Sports Bulletin

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (December 6, 2021):-As many as 28 women cricketers will undergo skills and fitness training at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre, Multan in the emerging women’s camp, which begins on 10 December. Over the course of the 18-day camp, these 28 players will train under the supervision of the coaching staff of the women’s national cricket team as well as Academy coaches. David Hemp, head coach of the women’s national team, will oversee the camp, along with academy coaches Mohsin Kamal and Mohammad Kamran Hussain. This camp serves an opportunity to the coaches to observe up-and-coming cricketers and provide them awareness about the desired skills and fitness levels to compete at the international level. In accordance with the PCB’s Covid-19 protocols, all those involved in the camp will undergo two tests before their integration in the bio-secure environment. Their first tests will be held at their residence on 7 December and those who return negative tests will undergo second testing on 10 December upon their arrival in Multan. Player names: Aleena Iqbal Shah Afridi, Anoosha Nasir, Ayesha Bilal, Ayesha Khan, Ayesha Naseem, Ghulam Fatima, Gul Uswa, Gul Firoza, Hafsa Khalid, Humaira Bibi, Huraina Sajjad, Kaynat Hafeez, Madiha Bibi, Mahnoor Qayyum, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz, Neha Shermin, Noor?ul-Eman, Sadaf Shamas, Saima Malik, Shawal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Syeda Masooma Zahra Fatima, Tooba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar, Warda Yousaf and Yusra Amir Support Staff: David Hemp (Head coach), Mohsin Kamal (Assistant Coach), Muhammad Kamran Hussain (Assistant Coach), Fizza Abid (Manager), Rabia Siddiq (Physiotherapist), Zubair Ahmed (Performance Analyst) and Saboor Ahmed (Strength and Conditioning Coach)

Bipin Dani Ajaz Patel is the third bowler in the history of grabbing all ten wickets in a Test innings but his feat is more remarkable than the other two, according to Dipak Patel, the former Kiwi spinner. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Auckland on Sunday morning, he said, "Both Kumble and Jim Laker took all ten wickets in the second innings (home Tests), whereas Ajaz's journey of ten wickets began from the first day (away Test match) itself. I therefore reckon Ajaz's performance is better".  "It is very very difficult for a bowler to take all ten wickets and that too by a spinner is not easy". Interestingly, all three members of the 10 wickets club are spinners. And yes, Kumble did tweet a congratulatory message.    It was Dipak Patel who had advised Ajaz to switch from fast bowling to spin. "Ajaz's performance was superb and that too against the Indian batsmen. The fact is Indian batsmen play spinners well and therefore Ajaz's performance was amazing". Mumbai-born Ajaz's family moved to New Zealand many years ago. "He got to play his first Test only three years ago but since then he has been taking wickets. He has really worked very hard and the result is there for all to watch", Patel signed off. 

Dhaka, Bangladesh (SB Report):-Azhar Ali reached his 34th career half-century as only 38 balls’ play was possible on the second day of the second Test in which Pakistan added 27 runs to their overnight score to reach 188 for two against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. After there was no play in the first session, play resumed following an early lunch and Pakistan began confidently and convincingly before rain halted play after 6.2 overs. Shortly before rain ended second day’s play, Azhar Ali hit back to back boundaries off Ebadot Hossain to complete his 34th 50 in his 91st Test. When day’s play was finally called off, Azhar was batting on 52 after beginning the day at 36. Babar Azam, who was 60 overnight in Pakistan’s 161 for two, started impressively with a boundary off the first ball of the day and was still at the crease on 71 with eight fours and a six. The two batters have so far added 118 runs for the unfinished third wicket partnership. Scores in brief (2nd Test, day 2 of 5): Pakistan 188-2, 63.2 overs (Babar Azam 71 not out, Azhar Ali 52 not out, Abid Ali 39, Abdullah Shafique 25, Taijul Islam 2-49) v Bangladesh

Saad Kayani KARACHI (December 5, 2021):-The eight-round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 season begins at three Karachi venues from Monday. Table-toppers Sindh are eying their first-ever spot in the revamped tournament’s (2019-20 onwards) 25-29 December final at the National Stadium Karachi. Sindh have had a dramatic change in fortunes after recording back to back wins since the 2021-22 edition of the prestigious tournament moved to Karachi following the first five rounds in Punjab. After a single result in the first 15 matches played in Punjab, the tournament sprung to life since moving to Karachi with results in as many as five out of the six matches played in the city so far. The trend is expected to continue with the three eight-round matches commencing from tomorrow. Sindh will take on Northern in their eight-round fixture at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi. Sindh are on a high after registering a fine comeback victory over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the State Bank Stadium courtesy a six-wicket haul by left-arm pacer Mir Hamza in KP’s second innings on Friday. Hamza (second-most wickets in the tournament – 23) and the Sindh battery of pacers (Sohail Khan, Mohammad Hasnain and Shahnawaz Dahani) were the architects of the 127-run win which earned Sindh their impressive victory following their comprehensive innings thrashing of Balochistan in the sixth-round. They will however be up against a rampant Northern side that handed a nine-wicket drubbing to Central Punjab at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex courtesy a maiden double century by Haider Ali and first-class career-best bowling performance by Haris Rauf. Both Haider and Haris along with Shahnawaz are not going to feature in the match as they are set to join the Pakistan squad for the white-ball series against West Indies. The win over Central Punjab earned Northern valuable points but they are still languishing in the fifth-spot in the table with 78 points, an outright win with bonus points will surely see them surge ahead in the table. Southern Punjab tie against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the State Bank Stadium, Karachi will be live-streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel. Southern Punjab arrived in Karachi at the top of the table but have since lost the top-spot to Sindh. After enduring a comprehensive defeat to Central Punjab in the sixth-round, Southern Punjab played out a draw against Balochistan in the seventh-round. The high scoring fixture at the UBL Sports Complex ensured that Southern Punjab don’t slip further then their second spot in the table. They at present, enjoy a five point lead over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who after beating Northern in the sixth-round lost to Sindh in their seventh-round fixture. The top two run-getters in the season KP’s Sahibzada Farhan (688 runs) and Southern Punjab’ Tayyab Tahir (644 runs) will be hoping to play a leading role for their respective sides in their quest for crucial points as the teams vie for an entry into the tournament final. Central Punjab to play Balochistan at the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi. Fourth in the table, Central Punjab will be eying valuable bonus points and a win over the sixth-placed Balochistan when the two sides clash in the eight-round fixture. Both 2021-22 season matches at the venue have produced result with Central Punjab on the receiving end against Northern in the seventh-round match last week. Central Punjab, the reigning joint champions, are currently 20 points behind Sindh and would need at least a draw with some bonus points in their kitty to retain a realistic chance of sealing one of the two final berths. Balochistan with 64 points are still not totally out of the run for a final-spot. The team received a boost with the inclusion of Shan Masood in their ranks in the round-seven match. The left-hander responded with a blazing century as his side amassed a 606-run total with Ayaz Tassawar and captain Bismillah Khan also scoring centuries. Balochistan would be hoping to maintain the batting form on a venue where bowlers have remained in the hunt in both round-six and seven matches. Eight-round fixtures: Sindh vs Northern –UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Southern Punjab vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa –State Bank Stadium, Karachi Central Punjab vs Balochistan –NBP Sports Complex, Karachi

Bipin Dani There have been no new cases of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka's women squad but two members of the squad are still found having Covid-19 positive results, it is reliably learnt. According to highly placed sources in the SLC, one player (Sugandika Kumari) and one support staff member (Indrani Ariyarayni) were again found positive in the last PCR tests conducted on Thursday.   It has been learnt now that more series of tests including the antigen tests for both will be conducted. "If the Covid affected persons have negative antigen tests, they can still fly to the country as per the new Civil aviation guidelines because there are less chances of spreading the virus", one of the SLC sources said. All players and support staff are still stranded in Harare after the Covid outbreak in the team, which resulted in the cancellation of the ICC World Cup qualifying round last week. "Efforts are being made at the highest level for their early return". There was a plan to send them in two different batches but now they all will be sent in a  Chartered flight of Sri Lankan airlines. "We are aware that they all have been nervous now and anxious to return home". "Just got the confirmation that team has the delta variant”. Delta variant was found initially in India, then it spreaded worldwide. It differed from other variants because of its high infectivity. And the mortality and morbidity rates were higher as well". "The players are being monitored by our efficient team doctor Matheesa de Silva", the source further added.

Dhaka, Bangladesh:-Captain Babar Azam stroked a stylish unbeaten half-century as Pakistan reached 161 for two on a day when only 57 overs play was possible in the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangladesh Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Babar was unbeaten on 60 and with him was Azhar Ali on 36 as the two have switched a 91 runs partnership for the unfinished third wicket after Abdullah Shafique (25) and Abid Ali (39) had provided Pakistan a 59-run opening start after the visitors had elected to bat. Both the openers fell to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (two for 49) in a space of 11 runs as Pakistan slipped to 70 for two. At that stage, Babar and Azhar held the wobbling innings together and looked set to put Pakistan in a more commanding position but bad light prevented any play in the final session of the day. Babar had struck seven eloquent boundaries and a six in a 99-ball 60, while Azhar was unbeaten on a not too convincing 112-ball 36 that included four fours. This was Babar’s 19th half-century in 37th Test, including fourth of the year after he scored 77 (vs South Africa in Rawalpindi) and, 55 and 77 in the two Sabina Park Tests against the West Indies. Babar’s fifth and last century was in his 26th Test, coincidently against Bangladesh when he scored 143 in Rawalpindi in February 2020. However, weather forecast for the next three days is not very encouraging and can potentially delay the champion batter notching up his sixth century. Scores in brief: Pakistan 161-2, 57 overs (Babar Azam 60 not out, Abid Ali 39, Azhar Ali 36 not out, Abdullah Shafique 25; Taijul Islam (2-49).

Karachi (SB REPORT):-The National Stadium will be available to fans at 100 per cent seating capacity to watch this year’s most successful T20I side in action when Babar Azam’s Pakistan take on the West Indies in three T20Is and as many ODIs from 13-22 December. Pakistan have won 17 T20Is this year and will enter the shorter format series against the West Indies with nine wins in the last 10 completed matches. In a bid to help cricket fans from various walks of life watch their superstars in action, the Pakistan Cricket Board has set the ticket prices for the T20I matches from as low as PKR250 till PKR2,000. Seats in General Enclosures (Intikhab Alam, Iqbal Qasim, Mohammad Brothers, Nasimul Ghani and Wasim Bari) are priced at PKR250; in First-class Enclosures (Asif Iqbal, Majid Khan, Quaid, Waqar Hasan and Zaheer Abbas) are for PKR500; in Premium Enclosures (Imran Khan and Wasim Akram) are for PKR1,000; and in VIP Enclosures (Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad) are for PKR2,000. Fans of all ages will be able to see No.1 ranked Babar team up with 2021’s most successful T20I batter Mohammad Rizwan as his opening partner. According to the guidelines issued by the National Command and Operations Centre, individuals above 12 are required to be fully vaccinated, while no vaccination is required for the children below the age of 12. The access to the stadium will be granted upon the display of original ticket, CNIC and Nadra-issued immunisation certificate for Covid-19. The two sides will play three ODIs – part of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League – on 18, 20 and 22 December, for which the tickets will start from as less as PKR100 and go up to only PKR1,000. The seats in General Enclosures are available for PKR100, in First-class for PKR250, in Premium for PKR500 and VIP for 1,000. To ensure all the spectators get to enjoy the action in a safe manner, they are advised to follow the Covid-19 protocols and wear the facemasks when in the stands. Series schedule 13 Dec – 1st T20I, Karachi 14 Dec – 2nd T20I, Karachi 16 Dec – 3rd T20I, Karachi 18 Dec – 1st ODI, Karachi 20 Dec – 2nd ODI, Karachi 22 Dec – 3rd ODI, Karachi

Bipin Dani There could not have been a better occasion for Sri Lankan all rounder Dananjaya de Silva to win the Player of the Match award on Friday. The 30-year-old right handed batsman won the PoM award on his 3rd Wedding Anniversary for his unbeaten 155 runs in the second innings which enabled the home team to win the 2nd Test against the Windies. "Only it (DDS' Wedding Anniversary date) was known to very few members initially", one of the sources, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Galle. Dhananjaya de Silva was married to Sanduni Nisansala on 3rd December, 2018. "The players and the support staff members were not allowed to keep their family members for this series, though few support staff did seek permission but we're denied in the current pandemic", the source further added. Dhananjaya remembered his father's blessings at the presentation. His politician father, Ranjan de Silva was murdered by an unidentified gunman in front of their Ratmalana house in 2018. The team did celebrate the series victory in a small way and also gave a farewell party to the head coach (Mickey Arthur) and batting coach (Grant Flower). Both outgoing coaches were gifted.

Karachi (Sports Report):-Northern recorded their first win of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 season as they thumped Central Punjab by nine wickets while table-toppers Sindh consolidated their position at the top with a 127-run win over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Southern Punjab and Balochistan meanwhile played a draw as the seventh-round matches concluded today in three Karachi venues. At the UBL Sports Complex, Southern Punjab and Balochistan played out a draw. Resuming their second innings at the overnight 37 for no loss, Southern Punjab were bowled out for 311 in 78 overs. Opener, Tayyab Tahir were top scorer with 86 off 183 balls (nine fours, one six). First innings centurion Yousuf Babar maintained his fine form in the second innings with 63 off 86 balls (12 fours). Left-arm-spinner Kashif Bhatti who scored a fifty in Balochistan’s first innings completed a fine all-round performance with a four-wicket haul with the ball, Akif Javed took three wickets for 41 runs. Balochistan had reached 24 for no loss when stumps were drawn for the fourth and final time in the match. Over at the State Bank of Pakistan Stadium in the match between Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which was live streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel, left-armer Mir Hamza’s stunning six-wicket haul helped Sindh register their second successive victory of the season as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were defeated by 127 runs. Resuming their second innings at 13 for no loss (258-run target), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were rolled over for 130 runs shortly after lunch on the final day. Hamza generated seam and swing and bowled a probing spell making regular inroads. Captain Iftikhar Ahmed (44 off 61 balls, seven fours) was KP’s top-scorer with Sahibzada Farhan contributing 39. Hamza collected the 27th five-wicket haul of his career, he was ably support by pacer Mohammad Hasnain who took two wickets. Sindh who were on the backfoot after conceding a 120-run first innings lead have now further strengthened their position at the top of the six-team table by earning a total of 19 points from the match. KP settled with eight points based on their first innings supremacy. Over at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex, Northern wrapped-up a comfortable nine-wicket win with-in the first hour on the fourth-day. Central Punjab were bowled out for 207 after resuming their first innings at the overnight 197 for nine. Off-spinner Mubasir Khan who recorded his maiden first-class five-for yesterday took the final wicket to finish with impressive figures of 24.2-8-43-6. Northern lost opener Muhammad Huraira (6) but the pair of Zaid Alam and Rohail Nazir took the past the 20-run target. Scores in brief: Southern Punjab vs Balochistan, match drawn at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Southern Punjab 483 all out, 117.5 overs (Salman Ali Agha 135, Yousuf Babar 119 not out, Zeeshan Ashraf 102; Kashif Shehzad 3-63, Akif Javed 3-78) and 311 all out in 78 overs (Tayyab Tahir 86, Yousuf Babar 63; Kashif Bhatti 4-52, Akif Javed 3-41) Balochistan 606 all out, 124 overs (Ayaz Tassawar 149, Bismillah Khan 125, Shan Masood 105, Kashif Bhatti 71; Hassan Khan 3-27, Aamer Yamin 2-63) and 24 for no loss, 5 overs. Sindh beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 127 runs at State Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Sindh 145 all out, 42.1 overs (Asad Shafiq 31, Faraz Ali 31; Irfanullah Shah 5-43, Asif Afridi 3-16) and 377 all out, 124.1 overs (Khurram Manzoor 107, Saad Khan 89 not out, Asad Shafiq 83; Irfanullah Shah 4-51, Asif Afridi 3-112) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 265 for 9 (declared) 64.1 overs (Musadiq Ahmed 75, Asif Afridi 50, Iftikhar Ahmed 40; Sohail Khan 5-82, Mir Hamza 3-62) and 130 all out, 44.1 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 44, Sahibzada Farhan 39; Mir Hamza 6-33, Mohammad Hasnain 2-49) Northern beat Central Punjab by nine wickets at National Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi Northern 445 for 8 (declared), 106 overs (Haider Ali 206, Faizan Riaz 67, Mohammad Huraira 54; Mohammad Ali 3-68) and 20 for 1, 7.3 overs. Central Punjab 257 all out, 71.5 overs (Hussain Talat 51, Imran Dogar 43; Haris Rauf 6-47, Mubasir Khan 2-38) and 207 all out, 77.2 overs (Ali Zaryab 71, Imran Dogar 55; Mubasir Khan 6-43, Haris Rauf 3-62)

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 3, 2021):-Bahawalpur Disabled cricket team has clinched the title of ICRC Presents SAF National Disabled T20 Cricket Championship after beating Islamabad by six wickets in the final on the World Day of People with Disabilities on December 3 played at DHA Sports Club Moin Khan Cricket Academy Ground Karachi on Friday. According to available information from Karachi, the final of National Championship organized by Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association (PDCA), ICRC Head of Sub Delegation Peshawar Farrukh Islamov, Former Pakistan Cricket Team Captain Moin Khan, COO Shahid Shahid Afridi Foundation and Country Head Mohammad Rizwan,Disabled Cricket founder Saleem Karim, former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed and ICRC Head of Communication Fiza Bangash distributed prizes on the occasion. Disability Cricket Association Secretary Amiruddin Ansari, Imran Latif, Tournament Secretary Jamil Kamran and Tauseef Shah were also present on this eve.  After winning the toss in the final, Islamabad Disabled scored 133 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Usman Paracha scored 45 runs off 43 balls with the help of four fours while Raja Ali Abbas scored 30 off 19 balls, Adil Abbasi scored 24 off 22 balls and Mohammad Noman scored 15 runs.From Bahawalpur Disabled, Abdul Khaliq took two wickets while Mohammad Asif and Kashif Abbas took one wicket each.  In reply, winner Bahawalpur Disabled achieved their target of 134 runs for four 18.1 overs. Abid Hussain was the top scorer with 41 runs off 28 balls with the help of 6 fours. Captain Mohammad Shehzad scored unbeaten 36 runs included a four and a six. Mohammad Noman scored 26 off 20 balls with the help of 5 fours. Hamad Shaukat and Waqif Shah took one wicket each for Islamabad Disabled.  Mohammad Noman of Bahawalpur Disabled was declared the best batter and player of the tournament while Waqif Shah of Islamabad Disabled was declared the best bowler, Ashfaq Shakir of Lahore Disabled the best fielder and Abid Hussain of Bahawalpur Disabled decleard man of the match. Hafiz Ghulam Mohammad of Multan Disabled was also given a special award for scoring a century off just 27 balls in the National Championship. Talking to media on the occasion, the special guest Farrukh Islamov, Head of Sub-Delegation of ICRC Peshawar, assured full cooperation with PDCA in the future as well and termed the championship as a successful event.