Cricket
English guys whip Pakistan by six wickets in 1st T20 international
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Karachi:-Alex Hales marked his return to international cricket with a bang, as he smashed 53 in 40 balls were vital for England’s victory against hosts Green Shirts by six-wicket in the first of the seven T20 Internationals’ tie at National Cricket Stadium Karachi.
It was a dream return of sorts for Hales, who has not featured in England colours since 2019, as he anchored the run chase, scoring at a strike rate of 133, and helping his side roll over the 159-run target with four balls spare.
After the early wicket of Phil Salt, who made run-a-ball 10, Hales added crucial runs with Dawid Malan (20 off 15) and Ben Duckett (21 off 17) with both partnerships worth 34, before Harry Brook’s whirlwind 25-ball 42 not out (seven fours) took the game away from the grasp of the hosts.
Naseem Shah’s first over went for 14 runs with both the openers – Salt and Hales, hitting a boundary each. The introduction of Shahnawaz Dahani, following a tight second over from Mohammad Nawaz, provided Babar Azam’s side a breakthrough when Salt pulled the right-arm pacer’s short-pitched delivery into the hands of Haider Ali, stationed at deep square-leg.
That was the only wicket Pakistan would bag in the powerplay as Malan and Hales launched a counterattack. Malan welcomed Usman Qadir with a six over his head – off a full toss – at the start of the seventh over, but a beautiful leg-break delivery bamboozled Malan the next ball, who edged it back to the bowler to cup it safely.
Duckett’s adventurous approach did not reap him the rewards he and Moeen Ali, who captained England in the absence of an injured Jos Buttler, would have expected as he was trapped LBW trying to reverse sweep a ball.
Hales fell in the 17th over when he top-edged Haris Rauf, but the match had been settled in England’s favour by then.
Pakistan posted 158 - after Moeen elected to bowl - at the back of Mohammad Rizwan’s 68 in 46. Pakistan were off to a flying start as the pair of Rizwan and Babar lifted Pakistan to 51 by the close of powerplay and had them at 85 at 9.3 overs when the latter was bowled off a scorching googly from Adil Rashid.
Pakistan lost their next three wickets for 11 runs as Haider, Rizwan and Shan Masood fell inside 11 balls. Debutant Luke Wood had a terrific start to his T20I career returning three for 24 from four overs. The collapse was further aggravated by the left-arm pacer with the scalps of Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah at death as the hosts could add only 71 in the last 10 overs.
The two sides meet for the second T20I on Thursday at the same venue, where the third and fourth matches will also be played. The action moves to Lahore from 28 September as the Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’ Home of Cricket, hosts the last three matches.
Scores in brief:
England beat Pakistan by six wickets
Pakistan 158-7, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 68, Babar Azam 31, Iftikhar Ahmed 28; Luke Wood 3-24, Adil Rashid 2-27)
England 160-4, 19.2 overs (Alex Hales 53, Harry Brook 42 not out, Ben Duckett 21, Dawid Malan 20; Usman Qadir 2-36)
Player of the match – Luke Wood (England)
Sri Lankan players to undergo fitness tests on Wednesday
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka's all national cricketers will undergo fitness tests on Wednesday, it is learnt.
According to the sources in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the list of national players to undergo these tests on Wednesday also includes the World Cup squad. "All these tests will be conducted at the R. Premadasa Stadium under the supervision of our experienced trainer Grant Luden", a top source in the SLC revealed to this Reporter.
Incidentally, Luden will be a member of the support staff traveling to Australia with the World Cup players. He was also in the UAE for the recent Asia Cup.
South Africa-born Luden, who has worked with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is well-experienced in handling the players' injuries and has been working with the SLC as a Physical Performance Manager.
Pramodya Wickramsinghe, the head of the national selection panel will travel with the team as a tour selector. The 51-year-old former fast bowler recently travelled to the UAE to oversee the performance of the players. Apparently, his recent trip to the UAE was in his own capacity and he also didn't stay in the same hotel where the team was put up.
CRICKET - 20 Sep, 2022
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Multan:-Sohail Khan’s four-fer and Sharjeel Khan’s blistering 53 off 36 balls led Sindh to their maiden National T20 title after beating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by eight wickets in the final of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday evening.
This was Sindh’s first National T20 title since the inception of the new domestic structure in 2019 and they also took away the glittering National T20 trophy besides the PKR 5million winners’ prize. While, this was defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first defeat in the final in the last three years.
In pursuit of a 141-run target, Sindh opening pair Saim Ayub and Sharjeel Khan provided a flying start to their team as both batters stroked eight fours and six sixes between them. The pair scored at 11 runs an over in the powerplay and stitched a 70-run partnership for the first wicket.
The left-handed Saim was the first one to depart with 36 off 24 balls and ended the tournament with 416 runs at a staggering strike rate of over 155. Sharjeel top-scored for his side and smoked four fours and as many sixes during the course of his innings. Omair Bin Yousuf (21 not out, 12b, one four, two sixes) and captain Saud Shakeel (18 not out, 16b, two fours) saw Sindh chased down the target with 32 balls to spare.
Earlier, the decision to bat first from Khalid Usman backfired as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wobbled at the top of the innings when they slumped to 44 for three in the powerplay. Sohail accounted for Sahibzada Farhan (four off two, one four) and Kamran Ghulam (16, 11b, four fours) in the first nine balls he bowled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s batting. He went on to pick two more wickets (Mohmmad Sarwar Afridi 30 off 20, one four, two sixes) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (one off two) to end with match figures of 4-0-18-4 and later adjudicated player of the final. Wicketkeeper-batter Rehan Afridi top-scored with a 41-ball 43, studded with four fours and one six. Mir Hamza and Asif Mehmood bagged two wickets apiece.
That the Sindh were able to win the tournament goes to an all-round performance from the side which included performances from Saim – who was awarded player of the tournament, Sohail – who was awarded best bowler of the tournament with 21 scalps and Sarfaraz Ahmed – who was awarded with best wicket-keeper of the tournament with 13 dismissals to his name. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Sahibzada Farhan was awarded with best batter of the tournament with 429 runs.
Scores in brief:
Sindh beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by eight wickets
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 140 all out, 19.5 overs (Rehan Afridi 43, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 30; Sohail Khan 4-18, Mir Hamza 2-32, Asif Mehmood 2-35)
Sindh 141-2, 14.4 overs (Sharjeel Khan 53, Saim Ayub 36)
Awards:
Player of the final: Sohail Khan (Sindh), PKR 50,000
Player of the tournament: Saim Ayub (416 runs), PKR 100,000
Best batter of the tournament: Sahibzada Farhan (429 runs), PKR 100,000
Best bowler of the tournament: Sohail Khan (21 wickets), PKR 100,000
Best wicketkeeper of the tournament: Sarfaraz Ahmed (13 dismissals), PKR 100,000
Fatima Sana ruled out of ACC T20 Asia Cup 2022
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Lahore: , 18 September 2022: Fast bowler Fatima Sana has been ruled out of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup scheduled to take place in Sylhet, Bangladesh from October 1. Fatima twisted her ankle while featuring in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League. The PCB Medical panel after investigating the injury have advised her a four-week rest.
Fatima, who featured for Barbados Royal in the CPL was also not part of the first phase of the preparation camp for the tournament held in Lahore from 30 August to 2 September. Her replacement will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, Pakistan squad and the reserves will assemble at Lahore Country Club, Muridke later today to undergo a 10-day camp starting tomorrow (Monday). The national side will fly out for Bangladesh on 28 September.
Pakistan squad:
Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hasan
Reserve players:
Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Umme Hani and Waheeda Akhtar
Player support personnel:
Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmad (analyst) and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist).
CRICKET - 19 Sep, 2022
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Multan:-An unbeaten 42-run partnership off just 18 balls from Anwar Ali and Omair Bin Yousuf helped Sindh beat Central Punjab by five wickets in the second semi-final of Kingdom Valley National T20 2022-23 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday evening.
The win also means Sindh – qualifying for the final of the National T20 for the first time since the inception of new domestic structure, will take on defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tomorrow at the same venue.
Requiring 25 runs from two overs to win in pursuit of 180-run target, right-handed Anwar dispatched Ahmed Daniyal for three sixes and a four to collect 24 runs in the penultimate over. He returned undefeated on a 13-ball 32, studded with two fours and three sixes. Omair Bin Yousuf – who struck the winning six with four balls to spare scored an unbeaten 51 off 36, hitting four fours and one six.
Central Punjab’s Usama Mir bagged two wickets for 30 runs – both wickets in the 11th over of the innings which included the prized scalp of Sindh’s opening batter Saim Ayub who looked dangerous before getting out scoring a 24-ball 46, smashing four sixes and three fours.
Earlier, the decision to bat first from Qasim Akram paid dividends as Central Punjab’s opening batters went berserk from the start and scored 77 runs in the powerplay – the most runs in this edition. Wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Akhlaq was the first one to return to the pavilion in the seventh over not before scoring 28 off 15 balls, which included four towering sixes. The pair of Akhlaq and Mohammad Faizan knitted a 78-run partnership off 38 balls.
Faizan didn’t stop there and continued to play big shots and brought up Central Punjab’s 100 in the 10th over – the fastest 100 of the ongoing tournament. Faizan top-scored for his side, scoring 52 off 31 balls and smoked six fours and three sixes at a staggering strike rate of 167.74. Qasim (25, 18b, three fours) and experienced Shoaib Malik (nine off 10, one four) failed to make an impact in Central Punjab’s batting and went in quick succession.
That the Central Punjab were able to score 179 for eight in 20 overs was due to Irfan Khan Niazi’s unbeaten knock of 36 from 27 balls, which included two fours and as many sixes. Sindh’s Zahid Mehmood was the most successful bowler for his side with match figures of 4-0-20-4.
Scores in brief:
Sindh beat Central Punjab by five wickets
Central Punjab 179-8, 20 overs (Mohammad Faizan 52, Irfan Khan Niazi 36 not out, Muhammad Akhlaq 28, Qasim Akram 25; Zahid Mehmood 4-20)
Sindh 185-5, 19.2 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 51 not out, Saim Ayub 46, Anwar Ali 32 not out; Usama Mir 2-30)
Player of the match – Omair Bin Yousuf and Zahid Mehmood (Sindh)
Afghanistan announce squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2022
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Kabul:-Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, which will be played from 16th October to 13th November in Australia.
From the 17 players who were part of the Afghanistan Squad for the recently concluded ACC Men's Asia Cup 2022, Samiullah Shinwari, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Karim Janat and Noor Ahmad have missed out whereas the middle-order batter Darwish Rasooli, the leg-spinning allrounder Qais Ahmad and the right-arm quick Salim Safi have made it to the 15-member cut. In addition, Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib have been added to the squad as reserves.
Names of players:
Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujib ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Qais Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Salim Safi
Reserve players: Usman Ghani. Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib
Chief selector Noor Malikzai said:
“The Asia Cup was a very good opportunity for the team to buildup things nicely for the much-important global event in Australia. Fortunately, Darwish Rasooli has recovered from injury (broken finger) and we are happy to have him available for the WT20, he has demonstrated good glimpses of him in the previously held Shpageeza Cricket League 2022 and offers an additional batting option to our middle order. Since the Australian conditions offer further support for the fast bowlers, so we have added Salim Safi, the tall right-arm quick to add further impetus to our bowling department. Overall we have picked our best available players for the event and we are hopeful of them to do well and better represent the country in the mega event.”
ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf said:
"The selection committee has named a strong squad for the WT20. The combination looks good which includes players from every category. I am sure that they will do well in the event and will make the nation proud.”
ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022
Group A – Sri Lanka, Namibia and Two Qualifiers
Group B – West Indies, Scotland and Two Qualifiers
Group 1 – Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Winner of Group A and Runners of Group B
Group 2 – India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, Winner of Group B and Runners of Group A
Afghanistan matches’ Schedule:
22 October – Afghanistan v England, Perth
26 October – Afghanistan v New Zealand, Melbourne
28 October – Afghanistan v TBA, Melbourne
01 November – Afghanistan v TBA, Brisbane
04 November – Afghanistan v Australia, Adelaide
09-10 November – Semi-Finals
13 November – Final
CRICKET - 18 Sep, 2022
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Multan:-Three wickets off three balls (one run-out) from Mehran Mumtaz’s first over – 10th over of the innings and 40 unbeaten runs from Sohail Tanvir proved game changer for Northern as they defeated Southern Punjab by three runs to qualify for the semi-final in the 30th fixture of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday evening.
Southern Punjab – that were set a modest 130-run target by Northern were well in course to achieve the target as they were 58 for two at the end of the ninth over. Introduction of left-arm spinner Mehran in the 10th over put brakes on their run-chase as Mehran got Salman Ali Agha (one off three) lbw on the first ball he bowled. The next ball he sent Sharoon Siraj (first ball duck) lbw without troubling the score. On a hat-trick ball, the direct throw from Usman Khan Shinwari was enough to send back non-striker Sohaib Maqsood (eight off seven, one four) back to the pavilion.
After the quick dismissals of Southern Punjab’s batters, Northern were never in position to stage a comeback. Hasan Ali (26 not out off 16) – who was playing for the first time in the tournament struck two sixes and one four to give Southern Punjab a glimpse of hope, but Southern Punjab fell four runs shy of the target and were send packing from the tournament.
Mehran, Usman Khan Shinwari and Zaman Khan bagged two wickets apiece for Northern.
In the first semi-final table toppers Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take on Northern, while Sindh will face Central Punjab in the second semi-final. Both semi-finals will be played tomorrow at the Multan Cricket Stadium and PTV Sports will broadcast the matches live while it be live streamed on the PCB YouTube channel.
Earlier, after a 15-minute delayed start due to dust storm, Umar Amin’s decision to bat first didn’t go down well as Northern wobbled at the top of the innings when they slumped to 83 for seven in the 15th over. That Northern were managed to score over 100 was largely because of a 37-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Usman (21 off 16, three fours) and Sohail – who returned undefeated on 40 from 30 balls, smashing three fours and two sixes.
Northern made 129 for eight from their allotted 20 overs.
Hasan was dispatched for a six by Nasir Nawaz on the first ball he bowled, but the right-arm fast made a strong comeback to get Taimoor Sultan lbw for four on the last ball of his first over which went for 11 runs. Right-arm fast Mohammad Ilyas was amongst the wickets again as he took three wickets for 29. He accounted for Nasir (15, 15b, one four, one six), Mubasir Khan (six off five, one four) and Usman. Leg-spinner Ali Majid and right-arm fast Hasan bagged two wickets apiece for 29 and 3o runs, respectively.
Alice and Kemp earn first England Women ODI call-ups
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London (UK):-A squad of 15 has been named for the three-match series, which will be England’s first fixtures in the new ICC Women’s Championship cycle, with points leading to qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2025. Amy Jones will continue to lead the side in the absence of Heather Knight and Nat Sciver, with Sophie Ecclestone her vice-captain.
Names of players:
Amy Jones (Central Sparks, captain), Tammy Beaumont (Lightning), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice Capsey (South East Stars), Kate Cross (Thunder), Freya Davies (South East Stars), Alice Davidson-Richards (South East Stars), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers), Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder, vice-captain), Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers), Emma Lamb (Thunder), Issy Wong (Central Sparks), Danni Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
Head Coach Lisa Keightley said:
“I was so proud of how the team came together to win the Vitality IT20 series. Sometimes when you’re missing big name players, other players step up and take their chance and I felt we really did that. It’s a young group but they worked tremendously hard and showed their skill and resilience to get over the line.
“Amy did a great job as captain and she was ably supported by Sophie so we want them to carry on what they’ve been doing. It’s another big series, especially with points counting towards ICC Women’s World Cup qualification, and with the summer ending at Lord’s there’s a lot to be excited about.”
CRICKET - 17 Sep, 2022
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Dubai (UAE):-If you think that a qualifying event like the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 can’t provide fans with thrills or that the results don’t matter much, well, you could not be further from reality.
Just go back a few years to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier played in Colombo and you get an understanding of what it can be like. The performances were a feast for the eyes and the results showed how performances in qualifying events can boost teams as they make it to the main tournament.
India beat South Africa in a last-ball thriller in the final, with Harmanpreet Kaur hitting an outstanding, run-a-ball 41. That win lifted India’s morale several notches and they ended up playing the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 at a packed Lord’s stadium, in what is widely acknowledged as a watershed moment for our sport.
The qualifying tournament helped us too and we also made the semi-finals of the World Cup. Though the Qualifier final in Colombo was one that I badly wanted to win (I got some runs too) I realize now that there were several positives for us to take out and they helped us develop as a team.
This tournament though will be a lot different for me. I am honoured to be named the Event Ambassador by the ICC and will be doing my bit to promote the event, including as a commentator, and am really looking forward to my new role.
It’s an awesome time to be associated with the game in this role. Everyone is talking about the growth of women’s cricket and its bright future, the recent ICC mega events are a reflection of how the game has transcended. A packed MCG for the Women’s T20 World Cup Final in 2020 and the lively debut at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games are bright spots while the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand this year showed the advance in quality with several close games.
The teams in this Qualifier Event include three ICC Full Members – Bangladesh, Ireland and Zimbabwe – but it is also a great opportunity for others to show their mettle, not least the Thailand team that has been talked about on the circuit for some time now. The T20 format provides teams with great opportunities and those two qualifying spots will not be easy to grab.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has hosted several top-level tournaments, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last year, and I am sure the players will enjoy every moment at the iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium and the adjacent Tolerance Oval.
It’s good to know that the matches are being live-streamed. The ICC has done a great job in taking the women’s game to people’s homes and this is a great way to add fans and reach new frontiers. Our game’s ambition is to be part of the Olympics and both women’s cricket and the T20I format will have a role in that.
CRICKET - 17 Sep, 2022
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Multan:-Sahibzada Farhan blasted 102 off 64 to seal a 38-run win for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over Balochistan in the 29th fixture of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The win also confirms Khyber Pakhtunkhwa place in the semi-final after topping the six-team table with 12 points from 10 matches.
After being put into bat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa openers Farhan and Rehan Afridi provided a solid 71-run start. Wicketkeeper-batter Rehan was the first one to return to the pavilion not before scoring 34 from 25 balls, which included six boundaries. Farhan was joined by Kamran Ghulam (26, 21, one four, one six) and the pair knitted a 64-run partnership for the second wicket. Farhan continued to play shots at will and brought up his century from 61 balls which included seven fours and six towering sixes.
After the dismissal of right-handed Farhan for 102 in the 19th over, the defending champions managed to add only seven in the final over to end up scoring 175 for the loss of three wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Experienced Junaid Khan was Balochistan’s pick of the bowlers with two for 34.
Chasing 176 to win, Balochistan lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 137 in the 17th over. Haris Sohail came to bat at number five top-scored with a 30-ball 47, studded with five fours and two sixes.
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, skipper Khalid Usman and right-arm leg-spinner Maaz Khan bagged three wickets apiece. Mohammad Abbas Afridi grabbed two wickets for 20 runs.
Scores in brief:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Balochistan by 38 runs
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 175-3, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 102, Rehan Afridi 34, Kamran Ghulam 26; Junaid Khan 2-34)
Balochistan 137 all out, 17 overs (Haris Sohail 47; Khalid Usman 3-19, Maaz Khan 3-39)
Player of the match: Sahibzada Farhan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
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