Sports Bulletin

BIPIN DANI Former India allrounder Manoj Prabhakar, who left the Nepal coaching job after only four months was "asked to resign", it is learnt. According to well-placed sources in Nepal, the 59-year-old Prabhakar was asked to submit his resignation. "The players were not happy with his method of coaching. He was ignoring the senior players. He used to change the settled batting line-up often and was trying to make the batsmen bowlers. In short, we were not happy with this style of coaching and didn't want the CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal) to suffer. It was a bad experience to have him as our coach", one of the sources explained. He had been appointed to the role for a one year tenure in August this year. "We had asked him to resign and his contract was terminated prematurely".  When contacted, Manoj Prabhakar initially refused to talk, but when pressed more, he said, "yes, I have left coaching the team. It was the best decision to resign for the sake of self-respect". He also defended the decision to change the batting order. "The decision to change the batting order was taken in the interest of the team keeping in mind the bowling strategy of the opposite team. And, how can I change the batsman to a bowler? I asked the all-rounders to bowl. During my stint, we won against Kenya and the UAE". Sadly, the CAN's last three coaches (Dav Whatmore, Pubudu Dassanayake and Manoj Prabhakar) have resigned before the expiry of their contracts.  Prabhakar returned to Delhi on December 12. Manoj Prabhakar had brought the new Indian trainer (Abdul Sattar) with him. "Sattar, the former cricketer is a good trainer and we have retained him", the source further added. The CAN is trying to hire the services of a new coach soon. Their team is scheduled to play League-2 matches against Scotland and Namibia in February 2023.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka and Lanka Premier League's Dambulla Aura team captain Dasun Shanaka underwent finger injury surgery on Monday, it is learnt. According to the well-placed sources in Colombo, the white ball-captain had injured his right-hand middle finger in early overs while fielding in the match against Kandy Falcons on Sunday night.  The 31-year-old all rounder was taken to the hospital for X-ray and initial reports didn't suggest any major injury and on return to the field Shanaka was keen to bat and desperate to win the match. The team, however, lost the match by 39 runs. "It is an injury to the top of his old fracture, and as a precautionary measure, the player was again taken to Nawaloka Hospital, where surgery under local anesthesia was performed by Dr. Maithri' 'Maiya" Gunasekera'', one of the sources revealed.   "Shanaka has no bone fracture, it's laceration of the middle finger over the distal interphalangeal joint, and an associated callus broken (osteophyte split) of an old fracture between distal and middle phalanx", the source elaborated. Interestingly, the surgeon is a reputed rugby personality and a former rugby captain who also served as Sri Lankan Rugby Football Union. The surgery was overseen by Dambulla team doctor Namal Wijesinghe and the match-day doctor Dhanushka Dewapriya. "Dasun's availability for the remaining LPL matches will be decided by coach (Mickey Arthur) and our physio Lasantha Ekanayake," one of the doctors, speaking exclusively over the telephone, said. "Dasun is also "keen" to travel to India for the forthcoming bilateral series and jopes to be fully fit," the doctor added. The Sri Lankan team will leave for India on 29th December.   Sri Lanka is scheduled to play 3 T-20Is and 3-ODIs on this tour. 

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Harry Brook continued his remarkable series to rebuild England's innings with his third century in as many Tests after Pakistan had the visitors pinned down on the second day of the final match in Karachi on Sunday. England took an improbable 50-run lead on the back of Brook's innings before they were bowled out for 354 and Pakistan cut the deficit to 29 at the close of play. Pakistan's openers Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood were batting on 14 and 3, respectively with the home side ending the day on 21 for no loss. Brook's 111 revived England's chances of becoming the first team ever to clinch a 3-0 series sweep in Pakistan after the visitors were teetering at 145-5. England lead the three-match series 2-0 after a 74-run win in Rawalpindi and a close-fought 26-run victory in Multan. After Pakistan's spinners knocked over the English top-order, Brook and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes amassed 117 for the sixth wicket, and brought England within touching distance of Pakistan's first innings total of 304. Brook has now scored 468 runs -- beating David Gower's 449 in 1984 -- for the highest series total by an England batter in Pakistan. He also equalled Mohammad Yousuf's record of three hundreds in successive matches in an overseas series – in Test matches between England and Pakistan. Yousuf hit three centuries in England in 2006. Pakistan's spinners Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed had England in a tight spot after the first session. The duo finished with 4-126 and 4-150, respectively. England were struggling at 145-5 soon after lunch after Ben Stokes (26) attempted a third run which Brook turned down only to see his skipper stranded. After Brook fell, Foakes added another 51 alongside Mark Wood for the seventh wicket. Noman then dismissed Foakes and Rehan Ahmed (one) while Ahmed accounted for Wood and Ollie Robinson for 29. In the morning session, Noman removed Ben Duckett and Joe Root off successive deliveries. With the National Bank Cricket Arena pitch offering turn, left-armer Noman trapped Duckett (26) leg before and had the experienced Root caught low in the slip by Salman Ali Agha for nought. Pope stood firm amidst the dual wicket fall, reaching his 11th fifty before he was bowled for 51 by Ahmed, who added to the wicket he took on Saturday.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Spinners Jack Leach and teenager Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets between them as England dismissed Pakistan for 304 on Saturday on the opening day of the third and final Test in Karachi. Leach grabbed four for 140 and Ahmed finished with two for 89 as Pakistan batters spoiled good starts after Babar Azam won the toss and batted on a turning National Bank Cricket Arena pitch. But England also fell prey to spin, with mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed trapping Zak Crawley without scoring before the visitors closed the day on seven for one. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were at the crease with four and three, respectively as England trail by 297 runs. Skipper Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 78 before running himself out in the post-tea session, while Salman Ali Agha made 56. But the start of the day belonged to Rehan Ahmed -- who at 18 years and 126 days old became the youngest England player to start a Test -- when he dismissed Saud Shakeel for 23 in his seventh over. Before Ahmed, Brian Close was the youngest England debutant at 18 years and 149 days when he played against New Zealand in 1949. Leach then came into the act, breaking a stubborn eighth wicket stand of 48 between Salman and Nauman Ali (20). Ahmed, who was presented the Test cap by former England skipper Nasser Hussain in front of father Naeem, described the moment as 'great'. "It was probably the best moment," said Ahmed. "It's great to be part of it. I believe in myself and try to do my best when given an opportunity. "They (England players) backed me the whole day and I couldn’t ask for more. To play at such a young age is a blessing. It's the best feeling in my life." Pakistan's head coach Saqlain Mushtaq, also a great spinner in his days, praised Ahmed. "It was a very impressive performance considering it was his first game. He is a young chap and he has a lot of potential and looks a very good prospect for England team." Saqlain thought his team fell short by 60-70 runs. "It's not a bad total, some 60-70 would have been better, but we have to play disciplined cricket to restrict them because I think the pitch will get slower by the day." In the morning session, Pakistan lost Abdullah Shafique (eight), Shan Masood (30) and Azhar Ali (45) before Babar and Saud looked to have steadied the innings with a 45-run fourth wicket stand. But Ahmed had Saud caught off a defensive shot at short-leg before Babar was adjudged run-out by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes after a lengthy review. Babar, who hit nine boundaries, also added 71 for the third wicket with Azhar. Azhar -- playing his last Test -- fell at the stroke of lunch when he gloved a catch to a diving Foakes off pacer Ollie Robinson. Sensing the pitch would take spin, England started the attack with Leach, who trapped Shafique leg-before in the sixth over of the day. Leach becomes the first spinner to share the new ball in the first innings of a Test for England in 101 years -- Jack White did the same against Australia at Leeds in 1921. Shan fell to the trap of short bowling as he pulled fast bowler Mark Wood straight into the hands of deep fine-leg fielder Leach. Shan hit five boundaries while Azhar had six hits to the ropes. Pakistan made four changes from the second-Test line-up, while England made two, bringing in Foakes and Ahmed.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host the 4th T 20 Blind Cricket World Cup 2024, as the 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of World Blind Cricket decided in Bangalore on December 16, 2022. President World Blinds Cricket (WBC) Syed Sultan Shah President presided over the meeting through video link, as he was not granted a visa to visit India along with the team to participate in the 3rd edition of T20 Blind Cricket World Cup 2022. Pakistan has been awarded the hosting of the 4th Edition of T-20 World Cup Cricket of the Blind to be held in Pakistan from November 18 to December 3, 2024. The final of event will be held on 3rd December to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2024. According to Pakistan Blinds Cricket Council (PBCC) press release, the World Blind Cricket Ltd unanimously has passed a resolution to regret the Indian government’s insensitivity in refusing Pakistan tem visas on political grounds, in the ongoing Blind Cricket T-20 World taking place in India from 5th to 17th December 2022. WBC is of the view that Pakistan is currently top ranked T-20 Blind Cricket team and the Indian Government’s insensitivity has deprived Pakistan to exercise equal rights to take part and win this title. Visa denial on political grounds has caused an irreparable loss to World Blind Cricket Ltd in particular and Global Blind Cricket in general because 7 times World Cup finalist team (Pakistan) was a serious contender to win the subject world title. WBC urged the states that Sports should be kept above regional politics and particularly the Special Persons mega sports events would be treated fairly and all teams must be given equal chances to compete in the event. Most States have ratified United Nations Charter for Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) which induces States to provide equal sports playing opportunities to Persons with Disabilities so this charter should be implemented in letter and spirit. The elections of the Executive Committee of World Blind Cricket Ltd were also held during the AGM. Nine (9) out of Ten (10) full member countries’ representatives participated in this meeting. Syed Sultan Shah has been elected unopposed as the President of WBCL for the term of the next two years 2022-24. Syed Sultan Shah is the Chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council and remained the President of World Blind Cricket thrice earlier from 2012-2014, 2014-2016 & 2020-22. This is his 4th term in this premiere role. The newly elected Executive Committee of World Blind Cricket Ltd comprises the following. Syed Sultan Shah (Pakistan) President, Bhawani Persad (West Indies) First Vice President, Rajnesh Henry (India) Second Vice President, Raymond Moxly (Australia) Secretary General, Maher Yousaf Haroon (Pakistan) Director Technical, Pawan Ghimire (Nepal) Director Finance, David John (India) Director Global Development.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Azhar Ali, Pakistan’s one of the most successful batters, will hang his shoes after the third Test against England, which begins on Saturday at National Stadium Karachi. With 7,097 runs in 96 matches at an average of 42.49, Azhar is Pakistan’s fifth leading Test run-getter behind Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8,832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8,829) and Mohammad Yousuf (7,530). In 2010, Azhar, as a 25-year-old, made his Test debut in England against Australia at Lord’s and scored his maiden Test half-century in only his second match. He would score 34 more half-centuries and went past the 100-run mark on 19 instances. Azhar, 37, is the only Pakistan batter to score a triple-century in a pink-ball Test - a feat that he achieved against the West Indies at Dubai in 2016. That unbeaten 302 remains his highest score in Test cricket. Over the course of his 12-year career, Azhar also made two double-centuries – 226 against Bangladesh in Dhaka (May 2015) and 205 not out against Australia in Melbourne (December 2016) - and has, at least, one century in Australia, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014, Azhar scored a century in each innings (109 and 100 not out) to help Pakistan win the second Test by 356 runs and two-Test series 2-0. Azhar captained Pakistan in nine Tests in two separate tenures from 2016 till 2020. Azhar retired from One-Day Internationals in 2018 – a year after helping Pakistan win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. In that tournament, Azhar had scores of 50 (v India), 9 (v South Africa), 34 (v Sri Lanka), 76 (v England in semi-final) and 59 (v India in final). Azhar Ali said: “It has been a great honour and privilege for me to represent my country at the highest level. Deciding on when to call it a day is always tough, but, after contemplating deeply, I realised that this is the right time for me to retire from Test cricket. “There are many people who I am grateful to in this strenuous, yet beautiful journey. I want to make a special mention of my family without whose sacrifices; I would not have been where I am today. My parents, wife, siblings, and children have been my strength throughout. “I have been blessed to share dressing room with some of the most outstanding cricketers with whom I share a strong bond. I feel much richer by calling these people my friends. I am also blessed to have played under some wonderful coaches to whom I will always remain grateful. “I retire from international cricket as a fulfilled cricketer who ticked most of the goals he had set for himself. Not many cricketers go on to lead their countries, and that I was able to captain Pakistan is a matter of great pride for me. From being a kid who started as a leg-spinner to becoming a mainstay in the Test batting line-up, I had the loveliest moments of my life that I will cherish forever.” PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “Azhar Ali has been one of the most committed and loyal servants of Pakistan cricket. His grit and determination have been an inspiration for many young cricketers and he is a role model for up and coming cricketers. “While it is sad that Pakistan will not have a player of his experience in the dressing room to draw upon, it only reflects the circle of life. I hope to see Azhar continuing to play a role in the development of Pakistan cricket and sharing his vast knowledge and experience with budding cricketers.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan national women team’s chief selector Asmavia Iqbal today announced a 15-player squad for next month’s bilateral white-ball series against Australia and for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa from 10 February to 26 February. Bismah Maroof will continue to lead the Pakistan Women’s team in both assignments.  The squads were finalised after deliberations by Asmavia, interim head coach Saleem Jaffer and captain Bismah. Right-arm fast bowler Diana Baig makes a comeback after missing out in the home series against Ireland in October/November due to a shoulder injury. Spinners Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan are also back in the squads after being ruled out of the Ireland series due to hand and index finger injuries, respectively. Left-arm spinner Sadia is part of the ODI and T20I squads, while leg-spinner Tuba is part of the T20I squad. Two players, Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan, will make their maiden appearance for Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan Squad (Australia series): Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wk) Traveling Reserves: Aimen Anwar, Javeria Khan and Tuba Hassan Pakistan Squad (T20I World Cup): Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz and Sadaf Shamas Chief selector Asmavia Iqbal said: “I wish luck to the players who have been selected for both Australia series and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. I am hopeful the side will continue to perform in the same manner they have performed recently in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup and Ireland series. “The ODI series against Australia is very crucial, the expectations are high as we have won five of the six ICC Championship matches and our aim is to qualify directly for the 50-over World Cup. “We have relied more on the senior players in the formation of the squad for the World Cup and we expect them to use their experience on the field and get positive results for the team. “The return of Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan will give a boost to the side and will strengthen our bowling attack which has the capability to do well. Sidra Nawaz has been added as our second wicket-keeper in the squad to give Muneeba Ali some space to express herself more with the bat, and gives an added option to the captain to utilise the services of a second wicket-keeper on the long tour.” Player Support Staff: Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach and interim head coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmad (analyst), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media and digital content manager) and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist). Australia series Itinerary 16 January – First ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 18 January – Second ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane 21 January – Third ODI at North Sydney Oval No.1, North Sydney 24 January – First T20I at North Sydney Oval No.1, North Sydney 26 January – Second T20I at Blundstone Arena, Hobart 29 January – Third T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra Pakistan fixtures (T20 World Cup): 12 February v India at Newlands, Cape Town 15 February v Ireland at Newlands, Cape Town 19 February v West Indies at Boland Park, Paarl 21 February v England at Newlands, Cape Town

Bahawalpur PD defeat Karachi PD by 7 wickets in a one-sided fixture Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Defending champions Bahawalpur PD continued their winning streak by defeating the hosts Karachi PD by seven wickets after an easy and one-sided contest in the first league match of the second phase of the National physical Disability T20 Cricket Championship at Rashid Latif Cricket Academy Cricket Ground Gulberg on Tuesday. Bahawalpur won the toss and invited Karachi to bat first. Karachi scored 134 runs for the loss of three wickets in 20 overs. Umar Farooq scored 55 runs off 48 balls with the help of three fours and three sixes, while Sadiq Shah scored 35 runs with three fours and two sixes on 25 balls. Abid Hussain and Abdul Khaliq took one wicket each for Bahawalpur. In response, Bahawalpur Disabled reached the target by losing three wickets in 16.5 overs. Mohammad Nauman scored a magnificent half-century of 54 runs off 37 balls with the help of seven fours. Abid Hussain scored 38 runs off 25 balls with the help of four fours while skipper Mohammad Shahzad scored 14 runs. Haroon Rasheed took one wicket for Karachi PD. General Secretary Amiuddin Ansari gave Bahawalpur PD Mohammad Nauman and special guest DSP Sindh Polls Javed Malik to Man of the Match Cash Award of 1000 rupees to Multan's Zubair Saleem. Nabil Akhtar, Zia Shamim, Jameel Kamran were also present on this occasion. In the second match, Quetta won the toss and batted first and the whole team scored 114 runs in 19 overs. Jamin Shah scored 68 runs off 35 balls of aggressive batting with the help of five sixes and four fours. Zubair Saleem was the top scorer. He took seven wickets for 9 runs. In response, Multan PD achieved the required target of 115 runs in 14 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Ghulam Mohammad scored an aggressive 34 runs off 19 balls with the help of seven fours while Abdul Manan scored 20 runs. Ali Bakhsh took three wickets by giving 21 runs. During the interval, the chief guest, Sindh Police Cricket Captain  Turab Hussain, introduced the two teams while he also watched the match for a while General Secretary PDC and Auran Tournament Amiruddin Ansari, Regional Head Multan and Bahawalpur Jameel Kamran were also present on this occasion.

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN (December 12, 2022): Mark Wood led England to a 26-run win inside four days in the second Test against Pakistan on Monday at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan, in pursuit of a challenging victory target of 355, were bowled out for 328 within an hour after lunch on day four to send England into the third match with an unassailable 2-0 lead in its first Test tour of Pakistan in 17 years. England won the first Test by 74 runs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. Wood grabbed 4-65 including prized scalp of left-hander Saud Shakeel (94) who missed on his maiden Test hundred before lunch. Saud’s patient, third successive half century in just over five hours nearly pulled off Pakistan’s highest-ever successful chase in a home Test after the hosts resumed on the fourth day on 198-4, needing a further 157. Saud shared 80-run stand with Mohammad Nawaz (45) before Wood struck in his first over with the second new ball. He first had Nawaz caught down the leg side off a short ball and then ended Saud’s defiance with another short ball in the same area. Wicket-keeper Ollie Pope took a low catch down the leg side after Wood got Shakeel tangled. The third umpire, Joel Wilson of the West Indies, ruled in the bowler’s favor after viewing several replays, after on-field umpire Aleem Dar referred the decision with a soft signal of out. Resuming the fourth day with an overnight score of 198 for four with still 157 required, Pakistan lost Faheem Ashraf (10) in the day’s sixth over when Joe Root had the lefthander caught at slip as Stokes chose to deploy spinners from one end. Saud and Nawaz stifled England for nearly 22 overs before Wood struck twice in quick succession to raise England’s hope of clinching the three-match series late in the first session. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson thrice went past Nawaz’s bat, but the left-hander showed aggression against Root and left-arm spinner Jack Leach with some crisp boundaries before Stokes turned to the pace of Wood and gained two crucial wickets. Abrar made a brisk 17 that featured three extravagant boundaries against Wood in one over after lunch before England seamers Robinson (2-23) and James Anderson (2-44) wrapped up the tail to seal England win. Scores in brief: England 281 all out, 51.4 overs (Ben Duckett 63, Ollie Pope 60, Mark Wood 36 not out, Will Jacks 31, Ben Stokes 20; Abrar Ahmed 7-114, Zahid Mehmood 3-63) and 275 all out, 64.5 overs (Harry Brook 108, Ben Duckett 79, Ben Stokes 41, Joe Root 21; Abrar Ahmed 4-120, Zahid Mehmood 3-52) Pakistan 202 all out, 62.5 overs (Babar Azam 75, Saud Shakeel 63, Faheem Ashraf 22; Jack Leach 4-98, Joe Root 2-23, Mark Wood 2-40) and 328 all out, 102.1 overs (Saud Shakeel 94, Imam-ul-Haq 60, Abdullah Shafique 45, Mohammad Nawaz 45, Mohamad Rizwan 30; Mark Wood 4-65, James Anderson 2-44)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: The tickets for the third and final Test between Pakistan and England at National Bank Cricket Areana Karachi will go on sale from Tuesday at 1000. As it continues to make sure that the quality cricket action is accessible for cricket fans, the Pakistan Cricket Board has kept the ticket prices for what will be the first affair between these two teams in Karachi since that epic 2000 match at nominal rates. The ticket prices range from PKR150 to PKR500. ·         A General enclosure (Nasim-ul-Ghani, Iqbal Qasim, Muhammad Brothers, Intikhab Alam and Wasim Bari) ticket is for PKR150 ·         A First-Class enclosure (Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hassan and Majid Khan) ticket is for PKR250 ·         A Premium enclosure (Imran khan, Quaid, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas) is for PKR300 ·         A VIP enclosure (Hanif Muhammad, Javed Miandad and Fazal Mehmood) is for PKR500 The tickets will be sold physically from Asghar Ali Shah Stadium in Nazimabad, RJ Mall (Pakistan Physical disability cricket association) and Sector-35-F, Korangi n0.4. To further facilitate the fans in getting hold of the tickets, the PCB, through BookMe, will also place van booths at Do Talwar Clifton and Numaish Chowrangi.