Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI:-The 2nd Reza Mirza Tennis Academy (RMTA) Tennis League concludes at RMTA Academy Karachi on Tuesday, as Farhan Altaf of Sindh occupied top position after getting highest points in round Robin Men’s Singles. Omer Shahid Maniya got second, Nadir Mirza 3rd while Ibrahim Iltifat got 4th position. In Boys’ Under-15 Singles, Ahsan Ahmed stood at 1st position with maximum points while Soyam Mukesh got 2nd, Nael Mirza 3rd and Dhuraf Das at 4th position. Reza Mirza, Director RMTA & Vice President Sindh Tennis Association distributed the glittering crystal trophies and certificates to the winners and runners up. He announced to hold 3rd addition of league in the month of August and 6th McDonald National Juniors & Seniors Tennis Championships in the month of September this year in Karachi. Mohammad Khalid Rehmani thanked Reza Mirza for his support for promotion of tennis and Wheelchair tennis in country and added that the round robin matches are being held to engage top players of city to play against each other with regular interval.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Top seed Mohammad Asim and Noor Zaman have qualified for the final of the DHA Islamabad International Squash Championship after winning their semifinals at Jacaranda Family Club (JFC) Islamabad on Tuesday. In the first semifinal, World No. 58 and top seed Asim Khan from Pakistan defeated compatriot lad World No. 90 Israr Ahmad with a game score of 8-11 (Retired Hurt). After 11 minutes Israr Ahmed Khan could not continue his match owing to injury problems despite of starting the match with confidence and played some good strokes too against Asim. Later, in the second semifinal, World No 149 Noor Zaman from Pakistan toppled World No 86 Addeen Iddrakie from Malaysia 3-1 and claimed an upset victory to reach in the final. Noor Zaman tackled his opponents brilliantly and did not allow Adden to put any pressure on him in the first two games, which Noor won at 11-5 and 11-9. Malaysian guy did some well in the third game and succeeded to makr match score 2-1. Noor won the fourt game at 11-6 to confirm his place in the final. The final will be played on Wednesday (March 30, 2022) at the same venue between Mohammad Asim and Noor Zaman at 3:00pm. Results (Semifinals): Mohammad Asim (Pakistan) beat Israr Ahmed Khan (Pakistan) 8-11 (Retired Hurt) Noor Zaman (Pakistan) beat Adden iddrakie (Malaysia) 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 (34 minutes).

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The National Netball Championships for Men’s and Women’s started at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad under the banner of Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF). As many as four matches of Men’s Event and eight matches of Women’s Event were decided on the opening day of championship. President, Pakistan Netball Federation, Mudassar Arian inaugurated 4-day championship. Secretary General, Pakistan Netball Federation, Syed Gohar Raza and a large number of peoples were also present on the occasion. Results (Men’s Event): WAPDA beat Gilgit 44-16 Army beat AJK 50-5 Navy beat KPK 34-5 HEC beat Sindh 35-29 Results (Women’s Event): WAPDA beat KP 46-1 Sindh beat AJK 34-4 Army beat Gilgit 41-2 Punjab beat Elite Academy 23-8 HEC beat Punjab 23-19  WAPDA beat Islamabad 47-2 Army got walk over against Baluchistan AJK got walk over against Pakistan Boards. Inter schools and colleges girls Under-17: PAF City beat Oxford by 29-0 Fouji Foundation beat Oxfored 30-0 Danish Rajanpur beat Fouji Foundation 22-8 Danish Mianwali beat Kainat 33-6 PAF City beat Danish Rajapur 14-12 Danish Mianwali beat Habib by 14-4 goals while Kinat got walk over against House of Knowledge Habib got walk over against House of Knowledge.

RAJA HAFEEZ Lausanne, Switzerland: As we build up towards the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, which springs into action on 1 April in Potchefstroom, South Africa, here is a preview of the teams that comprise Pool A. Pool A: Canada, Netherlands, United States and Zimbabwe As runners-up at the Junior EuroHockey Championships (beaten by Spain on shoot-out), and the team with the highest number of wins at this tournament (3), Netherlands will be the team to beat in this pool. Head Coach Dave Smolenaars will have a host of players at his disposal who have been part of a national structure that produces wave after wave of quality hockey players. The Netherlands open their account with a match against USA on the first day of competition. The most intriguing meet-up in this pool will be the Pan Am clash between USA and Canada. The Canadians will be full of confidence after they won the Junior Pan Am Championship for the first time in their history. USA have been very much in a rebuilding stage so it will be interesting to see how the players respond to this challenge. USA Head Coach Tracey Paul will be looking for the experience of players such as Hope Rose and Charlotte de Vries to lead her team through to the knock-out stages. USA’s highest ever finish in their eight previous appearances was seventh in 2013. Canada’s last appearance was in 2013, when they finished 14th. Like USA, the Canadian team’s previous best was a seventh place in 1989. For Canada, nine of the team that won the Junior Pan Am Cup will be making the trip to South Africa. Head Coach Jenn Beagan is delighted at the prospect of both the junior and senior Canada teams competing in World Cups this year, saying: ‘This is an exciting time and I have no doubt the athletes will rise to the occasion.’ Zimbabwe are a country that has been really focused on developing their national teams in the past few years, and they could spring a surprise on their more experienced opponents. Their previous three appearances have seen the African team finish in last place, but, with the event taking place on African soil for the first time, they will be aiming much higher this time around. Mutsa Bera, the Zimbabwe captain said: ‘We are going to learn a lot from playing at such a big event. It is about taking up the challenge, just going in there and putting up a fight. ‘It is such a big thing to be able to go out there and make a mark for Zimbabwe hockey and show how ready we are to do this.’ Zimbabwe face Canada in their opening Pool A match on 1 April.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-With the aim of reducing the national side’s gap with the leading international teams and creating more opportunities for players to grow and evolve according to the demands of the contemporary game, the Pakistan Cricket Board today unveiled a bumper season for the women cricketers. Bismah Maroof’s side will compete in eight international series, including ICC Women’s Championship commitments, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup from May 2022 till February 2023. In what will be the first instance of Pakistan staging the ICC Women’s Championship fixtures, Sri Lanka will tour the country for three ODIs in May-June. Their tour is beefed with three T20Is – to be played under floodlights – that will help the two sides in their preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the much-anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be played in South Africa in February 2023. Bismah Maroof’s side will host three more ICC Women’s Championship ODIs in October-November when Ireland will arrive in Pakistan for what will be their first tour of the country. Along with three ODIs, the two teams will also face-off in three T20Is. The Ireland women side’s visit will follow the national side’s participation in a triangular T20I series in Bready that will involve the hosts and T20 World Cup champions Australia in July ahead of the eight-team Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Before the Ireland’s visit, Pakistan women will travel to Hangzhou, China, for the 19th Asian Games in September. At the backend of 2022, the national side will participate in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, the details of which will be announced by the event organiser. 2023 will begin with a challenging tour of Australia in which they will play ICC Women’s Championship ODIs and three T20Is in January-February. The tour will further test the ability of the side and provide them with the crucial experience to continue to grow as a team. With the ambition of creating a strong talent pool at the domestic level and lay a proper pathway structure, the PCB, in a first, will organise an U19 T20 competition in Muridke in August with all six Cricket Associations fielding their teams. This initiative will help the PCB to reach out to passionate girls in every nook and corner of the country and help them materialise their dreams of playing the game at the competitive level. The players who standout in the U19 tournament will have a chance to feature in the senior women’s domestic season 2022-23, in which around 100 cricketers will feature. The senior domestic season will begin with the T20 championship in September in which seven teams will participate. The event will be divided into two phases with four teams, comprising best players from the six Cricket Associations, featuring in the first phase. The top performers from phase one will lock horns with the international cricketers in the second phase of the championship, in which three evenly balanced teams will contest. The season will conclude with a 14-match One-Day tournament in April with Karachi hosting the four-team event, which will be played on double round-robin league basis to provide all the participating players a healthy mix of quality and quantity. Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick: “The past few weeks have brought to light the gulf between our side and the leading international teams. To develop and strengthen our national side, it is imperative to have a strong and competitive domestic structure and provide more opportunities to the national side to play in challenging conditions so we continue to gauge where we stand. “We have put in a lot of thinking before penning down our upcoming season. I am grateful to all six Cricket Associations who have jumped on board and expressed their desire and willingness to develop women’s cricket at age group and senior rungs in their jurisdictions. Their help and support will unearth talent from all parts of the country and, with a strong system in place, I am sure we will be able to produce players who are capable of performing according to the contemporary demands and needs.” Pakistan Women’s Head Coach David Hemp: “It is extremely important for our national side to continue to be challenged and play in tough conditions against tough oppositions to continue to grow and our commitments in the next season will help us on that front. “Though, the recent results have not gone in our favour, but the individual performances underscore that these girls have the potential, and we need to provide them opportunities to upskill themselves. For the first time in the history of the World Cups, a Pakistan batter scored a century, our spinners have dominated the oppositions and a young all-rounder, just out of her teens, was recognised as the emerging cricketer of 2021 by the game’s global body. “I am certain that the upcoming season will help our team develop and we will see consistent results.” Pakistan Women’s captain Bismah Maroof: “Over the recent years, the women’s cricket has grown immensely and the level of competition has increased manifold. In such a backdrop, it is very important that we have proper international and domestic schedules. “Playing more international games will aid the national side in better pressure handling and capturing the key moments, which we have not been able to do recently despite some outstanding chunks of play. We also need to have better bench strength and the introduction of an U19 event will go a long way in helping us with that. Complete schedule May 2022-April 2023: International events: 18 May-7 June: Sri Lanka to Pakistan (3 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs, 3 T20Is), Rawalpindi 12-24 July: Pakistan to Ireland (4 tri-series T20Is also involving Australia), Dublin 25 July-8 August: Birmingham Commonwealth Games 30 Oct-20 Nov: Ireland to Pakistan (3 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs, 3 T20Is), Lahore/Karachi December: ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 4 Jan-1 Feb: Pakistan to Australia (3 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs, 3 T20Is) February: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa Domestic events: 2-18 August: U19 Women’s T20 Tournament (14 T20s), Muridke Sep/Oct: Triangular T20 Women’s Championship, Muridke/Lahore 5-25 April: Pakistan Women’s One-Day Tournament (14 50-over matches), Karachi

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) has agreed extensions to its partnerships with French companies Entre-Prises (EP) and Luxov for another three-year period until the end of 2024. EP Climbing, which produces tailor-made climbing walls, is one of the longest-serving partners of the IFSC, having first joined forces in 2010. One of the most significant milestones in the partnership saw Entre-Prises becoming the Official Wall Supplier of Sport Climbing’s debut at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. With the extension of the partnership, the company has also been designated by the IFSC as Official Wall Supplier for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. EP Managing Director Benoit Beylier said: “EP is very pleased to extend its partnership with IFSC for three more years. Obviously, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was the highlight of our 10-years’ cooperation and we are excited to be side-by-side with IFSC all the way to Paris 2024. Climbing competition has stepped up in the past few years to become a recognised worldwide sport, and EP is proud to be part of this evolution. We will continue to propose new products and solutions to enhance training and improve athletes’ performance.” Luxov, which offers a wide range of immersive experiences for climbers through technology and interactivity, has been working closely with the IFSC since 2017. The partnership has resulted in several innovations for the sport, including the Speed Touch Hold that was successfully implemented at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. IFSC President Marco Scolaris said: “We are delighted to continue our excellent relationships with Entre-Prises and Luxov. Both companies play leading roles in our sport and continue to push Sport Climbing forward with their innovative and industry-leading products. We are confident that these partnerships will continue to bring great benefits to our global Climbing family on the road to and including Paris 2024.”

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Top seed Asim Khan (Pakistan), Israr Ahmad (Pakistan), Addeen Iddrakie (Malayisa) and Noor Zaman (Pakistan) have book their berths in the semifinals of the DHA Islamabad International Squash Championship after defeating Ahsan Ayaz (Pakistan), Seif Shenaway (Egypt), Yassin Elshafei and Edwin Clain (France) respectively in the quarterfinals Jacaranda Family Club (JFC) Islamabad on Monday. The DHA Islamabad International Squash Championship is being organized at Jacaranda Family Club (JFC) Islamabad that carries a prize purse of US$ 12,000. The semifinals will be played on March 29 while final on March 30 at the same venue. Results (Quarterfinals): Asim Khan (Pakistan) beat Ahsan Ayaz (Pakistan) 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (33 Min) Israr Ahmad (Pakistan) beat Seif Shenaway (Egypt) 11-9, 15-13, 11-5 (37 Min) Addeen Iddrakie (Malayisa) beat Yassin Elshafei (Egypt) 11-8, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 (41 Min) Noor Zaman (Pakistan) beat Edwin Clain (France) 11-13, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (50 Min) Semifinals (Fixtures): 1st semifinal: Asim Khan (Pakistan) vs Israr Khan (Pakistan) 2nd semifinal: Adden Iddrakie (Malaysia) vs Noor Zaman (Pakistan)

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI:-Rawalpindi will host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against the West Indies at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 8-12 June, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today. The West Indies will arrive in Islamabad on 5 June for the One-Day Internationals that will be played on 8, 10 and 12 June. The ODIs were part of the West Indies’ tour of Pakistan in December 2021. However, with mutual consent, these were rescheduled after five Covid-19 cases were reported in the West Indies side. The West Indies have also agreed to play three T20Is in early 2023, schedule of which will be announced in due course. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. Top seven-placed sides from this event plus ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hosts India will qualify directly for the pinnacle 50-over competition, which will be staged next year in October/November. Series schedule: 8 June – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi 10 June – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi 12 June – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India were knocked out of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 with the final ball of the league stage as South Africa won by three wickets. Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj led the scoring for India with 71 and 68 as the Women in Blue set South Africa 275 to win and the Proteas emerged victorious in dramatic style thanks to 80 from Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez’s brave knock of 52 not out. England had earlier defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs and will play South Africa in the semi-final on Thursday in Christchurch, while India’s loss confirms Australia will take on the West Indies in Wellington on Wednesday. Australia topped the table with 14 points after going unbeaten during the round robin stage, while South Africa’s place in second was confirmed prior to the start of the match, but the win moved them to 11 points. England end the league stage on eight points having mounted a remarkable comeback to win their final four matches after losing their first three, while the West Indies faced an agonising 72-hour wait to confirm their place in the semi-finals after their final game against South Africa was washed out and they finished on seven points. India and New Zealand missed out on qualification for the knockout stages by just one point as they both finished on six, India ahead of the hosts on net run rate. Bangladesh and Pakistan take up the last two spots in the table having won a game each, the Tigresses finishing in seventh thanks to a superior net run rate as every team recorded at least one victory in New Zealand. India made a blistering start after choosing to bat, putting on 68 for no loss in the powerplay before Shafali Verma was needlessly run out on 53 after a breakdown in communication with opening partner Mandhana. Mandhana top-scored with 71 and added 80 for the third wicket with Raj before she was excellently caught by a diving Chloe Tryon. Raj also brought up a half-century before departing for 68 from 84 balls and Harmanpreet Kaur fell two runs short of a fifty of her own as South Africa’s bowlers hit back, Shabnim Ismail recovering from conceding 31 in her first three overs to produce figures of two for 11 in her final seven overs. South Africa reeled India in to 274 for seven, meaning the Women in Blue would have to bowl their opponents out for under 174 to finish in third and avoid Australia. They had a sniff when Lizelle Lee was run out by Kaur for six before Wolvaardt combined with Lara Goodall for a 125-run partnership. Goodall was stumped one run shy of what would have been a maiden World Cup fifty before Wolvaardt was dismissed by a turning delivery from Kaur, missing another chance to make a World Cup hundred after registering her fifth half-century of the tournament. However, she did become the tournament’s leading run scorer with 433 before leaving the field with a bowed head as Kaur wheeled away in an emotional celebration.  Kaur had another when skipper Sune Luus was given out LBW on review for 22 as South Africa slipped to 182 for four, and the all-rounder was involved again when she ran out Marizanne Kapp to leave South Africa needing 46 from 31 balls with five wickets in hand. Earlier in the day, England defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs as Sophia Dunkley performed with the bat and Sophie Ecclestone delivered with the ball to ensure Heather Knight’s side made the last four. The defending champions had slipped to 96 for four before Dunkley combined with Amy Jones to put on 72 for the fifth wicket. Dunkley was eventually dismissed for 67 from 72 as she scored her maiden World Cup fifty before late striking from Katherine Brunt and Ecclestone hauled England up to 234 for six. Bangladesh were wary of going for big shots, making just 23 in the powerplay before Ecclestone broke the deadlock to dismiss Sharmin Akhter for 23 and the spinner then got the other opener Shamima Sultana in her next over. Wickets began to fall regularly as England extinguished any hopes of a Bangladesh win, Charlie Dean claiming three for 30 in tandem with spin twin Ecclestone who claimed three for 15 as the Tigresses were bowled out for 134. Scores in brief South Africa beat India at Hagley Oval, Christchurch by three wickets India 274/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 71, Mithali Raj 68; Shafali Verma 53, Harmanpreet Kaur 48; Masabata Klaas 2/38, Shabnim Ismail 2/42) South Africa 275/7 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 80, Mignon du Preez 52 not out, Lara Goodall 49; Harmanpreet Kaur 2/42, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/61) Player of the Match: Mignon du Preez (South Africa) England beat Bangladesh at Basin Reserve, Wellington by 100 runs England 234/6 in 50 overs (Sophia Dunkley 67, Nat Sciver 40; Salma Khatun 2/46) Bangladesh 134 all out in 48 overs (Lata Mondol 30; Sophie Ecclestone 3/15, Charlie Dean 3/31) Player of the Match: Sophia Dunkley (England)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Zacky Reapers clinched the Tower 21 Polo Super League trophy after toppling Platinum Homes Tigers by 8-5½ in the final here at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Sunday.  The three-week Tower 21 Polo Super League was participated by top national and international players and after tough and challenging competitions, Zacky Reapers and Platinum Homes Tigers succeeded in qualifying the main final. Zacky Reapers played better polo in the final and emerged as title winners of the prestigious polo league.  Shah Qubilai Alam was hero of the final as he played outstanding polo and contributed with fabulous four goals. His teammates also contributed well in their sides’ title triumph as Mustafa Aziz Anwar thrashed in two tremendous goals while Nazar Dean Ali Khan and Saif Ullah Noon converted one goal each.  From Platinum Homes Tigers, 11-year-old Umar Ashfaq also impressed the spectators with his super polo skills and techniques and contributed with a convincing hat-trick of goals and Aleem Tiwana struck one goal but despite playing well and having one and a half goal handicap advantage, the efforts of Platinum Homes Tigers players couldn’t bear fruit for their side.  Noor Manika graced the final as chief guest and distributed prizes and shields among the winners and top performers. The other prominent ones present on the occasion were Lahore Polo Club President Umer Sadik, Secretary Agha Murtaza Ali Khan, executive committee members, players and their families and polo lovers.  Eleven-year-old Umar Ashfaq was handed over the emerging polo player award, Amirreza Behboudi was given the highest goal scorer award, Platinum Homes Tigers were given the highest goal-scoring team award, Zacky Reapers pony was given the best polo pony award while Zacky Reapers players received the winning trophy, Platinum Homes Tigers the runners-up trophy and ZS Lions received the third position trophy.  Addressing the concluding ceremony, Lahore Polo Club President Umer Sadik extended his gratitude to Tower 21 for generously sponsoring the three-week Tower 21 Polo Super League and hoped that Tower 21 will continue to support this beautiful game of kings and knights in future.