Sports Bulletin

SPORTS BULLETIN Islamabad:-It came down to the last match of the tournament, but Vanuatu have secured their second consecutive qualification at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Regional Final. Coming into the final day, Vanuatu had a two-point advantage over the Cook Islands. However, in front of packed stands at the Vanuatu Cricket Ground, the host nation did enough to win the match and secure next stage qualification in their hunt of a maiden ICC World Cup berth. The hosts went in as tournament favourites and showed their class with two comfortable wins in their first two matches against Fiji and Samoa. Things got a little shaky in the third match when the Cook Islands were able to take the points off the back of a classy knock by Ma’ara Ave. The rest day came at the right time for Vanuatu, allowing them to regroup and go on to claim three wins in a row to progress to the next stage of qualification. The Cook Islands proved to be the surprise package of the Qualifier. Playing in their first ever T20I in this Qualifier and having not played any international cricket since 2014, the team showed their talent and skill by defeating each team once across the double-round robin. Whilst not enough to take the next qualification step, the three wins are sure to spark a resurgence of cricket in the small Pacific nation. Fiji and Samoa played well throughout the Qualifier and have plenty of positive points to take home. Fijian Seru Marutu Tupou topped the wicket takers list with 10 dismissals across five matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.37. All eyes now turn to Japan, who play host to Indonesia and South Korea at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional EAP B Qualifier between 15 – 18 October. The winners will book their final spot at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Regional Final in 2023

Bipin Dani The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has hosted a Residential Camp for the probables of the World Cup squad, it is learnt. According to highly placed sources in the SLC, the camp will be held in Kandy. "The wickets at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (PICS) are similar to the Australian wickets where the World Cup matches are to be played", the source, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Dubai. "We have given one week's rest to the players. They will assemble in Kandy and start training in the 3rd week of this month". All players who were there during the Asia Cup are fit and raring to go. We will add a few more players for the camp and then a list of the final 15 will be sent to the ICC before their desad-line",  the source further added. Incidentally, the head coach (Chris Silverwood), who has sought a small-break after the Asia Cup is in England but scheduled to return before the residential camp. The selectors have "more or less" picked the World Cup squad in consultation with the head coach when they all were in Dubai during the Asia Cup. However, pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera may be considered. "He has "almost" recovered from his ankle injury. In case, if he has to undergo surgery after seeking the second opinion, can wait till the World Cup and be under the knife in Australia after the World Cup", someone known to the development, revealed. "The selectors may also include Binura Fernando and Lahiru Kumara for the camp. One or two from these additional players may board a flight to Australia", the source further added.

SPORTS BULLETIN Lahore:-Pakistan cricket selectors today unveiled their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022, which will be held from 16 October to 13 November. In the seven events to date, Pakistan has won the title in 2009 in the United Kingdom, reached the final in 2007 and featured in the 2010, 2012 and 2021 semifinals, a record that makes them one of the most consistent sides to date. In the 15-player World Cup squad, top-order batter Shan Masood has been included in the side for the shortest format for the first-time along with fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani have been named as the three traveling reserves. Wasim Junior has been included after recovering completely from the side strain he suffered during the ACC T20 Asia Cup, whereas Shaheen, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury in London and expected to resume bowling early next month, will join the squad in Brisbane on 15 October. Pakistan squad for World Cup: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Asif Ali (Northern), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) Traveling reserves: Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh). Prior to their arrival in Brisbane on 15 October, the World Cup-bound squad will feature in the T20I tri-series in Christchurch from 7-14 October where Bangladesh and New Zealand will be the other participating sides. Chief selector Mohammad Wasim said: “We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. That’s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE. “These players have performed well since November 2021 and that’s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard. “We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that’s precisely what we have done. “We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.” Meanwhile, for the seven-match T20I series against England, the selectors have named all the players who will travel for the World Cup except Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi. In their places, the selectors have named Northern’s all-rounder Aamir Jamal and Sindh’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed in line with their strategy to reward high-performing cricketers. “Along with Shan Masood, I want to congratulate Aamir Jamal and Abrar Ahmed on earning their maiden call-ups. Both Aamir and Abrar have been selected as we believe they have the skills, talent and potential to represent Pakistan at the highest level and I am hopeful if they get opportunities, they will perform strongly. “Fakhar Zaman has also been rested from the England T20Is so that he can recover from the knee injury he sustained when he landed awkwardly while fielding in the final.” Pakistan squad for England T20Is: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Aamir Jamal (Northern), Abrar Ahmed (Sindh), Asif Ali (Northern), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab) SCHEDULE OF MATCHES: Pakistan v England T20Is (matches to start at 1930 PKT): 20 September – 1st T20I, Karachi 22 September – 2nd T20I, Karachi 23 September – 3rd T20I, Karachi 25 September – 4th T20I, Karachi 28 September – 5th T20I, Lahore 30 September – 6th T20I, Lahore 2 October – 7th T20I, Lahore Pakistan v Bangladesh and New Zealand (T20I tri-series) 7 October – vs Bangladesh, Christchurch 8 October – vs New Zealand, Christchurch 11 October – vs New Zealand, Christchurch 13 October – vs Bangladesh, Christchurch 14 October – Final, Christchurch Pakistan at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022: 23 October – vs India, Melbourne 27 October – vs winner Group B, Perth 30 October – vs runner-up Group A, Perth 3 November – vs South Africa, Sydney 6 November – vs Bangladesh, Adelaide

SPORTS BULLETIN Melbourne (Australia):-The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 is set to welcome fans of all ages and backgrounds, with over 500,000 fans already securing their place to the event that begins in one month’s time. Fans from 82 different countries have purchased tickets to watch the world’s best players from 16 international teams, marking the return of full stadiums at ICC events for the first time since the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, which culminated with 86,174 fans for the final at the MCG. Accessible pricing for families has seen over 85,000 children’s tickets sold, with tickets just $5 for kids at all First Round and Super 12 matches - adult prices start from $20. The India v Pakistan fixture at the MCG on 23 October is sold out, with additional standing room tickets snapped up within minutes of going on sale. An official re-sale platform will be launched closer to the event, where fans can exchange tickets at face value. Current ticket allocations are also all sold for the double-header at the SCG on 27 October featuring South Africa v Bangladesh and India v Group A runner-up. Fans are encouraged to join the waitlist in the event of additional tickets becoming available. Only a very limited number of tickets remain for Australia’s opening Super 12 fixture against New Zealand at the SCG on 22 October, the double-header featuring Pakistan v Group A runner-up and India v South Africa at Perth Stadium on 30 October, and Pakistan v South Africa at the SCG on 3 November. ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We are delighted by the uptake of tickets for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with over 500,000 already being snapped up. The excitement is really building with just over a month to go and this World Cup is set to be an unmissable event. There are still some tickets available to buy, so fans should make sure they secure theirs while they are still available.” ICC Men’s T20 World Cup CEO Michelle Enright said: “The response from fans has been exceptional and shows the excitement for what will be the biggest sporting event hosted in Australia this year. “We’ve also seen a spread of support for different teams across the event, which is going to make for an incredible atmosphere at our matches with a strong mix of passionate fans at each venue. “We’re particularly proud of our accessibly priced tickets for families and it’s great to see that so many kids are going to come out and experience a World Cup. “There are still some great tickets available, so I’d encourage everyone who hasn’t secured their seats to jump on board for what will be an unmissable event.”

SPORTS BULLETIN Dubai (UAE):-Sri Lanka players Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga, heroes of a memorable victory over Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, have made handsome gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. Rajapaksa’s blistering 71 off 45 deliveries with six fours and three sixes, that won him the Player of the Match award, has helped him advance 34 places to a career-best 34th position. Rajapaksa had scores of 25 not out against India and 24 against Pakistan in other matches of the tournament played during the past week. All-rounder Hasaranga, a formerly top-ranked bowler, has advanced in all three lists after a fine all-round effort in the final saw him smash a 21-ball 36 and follow it up with a late triple-strike with his leg-spin bowling. With a three-wicket haul in the previous match against Pakistan two days earlier, he has moved up three places to sixth position. He is also up seven places to fourth among all-rounders and up 28 places to 152nd among batters. Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, who grabbed three for 29 in the final and two wickets each in the previous two matches, has moved up nine places to 25th. Mohammad Nawaz has progressed seven places to 34th and Mohammad Hasnain has gained 14 places to reach 96th in the latest weekly update. Former India captain Virat Kohli, who smashed a match-winning 122 not out off 61 deliveries in a Super Fours match against Afghanistan, has leaped 14 places to reach 15th position while seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s remarkable haul of five for four in the same match has lifted him to the top 10, from 11th to seventh position. Lokesh Rahul has progressed from 30th to 23rd. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (up nine places to 41st) and Axar Patel (up 14 places to 57th) have also made notable gains, while Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran has advanced 55 places to 63rd after his unbeaten half-century against India. Meanwhile, Mohammad Nabi has conceded the top place for all-rounders to Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hassan. In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, updated after the second and third Australia versus New Zealand matches, Steve Smith has jumped 13 places to 10th position after scores of 61 and 105 while Alex Carey has moved up two places to 20th. Mitchell Starc (up three places to ninth) and Adam Zampa (up three places to 15th) have advanced in the bowlers’ list. For New Zealand, Matt Henry has moved up one slot to take eighth position among bowlers while Finn Allen is in the top 100 for batters. In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings that takes into consideration performances in the third England-South Africa Test at The Oval, Player of the Match Ollie Robinson is up 11 places to 15th after finishing with seven wickets in the match including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Ben Stokes is up three places to 35th in the same list, while Ollie Pope (up 17 places to 29th) and Zak Crawley (up 16 places to 48th) are the batters to have improved their rankings. South Africa opener Alax Lees has moved up 18 slots and occupies 74th position while left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen has reached 26th position after a first-innings five-wicket haul.

BIPIN DANI Eying off the classic defensive stance of the batter, the young leg spinner delivered his first ball. He knew immediately it had perfect flight, the ball fizzed through the air, biting hard off the pitch it turned sharply past the edge of the bat. Steve Waugh looked up and fixed his steely glare on the bowler as he reset. Tom Brooks was eleven years old, and the action took place in the cricket net he built out the back of the Brooks family farm at Scone, three hours drive from Sydney. “I was immediately impressed by his ball flight and the turn he got on the ball” Waugh said of his first experience with Tom. “I then went away to school at St Ignatius college Riverview”, says Brooks “As I’m from the country I would always prioritise my commitments at home before my cricket”. However, at age 15 I made it into the Riverview First X1”. His coach at Riverview, the esteemed James Rodgers, stated that “in 40 years of Brooks was easily best bowler I have coached” Brooks was already playing against the men’s country sides from age 10, and after school finished Brooks was drafted straight into First Grade in Sydney, with Wests. Last year, his second season his figures showed his development with 31 Wickets at an average 24. Tom is mentored in his craft by ex-Test Spinner Kerry O’Keefe. “Playing grade cricket, I travel down on a Friday night and go home on a Sunday night after play, and help around the farm, as it holds a close place to my heart” says Tom In January 2022, Steve Waugh introduced Tom to Sir Ian Botham, and pushed forward the idea of a summer stint in the UK. Botham was straight into it, fixing up Tom, now 21, With Richmondshire CC, in North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket Leagues. Joining Richmondshire XI and nicknamed “Warnie” by his team-mates, Tom helped the Team win two championships, with 77 wickets at 19.38 and a best of 6/35, and a batting average of 29.83 with a strike rate of 131.62. “I have a massive opportunity to pursue my cricket and now I have decided to give it a serious go” says Tom.

SPORTS BULLETIN Dubai (UAE):-England all-rounder Sarah Glenn has closed in on compatriot Sophie Ecclestone in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after a fine show in the first match of their three-T20I series against India at Chester-le-Street on Saturday. Glenn, whose haul of four for 23 helped her team to a nine-wicket victory and won her the Player of the Match award, is at a career-best-equalling second position and just 13 rating points adrift of left-arm spinner Ecclestone. Glenn has been ranked second on a few occasions in the past too, most recently last month, before she was overtaken by Katherine Brunt. England batters Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey too have made notable gains after the first match of their series. Dunkley’s unbeaten 61 off 44 balls sees her move up 13 places to 44th position while Capsey’s brisk 32 not out off 20 deliveries has lifted her 12 places to 52nd. Freya Davis has gained nine places and is 59th among bowlers. For India, seamer Renuka Singh (up five places to 13th) has moved up among bowlers while all-rounder Deepti Sharma (up three places to 33rd) and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (up four places to 75th) have advanced in the batters’ list. Ireland and Scotland players too have something to cheer about ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 starting Sunday in Abu Dhabi, in which they are pooled together in Group A. Saskia Horley of Scotland has moved up 16 places to 54th among batters after her knock of 44 in a losing cause in their second T20I while Ireland leg-spinner Cara Murray’s two-wicket haul has lifted her 14 places to 94th position. Ireland’s Leah Paul (up three places to 68th), Arlene Kelly (up 16 places to 74th) and captain Laura Delany (up eight places to 75th) have moved up in the list of bowlers while all-rounder Orla Prendergast has advanced in all three lists.

SPORTS BULLETIN Multan:-Three wickets apiece from Pakistan internationals Aamer Yamin and Waqas Maqsood and an unbeaten 41 runs from Tayyab Tahir led Central Punjab to a four-wicket win over Southern Punjab in the 23rd fixture of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Central Punjab came back stronger after losing to Southern Punjab in the Rawalpindi leg by 86 runs on 2 September. This was Central Punjab’s third win in the tournament – second in the Multan leg. Chasing 107 to win, Central Punjab scored at over seven runs an over in the powerplay, but also lost three wickets to keep Southern Punjab interested in the low-scoring game. That Central Punjab were able to chase down the target in the 17th over was due to an unbeaten knock from right-handed Tayyab – who scored 41 off 34 and smashed five fours and one six. Tayyab also leads the batting charts with 351 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 139.84. Southern Punjab’s right-arm pacers Muhammad Imran and Sameen Gul took two wickets each. Earlier, after being put into bat by Central Punjab’s captain Qasim Akram, Southern Punjab wobbled at the top of the innings when they slumped to 39 for four in the ninth over. Sharoon Siraj – who has scored one half-century in the tournament was joined by Yousuf Babar and the pair added 35 runs for the fifth wicket – the highest partnership of the innings. After the departure of Sharoon (21, 21b, one four, one six), Southern Punjab lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 106 in the last over. For Central Punjab, Aamer and Waqas bagged three wickets apiece for 16 and 21 runs, respectively. Right-arm fast Hunain Shah – playing his second T20 bagged two wickets for 22. Later tonight, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take on Sindh in the 24th fixture of the tournament. Scores in brief: Central Punjab beat Southern Punjab by four wickets Southern Punjab 106 all out, 19.2 overs (Zain Abbas 25, Yousuf Babar 22, Sharoon Siraj 21; Aamer Yamin 3-16, Waqas Maqsood 3-21, Hunain Shah 2-22) Central Punjab 110-6, 16.5 overs (Tayyab Tahir 41 not out; Muhammad Imran 2-18, Sameen Gul 2-22) Player of the match – Tayyab Tahir (Central Punjab)

SPORTS BULLETIN LAHORE:-The first batch of the PCB Pathway Programme continues to train at full throttle at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore with players from across the country going through the hard yards under the supervision of foreign and local coaches. Over the weekend, renowned strength and conditioning coach Nick Webb who hails from New Zealand joined the programme as part of the Engro Cricket Coaching Project initiative. Webb has established his credentials as one of the most prominent S&C coaches in world cricket with highly successful stints with New Zealand and Indian men’s teams. Webb brought a change in the fitness culture and approach of both sides and his extensive knowledge of working with players from the subcontinent made him an attractive choice for the PCB when they began the hunt for an S&C coach to join the programme under the Engro Cricket Coaching Project banner. With the players being in their formative years, Webb is keen on creating a world-class fitness culture for the participants as they build towards their professional careers at the senior level for Pakistan across the three cricket formats. Webb has made some elaborate plans both for the youngsters training at the pathway programme as well as local S&C coaches who are working closely with him as part of the PCB’s plans of upskilling coaches. Nick Webb: “I have been pleasantly surprised both by Lahore and the high performance centre. It is an absolute privilege to be here and work with these youngsters who are full of potential.  The PCB Pathway Programme is a fantastic initiative, my aim would be to create awareness amongst the participants on fitness requirements which can help them in their senior careers. “This initiative can feed the senior team for a long period, we have got some good consultants and organisers on-board who can help these youngsters develop high performance habits and culture. “There is a two-pronged attack from my perspective, the first bit is to ensure these players are fit and strong in three years’ time to handle the demands of international and professional cricket. There is also a coach education plan from my end for local coaches to enhance their knowledge from a sports science perspective so that they can contribute on a long-term basis too. “It is also about recognising the individual fitness requirements of players, how a batter is different to a bowler, how a tall player is different to one who is short, similarly how players from prominent cities compare to those hailing from smaller towns and rural areas.” Besides Webb, power-hitting coach Julian Wood and bowling coach Gordon Parsons are delivering daily indoor and outdoor training sessions and lectures to the camp participants.

SPORTS BULLETIN Lahore:-The Pakistan Cricket Board, on 12 September 2022, provisionally suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1** of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, which means that he cannot take part in any cricket-related activity, pending conclusion of the investigation being carried out by PCB's Anti-Corruption Unit. Asif Afridi has today been issued a Notice of Charge for two breaches under Article 2.4 of the Code  and has fourteen (14) days to respond to the charges.