Islamabad (Sports Desk): In a historic moment for cricket lovers, England’s legendary batsman Sir Alastair Cook has announced his return to competitive cricket, joining the England Champions squad for the upcoming EaseMyTrip World Championship of Legends to be held at Edgbaston in July 2025.Cook, who bid farewell to international cricket in 2018 as England’s highest Test run-scorer, will reunite with his longtime comrade and white-ball icon, Eoin Morgan, who is set to lead the England Champions in this prestigious global tournament.Cook’s career boasts 161 Test matches, 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and 33 centuries—solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.

 Lahore (Sports Report): The Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, set to take place from 9 to 19 April at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore. The squad was selected after the selection committee evaluated players’ fitness and form in the ongoing second phase of preparation camp, where the players took part in warm-up matches and practice sessions.Fatima Sana, who has led Pakistan in six T20Is and two ODIs, will continue to lead the women’s cricket team in the 50-over event, while Shawaal Zulfiqar makes a comeback to the national side after suffering from a shoulder injury during the tour of New Zealand in December 2023. Squad:Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob ShahReserve players:Ghulam Fatima, Waheeda Akhtar and Umm-e-Hani Player support personnel:Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach spin bowling), Abdul Saad (assistant coach fielding), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Muhammad Rafi Ullah (media manager), Muhammad Ramzan (strength and conditioning coach), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse)The six-team ICC event, which includes Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies alongside hosts Pakistan, will feature a single-league round-robin format. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground will host 15 matches of the event, with Pakistan playing Ireland in the opening match of the competition at the Gaddafi StadiumOn 11 April, Pakistan will play Scotland at the LCCA ground in a day game, while the hosts will take on West Indies in a day-night fixture on 14 April at the Gaddafi Stadium.Pakistan will face Thailand in their fourth fixture of the event scheduled on 17 April in a day-night fixture at Gaddafi Stadium, while their final group stage match will be against Bangladesh on 19 April at the LCCA ground, which will be a day match. Pakistan fixtures (day matches begin at 9.30am and day/night matches at 2pm local time):vs Ireland – 9 April, Gaddafi Stadium (Day)vs Scotland – 11 April, LCCA (Day)vs West Indies – 14 April, Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)vs Thailand – 17 April, Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)vs Bangladesh – 19 April, LCCA (Day)

Islamabad (Mohammad Azam Dar):The Executive Committee meeting of the Islamabad Olympic Association was held at a local hotel, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Begum Ishrat Ashraf, President of the Association. The meeting brought together key office bearers including Mohammad Sarwar Rana, Senior Vice President; Rizwan ul Haq, Secretary General; Ijaz ul Haq, Treasurer; and members of the Executive Committee.The primary agenda of the meeting was Islamabad’s preparation and participation in the upcoming National Games, scheduled to be held in Karachi in May 2025. The Executive Committee reviewed organizational matters and resolved to ensure full participation and effective representation of Islamabad athletes at the prestigious national event.To streamline preparations and promote effective coordination, the Association announced the formation of the following committees:Sports Commission chaired by Mohammad Sarwar Rana, to oversee athlete preparation and coordination with affiliated sports bodies.Marketing and Sponsorship Committee chaired by Ejaz Rafi Butt, to explore sponsorship opportunities and develop strategic partnerships.Finance Committee chaired by Sadaf Parveen, to manage budget planning and ensure transparent financial operations.President Begum Ishrat Ashraf emphasized the importance of providing Islamabad’s athletes with all necessary support and expressed confidence that the capital’s contingent will perform with excellence at the National Games.The Islamabad Olympic Association remains committed to the promotion and development of sports in the region and ensuring that local athletes are empowered to achieve their highest potential.

Lahore (PR): The Ecostar Lahore Polo Club Super League 2025 is set to commence on Tuesday at the Lahore Polo Club.  This announcement was made during a crowded press conference by Lahore Polo Club Executive Committee members Naseer Ahmed and Feroze Gulzar, alongside Ecostar DW Group Director Taha Naseem. The event was attended by Lahore Polo Club member Faisal Khan, Secretary Lt Col (R) Umar Aamir, Ecostar's Head of Marketing Shoaib Younis, Brand Manager Saliha Naeem, Deputy Marketing Manager Mubashir Munir, Assistant Brand Manager Jasim Jamshed, and others. According to Executive Committee member Naseer Ahmed, the Super League provides local players with an opportunity to showcase their talents. The tournament will take place in two phases: a two-week event during Ramadan, with the final scheduled for this Friday, followed by another two-week tournament after Eid. A total of ten teams are participating, featuring 40 local players and 160 horses. Executive Committee member Feroze Gulzar said that the Super League is a prestigious tournament of the Lahore Polo Club, which has been held for the past three years and continues to grow in scale each year. Ecostar DW Group Director Taha Naseem emphasised that Ecostar, being a local brand, is committed to supporting local sports and players. He highlighted that Ecostar has always been a strong supporter of sports. The ten participating teams are divided into two pools: Pool A: IS/Master Knights, Guard Group/Master Paints/Charcoal Avengers, Country, Ecostar, and FG/Din. Pool B: Master Paints, Black Horse Paints, Nurpur Bandobast, Remington Pharma, and Newage Cables. 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, along with his French partner Magalie Girard, clinched another gold medal in the ITF Masters 40+ world championship Mixed Doubles category, which was held in Manavgat Turkey.According to Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), In a thrilling final, Aisam and Magalie Girard defeated Katharina Rath and Andreas Thivessen of Germany 7-5, 6-3 to claim the championship title.The match saw a dramatic turnaround, as Aisam and his partner were down 5-2 in the first set before making a remarkable comeback to win 7-5. They then dominated the second set, sealing victory with a 6-3 win.Aisam-ul-Haq said in his post match comments:"I am overjoyed and humbled by this triumph! I thank Allah for granting me the strength and resilience to secure another gold medal for Pakistan. This victory is dedicated to the nation, a special gift on the eve of Pakistan Day (March 23rd). It fills my heart with pride to see the Pakistan flag flying high on the international stage, a testament to the country's unwavering spirit and determination." 

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Knight has captained England Women 199 times since 2016, including leading the team to a home World Cup victory in 2017 and to two other ICC tournament finals. She oversaw 134 victories as England Women captain, second on the list of England Women’s all-time most successful captains.She also led the team to a record-breaking run of eight consecutive ODI series wins including defeating Australia during the 2023 home Ashes, in which England also won the IT20 series to draw a thrilling Women’s Ashes that took interest in international women’s cricket to a new level.However, on the back of disappointing performances by the team in last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE and the recent Ashes in Australia, the ECB has decided to appoint a new Captain to lead the team into a new era. Knight’s successor will be appointed shortly.Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director, England Women, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said: “Heather has been an outstanding leader as England Women’s Captain. She has led the team by example as a role model off the pitch, and through the runs she has scored on it – often in the toughest conditions.“Heather has enjoyed many highlights as England captain. I particularly remember the century she scored in the Ashes Test at Canberra in 2022 where her individual brilliance nearly helped the team pull off a famous win. It was an innings of great skill and great heart.“She led the team brilliantly to win a World Cup on home turf, creating memories we will never forget. That magical day at Lord’s acted as a catalyst for so much of the growth we have seen for women’s and girls’ cricket in the years since.“Heather is passionate about inspiring young girls to play cricket and to playing her part in making our sport gender-balanced. She is a powerful role model to young professional female players and to recreational players alike. Having started her England career as an amateur, she has always understood the important connection between the England team and the grassroots game.”Heather Knight said: “Captaining my country for the last nine years has been the biggest honour of my life and I will look back on my tenure with an enormous sense of pride. I have loved the challenge of leading the team, but all good things come to an end and it’s time for me to go back into the ranks and focus on being the best batter and teammate that I can be for the team.“Winning the ICC Women’s World Cup on home turf at Lord’s in 2017 will always be a huge highlight, but being a part of the huge steps forward made in the women’s game off the pitch brings me just as much pride.“Thank you to all the players and staff, who have given it everything along the way - especially Mark, Lisa and Jon, three head coaches that I’ve loved working with. The people make the job.“Thank you to the fans that have supported me and the team through the highs and the lows. Finally, to my friends, family and long-suffering partner Tim, you live the journey with me and I wouldn’t be here without your support.“I have loved being England Captain, it's been the most rewarding period of my career, but for now I’m excited to focus on my batting and supporting the team and the new captain in the best way I can.”Knight made her England debut in 2010 and ten years later became the first England men’s or women’s player to score an international century in all three formats of the game.Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m immensely thankful for everything Heather has given in her time as Captain. The World Cup win and the thrilling 2023 Women’s Ashes will live long in the memory.“Heather’s influence as Captain has extended far beyond her impact on the pitch. Through her leadership and dedication, she has inspired many women and girls to get involved in the sport, fuelling the transformation of women’s cricket we have seen since 2016. As one of the world’s best batters, I look forward to watching Heather play on for England for many years to come.” 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan outplayed Indonesia 2-1 in the Davis Cup Juniors final to claim historical victory for the country on Saturday.According to an official of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Pakistani players Abubakar Talha and Hamza Roman delivered a remarkable performance on the final day of the Davis Cup Juniors 2025, securing an exciting 2-1 victory over Indonesia to claim the prestigious title. With this historic win, Pakistan remained unbeaten throughout the championship, showcasing exceptional talent, determination, and teamwork.Now, Pakistan have qualified for the ITF Asia/Oceania Davis Cup Juniors Qualifying Event, scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan from May 19-24, 2025. This elite competition will feature the top 16 teams from Asia and Oceania, competing for a place in the World Group.Expressing his joy, Shahzad Khan, captain of Team Pakistan, said: “I am extremely happy with the way the boys played from start to finish. Their dedication and hard work paid off, and I am incredibly proud of all the players."Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), congratulated the team on their historic achievement, calling it a moment of immense pride for Pakistan. He commended the players, Mikaeel Ali Baig, Abubakar Talha, and Hamza Roman, as well as Captain Shahzad Khan for their dedication and commitment, emphasizing that Pakistan’s flag is flying high on the global tennis stage.President-PTF highlighted the remarkable progress made in international competitions, noting that while the team finished 16th out of 16 in 2023, and 5th out of 16 in 2024. This year, Pakistan achieved a historic milestone by winning the championship, a clear indication that the country's tennis is on the right path to success.Results (Pakistan beat Indonesia 2-1):First Singles: Abubakar Talha beat Suryana Raphael 6-1, 6-2Second Singles: Gunawan Joachim Mika beat Mikaeel Ali 6-4, 4-6, 6-1Doubles: Hamza Roman / Abubakar Talha beat Mangunsong Rafa Jeconia / Suryana Raphael 7-6 (0), 2-6, 10-7

Sports Bulletin ReportChristchurch (New Zealand): Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan are all set to take on New Zealand in the five-match T20I series starting on Sunday, 16 March. The first game will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with the first ball to be bowled at 2.15pm local time.The second match will be played at University Oval in Dunedin on 18 March, while the third match of the series will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on 21 March. The fourth and fifth T20Is will be played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui and Sky Stadium in Wellington on 23 and 26 March, respectively. A three-match ODI series will follow the T20I action and will be played from 29 March to 5 April.The Pakistan squad arrived in Christchurch on Thursday and held their first training session on Friday afternoon. Before their arrival, the T20I squad underwent a pre-series camp from 7 to 10 March at the LCCA Ground in Lahore.Pakistan’s squad includes three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali – who earned call-ups to the national side following their impressive performances in recent domestic events. Pakistan have an upper hand over New Zealand in the 44 T20I contests between the two sides with 23 wins while the Black Caps have secured victory in 19 fixtures. The last T20I series featuring the two sides, which was played in Pakistan in 2024, finished with a 2-2 scoreline with one match abandoned due to rain. Salman Ali Agha, who led the team to a 2-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe in his first series as captain, said: “The team's preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand. We have some young players in the side, and it is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent at the international level after performing well in domestic cricket.”T20I squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim and Usman KhanPlayer Support Personnel: Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Aqib Javed (interim head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager) and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).New Zealand tour schedule:16 Mar – first T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch18 Mar – second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin21 Mar – third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland23 Mar – fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui26 Mar – fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington29 Mar – first ODI, McLean Park, Napier2 Apr – second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton5 Apr – third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Paraguay has become the second South American country to host the World Skate Games 2026, officially announced on Friday. The announcement comes after the official signing of the contract between World Skate and Paraguayan authorities, in the presence of the President of the Republic Santiago Peña, World Skate President Sabatino Aracu, and numerous personalities from the national and international sports world.The ceremony saw the participation of key figures such as Francesco Zangarini, World Skate Sports Director, Facundo Cernadas, Chief of Staff, Camilo Pérez López Moreira, IOC member and President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, César Ramírez, Minister of Sports, and Víctor Pecci, former tennis player and Roland Garros finalist in 1979, now Director General of the Organising Committee for Mega Sporting Events in Paraguay.Negotiations to secure WSG Asunción 2026 were initiated in Lausanne by President Peña’s personal delegation, demonstrating the commitment of Paraguay’s government to attracting international sporting events and developing the domestic service economies which they support.This marks the continuation of the World Skate Games global journey, which has previously been hosted in Nanjing, Republic People of China (2017), Barcelona, Spain (2019), Buenos Aires, Argentina (2022), and most recently across four regions of Italy (2024). Paraguay will become the second South American nation to host this prestigious event, following Argentina's successful organization in 2022.Following the tremendous success of the World Skate Games Italy 2024, which represented an unprecedented event for the World Skate disciplines with 154 world titles awarded, 10,800 athletes and staff, 90 participating countries, the event is preparing for its next chapter in Paraguay.Sabatino Aracu, President of World Skate and Skate Italia, stated: "After the Italian success, we are excited to bring the World Skate Games to Paraguay. This event will not only be the World Championship of Roller Sports but a true youth festival that combines sports, music, and entertainment, bringing competitions to the heart of cities and creating a unique experience for athletes and spectators."The choice of Paraguay as the host of the next World Skate Games represents an important step in the global expansion strategy of sports on skating wheels and confirms the South American country's commitment to sports development and the attraction of major international events.The World Skate Games will once again bring together 12 disciplines in one major event, from urban sports such as skateboarding (the Olympic discipline), roller freestyle, and scootering, to speed and adrenaline sports like inline speed skating and downhill, to team sports such as rink hockey, inline hockey, and roller derby, not to mention the beloved artistic roller skating.

Sports Bulletin ReportFAISALABAD: The National T20 Cup will begin from Friday (March 14) at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad with defending champions Karachi Region Whites taking on Islamabad Region. On the same day, Bahawalpur Region will take on Dera Murad Jamali Region at the same venue.18 teams from 16 regions will feature in the tournament, with participating teams divided into four groups. The matches will also be played at Lahore’s two venues – Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA and Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.The top two sides from each group will qualify for the quarter-final stage, which will be played at the Iqbal Stadium on 23 and 24 March, with the semi-finals set to take place at the same venue on 26 March.The final of the tournament will be played at the Iqbal Stadium on 27 March, with the winning team bagging a prize money of PKR five million, while the runners-up will have to settle with PKR 2.5 million. The double-header matches in Faisalabad will begin at 7pm PKT, while the matches in Lahore and Multan will start at 4.30pm PKT.