Traditional oppositions defending champions India and Pakistan set to meet on September 14Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Asian Champions Trophy Men’s Hockey Tournament will get underway on September 8, 2024 in China, as Pakistan will face Malaysia in their opening contest of prestigious regional field hockey fixture. Green Shirts will take on traditional foes India on September 14, as the Indian lads will defend their title. All matches will be played at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China.Besides hosts China, Pakistan, India, Korea, Malaysia, and Japan will fight for top honour during the 10-day international fixture. Pakistan will play their first match against Malaysia on September 8 at 12:45 pm according to Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Pakistan will meet arch-rivals India on September 14 at 12:45 PST.Pakistan (Squad): Abdul Rehman, Ahmad Ajaz, Ali Ghazanfar, Butt Ammad, Hammadudin Muhammad, Hayat Zikriya, Khan Abdullah Ishtiaq, Khan Sufyan, Liaqat Arshad, Mahmood Abu, Nadeem Ahmad, Qadir Faisal, Rana Waheed Ashraf, Razzaq Salman, Rooman, Shahid Hannan, Shakeel Moin, Ur-Rehman MuneebMalaysia (Squad): Abd Razak Syawal, Abdu Rauf Muhajir, Albert Adrian, Anuar Akhimullah, Azahar Amirul, Azrai Abu Kamal, Harizan Faris, Hassan Najib, Hassan Shafiq, Jali Faiz, Jalil Marhan, Kamaruddin Azimuddin, Mat Deris Zaimi, Mat Syarman, Rozemi Aiman, Saari Faizal, Saari Fitri, Silverius Shello, Sumantri NorsyafiqIndia (Squad): Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad (VC), Manpreet Singh, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, Gurjot SinghChina (Squad) : Ao Weibao, Ao Yang, Chao Jieming, Chen Benhai, Chen Chongcong, Chen Qijun, Deng Jingwen, E Kaimin, E Wenhui, Gao Jiesheng, He Yonghua, Huang Ziyang, Lin Changliang, Lu Yuanlin, Meng Dihao, Meng Nan, Wang Caiyu, Wang Weihao, Zhang Taozhu, Zhu XiaotongKorea (Squad): Bae Jongsuk, Bae Soung Min, Cheon Min Su, Hyun Jigwang, Jung Hyunho, Kim Hyeonhong, Kim Jaehan, Kim Junghoo, Kim Minkwon, Kim Sunghyun, Kong Yoonho, Lee Gangsan, Lee Hyeseung, Lee Jungjun, Oh Daewon, Oh Seyong, Park Cheoleon, Park Geonwoo, Sim Jaewon, Yang JihunJapan (Squad): Chiba Yuki, Fujishima Raiki, Kashiwagi Ren, Kawabe Kosei, Kawahara Yamato, Kawamura Yusuke, Kimura Naru, Kitagawa Takumi, Matsumoto Kazumasa, Matsuzaki Yuito, Nagai Yuma, Nagayoshi Ken, Oba Yosei, Tanaka Seren, Tanaka Tsubasa, Watanabe Keita, Yamada Shota, Yamashita Manabu Schedule (Asian Champions Trophy 2024):September 8, Sunday (South Korea vs Japan) 11:00 AMSeptember 8, Sunday (Malaysia vs Pakistan) 1:15 PMSeptember 8, Sunday (India vs China) 3:30 PMSeptember 9, Monday (South Korea vs Pakistan) 11:00 AMSeptember 9, Monday (India vs Japan) 1:15 PMSeptember 9, Monday (China vs Malaysia) 3:30 PMSeptember 11, Wednesday (Pakistan vs Japan) 11:00 AMSeptember 11, Wednesday (Malaysia vs India) 1:15 PMSeptember 11, Wednesday (China vs South Korea) 3:30 PMSeptember 12, Thursday (Japan vs Malaysia) 11:00 AMSeptember 12, Thursday (South Korea vs India) 1:15 PMSeptember 12, Thursday (Pakistan vs China) 3:30 PMSeptember 14, Saturday (Malaysia vs South Korea) 11:00 AMSeptember 14, Saturday (India vs Pakistan) 1:15 PMSeptember 14, Saturday (Japan vs China) 3:30 PMSeptember 16, Monday (5th-6th place play-off)10:30 AMSeptember 16, Monday (Semifinal 1) 1:10 PMSeptember 16, Monday (Semi-final 2) 3:30 PMSeptember 17, Tuesday (Third-place play-off) 1:00 PMSeptember 17, Tuesday (Final) 3:30 PM. 

Sports Bulletin ReportRome (Italy): The World Skate Games Italia 2024 officially kicked off with an extraordinary Opening Ceremony, held in the stunning setting of Piazza di Spagna in Rome. It was an unforgettable event, enriched by light shows, music, and breathtaking choreography that captivated the entire audience.The iconic landmarks of Trinità dei Monti and the Barcaccia fountain provided a dramatic backdrop to a unique spectacle, organized by the Milan and Rome-based Little Eagles and Triggger. The ceremony featured representatives from the 100 participating countries, who descended the famous Spanish Steps accompanied by lights and the colors of their respective flags.A wave of emotions followed, from the reading of the oath by referees and athletes, to the stirring flag-raising against the illuminated backdrop of Trinità dei Monti Church, along with institutional speeches that highlighted the core values of the event: inclusivity, unity, sporting democracy, and fair competition.The spectacle and energy of roller sports will resonate throughout Italy until September 22, bringing unforgettable moments to fans and beyond.The event will take place across 20 different locations, including Rome, Abruzzo, Novara, and Rimini, with over 12,000 athletes participating from all over the world.With 600 scheduled competitions and more than 150 world titles at stake, the World Skate Games 2024 is the largest international event dedicated to roller sports, with an unprecedented impact on the history of global sports competitions.

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK):  The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Flintoff as Head Coach of the England Men’s Lions programme for the upcoming year.Flintoff emerged as the standout candidate from a pool of high-calibre applicants. He will take up the role in October, overseeing a schedule which includes a tour of South Africa before Christmas, a red ball tour of Australia in January, and a summer series against India A and Zimbabwe on home soil.Over the past year, Flintoff, 46, has contributed to England’s national white-ball teams, working as an assistant coach during the T20 World Cup and West Indies tour. He has also held consultancy roles with the national squads and recently took charge as Head Coach of the Northern Superchargers Men’s team in The Hundred.Ed Barney, ECB Men’s Performance Director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Flintoff into this key role. Andrew stood out thanks to his inspirational leadership, coaching expertise, and deep understanding of the game. His vision aligns very closely with the playing style and identity that has been fostered with England Men under Brendon McCullum and this appointment contributes to a truly exciting outlook for the future of English cricket. The England Lions programme is a cornerstone of our cricketing structure, playing a critical role in nurturing the next generation of talent. With Andrew’s guidance, the highest potential players will continue to develop, thrive and take their game to new levels. I’m confident his influence will resonate across English cricket, helping drive the game forward.”Andrew Flintoff said: “I’m incredibly excited to take on this role with the England Lions. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best up-and-coming talent in the country and to help shape the future of the men’s game. The Lions programme has always been a vital stepping stone for players pushing for international success, and I’m honoured to be part of that journey. The future of the game in England is in excellent health. There is a wealth of talent emerging, and I’m looking forward to helping these players reach their full potential. Whether these players are pushing for England selection or finding their feet in Lions cricket, I have no doubt that the Lions programme will offer a real point of difference in their development. It’s an exciting time for English cricket, and I’m passionate about inspiring the next generation to take the sport forward. We’ve got a strong foundation, and I believe we can create something truly special.” 

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: The 37th National Junior Hockey Championship will be played from September 21 to October 10, 2024 at Lt. Gen (Retd) Ishfaq Nadeem Hockey Stadium, Ayub Park Rawalpindi.Regarding the top national junior hockey fixture, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has written a letter to all its affiliated unites including all provinces and advised them to prepare their teams for the national junior hockey event.  

Mohammad Shoaib overcomes Aqeel Khan in Men’s Singles final, Ushna defeats AmnaAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Top national tennis lad Mohammad Shoaib and top national women Ushna Suhail lifted the titles of the Khawar Hyat Khan Memorial National Ranking Tennis Tournament in their respective categories Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles respectively after beating Aqeel Khan and Amna Ali Qayum in finals here at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex on Friday.In a thrilling Men's Singles final, Mohammad Shoaib of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) beat Aqeel Khan with a score-line of 7-5, and 6-3. In the first set, both players exhibited top class game of tennis and played excellent powerful forehands and backhands with classic drives. However, Mohammad Shoaib won the first game on tie-break while in the second set, Mohammad Shoaib proved too good and finished the match comfortably.Earlier, in the Ladies' Singles final, Ushna Suhail secured victory against Amna Ali Qayum in straights sets 2-0. The final score-line was 6-1, and 6-1. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, Patron of the PTF graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed the prizes among the players.Also, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of PTF, Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail [R], Secretary-General PTF, Khawaja Suhail, SVP-PTF Col. Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Ex-DDG-PSB, and Azeem Shah, former DG-CDA were present in the ceremony. The event was also attended by a large number of tennis enthusiasts, players, parents, coaches, and media personnel. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi congratulated all the winners and runners-up, encouraging them to work hard towards future success.It ia pertinent to mention here that Khawar Hyat Khan, who served as the Senior Executive Vice President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) from 2015 until his passing on 26th January 2024, under the leadership of Senator Salim Saifullah Khan. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board today (September 6, 2024) announced the captains of the five Champions One-Day Cup teams, as well as provisional squads for the tournament, which will be held in Faisalabad from 12-29 September. The captains were appointed by the five team mentors: Misbah-ul-Haq (Wolves), Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Dolphins), Shoaib Malik (Stallions) and Waqar Younis (Lions).Pakistan’s Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel has been appointed captain of the Dolphins, former Pakistan T20I captain Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the Lions and the Panthers will be skippered by former white-ball vice-captain, Shadab Khan. Pakistan Shaheens' captain Mohammad Haris will lead the Stallions, while ex-all-format vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan will captain the Wolves.The Champions One-Day Cup will feature the country’s top cricketers. This 50-over tournament will be played in a single-league format. All matches will commence at 3pm, except for the Lions vs Panthers match on 16 September, which will start at 9:30am. The tournament will conclude with three playoff matches over four days, culminating in the final on Sunday, 29 September.Misbah-ul-Haq’s Wolves will face Saqlain Mushtaq’s Panthers in the opening match on 12 September.The PCB has also announced provisional squads for the five teams. These were selected by the team mentors through a draft process from a pool of 150 players, which was provided by the PCB following fitness tests—one of the primary selection criteria for domestic contracted players. The centrally contracted players will undergo fitness tests in Faisalabad on 7 and 9 September.Out of the 150 players, 125 were leading performers from the past three domestic seasons. The remaining 25 players were wildcards, selected based on their experience and performances for Pakistan, Pakistan Shaheens and Pakistan Under-19 teams over the last three years.Each team includes existing centrally contracted players. These are:Dolphins: Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf and Sarfaraz AhmedLions: Abdullah Shafique, Aamir Jamal, Imam-ul-Haq and Shaheen Shah AfridiPanthers: Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Usama MirStallions: Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Zaman KhanWolves: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha and Shahnawaz DahaniCentrally contracted players who are not part of the squads include Mohammad Nawaz (personal reasons), Imad Wasim (unavailable), Arshad Iqbal, Hasan Ali, Ihsanullah and Mohammad Wasim Jnr (undergoing rehabilitation).In addition to Imad Wasim, who is currently playing in the CPL, the following players have made themselves unavailable for the Faisalabad tournament: Ahmed Shehzad, Azam Khan (CPL), Haris Sohail, Mohammad Amir (CPL), Mohammad Abbas (County cricket in the UK), Mohammad Ilyas and Umar Akmal. Fakhar Zaman, who is also playing in the CPL, is due to return on 10 September.Other players undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy include Ahsan Ali, Athar Mahmood, Rizwan Hussain, and Zeeshan Zamir, in addition to Arshad Iqbal, Hasan Ali, Ihsanullah, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr.Nine domestic contracted players were excluded from the Champions One-Day Cup squads after failing their fitness tests. They are: Ali Shafique, Ali Zaryab, Arif Yaqoob, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Saad Baig, Rameez Aziz, Sharjeel Khan, and Shawaiz Irfan.Four cricketers, returning to competitive cricket after successfully passing their fitness tests and completing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy, are: Hunain Shah (Lions), Sameen Gul, Sufiyan Moqim (both Dolphins), and Shahnawaz Dahani (Wolves).Squads:DOLPHINS: Saud Shakeel (captain, Karachi), Aftab Ibrahim (Karachi), Asif Ali (Faisalabad), Awais Ali (Gujranwala), Faheem Ashraf (Kasur), Kashif Ali (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Muhammad Akhlaq (Kamoki), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (Karachi), Muhammad Riazullah (Peshawar), Noman Ali (Hyderabad), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sameen Gul (Jamrud), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Karachi), Sahibzada Farhan (Peshawar), Sufiyan Moqim (Kotli), Umar Amin (Rawalpindi) and Usman Qadir (Lahore), Mentor – Sarfaraz AhmedLIONS: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain, Peshawar), Abdullah Shafique (Sialkot), Aamir Jamal (Islamabad), Aamer Yamin (Multan), Faisal Akram (Multan), Hassan Nawaz (Islamabad), Hunain Shah (Lahore), Imam-ul-Haq (Lahore), Imran Butt (Lahore), Khushdil Shah (Bannu), Mohammad Asghar (Karachi), Muhammad Irfan Khan (Mianwali), Mohammad Taha (Karachi), Omair Bin Yousuf (Karachi), Rohail Nazir (Islamabad), Shahab Khan (Mardan), Sharoon Siraj (Sahiwal), Sirajuddin (Bajaur) and Waqar Hussain (Okara), Mentor – Waqar YounisPANTHERS: Shadab Khan (captain, Islamabad), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Ahmed Bashir (Lahore), Ali Asfand (Faisalabad), Ali Raza (Sheikhupura), Amad Butt (Sialkot), Arafat Minhas (Multan), Azan Awais (Sialkot), Haider Ali (Attock), Mohammad Hasnain (Hyderabad), Mohammad Umar (Karachi), Mohammad Zeeshan (Faisalabad), Mubasir Khan (Rawalpindi), Rehan Afridi (Khyber), Rizwan Mehmood (Hyderabad), Saim Ayub (Karachi), Umar Siddiq (Lahore), Usama Mir (Sialkot), Usman Khan (Karachi) and Usman Salahuddin (Lahore), Mentor – Saqlain MushtaqSTALLIONS: Mohammad Haris (captain, Peshawar), Abrar Ahmed (Karachi), Adil Amin (Peshawar), Azam Khan (Peshawar), Babar Azam (Lahore), Haris Rauf (Islamabad), Hussain Talat (Lahore), Jahandad Khan (Rawalpindi), Junaid Ali (Lahore), Maaz Ahmad Sadaqat (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mohammad Ali (Sialkot), Mohammad Amir Khan (Swat), Saad Khan (Hyderabad), Shamyl Hussain (Islamabad), Shan Masood (Karachi), Tayyab Tahir (Sarai Alamgir), Ubaid Shah (Lahore), Yasir Khan (Rawalpindi) and Zaman Khan (Mirpur), Mentor – Shoaib MalikWOLVES: Mohammad Rizwan (captain, Peshawar), Fakhar Zaman (Abbottabad), Abdul Samad (Faisalabad), Akif Javed (FATA), Ali Usman (Multan), Bilawal Bhatti (Muridke), Haseebullah (Pishin), Iftikhar Ahmed (Peshawar), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mohammad Faizan (Faisalabad), Mohammad Imran Jnr (Peshawar), Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (FATA), Muhammad Imran (Khanewal), Naseem Shah (Lahore), Nisar Ahmed (Lahore), Salman Ali Agha (Lahore), Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana), Zahid Mehmood (Dadu) and Zain Abbas (Multan), Mentor – Misbah-ul-HaqEvent schedule:12 Sep – Wolves v Panthers13 Sep – Stallions v Lions14 Sep – Dolphins v Panthers15 Sep – Wolves v Stallions16 Sep – Lions v Panthers17 Sep – Dolphins v Wolves19 Sep – Stallions v Dolphins20 Sep – Lions v Wolves21 Sep – Panthers v Stallions22 Sep – Dolphins v Lions24 Sep – Qualifier (Team No.1 v Team No. 2)25 Sep – Eliminator 1 (Team No.3 v Team No.4)27 Sep – Eliminator 2 (Losing Qualifier v Winning Eliminator 2)29 Sep – Final. 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Under-12 Boys’ tennis team has left for Kazakhstan to participate in the ATF U12 Team Competition Final 2024, scheduled to take place in Shymkent from September 16 to 21, 2024. Three players including Mohammad Shayan Afridi, Rashid Ali, and Mohammad Junaid along with non-playing captain-cum-coach Mohammad Abid will represent Pakistan in an international juniors’ tennis fixture.According to an official of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the team will also attend a three-week training camp, one week before the event and two weeks after, as part of a historic in collaboration between the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) and the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF).This is the second time Pakistan has reached the final stage of this prestigious event. In 2021, Pakistan triumphed over India to win the championship. Syria, and Saudi Arabia from West Asia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from Central Asia, Pakistan and India from South Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam from Southeast Asia and China, Chinese Taipei, and Korea from East Asia will participate in the 6-day competitions.As a result of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the PTF and KTF, the Pakistani team will benefit from extensive training in Shymkent. This is the first time Pakistani players will attend a training camp abroad, which is expected to significantly enhance their skills. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the PTF, extended his best wishes to the team, urging them to play with full force and bring home the title. He emphasized the importance of the MOU, stating that such initiatives will give young players opportunities to showcase their talent and improve their skills. He also expressed gratitude to the KTF for hosting the Pakistani team.

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Men's white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, has been ruled out of the upcoming IT20 series against Australia due to a setback with a right calf injury. This injury also places his participation in the Metro Bank ODIs later this month in doubt.Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton has been called up as a replacement in the T20 squad. The three-match IT20 series is set to begin next week at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton, on 11 September 2024.Additionally, Essex batter Jordan Cox has been added to the ODI squad as cover. The five-match ODI series is scheduled to start on 19 September at Trent Bridge. In Buttler's absence, Phil Salt of Lancashire, who has captained the Manchester Originals in The Hundred this season, will lead the T20 side.England Men's IT20 Squad: Phil Salt (Lancashire-Captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Jordan Cox (Essex), Sam Curran (Surrey), Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dan Mousley (Warwickshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Reece Topley (Surrey), John Turner (Hampshire)England Men's ODI Squad: Jos Buttler (Lancashire -Captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Jordan Cox (Essex), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Reece Topley (Surrey), John Turner (Hampshire)T20 Series Schedule:1st IT20: England v Australia, Wednesday 11 September 2024, Utilita Bowl (6.30pm start)2nd IT20: England v Australia, Friday 13 September 2024, Sophia Gardens (6.30pm start)3rd IT20: England v Australia, Sunday15 September 2024, Emirates Old Trafford (2.30pm start)ODI Series Schedule:1st ODI: England v Australia, Thursday 19 September 2024, Trent Bridge, (12.30pm start)2nd ODI: England v Australia, Saturday 21 September 2024, Headingley (11.00am start)3rd ODI: England v Australia, Tuesday 24 September 2024, Seat Unique Riverside (12.30pm start)4th ODI: England v Australia, Friday 27 September 2024, Lord's (12.30pm start)5th ODI: England v Australia, Sunday 29 September 2024, Seat Unique Stadium (11.00am start).  

Sports Bulletin ReportFAISALABAD: Former ICC elite panelist Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob of the ICC’s international panel will umpire the opening match between Wolves and Panthers in the Champions One-Day Cup on 12 September, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today. Former Test cricketer Ali Naqvi will lead the Playing Control Team (PCB), which will also include Waleed Yaqub and Zulfiqar Jan as third and fourth umpires.Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob, Waleed Yaqub and Zulfiqar Jan are amongst a panel of nine umpires who will be officiating in the tournament between country’s best of the best players with stalwarts such as Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis involved as mentors. The other five umpires are: Faisal Aafreedi, Imtiaz Iqbal, Imran Jawed, Nasir Hussain and Rashid RiazApart from Ali Naqvi, match referees’ responsibilities will be shared between Bilal Khilji, Iftikhar Ahmed, Iqbal Sheikh, Nadeem Arshad and Kamran Chaudhry. Umpire and match referee appointments for the three playoffs and the final will be announced closer to time. Umpire and match referee appointments (all matches at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad; 16 Sep match will start at 9.30am, rest of the matches will start at 3pm).September 12, 2024: Wolves v Panthers. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires); Waleed Yaqub (third umpire), Zulfiqar Jan (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)September 13, 2024: Stallions v Lions. Aleem Dar and Waleed Yaqub (on-field umpires); Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Zulfiqar Jan (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)September 14, 2024: Dolphins v Panthers. Asif Yaqoob and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires); Aleem Dar (third umpire), Waleed Yaqub (fourth umpire); Bilal Khilji (match referee)September 15, 2024: Wolves v Stallions. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires); Waleed Yaqub (third umpire), Zulfiqar Jan (fourth umpire); Bilal Kjilji (match referee)September 16, 2024: Lions v Panthers. Waleed Yaqub and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires); Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Imran Jawed (fourth umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)September 17, 2024: Dolphins v Wolves. Nasir Hussain and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires); Imran Jawed (third umpire), Waleed Yaqub (fourth umpire); Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)September 19, 2024: Stallions v Dolphins. Imran Jawed and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpire); Nasir Hussain (third umpire), Waleed Yaqub (fourth umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee)September 20, 2024: Lions v Wolves. Imran Jawed and Nasir Hussain (on-field umpires); Rashid Riaz (TV umpire), Imtiaz Iqbal (fourth umpire); Iftikhar Ahmed (match referee)September 21, 2024: Panthers v Stallions. Imran Jawed and Nasir Hussain (on-field umpires: Faisal Aafreedi (third umpire), Imtiaz Iqbal (fourth umpire); Nadeem Arshad (match referee)September 22, 2024: Dolphins v Lions: Faisal Aafreedi and Imtiaz Iqbal (on-field umpires); Nasir Hussain (third umpire), Imran Jawed (fourth umpire); Kamran Chaudhry (match referee). 

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Pro League (SPL) is proud to announce TikTok as its ‘Digital Partner’ for the 2024-25 season. TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video and with this partnership, aims to create an unparalleled digital experience for football fans across the region and beyond.In this official partnership, TikTok will introduce a dedicated SPL Exclusive Hub, a central space where fans can access content from the league's clubs and partners. This hub offers an immersive experience, bringing fans closer to their favourite teams and players in innovative and interactive ways. This collaboration sets new standards for sports entertainment by leveraging TikTok’s creative community and dynamic platform to bring the SPL closer to its expanding fanbase.Through this partnership, TikTok will elevate the excitement of Roshn Saudi League (RSL) matches like never before. The SPL will offer exclusive content available only on TikTok, giving fans unique insights into the league, its clubs, and players. From behind-the-scenes footage to in-depth player interviews, the content will create an engaging and immersive experience for fans.Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League, said: “The partnership between the Saudi Pro League and TikTok is a groundbreaking development for our sector in the region and represents a strategic leap into the future of sports entertainment. This is more than a partnership, it’s a digital revolution. We are harnessing TikTok’s power to transcend traditional engagement and offer our fans a canvas for creative expression and a suite of experiences tailored to their passion for football. We’re creating a realm where each fan has a front-row seat to the spectacle of the Roshn Saudi League, powered by the boundless creativity that TikTok embodies.” Kinda Ibrahim, TikTok’s GM for Operations in the Middle East said: “Saudi Arabia’s passion for football runs deep in its history. By partnering with the Saudi Pro League, we are tapping into this strong affection for the sport and aligning with the league’s strategic vision to become one of the top football leagues globally. Through modernising the fan experience with a dedicated space for league content, clubs, and partners, we aim to strengthen the community of sports enthusiasts by providing them with more ways to connect and engage with exclusive content online.”