March 27, 2022 – Page 2 – Newswire Pakistan

March 27, 2022March 28, 2022

PM’s aide Shahzain Bugti quits post, announces support for opposition after meeting Chairman PPP: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Islamabad, March 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing a press conference along with Shahzain Bugti on the eve of the latter resigning from the federal cabinet, said that he is grateful to Shahzain Bugti. Shahzain Bugti hosted us at the time of the Senate election, and today when the country is at a crossroad where the future of the country and democracy are at stake, the country is looking at the parliament to emerge from this crisis.

Chairman Bilawal said that this is a timely and courageous decision by Shahzain Bugti. He said that many respectable politicians who truly represent their constituencies made efforts to raise their voice for the people. Imran Khan betrayed his allies the same way that he ditched the people and the opposition. As long as true representatives of Balochistan and all of the country do not come forward, the problems of the people cannot be solved.

We are grateful to the Jamhoori Wattan Party and Shahzain Bugti for taking this brave decision. The issues of Balochistan are very complicated and the people of Balochistan have not gotten justice in our history. If we have to save Pakistan, we have to give justice to the people. Chairman PPP said that those who are trying to harm Pakistan are wrong to think that they can hurt Pakistan through Balochistan. When we hold free and fair elections post electoral reforms, true representatives from all over the country will be elected. Then, the decisions we take together will be for the benefit of the country.

Shahzain Bugti has announced his decision after working with those people for three years. He is a brave man who stands by his words. We believe that the new generation is responsible for the legacy of their ancestors. We would have to work hard together for the country, which should be for the long-term.

Answering the questions of the journalists, Chairman Bilawal said that all of the allies have made their decisions, when they present them before the country is their own choice. If we brought the 18th Amendment, it was for the people. President Zardari was the most powerful president in the country’s history but gave his powers to the parliament and to the provinces. Balochistan was given a specific protection. Even in a critical condition, Balochistan’s budget cannot be reduced. If President Zardari apologized to the people of Balochistan for past mistakes, he did so as the president of the country and the military’s supreme commander.

If we can make hospitals and schools in Sindh, we can do the same in Balochistan. Our effort will be to work with Shahzain Bugti on genuine issues and their solutions. Chairman Bilawal said that as far as the surprise is concerned, Imran Khan has lost his majority already and it is too late now. All this propaganda and pressurising will not work now. The opposition believes in democracy and will use democratic means to drive out this undemocratic man. We would like to congratulate the country on Imran losing his majority and government.

Attacking the parliament and threatening of an emergency are all signs of a desperate man. Those on the losing side use violence to disrupt peace. Imran cannot release a single notification or advice, let alone impose the Governor’s rule or declare an emergency. The opposition is not taking this threat seriously. Each bureaucrat and AC, DCs from KP and other areas have been told to bring people with them to the gathering.

At a time when the whole environment is prioritized, it is the credibility of our Chief Justice that the opposition and the government’s representatives were in the Court. We believe that the decision taken by the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court of Pakistan will be for the benefit of the country. It is the Chief Justice’s authority to form a bench as per his wish.

Our demand throughout history has been for the institutions of the country to work within their constitutional boundaries, which is not only in their favour but that of the country. We hope that neutrality is maintained. The no-confidence is the test of neutrality.

It is recorded in history that despite the efforts against her, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto would only talk for democracy and the betterment of the country. The people of Pakistan have learned that the meaning of ‘Naya Pakistan’ is destruction, unemployment and poverty. We will try to help the country emerge from this crisis together, Chairman Bilawal said.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

March 27, 2022March 28, 2022

India knocked out in final-ball thriller

Dubai, March 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):India were knocked out of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 with the final ball of the league stage as South Africa won by three wickets.

Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj led the scoring for India with 71 and 68 as the Women in Blue set South Africa 275 to win and the Proteas emerged victorious in dramatic style thanks to 80 from Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez’s brave knock of 52 not out.

England had earlier defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs and will play South Africa in the semi-final on Thursday in Christchurch, while India’s loss confirms Australia will take on the West Indies in Wellington on Wednesday.

Australia topped the table with 14 points after going unbeaten during the round robin stage, while South Africa’s place in second was confirmed prior to the start of the match, but the win moved them to 11 points.

England end the league stage on eight points having mounted a remarkable comeback to win their final four matches after losing their first three, while the West Indies faced an agonising 72-hour wait to confirm their place in the semi-finals after their final game against South Africa was washed out and they finished on seven points.

India and New Zealand missed out on qualification for the knockout stages by just one point as they both finished on six, India ahead of the hosts on net run rate.

Bangladesh and Pakistan take up the last two spots in the table having won a game each, the Tigresses finishing in seventh thanks to a superior net run rate as every team recorded at least one victory in New Zealand.

India made a blistering start after choosing to bat, putting on 68 for no loss in the powerplay before Shafali Verma was needlessly run out on 53 after a breakdown in communication with opening partner Mandhana.

Mandhana top-scored with 71 and added 80 for the third wicket with Raj before she was excellently caught by a diving Chloe Tryon.

Raj also brought up a half-century before departing for 68 from 84 balls and Harmanpreet Kaur fell two runs short of a fifty of her own as South Africa’s bowlers hit back, Shabnim Ismail recovering from conceding 31 in her first three overs to produce figures of two for 11 in her final seven overs.

South Africa reeled India in to 274 for seven, meaning the Women in Blue would have to bowl their opponents out for under 174 to finish in third and avoid Australia.

They had a sniff when Lizelle Lee was run out by Kaur for six before Wolvaardt combined with Lara Goodall for a 125-run partnership.

Goodall was stumped one run shy of what would have been a maiden World Cup fifty before Wolvaardt was dismissed by a turning delivery from Kaur, missing another chance to make a World Cup hundred after registering her fifth half-century of the tournament.

However, she did become the tournament’s leading run scorer with 433 before leaving the field with a bowed head as Kaur wheeled away in an emotional celebration.

Kaur had another when skipper Sune Luus was given out LBW on review for 22 as South Africa slipped to 182 for four, and the all-rounder was involved again when she ran out Marizanne Kapp to leave South Africa needing 46 from 31 balls with five wickets in hand.

Tryon departed for 17 before Du Preez and Trisha Chetty took the chase to the final over, only for the wicketkeeper-batter to be run out.

Du Preez then appeared to hole out for 51 but was rescued by a Deepti Sharma no ball leaving South Africa with a free hit needing two to win from two balls.

Ismail and Du Preez took two singles to finish the job and the latter swung her arms in celebration after guiding her side to a record chase for South Africa in ODIs.

Earlier in the day, England defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs as Sophia Dunkley performed with the bat and Sophie Ecclestone delivered with the ball to ensure Heather Knight’s side made the last four.

The defending champions had slipped to 96 for four before Dunkley combined with Amy Jones to put on 72 for the fifth wicket.

Dunkley was eventually dismissed for 67 from 72 as she scored her maiden World Cup fifty before late striking from Katherine Brunt and Ecclestone hauled England up to 234 for six.

Bangladesh were wary of going for big shots, making just 23 in the powerplay before Ecclestone broke the deadlock to dismiss Sharmin Akhter for 23 and the spinner then got the other opener Shamima Sultana in her next over.

Wickets began to fall regularly as England extinguished any hopes of a Bangladesh win, Charlie Dean claiming three for 30 in tandem with spin twin Ecclestone who claimed three for 15 as the Tigresses were bowled out for 134.

Scores in brief

South Africa beat India at Hagley Oval, Christchurch by three wickets

India 274/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 71, Mithali Raj 68; Shafali Verma 53, Harmanpreet Kaur 48; Masabata Klaas 2/38, Shabnim Ismail 2/42)

South Africa 275/7 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 80, Mignon du Preez 52 not out, Lara Goodall 49; Harmanpreet Kaur 2/42, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/61)

Player of the Match: Mignon du Preez (South Africa)

England beat Bangladesh at Basin Reserve, Wellington by 100 runs

England 234/6 in 50 overs (Sophia Dunkley 67, Nat Sciver 40; Salma Khatun 2/46)

Bangladesh 134 all out in 48 overs (Lata Mondol 30; Sophie Ecclestone 3/15, Charlie Dean 3/31)

Player of the Match: Sophia Dunkley (England)

SEMI-FINAL LINEUP:

Semi-final 1, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Wednesday 30 March

Match Start: 11h00 local time

Australia (1) v West Indies (4)

Semi-final 2, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Thursday 31 March

Match Start: 14h00 local time

South Africa (2) v England (3)

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

March 27, 2022March 28, 2022

Raj: We look forward to rebuilding

Dubai, March 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):As the dust settles on the league stage of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, India will focus on rebuilding after missing out on the semi-finals, says captain Mithali Raj.

India were knocked out of the World Cup in New Zealand after a three-wicket defeat to South Africa was sealed with the final ball of the game as Mignon du Preez’s unbeaten 52 took the Proteas over the line.

South Africa had already secured second place and a spot in the semi-finals and they are joined by unbeaten Australia, who took a maximum 14 points from the group stage, as well as England and the West Indies, who qualified after India failed to defend 274 for seven.

But for India, after a time of reflection, Raj and her side will look ahead to the next event.

“I think as players and as a team, we look forward to rebuilding and to try to give our best whenever we compete in the next big event.

“Every ICC event is an opportunity for the team to do well because these events are followed by everybody around the world and opportunity for all the cricket lovers to look up to women cricketers to play the best standard.

“And it’s our job as players to put our best standard out there so that many young girls take up the sport so it’s an opportunity as players that we look forward to doing our best in these events.”

The 39-year-old refused to speculate on her future of that of fellow veteran Jhulan Goswami, who missed her first game in five World Cups with a side strain.

India’s other seamers, Meghna Singh and Pooja Vastrakar, were unable to make inroads as South Africa chased 275, but part-time spinner Harmanpreet Kaur pulled her side back into the contest with the big wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Sune Luus.

Wolvaardt was the day’s top scorer with 80 which laid the foundations for South Africa’s remarkable chase after Smriti Mandhana and Raj had posted 71 and 68 respectively in India’s total.

Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, Raj said: “There have been ups and there have been downs, we’ve done well against West Indies, but we lost against England, Australia and New Zealand.

“We did mix it up a little bit in the initial phase of the tournament, but the way we made a comeback, even in today’s game, the way the girls have responded whether it is bowling or batting, I think they’ve done really well.

“It was a good game overall if we have to judge it from the crowd, the viewers and for the sport, but yes for the Indian team, it’s the end of the road in the tournament.

“A lot of good things have come out of the tournament like we’ve got Yastika [Bhatia], Shafali [Verma] started to score runs, the spinners have done well.

“There will be areas that as a team, we need to work on moving forward. But overall, I think we could have done better in the initial phases of the tournament.”

Du Preez would break Indian hearts as she hit the winning run to get South Africa the win having been reprieved two balls prior when her dismissal was chalked off due to a no ball from Deepti Sharma.

Du Preez had struggled for form in previous games but relished being out in the middle as she made an unbeaten half-century to see the Proteas home.

She said: “The best word would be a rollercoaster ride, there was lots of ups and downs. I think myself and [Marizanne] Kapp were going really well, so we knew that between the two of us if we can take it as deep as possible, we know what Chloe [Tryon] can do.

“As soon as Chloe came in, she made it quite easy and then getting out again, it just goes up and down all the time.

“I didn’t know that it was no ball, so obviously I thought I’d let the team down because we only needed a run a ball, so I could have probably just tried to hit on the ground.

“It didn’t go where I wanted, I was targeting straight over the bowler’s head and I dragged it a little bit.

“I got a little bit of luck on my side, finally. I haven’t felt that I had luck throughout the tournament just yet, it was quite special to be there at the end and get over the line.”

Even though the result had no bearings on South Africa’s passage to the knockout stages, Du Preez believed it was important for her side to get back to winning ways.

“I think for us it was about fine-tuning and we know how important momentum in a tournament like this can be for us,” she said.

“We lost the game against Australia and then we had a rained off game, so we haven’t actually had another win under the belt in recent times.

“We knew this was important for us going into the back end of the tournament to get a bit of momentum and so we definitely wanted to play to our standards and do the best we can and I think we did just that today.”

March 27, 2022March 28, 2022

England qualify for semi-finals with win over Bangladesh

Dubai, March 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):England secured their place in the semi-finals with an inconsistent 100-run win over Bangladesh in their final group game of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

Sophia Dunkley rescued England with a maiden World Cup fifty as the holders recovered from 96 for four to set Bangladesh 235 to win.

Chasing what would have been their highest score in ODIs, the Tigresses never got going as Sophie Ecclestone restricted their scoring and ensured England’s passage to the semi-finals after winning their final four league games.

They now await the wait the result of the last league match between India and South Africa, which will decide whether India advance too and if they will manage a huge win and finish ahead of England. The team that finishes fourth will play favourites Australia.

England’s opening woes continued as Danni Wyatt departed for six, having chosen to bat, with captain Heather Knight caught behind for the same score.

Nat Sciver and Tammy Beaumont then put on a 60-run partnership before falling in quick succession, Fahima Khatun involved both times, taking the catch to dismiss Beaumont before trapping Sciver LBW for 40.

Dunkley would join Amy Jones in the middle as the pair added 78 runs to the total, Dunkley’s innings ending after another promising partnership with Katherine Brunt, her 67 coming from 72 balls.

Brunt and Ecclestone added 24 runs from the final 16 balls of the innings as England ended on 234 for six as Bangladesh became the only team in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup to not concede more than 250 runs in any innings.

Their issue was they had failed to make 250 in any of their own innings and would now be chasing their highest total ever in ODIs.

Bangladesh emerged from the powerplay unscathed but having made only 23 runs, by the time their 100 runs came up they had already used up 36.4 overs.

England would be indebted to their spin twins Ecclestone and Charlie Dean, the former conceding just 15 runs as she bowled four maidens in her 10 overs.

Dean was more wayward but responded nicely to mop up Bangladesh’s tail, dismissing top-scorer Lata Mondol for 30 from 45 balls to leave the Tigresses on 126 for seven.

The final three wickets would fall for seven runs as Freya Davies earned two wickets on her maiden appearance at a World Cup.

Scores in brief

England beat Bangladesh at Basin Reserve, Wellington by 100 runs

England 234/6 in 50 overs (Sophia Dunkley 67, Nat Sciver 40; Salma Khatun 2/46)

Bangladesh 134 all out in 48 overs (Lata Mondol 30; Sophie Ecclestone 3/15, Charlie Dean 3/31)

Player of the Match: Sophia Dunkley (England)

March 27, 2022March 28, 2022

Dunkley: Fight and belief took England home

Dubai, March 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):England hero Sophia Dunkley credited the changing room’s fight and belief for pulling them back from the brink to qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 semi-finals.

Heather Knight’s side had lost their first three games to leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, but the defending champions bounced back to beat India, New Zealand and Pakistan.

That meant a victory over Bangladesh would be enough for a spot in the last four and Dunkley’s 67 off 72 earned her the Player of the Match award and kept England’s title defence alive after a 100-run win.

She said: “I think it’s just a lot of belief in our changing room and a lot of fight.

“We obviously didn’t play our best cricket in the first few games. So we knew that we could come out and put on better performances.

“We’ve had a lot of belief in the group, a lot of positivity to get us through and sometimes that’s just how it goes.

“Just putting in a great fight from the girls and to get four wins on the bounce going into the semis I think it puts us in a very strong position.”

England leapfrogged the West Indies into third place with eight points from their seven group games and will face South Africa after India failed to bowl the Proteas out for under 174, which would have been enough to overtake England on net run rate.

Tidy bowling from Sophie Ecclestone, who produced figures of three for 15, restricted Bangladesh to 134 after Dunkley had rescued England from another top order failure.

Dunkley admitted England have had to do it the hard way to make it through to the next stage, but the 23-year-old reckons it will stand the side in good stead when the tournament goes down to the wire.

She added: “I think obviously starting with three losses, it does really put you on the back foot and every game does become a must-win game.

“But I think having those experiences now from those games puts us in a really good position and I think every team has really beaten everyone.

“So, it’s very open and I think there’s a lot of possibilities that could happen. It keeps it exciting, going into next week we’re very positive and have got a lot of confidence now.”

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana picked the positives out of a World Cup campaign that saw her side beat Pakistan by nine runs as they look to improve after facing England for the first time in ODI cricket.

She said: “From the first matches till the last match our spinners have dominated here. So, I think it was a good sign for us.

“And obviously I think we need to carry forward that in the future also. And we had a good World Cup, we have some good memories from here.

“So, we just want to look forward to playing well in the future.”

March 27, 2022March 28, 2022

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chases sixth title of the season

Lahore, March 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):The semi-finals of the Pakistan Cup – the final tournament of the 2021-22 season, will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday and Wednesday, with the winners going head to head on Friday at the same venue.

After 30 round matches, defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan recorded seven wins apiece, but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has placed ahead of Balochistan on net run-rate. Sindh grabbed third spot with six wins in 10 matches, while Central Punjab finished fourth with five wins.

As such, in the first semi-final on Monday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take on Central Punjab while Balochistan will lock horns with Sindh on Wednesday. Both contests will start at 0930 PST, and will be live telecast on PTV Sports and live-streamed on PCB’s YouTube Channel. The commentary panel for the three action-packed matches will consist of Ali Younis, Ayyaz Muhammad, Leena Aziz, Shah Faisal and Tariq Saeed.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are chasing the rare distinction of sweeping all PCB-organised events. They have already annexed the U13, U16, U19, National T20 Cup and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy titles – an achievement that speaks volumes of the talent and abilities of cricketers in that part of Pakistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Central Punjab

Rival captains Khalid Usman of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Central Punjab’s Wahab Riaz spoke with PCB Digital ahead of the semi-final:

Khalid Usman: “We have done really well in this domestic season, winning five tournaments and are really looking forward to end the season on a winning note. Central Punjab is a good side and they have some very good seasoned players. We too have a very balanced side and we are playing together as a unit since last three years. I am personally very satisfied with my bowling performances in the tournament and I hope it will help my team to win the semi-final and later final of the tournament.”

Wahab Riaz: “We have won our last two games before coming into the semi-final which included a win against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so we will have an upper edge going into Monday’s semi-final. Our batting and bowling departments have performed well in crucial stages of the matches in the tournament and I expect the same from my boys to go all out to win the semi-final.”

In the first round match between the two sides at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inflicted a crushing five-wicket defeat on Central Punjab when they achieved the 216-run target with 46 balls to spare. Kamran Ghulam and Waqar Ahmed struck half-centuries, while captain Khalid Usman and spinner Mehran Ibrahim bagged three wickets apiece.

In the return match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on 22 March, Central Punjab came back strongly when they bowled out Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 253 in chase of 269. Central Punjab’s Rizwan Hussain scored 104 and Qasim Akram picked three wickets.

For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Adil Amin has been their star batter, having scored 393 runs in 10 matches with four half-centuries. He has received good support from Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (356 runs) and Kamran Ghulam (352 runs). Amongst the bowlers, captain Khalid Usman with his left-arm spin leads the bowling charts with 23 wickets. Right-arm pacers Arshad Iqbal and Sameen Gul have picked nine and eight wickets, respectively.

Test opener Ahmed Shehzad has been the mainstay of Central Punjab’s batting with 421 runs in 10 matches with a century and two half-centuries. Rizwan Hussain (388 runs) and Saad Nasim (231 runs) have provided Ahmed a good helping hand. Wahab Riaz and Hussain Talat have shared the bowling responsibilities for Central Punjab taking 13 and 12 wickets, respectively.

Balochistan v Sindh

Yasir Shah will lead Balochistan, while Sindh will be captained by Mir Hamza. Both the captains sounded confident when they spoke with PCB Digital.

Yasir Shah: “Our side has performed consistently in the tournament. We have a very balanced side that includes young as well as seasoned players. We just need to carry on the momentum and I am very hopeful we can lift the trophy this season.”

Mir Hamza: “The players are united and they are delivering what they are capable of. The return of Sarfaraz Ahmed is a huge boost for the side and his presence will make a difference in the knock-out match as he performed in last match. I am hopeful the players will give their best on the field. We are not thinking about the result and we will go out to enjoy the game.”

Sindh comfortably defeated Balochistan by six wickets when both sides met for the first time in the tournament at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. Half-centuries from Sharjeel Khan and Omair Bin Yousuf overcame unbeaten century by Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (136 not out).

Sindh made it two out of two when they defeated Balochistan by nine wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Batting first Balochistan were dismissed for 126 in the 34th over with Sohail Khan and Danish Aziz taking five wickets apiece. In turn, unbeaten half-centuries from Sharjeel Khan and Khurram Manzoor helped Sindh achieved the target in 19 overs for the loss of one wicket.

Sharjeel has been Sindh’s leading run-scorer who is also leading the batting charts with 534 runs in 10 matches and the only batter to score a double-century in the tournament, while left-handed Danish has scored 240 runs at an average of 48 and has also taken 15 wickets. Khurram Manzoor has scored 238 runs from nine matches.

In the bowling charts, besides Danish, Sohail Khan and Abrar Ahmed have also taken 15 wickets apiece. Sindh team will miss their pace bowler Shahnawaz Dahani (15 wickets from seven matches) as he will be on national duty playing against Australia in the limited overs series (three ODIs and one T20I) starting from 29 March at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

For Balochistan, Test players Imran Butt (470) and Asad Shafiq (425) and young duo consisted of Haseebullah (438) and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (405) hold the key for them in the batting department.

In the bowling department, captain and Test leg-spinner Yasir Shah has taken 18 wickets from 10 matches. Akif Javed (14) and Amad Butt (12) are other leading wicket-takers for Balochistan.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk