Cricket - Int News
Mohammad Jawadullah hopes to show notable performance in ILT20
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Mohammad Jawadullah, who was a regular in tennis ball cricket, was an unknown entity in the professional cricket circuit until he took part in a nationwide talent hunt for bowlers in April 2022 organized under the watchful eyes of Robin Singh, the coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national cricket team.Rest is history, as he did debut for the UAE national team in both ODI’s and T20I’s in 2023 and he credits his exposure in the DP World International League T20 for propelling his career. “I went into the first edition of the DP World ILT20 without any experience. Once I got to play more and more games, it not only helped me build my confidence but the exposure even helped me to get my first international cap for UAE in both ODI and T20I for the UAE. The learning process hasn’t stopped. I’m looking to get better with every passing day,” he said.The 24-year-old left arm quick spoke about his first time on such a big stage with a great deal of delight. “The DP World ILT20 is a very big tournament and I was indeed fortunate to have been included in the Sharjah Warriors squad for the first edition. This was my first taste of cricket with world-class players. The feeling was surreal and will stay with me for life,” he said. For the Season 2 of Gulf region’s biggest T20 League scheduled to begin on 19 January, Mohammad Jawadullah has been retained by the Sharjah Warriors. He was part of the same franchise in the inaugural edition of the tournament where they finished fifth and will look to help the team better their performance in the forthcoming edition.
PCB Selection Committee announces 15-man team for World Cup
Saad Baig to lead Pakistan in ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The National Juniors’ Selection Committee headed by Sohail Tanvir named a 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place from January 19 to February 11, 2024 in South Africa. Wicketkeeper batter Saad Baig will be the skipper of the Pakistan team.According to media depart of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), among the squad are Ali Asfand and Mohammad Zeeshan, both of whom had represented Pakistan in the previous edition of U19 World Cup held in West Indies in January-February 2022.Pakistan U19 squad: Saad Baig (captain and wicketkeeper), Ali Asfand (vice-captain), Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, Amir Hassan, Arfat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haroon Arshad, Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Riazullah and Ubaid Shah.Support staff: Shoaib Mohammad (Team Manager), Mohammad Yousaf (Head Coach), Rehan Riaz (Bowling Coach), Mansoor Amjad (Fielding Coach), Mohammad Masroor (Assistant Batting Coach), Umer Rashid Dar (Assistant Coach), Hafiz Naeem Ul Rasul (Team Physio), Usman Hashmi (Team Analyst) and Imran Ullah (Strength & Conditioning Coach).Chairman Junior Selection Committee Sohail Tanvir said: “I want to congratulate the 15 players who have made it into the squad for South Africa and I am confident that this well-balanced side has the capability and potential to perform well in the World Cup.“While picking the team, we have considered the conditions in South Africa where the pitches are conducive to pace bowling and have aimed to cover all bases.”The players named in the squad will assemble for a training camp, which will take place from 28 December 2023 to 6 January 2024 in Lahore.
ECB announces England Men's Central Contract offers for 2023-24
Sports Bulletin ReportLONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the Central Contract offers for England Men's international cricket for the year from 1 October 2023.The system, which covers both red-ball and white-ball players, considers the likelihood of players featuring in England teams across formats over the next period while recognising performances in the preceding year. Multi-year contracts have been awarded for the first time since central contracts were established in 2000. The ECB has worked closely with the Professional Cricketers’ Association and Team England Player Partnership on behalf of the players to reach an outcome for all parties.In total, 29 players have received Central Contract offers - 18 England Multi-Year Central Contracts, eight England Annual Central Contracts, and three England Development Contracts.England Three-Year Central Contracts: Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham)England Two-Year Central Contracts: Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire – from 1 November), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)England One-Year Central Contracts: Moeen Ali (Warwickshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Surrey)England Development Contracts: Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), John Turner (Hampshire)Seven players (Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue) receive an England Central Contract offer for the first time. Yorkshire batter Dawid Malan also returns to an annual contract after missing out last year.Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood and John Turner are offered Development Contracts to support the development of high-potential talent.Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said: "We are rewarding those players who we expect to make a significant impact over the coming years playing for England."It is great news and a credit to the players for demonstrating their commitment to English cricket in the ever-changing landscape of the sport."I would like to congratulate all the players who have been offered contracts. They will play a pivotal role in England's efforts over the next few years.”
Cricket commentator Zainab Abbas flees from India, reaches Dubai
Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Pakistani female cricket commentator, and sports presenter, Zainab Abbas left the Cricket World Cup and reached Dubai after receiving threats in India.According to available information from abroad, Zainab Abbas has left India owing to some security threats, and pressure was mounting on her in India, as she was there to perform her duties during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, a mega quadrennial event of the world.Now, she has reached Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is pertinent to mention here that in her tweet regarding Kashmir 9 years ago, an Indian citizen filed a case for her tweet regarding Kashmir. Zainab was receiving threats in India and she decided to leave the World Cup and reach Dubai.Also, an official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that she (Zainab Abbas) reached Dubai.
Cricket News: Mahela Jayawardene likely to join World Cup squad in Delhi
BIPIN DANISri Lanka's consultant coach Mahela Jayawardene will join the World Cup squad soon, it is learnt. According to the sources in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the 46-year-old Mahela did not attend the religious ceremony on the day of team departure and did not travel with the team and is not in Guwahati where Dasun Shanaka's Lanka team is playing the first warm up match against Bangladesh at Barsapara Stadium on Friday."He will certainly be there for the World Cup matches", one of the sources revealed. Sri Lanka's first match (and tournament's 4th) in the World Cup is against South Africa in Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 7. Mahela's contribution to the Lanka team in the Asia Cup is not known. Mahela's trip to the World Cup in India is approved by the sports minister, along with the other 12-member support staffs. The support staff list approved by the sports minister is as under :Mahinda Halangoda (Team Manager), Chris Silverwood (Head Coach), Mahela Jayawardene (Consultant Coach), Naveed Nawaz (Assistant Coach), Piyal Wijetunga (Spin Bowling Coach), Dharshana Gamage (Fast Bowling Coach), Anton Roux (Fielding Coach), Grant Luden (Trainer), Chris Clark (Physio), Shirantha Niroshana (Analyst), Rohan Priyadarshana (Masseur), Dr. P. Kiriella (Team Doctor), and Pramodya Wickramsinghe (Tour Selector). The sports minister has also ensured that this approval is used for applying for visa only for the tournament and as a single entry. The above approval for players and the support staffs is granted subject to the condition that a security bond of specific amount is signed between the participants and the SLC. "It is a normal practice adopted for all sports federations", a sports ministry source revealed. The manager will also be required to submit his tour report within 10 days of returning home. The sports ministry took the recommendations of the chairman of the National Sports Council.
Maheesh Theekshana sent for injury rehab, to join World Cup squad later
BIPIN DANISri Lanka's World Cup squad which reached Guwahati today (Wednesday) is without its ace-spinner Maheesh Theekshana.“The 23-year-old right-arm off-spinner had not boarded the flight", a top Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official confirmed."He did not attend the religious ceremony (conducted on Tuesday) either,” the source further added."At present, his participation in the World Cup is not in doubt but now he has been sent to the rehabilitation centre at the High Performance Unit. His fitness is being monitored by physio Thihan Chandramohan,” the source said.The spinner had been ruled out of the final of the men's Asia Cup against India because of a hamstring injury he picked up during Sri Lanka's last-ball win against Pakistan.According to multiple sources, there was a difference of opinion between the physio and the radiologist.It was assumed to be a Grade 3 injury but it did not have a big tear, though the MRI scan was indicating it, according to the medical team.He is therefore included in the squad and likely to join the team during a later stage of the tournament. The 15-member team which reached Guwahati has Chamika Karunaratne as a traveling reserve.
"Siraj's donation to unsung heroes more important than his performance"
BIPIN DANIIndian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj's decision to dedicate his Player of the Match award in the Asia Cup final has won the hearts of many."I want to give this cash prize (USD 5000) to the groundsmen. They deserve it. If they were not around, this tournament would not have been successful", the 29-year-old Siraj had announced at the presentation on Sunday. "We are more happy with his act of donating rather than his match performance", Mohammed Mahboob Ahmed, the secretary of the Charminar Cricket Club says. Siraj first started playing with the tennis ball but learned playing with the leather ball at this club. "Siraj has come from a very poor family back-ground. His father was an auto driver in Hyderabad. Siraj knows how poor people struggle to survive and therefore he has decided to give his prize money to the laborers in Sri Lanka". Siraj ran the Sri Lankan players ragged in the final. He produced a devastating spell of swing and seam bowling returning figures of 6 for 21 in seven overs as Sri Lanka were skittled out for 50. He became the first Indian bowler to take four wickets in an over in men's internationals. "We are very happy with his performance but more so because he cared for the poor groundsmen", Mehboob added. Siraj has stayed very humble. After having bagged a big IPL deal, Mohammed Siraj still remembers the hardships his parents had to endure in his childhood. When he was bought at the IPL auctions, Siraj had then vowed that the first thing he would do with the money would be to buy a new house for his family. And he has fulfilled his promise. "In his childhood, Siraj used to get a lot of bashing from his mother because he didn’t like studying. He was not good at studies. His brother, Ismail, on the other hand, excelled at academics in IT. However, today Siraj’s mother must be proud of whatever his son has achieved so far". "Sadly, Siraj's father (Mohammed Ghaus) is not alive to see his journey. He passed away in 2020 when Siraj was in Australia in 2020 and he could not attend the funeral because of the Covid restrictions. He, however, has become stronger now and is bound to get more and more success", Mehboob added.
Mudassar Nazar attends Kenya's past cricketers' reunion
BIPIN DANIFormer Pakistani all-rounder Mudassar Nazar was one of the foreign invitees at the colourful and enjoyable 3rd Edition of Kenya Past Cricketers Reunion held in Nairobi last week. This was revealed by Subhash Modi, the Hon. Coordinator/PRO: Kenya Past Cricketers Reunion Third Edition 2023. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Nairobi, he said, "Mudassar has not played cricket in Nairobi but was in charge of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in the past. We invited him with his wife Jackie Janmohamed, who is the former Chairlady of Cricket Kenya and also Immediate Past Chairlady of Africa Cricket Association and also the first Kenyan Lady Umpire to umpire top cricket league matches in Nairobi"."Her support for cricket in Kenya is simply praiseworthy. Jackie has been supporting our cricketing functions since its inception in 2018. We value her unending support. Jackie Janmohamed, besides one of our platinum sponsors, was also our honoured Chief Guest. Janmohamed lives in Nairobi but she travels a lot overseas. She is one of the well-known lawyers here in Kenya"."Mudassar Nassar, a well-known Pakistan Cricketing Icon is husband to Jackie Janmohamed. The reason for inviting Mudassar was because he has served ICC and Kenya's National Cricket Academy with dedication and commitment", added the former international umpire Modi.Mudassar lives in Pakistan, Nairobi, Dubai, and United Kingdom (UK) depending on his travel plans, and work commitments.
Former Test cricketer, Henry Olonga apologizes to Heath Streak
BIPIN DANIFormer Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga was believed to be the first one to have unintentionally spreaded the death news of Heath Streak, However, the 48-year-old has denied being instrumental in the fiasco and has named the middle order batter Sean Williams for this confusion. Olonga also shared the screenshot of the Whatsapp chats between Sean Williams and Pommie Mbangwa, where the death news first surfaced. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Australia, where Olonga resides, he said, "My tweet got more traction. I issued my various retractions and apologies to Heath". Explaining the sequence of the confusion, he says, "It is complicated and although I could share some personal intimate correspondence between the Streaks, I shall limit it to what is simple. We all heard it is imminent. So I know how grave things are"."I was even asked along with others touched by his life to provide a eulogy so that Heath can see them while he is here, which I did. Then someone else published on Twitter that it had actually happened. Gave a RIP tribute basically. Someone currently who is playing in the CPL and who is very close to Heath. He then deleted the tweet many hours later. A Facebook page announced it. Zimbabwean and Rhodesian sportsmen I think. I did check with two other former players who confirmed it. We were all obviously mistaken"."I did ask the family but got no response from them or another former teammate. It was late at night as I am in Aus. By then a few others had posted about it so I then did a tribute with pictures and the rest as they say is history. I had a somewhat higher traction than the others. Mid afternoon Streaky replies to my enquiry of his well being and gets in touch to correct the story. I amend all my posts and here we are. It has been a sad day as I really did think we lost him so try processing that with what we have now. Of course no malice intended and it grew a life of its own"."Heath and I are on good terms. It just went a little crazy. Of course I have apologised", Olonga concluded.
Green Shirts teach cricket to Afghanistan, claim 142 runs win in ODI
Pacers ruin Afghan batting line-up, Haris Rauf snares 5 batters, Shaheen 2Sports Bulletin ReportHambantota (Sri Lanka): An aggressive bowling spell by right-arm pacer Haris Rauf (5 for 18) destroyed Afghan batters, who were chasing merely 202 runs in 50 overs to create new history, in the first One Day International fixture of a three-match tie here at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka on Tuesday.Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first, as Green Shirts as Fakhar Zaman departed in the first over. Afghanistan bowlers kept it tight as Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Iftikhar Ahmed's gritty innings and Shadab Khan's crucial contribution lifted Pakistan's total, guiding them to a competitive score of 201 all out in 47.1 overs.Imam-ul-Haq's composed knock of 61 runs anchored the innings, while Iftikhar Ahmed's 30 runs and Shadab Khan's enterprising 39 were pivotal in setting up a defendable target. The Afghan bowlers, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, showcased their prowess to ensure Pakistan didn't run away with a bigger total. Some late-order resilience exhibited by Naseem Shah helped Pakistan reach the 200-run mark.Afghanistan's chase faltered right from the beginning as they lost early wickets under the pressure of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah's fiery pace. Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed some resistance with 18 runs, but Afghanistan's middle-order struggled to find stability. Haris Rauf's five-wicket haul completely dismantled Afghanistan's batting lineup.Azmatullah Omarzai's valiant 16, despite retiring hurt, was the only silver lining for Afghanistan. Their innings concluded at a mere 59 runs in 19.2 overs, giving Pakistan an emphatic 142-run victory.Haris Rauf, with his outstanding figures of 5 wickets for 18 runs, was undoubtedly the star of the match, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.The win puts Pakistan ahead in the three-match series, leading Afghanistan 1-0. Both teams will meet again for the second ODI at the same venue on 24 August.Scores in Brief:Pakistan: 201 all out in 47.1 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 61, Shadab Khan 39, Iftikhar Ahmed 30; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3-33, Mohammad Nabi 2-34)Afghanistan: 59 all out in 19.2 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 18, Azmatullah Omarzai 16 not out; Haris Rauf 5-18, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-9, Naseem Shah 1-12)Player of the Match: Haris Rauf (Pakistan)
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