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Upcoming stars: Players to watch out for in their first World Cup
Darcie Brown – Australia
Between March and September of 2021, Darcie Brown made her T20I, ODI and Test debut for Australia and also earned a whole host of fans, particularly in the 50-over format.
In just four one-day matches, Brown has taken nine wickets at an incredible average of 15.11 with two four-wicket hauls.
Her best figures came against India last autumn where she took four for 33 in a player-of-the-match performance.
Fargana Hoque – Bangladesh
Almost 11 years and 37 matches since making her ODI debut for Bangladesh, Fargana Hoque will make her first appearance at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Prior to the pandemic shutting cricket down, Hoque made four scores over 20 in five innings, ending 2019 with a 67 against Pakistan.
As Bangladesh re-emerged on the world stage against Zimbabwe last year, Hoque continued in the same form, contributing 53 not out in the second match of the series.
The right-hander arrives in New Zealand having made 841 runs for Bangladesh and will be looking forward to notching her first at a World Cup.
Kate Cross – England
Kate Cross’s first appearance at a World Cup has been a long time coming, not making the squad for the 2017 edition inspired her to make certain she would be there in 2021.
An injury in the warm-up at the T20 World Cup in 2020 put that in doubt before Covid intervened and since then Cross has thrived.
The right-arm seamer took her first five-fer in ODIs against India last summer in a player-of-the-match performance.
Since then, she has had only one wicketless ODI, but even in that she had an economy of 4.00, and in the first ODI of the women’s Ashes she was England’s best performing bowler with three for 33.
Richa Ghosh – India
Richa Ghosh had amassed 76 runs before she was dismissed in ODI cricket in her second game, and she did so against Australia as they reached the end of a 26-match unbeaten streak.
In the next game where the streak was finally broken, Ghosh scored a duck but had already provided a vital contribution taking the catch to dismiss the dangerous Tahlia McGrath and bring about the collapse of Australia’s tail.
Against New Zealand just prior to the World Cup, the wicket-keeper continued her fine run-scoring form including a 65 that was followed by a knock of 52 off 29 balls, the fastest fifty an Indian woman batter.
Fran Jonas - New Zealand
Fran Jonas won’t even be 18 by the time the World Cup ends but she has already got all the experience she needs to play at a home World Cup.
Jonas has three ODI appearances to her name, and her first international wicket, and she is just following on from her impressive form in New Zealand’s domestic competition.
In 2020, the left-arm finger spinner took three wickets in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final as Auckland Hearts claimed the one-day title.
The next season saw Jonas take 13 wickets as Auckland made the showpiece again and she has picked up six scalps in four matches before the White Ferns and a World Cup debut came calling.
Ghulam Fatima - Pakistan
Ghulam Fatima made her debut during the qualifiers for the 2017 World Cup appearing three times but was not picked for the actual tournament and hasn’t played an ODI since.
But she is back in the fold as Pakistan search for a first World Cup and despite not making it into the final squad for the 2017 edition, Fatima still impressed in green.
The right-arm spinner took six wickets in three matches including best returns of three for 28 against Bangladesh.
It would be fitting for Fatima to make her World Cup debut against South Africa, the same team Pakistan faced when her international career began.
Tazmin Brits – South Africa
South Africa would be forgiven for having Tazmin Brits in their squad as a specialist fielder, the 31-year-old was a Youth World Champion in javelin back in 2007.
An injury in 2012 hampered her hopes of the Olympics but ten years later she will be reaching the pinnacle of another sport.
And she is more than just an excellent thrower, Brits has made 177 runs in her seven ODI appearances for the Proteas including a high score of 48.
Karishma Ramharack – West Indies
Picked as a reserve for the qualifying tournament, Karishma Ramharack will make her World Cup debut as a full member of the West Indies squad.
An economical right-arm off-spinner, Ramharack has made ten appearances in Maroon in one-day internationals.
Across those games, she has taken eight wickets, with best figures of two for 18 against South Africa earlier this year, with the rain stopping her from getting any more.
Ramharack backed that up with another two-wicket haul in the next game and will be hoping to continue the trend when the tournament begins on 4 March with the Windies taking on hosts New Zealand in Tauranga.
FIFTEEN COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WSF WORLD DOUBLES SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIP
Sports Bulletin Report
Glasgow (SCOTLAND):-As many as 15 countries will take part in the WSF World Doubles Squash Championship, scheduled to be held from April 5 to 9 this year 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland.
The championship will feature three events including men’s, women’s and mixed with all of the action taking place at Glasgow Life’s Scotstoun Leisure Centre under the banner of Scottish Squash.
Hosts Scotland will look to recapture the form which saw them win the men’s event in 2016, and they will be joined by Australia, who dominated the 2019 WSF World Doubles on home soil with wins in all three events in Carrara and are the most successful nation ever at the championships.
New Zealand, who have won six events, and England, who won the inaugural men’s event in 1997, will also travel to Glasgow to battle for the prestigious titles. The entry list also includes Hong Kong and India, who hosted the 1997 and 2004 events, respectively.
David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council said:
“We’re delighted to host this fantastic event in our city, and there is no better-suited venue in the country than Scotstoun Leisure Centre. Glasgow is dedicated to attracting world-class events and hosting this event for the first time is yet further recognition of our international status as an international sporting city.
“It’s exciting to see such a wide-ranging list of countries have entered the competition, and we can’t wait to welcome the players, teams and fans to Glasgow.”
Maggie Still, Chief Executive Scottish Squash said:
“With just under six weeks to go until the 2022 WSF World Doubles Championships gets underway, we’re really excited to be able to confirm the nations that will be competing in Glasgow. The 15 nations who will participate span across six continents demonstrating the global sport that we’re lucky to be part of.
“We’re looking forward to being able to confirm the athletes who will represent their nations in the coming weeks and welcome some of the best squash players from across the world to Scotland.”
Names of participating nations:
Australia, Canada, Colombia, England, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Wales
Aleem-Ahsan to umpire in Pakistan-Australia Tests
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI:-ICC Elite panelist Aleem Dar and PCB International panelist Ahsan Raza will be the on-field umpires in all three Tests of the Pakistan versus Australia series, while ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle will lead the Playing Control Team, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced.
Madugalle, the former Sri Lanka captain, is the only match referee to break the 200-match mark as he has to date refereed in 201 Tests. Aleem Dar, the three-time ICC Umpire of the Year, leads the umpires’ pack with 136 matches.
Asif Yaqoob, PCB Umpire of 2020 and 2021, will be the third umpire in the first and third Tests, while Rashid Riaz will be in the TV umpire’s box for the second Test.
Ahsan Raza, Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will share on-field umpires’ responsibilities, while Muhammad Javed Malik will be the match referee for the three ODIs, which will be played on 29 March, 31 March and 2 April in Rawalpindi.
Aleem and Ahsan will reunite for the one-off 5 April T20I and Muhammad Javed Malik will be the match referee.
Umpire and match referee appointments:
4-8 Mar – 1st Test, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Ranjan Madugalle (match referee)
12-16 Mar – 2nd Test, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Ranjan Madugalle (match referee)
21-25 Mar – 3rd Test, Lahore. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Ranjan Madugalle (match referee)
29 Mar – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi. Alem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)
31 Mar – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi. Alem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)
2 April – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi. Alem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)
5 Apr – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)
Visually Impaired Para Archery World Championship: Tenveer reaches in Quarterfinal
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Duo of Pakistani Blind archers Tanveer Ahmed and Waleed Aziz took part in the Para World Archery Para Championship 2022, as Pakistan became the first Asian nation to achieve this honour.
According to an official of Blinds’ Archery, Tanveer Ahmed took 7th while his teammate Waleed Aziz got 8th position in the Para World Archery Para Championship 2022. Tanveer Ahmed defeated Rogers Reas Evans of England by 6-2 in knock out Round while Waleed Aziz lost his match against Spain's Martin Anaya Danial by 6-4. The winner guy Tanveer Ahmed reached into quarterfinal and he will take on Matteo of Italy on February 26, 2022.
Asia Cup 2022: PHF invites 32 players for training camp
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has invited 32 players to join the national training camp, which is scheduled to be kicked off from March 1, 2022 at Lahore.
According to an official of PHF, the players will be trained for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, as the all players are advised to report in the camp on 1st March to manager Kawaja Junaid. Also, trainer Daniel Berry and foreign goalkeeping coach Bob John Weldhoff will be part of the coaching staff. Camp will be organized for one month.
Names of Invited Players:
Goalkeepers (4):
Amjad Ali (Sui Southern Gas), Waqar Ali (WAPDA), Abdullah Ishtiaq (Mari Petroleum), Akmal Hussain (WAPDA),
Defenders (10):
Mubashir Ali (WAPDA), Emad Shakeel Butt (National Bank), Abu Bakar Mahmood (National Bank), Hamad Anjum (WAPDA), Tazeem Al Hassan (WAPDA) ), Rizwan Ali (PAF), Aqeel Ahmed (WAPDA), Mohammad Abdullah (Mari Petroleum), Arbaaz Ahmed (Mari Petroleum), Abdul Manan (Sui Southern Gas)
Midfielders / Forwards (18):
Mohammad Umar Bhatta (WAPDA), Mohammad Azfar Yaqub (Sui Southern Gas), Rana Waheed (WAPDA), Ahmad Nadeem (Mari Petroleum), Ghazanfar Ali (Mari Petroleum), Salman Razzaq (WAPDA), Abdul Rehman (WAPDA), Roman Khan (WAPDA), Hassan Amin (Multan) , Moin Shakeel (WAPDA), Ali Shan (Sui Southern Gas), Junaid Manzoor (National Bank), Afraz (Mari Petroleum), Ejaz Ahmed (WAPDA), Abdul Hanan Shahid (WAPDA), Noheez Zahid Malik (National Bank), Shahzeb Khan (Sindh) and Abu Dhar (National Bank).
Officials:
Khawaja Junaid (Camp manager)
Ahmed Alam (Goalkeeper Coach)
Syed Sameer Hussain, Wasim Ahmed and Ajmal Khan Lodhi (Assistant coaches)
Mohammad Aslam (Physiotherapist).
PBCC finalizes squad for Pakistan-South Africa series
Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has finalized the national squad for home series against South Africa. Nasir Ali will lead the Pakistan team in the most important series of the year 2022. Mohammad Jameel will accompany the squad as a coach while Mohammad Niaz will perform the duty of manager during the series.
Twenty 20 Series (Schedule):
1st T-20 on 5th March at Bagh e Jinnah Lahore
2nd T-20 on 7th March at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
2nd T20 on 8th March at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Names of players:
1. Zafar Iqbal B1
2. Riasat Khan B1
3. Mohammad Shahzaib B1
4. Fakhar Abbas B1
5. Sajid Nawaz B1
6. Nisar Ali (Captain) B2
7. Badar Munir B2
8. Matiullah B2
9. Anees Javed B2
10. Moain Aslam B2
11. Mohammad Rashid B3
12. Faisal Mehmood B3
13. Sanaullah Marwat B3
14. Akmal Hayyat B3
15. Israr ul Hassan B3
Reserve
16. Mohammad Salman B1
17. Shahzaib Haider B2
18. Mohsin Khan B3
Team Officials
19. Mohammad Niaz Manager
20. Mohammad Jameel Coach
21. Tahir Mehmood Butt Trainer
Australian High Commission sponsors Girls School Cricket Cup
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI:-Nasira Public School, Civil Aviation Authority Model School, Karachi Public School, Dawood Public School and Aga Khan Higher Secondary participated in the 2nd AHC-JCA Girls School Cricket Cup, which was organized by the Australian High Commission (AHC) at Jalaluddin Cricket Academy (JCA) in Karachi.
The girls also participated in a five-day coaching clinic before the competition. At the end of the tournament, the special guest, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia Joanna Frederickson distributed prizes among the players and officials, who showed outstanding performance, including the winning team.
"We are delighted to have first class PCB coaches at the five-day coaching clinic, who helped to build confidence, boost team spirit and inspire the girls," said Joanna Frederickson, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia.
Sunil Gavaskar to ring bell at Lucknow
Bipin Dani
Former India captain and a member of the 1983 World Cup winning team Sunil Gavaskar has been given the honour to ring the newly installed bell at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
"The name of Sunil Gavaskar was suggested by the Indian cricket board when we asked for it", Riasat Ali, the director of the UPCA (Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association), speaking exclusively over the telephone said.
"Gavaskar being the senior most player to be present at the ground is the right person we have chosen for the job".
In the history of the Association, this being the first time that the night match (T-20I between India and Sri Lanka) would be inaugurated by ringing of the bell 5-minutes before the game.
There have been such bells at Lord's (London) and Eden Gardens (Kolkata) also.
The bell at Lucknow is made up of brass, we are told.
Mohammad Nawaz rules out of Pak-Australia Test Series
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Mohammad Nawaz ruled out of Pakistan Australia Test series owing to his foot injury, as the three Test-Match series will be started from March 4, 2022 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.
The following is an update on the Pakistan Test side for the Australia Tests:
1-Mohammad Nawaz has been ruled out of the series with a foot injury. He will not be replaced in the side
2-Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed have now been added as traveling reserves. They will only be considered for selection if there is an injury
3-Mohammad Haris has been added to the reserve players list. However, he, along with Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah have been advised to participate in the Pakistan Cup, which commences on 2 March. If required, they will be drafted into the side
4-Test players who attended a training camp in Karachi and those not involved in HBL PSL 2022 playoffs will arrive in Islamabad later tonight. After observing a three-day room isolation, they will hold a training session on 27 February
5-Test players involved in the HBL PSL 2022 playoffs will travel to Islamabad in a bubble on 28 February and will participate in a training session on 1 March
Names of 15-player squad:
Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Zahid Mahmood (Sindh)
Test schedule:
1st Test, Rawalpindi March 4-8
2nd Test, Karachi March 12-16
3rd Test, Lahore March 21-25
Uzbekistan cricket team visit Islamabad on February 26
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-The Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan (CFU) team will likely visit Islamabad at end of this month February to play cricket matches with different teams including Shalimar Cricket Academy in the capital city of Pakistan.
According to an official, the Uzbek cricket team will likely arrive in Islamabad on February 26, 2022 and play four friendly cricket matches against different oppositions. The visit aims to highlight the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan Uzbekistan diplomatic relations.
The Shalimar Cricket Academy will be organizing the matches during the 9-day trip emerging teams to face with CFU’s Senior and Under-19 lads. It will be first international visit of Uzbekistan cricket team since its establishment in 2019.
“We hope the intended friendly matches will attract more cricket fans towards Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan, as the cricket is quite new in Uzbekistan. And, with more people involved in developing this wonderful sport in Uzbekistan, better for all involved parties, “he concluded.
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