Islamabad (Sports News): On an exciting second day at the Optasia Championships 2026, Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold and Pakistan’s Noor Zaman claimed seeding upsets to earn places in the quarter finals of the Gold level event. Arnold took on local favourite and No.7 seed Jamsine Hutton in the first match of the evening session tonight at the famous Wimbledon Club, grasping the opportunity to reach a second Gold quarter final with both hands. Arnold stormed out of the gates in the opening game, establishing a 6-1 lead with Hutton not yet at the races. Arnold ran through to 10-4 and despite a comeback from Hutton to reach 9-10, the Malaysian converted. Both players looked to be slightly nervous taking the ball in short with errors coming from both rackets. Arnold turned to her trusted forehand boast to constantly drag Hutton into the front left corner, and if the shot wasn't an outright winner, the follow-up was. She doubled her lead, winning 11-8. Hutton's accuracy and intensity improved drastically in game three. She started to move Arnold away from the middle and earned herself a 7-4 lead. However, errors crept into Hutton's game once again, which gave both points and confidence to Arnold. The Malaysian took the game to a tiebreak and sealed the win by a 12-10 scoreline.“I came into it trying to be confident and I wanted to try and take it point by point and I think that really helped me today. I’m disappointed that I let her back in at the end of each game but overall I’m happy to be able to get through.“Jaz is such a good player and she’s been playing really well lately and she was fighting hard again today but I think I played well in the front corners and just happy to be through.”The only other upset of the day came from Pakistan’s Noor Zaman, who also needed jusr three games and 32 minutes to move past Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas. The highly skilled Zaman was in top form from the outset, moving the ball into the front corners with ease and testing the movement of the Mexican at any opportunity. Cardenas looked as though he couldn't read any of the attacking shots of the Pakistani, as Zaman ran through to win 11-7 and take the lead. Zaman's incredible shot-making continued in game two. The 21-year-old showed no fear as he eyed a second Gold event quarer final and after just 21 minutes, had doubled his lead. Despite a stronger showing from Cardenas in the third game, he still looked to be struggling to read Zaman and utilise his own attacking strengths. Cardenas held a narrow lead but once again, Zaman was able to rattle off the points to move ahead on the scoreboard. Zaman won 11-7 to end day two and complete the quarter-final line-ups.Elsewhere on day two, women’s top seed Hania El Hammamy got her title defence off to a strong start by beating England’s Torrie Malik in straight games. Former World Champions Diego Elias and Karim Gawad advanced to the last eight, whilst Youssef Ibrahim marked his return to action with a win over compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar. Satomi Watanabe and Amanda Sobhy will also face each other in the quarter finals after comfortable wins over Melissa Alves and Kenzy Ayman, respectively. Results: Optasia Championships 2026 Men’s Round Two[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt Jonah Bryant (ENG) 3-0: 13-11, 2-0 ret. (30m)Noor Zaman (PAK) bt [8] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 3-0: 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 (32m)[5] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-2: 7-11, 18-16, 11-4, 7-11, 4-2 ret. (70m)[2] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 (38m)Results: Optasia Championships 2026 Women’s Round Two[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Torrie Malik (ENG) 3-0: 12-10, 11-2, 11-5 (35m)Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt [7] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 (35m)[5] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 3-11, 11-4, 11-3 (38m)[3] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Melissa Alves (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-8 (34m)

Lahore (Sports News): The National Women’s T20 Tournament 2026 is scheduled to commence from Friday, 27 March in Lahore. The five-team tournament will be played in a double-league format, with each side playing at least eight fixtures before the top two sides qualify for the final.The final of the tournament will be played at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground on Sunday, 12 April.The five teams participating in the tournament are Challengers, Conquerors, Invincibles, Stars and Strikers. Defending champions Stars will feature in the opening match of the tournament taking on Challengers at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground.Three venues – Bagh-e-Jinnah, Ghani Glass Cricket Ground and LCCA Ground will host the 21-match tournament.The tournament provides an opportunity for players to perform and stake a claim for selection in the national side. Pakistan women’s international assignments in the next three months include a home bilateral series against Zimbabwe, a T20I tri-series in Ireland and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July.To further incentivise the players, the prize pot for the tournament is PKR 3.3 million, with the winning side receiving PKR 1.5 million and the runners-up getting PKR one million.The morning matches in the tournament will begin at 10am, with the toss taking place at 9.30am. The first ball in the afternoon matches will be bowled at 2pm, with the toss taking place at 1.30pm. 

Lahore (Sports News):The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced the match officials for the HBL PSL 11, which will be played in Lahore and Karachi from 26 March to 3 May with 44 matches slated to take place.Sir Richard Richardson, member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, is set to make his HBL PSL debut as match referee. Previously Sir Richardson has officiated four Tests and three T20Is in Pakistan between 2017 and 2024 including the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and World XI at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.Four members of ICC Elite Panel of Umpires Ahsan Raza from Pakistan, Christopher Gaffaney from New Zealand, Allahudien Palekar from South Africa and Alexander Wharf from England will be joined by Sharfuddoula Saikat and Chris Brown in a strong overseas contingent of Umpires.Palekar and Saikat will be making their HBL PSL debuts. Among others Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Nasir Hussain, Zulfiqar Jan, Abdul Muqeet, Alay Haider, Imran Jawed and Tariq Rasheed will perform umpiring duties in the tournament.Roshan Mahanama, who has been a regular match referee in the HBL PSL since 2017, will return to extend his tally of 71 HBL PSL matches as head of playing control team starting with the opening match between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen.In the first match Wharf and Ahsan will be on-field umpires, while Asif Yaqoob will perform duties as TV Umpire. Tariq Rasheed will be the fourth umpire.UmpiresAhsan Raza, Chris Gaffaney, Sharfuddoula Saikat, Allahuddien Palekar, Alex Wharf, Chris Brown, Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Nasir Hussain, Zulfiqar Jan, Abdul Muqeet, Alay Haider, Imran Jawed and Tariq RasheedMatch RefereesRoshan Mahanama, Sir Richard Richardson, Ali Naqvi, Kamran Chaudhary, Bilal Khilji, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aleem Moosa, Sohail Idrees

Islamabad (Sports News):Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has been named the ICC Player of the Month for his extra-ordinary performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 during February while India seam bowler Arundhati Reddy has won the women’s award after her fine performances in a T20I series in Australia.Sahibzada won the award ahead of many stalwarts as he broke Virat Kohli’s record runs in one edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and became the first to register two centuries in a single edition of the tournament - against Namibia and Sri Lanka.The dynamic opener amassed 383 runs in seven T20Is at an impressive average of 76.60, while maintaining a strike rate of 160.25. His performances stood out from the tournament for the monthly award as the final two Super Eight fixtures and the knockout stages took place in March and will be evaluated in the next cycle.Sahibzada Farhan: “It’s an incredible feeling to win this ICC award, especially for performances on the World Cup stage, where fans from all over the world are watching every moment. That makes it even more special.“It was truly a tournament I’ll always cherish, and I’m determined to carry this momentum forward in the series and competitions ahead. I’m deeply grateful to my teammates for their constant support and belief in me - this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”Reddy shone with her fine seam bowling Down Under, helping India win their T20I series against Australia by a 2-1 margin. Reddy was the leading wicket-taker in the series with hauls of four for 22, two for 30 and two 35 in the three matches, finishing with an average of 10.87 and an economy rate of 7.25.Arundhati Reddy: “It’s a real honour to be named ICC Player of the Month, and even more special knowing I was able to contribute to a T20I series win in Australia. Beating Australia on their home turf is never easy, which makes this award even more meaningful.“This series win has given our team a huge boost of confidence as we build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales this summer. We’ve got a well-balanced squad, and I believe we’ll be a team to watch.”Sahibzada won the men’s award ahead of Will Jacks of England and Shadley van Schalwyk of the USA while Harshitha Samarawickrama of Sri Lanka and Fatima Sana of Pakistan were the shortlisted players Reddy edged out for the women’s award.

Islamabad (Sports News): Former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite will make his HBL PSL commentary debut and former Australia women’s player Lisa Sthalekar is set to return as the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a star-studded 23-member bilingual commentary panel for the upcoming marquee evenShoaib Malik, who has featured in all the previous 10 editions of the HBL PSL as player, will be appearing as Urdu commentator in the 11th edition and he will be joined by former Pakistan captains Salman Butt and Sana Mir.Seasoned commentator Tariq Saaed, former Pakistan women’s international Marina Iqbal, Shah Faisal and Pepsi Voice of Pakistan 2022 winner Ayaz Chaudhary will form the seven-member exclusive Urdu commentary panel for the HBL PSL 11.Apart from Barbadian Brathwaite, the English commentary panel will comprise South Africa’s Jean-Paul Duminy and the melodic Michael Haysman, England’s Dominic Cork, Nick Knight and Mark Butcher, Martin Guptill from New Zealand, Greg Blewett and Lisa Sthalekar from Australia and Athar Ali Khan from Bangladesh.Among Pakistan voices in the English commentary panel, former captains Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Aamir Sohail and Urooj Mumtaz Khan will be calling out the action along with former Pakistan international Bazid Khan.Sikandar Bakht will be part of the English commentary panel as well as the four-member presenters’ lineup. Renowned sports broadcasters Neroli Meadows and Jess Crowe are set to feature in the HBL PSL for the first time and they will join Zainab Abbas as the official presenters and hosts during the tournament.Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Super League, Salman Naseer:“We are excited to announce a star-studded and insightful commentators’ panel, which comes with years of valuable experience of calling the game behind the mic. I’m sure our fans will enjoy the commentary lineup and their calls over exciting action from home as we inch closer to the beginning of the landmark 11th edition of the HBL PSL.”Commentators:Aamir Sohail, Athar Ali Khan, Bazid Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Dominic Cork, Greg Blewett, Jean-Paul Duminy, Lisa Sthalekar, Mark Butcher, Martin Guptill, Michael Haysman, Nick Knight, Ramiz Raja, Sikandar Bakht, Urooj Mumtaz Khan and Wasim Akram.Exclusively UrduAyaz Chaudhary, Marina Iqbal, Salman Butt, Sana Mir, Shah Faisal, Shoaib Malik and Tariq Saeed.PresentersJess Crowe, Neroli Meadows, Sikandar Bakht and Zainab Abbas

Islamabad (PR): Grand Master Shihan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua has become the first Pakistani-American martial artist to receive the Hall of Fame Award for the fourth time in the United States,Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua is a prominent Pakistani martial arts expert, coach, and the first Pakistani Kusion Karate Master to be inducted into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame.According to information received from the United States of America, on March 21, 2026, in Costa Mesa, California, United States, Raja Khalid received the honor of receiving the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.Remember that this is not just an award but a journey of a lifetime, reflecting the spirit of true Kusion for more than four decades.Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua, Pakistan's prominent martial arts expert, coach, and the first Pakistani Kyokushin Karate Master, while speaking on the occasion said, "From Pakistan to the global stage, I am proudly carrying the legacy of my great Rajput."He said, "This is a matter of pride for my nation, my country, Pakistan, it is truly a great honor," but I want to make it clear that "I did not achieve this alone."He said, "This honor came with the grace and blessings of Allah Almighty, the prayers of my beloved parents, teachers, who were my strength, especially the prayers of my parents, family, who were like a shield behind me."He said that from the first day of my martial arts till today, my guardian parents, family and teachers, have been my supporters and well-wishers all over the world.He added, "This award is as much yours as it is mine." This recognition, responsibility, mission is more than a legacy. He concluded that Qiqsion is not just a style, "it is a way of life", I will continue to teach until my last breath.It should be remembered that this award was received in 1980 by a teacher who is an American citizen, the award was received by Grand Master Shihyan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua for the fourth time in the America Hall of Fame

Lahore (Sports News):The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced revised schedule for 11th edition of the HBL PSL after austerity measures have been adopted in consultation with the Government of Pakistan, and in line with the officially announced national austerity and resource conservation measures. The number of host venues for HBL PSL 11 has been streamlined from six to two. All matches will now be staged in Lahore and Karachi. In the updated schedule 44 matches will be taking place in a space of 39 days with Lahore and Karachi each hosting 22 matches. The opening match between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Lahore Qalandars remains intact, while Lahore will also see Eliminator 1, 2 and the final. Qualifier will be played in Karachi.With the tournament temporarily shifting to a watch-from-home model, HBL PSL will introduce enhanced broadcast and production features aimed at delivering an even stronger viewing experience for fans across Pakistan and around the world. The league remains confident that the passion of its audience, combined with innovation in coverage, will make this edition one of the most widely watched in its history.While it is important to prioritise national stability, the crowds gracing the stadia will be sorely missed. It was estimated that with an average of 30,000 spectators and associated support staff travelling daily for over more than a month would place significant strain on energy resources. By limiting the tournament to two cities, the HBL PSL is also reducing the extensive operational arrangements including transport, and utility overheads that a six-city event demands.HBL PSL remains committed to delivering high-quality cricket while aligning with national priorities. The league will move forward with the same unity, discipline, and excellence that have made it a defining symbol of Pakistan’s sporting strength.

Rawalpindi (Abdul Jabbar Faisal):Pindiz have expressed their full support for the HBL Pakistan Super League’s decision to stage matches exclusively in Lahore and Karachi, citing the ongoing fuel crisis and the need for austerity measures across the country.While the franchise was eagerly anticipating the opportunity to play in front of its passionate home crowd in Rawalpindi, the management acknowledged that the austerity measures being taken in consideration - current situation demands collective responsibility and unity.Speaking on the matter, Pindiz team owner, Ahsan Tahir said, “Sabse Pehle Pakistan - We were looking forward to playing in front of our home fans, to give the people of Pindi a home team to support in their own stadium. However, we fully recognize that this is the need of the hour. As a franchise, we stand firmly behind the HBL PSL and its efforts to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the tournament under these circumstances.”Pindiz reaffirmed their commitment to the league and emphasized the importance of prioritizing national interest above all. The franchise remains confident that, with collective support, this edition of the HBL PSL will continue to deliver high-quality cricket and unite fans across the country.

Islamabad (Sports News): Lahore: Lahore Qalandars confirms that Australian all‑rounder Daniel Sams will join the squad as the replacement for Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka for the full season.Shanaka, who was acquired by Lahore Qalandars at the PSL auction, has pulled out ahead of the PSL due to personal reasons and confirmed his unavailability.In response, Lahore Qalandars acted swiftly to secure Sams, a proven T20 match-winner, ensuring the team remains strong and competitive ahead of the season. Known for his dynamic T20 game, Sams boasts a career batting strike rate of over 150 and has taken 262 wickets in 216 T20 matches at an average of 24.70, reflecting his skill in controlling the action with his left‑arm seam.Sameen Rana, Owner, Lahore Qalandars: “We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Sams to the Lahore Qalandars family. His all-round skills, match-winning ability, and dynamic T20 experience will add tremendous firepower to our lineup this season. He is a proven game-changer who can perform with both bat and ball, bringing energy and skill to the team on and off the field.”

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album roll-out begins with the global release of Lighter by Jelly Roll and Carín León, produced by Cirkut, via Def Jam Recordings. Lighter marks the first chapter of a groundbreaking album created for the most inclusive FIFA World Cup™ in history and is now live across all major streaming services.A collaboration between three defining artists from the tournament’s host nations – Jelly Roll (United States), Carín León (Mexico) and Cirkut (Canada), the 2026 GRAMMY® Award Winner for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical – Lighter brings together the three host countries through one collaborative sound. Blending Jelly Roll’s country roots with Carín León’s regional Mexican influence, the track bridges genres, reflecting the shared cultural energy of North America and the global passion for the game.“The FIFA World Cup is one of the rare moments when the entire world moves to the same rhythm,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album is not simply a musical accompaniment to the tournament; it’s a statement about where the global game is going. By bringing together artists whose voices resonate across continents, we are creating something that mirrors the scale, ambition and cultural impact of this historic competition. Lighter marks the beginning of that journey. It is a powerful expression of resilience, energy and joy – a song that will connect with fans everywhere and become part of the atmosphere in stadiums, fan celebrations and communities around the world throughout the tournament.”Reflecting on the track and collaboration, Jelly Roll shares: “Music has a way of reaching people in places you’d never expect, and the way this song came together with Carín León and Cirkut is proof of that. I’ve had a whole lot of respect for both of them for a long time, so getting to come together on this record has been real special. Grateful to be able to share it with folks all over the world.”“Collaborating with an artist like Jelly Roll, and doing so for nothing less than the biggest sporting event in the world, is something that fills me with pride,” adds Carín León. “As a Mexican, I’m incredibly excited to be part of this project and to bring a piece of our music and culture to so many corners of the world. Very grateful for the opportunity and happy to share what we love most: music from the soul.”On shaping the record, Cirkut notes: “Working with Jelly Roll and Carín León on the first record of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album was a real honor. We wanted to create something that carries the sound and soul of the host countries, and hits in a way that connects with fans around the world.”