Cricket
PCB announces free entry for fans for the remainder of first Test
Rawalpindi (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free entry for spectators for the remaining days (fourth and fifth) of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The decision was made keeping in view of the weekend, which will allow families and students to turn up in maximum numbers to support their cricketing stars and witness action between the two sides. Spectators are required to bring their original CNIC or B-form to enter the stadium and they will be able to watch the action free of cost from any of the VIP enclosures (Imran Khan and Javed Miandad) (for families only) and premium enclosures (Miran Baksh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat).The free entry policy does not apply for the tickets purchased for the PCB Gallery or Platinum Box. Fans who have already brought tickets for the fourth and fifth days, will get a refund. Tickets bought online will be automatically refunded to the credit/debit card used for purchase. For tickets purchased at Express Centres, the fans are requested to bring their original ticket to the centre to get a refund.Additionally, to further facilitate the fans, a free shuttle bus service will continue to operate on two routes on matchdays for ease of access into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for spectators. Route 1 will run from Aviation Ground, Rawal Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate while the Route 2 will go from Government Satellite Town College for Boys, 6th Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate.
Pindi Test (Day 2): Shan declares innings at 448 for 6 in 113 overs
Mohammad Rizwan (171 not out), Saud Shakil (141) innings cement Pakistan positionAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: A 240-run on 346 balls partnership between Saud Shakil (141) and Mohammad Rizwan (171 not out) for the 5th wicket cemented the position, as Pakistan scored 448 runs for 6 in 113 overs in the first Test match against Bangladesh in the first Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Thursday. Bangladesh were 27 for 0 in 12 overs at the end of the second-day game.Pakistani resumed their first innings at 158 for 4, as both not-out batters Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakil displayed top-quality cricket and hit tons to amuse the handful of spectators in the stadium. It was a third century each for Rizwan (31st Test) and Saud (11th Test) as the two batters sent the Bangladesh bowlers on a leather chase on a wicket that continued to assist the fast bowlers. For Rizwan, whose previous best was against South Africa, it was a second century at this venue, while the third was in Karachi against Australia. For Saud, it was his first century at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after his previous two were in Karachi (125 not out) and Galle (208 not out).Rizwan’s 239-ball knock was punctuated with 11 fours and three sixes and Saud struck nine fours in a 261-ball innings. Rizwan was dropped twice during his innings, while Saud survived a close run-out before being stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz that gave wicket-keeper Litton Das his third scalp of the innings. After the 240-run fifth wicket partnership that ended with Saud’s dismissal, Rizwan put on 44 runs for the sixth wicket with Salman Ali Agha (19) and an unbroken 50 runs for the seventh wicket with Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose 24-ball 29 not out included a four and two sixes.Neither Hasan Mahmud nor Shoriful Islam managed to pick up any wickets on the second day in which Pakistan scored 290 runs in 72 overs and finished with two for 70 and two for 77, respectively.Summarised Scorecard (Day-2):Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 448 for 6 declaredAbdullah Shafique (c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud) 2 runs in 14 ballsSaim Ayub (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Hasan Mahmud) 56 runs in 98 balls (4x4, 6x1)Shan Masood (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 6 runs in 11 ballsBabar Azam (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 0 run in 2 ballsSaud Shakeel (St. Liton B Hasan Mirza) 141 runs, 261 balls (4x9, 6x0)Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 171 runs in 239 balls (4x11, 6x3)Agha Salman (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Shakib Al Hasan) 19 runs, 36 balls (4x1, 6x0)Shaheen Shah Afridi (not out) 29 runs, 24 balls, 4x1, 6x2)Bangladesh Bowling:Shoriful Islam (2 for 77), Hasan Mahmud (2 for 70), Hasan Mirza (1 for 80), Shakib ul Hasan (1 for 100)Bangladesh Batting (First Innings): 27 for 0 Shadman Islam (Not Out) 12 runs, 30 balls, (4x2, 6x0)Zakir Hasan (Not Out) 11 runs, 42 balls, (4x1, 6x0)Pakistan Team: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad Bangladesh Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid RanaMatch Officials: Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa) and Richard Kettleborough (England)TV Umpire: Micheal Gough (England)Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Bangladesh A vs Pakistan Shaheens: Jaker and Saif hit centuries
ISLAMABAD (PR): Jaker Ali and Saif Hasan attracted Bangladesh cricket selectors with impressive centuries on the penultimate day of the second four-day match against Pakistan Shaheens at the Islamabad Club on Thursday. The first two day’s play was lost due to rains and wet outfield.Jaker was at the crease on 136 and Saif was dismissed after scoring 111 as Bangladesh ‘A’ reached 346 for six in 98 overs on an extended day’s play. The two batters had joined hands at the score of 77 for four and were separated after adding 131 runs for the fifth wicket.The partnership ended when Saif became Mehran Mumtaz’s second victim after hitting a 221-ball 111 that included 13 fours and four sixes. Jaker, who came out at bat at No.6, carried on and is unbeaten on a 244-ball 136 with 14 fours and four sixes.Mehran’s other scalp was Shahadat Hossain (23) whose departure left Bangladesh ‘A’ reeling at 74 for three, which soon became 77 for four when Abrar Ahmed picked up the wicket of Towhid Hridoy (0). Abrar finished the day with figures of 30-6-85-1.Pakistan Shaheens fast bowler Ghulam Mudassir dismissed both the openers Anamul Haque (seven) and Mohammad Naim (nine) to finish the day with figures of 13-0-59-2.On Friday, last day’s play will resume at 9.45am.Scores in brief (day 3 of 4)Bangladesh ‘A’ (1st innings) 346-6, 98 overs (Jaker Ali 136 not out, Saif Hasan 111; Ghulam Mudassir 2-59, Mehran Mumtaz 2-69) vs Pakistan Shaheens
Memorable moment for Milan Rathnayake, says his wife
BIPIN DANIThe Test debut performance of Milan Rathnayake (also known as Milan Priyanth) has excited his family back home in Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old bowler, who has been playing his debut Test against England came in batting at number nine and scored 72 runs, which was just two short of the highest score by Sri Lankan captain in this innings. The two could make a respectable total of 236 runs, which otherwise looked below par when the team lost quick wickets of the top and the middle order batters. No other Sri Lankan 9 number batter has scored above 70 runs on Test debut. "Yes, we were excited with his performance yesterday", Milan's wife, Piyumika, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Sri Lanka said. '"He called us before the match and we wished him to perform well. Yes, we were expecting his debut yesterday, he called us and informed us of the good news before the match", she added. The wife also watched the cap ceremony on TV. "We were very happy for the reason he got the cap from the legendary cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. I was also happy with his performance on day one". The couple got married on May 22 this year. Milan's family includes mother, father and younger brother. Mother is a housewife and his father is a retired army soldier. Later, his younger brother, Milinda also spoke to this reporter. "We were excited with his performance. We had good belief in him. because of his good performance in a practice match against England Lions and domestics. Before the match he called us and happiness was shared"."Kumara Sangakkara is his favourite cricketer since childhood.As I think it will be a memorable moment in his life. Kumara Sangakkara is his favourite cricketer since childhood. Getting a Test cap from him is, I think, will be a memorable moment in his life", the brother concluded.
Pindi Test (Day-2): Pakistan score 256 for 4 at Lunch
Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Pakistan scored 256 for 4 at lunch on the second day of the first Test match against Bangladesh in the first Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Thursday.Summarised Scorecard (Day-2):Pakistan Batting:Abdullah Shafique (c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud) 2 runs in 14 ballsSaim Ayub (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Hasan Mahmud) 56 runs in 98 balls (4x4, 6x1)Shan Masood (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 6 runs in 11 ballsBabar Azam (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 0 run in 2 ballsSaud Shakeel (not out) 86 runs in 169 balls (4x5, 6x0)Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 89 runs in 131 balls (4x7, 6x1)Bangladesh Bowling: Shoriful Islam (2 for 30), Hasan Mahmud (2 for 33)Pakistan Team: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad Bangladesh Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid RanaMatch Officials: Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa) and Richard Kettleborough (England)TV Umpire: Micheal Gough (England)Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Shaheens vs Bangladesh A: Day-II of four-day match abandoned
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The second day of the second four-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ was abandoned without a ball being bowled after the wet outfield at Islamabad Club kept the teams away from action.The umpires had undertaken three inspections throughout the day before drawing stumps after tea interval. The third day’s play is expected to begin at 9.45am with the toss expected to take place at 9.15am.
Pindi Test: Saud, Saim hit fifties, as Pakistan scores reach 158 for 4
Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Two left-handed batters, Saud Shakil (57 not out), and Saim Ayub (56) scored half-centuries to take Pakistan’s total score of 158 runs for 4 wickets in 41 overs against Bangladesh in the first Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Wednesday, as the match started at 2:30 pm due to wet out-filed owning the overnight heavy rain in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad.After the lunch break, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first under the cloudy weather. Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub opened Pakistan’s innings, as the hosts faced first damage in the 4th over when Abdullah was dismissed at just 3 runs, as his score was 2.Skipper Shan Masood hit one boundary during his 11-ball stay before falling prey to Shoriful Islam for six runs in the seventh over. Babar Azam was dismissed in the ninth over falling for a two-ball duck off the bowling of Shoriful with Litton Das taking his second catch of the innings. Following the three early blows, Saim and Saud came together to take Pakistan out of trouble with a 98-run fourth-wicket partnership. The rescue act between the two southpaws was spread on either side of the tea interval as they batted together for 22.5 overs. Over the course of the partnership, Saim (56, 98b, 4x4s, 1x6) brought up his maiden Test half-century before Hasan induced an edge off his bat in the 32nd over which was safely pouched by Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the slip cordon. Saud contributed 42 runs in the stand with Saim before stitching an unbeaten 44-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan till the close of play. For Bangladesh, Shoriful and Hasan bagged two wickets each. The second day’s play is expected to begin at 9.45am. Summarised Scorecard (Day-1):Pakistan Batting:Abdullah Shafique (c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud) 2 runs in 14 ballsSaim Ayub (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Hasan Mahmud) 56 runs in 98 balls (4x4, 6x1)Shan Masood (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 6 runs in 11 ballsBabar Azam (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 0 run in 2 ballsSaud Shakeel (not out) 57 runs in 92 balls (4x5, 6x0)Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 24 runs in 31 balls (4x2, 6x0)Bangladesh Bowling: Shoriful Islam (2 for 30), Hasan Mahmud (2 for 33)Pakistan Team: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad Bangladesh Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid RanaMatch Officials: Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa) and Richard Kettleborough (England)TV Umpire: Micheal Gough (England)Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
PCB announces ticket prices for second Bangladesh Test in Rawalpindi
Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled the ticket prices for the second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh set to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 30 August to 3 September.Continuing with the pricing structure from the first Test, tickets for the premium enclosures – Miran Baksh, Sohail Tanvir, and Yasir Arafat – will be available for PKR 200. VIP enclosures, including Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, will be priced at PKR 500 on weekdays and PKR 600 on weekends.For an enhanced match experience, fans can opt for the Gallery pass, which includes lunch and tea, priced at PKR 2,800. The Platinum box, which also includes lunch and tea, is available for PKR 12,500. Additionally, a full hospitality box can be reserved for PKR 200,000.In line the PCB’s commitment to making cricket accessible, ticket prices have been kept nominal. Tickets can be purchased online at PCB.tcs.com.pk or from the physical ticket booth located at Aviation Ground, opposite Rescue 1122, Rawal Road and also at the designated TCS express centres.A free shuttle bus service will also be running on two routes on match days for ease of access into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium by spectators. Route 1 will run from Aviation Ground, Rawal Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate while the Route 2 will go from Government Satellite Town College for Boys, 6th Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate.
ICC shifts Women's T20 World Cup from Bangladesh to UAE
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be moved from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates. The event, scheduled to take place from 3 to 20 October, will now be staged in Dubai and Sharjah.ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “It is a shame not to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would have staged a memorable event. I would like to thank the team at the BCB for exploring all avenues to try and enable the event to be hosted in Bangladesh, but travel advisories from the governments of a number of the participating teams meant that wasn’t feasible. However, they will retain hosting rights. We look forward to taking an ICC global event to Bangladesh in the near future. I’d also like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board for stepping in to host on behalf of the BCB and Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for their generous offers of support, and we look forward to seeing ICC global events in both of those countries in 2026.”ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022.Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on 1 December 2024.
Right-arm Pacer Aamir Jamal released from Test squad
Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Right-arm fast bowler Aamir Jamal has been released from the Test squad ahead of the series against Bangladesh. Aamir, who was earlier included in the squad subject to fitness clearance, has been advised to work on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.Aamir is recovering from a back injury which he sustained while playing county cricket this year. The first Test match between Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan will commence from 21 August at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Test series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Shaheen Shah A
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