SPECIAL REPORT: Even though they ended up losing, I’m incredibly proud of the way this Pakistan team performed and how close they came to reaching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 final.  In the end it came down to a few lapses in the field because they had put the runs on the board and everyone contributed. They just could not quite get over the line against Australia.  Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first over was incredible. That is becoming an event, everything stops when he has the new ball in his hand. He has been brilliant and builds up pressure because of his consistency, his application and his skill. The best batters in the world feel under pressure when he has that new ball and it is incredible the way he has used it in this tournament.  This team knew they were good enough to perform like this, 12 of the 15 won the Champions Trophy so it was in their muscle memory. That’s why I, along with a lot of people, knew that you could not rule them out.  The tournament did show that Pakistan are still quite new to these sort of match-ups and how teams use data to plan, execute and select their teams. That is an area where I think they can improve, and likewise when it comes to dealing with pressure.  And the last thing, which might have been the key to the semi-final, is about using all 15 players in the squad. Since the warm-ups, Pakistan have stuck with the same XI throughout, whereas there might have been an opportunity to try some other plans, or bring in a top player like Mohammad Wasim Jnr at some point. We saw Australia change things, leaving out Marcus Stoinis at one point then bringing him back and he ended up being the match winner.  It can be good to test a few people just to give yourself options when it comes to the knockout stages.  Australia seem to be peaking at just the right time and the way they have planned and covered all bases for these knockout stages has been really impressive. They knew they needed the extra batting and it won them the semi-final.  What is great about this team is that they were still not at their best, they missed a few chances in the field so they can still improve on this performance which makes them even more dangerous.  I would love to see New Zealand lift the trophy, but I think Australia may have the edge in the final because they have the better balance, particularly with Devon Conway out injured. He has been such a key player for New Zealand and his absence might just swing it Australia’s way. 

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 12, 2021):-The Royal Business Solutions (RBS) Diplomatic Football League 2021-22 Season-5 will kick off next week in the capital city Islamabad, as 11 teams will take part in the prestigious diplomatic football league including defending champions Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia (KSA). League will conclude in March next year. The launching ceremony was held on Friday at a local hotel. The trophy was unveiled on this occasion, as diplomats and countless sports lovers were present on this eve. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Royal Business Solutions (RBS) Adeel Riaz was also present in the wonderful and colourful ceremony. Besides defending champions Saudi Arabia, Thailand A, Thailand B, Gold Stars, Kazakhstan, Japan, Diplomatic, Gerry, Indonesia, Europeans Team, and Malaysian and RBS Diplomats teams will fight for top honours. Diplomats from 27 different countries will be in action during the tournament. The matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday of each week.    Title sponsor of the League were RBS Royal Business Solution, powered by Gerrys , Marriot Hotel Islamabad , Comet Sports, Joshila and  Alamco Duty free. The League is being organized by Mubasher Sanjrani, a former international football player of Pakistan, representing Sanjrani Oxen Enterprises. The previous diplomatic Gerry’s League was won by Saudi Embassy Team after beating in the final Brazilian team.  Adeel Riaz CEO from Royal Business Solutions, David Richard General Manager Marriot hotel and Fahad Jahangir, Head of Customer Care Gerry’s were present on this occasion. During the event all the participating teams uniforms were presented along with their logos and in the end the trophy was unveiled. The  Diplomatic Football League is the only platform that provides a healthy activity and brings people from different parts of the world closer through the lovely game football for a joyful time, especially for diplomatic community residing in Pakistan to shows them the soft image of our country Pakistan.  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 12, 2021):-Abhilasha Bista from Nepal pairing with Goetz Taylor from United States of America (USA) lifted the Girls’ Double title after beating Daria Stefania Malaescu (ROU) and Sharvani Shrestha (NEP) 2-0 in the NBP-PTF International Juniors Tennis Championship at PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad on Friday. The score-line was 6-1 and 6-2. Meanwhile, Abdullah Adnan (PAK) and Abhishek Thorat (USA) set to meet in the final of Boys’ Singles of the ITF Pakistan, NBP-PTF International Juniors Tennis Championship after winning their respective semifinals at same venue. In the Boys' Singles semifinals, Abdullah Adnan ousted top seed Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) in straight sets 2-0 after showing impressive performance, as he will meet Abhishek Thorat (USA) in the final at same venue on Saturday. American guy outclassed Yunes Talawar (IRI) in straight sets in the second semifinal. Results: Boys Singles (Semifinals): Abdullah Adnan (PAK) beat Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) 7-5, 6-0 Abhishek Thorat (USA) beat Yunes Talawar (IRI) 6-1, 6-3 Boys Doubles (Final):  Ahmet Atabay (TUR) / Yunes Takawar (IRI) beat Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) / Aki Zuben Rawat (NEP) 6-0, 3-6 (11-9) Girls Doubles (Final):  Abhilasha Bista (NEP) / Goetz Taylor (USA) beat Daria Stefania Malaescu (ROU) / Sharvani Shrestha (NEP) 6-1, 6-2.

SPECIAL REPORT Dubai (November 11, 2021):-Australia reached in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 after beating Pakistan by five wickets in the second semifinal at Dubai International Stadium Dubai on Thursday night. When David Warner and Glenn Maxwell fell in successive overs from Shadab Khan, the chase of 177 seemed doomed, but Stoinis and Wade had other ideas as they put on 81 in 7.4 overs. Stoinis started the comeback as he went after Haris Rauf, but it was Wade who did the most damage with three consecutive sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi after being dropped by Hasan Ali to seal an unlikely success. Pakistan had made 176 for four batting first thanks to half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, while Shadab Khan’s four for 26 looked to have swung the game their way. But this Australia team has already shown incredible resolve in this tournament and it was the case again here as they dug themselves out of a hole to reach a second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final. It was a remarkable game, with Pakistan batting consultant Matthew Hayden revealing that Rizwan had spent the previous night in hospital with a lung problem, but he was fit to take his place in Dubai as Pakistan were put in to bat. And while he looked very nervous early on, Babar Azam was able to score quickly before Rizwan settled in. He was almost dismissed off Maxwell, a surprise choice to bowl in the powerplay, with Warner racing back but not quite able to take a stunner over his shoulder. The turning point for Rizwan seemed to be the first ball of the fifth over from Josh Hazlewood which he smashed for six over the legside, before being given a second life, Adam Zampa this time putting down a tough chance off the last ball of the powerplay when it was whipped flat down to him at long leg but slipped from his grasp inches from the ground. With 47 for none, Pakistan had their best score of the powerplay in the tournament and Babar continued to press on. But Maxwell and Zampa then managed to stem the flow of runs and that pressure told as Babar tried to take on the latter, picking out Warner on the boundary. Maxwell’s bowling was proving crucial, ensuring that Australia’s fifth bowler would not prove the weak link as he went for just 20 from three overs. Rizwan’s charge was slowed by a vicious short delivery from Mitchell Starc which rattled into the grill on his helmet. He responded by hitting Hazlewood for six before getting to his half-century the next delivery.  In this tournament, Pakistan have been exceptional in the final four overs, and it was no different here as Fakhar finally found his groove, smashing Hazlewood for six over long-on before Rizwan put a high full toss away for four and the resulting free hit into the stands for six. With 21 off that over and 49 off his four, Hazlewood proved expensive. Eventually, Rizwan went for 67, scooping Starc to mid-off, but Fakhar, the only Pakistan batter who had not really fired in this tournament to date, had his eye in. The next ball he smashed Starc miles back over his head before almost taking out umpire Chris Gaffaney with a straight four. Asif Ali had averaged a six every three balls in this tournament, but he could not contribute this time, picking out Steve Smith on the boundary on his first ball, from Pat Cummins. It should have been two in two but Smith put down Fakhar next ball, running in from the boundary as he watched the ball bounce out of his hands.  While Cummins went for just three runs off the 19th over, and Starc removed Shoaib Malik at the start of the last, back-to-back sixes from Fakhar took him to an unbeaten 55 and Pakistan to an imposing 176 for four. Australia’s chase got off to the worst possible start as Shaheen produced one of the overs of the tournament to kick things off. He trapped Aaron Finch leg before off the third delivery, then Mitchell Marsh almost suffered the same fate from a yorker next ball, surviving the review thanks to a pair of umpire’s calls. In the fourth over, Warner started to take a liking to Imad Wasim, and as he and Marsh got going, suddenly Australia were motoring along. By the end of the powerplay, they had 52 for one, the best of any team against Pakistan, but Shadab did for Marsh, a steepling catch well held by Asif as he fell for 28. Mohammad Hafeez was brought into the attack and his first ball gripped in the hand and came out all wrong, bouncing twice before Warner lifted it into the stands, a no-ball rubbing salt into the wounds. Steve Smith became Shadab’s second victim, again trying to attack and finding the fielder in the outfield, Fakhar the safe pair of hands on this occasion. Warner was nearly run out after a misjudged single from Maxwell gave Fakhar a chance with a direct hit. It felt like Warner had the win at his fingertips, while he was there, Australia were favourites. But the ball after the drinks break he went after one from Shadab that went away from him, nicking through to Rizwan. The elation from bowler and keeper as Warner fell for 49 told its own story. Remarkably, a replay appeared to indicate that Warner had missed the ball, but like everyone else, he obviously thought he had hit it, choosing not to review. Shadab was piling on the pressure and he got another, again with the help of some good fielding, as Haris Rauf caught Maxwell with a diving grab in the deep from a reverse sweep as Australia’s most destructive batter departed for seven. It was down to Stoinis and Wade and after another fine over from Shaheen, the equation was 62 from five overs. Stoinis was first to take on the bowlers as targeted Haris, with a huge six over midwicket followed by a four driven straight back past the bowler. The next over it was Wade who stepped into Hasan, hitting him back over his head for six to bring up the fifty partnership as Australia took 15 off the over in all, leaving 22 to get off two. Shaheen returned for the penultimate over and Hasan had the chance to remove Wade, dropping the keeper in the outfield after he did not connect with a heave over midwicket. A ball later, Wade jumped across his stumps and scooped Shaheen for six to take Australia to within touching distance. Scores in Brief Australia beat Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai by five wickets Pakistan 176/4 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 67, Fakhar Zaman 55 not out; Mitchell Starc 2/38, Adam Zampa 1/22) Australia 177/5 in 19 overs (David Warner 49, Matthew Wade 41 not out; Shadab Khan 4/26, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/35) Player of the Match: Matthew Wade (Australia)

SAAD KAYANI Karachi (November 11, 2021):-All-rounder Hayley Matthews produced a stellar performance with bat and ball to spearhead West Indies women’s 37-run win in the low scoring second ODI against Pakistan at the National Stadium Karachi on Thursday. The victory gave West Indies an unassailable two-zero lead in the three-match series with the third and final match scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. The visitors won the first match by 45 runs on Monday. Chasing a 154-run target, Pakistan were bowled out for 116 in 39.2 overs. Omaima Sohail (27) and captain Javeria Khan (24) were the only batters to post a 20 plus score as the West Indies bowlers maintained a stranglehold on the scoring besides chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. Shamilia Connell took three wickets for 18 runs in 9.2 overs, Shakera Selman and Anisa Mohammad took a wicket apiece. Earlier, West Indies were bowled out for 153 in 45.4 overs. Pakistan bowlers and fielders had a brilliant outing after captain Javeria Khan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pacer Fatima Sana who took five wickets in the previous match took two wickets in one over to peg the visitors back in the 12th over. Pakistan got the prized wicket of first match’s centurion Deandra Dottin (34) via a run out with the score at 64 in the 20th over. Pakistan made regular inroads after dismissing Dottin, Fatima was ably supported by Anam Amin and Omaima Sohail who both took two wickets each conceding 21 and 25 runs respectively. Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal took a wicket each, Dottin was the top-scorer for West Indies, Hayley Matthews contributed 26 while Shemaine Campbelle scored an unbeaten 23, captain Stafanie Taylor scored 23 off 46 balls. Scores in Brief: West Indies beat Pakistan by 37 runs West Indies Women 153 all out, 45.4 overs (Deandra Dottin 34, Hayley Matthews 26; Fatima Sana 2-19, Anam Amin 2-21, Omaima Sohail 2-25) Pakistan Women 116 all out, 39.2 overs (Omaima Sohail 27, Javeria Khan 24; Hayley Matthews 4-26, Shamilia Connell 3-18)

Sports Reporter LAHORE (November 11, 2021):-Balochistan’s Imam-ul-Haq scored his first-class career’s best score of 202 not out against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on day two of the fifth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22. The left-handed batter added 92 runs to his overnight score, which propelled Balochistan to 463 for five in 137.5 overs before Imran Butt, who had made 140 yesterday, declared the innings. This was Imam’s second double-century in the format as he bested his unbeaten 200. Imam smashed 16 fours and four sixes in his 390-ball innings and added 172 runs for the third wicket with Haris Sohail, who made 79 (six fours and four sixes). Balochistan had made 329 and lost two wickets at the completion of 100 overs and, as such, gathered three batting points, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa failed to get any point. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 35 for one in 8.4 overs before stumps were drawn. Sahibzada Farhan (24 not out) and Musadiq Ahmed (10 not out) will resume the innings for 2020-21 edition’s joint-winners on Friday. At the Mulan Cricket Stadium, Yousuf Babar’s brilliant maiden century and Azam Khan’s 96-ball 70 helped Southern Punjab stage a recovery and lift them to 346 for seven at the close of play. Southern Punjab had begun the day at 77 for three. Yousuf made 116 not out off 204, hitting 16 fours. He partnered with Azam for 114 runs for the fifth wicket. The solid stand between the two added three batting points to Southern Punjab’s tally after they accumulated six bowling points yesterday. The partnership ended with Azam’s wicket. The wicketkeeper-batter was removed by pacer Aamir Jamal, who also accounted for Zain Abbas and Muhammad Imran. Scores in brief: Balochistan elect to bat against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after winning the toss at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Balochistan 463-5, 137.5 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 202 not out, Imran Butt 140, Haris Sohail 79; Asif Afridi 2-139) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 35-1, 8.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 24 not out, Musadiq Ahmed 10 not out) Innings Points – Balochistan 3, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 0 Toss Uncontested – Southern Punjab choose to field against Northern at Multan Cricket Stadium Northern 163 all out, 56.1 overs (Nasir Nawaz 58, Umar Amin 29, Umar Waheed 21; Ali Usman 3-39, Mohammad Abbas 2-32, Zia-ul-Haq 2-32, Mohammad Ilyas 2-41) Southern Punjab 346-7, 89 overs (Yousuf Babar 116 not out, Azam Khan 70, Imran Rafiq 34, Ali Usman 31 not out, Zia ul Haq 23, Tayyab Tahir 22; Aamir Jamal 3-92, Musa Khan 2-74) Innings Points – Northern 3, Southern Punjab 9

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland (November 11, 2021):- As part of our continued build-up to the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021, we bring you the second of four Pool previews which examines the qualification routes and past form of the teams that will compete at the showpiece event in India. Canada, France, host nation India and Poland all feature in Pool B, with a top two finish being the only way to secure a place in the competition quarter-finals and thus maintain hopes of Junior World Cup glory. Canada How they qualified: Nominated as reserve team (following withdrawal of Australia & New Zealand) Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 16th, 2013 – 16th, 2001 – 16th, 1985 – 12th, 1982 – 8th About the team: With USA taking the first reserve spot due their third-place finish at the Junior Pan American Championships in Santiago (CHI), Canada were awarded second reserve spot by virtue of being the best team in the FIH World Rankings (Seniors) not yet qualified for the competition. Canada were unfortunate to miss out on a medal in Chile, losing the bronze medal match against the USA only by a shoot-out. Jagpreet Singh was a star performer in that competition, scoring four times for his country. Canada have competed in five Junior World Cup competitions, with their best performance being an eighth-place finish in 1982. France How they qualified: 6th Place – EuroHockey Junior Championship Men 2019 Junior World Cup history: 2013 – 2nd, 2011 – 10th, 1985 – 8th, 1979 – 7th About the team: It has been eight years since France stunned the hockey world by claiming the silver medal at the 2013 Men’s Junior World Cup in New Delhi, with their fairy-tale run being ended by Christopher Rühr’s Germany in the final. It was a staggering performance, and after missing the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow (IND), France are back again and dreaming big. A sixth-place finish at the EuroHockey Junior Championships 2019 in Valencia proved just enough for a ticket to their fifth Junior World Cup competition. With the Olympic Games Paris 2024 less than three years away, the French players will all be hoping to force their way into the thoughts of senior men’s head coach Fred Soyez, the man charged with guiding the team into a once-in-a-lifetime home Olympics. India How they qualified: Host nation Junior World Cup history: 2016 – 1st, 2013 – 10th, 2009 – 9th, 2005 – 4th, 2001 – 1st, 1997 – 2nd, 1985 – 5th, 1982 – 5th, 1979 – 5th About the team: Following their wonderful title success at the 2016 Men’s Junior World Cup in Lucknow, reigning champions and competition hosts India have set their sights on retaining their crown at Bhubaneswar’s magnificent Kalinga Stadium. India’s victory in Lucknow – their second Junior World Cup title, adding to the one claimed at the 2001 competition in Hobart, Australia – was a remarkable upturn in form, with the team having only managed a lowest-ever 10th place finish at the 2013 competition in New Delhi. With the senior men’s team having taken bronze at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, doing so with a side containing numerous Junior World Cup champions from 2016, success in Bhubaneswar would only serve to reinforce India’s re-emergence as a global hockey powerhouse. Poland How they qualified: Nominated as reserve team Junior World Cup history: 2009 – 10th, 2005 – 14th About the team: With England withdrawing from the competition due to COVID-19 related complications, their place in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 has been handed to fellow Europeans Poland. It is a fantastic opportunity for the Poles, who will be determined to make a big impression on Indian soil. Poland have featured in two previous editions of the Men’s Junior World Cup, finishing 14th at Rotterdam 2005 and 10th at the 2009 event in Singapore & Malaysia. Known for their structure and wonderful close skills, Poland are more than capable of causing upsets. The opening match of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 will see Belgium facing South Africa on 24 November at the Kalinga Stadium, the outstanding venue which hosted the last FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2018. The competition final will be played on 5 December.

SPECIAL REPORT Dubai (November 11, 2021):-Pakistan set a-177-run target for Australia in the second semifinal of ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 at Dubai International Stadium Dubai on Thursday night. Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf Australia (Playing XIs): Aaron Finch (Captain), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade (Wicketkeeper), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.  Scorecard: Pakistan Batting: Australia Bowling: Australia Batting: Pakistan Bowling:  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 11, 2021):-Besides local guy, Adbullah Adnan, Abhishek Thorat, Yunes Talawar and Aarav Samrat Hada moved into the semifinals of Boys’ Singles of the ITF Pakistan NBP-PTF International Juniors Tennis Championships after ousting their opponents in quarterfinals at PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad on Thursday. In the first quarterfinal Adbullah Adnan of Pakistan outclassed Ahmet Atabay of Turkey in straight sets 2-0 with the score-line of 6-3 and 6-3 after presenting a quality game of tennis. He will take on American lad Abhishek Thorat, who defeated Raza Ghaus without conceding a single game in the second quarterfinal at same clay court. Results: Boys Singles (Quarterfinals): Adbullah Adnan (PAK) beat Ahmet Atabay (TUR) 6-3, 6-3 Abhishek Thorat (USA) beat Raza Ghaus (PAK) 6-0, 6-0 Yunes Talawar(IRI) beat Kohshi Ishibashi (JPN) 6-4, 6-4 Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) beat Nikita Safonov (RUS) 6-3, 7-5 Girls Singles (Semifinals):  Taylor Goetz (USA) beat Olga Sorochkina (RUS) 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 Daria Stefania Malaescu (ROU) beat Ekaterina Suvorova (RUS) 6-1, 6-0 Boys Doubles (Semifinals): Aarav Samrat Hada (NEP) / Aki Zuben Rawat (NEP) beat Jai Dutta (USA) / Abhishek Thorat (USA) 6-1, 6-2 Yunes Talawar (IRI) / Ahmet Atabay (TUR) beat Kohshi Ishibashi (JPN) / Fedor Sosedkin (RUS) 6-1, 6-4 Girl Doubles (Semifinals): Abhilasha Bista (NEP) / Taylor Goetz (USA) beat Amna Ali Qayum (PAK) / Sheeza Sajid (PAK) 6-0, 6-1 Boys Doubles (Quarterfinals): Jai Dutta (USA) / Abhishek Thorat (USA) beat Abdullah Adnan (PAK) / Huzaima Abdul Rehman (PAK) 6-3, 3-6(10-8) Ahmet Atabay (TUR) / Yunes Talawar (IRI) beat Dev Kanbargimath(ROU) / Nikita Safonov (RUS) 7-5, 4-6 (10-6) Girls Doubles (Quarterfinals): Abhilasha Bista (NEP) / Taylor Goetz (USA) beat Zara Khan (PAK) / Fatima Ali Raja (PAK) 6-1, 6-0 Amna Ali Qayum (PAK) / Sheeza Sajid (PAK) beat Yana Ersado (USA) / Zainab Ali Raja(PAK) 6-3, 6-3  Daria Stefania Malaescu (ROU) / Sharvani Shrestha (NEP) beat Zahra Suleman (PAK) / Adivi Sai Harshitaa (IND) 6-3, 6-3 Olga Sorochkina (RUS) / Ekaterina Suvorova (RUS) beat Soha Ali (PAK) / Natalia Zaman(PAK) 6-0, 6-0. Friday’s Fixtures: Boys Singles Semi-Finals:              10:00 am Boys and Girls Doubles Finals:       2:00 pm  

H Shah MANCHESTER (November 11, 2021):-In my capacity as England captain and as a senior player at Yorkshire, I feel compelled to address the current situation that has consumed the sport and YCCC. I just want the sport to be a place where everyone is enjoying it for the beautiful game it is and feels equal and safe. It hurts knowing this has happened at YCCC so close to home. It’s my club that I care passionately about it. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting. There is no debate about racism, no one side or other. It is simply intolerable. These events have fractured our game and torn lives apart. We must now recover and come back together as fans, players, media, and those who work within cricket. We have an opportunity to make the sport I love better for everyone. I want to see change and actions that will see YCCC rise from this with a culture that harnesses a diverse environment with trust across all communities that support cricket in the county. We need to educate, unify and reset. I will reach out to YCCC new Chair, Lord Patel, to offer support however I’m able. We have to find a way to move forward and make sure this never happens again. In my opinion, this is a societal issue and needs addressing further afield than just cricket. That being said, we, as a sport, all have to do more. How can we all help shape things moving forward positively? What can everyone from myself, the ECB, counties, players, officials and others in the sport do to improve the state of the game? I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I think we need to educate more and earlier; we must call it out straight away and have our eyes and ears open more. Inclusivity, diversity and anti-discrimination is something over the past few years the England teams I have been involved in have spent a lot of time talking about and are very passionate about improving and making a big difference. It’s a big part of our culture, and we want to celebrate our diversity. We are representing England, and in that, we are representing the multicultural society we live in. We want all the fans to be able to enjoy what we do on the field and feel proud about who’s representing them. “With the Ashes fast approaching, I’d really like the fans back home to unite and get behind us as a team. We will be playing for you all, “Root said in his statement.