Lahore (PR): DS Polo secured a spot in the main final of the Deepal 96 Punjab Cup 2025 continued at the Lahore Polo Club. DS Polo registered a commanding 9-5 victory over Olympia/AZB to earn a place in the main final. Max Charlton starred for DS Polo, smashing six superb goals, while Estanislao Abelenda netted two and Ahmed Ali Tiwana added one goal. For the losing side, Luis Manuel Aguirre thrashed in three goals, and Abdul Rehman Monnoo contributed two. DS Polo got off to a flying start, hammering in three stunning goals in the opening chukker to seize an early 3-0 lead. Olympia/AZB responded strongly in the second chukker, netting two consecutive goals to narrow the gap to 3-2. However, DS Polo quickly regained control, firing in another brace to extend their advantage to 5-2. The third chukker saw a closely contested battle, with both teams matching each other goal for goal, but DS Polo maintained their edge at 7-4. Heading into the decisive fourth and final chukker, DS Polo asserted their dominance once again, adding two more goals while restricting Olympia/AZB to just one. With a resounding 9-5 triumph, DS Polo sealed their place in the main final in emphatic fashion. In the second match of the day, BN Polo edged past FG Polo in a nail-biting encounter, winning it with a narrow margin of 8½-8. Marcos Solari led the charge for BN Polo with six goals, while Tito Ruiz Guinazu and Babar Naseem added one goal each. Raul Laplacette fought hard for FG Polo, smashing in superb seven goals while Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu chipped in with one. The action continues on Friday (February 14, 2025), with HN Polo facing Olympia at 3:00 pm. Among the spectators were Deepal 96’s National Sales Manager Ahmed Kamal, Assistant General Manager Agha Moosa, Zonal Manager Daniyal Shaheen, Faisal Afridi, Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon, along with executive committee members and other distinguished guests. 

Islamabad (Sports Desk): England Men have called up Somerset batter Tom Banton as cover for the third ODI against India in Ahmedabad, which starts on Wednesday.Warwickshire batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who featured in the first ODI defeat in Nagpur, has sustained a left hamstring injury. The injury will be assessed further when the team arrive in Ahmedabad on Monday.Banton, who last played for England in an ODI in August 2020, has been in outstanding form in T20 franchise cricket. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the UAE ILT20 competition, where he has amassed 493 runs from 11 innings at an average of 54.77, including two centuries. He is set to arrive in India tomorrow (Monday).

LAHORE (PR): FG Polo clinched the 5th Jinnah Gold Cup 2025 trophy after defeating HN Polo 8-5 in the grand finale.A large crowd, including families and polo enthusiasts, gathered at Jinnah Polo Fields to witness the first high-goal season final. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman was the chief guest, while former players, including Club Secretary Maj (R) Ali Taimoor, were also in attendance. The final featured an exhibition of vintage cars and an exciting tent pegging display, adding to the event’s grandeur. FG Polo dominated the match, with Raul Laplacette scoring four goals, while Mian Abbas Mukhtar and Raja Mikael Sami added one goal each. For HN Polo, Haider Naseem netted three goals, and Hamza Mawaz Khan contributed two. The match kicked off at a blistering pace, with both teams showcasing exceptional polo skills and tactics. The intense battle saw each side convert two goals in the opening chukker, ending it in a 2-2 deadlock. HN Polo seized the early momentum in the second chukker, netting a field goal to take a narrow 3-2 lead. However, FG Polo responded in style, staging a strong comeback with a brilliant brace, reclaiming the advantage at 4-3. The third chukker was a masterclass by FG Polo, as they dominated the play, hammering in three consecutive goals to establish a commanding 7-3 lead. Their momentum carried into the fourth and final chukker, where they added yet another goal to extend their lead to 8-3. Despite a spirited late surge, HN Polo managed to fire in two quick goals, narrowing the deficit to 5-8. However, their efforts came too late, as FG Polo held firm to clinch the grand finale with a resounding 8-5 victory. Earlier in the thrilling subsidiary final, DS Polo secured a hard-fought 7-6½ victory over BN/Newage. Lao Abelenda led the charge for DS Polo with a stellar performance, emerging as the top scorer with five fabulous goals, while Ahmed Ali Tiwana contributed two crucial goals. Despite enjoying a half-goal handicap advantage, BN/Newage put up a fierce fight, with Marcos Solari netting impressive five goals, and Tito Ruiz Guinazu adding one to their tally. Raul Laplacette of FG Polo was named player of the final, while the best pony award went to Mian Abbas Mukhtar’s mare.  

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Bank AL Habib’s 14th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professionals Golf Tournament concluded in grand fashion at the Karachi Golf Club, witnessing stellar performances from some of the finest professional golfers in Pakistan. Ahmed Baig (PAF) displayed remarkable consistency to clinch the Professional Champion Title, shooting 273 (-15) and taking home Rs 937,676. Mohammad Zubair (KGC) finished as runner-up, posting 275 (-13) and securing Rs 602,787.The event, held from February 6 to 9, 2025, brought together top senior, junior, and professional golfers, competing for a substantial prize purse across multiple categories. Mohammad Tariq (ICGC) emerged victorious in the Senior Professionals category, finishing with a total of 140 (-4) over two rounds. Aurangzeb Khan (KGC) closely followed with 141 (-3).In the Junior Professionals division, Syed Ali Noshairwan Naqvi (LGG) secured the title with a total score of 151 (+7), narrowly edging out Rehan Babar (LGG) at 152 (+8). The PRO-AM event saw 27 professionals participating, with Muhammad Zubair’s team winning the top prize of Rs 50,000. Minhaj Maqsood’s team finished as runners-up, while Shahid Javed Khan’s team claimed third place.Kamram Zahoor was the winner in KGC Caddies, Saleem Inayat in KGC Senior Professionals and Abdullah became title holder in KGC Professionals category. Top five golfers according to PGF criteria, were paid appearance money of PKR200,000 each among Mohammad Shabbir (Islamabad Golf Club), Mohammad Alam (Garrison), Mohammad Munir (Rawalpindi), Minhaj Masqood (Rawalpindi), and Mohammad Zubair (Karachi).Simimarly PKR 75,000 each were paid as appearance money to Senior Pros: Mohammad Akram, Nisar Hussain and Mohammad Tariq. PKR 150,000 were equally distributed among junior professionals Rehan Babar, Mohammad Sahil and Shahbaz Ali. Amjad Yousuf from Rawalpindi scored a spectacular Hole-in-One at Blue Hole No. 4, winning a Toyota Altis. Tallat Ijaz achieved second Hole-in-One in the same category and was awarded a Golf Kit.The Chief Guest Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Jamil Ahmed said that Bank AL Habib’s Rashid D. Habib Memorial Tournament remains a landmark in Pakistan’s golf calendar, honoring the legacy of the late Rashid D. Habib. The Chief Guest presented mementos and awards to the winners.

Fakhar Zaman travelled to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 without a single ODI appearance to his name. By the time he returned to Pakistan as a match-winner in the final, people were travelling hundreds of kilometres just to take a picture with him.The left-handed opening batter will make his return to the Pakistan team on home soil when the competition returns later this month, looking to recreate the heroics of eight years ago. In that tournament, he started out of the team, earned a one-day debut and went onto form the foundation of a final victory over India in one of the greatest days in Pakistani cricketing history. Even so, he was taken aback by the response when he landed back home.“It was special back in Pakistan,” he recalled. “I didn’t expect anything like that and I have never seen anything like that in my whole life. People were waiting for us. I was alone on the Peshawar flight, most of the guys were flying to Lahore or Karachi. There were thousands of people waiting at the airport. It took three to four hours to get out of the airport.“Then there were people waiting on the streets and on the roads. When I got to my hometown, the whole street was full of people. In our villages, we have a guest house and the whole guest house was full of people.“For many weeks, people from 500km or more away would come to take a picture. It was unbelievable and it was something special. The way we made people feel at that time, I wish I could do more things like that.”Fakhar did not feature in the first meeting between Pakistan and India, which India won by 124 runs, but was handed a debut in the second encounter against South Africa.He scored 31 off just 23 in that game as Pakistan stayed alive in the tournament with a 19-run victory at Edgbaston, a knock that is still right up there among his favourite in the format.He said: “In my head, I thought I would go and play positive cricket in that game and if something went wrong, then I would see for the next game against Sri Lanka if I changed. I scored 31 runs and it is still one of my favourite innings in my ODI career.“I didn’t feel that much pressure in the South Africa game. I felt more pressure in the Sri Lanka game. The first one was my first game and I wasn’t aware of what to expect. There were so many things going through my head, but I didn’t feel that much pressure.“There was more pressure game by game as we progressed.”While Fakhar went into the tournament with limited expectations, the Pakistan management and senior players never lacked confidence.And after they beat Sri Lanka by three wickets to reach the semi-finals, that belief started to filter through to the rest of the team that they were capable of going all the way.“Myself and Sarfaraz (Ahmed, the captain) played club cricket together in Karachi. We had a big tournament happening in Karachi just after the group stages. After the first game against India, I went to Sarfaraz and said ‘we will be playing in Pakistan’ and he said ‘what are you saying?’. He said ‘bro, we will go to Pakistan, but with the Champions Trophy’.“I was thinking looking at this man, he’s lost his senses, what is he saying? But the confidence of our leadership, Sarfaraz and Mickey Arthur, I didn’t think we would win but they would tell us every time that we would win, that we had to win.“The confidence in the leadership group, even after losing the first game, they were 100% confident that we would bring home the trophy. When we played Sri Lanka, the way luck was with us that day, Sri Lankan players dropped catches, and the way Sarfaraz played in that game, we knew that something great was coming.”Up against hosts England in the semi-finals, Pakistan’s bowlers were outstanding in Cardiff, shutting down the previously unstoppable English batters to set up an eight-wicket victory.That set up a final clash with India, the dream match-up for fans, but a meeting that Fakhar almost missed.“I was not well the day before the game,” he said. “I even talked to Mickey and said I won’t be able to play the game. He said you go out there and get a duck first ball, it doesn’t matter, you have to play that game. I managed to play but I remember that I didn’t sleep well that night and he forced me to play. I’m pleased he did!”Pakistan batted first at The Oval, and even though Fakhar did not feel like he was at his most fluent, he smashed a brilliant century, making 114 off 106 balls to set Pakistan on their way to 338 for four in 50 overs.That came after he had been given a reprieve when he was on three, caught off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah, with a no-ball saving him.He said: “I had been talking to Shadab (Khan) and somebody got out on a no-ball when we were watching a game. I said ‘I’d love to get out to a no-ball’. I just said it randomly because whenever you get out, I always look to the umpire hoping they will say ‘wait while we check the no-ball’ and nothing happens and I end up back in the dressing room.“The same thing happened in that game, I got out to a no-ball. Kumar Dharmasena was the third umpire and I was going out. From the boundary, he said ‘wait there’. I was halfway back and when I saw that, I was 100% sure it was a no-ball. After that, I thought maybe it’s my day.”It certainly turned out that way, with Fakhar earning Player of the Match honours as Pakistan ended up winning by 180 runs, Mohammad Amir doing the damage with the ball as he tore through the dangerous Indian top order.That day is one that he will never forget, as he prepares to embark on his second Champions Trophy. And beyond the excitement of the day and the celebrations afterwards, it is the way the team came together in England and Wales that stands out.He concluded: “There are too many memories. The best memory for me was the way the team gelled, to become friends with Shadab, Faheem (Ashraf), Hasan Ali, we became really close.” (PR).

Lahore (PR): Zacky Farm/Din Polo triumphed over Crewlogics Technologies in a sudden-death finish to clinch the title in the 4th Junior Polo Championship, sponsored by TCL, at the Jinnah Polo Fields and organised under the auspices of Lahore Garrison Polo Grounds. The final match, played at Pakistan Park Cavalry Ground, attracted a massive crowd, including families and young polo enthusiasts who gathered to support emerging players. The thrilling contest extended into the fifth chukker, where Zacky Farm/Din Polo sealed a narrow 3-2 victory. For the winning side, Abdullah Khattak led the charge with two goals, while Sheikh Muhammad Tayyab contributed with a well-crafted goal. Crewlogics Technologies had multiple scoring opportunities but failed to capitalize. Saim Abbas scored both goals for the runners-up, while Diyan Butt displayed an impressive performance. Earlier in the subsidiary final, Sula Polo edged past CTI Shipping in another nail-biting encounter, securing a 6-5 victory. 

Karachi (PR): Defending champion Ahmad Baig remains in top form as he continues to dominate the leaderboard at the Bank AL Habib 14th Rashid D Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament. The third round of the prestigious event was played on Saturday at Karachi Golf Club, setting the stage for an exciting final showdown.The four-day tournament, running from February 6 to February 9, 2025, features a challenging 72-hole format for professional golfers. After three rounds, Ahmad Baig (RPG) leads the professional category with a total score of 207 (9 under par), closely followed by Mohammad Zubair (KGC) at 208 (8 under par). Other strong contenders include Matloob Ahmed (LGG) and Mohammad Munir (RWP), both tied at 210 (6 under par).Friday also saw the commencement of the Senior and Junior Professional categories. In the junior division, Rehan Babar (LGG) delivered an impressive performance, finishing with a score of 75. He is followed closely by Mohammad Sahil (PGC) and Shahbaz Ali (LGG), who both carded 77. These emerging talents highlight the bright future of Pakistan’s golfing scene.The senior professionals showcased their experience and skill, with Mohammad Tariq (ICGC) leading at 68, while Aurangzeb Khan (KGC) trails just behind with a score of 69. The competition remains fierce as seasoned golfers vie for top honors.The Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament has drawn elite golfers from across the country, competing for prestige on one of Pakistan’s finest golf courses. As the tournament heads into its final round, excitement builds for the grand finale on February 9, 2025, where the nation’s top golfers will battle for the coveted title and the leader flight would tee off at 08:40am from the Red Course.

Lahore (PR): Pakistan opener Saim Ayub is progressing well in his recovery from a right ankle fracture and will continue his rehabilitation in England. Following comprehensive MRI scans, X-rays and medical assessments, Saim had been ruled out for 10 weeks from the date of injury (3 January). His availability for the New Zealand tour will be subject to clearing all fitness tests and medical requirements.Pakistan will tour New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs from 16 March to 5 April, which will be followed by the HBL Pakistan Super League, which starts on 8 April. 

The anticipation will be palpable at Galle International Stadium. The 2nd and final Test match against Australia is underway, and cricket enthusiasts from around the world have their eyes glued to the event. However, a noticeable absence hung in the air—the world’s highest Test wicket taker (800), Muthiah Muralidaran, would not be present to witness the thrilling showdown or hand over the Warne-Muralidharan trophy to the series winner."No, I won't be able to make it," the 52-year-old distinguished former right-arm off-spinner said over the telephone from Colombo. His voice was tinged with regret. "I am leaving for India this week to play a match against India's cricketers," he added, a note of excitement creeping in."Sathya Sai Grama is hosting a cricket match between Indian and Sri Lankan players on February 8, and being a devotee of Sathya Sai Baba, along with a few Sri Lankan players, I will be participating in the match," Murali explained. This match, hosted under the theme 'One World One Family Cup 2025,' was more than just a game—it was a celebration of unity and humanity.Muralidaran's ties to India ran deep. He married Madhimalar Ramamurthy, a Chennai native, on March 21, 2005. Madhimalar was the daughter of the late Dr. S. Ramamurthy of Malar Hospitals and his wife, Dr. Nithya Ramamurthy. This connection made Murali not just a son-in-law of India but also a beloved figure in Indian cricketing circles.The upcoming match at Sathya Sai Grama in Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district, promised to be a spectacle. Last year, during the first edition of the 'One World One Family Cup,' cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh had captained the teams, which comprised players from seven nations. This year, the format is different. Retired greats from India and Sri Lanka are reuniting on the field, playing for the cause of humanity."Our team will be led by Aravinda de Silva," Murali revealed. Alongside him, Chaminda Vass, Marvan Atapattu, Kalu, Ajanta Mendis, and a few others would represent Sri Lanka. The Indian team, coordinated by GR Vishwanath, includes the Pathan Brothers—Irfan and Yousuf—Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi, and others from Karnataka State. Although Vishy wasn't playing, his presence was crucial to the coordination of players.As the sun rises on Galle International Stadium, fans know that Muthiah Muralidaran's absence is for a noble cause. His commitment to the 'One World One Family Cup 2025' showcases the power of sport to bring people together, transcending boundaries and celebrating the spirit of unity.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): World Skate announced the appointment of Brazilian skateboarding superstar Letícia Bufoni to the Executive Board as Chair of the International Skateboarding Technical Commission (ISTC). The most successful female skateboarder of all time, Letícia is one of the highest-profile skaters in the world.Five-time X Games gold medallist, Tokyo Olympian, Guinness Book of World Records- holder, youth mentor; Letícia was a natural choice for appointment to the role by World Skate President Sabatino Aracu.Leticia’s role as Chair of the International Skateboarding Technical Commission will be both to advise on operational aspects of the World Skateboarding Tour such as contest formats, point allocations and rankings- as well as representing the views and ideas of the five continental Chairpeople who do likewise for their regions. The role carries full voting rights within our Executive Board, of which she becomes a member.Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of skateboarding?Skateboarding will keep growing. More skaters, more parks, more events. People are getting better, and tricks are getting crazier. I think we’ll see more new spots, new styles, and just more people having fun with it.In your view, what has been the most significant impact of Olympic inclusion on the sport's development and recognition?The Olympics put skateboarding on a bigger stage. It got more kids into it, brought in new sponsors, and gave skaters from different places more chances to compete. It also showed people that skateboarding is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life.You've been breaking barriers in skateboarding for years. What advice would you give to young girls who dream of following in your footsteps, especially in countries where female skateboarding is still emerging?Just go for it. Skate as much as you can, don’t listen to people who say you can’t, and have fun. If you love it and put in the time, you’ll get better. Find people to skate with, post your clips, and keep pushing yourself.As the new Chair of World Skate's International Skateboarding Technical Commission, what are your main objectives and goals for the next four years with the World Skateboarding Tour up to LA28?I want to help grow skateboarding everywhere. More events, more places to skate, and more kids getting into it. I also want to make contests better for the skaters and fans. The goal is to keep skateboarding fun and help it keep progressing leading up to LA28.