Sports Bulletin

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (September 2, 2021):-St Kitts & Nevis Patriots carried on their unbeaten start in the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a six wicket victory over the Jamaica Tallawahs. The Patriots won the toss and elected to field first and a disciplined bowling performance restricted the Tallawahs to 166/8, a total that appeared under par for the track. In reply the Patriots proved that assessment to be accurate as they made it four wins from four with another dominant batting display led by the tournament’s top scorer Sherfane Rutherford. The Tallawahs got their innings off to a lightning start with the hard-hitting duo of Chadwick Walton and Kennar Lewis putting on a blistering partnership of 41 runs inside 3.3 overs. However, once Paul Van Meekeren dismissed Kennar Lewis that led to a shift in the innings with the Patriots tightening the screws courtesy of some economical bowling by captain DJ Bravo. Things were to go from bad to worse for the Tallawahs when Walton had to retire hurt, tweaking his hamstring after running a quick single. It took an enterprising counter-attack by Rovman Powell and Carlos Brathwaite in the back end of the innings to revitalise the Tallawahs and this was further boosted by some late blows by the lower order to ensure they posted a respectable total. The Patriots made a similar start in their innings, with Evin Lewis bringing the early fireworks, but the wickets of Devon Thomas and Asif Ali in quick succession followed by Evin Lewis left the game in the balance. If things were finely poised Sherfane Rutherford and Fabian Allen made light work of the equation, a fantastic display of power hitting saw the pair smash 55 runs from 20 balls to seal the win at a canter.

By BIPIN DANI Sri Lankan Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has cancelled his plan to go to England to play the County matches this season. The 33-year-old opening batsman was invited to play for the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club (NCCC). "No, he is not going there now. Due to the Covid restrictions in the UK, he has to cancel his plan to play for this County this season", one of his confidants, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said on Thursday morning. "He was asked to be present there within 12 days but it was practically impossible to reach there via green-list country, where he was required to be in quarantine for 10 days", the source added. Even former captain Mahela Jayawardene had to take a flight to other country, spend ten days there in quarantine and then reached England for coaching in one of the teams in The Hundred tournament.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lahore (September 1, 2021):-Pakistan cricket selectors have named a 20-player squad for the three ICC Cricket World Cup Super League One-Day Internationals against New Zealand, which will be played in Rawalpindi on 17, 19 and 21 September. Uncapped wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris, fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Shahnawaz Dahani, and wrist-spinner Zahid Mahmood have been named in the squad, while middle-order batters Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah have been recalled. Iftikhar’s seventh and last ODI was against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi, while Khushdil’s only ODI appearance was also in the tied match against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Players who were part of the ODI series against England in July but have failed to retain their places are Haris Sohail, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Sohaib Maqsood. Pakistan ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain, Central Punjab), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) and Zahid Mahmood (Southern Punjab) Chief selector Mohammad Wasim: “The series against New Zealand is extremely important for Pakistan as the matches are part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification. While we have tried to put together a formidable and a balanced unit, we have continued to ensure that we give opportunities to high performing players while looking into the future so that we can develop a strong bench-strength. “Shahnawaz Dahani was unfortunate to miss the selection for the England matches as the squad was announced before the start of the remaining 20 HBL PSL 6 matches. Hence, he was a straightforward selection when we sat to discuss and finalise the side for the New Zealand series. We have also given continued run to Mohammad Wasim, who impressed everyone in the T20Is against the West Indies. “Zahid Mahmood has been added to support Usman Qadir. While picking him, we took into consideration that he had excelled last time he played in a white-ball match in Lahore against South Africa. Although this time the format will be different, but in domestic 50-over competitions he has shown through his performances that he has the temperament to also perform in ODIs. “Mohammad Rizwan remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, as such, it has been decided to include 20-year-old Mohammad Haris in place of Sarfaraz Ahmed. This is not only to reward Haris for his outstanding domestic performances in the previous season, but also to give him a taste and flair of international cricket along with its rigours and demands and to ensure that we continue to groom young wicketkeepers who are fit and ready to step up when the opportunity presents itself. “Middle-order has remained our concern and, as such, after trying a few options, we have decided to give another run to Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah, The two batters have played sufficient 50-over cricket at the domestic level and boast the required firepower to utilise the slog overs. We are optimistic they will come good in home conditions. “I know a few players will feel disappointed at missing out on the selection but we have a busy season of cricket ahead, which means there will be ample opportunities down the line for everyone to put up strong performances and push their case for national selection.”

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lahore (August 30, 2021):-The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has approved 25 per cent crowd attendance for the upcoming Pakistan versus New Zealand series. New Zealand will arrive in Islamabad on 11 September with the three ODIs scheduled at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will stage the five T20Is. The decision means around 4,500 spectators will be able to attend the ODIs scheduled on 17, 19 and 21 September, while approximately 5,500 spectators will be able to watch the 25 September, 26 September, 29 September, 1 October and 3 October T20Is. Only spectators who are fully vaccinated and have Immunisation Certificate for Covid-19 will be allowed entry inside the stadia. Following the NCOC decision, the PCB will shortly announce ticket prices and other details for New Zealand’s first tour to Pakistan in 18 years. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “Spectators are the essence of any sport event as they create an ambiance and atmosphere for the players to excel, perform and enjoy. In this background, we are grateful to the NCOC for allowing the PCB to invite 25 per cent crowds for the eight matches. “I am sure following the NCOC decision, the unvaccinated cricket followers will expedite their vaccination process so that they can witness the first series on home soil between the two sides since 2003. “This will be an opportunity for the spectators to not only enjoy some quality cricket in the season-opening series but also support and back players from either side as the ODIs count towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification, while the T20Is will lead into the ICC T20 World Cup.”

By BIPIN DANI All players and support staff members of the visiting South African team tested Covid-19 negative on their first PCR tests done on their arrival on Thursday, it is learnt. The next PCR tests for the visiting team will be conducted on 29th September.  Temba Bavuma-led South African squad arrived in Colombo on Thursday morning.  Sri Lanka's two army doctors have been assigned to comply with the Covid-related issues and tests during their 20-day stay in Sri Lanka. The visitors too have brought their own physician, it is learnt.  Both teams-South Africa and the Sri Lankan teams are staying in the same hotel.  The members of the home team also gave their PCR tests on Wednesday and all found negatives.  The three D/N ODIs' (September 2, 4 & 7) and the three-night T-20Is (Sept. 10,12 & 14) will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium behind closed doors.  Batting coach returns    Sri Lanka's batting coach Grant Flower who had to miss the last series against India has returned. The Zimbabwe-born Flower was tested positive after returning from England and had to be isolated. The other support staff member G.T. Niroshan too was to be dropped for the same reason against the India series. He was replaced by Prad Navaratnam. He will continue to be with the team for the series against South Africa.   

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lahore (August 27, 2021):-Marina Iqbal has stepped down from her role as a national women’s selector to concentrate on her career as a broadcaster. Marina was a member of a selection committee, which includes former Pakistan fast bowler Asmavia Iqbal and is headed by Urooj Mumtaz, a former Pakistan captain.  Marina, a former Pakistan batter, was inducted in the selection committee in March 2019 and selected national sides for ICC Women’s Championship series against South Africa and England, home fixtures against Bangladesh (all three 2019), ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (2020) and this year’s tours of Africa (South Africa and Zimbabwe) and West Indies.  Marina Iqbal: “It has been an honour to serve as a member of the national women’s selection committee which provided another great learning opportunity to me. “I have made this decision to give more time to cricket commentary following my induction in the ICC future leaders programme. I felt that in my current role as a national selector, it was difficult to carry out the two roles simultaneously. “I will continue to follow our women’s team, which possesses immense potential, from behind the mic, and wish well to all players for the upcoming assignments.”  

SPORTS REPORT Lahore (August 27, 2021):-Election Commissioner of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mr Justice (retd) Sheikh Azmat Saeed has called a special meeting of the Board of Governors on Monday, 13 September, at 1100 in Lahore to elect the 36th PCB Chairman. The Election Commissioner made the decision in his first meeting at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday afternoon, in which he also directed that notices of the special meeting be issued to the BoG members. Such notices have been issued. Earlier on Friday morning, PCB Patron, Prime Minister Mr Imran Khan, had nominated Mr Asad Ali Khan and Mr Ramiz Raja on the BoG for a three-year term while exercising his powers under clause 12(1) of the PCB Constitution. The other five members on the BoG are Mr Aasim Wajid Jawad, Ms Alia Zafar, Mr Arif Saeed and Mr Javed Kurieshi (all independent members) and Mr Wasim Khan (PCB Chief Executive).    

By BIPIN DANI Vijay Singh Yadav, the security guard at Dwarikesh SugarIndustries was officiating his duty in Bareilly when heard the news about her daughter Meghna Singh's inclusion in the Indian women's team.   The 27-year-old right-arm medium pacer and the lower order batsman has been selected in the India women's team for the tour of Australia. She has been chosen for all three formats of the game. "My family is in Kotwali Dehat (District Bijnor) about 200 km away from my posting in Bareilly. Only for some official work I have come home and will be celebrating the inclusion of my daughter in the Indian team with my family members today before I return for my work in the evening", the father added. Meghna's grand-father is a retired Police sub inspector. Meghna is the eldest among five siblings. Her younger sisters-Garima, Pratiksha and Riddhi are graduates and postgraduates. The youngest brother Prabal Pratap is studying now. The mother, Reena Singh, is working as ASHA in the health department. "Meghna could not complete her graduation because she had to remain very busy playing the game and we have no regrets for that", the father added.   "Meghna's family has struggled a lot in life. Meghna's hard work has finally been rewarded. She used to come for training at our academy", the coach Lakshraj Tyagi said. Former India player Rita Dey has been Meghna's mentor. "She is a very simple and casual girl. She made her passport only last year when she was selected to play in the women's IPL in Dubai", Rita Dey says.   

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Kingston, Jamaica (August 25, 2021):-Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has tested positive and, as such, will not depart for Lahore with his side later today (Wednesday). Misbah, who is asymptomatic, will now undergo a 10-day quarantine, following which he will depart for Pakistan. Misbah was the only Pakistan squad member who failed two pre-departure PCR tests. All other members will leave Jamaica as per schedule later today (Wednesday). The PCB is constantly in touch with Cricket West Indies who have confirmed that Misbah will be shifted to another hotel for the 10-day quarantine with a medical specialist assigned to look after his health and wellbeing.

By BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's one more cricketer has migrated to the USA on Tuesday. The 28-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Lahiru Milintha, who has played 66 First Class matches, reached North Carolina with his wife on Tuesday early morning. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from the USA, he says, "I will be playing for the Morrisville Cardinals team in the Minor Cricket League (MiCL) this year". This is the first year of the League in the USA and all matches are played on weekends. "Half of the tournament is over", he said. Interestingly, Lahiru Milintha is the sixth SriLanka-born cricketer in this tournament. The other five Sri Lankans are : Sehan Jayasuriya, Amila Aponso, Roy Silva, Gayan Fernando and Ravindu Gunasekera. Ravindu Gunasekara has played for the Canada national team also. He will be in Lahiru's team in the MiCL. Morrisville Cardinals' next match is on Saturday, 28th August against Orlando Galaxy. Jayasuriya, Aponoso and now Lahiru are keen to settle in the USA and ambitious to play for the USA national team in future. They, however, have to reside in the USA (ICC's mandatory requirement) for three years to be eligible to play for the USA.