Sports Bulletin

Lahore (Sports News): A total of 12 pacers and eight spinners have been called up to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore for a two-phase bowlers’ development camp in line with the academy’s player development programme, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today. Among these are seven uncapped fast bowlers and one uncapped spinner.In the first phase, pacers will undergo a robust five-day camp under the supervision of NCA coaches from 24 to 28 August, while the spinners are set to attend the camp from 31 August to 4 September. During the five-day period, these bowlers will work closely with the NCA and the men’s white-ball team coaches. It will include in-depth work on the technical and tactical skills along with a review of their performance in the recent-most competitive cricket that they have played. Among the fast bowlers, Razaullah (Peshawar region), Mohammad Salman (Lahore region), Qayyum Khan (Faisalabad region), Abdul Subhan (Sialkot region), Abuzar, Mohammad Imran Jnr (both Peshawar region) and Muhammad Imran (Bahawalpur region) are uncapped, while Mohammad Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal (both Lahore region), Akif Javed (FATA region), Mohammad Hasnain (Hyderabad region) and Faheem Ashraf (Faisalabad region) are capped. The spinners include the uncapped Mehran Mumtaz, while Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood (all Rawalpindi region), Faisal Akram, Arafat Minhas (both Multan region), Abrar Ahmed, Danish Aziz (both Karachi region) and Mohammad Nawaz (Rawalpindi region) are capped. Among the cohort of 20 players, only the tearaway pacer Qayyum is yet to make his competitive cricket debut. He made a solitary appearance in this year’s President’s Trophy Grade-II Silver for Sports Board Punjab.

Kabul (Sports News): The ninth edition of the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament 2026 will be rolled into action on August 29, 2026. The event features four teams competing in a double round-robin format from August 29 to October 8 across Khost and Nangarhar provinces.

Dubai (SBR): Seasoned all-rounder Esha Oza will lead the 15-member UAE squad in the eight-team DP World Women’s Asia Cup 2026 which will be played at the Dubai International Stadium from Thursday, 28 August. UAE are placed in Group B with Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka the other three teams in the group. UAE take on Sri Lanka in their tournament opener on Friday, 29 August. They next play Indonesia on Friday, 4 September while their third group match will be against Bangladesh – Tuesday, 8 September. The semi-finals will be played on Thursday 10 September and Friday 11 September. The final is schedule to take place on Sunday, 13 September. All tournament matches will be played from 6:30pm local time. *UAE squad for DP World Women’s Asia Cup 2026:* Esha Oza (captain), Archara Supriya, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukkumaran, Lavanya Keny, Mehul Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Uttara Iyer and Vaishnave Mahesh. *Support Staff:* Subha Venkataraman (head coach), Shahzada Saleem (assistant coach), Shyla Alam (strength and conditioning coach) and Merin Saji (physiotherapist). *DP World Women’s Asia Cup 2026 – UAE matches* Friday, 29 August – Sri Lanka vs UAE, Dubai International Stadium – 6:30pm local timeFriday, 4 September – UAE vs Indonesia, Dubai International Stadium – 6:30pm local time Tuesday, 8 September – Bangladesh vs UAE, Dubai International Stadium – 6:30pm local timeThursday, 10 September – Semi-Final 1: A1 vs B2, Dubai International Stadium – 6:30pm local timeFriday, 11 September – Semi-Final 2: A2 vs B1, Dubai International Stadium – 6:30pm local timeSunday, 13 September – Final, Dubai International Stadium – 6:30pm local time

Lahore (SBR):: The Pakistan Cricket Board will host Sri Lanka and England men’s cricket teams for bilateral and tri-series from 9 October to 21 November, it was announced today.Sri Lanka will arrive on 4 October to feature in a three-match T20I series, which will be played in Rawalpindi from 9 to 13 October. Following the T20I series, England will arrive in Pakistan to take part in an ODI tri-series, scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 18 to 31 October.At the conclusion of the tri-series, Sri Lanka will feature in a three-day match in Islamabad from 4 to 6 November. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will then compete in a two-match Test series, which will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. The first Test will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi from 9 to 13 November, while the second Test will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 17 to 21 November.This will be the second Test series hosted by Pakistan in the current 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle after South Africa visited Pakistan for a two-Test series in October last year.The forthcoming ODI tri-series will be the second tri-series in this format hosted by Pakistan in as many years. Last year, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan hosted New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI tri-series in February.The tri-series will begin with Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 18 October. The hosts will face England in the second match at the same venue on Tuesday, 20 October, while Sri Lanka and England will meet in the third match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, 22 October.All three sides will then move to Lahore, where Pakistan will face England in the fourth ODI of the tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, 25 October. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will meet in the fifth match at the same venue on Tuesday, 27 October.Sri Lanka and England will take part in the sixth match of the tournament at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, 29 October, while the top two sides will meet in the final at the same venue on Saturday, 31 October.Schedule:Sri Lanka tour to Pakistan (T20Is and Test series)9 October – First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi11 October – Second T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi13 October – Third T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi4-6 November – Three-day match, Islamabad9-13 November – First Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi17-21 November – Second Test at Gaddafi Stadium, LahoreODI tri-series (England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)18 October – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi20 October – Pakistan v England, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi22 October – Sri Lanka v England, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi25 October – Pakistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore27 October – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore29 October –Sri Lanka v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore31 October – Tri-series final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 

Shaheen’s 7-36 inspire Sparco Paints Pakistan Gold to National Champions Cup titleMultan (Irum Abdullah): Shaheen Shah Afridi led Sparco Paints Pakistan Gold to the Al Batal Presents University of Lahore National Champions Cup 2026-27 title with a stunning haul of seven for 36 including a hat-trick as Rivaj Pakistan Greens fell short by 101 runs in the final chasing 341 here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night. The seventh and final match of the tournament concluded with Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan stands packed to capacity. Pakistan Gold won the toss and were led to a strong total after opting to bat first by two southpaws Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan who both registered sparkling centuries and shared a 137-run stand. In turn, Greens were cruising at 143-1 in 20.4 before they crashed spectacularly, losing nine for 96, seven of which were plucked by Shaheen as he finished the game with hat-trick. Shaheen’s 7-36 in 8.3 overs are his best List A figures and his fourth haul of five or more wicket in the format. He also claimed the 19th List-A hat-trick on Pakistan soil along with returning ninth best List-A figures in Pakistan. Greens got off to a brisk start collecting 53 runs before Fakhar fell to off-spinner Mubasir Khan for a 28-ball 31. Saad Baig (67, 51b, 9x4s, 2x6s) and Omair Bin Yousuf (44, 50b, 2x4s, 2x6s) then steered the chase with a brisk 90-run stand which felt like taking the game away from Gold but they struck back with Razaullah removing the latter. Faisal Akram then pinned Saad in 22nd overr before Shaheen got into the act by first claiming Farhan Yousuf, then Shadab Khan and Mohammad Suleman both in 27th over. With Greens 167-6 in 26.5 overs, Faheem Ashraf (38, not out, 30b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Naseem Shah (31, 27b, 2x4s, 2x6s) arrested the imminent collapse with a threatening 61-run stand which was broken by Shaheen in 36th over. The Pakistan ODI captain returned in 38th over to claim Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza and Mohammad Hasnain on the first three balls and finished the game in style. Earlier, Shamyl registered his third List-A century, while Saad scored his second in the format as they showcased their talent with the bat. The duo were united at the crease in the 17th over and separated in the 34th. Shamyl had first shared a 78-run opening stand with Muhammad Akhlaq (31, 44b, 4x4s), while Kamran Ghulam departed early. Shamyl brought up his century in style with consecutive sixes against Mohammad Hasnain in the 29th over before falling for 111 off 93 balls (11x4s, 4x6s). Saad fell for 112 off 102 balls and struck 11 fours and four sixes in his outing. Abdul Samad (25, 25, 1x4, 2x6s) and Mubasir (21, 17b, 1x4, 1x6) contributed enough to stretch the score well beyond the 300-run mark. For the Greens, Shaheen, Faheem and Shadab picked up two wickets each, while Mehran and Hasnain accounted for one batter each. Scores in brief Pakistan Gold 340 all out, 50 overs (Saad Khan 112, Shamyl Hussain 111, Mohammad Akhlaq 31, Abdul Samad 25, Mubasir Khan 21; Faheem Ashraf 2-40, Shadab Khan 2-45, Naseem Shah 2-59) Pakistan Greens 239 all out, 37.3 overs (Saad Baig 67, Omair Bin Yousuf 44, Faheem Ashraf 38 not out, Naseem Shah 31, Fakhar Zaman 31; Shaheen Shah Afridi 7-36) Player of the match – Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan Gold) Best batter and player of the tournament – Fakhar Zaman (260 runs, 1 wicket) Best bowler of the tournament – Shaheen Shah Afridi (9 wickets) Best wicketkeeper of the tournament - Saad Baig (170 runs, 5 dismissals)  Tournament results: (All matches at Multan Cricket Stadium)11 August – Pakistan Greens beat Pakistan Whites by five wickets 12 August – Pakistan Blues beat Pakistan Gold by six wickets 13 August –Pakistan Whites beat Pakistan Blues by six runs           14 August – Pakistan Greens beat Pakistan Gold by 128 runs 15 August – Pakistan Greens beat Pakistan Blues by 192 runs 16 August – Pakistan Gold beat Pakistan Whites by five wickets 18 August – Final – Pakistan Gold beat Pakistan Greens by 101 runs 

Karachi (PR): Sixteen-year-old cricketer Arham Mehfooz delivered an outstanding all-round performance at the Independence Day Inter-House Cricket Tournament held on August 15 as part of the Independence Day celebrations, earning the Man of the Match award.Arham Mehfooz has been receiving regular cricket training at Moin Khan Cricket Academy for the past year. Representing Abdul Razzaq House in the tournament, Arham produced an impressive performance in all three departments of the game — bowling, wicketkeeping and batting.The opposition posted a challenging total of 176 runs in 15 overs. Arham responded brilliantly with the ball, conceding only 6 runs in his two overs and taking 2 important wickets.He then continued his excellent performance behind the stumps as wicketkeeper, taking 4 catches during the match.Arham's most impressive contribution came with the bat. Opening the innings, he played a confident and fluent knock, scoring an unbeaten 94 runs and playing a key role in his team's victory.His outstanding all-round contribution helped Abdul Razzaq House secure victory, while Arham was deservedly named Man of the Match for his exceptional performance.Arham's performance reflects his dedication, hard work and passion for cricket. He has been training at Moin Khan Cricket Academy for the past year, where he continues to develop his skills and gain valuable experience as a young cricketer.His memorable performance in the Independence Day tournament marks an important milestone in his cricketing journey and highlights the potential and talent of young cricketers who are working hard to pursue their passion for the sport.

Multan (Sadia Yousaf): Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Sparco Paints Pakistan Gold qualified for the final of the National Champions Cup 2026-27 after they thumped UOL Pakistan Whites by five wickets, chasing the 173-run target with 132 balls to spare here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Rivaj Pakistan Greens led by Shadab Khan will now face Shaheen’s outfit in the final of the tournament at the same venue on Tuesday with the coin toss scheduled for 2.30pm and first ball expected to be bowled at 3pm. Gold had lost their opening two matches and were faced with the equation of not just winning the game but also with a better net run rate than that of Blues and their today’s opponents Whites. They were required to hunt the 173-run target in 32.1 overs but they did it in 28, finishing level with Whites and Blues on points but slightly better net run rate. Gold’s Haider Ali starred with 69 not out at no.5 after the top three had perished by the end of the powerplay in the chase. On Sunday, player of the match and captain Shaheen won the toss and invited Whites to bat first. He led the charge with figures of 8-0-26-3 and was ably supported by pacers Mohammad Imran (5-0-25-1) and Razaullah (6-1-25-1) along with the spin duo of Mubasir Khan (10-0-29-2), Faisal Akram (9.4-1-48-2). Whites kept on losing wickets at regular intervals as only Hasan Nawaz (55, 74b, 3x4s, 2x6s) and Saim Ayub (28, 39b, 4x4s) crossed the 20-run mark, while the highest stand in their innings came between Hasan and Saad Masood for the sixth wicket. Hasan walked in to bat in the 13th over after Shahzaib Khan, Haseebullah and Usman Khan had returned to the dugout for single-digit scores. Soon Hasan also saw the back of Saim in 15th over and Khushdil Shah in 22nd. With the Gold bowlers charged up, Hasan and Saad (20, 21b, 2x4s) added 45 runs together adding some competitiveness to the contest. Shaheen removed Hasan for his second scalp and Mohammad Wasim Jnr (18, 29b, 2x4s) for his third, while Faisal Akram claimed Saqib Khan and Ali Raza as Whites lost their last four wickets for 24 runs. In turn, Haider and Saad Khan made sure Gold do not stutter in their chase after no.3 Kamran Ghulam had contributed a 26-ball 30, while the opening duo of Shamyl Hussain and Mohammad Akhlaq scored 15 each in the total of 61-3. The right-left pair of Haider and Saad (33, 55b, 3x4s) frustrated Whites bowlers with the former being the aggressor and the latter supporting with his grit in a crucial 86-run stand. Haider struck seven fours and three sixes in his 48-ball knock and despite Wasim Jnr claiming Saad and Ali Raza accounting for Abdul Samad in 25th and 26th over, the Gold cruised home in 28 overs – 25 balls before the required equation to qualify on net run rate. Wasim Jnr picked up two wickets, Ali, Saim and Shahnawaz Dahani picked up one wicket each for Whites. Scores in brief Pakistan Whites 172 all out, 41.4 overs (Hasan Nawaz 55, Saim Ayub 28, Saad Masood 20; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-26, Mubasir Khan 2-29, Faisal Akram 2-48) Pakistan Gold 173-5, 28 overs (Haider Ali 69 not out, Saad Khan 33, Kamran Ghulam 30; Mohammad Wasim Jnr 

Lahore (PCB Report): The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced the 15-member squads for the DP World Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and the 20th Asian Games women’s cricket event with the regular captain Fatima Sana returning to lead the team in both the tournaments after skipping the Sri Lanka T20I series due to The Hundred commitment. The eight-team DP World Women’s Asia Cup is set to be played from 28 August to 13 September at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium with all 15 matches beginning at 7.30pm PKT. Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Hong Kong – China, India and Thailand. Group B consists of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.Pakistan will face Thailand on 1 September, India on 5 September and Hong Kong, China on 7 September, while the semi-finals will take place on 10 and 11 September. The final is scheduled on Sunday, 13 September.In the 20th Asian Games women’s cricket event, Pakistan is seeded with Thailand and will play them in the 17 September fourth Quarter-final. India will play Japan, Bangladesh will face China and Sri Lanka will be up against Malaysia. All the matches are scheduled to take at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi.Pakistan will face either of Sri Lanka or Malaysia if they qualify for semi-final on 20 September. The Bronze and Gold Medal matches will take place on 22 September. Pakistan won Gold Medals in the 2010, 2014 editions of the Asian Games women’s cricket event and finished fourth in the recent most 2022 event.Apart from skipper Fatima, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Saira Jabeen, Eyman Fatima, Eman Naseer, Umm-e-Hani, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sundhu and Momina Riasat are part of both the squads.Najiha Alvi, Waheeda Akhtar and Sadia Iqbal are a part of the Asia Cup Squad, Whereas, Aliya Riaz, Tasmia Rubab and Humna Bilal will be part of the Asian Games Squad when the team travels from UAE to Japan for the 20th Asian Games. The squad for the Asian Games was submitted in June earlier this year.Pakistan women’s team will take part in a pre-tournament training camp commencing from Sunday, 16 August and it will conclude on Tuesday, 25 August at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.Pakistan women’s squad for ACC women’s Asia CupFatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.Reserves – Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Sadaf ShamasSupport StaffWahab Riaz (coach/mentor), Ayesha Ashar (team manager), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Waleed Ahmed (performance analyst), Moeen (strength & conditioning coach), Dur Samand (Physiotherapist) and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (media manager)Pakistan women’s squad for Asian GamesFatim Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.Reserves – Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen ShamimSupport StaffWahab Riaz (coach/mentor), Ayesha Ashar (team manager), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Waleed Ahmed (performance analyst) and Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist)Schedule of Pakistan’s matches at the ACC women’s Asia Cup: (All matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium; all matches to begin at 7.30pm PKT)1 September – Pakistan v Thailand5 September – Pakistan v India7 September – Pakistan v Hong Kong, China10 September – semi-final 111 September – semi-final 213 September – finalPakistan women at Asian Games (All matches at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi prefecture)17 September - Quarter-final 4 – Pakistan v Thailand20 September – Semi-final 1 & 222 September - Bronze and Gold Medal matches

Multan (Sadia Yousaf): Rivaj Pakistan Greens continued their unbeaten run in the Al Batal Presents University of Lahore National Champions Cup 2026-27 with an emphatic 192-run win over Al Batal Pakistan Blues here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Right-handed batter Mohammad Suleman (101 not out, 103b, 8x4s, 1x6) struck his second List A century, while half-centuries from Saad Baig and Farhan Yousuf propelled Greens to 302-6 in 50 overs – their second consecutive of 300 or more. In turn, Blues crumbled after Faheem Ashraf took three wickets in sixth, eighth and 10th over, while Mohammad Hasnain delivered two wickets in the 14th over to almost seal the game. Blues were bundled out for 110 in 23.5 overs, falling 192 runs short. On Sunday, second-placed Pakistan Whites will take on fourth-placed Pakistan Gold and will need a win to secure their berth in the final or lose by a margin which doesn’t bring down their net run rate of -0.002 below that of Blues’ -1.093. Earlier, Greens won the toss and opted to bat first with Suleman coming in for Fakhar Zaman and Arshad Iqbal replacing Naseem Shah, who were both rested after their team had ensured the final berth. Green’s opening duo of Omair Bin Yousuf (33, 57b, 5x4s) and Sameer Minhas (17, 20b, 3x4s) added 39 runs 58 balls before Arafat struck to remove his brother. Suleman batted fluently and laid the foundation for the big total by stitching a strong 135-run stand for the third wicket with Saad Baig (77, 73b, 5x4s, 3x6s), who scored his fourth fifty in the format. Another brisk 90-run stand with Farhan Yousuf (51, 41b, 4x4s, 2x6s) took Greens from 200-3 in 35.1 overs to 290 in 48.1 overs. For Blues, Hasan Ali picked up two wickets, while Mohammad Faiq, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal and Sufyan Moqim dismissed one batter each. In pursuit of the target, Blues lost Maaz Sadaqat in the second over as he was run out by Arshad Iqbal. Faheem began the decimation with the wicket of Sahibzada Farhan (19, 22b, 4x4s) and then eked out Mohammad Faiq (18, 19b, 3x4s), who both had got off to decent starts. Faheem returned to also remove Muhammad Irfan Khan for two, while Shadab got rid of Tayyab Tahir for 14 to leave the Blues struggling at 58-5 in 12.4 overs. That they were able to cross the three-digit mark was due to the resistance put up by Arafat Minhas (38, 40, 3x4s, 2x6s) as he partnered with Hasan Ali for a 30-run stand. Hasnain accounted for Taimur Khan and Ahmed Daniyal, while Mohammad Salman Mirza also picked up two wickets. Shadab and Mehran had one each to their name as Blues folded for 110 in 23.5 overs. Scores in brief Pakistan Greens 302-6, 50 overs (Mohammad Suleman 101 not out, Saad Baig 77, Farhan Yousaf 51, Omair Bin Yousuf 33; Hasan Ali 2-37) Pakistan Blues 110 all out, 23.5 overs (Arafat Minhas 38; Faheem Ashraf 3-14, Mohammad Salman Mirza 2-23, Mohammad Hasnain 2-24) 

Multan (Sports News):: Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz has been ruled out of the Al Batal Presents University of Lahore National Champions Cup after sustaining an injury to his right middle finger, it was confirmed on Friday. Nawaz was taken for scans on Thursday, 13 August, which confirmed a fracture to the finger, ruling him out of action for a minimum of three weeks.He picked up the injury while fielding for his team Sparco Paints Pakistan Gold in their 12 August fixture against Al Batal Productions Pakistan Blues. He did complete his quota of 10 overs in the game which, Gold lost by six wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium. After two weeks, Nawaz will report to PCB’s Sports and Exercise Medicine Department to commence conditioning and progress through the required Return-to-Play (RTP) protocols under medical supervision.