Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Kabul (Afghanistan):-Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the 17-men squad for the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2022, which will be played from August 27 to September 11, 2022 at the two different international cricket venues Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). From the 16 players who are part of the Afghanistan Squad for the ongoing Ireland T20I Series, Samiullah Shinwari has replaced Sharafuddin Ashraf, who is now part of the reserve players for the event, along with Qais Ahmad and Nijat Masoud. In addition, the left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad, who was replaced by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for the Ireland series, has also found his way to the side. Chief selector Noor Malikzai: “The Asia Cup is an important event for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players for the event. Samiullah Shinwari has been added to the side for the Asia Cup. He is in very good form and can give further impetus to the batting department, which already boasts Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi. Shinwari has not played any international match since March 2020, but he has done well in the recently held Shpageeza Cricket League 2022 and demonstrated that he is a good option to strengthen our middle order." The Afghanistan National Team is currently in Ireland for a 5-match T20I series against Ireland. The team will depart for UAE for the Asia Cup after Wednesday's series decider against Ireland. Names of Players: Mohammad Nabi (Captain), Najibullah Zadran (Vice Captain), Afsar Zazai (Wicketkeeper), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujib ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shinwari and Usman Ghani. Reserve Players:  Nijat Masoud, Qais Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf Asia Cup 2022 Schedule: August 27: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan August 28: India vs Pakistan August 30: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan August 31: India vs Qualifier September 1: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh September 2: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka September 3: B1 vs B2 September 4: A1 vs A2 September 6: A1vs B1 September 7: A2 vs B2 September 8: A1 vs B2 September 9: B1vs A2 September 11: Final

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-India will play two five-Test series each against Australia and England during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the period 2023-27 that was confirmed today. The announcement of the FTP, a result of a collective effort of Full Members with ICC’s support, ensures certainty of cricket fixtures with the confirmation of all bilateral series across the three formats. The exact dates of the series are for the Members to announce in due course. India kick off their engagements for the next cycle with a tour of the West Indies in July next year, when they play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. After hosting Australia for limited overs series, India will embark on their next full tour in December 2023 to South Africa. India, who finished runners-up to New Zealand in the first ICC World Test Championship that ran from 2019-21, play the first of their four five-Test series against England at home starting January 2024. They play Australia in an away series from November that year to January 2025, England in a series starting June 2025 and again versus Australia at home in January-February 2027. Afghanistan, who debuted in Tests in Bengaluru in June 2018, will be hosted again by India in the coming FTP cycle as they are pencilled to play one Test and three ODIs in mid-2026. India are also committed to playing other limited overs series against Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies over the next four years apart from matches that are part of the two WTC cycles falling in this period. WTC series: India’s WTC fixtures for the 2023-25 series comprise home series against Bangladesh, England and New Zealand and away series in Australia, South Africa and the West Indies. In the 2025-27 WTC, they are scheduled to play Australia, South Africa and the West Indies at home, while their away series will be in England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The announcement of the Men’s FTP comes a day after the first ever Women’s FTP was announced. ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said: “I’d like to thank our Members for the effort that has gone into creating this FTP for the next four years. We are incredibly lucky to have three vibrant formats of the game, with an outstanding programme of ICC global events and strong bilateral and domestic cricket and this FTP is designed to allow all cricket to flourish. “The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that. We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket, but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players.” Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said: “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all my colleagues at the CEC for the historic Women’s FTP – the first of its kind and the continued spirit of partnership to conclude the Men’s FTP which provides certainty to all the members to develop their cricketing eco-systems as well as commercial programmes around their own calendars.”

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Afghanistan are scheduled to play four series against Ireland and three against Zimbabwe while also taking on top teams like Australia, India and New Zealand in the next cycle of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Future Tours Programme that runs from 2023-27. The announcement of the FTP, a result of the collective effort of Full Members with ICC’s support, ensures certainty of cricket fixtures with the confirmation of all bilateral series across the three formats. The exact dates and venues of the series are for the Members to announce in due course. Afghanistan’s commitments commence with a full away tour of Bangladesh consisting of two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is in June 2023 with Zimbabwe, Pakistan and the West Indies due to be hosted by them over the next few months. The maximum number of Tests for Afghanistan are pencilled against Zimbabwe, whom they will also play in 12 ODIs and 12 T20Is apart from five Tests. Ireland, who got Test status along with Afghanistan in 2017, will be their rivals in four Tests, 12 ODIs and 10 T20Is. The FTP announced today also confirms both home and away commitments against Australia, India and New Zealand. ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said: “I’d like to thank our Members for the effort that has gone into creating this FTP for the next four years. We are incredibly lucky to have three vibrant formats of the game, with an outstanding programme of ICC global events and strong bilateral and domestic cricket and this FTP is designed to allow all cricket to flourish. “The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that. We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket, but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players.” Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan welcomed the announcement of the FTP. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said: “Afghanistan Cricket Board is delighted to be a major part of the ICC’s Future Tours Program for the next cycle 2023-2027. The increased number of test matches will largely impact the growth of the game itself as well as the players, which is key in terms of our future plans. “We have always admired to be playing against the big nations and according to the new cycle, we are eagerly looking forward to playing some red-ball cricket against them. Bilateral cricket also plays an integral part in technical and financial growth, and we will work with our fellow boards to engage in more bilateral cricket. In addition to the cricket development part these matches will play a vital role in financial stability of ACB in future years.”

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed sadness at the death of former Board of Cricket Control India (BCCI) administrator and ICC Director Amitabh Chaudhary. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “It is sad to hear of the passing of Amitabh Chaudhary. On behalf of the ICC, I extend my deepest condolences to our colleagues at the BCCI as well as his family and friends.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Player workload management, meaningful and exciting bilateral cricket, and preparations for the ICC global events were the cornerstones of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s strategy and philosophy while preparing the men’s Future Tours Programme 2023-2027, which was confirmed and unveiled today. The PCB has scheduled around 238 days of international cricket during the four-year period comprising 27 ICC World Test Championship fixtures (13 home and 14 away), 47 One-Day Internationals (26 home and 21 home) and 56 Twenty20 Internationals (27 home and 29 away). These include matches in the ACC 50-over Asia Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will stage in 2023 and 2025, respectively. The number of matches may increase depending on where Pakistan finishes in the ICC and ACC events between 2023 and 2027, as well as in the 2025 and 2026 three-nation ODI series. The Future Tours Programme is prepared collectively by the ICC Member Boards. As such, the PCB will continue to work with its fellow Members and may include more matches and/or series, depending on the player availability and window for international cricket in the calendar. In the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025, Pakistan will play Tests against Australia (away), Bangladesh (home), England (home), South Africa (away), Sri Lanka (away) and West Indies (home), while their matches in the 2025-2027 championship are against Bangladesh (away), England (away), New Zealand (home), South Africa (home), Sri Lanka (home) and West Indies (away). The three-nation ODI series has returned to Pakistan’s calendar for the first time since 2004-05. New Zealand and South Africa will join Pakistan in the tri-series in 2025, which will take place in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while England and Sri Lanka will participate in the series in October/November 2026. The PCB has scheduled white-ball matches with one-eye on the ICC global events. While Pakistan will host the Asia Cup 2023 and triangular series in February 2025 in the lead up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, respectively, it will play 11 T20Is against the Netherlands, Ireland and England in the build up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be jointly hosted by the United States and the West Indies. Likewise, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan will play Australia in three home T20Is. Apart from Australia, three other sides - Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe - will also play white-ball matches in Pakistan between 2023 and 2027. Pakistan’s FTP 2023-2027 reflects that it will play hosts to 10 out of 12 ICC Full Member nations for the first time in more than two decades. PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain said: “While finalising our Future Tours Programme 2023-2027 in a tight and densely-packed cricket calendar, we have given priority to context, quality and player workload.  We have also tried to find an appropriate balance across all the three formats so that these continue to co-exist meaningfully. “I am sure that our cricket fans will be delighted to know that top-ranked and attractive sides such as Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies will visit Pakistan to compete in matches for the ICC World Test Championship. Additionally, Afghanistan, Australia, Ireland and Zimbabwe will also tour Pakistan for the white-ball matches, which means 10 of the 12 ICC Full Members will play cricket in Pakistan during the four-year period.  This is exciting! “We are also mindful that our sides must be provided with the best preparation opportunities so that they perform strongly in ICC competitions. Accordingly, this has also been an integral part of our strategy around scheduling, as we have scheduled appropriate international matches in the lead up to the ICC events. “Furthermore, and in line with our vision for triangular ODI series to contribute in increasing excitement and attracting greater audiences, we have so far scheduled two tri-series in February 2025 and October/November 2026, involving New Zealand and South Africa, and England and Sri Lanka, respectively. This is also something for the fans to look forward to. “The certainty and clarity around our home bilateral fixtures until 2027 provides us the platform to put together a robust commercial programme, so that we can optimise the exploitation of our commercial rights. This will enable us to hopefully increase our revenues and channel these back into the further development of our cricket, all across from our grassroots talent hunt to our international playing facilities.” Pakistan Men’s Future Tours Programme 2023-2027 (all Test matches count towards the ICC World Test Championships 2023-2025 and 2025-2027) 2023-24 July – Pakistan to Sri Lanka (two Tests) August – Pakistan to Afghanistan (three ODIs) September – ACC 50-over Asia Cup in Pakistan October/November – ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023 December/January – Pakistan to Australia (three Tests) February/March – West Indies in Pakistan (two Tests, three T20Is) May – Pakistan to Netherlands (three T20Is), Ireland (three T20Is) and England (five T20Is) June – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup USA/West Indies 2024 2024-25 August – Bangladesh in Pakistan (two Tests) October – England in Pakistan (three Tests) November – Pakistan to Australia (three ODIs and three T20Is) November/December – Pakistan to Zimbabwe (three ODIs and three T20Is) December/January – Pakistan to South Africa (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is) January – Pakistan to New Zealand (three ODIs and three T20Is) February – New Zealand and South Africa in Pakistan (ODI tri-series) February/March – ICC Champions Trophy Pakistan 2025 May – Bangladesh in Pakistan (three ODIs and three T20Is) 2025-26 July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (three ODIs, three T20Is) August – Afghanistan in Pakistan (three T20Is) August/September – ACC T20 Asia Cup (host/venue TBC) September/October – Ireland in Pakistan (three ODIs, three T20Is) October/November – South Africa in Pakistan (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is) November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three ODIs, three T20Is) February – Australia in Pakistan (three T20Is) February/March – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India/Sri Lanka 2026 March – Australia in Pakistan (three ODIs) March/April – Pakistan to Bangladesh (two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is) April/May – Zimbabwe in Pakistan (three ODIs and three T20Is) 2026-27 July/August – Pakistan to West Indies (two Tests) August/September – Pakistan to England (three Tests) October – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (three T20Is) October/November – England and Sri Lanka in Pakistan (ODI tri-series) November – Sri Lanka in Pakistan (two Tests) March – New Zealand in Pakistan (two Tests) Pakistan Super League (these are tentative windows during the 2023-2027 cycle): January/February 2024 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2024 March-May 2025 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2025 December 2025/January 2026 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2026 January/February 2027 – HBL Pakistan Super League 2027.

Sports Bulletin Report Rotterdam (Holland):-Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 16 runs in the first one day international fixture of the three match series on Tuesday at Rotterdam, Holland. Opener Fakhar Zaman scored his seventh ODI century in his 60th appearance, first in 10 matches, to lift Pakistan to an imposing 314 for six after a slow and cautious start that saw them reach 100 for one in 23 overs. Fast bowlers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Junior then shared seven wickets between them to restrict the hosts for 298-8, despite impressive half-centuries from Vikramjit Singh, Tom Cooper and Scott Edwards. Singh’s 98-ball 65 included five fours, while Cooper struck six fours and two sixes in a 54-ball 65 as the two batters added 97 runs for the fourth wicket. Singh was lucky to be dropped thrice, including on the very first ball of the Netherlands’ innings as Pakistan’s fielders missed a number of run-out opportunities by failing to hit the stumps. Edwards showed resistance towards the latter part of the Netherlands’ chase, remaining unbeaten on 71 off 60 balls including six fours and one six with his fighting effort not enough to haul the home side over the line. Fakhar showed flashes of his brilliance, talent and skills with the willow during a run-a-ball 109 that included 12 scorching fours but only one six. He added 168 runs for the second wicket in an entertaining and exciting second wicket partnership with captain Babar Azam, who was elegant and stylish, as ever, while scoring an 85-ball 74 with six fours and a six. Following the early departure of Imam-ul-Haq (4), Fakhar and Babar consolidated the innings with watchful batting, before unleashing their wide ranging shots in the second half of the innings as the inexperienced Netherlands bowlers ran for cover. While Pakistan scored 214 runs in the last 30 overs, including 99 runs in the last 10 overs, only Bas de Leede was able to keep the Pakistan batters in check. He picked up two wickets for 42 runs and though Logan van Beek also scooped two wickets, he went for 89 runs. Vivian Kingma and Tim Pringle also went for over 60 runs each. Apart from Fakhar and Babar, Shadab Khan joined run-feast when he scored a rapid 28-ball 48 not out with four fours and two sixes. Debutant Salman Ali Agha returned not out on 27 as he added 48 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket in 25 balls with Shadab. Khushdil Shah chipped in with an 18-ball 21. The second match of the series will be played on Thursday, while the final game of the tour will be on Sunday. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 16 runs Pakistan 314-6, 50 overs (Fakhar Zaman 109, Babar Azam 74, Shadab Khan 48 not out, Salman Ali Agha 25 not out, Khushdil Shah 21; Bas de Leeds 2-42, Logan van Beek 2-89) The Netherlands 298-8 (Scott Edwards 71 not out, Vikramjit Singh 65, Tom Cooper 65; Naseem Shah 3-51, Haris Rauf 3-67) Player of the match: Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

Bipin Dani The parents Nishantha De Silva and his house-wife Anusha were "not surprised" when the selectors named their son Raveen De Silva to lead the U-19 team for the tour of England.  "We were not surprised as he was always a leading contender among others. Captaincy is not a strange task for him over the years and he has been on the job in all the age categories in college and also at District and province levels", the father, speaking over the telephone for the SLC office, where he came to drop his son, said on Sunday morning.  "But yes, it was a long awaited dream that has come true. A lot of hard work and commitment he had put into the game finally paid for him. Awarding national captaincy is a great privilege for any player and he deserved the duty. He is a team player so he will get the support of everyone", he added.  Raveen's predecessor, Dunith Wellalage has been playing in the senior team and the new captain's family is also hoping that the history will repeat.  "Most of the time he got the opportunity to play with senior players and that was very helpful to grab useful tips from a younger age. This U-19 England tour is very important for all players because this is the last opportunity they have in their school career and I am sure Raveen will use his previous experience to play to reach the national level". "As parents, we were very delighted when we heard the message and strongly believe that he is capable of doing a great job".  Interestingly, Raveen's elder brother, Avishka, who lives in Melbourne with his wife Samadhi Dissanayake also plays club cricket there. "Avishka played for college in Sri Lanka. He is also a top-order batsman with a useful right-arm off-spinner, the father, who works as a General Manager at Oviklo International - Logistics company, added. 

Sports Bulletin Report MURIDKE:-Central Punjab, Sindh and Southern Punjab began their Women’s Under-19 T20 Tournament 2022 campaign with dominating wins at Muridke Country Club. Eyman and Shawal dominate Central Punjab's run chase in 10-wicket win over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa In the first match of the tournament, Central Punjab bowled out Khyber Pakthunkhwa for a measly 45 with Haleema Azeem Dar and Quratulain taking two wickets each. Captain Shawal Zulfiqar and Eyman Fatima chased down the target with as many as 13 overs remaining. Player of the match Eyman made 27 not out off 26 and Shawal scored 14 not out off 16. Dina Razvi's three for four sets Sindh 10-wicket win over Northern Player of the match Dina Razvi returned three for four in four overs as Northern could muster only 44 for six in 20 overs after being asked to bat. The other wicket-takers in the innings were Anoosha Nasir, Kainat Eman Shah and Emad Adeel. They all took a wicket each. Captain Aroob Shah made 20 not out off 8 and Aliza Sabir struck 19 not out off 14 as Sindh chased down the target in just 21 balls. Javeria Siddique's four-fer records Southern Punjab's 43-run win In the third match of the day, it was player of the match Javeria Siddique's returns of four for 10 that set the match for her side as Balochistan were defeated by 43 runs. Southern Punjab had made 121 for seven after choosing to bat with captain Aqsa Hafeez top-scoring with 29 off 42. Amina Javed and Fakhra Abdullah of Balochistan took two and three wickets respectively. Balochistan in reply were all out for 78 as Javeria starred with the ball. Scores in brief: Central Punjab beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 10 wickets Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 45 all out, 16.2 overs (Haleema Azeem Dar 2-10, Quratulain 2-7) Central Punjab 48-0, 7 overs (Eyman Fatima 27 not out, Shawal Zulfiqar 14 not out) Sindh beat Northern by 10 wickets Northern 44-6, 20 overs (Dina Razvi 3-4) Sindh 45-0, 3.3 overs (Aroob Shah 20 not out) Southern Punjab beat Balochistan by 43 runs Southern Punjab 121-7, 20 overs (Aqsa Hafeez 29; Fakhra Abdullah 3-28, Amina Javed 2-27) Balochistan 78 all out, 18.2 overs (Javeria Siddique 4-10)

BIPIN DANI Team India's batter Surya Kumar Yadav has one more luxurious car parked at his garage in Chembur, a suburb in eastern Mumbai. On Thursday he bought a new Mercedes-Benz GLS-400d model. He already had Audi, Range Rover, which are sold now, and now also possessing BMW, Skoda Superb and Nissan Jeep. "We have delivered this car to him on an auspicious day (Thursday) of Raksha Bandhan", Apurva Antani, the Senior Sales Manager at Metro Autohangar, Chowpatty showroom, speaking exclusively, said. "It is a Diamond White-Colour car and the number plate 7700 denotes his Wedding Anniversary (7/7/)'. "Surya had booked this car last December. He and his wife Devisha Shetty had come to pick it. The same was driven home by Surya". "Both seemed to be a very nice and humble couple". SKY, as the player is affectionately called, has just returned from the USA after playing against the West Indies. Interestingly, India's renowned cricketers-Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Jaspreet Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Dilip Vengsarkar and commentator Harsha Bhogle are the clients of this company, we are told.

Bipin Dani The funeral of the former international umpire Rudi Koertzen, who passed away in a car crash on Tuesday will be held in South Africa on Saturday, the 20th August.  This was revealed by his son Rudi (junior). (It is common in South Africa where the father and son share the same name).   Koertzen was returning home from Cape Town after playing golf when the fatal accident happened. Three others were also killed in both crashes in the early morning hours in Riversdale. Speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said, "It will be a live telecast. Mike Gajjar of Cricket South Africa (CSA) will send the funeral information to all the cricket contacts and to the ICC to spread the word of the YouTuber link for the funeral. There will be a YouTube link sent out to watch the funeral".  Elaborating more about the accident, the son said, "my dad was sitting on the back seat in his white car and his friend (Wouter) was sitting next to the driver in the front seat. Both died at the spot and the driver survived. He is in the hospital and had surgery on Thursday".  "We are getting the body of my father on Saturday (13th August) and it will be kept at Avbob Funeral Home in Uitenhage".  Earlier, the umpire's daughter, Eumelda, speaking to this Reporter, said, "I miss my dad so much, it feels so unreal. He was my everything and now he has gone...I am asking God, Why ? Why ? Why my dad ?".    "The family can only take the consolation that Koertzen didn't have to suffer due to this accident and had immediately passed away. If he was in a wheelchair or something...".