Sports Bulletin

Afghanistan outclass Ireland by 117 runs in the third match, Mohammad Nabi gets 5 wicketsSport Bulletin ReportSharjah (UAE): Afghanistan clinched the three-match tie against Ireland 2-0 after claiming a massive victory of 117 runs in the third and final One Day International contest of the series here at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Mohammad Nabi was declared the player of the match.On Wednesday, Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and decided to field first. Afghanistan batters aggregated 263 for 9 runs in the allotted 50 overs. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi was the top scorer with an excellent innings of 69 runs off 103 balls, he hit 4 fours. Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a sparkling innings of 51 runs in 53 balls, as his innings was laced with 7 fours and 1 big six. Mohammad Nabi made 48 runs off 62 balls with the help of 4 fours, and Ibrahim Zadran contributed 22 runs off 31 balls in the team’s total, as his innings was including 3 fours. Mark Adair snared 3 batters after conceding 51 runs. Barry McCarthy got 2 for 42, Harry Tector captured 1 for 17.In reply, Ireland's team could make merely 119 runs all out in 35 overs. Captain Paul Stirling was the top scorer with 50 runs off 53 balls for Ireland, as he hit 4 fours and 2 sixes, Curtis Campher smashed 43 runs and wasted 63 balls with the help of 5 fours and 1 huge six. Mohammad Nabi grabbed 5 wickets for 17 runs while debutant Nangeyalia Kharote took 4 for 30 runs, and Fazalhuq Farooqi got 1 wicket.Summarized Scoreboard:Ireland won the toss and decided to field firstPlayer of the Match: Mohammad NabiAfghanistan (Batting) 263 for 9 runs in 50 oversHashmatullah Shahidi (69 runs, 103 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (51 runs, 53 balls, 4x7, 6x1), Mohammad Nabi (48 runs, 62 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Ibrahim Zadran (22 runs, 31 balls, 4x3, 6x0)Ireland (Bowling)Mark Adair (3 for 51), Barry McCarthy (2 for 42), Harry Tector (1 for 17)Ireland (Batting) 199 runs all out in 35 oversPaul Stirling (50 runs, 53 balls, 4x4, 6x2), Curtis Campher ( 43 runs, 63 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Barry McCarthy (8 runs, 18 balls, 4x0, 6x1), Graham Hume (5 runs, 19 balls, 4x0, 6x0)Afghanistan (Bowling)Mohammad Nabi (5 for 17), Nangeyalia Kharote (4 for 30), Fazalhuq Farooqi (1 for 23)ODI Debut:Nangeyalia Kharote (Afghanistan), Naveed Zadran (Afghanistan)Match Officials:Umpires: Ahmed Shah Pakteen (Afghanistan), Paul Reiffel (Australia)TV Umpire: Bismillah Jan Shinwari (Afghanistan)Reserve Umpire: Izatullah Safi (Afghanistan)Match Referee: David Boon (Australia). 

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: The PCB will start tickets refund on March 13, 2024 for the HBL PSL 9 washout games, which were abandoned on 2 March at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, at designated TCS centers in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore.As communicated before, tickets purchased through TCS Express centers will require the buyers to present the original CNIC used for purchasing tickets, along with the physical tickets.Refunds for tickets purchased online will directly be credited to the buyers’ respective bank accounts without the provision to present physical tickets. Tickets purchased through a corporate entity will only be refunded to the corporate entity.Given below is the detail of the designated TCS centers for tickets refund. Ticket buyers can visit them from tomorrow onwards between 9 am to 4 pm.TCS Area Office Khanna, RawalpindiTCS Saddar Express Center, RawalpindiTCS Area Office I-9, IslamabadTCS Area Office, PeshawarTCS Gulberg Office, Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have raced to the top position on the points table, after eking out a two-run win against Karachi Kings at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday night.Zalmi defended their 147-run total successfully, as the Kings agonizingly fell two runs short, scoring 145-5 in the allotted 20 overs. In doing so, Zalmi also registered the record for the lowest total successfully defended in HBL PSL history at Karachi.Karachi’s pursuit of the 148-run target started solidly as opening batters, James Vince and Tim Seifert, put on a 61-run opening partnership. The powerplay yielded 44 runs, with Seifert being the aggressor. Vince struggled to get off the blocks during his stay at the crease, which was cut short in the ninth over by Naveen-ul-Haq, as he returned for a sluggish 21 off 27 balls on the back of four boundaries.In the next over, Saim outfoxed Shan Masood (0, 2b) with a brilliant ball that turned just enough to hit the off-stump, leaving the batter stunned. At the halfway mark Kings required 84 with Shoaib Malik and Seifert on the crease. In the 11th over Seifert was pinned leg-before wicket against Aamir Jamal, for 41 off 30 balls, comprising eight boundaries.Shoaib and Mohammad Irfan Khan joined forces to stitch a crucial 49-run fourth-wicket partnership off 41 balls, keeping Zalmi on their toes. With 35 required off the last three overs, Naveen bowled Shoaib in the 17th over, who walked back after scoring 22 off 25 balls comprising one four.Luke Wood bowled a fine penultimate over conceding just eight and also dismissing the dangerous Kieron Pollard for a paltry one run. Aamir faced with the challenge of defending 17 runs in the last over, gave away 13 runs off the first five balls as Anwar Ali got off strike.Irfan (39 not out, 26b, 7x4s) needed to hit four off the last ball to earn a consolation win for the Kings. Aamir nailed a yorker as Irfan tried to make room while shuffling to the leg side and missed the ball, taking just one bye off it as Zalmi won the game by a mere two runs. Naveen bagged two wickets while Wood, Aamir and Saim picked up one each.Earlier, the opening duo of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub put on another show of delightful batting after Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat first. They brought up 54 runs at the end of the powerplay. Zahid Mahmood, bowling the seventh over, got rid of Saim (19, 18b, 3x4s) as he turned one prodigiously from outside off to rattle the stumps, bringing an end to the 55-run opening stand.Zalmi notched 75 runs for the loss of one wicket by the halfway mark as Babar played some fluent shots on a turning track. In the following over, Mohammad Haris (13, 11b, 2x4s) was undone by Hasan Ali as Arafat Minhas took an easy catch behind point. Left-hand batter Haseebullah (1, 5b) too failed to make his mark as Arafat bagged his maiden HBL PSL wicket with Irfan pouching the ball at deep midwicket leaving Zalmi 83-3 after 12.1 overs.In the 14th over, Babar took apart Zahid’s leg-spin by hitting him for a six and four to bring up his fifth HBL PSL 9 half-century. Later in the same over, he failed to make his ground at the non-striker’s end while attempting a second run and had to return for 51 off 46 balls, comprising five boundaries and a solitary six.On a tricky wicket, Zalmi could only manage 43 runs off the last five overs courtesy Rovman Powell’s 30 off 18 balls, on the back of three boundaries while Aamir chipped in with an unbeaten eight off seven balls. Arafat, making his HBL PSL debut, bowled the most economical spell of the tournament, returning with a wicket for just 11 runs in four overs, as Karachi bowlers conceded 147-6 in the 20 overs with Sams, Zahid and Hasan bagging one scalp each.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Lahore Qalandars’ Sikandar Raza has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of HBL PSL’s code of conduct for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.The incident occurred during the Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators game at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Sunday night.Sikandar, on three different occasions during the game, raised his arms, shook his head and gestured that the delivery should have been called a wide ball, leading to a violation of article 2.8, which deals with a player showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an HBL PSL game.On-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Rashid Riaz leveled the charge against Sikandar Raza while match referee Ali Naqvi imposed the fine.

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Islamabad United’s Naseem Shah has been fined 10 percent of match fee for a level 1 breach of the HBL PSL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during his side’s HBL PSL 9 fixture against Multan Sultans at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday.Naseem was charged for violating Article 2.2 which deals with abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings. Naseem had kicked the stumps after the final ball of Multan Sultans’ innings.Since Naseem pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Roshan Mahanama, there was no need of a formal hearing. The charge was imposed by on-field umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Muhammad Asif.Meanwhile, in a separate incident in the same match, Multan Sultans were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate. Sultans were ruled to be one over short of their target by match referee Roshan Mahanama, who took into consideration time allowances before arriving at the decision.As such, and in accordance with Article 2.22 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, each player was fined 10 percent of his match fee.

Quetta Gladiators beat Lahore Qalandars by six wickets at National Stadium KarachiSports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Quetta Gladiators secured their spot for the HBL PSL 9 playoffs after they defeated Lahore Qalandars by six wickets at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Sunday night. After restricting Lahore to 166-4 in the first innings, vice-captain Saud Shakeel produced a brilliant unbeaten knock of 88 runs that allowed Quetta to edge over Lahore in the last-ball thriller.Lahore Qalandars could only manage to post 166-4 on the board after choosing to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan and Mirza Tahir Baig gave a decent start to their team; after Farhan hit a four on the first delivery of the game, the two took turns breaching the boundary periodically in the third, fourth and fifth overs.Abrar Ahmed, introduced in the sixth over, removed Farhan (25, 22b, 4x4s) on the third ball and then Tahir (12, 13b, 1x6) on the last delivery to bring Lahore down to 39-2 by the end of the powerplay.Abdullah Shafique, batting at three, hit two consecutive fours against Mohammad Wasim Jnr in the seventh over to recover the damage. He then hit a boundary against Abrar in the next over. Shai Hope, who could only manage five off seven, was caught behind in the 10th over off Wasim’s bowling as Lahore got to 70-3 at the halfway mark.Shaheen Shah Afridi promoted himself up the order, taking the responsibility of boosting his side’s total. The fourth-wicket partnership between Abdullah and Shaheen yielded 91 from 57, helping the team establish a sense of control over the innings.After four quiet overs, Shaheen took on Akeal Hosein by smashing three sixes in the 15th over. An over later, he hit two sixes against Abrar to get to his second HBL PSL half-century.In the 18th over, Abdullah (59 not out, 39b, 3x4s, 2x6s) also completed his second consecutive half-century of HBL PSL 9 in style as he hit a six against Hosein on the fourth delivery.In the last over, Sohail Khan caught the ball on his second attempt while fielding at deep third to help Amir dismiss Shaheen, who had to walk back for 55 on 34, on the back of two fours and four sixes. The final over only produced six runs as Lahore finished with a competitive total.Abrar had two wickets, while Amir and Wasim had one each.Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel gave Quetta Gladiators a 39-run opening stand after the former hit Shaheen three consecutive fours on the first three balls of the innings.Jahandad Khan, bowling the sixth over, provided the breakthrough as Roy (18, 14b, 4x4s) was caught behind. Quetta ended the powerplay at 43-1.Saud was joined by his captain, Rilee Rossouw, in the middle for a 27-run second-wicket stand which was broken by Jahandad on the last ball of the ninth over. Rossouw walked back for 13 off 11, with the help of one four.The Quetta captain, however, became the first foreign batter to complete 2000 HBL PSL runs and the fifth overall, only behind Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan.Khawaja Nafay and Saud produced a dogged third-wicket stand, that yielded 70 from 53, to reestablish Quetta’s control over the game after the two initial wickets. In the 13th over, Saud brought his second HBL PSL 9 half-century, taking 42 deliveries to do so.The partnership was eventually broken by Shaheen, who trapped Nafay (26, 24b, 1x6) leg-before wicket in the 18th over. Quetta required 29 from the final two overs, with Saud and Laurie Evans on the crease. Jahandad conceded 15 in the penultimate over courtesy of a four by Evans and a six by Saud to bring the equation to 14 needed from the final six deliveries.Shaheen removed Evans (7, 4b, 1x4) on the first ball of the final over as Tahir took a spectacular diving catch at deep cover point. Saud then hit two consecutive boundaries, inching closer to the target.With four needed off the final ball, Wasim, the sixth batter in, hit a six to help his team over the rope. Saud (88, 65b, 5x4s, 4x6s) remained unbeaten at the other end as Quetta cruised to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Jahandad and Shaheen picked up two wickets each.

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Bangladesh player Towhid Hridoy has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday.Towhid was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Towhid’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.The incident occurred in the fourth over of Bangladesh’s innings, when after being dismissed, Towhid turned around on his way back to the pavilion and remonstrated aggressively and inappropriately with the Sri Lankan players.Towhid admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.On-field umpires Sharfuddoula Saikat and Tanvir Ahmed, third umpire Gazi Sohel and fourth umpire Masudur Rahman levelled the charge.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points. 

Winners Islamabad United batters achieve a mammoth total of 229 runs in 19.2 oversAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Islamabad United (IU) thrashed Multan Sultans (MS) by 3 wickets in an HBL PSL cricket fixture after conquering a huge target of 229 runs in 19.2 overs here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday in a nerve-jangling contest. Overseas player from New Zealand, representing Islamabad United Colin Munro (84 runs, 40 balls, 4x9, 6x5) was the hero of the day.Islamabad United’s captain Shahdab Khan won the toss and elected to field first. Multan Sultan scored 228 for 4 runs in 20 overs per innings fixture. Usman Khan played a sparking knock of 100 runs in 50 balls with a strike rate of 200% and was the main contributor to his team’s reasonable total of 228 runs. He showed excellent batting, as he hit 13 fours and 3 huge sixes. Johnson Charles made 42 runs in 18 balls and smashed 3 fours and 3 sixes, Yasir Khan scored 33 for 16 runs with the help of 4 fours and 2 best sixes, Mohammad Rizwan could score only 20 off 17 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. Faheem Ashraf took 2 wickets, Hunain Shah and Naseem Shah snared one batter each.Islamabad United scored 232 runs with great success and wasted 7 batters in 19.2 overs. For Islamabad United Colin Munro was the top scorer with 84 for 40 runs. The left-handed batter hit 9 brilliant fours and 5 sixes. Skipper Shadab Khan scored 54 runs off 34 balls, as his inning was laced with 6 fours and 2 big sixes, Imad wasim could made 30 runs in 13 balls including 3 fours and 1 six and Farheen Ashraf made 23 runs with 2 fours and 1 six. Abbas Afridi took 3 wickets off 40 runs, Mohammad Ali claimed 2 wickets while David Willey got only one wicket in his 4 overs by conceding 30 runs.Summarized Scorecard:Islamabad United won the toss and decided to field firstMan of the Match: Colin Munro (Islamabad United)Multan Sultan (Batting) 228 for 4 runs in 20 oversUsman Khan (100 runs, 50 balls, 4x15,6x3), Johnson Charles (42 runs, 18 balls, 4x3, 6x3), Yasir Khan (33 runs, 16 balls,4x4, 6x2), Mohammad Rizwan (20 runs, 17 balls, 4x2, 6x1)Islamabad United (Bowling):Faheem Ashraf (2 for 32), Hunain Shah (1 for 29), Naseem Shah (1 for 31)Islamabad United (Batting) 232 for 7 runs in 19.2 oversColin Munro (84 runs, 40 balls, 4x9, 6x5), Shadab Khan (54 runs, 34 balls, 4x6, 6x2), Imad Wasim (30 runs, 13 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Farheen Ashraf (23 runs, 14 balls, 4x2, 6x1)Multan Sultan (Bowling)Abbas Afridi (3 for 40), Mohammad Ali (2 for 44), David Willey (1 for 30)Islamabad United (Playing XIs): Agha Salman, Azam Khan (Wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Tymal Mills, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan (Captain), Haider AliMultan Sultan (Playing XIs): Abbas Afridi, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain/Wicketkeeper), Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Yasir Khan, David WillyMatch Officials:Umpires: Mohammad Asif (Pakistan), Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka)TV Umpire: Ahsan RazaReserve Umpire: Asif YaqoobMatch Referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)Scorers: Shakil Ahmed, Zeeshan Khan

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Multan Sultans set 229 runs target for Islamabad United (IU) to win the match of the HBL match at Pindi Cricket Stadium here today (Sunday).Islamabad United (Playing XIs): Agha Salman, Azam Khan (Wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Tymal Mills, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan (Captain), Haider AliMultan Sultan (Playing XIs): Abbas Afridi, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain/Wicketkeeper), Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Yasir Khan, David Willy

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Islamabad United (IU) captain Shahdab Khan won the toss and asked rival team Multan Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan to bat first in PSL HBL match at Pindi Cricket Stadium here today (Sunday).Islamabad United (Squad): Agha Salman, Azam Khan, Jordan Cox, Tom Curran, Faheem Ashraf, Matthew Forde, Alex Hales, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Obed McCoy, Tymal Mills, Mohammad Waseem, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Qasim Akram, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid ShahMultan Sultan (Squad): Abbas Afridi, Aftab Ibrahim, Johnson Charles (wicketkeeper), Faisal Akram, Reeza Hendricks, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Chris Jordan, Khushdil Shah, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Shahzad, Shahnawaz Dahani, Olly Stone, Tayyab Tahir, Reece Topley, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, David Willey, Yasir Khan