Sports Bulletin ReportHouston (USA): Finally the D-day has come, as the Texas city Houston will be honoured to host the WSF World Junior Squash Championships, which will commence on Friday (July 12, 2024 here at Houston Squash Club in Texas, United States of America (USA).The world’s best junior talents get their bids to be crowned world champion in different age categories. Mohammad Hamza Khan will defend his Under-19 title. As many as 150 matches taking place on day one in the Lone Star State. Action starts with the first rounds in the morning, with the second rounds taking place in the afternoon.The first players to step foot on the brand new all-glass show court will be Canada’s Samuel Boulanger and Malta's Lijana Sultana and France's Ines Guyot at 10:20. The seeded players enter the draw in the afternoon, with men’s top seed Mohamad Zakaria playing on the all-glass court at 16:20, women’s top seed and defending champion Amina Orfi playing on the same court at 17:00 and defending men’s champion and No.2 seed Hamza Khan playing on the three-glass-walled court at 19:00.

Capsey hits unbeaten 67 as England Women seal IT20 series against New ZealandSports Bulletin ReportCenterbury (England): Alice Capsey hit an unbeaten 67 as England Women clinched a close win over New Zealand in the third Vitality IT20 to seal the series at The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury.Nat Sciver-Brunt captained the side, winning the toss and choosing to bowl. The White Ferns made a strong start, before Sophie Ecclestone removed Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr in her first over. Sophie Ecclestone took 4-25 while Lauren Filer (2-17) and Sarah Glenn (1-14) also impressed.Skipper Sophie Devine top-scored with an unbeaten 58 in the tourist’s 141-8. Capsey and Sophia Dunkley hit a combined 66 before Fran Jonas removed Dunkley (35) and Sciver-Brunt (0) in successive balls to leave England 66-3. Capsey, along with Freya Kemp’s 16 off eight balls sealed a six-wicket victory.Women’s One-Day Series:26 June: 1st Women’s One-Day International – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street – England won by nine wickets30 June: 2nd Women’s One-Day International – New Road, Worcester – England won by eight wickets3 July: 3rd Women’s One-Day International – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol – England won by five wicketsWomen’s IT20 Series:6 July: 1st Women’s IT20 – The Utilita Bowl, Southampton – England won by 59 runs9 July: 2nd Women’s IT20 – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove – England won by 23 runs (DLS method)11 July: 3rd Women’s IT20 – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – England won by six wickets13 July: 4th Women’s IT20 – The Kia Oval, London17 July: 5th Women’s IT20 – Lord’s, London.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Punjab University men's and women's teams won the first position in the All Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) Rowing Championship 2023-24. As many as 12 men's and 10 women's teams from the country participated in the championship held at the University of Lahore and the University of Central Punjab, in which PU teams stood first. Punjab University men's team won 5 gold and 3 silver medals while the women's team won 6 gold and 2 silver medals as well. PU Director Sports Zubair Butt congratulated the players on this wonderful achievement.  

Sports Bulletin ReportKARCAHI: The second edition of the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) National Physical Disability T-20 Cricket Championship will start on July 15, 2024 at Quetta, said an official here on Wednesday in a press release.Larkana team will make first appearance in the National Physical Disability Cricket Championship. Match will be held at Buitems Cricket Ground at 1.30 pm while other matches of the championship will be played in Sialkot and Islamabad after Ashura. The final of the event will be played in Karachi. It is important to mention that in the first stage, the team of Multan was the champion, and the team of Bahawalpur was the runner-up.  

Sports Bulletin ReportNorthampton (England): South Africa Champions overcame Pakistan Champions by 9 wickets in their second match of the World Champions League 2024 after chasing chased down a challenging target of 211 set by Pakistan Champions in Northapton, England. Sarel Erwee led the charge with an unbeaten 105 off 57 balls, maintaining a strike rate of 184.21. His innings included 11 fours and six sixes. Jacques Snyman provided excellent support, scoring an unbeaten 82 off 47 balls, with six fours and five sixes. Together, they put on an unbroken 183-run stand for the second wicket, dismantling the Pakistan bowling attack. The only wicket to fall was that of JP Duminy, who scored 9 off 8 balls before being dismissed by Sohail Khan.Earlier, Pakistan Champions posted a competitive 210/4 in their 20 overs. Shoaib Malik's unbeaten 51 off 26 balls and Sharjeel Khan's explosive 72 off 36 balls laid a solid foundation. Contributions from Sohail Maqsood (24 off 24), Shahid Afridi (20 off 10), and Abdul Razzaq (25* off 15) bolstered the total. Imran Tahir and Dale Steyn were the standout bowlers for South Africa, taking 1/19 and 1/24, respectively. This comprehensive victory by South Africa Champions highlighted their dominant form, and Sarel Erwee's century was a testament to his exceptional talent.Brief Scores (South Africa Champions vs Pakistan Champions):Pakistan Champions: 210/4 in 20 overs (Sharjeel Khan 72, Shoaib Malik 51*; Imran Tahir 1/19, Dale Steyn 1/24)South Africa Champions: 211/1 in 18.3 overs (Sarel Erwee 105*, Jacques Snyman 82*; Sohail Khan 1/38)Result: South Africa Champions won by 9 wicketsPlayer of the Match: Sarel Erwe 

Sports Bulletin Report Northampton (England): The West Indies Champions trounced hosts England Champions by 5 wickets in a World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 fixture at County Ground, Northampton on Tuesday.In the first match of the day, the West Indies Champions chased down a formidable target of 210 set by England Champions. Despite losing Chris Gayle early in the first over, Dwayne Smith and Chadwick Walton ensured a strong start, posting 65 runs for the loss of one wicket by the end of the powerplay. Walton particularly targeted Chris Schofield, scoring 20 runs off him in the sixth over. Although Smith was dismissed LBW by Samit Patel for 11, Kirk Edwards kept the momentum going.Walton continued his assault on Schofield, smashing 23 runs in the eighth over with three sixes and a four. He was finally dismissed by Ravi Bopara in the 12th over, scoring a blistering 85 off 42 balls. Following Walton's departure, Edwards fell for 14, leaving West Indies at 125/4. However, Ashley Nurse and Jason Mohammed forged a crucial partnership, adding 67 runs for the fifth wicket. Nurse and Darren Sammy completed the chase, leading West Indies Champions to a 5-wicket victory in 19.3 overs. Walton was named the player of the match for his explosive innings.England Champions, after being put in to bat first, faced an early setback with Phil Mustard falling for a duck to Samuel Badree. Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell stabilized the innings, guiding the team to 48/1 in 6 overs. Pietersen's quickfire 42 off 19 balls was instrumental, but he was dismissed in the eighth over with the score at 80/3. Bell and Ravi Bopara then put up a substantial 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bell's 97 off 64 balls, along with Bopara's 53 off 30, propelled England to a total of 209/5 in 20 overs.Brief Scores (West Indies Champions vs England Champions):England Champions: 209/5 in 20 overs (Ian Bell 97, Ravi Bopara 53; Samuel Badree 1/24, Jerome Taylor 1/33)West Indies Champions: 210/5 in 19.2 overs (Chadwick Walton 85, Jason Mohammed 32*; Samit Patel 1/20, Ravi Bopara 1/39)Result: West Indies Champions won by 5 wicketsPlayer of the Match: Chadwick Walton

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): In the annals of Olympic history, few stories are as inspiring as that of the Zimbabwe women’s hockey team, affectionately known as the "Golden Girls." Their triumph at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games is a testament to the power of determination, unity, and passion for the sport. In an exclusive interview with Ann Grant, the captain of the team, we delve into the incredible journey of these pioneering women.The Road to Moscow: In late June 1980, an air of excitement enveloped the newly formed nation of Zimbabwe. The women’s hockey team had been invited to participate in the XXII Olympic Games, marking the first time women’s hockey was included as an Olympic discipline. For Zimbabwe, which had just gained independence in April of that year, this was more than just a sporting competition; it was a chance to put their fledgling nation on the world map.Ann Grant recalls the moment they received the invitation: “Our team was extremely excited to be invited to the XXII Olympic Games, especially as it was the first time women’s hockey was an Olympic discipline and our new nation of Zimbabwe was only formally confirmed in April 1980.”Initially, the team’s destination was South Africa for an annual interprovincial tournament. However, in a surprising turn of events, they were instead invited to the Moscow Olympics. With just a month to prepare, the team had to hastily organize passports, uniforms, and a multitude of administrative details, all while securing a month’s leave from their employers. The Zimbabwe National Olympic Committee worked tirelessly to ensure everything was in order, while the players juggled their full-time jobs with increased hockey practices and matches against men's teams to prepare for the games.Arrival in Moscow: Arriving in Moscow ten days before the start of the Olympics, the team faced the challenge of adapting to artificial turf, something none of the players had ever experienced. Daily practices at local stadiums were invaluable in getting accustomed to this new surface. Despite the logistical hurdles and the unfamiliar environment, the team’s spirit remained unbroken.Ann vividly remembers their initial days in Moscow: “We were taken to the super new Olympic Village with amenities open 24 hours and then rushed off to get new hockey shoes as not one of us had ever played on artificial turf, including our coach!”The Olympic Experience: Walking into Lenin Stadium for the opening ceremony was a moment of awe and pride for the Zimbabwe team. Dressed in their bright blue uniforms, they marched with their new national flag flying high. The atmosphere in the Olympic Village was electric, and the team had the chance to meet other Olympic champions like Daley Thompson and Sir Sebastian Coe.Ann describes the opening ceremony: “The aura from the beautiful stadium, the magnitude of the many spectators, and the sheer joy of being a part of this momentous occasion was a mind-blowing experience.”The Zimbabwe women’s hockey team was an enthusiastic and determined group, resolute in their mission to give their best on the field. Under the expert guidance of coach Anthea Stewart, they adapted their tactics to face unknown opponents and displayed remarkable tenacity and skill.The Golden Moment: The women’s hockey tournament was conducted on a round-robin basis, featuring teams from Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, India, Austria, and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe remained unbeaten heading into their final match against Austria. The victory secured them the gold medal, making history as the first winners in Olympic women’s hockey and earning Zimbabwe its first-ever Olympic gold.Ann recalls the moment of victory: “It is difficult to express our feelings of sheer joy and excitement of our achievement! We stood on that red carpet to receive our gold medals from Mr. Reg Alexander, IOC member from Kenya, and Mr. Renee Frank, the President of the International Hockey Federation. The unforgettable moment our flag was raised with the beautiful Olympic hymn playing in the background.”Celebrations and Legacy: The reception back home in Zimbabwe was nothing short of spectacular. The team was welcomed with a guard of honor by school drum majorettes and a huge crowd of fans and their families. Several functions were organized to celebrate their achievement, ensuring that all Zimbabweans could share in this historic moment.The legacy of the Golden Girls continues to inspire future generations of hockey players in Zimbabwe. The annual Golden Girls Hockey Tournament, held every July, keeps the spirit of their victory alive. Many of the team members have gone on to coach at various levels, giving back to the sport that brought them together.A Fairytale to Remember: The team’s journey was meticulously documented in a handwritten diary, capturing every moment of their Olympic adventure.Ann recounts how it all came about: “Our coach, Anthea Stewart, made a team rule of writing the day's events and happenings in a handwritten diary to document, from beginning to end, the story of our own Olympic journey – this was written in the same order as your team number. What incredible memoirs “Dear Diary” has safely tucked inside, with many laughs as we read through the various stories but also tears, as we remember our dear vice-captain and wonderful leader Liz Chase who has sadly passed on.”These memoirs, filled with laughter and tears, are a cherished testament to their incredible story. Despite being scattered around the globe, the remaining members of the Golden Girls maintain close contact, bonded by their shared history and the lifelong friendships forged during their golden moment.Their story, as recounted by Ann Grant, is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with determination, unity, and a love for the game. The Golden Girls’ victory at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games remains one of the most inspirational chapters in the history of women’s hockey and Zimbabwean sport.

Jonathan SmithUSA’s Caroline Fouts, at just 18 years of age, has cemented herself as one of the most exciting prospect in the world of squash.Since starting her on-court career at the age of eight, the US No.5 has debuted for Team USA, achieved wins over full-time professionals at the Tournament of Champions and World Championships, and earned a spot inside the world’s top 60.Fouts reflected on an exhilarating start to her career.“[Since last year’s World Championships] I think I’ve become a lot more confident in my style of squash, and in being able to believe that I can compete at this level. Last year was a bit of a shell-shock competing against the best world players, and I think this year I came into the tournament with a bit more confidence, having more exposure to the level of players.Fouts in action against Melissa Alves2024 got off to an encouraging start for Fouts, as the teenager managed to come back twice to beat France No.1 Melissa Alves 3-2 in round one of the Tournament of Champions.“That was a big confidence boost for me. I had come off of the British Junior Open, which was also a good tournament for me, so going from that tournament with so much US support and going straight into the Tournament of Champions - I really entered with this desire and hunger to continue to compete and to prove myself as an up-and-coming squash player.“I went into that tournament, playing Melissa, believing that I could take her to five games and push her to play her best squash, and thankfully and luckily I got a good win, and that gave me the confidence to believe in myself.”Fouts takes on Fayrouz AboelkheirSpeaking about her time on the PSA tour, the 18-year-old picked out several highs and lows that came with her first full season.“To start with, the US Open in December, and then the British [Junior] Open was great, losing to Fayrouz [Aboelkheir], she’s a top-20 player right now and she’s in top form, so that was a great tournament.“I reached my first final in a 15K tournament which was good for me. I lost to Nardine Garas, a top player. Being at the World Championships, qualifying from the Pan-Am region, that’s a high, but there’s also been some low moments.“Recently I played Sana Ibrahim and those battles on the Challenger Tour really prepared me for some of these bigger opportunities that I’m starting to get, so they might seem like low moments at the time, but I really do think that those have helped me play at the higher level.”Fouts celebrates a big win over Canada's Nicole BunyanAmongst the American’s achievements this season, a high point came in her most recent event as she defeated World No.47 Nicole Bunyan to do one better than her 2023 tournament debut and claim a first-round win on the biggest stage in squash: The PSA World Championships.“Playing a lot of the good Challenger Tour tournaments has been a really good stepping stone, because it allowed me to take my solid junior game but be exposed to different conditions, a different environment and a different intensity that was seen at World Juniors, and hopefully I can carry that to Houston this summer.”Expanding on her desire to carry her form into the Houston-based edition of the World Juniors, Fouts explained her relationship with the team that she represents."I love playing for Team USA"“I really love playing for Team USA. Some of my fondest memories of squash are from playing at the British [Junior] Open this year. I can’t wait to have the three letters on my back again, playing at this high level.“This year at the British Junior Open there were around 52 juniors supporting me behind that glass in the final and I pulled out some of my best squash, so being able to recreate that at the World Juniors this year is really something exciting, especially in our home country.“I know there’ll be a lot of support, and both the men and the women have really strong teams this year, and we’re looking to grab the team titles for both the men and the women.”Since opening in July 2021, the Arlen Specter US Squash Center has provided a base for elite and grassroots squash in the United States, and Fouts feels it has created the perfect environment to develop the country’s capabilities.“I really think [squash in the US is] being brought to the next level with our national training centre. There’s a great squad there and atmosphere, and we have great coaches who are really trying to encourage a lot of the juniors to consider playing professional squash.“We’re so lucky to have the opportunity to play at the Specter Center, an amazing facility, and it really is evident in the progression of the women, and the men. I really think that Team USA for the men and the women is a force to be reckoned with for sure.”

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Defending champion, Mohammad Hamza Khan on Tuesday along with his teammates Mohammad Ammad, Huzaifa Ibrahim, and Abdullah Nawaz, left Islamabad for the United States of America (USA) to defend the Under-19 title of the World Juniors Squash Championship, which will be rolled into action on July 12, 2024, at Houston Texas USA.According to an official of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), Fahim Gul, and Adnan Asad are traveling with the players to perform the duties of coach and manager respectively. The prestigious international juniors squash showpiece will be concluded on July 23, 2024.Mohammad Hamza Khan, who recently won the title of the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship that concluded on June 19 at Mushaf Squash Complex, had won the U19 title after defeating the Egyptian lad in the final. Mohammad Hamza is second-seeded in the World Juniors Squash Championship 2024.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board is conducting fitness tests, for the first time ever in 104 districts across the 16 regions in the country. Over 2,300 players are appearing in the ongoing countrywide fitness tests. These tests are being conducted as per the Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi’s vision for incorporating a culture of fitness at grassroots level. In order to assemble the squads for the Regional Inter District Senior Tournament 2024-25, 23 players in each district have been shortlisted after the Challenge Cup that took place in April and May 2024. These 23 players in each district are undergoing strenuous fitness and strength testing under the watchful eye of the respective district and regional coaches and trainers. The players after passing the fitness test will then be summoned for a 45-day camp in their respective districts leading to the Inter District Senior Tournament in September. Abdullah Khurram Niazi, Director - Domestic Cricket Operations: “The PCB has decided to conduct fitness tests at the district level instead of the regional level starting from this domestic season. “This initiative will surely push the players to prioritise their fitness right from the start and the culture will then expand to other domestic competitions. With more fitter players participating in the tournaments the quality of cricket will also increase.