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A seating zone in SCG to name after Srilankan star Chamari Athapaththu In a groundbreaking move, the Sydney Thunder has announced the introduction of “Chamari Bay,” a specially dedicated seating zone at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for their WBBL Derby clash on November 26. The decision to name a specific seating zone after Chamari Athapaththu underscores the Sydney Thunder’s commitment to fostering a multicultural cricket community and creating unforgettable experiences for Sri Lanka cricket fans. This move is not only a tribute to Chamari’s cricketing prowess but also a celebration of the diverse cricketing culture that the Thunder aims to promote. This initiative is aimed at recognizing the exceptional contributions of Chamari Athapaththu, for Sydney Thunder who has so far emerged as a standout performer in the tournament, amassing an impressive total of 374 runs in just nine matches, with an impressive average of 41.55. The historic Sydney Cricket Ground, with its rich legacy, will witness the inaugural appearance of Chamari Athapaththu in any match at the venue. As the Thunder gears up for the Sydney Derby against the Sixers, the introduction of “Chamari Bay” adds an extra layer of significance to an already highly anticipated encounter. Expressing her excitement about the initiative, Chamari Athapaththu said, “I am truly honored and thrilled to have a dedicated seating zone named after me at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It’s a special moment for me, and I am looking forward to the match at this iconic venue. I hope ‘Chamari Bay’ becomes a gathering place for cricket enthusiasts and brings people together to celebrate the spirit of the game.” As the WBBL season 09 continues to unfold, the Sydney Thunder’s innovative move sets a precedent for acknowledging and celebrating the diverse talents that enrich the world of women’s cricket.

The seasoned all-rounder emphasized the hard work put in by her Melbourne Renegades teammates to regain momentum in the ongoing season. During her media interaction, Indian cricket sensation Harmanpreet Kaur spoke enthusiastically about the impact of the WBBL on the development of women’s cricket globally. “WBBL is producing great players. The fitness standards of domestic players uplift WBBL from other leagues. The franchise leagues like WBBL, WIPL, and The Hundred are playing a crucial role in advancing women’s cricket on a global scale,” she remarked. The seasoned all-rounder emphasized the hard work put in by her Melbourne Renegades teammates to regain momentum in the ongoing season. “We are trying to get the momentum back. Everyone is working really hard in the nets,” she stated, highlighting the team’s commitment to delivering strong performances. Kaur expressed her delight in being a part of the Melbourne Renegades family, stating, “I am enjoying my time with Melbourne Renegades. The camaraderie within the team is fantastic, and I feel at home. My teammates are even asking me for the Indian cuisine!” As Harmanpreet Kaur continues to make her mark in the WBBL, her insights into the league’s impact on women’s cricket and her camaraderie with the Melbourne Renegades team provide a glimpse into the dynamic world of T20 cricket and its contribution to the global growth of the women’s game.

Pakistan have appointed two new captains and a director of cricket on a busy day of upheaval following the country’s World Cup exit at the group stage. Shaheen Shah Afridi is the new T20I skipper, while Shan Masood replaces Babar in charge of the Test team. After Babar’s mega announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I captain of the Green Team. While speedster Shaheen Afridi will lead Pakistan in the shortest format, Shan Masood is set to lead the side in Test cricket, his first assignment will be against Australia.

Pakistani captain Babar Azam has stepped down across all formats of the game following the team’s league-stage exit at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Babar Azam says: “I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019. Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world,” Babar said in a statement announcing his decision. “Reaching the No. 1 spot in the white-ball format was a result of the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management but I’d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey. “Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call. I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication. I want to express my sincere thanks to the PCB for entrusting me with this significant responsibility.” Babar scored 320 runs in nine matches, during the World Cup – the third highest for Pakistan – at an average of 40 and strike rate of 82.90.

The 16th CNS Amateur Golf Cup 2023 kicks off at Margalla Greens Golf Club. The Opening Ceremony and Media Brief of 16th Chief of the Naval Staff Amateur Golf Cup 2023 was held at Margalla Greens Golf Club (MGGC), Islamabad. Commander North and Patron Pakistan Navy Golf (North) Commodore Khan Mahmood Asif graced the occasion as Chief Guest and formally inaugurated the event. During the media brief, he apprised on the significance of 4 days long event scheduled from 8 to 12 Nov 23 and its conduct in various categories. The matches will be played in four major categories which include Men Amateurs (54 holes), Lady Amateur (36 holes), Seniors match (36 holes) and Juniors match (18 holes). In addition to main categories an invitational match (09 holes) for the invited guests and sponsors will also be played. In 2007, Pakistan Navy instituted Chief of the Naval Staff Amateur Golf Cup at Islamabad to add a national level Golf event in the calendar of Pakistan Golf Federation. Ever since, it has become a regular and major event of national golf circuit. Such events provide a unique opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s positive image to the world as a peace and sports loving nation. This also helps to generate healthy activities in the society. Regular conduct of this event is the manifestation of PN’s commitment towards the promotion of golf at National and International level. The Opening Ceremony was attended by civil & military dignitaries, sponsors golf players and media representatives.

The tenure of the management committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headed by Zaka Ashraf has been extended by 3 months. The notification, issued by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), said it had “approved extension of three months in tenure period of present Management Committee w.e.f 5th November, 2023.” As has been the mandate all along, the IPC said the committee should perform the primary task of finalising the Board of Governors (BoG) and conduction the chairman elections at the earliest. It also said the committee would not be granted another extension beyond February 2024, which is around the time Pakistan will hold general elections. The committee has also been prohibited from making policy decisions or any high-level appointments.

A blitz from Fakhar Zaman helped Pakistan stay ahead of New Zealand in a rain-affected encounter. With this win, Pakistan remain in contention for a ICC World Cup knockout spot. Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs on DLS.

Pakistan can still technically, make it to the final four of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. With 3 wins and 4 losses having run rate of -0.024still to play with New Zealand (4 November), England (11 November) Path to qualification:  * Win both remaining matches, and finish with a better net run rate than the many other teams that can also finish on 10 points * Win one of two remaining matches, New Zealand and/or Australia lose all of their three remaining matches while Afghanistan lose at least two of their three remaining matches, and finish with a better net run rate than the many other teams that can also finish on 8 points.

Sydney, Australia – The Weber Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is not only witnessing top-notch cricket but is also becoming a melting pot of cultures, where Bollywood music is playing a unique role in bringing players together. In a recent candid conversation, Indian cricket star Harmanpreet Kaur and Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu revealed how the universal appeal of Indian tunes is creating a harmonious atmosphere in the league. Harmanpreet Kaur, who is enjoying her second stint with the Melbourne Renegades, shared her experience with the team, emphasizing the special bond that exists among the players. To keep the dressing room vibrant and upbeat, she has taken up the unique responsibility of bringing a daily dose of Indian songs to the table. “Everyone in the Renegades squad enjoys Indian music, and they’re always eager to listen to my playlist,” Kaur said. Her enthusiasm for Bollywood music has become a unifying force within the team. Chamari Atapattu, not just a seasoned cricket professional but also a fan of Hindi songs, was quick to chime in. “I like Hindi songs too. In fact, my Sri Lankan teammates regularly follow Indian music. It’s a shared passion that keeps us connected on and off the field.” As the candid conversation transitioned to the standard and quality of cricket in the WBBL, both Harmanpreet and Chamari expressed their admiration for the aspiring local talent. “I believe WBBL and the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) are the two most competitive women’s cricket leagues in the world,” Chamari Atapattu stated. “What gives WBBL the edge is the skills and diversity of local talent that add a unique dimension to the league.” Harmanpreet Kaur echoed this sentiment, adding, “WBBL has many positives, but the best among them is the approach of the local players in these franchises towards the game. Their dedication and hard work have made the league truly remarkable.” The rise of local talent in the WBBL has undoubtedly contributed to its reputation as one of the most competitive women’s cricket leagues globally. As Bollywood music creates a sense of unity among players from diverse backgrounds, the league continues to grow and evolve as a hub for emerging talents.