Sports Bulletin

RAWALPIND (PCB Report)I: Opening batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay smashed a fiery half century to anchor UMT Markhors’ two-wicket win over a fighting Engro Dolphins on the fourth day of the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.Nafay’s 41-ball 68 spiced with four sixes and as many fours guided UMT Markhors to overhaul the modest 129-run target in 18.5 overs to give Markhors their second win in as many games. The Misbah-ul-Haq mentored team is now second with four points while ABL Stallions are top of the table, also with four points from two matches but have a superior net run-rate.22-year-old Nafay from Karachi lifted his team from the early loss of Fakhar Zaman (nought), Mohammad Shahzad (11, 9b, 2x4s) and Abdul Samad (1, 3b), adding 29 for the fourth wicket with skipper Iftikhar Ahmed who made five.Spinner Qasim Akram dismissed Nafay leg-before and then two more wickets fell as Dolphins fought back but Mohammad Nawaz made sure the chase was completed with a cautious 19-ball 18 not out including two fours while Akif Javed hit the winning boundary.Dolphins, who have now lost both their matches, were given an ideal start by fast bowler Sameen Gul who took three early wickets but other than him no bowler could detrack the rampaging Markhors.Earlier, sent into bat, Engro Dolphins lost Sahibzada Farhan in the first over, without scoring. Mohammad Akhlaq hit a 33-ball 40 studded with two sixes and three boundaries while Mirza Tahir Baig knocked 28-ball 29 with two sixes and a boundary.Dolphins were relying on vice-captain Qasim Akram who scored 14 and experienced batter Umar Amin who managed just 11 as they slumped from 81-2 to 128-9. Nawaz grabbed 3-28 while fast-rising pacer Akif Javed finished with 2-33.Scores in brief (UMT Markhors beat Engro Dolphins by two wickets):Engro Dolphins 128-9 in 20 overs (Mohammad Akhlaq 40, Mirza Tahir Baig 29; Mohammad Nawaz 3-28, Akif Javed 2-33)UMT Markhors 132-8 in 18.5 overs (Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 68, Mohammad Nawaz 18 not out; Sameen Gul 3-23, Qasim Akram 2-11)Player of the match: Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (UMT Markhors)Wednesday’s fixture: Nurpur Lions vs Lake City Panthers, 12pm at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

A couple of performances, Umar Siddiq (78 runs), Ahmed Butt (3 for 19), sail Panthers to a big winAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: A couple of performances, Umar Siddiq (78 runs), Ahmed Butt (3 for 19), guided Lake City Panthers to a comprehensive victory by 8 wickets against Engro Dolphins in the 3rd game of the ongoing Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024 here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.Siddiq's aggressive 53-ball knock was spiced with four towering sixes and eight boundaries. He gave Lake City Panthers a rollicking start with 33 coming in the first three overs and by the tenth over they had reached 86 for the loss of Sharjeel Khan 14.Siddiq and stand-in skipper Haider Ali, deputising for unfit Shadab Khan, added a rapid 101 for the second wicket to bring their team within 23 runs of victory. Mubasir Khan, who scored 16 not out, hit the winning six as the 161-run target was achieved in 16 overs. Haider's 28-ball 46 contained five boundaries and two sixes.Engro Dolphnis’ total of 160-8 showed most of the batters got starts but did not make it big, with promising youngster Mohammad Huraira the highest scorer with a 32-ball 37 that contained four boundaries and a six.Mohammad Suleman struck two sixes and a boundary in his 27-ball 34 while Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (27, 16b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Shayan Sheikh (20, 12b, 4x4s) chipped in with useful contributions as 55 runs came in the last five overs. For Panthers, all-rounder Amad Butt was the pick of the bowlers with 3-19 while Mohammad Ibtisam finished with 2-30.Scores in brief (Game-3):Results: Lake City Panthers beat Engro Dolphins by eight wicketsEngro Dolphins 160-8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Huraira 37, Mohammad Suleman 34, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori 27, Shayan Sheikh 20; Amad Butt 3-19, Mohammad Ibtisam 2-30)Lake City Panthers 161-2 in 16 overs (Umar Siddiq 78 not out, Haider Ali 46)Player of the match: Umar Siddiq (Lake City Panthers)Monday’s fixture: Allied Bank Stallions vs Nurpur Lions, 12pm, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Markhors hunt Nupur Lions by 4 wickets, Stallions overcome Panthers by 35 runsAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: UMT Markhors and ABL Stallions posted victories after beating Nupur Lions by 4 wickets and Panthers by 35 runs respectively in the first and second match of the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup that commenced here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.The two matches saw a number of talented players displaying their talent, with the 19-year-old local boy Saad Masood playing a man-of-the-match role in UMT Markhors’ win over Nurpur Lions in the opening game. The highlight of day one was a superlative century by experienced international all-rounder Hussain Talat who smashed an unbeaten 50-ball 101 for ABL Stallions, his maiden T20 century. In the first match UMT Markhors’ Masood finished with 2-20 and was ably supported by Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (2-11) and Nisar Ahmed (2-21) to keep Lions down to 150-7. For Lions Mohammad Awais Zafar top-scored with a 34-ball 40 with five boundaries. Hasan Nawaz hit a rapid 13-ball 22 with one six and three boundaries.Markhors’ chase was anchored by opener Fakhar Zaman who scored a 25-ball 28 with a six and three fours before skipper Iftikhar Ahmed’s unbeaten 34-ball 42 with two sixes and a boundary crossed the line in company of Masood, sharing an unbroken 50-run stand for the seventh wicket.In the Allied Bank Stallions win, Talat and Haris shared a rampaging 128-run third wicket stand after Lake City Panthers sent them into bat. Talat cracked a dozen boundaries and three maximums. Opener Yasir Khan gave Stallions a brisk start with a 15-ball 27 inclusive of two sixes and three boundaries.The chase for Lake City Panthers started on a wrong note when their skipper Shadab Khan was ruled out and could not bat due to back pain. Haider Ali (26-ball 54) smashed four towering sixes and five boundaries in his 26-ball cracker and during his third wicket stand of 40 with Mubasir Khan (19-ball 29 with three fours and a six) it looked like their team would succeed in the chase. But spinner Usman Tariq, who took 3-25, removed Haider to halt the progress. In the end City Lake Panthers managed 181 in 19.1 overs. Pacer Mohammad Ali also bagged three wickets in his four overs giving away 33 runs. Scores in brief:Match 1 - UMT Markhors beat Nurpur Lions by four wickets, Rawalpindi Cricket StadiumNurpur Lions 150-7, 20 overs (Muhammad Awais Zafar 40 not out, Hasan Nawaz 22; Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 2-11, Saad Masood 2-20, Nisar Ahmed 2-21)UMT Markhors 154-6, 19 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 42 not out, Fakhar Zaman 28, Saad Masood 26 not out; Mohammad Salman 3-21, Shahid Aziz 2-27)Player of the match – Saad Masood (UMT Markhors)Match 2 - ABL Stallions beat Lake City Panthers by 35 runs, Rawalpindi Cricket StadiumABL Stallions 216-3, 20 overs (Hussain Talat 101 not out, Mohammad Haris 55, Yasir Khan 27; Mohammad Ibtisam 2-36)Lake City Panthers 181 all out, 19.1 overs (Haider Ali 54, Mubasir Khan 29, Umar Siddiq 24, Amad Butt 23; Usman Tariq 3-25, Mohammad Ali 3-33, Tahir Hussain 2-41)Sunday’s Fixture:Lake City Panthers vs Engro Dolphins, 12pm.

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 7 to 25 December. Five teams - ABL Stallions, Engro Dolphins, Lake City Panthers, Nurpur Lions, and UMT Markhors - will compete for the prestigious title.This marks the second event in the Champions Cup series, following the resounding success of the 50-over tournament held in Faisalabad in September. In that event, the Lake City Panthers had triumphed over the UMT Markhors in a closely contested final. Cricket fans had turned out in droves at the Iqbal Stadium to witness the 14-match extravaganza, showcasing some of the country’s finest talent.To build on this momentum, the PCB has strategically scheduled the Champions T20 Cup at the centrally located Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, featuring 22 matches over 19 days, including six double-headers and eight single-headers. Double-header matches will begin at 11am and 3.30pm, while single-header games are set for 12pm.A new cut-throat format has been introduced to enhance the competition’s intensity. The table-topper after the double-league stage will advance directly to the final, while the second and third-placed teams will face off in a Qualifier on 23 December at 3.30pm. The final is scheduled for 25 December at 3.30pm.The tournament format will also serve as a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills, offering selectors valuable insights into players who could be groomed for the national team. Furthermore, standout performers may attract the attention of the HBL Pakistan Super League franchises as they prepare for the 2025 season and beyond.The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup will kick off on 7 December with an exciting double-header: ABL Stallions vs Lake City Panthers, followed by Nurpur Lions vs UMT Markhors. First round matches will take place from 7 to 13 December, while the second round will run from 15 to 21 December.Champions T20 Cup (Schedule):Sat, 7 Dec: ABL Stallions v Lake City Panthers (11am); Nurpur Lions v UMT Markhors (3.30pm)Sun 8 Dec: Lake City Panthers v Engro Dolphins (12pm)Mon, 9 Dec: ABL Stallions v Nurpur Lions (12pm)Tues, 10 Dec: Engro Dolphins v UMT Markhors (12pm)Wed, 11 Dec: Nurpur Lions v Lake City Panthers (12pm)Thurs, 12 Dec: ABL Stallions v UMT Markhors (11am); Engro Dolphins v Nurpur Lions (3.30pm)Fri, 13 Dec: Lake City Panthers v UMT Markhors (11am); ABL Stallions v Engro Dolphins (3.30pm)Sun, 15 Dec: ABL Stallions v Lake City Panthers (11am); Nurpur Lions v UMT Markhors (3.30pm)Mon, 16 Dec: Lake City Panthers v Engro Dolphins (12pm)Tues, 17 Dec: ABL Stallions v Nurpur Lions (12pm)Wed, 18 Dec: Engro Dolphins v UMT Markhors (12pm)Thurs, 19 Dec: Nurpur Lions v Lake City Panthers (12pm)Fri, 20 Dec: ABL Stallions v UMT Markhors (11am); Engro Dolphins v Nurpur Lions (3.30pm)Sat, 21 Dec: Lake City Panthers v UMT Markhors (11am); ABL Stallions v Engro Dolphins (3.30pm)Mon, 23 Dec: Qualifier (Second ranked side v third ranked side) (3.30pm)Wed, 25 Dec: FINAL (3.30pm).

Sports Bulletin ReportTAXILA: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Monday was showcased at the Taxila Museum, the historic Dharmarajika Stupa, and Khanpur Dam. Thousands of enthusiastic cricket fans visited and saw the trophy, and enjoyed a boat ride with the trophy at Khanpur Dam.The ICC Cricket Champions Trophy is being showcased in various cities across Pakistan, and as part of this tour, the trophy was brought to the historic city of Taxila. The trophy was displayed at the Taxila Museum, where thousands of cricket enthusiasts, including women, men, and children, gathered to catch a glimpse. The crowd was overjoyed to see the trophy up close and took numerous photographs with it.The trophy was also showcased at another historic site in Taxila, the Dharmarajika Stupa. Later, it was taken to Khanpur Dam, where it was given a boat ride, allowing fans to enjoy the trophy in a unique setting.  

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sumair Ahmad Syed as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) following approval by the Board of Governors in its 75th meeting, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi at the National Cricket Academy on Saturday afternoon.Sumair Ahmad, a seasoned civil servant with an extensive administrative experience, most recently served as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. He assumes the Chief Operating Officer’s role from Salman Naseer, who has been appointed as Advisor to the PCB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) department. Salman began his tenure as the Chief Operating Officer and had previously indicated he would not seek a contract renewal in a similar role upon the completion of his five-year term in February 2025.Welcoming Sumair Ahmad and expressing gratitude for Salman Naseer’s years of service, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said:“Sumair is an outstanding professional with proven administrative skills and deep industry knowledge. We are delighted to welcome him to the PCB family and are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen and improve our administrative structures, moving closer to our goal of becoming a model, high-performing organisation.“Salman has been an exemplary leader at the Pakistan Cricket Board, making invaluable contributions during his tenure as the Chief Operating Officer. His experience and insights have made him an asset to the PCB. Given our plans to establish PSL as an independent entity and to expand the league with two additional teams in 2026, we have appointed him as PSL’s Chief Executive Officer. He will also serve as Advisor to the PCB Chairman, ensuring his expertise continues to guide our strategic goals.”On his appointment, Sumair Ahmad said:“As a lifelong follower and supporter of Pakistan cricket, it is a profound honour for me to join this dynamic organisation as its Chief Operating Officer during these exciting and pivotal times. I am deeply grateful to the PCB Chairman and the Board of Governors for their trust and support. With the collaboration of my colleagues, I am eager to play a meaningful role here at PCB.“This organisation holds tremendous potential and cricket serves as a unifying force for the people of Pakistan.“During my tenure as Chief Operating Officer, I am committed to helping the Chairman bring his vision for Pakistan cricket to life. This vision centers on achieving success with our national teams, enhancing infrastructure, expanding opportunities for aspiring cricketers and ensuring good governance. I am excited to contribute to this journey and work towards making a lasting impact on the game that we all cherish.”Salman Naseer expressed gratitude and support for Sumair Ahmad:“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the PCB’s management team as Chief Operating Officer. This journey has been deeply rewarding, as we collectively made significant progress and overcame various challenges.“I am grateful to the PCB Chairman for his trust and to my colleagues for their support, without which our successes would not have been possible.“I would also like to thank the Board of Governors for their guidance and look forward to contributing to Sumair’s success at the PCB. With the experience and commitment he brings, I am confident that the PCB will continue to grow stronger and reach new heights.”

Lahore (PR): Faisalabad romped to an innings and eight-run victory over Hyderabad, their first of the season on Friday at Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad. Faisalabad were bundled out for 230, taking a first innings lead of 134 with the help of Mohammad Faizan’s 83, after continuing from their overnight score of 212-8.In turn, Asad Raza (4-37) and Shahid Ali (4-37) repeated their first innings heroics to take their tally of match figures to eight wickets each as they took Faisalabad to their first win.At National Ground, Islamabad, Larkana closed the day trailing by 38 runs in their second innings with Mohammad Nawaz unbeaten on 58, after Abbottabad took first innings lead of 168 runs. Larkana’s Mushtaq Ahmed bagged 5-70 to restrict Abbottabad to 231 after they resumed from overnight score of 81-2. Mushtaq was backed up by Aamir Ali Brohi with a four-fer.In another Group A fixture at Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad led by 82 runs in their second innings with two wickets in hand when stumps were drawn. Earlier in the day, Lahore Whites took a 47-run first innings lead as they were bowled out for 214 with Kaleem Dil taking 5-60. Islamabad were reduced to 129-8 by the close of play as Ahmed Daniyal took 4-24.At Ashfaq Ground Sirdheri, Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Faizan Saleem starred with 5-50 as Peshawar were bundled out for 213, taking a 42-run lead. In turn, AJK’s Hasan Raza remained unbeaten on 62 as they reached 100-1 at close of play and 58 runs ahead.Karachi Whites were bundled out for 145, after they began the day with 28-3, as Rawalpindi’s Mohammad Faizan (5-39) and Munir Riaz (4-43) shared nine wickets among them. In turn, Rawalpindi closed the day two with 196-9 and 51-run lead thanks to Shadab Khan’s quick-fire 46.At Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Bahawalpur bundled out Multan for a mere 147 after posting 297, taking a valuable 150-run lead. Bahawalpur’s Mehran Sanwal (4-28) and Shoaib Manzoor (4-47) shared eight wickets among them. Bahawalpur faced only three balls in their second innings before play was called off due to bad light.In Pool C, Sialkot’s Ashir Mehmood (172) and Azan Awais (130) notched a record 312-run opening stand on a shortened day as Sialkot finished with 370-5 against DM Jamali Region at Rana Naved ul Hasan Academy Sheikhupura.Elsewhere, Lahore Blues recovered from an overnight score of 36-5 to post 150 all out in reply to Quetta’s first innings total of 101 as only 41 overs of play was possible at Saeed Sports City Bedian, Lahore. At Multan, no play was possible due to bad light and Karachi Blues will resume from 221-5 on day three.Scores in brief (Day 2 of 4): Faisalabad beat Hyderabad by an innings and eight runs at Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad, Pool AHyderabad 96 all out, 22.3 overs (Kashif Bhatti 36, Sharjeel Khan 24; Shahid Ali 4-24, Asad Raza 4-36) and 126 all out, 35 overs (Rizwan Mehmood 20, Sharjeel Khan 20; Asad Raza 4-37, Shahid Ali 4-37)Faisalabad 230 all out, 48.4 overs (Mohammad Faizan 83, Mohammad Awais Zafar 45, Atiq-ur-Rehman 23; Bilawal Bhatti 5-55, Asim Jutt 3-56, Mohammad Waqar 2-32)Abbottabad vs Larkana, National Ground, Islamabad, Pool ALarkana 63 all out, 23.2 overs (Mushtaq Ahmed 14 not out; Mohammad Adil 7-16, Aqib Khan 2-16) and 130-5, 35 overs (Mohammad Nawaz 58 not out, Faraz Aziz 26; Aqib Khan 4-17)Abbottabad 231 all out, 57 overs (Khayam Khan 46, Shahab Khan 35, Zain Ishaq 35, Khalid Usman 26; Mushtaq Ahmed 5-70, Aamir Ali Brohi 4-71)Islamabad vs Lahore Whites, Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad, Pool AIslamabad 167 all out, 47.4 overs (Arsal Sheikh 63 not out, Shayan Sheikh 43; Ahmed Bashir 7-31, Ahmed Daniyal 2-54) and 129-8, 42 overs (Arsal Sheikh 27 not out, Shayan Sheikh 20; Ahmed Daniyal 4-24, Ahmed Bashir 2-35)Lahore Whites 214 all out, 64.4 overs (Obaid Shahid 43, Saad Nasim 40, Attyab Ahmed 36, Mohammad Faiq 35, Mohammad Waheed 32; Kaleem Dil 5-60, Nusratullah 2-47, Musa Khan 2-53)AJK vs Peshawar, Ashfaq Cricket Ground Sirdheri, Pool BAJK 171 all out, 53.4 overs (Basit Ali 27, Ali Abbas 27, Abdul Rehman Muzammil 26, Usman Salahuddin 22; Sajid Khan 5-52, Mohammad Amir Khan 2-16, Mohammad Imran Jnr 2-52) and 100-1, 34 overs (Hasan Raza 62 not out, Awais Akram Minhas 22 not out)Peshawar 213 all out, 62.2 overs (Israrullah 62, Abu Bakar 36; Faizan Saleem 5-50, Aqib Liaqat 3-45, Taj Wali 2-42)Rawalpindi vs Karachi Whites, Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pool BKarachi Whites 145 all out, 38 overs (Rameez Aziz 59, Saqib Khan 21; Mohammad Faizan 5-39, Munir Riaz 4-43)Rawalpindi 196-9, 39 overs (Shadab Khan 46, Ziad Khan 40, Umar Amin 23; Saqib Khan 4-81, Mohammad Umar 3-60)Multan vs Bahawalpur, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad, Pool BBahawalpur 297 all out, 106.2 overs (Ali Hamza Wasim 84, Mohammad Faizan Zafar 79, Abid Ali 64; Waseem Akram Jnr 4-64, Mohammad Shahzad 2-46, Tahir Hussain 2-55) and 0-0, 0.3 oversMultan 147 all out, 34.3 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 42, Zain Abbas 39; Mehran Sanwal 4-28, Shoaib Manzoor 4-47)Quetta vs Lahore Blues, Saeed Sports City Bedian, Lahore, Pool CQuetta 101 all out, 45.4 overs (Shahbaz Khan 57; Nisar Ahmad 5-25, Mohammad Abbas 3-36)Lahore Blues 150 all out, 59.4 overs (Qasim Akram 42, Junaid Ali 27; Gohar Faiz 4-49, Jalat Khan 3-32, Mohammad Idrees 2-21)Karachi Blues vs FATA, Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pool C (No play was possible) Karachi Blues 221-5, 80 overs (Abdullah Fazal 96 not out, Kashif Ali 31, Fawad Alam 25; Asif Afridi 3-32)Sialkot vs DM Jamali, Rana Naved ul Hasan Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura, Pool C (Early close of play due to bad light)Sialkot 370-5, 86 overs (Ashir Mehmood 172, Azan Awais 130, Abdul Rehman 21; Danish Aziz 2-60).  

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, will begin from 26 October. Eighteen teams from the 16 regions will participate in the four-day tournament that will conclude on 19 December.The 18 teams include Abbottabad Region, AJK Region, Bahawalpur Region, Dera Murad Jamali Region, Faisalabad Region, FATA Region, Hyderabad Region, Islamabad Region, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Lahore Region Blues, Larkana Region, Multan Region, Peshawar Region, Quetta Region, Rawalpindi Region and Sialkot Region.Karachi Region Whites will defend the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title this year after the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side defeated Faisalabad Region in the final by 456 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium from 22 to 26 October 2023. Abdullah Khurram Niazi, Director - Domestic Cricket Operations said: “Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is the pinnacle of domestic cricket in Pakistan as it is not just a tournament but also an event that showcases the immense talent across the country and prepares them for the challenges of international cricket. As always, we will continue to provide the best possible platform for players to excel and show their capabilities on the biggest stage in domestic cricket as they will be rubbing their shoulders with the best players of the country. Earlier we demonstrated a successful Champions One-Day Cup, and are fully committed to strengthening our domestic structure. The successful execution of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy remains at the heart of this commitment.” 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE (PR): Over 12, 000 players participated in the trials aiming to select the upcoming talented cricketers for “Player Development Program” (PDP) at the Qalandars-UOL High-Performance Centre in the University of Lahore, as the selected players will be announced on Monday (tomorrow), and they will have the opportunity to advance their cricketing careers under the guidance of experienced professionals.  In an impressive display of talent and determination, over 12,000 aspiring cricketers from diverse backgrounds participated, showcasing their skills in hopes of securing a spot in the shortlisted list for the program. The rigorous trials spanned an extensive day, during which batters, bowlers, and wicketkeepers underwent thorough evaluations to demonstrate their abilities.The trials were overseen by PDP's poster boy, Haris Rauf, along with Lahore Qalandars’ captain, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and the batch of senior coaching staff. Their involvement not only inspired the participants but also ensured a comprehensive assessment of each player's potential.The event was further distinguished by the presence of Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, who graced the occasion with his support for grassroots cricket development. He shared the stage with Lahore Qalandars Owner and CEO Atif Rana alongside Chairman University of Lahore Awais Raoof.Atif Rana, Owner & CEO of Lahore Qalandars, said: “I am excited to see such a remarkable turnout of young talent. Every time we announce our PDP trials, thousands of aspiring cricketers come together to showcase their skills, which speaks volumes about their trust in our system. Our journey, which began nine years ago, continues to make significant progress, and I am immensely grateful to all stakeholders for their unwavering support. We remain committed to making a meaningful impact, nurturing talent, and inspiring these young players to dream big alongside us. Through sports, we shape communities and create tomorrow's champions, both on and off the field.”Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Punjab Sports Minister said: “The energy and passion displayed by these players are truly unparalleled. These young kids come here with the dream of one day representing Pakistan. Witnessing this extensive program function successfully, I see a perfect alignment between discovering talent and providing opportunities. This synergy is crucial, particularly with prominent organizations like Lahore Qalandars and the University of Lahore stepping up to fulfill their roles. Together, they are transforming raw talent into stars for our nation. The collaboration between the University and Lahore Qalandars ensures that students can achieve their academic aspirations while also building a bright future in sports.”

Faisalabad (PR) Lake City Panthers became the winners of the inaugural Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup as they beat UMT Markhors by five wickets in the final here at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Sunday evening. Out of a PKR49 million prize pot, the Shadab Khan-led Lake City Panthers bagged prize money of PKR30 million while the UMT Markhors collected the runners-up prize of PKR15 million.Panthers bundled out the Markhors, after they opted to bat first, for a mere 122-run total in 33.4 overs and then took just 18 overs to chase it down with five wickets in the bag as skipper Shadab Khan hit the winning six. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai top scored for Panthers with 41 off 43 balls hitting five fours and two sixes. Earlier, three wicket hauls by Arafat Minhas (3-1) and Mohammad Hasnain (3-38), who also finished with a tournament tally of 17 wickets, backed up by player of the match performance by Sajid Khan (2-24) dented the Markhors progress with the bat as they collapsed from 82-2 in 18.2 overs to 122 all out in 33.4 overs. Shadab and Ali Raza also picked up one wicket each. After Markhors copped two early blows with the scorecard reading 26-2 in 5.3 overs, Haseebullah (27, 48b, 3x4s) stitched a 56-run third-wicket partnership with Fakhar Zaman who top scored for the Markhors with 46 off 49 balls clubbing five fours and one six. Off-spinner Sajid got rid of both the set batters in 19th and 21st overs to spark a batting collapse as Markhors lost their last eight wickets in 15.2 overs. Apart from Haseebullah and Fakhar, only Bismillah Khan (16, 37b, 2x4s) reached double figures for Markhors. In turn, Panthers’ opening batters raced to 51 in 7.4 overs before Umar Siddiq departed for 19 with the help of three fours. Sajid (15, 13b, 2x4s, 1x6), promoted to bat at No.3, was the second batter to be dismissed as Markhors struck regular blows to reduce the Panthers from 51-1 to 94-5 in 15 overs. Usman Khan, who finished as the top run-scorer of the tournament with 272 runs in six games, only contributed 13 off eight balls hitting a four and a six. Rizwan Mehmood (16 not out, 12b, 3x4s) and Shadab (14, 9b, 1x4, 1x6) stitched a 29-run stand for the sixth wicket to take their team home safely.For Markhors, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Akif Javed picked up two wickets each while Shahnawaz Dahani dismissed one batter.Scores in briefFinal – Lake City Panthers beat UMT Markhors by five wickets  UMT Markhors 122 all out, 33.4 overs (Fakhar Zaman 46, Haseebullah 27; Arafat Minhas 3-1, Mohammad Hasnain 3-38, Sajid Khan 2-24, Ali Raza 1-19, Shadab Khan 1-20) Lake City Panthers 123-5, 18 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 41, Umar Siddiq 19, Rizwan Mehmood 16 not out, Sajid Khan 15, Shadab Khan 14 not out; Mohammad Imran Jnr 2-11, Akif Javed 2-42) Bahria Town Player of the match: Sajid Khan (Lake City Panthers)Mentors’ choice Emerging Player of the Tournament: Ali Raza - Lake City Panthers (Four wickets)Trans Group Wicket-keeper of the Tournament: Usman Khan – Lake City Panthers (7 dismissals)Inverex Solar Energy energetic Batter of the Tournament: Usman Khan – Lake City Panthers (272 runs)Trans Group best Bowler of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain – Lake City Panthers (17 wickets)Bahria Town Player of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain – Lake City Panthers (17 wickets).