Cricket
New York Strikers, Ready to Defend the Crown of Abu Dhabi T10
Abu Dhabi (PR): Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana and New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell have voiced their enthusiasm about joining forces with the reigning champions New York Strikers for the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 seasonPathirana, who is set to play a pivotal role in the Strikers' Abu Dhabi T10 campaign expressed his enthusiasm about returning to defend the title: "I am proud to be a part of New York Strikers' squad. I am hopeful and looking forward to picking the cup for my team."New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell shared his excitement about joining the defending champions: "It feels great to be participating for New York Strikers team this season's Abu Dhabi T10. I’m eager to contribute to the team and excited to play."Team owner Sagar Khanna also shared his excitement while sharing, " Our squad keeps getting bigger and we are sure to win a lot of support and excitement from Strikers Fan Club. We are aiming to do well and make it big in this campaign."The New York Strikers made history by clinching the Abu Dhabi T10 championship in their inaugural season, demonstrating exceptional cricket throughout the tournament. These strategic signings reflect the team's commitment to maintaining their championship standards and building on their remarkable success.
England women player, Paige Scholfield withdraws from South Africa tour
London (UK): Paige Scholfield has been withdrawn from the England Women IT20 squad to tour South Africa after suffering an ankle injury.Scholfield sustained the injury during a training session on Tuesday and following further assessment she will now return to the UK to begin her rehabilitation. (Press Release)..
IV-Day Match: Sri Lanka 'A' sit in Driving Seat at the end of third day game
Sports Bulletin ReportRAWAPINDI: Sri Lanka ‘A’ were 180 runs ahead in their second innings after they had managed 157-4 in 45.2 overs by close of play on day three in the second four-dayer against Pakistan Shaheens at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.After Sri Lanka earned a 23-run first innings lead, they slipped to 46-4 in 15 overs as Ahmed Bashir snapped two wickets while Hussain Talat and Kashif Ali picked up one wicket each.Pavan Rathnayake (64 not out, 109b, 6x4s) and Sonal Dinusha (51 not out, 87b, 4x4s) stitched an unbeaten 111-run partnership for the fifth wicket off 183 balls to help Sri Lanka ‘A’ recover from the initial setbacks.Earlier in the day, Pakistan Shaheens resumed their first innings from the overnight score of 212-5, trailing by 98 runs, before being bowled out for 287 in 98 overs. After Hussain Talat (25, 61b, 1x4) and Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (15, 36b, 1x4) fell early, Ahmed Safi Abdullah and Kashif Ali put on a crucial 53-run eighth-wicket stand to erase much of the deficit.Ahmed Safi hit five fours in his 61-ball 39 before falling to Wanuja Sahan in the 96th over. Sahan picked up his 12th first-class five-wicket haul returning figures of 5-74 in 27 overs.Scores in brief (day 3 of 4):Sri Lanka ‘A’ lead by 180 runsSri Lanka ‘A’ 310 all-out, 79 overs (Sonal Dinusha 85 not out, Wanuja Sahan 63, Isitha Wijesundara 51, Pavan Rathnayake 35, Ahan Wickramsinghe 30, Dinura Kalupahana 30; Khurram Shahzad 6-30, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-100) and 157-4, 45.2 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 64 not out, Sonal Dinusha 51 not out; Ahmed Bashir 2-44)Pakistan Shaheens 287 all out, 98 overs (Abdul Faseeh 59, Mohammad Suleman 40, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 39, Haider Ali 35, Ali Zaryab 32, Hussain Talat 25; Wanuja Sahan 5-74)
India Bows Out: Blind Cricket Team Withdraws from Pakistan World Cup
BIPIN DANIThe Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) has announced that the Indian blind cricket team will not participate in the upcoming T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan. This decision came after the Indian government did not grant the necessary clearance for the team to travel. The tournament is set to take place from November 22 to December 3.In a statement, CABI expressed their disappointment but emphasized their respect for the government's decision, noting that the team had been training hard and was eager to compete. However, they remain committed to the development of blind cricket in India and will continue to focus on training and preparation for future events.Team captain Durga Rao Tompaki shared his dismay at missing this opportunity but remained optimistic about future competitions. He highlighted the promising talent seen in their recent coaching camps and expressed confidence in the team's potential for success in upcoming tournaments.This development comes just as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that India will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, also based on government advice. India has a strong history in blind cricket, having hosted and won the first three editions of the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup.
IV-Day Match: Pakistan A score 212 for 5 at stumps on day 2
Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Pakistan Shaheens were 212 for five at stumps on the second day of the four-day match against Sri Lanka ‘A’ at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The visitors had earlier been dismissed for 310 on Tuesday morning.Hussain Talat (18 not out) and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (5 not out) will resume Pakistan Shaheens’ innings on Wednesday, with the home side trailing by 98 runs.Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka ‘A’ added 17 runs to their overnight score of 293 for eight before being bowled out for 310. Sonal Dinusha, who resumed on 81, remained unbeaten on 85, while Isitha Wijesundara contributed a strokeful 51, which included seven fours and three sixes. Wijesundara had started the morning on 38 before falling to Kashif Ali.Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who had taken an impressive six for 30 on Monday before splitting his right-hand webbing during the second session while attempting a catch, did not bowl on Tuesday and has been ruled out of further participation in the match. Ahmed Safi Abdullah finished with figures of two for 100, while Kashif Ali and Ahmed Bashir claimed one wicket each on the second morning.In reply, Pakistan Shaheens saw solid starts from their top-order batters but none could convert them into substantial scores. Abdul Faseeh top-scored with 59 off 108 balls, including seven fours, while Mohammad Suleman made 40, Haider Ali scored 35 and Ali Zaryab contributed 32.The most notable partnership of the innings so far has been between Abdul Faseeh and Ali Zaryab, who added 86 runs for the second wicket off 165 balls. Another key stand came for the fourth wicket when Suleman and Haider put together 54 runs off 96 deliveries. Wanuja Sahan followed up his 63 in the first innings by bagging two wickets for 53 runs.Scores in brief (day 2 of 4):Sri Lanka ‘A’ 310 all-out, 79 overs (Sonal Dinusha 85 not out, Wanuja Sahan 63, Isitha Wijesundara 51, Pavan Rathnayake 35, Ahan Wickramsinghe 30, Dinura Kalupahana 30; Khurram Shahzad 6-30, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-100)Pakistan Shaheens 212-5, 71 overs (Abdul Faseeh 59, Mohammad Suleman 40, Haider Ali 35, Ali Zaryab 32; Wanuja Sahan 2-53).
Cricket Meets Cradle: Stars Prioritizing Paternity Leave Over Pitch
BIPIN DANIIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, who became a father for the second time (his wife delivered a baby-boy) in a local hospital in Mumbai on Friday and may miss the first Test match against Australia in Perth beginning next week. Rohit had communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he wishes to stay back with his family and 2nd newborn for a few more days. He is likely to be available for selection for the second Test of the series.This decision by Rohit Sharma has sparked a debate on balancing professional commitments with personal milestones, highlighting the varied perspectives within the cricketing community on leadership and family priorities.Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on Rohit's decision, suggesting that if he misses the first Test, he should continue to participate as a player for the remainder of the series rather than as captain. Gavaskar proposed that Jasprit Bumrah should take over the captaincy duties for the entire series, emphasizing the need for continuity in leadership.Former India pace bowler, Karsan Ghavri has backed Gavaskar's views. Speaking exclusively, he says, "Better Rohit Sharma takes a break. He will not be able to concentrate and do justice to both the places. National duty comes 1st. On the war field soldiers' mothers/ father, wife/ sister / child pass away, but they don’t run away from war. Gavaskar himself saw his 1st born son Rohan after a month (after the West Indies tour was over in 70s). However, former spinner, Maninder Singh is not ready to buy doesn't buy tyese arguments. "The birth of a child is always an emotional moment in anyone's life and if Rohit wanted to be with his wife during this period, he should be given this opportunity. How many times he or anyone else would get this moment in his life? She will be the best person to support his wife at the time. If I were at his place, I too would have sought a break. I was not on cricket duty but stood behind my wife at the time of delivery of my two children (son and daughter)", Maninder added. Adding further, Maninder said, "Rohit is an international professional cricketer and can easily be adjusted to the match conditions once he reaches Australia for the remaining matches. It will be upto the selection committee and the coach (Gautam Gambhir) whether to make him captain for the remaining Tests. It will be a dicey situation if the new captain succeeds in his absence but it is generally the senior player, who regains his place if he misses out any match for injury or illness or for any reason". Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has shown his support for Rohit Sharma's choice. Finch emphasized the significance of staying home with one's family during such a special time, considering it a beautiful moment that deserves to be cherished.Virat Kohli had twice chosen family over cricket. In January 2021, he missed three Tests in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia to welcome his first child, Vamika, with his wife, Anushka Sharma. Kohli’s second paternity leave came in February 2024, when he skipped England’s Test series to welcome his son Akaay in London, showing his commitment to family life.Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah celebrated the arrival of his first child, Angad, in September 2023. Bumrah left the Asia Cup midway to attend the birth, later rejoining the team during the Super Four stage. His absence was managed effectively by Team India, but Bumrah’s prioritisation of family over cricket earned praise from fans.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 showcases in front of Taxila Museum
Sports Bulletin ReportTAXILA: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Monday was showcased at the Taxila Museum, the historic Dharmarajika Stupa, and Khanpur Dam. Thousands of enthusiastic cricket fans visited and saw the trophy, and enjoyed a boat ride with the trophy at Khanpur Dam.The ICC Cricket Champions Trophy is being showcased in various cities across Pakistan, and as part of this tour, the trophy was brought to the historic city of Taxila. The trophy was displayed at the Taxila Museum, where thousands of cricket enthusiasts, including women, men, and children, gathered to catch a glimpse. The crowd was overjoyed to see the trophy up close and took numerous photographs with it.The trophy was also showcased at another historic site in Taxila, the Dharmarajika Stupa. Later, it was taken to Khanpur Dam, where it was given a boat ride, allowing fans to enjoy the trophy in a unique setting.
IV-Day match: Sri Lanka ‘A’ make 293 for 4 on first day, Khurram grabs 6 wickets
Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad continued his remarkable run from injury as Sri Lanka ‘A’ reached 293 for eight at stumps on the opening day of the second four-day match against Pakistan Shaheens at the Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Monday.Khurram, who last week recorded match figures of nine for 102 in Pakistan Shaheens’ seven-wicket victory in the first four-dayer, delivered another outstanding performance with figures of 10-2-30-6. Despite his fiery spell that redcued Sri Lanka ‘A’ to 35 for five and later 150 for seven, a rearguard action, led by Sonal Dinusha, helped the visitors post a respectable total.No.7 batter Dinusha came to his side’s rescue with a resilient knock of 81 off 169 balls, laced with seven fours. No.9 batter Wanuja Sahan provided invaluable support with a brisk 63 off 79 balls, including six fours and a six, as the duo stitched a crucial 98-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Dinusha was also involved in three other useful stands.He shared a 59-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Pavan Rathnayake (35), followed by a 56-run stand for the seventh wicket with Dinura Kalupahana (30). An unbeaten ninth-wicket stand with No.10 Isitha Wijesundara had so far yielded 45 runs, with Wijesundara blazing his way to 38 not out off just 26 balls, including four fours and three sixes.Apart from Khurram, Ahmed Safi Abdullah was the only other bowler to make an impact, finishing with figures of 2 for 100.Scores in brief (day 1 of 4):Pakistan Shaheens won the toss and elected to field firstSri Lanka ‘A’ 293-8, 75 overs (Sonal Dinusha 81 not out, Wanuja Sahan 63, Isitha Wijesundara 38 not out, Pavan Rathnayake 35, Ahan Wickramsinghe 30, Dinura Kalupahana 30; Khurram Shahzad 6-30, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-100)
Aqib Javed confirmed interim white-ball head coach
LAHORE (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced the appointment of Aqib Javed, a former international fast bowler, as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.During this tenure, Aqib will continue to serve as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee, and will be assigned additional responsibilities following the conclusion of the eight-team tournament.Meanwhile, the PCB will initiate the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach, aiming to complete the appointment by the end of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled from 19 February to 9 March.The white-ball coaching role had become vacant following the resignation of Gary Kirsten. Red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie had coached the side during the recent tour of Australia, who will now rejoin the side for the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa.The Pakistan men’s side is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (24 November – 5 December) and as many white-ball matches in South Africa (10-22 December). In the lead up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from 8-14 February.
Australia beat Pakistan by 29 runs in 7 overs per innings contest
Sports Bulletin ReportBrisbane (Australia): Australia beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the rain-hit seven-over opening game of the three-match T20I series at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday. Pakistan managed 63-9 in the allotted overs after Australia raced to 93-4 off the 42 balls they faced.Earlier, bad weather delayed the start of play before Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first. After Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf removed the Australia opening batters for single digits, Glenn Maxwell hit five fours and three sixes in his breezy 19-ball 43.Marcus Stoinis struck an unbeaten 21 off seven balls including two fours and one six to propel Australia to a formidable total. Mohammad Abbas Afridi picked up two wickets in his solitary over.In turn, Pakistan were reduced to 24-6 in 3.2 overs before Abbas top scored with 20 not out off 10 balls hitting two fours and one six. Haseebullah (12, 8b, 1x4, 1x6) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (11, 6b, 1x6) were the other batters to enter double figures for Pakistan. Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis picked up three wickets each while Adam Zampa returned figures of 2-9.Scores in brief:Australia beat Pakistan by 29 runs at the Gabba, BrisbaneAustralia 93-4, 7 overs (Glenn Maxwell 43, Marcus Stoinis 21 not out; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-9)Pakistan 64-9, 7 overs (Mohammad Abbas Afridi 20 not out; Nathan Ellis 3-9, Xavier Bartlett 3-13, Adama Zampa 2-11)Player of the match – Glenn Maxwell (Australia)Remaining matches:16 Nov – 2nd T20I vs Australia; Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (7pm local time start)18 Nov – 3rd T20I vs Australia; Bellerive Oval, Hobart (7pm local time start)
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