Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-South Africa sealed a dramatic six-run win to deny Pakistan a first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup win in 17 games. South Africa’s slow start was rescued by Laura Wolvaardt, whose 75 runs was her highest score in a World Cup, but the Proteas could still only set Pakistan a below-par 224 to win. Pakistan built healthy partnerships but fell way behind the run rate thanks to disciplined bowling and they fell agonisingly short despite all-rounder Nida Dar’s fine 55. Lizelle Lee’s return to the South Africa side lasted only seven balls before she was expertly caught behind by Sidra Nawaz. Sidra would take another fine diving catch as Tazmin Brits was dismissed for two runs to leave South Africa on 21 for two, her move down the order not paying off. Her former opening partner Wolvaardt made steady progress to her eighth 40-plus score in nine World Cup innings. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Wolvaardt and South Africa however, the Proteas reaching just 65 for two in the first 20 overs before back-to-back boundaries off Ghulam Fatima saw the 22-year-old move to 56 from 76 balls. Ghulam would get her revenge as Wolvaardt had to go, caught and bowled for 75 off 91 balls as Ghulam earned a wicket on her return to the ODI side after five years in the wilderness. Mignon du Preez would fall for a duck in the same over as Omaima Sohail pulled out another diving catch to add to Pakistan’s highlight reel. Marizanne Kapp could only hold her head in her hands as she sent the ball straight to Sidra Ameen as Ghulam took another and South Africa slipped to 120 for five. Having survived two reviews for lbw earlier in the innings, Sune Luss showed restraint as she and her vice-captain Chloe Tryon added 55 for the sixth wicket before Tryon departed softly for 31 as she was caught and bowled by Nashra Sundhu. It was third time lucky for Pakistan as Luus was finally dismissed lbw but not before scoring 62 from 102 balls. It was then Fatima Sana’s turn to take two in an over, dismissing Shabnim Ismail and Trisha Chetty as South Africa ended on 223 for nine. Ismail then returned the favour in the fourth over of the reply as she reduced Pakistan to 26 for two in a double-wicket maiden, dismissing Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof back-to-back, both sending edges to fielders. Omaima joined Nahida Khan at the crease and her first act was to miss the hat-trick ball attempting a cut shot. She and Nahida put together a valuable 50 partnership, the first for the pair in ODIs, coming off 81 balls, before Nahida would go for 40 off 71 as Ayabonga Khaka picked up her fifth wicket of the tournament, ending the 69-run partnership. Nida Dar joined Omaima, who continued her fine run-scoring, bringing up her 50 from 83 balls with a quick single off Ismail. Pakistan then went 44 balls without a boundary before a brave chip down the ground for four from Omaima reminded South Africa that Pakistan were still in the chase. Nida and Omaima then piled on more pressure sending Masabata Klaas for 11 runs only for Klaas to dismiss Omaima for 65 off the very next ball, with Lee taking her 50th catch in ODIs. The dangerous Aliya Riaz did not trouble the scorers, dismissed for her first duck in two years to leave Pakistan needing 79 runs from 70 balls with five wickets remaining. Fatima played an entertaining knock of nine from eight balls before being dismissed lbw by Khaka and Sidra would soon follow. After countless run-out chances, South Africa pulled off two to decide the match, first Khaka dismissing the anchor Nida Dar for 55 before the final wicket of Ghulam earned South Africa a six-run win with Ismail’s fine death bowling crucial again. Scores in brief South Africa beat Pakistan at Bay Oval, Tauranga by six runs South Africa 223/9 in 50.0 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75, Sune Luus 62; Fatima Sana 3/43, Ghulam Fatima 3/52) Pakistan 217 all out in 49.5 overs (Omaima Sohail 65, Nida Dar 55; Shabnim Ismail 3/41, Ayabonga Khaka 2/43, Marizanne Kapp 2/43) Player of the Match: Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has selected the Pakistan Blind Cricket Team for the Triangular Blind Cricket Tournament to be held in United Arabs Emirates (UAE) from 13th to 19th March 2022. Besides Pakistan, India and Bangladesh will take part in 7-day international T 20 blind cricket fixture. Names of players: Zafar Iqbal (Vice Captain), Riasat Khan, Mohammad Shahzaib, Fakhar Abbas, Sajid Nawaz, Nisar Ali (Captain), Badar Munir, Matiullah, Shahzeb Haider, Anees Javed, Moain Aslam, Mohammad Rashid, Faisal Mehmood, Mohsin Khan, Sanaullah Marwat, Akmal Hayyat, Israr ul Hassan Team Officials: Mohammad Zeeshan Akram (Manager), Mohammad Jameel (Head Coach), Maher Yousaf Haroon (Assistant Coach), Tahir Mehmood Butt (Trainer).

Sports Bulletin Report HAMILTON:-Amy Satterthwaite hit a fluent 75 and New Zealand’s bowlers suffocated India as the hosts secured a 62–run win to keep the race for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 semi-finals wide open. The White Ferns batted first and Satterthwaite’s knock off 84 balls and 50 from Amelia Kerr helped them to 260 for nine. New Zealand then bowled 162 dot balls as Lea Tahuhu – three for 17 from 10 overs – starred under the lights, as India were dismissed for 198 A brisk 71 from 63 balls by Harmanpreet Kaur could only delay the inevitable: a first win for New Zealand against India at an ICC women’s world event since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2010. India elected to field and made a strong start as Pooja Vastrakar ran out Suzie Bates for just five. Kerr was then dropped on nine by a diving Yastika Bhatia as the White Ferns ended the powerplay on 51 for one. Sophie Devine was out in the next over, Vastrakar finding the skipper’s edge and sending her back to the pavilion for 35. Kerr and Satterthwaite then built a healthy 67-run partnership before Kerr fell LBW while attempting a sweep off Gayakwad to leave New Zealand on 121 for three. Satterthwaite brought up her 27th ODI half-century off 60 balls but lost her partner Maddy Green one ball later as Smriti Mandhana held a fine catch at mid-on. Katey Martin joined Satterthwaite and the experienced heads helped to put a sizeable total on the board, as they reached the final 10 overs at 211 for four. Vastrakar dropped Martin on 24 but made amends by taking two wickets in two balls, first bowling Tahuhu for one and then removing Satterthwaite for 75 to leave New Zealand on 240 for eight with 3.3 overs to go. Frankie Mackay successfully negotiated the hat-trick ball before Jhulan Goswami became the joint-highest wicket-taker in ICC Women World Cup history when she removed Martin for 41. Goswami finished with figures of one for 41 and her 39th World Cup dismissal moved her level with Australia’s Lyn Fullston. India made a slow start in reply, as Jess Kerr dismissed Mandhana for just six, while they finished the powerplay on 26 for two. New Zealand stifled India’s batters and chipped in with regular wickets, as Tahuhu removed Bhatia for 28 and Raj was stumped off Kerr for 31. Kerr then bowled Richa Ghosh for a first-ball duck to bring up a hat-trick chance, but Sneh Rana survived and went on to contribute 18. Kaur carried India’s innings and scored 20 off one Hannah Rowe over to leave India needing 90 from 42 balls. However, she fell to Kerr shortly after and then New Zealand took the remaining wickets to dismiss India for 198. Scores in brief New Zealand beat India at Seddon Park, Hamilton by 62 runs New Zealand 260/9 in 50 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 75, Amelia Kerr 50; Pooja Vastrakar 4/34; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/46) India 198 all out in 46.4 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 71, Mithali Raj 31; Lea Tahuhu 3/17, Amelia Kerr 3/56) Player of the Match: Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand).

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees has rated the pitch at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi that was used for the first Test between Pakistan and Australia as “below average” and the venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. Madugalle said: “The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower. The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed. In my view this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball.  Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch as below average.”

Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI:-The Markhor Cricket League (MCL) Tape Ball Cricket Festival will start from March 21, 2022 at Ayub Park Cricket Ground Rawalpindi, as the overseas teams will also take part in the prestigious tournament. Chairman Markhor Cricket League (MCL), Sardar Saifullah Abbasi informed the media while unfolding the details of the tournament that four overseas teams including Dubai Whales, UK Rams, Pak-Qatar Dyx and Eshaal Falcons would compete in the Tape Ball Cricket Festival. Former Test cricketer Mohammad Khalil and Marketing Director Ali Nawaz were also present on the occasion. A total of 34 matches will be played in MCL. The opening ceremony will be held at Ayub Cricket Ground Rawalpindi while the final of the event will be played on March 29 at the same venue. “Pakistani cricket fans love to watch Tape Ball Cricket, “said Abbasi. Former Test cricketer Mohammad Khalil said that Season 3 would be an event full of entertainment.   MCL Pool A: Sardar Mountain Lions, Wolves Adin Technologies, Multan Deers, Derby Stars UK Rams, Rawalpindi Jaguars, Al-Freed Pak-Qatar Oryx MCL Pool B: Ismaeel 1122 Eagles Eye, Dynasty Stallions, Eshaal Falcon Slayer, MCC KPK Tigers, Lahore Red Hawks, Leopards Murree Warriors  

BIPIN DANI Mark Portus, the cricket biomechanist, who teaches the art and science of fast bowling (the name of his academy is : Pace Doctor) to bowlers in Australia has welcomed the Non-saliva law. The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), which governs the laws of the game, will treat the use of saliva as an unfair play. In the pre-covid pandemic days it was widely used by the bowlers and the fielders to retain shine on the ball. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Australia on Wednesday evening, he said, "I think the new Non Saliva law is good, more hygenic". Now the players will continue to use sweat for the purpose. "Sweat is just as effective as a polished ball. It also avoids the other sugary stuff players use". "It won't, however, avoid the mixture of sweat and sunscreen. True Dennis Lillee style", Portus added. "Sunscreen will provide a little help, another synthetic compound to help with shining the ball. Bowlers will need to be sweaty though", he remarked.    Dukes ball manufacturer Dilip Jajodia, in an exclusive chat with this Reporter has explained how the use of sweat is useful to the bowlers.  "The body naturally secreats oil and more so when the body is heated up during strenuous exercise + sweat, therefore when applied to the surface, this liquid soaks into the surface leather". "When the ball is polished on trousers, the friction created makes the sweat evaporate but the natural  oil soaks into the surface cells and acts as a lubricant to help polish the leather as for example when the surface of shoes are polished", he signed off.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The nominees for ICC Players of the Month of February for men’s and women’s international cricket have been announced today. February saw some strong men and women candidates staking their claim with some brilliant performances. The ICC Player of the Month nominations in the men’s category features UAE batter, Vriitya Aravind, India batter Shreyas Iyer and Nepal’s Dipendra Sing Airee. In the women’s category, New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, India veteran star Mithali Raj and all-rounder Deepti Sharma are nominated. ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February:  Vriitya Aravind – UAE Vriitya Aravind was the young star in UAE's campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A held in Oman last month. The youngest member of the squad, nineteen-year-old Aravind played a crucial role in UAE’s qualification to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 which will take place later this year. In the five matches he played, he smashed 267 runs at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 154.33. He set the tone with a 67-ball 97* in the opening game against Oman and carried his form through the tournament with scores of 40, 84*, 46 in the next three games. Though he didn't finish with a flourish, he did enough to win the Player of the Tournament. Shreyas Iyer - India Shreyas Iyer was in unstoppable form in the month of February and played a vital role in India's white-ball domination. He started the month with a Player of the Match-winning 80 against West Indies in the final ODI and a 16-ball 25 in the last T20I. With India opting to rest players and injury to Suryakumar Yadav, Iyer was promoted to No.3 in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He scored three unbeaten fifties in three games and finished with 204 runs at a blistering strike rate of 174.35 and was awarded the Player of the Series for his exploits. Dipendra Singh Airee – Nepal Dipendra Singh Airee was a vital cog in Nepal's third-place finish in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A in Oman. He was splendid both with the bat and the ball, finishing with 159 runs and six wickets in the tournament. Prior to the start of the tournament, he was brilliant in the quadrangular series against Oman, UAE, and Ireland where he accumulated 142 runs in three games and grabbed a four-for in the final game against Ireland. ICC Women’s Player of the Month for February: Amelia Kerr - New Zealand In the ODI series against India ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she finished as the highest-run getter overall and the joint-highest wicket-taker for her team alongside her sister Jess Kerr. In the five ODIs, she scored 353 runs at an average of 117.66 and strike rate of 97.51, which included three fifties and a hundred.  With the ball, she picked up 7 wickets at an economy of 5.78. She was also the Player of the Match in two of the five ODIs and took home the Player of the Series award as well. Mithali Raj – India Mithali Raj was one of the few shining lights for India in the ODI series against New Zealand. She was the highest run-scorer for India and the second-highest overall with 232 runs, including three fifties, averaging 77.33 with a strike rate of 82.56. In the final ODI, she played the role of the finisher to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 54 as India chased down 252 with four overs to spare. With the win, India ensured that they finished the series with a win in their kitty. Deepti Sharma – India Deepti Sharma was brilliant with both with the bat and ball in the series against New Zealand. She took the most wickets (10) in the ODI series and was handy with the bat as well, aggregating 116 runs in five matches. She grabbed a four-for in the second ODI and followed it up with a 69* in the next match.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai:-Ravindra Jadeja’s performance at India's recent Test home win against Sri Lanka in Mohali has catapulted him to the no. 1 position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's Test Player Rankings. His unbeaten 175 lifted him up to 17 places from 54th to 37th with the bat and he added nine wickets to move up to 17th with the ball. His all-round contribution was enough for him to regain the top all-rounder spot from Jason Holder, who had held it since February 2021. Jadeja’s only previous time on top was in August 2017, when he spent a week at number one. The Rawalpindi Test between host Pakistan and Australia was a batting feast, and Imam-ul-Haq celebrated by striking a century in each innings to move to a career best 63rd with 477 points. Hi teammate Azhar Ali struck 185 and moved up ten places to 12 whilst Abdullah Shafique added a second-innings century to gain 27 places to 67. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne missed out on a century, being dismissed for 90, but that was enough to gain a point up to 936 and 12th position on his own in the list of highest-ever batting ratings. Usman Khawaja also fell in the 90s but continued his renaissance, moving up six places to 24 with the bat, his highest position for three years. In bowlers, Nauman Ali of Pakistan impressed with figures of 6-107 in Australia’s first innings and saw him gain 19 places to 51. In T20I cricket, whilst the top 12 batters are unchanged, at joint thirteenth position is Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai, who’s unbeaten 59 in the second match against Bangladesh at Mirpur ensured a shared series win. For the hosts, Liton Das starred in the first match with 60, which helped him to gain 26 places to 49th over the course of the series. With the ball, Nasum Ahmed has made his first appearance in the top 10 bowlers, thanks to his ‘Player of the Match’ performance of 4-10 in the first match.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-The 1st National Blind Cricket Championship for Women started at Shalimar Cricket Ground Islamabad Tuesday (March 8, 2022 on the World Women’s Day) sponsored by Australian High Commission in Pakistan. Four teams including hosts Islamabad, Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber PakhtunKawa (KPK) are taking part in this event. Nick Hockley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cricket Australia (CA), Joanne Frederiksen Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, Syed Sultan Shah President World Blind Cricket as well as Chairman PBCC and Todd Greenberg, CEO of Australian Cricketers’ Association attended the event. Joanne Frederiksen, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan said: “I appreciate the efforts of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) in taking this initiative, and on this Women’s Day, I am pleased to support a visually impaired women's cricket training and championship as this will provide the women & girls with a disability the opportunity to participate in Pakistan’s favorite sport. We will continue to fund Blind Women Cricket in Pakistan in the future as well”. The Chairman, PBCC Syed Sultan Shah said that the two blind factory workers invented blind cricket in Melbourne, Australia, in 1922 and it was a highly competitive game which enables people with visual impairment to become people of vision. Forty-four (44) women & girls with visual impairment are participating in this event, shortlisted across Pakistan from Karachi to Gilgit-Baltistan. He thanked the Australian Government for the much-needed support for this cause. He requested Nick Hockley to follow the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) model of supporting Men Blind Cricket there in Australia. “Pakistan’s men blind cricket is the powerhouse in Blind Cricket and it couldn’t be achieved without the financial assistance of PCB, he added. Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia expressed his pleasure in watching these visually impaired girls playing cricket that were the source of inspiration for all. “Australia and Pakistan share a passion for cricket, and on this day Australian men's team is playing Test series while Australian and Pakistan Women are competing in World Cup game. Now Cricket Australia will play an important part to uplift the Blind Cricket in Australia, “he said. Nick Hockley officially inaugurated the event by hitting the audible blind cricket ball. Nick Hockley and Joanne Frederiksen played cricket with the visually impaired girls for quite some time.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The West Indies pulled off another upset as they beat England by seven runs to secure their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup victory over the defending champions England in the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup at University Oval on Wednesday. Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation put on 123 for the fifth wicket to set England 226 to win, six more runs than Heather Knight’s side had ever chased down to win a World Cup game. The 2017 winners stuttered frequently in reply before a 61-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Ecclestone and Kate Cross seemed to be taking them to victory, however two wickets in four balls in Anisa Mohammed’s 48th over snatched it for the West Indies and left England winless from their first two games. Captain Stafanie Taylor was then sent back for a golden duck and in five balls the West Indies had slipped to 81 for three and two new batters were at the crease. Campbelle broke the boundary drought, striking the first four for 10.2 overs but Knight was then caught by Wyatt who rocked back as she held on to a powerful shot to leave the West Indies 98 for four after 26.1 overs. Campbelle and Nation went about rebuilding, and benefitted from a bucketful of extras, Brunt conceding five wides for the second game in a row. More dropped catches and a missed run out hampered England, Ecclestone’s figures of four maidens, three for 20 overs a lone bright spot from a disappointing display in the field. The 100 partnership between Nation and Campbelle came up off 139 balls Nation contributing 38, Campbelle 53 and extras the rest. Nat Sciver got the breakthrough with a low full toss as Campbelle chopped on for 66 from 88 before Chinelle Henry fell for a two-ball duck as the Windies clawed their way to a hard-fought 225 for six.  After bagging a duck in the opening defeat to Australia, Winfield-Hill's batting woes continued but this time she could consider herself very unlucky as Dottin took an early contender for catch of the tournament, an outstretched right hand in a full superwoman pose dismissing the opener for 12. Sciver, a centurion last time out, went for just two sending a slog sweep to mid-on before Amy Jones’ desire to get the run chase going backfired, Matthews taking a good low catch to reduce England to 72 for four. Beaumont survived an lbw review on 44 but her reprieve did not last long as she was trapped in front by Mohammed for 46 to deepen England’s troubles. Scores in brief West Indies beat England at University Oval, Dunedin by seven wickets West Indies 225/6 in 50.0 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 66, Chedean Nation 49 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 3/20, Nat Sciver 1/49) England 218 all out in 47.4 overs (Tammy Beaumont 46, Sophia Dunkley 38; Shamilia Connell 3/38, Anisa Mohammed 2/24) Player of the Match: Shemaine Campbelle (West Indies)