Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): South Africa batter Aiden Markram and West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews have been announced as the winners of the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for June 2025.Markram won the men’s award ahead of team-mate Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka for his for Player of the Match effort in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord’s.The 30-year-old opener struck a solid 136 off 207 balls and featured in a 147-run third wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma in a successful chase of 282. The five-wicket victory helped South Africa win an ICC Title for the first time since the Champions Trophy in 1998. Markram also picked up a wicket each in the two innings.Matthews, who has previously won the awards in November 2021, October 2023 and April 2024, edged South Africa’s Tazmin Brits and compatriot Afy Fletcher to become only the second player to win the award four times after Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner.The West Indies skipper scored 104 runs in the three ODIs against South Africa, which included a half-century in the third match. She also grabbed four wickets in the series. Her fine run continued in the subsequent 2-1 T20I series win. She was named Player of the Series for her two fifties in an aggregate of 147 runs and two wickets.Markram said: "It is a privilege to receive this award. To contribute to an ICC World Test Championship win for our team and South Africa is something that means a lot to me. “Winning the final at Lord's is a historic moment for South African cricket, and it is something we will all remember forever. This victory was only possible due to the combined efforts of the entire team, with crucial contributions from KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Tembs (Temba Bavuma)."Matthews said: “It’s an honour to receive the Player of the Month award again. I’ve been pleased with my form recently, but more importantly, it’s been great to contribute to the team’s success—especially in a hard-fought T20I series against South Africa. "Recognition like this is appreciated, but my focus remains on what’s ahead. There’s a lot more I want to achieve, both personally and with this team. We’re heading in the right direction, and I’m excited about where we can go from here.”

Karachi(PR): The two-day talent hunt trials, jointly organised by Lahore Qalandars and the Prime Minister's Youth Program, concluded successfully in Karachi, with the announcement of 15-member boys and girls teams.The trials took place at NED University, where thousands of aspiring cricketers participated with hopes of joining the Qalandars system. Following the trials, coaches Marina Iqbal and Riaz Afridi, along with Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana, announced the selected players in a press conference.About the trials PMYP-Lahore Qalandars trials in Karachi, Atif Rana said that the massive turnout reflects the trust of youth in Lahore Qalandars. “Our player development journey began 10 years ago, and many of today's top players emerged from this very program,” he said. “Prime Minister's endorsement of our work empowered us to take this initiative nationwide.”He added that nearly 15,000 male and female players came forward in Karachi, showing their faith in the Qalandars system. “From here, we will move to Hyderabad and eventually form five teams from Sindh,” he added.Lahore Qalandars CEO further elaborated that under the program, five teams each will be formed from every province, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. These teams will participate in regional tournaments, from which the best players will qualify for the national tournament. The top national performers will be trained at the Lahore Qalandars High-Performance Center.Coaches Marina Iqbal and Riaz Afridi praised the raw talent and enthusiasm shown by players during the Karachi trials. They appreciated the PMYP-Lahore Qalandars talent hunt cricket trails initiative at such a huge level, which was widely participated by cricket enthusiasts across Karachi and the best talent earned their placed in the 15-member boys and girls teams. The selected girls team (Karachi) includes Yesri Aamir, Alizeh Sabir, Arija Haseeb, Aamna Zahid, Taskeen Fatima, Kainat Iman, Aneza Arif, Syeda Batool Fatima, Shabnam Hayat, Masooma Jafri, Ubeera Riaz, Faiqa Tariq, Arij Aamir, Maryam Ahmed, Isha Naeem.The selected boys team (Karachi) comprises Arman Shehzad, Abdullah Javed, Mohammad Siddiq, Umar Farooq, Zain Anwar, Hamza Malik, Ali Shoaib, M. Shaheer, Mohammad Furman, Naveedullah, Syed Zain, Abdul Rauf, Muaz Shah Afridi, Abdul Jaleel, Syed Rehan Shah.

 Lahore(SBR): Mohammad Irfan Khan, who has featured in nine ODIs and 14 T20Is for Pakistan will lead Pakistan Shaheens in the Top End T20 Series scheduled to take place in Darwin, Australia from 14 to 24 August. Pakistan Shaheens will play the opening match of the 11-team tournament against Bangladesh ‘A’ on 14 August at TIO Stadium in Darwin.The 15-member squad announced includes Abdul Samad (five T20Is), Faisal Akram (three ODIs), Haider Ali (two ODIs, 35 T20Is), Mubasir Khan (one T20I) – all featured for Pakistan men’s team previously, while Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman Mirza are part of Pakistan T20I squad for upcoming Bangladesh series.Shaheens’ second fixture in the T20 tournament will be against Scorchers at the TIO Stadium on 16 August, with the first ball set to be bowled at 4pm local time. The third Shaheens’ encounter in the tournament will be against Renegades on 18 August at the same venue with the first ball to be bowled at 6pm local time. On 19 August, Shaheens will take on Kingsmen at the DXC Arena with first ball to be bowled at 1pm local time.Shaheens’ fifth fixture in the event will be against Strikers at the DXC Arena, with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm. The sixth and final fixture of Shaheens will be against Nepal on 22 August at the DXC Arena with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm local time.The semi-finals and final of the event are scheduled for 24 August.The training camp for the Darwin-bound squad will be announced in due course.15-member squad:Mohammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah and Yasir KhanTeam management:Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Mohammad Ibrahim (analyst) and Mohammad Aleem (physio)Pakistan Shaheens fixtures:14 Aug – vs Bangladesh ‘A’, TIO Stadium (7pm local time)16 Aug – vs Scorchers, TIO Stadium (4pm local time)18 Aug – vs Renegades, TIO Stadium (6pm local time)19 Aug – vs Kingsmen, DXC Arena (1pm local time)20 Aug – vs Strikers, DXC Arena (7pm local time)22 Aug – vs Nepal, DXC Arena (7pm local time)24 Aug – Semi-finals and final

BIPIN DANIIn the ever-evolving landscape of modern cricket, where boundary-hitting has become an indispensable art, one man stands out for his scientific approach to unleashing brute force with finesse—Julian Wood. The former Hampshire cricketer turned power-hitting specialist has revolutionized the way batters train to clear the ropes, combining cricketing nuances with cutting-edge biomechanics and baseball-inspired methodologies.Wood’s trademark invention, the Power Hitting Program, isn't just a buzzword—it's a transformation toolkit. With stints at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), various county teams, and IPL franchise Punjab Kings, Wood’s reputation as a hitter-whisperer has crossed continents. His upcoming assignment with Sri Lanka Cricket, set from 30th July to 5th August, marks a strategic investment into sharpening the big-hitting blades of both men’s and women’s national teams.Purpose-Driven PartnershipIn a bid to ready its arsenal for prestigious assignments like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Asia Cup, and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka has roped in Wood to collaborate with National Coaches. His goal? To decode the science behind explosive stroke play and empower the next generation of Lankan finishers.Speaking to this reporter from England, Wood exudes optimism, "Yes, hopefully, the Sri Lankan cricketers will benefit more with this new technique. I have already spoken with head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and have worked with Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis in Abu Dhabi during T10 tournaments."He further revealed his special focus on uplifting women’s cricket, "I will be devoting two days with the women players in Sri Lanka. My service will benefit all the Lankan players—men and women—when they play 10-over tournaments. I will make them understand the techniques behind this."Innovation Born of BaseballWood’s methodology isn’t simply about muscle—it’s about mechanics. Years of studying biomechanics in the USA, particularly within baseball training regimes, led him to craft bespoke cricket-specific aids and drills that refine swing efficiency and generate greater bat speed. His patented training techniques are now sought-after by players craving consistency in striking the long ball under pressure.A Global VoyageWhile Wood won’t meet the Indian squad touring England currently, his cricketing footprint continues to expand. He shared, “I’ll be heading to the Cayman Islands next Monday to train players there.”That globe-trotting schedule is a testament to his stature as a pioneer in cricket’s brave new world—a world where power is no longer raw, but refined.

Lahore(PR):The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced an 18-member Pakistan Shaheens squad to tour England from 17 July to 6 August for two three-day and three 50-over matches. The dates and venues of the fixtures will be announced in due course.Saud Shakeel (19 Tests) is set to lead the team, while he will be joined by three other Test capped players in Mir Hamza (seven Tests), Musa Khan (one Test) and Sajid Khan (12 Tests). Among other players, Azan Awais (844) and Maaz Sadaqat (646), who finished as the leading run scorers, respectively in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25 have been selected.Other batters include Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, Mohammad Suleman, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shamyl Hussain, while Rohail Nazir will perform the wicket-keeping duties. The pace arsenal consists of Mushtaq Ahmed, who bagged 77 wickets in two recent most first-class competitions (QeA Trophy & President's Trophy), FATA pacer Shahid Aziz and Ubaid Shah.Wrist spinner Faisal Akram will accompany left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz and off-spinning all-rounder Mubasir Khan to form the spin quartet along with experienced Sajid for the Shaheens across the red and white-ball fixtures.The 18-member squad will take part in a training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi before departing for England on 16 July.Squad:Saud Shakeel (captain), Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain and Ubaid ShahPlayer support personnel:Imran Farhat (head coach), Rehan Riaz (bowling coach), Mohtashim Rasheed (fielding coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst) and Ali Sufyan (physio) 

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon, 10 July 2025 – Three elite cricket venues have today been added to the list of grounds that will play their part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 when it comes to England and Wales next year. Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, The County Ground, Derby, and Loughborough University – home of the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre – will play host to a range of warm-up matches before the tournament gets underway on 12th June 2026.All three venues share a rich cricketing pedigree and have played a part in propelling women’s cricket on to the global stage. The warm-up matches will see the best in the world go head-to-head as they prepare for next summer’s groundbreaking tournament. The three venues will play a prominent role in showcasing elite women’s cricket to local fans before the first ball of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is bowled at Edgbaston on 12thJune next year.Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sophia Gardens, The County Ground, Derby, and Loughborough University to the roster of incredible venues that will host the tournament next summer. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 provides an unparalleled opportunity to really shine a spotlight on the excellence in our sport and to launch women’s cricket firmly into the mainstream. We’re delighted to extend that opportunity to even more English and Welsh fans through the warm-up games, and to inspire hundreds and thousands of people across the country to fall in love with women’s cricket.”The expanded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see 12 teams descend on England and Wales to compete for the prestigious trophy that is currently held by New Zealand. 33 matches will be played across the 24-day competition, at seven iconic venues, before the final takes place at Lord’s on 5th July.

TAXILA(Sports Report): Basit Gymkhana Cricket Club showcased an impressive all-round performance to defeat Real Time Cricket Club by 38 runs in the All Pakistan HIT Challenge Cup T20 Tournament at the HIT Cricket Ground, Taxila Cantt.Batting first, Basit Gymkhana posted a competitive total of 172 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. The star of the innings was Uzair Afridi, who dazzled with a blistering 62 off just 37 balls, smashing five boundaries and four towering sixes. He was ably supported by Ishaq Qazi, who contributed a solid 44 off 33 balls, decorated with three fours and two sixes. For Real Time CC, Saif ur Rehman was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets.In reply, Real Time Cricket Club faltered against disciplined bowling and were bowled out for 134 runs. Sohail Akhtar was the top scorer for his side with 30 runs. Basit Gymkhana’s bowling attack was led by Azaan Ahmed, who ripped through the batting line-up with an outstanding four-wicket haul. He was well-supported by Rana Fasih, who grabbed three wickets, and Raja Awais, who took two.For his match-winning spell, Azaan Ahmed was named Man of the Match.

Lahore (SBR): The Men’s National Selection Committee has announced the 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side in the T20Is.The three-match T20Is series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played from 20 to 24 July at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The squad for the white-ball series against West Indies will be announced in due course. Names of players: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan MoqimTeam management:Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding Coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (doctor) and Mohammad Ehsan (masseur)

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the domestic cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on increased competitiveness, highlighted by an eight-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class) tournament.The domestic season will commence on 15 August with the 12-team Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class) being staged in Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. The teams are divided into two pools, with 31 matches scheduled in the four-day tournament. The top two sides will qualify for this season’s premier first-class competition – Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.The 12 regional sides participating in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy are the same teams that competed in last season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Based on last season’s standings, these are: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, FATA, Lahore Region Blues, Hyderabad, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Multan, Quetta, D.M Jamali, AJK and Larkana.The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will feature Lahore Region Whites, Sialkot, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur and the two qualifying teams. The tournament is set to begin on 22 September and will comprise 29 matches in a single-league format, with the final scheduled from 3 to 7 November. Matches will be held at four venues across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with further details to be announced in due course.To further enhance competitiveness, a qualifying stage has also been introduced for the National T20. 10 teams – Abbottabad, Multan, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, FATA, Larkana, D.M. Jamali, and AJK will compete in the qualifier round. These teams will be divided into two pools, with the top two sides progressing to the National T20 (Super 10) tournament, which will be held in Faisalabad from 1 to 12 March.The eight teams automatically qualified for the Super 10 stage are: Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Peshawar, Karachi Region Blues, Sialkot, Islamabad and Faisalabad.Four departmental tournaments – President’s Trophy (four-day, first-class), President’s Cup (One-Day), President’s Trophy Grade II and President’s Trophy Grade III will also feature in this domestic season.PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed said: “We are pleased to unveil a domestic structure that places merit, opportunity and competitiveness at its core. The 2025-26 season has been designed to provide a clear pathway for teams and players to progress based on performance, not reputation.“Introducing a qualifier for both the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20 ensures that every match in our domestic calendar carries significant weight. This not only raises the standard of competition but also fosters a high-performance culture across all formats.“The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now feature the most in-form and deserving teams, while the Hanif Mohammad Trophy gives 12 regions a meaningful chance to stake their claim. Similarly, the Super 10 format of the National T20 is a step towards creating more high-intensity, quality cricket.“Our aim is to reward performance and create a vibrant environment where players and teams are constantly challenged. This structure lays the foundation for a long-term growth and helps us prepare future stars for the demands of international cricket.”Director – Domestic Cricket Operations Abdullah Khurram Niazi said: “The 2025-26 domestic season reflects our commitment to building a competitive and inclusive structure that nurtures talent at every level, from grassroots to senior cricket. By aligning our tournaments across age-group and senior formats, we are creating a clear development pathway for young cricketers.“We have placed equal emphasis on both regional and departmental cricket. The inclusion of a first-class and a one-day tournament exclusively for departments, along with Grade II and Grade III departmental competitions, ensures departments remain a vital pillar of our domestic cricket system.“We are looking forward to U15, U17 and U19 age-group tournaments this season. These competitions will serve as vital stepping stones for young talent, helping us identify and groom future national stars early in their careers.“Also, the top performers of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy will not only be recognised as guest players by the top regions in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, but they will also be considered for domestic contracts, a move aimed at incentivising excellence.”Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class): 15 Aug to 17 Sep (12 teams, 31 matches, four-day)National U19 Cup: 1-16 Sep (18 teams, 49 matches, one-day, nine venues)Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class): 22 Sep to 7 Nov (eight teams, 29 matches, four-day, four venues)President’s Cup (One-Day) (Departmental tournament): 24 Nov to 10 Dec (eight teams, 31 matches, four venues)President’s Trophy (first-class) (Departmental tournament): 15 Dec to 30 Jan 2026 (eight teams, 29 matches, four venues)National T20 (Qualifier): 3-11 Feb 2026 (12 teams, 30 matches, six venues)National T20 (Super 10): 1-12 Mar 2026 (10 teams, 23 matches, one venue)National U17 Cup (One-Day): 28 Mar to 12 Apr 2026 (18 teams, 49 matches, nine venues)National U15 Cup (One-Day): 16 Apr to 1 May 2026 (18 teams, 49 matches, nine venues)President’s Trophy Grade II (Three-Day) (Departmental tournament): 28 Mar to 3 May 2026 (14 teams, 46 matches, six venues)President’s Trophy Grade III (Two-Day) (Departmental tournament): 28 Mar to 23 Apr 2026 (14 teams, 46 matches, six venues)Regional Inter-District U19: 28 Mar to 10 April 2026 (110 matches)Challenge League (Two-Day): 1 Oct to 10 Nov 2025Regional Inter-District Senior: 10 May to 10 Jun 2026Club Cricket Tournament: Nov 2025 to Jun 2026School Cricket: Sep-Oct 2025College Cricket: Oct-Nov 2025University Cricket: Nov-Dec 2025

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): South Africa batter Aiden Markram and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada have been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month awards, joining Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka on the men's shortlist, while for the women’s award, the candidates include West Indies players Hayley Matthews and Afy Fletcher, along with South Africa's Tazmin Brits.Markram and Rabada were the stars of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final while Nissanka’s fine form in the two-Test series against Bangladesh helped him edge ahead of other performers. The women’s shortlist is based primarily on performances during South Africa’s tour of the West Indies.Aiden Markram (SA): The 30-year-old opening batter was the Player of the Match in the ICC WTC Final against Australia at Lord’s as South Africa won their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 1998. He struck a solid 136 off 207 balls and featured in a 147-run third wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma as South Africa chased a target of 282 with five wickets in hand. Markram also chipped in with a wicket in each innings including that of Steve Smith in the first innings.Kagiso Rabada (SA): Rabada grabbed nine wickets at an average of 12.22 in the WTC Final – his figures reading five for 51 and four for 59. The formerly top-ranked Test bowler struck important blows to ensure that Australia did not get big starts - dismissing opener Usman Khawaja and number three batter Cameron Greene cheaply in both innings.Pathum Nissanka (SL): The 27-year-old opener set the platform for a huge first innings score in the drawn first Test in Galle, knocking up 187 and featuring in an important second wicket stand with Dinesh Chandimal. He then struck 158 in the second Test in Colombo as the home side defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs. Nissanka was named the Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Series for his aggregate of 369 runs in the two-Test WTC series.Tazmin Brits (SA): The South Africa opener had a memorable tour of the Caribbean, showing fine form in both ODIs and T20Is. She struck 184 runs at a strike rate of 87.61 in three ODIs including a 101 off 91 balls in the final match. In the subsequent T20I series, she scored 132 runs at a strike rate of 122.22 which included a 98 not out from 63 deliveries in the first match.Hayley Matthews (WI): The West Indies skipper scored 104 runs in the three ODIs against South Africa, including a half-century in the third match. She also chipped in with four wickets. She then elevated her performances in T20Is, scoring 147 runs at a strike-rate of 120.49, with two half-centuries. Matthews also grabbed two wickets. She was named the Player of the Series in the T20Is as the West Indies won 2-1.Afy Fletcher (WI): The leading wicket-taker in both the ODI and T20I series against South Africa, the 38-year-old leg-spinner finished with nine wickets in ODIs during June, which included one in a preceding series in England. Her eight wickets in the series against South Africa included a four-wicket haul in the second ODI and three in the final match. She also scored a total of 30 runs in these ODIs. In the T20Is, she claimed five wickets from three outings at an economy rate of 6.75.