Sports Bulletin ReportIslamabad: The 1st Emerging Pakistan National Ranking Tennis Championships 2025 concluded in high spirits at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad, marking a spectacular end to a week of thrilling and high-caliber tennis action. The event served as a promising showcase of Pakistan's emerging tennis talent—young, dynamic players who demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and the potential to become the future stars of the sport.Organized by the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), this inaugural edition saw more than 200 players compete across six categories: Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Ladies’ Singles, Boys’ Under-18 Singles, Boys’ Under-14 Singles, and Boys’ Under-12 Singles. A total prize pool of PKR 1.5 million was awarded to winners and runners-up, including travel allowances.Men’s Singles Final: A Clash of TitansIn the marquee match of the event, seasoned tennis veteran Aqeel Khan triumphed over the formidable Muzammil Murtaza in a thrilling three-set contest: 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3.Aqeel started strong, quickly securing a 3-0 lead and capturing the first set 6-2 through consistent pressure and precise shot-making. Muzammil responded admirably in the second set, adjusting his game and forcing a tiebreaker, which he clinched with grit and composure. In the decisive third set, Aqeel’s experience proved vital; he tactically outmaneuvered Muzammil to claim a hard-fought 6-3 victory and the championship title.Closing CeremonyJam Kamal Khan, Federal Minister for Commerce, graced the ceremony as Chief Guest and distributed trophies among the winners and runners-up. Also in attendance were Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Secretary IPC and Guest of Honor; Mohammad Atif Fayyaz, Chief Coordinator; Mr. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF); and Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, Secretary PTF.During his address, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi extended heartfelt thanks to the honorable Minister for sponsoring this landmark event. He expressed his optimism that the championship would serve as a foundation for future tournaments, including a forthcoming edition planned in Quetta, Balochistan. He also acknowledged the invaluable support of Secretary IPC, appreciating his deep passion for sports and his continued interest in the activities and progress of the Pakistan Tennis Federation.In his remarks, Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan commended the efforts of the PTF President for revitalizing the sport of tennis in Pakistan. He noted that, as a celebrated sportsman himself, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi possesses a unique understanding of the game’s intricacies and is deeply familiar with the challenges faced by the tennis community. The Minister emphasized his satisfaction in seeing an athlete of Aisam’s stature take a leadership role in shaping the future of tennis and sports more broadly in Pakistan. He assured full support from his ministry to help the PTF President realize his vision and goals for the development of the sport nationwide.The event not only celebrated the champions but also highlighted the bright future of Pakistani tennis, promising continued growth and international competitiveness.Results (finals):Men’s Singles (Final)Aqeel Khan beat Muzammil Murtaza 6-2 6-7(5), 6-3Ladies Singles (Final)Ushna Suhail beat Zunaisha Noor 6-2 6-1Men’s Doubles (Final)Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi & Aqeel Khan beat Abdullah Adnan & Muzammil Murtaza 6-2 4-6 10-7Junior 18 & Under Singles (Final)AbuBakar Talha beat Mohammad Salar 6-1 6-3Boys 14 & Under Singles FinalMohammad Junaid beat Mohammad Muaz 6-7(3) 6-1 6-1Boys 12 & Under Singles FinalMohammad Aayan beat Mohammad Muaz 4-2 4-2

LAHORE: (PR): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Ali has said that sports competitions play a role in promoting discipline among students along with mental and physical development. He was addressing at the prize distribution ceremony of the 124th Intercollegiate Championships 2024-25 organized by the Punjab University Sports Department. The ceremony was attended by PU Director Sports Dr Shabbir Sarwar, Dean Faculty of Law Dr Shazia Noreen Qureshi, Principal Oriental College Dr Nabila Rehman, Principal Hailey College of Commerce Prof Dr Hafiz Zafar Ahmed, social worker Raja Munawar, various heads of government and private colleges, faculty members and a large number students. In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Ali said that the Quaid-e-Azam’s statement that faith, unity and discipline are the guarantee of a successful life. He said that the success in the recent Operation Banyan Marsus is also a clear proof of the unity and discipline of the nation. Dr Shabbir Sarwar said that we will soon organize a talent hunt program from colleges so that more good talent emerges at the divisional and university levels. He said that under the leadership of Dr Mohammad Ali, the Department of Sports of Punjab University will continue to play its role in the promotion of sports. Later, the Vice Chancellor presented souvenirs to the successful players.

Lahore(PR):The Vice Presidents of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) — Hafiz Zakaullah, Naveed Aslam Lodhi and Dr. Mohammad Ali — have reaffirmed their joint commitment to transparency, national reconciliation, and the inclusive development of football in Pakistan under the leadership of newly elected President Mohsen Gilani.Sharing his views, Hafiz Zakaullah emphasised that the Federation is focused on bringing together all stakeholders, players, coaches, technical experts, and the wider football community to move the game forward.“Under President Mohsen Gilani, we aim to unify and uplift Pakistan’s football landscape. National reconciliation is a core principle in our roadmap.”Naveed Aslam Lodhi praised the Normalisation Committee for completing the electoral process, adding: “Now that elections at both provincial and national levels are complete, our focus shifts to rebuilding the game. InshaAllah, we will work together to recover the momentum lost over the past decade.”Dr. Mohammad Ali called for equal provincial representation and greater grassroots inclusion: “Pakistan football has stood still since 2015. It’s time to revive it by ensuring opportunities for all provinces. The success of Balochistan — with three Executive Committee and three Congress members — reflects the power of genuine representation.”He also credited the Pakistan Football Connect initiative by the Normalisation Committee for enabling true footballers to take part in the democratic process.

Sports Bulletin ReportFergana(Uzbekistan): The Pakistan Senior Men’s Volleyball Team delivered a commanding performance today, securing a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan in the Bronze Medal Match of the CAVA Nation’s League, held from 29th May to 04th June 2025 in Fergana, Uzbekistan.With set scores of 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22, the Pakistan team displayed remarkable skill, teamwork, and resilience to clinch 3rd position in this prestigious Central Asian volleyball tournament. This victory not only earned Pakistan the bronze medal, but also reinforced its rising stature in the Asian volleyball landscape.Adding further pride to the nation, Pakistan’s Abdul Zaheer was awarded “Best Middle Blocker” of the tournament for his outstanding performance throughout the league. His blocking, anticipation, and net dominance were instrumental in Pakistan’s success and earned him well-deserved recognition on the international stage.After a strong start in the group stage—including a commanding win over Kyrgyzstan and a closely contested match against Kazakhstan—Pakistan qualified for the crossover round. Despite tough matches against India and Iran, the team fought their way back to the podium with today's decisive win.Led by a cohesive and talented group of players including Usman Faryad Ali, Afaq Khan, Murad Khan, Kashif Naveed, Nasir Ali, Abdul Zaheer, and Musawer Khan, the Pakistan team demonstrated depth, skill, and unwavering commitment throughout the tournament.Speaking after the match,  Ch. Mohammad Yaqoob, Chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), stated:“Our team’s bronze medal victory and Abdul Zaheer’s individual award are proud moments for Pakistan. This performance showcases the development of volleyball in our country and reflects the dedication of our players and coaching staff.”The Pakistan team will now shift focus to the upcoming AVC Men’s Nations Cup, scheduled for 17th to 24th June 2025 in Bahrain, followed by multiple major events, including the FIVB U19 World Championship, Asian Youth Games, and the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games.The PVF continues to call upon sponsors and stakeholders to support the growing momentum of volleyball in Pakistan and help the national teams shine even brighter on the world stage.

Islamabad(SBR): Pakistan’s Olympic javelin thrower, Arshad Nadeem, has once again brought pride to the nation by winning the gold medal at the ongoing Asian Athletics Championship 2025 in South Korea. His remarkable achievement is not only the result of his personal dedication and hard work, but also a testament to the continuous support, professional training, and world-class accommodation and nutrition provided by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB)According to the PSB spokesperson, Arshad Nadeem has been undergoing regular training at PSB’s National Training Camp at the Lahore Coaching Centre since December 9, 2024, following his return from the Paris Olympics 2024, under the guidance of his coach Salman Iqbal Butt. On the special directives of Director General PSB Yasir Pirzada, a dedicated training hall was allocated and upgraded specifically for Arshad's weight and gym training to ensure he had access to international-standard facilities.The spokesperson further noted that Arshad Nadeem had also been training at the PSB Lahore Centre since 2019, where he was provided with top-tier residential, nutritional, and essential support facilities. These provisions are in line with PSB’s policy of enabling athletes to focus wholeheartedly on enhancing their performance.Importantly, Arshad is not the only beneficiary. Pakistan’s second top javelin athlete, Mohammad Yasir, has also been residing and training at the Lahore Centre. He has been provided equal facilities in terms of accommodation, training, and meals—highlighting PSB’s commitment to nurturing athletic potential across the board.The PSB spokesperson emphasized that under the leadership of DG PSB Yasir Pirzada, the Board remains fully committed to delivering international-standard support to national athletes so that Pakistan continues to shine on the global sports stage.

Islamabad (SBR): The main round of the first Emerging Pakistan National Ranking Tennis Championships 2025 will start on Friday here at PTF Tennis Complex.More than 200 entries in 7 different categories - Men's Singles, Men's Doubles, Ladies Singles, Boys 18&under, Boys 14&under, and Boys 12&under - are participating in the event from across Pakistan.Top players including Aqeel Khan, Shahzad Khan, Yousaf Khalil, Muzammil Murtaza, Barkatullah, Abdullah Adnan, Ahmad Nael Qureshi, Abubakar Talha, Asad Zaman, Salar Khan, Abdul Basit, Yahya Ikram, Haziq Asim, Zohaib Afzal Malik, Junaid Khan, Razik Sultan, Ushan Suhail, Meheq Khokhar, Zunaisha Noor, Lalrukha Sajid, and Mahrukh Sajid will also be in action. The championships were initially planned to be held in Quetta, Balochistan, as the Balochistan Open National Ranking Tennis Tournaments, but due to the non-availability of proper infrastructure to hold such a mega event, the Honorable Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan was gracious enough to agree to the PTF's proposal to shift the venue from Quetta to Islamabad.Rsults :Men's Singles Final Round:Bilal Asim bt Mohammad Ali 6-1, 6-4;Mohammad Yahya bt Azeem Khan 6-3, 6-3;Saqib Ali bt Zain UL Haq 6-1, 3-0 (retd);Hishahi Zoome bt Dawood Khan 6-0, 6-0;Kamran bt Syed Hamza Hussain 1-6, 6-0 (10-6)’Abdul Basit bt Zohaib Afzal Malik 7-6(3), 2-6 (10-5);Ali Zain bt Mohammad Talha 6-0, 6-2;Jabir Ali bt Saifullah Khan 5-7, 6-2 (10-7);Main draw matches will start tomorrow, 30th May 2025.

LAHORE (Sports Bulletin Report): On behalf of the newly elected Executive Committee, Syed Mohsen Gilani, President of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), reaffirmed his full commitment to the development and advancement of football across PakistanPresident Gilani emphasised the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, coordinated efforts, and leveraging the collective expertise of the elected leadership to elevate the standard of football nationwide. “Our mission is clear that is to create a sustainable football ecosystem rooted in professionalism, transparency, and grassroots empowerment,” he said.  He also expressed deep appreciation for the role of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee, which completed its tenure with the successful conduct of fair and transparent elections. “We are committed to ensuring a smooth and responsible transition that builds upon the progress made during the Normalisation Committee’s term,” he noted. President Gilani highlighted the federation’s intent to work closely with government bodies, regional associations, clubs, and community stakeholders to promote unity and mutual trust in football governance. “The path forward lies in collaboration, with the government, the football community, and every passionate fan, to bring about a new era of growth, accountability, and opportunity in Pakistani football,” he added.The newly elected leadership of PFF aims to usher in a transformative phase marked by youth development programs, improved infrastructure, professional league and an inclusive approach to football at all levels. 

 Lahore(SBR):The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, who is a member of ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control teams for the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Lahore.Madugalle, who has also officiated the most international cricket matches (804) across three formats as Match Referee, also led playing control teams in seven matches of the recently concluded HBL PSL X.For the first T20I, Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz – both part of the PCB International Panel of Umpires, will be the on-field umpires. Ahsan Raza, member of ICC Elite Panel of Umpires will be the third umpire, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi – an ICC International Panel Umpire, will act as the fourth umpire.In the second T20I, Rashid Riaz will join Faisal Khan Aafreedi to perform the on-field duties while Ahsan Raza will be the third umpire. Asif Yaqoob will be the fourth umpire.For the third T20I, Ahsan Raza will be joined by Asif Yaqoob to perform on-field duties, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi will be the third umpire. Rashid Riaz will work as the fourth umpire for the final T20I of the series.

TAXILA(SBR):Koliyan Eleven emerged as champions of the Fourth HMC Hard Ball Cricket Tournament after defeating Strikers Cricket Club by six wickets in a thrilling final held at the HMC Cricket Ground. The highlight of the match was a breathtaking innings by Usman Shah, who was named Player of the Match for his explosive 83 runs off just 34 balls.Batting first, Strikers Cricket Club posted a competitive total of 183 runs in their allotted 20 overs, losing all wickets. Ismail played a responsible knock, scoring 50 runs off 40 balls, while Ahsan Saleem added 38, and Rana Fasih smashed a quickfire 29 from just 15 deliveries. For Koliyan Eleven, Haji Usman and Usman Shah both took two wickets, with Umar Khabbhi contributing one.In response, Koliyan Eleven chased down the target in 18 overs, losing only four wickets. Usman Shah's aggressive batting set the tone for the successful run chase, supported by a solid 35 off 26 balls from Shani DSP and an impressive 30-run contribution by Naveed. Ismail claimed two wickets for Strikers, while Rashid Latif and Rana Fasih picked up one each.Following the match, the chief guest, renowned social figure of Taxila, Malik Sohail Akhtar, distributed prizes and encouraged the players. In a major announcement welcomed with loud cheers, Malik Sohail pledged to install a dedicated practice net for hardball cricket at the ground, fulfilling a long-standing dream of local cricketers.The winning team, Koliyan Eleven, was awarded a trophy along with a cash prize of PKR 40,000, while the runner-up, Strikers Cricket Club, received a trophy and PKR 20,000. Additionally, the organizing committee was rewarded with PKR 50,000 for their efforts..

Lahore(SBR): Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars romped to their third HBL PSL title in four years as they beat Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in a thrilling last-over finale here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday night in front of a packed house.Qalandars, who notched their second-highest successful chase, hunted down the 202-run target with one ball to spare as they became the second team besides Islamabad United to bag three HBL PSL titles in the tournament’s 10-year history.The successful 202-run chase by Qalandars is also the highest target surmounted by a team in a T20 final.Kusal Perera, who top-scored for Qalandars with a blazing 62 not out, joined forces with Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza to help their team complete a come-from-behind triumph as the duo stitched an unbeaten 19-ball 59-run fifth-wicket stand.Qalandars required 57 off 20 balls when the Perera and Sikandar got together with the latter making his mark right from the get-go as he struck a six and a four against Mohammad Amir off his first two balls to close off the 17th over of the innings.In the subsequent over, Perera struck two sixes against Khurram Shahzad consigning him for 16 runs. With the required rate above 15, the penultimate over saw Qalandars ransacking 18 runs as Perera again smacked Amir for two fours and a six on the last ball to bring the equation down to 13 required off the final over.Faheem Ashraf gave away only five runs on the first three balls before Raza (22 not out, 7b) bludgeoned a sensational six over deep cover-point followed by a four – the winning shot, to seal the title for Qalandars.Perera, who harvested 170 runs in four games this season, backed up his Eliminator two half-century with the match-winning unbeaten fifty in final in which he hit five fours and four sixes facing 31 balls.After Qalandars were 85-2 in the ninth over, Perera also stitched a 30-run partnership each with Abdullah Shafique (41, 28b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (14, 16b, 1x4, 1x6) to keep the innings intact.At the start of the chase, Mohammad Naeem provided his team with a head-start as he struck six sixes and one four in his 27-ball 46 including a 39-run opening stand with Fakhar Zaman (11, 10b, 2x4s) and a steady 46-run second-wicket partnership with Abdullah.Naeem set the tone for Lahore’s successful chase by striking four sixes in a space of five balls across the second and third overs helping his team collect 56 runs off the Powerplay. Qalandars were 97-2 at the halfway stage before they belted the required remaining 105 runs off the next 9.5 overs.Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted their third-highest total of the HBL PSL X after stumbling to 21-2 with Shaheen and Mohammad Salman Mirza removing the both openers cheaply.Gladiators’ top run-scorer in the innings and best batter of the tournament Hasan Nawaz fought back with 76 off 43 balls keeping the run flow going. Hasan and Rilee Rossouw wrestled back with a 19-ball 37-run stand after two early blows, which also saw their team finish the Powerplay with 57-2.Sikandar then removed Rossouw bringing on Avishka Fernando (29, 22b, 5x4) to the crease as he partnered Hasan for the next 6.3 overs. The duo struck nine fours and two sixes collectively in a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket to keep Lahore’s bowling attack on their toes.Dinesh Chandimal too helped Gladiators by assisting Hasan in a brisk 46-run stand, where the experienced Sri Lankan batter hit two sixes before departing in the 18th over for a 13-ball 22.Shaheen and Haris Rauf then stemmed Gladiators’ progress by delivering a two-wicket over each for eight runs collectively as the 2019 champions found themselves 178-8 in 19 overs.The last over of the innings saw Faheem hit Salman Mirza for three towering sixes and a four to collect 23 runs before falling for an eight-ball 28 on the last ball of the innings.For Lahore, skipper Shaheen, also the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 19 scalps, returned impressive figures of 4-0-24-3, while Salman and Haris picked up two wickets each.Scores in brief:Match 34: Final – Lahore Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at Gaddafi StadiumQuetta Gladiators 201-9, 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 76, Avishka Fernando 29, Faheem Ashraf 28, Rilee Rossouw 22, Dinesh Chandimal 22; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-24, Haris Rauf 2-41, Mohammad Salman Mirza 2-51)Lahore Qalandars 204-4, 19.5 overs (Kusal Perera 62 not out, Mohammad Naeem 46, Abdullah Shafique 41, Sikandar Raza 22 not out; Abrar Ahmed 1-27)Player of the final – Kusal Perera (Lahore Qalandars)Best batter of the tournament – Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators) – 399 runs in 12 matchesBest bowler of the tournament – Abrar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators) – 17 wickets in 12 matchesBest wicket-keeper of the tournament – Mohammad Haris (Peshawar Zalmi) – 247 runs & 12 dismissals in 10 matchesBest fielder of the tournament – Abdul Samad (Peshawar Zalmi) – Nine catches in five matchesEmerging player of the tournament – Mohammad Naeem (Lahore Qalandars) – 316 runs and seven catches in 12 matchesBest all-rounder of the tournament – Faheem Ashraf (Quetta Gladiators) – 163 runs and 17 wickets in 12 matchesWinner of Spirit of Cricket Award – Peshawar Zalmi