Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportLahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the match officials for HBL Pakistan Super League X, scheduled to take place across four venues – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 18 May. A total of 13 umpires and seven match referees will be involved in 30 matches, while the match officials for the Qualifier, two eliminators and final, will be announced in due course.Elite Panel of ICC Umpires – Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel and Kumar Dharmasena are among the 13 umpires officiating in the six-team tournament. Also included are Alex Wharf and Chris Brown. From Pakistan, Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Rashid Riaz Waqar are part of the PCB International Panel of Umpires.Abdul Moqeet, Nasir Hussain, Tariq Rasheed and Zulfiqar Jan – part of PCB Elite Panel of Umpires will also be officiating matches during this edition of the HBL PSL. Among the match referees, ICC Elite Panel of Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle will officiate matches alongside his fellow Sri Lankan Roshan Mahanama. Also serving as match referees are Ali Naqvi and Muhammad Javed Malik – both from the PCB International Panel of Match Referees. Iftikhar Ahmed, Iqbal Sheikh and Nadeem Arshad will also officiate during the tournament.

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the latest players in contention to win the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards following a blockbuster month of action in March. Two stars of New Zealand’s busy month feature on the ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist alongside a key figure in India’s trophy-winning campaign at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.Shreyas Iyer was in formidable form in the latter stages of India’s run to a record-breaking third ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, and seeks to win his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award since February 2022 as a result. On the opposing side in a memorable final was New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, also nominated after another stellar ICC event where he was crowned the Player of the Tournament. Completing the lineup is his compatriot Jacob Duffy, the pacer earning a place atop the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings following a fruitful series in the victory over Pakistan.Jacob Duffy (NZ): With a spot at the summit of the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings to his name, Duffy was rewarded for a brilliant March which saw him take 13 wickets at an impressive average of just 8.38 in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan. Among a string of consistent returns, his standout performances came with four-wicket hauls in Christchurch (four for 14) and Mount Maunganui (four for 20), and sees him land his maiden nomination for the Player of the Month crown.Shreyas Iyer (IND): Notching 172 runs at an average of 57.33 in the final three matches of the competition, Shreyas was a shining light for India at the business end of their Champions Trophy-winning campaign. A match-winning 79 in the final group stage match against New Zealand preceded vital scores of 45 and 48 in the semi-final and final, providing sufficient support for India to successfully chase down challenging totals under the lights in Dubai and lift their third Champions Trophy.Rachin Ravindra (NZ): The Blackcaps talismanic batter seeks to win his second Player of the Month award after inspiring the Champions Trophy finalists with stirring performances with bat and ball during March’s contests. With 151 runs and three wickets to his name only telling part of the story, the Player of the Tournament registered a memorable 108 in the semi-final win over South Africa in Lahore before his economical bowling and dazzling fielding in the blockbuster finale in Dubai almost turned the tables in New Zealand’s favour.Chetnaa Prasad (USA): The 19-year-old was a driving force as the USA stormed to Americas Qualifier success in March, first by taking four wickets against Brazil and more importantly, recording her best international figures of four for 5 and winning the Player of the Match prize as they overcame Canada in the winner-takes-all matchup on the final day in Buenos Aires.Annabel Sutherland (AUS): The two-time ICC Women’s Player of the Month has enjoyed an extended period of excellence in recent times, and while her previous wins came thanks to her batting brilliance, in March it was her bowling prowess that stole the headlines. Climbing to a career best rating of 736 in the Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings in the process, the 23-year-old lit up the series against New Zealand with four wickets for 8 runs in the second match and four for 35 in the third and final encounter to secure the series sweep over their rivals.Georgia Voll (AUS): Having made her international debut less than six months ago, Voll is already making a name for herself, and in March the 21-year-old struck two brisk half-centuries in Australia’s 3-0 T20I series win over New Zealand. Chasing down 138 for victory in double quick time in the Auckland opener, Voll smashed her maiden fifty in T20Is in just 30 balls at the top of the order. 36 More runs followed in Mount Maunganui before she hit 75 in 57 balls in the third and final match, helping Australia seal the whitewash with an eight-run win in Wellington.

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

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

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

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

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

Lahore (PR): Lahore Qalandars are thrilled to announce Daily Deli Co., one of Pakistan’s leading fast-food chains, as an official sponsor for HBL Pakistan Super League 10. As part of this exciting partnership, the Daily Deli Co. logo will be prominently displayed on both sides of the Qalandars' helmets throughout the tournament, symbolizing a shared passion for cricket and excellence. This collaboration goes beyond branding—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences for supporters and strengthening the bond between sports and local businesses. Atif Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are proud to welcome Daily Deli Co. to the Qalandars family for HBL PSL 10. Their support highlights the growing appeal of Lahore Qalandars and the HBL PSL, and we look forward to working together to make this season even more special for our fans.” A representative of Daily Deli Co echoed Atif Rana’s sentiments, saying, “Daily Deli Co. is absolutely thrilled to partner with the Lahore Qalandars for PSL'25! It was only a matter of time before Daily Deli Co. took the big stage, and we couldn't think of a better partner than Lahore Qalandars! As a brand, we're passionate about serving up more than just great food - we're committed to delivering unforgettable experiences for our fans in Lahore. We believe this collaboration will be a winning combination, and we look forward to a fantastic PSL season together. Dama Dam Mast Qalandar!” As Lahore Qalandars gear up for another thrilling PSL campaign, this partnership with Daily Deli Co. promises to enhance the fan experience and bring cricket lovers closer to the action. With the Qalandars’ spirit and Daily Deli Co.’s energy, the stage is set for an unforgettable season of cricket, passion, and celebration. 

Lahore (PR): HBL PSL X tickets will go on sale online from Thursday, 3 April, at 3pm PKT as the marquee event is all set to commence from 11 April. The six-team tournament will be played at the four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, with the final scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 18 May.Physical tickets will go on sale at designated TCS express centres (infographic attached) from 7 April onwards. Tickets booked online can also be collected from TCS designated pick-up centres or can be home-delivered by TCS. The tickets will be available to fans at an affordable rate, with general tickets available to fans at PKR 650 at all four venues. The tickets for the opening match scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars will be available from PKR 1,000 to PKR 8,500. 

Lahore (PCB): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced that Sami Ul Hasan has stepped down as Director of Media and Communications, a role that also encompassed digital media responsibilities. He had informed the PCB in December 2024 of his intention to conclude his tenure following the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.Sami had rejoined the PCB in March 2019 after spending 13 years with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai, with his last assignment being Head of Media and Communications. Prior to his time with the sport’s governing body, he served as the PCB’s General Manager – Media from 2002 to 2004, following a 14-year career as a cricket correspondent for the Dawn newspaper.PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed: “Sami has been an important member of the PCB’s executive team, bringing vast experience and expertise to the organisation. His contributions in shaping modern communication strategies, strengthening media relations and elevating the digital landscape have been invaluable. Under his leadership, the Media, Communications and Digital department has played a key role in significantly enhancing the PCB’s engagement with stakeholders - both locally and globally - most notably in the lead up to and during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. On behalf of the PCB, I extend our gratitude to Sami for his dedication and professionalism and wish him success in his future endeavors.”Sami Ul Hasan said: “It has been a privilege to serve the PCB for the second time and contribute to its growth during a transformative period. I step away with immense satisfaction, knowing that the Media, Communications and Digital team has evolved into one of the most respected and highly professional departments. Seeing the department and its talented individuals flourish has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my time here. As I step into the next chapter of my career, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to senior leaders and colleagues for their support, collaboration and trust. A special thanks to the media fraternity for their cooperation and support - I look forward to crossing paths again in the future!”