Cricket
PCB names Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan T20I vice-captain
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Mohammad Rizwan as the vice-captain of Pakistan Men’s T20I team for the New Zealand T20I cricket series, which will start January 12 at Auckland. Let arm pace Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the Green Shirts in a five-match series.Wicketkeeper batter, Mohammad Rizwan, 31, has played in 85 T20Is, scored 2,797 runs, including one century and 25 half-centuries. Behind the stumps, Rizwan has taken 41 catches and did 11 stumps.Mohammad Rizwan said: “It is an honour to be named as the vice-captain of Pakistan Men’s T20I side. I am thankful to the PCB for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am looking forward to working closely with the captain, coaching staff, and my teammates to contribute to the team's success.”Pakistan Squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir and Zaman KhanSchedule (T20 Series):1st T20 – 12 January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland2nd T20 – 14 January 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton3rd T20 – 17 January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin4th T20 – 19 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch5th T20 – 21 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
T20 Blinds Cricket: Islamabad and Kashmir claim victories
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Hosts Islamabad and Kashmir registered wins in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) T20 Cricket Championships Trophy after beating Abbottabad by 8 wickets and Bahawalpur by 1 run respectively on Sunday at PAF Cricket Ground E-9 Islamabad. Air Commodore Mohammad Hassan Afzal TI (M), Base Commander, PAF Base Islamabad graced the opening ceremony as chief guest. In the first match, Islamabad outclassed Abbottabad by 8 wickets. Abbottabad bowled out in 18 on 107 runs. Riasat Khan was the top scorer with 22 runs from Abbottabad. Shahzaib took 3 wickets while Matiullah took two wickets. In reply, Islamabad easily chased the target in 10.2 overs with a brisk knock of 36 by Shahzaib Haider, who was named man of the match for his all-round performance.In the second match, Bahawalpur opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Kashmir scored 242 in stimulated 20 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Kamran Akhtar scored 88 runs from Kashmir. In reply, Bahawalpur scored 241 runs in the allotted 20 overs for the loss of two wickets thus Kashmir won the match by 1 run. Rashid was the top scorer with 136 runs, and he was awarded Man of the Match.On Monday, two matches will be played, as in the first match will be played between Bahawalpur and Abbottabad while the second match will be played between Kashmir and Islamabad at the same venue.
Sydney Test: Pakistan manage 313: Pat Cummins grabs 5 for 61
Mohammad Rizwan (88), and Aamir Jamal (84) take Pakistan to 313 total Sports Bulletin ReportSydney (Australia): A couple of sparking and dazzling performances by Mohammad Rizwan (88), and Aamir Jamal (84) took Pakistan to 313 all out, as they were crawling 47 for 4 on the first Sydney Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against Australia on Wednesday. Australia were 6 without any loss at the stumps.Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and decided to bat first. At one stage Pakistan were 47 for 4, as both opening batters Abdullah Shafique and debutant Saim Ayub could not open their account and went back to the dressing room after throwing the team in hot water.Shan failed to make the most of his reprieve, having been caught off a no-ball, and was dismissed by Mitchell Marsh for a modest 35 featuring three boundaries. After losing half their side for the score of 96, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha then batted with purpose to conjure a 94-run partnership in quick time.Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with a quality 88 off 103 balls, smashing 10 fours and two sixes. Rizwan’s surge was finally cut short when Cummins’ well-directed short ball saw him play into the hands of Josh Hazlewood.Salman continued his positive approach post the tea break, scoring his second fifty on the trot. He too fell victim to Australia’s short-ball tactics as Starc ended his feisty stay at the crease that saw him contribute 53 off 67 deliveries.
6-player to join Pakistan T20I team in New Zealand for a 5-match series
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: A group of six players of the Pakistan T20I squad will depart later tonight for Auckland via Dubai from Lahore to feature in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, says a press release of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The six members of the squad include Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan. The players underwent a four-day camp at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where under High-Performance Coach and camp commandant Yasir Arafat, they featured in two match scenarios and different practice sessions to equip themselves with the modern T20 cricket skills. The six players of the 16-member squad also trained for the fifth day on Tuesday, when the camp concluded.Names of players: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Junior, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir and Zaman KhanSchedule:1st T20 – 12 January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland2nd T20 – 14 January 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton3rd T20 – 17 January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin4th T20 – 19 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch5th T20 – 21 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Prime Minister of Australia hosts reception for Pakistan team
Sports Bulletin ReportSydney (Australia): Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese hosted a reception at Kirribilli House, Sydney on Monday in honour of the Pakistan and Australia teams and their respective management.Chairman PCB Management Committee, Mr Zaka Ashraf also attended the event. High Commissioner of Pakistan in Australia, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, and officials from Cricket Australia were also present.Prime Minister Australia warmly welcomed both the teams and went on to praise the performance of the Pakistan team, especially in the Melbourne Test. He commended the visiting team’s exemplary conduct during this tour and looked forward to witnessing good cricket in Sydney.Pakistan captain Shan Masood expressed his gratitude to the Australian Prime Minister for hosting the team. Shan highlighted how both teams are playing positive cricket in this series and mentioned that this serves as an opportunity to be an ambassador for your country through your conduct. He also hoped that the team would do well in Sydney to end the series on a high note.The third Test match between Pakistan and Australia will be played at Sydney Cricket Ground starting Wednesday, 3 January.
PCB appoints Junaid Khan bowling coach for Pakistan U19 team
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Juniad Khan, a former left-arm pacer Pakistan Under-19 team bowling coach, following the unavailability of Rehan Riaz, who has opted out of the ICC U19 World Cup due to a family emergency.Junaid, who previously served as the head coach of Islamabad Region, led the team to victory in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy and Hanif Mohammad Cup 2023-24. The 34-year-old cricketer has represented Pakistan in 107 international matches, taking 189 wickets.
Mohammad Jawadullah hopes to show notable performance in ILT20
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Mohammad Jawadullah, who was a regular in tennis ball cricket, was an unknown entity in the professional cricket circuit until he took part in a nationwide talent hunt for bowlers in April 2022 organized under the watchful eyes of Robin Singh, the coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national cricket team.Rest is history, as he did debut for the UAE national team in both ODI’s and T20I’s in 2023 and he credits his exposure in the DP World International League T20 for propelling his career. “I went into the first edition of the DP World ILT20 without any experience. Once I got to play more and more games, it not only helped me build my confidence but the exposure even helped me to get my first international cap for UAE in both ODI and T20I for the UAE. The learning process hasn’t stopped. I’m looking to get better with every passing day,” he said.The 24-year-old left arm quick spoke about his first time on such a big stage with a great deal of delight. “The DP World ILT20 is a very big tournament and I was indeed fortunate to have been included in the Sharjah Warriors squad for the first edition. This was my first taste of cricket with world-class players. The feeling was surreal and will stay with me for life,” he said. For the Season 2 of Gulf region’s biggest T20 League scheduled to begin on 19 January, Mohammad Jawadullah has been retained by the Sharjah Warriors. He was part of the same franchise in the inaugural edition of the tournament where they finished fifth and will look to help the team better their performance in the forthcoming edition.
PCB Selection Committee announces 15-man team for World Cup
Saad Baig to lead Pakistan in ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The National Juniors’ Selection Committee headed by Sohail Tanvir named a 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place from January 19 to February 11, 2024 in South Africa. Wicketkeeper batter Saad Baig will be the skipper of the Pakistan team.According to media depart of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), among the squad are Ali Asfand and Mohammad Zeeshan, both of whom had represented Pakistan in the previous edition of U19 World Cup held in West Indies in January-February 2022.Pakistan U19 squad: Saad Baig (captain and wicketkeeper), Ali Asfand (vice-captain), Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, Amir Hassan, Arfat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haroon Arshad, Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Riazullah and Ubaid Shah.Support staff: Shoaib Mohammad (Team Manager), Mohammad Yousaf (Head Coach), Rehan Riaz (Bowling Coach), Mansoor Amjad (Fielding Coach), Mohammad Masroor (Assistant Batting Coach), Umer Rashid Dar (Assistant Coach), Hafiz Naeem Ul Rasul (Team Physio), Usman Hashmi (Team Analyst) and Imran Ullah (Strength & Conditioning Coach).Chairman Junior Selection Committee Sohail Tanvir said: “I want to congratulate the 15 players who have made it into the squad for South Africa and I am confident that this well-balanced side has the capability and potential to perform well in the World Cup.“While picking the team, we have considered the conditions in South Africa where the pitches are conducive to pace bowling and have aimed to cover all bases.”The players named in the squad will assemble for a training camp, which will take place from 28 December 2023 to 6 January 2024 in Lahore.
NBP T20 Blind Cricket Trophy Abbottabad claim title
Abbottabad outclass Karachi by 10 wickets in a single-sided finalSports Bulletin ReportFAISALABAD: Abbottabad stunned Karachi by 10 wickets in a single-sided final of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy 2023 (Grade-2), at Bohranwali Cricket Ground, Faisalabad on Sunday.Abbottabad won the toss and elected to field first in the championship match. Karachi guys set a 231 runs total on the board in a 20 over per inning fixture. Both opener batters did well with the bat and remained unbeaten after playing all 20 overs. Tahir Ali was the top scorer. He played an unbeaten innings of 120 runs off 74 balls while his partner made Ayoub Khan 93 not out off 52 balls.Abbottabad opening batters didn’t give any chance to the Karachi bowlers and reached the target in 18.4 overs. Riasat Khan scored 110 runs off 62 balls while his teammate Naeem Ullah played an unbeaten innings of 79 runs off 53 balls. Abbottabad reached the target of 232 runs in 18.4 overs without any loss. Riasat Khan was judged the best player of the final match.Hammad Rasool (Regional Executive Business & Vice President NBP Faisalabad), Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman PBCC & President, World Blind Cricket Ltd, Dr. Ghulam Mustafa (Head of I R Department G C University Faisalabad), Muzaffar Hussain Saalik (Assistant Professor, Agriculture University Faisalabad), Salman Tariq Bukhari, Director Marketing PBCC, Anwar Ali Sial, Director Finance PBCC and Mohammad Bilal Director Cricket Operations were the guests of the occasion and distributed prizes amongst the players.Player of the Tournament:B1: Raheel Ahmed (Sheikhopura)B2: Ehtisham ul Haq (Attock)B3: Mohammad Saleem (Quetta)Best Wicket Keeper: Naseeb Ullah (Quetta)
NBP T20 Blind: Karachi and Abbottabad storm into the final
Sports Bulletin ReportFAISALABAD: Karachi and Abbottabad qualified for the final of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy 2023 (Grade-2), as the final will be played on Sunday at Bohranwali Cricket Ground, Faisalabad.Karachi beat Attock by 5 wickets (Bohranwali Cricket Ground):In the morning, Karachi won the toss and put Attock into bat first. Attcok set the competitive total of 239 runs on the board for loss of 5 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Ehtisham ul Haq played a fantastic innings of unbeaten 134* runs off 79 balls and Mohammad Noman made 35 runs off 36 balls. Mohammad Ali Akasha bowled splendidly and took 3 wickets for Karachi. In reply, Karachi reached the target on the last ball of the 20th over by losing their 5 wickets. Ayoub Khan once again shined with the bat and played an extraordinary innings of unbeaten 117* runs off 62 balls. Jandal Khan also made a useful contribution of 62 runs off 42 balls. For Attock, Mohammad Noman and Ehtisham ul Haq claimed 2 wickets each. Ayoub Khan got man of the match award.Abbottabad beat Sargodha by 52 runs (Bohranwali Cricket Ground):The second semifinal of the event was played between Abbottabad and Sargodha. Sargodha won the toss and elected to bowl first. Abbottabad’s openers Riasat Khan and Naeem Ullah toiled the weak bowling of Sargodha and both knitted 236 runs for the 1st wicket partnership. Abbottabad posted a gigantic total of 259 runs on the board for the loss of 3 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Riasat Khan played a superb innings of unbeaten 116* runs off 62 balls. Naeem Ullah was the 2nd highest scorer with 100 runs off 59 balls.In reply, Sargodha was restricted to 207 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in allotted 20 overs. Zain Ashraf was their highest scorer with 68 runs off 50 balls and Gul Sher made 64 runs off 38 balls. Asnaad Khan took 2 Wickets and Mohammad Adeel claimed 1 wicket for Abbottabad. Riasat Khan got man of the match award.
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