Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-It was to be Spain's day in Bhubaneswar as the Red Sticks men and women's teams put in resilient performances to defeat the host nations in the second day of FIH Hockey Pro League action between the two nations. Spain beat India 4-3 (women) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) Spain started the first quarter in dominating fashion. Begona Garcia in particular seemed to be everywhere and her energetic running was rewarded with a goal in the fourth minute of the game. At this stage, Spain were in the ascendency and India seemed to be overwhelmed by the pace of the Red Stick’s game. That changed in the 10th minute when debutant Sangita Kumari showed her strength and ability to find the goal as she beat two defenders and then shot with precision to bring the scores level. For an athlete in her first senior match, Sangita showed some cool-headed skill. The Garcia show continued as the quarter counted down. A clever ball into the circle by Georgina Oliva, who celebrated her 250th cap, found an Indian foot to win a penalty corner. Following the initial shot, it was Maialen Garcia who deflected the penalty corner shot into the goal to restore the Spanish lead. Salima Tete answered Head Coach Janneke Schopman’s request for speedier play. The forward brought the scores level as she burst forwards into the Spain circle and unleashed a reverse stick shot that proved unstoppable. Just two minutes later, in the 24th minute, we saw the moment of the match as Belen Iglesias used tremendous skill and vision to lob the ball over Savita’s head, into the goal. Just when it looked as if the match was going to shoot-out, up stepped one of the more experienced of the Red Sticks team – Xantal Gine – to fire home the penalty corner that gave Spain their first win of the FIH Hockey Pro League. The result means India are in third position in the league table behind Argentina and Netherlands. Spain, with a win and a draw are in fifth place, just behind Belgium. Spain beat India 5-3 (men) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) India took a lead in the sixth minute through Abhishek; the striker running the backline and then flicking past Adrian Rafi. Eight minutes later, Pau Cunill scored from Spain’s first penalty corner in the 14th minute and just seconds later eventual Player of the Match Joan Tarres looked almost casual as he struck an upright, reverse stick shot past Suraj Karkera in the India goal to put Spain ahead as they went into the break. A rocket from Pau Cunill was the first score of the second quarter and it was against the run of play as India had enjoyed more possession and more meaningful attacks to that point. But Cunill’s shot was accomplished and confident as it flew past PR Sreejesh in the India goal. Sreejesh was celebrating his 250th match for India and this was not the way he would want to remember the occasion. India responded through Harmanpreet Singh, again from a polished penalty corner routine. The goal makes Harmanpreet the first player to reach double figures in this year’s goal scoring tally. With the score at 3-2, the second half was all set to mimic, if not exceed, the excitement and drama of the previous day’s action. The third quarter was intense but neither side managed to find a goal-scoring breakthrough, although India were definitely playing with more energy and ideas than their European counterparts. The question was whether Max Caldas’ men could hold onto the lead and, if possible, extend it. The answer came with nine minutes left on the clock. Sukhjeet Singh, who was playing his first senior game, made the dream start on his debut, dribbling through the Spanish defenders before slotting the ball home to bring the scores level. For the Spanish team, the spectre of once again losing in the final moments was looming large. With just over six minutes left there was yet another twist in the this tale. Pepe Cunill joined his brother Pau on the score-sheet after rifling home a penalty corner – for his first senior international goal. The shot was subject to a long video review but the goal stood and Spain took the lead again. India took their ‘keeper from the field with three minutes left and Spain were able to capitalise when they won another penalty corner. Marc Miralles was able to fire home for his fourth goal of the weekend. The 5-3 scoreline with just 90 seconds left gave the Red Sticks breathing room as they headed to their first FIH Hockey Pro League win of the season.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Christchurch:-Half-centuries from Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar handed Pakistan a four-wicket win over hosts New Zealand in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln. Aliya smashed unbeaten 62 off 52 (eight fours) and Nida struck 54 off 59 (four fours) as the two contributed crucial 99 runs for the sixth wicket after Pakistan found themselves in a spot of bother with five wickets down for 119, chasing 230. The other notable performances with the bat came from opener Sidra Amin (34 off 47), Omaima Sohail (31 off 34) and captain Bismah Maroof (28 off 58). Aliya and Nida were Pakistan’s top run scorers in ODIs in 2021. Left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu accounted for four White Ferns batters as she returned four for 32 in 10 overs and Fatima Sana and Ghulam Fatima picked up two wickets each after Bismah chose to field after calling the toss right. New Zealand were bowled out for 229 in 45 overs. Pakistan play their second and final warm-up against Bangladesh on 2 March, before they fly to Tauranga, where they will open their World Cup campaign on 6 March with the match against India. Scores in brief: New Zealand 229 all out, 45 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 80, Maddy Green 58; Nashra Sandhu 4-32, Fatima Sana 2-38, Ghulam Fatima 2-44) Pakistan 233 for 6, 49.2 overs (Aliya Riaz 62 not out, Nida Dar 54, Sidra Amin 34, Omaima Sohail 31, Bismah Maroof 28; Jess Kerr 2-30).     

Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has handed out 100 contracts to junior cricketers between 13 and 19 years age bracket as part of PCB’s Junior Development Programme. Alongside the financial support, the PCB will be investing in these youngsters to develop their complete personality, including cricketing skills and providing education to them. With the contracts coming into effect the 100 contracted players will be earning monthly retainers of PKR 30,000 each. Under-19 players for junior contracts: Aaliyan Mehmood (Sindh), Abbas Ali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdul Faseeh (Northern), Abdul Rehman (Sindh), Adeel Meo (Sindh), Adil Naz (Northern), Afaq Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ahmed Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ali Asfand (Central Punjab), Arafat Ahmed (Southern Punjab), Arham Nawab (Central Punjab), Asif Ali (Sindh), Aun Shehzad (Southern Punjab), Aurangzaib (Balochistan), Awais Abbas (Southern Punjab), Awais Ali (Central Punjab), Azan Awais (Central Punjab), Basit Ali (Balochistan), Ch Shujah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Faisal Akram (Southern Punjab), Ghazi Ghori (Sindh), Habibullah (Sindh), Hafiz Usman Nadeem (Central Punjab), Haseebullah (Balochistan), Hasnat Abbas (Central Punjab), Husnain Majid (Southern Punjab), Irfan Khan Niazi (Central Punjab), Jahandad Khan (Northern), Kabir Raj (Balochistan), Kashif Ali (Sindh), Khawaja Mohammad Hafeez (Sindh), Maaz Sadaqat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mehran Mumtaz (Northern), Mohammad Danish (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Ismail (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Shehzad (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Umar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Waqas (Central Punjab), Mohammad Zahid (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Zeeshan (Central Punjab), Mubashir Nawaz (Sindh), Rizwan Ahmed (Balochistan), Rizwan Mehmood (Sindh), Sajjad Ali (Balochistan), Shahwaiz Irfan Ullah (Central Punjab), Shamraiz Khan (Balochistan), Shamyl Hussain (Northern), Wahaj Riaz (Sindh), Zeeshan Zameer (Sindh) and Zubair Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Special talent - nominated category: Ali Raza (Central Punjab U16), Faizan Saleem (Northern U19), Farhan Yousaf (Central Punjab U16), Ibrar Afzal (Central Punjab), Momin Qamar (Central Punjab U16), Muneeb Wasif (Central Punjab U19), Raza Ul Mustafa (Northern U19), Tahir Hussain (Southern Punjab U19), Talha Ihsan (Sindh U19) and Usman Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16) Under-16 players for junior contracts: Adeel Mushtaq (Southern Punjab Blues), Adil Waheed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Afkar Durrani (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ahmed Hussain (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues), Ali Hamza (Central Punjab), Ali Hasnain Badshah (Southern Punjab), Ali Hassan Baloch (Central Punjab), Amir Hassan (Northern), Awais Raheem (Sindh), Haroon Arshad (Sindh), Inamullah (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Ansarullah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haroon (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Nabeel (Northern), Mohammad Shoaib (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Tayyab Arif (Central Punjab Whites), Mohammad Usman (Central Punjab), Mohammad Zubair (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Riazullah Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saad Masood (Northern), Salman Ahmed (Southern Punjab), Shahmir Nisar Khan (Northern), Ubaid Shahid (Central Punjab), Usman Ghani (Balochistan) and Yahya Shah (Sindh) Under-13 players for junior contracts Abdul Rehman (Southern Punjab), Ahsan Khan (Sindh), Akbar Ali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Faizan Riasat (Southern Punjab), Hasnain Abbas (Central Punjab), Junaid Khan Khalil (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khan Wali (Balochistan), Maaz Ahmed (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Ali Sabir (Central Punjab), Mohammad Azan (Sindh), Mohammad Sohaib (Northern), Mohammad Umar (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Yousaf (Northern), Taj Mohammad (Central Punjab) and Zain Ul Abideen (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Players already having a domestic contract (will become part of this program, in addition to 100 players) Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Balochistan), Mohammad Huraira (Central Punjab), Mubasir Khan (Northern), Qasim Akram (Central Punjab) and Saim Ayub (Sindh)                                                                                                

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Iftikhar Ahmed and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Junior have been included in Pakistan’s Test squad for the first match of the three-match series against Australia. The two have replaced Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali who have been ruled out of the Rawalpindi Test (first of the series) due to injuries. Both Iftikhar and Wasim (chosen due to their all-round ability) will reach Islamabad tonight and start their three-day isolation at the team hotel after which they will join the rest of the squad after clearing covid tests. Faheem and Hasan will rejoin the squad in the coming week and after completing their three-day mandatory isolation integrate with the rest of the squad during the first Test, both are expected to regain full fitness before the second Test that will be played in Karachi 12-16 March. 15-player squad: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Zahid Mahmood (Sindh) Test schedule: 1st Test, March 4 to 8, 2022 at Rawalpindi 2nd Test, March 12 to 16, 2022 at Karachi 3rd Test, March 21 to 25, 2022 at Lahore

Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-Raja Hasan and Samiya Tariq became the national junior badminton champions of Under-19 Boys’ and Girls’ events respectively after beating their respective opponents in the final of DHA National Junior Badminton Championship at Lahore on Sunday. Mohammad Khalid Mahmood Secretary General, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) was the chief guest of the final and distributed cash prize and trophies amongst the finalists. Director Sports, Sports Branch DHA Brigadier (R) Munir Ahmad, Wajid Ali Chaudhry President Pakistan Badminton Federation and Additional Director Sports DHA Lahore Lt. Col. (R) Zia Ud Din were also present at the occasion. Results (finals): Boys’ Singles Under-15 Fahad Ahmad (Khyber Pakhtuhnkhwa) beat Amer Hassan Janjua (Islamabad) by 21-13, 21-17 Boys Singles Under-17 Mohammad Zaid (Khyber Pakhtuhnkhwa) beat Malik Ghasif (Punjab) by 21-16, 21-17 Girls’ Singles Under-17 Ammarah Ishtiaq (Sindh) beat Kanzul Eman (Islamabad) by 21-7, 21-16 Women’s Singles Under-19 Sumaiya Tariq (Army) beat Alja Tariq (Balochistan) by 22-20, 10-21, 21-16 Men’s Singles Under-19 Raja Hassan (New Khan) beat Hamza Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) by 21-15, 17-21, 21-13 Women’s Doubles Under-19 Alja Tariq (Balochistan) & Sumiya Tariq (Army) beat Ammarah Ishtiaq (Sindh) & Umama Usman (Army) by 21-17, 21-18 Men’s Doubles Under-19 Hamza Khan & M Afnan (KP) beat Saad Aamir (Punjab) & Raja Hassan (New Khan) by 27-25, 21-17

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-Jabir Ali beat Hamza Asim 2-1 in the Men’s Singles final of the MCI Twin City Tennis Tournament at Islamabad Tennis Complex on Sunday. The final score-line was 0-6, 6-1 and 7-5. In the ladies singles final, Mahak Khokhar overcame Saher Aleem in straight sets 2-0 at 6-1, 6-1 to lift the title. Chief Guest, Direct Amir Shezad Sports and Culture and Deputy Director Ch Shezad Yasin Sports and Culture distributed the prizes amongst the winners and runner-ups. Results (Finals): Men singles: Jabir Ali beat Hamza Asim 0-6, 6-1, 7-5; Ladies singles: Mahak Khakhar beat Sehar Aleem 6-1, 6-1; Boys’ Under-18 Singles: Ibrahim Saqib beat Haziq Asim 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 Girls’ Under-18 Singles: Saher Aleem beat Zara Lawangin 6-4, 6-3;  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Farhan Mehboob, Waqas Mehboob, Hamza Shraif and Farhan Zaman have moved into the semifinals of the ongoing PSF-International Squash Circuit-1 Tournament at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad on Sunday. The both semifinals will be played on Monday (February 28) at the same venue. In the 1st semifinal Farhan Mehboob will play against his younger brother Waqas Mehboob while in the 2nd semifinal Hamza Khan will meet Farhan Zaman. Results: In the 1st Quarter Final, World No 240 Farhan Mehboob beat World No 203 Mohammad Farhan Hashmi by 11-5, 8-11, 11-4 and 11-9 in 29 Minutes. In 2nd Quarter Final, World No 157 Waqas Mehboob beat World No 168 Hamza Sharif by 11-5, 11-8 and 12-10 in 25 Minutes. In 3rd Quarter Final, World No 220 Hamza Khan bt World No 253 Zeeshan Zeb by 11-8, 12-10 and 11-8 in 31 Minutes. In 4th Quarter Final, World No 116 Farhan Zaman bt World No 197 Danish Atlas Khan by 12-10, 11-6 (Rtd Hurt) in 14 Minutes.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India men enjoyed a magnificent comeback after they went 4-1 down to Spain with 15 minutes left of their match. But somehow the host nation drew on every reserve of energy to score four goals, including a dramatic penalty stroke in the final five seconds to win the match 5-4 and move to second in the FIH Hockey Pro League. India 2-1 Spain (women) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) The first half may have finished equal in terms of goals but the 30 minutes belonged to Spain in terms of possession and circle penetrations. The Red Sticks ended the half with 69 per cent possession and 19 incursions into the India ‘D’. India had managed only five meaningful attacks in response. As against the Netherlands in their earlier matches, much of the driving force for Spain came from the non-stop running of Georgina Oliva. In the second half, the momentum switched as India changed tactics and began to pressure the Spanish midfield and defence with a sustained high press. The hard-work of Player of the Match Sharmila Devi, alongside the skills of Navneet and Nikki Pradhan, began to test the Spanish side’s ability to hold the ball. Player of the Match, Shamila Devi said: ‘We played every well and I am very excited because we are playing at my home ground.’ Spain’s captain Maria Lopez said: ‘We played a really good game, especially in the first half. We have to keep improving our performance but tomorrow it will be better. India took advantage of their opportunities and that was difference.’ India 5-4 Spain (men) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) India thought they had taken an early lead when Harmanpreet rifled home India’s first penalty corner attempt. A review saw that goal overturned and it was actually Spain who took the lead in the 14th minute when Pau Cunill scored his first goal in the FIH Pro League. A minute later Harmanpreet once again stepped up for a penalty corner after a clever move in the circle by Lalit earned India their second penalty corner. Once again Harmanpreet found a way past Mario Garin in the Spanish goal and there was no argument this time. The second quarter saw Spain begin to find new levels of energy and innovation, personified by their captain Marc Miralles. It was Miralles who found his way onto the scoresheet, with a penalty corner and a penalty stroke in the 20th and 23rd minute. The two goal buffer not only built the Spanish team’s levels of confidence, it also served to create a sense of frustration amongst the Indian players. The second half burst into life as Marc Miralles scored his hat trick with a beautifully taken reverse stick shot following a penalty corner rebound. At first, the goal was disallowed as it appeared to be outside the circle, but the decision was reversed and Spain took a 4-1 lead. It was this action that galvanised India and suddenly, with the small group of spectators roaring them on, the home side were on the come-back trail. In the 41st minute Lakra Shilanand scored following a jinking run through the left-side of the Red Sticks defence and just two minutes later Shamsher Singh rattled home a penalty corner after Lalit Upadhyay drew a foul with some clever movements in the circle. However, with four minutes left, Spain gifted India a penalty corner with a slip at the top of the circle and Kumar Vuran - on his 100th appearance for the senior team – was able to draw his team level with a fantastic turn and shot. Player of the Match: Jaskaran Singh said: ‘We were losing in the first half but in the second half we made our chances, took them and won the match.’ Spain's captain Marc Miralles said: ‘It is tough for us because it is the same thing that happened against England, we lost in the final minutes. But, we played well and if we play like this tomorrow, we will be in a position to win.’ Result: Women's Match India 2, Spain 1 Player of the Match, Devi Sharmila (IND) Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Deepak Joshi (IND), Javed Shaikh (IND, Video Umpire) Result: Men’s Match 2 India 5, Spain 4 Player of the Match: Jaskaran Singh (IND) Umpires: Raghu Prasad (IND), Javed Shaikh (IND), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL-video).

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Pakistan and Australia will play the first of the three ICC World Test Championship Tests in Rawalpindi March 4 to 8, 2022. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized for practice and media activities for the players of both teams till the end of first Test match on March 8 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. Sunday, 27 February 10.00am PKT/4.00pm AEDT: Pat Cummins arrival online presser 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Monday, 28 February 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Usman Khawaja online presser 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Tuesday, 1 March 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Steve Smith online presser 11.15amPKT/5.15pm AEDT: Pat Cummins and Pakistan captain Babar Azam will unveil the series trophy at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a vision-only opportunity 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Wednesday, 2 March 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Nathan Lyon online presser 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (vision only) Thursday, 3 March 9.30am PKT/3.30pm AEDT: Pat Cummins pre-match online presser 10am PKT/4pm AEDT: Babar Azam pre-match online presser. 11:30am to 2:30pm – Pakistan and Australia practice session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Friday, 4 March 8:30am PKT: PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, CA CEO Nick Hockley and ACA Todd Greenberg will address a media conference in the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium media conference room. Test match 4-8 March Post-play: Media opportunities with a player/coach from either side

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-The MCI Twin City Tennis Tournament started here at Islamabad Tennis Complex on Saturday. Around 30 players from different clubs have participated in the Men singles, Ladies Singles, Under-18 Singles (Girls) and Under-18 Singles (Boys) events. Men’s singles (Round-1): Sameer Kiyani Bt Abdul Wahid 8-2; Ahmed Murad Bt Ali younus 8-1; Mohammad Aafaan Bt Abdul Moeed 8-2; Adnan Khan Bt Subhan Aslam 8-0; Haseeb Inayat Bt Abdul Wasay 8-6; Zain Ali Bt Naveed Iqbal 8-0; Top seed Hamza Asim and Second Seed Jabir Ali got byes in the first round Quarterfinal Round: Hamza Asim Bt Sameer Kiyani 8-1; Mohammad Aafaan Bt Ahmed Murad 8-2; Adnan Khan Bt Haseeb Raja 8-2; Jabir Ali Bt Ali Zain 8-2; Semifinals: Hamza Asim Bt Mohammad Aafaan 8-3; Jabir Ali Bt Adnan Khan 8-2; Ladies singles (Round-1): Mahak Khokhar Bt Zara Ahmed 8-0; Maria Batool Bt Mariam Yameen 8-2; Ayesha Masood Bt Zara Shabaz 8-2; Noor Fatima Bt Azeena Aleem 8-0; Zara Lawangin Bt Sunila Naqvi 8-0; Ghazal Kiyani Bt Amra Khan 8-0; Taniya Riaz Bt Momina 8-0; Saher Aleem Bt Shenaz Talib 8-0; Quarterfinal Round: Mahak Khokhar Bt Maria Batool 8-0; Ayesha Masood Bt Noor Fatima 8-3; Zara Lawangin Bt Ghazal Kiyani 8-0; Saher Aleem Bt Taniya Riaz 8-2; Semifinals: Mahak Khokhar Bt Ayesha Masood 8-0; Saher Aleem Bt Zara Lawangin 8-2; Boys Under-18 Singles (Round-1): Abdul Moeed Bt Orhan Sohail 8-0; Subhan Aslam Bt Abdul Wahid 8-0; Saqib Ibrahim Bt Abdul Wasay 8-4; Sameer Kiyani Bt Ahyan Bin Zahid 8-0; Mustansir Ali, Haziq Asim, Adullah Khan, Ali Zain got byes in the first round matches. Quarterfinal Round: Abdul Moeed Bt Mustansir Ali 8-5; Haziq Asim Bt Subhan Aslam 8-0; Saqib Ibrahim Bt Abdullah Khan 8-4; Sameer Kiyani Bt Ali Zain 8-4; Semifinals Haziq Asim Bt Abdul Moeed 8-1; while other semifinal will be played tomorrow morning. Girls Under-18 singles (Quarterfinals): Saher Aleem Bt Zara Ahmed 8-3; Sunila Waqas Bt Amra Khan 8-0; Ayesha Masood Bt Zara Shabaz 8-6; Zara Lawangin Bt Alishba 8-0; Semifinals Sehar Aleem Bt Sunila Waqas 8-0; Zara Lawangin Bt Ayesha Masood 8-1;