Report ; By Nawaz Gohar

The ICC is pleased to announce the schedule for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Hosts India will get the tournament underway against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. The two countries will get the tournament started at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 30 September, with action starting at 15h00 local time.

Defending champions Australia, then get their campaign up and running against neighbours, New Zealand, at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on 1 October, while Bangladesh face Pakistan a day later in Colombo.

Bengaluru plays host for a second time as 2022 runners-up England, face South Africa on Friday, 3 October in the final opening match.

The round-robin stage runs until 26 October, with the final day of group stage action culminating in two matches on the same day with England facing New Zealand in Guwahati and India hosting Bangladesh in Bengaluru.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 29 and 30 October, before the Final takes place on 2 November.

The top four sides from the round-robin stage will progress to the semi-finals, with first place playing fourth and second taking on third.

ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah said: “The confirmation of the schedule only builds further excitement and anticipation for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

“With the eight best teams in the women’s game descending on India, alongside incredible venues and what promises to be record-breaking crowds, we are all looking forward to an unforgettable tournament.”

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Dubai, Sports Link

In a groundbreaking announcement, the Aviation Premier League (APL) has unveiled its comprehensive lineup of partners for the upcoming T10 campaign.

These strategic alliances elevate the event beyond just a sporting spectacle, transforming it into a premier platform for professional networking and industry collaboration. The tournament will feature an exciting mix of teams representing various sectors within the aviation ecosystem.

The Air India Aviators and AESC Warriors will bring together professionals from national carriers and aviation sporting clubs, while the DFS Daredevils and Kolkata Strikers add competitive depth from different industry segments.

The Ahmedabad Titans, Customs Challengers, MIAL Mavericks, and Target Thunderbolts will further amplify the competition, showcasing the dynamic and diverse nature of aviation professionals.

Mr. Naresh Panwar, Promoter of Tennis Ball Cricket Premier League 10 (TBCPL10), expressed their enthusiasm for the association, stating, “We are proud to be the title sponsor of an event that seamlessly integrates sports with professional networking.

Tennis Ball Cricket Premier League 10 (TBCPL10) has always been committed to promoting cricket at all levels, and our partnership with APL aligns perfectly with our mission to bring competitive yet inclusive cricket to a larger audience.

This tournament is a celebration of talent, teamwork, and industry unity.”

Mr. Mohammad Saif, Owner of Sports Spirit Federation Events, highlighted the Federation’s involvement by emphasizing, “Our partnership with the Aviation Premier League underscores our commitment to promoting sports as a medium for professional growth.

We believe in creating opportunities that bring professionals together through the shared spirit of competition and teamwork.”

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West Indies Stun Pakistan In Multan Test To Level Series 1 1

West Indies win on Pakistani soil after 35 years

MULTAN – West Indies secured their first-ever Test match victory in Pakistan in 35 years, defeating Men in Green in a thrilling encounter in Multan to level series 1-1. This remarkable win marks a significant milestone for the Caribbean side, who had last won a Test in Pakistan back in 1988.

The match, which saw roller coaster ride, saw West Indies showcase their resilience and skill, overcoming Pakistan’s strong challenge. The victory is being hailed as a major achievement for the West Indies cricket team, which had struggled on Pakistan soil in recent years.

In the first innings, Windies posted total of 163, courtesy of solid contributions from Gudakesh Motie (55 off 87 balls) and Jomel Warrican (36* off 40 balls). Pakistan’s Noman Ali was the standout bowler, taking 6 wickets for 41 runs in 15.1 overs, while Sajid Khan also impressed with 2 wickets for 64 runs in 14 overs.

Shan Masood led Pakistan then stepped in with Mohammad Rizwan contributing a valiant 49 off 75 balls. The West Indies’ bowlers, led by Warrican’s 4/43 in 17 overs and Motie’s 3/49 in 13 overs, kept the pressure on Pakistan, restricting them to a modest total.

In their second innings, West Indies posted 244, driven by Kraigg Brathwaite’s 52 off 74 balls and Tevin Imlach’s 35 off 57 balls. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Sajid Khan, who took 4 wickets for 76 runs in 24.1 overs, and Noman Ali with 4 wickets for 80 runs in 21 overs, continued to battle hard but couldn’t restrict the visitors enough.

Chasing a target of 254, Pakistan crumbled in their second innings, managing only 133 runs. Babar Azam top-scored with 31 off 67 balls, but it was Jomel Warrican who stole the show with an incredible 5-wicket haul, claiming 5/27 in 16 overs. Mohammad Rizwan (25 off 62) and Kevin Sinclair (3/61 in 17 overs) tried to fight back, but it was too little, too late.

West Indies’ remarkable win in Multan not only marks a historic moment but also cements their place in the cricketing annals. The visitors will look to build on this success as they head into the next match of the series.

Playing XI of Pakistan; The Pakistan team for this match includes Shaan Masood (captain), Muhammad Hurira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan (wicket keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Kashif Ali and Abrar Ahmed. .

West Indies Playing XI; The West Indies playing XI for this match includes Craig Brathwaite (captain), Mikael Lewis, Amir Jango, Kyum Hodge, Alec Athanze, Justin Graves, Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, Godakesh Moti, Jumel Wrekan and Kemar Roach.

West Indies beat Pakistan at home after 35 years. Earlier in 1990, West Indies defeated Pakistan at home ground.

It should be noted that Pakistan defeated West Indies by 127 runs in the first Test match played in Multan. In the first Test match, off-spinner Sajid Khan was declared the best player of the match.

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Cape Town Test Day 2: South Africa all out for 615 in the first innings, Pakistan 3 for 64

(Asghar Ali Mubarak)

In the second Test against Pakistan, the South African team was all out for 615 in the first innings, in response to which the national team lost 3 wickets for 64 runs at the end of the second day.

In the second Test match being played in Cape Town, South Africa scored 615 runs in the first innings thanks to Ryan Rickleton’s 259, Timba Bawma’s 106, and Kyle Vereen’s 100 runs.

In the last session of the second day, the national team’s start in the first innings was very disappointing. Due to Saim Ayub’s injury, Babar Azam opened the innings with Shan Masood, but the captain proved to be a guest of only 2 runs.

Kamran Ghulam, who came to bat at number three, could also score only 12 runs, while vice-captain Saud Shakeel returned to the pavilion without opening his account. Babar Azam is at the crease with 31 runs and Mohammad Rizwan is at 9 runs.

Kagiso Rabada took 2 wickets and Marco Johnson took 1 wicket for South Africa. Earlier, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first.

The first wicket of the host team fell for 61 runs, South African opener Aiden Markram was caught by wicketkeeper Rizwan off the ball of Khurram Shahzad after scoring 17 runs.

Wien Mulder, who came in third, also got caught by Rizwan off the ball of Mohammad Abbas after scoring 5 runs for a total score of 70, while Tristan Stubbs, who came in third, was caught by Rizwan off the ball of Agha Salman and returned to the pavilion without opening his account.

After this, Proteas captain Timba Bavuma and Ryan Rickleton put on a 235-run partnership for the fourth wicket and brought the team into a stable position. Timba Bavuma was dismissed for 106 runs, while Ryan Rickleton not only scored his first double century but also played a career-best innings of 259 runs.

Kyle Vereen also played a brilliant innings for South Africa to complete his fourth century, Marco Johnson scored 62 and Keshav Maharaj played an aggressive innings of 40 runs.

For the national team, Mohammad Abbas and Salman Ali Agha took 3 wickets each, while Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza took 2 wickets each. In the early overs of the first day of the match, Pakistani batsman Saim Ayub was injured when his foot twisted near the boundary line while fielding. He was taken to the hospital for an X-ray due to severe pain.

Earlier, Pakistan made one change in the playing XI for the second Test against South Africa, replacing Naseem Shah with fast bowler Mir Hamza.

Pakistan’s playing XI for the second Test against South Africa consists of captain Shan Masood, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Mughal, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad and Muhammad Abbas.

It should be noted that South Africa has a one-nil lead in the Test series. After suffering a whitewash at home in the ODI series, South Africa had defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets in an exciting match in the first Test to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship.

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Lanka T10 Super League Tournament launched ticket sales for its inaugural edition

Pallekele ; 

The highly anticipated Lanka T10 Super League Tournament has officially launched ticket sales for its inaugural edition, set to take place at the scenic Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from December 11th to December 19th, 2024.

In an exclusive partnership with BookMyShow, ticket sales will go live on December 7th, giving fans the opportunity to secure their seats for this exciting cricketing event.

With T10 cricket leagues gaining momentum around the world, including the UAE’s Abu Dhabi T10 and Zimbabwe’s Zim Afro T10, Sri Lanka now joins an elite group of nations hosting this exciting, fast-paced format.

The Lanka T10 Super League Tournament aims to be a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history, showcasing the nation’s commitment to innovation in the sport and ensuring fans are treated to world-class cricketing spectacle.

Tickets for the Lanka T10 Super League, taking place from December 11th to 19th at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, are now available in various categories.

The inaugural Lanka T10 Super League Tournament will feature six dynamic franchises: Colombo Jaguars, Galle Marvels, Hambantota Banga Tigers, Jaffna Titans, Kandy Bolts and Nuwara Eliya Kings.

These teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top teams progressing to the final match on December 19th, 2024.

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England beat New Zealand by 323 runs to secure series

Captain Ben Stokes took 3-5 for England

England beat New Zealand by 323 runs after tea on the third day of the second test in Wellington on Sunday to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Captain Ben Stokes took 3-5 for England, while Tom Blundell was New Zealand’s highest scorer with 115.

England faced some resistance from New Zealand in the shape of Tom Blundell’s defiant century but dismissed the Black Caps for 259 to wrap up a thumping 323-run victory on the third day of the second test on Sunday.

The win in Wellington, seven days after an equally comfortable eight-wicket victory in Christchurch, ensured England a first series win in New Zealand since 2008 with the Hamilton test still to come.

Joe Root earlier secured his 36th test hundred before England skipper Ben Stokes declared on 427-6 to present the Blacks Caps with a mammoth target of 583.

Blundell bucked his recent form with a 102-ball 115 but the damage had already been done to the New Zealand top order by England’s rampant seam attack.

When Blundell was dismissed by a fine catch from Ben Duckett off the bowling of spinner Shoaib Bashir in the first hour of the final session, the writing was on the wall.

Stokes (3-5) brought himself on for the first time to remove Matt Henry with his fourth delivery and ended Nathan Smith’s innings on 42 in his second over.

He delivered the coup de grace for England’s biggest ever victory by runs over New Zealand when Tim Southee swung big looking for a six but only managed to find Chris Woakes.

Stokes paid tribute to Harry Brook, who was named Player of the Match for his century in the first innings, and Ollie Pope for the partnership that dragged England back into the match on the opening day.

“Amazing to be stood here winning the series, in particular after being 43-4 on day one,” said Stokes.

“I think Harry Brook and Ollie Pope were just amazing on day one, to go out there and play like that. That wicket, in cricket terms, is what we call a snake pit.

“To have the skill to be able to go out and play like that was just absolutely phenomenal. We’ve been unbelievable with the ball but I think the way that Harry Brook and Ollie Pope played on day one set this game up for us.”

‘HURTING’

England had resumed on a blustery morning at Basin Reserve on 378-5 looking to quickly inflate their already imposing lead of 533 before sending the Blacks Caps in to bat.

The orthodox Root has not been the most natural player of the “Bazball” style of aggressive batting England have played under coach Brendon McCullum.

The 33-year-old, however, showed a real flash of creativity to secure his 127-ball century with a glorious reverse-ramp for the 10th of the 11 fours in his knock.

After Root edged behind for 106, Stokes raced off the field unbeaten on 49 keen to get his bowlers out and stuck in to the Black Caps.

Woakes did the early damage by bowling the hapless Devon Conway for a five-ball duck and having Kane Williamson caught behind off a thin edge for four.

The impressive Brydon Carse chipped in with a brilliant caught-and-bowled dismissal of Tom Latham for 24 before giving Pope more catching practice behind the stumps to remove Rachin Ravindra for six.

Blundell’s run-a-ball innings was a rare highlight at Basin Reserve for New Zealand, who had been outplayed by England with both bat and ball for all but the first session of the match.

“We’re obviously hurting,” said New Zealand skipper Latham.
“It’s disappointing to lose in that fashion, I think after the first innings, putting them under pressure. Harry played a fantastic innings there.

“Credit where credit’s due. I thought that was a fantastic innings. You look down that scorecard, there’s one guy that took it away from us.”

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Australia beat India by 10 wickets to level series 1-1

Home captain Pat Cummins led by example, claiming 5-57.

Australia beat India by 10 wickets in the day-night second test at Adelaide Oval on Sunday to level the series 1-1.

Needing 19 to win after bowling out India for 175 in their second innings, Australia sealed victory in the first session on day three of the contest.

Home captain Pat Cummins led by example, claiming 5-57.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s defiant 42 had saved India an innings defeat but the miracle they needed to save the test did not materialise.
Australia, beaten comprehensively in the opening test in Perth, needed only 20 balls to secure the win.

Usman Khawaja scored the winning run, watched by opening partner Nathan McSweeney, in what was the shortest test between the sides.

The third test begins in Brisbane on Dec. 14.

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Reinforced India bat first in pink-ball Test v Australia

Return of skipper Rohit Sharma and batter Shubman Gill bolstered India’s batting line up

 India, bolstered by the return of skipper Rohit Sharma and batter Shubman Gill, won the toss and elected to bat against Australia in the day-night second Test in Adelaide on Friday.

Rohit missed India’s comprehensive victory in the series opener in Perth to care for his newborn baby in Mumbai, while top order batter Gill sat out with a thumb injury.

India also brought in veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, while leaving out Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal.

“It looks a good pitch. It obviously looks a little dry at the moment but there’s enough grass covering as well,” Rohit said at the toss.

“I guess it will have some carry for the fast bowlers but as the game goes on it will get better to bat and there will be something in it for everyone.”

Scott Boland replaced injured paceman Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s sole change for the match.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said they would have liked to bat first but were ready to exploit the early conditions at the Adelaide Oval.

“Day one, pink ball. There might be a bit of nip there for us. It’s good to have a fresh start,” Cummins said.

“It’s a venue we really love playing at. Pink ball can be a little bit different than red ball.”

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Rohit Sharma (captain), Nitesh Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

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Jay Shah took charge of ICC Chairman

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is pleased to mark the start of the tenure of its new Chair, Jay Shah, as a new chapter of global cricket begins today.

Mr Shah expressed his vision to grow the global reach of the sport with a particular focus on the opportunity of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, whilst working in partnership with the ICC Members to capitalize on this moment for the sport.

Bringing a wealth of cricket administration experience, Mr Shah’s journey began in 2009 at a district and state level, where he quickly rose through the ranks of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA).

In 2019, Mr Shah was elected as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI’s) youngest-ever Honorary Secretary, a role where he helped take Indian Cricket to newer heights with key accomplishments such as record-breaking IPL media rights deal, creation of the Women’s Premier League, creation of new state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, Test Cricket Incentive Scheme and more.

Mr Shah has also played important roles in world cricket as the President of the Asian Cricket Council and as Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee.

ICC Chair, Jay Shah said: “I am honoured to be starting in the role of ICC Chair and want to thank the ICC Directors and Member Boards for their support and trust in me to undertake this important role.

“This is an exciting time for the sport as we build up to the LA28 Olympic Games and strive to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.

We also stand at a critical juncture in terms of the coexistence of multiple formats and accelerating the growth of the women’s game.

There is huge potential for the game of cricket globally, with so much opportunity to engage with existing and new fans, while ensuring the best resources and platforms for our cricketers around the world.

“I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period. I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the Member countries to sustainably expand the game’s reach and evolution on the global stage.”

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Morrisville Samp Army clinch victory in last-over thriller

Abu Dubai ; Nawaz Gohar

The 2024 Abu Dhabi T10 which is being played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium unveiled another nail-biting contest between Morrisville Samp Army and UP Nawabs.

The Samp Army clinched a win by 3 runs after defending a target of 101 against the Nawabs.

UP Nawabs needed 11 runs from the final over of the innings but some phenomenal bowling from Amir Hamza who returned with bowling figures of 2/9 in two overs helped Morrisville Samp Army steal away a win.

Batting first, the Samp Army managed to put 100/7 in 10 overs on the board. Opener Sharjeel Khan top-scored with 37 off 23 while Pakistan’s Imad Wasim chipped in with a late surge and struck 15* off 6 to take his side to the 100-run mark.

Binura Fernando who hails from Sri Lanka and England pacer Tymal Mills picked up two wickets each for their side.
Later, the Nawabs were off to a perfect start as Dawid Malan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz stitched a stand of 61 runs for the first wicket.

While Malan departed for 15 off 13, Gurbaz continued his form with the bat. But the UP team lost the plot in the final two overs of the innings and only managed to gather 14 runs.

Gurbaz remained unbeaten at 60 off 32 but the side was eventually restricted to 97/3. Bowlers hand New York Strikers easy win

The New York Strikers took away a convincing win by 7 wickets against Bangla Tigers in the second encounter of the day. Batting first, the Tigers didn’t really get the start they needed and were eventually restricted to 66/8 in 10 overs.

Akeal Hosein, Reece Topley, Mohammad Amir scalped two wickets each while Sunil Narine and Matheesha Pathirana picked up one apiece.

Later, the Strikers chased down the target in just 6 overs. Donovan Ferreira (wk) struck 21* off 9 and returned as the top-scorer for the side.

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