Sports Reporter LAHORE (October 19, 2021):-The women hockey teams of Punjab (C) and WAPDA stormed into the final of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship after winning their thrilling semifinals at National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Wapda edged out Railways by 2-1 in the first semifinal while Punjab (C) thrashed strong Army team by 4-1 in the second semifinal clash. The final match of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship will be played between Punjab (C) and Wapda women hockey teams at 7.00pm on Wednesday at National Hockey Stadium whereas Railways and Army teams will clash in 3rd/4th position match at 6.00pm at the same venue. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh and his wife Zakia Adnan were the guests of honour at the semifinals. Director Admin Javed Chohan, Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, PHF Women Hockey Wing General Manager Tanzeela Amir Cheema, head coach of national hockey team Olympian Khawaja Junaid, Deputy Director RaufBajwa, Deputy Director Chand Perveen and a large number of hockey fans were also present on this occasion. Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs RaiTaimoor Khan Bhatti and Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh congratulated Punjab (C) and Wapda women hockey teams on reaching in final of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh announced a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for Punjab Colours team for winning semifinal against a strong team. PHF Women Hockey Wing General Manager Tanzeela Amir Cheema also announced a cash prize of Rs 40,000 for Punjab Colours team and Rs 10,000 for captain of Punjab (C) team. While talking to media Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh appreciated the fighting game of all semifinalist teams. “It is a new and speedy format of hockey just like T20 format in cricket. Players need to show better stamina and playing techniques in this format”. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said that Sports Board Punjab has organised the First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship for the preparation of inaugural FIH Hockey 5s World Cup scheduled to be staged in Oman’s capital city, Muscat in 2024. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said it’s Sports Board Punjab’s initiative to organise 5-a-Side hockey at such a big level with the collaboration of Pakistan Hockey Federation. “We are quite confident to formulate a strong women hockey team for the qualifiers of FIH Hockey 5s World Cup,” he added. In the first semifinal, Wapda women hockey team defeated Railways by a narrow margin of 2-1. Both the teams played aggressive hockey in the initial stages of the match. Wapda scored first goal in 7th minute through HamraLatif’s field effort. However, Railways bounced back in the very next minute when SarikaSarwar converted a penalty stroke to level the score. Wapda’sNida Asghar scored the decisive goal through her beautiful field move in the 9th minute of the match. Both the teams tried their best to score more goals in the second half but in vain. The second semifinal was played between Punjab Colours and Army at the same venue. Punjab (C) dominated the proceedings right from the beginning against strong Army team and took 2-0 lead at the half time. Sidra Hakim struck two beautiful goals while MahakRasheed and Mariam Hussain contributed one goal each in their team’s 4-1 victory. Army’s Asma scored the only goal for her team through her field move in the 19th minute.

Report: Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):-Scotland defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 17 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 match, which was played at Al Amerat Cricket Ground Oman on Tuesday. Scotland’s skipper Kyle Coetzer won the battle of coin and decided to bat first. Scotland batters set a 166 target on the score board after losing 9 wickets. Richie Berrington played brilliant innings and scored 70 runs in only 49 balls. He smashed 3 fours and 3 sixes. Wicket keeper batsman Matthew Cross scored 45runs in 36 balls including hit pair of sixes and fours while George Munsey made 15 runs in 10 balls. Papua New Guinea’s   bowler Kabua Morea took 4 wicket ant conceded 31 runs in his four overs cotta while Chad Soper grabbed 3 wickets for 24 runs. While Papua New Guinea batter Norman Vanua was top scorer with 47 runs, as he wasted 37 balls and hit couple of sixes and fours. Matthew Cross added 45runs in 36 balls. Scotland’s pacer Josh Davey took 4 wickets. Richie Berrington got man of the match award due to his brilliant 70 runs knock. Brief scorecard: (Scotland Vs PNG) Result: Scotland won by 17 runs             Toss:-Scotland won the toss and elected to bat first Scotland Batting:- Richie Berrington (70 runs in 49 balls), Matthew Cross (45runs in 36 balls), George Munsey (15 runs in 10 balls) Papua New Guinea Bowling:- Kabua Morea 4 for 31, Chad Soper 3 for 24, Simon Atai 1 for 20 Papu New Guinea Batting:- Norman Vanua (47 runs in 37 balls), Sese Bau (24 runs in 23 balls), Kiplin Doriga (18 runs in 11 balls) Scotland Bowling:- Josh Davey 4 for18, Alasdair Evans 1 for 22, Mark Watt 1 for 23 Man of the match: Richie Berrington  

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland (October 19, 2021):-It all comes down to one prized qualification place for the winning women’s and two qualification places for the men’s teams at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 – European Qualifier 2021 and the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 - European Qualifier 2021. Taking place from 21-24 October in Pisa, Italy and Cardiff, Wales respectively, the teams that triumph will be taking part in the respective women and men’s World Cups in Spain/Netherlands (2022) and India (2023). For the women, there is one place up for grabs, while the two finalists in the men’s competition will earn the right to compete at Bhubaneswar in 2023. Participating in the all-important event are the women’s and men’s teams that finished in six to eighth place at the EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam in June 2021, as well the teams finishing in the top five places at the EuroHockey Championship II in Prague and Gniezno in August. For the women’s competition Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Wales and France will be vying for top spot. In the men’s event, France, Wales, Russia, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Italy and Poland will be doing battle. Adding to the tension of two events that have so much at stake, is the fact that every round is a knock-out. This makes the seedings in the event highly important. The seedings will be based on the FIH World Rankings. This means Ireland are the top ranked women’s team, with hosts Italy in second place and Scotland third, while in the men’s competition, France are the top ranked side, followed by Ireland and Wales.    

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 19, 2021):- Kashmir have lifted the title of PAF T20 Cricket Champions Trophy for Blinds after beating hosts Islamabad by 11 runs in the final at E-9 cricket ground on Tuesday. Islamabad won the toss and elected to bowl first. Kashmir scored 220 for the loss of four wickets. Nisar was the top scorer with 108 runs. In reply, Islamabad could score 209 runs in allotted 20 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Kashmir won the final by 11 runs. Ayub Khan scored 88 runs. Nisar Ali was awarded player of the match. In closing ceremony Chief Guest Air Commodore Mutahir Ul Islam SI (M) Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Admin) distributed Trophies and Prizes among the players. Idreess from Ajk was best player in B1 Catagory, Anis Javed from Islamabad was best player in B2 and Mohammad Akram from Gujranwala was best player in B3 Category. Atiq ur Rehman from Gujranwala declared best wicket keeper of the tournament.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Quetta (October 19, 2021):-The 2-Day Malik Gul Hassan Memorial (MGHM) All Pakistan Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship concluded at Browne Gymkhana, Prince Road Quetta. Championship was played on October 16 and 17, 2021. According to details, the championship was held in two different categories including Rapid and Blitz, as over 100 players from all over the country participated in the top national chess showpiece. In the Rapid Chess Category, Dr. Mohammad Ayuab (Quetta) got first position, Mohammad Ayaz (Quetta) got second while Mohammad Sabir (Karachi) got third position. In the Blitz Chess Category, Tariq Mughal (Karachi), Yunnas Malghani got second while Malik Mohammad Amin got third position.

Report: ABDULLAH ASJAD Islamabad (October 18, 2021):-Sri Lanka beat Namibians by 7 wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 match at Sheikh Zayid Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi on Monday night under the floodlights. Sri Lankan tigers got their meager target of 96 runs after losing only three wickets and 39 balls were spare too. Sri Lankan Batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored unbeaten 42 runs in just 27 balls while Avishka Fernando scored 30 runs in 28 deliveries were major contributors. Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper won the toss and put opposition in to bat first. Namibia bundled out on 96 runs. Craig Williams scored 29 runs in 36 balls, Gerhard Erasmus scored 20 runs in 19 balls and JJ Smit scored 12 runs in 15 delivers. Maheesh Theekshana took 3 wickets for Sri Lanka and he was judged man of the match on his match winning bowling.   Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss elected to bat first Namibia Batting: Craig Williams (29 runs 36 balls), Gerhard Erasmus (20 runs 19 balls), JJ Smit (12 runs 15balls) Sri Lanka Bowling: Maheesh Theekshana 3 for 25, Lahiru Kumara 2 for 9, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2 for 24 Sri Lanka Batting: Bhanuka Rajapaksa  42 runs for 27 balls, Avishka Fernando 30 runs for 28. Namibia Bowling: JJ Smit 1 for 7, Bernard Scholtz 1 for 16, Ruben Trumpelmann 1 for 27 Result: Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets (with 39 balls remaining) Man of the Match: Maheesh Theekshana  

Sports Reporter LAHORE (October 18, 2021):-The women hockey teams of Punjab (C), Wapda, Army and Railways toppled their respective opponent teams in the quarterfinals to book a place in the semifinals of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship at National Hockey Stadium on Monday. The first semifinal of First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship will be played between Wapda and Railways women hockey teams at 6.00pm while Punjab (C) and Army will lock horns in the second semifinal at 7.00pm at the same venue. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh who was the chief guest at the quarterfinals, watched the thrilling quarterfinal encounters at National Hockey Stadium. Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, PHF Women Hockey Wing General Manager Ms Tanzeela Amir Cheema, Deputy Director Rauf Bajwa and Deputy Director Chand Perveen were also present on this occasion. It is worth-mentioning that Sports Board Punjab is organising the First Chief Minister Punjab 5-a-Side National Women Hockey Championship for the preparation of inaugural FIH Hockey 5s World Cup scheduled to be staged in Oman’s capital city, Muscat. Wapda female players edged out strong HEC team by a narrow margin of 3-2 in the first quarterfinal after a close competition. Wapda’s Hamra Latif exhibited a glorious game and scored two goals through her field effort in the first and 12th minute of the match. Maira Sabir netted the third goal for the winning team. Kalsoom scored two goals for HEC to reduce the deficit. She leveled the score twice in 2nd and 11th minute but failed to do so third time and lost the match by 3-2. The second quarterfinal match was played between Islamabad and Railways women hockey teams. Railways women hockey team showing great resolve toppled Islamabad by 4-1 without much trouble. Arzoo Mansoor struck two goals while skipper Mariyam Hanif and Sarika Sarwar shared the remaining two goals. Islamabad’s only goal was netted by Fozia Talib in the 6th minute through a beautiful field move. Punjab (C) defeated Punjab (W) by a big difference of 7-1 in the third quarterfinal match of the day. Until half-time, they had a 5-0 lead. Sidra Hakim did the major damage scoring three beautiful goals for the winning team. The remaining four goals were scored by Mariam Hussain, Aqsa Ajaz, Saira Murad and Mahak Rasheed. Punjab (W)’s only goal was made by Amara Murad in the 19th minute of the match. The 4th and last quarterfinal of the day was competed between Army and Sindh (W) female hockey teams. The Army team proved too strong for Sindh (W) and won their match quite comfortably by 3-0 margin. Adeeba Afzal, Asma and Iqra Iqbal struck the goals for the victorious team.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (October 18, 2021):-The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021 will start from December 5, 2021 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) Colombo, with the inaugural game scheduled to be played between Galle and Jaffna. According to available information from abroad, the first round of the tournament, which will consist of 20 games will be played at the RPICS, Colombo before it moves into Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) Hambantota to proceed with the final round games. The finals of the League will be played on the December 23, 2021 at the MRICS, Hambantota, whilst this year’s tournament has 24th December, as a ‘Reserve Day’ dedicated for the final. The Lanka Premier League 2021 which is Sri Lanka’s topmost domestic tournament, with an international flavor, will consist of 24 games and will see the participation of topmost domestic and international cricketers. The Final Round Games will see the top two teams in the points table playing the qualifier 1, whilst the 3rd and 4th placed teams on the table playing in the ‘eliminator.’ The winner of ‘qualifier 1’ will directly go into the finals, whilst the loser of the ‘qualifier 1’ will play against the winner of the ‘eliminator’ in the ‘qualifier 2’, and the winner of that game will go into the finals. Schedule (First Match at 3:00 pm, Second Match at 7:30 pm) December 5, 2021: OPENING CEREMONY and Galle vs Jaffna at RPICS December 6, 2021: Dambulla Vs Kandy and Colombo Vs Galle at RPICS December 7, 2021: Jaffna Vs Dambulla and Kandy Vs Galle at RPICS December 8, 2021: Colombo Vs Dambulla and Kandy Vs Jaffna at RPICS December 9, 2021: Rest & Practice December 10, 2021: Dambulla vs Galle and Jaffna vs Colombo at RPICS December 11, 2021: Galle vs Kandy and Colombo vs Dambulla at RPICS December 12, 2021: Jaffna vs Kandy and Galle vs Colombo at RPICS December 13, 2021: Galle vs Dambulla at RPICS December 14, 2021: Kandy vs Colombo and Dambulla vs Jaffna at RPICS December 15, 2021: Rest & Practice December 16, 2021: Colombo vs Jaffna and Kandy vs Dambulla at RPICS December 17, 2021: Jaffna vs Galle and Colombo vs Kandy at RPICS December 18, 2021: Travel to Hambantota December 19, 2021: Rest & Practice December 20, 2021: Eliminator (3 vs 4) Qualifier 1 (1 vs 2) at MRICS December 21, 2021: Qualifier 2 (looser QF1 vs won E) at MRICS December 22, 2021: Rest & Practice December 23, 2021: Final at MRICS December 24, 2021: Final (Reserve Day)                MRICS

Report: ABDULLAH ASJAD ISLAMABAD (October 18, 2021):-Ireland defeated Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at Sheikh Zahid Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi on Monday. Netherlands captains Pieter Seelaar won the toss and elected to bat first. Netherlands could score only 106 runs in allowed 20 overs. Max O Dowd was the top scorer with 51 runs. He hit 7 fours and faced 47 balls. Captain Pieter Seelaar contributed 21 runs. For the Ireland, Curtis Campher got 4 wickets including a hat-trick in his four overs after giving 25 runs while Mark Adair got 3 wickets for just 9 runs. In reply, Ireland reached at the target of 107 runs for 3 wickets in 15.1 overs. Gareth Delany scored 44 runs in 29 balls. Curtis Campher was declared man of the match on his outstanding bowling.   Summarized Scorecard: (Ireland Vs Holland) Toss:  Netherland won the toss elected to bat first Netherlands (Batting): 106 all out in 20 overs Max O. Dowd (51 runs 47 balls), Pieter Seelaar (21 runs 29 balls), Logan van Beek (11 runs 12 balls) Ireland (Bowling): Curtis Campher 4 for 25, Mark Adair 3 for 9, Josh little 1 for 14 Ireland (Batting):107/3 in15.1overs Gareth Delany (44 runs 29 Balls), Paul Stiriling (30 runs 39 Balls), Kevin O’Brien (9 runs10 Balls), Netherlands Bowling: Pieter Seelaar1 for14, Fred Klaassen 1 for 18, Brandon Glover 1 for21 Results: Ireland won by 7 wicket and 4.5 overs in hand Player of the match: Curtis Campher  

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (October 18, 2021):-After the successful completion of the National T20, the 2021-22 season enters into next phase with the country’s premier cricket tournament – the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – beginning from Wednesday, 20 October. Participation in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has remained the pinnacle for domestic cricketers as the tournament has established and produced red-ball stars who have gone on to wear the golden star. Over the years, the tournament has produced riveting matches, with last year’s final also going down the wire and ending as a tie with Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sharing the trophy. This year, the fans can witness action up-close as the Pakistan Cricket Board will open stands for them across all venues. The entry will be free of cost and the only requirement will be the government-issued Immunisation Certification for Covid-19. The PCB, as part of its efforts to incentivise and reward top-performing cricketers, has put PKR17million on offer with the champion side grabbing PKR10million and runner-up bagging PKR5million. The top-performers – player of the tournament, best batter, best bowler and best wicketkeeper – will pocket PKR500,000 each. The player of the final will be awarded PKR50,000. The first five rounds of the 31-match event to be played by the first XI sides of the six Cricket Associations will be staged at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium, before the tournament moves to Karachi on 24 November. In the first round, Iftikhar Ahmed-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will play Nauman Ali’s Northern at the Gaddafi Stadium, Fawad Alam’s Sindh will take on Imran Butt’s Balochistan at Iqbal Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will stage the Punjab Derby with Azhar Ali’s Central Punjab locking horns with Mohammad Abbas’ Southern Punjab. The last five rounds will be played at UBL Sports Complex, SBP Sports Complex and NBP Sports Complex, before the final, a five-day affair, begins at the iconic National Stadium on 25 December. The result-oriented points system introduced last year achieved the aim of inducing attacking and positive mind-set amongst the teams, and the bonus and match points will continue to be allocated based on it. In the last year’s edition, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – who won five matches, the most by any team – and Central Punjab finished the group stage at the first and second spots with 161 and 137 points. Southern Punjab finished at third with 129 points, Balochistan and Northern gathered 128 and 123 points from three wins each to end their campaigns at fourth and fifth spots and Sindh, who recorded solitary win, finished last with 87 points. Balochistan captain Imran Butt: “We have not been able to play according to expectations in the last two seasons, but there was a marked improvement in the 2020-21 season from the 2019-20 season and we plan to continue to build on it. One of the most remarkable aspects of our squad this year is that we have roped in local players from the province after their impressive performances in the CCA tournaments. Playing alongside experienced cricketers in Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah will help them understand the game better and I look forward to having them in our dressing room. Central Punjab captain Azhar Ali: “The last season was outstanding for us as our team truly lived-up to the never-say-die spirit and staged what will be remembered as one of the most epic comebacks. I have full confidence that we will play our third final in a row this year and win the prestigious trophy. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Iftikhar Ahmed: “Our team is oozing with confidence as we have been able to stretch our last year’s form to this year successfully. We have adapted our cricket to the modern-day requirements and it is paying dividends. The retention of National T20 title has given our squad a great boost and we all are eager for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to begin.” Northern captain Nauman Ali: “The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is a tournament in which stars are made and it comes with a great opportunity for domestic cricketers to make an impression as it is followed all around the world. My progression to the national side has been one such example and my message to the team is to make the most of the opportunities and grab them with both hands. We have a young and dynamic squad which has the potential to turn the match on its head in any situation and I am looking forward to leading them. Sindh captain Fawad Alam: “Our last year’s journey did not go as we had planned but we have learned from that campaign. We have established first-class cricketers in our line-up and I am sure this year will be different for us. The key for success in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has always been adaptability as the conditions, with the continuous change of weather and venue, alter and with this set of players, I am sure we will surmount all challenges. Southern Punjab captain Mohammad Abbas: “It is always good to dominate a campaign right from the start and the Punjab Derby comes up with a good opportunity to make an impression. Last year, we missed out the qualification by mere eight points, but it was a brilliant learning curve for us and since our team has grown immensely. We may have a young side, but these players have all the potential to make it big.”