Sports Bulletin

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.

Dubai (PR): MH Developers, a leading Dubai real estate company, today announced the appointment of Afghan cricket icon Rashid Khan as its new brand ambassador. This strategic partnership underscores the company's commitment to growth during a period of strong market momentum and economic stability in the emirate.Dubai's real estate market is experiencing a significant upward trend, with the first half of 2025 figures showing a 15% year-on-year increase in average property prices and a 20% surge in transaction volumes. This growth is driven by Dubai's resilient economy, strategic governance, and investor-friendly policies, making it one of the safest and most attractive property markets globally."We view this partnership as a strategic move to capitalize on Dubai's rising profile as a global hub for investment and luxury living," said Murtaza Hashmi, CEO of MH Developers. "Partnering with Rashid Khan, whose global reputation and relentless pursuit of excellence mirror our own values, will enable MH Developers to engage with a wider audience and strengthen our foothold in this thriving market."Rashid Khan, one of the world's highest-paid cricketers and the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, brings a spirit of determination and success. "The UAE has been like a spiritual home for Afghan cricket for many years, providing a safe haven and platform amid the challenges back home," Khan said. "I am honored to represent MH Developers at a time when Dubai is not only growing rapidly but doing so in a stable and secure economic setting."With this collaboration, MH Developers aims to harness the ongoing real estate upswing, delivering projects that combine sophisticated design with robust investment opportunities, all within Dubai's safe and forward-looking economic framework.About Rashid KhanRashid Khan is one of the world's leading cricketers and a global ambassador of Afghan sports. Known for his explosive leg-spin and match-winning performances across formats, Khan has represented Afghanistan on the international stage since 2015 and has featured in major T20 leagues around the world.

Taxila (Sports Report): Faisal Hills Riders defeated Faisal Hills Badshah by 7 wickets in the 9th match of the second edition of the CAM Super League 2025, thanks to an all-round performance by their captain, Tahir Naqash.Winning the toss, Faisal Hills Riders opted to bowl first—a decision that proved to be tactically brilliant. Their bowlers executed the plan perfectly, restricting Faisal Hills Badshah to 168/9 in the allotted 20 overs. For Badshah, Sohail (34), Bilal Ahmadzai (27), Hamad Khan (27), and Syed Bilal (25 off few deliveries) contributed key runs, while Abasyn remained unbeaten on 18*. In the bowling department, Riders’ skipper Tahir Naqash led from the front, claiming 3 crucial wickets, while Hamza and Mani picked up 2 wickets each.Chasing 169, Faisal Hills Riders started with a composed and steady approach. Talha Ashraf anchored the innings with a solid 47, while Sardar Yaseen remained not out on 19*. The star of the show was Captain Tahir Naqash, who showcased his power-hitting skills with an explosive 50* off just 23 deliveries, steering his team to victory in the 19th over with 7 wickets in hand. The bowlers from Faisal Hills Badshah struggled to contain the Riders’ batsmen. Qasim Shah Gore was the only bowler to make notable impact with 2 wickets, supported by Usman Shah with 1.Player of the Match was rightly awarded to Captain Tahir Naqash for his outstanding all-round performance—smashing an unbeaten half-century and taking 3 wickets. Impact Player of the Match was declared Syed Bilal, who played a quick-fire cameo of 25 runs and took a crucial catch during the fielding.

London (PR): The England Men’s selection panel has added Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer to the squad for the Rothesay second Test match against India at Edgbaston, starting on Wednesday 2 July 2025.England Men's Test Squad:Ben Stokes (Durham-Captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Cook (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)The 30-year-old right-arm quick returns to the England Test set-up for the first time since February 2021 and will be looking to add to his 13 Test caps at Edgbaston next week.Schedule & Results:1st Test: England v India, 20-24 June 2025, Headingley, Leeds – England won by 5 wickets2nd Test: England v India, 2-6 July 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham3rd Test: England v India, 10-14 July 2025, Lord’s, London4th Test: England v India, 23-27 July 2025, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester5th Test: England v India, 31 July-4 August 2025, Kia Oval, London

TAXILA (SBR): In a gripping encounter of the CAM Super League Edition II 2025, Faisal Hills Riders clinched a memorable victory over Faisal Hills Royals in Match #7, chasing down the target of 171 with five wickets in hand. The match, held at the Faisal Hills Sports Complex, showcased some exciting cricketing action, highlighted by a stunning innings from Talha Ashraf.Batting first, Faisal Hills Royals posted a fighting total of 170 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. The top contributors for Royals were Rohan, who scored a brisk 31, followed by Hazrat Ali with 22 and Najeeb chipping in with 19. The Riders' bowling unit kept the pressure on throughout, with Abdul Rehman Mani emerging as the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 key wickets. He was ably supported by Raees and Tahir Naqqash, who grabbed 2 wickets each, while Farman Senior bagged one.In reply, Faisal Hills Riders played fearless cricket, reaching the target in 18.2 overs with a total of 174 for 5. The chase was anchored by a sensational knock from Talha Ashraf, who hammered 85 runs off just 45 balls, including multiple boundaries and sixes. He was well-supported by Ashtar, who remained unbeaten on 34, and Abdul Rehman Mani, who finished the game with 14 not out, showcasing his all-round brilliance.The Royals' bowlers tried to defend the total, with Shah Mohammad, Qasim Iqbal, and Hazrat Ali each picking up a wicket, but were unable to stop the Riders' momentum. For his explosive batting performance, Talha Ashraf was rightly adjudged Player of the Match, while Hamza earned the title of Impact Player of the Match for his tight and economical spell that restricted the Royals’ scoring opportunities.

TAXILA(SBR): In a thrilling contest of the CAM Super League Edition II 2025, UR United Faisal Hills claimed a memorable 31-run victory over Faisal Hills Royals in the sixth match of the tournament, thanks to an explosive century by captain Habibullah.After winning the toss, UR United opted to bat first and posted a mammoth total of 261 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs. Leading from the front, Captain Habibullah delivered a breathtaking knock of 121 runs off just 50 balls, anchoring the innings with powerful strokeplay all around the ground. He was ably supported by Adeel KP, who hammered 54 runs off 27 balls, while Sher Jan added the finishing touches, smashing 28 runs from only 5 balls, pushing the total well beyond the 250 mark.On the bowling side, Faisal Hills Royals tried to contain the flow of runs, with Hamza being the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets. Raees, Muhammad Ali, and Qasim chipped in with a wicket each.In reply, Faisal Hills Royals made a fighting start and kept the chase alive with some aggressive batting. Hazrat Ali scored a solid 51, while Shah Muhammad (38), Shehzad (32), and Qasim Iqbal (28 off just 11 balls) kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite their efforts, Royals managed 229 for 7 in 20 overs, falling short by 31 runs.UR United bowlers held their nerves under pressure. Adeel KP was instrumental with the ball as well, taking 2 key wickets, while Asif Manzoor and Zohaib Abbasi contributed with 1 wicket each.For his extraordinary all-round performance, especially the whirlwind century, Captain Habibullah was rightfully named Player of the Match. His innings proved to be a decisive factor in UR United's victory and left the crowd thoroughly entertained.This high-octane match will be remembered not only for its record-breaking score but also for the fierce competition that added intensity and excitement to the CAM Super League 2025.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The full schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has officially been revealed today with renowned venues up and down the country set to host 24 days of thrilling international sport.The tournament will open with England taking on Sri Lanka under lights at Edgbaston on Friday 12 June, kicking off a whirlwind month of world-class action that will see 12 teams battling it out for the prestigious trophy, currently held by New Zealand.England captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, said: “World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different — it has the potential to be truly game-changing. It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”Tournament Director, Beth Barrett-Wild, commented: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket. At iconic venues across the country, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the stage it deserves.”ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Groups: Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Qualifier, QualifierGroup 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Qualifier, QualifierSchedule (ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026):Friday June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston 18:30 BSTSaturday June 13: Qualifier v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 10:30 BSTSaturday June 13: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTSaturday June 13: West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTSunday June 14: Qualifier v Qualifier, Edgbaston 10:30 BSTSunday June 14: India v Pakistan, Edgbaston 14:30 BSTTuesday June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BSTTuesday June 16: England v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTWednesday June 17: Australia v Qualifier, Headingley 10:30 BSTWednesday June 17: India v Qualifier, Headingley 14:30 BSTWednesday June 17: South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston 18:30 BSTThursday June 18: West Indies v Qualifier, Headingley 18:30 BSTFriday June 19: New Zealand v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTSaturday June 20: Australia v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 10:30 BSTSaturday June 20: Pakistan v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BSTSaturday June 20: England v Qualifier, Headingley 18:30 BSTSunday June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTSunday June 21: South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 23: New Zealand v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTTuesday June 23: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 23: Australia v Pakistan, Headingley 18:30 BSTWednesday June 24: England v West Indies, Lord’s Cricket Ground 18:30 BSTThursday June 25: India v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTThursday June 25: South Africa v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 18:30 BSTFriday June 26: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 18:30 BSTSaturday June 27: Pakistan v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTSaturday June 27: West Indies v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BSTSaturday June 27: England v New Zealand, The Oval 18:30 BSTSunday June 28: South Africa v Qualifier, Lord’s Cricket Ground 10:30 BSTSunday June 28: Australia v India, Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 30: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 1), The Oval 14:30 BSTThursday July 2: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 2), The Oval 18:30 BSTSunday July 5: TBC v TBC (The Final), Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BST