Sports Bulletin

Report: Emmad Hameed KARACHI:-Bismah Maroof-led Pakistan are hoping to carry forward the winning momentum gained in the T20I series as they take on Sri Lanka in the first of the three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs at the Southend Club, Karachi on Wednesday. The Pakistan-Sri Lanka series marks the beginning of the new ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 which is the qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Two more teams (Bangladesh and Ireland) have been added to the championship taking the number of participating teams to 10. This is the first-ever ICC Women’s Championship series to be played in Pakistan. The hosts produced a quality performance last week to sweep the three-match T20I series at the same venue and after two days of intense training and practice session, Pakistan are ready to make an impression in the 50-over format in  familiar playing conditions. Sri Lanka however enjoyed an historic edge over their hosts in the ODI format having won as many as 21 out of the 30 matches played between the two sides to date. Pakistan though have won the last three ODI encounters between the two sides, the Bismah-led tourists recorded a 3-0 sweep of the 2018 series played in Dambulla. The last time the two sides competed in an ODI in Pakistan was in December 2005 with Sri Lanka winning both Asia Cup encounters. This series is the first bilateral ODI series between the two sides in Pakistan. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof said: “After a dominating performance in the T20Is against Sri Lanka, we are now focused on delivering our best in the ODI series which is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship. I am pleased that two more teams have been added to the championship. This step from the ICC will help promote the women’s game in Bangladesh and Ireland besides providing them direct qualification opportunities. “Our aim like the rest of the sides would be to earn a direct spot in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The ODI squad for the series is a good blend of experience and youth. We have a number of experienced batters in Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Alia Riaz and myself. “Bowling is our traditional strength, Anam Amin did a great job for us in the T20Is and besides her we have a number of quality spin bowling options. We also have a very capable pace attack led by Fatima Sana and Diana Baig.” Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said: “The performance in the T20I series was disappointing as we failed to win a match. The ICC Women’s Championship fixtures are vital for all sides so we want to put behind the T20I performances and focus on winning the ODIs. This is a new format and a fresh tournament for us so we will try to execute our plans properly as gaining maximum points is each side’s aim and we will be focusing on the same. “We have to try and play positive cricket, we have some plans and hopefully we can execute them well in the series. It is important for us to improve as we are at number 10 in the rankings so we need to gain enough points to jump up a spot or two.” Pakistan ODI squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper). Sri Lanka ODI squad: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Achini Kulasuriya, Ama Kanchana, Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Hasini Perera, Inoka Ranaweera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Prasadani Weerakkody, Sachini Nisansala, and Sugandika Kumari. Series schedule: 1 Jun – First ODI 3 Jun – Second ODI 5 Jun – Third ODI

Sports Bulletin Report LONDON:-England Men's selection panel have named a 14-strong squad for the three-match ODI series of The Netherlands starting at Amstelveen on 17 June. Lancashire seamer Luke Wood and Gloucestershire paceman David Payne are the uncapped players named in the squad. This will be Wood's first call-up to the senior squad, and Payne has been involved previously in last summer's ODIs against Pakistan. White-Ball Head Coach, Matthew Mott, said: "I'm very excited to be coaching a strong squad for my first series in charge. We have tremendous depth with a blend of youth and experience. We want to continue to play in an expressive style and let our players showcase their skills and firepower. "Luke Wood deserves his call-up. He has been consistent for Lancashire over the past 12 months and we have been monitoring his progression. If given a chance to play, I'm sure he will make most of his opportunity. "This is a historic occasion for the sport and the first time England Men have played The Netherlands in an ODI series. We can't wait to head over to Amsterdam and put on a show for the thousands of fans travelling to support the team. "The ODI side has had limited opportunities and last played in July. However, with about 18 months to the next ICC 50 over World Cup in India, our preparation will start ramping up with nine matches over the summer and a busy winter ahead against strong opponents." The three-match ODI series, which are part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, starts a busy summer for England Men with Royal London Series against India and South Africa scheduled for later this summer. England ODI Squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), David Payne (Gloucestershire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Luke Wood (Lancashire) ODI Series Schedule 1st ODI: The Netherlands v England, Friday 17 June, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen 2nd ODI: The Netherlands v England, Sunday 19 June, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen 3rd ODI: The Netherlands v England, Wednesday 22 June, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-The chief selector of the national women’s team has retained the same team - that recorded their maiden T20I series clean sweep against Sri Lanka - for their upcoming commitments in the United Kingdom during which they will compete in a tri-series in Ireland and Commonwealth Games in England. The squad was finalised after deliberations amongst Asmavia Iqbal, the national women team’s chief selector, head coach David Hemp and captain Bismah Maroof. Eighteen players have been announced for the two series, which include three reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Sadaf Shamas and Umme Hani. Pakistan will take on T20 world champions Australia and hosts Ireland in Belfast from 16 to 24 July and play Barbados, India and Australia in Commonwealth Games on 29, 31 July and 3 August. Ahead of their departure to the UK on 12 July, the team will undergo an extensive training session in Islamabad at House of Northern from 1 to 11 July. Chief Selector Asmavia Iqbal said: “Following a successful series against Sri Lanka, we have decided to retain the same winning combination. Not only our senior cricketers in the side displayed great cricketing acumen also our youngsters were outstanding and have raised their hands whenever the team needed them to. “We are delighted with the start Tuba Hassan has had to her international career and feel her leg-spin will be a potent weapon for us in the days ahead. Ayesha Naseem produced a match winning innings in the second match of the T20Is against Sri Lanka and proved her big-hitting ability. “The tri-series in Ireland and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games will test the abilities of our players and I have all the belief in them that they will live up to the expectations and show consistent results. Head of Women Cricket, Tania Mallick said: “I want to congratulate our team for putting up a solid and dominating display in Karachi against Sri Lanka and I am sure these girls will continue their form in the ICC Women’s Championship fixtures. Our team has all the potential to do well in the United Kingdom and I wish them the very best for the tri-series and Commonwealth Games. “I want to thank the Commonwealth Games for accepting our request to accommodate our captain Bismah Maroof’s family at the games village which will allow her to focus on the task at hand without any worries about her young infant daughter.” Names of selected players: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza (wicketkeeper), Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan. Pakistan’s fixtures: Tri-series at Belfast 16 July – v Australia 19 July – v Ireland 23 July – v Australia 24 July – v Ireland Commonwealth Games at Birmingham 29 July – v Barbados 31 July – v India 3 August – v Australia

Sports Bulletin Report Quetta (Pakistan):-Attock has won the title of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy 2022 (Grade-2) after beating Karachi by 5 wickets in the final at Fatima Jinnah Cricket Ground, Quetta on Tuesday. Syed Sultan Shah (Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council), Junaid Iqbal (CSR officer NBP), Syed Salman Bokhari (Director Cricket Operations PBCC), Aatif Qayyum (Director Education & Rehabilitation PBCC), Mansoor Khan, representative of PCB Quetta and Nusrullah Shahwani (President SQCCB) were the guests and distributed prizes amongst the players. Earlier, in the morning, Karachi won the toss and asked Attock to take guard. Attock posted a competitive total of 202 runs on the board for the loss of 7 wickets in allotted 20 overs. Muhammad Raheel was the top scorer with 59 runs and Ehtisham ul Haq made 27 runs. Tahir Ali, Abdul Wahab and Hassan Raza fetched 1 wicket each for Karachi. In reply, Karachi tried its best to reach the target of 203 runs but fell 5 runs short of the target. Karachi’s team was able to score 197 runs by losing their 6 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Tahir Ali was their top scorer with 104 runs and Bismillah Khan made 21 runs. Ehtisham ul Haq was the pick amongst the bowlers; he took 3 wickets for Attock. Result: Attock won by 5 runs Man of the Match: Ehtisham ul Haq Player of the Tournament: B1: Mohammad Sohail (Attock) B2: Niamat Ullah (Quetta) B3: Mohammad Safdar (Multan) Best Wicket Keeper: Naseeb Ullah (Quetta)  

Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League One-Day Internationals between Pakistan and the West Indies have been shifted to Multan. The games will take place on the dates announced earlier i.e. 8, 10 and 12 June, with the matches starting at 1600 PKT time.  The training camp of the Pakistan cricket team will be held in Lahore from 1-4 June before the squad will move to Multan on 5 June. Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, who are presently playing county cricket in the United Kingdom, will arrive on 1 June and will join the camp from the next day. The West Indies squad will arrive in Islamabad on 6 June and will travel to Multan on a charter flight. Series schedule with umpire and match referee appointments: 8 June – 1st ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire) and Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee) 10 June – 2nd ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium: Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee) 12 June – 3rd ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium: Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee) Pakistan squad for West Indies ODIs: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper/batter), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Mohammad Wasim Junior, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood. Player Support Personnel: Mansoor Rana (manager), Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saaiman (trainer/strength and conditioning coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital manager), Col (retd) Mohammad Imran (security manager), Dr Najeeb Soomro (team doctor), Talha Ejaz (analyst) and Muhammad Imran (masseur).

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan women will tour Australia for three T20Is and three ODIs, which will be played in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra from 16-29 January 2023. The ODIs, which will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025, will be played on 16, 18 and 21 January with the opening two games scheduled in Brisbane. The third ODI will be held on 21 January in Sydney, which will also stage the first T20I on 24 January. The remaining two T20Is will be played in Canberra on 27 and 29 January. Pakistan’s tour to Australia is one of their four away series in this competition played over a three-year period. Their other three away series are against Bangladesh, England and New Zealand, schedule of which will be announced in due course. Pakistan is presently hosting Sri Lanka, which is one of the four series that will be played in their backyard. Ireland, South Africa and West Indies are the other home series with Ireland scheduled to tour in November, while details of South Africa and West Indies to be announced closer to time. The ICC Women’s Championship is being competed by 10 sides, which include Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. At the end of the three-year cycle, the top five teams and the hosts will book a berth for the World Cup in 2025, while the rest of the teams will have to go through the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier. In addition to the ICC Women’s Championship fixtures, Pakistan women will also participate in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (25 July-8 August), December’s ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (2-26 February). Pakistan women’s schedule of matches in Australia: ODIs 16 Jan: Allan Border Field, Brisbane 18 Jan: Allan Border Field, Brisbane 21 Jan: North Sydney Oval, Sydney T20Is 24 Jan: North Sydney Oval, Sydney 27 Jan: Manuka Oval, Canberra 29 Jan: Manuka Oval, Canberra

Sports Bulletin Report Quetta (Pakistan):-Attock and Karachi stormed into the final of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy 2022 after beating their challengers in the semifinals at Fatima Jinnah Cricket Ground Quetta on Monday. The final of the tournament will be played between Attock and Karachi at the same venue on Tuesday. Results (semifinals)    Semifinal-1: Attock beat Hyderabad by 23 runs In the morning, Attock won the toss and decided to bat first. Openers Ehtisham ul Haq and Zeshan toiled the strong bowling of Hyderabad and both knitted 129 runs for the 1st wicket partnership. Attock made 266 runs on the board for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Ehtisham ul Haq was the top scorer with 105 runs and Zeshan made 70 runs. Hussain Bax took 2 wickets while Mohsin Ahmed took 1 wicket for Hyderabad. In reply, Hyderabad was well on the course to chase the target till the 15th over, but Amjad Mugheri’s wicket opened the opportunity to Attock and they grabbed it with both hands. Imran Sarwar tried his best in a fighting inning of unbeaten 133* runs but Hyderabad was restricted to 243 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Amjad Mugheri was the 2nd best scorer with 70 runs. Muhammad Raheel took 1 wicket. Result: Attock won by 23 runs Man of the Match: Ehtisham ul Haq Semifinal-2: Karachi beat Quetta by 16 runs The second semifinal of the event was played between Karachi and Quetta. Quetta won the toss and put Karachi into bat. Karachi posted a mammoth total of 286 runs on the board for the loss of 1 wicket in the stipulated 20 overs. The veteran Tahir Ali played an extraordinary innings of 150 runs and Bismillah Khan made unbeaten 80* runs.  In reply, Quetta was restricted to 270 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Niamat Ullah was their highest scorer with unbeaten 115 runs and Naseeb Ullah chipped in with 84 runs. Mohammad Ali Akasha and Shahzad Iqbal claimed 1 wicket each for Karachi. Result:  Karachi won by 16 runs Man of the Match: Tahir Ali

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-The ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka women teams will start on Wednesday, 1 June, at the Southend Club, Karachi. All three matches of the series which are a part of the ICC Women’s Championship will be staged at the same venue. After the opening game on 1 June, the next two fixtures will be played on 3 and 5 June. Prior to the start of the series, the two teams will practice for two days (30 and 31 May) at the Southend Club. Monday, 30 May: Training and practice session for both teams from 10:00am to 1:00pm Media talk with a Pakistan squad member at around 1:15pm Tuesday, 31 May: ODI series trophy unveiling for media at the Southend Club at 9:45am Training and practice session for both teams from 10:00 am to 12:30pm Pakistan and Sri Lanka captains or head coaches to hold pre-series press conferences - Southend Club media lounge from around 12:30pm

Sports Bulletin Report Quetta (Pakistan):-Besides, hosts Quetta, Attock, Hyderabad and Karachi moved into the semifinals of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Blind T-20 Cricket Trophy after showing acceptable performance in the first round at two different cricket venues in Quetta. On Monday, in the 1st semifinal Attock will meet Hyderabad while Karachi will take on Quetta in the 2nd semifinal, as the both matches will be played at Bolan Cricket Stadium Quetta. Results (Day-3): Games-1: Attock beat Quetta by 13 runs at Bolan Cricket Stadium In the morning, Quetta won the toss and decided to bowl first. Attock set a healthy total of 258 runs for all out in 19.4 overs. Ehtisham ul Haq played brilliant innings of 69 runs and Muhammad Sohail scored 38 runs. Shahid and Ehsan Ullah claimed 2 wickets each for Quetta. In reply Quetta was restricted to 245 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Niamat Ullah was their highest scorer with 119 runs and Talib Hussain chipped in with 34 runs. Ehtisham ul Haq and Bilal Sarwar took 1 wicket each for Attock. Result: Attock won by 13 runs Man of the Match: Ehtisham ul Haq Game-2: Faisalabad beat Sargodha by 10 wickets at Shola Cricket Ground Faisalabad won the toss and put Sargodha in to bat first. Sargodha made 133 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in allotted 15 overs. Zain Ashraf was the top scorer with 31 runs and Zaheer Ahmed made 24 runs. Danish, Ejaz Hussain, Bilal Ahmed and Bilal Hassan shared a wicket apiece.  In reply, Faisalabad chased the target in style in 8.4 overs without losing any wicket. Ejaz Hussain played terrifically and remained unbeaten on 60* runs, he was well supported by Bilal Ali who made unbeaten 59* runs. Result: Faisalabad won by 10 wickets Man of the Match: Ejaz Hussain Game-3: Hyderabad beat Multan by 2 runs at Bolan Cricket Stadium Hyderabad outplayed Multan in a sensational nail-biter. Hyderabad’s openers played excellently well and helped their side to pile up 309 runs on the board in stipulated 20 overs. Amjad Ali played master class innings of unbeaten 163* run, he was well supported by Imran Sarwar who scored unbeaten 123* runs. In reply, Multan fought hard; Mohammad Safdar and Abdul Razzaq kept their chances alive by dazzling batting but unfortunately fell 3 runs short of the target. Mohammad Safdar made unbeaten 183* runs and Abdul Razzaq made 38 runs. Multan made 307 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs. Imran Sarwar claimed 1 wicket. Result: Hyderabad won by 2 runs Man of the Match: Amjad Ali  Game-4: Karachi beat Gilgit by 9 wickets at Shola Cricket Ground Karachi won the toss and put Gilgit in to bat first. Gilgit made 148 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 15 overs. Shoeb Mir was the top scorer with 71 runs. Sher Ali and Bismillah Khan took 1 wicket each for Karachi. In reply, Karachi reached the target in 12.1 overs by losing their 1 wicket. Shahzad Iqbal was the highest scorer with 61 runs and Shoeb Khan made quick 50 runs for Karachi. Mohammad Irfan fetched 1 wicket. Result: Karachi won by 9 wickets Man of the Match: Shoeb Khan

Sports Bulletin Report Pune (India):-Supernovas were crowned champions of the My 11 Circle Women’s T20 Challenge 2022 after beating Velocity by 4 runs on Saturday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Deandra Dottin scored a magnificent 62(44) and scalped two wickets as Supernovas sealed a final-ball victory to claim their third title.   Chasing 166 to win, openers – Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia were off to a flier and Velocity were 28-0 in the first two overs. However, Deandra Dottin dismissed Shafali Verma in the next over after the Velocity opener was caught behind. The Velocity openers were back in the hut after Yastika Bhatia was caught and bowled by Sophie Ecclestone. The left-arm spinner then crashed the stumps of Kiran Navgire and Velocity were 38/3 at the end of the powerplay. Natthakan Chantham was the next batter to depart after she was trapped LBW by Pooja Vastrakar and Velocity were reeling at 61/4 at the halfway stage. Velocity lost half their side after skipper Deepti Sharma holed out to long-on against Alana King. The required run-rate went in excess of twelve as Velocity required 91 runs in the final seven overs with Laura Wolvaardt and Sneh Rana in the middle. Wolvaardt kept the scoreboard ticking as the 100 was up for Velocity before Alana King dismissed Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav on consecutive deliveries. New batter Kate Cross creamed two fours before the right-handed batter was caught behind off Deandra Dottin, who scalped her second wicket. Wolvaardt hammered her second six of the innings and reached her half-century but the Velocity batter kept running out of partners at the other end. Velocity required 34 off 12 after new batter Simran Bahadur crunched a six over long-on. Bahadur further creamed three fours in a row which brought the equation down to 17 off the final over. Wolvaardt smacked the first ball for six but Ecclestone held her nerves and successfully defended the total after Velocity needed six off the final delivery.Earlier, Supernovas were put in to bat first by Velocity. While team Velocity remained unchanged, Supernovas made two changes after Mansi Joshi and Rashi Kanojiya were named in the eleven. After only eleven runs in the first two overs, Priya Punia struck the first six of the innings. Deandra Dottin at the other end got a reprieve before the opener dispatched consecutive sixes against Sneh Rana as Supernovas reached 46/0 at the end of the powerplay. Velocity continued their search for the opening breakthrough as the fifty partnership was up between Punia and Dottin. Both – Punia and Dottin added a six each before the 73-run partnership finally came to an end after Punia was caught by Laura Wolvaardt off Simran Bahadur’s bowling. Supernovas were 78/1 at the halfway mark before Dottin reached her fifty in style with a flat six. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then got into the act and smacked her first six of the innings as the hundred was up for the Supernovas in the 12th over. Harmanpreet got into the action with two sixes and a four in the 14th over as the fifty partnership was up for the second wicket in just 29 deliveries. However, Velocity skipper Deepti Sharma rattled the stumps of Dottin, who was dismissed on 62. Supernovas were 138-2 at the end of 16 overs before Ayabonga Khakha knocked the stumps of Pooja Vastrakar. Velocity bounced back into the game after Cross scalped two wickets in an over including the big dismissal of Harmanpreet Kaur. Skipper Deepti Sharma claimed her second wicket after Sune Luus was caught at long-off. Simran Bahadur then dismissed Harleen Deol on the final ball of the innings and Supernovas finished the twenty overs with a total of 165/7 on the board.  Brief Scores: Supernovas 165/7 (Deandra Dottin 62, Harmanpreet Kaur 43; Deepti Sharma 2-20) beat Velocity 161/8 (Laura Wolvaardt 65*, Simran Bahadur 20*; Alana King 3-32) by 4 runs.