Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup Chile 2025 will see two European sides, namely Germany and Ireland, opening the show on 1 December in Santiago.On that same day, hosts Chile will start their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands, current Junior Women’s World Champions and ranked world’s number one.The pinnacle of the FIH junior women’s tournaments will feature 24 teams for the very first time. The tournament will be held from 1 to 13 December 2025 in the city of Santiago, Chile.The draw held on 12 June has determined the following Pools:Pool A: Netherlands, Japan, Chile, MalaysiaPool B: Argentina, Belgium, Zimbabwe, WalesPool C: Germany, India, Ireland, NamibiaPool D: England, South Africa, China, AustriaPool E: Australia, Spain, Canada, ScotlandPool F: United States, Korea, New Zealand, Uruguay 

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon, 10 July 2025 – Three elite cricket venues have today been added to the list of grounds that will play their part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 when it comes to England and Wales next year. Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, The County Ground, Derby, and Loughborough University – home of the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre – will play host to a range of warm-up matches before the tournament gets underway on 12th June 2026.All three venues share a rich cricketing pedigree and have played a part in propelling women’s cricket on to the global stage. The warm-up matches will see the best in the world go head-to-head as they prepare for next summer’s groundbreaking tournament. The three venues will play a prominent role in showcasing elite women’s cricket to local fans before the first ball of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is bowled at Edgbaston on 12thJune next year.Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sophia Gardens, The County Ground, Derby, and Loughborough University to the roster of incredible venues that will host the tournament next summer. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 provides an unparalleled opportunity to really shine a spotlight on the excellence in our sport and to launch women’s cricket firmly into the mainstream. We’re delighted to extend that opportunity to even more English and Welsh fans through the warm-up games, and to inspire hundreds and thousands of people across the country to fall in love with women’s cricket.”The expanded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see 12 teams descend on England and Wales to compete for the prestigious trophy that is currently held by New Zealand. 33 matches will be played across the 24-day competition, at seven iconic venues, before the final takes place at Lord’s on 5th July.

Sports Bulletin ReportDaegu (South Korea): The Pakistan Junior Poomsae National Team demonstrated excellence, skill, and discipline at the prestigious Daegu 2025 World University Taekwondo Festival, earning an impressive four medals in Poomsae events. This remarkable achievement marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s growing stature in international Taekwondo competition.Medal Achievements in Poomsae CategoriesRecognized Poomsae – Under 30 Female IndividualGold Medal: Zena Sheraz (Pakistan)Recognized Poomsae – Junior Female IndividualSilver Medal: Kaneez Zainab (Pakistan)Bronze Medal: Zymal Naqvi (Pakistan)Recognized Poomsae – Junior Male IndividualGold Medal: Syed Mohammad Zohaib Qadri (Pakistan) Poomsae Medal Tally for Pakistan 2 Gold Medals 1 Silver Medal 1 Bronze MedalThis outstanding performance in South Korea—Pakistan’s second competitive appearance in the country—not only reflects the unwavering dedication and talent of our national athletes but also highlights the exceptional leadership and coaching efforts of Seong Oh Choi, Head Coach of the Pakistan National Poomsae Team. His tireless work in preparing and mentoring the team played a pivotal role in securing these international accolades.The Pakistan Taekwondo Federation remains committed to the development of youth athletes and continues to work towards excellence at both national and global levels.

TAXILA(Sports Report): Basit Gymkhana Cricket Club showcased an impressive all-round performance to defeat Real Time Cricket Club by 38 runs in the All Pakistan HIT Challenge Cup T20 Tournament at the HIT Cricket Ground, Taxila Cantt.Batting first, Basit Gymkhana posted a competitive total of 172 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. The star of the innings was Uzair Afridi, who dazzled with a blistering 62 off just 37 balls, smashing five boundaries and four towering sixes. He was ably supported by Ishaq Qazi, who contributed a solid 44 off 33 balls, decorated with three fours and two sixes. For Real Time CC, Saif ur Rehman was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets.In reply, Real Time Cricket Club faltered against disciplined bowling and were bowled out for 134 runs. Sohail Akhtar was the top scorer for his side with 30 runs. Basit Gymkhana’s bowling attack was led by Azaan Ahmed, who ripped through the batting line-up with an outstanding four-wicket haul. He was well-supported by Rana Fasih, who grabbed three wickets, and Raja Awais, who took two.For his match-winning spell, Azaan Ahmed was named Man of the Match.

Lahore (SBR): The Men’s National Selection Committee has announced the 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side in the T20Is.The three-match T20Is series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played from 20 to 24 July at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The squad for the white-ball series against West Indies will be announced in due course. Names of players: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan MoqimTeam management:Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding Coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (doctor) and Mohammad Ehsan (masseur)

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the domestic cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on increased competitiveness, highlighted by an eight-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class) tournament.The domestic season will commence on 15 August with the 12-team Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class) being staged in Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. The teams are divided into two pools, with 31 matches scheduled in the four-day tournament. The top two sides will qualify for this season’s premier first-class competition – Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.The 12 regional sides participating in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy are the same teams that competed in last season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Based on last season’s standings, these are: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, FATA, Lahore Region Blues, Hyderabad, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Multan, Quetta, D.M Jamali, AJK and Larkana.The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will feature Lahore Region Whites, Sialkot, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur and the two qualifying teams. The tournament is set to begin on 22 September and will comprise 29 matches in a single-league format, with the final scheduled from 3 to 7 November. Matches will be held at four venues across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with further details to be announced in due course.To further enhance competitiveness, a qualifying stage has also been introduced for the National T20. 10 teams – Abbottabad, Multan, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, FATA, Larkana, D.M. Jamali, and AJK will compete in the qualifier round. These teams will be divided into two pools, with the top two sides progressing to the National T20 (Super 10) tournament, which will be held in Faisalabad from 1 to 12 March.The eight teams automatically qualified for the Super 10 stage are: Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Peshawar, Karachi Region Blues, Sialkot, Islamabad and Faisalabad.Four departmental tournaments – President’s Trophy (four-day, first-class), President’s Cup (One-Day), President’s Trophy Grade II and President’s Trophy Grade III will also feature in this domestic season.PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed said: “We are pleased to unveil a domestic structure that places merit, opportunity and competitiveness at its core. The 2025-26 season has been designed to provide a clear pathway for teams and players to progress based on performance, not reputation.“Introducing a qualifier for both the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20 ensures that every match in our domestic calendar carries significant weight. This not only raises the standard of competition but also fosters a high-performance culture across all formats.“The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now feature the most in-form and deserving teams, while the Hanif Mohammad Trophy gives 12 regions a meaningful chance to stake their claim. Similarly, the Super 10 format of the National T20 is a step towards creating more high-intensity, quality cricket.“Our aim is to reward performance and create a vibrant environment where players and teams are constantly challenged. This structure lays the foundation for a long-term growth and helps us prepare future stars for the demands of international cricket.”Director – Domestic Cricket Operations Abdullah Khurram Niazi said: “The 2025-26 domestic season reflects our commitment to building a competitive and inclusive structure that nurtures talent at every level, from grassroots to senior cricket. By aligning our tournaments across age-group and senior formats, we are creating a clear development pathway for young cricketers.“We have placed equal emphasis on both regional and departmental cricket. The inclusion of a first-class and a one-day tournament exclusively for departments, along with Grade II and Grade III departmental competitions, ensures departments remain a vital pillar of our domestic cricket system.“We are looking forward to U15, U17 and U19 age-group tournaments this season. These competitions will serve as vital stepping stones for young talent, helping us identify and groom future national stars early in their careers.“Also, the top performers of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy will not only be recognised as guest players by the top regions in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, but they will also be considered for domestic contracts, a move aimed at incentivising excellence.”Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class): 15 Aug to 17 Sep (12 teams, 31 matches, four-day)National U19 Cup: 1-16 Sep (18 teams, 49 matches, one-day, nine venues)Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class): 22 Sep to 7 Nov (eight teams, 29 matches, four-day, four venues)President’s Cup (One-Day) (Departmental tournament): 24 Nov to 10 Dec (eight teams, 31 matches, four venues)President’s Trophy (first-class) (Departmental tournament): 15 Dec to 30 Jan 2026 (eight teams, 29 matches, four venues)National T20 (Qualifier): 3-11 Feb 2026 (12 teams, 30 matches, six venues)National T20 (Super 10): 1-12 Mar 2026 (10 teams, 23 matches, one venue)National U17 Cup (One-Day): 28 Mar to 12 Apr 2026 (18 teams, 49 matches, nine venues)National U15 Cup (One-Day): 16 Apr to 1 May 2026 (18 teams, 49 matches, nine venues)President’s Trophy Grade II (Three-Day) (Departmental tournament): 28 Mar to 3 May 2026 (14 teams, 46 matches, six venues)President’s Trophy Grade III (Two-Day) (Departmental tournament): 28 Mar to 23 Apr 2026 (14 teams, 46 matches, six venues)Regional Inter-District U19: 28 Mar to 10 April 2026 (110 matches)Challenge League (Two-Day): 1 Oct to 10 Nov 2025Regional Inter-District Senior: 10 May to 10 Jun 2026Club Cricket Tournament: Nov 2025 to Jun 2026School Cricket: Sep-Oct 2025College Cricket: Oct-Nov 2025University Cricket: Nov-Dec 2025

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) officials circulated confusing, misleading, and false information to social and top national media organizations regarding the Asian Youth Netball Championship 2025, which was held in Korea. They claimed that the junior national team clinched the final after beating the Maldives by 60-35 goals at Jeonju Hwasan Gymnasium, Jeonju-si, South Korea.On this ambiguous information, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif congratulated team players and officials for their performance, as the facts were entirely different and Pakistani players were in 6th position instead of first. Singapore were the champion of this international fixture.The scribe attempted to contact Chairman PNF, Muddasir Arain, but his cell phone (+923219229711) was switched off. However, a voice note was sent to him at his WhatsApp number, but he did not clarify the situation.Update (PSB Seeks Clarification from PNF within three days):According to spokesman for Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Khurram Shahzad, PSB has expressed serious reservations over the Pakistan Netball Federation's (PNF) claim that the Pakistan Youth Girls Team secured “first position” in the Asian Youth Netball Championship 2025, and asked to submit a written explanation within three days.A letter issued by PSB, reference was made to PNF's letter (No. PNF/PSB/AYNC-2025 dated July 9, 2025), in which the federation claimed the team had secured first place. According to PSB, the claim was worded in a manner that created the impression of a gold medal victory.The board also raised concerns that PNF Chairman Mudassar Razzaq Arain reinforced this misleading impression during televised interviews on mainstream media, where he explicitly referred to a gold medal win and publicly thanked senior government officials for their appreciation. A viral video of such an interview was also referenced in the official notice.According to PSB, this purported achievement was used by the federation to apply for cash rewards under the 2024 Cash Award Policy, which subsequently led to government-level recognition and benefits.

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): South Africa batter Aiden Markram and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada have been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month awards, joining Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka on the men's shortlist, while for the women’s award, the candidates include West Indies players Hayley Matthews and Afy Fletcher, along with South Africa's Tazmin Brits.Markram and Rabada were the stars of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final while Nissanka’s fine form in the two-Test series against Bangladesh helped him edge ahead of other performers. The women’s shortlist is based primarily on performances during South Africa’s tour of the West Indies.Aiden Markram (SA): The 30-year-old opening batter was the Player of the Match in the ICC WTC Final against Australia at Lord’s as South Africa won their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 1998. He struck a solid 136 off 207 balls and featured in a 147-run third wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma as South Africa chased a target of 282 with five wickets in hand. Markram also chipped in with a wicket in each innings including that of Steve Smith in the first innings.Kagiso Rabada (SA): Rabada grabbed nine wickets at an average of 12.22 in the WTC Final – his figures reading five for 51 and four for 59. The formerly top-ranked Test bowler struck important blows to ensure that Australia did not get big starts - dismissing opener Usman Khawaja and number three batter Cameron Greene cheaply in both innings.Pathum Nissanka (SL): The 27-year-old opener set the platform for a huge first innings score in the drawn first Test in Galle, knocking up 187 and featuring in an important second wicket stand with Dinesh Chandimal. He then struck 158 in the second Test in Colombo as the home side defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs. Nissanka was named the Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Series for his aggregate of 369 runs in the two-Test WTC series.Tazmin Brits (SA): The South Africa opener had a memorable tour of the Caribbean, showing fine form in both ODIs and T20Is. She struck 184 runs at a strike rate of 87.61 in three ODIs including a 101 off 91 balls in the final match. In the subsequent T20I series, she scored 132 runs at a strike rate of 122.22 which included a 98 not out from 63 deliveries in the first match.Hayley Matthews (WI): The West Indies skipper scored 104 runs in the three ODIs against South Africa, including a half-century in the third match. She also chipped in with four wickets. She then elevated her performances in T20Is, scoring 147 runs at a strike-rate of 120.49, with two half-centuries. Matthews also grabbed two wickets. She was named the Player of the Series in the T20Is as the West Indies won 2-1.Afy Fletcher (WI): The leading wicket-taker in both the ODI and T20I series against South Africa, the 38-year-old leg-spinner finished with nine wickets in ODIs during June, which included one in a preceding series in England. Her eight wickets in the series against South Africa included a four-wicket haul in the second ODI and three in the final match. She also scored a total of 30 runs in these ODIs. In the T20Is, she claimed five wickets from three outings at an economy rate of 6.75.

Jakarta(SBR): Pakistan women’s football team concluded their maiden appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers on a high note, defeating Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in their final group match and finishing second among four teams. Despite the impressive win and finishing second in the group, Pakistan could not advance to the next round, with Chinese Taipei securing qualification. In Group standings, Chinese Taipei led the table with a commanding 9 points, having secured victory in all their matches. Pakistan follow in second place with 6 points, showcasing solid performances and winning two out of three games. Indonesia secured third position with 3 points while Kyrgyzstan were at the bottom of the group without a point. In the crucial encounter, star forward Mariam Mahmood emerged as the hero, scoring both goals for Pakistan. She opened the scoring in the 4th minute and calmly converted a penalty in the 26th minute to give her side a 2-0 lead. Though Kyrgyzstan managed to pull one back, the Pakistani defense held firm to secure the victory. President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Syed Mohsen Gilani, praised the national team for their commendable performance throughout the tournament. "Our national women’s team displayed great character and fighting spirit during their debut campaign at the AFC Qualifiers.” “Despite winning two matches and finishing second, we were unfortunate not to progress to the next round. But this is just the beginning,” said Gilani and added: “With continued support and sincere efforts, I am confident that our team will perform even better in future international events."

Lahore (PR): Vice President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Dr. Muhammad Ali, has praised the progressive and visionary leadership of PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani, as Pakistan’s women’s national team concluded their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a historic 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mohammad Ali said:“We are keen to work tirelessly under the visionary leadership of Syed Mohsen Gilani for the betterment and development of football in Pakistan. His dedication, strategic approach, and passion for the game have already begun to inspire positive change. The recent performance of our women’s team is a testament to the direction we are heading in.” He further emphasized that the new PFF leadership is deeply committed to strengthening football infrastructure, developing grassroots initiatives, and enhancing talent pathways to elevate Pakistan’s presence on the regional and international stage.In a historic outing at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Jakarta, Pakistan finished second in their group after an inspiring 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan. Star forward Mariam Mahmood was the standout performer, scoring twice—once in the 4th minute and then converting a penalty in the 26th minute—to seal the win.Despite the strong finish, Pakistan narrowly missed out on qualification, with Chinese Taipei topping the group with nine points. Pakistan followed with six points, having secured two wins out of three matches. Hosts Indonesia placed third, while Kyrgyzstan ended without a point.Dr. Ali concluded by stating:“This performance by our women’s team reflects the potential and resilience of our players. We are committed to providing them with the resources, training, and international exposure they deserve, as part of a broader vision to transform football in Pakistan.”