Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Over 300 golfers from all over the Pakistan will be in action during the 4-day 19th Naval Staff Amateur Golf Championship 2026 in the different categories, which will tee off at Margalla Greens Golf Club (MGGC), Islamabad on Thursday (October 22).During the media briefing, Rear Admiral Ahmed Hussain, Patron Pakistan Navy Golf (North), highlighted the salient features of the championship and outlined details regarding its format and participation across various categories.The tournament will be held from 22 to 25 October 2026, featuring competitions in Men Amateurs (54 holes), Ladies Amateur (36 holes) Seniors match (36 holes) and Juniors match (18 holes), along with an invitational match for guests and sponsors.Since its inception in 2007, the Chief of the Naval Staff Amateur Golf Cup has evolved into a prominent fixture on Pakistan’s golfing circuit. Beyond fostering competitive excellence, the event underscores Pakistan Navy’s enduring commitment to promoting sportsmanship, projecting a positive image of the country and encouraging healthy recreational activities within society.The opening ceremony was attended by sponsors, golf players and media representatives.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Hosts players posted a massive victory in their opening fixture of the Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Asia/Oceania Group III (B) 2026, after thrashing Bahrain 3–0 at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Wednesday.The victory marks a historic milestone for Pakistan as the country hosts the prestigious international women’s team tennis competition for the first time, with the national team securing its first victory in the Billie Jean King Cup on home soil.Pakistan’s top players, Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi, delivered commanding performances in the singles matches before joining forces to complete a convincing 3–0 victory in the doubles.Results (Day 1):Pakistan defeated Bahrain 3–0Singles: Ushna Suhail defeated Hajar Zaidan 6–0, 6–0.Singles: Mahin Aftab Qureshi defeated Gharam Alkhayat 6–0, 6–0.Doubles: Ushna Suhail / Mahin Aftab Qureshi defeated Eman Alzaimoor / Hajar Zaidan 6–1, 6–0.Maldives defeated Bhutan 3–0Singles: Keyara Usama Ali defeated Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo 6–1, 6–0.Singles: Aishath Karin Saizan defeated Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden 6–0, 6–1.Doubles: Keyara Usama Ali / Aishath Karin Saizan defeated Tandin Dorji / Kinley Yangden 6–1, 6–0.Iran defeated Kuwait 3–0Singles: Hana Soltani defeated Huda Aldabbous 6–2, 6–0.Singles: Kimia Sagheb Tehrani defeated Sumou Aldabbous 6–0, 6–0.Doubles: Meshkatolzahra Safi / Yasaman Yazdani defeated Huda Aldabbous / Sumou Aldabbous 6–0, 6–2.Jordan defeated Qatar 2–1Singles: Ana Abualhaj defeated Dana Khalifa 5–7, 6–4, 6–0.Singles: Noor Sayej defeated Mubaraka Al Naimi 7–5, 6–0.Double: Hinda Al Mudahka / Khadija Gassama bt Ana Abualhaj / Noor Sayej 6-3,6-4

Sukkur (Sports Reporter): Samha Naveed, Roshanay Ihsan, Humna Irshad, and Shukria moved into the semifinals of the U19 Girls’ fixture of the National Junior Badminton Championships after beating their respective opponents here on Tuesday.Results (October 20, 2026):Boys’ Singles (U-15 Quarterfinals):Mohammad Rehan (ISL) beat Mohammad Sudais (KP) by 15-4, 15-12Danyal Khan (PB) beat Faris Shahzad (PB) by 15-9, 15-9Ghayoor Ahmad (KP) beat Mohammad Ahmad Usman (Sindh) by 15-9, 15-7Mohammad Hasnain (KP) beat Fahad Hussaini (PB) by 15-13, 15-9Girls’ Singles (U-15 Quarterfinals):Ayesha Malik (PB) beat Leena Sajid (Sindh) by15-1, 15-8Rameen Adnan (Sindh) beat Zain Ul Zahra (PB) by 15-10, 15-13Mirha Farhan (Sindh) beat Dua Afaq (PB) by 15-11, 15-9Zulekha Fida (ISL) beat Mahnoor Adnan (Sindh) by 15-4, 15-4Boys’ Singles (U-17 Quarterfinals):Abdul Haseeb (Wapda) beat Mohammad Reyan Khan (KP) by 15-12, 16-14Haroon Ahmad (PB) beat Raza (Balo) by 15-12, 15-13Hassan Rashid (PB) beat Majid (PB) by 15-6, 15-6Hassam (Balo) beat M Shahzain Malik (ISL) by 15-11, 15-9Girls’ Singles (U-17 Quarterfinals):Sarwat Fatima (Army) beat Abeera (KP) by 15-6, 15-6Sameen Faisal (PB) beat Mina (Balo) by 15-5, 15-4Zahra Qasim (Sindh) beat Fatima Zaheer (PB) by 15-3, 15-9Romesa Faisal (PB) beat Jia Abid (KP) by 15-6, 12-15, 15-11Men's Singles (U-19 Quarterfinals):Mohammad Umer (SNGPL) beat Mohammad Haseeb (PB) by 15-7, 15-12Mohammad Suleman (PB) beat Khuzaima Shahzad (Wapda) by 15-8, 15-9Najam Ul Saqib (SNGPL) beat Abdullah Naveed (PB) by 11-15, 15-6, 15-5Ibad Khan (Wapda) beat Hussain Shahzad (PB) by 15-12, 15-11Women's Singles (U-19 Quarterfinals):Samha Naveed (PB) beat Alisha Bari (Sindh) by 15-4, 15-1Roshanay Ihsan (PB) beat Muntaha Amir (PB) by 15-2, 15-10Humna Irshad (PB) beat Sania Sohail (PB) by 15-18, 15-6Shukria (Balo) beat Tasmia Uresh (PB) by 15-11, 8-15, 15-8

Rawalpindi (Sports Reporter): Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in the second fixture of the Tri-National One Day International Series, as Arafat Minhas put in one of the great allrounder performances to propel Pakistan to back-to-back wins in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.Minhas struck 59 off 58 balls in Pakistan's innings of 302 for 9, dovetailing well with top-scorer Hasan Nawaz, before having a hand in seven of England's dismissals as they were rolled for 215 with 11.2 overs to spare.Fresh from a maiden international fifty, the left-arm spinner took a career-best 6 for 40 - becoming only the third Pakistani to hit a half-century and take a five-for in ODIs - and then had the glory of a run out to remove a sprawling Gus Atkinson as the final act of an undulating encounter. The kind that will rein in developing optimism from England captain Harry Brook and head coach Brendon McCullum after an encouraging run of six wins from nine leading into this fixture. Brook had earlier opted to bowl first, believing dew would tilt the match England's way in the second half.Minhas had other ideas. A fifth-wicket stand of 78 between him and Nawaz breathed life into a stuttering Pakistan innings. The former then cracked on in a stand of 72 off 49 with Faheem Ashraf. But there was no doubt they benefited from an untidy England, who failed to put the foot down when they had their opponents 81 for 4 in the 19th over.Nawaz was dropped by Atkinson on 28, an easy tumbling catch to at backward square leg after a tame lap off Will Jacks' bowling. Minhas, meanwhile, was missed three times, the costliest coming on 12. Sam Curran - returning to the fold after a groin injury - found a low edge that wicketkeeper Jordan Cox was unable to snare, one-handed, diving to his left. Minhas was eventually seen off by Sonny Baker, who finished with his best figures of 3 for 65.Atkinson's face in the dirt for the crowning moment at his expense felt a world away from the very first delivery of the match, when Fakhar Zaman clipped his opening delivery to Joe Root at midwicket. Pakistan were soon 31 for 2 when Saim Ayub was done over by the short ball by Baker, pouched at backward square leg by Curran.Babar Azam struggled against Jacks, seemingly unable to negotiate what modest turn there was for the offspinner. Beaten multiple times on the outside edge, he was able to use pace at the other end to tick over to 34 before an attempt to work off the back foot left a gap between bat and pad that the ball skidded through into off stump. It was no less than Jacks deserved as he stifled the scoring despite having only two men outside the inner circle when he was brought on as first change after six overs.It was only when Adil Rashid was brought into the attack, after missing the home Sri Lanka series with a hand injury, that Pakistan's batters decided to use their feet. In this instance, Salman Agha greeted the legspinner's first delivery with a swift jaunt down the track to launch over cover.Salman could not crack on as he did two days ago, his 107 against Sri Lanka was followed by a tame 16, sweeping a low full toss out to Atkinson at a wide fine leg. That brought Nawaz to the crease, immediately improving the score with a first-ball six off Rashid, back down the ground. He ended up being responsible for four of Pakistan's five sixes, in a 74-ball stay as smart as it was enterprising.A 52-run stand with Said Baig added a much-needed pillar of stability. And though the 19-year-old Baig became the second top-four batter bounced out - this time by Atkinson - Nawaz was in his groove. A late cut midway through the 32nd over for a seventh boundary took him to 50 off 46 deliveries.After an 87mph yorker from Jamie Overton struck the base of Nawaz's stumps, Ashraf picked up the mantle, striking back-to-back boundaries off Jacks and Rashid. Despite showing his hand by attacking spin down the ground, Brook opted to bring Root on for the 46th over, which was duly taken for 12, including a slap over wide long-on by the left-handed allrounder.Before Minhas moved to fifty from 53 deliveries with a gorgeous cover drive off Baker, he was the subject of consecutive reprieves, both off Curran. A top edge on 42 was taken by a backpedaling Cox, only for the ball to bounce out of his one-handed grasp. The next delivery, on 44, saw a botched relay catch on the long-on boundary when Tom Banton under-armed over the head of Ben Duckett.Two more fours through and over the extra cover would be his lot, as Baker dragged his length back, went straighter and forced an uppish shot that nestled into the hands of Brook at mid-off. Curran, at the fourth attempt, was finally able to register a wicket when Ashraf found deep midwicket before Baker had Naseem Shah caught at long-on for his third. Haris Rauf, though, muscled the last ball of the innings through midwicket to breach 300.That looked under par after Banton and Duckett overcame new-ball difficulties to combine for 91 inside 15 overs. Banton was able to put an array of plays-and-misses against Shaheen behind him to smash 18 off Naseem's fourth over - including sixes over fine leg and midwicket - to bring up the team fifty at the end of the eighth. When Duckett was bounced out by Rauf, England had the foundation to crack on. Unfortunately, the opener was the first of the top five to fall for 86 runs.Banton was next to go for 57, slapping a short delivery from Minhas to midwicket when he should have found an eighth boundary. There was no such charity for the left-arm spinner with the removal of Brook: pitching on middle and turning sharply to avoid Brook's back-foot defence and clip off stump. With Minhas and Ayub in tandem, scoring shuddered to halt, with Curran's drag into the stands at midwicket off the latter, at the end of the 26th over, the first boundary in 48 balls.With the required rate still manageable, Root and Curran were happy to tick over. But the loss of both - Root bowled by Naseem, Curran a second for Rauf, caught at deep square by sub fielder Ghazi Ghori - presented the lower order with a tricky task of 127 from the remaining 111 deliveries.But for a couple of sixes shared between Jacks and Cox, they were never really in for it. A further two wickets in six balls - Cox lbw with one that drifted and slid on, Overton holing out to long-on - had Minhas to the fore again. And it was he who hammered the final nails in the coffin.Jacks cuffed a short length ball straight to Afridi at midwicket for his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, before Adil Rashid was lbw first ball. Though he was unable to bag a hat-trick, a direct hit after a mix-up between Baker and Atkinson - recovering from his own fumble off a the throw from deep midwicket - capped a truly outstanding performance from a precocious allrounder who is here to stay.

Faisalabad (Sports Reporter):Ayesha Rehman’s four-wicket haul helped Stars beat Challengers by 69 runs in the 13th fixture of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2026-27 at the Jawad Club Cricket Ground in Faisalabad on Monday. In the 14th fixture, Strikers beat Invincibles by six wickets at the Bohranwali Ground.At the Jawad Club Cricket Ground, Stars scored 139 for six in their 20 overs, with Tuba Hassan and right-handed opening batter Sadaf Shamas contributing 34 runs each. Tuba’s unbeaten innings included two fours and as many sixes.In turn, Challengers were bowled out for 70 in 14.3 overs, with right-arm fast bowler Ayesha taking four wickets for eight runs.In the second match of the day, Invincibles managed 97 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Eyman Fatima top-scored with 34 off 31 balls.For Strikers, right-arm off-spinner Neelam Mushtaq was the most economical bowler, taking two wickets for 10 runs, while Rameen Shamim and Fatima Sana also grabbed two wickets each.In response, Strikers achieved the 98-run target in 15.4 overs, losing four wickets in the process. Natalia Parvaiz top-scored for the winning side with 24 runs.Match 13 – Stars beat Challengers by 69 runs at Jawad Club Cricket Ground, FaisalabadStars 139-6, 20 overs (Tuba Hassan 34 not out, Sadaf Shamas 34; Quratulain 2-20)Challengers 70 all out, 14.3 overs (Ayesha Zafar 35; Ayesha Rehman 4-8, Momina Riasat 2-20)Player of the match – Ayesha Rehman (Stars)Match 14 – Strikers beat Invincibles by six wickets at Bohranwali Ground, FaisalabadInvincibles 97-9, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 34; Neelam Mushtaq 2-10, Rameen Shamim 2-12, Fatima Sana 2-23)Strikers 98-4, 15.4 overs (Natalia Parvaiz 24, Eman Naseer 21; Shahar Bano 2-25)Player of the match – Neelam Mushtaq (Strikers)

Rawalpindi (Sports Reporter): Pakistan got off the mark in the One-Day International tri series with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening match after they successfully defended their 305-run total here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. After Salman Ali Agha’s superb 107 off 90 balls took Pakistan to a healthy total, the pace attack – led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi – eked out all 10 Sri Lankan wickets despite a match-threatening 119-run stand for the fifth wicket between Janith Liyanage and Pavan Rathnayake. Pakistan will now face England on Tuesday, while Sri Lanka will also be up against the same opposition on 22 October before the action moves to Lahore. On Sunday, Kusal Mendis won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pacer Dilshan Madushanka removed Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub within the first 5.5 overs before debutant Saad Baig and Babar Azam built a 74-run stand to put the innings on course. During the course of his 57-ball 45-run (6x4s) knock, Babar Azam also reached the 16,000-run mark in international cricket, becoming just the fifth batter besides Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Javed Miandad to reach this milestone. Saad, who became the 262nd men’s player to represent Pakistan in ODIs, looked fluent in his 40-ball stay at the crease which yielded 39 runs with the help of three fours and two sixes. Saad and Babar both fell to Eshan Malinga in 20th and 22nd overs as Sri Lanka struck back. It was at this juncture that centurion and player of the match Salman joined forces with Hasan Nawaz to put on 97 runs for the fifth wicket off just 94 balls. Hasan fell after scoring 37 off 49 balls and hit two fours as many sixes. Salman reached his century in the 45th over with a boundary off 82 balls before falling to Asitha Fernando as Sri Lanka struck back in the last five overs, giving away just 26 runs for fours wickets. Eshan picked up four for 46, Asitha Fernando had three and Madushanka removed two batters. In reply, Pakistan pacers hit the ground running as Naseem Shah provided the first breakthrough removing Avishka Fernando for five, Faheem Ashraf got rid of Kusal Mendis for 18, meanwhile Kamindu Mendis (44, 50b, 4x4s) and Sahan Arachchige fell to Shaheen as Sri Lanka slipped to 91-4 in 19.3 overs. Rathnayake (79, 74b, 6x4s, 2x6s) and Liyanage (60, 74b, 5x4s) then put on a strong show with a century partnership and threatened to take the game away from Pakistan. Sri Lanka required 96 off the last 13 overs when Pakistan finally struck with Faheem removing Rathnayake. From this moment onwards, Pakistan ran riot taking five for 15 as Sri Lanka’s chase was derailed with the visitors getting bowled out for 268 with 11 balls to spare. Shaheen returned figures of three for 55, while Naseem, Haris and Faheem all took two wickets each. Scores in brief Match 1 – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pakistan 305 all out, 49.5 overs (Salman Ali Agha 107, Babar Azam 45, Saad Baig 39, Hasan Nawaz 37; Eshan Malinga 4-46, Asitha Fernando 3-59, Dilshan Madushanka 2-67) Sri Lanka 268 all out, 48.1 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 79, Janith Liyanage 60, 44, Dasun Shanaka 28; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-55, Naseem Shah 2-43, Haris Rauf 2-48, Faheem Ashraf 2-49) Player of the match – Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan) 

Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: The opening match of the Tri-Nation One Day International Series started here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, as Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field first against hosts Pakistan. 

Rawalpindi (Sports Reporter): Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will turn pink on Sunday, 25 October when Pakistan take on England in the fourth ODI of the tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) observes Breast Cancer Awareness Day as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.The initiative, being organised as part of Pinktober, the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aims to highlight the importance of early detection, regular screening and timely treatment while encouraging greater awareness of the disease across the country.As part of the campaign, Pakistan Men’s cricket team will wear specially designed pink kits during the ODI to demonstrate solidarity with breast cancer patients and survivors. England cricket team, match officials and commentators will also be invited to wear pink ribbons in support of the cause.The stumps used for the fixture will be branded pink, while breast cancer awareness messages and campaign visuals will be displayed on the stadium’s big screen and LED perimeter boards throughout the match. Commentators will also share awareness messages during the live broadcast to reach audiences across Pakistan and beyond.The PCB will also undertake a series of digital and promotional activities in the lead-up to the match. Pakistan players will feature in special video messages to encourage greater awareness about breast cancer, while the PCB’s official social media platforms will amplify the campaign through dedicated content and messaging.Special Pink Ribbon activities at Gaddafi Stadium will commence two hours before the start of the match, providing an opportunity to engage spectators and reinforce the importance of awareness, early diagnosis and support for those affected by the disease.To further promote the initiative, the PCB is also introducing limited-edition pink-themed merchandise, including travel polo shirts and fan shirts, through its official retail store and online platforms, allowing cricket fans to demonstrate their support for the campaign.The limited-edition shirts will be available on PCB Merchandise Shop at Gaddafi Stadium from Monday, 19 October while it will be available online from https://shop.pcb.com.pk/PCB COO Sumair Ahmad Syed: “The Pakistan Cricket Board recognises the responsibility that comes with the immense following and influence of cricket in our country. Through this Pink Ribbon initiative, we want to use the platform of international cricket to raise awareness about breast cancer and highlight the importance of early detection and timely medical attention. This initiative reflects the PCB’s continued commitment to fulfilling its corporate social responsibility and using cricket as a force for positive change. We are grateful to the players, officials, broadcasters and all those supporting this important cause.”PCB Director Commercial Ali Adnan Zaidi: “Cricket provides a powerful platform to connect with millions of people and through this initiative, we aim to translate that reach into meaningful awareness and engagement around breast cancer. We want our fans to be active participants in this campaign and help take the message of early detection and screening to their families and communities.”The PCB has organised the Pink Day in partnership with Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Trust Hospital in Lahore. In this regard, there will be free of cost screening for fans from 24 and 26 October at the hospital.Founder & Honorary CEO, Pink Ribbon Pakistan Omer Aftab: “Cricket has the power to unite Pakistan and this partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board gives us an extraordinary platform to turn that unity into action for women’s health. Through PINKtober, we aim to take breast cancer awareness to millions, encourage early detection and mobilise support for Pakistan’s first dedicated Breast Cancer Trust Hospital. Together, we can ensure that awareness leads to access to care and that no woman is denied a chance to survive because she cannot afford treatment.”

Islamabad (Sports Reporter): A 3-day 7th Azadi Air Badminton Tournament will kick off on October 23, 2026 at Barefoot Air Badminton Training School and Club, Islamabad.The tournament will bring together club members for a celebration of badminton, sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy competition. The event aims to promote sports and physical activity while providing players with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and compete in a supportive sporting environment.The tournament will be held at the Barefoot Air Badminton Training School and Club, 218 Service Road North (VR-30), F-10/3, Islamabad.Members of the public will welcome to attend and watch the matches. The members of club will be eligible to take part in the competitions.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has given final touches to all arrangements to stage the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III at the PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue here, as the foreign teams started to arrive in the capital city of the country.According to an official of PTF, the arrival of participating teams has commenced for the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III, scheduled to be held from 21 to 24 October 2026. This prestigious international women’s team tennis competition is being hosted in Pakistan for the first time in the tennis history of Pakistan.The team of Maldives arrived on Friday in Islamabad, the fixture will bring together women tennis players from across the region to compete at the international level. Besides, hosts Pakistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Maldives, and Qatar will participate in an international tennis showpiece.Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President -PTF, and Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, Secretary General PTF, along with the PTF management, welcomed the participating delegations and expressed their pleasure at hosting the championship in Pakistan.Speaking on the occasion, the PTF officials highlighted that hosting this prestigious international competition reflects Pakistan’s continued commitment to the development of tennis, particularly women’s tennis, while strengthening international sporting relations and providing Pakistani players with valuable opportunities to compete against international opponents on home soil.The Pakistan Tennis Federation is making comprehensive arrangements to welcome all participating teams, officials and delegates and to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the championship at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad. The hosting of the Billie Jean King Cup marks an important milestone for Pakistan tennis and demonstrates the country’s growing capacity to stage international tennis events.