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VOLLEYBALL - Int News 26 May, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The National Women's Volleyball Team of Pakistan on Sunday left Islamabad for Itly for a training tour, aimed at preparing them for upcoming international tournaments.The team, led by Captain Amna and Vice-Captain Rashida Shakeel, will be under the expert guidance of Head Coach Alessandra Campedelli from Italy, assisted by Pakistani coaches Malik Zahid and Waseem Rana.Before their departure, Chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob, and President PVF, Sohail Khawar Mir, met with the team and expressed their best wishes for a successful tour.Captain Amna said: “During stay in Italy, the team will engage in intense training sessions and play practice matches against local clubs, gaining valuable exposure and experience. We are grateful for the support of our federation and the opportunity to train in Italy," said Captain Amna.”
SQUASH - National Juniors 25 May, 2024
Rising squash player Anas Ali Shah beat Varun Asif 3-1 in the final to clinch the titleAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Rising squash player, Anas Ali Shah has won the title of the first Bismillah National Junior Squash Championship 2024 that concluded in Lahore.The under-19 lad started the campaign in the championship after thrashing Haji Nawaz in the first round of the top national squash showpiece. Anas won the match comfortably in straight games 3-0 and conceded just 2, 1, and 4 points in all three games.In the second round, Anis Ali got rid of Shamlan Gul 3-1 after toiling hard on the court. Shah won the first two games at 11-8, and 11-6, however, he faced resistance in the next two games by Shamlan, who won the third game on a tie-break and lost the last one at 9-11 after showing some aggression in the start of the 4th game.In the quarterfinal, Anas Ali defeated Shayan Ali in straight games after exhibiting nice skills of the game. He played powerful forehand and backhand drives to keep the opponent on his toes. Anas played some classic drop shorts and nicks, which were applauded by a sizeable number of spectators, and amused the squash lovers.Anas Ali stunned Abdullah Butt after defeating him 3-1 in the semifinal, as the U19 champion maintained his winning habit in the vital contest of the championship, as his challenger was too good a player of Pakistan. The final score-line was 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, and 11-8, as the match lasted 23 minutes.On May 24, 2024, the final was played between Anas Ali Shah and Varun Asif, as both players were looking in nice touch and eager to lift the title. Varun won the first game at 11-9 and earned a valuable lead of 1-0. However, after going down 1-0, Anas Ali changed his strategy and claimed the next three games to lift the title of the first Bismillah National Junior Squash Championship 2024.Results (U19’s Champion):Round-1: Anas Ali Shah beat Haji Nawaz (3-0) 11-2, 11-1, 11 4Round 2: Anas Ali Shah: beat Shamlan Gul (3-1) 11-8, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9Quarterfinal: Anas Ali Shah beat Shayan Ali Sayed (3-0) 11-5, 11-4, 11-2Semifinal: Anas Ali Shah beat Abdullah Butt (3-1) 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8Final: Anas Ali Shah beat Varun Asif (3-1) 9-11, 11-5, 11-0, 11 8.
15-member Pakistan squad announced for T20 World Cup 2024
Babar Azam to lead Green Shirts, Pakistan to take on India on June 9 in New YorkAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board today unveiled its 15-player squad for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United States of America (USA) and West Indies from June 1 to 29, 2024. Batter Babar Azam will lead the Green Shirts in the prestigious cricket fixture of the world.According to the media department of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the side was confirmed on Friday afternoon following a two-hour selection committee meeting in Birmingham, which was attended by Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Mohammad Yousuf and Wahab Riaz. Razzaq, Asad and Bilal joined the deliberations through videoconference.Of the 15 players, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan have been picked for their maiden T20 World Cup, while Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim last appeared in the 2016 and 2021 tournaments, respectively. The other eight players participated in the 2022 event in Australia.Pakistan has one of the most impressive records in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007 in South Africa. It won the 2009 event under Younis Khan and twice reached the finals under Shoaib Malik (2007) and Babar Azam (2022). In 2010, 2012, and 2021, it reached the last-four stage.Names of players: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanPlayer support personnel: Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Gary Kirsten (head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), David Reid (mental performance coach), Aftab Khan (high performance coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Irtaza Komail (chief security officer), Mohammad Imran (masseur), Mohammad Khurram Sarwar (team doctor), Talha Ijaz (analyst), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager) and Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach).Pakistan’s schedule of matches:6 June – vs USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas9 June – vs India, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York11 June – vs Canada, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York16 June – vs Ireland, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida
SPORTS NEWS - National 24 May, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The first Inter-Provincial Women's Softball Championship will be played at the Football Stadium KPT Sports Complex, Karachi, from 30th May to 1st June 2024. Teams from Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and host Sindh will participate in the championship. Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is the title sponsor of the championship, and Combaxx Sports are co-sponsors in collaboration with Palmolive, Dr. Essa Lab, KPT, and others are included. Sindh Softball Association has been given the hosting of the championship.
ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2024 USA & West Indies (schedule)
June 1: U.S. vs. Canada, DallasJune 2: West Indies vs. Papua New Guinea, GuyanaJune 2: Namibia vs. Oman, BarbadosJune 3: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa, New YorkJune 3: Afghanistan vs. Uganda, GuyanaJune 4: England vs. Scotland, BarbadosJune 4: Netherlands vs. NepalJune 5: India vs. Ireland, New YorkJune 5: Papua New Guinea vs. Uganda, GuyanaJune 5: Australia vs. Oman, BarbadosJune 6: U.S. vs. Pakistan, DallasJune 6: Namibia vs. Scotland, BarbadosJune 7: Canada vs. Ireland, New YorkJune 7: New Zealand vs. Afghanistan, GuyanaJune 7: Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh, DallasJune 8: Netherlands vs. South Africa, New YorkJune 8: Australia vs. England, BarbadosJune 8: West Indies vs. Uganda, GuyanaJune 9: India vs. Pakistan, New YorkJune 9: Oman vs. Scotland, Antigua & BarbudaJune 10: South Africa vs. Bangladesh, New YorkJune 11: Pakistan vs. Canada, New YorkJune 11: Sri Lanka vs. Nepal, LauderhillJune 11: Australia vs. Namibia, Antigua & BarbudaJune 12: U.S. vs India, New YorkJune 12: West Indies vs. New Zealand, Trinidad & TobagoJune 13: England vs. Oman, Antigua & BarbudaJune 13: Bangladesh vs. Netherlands, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 13: Afghanistan vs. Papua New Guinea, Trinidad & TobagoJune 14: U.S. vs Ireland, LauderhillJune 14: South Africa vs. Nepal, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 14: New Zealand vs. Uganda, Trinidad & TobagoJune 15: Australia vs. Scotland, Saint LuciaJune 15: India vs. Canada, LauderhillJune 15: Namibia vs. England, AntiguaJune 16: Pakistan vs. Ireland, LauderhillJune 16: Bangladesh vs. Nepal, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 16: Sri Lanka vs. Netherlands, Saint LuciaJune 17: New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and TobagoJune 17: West Indies vs. Afghanistan, Saint LuciaJune 19: Qualifier, Antigua and BarbudaJune 19: Qualifier, Saint LuciaJune 20: Qualifier, BarbadosJune 20: Qualifier, Antigua & BarbudaJune 21: Qualifier, Saint LuciaJune 21: Qualifier, BarbadosJune 22: Qualifier, Antigua & BarbudaJune 22: Qualifier, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 23: Qualifier, BarbadosJune 23: Qualifier, Antigua & BarbudaJune 24: Qualifier, Saint LuciaJune 24: Qualifier, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJune 26: Semi-final 1, Trinidad and TobagoJune 27: Semi-final 2, GuyanaJune 29: Final, Barbados
Abbottabad to host Blind Cricket T20 Super League in June
Sports Bulletin ReportABBOTTABAD: A major city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province Abbottabad will stage Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Blind Cricket T20 Super League Season 2023-24, from June 7 to 13, 2024.According to an official of PBCC, teams from four provinces including Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will fight for the top honour, as the best players from different cricketing nations will take part in the said tournament.As many as 13 matches will be played in the entertaining and competitive event. The prestigious league is a part of preparations for the 4th T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Punjab and Sindh from November 22 to December 3, 2024. The T20 Blind Cricket World Cup will be a grand success, with seven countries, including India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, and Nepal expected to feature in the event. Australia is also expected to confirm its participation soon.A total of 22 players will be shortlisted from the league for the World Cup, as the shortlisted players will be provided training before the World Cup and then a 17-member squad will be finalized for the mega event. Names of shortlisted players for T20 Super League:B1 Players: Zafar Iqbal, Sajid Nawaz, Mohammad Ayaz, Idrees Saleem, Kashan Ali, Qazim Ullah, Mohammad Salman, Basheer Khan, Riasat Khan, Arsalan Rasheed, Abdul Wahab, Shoaib Khan, Kashif Sadique, Hafiz Abdul Razaq, Qasim Khalil, Mohammad Sohail, Habib Taj, Asif Khan, Mohammad Shahzeb, Zafar JuniorB2 Players: Nisar Ali, Badar Munir, Shahzeb Haider, Babar Ali, Haroon Khan, Anees Javed, Farhan Ullah, Naseeb Ullah, Ehtisham Ul Haq, Ayub Khan, Usman Chorai, Danyal, Mohammad Noman, Israr ul Hassan, Moin Aslam, Mohammad IrfanB3 Players: Mati Ullah, Akmal Hayat, Faizan Khatak, Mohsin Khan, Sana Ullah, Kamran Akhtar, Sanwal Shahzada, Mohammad Rashid, Mohammad Safdar, Talha Iqbal, Mohammad Ijaz, Imran Brohi, Naimat Ullah, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naeem Ullah, Hussain Bukhsh, Fasih Ullah, Gul Sher, Naeem Ullah, Iftikhar Tiger.
ATF U12 Team Competitions: India beat Pakistan 2-0
Pakistani teenagers confirm their berth in ITF Asia Under-12 finalsAbdul Jabbar FaisalKathmandu (Nepal): India overcame Pakistan 2-0 in the final of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Under-12 Team Competition Qualifying Event that concluded in Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday.According to available information from abroad, despite the loss against India, Pakistani teenagers have secured a spot in the ITF Asia U12 Finals set to take place in Kazakhstan later this year.Non-playing team Captain Abid said: "The team's overall performance was remarkable, as the boys played exceptionally well throughout the tournament, making it to the final and qualifying for the World Championships. Unfortunately, we couldn't tide-over India in the final. We need to work harder, and Insha’Allah, we will perform very well in Kazakhstan."Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, President, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) said: "The team's performance in the competition was great and acceptable, as our guys defeated Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh to reach the final. We are focusing on junior development in Pakistan. Our team's participation in the competition after two years and reaching the final is a substantial achievement. Qualifying for the ITF Asia U12 finals is a significant milestone."Former Davis Cupper and Pride of performance Hameed Ul Haq said in his statement: “Although, we lost the final against India, however, Pakistani talented players produced notable performances in the tournament and confirmed their berth in the Kazakhstan fixture. I congratulate the junior boys and captain for advancing to the U-12 qualifying event.Results (Final):In the first Singles: Puneeth Manohar beat Rashid Ali Bachani 6-0, 6-0In the 2nd Singles: Aana Akshaykumar Chhallan beat Mohammad Shayan Afridi 6-4, 6-3Semifinal (Pakistan beat Bangladesh 3-0):1st Singles: Rashid Ali Bachani beat Mohammad Haider 6-1, 6-12nd Singles: Mohammad Shayan Afridi beat Jobair Islam 6-1, 6-0Doubles: Rashid Ali Bachani / Mohammad Junaid Khan beat Faheem Sourov Hossian / Jobair Islam 6-1, 6-1.
Shahid Afridi unveiled as ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Ambassador
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced Pakistan’s iconic all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the latest name on the star-studded roster of Ambassadors for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies which begins on 1 June.A veteran of six T20 World Cups, two of which as captain, Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s 2009 triumph with a Player of the Match performance in the final at Lord’s, and will feature in a range of promotional activities around the World Cup and lend expert insights to the event through a series of guest columns.Shahid Afridi, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 winner, said: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart. From being Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition to lifting the trophy in 2009, some of my favourite career highlights have come from competing on this stage. T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches and even more drama than ever before. I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. It is one of the great rivalries in sport and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams.”Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, said: “Shahid competed in six ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, two of which as captain and delivering a Player of the Match performance when winning the trophy in 2009, so who better to join our all-star Ambassador team. He’s a fan favourite around the world and alongside Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle and eight-time Olympic gold-medallist Usain Bolt, will be bringing fans closer to the event ahead of what is set to be the biggest T20 World Cup ever.”
First ODI: England Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs
Sports Bulletin ReportDerby (UK): England Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs in the first ODI at Derby on Thursday. In pursuit of the 244-run target, Muneeba Ali, batting at three, ended up as the top scorer for Pakistan scoring 34 off 60 balls. Muneeba shared a 30-run second-wicket stand with Sadaf Shamas who hit three boundaries in 28 off 48 balls.Nida Dar (26, 38b, 3x4s) and Aliya Riaz (21, 32b, 3x4s) steered Pakistan from 117-4 to 149-4 after 34 overs where they required 95 off 96 balls with six wickets in hand. The tide turned in England’s favour when Nida, Fatima Sana and Aliya fell in 35th, 36th and 37th over respectively.Najiha Alvi remained unbeaten on 26 off 57 balls as Pakistan fell 37 runs short. Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean spun a web taking three and two wickets respectively. Pacers Lauren Bell and Kate Cross bagged two scalps each.Earlier, after Pakistan opted to bowl, England’s opening batters, Tammy Beaumont (33, 40b, 5x4s) and Maia Bouchier (17, 24b, 2x4s) stitched a 45-run partnership before Nashra Sundhu struck to remove the latter.Skipper Heather Knight occupied the crease for 49 balls returning for 29 before she was stumped by Najiha Alivi against Aliya. Nat-Sciver Brunt struck four boundaries in her 34-ball 31-run outing before she departed leaving England 118-4. A resurgent fifth wicket partnership, between Alice Capsey (44, 65b, 3x4s) and Amy Jones (37, 38b, 3x4s), worth 67 off 75 balls, kept the innings intact.Following Capsey’s dismissal in the 44th over with the scorecard reading 216-6, Sarah Glenn’s unbeaten effort of 16 runs off 13 balls propelled England to 243-9 in their 50 overs. For Pakistan, skipper Nida picked up three wickets while Aliya, Nashra and Umm-e-Hani bagged two wickets each.
T20I: Rain washes out first match between Pakistan, and England
Sports Bulletin ReportLeeds (UK): The opening fixture of the T20 International cricket series between Pakistan and hosts England called off due to rain at the Headingley Cricket Ground on Wednesday. The two teams arrived at the venue amidst heavy rain following, which the game was called off without even the toss taking place.Pakistan and England will now travel to Birmingham to play the second T20I of the series at Edgbaston Cricket Ground which is scheduled to take place on May 25, 2024.
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