Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:- Pakistan and South Africa both signed off their ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaigns on a positive note with victories on Thursday. Two-time champions Pakistan eased past Sri Lanka in the fifth placed playoff after the two sides chances of lifting the trophy ended at the quarter-final stage last week. Meanwhile elsewhere in Antigua, South Africa finish in seventh place after a closely fought two-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Skipper Akram shines for Pakistan Pakistan were in command from the off at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, with openers Mohammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan dominating the Sri Lanka attack. The pair led Pakistan to 100 without loss, Shehzad eventually made 73 off just 69 deliveries before he was dismissed by vice-captain Raveen de Silva. But Khan was joined at the crease by the impressive skipper Qasim Akram and the two took the game away from Sri Lanka, putting on a superb stand. Both made centuries and took Pakistan beyond 350, Khan was finally gone when trapped by Matheesha Pathirana ending on 136. Akram remained unbeaten as his side closed on 365-3, setting their opponents a daunting task to claim fifth place. And the Sri Lankan response was in tatters after just two overs with Akram wreaking havoc with the new ball. The talented all-rounder removed openers Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Pawan Pathiraja for a combined total of just one, with Shevon Daniel also falling between the two. Ranuda Somarathna also went for a duck with Akram single-handedly reducing Sri Lanka to 4-15. From then on Sri Lanka were purely batting for pride. Their captain Dunith Wellalage didn’t go without a fight and made a brave 40, which included five boundaries. Vinuja Ranpul was in similarly defiant mood hitting 53 not out and his sides only two sixes of the match. But it wasn’t enough and Pakistan cleaned up a 238 run victory when Treveen Mathew was hit on the pads by Zeeshan Zameer’s full delivery, bowling out the Sri Lanka team inside 35 overs to secure 5th place. Excellent Brevis helps South Africa to narrow playoff win Over at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, South Africa were also aiming to end their time in the Caribbean on a high, taking on Bangladesh in the 7th place playoff. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh made a strong start reaching 50 without loss only for Mahfijul Islam to fall to Liam Alder in the 10th over. But fourth man in Ariful Islam kept maximum pressure on the South African attack, smashing 102 from 103 balls and finding the boundary on 12 separate occasions. The 17-year-old looked untouchable for so much of the Bangladeshi innings, right until the 47th over when Mathew Boast found a good line and Islam pulled his shot to South Africa captain George Van Heerden. The Bengal Tigers eventually reached a strong total of 293-8 at the end of their 50 overs. In reply, South Africa lost Jade Smith in the sixth over when outside edging Musfik Hasan’s delivery. But Dewald Brevis, who hit 97 in the quarter-final defeat to England, offered some hope for his team with a century eventually finishing with 138 off 130 balls. The other end was less reliable, Van Heerden and Gerhardus Maree both going cheaply, however Mathew Boast’s quickfire 41 from 22 kept them on track. In a nervy finale, it looked like Andile Simelane would take South Africa over the line, but he was run-out after tidy fielding from Ripon Mondol. But eventually they got the win, and seventh place, in fine style when Alder punched a big drive down the leg side that went for six, securing a two-wicket victory in the process. This bettered their final placing at the 2020 tournament where they finished eighth, but for defending champions Bangladesh a difficult three weeks ended in defeat.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The Initial Sports Programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028  will be composed of 28 sports, including skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, with a strong focus on youth. It was approved by the 139th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Beijing. Names of approved games: World Athletics, World Rowing (FISA), Badminton World Federation (BWF), International Basketball Federation (FIBA), International Canoe Federation (ICF), Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), International Equestrian Federation (FEI), International Fencing Federation (FIE), Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), International Golf Federation (IGF), International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), International Handball Federation (IHF), International Hockey Federation (FIH), International Judo Federation (IJF), United World Wrestling (UWW), International Swimming Federation (FINA), World Rugby, World Taekwondo (WT), International Tennis Federation (ITF), International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), World Archery Federation (WA), World Triathlon (TRI), World Sailing (WS), International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), International Surfing Association (ISA), World Skate (WSK), International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). The possibility for LA28 to propose additional sports in 2023 A process for finalising the disciplines in each sport to provide early certainty to athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), IFs and the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG). The IOC and the LA28 Organising Committee renewed their joint commitment to prioritising a reduction in the cost and complexity of hosting the Games, including a review of each sport’s disciplines, which will be finalised prior to the IOC Session in 2023, in consultation with LA28 and the IFs. Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon may potentially be included in the LA28 Initial Sports Programme by the IOC Session in 2023 if by then the respective IFs have demonstrated to the IOC’s satisfaction that they have satisfactorily addressed the areas specified by the EB on 9 December 2021. This timeline will provide the IBA, the IWF and the UIPM with the additional time needed to effectively implement the critical reforms that have been announced by the respective IFs, and allow further consideration by the IOC EB.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Besides hosts Pakistan, the players from 9 other foreign countries including India will participate in the couple of ITF Pakistan Juniors International Ranking Tennis Championships, scheduled to be taken place from February 7 to 19, 2022 at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue Islamabad under the banner of International Tennis Federation (ITF) in two different phases. According to an official of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the first ITF Pakistan AJ Towers International Junior Tennis Championships 7-12 February 7 to 12 while second ITF Pakistan Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial International Junior Tennis Championships February 14 to 19, 2022 A Large number of junior players will be participating in these two events from all over the world including Great Britain (UK), Canada, Iran, India, Korea, Kazakhstan, Russia, Romania, Turkey and host Pakistan in Boys & Girls Under-18 Singles and Doubles categories. The qualifying round will start from February 5. The main draw matches will start from February 7, 2022. AJ Towers, A project of Aziz Group will be the main sponsor of the 1st event "ITF Pakistan AJ Towers International Junior Tennis Championships". AJ Towers, Real Estate entrepreneurs joined hands for the promotion of the game of tennis. President PTF, Salim Saifullah Khan and President Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA) Tariq Mehmood Murtaza showed their satisfaction with overall arrangements for smooth conduct of these events. International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved Mohammad Arif Qureshi ITF White Badge to conduct as Tournament Referee.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:- Top national tennis girl Sarah Mehboob pairing with Meheq Khokhar have won the Doubles title of the Subh-e-Nau Ladies National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2022 after outplaying Noor Malik and Amna Ali Qayum in straight sets 2-0 in the final at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. The final score-line was 6-1, 6-1. Both experienced girls displayed top quality tennis in the final and did not allow their challenger on the court to respond to their brilliant and excellent game. They (Sarah Mehboob and Meheq Khokhar) were too good for low ranking national girls in all departments. It was a single sided contest in the championship match. Later, in the Ladies Singles, Sarah Mehboob and Noor Malik defeated their opponents Meheq Khokar and Sheeza Sajid respectively in the first and semifinal at the same venue. Both semi finals ended in straight sets and both winners conceded each one game in both sets. The final will be played on Friday at PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue Islamabad. Results: Ladies Singles (Semi-Final): Sarah Mahboob beat Meheq Khokar 6-1, 6-0 Noor Malik (WAPDA) beat Sheeza Sajid 6-0, 6-1 Ladies Doubles (Final): Meheq Khokhar / Sarah Mahboob beat Noor Malik / Amna Ali Qayum 6-1, 6-1 Girls’ Under-14 (Final): Amna Ali Qayum bt Zunaisha Noor 6-0, 6-3

Bipin Dani Niroshan Dickwella, one of the three Sri Lanka cricketers who were suspended for bio-bubble breach in England has made the best use of his ban-period. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper batter has successfully graduated from Global Technological Campus (GTC) with OTHM Level 4 & 5 programme in Business Management awarded by OTHM (UK). "Niroshan Dickwella is a professional cricketer and his recent qualification is equivalent to the first and second years of a Bachelor’s Degree and will allow him to complete the final year at several prestigious universities in the UK", Mohamed Azmy, the institution's Chief Operations Officer, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said.  "As a professional sportsman, Niroshan is also interested in one of GTC’s exclusive programmes, the Advanced Diploma in Sports Management. This is a management programme with a specific practical focus on the Sporting Industry. The programme teaches management related topics from a sports perspective". "The programme also covers topics that are only relevant to the sporting industry like Nutrition & Health, Sports Psychology, Sports Coaching, Sports History and Contemporary Debates in Sports". This programme has been prepared by GTC for sports professionals with a long-term focus and plan on developing their careers in Sports Management. "Niroshan and many others studied and completed their courses during the height of COVID-19 pandemic and they have been awarded the certificates", he signed off.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India advanced to their eighth ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final with a comprehensive 96-run defeat of Australia and will face England in the showpiece. Shaik Rasheed and Yash Dhull put on the second biggest partnership of the tournament, adding 204 runs for the third wicket after a shaky start for the Men in Blue. Australia never got going in their reply to 290 as leading wicket-taker Vicky Ostwal took three for 42 with Australia eventually bowled out for 194. They will now face Afghanistan in the 3rd/4th place play-off on Friday before the grand finale between England and India on Saturday. India make Australia pay to reach fourth consecutive final India got off to a slow start having won the toss and chosen to bat, openers Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harnoor Singh added just 16 runs in 7.4 overs before the former was dismissed by a pearler from William Salzmann. The right-arm seamer deceived Raghuvanshi with a length ball, the right-hander playing a shot but instead saw the ball uproot his off stump. Singh would follow having made 16 from 28 before Shaik Rasheed and captain Yash Dhull put on a strong third-wicket stand, reaching their fifty partnership off 78 balls, one delivery into the second half of the innings. Dhull then proceeded to find the boundary with increasing regularity taking advantage of wayward bowling by Salzmann. The skipper was joined on a half-century by Rasheed as India passed 150 with just two wickets gone, the pair then passed 140 runs between them and as they did Australia missed a golden chance to end the partnership. Salzmann found the ball in his hand with the chance to secure a near-certain run-out, the pressure told as the ball ballooned on its way to the stumps and India survived. Dhull then brought up his first century for India, coming off 106 balls, with the 200-partnership following soon after. Australia would then secure their run out, as Dhull was forced to go for a run-a-ball 110 before Rasheed was out the very next ball falling six runs short of his own hundred. It did not get much better for Australia, however, as the final over went for 27 runs to see India post an imposing 290 for five. The dangerous Teague Wyllie was out leg before wicket for just one run in the second over to hamper Australia’s chances further as they emerged from the powerplay only three runs ahead of India, who had yet to get going at that point. Corey Miller would fall in the same way as Wyllie but not before putting on 38 from 46 balls to move Australia to 71 for two in the 17th over. Vicky Ostwal would then add to his tally as India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament (now 12), dismissing opener Campbell Kellaway for 30 as he sent a drive straight to Nishant Sindhu. It was now up to Australian captain Cooper Connolly to match his opposite number but could add only three runs as he top-edged a looping catch to Rasheed. Instead, Lachlan Shaw was the man to try and steer Australia to an increasingly improbable run chase, but he could not find a partner as the next three batters fell cheaply to leave Australia on 125 for seven. Australia’s first six came sooner than their opponents, in the 37th over to India’s 44th, but the very next ball broke their eighth-wicket partnership which had added 42 runs. Milestones continued to bring dismissals, Lachlan Shaw going five balls after bringing up his half-century as Ravi Kumar took his second wicket. Tailender Tom Whitney put up some resistance including crashing back-to-back sixes but was run out to signal the end of his side’s challenge for the title. India’s victory means the two undefeated sides will face off as they take on England at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua and Barbuda on 5 February.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD:-Well-Known Pakistani mountaineer Little Karim compelled to sell the great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo shirt with his signatures, which was gifted to him aiming to meet his treatment expenses. Mohammad Karim has been in critical condition for the last many days. Karim popularly known as “Little Karim” is a veteran high altitude mountain porter who is famous for his worth of expeditions, climbing skills and incredible resolve, which truly belie his small stature. Despite of his services to both tourism and mountaineering in the country, he is unable to afford an adequate healthcare for himself. As he battles old age and ill health, his family is looking to the government for some relief.

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI (UAE):-As part of the 2021 edition of the ICC Awards, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Daryl Mitchell as the winner of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award for 2021. Mitchell won the award for his gesture of refusing to take a single in the high-pressure ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Abu Dhabi on November 10, 2021. Earning the respect of the international cricket fraternity instantly, Mitchell becomes the fourth New Zealand player to win the award, following the footsteps of Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson. The incident took place in the first delivery of the 18th over bowled by England spinner Adil Rashid with Jimmy Neesham on strike. New Zealand at that moment required 34 off the final three overs and despite the match situation, Mitchell refused to take the single as he felt he was in the bowler's way, who tried to stop the ball on his follow-through.  Neesham had hit the ball firmly slightly wide off Rashid's reach, who collided with Mitchell as he went on to stop the ball. Neesham was eager to take the single and had come down the wicket seeing the opportunity but was turned down by Mitchell from the other end.  Commenting on receiving the honour and reflecting on that moment, Daryl Mitchell, said: “It is a real honour to receive the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award and it was absolutely amazing to be part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup that happened in UAE last year. Reflecting back, it was a pretty tight game against England at the semi-final of the tournament with only a few overs to go, Neesh hit a single down to long-off and I think I obstructed Rashid who was trying to get to the ball. “We pride ourselves as a team, in the way we play our cricket and I guess that’s the spirit of cricket. Personally, I felt like I got in the way, and we wanted to win but on our own terms. I guess it paid off in the long run, that we won the game. “We want to win every game, but we don’t want to do it in a way that goes against the values of cricket. The spirit of cricket is very important. It is a platform for young cricketers to watch and learn and to get inspired to play the game and go about winning it in the right way. At the end of the day, it is just a game, and it is a game that we all love, and we are very lucky to be able to do that in the right way.” “Personally, there are more important things than winning a game of cricket and at that moment it was the right thing to do.” This spirit is described in the preamble to the laws of cricket: "Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its laws but also within the spirit of the game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself."

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE (February 2, 2022):-DS Polo/Rizvi's and FG Polo recorded narrow victories against their respective opponents in The Hamdan Aibak Polo Cup 2022 matches here at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Wednesday. The first match of the day proved to be a thrilling encounter, in which DS Polo/Rizvi's defeated Barry's by a close margin of 4½-4. Hissam Ali Hyder emerged as hero of the match from the winning team, which had a half goal handicap advantage, with a classic contribution of two tremendous goals while Daniyal Sheikh and talented Syed Mohammad Aun Rizvi converted one goal apiece. From the losing side, Ernesto Trotz played well and hammered a hat-trick of goals while Nafees Barry struck one but their efforts couldn't bear fruit for their team. Barry’s though start the match well with a field goal but DS Polo/Rizvi’s bounced back well and banged in a brace to take 2-1 lead by the end of the first chukker. Barry’s once against made a strong comeback in the second chukker and thrashed in two back-to-back goals to get back 3-2 lead. The third chukker was evenly poised as both the sides struck one goal apiece with Barry’s still enjoying a slight 4-3 lead. In the fourth and decisive chukker, DS Polo/Rizvi’s cracked a field goal to level the score at 4-4. No more goal was scored and DS Polo/Rizvi’s, having a half goal handicap advantage, won the match by 4½-4. The second match of the day also proved to be a nail-biting encounter, where FG Polo Team defeated Diamond Paints by a narrow margin of 9-8½. Ramiro Zaveletta was in sublime form and displayed outstanding skills with mallet and pony. He smashed in super seven goals from the winning team while the remaining two goals were converted by Julia. From Diamond Paints, which had two and a half goal handicap advantage, Saqib Khan Khakwani cracked a classic quartet and Mir Huzaifa Ahmed banged in a brace but their efforts were futile in the end. FG Polo were off to a flying start as they banged in a brace in the first chukker to take 2-0 lead. The second chukker was also dominated by FG Polo as they converted three goals against two by Diamond Paints to gain 5-2 lead. The third chukker saw both the sides scoring two goals each with FG Polo still enjoying a healthy 7-4 lead. The fourth and last chukker was identical to the third one as both the teams slammed in a brace each to make it 9-6 and with two and a half goal advantage for Diamond Paints, FG Polo narrowly won the crucial match by 9-8½. The nail-biting matches were witnessed and enjoyed by Lahore Polo Club President Umer Sadik, Secretary General Agha Murtaza Ali Khan, executive committee members, players and their families and polo lovers.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Bilal Asim has won the title of Millat Tractors Junior National Tennis Championship after beating Haider Ali Rizwan in a single sided final at Punjab Tennis Academy Bagh-e-Jinnah Mall Road Lahore on Wednesday. The final score-line was 6-0 and 6-3. Also, Bilal Asim pairing with Haider Ali Rizwan claimed the Under-18 Doubles title of the championship. Lt Col (Rtd) Mukhtar Ahmad Bhatti Senior Manager Admin/ Purchase Millat Tractors graced the closing ceremony as chief guest to distribute the prizes among the winners and runner-ups of the national junior tennis fixture. Secretary, Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) Rasheed Malik was also present in the ceremony. Results: Boys’ Under-18 (Final): Bilal Asim beat Haider Ali Rizwan 6-0, 6-3 Boys’ Under-18 Doubles (Final): Bilal Asim & Haider Ali Rizwan beat Farman Shakeel & Hassan Ali 6-3, 6-2 Girls’ Under-18 (Final):  Ashtafila Arif beat Zahra Suleman 3-6, 7-6, 10-5 Boys’ Under-16 (Final): Bilal Asim beat Haider Ali Rizwan 6-3, 6-0 Boys’ Under-14 (Final): Ahtesham Humayun beat Husnain Ali Rizwan 0-6, 6-1,10-8 Boys’ Under-14 Doubles (Final): Abu Bakar Talha & Zohaib Afzal Malik beat Ameer Mazari & Hamza Ali Rizwan 4-0, 5-4 Boys / Girls Under-12 (Final): Abu Bakar Talha beat Umar Jawad 6-2, 6-3 Boys / Girls Under-10 (Final): Hajra Suhail beat Mustafa Uzair Rana 4-0, 4-0 Boys / Girls Under-8: Gold Medal: Aimen Rehan Silver Medal: Ehsan Bari Bronze Medal: Daniyal Afzal Malik Boys / Girls Under-6: Gold Medal: Mamoon Bari Silver Medal: Yahya Khan Bronze Medal: Aahil khurram.