Sports Bulletin ReportPESHAWAR: Sindh and secured victories and advance in next round of the ongoing A S Ali Blind Cricket Trophy National One-Day Format Tournament 2023-24 in Peshawar on Monday.Sindh beat Balochitan by 7 wickets (Hayyatabad Sports Complex): The 5th match of the A.S. Ali Blind Cricket Trophy was played between Sindh and Baloschistan at Hayyatababd Sports Complex Peshawar. Sindh won the toss and put Balochistan into bat. Balochistan showcased exceptional batting skills, posted a formidable total of 408 for 8 in stipulated 40 overs. Captain Niamatullah, laid the foundation for Balochistan's innings with a solid 60 runs off 50 balls. Haroon Khan then took charge, delivering an impressive knock of 97 runs from 74 balls, including 10 boundaries. Thereafter, Mati Ullah continued the onslaught with a blistering 63 runs off just 35 balls, showcasing incredible power hitting with a strike rate of 180. Contributions from Bashir Khan (50), Fasiullah (30), and Naseeb Ullah (25) runs, further piled-up Balochistan's score. Despite the challenging bowling efforts from Sindh, particularly by Talha Iqbal (B3) who claimed three wickets, Balochistan's batsmen demonstrated resilience and determination, consistently finding gaps and punishing loose deliveries.Sindh batting in reply proved too strong and reached the uphill target of 409 runs in just 31st over. Badar Munir emerged as the undoubted hero of the match, crafting an exceptional unbeaten innings of 231 runs off a mere 109 balls. Badar's batting masterclass was characterized by a relentless onslaught of aggressive stroke-playing, featuring 41 boundaries and 2 sixes, which left the opposition bowlers clueless. Anees Javed's fluent knock of 80 runs off 69 balls provided crucial support helped his side to win with 7 wickets to spare. Badar Munir got man of the match award.Punjab beat KPK by 58 runs (Peshawar Gymkhana Cricket Ground): KPK won the toss and decided to bowl first. Punjab batting first, set an imposing total of 420/2 in the 1st innings, setting a formidable target for KPK. Mohammad Safdar exhibited exceptional batting ability with an unbeaten knock of 159 runs off 128 balls, anchoring Punjab's innings with precision and power. Moain Aslam also played a pivotal role in Punjab's formidable total, contributing a magnificent 122 runs off 121 balls before being dismissed, laying a solid foundation for his team's commanding performance. Punjab's innings was further bolstered by a staggering 108 extras, highlighting the pressure exerted by their aggressive batting approach on the KPK Blind bowlers. Shahzaib Haider (B2) was the lone wicket-taker for his team KPK.Despite facing a daunting target of 421 runs, KPK exhibited resilience and fighting spirit throughout their innings. Mohammad Rashid led the charge with a solid 83 runs off 57 balls and Shahzaib Haider contributed with 66 runs from the top. Israr Hassan’s valiant efforts of (B2) of spirited 74 runs off 52 balls went in vain, as Punjab Blind's bowling attack, led by Asif Khan, proved to be a formidable, he yielded three crucial wickets, stemmed the flow of runs and kept the pressure mounted on the opposition. Babar Ali's economical bowling spell further boosted Punjab’s performance, as he conceded just 53 runs in his 8 overs while claiming two vital wickets. Mohammad Safdar was judged best player of the match.  

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Rafay-e-Aslam Raja has won the title of the 63rd National Amateur Golf Championship with 286 scores after playing over the 72-hole game in a 4-day national championship that concluded here at Margalla Greens Golf Club, Islamabad on Sunday.Former National Team Champions, Wing Commander Ishrat Nishat Khokhar (Retd) and Tahira Nazir, ceremoniously opened the championship by teeing off at Margalla Greens, setting the stage for an exhilarating competition. Approximately 225 players participated across three categories: Amateur Men, Amateur Ladies, and Amateur Seniors (Men), showcasing the diverse talent within Pakistan's golfing community.In the competitive arena, Parkha Ijaz emerged as the National Champion in the Ladies Category, while Rizwan Rashid clinched the title of Senior National Champion. The main trophy was fiercely contested, culminating in a thrilling tie between Rafay e Aslam Raja and Shahzeb Jahan. Ultimately, Raja secured victory after a gripping sudden death playoff that lasted until the third hole.Gracing the occasion as the chief guests were esteemed personalities Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal and Yasmeen Mubarik, who added to the prestige of the event with their presence. During the prize distribution ceremony, National Star Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal presented the National Trophy to Rafay e Aslam Raja, while Yasmeen Mubarik, Former National Lady Champion, awarded Parkha Ijaz with the Champion trophy. The distinguished presence of Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne, Former Chief of Joint Staff, Chief of Naval Staff of Sri Lanka, Major General Najam ul Hassan, Commodore Asif, President MGGC, and members of the Organizing Committee added grandeur to the event.Final Results (Amateur Men’s):Rafay-e-Aslam Raja (GCG) 286Shahzeb Jahan (RGC) 286Hussain Hamid (RPG) 289M H Chalitha Pushpika (Sri Lanka) 289Ahmad Zaffar Hayat (MGGC) 291Raja Mohammad Israr (GCG) 291Amateur Men’s Final (Gross):Atif Freed (RGC) 234Raja Rizwan Javed (MGGC) 235Ehtisham ul Haq Abbasi (MGGC) 235Mohammad Arsalan (GYM) 248

Sports Bulletin ReportPESHAWAR: Balochistan, and Sindh clinched victories on the second day of the AS Ali Blind Cricket Super League 2024 after beating Punjab and Islamabad respectively at the two different venues of Peshawar city. The first day was washed out due to rain and all teams were awarded one point each.Balochistan beat Punjab by 8 runs: (Hayatabad Sports Complex): In the morning Punjab won the toss and asked Balochistan to take guard. Balochistan posted a contending total of 377 runs on the board for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Niamat Ullah played a wonderful innings of 102 runs (off 93 balls) and Haroon Khan scored 66 runs (off 59 balls). Mohammad Asif was the pick amongst the bowlers he claimed 3 wickets while Mohsin Khan took 2 wickets. Punjab in reply made 369 runs by losing their 9 wickets in the stipulated 40 overs. Mohsin Khan was the highest scorer with 112 runs (off 94 balls) and Daniyal made 39 runs (off 41 balls). Saqib Ali bowled a fantastic bowling spell and fetched 4 wickets for Balochistan while Haroon Khan took 2 wickets. Haroon Khan was declared the best player of the match.Sindh beat Islamabad by 10 wickets (Peshawar Gymkhana Ground): Islamabad set the competitive total of 380 runs on the board for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Islamabad’s Captain Nisar Ali played a superb innings of 107 runs (off 80 balls) and Mohammad Akram chipped in with 76 runs (off 75 balls). Talha Iqbal claimed 3 wickets and Badar Munir took 1 wicket.In reply, Sindh chased down the target with ease in just 28.5 overs without any loss. Badar Munir played an extraordinary innings of 214 runs (off 110 balls). He was well supported by Talha Iqbal; he made 109 runs (off 81 balls). Badar Munir got the man of the match award.

Sport Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets in the 2nd T20 International match here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday night.Pakistan Captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to field first. New Zealand made 90 all out in 18.1 overs. Mark Chapman was the top scorer with 19 runs for New Zealand, as he hit 3 fours. Cole McConchie made 15 runs including 1 four, Dean Foxcroft got 13 runs on 14 balls with the help of 1 four and a huge six, and Tim Seifert smashed 12 runs with 1 four and 1 big six. Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved 3 wickets for 13 runs, Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan shared 2 wickets each.Pakistan achieved their target in 12.1 overs by showing excellent batting. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 45 off 34 runs, as he hit 4 fours and 1 big six. Irfan Khan could make only 18 runs off 18 balls with 1 four and 1 six, Babar Azam hit 14 runs and smashed 3 fours. Ben Lister, Ish Sodhi, and Micheal Bracewell each took 1 wicket.Summarized scorecard:New Zealand (Batting) 90 all out in 18.1 OversMark Chapman (19 runs, 16 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Cole McConchie (15 runs, 18 balls, 4x1, 6x0), Dean Foxcroft (13 runs, 14 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Tim Seifert (12 runs, 10 balls, 4x1, 6x1)Pakistan (Bowling)Shaheen Shah Afridi (3 for 13), Mohammad Amir (2 for 13), Shadab Khan (2 for 15)Pakistan (Batting) 92 for 3 runs in 12.1 OversMohammad Rizwan (45 runs not out, 34 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Irfan Khan (18 runs, 18 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Babar Azam 9 14 runs, 13 balls, 4x3, 6x0)New Zealand (Bowling)Ben Lister(1 for 10), Ish Sodhi (1 for 18), Micheal Bracewell (1 for 19)

Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: New Zealand bundled out on a meager total of 90 runs in 18.1 overs against Pakistan in the 2nd T20 match here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday night. Pakistan need just 91 runs in 20 overs.Pakistan (Playing XI): Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanNew Zealand (Playing XI): Michael Bracewell (captain), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (Wicketkeeper), Ish Sodhi

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Saddam-ul-Haq defeated Asher Butt 3-1 in the final of the All Pakistan Jehangir Khan PSA Satellite Squash Series that concluded here at Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex on Saturday.Pakistan Army's Saddamul Haque overcame his opponent Punjab's Ashar Butt 3-1 to become the champion of the tournament. The final score-line was 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, and 11-4, as the match lasted only 16 minutes.Commodore Tauqeer Ahmed Khawaja, Patron of Pakistan Navy Squash, was the chief guest and distributed the prizes among the players. Tawqir Ahmed Khawaja said on this occasion that the Pakistan Navy would continue to patronize talented players.

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Burly wicketkeeper batter, Azam Khan has been advised to undergo a 10-day rest following radiology reports confirming a Grade One tear of his right calf muscle. Consequently, Azam will be unable to participate in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, which culminates in Lahore on April 27.According to media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Azam will now depart from the Pakistan men’s cricket team and report to the National Cricket Academy, where he will commence his rehabilitation process under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.It is pertinent to mention here that the discomfort in Azam's right calf was first noticed during batting practice in the pre-first T20I training session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. 

Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has won the toss and decided to field first in the 2nd T20 match against New Zealand here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday night.Pakistan (Playing XI): Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanNew Zealand (Playing XI):Michael Bracewell (captain), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (Wicketkeeper), Ish Sodhi

Multan beat Rawalpindi; Quetta beat Peshawar and Lahore beat Karachi in Super OverSports Bulletin ReportFAISALABAD: Gull Feroza’s century helped Multan beat Rawalpindi by 141 runs in the second round match of the National Women’s One-Day Tournament at the Bohranwali Cricket Ground in Faisalabad on Friday. Opening batter Feroza, scored 142 off 140 balls, which included 19 boundaries to help her side post 240 for seven in 50 overs. Rawalpindi’s captain Humna Bilal was the pick of the bowler with three for 25 runs.In reply, Noor-ul-Iman (three for 23) and Tasmia Rubab (two for 19) shared five wickets between them and dismissed Rawalpindi for 99 in 25.5 overs.At the Iqbal Stadium, Quetta’s Rameen Shamim’s successive all-round performance led her side to a 16-run over Peshawar. Batting first, Quetta were dismissed for 175 in 49 overs, with Arijah Haseeb (46, 59b, 6x4s) and Rameen (27, 45b, 4x4s) contributing runs. Aleena Shah, Mahnoor Aftab and Momina Riyasat bagged two wickets each. In turn, Peshawar were bowled out for 159 in 47 overs. Off-spinner Rameen bagged four wickets for the winning team.At Jawad Sports Complex Ground, Lahore scored 138 for four in 43 overs, with Iram Javed scoring an unbeaten 49. The play was stopped due to rain and when play resumed, Karachi were given a revised target of 167 to win in 43 overs. Karachi, in turn, were bowled out for 166 in 43 overs. Esha Rahupoto (35) and Yusra Amir (34) were contributors with the bat. Quratulain and Noreen bagged three wickets each for Lahore.In Super Over, Lahore achieved the two-run target in four balls without losing any wicket.Scores in brief:Multan beat Rawalpindi by 141 runs at Bohranwali Cricket GroundMultan 240-7, 50 overs (Gull Feroza 142, Rabia Rafi 35; Humna Bilal 3-25)Rawalpindi 99 all out, 25.5 overs (Aima Saleem 20; Noor-ul-Iman 3-23, Tasmia Rubab 2-19)Player of the match – Gull Feroza (Multan)Quetta beat Peshawar by 16 runs at Iqbal StadiumQuetta 175 all out, 49 overs (Arijah Haseeb 46, Rameen Shamim 27; Momina Riyasat 2-12, Aleena Shah 2-27, Mahnoor Aftab 2-37)Peshawar 159 all out, 47 overs (Tayyaba Imad 44, Ayesha Zafar 22; Rameen Shamim 4-19, Kniza Wahab 2-27)Player of the match – Rameen Shamim (Quetta)Match Tied – Lahore beat Karachi in the Super Over at Jawad Sports ComplexLahore 138-4, 43 overs (Iram Javed 49 not out, Dua Majid 30, Noreen Yaqoob 29; Anosha Nasir 3-7)Karachi 166 all out, 43 overs (Esha Rahupoto 35, Yusra Amir 34; Noreen Yaqoob 3-30, Quratulain 3-41)Player of the match – Iram Javed (Lahore).

Sports DeskISLAMABAD: Slovenia took high-flying Lithuania back to earth to move to the top of the standings at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship Division I Group B in Tallinn, Estonia. France blanked Italy and Estonia edged Korea.Going into the final day of action, any kind of Slovenian victory against France in the first game on Saturday guarantees a top finish and promotion. Third-placed Estonia plays Lithuania in second, while Italy will battle it out with Korea in the relegation decider.Djian Robinson opened and closed the scoring for France and netminder Kirill Dorofeev enjoyed a memorable World Championship debut stopping all 26 shots. Skating at the top level in 2018, France then became a mainstay in Division 1A before suffering relegation last year. Following a disappointing start with two defeats in three games in Tallinn, they went ahead versus Italy after just 23 seconds.Mathis Dufour flew down the left boards to set up Robinson scoring after two attempts in the slot past Italy´s Filippo Matonti in his first start of the tournament. France tallied a second with just over five minutes left of the period when Matteo Bertrand converted his first of the tournament on a wraparound. The most recent meeting between this pair goes back to 2014 when France prevailed 5-3. A decade later in Tallinn, France stamped its authority in the middle frame and raced into a three-goal lead. Nathan Riu first won a draw at the right face off circle to Paulin Hostein who whipped a wrister into the top corner on Matonti´s catcher side at 26:14. Winning the shots 17-6 in the middle frame, France´s Tom Vidal was sitting out a tripping minor when Nathan Riu scored France´s fourth goal being one man short. France piled on the misery for Italy adding another couple of goals in the third frame. On a rush 15-year-old Alexandre Monarque opted to go for glory himself to bury his shot low past Matonti. Robinson closed the scoring with his second of the afternoon when tipping home a Dufour pass from the slot for 6-0.Slovenia beat Lithuania (5-2): Newcomers Lithuania stepped out on the ice knowing that a regulation win on day four would mean back-to-back gold medals. But the Slovenians had other plans. In a spirited first period, Slovenia drew first blood when Erazem Por scored for Slovenia on a feed by Gaber Zupan Skrlj just ahead of the three-minute mark. Lithuania, backed by a vocal contingent of fans throughout the tournament had even more reasons to cheer when Titas Krakauskas potted his first of the tournament to level the score at 6:43. Silver medalists last year, Slovenia got back in front courtesy of the tournament´s top scorer, 16-year-old debutant Aljaz Hrobat Plemelj finishing an audacious move for 2-1 at 11:28.The most recent match-up between these two at the U18 Worlds dates back to April 2015 when Slovenia pulverized Lithuania 10-1 on home ice in Maribor. Nine years on, Slovenia imposed their authority in the middle frame with Azbe Glavic scoring 3-1. In their previous game, Lithuania valiantly rallied back from a two-goal deficit to victory against Korea. Versus Slovenia, there was no way back for the Balts as Nik Christian Petrovic ended a flying move by converting 4-1 at 29:20. Allowing only four goals in three games ahead of his one, the Lithuanians shipped their fifth against Slovenia when Gal Sodja Zalokar slotted home 5-1. Lithuania tallied a consolation empty netter 38 seconds before the end from Simas Ignatavicius.Lithuania now pins their hopes for gold on a French win versus Slovenia and then winning their final game against Estonia.Estonia beat Korea (4-2): Korea opened the scoring after 8:39 when a Junsu Kwak pass from the left face off circle carved the Estonian defence wide open with Ryul Kwon scoring at the far post. But as the period progressed Estonia soon was rewarded two-fold. At 13:42 and on the powerplay Artjom Abeljanov snapped a wrister from the top of the left face off circle past netminder Taeyi Koh who got his second start for Korea.Estonia then went ahead with 3:36 left of the first period. Pinning Korea in their zone, Timofejev had first forced two saves from Koh before Burkov got the 2-1 goal over the line. Two years have passed since Tondiraba Ice Hall last staged the U18 Worlds. Back then Korea finished first with Estonia second as both teams celebrated promotion to Division IB.This time around, Estonia finished on top. Two minutes into the second period and with Estonia on the powerplay, Burkov did all the hard work before serving Timofejev at the back post for 3-1. Just over four minutes later and once again working on a one-man advantage, Timofejev boomed home his second of the night to stretch the lead to 4-1.With Estonia seemingly taking the foot off the gas, Mookyung Kang scored Korea´s second goal and his fourth goal of the tournament at 48:31. Junseo Lee cut Estonia´s lead to one on the powerplay with 4:12 left of the third period.