Sports Bulletin

Rawalpindi (Sports Reporter): Pakistan got off the mark in the One-Day International tri series with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening match after they successfully defended their 305-run total here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. After Salman Ali Agha’s superb 107 off 90 balls took Pakistan to a healthy total, the pace attack – led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi – eked out all 10 Sri Lankan wickets despite a match-threatening 119-run stand for the fifth wicket between Janith Liyanage and Pavan Rathnayake. Pakistan will now face England on Tuesday, while Sri Lanka will also be up against the same opposition on 22 October before the action moves to Lahore. On Sunday, Kusal Mendis won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pacer Dilshan Madushanka removed Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub within the first 5.5 overs before debutant Saad Baig and Babar Azam built a 74-run stand to put the innings on course. During the course of his 57-ball 45-run (6x4s) knock, Babar Azam also reached the 16,000-run mark in international cricket, becoming just the fifth batter besides Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Javed Miandad to reach this milestone. Saad, who became the 262nd men’s player to represent Pakistan in ODIs, looked fluent in his 40-ball stay at the crease which yielded 39 runs with the help of three fours and two sixes. Saad and Babar both fell to Eshan Malinga in 20th and 22nd overs as Sri Lanka struck back. It was at this juncture that centurion and player of the match Salman joined forces with Hasan Nawaz to put on 97 runs for the fifth wicket off just 94 balls. Hasan fell after scoring 37 off 49 balls and hit two fours as many sixes. Salman reached his century in the 45th over with a boundary off 82 balls before falling to Asitha Fernando as Sri Lanka struck back in the last five overs, giving away just 26 runs for fours wickets. Eshan picked up four for 46, Asitha Fernando had three and Madushanka removed two batters. In reply, Pakistan pacers hit the ground running as Naseem Shah provided the first breakthrough removing Avishka Fernando for five, Faheem Ashraf got rid of Kusal Mendis for 18, meanwhile Kamindu Mendis (44, 50b, 4x4s) and Sahan Arachchige fell to Shaheen as Sri Lanka slipped to 91-4 in 19.3 overs. Rathnayake (79, 74b, 6x4s, 2x6s) and Liyanage (60, 74b, 5x4s) then put on a strong show with a century partnership and threatened to take the game away from Pakistan. Sri Lanka required 96 off the last 13 overs when Pakistan finally struck with Faheem removing Rathnayake. From this moment onwards, Pakistan ran riot taking five for 15 as Sri Lanka’s chase was derailed with the visitors getting bowled out for 268 with 11 balls to spare. Shaheen returned figures of three for 55, while Naseem, Haris and Faheem all took two wickets each. Scores in brief Match 1 – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pakistan 305 all out, 49.5 overs (Salman Ali Agha 107, Babar Azam 45, Saad Baig 39, Hasan Nawaz 37; Eshan Malinga 4-46, Asitha Fernando 3-59, Dilshan Madushanka 2-67) Sri Lanka 268 all out, 48.1 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 79, Janith Liyanage 60, 44, Dasun Shanaka 28; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-55, Naseem Shah 2-43, Haris Rauf 2-48, Faheem Ashraf 2-49) Player of the match – Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan) 

Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: The opening match of the Tri-Nation One Day International Series started here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, as Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field first against hosts Pakistan. 

Rawalpindi (Sports Reporter): Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will turn pink on Sunday, 25 October when Pakistan take on England in the fourth ODI of the tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) observes Breast Cancer Awareness Day as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.The initiative, being organised as part of Pinktober, the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aims to highlight the importance of early detection, regular screening and timely treatment while encouraging greater awareness of the disease across the country.As part of the campaign, Pakistan Men’s cricket team will wear specially designed pink kits during the ODI to demonstrate solidarity with breast cancer patients and survivors. England cricket team, match officials and commentators will also be invited to wear pink ribbons in support of the cause.The stumps used for the fixture will be branded pink, while breast cancer awareness messages and campaign visuals will be displayed on the stadium’s big screen and LED perimeter boards throughout the match. Commentators will also share awareness messages during the live broadcast to reach audiences across Pakistan and beyond.The PCB will also undertake a series of digital and promotional activities in the lead-up to the match. Pakistan players will feature in special video messages to encourage greater awareness about breast cancer, while the PCB’s official social media platforms will amplify the campaign through dedicated content and messaging.Special Pink Ribbon activities at Gaddafi Stadium will commence two hours before the start of the match, providing an opportunity to engage spectators and reinforce the importance of awareness, early diagnosis and support for those affected by the disease.To further promote the initiative, the PCB is also introducing limited-edition pink-themed merchandise, including travel polo shirts and fan shirts, through its official retail store and online platforms, allowing cricket fans to demonstrate their support for the campaign.The limited-edition shirts will be available on PCB Merchandise Shop at Gaddafi Stadium from Monday, 19 October while it will be available online from https://shop.pcb.com.pk/PCB COO Sumair Ahmad Syed: “The Pakistan Cricket Board recognises the responsibility that comes with the immense following and influence of cricket in our country. Through this Pink Ribbon initiative, we want to use the platform of international cricket to raise awareness about breast cancer and highlight the importance of early detection and timely medical attention. This initiative reflects the PCB’s continued commitment to fulfilling its corporate social responsibility and using cricket as a force for positive change. We are grateful to the players, officials, broadcasters and all those supporting this important cause.”PCB Director Commercial Ali Adnan Zaidi: “Cricket provides a powerful platform to connect with millions of people and through this initiative, we aim to translate that reach into meaningful awareness and engagement around breast cancer. We want our fans to be active participants in this campaign and help take the message of early detection and screening to their families and communities.”The PCB has organised the Pink Day in partnership with Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Trust Hospital in Lahore. In this regard, there will be free of cost screening for fans from 24 and 26 October at the hospital.Founder & Honorary CEO, Pink Ribbon Pakistan Omer Aftab: “Cricket has the power to unite Pakistan and this partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board gives us an extraordinary platform to turn that unity into action for women’s health. Through PINKtober, we aim to take breast cancer awareness to millions, encourage early detection and mobilise support for Pakistan’s first dedicated Breast Cancer Trust Hospital. Together, we can ensure that awareness leads to access to care and that no woman is denied a chance to survive because she cannot afford treatment.”

Faisalabad (Sports Reporter): Pakistan international and left-arm spinner Momina Riasat’s spell of four wickets for just one run helped Stars beat Invincibles by 48 runs in the seventh fixture of the National Women’s T20 Tournament at the Jawad Club in Faisalabad.In the eighth fixture of the tournament, Fatima Sana’s unbeaten 73 and Syeda Masooma Zehra’s four-wicket haul guided Strikers to a 57-run win over Conquerors.At the Jawad Club, batting first, Stars posted 110 for nine in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a 38-run knock from Samina Aftab.Invincibles’ left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir was the most successful bowler, taking four wickets for 14 runs.In turn, Invincibles were bundled out for 62 in 14 overs. Momina finished with impressive bowling figures of 4-1 in three overs, including two maidens. She was supported by right-arm fast bowler Diana Baig, who bagged two wickets for 15 runs.At the Bohranwali Ground, Conquerors chasing a target of 161 were dismissed for 103 in 19.5 overs, with Strikers’ fast bowler Syeda Masooma Zehra taking four wickets for 18 runs.Earlier, after opting to bat first, Strikers posted 160 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of an unbeaten 73 off 48 balls from Fatima Sana. The right-handed batter’s innings featured nine fours and three sixes.For Conquerors, Humna Bilal took three wickets, while Noreen Yaqoob grabbed two wickets.Scores in brief:Match 7 – Stars beat Invincibles by 48 runs at Jawad Club, Faisalabad Stars 110-9, 20 overs (Samina Aftab 38, Sadaf Shamas 28, Manahil Rafiq 26; Anosha Nasir 4-14, Tasmia Rubab 3-19)Invincibles 62 all out, 14 overs (Samiya Afsar 18, Syeda Aroob Shah 16, Tayyaba Imdad 16; Momina 4-1, Diana Baig 2-15)Player of the match – Momina Riasat (Stars)Match 8 – Strikers beat Conquerors by 57 runs at Bohranwali Ground, FaisalabadStrikers 160-8, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 73, Huraina Sajjad 30; Humna Bilal 3-19, Noreen Yaqoob 2-30)Conquerors 103 all out, 19.5 overs (Noreen Yaqoob 25; Syeda Masooma Zehra 4-18)Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Strikers)

Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka finished the three-match T20 International cricket series 2-1 down, as they registered a massive victory against the Green Shirts and won the last match by 8 wickets here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday evening.Sri Lankan captain won the toss 3rd time in a row and put Pakistan into bat first, as the conditions were cloudy owing to light rain in the morning in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Pakistan managed 168 for 8 in 20 overs, courtesy a commanding 76 from captain Sahibzada Farhan and an unbeaten 34 from Arafat Minhas. Farhan led Pakistan’s batting effort with a 47-ball knock featuring seven fours and three sixes. The right-handed batter held the innings together despite wickets falling at regular intervals at the other end.Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman (12, 7b, 1x4, 1x6) and Maaz Sadaqat (0, 3b) in the fourth over, leaving the hosts at 34 for two. Hasan Nawaz (16, 17b, 2x4) added 33 runs with Farhan for the third wicket before departing in the ninth over. The hosts suffered further setbacks as Khawaja Nafay (3, 5b), Mohammad Imran (6, 10b) and Abdul Samad (15, 10b, 2x4, 1x6) departed, leaving Pakistan at 102 for six in 13.4 overs.Farhan then joined Arafat Minhas in a crucial 66-run partnership for the seventh wicket, helping Pakistan reach a competitive total. Arafat struck two fours and as many sixes in his unbeaten 20-ball innings, while Farhan was dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the innings. This was Farhan third successive half-century in the series, who was leading the side for the first time in Pakistan.For Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka returned figures of three for 21, while Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga took two wickets each.Defending 169, Pakistan made an early breakthrough when Mohammad Imran trapped Lahiru Udara leg-before for one in the second over. However, Sri Lanka recovered through a 59-run second-wicket partnership between Sineth Jayawardena and captain Kusal Mendis. Arafat Minhas provided Pakistan their second breakthrough when he dismissed Jayawardena for 38 off 26 balls, including five fours and two sixes.Kusal then combined with Kamindu Mendis in an unbeaten 98-run third-wicket stand to guide the visitors to win in 17.1 overs. Right-handed batter Kusal top-scored with an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes, while Kamindu contributed 40 not out off 27 balls.Scores in brief:Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wicketsPakistan 168-8, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 76, Arafat Minhas 34 not out; Dasun Shanaka 3-21, Nuwan Thushara 2-38, Eshan Malinga 2-38)Sri Lanka 172-2, 17.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 87 not out, Kamindu Mendis 40 not out, Sineth Jayawardena 38; Mohammad Imran 1-31, Arafat Minhas 1-26)Player of the match – Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)Player of the series – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)

Faisalabad (Sports Reporter): Rameen Shamim’s three-wicket haul and Muneeba Ali’s 41-run knock helped Strikers and Conquerors, respectively, win their matches in the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2026-27 in Faisalabad on Tuesday.At the Jawad Club Cricket Ground, Stars batting first scored 87 for eight in their 20 overs. Hafsa Khalid top-scored with 14, while right-arm off-spinner Rameen took three wickets.In turn, Strikers achieved the target, losing six wickets in the process. Eman Naseer top-scored for the winning side with a 35-ball 27, which included three fours.At Bohranwali Ground, Challengers were bowled out for 98 in 18.3 overs after opting to bat first. Komal Khan top-scored with 27, while right-arm leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima took three wickets for 18 runs for Conquerors.In reply, Conquerors achieved the target in 15.5 overs. Captain Muneeba top-scored with a run-a-ball 41, which included six fours.Scores in brief:Match 5 – Strikers beat Stars by four wickets at Jawad Club Cricket Ground, FaisalabadStars 87-8, 20 overs (Hafsa Khalid 14; Rameen Shamim 3-11)Strikers 88-6, 17.3 overs (Eman Naseer 27; Momina Riasat 2-13, Tuba Hassan 2-23)Player of the match – Rameen Shamim (Strikers)Match 6 – Conquerors beat Challengers by seven wickets at Bohranwali Ground, FaisalabadChallengers 98 all out, 18.3 overs (Komal Khan 27; Ghulam Fatima 3-18, Ayesha Bilal 2-11)Conquerors 99-3, 15.5 overs (Muneeba Ali 41)Player of the match – Muneeba Ali (Conquerors)

Rawalpindi (Sports Reporter): Pakistan outclassed Sri Lanka by 83 runs in the second T20 International match of the 3-match series on Sunday here at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Maaz played a great inning of 94 runs and lost his wicket on the final ball of the innings.Captain Farhan also played a remarkable innings that helped Green Shirts to put a big total on the scoreboard.After Pakistan posted their second-highest T20I total of 215-3 in 20 overs on the back of half-centuries from Maaz and Sahibzada, Sri Lanka were restricted to 133-7 in 20 overs with pacer Muhammad Imran, playing his second T20I, registering frugal figures of 4-0-11-3. Imran was backed by Mohammad Salman Mirza, who picked up 2-28 in three overs, and spin duo of Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub – who both accounted for a wicket each. The incoming left-arm pacer Salman Mirza, who replaced Razaullah in the lineup, provided Pakistan the first breakthrough in opening over by removing Lahiru Udara - Sri Lanka’s top-scorer with 91 in first T20I – for five. It was given not out by the on-field umpire but reversed after Pakistan reviewed the decision. Sri Lanka slipped from 35-1 to 5.5 overs to 74-6, losing five for 39 in 36 balls as Pakistan bowlers ran riot. In the top order, Sineth Jayawardena (22, 21b, 4x4s) and Kamindu Mendis (23, 19b, 2x4s, 1x6) got starts but couldn’t convert them. Imran got two wickets in as many balls in the eighth over but couldn’t clinch a hat-trick as he bowled his four overs on the trot. Chamindu Wickramsinghe (29, 24b, 1x4, 1x6) and Maheesh Theekshana (32 not out, 26b, 4x4s) – the no. 7 and 8 batters – stretched Sri Lanka’s score to 133-7 in 20 overs with the help of 50-run seventh-wicket stand. Earlier, Pakistan were asked to bat first and they responded by setting up the platform for their highest T20I total at home with a 55-run opening stand. Top-scorer Maaz Sadaqat walked out to bat when Fakhar Zaman (22, 17b, 4x4s) fell to Maheesh Theekshana in the seventh over. Maaz and Sahibzada’s blazing alliance for the second wicket yielded 88 runs off 49 balls as the duo kept on taking digs at Sri Lanka bowlers. Sahibzada, playing his 50th T20I, began the assault by hitting Theekshana for two consecutive sixes in in ninth over and brought up his 12th half-century an over later. Pakistan ransacked 125 runs off the last 10 overs despite Sri Lanka giving just one run in the 14th over and eking out the wicket of Sahibzada in the following over. Sahibzada fell for 73 off 44 balls hitting four boundaries and five sixes. He had smashed Shanaka for a six and a four on consecutive deliveries before departing. Maaz welcomed Theekshana in the 16th over by hitting three sixes off the first four balls as Pakistan took 22 off the over – the best of their innings. Maaz added 72 off 31 balls in Hasan Nawaz’s (19 not out, 9b, 1x4, 1x6) company as Pakistan charged towards the total beyond 200-run mark. Pakistan took 37 runs off the last three overs with Maaz hitting three fours in the penultimate over to enter the 90s. He was 92 off 46 at the start of the last over and was denied his maiden T20I century by Eshan Malinga, who removed him off the last ball for 96 off 51 and giving away only five runs. Scores in brief Pakistan 215-3, 20 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 96, Sahibzada Farhan 73, Fakhar Zaman 22, Hasan Nawaz 19 not out; Dasun Shanaka 1-30) Sri Lanka 133-7, 20 overs (Maheesh Theekshana 32 not out, Chamindu Wickramsinghe 29, Kamindu Mendis 23, Sineth Jayawardena 22; Mohammad Imran 3-11, Mohammad Salman Mirza 2-28) Player of the match – Maaz Sadaqat (Pakistan)

Faisalabad (Sports Reporter): Eyman Fatima scored a century as Invincibles registered a commanding 72-run win over Challengers, while Conquerors beat Stars by 16 runs on the opening day of the National Women's T20 Tournament in Faisalabad on Saturday.At the Bohranwali Ground, right-handed batter Eyman 100 off 49 balls, which included 12 fours and six sixes to help Invincibles post an imposing 175 for four in their allotted 20 overs. She was well supported by Sidra Amin, who remained unbeaten on 48.For Challengers, Umm-e-Hani and Rabia Rani took two wickets apiece, conceding 19 and 26 runs, respectively.In turn, Challengers were bowled out for 103 in 17 overs, with Ayesha Zafar top-scoring with 27. Right-arm leg-spin bowler Syeda Aroob Shah led the bowling attack with three for 24 as Invincibles secured a comfortable win.Meanwhile, at the Jawad Club, Conquerors successfully defended a modest total of 120 for nine to beat Stars by 16 runs.Gull Rukh led Conquerors’ batting effort with 42 runs, while Samina Aftab returned impressive figures of two for four. Momina Riasat and Diana Baig also picked up two wickets each.Chasing 121, Stars were dismissed for 104 in 19.3 overs despite Minahil top-scoring with 35. Humna Bilal and Neha Shermeen grabbed two wickets apiece for the winning team.Scores in brief:Invincibles beat Challengers by 72 runs at Bohranwali Ground, FaisalabadInvincibles 175-4, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 100, Sidra Amin 48 not out; Umm-e-Hani 2-19, Rabia Rani 2-26)Challengers 103 all out, 17 overs (Ayesha Zafar 27; Syeda Aroob Shah 3-24)Player of the match – Eyman Fatima (Invincibles)Conquerors beat Stars by 16 runs at Jawad Club, FaisalabadConquerors 120-9, 20 overs (Gull Rukh 42; Samina Aftab 2-4, Momina Riasat 2-17, Diana Baig 2-33)Stars 104 all out, 19.3 overs (Minahil 35; Humna Bilal 2-13, Neha Shermeen 2-27)Player of the match – Gull Rukh (Conquerors) 

Sports Bulletin Report Rawalpindi: Sahibzada Farhan scored a match-winning 89 as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday evening.The win gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second T20I scheduled at the same venue on Sunday, 11 October.Chasing 183 to win, Pakistan achieved the target in 18.5 overs, courtesy of Farhan’s 53-ball 89, which included 10 fours and four sixes. Leading Pakistan for the first time in T20Is in a bilateral series, Sahibzada was adjudged player of the match for his outstanding batting display.Sahibzada and Fakhar Zaman provided Pakistan a solid start, stitching a 54-run opening partnership. Fakhar contributed 21 off 13 balls, including four boundaries, before departing in the sixth over.Sahibzada then joined Maaz Sadaqat as the pair added 92 runs for the second wicket to put Pakistan in a commanding position. Maaz struck four fours and three sixes in his 29-ball 50 before being dismissed in the 14th over.Sahibzada departed in the 18th over, while Khawaja Nafay remained unbeaten on 12 off seven balls as Pakistan completed the chase.Earlier, after electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 182 for eight in 20 overs. Lahiru Udara top-scored with 91 off 55 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.For Pakistan, Naseem Shah returned figures of three for 36, while T20I debutant Mohammad Imran bagged two wickets for 21 runs in four overs.Razaullah, who also made his T20I debut, Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took one wicket apiece.Scores in brief:Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket StadiumSri Lanka 182-8, 20 overs (Lahiru Udara 91; Naseem Shah 3-36, Mohammad Imran 2-21)Pakistan 187-6, 18.5 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 89, Maaz Sadaqat 50; Eshan Malinga 2-33, Maheesh Theekshana 2-36)Player of the match – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)

Lahore (Sports Reporter): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the squad for the Hong Kong Sixes, with Abbas Afridi named captain for the six-a-side tournament, which will be held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong from 30 October to 1 November.Pakistan will depart for Hong Kong on 28 October and will compete alongside 11 other teams in the three-day tournament.The 12 participating teams have been divided into four pools of three teams each. Pakistan have been placed in Pool C.Pakistan squad:Mohammad Abbas Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Shahzad and Saad Masood.Team Manager: Raza Kitchlew