Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan No 1 tennis players Aqeel Khan will take on Mohammad Shoaib in the men’s singles final of the All Pakistan National Invitational Tennis Tournament 2023 here at DeSOM Club on Friday.  In the men's singles semifinals, No 1 Aqeel Khan beat Mudassar Murtaza 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Aqeel started the match well and put Mudassar under pressure to win the first set 6-2. Mudassar bounced back in the second set and took it by 7-5. Aqeel once again showed his class and comfortably won the third set 6-1 and also earned a place in the final. The second semifinal of the men’s singles saw Mohammad Shoaib playing well against Heera Ashiq and winning the encounter by 6-4, 6-3. Shoaib though faced tough resistance in the first set, yet he won it by 6-4 while he played comparatively better tennis in the second set, taking it 6-3 to set a title clash with Aqeel Khan. In the boys U-16 semifinals, rising tennis star Wapda’s Abubakar Talha (F.G School Lahore Cantt) defeated spirited Hamza Roman by 1-6, 6-2, 6-4. The second semifinal of the U-16 category was won by another talented player Ahtesham Humayun (SICAS), who edged past Haider Ali Rizwan 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. All the finals will be played on Friday here at DeSOM Club.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Mohammad Ashab Irfan, Sadam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Abdul Qadir, and Anas Ali Bukhari have qualified for the semifinal of the International Squash Tournament after winning their respective matches here on Thursday. The tournament is pursuing prize money of US$ 100, 000 and Asif Khan is performing the duties of tournament referee. The semifinals will be played on Friday while final on Saturday at the same venue. Results (Quarterfinals): Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Khakhan Malik (3-0) 11-4, 11-5, 11-3 (14 mint) Sadam-ul-Haq beat Hamza Aslam (3-0) 11-4, 11-2, 11-8 (16 mint) Mohammad Abdul Qadir beat Shahab Khan (3-1) 11-4, 11-6, 11-9, 14-12 (34 mint) Anas Ali Bukhari beat Zain Ramzan (3-0) 11-2, 11-6, 11-5 (14 mint) Results (Round-II): Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Mohammad Shoaib (3-0) 11-8, 11-3, 12-10 (21 mint) Khakhan Malik beat Khushal Riaz Khan (3-0) 3-11, 3-11, 5-11 (15 mint) Sadam-ul-Haq beat Kashif Javed (3-2) 9-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 11-1 (35mint) Hamza Aslam beat Moeen-ud-Din (3-1) 13-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7 (34 mint) Mohammad Abdul Qadir beat Hikmat yar Khan (3-0) 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 (18 mint) Shahab Khan beat Kamran Hussain (3-0) 11-7, 11-2, 11-3 (20 mint) Anas Ali Bukhari beat Usman Nadeem (3-1) 11-4, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6 (31 mint) Zain Ramzan beat Mohammad Farhan (3-0) 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 (19mint) Results (Round-I): Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Mohammad Ahmed (3-0) 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (18 mint)             Mohammad Shoaib beat Mutahir Ali Shah (3-2) 13-11, 12-10, 4-11, 5-11, 11-8 (50mint) Khakhan Malik beat Mohammad Azlan Khawar (3-1) 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (31 mint) Khushal Riaz Khan beat Zain Anwar (3-0) 18-16, 11-8, 11-7 (36mint) Kashif Javed beat Mufariq Ali Shah (3-0) 11-4, 11-1, 11-4 (15 mint) Sadam ul Huq beat Abdullah Nawaz (3-1) 11-5, 4-11, 11-5, 11-7 (44 mint) Hamza Aslam beat Zohaib Ali Hassan (3-0) 11-9, 11-2, 11-4 (18 mint) Moeen ud din beat Kumail Tariq (3-1) 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6 (35 mint) Mohammad Abdul Qadir beat Ashar Butt (3-0) 11, 10, 11-2, 11-5 (22mint) Hikmat yar Khan beat Arslan Ramzan (3-1) 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8 (35mint) Kamran Hussain beat Shehryar Saleem (3-0) 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (24 mint) Shahab Khan beat Talha Bin Zubair (3-0) 11-8, 11-4, 14-12 (28 mint) Anas Ali Bukhari beat Mehmood Mehboob (3-0) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (18 mint) Usman Nadeem beat Haji Nawaz (3-0) 11-0, 11-1, 11-2 (3-0) (9mint) Zain Ramzan beat Fardeen Ali Sha Bukhari (3-0) 11-7, 11-3, 11-0 (13 mint) Mohammad Farhan beat Mohammad Ibrahim (3-0) 11-8, 11-4, 11-3 (17mint)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Diamond Paints emerged as winners of the penalty shootouts contested among three teams that helped them qualify for the semifinals as the fourth team in the Century Ventures National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2023 here at the Lahore Polo Club on Thursday. The penalty shootouts were played among three teams including Diamond Paints, FG Polo and DS Polo. From Diamond Paint, Chulo Corti managed to convert three penalties out of four to help side emerge as triumphant. From FG Polo, Ramiro Zavaleta could slam in only one out of four penalties while from DS Polo, Javier Gurrero failed to convert a single one. With the qualification of Diamond Paints in the semifinals as the fourth team, now the lineup for the semifinals has been completed. Now in the semifinals to be played tomorrow (Friday), BN Polo will take on Diamond Paints and Master Paints/Newage will compete against Master Paints. Meanwhile, DS Polo and FG Polo have qualified for the subsidiary final.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Najam Sethi, Chair of the PCB Management Committee, has congratulated Ahsan Raza on his promotion to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and has also thanked Aleem Dar for his services as an elite panelist for nearly two decades and showcasing the soft and positive image of Pakistan. Ahsan has been a member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires since 2010 and is the first to reach the 50 T20Is-mark as an umpire. Overall, he has umpired in 72 T20Is, along with seven Tests and 41 ODIs. Ahsan Raza will replace compatriot Aleem Dar on the panel, who had joined the distinguished group in 2004. Aleem officiated in a world record 435 international matches, including a record 144 Tests and 222 ODIs, and 69 T20Is. Aleem won the ICC Umpire of the Year award for three successive years from 2009 from 2011. Najam Sethi: “It is a moment of great pride and joy for the whole nation that Ahsan Raza has become the third Pakistan umpire to be appointed to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. I want to congratulate Ahsan on this wonderful achievement and I am sure he will continue to work hard with dedication and passion to enhance the image and profile of this noble profession. “Ahsan is a great inspiration for many young and upcoming umpires and his elevation demonstrates we have talented umpires in Pakistan who are skilled enough to break into the top category. I hope we, at the PCB, will continue to utilise his expertise, knowledge and experience in our domestic and international matches. “I also want to congratulate Aleem Dar on his successful career as an elite panelist. He was the first Pakistani to become a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires way back in 2004 and since then, he has established himself as one of the most respected and highly-qualified umpires in the business. “Throughout his outstanding career, he earned worldwide appreciation and accolades through his work ethics, undivided commitment to the game, good decision-making and excellent man management skills.  He will remain as one of the best and finest to have ever served on the elite panel. “Aleem has been a role model for umpires across generations. The PCB will be very fortunate to make the most of his presence and availability by integrating him in our system so that he can groom, mentor and tutor young umpires which, in turn, will help in significant improvement in the quality of umpiring in our domestic cricket and also produce umpires who can go on to represent Pakistan in the international and elite panels.”

Sports Bulletin Report PESHAWAR: Noor-ul-Ain from Pakistan WAPDA and Rushna Mehboob from Zari Tarqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) set to meet in the final of the Bank of Khyber (BOK) Women’s Squash Championship final on Friday, as the both national girls won their semifinals comfortably against Mehwish Ali 3-1 and Sana Bahadur 3-1 here at Qamar Zaman Squash Complex on Thursday. On Thursday, in the morning session, the quarterfinals were played, as the four players moved into the semifinals after the semifinals contests in the evening, Noor and Rushna posted the victories to qualify for the final that will be played on Friday at the same venue. Results (Quarterfinals): Noor-ul-Ain (WAPDA) beat Zohra Abdullah (KP) 3-1 (9-11 11-5 11-5 11-5) in 24 mints Mehwish Ali (WAPDA) beat Hira Aqeel (KP) 3-0 (11-8 113-11 11-3) in 18 mints Rushna Mehboob (ZTBL) beat Noor-ul-Huda (WAPDA) 3-1 (15-13 9-11 11-7 11-6) in 30 mints Sana Bahadur (Army) beat Komal Khan (WAPDA) 3-0 (11-6 11-6 11-3) in 15 mints Results (Semifinals): Noor-ul-Ain (WAPDA) beat Mehwish Ali (WAPDA) 3-1 (11-7 6-11 11-8 12-10) 32 mints Rushna Mehboob (ZTBL) beat (3-1) Sana Bahadur (Army) 3-1 (16-14 11-9 8-11 11-6) 30 mints

Sports Bulletin Report Doha (Qatar): The World Giants, riding on Chris Gayle’s commanding knock of 57, recorded a three-wicket victory over India Maharajas in the 5th match of the Skyexch.net Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha. The West Indies’ legendary hard-hitter, who has Gayle Force as one of his many nicknames, hit nine powerful boundaries and a six in this 46-ball knock.  So dominating was Gayle’s knock that after he fell, World Giants struggled to reach the target and but, in the end, won with eight balls to spare. World Giants won the toss and elected to field. India Maharajas had a different set of openers as Robin Uthappa opened with Manvinder Bisla. Gautam Gambhir, who had opened with Uthappa and put on an unbeaten 159 runs match winning opening partnership against Asia Lions in the fourth match, was rested. In his absence, it was Harbhajan Singh who led the team. Gayle raced to his half century in 26 balls with nine boundaries and a six. Watson became the second wicket to fall when Tambe clean bowled him for 26 with the second ball of the ninth over. Harbhajan also had Finch who went for a sweep and top edged to Tambe for 5. In the last ten overs, World Giants needed 38 runs. Tambe bowled a brilliant 11th over giving away just one run beating a well-set Gayle repeatedly. Ross Taylor, going for a slog shot off Yusuf Pathan, fell to a brilliant catch by Raina in the deep for 7. Samit Patel hit back to back boundaries off Raina in the 15th over but he struck to trap Gayle leg before with the last ball of the over for 57. Yusuf Pathan clean bowled Patel for 12 when 12 runs were needed. Ricardo Powell got run out for 3 and in the end Morne van Wyk hit the winning boundary off Irfan Pathan. Brief scores: World Giants defeated India Maharajas by 3 wickets. India Maharajas 136 for 9 in 20 overs World Giants 139 for 7 in 18.4 overs Player of the Match: Chris Gayle

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Multan Sultans will play third straight HBL Pakistan Super League final on 19 March after they thrashed Lahore Qalandars by 84 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday night. Kieron Pollard’s late blitz propelled Multan Sultans to 160 for five before a sizzling opening spell from Sheldron Cottrell derailed the run chase. Lahore Qalandars’ poor show resulted in a paltry 76 all out – the lowest-ever HBL PSL total scored on Pakistani soil – in only 14.3 overs. Pollard smashed six sixes in his 34-ball 57 and three of them came off the penultimate over, bowled by Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi. The left-arm pacer conceded 20 in that over and it went down his most expensive in the HBL PSL history. Pollard took on the attack at the start of the 17th over when he smoked Shaheen for a six and smashed Haris Rauf for a six and a four, his only in the innings, in the next. Tim David smashed Zaman Khan for a six and a four in the 16th over to kick-start the onslaught after Lahore Qalandars had managed to keep Multan Sultans batters quiet throughout the innings. Multan Sultans could muster 46 runs in the Powerplay and the introduction of Rashid Khan in the middle-overs further tightened the grip as they could score 51 in the next nine at the loss of three wickets. But over the last five overs, they added 63 to the total. The first wicket fell in the eighth over as Usman Khan (29 off 28) chopped on a slower ball from Haris, who was bowling his first over of the innings. Rilee Rossouw’s forgettable outing came to an end at the start of the 11th over when he was caught of Zaman and two overs later Mohammad Rizwan’s stumps were rattled by a Rashid googly. Only three Lahore Qalandars batters could post double-digit scores and none of them was from the top-order. Cottrell removed Mirza Tahir Baig and Abdullah Shafique in a span of three balls in the third over and Anwar Ali bowled a beautiful delivery that nipped back off the length to bowl Fakhar Zaman. Shaheen’s wild heave ended in Usman’s hands at point as Cottrell picked his third wicket in the fifth over and Lahore Qalandars slumped to 28 for four. The 10th over began with Hussain Talat’s lazy stroll towards the striker’s end ending in run out and ended with Sikandar Raza getting caught at deep square-leg. At the halfway mark of the innings, Lahore Qalandars were six down for 44. Sam Billings, the top run-getter with 19, was out in the next over off Ihsanullah and Usama Mir’s introduction resulted in the wickets of Rashid Khan (0) and David Wiese (12 off 12). Haris was the final wicket to fall when he was caught and bowled off Abbas Afridi. Lahore Qalandars have another go at a berth in the final when they meet the winners of the first Eliminator between Islamabad Untied and Peshawar Zalmi on Friday.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army outclassed Pakistan WAPDA 19-10 in the final of the National Women’s Baseball Championship 2023 that concluded here at Pakistan Sports Complex on Wednesday. Higher Education Commission (HEC) defeated Punjab by 16-6 in the third position play-off at the same venue before the final. In the championship match, Pakistan Army girls displayed excellent skills of the game and defeated Pakistan WAPDA 19-10 in a single-sided affair. Humira scored four, Ansa and Samia scored three, Atiya, Madiha, Waheeda scored two, Rashida, Asia and Zahida scored one each score for Pakistan Army. Zainab, Umm Hani and Ayesha hit two runs each while Madeeha, Sudra, Anila and Maimuna scored one each for Pakistan WAPDA. Earlier, in the third-position play-off Higher Education Commission (HEC) defeated Punjab with a score-line of 16-6. Tasmia, Momina scored three each, Aram, Asia, Taslim and Manahil scored two each, while Nisa and Alina scored one each for HEC while Nimra, Asia, Nida, Kulsoom, Amna and Ramsha scored one each for Punjab. Mohammad Abrar, Director General, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) distributed the prizes along with the president, Pakistan Baseball Federation (PBBF), Syed Fakhr Ali Shah. Apart from other officials of the Pakistan Baseball Federation, officials and a sizeable number of fans were also present on the occasion.

Sports Bulletin Report PESHAWAR: Noor-ul-Ain, Zohra Abdullah, Hira Aqeel, Mehwish Khan, Noor-ul-Huda, Rushna Mehboob, Sana Bahadur, and Komal Khan have moved into the 3rd Round of the ongoing Bank ok Khyber (BOK) All Pakistan Women’s Squash Championship after beating their respective opponents here at Qamar Zaman Squash Complex on Wednesday. Results: Noor-ul-Ain (wapda) beat Naheed Faiz (KP) 3-0 (11-5 11-6 11-6) Zohra Abdullah (KP) beat Kainat Amir (KP) 3-1 (11-7 11-9 9-11 11-6) Hira Aqeel (KP) beat Maira Hussain (KP) 3-0 (11-7 11-4 11-6) Mehwish (wapda) beat Nimra Aqeel (KP) 3-0 (11-2 11-7 11-3) Noor ul Huda beat Hisfa yousaf (wapda) 3-0 (11-4 11-3 11-7) Rushna Mehboob (ZTBL) beat Manahil Aqeel (KP) 3-0 (11-2 11-4 11-7) Sana Bahadur (Army) beat Umm-e-Kulsoom (KP) 3-0 (11-2 11-4 11-7) Komal (wapda) beat Wajeeha Altaf (KP) 3-0 (11-4 11-2 11-5)  

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Rizwan brothers, Hussnain Ali Rizwan and Haider Ali Rizwan, Abubakar Talha, and Ahtesham Humayun qualified for the semifinals of the All Pakistan National Invitational Tennis Tournament here at DeSOM Club on Wednesday. In the boys U-16 quarterfinals, Hussnain Ali Rizwan beat Hamza Roman 6-0, 6-4 while Haider Ali Rizwan beat Hamza Ali Rizwan 6-2, 6-3. In other quarterfinals, Abubakar Talha (F.G School Lahore Cantt) beat M Salaar 6-4, 6-4 while Ahtesham Humayun (Cresent) beat M Talha Khan 6-1, 6-1. It is worth mentioning here that Hussnain Ali Rizwan, who is a former Asian U-14 No 2 ranked player and only Pakistani, selected in the ITF/ATF Grand Slam Player Development Program to Europe, where he had learned the modern techniques from the top ITF coaches alongside the world’s high ranked players. Now his fellows have progressing well in the ITF and ATF rankings due to their regular participation in the international circuit but due to lack of high-level sponsorship (especially from Bard Foundation), such talented players couldn’t win international laurels for Pakistan. Same is the case with his elder brother, Haider Ali Rizwan, who was Asian U-16 ranked 1, and was doing well at ATF level, but he too couldn’t maintain his rankings due to less participation in the international events and here too, financial constraints were the major hurdles.  Meanwhile in the men’s singles quarterfinals, Pakistan No 1 player Aqeel Khan beat talented Abdullah Adnan 6-3, 6-0 while Mohammad Shoaib Khan beat Ahmad Nael Qureshi 5-7, 6-0, 6-2, Mudassar Murtaza beat Sami Zeb Khan 6-1, 7-6 and Yousaf Khalil beat Heera Ashiq 7-5, 7-5.