Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Galle (Sri Lanka):-Pakistan made an impressive start to their 508-run chase on day-four of the second ICC World Test Championship match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday. Bad light followed by rain curtailed the day as play was called-off with 26 overs left undelivered. After a promising start, the visitors lost Abdullah Shafique for 16 after a 42-run opening stand. Imam-ul-Haq finished the day at an unbeaten 46 off 80 balls (four fours). Imam and captain Babar Azam have so far added 47 runs for the second-wicket, Babar was not out on 26 off 38 balls (two fours and one six). On the fifth and final day, Pakistan need another 419 runs to register a world record chase. If the visitors bat out the remaining overs, the match will end in a draw earning Pakistan a 1-0 series win. On Wednesday, Dhananjaya de Silva was Sri Lanka’s second innings’ star performer. The right-hander scored the ninth century of his Test career to spearhead his side’s progress to their 500 plus overall lead. Resuming at 176 for five, de Silva and captain Dimuth Karunaratne took their sixth-wicket partnership to 126. Nauman Ali provided Pakistan their first breakthrough of the day when he had Karunaratne smartly caught by Abdullah at short-leg. Karunaratne scored 61 off 105 balls with the help of three fours. Sri Lanka continued to progress at a healthy rate as Pakistan bowlers searched for wickets. Debutant Dunith Wellalage fell for 18 to Mohammad Nawaz, Sri Lanka took lunch at 297 for seven – overall lead of 444. De Silva completed his century off 159 balls, the seasoned batter found an able ally in Ramesh Mendis who followed his first innings all-round exploits (35 and five wickets) with an unbeaten 45 (54 balls, five fours). The pair added 82 for the eight-wicket before de Silva was run out via a direct hit by Yasir Shah. Sri Lanka declared their innings at 360 for 8. Naseem Shah and Nawaz took two wickets each for Pakistan.  Scores in brief: Sri Lanka 378 all out, 103 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 80, Niroshan Dickwella 51, Oshada Fernando 50; Naseem Shah 3-58, Yasir Shah 3-83) and 360 for 8, 91.5 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 109, Dimuth Karunaratne 61, Ramesh Mendis 45 not out; Naseem Shah 2-44, Mohammad Nawaz 2-75) Pakistan 231 all out, 88.1 overs (Salman Ali Agha 62, Imam-ul-Haq 32; Ramesh Mendis 5-47, Prabath Jayasuriya 3-80) and 89 for 1, 28 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 46 not out, Babar Azam 26 not out; Prabath Jayasuriya 1-46)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Adelaide Oval’s chief curator Damien Hough has completed his 12-day visit of Pakistan during which he visited four Test centres and worked with the ground staff, curators and coaches on pitch and outfield preparation methods. Hough, started his visit at the headquarters of Pakistan cricket, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. From Lahore, Hough travelled to Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi before coming down to spend the last weekend in Karachi. Besides a thorough inspection of the city’s Test venue – National Stadium, Hough also made a visit to the Naya Nazimabad Ground. Besides inspecting the pitches and the outfield in the four cities, Hough also delivered lectures on pitch making and outfield inspection which were attended by local coaches, ground staff and curators. Hough meanwhile, has termed his trip very useful and enjoyable one as besides making the pitch and ground related visits, delivering lectures and presentations, he also got an opportunity to understand and learn about pitch making in Pakistan. The visit according to him was also about exchanging ideas and collaboration. Hough also lauded the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts and interest in experimenting with imported Australian soil and called it a world class approach. Damien Hough said: “There were two parts to the plan of coming over to Pakistan, like it was about providing information and understanding on how we prepare pitches at the Adelaide Oval, the grass we leave on to assist with the pace, bounce and carry which was conveyed through presentations to the coaches and participants of the lectures at the four cities we visited. We also went on the ground and rolled out a pitch to explain how we do things. “The other part was about a visit to the different venues and to meet the grounds team and the staff and understand how they do things, the outfields, the machinery and to go home and put together a report about what I have seen. There have been a lot of positives to take away and it has been a really enjoyable tour. “The engagement from the curators and the coaches was extremely positive. The challenges in Pakistan are different with regards to the environment and busy schedules for the curators but the good thing was that everyone was willing to learn and progress, it was about exchanging ideas and having a collaborative approach as a lot of things are done similarly both here and in Australia. “There are a lot of things that are being done already and the curators and the ground staff are ready to learn and up skill. The commitment of the staff is exactly the same as Australia which is commendable. The machinery here is good, it is all about how to use it and about providing some advice on how it can be best used to get the results. Every year or so the equipment gets advanced. It is the same challenge for us back home as we are always trying to update and see what new machinery we need to add because it makes our job easier and of course helps improve the surface. “The experiment with the soil is outstanding, to be in a position to put it all out in the middle of your grounds is world class thinking. The work that has already been done really excites me, it shows to me that the board is constantly looking for improvement and they deserve a round of applause. Using different clay is very exciting, these are kind of things that are very important for cricket around the world. Even if it doesn’t work there will be a lot of positives to take from this, it shouldn’t be considered a failure. “In Australia we use different clay in all cricket academies and we try and experiment all the time. It started in Brisbane where clay from all over Australia was brought and the same we have now tried in Adelaide. To provide your team an opportunity of preparing for bouncier pitches and giving them great preparation is a great approach especially when the team fronts up to the challenge of bouncer pitches in places like Australia and South Africa. “I will be providing the PCB a feasibility report on the idea of a drop-in pitch and it would be up to them on how they want to proceed on the matter.”

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Streamlining pathways cricket and creating more playing opportunities for talented cricketers was the cornerstone of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s 2022-23 men’s domestic cricket season, which was revealed today. The seniors cricket will commence with the 33-match two-leg National T20, which will be held in Rawalpindi and Multan from 30 August to 19 September. Concurrently, the second XIs Cricket Associations Cup will be played in Quetta from 2-15 September. Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the jewel in the PCB’s crown, will be staged from 27 September to 30 November with Abbottabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Karachi sharing 31 matches between them. The Cricket Associations Championship will be played alongside the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in the same cities from 27 September to 23 November. Curtains on the 2022-23 domestic cricket season will fall with the 33-match Pakistan Cup 50-over tournament, which will be staged in Karachi from 10 December to 3 January. Karachi will also stage the Cricket Associations Challenge from 10-29 December.  In all, 187 matches are scheduled to be played over 127 days (30 August to 3 January). Salient features of the PCB 2022-23 men’s domestic cricket calendar are: ·         Six-team Cricket Associations Cup (T20 format) will now be played on a double-league basis. This means each side will get a minimum of 10 matches and a total of 30 matches will be played. Previously, the event was held on a single-league basis with 15 matches. ·         Six-team Cricket Associations Championship will now be a four-day non first-class competition. Previously, it was a three-day tournament ·         Six-team Cricket Associations Championship will be played on a double-league basis. This means each side will get a minimum of 10 matches and a total of 30 matches will be played. Previously, the event was held on a single-league basis with 15 matches. ·         Six-team Cricket Associations Challenge will be played on a double-league basis. This means each side will get a minimum of 10 matches and a total of 30 matches will be played. Previously, the event was held on a single-league basis with 15 matches. ·         The seniors’ competitions will follow the CCA U19 tournament (21 May-4 June), CA Divisional U19 tournament (10-17 June), CCA Senior Tournament (19 June-21 July) and National U19 Cup (28 June-8 July). The National U19 Championship commenced in Karachi from 25 July and will conclude on 23 August, while the CA Divisional Senior Tournament will take place from 27 July to 12 August. Director High Performance, Nadeem Khan said:  “Making the domestic events competitive and challenging, while continuing to provide maximum opportunities to our talented cricketers to demonstrate their talent and help them graduate to the higher level, was the mainstay of our thought-process when we finalised the upcoming domestic season calendar. “Last year, we allowed each Cricket Association to field two under-19 sides in the National tournaments and this year we have increased the number of matches in the second XI CA Cup, Championship and Challenge. This means each player will get a minimum of 10 matches across all three formats, which provides a good enough opportunity for any player to show his mettle and talent, and stake his claim in the first XI competitions. “We have introduced a new concept whereby the non first-class CA Championship matches will be four-day fixtures. This will ensure the matches are well-contested and result-oriented, and the players get full opportunity to make the best from these games. This will also help in narrowing the gap with our first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in which only the best of the best participate. “We have also tried to streamline the player development and progression. Now, a talented U19 cricketer will not have to wait until the next year before playing in the seniors’ competition. I am sure that this year, we will see a few outstanding U19 cricketers from the CCA, CA and National tournaments that will feature in the topline events, as the pathways events have been designed to lead into the main competitions. “Last year, youngsters Mubasir Khan of Northern and Balochistan’s Haseebullah were adjudged players of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pakistan Cup, respectively. It was heartwarming for the PCB to see the youngsters stepping up and dominating these tournaments, as this not only reflected the talent in our country but also demonstrated the high standard of our events. “I remain optimistic that a good number of youngsters will make a name for themselves from the forthcoming tournaments which, in turn, will help us increase the pool of our national team bench players.” PCB 2022-23 men’s domestic cricket calendar: 30 Aug-19 Sep - National T20; Rawalpindi and Multan 2-15 Sep – Cricket Associations T20; Quetta 27 Sep-30 Nov - Quaid-e-Azam Trophy; Abbottabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Karachi 27 Sep-23 Nov – Cricket Associations Championship; Abbottabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Karachi 10 Dec-3 Jan- Pakistan Cup; Karachi 10-29 Dec – Cricket Associations Challenge; Karachi.

Bipin Dani Family members of Angelo Mathews and Dunith Wellalage are at the ground during the ongoing second Test match against Pakistan. It was also confirmed by debutant's dad Suranga Wellalage. It was Dunith Wellalage's debut Test day on Sunday and Mathews is playing his 100th Test match at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Both could not capitalize the big score on the first day. According to the renowned sports psychologist Jeremy Snape, who has worked with the Sri Lankan players twice, the presence of the family at the ground is not a distraction. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from overseas, he said, "Having your family present for a major milestone like your debut or 100th game is a great way to celebrate with those who sacrificed so much in the early years of your career". Echoing the sports psychologist's views, Angelow's brother Trevin Mathews said, "it is no way a distraction. On the contrary, Angelo likes his family to be around when he is playing. He was very happy when we all went there on Sunday". Angelo's both parents, sister and Trevin have returned to Colombo after watching the first day game. However, Angelo's wife Heshani Silva with kids has stayed back.  There has been strong rumour that Angelo may announce his retirement after this Test. Let us wait till we hear anything from him.

Sports Bulletin Report Galle (Sri Lanka):-Sri Lanka followed their good performance with the bat to restrict Pakistan to 191 for seven in their first innings at close on day-two of the second ICC World Test Championship match at the Galle International Stadium on Monday. Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis scored 35 with the bat and then took three Pakistan first innings’ wickets to give his side the ascendancy in the series decider. Resuming at the overnight 315 for six, Sri Lanka added 63 runs before they were bowled out. Dunith Wellalage (11) was the first to go on day-two, he was dismissed by a searing bouncer by Naseem Shah. Niroshan Dickwella completed his 22nd half-century before falling to Naseem. Yasir Shah accounted for Prabath Jayasuriya (8) and Mendis to finish off the Sri Lankan first innings. Mendis’ 35 off 52 balls propelled his side past the 375-mark. Pakistan were dealt a big blow in the first over of their reply with the first Test hero Abdullah Shafique falling on the second ball of the innings. The right-hander was bowled for a duck by Asitha Fernando. Captain Babar Azam who promoted himself to number three in the batting order in the absence of Azhar Ali scored 16 before falling to Jayasuriya. Imam-ul-Haq looked set for a big score but fell at 32 when Mendis bowled him as the left-hander attempted a defensive shot on the front foot. Mohammad Rizwan was another batter who failed to make the most of a start as he was sent packing for 24 as Pakistan took tea at 111 for four. Fawad Alam was the next Pakistan batter to fall in the 20s as the left-hander was pinned lbw on the backfoot by Mendis, Fawad also scored 24. Mohammad Nawaz was the next to go as he continued the trend of the batters getting starts but failing to convert when he was dismissed for 16 off Mendis to leave Pakistan 145 for six. Salman Ali Agha absorbed the pressure from one end and played some stylish shorts in his maiden half-century that kept Pakistan afloat. The right-hander who made his Test debut in the first Test of the series last week at the same venue, fell on the last ball of the day to Jayasuriya with de Silva taking the catch in the slips. Salman’s 62 came off 126 balls (four fours, one six). Before his dismissal which left Pakistan in a real spot of bother, the middle-order batter added 46 runs for the seventh-wicket with Yasir (13 not out). This partnership is so far the best in Pakistan’s first innings. The visitors finished the day 187 runs behind Sri Lanka’s first innings score. Pakistan would need meaningful contributions from the tail enders tomorrow if they are to avoid conceding a big first innings lead. Scores in brief: Sri Lanka 378 all out, 103 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 80, Niroshan Dickwella 51, Oshada Fernando 50; Naseem Shah 3-58, Yasir Shah 3-83) Pakistan 191 for 7, 69.4 overs (Salman Ali Agha 62, Imam-ul-Haq 32; Ramesh Mendis 3-42, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-59)

Bipin Dani Sri Lanka's former cricketer Pubudu Dassanayake returns to Canada to take up the fresh coaching role. In December last year, the former wicket-keepr and batter took up the assingment in Nepal but before fulfilling his 2-year-contract term, he is returning to Canada. "I am returning to Canada on Sunday. During this Covid pandemic, it has become exteremely difficult to work here, where my family is not there", speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said. Incidentally, the 52-year-old Pubudu has shuffled his coaching career between Canada and Nepal on two different occasions. In between the two, he had also coached the USA team. Pubudu played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs' before he migarated to Canada in 2001. "I submitted my resignation to Nepal a month ago and it is only a coincidence that I got Canada coaching job suddenly". "Canada has no regular head coach. They have been appoining the local man on series by series basis. Now they have odffered my a two-year-contract and I could not resist the temptation so as I can devote time with my family in Canada", he added. He has not recommended any coach name for the Nepal team. "They will begin the process of appointing a new man within a month period", he added.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has announced the Honorarium for 17 national players, who performed notably well in recent domestic and international competitions. According to an official of PBCC, the players will receive a monthly Honorarium for the term of the next six (6) months, starting from July 2022 to December 2022. Category A players will get Rs. 20,000 while Category B will pocket Rs. 17,000/ per month. Category C players will be awarded Rs. 15,000 per month. PBCC has increased the honorarium amount by Rs=2,500/ each in all categories.   Sr. # Name Honorarium Category Rs. per month   Badar Munir (A) Rs=20,000/   Nisar Ali (A) Rs=20,000/   Muhammad Rashid (B) Rs=17,000/   Faisal Mehmood (B) Rs=17,000/   Riasat Khan (B) Rs=17,000/   Mati Ullah (B) Rs=17,000/   Anees Javed (C) Rs=15,000/   Moeen Aslam (C) Rs=15,000/   Muhammad Safdar (C) Rs=15,000/   Shahzeb Haider (C) Rs=15,000/   Mohsin Khan (C) Rs=15,000/   Zafar Iqbal (C) Rs=15,000/   Muhammad Salman (C) Rs=15,000/   Haroon Khan (C) Rs=15,000/   Kamran Akhter (C) Rs=15,000/   Muhammad Shahzeb (C) Rs=15,000/   Sana Ullah Khan (C) Rs=15,000/      

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-India have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against the West Indies in the first ODI in Port of Spain on Friday. Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. India captain Shikhar Dhawan plead guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Leslie Reifer, third umpire Gregory Brathwaite and fourth umpire Nigel Duguid leveled the charge.

Bipin Dani Former Pakistani batsman Zaheer Abbas turned 75 on Sunday. The news of his 75th Birthday was conveyed to him by his India-born wife Rita Luthra (known as Samina Abbas after marriage in 1988), in Hammersmith Hospital on Sunday. The Asian Bradman, as he is being called, was hospitalized for his heart-related and covid issues, but now being treated for kidney related complications. "Zaheer is still in the hospital and recovering. Yes, he is recovering but recovery is longer than expected but is much better now", she said over the telephone. "He is not in the ICU but has been shifted to the ward. Visitors are not allowed. I usually stay with him during the day", she added. "He is very humbled and touched". Later, speaking to this Reporter, his Dubai-based daughter Roshana said, "With everybody's prayers, dad is on the road to recovery. However, it will take time for his full recovery".  "We will celebrate his 75 years properly once he is discharged from the hospital. We thank for the support and prayers from his fans and well-wishers". 

Sports Bulletin Report Galle (Sri Lanka):-Sri Lanka made solid progress on day-one of the second ICC World Test Championship match against Pakistan as they scored 315 for six at close of play on Sunday at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando provided the side a flying start of 92 runs. Fernando carried his form from the first Test where he scored a fifty in the second innings with an enterprising 50 (70 balls, four fours, three sixes). The right-hander’s dominant innings was brought to an end by an excellent spinning delivery from Mohammad Nawaz that took the outside edge, Mohammad Rizwan took a sharp catch behind the stumps to end the partnership. On the eve of the lunch break, Salman Ali Agha ran out Kusal Mendis when he intercepted a straight drive from Karunaratne in his follow through and deflected it on the stumps catching Mendis millimetres short of the crease at the non-striker’s end. Sri Lanka took lunch at 96 for two. After lunch, Karunaratne was dismissed for 40 when his attempted cut shot was caught by a diving Naseem Shah in the point region off Yasir Shah. Seasoned middle-order batter Angelo Mathews who is appearing in his 100th Test consolidated his side’s position with a 75-run fourth-wicket stand with the in-form Dinesh Chandimal. Mathews who was dropped by Babar Azam shortly before the tea interval fell to Nauman Ali soon after tea with Rizwan taking another sharp catch. Mathews scored 42 off 106 balls (five fours). Chandimal registered his third consecutive half-century following contributions of 76 and 94 not out in the first Test. The right-hander once again missed out on a century when he skied a catch to Fawad Alam off Nawaz. Chandimal scored 80 off 137 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes, he added 63 for the fifth-wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva. Naseem dismissed de Silva (33) with a pacy inswinger (fifth ball with the new-ball) that removed the middle-stump, Sri Lanka were 290 for six at this stage. The hosts did not lose any further wicket as play stopped due to bad light with four overs of the 90-over quota remaining.  At stumps, wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella was unbeaten on 42 while debutant Dunith Wellalage was six not out.  Scores in brief: Sri Lanka 315 for 6, 86 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 80, Oshada Fernando 50, Niroshan Dickwella 42 not out; Mohammad Nawaz 2-71)