Day: April 24, 2024

Islamabad, Former Pakistan cricket team captain Sana Mir has been named the ambassador for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024, a tournament set to determine which teams will advance to the main event in Bangladesh later this year. Mir, who led Pakistan in 137 of her 226 international appearances, will play a pivotal role in promoting the tournament and mentoring the participating teams.

According to International Cricket Council, Mir’s appointment comes as the qualifier gears up to start on Thursday, 25 April in Abu Dhabi. The competition will feature 10 teams divided into two groups, with the top two from each group moving on to the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals will secure their places in the T20 World Cup.

During her tenure as captain, Mir experienced considerable success, including leading Pakistan to the finals of the 2008 ICC Women’s Qualifying Series for the Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she was named joint Player of the Series. Her role as ambassador will involve engaging with the teams and sharing insights on handling the pressures of high-stakes tournaments.

Mir expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming qualifier, noting its significance not only as a pathway to the T20 World Cup but also as a platform for increasing the competitiveness of women’s cricket globally. She highlighted the narrowing performance gap between the top-ranked teams and the Associate Members, suggesting potential upsets in the making.

The tournament promises exciting matchups at Abu Dhabi’s Tolerance Oval and Zayed Cricket Stadium, with conditions expected to favor slower bowlers and challenge players with the hot weather. Mir specifically pointed to players like Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu to make significant impacts with their aggressive play styles.

Karachi, In the first semi-final of the Khan Sureshim Karachi Region Senior Inter-District Cricket Tournament, Zone Six Blues triumphed over Zone Four Whites by 59 runs, securing their place in the final. The match, held at the KCCA Stadium, showcased strong performances from both teams, with Zone Six Blues setting a robust target.

According to Regional Cricket Association Karachi, Zone Six Blues batted first, posting a total of 243 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 45 overs. Key contributions came from Muhammad Taha, who scored 63 runs, and Harir Shahid, who added 50 runs to the scoreboard. In response, Zone Four Whites were all out for 184 runs, despite a fighting half-century from Muhammad Afzal. The bowling efforts of Muhammad Taha and Nadir Shah, who took 2 wickets each, were pivotal in curbing the opposition.

The match was attended by several dignitaries including the Chairman of the Tournament Committee, Khalid Nafees, who introduced the teams before play commenced. The final promises to be a compelling encounter, with Zone Six Blues looking to carry their momentum forward.