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ICC Champions Trophy: England name playing XI for Australia match
Our CorrespondentLAHORE: England Men have confirmed their XI for their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy against Australia on Saturday in Lahore.Jamie Smith returns to the side, batting at No.3 and taking the gloves as wicketkeeper. Jofra Archer is selected alongside fellow seamers Brydon Carse and Mark Wood.England XI: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy title defence begins on Wednesday
Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will commence in Pakistan on Wednesday, 19 February, with winners of the 2017 edition, Pakistan, taking on New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament at the National Stadium in Karachi. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 2pm PKT.The eight-team tournament will be played across three venues in Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi – as well as in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 19 February to 9 March. Pakistan is all set to host an ICC event for the first time since the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996, which concluded with the final at the Gaddafi Stadium, where Sri Lanka defeated Australia by seven wickets.In the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy, the three venues in Pakistan – Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, National Stadium Karachi and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – have undergone major upgradation, offering players and spectators world-class facilities.Pakistan enter the tournament as the defending champions, having beaten India in the final of the 2017 edition, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed. Fakhar Zaman was the player of the final for his imperious 114 off 106 deliveries, while Hasan Ali was named the player of the tournament for his tally of 13 wickets in five games.The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups with hosts Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and New Zealand pooled in Group A while Group B comprises Afghanistan, current ODI World Cup champions Australia, England and South Africa.Following their opening encounter against New Zealand, Pakistan will play their next two group matches on 23 February against India in Dubai and on 27 February against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.In the group stage, three matches apiece will be played in Dubai, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.The first semi-final will be played on 4 March in Dubai. The newly-upgraded Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the second semi-final on 5 March. If India do not qualify, the final will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium on 9 March, however, if they qualify, it will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.Apart from winning this tournament in 2017, Pakistan has also reached the semi-finals of this competition on three occasions: 2000, 2004 and 2009.Pakistan captain, Mohammad Rizwan said: “A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years, so I believe the entire nation is celebrating this historic occasion. There are no doubts about our performance, we have worked hard and learned from our mistakes. We hope that we play well tomorrow Insha’Allah. Our sole focus is on winning the tournament for the country and our people and we hope that we achieve the desired results.”Pakistan’s 15-player squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wicket-keeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan.
National Open Polo Championship: FG and DS Polo claim victories
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Sarsabz 4th President of Pakistan Polo Cup (National Open Polo Championship 2025), organized by Jinnah Polo Fields, kicked off with two thrilling matches on the opening day, where FG Polo and DS Polo emerged victorious.A large crowd of spectators and families gathered to witness the high-octane action of the Sarsabz 4th President of Pakistan National Open Polo Championship. Distinguished guests in attendance included Director Sarsabz Pakistan Mian Ali Mukhtar, Mian Abbas Mukhtar, Secretary Maj (R) Ali Taimoor, and other dignitaries.In the first match of the opening day, FG Polo edged past BN/Newage with a close 8-7 victory. The star of the match was Argentinian player Raul Laplacette, who smashed in seven stunning goals for FG Polo, while Mian Abbas Mukhtar added one to seal the victory. On the opposing side, HN Polo’s Marcos Solari single-handedly netted all six goals for his team.In the second match, DS Polo dominated HN Polo with an 8-4 win. Lao Abelenda led DS Polo’s charge with four goals, while Max Charlton scored two, and Raja Temur Nadeem and Daniyal Sheikh added one goal each. For HN Polo, Pelayo Berazadi scored three goals, while Hamza Mawaz Khan contributed one.The championship action will continue on Thursday (February 19, 2025), with two more exciting matches scheduled.
EIGHT WICKETS WIN FOR SHIFA INTERNATIONAL
Islamabad (PR)Shifa International Hospitals Islamabad beat Green United Cricket Rawalpindi by 8 wickets in the Cricket match here at DPS Cricket Ground Rawalpindi.Shifa International Captain won the toss and invited to bat first Green United, Green United bowled out for 163 in the 23rd overs. Saad (46), Mustafa Rehan (27) and Imtanan (27) were the key contributors. Shifa International Syed Mudassar Bukhari bowled well and claimed 5 players out for 12 runs in 4.2 overs, Captain Ibrar Iklaq (2 for 32), Muhammad Ikram (2 for 34) and Malik Muneeb Akram (1 for 16) were the other main wicket-takers. In reply, Shifa International achieved the target in the 21st over for the loss of two wickets. Allrounder Muhammad Ikram 72 not out runs 54 balls with 13 fours and One six, while Haris 21, Imran Shah 20 and Captain Ibrar Ikhlaq 18 not out were their leading run-getters. Muhammad Ikram declared “Man of the Match” for his impressive Performance.
MARTIAL ARTS - Taekwondo 15 Feb, 2025
Abdullah AsjadISLAMABAD (PR): Pakistan’s taekwondo athletes have delivered an outstanding performance in the Poomsae event of the Combaxx 7th Asian Taekwondo Open, concluding the category with a total of 16 gold medals, 8 on the opening day and 8 more on the second day. The national contingent also secured 7 silver and 14 bronze medals on day two, further solidifying Pakistan’s dominance in the competition.Gold Medalists on Day Two (8 Golds):Free Style Mixed Team Over 17 – Naqvi, Sial, Abbas, Iqbal, MaryamFree Style Pair Over 17 – Nailah, HamzaFree Style Individual Over 17 (Male) – Hamza AmeerFree Style Individual Over 17 (Female) – Naqvi ZymalTeam Under 30 Male – Qadeer, Waheed, DeedarTeam Over 30 Male – Ahmed, Hussain, MumtazTeam Over 30 Female – Nisa, Sabir, BashirTeam Under 30 Female – Sheraz, Batool, MaryamFocus Now on Kyorugi (Sparring) Events: With the Poomsae events concluded, all eyes are now on the Kyorugi (sparring) competitions, where Pakistan will compete for more podium finishes. The national taekwondo team, buoyed by its strong start, is determined to build on this momentum and further strengthen its position on the international stage.
VOLLEYBALL - National 15 Feb, 2025
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Punjab toiled hard on the court to get-rid-off Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 3-2 in the Allied Bank National U-20 Men’s Volleyball Championship 2025 here at WAPDA Sports Complex on Saturday. The final score-line was 25-23, 19-25, 18-25, 25-19, and 18-16.Results (Day 2):Army beat Islamabad (3-0): 25-15, 25-17, 25-18WAPDA beat GB (3-0): 25-16, 25-09, 25-17KPK beat Sindh (3-0): 25-11, 25-07, 25-12Balochistan beat GB (3-0): 25-20, 25-23, 25-15Punjab beat AJK (3-2): 25-23, 19-25, 18-25, 25-19, 18-16.Sunday’s Fixtures:Match 1: Balochistan vs Punjab at 11:00 AMMatch 2: AJK vs GB at 12:30 PMMatch 3: Army vs Sindh at 02:00 PMMatch 4: AJK vs Balochistan at 03:30 PMMatch 5: Sindh vs Islamabad at 05:00 PMMatch 6: Punjab vs WAPDA at 06:30 PMMatch 7: Army vs KP at 08:00 PM
MARTIAL ARTS - Taekwondo 15 Feb, 2025
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Hosts Pakistan athletes clinched 8 gold medals on the opening day of the Asian Taekwondo Open Championship 2025 that started here at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.Results (Day-1 Poomsae Category):Gold Winners: Hussain Adil (Individual Under 30 Male), Hussain Mudassar (Individual Under 40 Male), Khan Mohammad (Individual Under 50 Male), Nisa Mehr Un (Individual Under 30 Female), Sabir Sana (Individual Under 50 Female), Hussain/Naila (Pair Under 30), Mumtaz/Bashir (Pair Over 30), Hashemi Sayed Zarif (AFG) (Individual Under 60 Male)Silver & Bronze Medalists: Latif Kainat, Shafaqat Aqsa, Ahmed Shahbaz, Anas Muhammad, Ali Irshad, Usmani Rafia, and others contributed to Pakistan’s impressive medal tally in the Poomsae division.
VOLLEYBALL - National 14 Feb, 2025
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan WAPDA, Khyber Pukhtunkawa (KPK) and Punjab registered wins on the opening day of the Allied Bank National U-20 Men’s Volleyball Championship 2025, which rolled into action here at WAPDA Sports Complex on Friday.In the first match of the day Punjab outclassed Gilgit Baltistan (GB) in straight games 3-0 while WAPDA outplayed Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) in similar style 3-0. In the third match KPK beat Islamabad 3-0.Results:Punjab beat GB (3-0) 25-13, 25-19, 25-18WAPDA beat AJK (3-0) 25-17, 25-18, 25-18KPK beat Islamabad (3-0) 25-21, 25-18, 25-19Saturday’s Fixtures:Match 1: Army vs Islamabad 11:00 AMMatch 2: WAPDA vs GB 12:30 PMMatch 3: KP vs Sindh 02:00 PMMatch 4: GB vs Balochistan 03:30 PMMatch 5: Punjab vs AJK 05:00 PMMatch 6: WAPDA vs (Opponent to be decided) 06:30 PM
POLO - Local News 14 Feb, 2025
Lahore (PR): HN Polo secured a spot in the main final of the Deepal 96 Punjab Cup after defeating Olympia/AZB 5-2 on the fourth day of the tournament, organized by Lahore Polo Club. A large crowd of families and spectators gathered at the club to celebrate a special day while enjoying the thrilling polo action. Among the distinguished attendees were Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon, executive committee members, club members, polo players and their families. In an exciting contest, HN Polo outclassed Olympia/AZB 5-2, with Hamza Mawaz Khan leading the charge, scoring four goals, while Ramiro Zavaleta added one to the tally. For Olympia/AZB, Luis Manuel Aguirre netted two goals, and Ahmed Zubair Butt contributed one. HN Polo started the match on a strong note, capitalizing on a 30-yard penalty to take an early 1-0 lead. The second chukker saw an intense battle between both sides, with each team finding the net once, allowing HN Polo to maintain a narrow 2-1 advantage. The momentum firmly shifted in HN Polo’s favor during the third chukker as they struck two consecutive goals, extending their lead to a commanding 4-1. However, Olympia/AZB responded with a crucial goal to keep their hopes alive, reducing the deficit to 4-2 before the third chukker ended. The fourth and final chukker mirrored the second, with both teams adding one goal apiece. HN Polo held their ground to seal a well-earned 5-3 victory, securing their place in the final in dominant fashion. With this victory, HN Polo will now face DS Polo in the final on Sunday (February 16, 2025), while BN, FG, and Olympia/AZB will compete in the subsidiary final.
MARTIAL ARTS - Taekwondo 13 Feb, 2025
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The stage is ready to roll into action Combaxx 7th Asian Taekwondo Open Championships 2025, here at the international sports venue Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.This major international event will feature 113 Poomsae athletes from 22 countries, along with 200 international delegates, including athletes, officials, and referees. Additionally, the championship will witness fierce competitions in the Kyorugi category, comprising Junior Division: 110 Participants, and Senior Division: 302 Participants.Participating Nations: Oman (2 Athletes), Iran (15 Athletes), Palestine (7 Athletes), Afghanistan (31 Athletes), Saudi Arabia (29 Athletes), Kazakhstan (6 Athletes), Egypt (11 Athletes), France (5 Athletes), Great Britain (1 Athlete), Morocco (2 Athletes), Kenya (3 Athletes), Mali (2 Athletes), Portugal (1 Athlete), UAE (3 Athletes), Greece (1 Athlete), Jordan (1 Athlete), Andorra (2 Athletes), Canada (1 Athlete), Iraq (1 Athlete), Uzbekistan (5 Athletes), Tajikistan (4 Athletes), Germany (3 Athletes)President, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), Col (Retd) Waseem Janjua said: "This championship is a remarkable opportunity to showcase Pakistan's hosting capabilities while promoting Taekwondo at both junior and senior levels. With over 400 Kyorugi participants and 113 Poomsae athletes, the event will be a spectacular display of talent and sportsmanship."
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