Sports Bulletin

Let’s be honest: 120 was an easily chaseable target. No team has ever defended a lower total at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Pakistan’s bowling was disciplined and they managed to restrict what is the best batting line-up in the world to just 119.Post-match, Rohit Sharma admitted that India didn’t bat well enough and the early wickets of the skipper and Virat Kohli brought the game to life.They are the backbone of the team and removing them cheaply gave Pakistan plenty of momentum.There has been a lot of talk about the drop-in pitch in New York and the surface was a little slow compared to the batting-friendly pitches we have become accustomed to in T20 cricket.But the pitch should never be used as an excuse and neither captain did so - they know that top-level professionals should know how to adjust to any conditions.Pakistan’s bowlers did very well and at the halfway stage, I believed India’s batters were 35 to 40 runs short of where they wanted to be.In my experience, international cricket and especially the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is all about handling pressure.On the big days, you have to have nerves of steel until you make it through.India stayed positive and calm until the last ball and the pressure of the run chase was not handled well by Babar Azam’s side.The key difference between the two teams was India’s consistency, self-belief, discipline and attitude on the field.The Pakistan batting line-up simply isn’t clicking and what we saw was a weak display of power hitting.For several reasons, this game wasn’t about playing aggressively. But strategy and smart cricket were required to get the run chase over the line, and those qualities are exactly what Pakistan lacked.India have now won seven of their eight matches against Pakistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Pakistan fans are highly disappointed.First, Pakistan lost to hosts USA in a close game and now they have lost to India when they had only a small total to chase.The next match is against Canada at Nassau County International Stadium tomorrow and it goes without saying that this is a must-win game.I think now is the time for Gary Kirsten and Babar Azam to make some changes.I would like to see Salman Ali Agha come into the side in place of Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed to come in for Shadab Khan.Most of all, I believe Fakhar Zaman should be promoted to open the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar dropping down to number three.There are some tough conversations and choices to come but we need to remember that there is still hope: Pakistan are not out of the tournament yet. 

Sports Bulletin ReportPort of Spain (Trinidad): The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have confirmed the players they have signed ahead of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League draft. They have 12 confirmed players for the 2024 season and will have five spots to fill at the draft in July. The Falcons will feature Pakistani internationals Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Fakhar Zaman, all of whom are currently featuring in the T20 World Cup which is taking place in the Caribbean and USA. Their overseas contingent will be rounded out by Australia’s Chris Green and Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. Brandon King and Fabian Allen will be part of the Falcons squad for 2024 as well as hugely exciting Antiguan batter Jewel Andrew who starred at the Under 19 World Cup earlier this year. Names of Falcons players: Imad Wasim, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Amir, Chris Green, Fakhar Zaman, Hayden Walsh, Samar Springer, Kelvin Pitman, Jewel Andrew, Joshua James.

India outpay Pakistan by 6 runs in a low-scoring thriller contest in New YorkSports Bulletin ReportNew York (USA); Pacer Jasprit Bumrah (3 for 14) halted Green Shirts from achieving a meager target of 120 runs in 20 overs, as India successfully downed the opposition by 6 runs at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 cricket match on Sunday.Naseem Shah took three for 21, Haris Rauf claimed three for 21 and Mohammad Amir snapped up two for 23 to bowl India out for 119, their second-lowest score in a T20 World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah led India’s fightback with figures of three for 14, while Hardik Pandya claimed two for 24 as Pakistan finished on 113 for seven on a substandard T20 pitch.Pakistan needed 18 runs in the last over and managed 11 runs, including two fours off the final three balls of the innings by Naseem Shah. Pakistan were in control of the proceedings when they were 57 for one at the halfway stage and then 83 for four after 15 overs, needing 37 off the last five overs.Babar Azam (13) and Mohammad Rizwan (31) stitched a 26-run first wicket partnership off 28 balls before Rizwan and Usman Khan (13) put on 31 runs off 33 balls. However, the lower-order batters struggled to put bat to ball and dominated India bowlers, although Imad Wasim scored 15 and Fakhar Zaman chipped in with 13.India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was the top-scorer of the match with a lucky 42 off 31 balls, including six fours. In Mohammad Amir’s second over, the sixth of the innings, Pant could have been caught twice; instead, he got 11 runs before eventually falling to Amir in the 15th over.Virat Kohli, who had given Pakistan a heartbreak in Melbourne two years ago with an 82 not out, lasted just three balls this time. Rohit Sharma joined Kohli in the dug-out seven balls later as India slipped to 19 for two in 2.4 overs.Axar Patel (20) added 39 runs off 30 balls for the third wicket with Pant, while Pant put on 31 runs off 22 balls with Suryakumar Yadav for the fourth wicket to take India to 89 for four. At that stage, Pakistan fought back to claim the remaining six wickets for 30 runs in just over eight overs as India collapsed to 119 all out in 19 overs.

Sports Bulletin ReportABBOTTABAD: Balochistan and Punjab claimed triumphs in the ongoing PBCC Blind Cricket T-20 Super League 2024, after beating their respective opponents at APS School Cricket Ground Abbottabad on Monday.Balochistan beat KPK by 1 wicket: In an exhilarating T20 match, the Balochistan Blind cricket team triumphed over KP in a nail-biting finish, chasing down a formidable target of 213 runs with just one ball to spare.The match commenced with KPK Blind setting a challenging target, scoring 212 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The standout performances came from Badar Munir (B2) and Mohammad Rashid (B3). Badar dazzled with a rapid 58 off 30 balls, including nine boundaries and one six. Rashid anchored the innings with a well-crafted 95 not out off 60 balls, hitting 14 fours. Bashir Khan (B1) and Mohsin Khan (B3) from the Balochistan side put up impressive bowling performances, taking two wickets each.In response, Balochistan managed to chase the target in a sensational way, scoring 216 for the loss of 9 wickets in 19.5 overs. Niamatullah (B3) led the charge with a solid 61 off 46 balls, supported by timely contributions from Imran Sarwar (B3), who remained not out on 33 off 18 balls, and Naseeb Ullah (B2), who scored a quickfire 21 off 12 balls. The chase saw dramatic turns with crucial wickets falling at regular intervals. Talha Iqbal (B3) from KPK delivered with the ball, taking two crucial wickets, including that of the key player Niamatullah. Niamatullah got the Man of the Match award.Punjab beat Sindh by 37 runs: In a high-octane first innings, the Punjab Blind cricket team delivered an impressive batting performance, scoring a commanding 252 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs against Sindh.The Punjab Blind team exhibited an outstanding batting effort, with key contributions from Moeen Aslam (B2), Akmal Hayat Nasir (B3), and Mati Ullah (B3). Moeen Aslam was in exceptional form, scoring a blistering 51 off just 22 balls, hitting ten boundaries with a remarkable strike rate of 231.82. Akmal Hayat Nasir followed suit with a robust 68 off 44 balls, including ten fours and one six. Mati Ullah added crucial runs with a rapid 32 off 16 balls, while Israr Ul Hassan (B2) provided a solid finish, remaining not out with 24 runs off 13 balls. SanaUllah (B3) also contributed significantly towards the end, scoring an unbeaten 21 off just 8 balls, boasting a strike rate of 262.50. Idrees Saleem (B1) took 2 wickets, while Mohammad Salman and Safdar claimed a wicket a piece.In reply, Sindh managed to scored 215 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Sindh chase was led by a valiant effort from Mohammad Safdar (B3), who scored a brilliant 58 off 36 balls, including nine boundaries and one six. Ayoub Khan (B2) provided solid support with 46 runs off 34 balls. Despite their efforts, the Punjab Blind bowlers managed to keep crucial breakthroughs at key moments. Nisar Ali (B2) played a remarkable innings, remaining unbeaten with 49 runs off just 26 balls, hitting six fours and one six. However, Sindh middle order struggled to build on the momentum, facing tight bowling from Punjab Blind. Matiullah, Kazimullah and Sajid Nawaz took 2 wickets each. Matiullah won the Man of the Match award.

Shoukat HussainABBOTTABAD: Sindh and Balochistan have won their matches on the day-3 of the PBCC Blind Cricket T-20 Super League 2024, after beating KPK, and Punjab respectively by 6, and 7 wickets at APS School Cricket Ground Abbottabad on Sunday.Sindh beat KPK by 6 wickets: KPK batted first and posted a challenging total of 249 for 9 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Mohammad Rashid, who played an explosive knock of 87 runs off 46 balls, including 13 fours and 1 six, with a strike rate of 189.13. Contributions from Ahtisham Ul Haq (33 off 23 balls) and Badar Munir (25 off 15 balls) further bolstered the KPK total. Despite a strong start, KP Blind's middle order faltered against a disciplined Sindh bowling attack, resulting in frequent wickets during the latter part of their innings. For Sindh, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Noman claimed two wickets each while Mohammad Idrees took 1.In reply, Sindh Blind chased down the formidable target of 250, finishing at 251/4 in 19.2 overs to secure a remarkable 6-wicket victory. Sindh’s chase was spearheaded by a magnificent century from Ayoub Khan, who remained unbeaten on 103 off 62 balls, featuring 13 fours at a strike rate of 166.13. His masterclass innings, combined with strong support from Mohammad Safdar (41 off 26 balls) and Idrees Saleem (26 off 14 balls), guided Sindh to a successful run chase. Fakhar Abbas and Mohammad Sohail claimed a wicket a piece. Ayoub Khan got the Man of the Match award.Balochistan beat Punjab by 7 wickets: Punjab Blind batted first and posted an impressive total of 211/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Moeen Aslam led the charge with a quick-fire 40 off 21 balls, including six boundaries, at a strike rate of 190.48. He was well-supported by Akmal Hayat Nasir, who contributed a crucial 37 off 21 balls. Other notable contributions came from Anees Javed, who retired out after scoring 32 off 28 balls, and Mati Ullah, who added 28 off 21 balls.Balochistan bowlers, despite the initial onslaught, managed to put up a commendable effort. Mohammad Shahzeb was the standout performer, taking three key wickets for 33 runs in his 4 overs. Kamran Akhtar and Shahzaib Haider also chipped in with one wicket each, conceding 36 and 45 runs respectively in their 4-over spells.In reply, Balochistan started their innings with a determined approach, chasing down the target in just 16.2 overs with a score of 213/3. Kamran Akhtar was the star of the innings, playing a scintillating knock of 100 not out off 51 balls. His innings was laced with 15 fours and one six, maintaining a strike rate of 196.08. Kamran's explosive performance set the tone for Balochistan's successful chase.Naseeb Ullah provided excellent support with a powerful innings of 82 off 47 balls, hitting 13 fours. The opening partnership between Kamran and Naseeb was crucial, adding 196 runs for the first wicket, and laying a solid foundation for the chase.Punjab bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive batting of Balochistan Blind. Israr Ul Hassan was the most economical bowler, taking 1 wicket for 32 runs in his 4 overs. Mati Ullah managed to pick up 2 wickets but conceded 27 runs in his 2 overs. The rest of the Punjab bowlers were unable to make significant inroads, allowing Balochistan Blind to chase down the target comfortably. Man of the Match award went to Kamran Akhtar.

Sports Bulletin ReportABBOTTABAD: The 7th edition of the PBCC Blind Cricket T-20 Super League 2024 kicked off on Friday (June 7) at the APS School Cricket Ground in Abbottabad. The tournament features four provincial teams including Sindh, Punjab, KPK, and Balochistan showcasing the top blind cricket players from across Pakistan.Sindh beat Punjab by 4 wickets: The opening match of the tournament was contested between Punjab and Sindh at the APS School Cricket Ground. Sindh won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Punjab team was bowled out for 158 runs in 17.5 overs. Both Babar Ali and Akmal Hayat were the top scorers, each making 23 runs. Mohammad Salman and Idrees Saleem each took 2 wickets for Sindh, while Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Safdar, Naeem Ullah, and Mohammad Ejaz claimed 1 wicket each.In reply, Sindh chased down the target in a nail-biting finish, reaching 159 runs in 19.5 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Sanwal Shahzada played a crucial innings, scoring 35 runs off 23 balls. Ayoub Khan rescued Sindh with an unbeaten 29 runs off 18 balls, delivering superb strokeplay to secure the 4-wicket victory. Sindh required 13 runs in the last over, which Ayoub successfully achieved. Mohammad Safdar added 31 runs off 28 balls. For Punjab, Mati Ullah took 2 wickets and Sajid Nawaz claimed 1 wicket. Mohammad Safdar got the Man of the Match award.Balochistan beat KPK by 26 runs: Following the exciting first match, the second clash featured KPK and Balochistan in a highly competitive encounter. KPK won the toss and opted to field first, putting Balochistan in to bat. Balochistan set a formidable total, amassing 247 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Haroon Khan dazzled with the bat, scoring a brilliant 75 runs off 44 balls. Shahzaib Haider provided strong support, remaining unbeaten with 50 runs off 31 balls. For KPK, Mohammad Asif managed to claim a wicket.In their reply, KPK put up a valiant effort but fell short, scoring 221 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Badar Munir was the standout performer for KPK, scoring 46 runs off 26 balls, while Mohammad Rashid contributed a swift 43 runs off 20 balls. Balochistan's Shahzaib Haider showcased his all-round skills by taking 3 crucial wickets. Mohammad Shahzeb and Mohammad Ayyaz also chipped in with a wicket each. Shahzaib Haider was the hero of the match.

Sports Bulletin ReportDallas, Texas (USA): The United States of America (USA) cricket team overcame former champions Pakistan in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup match in a super over to claim an upset and historical victory in Dallas Texas USA on Thursday.After being put into bat on a tricky surface, Pakistan stuttered to 159 for seven after slipping to 26 for three and then 98 for five. In their run-chase on a wicket that turned into a batting paradise, the USA reached 104 for one in 13 overs before Pakistan fought back to leave the home side needing 15 runs off the last over. Haris Rauf conceded three runs off the first three deliveries but went for 11 runs off the last three deliveries as the USA tied the match by finishing at 159 for three.In the Super Over, Mohammad Amir bowled a nine-ball over in which the USA scored 18 runs. In reply, the USA’s left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar displayed tremendous composure and conceded only 13 runs, including picking Iftikhar Ahmed’s wicket in an eight-ball over.This was the USA’s biggest victory in their 31-match history, while for Pakistan, it was one of the most shocking results in a 242-match career. A couple of weeks ago, the USA had also beaten Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match series, while they defeated Canada by seven wickets in their tournament opener.Thursday’s shocking result can be ranked alongside Zimbabwe’s victory over Australia in the 2007 event, the Netherlands' victory over England in the 2009 and 2014 tournaments, Afghanistan’s victory over the West Indies in the 2016 tournament and Namibia’s victory over Sri Lanka in the 2022 competition.The USA has now won both of their matches and have games against Ireland and India remaining, while Sunday’s match against India will potentially be a must-win match for Pakistan to keep their chances of a Super-Eight stage qualification alive. Pakistan will also play Canada (11 June) and Ireland (16 June).A 68-run second-wicket partnership between captain Monank Patel and Andries Gous set up the USA’s historic victory. Patel scored 50 off 38 balls with seven fours and a six, while Gous contributed 35 off 26 balls with five fours and a six.After Gous fell to Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir accounted for Patelto limit the USA to 111 for three in 14.1 overs, Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar stitched an unbroken 48 runs off 35 balls for the fourth wicket. Jones finished unbeaten on 36 with two fours and two sixes, including a maximum off Haris’ fourth delivery, while Kumar remained not out on a run-a-ball 14 that included a final-ball four that tied the match.Earlier in the day, and after Steven Taylor took a breathtaking catch in the first slip to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan on the eighth ball of the match, Pakistan struggled to 159 for seven with the last 10 overs producing 93 runs for the loss of four wickets. In the second half of the innings, Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with an invaluable 16-ball 23 not out with a four and two sixes and Iftikhar Ahmed contributed a 14-ball 18 with three fours.At the top of the order, captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan produced a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 48 balls to put Pakistan back on course to a decent total before back-to-back wickets of Shadab and Azam Khan reduced Pakistan to 98 for five, which became 125 for six in the 16th over following the departure of Babar.Shadab scored at a strike-rate of 160 when he contributed 40 runs off 25 balls with a four and three sixes, while Babar was trapped in front of the wickets after scoring 44 off 43 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: In the third round of the PCB Women’s University Cricket Tournament, University of Karachi beat IBA by 10 wickets at IBA Cricket Ground in Karachi.After restricting IBA to 80-8 in the stipulated 20 overs, the University of Karachi completed the chase in 6.2 overs.Opening batter Yusra Amir starred with an unbeaten half-century (57 not out, 27b, 10x4s) while Arijah Haseeb chipped in with an unbeaten 19 off 11 balls hitting four boundaries to seal the chase.University of Karachi’s Arijah Haseeb claimed four wickets giving away 14 runs in her four overs while Ramsha Amir and Kinza Wahab picked up one wicket each.Scores in briefUniversity of Karachi beat IBA by 10 wicketsIBA 80-8, 20 overs (Munira Hassan 14, Zoha Adnan 14; Arijah Haseeb 4-14)University of Karachi 81-0, 6.2 overs (Yusra Amir 57 not out, Arijah Haseeb 19 not out)Player of the match – Arijah Haseeb (University of Karachi)Saturday’s fixtures: Kinnaird College vs University of Punjab (COMSATS Ground), Lahore College Women University vs Government College University (GCU Ground), Women’s University Multan vs Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU Ground), International Islamic University vs Fatima Jinnah Women’s University (Viqar-Un-Nisa College).

Sports Bulletin ReportDallas, TX (USA): Pakistan cricket team have arrived in Dallas, Texas, United States of America (USA) to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as Green Shirts will take on the USA in their first match of the prestigious fixture on June 6, 2024.Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanPlayer support personnel: Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Gary Kirsten (head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), David Reid (mental performance coach), Aftab Khan (high performance coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Irtaza Komail (chief security officer), Mohammad Imran (masseur), Mohammad Khurram Sarwar (team doctor), Talha Ijaz (analyst), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager) and Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach). 

Sports Bulletin ReportDallas (USA): Junaid ‘The X-Man’ Siddiqui’s signature leg spin is set to light up the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, more than a decade on from the Canada star’s international debut.The 39-year-old all-rounder grew up playing street cricket amid the bustle of Karachi before moving to Toronto with his family at the age of 13.Siddiqui will now showcase his trademark aggression at the crease as part of his country’s historic maiden T20 World Cup squad and is looking forward to displaying his distinguished ‘X’ celebration on after every wicket he takes.Junaid Siddiqui said: “It was something to spice it up a little bit because I was very aggressive and when I was taking wickets, I would run off the camera every single time on the left. When I wanted to celebrate, me and my wife came up with something along the lines of an X to mark that the batter has gone. It’s more to save myself a bit of aggression and use it for one action. It came out well, people started liking and I just continued it. When I started leg spin in T20s, not many spinners could come and bowl in the powerplay. I was unique in that way.”Siddiqui was one of the first homegrown Canadian players to play first-class cricket and did so in Sri Lanka before being selected for his national team. The right-hander was recalled to the squad having last played an international T20 in 2022 and is now relishing the prospect of the opening day showdown against the USA in Dallas.“Playing in Sri Lanka was a huge experience for me because that motivated me so much. I played all my cricket in Canada where I couldn’t compete as much and there was not a lot of exposure, yet I was able to get picked in a first-class team. That gave me a huge boost where I thought I could pursue this as a profession. I’m proud and happy that I was able to do it for so long and I’m still doing it. There are setbacks, and every country has to face how to move forward beyond a World Cup and how to make a team – the process has happened over the last 13 years. We just don’t want to be a participant in the World Cup, we want to make sure that we go out there and be the best of us, we don’t want to be a passenger sitting in the bus. It (selection) was a big call. With what I have been doing for the last two years, I was expecting it one way or another because I had good performances behind me. When I found out, it was the best news of my life.”Playing in a tournament close to home is one thing but knowing how to play on an American wicket is another and Siddiqui is prepared for exactly what to expect. The seasoned pro has recently played for California Golden Eagles in the United States Premier League and believes the American wickets will provide high-scoring contests.“We have played on a few wickets like in Dallas and we know it’s a really good wicket to bat on with Major League playing there last year. The bowlers definitely have to be ready with these really good wickets. I’ve played a lot of cricket in the US on a contract and tournament basis and they have done a good job. The facilities are good, you will see high-scoring games and it will be a really fun World Cup.”Siddiqui need not look far for cricket idols growing up with Herschelle Gibbs and Abdul Qadir providing much inspiration for his career of longevity. Still, the one constant in his life remains his Muslim faith. As he prepares for a group stage against the USA, Ireland, India and his birth country Pakistan, he is using his belief and the support of his family to remain grounded on the biggest of stages.“My belief came from my performances, staying consistent. My parents and family gave me a lot of support and prayed for me, especially my wife. Their support made me want to keep going and that made a big difference. You work hard, you be humble, a kind person and leave everything in God’s hands. If it’s good, it will come to you, if it’s not, someone else will have it better.”