LONDON: England’s World Cup-winner Moeen Ali has retired from international cri­cket, with the 37-year-old insisting: “I’ve done my part.” The spin-bowling all-rounder, in an interview with Britain’s Daily Mail, said he made the decision after he was overlooked for Engl­and’s upcoming white-ball ser­ies against arch-rivals Australia.

“I’m 37 years old and didn’t get picked for this month’s Australia series,” Ali told the newspaper. “I’ve played a lot of cricket for England. It’s time for the next generation, which was also explained to me. It felt the time was right. I’ve done my part.”

Matthew Mott was sacked as head coach of England’s limited-overs sides in July following woeful title defences in both the ODI and T20 World Cups.

And there was further change when both Ali and Jonny Bairs­tow, who have over 400 England caps between them, were left out of the squads for this month’s T20 and ODIs against Australia.

Ali, one of the first openly Muslim cricketers to represent England, had already called time in his red-ball international career but said he could have extended a stint in the national set-up that has seen him appear in 68 Tests, 138 ODIs and 92 T20s.

However, he explained he was “trying to be realistic” about his international future, saying: “I could hold on and try to play for England again, but I know in reality I won’t. Even retiring, I don’t feel it’s because I’m not good enough, I still feel I can play. But I get how things are, and the team needs to evolve into another cyc­le. It’s about being real to myself.”

Having made his reputation as a batsman, Ali said he was “especially” proud of taking 204 Test wickets, adding: “I’m also proud of getting five Test hundreds.

“It’s only five, but it means a lot, especially when I was often down the order.”

Ali also said he planned to continue playing franchise cricket, but would then like to stay involved in the game as a coach.

“Coaching is something I want to do — I want to be one of the best,” he said. “I can learn a lot from (England coach Brendon McCullum). I hope people remember me as a free spirit. I played some nice shots and some bad shots, but hopefully people enjoyed watching me.”

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2024

NEW YORK: Aryna Sabalenka said she felt “super proud” to win the US Open and claim her third Grand Slam crown with a thrilling victory over a gallant Jessica Pegula in a rollercoaster final on Saturday.

World number two Sabalenka triumphed 7-5, 7-5 to add the New York title to her back-to-back Australian Open victories.

Pegula went down fighting, however, recovering from 0-3 and break point down to lead 5-3 in the second set before Sabalenka came through and fell to the court in her moment of triumph.

The 26-year-old from Belarus clubbed 40 winners to become the first woman since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to capture both hardcourt majors in the same season.

“I remember all those tough losses in the past here and it’s going to sound easy but never give up on your dream and just keep trying, keep working hard,” said Sabalenka, the runner-up last year and semi-finalist in 2022 and 2023.

“I’m speechless right now. So many times I thought I was so close to get the US Open title. It has always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy.

“I’m just super proud of myself. I’m super proud of my team as well.”

Pegula had arrived in New York with a title in Toro­nto and runner-up spot to Sabalenka in Cincinnati.

She had won 15 out of 16 matches on the North American summer hard court swing.

“I wish she would have at least let me get one set. We had a tough match in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and she’s one of the best in the world,” said the American.

“She’s super powerful and isn’t going to give you anything. She can take the racquet out of your hand. I’m just glad I was able to stay in there and keep taking opportunities.”

Sabalenka made a point of thanking the crowd after taking a thinly-veiled dig at the atmosphere she had faced when she defeated New York-born Emma Navarro in the semi-finals.

“Honestly guys, thank you. I heard a lot of support. You were cheering for me on those good moments but of course I expected you to cheer for Jessica. I wouldn’t be normal if you were to cheer for me,” she said.

“Thank you so much for all this support throughout this incredible two weeks.”

Sabalenka lost the 2023 US Open final to Pegula’s compatriot Coco Gauff and she struggled to settle in during the early stages on Saturday as a flurry of errors handed the home favourite a break for 2-1.

But the powerful Sabalenka levelled immediately and broke again for 4-2.

A capacity crowd of 23,000 included sporting royalty such as Olympic 100m gold medallist Noah Lyles, NBA star Steph Curry and former Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton watched on.

Most were behind Pegula but the 30-year-old was defenceless against the remorseless hitting of the world number two, whose screams echoed beneath the closed roof of the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Pegula, who had knocked out world number one Iga Swiatek and then battled from a set and break down to see off Karolina Muchova in the semi-final, clung on.

From 2-5 down, she hit back for 5-5, breaking Sabalenka as the Australian Open champion served for the set.

In a marathon 12th game, however, Pegula saved four set points but not the fifth.

Sabalenka had unleashed 25 winners and committed 23 unforced errors to Pegula’s nine and 11, illustrating a dramatic contrast of styles in the 60-minute opener.

For the second match in succession, Pegula was soon a set and break down again, a double fault allowing Sabalenka to move ahead 3-0.

Incredibly, the 30-year-old stormed back to lead 5-3 before Sabalenka broke in the 10th game as her opponent attempted to level the final.

Sabalenka held her nerve to claim victory when Pegula went long with a weary drive.

“If I can’t take confidence from this, there’s got to be something wrong,” said Pegula on her performance.

“I’m kind of annoyed. I feel I should have done better and stuff like that. But I think that will pass in a little bit.”

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2024

LAHORE: Amid a string of dismal performances given by the national teams in Tests as well as limited-over formats, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said the decisions regarding beleaguered captains Babar Azam and Shan Masood would be made through consultations featuring major stakeholders later this month.

White-ball captain Babar and red-ball skipper Shan have come under immense criticism for Pakistan’s distressing shows in international cricket over the past year or so. A Babar-led team after failing badly in the 50-over Asia Cup and then the World Cup, which was staged in India last year, crashed out of the T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies in the first round earlier this year. In five-day format, the Shan-skippered Pakistan following their 3-0 whitewash Down Under suffered an extremely embarrassing-cum-stunning 2-0 sweep on home soil at the hands of Bangladesh earlier this week.

This harrowing set of disasters has resulted in growing calls from all quarters concerned for a serious review of the team composition, as well as the captains both of whom have been found wanting on several crucial stages.

According to some unconfirmed reports that have emerged recently, Babar and Shan are set to be sacked ahead of Pakistan’s next international assignment. Wicket-keeper/batter Mohammad Rizwan is reportedly being considered for captaincy in all the formats.

On Saturday, Mohsin said that the decision on the national captaincy would be made after a meeting between the coaches, selectors and Board officials.

“The decision regarding captaincy will be made after consultation with the coaches, mentors and [the] selection committee,” said Mohsin said while speaking to the media after inspecting the ongoing construction work at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

“A workshop is scheduled for Sept 22, where everyone [concerned] will be invited to give their suggestions, and decisions will be made afterwards.”

The said workshop is being dubbed as ‘connection camp’.

Mohsin said that he was meeting the selectors later on Saturday, adding that if a wrong decision was made in Pakistan cricket he was blamed by everyone.

“I know that if there is any mistake, it falls on me. If the [national] team does not perform well, if there is a selection mistake, or if the coach loses, it will all reflect on me,” the PCB chief stated.

RAWALPINDI, MULTAN CONFIRMED AS VENUES

Meanwhile, Mohsin also addressed growing uncertainty regarding venues for the upcoming three-match home Test series against England.

Originally scheduled to begin on Oct 7, the three-match series faced speculation about a potential shift to the UAE due to the ongoing stadium upgrades in Pakistan.

The PCB chairman affirmed that the England series would go ahead in Pakistan as planned, with Tests confirmed in Multan and Rawalpindi.

Mohsin emphasised that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was completely on board regarding the arrangements being made for the series.

“The series will be held as scheduled, and we are in constant contact with the ECB, who are satisfied with the venues,” he maintained.

Speaking on the next year’s ICC Champions Trophy, the PCB chief reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to hosting the elite eight-nation event.

Amid uncertainty over India’s participation in this event pending its government’s approval, Mohsin said the PCB was in contact with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well as boards of the other participating teams.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024

PARIS: Brazil’s Rayane Soares, Nurkhon, Nurkhon Kurbanova of Uzbekistan and Dutchwoman Lara Baars lit up the Stade de France on a record-laden morning on Saturday.

Soares smashed a 29-year-old world record to win the women’s 400m T13 gold, clocking 53.55 seconds to grab her second medal at Paris after a silver in the 100m T13. The previous mark (54.46) was set by USA’s Marla Runyan in January 1995 in Los Angeles, home to the next Paralympics.

There was also a world record for Uzbekistan as Kurbanova took gold in the women’s javelin F54. And James Turner of Australia grabbed “redemption” for a messed up start in Tokyo as he ran a Paralympic record to add the men’s 100m T36 gold to his 400m victory.

The women’s shot put F40 saw another first-time Paralympic champion with Baars of the Netherlands setting a Paralympic record on her way to gold (9.10m) while wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk of Canada won the men’s T51 800m

It was also a memorable morning for British cyclist Fin Graham as he claimed his first Paralympic gold by powering to victory in the men’s C1-3 road race.

Scottish rider Graham, a silver medallist in the event on his Games debut in Tokyo, took the crown ahead of French pair Thomas Peyroton-Dartet and Alexandre Leaute in a time of one hour, 43 minutes and 19 seconds.

On Friday, Hunter Woodhall, the double amputee sprinter who is one half of an Olympic-Paralympic power couple, charged to gold in the T62 400m.

American Woodhall, who is married to Olympic women’s long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, timed 46.36sec to beat world record holder Johannes Floors of Germany by two metres and then ran straight into the arms of his wife who was trackside in the Stade de France.

It was a reversal of the roles when Davis-Woodhall won Olympic gold in the same stadium on August 8 and joyously embraced her watching husband.

In wheelchair tennis, Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won gold for Britain in the men’s doubles final, beating Japanese pair Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda 6-2, 6-1 on the clay of Roland Garros.

In other athletics action, double amputee Dutch sprinter Fleur Jong added the T64 women’s 100m gold to the long jump title she won earlier in these Games. She led home Dutch team-mates Kimberly Alkemade and Marlene van Gansewinkel for the first clean sweep by one country of any athletics event at the Paris Games.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024

NEW YORK: Taylor Fritz held on to beat Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a blockbuster all-American semi-final at the US Open on Friday and will take on the role of the underdog when he meets Italian top seed Jannik Sinner in the finale.

It’s the first time in 15 years that an American man has reached a major final and both Fritz and Tiafoe wanted to be the one to break the barren streak. But Fritz had the legs to go the distance with 16 aces while Tiafoe lost steam in the fourth set.

It capped an action-packed programme at Arthur Ashe Stadium, as Sinner took down ailing Briton Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, overcoming muggy conditions in a chaotic match.

Fritz and Sinner, who are deadlocked 1-1 in career head-to-head, will meet on Sunday.

“It’s a dream come true, I’m in the final so I’m going to come out and give everything I possibly have and I know that for a fact,” an emotional Fritz said after the match. “I’m going to give it everything I can possibly give.”

Andy Roddick was the last American to make a men’s singles final at the Slams at Wimbledon in 2009. He was also the last man from the country to capture a major title when he won the 2003 US Open.

Fritz got a 0-3 head start in the first set but Tiafoe showed he would not be pushed around as he broke back from the baseline in the fifth game and outlasted Fritz in a 16-shot rally to take the lead in the seventh game.

The longer rallies gave way to quick points in the second set, where Fritz held to love in five straight service games and put up just three unforced errors before breaking Tiafoe with a terrific drop shot on set point.

Tiafoe got his revenge as he sent a forehand winner down the line to go up a break in the opening game of the third set and he raised his fist in satisfaction after taking the frame.

Tiafoe began to show signs of fatigue in the fourth set after an epic, 31-shot rally in the seventh game and he helped Fritz to the break in the 10th with a pair of double faults and a couple of unforced errors.

An exhausted Tiafoe tossed his racket in frustration after a double fault on break point saw him trailing 0-4 in the final set.

He got on the board when he broke Fritz in the fifth game but that sliver of momentum evaporated quickly and Fritz smiled after closing it out with an ace as Tiafoe slumped to a second US Open semi-final loss in his last three visits.

“It’s tough to swallow, it’s going to hurt,” said Tiafoe. “I thought I was the better player but in the fourth set I had some cramps. My body kind of shut down on me. Probably to do with nerves.”

Earlier, in a gruelling three-hour match, Draper, the first British man in the semi-finals since Andy Murray won the title in 2012, was undone by 10 double faults and 43 unforced errors.

He also vomited on the court, blaming anxiety for the illness.

“Jack and I know each other very well, we are great friends off court,” said Sinner, who unleashed 43 winners in the match where he also injured his wrist in a nasty fall. “It was a very physical match. He’s so tough to beat so I’m excited to be in the final.”

The 23-year-old Sinner added: “In the final, it will be a very tough challenge. I’m happy to be in that position because if you are in the final on a Sunday it means you are doing an amazing job.”

World number 25 Draper vowed to work on overcoming his anxiety which sabotaged his hopes on Friday.

“When you play the top players, the intensity is different. It’s a step up. It was a big occasion for me. I definitely felt more nerves around,” he said.

“I’m quite an anxious human being. I think when you add all that together sometimes I do feel a bit nauseous on court, and I feel a little bit sick when it gets tough.”

Despite both men having been born in 2001, Sinner was playing in his 20th Grand Slam event. Draper, plagued by ankle and shoulder troubles in the early stages of his career, was competing at the majors for just the 10th time.

“I try my best all the time to keep evolving, to keep learning, and it’s definitely something I’ve had to just work through my whole entire life,” added Draper of his struggles.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Kichenok became a Grand Slam champion, just two days after cancelling her wedding.

Kichenok, 32, teamed up with Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko to beat Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-3 in the women’s doubles final.

On Wednesday, she had been planning to marry boyfriend Stas Khmarsky who is also Ostapenko’s coach.

But a run to the championship match for the seventh seeds meant the ceremony was temporarily shelved.

“My boyfriend and I were supposed to get married on Wednesday but it didn’t happen,” said Kichenok. “We actually had the appointment but I was playing the semi-finals.”

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024

KABUL: Afghanistan bowler Naveed Zadran will miss next week’s Test mat­ch against New Zealand with a side strain injury, the Afghan cricket board said on Friday.

The 19-year-old, who has taken nine wickets in his two Tests, has been told to rest for three to four weeks in the hope of recovering before this month’s One-day International series against South Africa, the board posted on X.

All-rounder Rashid Khan has also been ruled out with a back injury.

Afghanistan, who play their home matches outside the country, will host New Zealand in a one-off Test in India from Monday, before playing three ODIs against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates starting Sept. 18.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have added former Sri Lanka spinner Ran­gana Herath and India’s ex-batting coach Vikram Rathour to their coaching staff on Friday for their upcoming three Test matches in Asia, including two against Sri Lanka.

After playing Afghani­stan in Greater Noida, near Delhi, they will fly out to the island country for the Tests in Galle.

Herath was roped as spin-bowling coach Saqlain Mushtaq left to take over a mentor’s role in new domestic competitions introduced by the Pakistan Cricket Board this season.

After the series in Sri Lanka, New Zealand will return to India to play three Tests against Rohit Sharma and his men.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2024

Twenty years ago, Haider Ali was a teenager from Gujranwala living with Cerebral Palsy. He didn’t know he’d be a Paralympic champion someday, but today, he’s going in to defend his title in the Men’s Discus Throw F37. The journey to this point has been a long one, but Ali has been well-supported every step of the way.

It was 2005 when Ali’s talent caught the eye of sports officials at a training camp in Faisalabad. After being classified for para sports by national classifier Dr Rabab, Ali was given comprehensive training as a track and field athlete, particularly in long jump, discus throw, high jump, 100m and 200m.

He made his international debut a year later at the 2006 FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur, bagging one gold and three silver medals. To date, that competition remains his most successful one. His coach, Akbar Ali Mughal, has been with him since 2006.

In 2010, the FESPIC Games were renamed to Asian Para Games, which Ali has competed in three more times since Kuala Lumpur.

In the 2010 Games in Guangzhou, Ali won a gold in Long Jump F37 and a bronze in 100m T38. In 2018, he won two gold medals in the Discus Throw F37 and Javelin Throw F37/38, as well as a bronze in Long Jump T37/38. He repeated his gold medal feat in Discus at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

Ali’s success is a product of the National Paralympic Committee of Pakistan (NPC) investing in his development through professional coaching, both within Pakistan and abroad, including in London and across Asia.

“This holistic approach successfully prepared him for competitive para sports,” Imran Jamil Shami, NPC Secretary, told Dawn.com.

The committee offered crucial financial support to Ali, who was subsequently employed by the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company.

Paralympic success

Pakistan’s medal count at the Paralympics has been a one-man show courtesy of Ali, who’s won a medal of each colour.

His first was a silver at his debut at the Beijing 2008 Games in the men’s Long Jump F37/38 with a 6.44 metre jump. Tunisian athlete Farhat Chida covered the same distance, but because all six of his jumps were successful — compared to four of Ali’s — Chida won gold. The distance was also a world record for the event at the time.

Ali narrowly missed out on a podium finish after placing fourth in Discus Throw F37/38. He finished fifth in his heat in the Men’s 200m T38, and last in the Men’s 100m T38.

London 2012 was the only Paralympics he’s left without a medal so far, apparently troubled by a hamstring injury.

At the Rio 2016 Games, he clinched a bronze in the men’s T37 long jump. Like Paris, he was the country’s sole participant and flag-bearer at the opening ceremony.

A recurring hamstring injury forced Ali to switch from long jump to Discus Throw, which has been his primary event in recent years.

Ali finally struck gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games in the Men’s Discus Throw F37.

“This gold is for the people of Pakistan,” he had said after the event. According to a 2021 interview with Paralympics.org, Ali said he hoped he would continue contributing to the para sport movement in Pakistan.

Now at his fifth Paralympic Games, Ali has made good on that promise as the country’s sole participant this year.

Since Pakistan made its debut at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona 1992, Ali has been the country’s most successful athlete.

Shami acknowledged Pakistan’s paltry presence at the Paris Games, attributing it to inadequate support and patronage from government and corporate entities.

“[There is] widespread misconception that parasports are merely recreational or symbolic, rather than highly competitive events held to the same standards as the Olympics, with strict rules and regulations governing them,” Shami explained.

An additional challenge confronting para sports in Pakistan, Shami went on to say, was the inadequate accessibility of sport infrastructure. “[There is] an absence of domestically manufactured sports-specific equipment, such as specialized wheelchairs for various parasports,” Shami told Dawn.com.

Pakistan has a shortage of assistive devices, including prosthetic and orthotics, which are paramount for athletes with disabilities.

“Addressing these challenges is crucial to promoting inclusivity and advancing para sports in Pakistan,” Shami said.

While institutional changes will not occur overnight, Shami said the NPC is confident Ali will repeat his golden streak in Paris.

“While we have identified technical flaws in his throwing technique, we have worked diligently to help him overcome these challenges through intensive training,” Shami said.

“We now look forward to a successful outcome.”

Ali has the second best throw among today’s contenders, with a personal best of 55.26m achieved in Tokyo. Ukraine’s Mykola Zhabnyak marginally leads the field with a 55.71m PB.

Ali’s PB is farther than the national record for 55.10m made by Bisharat Ali in 2006.

According to the NPC, Ali was conferred with the Pride of Pakistan in 2021.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of conditions that affect movement and posture, typically caused by damage that occurs to the developing brain, most often before birth, according to Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms of CP vary, but may include muscle weakness, stiffness or spasticity; poor coordination and balance; difficulty with speech, vision or hearing; and delayed or absent motor skills development.

Ali, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, has weakness in the calf muscle of his right leg, which presents a physical challenge for him, according to the NPC.

What do para sport classifications mean?

Para athletes are classified into various sport classes in para athletics to ensure fair competition and equal opportunities for athletes with different types of impairments, the NPC explained.

The classification system allows athletes to compete against others with similar abilities and needs, providing a level playing field.

Ali underwent his initial classification at the 2006 FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur, where a panel of International Classifiers assigned him to sport class T/F-38, according to the NPC. Due to the combination of classes for competition purposes, he competed alongside athletes in both classes for an extended period.

“However, as Ali’s calf muscle power began to decline, the NPC’s chief classifier requested a review of his classification. Following this assessment, Haider Ali has now been reclassified to sport class T/F-37, which better reflects his current abilities,” the NPC said.

The main difference between Ali’s former and current classification is that F38 is a less impaired class compared to F37, with athletes having more control and mobility in their arms and legs.

Header Image: Haider Ali at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games after winning gold in the Men’s Discus Throw F37. — Photo via National Paralympic Committee of Pakistan.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the provisional squads of the five teams that are set to participate in the upcoming Champions One-day Cup, which is to be held in Faisalabad on Sept. 12

The teams, namely Dolphins, Lions, Stallions, Wolves and Panthers will be led by Pakistan internationals Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan and have rosters of 30 players each.

The PCB had earlier named former Pakistan stars as mentors for each side; Sarfraz Ahmed (Dolphins), Waqar Younis (Lions), Shoaib Malik (Stallions), Misbah-ul-Haq (Wolves) and Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers), who picked the players for their respective side’s in a draft process.

The PCB said the players were selected following fitness tests “one of the primary selection criteria for domestic contracted players”, adding they were based on “their experience and performances for Pakistan, Paki­stan Shaheens and Pakistan Under-19 teams over the last three years.”

Centrally contracted players who are not part of the squads include Mohammad Nawaz (personal reasons), Imad Wasim (unavailable), Arshad Iqbal, Hasan Ali, Ihsanullah and Mohammad Wasim Jr (undergoing rehabilitation).

Imad, who last featured for the side in its disastrous T20 World Cup campaign, has withdrawn from the Cham­pions Cup due to his Caribbean Premier League commitments, so is the case with Azam Khan and Moha­mmad Amir, who were also members of the national squad at the showpiece.

Pakistan white-ball opener Fakhar Zaman is also involved with the CPL, but will return to feature in the Cha­mpions Cup on Sept. 10, said the PCB.

The likes of seasoned players Ali Shafique, Ali Zaryab, Arif Yaqoob, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Rameez Jr, Saad Baig, Rameez Aziz, Sharjeel Khan, and Shawaiz Irfan failed the fitness tests, hence losing out on places in the tournament.

Unlike the top Pakistan players who will lead each of the five sides, the national white-ball skipper Babar Azam will feature as a regular player for Stallions under Haris’ captaincy.

Meanwhile, Sarfraz is the only mentor to be included as a player as well in the Dolphins side. The former Pakistan captain, however, will serve under current Test mainstay Saud’s captaincy.

Squads:

DOLPHINS: Saud Shakeel (captain, Karachi), Aftab Ibrahim (Karachi), Asif Ali (Faisalabad), Awais Ali (Gujranwala), Faheem Ashraf (Kasur), Kashif Ali (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Muhammad Akhlaq (Kamoki), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (Karachi), Muhammad Riazullah (Peshawar), Noman Ali (Hyderabad), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sameen Gul (Jamrud), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Karachi), Sahibzada Farhan (Peshawar), Sufiyan Moqim (Kotli), Umar Amin (Rawalpindi) and Usman Qadir (Lahore)

Mentor – Sarfaraz Ahmed

LIONS: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain, Peshawar), Abdullah Shafique (Sialkot), Aamir Jamal (Islamabad), Aamer Yamin (Multan), Faisal Akram (Multan), Hassan Nawaz (Islamabad), Hunain Shah (Lahore), Imam-ul-Haq (Lahore), Imran Butt (Lahore), Khushdil Shah (Bannu), Mohammad Asghar (Karachi), Muhammad Irfan Khan (Mianwali), Mohammad Taha (Karachi), Omair Bin Yousuf (Karachi), Rohail Nazir (Islamabad), Shahab Khan (Mardan), Sharoon Siraj (Sahiwal), Sirajuddin (Bajaur) and Waqar Hussain (Okara)

Mentor – Waqar Younis

PANTHERS: Shadab Khan (captain, Islamabad), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Ahmed Bashir (Lahore), Ali Asfand (Faisalabad), Ali Raza (Sheikhupura), Amad Butt (Sialkot), Arafat Minhas (Multan), Azan Awais (Sialkot), Haider Ali (Attock), Mohammad Hasnain (Hyderabad), Mohammad Umar (Karachi), Mohammad Zeeshan (Faisalabad), Mubasir Khan (Rawalpindi), Rehan Afridi (Khyber), Rizwan Mehmood (Hyderabad), Saim Ayub (Karachi), Umar Siddiq (Lahore), Usama Mir (Sialkot), Usman Khan (Karachi) and Usman Salahuddin (Lahore)

Mentor – Saqlain Mushtaq

STALLIONS: Mohammad Haris (captain, Peshawar), Abrar Ahmed (Karachi), Adil Amin (Peshawar), Azam Khan (Peshawar), Babar Azam (Lahore), Haris Rauf (Islamabad), Hussain Talat (Lahore), Jahandad Khan (Rawalpindi), Junaid Ali (Lahore), Maaz Ahmad Sadaqat (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mohammad Ali (Sialkot), Mohammad Amir Khan (Swat), Saad Khan (Hyderabad), Shamyl Hussain (Islamabad), Shan Masood (Karachi), Tayyab Tahir (Sarai Alamgir), Ubaid Shah (Lahore), Yasir Khan (Rawalpindi) and Zaman Khan (Mirpur)

Mentor – Shoaib Malik

WOLVES: Mohammad Rizwan (captain, Peshawar), Fakhar Zaman (Abbottabad), Abdul Samad (Faisalabad), Akif Javed (FATA), Ali Usman (Multan), Bilawal Bhatti (Muridke), Haseebullah (Pishin), Iftikhar Ahmed (Peshawar), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mohammad Faizan (Faisalabad), Mohammad Imran Jnr (Peshawar), Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (FATA), Muhammad Imran (Khanewal), Naseem Shah (Lahore), Nisar Ahmed (Lahore), Salman Ali Agha (Lahore), Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana), Zahid Mehmood (Dadu) and Zain Abbas (Multan)

Mentor – Misbah-ul-Haq

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2024

LONDON: England captain Ollie Pope returned to form with a classy unbeaten 103 to guide his team to 221-3 on a weather-affected first day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Friday.

Pope, under pressure after a run of low scores, silenced his critics with his seventh Test century after Ben Duckett compiled a fluent 86 in overcast conditions to make Sri Lanka regret their decision to bowl first.

England, who clinched the series with a comprehensive victory at Lord’s last week, were put into bat under gloomy skies and lost the early wicket of Dan Lawrence.

Lawrence, on five, skied an ambitious pull off Lahiru Kumara and was caught by Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva, the opener trudging off disconsolately after another failure on his return to the side.

Duckett made light of tricky batting conditions, however, to reach his half-century from 48 balls before play was halted due to bad light.

The umpires led the players off the field with England on 76-1 and it was nearly three hours before the match resumed.

Duckett continued to play positively, hitting a brilliant six with a ramp off Kumara before attempting a similar shot off Milan Rathnayake and giving wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal a simple catch.

Pope signalled his intentions with an early six over backward square leg off Kumara and he was joined by Joe Root who made two centuries at Lord’s, but the former captain only scored 13 before he was caught at long leg by Vishwa Fernando off Kumara.

Pope was not distracted, however, and the skipper drove Asitha Fernando sweetly to the cover boundary to reach three figures, raising his bat to all corners of the ground as regular captain Ben Stokes stood to applaud him on the team balcony.

The umpires again took the players off the field due to the poor light and they never returned, leaving Pope and Harry Brook (eight not out) to resume on Saturday.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND (1st Innings):

B. Duckett c Chandimal b Rathnayake 86

D. Lawrence c Nissanka b Kumara 5

O. Pope not out 103

J. Root c V. Fernando b Kumara 13

H. Brook not out 8

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-1, W-1) 6

TOTAL (for three wickets, 44.1 overs) 221

STILL TO BAT: J. Smith, C. Woakes, G. Atkinson, O. Stone, J. Hull, S. Bashir

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-45 (Lawrence), 2-140 (Duckett), 3-191 (Root)

BOWLING: A. Fernando 14-0-58-0, V. Fernando 7-0-29-0 (1w), Kumara 12.1-1-81-2, Rathnayake 8-2-34-1, Mathews 3-0-14-0

SRI LANKA: D. Karunaratne, P. Nissanka, K. Mendis, A. Mathews, D. Chandimal, D. de Silva (captain), K.M. Mendis, M. Rathnayake, L. Kumara, V. Fernando, A. Fernando

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2024