Latest News
TABLE TENNIS - Int News 01 Apr, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportJeddah (Saudi Arabia): The countdown started here as the top seeds and dark horses alike gear up for a groundbreaking showdown at Saudi Smash 2024 and the singles lineup set to land in Jeddah has been unfolded. The second WTT Grand Smash will take place from May 4 to 11 May in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).Headlining the Men’s Singles action will be newly-crowned World No.1 Wang Chuqin. With the Men’s Singles title at Singapore Smash 2024 catapulting him to the top spot, Wang will be out to ride the momentum and add a green trophy to his collection when he steps into the Infinity ∞ Arena in Jeddah.On the hunt to take back the throne is two-time WTT Grand Smash singles champion Fan Zhendong. Having been leapfrogged by Chinese compatriot Wang at the top of the ladder, Fan will be to aiming to make up for an early exit in Singapore last month and close the gap on his rival.But the race for the top of the podium will be brimming with international superstars, hungry for their first WTT Grand Smash title. French sensation Felix Lebrun, who recently became the third youngest athlete in history to crack the Top 5, will be chasing more milestones when he touches down in Saudi Arabia. But there will be no easy path to claiming top honours, with multiple WTT Series titles winners Lin Yun-Ju, Tomokazu Harimoto and Hugo Calderano, all coming in hot and ready to add another trophy to their collections.In the Women’s Singles, the spotlight will be on World No.1 Sun Yingsha. After a quarterfinal exit at last month’s Singapore Smash, redemption will be on Sun’s mind when she gets ready to compete on the shores of the Red Sea. But challenges will come from every corner of the draw with a fully loaded lineup out to take her throne.Sun’s Chinese compatriots could prove the biggest threat to her title intent. Wang Manyu, fresh off her maiden WTT Grand Smash singles win is building plenty of momentum this season and back-to-back titles in the tier would send a clear signal to the rest of the field of her World No.1 ambitions. Meanwhile, Chen Meng will be out to replicate the form that saw her win the inaugural Singapore Smash title back in 2022. With each of the Chinese triumvirate holding one WTT Grand Smash trophy a piece, Saudi Arabia could prove the event to break the deadlock.Waiting in the wings to rock the boat will be four-time WTT title winner Hina Hayata. The leading athlete from Japan has been producing standout performances this season and is showing she has what it takes to go all the way. Also stepping out will be Top 10 global stars Shin Yubin from Korea Republic, Bernadette Szocs of Romania and Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz, all poised to make an impact in Jeddah.Set to be staged from 4 to 11 May 2024, Saudi Smash features 64-player singles and 24-pair doubles main draws. Offering an unprecedented prize pool of USD 2,000,000, the highest for any officially sanctioned table tennis event, both the Men's and Women's Singles champions will earn USD 65,000 and 2,000 ITTF Table Tennis World Rankings Points.
Asia/Oceania WJT U14: Pakistani teenagers claim 6th position
Japan win top position while India earn second position in a 16-nation fixtureSports Bulletin ReportKuching (Malaysia): The Pakistan team comprising Jawad Omer, Talha Abubakar, and Mohammad Hamza Ali Rizwan got the 6th position in the Asia /Oceania WJT Under-14 final qualifying event, which was held in Kuching Malaysia from March 25 to 30, 2024. Heera Ashiq was with the team as non-playing captain.As many as 16 countries of the region participated in the 6-day World Junior Tennis (WJT) fixture. Japan won the top position while Indian players remained on the second stop. Jawad Omer, and Talha Abubakar produced some notable performances in the international event.
BASKETBALL - Local News 01 Apr, 2024
ISLAMABAD (PR): Timber Wolves, YMCA, Bulls A, and Reapers Red reached the last-four stage in the Club category of the All Pakistan 3x3 Ramadan Cup Basketball Tournament here at the Outdoor Basketball courts of Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad.According to tournament organizing secretary Ouj E Zahoor, Under the supervision of the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) with the support of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) 48 clubs are taking part in the club category of the tournament organised by the Federal Basketball Association (FBBA) in three different categories. In the club category quarterfinal round, Timber Wolves outclassed Mustang club by 21-12 points in a one sided match. Ali Kazmi scored 12 and Mohammad Osama scored 6 points for the winning side.YMCA thrashed United Kings in the second quarterfinal as YMCA commanded the match all the time with 21-15 points which they maintained their lead till the end. Mohammad Hamza scored 8 while Hammad Ali scored 6 points for YMCA. In the third quarter final Bulls A beat Bulls B by 17-14 points while Reapers Red thrashed Raptors White 20-8 points to enter into the last four stage in the club category.
Babar takes over captaincy of Pakistan's ODI, and T20 teams
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Right-handed batter, Babar Azam has become the captain of Pakistan’s One Day International (ODA), and Twenty 20, as the Pakistan Cricket Team confirmed that following a unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed him for new job of captaincy.Babar Azam has replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi as T20 captain. 'King Babar' also became ODI skipper after a hiatus of five months. Babar Azam was removed as ODI captain after the defeat of World Cup 2023. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi held a press conference on Sunday, at the headquarters of Pakistan Cricket, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Naqvi announced that the selection committee was reorganized. Four members of the new selections committee – namely, Asad Shafiq, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq – were also present at the press conference.
Bilal Majeed Super League Cricket: Abdullah Lions Punjab win title
KARACHI (PR): Abdullah Lions Punjab have won the title of the All Pakistan Bilal Majeed Super League (BSL) Cricket Tournament, as the 4th edition concluded here on Sunday.In the final played at Golden Ground Korangi, Abdullah Lions won the toss and elected to bat first. Abdullah Lions scored one hundred and thirty-seven runs for the loss of three wickets in the allotted six overs. Taimur Mirza played an aggressive innings of sixty-five runs with the help of eight sixes off thirteen balls. Osama Sialkoti scored 30 runs and Khurram Chakwal scored 18 runs. In response, the Wasif Sports Karachi team failed to chase the target and scored ninety runs for five wickets. Captain Taimur Mirza was named Man of the Match. Osama Sialkoti was declared the best batsman and Qadir Kashmiri was declared the best bowler. The winning team, Abdullah Lions, was given eight lakh rupees and a trophy. While the runner-up team Wasif Sports was entitled to four lakh rupees.The winning captain Taimur Mirza said that he was very happy on this victory in BSL season four. Success is the result of hard work. He also thanked Khurram Majeed for organizing the wonderful tournament and Korangi fans for their immense support. Host Khurram Majeed said that he tried to organize the best event in which he succeeded. Next year, the scope of the league will be further expanded
Indian physio Prasanth Panchada leaves Afghanistan team
BIPIN DANIIndian physio Prasanth Panchada, who was attached with the Afghanistan national team for some years has left his job, it is learnt here. According to highly placed sources in Kabul, the renowned physio sent his resignation letter a week ago. "I would like to express my gratitude to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). It has been a remarkable journey, witnessing the highs and lows in the development of the Afghanistan team. I am concluding my journey with this wonderful team with immediate effect", he has said in his e-mail, the copy of which was seen by this Reporter. Later, speaking to this reporter, Prasanth Panchada confirmed the news without elaborating more. "I have left the job for personal reasons", he said, adding, "Overall the team has always been a fit team and injury free". Recalling the most challenging job, he said, "Rashid getting back to competitive cricket is more satisfying". The 25-year-old bowling all-rounder Rashid Khan has been playing competitive games now, meaning he has now fully recovered from the back injury and subsequent surgery that has kept him out of action since the 2023 World Cup.The physio has already been attached with the KKR team in the ongoing IPL. He is also attached with the other league of the same franchise.
BASKETBALL - National 30 Mar, 2024
ISLAMABAD (PR): Pakistan Army and Wapda moved into the semi-finals in the Departmental category of All Pakistan 3x3 Ramadan Cup Basketball Tournament here at outdoor basketball courts of Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad organized by Federal Basketball Association (FBBA).Army Greens, who are having the services of some young players, recorded victory against the Navy by 21-8 points and qualified for the semi-final round. Army's Shiraz Aslam scored nine points while Muhammad Usman scored six points. In the second quarterfinal match Wapda (A) overpowered Police Greens in another one-sided game by 22-10 points. Zain ul Hasan scored 10 points and Ali Raza scored 7 points for Wapda A. In the third quarter final, Wapda Greens defeated Police Blues by 22-9 points while Army (A) won against Wapda Red by 21-17 points.In the women's category quarter-final matches, Army players were far better against AK Club weared blue shirts leading 9 points as the match was concluded with 17-8 points. Army player Aamina Mohsin scored 10 and Aiman Riaz scored 5 points. In the second quarter-final, Lions C defeated Night Blues by 4-13 points. Madiha Nawaz scored six points while Maria Khan scored five points in the match. In the second quarter-final, Lycans C defeated Knight Blues by 13-4 points. Madiha Nawaz scored six points while Maria Khan scored five points in the match while Lycans A defeated Lycans D by 16-5 points and Lycans B defeated AK White by 5-0 points in the quarter-final matches.Wapda Greens will face Pakistan Army A while Wapda A will face Army Greens in the departmental category semifinal round of the tournament.
SPNI set to become the home to New Zealand Cricket for 7 years
Dubai (UAE): Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has acquired the television and digital rights to broadcast and stream all New Zealand-based BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS matches in the India and associated territories for the next seven years.The landmark deal, from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2031, will include India’s tours of New Zealand in the 2026-27 and 2030-31 summers, as well as all other bilateral Tests, ODIs, and T20Is played in New Zealand during the designated period. All matches will be telecast and streamed live across SPNI’s sports channels and will be livestreamed on Sony LIV, respectively, adding to an SPNI portfolio, which already includes agreements with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).NP Singh, Managing Director and CEO of SPNI said: "We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with New Zealand Cricket. New Zealand is renowned for its exceptional sportsmanship and strength; it’s one of the most respected cricket teams globally. It is our privilege to deepen and nurture the bond between this esteemed team and its passionate fan base in India."Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, Chair of New Zealand Cricket, said: "With world-class sporting tournaments in their portfolio, Sony Pictures Networks India is one of the premiere sports content providers in India and we look forward to our association.”Rajesh Kaul, SPNI’s Chief Revenue Officer said: “Our constant endeavour has been to add marquee properties to our sports portfolio making us a global muti-sporting arena for audiences in India. Our partnership with NZC is an important addition to our sports portfolio as the BLACKCAPS have won the hearts of cricket fans through their fierce competitive spirit and impeccable sporting behavior.”“We’re looking forward to showcasing some terrific cricket through our seven year partnership which includes three crucial bilateral series against England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2024-25 as well two bilateral series featuring the Indian men’s team in 2026-27 and 2030-31 respectively.” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Scott Weenink said: “Sony Pictures Networks India is an aspirational, innovative and forward-focussed business that prides itself on being efficient and sustainable in a rapidly changing world”, said Weenink. “It puts its consumers first and seeks to be the very best it can be – values NZC relates to very strongly.” (Press Release).
Asia / Oceania WJT U14: Pakistan outclass New Zealand 3-0
Sports Bulletin ReportKuching (Malaysia): Pakistan surprised New Zealand 3-0 in the Asia /Oceania WJT Under-1 final qualifying event in Kuching Malaysia on Friday. Pakistan will face Australia in the next match at the same venue on Saturday.Pakistan beat New Zealand (3-0):Jawad Omer beat Maz Dowker 6-4, 7-6Talha Abubakar beat Nao Milburn 7-5, 6-3Jawad Omer & Talha Abubakar beat N Alvin & Maz Dowker 6-3, 6-2
BASKETBALL - National 29 Mar, 2024
Pakistan Army, WAPDA, and Navy register victories on the opening dayISLAMABAD (PR): Pakistan Army, Lycans A, Wapda and Navy registered big wins on the first day pool round matches in the Women’s and Departmental categories of All Pakistan 3x3 Ramadan Cup Basketball Tournament here at outdoor basketball courts of Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad organized by Federal Basketball Association (FBBA).According to organizing secretary of the tournament Ouj E Zahoor, large numbers of basketball teams are participating in the four-day event played under floodlights with the support of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).In Women’s category Pakistan Army with a brilliant game defeated AK White by 16-3 points. Army's Aamina Mohsin scored 6 and Aiman Riaz scored four points. In the second match, Lycans A won by 11-2 points against Lycans Juniors with the help of Farhna Naz's five points and Fariha Mushtaq's three points, while in the third match, Lycans B defeated AK Purple
Most Popular
