Sports Bulletin

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Duo of national tennis lads, Mohammad Shoaib, and Yousaf Khalil have confirmed their berth in the Pakistan Davis Cup team after showing acceptable performances in the trials, which were held at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Garden Avenue from May 9 to 13, 2024.According to an official of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), trials were held to select a couple of players for the national team, as the veterans Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan were exempted form the trials proceeding. Also, Ahmad Nael Qureshi has been selected for the team directly, based on his recent exceptional performances in the national and international junior tournaments.As many as 10 players including 6 men, 2 juniors, and 2 wildcards were invited for the trials after analyzing their performances in the current PTF ranking. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi President-PTF and Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail Secretary-General-PTF congratulated the selected players, wished them good luck, and advised them to display their best tennis. In the next Davis Cup Tie Pakistan will meet Barbados in September 2024.

Yousaf Khalil, and Mohammad Shoaib overcome Mohammad Abid, and Aqeel Khan in finalAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) outclassed WAPDA 2-0 to clinch the title of the 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy 2024, which was played at PTF Tennis Complex Garden Avenue Islamabad on Tuesday. SNGPL defeated Pakistan Navy 2-0.In the first singles of the final, Pakistan Air Force once again took off his flight in a victories style and Yousaf Khalil (PAF) eliminated Mohammad Abid (WAPDA) in a well contested two set match 6-2, 6-4. In the first set Yousaf Khalil played an excellent game from the beginning and did not allow his opponent to settle down by breaking 5th and 7th games of Abid and finished the set at 6-2. In the second set both the players exhibited an excellent game of tennis with the combination of long rallies, and cross-court down the lines, and the score went up to 5-4 in favour of Yousaf with the break of 3rd game of Mohammad Abid. In the 10th game, Yousaf played an attacking game and won the set and match 6-2, 6-4, the match lasted 1 hour and 29 minutes, officiated by ITF White Badge Umpire Husnain Mehmood.In the second singles, 23 years old Mohammad Shoaib (PAF) upset Pakistan No.1 Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) in an exciting thrilling, see-saw match which lasted over 1 hour 36 minutes 7-5, 6-4 to win the 1st Inter-Department 2024 team competition. Both the players exhibited excellent game of tennis and proved their strength, the score went up to 5-5 games all by holding their own serve, in the crucial 11th game Shoaib returned some marvellous shots and with the combination of cross-court and down-the-line and at the 15-40 grab the game by hitting powerfully down the line return. In the second set, Aqeel Khan tried his best to compete with the pace and speed of Shoaib but was unable to catch him. After breaking the first game of Aqeel Khan, Shoaib continued to accelerate his pace and put pressure on Aqeel Khan till the 9th game of Aqeel in which Aqeel hardly to save the game in which he hit one double fault and 7 duce. In the 10th game, Shoaib hit 2 aces and doubled the pace to run for the victory at 6-4. The match lasted 2 hrs 20 minutes officiated by ITF White Badge Umpire Shahzad Akhtar Alvi.In the last round of matches, SNGPL comfortably overcame Pakistan Navy. In the first singles Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) proved too good against Faizan Fayyazn Khan (NAVY) and won his match in a straight set 6-2 6-3. In the second match, Saqib Hayat (SNGPL) struggled hard to win his encounter against Asad Zaman (NAVY). Saqib Hayat comfortably pocketed the first set at 6-3 by breaking the 4th game of Asad. In the second sent Asad Zaman changed his strategy and played an excellent game from the baseline, and the score went up to 5-5 games all, in the 12th game Asad got a chance and played superbly and broke the game of Saqib Hyat to level the score 1-1 set all. In the final set, Saqib Hayat came back aggressively the score went up to 4-4 games. Saqib Hayat broke the 9th game of Asad and built up the winning lead 5-4 and then by holding the 10th game finished the set and match 6-3 5-7 6-4. The match lasted 2 hours 10 minutes and was officiated by Asif Ali. A total of Rs.300,000 was distributed amongst the winner, runner-up, and bronze with the break-up Rs.150,000, Rs.100,000, and Rs.50,000 respectively along with Medals and participation certificates.Results (Final Day):Pakistan Air Force (PAF) beat WAPDA (2-0):Singles-1: Yousaf Khalil (PAF) beat Mohammad Abid (WAPDA) 6-2, 6-4Singles-2: Mohammad Shoaib (PAF) beat Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) 7-5, 6-4SNGPL beat NAVY (2-0)Singles-1: Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) beat Faizan Fayyaz Khan (NAVY) 6-2, 6-3Singles-2: Saqib Hayat (SNGPL) beat Asad Zaman (NAVY) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) won their respective matches of the 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy 2024 here at PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue on Sunday, as the tournament is being played under the banner of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).Yousaf Khalil (PAF) faced resistance from the upcoming youngster Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) in the first singles. In the first set, Yousaf Khalil comfortably took advantage of his playing experience, broke the 3rd and 7th game of Ahtesham, and wrapped up the first set at 6-2 in 25 minutes. In the second set, youngster Ahtesham, after losing the first game, changed his strategy, exhibited an excellent game, and got back in the game by breaking the 8th game of experienced Yousaf Khalil and leveled the score 4-4 all. In the 9th game both the players played superbly to take the lead and ultimately Ahtesham kept the game in his favour by hitting some excellent ground shorts down the line. In the next game Yousaf came back aggressively and broke the 11th game of Ahtesham to build up the winning lead 6-5 and by holding the 12th game finished the match at 7-5.In the Doubles match the duo of Shoaib & Yousaf (PAF) did not allow their counterpart Ahmed & Saqib (SNGPL) to stay on the court and eliminated them in 6-1 6-4 just in a 50-minute match.In the second singles, Mohammad Shoaib took a flying start beginning the match by breaking the 3rd, 5th, and 7th game of Saqib Hayat (SNGPL), finished the set at 6-1, and kept the same pressure in the second set and finished the match 6-1 6-1 just in 39 minutes.Pakistan Army quietly sidelines the Pakistan Navy. In the first singles Capt. Arham Attique (Army) outclassed Faizan Fayyaz (NAVY) 6-1 6-4 in 1 hrs 10 minutes battle, whereas in the second singles Muzammil Murtaza (Army) crumpled Asad Zaman (Navy) in a straight set match 6-2 6-2. In the Doubles Pakistan Army faced tough resistance from the Navy team. In the first set, Abdullah Adnan & Salar Khan (Army) struggled hard to save the set as Navy duo Asad Zaman & Faizan Fayyaz took the lead 4-1 by breaking the 4th game of Salar Khan(Army) but the duo of Army played well and broke back 7th and 9th game of Faizan and Asad respected in which Faizan hit 4 double faults in a game. In the second set both the teams again played in the same fashion and ultimately Army team took advantage of double faults hit by the Navy team and captured the second set and match 6-4 6-4. The match lasted 1 hr 10 minutes.Results (Day-3):Pakistan Air Force (PAF) beat SNGPL (3-0):Singles-1: Yousaf Khalil (PAF) beat Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) 6-2, 7-5Singles-2: Mohammad Shoaib (PAF) beat Saqib Hayat (SNGPL) 6-1, 6-1Doubles: Mohammad Shoaib / Hamza Roman (PAF) beat Saqib Hayat / Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) 6-1, 6-4Pakistan Army beat Pakistan Navy (3-0):Singles-1: Capt. Arham Attique (ARMY) beat Faizan Fayyaz Khan (Navy) 6-1, 6-4Singles-2: Muzammil Murtaza (ARMY) beat Asad Zaman (NAVY) 6-2, 6-2Doubles: Abdullah Adnan / Salar Khan (ARMY) beat Asad Zaman / Faizan Fayyaz Khan (Navy) 6-4 6-4Monday’s Fixtures:Pakistan Army Vs WAPDA at Aqeel Khan Center Court at 10:30 AMPakistan Air Force Vs Pakistan Navy at Zainab Ali Naqi Court # 1 at 10:30 AM.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan WAPDA won their matches of the ongoing 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy 2024 at PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad on Saturday.Once again Mohammad Abid (WAPDA) easily breezed out his opponent Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) in one-sided affairs 6-1 6-1, whereas in the second single Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) surprised his opponent Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) to win the match 6-2 6-3. In the first set, Aqeel Khan comfortably built up a winning lead by breaking the 6th game of Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) and by holding the 7th game at 5-2. In the 8th game, Aqeel did not allow his opponent to settle down and broke this game and won the first set at 6-2. In the second set, Ahmed Babar tried his best to catch the pace of Aqeel Khan but failed when Aqeel broke the 8th game of Ahmed Babar at 0-40 and hit a double fault to build the lead 5-3. In the 9th game, Aqeel Khan played excellent tennis by hitting the crosscourt and down-the-line shorts and finished the set by hitting an Ace at 40-30. In an important and crucial round-robin league match, Pakistan Air Force struggled hard to win against the Pakistan Army 2-1. Yousaf Khalil (PAF) turned difficult to win his encounter against the talented Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) in a straight set 6-4 6-2.In an exciting and thrilling second single between Mohammad Shoaib (PAF) and Muzammil Murtaza (ARMY) exhibited high-calibre and remarkable tennis and excellent forehand and backhand drives. In the first set, Mohammad Shoaib played an aggressive game and did not allow Muzammil to settle down beginning from the match breaking the 1st, 3rd, and 7th games and finishing the set at 6-2. In the In the second set both players changed their game plan and held their own games till the score went 6-6 games all. In the 10th see-saw game, Muzammil had a chance to break the game but Shoaib not only saved the game but played an excellent game of tennis from the baseline. The match went in a tie-break in which Muzammil again took a lead of 5-3 but Shaoib again bounced back aggressively and not only levelled the score 6-6 all but kept the same pressure on Muzammil's shoulder, at this stage Muzammil hit a double fault and unable to come back. In the next point, Shoaib hit a wide serve to Muzammil which returned and landed outside the court and Shoaib won the set and match at 7-6(7).  The match lasted 1 hour 35 minutes and was officiated by ITF White Badge Umpire Hussnain Mehmood.Results (Day-2):Pakistan Air Force (PAF) beat Pakistan Army (2-1):Singles-1: Yousaf Khalil (PAF) beat Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) 6-4, 6-2Singles-2: Mohammad Shoaib (PAF) beat Muzammil Murtaza (ARMY) 6-2, 7-6 (7)Doubles: Muzammil Murtaza / Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) beat Mohammad Shaoib / Yousaf Khalil (PAF) 6-3, 3-6, 10-5WAPDA beat SNGPL (3-0):Singles-1: Mohammad Abid (WAPDA) beat Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) 6-1, 6-1Singles-2: Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) beat Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) 6-2, 6-3Doubles: Heera Ashiq / Shahzad Khan (WAPDA) beat Saqib Hayat / Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) 6-1, 7-5.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army, and WAPDA registered victories in the 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy 2024 after beating SNGPL, and Pakistan Navy respectively here at PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue on Friday.Mohammad Abid (WAPDA) easily breezed out his opponent Faizan Fayyaz Khan (NAVY) in one-sided affairs without conceding a single game 6-0 6-0. In the second single Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) started his winning streak and overpowered his opponent Asad Zaman (NAVY) in a straight set match 6-2 6-1.In the first singles Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) won his opening match against Ahmad Babar (SNGPL) in a straight set 6-2, 6-1. In the second single Muzammil Murtaza (ARMY) outclassed Saqib Hayat and won the match 6-0, 6-1 just in 37 minutes. Muzammil played an excellent game and hit 5 aces in the first set and 9 aces in the second set and did not allow his opponent to settle down against his powerful serve. This match was officiated by ITF White Badge Umpire Hussnain Mehmood. President PTF also congratulated the winning team members and wished them well for future matches.Earlier in the afternoon Zahoor Ahmed Addl. Secretary IPC, and Director General, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) inaugurated the 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy and met the players of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, WAPDA, and SNGPL. Lt. Gen. Mohammad Afzal (Retd.) also attended the opening ceremony as a guest of honor. Results:Pakistan Army beat SNGPL (2-0):Singles-1: Abdullah Adnan (ARMY) beat Ahmad Babar (SNGPL) 6-2, 6-1Singles-2: Muzammil Murtaza (ARMY) beat Saqib Hayat (SNGPL) 6-0, 6-1Doubles: Abdullah Adnan / Arham Attique (ARMY) beat Ahmed Babar / Ahtesham Humayun (SNGPL) 6-2 6-3WAPDA beat Pakistan Navy (2-0):Singles-1: Mohammad Abid (WAPDA) beat Faizan Fayyaz Khan (NAVY) 6-0, 6-0Singles-2: Aqeel Khan (WAPDA) beat Asad Zaman (NAVY) 6-2, 6-1Doubles: Heera Ashiq / Shahzad Khan (WAPDA) beat Asad Zaman / Faizan Fayyaz Khan (NAVY) 6-1, 6-2Saturday’s Fixtures:Pakistan WAPDA Vs SNGPL, Zainab Ali Naqi Court # 1 at 10:30 AMPakistan Army Vs PAF – Aqeel Khan Center Court at 10:30 AM

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army players will take on Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the opening match of the 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy 2024, which will roll into action on Friday (May 3) here at PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue.According to an official of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the top five men’s teams including Pakistan WAPDA, Pakistan ARMY, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Navy, and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines are participating in the 5-day national tennis showpiece.On Thursday, the captain’s meeting of all the participating teams was held at the Referee’s Office. Arif Qureshi chaired the meeting whereas Secretary PTF and Chairman Organizing Committee Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, and Mohammad Khalil Chughtai Tournament Director also attended the meeting.After elaborating the Rules of the Games to all the concerned captains and officials of the teams, a Draw of Men’s Team Event was held. The opening matches will be played on Friday (May 3) 2024 at 11:00 am. In the second match of the day, WAPDA will meet the Pakistan Navy at 11:00 am in Court No.1.The opening ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm. Zahoor Ahmed Addl. Secretary IPC and Director General, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) will grace the occasion as a chief guest and will inaugurate the 1st PTF Inter-Department Tennis Trophy 2024.Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi President of PTF emphasized that the event would not be successful without the active participation of tennis lovers and enthusiasts. He invited all the tennis lovers and enthusiasts to come and see the excellent tennis extravaganza and appreciate the top national players in Islamabad. 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has selected a 3-member team including Mohammad Shayan, Rashid Ali, and Mohammad Junaid to represent their country in the forthcoming Under-12 Regional Qualifying Juniors tennis fixture, which will take place from May 20 to 24, 2024 in Nepal.According to an official of PTF, the trials for the selection of three (3) players for the Pakistan U12 Boys’ Juniors team were conducted from April 24 to 25 at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue Islamabad.The top 3 players will travel to Nepal to participate in the U12 Regional Qualifying tennis event, which will be held from the 20th-24th May 2024. Eight players were invited, based on their performance and current PTF U12 ranking, and the following 2 players, Rashid Ali, and Mohammad Junaid, have been selected after the completion of the trials. Mohammad Shayan was exempted from the trials due to his exceptional performances in the national tournaments.Mohammad Abid will be accompanying the team as Captain-cum-Coach. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi President-PTF and Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail Secretary-General-PTF congratulated the selected players, wished them good luck, and advised them to display their best tennis.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Asad Zaman (Ali Embroidery Mills), Amir Mazari (Aitchison), Mohammad Salaar, and Kashan Tariq qualified for the boys Under-18 semifinals of the Parents Tennis Lovers Association (PTLA)-organized Junior National Tennis Championship 2024 here at Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah on Wednesday.In the boys U-18 quarterfinals: Asad Zaman (Pakistan Navy), beat Nabeel Qayum 6-1, 6-0, Amir Mazari beat Mohammad Yahya 6-2, 6-1, Mohammad Salaar beat Sheheryar Anees 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 and Kashan Tariq beat Abdullah Pirzada 7-5, 6-2. In the boys U-16 quarterfinals: Ruhab Faisal beat Abdur Rehman 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, Aalay Hussain beat Hanzla Anwar 6-0, 6-1, Amir Mazari beat Mohammad Huzaima 6-0, 6-1 and Mohammad Yahya beat Abdullah Pirzada 6-2, 6-3. In the boys U-14 pre-quarterfinals: Abdur Rehman beat M Ayan Khan 4-2, 4-2, Awais Zia beat Ahmad Khuda Bakhsh 2-4, 4-2, 4-2, Zayd Zaman beat M Umer Ali 4-0, 4-2, Mohammad Junaid beat Zayd Mansoor 4-2, 5-3, Mohammad Huzaima beat Aliyan Ali 4-2, 4-2. In the boys/girls U-12 pre-quarterfinals: Rashid Ali Bachani beat Umer Zaman, Mustafa Uzair Rana beat M Ibrahesm Hussain Gill, Muaz Shahbaz beat M Ayan Khan 4-2, 4-1, Zayd Zaman beat Daniyal Abdullah 4-0, 4-0, Mohammad Junaid beat Zayd Mansoor 4-2, 4-2, Majid Ali Bachani beat Taha Asad 4-0, 4-0 and Ayan Shahbaz beat M Turab Bhatti 4-0, 4-0. In the seniors 40 plus doubles, Round-1: Waqar Nisar/Jamil Akhtar beat Syed Sajid Ali Bukhari/Khalil Chaudhary 8-0, Mahir Nisar/Tariq Sadiq beat Adnan Khan/Saleem Azmat Khan 8-0, Khurram Imtiaz/Sheheryar Salamat beat Col Atif/Qadir Nawaz 8-0 and Mehboob Waheed/Mohammad Yousaf beat Ali Qayum/Waheed 8-3.

Sports Bulletin ReportKuching (Malaysia): The ITF Asia Under-14 Development Tennis Championships Final started on Monday in Kuching Malaysia, as the 16-national prestigious international juniors’ event will conclude on April 19, 2024 at the same venue.Besides hosts Malaysia, Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Uzbekistan are participating in the championships.Results (Pakistan Day-1):Boys’ Singles: Ansar Niyetkaliyev (Kazakhstan) beat Omar Jawad 6-1, 6-1Boys’ Doubles: Pantaratorn Dharma / Srisen Tri (Thailand) beat Abu Bakar Talha / Omar Jawad 6-2, 4-6, (10-6)

Japan win top position while India earn second position in a 16-nation fixtureSports Bulletin ReportKuching (Malaysia): The Pakistan team comprising Jawad Omer, Talha Abubakar, and Mohammad Hamza Ali Rizwan got the 6th position in the Asia /Oceania WJT Under-14 final qualifying event, which was held in Kuching Malaysia from March 25 to 30, 2024. Heera Ashiq was with the team as non-playing captain.As many as 16 countries of the region participated in the 6-day World Junior Tennis (WJT) fixture. Japan won the top position while Indian players remained on the second stop. Jawad Omer, and Talha Abubakar produced some notable performances in the international event.