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Former captain Aamir Sohail visits National Cricket Academy
Lahore (Sports Reporter): Former Pakistan Test captain Aamir Sohail visited the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore and reviewed the ongoing development work and high-performance initiatives being undertaken for the development of players.During the visit, Director High Performance Aqib Javed briefed Aamir on the development programmes for U15, U17 and U19 players, along with the academy structure and pathways being created to identify, develop and prepare young cricketers for higher levels of the game.The former Test batter was given a presentation on the Athlete Management System by the Analysis wing and its role in monitoring player development, assessing performance and identifying areas where players can further improve their skills.The former Pakistan captain, who has previously served as Director National Cricket Academy and Chief Selector also reviewed the upgraded facilities at the NCA, including the ongoing project to install bio-mechanics lab and other resources available to players.Aamir, who is now a seasoned commentator represented Pakistan in 47 Tests and 156 ODIs from 1990 to 2000.Talking to PCB Digital following his visit, Aamir Sohail said:“The facilities that should be available to players at the National Cricket Academy are now in place. A number of areas have been upgraded and the overall facilities have been enhanced. It is very encouraging to see that the prerequisites required for the development of players are now available in the true sense.“This is a very positive development for Pakistan cricket and the Pakistan Cricket Board deserves credit for placing such emphasis on player development. The PCB has invested significantly in creating and improving these facilities, which is highly encouraging.“I must also commend the Chairman PCB for his commitment towards the development of Pakistan cricket. It is very encouraging to have a Chairman who is willing to provide the resources required and invest in initiatives that can contribute to the betterment of the game. When the leadership is prepared to support cricket development in this manner, it creates a strong platform for progress.“At the same time, I would urge the PCB to continue focusing strongly on player development. With the Chairman providing such encouragement and showing a willingness to invest in the betterment of cricket, it is equally important that this investment translates into performances and results.“Infrastructure and investment are important, but it is equally important to ensure that the people working with the players have the required expertise so that the investment produces the desired outcomes.“The bio-mechanics lab is an important addition because it can help players better understand the technical areas of their game and identify where they may be falling short. It can provide them with valuable information about their movements and help them work on aspects that may be affecting their performances.“The player pathways that have been created are also very encouraging. However, alongside these initiatives, there needs to be a sustained focus on strengthening club and school cricket.“The PCB has recently started a school cricket tournament, which is a positive step, but school cricket needs to become a consistent part of the system rather than a one-off activity. Schools should remain continuously engaged with cricket throughout the year so that young players have regular opportunities to play, develop and progress through the system.”
HBL PSL 12 Window confirmed: Eight Teams, One Champion – The Countdown Begins
Lahore (Sports Reporter): Pakistan’s biggest cricket event is coming back. HBL PSL today confirmed that the 12th edition of the tournament will be held from 18 March to 2 May 2027, with all eight franchises returning to compete for the coveted title.The window was determined following extensive consultation with all key stakeholders after the PSL Governing Council meeting held in London on 1 September 2026, attended by owners and representatives of all eight HBL PSL franchises.HBL PSL 12 will build on a landmark 2026 season that broke new ground — eight teams competed for the first time, a first-ever player auction replaced the draft system and the Final at Gaddafi Stadium drew a record crowd of 32,461. Peshawar Zalmi were crowned champions after beating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets on 3 May 2026, ending a nine-year wait for the title.With the window now confirmed, a series of marquee milestones will follow including Direct Signings, Retention announcements, the Trade window and the Player Auction, each one a moment for fans to look forward to as the competition takes shape. The countdown starts here.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi:“HBL PSL 11 showed the world what this league is capable of – thrilling moments that had the whole nation transfixed, record crowds, record broadcasts. HBL PSL 12 will raise the bar further. “We are committed to delivering another outstanding season and look forward to seeing all eight franchises compete once again for the title.”HBL PSL CEO Salman Naseer:“Last season changed what people expect from this league and we intend to meet every one of those expectations in 2027. Today’s announcement is only the first step, Direct signings, retentions, the trade window and the auction will each bring their own excitement in the months ahead. “Eight teams, eight squads hungry to go one better and millions of fans across Pakistan and the world already counting down the days. Naye Daur ka Aghaaz ho chuka hai. #NewEra”
FOOTBALL - National 06 Oct, 2026
Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD: The PFF National U-17 Championship 2026 has entered its decisive phase, with four teams from all four provinces securing their places in the semi-finals after the conclusion of the group stage at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.Sindh Indus, Punjab Harappa, KPK Himalayas and Balochistan Hingol will now battle for a place in the championship final, ensuring representation from Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in the final four.The final day of the group stage produced two contrasting encounters.Sindh Mehran and GB Karakoram opened proceedings with a closely contested match, with GB Karakoram securing a narrow 1-0 victory. Nawazish scored the only goal of the game in the 64th minute as GB Karakoram finished their campaign with three points.The second match saw Balochistan Hingol and KPK Himalayas play out a hard-fought 0-0 draw.Both sides had enjoyed unbeaten campaigns heading into the final group fixture, and neither was able to find the breakthrough as the two defences held firm throughout.The result saw KPK Himalayas finish top of Group C with seven points, while Balochistan Hingol also finished on seven points, taking second place on goal difference. KPK Himalayas scored 13 goals without conceding, while Hingol finished with nine goals scored and just two conceded.With the group stage now complete, the semi-final line-up is set.Sindh Indus will face KPK Himalayas at 3pm on 8 October, before Punjab Harappa take on Balochistan Hingol at 7pm. Both semi-finals will be played at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.Sindh Indus enter the knockout stage after topping Group A, while Punjab Harappa finished first in Group B.The championship will take a rest day before the semi-finals on Thursday, with the two winners advancing to the final on 10 October at 7pm.
W15 Islamabad World Tennis Women’s Championships start in Islamabad
Islamabad (Sports Reporter): The first leg of the W15 Islamabad–World Tennis Women’s Futures Tennis Championships 2026 have commenced today (Tuesday) at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.A total of 30 players from 17 countries including France, China, Russia, Denmark, Mexico, Uzbekistan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Korea, Nepal, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Thailand, Türkiye, the Czech Republic, and Pakistan are competing in the championship.Results:Women’s Singles (Round 1):Florentine Dekkers (Netherlands) beat Kei Yau Cheung (Hong Kong) 6-1, 6-4Gloria Levinsky (CZE) beat Serife Pelin Sari (TUR) 6-0, 7-5Varvara Rubtsova (RUS) beat Nissa Finnigan (RSA) 6-1, 6-0Sabrina Olimjanova (UZB) beat Warona Mdlulwa (RSA) 6-2, 6-3Emma Van Poppel (NED) w/o Ru Xi Wu (CHN)Ksenia Laskutova (RUS) beat Ushna Suhail (PAK) 6-2, 6-0.J. Khramtsova (RUS) beat S. Leon (Mex) 4–6, 6–1, 6–1Women’s Doubles (Round 1):Jeong Moon (KOR) / Kamonwan Yodpetch (THA) beat Meheq Khokhar (PAK) and Anna Simkina (RUS) 6-1, 6-0E. Van Poppel (NED) / E. Jamshidi (DEN) beat G. Levinsky (CZE) / R. X. Wu (CHN) 6-2, 6-7 (1), 10-3
Pakistan squads announced for Sri Lanka T20Is and ODI tri-series
Rawalpindi (faisal): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced Pakistan men’s squads for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka and the ODI tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka.Right-handed opening batter Sahibzada Farhan, who led Pakistan in the recently concluded Asian Games will lead Pakistan in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, while left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as captain of the ODI side for the tri-series.The T20I series will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the opening match scheduled for 9 October. The second and third T20Is will be played on 11 and 13 October, respectively.Following the T20I series, Pakistan will feature in a seven-match ODI tri-series alongside England and Sri Lanka. Rawalpindi will host the opening three matches, before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining league matches and the final.15-member T20I squad:Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim16-member ODI squad:Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan MoqimTeam Management:Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Michael Smith (batting coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Mohammad Tahir (Physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength &conditioning coach), Nabeel Edger Pace (team analyst for Sri Lanka T20I), Usman Hashmi (team analyst for tri-series), Shafqat Shabbir (media manager for Rawalpindi-leg and Syed Nazir Ahmed for Lahore-leg), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)
FOOTBALL - National 05 Oct, 2026
Islamabad (Sports Reporter): Sindh Indus secured their place in the semi-finals of the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026 after coming from behind to defeat KPK Khyber 4-3 in a thrilling seven-goal encounter at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad, on Monday.In the day’s second match, Balochistan Bolan and Islamabad Margalla played out an entertaining 1-1 draw.The opening game provided one of the most exciting contests of the championship so far, with KPK Khyber producing a dominant first-half performance before Sindh Indus’ pace and technical quality ultimately turned the match in their favour.KPK Khyber took the lead through Atif in the 23rd minute, before Sindh Indus responded with goals from Moosa and Rafay to take control of the contest.Sindh Indus extended their advantage when Rafay struck again in the 79th minute, but KPK Khyber refused to go quietly. Atif scored his second in the 84th minute to bring the score back to 4-3 and set up a tense finish.Sindh Indus held their nerve through the closing stages to secure the victory and, with it, their place in the semi-finals.The contest was played at a high tempo, with KPK Khyber’s energy and intensity particularly evident in the first half. Sindh Indus, however, grew into the match as their pace and technical ability began to create problems for the Khyber defence.Both sides also found themselves benefiting from goalkeeping errors, with Sindh’s final goal coming after the Khyber goalkeeper spilled the ball, while Khyber’s late third came after the Sindh goalkeeper misjudged the flight of the ball.In the second match of the day, Balochistan Bolan and Islamabad Margalla battled to a 1-1 draw in a closely contested encounter.Shahzaib gave Islamabad Margalla the lead in the 24th minute, before Sheraz levelled for Balochistan Bolan in the 34th minute.The contest remained evenly poised after the break, with both sides creating opportunities to find a winner. Balochistan Bolan were reduced to ten men in the 67th minute when Faheem was shown a red card, but they held on to earn a valuable point.The two matches produced eight goals, adding another chapter to an increasingly entertaining PFF National U-17 Championship, with Sindh Indus now through to the semi-finals after a memorable comeback.
Match officials announced for U17 bilateral series in Multan
Multan (Sports Reporter): The match officials have been announced for Sri Lanka U17’s tour of Pakistan, which will feature one three-day match and five one-day matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium.The three-day match will be played from 9 to 11 October, while the five one-day matches will take place from 15 to 24 October.Match-by-match appointments (all matches at Multan Cricket Stadium):9-11 October – Three-day match – Imtiaz Iqbal and Saqib Khan (on-field umpires), Imranullah Aslam (reserve umpire), Sohail Idrees (match referee)15 October – First one-day match – Imtiaz Iqbal and Imranullah Aslam (on-field umpires), Farooq Ali Khan (reserve umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)17 October – Second one-day match – Saqib Khan and Farooq Ali Khan (on-field umpires), Imtiaz Iqbal (reserve umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)19 October – Third one-day match – Farooq Ali Khan and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpires), Imranullah Aslam (reserve umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)21 October – Fourth one-day match – Imranullah Aslam and Saqib Khan (on-field umpires), Farooq Ali Khan (reserve umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)24 October – Fifth one-day match – Farooq Ali Khan and Imranullah Aslam (on-field umpires), Saqib Khan (reserve umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)
W15 Islamabad-World Tennis Women’s Championship to start on October 6
Islamabad (faisal): The first leg of the W15 Islamabad-World Tennis Women’s Championship 2026 will commence on 6 October 2026 at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.A total of 30 players from France, China, Russia, Denmark, Mexico, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Netherlands, Korea, Nepal, Japan, Hong Kong, Türkiye, the Czech Republic,Germany, Thailand and Pakistan will compete in the championship.Top Players Ushna Suhail, Mahin Aftab Qureshi, Meheq Khokhar, Romaisa Malik, and Hajra Sohail will represent Pakistan in the championships.Astrid Cirotte of France, currently ranked World No. 624, is the top seed of the tournament.Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi warmly welcomed the visiting international players to Pakistan and expressed confidence that the championship would provide high-quality competition and a memorable experience for all participants.He said that the Pakistan Tennis Federation is committed to promote women’s tennis and is proud to provide an excellent opportunity for Pakistani women players through the staging of 15K international women’s tournaments for the first time in Pakistan. He added that these events would enable local players to compete against international opposition, gain valuable experience, win matches, and earn important WTA ranking points.The main draw matched will commence tomorrow at 10:00am.
Afghanistan Future Stars to Face Bangladesh and Oman in Youth ODI Matches
Kabul (SBR): Afghanistan Future Stars will travel to Oman on October 10, where they will feature in a five-match Youth ODI series against Bangladesh U19 from October 13 to 23, before facing the Oman U19 side in two Youth ODI matches on October 27 and 30.These matches are part of Afghanistan Future Stars' preparation for the ACC U19 Men's Asia Cup 2026, scheduled for early November.Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee has also finalized the Afghanistan U19 squad for the upcoming matches, with Sohail Khan appointed as captain. The squad comprises 15 players in the main squad, along with three players named as reserves.
FOOTBALL - National 04 Oct, 2026
Islamabad (Sports Reporter):Balochistan Hingol and KPK Himalayas produced commanding performances at the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026 on Sunday, with Hingol defeating GB Karakoram 5-1 before KPK Himalayas overwhelmed Sindh Mehran 6-0 at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.Balochistan Hingol took control against GB Karakoram with a series of well-taken goals, combining power, pace and clinical finishing to build a five-goal advantage.Noman opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a rasping drive into the corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.Hingol doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute when Syed Wasif found the net from a free-kick, before Sajjad added a third just a minute later.The third goal came after Hingol broke quickly on the counter from the left, with Sajjad placing the ball calmly past the goalkeeper.Hingol continued to threaten after the break and extended their lead in the 63rd minute when Shahid reacted quickest to a header that had been spilled by the Karakoram goalkeeper.Zameer made it five in the 89th minute after his initial effort was saved, with the Hingol player following up to place the rebound into the net.GB Karakoram found a consolation in stoppage time, Hassan completing an individual effort by placing the ball past the goalkeeper in the 90+3rd minute.In the second match, KPK Himalayas produced one of the most dominant displays of the championship so far, completely controlling their contest against Sindh Mehran from start to finish.Himalayas attacked from all areas of the pitch, dominating possession and creating chances from left, right and through the middle.Taimoor opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Armaq doubled the advantage in the 20th minute.Taimoor struck again in the 27th minute to make it 3-0, while Armaq added his second just before half-time in the 45th minute.Taimoor completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute as Himalayas continued to dominate, before Irmad rounded off the scoring in the 70th minute to complete a comprehensive 6-0 victory.The two results added another 12 goals to an already goal-rich championship, with the young players continuing to provide attacking football and plenty of excitement in Islamabad.
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