SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland (October 25, 2021):-The FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup bursts into vibrant life in Bhubaneswar, India in just a few days time. The event, featuring many of the world’s best junior players from 16 nations, takes place in the Kalinga Stadium, where many a dramatic hockey event has been played out. Names that have gone onto achieve greatness on the international senior stage have made their entrance via the Junior World Cup. Germany’s Christopher Ruhr first made his goalscoring prowess known at the 2013 Junior World Cup where he was top scorer and Germany took gold. In 2016, India were gold medallists on home soil in Lucknow. The newly crowned FIH Player of the Year Harmanpreet Singh was an instrumental part of that team. World Cup winners in 2018 and  Olympic gold medallists from Tokyo 2020 Arthur de Sloover, Victor Wegnez and Antoine Kina were all part of the silver medal-winning Belgium team in Lucknow. At this year’s event, reigning champions India FIH World Ranking: 5) and silver medallists Belgium (WR:2) are joined by Germany, Spain, Netherlands (WR:3), France, Poland (WR:26), South Africa (WR:14), Egypt (WR:21), Chile (WR:28), Argentina (WR:4), Pakistan (WR:17), Malaysia (WR:11), Korea (WR:16), USA (WR:24) and Canada (WR:10). For the host nation, this Junior World Cup could not come at a better time. Bronze at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, alongside a fourth place for the women’s national team has raised excitement around the sport to fever pitch in the hockey mad country. Yashdeep Siwach is just one of a number of players hungry to retain the title. Germany won the EuroHockey Junior Championship Men in 2019 with a side that contained many athletes who have now tasted Olympic hockey with the senior team. Expect players such as Alexander Stadler and Linus Müller to tap into all that experience as they push for a seventh title. Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and France finished in third, fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively at the EuroHockey Junior Championships. For the Dutch team, a win in Bhubaneswar would end a long wait for a gold medal, while the Belgium team will be hoping to emulate the senior men with a first title. Spain’s highest finish from 11 appearances at the Junior World Cup is a bronze in 2005, while France stunned the world in 2013 when they won silver, a feat they would love to repeat, particularly with Paris 2024 just around the corner. Poland entered the fray after England withdrew due to Covid-19 related complications. The Polish team last competed at the Junior World Cup in 2009 and will be grasping this unexpected opportunity to show their skills on the international stage. Egypt and South Africa were both nominated by the African Hockey Federation after the Men’s Junior Africa Cup 2019 was cancelled due to Covid-19 complications. The nominations were based on the results of the 2016 Junior Africa Cup. Egypt are perennial qualifiers for the Junior World Cup, with their most recent – Lucknow 2016 – producing their best finish (10th). South Africa’s captain Guy Morgan, is hoping his team can turn heads in the same way that the senior men’s team did in Tokyo. The Pan American Hockey Federation quartet has some history makers, some late minute opportunists and some title contenders in their number. Both USA and Canada were nominated as reserve teams and so were able to take their places when Australia and New Zealand withdrew due to Covid-related international travel restrictions in those two countries. USA are coached by USA all-time great Pat Harris, so expect a well-prepared team despite the late entry. Canada have the highly skilled Jagpreet Singh in the squad – a player capable of shining even on this elite stage. Chile men won the Junior Pan American Championship for the first time in their history, breaking Argentina’s hold on the competition. The Chile team, with ace goal scorer Andres Pizarro in their midst will go to India high in confidence. Argentina won gold in Rotterdam 2005 and were fifth in Lucknow. The loss to Chile in the continental qualifier may well act as a motivating factor for the young lions. Pakistan, Malaysia and Korea all enter the tournament in Lucknow after being nominated by the Asian Hockey Federation. Pakistan have a proud history at this event, winning the inaugural Junior World Cup and finishing on the podium in each of the first five editions. Since those heady days, Pakistan has not achieved so highly since but, with the players’ mercurial skills and resilience, they can never be written off. The 2023 hosts, Malaysia and Korea are both regular participants at the Junior World Cup. Malaysia has competed in 10 of the 11 editions, while Korea have appeared eight times. Both teams would need a best ever performance to get onto the podium, but both sides have skilful and speedy players and cannot be underestimated. The FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup starts on 24 November when Belgium face South Africa in the opening match of the competition.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (October 25, 2021):-In the recently concluded Group B, Super 12 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Sunday in Sharjah, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara and Bangladeshi batter Liton Das Kumar were both fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Lahiru Kumara of Sri Lanka clashes with Liton Das of Bangladesh following the wicket during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. In the recently concluded Group B, Super 12 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Sunday in Sharjah, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara and Bangladeshi batter Liton Das Kumar were both fined for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Kumara was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” Das was found guilty of breaching Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game’. The incident occurred in the fifth over after the dismissal of batter Litton Kumar Das in the Bangladesh innings. After he dismissed the batter Das, Lahiru Kumara walked towards him using actions and words which provoked an aggressive reaction from the batter. Having been provoked by the bowler Kumara, Das reacted aggressively and in a manner which was contrary to the spirit of cricket. Kumara was fined 25% of his match fee and received 1 demerit point. Das was fined 15% of his match fee and received 1 demerit point. Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions, which were ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations. Kumara and Das both pleaded guilty to the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Adrian Holdstock, 3rd umpire Michael Gough and 4th umpire Rod Tucker. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

H Shah MANCHESTER (October 25, 2021):-Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes has been added to the England Men's Test squad for the Ashes tour of Australia. Stokes, who has been given the all-clear by his consultant and the ECB medical team to resume training following his second operation on a fractured left index finger, will depart with the Test specialists and the Lions on 4 November. The 30-year-old is ready to return to competitive cricket following his break from the game at the end of July to prioritise his mental wellbeing. “I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted,” said Stokes. “I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia.” Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Ashley Giles, added: "Following a very successful operation on his finger and several conversations over the last few weeks between Ben and I, our medical staff and his management team, Ben called me to say he was ready to return to cricket and was excited about the prospect of playing a significant role in the Ashes series. "Time and time again, Ben has demonstrated how important he is to the England team and having him available for the Ashes series is excellent news for all of us and, in particular, Chris (Silverwood), Joe (Root) and the rest of the players. "Having not played for some time, we will move forward cautiously over the next few weeks to ensure he is fully prepared across all facets of his game. "Ahead of a very busy period of cricket, we continue to remain mindful of the stresses on all our personnel, and our primary focus continues to be the wellbeing of all of our players and support staff." England Men's Test Squad - Ashes Tour of Australia 2021-22: Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain James Anderson (Lancashire) Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire) Dom Bess (Yorkshire) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) Rory Burns (Surrey) Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Zak Crawley (Kent) Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire) Dan Lawrence (Essex) Jack Leach (Somerset) Dawid Malan (Yorkshire) Craig Overton (Somerset) Ollie Pope (Surrey) Ollie Robinson (Sussex) Ben Stokes (Durham) Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) Mark Wood (Durham) England's Ashes tour of Australia 2021-22 Itinerary (subject to change): 8-12 December: 1st Test, Australia v England, Gabba, Brisbane 16-20 December: 2nd Test, Australia v England (D/N), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 26-30 December: 3rd Test, Australia v England, MCG, Melbourne January 2022 5-9 January: 4th Test, Australia v England, SCG, Sydney 14-18 January: 5th Test, Australia v England, Optus Stadium, Perth

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 24, 2021):-Pakistani trio, Shaheen Shah Afridi (3 for 31), Mohammad Rizwan (79 not out and Babar Azam (68 not out) neutralize the Indian weapons Virat Koli, Rohit Sharma and Rsihbah Pant to claim historical victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday night. Afridi starred with the ball as his spell of three for 31 – bolstered by Hasan Ali’s two for 44 – decimated the Indian top order and helped restrict Virat Kohli’s team to 151 for seven. And despite Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja all spearheading a star-studded Indian attack, Babar (68 not out) and wicketkeeper Rizwan (79 not out) delivered a run-chasing masterclass to inflict a first ever T20 ten-wicket defeat on India. Babar inserted the Indians after winning the toss and with the atmosphere at fever pitch by the time Afridi steamed in for the first delivery, the skilful left-arm seamer got Pakistan off to a flyer. He trapped the dangerous Rohit Sharma lbw with just the fourth ball of the match as his menacing, full and straight thunderbolt pinned the Indian opener on the crease. That brought Kohli – and his stunning T20I average of 52.65 – to the middle but the Indian captain’s arrival did little to halt the rampant Afridi juggernaut. The 21-year-old carried on where he left off in his second over as his sumptuous in-swinger proved too good for KL Rahul and bowled him through the gate. The Indian top order rallied, however, with Suryakumar Yadav and Kohli pummelling two sixes in quick succession to extend a gripping opening period. But Yadav soon followed Sharma and Rahul back to the pavilion as a fine diving catch by Rizwan – off the bowling of Hasan – had the Indians reeling at 31 for three. Rishabh Pant led the Indian recovery as his enterprising innings of 39 – including two extraordinary one-handed sixes – helped steer Ravi Shastri’s side towards a defendable-looking total. But with the left-hander motoring in the 13th over – and Kohli on a run-a-ball 29 at the other end – he succumbed to the leg spin of Shadab Khan as the Pakistan all-rounder held on to a steepler off his own bowling. Kohli continued to keep things ticking with an intelligent middle-over innings as a steady stream of boundaries, coupled with some masterful manoeuvring, maintained India’s momentum and brought up his perfectly-judged 50. But Pakistan then regained the initiative as Jadeja (13) was caught in the deep off Hasan and Kohli, who made 57 off 49 balls, was finally dismissed by the returning left-arm pace of Afridi. And Hardik Pandya – hailed by Kohli for his finishing abilities before the match – soon followed his skipper in departing as he was caught by Babar off the bowling of Haris Rauf to leave India on 151 for seven at the interval. Rizwan wasted no time kickstarting the Pakistan reply as he swatted Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a four and six in the very first over. And with captain Babar’s cover drive functioning in typically-fluent – and aesthetically-pleasing – fashion at the other end, the 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions had soon laid the foundations for a crack at India’s total in the blink of an eye. With Pakistan on 43 for nought at the end of the powerplay, Kohli introduced the left-arm spin of Jadeja to initiate what felt like a crucial spell in the dynamic of the contest. But Rizwan and Babar continued to masterfully navigate their way through the chase, with the skipper clubbing Jadeja for a monstrous six off the back foot before Rizwan survived a run-out opportunity at the non-striker’s end. India continued to search for a breakthrough but Babar and Rizwan repelled all Kohli threw at them to leave 17 more runs required from the final three overs. And they finished the job in style, with Rizwan launching Shami for two fours and a six to fire his side to victory and cap a historic day for Pakistani cricket at the Dubai International Stadium. Scores in Brief Pakistan beat India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, by 10 wickets India 151/7 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 57, Rishabh Pant 39; Shaheen Afridi 3/31, Hasan Ali 2/44) Pakistan 152/0 in 17.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 79 not out, Babar Azam 68 not out; Ravindra Jadeja 0/28, Jasprit Bumrah 0/22) Player of the Match: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

Report:-ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad (October 24, 2021):-Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets In a match of ICC Men’s World Cup2021 at Sharja Cricket Stadium Sharjaha, United Arabs Emirates (UEA) on Sunday. Sri Lankan batters played a brilliant innings. Middle order batter Charith Asalanka played a superb innings and scored 80 runs after faced 49 balls. He smashed 5 huge sixes and 5 fours.  The Left handed batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a shining innings and scored 50 runs in just 31 balls. He hit 3 sixes and 3 fours while Pathum Nissanka contributed 24 runs in21 balls. Earlier, Lankan skipper elected to bowl first after winning the toss. Bangladesh set 172 runs total on score board. Left handed opener batter Mohammad Naim played 62 runs innings in just52 balls. Mushafiq ur Rehman scored 57 runs in 37 balls. Shakib Ul Hassan took 2 wickets by giving 17 runs while Nasum Ahmed took 2 for 29. Charith Asalanka got man of the match.  Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first Bangladesh Batting: 171 for 4 in 20 overs (Mohammad Naim Sheikh 62 (52 balls, 4X6), Mushfiqar Rehim 57 (37 balls, 4X5, 6X2), Liton Daz 16 (16 balls, 4X2) Sri Lanka Bowling: Chamika Karunaratne (1 for 12), Binura Farnando (1 for 27), Lahiru Kumara (1 for 29) Sri Lanka Batting: batter Charith Asalanka(62 runs in 52 balls), Bhanuka Rajapaksa(50 runs in31 balls) Bangladesh Bowling:  Shakib Ul Hassan 2 for 17, Nasum Ahmed 2 for 29 Results: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets Man of the Match: Charith Asalanka

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (October 24, 2021):-The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that it will cut its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, as part of its commitment to tackling climate change. The announcement was made by IOC President Thomas Bach during the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), currently taking place in Greece. It comes ahead of the UN Climate Summit (COP26) due to be held at the end of October in Glasgow, Great Britain. With this decision, the IOC increases its level of ambition from a previous commitment that set a 45 per cent reduction over the same time period, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. “The climate crisis is arguably the biggest challenge humanity is facing,” said President Bach. “It is affecting all areas of our lives, including sport of course, as an important part of society. By further reducing our carbon emissions, we strengthen our contribution to the realisation of the Paris Agreement, follow the latest science on climate change, and contribute better to this global effort. We urge all other sports organisations to follow suit.” In order to achieve the 50 per cent cut in emissions by 2030, the IOC has set an intermediate reduction target of 30 per cent, to be achieved by 2024. Its action plan to deliver on this commitment will now be updated with increased efforts to reduce emissions in the areas of travel, energy use and procurement. Aligning with the latest science The IOC’s announcement comes following the publication of the Sixth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the leading international body for the assessment of climate change. Published in August 2021, the report found that human-induced climate change is intensifying at an unprecedented pace. Sport is increasingly affected, both in winter and summer. Unreliable snow and temperatures impact winter sports, while increasing summer heat threatens the health of athletes, event organisers and fans. In 2018, working with UN Climate Change, the IOC helped develop the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework – which aims to drive climate action across the sports world – and has taken a leadership role in its implementation. More than 270 sports organisations from around the world have signed up to it so far, including the IOC itself. Based on the latest data from the IPCC report, all signatories to the Framework will be required to reduce their emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, in order to help limit global temperature rise to 1.5?C.

Areej Fatima RAWALPINDI (October 24, 2021):-Huma Club, Islamabad thrashered Muslim Club Chman 5-0 goals in the 13th Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) 2021 at Municipal Stadium Rawlpindi. Huma Club took 2-0 lead at the end of the first half against Muslim Club. Khaleeq uz Zaman made his first hat-trick in the league for Huma Club. In the 20th minute of the first half, Khaleeq ur Zaman scored first goal for Huma Club and he doubled the score 2-0 in the injury time of the first half. Third goal was also scored by Khaleeq in the 60th minute and did score 3-0 while Sardar Abbas and Maihan Ali scored one goal each for Huma Club in the 83rd and injury time of the second half. The match was concluded 5-0 at the end of the stipulated time. Qudrat Ullah received yellow card for Muslim Club in the 60th minute and the same was earned by Maab Ullah for Huma Club in the same time. Referee, Adnan Anjum supervised the match while Mehboob Ali and Amjad Ali assisted to him

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (October 23, 2021):-A ruthless bowling performance saw England get their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign off to a perfect start as they defeated the West Indies by six wickets in Dubai. The rematch between the 2016 finalists was eagerly anticipated but proved almost as one-sided as that famous occasion in Kolkata had been dramatic, with the reigning champions subsiding to 55 all out – their second-lowest ever T20I score. Spin twins Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were the principal architects of West Indies’ downfall, the latter finishing with England’s best-ever T20I figures of four for two after Moeen had set the tone with two wickets and 18 dot balls in a miserly four-over spell. The returning Tymal Mills, representing England for the first time since February 2017, chipped in with two scalps of his own including key man Chris Gayle, who was the only batter to make it into double figures. Akeal Hosein caused problems for England’s powerful batting line-up in reply, taking two for 24, but the modest nature of the target restricted West Indies’ ability to apply real pressure and Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 24 steered the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup winners home with more than half their overs remaining. Having opted to bowl upon winning the toss, Morgan opened up with Moeen and the off-spinner was greeted by an early show of intent by Evin Lewis, who lofted the final ball of the first over for what would turn out to be the only six of the innings. The England all-rounder had his revenge in the very next over, sprinting back from mid-off to take a fine catch when Lewis tried to repeat the trick off the bowling of Chris Woakes and found more height than distance. Moeen went on to account for Lendl Simmons, who picked out Liam Livingstone on the deep midwicket boundary, to leave both openers back in the pavilion inside three overs. Consecutive boundaries for Shimron Hetmyer injected some momentum into the innings at the start of the fifth over but Moeen again struck back as the left-hander chipped to Morgan at mid-on. Such a situation called for experienced heads and in Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, both playing in their seventh ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, West Indies appeared to have just the men for the job. But having struck three typically powerful boundaries, Gayle soon miscued a pull off Mills and was well caught by a backpedalling Dawid Malan off the final ball of the powerplay, which concluded with West Indies languishing on 31 for four. The situation only grew more desperate from there with Bravo next to fall, flashing hard at Chris Jordan’s second delivery and succeeding only in finding Jonny Bairstow at backward point. Mills and Jordan kept the pressure firmly applied in the middle overs, the former removing Nicholas Pooran for a single, and the return of spin paid instant dividends as Rashid’s first delivery cleaned up Andre Russell without scoring. Captain Kieron Pollard was his side’s final hope of setting a challenging target but having initially been watchful as wickets fell around him, he took on Rashid at the start of the 13th over and provided Bairstow with a routine catch at long-on. Obed McCoy fell in identical circumstances next ball and though last man Ravi Rampaul survived the hat-trick delivery, a heave in the leg-spinner’s next over saw him clean bowled as the innings was wrapped up with 5.4 overs left unused. West Indies followed England’s lead in opening with a spinner but Buttler was quickly into the groove, driving Hosein through the covers for a boundary to get the chase going. Roy was next to take the attack to the left-armer, clearing the ropes over extra cover, but was soon departing the fray after chipping a Ravi Rampaul slower ball to Gayle on 11. It was Bairstow rather than Malan who walked out at number three and consecutive boundaries took England more than halfway towards their target inside four overs. Then came a slight wobble as Hosein claimed return catches to remove Bairstow and Livingstone, the second of which was a stunning one-handed effort to his left, either side of Moeen being run out following a mix-up. But captain Morgan joined Buttler to see his side over the finish line, the wicketkeeper pulling the winning runs to the mid-wicket boundary from the second ball of the ninth over. Scores in Brief England beat West Indies at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai by six wickets West Indies 55 all out in 14.2 overs (Chris Gayle 13, Shimron Hetmyer 9; Adil Rashid 4/2, Moeen Ali 2/17, Tymal Mills 2/17) England 56-4 in 8.2 overs (Jos Buttler 24 not out, Jason Roy 11; Akeal Hosein 2/24, Ravi Rampaul 1/14) Player of the Match: Moeen Ali (England)

Sports Bulletin Report Abu Dhabi (October 23, 2021)-Australia started the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 with a nervy five-wicket victory over South Africa in a low-scoring contest in Abu Dhabi. Having restricted the Proteas to 118 for eight, Australia slipped to 38 for three in reply before Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell’s partnership of 42 set the platform for Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade to see Justin Langer’s side home with two balls to spare. Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc had all picked up two scalps as South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals to leave Australia needing less than six an over at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Aiden Markram struck a fluent 40 off 36 balls to top score for the Proteas but he ran out of partners as Australia got their campaign off to a winning start. After being put into bat, captain Temba Bavuma got South Africa off to a flyer in the first over by taking Starc for 11 runs, including two lovely fours through the off side. But he was bowled by Maxwell, utilising his handy off-spin early in the powerplay, in the second over for 12. His replacement at the crease, Rassie van der Dussen, soon followed his skipper back to the hutch after making just two when he nicked Hazlewood’s first ball behind to Wade. It went from bad to worse when Quinton de Kock was bowled in bizarre fashion after attempting to flick a Hazlewood delivery on the move, only to see it cannon off his leg and balloon into the air and back onto the stumps. Hazlewood completed his wicket maiden before South Africa stuttered to 29 for three at the end of the powerplay. Markram and Heinrich Klassen looked like they were building the first partnership of note before Pat Cummins had the latter caught off a thick outside edge for a run-a-ball 13. Playing a sole hand, Markram put on 34 for the fifth wicket with David Miller until leg-spinner Adam Zampa rocked South Africa with two wickets in the 14th over. Miller was trapped in front for 16 before Dwaine Pretorious was sharply caught by Wade for just one to leave the Proteas reeling at 82 for six. Things did not improve when Keshav Maharaj was run out by Maxwell after slipping when trying to get off the mark from an overthrow. Markram took his frustration out on the returning Hazlewood, slamming a huge six into the crowd over the leg side, but fell to Cummins when trying to up the ante, with South Africa yet to bring up their 100 with only three overs left. Some valuable late clean striking from Kagiso Rabada, who made 19 off 23 balls, gave his side something to bowl at as South Africa finished on 118 for nine. Rabada and Anrich Nortje came charging in at the start of Australia’s chase and the two combined to remove Aaron Finch for a duck in the second over, Rabada clinging on at third man after the Australian skipper slashed hard at a wide one. David Warner appeared to get things back on track with a couple of boundaries until he was well-caught by Heinrich Klaasen at point as Bavuma’s decision to keep Rabada on for three straight overs paid dividends. Australia finished the powerplay on 28 for two, one run short of where South Africa were at the same stage but with an extra wicket in hand. That advantage soon went when Keshav Maharaj had Mitchell Marsh caught at deep midwicket for 11 in the eighth over. Steve Smith and Maxwell put together a partnership of 42 as they safely navigated the middle overs without much alarm until a super diving catch from Markram off Nortje gave South Africa a sniff. Smith departed for 35 off 34, annoyed not to take his side home but having left them well-placed, needing 37 from 31 balls. But Maxwell followed just three balls later for 18 when he was castled by MRF Tyres ICC World No.1 T20I bowler Tabraiz Shamsi attempting a big reverse slog sweep. Markram nearly clinched another spectacular grab, but Wade’s shot off Rabada did not carry and crucially slipped through him for four. Wade’s improvisation brought him a second consecutive boundary before Marcus Stoinis saw Australia over the line when needing 18 from the final two overs. finishing with 24 from 16 balls as the pair put on a match-winning stand of 40 from the last 26 balls. Scores in Brief Australia beat South Africa at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi by five wickets South Africa 118/9 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 40, Kagiso Rabada 19 not out; Josh Hazlewood 2/19, Adam Zampa 2/21)  Australia 121/5 in 19.4 overs (Steve Smith 35, Marcus Stoinis 24 not out; Anrich Nortje 2/21, Tabraiz Shamsi 1/22) Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (Australia)

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (October 23, 2021):-Bangladesh, Namibia, Scotland and Sri Lanka have confirmed their place at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 to be held in Australia, after the four teams progressed to the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in Oman and the UAE. Namibia, the story of Round 1 have qualified for the Super 12s in their first ever T20 World Cup and will now return for the Australia event in 12 months time. They are joined by Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka confirming 12 out of the 16 spots for the World Cup. Afghanistan, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies and hosts Australia, had already qualified for the 2022 showpiece, gaining direct entry to the Super 12 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 by virtue of being inside the top eight on the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20 International Rankings at the cut-off prior to the postponed 2020 event. The four remaining spots will be filled via the ongoing qualification pathway taking place across the five regions, culminating in two global qualifying tournaments in early 2022.   ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We have already seen some incredibly competitive cricket in round one of the Men’s T20 World Cup culminating in Bangladesh, Namibia, Scotland and Sri Lanka taking their positions in the Super 12s and therefore qualifying for Australia 2022. “Namibia and Scotland in particular have provided us with some great stories over the past two weeks reinforcing T20 cricket as the global growth vehicle of the sport. We look forward to seeing which four teams will secure the remaining spots for Australia 2022 through the two global qualifiers next year.” For the 12 automatic qualifiers there is still plenty to play for in this tournament in terms of Australia 2022. Teams can secure their spot in the Australia 2022 Super 12s, by finishing as either winner or runner up of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 or as one of the next six highest ranked teams (as of November 15, 2021).