Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-England kept their nerve to become the first team to reach the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final after edging a thriller with Afghanistan by 15 runs. Spinner Rehan Ahmed became the hero for the Young Lions, taking three wickets in the penultimate over at crucial point when their opponents needed just 18 runs from the last 10 balls. England will now face the winner of the other semi between Australia and India on Saturday in the final – a remarkable turnaround from the previous tournament just two years ago in South Africa when they finished ninth. As for Afghanistan they will head to the Coolidge Cricket Ground for the third-place playoff. England end 24-year wait to return to the final despite brave Afghanistan effort Rain delayed the first of the two Super League semi-finals at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground after England won the toss and chose to bat. Once both sides were eventually able to take to the field in Antigua and Barbuda it was Afghanistan who made the stronger start. Jacob Bethell, who lit up the quarter-final tie with 88 against South Africa last week, was trapped LBW by Naveed Zadran, an early sign that England faced a difficult task. Skipper Tom Prest then joined vice-captain Bethell in making an early departure, reducing them to 2-56, as the Young Lions struggled to command with the bat. George Thomas did steady the ship with an excellent 50 after a slightly nervy introduction at the crease, only beaten by an excellent delivery from Noor Ahmad. And when William Luxton was clean bowled by Izharulhaq Naveed, Prest’s team were five wickets down having barely put 100 runs on the board. However, the rain came again to delay play for a further half hour and led to revised conditions of 47 overs per side. England’s back-end partnership of 95 from George Bell and Alex Horton then managed to put a different dynamic on their innings. The duo attacked the Afghanistan seamers fiercely which managed to top the final total up to 231. The earlier interruptions from the weather meant Afghanistan had a revised DLS target to match this score and chasing their first ever ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final, they knew a good start was needed to seize control of the game. Opener Nangeyalia Kharote was unable to provide it when English seamer Josh Boyden claimed his wicket with just the third ball of the innings. But Kharote’s replacement Allah Noor, smashed a huge six to get off the mark and quickly gave his team a platform. The 18-year-old produced a marvellous knock, which featured eight boundaries as the momentum of the semi swung back the Afghanistan’s way. Along with wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq the pair got their team past 90, with Noor making a valuable half-century.         England’s crucial breakthrough came after some wonderful fielding led to a run-out for Ishaq with wicketkeeper Horton reacting quickly to a loose throw at the strikers end. Noor remained stubborn but eventually went for 60, with Thomas Aspinwall claiming a vital wicket. That set-up a frantic-finish that could have gone either way. The 44th over for England appeared to have turned the game when two no balls in-a-row gifted their opponents eight runs, before Abdul Hadi (37 no) smashed a huge six to take them to 200 and tantalising close. But Ahmed’s late flurry and a nerveless final over from Boyden carried England over the line to their first ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final since 1998 in South Africa, when they lifted the trophy.

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN:-Three more Pool B matches in the National Under-16 One-Day Tournament (45 overs) were played on Tuesday at three Multan venues with Northern Under-16 Blues, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under-16 Blues and Southern Punjab Under-16 Blues winning their games against Balochistan Under-16 Blues, Central Punjab Under-16 Blues and Sindh Under-16 Blues, respectively. Sameer Ahmed’s unbeaten 82 and Salman Ahmed five-for led Southern Punjab U16 Blues to a two-wicket win over Sindh U16 Blues at the Zawari Cricket Academy Ground. After being put into bat, Sindh were dismissed for 132 in the 45th over. Opening batter Yahya Shah top-scored with a 92-ball 46, which included five fours. The right-arm fast Salman took five wickets for 31. In reply, Southern Punjab achieved the target in the 38th over for the loss of eight wickets. The right-handed Sameer returned undefeated on 82 off 115 balls faced. He struck 10 fours and three sixes. Sindh’s Noor Habib took four for 32, while Abdul Moiz and Maaz Zahid picked two wickets apiece. At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Northern U16 Blues beat Balochistan U16 Blues by 74 runs. Batting first, Northern Blues were bowled out for 183 in the 44th over. Syed Ali Mehdi top-scored with a 62-ball 35, hitting two fours and one six. For Balochistan U16 Blues, Mohammad Adil and Mohammad Asfand picked three wickets each. In return, Balochistan U16 Blues were bowled out for 109 in the 37th over. Sumair Ahmed top-scored with 21. Northern’s Mohammad Nabeel and Mohammad Hassan Khan bagged three wickets apiece, while Syed Ali Mehdi picked two wickets for 13. At the Divisional Sports Ground, half centuries from Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan guided Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 Blues to a 41-run win over Central Punjab U16 Blues.  Batting first, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 Blues scored 215 for seven in 45 overs. Shahzaib and Usman scored 58 and 53 runs, respectively. Central Punjab’s Ali Hamza picked three wickets for 42, while Ali Raza grabbed two for 52. In return, Central Punjab U16 Blues were bowled out for 174 in the 42nd over. Subhan Saeed top-scored with 45, hitting seven fours. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Usman Khan picked three for 37. Ahmed Hussain and Luqman Khan bagged two wickets each. Scores in brief: Northern U16 Blues beat Balochistan U16 Blues by 74 runs Northern U16 Blues 183 all out, 43.2 overs (Syed Ali Mehdi 35; Mohammad Adil 3-22, Mohammad Asfand 3-56) Balochistan U16 Blues 109 all out, 36.2 overs (Sumair Ahmed 21; Mohammad Nabeel 3-16, Mohammad Hassan Khan 3-17, Syed Ali Mehdi 2-13) Southern Punjab U16 Blues beat Sindh U16 Blues by two wickets Sindh U16 Blues 132 all out, 44.2 overs (Yahya Shah 46; Salman Ahmed 5-31) Southern Punjab U16 Blues 135-8, 37.3 overs (Sameer Ahmed 82 not out; Noor Habib 4-32, Maaz Zahid 2-26, Abdul Moiz 2-30) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 Blues beat Central Punjab U16 Blues by 41 runs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 215-7, 45 overs (Shahzaib Khan 58, Usman Khan 53; Ali Hamza 3-42, Ali Raza 2-52) Central Punjab U16 Blues 174 all out, 41.5 overs (Subhan Saeed 45; Usman Khan 3-37, Ahmed Hussain 2-30, Luqman Khan 2-35)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Cricket is the first discipline to announce its complete line-up for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games after Sri Lanka was confirmed as the eighth team in the women’s T20 tournament. The announcement was made jointly by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Tuesday following Sri Lanka’s victory in the ICC Commonwealth Games Qualifier 2022 in Kuala Lumpur last week and the subsequent CGF ratification of Sri Lanka’s entry. Australia, Barbados, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan have already qualified as women’s cricket makes its first entry into the Commonwealth Games. It will only be the second time that cricket features in the multi-discipline event after a men’s competition was part of the Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and is considered a massive opportunity to bring the game to new audiences. Shaun Pollock-led South Africa had won the gold on that occasion, beating Steve Waugh’s Australia side by four wickets in the final. ICC Hall of Famers Sachin Tendulkar of India, Jacques Kallis of South Africa and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka were among the many stars part of the Games then. The league-cum-knockout tournament this time kicks off with a match between ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 finalists Australia and India on 29 July, with the bronze and gold medal matches scheduled for 7 August. Barbados and Pakistan are in Group A along with Australia and India while England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka form Group B. The ICC, CGF and Commonwealth Games Sri Lanka congratulated Sri Lanka for their qualification and looked forward to an exciting tournament. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “It’s good to have finalised the identity of the teams participating in the Commonwealth Games and congratulations to Sri Lanka for making it after playing so well in the qualifier.  We will have eight of the best teams competing for the gold and I am sure we will get to watch a highly competitive tournament. “The Commonwealth Games are an important part of the women’s cricket calendar over the next year. It is a huge opportunity for us to take cricket beyond the traditional strongholds and give more people around the world the chance to enjoy the game, whilst the players are very much looking forward to being part of multi-sport games. “I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the Commonwealth Games Federation for their support and hope to see some top-quality cricket at Edgbaston.” CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “Congratulations to the eight outstanding teams who have qualified for the women’s T20 cricket tournament at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. “I must pay particular tribute to Sri Lanka, who secured the eighth and final spot by winning such an exciting qualifying tournament in Malaysia last week.” “They will head to the iconic Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham with an elite lineup featuring England, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Barbados and New Zealand. “Cricket is a sport synonymous with the Commonwealth. We are so excited to have it back in the Games for the first time since the men's 50 over competition at Kuala Lumpur in 1998. The debut of women's T20 cricket will be a historic moment and a wonderful showcase of women’s sport across the world.” Commonwealth Games Sri Lanka Secretary General Maxwell de Silva said: “We are delighted to have qualified for the Commonwealth Games women's T20 cricket tournament. “Our team put on a fantastic display as they won all four matches at the qualification tournament to secure the final spot at Birmingham 2022. “I would like to congratulate Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and the entire team as they join a world-class lineup in Birmingham for what will be a special moment for cricket and the Commonwealth Games.” Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said: “It’s a great feeling to have qualified for the Commonwealth Games and all of us are really excited to be part of the multi-sport extravaganza. I’m sure it’s going to be a different experience for all of us. “We had a memorable Qualifying tournament in Kuala Lumpur and now look forward to doing well in Birmingham against the best. “I would like to thank Sri Lanka Cricket, the ICC, Commonwealth Games Sri Lanka and the CGF for all their support.” The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, being held from 28 July to 8 August, will see 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories compete across the 11 spectacular days of sport. Birmingham 2022 will be the first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men.

Bipin Dani Earthquake felt at the Ireland-Zimbabwe Under-19 World Cup match at the wonderful, historic Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on Saturday was "very scary", according to the Irish commentator Andrew Leonard. Leonard, Nikhil Uttamchandani (Barbados) and Trinidad's Vidya Rampal were in the commentary box when ground shook for approximately 20 seconds during the sixth over of play. Speaking exclusively over the telephone, Leonard said, "The shaking then began whilst my co-commentator was speaking and it began to get significantly worse over the coming seconds to the point where those in the back of the box started saying rapidly "Earthquake, Earthquake"!!!  At this point I didn't know what to think or what to do and as the shaking continued so much to the point where the whole box was shaking, I simply commented "We are, I believe, having an earthquake right now." "I may have sounded very calm, but really I was very confused as to what was happening or what we were supposed to have been doing!! We don't have earthquakes in Ireland where I'm from and although I travel a huge amount commenting on cricket around the world, I have never experienced an earthquake in the flesh". "Our producer and co-commentator in the back of the box were fairly panicked but for the players down at ground level they had barely noticed. They quickly established it was an earthquake of 5.1 on the Richter scale with the epicenter about 30 km away closer to Tobago than Trinidad. We continued on adrenaline through the first drinks break and then when we realized what we had just been through live on air, it started to sink in and I couldn't help but laugh at what an incredibly surreal situation it was:, he added. Post-tragic, he explains, "the messages then started flooding in on social media with comments and questions, and it provided great entertainment listening to everyone's thoughts on the earthquake in Trinidad and Tobago. Luckily I don't think there was any significant damage or injuries anywhere as the mind immediately raced to the Earthquake tragedies in the cricket playing nations of Nepal and New Zealand in recent years".

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-It was a good day to bat second at the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, with all three chasing sides coming out on top. Haseebullah Khan’s half-century helped Pakistan seal their place in the 5th place play-off at Bangladesh’s expense, despite a fine ton from Ariful Islam. United Arab Emirates were convincing eight-wicket winners in the Plate final, Punya Mehra hitting the winning runs with 24 overs to spare against Ireland, while West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by the same margin. A century stand between the Bennett twins, David and Brian, gave Zimbabwe hope but centuries from Teddy Bishop and Kevin Wickham saw the hosts secure 11th spot. Islam ton in vain as Pakistan beat Bangladesh Pakistan booked their place in the 5th place play-off with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Antigua and Barbuda. Bangladesh’s innings was dominated by Ariful Islam, who arrived at the crease in the 12th over with his side on 23 for three and set about guiding them to a competitive total. Islam had fallen for single figure scores in his two previous innings at this tournament but quickly found his groove here and brought up his half-century with a glorious six over long-on. The 17-year-old continued to lose partners – Mehran Mumtaz proving particularly potent with three for 16 from his 10 overs – but kept his composure and accelerated at the death, striking three sixes in one Awais Ali over to move into the nineties. His century, from 118 balls, arrived midway through the 49th over but Islam fell to the next delivery – the ninth wicket to fall in an innings which was ended on 175 with four balls remaining. Mohammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan started confidently in reply, adding 76 in 19 overs before the former fell for 36. Khan struck four fours and four sixes before picking out deep square leg on 78, by which time his side needed just 36 more for victory. Irfan Khan (24) was unfortunate to be run out backing up and Qasim Akram fell for a single but Abdul Faseeh’s unbeaten 22 saw Pakistan home with 21 balls to spare. Pakistan will now take on Sri Lanka in the 5th place play-off on Thursday, with Bangladesh to play South Africa for the right to finish seventh. UAE ease past Ireland in Plate final United Arab Emirates concluded their best ever ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign in style with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Ireland in the Plate final. Ireland won the toss and chose to bat but were quickly in trouble, falling to 27 for three when captain Tim Tector became the second of Jash Giyanani’s two scalps. Philippus le Roux salvaged a similar situation against Canada earlier in the tournament but could make just 14 on this occasion as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with only in-form opener Jack Dickson displaying much in the way of resistance. The wicketkeeper, who made an unbeaten 78 against Zimbabwe last time out, twice cleared the ropes on his way to 40 before falling to Dhruv Panashar (two for 15) to leave Ireland languishing on 91 for six. Reuben Wilson was the final wicket to fall as Ireland were dismissed for 122 in the 46th over, leaving Tector’s side desperate for early scalps. Their hopes were briefly raised when Parashar was clean bowled by Jamie Forbes with the score on 41 but Kai Smith and Punya Mehra quickly eased any UAE nerves. Smith hit seven boundaries before falling one run shy of a half-century while Mehra finished with a flourish, striking the final ball of the 26th over for six to take his side past their target and his own total to an unbeaten 48. Bennett finished unbeaten on 77 and Mitchell plundered a 26-ball 42 not out as Zimbabwe finished on what appeared to be a challenging 256 for four. But following the early departure of captain Matthew Nandu, Bishop and Wickham made a potentially tricky chase look simple. The pair rotated the strike effectively and found boundaries when they needed them, with Wickham striking 17 fours to beat his partner to three figures. He soon fell for 104 while Bishop ensured he was there at the end, finishing unbeaten on 112 from 121 balls with 11 fours and a six. It was left to Rivaldo Clarke to strike the winning runs, which he did by blasting the second ball of the final over for six. After their play off match was cancelled due to COVID-19, Canada finished the tournament in 15th place as a result of having a better net-run-rate than PNG from all matches played in the event.

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-Sri Lanka defeated South Africa by 65 runs to advance to the 5th place play off at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Captain and the tournament’s leading wicket taker Dunith Wellalage posted 113 for Sri Lanka as they set South Africa 233 to win. The Proteas scored well but lost wickets cheaply as they were bundled out for 167 as Sri Lanka set up a meeting with either Bangladesh or Pakistan. Uganda did not let the rain dampen their spirits as they beat Scotland by 51 runs in a shortened match to earn 13th place overall. Wellalage stars with the bat to lead Sri Lanka to victory Sri Lanka won the toss and skipper Wellalage chose to bat and it was not long before the star man was out in the middle. Openers Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Sadisha Rajapaksa could put on only 14 for the first-wicket stand as Kwena Maphaka bowled Rajapaksa. The left-arm seamer then dismissed Wickramsinghe three balls later before Sakuna Liyanage went for an eight-ball duck to bring Wellalage out to the middle with Sri Lanka precarious on 25 for three. Alongside Shevon Daniel, the skipper added 62 runs before forming an even more fruitful partnership with Ranuda Somarathne, putting on 130 runs for the fifth wicket. Wellalage was eventually dismissed by Maphaka but only after hitting 113 off 130 for his first century of the tournament. Somarathne would end on 57 not out as Sri Lanka set South Africa a chase of 232, which would prove too much for the Proteas. Opener Jade Smith was run out for one as Sri Lanka took regular wickets to stint South Africa’s progress. The usually free-flowing Dewald Brevis was next to go before Ronan Hermann and Gerhardus Maree added 34 and 44 respectively to move South Africa to 112 for six. The Proteas were scoring above the required run rate but frequent dismissals hampered their progress as the Sri Lankan bowlers split the wickets between them. Wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara took his second stumping to dismiss Maphaka as South Africa fell 67 runs short and will now go into the 7th place play-off. Uganda win rain-affected match to seal 13th place The 13th-place play off between Uganda and Scotland got off to a delayed start in Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago as rain prevented the two sides taking the field for over an hour and the game was initially reduced to 45 overs a side. Before the weather intervened, Uganda had won the toss and chosen to bat first – a decision which saw four of their top five make scores over 30. Ronald Lutaaya top-scored with 64 adding 75 runs for the third wicket alongside captain Pascal Murungi. Both were eventually dismissed by Jamie Cairns, two of the left arm spinner’s four caught and bowleds, on his way to the best bowling figures of the tournament with six for 24. Cairns took the final wicket of Edwin Nuwagaba to bowl Uganda out for 226 with 14.2 overs of their innings remaining. Charlie Tear was out for a first ball duck, with Muhaymen Majeed following him back to the dugout not soon after having both been dismissed by Juma Miyaji before Oliver Davidson and Tomas Mackintosh steadied the Scottish ship with a partnership of 46 runs. Jack Jarvis then came in to replace Mackintosh and scored quickly as he added 37 off 33 balls but rain would intervene again with Scotland on 122 for seven and two new batters at the crease. The weather brightened but Scotland’s task only got harder as they were now chasing the same target but only had 11 overs in which to do it. Captain Charlie Peet played a cautious innings as he looked to stay the distance, but could not find a partner, as Rafay Khan fell for 10 and Cairns a duck before Sean Fischer-Keogh's dismissal left him stranded on 29 not out. Scotland ended their World Cup 51 runs short (D/L method) of Uganda finishing 14th in the tournament, meaning the Baby Cranes claim 13th spot at the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 30, 2022):-India will host 3rd Twenty 20 World Blind Cricket Cup this year in November 2022 in the different cities, this decision was made in the 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of World Blind Cricket that held virtually through video link due to the Pandemic of COVID-19. Syed Sultan Shah the President of World Blind Cricket Ltd presided over the meeting and the representatives from 10 full member countries comprising Australia, England, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal attended it. World Blind Cricket Ltd has awarded the hosting rights of T-20 World Cup Cricket of the Blind to India. The 3rd edition of this format will take place in the month of November 2022 in the different cities of the India. World Blind Cricket also agreed to participate in the World Blind Games to be organized by International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) from 18th to 27th of August 2023 at Birmingham, United Kingdom. Cricket for the Blind Cricket is being added for the first time in World Blind games. Pakistan blind cricket team will participate in it.

Bipin Dani Bhutan's Mikyo Dorji became the first player from his nation to register for the IPL player auction. The 22year-old right-handed batsman, who occasionally bowls medium pacer has registered his name for the IPL auction on 21st January and is now waiting for his fate. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Bhutan on Saturday, he said, "Obviously I am over the moon because it is the biggest cricket league in the world and it is every cricketer's dream to play in this league. Having the thought of being selected and part of a team itself gives me goosebumps but lets see how things go.....". The players, however, will not lose sleep, if not picked. "To be very honest there is a very little chance that I will be picked because as I said it's the biggest league so the competition is very high but registering my name itself is something very big for Bhutan cricket and myself". "In case I don’t get picked this time then I’m sure in the near future I will be", he added. "Mikyo Dorji is a talented cricketer and we selected him as soon as we saw him in the first phase. To be honest, his father introduced him to this game. He progressed in Darjeeling, where he did his schooling", D.S Gurung, the Bhutan Cricket Council Board CEO said.  Mikyo Dorji is a power hitter, who is also good at goalkeeping, volleyball, basketball and cricket. He chose cricket because he sees a future in it". "He is a person with a strong determination and he believes that he can make it at any level if given the opportunity. For him, hard work and dedication are the most important things to succeed, “CEO added. Today he lives in the southern part of Bhutan, mainly to play cricket and keep his shape. Dreams will come true for Bhutan Cricket and also for Mikyo, if he is shortlisted.

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-India set up an ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Super League semi-final clash with Australia after knocking out defending champions Bangladesh. In a repeat of the 2020 Final, India bowled first and dismissed the Tigers for 111 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda before their batters chased down the modest target for the loss of five wickets. On a day where bowling first proved decisive, Ireland beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets to seal their path through to the Plate Final, where they will face United Arab Emirates. Toss proves vital as India power through India have a remarkably strong record in ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup quarter-finals, with this their seventh win in nine matches – and they had their bowlers to thank. India batted first in each of their Group B matches but this time their bowlers had the chance to set the tone after they won the toss. Deciding to field proved a masterstroke and Ravi Kumar ripped through the top order. The 18-year-old had taken just one wicket in the tournament but finished with figures of three for 14 from seven overs here, as he dismissed the top three Bangladesh batters to leave the defending champions on 14 for three. Bangladesh struggled to get a foothold in the match and slipped to 56 for seven, before Meherob Hasan came in and hit six boundaries in a crucial 30. However, just two other Bangladesh batters reached double figures and they were eventually all out for 111. India hoped for a comfortable run chase but they got off to a bad start when Bangladesh bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib removed opener Harnoor Singh for a duck. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44) and Shaik Rasheed (26) put on 70 for the second wicket to seemingly secure victory, but Bangladesh threatened a late comeback. Ripon Mondol had Raghuvanshi caught at cover point and then returned two overs later to remove Rasheed, caught behind. New batter Siddarth Yadav then became Ripon’s third wicket when he was caught at cover to leave India on 82 for four. Captain Yash Dhull came to the crease and hit four boundaries to calm the nerves, around Ripon dismissing Raj Bawa to take his final figures to four for 31, before Kaushal Tambe heaved a six into the stands to seal victory with 115 balls remaining. Huge stand sends Ireland through Jack Dickson and Tim Tector put on a batting masterclass with a 159-run partnership and Muzamil Sherzad took five wickets as Ireland comfortably beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets to reach the Plate Final. Zimbabwe won the toss in Port of Spain and elected to bat but they made a slow start, with Matthew Welch run out for a nine-ball duck and captain Emmanuel Bawa trapped lbw by Matthew Humphreys for four. Steven Saul (24) and Brian Bennett (37) put on 52 for the third wicket before Saul was clean bowled by Humphrey, while Bennett became the first of Sherzad’s victims eight overs later. David Bennett hit three boundaries in his 35 but he had little support down the order, as Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed for 166 in 48.4 overs. Sherzad was the pick of the Ireland bowlers, taking his tournament wicket tally to 13 with five for 20. Zimbabwe made an equally strong start with the ball, as Mcgini Dube had Nathan McGuire caught in just the third over for six.  Joshua Cox then followed McGuire back to the pavilion as he was trapped lbw by Tendekai Mataranyika for a duck but Ireland quickly settled down. But Dickson and skipper Tector quickly developed a partnership and they went on to see Ireland over the line, with Dickson finishing 78 not out and Tector 76 not out in an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 159.

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI:- Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned from all cricket for three and a half years after he accepted breaching four charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and, separately, one charge of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. Taylor admitted to being in breach of the following provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code: Article 2.4.2 – Failing to disclose (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that (a) the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the Code or (b) that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute. Article 2.4.3 - Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) receipt of gifts/hospitality with a value of US$750 or more regardless of the circumstances in which they were given. Article 2.4.4 – Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approach received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to Zimbabwe’s then upcoming series against Sri Lanka and/or Bangladesh. Article 2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and / or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Mr Taylor chose to admit the charges under the provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and agreed a sanction with the ICC in lieu of an Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing. His violation under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, which is separate and independent of the anti-corruption charges, resulted from an In-Competition test conducted on 8 September 2021 following Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland.  Mr Taylor tested positive for the stimulant Benzoylecognine, a cocaine metabolite, which is specified as a Substance of Abuse under the Code. Taylor has accepted a one-month period of ineligibility for the violation under Article 2.1 – the minimum allowed under the Code. Mr Taylor’s period of ineligibility was reduced to one month because he was able to establish that he had ingested the substance out of competition, that it was unrelated to sport performance, and because he is currently undergoing a rehabilitation treatment programme. This one-month suspension will run concurrently with the suspension of three and a half years under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Mr Taylor will be free to resume his involvement in the game on 28 July 2025. Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit, said: “Brendan is a former international captain who represented Zimbabwe for 17 years. Over such a long career, he participated in numerous anti-corruption and anti-doping education sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the ICC Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Codes. “It is disappointing that a player of his experience chose not to fulfil those obligations, however he has accepted all charges, which has been reflected in the sanction. I would echo Brendan’s message to other players to report approaches as soon as they happen so any corrupt activity can be disrupted at the earliest possible opportunity. We wish Brendan well in his rehabilitation.”