Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The final round of the National Challenge Cup (NCC) 2023, being organized by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), is set to kick off on Thursday (May 1 2024) at the Jinnah Sports Complex Islamabad.The group stage matches will take place from May 1 to 6 with each team competing in (03) matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, which are scheduled for May 7 and 8 followed by the semi-finals on May 10 while the final will take place on May 12. The participating teams have been divided into four groups, with each group comprising four teams.Groups:Group A: PACA, Pakistan Army, NIMSO and HECGroup B: KRL, Pakistan Navy, SA Farms and Masha UnitedGroup C: Otto Crains, Wapda, WSTC and Pakistan PoliceGroup D: PAF, Asia Ghee Mills, SA Gardens and Pakistan Railway

Sports DeskISLAMABAD: Defending champions Ali Farag and Nour ElSherbini have been named as the top seeds for the British Open 2024, taking place from 2-9 June. An all-glass show court will again be erected in Birmingham’s Rep Theatre, with play also coming from the Edgbaston Priory Club for the first two rounds.Women’s top seed ElSherbini captured last years title in great style, beating Nouran Gohar in straight games to claim a third British Open trophy. The 28-year-old has been in great form this season and will be aiming to claim a seventh win of the 2023/24 campaign. The World No.1 also has a chance to claim revenge over Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam early in the competition as that match up takes place in round two after the pair receive opening round byes.Now World No.3 Hania El Hammamy is the No.2 seed for the event, looking to claim a first British Open title of her career. The Egyptian was forced to withdraw from the recent El Gouna International but will be determined to return in strong style and claim a first title of 2024. El Hammamy will need to be at her best from the start as she takes on compatriot and World No.10 Rowan Elaraby in her opening match in round two.After picking up back-to-back World Tour titles in El Gouna, No.3 seed Nouran Gohar is the in-from player heading into this years British Open. ‘The Terminator’ defeated Nour ElSherbini in a best of five match for the first time since October 2022 in the final, which will give the former World No.1 bags of confidence as she looks to claim a second British Open title. Gohar will open her campaign in round two against either Katie Malliff or Emily Whitlock.Belgium’s Nele Gilis completes the top four seeds as she enters this year’s event at her highest seeding position of No.4. The 27-year-old’s best finish in a British Open came back in 2019, where she defeated sister Tinne to reach the quarter finals, ranked 29 in the world at the time. Now situated in the World’s top four, Gilis will be looking to achieve her seeding and give herself a shot at reaching a second Platinum event final.Men’s top seed Ali Farag produced an unbelievable performance in last year’s championships, where not only did he win his first British Open title, but did so whilst fasting. Since last year’s victory, Farag has reached the final in all but one of the fifteen events that he has played in, winning in ten of those finals. The World No.1 recently claimed his 40th PSA win in El Gouna but will be thirsty for more as he heads to Birmingham looking to defend his title. He’ll take on the winner of Leandro Romiglio and Omar Mosaad in round two.Two-time British Open champion Paul Coll is the No.2 seed for the event this year, looking to claim a sixth title of the season and cement his position as World No.2. Coll is one of only two players to beat Farag this season and looks to have taken his game up a level in an attacking sense. Coll recently lost out to former World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad in the El Gouna International but may have the chance to claim revenge as the pair are set to meet again in the quarter finals if the seedings go to plan. The New Zealander will face the winner of Nicolas Mueller and George Parker in his first match in round two.It was during last years British Open that Peruvian Diego Elias achieved his childhood dream to become World No.1. The 27-year-old was guaranteed to rise to the summit after Gawad downed Mohamed Elshorbagy in round three. Despite the obvious distraction, Elias managed to reach the final but couldn’t top off the momentous week as he lost to Farag in four games. Elias now finds himself at World No.4 and hasn’t claimed a title over Silver level yet this season. He’ll be hoping to regain his form from last year to put a strong week together in Birmingham and silence the critics.The man who has most recently overtaken Elias is No.4 seed Mostafa Asal. Also a former World No.1, Asal has returned to form in recent months, showing the quality that everyone knows he is capable of. The 22-year-old won the Florida Open in January and followed that up with a win at the Black Ball Squash Open as well as runner-up finishes at the London Classic and El Gouna International. The Egyptian has been changing the way he plays under the guidance of former Commonwealth Gold Medalist James Willstrop, a partnership that looks to be exactly what Asal needed. The World No.4 finds himself in the same half of the draw as No.2 seed Coll and will still have the London Classic final in is mind as he seeks revenge.Torrie Malik and Asia Harris are the women’s wildcards this year whilst Simon Herbert and Jonah Bryant claim the spots in the men’s draw. Bryant is one of England’s top prospects, currently ranked No.72 in the world and has already claimed six titles on the Challenger Tour this season, most recently the Irish Open in Dublin. The quartet will all be hoping to score round one upsets to gain valuable ranking points. (Thanks to Sean Reuthe). 

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Men's selection panel have named a provisional squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and United States of America (USA) starting in June and the preceding four-match Vitality IT20 series against Pakistan, which gets underway next month in Leeds.Sussex quick bowler Jofra Archer has recovered from his right elbow injury and is named in the squad. Archer’s last appearance at this level came over a year ago in England’s tour of Bangladesh in March 2023.Lancashire left-arm spinning all-rounder Tom Hartley is the sole uncapped player and, along with Surrey batter Will Jacks, are the only players not to feature at an ICC World tournament previously.Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024.The World Cup squad will fly to the Caribbean on 31 May ahead of England’s opening group match against Scotland at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Wednesday 4 June.Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Rob Key, spoke to media earlier. Rights-free video and audio files are available here.England T20 Squad for World Cup, and Pakistan Series: Jos Buttler (Captain-Lancashire), Moeen Ali (Warwickshire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Tom Hartley (Lancashire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), Mark Wood (Durham)England’s Schedule of T20 World Cup:England v Scotland, Tuesday 4 June 2024, Kensington Oval, Barbados (10.30am local)Australia v England. Saturday 8 June 2024, Kensington Oval, Barbados (1.00pm local)England v Oman, Thursday 13 June 2024, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda (3.00pm local)Namibia v England, Saturday 15 June 2024, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda (1.00pm local)Schedule of England vs Pakistan Series:1st IT20: England v Pakistan, Wednesday 22 May 2024, Headingley, Leeds (6.30pm local)2nd IT20: England v Pakistan, Saturday 25 May 2024, Edgbaston, Birmingham (2.30pm local)3rd IT20: England v Pakistan, Tuesday 28 May 2024, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (6.30pm local)4th IT20: England v Pakistan, Thursday30 May 2024, The Kia Oval, London (6.30pm local).

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation (PJJF) has announced the team for the Asian Ju-Jitsu Championship, which will be held in Abu Dhabi from May 1 to May 8, 2024. Top Pakistani athletes will represent Pakistan in the championship.According to details provided by the Pakistan Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the national team has been announced for the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024, including senior team members Mohammad Ammar, Isra Waseem, and Kainat Arif, along with junior members Under 18 Mohammad Yousaf Ali, Umar Yasin, and Hamad Baloch will be Under 16 category Additionally, Dalawar Khan Sannan and Abu Hurrara will participate in the Asian Referee Seminar and Exam. Tariq Ali, the General Secretary of the Pakistan Jiu-Jitsu Federation, will be the head national team and represent Pakistan at the General Assembly of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union. The President of the Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation hoped that the national team would demonstrate excellent performance in the championship, building on their success in the 2023 Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Thailand. He also emphasized the federation's commitment to providing ample opportunities for junior athletes and ensuring the best possible preparation with the support of the Pakistan Sports Board. 

FAISALABAD (BTNA): Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar win their sixth round matches of the National Women’s One-Day Tournament held in Faisalabad on Monday.In the match between Peshawar and Rawalpindi, Sidra Nawaz’s unbeaten 80 off 109 balls, which included six fours helped Peshawar beat Rawalpindi by two wickets with 16 balls to spare.Batting first at the Jawad Sports Complex Ground, Rawalpindi managed to score 151 for nine in 50 overs. For Peshawar, captain Mahnoor Aftab picked three wickets for 18 runs in 10 overs.In the second match of the day, a half-century by Yusra Amir and seven wickets between left-arm spinners Anosha Nasir and Maham Manzoor led Karachi to a six-wicket win over Quetta at the Bohranwali Ground.Opting to bat first, Quetta were bowled out for 156 in 49 overs, with Khadija Chishti scoring 50 off 77 balls, which included nine boundaries. Karachi’s left-arm spinners Maham and Anosha were the pick of the bowlers, with the former bagging four wickets for 33 and the latter clinching three scalps for 21 runs from 10 overs.In reply, wicketkeeper-batter Yusra (64 not out, 92b, 6x4s) helped her side chase down the target with 17 overs to spare.At the Iqbal Stadium, in a low scoring contest, Lahore overcame Multan by four wickets courtesy of a half century by Iram Javed and three wickets each by Ayesha Bilal and Quratulain.Batting first, Multan were bundled out for 123 in 39 overs. Opening batter Sadaf Shamas was the only batter to score in double figures and returned undefeated on 81 off 112 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.In turn, Lahore achieved the target in the 28th over, losing six wickets in the process. Iram (54, 81b, 5x4s, 2x6s) added 63 runs for the fifth wicket with Noreen Yaqoob (33, 43b, 4x4s) to take her side home.Scores in brief:Peshawar beat Rawalpindi by two wickets at Jawad Sports Complex GroundRawalpindi 151-9, 50 overs (Aqsa Yousaf 28, Aima Saleem 26, Waheeda Akhtar 22, Fajar Naved 20; Mahnoor Aftab 3-18, Aleena Shah 2-38)Peshawar 152-8, 47.2 overs (Sidra Nawaz 80 not out; Tania Saeed 3-23, Fatima Zahra 2-28)Player of the match – Sidra Nawaz (Peshawar)Lahore beat Multan by four wickets at Iqbal StadiumMultan 123 all out, 39 overs (Sadaf Shamas 81 not out; Quratulain 3-22, Ayesha Bilal 3-23, Zunash Sattar 2-15)Lahore 124-6, 27.4 overs (Iram Javed 54, Noreen Yaqoob 33, Samiya Afsar 20; Shameer Rajput 2-20)Player of the match – Iram Javed and Noreen Yaqoob (Lahore)Karachi beat Quetta by six wickets at Bohranwali GroundQuetta 156 all out, 49 overs (Khadija Chishti 50; Maham Manzoor 4-33, Anosha Nasir 3-21)Karachi 158-4, 33 overs (Yusra Amir 64 not out, Omaima Sohail 39; Kinza Wahab 2-20)Player of the match – Yusra Amir and Maham Manzoor (Karachi)

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Rising Pakistani squash lad, Mohammad Ashab Irfan got rid of Jorge Luis Gomez Dominguez from Mexico 3-1 in the PSA Squash Tournament final after a well contested four games contest at Rochester City, United States of America (USA). The final score-line was 12-10, 11-4, 9-11, and 11-9, as the championship match lasted 60 minutes. The tournament was pursuing prize money of $9000. According to available information from abroad, Mohammad Ashab Irfan exhibited an excellent game. He toiled hard on the court to overcome his opponent and won the first game on a tiebreak. Results:Final: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Jorge Luis Gomez Dominguez (Mexico) 12-10, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9 (60m)Semifinal: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Ronald Palomino (Colombia) 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 4-11, 11-4 (75m)Quarterfinal: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Adegoke Onaopemipo (Nigeria) 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 (36m)Round II: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Matias Lacroix (Chile) 11-5, 11-8, 14-12 (43m)Round I: Mohammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) got a bye.

Sports Bulletin ReportMULTAN: Usama Nadeem' of Ibex Golf Club has won the title of the Match Play Championship Trophy in the Men's Amateur Category that concluded here at Rumanza Golf & Country Club on Sunday, as the event took place under the banner of the Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF).The championship, which featured top amateurs, senior pro amateurs, and amateur ladies, showcased the finest talent from the National Amateur Golf Championship. Following intense competition through the rounds of 32 and 16, the top four emerged, including semifinalists, runner-ups, and finalists, each vying for victory.In the ladies' category, Tahmina Ahmad of Gymkhana Golf Club displayed exceptional skill and determination, securing the Match Play Golf Championship trophy. Meanwhile, Colonel Faisal Rashid from Gujranwala Golf Club claimed victory in the senior amateur category. The pinnacle of achievement came with Usama Nadeem of Ibex Golf Club, who earned the coveted Match Play Championship trophy in the Men's Amateur Category.

Babar Azam (69 runs) and Shaheen (4 for 30) script Pakistan's victory in the fifth T20ISalman KhanLAHORE: Skipper Babar Azam (69 runs) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 30) guided Pakistan to a 9-run triumph in the fifth and last T20 International to square the tie 2-2 against New Zealand here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night. Left-arm pacer Shaheen got the Man of the Match award and Player of the Series. Babar scored a 44-ball 69 to inspire his side to 178 for five and then Shaheen decimated New Zealand's middle-order to return figures of 4-0-30-4 as the tourists were bowled out for 169 with four balls to spare. Twelve months ago, the five-T20I series between the two sides had also ended in a 2-2 stalemate, while New Zealand won the series in their backyard earlier in January this year by 4-1.Babar scored at a strike-rate of nearly 157 and slapped six fours and two sixes until he was the third batter dismissed at the score of 123 in 15 overs. Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan continued Babar’s good work by helping Pakistan to collect 55 runs off the last five overs to reach a respectable score of 178 for five.Fakhar ended up with a 33-ball 44 with four fours and a six, while Shadab belted a six and four in a five-ball 15 not out. Usman Khan scored 31 off 24 balls with three fours and six, and added 73 runs for the second wicket with Babar after Saim Ayub had departed in the second over.In turn, New Zealand started off briskly and reached 81 for one in eight overs despite Shaheen sending Tom Blundell back to the pavilion in the first over. At that stage, Usama Mir sprang into action by dismissing Mark Chapman (12, 8b, 1x4) and Tim Seifert (52, 33b, 7x4s, 2x6s) in a space of 16 runs.Shadab Khan dismissed Michael Bracewell, and Imad Wasim had the better of Cole McConchie as New Zealand slipped to 103 for five before Shaheen picked up the scalps of Jimmy Neesham, Zakary Foulkes, and Ish Sohi, leaving New Zealand reeling at 137 for eight.Josh Clarkson and Ben Sears kept New Zealand’s hopes alive in the match when the tourists needed 12 runs off the last over with two wickets standing. However, Sears and last-man William O’Rourke were run-out in the last over bowled by Amir as New Zealand were bowled out for 169 in 19.2 overs to hand Pakistan a nine-run victory.

Sports Bulletin ReportAbu Dhabi (UAE): Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka women posted victories in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier contests at Tolerance Oval and Zayed Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday night.Zimbabwe beat UAE by 8 wickets: The UAE won the toss and opted to bat first, but just as in their tournament opener against Ireland, they failed to fire with the bat. The tournament hosts lost three wickets inside the first six overs, but the innings was steered back on track courtesy of a 52-run, fourth-wicket partnership between Kavisha Edodage (23) and top-scorer, Heena Hotchandani (32 off 33 balls, three fours).Both batters fell in quick succession and after their departure, the UAE’s lower-order struggled to get going in the death overs. Rinitha Ranjith’s much needed 19 off 11 balls (two fours) helped her side pass the 100-run mark.Zimbabwe’s bowlers maintained their discipline with the ball for most of the UAE innings. Josephine Nkomo (player of the match) was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 11 runs in four overs. She took wickets both with the new ball and in the death overs with her impressive seam bowling. Audrey Mazvishaya helped maintain their momentum with her own two wickets for 25.Zimbabwe were rarely troubled in their chase. Opener, Sharne Mayers, fell for 13 after a 22-run opening partnership. Wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa (22) added 43 runs for the second-wicket with Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano.After Mupachikwa’s dismissal in the 10th over, Mugeri-Tiripano saw her side home in the company of skipper Mary-Anne Musonda who scored an unbeaten 26 off 23 balls (three fours). Mugeri-Tiripano scored a brisk, unbeaten 36 from 26 with the help of four fours. Zimbabwe completed the chase with 27 balls to spare, Suraksha Kotte was the only wicket-taker for UAE.Sri Lanka beat Scotland by 10 wickets: Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first and the decision reaped rich rewards as the Scotland’s batters failed to create momentum from the start of their innings. After losing opener Darcey Carter for a duck in the opening over, Scotland kept losing wickets at regular intervals.Player of the match in the win against Thailand, Inoshi Priyadharshani, produced another quality spell. The off-spinner took three wickets in her four overs, conceding a mere 11 runs. Kavisha Dilhari, later named the player of the match, also made life tough for Scotland’s batters with her off-spinners, she took four wickets in 3.2 overs.Lorna Jack top-scored with 24 runs, while captain, Kathryn Bryce, contributed an enterprising 22 off 19 balls (five fours) but failed to make the most of her promising start.In reply, captain Chamari Athapaththu, smashed an unbeaten 59 off 35 balls (10 fours, one six) as Sri Lanka cruised past the target in 10.1 overs. Athapaththu played in her typically aggressive manner as the Scotland bowlers searched but found no answers. The bowlers were also let down by a below-par fielding effort, including dropped chances as Athapaththu played her shots.Athapaththu’s opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne dropped anchor on the other end, her captain leading from the front with some swashbuckling shots. Sri Lanka are now poised for a semi-final spot from Group A with matches against Uganda and USA to follow next week.

Report: Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Federal Golf Association’s players have stolen the whole show of the 63rd National Amateur Golf Championship by producing a sparking performance, which took place at Margalla Green Golf Club (MGGC) Islamabad. The prestigious golf championship played from April 18 to 21, 2024.Inter-Association (Amateurs): Champion Team FGANames of team members: Wing Commander I N Khokhar (Non-Playing Captain), Ralfe A Raja, Raja Mohammad Israr, Cdre. Imran Rana, Brig Omer EjazInter-Association (Senior Amateurs): Runner-up Team FGANames of team members: Wing Commander I N Khokhar (Non-Playing Captain), Cdr. Rizwan Rashid, Brig. Masood Qureshi, Cdre. Khalid M Amin, Brig Mohammad AslamIndividual Achievements: National Champion (Ralfe A Raja FGA)National Senior Champion Cdr. Rizwan Rashid FGA ( MGGC)