharamshala on, he twisted his ankle and had to leave the field. His incomplete over was completed by fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne. At one point of time, the team management was considering sending him back to Sri Lanka, but finally it was decided to allow him to stay in India.  On Wednesday morning, the team had a full training session, where Vandersay attended some training sessions but the team management may not be willing to take the risk of playing him, at least for the first Test, it is learnt. In another development, on the insistence of few players, Under-19 coach Avishka Gunawardene has also been retained for the Tests, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) source has confirmed. "He was scheduled to return home with the T-20 players (captain Dasun Shanaka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage and Shiran Fernando) on Tuesday night but now we have asked him to be with the Test team", the SLC source said.

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-CFU Blues defeated CFU Reds by 62 runs in a match played at Al-Muslim cricket ground F-11 Islamabad on Wednesday. The aim of this practice match was to train the Cricket Federation Uzbekistan (CFU) Team for upcoming fixtures of the tour. CFU Reds won the coin battle and decided to put challengers CFU Blues into bat first. Blues piled-up 219 runs in 30 overs per innings fixture. Atif Oryakhail was top scorer with 86 runs not out and smashed seven fours and five sixes in his 40 balls innings. Tariq Safi made 55 runs in 54 balls while Saleem Khan 38 runs in 33 balls. Mohammad Imran (3 for 39), Najeeb Ullah (2 for 49) and Ashan Ullah (2 for 39) were top performer with the ball for CFU Reds. In reply, CFU Reds could score 157 runs, as only Mohammad Hasan could face the bowling opponents and played a nice inning of 72 runs with the help of seven fours and couple of maximum hits. Mirwais Khan claimed four wickets for winners after conceding just 25 runs while Sher Khan chipped in three wickets for 21 runs. Summarized scorecard: Toss: CFU Reds won the toss and elected to bowl first CFU Blues (Batting): 219 for 8 in 30 overs Atif Oryakhail 86 runs not out (40 balls, 4X7, 6X5), Tariq Safi 55 runs (54 balls, 4X2, 6X3), Saleem Khan 38 runs (33 balls, 4X2, 6X2) CFU Reds (Bowling): Mohammad Imran (3 for 39), Najeeb Ullah (2 for 49), Ashan Ullah (2 for 39) CFU Reds (Batting): 157 all out in 28.4 overs Mohammad Hasan 72 runs (73 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Jamal Uddin 17 runs (12 balls, 4X2, 6X1), Abdul Qudoos 16 runs (29 balls, 4X3) CFU Blues (Bowling): Mirwais Khan (4 for 25), Sher Khan (3 for 21), Tariq Safi (1 for 21) Results: CFU Blues won the match by 62 runs Man of the Match: Atif Oryakhail Umpires: Mujeeb Ahsan & Raja Iftikhar Official Scorer: Fazal-e-Azeem

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Some of the leading cricket commentators will call Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years, which will get underway at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on 4 March. In addition to the three-Test series, which will be played for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, the five-week tour also includes three ODIs and one T20I. Rob Key of England, Australia’s Michael Kasprowicz and Pakistan trio of Bazid Khan, Urooj Mumtaz and Waqar Younis will commentate through the tour from 4 March to 5 April. Simon Katich of Australia will only commentate on the Benaud-Qadir Trophy and like Kasprowicz, will be making his commentary debut in Pakistan. Sikander Bakht and Zainab Abbas will host the pre- and post-match shows along with Neroli Meadows, who will only be available for first two Test matches. The High-Definition broadcast coverage includes 28 cameras, which along with buggy cam will embellish the viewing experience of the fans within and outside Pakistan. Hawk-Eye and Ultra Edge will be part of the Decision Review System (DRS) Technology. Broadcast coverage of this much-anticipated series will be available through PTV (Pakistan), Etisalat (Middle-East and North Africa), Flow Sports (Caribbean), Sky NZ (New Zealand), Fox Sports (Australia), Sky Sports (United Kingdom), Sony (South Asia outside Pakistan), Super Sports (Sub-Saharan Africa), Willow TV (North America), ICC TV and Daraz (live streaming partner).

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-To celebrate Australia’s first Test series in Pakistan in 24 years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday announced the introduction of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. This will be a perpetual Trophy and will be presented at the end of each Test series played between the Pakistan and Australia cricket teams. Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Australia captain Pat Cummins on Wednesday unveiled the Benaud-Qadir Trophy at the Pindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the first Test, which commences on Friday. The Benaud-Qadir Trophy will be presented to the winning side at the headquarters of Pakistan cricket in Lahore, where the three-Test series will culminate. Benaud and Qadir were two skilful, distinguished and immensely respected cricketers of different eras, who served the game with honour, pride and distinction. Benaud got wrist-spin bowling noticed and recognised as an attacking and wicket-taking option, an art that was subsequently taken to the next level by Qadir with some incredible performances against high-quality batters at a time when express fast bowlers were ruling the roost. Benaud captained Australia on the team’s first full tour to Pakistan in 1959 and won the series 2-0, while Qadir played in 11 Tests against Australia in which he took 45 wickets, including 33  wickets in two three-Test series in 1982 and 1988 against Kim Hughes and Allan Border’s sides, respectively. Individually, in 63 Tests from 1952 to 1964, Benaud took 248 wickets, whereas Qadir took to Test cricket in 1977 and finished in 1990 with 236 wickets in 67 Tests. For their respective heroics, achievements and accomplishments, Benaud was inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009, while Qadir was included in the PCB Hall of Fame in 2021. PCB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Hasnain: “There can be no better way to celebrate and mark the revival of Pakistan-Australia Test rivalry in Pakistan by launching the trophy in the names of two absolute legends and icons of this great game – Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir. These two gentlemen remain a flavour of all eras and ages as their contributions towards cricket in general and wrist-spin bowling in particular are second to none. “The launch of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy will add further context and spice to Pakistan-Australia Test series, which historically have been well-contested and hard-fought. I am confident that players from either side will draw further inspiration from this initiative and would want to be the first to put a hand on the trophy. Meanwhile, Pakistan cricket fans are looking forward to the opportunity of seeing two outstanding sides it battling out on the field in a bid to win the inaugural Benaud-Qadir Trophy. “The launch of Benaud-Qadir Trophy is a joint-initiative of the PCB and CA that clearly demonstrates the strong and cordial relationship between the two cricket boards. The PCB looks forward to working very closely with the CA in the years to come. “I would like to thank and pass on my gratitude to the families of Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir, who very generously and graciously allowed us to launch the prestigious trophy in their names. This initiative not only reflects the love, value and respect for our great game but for each other’s countries, people, culture and heritage.” Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley said: “This Test series is an exciting and historic occasion with Australia touring Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. Given that context, it is fitting that we can honour two genuine legends of the game, Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir, by inaugurating a trophy the two sides will play for with those legendary names on it. “From an Australian perspective, Richie is a wholly appropriate choice for this honour given his immense contribution to the game, the respect and affection he commands in Australia, Pakistan and throughout the cricket world, and the fact that he captained the first full Australian tour to Pakistan in 1959/60. “Furthermore, having his name alongside that of another great of the game, Abdul Qadir, is a recognition and celebration of the art of leg spin, a skill they both did so much to showcase. “We believe that having a perpetual trophy for this and future series between Pakistan and Australia and having the names of Richie and Abdul illustrates the desire of both governing bodies, Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board, to grow the stature of these series moving forward.” Daphne Benaud, Richie’s wife said: “I am delighted to give my approval for Richie’s name to be on this trophy alongside that of Abdul Qadir. Richie had a very high regard for Abdul and the fact that both were leg-spinners has a nice ring to it. “I know Richie would be very pleased to approve a trophy the aim of which is not only to enhance Test cricket but also to advance cricket more broadly between these two countries. I wish both sides the very best of luck for the series and I shall be following it with interest.” Australia men’s captain Pat Cummins: “To be able to compete for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy for the first time is a huge honour. As current players, we really are standing on the shoulders of these greats of the past who helped to grow and popularize the game in years gone by, and if my team can collect that trophy at the end of this series then it really would be the perfect end to the Test part of this historic tour.” Pakistan captain Babar Azam: “The game is today healthy, wealthy and strong because of such individuals and their legacy, as such, we must always recognise and acknowledge their contributions and services. “We have our sights firmly on the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, both the sides will have to bring out their very best during this series as this promises to be a really competitive contest. This series will significantly enhance the quality of Test cricket, which cricket fans inside the venues and world-over can thoroughly enjoy. “I am honoured that I will be leading the Pakistan team in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, we will try and give performances that will be a tribute to these two legends who will always remain legends of the game.” Before the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, Pakistan and Australia have played 25 Test series with Australia winning 13 and Pakistan winning seven. When Pakistan last hosted Australia in 1998, Mark Taylor’s side won the series 1-0, while Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men won 1-0 in Pakistan’s last home series in the United Arab Emirates in 2018. The last Test series between the two sides was played in Australia in 2019, which was won 2-0 by Australia.