Sports Bulletin ReportKarachi:Women's top seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir made a convincing start to her U23 World Squash Championship campaign as the Egyptian World No.14 dominated Spain's Noa Romero Blazquez to reach the quarter-finals in Karachi.Like the rest of the seeded players in the women's event, Aboelkheir had received a bye through to the last 16 of the inaugural edition of the championships, which features a $60,000 prize pot and a spot in the PSA World Championships for the winner.There was no sign of rust from the 19-year-old today, as she attacked from the beginning against her unseeded opponent.After making a positive start, Aboelkheir never looked in danger of slipping. The Egyptian was completely dominating at the front of the court and rarely moved off 'the T' as she recorded a lightning-fast 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 win, needing just 21 minutes to wrap up the victory.Afterwards, she said: "I'm very happy to get through today and am looking forward. It's the first time we've had this tournament so I'm very excited to be playing here and hope I can get the win tomorrow and keep going all week!"Aboelkheir will face Hong Kong, China's Toby Tse in the quarter-final after the 5/8 seed defeated France's Kara Lincou 3-1.Meanwhile, in the men's draw, home favourites Noor Zaman and Hamza Khan progressed after convincing wins over Poland's Jakub Pytlowany and England's Will Salter.On the glass court at DHA Creek Club, No.2 seed Zaman - grandson to Pakistan legend Qamar Zaman and in red hot form after winning the Liverpool Cricket Club Open last week - was totally dominant in an 11-4, 11-5, 11-3 victory.Khan, World Junior Champion in 2023, was also convincing, with the 19-year-old taking down Salter 11-5, 11-6, 11-5.

Noor Zaman, Mohammad Hamza claim victories, Mohammad Ammad faces defeat 3-2Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Duo of Pakistan squash guys -Noor Zaman and Mohammad Hamza- jumped into next round of the WSF U23 World Men’s Squash Championship 2025 after beating their respective opponents at Defence Creek Club, Karachi on Sunday. Mohammad Ammad lost his contest 3-2 in a nerve-jangling competition.Second seed local squash player, Noor Zaman overcame his challenger Hussain Alzaatari from Kuwait 3-1 after showing impressive game on the court, as he finished the match with the score-line of 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, and 11-3.Mohammad Hamza Khan outclassed Radu Stefan Pena from Romania in straight games 3-0. He exhibited top-class squash and amused the spectators with his powerful drives and classic drop shorts, The final score-line was just 11-3, 11-1, and 11-5.Result (Men’s Event):Ibrahim Alkabbani (Egypt) beat Leon Krysik (Polad) (3-1) 11-2, 9-11, 12-10, 11-2Matteo Carrouget (Franc) beat Makar Esin (Neutral Athlete) (3-0) 11-6, 11-5, 11-4Duncan Lee (Malaysia) beat Kareem Michael (Canada) (3-1) 3-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7R. Damming (Netherlands) beat Kijan Sultana (Malta) (3-0) 11-2, 11-6, 11-8David Bernet (Switzerland) beat Yuta Adno (Japan) (3-0) 11-2, 11-8, 11-7Hugo Lafuente Jaen (Spain) beat Kajetn Lipski (Poland) (3-1) 11-6, 13-11, 4-11, 11-1Lap Au (Hong Kong) beat Reuel Videler (South Africa (3-1) 11-2, 11-9, 11-2K. El Torkey (Egypt) beat Hao Cui (USA) (3-0) 11-1, 11-6, 11-5A. Chandaran (Malaysia) beat Mohammad Ammad (Pakistan) (3-2) 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8Mattew Lam (Hong Kong) beat Pouya Shafiefard (Iran) (3-2) 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-3Will Salter (England) beat Jerome Aw (Singapore) (3-1) 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4Mohammad Hamza Khan (Pakistan) beat Radu Stefan Pena (Romania) (3-0) 11-3, 11-1, 11-5M. Scianimanico (France) beat Nevindo Lakman (Sri Lanka) (3-1) 11-9, 11-3, 12-14, 11-2D. Groenewald Ernesto (South Africa) beat Revrt Escutia (Spain) (3-1) 11-9, 11-5, 1-11, 11-8Jakub Pytlowany (Poland) beat Juan Joce (Columbia) W/oNoor Zaman (Pakistan) beat Hussain Alzaatari (Kuwait) (3-1) 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 11-3Result (Women’s Event):Noa Romero Blazquez (Spain) beat Mariam Malik (Pakistan) (3-0) 11-3, 11-2, 11-4Kurumi Takahashi (Japan) beat Amana Fayyaz (Pakistan) (3-1) 11-9, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9S. Ingledew (South Africa) beat Yeheni Kuruppu (Sri Lanka) (3-0) 11-7, 11-6, 11-3T. Holzdauerova (Czech Republic) beat Sana Bahdur (Pakistan) (3-1) 13-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8Icia Riveiro (Spain) beat Ana Munos (Franc) (3-1) 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3Tereza Siroka (Czech Republic) beat Varvara Esina (Neutral Athlete) W/o.

Islamabad, POF, Punjab, Pakistan U-19, WAPDA, Navy, Army, and PAF qualify for quarterfinalsSports Bulletin ReportWah Cantt: WAPDA, Police, Army registered victories in the Golootlo 54th National Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship after beating their respective rivals at the Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) Wah Cantt on SundayResults: Pakistan U-19 beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (3-0) 25-22, 27-25, 25-15.Army beat Balochistan (3-0) 25-14, 25-16, 25-20.Police beat Sindh (3-0) 25-17, 25-18, 25-20.Pakistan U-19 beat Gilgit Baltistan (3-0) 25-13, 25-12, 25-10.WAPDA beat Islamabad (3-0) 25-10, 25-16, 25-20. Army beat Punjab (3-0) 25-20, 29-27, 25-17.Quarter-Finals Fixtures:Islamabad vs POF – 2:00 PMPunjab vs Pakistan U-19 – 5:00 PMWAPDA vs Navy – 7:00 PMArmy vs PAF – 9:00 PM. 

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The first Under-23 World Squash Championship 2025 will roll into action on Sunday (April 6) at DHA Squash Courts Karachi, as the World No. 61 Ibrahim Elkabbani top seed player of the first international U23 lads.Noor Zaman represents the hosts best hope, with the 20-year-old Peshawari – grandson of the legendary Qamar Zaman – the tournament’s second seed and drawn against Kuwait’s Hussain Alzaatari in round one.Also representing Pakistan in Karachi are 2023 World Junior Champion Hamza Khan, who plays Spain’s Hugo Lafuente Jaen in round one, and Muhammad Ammad, who has been drawn against fourth seed Mohammed Naseer.Khan is one of two former world champions in the men’s draw, with the 19-year-old joined by the Netherlands’ Rowan Damming. Damming, World Junior Champion in 2022, is seventh seed and will face Malta’s Kijan Sultana in round one.In the women’s event, World No. 13 Fayrouz Aboelkheir top seed female 19-year-old receiving a bye through to round two and set to play the winner of the round one clash between Spain’s Noa Romero Blazquez and Pakistan’s Mariam Malik. Aboelkheir is one of two Egyptians in the women’s draw and, should the tournament go to seedings, the Alexandrian will take on second seed Malak Khafagy in an all-Egyptian final.Hoping to spoil the party will be Malaysian third seed Aira Azman, a silver medal winner at the 2023 World Junior Championships, and fourth seed Chan Sin Yuk of Hong Kong,. Chan is joined by two compatriots in the top eight seeds, with Heylie Fung seeded fifth and Toby Tse seeded eighth.Completing the seedings are Japan No. 2 Akari Midorikawa, who has been seeded sixth, and seventh seed Xin Ying Yee of Malaysia. Also in action for the hosts are Sana Bahadar and Amna Fayyaz, with Bahadar up against Czechia’s Tamara Holzbauerová and Fayyaz taking on Japan’s Kurumi Takahashi.

Sports Bulletin ReportMount Maunganui (New Zealand): New Zealand beat Pakistan by 43 runs in the third ODI at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday to take the series 3-0.After a delayed start due to wet outfield reduced the game to 42 overs per side, Pakistan won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat. The hosts scored 264 for eight in their 42 overs, courtesy half centuries from captain Michael Bracewell (59, 40b, 1x4, 6x6s) and Rhys Mariu (58, 61b, 6x4s, 2x6s). Daryl Mitchell also scored a 53-ball 43 comprising of three fours and a six. For Pakistan, left-arm pacer Akif Javed grabbed four wickets for 62 runs in eight overs. Naseem Shah dismissed two batters.In turn, Pakistan were dismissed for 221 in 40 overs, with Babar Azam (50, 58b, 4x4s, 1x6) top-scoring for the team. For New Zealand, Ben Sears bagged five wickets for 34 in his nine overs.Scores in brief:New Zealand 264-8, 42 overs (Michael Bracewell 59, Rhys Mariu 58, Daryl Mitchell 43, Henry Nicholls 31, Tim Seifert 26; Akif Javed 4-62, Naseem Shah 2-54)Pakistan 221 all out, 40 overs (Babar Azam 50, Mohammad Rizwan 37, Tayyab Tahir 33, Abdullah Shafique 33; Ben Sears 5-34, Jacob Duffy 2-40)Player of the match – Michael BracewellPlayer of the series - Ben Sears (New Zealand)  

Sports Bulletin ReportTauranga (New Zealand): Pakistan team batter Imam-ul-Haq sustained a mild facial injury during the batting, caused by an accidental throw from a New Zealand fielder. He was immediately attended by medical team and shifted to Tauranga Hospital for a detailed assessment.A CT scan of his head and face was conducted and reported as normal. Based on clinical evaluation, he has been diagnosed with a mild concussion. Imam is feeling better now and remains in stable condition. The specialists at Tauranga Hospital have advised a two-week rest from all sporting activities. He has also been declared fit for air travel. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that for the first time in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) history, fans will be able to enjoy full-match Urdu commentary throughout the tournament. The HBL PSL X is all set to take place in four cities – Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 18 May.Fans can now choose to tune into live broadcasts in Urdu, allowing them to experience the action and excitement of the league matches in Pakistan’s national language. This step is set to deepen engagement with millions of cricket fans and enhance their experience.HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer: “This is a landmark moment for the HBL PSL and its ever-growing fanbase. Cricket is a unifying force in Pakistan and by offering commentary in Urdu for a full game, we are bringing the excitement and energy of the HBL PSL closer to the hearts of fans in every corner of the country. The introduction of the separate Urdu commentary feed is something that has been eagerly anticipated and we are excited to deliver it. This move not only strengthens our connection with the community but also ensures that the excitement of HBL PSL is more accessible to a wider audience.”

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The teams have gathered for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier. For some, the tournament marks the opportunity to return to the big stage while for others, it is a chance to make history and make a name for themselves.Fargana Hoque (Bangladesh): Fargana Hoque is Bangladesh’s first cap in both their T20I and ODI teams. She is the anchor at the top of the Tigress’ batting, having first opened the batting in 2012, just under a year after her debut. Even as her career has gone into its second decade, Fargana has continued to scale new heights, becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to score an ODI century when she made 107 against India in 2023. The right-hander made her second century five months later and is still the only Tigress to have made tons in both ODIs and T20Is. Now 32 years old, Fargana has been a part of the Bangladesh team for almost 14 years and is showing no signs of slowing down, having made three consecutive half-centuries at the end of 2024.Orla Prendergast (Ireland): The wonderkid of Ireland cricket, Orla Prendergast hit her first ODI century and the second-highest score ever made by an Irish woman when she made 122 not out against Sri Lanka in August 2024. She did so aged just 22 and masterminded Ireland’s highest run chase, as they knocked off 261 runs with four balls to spare. Almost as impressive were her bowling figures, as she took three for 25, her best returns for Ireland. She made her T20I debut aged only 17, with her maiden ODI appearance coming two years later. Since then, she has scored 819 runs in ODIs, with a handy average of 30.33, while also taking 18 wickets as an important all-rounder.Muneeba Ali (Pakistan): The wicketkeeper and Pakistan vice-captain became the first woman from her nation to record a century at a World Cup when she hit 102 against Ireland at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. The 27-year-old made her debut for Pakistan in 2016, with her ODI debut following two years later. She now stands just 34 runs from passing 1,000 runs in her ODI career, having hit a high score of 107 in 2022, also against Ireland, one of Pakistan’s opponents in the Qualifier. With the gloves, Muneeba has taken 14 dismissals in the one-day format with 10 catches and four stumpings. Three of those catches came in one innings against West Indies, another one of the hosts’ opponents in this year’s tournament.Darcey Carter (Scotland): Darcey Carter has contributed across all facets of the game for Scotland since making her debut in 2023. The all-rounder was just 18 at the time of her international bow but was soon called on to open the batting in ODI cricket. Her career across the 50-over format took time to kick into gear, but she garnered attention after making 86 in a losing cause against the Netherlands. It is still the second-highest score ever made by a Scot in women’s ODIs, and she is third on the all-time runs list for her country. With the ball, Carter has taken seven wickets with a best return of three for 20 against Papua New Guinea last August. She has also been consistent in the field, taking four catches, the best numbers of the squad set to play in Pakistan.Nattaya Boochatham (Thailand): Nattaya Boochatham has lived many lives during her cricket career. The 38-year-old was Thailand’s leading run-scorer at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, also taking the joint most wickets for her country. She made her full international debut a year later and was 35 by the time she played her first ODI. In T20Is, she became the first associate nation cricketer to claim 100 wickets, and for five years held the record for the most women’s T20I wickets in a calendar year with 40 in 2019. The off-spinner also holds the record for the most wickets taken by LBW in women’s T20I cricket with 26. In ODIs, she has taken 10 wickets from eight innings with a best return of three for seven against Zimbabwe in 2023.Chinelle Henry (West Indies): Chinelle Henry has gone under the radar for a while but is starting to get attention. The West Indies all-rounder made her ODI debut in 2014 but took time to earn a consistent place in the team. Her lower-order power-hitting has become a useful skill for the Windies and was on full display when Henry was a late call-up to the Women’s Premier League. She also produced handy bowling returns for the UP Warriorz that followed on from consistent performances for her international team. Her most recent ODI hit out saw her hit a career-high 61 against India late in 2024, while she also took three wickets in an innings for the fourth time in her career earlier that year.

Sports Bulletin ReportWah Cantt: Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah outclassed Sindh in straight games 3-0 in the Golootlo 54th National Senior Men's Volleyball Championship 2025 here at the POF Sports Hall on Saturday.Host players exhibited top-class game and overcame their opponents easily, as the final score-line was just 25-14, 25-11, 25-06. In another fixture, Pakistan Navy defeated Police in similar style 3-0 with the score-line of 25-18, 25-16, 25-17.Results (Day-2):PAF beat Gilgit Baltistan (3-0) 25-15, 25-18, 25-18Navy beat Sindh (3-0) 25-13, 25-09, 25-09Islamabad beat (3-1) 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23POF beat Police (3-1) 25-12, 25-17, 26-28, 25-16Upcoming Fixtures (April 6, 2025):Sindh vs Police – 10:00 AMPakistan U-19 vs Gilgit Baltistan – 12:00 PMWAPDA vs Islamabad – 2:00 PMPunjab vs Army – 5:00 PMPAF vs KPK – 7:00 PMNavy vs POF – 9:00 PM

Karachi (PR): The Eid Cricket Festival, organized by Oasis Automobiles, featured an exciting series consisting of five matches. The event witnessed intense competition between Fighters Eleven and Shamsi Eleven, with players from both teams showcasing their best skills. Fighters Eleven emerged victorious, winning the series 3-2 and defeating Shamsi Eleven. Several players' outstanding performances played a key role in this win. During the tournament, Ibrahim Waqas Butt demonstrated an exceptional all-round performance, scoring 52 runs in five matches. Additionally, he took 2 wickets for 28 runs. His remarkable performance earned him the title of Man of the TournamentFighters Eleven's Chief Executive Officer, Talha Ahmed Butt, also impressed everyone with his outstanding performance. He scored over 150 runs and took 5 wickets for just 43 runs, playing a decisive role in his team's victory.In addition, Shiz Butt, Asif, Shoaib, Shakeel, and Mudassar Iqbal also made significant contributions. These players excelled not only in batting and bowling but also in fielding, which helped the team secure victory. Particularly, Mudassar Iqbal, in his debut match, scored 26 runs and took one wicket, earning praise from cricket fans.In the closing ceremony, Fighters Eleven was crowned the winner and awarded the trophy. Furthermore, players who showed outstanding performances were recognized with rewards and certificates. The event organizers expressed their commitment to hosting an even bigger edition in the future.