Sports Bulletin Report Mount Maunganui, New Zealand (January 5, 2022):-Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the first Test at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on Wednesday, as they got their target of 40 runs after losing their two batters. New Zealand could score only 169 runs in their second innings. Lanky fast bowler Ebadot Hussain snared six Kiwis after conceding 46 runs. Hosts restart their innings today morning, as they were 147 for five at the close of day-4. Yesterday, Will Young and Taylor had added 73 runs for the third wicket as New Zealand had got down to the business of wiping out the 130-run deficit. But shortly after Young reached his second fifty in the game, he fell to Ebadot's good-length delivery, which opened up one end for Bangladesh. Ebadot struck again a ball later when he clean bowled Henry Nicholls, and in the next over, had Tom Blundell out lbw. New Zealand lost three wickets for no runs, in the space of seven Ebadot deliveries, and that was where the match was decided for Bangladesh. Bangladesh took their time reaching the 40-run target, in 16.5 overs, during an extended first session. Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto were dismissed caught behind, with Ross Taylor taking a superb catch off Shanto's outside edge. Fittingly, Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh's highest run-getter in Tests and their most experienced cricketer scored the winning runs, with captain Mominul Haque at the other end. Bangladesh 458 (Mominul 88, Litton 86, Boult 4-85) and 42 for 2 (Shanto 17, Mominul 13*, Mushfiqur 5*) beat New Zealand 328 (Conway 122, Nicholls 75, Shoriful 3-69, Mehidy 3-86) and 169 (Young 69, Taylor 40, Ebadot 6-46, Taskin 3-36) by eight wickets

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 5, 2022):-The rising badminton girl, Alja Tariq from Balochistan became the first girl, who declared winner of All Pakistan National Women’s Badminton Ranking Tournament, when an injury compelled Olympian Mahoor Shahzad (WAPDA) to retire hurt in the final, although she was ahead and six points away from great victory against Alja at 6-21, 8-15. The women ranking conclude at Wali Khan Sports Stadium Charsadda on Friday 31st December 2021. It was her debut event in the senior women category being Under-18 of age. Earlier Alja had won National Junior Under-18 Girls Badminton Championship (Singles) held at Lahore in October 2018 while she was just 15 years old which was also a historical record. It is important to mention here that Alja remained under training with International badminton coach Raziuddin Ahmad in July 2018, when her family was shifted to Islamabad from Quetta. Unfortunately she suffered serious knee injury at Abbottabad during the national junior just before the 33rd National Games Peshawar 2019 and remained out from national circuit for two years. Alja Tariq said: “All Pakistan Ranking Tournament was very important for me to rejoin national circuit as recently I went under rehabilitation from injury. It encouraged me a lot when I defeated 2nd seeded Ghazala Siddiqui in a three games battle by 2-1 at the pre-quarter stage as she was the main hurdle in my round. Later on I did not consider a tuff rival to Zubaira (SNGPL) and 4th seeded Bushra Qayyum (WAPDA) and out classed them in straight games 2-0.” Alja further said that during the all matches she was in touch with my coach Sir Razi, and kept gaining valuable guidance for each match. “His arrival at the final match boosted me a lot but I was still nervous to play against very experienced national champion, an international Mahoor Shahzad, “he viewed. “I started to play ordinary and could not control the first game and vanished easily at just six points. Here I could not follow the guidelines of coach, as I was in huge pressure. My mentor was calling me to bring Mahoor on the net and return the shuttle to the rear cross court with low projectile on either sides. But inside, I was under pressure of the final match playing for the first time. In the 2nd game coach gave me confidence to control the game to take it for the third game, “she replied a question. Coach Raziuddin Ahmad said: “Alja Tariq was unseeded player was too young to play this final among the well experienced senior professional women players who were representing different departments. Now, she needed mental preparation training for the top national competitions. Further Covid-19 and her injury wasted two precious years of progressive training but soon we will start with new plan as Alja got admission in 1st year Kinnaird College for Women Lahore which is close to Islamabad than Quetta so easier to continue the training.”

Khurram Shahzad ISLAMABAD (January 4, 2022):-Promising tennis girl Ushna Sohail created a new record by winning three back-to-back national ranking tennis tournaments during the year of 2021, as in all three finals her challenger was Pakistan No 1 girl Sarah Mehboob. Ushna Sohail defeated in the final of Benazir Bhutto National Ranking Tennis Championship 2021 that held at Islamabad Tennis Complex on December 19, 2021 in straight sets 2-0 with the score-line of 6-3, and 6-1. Later, on December 26, Ushna beat Sarah Mehboob in the final of Serena Hotels National Tennis Championship in the same style 2-0, as the final score was just 6-0 and 6-1. Ushna ousted Sarah third time in Begum Kulsoon Saifullah National Ranking Championship 2021 on January 2, 2022 at PTF tennis Complex. The final score-line was 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.  It is pertinent to mention here that despite of three consecutive victories Ushna is second in the national ranking and Sarah Mehboob is number one girl.a

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD (January 4, 2022):-Bangladesh became just the seventh team to be crowned ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup champions by beating India to clinch the 2020 tournament in South Africa. Skippered brilliantly by Akbar Ali, the first-time finalists clinched their maiden title against the odds as they defeated the four-time winners by three wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to make history. Chasing 178 to win, the young Tigers were struggling at 102 for six before Akbar’s knock of 43 not out dragged them over the line in a rain-shortened finale in Potchefstroom. The triumph was a significant achievement for Bangladesh cricket as they won a global ICC tournament for the very first time at any level, coming 22 years after they made their debut in the prestigious ICC U19 Men's CWC - a moment that was not lost on Akbar. “It's a dream come true,” said the wicketkeeper-batter. “We've had a very good experience, and this is just the beginning for us. Hopefully, this will be the starting stone for us.” Bangladesh’s previous best performance at the ICC U19 Men’s CWC was on home soil in 2016, finishing in third place after losing their semi-final to eventual champions West Indies. But the 2020 edition was a different story after they progressed to the Super League knockout stages by topping their group, beating Zimbabwe and Scotland along the way. Shoriful Islam and 2022 skipper Rakibul Hasan then starred with the ball for Bangladesh as they knocked off South Africa and New Zealand to reach the showpiece final. And despite coming up against an inspired Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made 88 to take the Player of the Tournament award, nothing could stop Bangladesh from sealing the title. The ICC U19 Men’s CWC is known for being a major stepping stone in the development of all the participating teams, providing a platform for cricket’s future stars to shine on the world stage. That certainly proved to be the case for Bangladesh, who unearthed several supreme talents along the way who have since gone on to receive full international honours. Shoriful, in particular, became a left-arm pace sensation almost overnight thanks to his role in Bangladesh’s title success, taking nine wickets over the course of the tournament. His aggression and pace against South Africa, New Zealand and India proved pivotal, earning him a maiden call-up to the senior ODI side in January 2021 for the series against West Indies. He has since played in all three formats for his country, taking 22 wickets in 17 T20I matches and seven wickets in four ODIs to cement himself in the team for years to come. And Akbar recognised the importance of capitalising on his team’s silverware success soon after the tournament’s conclusion, thanking the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their support. “I believe age-group cricket is different compared to international cricket, the latter is much more difficult and challenging,” said the captain just a few days after lifting the trophy. “The board is providing us facilities to move on to the next level and our first target will be to minimise the gap between age-level cricket and international cricket and prepare ourselves properly for the next level. “After winning the World Cup we got two days rest in South Africa and our team management gave us some messages to prepare ourselves for the next level. “We are determined not to be carried away after winning the Under-19 World Cup. We know our professional career has just started. We know that we need to improve ourselves as players. “We are not carried away with self-satisfaction after winning the Under-19 World Cup, rather we are taking this as an inspiration and will try our best and train hard to reach the next level.” Bangladesh have continued to grow as a cricketing force on the international stage since 2020 and will now look to achieve the rare feat of defending their ICC U19 Men’s CWC crown. Three players - Rakibul, Tanzim Sakib and Prantik Nabil - remain from that title-winning team, forming the nucleus of a strong squad for the 2022 edition in West Indies. Only Pakistan have managed to win the tournament back-to-back - in 2004 and 2006 - so a place in the ICC U19 Men’s CWC history books awaits Bangladesh if they can do the double. Even if they are unable to go all the way once again, it’s clear to see from the progress they have made as a cricketing nation in the last two years the sizeable impact that 2020’s triumph has had.

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.