Lausanne, Switzerland (PR): International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the expansion of the number of teams participating in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 from the current eight to ten teams from the next edition onwards. In total, this move means that eight additional teams will participate across these events each year.Furthermore, the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, introduced last year, will become an annual event from 2027 onwards. This will provide more consistent exposure for teams of this level and simplify the qualification structure by aligning Nations Cup 2 with the Nations Cup and the FIH Hockey Pro League.FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressed his great satisfaction following today’s announcement: “These decisions, taken upon my initiative, are in continuation with our Empowerment and Engagement strategy. They are crucial in fostering equal opportunities for athletes and nations to participate, develop, and grow.I am particularly pleased for all the second- and third-tier teams that previously lacked sufficient opportunities to test themselves in high-level tournaments before the introduction of both events.The Nations Cup will be held in the next couple of days for the fourth time and has already established itself as a major event on hockey’s global calendar for both athletes and fans.The inaugural editions of the Nations Cup 2 last year were a tremendous success, and there has been a strong demand from the participating teams to hold this event annually ever since.”The expansion of teams also means that no team will be relegated from this year’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup starting tomorrow in Cape Town, South Africa (Men’s) and on 15 June in Auckland, New Zealand (Women’s).

Islamabad (PR): Yawar Hussain, a BS-20 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), has formally assumed charge as Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), following his transfer and posting by the Establishment Division, Government of Pakistan.Yawar Hussain has been posted to the PSB under the Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Division on a deputation basis with immediate effect. Prior to his appointment, he was serving under the Government of Punjab and brings with him extensive administrative experience and a strong background in public service.Upon assuming office, Yawar Hussain expressed his commitment to promote sports development across the country and strengthen institutional support for athletes, coaches and sports federations. He emphasized the importance of grassroots sports development, talent identification, capacity building and the provision of modern facilities to help Pakistani athletes excel at regional and international levels.He also reaffirmed the PSB's dedication to work closely with national sports federations, provincial governments, educational institutions and other stakeholders to create greater opportunities for young athletes and foster a vibrant sporting culture in the country.

Lahore (Sports News)::Pakistan women’s team will tour Sri Lanka for a six-match white-ball series scheduled to take place in Hambantota later next month. All six matches of the series will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.The three ODIs, scheduled to take place on 23, 25 and 28 July are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29. Pakistan are currently occupying second place in the Women’s Championship standings, having won four of their six matches so far and earned eight points. New Zealand currently lead the Championship table with 13 points, having played three more matches than Pakistan.On the tour, Pakistan will also feature in three T20Is, which will be staged on 31 July, 2 August and 4 August. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka women’s teams are currently in the UK to take part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins on 12 June.Head-to-head, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 21 T20Is. Pakistan have won 11 matches, while Sri Lanka have emerged victorious on nine occasions, with one match ending in no result. Similarly, in the ODI format, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played 34 matches against each other. Pakistan have won 11 matches and lost 22, while one match ended in no result.Tour schedule (All matches at MRICS, Hambantota):23 July – First ODI25 July – Second ODI28 July – Third ODI31 July – First T20I2 August – Second T20I4 August – Third T20I

Lahore (Sports News):Sahibzada Farhan will lead the Pakistan Men’s Team in the Asian Games 2026, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan from 19 September to 4 October. The 10-team Men’s T20I event will be played at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.The men’s cricket event will commence on 24 September, while the medal matches will be played on 3 October.30-year-old Farhan has featured in 46 T20Is for Pakistan, scoring 1,305 runs, including two centuries and 10 half-centuries. Abdul Samad, who has played five T20Is for Pakistan has been named vice-captain of the side.Among the 15-member squad, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood are the four players yet to represent Pakistan in the T20I format.Additionally, 14 of the 15 players selected for the Asian Games squad are part of the NCA White-Ball Camp, which is set to commence in Lahore from Monday, 15 June.15-member squad:  Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan (wicket-keeper)Support staff:Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Mohammad Tahir (physiotherapist), Imran Ullah (trainer), Usman Hashmi (analyst-cum-team operations coordinator).

Islamabad (PR): In a significant step toward advancing education youth empowerment and sports development in Pakistan Lahore Qalandars (LQ) and DNK Education Services LLP (DNK) have entered into a long-term strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a nationwide network of modern educational and sports institutions.The agreement creates a joint venture under the co-branded initiative “Qalandars-DNK Sports Education Arena," combining Lahore Qalandars’ internationally recognized sports platform with DNK Education Services LLP’s expertise in academic management educational innovation and institutional development.Under the partnership both organizations will jointly establish and operate schools colleges technical institutes digital learning platforms and vocational training centers across Pakistan. The initiative will integrate education sports leadership technology and skills development into a unified system designed to prepare students for future national and international opportunities.DNK Education Services LLP will oversee academic operations including curriculum development accreditation faculty management admissions examinations digital learning infrastructure and institutional administration. Lahore Qalandars will open and contribute its extensive sports ecosystem including professional athletes coaches sports ambassadors training programs tournaments and youth mentorship opportunities.For years Lahore Qalandars has invested in discovering and developing young talent helping individuals from diverse backgrounds realize their potential build sustainable careers and stand tall in society. Through its three High Performance Centres in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, the franchise has created pathways for aspiring athletes to pursue professional opportunities and improve their livelihoods through sports.The joint venture aims to bridge the gap between education sports technology and employability by providing students with leadership skills discipline innovation and career-ready competencies. Industry experts view the collaboration as a pioneering model that can drive social impact economic growth and youth development across Pakistan.The partnership reflects a shared vision of building a progressive empowered and future-ready generation while creating meaningful opportunities for young Pakistanis to excel in education sports and professional life.

Lahore (PCB Report): Abbottabad rode on impressive showing of their bowling attack and unbeaten half-century from opening batter Shahzaib Khan to beat Karachi Whites by nine wickets in the final of the ABS Developers National T20 Cup 2025-26 here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday night. Shadab Khan-led Abbottabad chased the 119-run target with 37 balls to spare as Shahzaib (54 not out, 41b, 3x4s, 4x6s) and Kamran Ghulam (45 not out, 26b, 3x4s, 3x6s) put on an unbeaten 58-run stand. Shahzaib had earlier given his team a blistering start putting on 62 runs for the opening wicket with Afaq Khan (13, 17b, 1x4). Kamran finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 246 runs to his name in six games, while Shahzaib finished third on the ladder with 209 runs in as many matches. Rizwanullah was the lone wicket-taker for Karachi Whites as he got Afaq caught behind in the eighth over. Earlier, Abbottabad pacers unleashed havoc on the Karachi Whites batters as they reduced them to 83-7 in 12.3 overs with Arshad Iqbal spearheading the attack. Arshad removed opener Abdullah Fazal to draw first blood and induced a double strike in 11th over dismissing Shan Masood and Khawaja Mohammad Nafay. Karachi Whites’ skipper Saud Shakeel couldn’t convert his start as he fell for an 18-ball 17 comprising of two fours becoming Shahab Khan’s first of the two scalps in the game. Mohammad Wasim Jnr struck to remove Karachi’s no.3 Haroon Arshad, curtailing his innings to 13 off 10 with the help of three fours. Razaullah sent back Saifullah Bangash in seventh over with Karachi Whites reeling at 49-4. It was at this moment when Shan (16, 12b, 2x4s) tried rebuilding the innings with a 27-run stand with Khawaja Nafay but Arshad got rid of both. With Karachi Whites languishing at 83-7 in 12.3 overs, no.9 batter Saqib Khan top-scored for his team with a run-a-ball 22 hitting two fours. Abrar Ahmed also hit a six in his six-ball seven as Whites posted 118 all out in 18.3 overs. Arshad returned figures of 4-0-28-3, while skipper Shadab, Shahab Khan and Razaullah picked up two wickets each. Shahab finished with 15 scalps in the tournament, just one behind Sialkot’s Usama Mir. Soccer Card: Karachi Whites 118 all out, 18.3 overs (Saqib Khan 22, Saud Shakeel 17; Arshad Iqbal 3-28, Shadab Khan 2-17, Shahab Khan 2-18, Razaullah 2-26) Abbottabad 120-1, 13.5 overs (Shahzaib Khan 54 not out, Kamran Ghulam 45 not out) Player of the final – Arshad Iqbal (Abbottabad Region) Best wicketkeeper-batter of the tournament – Usman Khan (184 runs and 6 dismissals - Karachi Blues) Best bowler and player of the tournament – Usama Mir (16 wickets – Sialkot Region) Best batter of the tournament – Kamran Ghulam (268 runs – Abbottabad Region) 

LAHORE (PR): Renowned Pakistani shooter and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz recipient Mohsin Nawaz has dedicated his prestigious national honour to the Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Long Range Rifle Association (PLRA), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, while emphasising the critical role institutions play in the development and success of sports and athletes. Speaking about the progress of shooting sports in Pakistan, Mohsin Nawaz highlighted the importance of institutional support in creating a structured environment that enables athletes to thrive and compete at the highest levels. He acknowledged the collective efforts of state institutions and the government of Pakistan in promoting shooting sports and providing athletes with opportunities to represent the country on the international stage. Nawaz specifically appreciated the contributions of the Cabinet Division and the Pakistan Sports Board for helping bring shooting sports into the mainstream sporting framework of the country. He also paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, recognising his role in facilitating the development of infrastructure and support systems essential for the growth of the sport. "Field Marshal Asim Munir provided much-needed facilitation for the development of shooting sports facilities," Nawaz said. "With the official recognition of the Pakistan Sports Board and the government's support, Pakistani shooters now have an internationally recognised structure through which they can compete globally under Pakistan's flag." The establishment of the Pakistan Long Range Rifle Association under this broader framework of institutional support has proven to be a significant milestone for the sport. The PLRA successfully secured affiliation with the International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA), giving Pakistan formal representation in long-range rifle shooting at the international level for the first time. According to Nawaz, this achievement has opened a clear pathway for Pakistani shooters to participate in global competitions under an organised national structure, something that was previously unavailable to many talented athletes. Nawaz has won 10 individual international medals and represented Pakistan in prestigious competitions across the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa. Drawing upon more than two decades of competitive experience, he believes Pakistan possesses immense untapped potential in shooting sports. "The sport is progressing under a more structured system, and I can clearly see the difference," he said. "We are still in the early stages of development, but our ambition is to compete with world champions. The world has advanced significantly in this discipline, yet Pakistan has the talent and capability to compete at the highest level. We simply need to continue moving in the right direction." Globally, long-range precision shooting has evolved into a highly specialised and professional discipline supported by dedicated academies, advanced training facilities and athlete development programmes. Nawaz believes Pakistan can follow a similar trajectory through sustained institutional investment and long-term planning. Having trained under the 2023 World Champion, Nawaz stressed the demanding nature of the sport, highlighting the mental strength, concentration and discipline required to succeed. "It requires immense mental resilience, focus and countless hours of dedicated training," he explained. "The potential for shooting sports in Pakistan is enormous. What we need is continued institutional support and confidence in the country's ability to develop excellence in this discipline." He further underscored the importance of collaboration with established institutions such as the Pakistan Army, whose culture of discipline, professionalism and precision can contribute significantly to producing elite international shooters. Beyond his own competitive ambitions, Nawaz expressed a strong desire to help nurture the next generation of talent. He said he is committed to sharing the knowledge and experience he has gained throughout his career with aspiring young shooters across the country. "I want to pass on what I have learned over the years," he said. "There are many talented young Pakistanis who are passionate about this sport and possess the potential to excel internationally. I want to contribute to building a pathway that helps them achieve their goals through guidance and mentorship." Reflecting on the significance of receiving the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Nawaz described the honour not merely as a personal achievement but as a symbol of responsibility and service. "The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz carries a message of responsibility, dedication and giving back to the community," he remarked. "The future of shooting sports in Pakistan is extremely bright, but sustained progress will require the continued support of institutions and stakeholders. The government, the Pakistan Sports Board and Field Marshal Asim Munir have helped nurture this sapling and bring it above the ground. The real question now is how high we can help it grow." Nawaz expressed confidence that with continued institutional backing, strategic planning and investment in athlete development, Pakistan can emerge as a competitive force in international shooting sports in the years ahead.

Karachi (Press Release(: The 2nd Addition of Sohail University National Tennis Championship commenced at Modern Coub Karachi.The Sponsor of this week long championship is Sohail University and being organized by STA /KTA under the auspices of Pakistan Tennis Federation. Results.Juniors under 18 Singles Qualifying. Zayed Ali beat Muzammil Yaseen 8-2Muzammil Obaid beat Ibrahim Qazi 8-2Sameer Khan beat Uzair Khan 8-1Mubashir Mumtaz beat Syed Hanzala 8-1Under 14 Singles main 1st RoundMohammad Sohail Malik beat Siddiq Mohammad Sami 4-2,4-1Nayyal Sohaib beat Suleman Jan 5-3,5-3Turhan w /o ZubairUnder 12 Singles mainRahim Faisal beat Ayan Essa Jee 4-0,4-0Mens Singles Qualify8ngHuzaifa Lakhani beat Rehan Dulara 9-7Mens Singles main 1st RoundHaziq Areejo beat Khalid Iqbal 8-1Hamza Pasha beat Taimoor Zulfiqar 8-2Ruhab Faisal beat Junaid Jamal 8-0Zain Nomi beat Hamza Essa Jee 8-0Rahim Veqar beat Farzan Ahmed 8-5Ladies Singles main 1st RoundDinara Akram beat Dua Yousuf 8-3Eraj Batool beat Iqra 8-0Varisha Khan beat Soha Hussain 8 -4Mashal Hussain beat S.Khan 8 -4Amelia w/0 Sabrina Under 10 Singles mIn 1st RoundShanaya Shaikh beat M.Ahmed Arfeen 4-0,4-0Sarah Suleman beat Marium Hamza 4-0,4-0Rao Abdul Rehman beat Zayan Nomi 4-2, 5-3

Sports Bulletin ReportUmar Nawaz’s early strike and a late goal by Harun Hamid gave Pakistan a 2-0 victory over Afghanistan and sent Nolberto Solano’s men through to the final of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives on Sunday, with the win sealing top spot for the Shaheens in the round-robin stage of the four-nation event.This is the first time that Pakistan, who have won football gold at the South Asian Games four times, have reached the final of a stand-alone football tournament since the 1962 Merdeka Cup, where they ended runners-up to Indonesia. Their last tournament triumph dates to a decade prior to that when they were joint-winners of the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament alongside India. Coming off a 3-0 victory against the Maldives — the national team’s first win after 961 days, Pakistan needed just a draw to book their place in the final.A dream start was delivered by Umar in the fifth minute; the striker side-footing home first-time an enticing low cross from fellow frontman Shayek Dost on the left.The goal helped Pakistan stamp their authority in the opening exchanges with Afghanistan, coaches by former Pakistan coach Jose Antonio Nogueira, finding it difficult to penetrate deep into the opposition half.With Shayek, Umar and Otis Khan being willing runners up top, and Haris Zeb and Fazal providing width, there remained ever-present danger for Afghanistan.Otis sent Easah Suliman clear with a delightful diagonal past the half-hour mark but the defender shot over the bar from outside the box.Afghanistan had a chance to level in first-half injury time when skipper Omid Popalzay struck the bar with a free-kick and it saw Pakistan go into the interval with the lead.Afghanistan needed to win to be absolutely sure of reaching the final and they came at Pakistan at the start of the second half but it was Nolberto Solano’s men who came closest to scoring when Shayek’s delightful dink on the hour mark sent Ali Agha free but the midfielder shot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.At the other end, the Afghans had a chance when Omid Mosawi headed wide.Clearcut chances were few and far between as the clock ticked on until Harun Hamid scored with a rasping drive after being sent through by Adil Nabi in the first minute of injury time to send Pakistan into the title clash against either Afghanistan or Bangladesh on June 10.

Lahore (Sports News)Forty-nine players will take part in National Cricket Academy’s Red-Ball and White-Ball camps, the PCB announced today. The NCA Red-Ball Camp will begin on Monday, 8 June and continue until Friday, 10 July with 22 players taking part.The players who were part of the recently concluded ODI series against Australia and have been selected for the Red-Ball Camp will join the camp from 15 June.The NCA White-Ball Camp will commence on Monday, 15 June and continue until Friday, 18 September. Twenty-seven players will take part in the camp.Both camps have been devised to prepare players for upcoming international and domestic events. During the camps, the players will work with National and NCA coaches alongside PCB Medical staff on their skills and fitness. The players will also have one-on-one sessions with coaches to better understand the skills and fitness requirements at the international level.It is pertinent to mention here that the NCA recently hosted two separate camps for red-ball and white-ball cricketers ahead of Pakistan Men’s team tour to Bangladesh and three-match ODI series with Australia, respectively.22 red-ball camp players:Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Abrar Ahmed, Ali Usman, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Obaid Shah, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saqib Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shahzad Gul and Shan Masood27 white-ball camp players:Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Farhan Yousaf, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Rohail Nazir, Saad Baig, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Sameer Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan