Sports Bulletin

SPORTS BULLETIN Dubai (UAE):-Sri Lanka players Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga, heroes of a memorable victory over Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, have made handsome gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. Rajapaksa’s blistering 71 off 45 deliveries with six fours and three sixes, that won him the Player of the Match award, has helped him advance 34 places to a career-best 34th position. Rajapaksa had scores of 25 not out against India and 24 against Pakistan in other matches of the tournament played during the past week. All-rounder Hasaranga, a formerly top-ranked bowler, has advanced in all three lists after a fine all-round effort in the final saw him smash a 21-ball 36 and follow it up with a late triple-strike with his leg-spin bowling. With a three-wicket haul in the previous match against Pakistan two days earlier, he has moved up three places to sixth position. He is also up seven places to fourth among all-rounders and up 28 places to 152nd among batters. Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, who grabbed three for 29 in the final and two wickets each in the previous two matches, has moved up nine places to 25th. Mohammad Nawaz has progressed seven places to 34th and Mohammad Hasnain has gained 14 places to reach 96th in the latest weekly update. Former India captain Virat Kohli, who smashed a match-winning 122 not out off 61 deliveries in a Super Fours match against Afghanistan, has leaped 14 places to reach 15th position while seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s remarkable haul of five for four in the same match has lifted him to the top 10, from 11th to seventh position. Lokesh Rahul has progressed from 30th to 23rd. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (up nine places to 41st) and Axar Patel (up 14 places to 57th) have also made notable gains, while Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran has advanced 55 places to 63rd after his unbeaten half-century against India. Meanwhile, Mohammad Nabi has conceded the top place for all-rounders to Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hassan. In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, updated after the second and third Australia versus New Zealand matches, Steve Smith has jumped 13 places to 10th position after scores of 61 and 105 while Alex Carey has moved up two places to 20th. Mitchell Starc (up three places to ninth) and Adam Zampa (up three places to 15th) have advanced in the bowlers’ list. For New Zealand, Matt Henry has moved up one slot to take eighth position among bowlers while Finn Allen is in the top 100 for batters. In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings that takes into consideration performances in the third England-South Africa Test at The Oval, Player of the Match Ollie Robinson is up 11 places to 15th after finishing with seven wickets in the match including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Ben Stokes is up three places to 35th in the same list, while Ollie Pope (up 17 places to 29th) and Zak Crawley (up 16 places to 48th) are the batters to have improved their rankings. South Africa opener Alax Lees has moved up 18 slots and occupies 74th position while left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen has reached 26th position after a first-innings five-wicket haul.

BIPIN DANI Eying off the classic defensive stance of the batter, the young leg spinner delivered his first ball. He knew immediately it had perfect flight, the ball fizzed through the air, biting hard off the pitch it turned sharply past the edge of the bat. Steve Waugh looked up and fixed his steely glare on the bowler as he reset. Tom Brooks was eleven years old, and the action took place in the cricket net he built out the back of the Brooks family farm at Scone, three hours drive from Sydney. “I was immediately impressed by his ball flight and the turn he got on the ball” Waugh said of his first experience with Tom. “I then went away to school at St Ignatius college Riverview”, says Brooks “As I’m from the country I would always prioritise my commitments at home before my cricket”. However, at age 15 I made it into the Riverview First X1”. His coach at Riverview, the esteemed James Rodgers, stated that “in 40 years of Brooks was easily best bowler I have coached” Brooks was already playing against the men’s country sides from age 10, and after school finished Brooks was drafted straight into First Grade in Sydney, with Wests. Last year, his second season his figures showed his development with 31 Wickets at an average 24. Tom is mentored in his craft by ex-Test Spinner Kerry O’Keefe. “Playing grade cricket, I travel down on a Friday night and go home on a Sunday night after play, and help around the farm, as it holds a close place to my heart” says Tom In January 2022, Steve Waugh introduced Tom to Sir Ian Botham, and pushed forward the idea of a summer stint in the UK. Botham was straight into it, fixing up Tom, now 21, With Richmondshire CC, in North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket Leagues. Joining Richmondshire XI and nicknamed “Warnie” by his team-mates, Tom helped the Team win two championships, with 77 wickets at 19.38 and a best of 6/35, and a batting average of 29.83 with a strike rate of 131.62. “I have a massive opportunity to pursue my cricket and now I have decided to give it a serious go” says Tom.

SPORTS BULLETIN Dubai (UAE):-England all-rounder Sarah Glenn has closed in on compatriot Sophie Ecclestone in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after a fine show in the first match of their three-T20I series against India at Chester-le-Street on Saturday. Glenn, whose haul of four for 23 helped her team to a nine-wicket victory and won her the Player of the Match award, is at a career-best-equalling second position and just 13 rating points adrift of left-arm spinner Ecclestone. Glenn has been ranked second on a few occasions in the past too, most recently last month, before she was overtaken by Katherine Brunt. England batters Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey too have made notable gains after the first match of their series. Dunkley’s unbeaten 61 off 44 balls sees her move up 13 places to 44th position while Capsey’s brisk 32 not out off 20 deliveries has lifted her 12 places to 52nd. Freya Davis has gained nine places and is 59th among bowlers. For India, seamer Renuka Singh (up five places to 13th) has moved up among bowlers while all-rounder Deepti Sharma (up three places to 33rd) and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (up four places to 75th) have advanced in the batters’ list. Ireland and Scotland players too have something to cheer about ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 starting Sunday in Abu Dhabi, in which they are pooled together in Group A. Saskia Horley of Scotland has moved up 16 places to 54th among batters after her knock of 44 in a losing cause in their second T20I while Ireland leg-spinner Cara Murray’s two-wicket haul has lifted her 14 places to 94th position. Ireland’s Leah Paul (up three places to 68th), Arlene Kelly (up 16 places to 74th) and captain Laura Delany (up eight places to 75th) have moved up in the list of bowlers while all-rounder Orla Prendergast has advanced in all three lists.

SPORTS BULLETIN Multan:-Three wickets apiece from Pakistan internationals Aamer Yamin and Waqas Maqsood and an unbeaten 41 runs from Tayyab Tahir led Central Punjab to a four-wicket win over Southern Punjab in the 23rd fixture of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Central Punjab came back stronger after losing to Southern Punjab in the Rawalpindi leg by 86 runs on 2 September. This was Central Punjab’s third win in the tournament – second in the Multan leg. Chasing 107 to win, Central Punjab scored at over seven runs an over in the powerplay, but also lost three wickets to keep Southern Punjab interested in the low-scoring game. That Central Punjab were able to chase down the target in the 17th over was due to an unbeaten knock from right-handed Tayyab – who scored 41 off 34 and smashed five fours and one six. Tayyab also leads the batting charts with 351 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 139.84. Southern Punjab’s right-arm pacers Muhammad Imran and Sameen Gul took two wickets each. Earlier, after being put into bat by Central Punjab’s captain Qasim Akram, Southern Punjab wobbled at the top of the innings when they slumped to 39 for four in the ninth over. Sharoon Siraj – who has scored one half-century in the tournament was joined by Yousuf Babar and the pair added 35 runs for the fifth wicket – the highest partnership of the innings. After the departure of Sharoon (21, 21b, one four, one six), Southern Punjab lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 106 in the last over. For Central Punjab, Aamer and Waqas bagged three wickets apiece for 16 and 21 runs, respectively. Right-arm fast Hunain Shah – playing his second T20 bagged two wickets for 22. Later tonight, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take on Sindh in the 24th fixture of the tournament. Scores in brief: Central Punjab beat Southern Punjab by four wickets Southern Punjab 106 all out, 19.2 overs (Zain Abbas 25, Yousuf Babar 22, Sharoon Siraj 21; Aamer Yamin 3-16, Waqas Maqsood 3-21, Hunain Shah 2-22) Central Punjab 110-6, 16.5 overs (Tayyab Tahir 41 not out; Muhammad Imran 2-18, Sameen Gul 2-22) Player of the match – Tayyab Tahir (Central Punjab)

SPORTS BULLETIN LAHORE:-The first batch of the PCB Pathway Programme continues to train at full throttle at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore with players from across the country going through the hard yards under the supervision of foreign and local coaches. Over the weekend, renowned strength and conditioning coach Nick Webb who hails from New Zealand joined the programme as part of the Engro Cricket Coaching Project initiative. Webb has established his credentials as one of the most prominent S&C coaches in world cricket with highly successful stints with New Zealand and Indian men’s teams. Webb brought a change in the fitness culture and approach of both sides and his extensive knowledge of working with players from the subcontinent made him an attractive choice for the PCB when they began the hunt for an S&C coach to join the programme under the Engro Cricket Coaching Project banner. With the players being in their formative years, Webb is keen on creating a world-class fitness culture for the participants as they build towards their professional careers at the senior level for Pakistan across the three cricket formats. Webb has made some elaborate plans both for the youngsters training at the pathway programme as well as local S&C coaches who are working closely with him as part of the PCB’s plans of upskilling coaches. Nick Webb: “I have been pleasantly surprised both by Lahore and the high performance centre. It is an absolute privilege to be here and work with these youngsters who are full of potential.  The PCB Pathway Programme is a fantastic initiative, my aim would be to create awareness amongst the participants on fitness requirements which can help them in their senior careers. “This initiative can feed the senior team for a long period, we have got some good consultants and organisers on-board who can help these youngsters develop high performance habits and culture. “There is a two-pronged attack from my perspective, the first bit is to ensure these players are fit and strong in three years’ time to handle the demands of international and professional cricket. There is also a coach education plan from my end for local coaches to enhance their knowledge from a sports science perspective so that they can contribute on a long-term basis too. “It is also about recognising the individual fitness requirements of players, how a batter is different to a bowler, how a tall player is different to one who is short, similarly how players from prominent cities compare to those hailing from smaller towns and rural areas.” Besides Webb, power-hitting coach Julian Wood and bowling coach Gordon Parsons are delivering daily indoor and outdoor training sessions and lectures to the camp participants.

SPORTS BULLETIN Lahore:-The Pakistan Cricket Board, on 12 September 2022, provisionally suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1** of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, which means that he cannot take part in any cricket-related activity, pending conclusion of the investigation being carried out by PCB's Anti-Corruption Unit. Asif Afridi has today been issued a Notice of Charge for two breaches under Article 2.4 of the Code  and has fourteen (14) days to respond to the charges.

SPORTS BULLETIN Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for August 2022 which sees Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and Australia’s Tahlia McGrath honoured following their outstanding international performances during August. Raza claims the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award thanks to an unforgettable series of scores against Bangladesh and India in Harare across two ODI series. The all-rounder struck two magnificent unbeaten centuries (135 not out and 117 not out) during the historic 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh, on both occasions securing victory for his side in dramatic fashion when chasing big targets. He scored another memorable century against India later in the month, albeit in defeat, continuing his sensational form shown throughout 2022. In addition to his exploits at the crease, Raza also highlighted his bowling threat in the shorter format, taking seven wickets during the month. In claiming the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, Raza becomes the first Zimbabwe international to win the award, overcoming fellow nominees and leading all-rounders Mitchell Santner of New Zealand and England’s Ben Stokes who also starred during an action-packed month of men’s cricket. Reacting to being named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August, Raza commented: “I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to have won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award from the ICC. It’s even more humbling being the first Zimbabwean to ever win the award. “I would like to thank everybody who has been in the changing room with me over the past three to four months, namely the technical staff and the players. Without them this would not have been possible. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans in Zimbabwe and overseas for all your prayers and all your wishes, they are well received and I’m forever grateful.” Former South Africa international and ICC Player of the Month voting panel member, JP Duminy said: “Sikandar has really blossomed into a fine all-rounder, and more importantly has shown supreme consistency against some of the top teams in the world. It’s exciting to see what comes next for him.” Tahlia McGrath becomes the latest Australian star to receive the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after paving the way for her country to claim Commonwealth Gold in Birmingham. Following in the footsteps of Alyssa Healy, who claimed the award in April, McGrath amassed 114 runs at an average of 57 during the month, together with five wickets at 13.40, emphasising the crucial role she played in securing yet another success for her country. In amongst a series of strong displays, undoubtedly her star performance came in the victory over Pakistan, where McGrath scored an unbeaten 78, before her three wickets and a run out helped maintain her side’s unbeaten path to glory. On winning the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for August, McGrath commented: “I’m honoured to have been named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for August given there are so many great players who are at the top of their game at the moment. “I’m loving being back in the Australian team and being part of some really special moments, including making history as the first women’s team to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal.” Along with team success at the Commonwealth Games, McGrath’s excellent month also saw her reach a career-high ranking of 12th among all-rounders in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings. Former West Indies international and member of the voting panel Daren Ganga added: “McGrath is one of the most genuine all-rounders in the women’s game. Her skill to swing the ball with consistent control matched with her batting ability all present remarkable value added to Australia. She is only 26 years of age and has many more contributions and successes to enjoy in her country’s colours."

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Dubai (UAE):- An astonishing counterattack from Bhanuka Rajapaksa and impressive bowling performances from Pramod Madushan and Wanindu Hasaranaga set up a comfortable 23-run win for Sri Lanka over Pakistan in the final of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This was the sixth instance of the island nation bagging the title. Sri Lanka had set Pakistan 171 to win and that they were able to manage the imposing total was because of a scintillating 45-ball 71 not out from Rajapaksa. The left-handed middle order batter rescued his team from a precarious 58 for five and added 58 and 54 runs with Hasaranga (21-ball 36, five fours and a six) and Chamika Karunaratne as 103 runs were added to the Sri Lankan total at the loss of just one wicket in the last 10 overs. It was a turnaround of epic proportions considering the start Pakistan quicks had provided to their side. Naseem Shah’s brute of a delivery that nipped back into Kusal Mendis to dislodge his stumps provided Pakistan the first wicket on just the third delivery and Haris Rauf accounted for Pathum Nissanka, the other opener, as he holed out to mid-off. Haris struck again with an incredible in-swinger to left-hander Danushka Gunathilaka that reduced Sri Lanka to 36 for three at 5.1 overs. Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s astute move to introduce the off-spin of Iftikhar Ahmed garnered his side the wicket of dangerous looking Dhananjaya de Silva, who had spanked four classic boundaries in the cover region in his 28 off 21. Haris finished with brilliant figures of three for 29. Pakistan stuttered in their run chase right from the beginning as Madushan’s double blows in the fourth over sent Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman back in the hut for just 22 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan staged a marvellous recovery with a 71-run partnership. Rizwan’s fighting innings saw him score 55 off 49 deliveries, finishing the tournament as the leading run-getter with 281 runs in six innings at an average of 56.20. As Iftikhar started to take on the bowlers, Madushan struck again and had him caught at deep square-leg for 32 off 31 in the 14th over. Two overs later, Mohammad Nawaz pulled Karunaratne into the hands of deep fine-leg and the dismissal sparked a collapse that saw them lose their next five wickets for 15 runs. Hasaragna struck thrice in one over – sending Rizwan, Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah back – and returned three for 27. Madushan dismissed Naseem Shah in the penultimate over to finish with four for 34. Karunaratne (two for 27) bowled Mohammad Hasnain on the last ball of the match as Pakistan were bowled out for 147. Scores in brief: Sri Lanka 170-6, 20 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 71 not out, Wanindu Hasaranga 36, Dhanajaya de Silva 28; Haris Rauf 3-29) Pakistan 147 all out, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 55, Iftikhar Ahmed 32; Pramod Madushan 4-34, Wanindu Hasaranga 3-27, Chamika Karunaratne 2-33) Player of the match – Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka) Player of the series - Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

SPORTS BULLETIN Lahore:-Six Pakistan women internationals are amongst 24 participants that have registered for the six-day ACC Level 2 Women Coaching Course, which will be held at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore from 12 to 17 September. Pakistan international players include Ayesha Zafar (29 ODIs, 20T20Is), Iram Javed (21 ODIs, 51 T20Is), Nahida Bibi (66 ODIs, 54 T20Is), Nashra Sundhu (49 ODIs, 28 T20Is), Natalia Pervaiz (three ODIs, 11 T20Is) and Sidra Amin (48 ODIs, 25 T20Is). Farah Naeem, Saira Iftikhar, Samina Bibi and Shehla Bibi are other participants from Pakistan. Other participants in the course, include representatives from Bahrain, Bhutan (two), Hong Kong (two), Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal (two), Maldives, Qatar (two) and Singapore. The Level 2 course participants will be taught the advance coaching skills which include batting, bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping. This also includes work on communications skills, mental and physical strength, planning and creating quality learning environments which help players graduate to the next level. The course will be conducted by National High Performance Centre coaches Mauhtashim Rashid, Mohsin Kamal, Rahat Abbas Asadi and it will be headed by Shahid Aslam. At the conclusion of the course, the participants will be given three months to complete their assignments. The successful participants will be awarded Level 2 coaching certificates. ACC Level 2 Women’s Coaching Course participants: Ayesha Zafar (Pakistan), Dechen Wangmo (Bhutan), Deepika Rasangika (Bahrain), Elnaz Parvin (Iran), Emylia Eliani Binti Md Rahim (Malaysia), Farah Naeem (Pakistan), Iram Javed (Pakistan), Janaki Bhatt (Nepal), Kary Chan (Hong Kong), Khadija Khalil (Kuwait), Mariyam Zoona (Maldives), Nahida Bibi (Pakistan), Nashra Sundhu (Pakistan), Natalia Pervaiz (Pakistan), Rochelle Sherlene Quyn (Qatar), Saira Iftikhar (Pakistan), Samina Bibi (Pakistan), Shafina Mahesh (Singapore), Shahreen Nawab (Qatar), Shehla Bibi (Pakistan), Sidra Amin (Pakistan),  Sobha Ale (Nepal), Tammy Chu (Hong Kong) and Yeshey Choden (Bhutan)

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lahore:-Mohammad Javed Malik, member International Panel of ICC Match Referees, will lead the playing control team in the seven T20 Internationals between Pakistan and England played across Karachi and Lahore from 20 September till 2 October. Aleem Dar, member ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, and Asif Yaqoob, one of the four Pakistan umpires in ICC International Panel of Umpires, the other three being Ahsan Raza, Shozab Raza and Rashid Riaz, will take the on-field duties for the series opener at National Stadium, Karachi. Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz will be the third and fourth umpires. Five umpires will do the on-field umpiring duties in the series. Aleem Dar will stand in four T20Is, Ahsan Raza in three, and Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz and Faisal Afridi will stand in two matches each. The National Stadium will stage the first four T20Is on 20, 22, 23 and 25 September. The action will move to the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore for the last three matches from 28 September. September, 20, 2022: First T20I. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee) September 22, 2022: Second T20I. Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee) September 23, 2022: Third T20I. Aleem Dar and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee) September 25, 2022: Fourth T20I. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee) September 28, 2022: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee) September 30, 2022: Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Faisal Afridi (third umpire), Ahsan Raza (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee) October 2, 2022: Asif Yaqoob and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)