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FOOTBALL - FIFA News 17 Oct, 2025
Islamabad (Sports Desk): Spain (1st) have strengthened their grip on top spot thanks to back-to-back victories, shoring up the position they ended Argentina’s reign that stretched back to April 2023.World champions Argentina (2nd, up 1), are hot on their heels, however.Germany (10th, up 2) have reclaimed their place in the top 10 after a brief absence. Their resurgence comes at the expense of Croatia (11th, down 2), who dropped two points in a qualifier for next year's global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Elsewhere near the top of the ranking, the Netherlands (6th, up 1) edged ahead of Brazil (7th, down 1), capitalising on the Seleção’s stumble in a friendly against Japan.Amongst the rest of the top 50, Hungary (37th, up 4), Scotland (38th, up 5), Nigeria (41st, up 4) and Romania (47th, up 4) have all reaped the rewards of recent purple patches.Yet the biggest gains come further down the standings. Niger (108th), Lesotho (144th) and the Faroe Islands (127th) have all climbed nine places. The latter’s impressive run, including a shock victory over Czechia (44th, down 5), has earned them a significant points haul.Also making headway in this latest update are Kosovo (84th, up 7), who have reached a historic high, as well as Syria (86th) and Liberia (138th), who have both climbed six places. At the other end, Greece (48th) and Sweden (40th) have both fallen eight places after losing their most recent qualifying matches.Leaders Spain (unchanged)Moves into top 10 Germany (10th, up 2)Moves out of top 10 Croatia (11th, down 2)Matches played in total 173Most matches played 168 teams (3 matches each)Biggest move by points Faroe Islands (up 37.95 points)Biggest move by ranks Faroe Islands, Lesotho and Niger (up 9 ranks each)Biggest drop by points Sweden (down 27.63 points)Biggest drop by ranks Greece and Sweden (down 8 ranks each)Newly ranked teams NoneTeams that are no longer ranked NoneInactive teams, not ranked Eritrea
UAE secure ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 spot
Dubai (SBR): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have claimed their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after an emphatic, eight-wicket victory over Japan in their Super Six clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Asia/East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier in Oman on Thursday.Mohammad Waseem and his charges join Nepal and Oman as the three qualifiers of the regional qualification competition with guaranteed top three finishes before the tournament’s scheduled conclusion on Friday.The 20 teams for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 are now finalized and they are as follows: India (tournament host), Sri Lanka (tournament host), Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, South Africa, UAE, USA, West Indies and Zimbabwe.The UAE eliminated hopefuls, Japan, Samoa and Qatar from contention, who were still in with a mathematical chance.In the match, Japan were restricted to 116/9 after being put into bat by the UAE. Only Wataru Miyauchi – at number nine – made a significant contribution to the scoreboard, returning unbeaten for 45 off 32 deliveries. Other scores in the double figures came from Esam Rahman (23) and Abhishek Anand (10) at the top of the order and Abdul Samad (11 not out) at number 11.The UAE’s Haider Ali (three for 20) and Mohammad Arfan (two for 24) did the most damage with the ball in hand, setting up a simple chase for their batters.Openers, Alishan Sharafu and Mohammad Waseem did not disappoint, they shared a 70-run stand before it was broken by Declan Suzuki (one for 14) who removed the skipper, Waseem for 42 at the start of the eighth over.Sharafu departed for 46 at the hands of Ibrahim Takahashi (one for 16) in the 11th over, but the foundation was firmly laid, giving Mayank Kumar (13 not out) and Rahul Chopra (14 not out) a smooth pathway to batting their team victory with 47 balls to spare.
Afghanistan U19 team to visit Bangladesh for a Five-Match Youth ODI Series
Kabul (SBR): The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirms that the Afghanistan National U19 Cricket Team will visit Bangladesh for a five-match Youth ODI series, scheduled from October 28 to November 9, 2025, in Bogura, Bangladesh.The team will leave Kabul for Bangladesh on October 20 and will engage in a week-long conditioning camp before meeting the home U19 side in the opening match of the series on October 28.The first two matches are set to be played in Bogura, while the last three will take place at the RDS Cricket Ground in Rajshahi. The matches are scheduled for October 28, 31, and November 3, 6, and 9 respectively.This series marks a crucial phase in Afghanistan’s youth cricket development, providing valuable international exposure and competitive experience ahead of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.Naseeb Khan, CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, stated: “We are committed to ensuring that our Future Stars remain consistently engaged alongside the National and A teams. This series will play a crucial role in preparing our U19 squad for the upcoming World Cup and could well unearth promising talents who may later advance to higher levels, including the A team and the senior national side.”Afghanistan Future Stars have recently completed a series of intensive preparatory camps held across Nangarhar and Khost provinces over the past three months, where players focused heavily on physical conditioning, skill development, and participated in several intra-squad practice matches designed to strengthen team cohesion and match readiness.
U19 Cup final: Lahore beat Rawalpindi by seven wickets
Multan (Salman Khan): Three wickets each from Naqeebullah and Ibtisam Azhar led Lahore Blues to a seven-wicket win over Rawalpindi in the final of the National U19 Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Right-arm off-spinner Ibtisam finished the tournament with 20 wickets from eight matches.The match, which was live-streamed on Tapmad across Pakistan and on PCB’s YouTube channel for viewers outside Pakistan, saw Rawalpindi opting to bat first after winning the toss. They were bowled out for 142 in 44.1 overs, with Ali Mehdi top-scoring with 36.For Lahore Blues, left-arm spinner Naqeebullah and right-arm off-spinner Ibtisam took three wickets apiece for 16 and 25 runs, respectively.In reply, Lahore Blues lost three wickets in their chase and achieved the target in 39.4 overs. Jahangir Bilal top-scored for the winning side with an unbeaten 56 off 97 balls, hitting seven fours.Lahore Blues’ captain, Ali Hassan Baloch, who missed out on a big score in the final, was named player of the tournament and best batter for scoring 603 runs from eight matches at an average of 75.38, including three centuries and two half-centuries.Faisalabad’s Momin Qamar was declared bowler of the tournament for his 22 wickets in eight matches. The left-arm spinner had two five-wicket hauls to his name.Scores in brief:Lahore Blues beat Rawalpindi by seven wickets at Multan Cricket StadiumRawalpindi 142 all out, 44.1 overs (Ali Mehdi 36; Naqeebullah 3-16, Ibtisam Azhar 3-25)Lahore Blues 143-3, 39.4 overs (Jahangir Bilal 56 not out, Khizer Butt 46)Player of the match – Naqeebullah (Lahore Blues)Player of the Tournament – Ali Hassan Baloch (Lahore Blues)
VOLLEYBALL - Int News 16 Oct, 2025
Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) on Thursday announced that the Pakistan Youth Volleyball Team will participate in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Bahrain from 22nd to 31st October 2025.According to an official of PVF٫ the prestigious multi-sport event will bring together the continent’s top young athletes, and Pakistan’s participation in volleyball marks another significant step in the country’s growing prominence in Asian volleyball.In the Volleyball competition, Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside Bahrain and Mongolia, while other pools are as follows:Group B: Iran, China, QatarGroup C: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Saudi ArabiaGroup D: Chinese Taipei, Thailand, IndonesiaThe Pakistan contingent will depart from Islamabad on 17th October 2025 and will back on 30th October.Names of players and officials:Naseer Ahmed (Manager); Saeed Ahmed Khan Sady (Coach); Tayyab Khan; Muhtad Ali Shah; Mohammad Yahya٫ Mohammad Talha Mehar٫ Mohammad Saud٫ Mohammad Irfan٫ Mohammad Anas٫ Khizar Hayat٫ Jabran Amin Jan٫ Faizan Ullah٫ Ajmal Junaid٫ Abu Bakar Siddique (Athletes).
POLO - Local News 15 Oct, 2025
Lahore (SBR): The second day of the Lahore Smart City Pink Polo Cup 2025, organised by Jinnah Polo Fields, witnessed two thrilling encounters as Lahore Smart City and FG/Din Polo teams emerged victorious. In the opening match of the day, Lahore Smart City outclassed Indus Polo by 12–5.5, demonstrating remarkable teamwork and control throughout the game. Star player Saqib Khan Khakwani led from the front with five goals, while Adnan Jaleel Azam contributed four and Alman Jaleel Azam added three, securing a comprehensive victory for their side. Despite enjoying a 2.5-goal handicap advantage, Indus Polo managed only two field goals through Hasham Khan and Pir Danish, struggling to contain Lahore Smart City’s aggressive play and precise finishing. In the second match of the day, FG/Din Polo recorded an impressive 6–2.5 win over Diamond Paints after a fiercely contested game. Hamza Mawaz Khan proved instrumental for FG/Din Polo with three goals, while Abbas Mukhtar scored two and Sheikh Mohammad Raffy added one. For Diamond Paints, who began with a half-goal handicap, Raja Jalal Arsalan and Rabeel Noman scored one goal apiece, but their efforts fell short against FG/Din Polo’s superior coordination and attacking rhythm. MATCH SUMMARY & SCORECARDS MATCH 1: LAHORE SMART CITY VS INDUS POLO Final Score: 12-5.5 (including 2.5 handicap to Indus Polo) Lahore Smart City: Saqib Khan Khakwani 5, Adnan Jaleel Azam 4, Alman Jaleel Azam 3 Indus Polo: Hasham Khan 1, Pir Danish 1, +2.5 handicap MATCH 2: FG/DIN POLO VS DIAMOND PAINTS Final Score: 6-2.5 (including 0.5 handicap to Diamond Paints) FG/Din Polo: Hamza Mawaz Khan 3, Abbas Mukhtar 2, Sheikh Muhammad Raffay 1 Diamond Paints: Raja Jalal Arsalan 1, Rabeel Noman 1, +0.5 handicap
Lahore Blues to face Rawalpindi in National U19 Cup final on Thursday
Salman KhabMULTAN: Ali Hassan Baloch’s Lahore Blues will take on Mohammad Arshad’s Rawalpindi in the final of the National U19 Cup on Thursday, 16 October. The 50-over final will be played here at the Multan Cricket Stadium.The toss will take place at 09.00am, while the first ball of the match will be bowled at 09.30am.The winner of Thursday’s contest will not only lift the trophy but will also receive prize money of PKR two million, while the runner-up will take home PKR one millionIndividual awards include PKR 100,000 each for the best batter, bowler, wicketkeeper and player of the tournament, while the player of the final will be awarded PKR 75,000.The tournament serves as an important platform for emerging players to stake their claims for selection in the Pakistan U19 squad for the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia.The 18-team tournament, featuring sides from 16 regions, commenced on 21 September, with nine teams each placed in two groups. Following the group stage, Lahore Blues topped Group ‘A’ with 13 points from eight matches, which included six wins, one loss and one abandoned fixture due to rain.From Group ‘B’, Rawalpindi finished with 15 points from eight matches, registering seven wins, while one match was abandoned due to rain.Among the batters, Lahore Blues’ captain Ali Hassan Baloch has led from the front, scoring 601 runs from seven matches at an average of 85.86, including three centuries. He currently leads the tournament’s batting charts. From Rawalpindi, right-handed batter Abdul Qadir is placed eighth on the list with 295 runs from six innings at an average of 73.75, which includes one century and two half-centuries.In the bowling department, Rawalpindi will rely on left-arm spinner Mohammad Hassan Khan, who has taken 19 wickets from seven matches and is currently third on the bowling charts. He has one five-wicket haul in the competition. For Lahore Blues, right-arm off-spinner Ibtisam Azhar has been the team’s most successful bowler, occupying sixth spot with 17 wickets from seven matches, including two four-wicket hauls and one three-wicket haul.
Rashid back as No.1 in ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings
Dubai (SBR): Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has returned to the top position in the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings after playing a crucial role in a 3-0 series win over Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.Rashid, who finished with 11 wickets in the series that included a five-for in the second match, has moved up five slots to take the top position with 710 rating points, 30 more than South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj, who is in second spot. Rashid had become No. 1 for the first time in September 2018 and last occupied the position in November 2024.Seam bowler Azmatullah Omarzai has achieved a career-best 21st position after a 19-spot leap with seven wickets in the series while Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz (up four places to 24th) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (up 24 places to 67th) have also moved up the bowling rankings.New high for Ibrahim Zadran: In the batting rankings, Ibrahim Zadran has leapt eight places to reach a career-best second position after top-scoring with a total of 213 runs that won him the Player of the Series award.He has achieved the highest-ever batting rating by any Afghanistan player, surpassing Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 686 points achieved last November, and his second position is also the highest position by any ODI batter from his country.Rahmanullah (up two places to 16th) and the Bangladesh pair of Towhid Hridoy (up seven places to 42nd) and Mohammad Nabi (up six places to 50th) too have moved up the batting rankings.Azmatullah and Rashid have also prospered in the ODI Rankings. Azmatullah has returned to the top spot while Rashid has moved up to fourth position. This is Azmatullah’s second stint as No. 1, having earlier been at the top from February to August this yearCareer-best Test ranking for Kuldeep Yadav: The ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings see India spinner Kuldeep Yadav attain a career-best 14th position, rising seven places after an eight-wicket match haul. Jomel Warrican and captain Roston Chase have gained two and four places, respectively, to reach 30thand 57th positions.The batting rankings see India opener Yashaswi Jaiswal advance two slots to fifth position after notching 175 in the first innings of the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi while KL Rahul’s knocks of 38 and 58 not out have lifted him two places to 33rd.The West Indies batters to gain are Shai Hope (up 34 places to 66th) and John Campbell (up six places to 68th), who scored centuries in the second innings.
Junior World Cup: Pakistan play 3-3 draw against high ranked India
Islamabad (SBR): Pakistan produced remarkable performance in the ongoing 13th Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 being played in Johor, Malaysia, as they played 3-3 draw against heavyweight India on Tuesday.For Pakistan, the first goal was scored through a penalty stroke, while the other two goals came via penalty corners. The first goal was netted in the 5th minute by Captain Hannan Shahid, while Mohammad Sufyan Khan scored the second and third goals in the 39th and 55th minutes, respectively.For India, Arjit, Anand, and Manmeet Singh each scored one goal. India was also awarded a penalty stroke. Overall, Pakistan earned 6 and India 9 penalty corners. Pakistan successfully converted two of its penalty corners into goals and scored one via penalty stroke, while India failed to capitalize on any of its penalty corners. Mohammad Sufyan Khan was declared the Man of the Match.The Pakistan Junior Hockey Team will play its fourth match against New Zealand on October 15, and the fifth match against Australia on October 17.
POLO - Local News 14 Oct, 2025
LAHORE (PR): The Lahore Smart City Pink Polo Cup 2025 burst into action on the first day at the historic Jinnah Polo Fields, with two thrilling matches delivering drama, skill, and unforgettable moments. Spectators filled the stands as eight teams, each featuring at least one female player, commenced their tournament campaigns under the sponsorship of Lahore Smart City. Secretary of Jinnah Polo Fields, Maj (Retd) Adil Rao, along with numerous former polo players, graced the opening ceremony. Maj Rao announced that this four-goal tournament would see eight competing teams and praised the presence and enthusiasm of fans. Match 1: Rijas/Din Polo vs Master Paints Black: 8‑7 Sudden Death In the first match, Rijas/Din Polo narrowly defeated Master Paints Black 8‑7 in a dramatic sudden-death finish during the fifth chukka. The match remained tightly contested from the outset, with both teams exchanging goals and momentum throughout. The tension peaked as neither side could break the deadlock during regular play, pushing the game into sudden death where the stakes were higher than ever. Ultimately, it was Rijas/Din Polo, who seized the crucial winning goal, clinching victory to the delight of their supporters. The victory was largely powered by an outstanding individual performance from Raja Samiullah, who scored a remarkable six goals for Rijas/Din Polo. His teammates Faisal Shehzad and Sheikh Muhammad Farhad contributed one goal each, complementing Samiullah’s brilliance. On the opposing side, Raja Temur Nadeem and Eliza Garibay led Master Paints Black’s effort with three goals apiece, while Bilal Hayat Noon added one more goal. Despite their strong showing, Master Paints Black fell just short in the nail-biting encounter. Match 2: Master Paints vs The Townhouse: 8.5‑8 The second match featured an equally gripping contest between Master Paints and The Townhouse, culminating in a narrow 8.5‑8 victory for Master Paints, aided by a half-goal handicap advantage. The game unfolded as a fierce battle, with both sides demonstrating skill and determination throughout the chukkas. For Master Paints, Agha Musa was the standout performer, netting six goals, while Bilal Hayat added two more to the tally. Their half-goal handicap advantage proved decisive in tipping the balance in their favor. On the opposing side, Omar Asjad Malhi scored six goals, showcasing impressive form, while Paula Garibay contributed two goals in support. Despite a valiant effort from The Town Hall, the slender margin meant Master Paints emerged victorious in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The Pink Polo Cup 2025 has begun with a blaze, and expectations are high as teams prepare for the next rounds. With such tight finishes already delivered, fans and players alike anticipate more flair, more goals, and more heartbreaks. Match Summary & Scorecards Match 1: Rijas/Din Polo vs Master Paints Black Final Score: 8‑7 (sudden death, fifth chukka) Rijas/Din Polo: Raja Samiullah 6, Faisal Shehzad 1, Sheikh Muhammad Farhad 1 Master Paints Black: Raja Timor 3, Emelia Garibay 3, Bilal Hayat Noon 1 Match 2: Master Paints vs The Townhouse Final Score: 8.5‑8 (including 0.5 handicap to Master Paints) Master Paints: Agha Musa 6, Bilal Hayat 2, +0.5 handicap The Townhouse: Omar Asjad Malhi 6, Paula Garibay 2
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