Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Pakistan women cricket team created another history by winning T20 Series against visitors South Africa 3-0, as they won the final T20 of the series by 6 runs in Karachi on Monday night.The South African captain, Laura Wolvaardt, won the toss and opted to field first. After completing two chases thus far, Pakistan was put into bat first for the first time this series. Pakistan had a steady start, scoring 41 in the powerplay, with both Shawaal Zulfiqar and Sidra Amin contributing to the scorecard.Even after the partnership was broken by Nonkululeko Mlaba, who got Shawaal out, the Pakistani scorecard did not stutter for long. A 49-run-partnership between Sidra and Bismah Maroof, and then another 49-run-partnership between Bismah and Nida Dar ensured that Pakistan got to 150.Considering that the hosts had chased 151 twice in the series, defending the same score felt like a big ask, especially considering the batting prowess of the visiting side. A magnificent 72 by Laura allowed South Africa to remain in the game till the last over. However, the South African captain’s efforts were not matched by other batters that came to the crease. The second-highest score on the South African batting was 20*, coming off Nadine de Klerk’s bat.The left-arm spin duo of Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal, who have had much success throughout the series, proved too heavy for the South African batters. With two wickets each to their name, Nashra and Sadia made sure that 151 remained unsurmountable for the visitors.With the T20I series comfortably completed in favour of the hosts, all eyes will now be on the ODI series. The first ODI will be played on 8 September 2023 at 3:30 pm (PST).Scores in brief:Pakistan win by 6 runs.Pakistan: 150-5 in 20 overs (Sidra Amin 39, Bismah Maroof 39; Tumi Sekhukhune 2-24)South African: 144-5 in 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 72, Nashra Sundhu 2-16, Sadia Iqbal 2-25)Player of the match: Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)Player of the series: Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

Nikunj Shah, Navin Dalmia, and Rajdeep Dalmia acquire Hyderabad Strikers Sports Bulletin ReportMumbai (India): Ahead of the highly anticipated season 5 of the Tennis Premier League (TPL), visionary founders and owners of ENN Sports LLP, Nikunj Shah, Navin Dalmia, and Rajdeep Dalmia have acquired the Hyderabad Strikers. The highly enterprising trio will be co-owners of the two-time and current Champions of the league alongside celebrity co-owner Rakul Preet Singh.Co-owner of Hyderabad Strikers, Rakul Preet Singh spoke with delight about the new development, “The TPL is a great place for the talented tennis players in the country to show off their skills and improve their game further while working with the biggest names in the sport. Hyderabad has always been well-known for their contribution to Indian tennis, and with the Hyderabad Strikers, we want to further enhance that reputation.”ENN Sports LLP is a premier sports-promoting company that is dedicated to enhancing sports culture in India and around the world. The company provides a wide range of services that include sports team management, event organization, and sports marketing.Nikunj Shah's entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his deep-rooted love for sports, has positioned him as a prominent figure in both communities. With his ongoing efforts, Shah continues to leave a lasting impact on the sports landscape.Talking about his love for the sport of Tennis, co-owner Nikunj Shah said, “Tennis holds a special place in my heart. I actively participate in and support the sport. We are always looking for opportunities to help athletes grow at the highest levels, and the TPL aims to do exactly that. So, I want to actively contribute to the growth of Tennis in India, which I am certain would be possible through the Hyderabad Strikers.”Rajdeep Dalmia has a passion for technology that is infectious and has the ability to inspire and motivate those around him. He believes in the power of collaboration and fosters an environment of innovation and creativity within his organizations.Rajdeep, who used to play tennis in school said, “The TPL is a great way to experience the excitement of a live tennis match, especially as the matches are played in a fast-paced environment due to the format. The Hyderabad Strikers is a phenomenal franchise with a storied history in the league. With our expertise from ENN Sports LLP, I am sure we will be able to expand the dedicated fanbase of the Hyderabad Strikers that will spur us on in our title defence in season 5.”Co-founder of the TPL, Kunal Thakkur spoke about how the new ownership will help the Hyderabad Strikers come season 5. He said, “ENN Sports LLP is an innovative enterprise much like the TPL. Their expertise in sports will allow them to become league leaders in terms of strategy, planning, and promotion. This will surely help the Hyderabad Strikers to continue succeeding on and off the court.”Mrunal Jain, co-founder of the TPL mirrored his fellow co-founder’s sentiment as he said, “The Hyderabad Strikers is the most outstanding franchisees in the league, and will surely prosper even more under the guidance of visionaries such as Nikunj Shah, Navin Dalmia, and Rajdeep Dalmia.” 

Sports Bulletin ReportThimphu (Bhutan): Pakistan Under-16 football team registered a 3-0 victory over Maldives in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-16 Football Championship and confirmed their berth in the semifinal of the regional soccer fixture here on Monday.The game commenced with an early breakthrough as Subhan Karim netted the first goal for Pakistan in the 14th minute, setting the tone for their commanding performance. Demonstrating his finesse, Abdul Samad added to Pakistan's lead with a brilliantly executed goal in the 39th minute. The Pakistani team continued to exert their dominance, capping off their remarkable performance with a third goal, thus completing a sensational hat-trick for the national squad. With this resounding victory, Pakistan not only secured a convincing victory but also punched their ticket to the prestigious tournament's semifinals.

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The highly anticipated FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 officially launched at a ceremony, which took place in Salalah, Oman attended by FIH President Tayyab Ikram, chief guest Sayyid Firas Bin Fatik Al Said and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth Basil bin Ahmed Al Rawas.On this occasion, the pools of the tournament were revealed. In the women’s competition hosts Oman were drawn in Pool A along with Malaysia, Fiji and Netherlands. Australia, South Africa, Ukraine and Zambia are placed in Pool B. India, United States, Poland and Namibia are in Pool C, while New Zealand, Uruguay, Thailand and Paraguay complete Pool D. In the men’s competition Netherlands were drawn with Pakistan, Poland and Nigeria in Pool A. India, Egypt, Switzerland and Jamaica will compete in Pool B. Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago and Kenya are placed in Pool C, while hosts Oman will face Malaysia, United States and Fiji in Pool D.The 16 men’s and women’s teams from around the world will all be vying to become the first ever Hockey5s World Champions when the World Cup gets underway from 24-31 January 2024 in Muscat, Oman. FIH President Tayyab Ikram, in his message, congratulated all the 32 teams that qualified for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup and said: “I would like to congratulate all the 16 men’s and women’s teams that will be a part of the record books as the first teams to compete in an FIH Hockey5s World Cup! You represent the very best of Hockey5s; and you will be the trailblazers and the role models for all future players who take up this new and exciting format of our beloved sport”Speaking about the new era that the FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024 ushers, he added: “The draw ceremony today not only sets up the path to the gold medal for our teams, but also heralds the dawn of a new era in Hockey! Hockey5s is not just a very exciting format, but it is also a highly accessible version of Hockey that I am sure will inspire even more youngsters to pick up the stick and the ball and start playing our beautiful sport.Special thanks to Oman Hockey Association as they will, as we know it, put together a fantastic show for the inaugural Hockey5s World Cup.” 

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The inaugural Hockey5s Asia Cup came to an end at Salalah, Oman as both Indian women’s and men’s teams claimed the gold medals. The top three finishers (men and women) were guaranteed a spot at the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024. Joining India in the women’s podium, and securing their spot at the World Cup, were Thailand as silver medalists, and Malaysia as bronze medalists. In the men’s competition, joining India in qualifying for the World Cup, were Pakistan who won the silver medal and Malaysia, who finished fourth behind Oman, who took bronze. As Oman have already qualified for the World Cup as hosts, Malaysia take the third available spot from Asia. In the women’s competition, India went unbeaten throughout the tournament, topping the Elite pool registering three wins in their three matches. Thailand finished second to secure their semi-final spot. Japan and Malaysia went into the crossovers against Indonesia and Hong Kong China, who finished as the top two teams in the challenger pool. Indonesia and Malaysia were the crossover winners and moved on to the semi-finals. India defeated Malaysia 9-5 in a goalfest in the first semi-final, while Thailand relied on a solid defence to take a 5-2 win over Indonesia in the second semi-final. The bronze medal match produced a thriller, with the teams ending regulation time tied at 4-goals apiece. Malaysia were down 4-1 at half-time but scored thrice in the second half to pull level and won the bronze medal in the shoot-outs. In the final Thailand led 2-1 midway through the opening half, but India scored 6 unanswered goals from that point on to snatch the gold medal and become the inaugural champions. In the men’s competition, Pakistan and India topped the Elite pool securing their spots in the semi-finals. Pakistan topped the group with 13 points, while India finished second on 12 points. In their pool stage head-to-head match Pakistan got the better of India in a 5-4 thriller. In the first stage of crossover matches, Iran and Oman defeated Japan and Kazakhstan to make it to the second stage crossover matches. Oman defeated Bangladesh 5-3 to make it to the semi-finals, while Iran’s challenge came to a halt in a 6-1 loss to Malaysia. India and Pakistan sealed a finals rematch, as Pakistan won their semi-final against Oman by a 7-3 margin, while India overcame an early 2-1 deficit to win 10-4 against Malaysia. The finals once again proved to be a tight contest between India and Pakistan as the momentum and lead switched hands multiple times. At the end of full time the teams were tied at 4-4 and the title was to be decided by a shoot-out. India edged the shoot-out and claimed the gold medal, with both teams securing a spot in the upcoming World Cup. Oman claimed the bronze medal with a 5-4 win over Malaysia. But with Oman already qualifying for the World Cup as hosts, the third available qualification spot from Asia went to Malaysia as the fourth placed team. The inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024 will be played in Muscat, Oman from 24-31 January 2024, with 16 teams competing in both men’s and women’s tournaments. All 16 teams participating in the women’s competition have now qualified. Oman (hosts), Namibia, South Africa and Zambia (Africa), USA, Uruguay and Paraguay (Pan America), Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine (Europe) Australia, New Zealand and Fiji (Oceania), India, Thailand and Malaysia (Asia) will be the 16 teams to participate in the World Cup. All 16 teams participating in the men’s competition have now qualified. Oman (hosts), Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland (Europe), Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria(Africa), USA, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica(Pan America), Australia, New Zealand and Fiji (Oceania), India, Pakistan and Malaysia (Asia) will be the 16 teams to participate in the World Cup. 

Ghani Ur RehmanPESHAWAR: A rising and talented junior cricketer of Peshawar, Mohammad Zaid Khalji has been touching the heights of cricket by showing his performance by scoring 6 tons and 24 half centuries in the current season.This talented cricketer, who plays in the Student Cricket Academy Gymkhana under the supervision of Coach Fakhar Alam, Mohammad Zaid Khalji has created a big name in a short period of time. Zaid Khalji, who is known for being a run machine, scored 142 runs with the help of 3 sixes and 16 fours against the Tribal Cricket Academy like every match. He surprised everyone by scoring runs.Zaid Khalji expressed his determination that he would make the name of Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bright in the field of cricket. He said that he was very fond of cricket, if Allah wills, he will surely get success one day.Regarding Zaid Khilji, Coach Fakhr Alam said that Zaid Khilji was completely different from the children who play in the Student Academy and the entire Gymkhana Ground, as his style and skill with which he plays, it seems that this child will be successful in his mission. 

Sports Bulletin ReportAhmedabad (India): One of the most iconic and memorable sights of Ahmedabad is the Sabarmati Riverfront – and now, sprucing that up further is the Adani Sportsline managed Sports Park, offering some of the best sporting infrastructure for the people of the city and state. The Sports Park hopes to inspire and bring out the best of talent from Gujarat, with the facilities designed to support and encourage the sporting culture and also a healthier and fitter lifestyle.The Sports Park, for which Adani Sportsline won the rights after an intense bidding, was inaugurated today, on the 2nd of September, by Sh Kiritbhai Parmar, Hon’ble Mayor, in the august presence of Shri Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises; Smt. Mithali Raj, Former Captain, Indian Women Cricket; Shri Arunsinh Rajput, Whip Municipal Ruling Party; Shri Bhaskarbhai Bhatt, Leader Municipal Ruling Party; Shri Hitesh Barot, Chairman, St. Committee; Shri Kaushikbhai Jain, MLA; Shri Amitbhai P. Shah, MLA; Shri Surendrabhai Patel, Chariman, SRFDCL Project; Dr. Kiritbhai Solanki, M.P.; Shri M. Thennarsan, Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad; Shri Keshav Varma, IAS (Rtd.), Chairman, SRFDCL; Smt. Gitaben Patel, Dy. Mayor; and Shri Rajeshkumar Dave, Chairman, Recreation Cultural and Heritage Committee.The Sabarmati Riverfront Sports Park, which is open to one and all, houses designated jogging tracks, gymnasium and children’s playing areas, apart from housing multiple cricket pitches, and courts for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and tennis. Also, skating rinks with skateboards will be available to visitors and learners. The Sports Park encourages widespread participation in sports by offering accessible opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds through an option to book a slot and enjoy the game.The Sports Park will have various academies that will help introduce kids, who are between the ages of 5 and 7, to a variety of sports. The youngsters will then be allowed to pick their preferred sports, with the decisions based on their abilities, interests and aptitude, and specifically designed scientific training methods, with a special focus on strength and conditioning. This process is designed to help discover sporting talent in the city and the state so that they can then be fast-tracked to more suitable programs for further development.Mithali Raj said: “The Sabarmati Riverfront Sports Park is a fantastic initiative, and it is great to see Adani Sportsline step in and take charge. Sometimes, in sport, in India, this bit of initiative is all that’s lacking, as this helps ensure top class infrastructure for the next generations. I hope the cricket nets over here will help in harnessing talent which will represent India in the coming years.” Pranav Adani said: “The Sabarmati Riverfront is iconic and symbolises the city and people of Ahmedabad. We are extremely happy to be given this opportunity and will endeavour to take this sporting arena to greater heights. The state-of-the-art Sports Park will not only be well looked after but also it will look after our people in Ahmedabad, and hopefully, we will see the next sporting superstar come through the ranks from here. The Adani Group recognises the transformative power of sports and is keen to nurture and support the talent in the country, as we believe that by providing access to top-notch infrastructure, coaching, and training facilities, we can harness the immense potential of our youth.” 

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI:  The National Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship 2023 will spring into action on September 8 in Karachi under the auspices of the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Sindh Mixed Martial Arts Association (SMA).According to an official, a three-day national event will conclude on September 10, 2023, at the same venue. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation is an authentic body affiliated with Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA). The championship will witness male and female fighters from all over Pakistan who will be seen competing against each other in the upcoming fights for the ultimate title gain of the championship. The fighters will have fights in two different categories including MMA and Striking MMA However, Individual category is divided into different weight categories in which fights will be contested.President PMMAF, Zulfiqar Ali said:“All affiliated Units of Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation will also be featuring in this championship which including Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) players from their respective teams will be seen competing with all their skills so as to earn top honors in the championship.

Special ReportIn the realm of sports, there are individuals who exemplify determination and resilience, rising above challenges to achieve greatness. One such individual is Asif Abbasi, Pakistan's top wheelchair tennis player, whose journey from a world ranking of 400 at the beginning of 2023 to now holding the impressive rank of 156 in the world showcases his remarkable ascent.Abbasi's journey gained momentum with his participation in the Bolton, cinch Queen's club, and Nottingham wheelchair tennis tournaments. His outstanding performances in these events not only caught the attention of tennis enthusiasts but also propelled him to his current world ranking. From a humble start, he has surged ahead, leaving his mark on the international wheelchair tennis circuit.The pinnacle of his achievements came with his victory at the “Play Your Way To Wimbledon” National Finals tournament held at the prestigious Wimbledon tennis courts in London, United Kingdom (UK). This monumental win not only underscores Abbasi's exceptional skill and determination but also marks a historic moment for Pakistan in wheelchair tennis.What makes his journey even more inspiring is that he's accomplishing these feats single-handedly, despite work commitments. However, the lack of sponsorship is hindering his ability to participate in more international tournaments. Currently, ranked 156th in the world, Abbasi is confident with the proper support to achieve even greater success.Abbasi's achievements hold significance not only for himself but for Pakistan's tennis history. He's set to make history as he competes in the Para Asian Games in China from October 22nd to 28th, 2023. Abbasi firmly believes that disabled Pakistani athletes can bring honor to the nation on the global stage.Looking ahead, Abbasi's ambition extends to the Paralympics in 2024 in Paris, France. His dedication to representing Pakistan on this prestigious platform is unwavering.In light of his accomplishments, Abbasi is advocating for more support for disabled athletes in Pakistan. He emphasizes that with proper backing, disabled athletes can consistently perform on the international stage, further uplifting the nation's reputation.Asif Abbasi's journey embodies determination and a fervent belief in the potential of disabled athletes. His story is not only a personal achievement but also a call to action to acknowledge and uplift disabled athletes on their path to international success.

BIPIN DANIFormer Pakistani all-rounder Mudassar Nazar was one of the foreign invitees at the colourful and enjoyable 3rd Edition of Kenya Past Cricketers Reunion held in Nairobi last week. This was revealed by Subhash Modi, the Hon. Coordinator/PRO: Kenya Past Cricketers Reunion Third Edition 2023. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Nairobi, he said, "Mudassar has not played cricket in Nairobi but was in charge of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in the past. We invited him with his wife Jackie Janmohamed, who is the former Chairlady of Cricket Kenya and also Immediate Past Chairlady of Africa Cricket Association and also the first Kenyan Lady Umpire to umpire top cricket league matches in Nairobi"."Her support for cricket in Kenya is simply praiseworthy. Jackie has been supporting our cricketing functions since its inception in 2018. We value her unending support. Jackie Janmohamed, besides one of our platinum sponsors, was also our honoured Chief Guest. Janmohamed lives in Nairobi but she travels a lot overseas. She is one of the well-known lawyers here in Kenya"."Mudassar Nassar, a well-known Pakistan Cricketing Icon is husband to Jackie Janmohamed. The reason for inviting Mudassar was because he has served ICC and Kenya's National Cricket Academy with dedication and commitment", added the former international umpire Modi.Mudassar lives in Pakistan, Nairobi, Dubai, and United Kingdom (UK) depending on his travel plans, and work commitments.