SPORTS BULLETIN Lausanne, Switzerland:-The final FIH Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022 qualification place available from the Women’s Pan Am Cup 2022 was decided over a 60 minute period in which Canada and USA slogged away at each other, trying to break down each other’s well-organised and determined defences. There was so much resting on this bronze medal match. Aside from bragging rights and a medal at this prestigious continental event, it was also the final chance for the teams to claim a qualification spot at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and Netherlands 2022. Both Canada and USA had been left feeling deflated after they had lost semi-finals to Argentina and Chile respectively. This was about which team could pick itself back up most effectively. The pressure on the players showed as neither side seemed prepared to take many risks in the opening stages. The majority of the first quarter saw the teams testing each other and probing for gaps in the defence. Then, with just seconds left before the whistle, Amanda Woodcroft – who hadn’t featured in the semi-final – slotted home from a penalty corner to give Canada the lead. In the second quarter, the USA showed their usual relentless work rate as they tried to get back on terms with Canada but Canada’s defence was solid and the USA had to beware counterattacks, as Canada continued to drive forwards at every opportunity. Brienne Stairs and Elise Wong were particularly active as they worked to get behind the USA defence. With time counting down for USA, Erin Matson began to make her presence felt. Her dizzying skills won her team four consecutive penalty corners in the final minutes of the third quarter but a combination of ill-worked routines and the excellence of goalkeeper Rowan Harris saw the efforts come to nothing. The final quarter continued in the same manner. Matson, Rose Hope and Ashley Sessa were showing their class as they skipped into the Canada circle but the Wolfpack was not going to relinquish a chance to go the World Cup easily. Led by captain Natalie Sourisseau, Canada dug deep, defending heroically and walked away from the pitch with a bronze medal and a ticket to the World cup for the first time since 1994. Speaking after the match, a delighted Rowan Harris said: ’I am so just proud of this group. To pull this off. I am super excited. I think the way we pulled together as a team was really good and it is a quality that we will hold onto as we go forward. This is a really good feeling’ Captain Natalie Sourisseau was emotional as she paid tribute to her team ‘I have so many emotions. This team has been through so much. For example, they couldn’t train for five weeks before the tournament because of the weather. The team hasn’t qualified in 28 years and it feels pretty special to have done that. Our job was to concentrate on this tournament and the qualification. Now we will plan the next steps.’ Amanda Woodcroft, who scored the winning goal, said: ‘It [the goal] was a team effort and I just happened to be in the right place to put it in the net. Holey-Moley did we work hard today and I am so proud of everyone.’

Bipin Dani Bhutan's Mikyo Dorji became the first player from his nation to register for the IPL player auction. The 22year-old right-handed batsman, who occasionally bowls medium pacer has registered his name for the IPL auction on 21st January and is now waiting for his fate. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Bhutan on Saturday, he said, "Obviously I am over the moon because it is the biggest cricket league in the world and it is every cricketer's dream to play in this league. Having the thought of being selected and part of a team itself gives me goosebumps but lets see how things go.....". The players, however, will not lose sleep, if not picked. "To be very honest there is a very little chance that I will be picked because as I said it's the biggest league so the competition is very high but registering my name itself is something very big for Bhutan cricket and myself". "In case I don’t get picked this time then I’m sure in the near future I will be", he added. "Mikyo Dorji is a talented cricketer and we selected him as soon as we saw him in the first phase. To be honest, his father introduced him to this game. He progressed in Darjeeling, where he did his schooling", D.S Gurung, the Bhutan Cricket Council Board CEO said.  Mikyo Dorji is a power hitter, who is also good at goalkeeping, volleyball, basketball and cricket. He chose cricket because he sees a future in it". "He is a person with a strong determination and he believes that he can make it at any level if given the opportunity. For him, hard work and dedication are the most important things to succeed, “CEO added. Today he lives in the southern part of Bhutan, mainly to play cricket and keep his shape. Dreams will come true for Bhutan Cricket and also for Mikyo, if he is shortlisted.

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-India set up an ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Super League semi-final clash with Australia after knocking out defending champions Bangladesh. In a repeat of the 2020 Final, India bowled first and dismissed the Tigers for 111 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda before their batters chased down the modest target for the loss of five wickets. On a day where bowling first proved decisive, Ireland beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets to seal their path through to the Plate Final, where they will face United Arab Emirates. Toss proves vital as India power through India have a remarkably strong record in ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup quarter-finals, with this their seventh win in nine matches – and they had their bowlers to thank. India batted first in each of their Group B matches but this time their bowlers had the chance to set the tone after they won the toss. Deciding to field proved a masterstroke and Ravi Kumar ripped through the top order. The 18-year-old had taken just one wicket in the tournament but finished with figures of three for 14 from seven overs here, as he dismissed the top three Bangladesh batters to leave the defending champions on 14 for three. Bangladesh struggled to get a foothold in the match and slipped to 56 for seven, before Meherob Hasan came in and hit six boundaries in a crucial 30. However, just two other Bangladesh batters reached double figures and they were eventually all out for 111. India hoped for a comfortable run chase but they got off to a bad start when Bangladesh bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib removed opener Harnoor Singh for a duck. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44) and Shaik Rasheed (26) put on 70 for the second wicket to seemingly secure victory, but Bangladesh threatened a late comeback. Ripon Mondol had Raghuvanshi caught at cover point and then returned two overs later to remove Rasheed, caught behind. New batter Siddarth Yadav then became Ripon’s third wicket when he was caught at cover to leave India on 82 for four. Captain Yash Dhull came to the crease and hit four boundaries to calm the nerves, around Ripon dismissing Raj Bawa to take his final figures to four for 31, before Kaushal Tambe heaved a six into the stands to seal victory with 115 balls remaining. Huge stand sends Ireland through Jack Dickson and Tim Tector put on a batting masterclass with a 159-run partnership and Muzamil Sherzad took five wickets as Ireland comfortably beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets to reach the Plate Final. Zimbabwe won the toss in Port of Spain and elected to bat but they made a slow start, with Matthew Welch run out for a nine-ball duck and captain Emmanuel Bawa trapped lbw by Matthew Humphreys for four. Steven Saul (24) and Brian Bennett (37) put on 52 for the third wicket before Saul was clean bowled by Humphrey, while Bennett became the first of Sherzad’s victims eight overs later. David Bennett hit three boundaries in his 35 but he had little support down the order, as Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed for 166 in 48.4 overs. Sherzad was the pick of the Ireland bowlers, taking his tournament wicket tally to 13 with five for 20. Zimbabwe made an equally strong start with the ball, as Mcgini Dube had Nathan McGuire caught in just the third over for six.  Joshua Cox then followed McGuire back to the pavilion as he was trapped lbw by Tendekai Mataranyika for a duck but Ireland quickly settled down. But Dickson and skipper Tector quickly developed a partnership and they went on to see Ireland over the line, with Dickson finishing 78 not out and Tector 76 not out in an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 159.

Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI:-A squad of 2 players and 1 official will visit Dubai, United Arabs Emirates (UAE) to participate in the World Archery Para Championship 2022, scheduled to be taken place Dubai February 21 to 27, 2022. According to an official, duo of guys including Tanveer Ahmed and Waleed Aziz along with their coach Mohammad Ijaz will represent Pakistan in the World Archery Para Championship. Regarding the preparations, the final phase of training camp will be held from Monday 1-15 February 2022 at Shahbaz Sharif Sports Complex Rawalpindi.

Sports Bulletin LAHORE:-Bilal Asim, Farman Shakeel, Haider Ali Rizwan and Uzair Khan have won their quarterfinals after defeating their respective rivals in the Boy’s Under-18 Category of the Millat Tractors Junior National Tennis Championship 2022 at Punjab Tennis Academy Bagh e Jinnah Lahore on Saturday. Results: Boys Under-18 (Quarter Finals): Bilal Asim beat Husnain Ali 6-0, 6-0 Farman Shakeel beat Sheheryar Anees 6-3, 6-1 Haider Ali Rizwan beat Shahzaib Zahid 6-2, 6-2 Uzair Khan beat Zaeem Ghafoor 6-1, 6-1 Boys Under-16 (Quarter Finals): Bilal Asim beat Hanzala Anwar 6-0, 6-3 Ahtesham Humayun beat Shahzaib Zahid 6-3, 6-0 Haider Ali Rizwan beat Husnain Ali Rizwan 6-4, 6-3 Sheheryar Anees beat Asad Zaman 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 Boys Under-14 (1st Round): Eesa Fahad beat Mohammad Ayyan Umer 4-0, 4-0 Mohannad Mustafa beat Aalay Husnain 5-3, 2-4, 5-3 Abu Bakart Talha beat Hamza Ali Rizwan 3-5, 4-2, 4-1  Mohammad Sohaan Noor beat Abdur Rehman 4-2, 5-3 Boys / Girls Under-12 (1st Round): Munsab Ali Qudassi beat Zain Shafi 4-0, 4-0 Eesa Bilal beat Romail Shahid 4-2, 4-0 Bismel Zia beat Zainoor Mudassar 4-0, 4-1 Aalay Husnain beat Musa Umar 4-0, 4-0 Boys Under-18 Doubles (Quarter Finals): Farman Shakeel & Hassan Ali beat Sheheryar Anees & Asad Zaman 6-1, 6-2 Ali Talha & Uzair Khan beat Zaeem Ghafoor & Mohammad Sohaan Noor 6-0, 6-1.

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI:- Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned from all cricket for three and a half years after he accepted breaching four charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and, separately, one charge of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. Taylor admitted to being in breach of the following provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code: Article 2.4.2 – Failing to disclose (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that (a) the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the Code or (b) that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute. Article 2.4.3 - Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) receipt of gifts/hospitality with a value of US$750 or more regardless of the circumstances in which they were given. Article 2.4.4 – Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approach received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to Zimbabwe’s then upcoming series against Sri Lanka and/or Bangladesh. Article 2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and / or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Mr Taylor chose to admit the charges under the provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and agreed a sanction with the ICC in lieu of an Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing. His violation under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, which is separate and independent of the anti-corruption charges, resulted from an In-Competition test conducted on 8 September 2021 following Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland.  Mr Taylor tested positive for the stimulant Benzoylecognine, a cocaine metabolite, which is specified as a Substance of Abuse under the Code. Taylor has accepted a one-month period of ineligibility for the violation under Article 2.1 – the minimum allowed under the Code. Mr Taylor’s period of ineligibility was reduced to one month because he was able to establish that he had ingested the substance out of competition, that it was unrelated to sport performance, and because he is currently undergoing a rehabilitation treatment programme. This one-month suspension will run concurrently with the suspension of three and a half years under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Mr Taylor will be free to resume his involvement in the game on 28 July 2025. Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit, said: “Brendan is a former international captain who represented Zimbabwe for 17 years. Over such a long career, he participated in numerous anti-corruption and anti-doping education sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the ICC Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Codes. “It is disappointing that a player of his experience chose not to fulfil those obligations, however he has accepted all charges, which has been reflected in the sanction. I would echo Brendan’s message to other players to report approaches as soon as they happen so any corrupt activity can be disrupted at the earliest possible opportunity. We wish Brendan well in his rehabilitation.”

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-As many as 28 matches were played on Saturday of the ITC Twin City Tennis Tournament, as Usman Ijaz defeated Mian Amir from Lahore 8-5 in thrilling match at Islamabad Tennis Complex G-6 Islamabad. Results: Open Category (Men / Women Mix): Round-1: Amin Khan Bt Afaan 8-6; Rizwan Khan Bt Ahmed Murad 8-5; Asim Hamza Bt Talha Saqib 8-2; Muslim Farooq Bt Huzaima 8-0; Ilyas Sarfaraz Bt Sheyar Amjid 8-6; Round-2: Abdullah Bt Himayun 8-3; Abdullah Mohammad Bt Waleed Faisal 8-5; Ilyas Sarfaraz Bt Muslim Farooqi 8-0; Asim Hamza Bt Jamal Bakht 8-2; Rizwan Khan Bt Abdullah Khan 8-0; Jabir Ali Bt Ghulam Murtaza 8-4; Usman Ijaz Bt Ali Zain 8-1; Abdullah Mohammad Bt Taha Mehmood 8-3; Ahmed Asid Bt Amin Khan 8-2; Quarterfinal: Mian Bilal Bt Usman Ijaz 8-5; Jabir Ali Bt Sarfaraz 8-4; Hamza Asim Bt Abdullah 8-0; Ahmed Asjad Bt Abdullah Mohammad 8-3; Under 12 Quarterfinal: Orhan Sohail Bt Fahd Eessa 6-0; Hamza Ahmed Bt Razik Sultan 6-0; Ozair Maqsood Bt Hamza 6-0; Abdul Wasay Bt Zunaisha Noor 6-0; Under 10 Quarterfinal Matches:- Amir Masood Bt Haider Ahmed 6-0; Arshmaan Bt Baber Fatima 6-2; Ayesha Masood Bt Qasim ul Khair 6-2; Behrooz Bt Vishaal 6-0; Semifinal Rounds: Amir Masood Bt Arshmaan 6-2; Ayesha Masood Bt Qasim ul Khair 6-3 Under 16: Quarterfinal Round Matches: Asim Hamza Bt Saqib Ibrahim 6-3; Ali Zain Bt Abdullah Khan 6-0; Hamza Hussain Bt Asim Haziq 6-4; Abdullah Mohammad Bt Mohammad Yahya 6-2; Under 14 (Boys/Girls) Quarterfinal Matches Hamza Hussain Bt Sameer Maqsood 6-0; Fahad Bt Subhan Aslam 6-0; Ali Zain Bt Amaar Masood 6-1; Haziq Asim Bt Zunaisha Noor 6-0.

Sports Bulletin KARACHI:-Pakistan’s ace golfer Shabbir Iqbal from Islamabad came from behind and claimed an important lead with 13 under par on the third day of UMA 48th Pakistan Open Golf Championship 2022 here at Karachi Golf Club (KGC) on Saturday. Ahmed Baig from Pakistan Air Force did seven under par for reaching second position. Matloob Ahmed of LGG was on third position with six under par after completing 54 holes. Waheed Baloch of Karachi Golf Club, who maintained lead during first two days, played three under thus reaching a gross of four under on third day. In the senior professionals category Irfan Mehmood of Rawalpindi was holding first position with two over par. He is being followed by Naseer Khan of Peshawar and Mohammad Akram of Lahore with their gross score of three over par were jointly holding second lead. After today’s cut, 15 players will play the final rounds on Sunday in the senior professional category. In the Junior professionals category, Mohammad Saqib of LGG was leading with three over par. Nabeel Khan of Airmen Golf Club was following Saqib with six over par. After today’s cut in junior professional category, 10 golfers with compete in the final round. Amateur Omar Khalid of KGC while competing amongst Professionals was holding 29th position with five over par on Saturday. Next Amateur was Salman Jehangir from Lahore Gymkhana with ten over par. CEO of Karachi Golf Club Commodore Ghazanfar Abbas said: “The greens of KGC are in best shapes. Leading Golfers from all over Pakistan have appreciated the quality of course-way we have maintained for them. Players are enjoying playing in Karachi’s pleasant weather and clear visibility.”

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has invited 31 players for the trials to select the national team for upcoming bilateral series against South Africa. The trials will be conducted from 31st January to 2nd February 2022 at Bahria Town Lahore. The Selection Committee comprising Mohammad Bilal Satti (Chairman Selection Committee), Masood Jan and Ibrar Shah (members) will take trials of the shortlisted 31 players to select two Pakistan Blind Cricket teams, one for the upcoming home series against South Africa to be held in Pakistan from 26th February to 9th March 2022 and another Pakistan team for the Triangular series comprising Pakistan, India, and New Zealand to be held at United Arabs Emirates (UAE) March 2022. List of shortlisted players: Riasat Khan (Abbottabad), Nisar Ali (AJK), Mohammad Rashid (Bahawalpur), Zafar Iqbal (Bahawalpur), Badar Munir (Okara), Mohammad Ijaz (Bahawalpur), Sajid Nawaz (Bahawalpur), Mati Ullah (Lahore), Sana Ullah Marwat (Peshawar), Mohammad Shahzaib (Bahawalpur), Moain Aslam (Bahawalpur), Mohsin Khan (Peshawar), Mohammad Ayyaz (Bahawalpur), Anees Javed (Islamabad), Akmal Hayat (Islamabad), Mohammed Tehsin (AJK), Shahzaib Haider (Islamabad), Ayub Khan (Islamabad), Mohammad Salman (Lahore), Niamat Ullah (Quetta), Mohammad Faisal (AJK), Fakhar Abbas (Islamabad), Naseeb ullah (Quetta), Mohammad Safdar (Multan), Mohammad Asif (Peshawar), Israr Hassan (Gujranwala), Mohammad Talha (Gujranwala), Shafi Ullah (Peshawar), Haroon (Peshawar), Kashif Siddique (Okara), Ahtesham ul Haq (Attock)

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-ITC Twin City Tennis Tournament started here at Islamabad Tennis Complex (ITC) G-6 Islamabad, as 30 matches were scheduled on the opening day of the event. Players from different clubs of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are participating in the tournament. More than 70 entries were received. Results: Open Category (Men / Women Mix) First round matches: Sehar Aleem Bt Mariam Ubaid 8-1; Main Bilal Bt FahaamAtir 8-2; Ali Zain Bt Saleem Abbassi 8-3; Haseeb Inayat Bt Abdul Wahid 8-0; Jabir Ali Bt Saeed Hamza 8-0; Ahmed Asjab Bt Rizwan Ahmed 8-3; Abdullah Khan Bt Himayun 8-0; Mohammad Taha Bt Adnan Khan 8-6; Under 12 First Round Matches: Hamza Ahmed Bt Mohammad Raja Taha 6-2; Ozair Maqsood Bt Amir Masood 6-2; Abdul Wasay Bt Fatima Baber 6-2; Hamza Ahmed Bt Ayesha Masood 6-2; Orhan Sohail Bt Zahra Khan 6-0 Under 10 First Round Matches:- Zahra Khan Bt Fatima Baber 6-0; Haider Ahmed Bt Ibrahim Baber 6-0; Ayesha Masood Bt Hahim Hassan 6-0; Under 16 First Round Matches: Abdullah Khan Bt Zahid Bin Ayan 8-0