Games – Page 312 – Newswire Pakistan

July 23, 2022July 25, 2022

Imran Khwaja, Pankaj Khimji and Neil Speight elected as ICC Associate Member Directors

Dubai, July 23, 2022 (PPI-OT):Imran Khwaja, Pankaj Khimji and Neil Speight have been elected as ICC Associate Member Directors following an election process at the ICC Annual Conference in Birmingham, UK.

In line with the Associate Members’ Meeting Terms of Reference, the voting was conducted at the Formal Associate Members meeting by way of a weighted secret ballot in which all voters (each Voting Associate Member and each Regional Representative) have three votes.

Imran Khwaja and Neil Speight have both been re-elected as Associate Member representatives on the Board, with Pankaj Khimji replacing Mahinda Vallipuram. Khimji is the Chairman of the Oman Cricket Board and is a Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council.

ICC Chair Greg Barclay commented on the election: “I would like to welcome the elected Associate Member Directors onto the Board for the next term. I look forward to working with Imran, Pankaj and Neil to continue to push the sport forward by delivering the strategy and growing the game so that more people can enjoy cricket across the world.”

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

July 22, 2022July 23, 2022

Really impressed by the passion and commitment of ground staff in Pakistan: Damien Hough

Karachi, July 22, 2022 (PPI-OT):Adelaide Oval’s chief curator Damien Hough inspected the National Stadium Karachi outfield and square today (Friday) and interacted with the curator and ground staff as part of his tour of Pakistan. Karachi is the third venue that Hough has visited after his visits to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Hough would be spending the weekend in Karachi. Besides the NSK square and outfield, Hough will also take a close look and provide his recommendation and feedback on the two Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre grounds that are located inside the NSK perimeter.

Like Lahore and Rawalpindi, Hough will also deliver lectures on pitch and outfield preparation for all formats of the game. In addition to the NSK and the high performance centre ground staff and curator, the lectures will be attended by Sindh Cricket Association coaches as part of Pakistan Cricket Board’s plan of improving the knowledge and skillset of its coaches at different tiers across the country.

Hough meanwhile has praised the passion and commitment of the ground staff in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi and has stressed on the importance of his visit which for him is all about collaboration, learning and sharing of ideas.

“This is the third Test centre that I am visiting and so far, I have really been impressed by the passion and commitment of ground staff in Pakistan and the team in Karachi is no different. For me, the trip is a lot about exchanging ideas, collaboration and figuring out how things are done in Pakistan and how they compare to Adelaide and Australia.

“A lot of credit goes to the PCB for initiating this exchange, I am very impressed by their commitment to improving the pitches and grounds. This pitch relaying project in Lahore and Karachi is a testament of the willingness that the PCB has for improvement and I am sure it will go a long way in developing quality pitches.”

Hough who has been associated with the Adelaide Oval for more than 10 years and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best curators with 26 years’ experience in the field. According to Hough, a good cricket pitch is one that offers a good balance between bat and ball. For long format games, 300 runs and 10 wickets is an indicator of sorts of a good cricket pitch.

“A good wicket is one that provides opportunities to both batters and bowlers. Back home we have an indicator of sorts of 300 runs and 10 wickets in a day for a long format pitch.”

Hough also expressed his excitement on the PCB’s experiment of using Australian soil for pitches in Karachi and Lahore. The soil is set to reach Karachi in a week’s time. A pitch each at the NSK, Naya Nazimabad Cricket Ground (Karachi), GSL and National High Performance Centre (Lahore) will be prepared with the imported Australian soil.

“I believe it is an exciting initiative and an experiment that is worth having a close look at. The pitches prepared with the Australian soil will provide a great opportunity to Pakistan players before a tour of Australia in terms of their preparations for the pitches there. Once again, the PCB deserves credit for this initiative, I feel that there will be a lot to learn and observe once the pitches are laid and are ready for cricket.”

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

July 20, 2022

Rassie van der Dussen rises to third in MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings

Dubai, July 20, 2022 (PPI-OT):South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen has attained a career-best third position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings after his superb century in the first ODI against England at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old has gained three slots after smashing 134 off 117 balls against England, for which he was named Player of the Match. Van der Dussen has also been in the top five in T20Is, ranked fourth in June last year.

Aiden Markram, who also played an important part in the 62-run win for South Africa, has moved up 15 slots to 61st after his knock of 77 while opener Janneman Malan is up one place to joint-35th with a score of 57. David Miller’s 24 runs see him move up three places to 24th. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje has reached 61st position, his haul of four for 53 lifting him 18 slots.

For England, Jason Roy has moved up one slot to 16th position among batters after scoring 43 against South Africa and 41 in the last match of the series against India. His team-mate David Willey has moved up two slots to 35th among bowlers.

India’s architects of an impressive five-wicket win in Manchester that helped clinch the series against England, have surged up the rankings too. Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 125 off 113 balls has lifted him 25 places to 52nd while Hardik Pandya has progressed from 50th to 42nd after his 55-ball 71.

Pandya is also up 25 places to 70th among bowlers for his haul of four 24 while leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has advanced four places to reach 16th position after grabbing three for 60.

Others to move up the ODI rankings for batters this week include Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal (up two places to 17th) and Liton Das (up two places to 30th), West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran (up four places to joint-35th), Scotland’s Calum MacLeod (up three places to 48th) and Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus (up 21 places to 86th).

The list of bowlers sees Jasprit Bumrah cede top place to New Zealand’s Trent Boult after missing the last match, while Matt Henry has moved up one place to seventh. West Indies fast bowler Alazarri Joseph (up three places to 18th), New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner (up two places to 23rd), Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (up six places to 33rd) and Scotland seamer Safyaan Sharif (up four places to 56th) are others to progress.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips has advanced five places to reach 30th position after his Player of the Match effort of 69 not out in the first match of their series against Ireland while fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has progressed 25 slots to 40th with a haul of four for 14.

July 19, 2022July 20, 2022

Beaumont in Top 10 of MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings

Dubai, July 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):England opener Tammy Beaumont, a former No. 1 batter, has returned to the top 10 of the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after smashing a record-equalling ninth century in the final match of their three-ODI series against South Africa in Leicester on Monday.

Beaumont, who had scored 58 in the second match of the series, has progressed three slots to reach eighth position after her 107-ball 119 that took her at par with Charlotte Edwards in the list of century makers for England.

Beaumont’s team-mates Danni Wyatt and Emma Lamb too have made notable progress in the weekly rankings update. Wyatt has advanced three places to reach 24th position after scoring 33 in the last match while Lamb is up 35 places to 66th with knocks of 67 and 65 in the two matches played over the last week. Sophia Dunkley has advanced eight places to 29th.

In the bowlers’ list led by Sophie Ecclestone, other England spinner Charlie Dean has improved six places to a career-best 24th position, thanks to her haul of seven wickets in two matches.

South Africa players too have made good progress despite losing the series 3-0.

Marizanne Kapp is up six places to 18th among batters after knocking up 73 and 62. She has also moved up two places to third in the list of all-rounders led by Natalie Sciver of England with Australia’s Ellyse Perry close behind in second place.

Chloe Tryon is up two places to 20th among batters and up 10 places to 48th among bowlers while Nadine de Klerk has moved from 59th to 52nd in the bowlers’ list.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings, which considers performances in the first two matches of the Ireland tri-series also featuring Australia and Pakistan, Rebecca Stokell of Ireland has progressed seven places to 88th after scoring 22 against Australia.

Australia bowlers Nicola Carey (up three places to 52nd) and Ashleigh Gardner (up three places to 57th) gained, as have Darcie Brown and Alana King, who are joint-161st.

July 19, 2022July 20, 2022

VNR: Silverware sparkles at stunning Great Barrier Reef ahead of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022

Dubai, July 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Trophy has reached one of Australia’s most iconic natural wonders, with Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa taking the prized silverware to the clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Secured in a custom-made case, the trophy was ferried across by Zampa and local cricket fans to Reef Magic Pontoon, off Cairns, which gives visitors the opportunity to get an underwater seat to see the colours and sea life of the reef.

The visit is part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, which will touch down in 21 locations across all eight Australian States and Territories in addition to 12 other countries.

The T20 World Cup will feature 16 international teams, bringing fans together from around the world for the global showpiece event and giving them the opportunity to experience the best of Australia while they are here for the cricket.

Over 100,000 international visitors are anticipated to attend the event, which is being played from 16 October – 13 November across seven host cities.

Travel packages are available through icctravelandtours.com or fans can purchase tickets directly at t20worldcup.com.

Speaking from the Reef Magic Pontoon, Adam Zampa said: “Days like today are a reminder of how lucky we are to live in a country with so much natural beauty. It’s a privilege to be able to bring the World Cup trophy to this precious place and encourage fans around the world to get to Australia later this year.”

“The cricket is going to be amazing with all the best teams in the world here, but as fans will see as part of the Trophy Tour, there’s so much else to see and do while they’re here.”

July 17, 2022July 18, 2022

Final Groups and Fixtures confirmed for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 as Zimbabwe win Qualifier B

Dubai, July 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Zimbabwe has won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B defeating the Netherlands and securing the final spot in Group B in the First Round at Australia 2022 alongside Ireland, Scotland and West Indies.

Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time ever between 16 October and 13 November 2022 across seven host cities, with Geelong and Hobart playing host to the First Round.

Zimbabwe’s first match will take place on the second day of the Men’s T20 World Cup against fellow qualifier Ireland in Hobart on 17 October. The evening match will be played as part of a double-header, with West Indies taking on Scotland in the afternoon fixture.

Runner-up Netherlands will join Sri Lanka, Namibia and the United Arab Emirates in Group A, playing their first match on the opening day of the World Cup in Geelong against the United Arab Emirates. This will be an evening match following 2014 champions Sri Lanka facing Namibia in the T20 World Cup opener.

On a day of low-scoring encounters in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B, hosts Zimbabwe secured a 37-run win over the Netherlands in the final despite being restricted to just 132 batting first.

Sikandar Raza was the hero for the home side, taking four for eight from his four overs during a spell in which the Dutch lost six wickets for just 17 runs.

Logan van Beek (3/18) had earlier played an important role for the Netherlands, removing both skipper Craig Ervine and Raza as Zimbabwe slumped from 93 for three to 132 all out.

In reply, the Dutch made a reasonable start, sitting at 45 for two before the wickets started tumbling, with Raza trapping Stephan Myburgh (22) leg before for his first wicket and arguably the most important of the match.

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine said: “It’s unbelievable. This is what we used to know Zimbabwe cricket to be like, all the supporters coming out and cheering for us. And over the past week, we’ve definitely given them something to cheer about. From the players’ point of view, it’s good to see the cheers and the happiness back in the crowd.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on what we have done over this week. The World Cup First Round is in October so there is plenty of time between now and then to have a chat and think about how we are going to go about that.”

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards said: “Both teams came out here to win and they were too good for us today. We got what we came here for in qualifying for the World Cup, it’s just a little bit disappointing that we couldn’t perform in the final.

“Each group (at the World Cup) has got its challenges so we’ll prepare for Australia and the teams we are playing against and see how we go.”

Elsewhere on the final day of action in Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea squeezed past the USA in the third-place play-off, Uganda edged out Hong Kong in the battle for fifth and Jersey came seventh thanks to a win over Singapore.

Some brilliant bowling from Assad Vala (3/18) and Chad Soper (3/11) helped PNG defend a total of 97 against the USA, winning by five runs. Skipper Vala had made 15 with the bat and then played a crucial role with two wickets from his final over before Soper finished the job.

Uganda held on against Hong Kong for a four-run success, despite making just 102 for seven batting first. Cosmas Kyewuta (2/28) was the hero at the end, taking two wickets in the final over of Hong Kong’s reply.

Jersey enjoyed a relatively straightforward chase in their six-wicket win over Singapore, Nick Greenwood (48) and Jonty Jenner (39no) helping them chase down 141 with time to spare.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Local Organising Committee CEO, Michelle Enright said:

“Today is an exciting day for fans with all 16 teams now confirmed for the first ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup being held in Australia.

“We congratulate the Netherlands and Zimbabwe on making it through a challenging qualifying event and look forward to welcoming them to Hobart and Geelong respectively in the First Round.”

Tickets are on sale now at t20worldcup.com with kid’s tickets to First Round and Super 12 matches just $5 and adult prices starting from $20.