SportsLines

02/12/2025

Shaheens’ squads named for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up matches
By Ijaz Ahmad Khan

TORONTO, Feb 12: The Pakistan Cricket Board has named the three Shaheens squads that will feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up matches in the build-up to the main event, which will take place from 19 February to 9 March.
For the 14 February match against Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan Shaheens will be captained by Shadab Khan, with Mansoor Amjad serving as coach-cum-manager. Meanwhile, for the 17 February match against South Africa at National Stadium, Mohammad Hurraira will lead the side, with Ijaz Ahmed Junior as coach-cum-managerOn the same day (17 February) in Dubai, Pakistan Shaheens will face Bangladesh, with Mohammad Haris as captain and Umar Gul as coach-cum-managerShaheens squads:
vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore - Shadab Khan (captain), Abdul Faseeh, Arafat Minhas, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Kashif Ali, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir Khan, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Imran Randhawa and Muhammad Irfan Khan
vs South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi - Mohammad Huraira (captain), Amad Butt, Faisal Akram, Hassan Nawaz, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram and Saad Khan
vs Bangladesh, ICC Academy, Dubai - Mohammad Haris (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Azan Awais, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufiyan Moqim and Usama Mir
Schedule of matches featuring Shaheens:
14 February – vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium (1400-2130)
17 February – vs South Africa, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)
17 February – vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy (1400-2130)
Other warm-up match:
16 February – New Zealand v Afghanistan, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)
-ENDS-

02/08/2025

01/28/2025

01/28/2025

01/28/2025

Australia presented with ICC Women’s Championship Trophy
By Ijaz Ahmad Khan

TORONTO, Jan 28:
Australia were today presented with the ICC Women’s Championship trophy after they won the prestigious 10-team competition that provided a pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
Captain Alyssa Healy was presented the trophy in Melbourne on behalf of the International Cricket Council by Cricket Australia Chair and ICC Director Mike Baird.
Australia have now won all three editions of the championship, which was instituted in 2014 to grow the women’s game and has been instrumental in ensuring more women’s cricket tours over the past decade.
Meg Lanning lifted the trophy the first two times, when it was played from 2014-16 and 2017-20 featuring eight teams – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Bangladesh and Ireland were added in the third edition played from 2022-2025.
ICC Chair Jay Shah congratulated the Australian team for their consistency over the years and the other teams for also producing some fine efforts that made the championship interesting.
ICC Chair Jay Shah: “I would like to congratulate Australia for winning the ICC Women’s Championship once again. They have been very consistent over the years and set really high standards in women’s cricket.
“It is also heartening to see so many good performances from other teams during the course of the championship.
“The points position highlights the competitive nature of the ICC Women’s Championship and the growth of the women’s game, which is a key focus area for us.”
Healy said it was a great feeling to have won the championship, and that the victory reflected the consistent cricket that her team played over the cycle.
Australia captain Alyssa Healy: “We are pumped up about winning the ICC Women’s Championship. It was a cool cycle, being able to play the teams we did. It was hotly contested and went down the wire, so it was exciting to win in the end. We had a good couple of performances to get over the line and hopefully it’s good vibes for the next cycle as well.
“Knowing early that you have qualified for the World Cup is obviously a huge advantage. We dropped a couple of games along the way but having stayed at the top of the ladder put us in good stead ahead of the World Cup.
“Knowing the nature of this cycle, it’s good signs for the ODI World Cup, which is going to be competitive. We have played a lot in India, but the conditions can be tricky in the ODI format, so we are not sure what we are going to get.
“We are excited to get there, knowing there will be so many others too vying for that trophy.”
Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird: “It was an enormous honour to present the ICC Women’s Championship Trophy to Alyssa and the Australian Women’s Cricket Team and I would like to congratulate them on another fantastic achievement.
“Our world champion team continue to raise the bar each time it takes to the field and has been one of the most accomplished sporting teams in Australia for some time.
“They are an inspiration to all Australians and particularly the next generation of participants, and we are all very proud of them."
The championship saw all teams play against eight other teams in three-match series on a home or away basis with Australia assuring itself the top position in the points table with 39 points from 24 matches.
The top five teams, along with hosts India qualified directly for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 while the bottom four get another chance to make it through a Qualifier.
India (37), England (32), South Africa (25), Sri Lanka (22) and New Zealand (21) are the other direct entrants while the bottom four will play the Qualifier, details of which will be announced in due course.
Bangladesh were tied with New Zealand on 21 points but the Kiwis made it through on the basis of more wins in the championship.
Bangladesh, West Indies (18), Pakistan (17) and Ireland (eight) will be joined in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier by Scotland and Thailand, the two other highest ranked teams as of 31 October 2024. There are two spots up for grabs in the Qualifier.
Ends

01/28/2025

Corteen-Coleman relishing the heat of the battle at U19 Women’s T20 World Cup
By Haris Ahmad

PESHAWAR, Jan 27:
Corteen-Coleman relishing the heat of the battle at U19 Women’s T20 World Cup
Media release
The searing heat of Malaysia could not be more in contrast with the wintry weather in England, but spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman is loving her time in the sunshine at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Corteen-Coleman shone as England beat New Zealand by six wickets to seal their place in the semi-finals for a second consecutive tournament, finishing with remarkable figures of four for eight from her four overs in Sarawak.
It was an impressive display from the 17-year-old, who generated plenty of turn to dismiss the last four New Zealand batters, including three in the final over and the Player of the Match revealed she is enjoying pitting herself against both her opponents and the conditions as England look to go one better than their runners-up berth in 2023.
“I am absolutely loving it, playing cricket in a country where it is hot is actually really nice compared to cold England,” she said. “I am really enjoying it here.
“I am loving the pitches out here, they suit me very well. They offer quite a lot of turn and bounce, so I am hugely enjoying that.
“It is slightly unusual because going into The Hundred and during the season with Stars, we did a lot of scouting but the information pre-game on teams (at the World Cup) is quite minimal so it is very much about being adaptable and flexible in the moment.
“That’s really valuable for my development, not being told what to expect beforehand, it is really positive.
“I was absolutely delighted [to take four wickets], to be honest. It was obviously such a good moment for me to help the team get through to the semis.
“It is nice to get four wickets but it was a collective effort, I can’t take full credit for that.”
Corteen-Coleman’s work with the ball helped England restrict New Zealand to 89 from their 20 overs, with the Kiwis losing all 10 wickets for 40 runs following a strong start from openers Kate Irwin and Emma McLeod
England responded with a fast start of their own through openers Davina Perrin and Jemima Spence, who scored 21 and 29 respectively. Charlotte Stubbs' unbeaten 17 saw England ultimately reach the required total in 11.4 overs to seal a crucial victory.
No results against Ireland and Nigeria due to rain meant the New Zealand match was pivotal for their progression to the last four, and Corteen-Coleman admitted there were fears the weather would blight them again when rain began to fall midway through New Zealand’s innings.
But the 17-year-old felt staying calm amidst the uncertainty allowed her side to go back out and finish the job at hand.
She said: “It is a huge moment for the team, getting that semi-final spot sealed. There were some weather concerns so it was quite a stressful match going into it, but the team performed really well under pressure with bat and ball.
“There was a bit of panic [after the rain delay] but we actually composed ourselves quite well and just prepared to stay in a good mindset and ready to go back out there.
“The group as a collective has been really good in supporting each other, but our captain Abi (Norgrove) and our coaches have been at the forefront of those messages, supporting the girls the whole way.”
England will now train their sights on the semi-final, where they will look to once again make it to the showpiece on 2 February.
But Corteen-Coleman insisted there was no way her side would be thinking about anything but their last four encounter, with preparation the key to success.
“The goal is definitely to get through to the final, but we will take each game as it comes,” she added.
“We will focus on the semis now to make sure we can perform our best cricket. We are not looking too far ahead.
“I would like to think there will be a bit more information but it is about sticking to what we have been doing, playing a positive game batting, bowling, and fielding and then just backing our skills.”
ENDS

01/25/2025

PCB confirms details of the tri-nation ODI series
By Ijaz Ahmad Khan

TORONTO, Jan 25:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule for the tri-nation ODI series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa. The series will be played on a single-league basis from 8 to 14 February, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting the opening two matches and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium staging the final league match and the final.
Pakistan and New Zealand will kick off the series at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, 8 February, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 1400 (local time). New Zealand will then face South Africa on Monday, 10 February, in a day match with the toss set for 0900 (local time).
The action will shift to Karachi, where Pakistan will take on South Africa on 12 February in a day/night match at the National Bank Stadium, starting at 1400 (local time). The final will be played on Friday, 14 February, with the first ball to be bowled at 1400 (local time).
Both Pakistan and New Zealand are scheduled to train at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, 6 February, under lights, while South Africa’s first outing at the historic venue will be on the morning of Sunday, 9 February.
While the four matches at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium will provide the three sides with an excellent opportunity to finalise preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it will also be a perfect occasion for the PCB to showcase its redesigned and redeveloped venues to the world through its world-class broadcast.
At the Gaddafi Stadium, the spectator capacity has been increased, with new chairs installed throughout the venue. Additionally, 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been installed to enhance broadcast LUX levels, ensuring a superior viewing experience for fans worldwide. To further elevate the spectator experience, two giant digital replay screens – measuring 80 feet x 30 feet and 22 feet x 35 feet – have been installed. A brand-new hospitality enclosure for players and officials is near completion, ensuring that the iconic stadium is fully operational to deliver an unparalleled experience for all stakeholders.
At the National Bank Stadium, significant enhancements have been made, including the creation of a new hospitality enclosure for players and officials at the University End. To improve broadcast coverage, 350 LED lights have been installed, ensuring optimal visibility for global audiences. Two digital replay screens have already been fixed, and 5,000 new chairs have been installed to enhance spectator comfort.
Schedule of tri-series matches (day/night matches will start at 1400, day match will begin at 0930):
8 February – Pakistan v New Zealand (d/n)
10 February – New Zealand v South Africa (d)
12 February – Pakistan v South Africa (d/n)
14 February – Final (d/n)
-ENDS-

01/19/2025

Elsa Hunter: “Hopefully this World Cup can bring a lot more people into the sport in Malaysia”

By Ijaz Ahmad Khan

TORONTO, Jan 19:
Elsa Hunter: “Hopefully this World Cup can bring a lot more people into the sport in Malaysia”
History-maker Elsa Hunter’s hopes her Malaysian compatriots seize their opportunity to show what they can do on home soil at the upcoming ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Hunter, 19, shot to prominence in 2019 when she made her senior Malaysia debut at the age of just 13 – making her the youngest-ever international cricketer.
The top order batter has continued on an upward trajectory since, making her Women’s Big Bash debut for the Sydney Sixers in this season’s competition and representing New South Wales in Australia’s Women’s National Cricket League.
Hunter is ineligible to feature in the upcoming U19 Women’s T20 World Cup as she turns 20 two weeks after the final but is delighted to see it being played in Malaysia and hopes it will raise awareness of cricket in the country.
“I would have loved to play in this U19 World Cup,” she said. “I played the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers for Malaysia before the 2023 competition, which was a really good experience.
“Playing people your age, you see how hungry everyone is to get to that next level and play for their country.
“It’s really good for these girls to learn at this young age. In the past, a lot of girls probably haven’t had that opportunity. Now they have a springboard, it’s really useful for them.”
Hunter names captain Nur Dania Syuhada, an opening batter who has 'really been developing her off-spin’, and ‘unreal’ 16-year-old left-armer Suabika Manivannan as two names to keep a particularly close eye on for the hosts.
“Last year, we went to the Asia Cup and she (Suabika) got some wickets against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which was crazy,” she said. “She is really, really good.
“This competition is definitely going to give the girls a lot of exposure. These girls are the future of Malaysian cricket and associate cricket, so it will be great experience to play these high-class teams and see this standard of cricket which they may not have seen before.
“They will be able to aspire to be like that and hopefully bring Malaysia forward in the future.
“Cricket has grown a lot there since I started, they are playing more in schools and people are starting to become more aware of the sport. Hopefully this World Cup can bring a lot more people into the sport in Malaysia.”
Hunter’s own cricket journey began in Sydney, where she moved from the country of her birth aged 10.
Having grown up playing badminton in Malaysia, she struggled to find a club in her new home and gave cricket a go having been inspired by the 2015 edition of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“I found it very interesting to begin with,” she said. “With badminton, there’s a lot of hand-eye co-ordination so batting came quite easily to me. I tried bowling, which I was not bad at, but I thought ‘what is this?!’
“Once I started meeting new people, I made a lot of friends and that’s how I started loving the sport.”
Almost in the blink of an eye, Hunter was gracing the international stage, Malaysia Cricket’s interest piqued by an enquiry from her father surrounding training facilities his daughter could use on a family holiday.
Far from being overawed by the experience and attention that came with it, Hunter instead took everything in her stride.
“I was in a state academy here in Australia, and they (Malaysia) asked if he could send them a video of me batting,” she said. “They asked if I’d like to play for Malaysia – I still had the passport, so I still qualified for them. That’s how it all started.
“At such a young age, it was probably hard to understand how amazing that was. I was just living my best life at 13, I didn’t really think much of it. Looking back now, it was definitely a really surreal experience to have my name out there so early on.”
Hunter still has reason to pinch herself on a regular basis as she continues her ascent.
Whether sharing the field with Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues when Malaysia played India in the 2022 Asia Cup – “I was like, ‘this is the best day of my life’” – or opening the batting with Ellyse Perry in the Big Bash, Hunter is soaking up experiences most teenage cricket fanatics could only dream of.
“I’ve looked up to Ellyse for my whole cricket life, so I was just starstruck at the non-striker’s end while still trying to focus on my job,” she said.
“I always try and ask as many questions as I can and one time I asked her what her prep was when she goes out to bat – my thinking was that maybe I could copy it. She told me that, at this level, it is really important to find what you are comfortable with.
“I was like ‘that’s so true, I am at this level now – I need to not copy others and stick to my strengths’. That’s something I’m still working on but that has stuck with me.
“I just want to keep taking all the opportunities coming my way and working my way up.”
ENDS

11/13/2024

Waiting for the Masjid Darus Salam, the beautiful Masjid in the heart of North York, Toronto.

11/04/2024

The winner team of Chitral, where the talent of all games and both girls and boys wants to play but they are being neglected and denied from their legitimate right like they have in other sectors. The Girls and Boys of Chitral are even denied at the part of Pakistan Cricket Board as Chitral is the largest District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, no trials were conducted there as the girls and boys want to be part of various teams but they did not have resources to come to down districts on their own expenses to participate in the trials of Cricket or any other Games because one person if decide to visit for the trials mean it would cost her or him Rs. 20,000 each.
The Athletes both female and males have requested to the the Chief Minister KP and Chairman PCB to ensure trials in Chitral so the these youngsters who are full of talent, should participate in these trials and be part of various national teams.