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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.
Mithali Raj: Imagine the impact of India lifting the World Cup
I clearly remember the emotions from the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017, having come so close to winning. The match against England was played in a packed Lord’s stadium and to miss out on that chance is something that will rankle forever.
It has been an honour to have led India to two of the three ICC finals we have reached, going back to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2005 in South Africa. We have had several memorable performances over this period but are missing that one huge win.
We have now been the beaten finalists in the most recent 50-over and 20-over World Cup finals and have learnt so much from those experiences that we will take into this World Cup in New Zealand.
We have shown that we are more than capable of winning the trophy, it is now just a case of doing it and the impact of doing so would be incredible. I can only imagine what its effect would be.
Not only would it mean so much for the players and our families, but it would make a real difference for all our fans back home in India, where there is already great anticipation for a Women’s IPL.
Our fans are some of the most passionate in the world and we know that they will be watching on. I’m sure if we did win, we would be able to hear them all the way from New Zealand.
To be recognised on the streets in my country is something I never expected when I appeared in my first World Cup in 2000, also in New Zealand, but that is now so common and shows how much the game has grown in India.
Jhulan Goswami was by my side in 2005 and has been an ever-present member of the Indian team in all those years since, she has amassed 240 wickets in ODIs, 60 more than anyone else and luckily shows no signs of slowing down. We both so badly want to win an ICC World title before we call it a day!
We have, of course, been joined by so many talented youngsters in recent years. There is huge talent in India and I am sure the next crop of players is already inspiring thousands and thousands of girls out there to pick up the bat or ball. When I was growing up, there was only the odd girl attending an academy but bunches of them are the norm nowadays.
Shafali Verma is surely one of the players being watched with great enthusiasm back home. She is one of the world’s rising stars and I am backing her to have more impressive performances for India throughout the tournament with guidance and support from the stylish Smriti Mandhana at the other end. Taniya Bhatia has been very reliable behind the stumps and Richa Ghosh is hot on her heels, meaning we have two wicketkeepers we can trust.
We all know what Harmanpreet Kaur can do on the world stage. Her 171 not out in the 2017 semi-final against Australia earned us a place in the final and her performances in last year’s Women’s Big Bash League show she is ready to do it again.
We are very fortunate to be heading into this tournament having played New Zealand, Australia and England in recent months.
The series in New Zealand has given us a chance to acclimatise, particularly to the seaming conditions we don't often experience at home.
Against England, we won one of the three ODI matches and put up a good fight in the other two before beating Australia to end their run of 26 one-day wins.
Those results show what is possible if we come together as a team and believe in ourselves, and now, I am just excited to get out there and play.
Match Officials for League Stage announced
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (UAE):-15 Match Officials named for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, which is to be played across six venues in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April. The International Cricket Council’s commitment to support women officials reflects in the appointments with several making their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup debuts starting with the tournament opener between the West Indies and hosts New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Tauranga.
Former South Africa player Shandré Fritz, who featured in the 2005, 2009 and 2013 World Cups, will be the Match Referee in a Women’s World Cup match for the first time in the opener, as will her compatriot Lauren Agenbag, the first woman from her country to umpire a T20I International.
Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (on-field), Alex Wharf (third umpire) and Sue Redfern (fourth umpire) will be the other officials for the match.
Apart from Agenbeg, Fritz and Redfern, the other women officiating in the tournament are Match Referee GS Lakshmi and Umpires Kim Cotton, Claire Polosak, Eloise Sheridan and Jacqueline Williams.
Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, said the appointments were part of ICC’s policy of nurturing the best available talent in different countries.
Adrian Griffith: “We are proud to announce eight women Match Officials in our team for the tournament. We had six women Match Officials at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020 and the steady upward path is as per our plans and keeping with our long-term vision.
“But while we have been continuously increasing the number of women officials, there have been no concessions and all of them deserve to be there. The appointments are based on merit, and they have made it to the top level because of their skill and perseverance.
“It is good to have a good mix of experience and it is heartening to note the number of firsts for women officials in recent years. I wish all the Match Officials the very best and am confident that we will have fine adjudication during the tournament.”
Lakshmi, who was the first woman to be named in the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees in 2019, will make her Women’s World Cup debut in the second match of the eight-team tournament while Polosak, Redfern and Williams, all pathbreakers too, will stand in their second Women’s World Cups.
Polosak was the first woman to stand in a Men’s ODI, Redfern the first to have both played and stood in the Women’s World Cup, while Williams was the first woman to officiate as the Third Umpire in a men’s ODI.
Paul Wilson, Langton Rusere, Ahmad Shah Pakteen and Ruchira Palliyaguruge are other experienced officials in the tournament while two New Zealanders - Umpire Kim Cotton and Match Referee Gary Baxter – also feature in the list of three Match Referees and 12 Umpires.
Match Referees: Gary Baxter, GS Lakshmi, Shandré Fritz.
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Ahmad Shah Pakteen, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Claire Polosak, Suzanne Redfern, Langton Rusere, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Eloise Sheridan, Alexander Wharf, Jacqueline Williams, Paul Wilson.
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