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ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 delivers record viewership globally 

Dubai, November 25, 2021 (PPI-OT):Nearly 10,000 hours of live coverage – more than ever before – offered across TV and digital platforms in 200 countries at the back of increased viewership and consumption in India, Pakistan, UK, Australia and the strategic market of USA.

Cricket and sports fans across the world enjoyed unparalleled coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, when the tournament returned after five years. The pinnacle of the shortest format of the sport offered explosive cricket and entertainment for everyone and featured cricket’s biggest names and best teams. The event, the biggest ever cricket tournament to be staged in the UAE and Oman, broke viewership records in several regions, including garnering a record television reach of 167 million, and a record consumption of 15.9 billion minutes in India on the Star India Network, for the highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash.

The encounter is now the most viewed T20I match in history, exceeding the previous high of the India-West Indies semi-final match from the 2016 edition of the ICC event held in India. The overall TV consumption for the full tournament in India was recorded at 112 billion minutes, this despite India’s early exit from the tournament. Viewership share amidst younger audiences in India (children below the age of 15) was at a healthy 18.5% at the back of a highly successful marketing campaign “Live the Game” targeting a younger demographic.

Digital consumption for the tournament saw an explosive growth on Disney+ Hotstar in India, adding significantly to the overall television viewership in the market.

In the UK, viewership for the India v Pakistan match grew by 60% on Sky UK whereas the overall viewership for the market went up by 7%. In Pakistan, the event was being broadcast by three players for the first time namely PTV, ARY and Ten Sports, which led to further growth in viewership by 7.3% compared to the 2016 edition of the event.

In Australia, the viewership increased by 175% on the Fox Network. In the USA, which the ICC recently named as one of the focus markets for the sport, the tournament was the most viewed cricket tournament ever on ESPN+.

ICC’s partnership with Facebook was a driver for the significant increase in video views, with a total of 4.3 billion views across all channels for the tournament, compared to 3.6 billion views which were garnered for the 2019 edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The consumption across ICC’s digital assets also grew, recording a total of 2.55 billion minutes. ICC’s social media channels also saw a significant growth in engagement at 618 million across those platforms, which is a 28% jump since the 2019 edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said: “We are pleased with these outstanding global viewership numbers, that demonstrate the power of T20I cricket to attract a huge audience across the globe on linear and digital platforms. It reinforces our belief that there is a significant opportunity and appetite to grow the game in our strategic growth markets including the USA, so more fans can enjoy it, more kids are inspired by it and sponsors and broadcasters want to be a part of it.”

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

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It’s between Abdullah and Imam for Chattogram Test 

Chattogram, November 25, 2021 (PPI-OT):Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq will have anxious moments as Pakistan take on Bangladesh in the first Test in Chattogram on Friday.

Both the openers were named in the 12-player squad that did not include fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, a confirmation that bowling responsibilities will be shared between Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan.

Abdullah has been with the side since the start of the year and has stroked two centuries in three first-class matches, while Imam has reclaimed his place after scoring 488 runs in five Quaid-e-Azam Trophy innings. In 11 Tests, he has scored 485 runs at 25.5.

Whether the team management opts for Abdullah or Imam, Abid Ali will definitely have a new opener partner.

Shan Masood was Abid’s partner for the Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England and New Zealand Tests, while Imran Butt opened the innings with Abid in the Tests against South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies.

Apart from the opener, the middle-order seems pretty stable and settled with Azhar Ali, Babar Azam and Fawad Alam, followed by wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan at No.6.

Bangladesh will be without experienced Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan with the former still recovering from a finger injury and latter not available due to a hamstring injury.

The home side are considering as many as three Test debutants in this game. Captain Mominul Haq has hinted that Mahmudul Hasan may open while Yasir Ali is a strong candidate at No 6. Rookie fast bowler Rejaur Rahman may also play ahead of Ebadot Hossain.

The momentum is also against Bangladesh who lost all the three T20Is despite preparing slow, low and turning tracks. Pakistan won the first T20I by four wickets while chasing 128 for victory, second by eight wickets after being set a 109-run target and third by five wickets on the last ball in pursuit of a 125-run target.

Pakistan have played three series in Bangladesh and won five of the six Tests, with their last win in Dhaka in May 2015 by 328 runs. Azhar Ali and Mushfiqur Rahim are the only players from either sides to participate in that match.

Azhar had scored 226 and 25, while Mushfiq scored 12 and zero as Azhar walked away with the player of the match, which will also be remembered for centuries from Younis Khan (148) and Asad Shafiq (107) as well as match figures of 36.3-7-128-7 by Yasir Shah, who will miss the series as he is yet to recover from a thumb injury he sustained during the National T20.

Pakistan squad (from): Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain, wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Bangladesh squad (from): Mominul Haque (captain), Shadman Islam, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Abu Jayed Chowdhury, Yasir Ali, Mahmudul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman.

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

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Rizwan, Rahul advance in MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings 

Dubai, November 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):Mohammad Rizwan and Lokesh Rahul have gained a slot each to occupy fourth and fifth positions, respectively, in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings.

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rizwan’s upward movement is courtesy his 90 runs in the three-match series against Bangladesh that his side won 3-0, while opener Rahul is only six rating points behind after scoring 80 in two matches against New Zealand, a series also won 3-0 by India.

New Zealand’s Martin Guptill has gained three slots to reach 10th position scoring 152 runs against India while Rohit Sharma is 13th, gaining two places after topping the series with 159 runs. Suryakumar Yadav has galloped 24 places to 59th position.

Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman is another one to move up the batsmen’s list, from 40th to 35th.

The rankings for bowlers see Mitchell Santner gain 10 slots to reach 13th position with four wickets in the series against India and Bhuvneshwar Kumar up five to 19th with three scalps. Deepak Chahar has moved up 19 slots to reach 40th position.

Others to progress in the list include Mahedi Hasan (up six places to 12th) and Shoriful Islam (up three places to 40th) of Bangladesh, and the Pakistan pair of Shadab Khan (up two places to 14th) and Hasan Ali (up 16 places to 44th).

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

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Bangladesh and Pakistan players move up in MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Rankings 

Dubai, November 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):Bangladesh batters Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed have made notable gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after helping their team beat Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 Group B match in Harare on Sunday.

Fargana’s steady 45 that laid the foundation for the three-wicket win, helped her gain one slot to reach 25th position in the latest weekly update to the women’s rankings, carried out on Tuesdays. Rumana’s unbeaten 50, that got the team over the line with two balls to spare, has lifted her five places to 29th position.

Off-spinner Salma Khatun is up four places to 35th among bowlers while left-arm spinner Nahida Akter has progressed four slots to 41st position after their team’s opening match in the nine-team tournament being played across four venues in Harare with three teams due to book spots in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand in March-April.

For Pakistan, Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar have made significant progress among batters after putting on 137 runs for the sixth wicket. Aliya, who scored 61 not out off 82 balls, is up five places to 32nd while Nida’s 111-ball 87 has helped her gain seven slots and reach 37th position.

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu’s two wickets have carried her four places to 17th position while Nida is also up four places to 29th after taking one for 17 in 10 overs. Anam Amin has gone from 43rd to 40th position.

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

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Karachi hosts Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 from Wednesday

Karachi, November 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):Karachi will be under spotlight as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 action moves to the port-city. UBL Sports Complex, State Bank Stadium and NBP Sports Complex will host the remaining five rounds – over which 15 matches will be played amongst the six Cricket Association sides – before the iconic National Stadium stages the five-day final from 25 December.

In the sixth round, which commences tomorrow, Sindh play Balochistan at UBL Sports Complex; Punjab Derby will be staged at State Bank Stadium; and Northern and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will lock horns at NBP Sports Complex.

As part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s initiative to bring the fans and followers of the game closer to the domestic cricket action, the State Bank Stadium matches will be live-streamed on the board’s official YouTube channel, while the final will be televised.

Southern Punjab enter the Karachi-leg of this year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as the table-toppers. They are 19 points clear of second-ranked Sindh. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are positioned third with 50 points, while Central Punjab and Balochistan – locked at 49 points – are fourth and fifth. Bottom-placed Northern are only two points below Balochistan.

Left-arm orthodox bowlers dominated the Punjab-leg of the event.

28-year-old left-arm orthodox Ali Usman continues to have an impressive run in the event as he is the leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps at 23.54. He has two five-wicket hauls and three four-fers in this edition and Southern Punjab will be banking on this spin to continue their table domination and secure their first-ever Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final berth.

Another left-arm orthodox Sindh’s Mohammad Asghar has 20 wickets at 42.35. The 23-year-old is the second highest wicket-taker and has two four-fers.

Central Punjab’s Zafar Gohar has 17 wickets at 43.18 and one four-fer.

His teammate Abid Ali – who will be in Bangladesh for the two-Test series when the sixth round commences – has plundered 611 runs at a staggering 122.20 and leads the batting chart for the highest run-getter. He has smashed three centuries and one half-century.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Sahibzada Farhan is five runs behind Abid as he has smashed 606 runs at 86.57. The 26-year-old has struck two centuries and four half-centuries.

Tayyab Tahir has also had an impressive tournament, to date, is third on the list with 533 runs at 76.14. He has made one double-century and four half-centuries.

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

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OCA confirms two host cities during 40th General Assembly

Dubai, November 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Olympic Council of Asia added two more multi-sport games to its calendar during the 40th OCA General Assembly in Dubai on Sunday. The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia signed a host city contract with the OCA to organise the 5th Asian Youth Games in Phnom Penh in 2029. This will be the first time for Cambodia to host an OCA event and it will come six years after the country hosts the 11-nation Southeast Asian Games for the first time in 2023.

Later in the meeting, the host city of the 2034 Asian Games – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – asked the General Assembly for approval to host the OCA’s 7th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2025. The proposal was put to the house and passed unanimously, providing Riyadh with a test event nine years before they organise the 32nd Asian Games.

The two additions to the OCA sports calendar further highlighted the robust programme of the OCA, as their showpiece event – the Asian Games – is already secured for the next four editions: the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September 2022; the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026; the 21st Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in 2030; and the 32nd Asian Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2034.

The General Assembly was held in a hybrid format for the second consecutive year, with 30 of the 44 eligible National Olympic Committees attending in-person and 14 joining the meeting online through the Zoom video conference.

It was also decided that the name of the OCA Women and Sports Committee would change to the Gender Equity Committee to reflect the modern trends in the sports world. This motion was proposed at the Executive Board meeting the previous day and approved by the General Assembly.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the continental governing bodies in Oceania and Africa as well as members of the International Olympic Committee and from the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).

The agenda included reports from the 16 OCA standing committees, ANOC, the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity Commission, the organising committees of seven international multi-sport games under the OCA flag as well as the newly established Asian Olympic Academy, which is an OCA education project to be run out of Kookmin University in Seoul, Korea.

The Acting President of the OCA, Raja Randhir Singh, described the meeting as “a great success” and thanked all the delegates for making the General Assembly possible to be held in-person and virtually.

The 41st General Assembly will be held on the side-lines of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China next September and the 42nd General Assembly will be hosted by the Kuwait Olympic Committee – home of the HQ of the OCA – in 2023.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Olympic Association
Olympic House, 2-Hameed Nizami (Temple) Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Postal Code: 54000
Phone: +92-42-36280002, +92-42-36373753
Email: info@nocpakistan.org
Website: https://nocpakistan.org/