Sports Bulletin ReportAmsterdam (Holland): The final stage of the FIH Pro League 2023/24 season is about to get underway in the Netherlands with matches to be played in Utrecht and Amsterdam from 22 to 30 June. Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain will all be in action in the men's and women's competitions, with both titles still up for grabs.Netherlands currently stand at the top of women's standings with 36 points having won all 12 games so far this season. With 4 games left in the season, Netherlands hold an 8-point lead over Germany in third place, and the Danas could halt the Dutch title charge but will require other teams to take points off the hosts as well. Argentina, who finished their campaign earlier during the Antwerp stage, are second with 34 points from 16 games. Belgium and Great Britain, on 19 and 14 points respectively are out of contention for the title, but will still aim to hit their strides fully, with the Olympic Games just a month away.In the men's competition, Australia, who finished their campaign on 34 points are currently in pole position for their second title. But Netherlands with 26 points and Great Britain with 22 points are also in contention with 4 games in hand. Germany and Belgium can't mathematically catch up to the Kookaburras as they sit on 19 points from 12 games, with 31 points being the maximum either of them can reach if they win all their remaining 4 games.Schedule (Women's):22 June, 16:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Germany24 June, 15:00 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Germany24 June 20:30 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium25 June 17:30 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Belgium27 June 14:00 (Local Time) Germany vs Great Britain28 June 19:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium29 June 16:30 (Local Time) Belgium vs Great Britain29 June 19:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs GermanySchedule (Men's):23 June, 13:30 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Belgium23 June, 16:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Germany24 June 17:30 (Local Time) Germany vs Great Britain 25 June 20:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium27 June 16:30 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Belgium27 June 19:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Germany28 June 16:30 (Local Time) Germany vs Great Britain30 June 15:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: South Africa trounced United States of America (USA) by 18 runs in the opening fixture of the Super-8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, North Sound in Antigua West Indies on Wednesday.Despite a power-packed partnership between Andries Gous (80*) and Harmeet Singh (38) the United States fell 18 runs short of the 194 posted by South Africa in Antigua during the Group 2 Super-8 T20 World Cup match. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers, snapping three wickets in his quota of four overs.Powered by Quinton de Kock (74) and Aiden Markram (46), South Africa posted 194/4 after 20 overs against USA. For the co-hosts, Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh struck twice. Earlier, United States won the toss and opted to bowl against South Africa.South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi; United States XI: Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Andries Gous(w), Aaron Jones(c), Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Rising tennis star, Mikaeel Ali Baig has won the title of the prestigious US Tennis Association Junior Tennis titles, as he became the 2024 USTA Florida Bobby Curtis Junior State Boys U14 Champion. The tournament took place from June 15-18 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida. Bobby Curtis is an elite tournament, which was won previously by several professionals when they were juniors. Former “Bobby Curtis” champs, who have gone on to rank World No. 1 in on the ATP, and WTA rankings are Chris Evert, Jennifer Capriati, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, and many more.  

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Chris Gaffaney and Richard Kettleborough will be the on-field umpires for the USA’s historic first-ever knockout match at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which takes place against South Africa on June 19.The co-hosts qualified in second place from Group A, in part thanks to a magnificent Super Over victory against Pakistan, and will now take on the Proteas as well as England and fellow co-hosts West Indies in Group 2 of the Super 8s.Joel Wilson will be the TV Umpire for USA against South Africa, while he will also stand as on-field umpire alongside Gaffaney when the American team take on England in Barbados on June 23. Allahudien Paleker, who is making his senior men’s tournament debut in this competition, will act as the fourth umpire.The same day will see Kettleborough return to the middle for the seismic Group 1 clash between Australia and India alongside compatriot Richard Illingworth.Illingworth and Michael Gough will oversee Australia’s Super 8s opener against Bangladesh, while Nitin Menon and Ahsan Raza are the on-field umpires for England’s meeting with the West Indies.Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, making history in this competition as the first Bangladeshi official at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, is the TV Umpire for that one, and will act as on-field umpire alongside Chris Brown for England’s second Group 2 game against South Africa.Of the match referees, Jeff Crowe – who has overseen more T20Is than anyone else – will be in the chair for England’s clashes with the West Indies and South Africa as well as Australia against India.Super 8s – Match Official appointmentsJune 19: USA v South Africa (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Richard KettleboroughTV Umpire: Joel WilsonFourth Umpire: Langton RusereJune 19: England v West Indies (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Nitin Menon and Ahsan RazaTV Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne ShahidFourth Umpire: Chris BrownJune 20: Afghanistan v India (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Paul ReiffelTV Umpire: Allahudien PalekerFourth Umpire: Alex WharfJune 20: Australia v Bangladesh (Antigua)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Michael GoughTV Umpire: Kumar DharmasenaFourth Umpire: Adrian HolstockJune 21: England v South Africa (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Chris BrownTV Umpire: Joel WilsonFourth Umpire: Chris GaffaneyJune 21: USA v West Indies (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Paul Reiffel and Allahuddien PalekerTV Umpire: Rodney TuckerFourth Umpire: Alex WharfJune 22: India v Bangladesh (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Michael Gough and Adrian HoldstockTV Umpire: Langton RusereFourth Umpire: Richard KettleboroughJune 22: Afghanistan v Australia (St Vincent)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena and Ahsan RazaTV Umpire: Richard IllingworthFourth Umpire: Nitin MenonJune 23: USA v England (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Joel WilsonTV Umpire: Paul ReiffelFourth Umpire: Allahudien PalekerJune 23: West Indies v South Africa (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Alex WharfTV Umpire: Chris BrownFourth Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne ShahidJune 24: Australia v India (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Richard Kettleborough and Richard IllingworthTV Umpire: Michael GoughFourth Umpire: Kumar DharmasenaJune 24: Afghanistan v Bangladesh (St Vincent)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Langton Rusere and Nitin MenonTV Umpire: Adrian HoldstockFourth Umpire: Ahsan Raza.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: A four-member Pakistan judo team, in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board, will depart for Kazan, Russia, on Monday to participate in the ongoing BRICS Games 2024.The prestigious sports event will feature three days of judo contests, commencing on Thursday in Kazan, Russia.Colonel Junaid Alam, President of the Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF), has instructed the national judokas to compete with their full potential. He expressed optimism that the judokas would deliver outstanding performances at this mega event.The Pakistan judo team comprised Hamid Ali (South Asian Games Gold Medalist), Sabir Shah (National Games Gold Medalist), Mueen Aslam (National Games Gold), and Afzal Bashir (Coach). 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Medical Panel comprising Prof Rana Dilawaiz Nadeem, Dr. Mumraiz Naqshband and Prof Javed Akram has updated about the injury of five national players.Arshad Iqbal, the right-arm fast bowler who is recovering from an ankle injury, has been referred to for consultation at ASPETAR in Qatar, a renowned orthopedic and sports medicine hospital. After Eid Al Adha holidays, the PCB will book his appointment and make necessary travel arrangementsIhsanullah, the right-arm fast bowler who is recovering from a right elbow injury, commenced his initial rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and will continue the process in his hometown in Swat under the supervision of a PCB Medical Panel approved physiotherapistMohammad Wasim Junior, the right-arm fast bowler who sustained a back injury during a domestic tournament, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. Following Eid Al Adha holidays, he will return to resume his rehabilitation at the NCAShawaal Zulfiqar, the right-handed opening batter who sustained a shoulder injury during Pakistan women’s team tour to New Zealand in December 2023, underwent shoulder surgery in Islamabad last month. Her stitches were removed on 11 June. Doctors will further assess her case later this monthZeeshan Zameer, the right-arm fast bowler who sustained an ankle injury, will undergo surgery in Qatar next week. The decision was made by ASPETAR earlier this month after examining the cricketer and reviewing his medical reports. Following surgery, Zeeshan may stay in Qatar to complete his rehabilitation.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has approved Hazratullah Zazai as a replacement for Mujeeb ur Rahman in the Afghanistan squad.Hazratullah, who has played 43 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Mujeeb was ruled out due to an injury to his right index finger.The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Chris Tetley (ICC Head of Events), Johnny Grave (CEO, Cricket West Indies) and Kass Naidoo (Independent Representative). 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The London stage of the FIH Hockey Pro League drew to a close with Australia’s men wrapping up their campaign with a 5-1 drubbing of Great Britain while the Hockeyroos also got the better of the home side.(Women’s) China beat Germany (3-1): China’s campaign came to an end with a stunning 3-1 win over Germany, taking them clear of Australia in fourth place in the standings for now and severely denting any hopes Germany have of catching the Netherlands in top spot. The match kicked off with a tight midfield battle, China setting their defensive structure early and the Germans wary of the threat posed by their counterattack. There were opportunities at both ends and only a 27th-minute field goal from China’s Zhang Ying separated the teams at half time.The second half belonged to China, and they started by putting the German circle under siege in the opening minutes. Germany survived the onslaught and Lilly Stoffelsma equalised for them with a difficult deflection in the 37th minute. Chen Yi regained the lead for China with a well-executed slip under the shoulder from a crowded p-spot, and she completed the scoring with a penalty stroke in the final minute.(Women’s) Australi beat Great Britain (3-2): Lara Roper celebrated her 350th international cap in a losing cause as a clinical Australia wrapped up their tournament with a 3-2 win over hosts Great Britain. GB had a productive first quarter and Grace Balsdon fired them in front with an early drag flick. But Australia responded brilliantly to dominate the second quarter, their aggressive press giving them regular attacking opportunities as they forced GB into a high rate of turnovers. Grace Stewart equalised with a field goal, and a Brooke Peris penalty corner deflection in the 30th minute gave them a well-deserved lead at half time.The Hockeyroos kept up the pressure into the third quarter, but GB stuck to their task well and Tessa Howard levelled matters with a diving penalty corner deflection in the 39th minute. The home side carried good momentum into the fourth quarter and had the Australians on the back foot for a while, but they failed to take advantage and Rosie Malone snatched the win for the Aussies with a penalty corner deflection with eight minutes remaining.(Men’s) Spain beat Germany (4-2): Spain signed off on a high with a convincing 4-2 win over a weary-looking Germany. The Red Sticks started with tremendous energy and were rewarded from a Marc Miralles drag flick in the 9th minute. Germany had a brief spell at the beginning of the second quarter where they picked up their pace and Gonzalo Peillat levelled the scores with a drag flick, but their energy tapered off quickly. Spain then restored their lead just before half time, intercepting a poor pass in midfield and releasing Marc Reyne for the goal.The Spanish extended their lead in the third quarter when Alvaro Iglesias pounced after Germany failed to control a bouncing ball in their circle. Reyne then rounded off some superb Spanish passing for a field goal in the 48th minute, and although Germany finished strongly for Raphael Hartkopf to score from a tap-in, it was too little too late.(Men’s) Australia beat Great Britain (5-1): Australia concluded their tournament with a convincing 5-1 win over hosts Great Britain in an energetic and physical clash. The match started at a blistering pace with GB creating a half chance, Jake Whetton blasting Australia ahead, and Lee Morton equalising for GB, all within the first two minutes. The Kookaburras then took control for long periods and Jack Welch reclaimed the lead with a 29th-minute drag flick.The Aussies never let up in the second half and Ky Willott gave them a two-goal cushion with his 35th-minute drag flick. Tom Craig scrambled another over the line as the third quarter ran down, and Willott finished the scoring with a fantastic team goal in the 51st minute. Australia currently sit top of the standings and are guaranteed of at least third place, but their focus now will be on getting home to finish their preparations for Paris. 

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (June 13, 2024) revealed the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for May 2024 as Gudakesh Motie of the West Indies and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka.Left-arm spinner Motie was inspirational as the West Indies enjoyed a promising build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a convincing series win over touring South Africa, while Sri Lankan skipper Athapaththu celebrates her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month after starring in her side’s surge to qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh later this year.ICC Men’s Player of the Month Motie wins the accolade for the very first time, and claims the award following impressive wicket-taking exploits in the West Indies T20I series triumph.The 29-year-old becomes the second West Indies winner of the men’s prize, following in the footsteps of teammate Shamar Joseph who was crowned back in January. During May, Motie took eight wickets at an average of 8.50 across the three-match series in Jamaica, as the islanders gathered valuable momentum in the lead up to their T20 World Cup campaign.Defending a score of 175 in the first contest, Motie played a pivotal part in restricting South Africa’s middle order charge, with his three for 25 including the prized wicket of the dangerous Rassie van der Dussen.With a higher total to defend in the second match, the Guyanese once again hampered a promising South African run chase with career-best figures of three for 22.More success followed in the final outing, with the left-arm spinner exploiting conditions and varying his pace expertly in a spell of two for 21, which heralded a player of the series prize to accompany the series whitewash.Reacting to his award win, the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for May, Gudakesh Motie, said, “It means a lot to me and I am very happy to win this award. It’s very encouraging, I have put in a lot of work during this season and I am happy that I am seeing the rewards now.“The standout performance for me during the series against South Africa was the first game, where I took three for 25. The third wicket that night was my favourite.“Playing in a World Cup means a lot to me, and playing at home in front of our fans and knowing the conditions is also special. We have started strongly, playing three games and getting three wins, and I see us going all the way and lifting that cup on 29 June.”Having won a raft of awards of late, including the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2023, Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu continues her spell of scintillating form by claiming the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for May – her second after previously winning in September 2023.The month heralded plenty of success for the Sri Lanka team, where they cemented their place at this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh with victory at the Qualifier in Abu Dhabi.Athapaththu topped the runscoring charts at the event, and capped another fine spell of performances with 151 runs and six wickets in May, culminating in a sublime yet explosive 102 score in 63 balls against fellow finalists Scotland to guide Sri Lanka to the Qualifier trophy.ICC Women’s Player of the Month for May, Chamari Athapaththu, said, “I am extremely delighted and honored to once again receive the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award, and wish to mention that continuous recognition at this level keeps me motivated to further up my game and continue the good performance.""I wish to mention here that, both Kathryn [Bryce] and Sophie [Ecclestone] are also two exceptionally talented players with a proven record and wish them the very best, whilst I thank my teammates for their support given to me in this endeavour."

Sindh beat Balochistan by 8 wickets in the final, Mohammad Safdar hero of the daySports Bulletin Report ABBOTTABAD: Sindh beat Balochistan by 8 wickets in the final of the 7th edition of PBCC Blind Cricket T-20 Super League 2024, as the winners chased their 177 runs target in just 13.3 overs at APS Cricket Ground Abbottabad on Thursday.Balochistan set a competitive total of 176 runs in 19.1 overs. Naseeb Ullah (B2) led the charge with a well-crafted 42 off 27 balls, supported by Mohammad Ayyaz (B1) with 22 runs off 16 balls and Bashir Khan (B1), who scored a quickfire 32 off 16 balls. Despite their efforts, Balochistan's innings saw a regular fall of wickets, with the team being all out in the 20th over.Sindh's bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with Irfan (B2) and Mohammad Idrees Saleem (B1) taking 3 wickets each. Irfan's economical spell of 4-0-15-3 was particularly impressive, significantly containing Balochistan’s scoring rate.In response, Sindh Blind chased the target with remarkable ease, scoring 177 runs for the loss of only 2 wickets in 13.3 overs. Mohammad Safdar (B3) was the star of the innings, remaining unbeaten on 97 off 48 balls, hitting 17 fours at a strike rate of 202.08. Ayoub Khan (B2) provided excellent support with a rapid 54 off 32 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes.The partnership between Safdar and Ayoub set a solid foundation, and despite losing Ayoub and Mohammad Shoaib (B1) in quick succession, Sindh comfortably reached the target. Sanwal Shahzada (B3) remained not out with 9 runs off 6 balls, ensuring Sindh’s victory. Balochistan’s bowlers struggled to contain Sindh’s aggressive batting. Haroon Khan (B2) conceded 55 runs in his 4 overs, while Imran Sarwar (B3) and Mohsin Khan (B3) also faced a tough time against Sindh’s batsmen. Bashir Khan (B1) was the only bowler to take wickets, with figures of 2-0-24-2. Mohammad Safdar got the man of the match award.Gen (R) Ayyaz Rana, Col (R) Khalid Bashir, Principal APS, Tariq Mehmood, Ex-DG Sports KP, Syed Sultan Shah, President World Blind Cricket Ltd, Syed Salman Tariq Bokhari, Director Marketing PBCC, Mohammad Bilal, Director Cricket Operations PCB, Tajamul Hussain, President Abbottabad Cricket Club of the Blind, and Shaukat Jadoon, Representative of PCB were present in the final.Tournament’s best awards:Mohammad Salman (B1 Category)Badar Munir (B2 Category)Akmal Hayyat (B3 Category)Nisar Ali (Best Wicket Keeper).