BIPIN DANI It was a double delight for Ireland's 16-year-old Amy Hunter, who not only became the youngest international centurion but her unbeatern ODI ton came on her 16th birthday enabled the Ireland women's team to register a win against Zimbabwe. Interestingly, Hunter overtook the record which was held by India's Mithali Raj, against Ireland. Mithali had scored 114 (n.o.) in an ODI at the age of 16 years and 205 days in June 1999. “We are just so excited for Amy, although there is also a lot of relief there, as we know how hard she works and how many hours of training she puts in”, her mother Sara Hunter says exclusively. “Amy has been playing boys cricket since a young age, and she showed a true passion for cricket from an early age. She said she found cricket addictive, and as parents we saw that in how she has dedicated herself to the game.” Sara's both parents-father Jim- are doctors by profession. “Amy has just flown in from Zimbabwe and is exhausted after the tour and all the media attention over the last 48 hours. She’ll rest up with a day off school, but in true style she is planning to be back out there this weekend playing hockey for her school”, the mother continued. “We are so thankful that we could follow Amy’s innings on the livestream, as we couldn’t travel out there, and appreciate Zimbabwe Cricket for putting that on - and thankful for the Irish coaches and support staff that looked after Amy and her teammates in the tour.” Amy's brother, James is also a cricketer, informs Norman Shannon, the chairman of the cricket committee of the Instonians Cricket Club. "We are proud of Amy's superb performance. Amy and James played for our club. Now she plays for Malahide Cricket Club in the South as a higher standard. She is the only girl to score a hundred for Instonians Women's team", he added. 

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT ISLAMABAD (October 14, 2021):-The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) G-1 Taekwondo Championship will be taken place at Liquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad from November 6 to 8 this year 2021. According to president, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) Col (Retd) Mohammad Wasim Janjua, the preparations are underway for the mega international event, as around three 300 athletes will participate. Along with 2 national teams of Pakistan, provincial, departments, and services teams will also participate. International referees have been invited to supervise the matches. The last date of registration for international and national players is October 25.  Wasim further said that foreign teams have shown keen interest in being a part of the COAS G-1 event and all stakeholders including POA, PSB, Pakistan Army, and Taekwondo Federation are keen to see the success of the championship. Wasim Janjua said that Pakistan Taekwondo Federation would nominate international and national personalities as goodwill ambassadors for the event. President of South Asian Taekwondo Association and Honorary Vice President of PTF Omar Saeed said that hosting an international level event would help in highlighting the positive aspects of Pakistan in the field of sports and would send a positive message about Pakistan to the whole world.

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (October 14, 2021):-World No 59 Auguste Dussourd (France) set to meet World No 67 Moustafa El Sirty (Egypt) in the Men’s final of Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship 2021, as both players won their semifinals at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad on Thursday. The final will be played on Friday at same venue. In the Men’s Event, 1st semifinal World No 59 Auguste Dussourd (France) beat World No 45 Tayyab Aslam (PAK) with a game score of 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 3-11 and 11-4 in 60 minutes. Later on, in the 2nd semifinal World No 67 Moustafa El Sirty from Egypt thrashed World No 71 Henry Leung from Hong Kong at 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 and 11-5 in 41 minutes. In, Women’s Event, 1st semifinal, World No 81 Salma El Tayab from Egypt beat World No 102 Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) with a game score of 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 and 12-10.  The match lasted for 33 minutes.  In the 2nd semifinal, World No 69 Marie Stephan from France beat World No 149 Nadeen Kotb from Egypt by 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 in 31 minutes. 

H Shah MANCHESTER (October 14, 2021):-A 14-strong squad has been selected for the Lions tour of Australia starting in November. The touring party will depart on the 4 November along with the Test specialists selected in the Ashes squad. Selection is subject to passing Lions minimum fitness standards, which will be administered over the coming weeks. Lions squad to tour Australia Tom Abell (Somerset), Josh Bohannon (Lancashire), James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Alex Lees (Durham), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Liam Norwell (Warwickshire), Matt Parkinson (Lancashire), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Rob Yates (Warwickshire) The squad includes four players, James Bracey, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes and Dom Sibley, who are capped at Test level Lancashire batter Josh Bohannon, Surrey wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and the Warwickshire pair of seamer Liam Norwell and opening batter Rob Yates are new to the Lions set-up. The rest of the squad have had Lions experience in the past. Durham opener Alex Lees returns to the Lions for the first time in six years. The 28-year-old left-hander has been in excellent form in the LV= Insurance County Championship and will be looking to make an impression on this tour. The Lions will be in camp alongside the England Ashes squad and will play two intra-squad matches (1 x 3-day and 1 x 4-day matches) in Queensland. They will also take on Australia A in a four-day match. Dates and venues are still to be confirmed. The party will return home on 16 December. Coaching appointments will be announced in due course.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (October 13, 2021):-The third seeded player of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship 2021 downed top seed Tayyab Aslam 3-2 in the first semifinal and scattered the dreams of Tayyab Aslam and top officials of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) as well at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad on Thursday. The final score-line was 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 3-11 and 11-4. World No. 59 French guy Auguste started the match with full confidence and claimed the first two games quite easily by conceding 9 and 7 points respectively in the first and second game. Local guy Tayyab, who had defeated Twan Lau of Hong Kong 3-1 after losing the first game at the same venue, could not make the finish in style. Although he played excellent squash in 3rd and 4th game to level the match, he was looking a bit upset in the vital game in which he could earn only four points. Auguste was looking cool and tactics were good to keep control on the final game with powerful strokes and classic drop shorts. He, who had confronted the same situation in the quarterfinal against Farhan Zaman in a five game affair, showed his power and aggression in the 5th game to reach in the final of a high ranking international squash showpiece that was pursuing prize money of US$30000.  

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (October 14, 2021):-Pakistan Cricket Board today provisionally suspended Zeeshan Malik of Northern Cricket Association under Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, which means he cannot take part in any cricket-related activity pending the investigation being carried out by PCB's Anti-Corruption Unit. Article 4.7.1 read as: Where either: (a) the PCB decides to charge a Participant with an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code; or (b) the PCB considers that there are other exceptional circumstances relevant to a Participant (for example, where any relevant police authority has arrested and/or charged a Participant with an offence under any relevant criminal law in respect of facts or circumstances that may also constitute an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code), it shall have the discretion, in circumstances where it considers that the integrity of the sport could otherwise be seriously undermined, to Provisionally Suspend the Participant pending the Anti-Corruption Tribunal’s determination of whether he/she has committed an offence. Any decision to Provisionally Suspend the Participant will be communicated to the Participant in writing, with a copy sent at the same time to the ICC and, where applicable, the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated.

BIPIN DANI Afghanistan cricket team will participate in the upcoming T-20 World Cup under the old national flag-banner, it is learnt. According to highly placed sources in Kabul and the UAE, it has been made clear to the officials of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). Doubts were recently raised about the participation of the team in the World Cup following the Taliban taking over the charge of the nation. "Afghanistan's old national flag is being displayed in the Expo 2020, a World Expo, currently hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022", one of the sources confirmed from the UAE. The team is, however, likely to miss the first practice match against South Africa on 18th.  "Only eight Afghanistan players are in the UAE. The rest of the squad members, who were practicing in Qatar, could get late visas and arrive on Wednesday night/Thursday morning".   "As per the standard rule, they need to spend six-day quarantine before being allowed to practice and therefore the match may have to be skipped", the source aware of the development said. The authorities are in negotiations with the ICC and the Indian cricket board, it is learnt.    Andy Flower, the new batting consultant has already joined the squad in the UAE.  

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (October 14, 2021):-Reigning women’s Olympic, World and European champions the Netherlands got their FIH Hockey Pro League title defence off to a solid start, defeating neighbouring Belgium 2-0 in the competition curtain raiser in front of a big crowd at Amsterdam’s magnificent Wagener Stadium. The Oranje – who were presented with their trophy for winning the 2020-21 FIH Hockey Pro League season ahead of the contest – made a sensational start to the new season when star attacker Lidewij Welten crashed home a fierce open play strike after just 17 seconds of the contest, thrilling the home fans who had flocked to see their national team for the first time since winning gold at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in August. Belgium’s Red Panthers recovered well from that early blow and made life difficult for their illustrious opponents, with large spells of the game taking place in midfield as the two lowland nations battled for possession and superiority. It was certainly scrappy at times, with both sides guilty of unforced errors. While goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between, a 1-0 score-line meant that Belgium – coached by Dutchman Raoul Ehren, an individual with a near peerless club coaching record in the Netherlands and who had guided the Red Panthers to European bronze in this very stadium earlier this year – were always in with a chance of taking something away from this clash. However, that all changed nine minutes from time when Freeke Moes burst through the Belgian defensive line and past the goalkeeper before firing home from an acute angle, much to the delight of the home fans. It was a goal that wrapped up all three points for the home favourites, giving the double Pro League champions the start that they would have wanted as they bid to secure a hat-trick of titles. “It was amazing, the public here and playing with the Olympians in the team”, said Netherlands debutant Marente Barentsen, who was named Player of the Match. “I was a bit nervous, but after the first quarter it got a bit better and I forgot it was my debut, so tried to keep playing and keep enjoying it.” On whether she thought it was the start of a new era, Barentsen said: “I hope so. I wanted to make a good impression, which is what I am supposed to do. I hope I did it.” Reflecting on the result and conceding so early in the contest, Belgium’s Stephanie Vanden Borre said: “We were not as awake as we should have been. The first thing we thought was, now we have to wake up. We know they are the best in the world so we were ready to fight and do what we want to do. We want to play better every game. I think after the first 15 seconds, we had a good game.” 

Ali Ahmed LAHORE (October 13, 2021):-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa successfully defended the National T20 title thanks to their captain Iftikhar Ahmed’s all-round performance, which fashioned a seven-wicket win over Central Punjab in the final at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. The 31-year-old all-rounder stroked a whirlwind 45 not out off 19 as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa overhauled a 149-run target with 18 balls spare. Iftikhar arrived at the crease with his side requiring 59 runs from 7.4 overs and smashed two sixes and six fours to finish as the second best batter in the tournament with 409 runs scored at a staggering strike rate of 170.41. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain completed the run chase by smoking Mohammad Faizan for a four through cover on the last ball of the 17th over and unleashed a roar in the Lahore night sky. He was won the player of the final and the best player of the tournament awards. Adil Amin with an unbeaten 25 off 21 provided Iftikhar support from the other end. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s run chase was off to a quiet start as Central Punjab captain Wahab Riaz bowled a maiden over to Sahibzada Farhan. Young wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris spanked Sameen Gul for a four and a six in the second over before he was dismissed. The second wicket 47-run stand between Farhan, who was named as the best batter for scoring the 447 – the most in the tournament – at a strike rate of 132, and Kamran Ghulam (37 off 31) staged the recovery and put Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a strong position. Farhan made 26 off 28 and was dismissed by young off-spinner Qasim Akram. That Central Punjab bowlers had something to bowl at was due to the 85-run second wicket alliance between Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal. The pair came together after Mohammad Akhlaq was caught behind off Imran Khan Snr on the second ball and put Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bowlers on the backfoot. Ahmed, who top scored in the innings with 36-ball 44, smashed Arshad Iqbal for two fours in the second over, but it was the fifth over when their partnership truly kicked off as the two smashed left-arm orthodox Asif Afridi for two fours and a six in an over that added 16 to the total. Ahmed finished the powerplay with a magnificent six over point as Central Punjab gathered 51 from the first six overs. It was left-arm orthodox Khalid Usman who ended their partnership as he deceived Kamran in the air and had him stumped. Kamran smashed three fours and two sixes in his 29-ball 42. The next over, Central Punjab’s problems compounded as Iftikhar introduced himself into the attack. Ahmed fell six runs short of what would have been his 40th T20 half-century as he hold out to long-off. In his next over, Iftikhar accounted for Saif Badar and Hussain Talat as Central Punjab slipped from 85 for one to 101 for five and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain finished with a superb three for five. Qasim was the only batter in the middle-order to make a valuable contribution with 11-ball 20. He struck two sixes to Imran in the 17th over, which added 20. But, from there on, Central Punjab lost wickets on regular intervals. Mohammad Imran removed Mohammad Faizan and Qasim on back to back deliveries in the 18th over and Arshad sent Faheem Ashraf and Zafar Gohar back to the pavilion in the next over. Imran returned in the last over to remove Wahab and end Central Punjab’s innings with four balls spare. Scores in brief Central Punjab 148 all out, 19.2 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 44, Kamran Akmal 42, Qasim Akram 20; Iftikhar Ahmed 3-5, Mohammad Imran 3-26, Arshad Iqbal 2-28) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 152-3, 17 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 45 not out, Kamran Ghulam 37, Sahibzada Farhan 26, Adil Amin 25 not out; Sameen Gul 1-19, Qasim Akram 1-27, Mohammad Faizan 1-46) Player of the final:  Iftikhar Ahmed Player of the tournament: Iftikhar Ahmed (409 runs and eight wickets) Best batter of the tournament: Sahibzada Farhan (447 runs) Best bowler of the tournament: Imran Khan Snr (16 wickets) Best wicketkeeper of the tournament: Rohail Nazir (12 dismissals)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad (October 13, 2021):-There is no security question for players in Pakistan, as I am enjoying the game of squash in the capital city Islamabad without any fear and horror. I will deliver the peace message of Pakistan to all top ranking international players and ask them to visit Pakistan to compete in the high profile international squash tournaments in future; this was viewed by World No. 59 squash player from France Auguste Dussourd, who is here to participate in the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship 2021 that is underway at Mushaf Squash Complex in the premises of Pakistan Sports Complex. While talking to international sports website www.sports-bulletin.com Auguste further said that it was his third tour to Pakistan to take part in the squash events. “This is my third trip to Pakistan and I have never confronted any problem or trouble. During the ongoing CAS championship the organizers have provided all the crunch facilities. Very excellent environment for squash, hoteling is brilliant and very wonderful food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We can move everywhere and live comfortably, “he maintained. To a question, Auguste Dussourd said that it was an honour for him to play a squash tournament at the soil of great squash players Jehangir Khan and Jansher Khan. “All squash players admired both Pakistani heroes and they made countless marks in the history of squash. They were super players of their times, they won all the giant titles of squash including World Championships, British Open and many other topmost ranking squash tournaments. I am proud to play squash in the country of the great squash icons, “he added. A question regarding the ongoing squash championship, the Frenchman said, “All matches were tough and I had to work hard on the court to overcome the opponents, as Farhan Zaman was a big hurdle for me and he gave me a very harsh time because I was not aware of his game. I took the start carefully and whenever I got any chance I played attacking squash too. I am physically fit and will play a positive game and perform up to mark in the rest of matches, “international squash player Auguste Dussourd concluded.