Bipin Dani Grant Flower is all set to join Sussex County Cricket Club (SCCC)-now known as Sussex Cricket-as its batting coach. The 51-year-old Flower has experience of coaching several national teams and franchises, viz. Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Sri Lanka. His last stint as batting coach for the Sri Lankan team ended last month. He is one of the foreigners who has not reapplied for coaching in Sri Lanka. "He will be signing Sussex as its batting coach and it will be made public on January 4", one of the sources, said exclusively over the telephone. Interestingly, the Sussex team has two different head coaches for the different formats of the game.  James Kirtley is T-20 head coach and Ian Salisbury is the head coach for the red ball game. Grant Flower's elder brother Andy Flower is named as head coach for the new Lucknow franchise team in the IPL.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (January 4, 2022):-Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been shortlisted in five categories for the PCB Awards 2021, which are held to recognise, appreciated and reward high-performing cricketers in a calendar year. The winners will be announced Thursday, 6 January 2022. The 21-year-old left-arm fast bowler has been nominated in Impactful Performance of the Year, T20I Cricketer of the Year, ODI Cricketer of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year categories by an independent 10-member jury, which comprised former international cricketers, broadcasters and respected members of the media. Shaheen had a stellar 2021 across all formats. In nine Tests, he took 47 wickets and backed up with eight wickets in six ODIs and 23 wickets in 21 T20Is. His three for 31 against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has made him one of the four candidates for the Impactful Performance of the Year award. Run-machine Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Hasan Ali also had a year to celebrate, which is now reflected in their nominations. While Rizwan has earned nominations for the Impactful Performance of the Year, T20I Cricketer of the Year and Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year, Hasan Ali has been shortlisted for the Impactful Performance of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year awards. Babar Azam, Fawad Alam and Haris Rauf have been shortlisted in two categories each. Babar, who won the Most Valuable Cricketer of 2020, has once again been nominated in this category, while his other nomination is in the ODI Cricketer of the Year. Fawad Alam also makes a second successive entry in the Impactful Performance of the Year, while his second nomination is in the Test Cricketer of the Year. Haris Rauf has been shortlisted in the T20I and ODI Cricketer of the Year categories. For the Emerging Cricketer of the Year, Arshad Iqbal, Azam Khan, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shahnawaz Dahani have been shortlisted. Players born on or after 1 August 1998 or have made international debuts in this calendar year or have played in a minimum of 15 matches in the Cricket Association events and HBL PSL in this calendar year are eligible. Player(s) once nominated in this category, cannot be re-nominated. This means Haider Ali and Mohammad Huraira, despite impressive performances, were not considered as they had been shortlisted last year. Nevertheless, Huraira has been grouped with Asif Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan and Tayyab Tahir for the Domestic Cricketer of the Year award, while Aliya Riaz, who won the award last year, has been shortlisted along with Anam Amin, Fatima and Nida Dar are in contention to win the Women’s Cricketer of the Year award. SHORTLISTS: Domestic Cricketer of the Year: : Asif Afridi (59 wickets in Pakistan Cup, National T20 and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy)  Iftikhar Ahmed (1,456 runs in Pakistan Cup, National T20 and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy) Mohammad Huraira (986 runs in his debut Quaid-e-Azam Trophy) Sahibzada Farhan (1869 runs in Pakistan Cup, National T20 and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy)  Tayyab Tahir (1,670 runs in Pakistan Cup, National T20 and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Emerging Cricketer of the Year (Players born on or after 1 August 1998 or have made international debuts in this calendar year or have played in a minimum of 15 matches in the Cricket Association events and HBL PSL in this calendar year are eligible. Player(s) once nominated in this category, cannot be re-nominated).  Arshad Iqbal  Azam Khan Mohammad Wasim Jnr Shahnawaz Dahani Women’s Cricketer of the Year  Aliya Riaz (11 ODIs, 382 runs; 6 T20Is, 94 runs; 364 runs in Pakistan Women’s Cup) Anam Amin (9 ODIs, 15 wickets; 6 T20Is, 7 wickets) Fatima Sana (13 ODIs, 20 wickets; 3 T20Is, 4 wickets; 6 wickets in Pakistan Women’s Cup) Nida Dar (10 ODIs, 363 runs and 6 wickets; 6 T20Is, 95 runs and 7 wickets; 146 runs and 14 wickets in Pakistan Women’s Cup) Impactful performance of the year Fawad Alam (109 v SA, 1st Test) Hasan Ali (10-114 v SA, 2nd Test) Mohammad Rizwan (79* v India, T20 World Cup) Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-31 v India, T20 World Cup) T20I Cricketer of the Year Haris Rauf (23 T20Is, 25 wickets) Mohammad Rizwan (29 T20Is, 1,326 runs) Shadab Khan (18 T20Is, 20 wickets, Eco. 6.64) Shaheen Shah Afridi (21 T20Is, 23 wickets. Eco. 7.86) ODI Cricketer of the Year Babar Azam (6 ODIs, 405 runs) Fakhar Zaman (6 ODIs, 365 runs) Haris Rauf (6 ODIs, 13 wickets) Shaheen Shah Afridi (6 ODIs, 8 wickets) Test Cricketer of the Year Abid Ali (9 Tests, 695 runs) Fawad Alam (9 Tests, 571 runs) Hasan Ali (9 Tests, 41 wickets) Shaheen Shah Afridi (9 tests, 47 wickets) Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year Babar Azam (8 Tests, 416 runs; 6 ODIs, 405 runs; 29 T20Is, 939 runs) Hasan Ali (8 tests, 41 wickets; 4 ODIs, 7 wickets; 18 T20Is, 25 wickets) Mohammad Rizwan (9 Tests, 455 runs; 6 ODIs, 134 runs; 29 T20Is, 1,326 runs; total dismissal 56) Shaheen Shah Afridi (9 Tests, 47 wickets; 6 ODIs, 8 wickets; 21 T20Is, 23 wickets)

Sports Bulletin Report Mount Maunganui, New Zealand (January 4, 2022):-Hosts New Zealand are still in 17 runs deficit, as Bangladeshi pacer Ebadot Hossain (4 for 17), a magical piece of bowling help his side to control the Test at the end of fourth days game at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on Tuesday. Hosts were 147 for five at the close of day. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Bangladesh, elected to field first Day-3 (New Zealand vs Bangladesh): New Zealand Batting (First Innings): 328 all out in 108.1 overs Devon Conway 122 (227 balls, 4X16, 6X1), Ross Taylor 31 (64 balls 4X5), Henry Nicholls 75 (127 balls 4X12). Bangladesh Bowling (First Innings): Shoriful Islam (3 for 69), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3 for 86), Mominul Haque (2 for 6). BANGLADESH Batting (First Innings): 458 all out Liton Das 86 (177 balls 4X10), Mominul Haque 88 (244 balls 4X12), Mahmudul Hasan Joy 78 (228 balls, 4X7). New Zealand Bowling (First Innings): Trent Boult (4 for 85), Neil Wagner (3 for 101), Tim Southee (2 for 114) New Zealand Batting (Second innings):- 147 for 5 in 63 overs Will Young 69 (172 balls 4X7), Ross Taylor 37 not out (101 balls 4X2) Bangladesh Bowling (Second Innings): Taskin Ahmed (1 for 22), Ebadot Hossain (4 for 17).  

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) Brain Centre has been closed; it is learnt.  According to highly placed sources close to the Centre, three people working there were found Covid-19 positives and the authorities had no option to close it at least for a week. One among the three cases of corona positive cases is the Center coordinator Sampath Hettiarachchige, who has also worked with the national cricketers. "He has been hospitalized and is recovering well", the source added. The other sad news is : Hashan Tillakaratne, the women's team coach too, was tested positive just six days before the Malaysia tour. He is set to miss Sri Lanka's women's team tour for the Commonwealth Games Qualifier tournament. He is set to be replaced by Lanka Silva as coach.

KARACHI (Sports Bulletin Report):-President,  Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Lt Gen Arif Hasan, who is also chief of the Commonwealth Games Association of Pakistan, viewed off that the warm reception accorded to the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton, which arrived in the city for the first time would help to display the positive image of the country across the world. "An overwhelming turn-out of the citizens at Queens Baton Relay receptions in Karachi is a testimony to the fact that Pakistan's is a sports-loving nation and it will help us restore and host international sporting events in the country which in turn would promote peace and harmony in the society. He was speaking at a reception hosted by Queens Baton Relay Organising Committee Chairperson Fatima Lakhani to celebrate the successful holding of the QBR handing over events in the city. POA Secretary-General Mohammad Khalid Mehmood, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammad Jahangir, Organising Committee Deputy Chairman Syed Waseem Hashmi, Secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput, Tehmina Asif, Veena Masood, Nargis Rahimtoola, Asif Azim, Parvez Ahmed, Col Nasir, Imtiaz Ahmed and Asghar Baloch among other sports dignitaries and organizers attended this grand reception. Gen Arif Hassan further said that the participation of squash legend Jahangir Khan, hockey great Hasan Sardar and other sports greats including Inam But, Arshad Nadeem, Talha Talib, and Haider Ali added warmth and dignity to the QBR receptions as these are our national heroes and people love to follow them in words and deeds. Gen Arif Hasan was all praise for the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, security apparatus of the province, the British Deputy High Commissioner Martin Dawson, Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Karachi Grammar School Administrator, Sindh Madressatul Islam VC Dr Mujeebuddin Memon, and all other dignitaries and sports personalities and last but not the least the citizens of Karachi who were part of the warm reception of QBR. Later souvenirs were distributed among the organising committee members by Gen Arif Hassan. Also, special gifts were given away to all participants of the reception on behalf of Fatima Lakhani and Syed Waseem Hashmi on this occasion.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (January 4, 2022):-In what was another boost for the HBL Pakistan Super League, Trans Group International today submitted the highest bid, pursuant to a public tender process, for the brand partnership rights for a four-year-term, beginning in 2022 and stretching till 2025. The brand partnership rights were divided into two categories: seven category rights and one umpire sponsorship rights. In a highly competitive bidding process, Trans Group International submitted their bids for category rights and umpire sponsorship rights at mammoth increase of 219 and 168 per cent from the last deals. PCB Chief Operating Officer and Bid Committee Chair Salman Naseer: “Trans Group International has been a supporter of HBL Pakistan Super League since its inception and I am thankful for the continuation of their immense support to the brand. “Such substantial increase in the brand partnership rights highlights how big the brand of the HBL Pakistan Super League has become and I am sure the Pakistan cricket fans will enjoy the upcoming edition.” Trans Group International Director Rao Omar Hashim Khan: “The HBL Pakistan Super League is arguably the biggest brand in Pakistan and it brings together all Pakistanis. We are proud to be once again partnering with the Pakistan Cricket Board for one of the most successful and exciting cricket leagues in the world. Our unwavering support for Pakistan Cricket knows no bounds.” Earlier, a consortium of ARY and PTV submitted the bid for TV broadcast rights in Pakistan at an increase of 50 per cent, while Daraz submitted the bid for live-streaming in the country at a rise of 175 per cent from the last deal. The seventh edition of HBL Pakistan Super League will kick off at Karachi’s National Stadium on 27 January when defending champions Multan Sultans play 2020 edition’s winners Karachi Kings. The event will conclude in Lahore on 27 February with the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’s home of cricket.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The ICC Under- 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is now only two weeks away – and excitement and anticipation towards the prestigious event is rapidly building. Since the tournament became a bi-annual affair in 1998, we have seen some of the great modern day cricketers participate – while the first ever competition in 1988 introduced us to a series of cricketing legends. Here, we look at some of the biggest names who have taken part in this global cricketing showpiece over the years, with a player in this month’s ICC U19 Men’s CWC may well also being set to become that next superstar to take cricket by storm. 1988 The 1988 competition was the first of its kind and welcomed the likes of Brian Lara, Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton and Sanath Jayasuriya to the cricketing world as Australian claimed the title. Lara captained the West Indies, who were defeated in the semi-finals by Pakistan, scoring 222 runs in the tournament, including a vital 64 against New Zealand. Pakistan themselves boasted the likes of former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who went on to captain Pakistan and score over 20,000 runs in international cricket, and Mushtaq Ahmed who was the top wicket-taker at the tournament after snaring 19 victims. 1998 Ten years after the ICC U19 Men’s CWC’s inauguration, the 1998 tournament in South Africa showcased some more incredible West Indian talent. Chris Gayle was the top run scorer in the tournament with 364 runs, while Ramnaresh Sarwan was the joint-top wicket-taker with 16 alongside Zimbabwean Mluleki Nkala. Gayle in particular went on to have a stellar career in all formats of the game, scoring 25 one-day international centuries and playing over 100 Test Matches. 2000 The 2000 tournament in Sri Lanka saw India claim their first title and introduced the likes of Graeme Smith and Yuvraj Singh to the watching cricketing world. Singh was named Player of the Tournament, taking 12 wickets and scoring 203 runs as India beat hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets. Smith was the most prolific batter in the tournament with 348 runs, laying the foundations for an unforgettable career as he racked up 27 Test Match centuries at the top of the South African order. 2002 The 2002 tournament was played in New Zealand and saw Australia claim victory over South Africa in the final. Future Australia ace Cameron White top scored with 423 runs, while Hashim Amla – who went on to score over 50 international centuries – was in the South African side that finished second. The 2002 tournament also saw Ross Taylor for the first time, another star who went on to become an integral part of New Zealand’s team across all three formats. 2004 Bangladesh hosted the 2004 tournament, which saw Pakistan claim their first title by beating the West Indies in the final. Shikhar Dhawan was the top scorer with 505 runs, in a tournament which showcased his talent that the whole world would go on to see for many years after. He was not the only future big Indian name in that side, however, as Suresh Raina also featured before becoming a key player for India in white-ball cricket. Two future England captains also participated in this series as Alastair Cook captained England to the semi-finals – where they fell to a Denesh Ramdin-inspired West Indies side – while Eoin Morgan made his first appearance for Ireland in the 2004 competition. 2006 Pakistan went on to claim a second title in Colombo against their bitter rivals India in a competition that saw Eoin Morgan set the record for most runs scored overall in the ICC U19 Men’s CWC. And three more major Indian names were part of the side that reached the final, as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja all announced themselves on the world stage. Jadeja took three wickets in the final, while rock-solid batter Pujara was named the Player of the Tournament with 349 runs. 2008 Malaysia hosted the 2008 competition, which saw India claim the title over South Africa in the final captained by a certain Virat Kohli. It is no surprise looking back that Kohli led India to the title given everything he’s achieved since, accumulating a batting average of above 50 in all three formats with 27 Test centuries and 43 more in ODIs. Tim Southee was named Player of the Tournament with 19 wickets, functioning as a precursor for the seamer’s glittering international career for New Zealand. 2010 Australia defeated Pakistan in 2010 but looking back, this was an edition of the ICC U19 Men’s CWC that introduced the cricketing world to some of England’s finest players. Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jos Buttler all played in this competition, all of whom would go on to form part of the England side who thrillingly toppled New Zealand in a Super Over to lift the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019. Josh Hazlewood was a part of the winning Australian side – taking four wickets in the final in an Australian side captained by Mitchell Marsh – while Babar Azam opened the batting for Pakistan and KL Rahul also featured for India. 2012 India clinched another title in 2012 in a tournament that announced the likes of Australian batter Travis Head to the world, who has since gone on to represent Australia at both Test and ODI level. Head recently scored a hundred against England in the current Ashes series while in the bowling department, left-arm seamer Reece Topley was the top wicket-taker after dismissing 19 victims. 2014 South Africa claimed the 2014 series, held in the UAE as their captain Aiden Markram went on to collect the Player of the Tournament award. Markram, who hit a match-winning 66 not out in the final against Pakistan, scored 370 runs across the tournament before going on to represent South Africa in all three formats. Seamer Kagiso Rabada was also a part of the Proteas side who lifted the trophy, before going on to take over 200 Test Match wickets at a stunning average of just 22.54. 2016 West Indies took the title in 2016 in a competition that saw the likes of Rishabh Pant for the first time on the international stage. Pant has gone on to become one of the most explosive players in the modern game, but he was unable to negotiate a West Indian attack led by Alzarri Joseph in the final – who has since gone on to be a key source of wickets for his country. It was also the first time the cricketing world were introduced to Sam Curran, whose left-arm seam deliveries have taken many wickets in an England shirt across all three formats. 2018 India again took the 2008 title, this time from Australia, but it is a Pakistani bowler who is best remembered for coming through this competition.  Shaheen Afridi, 21, one of the bright young stars of the modern day, has already played in almost 100 international matches for Pakistan and averages fewer than 25 in all three formats. And Indian batter Shubman Gill also starred at the 2018 edition of the competition, being named Player of the Tournament after scoring an impressive 372 runs. 2020 Bangladesh are the holders of the competition heading into this year’s ICC U19 Men’s CWC after they beat India in the final in South Africa. Akbar Ali was named Player of the Match, while Indian Yashasvi Jaiswal was the crowned Player of the Tournament after scoring 400 runs and taking three wickets. The ICC U19 Men’s CWC boasts a long-established history of nurturing the game’s brightest talent – who will be the next stars to burst onto the scene when the 2022 showpiece gets underway in the West Indies this month?

Johannesburg, South Africa (Sports Bulletin Report):- South African pacers Marco Jansen (4 for 31), Kagiso Rabada (3 for 64) and Duanne Olivier (3 for 64) restricted India on a meager total of 202 runs in their first innings of the 2nd Test match of the series at Wanderers Cricket Stadium, Johannesburg South Africa on Monday. Hosts were 35 fo1 at the close of play Day-1. Elgar and Petersen were not out at 11 and 14 with runs respectively. Earlier, India won the toss and decided to bat first. Top Indian batter Virat Kohli ruled out on the morning and Rahul took the captaincy. Duanne Olivier and Marco Jansen dented the visitors batting line at the earlier stage of the match and with the help of Rabada bundled on a too little total of 202. Rahul's masterful 50 held the top half together, even as wickets fell at the other end, and then R Ashwin's 46 led the way as the lower order pushed the score beyond 200. But none of the partnerships India strung together were allowed to take root, chiefly due to Jansen. Summarized Scorecard: India Batting (First Innings): 202 all out in 63.1 overs KL Rahul 50 (133 balls 4X9), Ravichandran Ashwin 46 (50 ball 4X6), Mohammed Shami 9 (12 balls 4X1) South Africa Bowling: Marco Jansen (4 for 31), Kagiso Rabada (3 for 64), Duanne Olivier (3 for 64) South Africa Batting (First Innings): Dean Elgar 11 not out (57 balls 4X1), Petersen 14 (39 balls 4X2), Aiden Markram 7 (12 4X1). Indian Bowling (First Innings): Mohammad Shami (1 for 15).

Ayaz Raza Afridi PESHAWAR (January 3, 2022):-Pakistan Army claimed the Men’s title with 7 gold while WAPDA lifted the women’s title with 6 gold medals in the 27th Men's and 10th Women's National Judo Championships that held Lala Rafique Sports Arena Peshawar on Monday. Pakistan Army grabbed seven gold medals and one silver medal in the individual event of the Men while HEC claimed two golds, two silvers and two bronze medals, WAPDA won one gold and three bronze medals and Navy came at fourth with two silver and three bronze medals. Balochistan won two silver and one bronze medal at 5th, Railways and Punjab got 6th position while KP-A of the merged areas took seventh positon and, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took 8th, Police got 9th, Islamabad, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan remained 10th position. Pakistan WAPDA won six gold medals Pakistan Army with two gold and two silver medals in the 10th Women event by taking the trophy, Punjab with three silver and three bronze medals took third position, HEC with three silver and two bronze medals got fourth position, Navy with four bronze medals, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with three silver and sixth bronze medals took sixth positon and, Balochistan got seventh, KP-A took eighth, Azad Jammu and Kashmir ninth, Gilgit-Baltistan, Police, Islamabad, Railways and Sindh 10th position. Sabir Hussain of Army in -50kg, -55kg Akbar of Army, Akash of HEC in 60kg'-Hasnain of Army in 66kg'-Muhammad Asif of Army in 73kg'-Haseeb of HEC in 81kg Mustafa - Abbas of Army in 90kg, Qaiser of WAPDA in 100kg, Shah Hussain Shah of Army in more than 100kg and Shah Hussain Shah of Army won gold medal in open category. Hijratullah of KP in 81kg and Nadeem of KP in 90kg won bronze medals in women's competitions. Manahil Iftikhar of Army in 48kg' - Wapda's Shumaila in 52kg class' Wapda's Humaira in 57kg '-Wapda's Sonam in 63kg' Wapda's Banish Khan won gold medal in the category 'Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the bronze medal in the 44kg class by Asifa Noor' In the mixed event, the competition was thrilling. Director General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khalid Khan was the chief guest on this occasion who also witnessed the team championship final. President Pakistan Judo Federation Col (retd) Junaid Alam, Vice President Pakistan Judo Federation Masood Ahmad, District Sports Officer Tehseen Ullah, Administrator Peshawar Sports Complex Syed Jaffar Shah, Director Development Saleem Raza, Deputy Director Sports Aziz Ullah Jan, officials, players and spectators were also present during the prizes distribution ceremony.  

Islamabad (Sports Reporter):-Shifa International Hospitals Islamabad beat United Star Cricket Club Rawalpindi by 8 wickets in the friendly Cricket match here at XI Star Cricket Ground Islamabad. United Star Captain won the toss and elected to bat first, United Star bowled out for 183 in the 29th overs, Ihtesham (35), Zeeshan (22), Sajid (17) and Naeem (15) were the key contributors. Shifa International Shahzad Kiani (3 for 21), Riffat Nisham (2 for18), Abrar Ikhlaq (2 for 38), Mohammad Naseer (1 for 08), Azmat Bashir (1 for 21) and Syed Mudassar Ahmad Bukhari (1 for 24) were the other main wicket-takers. In reply, Shifa International achieved the target in the 18th over for the loss of two wickets. Azmat Bashir and Nasir Mehmood contributed 121 runs in 3rd wicket partnership. All-rounder Azmat Bashir fine half century 91 not out runs 48 balls with 1 six and 14 Fours, Master Blaster Nasir Mehmood hit a fast half century 50 runs 23 balls with 1 six and 6 fours, while Aamir Kiani 18 and Captain Qutab Uddin Qureshi 6 were their leading run-getters.